As the 76th graduating class from John Carroll Catholic High School (JCCHS), the Class of 2023 will be remembered as one that achieved many outstanding milestones and worked to overcome significant challenges on their way to leaving their mark on the school's history.  

As the largest graduating class in five years (139), they earned an impressive list of scholarship awards and acceptances, including three students who will be attending the University of Notre Dame, one going to Princeton University, and one going to Washington and Lee University as a Presidential Scholarship recipient. In addition, close to 100% of the graduates will be attending a college, university, or trade/technical school. Nine students will be going on to compete in their sport at the collegiate level, and the class served the school and the greater community through a record number of service hours.  

Lastly, the graduates leave a legacy of faith and devotion evident through their involvement as retreat leaders and participants, their work in campus ministry, and the community-wide praise and worship nights they helped organize. The Class of 2023 excelled and are a testament to the value of the education of the whole person, in the model of Christ, and they should be congratulated and honored for their example, achievements, and unyielding Cavalier Spirit.

Speaking of the class, President Father Jon Chalmers remarked, “As a Catholic high school, John Carroll forms young people who are inspired by a passion for learning and seek to lead lives of significance to God and others. The Class of 2023 embodies these words and is a testament to the enduring legacy of John Carroll students. They have left a mark of excellence in academics, fine arts, athletics, and, most importantly, the school's spiritual life. Congratulations to the members of the Class of 2023 - we know you will carry the light of Christ and the spirit of John Carroll with you throughout your life.”  

Senior Class Awards Night

The celebration of the Class of 2023 began on Tuesday, May 16, with the annual Senior Class Awards Night. Students and their families gathered in the JCCHS auditorium to recognize the achievements of the class. Of the graduates, 60% earned a scholarship or grant, totaling over $11 million. The students performed 11,264 hours of service to the Birmingham community, and 99% of the class will continue their education at two and four-year colleges/universities or trade/technical schools.

Lily Watts, a graduate of St. Francis Xavier Catholic School (SFX), was announced as the class valedictorian and Tanner Barlow, a graduate of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School (OLS), was recognized as class salutatorian. Watts will be attending The University of Georgia, and Barlow will be attending Washington and Lee University. 

The other awards given include: The Linda and Roy Taylor Memorial Scholarship - Piper Metcalf, The Joe Perry Scholarship - Kiera Lawrence, The Tyler Porter Memorial Scholarship - William Gignilliat, The Sister Dominica Award - Sam Rickman, The Tom Banks Award - Ren Elder and Abi Schumann, The Floyd Meshad Award - Jacob McMahon, The Pat Sullivan Award - Isabella Corsini, The Deacon Joe Stephens Award - Elizabeth Goh, The Robert Lumpkins Award - Ella Weise, The Lynette Bice Casey Cavalier Spirit Award - Zach Truitt, The Bailey Chesnut Scholarship - Hannah Adcock, The Marjorie Champion Salamone Award - Isaac Ford, The Destin Doughty Track Award - Aidan Lange, The Destin Doughty Art Award - Lucie Schauer, The Sister Mary Leo Emmaus Award - Hope Lacy and Aden Savany, The Joe Milazzo Art Award - Korando Mendez, Senior Musicianship Award - Blase Beaumont, Band Merit Award - William Ranieri and Hudson McKinney, Patrick Gilmore Award - Megan Stickley, Phillip Sousa Award - Hannah Adcock and Anna Williams, and Cavs IN Service Award - Maria Groover.

Other recognitions included: Eagle Scouts - Aidan Lange and Henry Russell, Kiwanis Scholar of the Year - Elizabeth Okunbor, Kiwanis Athlete of the Year - Mia Mugavero, U.S. Presidential Scholar - Stanley Stoutamire, Jr., Rotary Club Scholar of the Year - Elizabeth Okunbor, Distinguished Young Woman (Shelby County) - Salena Marino, Alabama 4-H Scholarship - Stanley Stoutamire, Jr., The Cotton Foundation Scholarship - Kalib Thomas, The Drummond Company Scholarship - Helen Macher, Gamble’s Choice Scholarship - Zania Wilson, Sons of the American Revolution - Stanley Stoutamire, Jr., OLV Knights of Columbus - Helen Macher, Bryant-Jordan Achievement - Gracie Mills, Bryant-Jordan Academic - Jacob McMahon, USMC Distinguished Athletes - KJ Beck and Gracie Mills, USMC Scholastic Excellence - Adeline Jehu, and AP Capstone Candidates - Tanner Barlow, Anna Frances Hankes, Johnna Hawkins, Helen Macher, Mia Mugavero, Zion Norman, Aden Savany, Stanley Stoutamire Jr., Mary Evins Tapley, Zach Truitt, Kennedi Washington, and Lily Watts. 

The top ten students in the Class of 2023, from first to tenth, were Adeline Jehu, Lily Watts, Tanner Barlow, Jacob McMahon, Amelia Massa, Mia Mugavero, Stanley Stoutamire, Jr., Salena Marino, Helen Macher, and Sam Rickman.

Students recognized for their commitment to play collegiate sports were Kayla Coley-Drayton, Spring Hill College (softball); William Gignilliat, Covenant College (baseball); Elizabeth Goh, Florida State University (colorguard); Heath Jehu, The University of Kentucky (football); Gracie Mills, Central Alabama Community College (softball); Margaret Powell, Sweet Briar College, (equestrian); Gabe Restrepo, The University of Alabama in Huntsville (soccer); Kalib Thomas, Birmingham-Southern College (basketball); Gabe Wilbur, Millsaps College (baseball); and Stella Yester, Eastern Kentucky University (beach volleyball).

Departmental awards were given to Adeline Jehu for English, Lily Watts for Math, Mary Evins Tapley for Science, Tanner Barlow for Social Science, Salena Marino for Spanish, Chireyona Gray for French, Sawyer Herring for Latin, Zach Truitt for Theology, Sydney Weeks for Visual Arts, Jack Burke for Choir, Stanley Stoutamire, Jr. for Band, Daniel O’Neal for Drama (technical), Amelia Massa for Drama (performance), Caroline Rohn for Family & Consumer Science, and Emeli Maldonado for Foods & Nutrition.

Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement

On Thursday, May 18, members of the Class of 2023 and their families gathered to celebrate the Baccalaureate Mass and graduation ceremony in the JCCHS gymnasium.  

The Director of the JCCHS Educational Foundation Father Robert Sullivan (‘82) presided over the Mass, JCCHS Campus Chaplain Father Jonathan Howell concelebrated, and Deacon Doug Moorer (‘67) served the Mass.  

The graduation ceremony attendees heard an inspiring message from class valedictorian Lily Watts, who encouraged her classmates to continue to be a positive influence and the light of Christ, wherever they go.  

Margaret DuBose, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Birmingham, was in attendance to present the Bishop’s Trophy to Jacob McMahon. This prestigious award goes to a student who finishes top 5 in their class and has been a well-rounded leader in service, sports, clubs, and activities. McMahon is the son of Bill and Anne McMahon. He graduated from Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School (K-8th) and will attend Auburn University in the fall.