Senior Spotlights

Ashley Altoro ’23

Ashley attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Academy but graduated from St. Gregory the Great Catholic Academy after Our Lady of Lourdes did not reopen. Ashley initially planned on attending a public high school, but after learning more about the sense of community and people at Holy Cross in her admissions interview, she said she knew Holy Cross would be a good fit for her.

Ashley joined our Varsity Cheer team as a freshman and was Captain her senior year. Through her hard work and dedication, Ashley became an Honors student and took several college-credit courses at Holy Cross, including College English, College Spanish, and AP Studio Art. At this year’s Academic Award Ceremony, she was the recipient of the John Borman Memorial Art Award.

Ashley shared that her favorite memory was volunteering with the Cheer team at our annual Breakfast with Santa which we host for children in our local community. Ashley also shared that during her time at Cross, she credits her freshman Biology teacher, Mr. Kani, with always pushing her to be the best student that she could be and helping her reach her full academic potential.

Ashley will be attending the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) with a declared major in Fashion Business Management.Waheed Asgar ’23

Waheed joined us from Highland Elementary School and was able to pursue his interests in chess, robotics, and technology here at Holy Cross. Waheed is a practicing Muslim, and he shared that while Holy Cross is a Catholic school, he felt incredibly welcomed by all. Waheed was a member of several clubs and student organizations including the National Honors Society and was a founding member of our new medical club.

Waheed shared that his favorite memory from his time at Holy Cross was the first Mock Trial club’s visit to the courthouse. He recalled the rush of adrenaline being in the courtroom, watching the judge enter the room, and hearing the opening arguments from both lawyers.

Waheed shared the impact that Ms. Burchik, a member of our Theology Department and his first homeroom teacher, had on making him feel welcome and adjust to high school during his first year.

Waheed graduated Magna Cum Laude and will be attending Hofstra University on scholarship with a declared double major in Computer Science and Biology.Camilo Balbin ’23

Camilo is a graduate of the Renaissance Charter School in Jackson Heights. Camilo was a member of our basketball team as well as several co-curricular activities, including the National Honor Society and the Outdoor Adventure and Ping Pong clubs.

He credits his involvement in these activities with helping him foster and create many of the friendships made here over the last four years.

Camilo’s favorite memory of his time here at Holy Cross is when his team won the Senior Night game with a buzzer-beating basket. At this year’s Academic Award Ceremony, Camilo was the recipient of the Michael J. Pergolizzi Memorial Scholarship.

He shared how Mr. Lyons, our Theology Chairperson, was his favorite teacher and how he would arrive early every day to speak with Mr. Lyons before homeroom.

Camilo graduated Summa Cum Laude and will be attending Baruch College with a declared major in Real Estate.Jalen Berry-Atkins ’23

Jalen joined Holy Cross from Holy Name of Mary. He cites his experience at our Fall Open House and the energy in the building that first had him thinking that this school might be the one for him.

Jalen credits his teachers for educating him that academic success can be a journey, and he fondly recalls how making First Honors during his freshman year granted him the confidence to continue to pursue a higher level of academic success than he had in the past. Looking back, Jalen shared with us the role Mr. Rampulla, our Director of Campus Ministry, had in helping shape his faith and relationship with God over the past four years.

Jalen graduated Magna Cum Laude and will be attending Belmont Abbey College on scholarship with a declared major in Sports Management.

Britzy Caldas ’23

Britzy was a transfer student that joined us from St. Agnes Academic High School. Britzy shared that the transition from her former school to Cross could not have been smoother and that she has always had an interest in the medical field and becoming a doctor.

During her time at Holy Cross, Britzy took several honors and college-credit courses including AP Government & Politics, AP English & Composition, AP US History and College English.

Britzy shared that one of her favorite teachers was Ms. Carine, a member of our Art Department, and how important it was for her to encourage her students to explore their creativity while making the coursework fun. When asked if she had a favorite memory, Britzy said that “…I have so many favorite memories here – it’s hard to pick just one!”

