Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh consistently is ranked at or near the top of area Catholic schools, and a look at what the Class of 2024 accomplished helps show why.
With regard to collegiate standard testing, seniors at the school in Hampton scored an average of 1250 in verbal and math on their SATs, compared with the national average of 1028. Their 27.2 average ACT composite is 7.7 points above the average for the United States.
The graduating class of 37 students received $6 million in merit scholarships, and they earned 116 acceptances to 93 colleges and universities.
During commencement on June 1, head of school Leslie Mitros congratulated the seniors and acknowledged the roles of their parents.
“It has taken a lot of work and a lot of expense to get you to this point. So always be grateful for them,” she recommended.
To the parents, she said:
“We are very grateful to you and your children. These are fine young men and women.”
The Class of 2024 valedictorian is Chase Harrison, and the salutatorian is Ben Everson. Other Aquinas Academy graduates are:
Alexis Abbett, Ethan Atta, Anne Marie Austin, Sydney Fantini, Emily Fisher, Sofia Flati, Isabel Giancola, Jackson Gillespie, Evan Gounaris, Michael Jernigan, Duran Lurie, Cecilia Maciejewski, Riley Mahon, Jordan Mikec, Grayson Mizuk, Seraphina Myron, Clare O’Connell, Ryan Policicchio, Mary Theresa Porter, Alexa Queen, Mackenzie Queen, Joshua Schlemmer, Tiffany Shen, Tony Shen, Benjamin Sibenac, Carina Simmons, Christy Simon, Sara Sokolski, Abigail Stalder, Katherine Stampfel, Elizabeth Swift, Alexandra Taylor, Victoria Taylor, Emily Veazey and Jackson Vollmer.
Mitros was joined in presenting their diplomas by Judge Philip Ignelzi, board of directors chairman; Peter Blume, Aquinas co-found and board president; and Michael Flynn and Tyler Deschamps, high school directors.
