On Saturday, May 27, 2023, Madonna High School held its commencement ceremony inside the William C. Barrett Gymnasium on the campus of Madonna High School.
The class of 2023 led the faculty and staff into the gymnasium to “Pomp and Circumstance.” Class Vice President, Elizabeth Elias led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance and was followed by a welcome by Class President Jillian ‘Rylie’ Cottrill. Madonna’s Designated pastor, Very Rev. Dennis Schuelkens Jr., delivered the Invocation. Salutatorians Anthony Arnold and Elizabeth Elias and the Valedictorian, Rylie Cottrill eloquently presented their speeches to all in attendance.
Commencement speaker, Ms. Barbara Logue ‘65, emphasized to the class of 2023 that they are in charge of their own future and that it is never too late to achieve their dreams. The ceremony continued with Mrs. Amy Granato announcing the scholarships and grants awarded to the senior class. The twenty-four graduates were awarded in excess of $4.1 million spanning over a four-year period. These awards and the colleges/universities seniors are attending can be found on the following page.
Principal, Mr. Philip Rujak, and Advisory Board President, Janet Owens, handed each student his or her diploma. The new graduates were instructed to move the tassels on their caps to symbolize their new status as alumni. The new graduates sang the Madonna High School Alma Mater before tossing their caps into the air!
Congratulations to the Madonna High School class of 2023! The administration, staff, and faculty wish you all the best as you begin your new endeavors!
Class of 2023 Highlights
The top ten students for the Class of 2023 are: Rylie Cottrill, Anthony Arnold, Elizabeth Elias, Juliana Velegol, Luke Amaismeier, Benjamin Jasko, Olivia Shafer, Luke Sweat, Mackenzie Sargent, and Theo Mihellis. The remaining members of the class are: Antonio Aguirre, Olivia Bain, Zachary Dalfol, Isabella DiPietrantonio, Santo DoBraska, Anthony Gross, Brycen Hair, Lilly Harbin, Madison Long, Shea McCoy, Shawn McFarland, Harry Norman III, Brock Reinacher, and Julia Wingett.
Full or partial scholarships were offered to 100% of college bound students. $4,129,384 in scholarship funds over 4 years were offered with $2,163,144 being accepted over 4 years. 82% of college bound seniors qualified for the WV Promise Scholarship based upon their overall GPA, core GPA, and standardized test scores. These students met the academic requirements to receive $5,200 annually towards their tuition at public or independent colleges/universities in West Virginia.
Institutional scholarships earned and accepted by the Madonna Class of 2023 include: Bethany College: Academic Merit Award; Fairmont State University: Opportunity Scholarship, Athletic Scholarship; Franciscan University of Steubenville: Provost Scholarship, Commuter Grant, Berkman Scholarship, JC Williams Scholarship; Grove City College: Marie Lush Scholarship, Harry & Dorothy Mercer Scholarship, Merwin Student Aid Fund; Ohio University: OU Excellence Scholarship, OU Admission Promise, OU Markanton Memorial Scholarship; United States Air Force Academy: Appointment; United States Naval Academy: Appointment; West Liberty University: Foundation Scholarship, Sibling Scholarship, Athletic Scholarship, Black & Gold Scholarship; Westminster College: Westminster Scholarship, Out of State Scholarship, FAFSA Filing Award; West Virginia University: Scholarship of Distinction Level 3, Scholarship of Distinction Level 4, Go First Scholarship Level 1, Go First Scholarship Level 3, System Connection Grant; Wheeling University: High Honors Scholarship, Swint Scholarship
Other scholarships accepted by the Madonna Class of 2023 include: Hancock County School Employees Credit Union Scholarship, Cigna Group Foundation Scholarship, Helen T. Hamill Memorial Scholarship-Cove Presbyterian Church, Louis F. Serra Family Scholarship, Phyllis DiGirolamo Scholarship, Cecelia M. Serra Scholarship, Charles and Thelma M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation Scholarship, Community Foundation of the Ohio Valley Beulah T. Meyer Scholarship, Lend-A-Hand Scholarship, Weirton Medical Center Staff Scholarship, Nancy Davison Memorial Scholarship-WV Italian Heritage Festival, Rose Mary “Wizzie” Burnetti Scholarship-WV Italian Heritage Festival, Harry Green 7 Acres Scholarship-WV Italian Heritage Festival, MHS Class of ‘64 John Colesante Memorial Scholarship, Tony Ruszkowski/Never Alone Memorial Scholarship, Weirton Rotary Club Scholarship, Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival Scholarship, Michael J. Smoljanovich Memorial Scholarship, Richard F. Santilli Memorial Scholarship, Sandy Reardon Memorial Scholarship, West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship, O.V.A.C. Richard Potts Memorial Scholarship, O.V.A.C. Todd Peyton Memorial Scholarship
Graduates of the Madonna High School Class of 2023 plan to matriculate to the following colleges/universities in the fall: Bethany College, Fairmont State University, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Grove City College, Ohio University, United States Air Force Academy, United States Naval Academy, University of Alabama, Westminster College, West Liberty University, West Virginia University, and Wheeling University.