Student of the Week Archive 2006-2007

May 21 - 25: Michael Geraghty '08

Junior Michael Geraghty, of Wynnewood and St. Coleman’s Parish, was named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending May 25.

Geraghty distinguished himself this year by organizing a student and parent service trip to Inglis House. This summer he and 15 of his classmates will accompany Fr. Bruce Maivelett to the Dominican Republic for a service trip. Michael is a valuable member of the stage Crew in our Cape and Sword society and was one of the final four finalists for Super Pong 2007.

Geraghty has risen fast in the ranks of stage crew. He was voted master carpenter for his first show, “Mister Roberts,” and was selected for Run Crew for both Mister Roberts and H2$. Next year, he will lead the crew as Technical Director for both shows.

Michael also excels in the classroom maintaining a 3.72 GPA here at the Prep.

May 7 - 11: Robert Jones '08

Junior Robert Jones has been named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending May 11.

Jones, a resident of Philadelphia, has a dedicated member of the tennis team for the past three years and won the deciding match in an exciting comeback victory against Cardinal O'Hara. Rob is also the founder of the Classic American Film Society.

Academically, Jones is one of the top students in his class maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA with an extremely challenging schedule which includes mostly honors and AP courses. He was a top student in AP U.S. History; during the entire year, he only had one test (including quizzes) that was not a perfect score. He also won the Gold Medal in the National Myth exam – the first in school history.

On top of this, Rob is one of the nicest and most respectful students at the Prep. He is also very humble and an all-around good guy.

April 30 - May 4: Stephen Bruno '09

Sophomore Stephen Bruno has been named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending May 4.

Bruno has been a consistently strong performer in the classroom, and over the past few months, he has grown into a more active participant in class discussion, willingly sharing insights and asking smart questions. In spite of his academic success and athletic prowess, Stephen carries himself with humility and self-effacement, refusing to grow over-confident or complacent. In this way, he has become an outstanding example for his peers.

As the starting shortstop and number three hitter in the lineup for the baseball team, Bruno leads the Prep with a .552 batting average, 32 hits, seven doubles, three home runs, and 22 RBIs in 18 games.

April 16 - 20: Akeem Bolden '07

Senior Akeem Bolden has been named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending April 27.

Bolden, a resident of Philadelphia, wrote a story on Gesu School basketball coach Sean Deal for a special section of the Saturday, March 31 issue of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Bolden was part of the Acel Moore Career Development Workshop, an annual project sponsored by The Philadelphia Inquirer that seeks to introduce minority students to the field of journalism.

April 16 - 20: Michael Liciardello '08

Junior Michael Liciardello has been named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending April 20.

Liciardello, a member of St. Joseph’s Parish in Aston, has truly distinguished himself by his accomplishments in the classroom (where he holds a 3.85 grade point average) and his contributions on the soccer field. Michael’s actions and attitude clearly reflect the values of The Prep – whether it is in his generosity as a National Honor Society tutor or his quiet leadership at school each day.

April 11 - 13: Maxwell Coar '10

Freshman Maxwell Coar, a resident of Pennsauken, NJ, and St. Stephen’s Parish, has been named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending April 13.

Coar is an Ignatian Scholar with a 4.0 grade point average. Outside of school Max is involved at his church as a lector, as a member of the Arts and Environment Club, and plays the bass in the Youth Band. He was also a reader for the church’s presentation of Gothic Stations of the Cross.

In addition, Coar is one of the best young rugby players at The Prep and is leading the whole entire team in kicking having converted 14 of 17 attempts so far this season.

March 26 - 30: Anthony Rossano '07

Senior Anthony Rossano has been named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending March 30.

Anthony has been very involved in the Community Service Corps during his time at The Prep; as one of this year’s officers, Anthony is responsible for organizing and running Operation Incentive, the weekly tutoring program with Gesu students. He was also instrumental in the successful Thanksgiving food drive, Operation Santa Claus and the Prep-Gesu sleepover.

Anthony is an excellent student and a member of the National Honor Society. Last week, he was recognized by the Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program for his commitment to service.

March 12 - 16: Matthew Mulhern '09

Sophomore Matthew Mulhern, a member of St. Helena’s Parish in Blue Bell, has been named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending March 16.

