We reflect on 2025, and the year that brought us classroom achievements to championship athletics, and from transformative faith reflections and service projects to STEM initiatives. These 25 highlights capture a snapshot of the Hilltopper experience. What are your top Marquette High memories from this year? 

Brandon Dike '25 named Youth of the Year 

Brandon Dike '25 was honored as Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee youth of the year award winner. "It means a lot, it also means I have the voice for Milwaukee," he said of the award. "Being able to advocate for the people around me is really important."

Marquette High volunteers 6,659 hours of service

Marquette High students put their faith into action this year through 6,659 hours of service, recorded in 2,188 individual logs by 916 active student volunteers. Their time and talent generated an estimated $181,113 in economic value for the community. Summer Service led the way, accounting for 38% of all hours, followed by ongoing partnerships with community organizations. 

Mayorga joins Youth Wall of Fame 

Aaron Mayorga '25 was honored with a spot on the prestigious Youth Wall of Fame at the United Community Center. A Bruce Guadalupe alum, Aaron received the award from UCC CEO Laura Gutiérrez.

Hayes and Koehne selected as Evans Scholars 

Brian Hayes ’25 and Bobby Koehne ’25 have been selected as 2025 Evans Scholars, a prestigious honor that recognizes dedication and excellence on and off the golf course. “Apart from the financial aspect of the scholarship, the opportunity to have a world-class education means everything to me and my family,” Koehne shared with Wisconsin Golf. The Evans Scholarship, valued at more than $125,000 per student over four years, provides full tuition and housing support.

Welcome back ShaNaNo

Faculty rock band ShaNaNo made its first appearance in 1975 at a farewell assembly for then principal Rev. Doug Leonhardt, SJ '56. After a hiatus, it was revived in 1995 with teachers Randy Skowronski and Tim Prosser playing a farewell concert for seniors.

Pope Leo XIV Announcement at MUHS

Marquette High experienced Church history together as a community. As the world saw white smoke rise from the Sistine Chapel announcing Pope Leo XIV, students, faculty and staff gathered to watch the live stream, pray in gratitude and send up our own plume of “white smoke.”

AP accomplishments 

Last year, Marquette High students took more than 1,100 AP Exams and 87% of exam-takers passed with a 3 or higher. In 18 of our 21 exams, Marquette High students had a higher percentage of passing scores when compared to state and national averages. Of the 467 AP students, 227 are on the Scholar Roster.

Quintero breaks another state record 

Track & Field capped the season with a top-10 team finish at the WIAA State Championships, highlighted by two new school records and a state record.  Gianni Quintero swept the 400, 800 and 1600 races while setting a new state record in the 1600, after breaking the 800-meter record last year. He also added a silver medal in the shot put with a new school record. The 4x400 relay team of Ivan Hooshmand, JJ Allen, Jackson Myers and Peyton Roby-Brown blaze a school-record 3:20. They returned in the finals to claim a podium third place in 3:20. Matthew Griffith scored third place in the discus with 186 feet 11 inches, and added a seventh-place finish in the shot put at 54-10½. 

Rugby wins back-to-back state championships 

Back-to-back state champions! The Marquette University High School rugby team defeated the Pulaski Roos in a hard-fought 21-17 match to repeat as state champions for the first time in school history. Coming into the state championship, Hilltopper rugby was ranked No. 22 in the nation for single-school teams, and was featured in the Goff Rugby Report. "Coach Colin Dillon, now in his seventh season, has cultivated a squad that thrives on discipline and teamwork," the Goff Rugby Report states. In addition to their state title, the Hilltoppers finished a perfect 6-0 conference season to win the Badgerland Conference title. 

Golf breaks its own state record 

Marquette University High School’s golf team made history, capturing the WIAA Division 1 state title in record fashion at University Ridge Golf Course. The Hilltoppers finished the two-day tournament with a team score of 584 (+8), winning the state championship by an incredible 19 strokes. It is the program's fourth WIAA state title. The team broke its own state tournament 36-hole scoring record at 8-over-par 584, which improved on the 2019 record by 10 strokes, according to Wisconsin.Golf.

