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.
Viz was involved in math team, chorus, and the fall plays and spring musicals. She was also a part of the school’s Pro-Life Club. “I had so much fun this year in Advanced Placement Physics because I had a lot of friends in the class and we learned so much about a topic that we were all genuinely interested in,” Viz explained. “I also really enjoyed my math classes with Mr. Glennon, especially BC Calculus every Friday this year.”
Viz will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and major in engineering, possibly electrical or mechanical. “I feel thoroughly prepared for college after my four years at Marist, both academically and spiritually,” she said. “I’m very excited, but I know I’m going to miss all the friendships I’ve made with my brothers and sisters for life. Some of my favorite memories from Marist are going down to the state math team competition and then celebrating at Applebee’s afterwards.”
A Saints Cyril and Methodius graduate, Viz said she focused on getting the best grades. She admitted she thought it would be nice to be among the top students, but always valued the learning material first. Her message to her classmates is “I’m so thankful for how close we’ve all become as a class. I wish them all the best in their futures, I hope we can all stay in touch, and I’ll be praying for them.”
Marist’s class of 2020 graduated via a virtual ceremony on Sunday, May 24.