During our 156th Commencement Exercises, an early portion of the ceremony was dedicated to special graduation honors, including an award that showed yet again the quality and quantity of outstanding educators at CHS.  The Bene Merenti Award is presented to members of the faculty at Jesuit schools in recognition of 20 years of teaching, serving and leading.  This year the Bene Merenti Award was bestowed on five CHS faculty members:  Stephen Pecori, math teacher Joni Schaller, religious studies teacher  Justin Siuta, history teacher  Annette Sugg, school counselor  Joseph Zera ’01, math teacher  The honorees were greeted on the Scaccia Auditorium stage by Board of Trustees Chair Pete Augustine ‘83 and President Fr. David Ciancimino, S.J., after Principal Tom Coppola ‘01 described their contributions to Canisius – including these quotes from fellow faculty members:  “Mr. Pecori is what Canisius High School is all about. A Jesuit educator who leads by example.”  “Ms. ...