Nine MUHS students named National Merit Semifinalists

Nine MUHS students earned the prestigious designation as National Merit Semifinalist for the 2025–26 school year: Yousef Abusamhadana, Ivan Baynes, James Escott, Ethan-Jeffery Lomo-Tettey, Vincent Mangan, Thomas Miller, Arjun Patel, William Peelen, and Emerson Porter. These students entered the program through their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT during junior year, placing them in the top 1% of test-takers nationwide.

Class of 2025 sets scholarship record 

Students in the Class of 2025 were accepted to top colleges and universities around the country, with UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, and Marquette University as the top three destinations for this year's graduates. Thirty-Four graduates of the Class of 2025 will become the first in their family to attend college. MUHS students received $16.3 million in first-year scholarships, the highest level in school history. Of the class, 92% of students were awarded at least one merit-based scholarship. Fifteen students have accepted four-year full-tuition or full-ride scholarships.

MUHS Sailing captures national title 

 

 

 

The MUHS sailing team's Carson Boemer '27 and Rueben Pike '26 capped a stellar season by capturing the title at the 2025 ISSA Great Oaks Invitational in New Orleans. Overall, 28 teams from across the country qualified to compete in the event at Southern Yacht Club. Carson and Rueben started strong on Saturday, securing their spot for Sunday’s Gold Championship Fleet. They went on to complete 6 races in mixed conditions, ultimately sailing a consistent and dominant series to claim victory in this single-division ISSA national event. Other highlights from the season included 3rd Place at the Dusty Waters regatta and 2nd Place at the Great Oaks Qualifier. The 2nd Place finish at the Great Oaks secured a berth to the National Great Oaks Championship in New Orleans, which was the first time in school history that the team qualified for a national event.

 

MUHS Honored with Kiwanis Hall of Fame Award
 

Marquette University High School was selected for the Kiwanis Club of Milwaukee’s Hall of Fame Award, recognizing organizations that demonstrate a sustained commitment to the long-term betterment of the Milwaukee community. The Hall of Fame Award honors a Milwaukee organization that enhances the lives of residents and visitors through service and impact. The Kiwanis Club of Milwaukee has sponsored the MUHS Key Club since 1968. Some examples of the Key Club's work are the MUHS Blood Drive, MUHS All-School Toy Drive with the House of Peace, and weekly assistance to the Jim Luther New Hope Center. All members commit to completing a minimum of 35 hours of service per year through Key Club events and community projects.  

Little Shop of Horrors wins Jerry Awards

The Jerry Awards recognized the 2025 production Little Shop of Horrors, including Outstanding Overall Design. 2025 MUHS Honors include: Outstanding Overall Design: Little Shop of Horrors; Outstanding Direction: Mr. Ryan Serfas, SJ; Outstanding Musical Direction: Mr. Tom Ajack & Mr. Jason Gillette; Outstanding Choreography: Patti Meadors; Outstanding Lighting Design: Mr. Michael Young ’13 & Ben Lyles-Schwarz ’27; Outstanding Sound Design: Mr. Michael Young ’13 & Mr. Joe Czukas ’95; Outstanding Costume Design: Patti Meadors; Spirit Awards: Zachary Hanson ’25 & Anna Pienkos. 

Celebrating Father Marco 

In October, tributes and gratitude poured in for Father Marco when he announced he will conclude his service as president at the end of the current school year, after a decade of transformative leadership. Father Marco, who became the 11th president of MUHS in 2016, has guided the school through a decade of growth and success. During Father Marco’s tenure, MUHS achieved numerous milestones and advanced its reputation for excellence. Early in his presidency, he oversaw the completion of the Companions on the Journey capital campaign, which funded major campus improvements – including a new three-story addition and a student commons that enhanced the school’s facilities. Thanks to generous supporters and Father Marco’s leadership, the campaign exceeded its $40 million goal, raising approximately $40.8 million to support capital improvements and scholarship endowments. 

