The Tablet is proud to present this year’s All-Scholastic Team, consisting of one graduating student from each of the 19 Catholic high schools in the diocese.
These young scholars are successful students who excel in academics, Christian leadership and community involvement. Their schools have recommended them based on these qualities and their demonstrations of integrity and school spirit.
A photo and a short description of each Tablet scholar can be found throughout this supplement. Captions for the photos on the cover can be found on Page 11A. Graduation details for the schools can also be found on Page 11A. A highlight of honors, awards and services from the graduating class can be found on Page 12A. In between academics and service, this year’s seniors also had time to play ball. For more, see page 14A. A highlight on students entering CUNY’s Macaulay Honors College and graduating from The Catherine Laboure Special Education School can be found on Page 15A.
Samantha Sattler
Archbishop Molloy High School
Parish: Our Lady of the Snows
Family: Eric and Anju, parents; Megan, sister
Home Neighborhood: Bellerose
Extracurricular Activities: Briarwood Shelter volunteer, peer tutor, parish lector, altar server, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, Science Olympiad, math league, dance club, Kings County Hospital volunteer, baking club, indoor track, National Honor Society, Middle States Accreditation Team student participant, spirit/activities leader
Scholarships: Hofstra, New York University, University of Rochester, Siena College, St. John’s Pharmacy Program, Stony Brook, Union College and Villanova
Awards: National Merit finalist, New York State Scholarship for Academic Excellence, Otto Burgdorf Biology Award, Bausch & Lomb Science Award
Plan after high school: B.S./M.D. Program at Siena College-Albany Medical College Joint Program with a major in biology
Quote of inspiration: “Life is no ‘brief candle’ to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible.” — George Bernard Shaw
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Stephanie Phelan Logozo
Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School
Parish: St. Michael
Home Neighborhood: Sunset Park
Extracurricular Activities: National Honor Society, co-president; peer leadership; extraordinary minister of Holy Communion; taught CCD at St. Michael parish
Honors: National Honor Society Chapter Award for Academic Excellence, Leadership and Service; Principal’s Academic Honor Roll; academic honors for every academic quarter
Scholarships and Awards: St. Joseph’s College Presidential Scholarship; Harvard book prize for Academic Excellence
Plan after high school: St. Joseph’s College with an early childhood education major.
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Susan Bazik
Bishop Kearney High School
Parish: St. Bernadette
Family: Edith and Robert Bazik, parents; John, twin brother
Home Neighborhood: Dyker Heights
Extracurricular Activities: Band; Color Guard; Key Club; math team; C.S.J. Leaders; Earth Crusaders; school volunteer; biology and math tutor; Exploring Engineering at University of Maryland, ACE Mentor Program of America; Bensonhurst Center for Rehabilitation and Health Care; lector; altar server; Sandwiches for the Needy; sales at Tasty Pastry Shoppe, Student Council
Honors: National Honor Society, Mater Dei Chapter; Principal’s List, all marking periods, first in class every year; St. John’s University Outstanding Performance in the Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science; National Latin Exam: Maxima Cum Laude; Who’s Who in Fine Arts, national art award
Scholarships: Presidential Scholarship to Boston University; A.J. Drexel Scholarship to Drexel University, Pa.; Dean’s Scholarship to Fordham University; Presidential Scholarship to Manhattan College, N.Y.; Promise Scholarship and Engineering Award, New York University; Connections Scholarship to Northeastern University, Mass.; Rensselaer Leadership Award to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, N.Y.; Presidential Scholarship to Stevens Institute of Technology, N.Y.; Villanova Scholarship to Villanova University, Pa.; Merit Award Scholarship to Wentworth Institute of Technology, Mass.; WPI Presidential Scholarship to Worcester Institute of Technology, Mass.; The State Education Department Scholarship for Academic Excellence
Plan after high school: Manhattan College with a major in engineering
Quote of Inspiration: “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt.
