Class of 2026 - Insert

Dear C lass of 2026, Congratulations on this incredible milestone! During your years in our Catholic schools, you have been formed not only academically, but spiritually and morally, grounded in faith, strengthened in character, and prepared to lead with courage and compassion.

As you begin this next chapter, carry with you the lessons learned, the friendships forged, and the deep foundation of faith that will guide your decisions and steady you through every challenge and opportunity. Trust that God walks with you always.

May God bless you abundantly in the journey ahead. We are proud of you.

With prayers and congratulations, Misty Poe, Superintendent of Catholic Schools

National Merit Scholars Recognized The Catholic Schools’ yearly St. Thomas Aquinas Mass honors select middle school students for their leadership and service to the community and high school students for their academic achievements.

This year, 58 middle school students and 41 high school students were recognized.

High school academic achievements include the following: 4 First-Generation Recognition Awards 17 School Recognition Awards 1 Rural and Small Town Recognition Award 15 National Commended Scholars 3 National Merit Semifinalists 1 National Merit Finalist

Congratulations to all our student scholars, we are proud of you!

BISHOP LOUIS REICHER CATHOLIC SCHOOL 2102 N. 23rd St., Waco | Bishopreicher.com

Scholars The Class of 2026 has averaged three college acceptances per student, with admissions to schools such as the University of Mississippi, Benedictine College, University of North Texas, Texas A&M University, Baylor University, and Ave Maria University. Many are receiving merit scholarships ranging from $45,000 to full rides, and are active members of the National Honor Society (NHS), German NHS, and Spanish NHS. Leaders Our seniors demonstrate leadership through service and involvement in organizations such as Teen Leadership Waco and National Charity League.

Saints Our seniors have logged more than 1,000 hours of community service, putting their faith into action. The Class of 2026 also traveled on pilgrimage to Rome, walking in the footsteps of saints. During their visit, Pope Francis signed their pilgrimage banner, marking a memorable moment in their faith journey.

HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 6608 W. Adams Ave., Temple | Holytrinitychs.org

Leadership Ten seniors will represent Holy Trinity on the 2026 TAPPS State Academic and/or Art Team.

One senior signed with Concordia University Texas on an academic scholarship and will compete in cross country, track, and soccer.

Three seniors also earned the NSDA Academic All-American Award for excellence in speech and debate.

Service The Class of 2026 has shown remarkable leadership and service.

Seniors organized the 8th Grade Retreat, welcoming visiting students and sharing campus life. They raised funds for Adam’s Tree and Memorial Bench and volunteer weekly at St. Mary’s Catholic School, Temple. They have also honored priests and parents with letters and appreciation baskets.

Excellence The Class of 2026 will attend universities including Texas A&M, the University of Oklahoma, and Texas A&M– Corpus Christi. Seniors have been accepted to 27 universities and trade schools and have earned more than $284,762 in scholarships per year, over $1.18 million across four years, reflecting their dedication and bright futures.

SAN JUAN DIEGO CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 2512 South First St., Austin | Sjdchs.org

Bringing Hope This year’s senior class has completed nearly 3,000 service hours, volunteering at some of our community's favorite nonprofits, including Community First! Village, Down Home Ranch, Caritas of Austin, and Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI), to name a few.

Educating Hearts & Minds San Juan Diego Catholic High School once again achieved a 100% college acceptance rate. Our senior class earned admission to more than 75 different colleges and universities, including Xavier University, Purdue University, Louisiana State University, Rutgers University, as well as international institutions such as John Cabot University in Rome and St. Louis University-Madrid. Students garnered more than $2.3 million in scholarship offers.

ST. DOMINIC SAVIO CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 9300 Neenah Ave., Austin | Saviochs.org

Academic Excellence The Class of 2026 includes three National Merit Finalists and nine Commended Scholars. 96% of the class has taken at least one AP Exam and together they have taken a total of 525 AP Exams.

College Prep The 98 students in the Class of 2026 have over 350 college combined acceptances so far, including 29 to Texas A&M, 13 to The University of Texas at Austin, two to Notre Dame, and one to Harvard.

Servant Leadership The Class of 2026 has completed 15,921 service hours so far, and counting, for a combined economic value of $433,057.

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL

600 S. Coulter Dr., Bryan | Stjosephschoolbcs.org

Mind Many of our seniors have been accepted to top universities, including Texas A&M, Baylor University, Texas Tech, and Sam Houston State University, reflecting their academic dedication and commitment to excellence.

Body Our varsity girls basketball team achieved an incredible milestone, finishing as state runner-up for the second year in a row, and one senior signed her letter of intent to play soccer at Dallas Baptist University.

Spirit Five seniors serve on the ministry leadership team, organizing retreats and prayer services that nurture the faith and community of their fellow students.

ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL

520 Washburn St., Taylor | Stmarystaylor.org College Bound The Class of 2026 has achieved 100% acceptance rate to 23 universities across the nation, including Franciscan University, Catholic University of America, University of Mary, Loyola Chicago, Loyola - New Orleans, Baylor University, Texas A&M University, and University of Texas.

Faith in Action: Leadership & Service Our nine seniors have served thousands of hours in numerous leadership and service positions in our school, parish, and community. These students are active altar servers, lectors, liturgical choir members, Youth Ministry student leaders, student mentors, House Prefects, captains of our sports teams, club leaders, and National Honor Society members. They attended the National March for Life in Washington DC and walked in the footsteps of the saints while on our pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi last year.

GO RAMS GO!

Academic Distinction Seniors have earned $1.8 million in combined scholarship offers and three College Board Recognitions: two National Rural and Small Town Recognitions, and one School Recognition Award.

ST. MICHAEL’S CATHOLIC PREPARATORY SCHOOL 3000 Barton Creek Blvd., Austin | Smcprep.org

Courage Through Winter Term global studies in Denmark, Croatia, Austria, and Belize, seniors embraced new perspectives and experiences exploring sustainability, history, culture, and the Catholic faith while also serving in international health clinics.

Excellence St. Michael’s is incredibly proud of our seniors and their remarkable achievements. One student earned a perfect ACT score, placing in the top 0.22% of test-takers. Another was named a National Merit Finalist, and seven seniors were recognized by the National Merit Program. Students have received acceptances to outstanding universities, including Rice, Notre Dame, UVA, Swarthmore, Wisconsin, Ohio State, UT McCombs, and Texas A&M. Integrity Seniors have contributed more than 12,000 community service hours to date, living their faith through leadership, mentorship, and outreach.