St. Thomas Aquinas Awards

VALEDICTORIAN/SALUTATORIAN TROPHIES

Kathleen Duffy Memorial Award: Benjamin Bussiere

Therese E. Ghegan Memorial Award: Jessica Markert

National Merit Scholarship Program – Letter of Commendation: Akash Shiva Swamy, Rajoshi Basu, Gabriella Hamm

Spirit of Blessed Angela Award: Kylie Lucas

St. Vincent De Paul Award: Sara Murillo

Bowl 4 Life Skip Steighner Scholarships: Alexandra Sardis

STA/BGA Alumni Scholarship: John Norcia

SUBJECT AWARDS (MEDALS)

Art Award: Alexander Cocuzza

English Award: Gabriella Hamm

Health & Physical Education Award: Najee Lovejoy, Alyssa Miel

Math Award: Rajoshi Basu

Physical Science Award: Sara Murillo

Biological Science Award: Annika Zavalla

Social Studies Award: Christian Perez

TOP 10%

Rajoshi Basu, Jackson Benjamin Boomer, Neal Choksi, Gabriella Jeraldine Cruz, Isabella R. Danner, Grace Anne Farrell, Gabriella Marie Hamm, Sophie Joycelyne Hardy, Solim Shibly Khan, Jessica Maria Kubiak, Matthew Lowe, Alyssa Marie Miel, Lisa Regiena Mohabeer, Sara Murillo, Rajasvi C. Patel, Christian Perez, Morgan Dailey Ryan, Sierra Marie Smith, Annika Lauren Costa Zavalla

SATOMA NEWS MAGAZINE 2022 -2023

Editors-in-Chief: Abigail Bera, Morgan Ryan

Insight Editor: Lauren Mullen

Social Media Representative: Melody Cadet, Kaela Zabala

Broadcast Journalism On Camera Excellence: Alyssa Miel, Kylie Ferber, Jalen Hinnant, Jalen Pichardo

Broadcast Journalism Outstanding Contribution Behind the Scenes: Jordan Molyneux, Keira Guevara, Najee Lovejoy, Ryan Williams

DRAMA DEPARTMENT AWARDS 2022-2023

Director’s Award for Participatory Excellence in the STA Drama Department: Abigail Bera, Jackson Boomer, Melody Cadet, Gianna Condito, Mackenzie Cruz, Allison Devitt, Brianna Gafanhao, Landen Gonzalez, Gabriella Hamm, Jalen “JJ” Hinnant, Jared Jardiolin, Victoria McLean, Esperanza Mojica, Adrien Ortega, Morgan Ryan, Jayden Young, Kaela Zabala

Director’s Award for Outstanding Dedication to the STA Drama Department over four years: Abigail Bera, Jackson Boomer, Mackenzie Cruz, Morgan Ryan

Director’s Award for Excellence in Dance: Mackenzie Cruz

Director’s Award for Most Improved Performer Over Four Years: Jackson Boomer, Morgan Ryan

Director’s Award for Outstanding Stage Performance Over Four Years: Abigail Bera

Band And Music Awards

4 Year Award (Stayed active on a Music Roster for 8 full seasons):

Abigail Bera, Jackson Boomer, Mackenzie Cruz, Allison Devitt, Mason Farrell, Gabriella Hamm, Victoria McLean, Morgan Ryan, Sierra Smith, Jane Zhao

Director’s Award for Bank: Jackson Boomer

Leonard Bernstein Musicianship: Victoria McLean

National School Choral Award: Abigail Bera, Morgan Ryan

Frederick Chopin Piano Award: Jane Zhao

Most Improved Over 4 Years:

Band: Nika Kudirka

Chorus: Morgan Ryan

Semper Fi Marine Corps Marching Award: Mason Farrell

National School Color Guard Award: Kylie Barrett, Morgan Ryan, Gabriella Hamm

Woody Herman Jazz Award: Jared Jardiolin

Perfect Attendance: Kylie Barrett

Middlesex County Scholar Athlete Award – Boy: Landon Kearns

Middlesex County Scholar Athlete Award – Girl: Mary Kate Murray

NJSIAA Scholar Athlete: Sierra Smith

Robin Cone Memorial Award: Maria Arias

Middlesex County Principal’s & Supervisor’s Outstanding Student: Sarah Murillo

Scott Stringer Award: Brandon Fuentes

Zolnier’s Student Leadership & Service Award: Annika Zavalla

Brian Crelin Memorial Scholarship: Landon Kearns

Spanish Award: Gabrielle Cruz

Bishop Checchio Religion Award: Gabrielle Cruz

Excellence Awards

Excellence in S.T.E.M.: Sierra Smith

Excellence in Technology: Sara Murillo

Excellence in Writing: Morgan Ryan

2023 Graduating classes earn $108 million in scholarships and awards

Among the outstanding achievements of the graduating class of 2023, the 429 graduates of the four Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Metuchen together received more than $108 million in scholarships and awards from its high schools, all while emphasizing the profound impact of Catholic identity on their educational journey.

Among the four Catholic high schools within the Church of Metuchen, which include Immaculata, St. Thomas Aquinas, Mount Saint Mary Academy, and Saint Joseph, the graduates averaged $250,192 in scholarships and awards per student, totaling approximately 54,377 hours of service over the course of their four years, and have achieved a 100 percent college acceptance rate, with an average of 82 percent of graduates receiving scholarships and awards.

Graduating seniors who received the 2023 Bishop James F. Checchio Award for Religion include Matthew Kolakowski of Immaculata High School; Gabrielle Cruz of St. Thomas Aquinas High School; Julie Falcone and Giulianna Pelcher of Mount Saint Mary Academy, and Timothy Haklar of Saint Joseph High School.

Navigating an ever-changing world, the Diocese of Metuchen has remained steadfast in its commitment to instilling a strong Catholic identity within its educational institutions. The graduating Class of 2023 in the Diocese of Metuchen have actively engaged in the development of their faith, participating in religious studies, sacramental preparation, and various spiritual activities.

They have embraced the Church’s mission to foster a deep connection with God and to live out the Gospel values in their daily lives. By expressing their Catholic identity, they have consistently demonstrated a commitment to service, engaging in numerous community outreach programs and demonstrating compassion towards those in need. Their acts of kindness and generosity reflect the values instilled within them and are a testament to the transformative power of Catholic education and their relationship with Jesus Christ.