As our recent graduates head into the world, we are confident they are prepared for college and for life. Of the 101 students in the Class of 2021, 93 percent are choosing to go directly into postsecondary education, most in four-year colleges. One student is enlisting in the U.S. Air Force with the intention of applying his training toward an associate’s degree, and three are planning to enlist in the U.S. Army Reserve or U.S. Army National Guard to pay for their college. Additionally three graduates are headed into apprenticeship programs to learn a trade.

Many of our college-bound graduates are heading to state schools such as Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana University Southeast, or Purdue University, or they are using reciprocal agreements to attend the University of Louisville or Western Kentucky University. Some seniors, like Monica Nokes, Zach Aurilio, and Kieran Kelly, are headed to prestigious universities like the University of Notre Dame, Loyola University Chicago, and Loyola's Rome Start Program. Ten are committed to play sports at their respective colleges at the NAIA, NCAA Division III, and NCAA Division I levels.

Several students will be earning money as they attend college training programs for electrical apprenticeships and automotive technician training. Carson Heldman (pictured) and Brennan Finnegan will enter the Associated Builders and Contractors Electrical Apprenticeship program, which will provide them with supervised, paid, hands-on learning at Prosser Career Education Center via Vincennes University. Michael Hamm will be completing an automotive technician program, but he is still deciding which program to enter.

Jericho Brooks '21 has had his eye on his career choice since his freshman year when his parents gifted him with flying lessons. He has continued to pursue his private pilot license ever since and is just one step away from receiving that license before heading off to Indiana State University in the fall to major in aviation/professional flight. Thanks to college credits he earned while at Providence, he will be able to start college academically as a sophomore, just as his sisters, Cheyenne ’17 and Sierra ’18, did before him.

Several of our 2021 graduates are paying for college by committing to serving in the military. Landon Kruer has accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and plans to serve in the U.S. Marines for 10 years following his graduation. Jacob Russell is entering the U.S. Air Force in the fall as a way to earn college credit without having to sit in a traditional classroom. Alex Stoner and Aidan Leonard are choosing to enlist in the U.S. Army National Guard, and Wilson Stemm plans to enlist in the U.S. Army Reserve to pay for college and earn job experience.

Josh Russell '21 is taking a gap year before enrolling in college, but not to earn money. In fact, he will live off the generosity of others as a Catholic evangelist missionary. He will be part of a team leading retreats throughout the eastern United States through Hard As Nails Ministries. He is tasked with raising $10,000 this summer to pay for his two months of training and 10-month stint as a missionary.

Josh previously attended a retreat led by the organization and was attracted to the "fire and brimstone approach," he said. He easily related to the message and was impressed by the leaders for their understanding of the scriptures they taught -- and they seemed to "enjoy what they were doing and made me want to feel the same way."

His training will begin in August, and by early November, Josh will begin his retreat ministry as part of a six-to-eight-person team. He said he is looking forward to leading the retreats with others his age and to sharing his faith.

"I'm looking forward to being able to experience the world in a different and unique way and to grow in faith with other like-minded people and be able to bring that to as many other people as possible," Josh said.

Mr. Mickey Golembeski will retire this month after 17 years of service at Providence. As athletic director, he has overseen countless athletic contests and scores of postseason titles, including 68 sectionals, 40 regionals, 13 semi-state contests, and nine state championships. As a token of appreciation, he was presented with his own athletic blanket boasting those accomplishments.

Two teachers are leaving to spend time with family, and two are moving to part-time. Mrs. Katie Lennon, who has taught French and social studies over the last 12 years, is leaving to stay home with her expectant child. Mrs. Sarah (Buschemeyer) Koetter ‘87, who has taught social studies for a total of nine years, will devote more time to her family. Mrs. Kathryn Jacobi, who completed her 35th year at Providence this semester, will move to part-time in the fall, teaching only ACP English classes. Math teacher Mrs. Mary Alice (Lenfert) Knott '77, who has taught at PHS for 25 years, is also moving to part-time.

Mrs. Angie (Grantz) Koopman ’83 is planning to spend more time with family after working more than a year as an assistant in the Advancement Office.

The Distinguished Scholars in the Class of 2021 wore blue and white cords over their graduation gowns at Commencement on Sunday. Those students include Sam Bowles, Aaron Burke, Grant Dierking, Abigail Hanlon, Miranda Harley, Nicholas Hooper, Sophia Hottois, Emma Kaelin, Kieran Kelly, Rosie Kempf, Allen Kruer, Landon Kruer, Dominic LaDuke, Monica Nokes, Ray Reisinger, and Brooklyn Stocksdale.

The top two students in the class are valedictorian Allen Kruer, the son of and Duane '87 and Kyle (Kissinger '90) Kruer of St. John Paul II Parish, and salutatorian Grant Dierking, the son of Lisa (Reger) Mock '94 and of Will Dierking and a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish.