On May 17, John Carroll Catholic High School celebrated as the school’s 79th graduating class of 157 students gathered at Pat Sullivan Field for Commencement following the Baccalaureate Mass in the gymnasium. The John Carroll Catholic Class of 2026 reported 219 scholarships and grants offered, with the offers totaling $9.6 million. Collectively, the class completed 13,916 hours of service dedicated to the school, their parishes, diocesan partner schools, and the Birmingham area. The class, one of the largest in over twenty years, exemplified a passion for learning, pursued excellence in their endeavors, and reflected God’s beauty in all their pursuits. 

This exceptional group of students will be remembered for achieving numerous significant milestones that have made a lasting impression on our school's history. The Class of 2026 set a remarkable benchmark in academics, fine arts, athletics, and most importantly, in nurturing the spiritual life of our school community. Throughout their time at John Carroll, they have upheld the pillars of learning, leadership, and service. Kate Nguyen, a graduate of Our Lady of the Valley, was named the class valedictorian, while Jack Turkiewicz, a graduate of Our Lady of Sorrows, was the class salutatorian and recipient of the Bishop’s Trophy. Both students will be attending Auburn University in the fall. The remaining top ten students were Kate Moore, Campbell Hendrick, Evelyn Topazi, Walter Hungerpiller, Ayden Wyatt, Lucy Wagner, Furyk Whistle, and Sara Naylor.

The night before graduation, the Senior Class Awards Night was held. Recipients were as follows:

The Linda and Roy Taylor Memorial Scholarship - Nadia McGinnis (Ramsay HS/Georgia Southern University) 

Hermann A. Taylor Leadership Award - Ayden Wyatt (POP/New York University)  

Ray R. Rainey Memorial Scholarship - Avery Kononchek (POP/Auburn University) 

David E. McGarity Scholarship - Virginia Mann (Bluff Park Elementary/University of Alabama) 

The Tyler Porter Memorial Scholarship - Glavine Tillman (Bluff Park MS/Chattanooga State CC) 

The Sister Dominica Award - Blake Weise (POP/Johnson University) 

The Tom Banks Award - Kaylynn Nutter (Berry MS/Shelton State CC) 

The Floyd Meshad Award - Alex Plaia (Berry MS/Rhodes College) 

The Pat Sullivan Award - Emily Williams  (POP/University of Southern Mississippi)  

The Deacon Joe Stephens Award - Bobby O’Farrell (OLV/Holy Cross College) 

The Lynette Bice Casey Cavalier Spirit Award - Charles Courtney (OLS/Auburn University) 

The Bailey Chesnut Memorial Award  - Mac Burch (Vestavia Hills HS/Millsaps College)  

The Marjorie Champion Salamone Award - Evelyn Topazi (POP/Auburn University)  

The Destin Doughty Track Award - Amelia Leath (Southminster Day School/University of Alabama) 

The Destin Doughty Art Award - Lele Holland (Bumpus MS/Samford University)  

The Sister Mary Leo Emmaus Award - Evelyn Topazi (POP/Auburn University), Jack Turkiewicz (OLS/Auburn University)      

The Joe Milazzo Art Award - Leslie Blair (POP/Auburn University)  

The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award - Silas Withrow (Highlands School/University of Alabama at Birmingham) 

Patrick S. Gilmore Award - Elias Marinelli (OLS/University of Alabama at Birmingham), Bella Guerra (Oak Mountain HS/Jefferson State CC)  

Phillip Sousa Award - Owen Muro (OLV/Mississippi State University) & Caiden Gaines (OLS/Jefferson State CC) 

National Colorguard Award - Maggie Baldwin (OLS/Auburn University)  

St. Pope John Paul II Award for the Arts - Nate Ubil (OLS/Auburn University) 

The Trailblazers Award - Piper Porter (Highlands School/Tuskegee University) 

Mary, Mother of Grace - Kate Moore (OLS/Auburn University) 

Joseph, Faithful Guardian and Protector - Charles Courtney (OLS/Auburn University) 

Cavs IN Service Award - Lucy Wagner (Homewood MS/Wake Forest University)

Other recognitions included: 

National Merit Scholar - Jean-Paul Plaisance (SRA/Texas Christian University) 

Bryant-Jordan Academic Scholarship - Mady Kirkpatrick (The Altamont School/Auburn University) 

Jefferson County Distinguished Young Women - Avery Kononchek (POP/Auburn University), Kaylynn Nutter (Berry Middle School/Shelton State CC)  

National Pan-Hellenic Council Scholarship - Garvey Hannon (SRA/University of Alabama), Ayden Wyatt (POP/New York University)  

Evan’s Scholarship - Johanna Curry (SFX/University of Colorado at Boulder)  

OLV Knights of Columbus Scholarship - Breanna Terrell (OLV/University of Alabama) 

