Seniors will soon celebrate their Catholic high school graduations
During the graduation ceremony of Father Michael Shawe Memorial High School in Madison in 2021, Lillian Heath turns the tassels from one side to the other on the graduation cap of fellow senior Leonel Rios-Amaro—displaying a longstanding tradition among seniors at Shawe to show that they have now graduated. (Photo courtesy of Laura Jayne Gardner Photography)
By John Shaughnessy
Pride and relief, nostalgia and celebration will blend once again as seniors prepare to graduate this spring at Catholic high schools across the archdiocese.
It’s a time when friends promise to stay close forever, when seniors seek out the teachers who have made a difference in their lives, when parents of the graduates look at their children and wonder where the years have gone.
It’s also a time for congratulations to the Class of 2022, 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. “With their outstanding Catholic school education built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, our graduates are prepared to live the words of St. Catherine of Siena who said, ‘Be who God meant you to be and you will set the whole world on fire.’ ”
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.
“They have demonstrated Christ’s love for others through hours of community service. They have demonstrated their love of God through their participation in the sacraments and growth in their relationship with Jesus Christ. They have grown in their vocations by asking for God’s guidance and by developing their talents. These graduates have achieved much on this stage of their life’s journey.”
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.
“To the Class of 2022: 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. Be who God meant you to be and go set the whole world on fire.”
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 156 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6:30 p.m. on May 19 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 2:30 p.m. on May 22 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Daniel O’Gara, son of Thomas and Elizabeth O’Gara of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis.
The class salutatorian is Patrick Countryman, son of Brad and Eileen Countryman of St. Pius X Parish.
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 211 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on May 22 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m. on May 22 at Clowes Memorial Hall on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis.
Cardinal Ritter High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 131 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on June 2 at St. Monica Church in Indianapolis.
The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on June 3 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Nicholas Mark, son of Robert and Colleen Mark of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.
The class salutatorian is John Baldini, son of Daniel and Kimberly Baldini of St. Malachy Parish.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson.
Cathedral High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 237 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6:30 p.m. on May 20 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 1 p.m. on May 22 at the school’s Brunette Park.
The commencement speaker will be Summa Cum Laude graduate Allison Schneider, daughter of Brad and Melissa Schneider of Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ 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 19 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6 p.m. on June 3 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 1 p.m. on June 5 at the school.
Two students are in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian honors as the school year draws to a close. The students are listed in alphabetical order:
Lina Leatherman, daughter of Gabriele Leatherman and Robert Leatherman.
Nolan Tandy, son of Duane and Sonja Tandy.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Chris Walsh, chancellor.
Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 100 students.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 26 at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Church in Indianapolis.
The graduation ceremony will at 7 p.m. on May 27 at the school.
There are two class valedictorians:
Faith Bakemeyer, daughter of Beth and Brian Bakemeyer of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Indianapolis.
Isabelle Smith, daughter of Andy and Sarah Smith of Holy Spirit Parish in Indianapolis.
The class salutatorian is Hope Bakemeyer, daughter of Beth and Brian Bakemeyer of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Archbishop Thompson.
Lumen Christi High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of three seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremony will begin at 5:45 p.m. on May 19 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Indianapolis.
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 29 at the Chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg.
The archdiocese will be represented by Archbishop Thompson during a Senior Mass at 1 p.m. on May 20 at the Chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg.
Two students are currently in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian honors, which will be announced during the senior awards ceremony on May 18. The students are listed in alphabetical order:
Kate Walke, daughter of James Walke and Tara Walke.
Carson Wolber, son of Mark Wolber and Melinda Collins of St. Michael Parish in Brookville.
Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville has a graduating class of 84 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 27 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in New Albany.
The graduation ceremony will be at 5 p.m. on May 29 at the school.
There are two class valedictorians:
Dallas Bonnet, daughter of Gary and Rhonda Bonnet of St. John Paul II Parish in Sellersburg.
Zach Van Wie, son of John and Shelley Van Wie of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Clarksville.
The class salutatorian is Kaden Connin, son of Clippert and Jane Connin of St. Anthony of Padua Parish.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Brian Disney, superintendent of Catholic schools.
Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 36 seniors.
The graduation ceremony will be at 6:30 p.m. on June 4 at Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis.
The class valedictorian is Are’Ana Easler, daughter of Rhonda and William Easler.
The class salutatorian is Cassie Mitchell, daughter of Doreen Mitchell.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Watson.
Roncalli High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 287 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6 p.m. on May 20 at the school.
The graduation ceremony will be at 9 a.m. on May 21 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Anne Ameis, daughter of Marie (Strack) and Michael Ameis of SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi Parish in Greenwood.
The class salutatorian is Katrina Gangstad, daughter of Joseph Gangstad and Danielle Turnak of St. Jude Parish in Indianapolis.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Archbishop Thompson.
Seton Catholic High School in Richmond has a graduating class of 13 seniors.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 1:30 p.m. on June 5 at St. Andrew Church in Richmond.
The graduation ceremony will follow at 3 p.m. on June 5 at the school.
The class valedictorian is Lydia Reichley, daughter of Dan and Dr. Tina Reichley of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Richmond.
The class salutatorian is Camryn Ewing, daughter of Justin and Amanda Ewing.
The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. Stumpf. †
