Congratulations to the Class of 2024!

The High School of Saint Thomas More held its Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 18th, at 10am for 44 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. Brenden Damore and Grace Dimoke received the St. Thomas More Award, the highest award presented by the school. Class of 2024 Valedictorian, Blake Bermingham, spoke about making the most of the life you have now, choosing to believe you can, taking the unbeaten path, and listening to the Man upstairs as you go. Salutatorian Brenden Damore reflected on competition and collaboration with classmates, three of the many lessons he learned during his time at STM, the importance of connection and remembering a name, and God calling all of us into greatness.  

Students were recognized at the annual Senior Honors Luncheon on Friday, May 17th. School Co-Captains Brenden Damore and Kaleb Dively presented the Class of 2024 gift: house banners that will be carried into assemblies and displayed in the hallways.

The 44 graduates completed over 8,330 service hours and received over $3.9 million in merit and/or athletic scholarships; 75% of them will attend a 4 year university, with 25% 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 19th.

Skyler K Anderson+#

Attending Illinois State University

Legacy Scholarship, Illinois State University

Scholar Scholarship, Illinois State University

Folds of Honor Scholarship

POW/MIA Tuition Waiver

No Greater Sacrifice Scholarship

STM House Captain

Also accepted to: Butler University, University of Alabama, University of Dayton, University of Indiana, University of Mississippi, University of Tennessee

Jason Yu Ballard*+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

ACES Scholarship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Chancellor’s Scholar, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Distinguished Merit Scholarship, Eastern Illinois University

Redbird Academic Scholarship, Illinois State University

Parkland College Board of Trustees Scholarship

Illinois State Scholar

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Sons of the American Revolution Good Citizens Award and Scholarship

STM Spanish Department Award

STM Family Captain

Also accepted to: Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University

Blake Steven Bermingham*+

St. Malachy Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Merit Scholarship, Case Western Reserve University

Merit Scholarship, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Parkland College Board of Trustees Scholarship

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

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

Student ImpactLife Award

Illinois State Scholar

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Valedictorian Class of 2024

STM Science Department Award

STM Family Captain

Also accepted to: Case Western Reserve University, Illinois State University, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Purdue University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, University of Missouri, University of Virginia, 

Peace Mbongo Bumba*

Attending Indiana State University

Athletic Scholarship, Indiana State University

Scott College of Business Scholarship, Indiana State University

STM House Captain

Also accepted to: Eastern Illinois University, Northern Michigan University, University of Findlay

August Michael Christhilf*

Holy Cross Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Children of Veterans Scholarship

Navy ROTC National Scholarship, Marine Option 

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM Family Captain

Also accepted to: Indiana University, Luther College, Purdue University

Gavin Finnian Clapper*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Sauk Valley Community College

Joseph Benedict Clavey

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Parkland College

Ashanty Beatriz Contreras-Valle*

St. Mary Catholic Parish

Attending the University of Illinois Chicago

Also accepted to: University of Iowa

Thomas Anthony Corapi*+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending the University of Florida

Navy ROTC National Scholarship, Navy Option

Merit Scholarship, University of Mississippi

Parkland College Board of Trustees Scholarship

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

Illinois State Scholar

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM Family Captain

Also accepted to: Florida State University, Texas A&M University,The Pennsylvania State University,  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Mississippi, University of Texas at Austin

Harlin Brody Cuppernell*

Attending Aurora University

Merit Scholarship, Aurora University

Also accepted to: Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University

Brenden James Damore*#+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending the University of Notre Dame

Parkland College Board of Trustees Scholarship

College Board’s National Rural and Small Town Recognition

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

Illinois State Scholar

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Salutatorian Class of 2024

Saint Thomas More Award

STM Social Studies Department Award

STM School Captain

Also accepted to: School of Biology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Grace Dimoke Ndjeka*#

St. Patrick Parish, Urbana

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Jesse W. Fell Scholarship, Illinois State University

President’s Award, University of Illinois Chicago

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

Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens Award

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Saint Thomas More Award

STM House Captain

Also accepted to: DePaul University, Illinois State University, Iowa State University, Louisiana State University, Loyola University Chicago, Marquette University, Michigan State University, Millikin University, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, State University of New York at Buffalo, University of Illinois Chicago, University of Iowa, University of Missouri

