Search
-
May 30, 2019
The Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School family came together to bid farewell to the members of the Class of 2019 at the 29th Annual Commencement Ceremony held at Ss. Robert and William Catholic Parish.
After the graduates entered the church to “Pomp and Circumstance,” longtime religion teacher and Director of Mission Integration, William Raddell ’68, greeted guests and led them in an opening prayer.
Four graduates, who auditioned and were selected by a committee comprised of faculty and staff, delivered commencement speeches.
“Four years ago, we all walked into this building, ready to see where life was about to take us,” said Hallie Paus. “We were eager to start new friendships and create bonds that would last us until the end of senior year, and we did. I want to thank you, the class of 2019, for giving me memories I will never forget.”
For Eniyah Williams, it wasn’t until her senior year when she realized how much her classmates had really become like a family.
“One of the first things we learned way back in 2015 was that VASJ is ‘a place where friends become family.’ If I’m being honest, coasting through high school, I never realized how much this rang true for me. I have created very real and strong bonds with people that I will carry for the rest of my life.”
Tyler Matambanadzo, who transferred to VASJ during his sophomore year after moving to Cleveland from Zimbabwe, spoke about the growth he experienced during his time at VASJ.
“I stand before you today not as the same person I was four years ago, but as someone proud of their Zimbabwean heritage and where they came from,” he said. “As someone who has been through more than they thought they could handle but has managed to pull through, and as someone who is and will always be proud to be a Viking.”
Rebecca Korosec gave the final speech, expressing her confidence that her classmates will do great things in the future.
“Our class is so unique, from students who are into drama, sports, and everything in between, we all bring something so special to the world,” she said. “Whether we become doctors, teachers, coaches, or even artists, I know we will all be amazing.”
Special awards were presented to the Valedictorian, Vanessa Apelons, and Salutatorian, Kathleen O’Donnell, for their academic achievements.
VASJ Principal David Csank and President Bill Cervenik ’72 presented the graduates with their diplomas as their names were read by Guidance Counselor Kristé Vedegys-Duhigg ’88.
At the time of commencement, members of VASJ’s Class of 2019 had reported being awarded scholarships totaling over $5 million.
Graduates will be moving on to colleges such as The Ohio State University, University of Kentucky, Ursuline College, University of Dayton, Arizona State University, Cleveland State University, Notre Dame College, and others.
2019 COMMENCEMENT AWARDS
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
English.......................................................Kathleen Clare O'Donnell
Fine Arts ……….......….............................Kathleen Clare O'Donnell
Mathematics............................................Vanessa Dorothea Apelons
Religion.............................................................A’Diva Reign Warren
Science.............................................................Anna Marie Radachy
Social Studies............................................Harrison Clark McCreight
SPECIAL AWARDS
Valedictorian...........................................Vanessa Dorothea Apelons
Salutatorian................................................Kathleen Clare O’Donnell
First Honors Student (Each Quarter for Four Years)..........................
Vanessa Dorothea Apelons, Hannah Marie Franczyk,
Madison Anne Mucci, Kathleen Clare O’Donnell,
Nina Marie Tomaselli, A’Diva Reign Warren
President’s Education Awards Program for Outstanding Academic Excellence.........................................................................................
Patrick Robert Bradford, William Thomas Cartwright
Hannah Marie Franczyk, Kathleen Clare O’Donnell
Anna Marie Radachy, A’Diva Reign Warren
Timothy Robertson Award………………...........Janessa Marie White
St. Angela Award...............................................A’Diva Reign Warren
Blessed William Joseph Chaminade Award....Jerome Joseph Sidley
Class of 2019
COMMENCEMENT COMMENDATIONS
Best of the Class, News Channel 5........Vanessa Dorothea Apelons
Guilfoyle Award………………………………..Khalil Jaseem Mitcham
Phi Beta Kappa.................................................A’Diva Reign Warren
Jared Plesec Award……..………………………………………….........
