2022 Archdiocesan Summa Scholars Affectionately Honor Catholic School Teachers

Story by Shelley Wolf

WEST HARTFORD – Constantinos Soteriou hasn’t always loved school, but attending East Catholic High School in Manchester changed all that, especially when he met Mr. Eric Cruanes, a teacher who made learning fun.

“I know it’s hard to believe, as I stand here as a Summa Scholar, but those who truly know me can attest to the fact that I’ve been complaining about school since I started kindergarten – waking up early and all the homework,” Soteriou said, eliciting laughter from the audience gathered for the 2022 Archdiocesan Summa Scholars Award Ceremony, which was held on May 17 at the University of St. Joseph in West Hartford.

Though he has committed to a career in science and technology, Soteriou said Cruanes’ advanced placement European history class affected his school life for the better. Despite the rigor of all his schoolwork, the student found a kindred spirit in Cruanes, who shared his sense of humor and kept the classroom “lighthearted and joyful.” Soteriou soon found he was excited to go to class.

“I wanted to see what cheesy joke he would make about the 30 Years’ War, and what bizarre moments in history he would share with us about 16th century France,” the senior said. “Most of all, I liked the way he connected historical events to today’s news, reminding us that while history may not repeat, it definitely rhymes.”

Soteriou summed up his appreciation, saying, “I was beyond grateful to have a safe space to be myself, share my thoughts, and just enjoy myself.”

That youthful joy and gratitude was on full display at the 2022 Archdiocesan Summa Scholars Award Ceremony, when 42 scholars drawn from seven Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford gathered in the University of St. Joseph’s Hoffman Auditorium to celebrate their scholastic achievements. The Archdiocesan Summa Scholars represent the top 5 percent of their graduating class in outstanding academic achievement from freshman year to the close of the first semester of senior year, based on their cumulative grade point average.

In addition to receiving their medals at the event, the scholars were encouraged to take a moment to honor the Catholic educators who affected them the most.

Hannah Kalamarides, of Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford, honored Mr. Christopher Haddad, the director of campus ministry for being an inspiring teacher, leader and example of faith in classes and in service work. “He has pushed me to become a better leader, a stronger disciple, and a better person through his gentle nature and continuous care,” Kalamarides said.

All of his lessons are built on the concepts of intention, solidarity and the common good, lessons that resonated with Kalamarides. For instance, by asking students to share three stereotypes they believe are true, Haddad taught them how to confront stereotypes and to acknowledge where they have failed to recognize others’ dignity.

“This is just one example of how Mr. Haddad encourages students to take their own journey by asking the hard questions,” Kalamarides said, “while supporting them and reminding them about God’s love.”

Garrett Girgasky, of Holy Cross High School in Waterbury, honored Mr. Brian Walker, who teaches economics and coaches track. Girgasky, who ran on Walker’s indoor and outdoor track teams, thanked his coach for selecting him as captain in his senior year and for teaching him about self-improvement.

“He emphasized the importance of personal growth and becoming better than you were the day prior,” Girgasky said, “and the only person you’re constantly competing against is your prior self.”

Julia DiAngelo, who attends Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden, selected Mr. Richard Marino, who teaches European history and advanced placement U.S. government and politics. Marino makes historical figures “seem alive today,” DiAngelo said, and teaches students that societal change occurred in history when people had the courage to speak out against injustices.

“Just days after I turned 18 this past year, I registered to vote and I can say with confidence that I would not have done it so quickly after my birthday if it weren’t for Mr. Marino,” DiAngelo said. “But I wanted to take this next step for myself and for my voice. I will be sure to vote in every election after doing my research and drawing my own conclusions.”

Ashley Jeong, a scholar at East Catholic High School in Manchester, picked Mrs. Stella Thonakkaraparayil, fondly known as “Mrs. Thona,” who teaches honors and advanced placement chemistry.

“Mrs. Thona is not only a chemistry teacher but she’s a lover of science and above all, a wonderful woman, who knows how to take care of her students,” Jeong said. “In class, I could genuinely see the appreciation she had for her subject and it instilled in me the same kind of passion. Because of Mrs. Thona, I found my future calling in pharmacy.”

Nathan Stellmach, a student at St. Paul Catholic High School in Bristol, honored Mr. Michael Madden, a business teacher and coach, for his joyful dedication and concern for his students. “As a teacher, Mr. Madden comes to school each day with great enthusiasm for his job that makes it difficult not to smile,” Stellmach said.

