Cathedral SChool NatChez
CATHEDRAL SCHOOL NATCHEZ
VALEDICTORIAN:
JOSEPH BRADEN STARR
GPA: 4.40 – ACT: 34
From his speech: As we leave the familiar halls of Cathedral, we walk toward a future full of new and different expectations. We’ll face new environments, more diverse than the close-knit community we’ve grown up in. We’ll attend college, pursue careers, create families, and learn what it truly means to sacrifice. We’ll face uncertainty, opportunity, and change.
But in all of that, one thing remains constant: what we expect of ourselves – and more importantly, what God expects of us. In the busy years ahead, we may be tempted to measure our worth by success, income, or recognition. But we must remember that our true calling is deeper. We are called to live lives of compassion, selflessness, and stewardship. These are not just values taught in religion class, or values mentioned simply because this is a Catholic school; they are the foundation of a meaningful life. In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus reminds us that what we are given is not meant to be buried or wasted but multiplied for good. Our gifts, our knowledge, our time –they are tools for service. So, as we leave here tonight, let us carry with us more than just a diploma. Let us carry a sense of mission. Let us strive not only to meet expectations, but to exceed them in love, integrity, and purpose. Let us live not just for ourselves, but for others – and for God.
Church: Basilica of St. Mary, Natchez
Favorite service project: National March for Life in Washington, D.C.
Plans to attend: University of Southern Mississippi
Plans to study: Biology/Biomedical Sciences
Scholarships: National Merit Finalist; USM Honors Presidential; STAR Student; Phi Theta Kappa; and Valedictorian
Awards/honors: National Merit Finalist
Activities: National Honor Society; Peer Ministry Team; and Men’s Golf Team
Favorite subject: Calculus
Yearbook quote: “Let’s be intentional about the light, imagine a future, be in it.” – Björk
SALUTATORIAN:
ELIZABETH ASHLEY GREGG
GPA: 4.40 – ACT: 33
From her speech: Class of 2025, somewhere along the way, you learned how to climb, and now you stand at the top of a mountain. In the next few years, wherever they may take you, don’t stop climbing. If you think you’ve made it, you think you’re high enough, you think maybe I’ll just stop here, don’t. Do the things that push you and force you to keep going. If these past years taught me anything, it’s that the longer, more difficult journeys make you stronger and introduce you to new opportunities you would have never encountered on the easy road. So pick the hard path and challenge yourself, because you never know when you will have the opportunity to do it again. ...
To family and friends, alumni and students, and
– Number of graduates: 45
– Number attending 4-year colleges: 29
– Number attending community colleges: 13
– Number of scholarship recipients: 27
– Largest scholarship awarded: $182,280 to Millsaps College (Liza Gregg)
– Notable next steps: Owen Bertelsen and Logan Foster – United States Marine Corps; Lehmann Novak – United States Army
– Total amount of scholarships offered: $1,835,530
– Total amount of scholarships accepted: $959,196
– Total of service hours: 8,039 over four years
– Notable service projects: National Honor Society’s Pack the Bus
– Special Honors: STAR Teacher – Ralph Loe; Jules Michel Faculty Award – Weezie Mallory; Dorothy Garrity Memorial Scholarship – Robbie Lanehart; George and Ninnette Junkin Memorial Teacher Recognition –Clint Jeffus
– Mr. and Miss Cathedral: Frederick Lane and Kinslee Young
most importantly, this year’s graduating class, when you do reach the top of a mountain, extend a hand down and help others climb up behind you. Everything you have and everything you own is temporary – but everything you are is eternal. You will live on in the memories you inspire in others; make sure to be proud of your legacy.
Don’t ever doubt it; you can and you will conquer that mountain.
