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Holy Cross High School proudly celebrated its 55th Commencement Exercises on Sunday, May 31, 2026, honoring the achievements of the Class of 2026. During the ceremony, graduates received their diplomas and were recognized with a variety of special awards for academic excellence, leadership, service, and achievement. The memorable event featured inspiring remarks and heartfelt reflections from members of the Board of Directors, school administrators, student speakers, and distinguished guests. As graduates prepared to embark on the next chapter of their journeys, the ceremony served as a meaningful celebration of their accomplishments and the lasting impact of their Holy Cross experience. The graduation ceremony was preceded by a special Graduation Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. 

Board Member, alumni and proud Holy Cross parent, Atty. Gina Petrokaitis ’85 congratulated the graduates and instilled in them the importance of giving back. “Will you become a Board member like me,” she asked the graduating seniors. “Keep in mind what Holy Cross gave you and what you can give back.”

“As Mayor (of the City of Waterbury), I have the opportunity to speak at many different events throughout the year, and each one is meaningful in its own way,” said Mayor Paul Pernerewski ’79, “but returning to Holy Cross where I graduated holds a special place in my heart…Remember, Holy Cross will always be a part of who you are, no matter how far you go. This community and the values you learned here will always be with you. The world you are entering needs people like you. It needs thoughtful leaders, kind neighbors and compassionate citizens.”

President Dr. Thomas C. Pellegrino welcomed the Class of 2026 into the Holy Cross alumni family. He stressed that his interest “doesn’t end with all of you today. I am very interested in understanding from our alumni from what their life experience has been and what part did Holy Cross play in that. Did they, in fact, get a return on their investment.”

“Seniors, when your parents let go of your hand four years ago, they continued to invest in you,” said Tommy Pompei, Principal. “They entrusted me and all of my incredible partners at Holy Cross with the extraordinary responsibility of being the pavements where you walk. To be honest, this class didn’t just walk. They couldn’t wait to jump, run, draw, act, sing, swim, kick, shoot, think, write, share, and create.”

“To the faculty and mentors who have guided me and my peers along the way, thank you,” said Mia Shaker ’26 in her Commencement Address. “You not only taught as academics but also life lessons that go far beyond the classroom. You challenged us, believed in us, and helped shape us into the people we are becoming. Your impact will stay with is, long after we leave Holy Cross.”

Several individuals were honored/recognized during the ceremony including:

• Lillian Torrrance ’26 and Gianna Purcaro ’26 received the Valedictorian and Salutatorian Award for maintaining the highest and second-highest grade point average, respectively.
• Lillian Torrance ’26 was the recipient of The Sister Margaret Bannon, CND Service Award, presented annually to the senior girl who has demonstrated outstanding service to the school community.
• John Petrokaitis ’26 was the recipient of The Holy Cross Fathers’ Club Award, given each year to the senior boy who has demonstrated the most service to the school community.
• Daylen Roscoe ’26 was the recipient of The Holy Cross Mothers’ Club Award, presented annually to the senior boy who has demonstrated the most academic improvement from freshman to senior year.
• Gianna Palladino ’26 was the recipient of The Monsignor Henry E. Flanagan Award, presented each year to the female student who has improved the most academically from freshman to senior year.

The graduates of the Class of 2026 includes: 

Virginia Akide Ndunge #

Sara Audie**#

Nicholas Baker

Vienna Baker

William Barnes

Erin Barry ***^+

Gina Barry **^+

Quinn Barry

Mary Benvegnu

Mari Berardis

Arianna Berrios

Ardi Beshi

Alivia Bowen

Adriana Brammer

Brandon Brooks

Aidan Brown

Sophia Brown

Samoi Bryan

Shane Brzoska

Emma Bugnacki

Cheyenne Burgess

Tyler Bushka

Isabella Cacnahuaray ##

Anthony Cammarasana

Olivia Carolan

Henry Clemens

Matthew Collins, Jr. ^

Carmine Cuevas

Milana D'Amelio

Laila Daniels

Lily Dardis **^

Kylie Dennis

Jake DiBona

Nicholas Diogostine

Braydon Dion ^

Justine DiPasquale

Dorina Dobruna *

Evan Ennis

Sofia Fidanza

Brenna Finley

Lauren Fischer

Natasha Foldvary

Edion Frangu

Elizabeth Gambini

Ashton Gilbert

Nicola Gugliotti

Kayla Gunnoud

Francis Hartnett

Bella Henao ***^+

Jeancarlos Hernandez #

Jaslynn Hill

Matthew Holland **

William Jensen

Justin Karagianes

Austin Kasarda

John Lacush

Anthony Laribee

Antonella Livolsi **^#

Tylon Lott

Reese McGarrity ***^+

Timothy McGrath

Skyla Mendez #

Marley Mestek *^

Tressa Montesi

Jazlyn Muniz

Darby O'Connell

Ray O'Connell

Thomas Okesson

Tiago Oliveira **#

Tyler Onze

Gianna Palladino

Anastasia Papanicolaou

Oreanna Paris

Martino Pelosi

Tiago Pereira

Kaylie Perry

John Petrokaitis *^

Alyssa Posila

Carlos Poveda-Sanabria #

Danny Prodani *

Gianna Purcaro ***^+#

Alina Rodriguez Echevarria

Victoria Rosado

Michael Rosario

Daylen Roscoe

Alexa Ruggia

Camden Sannasi

Gionel Santiago *#

Benjamin Serenson

Lucielia Sevelowitz

Mia Shaker ***^+#

Savannah Skipwith ^

Lillian Torrance ***^+

Christian Velasquez

Giovanni Velez

Kylie Villa

Connor Walker

Evin Williams

Serafina Wojcik #

Dantae Yannantuono

Reagan Zupkus

*          Distinction
**        High Distinction
***       Highest Distinction
^          Certificate of Honor (First Honors Every Quarter)
+         Archdiocesan Summa Scholar
 #        Seal of Biliteracy