Graduations set for Catholic high schools in the archdiocese
Marcella Murphy, left, Gabbi Roberts and Trey Crawford celebrate their 2018 graduation from Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville. (Submitted photo)
By John Shaughnessy
As another school year comes to a close, 1,484 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.
“Our students are well prepared to take on challenges that lie ahead, thanks to the dedicated school leaders, faculty, and staff members who aid in their formation and education daily,” Fleming says.
“With additional guidance from our priests and other religious, young people aspire to reach their full potential to honor and glorify God. And through God’s grace as well as their personal dedication and the support and sacrifice of parents and other loved ones, our students are well formed in body, mind and spirit.”
Fleming also congratulated the seniors on their graduation.
“On behalf of Archbishop Charles C. Thompson and all in the Office of Catholic Schools, I wish every one of our graduates in the Class of 2019 a huge ‘congratulations’ and continued blessings as they strive not only for advanced learning and/or careers, but for heaven.
“May each use the God-given talents and gifts with which they have been blessed to illumine Christ’s love and light everywhere they go. And may each remember that they have been given much, and much is required of them as Christians and as people striving to be saints.”
Fleming is among the archdiocesan representatives who will be attending graduations at 12 Catholic high schools—seven archdiocesan and five 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 167 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass was at 6:30 p.m. on May 16 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 2:30 p.m. on May 19 at the school.
There are two class valedictorians:
Matthias Benko, son of Marguerite and Zoltan Benko of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis.
Steven Good, son of Judy and Jeff Good of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
The class salutatorian is Greg Oldiges, son of Linda and Dan Oldiges of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson.
Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 198 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on May 19 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m. on May 19 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 in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 146 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 30 at St. Malachy Church in Brownsburg.
The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on May 31 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Mitchell Jacob, son of Matt and Diana Jacob of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.
The class salutatorian is Christina Troll, daughter of Laura Downton-Troll of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson.
Cathedral High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 285 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 10 a.m. on May 18 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 1 p.m. on May 19 at Old National Centre in Indianapolis.
There are 18 class valedictorians:
Sydney Cripps, daughter of David and Joy Cripps of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
Brendan Hurley, son of John and Maeleen Hurley of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Indianapolis.
Sam Kacius, son of James and Carole Kacius of Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis.
Katie Kelley, daughter of Brian and Mary Kelley of St. Jude Parish in Indianapolis.
Sarah Kent, daughter of Andrew and Meg Kent of Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis.
Anabel Konesco, daughter of Jason and Jodi Konesco of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Indianapolis.
Grace Kowalevsky, daughter of Brian and Laurie Kowalevsky of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
Cassandra Kronenberger, daughter of William and Dari Kronenberger of Holy Spirit at Geist Parish in Fishers in the Lafayette Diocese.
Blake Lowe, son of Ming and Lori Lowe, St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
Melissa Moore, daughter of Gordon and Karen Moore of St. Lawrence Parish in Indianapolis.
Elizabeth Murphy, daughter of Nick and Josette Murphy of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Indianapolis.
Anna Pohl, daughter of Christopher and Candace Pohl of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
Jacob Schneider, son of Carmen Cudiamat and Michael Schneider of St. Michael Parish in Greenfield.
Nathan Schoenfeld, son of Eric and Elizabeth Schoenfeld of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.
Sydney Hastings-Smith, daughter of Jamie and Lisa Hastings-Smith.
Mary Kate Temple, daughter of David and Victoria Temple of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Carmel in the Lafayette Diocese.
McKenna Wylam, daughter of Steve and Jacqueline Wylam of Holy Spirit at Geist Parish in Fishers in the Lafayette Diocese.
Chai Yuanming, son of Liwen Wang and Zhigang Chai.
There are five salutatorians:
Giancarlo Barker, son of Robert and Valentina Barker.
Matthew Bigelow, son of Christine Bigelow of St. Louis de Montfort Parish in Fishers in the Lafayette Diocese.
Victoria Gallant, daughter of Gregg and Lori Gallant of Holy Spirit at Geist Parish in Fishers in the Lafayette Diocese.
Kristen Hohman, daughter of Kevin and Elizabeth Hohman of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Carmel in the Lafayette Diocese.
Hailey Loftin, daughter of Jon and Michelle Loftin of Holy Spirit at Geist Parish in Fishers in the Lafayette Diocese.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Rob Rash, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools.
Father Michael Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School in Madison has a graduating class of 27 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 31 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 2 p.m. on June 2 at the school.
Three students are in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian honors as the school year draws to a close:
Makayla Christian, daughter of Mark and Marilyn Christian.
Bailee Brandon, daughter of Anthony and Dawn Brandon of Prince of Peace Parish in Madison.
Devin Russell, daughter of the late Tony Russell and the late Laura Russell. Devin is a member of Prince of Peace Parish in Madison.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Gina Fleming, superintendent of Catholic schools.
Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 107 students.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 23 at St. Michael Church in Greenfield.
The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on May 24 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Katelyn Hartman, daughter of Carl and Lisa Hartman of Holy Spirit Parish in Indianapolis.
The class salutatorian is Andrew Kriech Smith, son of Jason and Ruth Smith of Holy Spirit Parish in Indianapolis.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. William F. Stumpf, archdiocesan vicar general.
Lumen Christi High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of six seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremony will begin at 5:45 p.m. on May 23 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Indianapolis.
Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg has a graduating class of 56 seniors.
The graduation ceremony will be at 1 p.m. on June 2 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:
Emma Allen, daughter of Chad and Eileen Allen of St. Louis Parish in Batesville.
Sarah Preston, daughter of Bob and Beth Preston of St. Louis Parish in Batesville.
Carsen Thompson, daughter of Tom and Misty Thompson of St. Michael Parish in Brookville.
The archdiocese will be represented by Gina Fleming, superintendent of Catholic schools, during a Senior Mass and Awards Day luncheon at the school on May 24.
Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville has a graduating class of 96 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 24 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in New Albany.
The graduation ceremony will be at 5 p.m. on May 26 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Jan-Adriel Villaroman Nacpil, son of Antonio and Priscilla Nacpil of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Albany.
The class salutatorian is Ross Victor Reyes, son of Victorino and Carmela Reyes of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Clarksville.
Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 55 seniors.
The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on May 23 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis.
The class valedictorian is Martiza Rafael, daughter of Antonia Rafael.
The class salutatorian is Lakia Harris, daughter of Crystal Staples and Leonard Harris.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson.
Roncalli High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 318 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6 p.m. on May 24 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 9 a.m. on May 25 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Katherine Grace Minton, daughter of Donald and Teresa Minton of Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Parish in Indianapolis.
The class salutatorian is Amanda Marie Blankenberger, daughter of Terry and Martha Blankenberger of Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish in Greenwood.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by chancellor Annette “Mickey” Lentz.
Seton Catholic Jr./Sr. High School in Richmond has a graduating class of 23 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 1:30 p.m. on June 2 at St. Andrew Church in Richmond. The graduation ceremony will follow at 3 p.m. on June 2 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Joseph Lahmann, son of Margaret Lahmann and Patrick Lahmann of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Richmond.
The class salutatorian is Nathan Dickman, son of Dan and Angie Dickman of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Richmond.
The archdiocese will be represented at the Mass and the graduation by Rob Rash, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools. †
