![St. Augustine Prep Celebrates the Class of 2026 at Annual Senior Awards Breakfast]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1779296826/hermitscom/kxrskh48zm6qhc689tgk/DSC01447.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1779296826/hermitscom/kxrskh48zm6qhc689tgk/DSC01447.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1779296826/hermitscom/kxrskh48zm6qhc689tgk/DSC01447.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1779296826/hermitscom/kxrskh48zm6qhc689tgk/DSC01447.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1779296826/hermitscom/kxrskh48zm6qhc689tgk/DSC01447.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1779296826/hermitscom/kxrskh48zm6qhc689tgk/DSC01447.jpg","width":2048}])
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The Class of 2026 gathered in the Consalo Dining Hall on Wednesday morning for one of the most meaningful traditions of Commencement Week at St. Augustine Prep: the Annual Senior Awards Breakfast.
Surrounded by classmates, faculty, family members, alumni, benefactors, and friends of the Prep, members of the senior class were recognized for their academic excellence, leadership, service, athletic achievement, and the profound impact they have made throughout their time in Richland.
The morning reflected the very heart of the Hermit Brotherhood — a celebration not only of accomplishment, but of generosity, gratitude, and legacy.
The program began with remarks and prayer led by members of the senior class before Dean of Academics Sean Grealis presented the annual Medallions for Excellence, honoring students who demonstrated exceptional achievement across a variety of academic disciplines.
Among those recognized were:
- Rocco Fanini '26 (English and Mathematics)
- Justin Panella '26 (Vocal Music)
- Landon Davis '26 (Arabic)
- Michael Sherron '26 (Theater Arts)
- Alex Weingartner '26 (Business Studies)
- Enrico Botto, Jr. '26 (Digital Arts & Broadcasting)
- Raylen Weaver '26 (Computer Science)
- Richard Russell III '26 (History)
- Miles Baylock '26 (Spanish)
- Luke Fortucci '26 (ASL)
- Ryan Stoehr '26 (ASL)
- Jonathan Bilella '26 (Art)
- Jacob Lenhardt '26 (Latin)
- Kevin Nagle, Jr. '26 (Theology)
- Adam Williams '26 (Instrumental Music)
- Andrew Kierland '26 (Science)
The ceremony also highlighted the extraordinary generosity of the Prep community through a series of scholarships and memorial awards presented by alumni, alumni families, and benefactors whose commitment to the Brotherhood continues long after graduation.
One of the morning’s most moving moments came as Michael McGee '22 shared the story of his grandmother, Rose Alfe G'17 '22 '27, whose love for the Prep inspired the establishment of the Rose Alfe Scholarship. This year’s $2,500 scholarship was awarded to Benjamin Stanker in recognition of excellence in service, academics, and extracurricular involvement.
Tim Jurasik '17 is greeted by Dominic Botto '26 following Mr. Jurasik's keynote address.
The Class of 2026 also welcomed home Hermit Brother Tim Jurasik '17 as the event’s keynote speaker. A former standout student-athlete at the Prep, Jurasik shared reflections on his journey from Richland to a career in medical oncology strategy at Bristol Myers Squibb, encouraging the senior class to embrace lifelong growth, gratitude, and purpose. Tim joined fellow alumni and alumni families to participate in the day including the school's own angel, Mrs. Rose Marie Davis, Mr. Sam Mody and Mrs. Priti Mody (The Dhiraj S. Mody Memorial Scholar Golfer Award), The Spiers Family P'14 '16 (The Mark Spiers Memorial Scholarship), and so many more.
Mrs. Rose Marie Davis H'17 (second from left) is joined by Dean of Academics, Mr. Grealis '95 P'22, AJ Mento '26 (The Robert S. Golding Brotherhood Award), and Head of School, Fr. Murray, O.S.A.
Several scholarships honored the memory and legacy of beloved members of the Prep family, including:
- Kyle Helphenstine '26 - The Mark Spiers Memorial Scholarship
- Marc Maccario ’26 & Johnathan Wingate ’26 - The Brittany Rodio Foundation Scholarships
- Drake Brogan ’26 - The Dhiraj S. Mody Memorial Scholar Golfer Award
- Sean Deery ’26 - The Louis & Josephine Buondonno Brotherhood Award
- Alex Weingartner ’26 - The Vincent Buondonno Brotherhood Award
- Ryan Stoehr ’26 - The Paul Buondonno Academic Achievement and Leadership Award
- AJ Mento ’26 - The Robert S. Golding Brotherhood Award
Students were additionally recognized for achievements extending beyond campus, including Eagle Scout honors, perfect attendance, civic leadership awards, ROTC scholarships, academic distinctions, athletic recognition, and community-based scholarships from organizations throughout South Jersey.
A particularly remarkable recognition was awarded to Jack Olivo '26, recipient of multiple scholarship honors, including a four-year Army ROTC scholarship and a University of Miami grant totaling $388,000.
Throughout the morning, the consistent theme was clear: the impact of the Brotherhood reaches far beyond the classroom. The Annual Senior Awards Breakfast served as both a celebration of the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 and a testament to the enduring support of the Prep community — generations of Hermits investing in the young men who will now carry that legacy forward.
Congratulations to all of the award recipients and members of the Class of 2026 as they prepare to graduate and join the worldwide Hermits Alumni Brotherhood.
