“Xavier teaches us not for the test but for life,” National Honor Society president Dan Lyons ’21 told those gathered in person in the gym and those at home for the Academic Awards Ceremony for freshmen, sophomores and juniors.
He also delivered an individual message to each class. Headmaster Dave Eustis and Principal Brendan Donohue also lauded the award winners on this Friday afternoon for their diligence and resiliency in a school year that has seen in-person, virtual and hybrid learning.
The results of the National Spanish Exam came too late to be included in these ceremonies, so students will be recognized in that area at a later date. Seniors will be recognized with various awards on graduation weekend.
The awards:
CLASS OF 2024
Xavier faculty have selected the following freshman to receive Department Awards based upon their outstanding performance throughout the year:
Freshman Religion and Honors English Awards: Cormac Burke
Freshman College Prep English Award: Kyle Hoynack
Freshman Accelerated English Award: Darren Sengphachanh
Freshman College Prep Mathematics Award: Brian Caiden Olmstead
Freshman Accelerated Mathematics Award: Calan Lindsay
Freshman Honors Mathematics Award: Kevin Kasperowski
Freshman College Prep Science Award: Ryan Zimmermann
Freshman Accelerated Science Award: Akshat Tonk
Freshman Honors Science and Social Studies Awards: Alvin Nellik
Freshman College Prep Social Studies Award: Benjamin Ziomek
Freshman Accelerated Social Studies Award: Gianni Brescio
Freshman College Prep Foreign Language Award: John Larkin
Freshman Accelerated Foreign Language Award: Francesco De Vivo
Freshman Honors Foreign Language Award: Jeth Gomez
The following freshmen have been recognized by the American Association of French Teachers for Outstanding Performance on the NATIONAL FRENCH I EXAM:
Certificates of Honor: Aristotelis Lazardis, Cameron Nephew, and Akshat Tonk
Gold Award: Lucas Tobon
Platinum Award: Jeth Gomez
For his performance on the NATIONAL FRENCH II EXAM:
Certificate of Honor: Euan Hall
The following freshmen have been recognized by the American Classical League for their Outstanding Performance on the NATIONAL LATIN I EXAM:
Certificate of Merit Magna Cum Laude: Sean Simonelli
Certificates of Merit Maxima Cum Laude: Noah Bergquist and Nathaniel Kerr
Certificate of Merit Summa Cum Laude: John Wamester.
CLASS OF 2023
Xavier Faculty have selected the following sophomores to receive Department Awards based upon their outstanding performance throughout the year:
Sophomore Religion, Honors English, and Mathematics Awards: Zachary Bulkovich
Sophomore College Prep English Award: Malki Chavez-Vera
Sophomore Accelerated English, Mathematics, and Science Awards: Dominic Cusano
Sophomore College Prep Mathematics Award: Andre Montoya
Sophomore College Prep Science Award: Mason Breton
Sophomore Honors Science Award: Nicolas Russo
Sophomore College Prep Social Studies Award: Spencer Misenti
Sophomore Accelerated Social Studies Award: Jiahao Chen
Sophomore Honors Social Studies Award: Patrick Mitchill
Sophomore College Prep Foreign Language Award: John Kozdroy
Sophomore Accelerated Foreign Language Award: Miguel Samir Santos
Sophomore Honors Foreign Language Award: Aedan Frazer
The following sophomores have been recognized by the American Association of French Teachers for Outstanding Performance on the NATIONAL FRENCH II EXAM:
Silver Awards: Connor Gazzillo and Alex Ruimerman
The following sophomores have been recognized by the American Classical League for their Outstanding Performance on the NATIONAL LATIN II EXAM:
Certificate of Merit Cum Laude: Justin Caulfield
Certificates of Merit Magna Cum Laude: Aedan Frazer and Samuel Matt
Certificate of Merit Maxima Cum Laude: Zachary Bulkovitch
CLASS OF 2022
Xavier Faculty have selected the following juniors to receive Department Awards based upon their outstanding performance throughout the year:
Junior Religion Award: Colin Loria
Junior College Prep English Award: Joseph O’Brien
Junior Accelerated English Award: Hartley Torrison
Junior Honors English and Social Studies Awards: Liam Sheeley
Junior College Prep Mathematics Award: Isaac Wolfgang
Junior Accelerated Mathematics Award: Bryce Tindall
Junior Honors Mathematics and Foreign Language Awards: Matthew O’Connor
