Outstanding Catholic 8th-graders are celebrated for academics, values
The Archdiocese of Newark recently recognized outstanding 8th-grade Catholic School students for academic excellence and demonstration of Catholic values through service to school and community.
In its eighth year, the Outstanding Catholic School Graduates (OCSG) Award honors a graduating student from each Catholic elementary school.
At two Masses held on March 25 and April 1 at the Pope John Paul II Youth Retreat Center in Kearny, the students, their families, and schools, were recognized for this accomplishment. After Mass, a celebratory breakfast was hosted in the gymnasium at the retreat center.
Families enjoyed a slide show featuring the soon-to-be graduates and had the opportunity to pose for photos with their principals or other school representatives. Students wrote thank you notes to those who have helped them reach this achievement and parents wrote notes of congratulations and encouragement to their children as they prepare to step into their high school years.
Each student was presented with a medal and a congratulatory letter from Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark.
“As Outstanding Catholic School Graduates, you have distinguished yourselves not only in academics but also in something far more valuable in the long run – the way you live out the Gospel message in your words and deeds,” Cardinal Tobin wrote in his letter to the students. “We are indeed both proud and blessed by your endeavors and achievements.”
He also extended his gratitude and blessings to the parents, teachers, principals, pastors, and school board members who helped the students reach this moment.
This year, 46 students from across Bergen, Hudson, Union, and Essex counties were recognized with the prestigious award. Of the 50 elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Newark, 45 elementary schools are archdiocesan schools, and five are private schools run by religious orders.
“When this award program started eight years ago, we were looking for a way to recognize and celebrate our students who were preparing to graduate from 8th grade,” said Mary McElroy, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools, Government Programs, and Advocacy.
June Butchko, Coordinator for Curriculum and Assessment with the Archdiocese of Newark, said the award was borne out of a desire to celebrate all students. “We wanted to celebrate students who are strong — not just in academics — but in service, character, and Catholic ideals,” Butchko said.
According to McElroy, the Office of Catholic Schools provides the criteria for the award, which outlines that the student must be a current 8th grader that exemplifies Catholic values in word and deed, demonstrates superior academic achievement and has been enrolled in a Catholic school in the Archdiocese for at least two years. Each school selects one 8th grader as its Outstanding Catholic School Graduate.
Nominees are announced locally during Catholic Schools Week, the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States, which took place this year Jan. 30 through Feb. 4. Schools may choose to honor recipients locally with in-school ceremonies, Masses, and other celebrations.
Nicholas Percontino, the Outstanding Catholic School Graduate from Corpus Christi in Hasbrouck Heights, said he was honored to receive the award.
“It showed me how important my actions all these years have been,” Percontino said.
During his time at Corpus Christi School, he said he “learned the valuable lesson of determination” and how to live his life in a manner that makes a positive impact on others. He plans to attend Saint Joseph Regional High School in Montvale in the fall.
Ciaran Henry, the awardee from St. John’s Academy in Hillsdale, said he is grateful to be named an honoree.
Henry, who is also looking forward to attending Saint Joseph Regional High School in Montvale in the fall, said that his time at St. John’s Academy taught him “to be a kind, faithful, and friendly” individual as well as a “well-rounded, religious person.”
Joyce Cortez, the awardee from Saint Thomas the Apostle School in Bloomfield, said the award “has made a major impact on my life when it applies to my education.
“This could not be done without the support and guidance from my parents, teachers, principal, and fellow students,” said Cortez.
She is excited to continue her Catholic education at Paramus Catholic High School in the fall. Catholic education has given her, “a mindset to trust in God’s plan… [it] has given me the confidence that I could one day become successful.”
At the March 25 ceremony, Bergen and Hudson County Catholic school students were honored. The main celebrant for Mass was Father John Job, pastor of the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Franklin Lakes. The April 1 ceremony honored Essex and Union County Catholic school students. The main celebrant for Mass was Father Stephen Fichter, Episcopal Vicar of Education for the Archdiocese of Newark. At each Mass, priests from the parishes associated with the schools concelebrated, which meant a great deal to the students, their families, and school administration.
The names of the 2023 Outstanding Catholic Schools Graduates are:
Angelle Sanabria, St. Peter School, Belleville
Joyce Cortez, St. Thomas the Apostle School, Bloomfield
Isabella Nilio, St. Catherine of Siena, Cedar Grove
Ma’Quiyah Williams-Riddick, St. Joseph School, East Orange
Alexander Aiosa, Aquinas Academy, Livingston
Dalilah Rivera, St. Michael School, Newark
Heather Budez Godoy, Good Shepherd Academy, Nutley
Christina Paul, Our Lady of Sorrows School, South Orange
Thomas Gagliano, Lacordaire Academy, Upper Montclair
Serafin Sousa, Our Lady of the Lake School, Verona
Anya Czarnota, St. John the Apostle, Clark
Addison Stroh, St. Michael School, Cranford
Eve Forenza, St. Theresa School, Kenilworth
Kayla Dzwilewski; St. Leo School, Elmwood Park
Alessandra Lara; Academy of Our Lady of Grace, Fairview
Alexander Tong; Christ the Teacher Academy, Fort Lee
Sean Benneh; Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Franklin Lakes
Luke Alexander Santos; Academy of Our Lady, Glen Rock
Nicholas Percontino; Corpus Christi School, Hasbrouck Heights
Ciaran Henry; St. John’s Academy, Hillsdale
Bridgid Leddy; Sacred Heart School, Lyndhurst
Danila Rogel; Queen of Peace School, North Arlington
Nicholas Robert Brady; St. Joseph School, Oradell
Ariana Arteaga; Notre Dame Academy, Palisades Park
Laetitia Miksisahdo; Visitation Academy, Paramus
Rachel Mathew; Our Lady of Mercy Academy, Park Ridge
Alexander Vernace; Academy of St. Paul, Ramsey
Mary Calianese; St. Peter Academy, River Edge
Haydn Ty; Academy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Tenafly
Gavin Hermansen; St. Elizabeth School, Wyckoff
Thomas Kernodle; All Saints Catholic Academy, Bayonne
Daniel Naeris; Hoboken Catholic Academy, Hoboken
Jian-Colby Sibug; St. Aloysius Elementary Academy, Jersey City
Adeeza Montojo; St. Nicholas School, Jersey City
Tygesen Yoon; Our Lady of Czestochowa School, Jersey City
Michael McCall; St. Joseph School, Jersey City
Jayiona Ricks; Sacred Heart School, Jersey City
Clare Facchini; St. Francis Academy, Union City
Abner Sosa; Academy of St. Joseph of the Palisades, West New York
Arianna George; St. Cassian School, Upper Montclair
Leo Fiore; The Academy of Our Lady of Peace, New Providence
Kamilah Ochoa-Diaz; St. Joseph the Carpenter School, Roselle
Nathan Thomas; St. Bartholomew Academy, Scotch Plains
John Jerow; St. Rose of Lima Academy, Short Hills
Gabrielle Gregorio; St. Michael School, Union
Kevin Aby; Holy Trinity School, Westfield
Featured image: Father Stephen Fichter, Episcopal Vicar of Education for the Archdiocese of Newark (back row, center), and Barbara Dolan, Superintendent of Catholic Schools (far left), stand alongside 2023 OCSG from Essex and Union County Catholic Schools at the Sacred Heart Chapel in Kearny on April 1.
