Congratulations, Class of 2026!

Celebrating this year's Catholic high school graduates throughout Northern Colorado

Hundreds of young people graduated from Catholic high schools across Northern Colorado this year, formed in faith, intellect and mission. (Photo courtesy of Holy Family High School, Broomfield)

As the book closes on another school year, we congratulate the hundreds of high school graduates who've graduated from one of the Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Denver! Join us in praying for them and celebrating them, as they enter this next chapter of their lives!

“Congratulations, Class of 2026! May the Lord bless you and keep you close as he leads you to your next adventure in Christ. Remember his love for you, his presence with you and your identity in him as beloved sons and daughters of the Father. As you go forth from our Catholic high schools across the Archdiocese of Denver, may you do so in faith, hope and love for God and neighbor.” Archbishop James Golka

Holy Family High School, Broomfield

Graduation date: May 21, 2026

Number of graduates: 159

Number of graduates attending college: 152

Number of graduates with other post-grad paths: 7

“We’re proud to celebrate graduates who are forging their own paths beyond high school. Whether launching a business, stepping into the workforce, taking a gap year or chasing a lifelong dream, these students embody courage, ambition and authenticity.”

Valedictorian: Ava Hofmann

Salutatorian: Will Cavanaugh

“Wherever you go, remember this: your worth is not determined by your title, the followers you amass, or your resume. Your worth was sealed long before today. You are sons and daughters of God.” Mike D. Gabriel President Holy Family High School, Broomfield

John Paul the Great High School, Denver

Graduation date: May 23, 2026

Number of graduates: 35

Number of graduates attending college: 34

Number of graduates attending seminary: 1

Valedictorians: Francisco Salazar & Delaney Kearney

"The first graduating class of St. John Paul the Great proudly represents a group of Catholic students who have grown in faith, maturity, and perseverance. Whether they are founders of the school or recent transfers, they have embraced the formation of Catholic education and have been formed as disciples of Jesus Christ." Ralph Pesce Principal John Paul the Great High School, Denver

St. John Paul II High School, Loveland

Graduation date: May 16, 2026

Number of graduates:  4

Number of graduates attending college:  2

Number of graduates entering the workforce: 1

Valedictorian: Rita Adams

Salutatorian: Elijah Zetye

Mullen High School, Denver

Graduation date: May 26, 2026

Number of graduates:196

Number of graduates attending college: 191

Number of graduates entering military service: 1

Number of graduates taking gap years: 4

Valedictorian: Lucas Carreira

Salutatorian: Rose Dimelow

Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Victory, Centennial

Graduation date:  May 16, 2026

Number of graduates: 18

Number of graduates attending college: 17

Entering the workforce: 1 student

Valedictorian: John Gideon 

Salutatorian: Angadresma Deodatus 

G.K. Chesterton Award Winner: Christopher McAdam 

Commencement Speaker: Nikki Kingsley

Chesterton Academy of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, Denver

Graduation date:  May 21, 2026

Number of graduates: 1

Number of graduates entering seminary: 1

Regis Jesuit High School, Aurora

Boys Division

Graduation date: May 17, 2026

Number of graduates: 203

Valedictorians: Jonas Carlson & Kanaan Kratzer

Salutarorians: Gianni Ghiselli & Ian Ngantung

“If there is one more piece of advice I could leave with each of you, it would be this: do not be a spectator in your own life. Do not treat your life like a movie, something you are just watching from the outside. Be proactive. Go out and do something with it. Take risks. Make decisions. Step into the moments that feel uncertain, because that is where life actually happens. … At the end of the day, that is the choice in front of us all. You can sit back and watch life happen, playing it safe, staying in the middle—or you can step into the arena. You can take risks. You can fail and get back up and keep going. You can choose to actually live. Choose to live.” Amauri Asobo Graduation Speaker

Girls Division

Graduation date: May 17, 2026

Number of graduates: 173

Valedictorian: Chelsea Lopach

Salutarorian: Riley Widner

“Who we are was never meant to be defined by what we are involved in, but by how we show up, how we care, and how we make people feel. Our time at Regis Jesuit has pushed us to be authentic, have the confidence to speak up, and value connection over recognition. Those are the lessons we will all carry with us as we step into what comes next. Knowing this doesn’t make the future any less scary. But if the past four years have taught us anything, it’s that we are capable of more than we think, even when we don’t feel ready. Instead of fearing what lies ahead, I hope we learn to embrace it. The future isn’t something we’re supposed to have all figured out—it’s something we’re meant to grow into. Choose the unfamiliar conversation. Choose the uncomfortable opportunity. Choose the place that challenges you to grow.” Rakkav Getachew Graduation Speaker

99% of the members of the Class of 2025 were accepted into 332 schools and will matriculate to 134 colleges or universities next year. Several students will take a gap year before pursuing higher education. Some others will enter the workforce or begin professional training programs.

Arrupe Jesuit High School, Denver

Graduation date: May 8, 2026

Number of graduates: 94

• 66 of 94 graduates are the first in their families to earn a high school diploma

• 84 of 94 are first-generation college attendees

• $31 million+ in merit-based and community scholarships earned collectively

• 100% accepted to a four-year college or university

Valedictorian: Natalia Verdin

St. Mary’s Academy, Englewood

Graduation date: May 16, 2026

Number of graduates: 65

Number of graduates attending college: 65

“Living Loretto means to love others as Jesus did, have faith in him, yourself and your community, and do what is right even when it is hard.”

Denver Catholic Homeschoolers

Graduation date: May 16, 2026

Number of graduates: 26

Number of graduates attending college: 16

Number of graduates pursuing vocations: 3

Number of graduates entering missionary service: 2

Number of graduates entering workforce & training: 5