Class of 2016 Highlights

Marist High School's 50^th annual commencement exercises were held Thursday, May 18, 2016, sending off an accomplished class of young men and women to make Jesus Christ known and loved, while pursuing higher education and life.

At the heart of their Marist experience was spiritual growth. Members of the class participated in retreats and liturgy planning. Three groups participated in mission trips to New Orleans, Colorado, and Jamaica. Students also planned and executed countless service projects and fundraisers, including spearheading the Relay for Life which raised $46,000 for the American Cancer Society, and running a yearlong tutoring program for local grade school students. Also, more than 100 members of the class were enrolled in the senior service program, providing community service Monday through Friday to more than 18 area organizations, including Little Company of Mary Hospital, Elim Christian Services, and several nearby Catholic grammar schools.

These students made an excellent academic reputation for themselves at Marist. They sent out more than 2,100 college applications, and were accepted to colleges and universities across the country. Graduates will be on the campuses of Notre Dame, Princeton, Cornell, Northwestern, University of Illinois, Marquette, Loyola, and St. Louis University, to name a few. They were awarded over $40 million in scholarship monies, including five Chick Evans Scholarship. There were five National Merit Commended students and one finalish. There were 75 Illinois State Scholars. Marist seniors were leaders on the math team, which finished eighth in state overall and as the number two Catholic school. The language department offered exchange programs with international Marist schools, allowing students to host students from and travel to Spain, Italy, and France. Seniors also were pioneers in the school’s new leadership program, Explore, planning college tours, mentoring opportunities and welcoming notable alums to speak on campus. Numerous students were named ACT scholars, Advanced Placement Scholars, and received prestigious awards and scholarships. 

Athletically, individuals and teams were strong performers. Marist's football team took second in state in Class 8A. Members of the class helped garner a state championship in 2015 for softball, and look to repeat this June. Boys track captured the ESCC title, while the girls took second. Kyle O'Farrell represented the RedHawks in the cross country state final, while the girls team advanced for the first time collectively. Wrestling brought home its 33rd conference title-the program has only missed out on it twice! Countless students were named all-conference, and picked up awards and honors from Chicago newspapers. Forty-six graduates have committed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level with programs coast to coast.

After the bell rang each day, these seniors participated in clubs and activities, sharing their leadership and expertise with the school community. The speech team advanced to the National Catholic Forensic League Grand Tournament in California. Members of the school newspaper advanced and placed in the IHSA journalism finals, and Solomon Davis was named Chicago High School Journalist of the Year. Student council members planned a variety of events and activities throughout the year. The theatre guild produced a fall drama and spring musical to the delight of audiences. The band performed at various sites around New Orleans, while the choir brought the sounds of the seasons to life. Marist artists presented their work in a variety of mediums throughout the year. There were world champion Irish dancers, and students traveled through Europe and South America expanding the Marist classroom.

Ninety-nine percent of the class will attend college in the fall. Four students will join the military, while a few will enter the workforce immediately. If the class’s accomplishments at Marist are any indication of their future success, the end of this chapter is just the beginning for them.