The student body gathered for a special November assembly to recognize two important groups of people. During the first half of the assembly, recipients of 2014 O’Connell scholarships and academic award were recognized. The second half of the assembly was devoted to the observance of Veterans Day, by honoring staff and faculty members who have served their country.
The O’Connell jazz band provided music as the community gathered, and then returned later in the assembly to perform a medley of songs from the armed forces, including The Air Force Song (Air Force), The Army Goes Rolling Along (Army), Semper Paratus (Coast Guard), The Marine’s Hymn (Marine Corps) and Anchors Aweigh (Navy). The O’Connell Singers performed the National Anthem, and the Men’s A Cappella group, on stage together for the first time this year, performed the Battle Hymn of the Republic.
Father Thompson opened and closed the gathering with prayer. Sister Catherine Hill read the poem, In Flander’s Field, as a special tribute to all veterans.
Honoring Veterans
Eleven members of the Bishop O'Connell faculty and staff were recognized for their service to our country. Together, this group has more than 138 years of military service:
Michael Bernhard (Math Chair) – U.S. Navy
Reno Cassidy (Math Teacher) – U.S. Army
James Ewings (Football Coach) – U.S. Marine Corps
Michael Garofolo (English Teacher) – U.S. Navy
Joseph Giaquinto (Softball Coach) – U.S. Navy
Paul Gerton (Science/Engineering Teacher) – U.S. Army
Tom Glynn (Science Chair) – U.S. Coast Guard
Quinn Hollomon (Tennis Coach) – U.S. Navy
Susan Koranek (Math Teacher) – Air National Guard
Mary Quinn (Field Hockey Coach) – U.S. Army
Joseph Vorbach (Head of School) – U.S. Coast Guard
Scholarships and Awards
Below are the scholarship and award winners recognized at the assembly.
- John A. Ballard Scholarship - Alexandria Sacci
- Barry Breen Scholarship for the Visual and Performing Arts - Teresa English and Turner Richmond
- Joseph W. Connolly Scholarship - Rachel Narvaez
- De La Salle Award for Instrumental Performance - Ava Coffin and Kenneth Rudolph
- De La Salle Award for Vocal Performance - Peter Lucas and Elise Welsh
- Henry Heishman Scholarship - Marty Knauf
- Knights Recognition Scholarship
- Sarah Grasmeder, David Pizzano, Nikolas Rocha and Seth Viani
- Rev. Monsignor John McMahon Scholarship - Alec Quiroga
- Robert J. and Elizabeth K. Murphy Family Scholarships - Matthew Funkhouser and Hodari Robinson
- Bishop O’Connell Alumni Scholarship - Alexandra Lucchesi
- Bishop O’Connell Scholar Award - Caitlin Mea, Gabriela Matheu, Anthony Socarras, Selene Swanson and Annmarie Wolf
- O’Donnell Family “Making a Difference” Award - Andrew Oliveros
- Schaffner Family Scholarship - Katharine Colclough
- Colonel C.A. Seoane Award - Diego Garcia, David Koehlmoos and Marissa Luna
- Prudential Spirit of Community Award - Maureen Duesterhaus
- Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Service Award - Kate Rocheleau
- Cindy Walls Scholarship - Josh Speier
- “Spirit of O’Connell” Award - Janiya Clemmons
National Merit Commended Students - In September, officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of approximately 34,000 Commended Students in the 60th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. More than 1.5 million juniors in about 22,000 high schools entered the 2015 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2013 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as the initial screen of program entrants. Commended Students placed among the top 5% of the more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2015 competition by taking the 2013 PSAT/NMSQT. The following O’Connell seniors were recognized as Commended Students: Srijan Bhasin, Kathryn Gliot, Alexander Socarras, Jennifer Ternullo and Katherine Ward.
AP Scholars – The College Board's AP Program recognizes high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and exams. At the end of last year, 125 O’Connell students were named AP Scholars. Members of the class of 2015 who were included in that group were recognized at the assembly. CLICK HERE to view a complete list of 2014 O'Connell AP Scholars.
View a slideshow from the assembly below: