Greetings from the

Director of Education and Chair

of the

Toronto Catholic District School Board

Celebrating the Best of Catholic Education

It is a pleasure, on behalf of the Trustees and Staff of the Toronto Catholic District School

Board, to offer our sincere congratulations to the many award recipients at this year’s celebration

of Catholic Education.

What a wonderful way to kick off Catholic Education Week across our Board! With this year’s

theme of “Exploring Paths of Joy”, it is truly fitting that we focus on the joy that we all share in

our collective journey in Catholic education. We take great joy in watching our students become

discerning believers as they navigate the path of lifelong learning.

This annual event focuses our attention on what can be accomplished when we all work together

for the betterment of Catholic education, celebrating our students who excel with the dedication

of our staff, the support of parents, and the commitment of others in the Catholic community.

The program before you showcases excellence in academics, the arts, athletics, community

service, leadership, and more. It is a wonderful reminder that each of us has been given unique

and special gifts that should be treasured, nurtured and ultimately shared.

We take great pride as a school board in the success of our award recipients. It is our hope that

you will continue to strive for excellence in everything that you do.

Congratulations to all. Enjoy your evening.

Sincerely,

Angela Gauthier Michael Del Grande

Director of Education Chair of the Board

Tribute to our TCDSB Community Presentation of awards in recognition

of outstanding achievement

May 4, 2015

Master of Ceremonies:

Alexandra Santos

Student, St. Joseph’s College School

7:00 p.m. WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS:

Hannah McGroarty and Christopher MacDonald, Student Trustees

Gary Poole, Associate Director, Academic Affairs

PRAYER: Father Obinna Ifeanyi, Catholic Teachers’ Centre

O CANADA: Performed by Sofia Bobrysheva, Student

Josyf Cardinal Slipyj Catholic School

7:15 p.m. GREETINGS:

Michael Del Grande, Chair of the Board

7:20 p.m. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS

Award of Merit

Alumni Award

Ashif Jaffer Award

Sister Mary Hamilton Award

Student Trustee Award of Excellence

Student Achievement Awards

8:45 p.m. CLOSING REMARKS

Angela Gauthier, Director of Education

9:00 p.m. RECEPTION

REFLECTION AND PRAYER:

Loving God,

We pray that we might have the strength to walk in the footsteps of your Son when

our world is calling us to walk a different path.

As a community of faith in the Toronto Catholic District School Board, may we

support one another in the knowledge that this path, alone, leads to true happiness

and freedom.

We make this prayer through Jesus our friend and brother,

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

AWARD OF MERIT The Award of Merit recognizes outstanding contributions to the Toronto Catholic District School Board

and to Catholic Education.

Mary Gordon: Founder, Roots of Empathy; Founder of Canada’s first and largest

school-based Parenting and Family Literacy Centres; public speaker and government

consultant; recipient of the Manning Innovation Award for top social enterprise; public

Education Advocacy Award winner; author of “Roots of Empathy: Changing the World

Child by Child”; Ashoka Globalizer; member of the Global Executive Board of

Directors.

Luke Stocking: Animator, Development and Peace; Master of Arts in Theology,

University of Toronto; social justice advocate; recipient of U. of T. Gordon Cressy

Student Leadership Award; recipient St. Michael’s College W.B. Dunphy Medal and

W.H. Broadhurst Scholarship; Director of Home Ownership Alternatives; Family of

Faith Campaign Chair at St. Cecilia Parish; Church Lector; Sharelife Co-ordinator, St.

Cecilia parish; host of TCDSB Development and Peace days for students and staff;

workshop leader for student leaders at Camp Olympia

TCDSB ALUMNI AWARD The Alumni Award is presented to persons, from diverse areas of careers and endeavours, who were

students in a Toronto Catholic District School Board school, who are still active in the Catholic

community and who have distinguished themselves in their careers or accomplishments.

Charles Foran: Graduate of Blessed Trinity Catholic School, Brebeuf College

School and St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto; novelist and non-fiction

writer; Senior Fellow at Massey College, U. of T.; CEO of the Institute for

Canadian Citizenship; Author in Residence for Celtic Studies at St. Michael’s, U. of

T.; Member, Award of Canada; Gemini Award winner; Past President of PEN

Canada; shortlisted for the Governor General’s Award.

Cheryl Stoneburgh: Graduate of St. Clement Catholic School and Michael Power-

St. Joseph Catholic High School; National Account Executive of Malo Inc.; Founder

of Basketeers; volunteer for Catholic Women’s League; YWCA Women of

Distinction Award for volunteerism, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal;

Etobicoke Guardian Urban Hero Award; CBC “Champions of Change” Award.

