Bishop’s Catholic Scholar Society Awards Recognize Diocesan Students

Students from across the Diocese of Allentown were recognized for their academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to the Catholic faith during the annual Bishop’s Catholic Scholar Society Awards held at the Alumni Center of Notre Dame High School, Easton.

The April 25 event filled the seats and brought together students, families, educators, clergy, and diocesan leaders to celebrate young people who exemplify the mission of Catholic education through scholarship, service, and faith-filled leadership.

The scholarships were funded through the support of the “Because We Are Catholic” Annual Appeal.

The Bishop’s Catholic Scholar Society Awards honor students from diocesan high schools, special learning centers, and parish communities who demonstrate academic excellence while living out Christian values in their schools, parishes, and communities. Scholarships are awarded to help support students as they continue their Catholic education at both the high school and collegiate levels.

The ceremony began with an opening prayer led by Father Alexander Brown, Chaplain of Notre Dame High School.

Guests were welcomed by Jaclyn Friel, Principal of Notre Dame, who reflected on the excellence of the students present.

“Today we recognize a remarkable group of young people,” said Friel. “Among us are outstanding students who have distinguished themselves for their dedication to academics, their commitment to their faith, and the way that they lead and serve within these communities.”

Throughout the program, speakers emphasized that Catholic education extends beyond classroom achievement and encourages students to become compassionate leaders rooted in faith.

Dr. Michael St. Pierre, Superintendent of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Allentown, spoke to the students about a 15-year-old boy who was dedicated to his faith: “He didn’t chase popularity or recognition. He used his gifts to serve God and others…. His name was Carlo Acutis.”

St. Pierre challenged the students to continue being like St. Carlo Acutis.

Scholarships were presented to students representing the Diocese’s special learning centers, Catholic high schools, and parish communities. One student from each of the three special learning centers across the Diocese received awards recognizing perseverance and achievement in their educational journeys. These students were:

• John Paul II Center for Special Learning, Shillington: Jeremy Adame.
• Mercy School for Special Learning, Allentown: Claire Bowers.
• St. Joseph Center for Special Learning, Schuylkill Haven: Joshua Klinger.

Graduating seniors from each of the six diocesan high schools were also honored with scholarships to assist them as they pursue higher education. These students were:

• Allentown Central Catholic High School: Theresa Yozzi and Andre DaSilva.
• Berks Catholic High School, Reading: Bryanna Gallagher and Christopher D’Angelo.
• Bethlehem Catholic High School: Madison Araniego and Emery Oberholzer.
• Marian Catholic High School, Tamaqua: Madison Biros and Alexander Krapf.
• Nativity BVM High School, Pottsville: Madeline Daynorowicz and Jackson Daubert.
• Notre Dame High School, Easton: Mary Pierce and Duncan Mitcheltree.

A large portion of the ceremony focused on recognizing eighth grade students from parishes throughout the Diocese who plan to continue their education in diocesan Catholic high schools. Selection for these scholarships was based on academic performance, leadership, service to parish and community, and recommendations from teachers, principals, and pastors.

Scholarship recipients attending Allentown Central Catholic High School:

• Aria Bodor from Good Shepherd, Northampton.
• Antonella Espinal-Lopez from St. John Vianney, Allentown.
• Layla Granitz from St. Ann, Emmaus.
• Peter Grubb from St. Michael the Archangel, Bethlehem
• Charlotte Harpster from St. Michael the Archangel, Bethlehem.
• Leah Hensel from Good Shepherd, Northampton.
• Steven Johns from St. Michael the Archangel, Bethlehem.
• Ryan William Kahr from Good Shepherd, Northampton.
• Maria Khoury from St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield.
• Matthew John Kloiber II from St. Thomas More, Allentown
• Michaela Kouvaros from St. Michael the Archangel, Bethlehem
• Harrison Morsch from St. Ann, Emmaus.
• Trevor Savagaji from St. Elizabeth, Whitehall .
• Gabe Shoemaker from St. Michael the Archangel, Bethlehem.
• Natalia Stano from St. Thomas More, Allentown.
• Ross Stewart-Smith from St. Thomas More, Allentown
• Emily Strobl from St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield.
• Myra Wendel from St. Ann, Emmaus.
• Alice Yakamavage from St. Joseph the Worker, Orefield.
• Dilynn Yeager from St. Thomas More, Allentown

Scholarship recipients attending Bethlehem Catholic High School:

• Jeilynis Aponte from Holy Infancy, Bethlehem.
• Candace Boyd from St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton
• Emma Caricari from Notre Dame School of Bethlehem.
• James Chosak from St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton
• Owen Druckenmiller from Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem
• Brendan Dunlevy from Holy Infancy, Bethlehem.
• Natalia Figueroa from Notre Dame School of Bethlehem.
• Kaitlyn Hlavinka from Notre Dame School of Bethlehem.
• Gianna Husser from Notre Dame School of Bethlehem.
• Isla Kelly from Notre Dame School of Bethlehem.
• Sophia Kirk from St. Anne, Bethlehem.
• John Merhottein from Notre Dame School of Bethlehem.
• Grace Muantongchin from Good Shepherd, Northampton.
• J’Shawn Neely from St. Anne, Bethlehem.
• Summer Joy Pitsilos from St. Anne, Bethlehem.
• Ida Schultz from St. Anne, Bethlehem.
• Sara Schumacher from St. Anne, Bethlehem.
• Thomas Tocci from Notre Dame School of Bethlehem.
• Eliomar Velez-Llopiz from Holy Infancy, Bethlehem.
• Ubaldo Villa-Camilo from Holy Infancy, Bethlehem.

Scholarship recipients attending Notre Dame High School:

• Mia Ambrosia from Holy Family, Nazareth
• Illyanna Annulysse from St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton.
• Alexa Beani from Good Shepherd, Northampton.
• Will Behn from St. Anne, Bethlehem
• James Caffrey from Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem.
• Ella Cole from Holy Family, Nazareth.
• Cadence Emilie Deemer from St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton.
• Marie Echevarria from Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem.
• Emma Fisher from Holy Family, Nazareth.
• Ryan W. Henkel from Holy Family, Nazareth.
• Angela Laudano from Immaculate Conception School, Pen Argyl.
• Lydia Moretti from Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem
• Jason Mulé from St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton.
• Sophia Perdue from Holy Family, Nazareth.
• McKenna Piazza from St. Elizabeth, Whitehall
• Emma Pierce from St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton.
• Colton Rizzotto from Holy Family, Nazareth.
• Marta Shevtziv from Holy Family, Nazareth.
• Kaden Stencovage from St. Jane Frances de Chantal, Easton
• Rosalyn Umholtz from Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bethlehem.

Scholarship recipients attending Berks Catholic High School:

• Charlotte Bell from Sacred Heart, West Reading.
• Carrigan Johnson from St. Catharine of Siena, Reading.
• Emma Kozak from St. Catharine of Siena, Reading.
• Quinn Manidis from La Salle Academy, Shillington.
• Isabelle Napoli from St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring.
• Ivylla Nguyen from Holy Guardian Angels, Reading
• Alanna Peralta from St. Peter, Reading
• Alyssa Reali from La Salle Academy, Shillington .
• Anna Reimels from St. Ignatius Loyola, Sinking Spring.
• Anthony Romeo from La Salle Academy, Shillington .
• Marcus Rundle from Holy Guardian Angels, Reading.
• Sophia Ysabelle Santos from Holy Guardian Angels, Reading.
• Michael Sauer from Holy Guardian Angels, Reading.
• Teagan Shuman from Immaculate Conception Academy, Douglassville.
• Fiona Skalski from La Salle Academy, Shillington.
• Olivia Sneeringer from St. Catharine of Siena, Reading
• Alexa Torres from St. Peter, Reading.
• Angel Vargas from St. Peter, Reading.
• Hope Varish from Sacred Heart, West Reading.
• Khoa Vu from St. Catharine of Siena, Reading.

Scholarship recipients attending Nativity BVM High School:

• Grace Andrescavage from Assumption BVM, Pottsville.
• Liam Bonner from Assumption BVM, Pottsville.
• Katherine Fletcher from Assumption BVM, Pottsville.
• Molly Julia Holiday from St. Clair School District
• Abegael Howell from Assumption BVM, Pottsville.
• Elliandra Marks from Assumption BVM, Pottsville.
• Maci Minrod from St. Clair School District.
• Abigail Roehl from St. Clair School District.
• Emma Scheifley from Assumption BVM, Pottsville.
• Bennett Setlock from Assumption BVM, Pottsville.
• Mia Smith from St. Clair School District.
• Lily Strauss from Assumption BVM, Pottsville.
• Francesca Uholik from Assumption BVM, Pottsville.
• Luke Young from St. Jerome, Tamaqua.
• Jacob Ziegmont from Assumption BVM, Pottsville.

Scholarship recipients attending Marian Catholic High School:

• Addison Engleman from St. Jerome, Tamaqua.
• Lainey Fenkner from St. Jerome, Tamaqua.

In his remarks to the students, Bishop Schlert encouraged recipients to remember that the honor of being named a Catholic Scholar carries more than just academic success. While achievements in academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities are often publicly recognized, he said these students stand for more than just that.

“This is about character,” said the Bishop. “It’s about virtue. It's about the fact, young ladies and gentlemen, that you represent your Catholic faith very well. We encourage you to continue doing that. Your achievements are impressive. But, I say, even more meaningful is the character you each have.”

The annual ceremony celebrated not only academic excellence, but also the formation of young people committed to living out their faith through leadership, service, and integrity.

Photos by Rey Gabriel.