Hendricken’s graduating Class of 2022 faced their fair share of obstacles. They meet those challenges head-on with both strength and compassion, says the school’s Principal Mark DeCiccio. He  is not only proud of the class’s academic, athletic, and artistic achievements but the fact that this is his first four-year class since being named principal in 2018.

“The Class of 2022 is definitely a historic class. They had amazing outstanding accomplishments across the board from academics to the arts and athletics. I am extremely proud of the schools they have chosen and that there are three military academy appointments,” said DeCiccio.

The Top 10 students of the Class of 2022 not only performed well academically but in every other area of their life. Their commitment to various clubs, sports teams, performances, and the Hendricken community shines through each of them. There was a clear consensus among the group that all of their successes were driven by their family, teachers, and friends who they met along the way. 

#1 Daniel Franchetti

Valedictorian of Hendricken graduating Class of 2022 is Daniel Franchetti. A Hawk since 8th grade and accepted into the SELECT eighth grade program at Hendricken he claims provided him the foundation needed to succeed. Franchetti will be attending St. John's University in New York City this fall and plans on majoring in actuarial science.

During his time at Hendricken, he served as President of the Newspaper Club and Anime Club. He was a peer minister and peer mentor. Franchetti was a member of the Math Team, Academic Decathlon, and Ambassadors Club. He also participated in the M3 14-hour math challenge.

Franchetti won a multitude of awards including the Harvard Book Award, 2021 General Treasures’ Young Leader Award and he received a National Merit Letter of Commendation. He was a member of the 2021 RI Academic Decathlon State Champion team alongside being a member of the Mu Alpha Theta National Honors Society.

When reflecting back on his time in high school, Franchetti has fond memories but it was the people that stood out the most.

“Being introverted, I will always remember the many talented people I met. It all started in the robotics team when I met Logan Cuthill. Since then I have met many lasting friends; Valentino “Called for More” Lombardi, Sam Warr, and Aidan Cahill. I am also glad to have participated in a senior internship at the Warwick Beacon,” Franchetti wrote.

#2 Neil Dungca

Receiving the title Salutation is Neil Dungca who is thankful for his teachers and coaches not only being strong educators but even stronger mentors. Dungca will attend Northeastern University this fall in Boston and plans on majoring in Chemical Engineering.

Dungca made sure to keep himself busy in school. He served as captain of the Academic Decathlon team, Co-Creator of the board Game Design Club, and a performer for the chamber ensemble. He was on the school's outdoor track and field team. Dungca was a member of the math team, Esports team, Science Olympiad, and participated in the Math Works modeling challenge.

Dungca was the recipient of the Brown University Book Award and a National Spanish Exam Level 3 Silver Medal winner. In the RI Academic Decathlon, he received an Academic Decathlon Silver Medal Economics, Academic Decathlon Bronze Medal Social Science, and Academic Decathlon Bronze Medal Mathematics. He was a member of the English Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and National Honor Society. Dungca received a RIMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival Superior Rating. He also participated in the Rhode Island Table Tennis High School Championship.

“Since the start of high school, I have known two things. While I hadn't yet figured out which specific field to go into, I knew that I wanted to create things that would help the world and that good grades were a key to institutions that would help me accomplish this goal. I also knew that my younger sister Natalie looked up to me and that I could set an example of how to be a hard-working student,” wrote Dungca.

#3 Aaron Lewis

Ranked third in the class is Aaron Lewis. He is thankful for his friends who always had his back throughout high school no matter what and that's why he believes high school helped him find friends for life. Lewis will be attending North Carolina State and majoring in aerospace engineering.

Outside of Hendricken Lewis was an active gymnast with his club. Inside school, he was a member of the math team and a peer minister. He was a US Presidential Scholarship nominee and recipient of the James R Hoffa Memorial Scholarship.

“I think what motivated me to succeed most was the idea that there is so much potential for what one can do in life. By pushing myself to excel during the beginning of my life, I have helped to establish a strong foundation for the lifelong journey of discovery on which I am about to embark. Just like in aerospace engineering, the sky doesn’t have to be the limit. So there is always more which can be accomplished,” Lewis wrote.

“My parents worked endlessly to provide me with the opportunities I received in the first place, so I cannot thank them enough. During my high school experience, teachers like Mr. Morey, whom I spent just so many classes with, were always there to push me to succeed. And, as always, my friends were there to have my back whenever I needed them the most,” Lewis wrote.

#4 Jacob Rademacher

Ranked fourth in the class is Jacob Rademacher, who contributed greatly to the drama department throughout his high school career. Rademacher will attend Boston University this fall with plans to major in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Vocal Performance and/or Theater.

Rademacher enjoyed being a member of the BHHS Arts Academy all four years, participating in both Drama and Chorus. Some of his recent roles include Seymour in “Little Shop of Horrors”, Davey in “Newsies”, Macbeth in “Macbeth”, and Nick Carraway in “The Great Gatsby”. He was also a math and writing peer tutor. Outside of school, he was selected for the NAFME All-National Honor Ensembles Chorus (2020) and the RI All-State Chorus (5 years), and the RI Advanced Honor Choir (4 years). For the past two years, he was also 1st bass for RI All-State Chorus. Rademacher also served as a cantor and altar server at his parish.

