Carbondale Area held its annual Class Night ceremony in the high school auditorium on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. The event, under the direction of Mr. Perri and Mrs. Alyssa Mayne, Math teacher, was a huge success. What was thought to be a near impossible feat just a few months ago amidst the pandemic turned into a wonderful celebration of a class who faced much adversity during the final portion of their high school careers. Class Night, however, was a celebration of the wonderful memories they made through their years at Carbondale Area.
The ceremony opened up with the Pledge of Allegiance recited by Valedictorian Bayley Grizzanti and Salutatorian Avianna Pugliese. Kacydi Brewen, Class President, welcomed the group. Sarah Tolerico, ranked third in the graduating class, recited the Class Poem. Giana Arnese, Anthony Mustica, Maria Cerra, Amelia Muta, Amelia Esgro, Alyvia Schiavone, Billy Kovaleski, and Nathan Totsky presented the Class Gifts, which were custom to each graduate’s personality and interests. Deana Mancuso and Taylor Mazza read the Class Will, while Aniela Connolly and Olivia Liuzzo read the Class Prophecy.
Numerous scholarships and awards were given out at the ceremony. They were as follows.
Scholarships and Awards: Class Night 2021
Jack Rosler Scholarship Award: Halley Schwartz and Raymond Ofner
Tom Molinaro Memorial: Raymond Ofner
Michael “Red” Wallace: Raymond Ofner
PIAA Scholar Athlete Award: Sarah Tolerico and Bayley Grizzanti
Steve Brownell: Giana Arnese
Andrew Mazza Foundation: Sarah Tolerico
Diana Kelly Math Excellence Award: Bayley Grizzanti
Carbondale UNICO: Sarah Tolerico and Giana Arnese
Carbondale BPW: Taylor Mazza
Simpson VFW Post 412: Sarah Tolerico, Kacydi Brewen, Deana Mancuso, Taylor Mazza, and Avianna Pugliese (overall winner)
109th Infantry Regiment Association Legacy Scholarship: Halley Schwartz and Avianna Pugliese
Christopher Buckley Memorial Scholarship: Raymond Ofner
Dime Bank Director’s Award: Erin McHale
Ambassador Against Drugs/Lackawanna County’s District Attorney’s Office: Giana Arnese
Feel Good Charities: Taylor Mazza
Fendrock Family: Deana Mancuso, Sarah Tolerico, Giana Arnese, and Taylor Mazza (scholarship recipient)
Kayla Nakonechni Memorial: Sarah Tolerico
Ann Fedorchak Memorial: Deana Mancuso
Timothy Joseph Turano Memorial: Raymond Ofner
Frank T. Lee: Amelia Esgro
Judith and Joseph Calabro: Sarah Tolerico
Faculty Academic Excellence: Bayley Grizzanti, Avianna Pugliese, Sarah Tolerico, Giana Arnese, and Alyvia Schiavone.
Nellie Jordan and Mary Louise Gallagher: Bayley Grizzanti
Robert Jurble: Giana Arnese
James and Margaret Pidgeon: Taylor Mazza
The evening concluded with a Farewell Address from Kacydi Brewen.
“I was thrilled we were able to have a normal Class Night this year. Everyone had a great time and a lot of laughs,” explained Giana Arnese, who was one of the presenters. “The faculty did a great job of making the evening special.”
“We appreciate everything everyone did for us and all of the hard work that was put into the night,” noted Sarah Tolerico, who read the Class Poem. “I had a lot of fun writing the class poem and being able to present it to my family and classmates. It sure was a night to remember.”
The Carbondale Area School District congratulates all the scholarship recipients and the Class of 2021 on all of their achievements.
Please see the below photo gallery for more pictures.