ASHIF JAFFER AWARD for Excellence in Special Education Support

This award recognizes a Toronto Catholic District School Board teacher, education assistant, peer

tutor/helper or volunteer who has demonstrated excellence in the support of Special Education.

Leo Bevilacqua St. Andrew Catholic School: for his patience, fairness, encouragement and

commitment in all that he does for his students; for building trust and fostering positive working

relationships; for his innovation in teaching strategies; for his participation in 21st Century Learning and

transferring this learning to his students through the use of technology; for his extra-curricular support.

Nadia Brijmohan, Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School for her collaborative team work to

support all students, especially those with special needs, who are integrated into the regular classroom;

for fostering the development of social interaction between exceptional students and their peers; for her

professionalism; for encouraging the participation of parents in their children’s program

implementation; for her dedication; for displaying Christian and professional values.

SISTER MARY HAMILTON AWARD for Exceptional Students

The Sister Mary Hamilton Award for Exceptional Students may be made annually to exceptional

elementary and secondary students of the Toronto Catholic District School Board in recognition of

significant personal achievements or exceptional contributions to the lives of others.

Liam Shearer, St. Rose of Lima Catholic School

In recognition of his selflessness, thoughtfulness and generosity of time and spirit towards his school

community; for his persistence and leadership.

Devorah Umana, Madonna Catholic Secondary School

In recognition of her interpersonal skills, her integrity and ability to self-advocate; for her leadership in

the expression of her faith and her positive energy.

STUDENT TRUSTEE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE in Academics, Leadership and Christian Values

This award is presented annually to an eligible student graduating from a Toronto Catholic District

School Board secondary school, who has demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership and

Christian Values, to encourage and support him or her in the pursuit of studies at a recognized

Canadian post-secondary institution.

Hilda Matilda Idegwu, Madonna Catholic Secondary School

For her focus on academic excellence, and her family; for her devotion of time and energy to school and

community; for her leadership in Catholic Social Teachings and initiatives to raise awareness about

social justice issues; for her commitment to her faith as a Peer Minister; for her work on the Youth in

Policing Initiative and the TCDSB Focus on Youth Team.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS The Board recognizes student achievements through a Toronto Catholic District School Board Student

Achievement Award for those students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement either

academically, physically, spiritually or socially. This may be for an individual accomplishment or

recognition at the provincial, national or international level.

1. Archbishop Romero Catholic Secondary School

Andre Fonseca Johnathan Gomes Pedro Neves Andrew Rodrigues These young men competed in the 2014 Skills Canada Provincial Construction Competition. Pedro and Andrew competed in Home Building and Johnathan and Andre competed in carpentry.

Giulio De Santis, Nominator/Coach

2. Bishop Allen Academy a) Susanna Dritsas

Susanna is a recipient of the 2014 Government of Canada History Awards. She submitted an essay on the subject of the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences. She won $1,000 for her efforts. The contest was open to students in Grades 10 and 11 across Canada.

b) Boys’ Baseball Team: Michael De Lisio Spencer Hunt Joe Tevlin Ted Donaldson Adriano Martiniello Luke Tevlin Chris Flug Jarvis Mason Thomas Trudell Nick Follett Ben McKeon Julian Tymochko Christian Gilroy Dwaine Nichol Grayson Wesley* Patrick Gilroy AJ Padmore Rob Wolfer Michael Haggan Tor Pedersen* Nolan Henry Taka Ryan

* Accepting award on behalf of the team

This boys' team from Bishop Allen Academy won the silver medal in baseball at OFSAA last June.

Paul Rebelo (Head Coach), Ed Koenig, Art Pieteras, Alex Luisi and Andrew Czerwinsky, Nominator/Coach

c) Senior Girls’ Volleyball Team:

* Accepting award on behalf of the team This senior girls' volleyball team from Bishop Allen Academy captured the All Catholic Volleyball Title for the second year in a row. There were 36 teams in the competition. Art Pietras, Rick Bianco, Nominator/Coach

d) Therese Koch Laksmiina Balasubramaniam Marta Skreta Therese, Lasmiina and Marta were our overall top scholars in last year’s graduating class. All three students scored a 100% average.

3. Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School a) Christine Alfonso

Veronica Silva Nakita Young These students won the Essential Skills Video Contest sponsored by Skills Canada. They hosted their video called "Essentially Speaking" for the contestants all across the Province in addition to being part of Skills Canada's own video. They also won an appearance on the set of the Mike Holmes show. JP Cromien and Jeana McCabe, Nominator/Coach

4. Blessed Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School a) Gage Angelo

Gage was presented with a Ministry of Ontario 2014 Volunteer Service Award last April. The award is intended to recognize volunteers for their long-term commitment to an organization. He continues to volunteer at the school, helping out the athletics program.

b) Olivia Kim Tyneille Swaby Olivia and Tyneille are members of the Scarborough Titans Volleyball team that won the National Volleyball Championship in Quebec last April. Tyneille was in grade 8 at Cardinal Leger Catholic School at the time. Larry Stamcoff and Sharon Blais, Nominator/Coach

Genevieve Ammendolia Tome Sophia Herrera Christina Piccinin Caprice Clarke Sarah Lagler-Clark Stephanie Sarellas Laura Condotta* Alexandra Margaritescu Tara Tanasijevic Chiara Da Silva* Emily Pelosi Simone Da Silva* Sara Pelosi

5. Blessed Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School a) Sharay Dennis

Sharay won the gold medal in Restaurant Service at the Skills Canada Ontario competition in May 2014.

6. Brebeuf College School

a) Rugby Team Joari Belleza Matthew Masci Said Tarzi Andrew Bascom Joven Mingala Zach Tonello Declan De Gouveia Nehru Monroses Erik Ursic Michael Duarte Josiah Morra Anthony Vianessi William Guiterrez Miguel Palij* Marscello Wainwright Luke Johnson Rashmi Sembaluttige Michael Wong* Dante Kitchikake Andrew Soliba Damian Mascarenas Josh Tan

* Accepting award on behalf of the team

This rugby team from Brebeuf represented TDCAA at the Ontario Rugby Championships in November. They placed 2nd, losing a close final to Uxbridge, the defendings champions, 24 to 17. Nicholas Galatianos (Head Coach), David Wright and Daniel Fiore, Nominator/Coach

7. Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts

a) Sophia Sun Sophia placed 2nd in the DECA Provincials competition, which qualified her for the international competition taking place in Florida at the end of April. She placed first in the Principles of Business Management and Administration Event at the regional competition. Eric Quattrociocchi, Nominator/Coach

b) Vianna Vaitkus Vianna was chosen by the Canadian National Dance Team to represent Canada at the Ballet, Jazz and Modern Championships in Mikolajki, Poland this past December. She won 4 medals and 2 special mentions, including a gold medal for Junior Large Group Format in Ballet Demi-Pointe, 2 bronze medals in Junior Small Group Ballet-Pointe and Jazz. Vianna has been chosen to participate in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2015 Pan Am Games. David Stevenson, Nominator/Coach

8. Chaminade College School a) Gryphons Football Team

Jesse Amaral Ovie Efijemueh Anthony Pagniello Elgin Alegria Kristian Gallant Gabriel Pallatto Joshua Alexander Carmine Guadagno Matthew Rosati Baekwon Blair Esson Hamilton Andrew Rossit Giancario Caprara Mekhi Hyman Renato Sordi Paolo Caprara Lindon King Leo Suthakaran Henrique Custodio Steven Longo Daniel Toigo Philip Dao Anthony Mattacchione Nicholas Toigo Nicholas De Cesare Jesse Mens Brian Torrinha Matthew Diamanti Andres Mejia Anthony Vena Tyree Dunn Augustine Nyarko

The Chaminade College School Football Gryphons won the OFSAA Bowl Championship this past November. Patrizio Diodati Nominator/Coach Assistant Coaches: I. Barone, R. Legault, D. Valinho, N. Quarshie, B. Rainford, A. Pohkedun, C. Butch, N. Orange, K. Bailey, P. Duggan, M. Grossi, M. Armstrong

9. Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School

a) Neil Francis Dan Kazumba Khamal Stewart-Baynes Basil Umeh This team from Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School won the gold medal in the Midget Boys' 4 x 100m relay race at OFSAA in June, 2014. They set a Canadian Interscholastic best. Peter Miller, Nominator/Coach

b) Ronard Asante

Miracle Duru Trejuan Fearon Ben Kwawukumey This team from Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School won the silver medal in the Junior Boys' 4 x 100m relay at OFSAA. Peter Miller, Nominator/Coach

10. Father John Redmond Catholic Secondary School and Regional Arts Centre a) Scott He (see Prince of Peace Catholic School)

