Top of his game

NEWS > YOUTH & SCHOOLS

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Feb. 25, 2010

Michael Riverso

Photo by Greg Bezanis

Any student-athlete who is having a tough time balancing academics with extra curricular activities should call Neumann-Goretti senior for advice as he is excelling in both fields.

Academically, the 18-year-old is a member of the National Honors Society, as well as a four-year honor student. On the baseball diamond, he is a returning All-Catholic, All-City and All-Southeastern Pennsylvania selection for the Saints who enter the season as the defending league champs.

“Michael is a very intelligent and hardworking student,” Neumann-Goretti Admissions Director Veronica Oster said. “He knows how to balance school, activities and athletics, which is a great display of his maturity.

“He is extremely well liked by the facility, staff and his peers.”

Being a baseball player, it’s no surprise the resident of the 2200 block of S. Juniper Street is a numbers man with math and accounting being his best subjects.

“I want to take it up in college,” Riverso said of finance. “I enjoy participating in class everyday. It makes me put my mind to it even more.”

It’s all part of the foundation to his future plans of becoming a stock broker.

In addition to his parents, Michael and Vickie, he noted Neumann-Goretti baseball coach Lou Spadacinni has been a role model and a “big part of [his] life” for the last 10 years.

Add on his hardworking, ambitious, loyal and mature personality and this star pupil could be on his way to joining another all-star lineup on Wall Street.

Michael Riverso will receive a $150 savings bond. If you are a teacher or full-time educator and would like to nominate a student (first through 12th grades), call 215-336-2500 ext. 123 or e-mail editor@southphillyreview.com.