Editor’s note: The Diocese of Palm Beach honors its Catholic high school graduates, particularly the valedictorians and salutatorians, with senior spotlights. In the first of three articles shining a light on excellence in Catholic education, the Florida Catholic spoke with the top graduates at Saint John Paul II Academy.
BOCA RATON | Asked to offer her best advice to freshmen at Saint John Paul II Academy, 2026 salutatorian Kathleen Towery recalled what her friend, Alyssa Manfredonia, used to say: “God’s got this.”
Isabella Aguirre, valedictorian of St. John Paul II Academy in Boca Raton
Kathleen Towery, salutatorian of St. John Paul II Academy, Boca Raton
Manfredonia, who went through St. Jude School with Towery, died in November 2023 from a brain tumor when she was a freshman at Saint John Paul II. The daughter of Joseph and Carol Manfredonia, Alyssa had been on track to graduate with the 2026 class. She is still remembered by some of her classmates.
“It’s just tragic what happened to her, but I know she’s an angel in heaven looking down on all of us,” said Towery, who finished at the top of her senior class with valedictorian Isabella Aguirre. They both spoke to the Florida Catholic about their educational experiences and future plans.
A highlight for Aguirre was being involved with clubs (National Honor Society co-president) and sports (basketball the first three years of high school), which helped add some fun to her studies.
“The last two years of high school, I was like, ‘OK, I’m already halfway done. I’m going to take advantage of it,’ and I’m really happy I did because I came out with so many more friends than when I was an underclassman,” she said. “I told myself not to overthink it too much. Obviously, work hard, study hard, but at the end of the day, it’s high school, and I really wanted to take advantage of the non-academic portion of it, and I did.”
For Towery, a favorite activity was being on the tennis team. “I loved getting to play one of my favorite sports and just getting to bond with not only other people my age, but grades above, grades below. And I really loved being on the cheer team for my freshman and sophomore year because I got to engage in all the wonderful school spirit we have here.”
Aguirre, the daughter of Ricardo Aguirre and Agustina Gandolfi, said being educated at Catholic schools her whole life — St. Joan of Arc, then Saint John Paul II — taught her to lean on her faith. “If I didn’t get an A on this, it’s God’s plan. If I’m not meant to be in this class, it’s God’s plan. I always rely on faith, and it keeps me steady.”
Towery added that Catholic education has been extremely important to her. “I find that, compared to my friends who didn’t have the experience of growing up in Catholic school, I find that I’m calmer, I’m more centered, because I realize that I need to just let go and let God, let him take care of everything in my life, and realize that I’m fearfully, wonderfully made, that he has a big, beautiful plan for me that I can’t ever imagine how beautiful it will be.”
Both students mentioned history teacher Stacey-Ann Laidley and chemistry teacher Ryan Haag for their special impact on them. Aguirre said Laidley “got me into the reality of how hard these (advanced placement) classes can be, but she made it so I knew my material. I knew what I was getting into, and yes, it was hard, but she did it in the most loving way.”
Religion teacher Ryan Longton was singled out by Towery for helping her rediscover her Catholic faith.
“After I went on Kairos (student retreat), I would talk with him and just ask him any questions that I had about faith, and he always would have the answer, and if he couldn’t find it, he would get someone who could find the answer. He always just made me feel like it was OK to question and it was OK to reach out for help when I needed it,” she said.
In the fall, Aguirre will be at Georgia Institute of Technology, majoring in engineering, while Towery, the daughter of Ronald and Christina Towery, will be at the Clemson University Honors College, studying laboratory science.
Sounding like a hardened high school veteran, Aguirre advised freshmen to “lean on your faith. Admin is here to help you. Do not be afraid. Take your chances. Go for the harder class, but then again, just remind yourself that you’re in high school. It’s four years. It’s not your whole life, but definitely work hard and then don’t forget to laugh, don’t forget to socialize. It’ll all be OK.”
For more information on Saint John Paul II Academy, visit www.sjpii.net. To learn about all schools in the Diocese of Palm Beach, go to www.diocesepbschools.org or follow the Office of Catholic Schools on Facebook.
This story was first published on thefloridacatholic.org
