Detroit Catholic is proud to congratulate the thousands of students graduating this year from the Detroit area's 23 Catholic high schools in 2019.
In a special way, we also honor those students whose academic achievements earned them recognition as valedictorians, salutatorians and other top honors from their respective schools. We pray for these students, who are listed below, as well as their peers and classmates, and ask God to bless all of their future endeavors for the sake of His glory.
This year's valedictorians and salutatorians are:
Academy of the Sacred Heart, Bloomfield Hills
Valedictorian: Claire Dennis
Parents: Dr. Blaine Dennis and Dr. Luisa Partipilo
Parish: St. Owen, Bloomfield Hills
College & Major: University of Michigan, undecided
Valedictorian: Newell "Ellie" Wasson
Parents: Paul and Lauren Wasson
Parish: Holy Name, Birmingham
College & Major: University of Rochester (New York), Film Studies
Austin Catholic High School, Chesterfield Township
Valedictorian: Maria Elizabeth Schudt
Parents: Joseph and Susan Schudt
Parish: St. John Vianney, Shelby Township
College & Major: Saint Mary's College, Chemistry
Summa Cum Laude: Peyton Teresa Weingartz
Parents: Kris and Dan Weingartz
Parish: St. Lawrence, Utica
College & Major: University of Dayton, Biology
Summa Cum Laude: Christian James Spearman
Parents: Gregory and Carol Spearman
Parish: St. Joan of Arc, St. Clair Shores
College & Major: Xavier University, International Business
Bishop Foley High School, Madison Heights
Valedictorian: Kelsi Karpinski
Parents: Michael and Deborah Karpinski
College & Major: Michigan State University, English
Salutatorian: Sarah Gudenau
Parents: Robert and Lisa Gudenau
College & Major: Oakland University Honors College, undecided
Brother Rice High School, Bloomfield Hills
Valedictorian: Kevan O’Brien
Parents: Colleen and Michael O'Brien
Parish: St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills
College & Major: University of Notre Dame, Engineering
Salutatorian: Jacob Hannawa
Parents: Judy and Kal Hannawa
Parish: St. Owen, Bloomfield Hills
College & Major: University of Michigan, Biology
Cabrini High School, Allen Park
Valedictorian: Jonah Sobczak
Parents: Kathleen Sobczak and Jeanne Aichele
Parish: St. Frances Cabrini, Allen Park
College & Major: University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), Film Studies
Salutatorian: Joseph Smith
Parents: Edward and Cheryl Smith
Parish: St. Frances Cabrini, Allen Park
College & Major: Wayne State University, Biological Sciences
Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, Marine City
Valedictorian: Anikka Jordan
Parents: Timothy Jordan and Karen Brinkley
Parish: Immaculate Conception, Ira Township
College & Major: Emory University, Neuroscience
Salutatorian: Hannah Heithoff
Parents: Dr. Scott and Lynn Heithoff
Parish: St. Edward on the Lake, Lakeport
College & Major: University of Michigan, Biomolecular Science
De La Salle Collegiate High School, Warren
Valedictorian: Kevin Kathawa
Parents: Allen and Sonya Kathawa
Parish: St. Thecla, Clinton Township
College: University of Detroit Mercy
Valedictorian: Joseph Schaeffer
Parents: Lee and Nancy Schaeffer
Parish: St. Joan of Arc, St. Clair Shores
College: Michigan State University
Detroit Cristo Rey High School, Detroit
Valedictorian: Esmeralda Hermosillo
Parents: Sergio and Maria Hermosillo
Parish: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine, Detroit
College & Major: Georgetown University, History
Salutatorian: Marisa De La Cruz-Martin
Parents: Alfredo Martin and Dora De La Cruz-Martin
Parish: Ste. Anne, Detroit
College & Major: University of Michigan, Education
Detroit Catholic Central High School, Novi
Valedictorian: Parker Stogdill
Parents: Sandy and Rob Stogdill
College & Major: University of Michigan, Computer Engineering
Salutatorian: Hayden Kibbey
Parents: Jennifer and Anthony Kibbey
Parish: Our Lady of Victory, Northville
College & Major: University of Michigan, Business Administration with concentration in Finance and Business Law
Divine Child High School, Dearborn
Valedictorian: Allan Edward VanZandt
Parents: Sara Tylo and Paul VanZandt
College & Major: University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), Physics and Engineering
Salutatorian: James Montgomery Utley
Parents: Aurora and Brian Utley
