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East Catholic High School Students Honored as 2021 Archbishop Henry J. O’Brien Scholars
Group of students honored as scholars

Manchester, CT, April 29, 2021 - Eleven East Catholic High School seniors were recently honored as the 2021 Archbishop Henry J. O’Brien scholars. It is the highest honor East Catholic can bestow upon a graduating student.

Students honored were all from this year’s graduating class and included: Christian Bergeron, Manchester; Ethan Canna, Ellington; Ellie DeSantos, Manchester; Alexandra Goodin, Glastonbury; Maeve Horan-Portelance, Somers; Abigail Kiser, Bolton; Cuong La, Binh Duong, Vietnam; Claire Murphy, Wethersfield; Samuel Neves, Stafford Springs; John Paul Oei, Hebron; Ethan Peck, Ellington.

"We recognize the O'Brien Scholars not only for their stellar academic achievement but also for their character and integrity. These 11 seniors stand at the fore of the Class of 2021," said East Catholic High School President Sean P. Brennan ’85.

Presented annually by East Catholic, the honor aims to recognize a group of top graduating students rather than one or two. The O’Brien scholars represent the highest in academic achievement and exemplify outstanding qualities of leadership and integrity. The Reverend Charles E. Shaw, East Catholic’s first principal, named the award after the then Hartford archbishop, who established the high school in 1961.

Pictured with East Catholic President Sean P. Brennan'85 are the O’Brien Scholars from East Catholic High School (left to right): Christian Bergeron, Manchester; Ethan Canna, Ellington; Alexandra Goodin, Glastonbury; Maeve Horan-Portelance, Somers; Abigail Kiser, Bolton; Claire Murphy, Wethersfield; and John Paul Oei, Hebron Not pictured: Ellie DeSantos, Manchester; Cuong La, Binh Duong, Vietnam; Samuel Neves, Stafford Springs; and Ethan Peck, Ellington.

About East Catholic High School

East Catholic High School is a regional college-preparatory school of the Archdiocese of Hartford in Manchester, CT. Students come from more than 35 towns in the Greater Hartford area and eastern Connecticut. East Catholic is a place where students discover who they are meant to be. The school has been awarded the Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the state of Connecticut. East Catholic students are challenged to build their own strong moral character while pursuing academic excellence, responsible citizenship, active participation in community service, sportsmanship, and an appreciation for the fine arts. An overwhelming number of East Catholic students (97 percent) go on to attend four and two-year colleges. For more information visit ECHS on the web. www.ECHS.com.