The 2022-2023 Crusader Hall of Honor

Campus News

The 2022-2023 Crusader Hall of Honor

April 25th, 2023

Six individuals and one athletic team were inducted into the 2022-2023 Crusader Hall of Honor on April 22, 2023. Over 300 guests gathered in the Blasius Family Auditorium for this special ceremony, hosted by Emmy Nominee and NBC Connecticut News Anchor, Amber Diaz ’06.

The Crusader Hall of Honor celebrates the heritage, legacy and memory of alumni, faculty, community leaders and friends who made an invaluable mark in the school’s history. This event also focuses on raising money towards the Crusader Hall of Honor Scholarship Fund. This makes a Holy Cross High School education more affordable to new students. Hall of Honor nominee, Dylan McDermott '79 led the charge by donating a year's worth of tuition. By the end of the evening, over $65,000 was raised for this scholarship fund, thanks fo the generosity of many.

The inductees for the 2022-2023 Crusader Hall of Honor included:

Joe Corbo ’72, recipient of the Crusader Award (Milwaukee, WI)
Mike Cunningham ‘84, recipient of the Crusader Award (Berlin, CT )
Jim Harris, recipient of the Blessed Father Basil Moreau Award (Oakville, CT)
Dylan McDermott ’79, recipient of the Saint Andre Bessette Award (New York, NY)
Lisa Stump ’86, recipient of the Saint Andre Bessette Award (Southington, CT)
Anthony Temporale ’72, recipient of the Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys Award (Bethlehem, CT)
The 2006-2007 Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team, recipient of the Green & Gold Award

Ms. Diaz began the program by sharing an experience she had as an undergraduate at the University of Connecticut. Her Advanced English professor gave her a syllabus that included twelve books. Amber perused the list and listened to her professor’s lecture. Ninety minutes later, the professor noticed that Amber didn’t take any notes.

“Well, I read all the books,” Amber replied to her.

“What do you mean all of the books? I only went over one book. Where did you go to high school?” she asked.

“Holy Cross High School,” said Amber.

And she replied, “Ohhhhhhhh.”

“I made so many memories and life-long friends at this school,” said Ms. Diaz. “All of the educators really prepared me for the future.”

In his opening remarks, Dr. Thomas C. Pellegrino, President of Holy Cross High School, said that he had the pleasure of personally contacting all of the honorees. He gathered one special thing after making those calls.

“Whether we are talking about actors, athletes, teachers, administrators, business leaders or pharmacists-turned-IT-tsars, our nominees share one powerful trait that transcends their jobs,” said Dr. Pellegrino. “They are genuinely good people who have made it their daily work to lift up and inspire those around them.”

Board Chair Kevin M. McSherry ’75 thinks of the Crusader Hall of Honor awards as a pure one. “When you started here as a student, a teacher or a coach, this award didn’t existed. It was never on your bucket list to win this award…You really are an example of everything that is good about Holy Cross.”

“The smiles, the joy and the tears are all symbolic of a memorable night to honor those who made a difference and to raise essential funds for the Crusader Hall of Honor Scholarship Fund,” said Nora J. Mason, Director of Advancement. “Together, we raised over $65,000 and will use these funds to make a Holy Cross High School education more affordable to new students. If you did not have the opportunity to make your commitment to the Hall of Honor Scholarship Fund, please use this link to make your donation. If you did not make a pledge but would like to donate in honor of the current or past honorees, please know that your gift will open the doors to new Crusaders and change their lives.”

View all speeches below:

Joe Corbo ’72, recipient of the Crusader Award