With graduation just days away, proud parents gathered this past Saturday in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs for the Baccalaureate Mass. Seniors processed in coat and tie behind celebrants Fr. John Brown, S.J., Fr. Roy Joseph, S.J., and Fr. Penn, S.J. In his homily, Fr. Brown drew on the Roman god Janus, whose two faces look both backward and forward. He compared Janus’s dual gaze to that of the Blue Jays at this moment—reflecting on their years at Jesuit while also looking ahead to new beginnings and the transitions that lie before them.

Seniors Christian Lang and Lang carried the offertory gifts to the altar, Kacey Cognevich recited the prayers of the faithful, and Andrew Duncan delivered the second reading. At the conclusion of Mass, Principal Jeremy Reuther ’01 announced several academic, athletic, and service awards for seniors. Blue Jays and their families left the chapel with bright smiles and warm hearts.

Below are the special commendations presented at the 2025 baccalaureate mass:

Each year seniors who have achieved significant academic and athletic honors are recognized at for their achievements. Among the awards presented to members of the Class of 2025 on May 17 at the Baccalaureate Mass were the following: 

The Senior Perfect Attendance Award—for being present for all classes during their entire career at Jesuit High School, having obtained no absences, tardies, or early departures on a school day—was merited ex aequo by Brayden R. Laurent and Matthew A. Torrance.

The St. Aloysius Gonzaga Award for the Member of the Year—for the senior who most fully embodies the four pillars that distinguish the National Honor Society: character, leadership, service, and scholarship—was merited by James W. Ralph.

The Professor Michael Cupero Memorial Award (donated by his grandson, Col. Hamil M. Cupero ’56)—for overall musical excellence—was merited ex aequo by Frank M. Young. 

The MCJROTC Award—for the senior MCJROTC cadet has made a significant contribution to the ROTC Program by having exhibited exemplary leadership and dedication—was merited byCadet Sergeant Major William W. Degehart.

The Reverend Francis A. Fox, S.J. Memorial Award (donated by Mr. Harry Morel, Sr.)—for instrumental music—was merited by Frank M. Young.  

The Culture of Life Award—for the student who has shown exemplary leadership as a member of the Pro-Life Club at Jesuit High School—was merited by Christian N. Lang.

The Quiz Bowl Award—for outstanding achievement in Quiz Bowl—was merited by James A. Redmann.

The Joseph Michael Worley Memorial Award—for the senior who, by his unselfishness, sportsmanship, and spirit during his career at Jesuit, enhanced the athletic program either as a player, manager, trainer, or student—was merited ex aequo by Wilson L. Frischhertz and Lucas J. Knowels.

The Don Ford Award—for the best football lineman of the current year—was merited by Griffin A. Ellis.

The Most Valuable Bowler Award—for the bowler who has best exhibited sportsmanship, leadership, and determination, while also demonstrating a high quality of excellence as a student-athlete—was merited by Jonathan Y. Cho.

The William D. & Maybell Postell Award (donated by their son, Mr. John Blake Postell ’59)—for the senior basketball player who exhibited exemplary leadership, scholarship, and spirit—was merited by Brewer J. Nitcher.

The Rodriguez Family Award—for the most valuable swimmer on the varsity swimming team—was merited by Enzo W. Solitario.

The Christopher Morgan Memorial Award—for the cross-country letterman who has best exemplified courage, leadership, sportsmanship, and spirit—was merited by Brady J. Mullen.

The Chester M. Rieth Award—for the senior track letterman who exhibited exemplary leadership, sportsmanship, and spirit—was merited by Brand M. Blanchard.

The Most Valuable Golfer Player Award–for the golfer who has made a significant contribution to the team, having exhibited exemplary leadership, and having performed in an outstanding manner in tournament play is presented to Grayson E. Wise.

The Michael D. Conway Award—for the most valuable player on the varsity soccer team —was merited ex aequo by Andrew J. Duncan.

The Edwin F. Stacy, Jr. Memorial Wrestling Award—for the outstanding wrestler who made a major contribution to the varsity team, excelled in academics, and exhibited exemplary leadership—was merited by William B. Harris. 

The Coach Edwin W. Toribio Memorial Award—for the senior football letterman who best combined scholarship and athletics—was merited by Wyatt A. Mire.

The Morris B. Redmann, Jr. Memorial Award—for the outstanding senior football letterman who best combined scholarship and athletics—was merited by Caden P. Sanderson.

The Daniel “Rusty” Staub Memorial Award—for the senior baseball letterman who exhibited exemplary leadership, sportsmanship, and spirit—was merited by Jake R. Moreci.

The Most Valuable Tennis Player Award—for the senior player who made a significant contribution to the varsity team, exhibited exemplary leadership, and performed in an outstanding manner in tournament play—was merited by Leo P. Congeni.

The Most Valuable Lacrosse Player Award—for the senior letterman has made a significant contribution to the lacrosse team by having exhibited exemplary leadership and having performed in an outstanding manner—was merited by Leonard H. Aucoin III.

The Most Valuable Rugby Player Award—for the senior letterman who has made a significant contribution to the rugby team by having exhibited exemplary leadership and having performed in an outstanding manner—was merited by Frank J. Finicle.

The Robert T. Casey Memorial Award—for the varsity athlete who displayed exemplary sportsmanship and spirit—was merited ex aequo by Ethan D. Lapeze and Connor M. Donnelly.

The Award for All-Around Athletic Ability—for the most outstanding ability found in
a student-athlete in an individual sport—was merited by Brady J. Mullen and Enzo W. Solitario.

The Larry Gilbert Family Memorial Award—for the best all-around athlete on the
varsity teams—was merited ex aequo by Wyatt A. Mire.

The Susan & Garic Schoen Award—for excellence in computer studies—was merited by Andrew J. Duncan. 

The Reverend William J. Ryan Memorial Award (donated by the late Dr. J. Joseph Ryan in memory of his brother, Rev. William J. Ryan)—for excellence in social studies—was merited ex aequo by Andrew J. Duncan. 

The Jesuit 500 Club Award—for excellence in Latin—was merited by Samuel E. Schlafer.

The Frank T. Howard Memorial Award—for excellence in English—was merited by Andrew J. Duncan and Ethan D. Lapeze.

The Frank T. Howard Memorial Award—for excellence in physics—was merited by Andrew J. Duncan.

The L’Union Français Award —for excellence in French—was merited by Frank M. Young.

The William Helis Memorial Award—for excellence in Greek—was merited by Brayden R. Laurent.

The Paquette Family Award—for overall excellence in French—was merited by Frank M. Young.

The Ubaldo Trelles Memorial Award—for excellence in Spanish—was merited by
Christian A. Thomas.

The Excellence in Theology Award was merited by Samuel E. Schlafer.

The Loyola University Award for Mathematics—for the senior with the highest overall average in mathematics—was merited by Andrew D. Cavallino.

The Blue Jay Parents’ Club Award for excellence in scholarship is awarded to the seniors who are graduating with the highest grade point average for four years at Jesuit High School. This year, the award is merited by 5 seniors—Andrew J. Duncan, Nathan A. Flynn, Jose G. Rincon, Samuel E. Schlafer, John H. Schoenbrun