Mulhern is dedicated member of the swim team who swam personal bests in both of his events at Philadelphia Catholic League Championship meet. After dropping over nine seconds in the 200 Free, Matt broke a minute in the 100 Fly to make the Finals for the first time, as a sophomore.

Mulhern is also a very generous student. Without any prompting he volunteered to act as a lifeguard for the crew team's make-up swim test last week.

March 5 - 9: Jeff Battipaglia '07

Senior Jeff Battipaglia has been named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending March 9. Battipaglia is an all-around quality individual who successfully balances academic, athletic and service, excelling in all three. He is a leader in every sense of the word, in the classroom, on the offensive line and now as rector of Kairos 95. Over Spring Break, Jeff will travel to Rural Retreat, Virginia to take part in a service trip with his football teammates. Jeff has accepted an appointment to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis next fall.

February 27 - March 2: Michael Farren '08

Junior Michael Farren has been named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending March 2. Farren, brother of Prep teacher Mr. Tom Farren, scored three times during the rugby team’s trip to Florida, leading them undefeated including a win over Florida’s state champion. Farren is the team captain, leading the team in scoring (five goals in five tries). In the classroom, Farren is sporting a 3.85 GPA and taking two AP classes.

February 20 - 23: Matthew Dykan '09

Sophomore Matthew P. Dykan has been named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending February 23.

Dykan excels in the classroom and is a member of the Prep football program. He is an outstanding writer, an eloquent speaker, and an insightful thinker. He willingly volunteers ideas in class discussion, and invests extra effort to deepen his understanding of the material at hand. On top of that, he has a great sense of humor, keeping class light without ever being disruptive.

Matt also holds the distinction of being the first sophomore to win student of the week honors this school year.

February 12 - 16: Sean Sasso '07

Senior Sean Sasso has been named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending February 16.

Sasso was recently awarded the rank of Eagle Scout by the Boy Scouts of America. Sean has been active in scouting since first grade and for his Eagle project he coordinated the fundraising, purchase, assembly and installation of seven commemorative park benches on the site of the original altar of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Ambler, which had been destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve 2000. Sean is also the recipient of a Navy ROTC / Marine Corps scholarship and will be attending the University of Notre Dame this fall.

Sean maintains a 3.92 GPA through three and a half years here at The Prep. In addition to his time spent as an Eagle Scout he is also a valuable member of our crew team.

February 5 - 9: Thomas McCabe '07

Senior Thomas McCabe has been named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending February 9. McCabe had a particularly good weekend to end the wrestling season. A team captain, he finished third in the Archmere tournament with four pins. McCabe has also been accepted to the Catholic University of America, Drexel, and St. Francis' 3/2 program for engineering.

January 29 - February 2: Matthew Griffin '07

Senior Matthew Griffin has been named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending February 2.

Griffin hit a thrilling 3-point basket as time expired to give The Prep a three-point win over Monsignor Bonner. That wasn’t the only big play Matt over the course of the game. Matt’s passing and ball handling skills were to the delight of the student body and those watching on the Pennsylvania Cable Network.

Matt averages 12 points and four assists per game and is the captain of the team. His most impressive stat however is the 3.84 GPA he currently maintains in the classroom. This past week Matt also made his intentions known and will accept a four-year athletic scholarship to play for Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J.

His hard work and leadership are a great example for all students here at the Prep.

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January 22 - 26: Samuel Settle '08

Junior Samuel Settle has been selected as the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending January 26. Sam is one of 50 high school students to qualify for the National Vocabulary Championships (NVC). Settles qualified through a regional examination. The championship will be held in March and will be televised on the Game Show Network. Grand prize is a $40,000 college scholarship. In addition, Samuel maintains a 3.92 GPA through 5 semesters here at the Prep. Sam is the founder of the St. Joe's Prep Chapter of the Junior State of America (JSA). The JSA is a national, nonpartisan political group for high school students.

