Commencement 2023

St. Sebastian's School graduated 73 students during its 79th Commencement Exercises on Thursday, June 8, 2023. The ceremony was held outside on the West Campus field. Edward T. Ryan, M.D. P’23, Director of Global Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital, delivered the keynote address. Patrick R. Sliz ’23 was this year's Valedictorian and John Q. Daly ’23 was the Salutatorian. Headmaster Bill Burke presented the diplomas to each graduate as Assistant Headmaster Michael Nerbonne read their names. This year's Commencement welcomed a record number of Arrows legacy families to date, with eight alumni fathers and five alumni grandfathers among those graduating. Four of these families represented three generations of Arrows. Thank you to Cramer Productions for capturing this special event and providing the audio, video, and live stream.

On June 7, 2023, the eve of St. Sebastian's Commencement, the Class of 2023 and their parents, along with members of the administration and faculty, gathered in St. Bartholomew Church for the Baccalaureate Mass, followed by dinner in Ward Hall. In addition to receiving the traditional St. Sebastian’s tie and pen, seniors were presented with awards recognizing their talents and contributions to the School.

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

View Video Recap of Commencement 2023 ►

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COMMENCEMENT AWARDS 

Pursuit of Excellence in the Disciplines Awards
Presented to individuals selected by the faculty

English Literature – John R. Lordi, Ethan L. Merithew, Brett E. Porter

Latin – Alex W. Yang

History – John Q. Daly, Peter J. Hunt, Ryan D. Steele

Religion – Michael J. Kalinichenko, Matthew R. Rohatgi

English Writing – Harrison W. Nash, Matthew R. Rohatgi

Spanish – Matthew R. Rohatgi

Drama – Robert T. Craven, Ethan L. Merithew

Photography – Alexander G. Maalouf

Ceramic Arts – Samuel B. Hinman

Music – Joshua A. Corbett, Alexander G. Maalouf, Ethan L. Merithew

Mathematics – Michael J. Kalinichenko, John R. Lordi, Patrick R. Sliz

Physics – Alex W. Yang                 

Chemistry – Joshua A. Corbett

Biology – Matthew R. Rohatgi   

Greek – Michael J. Kalinichenko, John R. Lordi

Computer Science – Noah C. Janchar, Cooper W. Wright
 

MEDALS
The following Medals are awarded to individuals who, during their high school years, have achieved the highest grade point average in required and advanced courses in the disciplines:

The Humberto Cardinal Medeiros Memorial Medal for Modern Languages – Matthew R. Rohatgi         

The Rev. Msgr. Joseph A. Beatty Memorial Medal for English – Ethan L. Merithew

The Rev. Msgr. John F.X. Harney Memorial Medal for Religion – Patrick R. Sliz

The Rev. Msgr. Charles D. McInnis Memorial Medal for History – John Q. Daly

The Paul A. Ablondi ‘57 Memorial Medal for Mathematics – Michael J. Kalinichenko

The John A. and Kathleen T. Nerbonne Memorial Medal for Classics – Lars R. Gubitosi, Samuel B. Hinman

The St. Sebastian Medal for Science – Michael J. Kalinichenko

The St. Sebastian Medal for Fine Arts – Alexander G. Maalouf
 

The Headmaster’s Award
Presented to the graduate who has achieved the highest cumulative grade point average.

Patrick R. Sliz

The St. Sebastian’s Scholar with Distinction Awards
Presented to graduates who have achieved a yearly average of A- or higher in every course, every year.

John Q. Daly, Matthew P. DeAnzeris, Michael J. Kalinichenko, Alexander G. Maalouf, Ethan L. Merithew, Matthew R. Rohatgi, Patrick R. Sliz

The St. Sebastian’s Scholar Awards
Presented to graduates who have achieved a yearly average of ‘B’ or higher in every course, every year.

Charles A. Bacon, Landon J. Bailey, Alexander J. Baynes, Connor D. Bragdon, Matthew N. Choumenkovitch, Joshua A. Corbett, Benjamin N. Garrity, Lars R. Gubitosi, John K. Hayes, John D. Heeney, Samuel B. Hinman, Peter J. Hunt, Noah C. Janchar, John R. Lordi, Alexander J. Lysko, Thomas D. McAuliffe, James X. McGuire, Reid M. McInerney, Andrew B. McNeill, Trevor S. Mullin, Harrison W. Nash, Brett E. Porter, Alexander R. Roth, Ryan D. Steele, Caspar T. Touloukian, Hagan W. Ward, Edward T. Weiss, Ryan S. Williamson, Alex W. Yang

The Sister Evelyn Catherine Barrett, O.P. Scholarship Award
Presented to the senior who, in the opinion of the faculty, most exemplifies in body, mind, and soul the spirit of St. Sebastian's School. 

Quincy O. Pickett

The Robert S. Gilligan Award
Presented to seniors who best exemplify the qualities of courage, determination, and perseverance. 

Connor D. Bragdon, Kellen P. Donovan, Troy N. Mccall, Jr.

The Cardinal Cushing Memorial Medal for Student Service
Presented to a senior for exemplary service to the School.

John Q. Daly

The Joseph P. MacDonald Award
Presented each year by the Student Council in conjunction with the entire School community to a member of the St. Sebastian’s family for outstanding service to the School.

Meyer J. Chambers

The Reverend Charles K. Riepe Medallion
Presented by the Assistant Headmaster, in consultation with the Administration and Faculty, to the members of the graduating class who have shown true leadership in exemplifying the virtues of faith and honor for which the School stands. 

