St. Augustine Prep Celebrates the Class of 2026 at 64th Commencement Exercises

The Class of 2026 entered St. Augustine Prep years ago as “boys to learn” from across South Jersey and beyond — some arriving as freshmen, others as members of the school’s inaugural 8th grade class — uncertain of what the future would hold, but hopeful for what might await them in “Richland’s Proud and Peaceful Glen.”

Those same young men crossed the Commencement stage as “men to serve,” forever bound by the Brotherhood they built together and the Augustinian values that helped shape them along the way.

The day began with the traditional procession of graduates, Golden Hermits, faculty, members of the Board of Trustees, Augustinian Friars, visiting clergy, family, and friends. The Baccalaureate Mass was celebrated by Fr. Robert Hagan, O.S.A., Prior Provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, alongside Fr. Robert J. Murray, O.S.A., Ph.D., Head of School, and fellow Augustinian friars and clergy.

Throughout the ceremony, one theme echoed again and again: Brotherhood.

In his Welcome Address, Benjamin Stanker ’26 reflected on his class’s commitment to servant leadership, faith, and community, reminding his classmates that the true value of education is found not simply in achievement but in using one’s gifts to serve others.

“Our goal as Christians,” Stanker shared, “is to represent the Brotherhood and apply it to everything we do, say, and are, as we live each day.”

Benjamin highlighted his and his classmates’ commitment to service throughout their time at the Prep, including the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, during which seniors volunteered throughout South Jersey in schools, community organizations, and outreach programs serving those in need. He also celebrated a class that contributed to state championships in swimming, baseball, hockey, and rugby while simultaneously distinguishing themselves in the classroom, the arts, and leadership roles across campus.

The ceremony also marked a historic milestone for St. Augustine Prep, as 48 graduates were recognized as the school’s first-ever “Five-Year Hermits” following the addition of the Prep’s 8th-grade program during the 2021-2022 academic year.

During the ceremony, members of the Class of 1976 returned to campus to receive Golden Diplomas in celebration of the 50th anniversary of their graduation. The Golden Hermits in attendance included Daniel Berenato, Orlando Carvalho, Carmine Catalana IV, George P. Glenn III, Thomas Pietropola, Daniel Valeri, and Martin Wood.

Celebrating Excellence Across the Brotherhood

The Class of 2026 was further recognized for a remarkable collection of accomplishments during their time at the Prep, including:

- 44 athletes committed to NCAA colleges and universities  
- 24 conference championships  
- 4 South Jersey titles  
- 13 New Jersey State titles  
- 6 individual All-State athletic selections  
- 13 individual All-South Jersey athletic selections  
- 23 First-Team Cape-Atlantic League All-Stars  
- 2 military academy acceptances  
- 1 Army ROTC Scholarship recipient  
- 2 National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Students  
- 3 DECA National Competition attendees  
- 2 Eagle Scouts  
- 1 Congressional Award Silver Medal recipient  
- More than $54.1 million awarded in college scholarships and grants over four years  

The ceremony also celebrated members of the National Honor Society, recipients of Head of School Honors, and members of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.

Academic Excellence Medallions were awarded to the following graduates:

- English and Mathematics: Rocco Fanini  
- Science: Andrew Kierland  
- Latin: Jacob Lenhardt  
- ASL: Ryan Stoehr and Luke Fortucci  
- Spanish: Miles Baylock  
- History: Richard Russell III  
- Arabic: Landon Davis  
- Theater Arts: Michael Sherron  
- Business Studies: Alex Weingartner  
- Art: Jonathan Bilella  
- Theology: Kevin Nagle, Jr.  
- Vocal Music: Justin Panella  
- Instrumental Music: Adam Williams  
- Computer Science: Raylen Weaver  
- Digital Arts & Broadcasting: Enrico Botto, Jr.  

The prestigious Head of School Award, presented to the student demonstrating the highest level of academic excellence throughout his four years at the Prep, was awarded to Rocco Fanini.

The Prep community also proudly recognized Zach Bader and Ryan Diamond, who received appointments to the United States Air Force Academy.

Special recognition was given to Eagle Scouts Jonathan Bilella and Raylen Weaver, while Weaver was additionally honored for earning the Congressional Award Silver Medal and continuing his pursuit of the Congressional Award Gold Medal.

The Vincent P. Martino Augustinian Educator of the Year Award for the 2025-2026 academic year was presented to Mrs. Shaunna Alspach, recognizing her distinguished teaching, student-centered approach, and faithful commitment to the Catholic, Augustinian mission of St. Augustine Prep.

