St Rose School’s Class Of 2004 Steps Up For Graduation

St Rose School held its 2004 graduation ceremony on a perfect, cloudless day June 12.

Principal Mary R. Maloney lauded the accomplishments and character of the 20 eighth-grade graduates, honoring several with distinctive academic awards.

Honor roll students Katelyn Power, Meghan Dawley, and Patricia Culligan were recognized for perfect attendance; Katelyn in English, math, algebra, historym and Spanish, Meghan in pre-algebra, and Patricia in religion.

Ms Maloney presented the Presidential Award for Educational Excellence, “offered by President Bush to those students who have achieved a minimum average of 90 percent, scored in the 85th percentile or above on national standardized tests and have received their teachers’ recommendation.”

Recipients were Patricia Culligan, Katelyn Power, and Ann LoPiccolo.

The Presidential Award for Educational Improvement, also presented by Ms Maloney and “offered by President Bush,” recognized students who demonstrate outstanding educational performance or improvement and commitment in academic subjects.” They must have maintained an average of 85 or above and received their teachers’ recommendation.

Recipients were Ashley Braun, Brian Kirk, Meaghan Dawley, and Rachel Rowan.

The Excellence in Citizenship Award, received by Ashley Braun, was presented in the name of Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, recognizing a student who has distinguished himself or herself not only academically but also in civic and community action.

Benjamin Martinez received the Charles Weiss Memorial Scholarship, in memory of Father Bob Weiss’s father. James O’ Connor and Michelle O’ Rourke received the Father Stephen Opra Scholarship. Michael Kearns and Anne LoPiccolo received the Sister Julia Kelly Scholarship.

Katelyn Powers received the National Junior Honor Society Scholarship from the school’s National Junior Honor Society advisor, Ryan Woodcock.

Brianna Barry and Nicholas Kallivrousis received the Mentor Scholarship, presented by St Rose Preschool Director Debbie O’ Handley.

“The pre-K school has so admired the interaction and mentoring this class in particular has demonstrated throughout the year,” said Ms Maloney. “The [Mentor Scholarship] is presented to students who are continuing their Catholic education, have demonstrated characteristic qualities, and have the understanding of the importance of mentoring a young child in living their faith.”

Finally, Patricia Culligan and James O’ Brien received the Donna DeLuca Scholarship, named in honor of St Rose’s former principal.

Ms Maloney described her predecessor as “a person who strongly believes in the philosophy of Catholic education, who respected and revered each and every student, and who was the chief educational role model in living one’s life as Christ did.”

She added, “In the interest of all youth in our Newtown community, she has aggressively made public the need for protecting and educating youth and their parents with regard to drugs and alcohol.”

It was the first year the Donna DeLuca Scholarship was presented to a St Rose graduating class.