Over 200 VASJ students receive awards on Scholarship Day

More than 200 students were awarded over $350,000 in scholarship money during Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School’s Scholarship Day on Friday, Jan. 31. Each of the scholarships was created to recognize the accomplishments of current VASJ students.  

Alumni Health Care Careers Scholarship
Alumni of the school who are involved in healthcare-related careers founded the Alumni Health Care Careers Scholarship. Dr. Holzheimer presented $750 scholarships to students who are interested in a career in the healthcare field, have above average skills in science, maintain a good conduct record and are actively involved in the school. The recipients of the $750 scholarships are:

Josie Cannon
Micah Dunn

The Barbara A. Blaser Scholarship 
The Barbara A. Blaser Scholarship is given to young women who excel in technology classes and have an interest in a business career. The recipients of a $500 scholarship are:

        Emelia Rowell
        Leah Stanoch

Thomas J. Brazaitis Scholarship
The Thomas J. Brazaitis Scholarship is awarded to juniors with an interest in journalism, communication or English. The students maintain a good conduct record, are above average students and represent the true values of VASJ. This award is named after the late Tom Brazaitis, an author, Plain Dealer Washington Bureau columnist and VASJ Hall of Famer. The recipients of a $500 scholarship are:

        Margaret Radachy
        Desi Dillard
        Asaya Davis

William Breslin Scholarship
The William Breslin Scholarship is a $500 award given to students who maintain a GPA in the upper 25% of their class and are athletes who are models of quiet humility. The recipients of a $500 scholarship are:

        Samantha Turk
        Titus Bates        
        Paul Paciorek

The Centa Family Scholarship
The Centa Family Scholarship has been established by St. Joseph Class of 1970 alum William J. Centa to recognize students with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA who are involved in two or more extracurricular or club activities. The recipients of $1,000 scholarships are:
 
        Maurice Jackson
        Abigail Buzdon
        Amya Parker

Clark Blaine Clark Award
The Clark Blaine Clark Award was established as a memorial scholarship for three members of the St. Joseph Class of 1990: Steven Clark, Frederick Blaine and Thomas Clark. The award was established to recognize a football player who shows spirit, camaraderie and commitment to the Viking community. Steve, Fred and Tom were members of the State Division II Championship football team. Tom was a student council president and one of three seniors selected to speak at graduation. Steve also wrestled at 189 pounds on the State Division I Championship wrestling team.  All three were to attend college on football scholarships. The recipient of this $500 award is:

      Calvin Trickett

Dailey Family Scholarship
The Dailey Family Scholarship has been established by Don and Mary Jo Dailey. Don is a St. Joseph Class of 1970 alum. The scholarship recognizes students who have shown leadership and dedication to the Viking community. The recipients of a $750 scholarship are:

        BK Kwasniak
        Clarke Moore

Daniel Flannery Scholarship
The Daniel Flannery Scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate a strong work ethic effort, strive to improve academically, are positive role models in the Viking community, maintain a 2.5 GPA, and are active and always willing to support fellow classmates. The recipients of $750 scholarships are:

        Precious Henderson
        Matthew Paus

Davis-Kerscher Scholarship
The Davis-Kerscher Scholarship is awarded to hard-working students who demonstrate a true appreciation of a strong Catholic education and maintain a 3.25 GPA. The recipients of $1,500 scholarships are:

        Rhiannan Edwards
        Dorian Booze
        Joshua Freed
        Sierra McGaughey

DeBartolo Fund Scholarship
The DeBartolo Fund Scholarship is given to a daughter of a Villa Angela alumnae who excels in donating time and talent through service to others. The recipient of this year’s $2,000 award is:

         Ashanti Turner

Umberto and Mary Ellen Fedeli Family Scholarship
The Umberto and Mary Ellen Fedeli Family Scholarship recognizes students who are examples of living the Gospel values, exhibit a strong work ethic, give service to their community and school, and are excellent role models. The recipients of $750 scholarships are: 

        Annalise Gibbons
        Cha’Nyra Cooper
        Aaron Martin

Tom L. Fink Memorial Scholarship
The Tom L. Fink Memorial Scholarship has been designated by the Fink family to go to a member of the VASJ football team who has demonstrated outstanding zeal, enthusiasm and commitment to student life as well as passion and commitment to study, work and sports. The recipient of a $500 scholarship is:

