Apolito ’24 Becomes Strong-Minded Leader During CBA Years
May 8, 2024
Giancarlo Apolito ’24 spent his elementary and middle school years eying Christian Brothers Academy from just down the street.
He graduated middle school from St. Leo the Great School in Lincroft, but spent his kindergarten through fifth grade years at fellow-Lincroft school, Oak Hill Academy.
“I always idolized CBA,” he remembers. “I really liked the hockey team because I was big into hockey and I had a couple of friends who had older brothers who went to CBA.”
Apolito, who hails from nearby Colts Neck, now knows he made a great decision as he wraps up his four years at the Academy.
“CBA has helped me a lot,” he says. “The teachers have been great, but they’ve been challenging.”
He looks back at freshman year Theology with Mr. DiBrienza and thinks about his time with Mr. Orozco in senior year Anatomy as examples of classes that have pushed him to grow as a student. That growth allowed him to receive an acceptance to Lehigh University, where he will head in the fall.
“I really like the close-knit community that CBA provides,” he says. “When I was looking for schools, I was looking for a similar concept. I think Lehigh definitely provides that for me. I am really happy with my decision.”
During his time at the Academy, Apolito has been ultra-involved in extracurricular activities. This year, he served as the Student Council Secretary, a role in which he took a hands-on approach towards organizing events for his classmates.
He also has served as a broadcaster for the CBA Digital Network over the past two years, calling nearly two dozen CBA Hockey games. Originally a hockey player for the Colts, Apolito hung up his skates after getting hurt during his junior year, but his love and knowledge of the sport was put to good use on each broadcast.
There is a long list of other activities in which he was involved in, including Ambassadors, Catholic Athletes for Christ, Health Professionals Club, and Campus Ministry. He was an Extraordinary Minister of Communion and a Minister of Hospitality for both daily and school-wide Masses, while completing over 250 service hours.
His academic accolades rival his extracurricular success, including becoming a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. His complete resume earned him the Man of the Academy Award this past year.
“CBA has helped me develop into a strong-minded person and helped me find my leadership role,” he says. “It has helped me with my character as well.”
One of the worst-kept secrets is that Apolito has also served as the Colt mascot at many events and games on campus. With that being said, his answer to what he might miss most about the Academy is not surprising.
“There is a lot I am going to miss about CBA, but one is the student body presence. There is nothing like a packed Colt Crazy game like for Founders’ Cup, a soccer game, or hockey game even though I am in the booth announcing the game. I still get that energy from the games and there is no better feeling.”