1,246 students to graduate at Catholic
high schools in archdiocese

By John Shaughnessy

The graduating seniors each have their stories to share—stories of overcoming challenges and achieving success.

It’s one of the connections that bind the 1,246 Catholic high school seniors in the archdiocese who will graduate this spring.

Here is one graduate’s story.

As a member of the Class of 2006, Drew Ruckelshaus looks forward to receiving his high school diploma while also knowing there was a time when people feared he wouldn’t make it to this milestone moment.

At the age of 8, Drew was diagnosed with leukemia. For the next three years, he tried to cope with feeling frightened while he endured treatments to keep him alive. When his disease went into remission, it was a turning point that led to the motto for life that he has embraced ever since.

“I always go by the motto, ‘God has a plan for everyone,’ ” said Drew, now 19. “That’s what I live by. God gave me the disease for a reason. It’s rough sometimes—especially since I can’t play sports—but I try to live that motto.”

In his four years at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, Drew has been a student trainer for the football team and the boys’ basketball team. He helped build a home for a needy family through the Habitat for Humanity program. He has become a member of the National Honor Society. He has also worked with the Indiana Pacers basketball team, helping their training staff.

“When I was diagnosed, David Craig was the head trainer with the Pacers,” Drew recalled. “He’s a good friend of my father, and his first wife was dying of cancer. He pulled me under his wing. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to get into that profession.”

As Craig helped Drew during his battle with leukemia, Drew now tries to help other young people when they are diagnosed with the disease.

“When people get cancer, I get calls to help them,” said Drew, a member of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis. “When you first find out, you’re real scared. It helps them to know somebody who has been through it.”

The son of John and Mary Ruckelshaus will attend Miami of Ohio University, and plans to major in athletic training.

“Drew’s greatest asset is his positive attitude,” said Chris Kaufman, an assistant football coach at Cathedral. “To go through what he has and have the attitude he has is truly remarkable. I have no doubt he’ll be successful in life.”

Drew said he’s just trying to follow his motto of trusting God. “I’ve done fairly well. In the long run, I’ve really lived by it.”

It’s just one of the stories of the Class of 2006.

Here is a listing of graduation-related information for the 10 Catholic high schools—seven archdiocesan and three private—in the archdiocese.

Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 181 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 24 at 6 p.m. at the high school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Murat Centre in Indianapolis.

The class valedictorian is Lauren Fohl, the daughter of Nicholas and Lisa Fohl of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis.

The class salutatorian is Aidan McKiernan, the son of Philip and Holly McKiernan of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, vicar general, and Annette “Mickey” Lentz, executive director of Catholic education and faith formation for the archdiocese.

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 195 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 21 at 5 p.m. at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 26 at 8 p.m. at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University in Indianapolis.

Matthew Giffin will speak for the senior class at graduation. He is the son of Kenneth and Marjie Giffin of St. Pius X Parish.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. Schaedel.

Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 59 students.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on June 1 at 7 p.m. at St. Malachy Church in Brownsburg.

The graduation ceremony will be on June 2 at 7 p.m. at the high school.

The class valedictorian is Carolyn Ranck, the daughter of Joseph and Kristin Ranck of St. Christopher Parish in Indianapolis.

The class salutatorian is Elizabeth O’Connor, the daughter of Chris and Mary Pat O’Connor of St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein and Lentz.

Cathedral High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 300 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 20 at 10 a.m. at the Robert V. Welch Student Activity Center at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 21 at 1 p.m. at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University in Indianapolis.

The class valedictorians are Conor Bindner and Kevin Karp. Conor is the son of Michael and Joan Bindner of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis. Kevin is the son of John and Carol Karp of St. Simon the Apostle Parish.

The class salutatorian is Hannah Bowman, the daughter of Scott and Patricia Bowman of Holy Spirit Parish in Fishers, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Peggy Elson, associate director for schools and director of the Teaching Advancement Program for the archdiocese’s Office of Catholic Education.

Father Michael Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School in Madison has a graduating class of 22 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on June 2 at 7 p.m. at the Father Hilary Meny Gymnasium at the school.

The graduation ceremony will be on June 4 at 2 p.m. at the gymnasium.

The class valedictorian is Thomas Kring, the son of Denny and Beth Kring of Prince of Peace Parish in Madison.

The salutatorians are Rebecca Lathrem and Jesse Roberts. Rebecca is the daughter of Rhonda Shafer and Charles Lathrem. Jesse is the son of David and Cheryl Roberts of Prince of Peace Parish.

Archbishop Buechlein and Lentz will represent the archdiocese at a Mass for seniors on May 22 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Chapel, the school chapel.

Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 83 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 21 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Church in Indianapolis.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 26 at 7 p.m. at Scecina’s gymnasium.

The class valedictorian is Sarah Rumely, the daughter of Bill and Elyse Rumely of St. Michael Parish in Greenfield.

The class salutatorian is Jessica Howard, the daughter of James and Betty Howard of St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Ronald Costello, associate executive director of Catholic education and school improvement and director of Project EXCEED.

Oldenburg Academy in Oldenburg has a graduating class of 43 seniors.

The Senior Mass was held on May 12 at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg. Lentz represented the archdiocese.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 28 at 1 p.m. at the chapel.

The class valedictorian is Kathryn Welsh, the daughter of Mary Beth and Dr. David Welsh of St. Louis Parish in Batesville.

The class salutatorian is Michael Williams, the son of Rex and Susan Martin and Michael Williams Sr.

Our Lady of Providence Jr./Sr. High School in Clarksville has a graduating class of 116 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 21 at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in New Albany.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 26 at 7 p.m. at the Larkin Center Gymnasium at the school.

The class valedictorian is Erin Brown, the daughter of Chris and Laura Brown of Holy Family Parish in New Albany.

The class salutatorian is Michael Bricker, the son of Carl Bricker of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Jeffersonville.

The archdiocese will be represented by Lentz.

Roncalli High School in Indianapolis has a graduating class of 236 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on May 26 at 6 p.m. at St. Jude Church in Indianapolis.

The graduation ceremony will be on May 27 at 11 a.m. at the Roncalli Family Room.

The class valedictorian is Frederick “Fritz” Tolle, the son of Dr. Fred and Paula Tolle of St. Mark Parish in Indianapolis.

The class salutatorian is Kristen Anne Vercruysse, daughter of John and Sheila Vercruysse of St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Lentz.

Seton Catholic Jr./Sr. High School in Richmond has a graduating class of 11 seniors.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be on June 2 at 6 p.m. at St. Andrew Church in Richmond.

The graduation ceremony will be on June 3 at 10 a.m. at Earlham College in Richmond.

The class valedictorian is Michelle Valentini, the daughter of Robert and Marcy Valentini of St. Mary Parish in Richmond.

The class salutatorian is Marissa Stevens, the daughter of Kara Stevens of Holy Family Parish in Richmond.

The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Archbishop Buechlein and Lentz. †