Congratulations to Central Catholic Class of 2023!!!

Central Catholic High School’s Class of 2023 graduated on Monday, May 22.  The Baccalaureate Mass was celebrated at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, and the 103rd commencement ceremony was held in the Central Catholic Sullivan Center.

The class earned many honors and distinctions.  Here are some highlights of our top students:

The Bishop’s Cross
The highest honor bestowed upon any graduate of a Catholic High School in the Diocese of Toledo is the Bishop's Cross, which dates back to the year 1873.  It is given to one boy and one girl from the graduating class.  Students who receive the Bishop’s Cross are Catholic students who clearly strive to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.  They manifest an active life of Christian charity in the way they relate to and serve their neighbor.  These students are respectful, kind, virtuous, considerate, authentic, positive, have a strong moral character and prayer life, respect, and a love for learning. 

The Bishop’s Cross recipients from the Central Catholic Class of 2023 are Adeline Reed and Noah Rife.

Adeline was a member of the National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, student council, student senate, crew team, and the mindfulness and meditation club.  She was also a retreat leader and altar server.  Adeline will be attending the University of Toledo where she will major in political science/pre-law.

Noah was on the honor roll and participated in student government, campus ministry, Sideline Spirit, and the Glee Club, and he played soccer and tennis.  He will attend the University of Toledo to major in psychology, and he would like to become a high school counselor.

Max Shelton - Valedictorian
Max was a member of the National Honor Society, student council, the soccer team, and Sideline Spirit.  He also volunteered as a Summer Success Program teacher, an ACT prep tutor, and for the IrishTHON.  He received outstanding scholar awards for French and theological studies.  He received the servant leadership award for recording 100 or more hours of service and surpassing the required number of service hours during his time at Central Catholic and was recognized as having submitted on record the most hours of community service in the Class of 2023.

Max will attend the University of Tennessee to major in business, and he was offered over $296,000 in scholarships.  He said, “Central Catholic has impacted my life by providing me with a great group of friends, a bunch of mentors, and a foundation to build a brilliant future upon.”

Will Rudski - Salutatorian
Will was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, soccer team, IrishTHON Core Team, Sideline Spirit Core Team, and the Spanish Club.  He was also an Irish Ambassador, Summer Success volunteer, Mass Server, and retreat leader.  He received the scholarship award for outstanding effort and best overall grade in Spanish; outstanding scholarship in theological studies; outstanding social studies scholar for his work and consistent dedication in AP Psychology, AP U.S. Government and Politics, and AP U.S. History and achieving a 5 on the AP exams; and the Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award for exemplary sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity.  He also received the servant leadership award for recording 100 or more hours of service and surpassing the required number of service hours during his time at Central Catholic, and the Donnelly Christian Discipleship Award for students who exemplify the life of a Disciple of Jesus Christ - seeking to know, love, and serve God and our neighbor. 

Will has been offered $546,000 in scholarships.  He will attend the University of Notre Dame, where he will major in pre-health and Spanish.  His goal is to become a physical therapist.  Will decided to attend Notre Dame because of its competitive academics and the spirit and community he felt on campus.  “Notre Dame is such a special place, and they made me feel special as well,” he explained.  “I wanted to go to a school that will challenge me academically and that really feels like a community.  It’s a lot like Central Catholic in that way.”

Eve Anderson - Heritage Speaker
Eve was a member of the National Honor Society, Sideline Spirit, the Irish Dance Team, and the IrishTHON Core Team.  She was also a retreat leader and Freshman Success tutor.  Eve received outstanding scholar awards for French, English language arts, and theological studies, and the servant leadership award for recording 100 or more hours of service and surpassing the required number of service hours during her time at Central Catholic.

Eve was offered $196,000 in scholarships, and she will attend the University of Michigan.  She will major in pre-law and study dance at the UM School of Music, Theatre & Dance.  “I was looking at the quality of the dance program at the schools, their repertoire, and I’m happy they offer the opportunity for a dual degree so I can major in dance along with something else.” 

Evan Thompson
Evan was a member of the National Honor Society, student council, Glee Club, tennis team, track team, and Campaign for Kindness.  He was also captain of the cross country team and French Club President.  He was named an outstanding social studies scholar for his work and consistent dedication in AP Psychology, AP U.S. Government and Politics, and AP U.S. History and achieving a 5 on the AP exams.  He received the servant leadership award for recording 100 or more hours of service and surpassing the required number of service hours during his time at Central Catholic.

Evan was offered over $200,000 in college scholarships, and he will attend Bowling Green State University to major in architecture.  “I am leaving Central Catholic with some amazing friends and mentors,” Evan said.  “I have grown deeply in my relationship with God, and I've also grown in my relationship with others, as Central Catholic has taught me how to meet and talk with new people.”

