Prep Talk
A Legacy of Brotherhood: St. Augustine Prep Celebrates the Class of 2024
Posted May 30th, 2024
“Four years ago, our journey through St. Augustine Preparatory School began with the lighting of a Paschal candle, which represents the light of Christ coming into the world, dispelling the surrounding darkness, marking our new beginning with God, and growing into men with Augustinian values.” These poignant words from Matteo Barberio’s welcome address kicked off the Baccalaureate Mass for the Class of 2024 and encapsulated the essence of the journey undertaken by Matteo and his classmates.
In the same building where this year’s seniors were officially welcomed into the Brotherhood just four years ago, the school community gathered again in the Rodio Gym to celebrate their graduation from St. Augustine Prep. The Very Rev. Robert P. Hagan, O.S.A., J.D., Prior Provincial of the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova presided over the event. His presence alongside the Prep’s Augustinian Friars helped emphasize the school’s Augustinian values of Truth, Unity, and Love. These values, exuded by every one of this year’s proud graduates, were integral to the school’s continuing mission to build the character of Christian Gentlemen who “enter as boys to learn and leave as men to serve.”
The ceremony began with a heartfelt welcome by Mr. Brendan Towell, Director of Engagement, who set the tone for the day’s festivities. The processional was led by Mr. John Huscher ’85 P’18, Dean of Student Leadership and Development, followed by the Golden Hermits from the Class of 1974, the Prep faculty, the Board of Directors, and once again, our proud Augustinians.
Noah Plenn (Hermits Lacrosse & Basketball) receives the Father Vincent Altomare Scholar-Athlete Award.
The presence of the Golden Hermits from the Class of 1974, celebrating the 50th anniversary of their graduation from the Prep, was a powerful display of continuity and tradition. Eighteen members from this distinguished class were present to receive their golden diplomas. Their presence and leadership as alumni provided a tangible link to the rich history and enduring values of St. Augustine Prep. Their stewardship of the current senior class throughout the year served as inspiration and a guiding force as the Class of 2024 enters the next phase of their time as Hermits. These proud alumni have laid the foundation for the Brotherhood that the Class of 2024 now joins, showing them and the school community in its entirety, the true lifelong bond that is formed at the Prep.
Following the Baccalaureate Mass, Mrs. Caroline Chapman P’15 ’18, Division Head for Humanities, announced the numerous awards and scholarships earned by this year’s graduates. These accolades recognized academic excellence, athletic achievements, and commitment to service. Most notably, the Head of School Award was presented to Luke Grippo (view award presentation) for his exceptional academic performance over the course of his four years at the Prep. Nicholas Scaffidi (view award presentation) received the prestigious Christian Gentleman Award, an annual award presented to the graduating senior who exemplifies the values of Veritas, Unitas, and Caritas. Outstanding Scholar-Athlete, Noah Plenn (view award presentation) was the 2024 recipient of the Father Vincent Altomare Scholar-Athlete Award, recognizing his exemplary leadership on the field and off and his academic excellence in the classroom. Finally, in celebration of our talented and passionate faculty, the Vincent P. Martino Augustinian Educator of the Year Award was awarded to Michael Boody (view award presentation) for his outstanding dedication to his profession and genuine dedication to the success, development and well-being of the entire Hermit Brotherhood.
The following students were honored with medallions for Academic Excellence in their respective disciplines:
- Excellence in Science: Anthony Santora
- Excellence in Latin: Brandon Chick
- Excellence in Mathematics: Matteo Barberio
- Excellence in Spanish: Matthew Flanigan
- Excellence in History: John Matusiak
- Excellence in Arabic: Santino Casale
- Excellence in Business Studies: Alexander D’Ilario
- Excellence in Art: Nicholas Scaffidi
- Excellence in Instrumental Music: Connor Bogan
- Excellence in Theater Arts: Lorenzo Lopes
- Excellence in Vocal Music: Warren Garland
- Excellence in Computer Science: Aaron Meslin
- Excellence in Digital Arts: Ezequiel Ramirez
- Excellence in English and Theology: Luke Grippo
The Global Seal of Biliteracy for proficiency in Spanish was awarded to:
- Robert Brooks
- Salvatore Coppola
- Matthew Flanigan
- Luke Huber
- Augustine Pescatore
- Nicholas Ramirez-Rodriguez
- Jude Vellaringattu
The Global Seal of Biliteracy for proficiency in Latin was awarded to:
- Brandon Chick
- Danny Cortes
- Evan Mazur
Other distinguished awards included the Mary Ann Coyle Scholarship (Connor Bogan), the Brittany Rodio Foundation Scholarship (Peter Tampellini/Jalen Matthews), the Dhiraj S. Mody Memorial Scholar Golfer Award (Ryan Small), the Mark Spiers Memorial Scholarship (Jackson Maslanik), the Louis and Josephine Buondonno Brotherhood Award (Eddie Vincent), the Vincent Buondonno Brotherhood Award (Max Watson), the Fr. Donald Reilly Brotherhood Award (Luke Huber), the Paul Buondonno Academic Achievement and Leadership Award (Nazzareno Rudi), the Rose Alfe Memorial Scholarship (Matteo Barberio), and the TJ Hunt ’18 Memorial College Scholarship (Finn Gallagher)
Jude Vellaringattu delivers the farewell address at this year’s Commencement Ceremony
This year’s Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Ceremony were a testament to the graduates’ hard work, dedication, and the strong foundation laid by the school. The Class of 2024 excelled in the areas of academics, athletics, and service, but most impressively they embraced the true spirit of the St. Augustine Prep Brotherhood and the Augustinian values that are found at the core of every Hermit Brother.
As Jude Vellaringattu stated so passionately and eloquently in his farewell address, “We are not just graduates of St. Augustine Preparatory School; we are ambassadors of St. Augustine and its legacy. As we move toward the future, we can expand our mission and its values beyond Richland, and the world will never be the same.”
As our graduates moved their tassels from right to left, the Class of 2024 stood as men ready to serve. At that moment, they were not just students graduating but officially Christian Gentlemen, shaped by the light of Christ and the spirit of St. Augustine, ready to change the world.
With restless hearts full of gratitude and eyes set on a bright future, the Class of 2024 leaves St. Augustine Prep not just as individuals but as brothers united by a legacy of truth, unity, and love.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024! May God continue to bless you on your journey, guiding you to live out the mission of St. Augustine Prep in all you do!
Photos, Videos, and more from Commencement 2024
Photo Gallery
Commencement Highlight Video
Full Ceremony
Commencement Booklet