Marist High School announced Jack Molenhouse and Nicole Viz as the class of 2020 co-salutatorians, tying for the second highest grade point average (GPA) in the class. Classmates Connor McNamara and Zachary Stack were named co-valedictorians with the highest GPA in the class.
While at Marist, Molenhouse served as the president of the National Honor Society and as captain of the hockey team during his junior and senior years. Outside of Marist, he worked at Chicagoland Bicycle and as an ice hockey referee.
Much of his time was dedicated to classwork. “My goal was not to be at the top of the class,” he said. “I just wanted to learn as much as possible while still having fun and enjoying my time in high school.” And that he did. Molenhouse was especially fond of Mr. Glennon’s AP Calculus class, which, he said, “combined high level mathematics with jokes and humorous stories.”
“During my four years at Marist, I gained a lot of knowledge and developed a strong work ethic, both aptly preparing me for college,” Molenhouse said. Some of his best Marist memories were “messing” with science teacher Chris Lesher and “BC Fridays,” during which AP Calculus BC students stayed at school until 6 p.m. and shared dinner, laughs, and math. He also enjoyed the hockey tournaments from start to finish—the bus ride, the hotel time, exploring cities, and playing in competitive games.
Molenhouse, who graduated from Mt. Greenwood Elementary School and was named a National Merit Finalist, will attend Texas A&M University and plans on majoring in Aerospace Engineering.
To his classmates he said, “Thank you for an unforgettable (almost) 4 years together. I enjoyed every day of our time together.”
Marist’s class of 2020 graduated via a virtual ceremony on Sunday, May 24.