Catholic Schools Week in the Diocese of Syracuse kicked off Jan. 29 with the 10th Annual Light the Way Scholarship Dinner. Held at the SKY Armory Event Center in Syracuse and sponsored in part by Mirabito Energy Products, M&T Bank and First Niagara Bank, the event helps to raise funds to support tuition assistance for diocesan Catholic school students in financial need. More than $200,000 has been raised through the dinner over the past 10 years.
Honored at this year’s dinner were educators who have served Catholic schools in the diocese for 40 years or more. In his remarks, Superintendent William Crist noted that the 21 honorees have collectively contributed more than 900 years of service, and that thousands of students are now following their life paths thanks in part to the honorees.
“This evening we are also here to celebrate who we are,” Crist said, “recognizing that we stand on the shoulders of giants, those who have blazed the trail that all of us will attempt to follow with the same passion, persistence and humility.”
On these pages, some scenes from the evening.
2016 Light the Way honorees
Cheryl Canfield, Catholic Schools Office
Harriet Cetola, Blessed Sacrament School
Mary Lou Connors, Bishop Ludden Jr./Sr. High School
Marcia Crader-Streeter, St. Margaret’s School
Barbara Dillon, Bishop Grimes Jr./Sr. High School
Brother Gabriel Fiumano, Christian Brothers Academy
Jennifer Foster, Bishop Grimes Jr./Sr. High School
Mary Goldsmith, Holy Family School
Kathleen Hallett, Cathedral Academy at Pompei
Paul Hanley, Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High School
Barbara Ann McDonough, Notre Dame Jr./Sr. High School
Mary Ellen Montague, Most Holy Rosary School
Cathy Ann Page, All Saints Catholic School
Suzanne Pietropaolo, Bishop Ludden Jr./Sr. High School
Andrea Polcaro, Blessed Sacrament School
Carol Polito, Notre Dame Elementary
Mary Romano, St. Rose of Lima School
Carol Shifflet, Holy Family School
Catherine Taddeo, Bishop Ludden Jr./Sr. High School
James Wheeler, Seton Catholic Central
Barbara Wojcik, Notre Dame Elementary
