Prep Talk

A Brotherhood Forged: Celebrating the Class of 2025

Posted May 25th, 2025

On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the 63rd Commencement Exercises at St. Augustine Preparatory School marked more than the close of high school for our seniors—it recognized a journey supported by many in our community. The 132 young men of the Class of 2025 crossed the stage in the Rodio Gymnasium not simply as graduates, but as Christian Gentlemen. Each diploma represented years of challenges, growth, and transformation—grounded in the Augustinian values of Truth, Unity, and Love.

From the opening procession to the final jubilant tossing of mortarboards, the moving ceremony was filled with tradition and Hermit Pride. Also honored on this special day were the Golden Hermits of the Class of 1975, who returned to receive their Golden Diplomas—a powerful symbol of legacy and the enduring spirit of the Hermit Brotherhood.

The Farewell Address, delivered brilliantly by Olumide Okebiorun ’25, captured the essence of the Prep experience in moving words that were both reflective and inspiring. “We don’t simply leave here with memories—we leave with momentum,” he said. Drawing from the words of St. Augustine, he reminded his classmates that our hearts remain restless until they rest in God—a restlessness that is not about chasing trophies, but about becoming who we are called to be.

“It’s not the moments that last,” Mide shared, “it’s the growth they inspire.” He challenged his classmates to carry that restlessness forward—not as something to ease, but something to embrace. “Let’s answer the call,” he concluded, offering a message that lingered in the hearts of all present.

That calling was echoed throughout the celebration. This class departs with an extraordinary list of achievements—42 NCAA-bound athletes, 12 state titles, and over $57 million in college scholarships and grants. Two outstanding seniors—Jack Gounaris ’25 and Julian Turney ’25—earned appointments to the United States Air Force and Naval Academies, respectively.

Academic excellence was also on full display. Nicholas Sardy ’25 was honored with the Head of School Award, while students across disciplines received medals for excellence in science, language, arts, theology, and more. The Class of 2025 also included five Eagle Scouts and multiple recipients of the Global Seal of Biliteracy.

Among the most meaningful honors were those rooted in brotherhood and character. The Christian Gentleman Award, St. Augustine Prep’s highest individual student distinction, was presented to Glenn Zachary Moore ’25 for his authentic witness to faith, humility, and leadership. The aforementioned Jack Gounaris ’25, a standout in the classroom and on the field, received the Father Vincent Altimare Scholar-Athlete Award for exemplifying academic strength, athletic excellence, and the spirit of Hermit leadership.Brotherhood Awards—presented in honor by Rose Marie Davis H’17 named for her loved ones Vincent Buondonno, Louis and Josephine Buondonno, Robert S. Golding, and former School President, Fr. Donald Reilly, OSA—were presented to Julian Giambuzzi ’25, Alex Clark ’25, Olumide Okebiorun ’25, and Aaron Pulman ’25.

The ceremony also recognized Mrs. Carol Wilkinson, the 2024-25 Vincent P. Martino Educator of the Year and the retirement of longtime faculty member Mr. Ray D’Amico P’15, a beloved figure in the Business Department and a Hermits Hall of Fame rowing coach whose impact spans generations. Mrs. Wilkinson’s genuine and kind demeanor was only surpassed by her ability in the classroom to elevate the mathematic acuity of her students. Coach D’Amico’s will be missed but his legacy will endure in the lives of the students and rowers whose lives he has changed in the 25 years of dedicated service he gave to the Prep.

As Fr. Murray, OSA addressed the graduates before the conferral of diplomas, he spoke of responsibility and purpose: “May your heart and mind be united in faith. May you love wisely, work creatively, laugh heartily, and live honestly.”

It was a reminder that what happens next matters most—not the moment of graduation itself, but the life that follows.

And so, the Class of 2025 leaves not with finality, but with purpose. Their restlessness is not a flaw, but a fire. It is a gift—a divine nudge toward greatness, toward service, toward love.

As Mide Okebiorun implored his classmates and all of us: “The world is waiting. Let’s answer the call.”

View the full transcript of Olumide’s Farewell Address

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Class of 2025 – Honors and Awards

Christian Gentleman Award

• Glenn Zachary Moore

Head of School Award

• Nicholas Sardy

Father Vincent Altimare Scholar-Athlete Award

• Jack Gounaris

Service Academy Appointments

• United States Naval Academy: Julian Turney
• United States Air Force Academy: Jack Gounaris

Outstanding Augustinian Educator Award

• Mrs. Carol Wilkinson

Brotherhood Awards

• Louis & Josephine Buondonno Brotherhood Award: Alex Clark
• Vincent Buondonno Brotherhood Award: Julian Giambuzzi
• Robert S. Golding Brotherhood Award: Olumide Okebiorun
• Fr. Donald Reilly Brotherhood Award: Aaron Pulman
• Paul Buondonno Academic Achievement & Leadership Award: Matthew Bonczek

Academic Excellence Medals

• Science: Nicholas Sardy
• Latin and Mathematics: Spencer Lawson
• Spanish: Madden Fuscellaro
• History: Peter Burns
• Arabic and Theater Arts: Brody Ackerman
• Business Studies: Matthew Bonczek
• Art, English, and Theology: Santino Scaffidi
• Vocal Music: Francis Natale
• Computer Science: Charles Agnew
• Digital Arts: Olumide Okebiorun

Global Seal of Biliteracy – Spanish

Alex Bersani, Gianluca Petrongolo Chavarro, Williams Childs, Marco Christopher, John Cobb, Madden Fuscellaro, Ryan McGrath, Fabio Orozco, Nicholas Sardy, Mateo Schiller

Eagle Scouts

Charles Agnew, Peter Burns, Joshua Gatesman, Nathaniel Kazunas, Santino Scaffidi

Scholarships & Grants

• Peter J. Clancy Memorial Scholarship: Ryan Knight
• Flyers Youth Hockey Club Scholarship: Dean De Palma
• Iron Workers Union 399 Scholarship: John Cobb
• South Jersey Touchdown Club Scholar-Athlete Award: Joseph Tenaglia
• Maple Shade PBA Local 267 Scholarship: Sean Hasson
• Frank J. Keane, Local 169 Scholarship: Vincent Fries
• Correctional Leadership Association Scholarship: Peter Earnest
• Italian American Benevolent Association Scholarship: Philip Brunozzi
• Luigi Tramontana Sr. Memorial Scholarship: Philip Brunozzi
• Sons of Italy Yogi Berra Lodge 3015 Scholarship: Colin Olivo
• 3-Year Army ROTC Scholarship: Colin Olivo
• Italian Cultural Foundation of South Jersey Scholarships: Holden MacNatt, Madden Fuscellaro, Vincent Caimi
• Thumbs Up 4 Kindness Scholarship: Madden Fuscellaro
• Brittany Rodio Foundation Scholarships: Julian Onesti, Cole Polistina
• Dhiraj S. Mody Memorial Scholar Golfer Award: Dominic Polistina
• Mark Spiers Memorial Scholarship: Brody Ackerman
• Rose Alfe Memorial Scholarship: Joshua Gatesman