In uncertain year, graduation offers touches of normalcy for Class of 2021

A member of the Class of 2020 at Bishop Chatard High School in Indiana—and its valedictorian that year—Margaret Corns shows off her diploma during the school’s commencement ceremony on July 23, 2020. (Submitted photo)

By John Shaughnessy

The past 14 months have been unusual, uncertain and unnerving in many ways for the seniors who are preparing to graduate this spring at Catholic high schools across the archdiocese.

Still, their upcoming graduations offer touches of normalcy, too. Friends will promise to stay close forever. Seniors will seek out the teachers who have made a difference in their lives. Parents of the graduates will look at their children and wonder where the years have gone.

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 for congratulations to the Class of 2021, including this one from Mary McCoy, interim superintendent of Catholic schools in the archdiocese.

“Congratulations to all of our high school graduates throughout the archdiocese, who are achieving this milestone under such unusual circumstances and during the most memorable years in our history,” McCoy says.

“Such achievement during a pandemic exhibits a great deal of courage and perseverance. Whether our graduates accomplished this virtually, in-person or through a hybrid model, they have demonstrated they are fully prepared for new endeavors.”

During this time of celebration, McCoy hopes that the graduates take time to think of all the people who have been involved in their Catholic education, especially in their challenging senior year. She also hopes their Catholic education leads them to continue their relationship with Jesus into the future.

“As another successful school year comes to a close, we want to thank those people who have helped make it all possible,” McCoy says. “None of this would be possible without the guidance of our priests, school leaders, teachers, staff members, parents and benefactors. All have gone above and beyond the calling.

“As our graduates head to a new journey in life, may they never lose sight of the formation and education they have received in our Catholic schools. They have each received the tools and resources necessary to continue a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. May that always be a priority for whatever the future may hold.”

Note: Most graduations and Baccalaureate Masses at the Catholic schools across the archdiocese require a ticket to attend these events this year.

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 171 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6:30 p.m. on May 20 at the school.

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

The class valedictorian is Liam Murphy, son of Brian and Tracy Murphy of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis.

The class salutatorian is Owen Teed, son of Andy and Carmen Teed of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Indianapolis.

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

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 193 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be 10:30 a.m. on May 23 at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be at 7:30 p.m. on May 23 at the school.
 

Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 116 seniors.

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

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

The class valedictorian is Ethan Lettich, son of Damon and Joanne Lettich.

The class salutatorian is Mark Baker, son of Bill and Amy Baker of St. Malachy Parish.

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

Cathedral High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 256 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 5 p.m. on May 21 at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be at 1 p.m. on May 23 at the school’s Brunette Park. In case of inclement weather, graduation will be moved to 6 p.m. on May 24 at the same location.

The commencement speaker will be Cathedral senior Lauren Alexandra Dubbink, daughter of Lynn Murphy-Dubbink and Kevin Dubbink of St. Louis de Montfort Parish in Fishers, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Chris Walsh, vice chancellor.
 

Father Michael Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School in Madison has a graduating class of 18 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will at 7 p.m. on May 28 at the school.

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

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

Johanna Leatherman, daughter of Gabriele Leatherman.

Trey Suggett, son of Beth Suggett and Rob Suggett of Prince of Peace Parish in Madison.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Walsh.
 

Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 93 students.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 27 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis.

The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on May 28 at the school.

The class valedictorian is Olivia Kriech Smith, daughter of Ruth and Jason Smith of Holy Spirit Parish in Indianapolis.

The class salutatorian is Daniel Linn, son of Catherine and Chad Linn of St. John the Evangelist and Our Lady of Lourdes parishes in Indianapolis.

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

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

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 5:45 p.m. on May 20 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Indianapolis. The graduation ceremony will follow.
 

Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg has a graduating class of 52 seniors.

The graduation ceremony will be at 1 p.m. on May 30 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. The students are listed in alphabetical order:

Mia Keller, daughter of Paul and Gina Keller. 

Jacob Sheets, son of Kebe and Diana Sheets of St. Louis Parish in Batesville.

Patrick Thompson, son of Tom and Misty Thompson of St. Michael Parish in Brookville.

The archdiocese will be represented by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson during a Senior Mass at 1 p.m. on May 21 at the Chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg.
 

Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville has a graduating class of 101 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 28 at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be at 5 p.m. on May 30 at the school.

The class valedictorian is Allen Kruer, son of Kyle and Duane Kruer of St. John Paul II Parish in Sellersburg.

The class salutatorian is Grant Dierking, son of Lisa Mock and William Dierking of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Albany.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Walsh.
 

Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 46 seniors.

The graduation ceremony will be at 6:30 p.m. on June 26 at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis.

The class valedictorian is Alexcia Thorpe, daughter of Facia Hilton.

The class salutatorian is Jacqueline Hughey, daughter of David and Dora Hughey of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Parish in Indianapolis.

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

Roncalli High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 235 seniors.

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

The graduation ceremony will be at 9 a.m. on May 22 at the school.

The class valedictorian is Rachel Anne Hahn, daughter of Julie and Patric Hahn of St. Jude Parish in Indianapolis.

The class salutatorian is Lauren Marie Prather, daughter of Joseph and Kelly Prather of SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi Parish in Greenwood.

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

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 6 at St. Andrew Church in Richmond.

The graduation ceremony will follow at 3 p.m. on June 6 at the school.

The class valedictorian is Jonah Falcone, son of Robbie and Krista Falcone of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Richmond.

The class salutatorian is Xen Cartwright, son of Tony and Shantel Cartwright of St. Gabriel Parish in Connersville.

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