Graduations set for 12 Catholic high schools in archdiocese
Scott Hoyland, class co-salutatorian, is pictured with school president Joan Hurley after receiving his diploma at Our Lady of Providence Jr.-Sr. High School in Clarksville on June 1, 2014. (Photo by Steve Koopman)
By John Shaughnessy
As another school year comes to a close, 1,351 students are preparing to graduate this spring at Catholic high schools across the archdiocese.
For the graduates and their families, it’s a time of looking back and looking forward with a mixture of pride, relief, nostalgia and celebration.
It’s also a time to appreciate the impact of a Catholic education, says Gina Fleming, the superintendent of Catholic schools for the archdiocese.
“The high school experience in our Catholic schools reaches far beyond course completion and mere attendance,” Fleming says. “In our Catholic schools, students actively participate in a faith-filled journey that prepares them for college, career and heaven.
“With a significant focus on living the Gospel values, providing service to the community, and seeking to encounter God through prayer, sacred Scripture and relationships with others, our graduates approach post-secondary education and careers as an opportunity to give back and to glorify he who first loved us.”
In saluting the seniors, Fleming also praised a number of people who were there for them during their high school years.
“It is because of the immense dedication of our religious leaders, Catholic educators and school leaders that students witness Christ daily,” Fleming notes. “Paired with the commitment of parents, the generosity of benefactors, and the positive attitude and work ethic of the students themselves, the mission of our Church is lived, and the vision for tomorrow’s leaders is realized.”
Here is a listing of graduation-related information for the 12 Catholic high schools—seven archdiocesan and five private—in the archdiocese.
Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 165 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6:30 p.m. on May 21 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 6:30 p.m. on May 22 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Brian Ball, the son of Dr. Michael and Mary Ellen Ball of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis.
The class salutatorian is Gabriella Benko, the daughter of Zolton and Marguerite Benko of St. Luke Parish.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Fleming.
Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 179 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on May 31 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m. on May 31 at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University in Indianapolis.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Mary McCoy, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools.
Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School has a graduating class of 123 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 28 at St. Malachy Church in Brownsburg.
The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on May 29 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Luke Schepers, the son of Mark and Vicki Schepers of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.
The salutatorian is Anneliese Legge, the daughter of Michael and Christina Legge of St. Christopher Parish in Indianapolis.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Fleming.
Cathedral High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 296 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 10 a.m. on May 16 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 1 p.m. on May 17 at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University in Indianapolis.
There are six class valedictorians:
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Rynelle Castellino is the daughter of Dinesh and Cherissa Castellino.
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Nelson Conteh is the son of Swaray Conteh and Beth Pope.
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Natalie Jacobson is the daughter of Jon Jacobson and Julia Carpenter of Holy Spirit Parish at Geist in Fishers, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese.
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Mary Ellen Kempf is the daughter of George and Susanna Kempf of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis.
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Joseph LaMagna is the son of Joseph and Mary LaMagna of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Carmel, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese.
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Claire Marks is the daughter of Thomas and Robin Marks of Holy Spirit Parish in Fishers, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese.
There are four class salutatorians:
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Andrea Alatorre is the daughter of Carlos and Hortensia Alatorre of Holy Spirit Parish at Geist in Fishers, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese.
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Madison Dolan is the daughter of Mark and Denise Dolan of St. Michael Parish in Greenfield.
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Kynnedy Kelly is the daughter of Kevin and Veronica Kelly.
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Caroline Kress is the daughter of David and Karen Kress of Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. William F. Stumpf, vicar general.
Father Michael Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School in Madison has a graduating class of 24 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on June 5 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 2 p.m. on June 7 at the school.
Two students are in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian honors as the school year draws to a close: Rebekah Israel, the daughter of Dr. Michael and Miller Israel; and Paulette Koronkevich, the daughter of Dmitry and Yelena Koronkevich.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Rob Rash, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools.
Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 86 students.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 21 at Holy Spirit Church in Indianapolis.
The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on May 22 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Robert Leszcynski, the son of Bobby and Beth Leszcynski of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Parish in Indianapolis.
The class salutatorian is Caroline Sausser, the daughter of Mark and Julanne Sausser.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin.
Lumen Christi High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of three seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 5:45 p.m. on May 21 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Indianapolis. The graduation ceremony will immediately follow the Baccalaureate Mass in the church.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. Stumpf.
Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg has a graduating class of 49 seniors.
The graduation ceremony will be at 1 p.m. on June 7 at the Chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg.
Three students are in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian honors as the school year draws to a close:
Luke Wukusick is the son of Pete and Marlene Wukusick.
Brooke Siefert is the daughter of Wayne and Annette Siefert of St. Louis Parish in Batesville.
Matthew Hurm is the son of Robert and Autumn Hurm of St. Louis Parish in Batesville.
The archdiocese will be represented by McCoy during a Senior Mass and Awards Day luncheon at the school on May 15.
Our Lady of Providence Jr./Sr. High School in Clarksville has a graduating class of 113 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 29 at St. Mary-of-the-Knobs Church in Floyd County.
The graduation ceremony will be at 5 p.m. on May 31 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Ryan Mueller, the son of Patrick and Mary Mueller of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Clarksville.
There are two class salutatorians:
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Erin Embrey is the daughter of William and Allison Embry of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Albany.
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Nathan Shumate is the son of Charles and Marilyn Shumate of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. Stumpf.
Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 31 seniors.
The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on May 27 at Marian University in Indianapolis.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by McCoy.
Roncalli High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 274 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6 p.m. on May 22 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 9 a.m. on May 23 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Abigail Whalen, the daughter of Rob and Liz Whalen of SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi Parish in Greenwood.
The class salutatorian is Sarah Elam, the daughter of Matt and Kim Elam of St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Annette “Mickey” Lentz, chancellor.
Seton Catholic Jr./Sr. High School in Richmond has a graduating class of eight seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6 p.m. on May 29 in St. Andrew Church in Richmond.
The graduation ceremony will be at 2 p.m. on May 31 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Matthew Westjohn, the son of Bennett and Linda Westjohn of Holy Family Parish in Richmond.
The class salutatorian is Patrick Marsee, the son of David and Jody Marsee of St. Andrew Parish in Richmond.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Rash. †
