KAITLYN NAPLES
Staff Writer
Another school year has come to an end at St. Paul Catholic High School, and the seniors will be graduating on June 7 and preparing for their future. The top two students were announced last week, with Southington’s Matt Santovasi earning the number two slot as salutatorian.
As he prepared for departure from high school, he offered a word of advice to his fellow classmates: work hard and dreams will come true.
Santovasi is headed to Villanova University to study electrical engineering. Ever since his middle school math and science classes, Santovasi said he has been interested in engineering. His dad is also an engineer, so he has always been familiar with that occupation.
He has been attending private, Catholic schools for his entire educational life, and moving to a much larger school is a little overwhelming for Santovasi, but he said he is excited about the journey.
“It’s just going to be so different,” he said.
When he found out he was second in his class rank, he said he was surprised.
“I knew I always did well (academically) but I never thought I was number 2,” he said, adding that he wouldn’t be where he is if he didn’t have the support and encouragement from his father.
“My dad has been a really big help with my homework, and has always guided me in the right direction,” Santovasi said. “I really look up to him.”
Throughout high school he has been captain of the track team, where he said he has many memories and enjoyed his time spent with a team that felt like family.
“They are my best friends, and I know I will have them forever even though we are going our separate ways,” Santovasi said.
He is also the vice president of the senior class, and has been president of the National Honor Society and a member of the Blue Key Club.
In addition to his family, Santovasi also attributes his success to the St. Paul teachers.
“They were always a big help and truly cared about what we did and our futures,” he said.
Going forward, Santovasi said he would encourage his fellow graduates to continue to work hard in the future.
“Keep at it, and good things will come. Never give up,” he said, adding that he would say the same to the underclassmen and incoming freshman at St. Paul.
St. Paul Catholic High School will be having its graduation on Friday, June 7, at the St. Joseph Cathedral, 140 Farmington Ave., Hartford, at 7:30 p.m.