Every year during Catholic Education Week, Niagara Catholic recognizes the very best of our students, staff, and alumni during our Celebrating Excellence Awards.
The awards were presented on May 5, at the Central Community Centre in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The awards celebration takes place in three parts: the Distinguished Alumni Awards, recognizing graduates who have a notable contribution to their field or the community, the Inspiration Awards, presented to staff for exemplary service to their students, colleagues, and Niagara Catholic, and the Catch the Spirit Student Awards of Excellence, presented each year to a student from each Niagara Catholic elementary and secondary school, as well as from alternative education and continuing education.
"Tonight, we gather to celebrate our annual inspiration awards, catch the spirit student awards, and distinguished alumni awards, honouring our students, both current and alumni, as well as the exceptional staff who serve across Niagara Catholic," said Director Cipriano in his opening remarks. "It is most appropriate that we gather this evening during Catholic Education Week, as we celebrate the distinctive contributions that Catholic education makes to many -- by positively impacting the lives of our students, our staff, and our communities.
Director Cipriano thanked parents and staff, before addressing the award recipients.
"Thank you for choosing Catholic education and for the trust you place in us as we journey together in supporting the spiritual, academic, physical, and social development of your children," he said to parents, before thanking staff for nominating students and alumni for the awards.
"To all of our award recipients... this recognition is a culmination of your hard work, your perseverance, and your commitment to faith and learning," said Director Cipriano. "Please know that you make a difference, and that your outstanding accomplishments are recognized and celebrated. I am honoured that you call, or have called, Niagara Catholic home."
Chair of the Board Danny Di Lorenzo echoed those sentiments.
"When I was a principal, it was always a privilege to select our Catch the Spirit Award recipients each year," said Danny Di Lorenzo, Chair of the Niagara Catholic Board of Trustees. "It was also a special honour when staff and alumni from my school were recognized during the celebration. Each of you brings something to your schools, your fields of expertise, and your communities, and it is such a pleasure to recognize all award recipients this evening."
The names of our 2025 Distinguished Alumni and Inspiration Award recipients are attached here.
Biographies of our 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients can be found here.
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