Skip To Main Content

Header Utility Navigation

Top academic performers of Class of 2026 honored with Hogenkamp Awards
Keith McShea

During our 156th Commencement Exercises, an early portion of the ceremony was dedicated to the members of the Class of 2026 who distinguished themselves by their superior academic record and high class standing.

The 10 students with the top four-year cumulative averages were honored, with the top three earning the Hogenkamp Awards.

Through the kindness of the Hogenkamp family and their friends, a permanent fund has been established to provide academic awards at graduation each year in memory of Thomas W. Hogenkamp, who was a member of the Class of 1983.

Nicholas Scime of Amherst earned the top Hogenkamp Award with a four-year average of 99.81.

The other members of the top 10, who were called up to the Scaccia Auditorium stage, where they were congratulated by Board of Trustees Chair Peter Augustine ’83, President Fr. David Ciancimino, S.J., and Principal Tom Coppola ’01: 

Aidan Billman of Lockport 

Austin Xiao of Williamsville 

Ethan Fronczak of Cheektowaga 

Peter Gambacorta of Clarence 

Zack Benczkowski of Orchard Park

Michael Riad of East Amherst 

Elliott DeRose of Amherst 

Baron Nieves of Buffalo 

Aidan Devans of Depew 

Throughout the coming weeks, we will continue to look back at this most special day for CHS and the Class of 2026.

Students and families interested in the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked as the Buffalo area’s “Best Catholic School” by Buffalo Business First – can learn more by arranging an on-campus experience via canisiushigh.org/visit

This place is special. Let us show you why.

#amdg #gocrusaders #pursueexcellence

There are no resources or collections to display
Bene Merenti Awards bestowed on five faculty members

During our 156th Commencement Exercises, an early portion of the ceremony was dedicated to special graduation honors, including an award that showed yet again the quality and quantity of outstanding educators at CHS.

The Bene Merenti Award is presented to members of the faculty at Jesuit schools in recognition of 20 years of teaching, serving and leading.

John Ricotta '05 named CHS Director of Athletics

"It's a dream come true." 

Those are the words of John Ricotta '05 upon being named the Director of Athletics at Canisius High School. 

Ricotta, a longtime member of the championship CHS Basketball coaching staff, comes to 1180 Delaware Ave. following a 15-year career in professional sports in Buffalo.

Requiescat in Pace, Seth Kibler ’20

We mourn the loss of Kibler, a standout swimmer at CHS who went on to swim collegiately and graduated last year from Xavier University. He passed away July 15 following a battle with cancer. He was 23.

Matthew Carver '26 honored with the Korn Memorial Award.

During our 156th Commencement Exercises, an early portion of the ceremony was dedicated to special graduation honors, including: The Midshipman First Class Jeffrey R. Korn Memorial Award, which was presented to Matthew Carver ’26 of Williamsville.

Johnny Esposito '25 honored with the Piedad Award.

During our 156th Commencement Exercises, an early portion of the ceremony was dedicated to special graduation honors, including: The Philippe B. Piedad Accolade Award, which was presented to Nazariy Drofych ’26 of Kenmore.

Requiescat in Pace, Matthew Mayer ’24

We mourn the loss of Mayer, who was entering his junior year at the University of Dayton in Ohio. He passed suddenly and tragically in a car accident Monday morning. He was 20.