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Ramon Castillo
Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School
Parish: Divine Mercy
Family: Mr. and Mrs. Ramon Castillo, parents; Maria, Belen, Ana, Ines, Clara, Paula, Pedro and Paloma, siblings
Home Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Extracurricular Activities: School band, alto saxophone and section leader; varsity lacrosse; National Honor Society; Lasallian Youth, faith and service group; church cantor; handball; worked in maintenance at St. Gabriel Church, East Elmhurst; took a year off between junior and senior years to do missionary service at Domus Galilaeae, Galilee, Israel; summer programs in engineering at Cooper Union and Manhattan College
Scholarships: Ronald McDonald House Charities National Scholarship for $100,000, which he will apply to his degree
Plan after high school: Polytechnic Institute of New York University with a biomedical engineering major
Quote of inspiration: “Rise and rise again until lambs become lions.” — Robin Hood
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Orian del Fierro
Cathedral Preparatory Seminary
Parish: St. Adalbert
Family: Norinda and Joselito parents; Orellana, sister
Home Neighborhood: Elmhurst
Extracurricular Activities: National Honor Society; varsity basketball; varsity cross-country track; forensics team; choir; sacristan; Right to Life Club; minister of welcome (usher) at parish; Decoration Committee member at parish
Honors: Valedictorian
Scholarships: Catholic University CUA Scholarship; Catholic University Parish Scholarship; Florida Institute of Technology Scholarship; Manhattan College Dean’s Award; SUNY Maritime College American Bureau and Shipping Academic Scholarship; SUNY Maritime College Empire Diversity Scholarship; NYIT Steele Scholarship; St. John’s University Academic Achievement Award; St. John’s University Catholic High School Scholarship; Stony Brook University Valedictorian Scholarship; University of New Haven Charger Award
Plan after high school: SUNY Maritime College, Cadet Program with a major in marine engineering
Quote of inspiration: “What we do in life echoes in eternity.” — Ridley Scott
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Luigi Garcia
Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School
Parish: Sacred Heart
Family: Denny M. Nuñez, mother; Juan Luis Garcia, father; Christine Garcia, sister; Oscar Nuñez, brother
Home neighborhood: Fort Greene
Extracurricular activities: Baseball team; Mercy Home Volunteer; Economics for Leaders
Scholarships: Providence College; LaSalle University Achievement Award; Salve Regina University Founder’s Award
Plan after high school: Providence College with a major in finance
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Ashley Biondo
Christ the King Regional High School
Parish: Our Lady of Hope
Family: Gaspare and Elia, parents
Home Neighborhood: Middle Village
Extracurricular Activities: J.V. and Varisty softball, J.V. captain; volleyball; Speech and Debate; Yearbook Club; National Honor Society, president; peer tutoring; Parker Jewish Nursing Home Volunteer; creative writing class participant at Sunnyside Community Center; religious education classroom assistant; extraordinary minister of Holy Communion; Middle Village
Prep Charter School teaching assistant; paid internship at the American Museum of Natural History; youth evangelist group leader at local parish
Honors: Principal’s List, first in class for all high school marking periods; Advanced Regents Diploma with Mastery in Science and Math; 2011 Water Resources Art and Poetry Finalist; AP Scholar Award; winner of Police Commissioner for a Day Essay Contest; accepted to Macaulay Honors Program at Queens College
Scholarships: St. John’s University Presidential Scholarship; St. Francis College Presidential Scholarship; Hofstra University Presidential Scholarship; Statewide Academic Excellence Scholarship
Plan after high school: Will be attending the Honors Program at St. John’s University on a full scholarship studying to be a physician assistant, while continuing to work part-time as a private tutor
Quote of inspiration: “It’s not where you go, it’s what you do when you get there.”
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Jennifer Reilly
Fontbonne Hall Academy
Parish: St. Ephrem
Family: Mr. and Mrs. John Reilly
Home Neighborhood: Bay Ridge
Extracurricular Activities: Lifestream; Respect Club; Culture Club; Sancus; science lab assistant; Sports Night
Scholarships: George Washington University Dean’s Scholarship; College of the Holy Cross Scholarship; Fordham University Dean’s Scholarship; University of Connecticut Academic Scholarship; Villanova Grant
Plan after high school: George Washington University majoring in biomedical engineering
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John Patrick Murray
Holy Cross High School
Parish: St. Kevin
Family: Shari and John, parents; Megan and Ryan, siblings
Neighborhood: Flushing
Extracurricular Activities: Science research at Sloan Kettering’s Brentjens Lab
Scholarship: Michael J. Pergolizzi Memorial Scholarship
Plan after high school: Fordham University, Rose Hill campus, the Bronx, with a major in biology, then medical school
Quote of inspiration: “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” — Vince Lombardi
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Erin Krebs
The Mary Louis Academy
Family: Tara and John Krebs, parents; Jean
and Eric Krebs, siblings
Home Neighborhood: Middle Village
