The Michigan Catholic is proud to congratulate the thousands of area students graduating from the Detroit area’s 24 Catholic high schools in 2018. 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 throughout this section, as well as their peers and classmates, and ask God to bless all of their future endeavors for the sake of His glory.

 

Academy of the Sacred Heart

Valedictorian Victoria Shahnazary

Parents Amir and Grazyna Shahnazary

Parish Prince of Peace, West Bloomfield

College University of Michigan

 

 

Salutatorian Kendall Gassman

Parents Ken and Staci Gassman

Parish Christ the Redeemer, Lake Orion

College Clemson University

 

 

Salutatorian Lauren Pardi

Parents Christopher and Mary Pardi

Parish St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills

College University of Notre Dame

 

 

Austin Catholic High School

Valedictorian Sydney Dziurman

Parents Mark and Dawn Dziurman

Parish St. Clement of Rome, Romeo

College Oakland University

 

 

Summa Cum Laude Jennifer Blanco

Parents Jose and Yanet Blanco

Parish St. Francis of Assisi-St. Maximilian Kolbe, Ray Township

College University of Detroit Mercy

 

 

Summa Cum Laude Elaina Smyka

Parents Robert and Paula Smyka

Parish St. Peter, Mt. Clemens

College Macomb Community College

 

 

Bishop Foley Catholic High School

Valedictorian Thomas Day

Parents Tina and John Day

Parish St. Peter, Mt. Clemens

College University of Michigan (business administration)

 

 

Salutatorian John Reichenbach

Parents Gretchen and James Reichenbach

Parish St. Lawrence, Utica

College Michigan State University (computer science)

 

 

Brother Rice High School

Valedictorian Charles Carter

Parents Martha and the late Frederick Carter

Parish St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills

College Duke University (bio sciences/pre-medicine)

 

 

Valedictorian Paul Raab

Parents Kristin and Guenther Raab

Parish St. Regis, Bloomfield Hills

College University of Michigan (business)

 

 

Salutatorian Sam Schwartz

Parents Edward and Nancy Schwartz

Parish St. Regis, Bloomfield Hills

College Georgetown University (business)

 

 

Cabrini

Valedictorian Abigail Overbeck

Parents Tom and Lori Overbeck

Parish Sacred Heart, Dearborn

College University of Michigan (biomedical engineering)

 

 

Salutatorian Meghan Bolinger

Parents Scott and Susan Bolinger

Parish St. Linus, Dearborn Heights

College University of Notre Dame (mechanical engineering)

 

 

Cardinal Mooney Catholic Prep High School

Valedictorian Hani Nasr

Parents Marcelle and Bassam Nasr

Parish St. Mary, Port Huron

College University of Michigan (honors program)

 

 

Valedictorian Erin Parlow

Parents Kathleen and Peter Parlow

Parish St. Augustine Parish, Richmond

College University of Michigan (engineering)

 

 

Salutatorian Molly Lombard

Parents Jodi and Michael Lombard

College Grand Valley State University (honors college)

 

 

 

Detroit Cristo Rey School

Valedictorian Carmela Garita

Parents Norberto and Silvia Garita

Parish St. Hedwig, Detroit

College University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (business)

 

 

Salutatorian Christian Perales

Parents Luis and Paricia Perales

Parish Holy Redeemer, Detroit

College Dartmouth University (business)

 

 

De La Salle Collegiate High School

Valedictorian Adam Ross

Parent Kelly Adams

Parish St. Joan of Arc, St. Clair Shores

College University of Michigan (economics and biophysics)

 

 

Salutatorian Emmanuel Meram

Parents Dhia Meram and Noora Meram

Parish St. George Chaldean Catholic Church, Utica

College Wayne State University (biological sciences)

 

 

Detroit Catholic Central

Valedictorian Michael Nunu

Parents Rania and Abraham Nunu

Parish St. Mary’s (Orthodox) Basilica, Livonia

College University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (biochemistry)

 

 

Salutatorian Thomas Wiaduck

Parents Melissa and Jim Wiaduck

Parish Holy Spirit, Highland

College University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (English and Spanish)

 

 