College & Major: University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), Classics, Latin and Greek
Everest Collegiate High School, Clarkston
Valedictorian: Mia Korns
Parents: Shawn and Thuy Korns
College: Davenport University
Valedictorian: Shane Dolan
Parents: Daniel and Patricia Dolan
Parish: St. Daniel, Clarkston
College: University of Michigan
Salutatorian: Katelyn Allen
Parents: James and Mary Jo Allen
Parish: Holy Redeemer, Burton
College: Ave Maria University
Salutatorian: John McGrath
Parents: John and Barbara McGrath
Parish: Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Beverly Hills
College: Michigan State University
Gabriel Richard High School, Riverview
Valedictorian: Brooke Wrobel
Parents: Thomas and Raquel Wrobel
Parish: Our Lady of the Woods, Woodhaven
College & Major: University of Michigan, Finance
Salutatorian: Audrey Matildo
Parent: Daphne Matildo
Parish: St. Mary, Our Lady of the Annunciation, Rockwood
College & Major: Michigan State University, Neuroscience
Loyola High School, Detroit
Valedictorian: Javionne Thompson
Parent: Jamie Thompson
College & Major: Central State University, Criminal Justice
Salutatorian: D’Vaun Bentley
Parents: Kimberleyn Robinson and Damon Bentley
College & Major: Central State University, Psychology
Marian High School, Bloomfield Hills
Valedictorian: Claire Fanning
Parents: Kevin and Stephanie Fanning
Parish: St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills
College & Major: University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience (BCN)/Pre-Med
Salutatorian: Julia Barto
Parents: Michael and Jennifer Barto
Parish: St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills
College & Major: University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), Undecided/Pre-Med
Mercy High School, Farmington Hills
Valedictorian: Casey Stoneback
Parents: Liliana and Gary Stoneback
Parish: Catholic (no parish disclosed)
College & Major: University of Michigan, Biomedical Engineering
Salutatorian: Sophie VanderWeele
Parents: Gigi and Mike VanderWeele
College & Major: Michigan State University, Chemical Engineering
Notre Dame Preparatory High School, Pontiac
Valedictorian: Evaristo Garcia Reyna
Parents: Evaristo and Claudia Garcia
Parish: St. Mary of the Hills, Rochester Hills
College: University of Michigan
Valedictorian: Natalie Lyijnen
Parents: James Lyijnen and Heather Sullivan
College & Major: University of Michigan, Biology
Valedictorian: Juliet Jacoby
Parents: Mark and Denise Jacoby
Parish: St. Regis, Bloomfield Hills
College & Major: University of Michigan, Biology
Valedictorian: Christopher VanDieren
Parents: Michael and Regina VanDieren
Parish: St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills
College & Major: University of Michigan, Biomedical Engineering
Valedictorian: Alena Manzor
Parents: Alberto and Odette Manzor
Parish: St. Andrew, Rochester
College & Major: University of Michigan, Business
Valedictory Court – Joseph Joppich, Brian Gebara, Celia Pagnucco, Elizabeth Brouns, Antonio Gonzales, Sydney Newby, Alejandra Gonzalez, Maria Ortiz Luna, Kevin Cragg, Sarah Belhasan, Araceli Rizzo, Alexander Deck, Thomas Frost, Aaron Crane, Matthew Wood, Andrew Hannoudi, Rachel DuRivarge, Maura Kruse, Maria Agoytia, Mary Wright, Kathyrn Kennedy, Kevin Orloski
Our Lady of the Lakes High School, Waterford
Valedictorian: Natalie Koenig
Parents: Kirk and Sandra Koenig
Parish: Our Lady of the Lakes, Waterford
College & Major: University of Michigan, Engineering
Salutatorian: Gabrielle Hysni
Parents: Edmund and Nuha Hysni
Parish: Our Lady of the Lakes, Waterford
College & Major: Undecided
Regina High School, Warren
Valedictorian: Ireland Majewski
Parents: Mark and Heidi Majewski
Parish: St. Lawrence, Utica
College & Major: University of Notre Dame, History and Pre-Medicine
Valedictorian: Victoria Maziarz
Parents: Walter and Margaret Maziarz
Parish: Our Lady of Czestochowa, Sterling Heights
College & Major: Grand Valley State University, undecided
Valedictorian: Rachael Miller
Parents: Anthony and Michelle Miller
Parish: St. Ephrem, Sterling Heights
College & Major: Saginaw Valley State University, undecided
Valedictorian: Elizabeth Nosek
Parents: Kevin Nosek and Jeanne Hannan
Parish: St. Joan of Arc, St. Clair Shores
College & Major: Valparaiso University, Meteorology
