Graduation 2025

Last Thursday, May 29th, we celebrated the 68th Graduating Class at Abessinio Stadium. As Pomp and Circumstance filled the air, 95 graduates, faculty, staff, board of trustee members, and Most Rev. William E. Koenig, DD, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington processed in.

Diplomas were conferred by Bishop Koenig and Principal Dr. Mary McClory, awards by Father Vincent Kumar. Highlights included Sanya Dudeja's Salutatorian reflection, Audrey Dever's Valedictorian Reflection, and Alexis Greenjack's heartfelt parent appreciation address. Academic & Graduation Awards were also distributed.

The Class of 2025 earned over $22 million in scholarships.  (75 students have reported receiving over $22 million in scholarships.  We value and respect the privacy of the remaining 20 students who chose not to disclose their scholarship information.) We are so #PaduaPROUD of the Class of 2025 and welcome you as our newest alumnae!


Academic Awards:
  • The Padua Academy Award for excellence in the study of Mathematics & The Knights of Columbus, St. Pius Council Award in honor of Brother Michael Rosenello, for excellence in Religious Studies & The Padua Academy Award for excellence in the study of Spanish & The Padua Academy Valedictorian Award - Audrey Dever
  • The Padua Academy Award for excellence in the study of Science & The Padua Academy Salutatorian Award - Sanya Dudeja
  • The Robert E. Potter, Jr. Memorial Award for excellence in the study of Social Studies & The Rev. Joseph L. McCoy Award for excellence in the study of English - Alexis Greenjack
  • The Wilmington Friends of Italian Culture Award, in memory of Rev. Mario Bugliosi, for excellence in the study of Italian - Sophia Mattei
  • The Padua Academy Award for excellence in the study of Spanish & The Knights of Columbus, St. Pius X Council Award, in memory of Rev. Mario Bugliosi, for excellence in the Study of Art - Rose Casey
  • The Padua Academy Award for excellence in the study of French - Hailey Vandenbraak
  • The Padua Academy Media Arts Award for outstanding skill, development, and leadership over the last four years in the Communication Arts program - Madison Keener
  • The Knights of Columbus, St. Pius X Council Award, in memory of Rev. Mario Bugliosi, for excellence in the Study of Digital Art - Madison Christiano
  • The Padua Academy Award for excellence in the study of Technology - Roshni Jacob
  • The Wilmington Friends of Italian Culture Award for excellence in the study of Music - Audrey Bruening


The following students have merited honorable mention in these subject areas.  
  • In Mathematics – Alexis Greenjack &  Roshni Jacob
  • In Social Studies – Naima Ellis-Daniels 
  • In English – Rose Casey
  • In Religion- Rose Casey & Sarah Voigt
  • In Italian – Lucia Perry
  • In French – Sanya Dudeja
  • In Communication Arts- Bailey Peters & Charlotte Scalora
  • In Digital Art- Alaina Barnes
  • In Technology- Audrey Dever
  • In Music- Audrey Bruening

 
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: Rachel Ranieri

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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 faithfully demonstrated a heart of charity to those in need among us.  
This award is merited by: Madeleine Peek

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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: Bailey Peters & Reese Mullin

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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: Ellie Kolano & Roshni Jacob

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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: Anna Drushler

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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 recipient of this award is: Sarah Voigt

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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: Naima Ellis-Daniels

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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: Madison Christiano, Emily Gifford, Anuradha Dole, & Julia Scarpitti

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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: Rose Casey

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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: Gianna Bruno & Aubrey Edwards

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Board of Trustees Annual Award
The 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: Anuradha Dole

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Reverend Thomas J. Erbrick Memorial Award 
In memory of Reverend Thomas J. Erbrick, a former member and chair of the religious studies department, a benefactor, has established the University of Pennsylvania Alumni Grant.  This grant is awarded to a graduate pursuing studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
This award  is merited by: Sanya Dudeja

Many more photos in the Graduation 2025 album on our Facebook page or our Google Drive!

Visit our YouTube page to view the live stream of Graduation.
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