Extracurricular Activities: Student Council homeroom representative; Ambassadors Committee American Sign Language; robotics team; Youth Bridge NYC – Diversity Fellowship; president of Service Homeroom; Alzheimer’s Association Advocate; Internship with N.Y.S. Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr.; Human Trafficking Committee; Fair Labor Committee; vocal lessons; Summer Arts Institute; Genesians Club; TMLA Fall Drama and Spring Musical; Maspeth Town Hall Theatre Troupe; Mind the Gap; Theatre Development Fund; babysitting
Scholarships amd Awards: Clark University Presidential Scholarship; CUNY Hunter Muse Honors Scholar Award; Fordham University Presidential Room Award; Fordham University Presidential Scholarship; National Merit Scholarship; The State Education Department Scholarship for Academic Excellence; Wesleyan University Scholarship
Plan after high school: Yale University with a
double major in theater studies and global affairs
Quote of inspiration: “If you’re feeling helpless,
help somebody.” — Aung Su Kyi
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Vishnu Nair
Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School
Family: Venugopalan Nair, father; Manjula Vettakkad, mother
Home Neighborhood: Rego Park
Extracurricular Activities: National Honor Society, president; Spanish Honor Society; Student Council, secretary; medical club; film club; photo club; science club; campus ministry; varsity golf team
Scholarships: St. John’s University Presidential Scholarship, Fordham University Dean’s Scholarship, Stony Brook University Valedictorian Scholarship, Stony Brook University Presidential Scholarship
Plan after high school: Macaulay Honors College at City College with a major in computer science
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Saliyah George
Nazareth Regional High School
Family: Janice Johnson-George, mother; Junior George, father; Safiya George, sister; Abednego Strachan, brother; Itrecia Strachan, sister
Home Neighborhood: East New York
Extracurricular Activities: Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health; Science Technology Entry Program at Downstate Medical Center; Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools leadership program; student government; softball; National Honor Society
Scholarships: Posse Foundation Tuition-Leadership Scholarship; Diaspora Community Service Essay Contest Winner; Most Improved Softball Player 2012-2013; Certificate of Merit from the New York State Assembly and Salute from the Brooklyn Borough President
Plan after high school: Franklin and Marshall College with double major in public health and English literature; will intern at Deutsche Bank for the summer of 2014
Quote of inspiration: “Those who make opportunities happen will always be successful because they do not sit back and get lost in life.”
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Angela Banovic
Agnes Academic High School
Parish: St. Luke
Family: Helen and Ivo Banovic, parents; Josip and Andrea, younger siblings both of whom attend St. Luke’s school
Home Neighborhood: Whitestone
Extracurricular Activities: Dance club; track club; cooking club; UNICEF; movie club; cheerleading; Science Research Program, a three-year independent study course offered through SUNY at Albany; tour guide at annual open house; volunteer at freshmen orientation; representative of St. Agnes at St. John’s University High School Fair; National Honor Society; Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society
Scholarships and Awards: Adelphi University Dean’s Award; Fairfield University Loyola Merit Scholarship; Molloy College Dominican Scholarship; Pace University Trustee Recognition Award; Sacred Heart University President’s Excellence Award; SUNY Plattsburgh Freshman Merit Scholarship
Plan after high school: Fairfield University in Connecticut with a major in nursing in hopes to become an OB/GYN nurse.
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Peter Andrew Clarke Jr.
Saint Edmund Preparatory High School
Parish: St. Albans’ Episcopal Church
Family: Tanda and Peter Clarke, parents; Sandra Lynch, grandmother; Chinyere Muntu, aunt
Home Neighborhood: Canarsie
Extracurricular Activities: Street Corner Gourmet; Sound Crew; Tech Team; Pep Band; Jazz Ensemble, SEP Ambassadors Program; math club; National Honor Society; Emmaus team retreat leader; Freshmen Mentor Program; Brooklyn Public Library T4 Program volunteer; Sunday school assistant; band performances at Victory Memorial Hospital, SS. Joachim and Anne Nursing Home and Fort Hamilton Senior Nutrition Center
Scholarships and Awards: Brown University Scholarship; Tufts University Grant; Tufts Balfour Scholar; Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship for College of the Holy Cross; Northeastern University Grant; Zegar Diamond Scholarship and CAS Scholarship to NYU; Stony Brook University Dean’s Scholarship and Presidential Scholarship; New York Institute of Technology Presidential Scholarship
Plan after high school: Brown University with a concentration in computer science; pursue a master’s degree in computer science
Quote of inspiration: “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” — Albert Einstein
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Lauren R. Martinez
Saint John’s Preparatory High School
Parish: Immaculate Conception
Family: Nuala and Matthew Martinez, parents; Amanda and Katie Martinez, sisters
Home Neighborhood: Astoria
