By Gina Christian • Posted July 8, 2020

Seniors who have just graduated from the 17 archdiocesan high schools have collectively earned over $412 million in college and university scholarships.

“Announcements like (this) … bring me great joy,” said I.H.M. Sister Maureen Lawrence McDermott, the archdiocesan chief academic officer and superintendent of secondary schools for the Office of Catholic Education (OCE). “We are extremely proud of our young men and women for their hard work and achievement.”

Several members of the Class of 2020 revealed the exact amount, which totaled $412,139,607, in a video message released last month on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Schools (AOPS) social media platforms.

Students also shared which schools they plan to attend in the fall, a list that includes Saint Joseph’s University, Immaculata University, Cabrini College, University of Notre Dame, Rennselear Polytechnic Institute, Pennsylvania State University and Temple University.

“They’re a smart crowd,” said Archbishop Nelson Perez, who concluded the video with a congratulatory message. “I want to thank them for their effort and I want to thank them for their example. They are a sign of hope to us.”