St. Mary School Class of 2024 awarded over $350,000 in scholarships

SWORMVILLE — The proud parents, families and friends of the 28 eighth grade students gathered at St. Mary’s Church on the evening of June 20 to celebrate the Class of 2024. Father Thomas Mahoney, Father Joseph Franz and Father Art Mattulke concelebrated the graduation Mass. 

Father Mahoney addressed the congregation in his homily, and encouraged the graduates to be aware and appreciative of the people in their lives who helped them get to this point and achieve their educational goals. He reminded everyone that nothing we accomplish in this world is done by ourselves, and our students should be grateful to God for the many gifts they have been given. He also impressed upon the class that every ending is a new beginning, another opportunity to be who God wants us to be. He encouraged the graduates to use the gifts they have been given during their time at St. Mary School, and be representatives of their faith, their school and their families as they begin their next new adventure in life – high school.

The readings were proclaimed by Jackson Sendlak and Samantha Campanella, while Colton Howe, Maeve Langdon, Samantha Zgoda, Avril Ashworth and Ashley Zielinski lent their beautiful voices in the responsorial psalm and Gospel acclamation.

The Prayers of the Faithful were offered by Brayden Coloaiacovo, Solin Cruz and Evan Wilkes. The offertory gifts were presented by Paige Botzenhart and Maggie Glenn.

After Mass, the graduation ceremony began with Abigail Millich and Aiden Charland, class co-presidents, addressing their peers. Principal Tristan D’Angelo announced the numerous special award and scholarship winners. Scholarships awarded to the SMS Class of 2024 totaled over $351,700. The special awards and scholarships presented at graduation included:

The NYS Attorney General Triple “C” Award acknowledging the commitment, character and courage of New York State’s most exceptional young people: Aiden Charland, Abigail Millich and Jackson Sendlak

The President’s Award for Academic Excellence is awarded to students maintaining an average of 90 percent or above in their core classes in sixth, seventh and eighth grades as well as mastery level scores on New York State assessments: Jackson Sendlak, Amelia Urbanski and Ashley Zielinski

The Charism of Mary Award is given to a student who shows the gifts of Mary our Mother, and serves others without being asked and without seeking any recognition. This year’s recipient was Meghan Carver.

The President’s Award for Academic Achievement is awarded for commitment to learning, growing, and putting effort into education. The following students were recognized: Avril Ashworth, Paige Botzenhart, Mckenzie Butch, Samantha Campanella, Meghan Carver, Brayden Colaiacovo, Solin Cruz, William Dillemuth, Maggie Glenn, Kaitlin Henry, Ryan Kubiak, Patrick Macdiarmid, Anna Malinich, Noah Purcell, Teagen Talarczyk, Evan Wilkes and Samantha Zgoda.

The New York State Comptroller’s Achievement Award is presented to students who have excelled academically and have also shown leadership potential by volunteering to serve the school or community: Avril Ashworth and Patrick Macdiarmid

The Principal’s Honor Roll recognizes scholars who maintained an average over 97 percent all school year: Mckenzie Butch, Abigail Millich, Michael Noah, Aiden Charland, Colton Howe, Maeve Langdon, Brady Mentkowski, Lucas Pepe, Gavin Scholl, Jackson Sendlak, Amelia Urbanski and Ashley Zielinski.

Class of 2024 Salutatorian (98.85 average): Amelia Urbanski

Class of 2024 Valedictorian (99.53 average): Abigail Millich

The Sister Sheila Anne Burke Memorial Award is given to a student who starts each day anew, perseveres through hardships, learns through life experiences and demonstrates growth from those experiences: Brayden Colaiacovo.

The Principal’s Award for serving as a role model of excellence, and standing out with some very special qualities including quiet strength, humble discipleship, compassion, effort, goodwill, humor, faith, service and academic talent: Abigail Millich

HSA Essay Contest Winners: Meghan Carver, Aiden Charland and Ameila Urbanski

HSA Family Awards: Kim & Emilio Colaiacovo, Jen Glenn

The graduates will attend the following high schools this fall: Nardin, Canisius, St. Joe’s, St. Mary’s Lancaster, Clarence, Williamsville East, Williamsville North,  Sacred Heart, and Starpoint. Click here to view more photos of the Mass & Graduation Ceremony, and be sure to watch our social media pages in the coming weeks for profiles of each graduate.