The class of 2026 has begun senior trips, skip day, graduation preparation, and preparing to move on to college and different professions. 61%-68% of public school students in Connecticut go to college after high school. With students moving away to college and entering the workforce, separation from family is very common. Siblings at The Morgan School share their favorite memory with their senior sibling and a message to them in order for people to learn a little bit more about the sibling connections here at Morgan.
Dude Perfect is a group of 5 men who started doing trick shot videos on YouTube in April of 2009 while enrolled in Texas A&M University. The channel has grown to be the 61st most subscribed to channel with 62.3 million views. Dude Perfect received most of their views from 2018 to 2020, with each video averaging 30-50 million views. Sophomore Jay Scoppa and senior Will Scoppa were one of them, both being one of Dude Perfect’s biggest fans. When reflecting on the past years with his brother, Jay specifically remembers the time he spent with Will during COVID. Jay said, ”My favorite memory with Will is watching dude perfect together during quarantine. With very little to do, we would go outside and make our own trick-shot videos.” Jay Scoppa’s message to Will is, “I’m proud of you; you worked really hard to get to where you’re going. Good luck at UConn. It’s gonna be quiet in the house alone.”
Freshman Rocco Passante is one of 6 of senior Sadie Passante’s siblings. Rocco and Sadie have grown close over the years as they are the only two siblings still in high school. “When we were younger, Sadie, my younger sister, and I would go out early in the morning every time it snowed and would stay out there for hours. We would sled, make up games, and just have fun. I remember coming inside for a little while and then going back out later into the woods to find hulls to sled on.” Both Siblings are very good soccer players who have shown tremendous success in high school. Rocco Passante started several games his freshman year and was a key part of Morgan Boys soccer’s success. Sadie won All-New England in soccer and was player of the year in both soccer and basketball this year. Sadie is going on to play Division 1 soccer at Central Connecticut State University.
Sophomore Bella Hicks is the younger sister of Nick Hicks, a senior at The Morgan School, and three other brothers. Bella used to spend a lot of time with Nick and said, “One of my favorite childhood memories is spending hours outside playing games with our brothers. Looking back today, those were the best times growing up with you.” Bella said, “I have loved growing up with you and watching you succeed and do the things you love. I’m so glad to have a brother like you because you’ve always been there for me. Whatever you do after graduating, I hope you accomplish everything that you want and make a lot of great memories along the way.”
Senior Andrew Randi is heading off to the University of Connecticut to study finance, where he will be 55 miles away from his brother, Gabe Randi, a freshman at The Morgan School. In just 4 months, Gabe will not have anyone at home to save him from the dangerous situations Gabe gets himself into. Gabe shares a very heartfelt memory of an example. “One memory that comes to my mind when I think of my brother is when I was on the treadmill, and my hand got caught in the treadmill, but he shut it off with the emergency button and saved my life,” mentioned Gabe – a scary incident where Andrew showed what it means to truly care for your sibling. Gabe closed, “ I want to thank him for saving my life and wish him good luck in college, have a good summer big bro.”
For senior Avery Vece and sophomore Peyton Vece, teammates who have been on the volleyball team for two years, their time has come to an end, with Avery heading off to the University of Delaware to study health sciences. Peyton said, “My favorite memory with my sister is playing volleyball with her during her last 2 years of high school, and my first two years she taught me a lot of things on and off the court, and her leadership has had an impact on me, and I hope to make her proud with my future efforts in volleyball.” Peyton’s message to Avery was, “I’m so happy that we got the chance to go to high school together. I’ll miss you so much, but I am so excited for everything ahead of you!! Good luck at college.”
Sophomore Luca Strunjo is the younger sibling of Anthony Strunjo, a senior at Morgan, and the third sibling to graduate from Morgan. Anthony is going on to study mechanical engineering aerospace concentration at the University of Connecticut. Luca said, “Anthony, I know engineering won’t be easy at UConn, but you always push through. Good luck. The memories I always carry with me are when we won Shorelines in my freshman year and the award ceremony that same year. Good luck.”
Sophomore Audra Ruggerio is the younger sister of Zoe Ruggerio. Audra said, “My favorite memory of my sister and me is when we would go on fun trips together and go shopping for the whole day.” Zoe is going to Southern Connecticut State University to study pediatric occupational therapy. “I’m very proud of you; you don’t have to have much fun without me,” Audra said
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Sophomore Kate Abbott is one of two of senior Lauren Abbott’s sisters at Morgan. Kate said, “My favorite memory is making chalk art when she didn’t know I was going to do it. She was much more excited than I expected, and I loved doing it for her.” Lauren is going to Springfield College for communications and sports journalism. Kate’s message to Lauren is, “Have fun in college, at least pretend you miss us.”
