St. Thomas Aquinas High School Celebrates the Class of 2026 Senior Award Recipients

St. Thomas Aquinas High School proudly recognized members of the Class of 2026 during the annual Senior Awards Ceremony, celebrating students who have distinguished themselves through academic excellence, leadership, service, athletics, faith, and contributions to the arts.

The evening honored seniors whose dedication and achievements have left a lasting impact on the STA community. From outstanding academic accomplishments and scholarship awards to recognition in fine arts, athletics, student leadership, and service, these students exemplify the values of St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

Congratulations to all of our award recipients.

Fine and Performing Arts Awards

Insight Editor
Carley Schwarz

Insight Editorial Staff
Lillian Chadwick and Nicole Casas

Broadcast Journalism On-Camera Excellence
Katerina Xon, Adrianna Torres, and Isabel Amaya-Fernandez

Broadcast Journalism Outstanding Contribution Behind the Scenes
Katerina Xon, Madison Jackson, and Joanna Marzan

Director's Award for Participatory Excellence in the STA Drama Department
Isabel Amaya-Fernandez, Raquel Diaz, Jonah Fennell-Powell, Jazleene Granflor, John Lacko, Joanna Marzan, Madison Moore, Kiameesha Moore, India-Lillie Randolph, Ryan Regula, Destiny Rodriguez, and Reshma Solomon

Director's Award for Outstanding Dedication to the STA Drama Department Over Four Years
Kelly Bonner, Dylan Cavanaugh, Alayshia McCutcheon, Connor Moore, Sidney Reiman, Francesca Smullen-Dempsey, Cadence Wertz, and Mariel Matanguihan

Director's Award for Excellence in Acting Over Four Years
Kelly Bonner, Alayshia McCutcheon, Connor Moore, Sidney Reiman, Francesca Smullen-Dempsey, and Cadence Wertz

Director's Award for Outstanding Performance in Dance
Kelly Bonner and Isabel Amaya-Fernandez

Director's Award for Outstanding Featured Performer
Cadence Wertz and Connor Moore

Director's Award for Outstanding Production & Backstage Management
Joanna Marzan and Mariel Matanguihan

Director's Award for Outstanding Lighting Design & Management
Dylan Cavanaugh

Director's Award for Most Improved Performer Over Four Years
Sidney Reiman and Alayshia McCutcheon

Director's Award for Most Outstanding Performer Over Four Years
Francesca Smullen-Dempsey

Four-Year Music Award
Isabel Amaya-Fernandez, Kirsten Castaneda, Raquel Diaz, Gulnoza Djumaeva, Jazleene Granflor, Priya Hawaldar, Ginnalise Jimenez, Joanna Marzan, Julianna Ojeda, India-Lillie Randolph, Sidney Reiman, Francesca Smullen-Dempsey, Reshma Solomon, and Cadence Wertz

Director's Award for Excellence in Band
Raquel Diaz, Mariel Matanguihan, Desiree Montelibano, and India-Lillie Randolph

Director's Award for Excellence in Chorus
Isabel Amaya-Fernandez, Alayshia McCutcheon, Connor Moore, and Cadence Wertz

Director's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music
Joanna Marzan and Desiree Montelibano

Semper Fi Marine Corps Marching Award
Jazleene Granflor

Leonard Bernstein Musicianship Award
Jazleene Granflor

National High School Choral Award
Sidney Reiman, Francesca Smullen-Dempsey, and Reshma Solomon

National School Color Guard Award
Kelly Bonner and Isabel Amaya-Fernandez

John Philip Sousa Award for Instrumental Excellence
Destiny Rodriguez

Frederick Chopin Piano Award
Reshma Solomon

Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
Julianna Ojeda

Director's Award for Outstanding Leadership in Music
Jazleene Granflor, Sidney Reiman, and Reshma Solomon

Most Improved Over 4 Years in Band
Raquel Diaz and Ginnalise Jimenez

Most Improved Over 4 Years in Chorus
Connor Moore, Cadence Wertz, and John Lacko

Student Leadership Awards

Student Council President
Adrianna Torres

Student Council Vice President
Shelby Reno

Student Council Secretary
Louis Scaff

Student Council School Spirit Chairperson
Katerina Xon

Zolnier Student Leadership & Service Award
Adrianna Torres

Scholar Athlete Awards

Greater Middlesex County Conference Sportsmanship Award
Anthony Perez and Supriyha Moore

