The Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Little Rock
The next generation of leaders graduated in May with a Catholic education and a deeper understanding of their beliefs. In this section, you’ll read about students who stood out for their academic prowess, talents and struggles they’ve overcome. Learn more about the valedictorians and salutatorians and find your loved one in the lists of all the graduates. Prayers and blessings to our graduates!
Whether Apolo Castillo Jr. is masquerading onstage as Oscar Madison in a production of “The Odd Couple” or keeping it upbeat and jazzy playing “Birdland” on his trumpet, it’s never about capturing the spotlight.
“We recognize that the shows that we put on, they’re not for us, they’re for the people we’re playing for. Because we’re doing that we enjoy it so much more,” the Subiaco Academy senior said.
Castillo, 17, a day student at the Academy, has been a standout in More... 
MORRILTON — Daniel Zachary never led the box scores in basketball, never set the world on fire on the golf team and never held an office on the student council to which he was elected his final two years at Sacred Heart High School.
But none who participated in those activities alongside of him — as well as Beta Club and Key Club — would have got as much out of those experiences without him.
“Being around More...
A wide smile, bright eyes and a sweet laugh, Lexi Caruthers exudes a positivity that no one would expect from a life that easily could have gone down a dark path. Her life struggles, she explained, are rather “complicated,” but there are no qualms about the blessings she’s taken from them.
“I’m just thankful that I’m healthy and still here because if it wouldn’t have been for my grandmother I probably wouldn’t be here today,” she said of Becky More...
For the first few years of Bryan Onyekwelu’s life, he was living in Oakland, Calif., but he was surrounded by the Nigerian culture and language of his parents.
“I was just with my mom the entire time (after I was born). I didn’t even know how to speak English. I was speaking Igbo (pronounced EE-boo), which of one of 250 languages in Nigeria. That is one of the main languages. That was my first language for More...
CONWAY — Ian Martin O’Dwyer is leaving behind tangible legacies at St. Joseph High School in Conway when he accepts his diploma.
He was instrumental in starting the Cyber Café and coffee shop as well as a weekly student news channel. He excelled all three years of its existence on the cross country team, played soccer two seasons, served as co-president of the Student Cabinet and lectored at school Masses.
“I think I need to leave my mark More...
St. Joseph High School graduation was held May 20 in the church.
Marley Spradlin was named the valedictorian. Parker Trussell, son of Larry and Dr. Anne Trussell, was named the salutatorian. He will be attending the University of Central Arkansas Honors College, majoring in computer science and computer engineering.
Other graduates are:
Anna Claire Bailey
Gretchen Elizabeth Carden
Christopher Wyatt Davis
Alli Grace Felts
Audrey Kay Ferrari
Michael Eli Frost
Caroline Francis Hambuchen
Emily Camille Hambuchen
Julia Elizabeth Hambuchen
Clayton Spencer Heathscott
Lauren Elizabeth Holbrook
Olivia Josephine Huett
Chloe Ashton More...
The Catholic High School graduation was held May 25 on the school’s Roy Davis Field. The master of ceremonies was senior Cole Alexander Blagg and the commencement speakers were seniors Samuel Joseph Straessle and Grant Christopher Nolen.
The valedictorian is Harrison Scott Brown.
Blagg, son of Jason and Susan Blagg, is the salutatorian. He attends Immaculate Conception Church in North Little Rock and plans to study at John Brown University in the fall. He has not decided More...
On May 24, Mount St. Mary Academy will host its graduation at Robinson Center. Gretchen Hall, Class of 1997 and president and CEO of the Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, will be the graduation speaker.
Katie Strickland will be the valedictorian. Clare Martine, daughter of Audrey and William Martine, will be the salutatorian. She plans to study in the College of Science and Mathematics at Auburn University.
Other graduates are:
Rose Alexsis Alexander
Megan Christine Alley
Grace Antonia Alvarez
Aryn More...
Sacred Heart High School graduation was held May 19 in Morrilton.
Christian Briggler was the valedictorian. The salutatorian was Olivia Duvall, daughter of Chad and Belinda Duvall. She will be attending the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton.
Other graduates are:
Paul “Witt” Dumas
Jacob Guinn
John Hoelzeman
Giorgia Martorana
Jayden McCoy
Brayden Mearns
Andrew Poole
Savannah Smith
Brayden Sponer
Emily Tipton
Daniel Zachary
More...
On Saturday, May 12, the inner court of Subiaco Abbey was the site of the Subiaco Academy graduation. Tim Barfield of Baton Rouge, La., was the graduation speaker. Barfield is president of CSRS Inc. and previously had served as secretary for the Louisiana Department of Revenue.
Woo Chan Lee was the valedictorian. Diego Calvillo, son of Cecilia and Ramiro Calvillo, was the salutatorian. He is a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith and he More...
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