HILLSDALE, N.J.—Congratulations to Ava Messina, recipient of the William Mundhenk Character Recognition Award, which acknowledges a student at St. John’s Academy for his or her good manners, respectful attitude, cooperation, generosity of time and talent, and good school spirit.
The award was presented by Suzanne Socha, principal at St. John’s Academy, on Jan. 4. The award was established by Lawrence Mundhenk on behalf of himself and his late wife, Viola, in memory of their son William, a St. John’s Academy graduate.
Ava, an eighth-grader, accepted the award with her classmates (participating in the presentation both remotely and in-person), Socha, and Eighth Grade Coordinator Joanna Ariyan.
Socha told Pascack Press on Jan. 28 that Ava is “a gregarious, positive and reliable student who works hard in everything she does. Ava is a girl who works carefully in her studies and is known to find the best in difficult situations. She embodies the Catholic virtues of grace and kindness in her relationships with others.”
Socha added, “These are the values we encourage in all students and Ava is an exemplary representative of the very best St. John’s Academy has to offer.”
St. John’s Academy is committed to a Catholic education based on faith, academics and service that lasts a child’s lifetime. St. John’s Academy is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year and is a thriving progressive Catholic school in Hillsdale.