Britzy graduated Summa Cum Laude and will be attending Molloy University on scholarship with a declared major in Biology.Jaylen Clarke ’23

Jaylen attended St. Gregory the Great Catholic Academy before coming to Holy Cross. Jaylen shared that he has made many friends here during the past four years.

Jaylen was a member of our basketball team and was a point guard on our Varsity B team during his junior and senior years. Jaylen shared that one of his favorite memories was beating St. Francis Prep, both away and at home during his freshmen year.

Out of all of his teachers, Jaylen credits Mr. Lyons with having the largest impact on his life during his time here at Holy Cross.

Jaylen will be attending Morgan State University on scholarship with a declared major in Construction Management.Sean Devlin ’23

Sean came to Holy Cross from Divine Wisdom Catholic Academy and is a pilot at just 17! Sean was a member of the National Honor Society and our Varsity Ice Hockey team and was this year’s captain. Sean was enrolled in several Honors and college-credit courses, including College Theology, College French, College English, AP Government & Politics, AP US History and AP English Composition.

Sean shared that one of his most cherished memories from his time at Cross was the Varsity Hockey team’s play-off push during his freshmen year. He credits Mr. Palmer, his French teacher, for helping him become fluent in French and for instilling the desire to visit France and study abroad after high school.

Sean graduated Magna Cum Laude and will be attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on scholarship with a declared major in Aeronautical Science.Jenny Drakoulias ’23

Jenny came from IS 25 before attending Holy Cross, and has a passion for theatre, soccer and cheer which she had the opportunity to continue to pursue here at Cross.

Jenny was a member of the National Honor Society as well as our Fashion Club, Varsity Cheer, and Varsity Soccer teams. Jenny was also an active member of our Theatre program. Jenny was a part of our stage crew in our school musical and played Defense Attorney Stevens in our production of Ayn Rand’s Night of January 16th.

Jenny credits her time in Mr. Rampulla’s class as being able to become more comfortable with her faith and becoming comfortable with the concept that everything does not need to be “set in stone”.

Jenny shared that one of her favorite memories was taking her final bows in the last theatre production she had a chance to be a part of her senior year. Jenny shared that she values the relationships she had with Mr. Adams, our Director of Service Learning, and Mr. Kani during her time here at Holy Cross.

Jenny graduated Summa Cum Laude and will be attending SUNY Oneonta on scholarship with a declared major in Media Studies with a concentration in Film.Julia Farley ’23

Julia attended MS 172 before coming to Holy Cross, which was her first experience with a Catholic school. Julia credits her time at Cross with the experience she had making new friends. Julia continued her family legacy this June, as she joined her father Patrick Farley ’87 as an alumn of Holy Cross.

Julia was a member of our National Honor Society, as well as our Varsity Cheer team and the Fashion Club while working two jobs outside of school.

Julia shared that our annual faculty vs student Christmas Classic will always be one of her favorite memories from Holy Cross. Looking back, she shared that Mrs. Kenny, our Science Department chairperson, always made Biology class fun and interesting.

Julia graduated Summa Cum Laude and will be attending SUNY Cortland with a declared major in Early Childhood Education.Kaitlyn Farran ’23

Kaitlyn came from Notre Dame Catholic Academy in Ridgewood before coming to Holy Cross.

Kaitlyn was a member of the National Honors Society, Quiz Bowl, Mock Trial Club as well as our Varsity Cheer and Soccer teams. Kaitlyn took several Honors and college-credit courses including College Theology, College English, AP Macroeconomics, College Spanish, AP Statistics, AP English Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP US History and AP World History. At this year’s Academic Awards Night, Kaitlyn was a New York Community Bank Award recipient.

Kaitlyn shared that one of her favorite memories was the first game won by the Varsity Soccer team and celebrating with her teammates and seeing the game ball become part of school history and placed on display outside the gymnasium.

