Wildwood Catholic grad earns high school diploma, associate degree

For one senior at Wildwood Catholic Academy, this year’s graduation celebrations were twofold.

Rebecca Arcuri, an 18-year-old Wildwood native and member of Notre Dame de la Mer Parish, marked not only her graduation from high school – she is also walking away with her associate degree from Rowan College of South Jersey.

Even more – when she begins studying at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, in the fall, she will be entering as a junior, and she has already secured an internship on Capitol Hill.

“Being enrolled in both high school and college was a lot of hard work,” said Arcuri, “but after earning my associate degree in pre-law this May and being accepted into college as a junior, I can say that it was worth it.”

Since the summer after Arcuri’s freshman year, she has been part of Rowan’s High School Option Program – an initiative that allows high schoolers to take college courses online for just $75 per credit.

“Graduating third in her class, Rebecca successfully balanced a rigorous academic schedule that included AP and dual-credit courses while simultaneously earning her associate degree,” said Jennifer Livingston, an English and history teacher at Wildwood Catholic. “Her dedication to academic excellence never wavered, even while maintaining a full-time babysitting job and countless extracurricular commitments.”

Livingston added that Arcuri also kept busy with her involvement in various clubs and organizations at Wildwood Catholic.

“Rebecca was a four-year member of student council, serving on the executive board, and is also a proud member of the National Honor Society,” she said. “As a leader of the mock trial team, she helped guide her teammates to numerous victories, while also competing on the varsity tennis team for four years.”

For Arcuri, Wildwood Catholic has very much been like a second home for as long as she can remember, having first joined the school community as a student in the Pre-K3 program. In fact, she is one of five members of this year’s graduating class who have been with the school since that young age.

“After 15 years there, I can truly say that we are a strong family-like community,” said Arcuri. “Wildwood Catholic is blessed with the best teachers and faculty who genuinely care about their students and want them to succeed both academically and personally.”

She also noted how her time at Wildwood has helped her delve deeper into her faith.

“Some of the most wholesome memories of my time there include our spiritual retreats with my class and praying the rosary every day in the chapel,” she said. “Wildwood Catholic has helped us deepen our relationship with Jesus and given us the wisdom to keep our faith at the center of our lives beyond high school.”

When Arcuri attends CUA in the fall, she will major in politics with a minor in English. In addition to her Capitol Hill internship, she plans to work an on-campus job and join the school’s mock trial team. After her two years working toward her bachelor’s degree, she plans to go to law school.

Having attended Catholic school for her entire life, Arcuri saw Catholic University as the natural landing spot.

“My Catholic faith is the most important aspect of my life. I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to attend a Catholic university that shares my values and beliefs, and after visiting Catholic U, I knew it was the right fit for me,” she said. “The Catholic University is right next to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, a beautiful Church which I plan on attending weekly.”

Livingston added that she has seen Arcuri’s dedication to her faith, attending Mass every Sunday and serving as a lector on many occasions. She added that the teen has also volunteered as an ambassador at the school, and has helped with various events and represented the school to benefactors and prospective families.

“Dependable, hardworking, faith-filled, and deeply devoted to her family, Rebecca has left a lasting mark on the WCA community,” said Livingston. “We are incredibly proud of Rebecca and look forward to all she will accomplish in the years ahead.”