Courtesy photo Above, the Holy Name Catholic School class of 2015 poses for a photo. Shown are, front row from, left Renee Perrault, Gabriella Stalboerger, Meghan Farrell, Rachel Bessonen, Madelyn Trepanier, Courtney Grandahl, Skylar LaPine, and Grace Ouwinga. In back are Liam Carignan, Allen Matthys, Isaac Cooper, Terence Hirn, Brianna O’Driscoll, Kaitlyn Lord, Katie Wilson, Kelly Mae Casey, Nicholas Miller, Austin Willette, and Gustavo Perez. Also in Holy Name’s Class of 2015, but not pictured, are Brooke Bink, Lane DeDominicis and David Villahermosa.

ESCANABA — The 22 members of Holy Name Catholic School’s Class of 2015 graduated this spring, including students from Escanaba Area High School, one (Brooke Bink) from Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault, Minn., and one (David Villahermosa) from Wylie East High School in Wylie, Texas. The group visited Holy Name on Thursday, April 11, and attended a special Mass celebrated by Father Fran DeGroot of St. Anne Parish. Students then played the current HNCS eighth grade Class of 2019 in several games of volleyball, basketball and a rousing game of dodgeball.

The students were then treated to a lunch of one of their favorites, nachos with all the fixings, along with cookies made just for them. After graduating from high school this year, most of the students will attend college. Brooke Bink, will be attending The Ohio State University to play on the women’s hockey team, and three others, Isaac Cooper, Terence Hirn, and Gabriella Stalboerger, have enlisted in the military.

Students also took an anonymous online survey during their visit. The results overwhelmingly showed the students found their time at Holy Name Catholic School prepared them well for their rigorous high school curriculum. Some of the comments to the question of how HNCS prepared them for high school, included: “I was able to take more advanced classes because I had a better education,” and “It allowed me to excel faster than the other kids did, allowing me to develop better studying habits.”

Students also commented in their surveys that Holy Name helped them spiritually.

“Going to Holy Name made me connected with God deeply, which I carried into high school,” wrote one student. Two others wrote, “I have never once thought about leaving the Catholic faith, and I can thank everyone who helped me here,” and “Holy Name gave me a basis for a strong faith in God that I hope will grow even stronger as time goes on.”

Holy Name Principal Joseph Carlson spoke to the graduates after Mass, reminiscing with them about their time at Holy Name, their eighth grade class trip, and also reminding them of their votes for class favorites.

Two of the students are in the top 11 of their class academically (the top ten was extended to 11 due to a tie) at Escanaba High School: Kaitlyn Lord and Brianna O’Driscoll. Carlson assured the students that he is proud of all of their achievements, and encouraged the graduates to always remember Holy Name as they go on in their futures.

Holy Name Catholic School, located at 409 So. 22nd Street, is currently offering open registration for the 2019-2020 school year. Call 906-786-7550 for more information.