by Emily Demel, staff writer
As the 2014-2015 school year comes to a close, another group of seniors leaves the nest they’ve lived in the past four years and welcomes a new chapter in their lives. Friday’s farewell mass gave everyone a chance to award them for their accomplishments this year and to bid them goodbye and good luck as they graduate from the windowless halls of Bishop Carroll.
The class of 2015 had many achievements. It was a very academically sound class led by Kellie Griffin, valedictorian, and three salutatorians: John DeGraffenreid, William Lies, and Rachel Schwindt. The class also produced two National Merit Finalists, Rachel Schwindt and Jakob Wulf-Eck, with commended National Merit students Brent Hess, William Lies, and Kristen Winningham. There were 45 Kansas Scholars Curriculum Completers, 14 Kansas State Scholars and 41 seniors were members of the National Honors Society.
The Joann M. Bieberle Memorial Scholarship was a scholarship of $500 given to a student who not only showed academic excellence but also great leadership and Christian conviction. It was awarded to Mary Linnebur. The R.J. Peck Memorial Scholarship was a scholarship of $300 and was given out to a student who showed wonderful leadership and devotion to faith during their years and Bishop Carroll. It was awarded to Megan Heng.
Senior Coleman Nordhus said, “It was really fun to see what the different people in our class had accomplished.”
Logan Albers was a recipient of the ROTC Air Force Scholarship. The Judge & Mrs. Gray Scholarship was given to Olivia Borland and Braden Schnieders. Ashlea Baalmann received the Rita A. Stolz Farm Scholarship.
Along with the many scholarships awarded, students were recognized for their talent and commitment to Bishop Carroll. Shelby Lopez and Mark Quaney received Scholar/ Athlete Awards for their dedication to excellence both in the classroom and outside in their various sports. The Golden Eagle Band Award was awarded to Kolbe Peloquin. The Golden Eagle Choral Award was given to Angelina Robledo. Camden Capps was awarded the Debate St. Justin Martyr Award while The Family and Consumer Science Award was received by Jami Reichenberger.
Mrs. Lashley, senior Alex Lashley’s mom, stated after the mass, “I loved getting to award our kids for the hard work they’ve done these past four years.”
After the mass, senior Simon Nguyen commented, “After hearing about all of the accomplishments all of my classmates made I just thought ‘wow, we’re going to own the future.’”