6-02-2023 9:54pm

Xaverian Celebrates Commencement for the Class of 2023

Darlene Cancell Editor

Photo by Lifetouch. Graduates of Xaverian Brothers High School Class of 2023 celebrate the end of their high school education with a cap toss.

Thanks to Xaverian Brothers High School for contributing this news to Westwood Minute.

On Saturday, May 13, in the varsity gymnasium of Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood, the school community celebrated commencement for 164 members of Xaverian Class of 2023, Xaverian's 57th graduating class whom Head of School Dr. Jacob Conca called among the very best he has seen in nearly two decades as a school administrator.

“Not only are they committed to academic inquiry, they are also deeply committed to enhancing the world in which we live," said Dr. Conca. "I look forward to watching each of them do great things in the years to come.”

The graduates have enrolled in 84 different colleges and universities, including BC, Catholic University, Cornell, Georgetown, Harvard, Holy Cross, Michigan State, Rensselaer, RISD, Stonehill, Tulane, UVM, and Wake Forest. Nineteen graduates have committed to collegiate athletic careers in track and field, golf, baseball, swim, football, and lacrosse.

This year's recipient of the Xaverian Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a graduating senior at the school, is Joseph Di Martino of Dedham and Mansfield. The award is given to a student who has distinguished himself by living the mission and core values associated with the school, including humility, trust, simplicity, compassion and zeal. Members of the graduating class, in concert with the faculty and staff, nominate a senior for this special honor and the recipient isn’t revealed until the graduation ceremony.

Dr. Conca said that Joe “epitomizes all that it means to be a Xaverian hawk.” He added, “Joe is dedicated to personal excellence while simultaneously being committed to his fellow students and community. In both word and action, he brings his best self to every situation and thereby positively enhances the lives of those in his midst.”

Joe is the son of Jane Di Martino of Dedham and Mark Di Martino of Mansfield. He served as president of the student council and was instrumental in driving school spirit and participation this year. Joe was a four-year member of the Xaverian hockey program and served as the 2023 varsity hockey captain. He earned the nickname “Playoff Joe” for the goals he scored to help the team secure a spot in the 2023 Division 1 state finals. He was also active in the campus ministry program through retreats, SpiritHawk (the school’s weekly faith-sharing group), and participation in the Christian Senior Service program. Joe will attend High Point University in the fall.

Rishabh “Rishu” Nevatia, from Walpole, is Xaverian’s Class of 2023 salutatorian. A National Merit Finalist, he will be attending Georgetown University in the fall. Among his accomplishments, Rishu is a star of the Xaverian theater, most recently filling the role of Biff Loman in "Death of a Salesan." He was named Best Actor for his role in “Art Boy,” which was featured in Boston University’s Redstone Film Festival Honors. He also served as the captain of the Speech and Debate Team and as an athlete on Xaverian’s ultimate disc team. Rishu is the son of Puneet and Reena Nevatia.

Braden Kennedy, of Wrenthem, is Xaverian’s Class of 2023 valedictorian. He is a National Merit Finalist, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and an Eagle Scout. Among his accomplishments, he was captain of the Xaverian robotics team and four-year member of the Xaverian math team. He was involved in mock trial and was integral to the revival of the school’s chess team as well. In addition, he has served as an instructor for Schoolhouse World (a Khan Academy affiliate), a position he was offered due to his high standardized test scores. Braden is the son of Charles and Audra Kennedy. He will attend Cornell University in the fall.

Congratulations to these graduates and the Class of 2023. Among the members of this class are residents of Westwood and nearby towns. A list of these local graduates follows, along with their academic plans following graduation.

WESTWOOD

Alexei Ganson, son of Dr. and Mrs. Nicholas Ganson, will attend College of the Holy Cross.

Cole Perosky, son of Mr. David Perosky and Ms. Claudine Perosky, will attend University of Mississippi.

CANTON

Anthony DeGloria, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael DeGloria, will attend Saint Anselm College where he has committed for the track and field program.

Joseph Fox, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fox, will attend Boston College.

Andrew Keevan, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Keevan, will attend Providence College.

Luke A. Shatkin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jason H. Shatkin, will attend Elon University.

Luke B. Toland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Toland, will attend Boston College.

DEDHAM

Albert Aramayo, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Aramayo, will attend University of Connecticut.

Charles Barrett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Barrett III, will attend University of Vermont. He is a National Merit Commended Student.

Dominic A. Bottaro, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Bottaro, will attend Northeastern University.

