2020 Diocesan Graduates

Sebastian Abt, parishioner at St. Gregory the Theologian Church in Wappingers Falls, NY, graduated from John Jay High School in Hopewell Junction, NY. He will attend Dutchess Community College.

Samuel Bazarov, parishioner at Holy Apostles Mission in Lansing, NY, graduated from Ithaca High School in Ithaca, NY. He will attend the United States Air Force Academy, majoring in systems engineering.

John Gregory Berezniak

John Gregory Berezniak, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in South River, NJ, graduated Cum Laude from James Madison University with a BS in health science and public health.

Larisa Bohensky

Larisa Bohensky, parishioner at Holy Trinity Church in Randolph, NJ, graduated from the Academy of Saint Elizabeth in Convent Station, NJ. She will attend Moravian College, majoring in fine arts and minoring in math/business. Larisa is the recipient of the Moravian College Trustee Merit Scholarship, a scholarship from the Seeing Eye, the President’s Volunteer Service Award, the Prudential Spirit of Community Award Honoree for State Level Recognition, and the Seeing Eye Best Friend Volunteer Award. She captained her high school equestrian team and hopes to ride for her parishioner at Holy college’s team.

Joshua Brad

Joshua Brad, parishioner at Church of the Holy Cross in Medford, NJ, graduated from Williamstown High School in Monroe Township, NJ. He will attend Saint Joseph’s University, having received the university’s Presidential Scholarship, and will dual-major in international relations and French. Joshua served as Vice President of the German National Honor Society and was also a member of the National Honor Society and the Kitty Hawk Air Society (ROTC Honors) and is Williamstown High School’s Tri-County Scholar Athlete.

Theodore Clark

Theodore Clark, parishioner of Dormition of the Virgin Mary Church in Binghamton, NY, graduated from Union Endicott High School in Endicott, NY.

Eva Czukkermann

Eva Czukkermann, parishioner at St. Gregory the Theologian Church in Wappingers Falls, NY, graduated from Arlington High School in Lagrangeville, NY. She will study mechanical engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Eva held memberships in the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, and Torch and Laurel Society. She also did community service through Girl Scouts, where she earned her Gold Award by building benches for her church. Eva's passion for music spawned many special experiences, such as winning NYS Marching Band Championships for four years in a row, being a part of Conference All State in Rochester, NY for two years, and playing in other honor bands and orchestras in her area for four years.

Leonardo Da Silva

Leonardo Da Silva, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Bayonne, NJ, graduated from East Side High School in Newark, NJ. He will attend New Jersey City University, majoring in physics (preengineering). Leonardo earned 2nd place at the 2019 City of Newark’s Mathematics Olympics Team for Pre-Calculus. He also served as the mechanical lead and graphic designer in East Side High School's Robotics Club.

Nathan Alexander Devens

Nathan Alexander Devens, parishioner at Holy Trinity Church in Elmira Heights, NY, graduated from Horseheads High School in Horseheads, NY. He simultaneously attended BOCES and graduated with honors in the Career and Technical Education Program as a veterinary assistant. Nathan is a gifted animal enthusiast who loves serving in the altar at Holy Trinity, volunteers at the local library, and was honored by the Youth Council for his community service. He will attend Corning Community College.

Corinne Grabowski

Corinne Grabowski, parishioner at Holy Resurrection Church in Wayne, NJ, graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a BS in fashion production management. During her time at FIT, Corrine interned at Tanya Taylor, Leota, Kiki di Montparnesse, and Vera Wang Bridal. She also served as treasurer and president of FIT's International Fashion and Culture Association Club and made the Dean's list. Corrine is now an Associate Production Coordinator at Ground Up International in New York City.

Penelope Kass

Penelope Kass, parishioner at Christ the Saviour Church in Paramus, NJ, graduated from Chatham High School in Chatham, NJ. She will attend the University of Nevada —Las Vegas and major in hospitality management. Penelope has worked throughout high school and is excited to learn more about, and work in, the hotel and restaurant industry.

Catherine Kazakova

Catherine Kazakova, parishioner at Christ the Saviour Church in New York, NY, graduated from Millburn High School in Millburn, NJ. She will attend the University of Pittsburgh.

Mikala Angeline Kobylar, parishioner at St. Basil Church in Watervliet, NY, graduated from Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park, NY, with a 96 average and received the Shenendehowa Teachers Association Elementary Edu-cation Scholarship. She will attend SUNY Oneonta on a "Dean's List 4-year Scholarship" and was awarded the Joan Melzer Lydon Scholarship. Mikala will major in elementary education.

Nicholas Kovalenko

Nicholas Kovalenko, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in South River, NJ, graduated from Gill St. Bernard's School in Chester Township, NJ. He was recognized as an AP Scholar, a member of the Latin Honor Society, and captain of the NJ State Championship Soccer Team during high school. Nicholas will attend Rutgers University (New Brunswick).

Lizabethe Anne Kronyak

Lizabethe Anne Kronyak, parishioner at St. Nicholas Church in Auburn, NY, graduated from Liverpool High School in Liverpool, NY. She will attend SUNY Oneonta to pursue a degree in international relations.

Katarina Kuharsky

Katarina Kuharsky, parishioner at Holy Transfiguration Chapel in Princeton, NJ, graduated from The Peddie School in Hightstown, NJ. She will attend Tufts University, majoring in special education.

Aubrey Lewis

Aubrey Lewis, parishioner at Holy Resurrection Church in Wayne, NJ, graduated from Hawthorne High School in Hawthorne, NJ. She will attend the University of Delaware, majoring in biology. Aubrey was the vice president of her graduating class and cheered for all four years of high school. She was in many academic and philanthropic clubs, including the Italian Club and SHARE, and was also a peer advisor.

