Graduations set for Catholic high schools in the archdiocese
Emma O’Brien, left, Nick Rivelli and Shelby Robertson are all smiles after the graduation ceremony at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis on May 20, 2016. (Photo courtesy of Tiffany Photography Studio)
By John Shaughnessy
As another school year comes to a close, 1,357 students are preparing to graduate this spring at Catholic high schools across the archdiocese.
For the graduates and their families, it will be a time of looking back—and looking forward—with a mixture of pride, relief, nostalgia and celebration.
It will also be a time to consider the blessings of a Catholic education, and to thank the people who have made a difference in a high school senior’s life, says Gina Fleming, superintendent of Catholic schools for the archdiocese.
“Congratulations to the high school graduates in the archdiocese, their families and their faith communities on reaching this exciting milestone,” Fleming says. “Many thanks to our priests, school leaders, teachers, staff members, parents and benefactors who have given so selflessly of time, talent and treasure so our young people may come to know, love and serve God faithfully.”
Fleming also hopes that the graduates remember that God will always be with them wherever their future takes them.
“Graduates, may you strive to reflect God’s love and light in all you do,” she says. “Please know that all in the Office of Catholic Schools pray for your continued peace, health and prosperity as you aim to fulfill God’s will, for he does have great plans for you.”
Fleming is among the archdiocesan representatives who will attend graduations at the 12 Catholic high schools—seven archdiocesan and five private—in the archdiocese. (Update: Lentz will represent archdiocese at three area high school graduations)
Here is a listing of graduation-related information for these schools.
Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 151 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6:30 p.m. on May 18 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 6:30 p.m. on May 19 at the school.
There are three class valedictorians:
Thomas Hirschfeld, son of Christopher and Annette Hirschfeld of Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis.
Margaret Nickerson, daughter of Scott and Catherine Nickerson of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis.
Hannah Pletcher, daughter of Steven and Paula Pletcher of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
The class salutatorian is John Dietrick, son of PJ and Meg Dietrick of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Indianapolis.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Mary McCoy, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools for the archdiocese.
Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 177 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on June 4 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m. on June 4 at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University in Indianapolis.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by McCoy.
Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School has a graduating class of 117 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on June 1 at St. Susanna Church in Plainfield.
The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on June 2 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Nathan Dimmitt, son of Patrick and Lynn Dimmitt of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Indianapolis.
The salutatorian is Matthew Mark, son of Robert and Colleen Mark of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by McCoy.
Cathedral High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 284 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 10 a.m. on May 20 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 1 p.m. on May 21 at Old National Centre in Indianapolis.
There are 14 class valedictorians:
Alex Cotton, son of Jane and Jon Cotton.
Abigail Heinzmann, daughter of Jeffrey and Suzanne Heinzmann of Holy Spirit at Geist Parish in Fishers. Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese.
Hunter Hopkins, son of Tim and Stacey Hopkins of Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis.
Thomas Kacius, son of Jim and Carole Kacius of Christ the King Parish.
Rachel Kent, daughter of Andrew and Meg Kent of Christ the King Parish.
John Kozyrski, son of John and Carrie Kozyrski of
St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
Keegan MacDonell, son of Drs. Eldred and Liz MacDonell of St. Simon the Apostle Parish.
Madeline Martin, daughter of Drs. Matthew and Stephanie Martin of Holy Spirit at Geist Parish.
Christopher Moretton, son of Tod and Jen Moretton of St. Simon the Apostle Parish.
Maria Schorr, daughter of Greg and Tricia Schorr of Holy Spirit at Geist Parish.
Olivia Spohn, daughter of Eric and Lisa Spohn of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis.
Marissa Vander Missen, daughter of Mike and Michelle Vander Missen of St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis.
Stephen Vukovits, son of Frank and Ashley Vukovits of Holy Spirit at Geist Parish.
Matthew Witzerman, son of David and Theresa Witzerman of St. Simon the Apostle Parish.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Ben Potts, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools for the archdiocese.
Father Michael Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School in Madison has a graduating class of 26 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on June 2 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 2 p.m. on June 4 at the school.
Two students are in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian honors as the school year draws to a close:
Mackenzie Ott, daughter of David and Leah Ott of Prince of Peace Parish in Madison.
Gabrielle Pawlak, daughter of Drs. Geno and Elizabeth Pawlak of Prince of Peace Parish in Madison.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Rob Rash, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools for the archdiocese.
Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 102 students.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 25 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Indianapolis.
The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on May 26 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Jacqueline Kennedy, daughter of John and Cris Kennedy of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Indianapolis.
The class salutatorian is Robert Sims, son of Gus Sims and Valerie Jackson-Sims of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Rash.
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 18 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Indianapolis. The graduation ceremony will immediately follow the Baccalaureate Mass in the church.
Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg has a graduating class of 59 seniors.
The graduation ceremony will be at 1 p.m. on June 4 at the chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg.
The top two seniors academically after seven semesters are:
Liam Mungcal, son of Dr. Noel and Luna Mungcal of St. Mary Parish in Greensburg.
Josie Wesseler, daughter of Neil and Carrie Wesseler of St. Louis Parish in Batesville.
The archdiocese will be represented by Gina Fleming, superintendent of Catholic schools for the archdiocese, during a Senior Mass and Awards Day luncheon at the school on May 19.
Our Lady of Providence Jr./Sr. High School in Clarksville has a graduating class of 122 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 26 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in New Albany.
The graduation ceremony will be at 5 p.m. on May 28 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Anthony Kaiser, son of John and Annette Kaiser of Holy Family Parish in
New Albany.
The class salutatorian is Nicholas Tomlin, son of James and Kerri Tomlin of St. Augustine Parish in Jeffersonville.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Potts.
Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 46 seniors.
The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on May 25 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis.
The class valedictorian is Kristina McKinley, daughter of Esther Parrish.
The co-salutatorians are:
Cheick Diallo, son of Alhassane Diallo and Diamilatou Barry.
Christian McKinley, son of Esther Parrish.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Fleming.
Roncalli High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 249 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6 p.m. on May 26 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 9 a.m. on May 27 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Claire Whalen, daughter of Drs. Rob and Liz Whalen of SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi Parish in Greenwood.
The class salutatorian is Michael Otley, son of Jim and Sophia Otley of St. Roch Parish in Indianapolis.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Fleming.
Seton Catholic Jr./Sr. High School in Richmond has a graduating class of 21 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 1:30 p.m. on June 4 at St. Andrew Church in Richmond.
The graduation ceremony will be at 3 p.m. on June 4 at the school.
The co-valedictorians for the class are Noah Becker, son of Chris and Kim Becker of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Richmond, and Kelsey Martin, daughter of Ed and Jennifer Martin of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Potts. †
