The Michigan Catholic is proud to congratulate the thousands of area students graduating from the Detroit area’s 24 Catholic high schools in 2017. 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.
Cardinal Mooney Catholic Prep High School
Valedictorian Abigail L. Guilliat
Parents Stephen Guilliat and Colleen Guilliat
Parish Our Lady on the River, Marine City
College University of Michigan
Salutatorian Janice R. Gibbons
Parents Joseph and Debra Gibbons
Parish St. Edward on the Lake, Lakeport
College Wayne State University (Direct Med Program)
Detroit Cristo Rey High School
Valedictorian Camilla Cantu
Parent Maria Contreras-Cantu
Parish St. Aloysius, Detroit
College University of Michigan
Valedictorian Jennifer Gonzalez-Hernandez
Parents Francisco and Olivia Gonzalez
Parish Ste. Anne de Detroit, Detroit
College Albion College
De La Salle Collegiate High School
Valedictorian Jason Kathawa
Parents Allen and Sonya Kathawa
Parish St. Thecla, Clinton Township
College University of Michigan (Business and Computer Science)
Salutatorian Russell Hu
Background Four-year international student from China
College University of Michigan (Engineering)
Ladywood High School
Valedictorian Mary Kate Barnauskas
Parents Timothy Barnauskas and Geraldine Barnauskas
Parish St. Valentine, Redford
College University of Michigan
Salutatorian Maggie Shirk
Parents Thomas and Kathleen Shirk
Parish St. Michael the Archangel, Livonia
College University of Michigan
Salutatorian Shannon Wolfe
Parents Keith and Maureen Wolfe
Parish Our Lady of Good Counsel, Plymouth
College University of Notre Dame
Mercy High School
Valedictorian Sarah Kurpiers
Parents Margaret and Michael Kurpiers
Parish Our Lady of Sorrows, Farmington
College University of Michigan (Cellular and Molecular Biology and Biomedical Engineering)
Salutatorian Chiaka Ibe
Parents Mary and Rickie Ibe
Parish St. Fabian, Farmington Hills
College Brown University (Biology)
Salutatorian Jordyn Kreucher
Parents Martha and Brian Kreucher
College University of Michigan (Engineering)
Our Lady of the Lakes High School
Valedictorian Grace Casolari
Parents Kenneth and Carol Casolari
Parish Our Lady of the Lakes, Waterford
College Oakland University (Undecided)
Salutatorian Kurt Romkema
Parents Michael and Karen Romkema
Parish Our Lady of the Lakes, Waterford
College Kettering University (Electrical Engineering)
Salutatorian Alaynna Melicor
Parents Adrian and Yasmine Melicor
Parish Our Lady of the Lakes, Waterford
College University of Michigan (Medicine)
St. Catherine of Siena Academy
Valedictorian Maria Christina Denja
Parents Mike and Leighanne Denja
Parish Our Lady of Good Counsel, Plymouth
College Ave Maria University (Nursing)
Valedictorian Maura Rose Lee
Parents Owen and Heather Lee
Parish Our Lady of Victory, Northville
College University of Notre Dame (Biology)
Notre Dame Preparatory School
Valedictorian Gabrielle Jacoby
Parents Mark and Denice Jacoby
Parish St. Regis, Bloomfield Hills
College College University of Texas, Austin (Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering)
Valedictorian Anthony VanDieren
Parents Michael and Regina VanDieren
Parish St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills
College University of Georgia (Entomology and Biochemistry (Pre-Med))
Valedictorian Mariel Manzor
Parents Alberto and Odette Manzor
Parish St. Andrew, Rochester
College University of Michigan (Cell and Molecular Biology and Biomedical Engineering on a pre-med track)
Valedictorian Montserrat Dorantes
Parents Sergio Dorantes and Maria Soto
Parish St. Mary of the Hills, Rochester Hills
College Hope College (Biology)
Valedictorian Nicholas Hariskos
Parents Arthur and Anastasia Hariskos
College University of Michigan (Economics/Mathematics)
Valedictory Court
• Gabriella Gonzales • Jessica Jimenez • Luke Adams • Julia Walter • Tala Mahjoub • Ryan Flaherty • Madeline Allard • Olivia Mears • Halaina Jimenez • Richelle Wilson • Erica Nowosielski • Thomas Robbins • Roy Gebara • Kendel Kazyak • Eileen Haig • Calvin Burns • Adam Ihm • Anna Madison • Olivia Finn • Jacqueline Kenny • Nicole Oska • Sarah Bauer • Ila Batah
