2021 Diocesan Graduates

from 2021 Diocesan Graduates

Larissa Cheplick, parishioner from Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Elmira Heights, NY, graduated from Thomas A. Edison High School in Elmira Heights, NY. She will attend Daemen College in Amherst, NY, to obtain her Bachelor of Health Science degree and later her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. Larissa has received many awards and accolades throughout her high school career. She was the valedictorian of her class, a Mark Twain Scholar, and was inducted into the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society. She was also given the role of senior captain on her varsity cheerleading team after being named Most Valuable Player the season before. In the future, Larissa hopes to use her knowledge in the medical field to help those living in underserved communities and make a difference in the lives of those around her.

Angelina Christos, parishioner at Church of the Annunciation in Brick, NJ, graduated from Toms River High School North. She will attend the University of Colorado Boulder, majoring in psychology. Angelina’s proudest accomplishments of her high school career were her membership in the National Honor Society, being on the Varsity Track team, and receiving the TRN Academic Award all four years.

Stephen (Kodi) Dotterer, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Syracuse, NY, graduated from Christian Brothers Academy. He will attend Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH, as a post-graduate student, and hopes to explore various fields of study while playing hockey and baseball.

Julia Eltarazy, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Bayonne, NJ, graduated from Bayonne High School. She will attend Felician University and plans to major in biology/pre-medicine. Julia was a member of several clubs including fencing, ice skating, volleyball, and poetry. She is also a talented guitar player.

Julia Evanina, parishioner at Holy Resurrection Church in Wayne, NJ, graduated from Wayne Valley High School. She will attend Stockton University in the fall.

Larissa Fitzgibbons, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Syracuse, NY, graduated from Onondaga Central Sr. High School. She will attend Duquesne University, having received three university scholarships, and will major in digital marketing at Duquesne’s Honors College. Larissa received many academic and athletic awards throughout her high school career. She was a member of the National Junior Honor Society, National Honor Society, and the cross-country and basketball teams. Larissa was voted to the All-League second team her freshman year, received a 48th place medal at the McQuaid Invitational, and was voted to the All-League first team her senior year for Cross Country. She was co-captain and MVP of the basketball team her sophomore year.

Macrina Kraus, parishioner at Holy Trinity Church in East Meadow, NY, graduated from East Meadow High School. She will attend SUNY Albany, majoring in psychology. Macrina was a member of the ASL Honor Society and the varsity cheerleading team.

Elizabeth Leoniuk, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in South River, NJ, graduated from Somerville High School in Somerville, NJ. She will attend Rutgers University, majoring in pharmaceutical science.

Lizzie Lomjaria, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in South River, NJ, graduated from Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Technologies in Edison, NJ. She will attend Carnegie Mellon University, majoring in business administration. Lizzie received multiple awards in business during her high school career. She was a Future Business Leaders of America State Winner and a National Qualifier in the e-business category, a 2020 New Jersey Consumer Bowl Champion, and she received accolades in debate, including receiving the Best-Speaker Award three times in the Junior State of America.

Reanna Paxton, parishioner at Church of the Annunciation in Brick, NJ, graduated from Brick Memorial High School in Brick, NJ. She will attend University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, PA, as part of the PharmD program. Reanna received four scholarships: the Founders’ Scholarship, the 1821 USciences Bicentennial Scholarship, the USciences Honors Award, and the KUAFF Scholarship Sons & Daughters Undergraduate Award. She made the honor roll every semester of high school and co-captained the Mock Trial team.

Peter Penkrat, parishioner at Holy Resurrection Church in Wayne, NJ, graduated from Ramsey High School. He will attend Bergen Community College in the Fall. Peter lettered all four years as a varsity member of the school’s swim team and was a co-captain this past year.

Brian Karl Posluszny, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in South River, NJ, graduated Allentown High School in Allentown, NJ. He will attend Rutgers University’s School of Engineering in the fall. Brian played varsity football, was a member of Robotics Team 1807 for four years as a build leader, and served as an officer of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) for three years.

Michael Rosca, parishioner at Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection in New York, NY, graduated Maspeth High School in Queens, NY. He will attend Hunter College in the fall. During Michael’s freshman year, he won second place in the Science Fair and his tennis team won the city championship.

