As a group, they are impressive. 
Saint Viator High School’s Class of 2016 graduated on Sunday, during a packed ceremony in the Cahill Gymnasium, that was led by Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, president.
All 226 members have been accepted to college, and many to some of the country’s most selective schools, including Harvard, Colombia University in New York, Michigan, Northwestern, Notre Dame, University of California at Berkeley, USC and Vanderbilt.
Top choices of reporting seniors included Marquette with 13, Loyola with 12 and the University of Illinois in Champaign with 11.
Their scholarship offers are equally as impressive, with more than $26 million reported — or a total of 555 scholarships awarded to 150 students.
They ranged from National Merit and Division I athletic scholarships; to presidential scholarships for merit, as well as the Evans Scholarship from the Western Golf Association for full tuition and housing, and the Chicago Blackhawk Alumni Scholarship, to name just a few.
Fr. Brost celebrated the baccalaureate Mass with his fellow Viatorians — Fr. Daniel Hall, CSV, and Fr. Daniel Lydon, CSV — who serve on the faculty. The two co-salutatorians also spoke: Mark Perkowski and Nicholas Spanier.
Co-Salutatorian Nicholas Spanier
Co-Salutatorian Mark Perkowski
At the graduation ceremony, the school’s two
Matt Fitzgerald goes up to receive the Erdmann Award
biggest awards were presented. The first, the Erdmann Award was given to Matthew Fitzgerald. The award was started in memory of Christopher Erdmann, from the Class of 1968, who passed away from leukemia. It is intended to recognize a student who has taken active involvement and leadership in the improvement of Saint Viator High School Matt participated in a variety of activities — from band to Campus Ministry — but left his mark with his many videos that helped promote students and their endeavors. Matt’s name now will be etched on the Christopher Cup where he will join the more than 45 other prestigious winners.
Valedictorian Liam Warner
Likewise, the Andrew Johnstone Award was created in memory of a former student who died in the summer of 1991, before the start of his senior year, when he would have served as class president. Consequently, the award goes to a senior who has shown outstanding leadership and spirit. This year’s winner was Liam Warner, valedictorian. Liam proved a worthy leader, when in a moment of panic, he realized the written copy of his speech was not on the podium, he went on to recite it from memory — and draw a standing ovation. He will attend Harvard University in the fall.