Class of ’23 graduates from Sewickley Academy

Sewickley Academy celebrated the Class of 2023 at a graduation ceremony June 9 in the school’s Rea Auditorium.

Graduation included a welcome by Head of Senior School Jamie Nestor, followed by speeches from Head of School Ashley Birtwell; student body president Jayne Miner; and guest speaker from the Class of 1990, Dr. Eric M. Butter, chief of psychology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and professor of pediatrics, psychiatry and psychology at Ohio State University’s College of Medicine.

The Senior School orchestra, chorus and string orchestra also performed.

Commencement ceremonies for students completing fifth and eighth grades were held the day prior. Each event included the recognition of outstanding students with various awards.

Class of 2023

• Maria Silvaggio received the Academy Award given by the Board of Trustees to recognize a senior who exemplifies the distinguishing qualities of moral goodness and perseverance, and who has shown a sincere commitment to academic pursuits throughout their time at Sewickley Academy.

• Lailani Mbandi was the recipient of the Faculty Award for consistently displaying a cheerful and mature attitude, unselfish service to the entire school community and a sincere concern for others.

• Jayne Miner, student body president, earned the Head of School Award, which recognizes a senior whose service and accomplishments in academic, athletic and/or extracurricular activities have made a significant contribution to the life of the school and who best exemplifies the ideals and spirit of Sewickley Academy.

• Leon Jaio received the Cavalier Cup, awarded to the senior who achieves a record of combined excellence in scholarship, sportsmanship and citizenship, in the estimation of the school’s faculty.

Class of 2027

Giovanni Di Domenico and Olivia Stefanik received the John W. Heagy Award, given annually to those in eighth grade who have made the greatest contribution to Sewickley Academy during the previous year.

On June 7, an awards ceremony was held on campus specifically for the students of Sewickley Academy Middle School. Awardees, all in eighth grade, were:

Band: Benjamin Glass; Orchestra: Sydney Miner; Chorus: Alexander DiTano; Ceramics: Grazia (Grace) Jardini; Art: Oliver Kozicki; Dance: Bella Menzock; Theatre Arts: Molly Ladue; Computer Science: Giovanni Di Domenico; Partenheimer Sportsmanship: Elijah Stephan; Isobel Brooks Sportsmanship: Grazia (Grace) Jardini; French: Nicholas Zanic; Chinese: Chelsea Hahn; Spanish: Giovanni Di Domenico; James Scott Pearson Science: Grazia (Grace) Jardini; Math: Giovanni Di Domenico; Russ Weber History: Nicholas Zanic; Patricia Rose English: Isabela Zuluaga; American Legion: Giovanni Di Domenico and Rani Shah.

Class of 2030

Two fifth-graders are selected annually for the Community of Respect Award for consistently demonstrating the school’s core values of character, educational vigor, diversity and community. The 2023 recipients were Hayden Hodinko and Ella Martindale.