It’s not an easy thing to graduate during a pandemic, but this year’s Detroit-area Catholic school graduates are anything but your typical class.
Detroit Catholic is proud to honor the thousands of Catholic school students who are graduating from Metro Detroit’s 23 Catholic high schools in 2020, facing down a historic challenge while embracing remote learning and unprecedented uncertainty as they finish their senior years.
In a special way, we also honor those students who have risen to the tops of their respective classes as valedictorians and salutatorians. As we congratulate the students below, we pray God blesses the class of 2020 in an extraordinary way.
This year’s valedictorians and salutatorians are:
Academy of the Sacred Heart, Bloomfield Hills
Valedictorian: Sofia DeSanto
Parents: Marco and Fayrouz DeSanto
Parish: Holy Name, Birmingham
College & Major: Barnard College (pre-law and theatre)
Valedictorian: Catherine Pardi
Parents: Christopher and Mary Pardi
Parish: St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills
College & Major: University of Notre Dame (computer science engineering)
Salutatorian: Shea Henderson
Parents: Taggart and Leah Henderson
College & Major: Clemson University (marketing)
Austin Catholic High School, Chesterfield Township
Valedictorian: Hannah Klatzke
Parents: Walter and Patricia Klatzke
Parish: St. Lawrence, Utica
College & Major: University of Detroit Mercy (mechanical engineering)
Salutatorian: Ethan Neff
Parents: Rob Neff and Terry Parrish-Neff
College & Major: University of Michigan (chemistry)
Bishop Foley Catholic High School, Madison Heights
Valedictorian: Elizabeth Powers
Parents: Sean and Lisa Powers
Parish: Guardian Angels, Clawson
College & Major: University of Notre Dame (neuroscience)
Salutatorian: Emily Williams
Parents: Edward and Debra Williams
Parish: St. Mary, Royal Oak
College & Major: Macomb Community College (general business and biological sciences)
Brother Rice High School, Bloomfield Hills
Valedictorian: Eamon Mott
Parents: Heather and David Mott
Parish: St. Owen, Bloomfield Hills
College & Major: United States Military Academy at West Point (systems engineering)
Valedictorian: Liam Mott
Parents: Heather and David Mott
Parish: St. Owen, Bloomfield Hills
College & Major: University of Notre Dame (biological sciences)
Salutatorian: Thomas Dailey
Parents: Phillip and Bernadette Dailey
Parish: St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills
College & Major: University of Michigan (electrical engineering)
Salutatorian: Will Fitzpatrick
Parents: Amy and Mike Fitzpatrick
Parish: St. Regis, Bloomfield Hills
College & Major: University of Michigan (business and sports management)
Salutatorian: Spencer Geyman
Parents: Matthew Geyman and Stefani (Hines) Geyman
Parish: Our Lady Of Sorrows, Farmington
College & Major: Boston College (political science)
Salutatorian: Nick Juriga
Parents: Dean and Anita Juriga
Parish: St. Joseph the Worker, Lake Orion
College and Major: University of Michigan (neuroscience)
Salutatorian: David Liu
Parents: Joan Chen, Changhai Liu
College & Major: Imperial College London (computing)
Salutatorian: Thomas Mulroy
Parents: Micheal and Sharon Mulroy
Parish: Holy Name, Birmingham
College & Major: Undecided
Cabrini High School, Allen Park
Valedictorian: Lisa Tarsavage
Parents: Vincent and Donna Tarsavage
Parish: St. Frances Cabrini, Allen Park
College & Major: University of Michigan (computer science)
Salutatorian: Marah Winkles
Parents: Kenneth and Brenda Winkles
Parish: St. Frances Cabrini, Allen Park
College & Major: Wayne State University (pharmacy, physical therapy or pre-med)
Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, Marine City
Valedictorian: Joseph Gibbons
Parents: Joseph and Debra Gibbons
Parish: St. Edward on the Lake, Lakeport
College: Michigan State University
Honorary Valedictorian: James Thomas
Parents: Ioulia Moschouris Thomas and Andrew Ostrowski Thomas
College: University of Michigan
Salutatorian: Olivia Parlow
Parents: Pete and Katie Parlow
Parish: St. Augustine, Richmond
College: University of Michigan
De La Salle Collegiate High School, Warren
Valedictorian: Michael Kafoury
Parents: Charlie and Nicole Kafoury
College: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Salutatorian: Jarod Amparo
Parents: Noel and Rhodora Amparo
Parish: Guardian Angels, Clawson
College: University of Notre Dame
Detroit Cristo Rey High School, Detroit
Valedictorian: Estrella Escutia
Parents: Maria Alejandra Escutia and Juan Escutia
Parish: Most Holy Redeemer, Detroit
College & Major: University of Michigan (nursing)
Salutatorian: Olga L Luna
Parents: Claudia Luna and Jesus Luna
Parish: Most Holy Redeemer, Detroit
College & Major: University of Michigan (primary or secondary education)
Detroit Catholic Central High School, Novi
Valedictorian: Mark Holowicki, Jr.
