Meet Gina

Gina Certo ’25 — A Legacy of Grit, Growth, and Grace

At the Academy of the Holy Angels, students are encouraged to pursue excellence, uplift others, and leave their mark. Gina Certo ’25 has done all that and more.

Known throughout New Jersey as “The Fastest Girl in Bergen County,” Gina earned titles like Big North Conference Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year, North Jersey Track Athlete of the Year, and was named Athlete of the Week—twice. But beyond the medals, records, and accolades, Gina’s true strength came from the person she became through her experience as a student-athlete at Holy Angels.

From her first race as a freshman to her final lap as a senior, Gina’s journey on the track was about more than speed. It was about learning how to set goals, push through obstacles, and lift others as she rose. Her training taught her discipline, her coaches taught her confidence, and her teammates taught her the power of community.

“Athletics at AHA helped me grow not just as a runner, but as a person,” Gina shared. “It’s where I learned how to lead, how to encourage others, and how to believe in myself—especially when it got hard.”

Throughout her four years, Gina became a role model for younger Angels, known for her humility, kindness, and unwavering determination. She was a three-time Most Valuable Runner, and also received the Kindness Award, the Soccer Coach’s Award, and the John Spreen Award for Academics and Athletics—a reflection of her dedication on and off the field.

Her leadership extended beyond athletics. Gina volunteered for organizations like Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children, Families for Families, and the Lakeland Area Special Olympics, where she coached young athletes with disabilities. She also donated supplies and resources to children and families in need—living out the school’s mission of service, compassion, and justice.

This fall, Gina begins a new chapter at Boston College, where she will compete as a member of the Division I track & field team. But wherever she goes, she carries with her the spirit of an Angel: resilient, kind, and rooted in purpose.

Gina’s story is one of grit, grace, and growth—and her Holy Angels family will be cheering her on every step of the way.

Gina has coached track and fundraised for The Lakeland Area Special Olympics. She also volunteered for Families for Families, Oasis, and her church. She has donated sports equipment to children in need, and contributed gift cards to families who were rebuilding after Hurricane Harvey.

FUN FACTS:

Her all-time favorite book is “Strega Nona” (“Grandma Witch”), a childhood classic that her father used to read to her. The book is set in Calabria, Italy, her maternal grandmother’s hometown.
Gina’s favorite vacation spot is Long Beach Island, where her family goes every summer. She also enjoys playing mini-golf with her siblings and cousins. “When I was little, I used to love going to Thundering Surf and going to Fantasy Island to go on rides! Some of our family favorite games are Rummikub, Fish Bowl, and going out for trivia night.”
Her favorite cafeteria food is the chocolate chip cookies.

“I was not sure what to expect, not knowing any girls and having a 45-minute commute to AHA. It took me more than a few weeks to break out of my shell and the key moment was when one girl asked me to join her lunch table. From that point on, I started building relationships and becoming more like myself. I found my passion in track and field, which provided confidence not only in athletics, but in my academics, too. I have had a tremendous amount of support from the entire AHA community, which is now my second family.”