The High School of Saint Thomas More held its Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 20th, at 10 am for 59 students.  STM was honored to have the Knights of Columbus leading the procession.  Father Andru O’Brien, chaplain, gave a blessing to the graduates during the ceremony. Joshua Pierce and Jasmine Waite received the St. Thomas More award, the highest award presented by the school. Class of 2023 Valedictorian Ava Dickerson spoke about living in the present moment, enjoying each day as it comes, and Salutatorian Daniel Suits spoke about growing into the people God made them to be as they move into life beyond high school. School Co-Captains Celie Leibach and Anthony Hoffman presented the Class of 2023 gift: a facelift to the public bathrooms near the gym. 

 Students were recognized at the annual Senior Honors Luncheon on Friday, May 19th. 

 The 59 graduates completed over 8,330 service hours and received over $7.5 million in merit and/or athletic scholarships; 66% of them will attend a 4 year university, with 34% attending a 2 year college or other post-graduation plan. Faculty members presented departmental awards recognizing excellence in the various academic subjects, and seniors received recognition for numerous awards and scholarships related to academics and service.

 *Earned College Prep Certificate

+National Honor Society

#Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica

Deadline for submission of individual scholarship awards for printed materials was April 21st.

Lane Michael Ackerman*

Attending Parkland College

Melanie Amador*

St. Mary Parish

Attending Illinois State University

Redbird Academic Scholarship, Illinois State University

STM Music Department Award

José Fernando Andino Guerra*+#

Holy Cross Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Dean’s Scholarship, Indiana University

MSU Non-Resident Scholarship, Michigan State University

Presidential Study Abroad Scholarship, Michigan State University

Presidential Scholarship, Purdue University

Advantage Iowa Award, University of Iowa

National Scholars Award, University of Iowa

Vincent O. Greene Senior Scholarship, The High School of Saint Thomas More

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

News Gazette Student Correspondent

STM House Captain

Natalia Estela Andino Guerra*+#

Holy Cross Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Willard C. and Alice C. Corbett Scholarship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Stanley B. Weaver Scholarship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Dean’s Scholarship, Loyola University

Père Marquette Scholarship, Marquette University

Ignatian Scholarship, Saint Louis University

Catholic High School Award, Saint Louis University

Father Peter J. Buschmann Award, Xavier University

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM House Captain

Aidan Steven Beckett*+#

St. Patrick Parish, Urbana

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Vincent O. Greene Scholarship, St. Patrick Parish

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Illinois State Scholar

STM Family Captain

Dalton Roberts Carmien*+

St. Thomas Parish

Attending Bradley University

Dean’s Scholarship, Bradley University

Cabott Richard Craft*+

St. Malachy Parish

Attending Butler University

Academic Scholarship, Butler University

Butler Grant, Butler University

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Lauren Lynn Deakin*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Parkland Pathway to Illinois

Matthew Felix DeLorenzo*+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Illinois State Scholar

STM House Captain

Emma Katherine Devocelle*+#

St. Matthew Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

ACES Academic Scholarship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Academic Scholarship, Butler University

Journey Scholarship, Central College

Presidential Scholarship, Central College

Legacy Scholarship, Illinois State University

Redbird Academic Scholarship, Illinois State University

Dean’s Scholarship, Indiana University

Academic Scholarship, Purdue University

Trustees Scholarship, Parkland College

National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program For Excellence in Academic Achievement

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Illinois State Scholar

STM House Captain

Ava Ruth Dickerson*+#

St. Matthew Parish

Attending the University of Notre Dame

Merit Scholarship, Butler University

Dean’s Scholarship, Indiana University

Hutton Honors College Scholarship, Indiana University

Presidential Scholarship, Loyola University Chicago

Trustees Scholarship, Parkland College

Vincent O. Greene Senior Scholarship, The High School of Saint Thomas More

IHSA All State Academic Team Nominee

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Illinois State Scholar

STM Valedictorian

STM Social Studies Department Award

Antonio JP Dixon

St. Patrick Parish, Urbana

Attending Parkland College

Parker James Duncan*

Attending Parkland College

Cameron Elizabeth Endsley*+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Illinois State University

Redbird Scholarship, Illinois State University

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Mary Beth Franey*+#

Holy Cross Parish

Attending Purdue University

Academic Scholarship, Butler University

Stanley B. Weaver Scholarship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

National Scholarship, University of Minnesota

Presidential Scholarship, University of Minnesota

Trustees Scholarship, Parkland College

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Illinois State Scholar

STM Spanish Department Award

STM House Captain

Angela Victoria Fuentes*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Illinois State University

Redbird Academic Scholarship, Illinois State University

William Parker Scholarship, University of Kentucky

Hannah Lucia Goebel*+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Bradley University

Presidential Excellence Scholarship, Bradley University

Campus Resident Scholarship, Marquette University

Père Marquette Award, Marquette University

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Cooper Gordon Hannagan*

St. Lawrence Parish

Undecided

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Illinois State Scholar

STM Family Captain

Graciella Maria Hardin*

St. Philomena Parish

Attending Lincoln Land Community College

Athletic Scholarship, Lincoln Land Community College

Ryan Warren Hendrickson*+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Creighton University

