Class of 2011 is Largest in More Than 40 Years
Devon Prep’s Class of 2011, which included 60 young men, was the school’s largest graduating class in 42 years. The Class of 1969 had 68 graduates.
In addition to being the largest class in recent years, the Class of 2011 earned more scholarship money than any of its predecessors, collectively accumulating over $7.7 million. They also received more than 300 acceptances to over 100 colleges and universities, including Fordham, Lehigh, NYU, Syracuse, Case Western Reserve, Drexel University, Villanova, Vassar College, Catholic University and Penn State.
Devon Prep's Class of 2011
The Class included 25 AP Scholars, seven of whom were AP Scholars with Distinction, and six National Merit Scholars. Two of the graduates, Nicholas Pancerella and Alex Pachella, had been recruited to play Division 1 and Division 3 baseball, respectively. Graduate David Freiberg was recognized for having perfect attendance for 7 years, since enrolling in Devon Prep in sixth grade. The Class also performed nearly 2000 hours of community service doing everything from collecting and distributing food to needy families to raising over $25,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Ryan Litchert was recognized for performing 150 hours of community service on his own.
Student Speakers Cite Brotherhood, Opportunity
Class Valedictorian Harry G. Crimi, Jr. was one of two student speakers at the Commencement Ceremony held in the school’s athletic facility. In his address Crimi thanked teachers, staff and parents, and then he spoke to his fellow classmates. “We are all intelligent, active, genuine, and everything else that characterizes a typical class at Devon Prep,” he said. “However, we, the Class of 2011, are so much more, which can be summed up in one word: brotherhood.”
“Throughout our years here, we have made Devon Prep our home, and we have made each other members of our family. As we leave for an ever changing and uncertain future, it is the best reward to know that we have each other, a strong family of 60 seniors, to rely on throughout our lives and to share our future experiences with.”
“The experience that is Devon Prep,” Crimi continued, “no matter how quirky it may be, has nevertheless offered us something that we can rarely find anywhere else: a supportive and caring environment where we are encouraged and challenged to be the best we can be, nurturing the gifts to the best of our ability that God blessed us with. It is through the administration, faculty, and staff’s determination and genuine love for us that make all of this possible.”
Salutatorian Nicholas A. Pancerella also thanked Devon Prep faculty, staff and parents. And he urged his fellow graduates to “Make it Count.” “…the future is ours and it is filled with promise,” he said. “As we leave Devon Prep, I challenge you to “Make it Count”. We need to take every day as a gift from God, and give our best effort to our academic and athletic pursuits, to our Faith, to our families and friends, to our community, our Church, our country.”
Pancerella also told the Class of 2011 to “Try not to take the opportunities and blessings that you have for granted, and rely on your faith and values to guide you through obstacles and difficulties that you may face. Do not be afraid to take chances because some of your greatest opportunities will come through leaps of faith.”
Both Crimi and Pancerella are AP Scholars as well as Distinguished Honor Students and members of the National Honor Society. Crimi, who was included in Channel 6's annual Best of the Class round up, will attend the College of the Holy Cross in the fall. Pancerella is headed to Binghamton University, where he had been recruited to play baseball.
Devon Prep Class of 1972 Alumnus Dr. Michael Shank, DO, served as the Commencement Guest Speaker. Dr. Shank is board certified in geriatric medicine and family practice. He serves as medical director of White Horse Village in Newtown Square. Dr. Shank is a graduate of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Also during Devon Prep’s graduation ceremony Class of 1969 Alumnus Albert E. Girod received the Alumni Achievement Award. Girod serves as Founder and Managing Partner of SSL Services, Potomac, MD. SSL is in the business of managing patents and intellectual property. Prior to SSL Services Girod served as President of Convergent Wealth Advisors in Rockville, MD. Girod is a leader in the business community and has served on numerous boards of both private and public corporations.
In addition, several awards were presented to the graduates honoring them for academic excellence, school spirit and community service. The final award, coveted Brady-Gallagher Award, was presented to Harry G. Crimi, Jr., chosen by his fellow classmates for his exemplary selflessness and his devotion to Devon Prep and his fellow students.
- Read more about the Class of 2011 in the Devon Dialogue Graduation Supplement
Awards and College Choices
Below is a list of Devon Prep’s Class of 2011 and their college choices and awards.
