CLASS OF 2023 AWARDS

First Discipleship Certificates

Under the patronage of Mary as the “First Disciple” of Jesus Christ, the First Disciple Leadership Program aims to form leaders who are disciples and disciples who lead. The curriculum focuses on the human, intellectual, spiritual, and apostolic formation of the person and seeks to inspire Christian servant leadership in its participants to aid the mission and vision of the Community System and beyond.  The following seniors have completed the program with active participation all four years.    

Lauren Coffey, Reagan Davis, Mena DiGiorgio, Christopher Dodson, Elizabeth Laville, John Jacobson, Izabella Jurado, Elizabeth McCann, Patrick Rodriguez, Kendal Radke, Helena Stafford

Senior Academic Awards

For demonstrating excellence academically, being a consistently positive contributor to class, and showing interest in the content outside of class time over the course of their four years, the Senior award recipients in the following subjects are:

Art (Band) – Alex Brady

Art (Jazz) – Andrew Saville

Art (Orchestra) – Betsy Laville

Art (Visual Sewing) – Sydney Sheerin, Jenna Wilken

Art (Visual) – Matthew Free, Helen Smock

Art (Vocal) – Gia Kelker, Elizabeth McCann

Business – Christopher Dodson, Maximillian Nearmyer

Computer Science – Matthew Free, Emma Mestemacher

Technology – Jackson Bichelmeyer, Megan Mathews

Yearbook – Ava Requet, Maximillian Nearmyer, Abby Wurtenberger

English – Gabriella Nguyen

Math – Marie Kerschen, Jacob Oberrieder, Lexi Sher

Physical Education – Blake Boydston, Reagan Salsbury

Science – Leah Johnson, Marie Kerschen

Social Studies – Tiegan Blaine, Adrianna Brady

Theology – Andrew Hartegan, Kate Maurer

Weights – Cole Riley

World Languages (American Sign Language) – Gabriella Nguyen, Brianna Simms

World Languages (Latin) – Adrianna Brady, Taylor McCoy

World Languages (Spanish) – Grace Hecke, Bella Jurado

National Merit Scholarship Competition

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High School students enter the National Merit Program by taking the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) which serves as an initial screen for approximately 1.6 million entrants each year.  The top 3% of students are identified as Commended Scholars based on their test scores.  The top 1% of students move on to the Semifinalist standing and continue in the National Merit competition, potentially earning the standing of a finalist.

National Merit Finalst

These students finished in the top 1% of the students tested, and they have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,250 National Merit Scholarships.

Elizabeth McCann

Commended Students in the National Merit Scholarship Program

Commended students comprise the next 34,000 highest scorers on last spring’s PSAT, putting them in the top 3% of all testers nationwide.

Grace Hecke, Helena Stafford

Kansas Designated State Scholars

State Scholars are derived from the KS Scholars Curriculum Completers. The Scholars Curriculum Completers are those that have completed:  4 years English, 4 years Math, 3 years Science (including Biology, Chemistry and Physics), 3 Social Studies, and 2 Foreign Language. State Scholars designation is based on an index which mathematically combines the ACT Composite score and the student’s 7 semester GPA.

Jackson Bichelmeyer
Liam Bockwinkel
Blake Boydston
Grace Burns
Lauren Cahill
Zachary Clark
John Conley
Lydia Crist
Ella Culliss
Matthew Free
Andrew Hartegan
Grace Hecke
Emma Holton
Henry Hubbell
Chloe Husbands
John Jacobson
Leah Johnson
Eli Kalny
Blake Mathy
Elizabeth McCann
Katherine McKnight
Kolbe McLenon
Nathan Melchior
Chloe Merideth
Emma Mestemacher
Jack Mies
Amelia Miller
Mai Nguyen
Jacob Oberrieder
Robert Ochs
Tucker Peterson
Taelyn Quillin
Mia Reuter
Brendan Rickert
Abraham Rome
Ty Roshau
Aidan Rund
Reagan Salsbury
Grant Scaletty
Brianna Simms
Owen Stafford
Lauren Steinlage
Gabriel Sydzyik
Alyson VanNieuwenhuyse
Shawn Wornall
Abigail Wurtenberger

Kansas Governor’s Scholars

The Governor’s Scholars program honors the top academic Kansas High School Seniors. This program is coordinated by the Governor by the Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force.

Adrianna Brady
Alex Brady
Grace Hecke

Thunder 30

The Thunder 30 is an award presented to those that acquire a 30 or above on their ACT.

