Students prepare for Ivy League

WATCHUNG — Sabrina DiIorio, Simone Koryszewski and Andrea Ruiz, seniors at Mount Saint Mary Academy, were recently notified that they were chosen by Columbia University to continue their successful journeys at the prestigious school in the fall.

“Mount Saint Mary Academy is incredibly proud of Sabrina, Simone and Andrea’s acceptance to Columbia University in addition to all of their accomplishments while enrolled at the Academy,” said Sofia Santos, director of Student Services. “They are remarkable students who have worked extremely hard and truly represent the Mercy Core Values.

“This is the first time, in my 19 years at the Academy, that we have three students attending Columbia University from the same graduating class,” she added. “I am glad our girls will have each other’s support as they journey through the next four years together.”

Sabrina DiIorio, of Scotch Plains, plans to study financial economics at Columbia, where she may continue to play soccer.

“I have visited the campus many times and I’ve always felt such a strong sense of community and welcoming from the diverse group of students and faculty. Columbia’s environment is academically challenging yet collaborative, and I believe I will be able to thrive and take advantage of all that is offered,” said Sabrina.

“I am very grateful for having the Mount community by my side and I am looking forward to my next four years at Columbia.”

DiIorio is a member of the Cum Laude Society, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Math Honor Society and President of the National Italian Honor Society. She earned the Outstanding Award in AP Macroeconomics as a sophomore, the Outstanding Award in AP Language & Composition as a junior, as well as Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab Certification and the Gold Medal Award in the National Italian Exam. She was a semifinalist in the Quality of Life Competition and Euro Challenge and Fed Challenge competitions. She earned AP Scholar with Distinction status as well.

At the Mount, DiIorio serves as president of the Italian Club and Chemistry Club. She attended the IACE (Italian American Committee on Education) Summer Program in Narni, Italy, in 2019. She has earned Honor Roll distinction during every marking period.

DiIorio is a Peer Minister, a four-year varsity soccer player and team captain. She was selected to the Skyland Conference All Division First Team in 2019 and 2020. DiIorio volunteers at a local family shelter where she spends time with children, and at senior citizen homes, playing bingo with the residents.

Koryszewski, of Lebanon, will study neuroscience and behavior at Columbia in the fall where she will also play lacrosse.

“I decided to attend Columbia because of the unique core curriculum offered, locations in New York City, and ability to receive a high-level education while playing top-level lacrosse,” she said.

A member of the Cum Laude Society, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Math Honor Society and the National Latin Honor Society, Koryszewski was named an AP Scholar with Distinction by the College Board. Simone earned Third Team All-Group 1 (2018-2019), First Team All-Valley Division (2018), and First Team All-Raritan Division (2019) honors while playing on the Mount lacrosse team.

She volunteers as a youth minister at St. Casimir’s Parish, Newark, and is a coach for the youth lacrosse goalies for STEPS Elite Lacrosse.

“I am so excited to further my education at Columbia University in the fall where I plan to study human rights and I may double-major in sociology at Columbia College,” said Ruiz, of Edison. “When I began researching schools for my college applications, I realized that Columbia was my home. Attending Columbia has been a dream of mine since I was in the eighth grade because I knew I belonged in New York City.”

“I love the constant movement of the city that is always flowing with people of different interests and beliefs,” she added. “I think that one of the best ways to learn is from listening to others. The city environment would fit perfectly into my ideal college experience. I want to be able to become a better version of myself as well as give back to the community in doing so.”

Ruiz noted that the Mount has helped foster her passion for social justice, especially through its Quality of Life Innovations project, which inspired her to choose human rights as her major.

“Not many universities offer this major,” Ruiz said, “so I knew that Columbia would be the best place for me to focus on what I wanted to study. I have always enjoyed my history classes, especially Global Studies, which I took with Mrs. Iacono my sophomore year. Social patterns and change fascinate me, and I want them to be a part of my career.

“I plan to become a human rights lawyer in the future, and I feel that Columbia would give me the best opportunities to guide me to do what I love.”

Ruiz has competed with the Mount’s Euro Challenge and Fed Challenge teams. She is a member of the Model United Nations Club, the Peer Facilitators Team, she has been a writer and co-editor of the school blog, “A Peek at Mount,” and a member of the Respect Life Club, Student Council, Latin Club, and Spirit Club. As a junior, she was a competitor in the Quality of Life project.

Ruiz placed varsity soccer and captain of its junior varsity team and was a starter on the freshman basketball team and the U.S. Parma Club Soccer.

Ruiz earned AP Scholar with Distinction status, was named to the Cum Laude Society, and was named a National Hispanic Scholar by the College Board and a National Merit Commended Scholar. She earned the Bronze Award in 2018 and the Gold Award in 2019 in the National Latin Exam Awards. She received high honors, has been named a Mercy Distinguished Scholar, and received Bloomberg Financial Market Labs certification.

A member of the National Latin Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, and National Math Honor Society, Ruiz earned the St. Michael’s College Book Award for Scholarship and Service and the Girl Scout Silver Award.

Outside of the Mount, Andrea has participated in her youth group and JusticeWorx. She was a camp counselor, working with preschool-aged children and works at Estime’s Café.