Devon Prep graduates urged to use their talents to make the world better

Devon Preparatory School’s Class of 2017 Commencement Ceremony began with Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf’s Press Secretary Mr. J.J. Abbott urging the 43 graduates to make the world a better place. He told the young men seated before him, “At Devon, I learned a lot. But Devon’s prep isn’t just for college – it is for life. The values that Devon instills in each of us – moral, ethical, and practical – are truly invaluable.”

After discussing his experiences, both personal and professional, since graduating from Devon Prep, Abbott offered several valuable lessons for success. They included: 1. Challenge Yourself; 2.Don’t Be Afraid to Disrupt; 3.Listen, Respect and Learn; and 4. Live the Great Commandment.

“The Great Commandment – treat others as you wish to be treated - couldn’t be more important to carry with you on your next path,” Abbott said. “Never lose sight of how important this is. Kindness, loyalty, and compassion are assets and you will be rewarded in life - and your future careers - if you exude and embrace them.

“Get involved, make a difference, and spread your talents to make the world better for those you love and those you’ll never know,” he continued. “You can leave this gym today knowing that you are ready. You are Devon prepped.”

In addition to Abbott, two students also spoke at the Commencement Ceremony. Salutatorian David Haruch of Springfield urged his classmates to appreciate their experience at Devon Prep but to accept that their lives will change. And that change is good.

“It is important to say goodbye to these memories, as looking back on them and wishing to relive the past is a pointless endeavor, as trying to avoid change is also pointless,” Haruch said. “Instead, these memories should be recalled as events in the past that contributed to our total life experience, just one part in our lives. My single wish for my own future, the future of the Class of 2017, and for all the futures of everyone here, is that every single day of our lives, however long they may last, will be different, unique, and always changing.”

Haruch was followed by Class Valedictorian Michael Bonfiglio of Collegeville who echoed a similar theme, also encouraging his fellow graduates to embrace change and to work hard to make a difference. “We are here today not ONLY to commemorate the end of an era, but to celebrate change, and to rejoice in the future,” Bonfiglio said. “Our time at Devon has not only prepared us for the struggles of college, but for the challenges of the real world. Every class here at Devon has prepared us for a higher purpose… to use our gifts for the betterment of society. Don’t be afraid to change the world. Thanks to my time at Devon, I leave here today prepared to do everything I can to change the world, and make a difference.”

Nearly 500 friends, family, alumni and faculty attended the ceremony in the school’s athletic facility to celebrate the accomplishments of Devon Prep’s 58th graduating class. Collectively the members of the Class of 2017 earned nearly $7 million in college scholarships. They received more than 250 acceptances to 120 colleges and universities, including University of Pennsylvania, Fordham, US Merchant Marine Academy, Wake Forest, Boston College, Lehigh, Villanova, Drexel, Temple and Penn State.

More than 60 percent (27) of the Class of 2017 was named AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor or AP Scholar with Distinction. The National Merit Scholarship Program recognized two students as Commended Students (Arnold Tiglao and Jacob Klick). Four of these young men are Eagle Scouts (Brian Long, Benjamin Rufo, Jack Wagner and Brandon Smoot), two will go on to participate in collegiate athletics at Division III schools (Matthew Szkolnicki and Michael Loftus) and two students (J. Benjamin Rufo and Paul Yoo) had perfect attendance, never missing a day of school in seven years.

This senior class performed more than 1500 hours of community service doing such things as collecting and distributing food and clothing to needy families and raising over $25,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

According to Headmaster Rev. Francisco Aisa, “Devon Prep’s Class of 2017 is a superb group of young men who excel in so many wonderful areas in and out of the classroom. I know that they will be very successful in college and beyond. I will miss them and wish them well in the future.”

In addition, several academic and activity awards were presented to the students during the commencement ceremony. Among them was the coveted Brady-Gallagher Award, given to a member of the graduating class chosen by his classmates for his exemplary selflessness and his devotion to the school and his fellow graduates. Jack Marquis and Kevin Holmes were this year’s recipients. Other notable awards were: General Excellence – Michael Bonfiglio

Loyalty and School Spirit – Kevin Holmes, Daniel O’Connor

Highest Average over Four Quarters – Michael Bonfiglio

Outstanding Christian Service Award – Kevin Holmes (more than 300 service hours)

Service to the Pro- Life Club – Matthew Szkolnicki

Devon Prep’s Class of 2017 and their college choices are:

Michael J. Bonfiglio of Collegeville – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

G. Willson Camp of Spring City – Drexel University

Timothy J. Coble of Downingtown – Thomas Aquinas College

James V. Coffey of Havertown – Temple University

John S. DePalo of Downingtown – Santa Clara University

Andrew T. DiMarzio of Philadelphia – Penn State University

Stephen T. Duffy of Newtown Square – University of Pittsburgh

Zachary M. Eidman of Collegeville – University of Pittsburgh (Honors)

Luke W. Farnsworth of Royersford – Penn State University

Matthew T. Fasullo of West Chester – Northeastern University

Thomas P. Freney of West Chester – Temple University

Connor F. Galarneau of Newtown Square – Rochester Institute of Technology

Thomas M. Hang of Malvern – St. Joseph’s University

David J. Haruch of Media Drexel University (Honors)

Kevin L. Holmes of Ardmore – United States Merchant Marine Academy

Tyler J. Keough of Collegeville – Drexel University (Honors)

Jacob E. Klick of Narberth – University of Pennsylvania

Grant P. Kowalewski of Downingtown - Wake Forest University

James P. Loftus of Phoenixville – Susquehanna University (Honors)

Brian R. Long of Wayne – Drexel University

Benjamin J. Lubker of West Chester – Villanova University (Honors)

Hayden W. Ludt of Chester Springs – Washington & Lee University John W. Marquis of Wayne – University of Pittsburgh

Christopher D. McAlee of West Chester – Drexel University (Honors)

Riley J. McCarthy of Malvern – Drexel University (Honors)

Jack R. McClay of Exton – Penn State University

Bruce C. McCulloch of Wayne – Hunter College, The City University of New York (Honors)

Alexander C. Nawn of Malvern – Penn State University

Michael L. Noonan of Broomall – Penn State University

Thomas J. O’Brien of Downingtown – University of Pittsburgh

Daniel F. O’Connor of Broomall – Villanova University

Terence J. O’Reilly of Devon – Cabrini University

Joseph P. Orsatti of Phoenixville – Temple University (Honors)

Joseph A. Petrucci of Wynnewood – Drexel University

Benjamin Rufo of Chester Springs – Boston College

Daniel D. Shannon of Royersford – Penn State University

Brandon C. Smoot of West Chester – Drexel University (BS/ MS & Honors)

Matthew Szkolnicki of Springfield – Stockton University (Honors)

Arnold J. Tiglao of King of Prussia – Drexel University (Honors)

Matthew J. Torchiana of Collegeville – Providence College

Joshua E. Van Oostrom of Exton – Temple University

Jack I. Wagner of West Chester – University of Pittsburgh

Paul I. Yoo of King of Prussia Temple University

Waiting for Devon Prep’s Class of 2017 Commencement Ceremony to begin are (from left) Matthew Szkolnicki of Springfield, Matthew Torchiana of Collegeville, James Coffey of Havertown, and Thomas Freney of West Chester.

Devon Prep graduate Joshua E. Van Oostrom of Exton, right, is congratulated by Headmaster Emeritus Rev. James Shea, Sch.P. (left) after receiving his diploma. Headmaster Rev. Francisco Aisa, Sch.P. looks on.