Class of 2018

Pre-Ceremony Photos      Post-Ceremony Photos

Marist High School held its 52nd annual commencement exercises on Thursday, May 24, 2018, sending off an accomplished class of 391 young men and women.

These students continued to build Marist’s strong academic reputation. They sent out more than 2,400 college applications, and were accepted to colleges and universities across the country. Graduates will be on the campuses of Yale University, Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University, Marquette University, Loyola University, University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Illinois at Champaign to name a few. They were awarded over $43 million in scholarship monies, including two Chick Evans Scholarship—Cormac Lee and Colin Mullen. Valerie Pavilonis and Jacob Rahn were National Merit Finalists along with eight National Merit Commended students. Marist boasted 71 Illinois State Scholars. Marist seniors were leaders on the math team, which finished fourth in state overall and as the top Catholic school for the third straight year. The language department offered exchange programs with international Marist schools, allowing students to host students from and travel to Argentina, Italy, and France. Numerous students were named ACT scholars, Advanced Placement Scholars, and received prestigious awards and scholarships. Senior Samantha Reidy scored 36 on the ACT. 

Valedictorian Elise Viz noted that each member of the class of 2018 was at graduation because of the sacrifices others had made—parents, teachers, etc. She challenged her classmates to give themselves to the world and use their greatest gift-God’s free will-to succeed not for themselves, but for others. Salutatorian Jacob Rahn led the audience in prayer. Peyton Ashford and Ravi Majeti were given the Faculty Award, the highest honor given to students by faculty vote for emulating the characteristics of a Marist student. 

At the heart of their Marist experience was spiritual growth. Members of the class participated in retreats and liturgy planning. Students participated in mission trips to New Orleans, upstate New York, and Texas. Students also planned and executed countless service projects and fundraisers, including spearheading the Relay for Life which raised $51,000 for the American Cancer Society in 2018 alone, and running countless service projects and drives for those in need. More than 100 members of the class were enrolled in the senior service program, providing daily community service to more than 18 area organizations, including Little Company of Mary Hospital, Elim Christian Services, and several nearby Catholic grammar schools.

Athletically, individuals and teams were strong performers. Girls' volleyball was the state and national champion. Football garnered the program's first undefeated regular season. Cheerleading placed second in state. Boys' basketball advanced to the sectional, nearly taking down a national program. Teams racked up regional, conference, and sectional titles. Seven spring teams were in the heat of IHSA playoffs. Thirty-six will continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. 

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 Florida. Members of the school newspaper advanced and placed in the IHSA journalism finals. 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 home and throughout Washington, DC. The broadcasting program grew with bi-weekly news segments and a talk show. 

Ninety-nine percent of the class will attend college in the fall. Six students will join the military.