Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh in Hampton wrapped up 2023-24 by presenting end-of-the-year awards to students for various academic and athletic achievements.
Among the recipients were winners of school-level awards:
• Joshua Schlemmer, Aquinas Award, given to the upper school student who through academic achievement, love of God and contributions to the academy best represent in daily life the school’s ideals and goals.
• Brendan Roney, Crusader Award, presented to the middle school student who best lives out on a daily basis the ideals of Aquinas Academy and who consistently displayed diligence in studies, charity to classmates, respect for teachers and love of God.
• Miriam Gruber, Peter Hyrcza Award, given in memory of Peter “The Rock” Hyrcza to a fifth-grade student who models Christian behavior and serves an example to others.
The Aquinas Academy High School Outstanding Athlete of the Year award is presented to one male and one female student. Receiving this year’s honor were basketball player Jacob Guillen and runner Alexis Abbett.
Winners of the academy’s department awards, as selected by faculty members, were:
• Art — Nadine Hokaj, high school, and Sarah Hoerster, middle school.
• Science — Ben Everson, high school, and Peter Koble, middle school.
• English — Anne Marie Austin, high school, and Lilian O’Neil, middle school.
• Math — Ben Everson, high school, and Annette Bentivegna, middle school.
• History — Chase Harrison, high school, and Sam Ennis, middle school.
• Religion — Anne Marie Austin, high school, and Mackenzie Sparrow, middle school.
• Philosophy — Elizabeth Swift, high school.
• Spanish — Michael Jernigan, high school.
• French — JJ Ortiz, high school.
• Latin — Savannah Deschamps, high school, and Timothy Crawford, middle school.
The school presented the Perpetual Plaque to students who have been recognized as National Merit Scholars: Anne Marie Austin, Benjamin Everson (Class of 2024 salutatorian) and Chase Harrison (valedictorian).