Divine Child High School

Valedictorian Katharine Walters

Parents Douglas and Claudia Walters

Parish Sacred Heart, Dearborn

College Michigan State University

 

 

Salutatorian Arianna Afonso

Parents Dr. Luis Afonso and Belize Afonso

Parish St. Thomas the Apostle, Garden City

College University of Michigan

 

 

Salutatorian Rachel Radwan

Parents Mark and Janice Radwan

Parish St. Michael the Archangel, Livonia

College Grand Valley State University

 

 

Everest Academy

Valedictorian Regina De Nigris

Parents Jose and Angelina De Nigris

Parish St. Daniel, Clarkston

College Yale University (political science)

 

 

Valedictorian Kyle Smith

Parents Jason and Christine Smith

College Villanova University (finance)

 

 

 

Salutatorian Serena Carter

Parents James and Cindi Carter

Parish St. Joseph the Worker, Lake Orion

College University of Michigan (nursing)

 

 

Salutatorian Alexander Czarnecki

Parents Dr. Robert and Dr. Jolanta Czarnecki

Parish Our Lady of the Lakes, Waterford

College University of Michigan (computer science)

 

 

Gabriel Richard High School

Valedictorian Nina Biundo

Parents Lorenzo and Kristen Biundo

Parish Christ the Good Shepherd, Lincoln Park

College Michigan State University Honor’s College (veterinary medicine)

 

 

Salutatorian Brianna Padilla

Parents Luis and Deana Padilla

College University of Michigan (actuarial science)

 

 

 

Ladywood High School

Valedictorian Abbey Liana Mellon Reppen

Parents Brian Reppen and Stephanie Mellon-Reppen

Parish St. Michael the Archangel, Livonia

College Johns Hopkins University (neuroscience)

 

 

Salutatorian Caroline Rose Austin

Parents Philip and Mary Austin

Parish Church of the Holy Family, Novi

College University of Alabama (aerospace engineering)

 

 

Salutatorian Elizabeth Ann Randall

Parents Ronald and Michelle Randall

Parish Our Lady of Sorrows, Farmington

College University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (business, with accounting concentration)

 

 

Loyola High School

Valedictorian Kyle McBeth

Parents Raymond McBeth

College John Carrol University (political science)

 

 

 

Salutatorian Steven Clay

Parents Delveta Clay

College Madonna University (criminology)

 

 

 

Marian High School

Valedictorian Maria Mansour

Parents Dr. Silvana Younan and Dr. Alaa Mansour

Parish St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church, West Bloomfield

College University of Michigan (biology, health and society)

 

 

Valedictorian Kaeli Fish

Parents Brian and Tracey Fish

College University of Michigan (undecided)

 

 

 

Mercy High School

Valedictorian Anastasia Warner

Parents Maureen and Michael Warner

Parish Our Lady of Sorrows, Farmington

College University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (computer science, engineering, physics)

 

 

Salutatorian Abigail Hembree

Parents Elizabeth and David Hembree

Parish St. Patrick, Brighton

College Northeastern University (media arts/communications, concentration in photography)

 

 

Notre Dame Preparatory

Valedictorian Anna O. Miklas

Parents James and Ann Miklas

Parish St. Regis, Bloomfield Hills

College Williams College

 

 

Valedictorian Gretel A. Keller

Parents Dr. Philip Shafer Keller III and Jeanine Marie Keller

Parish St. Daniel, Clarkston

College Michigan State University

 

 

Valedictorian Joonhee Jang

Parents Myung Ryun Jang and Mi Young Lee

Parish St. Mary of the Hills, Rochester Hills

College University of Notre Dame

 

 

Valedictorian Kyle P. Conroy

Parents Joseph and Kathleen Conroy

Parish St. Daniel, Clarkston

College University of Chicago

 

 

Valedictorian Malini Mukherji

Parents Dr. Manibrata Mukherji and Dr. Nivedita Mukherji

College University of Michigan (engineering)

 

 

 

Valedictorian Madelyn A. McCullen

Parents James and Kim McCullen

Parish Immaculate Conception, Lapeer

College Loyola University, Chicago

 

 

