At Saint Ignatius High School graduation on Sunday, May 26, a select group of graduates were honored for excellence in leadership, scholarship and service throughout their four years on campus.
Danny Brennan received the Brendan Carey Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a member of the Senior 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.
Brennan, who will attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall, is a two-year leader of the Saint Benedict Joseph Labre Ministry to the Homeless, the Rini Family Christmas Food Drive, and Spring Into Action; he also served as Senior Class President on the Student Senate. The son of Theology teacher Jim Brennan ’85, Danny also participated in the Cleveland Mission Trip and received two senior awards from academic departments: History and Theology. His selection for this award came by a vote from the senior class after nominations from the faculty.
Ryan Grace was awarded the Conor J. Murphy ’98 Bellringer Award, given to a senior who has demonstrated a love for Saint Ignatius and has been instrumental in leadership and school spirit. Ryan is also a two-year Labre leader, a Core Team leader for the food drive and Spring Into Action, and participated in both the Cleveland and Wheeling, West Virginia, mission trips. Ryan also served as Secretary of the Student Senate.
This year, he was awarded the Jim Skerl No. 34 jersey for Varsity Lacrosse, and received the Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J. Service Award, the highest honor given by the Christian Action Team. He will attend Marquette University in the fall.
Dillon Bangasser received the Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J. Award for having the highest cumulative GPA for the first seven semesters. He will attend the University of Notre Dame.
Dillion Gallagher was selected as the Valedictorian for the Class of 2019; Doug Huff, Jr. was Salutatorian. Each served as one of the two student speakers during commencement.
Additionally, four students received 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. Dillion Gallagher, Doug Huff, Jr., Sam LaGuardia, and David Okocha received the award this year.
Congratulations to these men and all of the members of the Class of 2019! Go forth and do well, but more importantly, go forth and do good. A.M.D.G.