Tuesday’s Senior Awards Ceremony honored scores of members of the Class of 2022, which collectively has earned more than $21 million in college scholarships and grants.  

Students attending service academies, earning national honors and school-wide recognition for a wide range of activities and achievements were honored before their parents and schoolmates in the historic Scaccia Auditorium. The event concluded with Victor Mazzara being named Mr. Canisius 2022.

For a photo gallery, go to our Facebook page.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

* Carm Scaccia '47 was presented with a 75th Diamond Anniversary Diploma by President Fr. David Ciancimino, S.J. 

* Senior Master Sergeant Kevin Nichols, Public Affairs Superintendent for the 914th Air Refueling Wing, presented the Air Force ROTC scholarship to Francis Eskra.

* Randy Garver of the United States Military Academy Field Force – and its lead representative in Western New York – presented an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point to Nicholas Marchese.

* Jerry Irving, Commander United States Navy (retired) and Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer presented an appointment to the United States Naval Academy to Peter Spira.

* The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition designed to identify and honor exceptional academically talented students throughout the country. Luke LoTempio was one of just 15,000 to be honored as a National Merit Scholarship finalist for his superior performance on the 2020 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

* Andrew Kang, Francis Eskra, Aiden Riker and Owen Vincek were among the 34,000 students to be considered as National Merit Scholarship Commended Students. Commended students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2022 competition by taking the 2020 PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. 

* Christian Morse was selected for the National Hispanic Recognition Program after scoring in the top 2.5% of the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

* Members of the Pfalzgraf family – Mr. and Mrs. David Pfalzgraf Sr., David Pfalzgraf Jr., Maggie Pfalzgraf and Robin Marti presented the 2022 Brendan C. Pfalzgraf Scholarship to Anthony Davoli ’22. 

Brendan C. Pfalzgraf ’92 graduated from Canisius High School and attended Fordham University. His scholarship was established by his family and friends to assist a Canisius High School senior with tuition at Fordham.

The scholarship recognizes and remembers the life of a special young man filled with life, love and laughter, and encourages continued education in the Jesuit tradition.  The fund is intended to be a lasting memorial of Brendan’s academic promise, love of learning and enthusiasm for life. 

SPECIAL AWARDS

* The Student-Athlete of the Year Award was presented by Athletics Director Jim Mauro to basketball standout Declan Ryan, who collected several Player of the Year awards as he helped the Crusaders to the Catholic state championship.  

* Director of Campus Ministry Fr. Chuck Frederico, S.J., recognized the 2021-2022 Kairos Retreat Rectors.

“In an exceptional year of restoration to ministry programming, these students rose to a great challenge with grace. … I personally want to express my gratitude to these students for their willingness to work with me in my first year here at Canisius Hight School. They made my transition here grace-filled. These students truly represent Men For and With Others.”     

John Casucci (Kairos 110), Jeremy Sagun (Kairos 111), Luke Brydges (Kairos 112), Jack Gerland (Kairos 113), Jacob Hanesworth (Kairos 114) and Alex Manka (Kairos 115).

* Magis Awards: “Magis” is a Latin word meaning “More.” Central to Ignatian spirituality and Jesuit education, Magis is a call to realize the full potential of one’s vocation. The Magis Award is given by each academic department to a student who displays a true passion and love for that area of study.

The Magis Award for computer science was presented by Mr. Eric Amodeo to Aidan Riker.

The Magis Award for English was presented by Mrs. Julie Hogan to Nicholas Moscovic.

Mr. Kevin Durkin presented two Magis Awards for the fine arts: For art to Kim Lang Suy; for music to James Burnett.

Mrs. Lindsay Lorgnier presented two Magis Awards for foreign language: For classical language to Dillon Cruz; for modern language to Nicholas Mann.

The Magis Award for history was presented by Mr. Sam Rizzo to Dakari Sawyers.

The Magis Award for mathematics was presented by Mr. Steve Pecori to Kieran Galvin.

The Magis Award for physical education was presented by Mr. Sam Belsito to Steven Kropelin.

The Magis Award for religious studies was presented by Ms. Andrea Tyrpak-Endres to Henry Weimer.

The Magis Award for science was presented by Mr. Steven Wanzer to Fawaad Khawar.

* The 2022 House Cup was presented to Jogues House, represented by Mr. Steven Wanzer, Steve Kropelin ’22 and Victor Mazzara ’22.

The House Cup is awarded in recognition of a year-long team effort that plays out across the rich and varied scope of student life at Canisius High School. One earns points for his House through investment in the academic, athletic, spiritual, and service components of the Canisius experience – as well as through engagement in House-sponsored games and other special events. 

