Congratulations to Central Catholic Class of 2024!!!

Central Catholic High School’s Class of 2024 graduated on Monday, May 20.  The Baccalaureate Mass was celebrated at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral, and the 104th commencement ceremony was held in the 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 2024 are Mark Mackowiak and Sarah Turner.  Mark was a member of the National Honor Society, Insignis Society, and tennis team.  He was a manager for the football team, a biology tutor, and a retreat leader.  He will attend the University of Toledo to study media communication.  Sarah was a member of the National Honor Society, student government, marching band, string orchestra, campus ministry, the Campaign for Kindness, color guard, the cross country team, the Ambassadors for Life Club, and the Mindfulness and Meditation Club.  She was also an Irish Ambassador.  Sarah will attend Lourdes University to major in elementary education with a dual certificate in special education. 

Valedictorian - Sophia Fouty
Sophia was a member of the National Honor Society, Insignis Society, student council, Drama Club, Spanish Club, Sideline Spirit, and the Campaign for Kindness.  She was also a volleyball captain, an Irish Ambassador, and a Kairos Retreat Leader.  Sophia received awards for outstanding scholarship in theology, English, Spanish, math, science, and social studies.  She will be attending the University of Toledo to major in business. 

Salutatorian - Sophia Farrugia
Sophia was the National Honor Society President, the student council President, and the Glee Club President.  She was a member of the Insignis Society, the Spiritual Commission Core Team, the Sideline Spirit Core Team, and the IrishTHON Core Team.  She was a volleyball captain, a basketball captain, an Irish Ambassador, and a Kairos Retreat Leader.  Sophia received awards for outstanding scholarship in theology, science, social studies, and exceptional artistic and entertaining performances in the Glee Club.  She will attend the University of Toledo to major in biology.

Heritage Speaker - Ian Griffin
The Heritage Award is given to the third ranking member of the class, and the recipient speaks about the heritage of Central Catholic High School at the commencement ceremony.  Ian was a member of the National Honor Society, Insignis Society, student council, soccer team, crew team, and the eSports Club.  Ian received awards for outstanding scholarship in theology, technology, math, science, and social studies.

Ian will attend Siena Heights University to major in mechanical engineering.  Ian also signed a National Letter of Intent with Siena Heights to play Esports for Director Steven Robinson, Jr.  The Collegiate Esports Program at SHU competes in NACE, ECAC, and the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC).

Servant Leadership Awards are presented to the students who have submitted the most service hours in the Class of 2024 during their four years at Central Catholic.  Sarah Turner and James Wolfram are this year’s recipients. 

The Reverend James E. Steinle Senior Leadership Award 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.  This year’s recipients are Andrea Jackson and Wylie Fournier.

The Donnelly Christian Discipleship Award is presented to students who exemplify the life of a Disciple of Jesus Christ - seeking to know, love, and serve God and our neighbor.  The award is named in honor of Central Catholic alumni, the Most Reverend Robert Donnelly (Class of 1949) and Reverend Martin Donnelly (Class of 1956).  Sophia Farrugia and Jackson Stricker are this year’s recipients.

The St. Cecelia Award recognizes the overall outstanding Glee Club member whose musical talent and dedication has positively impacted the entire organization.  This year’s recipient is Aubrey Lawson.

The John Philip Sousa award is the most prestigious award for high school band students, and recipients are added to the national database and become part of the historical record for the award.  The recipient demonstrates superior commitment and musicianship to our band program.  Carter Niese is this year’s recipient.

The String Orchestra Award is the highest honor for a member of the high school orchestra and recognizes excellence in playing, contributing in a positive way to the ensemble, and demonstrating leadership skills.  This year the award goes to Sarah Turner.

The Genesis Award is the highest award presented by the art department and honors a senior who has exhibited excellence in the visual arts by demonstrating a consistently high level of technical skill and dedication to academic achievement in all art classes.  Carly Brandt is this year’s recipient.

The Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Awards are given to a senior male and a senior female who have displayed exemplary sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity.  This year’s recipients are Kelly Kitz and Jaxon Sanchez.  

The OHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award is given to the senior boy and girl with the highest grade-point average who have received a minimum of four varsity letters in all sports combined.  This year’s recipients are Sophia Farrugia and Mark Mackowiak.

The Tom McHugh Award and the Margaret Mary Volz Awards are presented to the one male and one female student-athlete who have lettered in at least two sports this year, maintained at least a 2.0 grade-point average after seven semesters, maintained a good discipline record, and are the top ranking student-athlete according to the awards criteria as established by the Athletic Committee of the CCHS Board of Directors.  This year’s recipients are Michael Cannings II and Brooklyn Vaughn.