Several incoming freshmen at a Middle Village high school were honored on Friday night with a scholarship awards dinner.
On May 10, Christ the King High School (CTK) hosted a dinner to celebrate students of their future 2023 class that earned scholarships as incoming freshmen. Parents and students enjoyed a sit-down dinner while the CTK Board of Trustees handed out certificates for their scholarships.
“It was a wonderful evening celebrating the achievements and academic success of these young adults. We look forward to having them at Christ the King for the next four years. I am confident they will be doing great things,” said Assistant Principal and Director of Admissions Steven Giusto.
Each scholarship that was given out that night honor many notable and influential people who have been affiliated with the CTK Community. Adonis Cusu (P.S./I.S. 49, Dorothy Bonawit Kole School in Middle Village) earned the Richard Hartman Memorial Scholarship, named in honor of a math teacher whose passion was to motivate and encourage his students to always perform at their best.
The Thomas V. Ognibene Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Nicole Wisniewski (Notre Dame Catholic Academy of Ridgewood). As the Board of Trustees Vice Chairman and first Chairman of the Christ the King Scholarship Committee, Ognibene was dedicated not only to the students and parents of the school, but also as a public servant – he also served as a member of the New York City Council and as the Minority Leader of NYC Council.
Xavier Espada St. Mary Gate of Heaven Catholic Academy in Ozone Park earned the Bernard G. Helldorfer Memorial Scholarship. A member of the class of 1973, Helldorfer was member of our Christ the King HS Board of Trustees, serving as Vice Chairman, Counsel as well as Chairman of the Scholarship Committee. He was also inducted into the CTK Hall of Fame in 1987.
The Robert Normandia Memorial Scholarship went to Alexandra Syta (Notre Dame Catholic Academy of Ridgewood). Normandia served on the original committee to “Save Christ the King High School” and in 1962, he helped the Bishop with His appeal drive to build CTK. Normandia also served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
The Cav. Peter Cardella Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Justine Calcada (M.S. 202, Robert H. Goddard School, Ozone Park) and Alex Mansueto (St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy in Maspeth). The Constance DelVecchio Maltese Memorial Scholarship for the Arts were awarded to Valentina LaPorta (St. Margaret Catholic Academy in Middle Village) and Tyler Timmerman (Salve Regina Catholic Academy in Brooklyn).
The full list of scholarship winners include Marko Babic, Isabelle Baksh, Justine Calcada, Layla Charon, Adonis Cusu, Sebastian Cusu, Jacqueline Demirjian, Xavier Espada, Valentina LaPorta, Alex Mansueto, Laila Morales, Madison Orllana, Nicolas Silva, Alexandra Syta, Tyler Timmerman, Monika VonCyga and Nicole Wisniewski.
