Congratulations and Thank You to Bellesini's Class of 2011

Eighth grade student Eric Encarnacion addresses fellow members of the Class of 2011.

On June 16th, Bellesini's Class of 2011 graduated from the eighth grade at a special Mass of Thanksgiving. Robinson Aquino, Class of 2007, was the alumni speaker.  Robinson graduated from St. John's Prep this year and will be attending Providence College in the fall.  Eric Encarnacion, who was the class speaker, and Joel Fernandez received the Stephen Bellesini Award for academic excellence and leadership, and Anthony Abarca received the Our Lady of Good Counsel Award for service. 

The members of the Class of 2011 and their families presented Bellesini with a special gift at graduation.   They purchased a beautiful new green and white sign that reads "Blessed Stephen Bellesini O.S.A. Academy" that will be placed at the Bradford Street entrance to school.  Many thanks to our graduates and their families for their generous and thoughtful gift.

This year's graduates will be attending high school on scholarship at the following preparatory schools:  Austin Preparatory School, Central Catholic High School, Pingree School, and St. John's Preparatory School.

100% of Bellesini Alumni Graduate From High School!! 

Bellesini alumni Joshua and Samson celebrate their graduation from St. John's Prep.

For the third year in a row, 100% of Bellesini's alumni graduated from high school this spring.  Bellesini's Class of 2007 will be joining members of the Classes of 2005 and 2006 in college this fall. 

Since 2009, Bellesini alumni have been accepted at the following colleges and universities:  Anna Maria College, Assumption College, Becker College, Bentley University, Boston College, Bryant University, College of the Holy Cross, Eckerd College, Emerson College, Emmanuel College, Fairfield University, Florida International College, ITT Technical Institute, Keene State, Johnson and Wales, Merrimack College, Newbury College, New York University, Nichols College, Northeastern University, Middlesex Community College, Northern Essex Community College, Pace University, Providence College, Quinnipiac University, Salem State University, St. John's University, St. Joseph's College, St. Michael's College, Suffolk University, Syracuse University, Trinity College, University of Arizona, University of Connecticut, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of New Hampshire, University of San Francisco, University of Southern New Hampshire, University of Vermont, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Western New England College, Westfield State University, Wheaton College, Worcester State College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (Bolded schools indicate where alumni will be attending or are currently attending.)   

Bellesini Spring Event Sows Seeds of Success!

Bellesini hosted its Annual Spring Event, "Sowing the Seeds of Success," at Chester's in Lawrence on Saturday, May 7th.  The evening was a tremendous success with over 175 people attending.  Guests enjoyed international dinner stations and testimonies from a Bellesini alumnus now attending Merrimack College as well as a current Bellesini student.  The evening also featured a raffle for an ipod, a Kindle, and a wine basket, as well as a silent auction with everything from an autographed Shaquille O'Neal Celtics jersey to a beach bag filled with this year's best selling books.  During the live auction, guests bid on a hot air balloon ride, tickets to the Red Sox v. Yankees and Red Sox v. Chicago Cubs, a tree planting, and tickets to a Bruins game with a ride on the Zamboni. 

TD Charitable Foundation Awards Grant for After-School and Evening Study Programs

TD Bank, through the TD Charitable Foundation, has awarded Bellesini Academy with a grant to fund its after-school and evening study program.

When Bellesini's academic classes end at 3 o'clock, the school day is only half over.  At Bellesini, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. is a time when students grow, learn, and have fun in a safe and structured environment.  Students participate in a mandatory after-school program under the supervision of their teachers, coaches, and committed volunteers.  Activities change quarterly with the seasons, giving students the opportunity to experience a number of different activities and sports, including:  soccer, basketball, animal education (at MSPCA Nevins Farm), Science Program, Art, Chess, Debate, Music Clubhouse (at Lawrence YMCA), Service Club (at Mary Immaculate Nursing Home), Sign Language Club, and Robotics.

At 5 p.m. students go home for dinner with their families.   Students return for evening study at 6:30 p.m. to work on their homework until 8:30 pm.  These two hour supervised study periods provide a quiet, safe, and structured place for students to work and study, while teaching them good study habits that will help them throughout their academic careers.  Evening study is one of the reasons students who attend Bellesini are able to make such great academic strides, as they have a time to focus on their studies and receive individual tutoring from teachers and community volunteers.

TD Bank, through the TD Charitable Foundation and the financial grants it makes, partners with area non-profit and public institutions to create meaningful change and improvement in the communities where it does business.