Central Jersey Catholic High School Graduates live out Catholic identity through increased service.

CENTRAL JERSEY –  Recognizing the outstanding achievements of the graduating class of 2023, the 429 graduates of the four Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Metuchen together received more than $108 million in scholarships and awards from its high schools while emphasizing the profound impact of Catholic identity on their educational journey.

Among the four Catholic high schools within the Church of Metuchen, which include Immaculata, St. Thomas Aquinas, Mount Saint Mary Academy, and Saint Joseph, the graduates averaged $250,192 in scholarships and awards per student, totaling approximately 54,377 hours of service over the course of their four years, and have achieved a 100 percent college acceptance rate, with an average of 82 percent of graduates receiving scholarships and awards.

Navigating an ever-changing world, the Diocese of Metuchen has remained steadfast in its commitment to instilling a strong Catholic identity within its educational institutions. “Catholic identity will undoubtedly guide the graduates to become compassionate leaders and agents of positive change in our society.  The class of 2023 stands as a testament to the success of this mission, exemplifying the teachings of love, compassion, and service of Jesus Christ that are core to our Catholic education and way of life.” shared Barbara Stevens, Superintendent of Schools. 

The graduating seniors who received the 2023 Bishop James F. Checchio Award for Religion are: Matthew Kolakowski of Immaculata High School; Gabrielle Cruz of St. Thomas Aquinas High School; Julie Falcone and Giulianna Pelcher of Mount Saint Mary Academy; and Timothy Haklar of Saint Joseph High School. 

The high school graduation ceremonies, held throughout the four counties of the Diocese, celebrated the accomplishments of the class of 2023 while honoring their Catholic identity. "This school has produced so many graduates in over 50 years, but you got so much more because of the challenges that you faced,” Bishop James F. Checchio expressed to the graduating class of St. Thomas Aquinas High School at the Church of the Sacred Heart in South Plainfield. “God is still with us, that God is always for us no matter the challenges that we face.” 

Saint Joseph High School, Metuchen
As in the previous year, seniors at Saint Joseph High School, Metuchen, were the first to graduate in the diocese this year, marking the occasion with a graduation ceremony on the evening of May 18 at the Church of the Sacred Heart in South Plainfield. Among the 143 graduates, over $36 million in scholarships and grants were awarded this year to the graduates of Saint Joseph High School, a private, Catholic all-boys college preparatory school run by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. The Class of 2023 accumulated over 14,720  hours of service over the course of their four years, and 100 percent of graduates will continue their studies at a college or university.

Valedictorian Matthew Imhoff will study computer science at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ., and salutatorian Alejandro DaSilva will attend Brown University in Providence, R.I., where he will participate in The Program in Liberal Medical Education, an eight-year continuum that allows students to combine both their undergraduate and medical school education.   

St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison
Following tradition, the St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Edison, Class of 2023, was the next to graduate during a June 1 commencement ceremony at the Church of the Sacred Heart in South Plainfield. Now led by a dedicated team of lay administrators, faculty and staff, and diocesan priests, The school’s 131 graduates earned $17 million in scholarships and awards and, over their four years, accumulated 16,654 hours of service. More than 98 percent of students will continue to pursue high education. 

Valedictorian Rajoski Basu will pursue a degree in mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley, while salutatorian Sara Ainsely Murillo will study engineering at Tufts University in the neighborhoods of Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts. 

Immaculata High School, Somerville
Seniors of Immaculata High School, a co-ed college preparatory high school directed by a team of lay administrators, faculty, staff, and diocesan priests, graduated during a June 2 commencement ceremony at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Somerville. Over the course of their four years, the Class of 2023 accumulated 16,803 hours of service, and 97 percent of graduates will continue their studies at a college or university with $32 million in scholarships and awards.

Valedictorian Matthew Kolakowski will pursue a degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Tennessee in Florida State University in Knoxville, Tenn., and salutatorian Tara Khosla will continue studies in chemical biology at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J. 

Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung
The 62 graduates of Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung, who in total were awarded $23 million in scholarships and awards, averaging $307,000 per student, the largest average in the Diocese of Metuchen, celebrated their commencement on June 3. Mount Saint Mary Academy, a Catholic, private all-girls high school owned and operated by the Sisters of Mercy of the Mid-Atlantic, will again see 100 percent of its graduates continue their studies at a college or university.

Valedictorian Charlotte Gray will study pre-health at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, and  Salutatorian Mary Claire Schleck will pursue life science at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

The graduating Class of 2023 in the Diocese of Metuchen have actively engaged in the development of their faith, participating in religious studies, sacramental preparation, and various spiritual activities. They have embraced the Church’s mission to foster a deep connection with God and live out the Gospel values daily. By expressing their Catholic identity, they have consistently demonstrated a commitment to service, engaging in numerous community outreach programs and demonstrating compassion towards those in need. Their acts of kindness and generosity reflect the values instilled within them and are a testament to the transformative power of Catholic education and their relationship with Jesus Christ.

“Remember this important lesson that will serve you well in your life,” Bishop Checchio expressed to the graduating class of Saint Joseph High School. “Even when it seems that things are out of control, God is still in control, so don’t be afraid to turn to him.” 
 

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Metuchen are now enrolling for fall 2023. With outstanding academics and well-rounded programs, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Metuchen offer a faith-filled environment where every student is known by name. For more information about enrolling your child or to find out how you can help support the privately-funded programs which provide tuition assistance to aid low-and moderate-income families within the diocese, please visit diometuchen.org/schools or call (732) 562-2446.