Parents: Tina and Mark Holowicki
Parish: Our Lady of Victory, Northville
College & Major: University of Notre Dame (finance or aerospace engineering)
Salutatorian: Daniel Cernak
Parents: Margaret and Steven Cernak
Parish: St. Gerald, Farmington
College & Major: University of Michigan (physics)
Divine Child High School, Dearborn
Valedictorian: Sarah Elizabeth Gawlik
Parents: Robert Gawlik and Carolyn Morrison
Parish: St. Francis Cabrini, Allen Park
College & Major: University of Houston, Honors College (psychology)
Salutatorian: Elizabeth Grace Orozco
Parents: Manuel and Maria Orozco
Parish: St. Anselm, Dearborn Heights
College & Major: University of Notre Dame (business)
Salutatorian: Kathryn Angela Wolney
Parents: Marc and Jennifer Wolney
Parish: Divine Child, Dearborn
College & Major: University of Michigan-Dearborn (engineering)
Everest Collegiate High School, Clarkston
Valedictorian: Mary Beth Williams
Parents: Matthew and Patricia Williams
Parish: Holy Family, Grand Blanc
College: Franciscan University of Steubenville
Valedictorian: Eduardo Dominguez
Parents: Jorge and Susana Dominguez
Parish: St. Daniel, Clarkston
College: Central Michigan University
Salutatorian: Madeleine Arbogast
Parents: Jonathon and Laura Arbogast
Parish: St. Rita, Holly
College: Hawai‘i Pacific University
Salutatorian: Fernando Caccia
Parents: Fernando and Rosy Caccia
Parish: St. Joseph the Worker, Lake Orion
College: Michigan State University
Gabriel Richard High School, Riverview
Valedictorian: Angela Cabalang
Parents: Aldrin and Rosalie Cabalang
Parish: St. Pius X, Southgate
College & Major: Aurora University (secondary education - English)
Salutatorian: Erik Byrd
Parents: Daniel and Elizabeth Byrd
Parish: St. Pius X, Southgate
College & Major: University of Michigan (engineering)
Loyola High School, Detroit
Valedictorian: Cameron Baker
Parents: Robin and Levi Baker
College & Major: Wayne State University (nursing)
Salutatorian: Eric Cox
Parents: Eric Cox Sr. and Chantal Cox
College & Major: Alabama A&M (business)
Marian High School, Bloomfield Hills
Valedictorian: Isabella Shunyia
Parents: Ronnie and Dalia Shunyia
Parish: St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church, West Bloomfield
College & Major: University of Michigan (biology)
Salutatorian: Allison Wagner
Parents: Jennifer and Rick Wagner
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: Butler University (finance)
Salutatorian: Jessica Suan
Parents: Wilmar and Flormina Suan
Parish: St. Rene Goupil, Sterling Heights
College & Major: University of Michigan (microbiology)
Mercy High School, Farmington Hills
Valedictorian: Angela Rea
Parents: Teresa and David Rea
Parish: Holy Name, Birmingham
College & Major: University of Notre Dame (medicinal research)
Salutatorian: Asha Telang
Parents: Susan and Rajan Telang
Parish: St. Mary, Royal Oak
College & Major: University of Michigan (molecular biology)
Notre Dame Preparatory High School, Pontiac
Valedictorian: Amanda Krick
Parents: David and Eileen Krick
Parish: St. Andrew, Rochester
College: University of Michigan
Valedictorian: Anna Nachazel
Parents: John and Melissa Nachazel
Parish: Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Beverly Hills
College: University of Michigan
Valedictorian: Evan Wells
Parents: Eric and Margaret Wells
Parish: St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills
