Family members, friends, coaches, and faculty and staff gathered together at Ss. Robert and William Parish in Euclid the evening of May 23 to celebrate the Class of 2022.
One hundred and four students were part of this year’s graduating class. Sixty-six percent of the class reported receiving merit-based college scholarships, totaling over $9.2 million. Many students are also entering the workforce or serving in the military.
William Raddell ’68 welcomed the crowd to the graduation ceremony before introducing this year’s senior speakers. Speakers included valedictorian Paul Paciorek, Mario Palomino, Melana Blase and Michael Taylor.
After receiving their high school diplomas, Raddell blessed the class, and VASJ President Thomas M. Carone gave a farewell address. Students then proudly sang VASJ’s alma mater as they were welcomed into the alumni family.
Students in the senior class were also presented with a variety of commencement awards distributed during the ceremony.
National Federation of State High School Associations Award of Excellence: Josephine DiDona and Matthew Okocha
Ohio High School Athletic Association Scholar Athlete Award: Abigail Buzdon and Patrick Dunmire
Ohio High School Athletic Association Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award: Iyanna Battle and Joshua Hatcher
Ohio High School Athletic Association Courageous Student Award: Sean Doley
Outstanding Achievement in English: Megan O’Donnell
Outstanding Achievement in Mathematics: Megan O’Donnell
Outstanding Achievement in Religion: Melana Blase
Outstanding Achievement in Science: Niya Schady
Outstanding Achievement in Social Studies: Paul Paciorek
Outstanding Achievement in World Languages: Shana Porter
Valedictorian: Paul Paciorek
Salutatorian: Megan O’Donnell
Phi Beta Kappa: Paul Paciorek
First Honors Student (Each Quarter for Four Years): Abigail Buzdon, Lewis Davis, Josephine DiDona, Patrick Dunmire, Julia Mucci, Megan O’Donnell, Matthew Okocha, Paul Paciorek, Filippo Pavlica, Smyira Petty, Shana Porter, and Jariah Sturghill
President’s Education Awards Program for Outstanding Academic Excellence: Abigail Buzdon, Josephine DiDona, Patrick Dunmire, Joshua Hatcher, Thomas Kelsey, Megan O’Donnell, Paul Paciorek, Filippo Pavlica, Eric Sito
Timothy Robertson Award: Abigail Buzdon
Jared Plesec Award: Miranda Howard and Emily Reichert
St. Angela Award: Melana Blase
Blessed William Joseph Chaminade Award: Gbagalo Kennedy
Congratulations to the VASJ Class of 2022! We’re so proud of you and can’t wait to watch what you accomplish next in your lives.
To view more photos from the ceremony, please click here.