# @canisiushs on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DccanT5jE-4
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/69609962-canisiushs-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/be5ad7c332.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-08-25T01:05:01.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Canisius High School (@canisiushs) — https://gondola.cc/canisiushs

## Caption

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. Schaller has spent a career meeting students where they are and accompanying them over four years. She has been a consistent champion of students from every background and lives out the Jesuit principle of commitment to justice.” 

“Mr. Siuta is flat out a master teacher. His commitment and passion to the art of teaching is demonstrated daily in his classroom.”

“Mrs. Sugg finds the balance between support and challenging students. Her work embodies cura personalis.” 

“Mr. Zera is the best example of a throwback educator. His hard work and high expectations of students to give one’s fullest are the same in the classroom as on the basketball court.”

Read more at our Facebook page. 
 
Students and families interested in the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked as the Buffalo area’s “Best Catholic School” by Buffalo Business First – can learn more by arranging an on-campus experience via canisiushigh.org/visit

Our Open House will be held Sun. Oct. 18 & Mon. Oct. 19.  

This place is special. Let us show you why.
 
#amdg #menforothers #pursueexcellence
#teacherrecognition #benemerenti

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## Tags

teacherrecognition, menforothers, amdg, benemerenti, pursueexcellence

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