Class of 2025 Awards and Final Mass Celebration

The Malvern Prep family gathered one last time as a complete student body on May 21, 2025, for the final community Mass of the 2024-25 academic year. This celebration held special significance for our Class of 2025 seniors, who will celebrate their final day of school tomorrow, May 22, before receiving their diplomas at graduation on June 2.

Though our community gathers weekly to celebrate Mass together, this celebration carried profound meaning as students and faculty collectively honored the graduating seniors. The service began with the customary Adeodatus Reflection, provided by Finn Yost ’25, which perfectly summed up how many in the Chapel were feeling,  “Maybe you're a middle schooler preparing to step into High School. Maybe you're a freshman who's just found their footing and is ready to come attack next year. Maybe you're a rising junior in the upper school, ready to take on a new level of leadership. Maybe you're heading into your final year here in Malvern, or maybe you're about to say goodbye. Regardless of where you stand today, I firmly believe one thing: you are ready. You are ready to grow and embrace what's next. Why? Because we are Malvern Men. That means we show up. We lean on each other. We dig in when things get tough. We do things the right way.” 

Following Mass, several seniors received awards.

The Malvern Prep Loyalty Award was presented to Michael Ortlieb ’25 for displaying consistent loyalty, passion for Malvern, selflessness, and good humor. He has served as a spiritual leader for his peers and was described as a beacon of warmth throughout the hallways of Malvern Prep.

The Inclusivity & Belonging Restless Heart Award was presented to PJ Holmes ’25, who embodies St. Augustine’s idea of a restless heart by going above and beyond to ensure that every member of our community feels welcome and a part of our community.  PJ was described as a living, breathing example of our Augustinian values: gregarious, kind, loving, helpful, and always willing to lift up his brothers.

Michael Guardiola ’25 was awarded the Student Involvement & Activities Award for his remarkable involvement and authentic commitment to clubs and activities like the Friar’s Lantern, MECO, Peer-to-Peer Learning Center, soccer, tennis, and guitar ensemble, to name a few. Michael truly exemplifies the “leave as men who serve” mentality and has left an indelible mark on the Malvern Community.

Presented to a senior who has excelled in leadership of our Augustinian, Catholic mission of Truth, Unity, and Love, the Augustinian Mission Award was awarded to both Rylan Arata ’25 and Peter Bozzone ’25. Bozzone and Arata together created “Friars in Fellowship,” a grassroots effort for Malvern Prep Friars to gather for Mass at various parishes, spreading the good news of their faith with those around them.

The Student Idea Center Innovation Award was presented to Josh Gorman ’25 for his work on Wave Hydration. The award honors a student who embraces asking questions and taking risks. Josh successfully created a healthier alternative to sports drinks for Malvern Prep athletes. He reminds us all to achieve beyond our expectations.

The final award of the morning was the dedication of the 2024-25 yearbook. Voted on by the senior class, the yearbook dedication is given to a member of the faculty who has had the most impact on the class. This year’s recipient was Mr. Tom McGuire ’75. This year marks 50 years since Mr. McGuire’s own graduation from Malvern Prep!