Church: Basilica of St. Mary, Natchez
Favorite service project: Vidalia Brightest Stars Ball
Plans to attend: Millsaps College
Plans to study: Biology (Pre-Med Track)
Scholarships: Premier Scholarship and Softball Scholarship
Awards/honors: ACT Excellence Award; National Championship Emerald Tide Dance Team (captain); MAIS All-District Catcher; MAIS District and South State Discus Champion; and Millsaps Premier Scholar
Activities: National Honor Society; Key Club; Natchez Youth Leadership; Peer Ministry Team; St. Mary Basilica CYO; Emerald Tide Dance Team; Lady Wave Softball Team; and Varsity Track Team
Favorite subject: Chemistry
Yearbook quote: “A tree falls the way it leans. Be careful which way you lean.” – Dr. Seuss in “The Lorax”
– Number of graduates: 64
– Number attending 4-year colleges: 55
– Number attending community colleges: 9
– Number of scholarship recipients: 59
– Largest scholarship awarded: Will Andrews –$260,000 to University of the South (Sewanee)
– Notable next steps: Amari Alexander – Howard University; Brad Evans, Phillip Macke and Jasmine Woodard – Military
– Total scholarships offered: $3,325,000
– Total scholarships accepted: $3,202,368
– Total amount of service hours: 10,631 hours over four years
– Notable service projects: Serving at Our Daily Bread food pantry in Canton and Sacred Heart’s food pantry; and BruinTHON
– STAR Student/Teacher: Hailey Crump/Star Teacher – Jenna Murphy
– Mr. and Miss St. Joe: Connor Odom and Peggy Steckler
ST. JOSEPH MADISON
VALEDICTORIAN:
HAILEY MICHELLE CRUMP
GPA: 4.379 – ACT: 34
Church: Christ United Methodist, Jackson
Favorite service project: Working at Mississippi Horses, a horse rescue in Canton, was incredibly meaningful to me. Being able to give back to them – caring for and helping improve their lives –
felt like a natural and deeply fulfilling extension of that lifelong bond I have had with these amazing animals.
Plans to attend: University of Alabama
Plans to study: Neuroscience (PreMed Track)
Awards/honors: Star Student; Not Your Average Joe Award (2024/2025); Magna Cum Laude on National Latin Exam (2022/2023); Academic Excellence (highest average): Latin I (20212022), Latin II (2022-2023), English II Honors (2022-2023), World History Honors (2022-2023), AP United States History (2023-2024), AP Government & Poli-
St. JoSeph MadiSoN
tics (2024-2025), AP Computer Science Principle (2024-2025), AP Literature and Composition (2024-2025), and Sociology (2024); Academic Commended: Pre-Calculus Honors (2023-2024), AP Biology (2023-2024); AP English Language and Composition (2023-2024), Anthropology (2025), AP Calculus AB (2024-2025), and Art II (2024-2025)
Activities: USEF Interscholastic Equestrian Athlete; Youth Legislature (junior and senior); and Mississippi Model Security Council (senior)
Favorite subject: Biology
VALEDICTORIAN:
ELAINA CECILE PRICE
GPA: 4.379 – ACT: 34
Church: St. Joseph Catholic Church, Gluckstadt
Favorite service project: Shower Power is my favorite service project because it allows me to connect with the overlooked in society and meets their basic human needs with dignity and love. I also value the time spent serving alongside my family and teammates and gaining appreciation for the blessings in my own life.
Plans to study: Biological Sciences (Pre-Med Track)
Awards/honors: MSU Luckyday Scholar; AP Scholar Award; Certificate of Achievement Award for 60+ hours of Gospel Service; The Mercy Service Award; 20 Academic Awards; Department Awards in English, Math and Science; Cum Laude National Latin Exam Award; Honor Roll; Principal’s Honor Roll; WAPT Student Athlete Recognition; Robert M. Hamil Memorial Scholarship; Daughters of the American Revolution Youth Citizenship Award; National Honor Society (president); Science National Honor Society (president), National Latin Honor Society; National English Honor Society; Mu Alpha Theta; and Rho Kappa
Plans to attend: Mississippi State University
Activities: St. Joe Varsity Girls Soccer (captain); Varsity Tennis; Varsity Swim Team; IFC Soccer Team (captain); Retreat Team Leader; Student Council (secretary); and Madison Civinettes
Favorite subject: Biology
SALUTATORIAN: JENNIFER COURSEY CROTTY
GPA: 4.2615 – ACT: 33
Church: Chapel of the Cross Episcopal Church, Madison
Favorite service project: One of my favorite service projects was ALIVE in You Service Camp in Knoxville, Tennessee, where I enjoyed helping organize and clean local secondhand shops
to support the community.
