Commencement
The members of the Class of 2024 were joined by their families, loved ones, administration, faculty and staff as we came together a final time for the end of the school year to celebrate all that these young men and women have accomplished over their four years at Cross.
157 graduates.
1,027 college acceptances.
Over $50,000,000 in academic scholarships.
80% of graduates were college scholarship recipients.
Countless memories.
During the ceremony, the academic accomplishments of the two of our graduates with the highest GPAs were highlighted and celebrated.
Nicholas Forgione graduated as our Salutatorian with a weighted GPA of 104.535. Nicholas came to Holy Cross as a full honors student on an academic scholarship from World Journalism Preparatory School.
He is diligent, hard-working and pursued a rigorous honors program while attending Holy Cross and rose to every challenge with dedication to his academic studies. Nicholas’s academic coursework included AP classes in Biology, English Language and Composition, Environmental Science, Italian Language and Culture, Precalculus, US History, Modern World History, and US Government and Politics.
Due to his success in this AP course work, Nicholas earned recognition as an AP Scholar with Honors. He also participated in our Saint John’s College Advantage program taking college coursework in Writing, British Literature, and Theology. Somewhere in this busy schedule they also managed to participate in our Varsity Volleyball team.
In May, at our Academic Awards Convocation, Nicholas received the New York Community Bank top scholar award, the New York State scholarship for Academic Excellence, and the President’s Education Award.
Nicholas was on the honor roll for every marking period of his academic career and his continuous achievement on the Principal’s list earned him the Green & Gold academic medal. His academic achievement was further recognized by his membership in the National Honor Society, as well as membership into subject specific honor societies including the National English Honor Society, Rho Kappa for Social Studies, Mu Alpha Theta for Mathematics and the Italian Honor Society.
Nicholas was accepted to the City University of New York, as well as Baruch, Brooklyn, City, Hunter, Queens, and Sienna Colleges, Adelphi, Binghamton, Fordham, Hofstra, Molloy, St. John’s, Loyola University in Maryland, and the University of Miami.
This fall Nicholas will be attending the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education in their Doctoral program in Medicine.
While addressing his fellow graduates, Nicholas stated:
“High school has come and gone, and now it is time for all us to venture into the real world. So, to my fellow graduates and everyone who has come here to support us, let us celebrate our accomplishments, cherish the small moments, and look forward to a bright future. Thank you for the countless memories and the many shared laughs.”
Nicholas Forgione ’24, Salutatorian
Isabella Tamayo ’24 graduated as our Valedictorian with a weighted GPA of 104.868, the highest in her class.
Isabella attended Holy Cross on an academic scholarship from the Immaculate
Conception Catholic Academy.
Just like our Salutatorian, she was dedicated to academic achievement in our rigorous honors program. She conquered challenges presented each year in AP coursework in Biology, Environmental Science, Statistics, US History, Modern World History, and US Government and Politics.
Due to her success in this AP course work she earned recognition as an AP Scholar with Honors. Isabella excelled in our St. John’s University courses in Writing, British Literature, and Theology.
In May, at our Academic Awards Convocation, she received the New York Community Bank top scholar award, the New York State scholarship for Academic Excellence, and the President’s Education Award.
Since she was on the honor roll for every marking period of her academic career, she was one of the select group of seniors awarded a Green & Gold academic medal. Isabella was a member of the National Honor Society as well as our subject specific honor societies including the National English Honor Society, Rho Kappa for Social Studies, and Mu Alpha Theta for Mathematics.
Isabella has been accepted to Suny Brockport, Suny Oswego, Adelphi, Daemen, Dominican, Nazareth, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart, and the University at Hartford. This fall she will be attending D’youville on academic scholarship, in their Doctoral program in Physical Therapy.
During her speech at commencement, Isabella said:
“To the teachers who put their all into igniting their students’ passion, keep inspiring. To the staff who always have a smile on their faces, keep bringing joy to those around you. To the families here today, continue supporting your children as they pave their futures. Finally, to my fellow knights, keep dreaming, and working towards those dreams..”
Isabella Tamayo ’24, Valedictorian
The Saint Brother André Medal is named for the only saint among the Congregation of Holy Cross, Brother André Bessette. It is presented to individuals who have exemplified humility and service and who have made, over many years, an enduring contribution to the mission of Holy Cross High School, Flushing to make God known, loved and served.
During our commencement ceremony, our President, Mr. Mark Mongelluzzo ’92 presented Mr. Stanley Aufieri, the head of our Physical Education Department, with the St. Brother André Medal in recognition of 50 years of service at Holy Cross High School.
Dr. Weedens Blanchard (left) and Mr. Mark Mongelluzzo (right), celebrating Mr. Stan Aufieri receiving the Saint Brother André Medal.
When addressing the Class of 2024, Mr. Mongelluzzo stated:
“As you embark upon this next chapter in your lives, I encourage you to be bold and live lives of purpose. To cherish every day, to challenge yourselves, to strive to leave this world a better place.”
After the ceremony had ended, Mr. Mongelluzzo shared that:
“The 2024 Holy Cross Commencement was a truly wonderful event. It is in many ways the moment we have all been waiting for all year and serves as a great reminder of why we do what we do. We are confident that these young men and women of Holy Cross really will bring hope to the world … It was great to be at St. John’s University this year, an institution with whom Holy Cross shares its Catholic mission and dedication to service. I was personally honored to be able to present Mr. Stanley Aufieri with the Saint Brother André Medal for his half century of dedication to the mission of Holy Cross. It was a very special moment for me, for our faculty and for our Holy Cross family.”
Commencement Photo Gallery
