Graduations set for Catholic high schools in the archdiocese

Nick Matthews, left, and Billie Webster are all smiles after the graduation ceremony at Seton Catholic Jr./Sr. High School in Richmond on June 4, 2017. (Submitted photo)

By John Shaughnessy

As another school year comes to a close, 1,408 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 all our high school graduates, their families and their faith communities throughout the archdiocese on reaching this exciting milestone,” Fleming says.

“Such achievement would not be possible without the selfless generosity and guidance of priests, school leaders, teachers, staff members, parents and benefactors. With this solid foundation of formation and education that is unique to our Catholic schools, our young people are fully prepared for new endeavors.”

During this time of celebration, Fleming also hopes that the graduates never lose sight of the reality that God will always be with them wherever their future takes them.

“May our graduates remember that God’s love is ever present, and that in striving to fulfill God’s will, you can find great peace and joy.”

Fleming is among the archdiocesan representatives who will be attending graduations at 11 Catholic high schools—seven archdiocesan and four private—in the archdiocese. Here is a listing of graduation-related information for these schools.
 

Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 161 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6:30 p.m. on May 17 at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be at 6:30 p.m. on May 18 at the school.

The class valedictorian is Kelby Atha, son of John and Mary Atha of St. Maria Goretti Parish in Westfield, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese.

The class salutatorian is Sam Klineman, son of Bruce and Kathryn Klineman of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. William F. Stumpf, vicar general of the archdiocese.
 

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 222 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on May 20 at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m. on May 20 at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Ben Potts, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools.
 

Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School has a graduating class of 124 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 31 at St. Monica Church in Indianapolis.

The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on June 1 at the school.

There are two valedictorians:

Ana Danner, daughter of Bil and Brenda Danner of St. Jude Parish in Indianapolis.

Will Roberts, son of Jason and Missy Roberts of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by chancellor Annette “Mickey” Lentz.
 

Cathedral High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 284 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 10 a.m. on May 19 at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be at 1 p.m. on May 20 at Old National Centre in Indianapolis.

There are 12 class valedictorians:

Christopher Basile, son of David and Deborah Basile of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.

Molly Beatty, daughter of Mike and Carol Beatty of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis.

Lauren Burgett, daughter of Richard Burgett and Malinda Mundy-Burgett. 

Anna Flood, daughter of Dr. Michael and Cathy Flood of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.

Lucia Grill, daughter of Dan Grill and Cande Olson of St. Susanna Parish in Plainfield.

Gabriella Hanahan, daughter of Tom and Kristin Hanahan.

Liam Moore, son of Harold and Christine Moore of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.

Annie O’Neil, daughter of Dr. Steve and Kathy Martin O’Neil of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Indianapolis.

Brock Snyder, son of Pete and Kimberly Snyder of Holy Spirit Parish at Geist in Fishers, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese.

Audrey Teasley, daughter of Kevin Teasley and Colleen O’Brien-Teasley of St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis.

Lauren Walker, daughter of Morgan and Ericka Walker.

Camryn Wylam, daughter of Steve and Jacqui Wylam of Holy Spirit Parish at Geist.

There are nine salutatorians:

Jacob Ball, son of John and Christina Ball.

Seth Bolden, son of Sam and Gloria Bolden.

Craig Castellino, son of Dinesh and Cherissa Castellino. 

Holly Czachura, daughter of Steve and Kim Czachura of St. Lawrence Parish in Indianapolis.

Sara Kress, daughter of Karen and David Kress of Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis.

Kalysta Antoinietta Huai-huei Lee, daughter of Drs. Tony and Chao-wen Lee of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.

Isabella Page, daughter of Paul and Holly Page of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis.

Katherine Urasky, daughter of Alan and Julie Urasky of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.

Destiny White, daughter of Brian and Rhonda White.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Ben Potts, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools.
 

Father Michael Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School in Madison has a graduating class of 28 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on June 1 at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be at 2 p.m. on June 3 at the school.

Two students are in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian honors as the school year draws to a close:

Megan Hesse, daughter of Steve and Lisa Hesse of Prince of Peace Parish in Madison.

Logan Lainhart, son of Ron and Kim Lainhart of St. Mary Parish in North Vernon.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. William F. Stumpf, vicar general of the archdiocese.
 

Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 108 students.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 24 at Holy Spirit Church in Indianapolis.

The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on May 25 at the school.

The class valedictorian is Molly Griffin, daughter of Kevin and Maureen Griffin of Holy Spirit Parish in Indianapolis.

There are three class salutatorians:

Henry Egan, son of Kevin and Melissa Egan of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Parish in Indianapolis.

Liberty Joson, daughter of Romeo and Jennifer Joson of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Indianapolis.

Phillip Kozenski, son of Thomas and Kathleen Kozenski of Holy Spirit Parish.

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

Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg has a graduating class of 40 seniors.

The graduation ceremony will be at 1 p.m. on June 3 at the Chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg.

Three seniors are in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian honors, which will be determined at the end of the academic year:

Jacob Herbert, son of Ken and Julie Herbert of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Parish in Bright.

Daniel Siemer, son of Joe and Julie Siemer of St. Michael Parish in Brookville.

Rachel Stoll, daughter of Albert and Karen Stoll of St. Lawrence Parish in Lawrenceburg.

The archdiocese will be represented by Mary McCoy, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools, during a Senior Mass and Awards Day luncheon at the school on May 18.
 

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 25 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in New Albany.

The graduation ceremony will be at 5 p.m. on May 27 at the school.

The class valedictorian is Heidi Popson, daughter of Todd and Claudia Popson of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Albany.

There are two class salutatorians:

Shawn Fitzpatrick, son of Michael and Jody Fitzpatrick of Holy Family Parish in New Albany.

Emma Kerr, daughter of David and Bethany Kerr of Holy Family Parish.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Gina Fleming, superintendent of Catholic schools.
 

Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 43 seniors.

The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on May 24 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis.

The class valedictorian is Cesar Mares, son of Francisco and Ruth Mares.

The salutatorian is Yoselin Martinez, daughter of Eva Martinez of St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Mary McCoy, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools.
 

Roncalli High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 285 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6 p.m. on May 25 at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be at 9 a.m. on May 26 at the school.

The class valedictorian is Benjamin Asdell, son of Drs. Steven and Tessa Asdell of St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis.

The class salutatorian is Collin Prince, son of Mark and Jan Prince of SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi Parish in Greenwood.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by chancellor Annette “Mickey” Lentz and Gina Fleming, superintendent of Catholic schools.
 

Seton Catholic Jr./Sr. High School in Richmond has a graduating class of 24 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 1:30 p.m. on June 3 at St. Andrew Church in Richmond. The graduation ceremony will follow on June 3 at the school.

The class valedictorian is Sarah Dickman, daughter of Dan and Angela Dickman of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Richmond.

The class salutatorian is Grace Deitsch, daughter of Dr. Andy and Lis Deitsch of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.

The archdiocese will be represented at the Mass and the graduation by Rob Rash, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools. †