Natalie Astoquilca-May
Liam Bockwinkel
Alex Brady
Adrianna Brady
Lauren Cahill
John Conley
Ella Culliss
Matthew Free
Anna Gomez
Andrew Hartegan
Grace Hecke
Henry Hubbell
John Jacobson
Leah Johnson
Marie Kerschen
Elizabeth Laville
Elizabeth McCann
Taylor McCoy
Kolbe McLenon
Emma Mestemacher
John Niesen
Jacob Oberrieder
Robert Ochs
Brendan Rickert
Abraham Rome
Ty Roshau
Aidan Rund
Andrew Saville
Sophy Saykally
Helen Smock
Helena Stafford
Lauren Stanley
Gabriel Sydzyik
Eleanor Wiley
Abigail Wurtenberger

Recognition of Students Who Have Enlisted for Military Service

Lauren Steinlage – United States Air Force Academy

Zachary Clark – United States Military Academy

Msgr. Burger Vocational Scholarship Award

Awarded to graduating senior  who is entering the seminary:

Jackson Poznich

2022-23 UNDERCLASS AWARDS

Charism Awards

One Award

The One Award is given to a student who represents the spirit of the community.  We are called to live as One Body of Christ.  Additionally and essentially, they support and encourage others to share their gifts and they embody the hospitality that Christ himself witnessed to the world.

Caroline Kmetz, Peter Nguyen, Beatrice Wiley, Hank Schreiner, Norah Rosa, Ben Wheeler

Holy Award

The Holy Award is given to a student who is seeking holiness through personal prayer, stewardship, virtue and integrity.  This award is given to a student who is in tune with the voice of God in their daily life.  Living and celebrating faith in word and deed are hallmarks of the Holy Award winners.

Mary Rosa, Andrew Rickert, Emmie Holton, Erik Brim, Bernadette Wallace, Zach Jaworski

Catholic Award

The Catholic Award is given to a student who is continually seeking to understand faith.  The  student who is selected as the Catholic award winner is an overall strong student, who is active in their community and well rounded.  Additionally, they are a person who strives for excellence in all aspects of life, always demonstrating hard work and effort.

Lydia Burns, Gavin Puchalla, Isabelle Connealy, Michael Bianco, Malori Ard, Elliott Coulson

Apostolic Award

The Apostolic Award is given to a student who lives their faith by serving others.  The winner of the Apostolic award is a student who is seen as a servant who spreads the Good News of Jesus Christ both in our school and in the broader community.  This award winner embodies an understanding of Jesus’ commission to go and spread the good news of the gospel.

Elizabeth Wurtenberger, Cooper Ryne, Madison Steinlage, William Book, Sophiua Zacharias, Patrick Donnelly

Undergraduate Scholarship Awards

Amici Fideles “Faithful Friends” Scholarship

This award is anonymously sponsored by an SJA family whose child received caring support from friends at St. James at a critical time.  These friends surrounded the student with faithful friendship by showing compassion, love, attentiveness, determination, commitment and forgiveness when it was needed.  The parents were so touched, they created the scholarship fund, “Amici Fideles”, or “Faithful Friends”.  The $500 award is designed to recognize two Sophomore students (rising Juniors for the 2022-23 school year) who pursue academic excellence, set a good moral example, and have shown extraordinary faithfulness to a friend in need.  This year we had 27 students nominated for this scholarship, by faculty, staff and coaches.  This year’s recipients are:

Isabelle Connealy and Mary-Clare Wilson

Samantha Branson “Joy and Happiness” Memorial Scholarship:

Samantha Branson was a disciple, teacher and mother at St. James Academy who brought happiness and a loving heart to everyone who knew her.  She was known by all, for her love of Jesus and her students, her passion for literature and writing, and for the “Wall of Happiness” that adorned her classroom walls each year, allowing students to share with each other those things, big and little, that brought them happiness.  A scholarship was established in her honor, so that her memory and example can live on within our SJA community.  The $500 award is designed to recognize a rising Junior or Senior student who emulates joy and happiness, loves literature, and creates community in the classroom.  This year’s recipient is:

Katelyn Kuckelman

Lauren Dopp Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established by the family of Lauren Dopp ‘09 as a memorial to honor her special qualities of purity, honesty, faith, and complete determination.  Lauren’s friends speak of her as a  woman of radical faith and say that she possessed an unbelievable desire to love.  She spoke her mind and abandoned social boundaries as she befriended all who would let her. She had a heart for service, and she lived for others.  Her devotion to honesty and truth made her a loyal friend and  teammate.  She admitted her flaws and committed to her struggles.  She faced life head-on and made the most of every opportunity she was given.  Her ownership of her flaws made her a hero to those around her. Lauren continues to be an example of faith and purity in our St. James community with the tradition of saying “Be, Know, Do” at the closing of our prayer circles.  This $500 award recognizes a veteran St. James Academy Spirit Team member (either cheer or dance) who best represents the ideals set forth by former member, Lauren Dopp ‘09.  This year’s recipient is:

Maddi Barney

Zach Graas “Dream Big” Memorial  Scholarship

The Zach Graas “Dream Big” Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the memory and continue the legacy of Zach Graas, class of 2011. While Zach was not a straight-A student nor a star athlete, he possessed two key attributes – ability to dream big, and the grit to achieve those dreams.  Zach pursued his goals with relentless determination.  What set Zach apart from others his age was his ability to get out of his comfort zone and engage with the people around him, whether he knew them or not.  A brain cancer diagnosis at the beginning of his college career didn’t slow him down in the pursuit of his greatness, nor did his 6-year battle against brain cancer.  Zach achieved more in those 6 years than many people achieve in a lifetime. Established in 2029, in memory of Zach, this $1000 scholarship is designed to recognize a Junior student who is determined, has a positive outlook and shows friendship to all.  It is someone who embraces challenges and lives life to its fullest.  This year’s recipient is:

