By Lou Baldwin • Posted November 9, 2016

Seventeen freshmen, one from each of the archdiocesan high schools, received a financial boost as they started their secondary school career thanks to a $3,000 scholarship from StoneMor Partners, the firm that operates the cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

The formal award ceremony was held at Archbishop Ryan High School on Oct. 13 with the students’ family and friends present.

This is the second year the scholarships were awarded.

[hotblock]

“Our team at StoneMor is very connected to the community,” said StoneMor President and CEO Lawrence Miller. “We are delighted to hold this event for a second year, allowing us to celebrate and support our neighbors in a manner that makes a lasting, personal impact.

“The value of a Catholic education is important to so many families — mine included — and we are delighted to provide some tuition assistance to these talented young people.”

This year’s awardees included Madison Cartlidge, Archbishop Wood; Sean Reilly, Conwell-Egan; Patrick Dunphy, Bishop Shanahan; Nicole Naegele, Archbishop Carroll; Jacqueline Guerra, Cardinal O’Hara; Sophia Bowman, Msgr. Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast; Samantha Dever, Bishop McDevitt; Amanda Albanesius, Lansdale Catholic; Maria Morello, Pope John Paul II; Nicole Centeno, Archbishop Ryan; Joseph Grove, Father Judge; Grace Carroll, John W. Hallahan; Philip Cox, Roman Catholic; Laylah Santiago, St. Hubert; Angelina Cappetti, St. John Neumann-St. Maria Goretti and Sortu Tucho, West Catholic.

“Since its inception two short years ago the StoneMor Scholars Program has positively impacted the lives of 34 families and allowed them to provide an education rooted in Catholic values for our children in the 17 high schools of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia,” said Jason Buck, archdiocesan deputy secretary for education.

“The Office of Catholic Education is grateful for the sacrifices that our families make to provide their children with a quality Catholic education that prepares these young men and women for a future filled with promise and purpose.”