As John Carroll Catholic High School’s 77th graduation class, the Class of 2024 will be remembered as one that achieved many outstanding milestones on their way to leaving their mark on the school's history.  

The class earned an impressive list of scholarship awards and acceptances, including The University of Miami (FL), Emory University, The University of Notre Dame, the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), Baylor University, and Boston College. In addition, 100% of the graduates will be attending a college, university, or trade/technical school, 12 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.  

The seniors left a legacy of faith and devotion and are a testament to the value of the education of the whole person. “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,” remarked the school’s president, Father Jon Chalmers. “The Class of 2024 has left a mark of excellence in academics, fine arts, athletics, and most importantly, the school’s spiritual life. They are a testament to the value of a John Carroll education, and we know they will carry the light of Christ and the spirit of John Carroll with them throughout their lives,” he continued. 

Senior Class Awards Night

The celebration of the Class of 2024 began May 17 with the annual Senior Class Awards Night. Students and their families gathered in the school’s auditorium to recognize the achievements of the class, which included 73% of the graduates reported having earned scholarships/grants, $7.5+ million dollars in gift aid earned, and 9,725 hours of service to the Birmingham community performed by the class. 

Georgia Thornton, a graduate of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, was announced as the class valedictorian, and Lila Bakir, also a graduate of Our Lady of Sorrows, was recognized as class salutatorian.

Other awards given were The Linda and Roy Taylor Memorial Scholarship - Claire Humphrey, The Joe Perry Scholarship - Arthur Langley, The Tyler Porter Memorial Scholarship - Mitchell Nutter, The Sister Dominica Award - Charles Farr, The Tom Banks Award - Mallory Ogle, The Floyd Meshad Award - Fletcher Hughey, The Pat Sullivan Award - Anna Grace Fuller and Carson McFadden, The Deacon Joe Stephens Award - Mary Catherine Cannova, The Robert Lumpkins Award - Madi Porche, The Lynette Bice Casey Cavalier Spirit Award - Edinio Pascual, The Bailey Chesnut Scholarship - Lucy Grondin, The Marjorie Champion Salamone Award - Maggie Von Hagel, The Destin Doughty Track Award - Kaitlin Gilchrist, The Destin Doughty Art Award - Lydia Hamilton, The Sister Mary Leo Emmaus Award - Abby Douglas and Fletcher Hughey, The Joe Milazzo Art Award - Poppy Moellering, The Senior Musicianship Award - Alexander Degado and Edinio Pascual, The Patrick Gilmore Award - Gabriel Perrucci and Patrick Hensel, The Phillip Sousa Band Award - Daniel Bowers, Mary, Mother of Grace - Georgia Thornton, Joseph, Faithful Guardian and Protector - Charles Farr, and the Cavs IN Service Award - Kayla Evans.

Other recognitions included Kiwanis Athlete of the Year - Arthur Langley, Rotary Club of Shades Valley Scholarship - Marlee Banks and Katherine Smith, Community Bank Scholarship - Ele Allarde, Distinguished Young Woman (Shelby County) - Sophia Samaniego, Sons of the American Revolution (Bronze Good Citizenship Medal and Scholarship) - Francesca Brooks, OLV Knights of Columbus Scholarship - Ele Allarde, USMC Distinguished Athletes - Emma Kirkpatrick and Aden Malpass, USMC Scholastic Excellence - Isabella Berry, ACE Anytown, AL Leadership Award - Neila Nene, and Distinguished Young Women (Shelby County) - Sophia Samaniego.

The Class’ top 10 students from first to tenth were Georgia Thornton, Lila Bakir, Douglas Frederick, Anna Grace Fuller, Katherine Marie Everett, Isabella Berry, Francesca Brooks, Citlali Perez-Torres, Aden Malpass, and Mary Turkiewicz.

Seniors continuing their athletic career at the collegiate level are Zach Archer at Huntingdon College (football), Yossef Awad at Huntingdon College (soccer), Anna Grace Fuller at Milligan University (soccer), Kaitlin Gilchrist at LaGrange College (volleyball), Hayden Greer at Southern Union State CC (baseball), Lydia Hamilton at Spring Hill College (track), Arthur Langley at Samford University (track), Aden Malpass at the University of Missouri (baseball), Carson McFadden at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point (football), Jackson Miller at Southern Union State CC (baseball), Mallory Ogle at Lipscomb University (softball), Max Plaia at Rhodes College (football), and Noah Smith at Southern Union State CC (baseball).

Departmental Awards were given to Katherine Marie Everett for English, Anna Grace Fuller for Math, Mary Turkiewicz for Science, Lila Bakir for Social Science, Francesca Brooks for Spanish, Madi Porche for Theology, Mark Pillitteri for Visual Arts, Maggie Von Hagel for Choir, Fischer Patun for Band, Gwen Ubil for Drama (Technical), Kristen Cleary for Drama (Performance), and Brooke Fieselman for Family and Consumer Science
 

Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement

On May 18, the members of the Class of 2024 and their families gathered to celebrate the Baccalaureate Mass at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Hoover, which was celebrated by Father Chalmers. The next day, the graduation ceremony was held at Pat Sullivan Field on the school’s campus.

During the ceremony, Georgia Thornton, shared a special valedictory address and was presented with the most prestigious accolade given to a John Carroll graduate, the Bishop’s Trophy. Margaret DuBose, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Birmingham, was in attendance to present the award which goes to a student who finishes top 5 in their class and has been a well-rounded leader in service, sports, clubs, and activities. Thornton is the daughter of Tommy and Wendy Thornton.