This morning, Xavier High School recognized the extraordinary academic achievements of 36 students as Interim Head of School Mr. Nick Cerreta ’01 and Associate President Mr. Andrew Gargano awarded the Brother Celestine Medal, the highest academic honor bestowed by the school.
Each year, the Brother Celestine Medal is awarded to students who, upon the completion of the past academic year, have an overall final average of A with no final average grade less than A- in their major subjects. The medal can be earned only once during a student’s four years at Xavier, making it a one-time tribute to sustained excellence.
The award is named after Brother Celestine Killigrew, a beloved teacher of history and religion at Xavier in the early 1960s. Brother Celestine also coached the freshman soccer team and ran the school bookstore before tragically passing at the age of 25 following an automobile accident. This medal was created to honor his memory and to inspire the same dedication and passion for learning that Brother Celestine embodied.
“Xavier expects the best from our students, academically and beyond,” Mr. Cerreta remarked. “These young men answered the call, balancing rigorous coursework, extracurriculars, and the high expectations set by themselves and this institution. Their hard work has been rewarded, and they have rightfully earned their place alongside our previous Celestine Medal winners.”
The students recognized for their academic excellence during the 2023-24 school year were: Alexavier Distefano, Parker Berndt, Daniel Cruz, Nick DelSanto, Zach Keithan, Aryan Khan, Declan Lewis, Jacob Nardelli, Benji Pugliese, Lukas Roming, Jonathan Turchi, Sean Zdrojeski, Timothy Zdrojeski, Sal Bafumi, Max Baldwin, Harrison Reed, Simeon Bos, Ethan Co, Matias Duong-Vazquez, Ryan Ferguson, Rodolfo Fraschilla, Vincent Fratta, Nathan Hughes, Noah Jones, Daniel Lau, David Lau, Preston Michael, Jason Ng, Archit Patel, Elias Piazza, Justin Pringle, Luke Sands, Trevor Snow, Paul Stoppa, Ethan Taylor, and Wilbur Zheng.
With each name, the weight of their accomplishment is clear. In the tradition of the Xaverian Brothers, Xavier prides itself on academic rigor, fostering a commitment to intellectual growth, discipline, and character development. The Brother Celestine Medal serves as a reminder that excellence is not only possible but is expected—and celebrated—at Xavier.
Through the challenge of our curriculum, our students demonstrate resilience, passion, and the capacity for greatness.
As these students continue their journeys, the Brother Celestine Medal stands as a marker of their success, a tangible reminder that hard work, commitment, and faith will always be rewarded.
Xavier, a Tradition of Excellence