Kaleb Matthew Dively*#+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Parkland College Board of Trustees Scholarship

Champaign West Rotary Scholarship

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

Illinois State Scholar

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM School Captain

Also accepted to: Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Lucas Michael Dixon*+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

College of ACES Academic Achievement Scholarship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Redbird Academic Scholarship, Illinois State University

Academic Scholarship, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM House Captain

Also accepted to: Illinois State University, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, The Ohio State University

Grant Raymond Evangelisti*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Parkland College

Also accepted to University of Mississippi

Suhani Garg*

Attending The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Parkland College Board of Trustees Scholarship

Dean’s Scholarship, Indiana University Bloomington

National Buckeye Scholarship, The Ohio State University

Distinction Award, University of South Carolina

Illinois State Scholar

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM English Department Award

News Gazette Correspondent

Also accepted to: Indiana University Bloomington, Penn State Beaver, The Ohio State University, University of Pittsburgh, University of South Carolina, University of Wisconsin-Madison

James Matthew Henderson*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM Math Department Award

Also accepted to: Illinois State University

Emily Alana Herges*+

Holy Cross Parish

Attending the University of Tennessee Knoxville

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM Theology Department Award

STM House Captain

Also accepted to: Indiana University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Kansas, University of Kentucky

Dylan Robert Hill*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Parkland Pathways to Illinois

Legacy Scholarship, Illinois State University

RedHawk Excellence Scholarship, Miami University

STM House Captain

Also accepted to: Illinois State University, Miami University, Parkland College, University of Mississippi

Benjamin Levi Horn*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Aurora University

Aurora University Grant, Aurora University

Connection Resident Award, Aurora University

Dean’s Scholarship, Aurora University

Merit Scholarship, Eastern Illinois University

President’s Scholarship, Greenville University

Redbird Academic Scholarship, Illinois State University

Alumni Scholarship, Illinois Wesleyan University

President's Award Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Also accepted to: Eastern Illinois University, Greenville University, Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Monmouth College

Isabel Anne Jimenez*+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Purdue University

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

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM Family Captain

Also accepted to: Butler University, Indiana University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Iowa, Saint Louis University

Julia Lauren Johnson*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending High Point University

Athletic Scholarship, High Point University

Centennial Academic Grant, High Point University

Presidential Fellowship, High Point University

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM House Captain

Cole Wesley Kemper*+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Redbird Academic Scholarship, Illinois State University

Dean’s Scholarship, Indiana University Bloomington

Crimson Pride Award, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University Indianapolis

RedHawk Excellence Scholarship, Miami University

Ole Miss First Scholarship, University of Mississippi

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM House Captain

Also accepted to: Illinois State University, Miami University, University of Indiana, University of Mississippi

Wilson Dean Kirby*+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Indiana University Bloomington

Dean’s Scholarship, Indiana University Bloomington

Legacy Scholarship, Illinois State University

Annual Merit Scholarship, Millikin University

Honors Program Scholarship, Millikin University

College of ACES Merit Scholarship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Volunteer Scholarship, University of Tennessee

Illini Prairie Conference Scholar Athlete Award

Illinois State Scholar

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Also accepted to: Illinois State University, Millikin University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Tennessee

Norah Catherine LaMontagne

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Georgia Southern University

Alumni Scholarship, Illinois State University

Merit Scholarship,University of North Carolina Asheville

STM House Captain

Also accepted to: Appalachian State University,  Illinois State University, University of Kentucky, University of Mississippi, University of North Carolina Asheville

Rylen Daniel Martinez*

St. Malachy Parish

Attending Parkland College

Joseph Micah Masuki

St. Matthew Parish

College Undecided

Accepted to: Aberswyth University, Anglia Ruskin University, Coventry University

Jack Lawrence McMahon*+

Holy Cross Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Dean’s Scholarship, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

James Scholar, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

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

Illinois State Scholar

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Also accepted to: Parkland Pathways to Illinois