Seniors Connect Service, Stories and Community

Seniors participated in unique service projects at Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum, Kinship Community Food Bank and Urban Farm, and Habitat for Humanity construction and ReStore. In Maeve Gavagan’s class, students at Forest Home cleaned headstones and researched the lives of Milwaukee civil rights activists, veterans, and everyday citizens, learning that “everybody has a story.” The class also took part in Narrative 4 Story Exchanges, deepening empathy and reflection. Many students returned to volunteer beyond the assignment. 

Turkey Bowl sets record 

The Turkey Bowl tradition continues! This year, 28 teams and nearly 300 students participated in the annual tradition - our biggest Turkey Bowl to date!

Soccer finishes as state runner-up 

MUHS soccer capped a memorable fall as WIAA Division 1 state runner-up, after a strong playoff run that included a dramatic 4–2 shootout victory over Hudson in the state semifinal. After a demanding early schedule, the Hilltoppers surged late and finished 6-1-1 down the stretch, going undefeated in the Greater Metro Conference to earn the top sectional seed. Senior forward Ben Bausch ’26 punctuated the year with national recognition as a United Soccer Coaches High School All-American, along with All-Great Lakes Region and WSCA First Team All-State honors.

Archbishop Grob celebrates Mass at MUHS

Archbishop Grob joined us at the beginning of the year to celebrate Mass of the Holy Spirit. Jesuit schools throughout the world begin each academic year with this special liturgy invoking the Spirit to pour out his graces upon us. 

Tom Jackson named Teacher of the Year

Theology teacher and department chair Tom Jackson was named a 2025 Catholic Herald Teacher of the Year. This prestigious honor recognizes Mr. Jackson’s exceptional dedication to Catholic education, his unwavering commitment to students, and his leadership in fostering faith-filled learning. Mr. Jackson’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. His calm demeanor, genuine compassion, and deep faith make him a trusted mentor and role model for students.

Science Olympiad places 9th in nation 

Marquette University High School’s Science Olympiad program closed the 2025 season with a top 10 finish at the National Tournament, earning ninth place overall. The varsity roster included Trevor Waltersdorf, Patrick Pelikan, Thomas Haverty, Luke Josetti, James Stamm, Mitchell Henry, William Peelen, Ethan-Jeffery Lomo-Tettey, Arjun Patel, Jack Lemke, Michael Conaty, James Escott, Finn Daily, Thomas Petrucci and Isaac Neumann, and was supported by alternates Charlie Gittins, Emerson Porter, Gavin Bartz, Guy Johnson and Luca Viccari. Marquette brought home a national title in Disease Detectives, where Arjun Patel and William Peelen out-paced the field in a CDC-sponsored epidemiology case study. Their first-place medals include an invitation to tour CDC headquarters in Atlanta with Coach Nicole Williams.

Hilltopper Robotics wins state championship

Hilltopper Robotics had a standout year, finishing 42nd globally and No. 1 in Wisconsin for the fourth consecutive year. The team captured 3 tournament wins and 4 judged awards. The program expanded with a new rookie team (RockHopper Robotics/FRC 1220), and extended its community impact by reaching over 5,700 people across 40+ outreach events, including hosting FLL middle school tournaments at MUHS that drew 2,000+ attendees. Team 1732 is composed of both Divine Savior Holy Angels and MUHS students, and the group designs, builds and programs a robot to compete. 

Cross Country runners set school records 

Marquette High cross country capped an outstanding 2025 season with a 3rd place finish at the state championship, marking the third consecutive state top 4 finish for the Hilltoppers. Brendan Reardon '26 led the team with a 4th-place individual finish, the best by a Hilltopper at the state meet since Jake Erschen’s third in 2009. Reardon also broke the previous school record of 15:30 while successfully defending his conference crown in 15:17. It was the second-fastest time in school history, trailing only the new school record of 15:14 from Eli North '27 earlier this season.

Biggest freshmen class since 2017

In the fall, nearly 250 freshmen joined the class of 2029, making it the largest group of Hilltoppers since 2017. The 247 students arrive from more than 160 schools across the greater Milwaukee area. The group includes nearly 70 percent Catholic students and 39 percent students of color.