Bishop Foley Catholic High School
Valedictorian Ella Ward
Parents Craig Ward and Eileen Ward-Bee
Parish St. Irenaeus, Rochester Hills
College/Major Franciscan University of Steubenville (Education)
Salutatorian Lauren Khoury
Parents Peter and Diane Khoury
Parish St. Joan of Arc, St. Clair Shores
College/Major University of Alabama (Undecided)
Salutatorian Jordin Valenti
Parents John and Janis Valenti
Parish Guardian Angels, Clawson
College/Major University of Detroit Mercy (Dental)
Brother Rice High School
Valedictorian Kyle Chisholm
Parents Charles and Julie Chisholm
Parish St. Regis, Bloomfield Hills
College Northwestern University (Business/Economics)
Salutatorian Carter Dunaway
Parents Geri and Craig Dunaway
Parish Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Beverly Hills
College Princeton University (Pre-Medicine)
Shrine Catholic High School
Valedictorian Harrison Suchyta
Parents Michelle and Tim Suchyta
Parish St. Mary, Royal Oak
College University of Michigan (Computer Science)
Valedictorian Megan O’Donnell
Parents Mary and Patrick O’Donnell
Parish National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College Hope College (Mechanical Engineering)
Valedictorian Brennan Carr
Parents Kelly and Kevin Carr
Parish National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College University of Michigan (Business)
Valedictorian Grace Bontrager
Parents Maureen Bontrager
Parish National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College University of Michigan (Nursing)
Valedictorian Julia Halkey
Parents Linda and Michael Halkey
Parish National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College University of Detroit Mercy (Nursing)
Valedictorian Tom Peaslee
Parents Chestra and Brian Peaslee
Parish National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College University of Michigan (Industrial and Operating Engineering)
Valedictorian Anna Timmis
Parents Merari and Theodore Timmis
Parish Holy Name, Birmingham
College University of Michigan (Chemical Engineering)
Valedictorian Jacob Krach
Parents Mary Beth and Ken Krach
Parish Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Beverly Hills
College University of Michigan (Electrical Engineering)
Valedictorian Jeremiah Cortez
Parents Ana and Ronaldo Cortez
Parish National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College Michigan State University (Computer Science)
Valedictorian Asher Smith
Parents Amy and Aaron Smith
Parish National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica, Royal Oak
College University of Michigan (Finance)
Detroit Catholic Central
Valedictorian Sean Ebben
Parents Brad and Cheryl Ebben
Parish St. Michael the Archangel, Livonia
College University of Notre Dame (Business/Sports Management)
Salutatorian Adam Brusstar
Parents Matthew and Andrea Brusstar
Parish St. Joseph, South Lyon
College University of Michigan (Engineering)
Divine Child High School
Valedictorian Elizabeth Nicolin
Parents Kathleen Nicolin
Parish Church of the Divine Child, Dearborn
College University of Michigan
Salutatorian Julianna Morano
Parents Christopher and Heidi Morano
Parish Resurrection, Canton
College University of Michigan
Gabriel Richard High School
Valedictorian Camryn Lozon
Parents Christopher and Margaret Lozon
Parish St. Pius X, Southgate
College Grand Valley State University (Biomedical Engineering)
Salutatorian Nicholas Hammond
Parents Ronald and Janice Hammond
Parish St. Pius X, Southgate
College Western Michigan University (Business Law)
Loyola High School
Valedictorian Lavell Massey
Parents Classie Massey
College Michigan State University (Pre-Medicine)
Salutatorian Kailen Abrams
Parents Raphaela Walker and Larry Abrams
College Central State University (Electrical Engineering)
Regina High School
Valedictorian Elizabeth Gardey
Parents David and Rosemary Gardey
Parish St. Paul on the Lake, Grosse Pointe Farms
College University of Notre Dame (Political Science)
Valedictorian Alyssa Hlywa
Parents Nicholas and Theresa Hlywa
Parish St. Josaphat Ukrainian, Warren
College Michigan Technological University (Electrical Engineering)
Marian High School
Valedictorian Katherine Gordon
Parents Jonathan and Jill Gordon
Parish Our Lady of Sorrows, Farmington
College University of Michigan (Business)
Valedictorian Elli Johnson
Parents Jerry and Barbara Johnson
College University of Michigan (Undecided)
Valedictorian Eliana Margherio
Parents Michael and Jennifer Margherio
Parish St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills
College University of Pennsylvania (Business)
Everest Collegiate High School
Valedictorian Brooke Funke
Parents Dr. Matthew and Lisa Funke
Parish St. Anne, Ortonville
College Undecided
Valedictorian Paul Bradley
Parents David and Lisa Bradley
Parish SS. Cyril and Methodius, Sterling Heights
College Calvin College (Engineering)
Salutatorian Lucia Rosa
Parents David and Toni Rosa
Parish Our Lady of the Lakes, Waterford
College University of Michigan (Undecided)
Salutatorian Ryan Smith
Parents Jason and Christine Smith
College University of Miami (Pre-Medicine)
Academy of the Sacred Heart
Valedictorian Sara Smith
Parents Michael Smith and Lisa Smith
College University of Michigan (Business)
Salutatorian Stella Betrus
Parents Thomas and Susan Betrus
Parish St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills
College University of Michigan (Sport Management)
Cabrini High School
Valedictorian Lauren Harven
Parents Joseph and Karen Harven
Parish St. Frances Cabrini, Allen Park
College Wayne State University (Pharmacy)
Salutatorian Richard Lewandowski
Parents Richard and Ann Lewandowski
Parish St. Frances Cabrini, Allen Park
College University of Michigan-Dearborn (Mechanical/Bio Engineering)
Austin Catholic High School
Valedictorian Ashley Charrette
Parents Stacy and Jack Charrette
Parish SS. Cyril & Methodius, Sterling Heights
College Macomb Community College/Oakland University (Secondary Education)
Summa Cum Laude James Lynott
Parents Deanna and Clyde Lynott
Parish San Francesco, Clinton Township
College Oakland University (Undecided)
Summa Cum Laude Emily Walker
Parents Jeanine Walker
Parish St. Thecla, Clinton Township
College Siena Heights University (Social Work)
St. Mary Catholic Central High School
Valedictorian Meghan Beaubien
Parents Jason and Kim Beaubien
Parish St. Charles Borromeo, Newport
College University of Michigan (Biomedical Engineering)
Salutatorian Alexander Cepo
Parents Goran Cepo and Amy Alfredson
Parish St. Mary, Monroe
College University of Michigan (Mathematics)
St. Mary’s Preparatory
Valedictorian Matthew Whalen
Parents Daniel and Leeann Whalen
Parish Our Lady of Refuge, Orchard Lake
College University of Michigan
Salutatorian Foster Buchanan
Parents Dr. Joel and Carrie Buchanan
Parish St. Joseph the Worker, Lake Orion
College Michigan State University
University of Detroit Jesuit High School & Academy
Valedictorian John Campbell
Parents Michael and Caroline Campbell
Parish St. Hugo of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills
College University of Michigan
Valedictorian Ryan Cullen
Parents Matthew and Karen Cullen
Parish Our Lady Star of the Sea, Grosse Pointe Woods
College University of Michigan
Valedictorian Michael Gassen
Parents Chris and Linda Gassen
Parish Our Lady Star of the Sea, Grosse Pointe Woods
College Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Valedictorian Zachary Kennedy
Parents Daniel and Jodi Kennedy
Parish St. Mary of the Hills, Bloomfield Hills
College University of Detroit Mercy
Valedictorian Fadi Moaikel
Parents Elias and Mona Moaikel
College University of Michigan
Valedictorian Dawson Myers
Parents John and Renee Myers
Parish St. Andrew, Rochester
College St. Louis University
Valedictorian Nicholas Pez
Parents Patrick Webster and Lucienne Pez-Webster
Parish St. Fabian, Farmington Hills
College Stanford University