January 16 - 19: Jim Fenningham '07

Senior Jim Fenningham has been selected as the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending January 19. Jim earned a 3.8 GPA for the first semester - his highest GPA at the Prep. In addition, Jim is a captain of the swim team. Jim is a returning 1st team All-Catholic swimmer and member of the record-breaking and All-American hopeful medley relay team. Jim recently participated in the Breaking the Waves Swim-a-Thon to raise awareness of adolescent depression and suicide and was instrumental in arranging the involvement of Merion Mercy. Jim strives for the magis in his academic, athletic and service endeavors.

December 12 - 15: Walter Wachter '08

Junior Walter Wachter has been selected as the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending December 15. Wachter has gone above and beyond any service requirement and has been very generous with his time in tutoring. He has also proven himself not only a capable tutor but a good role model to our school community. He excels in the classroom, with a 3.81 GPA, and strives to embody the Ignatian values of becoming a Man for and with Others.

December 4 - 8: James Brown '07

Senior James Brown was selected as the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending December 8. Brown, who is a member of the crew team, has a 3.56 grade point average and has committed to Columbia University.

November 27 - December 1: David Cullen '08

Junior David Cullen earned Joe Dugan Student of the Week Award for the week ending December 1. Cullen, who played a leading role as the captain in the Cape and Sword Drama Society’s fall production of Mr. Roberts and also played a very prominent role as a sophomore in last spring’s production of Some Like It Hot, organized his fellow riders of Prep bus SJ-10 to raise money which was then donated to radio station 102.9 WMGK for their Thanksgiving Food Drive. David represented the bus on the radio station for a two-minute spot on the radio.

November 13 - 17: Ashton Miller '08

Junior Ashton Miller has been named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending November 17. Besides maintaining a 3.7 grade point average (including A’s in Greek II, Chemistry and Algebra II), Miller’s work with the very popular “Madden Tournament” has been exemplary. He has managed the first and second phases of the tournament (assigning volunteers to collect donations & distribute tickets; forming brackets and scheduling student moderators, game equipment, and clean-up) in a superb fashion, and he has helped to generate the "student buzz" which has mobilized many students who otherwise are not involved in an extra-curricular activity to take part in the after-school life of The Prep. Thus far, total donations for the event have reached $900, and he will soon be instrumental in the third phase, trying to gather corporate donations to match ours).

November 6 - 10: Ryan Zehner '08

Junior Ryan Zehner earned Joe Dugan Student of the Week Award for the week ending November 10. Zehner won the Michael K. Smith Memorial Award from the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Young Alumni Division at the Liberty Bell Classic Speech and Debate Tournament held October 7-8. Two weeks ago, he was recognized as the top speaker of all schools competing from the city of Philadelphia and placed second overall at the University of Pennsylvania tournament. In addition to serving as an officer on the forensics team, Zehner also excels on the Rugby field. He maintains a 3.97 GPA through 3 years at the Prep while taking a course load that includes four APs and two honors classes.

October 30 - November 3: Eric Hahn '08

Junior Eric Hahn was named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending November 3. Hahn was recommended by a Prep staffer for his recent improvement in academics. This first quarter, Hahn received a 3.3 grade point average, the highest in his Prep career. With an interest in communications, Hahn has his sights set on Syracuse University and has spent a lot of time in the college counseling office working towards that goal. Hahn is a member of the varsity hockey team and leads the team in points. Last year, he scored an overtime goal to help the JV team win the championship. Hahn is also a part of the High School Wachovia Marketing Program.

October 23 - 27: Thomas McGlynn '07

Senior Thomas McGlynn was named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week ending October 27. McGlynn is a very well rounded and involved individual. This year alone Tom is involved in Model UN / OAS, plays in the concert and jazz bands, is a member of the Classics Club, the Philosophy discussion group, the Hawkeye, SADD, Christus Choir, the Environmental Action Club and the Yearbook. Recently Tom started a chapter of Amnesty International here at The Prep. In his parish, Visitation BVM in Trooper, Tom is currently a Spiritual Director and very involved as a Board member. Last summer Tom spent two weeks taking classes at Brown University in Philosophy & Music in which he received grades of A and B respectively. “Day in and day out I see wonderful things from Tom McGlynn,” says Frank Ferraro, the Prep’s Musical Director. “He is always positive in his approach to learning, and is kind, understanding, and helpful to those around him. Today I witnessed him helping two of his fellow saxophone players with a particularly difficult musical passage. He was patient, encouraging, and generous with the younger students. A born leader. I would highly recommend Tom for Student of the Week…any week.”

