Posted on Sun, Jun 10, 2012 : 2 p.m.
Father Gabriel Richard High School Top Scholars
By AnnArbor.com Staff
Father Gabriel Richard High School held its 2012 graduation ceremonies May 24, 6:30 p.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church. The class included 113 graduates.
Alexandra Kiers
Activities and Awards: Alexandra was a member of the National Honor Society and has achieved highest honors all four years. She was a four-year member of the girls varsity lacrosse team and a captain in her junior and senior years. She received the Coach's Award her junior year. In addition to lacrosse, Alexandra played freshman and JV volleyball and was voted as a captain of the JV volleyball team. Alexandra also ran varsity cross country during her junior and senior years. She received the Women's Cross Country Scholar Athlete Award her senior year. She has volunteered her time helping serve meals at a local senior home, acting as a mentor and leader at her parish’s vacation Bible school, and has recently participated in a mission trip to Mexico.
Plans After Graduation: Alexandra will be attending the University of Michigan.
Cecilia LaCroix
Activities and Awards: Cecilia was a member of the National Honor Society. In her senior year, she served on the NHS executive board at FGR. She was a member of the Scholastic All Catholic team and an AP Scholar. She has been an active member of her church youth group. Cecilia has a heart of service; she went on a mission trip to Costa Rica to serve orphaned girls. During her senior year, she served at Schola Artium as a tutor to disadvantaged children. She plans to go on a mission trip this summer to serve in the poorest county of the U.S. Cecilia was awarded the Board of Directors Scholarship to Valparaiso University.
Plans After Graduation: Cecilia will be attending Valparaiso University, majoring in mathematics.
Maria Louise Ligeski
Activities and Awards: Maria was a member of the National Honor Society and served on the Executive Board during her senior year. Maria played on the women's soccer team for four years and was named the "Hardest Worker" for her junior year. Additionally, Maria participated in Drama Club throughout her high school years; performing in two musicals, two dramas and four Christmas plays. Maria served her classmates directly as Senior Class Representative for Student Council. Maria takes her faith seriously, serving her peers and community through the Faith in Action Club, the Pro-Life Club, Campus Ministry, and Mission Trips to Appalachia, Costa Rica and Mexico.
Plans After Graduation: Maria will be attending the University of Michigan, majoring in either biomedical or chemical engineering.
Mary Kate Mitchell
Activities and Awards: Mary Kate Mitchell was President of the National Honor Society and a three year member of Student Council, currently serving as Senior Class Treasurer. She played Varsity Softball her first two years and basketball all four years of high school (two seasons on Varsity) where she was selected for the Catholic League All-Academic Girls’ Basketball Honor Team. Mary Kate was an AP Scholar and won two Catholic League All-Academic Medals for her GPA. She has won scholarships from the ASM International Detroit Chapter, the Engineering Society of Detroit, and the Wilcox Foundation. Along with her athletic and academic achievements, Mary Kate was elected Senior Homecoming Court Princess and found time to tutor in math and chemistry as well as be a middle school youth group leader at church. Mary Kate Mitchell will graduate as Salutatorian of her class.
Plans After Graduation: Mary Kate will be attending Michigan Technological University, majoring in Chemical Engineering.
Sean Norton
Activities and Awards: Sean was a member of the National Honor Society. He was the class valedictorian and an AP Scholar with Honors. Sean was on the basketball team his freshman and sophomore years and was voted team captain his freshman year. He was also on the varsity track team his freshman, sophomore, and junior years, and varsity tennis team his senior year. He also attended a week long mission trip in Mexico City during the spring break of his senior year.
Plans After Graduation: Sean will be attending Michigan State University, majoring in chemical engineering with a specialization in biomedical engineering.
Marilyn Schoenle
Parents: Janna and Jerry Schoenle
Activities and Awards: Marilyn was part of National Honor Society and was an AP scholar. She also participated in her school’s Drama Club, Pro-Life Club, and Faith in Action Club.
Plans After Graduation: Next year, Marilyn will major in Biochemistry at Hillsdale College.
Parents: Missy and Brian Sullivan
Activities and Awards: Rachel is a member of the campus ministry leadership team, where she leads retreats and small group. She is on the National Honor Society, where she tutors and does service projects. Rachel hosted a German exchange student last fall and plans will travel to Germany in the summer to complete the exchange. In addition, Rachel plays tennis and the flute, as well as being involved in leading faith formation programs at her church.
Plans After Graduation: Rachel plans to attend Michigan State next fall and study microbiology and genetics.
Aaron Ward
Parents: Ken and Cindy Ward
Activities and Awards: Aaron transferred in to Gabriel Richard in junior year and has since consistently been in the top of his class, receiving a math and an English award. He was a member of the competitive speaking team, and won 2012 regionals. Throughout his time, he has been involved with a Catholic men's group and his school's right-to-life club.
Plans After Graduation: Aaron will be attending the honors program at University of Michigan Dearborn, and will study electrical engineering.