On Feb. 26 McQuaid took a break from the monotony of the regularly scheduled day to congratulate students on academic and athletic achievements alike. This ceremony also included a speech from Senior Phineas Brauer about academic excellence.

The ceremony started with McQuaid Jesuit Principal Mr. Adam Baber describing his pleasure with the work students have done this year. He then introduced Vice Principal of Academics Mr. Andrew Cavacos who congratulated students on receiving academic bars. He also congratulated students’ receiving their second academic bars.

Then, student athletes and teams with a combined GPA of 90 or higher were congratulated and recognized.

Seniors were also recognized for their acceptance into the national honor society.

Senior Finn Brauer gave a speech about academic excellence. He reminisced about last year’s soccer team that won the state championship. He compared practice to preparation for tests and quizzes. Brauer believes that people  make mistakes in practice or preparations so when it comes to test or game day they are finely tuned.

The awards ceremony is a way for McQuaid to take a breath and reward students for great work and remind others of the rewards that come with great effort.

Another award handed out every semester is the senior Silent Knight award. This semester’s recipient was Carey D’andrea. This award is given to the student who is a great role model and best exemplifies the Jesuit schools’ “Profile of the Graduate at Graduation,” while doing so under the radar. Dean of Students Dr. Christopher Parks awarded Carey this during the end of the ceremony.

“Honestly, the award just keeps pushing me to work hard and be the student and young adult the McQuaid community perceives me as,” D’Andrea said.

The award is given on the spot, and Carey had no prior knowledge that he was going to win the award.

The award ceremony was a great way of recognizing those who have excelled throughout the year, and especially for recognizing the semester’s Silent Knight.