College: University of Notre Dame
Valedictorian: Michael Robbins
Parents: John and Jacqueline Robbins
Parish: St. Patrick, White Lake
College: University of Notre Dame
Valedictorian: Sophie Mehta
Parents: Rahul and Melissa Mehta
Parish: St. Daniel, Clarkston
College: University of Notre Dame
Valedictorian: Andrew Vella
Parents: Thomas and Cynthia Vella
Parish: Christ the Redeemer, Lake Orion
College: University of Michigan
Valedictorian: Allison Healy
Parents: John and Sarah Healy
Parish: St. Mary of the Hills, Rochester Hills
College: University of Notre Dame
Valedictorian: Justina Gaynor
Parents: Paul and Rita Gaynor
Parish: St. Peter, Mt. Clemens
College: Butler University
Valedictorian: Vaughn Carraher
Parents: Patrick and Janice Carraher
Parish: Our Lady of the Lakes
College: Purdue University
Valedictorian: Kiley Urquhart
Parents: Scott and Elizabeth Urquhart
Parish: Our Lady of the Lakes, Waterford
College: Case Western Reserve University
Valedictorian: Jonathan Karr, Jr.
Parents: Jon and Cecilia Karr
Parish: St. John Fisher Chapel, Auburn Hills
College: University of Notre Dame
Our Lady of the Lakes High School, Waterford
Valedictorian: Rose Gitter Casolari
Parents: Kenneth and Carol Casolari
Parish: Our Lady of the Lakes, Waterford
College & Major: Columbia College Chicago (television producing and entrepreneurship)
Salutatorian: John Owen Abbott
Parents: John and Linda Abbott
College & Major: Oakland University (undecided)
Regina High School, Warren
Valedictorian: Claire Cecelia Niedermaier
Parents: Kenneth and Sharon Niedermaier
Parish: St. Thecla, Clinton Township
College & Major: University of Michigan (sound engineering, art & design)
Valedictorian: Josephine Marie VanBerkum
Parents: Mark and Michaele VanBerkum
Parish: St. Paul on the Lake, Grosse Pointe Farms
College and Major: Hillsdale College (undecided)
Shrine High School, Royal Oak
Valedictorian: Matthew Bolton
Parents: Mary and Peter Bolton
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: Michigan State University (business)
Valedictorian: Jenna Bonello
Parents: Marie and Kenneth Bonello
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: University of Michigan (engineering)
Valedictorian: Caroline Colby
Parents: Ray and Diane Colby
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: Xavier University, Ohio (education)
Valedictorian: Cian Dotson
Parents: Siobhan and Brad Dotson
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: Loyola University, Chicago (philosophy)
Valedictorian: Sarah Gum
Parents: Colleen and Stephen Gum
Parish: St. Priscilla, Livonia
College & Major: Central Michigan University (communications/broadcasting)
Valedictorian: William Jones
Parents: Kathy and Rick Jones
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: The New School – Parson’s School of Design, New York (fashion design)
Valedictorian: Allison LaPoint
Parents: Marianne and Steven LaPoint
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: Central Michigan University (pre-physical therapy)
Valedictorian: Anna Murphy
Parents: Stefanie and Matt Murphy
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: Kalamazoo College (pre-professional health)
Valedictorian: Jessica Reaume
Parents: Jennifer and Mark Reaume
College & Major: University of Michigan (nursing)
Valedictorian: Gina Marie Schmidt
