Caps Off to the Class of 2024

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The Class of 2024 shouted its final, “Go and conquer!” as students when St. Benedict’s Prep held its 150th Commencement Exercise for the Boys Prep Division on June 2. The community celebrated 98 Gray Bee graduates who began their Benedict’s careers virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fourth Commencement Exercise for the Girls Prep Division was held on June 1 and celebrated 22 graduates. Present at both ceremonies were New Jersey State Troopers who participated in the Building Bridges program, a visible reminder of the authentic relationships that has developed between young people and law enforcement since the program’s inception in 2021.     

Fr. Albert Holtz, O.S.B. ’61 introduced six members of the Class of 1974 — Gray Bees, including Abbot Augustine Curley, O.S.B. ’74 — who received their diploma 50 years after they would have graduated from St. Benedict’s had the School not closed in 1972. James Guevarez ’74 spoke for the class at the June 2 ceremony, noting, “The monks never abandoned us.”     

The Commencement ceremonies was preceded by the Senior Award Dinners for each Division on May 29 and 30. Notably, the Presidential Award was given to a senior in the Girls Prep Division for the first time. The award, established in 1946, recognizes seniors who exemplify the qualities a Benedict’s education instills in students through their academics, extracurriculars, achievements and leadership.     

Senior Group Leaders Lucia Gallo ’24 and Noah Rega ’24 are the recipients of the 2024 Presidential Awards. Noah is the 78th recipient of the award; he reports to the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, R.I. as a midshipman candidate on August 1. Lucia will matriculate to NJIT this fall where she plans to study business and marketing.

Senior Class Awards 2024

Congratulations to Gray Bees from the Class of 2024 who were recognized for achievement, teamwork, service and Benedict’s spirit at the Senior Awards ceremony.

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BOYS PREP DIVISION

Headmaster’s Memorial Award for General Achievement
Joseph Ranalletta ’24

Rev. Casimir Finley, O.S.B. Memorial Award for Achievement in Mathematics
Ethan J. Lopina ’24

Rev. Laurence Grassman, O.S.B. ’33 Memorial Award for Achievement in Science
Joshua R. Laube ’24

John Richard McDonough ’58 Memorial Award for Achievement in Humanities
Alan C. Mba ’24

Abbot Martin J. Burne, O.S.B. ’32 Memorial Award for Achievement in Religious Studies
John Queiroz ’24

Rev. John T. Browne, O.S.B. ’47 Memorial Award for Achievement in the Performing Arts
Keisnalall Garib ’24

Rev. Maynard G. Nagengast, O.S.B. H ’94 Award for Achievement in the Visual Arts
Liam R. Concha ’24

Michael A. Dipiano, Sr. H ’82 Hustle, Pride and Desire Award for Achievement in Athletics
Ransford Gyan ’24

Karen Frungillo Essex County Scholar Athlete Award
Matthew D’Arcy ’24 2024

Yogi Berra Museum Best Teamwork Award
Alessandro Giammatteo ’24

Thomas Huss ’93 Memorial Award for School Spirit
Mason F. Adao ’24

Carl Blake ’80 & James Barnes-Hawkins ’87 Award for Outstanding Improvement 
Quamir O. Harris ’24

John A. Conlin ’41 Memorial Award for Service
Daniel Da Rocha ’24

Thomas E. Durkin, Jr. ’43 Memorial Award for Benedictine Spirit
Samuel C. Campos ’24

Rev. Mark M. Payne, O.S.B. ’69 Memorial Award for Character and Leadership Development 
Joshua Johnson ’24

Presidential Award
Noah J. Rega ’24

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GIRLS PREP DIVISION

Headmaster’s Memorial Award for General Achievement
Maria Correia ’24

Award for Achievement in Mathematics
Oluwatotemi O. Adeyinka ’24

Award for Achievement in Science
Maria Correia ’24

Award for Achievement in History
Jimena Zoar Pastrana ’24

Award for Achievement in English and Literature
Oluwatotemi O. Adeyinka ’24

Award for Achievement in the Visual Arts
Kyara S. Teran ’24

Award for Achievement in Athletics
Lucia Gallo ’24

Karen Frungillo Essex County Scholar Athlete Award
Lucia Gallo ’24

Outstanding Improvement Award
Manjeanie Nozandieu ’24

Service Award
Julia Polo ’24

Benedictine Spirit Award
Kymberli Davis ’24 Presidential AwardLucia Gallo ’24

 

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