A stunning fall day at the Lake of Isles Golf Course in North Stonington provided brilliant colors of red, orange, yellow, and gold on October 25, 2026, for the 16th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner. Dr. Gail Kingston, Superintendent of Schools, Bishop Richard Reidy, and the Office of Development hosted more than 100 guests.
Named in honor of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the dinner recognizes the lasting impact of Catholic education and honors educators whose service reflects the mission of Catholic schools throughout the diocese.
Bishop Richard Reidy (left) stands with the 2026 Seton Award honorees at the 16th Annual Seton Scholarship Dinner on October 25, 2026, at Lake of Isles.
- Mother M. Christina Van Beck, S.C.M.C., Principal of Sacred Heart School, Taftville
- Sr. Peggy O’Neill, RSM, Registrar of Mercy High School, Middletown
- Andrew T. Gargano, Teacher and Administrator at Xavier High School, Middletown
Honoring Excellence in Education
The dinner and awards this year honored and recognized:
- Andrew T. Gargano, Teacher and Administrator, Xavier High School, Middletown
- Sr. Peggy O’Neill, RSM, Registrar, Mercy High School, Middletown
- Mother M. Christina Van Beck, S.C.M.C., Principal, Sacred Heart School, Taftville
Sr. Peggy O'Neill, RSM (left), receives her award from Bishop Richard Reidy (center) and Dr. Gail Kingston (right) at the 2026 Seton Awards Dinner.
Student Voice & Impact
Mary FitzGerald, a student at St. Joseph School in Baltic, reads her Seton Dinner essay on October 25, 2026, at Lake of Isles.
Also at the dinner, Mary FitzGerald, a student at St. Joseph School, Baltic, presented her winning Seton Scholarship Essay on the impact of a Catholic education and the opportunities she's been given at St. Joseph School, such as being part of an all-girls' worship dance group.
Supporting Future Generations
The proceeds from the Seton Scholarship Dinner will assist diocesan elementary school students with their tuition. Diocesan Catholic school students boast a 100% graduation rate, and 96% continue on to an institution of higher learning.
Bishop Reidy expressed his gratitude to those who helped make the event a great success, while emphasizing how the proceeds will help make a Catholic education attainable for students whose families are in financial need.
About Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first person born in the United States to be canonized, is known as a founder of the nation’s parochial school system.
Born on August 28, 1774, she was raised Episcopalian before converting to Catholicism. She was married to William Seton, with whom she had five children, and later founded the Sisters of Charity in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in 1809. She was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975.
Today, Catholic school teachers, administrators, and staff continue that mission by helping students grow academically, spiritually, and personally. Through their daily work, they help pass on the teachings of Jesus Christ, foster a sense of community, and strengthen the partnership between schools and families.