Distinctive Scholars Convocation names winners

For 16 years, the Division of Catholic Schools has taken the opportunity to call together students for the Distinctive Scholars Convocation.

On April 29, at Mercy High School, Baltimore, three seniors (typically the top three in the class) from each of the archdiocese’s 22 high schools (with the exception of Cristo Rey which does not yet have a senior class) are selected to receive awards for their achievements.

Father John Swope, president of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Baltimore, was the master of ceremonies.

“It was a celebration and affirmation,” said Dr. Ronald J. Valenti, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Baltimore, who presented the medals and certificates to the scholars, along with Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski.

He said it was important to bring students together, “in a prayerful environment that gives thanksgiving to God for the gifts they have been given and particular achievements they have accomplished.”

Often, he said, people look at schools and students with an emphasis only on athletic achievements, but for four years these seniors have had a specific intent and have accomplished a great deal of academic programs as well.

The convocation evening “recognizes, affirms, and celebrates their God-given talent,” said Dr. Valenti.

This year’s honorees – three from each of the archdiocese’s high schools – include:

Archbishop Curley High School, Baltimore:

Patrick M. Hairfield, Thomas E. Pillsbury, John Pyzik

Archbishop Spalding High School, Severn:

Robert Paul Inglis, Paul Joseph Devlin, Erin Christine Butler

Bishop Walsh School, Cumberland:

Ann Czapski, Jonathan Benjamin, Lydia Hughes

Calvert Hall College High School, Towson:

Ryan Cordell, Paul Joseph Scheel III, Tyler Wagner

The Cardinal Gibbons School, Baltimore:

Ryan R. Kelly, Timothy F. Schmidt, Hunter S. Truette

The Catholic High School of Baltimore:

Nicole Bittner, Victoria Single, Suzanne Remeikis

St. Frances Academy, Baltimore:

Shandriel Scille, Charnelle Towler, Glenn Bullock

Institute of Notre Dame, Baltimore:

Melanie Rae, Maria Kroat, Lydia Zuraw

The John Carroll School, Bel Air:

Christine Lebron, Lauren Lhotsky, Andrea McGann

St. John’s Catholic Prep, Frederick:

Victoria Pugh, Allison O’Boyle, Brian Roby

Loyola Blakefield, Towson:

Alex Ferro, Nick Gioioso, Ross Kelley

St. Maria Goretti High School, Hagerstown:

Gabriella Schiro, Dondi Ellis, Catherine Stahl

St. Mary’s High School, Annapolis:

Jennifer Alexandra Jackson, Elizabeth Ann Mulhern, Rachel Kemp Duden

Maryvale Preparatory School, Brooklandville:

Erin Cawley, Kirsten LoGrande, Bridget O’Brien

Mercy High School, Baltimore:

Breann M. Erford, Rachel L. Troch, Sarah V. Troch

Mount de Sales Academy, Catonsville:

Emily Battinelli, Merena Gettmann, Colleen Hutchison

Mount St. Joseph High School, Baltimore:

Kyle Wesselman, Mark Gossage, Patrick Gorman

Notre Dame Preparatory School, Towson:

Neethu Abraham, Catherine Hsu, Stephanie Patterson

Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School, Essex:

Laura Abbasi, Meghan Hartnett, Sydney Jeter

The Seton Keough High School, Baltimore:

Colleen Shea, Katherine Sacker, Jacquelyn Ward

Towson Catholic High School:

Christine Bradley, Mary Schmidt, Carolyn Wasilewski

Catholic Review

The Catholic Review is the official publication of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.