Rising eighth graders from all over Western New York completed our Higher Achievement Program Friday as the four-week multifaceted experience concluded with our awards ceremony.

Participants took classes in reading, English and math and competed in team sports and other activities with their homerooms – all of which are named after Jesuit colleges.

They also vied for the first HAP House Cup, as three houses composed of three homerooms each took part in a competition modeled after the unique CHS House System that Canisius High students are part of.

Friday’s awards ceremony was highlighted with the naming of Mr. HAP 2022: Ka’Ron Gentry of Buffalo and Nativity Miguel School’s St. Augustine Campus. Gentry was a part of Gonzaga University and Arrupe House.

“The Mr. HAP Award is presented to the student who best exemplifies the qualities associated with Canisius High School and the Higher Achievement Program,” said HAP Director Michael Kwiatkowski ’99. “Mr. HAP shows an aptitude to grow and learn in the classroom and displays integrity and sportsmanship on the athletic field. He is dependable and exhibits the desire to achieve what others think is unreasonable. He is a genuine Man for Others.”

The other HAP 2022 Awards:

Jim Lilley Sportsmanship Award (student who best shows respect for his opponent and graciousness in winning and losing): Mark John of Cheektowaga and Christan Central Academy (St. Peter’s University and Campion House).

Pedro Arrupe Award for Service (student who conducts himself as a true Man for Others): Andrew Perry of Williamsville and St. Gregory the Great (Loyola University and Campion House).

Spirit of HAP Award (student who other students look up to and is a great Man for Others to not just his homeroom, but his housemates): Jack Cullinan of Orchard Park and Nativity of Our Lord School (Gonzaga University and Arrupe House).

(Pictured above are, left to right: Cullinan, Gentry, Perry and John)

Inaugural House Cup Champion: Arruple House, made up of Canisius College, Georgetown University and Gonzaga University.

Academic Awards (listed by homeroom)

Canisius College

English: Aymen Elamir of Buffalo (Nardin Academy)

Reading: Damir Jamison of Niagara Falls (Catholic Academy of Niagara Falls)

Math: Owen Hall of Grand Island (Grand Island Middle School)

Creighton University

English: Cameron Wiepert of Wilson (DeSales Catholic)

Reading: Dean Gracie of Buffalo (Tapestry Charter)

Math: Josh Anand of Amherst (Christian Central)

Fairfield University

English: John Dunn of Buffalo (Nichols Middle School)

Reading: Bonaventure Shalamba of Buffalo (St. John the Baptist)

Math: Anthony Gambino of Tonawanda (Tonawanda Middle School)

Fordham University

English: Blake Boldt of Grand Island (St. Amelia School)

Reading: Mark Jasen of Buffalo (St. John the Baptist)

Math: Jackson Szaranowicz of Buffalo (Nichols Middle School)

Georgetown University

English: John (Max) Spenser of Amherst (St. Benedict)

Reading: Thomas Frazier of Buffalo (Nativity Miguel School, St. Augustine Campus)

Math: John Wilkinson of Grand Island (Grand Island Middle School)

Gonzaga University

English: Jacob Barney of Angola (Southtowns Catholic)

Reading: Gregory Eberl of Buffalo (Nardin Academy)

Math: Carson Kwiatkowski of Grand Island (Connor Middle School)

Loyola University

English: Max Miranda of Orchard Park (Nativity of Our Lord)

Reading: Jack Guarino of Buffalo (St. Mark School)

Math: Nolan Jacobs of Buffalo (Nardin Academy)

St. Peter’s College

English: Michael Rizzo of Williamsville (Transit Middle School)

Reading: Liam Laughlin of Buffalo (Catholic Academy of West Buffalo)

Math: Zain Syed of East Amherst (Park School)

Xavier University

English: Connor Bacon of Amherst (Christ the King)

Reading: Elliot Manley of Buffalo (Nardin Academy)

Math: Gabriele Pili of Buffalo (Nichols Middle School)

Overall HAP Athletic Champions

Gonzaga Bulldogs

HAP Athletic Team Champions

Basketball: Gonzaga Bulldogs

Football: Gonzaga Bulldogs

Handball: Fairfield Stags

Soccer: Xavier Musketeers

Athletic Most Valuable Player Awards

Basketball: Logan Feeney of West Seneca and St. John Vianney School (Fordham Rams)

Football: Thomas Frazier of Buffalo and Nativity Miguel School’s St. Augustine Campus (Loyola Greyhounds)

Handball: John Dunn of Buffalo and Nichols Middle School (Fairfield Stags)

Soccer: Gabriele Pili of Buffalo and Nichols Middle School (Xavier Musketeers)

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