11. Josyf Cardinal Slipyj Catholic School b) Sofia Bobrysheva

Sofia placed first in the provincial competition for the Kiwanis Music Festival, advancing to the National competition in Nova Scotia. She competed in 4 categories of the classical vocal competition, one which had a platinum standard. She was the youngest contestant. Natalie Makuch, Nominator/Coach

12. Loretto Abbey Catholic Secondary School

a) Julia Swist Julia was named as a nominee for this year's Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award. Her former science teacher, Paul Daniele, nominated her. Paul Daniele, Nominator/Coach

13. Marshall McLuhan Catholic Secondary School

a) Michael Cabato Michael won the gold medal in the 60 kg class at the Canadian Junior Boxing Championships held this past January in Quebec. Michael was also named City TV's Athlete of the Week.

14. Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School

a) Samantha Quinto Samantha won the 2014 Citizenship Challenge. She was selected out of 60,000 Canadians who participated. She won an all-expenses-paid trip to Ottawa along with a fellow winner from Brandon, Manitoba. The Challenge asked Canadians to put their national knowledge to the test in a mock citizenship exam. Samantha scored 100% on her exam.

b) Robotics Team

Justin Abella Shehara Dematagoda Trizza Mendoza Alex Achie Celine Dela Cruz Joshua Modina Jason Antao Shenal Dompayalage Kent Paul Daniel Aprile Sarah Ferolino Kathryn Potnciano Sebastian Cabrera Alliza Frias Asia Powell Alfonso Casas Sebastian Gajewski Russel Tanga-An Daniel Chan Ellesor Lucero Angelica Cusipag Karlo Manapat

This rookie team from Mary Ward competed in the FIRST Robotics Competition at the Ontario Institute of Technology last May. They were up against teams from across Ontario, Quebec and the State of New York. They won the Judges’ Award. David Emer and Pierre Cuschieri, Nominator/Coach

15. Michael Power-St. Joseph High School

a) Peter Flagler In November, Peter received the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. It was presented by Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, at a ceremony in Ottawa on November 10th. Peter had previously achieved the bronze and silver awards.

b) Annette Kowara Annette, with her partner Tristan, won the under-15 national beach gold medal. Annette is also the starting middle for her school's Senior Girls' Volleyball Team. Outside of school, she plays right side for the under-16 Pakmen Volleyball Club.

c) Anastasia Jaffray Anastasia was one of 60 teenagers selected from across the province to participate in a 12-month initiative resulting from a partnership between the Registered Nurses’ Assocation of Ontario and six public health units across Ontario.The youth attended a two-day conference last November to develop strategies that they could bring back and share with their peers.

16. Msgr. Fraser College - SAL Southwest a) Celeste D'Addario

Celeste and her former team mates from the Supervised Alternative Learning program won 2nd runner-up in the Children's Mental Health Ontario Anti-Stigma YouTube Contest for their claymation video "Taking in the Good". Giselle Signoroni, Nominator/Coach

17. Msgr. Percy Johnson Catholic High School

a) Kelly Jessica Borlat Kelly placed 2nd in Web Page Design Sr. in the Ontario Business Educators’ Association contest.

18. Prince of Peace Catholic School

a) Scott He and Sean Shao Scott and Sean were members of a team that placed third overall in the Toronto Educators’ Association for Mathematics Olympics. Each team was comprised of grade 7 and 8 students. The theme of the competition was “OMO 2014 The Number Games”. Kathryn Kubota-Zarivnij, Michele Goveia, Stefana Penelea, Earl Totten, Nominator/Coach

19. Senator O'Connor College School

a) Brian Hanratty Brian was presented with the gold medal for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards last November. Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, was visiting Ottawa at the time and presented the award to him.

b) Megan Koenig-Croft Megan and her Ice Dance partner placed 2nd at the Central Ontario Figure Skating Championships. They advanced to the Skate Canada Challenge and then to the Canadian Figure Skating Championships where they placed 7th. This season, they competed at the Junior Level, moving up from last year's Novice Level, where they were the Canadian bronze medalists. Carol Lane, Jon Lane and Juris Razulejevs, Nominator/Coach

c) Patricia Rosales Patricia won 1st place in the Junior Category for Classy Contemporary in the 19th Annual Design Exchange Canadian High School Competition.