Elijah Ruff, parishioner at Christ the Savior Church in Ballston Lake, NY, was homeschooled and will attend Hudson Valley Community College in the fall to pursue the college’s Electric Certificate.

Sophia Sahm, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Syracuse, NY, graduated 5th in her class from Homer High School. She will attend Le Moyne College, having received the college’s Presidential Scholarship, and will major in nursing.

Julia Siragusa, parishioner at Church of the Holy Cross in Medford, NJ, graduated from Shawnee High School. She will attend Arcadia University, having received a university scholarship for art, and will major in medical illustration. Julia was a member of the National Honor Society, a Title Winner for Contemporary Dance 2021, and a People’s Choice Award recipient. She served as Vice President of both the ASL and Kids for Wish Clubs, and earned her Girl Scout Gold Award.

Elena Sofia Kantor, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Syracuse, NY, graduated from Christian Brothers Academy. She will attend Le Moyne College in the fall.

Rose Vichiconti, parishioner at Holy Resurrection Church in Wayne, NJ, graduated from Wayne Valley High School. She will attend Montclair State University, majoring in speech pathology. Rose is a member of the state and regional 1st place award-winning marching band, 1st Chair bass clarinet in the Symphonic Orchestra, and a member of the Woodwind Ensemble and Jazz Band. She is an épée on the fencing team, a participant in school musicals, and holds a black belt in Taekwondo. Additionally, Rose is a recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award (bronze and silver) and is a liaison/volunteer for the Wayne Interfaith Network.

Alexander Zabierowski, parishioner at Holy Trinity Church in East Meadow, NY, graduated from Carle Place High School. He received a scholarship towards his college education and will attend Binghamton University in the fall. Alexander earned honor roll status throughout most of his high school career and was enrolled in eight Advanced Placement (AP) classes: calculus AB, Spanish, English language, physics 1, U.S. history, world history, European history, and statistics.

John Burk, parishioner at Holy Resurrection Church in Wayne, NJ, graduated from Lafayette College with a Bachelor of Science in electrical and computer engineering. John was a threeyear starter on the football team and was elected a team captain by his teammates. He recently received the Leopard Award, which is given to the player who best represents the work ethic and ideals of a Lafayette football player. John will pursue a master’s degree this fall in electrical and computer engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Adam Kantor, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Syracuse, NY, graduated from SUNY-ESF Ranger School with an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S) degree in forest technology.

Sara Kfoury, parishioner at St. George Church in Buffalo, NY, graduated from SUNY at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Evan Levitsky, parishioner at Holy Resurrection Church in Wayne, NJ, graduated with honors from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in finance and a minor in economics and statistics and a certificate in business analytics. He plans to pursue a career in finance.

Simona Eveline Matovic, parishioner at Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection in New York, NY, graduated from Rice University with a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics, English, and business. She will be moving to San Francisco to pursue a career.

Paul Rogozenski, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in South River, NJ, graduated from the University of Arizona with a Master of Science in physics. He plans to pursue a doctorate in astrophysics and cosmology.

Christina Rosca, parishioner at Holy Transfiguration Chapel in Princeton, NJ, graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience with highest honors (2020) and a Master of Arts in medicine, health, and society (2021). Her accomplishments include: All-SEC and All-American in women’s tennis and Academic-All-American. Christina will spend two years in the professional women’s tennis circuit and then plans to attend medical school.

Calli Santangelo, parishioner at Holy Resurrection Church in Wayne, NJ, graduated from the University of Scranton with a Master of Science in occupational herapy. She will be completing her Level 2 fieldwork at Geisinger Hospital in Scranton, PA, and then her final Level 2 fieldwork at Memorial Sloan Kettering hospital in New York.

Mira Shami, parishioner at St. George Church in Buffalo, NY, graduated from SUNY at Buffalo with a Master of Architecture degree.

Alexis Steffaro, parishioner at SS. Peter and Paul Church in South River, NJ, graduated magna cum laude from Lafayette College with a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs and Russian Eastern European affairs, and a minor in Russian language. She will continue her studies next year at the University of Nottingham in England, pursuing a master’s degree in international security and terrorism.

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2021 Diocesan Graduates