Graduation 2026

Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2026!
Last Thursday, May 28th, we celebrated the 69th Graduating Class at Abessinio Stadium. As Pomp and Circumstance filled the air, 106 graduates, faculty, staff, board of trustee members, and Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly, D.D., Bishop Emeritus of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington processed in.

Diplomas were conferred by Bishop Malooly and Principal Dr. Mary McClory. Highlights included Hayden Housey's Salutatorian reflection, Mary Drost’s Valedictorian Reflection, and Madelyn Benjaminson’s heartfelt parent appreciation address. Academic & Graduation Awards were also distributed.

The Class of 2026 earned $30 million in scholarships.  (92 students have reported receiving $30 million in scholarships.  We value and respect the privacy of the remaining 14 students who chose not to disclose their scholarship information.) We are so #PaduaPROUD of the Class of 2026 and welcome you as our newest alumnae!

Many more photos in the Graduation 2026 album on our Facebook page.  Visit our YouTube page to view the live stream of Graduation.

Academic Awards:

  • The Padua Academy Valedictorian Award, The Rev. Joseph L. McCoy Award for excellence in the study of English, and the Knights of Columbus, St. Pius Council Award in honor of Brother Michael Rosenello, for excellence in Religious Studies - Mary Drost

  • The Padua Academy Salutatorian Award and The Rev. Joseph L. McCoy Award for excellence in the study of English - Hayden Housey
 
  • The Padua Academy Award for excellence in the study of Mathematics and the Padua Academy Award for excellence in the study of French -  Natalie Campbell
 
  • The Padua Academy Award for excellence in the study of Science - Adrienne Peticca
 
  • The Robert E. Potter, Jr. Memorial Award for excellence in the study of Social Studies - Ava Wrzesien
 
  • The Wilmington Friends of Italian Culture Award, in memory of Rev. Mario Bugliosi, for excellence in the study of Italian - Elena Maria Sangemino 

  • The Padua Academy Award for excellence in the study of Spanish - Samantha Sassi
 
  • The Wilmington Friends of Italian Culture Award for excellence in the study of Music - Kaley Rychalsky
 
  • The Padua Academy Media Arts Award for outstanding skill, development, and leadership over the last four years in the Communication Arts program - Bryanna Harrison

  • The Knights of Columbus, St. Pius X Council Award, in memory of Rev. Mario Bugliosi, for excellence in the Study of Art - Rebecca Grace Mosier

  • The Knights of Columbus, St. Pius X Council Award, in memory of Rev. Mario Bugliosi, for excellence in the Study of Digital Art - Emma Robinson
 
  • The Padua Academy Award for excellence in the study of Technology - Grace Nguyen
 
 
The following students have merited honorable mention in these subject areas:  
 
  • In Religious Studies – Moira Carlin
  • In English – Emily Glowacki
  • In Mathematics – Jenna Funchion
  • In Science – Mary Drost
  • In Social Studies – Emily Glowacki
  • In Italian – Teresina DeAscanis
  • In Spanish – Olivia Nunez
  • In Communication Arts- Audrey Kehner
  • In Digital Art- Marina Black
  • In Art- Abigail Madigan
  • In Technology- Chloe Cogar
  • In Music –  Hannah Laskey & Olivia Sani
 
Distribution of Graduation Awards:
 
The Sarah Smith Memorial Award
The Smith family developed a scholarship fund in the memory of Sarah Smith, Class of 2013. The Sarah Smith Memorial Scholarship recognizes a graduating senior who has consistently demonstrated a strong work- ethic in her high school studies and is an exemplary model of Padua Academy values.
The recipient is: Sophia Cataldi
 
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Knights of Columbus Award
The Knights of Columbus call Catholics to live out the Gospel by showing charity to those in need who are part of our everyday lives.  The Knights of Columbus Award, in honor of their founder and chaplain Father Roberto Balducelli, is given to a Padua Academy graduate who has fa
ithfully demonstrated a heart of charity to those in need among us.  
This award is merited by: Samantha Sassi
 
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Softly but Strongly Award
The Padua Academy motto, Suaviter Sed Fortiter, is translated from Latin as “Softly but Strongly.” Our motto defines the qualities of a Padua Academy graduate, who is nurturing and responsive to the uniqueness of others while remaining purposeful and determined. 
This Award is co-merited by: Juliana Mongiovi and Sophia Rosanio
 
