Sacred Heart Academy Juniors Presented with University Awards

At Honors Convocation of 2015, Sacred Heart Academy recognized the following outstanding juniors with College and University Awards based on the criteria of each college/university:

The College of the Holy Cross Book Award was presented to Kristen Austin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Austin, of Northford. This award is presented to a junior who has consistently demonstrated high academic achievement in a competitive class level and is an active participant in her school community.

The Fairfield University Book Award was presented to Sarah Jacobson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Jacobson, Jr., of Wallingford. This award is presented to a junior who excels academically, is actively involved in the spirit of her school and possesses a genuine sense of concern and responsibility toward others.

The Gettysburg College Book Award was presented to Emily Wielk, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wielk, of West Haven. This award is presented to a junior who has distinguished herself in a very competitive program in American History and is an overall high achieving student.

The Harvard University Book Award was presented to Carmen Clarkin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Craig Clarkin, of Ivoryton. This award is presented to a junior who excels in academics at the most competitive level and enjoys academic challenge while developing a commitment of service to others.

The Mount Holyoke College Book Award was presented to Victoria D’Agostino, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Vincent D’Agostino, of Hamden. This award is presented to an outstanding junior in very rigorous courses who has shown service to her school and community volunteerism.

The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rensselaer Medal was presented to Mitali Banerjee, daughter of Drs. Tapas Bandyopadhyay and Sibani Sengupta, of Farmington. Awarded by the science department, this medal is presented to a junior who has exemplary academic achievement and is motivated toward a career in science, engineering and/or technology

The Regis College Book Award was presented to Francesca Rallo, daughter of Mr. Christopher Rallo and Ms. Jessica Kott, of Hamden. This award is presented to a junior who has demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills, displayed outstanding academic promise and exhibited strong leadership qualities.

The University of Rochester Xerox Innovator Award was presented to Helena Bui, daughter of Mr. John Bui and Mrs. Huong Quach, of Branford. Awarded jointly by the Science, Computer and Math faculty, this award is presented to a junior who shows high motivation in innovation and information technology.

The University of Rochester Eastman Young Leader Award was presented to Jamie Robinson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Robinson, of Cheshire. This award is presented to a junior who exhibits strong leadership at school and in her community with the potential to continue these leadership qualities throughout her life.

The University of Rochester Humanities Award was presented to Jacqueline O’Brien, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin O’Brien, Sr., of Guilford. This award is given to that junior who, in the opinion of the faculty in the English department, has shown outstanding and consistent high achievement in the humanities.

The University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Medal was presented to Jennifer Piciw, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.Nicholas Piciw, of Shelton. This award is presented to that junior, who in the opinion of the science department, has an outstanding overall academic record in science.

The Saint Anselm College Book Award was presented to Samantha Kennedy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Kennedy, of Wallingford. This award is presented to a junior who has earned high academic grades in a very competitive curriculum, has an awareness of social responsibility and possesses strong character.

The Saint Michael’s College Book Award was presented to Gabiella Izzo, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Izzo, Jr., of Ansonia. This award recognizes an outstanding junior in academics, a member of National Honor Society and a leader who demonstrates a sustained commitment to school and community activities.

The Smith College Book Award was presented to Marissa Mantovani, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mantovani, Jr., of North Haven. This award is presented to a high achieving junior who shows a serious commitment to academics and service to others.

The Trinity College Book Award was presented to Isobel Munday, daughter of Mr. Richard Munday and Ms. Rosemary Jones, of New Haven. This award recognizes a junior who has displayed outstanding academic achievement and strong potential for competitive college work.

The Villanova University Book Award was presented to Kaitlin Nealon, daughter of Atty. and Mrs. James Nealon, of Trumbull. This award is presented to a junior who has demonstrated academic excellence in a challenging curriculum, a commitment to serving and embodies a sense of school and community spirit.

The Wellesley College Book Award was presented to Francesca Guarnieri, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Guarnieri, of Cheshire. This award is presented to a junior in high academic standing in a very rigorous course curriculum who shows outstanding potential for college.

The Yale University Book Award was presented to Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Drs. Brian and Keiren Smith, of Madison. This award is presented to a junior who exhibits a very high academic standing in a very challenging curriculum and has outstanding personal character and integrity and will be a serious candidate for a most competitive college. (The book will be presented in a ceremony at Yale in October.)

Sacred Heart Academy, a Catholic independent preparatory school founded in 1946 by the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, successfully prepares young women in grades 9 through 12 for learning, service and achievement in a global society. There are currently 500 students enrolled hailing from New Haven, Fairfield, Hartford, Middlesex and New London counties.