Winston Delp
Winston was a member of the National Honor Society, Sideline Spirit, and Ambassadors for Life.  He played football and baseball for the Fighting Irish.  Winston received the OHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award as the senior boy with the highest grade-point average who has received a minimum of 4 varsity letters in all sports combined.

He will attend Hillsdale College where he will major in economics and play baseball.  He received a merit scholarship of $12,500 yearly from Hillsdale.  “Central Catholic has been my entire life,” he said.  “I have been attending sporting events since I was born and had four siblings experience CCHS before me.”

Natalie Rekart
Natalie was a member of the National Honor Society, student council, school newspaper staff, Glee Club, Spiritual Commission, lacrosse team, and powderpuff football team.  She also volunteered in Central Catholic’s Summer Success Program.  Natalie was named an outstanding social studies scholar for her work and consistent dedication in AP Psychology, AP U.S. Government and Politics, and AP U.S. History and achieving a 5 on the AP exams.  She also received the servant leadership award for recording 100 or more hours of service and surpassing the required number of service hours during her time at Central Catholic.  She will attend Bowling Green State University to major in nursing.

Mya Seymour
Mya was in the National Honor Society, participated in Student Council and the Spiritual Commission, and she was on the soccer, cross country, basketball, and swim teams at Central Catholic.  Mya received the OHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award as the senior girl with the highest grade-point average who has received a minimum of 4 varsity letters in all sports combined, and the servant leadership award for recording 100 or more hours of service and surpassing the required number of service hours during her time at Central Catholic.  She is entering the United States Marine Corps.

Christopher Moody II
Chris was a member of the National Honor Society and the Fighting Irish football team.  He was also a retreat leader.  He will attend the University of Toledo and major in finance, and he was offered $65,000 in scholarships over 4 years.

Brian Bishop
Brian was a member of the National Honor Society and the Spiritual Commission, and he played football, soccer, basketball, and baseball for the Irish.  He received the Tom McHugh Award, which is presented to the one male student athlete who has lettered in at least 2 sports this year, has maintained at least a 2.0 grade-point average after 7 semesters, has maintained a good discipline record, and is the top ranking student-athlete according to the awards criteria as established by the Athletic Committee of the CCHS Board of Directors.  He also received the Reverend James E. Steinle Senior Leadership Award, which is given in honor of a former principal of Central Catholic and recognizes seniors who have demonstrated strong qualities of leadership and service without receiving formal recognition.  The recipient of this award is a leader without necessarily holding an office of any kind, and it is the character and example of the individual that has earned him this honor.  Brian will attend The University of Toledo to major in engineering, and he received $24,000 in scholarships from UToedo.

Mya Vernon
Mya was a member of the National Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society, student council, the soccer and swim teams, and Sideline Spirit.  She was also a tutor and retreat leader.  Mya received awards for outstanding scholarship in mathematics and English language arts.  She will attend Bluffton University, and she received $144,000 in scholarships.  She will major in graphic design and play soccer.  “Central Catholic has taught me how to be resilient inside and out of the classroom and has constantly challenged me to put forth the best version of myself,” she said. 

Andrew Metzger
Andrew was a member of the National Honor Society, a captain of the cross country team, and he played baseball.  He received an award for outstanding scholarship in mathematics; the outstanding science student award for embodying the spirit of hard work, curiosity, and dedication that is required for success in science; and was named an outstanding social studies scholar for his work and consistent dedication in AP Psychology, AP U.S. Government and Politics, and AP U.S. History and achieving a 5 on the AP exams.  Andrew was offered $94,000 in scholarships.  He will attend West Virginia University and major in biochemistry (pre-med).

Grant Haupricht
Grant was in the National Honor Society, was a retreat leader, and he played golf and baseball for the Fighting Irish.  He received an outstanding scholar award for French.  Grant was offered over $170,000 in college scholarships, and he will attend The Ohio State University to major in health sciences.  He said, “Central Catholic has given me life-long friends and memories that I will keep with me forever.”

Mary Ellis
Mary was a member of the National Honor Society, kindness campaign, Sideline Spirit, and the basketball and track teams.  She was a retreat leader and Student Ambassador. Mary received the Margaret Mary Volz Scholar-Athlete award, which is presented to 1 female athlete who has lettered in at least 2 sports this year, has maintained at least a 2.0 grade-point average after 7 semesters, has maintained a good discipline record, and is the top-ranking student-athlete according to the awards criteria as established by the Athletic Committee of the CCHS Board of Directors.  Mary will attend the University of Findlay where she will major in middle childhood education and run track & field.