Junior College Prep Science and Foreign Language Awards: Michael Pitruzzello
Junior Accelerated Science Award: Kyle Kirejczyk
Junior Honors Science Award: Aidan Higgins
Junior College Prep Social Studies Award: Alessandro Fernandez
Junior Accelerated Social Studies Award: Dylan Misenti
Junior Accelerated Foreign Language Award: Kyle Noska
The following juniors have been recognized by the American Association of French Teachers for Outstanding Performance on the NATIONAL FRENCH III EXAM:
Certificates of Honor: Colin Loria, Nathaniel Lowry, and Matthew Reardon
Bronze Award: Chris Andrei Abarientos
Silver Award: Matthew O’Connor
For his performance on the NATIONAL FRENCH IV EXAM:
Certificate of Honor: Adam Chasse
The following junior has been recognized by the American Classical League for his Outstanding Performance on the NATIONAL LATIN I EXAM:
Certificate of Merit Cum Laude: Lukas Simko
For their performance on the NATIONAL LATIN III EXAM:
Certificate of Merit Cum Laude: Stephen King
Certificate of Merit Magna Cum Laude: Andrew Cataldi
Certificates of Merit Maxima Cum Laude: Jack Szeghy and Benjamin Pitruzzello
Certificate of Merit Summa Cum Laude: Matthew Tracy
BOOK AWARDS
Each year various colleges and universities in the northeast sponsor Book Awards to recognize students completing their junior year who have shown significant academic prowess. This year’s book award winners follow:
THE ST. ANSELM COLLEGE BOOK AWARD is presented to a student in recognition of superior academic achievement and personal character. The recipient is Vincent Graham
THE ASSUMPTION COLLEGE BOOK AWARD recognizes an outstanding Xavier High School junior who exemplifies the academic success, leadership qualities and concern for others that Assumption College students are known for. The recipient is Adam Chasse
THE CLARKSON UNIVERSITY Leadership and Achievement Awards recognize Xavier High School juniors who demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities and have been positive contributors to the school community. The recipient of the Leadership Award is Wyatt McElroy. The recipient of the Achievement Award is Selorm Dogbey
THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT AVERY POINT BOOK AWARD is presented to a student in recognition of his outstanding accomplishment in coastal and environmental issues. The recipient is Liam Sheeley
THE GETTYSBURG COLLEGE BOOK AWARD is awarded to recognize distinguished study of American History. The recipient is Andrew Cataldi
THE HARVARD BOOK PRIZE is offered each year by The Harvard Club of Southern Connecticut to a student completing his junior year. The award is donated by Mr. William Holley, an alumnus of Harvard’s Class of 1983 and Xavier’s Class of 1979 and recognizes a member of the junior class who combines excellence in academics with significant achievement in extracurricular endeavors. The recipient is Aidan Higgins
THE LASELL COLLEGE BOOK AWARD honors a student for their tenacity and their willingness to face a challenge head on and never quit. The recipient is David Wright, Jr.
MICHAEL’S COLLEGE BOOK AWARD is presented to two students for academic achievement with a social conscience and spirit of volunteerism. The recipients are Colin Loria and Sam Rector
THE RENSSELAER MEDAL AWARD recognizes the superlative academic achievement of secondary school juniors who have distinguished themselves in mathematics and science. The recipient is Scott Cunningham
THE ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY AWARD is presented to juniors who have distinguished themselves academically, are active and involved members of their school and community, and demonstrate interest and ability in computing or outstanding achievement in innovation, creativity, or entrepreneurship. The recipients of the Innovative and Creativity Awards are Chris Andrei Abarientos and Aidan Pesce. The recipients of the Computing Medal Awards are Aidan Muldoon and Matthew O’Connor
THE SETON/YALE BOOK AWARD is donated by the Yale Club of New Haven and is awarded to a member of the junior class who exhibits outstanding personal character and intellectual promise. The award will be presented at a formal ceremony held at Yale University in the fall. The recipient is Matthew Tracy