Christian Brothers Academy presented 13 Presidential Scholarships on Thursday, January 17th to eighth-graders who scored exceptionally high on the Academy’s entrance exam.

The Presidential Scholarships are part of CBA’s Scholarship Initiative, making it possible for highly qualified students to attend CBA, regardless of financial background.

It was CBA’s first president, Brother Andrew O’Gara, who made it his mission to make CBA affordable for any qualified student. Brother Andrew’s vision continues on with the Scholarship Initiative, as CBA now awards over 50 full and partial scholarships to deserving students.

One of the three President’s Scholarships bears Brother Andrew’s name. The second scholarship honors St. John Baptist de La Salle, the founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, which has operated CBA since its opening in 1959. The third scholarship, the Founders’ Scholarship, is in memory of the three laymen founders of the Academy: John Henderson, Peter Fleming, and Dr. George Sheehan.

The Academy awards a combined $1.5 million in scholarships and financial aid to its current students.

“I congratulate these young men who have distinguished themselves and received these awards,” President Brother Frank Byrne ’75 said. “The De La Salle Scholarship, Brother Andrew Scholarship, and the Founders’ Scholarship are a great way to recognize the achievements of these incoming freshmen. It is our hope that their academic success continues throughout their time at CBA.”

The 13 of the 20 winners of the Presidential Scholarships were in attendance at a short award ceremony in CBA’s Quinn Library.

The students were invited to bring their parents and their middle school administrators with them to share in the special moment.

• Jack Butler – Manasquan Elementary
• Hunter DelGuercio – Millstone Township Middle School
• Thibaut Fabricant – Oak Hill Academy, Lincroft
• Samuel Ferro – St. Jerome, West Long Branch
• Daniel Grosso – St. Bartholomew School
• Sean Healey – Forrestdale School, Rumson
• Matthew Herman – Cedar Drive Middle School, Colts Neck
• Stephen Makin – Holy Cross School, Rumson
• Ryan Manley – St. Mary, New Monmouth
• William Ribon – St. Leo the Great School, Lincroft
• Robert Schweikert – Oak Hill Academy, Lincroft
• Quinn Walsh – Holy Cross School, Rumson
• John Woolf – St. Aloysius, Jackson

During the ceremony, Brother Frank and Principal Ross Fales spoke about the 25 Advanced Placement courses, nearly 50 clubs and activities, and the 18 varsity sport programs currently offered at CBA.

They also touched on the focus CBA has on its students’ preparation for college. The Class of 2018 was awarded over $31.5 million in merit-based, academic scholarships. Not including athletic scholarships or grants, 70 percent of the students were awarded college scholarships.