Middlesex County Scholar Athlete Award
Daniel Jennings and Sofia Bertocci

NJSIAA Scholar Athlete Award
Henry Cameron

1975 Cross Country Team Scholarship
Luke McArthur

Memorial and Special Awards

Robin Cone Memorial Award
Samantha Villacis

Scott Stringer Award
Brianna Mercado

Anthony Raspa/UNICO Award
Lucia Merendino

Kathleen Duffy Memorial Award
Louis Scaff

Therese E. Ghegan Memorial Award
Gianna Kuntar

James Fucci Aquinas Star Scholarship
Carley Schwarz and Adrianna Torres

Achievement Awards

National Merit Scholarship Program Letter of Commendation
Sofia Bertocci and Priya Hawaldar

St. Paul Faith and Works Award
Lucia Merendino and Sophia Favuzza

St. Vincent De Paul Award
Crisgeily Hernandez Corcino

Aquinas Communication Scholarship Award
Lillian Chadwick

Parent Teacher Guild Merit Scholarship
Mia Caggiano, Sophia Favuzza, Leilani Wiggins, and Katerina Xon

Blood Drive Scholarship
Danielle Rydan, Carley Schwarz, and India-Lillie Randolph

STA Alumni and Development Office Award
Jazleene Granflor and Carley Schwarz

Congressman Pallone's Outstanding Senior Award
Crisgeily Hernandez Corcino

Friends of South Amboy Scholarship
Albion Ahmetaj

The 2026 Pat Sempier Foundation Scholarship
Brandon Falke

Academic Awards

Excellence in S.T.E.M.
Brianna Mercado and Kirsten Castaneda

Excellence in Technology
Dylan Cavanaugh

Excellence in Writing
Reshma Solomon

Art Award
John Lacko

English Award
Brianna Trenery

Mathematics Award
Sofia Bertocci

Biological Science Award
Priya Hawaldar

Physical Science Award
Leahana Ortiz

Social Studies Award
Priya Hawaldar

Health & Physical Education Award
Olivia Guarino and Tyler Tyliczka

Spanish Award
Reshma Solomon

French Award
Deborah Kramer

Italian Award
Lucia Merendino

Bishop Checchio Religion Award
Reshma Solomon

Four-Year Honors Program Recognition

The following students successfully completed St. Thomas Aquinas High School's Four-Year Honors Program, demonstrating a sustained commitment to academic excellence, character development, and intellectual growth throughout their high school careers:

Sofia Bertocci, Kirsten Castaneda, Emma Figueiredo, Victoria Figueroa, Dylan Gowdy, Priya Hawaldar, Madison Jackson, Brianna Mercado, Alyssa Olegario, Leahana Ortiz, Barbara Quiroz, Sidney Reiman, Shelby Reno, Jenna Risley, Carley Schwarz, Reshma Solomon, Meriam Sourial, Brianna Trenery, and Alayne Villamar

Top 10 Percent of the Class

The following students earned distinction as members of the Top 10 Percent of the St. Thomas Aquinas High School Class of 2026, recognizing their outstanding academic achievement and dedication throughout their high school careers:

Sofia Bertocci, Kirsten Rose Castaneda, Harrison Eng, Emma Figueiredo, Jazleene Granflor, Priya Hawaldar, Madison Jackson, Gabriella Komorek, Deborah Kramer, Joanna Marzan, Desiree Montelibano, Leahana Ortiz, Shelby Reno, Carley Schwarz, Reshma Solomon, Brianna Trenery, Alayne Villamar, Nola Wenger, and Leilani Wiggins

Academic Distinction

Valedictorian
Priya Hawaldar

Salutatorian
Sofia Bertocci

St. Thomas Aquinas High School congratulates all members of the Class of 2026 for their accomplishments and contributions to our school community. We are proud of each student's hard work, dedication, and perseverance, and we wish them continued success as they begin the next chapter of their journeys.

Once a Trojan, always a Trojan.