Jonathan McCarthy

Jonathan McCarthy, parishioner at St. Gregory the Theologian Church in Wappingers Falls, NY, graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a BS in business administration.

Anthony Lyon

Anthony Lyon, parishioner at Holy Trinity Church in Elmira Heights, NY, graduated from Notre Dame High School, Elmira, NY.

Jacob Michels

Jacob Michels, parishioner at Assumption of the Holy Virgin Church in Clifton, NJ, graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BS in mechanical engineering and minor in actuarial science.

Luke Michels

Luke Michels, parishioner at Assumption of the Holy Virgin Church in Clifton, NJ, graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a BS in finance.

Luke Naumiuk, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in South River, NJ, graduated from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, with a BS in business administration and management.

Andrew Popadics

Andrew Popadics, parishioner at Holy Resurrection Church in Wayne, NJ, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Columbia University in New York City with a BA in psychology. He now works for Columbia University Community Impact and plans to continue to live and work in New York City.

Jeremy D. Posluszny

Jeremy D. Posluszny, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in South River, NJ, graduated from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey with a BS in environmental and business economics, and public policy. Over the last four years, Jeremy has served as a University Senator, planning board member, nonprofit leader, legislative aide, and community volunteer. Jeremy will attend Rutgers Law School, where he intends to focus on civil rights and constitutional law.

David Riabov

David Riabov, parishioner at Christ the Saviour Church in Paramus, NJ, graduated from Mahwah High School in Mahwah, NJ. He will attend the University of Scranton and major in communications. David was captain of the varsity football team during his junior and senior years and was named second team All-League Safety. He also played varsity baseball.

Mark Riabov

Mark Riabov, parishioner at Christ the Saviour Church in Paramus, NJ, graduated from Iona College with a BA in adolescent education and concentration in social studies. While completing his studies, Mark served as the historian of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity's Iota Omicron Chapter. He hopes to teach high-school history in NYC and plans to pursue a Master’s degree in the near future.

Daniel Rogozenski

Daniel Rogozenski, parishioner of SS. Peter and Paul Church in South River, NJ, graduated from Rutgers University with a BS in computer science, software engineering.

Calli Santangelo

Calli Santangelo, parishioner at Holy Resurrection Church in Wayne, NJ, graduated from the University of Scranton with a BS in occupational therapy. While at Scranton, Calli took a class that visited the Holy Land chaperoned by Fr. Azar, a University professor and Orthodox priest. She also participated in a service trip to Guatemala and did fieldwork for occupational therapy in Kauai, HI. She will continue at the University for one more year to complete her MS in occupational therapy.

Khristo Shami, parishioner at Holy Trinity Church in East Meadow, NY, graduated from Mepham High School in North Bellmore, NY. He will attend Stony Brook University and major in biomedical engineering (pre-med).

Mira Shami

Mira Shami, Parishioner at St. George Church in Buffalo, NY, graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University at Buffalo with a BS in architecture and minor in environmental design. Mira plans to pursue a Master’s degree in architecture and focus her research on inclusive design.

Zachary Basil Sokol

Zachary Basil Sokol, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Manville, NJ, graduated from Lehigh University with a BA in philosophy and MA in sociology. Zachary will attend the School of Medicine at Temple University/St Luke's in Bethlehem, PA.

Victoria Szpynda, parishioner at Holy Trinity Church in Yonkers, NY, graduated from Somers High School in Somers, NY. She will attend the College of the Holy Cross, majoring in economics.

Cassandra Tlaiji

Cassandra Tlaiji, parishioner at St. Basil Church in Watervliet, NY, graduated from University at Albany with a BA in English and education.

Nichola Tlaiji

Nichola Tlaiji, parishioner at St. Basil Church in Watervliet, NY, graduated from Tamarac High School in Troy, NY. He intends to study biology (pre-med) in the fall.

2LT Alexander Tosi

2LT Alexander Tosi, parishioner at St. parishioner at Church of Gregory the Theologian Church in Wappingers Falls, NY, graduated from the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY, with a BS in environmental science. Alex is commissioned into the Engineer branch of the U.S. Army and will serve as a Combat Engineer with the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. He lettered for Army in cross country and track.

Kyra Tosi

Kyra Tosi, parishioner at St. Gregory the Theologian Church in Wappingers Falls, NY, graduated from Oyster Bay High School in Oyster Bay, NY. She will attend the University of Scranton, majoring in kinesiology to prepare for a degree in physical therapy. While in high school, Kyra was a member of the Music Honor Society and lettered in field hockey and track.

Nicole Tuttle, parisnhioner at Church of the Holy Cross in Medford, NJ, graduated from Hammonton High School in Hammonton, NJ. She will attend Stockton University and major in computer science.

Matushka Ekaterina Vansuch, parishioner at St. George Church in Buffalo, NY graduated from the University at Buffalo with a Professional MBA.

Olivia Zabierowski

Olivia Zabierowski, parishioner at Holy Trinity Church in East Meadow, NY, graduated from Carle Place High School in Carle Place, NY. She will attend Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.

Lauren Zarras

Lauren Zarras, parishioner at Holy Resurrection Church in Wayne, NJ, graduated from Whippany Park High School in Hanover, NJ. She will study early-childhood education at Purdue University. Lauren was a member of the National Honor Society and maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her high school career. She was also involved in the Color Guard for four years, this year as a section leader.

Nicholas Zarras

Nicholas Zarras, parishioner at Holy Resurrection Church in Wayne, NJ, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in finance. He works at MarketAxess in New York City.

Nicholas Mattei, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Manville, NJ, graduated from Manville High School. He will attend Ramapo College of New Jersey to study Accounting. Nicholas was inducted into the National Honor Society and French Honor Society, played 4 years of Varsity Baseball, and is an Eagle Scout.