Allurá Lee Faiz, Dakota Jewellann Martin,
Morgan Taylor Nance, Ja'Nae O'Miera Williams,
Ethan Keith Williams-Taylor
National Federation of State High School Associations
Award of Excellence…………………...…Emily Jane Gail
Jerome Joseph Sidley
Ohio High School Athletic Association
Scholar Athlete Award...........Rachel Elizabeth O’Connell
Kyle Steven Trickett
Ohio High School Athletic Association
Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award…......Khalil Jaseem Mitcham
Bobbi Belle Rempe
Ohio High School Athletic Association
Courageous Student Award…..Kiras Augustinas Kijauskas
Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School
MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2019
Vanessa Dorothea Apelons*
Kenyalise Paulette Myshel Ball
Nicolas Arthur Ball*
Raven Janee Bates
Maya Gabrielle Beasley
Trevon Lewis Bell
Phoenix Alexis Black
Vincent Anthony Bonarrigo
Patrick Robert Bradford*
Syann Kayla Brown
Amber Chantel Bunton
Jordan George Calhoun
Lia DeNay Campbell*
Robert Lee Carpenter IV
Macei Minyan Carter*
William Thomas Cartwright*✟
Briana Mariangela Caruso-Taylor
Angel ShéMya Lashon Clemons
Yahnnai Leslie Clipps
Patrick Joseph Creegan
Devland Thomas-Ali Culliver*
Julius Javon Cummings
Jayla Lynn Currie
Tyyonna Chonique Davis
Alissa Michele Dodd*
Allurá Lee Faiz
Chance Demond Maurice Fort
Hannah Marie Franczyk*
Emily Jane Gail*
Anisa Rae-Ann Gall
Megan Faith Gurney*
Alejah Haki Garner-Harper
Shaundrea Alizay Harris
Adriana Leigh Henry
Alyssa Lenise Hill
Celina Kimyatta Hill
Mikeya D'ajanae Howard
Latrace Jeremiah Jackson
Dana Rose James*
Michaela Marie Johnson
Norrisa Samont Johnson
Trinity Monet Johnson
John Michael Kelly
Kiras Augustinas Kijauskas
Graham Richard Koppelman*
Rebecca Claire Korosec
José Thomas Lopez
Dakota Jewellann Martin
Tyler Munashe Matambanadzo
Sasha Grace McCracken
Harrison Clark McCreight*
Kathleen Erin McGarry
Matthew Michael McGinn
Kenneth Dorian McWhorter
Avianna Soleil Miller
Khalid Jelani Mitcham
Khalil Jaseem Mitcham
Kirah Monai Mitchell
Faith Abigail Moncol
Nehemiah Ricardo Moore
Madison Anne Mucci*
Ebony Patrice Murphy
Morgan Taylor Nance
Jeremy Michael Neylon*
Dontrell Martonio Nowling
Owen Elliott Nunnally
Rachel Elizabeth O'Connell*✟
Kathleen Clare O'Donnell*✟
Andrew Michael Oriani
Kobie Diontae Parker
Hallie Susan Paus*
Nathan Joseph Pierce
Jason Ulus Priah Jr.
Anna Marie Radachy*
Bobbi Belle Rempe
Kayla Dejanay Robinson
Zerryck Dionte Rodgers
Dajarah Paris Saunders
William Ezelle Scott-Hall
Reilly Joelle Seagroves
Jada Renee Shields
Jerome Joseph Sidley
Annaya Hillary Smith
Iyana Marjorie Smith
Kayla Amari Smith
Le'Shyra Unique Chanel Smith
La'Daya Renee St. Clair
Maritza Marie Strong
Danielle Marie Tarsitano*
A'Nia Cha'Nel Taylor
Nina Marie Tomaselli*
Frank Holman Trevarthen
Kyle Steven Trickett*
Candace Nicole Trivisonno
Kayla Janine Turner
Kayla Rose Valore
A'Diva Reign Warren*✟
Ariona Candace Campbell-Washington
Chance De'Andre Wells
Janessa Marie White*
Bryan Gerald Williams Jr.
Eniyah Da'Jauna Williams
Ethan Keith Williams-Taylor
Ja'Nae O'Miera Williams
Tyrone Williams Jr.
