Carmel Catholic High School to Graduate 290 on May 24

It is with great pleasure that Carmel Catholic High School announces the graduation of the Class of 2019. A commencement ceremony will be held on Friday, May 24, 2019, at 7 p.m. in the Patrick A. Salvi Arena, One Carmel Pkwy, Mundelein, IL.

The Class of 2019 of Carmel Catholic High School is comprised of 290 graduates. The Valedictorian is Peter Hefner, of Lincolnshire. Co-Salutatorians are Patricia Freeman, of Gurnee, and Lucy Tarcha, of Lake Villa.

Ninety-nine percent of the class is college-bound. Seniors were awarded a total of more than $44.4 million in college scholarships.

The class includes two National Merit Finalists, four National Merit Commended Students, and 84 Illinois State Scholars.

National Merit Finalists:

• Patrick Delos Reyes, of Gurnee

• Patricia Freeman, of Gurnee

National Merit Commended Students:

• Peter Hefner, of Lincolnshire

• Kevin Hutchins, of Libertyville

• Catherine McKernan, of Grayslake

• George Yacu, of Vernon Hills.

Members of the school's Corporate Board and Board of Directors will attend the ceremony. Mr. Sean Rank, mathematics teacher will give the commencement address.

An Honors Convocation was held May 20, in which seniors' four-year accomplishments and college scholarships were recognized. Special awards were given to select members of the class. Recipients of these awards include:

• Outstanding Senior Award: Sean Seidl, of Buffalo Grove

• Leadership Award: Victoria Jozwiak, of Lincolnshire

• Service Award: Luna Ventura, of Libertyville

• Spirit Award: Julian Speights, of Beach Park

• Fine Arts Students of the Year: Alvin Santner, of Mundelein; and Olivia Wheeler, of Beach Park

• Carmel Catholic Athletes of the Year: Riley Palm, of Mundelein, Wrestling; and Melanie Zimmerman, of Vernon Hills, Tennis and Track

• Perfect Attendance for Four Years: Justin Ho, of Round Lake and Patricia Freeman, of Gurnee

The following students were recognized during the Senior Honors Ceremony for receiving prestigious Department Awards:

• Business/Technology Department Award: Claire Kompare, of Libertyville

• Campus Ministry Award: Sean Seidl, of Buffalo Grove; and Margaret Smith, of Mundelein

• Engineering Department Award: Brandon Apostal, of Gurnee

• English Department Award: Liesl Melnick, of Mundelein

• Fine Arts Department Award: Alyssa Graves, of Wauconda

• Mathematics Department Award: Patrick Delos Reyes, of Gurnee

• Media Department Award: Victoria Jozwiak, of Lincolnshire

• Physical Education Department Award: Lucy Tarcha, of Lake Villa

• Religious Studies Department Award: Sofia Cosentino, of Mundelein

• Science Department Award: George Yacu, of Vernon Hills

• Social Studies Department Award: Patricia Freeman, of Gurnee

• World Languages Department Award: Victoria Jozwiak, of Lincolnshire

The Senior Class Officers for the Class of 2019 include Julian Speights, of Beach Park, President; Caitlin Teehan, of Mundelein, First Vice President; Caitlin Keane, of Port Barrington, Second Vice President; Morgan Smola, of Mundelein, Secretary; Cosentino Alivia, of Hawthorn Woods, Treasurer.

There are 46 alumni parents of the Class of 2019.

About Carmel Catholic High School

Carmel Catholic High School is a Catholic, college preparatory and secondary school for young men and women in grades 9 through 12. Carmel Catholic provides a quality Catholic education and is committed to meeting the academic, physical, social and spiritual needs of the students it serves. Carmel Catholic is jointly sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) and the Order of Carmelites (O.Carm). Carmel Catholic is a four-time recipient of the prestigious Blue Ribbon School award by the U.S. Department of Education. The school enrolls approximately 1,200 students each year. Learn more at carmelhs.org.