Nineteen students representing the Class of 2023 recently graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School during the one hundred and thirty fourth Commencement ceremony for the school. The ceremony was held in the evening of Sunday, May 7th in the school gymnasium. Bishop Robert Marshall and Superintendent Tommy Roque were in attendance representing the Catholic Diocese of Alexandria. Father Irion St. Romain, Chancellor, Principal Stephen Wren, along with the faculty and staff of St. Mary’s, were also present for the evening.
Class Valedictorians reflected on lessons learned, values taught and class bonds during their years at St. Mary’s. Valedictorians maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, while taking honors and dual enrollment courses, were Reaves Hogg and Adam Parker.
In addition, the following awards were presented during the ceremony:
The American Legion Patriotism Award was given to Russ Hillhouse by the Gordon Peters Post of Natchitoches. This award is given to one male student who has set an example of patriotism, loyalty, and leadership.
The American Legion Auxiliary Award was presented to Clary Smiley. This award is given to a graduating senior girl who has demonstrated outstanding characteristics in Americanism, leadership and citizenship.
The Louisiana Sheriff’s Honorary Membership scholarship was given to Trent Middendorf. This program has awarded 63 scholarships in the state of Louisiana. Sheriff Stuart Wright with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office is an affiliate of the Honorary Membership Program and is able to award three scholarships to students from Natchitoches parish. Trent is the overall winner of one of these three scholarships.
The Mayor’s Award was presented to Reaves Hogg. This award is given to a senior who demonstrates outstanding leadership and community service to St. Mary’s, the City of Natchitoches, and the State of Louisiana.
The Superintendent’s Award was presented to Olivia Gillis. In 2012, Mr. Thomas Roque established the Superintendent’s Award which is given each year to a graduating senior who has exhibited resilience and perseverance.
The Michael Andrews Memorial Scholarship was presented to Anna Peluso. This award is given by the Andrews family in memory of their son who graduated from St. Mary’s. The recipient of this scholarship possesses similar characteristics of Michael: perseverance, drive, and dedication to the all around educational experience obtained at St. Mary’s.
Reaves Hogg was recognized for completing the required 60 hours of coursework towards receiving the Associates Degree in General Studies from NSU. The degree will be conferred at the end of the summer and the official diploma will be received in August. Reaves is the first St. Mary’s student to receive the Associate of General Studies.
The Mr. and Miss SMS award was presented to Mason McCart and Anna Peluso. This award is given to the male and female students selected by the faculty and administration to represent the best of the St. Mary’s student body. The selected students are thoroughly involved and represent St. Mary’s Catholic School by their virtues of integrity, courage, compassion, service, and humility, both inside and outside of the school.
The Bishop Martin Award was presented to Adam Parker. This award is given to a student that has led by example, attempted to maintain and exhibit Catholic Christian values, and have taken advantage of the religious foundation offered at St. Mary’s to reach their full potential spiritually, academically, and physically.
This group of students had a class average ACT composite score of 24.6, with 19% of the class scoring 30 or above. Two students will be continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level for football and wrestling. Students will be attending Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Notre Dame, Southern Arkansas University, Texas Wesleyan University and Tulane University. The Class of 2023 was offered over $1.4 million dollars in scholarships.
St. Mary’s is a Catholic, co-educational college preparatory school that educates students from preschool through twelfth grade. It is a ministry of the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Church.
Pictured: Gabby Meziere, Meredith Methvin, Caroline Godfrey, Anna Peluso, Olivia Gillis, Clary Smiley, Anna Marie McClung and Cylie Braud. Back row: Logan Watson, Kolton Norsworthy, Mason Melder, Russ Hillhouse, Reaves Hogg, Trent Middendorf, C.J. Smith, Chase O’Con, Jace Carpenter, Adam Parker and Mason McCart.