October 16 - 20: Christopher Gannon '07

Senior Christopher Gannon was named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week of October 16. Gannon, a Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Program, completed JAG Training and was selected as the Honor Grad. Gannon participated in and staffed the JAG Legal Academy held this summer at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. The program is an academically intense training in which students were required to read and brief several appellate cases each evening, were called on and expected to participate in class, and were required to make arguments or conduct questioning during mock trials. As “Honor Cadet,” Gannon was cited for having the highest grade in the class while serving in the dual capacity as student and staff. Gannon has been a cadet in the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet program since 2001 and is currently the Assistant Division Officer for the Aegis Division which drills at Ft. Dix, N.J. Gannon was promoted to Chief Petty Officer, the highest level in the program, in early 2006 and was selected to participate in two International Exchange programs in the UK and Canada the previous summer.

October 9 - 13: James Lebair '08

Junior James Lebair was named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week of October 9. Lebair is a member of the volunteer fire company (Station 700) in Oreland and has also served as an EMT for the past year. He goes out on two or three calls per week while keeping up with his academic work. Lebair is learning to be a pilot and is active in his parish, Holy Martyrs. Lebair is known widely as a good kid who has maintained a 3.2 GPA and has not gotten a detention through his first two years. He also plays trombone in the Prep band.

October 2 - 6: Shaun Slusarski '08

Junior Shaun Slusarski was named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week of October 2. Slusarski was recognized for his steadfast efforts on behalf of the Prep Respect Life Club over the past two years and in particular for his work raising awareness for the Respect Life Sunday. Slusarski was aided in his efforts by fellow juniors Joe Kelly, Eric Miller, Mike Farren, and Matt and Tom McParland. Through their efforts, over 80 students signed up to support the efforts and mission of the Respect Life Club.

September 25 - 29: Andrew Zebley '07

Senior Andrew Zebley was named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week of September 25. This past summer, Andrew represented The Prep at the 2006 National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine in Washington D.C. An outstanding student with a 3.93 grade point average, Andrew also excels outside the classroom, serving as lighting and sound manager for the Cape & Sword Drama Society and as captain and anchorman for the Prep bowling team. Earlier this month, Andrew passed his Board of Review and became an Eagle Scout, a prestigious award that only five percent of young men who join scouting will ever attain.

September 18 - 22: Dan Kaufmann '07

Senior Dan Kaufmann was named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week of September 18. Kaufmann helped organize his peers for a pretzel sale this week to raise money for Pediatric Cancer Research at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia . Kaufmann spread the word and led by example, walking around the cafeteria inviting his classmates to buy a pretzel so the school could raise as much money as possible. As a result of his hard work, dedication, and positive attitude The Prep was able to raise over $1,100 for this very worthy cause. Kaufmann also had a stellar academic week, finding out he got 105 on his Calculus test and doing well on his latest AP European History test. He maintains a 3.98 GPA thru 3 years at the Prep.

September 11 - 15: Eric Leis '07

Senior Eric Leis was named the Joe Dugan Student of the Week for the week of September 11. Leis was part of a group of young people who offered their help to Lower Providence Township following a destructive storm. The Township Board of Supervisors recognized the group, presenting each of them with an Outstanding Youth Award. State Sen. John C. Rafferty Jr. (44th Dist.) also honored these young adults. Those recognized served as counselors for the township’s summer camp program. When camp was closed on the day after the storm because of power outages, the counselors pitched in wherever needed. Some helped to hand out flyers to residents about the availability of dry ice and a Township Cooling Center. Others served as “runners” for the Emergency Operations Center.

September 4 - 8: Colin Francesco '08

Junior Colin Francesco was named the Joseph Dugan Student of the Week for completing the National Youth Leadership Forum in medicine this summer. Nominees to the program are accepted based on grade point average and must possess the academic promise and dedication to become the next generation of leaders in medicine. Francesco had the experience to learn from distinguished medical leaders and research pioneers and examine state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and future medical specialties. Francesco holds a perfect 4.0 grade point average here at The Prep and is a member of the swim team.