Valedictorian Christian M. Andre

Parents Michele Andre

Parish St. Andrew, Rochester

College Loyola University, Chicago

 

 

Valedictorian John W. Crowe

Parents John Wesley Crowe Jr. and Patricia Jones Crowe

Parish St. John Fisher Chapel, Auburn Hills

College University of Notre Dame

 

 

Valedictorian Sean P. Higgins

Parents John and Kathleen Higgins

Parish St. Andrew, Rochester

College University of Michigan

 

 

Valedictorian Yilun Zhou

Parents Xudong Zhou and Li Chen

College Cornell University (engineering)

 

 

 

Valedictorian Olivia P. Heming

Parents Dr. James and Diana Lynne Heming

Parish St. Patrick, White Lake

College University of Notre Dame

 

 

Valedictorian Nicholas T. Fraser

Parents Dr. Neil Fraser and Dr. Renee DeChambeau Fraser

Parish St. Mary of the Hills, Rochester Hills

College University of Wisconsin, Madison

 

 



Valedictorian Braeden T. Fromwiller

Parents Stephen Fromwiller Jr. and Karen Fomwiller

Parish St. Mary of the Hills, Rochester Hills

College University of Michigan

 

 

Valedictorian Joshua C. Fischer

Parents Jeffrey Fischer and Kathleen Koester Fischer

College University of Michigan

 

 

 

Valedictorian Alex P. Kocheril

Parents Dr. Paul Kocheril and Dr. Sosa Varghese Kocheril

College University of Michigan

 

 

 

Valedictorian Ajay A. Sheth

Parents Dr. Alash and Christy Sheth

Parish St. Thecla, Clinton Township

College Purdue University (engineering)

 

 

Valedictorian Sydney M. Lintol

Parents Jack and Jama Lintol

Parish St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills

College Michigan State University, James Madison College

 

 

Valedictorian Thomas B. Riss

Parents Joseph and Rebecca Riss

Parish St. Joseph the Worker, Lake Orion

College Ohio State University (engineering)

 

 

Valedictorian Gregory D. Rizzo

Parents Gregory and Katherine Rizzo

Parish St. Andrew, Rochester

College University of Michigan

 

 

Valedictorian Nicholas L. Foltenyi

Parents Lawrence Foltenyi and Kristin Foltenyi

Parish St. Mary of the Hills, Rochester Hills

College University of Michigan

 

 

Valedictorian Anjali Y. Reddy

Parents Dr. Ashok Reddy and Dr. Preetham Reedy

College Washington University in St. Louis

 

 

 

Valedictorian Daniel J. Fox

Parents John and Jennifer Fox

Parish St. Irenaeus, Rochester Hills

College University of Michigan

 

 

Our Lady of the Lakes High School

Valedictorian BryAnn Piot

Parents Donna and Todd Piot

Parish Our Lady of the Lakes, Waterford

College Oakland University (engineering)

 

 

Salutatorian Hannah Davies

Parents Rebecca and Eric Davies

Parish Our Lady of the Lakes, Waterford

College Bowling Green State University

 

 

Salutatorian Stephanie Carver

Parents Beth and Ernest Carver

Parish Our Lady of the Lakes, Waterford

College Xavier University (pre-medicine)

 

 

Regina High School

Valedictorian Erin Hallman

Parents Lawrence and Karen Hallman

Parish St. Lawrence, Utica

College Oakland University (pre-medicine/biomedical sciences)

 

 

Valedictorian Amy Kehoe

Parents Dr. James and Leslie Kehoe

College Arizona State University (business)

 

 

 

Valedictorian Lauren Ross

Parents Kelly Adams

Parish St. Joan of Arc, St. Clair Shores

College University of Detroit Mercy (engineering)

 

 

Valedictorian Megan Ross

Parents Kelly Adams

Parish St. Joan of Arc, St. Clair Shores

College University of Detroit Mercy (nursing)

 

 

Valedictorian Madeline Simon

Parents Richard and Debra Simon

Parish St. Mary Queen of Creation, New Baltimore

College Oakland University (pre-medicine/optometry)

 

 

