One hundred and thirty-eight members of the Delbarton School Class of 2024 celebrated their brotherhood at the 76th Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement on June 2, 2024. Others were invited to witness graduation via live stream from home. See photos below and we encourage Class of 2024 families to share your favorite pictures with us for inclusion in our album by emailing them to Director of Marketing & Communications Jessica Fiddes P '03,'05,'08 here.
Graduation day dawned sunny and warm with bright blue skies for the Class of 2024, and our graduates reported to the Senior Garden with their parents at 11:00 am. Earlier that morning, we captured this photo of nine Delbarton alumni and their Class of 2024 sons, (not pictured John Harper and son Ryan) all now official members of the Long Green Line.
Graduates wore jackets and Delbarton class ties, and added a School seal lapel tacks to complete the traditional understated Delbarton graduation look. They processed into the Church behind a color guard of student leaders, and were followed by the Delbarton faculty and members of the Board of Regents attired in academic garb.
Class of 2024 Salutatorian Colin Pryma '24 delivered the Salutatory address. "Thank you to my mom and dad for giving me the best gift I could ever ask for and sending me to Delbarton," he started. "Our class is strong. Our class is tough. Our class is the hardest working group of guys I know. Our class is simply the best group of young men that I am so privileged to call my brothers, each and every one of you."
A Baccalaureate Mass followed, celebrated by Abbot Jonathan Licari, O.S.B. Next, Headmaster Fr. Michael Tidd, O.S.B announced the graduates' names and Abbot Jonathan presented diplomas to the Class of 2024.
Seniors previously received awards at the Senior Awards Convocation on May 23. Click here for the list of awards, and here for news of the Convocation.
Special awards were presented by Assistant Headmaster for Academic Affairs Josh Hartle and Assistant Headmaster for Student Affairs Chuck Ruebling '79, P '10. Annually, the Delbarton School Medal is awarded to seniors for distinguished achievement. For those seniors achieving in multiple areas, another award was presented in addition to the Delbarton Medal. The following awards were presented to members of the Class of 2024…
The Dr. Roy L. Horton Award is named in honor of a longtime Chair of the Music Department and was presented in recognition of excellence in Choral Music. The Delbarton Medal was presented to ABDIEL PERDE.
For achievement in Classics, the Delbarton Medal was presented to COLIN PRYMA.
For excellence in community building, promoting diversity and fostering student belonging, the Delbarton Medal and an additional award were presented to JULIAN OSORIO.
For dedication to the Courier, the Delbarton Medal was presented to WILLIAM DU.
For achievement in French, the Delbarton Medal was presented to STEPHEN CARLISLE.
The Edward J. Murphy Award for excellence in History was established in memory of Edward J. Murphy, class of 1986. The Delbarton Medal was presented to GAVIN TRIPIDO.
For excellence in Instrumental Music, in memory of Father Germain L. Fritz, longtime leader of the Music Department, the Delbarton Medal was presented to JAMES ECK.
For achievement in Mathematics, the Delbarton Medal was presented to MARK SEBASTIAN.
The Corey T. Williams ‘91 Award for excellence in Physics honors the memory of Corey T. Williams, class of 1991 and Delbarton faculty member. Presenting this award is Corey’s father, Mr. Earle Williams. The Corey T. Williams ‘91 Award was presented by Corey's father, Mr. Earle Williams, to KEAR O’MALLEY.
For achievement in Spanish, the Delbarton Medal was presented to MICHAEL FIALCOWITZ.
For achievement in Speech, the Delbarton Medal was presented to JACK GRBIC.
The Abbot Patrick M. O’Brien Award for excellence in Theology is given in memory of Abbot Patrick, who founded Delbarton School in 1939. The Delbarton Medal was presented to MAXIMILIAN OROSZ.
For achievement in Arabic and the Father and Friends of Delbarton Award, which is awarded each year in memory of Fr. Stephen W. Findlay, distinguished Delbarton Headmaster, to the graduate whose work in English reflects Fr. Stephen's love of the English language, the Delbarton Medal and an additional award were presented to KEVIN ARMSTRONG.
