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<h1>Graduation Day: Celebrating Our Newest Alumni</h1>
On June 26, St. Michael’s College School celebrated the graduates of the Class of 2025 — the 173rd class in the school’s history.
The accomplishments of 153 young men of St. Michael’s were on display, beginning with a Mass celebrated by Fr. Leung, CSB, and Fr. May, CSB, at Holy Rosary Church. Students then gathered for the annual class photo on the front lawn, followed by one final class lunch in the cafeteria, joined by faculty and staff.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-class-of-2025-grad-3.jpg" alt="SMCS Class of 2025 on front lawn" width="1200" height="801" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-16534" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-class-of-2025-grad-3.jpg 1200w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-class-of-2025-grad-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-class-of-2025-grad-3-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> 
In the afternoon, graduates assembled in the gym for the graduation ceremony, where several students further distinguished themselves as recipients of subject medals, special graduate awards, and scholarships.
Guests were treated to a keynote address from Flavio Volpe ’94, president of the Canadian Auto Parts Manufacturing Association and Member of the Order of Canada.
“From this day forward, you are graduates of the best high school in Canada,” remarked Volpe in his address. “As much as it is an achievement to be a graduate of St. Mike’s, you are now responsible as an alumnus of St. Mike’s when you go out in the world and tell people who you are, why what you do matters, why your country matters, and why service matters.
“The future belongs to you — don’t be a passenger. You’re a St. Mike’s grad. You are here for that reason. The real world is calling—come and save us, come and change us, come and join us.”
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-class-of-2025-grad-4.jpg" alt="Flavio Volpe, SMCS Graduation 2025 guest speaker" width="1200" height="801" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-16535" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-class-of-2025-grad-4.jpg 1200w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-class-of-2025-grad-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-class-of-2025-grad-4-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> 
The group was also addressed by their valedictorian and outgoing Student Government President, Matthew Kmecz, who reflected on their time growing up together in the yellow brick halls.
“When I really sit down and think back on my time at St. Mike’s, I don’t remember what I scored on a specific test or the exact score of a game,” says Kmecz. “What I do remember though, are the moments, the feelings, and the experiences we shared. Moments have been a theme for us all year.
“What moments really make up St. Mike’s? Now, looking back, I’m starting to get it. Everything comes back in moments. The little ones that turn into the big ones, which turn into the memories that stick with us.”
As is tradition, the festivities were capped off by the annual student procession through the Bathurst Street Students’ Arch, followed by a reception.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-class-of-2025-grad-1.jpg" alt="SMCS Graduation 2025 Mass" width="1200" height="801" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-16532" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-class-of-2025-grad-1.jpg 1200w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-class-of-2025-grad-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-class-of-2025-grad-1-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> 
On behalf of the entire St. Michael’s College School community, we wish the graduating Class of 2025 all the best as they go on to change the world through lives of faith, character, and service.
Congratulations to our major award winners:
Basilian Sponsored Scholarships
MATTHEW MULCAHY, CSB SCHOLARSHIP ($5,000) &#8211; highest academic average in the graduating year (top six subjects). Luke Galle
ALBERT BUTLER, CSB SCHOLARSHIP ($3,000) ) &#8211; second highest academic average in the graduating year. Jonathan Armstrong Lucas Di Giacomo
LEO BURNS, CSB SCHOLARSHIP ($2,000) &#8211; fourth highest academic average in the graduating year. Ryan Arpin
JAMES RENT, CSB SCHOLARSHIP ($1,000) &#8211; fifth highest academic average in the graduating year. Jeffrey McLean
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-class-of-2025-grad-2.jpg" alt="SMCS Spiritus Trophy recipient Daniel Sicilia" width="1200" height="801" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-16533" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-class-of-2025-grad-2.jpg 1200w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-class-of-2025-grad-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-class-of-2025-grad-2-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> Proficiency Awards
BRIAN DUNN MEMORIAL AWARD FOR GENERAL PROFICIENCY ($500) &#8211; graduate with the highest academic average in his graduating year. Luke Galle
MEDAL OF THE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA &#8211; graduate with the highest standing in the graduating class (average of all Grade 11 and 12 courses) Luke Galle
SPIRITUS TROPHY &#8211; the graduate who best embodies the spirit of St. Michael’s College School. Daniel Sicilia
Related links:

<a href="/programmes/academics/" aria-label="Academics">Academics</a>
<a href="/alumni/" aria-label="Alumni">Alumni</a>






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Graduation Day: Celebrating Our Newest Alumni