George Irvin Wilson III
Makayla Iyana Wooten
Thomas Anthony Darrel Yarbrough III
Jasmina Zlatarevic
*denotes National Honor Society Member
✟ denotes Diploma with Honors
CLASS OF 2019 SCHOLARSHIPS
(bold denotes college student will be attending)
Vanessa Dorothea Apelons: Bowling Green State University - Freshman Academic Scholarship, Choose Ohio First - Technology Works; Kent State University - Trustee Scholarship
Kenyalise Paulette Myshel Ball: Notre Dame College
Nicolas Arthur Ball: Ohio University - OHIO Distinction Scholar Award
Raven Janee Bates: Undecided
Maya Gabrielle Beasley: Kent State University
Trevon Lewis Bell: Hiram College - Terrier Award; Notre Dame College - Dean’s Award; Bowling Green State University - Merit Award; Denison University - Dean’s Award; Baldwin Wallace University - Merit Award
Phoenix Alexis Black: University of Kentucky - Dean’s Award; Kent State University - Merit Scholarship; University of Akron - Merit Scholarship
Vincent Anthony Bonarrigo: Workforce
Patrick Robert Bradford: The Ohio State University - Morill Scholarship, Harmon Scholarship; University of Pittsburgh - Panther Pride Award
Syann Kayla Brown: Lakeland Community College - United Negro College Fund Award; Bowling Green State University - Freshman Academic Scholarship
Amber Chantel Bunton: Lakeland Community College
Jordan George Calhoun: Youngstown State University
Lia DeNay Campbell: Cuyahoga Community College - ASPIRE Scholarship; Cleveland State University - Freshman Scholarship
Robert Lee Carpenter IV: Lakeland Community College
Macei Minyan Carter: University of Mount Union - Hartshorn Award
William Thomas Cartwright: Cleveland State University - Cleveland State University Provost’s Award
Briana Mariangela Caruso-Taylor: Workforce
Angel ShéMya Lashon Clemons: Clark-Atlanta University
Yahnnai Leslie Clipps: Hiram University - Emeritus Scholarship; Notre Dame College - Dean Scholarship; Muskingum University - Muskie Award; Ursuline College - Ursuline Award
Patrick Joseph Creegan: Bowling Green State University
Devland Thomas-Ali Culliver: Wittenberg University - Broadwell Chinn Award
Julius Javon Cummings: Notre Dame College
Jayla Lynn Currie: Bowling Green State University - University Freshman Academic Scholarship; Youngstown State University - First Opportunity Award; Ohio Northern University - Faculty Scholarship; St. John’s University - Academic Achievement Scholarship; Capital University - Presidential Scholarship
Tyyonna Chonique Davis: Cleveland State University
Alissa Michele Dodd: Cleveland State University
Allurá Lee Faiz: Undecided
Chance Demond Maurice Fort: Bowling Green State University
Hannah Marie Franczyk: California University of Pennsylvania - Vulcan Merit Scholarship
Emily Jane Gail: The College of Wooster - Dean’s Scholarship, Alumni Award; University of Dayton - Dean’s Merit Scholarship; Ohio Wesleyan College - Branch Rickey Scholarship; John Carroll University - President’s Scholarship; Bowling Green State University - University Freshman Academic Scholarship; Stonehill College - Fr. Basil Moreau Scholarship
Anisa Rae-Ann Gall: Cleveland State University
Megan Faith Gurney: Notre Dame College - President’s Scholarship
Alejah Haki Garner-Harper: Lakeland Community College
Shaundrea Alizay Harris: Clark-Atlanta University
Adriana Leigh Henry: Undecided
Alyssa Lenise Hill: Ursuline College
Celina Kimyatta Hill: Cuyahoga Community College
Mikeya D'ajanae Howard: Ursuline College - Athletic Scholarship, Ursuline Scholarship, Ursuline Award
Latrace Jeremiah Jackson: Howard College - Howard College Award
Dana Rose James: Cuyahoga Community College, Eastern Campus - Link Program Scholarship
Michaela Marie Johnson: Cleveland State University
Norrisa Samont Johnson: Kent State University
Trinity Monet Johnson: Kent State University - KSU Grant; Notre Dame College - Dean’s Scholarship; Ursuline College - Dean’s Scholarship
John Michael Kelly: University of Dayton - Father Chaminade Scholarship, Marianist Leader Scholarship, Commitment to Catholic Education Scholarship
Kiras Augustinas Kijauskas: Bowling Green State University - Dean’s Award
Graham Richard Koppelman: Bowling Green State University - Bowling Green University Freshman Academic Scholarship; John Carroll University - Freshman University Scholarship
Rebecca Claire Korosec: Bowling Green State University - Bowling Green Scholarship; University of Dayton - Marianist Leadership Scholarship
José Thomas Lopez: Cuyahoga Community College
Dakota Jewellann Martin: Cuyahoga Community College
Tyler Munashe Matambanadzo: Arizona State University - Academic Achievement Award
Sasha Grace McCracken: Bowling Green State University
Harrison Clark McCreight: Cleveland State University - Cleveland State University Freshman Scholarship
Kathleen Erin McGarry: Undecided
Matthew Michael McGinn: Notre Dame College - Dean’s Scholarship
Kenneth Dorian McWhorter: Cuyahoga Community College
Avianna Soleil Miller: Bowling Green State University; Muskingum University - Muskie Award; Capital University - Presidential Scholarship, Reverend Rutus Tarrant Award