Valedictorian: Monica Pitlock
Parents: Steven and Julie Pitlock
Parish: St. Joan of Arc, St. Clair Shores
College & Major: Loyola University Chicago, undecided
Shrine High School, Royal Oak
Valedictorian: Brendan Bontrager
Parents: Maureen Bontrager
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), Pre-Medicine
Valedictorian: Reilly Cannaday
Parents: Katy and Chad Cannaday
Parish: Holy Name, Birmingham
College & Major: Michigan State University, Business
Valedictorian: Luke Cerone
Parents: Sarah and Shane Cerone
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), Engineering
Valedictorian: Ann Gladstone
Parents: Rob and Mary Gladstone
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), Pre-Medicine
Valedictorian: Grace Kruszewski
Parents: Mary and Greg Kruszewski
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: University of Notre Dame, Actuary Sciences
Valedictorian: Lydia Moylan
Parents: Mary and Dennis Moylan
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: Michigan Technological University, Engineering
Valedictorian: Daniel Romano
Parents: Walt and Cindy Romano
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: Hope College, Biomedical Engineering
Valedictorian: Julia Schettenhelm
Parents: Joan Walton and Mark Schettenhelm
College & Major: University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), Political Science
Valedictorian: Jonah Wisneski
Parents: Mary Jo and Kenneth Wisneski
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: Hillsdale College, English
Valedictorian: Kathleen Zink
Parents: Molly and Robert Zink
Parish: National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College & Major: Michigan State University, Pre-Medicine
St. Catherine of Siena Academy, Wixom
Valedictorian: Natalia Smerage
Parents: Lucia and Jeff Smerage
Parish: Holy Spirit, Brighton
College & Major: University of Florida, Microbiology and Biochemistry
Salutatorian: Gabrielle Peters
Parents: Richard and Aylisa Peters
Parish: Holy Spirit, Brighton
College & Major: University of Dallas, English
St. Mary Catholic Central High School, Monroe
Valedictorian: Shelby Marcarian
Parents: Deborah Decker and Matthew Marcarian
College & Major: Utah State University, Environmental Engineering
Salutatorian: Emily Coll
Parents: Patrick and Rebecca Coll
College & Major: Grand Valley State University, Biochemistry
St. Mary's Preparatory High School, Orchard Lake
Valedictorian: Michael Elias Jackson Strouse
Parents: Peter Strouse and Kim Garver
College & Major: University of Michigan, Business
Salutatorian: Jack Patrick Mooney
Parents: Joseph and Jennifer Mooney
College & Major: University of Michigan, Finance and Business
University of Detroit Jesuit High School, Detroit
Valedictorian: Kameron Aidan Bloye
Parents: Peter Bloye and Kara LaPointe
Parish: St. Francis Cabrini, Allen Park
College & Major: University of Chicago, Political Science
Valedictorian: David William Bosek
Parents: Adam and Lee Bosek
Parish: St. Regis, Bloomfield Hills
College & Major: University of Michigan, Engineering
Valedictorian: John David Cullen
Parents: Matthew and Karen Cullen
Parish: Our Lady Star of the Sea, Grosse Pointe Woods
College & Major: Georgetown University, Business
Valedictorian: Samuel Lenhard DeVooght
Parents: Brent and Kristen DeVooght
Parish: Our Lady Star of the Sea, Grosse Pointe Woods
College & Major: Indiana University, Business
Valedictorian: Matthew Steven Englehart
Parents: Steven and Susan Englehart
Parish: Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Beverly Hills
College & Major: University of Notre Dame, Business
Valedictorian: Aidan Barry Finelli
Parents: Thomas and Helen Finelli
Parish: St. Mary, Royal Oak
College & Major: University of Michigan, Math
Valedictorian: Adam Abram Kuplicki
Parents: Francis Kuplicki and Andrea Abram
College & Major: University of Michigan, Bio-Chem
Valedictorian: Charles Keats Paroly
Parents: Matthew and Susan Paroly
Parish: St. Thomas More, Troy
College & Major: Brown University, Pre-Med
Valedictorian: Gillian Fillip Garcia Tubay
Parents: Florante and Glenda Tubay
Parish: St. Pius X, Southgate
College & Major: University of Michigan, Material Engineering
Valedictorian: Jackson Bradley Vyletel
Parents: Andre and Meghan Vyletel
College & Major: University of Notre Dame, Engineering