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<h1>Alumni Come Together at SMCSAA Networking Event Featuring Adrian Rocca</h1>
The St. Michael’s College School Alumni Association (SMCSAA) hosted another successful networking event on June 18, 2025, bringing together alumni from across generations for an evening of connection, insight, and inspiration.
The event featured keynote speaker Adrian Rocca ’00, CEO and founder of Fitzrovia, who delivered a compelling presentation on the evolving Canadian rental market. Rocca’s keynote attracted alumni from graduating classes spanning 1978 to 2023, representing a wide array of industries, with a strong showing from the real estate, construction, and development sectors.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-networking-event-june2025-1.jpg" alt="SMCS Alumni Networking Event featuring Adrian Rocca" width="1200" height="903" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-16512" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-networking-event-june2025-1.jpg 1200w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-networking-event-june2025-1-300x226.jpg 300w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-networking-event-june2025-1-768x578.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> 
Host Andrew Gidaro ’02 opened the evening by reflecting on his shared experience with Rocca as teammates on the 1998 Metro Bowl-winning Kerry Blues. Gidaro’s introduction highlighted how the brotherhood formed at SMCS continues to thrive beyond the classroom and playing field, reminding attendees of the core values of goodness, discipline, and knowledge that define the SMCS community.
<div class="float-left">
<figure id="attachment_16517" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-16517" style="width: 350px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-networking-event-june2025-4-350px.jpg" alt="SMCS Alumni Networking Event - Adrian Rocca and Andrew Gidaro" width="350" height="465" class="size-full wp-image-16517" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-networking-event-june2025-4-350px.jpg 350w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-networking-event-june2025-4-350px-226x300.jpg 226w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-16517" class="wp-caption-text">Andrew Gidaro and Adrian Rocca at the June 2025 Alumni Networking Event.</figcaption></figure>
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“The alumni networking events provide great opportunities for St. Michael&#8217;s grads, young and old, to come together in a fun environment to connect,” says Gidaro. “One of the great benefits of going to a school like SMCS, beyond the great education, is the special alumni community into which you become a member. The networking events give people access to that community and to meet other alumni with whom they can create relationships that can help them professionally and personally. It&#8217;s also inspiring to listen to the extremely talented and successful alumni keynote speakers.”
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<figure id="attachment_16519" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-16519" style="width: 350px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-networking-event-june2025-2-350px.jpg" alt="SMCS Alumni Networking Event June 2025" width="350" height="465" class="size-full wp-image-16519" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-networking-event-june2025-2-350px.jpg 350w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-networking-event-june2025-2-350px-226x300.jpg 226w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-16519" class="wp-caption-text">Adrian Rocca speaking with Oleksandr Feoktistov.</figcaption></figure>
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During his keynote, Rocca shared his personal and professional journey—from early roles at Credit Suisse First Boston and Apollo Real Estate Advisors in Toronto and London, to his leadership positions at Tricon Luxury Residences and Tricon Lifestyle Communities. Rocca spoke candidly about the highs and lows of his career, including being let go from Tricon—a pivotal moment that ultimately led to the founding of Fitzrovia.
“Meeting Adrian from Fitzrovia was honestly the highlight for me,” says Oleksandr Feoktistov ’18. “It was eye-opening to hear his story up close, and incredibly inspiring. He’s the reason I decided to start my own property management company, so getting the chance to thank him in person and learn from his journey meant a lot. I left the event buzzing with ideas and motivation, and I can’t wait to put some of those insights into action.”
Rocca emphasized the importance of perseverance, vision, and integrity in business, underscoring how his education and values, rooted in his time at SMCS, played a pivotal role in his success. His innovative approach to rental development—integrating hospitality principles and vertical integration—has positioned Fitzrovia as a leader in the Canadian market.

Following his presentation, Rocca engaged in a Q&amp;A session, personally connecting with many alumni.
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<figure id="attachment_16520" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-16520" style="width: 350px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-networking-event-june2025-3-350px.jpg" alt="SMCS Alumni Networking Event June 2025" width="350" height="465" class="size-full wp-image-16520" srcset="https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-networking-event-june2025-3-350px.jpg 350w, https://d97pdw6wu0.wpdns.site/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/smcs-networking-event-june2025-3-350px-226x300.jpg 226w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-16520" class="wp-caption-text">Jonah Leduc and Adrian Rocca speaking</figcaption></figure>
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“It was energizing to reconnect with St. Michael’s alumni from so many different years,” says Jonah Leduc ’20. “It’s special being in a room with people who share that foundation, even if we’re all on very different paths now. Adrian’s story was incredibly inspiring; the way he’s continuously navigated the complexities of real estate development from his international experience, to founding Fitzrovia. He’s not just a successful entrepreneur, but a real pioneer in the industry, showing how motivation, strategic thinking, and a clear sense of impact can shape cities and communities.”
For more information or to share suggestions for future keynote speakers, email <a href="mailto:alumni@smcsmail.com">alumni@smcsmail.com</a>.
Related links:
<a href="https://stmichaelscollegeschool.com/alumni" aria-label="SMCS Alumni">SMCS Alumni</a>
<a href="https://stmichaelscollegeschool.com/news-events" aria-label="News and Events">News and Events</a>
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