East Catholic High School Students Honored as 2019 Summa Scholars

MANCHESTER, CT — Seven East Catholic High School Seniors were recently honored as the 2019 Summa Scholars. The seven received medals to acknowledge this success at the Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield. The students each chose a teacher for recognition who had greatly influenced them during their time at East Catholic.

Students honored were all from this year’s graduating class. They included: Berk Dayanier, Tolland; Paige Plucker, Glastonbury; Amy Milewsk, Newington; Irene Soteriou, Middletown; Sarah Ibrahim, Coventry; Qingqing- Angel Gong, Manchester and Justine Canna, Tolland.

Teachers honored included: English Teacher, Lisa Putnam Kirsche (East Catholic class of 1986); Social Studies Teacher, Ann Marie Ward; English Teacher, Jenna Taylor (East Catholic class of 2009); Math Teacher, Sarah Thiery Poirier (East Catholic Class of 1989) and Science Teacher, Lesa Milas. Also attending the ceremony were: Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Dr. Michael Griffin and East Catholic High School Head of School, Thomas Maynard.

Presented annually by the Archdiocese of Hartford Office of Education, Evangelization and Cathechesis, the awards recognize the students, parents, and teachers who have committed exceptional time, energy, care, and love in the pursuit of superior academic achievement.

Students honored were in the top five percent of their graduating class, based on cumulative grade point average (GPA) from freshman year to the close of the first semester senior year.

About East Catholic High School

East Catholic High School is a regional college-preparatory school of the Archdiocese of Hartford in Manchester, CT. Students come from more than 35 towns in the Greater Hartford area and eastern Connecticut. East Catholic is a place where students discover who they are meant to be. The school has been awarded the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the state of Connecticut. East Catholic students are challenged to build their own strong moral character while pursuing academic excellence, responsible citizenship, active participation in community service, sportsmanship, and an appreciation for the fine arts. An overwhelming number of East Catholic students (97 percent) go on to attend four and two year colleges. For more information go to www.ECHS.com.