93 youths recognized for outstanding sportsmanship

On the fourth Sunday of Easter, April 21, the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry celebrated its annual CYO (Catholic Youth Organization ) Athletics Recognition ceremony. Ninety-three youth athletes and 47 adults received recognition at the ceremony for outstanding contributions to the CYO Sports Program.

Bishop Gregory J. Studerus, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Newark, presided over the service, which was celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.

Following a celebratory hymn and introductory rites, the presentation of the candidates and conferral of awards took center stage. Recipients stepped forward to accept their awards, presented by Bishop Studerus.

The awards presented fell into two categories: the Archdiocesan Youth Parish/School Sportsmanship Award and the Archdiocesan Adult Parish/School Discipleship Award. Sports program administrators can submit up to two student athletes and one adult for recognition at the ceremony for each program.

The Sportsmanship Award honors athletes who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship both on and off the field, embodying the values of service and integrity within their parish or school community.

Julia Colon, who plays basketball and volleyball at St. Joseph the Carpenter School in Roselle, said that her favorite part of playing sports is being part of a team, and working hard towards a common goal.

“When you see everything you worked for go well, it’s one of your happiest moments,” she said.

“Playing CYO Sports taught me how I should never get upset after losing a game and not to blame others because we are a team,” she added. “It reminds me of how Jesus always forgave those who sinned and didn’t hold grudges against them.”

Jotham Estime, who plays soccer, and basketball, and dances at St. Joseph the Carpenter School said that participating in sports has enhanced his Catholic school experience by providing a “fun and safe” environment to play sports. “I’ve learned how to handle myself after a loss, and how to stay humble after a big win,” he said.

Estime said he has also learned “what being a team player is all about, following the example of Jesus by being a good teammate on and off the court.”

The Discipleship Award recognizes adults who have demonstrated unwavering commitment and dedication to the development of young people and athletics within their respective communities.

Each awardee received a certificate and medal for the Youth Sportsmanship Award. Recipients of the Adult Discipleship Award received an honorary plaque. The ceremony concluded with a solemn blessing to inspire continued excellence and service in the days ahead.

Archdiocesan Youth Parish/School Sportsmanship Award Recipients

Justin Calvo and Valentina Cardino from All Saints Catholic Academy in Bayonne
Victoria Wilbeck and Emily Palomino from St. Henry Church in Bayonne
Lukasz Pope and Emily Drexler from St. Thomas in Bloomfield
Fallon Fiore and Giancarlo Morresi from Saint Catherine of Siena in Cedar Grove
Brias Santos and Millen Dhiman from St. Agnes in Clark
Jasmine Bryant and Millen Dhiman from St. John the Apostle in Clark
James Bonneville from St. Michael School in Cranford
Charlotte Conover and Anelle Avallone from Academy Of Holy Angels in Demarest
Joshua McHayle and Jaden Auguste from St. Joseph School in East Orange
Christian Leto and Isabel Lopez from St. Leo in Elmwood Park
Justin Nieves and Isabella Orellana from Our Lady of Grace in Fairview
Christopher Tully from Most Blessed Sacrament in Franklin Lakes
Owen Rocks and Mary Cate Roberts from Academy of Our Lady in Glen Rock
Luca Perillo and Chloe Velez from Corpus Christi in Hasbrouck Heights
Jackson Cummins and Julianna Cox from St. John the Baptist in Hillsdale
Frank DiLibero and Maggie Mikulski from Hoboken Catholic Academy in Hoboken
Samara Porch and Bauer Anderson from Our Lady of Czestochowa in Jersey City
Sophia Peralta and Johens Celestin from St. Joseph in Jersey City
Charley Buenano and Troy Elijah Moonsammy from St. Nicholas in Jersey City
Addyson Anderson and Alexander Miller-Rofail from St. Theresa School in Kenilworth
Ethan Costa Fernandez and Micah Moody from Aquinas Academy in Livingston
Sydney Khin and Jax Miranda-Correia from Sacred Heart School in Lyndhurst
Violet Kessler and Thomas Walmsley from St. Joseph in Maplewood
Sawyer Steffich and Sara Stern from Nativity in Midland Park
Halle Barrett and Karl Krajewski from St. Cassian School in Montclair
Lily Ekmekjian and Meghan Brady from Our Lady of Peace in New Providence
Ari Cameron and Matthew Cosme from St. Michael School in Newark
Matthew Hui and Alexa Falsetta from Good Shepherd Academy in Nutley
Riley Martucci and Quinn Brennan from St. Joseph in Oradell
Emerson De la Roca and Bryanna Rodriguez from Notre Dame Academy in Palisades Park
Marco Silvestre and Kylie Creer from Visitation Academy in Paramus
Allie Graham and Liam Murray from Our Lady of Mercy in Park Ridge
Cyprian Gallic and Lily Gallic from Koinonia Academy in Plainfield
Isabella Fitzsimmons and Matthew McCarthy from St. Paul Academy in Ramsey
Thomas Pellicciari and Keira Dougherty from St. Paul Parish in Ramsey
Brooke Pennacchio and Colin Montone from Our Lady Mount Carmel in Ridgewood
Paolo Baudone and Anna Finan from St. Peter in River Edge
Camila Goris and Emily Reynoso from Sacred Heart Church in Rochelle Park
Jotham Estime and Julisa Colon from St. Joseph the Carpenter in Roselle
Sarah Riley and Juliana Dowling from Immaculate Heart of Mary in Scotch Plains
Amarachi Nwokike and David Camargo from St. Bartholomew in Scotch Plains
Mary Kola and Sarah Sullivan from Our Lady of Sorrows in South Orange
Luna Lamberti and Jaelyn Polanco from Mount Carmel in Tenafly
Jayden Cruz and Fisayo Opeyemi-Ajayi from St. Michael in Union
Olivia Mackinson and Joseph Russo from Our Lady of the Lake in Verona
Manny Sanchez and Drew Roofener from Holy Trinity Parish in Westfield
Alexander Checchio and Sophia Drivas from Holy Trinity School in Westfield
Andrew Quay from St. Helen in Westfield
Lucas Bedoya and Victoria DaCosta from St. Andrew in Westwood
Nina Cardella and Jack Bednarek from St. Elizabeth School in Wyckoff