Devon Preparatory School Graduates 43

DEVON, PA – Forty-three students from all around the Philadelphia area graduated from Devon Preparatory School recently. The young men are all heading to various schools around the country to further pursue academics.

J.J. Abbott, PA Governor Tom Wolf’s Press Secretary and Class of 2005 Alumnus, spoke at the ceremony who, urging the graduates to make the world a better place.

"At Devon, I learned a lot. But Devon’s prep isn’t just for college – it is for life," he said. "The values that Devon instills in each of us – moral, ethical, and practical – are truly invaluable."

Abbott offered several valuable lessons for success: 1. Challenge Yourself; 2. Don’t Be Afraid to Disrupt; 3. Listen, Respect and Learn; and 4. Live the Great Commandment.

“The Great Commandment – treat others as you wish to be treated - couldn’t be more important to carry with you on your next path,” Abbott said. “Never lose sight of how important this is. Kindness, loyalty, and compassion are assets and you will be rewarded in life - and your future careers - if you exude and embrace them. Get involved, make a difference, and spread your talents to make the world better for those you love and those you’ll never know,” he concluded.

Salutatorian David Haruch urged his classmates to appreciate their experience at Devon Prep but to accept that their lives will change. And that change is good.

Class Valedictorian Michael Bonfiglio echoed a similar theme, encouraging his fellow graduates to embrace change and to work hard to make a difference.

"We are here today not ONLY to commemorate the end of an era, but to celebrate change, and to rejoice in the future," Bonfiglio said. "Our time at Devon has not only prepared us for the struggles of college, but for the challenges of the real world. Every class here at Devon has prepared us for a higher purpose… to use our gifts for the betterment of society. Don’t be afraid to change the world."

Collectively, the members of the Class of 2017 earned nearly $7 million in college scholarships. They received more than 250 acceptances to 120 colleges and universities, including University of Pennsylvania, Fordham, US Merchant Marine Academy, Wake Forest, Boston College, Lehigh, Villanova, Drexel, Temple and Penn State.

More than 60 percent of the Class of 2017 was named AP Scholars, AP Scholars with Honor or AP Scholars with Distinction.

The National Merit Scholarship Program recognized two students as Commended Students.

Four of these young men are Eagle Scouts (Brian Long, Benjamin Rufo, Jack Wagner, and Brandon Smoot), two will go on to participate in collegiate athletics at Division III schools (Matthew Szkolnicki and Michael Loftus) and two students (J. Benjamin Rufo and Paul Yoo) had perfect attendance, never missing a day of school in seven years.

This senior class performed more than 1500 hours of community service doing such things as collecting and distributing food and clothing to needy families and raising over $25,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

"Devon Prep’s Class of 2017 is a superb group of young men who excel in so many wonderful areas in and out of the classroom," Headmaster Rev. Francisco Aisa said. "I know that they will be very successful in college and beyond. I will miss them and wish them well in the future."

In addition, several academic and activity awards were presented to the students during the commencement ceremony. Among them was the coveted Brady-Gallagher Award, given to a member of the graduating class chosen by his classmates for his exemplary selflessness and his devotion to the school and his fellow graduates. Jack Marquis and Kevin Holmes were this year’s recipients.

Here is the class of 2017:

• Michael J. Bonfiglio of Collegeville – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• G. Willson Camp of Spring City – Drexel University
• Timothy J. Coble of Downingtown – Thomas Aquinas College
• James V. Coffey of Havertown – Temple University
• John S. DePalo of Downingtown – Santa Clara University
• Andrew T. DiMarzio of Philadelphia – Penn State University
• Stephen T. Duffy of Newtown Square – University of Pittsburgh
• Zachary M. Eidman of Collegeville – University of Pittsburgh (Honors)
• Luke W. Farnsworth of Royersford – Penn State University
• Matthew T. Fasullo of West Chester – Northeastern University
• Thomas P. Freney of West Chester – Temple University
• Connor F. Galarneau of Newtown Square – Rochester Institute of Technology
• Thomas M. Hang of Malvern – St. Joseph’s University
• David J. Haruch of Media - Drexel University (Honors)
• Kevin L. Holmes of Ardmore – United States Merchant Marine Academy
• Tyler J. Keough of Collegeville – Drexel University (Honors)
• Jacob E. Klick of Narberth – University of Pennsylvania
• Grant P. Kowalewski of Downingtown - Wake Forest University
• James P. Loftus of Phoenixville – Susquehanna University (Honors)
• Brian R. Long of Wayne – Drexel University
• Benjamin J. Lubker of West Chester – Villanova University (Honors)
• Hayden W. Ludt of Chester Springs – Washington & Lee University
• John W. Marquis of Wayne – University of Pittsburgh
• Christopher D. McAlee of West Chester – Drexel University (Honors)
• Riley J. McCarthy of Malvern – Drexel University (Honors)
• Jack R. McClay of Exton – Penn State University
• Bruce C. McCulloch of Wayne – Hunter College, The City University of New York (Honors)
• Alexander C. Nawn of Malvern – Penn State University
• Michael L. Noonan of Broomall – Penn State University
• Thomas J. O’Brien of Downingtown – University of Pittsburgh
• Daniel F. O’Connor of Broomall – Villanova University
• Terence J. O’Reilly of Devon – Cabrini University
• Joseph P. Orsatti of Phoenixville – Temple University (Honors)
• Joseph A. Petrucci of Wynnewood – Drexel University
• Benjamin Rufo of Chester Springs – Boston College
• Daniel D. Shannon of Royersford – Penn State University
• Brandon C. Smoot of West Chester – Drexel University (BS/MS & Honors)
• Matthew Szkolnicki of Springfield – Stockton University (Honors)
• Arnold J. Tiglao of King of Prussia – Drexel University (Honors)
• Matthew J. Torchiana of Collegeville – Providence College
• Joshua E. Van Oostrom of Exton – Temple University
• Jack I. Wagner of West Chester – University of Pittsburgh
• Paul I. Yoo of King of Prussia - Temple University

Congratulations and good luck in the future, gentlemen.

Images via Devon Preparatory School