Benjamin N. Garrity, Matthew R. Rohatgi

The Founder’s Medal
Presented to the members of the Senior Class whose character, leadership, and fortitude most closely reflect the ideals that inspired William Cardinal O’Connell to found this School in the name of St. Sebastian.

Trevor S. Mullin, Edward T. Ryan

The Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Medal
Presented each year to a senior for exemplary initiative, creativity, and perseverance in advancing the mission of the School.

Ethan L. Merithew

The Alumni Award
Presented to a senior, selected by the faculty, who possesses strength of mind, body and character, who displays outstanding attitude, effort and achievement, has an innate commitment to excellence in all endeavors and who has made many and varied contributions to St. Sebastian's School.

Landon J. Bailey
 

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BACCALAUREATE AWARDS

Service to the St. Sebastian’s Journal:
Lars R. Gubitosi, Samuel B. Hinman, Oliver F. O’Donnell

Poetry Out Loud 2023 School Champion:
Charles A. Bacon

The Recitation of Ulysses:
Benjamin N. Garrity, Michael J. Kalinichenko, John R. Lordi, Ethan L. Merithew, Alex W. Yang

Leadership in the Resurrection of The Dead Poets’ Society as President:
Alexander R. Roth

Service to the Walrus as Editor in Chief:
Kyle M. Bilezerian

Service to the Walrus as Editor:
John Q. Daly, Michael J. Kalinichenko, John R. Lordi

Leadership and Service to the St. Sebastian’s Book Club:
John Q. Daly

Outstanding Contribution to the Slings and Arrows Players:
Joshua A. Corbett, Robert T. Craven, Brian M. Grande, Ethan L. Merithew

Leadership and Excellence in the Memory Project:
Ethan L. Merithew

Art Historian Award (Surviving AP Art History):
William S. Hansen, Alexander R. Roth

Excellence in Photography and Service:
Ryan P. Donovan

Outstanding Leadership and Service to the Debate Team:
Matthew N. Choumenkovitch, William S. Hansen, Michael J. Kalinichenko, Reid M. McInerney, Alexander R. Roth, Edward T. Ryan, Alex W. Yang

Leadership and Service to the Debate Team:
Lars R. Gubitosi, John D. Heeney, John R. Lordi, Matthew R. Malloy, Ryan S. Williamson

Outstanding Leadership and Service to the St. Sebastian’s Finance Academy:
Lars R. Gubitosi, John R. Lordi, Reid M. McInerney

Leadership and Service to the St. Sebastian’s Finance Academy:
Connor D. Bragdon, Luke G. Brassard, Matthew N. Choumenkovitch, Christopher M. Condron, Matthew P. DeAnzeris, Colin J. Dowdle, John D. Faggiano, Ryan J. Fay, Theodore H. Gleba, Brian M. Grande, William S. Hansen, John K. Hayes, John D. Heeney, Matthew R. Malloy, Alexander R. Roth, Edward T. Ryan, P. William Tryder, John M. Volo, Alex W. Yang

Leadership and Service to the Robotics Team:
Joshua A. Corbett, Brian M. Grande, Noah C. Janchar, Alexander G. Maalouf, Matthew R. Rohatgi, Caspar T. Touloukian

Leadership and Service to the Engineering Club:
Noah C. Janchar

Leadership and Service to the Life Sciences Club:
Andrew B. McNeill

Leadership and Service to the Student Council:
Matthew N. Choumenkovitch, Connor R. Dumouchel, Benjamin N. Garrity, Peter J. Hunt, Edward T. Ryan

Chapel Speech Award:
Ethan L. Merithew, Harrison W. Nash

Dedication to Creativity, Design Thinking, and the Innovation Process:
Brian M. Grande, Noah C. Janchar, Alexander G. Maalouf, Caspar T. Touloukian

The Boethius Prize: For Dedication to Lady Philosophy in the Philosophy Reading Group:
Benjamin N. Garrity, Michael J. Kalinichenko

Consistent Participation in the Philosophy Reading Group:
Robert T. Craven

Outstanding Dedication to Arrows Together:
Matthew P. DeAnzeris, Benjamin N. Garrity, Matthew R. Rohatgi

Participation in Arrows Together:
Brian M. Grande, Noah C. Janchar, Michael J. Kalinichenko

Superlative Service at All-School Mass:
John Q. Daly

Many Years of Outstanding Service to the Chess Team:
Michael J. Kalinichenko, Brett E. Porter

Leadership and Service to the Health and Wellness Program as Peer Educators:
Charles A. Bacon, Matthew P. DeAnzeris, Colin J. Dowdle, Benjamin N. Garrity, John D. Heeney, Samuel B. Hinman, Peter J. Hunt, Reid M. McInerney

Most Basketball Points in School History:
Trevor Mullin

Athletic Commitment Award
Presented to Members of the Senior Class who have participated in athletics each season from their sophomore through senior years.
William S. Hansen

Letterman Award
Presented to Members of the Senior Class who have earned a Varsity Letter each season from their sophomore through senior years.
Samuel B. Hinman

ISL Award of Excellence
For exhibiting the Independent School League ideals of integrity, sportsmanship, fair play, and good citizenship while participating as a multi-sport athlete during his ISL career.
Landon J. Bailey, Zion R. Simmons

Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award:
Peter J. Hunt, Andrew B. McNeill

Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award:
Alexander J. Baynes, Edward T. Weiss

Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence:
Alexander G. Maalouf, Ethan L. Merithew

Mothers Medals:
Presented to mothers with three or more sons who have graduated from St. Sebastian’s.  

Kate Flatley: John’15, Thomas’20, George’23
Kristin Hunt: James’15, Joseph’17, Peter’23