          Charles Kortovich

Thomas J. Gentile Memorial Scholarship
The Thomas J. Gentile Memorial Scholarship has been created by the Gentile Family in memory of Thomas J. Gentile, a St. Joseph High School graduate of the Class of 1971. Tom was a successful businessman and long-time baseball fan and coach. Recipients are students who participate in baseball or fast pitch, maintain a GPA of at least 3.0, have a good conduct record, and are interested in a career in business or becoming an entrepreneur. The students who received a $1,000 scholarship are:

        Lawrence Osborne
        Catherine Webb

H.J. Jack Getler Memorial Scholarship
The H.J. Jack Getler Memorial Scholarship goes to an outstanding student who has made the greatest contribution to the professionalism of the school’s literary magazine, Ventures. Candidates maintain a 2.6 GPA and represent the characteristics of a true Villa Angela-St Joseph student. The recipients who received $1,000 each are:

        Shauna Burkes
        Christian Wilson
        Alexandria Parker

Robert Gliha Memorial Award
The Robert Gliha Memorial Award has been designated by the Gliha family in memory of Robert Gliha, a St. Joseph High School graduate of the class of 1970. Robert was the deputy director of economic development for the City of Euclid, where he dedicated a 37-year career to the development of the city and its local businesses. The recipient is a student who excels academically in the area of science, technology, engineering and math, has demonstrated leadership and is actively involved in service to VASJ as well as the community. Selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship is:

        Taniyah Chaney

Brian Kasunic Memorial Scholarship
The Brian Kasunic Memorial Scholarship is awarded to seniors who display generosity toward others and exhibit leadership, character and Viking spirit. The recipients of $500 scholarships are:

         Reiley Freed
         Arielle Robinson

Joy Kwasniak Swanson “Live For Joy” Memorial Scholarship
The Joy Kwasniak Swanson “Live For Joy” Memorial Scholarship was inaugurated in 2008 by the family of 1991 VASJ graduate Joy who succumbed to cancer in 2006. This scholarship is designated for students who exhibit the characteristics of a stout leader and an overachiever. The recipients of $2,500 awards each are:

        Tamia Hameed               
        Taniya Hameed

Kathryn Kerver Scholarship
The Kathryn Kerver Scholarship is awarded to a current Catholic student who shows school spirit, maintains good conduct and attendance, and is willing to be of service to others. The recipient demonstrates dedication, determination and maintains at least a 2.5 GPA. The recipient of a $500 scholarship is:

           Mario Palomino

Lieb Family Scholarships
The Lieb Family Scholarship has been established by the Lieb brothers to recognize students who have completed their sophomore year, maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, demonstrate Christian values, and are involved in two or more extracurricular or club activities. The recipients of $1,000 scholarships are:

         LaShonda Bailey
         Bridget Thompson
         Ayden Martin-Stuble

Pat Lyons Memorial Scholarship
As an All-American scholar athlete and a St. Joseph High School graduate, Pat Lyons reached out to help students succeed and graduate from VASJ. The Pat Lyons Memorial Scholarships, for $1,000 each, recognize four athletes who exhibit good character and citizenship.  This year’s student athlete selections are:
        
        Randi Seagroves
        Jamal Hill
        Dezlenae Edwards
        Dezzlen Edwards

Gloria “Mrs. M” Melaragno Scholarship
The Gloria “Mrs. M” Melaragno Scholarship is named in honor of Mrs. Melaragno who was affectionately known as “Mrs. M” by legions of St. Joseph High School students beginning in the 1960s. The scholarship awards students who are academically and spiritually solid and display the traits Mrs. M exemplified: selflessness, humor, kindness, hospitality, friendship and sensitivity to others. The recipients of $750 scholarships are:

        Jillian DiDona
        Calvin Trickett

Tim Misny “Make Them Pay” Scholarship

The Tim Misny “Make Them Pay” Scholarship was established in 2019 by St. Joseph High School graduate of the Class of 1973 and well-known attorney Tim Misny. The scholarship recognizes classroom improvement and increased effort by students over the previous school year. The recipient of $750 scholarships are:

         Sophomore Morgan Parker                                                             
         Junior Kayla Franks

and a $1,000 award goes to: 

         Senior Jareion Washington

Eugene Oberst Memorial Scholarship

The Eugene Oberst Memorial Scholarship awards mathematics students who have shown great effort, try hard, or have made significant progress in their study of mathematics. The students who received awards of $500 each are:

         Pharell Mills
         Kaylon Ferguson

Fred & Diana Prince Science Scholarship
The Fred & Diana Prince Science Scholarship is awarded to a junior who demonstrates excellence in science and plans to major in a science or technical field in college. The recipient also demonstrates leadership abilities in scientific activities at VASJ, has a social consciousness regarding the use of science, hopes to have a career in a science field and is a person of strong moral character. The recipients receiving $1,000 awards each are:

        Sydney Adkins
        Anika Duhigg

Joseph A. Radican Scholarship
The Joseph A. Radican Scholarship is named for long-time history and social studies teacher, speech and debate moderator, and former principal Joseph Radican, a member of the St. Joseph Class of 1956 and an inductee into the VASJ Hall of Fame. Mr. Radican, who retired in 2004, passed away in May 2011. The scholarship in his name honors an exemplary social studies student who is actively involved in school life. The recipient of a $500 award is:

         Ashley Holbrook

Timothy W. Robertson Memorial Scholarship
The Timothy W. Robertson Memorial Scholarship recognizes students who are outstanding academic performers and models of school spirit. The basketball court here at VASJ is named for Mr. Robertson, not just because of his devotion to the sport as a long-time statistician, photographer and most enthusiastic fan of the basketball team but for his steadfast loyalty to all things Viking. The highly respected math teacher and member of the St. Joseph Class of 1962 was a friend to all at VASJ. The recipients of a $1,000 award are:

        Joseph Webb
        Shaunna Burks        
        Kevin Eiseman

Amy Sambula Memorial Spirit Scholarship
The Amy Sambula Memorial Spirit Scholarship recognizes a female student who has spirit, drive, enthusiasm and a love for VASJ. She is a leader and inspires moral leadership in others. The recipients of a $500 scholarship are:

        Kennedy Ashford
        Megan O’Donnell

Joseph M. Scaminace Scholarship
The Joseph M. Scaminace Scholarship is named for St. Joseph Class of 1971 graduate Joseph Scaminace. This scholarship awards students who are academically ambitious and display a strong sense of ethics, tenaciousness and personal responsibility. The recipients of a $750 award are:

        Sophie Sito
        Nathan Oriani

Scheidel Scholarship
The Scheidel Scholarship was established to assist students who have high aspirations, strong academic performance and financial need. A cumulative minimum GPA of 3.25 is required. The recipients of $2,000 scholarships are:

         Desi Dillard
         Emily Reichert
         Nathan Ford
         Jordan Dean

St. Joseph Class of 1958 Scholarship
The St. Joseph Class of 1958 Scholarship honors young men who are Catholic, reside in Euclid or Cleveland, have demonstrated scholarship and a love of learning, and are in at least the 10th grade. The St. Joe’s Class of ’58 Scholarship winners of $1,000 each are:

        Thomas Sweet
        Thomas Ridler
        Thomas Kelsey

Judy and Roger Sustar Scholarship
The Judy and Roger Sustar Scholarship was established by Judy Sustar, Villa Angela Class of 1961 alumna, and her husband, Roger Sustar, St. Joseph Class of 1961 alumnus. The scholarship recognizes students with a minimum of a 2.5 GPA who come to school every day, work hard, put forth effort, stay out of trouble and are involved in extracurricular activities. The recipients of a $1,000 award are:

        Shareese Jackson
        Mya White
        Gino Tomaselli
        Devon Crosby

William Sopko Music Award
William Sopko, a 1967 graduate of St. Joseph High School, established the William Sopko Music Award to recognize a student who has shown improvement or dedication to his/her music education. The recipient of this year’s $500 award is:

          Chloe Fuller

Evelyn A. Svete Memorial Scholarship
The Evelyn A. Svete Memorial Scholarship was established by Sandra Turner, a Villa Angela Class of 1966 alumna, and her husband, Jeff, to honor Mrs. Turner’s late aunt, Evie Svete, a 1941 graduate of Villa Angela Academy. A successful businessperson, Evie Svete supported those who worked hard and demonstrated the traits of kindness, generosity, determination and integrity. The recipients of $1,000 scholarship are:

        Ava Longstreet
        Maiya Jackson        
        Josephine DiDona

Jeff and Sandra Turner Scholarship
Jeff and Sandra established the Jeff and Sandra Turner Scholarship to recognize students who reflect the characteristics of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, the order’s foundress, St. Angela Merici, academic excellence, and social consciousness rooted in contemplation, justice and compassion. The recipients of a $1,000 award are:

        Jermaine Bragg
        Adam Ruggeri

Nicholas Valentino Memorial Scholarship
The Nicholas Valentino Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of the 1964 graduate of St. Joseph High School by long-time friend Mark Haskell. For 26 years, Mr. Valentino was an accountant and a member of the Ohio Bar Association as well as the president of Advisory Services Inc. in Cleveland. Nominated by VASJ faculty and chosen by Mr. Valentino’s family, recipients are students who maintain a minimum G.P.A of 3.0, are in good standing with the school, display a strong work ethic and moral character. The recipients of $1,000 awards are:

        Charles Mullin
        Melana Blase
        Nneka Scott

Joseph P. Veasey Scholarship
Inaugurated in 2008 in memory of Joseph Veasey, a 2003 VASJ graduate who passed away after battling leukemia for 16 months, the Joseph P. Veasey Scholarship is designated to a junior or senior who excels in mathematics and displays strong academic curiosity. The recipients show interest in art, architecture or engineering and model Marianist family spirit by cultivating meaningful interpersonal relationships and developing a strong sense of community among their peers. The recipients of $1,000 awards each are:

        Dylan Solnosky
        Michael-Jade Greene

Viking Scholarship
Viking Scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each recognize one student per class as model VASJ students who demonstrate strong moral character, scholarship and leadership. The recipients of the 2020 Viking Scholarship are:

        Freshman Johnathan Pitts
        Sophomore Zac Tizzano
        Junior Willo Singleton
        Senior Ian Sterrick

Peter C. & Eileen R. Welsh Scholarship
The Peter C. & Eileen R. Welsh Scholarship is given to a student who’s active in the Viking community and demonstrates the true spirit of the Viking family. The student should be involved in extracurricular activities and be a positive influence in the Viking community  The student should also maintain a 2.5 GPA. Receiving scholarships of $1,500 each are:

        Rayna Reid
        Nicholas Sweet
        Mark Ballard
        Robert Malinowski

Vincent and Kay Petteruti Scholarship
The Vincent and Kay Petteruti Scholarship is given to students who display kindness toward other students and demonstrate a true understanding of what it means to be a member of the Viking family. Students must also appreciate the benefits of a strong Catholic education and acknowledge the sacrifices their family is making to send them to VASJ. Receiving scholarships of $1,500 each are:

        Mia Taylor
        Arlaina Brogden
        Ian Sterrick    
        Precious Henderson

Zlatoper Family Scholarship
In memory of Joseph M. Zlatoper, the Zlatoper Family Scholarship is offered to students who excel in math or science courses by a better than average grade and have demonstrated an interest in math or science as a career. The students also demonstrate the Viking character and spirit that’s a VASJ tradition. Receiving scholarships of $750 each are:

        Misrach Ewunetie 
        Rebecca Hamper
        Kyla Graham

St. Joseph Class of 1969 Scholarship
The St. Joseph Class of 1969 Scholarship was established by the Class of ’69 on the occasion of its 50th reunion celebration. This scholarship is given in gratitude for the blessings of the Marianist culture and education these alumni experienced in the Viking Village both inside and outside the classroom. Proudly called “The Class with Heart,” the Class of ’69 awards this scholarship to VASJ students who embody the Viking traditions of school spirit, hard work, friendship and concern for others. This year's recipients of $1,500 awards are:

        Tyler Boyd-Roston
        Jayda Bacchus
        Ry’Onna Smith

Donald D. Lynch Family Foundation Scholarship

The Donald D. Lynch Family Foundation has awarded Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School a $10,000 renewable grant for the purpose of providing scholarships for students who are goal-oriented, focused on education, work to their potential and have demonstrated behavior that’s consistent with the school’s code of conduct. Most importantly, the student must be actively living his/her Catholic faith by following the example of Jesus and living the Gospel of the Lord in all that he/she does.

