Class of 2023 marches into the future [Photo Gallery]

**Father Ryan High School graduates Claudia Andrews, right, and Maddie Ott capture a graduation memory.** *Photo courtesy of Father Ryan High School*

The three Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Nashville celebrated the Class of 2023 at commencement exercises in May.

Father Ryan High School celebrated its 97^th Commencement Exercises as 227 students graduated on Saturday, May 13, at the Curb Event Center at Belmont University.

Katherine Elizabeth Cummings, the daughter of Brian Cummings and Lilla Marigza, a parishioner at Christ the King Church in Nashville, and a graduate of St. Bernard Academy, was the class valedictorian. Mark Vincent Ciampa, the son of Mark and Aileen Ciampa, a parishioner at the Cathedral of the Incarnation and a graduate of St. Bernard Academy, was the class salutatorian.

Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop-emeritus of Washington, D.C., whose great-niece Arianna Rose Thacker is a member of the Class of 2023, concelebrated with Bishop J. Mark Spalding the Baccalaureate Mass on Friday, May 12, on the school’s campus.

Andrew Griffith, associate head of school for academics at Pope John Paul II Preparatory School, helps Hannah Dodd, a student in the Hand in Hand Options program at the school, to the stage during Pope Prep’s commencement exercises on Monday, May 14, at the Grand Ole Opry. *Photo by Saul Buda*

Pope John Paul II Preparatory School held its commencement exercises for the 128 graduates of the Class of 2023 on Monday, May 15, at the Grand Ole Opry.

Sara Katherine Grubbs, the daughter of Michael and Deanna Grubbs, was the class valedictorian. The co-salutatorians were Andrew William Sikes, the son of John and Beth Sikes, and Noah Andrey Young, the son of Joshua and Amy Young.

This year’s winners of the Bishop Kmiec Award, chosen by the faculty as the graduates who best exemplify the faithful pursuit of the mission and ideals of Pope John Paul II Preparatory School and of selfless service to the school community, were Lillian Marie Pinkston, the daughter of John and Carrie Pinkston and a parishioner at St. Joseph Church in Madison, and Harrison James DeLaney, the son of John and Kimberly DeLaney.

**Among the 57 graduates in the Class of 2023 from St. Cecilia Academy were, from left in, valedictorian Olivia Mosesmann, Salutatorian Abigail Smith, and St. Cecilia Girl Olivia DeMarco.** *Photo courtesy of St. Cecilia Academy*

St. Cecilia Academy awarded diplomas to the 57 graduates of the Class of 2023 during commencement exercises on Friday, May 19, at the Dominican Campus in Nashville.

Olivia Mosesmann, the daughter of Camden Mosesmann and Hans Mosesmann and a graduate of St. Joseph School in Madison, was the class valedictorian, and Abigail Smith, the daughter of Byron and Beth Smith and a graduate of Overbrook Catholic School, was the salutatorian.

Olivia DeMarco, the daughter of Jenna Bringkman and John DeMarco and parishioner at Holy Family Church in Brentwood, was named as the Class of 2023’s St. Cecilia Girl, the highest honor the school confers on a student. Each year, the juniors and seniors, with faculty approval, voted for the senior who best exemplifies the ideals of St. Cecilia Academy.

Gallery photos courtesy of St. Cecilia Academy, Father Ryan High School, and Saul Buda