IHA celebrates Honors Convocation Ceremony virtually

On December 16, 2020, the Immaculate Heart Academy Honors Convocation Ceremony was presented virtually to recognize students who achieved academic success in the 2019-20 school year. After a heartfelt introduction from senior, Bianca D’Costa of Maywood, National Honor Society president, Mr. Jason Schlereth, principal; Miss Kerry Carroll’04, assistant principal for faculty and instruction; and Mrs. Alice Rogers, assistant principal of students, announced students who earned Honors and Distinguished Honors, in addition to those students who won a variety of special awards. Ms. Patricia Molloy, president, closed the video presentation with sincere congratulations and thanks to those who worked so hard over the last academic year.

During the 2019-2020 academic year, 49 students made Distinguished Honors each semester by earning averages of 95% or better and 259 students made Honors or better each semester by earning averages of 90% or better. These outstanding students deserve recognition for their academic achievements, especially as they endured the challenging circumstances COVID-19 presented in the spring.

Additionally, congratulations are extended to the following students who were recognized with book awards distributed by various colleges and universities in addition to IHA’s 2020 Promising Young Scientist Award and Mary Ellen Offer’06 Memorial Award.

The St. Michael’s College Book Award for Academic Achievement with a Social Conscience recognizes an outstanding student and member of the National Honor Society who demonstrates a strong commitment to volunteerism and leadership in her community.
Hannah Delfico’21 of Ridgewood

The George Washington University School of Engineering and Applied Science awards a student who has demonstrated excellence in the application of mathematics and science. This is awarded to the student who has achieved the highest cumulative grades in the fields of mathematics and science in her class.
Angelina Casale’21 of Hasbrouck Heights

The University of Rochester’s Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award is named in honor of two of Rochester’s most significant pioneers of social justice. This award, given in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and superior intellectual promise in the humanities and social sciences, honors a student committed to understanding and addressing difficult social issues. Recipients who apply and are accepted to Rochester will receive a minimum scholarship totaling $40,000.
Christine Ajao’21 of Mahwah

The University of Rochester’s Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award is given each year in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and superior intellectual promise in the field of science. Recipients of the award must have achieved high PSAT or SAT Math scores and must make positive contributions to their school and their community. Recipients who apply and are accepted to Rochester will receive a minimum scholarship totaling $40,000.
Abigail Auty’21 of Monroe, NY

The University of Rochester’s Xerox Award is given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the pursuit of innovation. Recipients of this award must demonstrate a flair for creativity and an appreciation for the possibilities of technology. Recipients who apply and are accepted to Rochester will receive a minimum scholarship totaling $40,000.
Freya Nair’21 of Wanaque

The University of Rochester’s George Eastman Young Leaders Award is given in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and leadership both in and out of the classroom. Recipients of this award must additionally demonstrate extensive involvement in extracurricular activities. Recipients who apply and are accepted to Rochester will receive a minimum scholarship totaling $40,000.
Mia Grossman’21 of Bloomfield

The Saint Anselm College Book Award is presented to a student who demonstrates academic success and exceptional leadership qualities in the area of civic engagement. The recipient should also embody the values inherent in the college’s Benedictine tradition.
Kaylee McKay’21 of Hillsdale

The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medalist Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement in math and science. Medalists who apply and are accepted to Rensselaer will receive a minimum yearly scholarship of $25,000.
Elizabeth Spizzo’21 of Mahwah

The Promising Young Scientist Award recognizes an outstanding student who, after her sophomore year, had the highest cumulative GPA in science and has expressed an interest in continuing her study of science at the university level.
Madelyn Panebianco’22 of Wyckoff

The Mary Ellen Offer’06 Memorial Award is presented in memory of Mary Ellen “Molly” Offer, a graduate of Immaculate Heart Academy’s class of 2006 and the youngest of five sisters who are all IHA graduates. The memorial scholarship was established by her parents and sisters, and it is the intention of the family that the award is presented to a student who typifies the qualities the so loved in Molly: a student who loves art and design, has a deep love for family and is willing to share compassion, spiritual values, and love of life with everyone she meets. This year’s recipient is an active member of the National Art Honor Society, an Eagle Ambassador, and a member of Christian Service Board. Like Molly, she is sharing her IHA experience with her sister. She has excelled in her art classes and, true to the spirit of the award, she is someone who is always willing to lend a hand.
Emmersen Dabal’21 of Wallington


Founded in 1960, Immaculate Heart Academy is an all-girls Catholic regional high school of the Archdiocese of Newark presently celebrating its 60th year. A Blue Ribbon School, IHA enrolls approximately 700 girls in a competitive college preparatory program from more than 100 towns in Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Hudson and Essex counties in New Jersey and Rockland and Orange counties in New York. Over the years, IHA has continually grown and evolved, fortifying its academics, activities and facilities to prepare students for further education, and for the enhancement of society through their personal, professional and spiritual gifts. Immaculate Heart Academy is located at 500 Van Emburgh Ave., Township of Washington, NJ.