Teams of students from St. Dominic School, Brick, and St. Aloysius School, Jackson, placed second and third overall, respectively, in the 18th annual Scholastic Olympics held March 15 in Monsignor Donovan High School, Toms River.

The contest, designed to stimulate educational interest and highlight academic achievement at the seventh grade level, attracted 16 teams of students from Catholic, public and private schools throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties to compete in three divisions according to school enrollment.

Subject areas in the competition included art, English, history, math, science, spelling and technology. Students took written exams, completed computer projects, sketched still-life pictures and competed in a spelling bee as part of their quest for success.

Winners in each division received a trophy and were ranked for top overall honors based on their performance. Individual student medalists will receive financial scholarships if they choose to attend Monsignor Donovan High School. 

St. Dominic clinched Division Two honors and placed second overall, while St. Aloysius earned Division One bragging rights and placed third. Howell Middle School North earned both Division Three and overall championship positions.

Other diocesan Catholic schools in the competition included St. Joseph School, Toms River; St. Denis School, Manasquan; All Saints Regional Catholic School, Manahawkin; and Holy Family School, Lakewood.

St. Dominic School is no stranger to the meet’s winners circle, having achieved overall top honors in last year’s competition. School principal Carol Bathmann rejoiced in this year’s second-place finish on the school.

“I am extremely proud of our scholastic team! These students are intrinsically motivated to excel and that’s the spirit of St. Dominic School,” Bathman wrote in an e-mail to The Monitor following the competition. She added that the school’s continued success in such competitions can be attributed to parental support and the encouragement of the faculty.

St. Dominic students took home a total of eight medals in seven subject areas. Team members and their individual honors included Emma Brenner, bronze medal in history; Clare Cahill, bronze medal, English; Maura Cahill, silver medal, art; Zachary Crosio; Nicholas Francis, silver medal, math; Carmine Freda, silver medal, science; Danielle Frey, silver medal, spelling; Alexis Garry; Alex Mapoy; Kendall O’Malley; Maia Pham; Nicole Raccuglia, gold medal, science; Emily Tiernan, bronze medal, technology; and Celia Veltry. 

St. Aloysius principal, Elizabeth O’Connor, expressed her pride in the school’s third place overall finish.

“I am always proud of our students and how they represent our school,” she said.

“We sent 14 children and seven of them came back with medals,” she added. “It just goes to show you the great work the teachers are doing and the awesome things the students are achieving.”

One gold, four silver and two bronze medals was the final tally for the Jackson school students on the team. Competitors included Ryan Barto; Zachary Canderozzi; Jordan Chan; Christopher Eiserle; Ashley Gundling; Jackie Hanna, silver medal, art; Kaitlyn Hassler, bronze medal, math; Brendan Madden, silver medal, spelling; Zachary Maynor; Emily McEwan, silver medal, technology; Dan McGowan, silver medal, science; Stella Mrowicki, bronze medal, spelling; Elizabeth Safarian; and Jake Schnaak, gold medal, English.

The participants themselves were very proud of their accomplishments. Students noted that they were both excited and nervous to take part in the competition and proud to represent St. Aloysius.

“It was a great experience and we all had a wonderful time,” said team member Ashley Gundling.