Founders Award, Creighton University

Père Marquette Award, Marquette University

Catholic High School Award, Saint Louis University

Vice Presidents’ Scholarship, Saint Louis University

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Illini Prairie Conference Scholar Athlete Award

STM House Captain

Erin Constance Henkel*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Aurora University

Connection Resident Award, Aurora University

President’s Scholarship, Aurora University

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Alejandro Jesús-Ernesto Hernández

St. Thomas Parish

Attending Parkland College

Delaney Isabel Hesch*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Parkland College

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Anthony Mungovan Hoffman*+#

Holy Cross Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

St. Scholastica Scholarship, Benedictine College

Sons of the American Revolution Good Citizens Award

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM School Captain

Amanda Therese Hummel*+#

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Illinois Wesleyan University

Alumni Scholarship, Illinois Wesleyan University

Champaign West Rotary Scholarship

Service Above Self Interact Club Award

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM House Captain

Olivier Mufuta Kalonga*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Parkland College

STM Theater Tech Department Award

Claire Roma Kennedy*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Indiana University

Trustees Scholarship, Aurora University

NCAA DIII Volleyball Offer, Carthage College

Catholic Heritage Scholarship, DePaul University

Blue and Green Directors Award, Florida Gulf Coast University

Academic Distinction Scholarship, Indiana State University

Midwest Achievement Scholarship, Indiana State University

Dean's Scholarship, Indiana University

St. Joseph Scholarship, Loras College

Presidential Scholarship, Loyola Scholarship Chicago

Magis Campus Resident Scholarship, Marquette University

Marquette Grant, Marquette University

MU Ignatian Distinction Scholarship, Marquette University

Père Marquette Award, Marquette University

NCAA DIII Volleyball Offer, North Central College

Presidential Scholarship, North Central College

Academic Merit Award, University of Iowa

National Scholars Award, University of Iowa

Academic Merit Award, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

NCAA DIII Volleyball Offer, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Illinois State Scholar

Jiduk Kim

Gap Year

Gianna Marie Kreps*+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Franciscan University of Steubenville

Chancellor Scholarship, Franciscan University of Steubenville

Duc in Altum Scholarship, Duc in Altum Schools Collaborative

Trustees Scholarship, Parkland College

Vincent O. Greene Senior Scholarship, The High School of Saint Thomas More

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Illini Prairie Conference Scholar Athlete Award

Illinois State Scholar

ABO Scholar Athlete Award, The High School of Saint Thomas More

STM Theology Department Award

STM House Captain

Logan John Kurtz*

Attending Parkland Pathway to Illinois

Celie Elizabeth Leibach*+#

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Illinois State University

Legacy Scholarship, Illinois State University

Redbird Academic Scholarship, Illinois State University

Illinois Sheriffs’ Association Scholarship, Champaign County

Vincent O. Greene Senior Scholarship, The High School of Saint Thomas More

Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens Award

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM School Captain

Emmanuela Joan Martinez*

St. Patrick Parish, Urbana

Attending Parkland Pathway to Illinois

Busey Bank Scholarship for Parkland College

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Jack Landry McMillan

St. Patrick Parish, Urbana

Attending Parkland College

Vincent O. Greene Scholarship, St. Patrick Parish

Daniel Messeh*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Loyola University Chicago

Damen Scholarship, Loyola University Chicago

Founder Scholarship, California Lutheran University

Catholic Heritage Scholarship, DePaul University

Presidential Scholarship, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University

President’s Award, University of Illinois Chicago

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM House Captain

Mallory Joan Monahan*+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Illinois Wesleyan University

Alumni Scholarship, Illinois Wesleyan University

Trustee’s Scholarship, Aurora University

Damen Scholarship, Loyola University Chicago

Père Marquette Award, Marquette University

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Martin Angelo Caparas Mondala*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Soka University of America

Merit Scholarship, Soka University of America

Athletic Scholarship, Soka University of America

Soka Opportunity Grant, Soka University of America

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Immanuel Chikaodili Nwosu*

St. Matthew Parish

Undecided

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Tirth Jignesh Panchal

Attending Parkland College

STM Technology Department Award

Leah Jean Peifer*

Attending the University of Illinois Chicago

Dean’s Scholarship, Columbia College

Redbird Academic Scholarship, Illinois State University

MSU Non-resident Scholarship, Michigan State University

Presidential Study Abroad Scholarship, Michigan State University

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM Latin Department Award

Christiana Coco Pembele*

St. Patrick Parish, Urbana

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Dean’s Scholarship, Loyola University Chicago

Catholic High School Award, Saint Louis University

Nominated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship, Saint Louis University

University Scholarship, Saint Louis University

Winding Ivy Community Development Foundation, Inc. Scholarship

Vincent O. Greene Scholarship, St. Patrick Parish

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM Family Captain

Joshua Zhengshi Pierce+

Holy Cross Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign County Extension Education Foundation Scholarship

