ESCANABA — Both Holy Name High School — A Chesterton Academy and Holy Name Catholic School celebrated the classes of 2025 at the end of May with Masses and graduation ceremonies.

First, the eighth grade class of 2025 started its commencement events on May 27 with a special Mass celebrated by Father Timothy Ferguson, concelebrated by Father Francis DeGroot and Father Robb Jurkovich, and assisted by Deacon Bob Berbohm and Deacon Terry Saunders. Following Mass, a graduation ceremony was held in the Holy Name Gymnasium with awards and honors given to students.

At the ceremony, Class Representative Annalise Cooper gave the commencement address, sharing memories with fellow classmates. She expressed her gratitude to her family members for their support throughout her years at Holy Name and for helping her grow in her faith, and talked about their accomplishments and fun experiences as a class.

The eighth-grade graduates in the class of 2025 are: Anders Anderson, Mara Bradfield, Olivia Cady, Samuel Chouinard, Annalise Cooper, Layla Frizzell, Kinley Hastings, Koeller Hayes, Logan Kamerschen, Evan King, Vanessa Mabie, Rayne Martin, Johanna Nyquist, Anna Renner, Henry Trottier, and Kinsley Williams.

HNCS Pastoral Designate Father Ferguson, who is the pastor of St. Joseph & St. Patrick’s Parish and St. Thomas Parish in Escanaba along with St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Wells, gave the final blessing at the graduation ceremony.

Also at the graduation ceremony, all of the graduates were given handmade, blessed rosaries and prayer books as graduation gifts. The class of 2025 chose the following as their class Bible verse: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” — Psalm 23:6.

The Crusader Athletic Awards went to Logan Kamerschen and Annalise Cooper.

The Crusader Christian Citizenship Awards went to Samuel Chouinard and Anna Renner. The top five academic students in the HNCS Class of 2025 are: Logan Kamerschen, Anna Renner, Annalise Cooper, Kinsley Williams, and Mara Bradfield.

Later that week, on May 30, the high school Class of 2025 celebrated with its own Mass at St. Anne Parish in Escanaba, which was celebrated by Father Francis DeGroot, concelebrated by Father Timothy Ferguson, and assisted by Deacon Terry Saunders.

Following this Mass, the students held a graduation ceremony, in which students gave their own commencement addresses, along with a commencement address by Father Ferguson, who quoted the late Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister, saying, “Never give up.”

Father Ferguson went on to say, “I can say many things to you, but I think the most important thing is that simple phrase, ‘Never give up.’ You’ve been given many opportunities in life. You’ve already faced many challenges, and more lie ahead. You can do it; we have confidence in you. Never give up.”

The ceremony then followed, with the five 2025 graduates each giving a speech describing their positive experiences at HNHS. The five HNHS graduates are: Melody McBroom, Patton Nyquist, Brooklyn Pendergraft, Noah Pendergraft, and Marcel Raiche.

“Holy Name didn’t just prepare me academically; it shaped the way I see and engage with the world. As I prepare to attend Michigan Technological University this fall, I feel confident and grounded,” said Nyquist. “Today, I am not only ready to take on the challenges of higher education, but also to live a life rooted in integrity, guided by faith, and committed to truth. I am deeply grateful to Holy Name for the formation I have received here. Wherever God leads me next, I know I won’t be going unprepared. Holy Name has equipped me — mind, body, and soul.”

Holy Name Catholic School and Holy Name High School — A Chesterton Academy are currently offering open registration to students for the 2025-2026 school year. Call the school office at 906-786-7550 or 906-398-1155 for more information.