10-05-2025
Owensboro Catholic High holds 74th commencement
Owensboro Catholic High School held its 74th commencement Friday night, with the 99 seniors in the Class of 2025 receiving diplomas during the ceremony at the Owensboro Sportscenter.
Principal George Powell said the class was noteworthy for its academic and athletic achievements, which he said were 'excellent.'
Sixty members of the class have received scholarship money for their secondary education.
'It's been a great year,' Powell said. 'I think they have a lot of leadership potential. And there are a lot of varied interests across this group.
We've got some that are going to college, some to tech school. It's a pretty diverse group, as well.'
Powell said while graduation is an exciting time for the students and staff members, marking a new chapter in the students' lives, it's also 'very emotional.'
'Anytime that you spend 170 days a year, eight hours a day (together), you become attached,' he said. 'You hate to see them go.'
There were 13 John J. McRaith Order of Distinguished Graduates:
• Summa Cum Laude — Jacob Davis Hammen, Patrick James Hauke, Madeleine Elizabeth Kanipe and James Alexander Wethington IV
• Magna Cum Laude — Madeline Jo Burshears, Chloe Alana Calitri, Vincent Stephen Carrico, Elyssa Merin Danner and Benjamin Charles Dawson
• Cum Laude — Grace Elizabeth Lin Blincoe, Carmen Elena Brauer, Jaiden Alyse Grant and Michael Thomas Lyon
Hauke and Kanipe addressed their classmates during the Ceremony of the Graduates.
The running theme among all of the graduates was how much their classmates felt like family.
'The nice thing about Catholic is we're all real close,' said Tucker Ray, class president. 'We've all been together for 14 or 15 years, straight through. It's definitely been a lot of work to get up to this point, and I'm going to miss everybody. Big changes are coming up for everybody, kind of going out in the world now, leaving our little bubble.'
Ray will be attending Western Kentucky University in the fall to study civil engineering.
'I wanted to stay kind of close to home,' he said. 'I looked at some other schools. But I like Western because it has grass, it has trees. I'm not a big fan of all the concrete. I can't do the big city thing.'
Abbigail Powers, class vice president, said graduation is 'bittersweet' because she has been with many of her classmates throughout her school years and feels a special bond with them.
'It really is a family, and I know a lot of people say that, but just the closeness of all of it and growing up together for 13 years,' she said. 'A lot of us have been here the entire time, and just seeing the changes we've all gone through together I think has brought us a lot closer than being at a school that has a ton of kids.'
Powers will be attending WKU in the fall for its pre-pharmacy program.
'They have a really good program, and they're partnered with (the University of Kentucky), so I'll go to pharmacy school there,' she said. 'While I'm definitely going to be sad to see everybody go, just because we are really close and I've grown up with them all, I'm also excited for what's to come.'
Ella Johnston, class secretary, also attended Owensboro Catholic Schools since kindergarten. She said it's a wonderful community.
'I really feel like I can go to any teacher or any one of my peers and just be able to talk to them and be friends with them and to just feel really at home,' she said. 'Since it's a smaller school, I really feel like I know everybody. I can name everybody in my class and can tell you at least one thing I know about them. Being a smaller school helps us all become a better community.'
Johnston will attend WKU to study film production.
'It's one of those things where I can't see myself doing anything else,' she said. 'I'm looking forward to it.'
Alexa Medina, class treasurer, entered Owensboro Catholic Schools as a freshman and has enjoyed 'learning more about my faith and being in a small school community.'
Medina will attend the University of Southern Indiana to become a dental hygienist.
'I just want to help other people in any way I can,' she said.