While the Cup is presented annually to the House that has earned the most points, it is more than a trophy. The Cup represents the spirit of camaraderie, collaboration, friendly rivalry, and healthy competition that binds Arrupe, Campion, Gonzaga, Jogues, Loyola, and Xavier Houses together as one, unified Canisius High School community striving for excellence in the service of our shared mission. 

SENIOR AWARDS

Mrs. Melissa Langworthy of the Guidance and Counseling Department presented the Senior Awards and Activity Awards.

* The Erie-Niagara Scholastic Achievement Award was developed in 1981 through a school-business partnership. Its purpose is to spotlight outstanding students and promote the importance of academic proficiency to our communities. The top three graduating seniors at the time of the nomination are recognized and receive a specially commissioned crystal bison for their academic success, honors, and activities: 

Vincent Conroy Ciaran Krabak, and Benjamin Sayers.

* The Independent Health and Business First Community All- Stars Award recognizes a student who has made a positive difference in the lives of people here at school and in the community. Independent Health recognizes students throughout Western New York who are making a difference in these unprecedented times. These students will be featured in a special publication of Business First on May 20. 

Kieran Galvin as the 2022 Community All-Star Award recipient.

* The New York State Comptroller recognizes exemplary students for their academic and civic achievements and their potential for leadership.

This year the award is presented to: Ermyes Aman, Edward Cosgrove, Cooper Den Haese, Nolan French, Nicholas Pratt, John Stravino. 

* The New York State Education Department’s Scholarships for Academic Excellence are awarded to seniors who have earned high academic achievement and plan to continue their college education in the state of New York. If funds are appropriated by the legislature, these students will receive scholarships valued from $500 to $1,500. 

This year’s recipients: Ronan Chatterji, Vincent Conroy, William Enright, Kieran Galvin, Ciaran Krabak, Aidan Riker.

* The New York State Attorney General’s “Triple C” Award recognizes seniors at each New York State high school who exemplify, to the highest degree, the qualities of character, courage and commitment.

This year’s honorees: Kohler Andrews, John Barry, Jake Dionne, Jiho Kang, Alex Mazurek and Jimmy Roberts. 

* The Nicholas H. Kessler Award for Excellence in Classics is given each year to honor the graduating senior who has maintained the highest cumulative average in Latin and/or Greek.  It is given in memory of Nicholas Kessler, a member of the class of 1928 and long-time teacher of the Classics at Canisius.

This year’s winner is Ciaran Krabak.

* Senator Sean Ryan recognizes outstanding students who will become the future leaders of New York State. They are well-rounded students who excel academically and have exhibited leadership through extracurricular or volunteer activities. 

Senators Ryan’s Youth Leadership Recognition Award was earned by James Burnett, Vincent Conroy, Dominic Redman and Aidan Riker. 

ACTIVITY AWARDS 

Extracurricular life at Canisius High School is an essential component of students’ overall educational experience. Through the diverse range of clubs and activities offered, Canisius High School students pursue their passions with faculty mentors and peers who become lifelong friends. 

Recipients of our club awards have demonstrated commitment to the mission of their club, have regularly attended meetings, coordinated events or projects, and selflessly contributed to service to our school as well as the Western New York community. 

* Mr. Sam Rizzo honored Richard Neil with the American Civil War History Club Award. 

* Mr. Bryce Hopkins honored Jacob Hanesworth, Joshua Henderson, and Alex Mazurek with the Arena yearbook award.

* Mr. Tom Coppola honored Jacob Hanesworth with the Black Student Union award.

* Ms. Brigid Monica honored Richard Neil with the Carr Memorial Library Literacy Award.

* Ms. Brigid Monica honored Phillip Attea, Ethan Cholewinski, Connor Paradis, Aidan Riker and Zachary Tell with the Chess Club award.

* For the Canisius High School Book Club, Ms. Brigid Monica honored Jiho Kang, Nicholas Pratt, Dakari Sawyers and Jackson Strzalka.

* Ms. Luciana Galante honored Nicholas Mann with the Culinary Club award.

* Mr. David Hayes honored James Burnett, Jiho Kang, Nicholas Mann and Christian Nettina with the Drama Guild Award.

* On behalf of Euchre Club, Mrs. Missy Langworthy honored Aidan Riker and Nicholas Moscovic. 

* Dr. Mark Veronica honored Brian Manning with the Flight Club award. 

* Ms. Jennifer Johnson honored Francis Eskra with the Jazz Ensemble Award.

* Ms. Mia LaMarco honored Aidan Riker with the Masterminds Award.

* Mr. Hopkins honored Charlie Fortner, Kieran Galvin, Luke LoTempio and Peter Spira with the Mock Trial award.