Cardinal O'Hara High School students welcome their international counterparts throughout the school year, including a class in Chinese taught by Yuqi Pang to 30 American students. Enjoying a conversation at lunch are, from left, Dora Sarkany who is from Hungary; Desange Kamikazi, Mary Catalfamo and Katie Hatzipetros. (Courtesy of Cardinal O'Hara High School)

TONAWANDA — Cardinal O'Hara High School is bragging about its 2015 graduation class, which garnered nearly $7 million in scholarships and acceptance to colleges and universities across the country and its growth in the new year.

O'Hara seniors won scholarships and have been accepted to colleges and universities such as Syracuse University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Indiana University, Lemoyne, Rochester Institute of Technology, St. Bonaventure, Clemston University, St. John Fisher, Texas A&M, University of Alaska, University of Southern California as well as all local colleges and universities.

"The entire class received a Regents diploma, and we are also proud of graduates who have earned the Regents with Advanced Designation with Honors diploma, as well as those who earned Mastery in Math and Science diplomas," said Rena Hoffman, guidance administrative assistant, said. "Our work continues with present students and an increased number of freshmen."

The incoming freshman class will be made up of more than 80 American freshmen and three international freshmen who join the 25 international upperclassmen. The international students are from China, Korea, Vietnam and Romania.

"Our enrollment shows a continued growth and speaks for itself about the resurgence of interest in Catholic high school education," said Doug Buczak, recruitment director. "We welcome the international students and help them enjoy their stay in the United States, in our communities and especially at O'Hara. These students provide an introduction to the world and may be the impetus for American students who want to enter fields with international aspects."

Domestic students are mainly from Kenmore, Tonawanda, North Tonawanda, Buffalo, Niagara Wheatfield, Lockport, Williamsville, Amherst, Grand Island and Niagara Falls. The majority of students have attended area Catholic grammar schools including St. Amelia's, St. Andrew's, St. Christopher's, DeSales, Our Lady of Black Rock, St. Peter & Paul, Nativity, Christ the King, St. Gregory the Great, St. John the Baptist of Kenmore, St. Mary's of Swormville, St. Joseph University, St. Augustine's and NativityMiguel.