With Pomp and Circumstance, the 24 members of the Class of 2012 at Rome Catholic School marched into their Commencement Exercises this morning in the Frank J. Didio Gymnasium at the school on Cypress Street.
It was RCS’s eighth annual commencement. Elizabeth Pullara, valedictorian, and Kendall Maree McDaniel sang the National Anthem to begin the ceremony, followed by the invocation delivered by the Rev. Robert Kelly, pastor of St. Paul’s parish.
Principal Michael Powers welcomed the assembled family members and friends of the graduates and school faculty and staff. Senior Class Advisor Mark LaGasse was guest commencement speaker.
Salutatorian Dominick Provenzano addressed his classmates, followed by the valedictory speech by Pullara.
The RCS Class of 2012 was presented by Senior Class Advisors Barbara Rapke and LaGasse.
Diplomas were conferred by Powers and Jean Grande, president of the Rome Catholic School Board.
The RCS choir performed the school’s Alma Mater prior to the presentation of the Paraclete Award, the school’s highest honor, to Ryan Koscielniak.
Deacon Nicholas Rosher gave the benediction to end the ceremony and the newly graduated Class of 2012 at Rome Catholic School left the ceremony to the song "Let Everyone Be Happy" (Psalm 100) played by accompanist Heather Serway.
Members of the Class of 2012 at Rome Catholic School are:
Allison Marie Antonowicz, Joshua Paul Blair, John Martin Blaschak, Devin M. Christman, Aaron Coluccio, Michael P. Eisinger, Gabriella Antonia Fuco-Domenico, Nathan M. Gould, Robert D. Irvin, Ryan D. Koscielniak, Mark A. LaGasse, Stacy A. Mahl, Kendall Maree McDaniel, Megan Elizabeth Melioris, Dominick M. Provenzano, Mariah A. Puchyr, Elizabeth S. Pullara, Sydney Ariana Reynolds, Emily Anne Rotenberry, Dustin James Smith, Rachel Anne Story, Alyzza M. Viros, Paul M. Wagner, and Allen Michael Yakuboski.
Awards presented to the members of the Class of 2012 at Rome Catholic School include:
Allison Marie Antonowicz — Rome Catholic School Award, Utica College Leadership Award, Utica College Legacy Award
Joshua Paul Blair — Red & White Musical Players Award, Utica College Achievement Scholarship, NYS Correctional Officer Benevolent Association Criminal Justice Scholarship, Frank Didio Coaches Award, Lake Delta Kiwanis Wally Ott Award
John Martin Blaschak — United States Air Force Scholar Athlete Award, Rome Catholic School Award, Martin J. Nunn Memorial Award, Dollars for Scholars Local Chapter Award, American-Ukrainian Veterans & Mens Club Scholarship
Devin M. Christman — Red & White Musical Players Award, James Sligar Award, The Constantino Family Alumni Award
Aaron Coluccio — United States Air Force Technology Award, Rome Catholic School Award, Imagine America Scholarship, Skills USA Scholarship, Tappet Twirlers Scholarship
Michael P. Eisinger — American Red Cross Rome Chapter Award, The Simon "Bud" DeMaggio Award
Gabriella Antonia Fuco-Domenico — Cazenovia College Dean’s Leadership Award, Rome Catholic School Award
Nathan M. Gould — Rome Twigs Scholarship
Robert D. Irvin — U.S. Air Force Math & Science Award, Dr. Richard Valone Memorial Award for Science, Herman L. Stevens Attendance Award
Ryan D. Koscielniak — Florida Gulf Coast University Admissions Scholarship, New York State Correctional Officer and Police Benevolent Association Award, Rome Character Initiative Charactership Certificate, Dollars for Scholars M. Carolyn Glesmann Memorial Award, Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Award, Pearl Alvarez Award, Mary Scuderi Memorial Scholarship Award, Carl A. Panasci Memorial Scholarship, Eleanor and Andrew Baldwin Memorial Scholarship, Guy Giamporcaro Social Studies Scholarship
Mark A. LaGasse — Rome Catholic School Award
Stacy A. Mahl — The Theresa Marie Vescio Memorial Scholarship for Teaching Award
Kendall Maree McDaniel — Red & White Musical Players Award
Megan Elizabeth Melioris — U.S. Air Force Scholar Athlete Award, Eleanor Engle Memorial Scholarship, The Simon "Bud" DiMaggio Award, Frank Didio Coaches Award, Steve Czyko Memorial Award, James Scuderi Memorial Scholarship Award, Roman Runners Scholarship, Rome Twigs Scholarship, New York State Correctional Officer and Police Benevolent Association Award
Dominick M. Provenzano — New York State Education Department Scholarship for Academic Excellence, Red & White Musical Players Award, Sr. dePaul Juliano Salutatorian Award, Robert J. Hyde Memorial Award, Rome Academy of Sciences Award, The Thomas J. Boyle, Jr. Memorial Award for Leadership, CNYDSO Human Relations Committee Honorarium, Herbert T. Dyett Foundation Scholarship
Mariah A. Puchyr — Rome Catholic School Award
Elizabeth S. Pullara — New York State Education Department Scholarship for Academic Excellence. Red & White Musical Players Award, Sr. dePaul Juliano Valedictorian Award, Robert J. Hyde Memorial Award, NYS Comptroller Achievement Award, The Etude Music Club Music Award, Stony Brook University Valedictorian Scholarship, Rome College Foundation STAR Award, Dollars for Scholars, Teen All Star Award
Sydney Ariana Reynolds — Rome Catholic School Award, Polish Independent Club Scholarship, Elmira College Scholarship
Emily Anne Rotenberry — Red & White Musical Players Award, Delta Omega Sorority Scholarship, The Jack Haberer Memorial Award
Dustin James Smith — George Scala Memorial Scholarship, Rosalie Sligar Memorial Scholarship, Rick LeFevre Memorial Scholarship, Gregory Bowen Memorial Award , Frances Vincent Pettinelli Memorial Award, Madison Oneida Boces Conservation Club Scholarship, Varflex Educational Foundation Scholarship, NYS Woodsman Scholarship
Rachel Anne Story — Rome Catholic School Award
Alyzza M. Viros — Red & White Musical Players Award, The Gordon and Sara Kent Memorial Award for Drama
Paul M. Wagner — The Charlie Gratch Memorial Award, The Sister Nancy Burkhard Memorial English Award
Allen Michael Yakuboski — Rome Catholic School Award