20. St. Agatha Catholic School

a) Senior Girls’ Volleyball Team: Laura Brown Hannah Cufaro Hailey McCowan Natalie Szwec* Kieryn Carles Kiara Doobay Victoria Patterson Robyn Thibeault Evangeline Collin Claire Edmonds Chloe Rayment Emma Trudelle Carina Colmenares Jade Lalonde* Amarys Salazar Serena Woldeab

*Accepting award on behalf of the team

The Senior Girls' Volleyball Team won the gold medal in the Catholic Cup Tournament. Pat Cianfarani, Nominator/Coach

21. St. Ambrose Catholic School

a) Sean Shao (currently attending Father John Redmond Catholic Secondary School). See Prince of Peace listing.

22. St. Barnabas Catholic School

a) Boys’ Volleyball Team:

This volleyball team won the Catholic Cup Volleyball Tournament in October, beating out schools from TCDSB, Dufferin Peel and Durham Regions. This is the 4th time in the past 5 years that the team has been successful. Gordon MacLean and Candice Carvalho, Nominator/Coach

23. St. Benedict Catholic School a) Amanda Fejedelem

Julia Fejedelem Julia and Amanda are Canadian Junior Wushu Champions. Julia ranked #2 and Amanda is ranked #5 in Canada. Julia won the Gold Broad Sword, 4th Staff, 5th Hand Form in the 2014 Canadian Jr. Championships and Amanda won the Bronze Staff, Bronze Straight Sword, 4th place Hand Form at the same Championships. Both girls have been selected to represent Canada in the Jr. Pan America Wushu Championship on the 30-athlete National Team. Julia has been selected to represent Canada on the Canadian National 12 member Wushu Team for the World Jr. Championships. Wayland Li, Coach

24. St. Clement Catholic School

a) Alexander Milanovich Alexander set a new Ontario swimming record in the 11 and 12-year-old 100m breast stroke for on March 4th with a time of 1:09:21. He also set three Etobicoke swimming records at the Provincial Swim Meet in February in the 100m and 200m breast stroke. He was also a member of the 13 to 14-year-old relay team. The team set a new Etobicoke swimming record with a time of 4:04:20 in the 4 x 100m race. Anne-Christine Ferreira, Nominator/Coach

Lloyd Avergonzado* Isaiah Khokhar Cashius McNeilly* Jordan De Ala Smith* Nehemiah Khokhar Kokoy Perla Kenneth Galetta Brandon Liao* Josh Reyes Jacob Gregorio Jan Marin

* Team Captains: Accepting award on behalf of the team

25. St. John Catholic School

a) Thea Bonhomme Jnae Glennie Sara Jennings Ava Stewart This team of students from St. John Catholic School won the gold medal in the 1000m race for Grade 3 girls at the Ontario Cross Country Championships. Jnae won the gold medal for the individual score by placing first in the race and Sarah won the silver medal for placing second in the race. John Albert, Nominator/Coach

b) Michael Hickey Matthew Jennings Jack Smith Evan Stewart This team of boys from St. John Catholic School won the gold medal in the Grade 5 race at the Ontario Cross Country Championships. John Albert, Nominator/Coach

c) Sean O'Keefe Sean won the 800m and 1500m races at the Provincial Indoor Track Championships. He has set Provincial records in the 1200m and 2000m races. John Albert, Nominator/Coach

26. St. John Paul II Catholic Secondary School

d) Luciano Sequeira Luciano the winner of Crime Stoppers Ontario Student of the Year Award 2014. He was selected from among 400 nominees for the honour and celebrated by the Toronto Police School Resource Officer program.

27. St. Joseph's Morrow Park Catholic Secondary School

a) Melika Dastgheib Melika won 2nd place in Web Page Jr. in the Ontario Business Educators’ Association contest. Ana Podbielska, Nominator/Coach

28. St. Luke Catholic School

a) Thomas Fernandes Thomas placed first in the Gifted Centre Canadian Geography Challenge, advancing to the Provincial round.

29. St. Malachy Catholic School

a) Jordynn Scott Jurnee Scott

Jordynn and Jurnee are in Grade 1 and are members of a rep team for track. At the March Provincial Championship, Jordynn broke the provincial indoor record for the 60m dash age 7 category with a time of 9.80 seconds as well as the 200m age 7 category with a time of 33.06s; the old record being 34.54s. Jurnee ran the 60m hurdles with a time of 11.00s, becoming the Provincial champion in her event.

30. St. Norbert Catholic School

a) Victoria Spencer Victoria is one of Team Canada's youngest kick-boxers. Her team is competing in South Africa.

NOTES