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