Khalid Jelani Mitcham: Kent State University - The Wallace J. Hagedorn Scholarship
Khalil Jaseem Mitcham: Marietta College - Pioneer Grant; Allegheny College - Leadership Award
Kirah Monai Mitchell: Wright State University- Wright State University Scholarship; Tiffin University - Merit Scholarship; Capital University - Presidential Scholarship; Marietta College - PioPrep Scholarship
Faith Abigail Moncol: Workforce
Nehemiah Ricardo Moore: Baldwin Wallace University
Madison Anne Mucci: Bowling Green State University - Dean’s Award, University Freshman Academic Scholarship
Ebony Patrice Murphy: Lakeland Community College; Tiffin University - President’s Scholarship
Morgan Taylor Nance: Wright State University - Young Life Scholarship, Wright State Grant
Jeremy Michael Neylon: Ohio University - Ohio University Distinction Scholarship, Ohio University Success Scholarship
Dontrell Martonio Nowling: Undecided; Washington & Jefferson College - Visit Grant
Owen Elliott Nunnally: Kent State University
Rachel Elizabeth O'Connell: The Ohio State University - Ohio State University Scholarship; Cleveland State University - Freshman Academic Scholarship; Bowling Green State University - Academic Scholarship; John Carroll University - President’s Scholarship; The University of Dayton - President’s Scholarship
Kathleen Clare O'Donnell: The Cleveland Institute of Art - Gund Family Scholarship; The Columbus College of Art & Design - Goodale Park Scholarship; Cleveland State University - Freshman Scholarship; Kent State University - Trustee Scholarship, Honors Scholarship, Honors Residence Scholarship
Andrew Michael Oriani: Notre Dame College - Dean’s Award, Lcpl M. Poklar Memorial Scholarship
Kobie Diontae Parker: Lakeland Community College - Merit Scholarship
Hallie Susan Paus: Ohio Northern University; Notre Dame College - Dean’s Scholarship; Baldwin Wallace University - Dean’s Scholarship; Ohio Northern University - Dean’s Scholarship; Hiram College - Dean’s Scholarship; Kent State University - Trustee Scholarship
Nathan Joseph Pierce: Cleveland State University
Jason Ulus Priah Jr.: Morehouse College
Anna Marie Radachy: The University of Akron - Akron Guarantee Scholarship, Akron Honors Scholarship
Bobbi Belle Rempe: Seton Hill University - Seton Hill Volleyball Athletic Scholarship, Academic Scholarship; Walsh University - Athletic Scholarship, Academic Scholarship, Catholic School Grant; Salem International University - Athletic Scholarship
Kayla Dejanay Robinson: The Ohio State University
Zerryck Dionte Rodgers: Notre Dame College - Dean’s Scholarship for Academic Excellence
Dajarah Paris Saunders: Workforce
William Ezelle Scott-Hall: Notre Dame College
Reilly Joelle Seagroves: Youngstown State University
Jada Renee Shields: The University of Akron
Jerome Joseph Sidley: Cuyahoga Community College/workforce
Annaya Hillary Smith: Notre Dame College - Dean’s Scholarship
Iyana Marjorie Smith: Hiram College - Merit Scholarship, Terrier Scholarship; Ursuline College - Dean’s Award; Eastern Michigan University - Emerald Scholarship; Kent State University - Dean’s Award; Notre Dame College - Dean’s Award
Kayla Amari Smith: Lakeland Community College
Le'Shyra Unique Chanel Smith: Eastern Florida State, Melbourne Campus; University of Akron - Merit Award
La'Daya Renee St. Clair: Notre Dame College - Merit Scholarship
Maritza Marie Strong: Cleveland State University; Tiffin University - Dean’s Scholarship, ABA Diversity Scholarship, Athletic Scholarship
Danielle Marie Tarsitano: Cleveland State University - Cleveland State Freshman Scholars, Ohio College Opportunity Grant
A'Nia Cha'Nel Taylor: Cleveland State University
Nina Marie Tomaselli: Cuyahoga Community College, Metro Campus - ASPIRE Nurse Scholars Program
Frank Holman Trevarthen: Cleveland State University
Kyle Steven Trickett: Ohio University
Candace Nicole Trivisonno: Cuyahoga Community College
Kayla Janine Turner: United States Military
Kayla Rose Valore: Cuyahoga Community College
A'Diva Reign Warren: Kent State University - Trustee Scholarship, Oscar Ritchie Memorial Scholarship, Honors Scholarship, Honors Residence Scholarship
Ariona Candace Campbell-Washington: Notre Dame College - Dean’s Scholarship; Clarion University - Golden Eagle Scholars Award; Bowling Green State University - Freshman Academic Scholarship; Central State University - Academic Merit Scholarship
Chance De'Andre Wells: Eastern Michigan University - Eastern Michigan University Housing Grant
Janessa Marie White: Kent State University - Trustee Scholarship
Bryan Gerald Williams Jr.: Notre Dame College
Eniyah Da'Jauna Williams: Bowling Green State University
Ethan Keith Williams-Taylor: Cuyahoga Community College
Ja'Nae O'Miera Williams: Cuyahoga Community College
Tyrone Williams Jr.: Cuyahoga Community College
George Irvin Wilson III: Urbana University - Athletic Scholarship
Makayla Iyana Wooten: Bowling Green State University
Thomas Anthony Darrel Yarbrough III: Cuyahoga Community College
Jasmina Zlatarevic: Cleveland State University