One of the most emotional moments of the afternoon came as the Prep community honored Coach Paul Rodio ’70 P’09 ’11 G’25 for his upcoming 50th and final year in the classroom and on the sideline at St. Augustine Prep. Reverently referred to simply as “Coach” by generations of Hermits, Rodio was recognized for helping transform St. Augustine Prep into one of South Jersey’s most respected educational and athletic institutions through decades of leadership, mentorship, advocacy, and unwavering dedication to his students, players, and the school.

The Fr. Vincent Altimare, O.S.A. Scholar-Athlete Award, sponsored by Hermits Athletics Advancement and presented to a student who demonstrated exemplary leadership, athletic excellence, academic achievement, and extraordinary representation of the Prep community, was awarded to Kyle Helphenstine.

The Christian Gentleman Award, sponsored by Newfield National Bank and presented to the graduate who best embodies the Augustinian values of Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas, was awarded to Jack Olivo.

Scholarships and Special Awards

The following scholarships and awards were presented to members of the Class of 2026:

- Joseph Porreca: Cape May County Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation Scholarship; American Legion Aaron Wittkamp Colwell Post 239 Scholarship  
- David Jaco: Imagine America Foundation Scholarship  
- Tyler Price: Mainland Local Police Benevolent Association Local #77 Scholarship  
- Ryan Stoehr: Elks Legacy Scholarship; Paul Buondonno Academic Achievement and Leadership Award  
- Miles Baylock: Rudine Holmes Williams Fund Scholarship  
- Daniel Lopez: Glassboro Orchid Club Scholarship; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated Scholarship  
- Austin Gilson: Millville Elks Memorial Award in honor of Terence Milita  
- Jack Olivo: South Jersey Wrestling Hall of Fame Scholarship; Rotary Club of Vineland Harry Doerr Memorial Scholarship; Sons & Daughters of Italy in America Yogi Berra Academic Award; Army ROTC National four-year scholarship and University of Miami grant package totaling $388,000  
- Eric Gerst: Rotary Club of Vineland 2026 Spirit of Rotary Scholarship  
- Max Ferroni: Fish in Peace Scholarship  
- Jasper Coville: Metropolitan Business & Citizens Association of Atlantic County Epicurean Society recognition and scholarship; DIME Program Regional Scholarship  
- Frank Ferzetti: Bill Maschke Scholar-Athlete Scholarship presented by the South Jersey Interscholastic Swimming Association  
- Ryan Tortella: Vietnam Veterans of Southern New Jersey Scholarship  
- Max Collazo: Vineland Rotary Charities Foundation Harry Doerr #2 Scholarship  
- Ethan Muller: South Jersey Chapter of the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Scholarship  
- Michael Sherron: Rose Marie Vitucci Bersani Kindness Award  
- Patrick Carvajal: Lopez Family Business and Entrepreneurship Award  
- Marc Maccario and Johnathan Wingate: Brittany Rodio Foundation Scholarship  
- Drake Brogan: Dhiraj S. Mody Memorial Scholar Golfer Award  
- Kyle Helphenstine: Mark Spiers Memorial Scholarship  
- Sean Deery: Louis and Josephine Buondonno Brotherhood Award  
- Alex Weingartner: Vincent Buondonno Brotherhood Award  
- AJ Mento: Robert S. Golding Brotherhood Award  
- Jacob Engel: Recognition for maintaining perfect attendance throughout his entire four-year high school experience  
- Benjamin Stanker: Rose Alfe Memorial Scholarship  

Later in the ceremony, Farewell Address speaker Gareth Macdonald ’26 challenged his classmates to carry the lessons of the Prep far beyond Commencement Day.

“We entered as boys to learn,” Macdonald said. “We exit as men to serve.”

Macdonald reflected on the shared experiences that defined the Class of 2026 — signing the Book of Brotherhood, long bus rides, classroom breakthroughs, the Richland Rowdies, challenges, triumphs, and moments of personal growth that slowly formed the young men seated together one final time as students.

“Brotherhood does not end with a diploma,” Macdonald reminded his classmates. “It commences.”

His words captured the spirit of a graduating class shaped not only by achievement but by relationships, resilience, faith, and a shared commitment to becoming men of truth, unity, and love.

Following the conferral of diplomas by Fr. Murray, graduates moved their tassels from right to left before joining together one final time in singing the Alma Mater. Moments later, caps soared into the air as the Class of 2026 officially became the newest generation of Hermits Alumni.

Though their time as students has ended, the Brotherhood — as several speakers reminded those gathered throughout the afternoon — will remain with them forever.

Congratulations to the St. Augustine Prep Class of 2026!

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