Corey Haggerty

David B. Jones Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established to honor the memory of David B. Jones, father of five graduates of St. James Academy.  Though cancer claimed his body, it could never conquer his spirit nor erase his legacy.  David instilled a spirit of competition, excellence, and achievement in all his children, and strove to support them in all their endeavors.  Armed with his stopwatch and heat sheets, he was a constant presence on the sidelines and at the finish line.  So it is fitting that this scholarship supports student-athletes in their own pursuit of excellence and achievement.  This $1000 scholarship recognizes a rising Sophomore, currently involved in  either swimming or track and field. This year’s recipient is:

Luke Toepfer

SJA for SJA Memorial Scholarship

The SJA for SJA scholarship was created in memory of Stefanie Jo Adams, wife of football coach Jeff Adams, and mother of alumni Jase Adams ‘19 and Olivia Clary, nee Adams ‘15. Stefanie was a music educator for over 30 years.  While Stefanie had a profound love of music and education, she also valued supporting others.  Everything she did was filled with enthusiasm and purpose.  She loved supporting her family in their various activities and found joy in doing so.  She and Olivia shared a common passion for music and spent many hours playing instruments and traveling to Olivia’s harp lessons over the years.  Even though she was not a star athlete (or even athletic in the slightest), she could be heard cheering loudly in the stands for every SJA football game Jase played and Jeff coached.  Stefanie packed her vigor for life into every moment and inspired many others to do the same.  Established in memory of Stefanie Jo Adams, this $750 scholarship is designed to recognize two rising Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors who are currently involved in band, orchestra, or football. This year’s recipients are:

Nicholas May and Connor Skahan

Isabelle Ford “Grace Iz Forever” Legacy Scholarship

This scholarship is designed to recognize one Freshman (rising Sophomore for the 2023-24 school year) and one Sophomore (rising Junior for the 2023-24 school year), who in their short time here have shown a heart for service, extraordinary faithfulness to friends, pursues academic excellence, and lives life to its fullest in honor of Isabelle Ford (Class of ’23).

Emmie Holton and Gavin Puchalla

Underclassmen Academic Awards

For demonstrating excellence academically, being a consistently positive contributor to class, and showing interest in the content outside of class time over the course of their four years, the Senior award recipients in the following subjects are:

Art-Speech/Debate

• Clara Kueny, Lucas Frias, Paden Phar, Andrew Cook, Amelie King, Joshua Dodson, Leo Bertels, Bella Gabriel, Jayden Leyva

Art-Band

• Alex Hawk, Sydney Nguyen

Art-Orchestra

• Lilly Theis, Quinn Hays, Sophia Hance, Sierra Shotkoski

Art-Jazz

• Alton Porter, Nick May, Vanessa Kamau

Art-Visual/Sewing

• Sierra Shotkoski

Art-Visual

• Audrey Hartline, Grace Kissel, Leah Phelps, Trent Helmer, Ella Zysk, Adalee Hewes

Art-Vocal

• Graham Werner, Will Book, Nathan Brune, Mia Simone, Sydney Conrad, Emily Free

Computer Science

• Alexander Rueger, Cate Cahill, Addison Henige

Technology

• Joseeph Naumann, Ian Mulloy, Paige Adams, Astrid King, Quintan Smith

English

• Cooper Ryne, Isabelle Connealy, Lincoln McIntire, Kennedie Wenger, Nick May, Gemma Klassen, Luke Toepfer, Brighton Broeckelman

Math

• Clara Kueny, Leah Cordova, Katelyn Kuckelman, Leah Haeusser, Alexander Rueger, Malori Ard, Luke Toepfer, Katelyn Menghini, Lincoln McIntire

Physical Education

• Jameson Fitzgerald, Jack Bevitt, Charlie Hinkel, Regan Becker, Meredith Peterson, Ava Spachek

Science

• Andrew Rickert, Amelie King, Malori Ard, Brighton Broeckelman, Nick May, Cecilia Nguyen, Gavin Puchalla, Avery O’Hara, Nicole Surface

Social Studies

• Audrey Hartline, Brinkley Colquitt, Katelyn Kuckelman, Teigan Blaine, Genevieve Ludvicek, Beatrice Wiley, Landon Simoes, Addison Ney

Theology

• Atley Werth, Leah Cordova, Nathan Brune, Gavin Puchalla, Allie Morfeld, Sophia Zacharias, Gianna Dennihan, Marshall Ley, Katie Price

World Language-American Sign Language

• Luke Toepfer, Erin Chuma, Andrew Bomhoff, Lydia Burns, Sydney Conrad, Sydney Lanham

World Language-Latin

• Ellie Wurtenberger, Caleb Ochs, Katelyn Kuckelman, Abby Schaffhausen, Avery O’Hara, Leah Phelps

World Language-Spanish

• Parker Nguyen, Keely Niehues, Kate McKenzie, Andrew Rickert, Amelia Schaefer, Lauren Rottinghaus