Plans to attend: Mississippi State University
Plans to study: Kinesiology or Nutrition
Awards/ honors: Salutatorian; Not Your Average Joe Faculty Award for overall outstanding character; Homecoming Court – Queen (12th) and Maid (10th); Who’s Who – Most Kind (12th); 30+ ACT Society (11th/12th); Academic Excellence (highest average): DC English Composition I, Government, Art II, US History Honors, Environmental Science, Geometry Honors, World History, and Theology II; Academic Commended: AP Computer Science, Trigonometry Honors, and Human Anatomy and Physiology; Art/Design: ‘24 Prom Brochure and Entrance Ticket; Principal’s Honor Roll; and Honor Roll
Activities: Retreat Leader; Student Council (Parliamentarian 11th and Student Body Representative 12th; St. Joe Campus Tour Leader; Cheer Team; All Star Cheerleader (12th); Mu Alpha Theta Tutor; Mini Cheer Camp Counselor; Girls Varsity Basketball Team Manager; Tennis Team; Diamond Girl (captain); and Madison County Civinettes
Favorite subject: Science
in service to the
goods students donated to assist families for
a
by organizing
VICKSBURG – (Below) St. Al senior Taylor Zadrozny makes sure his PreK buddy Jack stays hydrated on the playground. (Photo by Anna Griffing)
GREENVILLE – (Above) St. Joseph seniors, Cadence McDonald, Malorie Lockett and Kimberly Holland engage
community
canned
Thanksgiving. (Below) Seniors, CJ Martinek and Jay Chow help unload
truck full of canned goods collected for St. Vincent de Paul. (Photos by Nikki Thompson)
VICKSBURG – St. Al senior girls fight to win a game of tug-of-war during field day. Pictured: Maddie Rice, Stella Buckner and Julia Tuminello. (Photo by Anna Griffing)
MADISON – Dr. Dena Kinsey, principal of St. Joseph Catholic School in Madison, adjusts senior Bash Brown’s National Honor Society stole before he joined other Bruin graduates on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, for a group photo at the amphitheater before graduation in the school gym. (Photo courtesy of St. Joe School Madison)
VICKSBURG – (Below) St. Al seniors visit their PreK buddies during class time after the year’s first Senior Mass at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. (Photo by Anna Griffing)
MADISON – Peggy Steckler, Miss St. Joe, and Connor Odom, Mr. St. Joe, outside the Malco Renaissance Cinema Grill in the Renaissance Shopping Center in Ridgeland. St. Joe high school students chose Steckler and Odom for the honor earlier this spring. (Photo courtesy of St. Joe School Madison)
13,
St. JoSeph GreeNville
ST. JOSEPH GREENVILLE
VALEDICTORIAN:
MARY KATHRYN STRINGER
GPA: 4.2059 – ACT: 31
From her speech: My parents always said that this year would be a huge transition period for me. Early this year that scared me a lot but I am much less anxious now because the Lord has been preparing the way for me to step into who he knows I can be. I know that when I can’t see the way ahead of me he is always there to guide my steps.
Proverbs 16:3 says “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your path.”
This verse summed up my year really nicely and I think it will probably be the first sticky note that I put on my desk in college. No matter what path my classmates and I decide to take after we leave this place, my hope for us is that we will all end up doing something that we love.
Church: Emmanuel Baptist Church, Greenville
Favorite service project: Vacation Bible School is a special way for me to give back to my church and share the joy I experienced as a kid. I love helping create a fun, meaningful space where children can get excited about learning God’s Word.
