Summum Bonum Spring 2021 Newsletter
Volume 2, Number 3, June 2021
Hill High School (HS) Class of 2021 Graduation Liturgy and Commencement Exercise
The Hill High School Class of 2021 was 141 in size, the largest in school’s history. Their accomplishments are numerous, including amassing $59.2 million in academic scholarships and receiving 213 unique college and university acceptances. We recognized the 2021 Valedictorian, Thea Akhrass, and Salutatorian, Michelle Chen (pictured above). The Alumna Commencement Address was delivered by Ms. Jeanine R. Khoury, '78. We encourage you to read more about the resilient Hill Class of 2021.
The Class of 2021 was also the first to leave a Class Gift to their alma mater, following the launch of a Hill Senior Legacy Challenge.
The Graduation Awards Ceremony provided a number of inspirational and emotional moments including remembering a revered faculty member, Ms. Kathleen Nolan, and cherished alumna, Diane Patisso.
Hill Elementary School (ES) 8th Grade Class of 2021 Graduation and Happy Retirement to Mr. Acanfora!
The St. Joseph Hill Academy Elementary School 8th Grade Graduation took place on the morning of Friday June 11, 2021 outdoors on Hill’s campus. Sixty-five graduates processed up the Hill from the Golden Doors through an audience of their immediate family members and SJHA faculty, staff, and administration. The Class of 2021 are now off to an array of renowned high schools and, impressively, received $1,550,000 in academic scholarships. Read more about the SJHA 8th Grade Graduation here.
The SJHA ES community also says a bittersweet farewell to Mr. Matthew Acanfora, Dean of Students, upon his retirement at the end of June. He has been a beloved member of SJHA ES since 2012.
The 1919 Society News: Named Scholarship Opportunities!
St. Joseph Hill Academy High School receives philanthropic support from members of our alumni interested in “giving back” to their alma mater. Several alums have established “named” scholarships in response to a crucial need for financial support that our students are experiencing. You can read more about our first 1919 Society Forum held virtually in April focused on the impact of establishing a named scholarship at St. Joseph Hill Academy.
THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS DONORS WE EXCEEDED OUR GOAL!
During the 2020-2021 Academic Year, St. Joseph Hill Academy launched The 1919 Society, a giving society designed to recognize the commitment of our distinguished, leadership-level annual donors. Membership allows our donors to play an important role in the financial well-being of St. Joseph Hill Academy and to make a powerful statement about their commitment to our mission of providing an affordable, high-quality, Catholic education to our students.
Membership in The 1919 Society places donors among a group of benefactors committed to the sustained, annual support of St. Joseph Hill Academy. We are pleased to say that we have exceeded our original goal of welcoming 100 Founding Members to The 1919 Society with a total of 117 members.
Hill High School Chapel Renovation Nears Completion
As the St. Joseph Hill Academy school chapel nears completion, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the generous donors who supported this project. As the St. Joseph Hill Academy school chapel nears completion, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the generous donors who supported this project. Since announcing the renovation, we have received an outpouring of generosity from our Hill Family. Please read here to learn more about the newly renovated chapel and how our donors honored their loved ones. We look forward to a Chapel Dedication Ceremony in early October.
Sr. M. William McGovern, FDC, Scholarship Announced
St. Joseph Hill Academy High School is thrilled to announce The Sister M. William McGovern, FDC Scholarship Fund, which honors the commitment and dedication of Sr. M. William McGovern, a dedicated educator who has served St. Joseph Hill Academy for decades. With the approval and support of the Daughters of Divine Charity, we thank Mr. Peter Schutz for his generosity and loyalty and for providing the funds to establish this scholarship. The first recipient will be selected from the incoming Class of 2026.
St. Joseph Hill Academy Elementary School is Where Tradition Meets Innovation. Watch and share our video here!
Read the latest edition of St. Joseph Hill Academy High School's student-led newspaper The Summit!
At Hill this Summer!
There are a number of athletic opportunities taking place at Hill this Summer open to students from all schools. Please note that age, gender, times, and locations vary for each camp!
- Track & Field Camp July 5-9
- Soccer Camp July 12-16
- Basketball Camp July 19-23
- Cheerleading Camp July 26-30
- Lacrosse Clinic Wednesday afternoons July 7 - August 25
- Volleyball Clinic August 2-5
- Volleyball Camp August 9-11
ICYMI: Hill Happenings
SJHA Golf Outing benefitting HS and ES Athletic Programs took place on June 18th at Silver Lake Golf Course. Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the fantastic event!
SJHA Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, and Kindergarten held Graduation Ceremonies the week of June 14th. Congratulations to our youngest graduates!
Over 100 people received their Covid-19 vaccination at Hill's Covid-19 Vaccine Pop Up with Super Health Pharmacy.
HS students took part in Color Wars and The Green Fashion Show. The Performing Arts and Visual Arts Showcase featured the Drama Club's performance of "The Audition" written by Emily DeChristine, '21 and performances by Dance Team and Fine Arts Club.
The ES held a virtual Open House in May where prospective families could join breakout rooms to hear directly from teachers across each grade.
HS students received Project Hospitality's Sophie Matthew's Memorial Award for providing 600 sandwiches per week to Project Hospitality outreach centers since April 2020.
The ES was featured in a local broadcast news report for our use of a special program, Kognito, that focuses on real-life conversations to help improve social, emotional, and physical health.
ES 2nd and 8th grade students and HS seniors crowned Mary this May in two ceremonies.
The HS earned the 2020 College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award.
Contact the Development and Alumni Office if you are interested in learning more:
Dr. Elizabeth Basile, Director of Development, [email protected]
Ms. Lindsey A. Minkoff, Director of Marketing, [email protected]
Please register for the ES Alumni Directory and/or HS Alumnae Directory if you have not already done so. If you have any had any recent contact information updates or career stories you would like to share with us you can submit them there too.