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The Brother Michael Rosenello Award
Since the earliest days of Padua Academy, Bro. Michael Rosenello has served the school with humble dedication.  Every task he was asked to complete, no matter how big or how small, was done in loving service to support the students and mission of Padua Academy.  The Bro. Michael Rosenello Award is given to a graduating senior who has demonstrated extraordinary service to Padua Academy.  
This award is co-merited by: Ailani Estrada and Karla Flores-Serrano
 
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The “Abbi Coraggio” Award
(In honor of the Class of 2020) “Abbi Corggio” is the Italian phrase for “to have courage.” This award, established to recognize the Class of 2020 and their response to the pandemic with an attitude of possibility and a commitment to move forward, recognizes a graduating senior who best exhibits the qualities of dedication, resilience and adaptability. 
The recipient of this award is: Rowan Farrell
 
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The Heart of Service Award
The Heart of Service Award is awarded to a student who has consistently shown a remarkable dedication to serving others and making a positive impact in her community. This exceptional individual has gone above and beyond, selflessly devoting time, energy, and talents to benefit others. Her commitment to service goes beyond occasional acts of kindness; it is ingrained in her daily choices. Her genuine care for others extends to make an impact on our school and her community.
The recipients of this award are: Erin Small and Vesna Vuckovic
 
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Padua Academy Award for Community Inclusion and Acceptance
This award is given to the senior who most exemplifies the Padua Cultural Norms, which were established by alumnae. This student has continually acted out of love and validated the experiences of others by listening to, respecting, and celebrating the many diverse perspectives and identities in our community. They have stepped out of their comfort zone by being curious and eager to expand their own knowledge and have educated and encouraged others to do the same. Most importantly, this student has been a role model for inclusion and acceptance in the Padua community and beyond. 
The recipient of this award is: Miki Hane
 
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Student Council Leadership Award
The Student Council award is presented to those who demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and a strong commitment to Padua Academy. They have consistently exhibited exceptional school leadership, serving as positive role models for their peers. In addition the recipients embody the lived pillars of Padua Academy, Spirituality, Sisterhood, Service, and Scholarship. 
This award is merited by: Jenna Funchion, Ava Gates, Hayden Housey, Samantha Manchin, and Zuri Stevenson
 
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The Tonia Marisa (Pierantozzi) Patterson ’81 Scholarship 
The Tonia Marisa (Pierantozzi) Patterson ’81 Scholarship was established in loving memory of a Padua Academy alumna remembered for her kindness, entrepreneurial spirit, and deep compassion for others. Tonia used her artistic talents to celebrate life’s special moments and to uplift those in need, empowering others to feel confident and valued. This scholarship, established by Tonia's husband, honors her legacy by recognizing a senior who embodies her kindness, compassion and love of the arts.  Following a competitive application process, a one-time award is presented to support the recipient’s academic and/or professional pursuits following graduation. The recipient is: Rafferty Hill
 
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St. Francis of Assisi Award
St. Francis of Assisi is one of the patrons of Padua Academy.  St. Francis lived a life of hospitality- an openness to the good in all creation and a willingness to accept everyone as a gift from our Creator.  As a school community, we embrace his call to “Preach the Gospel at all times.  If necessary, use words.”
This award for meritorious service to church, school and community is merited by: Caitlin Small
 
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The St. Francis de Sales Award
The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales provide spiritual support for the students at Padua Academy.  As an Oblate community, each year at graduation, we present a Medal of St. Francis de Sales to a graduating senior. We recognize a graduate who through her gifts and talents shares the love of Jesus with the school community every day and embodies the words of St. Francis de Sales – “Be who you are and be that well”.  At the recommendation of the administration, faculty, and staff of Padua Academy we have selected: Ava Wrzesien
 
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Board of Trustees Annual Award presented by Mrs. Jennifer Cuva, President of the Padua Academy Board of Trustees. On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Padua Academy, it is my privilege to present our annual award.  The recipient was selected upon the recommendation of the administration, faculty and staff of Padua Academy.
 
In choosing a graduate for this award, we asked that the following criteria be met: strong personal spirituality, social awareness and social responsibility, integrity, courage, kindness, and compassion, and exceptional dedication to Padua Academy. In short, the student who best exemplifies all that Padua Academy has come to represent.  It is my pleasure to announce this year’s recipient: Emily Glowacki
 
 
Graduation Photos: For Class of 2026 parents - to view graduation photos & order your photos, visit www.barksdalephoto.com, click “What Are You Looking For?”, select “2026 Commencements,” and enter your Online Access Code. The email address on file with your school will receive a personalized email containing your access code and a direct link to order photos. Once logged in, you can view and purchase prints.
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