June 15, 2021

Graduating Seniors from the Archdiocesan Class of 2021 Gather Virtually to Make Record Breaking Scholarship Announcement

Members of the Archdiocesan Class of 2021 earned a remarkable $494,658,781.00 in scholarships to attend colleges and universities across the country. 

Graduating seniors representing all 17 Archdiocesan high schools from throughout the five-county region came together virtually in a short video to unveil the cumulative scholarship dollars earned by the Class of 2021.  For the fourth consecutive year, the total broke previous records.  This year’s total is an astounding $494,658,781.00

Sister Maureen Lawrence McDermott, I.H.M., Ph.D., Chief Academic Officer and Superintendent of Secondary Schools for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office of Catholic Education kicked-off the video with a message to students. Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez concluded the announcement with a congratulatory message to the Class of 2021.

In addition to revealing a piece of the total scholarship dollars earned or sharing a short phrase, each student shared the college or university they are attending in the fall.  That list includes institutions such as Fordham University; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Temple University; North Carolina A&T State University; University of South Carolina; Villanova University; University of Delaware; Purdue University; Kutztown University; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Coastal Carolina University; University of Notre Dame; University of Chicago; and Lincoln University.

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez concluded the video with a congratulatory message saying, “Over the past year and a half you’ve faced incredible challenges that none of us could have begun to imagine. Overcoming obstacles from the pandemic and working hard to fulfill your God-given abilities demanded great determination and sacrifice.” Archbishop continued, “…the Class of 2021 can take great pride in all it has achieved. In a special way, I congratulate our seniors for the astounding amount of scholarships you have earned to continue your studies in colleges and universities around the country. I find hope and comfort knowing that you will be leaders focused on serving others in the years to come.”

The virtual cumulative scholarship announcement was shared on the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Schools social media platforms on Facebook @AOPSschools and on Instagram@ aops_schools. Here is the direct link to the video on the AOPS Facebook page https://fb.watch/68L0dIvhMr/.

# # #

Contact:

Meredith Wilson
Media and Events Specialist
215-587-3747