10 Montgomery County students awarded scholarships

The Connelly Foundation has announced its 2021 Neumann Scholars, awarding 40 academically talented eighth grade students from 30 regional parochial schools with four-year, full scholarships to attend any Philadelphia Archdiocesan high school of their choosing.

Ten students from Montgomery County are among the 40 recipients. The scholarships are named for Saint John Neumann, the fourth bishop of Philadelphia, who is credited with founding over 200 schools in the Archdiocese.

“The Connelly Foundation is proud to shine a light on the accomplishments and brilliance of the scholars across the Philadelphia Archdiocese, especially during this challenging time to be a student,” said Josephine C. Mandeville, Chair of the Connelly Foundation Board. “Through the Neumann Scholars Program, we are able to reward their academic excellence and open the door to even greater achievement through a high quality education at an Archdiocesan high school.”

This year, 459 students competed for the scholarships, representing 112 parochial elementary schools in five counties. The following students from Montgomery County are part of the Neumann Scholars Class of 2025:

· Ryan O’Connor, Holy Cross Regional

· Julia Holdsworth, St. Teresa Calcutta · Ethan Dwyer, St. Mary · Andres Lugo, St. Mary · Nathan Ponzek, St. Mary · Sara Roberts, Corpus Christi

· Gabriella Ruffels, Corpus Christi

· James McCann, St. Hilary of Potiers

· Isabella Sabatino, Mater Dei

· Michael Kupniewski, St. Philip Neri

“I was thrilled to learn that 40 eighth grade students from across the fivecounty Archdiocese were named 2021 Neumann Scholars. I am proud each of these students for being a shining example of the very best that Catholic education has to offer. This outstanding achievement is a testament to their hard work as well as the dedication of their parents, pastors, teachers, and administrators. All have played an important role in guiding them to success,” said Archbishop Nelson Perez in congratulating the students.

Launched in 1995, the Neumann Scholars Program identifies scholastically gifted eighth grade students through an independently administered competitive examination. scores rather than 7th grade and making the essay requirement optional.

The program’s graduates have enjoyed 100% college acceptance with over $185 million offered in college scholarships, 118 National Merit Finalists, four National Merit Semi-Finalists, 233 National Merit Commended Students, five

National Merit Achievement Students and an average SAT score of 1418 and a high score of 1600 (combined math and critical reading).

“In this time of need for many, the Connelly Foundation is blessed to be able to continue supporting the community through established programs like the Neumann Scholars Program and to devote new additional funding as a direct response to COVID-19’s impact” said Mandeville.

About the Connelly Foundation:

The Connelly Foundation was founded in 1955 by John and Josephine Connelly. John Connelly achieved remarkable business success as president of Connelly Containers and later Crown Cork and Seal, both manufacturing companies based in Philadelphia. He and his wife Josephine, strongly motivated by their Catholic faith and their love for the Philadelphia region, dedicated their good fortune to helping others. Over the past 63 years the Connelly Foundation has donated over $400 million to nonprofit organizations in the Philadelphia area focusing on education, human services, and the arts. The Connelly Foundation has always placed a particular emphasis on Catholic education, with thousands of Philadelphia-area students having attended Catholic high schools through the foundation’s Neumann Scholars and Josephine C. Connelly scholarship programs. For more information, please visit www.connellyfdn.org.