This year’s graduates put faith into action, reflecting compassion in helping the poor and vulnerable
Top photo caption: Students from Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, visit the De La Salle Blackfeet School in Browning, Montana, during a 2024 service immersion trip. Among those pictured are Colin Pinguelo (far left) and Julian McFarlane (fifth from left), members of the Class of 2026, who described the experience of serving children on the Blackfeet Reservation as one of the most meaningful and transformative parts of their CBA journey. Christian Brothers Academy photo
By EmmaLee Italia, Contributing Editor
Student service has always been a priority of Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Trenton, showing that young people are not merely the future – they are making a difference now.
By living their Catholic faith and exercising the moral leadership imbued in them by their families and educators, seniors made a real difference in the lives of veterans with disabilities, the elderly, the isolated and those struggling with poverty and all that it brings. Through volunteering, participating in outreach programs and establishing their own ways to assist others, the members of the Class of 2026 have truly made an impact on the people and communities around them.
Donovan Catholic grads created opportunities for service
“The Class of 2026 leaves behind a legacy of service,” school representatives for Donovan Catholic said. “During their senior year alone, members of the Toms River class completed more than 4,430 hours of community service, representing an estimated economic impact of more than $120,000 for local organizations and ministries.”
That commitment went far beyond school requirements, as students accumulated hours volunteering in parishes, schools, hospitals, food pantries, youth programs, and community organizations throughout the region. Their outreach roles included altar servers, lectors, peer mentors, tutors, coaches and campus ministry leaders.
“What makes this class especially memorable is the way they created opportunities for service,” school officials noted.
Students established initiatives such as Cube Club, an active student community centered around solving Rubik’s Cubes, hosting casual tournaments, and building camaraderie while raising funds and collecting donations for organizations chosen by competition winners. Others organized events such as Volleyball for Vets, bringing together students and community members to support veterans and veteran-focused causes.
“These efforts demonstrated creativity, leadership and a genuine desire to make a difference,” school officials said. “Whether through organized service projects or quiet acts of kindness, the Class of 2026 consistently put their faith into action and strengthened both the school and the wider community.”
St. John Vianney seniors led with compassion, community-building
Representatives for St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, emphasized that in all areas, “the Class of 2026 demonstrated that impact is not only measured in achievement, but in how they uplift others.”
The graduates’ lasting impact came “by putting their faith into action through service to others, leading with compassion and building a community rooted in Catholic values.”
In their senior year alone, the Class of 2026 contributed more than 10,000 hours of service, totaling over 19,500 hours across four years.
“Their work reflected a commitment to Catholic Social Teaching, particularly care for the most vulnerable,” school officials said. “Students served elderly and disabled veterans at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home and organized numerous outreach efforts including food drives and clothing collections.”
Individual students also made meaningful contributions beyond the school community, they noted.
Samantha Farrugia organized a Monmouth County-wide food drive promoting heart-healthy nutrition, inspired by her family’s work in healthcare. Her initiative supported local food pantries and earned her the Good Citizen Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Vincent Baldari was recognized with the Monmouth County Caring Award for his compassion and character, while students like Helen Domashinski and Mateo and Luciano Formica immersed themselves in every aspect of school life, modeling leadership through involvement.
In the arts, Michela Mungiello and Caitlyn Polis were honored with Basie Arts Impact Scholarships for their creativity and dedication.
In athletics, Dominick Fuoco and Diana Mackiewicz were recognized for sportsmanship, while Frank Rodriguez, Caeley Smith, and Sofia Donello received the NJ Catholic Athletes for Christ Leadership Award. Madison McDougall further distinguished herself as one of the most decorated softball players in school history, earning New Jersey Gatorade Softball Player of the Year honors in both 2024 and 2026.
Generosity with time a key part of CBA Class of 2026
With a total of 19,475 hours of community service – averaging about 103 per student and more than doubling the requirement of 50 hours each – the graduating class of Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, may well be remembered for its impact on others.
Honors student-athlete Julian McFarlane participated in Student Council, yearbook, science team and Students Against Drunk Driving; his regular service in liturgical ministry and his service immersion trip to De La Salle Blackfeet School on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana he found particularly meaningful. “I loved going to Montana during the beginning of my junior year,” he says. “I loved helping out in the school, going to explore and sightsee.”
The Brick native, whose two brothers also attended CBA before him, chose Notre Dame University for mechanical engineering “because of its heavy basis of service and how I can serve others outside my immediate area,” he said.
Classmate and honors student-athlete Colin Pinguelo also went on the service immersion trip and noted that it made a monumental impact on his high school career.
“I like to tell people that the week alone made coming to CBA worth it,” Pinguelo said. “The eye-opening experience and the integration into a new community, it was unmatched. I got to work with middle schoolers who have a lot of challenges facing their education. I learned so much from them, so many lessons that I will hold dear to my heart.”
The Colts Neck native’s next chapter will bring him to Boston College, where he has received a full-tuition scholarship as part of his acceptance to the competitive Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program.
“It is a cohort of students where we work together in service, global travel and leadership,” he said. “It’s an academic community, but also a social and leadership community. It is made for us to succeed and make a big impact not only in our four years, but going on into the world.”