Graduations set for 11 Catholic high schools in the archdiocese
Bishop Chatard High School seniors take part in the “turning of the tassel,” which symbolizes a student’s transition from candidate to graduate, during graduation ceremonies on May 23, 2010, at the Indianapolis North Deanery interparochial high school. Nearly 1,300 students will graduate from area Catholic schools in the next few weeks. (Submitted photo)
Criterion staff report
As another school year comes to a close, 1,291 students are preparing to graduate this spring from Catholic high schools in 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 appreciate the impact of a Catholic education as more than 97 percent of the graduates will enter college.
“The typical graduate of one of our Catholic high schools is a person who has received a first-rate academic preparation, and strong moral and religious formation developed in the context of a vibrant community spirit that they will never forget,” said Harry Plummer, executive director of the archdiocese’s office of Catholic education and faith formation.
The archdiocese’s superintendent of Catholic schools, Ron Costello, joined Plummer in extending his congratulations to this year’s graduates.
“Our graduates will be able to do anything you have both the desire and motivation to accomplish,” Costello said. “We encourage them not to lose their Catholic core values of acting honestly, working together, listening and responding to the needs of others, and caring for those things with which you are entrusted.”
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 123 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be on May 22 at 2:30 p.m. at the school.
Two students are valedictorians— Kathleen Shaughnessy, the daughter of John and Mary Shaughnessy of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Indianapolis, and Daniel Soffera, the son of William and Amanda Soffera of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
Two students are salutatorians— Ellen Collier, the daughter of Randy and Linda Collier of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis, and William Soffera, the son of William and Amanda Soffera of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
The archdiocese will be represented by Msgr. William Stumpf, moderator of the curia, and Plummer.
Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 194 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be on June 5 at 10:30 a.m. at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be on June 5 at 4:30 p.m. at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University in Indianapolis.
The graduation speaker will be Marisha Wickremsinhe, the daughter of Enaksha and Gaya Wickremsinhe of St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. Stumpf and Costello.
Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 104 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be on June 2 at 7 p.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Indianapolis.
The graduation ceremony will be on June 3 at 7 p.m. at the school.
The valedictorian is Ryan Dimmitt, the son of Patrick and Lynn Dimmitt of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Indianapolis.
The salutatorian is Emily Metallic, the daughter of Joseph and Donna Metallic of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Bishop Christopher J. Coyne, auxiliary bishop and vicar general, and Plummer.
Cathedral High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 289 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 21 at 10 a.m. at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be on May 22 at 1 p.m. at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University in Indianapolis.
Four students are valedictorians— Nicholas Petruzzi, the son of David and Kristi Petruzzi of Holy Spirit Parish in Fishers, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese; Mary Ricker, the daughter of Richard and Mary Ricker of St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis; Jay Ruckelshaus, the son of John and Mary Ruckelshaus of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis; and Christine White, the daughter of Timothy and Kathleen White of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Indianapolis.
Two students are salutatorians— Joseph Corsaro, the son of Dan and Francine Corsaro of Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis, and Sarah TeKolste, the daughter of Henry and Jeanne TeKolste of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish Carmel, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Kathy Mears, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools, curriculum and learning resources.
Father Michael Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School in Madison has a graduating class of 27 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be on June 3 at 7 p.m. at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be on June 5 at 2 p.m. at the school.
Three students, listed in alphabetical order, are in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian honors as the school year draws to a close—Susan Goley, the daughter of Mark and Marjorie Goley of Prince of Peace Parish in Madison; Andrew Reuss, the son of Rick and Melissa Reuss of Madison; and Victoria Valkovci, the daughter of David and Jamie Valcovci of Prince of Peace Parish in Madison.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Rob Rash, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools, administrative personnel and licensure.
Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 80 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 26 at 7 p.m. at Holy Spirit Church in Indianapolis.
The graduation ceremony will be on May 27 at 7 p.m. at the school.
The valedictorian is Andrew Bujna, the son of Jeffrey Bujna and Susan Bujna of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
The salutatorian is Danielle Kurasz, the daughter of Alan and Lisa Kurasz of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Bishop Coyne and Plummer.
Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg has a graduating class of 55 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 29 at 1 p.m. at the chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg, followed by the graduation ceremony.
Two students are in contention for the honors of valedictorian and salutatorian as the school year draws to a close. They are listed in alphabetical order— Ali Langferman, the daughter of Marvin and Margie Langferman of St. Mary Parish in Greensburg, and Meghan Wanstrath, the daughter of Jim Wanstrath and Sherri Wanstrath of St. Louis Parish in Batesville.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation ceremony by Plummer.
Our Lady of Providence Jr./Sr. High School in Clarksville has a graduating class of 116 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 22 at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in New Albany.
The graduation ceremony will be on June 5 at 5 p.m. at the school.
The valedictorian is Thomas Wiles, the son of Thomas and Ann Wiles of Holy Family Parish in New Albany.
The salutatorian is Joseph Becht, the son of John and Elizabeth Becht of Holy Family Parish in New Albany.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Mears.
Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 25 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be on June 8 at 7 p.m., followed by the graduation ceremony.
The valedictorian is Darnell Bland Jr., the son of Robin Bland of Indianapolis.
The salutatorian is Anthony Jackson, the son of Christy Steger of Indianapolis.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation ceremony by Msgr. Stumpf and Costello.
Roncalli High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 262 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 27 at 6 p.m. at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be on May 28 at 9 a.m. at the school.
The valedictorian is Taylor Shackleford, the son of Kenneth and Ellen Shackleford of Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish in Greenwood.
The salutatorian is Matthew Blandford, the son of Deacon Kerry and Becky Blandford of St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation ceremony by Bishop Coyne and Plummer.
Seton Catholic Jr./Sr. High School in Richmond has a graduating class of 16 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be on June 3 at 6 p.m. at St. Andrew Church in Richmond.
The graduation ceremony will be on June 5 at 2 p.m. at the school.
There are two valedictorians— Jenna Kolb, the daughter of Dr. Michael and Barbara Kolb of Richmond, and Joel Stocksdale, the son of Mark and Carol Stocksdale of Richmond.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation ceremony by Plummer. †