Katherine Ruth McMillan+

St. Patrick Parish, Urbana

College Undecided

Merit Scholarship, DePaul University

Merit Scholarship, Sarah Lawrence College

Merit Scholarship, Temple University

STM Music Department Award

STM House Captain

Also accepted to: DePaul University, Sarah Lawrence College, Temple University, University of Illinois Chicago

Parker McCann Moore*

St. Patrick Parish, Urbana

Attending Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Saluki Maroon Scholarship, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Also accepted to: Illinois State University, Northern Illinois University

Onyinyechi Nena Okolo#

St. Matthew Parish

Attending the University of Illinois Chicago

Merit Scholarship, Howard University

National African American Scholar Provost’s Scholarship, University of Iowa

Mark Twain Scholarship, University of Missouri

Vic Shaul Scholarship, Champaign-Urbana Kiwanis Club

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM Spanish Department Award

Also accepted to: Howard University, State University of New York at Buffalo, The Ohio State University, University of Iowa, University of Missouri

Timothy Luis Oliver*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Parkland College

Stephen James Paceley

St. Thomas Parish

Attending Lake Land College

Also accepted to Parkland College

Ruari Mairead Quarnstrom#+

St. Matthew Parish

Attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Parkland College Board of Trustees Scholarship

Illini Prairie Conference Scholar Athlete Award

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

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

STM Spanish Department Award

STM Family Captain

Also accepted to: Loras College, Loyola University Chicago, University of Louisville, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Emily Reyna#

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Illinois State University

STM Spanish Department Award

Also accepted to: Arizona State University, College of Charleston, Illinois State University, Texas State University, University of Cincinnati, University of Illinois Chicago, University of Louisville

Angeliese Simone Ribbe

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Temple University

Regent’s Scholarship, Loyola University Chicago

Also accepted to: Loyola University Chicago, University of North Carolina Greensboro, University of Missouri-St. Louis, University of Texas at San Antonio, Western Michigan University

Leilani Sayavongsa*+

St. Malachy Parish

Attending Louisiana State University

Academic Excellence Scholarship, Louisiana State University

Academic Scholar, Louisiana State University

President’s Scholarship, Louisiana State University

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Also accepted to: Eastern Illinois University, Florida International University, Illinois State University, Millikin University, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Texas State University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Madalyn Annette Sexton*

Attending Parkland College

Also accepted to: Augustana College, Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University

Elizabeth Jane Stubbers*

Our Lady of the Lake Parish

Attending Illinois State University

Redbird Scholarship, Illinois State University

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

STM Drama Department Award

Also accepted to: Northern Illinois University

David Di-MataTuala

Attending North Park University

Also accepted to: Hamline University, Mount Marty University, Parkland College

Garrett Milton Unger*

Holy Cross Parish

Attending Parkland Pathways to Illinois

Campus Visit Grant, Augustana College

Dean’s Scholarship, Augustana College

Housing Award, Augustana College

Meal Plan Award, Augustana College

Academic Scholarship, Berry College

Berry Grant from Alumni & Friends Scholarship, Berry College

Knox Illinois Resident Award, Knox College

Knox Presidential Scholarship, Knox College

RedHaw Excellence Scholarship, Miami University

Bulldog Legacy Scholarship, Truman State University

Joseph Baldwin Academy Scholarship, Truman State University

President’s Honorary Scholarship, Truman State University

TruMerit Scholarship, Truman State University

President’s Merit Scholarship, University of Dayton

Illinois State Scholar

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

Also accepted to: Augustana College, Berry College, Knox College, Miami University, Truman State University, University of Dayton, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Kaitlyn Nicole Valentine*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Parkland College

STM Family Captain

Robert Gregory Vavrik*

St. Matthew Parish

Attending Millikin University

Academic Excellence Scholarship, Millikin University

Housing Scholarship, Millikin University

Leadership Academic Scholarship, Greenville University

Merit Scholarship, Greenville University

Visit Grant, Greenville University

Ignatian Distinction Scholarship, Marquette University

Magis Campus Resident Scholarship, Marquette University

Père Marquette Scholarship, Marquette University

IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

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

STM Latin Department Award

Also accepted to: Marquette University, Greenville University, The University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Jeongin Yoo*

Attending Washington State University

STM Theater Tech Department Award

Also accepted to: Minnesota State University Mankato, University of Illinois Chicago