Mr. Canisius 2026 Finalists
David Barczak of Orchard Park (Orchard Park Middle School)
Matthew Carver of Williamsville (St. Mary School Swormville)
Elliott DeRose of Amherst (Nardin Academy Middle School)
Cole Frederick of Orchard Park (Orchard Park Middle School)
Baron Nieves of Buffalo (St. Benedict School)
Nicholas Scime of Amherst (Nardin Academy Middle School)
The Mr. Canisius Award is presented annually to the graduating senior who, in the estimation of his peers, epitomizes all that Canisius stands for.
Typically, the winner is a student who has used his heart, spirit, strength and mind to an exceptional degree in service to others and love for God. Mr. Canisius possesses and lives up to each of these characteristics.
The six finalists have written reflections about their time at Canisius and what it means to be a candidate for this award (see links above).
The entire student body, with senior ballots carrying the most weight, votes for this award. The voting will occur next week and the winner will be announced at the Senior Awards on Tuesday, May 19.
This is the 65th edition of Mr. Canisius, which has been awarded since 1962.
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 Niche.com – can learn more by reserving a spot at our Open House this Sunday via canisiushigh.org/openhouse
This place is special. Let us show you why.
Mr. Canisius award winners
1962 Jerry Best
1963 Tom Haney
1964 Jeff Woeppel
1965 Tom Lombardo
1966 Robert Reger
1967 Tim Harmon
1968 Greg Pratt
1969 Larry Chojecki
1970 Mike Connolly
1971 Peter Curtin
1972 Mark McNamara
1973 Scott Barry
1974 Gary Pollock
1975 Kevin Curran
1976 Bryan Tenney
1977 Patrick Plunkett
1978 Paul Gregory
1979 Mark Fitzgerald
1980 Rick Divalerio
1981 Larry Hokaj
1982 Mike O’Neill
1983 Ken Crosta
1984 John McCarthy
1985 Mike Naughton
1986 Hank Nowak
1987 Salvatore LaDuca
1988 Timothy Rine
1989 Ben Batory
1990 Thomas Enstice
1991 Brendan Malley
1992 James Swartz, Jr.
1993 Harvey Young
1994 Carlos Perez
1995 Noel Sutton
1996 Thaddeus Kresse
1997 Paul Cumbo
1998 Brian Lysiak
1999 Martin LaFalce
2000 Timothy Leary
2001 Timothy Short
2002 Joshua Birdsall
2003 Michael Fitzgerald
2004 Stanley Pietrak III
2005 Theophilus Ossei-Anto
2006 Timothy Keating
2007 Cosimo Polino
2008 Stephen Brenner
2009 John Urschel
2010 Cameron Walsh
2011 Gordon Lyons
2012 Russell Fiorella
2013 John “Jack” Sardinia
2014 Kevin Driscoll
2015 Frank Fialkiewicz III
2016 Christopher “C.J.” Wild
2017 Caleb Blodgett
2018 George Burnett
2019 Joel Nicholas
2020 Daniel Sippel
2021 Eric Geisler
2022 Victor Mazzara
2023 Patrick Nettina
2024 Patrick Sullivan
2025 Jack Ganci