ROTC Scholarship - Tyler Hohne (Hoover High School/Auburn University) 

Rotary Club Scholar-Athlete - Avery Kononchek (POP/Auburn University) 

Eagle Scouts - Bo Burke (OLS/Auburn University), Thomas Chalmers (Mt. Brook MS/Auburn University), Charles Courtney (OLS/Auburn University), Andy Everett (POP/Auburn University), Bobby O’Farrell (OLV/Holy Cross College), Jean-Paul Plaisance (SRA/Texas Christian University), Eli Rashleigh (OLV/Troy University)   

UA Early College Scholars - Johanna Curry (SFX/University of Colorado at Boulder), Anna Griffin (OLS/University of Alabama), Madeline McCool (Holy Spirit Catholic School/University of Alabama), Amber Ratcliff (SFX/University of Alabama), Kadija Sagno (Bessemer Academy/University of Alabama), Michael Shafer (Oak Mountain High School/University of Alabama) 

Auburn First Scholars - Anna Cate Coyle (SRA/Auburn University), Lexi Crook (POP/Auburn University), Sophia Gullung (Briarwood Christian School/University of Mississippi), Lele Holland (Bumpus Middle School/Samford University), Mady Kirkpatrick (The Altamont School/Auburn University)

AP Capstone Completion - Amelia Leath (Southminster Day School/University of Alabama), Elias Marinelli (OLS/University of Alabama at Birmingham), Mayrin Martinez (Fultondale High 

School/University of Alabama), Anni McCarthy (OLV/Piedmont University), Kate Nguyen (OLV/Auburn University), Kadija Sagno (Bessemer Academy/University of Alabama), Ayden Wyatt (POP/New York University) 

Careers in Industry Certificates of Completion - Joselyn Dionicio-Ezquerra (Fultondale Middle School/University of Alabama at Birmingham), Holland Larkin (Red Mountain School/University of Denver), Emilio Mendoza (Calera Middle School/Loyola University Chicago), Piper Porter (The Highlands School/Tuskegee University), Jayden Starks (Spain Park High School/Nebraska Wesleyan University) 

Departmental Awards included: 

English - Amelia Leath (Southminster Day School/University of Alabama) 

Mathematics - Kate Moore (OLS/Auburn University) 

Science - Campbell Hendrick (Alabama Connections Academy/Rochester Institute of Technology) 

Social Science - Furyk Whistle (St. Christopher School/Auburn University)  

Spanish - Joselyn Dionicio-Ezquerra (Fultondale Middle School/University of Alabama at Birmingham)

French - Izzy Oliver (OLS/University of Alabama) 

Classical Languages - Walter Hungerpiller (SRA/Auburn University)  

Theology - William Fieno (POP/Auburn University) 

Visual Arts - Allie Hedruck (OLV/University of Alabama at Birmingham) 

Choir - Mary Louis Alessio (SRA/Auburn University) 

Band - Charles Courtney (OLS/Auburn University)  

Drama (Performance) - Jet Garzarek (OLV/Jacksonville State University)  

Drama (Technical) - Emma Meurer (Notre Dame Academy/Auburn University)  

Physical Education - Kaylynn Nutter (Berry Middle School/Shelton State CC) 

Career and Technical Education - Tyler Hohne (Hoover High School/Auburn University) 

Collegiate student-athletes:

Garrett Barnes - Football (Chelsea Middle School/Carroll University)  

Mac Burch - Basketball (Vestavia Hills High School/Millsaps College)  

Marion Haskell - Volleyball (The Highlands School/Bucknell University)  

Finn Hecklinski - Basketball (Hoover High School/Huntingdon College) 

Braden Mauro - Bowling (Mt. Laurel Middle School/Grand Canyon University) 

Anni McCarthy - Volleyball (OLV/Piedmont University) 

Austin Nguyen - E-Sports (POP/Huntingdon College) 

Kaylynn Nutter - Flag Football (Berry Middle School/Shelton State CC)  

Alex Plaia - Football (Berry Middle School/Rhodes College) 

Blake Weise - Basketball (POP/Johnson University) 

Emily Williams - Softball (POP/University of Southern Mississippi) 

Collegiate Fine Arts Post Grad: 

Maggie Baldwin - Colorguard (OLS/Auburn University) 

Jet Garzarek - Theatre (OLV/Jacksonville State University) 

Avery Kononchek - Danceline (POP/Auburn University) 

Owen Muro - Band (OLV/Mississippi State University) 

Evelyn Topazi - Colorguard (POP/Auburn University) 

Speaking of the Class of 2026, outgoing president Father Jon Chalmers remarked: “As a Catholic high school, John Carroll trains young people who are inspired by a passion for learning and seek to lead lives of significance to God and others. The Class of 2026 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 2026 - we know you will carry the light of Christ and the spirit of John Carroll with you throughout your life.”