Kaitlyn graduated Summa Cum Laude and will attend St. John’s University on scholarship with a declared major in Accounting.Liam Fleming ’23

Liam joined us from Holy Family Catholic Academy. Liam has always had an interest in pursuing studies in history. He shared that he chose Holy Cross as he was interested in continuing his education at another catholic institution after middle school.

Liam was a member of our Book, Chess, Asian Culture and Gaming Clubs. He shared that his favorite memories were all the field trips that he had the opportunity to participate in due to the electives he took and his involvement in so many co-curricular activities.

Liam reflected that Mr. Vallar, a member of our Social Studies Department, really impacted his continuing interest in history and challenged him in a way that he really hadn’t experienced before coming to Holy Cross. Liam stated that “…his classes are really difficult, but they are also very rewarding…It’s just fun being in his class. He’s a great person to be around…”

Liam graduated Cum Laude and will be attending the University of Rhode Island on scholarship with a declared major in International Relations.Nicholas Frederick ’23

Nicholas joined us from the Berkley International School in Thailand which he cited as exposing him to so many different cultures at a young age. He has a passion for aviation and will be pursuing a career as a pilot. Nicholas was a member of our Varsity Football team, Varsity B Basketball team, as well as a member of our Golf team.

Looking back, Nicholas stated that he has grown academically each year as a student here at Holy Cross. One of his memories was from a playoff Varsity Football game his junior year when he scored a touchdown on a pick 6.

Mr. Arens was the first Theology teacher Nicholas ever had, and had a significant impact on him as a result of all the life discussions had in class.

Nicholas will be attending Hampton University with a declared major in Aviation.Alexandra Lynch ’23

Alexandra attended IS 25 before coming to Holy Cross. Alexandra was Secretary for the National Honor Society, a member of our Varsity Cheer team, our school newspaper The Lance, Quiz Bowl, Art Club, and an active member of our Theatre program and Drama Club.

One of her favorite memories was volunteering to help welcome new students at Freshmen Orientation and volunteering at the school Book Store with Mr. Adams. During her time at Holy Cross, Alexandra took several Honors and college-credit courses, including AP English Literature, College French, AP Macroeconomics, AP US History, AP US History, and AP World History.

Alexandra credits her French teacher Mr. Palmer with teaching her about being passionate about what to pursue in her life. She also shared that Mrs. Doepfner, her AP English Literature teacher, prepared her for college and helped her to become a better writer.

Alexandra graduated Summa Cum Laude and will attend New York University with a declared major in English and Musical Theatre.Alexandria Marchesini ’23

Alexandria joined Holy Cross from St. Raymond’s in East Rockaway. Alexandria was a member of the Varsity Cheer and Varsity Volleyball teams as well as a member of the National Honor Society.

During her time at Holy Cross, Alexandria took several Honors and college-credit courses including College Italian, College English, AP Government & Politics, AP US History, and AP Environmental Science. She joins her father Thomas Marchesini ’86 and uncles Frank Marchesini ’89 and William Marchesini ’89 as proud Holy Cross alumni.

Looking back over the year, one of Alexandria’s favorite memories was being surrounded by friends and family at our Varsity Volleyball Senior Night. She shared the impact that Mrs. Nitti, her Italian teacher had on her, and that she always knew that she could talk to her about anything.

Alexandria graduated Magna Cum Laude and will be attending Seton Hall University on scholarship with a declared major in Nursing.Celeste Marrero ’23

Celeste joined us from Sacred Heart Catholic Academy in Bayside.

She was a Senior Class President and a member of the National Honor Society, as well as our Varsity Softball and Cross Country teams, and the World Languages and Fashion Clubs. Celeste took several Honors and college-credit courses including College English, College Spanish, AP Macroeconomics, AP US History and AP English Composition.

Celeste’s favorite memory was making empanadas with Ms. Diez in the World Languages Club and inviting everyone to help in the kitchen, even if they weren’t part of the club. For Celeste, her favorite teacher was Ms. Diez because she didn’t just teach but always made her feel cared for and valued.

Celeste graduated Magna Cum Laude and will attend Middlebury College on scholarship with a declared dual major in Spanish and Political Science.