TRUMBULL—St. Joseph High School, Connecticut’s largest Catholic college preparatory school, conferred diplomas upon 213 students on Saturday, July 11, 2020. The Class of 2020 achieved a 100% college acceptance rate, with 99% going on to four-year schools, and earned for themselves over 25 million dollars in scholarships and tuition assistance.
The Blessing and Conferral of Diplomas was held at Dalling Field on the school’s campus. Parents were confined to their cars, while the graduates were socially distanced in masks on the lower field, in conformance with the CDC and State of Connecticut guidelines. During the ceremony, pre-recorded videos from Ms. Vicki A. Tesoro, First Selectman of the Town of Trumbull and Mr. Christopher Wilson, Chairman of the Board of St. Joseph High School, offered their congratulations and best wishes to the Class of 2020.
Salutatorian, Katherine Pikulik, (New York University) opened the ceremonies with warm words of encouragement and Valedictorian, Mari Andrzejewski, (University of Pennsylvania) sent off her peers, challenging them to face the future with courage and resolve.
“When we say that we can come home to Joe, we mean it,” remarked Mari Andrzejewski. “We have a family. We carry on. And our class, especially, will be united in a way like never before. I hope that we can all find a silver lining in this very unique experience.”
“Your graduation is not like any other. But then the Class of 2020 is unlike any other,” remarked recently retired Head of School, Dr. William Fitzgerald during his speech. “Ironically, in February, we were talking about how to get the iPhones out of your hands. Today, we are looking to you—the social media generation—to understand what continuous learning is all about. This spring has showed us, that in many ways, this is already your world and we are just catching up.”
Master of Ceremonies, Principal Nancy DiBuono, added that, “We couldn’t be prouder of our students, especially given the circumstance with which they had to contend. Their hard work and commitment has reaped amazing recognition. This class will lead well beyond 2020.”
“It was a blessing for the St. Joes Class of 2020 to be able to reunite in faith and fellowship on this beautiful summer morning,” added Mr. David Klein, the school’s current Head of School.
St. Joseph High School is an independent, co-ed, Catholic college preparatory school that enrolls over 800 young women and men. It is situated on 57 landscaped acres in the Town of Trumbull, and recently added a Wetlands and Nature Boardwalk, a brand new Health & Wellness Center, and this fall, a complete renovation of the legendary Vito Montelli Court and Gymnasium. It is a school committed to Growing into Great every day.
For additional photos of St. Joseph High School’s ceremony, visit SJCadets.SmugMug.com.
