Nearly 1,400 graduating from 12 local Catholic high schools
Jun 4, 2024
Local
Despite starting high school on video screens during the COVID-19 pandemic and wearing masks in person for two years, the Class of 2024 forged a community “as strong as any,” said Nicholas Ford, superintendent for Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Seattle.
At the 12 archdiocesan Catholic high schools, 1,397 students are graduating in ceremonies that began May 29. Graduation season will conclude June 13, when St. Monica Catholic High School on Mercer Island celebrates its first graduating class — of one.
Interest in attending Catholic high schools remains strong, with steady growth seen over the last three years, including 1% growth in the past year, Ford said.
“We have seen a desire to have opportunities to study in a Catholic school through 12th grade,” he said.
Catholic schools are distinguished by “their commitment to educating the whole child,” with opportunities not only for education, athletics and art, but also for “service, prayer, retreat and reflection,” the superintendent said.
Ford, who has spent time visiting with the senior classes this year, shared his thoughts as graduates begin their next phase of life.
“As they go off, my advice is they continue to pray and to really listen to where God, where the Holy Spirit, is speaking to them and igniting their passions,” Ford said.
Keeping that focus, they can give back to the church and society in meaningful ways, he added.
Learn more about each of the 12 graduating classes below. (Information was provided by each school.)
Archbishop Murphy High School, Everett
Graduates: 92
Graduation date: May 31
Valedictorians: Katherine Brewer, Joon Ho Choi, Lauren Fogliani, Georgia Franck, Gabriella Mai, Cory Maxwell, Lindsay Mullins, Solomon Perera and Mella Tsegay
Class speakers: Valedictorians
Bellarmine Preparatory School, Tacoma
Graduates: 210
Graduation date: June 2
Valedictorian: Maya Krattli
Class speaker: Sam Walker
Bishop Blanchet High School, Seattle
Graduates: 207
Graduation date: June 3
Valedictorians: Maggie Bratrud, Hattie Leonard, Rachel McAllister, Alison Moore, Jenna Navone, Holly Wisse
Salutatorians: Anna Donsky, Ruei-Yang (Ryder) Tsai
Invocation speaker: Rachel McAllister of St. Brendan Parish in Bothell; she will play soccer at Carroll College.
Graduation speaker: Sophia Robatzek of St. Benedict Parish in Seattle; she will study computer science at Seattle University.
St. Thomas the Apostle Award: Anna Stampfli and Eyoseyas Yonas. This award recognizes the daily work to live a life of faith.
Mother Cabrini Service Award: Stephanie del Mundo and Bernadette Del Rosario. This award recognizes a commitment to encounter the poorest and most vulnerable among us through service.
Eastside Catholic School, Sammamish
Graduates: 147
Graduation date: June 10
Valedictorians: Audrey Bertsch, Elena Friedl, Alejandro Pulido, Casey Tebben, Mitchell Thomson, Adalia Weber
Salutatorians: Angelina Arasavelli, Emerson Kim, Ella Munson, Allison Treacy
Class speakers: Valedictorians:
- Audrey Bertsch of St. Madeline Sophie Parish in Bellevue was involved in Student Equity and Social Action Committee, Women in STEM and Chinese National Honor Society. She will study biology at Mount Holyoke College.
- Elena Friedl of Mary, Queen of Peace Parish in Sammamish was involved in flag football, softball, soccer and French National Honor Society. She will study engineering at the University of Washington.
- Alejandro Pulido of Mary, Queen of Peace Parish was involved in Aquarium Club, leadership, ASB, Destiny retreat, tennis and cross country. He will study engineering at Duke University.
- Casey Tebben of Mary, Queen of Peace Parish was involved in leadership, ASB, Spanish Honor Society, competitive dance and National Charity League. She will study economics and join the dance team at Duke University.
- Mitchell Thomson of Holy Family Parish in Kirkland was involved in robotics and will study electrical engineering, most likely at Purdue University’s John Martinson Honors College.
- Adalia Weber of Holy Family Parish in Kirkland was involved in cross country, track and field, speech and debate. She will study business management at Montana State University.
Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, Bellevue
Graduates: 33
Graduation date: June 8
Valedictorian: Yeeun (Rachel) Yu
Salutatorian: Phoebe O’Rourke
Award for Goal 1: Maria de Lourdes Gaul Vargas. This award recognizes a personal and active faith in God.
Holy Names Academy, Seattle
Graduates: 139
Graduation date: May 30
Valedictorians: Leila Beaulieu, Haya Bolotski, Natalia Hatzigeorgiou, Erin Johnson, Daphne Miller, Maria Romero Degwitz, Annika Trippel, Norah Wall
Salutatorians: Ruthie Bridgman, Hailey Jarrett, May Kennelly, Ayanna Keshav, Freya Maddock, Gwendolyn Sawicki, Genevieve Sterne, Samara Wijesekera, Zahra Wooden
Class speakers: Hailey Jarrett and Norah Wall. Jarrett is owner of Hailey’s Cakes and Bakes and was cross country captain and a member of the track team, climbing club and ASB. She will attend California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Wall was a member of the varsity swim team, was involved in robotics and was clarinetist for the jazz band and orchestra. She will attend the University of Southern California.
