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February 23, 2026Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School hosted its annual Founders Day Mass and awards ceremony on Feb. 10. After celebrating Mass with Fr. Joe Fortuna of Our Lady of the Lake Parish, VASJ students were awarded scholarship money related to the school’s sponsoring orders, the Ursulines and the Marianists.
Each scholarship awarded was founded in the spirit of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade or St. Angela Merici to recognize the accomplishments of current VASJ students. Sr. Laura Bregar '75, Sr. Maureen Grady '64, Sr. Joanne Buckman '71 and Sr. Diane Stano distributed the Ursuline awards, while Bill Raddell '68 and Chris McGrath '69 served as lay representatives for the Marianists.
Congratulations to the following students:
Ursuline Service Scholarship
In keeping with the mission of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland to transform society through social justice, the Ursuline Service Scholarship recognizes students who are generous in their service to school, church and community, and leadership in issues of justice. Receiving a $500 scholarship is:
Senior Chandler Barton
Sr. M. Ursula Fahey Scholarship
The Sr. M. Ursula Fahey Scholarship recognizes a daughter of a VA or VASJ alum who displays leadership in school, church and community. Receiving a $500 scholarship is:
Junior Isabella Dalto
Sr. Rosemary Hocevar Science Scholarship
Sr. Rosemary Hocevar is a former science and math teacher and principal of Villa Angela Academy; she continues her support of VASJ today. The Sr. Rosemary Hocevar Science Scholarship is designated for current sophomores or juniors who have maintained a 2.5 GPA, have demonstrated service to school, parish, and/or community, and are interested in a career in education, science, or math. The following student is awarded $1,500:
Sophomore Brayden Barnett
Sr. Naomi Schreiner Scholarship
The Sr. Naomi Schreiner Scholarship is named after a legendary longtime VASJ Hall of Fame teacher. This $500 award is given to a senior who best represents the four characteristics of the National Honor Society – scholarship, leadership, service and character. The recipient of the $500 award is:
Senior Lily Herlihy
Sr. Angela Marie Waldron Scholarship
The Sr. Angela Marie Waldron Scholarship recognizes a student who has shown a love of learning, has a grade point average of at least 3.0, participates in multiple activities and is active in his/her parish. The recipient of the $500 award is:
Sophomore Michael Thompson
Anna Mae Eppich-Lang Scholarship
The Anna Mae Eppich-Lang Scholarship is an award in memory of Mrs. Lang. The recipient is a female resident of Cleveland who, in addition to performing well academically, has qualities that epitomize the spirit of VASJ. This year’s recipient of $500 is:
Sophomore Lucy Hoffman (not pictured)
Fr. Louis Wiesner Scholarship
The Fr. Louis Wiesner Scholarship was established in memory of the founding principal of St. Joseph High School. This scholarship is awarded to a student who has demonstrated growth in the principles and characteristics of VASJ. The following student will receive a $1,000 scholarship:
Senior Delaina Jenkins
Marianist Excel Program
The Marianist Excel Program, formerly the Marianist Urban Students Program, was founded in 1990 and came to VASJ in 1999, with the first graduating class being in 2003. The Marianist Brothers and Priests contribute over $100,000 a year to operate this program. These students receive academic and social support at VASJ. The students in MEP receive over $10,000 in tuition scholarship aid during their four years. Those chosen for this program go through a thorough and competitive selection process.
The current MEP students at VASJ are:
Freshmen
Skylar Brock
Kaitlyn Gilson
Michael Hamilton
Josiah Hockenberry
Jalynn Mason
Winter McClain
Sophomores
In’shireh Abbas
Myles Byrd-Henderson
Andrew Duncan
Kay'Lee Gary
Tiana Morrow
Leontae Wright
Juniors
Kailyn Ellington
Shamira Hines
Sophia Hockenberry
Zoe Horton
Daniel Kennedy
Juron Parker
Joseph Treece
Seniors
Ny'Yer Abbas
Marion Drake
Destiny Johnson