For achievement in Italian and achievement in Theater, the Delbarton Medal and an additional award were presented to FRANCESCO PONTORIERO.
For achievement in Studio Art and dedication to the Archway, the Delbarton Medal and an additional award were presented to PAUL QUENSE.
For achievement in Debate and the Delbarton Mothers' Guild Prize for General Excellence, which is awarded each year to the student who leads his class scholastically, the Delbarton Medal and an additional award were presented to ALEXANDER CALDER.
United States Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer Kevin Corbett of the United States Naval Academy, joined by his brother, Midshipman Robert Trafford presented Ryan Trafford with his appointment to the United States Naval Academy, which was met with a standing ovation.
Next, the six most distinguished Delbarton School senior awards were presented. Each recipient received a plaque commemorating the award. Lending to the awards’ distinction, each honoree will have his name prominently displayed in the Student Commons in Trinity Hall.
The James E. Nugent Award, established in memory of a graduate of the class of 1969, is awarded to the Delbarton senior who best exemplifies the spirit of giving himself to others. This young man has distinguished himself among his peers for his unquestioned integrity and for self-forgetful service to his classmates, school and community. Jim’s niece Catie Carter presented the James E. Nugent Award to MAXIMILIAN OROSZ.
The Peter B. Haas Award, established in memory of a 25 year old Marine pilot killed in Korea, is awarded for distinguished leadership within the School. For his work in upholding the values of brotherhood and unity among his peers, and for his outstanding service in many areas of School life, the Peter B. Haas Award was presented to ABDIEL PERDE.
The Succisa Virescit Award is presented to a senior who has manifested love for life and for the School, and has significantly grown through challenge as implied in the school's motto, Succisa Virescit “cut down, he will grow up strong again.” The Succisa Virescit Award was presented to EDWARD MYRONOFF.
The Bryan Bennett ‘94 Award was established to honor the memory of a member of the class of 1994 who died at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. This award is for the “Quiet Hero,” a student who, like Bryan Bennett, has distinguished himself for his day-to-day work ethic, his consistent nobility, and his unfailing kindness, all of which have made him a model of steadfastness to his classmates and teachers. The recipient of this award is chosen by his classmates. Bryan’s nephew, Carlos O’Connor, presented The Bryan Bennett Award to RYAN TRAFFORD.
The Brian E. Fleury Award is awarded to an outstanding scholar-athlete who demonstrates the same passion for scholarship that he does for athletics. This young man is the consummate team player, selfless in all his endeavors, and always putting the needs of others before his own. The Brian E. Fleury Award was presented by Brian’s wife, Jennifer Fleury, and Brian’s son, Tim Fleury, Delbarton Class of 2019, to CHRISTIAN ZEBROWSKI.
The Paul Jermak Scholarship, established in memory of a graduate of the class of 2004, is awarded to a senior who best embodies Delbarton’s mission of educating the whole person in mind, body and spirit. The Paul Jermak Scholarship was presented by Paul’s mother Mrs. Eileen Jermak to JULIAN OSORIO.
Fr. Michael then introduced commencement speaker Charles 'Chuck' Smith '63, a successful marketing executive and a 2023 Delbarton Hall of Honor inductee. At the conclusion of his address, Smith was awarded with the Delbarton Medal by Fr. Michael, and we thank him and his family for joining us at Delbarton Commencement 2024.
Finally, Class of 2024 Valedictorian Alexander Calder delivered his Valedictory Address, encouraging his classmates by concluding, "We all made the most out of our last moments together. We met each other, got to know one another, struggled through hard times together, then created unforgettable memories. Now we are left with inseparable bonds, not just as true friends, but as brothers" followed with a hearty "I am Green Wave til I die!" We commend both Alexander Calder and Colin Pryma for the academic excellence they demonstrated during their Delbarton years.
With Commencement behind them, our youngest alumni headed for the Formal Garden, and the traditional group plunge into the fountain. It was the perfect afternoon for a dip. Congratulations Class of 2024!