Graduations set for 11 Catholic high schools in archdiocese

Members of the 2009 graduating class of Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis throw their graduation caps into the air during their commencement ceremony on May 31, 2009, at the Indianapolis North Deanery interparochial high school. (Submitted photo)

Criterion staff report

As the superintendent of Catholic schools for the archdiocese, Ron Costello wants to congratulate the 1,326 students who will graduate this spring from Catholic high schools in the archdiocese.

He also wants to share a message about how the value of a Catholic education has influenced—and will continue to shape—their opportunities for the future.

“By choosing a Catholic high school, it increased your chances of graduating from high school to 97.5 percent from the state average of 81.5 percent, based upon the 2009 averages,” Costello said.

He also noted that the percentage of Catholic high school students who pursue educational opportunities after high school is 98.2 percent—compared to the state average of 78 percent.

“[And] your chance of successfully completing your post-secondary education increased from the state average of 63.9 percent to the archdiocesan rate of 95.7 percent,” Costello added.

The combination of the influence of teachers and staff members in Catholic schools with the hard work of students and the faithful support of parents is life-shaping, Costello said.

“Our graduates will be able to do anything they have both the desire and motivation to accomplish,” he noted. “We also encourage them to not lose their Catholic core values of acting honestly, working together, and listening and responding to the needs of others.

“On behalf of the Office of Catholic Education, Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein and the archdiocese, we congratulate our 2010 high school graduates.”

Here is a listing of graduation-related information for the 11 Catholic high schools—seven archdiocesan and four private—in the archdiocese.

Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 164 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 23 at 2:30 p.m. at the school.

The valedictorian is Robby Wagner, the son of Rick and Carol Wagner of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis.

The salutatorian is Anna Fish, the daughter of Patrick and Donna Fish of Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, vicar general, and Annette “Mickey” Lentz, chancellor and executive director of Catholic education and faith formation.

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 202 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on June 6 at 10:30 a.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on June 6 at 4:30 p.m. at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. Schaedel.

Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 120 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on June 3 at 7 p.m. at St. Malachy Church in Brownsburg.

The graduation ceremony will be on June 4 at 7 p.m. at the school.

The valedictorian is Laura Zetzl, the daughter of Lawrence and Lisa Zetzl of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Indianapolis.

The salutatorian is Elizabeth Witek, the daughter of David and Kelly Witek of St. Christopher Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. Schaedel and Lentz.

Cathedral High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 293 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 22 at 10 a.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 23 at 1 p.m. at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University in Indianapolis.

Three students are valedictorians: Elizabeth MacGill, the daughter of Robert and Sue MacGill of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis; John Macke, the son of John and Amy Macke of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis; and Melissa Schopper, the daughter of Mark and Mary Schopper of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.

Five students are class salutatorians: Jennifer Collins, the daughter of Robert and Kathleen Collins of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis; Grace Hurt, the daughter of Michael Hurt and Caroline Koley of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis; Madelyn Jarrett, the daughter of John and Lisa Jarrett of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis; Sarah Renie, the daughter of Joseph and Colleen Renie of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis; and Kasey Ruppe, the daughter of John and Kathryn Ruppe of St. Lawrence Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Rob Rash, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools, administrative school personnel and licensure.

Father Michael Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School in Madison has a graduating class of 22 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on June 4 at 7 p.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on June 6 at 2 p.m. at the school.

Four students, listed in alphabetical order, are in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian honors as the school year draws to a close: Katherine Bear, the daughter of Michael and Joan Bear; Rachel Muessel, the daughter of John and Sally Muessel; Brandon Scroggins, the son of B.J. and Theresa Scroggins; and Abbey Stillwell, the daughter of Carla Stillwell. All four families are members of Prince of Peace Parish in Madison.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Lentz.

Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 79 students.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 26 at 7 p.m. at St. Michael Church in Greenfield.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 27 at 7 p.m. at the school.

The valedictorian is Ryan Tooley, the son of Thomas and Cheryl Tooley of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Parish in Indianapolis.

The salutatorian is Samuel Bennett, the son of Robin Bennett of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. Schaedel and Lentz.

Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg has a graduating class of 37 seniors.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 30 at 1 p.m. at the chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg.

Three students, listed in alphabetical order, are in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian honors as the school year draws to a close: Olivia Eckstein, the daughter of Frank and Margie Eckstein of St. Nicholas Parish in Ripley County; Olivia Quiroz, the daughter of Pablo and Diane Quiroz of St. Pius Parish in Ripley County; and Jason Strasemeier, the son of Julie Strasemeier of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Aurora.

Our Lady of Providence Jr./Sr. High School in Clarksville has a graduating class of 114 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 23 at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in New Albany.

The graduation will be on June 3 at 7 p.m. at the school.

The valedictorian is Maria Cochran, the daughter of Rick and Mary Beth Cochran of Holy Family Parish in New Albany.

There are two salutatorians: Natalie Duffy, the daughter of Walt Dries and Beth Duffy-Dries of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Albany; and Julia Hunter, the daughter of Charles and Simone Hunter of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Albany.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Kathy Mears, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools, curriculum and learning resources.

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

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on June 9 at 7 p.m. followed by the graduation ceremony.

The valedictorian is Shatera Madding, the daughter of Newtelra Jackson.

The salutatorian is Jude Okpalannaka, the son of Jude and Bernadine Okpalannaka.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation ceremony by Msgr. Schaedel and Lentz.

Roncalli High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 273 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 28 at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of the Greenwood Church in Greenwood.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 29 at 10 a.m. at the school.

The valedictorian is Anne Hemmelgarn, the daughter of Gerald and Cynthia Hemmelgarn of Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Parish in Indianapolis.

The salutatorian is Eric Lemmel, the son of Gregory and Margaret Lemmel of Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish in Greenwood.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. Schaedel and Lentz.

Seton Catholic Jr./Sr. High School in Richmond has a graduating class of 16 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 27 at 6 p.m. at St. Andrew Church in Richmond.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 30 at 2 p.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Kate Beard, the daughter of Michael and Mary Beard of St. Mary Parish in Richmond.

The salutatorian is Kailyn Forester, the daughter of Michael and Laura Collier of Holy Family Parish in Richmond.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Costello. †