Saint Joseph Hill Academy High School

Yesterday, the Hill community came together for St. Joseph Hill Academy's 6th Annual Golf Outing & Tennis Open — a day of friendly competition, community, and purpose at Richmond County Country Club.

This year's event welcomed 112 golfers to the course and launched our first-ever Beginner Tennis Clinic, giving new players the chance to learn, compete, and be part of the day alongside our returning Round Robin players.

We were honored to celebrate this year's dinner honoree, Anne Marie McDonough — a lifelong Hilltopper, SJHA Elementary School grandparent, and swim coach of 25 years whose 35-year career as a healthcare leader at Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell Health reflects everything we hope our graduates carry forward: dedication, service, and a deep love for this community.

Proceeds from this year's event support the replacement of our campus heating and cooling system — an essential investment in safe, comfortable classrooms for the Hilltoppers of today and tomorrow.

Thank you to every golfer, tennis player, event sponsor, and guest who joined us as well as all those who supported the Outing with donations, in-kind donations, and their volunteer time. And a special thank you to the SJHA Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations for organizing our Academy's flagship fundraising event of the year.

I was proud to welcome Daniela Luci, a student at St. Joseph Hill Academy High School, to the U.S. Capitol as she received the Congressional Award Gold Medal — the U.S. Congress’ highest honor for youth.
Daniela earned this honor through her achievements in volunteer service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration, including her volunteer work with Project Hospitality and Habitat for Humanity. Congratulations to Daniela on this well-deserved honor!

Sister Mary’s letter to our Hill community, written on the occasion of our Class of 2026 graduations, reflects on the achievements of our graduates, the historic Consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and her own encounter with Pope Leo XIV during the Daughters of Divine Charity’s General Chapter in Rome. She also shares her gratitude for every family, donor, and faculty member who makes Hill what it is.

Read the full letter at www.stjosephhillacademy.com.

Sister Mary’s letter to our Hill community, written on the occasion of our Class of 2026 graduations, reflects on the achievements of our graduates, the historic Consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and her own encounter with Pope Leo XIV during the Daughters of Divine Charity’s General Chapter in Rome. She also shares her gratitude for every family, donor, and faculty member who makes Hill what it is. Read the full letter at www.stjosephhillacademy.com.

Class of 2026, you did it.

Principal Dr. Kristin Sherwood presided over her very first graduating class, sending our seniors off with a reminder to stay curious and keep asking questions, no matter where life leads. Guest speaker the Honorable Mary A. Kavanagh, Class of 2002, returned to Hill and spoke about resilience, second chances, and the faith it took to become the youngest woman ever elected to the bench on Staten Island.

Valedictorian Leila Parnese (University of Notre Dame) reflected on the footprints we leave behind, and Salutatorian Emma Moroz (Lafayette College with a full tuition scholarship) reminded us of the memory boxes that hold four years of life at Hill.

And these Hilltoppers have plenty to celebrate. The Class of 2026 earned acceptances to 195 colleges and universities and more than $51.4 million in academic scholarships, with every single graduate receiving merit awards. Fourteen were offered full tuition, twenty are entering Honors and Scholars programs, and ten are headed into accelerated master’s and doctoral programs in fields like medicine, pharmacy, occupational therapy, and social work. Add in athletic and arts scholarships, and it is clear this class is ready for whatever comes next.

To our newest alumnae: you discovered the Summum Bonum, the highest good here on Hill. Now go share it with the world.

Once a Hilltopper, always a Hilltopper.

📸 by &