Plans to attend: Mississippi State University
Plans to study: Biological Studies (Pre-Med Track)
Scholarships: Nina Bologna Scholarship; Washington County Rotary 4 Way Test Scholarship; Mississippi State Freshman Academic Excellence Schol-
– Number of graduates: 26
– Number of students attending 4-year colleges: 11
– Number of students attending community colleges: 11
– Number of scholarship recipients: 20
– Largest scholarship awarded: $92,004 to Xavier University (Cadence McDonald)
– Notable next steps: Jose Gonzalez and Quendarius Brown – Military
– Total amount of scholarships offered: $2,099,153
– Total amount of scholarships accepted: $460,137
– Total amount of service hours: 1,069.5
– Notable Service Projects: Work with St. Vincent DePaul; and Mu Alpha Theta seniors tutored elementary students
– STAR Student/Teacher: Mary Kathryn Stringer/ Star Teacher – Brian McGaugh
– Mr. and Miss St. Joe: Jose Gonzalez and Carol Jane “CJ” Martinek
arship; STAR Student Scholarship; Valedictorian Scholarship; MTAG; Imminent Scholars Scholarship; and Hodding Carter Scholarship
Awards/honors: National Honor Society; National Junior Honor Society; Mu Alpha Theta; Honors Graduate; Mississippi Scholars; Star Student; Woodmen Life Association American History Award; Imminent Scholars Award; Greenville Rotary Club 4-Way Test Award; Mississippi Blood Services Recognition; Most Likely to Succeed; Best Actress Award; Highest Average: Honors Economics, Honors U.S. Government, AP Calculus, Zoology, and Religion (12th)
Activities: Tennis Team; National Honor Society; Mu Alpha Theta; Interact Club; and Environmental Science Club
Favorite subject: History
SALUTATORIAN:
CAROL JANE MARTINEK
GPA: 4.1176 – ACT: 25
From her speech: My dear classmates, may we always keep our sense of humor, follow our hearts, and never be afraid to climb that next mountain. 2nd Timothy 1:7 says, “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” Fear can lead to feet that are frozen ... and frozen feet can’t take you anywhere – don’t get frozen!
Class of 2025, do not look at challenges with a fearful eye, but rather walk towards them with confidence, guided by the power and love of our Father.
Church: St. Joseph Catholic Church, Greenville
Favorite service project: One of my favorite service projects was visiting Camp Looking Glass with my mom to give horse rides to children with mental disabilities. It was incredibly rewarding to offer them a joyful experience they might not otherwise have.
Plans to attend: Northwest Mississippi Community College
Plans to study: Secondary Math Education
Scholarships: Mississippi Professional Educators 2025 High School Senior Scholarship; Unkel Trust Scholarship; Charles D. Taylor Endowed Scholarship; and NWCC Bouchillon Scholarship
Awards/honors: National Honor Society; National Junior Honor Society; Mu Alpha Theta; Mississippi Scholars; Honors Graduate; HOBY Youth Leadership Representative; Girls State Representative; Greenville Knights of Columbus Award; Mississippi Blood Services Recognition; Most Athletic Award; E.J. Lueckenbach Award; Best Actress Award; Miss SJS; and Charles S. Kerg Award
Activities: Interact Club; National Honor Society; Mu Alpha Theta; Cheer Team; Drama; Soccer; Softball; Student Government; Archery; and Environmental Science Club
Favorite subject: History
St. aloySiuS viCkSburG
– Number of graduates: 40
– Number of students attending 4-year colleges: 30
– Number of students attending community colleges: 10
– Number of scholarship recipients: 40
– Largest scholarship awarded: $343,540 to Wake Forest University (Teresa Wilson)
ST. ALOYSIUS VICKSBURG
VALEDICTORIAN:
JOHN CALEB STUART
GPA: 4.61 – ACT: 32
From his speech: I would also like to thank every teacher here who made this school a safe space for learning and living out our faith. I would like to thank my parents for everything they have done for me. They are my biggest supporters, and while I credit them and my family members with my success, I also cannot downplay the impact this school has had on me.
When I sat down to write this speech, I asked myself a simple question: “How has my education at St. Al affected me?” The answer, I soon realized, can’t be found in words, but in a thousand moments that have shaped me into who I am today.
I’ve been part of Vicksburg Catholic School from kindergarten all the way through senior year. ... Now, standing here as a graduate, I realize just how fast it all went.
While playing on the tennis team, something Coach Shields said stuck with me: “Don’t count the time – make the time count.” You often don’t realize just how important this is until the time is gone. There are moments we will never get back, but we made those moments count, and now we have memories from this school that will forever be cherished.