Parents: Margaret and John Schmidt
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: University of Michigan (engineering)
St. Catherine of Siena Academy, Wixom
Valedictorian: Taylor Dotto
Parents: Robert and Sarah Dotto
College & Major: University of Michigan (chemical engineering)
Salutatorian: Rachel Thornton
Parents: Brain and Janice Thornton
Parish: St. Patrick, White Lake
College & Major: Hope College (nursing)
St. Mary Catholic Central High School, Monroe
Valedictorian: Anna Grejtak
Parents: Michael and Charlotte Grejtak
Parish: St. Michael the Archangel, Monroe
College & Major: Northwestern University (chemical engineering)
Salutatorian: Augustine (Gus) Flint
Parents: Rodney and Jessica Flint
Parish: St. Charles Borromeo, Newport
College & Major: Wayne State University (biology, pre-med)
St. Mary’s Preparatory High School, Orchard Lake
Valedictorian: Nicholas Gerald Grimes
Parents: Peter and Patricia Grimes
Parish: Guardian Angels, Clawson
College & Major: University of Notre Dame (business)
Salutatorian: Matthew John Czmer
Parents: Matt and Julie Czmer
Parish: St. Patrick, White Lake
College & Major: Hope College (biology, pre-med)
University of Detroit Jesuit High School, Detroit
Valedictorian: Michael Francis Albano
Parents: Francis and Patricia Albano
Parish: St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills
College & Major: University of Michigan Ross School of Business (business)
Valedictorian: Nathan Patrick Comerford
Parents: Eoin and Liz Comerford
Parish: St. Fabian, Farmington Hills
College & Major: University of Michigan (mechanical engineering)
Valedictorian: John Truman Dahmer
Parents: John and Millie Dahmer
Parish: Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Beverly Hills
College & Major: University of Michigan Ross School of Business (business)
Valedictorian: Caleb David Eisenbacher
Parents: David and Heather Eisenbacher
Parish: Guardian Angels, Clawson
College & Major: University of Notre Dame (aerospace engineering)
Valedictorian: John Peter Kobrossi
Parents: Nicolas and Madlein Kobrossi
Parish: St. Rafka Maronite Catholic Church
College & Major: University of Michigan (neuroscience)
Valedictorian: Joseph Charbel Kobrossi
Parents: Nicolas and Madlein Kobrossi
Parish: St. Rafka Maronite Catholic Church
College & Major: University of Michigan (engineering)
Valedictorian: David Emmanuel Lewis
Parents: Agnes Lewis
Parish: St. Joan of Arc, St. Clair Shores
College & Major: Harvard College (undecided)
Valedictorian: Erik Brice Lytle
Parents: Andrew and Karilyn Lytle
College & Major: University of Michigan (engineering)
Valedictorian: David Martin Mutone
Parents: Salvatore and Ann Mutone
Parish: St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills
College & Major: University of Michigan (biomedical engineering)
Valedictorian: Michael Joseph Polizzi
Parents: John Polizzi and Nicole Polizzi
Parish: St. Paul on the Lake, Grosse Pointe Farms
College & Major: Albion College (business)
Valedictorian: Patrick Colin Pullis
Parents: Thomas and Lucyna Pullis
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: University of Michigan Honors College (literature, science, arts)
Valedictorian: Kagan John Shetterly
Parents: Bryan Shetterly, Daniel Janssen and Kelly Schaefer-Janssen
Parish: Holy Name, Birmingham
College & Major: University of Michigan (neuroscience)
