Seniors will soon celebrate their Catholic high school graduations

As part of the graduation tradition at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, a number of seniors place a rose at the foot of a statue of the Blessed Mother during the procession at the beginning of the commencement ceremony. J.D. Haines places his rose in honor of Mary during the school’s 2025 graduation. (Submitted photo)

By John Shaughnessy

As seniors prepare to graduate soon from Catholic high schools across the archdiocese, their emotions will 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 well-deserved congratulations to the more than 1,300 members of the Class of 2026, including one from Brian Disney, superintendent of Catholic schools in the archdiocese. (Read his message here)

Here is a listing of graduation-related information for the 13 Catholic high schools in the archdiocese.
 

Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 185 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 17 at 1:30 p.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Spencer White, son of Mathew and Molly White of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Indianapolis.

The class salutatorian is Lawrence Deypalubos, son of Larry and Cecilia Deypalubos of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.

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

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 203 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 17 at 3 p.m. at Clowes Memorial Hall on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis.
 

Cardinal Ritter High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 113 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 28 at 7 p.m. at St. Monica Church in Indianapolis.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 29 at 7 p.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Kara May, daughter of Charlie and Katie May of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.

The class salutatorian is Jesus Garcia Velasco, son of Antonio Garcia and Guillermina Velasco Martines of St. Mary Parish in Indianapolis.

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

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

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 17 at 2:30 p.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 18 at 6 p.m. at the Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Ind.

The student commencement speaker will be Nolan McCracken, son of Neil and Rebecca McCracken of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.

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

Father Michael Shawe Memorial High School in Madison has a graduating class of 36 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 22 at 6 p.m. at Prince of Peace Church in Madison.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 24 at 1 p.m. at the school.

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

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

Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 108 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 21 at 7 p.m. at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Church in Indianapolis.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 22 at 7 p.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Lennon Klinck, son of Brad and Amber Klinck.

The class salutatorian is Bradley Hilbers, son of Aaron and Kerri Hilbers.

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

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

The Baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremony will begin on May 21 at 5:45 p.m. at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Indianapolis.

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

Marian University Preparatory School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of nine students.

The Baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremony will begin on May 15 at noon in St. Joseph’s Chapel on Marian’s Indianapolis campus.
 

Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg has a graduating class of 28 seniors.

The graduation ceremony, including a Mass, will be on May 31 at 1 p.m. at the Chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg.

The class valedictorian is Ashley Hunter, daughter of Jeff Hunter and Lisa Mattuci of St. Louis Parish in Batesville.

The two class salutatorians are:

Eleanor Eaglin, daughter of Michael and Nicole Eaglin of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Aurora.

Lillian Vanderpohl, daughter of Irvin and Shawna Vanderpohl of St. Mary Parish in Greensburg.

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

Our Lady of Providence High School in Clarksville has a graduating class of 96 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 15 at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in New Albany.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 17 at 6 p.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Liam Matta, son of Gary and Julie Matta of Holy Family Parish in New Albany.

The class salutatorian is Julie Hinton, daughter of Chad and Amy Hinton of St. John Paul II Parish in Sellersburg.

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

Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 62 seniors.

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

The graduation ceremony will be on May 22 at 7 p.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Elijah Grimes, son of Jessica Wilbur.

The class salutatorian is Litzy Molina Pavon, daughter of Andres Molina and Gabriela Pavon of St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis.

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

Roncalli High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 263 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 22 at 6 p.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 23 at 9 a.m. at the school.

The class valedictorian is Marygrace Rykowski, daughter of John and Angela Rykowski of St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis.

The class salutatorian is Anna Cromer, daughter of Jeremy and Christina Cromer of St. Barnabas Parish.

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

Seton Catholic High School in Richmond has a graduating class of 16 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 31 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Andrew Church in Richmond.

The graduation ceremony will follow on May 31 at 3 p.m. at St. Andrew Church.

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

The class salutatorian is Brayden Pipenger, son of Andy and Maria Pipenger of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Vince Aquila, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools for the archdiocese. †