2022-23 Student Interviews
Students were asked why they chose Canisius and how their experience has been.
This is what they had to say:
Aaron Jones ’24
Amherst (Sweet Home)
"I chose to attend Canisius because ever since I saw and felt the brotherhood that this school provided me from the HAP program, I knew this was the right place for me.
"I would describe my experience as life-changing. Canisius has taught me how to balance hard work and fun at the same time. Canisius has changed me in ways that I cannot put into words. It has made me more of a hard worker in all aspects of life and has made me a better man."
Thomas Stofer ’23
Lancaster (Lancaster Middle School)
"I am always learning – whether it is in the classroom, with my classmates or during extracurricular activities. Canisius has helped me grow through participation in service and sports.
"Canisius has done a great job preparing me for college and the rest of my life by challenging me to become the best I can be and by helping me learn from and overcome other challenges I might face."
David Cloyd ’25
West Seneca (Orchard Park Middle School)
"The best decision in my life has been to attend Canisius. Canisius has empowered me to step out of my comfort zone and take risks that I know I wouldn’t have taken before. Canisius has put me on the track of being a “Man for Others” and continuously prepares me for the adventures of life that lie ahead.
"Canisius has changed my entire outlook on school. I enjoy every day and leave with a smile on my face knowing that I belong at Canisius."
Harrison Scanlon ’24
Orchard Park (Orchard Park Middle School)
"I think that meeting new people and having new experiences at Canisius has allowed me to become more responsible and possibly even more relaxed as a person.
"I feel that Canisius has effectively prepared me for any academic challenges I may face in college or in the future. The faculty and other students have been extremely supportive and accepting of everyone I’ve come in contact with.
"The House System gives homeroom a different meaning and it also instills a competitiveness that often allows us to know each other better."
Connor Low ’25
Hamburg (Frontier Middle School)
"Canisius has helped me to think more openly as well as form better habits – especially with studying.
"Canisius has been great – I’ve had a lot of fun with the sports and clubs and made new friends. I would recommend that students join as many clubs as you can and get involved with the Canisius community."
Griffin Regan ’23
Elma (Queen of Heaven School)
"I truly feel Canisius has helped me mature. I’ve grown to be more accountable, more understanding, and wiser from when I started here as a freshman. There will always be people to help you persevere and you’ll come out a better, stronger person.
"I believe the retreats are the biggest advantage Canisius has over other schools. There truly aren’t any words that can describe the feelings you get during and after the retreats. It’s an experience I believe anyone and everyone needs to have."
Zachary Harris-Stephenson ’24
Buffalo (Tapestry Charter School)
"My Canisius experience has been very eventful – it has helped me become more aware and mature, a “Man for Others.” Canisius has helped me become more involved in helping my community through service opportunities and helped me mature and become more responsible.
"Enjoy your time at Canisius because it flies by, and take advantage of all of the opportunities and experiences that it provides."
Benjamin Morse ’23
Buffalo (St. Mark’s School)
"I chose to attend Canisius because of the path I had seen older friends, family members and students take; what the school provided for them; and the community the school built around itself.
"Canisius has been a tremendous learning and growing experience for me. Canisius has provided me with great opportunities while being surrounded with great people to help me along the way and has provided a community that will be a part of me for the rest of my life.
"Canisius has helped me grow to appreciate the people around me. Canisius provides you with many different people that are able to help you with many aspects in and out of school life. Many have experienced similar situations and are able to provide you with insight that helps you."
Dylan McCarthy ’25
Lancaster (Lancaster Middle School)
"My experience at Canisius has been excellent. There are so many extracurriculars that help form connections with others, and all of the teachers and students are very kind and caring.
"My mentor, Mrs. (Anne) Lipp-Read, has been very helpful. She is very supportive, wants you to do well, and has been very approachable to speak with since the first day of school.
"The House System makes people want to do well in school and helps you make friends outside of your grade."
Isaiah Aljuwani ’25
Buffalo (P.S. 156 Frederick Law Olmsted School)
"I had heard many great things about the atmosphere and the academics at Canisius; my mother also wanted me to go to the best school I could go to in the area. I would describe Canisius as a fantastic learning experience – not only academically, but in terms of learning important life skills as well.
"Canisius has helped with many skills like time management, problem solving, effective communication, self-awareness and interpersonal relationships."
Joseph Skoumpris ’25
Clarence (Clarence Middle School)
"I chose to attend Canisius because I saw how great a school it was and the opportunities I would have. Canisius has been a warm welcome to me, especially going into a new school with nobody that I knew ninth grade year. The friendships that you build here are one of a kind.
"The teaching is stellar. Everyone at the school is down to earth and kind. Canisius has helped me become more mature and I know now that work has to be done in order to grow."
Edward Quinn ’24
Town of Tonawanda (St. John the Baptist)
"It’s always been hard to put the feeling into words, but every time I visited Canisius, I felt the brotherhood and feeling of 'home' that I didn’t experience at any other school.
"My Canisius experience has been fantastic. Adjusting from middle school can be tough, but once I started to immerse myself in the community, it was more than just an education.
"Canisius taught me that school is more than learning facts – it is an experience that should develop all parts of us."