Joseph A. Di Martino, son of Mr. Mark A. Di Martino and Ms. Jane B. Di Martino, will attend High Point University. He is the recipient of the Xaverian Award.

Edward F. Doyle, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Doyle, will attend Loyola University Maryland.

Nathan L. Francis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Francis, will attend Sacred Heart University.

Alexander F. Giannacopoulos, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Giannacopoulos, will attend George Mason University.

DOVER

James E. Allen, son of Mr. and Mrs. James E. Allen, will attend Bentley University.

MEDFIELD

Dylan R. Corbett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Corbett, will attend Bridgewater State University.

Ryan R. Sullivan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Sullivan, will attend University of Florida.

NEEDHAM

Timothy N. Apostolica, son of Mr. William P. Apostolica and Ms. Kara Apostolica, will attend College of the Holy Cross.

Matthew W. Casey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Casey, Jr., will attend Miami University-Oxford.

NEWTON

Timothy N. Apostolica, son of Mr. William P. Apostolica and Ms. Kara Apostolica, will attend College of the Holy Cross.

Anthony Busa, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eric Busa, will attend East Coast Prep.

NORWOOD

Cameron K. Badger, son of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Badger, will attend University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Brendan P. Clifford, son of Mr. and Mrs. Scott J. Clifford, will attend University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Bren B. Cueco, son of Mr. and Mrs. Severino G. Cueco, will attend Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Dylan R. Duhamel, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Duhamel, will attend Louisiana State University.

Ethan Duhamel, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Duhamel, will attend Northeastern University.

Colin R. Ellis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ellis, will attend Virginia Commonwealth University.

Michael Ganley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ganley, will attend Boston College.

Jayson Grant, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander J. Grant, will attend University of Rhode Island.

Daniel R. Hachey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Hachey, will attend Providence College.

Benedict E. Joseph, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ancelet Joseph, will attend Brandeis University.

Gavin Moynihan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Moynihan, will attend University of Rhode Island.

Daniel M. Sambula, son of Mrs. Alma Sambula, will attend Berklee College of Music.

David J. Standring, son of Mr. and Mrs. David J. Standring, will attend University of Maryland College Park.

Ryan L. Theodore, son of Ms. Frantzie M. Felius, will attend University of Massachusetts Boston.

Jason VonHandorf, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Vonhandorf, will attend University of Massachusetts Dartmouth where he has committed to play football.

WALPOLE

Daniel P. Almeda, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark G. Almeda, will attend The Catholic University of America.

Dante A. Anello, son of Mr. Angelo F. Anello and Ms. Wendy Miller-Anello, will attend University of Miami.

Ryan T. Armstrong, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas K. Armstrong, will attend Fairfield University.

William R. Budka, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Budka, will attend Purdue University.

Carter Delleo, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Delleo, will attend Fairfield University.

Ronan F. Doherty, son of Mr. and Mrs. Terence Doherty

Thomas W. Dunn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dunn, will attend Stonehill College.

Jacob Fitzpatrick, son of Mr. and Mrs. Terence Fitzpatrick, will attend University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Robert Fleming, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Fleming, Jr., will attend Loyola University Chicago.

Anthony Gioioso, son of Mr. and Mrs. Giovanni Gioioso, will attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Bartholomew C. Glancy, son of Mr. and Mrs. John P. Glancy, will attend Miami University-Oxford.

Nolan E. Hasenjaeger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Darren W. Hasenjaeger, is undecided on his college enrollment.

Tejas S. Marulkar, son of Mr. Sachin S. Marulkar and Ms. Amita Joshi, will attend Northeastern University.

Robert McLaughlin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. McLaughlin, Jr., will attend Providence College.

Rishabh Y. Nevatia, son of Mr. and Mrs. Puneet Nevatia, will attend Georgetown University. He is a National Merit Finalist and the 2023 Xaverian Salutatorian.

Adheep D. Rampure, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tejaswi Rampure, will attend Northeastern University.

Sean B. Regan, son of Mr. Richard Regan and Ms. Kristina Regan, will attend University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Michael Santos, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Santos, will attend University of New Hampshire.

Arin Sidhu, son of Mr. Johnpal Sidhu and Dr. Jatinderjeet Sidhu, will attend University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Kyle D. Smolinsky, son of Mr. David Smolinsky and Mrs. Liliana Fera, will attend Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Kyle V. Turner, son of Dr. and Mrs. Christopher D. Turner, will attend Loyola University Maryland. He is the recipient of Xaverian’s 2023 Campus Ministry Award as well as a Loyalty and Service Award.

Timothy J. Wright, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Wright, Jr. will attend College of the Holy Cross.