Holy Cross Senior Robert Spampneto Named National Merit Semifinalist

Holy Cross School senior Robert Spampneto, son of Mary Anne and Keith Spampneto of Kenner, has been named a Semifinalist in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program.

This academically talented high school senior is among approximately 16,000 Semifinalists in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program, and he will now have the opportunity to compete for one of 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be offered next spring. In addition, Spampneto has earned a full tuition scholarship for his senior year at Holy Cross School as part of the school’s National Merit Award program.

Spampneto is not only a scholar, but also an active member of his community. At Holy Cross, he is a member of the Brother James McDonnell, C.S.C. Scholars Program, where he participates in an advanced level of course work focused on seminar-style learning rooted in subjects such as history, philosophy, theology, ethics and history. He also participates in the school’s debate program and says his experience at Holy Cross has helped him to grow and develop as an individual. Spampneto is an active member of his church parish, St. Mary Magdalen, where he is a member of the CYO program and enjoys participating in the annual Living Way of the Cross during the season of Lent.

“Robert reflects the ideas of the Holy Cross Man. He does not rest on his academic accolades; rather, he strives to be a complete person: mind, heart, body and soul. Holy Cross School encourages young men to embrace their community and to be servant leaders through participation and a commitment to excellence,” said Sean Martin, Headmaster of Holy Cross School.

Spampneto has been attending Holy Cross School since eighth grade and will graduate with the Class of 2020. He plans to study mathematical and theoretical biology in college. The school’s philosophy of “Boys to Men” focuses on building young men who will go on to become servant leaders and productive citizens in their community. Holy Cross would like to recognize St. Mary Magdalen School for providing this young man with a strong foundation in his formative elementary years.

About Holy Cross School

Holy Cross School is an independent, Catholic, college preparatory school founded in 1849 by the Congregation of Holy Cross School to educate young men from metropolitan New Orleans. Serving students grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12, Holy Cross School is fully accredited by the Louisiana State Department of Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and holds memberships in the National Catholic Educational Association, the National Middle School Association and the National High School Association. A Holy Cross School education engages the whole man – mind and heart, body and soul – and is rooted in the teachings of Blessed Basil Moreau, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross. For more information about Holy Cross School visit www.holycrosstigers.com or call 504.942.3100.