Holy Names Award: Stella Quinn. Given to a senior who makes a significant positive contribution to her theology classes, generously lives a spirit of service and is willing to give witness to her faith.
Kennedy Catholic High School, Burien
Graduates: 190
Graduation date: May 31
Valedictorian: Katie Shields (attended St. Francis of Assisi School)
Salutatorians: Kaitlyn Barnes, Johnny Ngo (attended St. Bernadette School), Sam Scoville (attended St. Francis of Assisi School), Rae Williams
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Award: Patrick Farrell Dunn. The award is given in honor of the school’s patron to a student who emulates the Beatitudes within the school community and beyond.
O’Dea High School, Seattle
Graduates: 121
Graduation date: May 29
Valedictorian: Kyle Lofy served as school captain, a mentor group captain and a house representative. He played soccer all four years and was involved with DECA, Student Advisors for Equity, Investment Club and Korean Club. He will attend the University of Notre Dame.
Salutatorian: Simon Olech was school chaplain his junior and senior years, was a mentor group captain his senior year and was involved in three Encounter in Christ retreats. He ran cross country and track all four years, was captain of eSports and Digital Media Club, founded the Fishing Club and was involved in Mock Trial, Investment Club and Makers Space. He will run cross country and track at Seattle University.
Archbishop Murphy Christian Ministry Award: Luke Hardy, of Holy Family Parish in Kirkland, who will attend Creighton University. This award is given to a student who demonstrates dedication to the Catholic faith through participation in liturgies, campus ministry activities and service, and embodies the mission of O’Dea.
Edmund Rice Community Service Award: Lorenzo Neri of Immaculate Conception Parish in Seattle, who will attend The Catholic University of America. This award is given to the student who accumulated the highest number of service hours.
Pope John Paul II High School, Lacey
Graduates: 20
Graduation date: June 1
Valedictorian: Isabelle Larson
Salutatorian: Ashley Abbott
Class speaker: Isabelle Larson of St. Michael Parish in Olympia, who served as team captain for the volleyball, basketball and fastpitch teams, and was rector for the junior retreat. She will study neuroscience on a pre-med track at Creighton University, with the goal of becoming an emergency room doctor.
Signum Fidei Award: Taylor Ames of St. Michael Parish in Olympia. The award is given to a graduate whose life serves as a sign of faith and who has focused on the centrality of Christ in their life. Taylor is a deeply committed Catholic who leads by example, has been active in campus ministry and captained several sports teams. She will study faith-based mental health counseling and run cross-country and track at Carroll College.
St. Monica High School, Mercer Island
Graduates: 1 (first graduating class)
Graduation date: June 13
Valedictorian/class speaker: Raina Briggs, a member of St. Monica Parish, is the school’s inaugural graduate. She has a deep faith and academic credentials that earned her a full tuition scholarship to the University of Dallas.
stmonicasea.org/academics/high-school
Seattle Preparatory School, Seattle
Graduates: 193
Graduation date: May 29
Virtus in Arduis Awards: Akash Anandam and Claire Rulyak. Given for the highest grade-point average.
Class speakers: Alison Choi, ASB executive from Holy Rosary Parish in West Seattle, and Matthew Kennedy, ASB president from St. Joseph Parish, Seattle.
Jesuit Schools Network Award: Elena Lovejoy and Daniel Soto Parra. Given to students who exemplify five characteristics — open to growth, loving, spiritually alive, intellectually competent and committed to justice.
Community Ministry Awards: Hugues Bindel and Selome Muruts
Christian Service Awards: Daniel Soto Parra and Sofía Griffin
Seton Catholic College Preparatory High School, Vancouver
Graduates: 44
Graduation date: June 1
Valedictorian: Ryan Vu of St. Philip Parish in Woodland, who served as ASB vice president and was involved in theater, mock trial, knowledge bowl and track and field. He will study biology at the University of Washington.
Salutatorian: Francis DiPrima of St. Mary of Guadalupe Mission in Ridgefield, who was active in campus ministry, theater, mock trial, faith council and prayer team. He will study political science at Hillsdale College.
Faculty-selected speaker: Mason Sullivan of St. Rose de Viterbo Parish, Longview, whose activities included baseball, cross country, theater, knowledge bowl, mock trial, leadership and ASB cabinet. He will study engineering at the University of San Diego.
Student-selected speaker: Ben Ross, whose activities included cross country, soccer, knowledge bowl and mock trial. He will study philosophy and modern languages at The University of Oxford in England.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award: Avery Garrison and Elijah Wall. Voted on by faculty and staff, the award is given to two students who exemplify the life and ministry of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton — faith, community, leadership and service. Both students were involved in campus ministry, prayer team, faith counsel and leadership. Garrison also participated in cross country, track and field and liturgy choir. Wall, a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Battle Ground, also was active in cross country and soccer.