Seniors will soon celebrate their Catholic high school graduations

Members of the Class of 2024 of Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville celebrate their graduation on May 19, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Charles Kraft)

By John Shaughnessy

As seniors prepare to graduate soon from Catholic high schools across the archdiocese, their emotions will be a blend of pride and relief, nostalgia and celebration.

They will draw even closer to their friends, remembering the times they’ve shared and promising to stay connected forever.

Many will thank the teachers and the coaches who have made a difference in their lives. They will also pose for photos in their caps and gowns with their parents, who will look at their children and wonder where the years have gone.

Amid all these rituals of graduation, there will also be an abundance of congratulations to the more than 1,300 members of the Class of 2025, including this one from Brian Disney, superintendent of Catholic schools in the archdiocese.

“We are proud of you for your accomplishments and are excited to see the continued impact you will make in our Church, communities, nation and world,” Disney said.

The superintendent also encouraged the graduates to take time to thank all the people who have supported them in this four-year high school journey.

“Remember the sacrifices and lessons of your parents within the domestic Church. Remember the support and dedication of your priests, teachers, coaches and other staff members,” he said. “Pray for the benefactors who helped make this excellent Catholic education a reality. Thank God for your many blessings today and always.”

He also hopes the graduates will embrace the message that Pope Francis shared in his homily during a Mass at the 2013 World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: “You too, dear young people, can be joyful witnesses of his love, courageous witnesses of his Gospel, carrying to this world a ray of his light.”

Disney noted, “Throughout your Catholic school education, you have been encouraged to encounter Jesus of the Gospels and to grow in your relationship with him. You have shared his light by celebrating in the sacraments, participating in community service projects, and being Christ to one another. Additionally, you have been developing your full human potential by excelling in academics, athletics, performing arts and other activities.

“Your entire Catholic school education has been focused on your formation as a human person and your relationship with Christ so that you will be pilgrims of hope who share Christ’s light with the world.

“God bless the Class of 2025!”

Here is a listing of graduation-related information for the 12 Catholic high schools in the archdiocese.
 

Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 165 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 18 at 1:30 p.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Thomas O’Gara, son of Thomas and Elizabeth O’Gara of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis.

The class salutatorian is Alexander Paz, son of Rob and Susan Paz of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson.
 

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 209 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 18 at 10:30 a.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 18 at 4:30 p.m. at Clowes Memorial Hall on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis.
 

Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 116 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 29 at 7 p.m. at St. Monica Church in Indianapolis.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 30 at 7 p.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Harley Campbell, son of Cheryl Campbell of St. Christopher Parish in Indianapolis.

The class salutatorian is Zita Eke, daughter of Maclean and Ekwitosi Eke of St. Christopher Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Archbishop Thompson.
 

Cathedral High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 275 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Ind.

The student commencement speaker will be Olivia Uskert, daughter of Michael and Amanda Uskert of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Archbishop Thompson.
 

Father Michael Shawe Memorial High School in Madison has a graduating class of 29 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 23 at 7 p.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 25 at 1 p.m. at the school.

Numerous students are in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian honors as the school year draws to a close, according to school officials. The announcement of these honorees will be made close to graduation.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Christopher Walsh, chancellor.
 

Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 92 students.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 22 at 7 p.m. at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Church in Indianapolis.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 23 at 7 p.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Mariangela Gascon, daughter of Francisco and Laura Gascon of Holy Spirit Parish in Indianapolis.

The class salutatorian is Peter Certo, son of David and Megan Certo of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Brian Disney, superintendent of Catholic schools.
 

Lumen Christi High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of three seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremony will be on May 22 at 5:45 p.m. at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Indianapolis.
 

Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg has a graduating class of 39 seniors.

The graduation ceremony will be on June 1 at 1 p.m. at the Chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg.

The archdiocese will be represented by superintendent Brian Disney during a Senior Mass on May 15 at 1:30 p.m. at the Chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg.

Three students are currently in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian honors, which will be announced after final exams end in late May. The students are listed in alphabetical order:

Ava Henry, daughter of Brad and Miranda Henry of Holy Family Parish in Oldenburg.

Christian Mack, son of Peter and Dr. Deborah Mack of St. Louis Parish in Batesville.

Annabelle Nunlist, daughter of Nathan and Susan Nunlist of Holy Family Parish in Oldenburg.
 

Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville has a graduating class of 86 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 16 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in New Albany.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 18 at 6 p.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Augustus Ernstberger, son of Dr. Seth and Elizabeth Ernstberger of St. Mary-of-the-Knobs Parish in Floyd County.

The class salutatorian is Molly Richards, daughter of John and Anne Richards of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Albany

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Archbishop Thompson.
 

Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 37 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 29 at 6 p.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 30 at 7 p.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Kayleigh Yelton, daughter of Ciara Lucas and Kyle Yelton.

The class salutatorian is Jerrion Rose, son of Talisha Rose.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. William F. Stumpf, archdiocesan vicar general and pastor of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
 

Roncalli High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 262 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 23 at 6 p.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 24 at 9 a.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Audrey May, daughter of William and Kim May of Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Parish in Indianapolis.

The class salutatorian is Mackenzie Kruer, daughter of Justin and Anne Kruer of St. Jude Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Christopher Walsh, chancellor.
 

Seton Catholic High School in Richmond has a graduating class of 21 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on June 1 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Andrew Church in Richmond.

The graduation ceremony will follow on June 1 at 3 p.m. at St. Andrew Church.

The class valedictorian is Landry Cox, daughter of Brian and Suzanne Cox of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Richmond.

There are three class salutatorians: Kelsey Brim, daughter of Jeff Lawrence and Shonda Brim of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.

Jacqueline Clemente, daughter of Dr. Joseph and Julma Clemente of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.

Jana Clemente, daughter of Dr. Joseph and Julma Clemente of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Vince Aquila, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools. †