Seniors will soon celebrate their Catholic high school graduation

Drew Hasbrook, a member of the Class of 2023 of Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, places a flower in a vase before a statue of the Blessed Mother during the archdiocesan North Deanery high school’s graduation last May. It’s one of the ways the school honors Mary, its patroness, during the month dedicated to her. (Submitted photo)

By John Shaughnessy

As seniors prepare to graduate this spring from Catholic high schools across the archdiocese, their emotions will likely be a blend of pride and relief, nostalgia and celebration.

They will draw even closer to their friends, remembering the times they’ve shared and promising to stay connected forever.

Many will thank the teachers and the coaches who have made a difference in their lives. They will also pose for photos in their caps and gowns with their parents, who will look at their children and wonder where the years have gone.

Amid all these rituals of graduation, there will also be an abundance of congratulations to members of the Class of 2024, including this one from Brian Disney, superintendent of Catholic schools in the archdiocese.

“Congratulations to our Catholic high school graduates throughout the archdiocese,” Disney said. “We are proud of you for your accomplishments and are excited to see the continued impact you will make in our Church, communities, nation and world. Teach the world about human dignity, compassion and hope.”

The superintendent applauded the graduates for how they have “demonstrated their intelligence, courage, strength and commitment by excelling in academics, athletics, performing arts and other activities.”

He especially saluted the graduates for the way they have lived their faith—through their community service, their participation in the sacraments and their growing relationship with Jesus.

Disney also praised all the people who have supported and contributed to the success of this year’s graduates.

“All the successes of our graduates would not be possible without their parents, their primary teachers,” he noted. “The dedication and support of their priests, school leaders, teachers, coaches and staff members have contributed to their successes as well. All their opportunities are enhanced by those committed to Catholic schools, including our benefactors and prayer warriors.”

The superintendent also hopes the graduates will continue to build upon the formation and education they have received in their Catholic school as they journey into the future.

“May their relationship with Jesus Christ remain strong, and may they use their gifts to bring glory to God.”

Here is a listing of graduation-related information for the 12 Catholic high schools in the archdiocese.
 

Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 157 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 19 at 2:30 p.m. at the school. The class valedictorian is Ian Kolbus, the son of Katie and Ted Kolbus of Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis.

The class salutatorian is Charles Park, the son of Janeen and Charles Park of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. William F. Stumpf, vicar general and pastor of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
 

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 205 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 19 at 10:30 a.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 19 at 4:30 p.m. at Clowes Memorial Hall on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis.
 

Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 111 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 30 at 7 p.m. at St. Christopher Church in Indianapolis.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 31 at 7 p.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Lucas Valle, the son of Alejandro and Laura Valle of St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis

The class salutatorian is Hannah May, the daughter of Charlie and Katie May of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.

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

Cathedral High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 294 seniors.

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

The graduation ceremony will be on May 19 at 1 p.m. at the Murat Theatre of Old National Centre in Indianapolis.

The student commencement speaker will be summa cum laude graduate Daniel Kent, the son of Andrew and Margaret Kent of Christ the King Parish in Indianapolis.

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

Father Michael Shawe Memorial High School in Madison has a graduating class of 31 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 24 at 7 p.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 26 at 1 p.m. at the school.

Numerous students are in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian onors as the school year draws to a close, according to school officials. The announcement of these honorees will be made on May 28.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Brian Disney, superintendent of Catholic schools.
 

Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 91 students.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 23 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Indianapolis.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 24 at 7 p.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Matthew Hentz, son of Joe and Cheryl Hentz of St. Michael Parish in Greenfield.

The class salutatorian is Maxwell Krause, son of John and Sally Krause of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Christopher Walsh, chancellor of the archdiocese.
 

Lumen Christi Catholic High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 9 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremony will begin on May 16 at 5:45 p.m. at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Indianapolis.
 

Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg has a graduating class of 38 seniors.

The graduation ceremony will be on June 2 at 1 p.m. at the Chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg.

The archdiocese will be represented by Disney during a Senior Mass on May 17 at 1:30 p.m. at the Chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg.

Three students are currently in contention for valedictorian honors, which will be announced during the senior awards ceremony on May 24.

The students are listed in alphabetical order:

Kenlee Martin, daughter of Rodney and Kendra Martin, of Immaculate Conception Parish in Millhousen.

Sadie Wachsmann, daughter of David and Michelle Wachsmann of St. Louis Parish in Batesville.

Kate Weber, daughter of John and Jill Weber of St. Louis Parish in Batesville.
 

Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville has a graduating class of 78 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 17 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in New Albany.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 19 at 5 p.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Erin Popson, the daughter of Todd and Claudia Popson of Holy Family Parish in New Albany.

The class salutatorian is Nina Kruer, daughter of Duane and Kyle Kruer of

St. John Paul II Parish in Sellersburg.

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

Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 44 seniors.

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

The graduation ceremony will be on May 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Mya Lang-Martinez, daughter of Maria Martinez-Morales. 

The class salutatorian is Ziraily Rivas Montiel, daughter of Artemio Rivas and Brenda Montiel of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Indianapolis. 

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

Roncalli High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 236 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 24 at 6 p.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 25 at 9 a.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Emily Sering, daughter of Jill and Joseph Sering of St. Jude Parish in Indianapolis.

The class salutatorian is Lachlan Borders, son of Alicia and Jeff Borders of St. Roch Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Walsh.
 

Seton Catholic High School in Richmond has a graduating class of 21 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on June 2 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Andrew Church in Richmond.

The graduation ceremony will follow on June 2 at 3 p.m. at St. Andrew Church.

The class valedictorian is Mary Daoud, daughter of Jacques and Lina Daoud of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Richmond.

The class salutatorian is Robert Bagby, son of John and Julie Bagby of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.

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