Plus, 'Tony' is a very common Italian nickname.
Well, we are having him (at least I am) getting involved with the underworld of crime, even if only as an "hero of the game" who is uncovering, slowly, the notorious associations connected with the school and the rich families that control everything in the Vale Valley.
I would cast this type of ethnic character as the lead role in such a story. For example, Tony has proven to be an intelligent individual who has been handling rather complex situations. For him to figure out the puzzles and reach the ultimate solutions to the riddles of Bullworth Academy, a certain type of individual is called for. Tony has the 'guts' to be that person, and by the end of the story we could see a rise of a 'Bullworth Mafia', headed by Tony, who can do what Gary, and Jake, failed to do....Take over the school. In a more benevolent way, of course.