The following three scholarships were awarded:

The recipient of The Donna Lynch Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $5,000 is Micah Dunn.

The recipient of The John & Margaret Lynch Family Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $2,500 is Charles Mullin.

The recipient of The Fr. David McBriar, OFM Scholarship, in the amount of $2,500 is Aneea Holman.

Howley Family Scholarship

The following students were selected for the Howley Family Scholarship as incoming freshmen. These students demonstrated high academic achievement in grade school and placed in the top third of the VASJ Placement Test. These students have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA while at VASJ, participate significantly in at least one extracurricular activity, maintain good standing with the school, and submit semi-annually an outline of their progress and academic accomplishments to the Howley Family Foundation. Combined, they’ve been awarded $121,600.

Jamyla Brooks
Colin Hatcher
Maria Karboski
Sydney McDowell
Mary Radachy
Natalie Rutkowski
Za’Niyah Smith
Gaia Taylor
Nathan Udics
Nicholas Udics
Zachary Banasik
Rachel Barker
Isaiah Batts
Devin Cook
Patrick Dunmire
Thomas Kelsey
Shaienne Peacock
Sha’Miah Richardson
Danae Seals
Tamia Young
Makayla Brady
David Hoffman
Autumn Redd
Alana Reed
Jasmine Riddle
MyKayla Smith
Jenna Vislosky
Ariel Winfrey
Daysha Burton
Davante Callahan
Jay’Mai Chatman
Maura Kinsella
Jalen McMillan
John Parker
Jacob Smith
Jalia Tyner-Gaston
Isaiah White
China Williams

Entrance Exam Scholarship
The following students were awarded a scholarship based on their Entrance Exam Scores. Each of these students scored in the top 10% of his/her given year’s entrance exam and has maintained certain levels of honors to renew his/her monetary award. Their combined awards total over $123,750.

Layla Boyd-Clayton
James Butler
Josie Carpenter-Lewis
Darian Davis
Kyla Graham
Rebecca Hamper
Ryann Helmers
Madison Jablonski
Maria Karboski
Zachary Kohler
Sophie Nowak
Vanessa Rivers
Peyton Zeigler
Austin Barnett
Chloe Fuller
Ryan O'Connell
Apollo Percic
Nathan Udics
Colin Hatcher
Nicholas Udics
Mary Radachy
Devin Cook
Josephine DiDona
Patrick Dunmire
Joshua Hatcher
Layla Hunter
A'mya Jackson
Thomas Kelsey
BK Kwasniak
Emmanuel Lashley- Anderson
Caroline Monaco
Julia Mucci
Megan O'Donnell
Matthew Okocha
Paul Paciorek
Filippo Pavlica
Brendan Quinlan
Emily Rice
Sha'miah Richardson
Damoni Rucker
Niya Schady
Sara Adams
Makaila Alexander
Jayda Bacchus
Titus Bates
Melena Blase
Isaac Bonner
Abigail Buzdon
Eric Sito
Joseph Spear
Edward Sustaric
Aniya Tables
Zac Tizzano
Gino Tomaselli
Christopher Williams
Amara Hill
Andrew (AJ) Fabo
Briena Staunton
Devon Crosby
Misrach Ewunetie
Henry Spear
John Mauceri
Maura Kinsella
Lucia Vidmar
Rhiannan Edwards
Richard Trivisonno
Sarah Carroll
Sophie Sito
Wrigley Bailey
Alexis Ball
Desi Dillard
Ethan Graham
David Hoffman
Ashanti Johnson
Ayden Stuble Martin
Margaret Radachy
Jay'len Chatman
Robert Guzzo
Kaitlyn Jablonski
Kayla Harsley
John Michalski
Edward Marxen
John Parker