Outstanding Catholic School Graduates honored at annual ceremony

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 ninth year, the Outstanding Catholic School Graduates (OCSG) Award honors a graduating student from each Catholic elementary school in the Archdiocese of Newark.

Father Stephen Fichter, the Episcopal Vicar of Education for the Archdiocese of Newark celebrated two Masses at the Pope John Paul II Youth Retreat Center in Kearny.

Father Stephen Fichter, the Episcopal Vicar of Education for the Archdiocese of Newark celebrated two honorary Masses to recognize the students on April 20 and May 4 at the Pope John Paul II Youth Retreat Center in Kearny to honor the students. After the Masses, attendees enjoyed a celebratory breakfast hosted in the gymnasium at the retreat center.

Archdiocese of Newark 2024 Outstanding Catholic School Graduates — *The 2024 Outstanding Catholic School Graduates received medals of recognition and a congratulatory letter from Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin. (Holy Trinity School)*

Attendees enjoyed a slideshow showcasing the soon-to-be graduates and took photos with their principals or other school officials. Students penned thank-you notes to those who contributed to their success, while parents congratulated and encouraged their children as they approached the transition to high school.

Barbara Dolan, Superintendent of the Office of Schools, presented each student with a medal. The students also received a congratulatory letter from Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark.

“Congratulations and warmest best wishes to each of you,” Cardinal Tobin wrote. “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. We are indeed both proud and blessed by your endeavors and achievements.”

This year, the Office of Schools recognized 48 Catholic school students from across Bergen, Hudson, Union, and Essex counties. Of the 50 elementary schools in the Archdiocese of Newark, the Archdiocese operates 45, and religious orders run five as private schools.

“The Outstanding Catholic School Graduate Mass and Breakfast is a wonderful way to acknowledge graduating eighth-grade students who have been recognized in their school communities as living out the Gospel message in word and deed,” said Dolan. “The gathering of students, parents, principals, teachers, and priests for this special celebration is a visible expression of the partnership between home, school and parish which is so crucial to Catholic school education. These students have made a difference in their schools through their kindness and service, and we pray that they will continue to proclaim the message of God’s love throughout their lives.”

The Office of Schools establishes the criteria for the award. The nominee must be a current eighth-grader who 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 Catholic school selects one eighth-grader as its Outstanding Catholic School Graduate, according to Mary McElroy, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools, Government Programs, and Advocacy.

During Catholic Schools Week Jan. 28 through Feb. 2, the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States, local Catholic schools announced the nominees. Schools may choose to honor recipients locally with in-school ceremonies, Masses, and other celebrations.

Congratulations to the 2024 Outstanding Catholic School Graduates from the Archdiocese of Newark.

Jemanuela Rue from St. Peter School in Belleville
Emily Drexler from St. Thomas the Apostle School in Bloomfield
Collin O’Connor from St. Catherine of Siena School in Cedar Grove
Ethan Costa Fernandez from Aquinas Academy in Livingston
Elias Ferreira from St. Michael School in Newark
Elizabeth Rasul from Good Shepherd Academy in Nutley
Gianelle Mia Seron from Our Lady of Sorrows School in South Orange
Joshua Chiaravalloti from Lacordaire Academy in Upper Montclair
Abijah Aranda from St. Cassian School in Upper Montclair
Josh Dimalanta from Our Lady of the Lake School in Verona
Lilliana Gallo from St. John the Apostle School in Clark
Krysta Pumarada from St. Theresa School in Kenilworth
Meghan Brady from The Academy of Our Lady of Peace in New Providence
Laila Taylor from St. Joseph the Carpenter School in Roselle
Amarachi Nwokike from St. Bartholomew Academy in Scotch Plains
Maggie Naughton from St. Rose of Lima Academy in Short Hills
Bright Nnadi from St. Michael School in Union
Edward Baycora from Saint Leo School in Elmwood Park
Michelle Perez from the Academy of Our Lady of Grace in Fairview
Matthew Alino from Christ the Teacher Academy in Fort Lee
Lucas Bissen from the Academy of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Franklin Lakes
Dominic DiRado from the Academy of Our Lady in Glen Rock
Alexa Campaiola from Corpus Christi School in Hasbrouck Heights
Mary Laux from Saint John Academy in Hillsdale
Jax Miranda-Correia from Sacred Heart School in Lyndhurst
Sofia D’Elia from Queen of Peace Grammar School in North Arlington
Caroline Yabut from St. Joseph School in Oradell
Adriana Petriello from Notre Dame Academy in Palisades Park
Anthony Ceria from Visitation Academy in Paramus
Jovita Thomas from Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Park Ridge
Isabella Fitzsimmons from the Academy of Saint Paul in Ramsey
Mandy Fallin from Saint Peter Academy in River Edge
Erin Kim from the Academy of Our Lady Mount Carmel in Tenafly
Nina Cardella from Saint Elizabeth School in Wyckoff
Elizabeth Canela from All Saints Catholic Academy in Bayonne
Tess Mulcahy from Hoboken Catholic Academy in Hoboken
Gabriel Williams from Our Lady of Czestochowa School in Jersey City
Maliyse Reaves from Sacred Heart School in Jersey City
Theo Casareo from Saint Aloysius Elementary Academy in Jersey City
Sofia Peralta from Saint Joseph School in Jersey City
Troy Moonsammy from Saint Nicholas School in Jersey City
Melanie Gonzalez from Saint Francis Academy in Union City
Matthew Suarez-Vanegas from the Academy of Saint Joseph of the Palisades in West New York
Alex Checchio from Holy Trinity School in Westfield
Ben Palacio from St. Michael School in Cranford
Ja’Zaira Taylor from St. Joseph School in East Orange