“Learning never stops”–a message equally applicable on the court and in the classroom was delivered to JTCC’s largest class of 23 graduates by commencement speaker George Solomon, former Washington Post sports editor. At the ceremony held outdoors at JTCC on May 23, Solomon also urged the student-athletes to remain intellectually curious.
“This class has shown rigorous academic discipline,” said JTCC School Head Mark Santangelo. “Their results speak for themselves, including two acceptances at Cornell and two at the University of North Carolina, plus one each at Harvard, University of Michigan, and University of Virginia, and one appointment to the Air Force Academy, the sky is the limit for these students to pursue their dreams.”
Wayne Russell accept his high school diploma from the Director of the JTCC school Mark Santangelo
The students will attend 19 different Division I and Division III universities and colleges with two final decisions still forthcoming:
Maria Adiaconitei – Cornell University
Luke Bennett – Chapman University
Kenneth Boyette – Case Western Reserve University
Joseph Brailovsky – University of South Carolina
Brian Cernoch – University of North Carolina
Jessica Fatemi – Emory University
Andrew Fenty – University of Michigan
Matthew Fenty – Undecided
Valerie Ho – Cornell University
Josh Keitelman – University of Richmond
Hunter Lake – Ashland University
Pascal Lee – Kenyon College
Coby Maisel – Earlham College
Lexi Merrill – University of Kentucky
Cameron Morra – University of North Carolina
Boris Palmade – Arizona State University
Brandon Perez – Undecided
Pasquale Procaccino – University of Rochester
Liam Rotzoll – Harvard University
Wayne Russell – Salisbury University
James Scotty – United States Air Force Academy
Jade Woo – Virginia Tech
Jade Woo speaks on behalf of the Class of 2018
William Woodall – University of Virginia
Many of the graduates have trained at JTCC for 10 years or more as was highlighted by student speakers James Scotty and Jade Woo, who both noted the impact JTCC has had in shaping their development and preparing them to meet the challenges ahead.
“Graduation is always an emotional and special day” said JTCC Senior Director of Tennis Vesa Ponkka. “The hard work and dedication of this year’s class has really paid off, and we are very excited to follow their continued progress in college and beyond.”