Within the athletic department, Madden also emphasizes the dual responsibility of being a student and an athlete. “When my teammates and I left school early for swim meets, he continued to coordinate with our teachers to ensure we made up any missed work,” Stellmach said.

Brooke Jones, who attends the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall in Milford, honored Ms. Pamela Boynton, her advanced placement composition teacher. According to Jones, English had never been her strongest subject. “Before I met Ms. Boynton, I never really thought of myself as a writer. I didn’t think I was good at analyzing things. I didn’t really think English was my thing,” Jones said.

However, Boynton taught Jones how to write and write well. One day after school, Boynton pulled Jones aside to compliment her on her writing, a day that changed the student’s life. “That interaction meant the world to me,” Jones said. “Ms. Boynton gave me the confidence I never knew I needed to believe in myself, and in my writing and my convictions.”

Craig Jeffrey, an admittedly shy student at Notre Dame High School in West Haven, thanked Mr. Christopher Smith, faculty and chair of the math department, for setting up a fantasy football league for freshman algebra students.

“Some people might think this is insignificant, but to me, a freshman who only talked with his three friends from middle school, this really changed my entire experience,” Jeffrey said, noting he was able to talk about something other than school work. “This simple action brought me out of my shell, and helped me become part of the community. That definitely shaped my entire high school career.”

The following students were designated as the 2022 Summa Scholars, with each honoring a Catholic school teacher:

St. Paul Catholic High School, Bristol

Julian Alvia honored Mrs. Sherrie Gemmell

Keira Dubitsky honored Mrs. Tina Kromidas

Gabriel Duncan honored Mrs. Altea Houle

Scott Raymond honored Jonathan Gnoza, Ph.D.

Gillian Smith honored Ms. Norma Kendrick

Nathan Stellmach honored Mr. Michael Madden

Abigail Wroblewski honored Mr. Albert Wallace

Sacred Heart Academy, Hamden

Chiamaka Alino honored Elizabeth Christophy, Ph.D.

Mehr Chhatre honored Sibani Sengupta, Ph.D.

Julia DiAngelo honored Mr. Richard Marino

Delfina Ferro honored Mr. Richard Marino

Nikita Khanna honored Sibani Sengupta, Ph.D.

Kelsey Le honored Mr. Richard Marino

East Catholic High School, Manchester

Katherine Green honored Mrs. Lisa Kirsche

Jonathan Green honored Ms. Lesa Milas

Ashley Jeong honored Mrs. Stella Thonakkaraparayil

Paige Sciarra honored Mrs. Sarah Poirier

Kathryn Shattuck honored Mrs. Marigrace Miller

Constantinos Soteriou honored Mr. Eric Cruanes

Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall, Milford

Caroline Begg honored Mrs. Theresa Napolitano

Kaylor Garamella honored Mrs. Susanna Khan

Brooke Jones honored Ms. Pamela Boynton

Audrey Ulrich honored Ms. Jennifer Shea

Morgan White honored Mrs. Theresa Napolitano

Holy Cross High School, Waterbury

Aryanna Carter honored Mrs. Rosanne Shea

Alyssa Colangelo honored Mr. Ryan Mulhern

Garrett Girgasky honored Mr. Brian Walker

Arianna Gove honored Mr. Nicholas Lauzon

Grace Graziano honored Mr. Sean Kienle

Cameron Sivilla honored Mr. Erik Lanese

Northwest Catholic High School, West Hartford

Lillian Bluestein honored Mr. Ronald Swanson

Nathan Chan honored Mr. Daniel Luddy

Hannah Kalamarides honored Mr. Christopher Haddad

Evan Maseto honored Mrs. Catherine Calendrillo

Erin Shea honored Ms. Joan Keating-McKeon

Notre Dame High School, West Haven

Brendan Barnett honored Mr. Jason Kern

Gabriel Bravo-Cancino honored Ms. Kathleen Matthews

Craig Jeffrey honored Mr. Christopher Smith

Mark MacDaniel honored Sean Gleason, Ph.D.

Mason Moore honored Mrs. Lucy Abbott

Nicholas Ribeiro honored Mr. Kwesi Koomson

Noel Roldan honored Mr. John Warrick