Extracurricular Activities: National Honor Society, vice-president; varsity volleyball; Irish culture club; Spanish culture club; Student Council; St. Vincent de Paul Society soup kitchen volunteer; altar server; extraordinary minister of Holy Communion; campus ministry; school alumni liaison; freshmen student orientation; school open house tour guide; Our Lady of Mount Carmel CYO volleyball coach
Scholarships: St. John’s University; St. Joseph’s College; Long Island University; Fairfield University; St. Francis College; Iona College; Hofstra University; College of Mount St. Vincent; Scranton University; Sacred Heart University; Pace University; Fordham University; Quinnipiac University
Plan after high school: St. John’s University with a major in biology; after completing degree, hopes to assist in research efforts toward finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease
Quote of inspiration: “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” — Mother Teresa
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Amanda Puitiza
Saint Francis Preparatory School
Parish: St. Fidelis
Family: Daniel and Mirtha, parents; Daniella, older sister
Home Neighborhood: College Point
Extracurricular Activities: Editor-in-chief and writer for The Seraph, school newspaper; Egyptian club; knitting club, vice president and member; concert band, clarinetist with about 10 years of experience; math and science tutor; advanced physical science, biology and chemistry lab aide; Thanksgiving drive volunteer; soup kitchen volunteer; school open house volunteer; peer counselor; school library aide; St. Fidelis religious education teacher assistant; volunteer for Poppenhusen Institute Historical Landmark, College Point; clerical volunteer for Elmhurst Hospital; aide at Ozanam Hall Nursing Home, Bayside; NY Magic Cleaning Service clerk; Bay Terrace Country Club gate guard; babysitter
Honors: Principal’s List 2010-present; perfect attendance 2010-present; Gold Medalist in National Spanish Exam; AP Scholar with distinction; National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar
Plan after high school: Attend Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College with all-expense-paid package, including dorming; will double major in biochemistry and anthropology and minor in music; will seek work-study programs, internships and options for studying abroad; continue volunteering; hopes to volunteer in Peru, where family is from
Inspiration: “I’ve worked very hard to get where I am and I try not to forget where I come from. The roots are very important.”
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Laure Raymond
Saint Joseph High School
Parish: St. Francis of Assisi-St. Blaise
Family: Marie Nadêge, mother; Janvier Raymond, father; Christine Raymond, sister
Home Neighborhood: East Flatbush
Extracurricular Activities: National Honor Society; Student Leadership Council; peer tutor; anime club, president; track and fitness club, president; drama club; library club; volunteer at school events; altar server; catechist; youth group program director; Breast Cancer Walk
Honors: Valedictorian
Scholarships: Vertieres Scholarship; University of Rochester Scholarship
Plan after high school: Barnard College with a major in biochemistry on a pre-medical track
Inspiration: “My teachers and their genuine concern for my success, the support of my family and friends and my strong sense of self are the basis for my success.”
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Keri Samantha Gill
Saint Saviour High School
Parish: St. Clare
Family: Jacintha and Kenrick Gill, parents
Home Neighborhood: Rosedale
Extracurricular Activities:➢Editor of Voices, literary magazine; Italian club; chess club; library volunteer; Student Council, cultural harmony representative; history matters club; linguistics club; Emoti-Con! NYC Youth Digital Media and Technology Festival youth presenter; Moody’s Math Challenge contestant;➢North American Computational Linguistics Olympiad participant
Honors:➢Valedictorian; National Honor Society;➢first honors; medal for general excellence; St. John’s University Women in Science and Math Award; The George Washington University Engineering Medal; Joseph Duffy Essay Contest winner; National Latin Exam Perfect Paper and Gold Medal; medal for chemistry; medal for algebra
Scholarships: Full four-year merit scholarship to St. Saviour H.S.;➢National Achievement Scholarship; N.Y.S. Academic Excellence Scholarship; Macaulay Honors College at Baruch College; Marist College Scholarship
Plan after high school: Cornell University with a major in computer science.
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Daniel F. Loud
Xaverian High School
Parish: Our Lady of Angels
Family: Timothy and Adrienne, parents; Nicholas, brother who is a freshman at Xaverian
Home Neighborhood: Bay Ridge
Extracurricular Activities: Select band; senior jazz band; concert band; mock trial; Young Democrats; psychology club; National Honor Society; lector
Scholarships: American Express Scholarship; Baruch College Macaulay Honors Scholarship; Fordham University Dean’s Scholarship; Hofstra University Presidential Scholarship; Loyola University Maryland Presidential Scholarship; Stony Brook University Presidential Scholars Award; Stony Brook University Valedictorian Scholarship; SUNY New Paltz Presidential Scholarship
Plan after high school: University of Pennsylvania; is discerning between two different majors: molecular biology or international relations.
Quote of inspiration: “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, I used everything you gave me.”