Illinois Heartland Decorative Artists Scholarship

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM Art Department Award

STM House Captain

Saint Thomas More Award

Jude Nathaniel Pisarczyk*+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Academic Distinction Scholarship, Indiana State University

Engineering Scholarship, Indiana State University

Midwest Achievement Scholarship, Indiana State University

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Illinois State Scholar

STM Drama Department Award

STM Family Captain

Jenna Rochelle Purnell*

Attending Wheaton College

Presidential Scholarship, Wheaton College

Wheaton Grant, Wheaton College

Baylor Distinction Award, Baylor University

Heritage Award, Hope College

Presidential Scholarship, Hope College

COE_Manus Scholarship, Illinois State University

Redbird Scholarship, Illinois State University

ONU Leadership Scholarship, Olivet Nazarene University

Provost’s Scholarship, Palm Beach Atlantic University

Catholic High School Award, Saint Louis University

SLU Grant, Saint Louis University

Vice President Tuition Scholarship, Saint Louis University

Dean’s Scholar for Academic Achievement, St. Mary’s College

Founders Scholarship, Texas Christian University

Junior League of Champaign-Urbana Scholarship

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Illinois State Scholar

STM Family Captain

Jaden Cale Quiram*

Holy Cross Parish

Gap Year

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Illinois State Scholar

STM House Captain

Homer Garfield Radden II

Attending Florida International University

Dean’s Scholarship, Nova Southeastern University

Saluki Silver Scholarship, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Scarlett Catherine Rentschler

St. Patrick Parish, Urbana

Gap Year

Amir Seidu

Attending Northern Illinois University

Sage Carol Stahler

Attending Eastern Illinois University

Kambyl Julianne Stipes*+#

Holy Cross Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

President’s Award, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Presidential Scholarship, Illinois State University

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM Family Captain

Anthony James Studer*+

Holy Cross Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM Family Captain

Daniel Edward Suits*+

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Trustees Scholarship, Parkland College

IHSA All State Academic Team Nominee

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Illinois State Scholar

STM Salutatorian

STM Science Department Award

Madelynn Lee Swisher*+

St. Thomas Parish

Attending Hawaii Pacific University

Provost Scholarship, Hawaii Pacific University

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Ella Claire Tangen*+#

St. Matthew Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Merit Scholarship, Baylor University

Merit Scholarship, Indiana University

Merit Scholarship, Miami of Ohio University

Merit Scholarship, University of Alabama

Trustees Scholarship, Parkland College

STM House Captain

Dane Julian Taylor*+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Marian University

Academic Achievement Award, Marian University

Campus Visit Award, Marian University

Early Sabre Award, Marian University

Marian Out-of-State Award, Marian University

Eureka Scholars Gold Scholarship, Eureka College

Uniquely Eureka Award, Eureka College

Catholic Scholarship, University of Saint Francis

President’s Scholarship, University of Saint Francis

Presidential Scholarship, Wisconsin Lutheran College

Maurice Graham Scholarship, Knights of Columbus, Rantoul Council #4450

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM House Captain

Rohan Kishor Thope*

Holy Cross Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Caleb Richard Twohey*

Holy Cross Parish

Attending Parkland College

STM House Captain

Joseph Antanas Ulozas*+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Rose-Hulman Merit Scholarship, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Presidential Scholarship, Augustana College

Academic Scholarship, Butler University

Freeway Scholarship, Cornell College

DePauw University Award, DePauw University

Presidential Award of Excellence, DePauw University

Redbird Scholarship, Illinois State University

Presidential Scholarship, Loyola University Chicago

Marquette University Ignatian Distinction Scholarship, Marquette University

Magis Campus Resident Scholarship, Marquette University

Père Marquette Award, Marquette University

Catholic High School Award, Saint Louis University

SLU Grant, Saint Louis University

Vice President’s Scholarship, Saint Louis University

Campus Scholarship, Saint Olaf College

Dean’s Scholarship, Saint Olaf College

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Illinois State Scholar

ABO Scholar Athlete Award, The High School of Saint Thomas More

STM Math Department Award

Jasmine Kay Waite+

St. Patrick Parish, Urbana

Attending College of Charleston

Merit Scholarship, College of Charleston

Presidential Excellence Scholarship, Bradley University

Presidential Scholarship, Loyola University Chicago

RedHawk Excellence Scholarship, Miami University

Trustees Scholarship, Parkland College

Vincent O. Greene Senior Scholarship, The High School of Saint Thomas More

Vic Shaul Scholarship, Champaign-Urbana Noon Kiwanis Club

Illinois State Scholar

STM English Department Award

STM Family Captain

Saint Thomas More Award

Benjamin Samuel Wilson*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Rose-Hulman Merit Aid, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Rose-Hulman Merit Grant, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Presidential Scholarship, Bradley University

Presidential Scholarship, Loyola University Chicago

Marquette Books Award, Marquette University

Père Marquette Award, Marquette University

Dayton Flyer Grant, University of Dayton

Presidential Scholarship, University of Dayton

Trustees Scholarship, Parkland College

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Illinois State Scholar