At commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2018 on Sunday, May 27, a number of graduates were recognized for excellence in leadership, scholarship and service throughout their four years on campus.
Although various departments present honors and accolades prior to the end of the school year, a small handful of special awards are bestowed at graduation. This year’s recipients embody the best of Saint Ignatius High School in the classroom, on the stage, in the field of play, and throughout our community.
Jeffrey Outcalt received the
Brendan Carey Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a member of the graduating class. It is given to the senior who best exemplifies the Saint Ignatius motto, “Men for Others,” through giving time and self in service to his school and community. Outcalt, who is a varsity lacrosse captain, two-time recipient of the Jim Skerl #34, two-year leader of the Saint Benedict Joseph Labre Ministry to the Homeless, and involved with the Rini Family Christmas Food Drive and Kino Cats, was voted to receive this honor by his classmates after being nominated by three faculty members. He will attend
The Ohio State University in the fall.
Nathan Abdelnour (left) and
Toby Engel (right) shared the honor of the
Conor J. Murphy ’98 Bellringer Award, which is given to seniors who have demonstrated a love for Saint Ignatius and have been instrumental in leadership and school spirit. Abdelnour is a veteran of the Student Senate and served as Student Body President during his senior year. He is attending
The Ohio State University next year. Engel is a committed member of the Ignatians for Peace & Justice, in addition to a member of the varsity football and wrestling teams. He will begin study at
John Carroll University in the fall. Both Abdelnour and Engel participated in international mission trips and were involved in various Christian Action Team initiatives, as well.
The students with the highest cumulative GPA after the first seven semesters receive the
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J. Award, named for Pope Francis. The Class of 2018 honorees are
Richie Hofstra and
Beck Saine. Hofstra will attend
Washington University in St. Louis and Saine will study at
Harvard University.
This year, five students were named recipients of the
JSN Recognition Award, sponsored by the Jesuit School Network and given to seniors at Jesuit institutions who demonstrated the five characteristics of Ignatian education.
Sam Evans (
The Ohio State University),
Joe Ezersky (
Boston College),
Max Gruber (
The Ohio State University),
Jonathan Ockunzzi (
Case Western Reserve University) and
Christian Seybert (
The Ohio State University) received the award this year.
A complete list of department award winners will be made available soon.
Congratulations to the Class of 2018 on your tremendous achievements! Go forth and do well, but more importantly, go forth and
do good. A.M.D.G.