William N. Adamiak of Paoli, Penn State University (Honors), Excellence in Religion Award
Zachary J. Adams of Devon, University of North Carolina, Excellence in Public Speaking Award
Gregory S. Angiolillo of Drexel Hill, St. Joseph’s University
Joshua T. Bailey of Worcester, Marist College
Matthew B. Baldassano of Blue Bell, Providence College, Excellence in AP English Award
Duncan R. Becker of Narberth, University of Delaware, Excellence in Honors Chemistry Award
Michael J. Bentley of Elverson, Penn State University
Jeffrey R. Bevan of Phoenixville, University of Pittsburgh, Excellence in AP Statistics,
Highest Average in Spanish Award
Gregory C. Bokar of Chester Springs, Case Western Reserve University, Excellence in Spanish Award, Highest Average in Spanish
Ryan C. Carson of Phoenixville, Elizabethtown College
Douglas A. Cichowicz of King of Prussia, West Chester University, Excellence in AP German Award
Harry G. Crimi, Jr. of Havertown, College of the Holy Cross, Loyalty & School Spirit Award, Brady – Gallagher Award
Patrick T. Curley of Gilbertsville, St. Joseph’s University
Austin J. Davis of Newtown Square, Dickinson College, Excellence in AP US Government & Politics Award
Alexander M. DiMarzio of Philadelphia, Millersville University, Excellence in AP Calculus AB Award
Tristan W. Dolan of Drexel Hill, Drexel University, Excellence in Screenwriting Award
Timothy L. Doney of Lansdowne, West Virginia University, Excellence in Chemistry Award
Albert J. Emhof of Broomall, Penn State University, Excellence in Environmental Science Award
Kyle M. Engel of Pottstown, University of Maryland
Colin M. Feeney of Newtown Square, Catholic University of America
Edward J. Finn of Malvern, DeSales University
Andrew J. Fletcher of Birchrunville, Wake Forest University
David N. Freiberg of Springfield, Drexel University, Excellence in AP Calculus BC, Class of 1964 Excellence in Math & Science Award
Samuel S. Gillin of Wayne, Loyola University of Maryland
Richard J. Glikes of Chester Springs, University of Pittsburgh
Andrew H. Grahn of Glenmoore, Loyola University of Maryland
Jordan T. Kelly of Exton, University of South Carolina, Excellence in Journalism Award
Richard L. Kenney of Bryn Mawr, Villanova University, Excellence in AP English Award
John J. Kiely of Berwyn, University of Richmond, Excellence in AP French Award
Joseph J. Kozak of Phoenixville, Case Western Reserve University, Excellence in AP Chemistry Award
Ryan M. Litchert of West Chester, Penn State University
Matthew J. Maloney of Malvern, Loyola University of Maryland
Albert A. Marciano of Havertown, Villanova University
C. Joseph Matthews of Jenkintown, University of Pittsburgh
Robert E. McCarron of Bryn Mawr, Franklin and Marshall College, Excellence in English Award
Daniel F. McFadden of Exton, Duquesne University
Joseph J. McLachlan of Wayne, Franciscan University, Excellence in Vietnam War Studies Award
John R. McManus of Wynnewoood, Cabrini College
Douglas R. McParland of West Chester, St. Joseph’s University
Bryan C. Misialek of Berwyn, Loyola University of Maryland, Excellence in Honors Chemistry Award
Daniel J. Monaghan of Norristown, La Salle University (Honors)
Edward P. Nevins of Havertown, West Virginia University
Brendan J. O'Brien of Downingtown, Loyola University of Maryland, Excellence in Classical Literature Award
Alexander M. Pachella of Wayne, Hamilton College
Nicholas A. Pancerella of Collegeville, Binghamton University, Excellence in Religion Award
Yuri A. Piro of Downingitown, Wake Forest University, Excellence in AP English Award
Vincent D. Quintiliani of West Chester, La Salle University (Honors)
Michael W. Raftery of Phoenixville, St. Joseph’s University
Alexander B. Reinhart of Lansdowne, Penn State University, Excellence in AP Physics C Award
Brendan M. Richter of Malvern, Catholic University of America
Christophe H. Rodelli of West Chester, St. Joseph’s University, Excellence in Screenwriting Award
William F. Rovinski of Springfield, Catholic University of America
Alexander M. Sidor of Media, University of Delaware (Honors), General Excellence Award, Highest Average for Senior Year Award
Stephen R. Sloto of Saint Peters, University of Pittsburgh, Excellence in Pre-Calculus Award
Alexander J. Smith of Audubon, New York University
Jason A. Smith of Kimberton, La Salle University
Clement A. Stormes of Strafford, Vassar College, Excellence in AP English Award
Terence H. Walsh of Malvern, St. Joseph’s University
Basilius C. Wangemann of Chester Springs, West Chester University
Justin S. Wickersham of King of Prussia, Villanova University, Excellence in Religion Award