Valedictorian Lucia VanBerkum

Parents Mark and Michaele VanBerkum

Parish St. Paul on the Lake, Grosse Pointe Farms

College Hillsdale College (liberal arts/undecided)

 

 

Valedictorian Lena Vushaj

Parents Sokol and Fatmira Vushaj

Parish Our Lady of Albanians, Southfield

College University of Michigan (engineering)

 

 

Shrine Catholic High School

Valedictorian Angela Bonello

Parents Marie and Kenneth Bonello

Parish National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak

College Oakland University (music performance and music education)

 

 

Valedictorian Victor Carpenter

Parents Michelle and Steve Carpenter

Parish National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak

College University of Detroit Mercy (engineering)

 

 

Valedictorian Megan Carulla

Parents Vina Zacarias

Parish Our Lady of Sorrows, Farmington

College Oakland University (pre-medicine)

 

 

Valedictorian Janet Dotson

Parents Siobhan and Bradley Dotson

Parish National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak

College Loyola University (business)

 

 

Valedictorian Bridget LaPoint

Parents Marianne and Steven LaPoint

Parish National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak

College Central Michigan University (psychology)

 

 

Valedictorian Catherine Lilly

Parents Susan Lilly Breda and Matthew Breda

Parish National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak

College University of Michigan (nursing)

 

 

Valedictorian Kayla Reece

Parents Diane Reece

Parish St. Martin de Porres, Warren

College Grand Valley State University (occupational therapy)

 

 

Valedictorian Halie Robinson

Parents Theresa and Michael Robinson

Parish National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak

College University of Michigan (pre-medicine)

 

 

Valedictorian Brennan Smith

Parents Amy and Aaron Smith

Parish National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak

College University of Michigan (pre-medicine)

 

 

Valedictorian Alex Sobeck

Parents Francesca and Philip Sobeck

Parish National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak

College University of Michigan (pre-medicine)

 

 

St. Catherine of Siena Academy

Valedictorian Leah GaYoung Lee

Parents Dae ill Lee and Mi Kyeong Jun

College University of Detroit Mercy (chemistry, accelerated dental program)

 

 

 

Valedictorian Mary Herrmann

Parents Richard and Siobhan Herrmann

Parish St. Michael the Archangel, Livonia

College Ave Maria University (accounting)

 

 

Salutatorian Clare Brinkman

Parents Martin and Lisa Brinkman

Parish Our Lady of Refuge, Orchard Lake

College United States Coast Guard Academy (naval architecture and marine engineering)

 

 

Salutatorian Elizabeth Dulzo

Parents Joseph and Tonya Dulzo

Parish St. William, Walled Lake

College University of Michigan (biomedical engineering)

 

 

St. Mary Catholic Central High School

Valedictorian Jacob Stogiera

Parents Chris and Marie Stogiera

Parish St. Roch, Flat Rock

College University of Notre Dame (business)

 

 

Salutatorian Alexander Stahl

Parents Larry Stahl and Josephine Perna

Parish St. Michael the Archangel, Monroe

College University of Michigan (civil or mechanical engineering)

 

 

St. Mary’s Preparatory

Valedictorian Ryan Tucker

Parents James and Deborah Tucker

College Plans to play junior hockey

 

 

 

Salutatorian Ryan Boyd

Parents Kevin and Nancy Boyd

College Adrian College

 

 

 

University of Detroit High School & Academy

Valedictorian Ezekiel James Reutter Bowker

Parents James and Margaret Bowker

Parish Our Lady of La Salette, Berkley

College Oakland University (business)

 

 

Valedictorian Peter John Chekal

Parents David and Erin Chekal

Parish National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak

College Fordham University (mathematics)

 

 

Valedictorian Patrick Brian Kirby

Parents Brian and Judy Kirby

Parish Sacred Heart, Dearborn

College Wayne State University (business)

 

 

Valedictorian Joseph Daniel Roarty

Parents Charles and Deborah Roarty

Parish St. Clare of Montefalco, Grosse Pointe Park

College Loyola University, Chicago (sciences)

 

 

Valedictorian Connor Jamison Turco

Parents Frank and Danette Turco

Parish Our Lady of Good Counsel, Plymouth

College University of Michigan (social justice)