Rademacher was a member of the National, English, Math, and Spanish Honor Societies. He was the Rhode Island state winner of the ESU National Shakespeare Competition. He placed second in the Poetry Out Loud RI State Competition. He was one of the two RI singers selected for the All-National NAFME Honor Chorus and was chosen to perform in CRIMEA State Honors Recital.  He was the recipient of the Yale Book Award and one of two students from the Hendricken sophomore class selected for the HOBY Leadership Program. Rademacher received a multitude of awards for his work in the arts including the Arts Director’s Drama Award, Stanislavsky Excellence in Acting Award, National Choral Award, and Excellence in Musical Theatre Award.

“I would like to thank my parents and friends for their love and support, my arts teachers - Mr. Sylvia, Mr. Alianiello, and Mrs. Gambardella - for giving me amazing opportunities to learn and perform, and teachers like Mr. Morey and Ms. Andrews for making learning challenging but fun,” wrote Rademacher.

#5 Samuel Warr

Ranked fifth in the class is Samuel Warr who believes the key to his motivation to excel stems from his classmates. Warr will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York this fall and plans to major in Environmental Engineering.

Warr was on the Varsity Soccer team, Varsity Volleyball, Indoor Track and Field, and Math Team. He worked in the drama department as part of the technical theater crew. He was on the Esports team and was the captain of the team his senior year. Warr was also part of the ambassador program and was the Ambassador President his final year.  He is a member of the National Honor Society, Rhode Island Honor Society, Math Honor Society, and English Honor Society. He was also the Rensselaer Medalist Scholarship recipient.

“The teacher who had the greatest impact on me during my time in high school was my math teacher Mr. Morey. He pushed me to take part in numerous clubs and activities, including spending a day at school over a break to do math for 14 hours. It was his enthusiasm that helped me get through one of the most difficult classes I had ever gone through and still enjoy math after it. Even if his tests or assignments led to late nights alongside classmates to finish one more problem or understand one more concept, he has pushed me to enjoy math just as he does and influenced me to pursue engineering in college,” wrote Warr.

#6 Valentino Lombardi

Ranked sixth in the class is Valentino Lombardi who attributes his success in high school to his parents and his enjoyment of his time in high school to his friends. Lombardi was chosen to attend The United States Military Academy at West Point in New York. Although undecided, he is considering a major in computer science.

Lombardi was a member of the cross country team, indoor track team, and outdoor track team. He was a member of the choir, Math Team, and a peer minister. He was also the E-Sports team captain. Lombardi was the recipient of the Spirit of Music Award.

Lombardi will take away an important lesson as he leaves high school.

“That you don’t need to save the world to find meaning in life. Sometimes all you need is something simple, like someone to take care of,” wrote Lombardi.

#7 Colin Naughton

Ranked seventh in the class Colin Naughton says he was motivated to excel in school not just to make his parents proud but himself as well. Naughton will be attending the University of Rhode Island this fall and is deciding between majoring in Mechanical or Computer Engineering.

Naughton was on the Freshman Football team that won the Freshman Football State Championship. He was a writing center coach and math tutor. He was a member of the Academic Decathlon team and part of the Leadership Academy. Naughton was also on the student council. He received the Springfield College Book Award and Vincent Mancuso Leadership Award. Naughton won a gold medal in Speech in the RI Academic Decathlon. He also won a bronze medal in the National Spanish Exam.

Naughton wrote he will always remember, “The life lessons I’ve been taught, the fun memories both inside and outside of the classroom, and the friends I’ve made along the way.” 

#8 Bryan Hong

Bryan Hong ranked eighth in the class. Hong has chosen to attend the United States Naval Academy. Although not completely sure what he will major in, he is heavily leaning towards a major in computer science.

Hong played the trumpet in the school's jazz band and concert band. He was a peer minister and part of the school's Ambassador Club. Hong was captain of the school's varsity swim team. He was on the President's List and part of the National Honor Society.

“I want to thank my parents because they sacrificed a lot for me to attend high school,” said Hong. Hong is looking forward to the new memories he will make at the US Naval Academy.

#9 & #10 (tied)  Dylan Leung

Ranked tenth in the class is Dylan Leung who is planning to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute and major in either computer science or actuarial science. His motivation stemmed from his friends and peers he met along the way.

Leung was a member of the Spanish Club, Leadership Academy, and robotics team. He was a member of the national English Honor Society. As well as being a helper at the Hawks’ writing center, and a Mu Alpha Theta candidate. Leung won a bronze medal for the national Spanish exam. He is the recipient of the  Rhode Island College Book Award.

“I definitely have my teachers, friends, and family to thank. To be able to have an array of dedicated teachers who helped me throughout my four years at Hendricken in multiple ways made the journey much easier and in turn created more success. I also could not have done it without my friends. If I took this academic journey all by myself with no collaboration between me and my friends, I would certainly not be in the position I am in right now. Finally, without my family, I would not have been pushed to do great things. They have stuck with me and motivated me from the beginning of my freshman year and continue to do so now, so I am very thankful for them,” Leung wrote.

#9 & #10 (tied) Benjamin York

Benjamin York tied for tenth was motivated to set himself up for a successful future. He will be continuing his education at Villanova University where he will be majoring in finance.

York was an active member of the cross country, indoor and outdoor track teams. He was a tutor at the Hawk writing center, a peer minister, and an altar server. York was part of the Leadership Academy, Ambassadors Club, and the Academic Decathlon team. He was a member of the National Honor Society, English Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society. York was the recipient of the Elmira College Key Award. He also won a bronze medal for Speech at the Academic Decathlon.

York will always remember the lifelong bonds he built at Hendricken, his cross country team members, and the many days spent on Zoom. His teachers, coaches, parents, peers, and Father Brian all contributed to his success.