Favorite service project:
– Total amount of scholarships accepted: $2,000,000
– Notable next steps: Jaden Wheeldon – United States Air Force
– Total amount of service hours: 15,224
– Notable service projects: Storehouse Community Food Pantry; Blessing Box on Grove; and Senior Buddies
– Mr. and Miss St. Al: Thompson Fortenberry and Ryan Hadley Grey
Doing activities with our senior buddies because it reminds me of when I was in kindergarten.
Plans to attend: Mississippi State University
Plans to study: Computer Science
Scholarships: Freshmen Academic Excellence Scholarship; and Paul A. and Mary Elgie Frederic Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Awards/honors: National Merit Scholar
Activities: Tennis Team and Quiz Bowl
Favorite subject: English
SALUTATORIAN:
SAMANTHA LIN EDWARDS
GPA: 4.60 – ACT: 34
From her speech: I want to leave you with one more thing, that is the question we’ve been asked to answer since preschool, “Who do you want to be when you grow up?” When I think back on my years spent at St. Aloysius, I think about all the people who have inspired me, teammates, coaches, classmates, and the qualities they have that I want to one day also have. I have learned that change is inevitable, but it can also be intentional. So, I ask you to think about who you want to be because now it’s up to us to decide. It’s our choice. ... We have a daunting task before us, to become who we want to be, but it’s safe to say we are off to a good start. I leave you with some encouragement from 2 Timothy 2:12: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”
Church: First Baptist Church of Vicksburg
Favorite service project: Operation Christmas Child Shoebox is a favorite project of mine because it is a great way to share the Gospel.
Plans to attend: Mississippi State University
Plans to study: Mechanical Engineering
Scholarships: Bagley College of Engineering Excellence Scholarship; National Merit Finalist Housing Award; National Merit Finalist Scholarship; STAR Student Scholarship; Paul A. and Mary Elgie Frederic Memorial Endowed Scholarship; Lauren Hall Female Athlete of the Year Scholarship; Carson Kurtz Memorial Scholarship; and ERDC Alumni Scholarship
Awards/honors: National Merit Finalist; Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award (11); Honors Physics Highest Grade Award (11); AP United States History Highest Grade Award (11): Spanish I Highest Grade Award (9); Geography Highest Grade Award (9); Honors Geometry Highest Grade Award (9); Honors Algebra I Highest Grade Award (8); National Honor Society; and Mu Alpha Theta (10, 11, 12)
Activities: Soccer Team (captain); Cross Country Team (captain); Track Team; FRC Robotics; Student Government Association; Concert and Marching Band; Retreat Team; and Senior/7th Grade Mentor
Favorite subject: Science
CoNGratulatioNS to the ClaSS oF 2025
St. JoSeph MadiSoN
Amari Elizabeth Alexander
Bailee Jordan Alexander*
Kaelyn Anaiyah Alexander
Robert Cole Allen*
Yosvani Arenas Alvarez
Cassie Virgie Isabella Anderson
Maris Ramon Andorfer*
William Brooke Andrews
Abigail Kate Blackwood*
Eliana Grace Bossier
Gavin Isaiah Brice
Sebastian Malouf Brown*
William Turner Brown*
Logan Louis Bruening
William Brandon Burkes
Stephanie Ann Burton
Samuel Ashley Clements*
Jonah Anthony Coco*
Sydney Claire Collins*
Jennifer Coursey Crotty*
Hailey Michelle Crump*
Maliyah Alexis Dillard*
Aaron Gilbert Emrick
Bradford Pierre Evans
Madisyn Iman Evans
Azul Jettzel Garcia
Preston Allen Garrison
Rodney Alan Garrison
Logan Hayes Gomez*
Fletcher Jett Goodwin*
Terance Isaiah Hardeman
omas Peyton Hitchcock
Lilly Marcella Hlavac*
Denley Andrew Holloway
Dashiell Atticus Xavier Klein*
Anna Kate Kosek
So a Isabella Liberto*
Sydney Kate Wink Lieb*
Phillip omas Macke*
Alexander DeShaun Mason
Annsley Marie Maynor*
Colin Charles McElwain*
Molly Margaret Moody*
Marion Paul Mooney, III*
Emma Ann O’Brien
Connor Scott Odom*
Macon Marie Ogburn
Evan Alexander Orsborn
Eli Por rio Ortiz
Lucero Pascual-Delgado
Quinton Montgomery Pope
Elaina Cecile Price*
Richard Russell Pullen Jr.
Ryan Michael Rainer*
Jackson Roth Rodgers
Ella Mamie Sandel
Nyla Ruth Simon-Johnson*
Samuel Michael Spring eld
Margaret Dale Steckler*
Ann Elizabeth Vanderloo
Tristian Aiviyan Walker
Jonathan Kelly Warnock*
Stella Mae Williams
Jasmine Kanorria Woodard
St. JoSeph GreeNville
Kennedy Simone Alexander Emily Ballon
Triston D. Beckworth
Quendarius Lamar Brown
Javeon D. Byars
James omas Chow
Kimistry Abria Collier*
Jaden Ja’Quez Easley
Joshua Benjamin Galloway
Jose Santos Gonzalez II
Maria Elizabeth Guillen
John Haggard III
Kimberly Dianne Holland*
Malorie Claire Lockett*
Carol Jane Martinek*(S)
Cadence Morgan McDonald*
Lane Michael McKay
Christopher William Moore
Ja’Quavious Ahmad Nash
Yasmin Lizbeth Ortiz*
Krishna Ketankumar Patel
Morgan Tuveria Sims
Hannah Grace Smith
Mary Kathryn Stringer*(V)
Jacoby Isaiah Watson
Jason Eli Williamson
Cathedral NatChez
John Clayton Atkins
Owen Craig Bertelsen
Brayden Douglas Blanton
Charlotte Pyper Elizabeth Book
Braxton Cole Brice
Anna Grace Britt
Bailey Rae Brown
Christopher Ja’Caryous Bufor
Brian Raymond Burgess
Nichakon Afana Chenyavanit*
Corey Alan Conn
William Peyton Covington
Lily Marie Crum*
Christopher Troy Dillon
Madelyn Glynn Fielder*
Kolemyn Grace Fisher*
Lillie Kay Floyd*
Logan Serio Foster
Landon Joseph French
Jade Qei’Nylah Goods
Elizabeth Ashley Gregg* (S) Aiden Layne Hu
Maddox Cody Je us
Ethan Earl Keith*
Landon Shain King
Lauren Jean Lambuth*
Frederick Armarion Lane
Sally Hudson Linton*
Allie Grace McGehee*
Joseph Michael Misita
Alexander Deion Monagan
Lehmann Hoge Novak
Ivy Nicole Rushing
Ella McKenzie Samrow*
Wesley Lewis Simpson*
Emma Claire Smith
Samantha Gayle Smith
Joseph Braden Starr* (V)
Sarah Grace Stewart
Elizabeth Francis Verucchi*
James Brent Murray Warren
Jackson Sao Webb*
Lacy Temple Welch*
Joshua Tate White
Erin Kinslee Young*
St. aloySiuS viCkSburG
Brody Christopher Barnett
Laken Gage Bradley
Bailey Grace Brogdon*
Stella Louise Buckner*
Will Corbin Burroughs*
Ellery Tate Connell*
Ryan Crawford Davidson*
Samantha Lin Edwards* (S)
De’Marques Lonnell Elexander Flowers*
ompson Carr Fortenberry
Ryan Hadley Grey*
Sarah Grace Griggs
Samuel Joseph Hall*
Mia Isabella Hendricks*
Clark Campbell Hobson
Joshua Patrick Kitchens*
Anna Grace Lovins
Alice Grace Luke
James Robert McCain
Anthony Dawayne McCloud, II
Julia Elizabeth Moberley
John Ellis Montgomery*
Kirill Ivanovich Pokrovskiy
Peyton Elise Rainer*
Madison Elizabeth Rice
Eli Daniel Shiers
Carson Walker Smith
Julius Tomoya Spears*
Macy Elizabeth Stauble
Lollie Rae Stevens
John Caleb Stewart* (V)
Raegan Kathryn ornell*
Maria Celeste Torres*
Olivia Angel Trcka*
Julia Elizabeth Tuminello*
Jaden Grierson Wheeldon
Teresa Ly Wilson*
Dalton John Windham
Carrie Lynn Wood*
Taylor Jack Zadrozny