The Marquette University High School Grad at Grad Awards ceremony is a tradition that recognizes graduating seniors who embody the ideals of the Jesuit education: Intellectually Excellent, Religious, Loving, Open to Growth and Committed to Justice. 

The 2025 awardees have exemplified these qualities through their dedication, leadership and service. This year, we celebrate the following exceptional achievements at our annual Grad at Grad ceremony.

Valedictorian and Salutatorian
The Class of 2025 Valedictorian, Jude Ballinger, and Salutatorians, Gabriel Guminski and Luke McCormick, were honored for their exemplary scholarship and leadership, embodying the Jesuit call to intellectual excellence.

National Merit Finalists 
Six members of the senior class have earned the distinction of National Merit Finalists for the 2024-25 school year: Luke Petrucci, Luke McCormick, Nick Pienkos, Trevor Waltersdorf, Jude Ballinger and Colin Corr.

Grad at Grad Categories
Seniors who best exemplify the Grad at Grad qualities were recognized, as nominated by both the faculty and the senior class. 

The Award for the Grad at Grad quality of Religious goes to Bobby Koehne. 

The Award for Loving is given to Myron Holder. 

The Award for being Open to Growth is given to Luka Boban. 

The Award for Committed to Justice goes to Giovanni Ávila‑Gutierrez. 

Jesuit Schools Network Award Finalists
Each year, the Jesuit Schools Network honors a senior who most exemplifies the Graduate at Graduation profile. MUHS finalists for 2025 are Andrew Blount, Jack Kwiatt, and Luke McCormick. The recipient will be announced at commencement on May 24. Nominations from faculty noted that the following characteristics stood out about these students: 

Andrew Blount
Andrew is admired for his relentless drive to improve and his willingness to tackle any challenge, inside or outside the classroom. Teachers describe him as “eager to learn and grow on a daily basis,” someone who “takes in feedback graciously for continuous growth and self‑improvement.” Another nomination praises his “hard work and self‑advocacy,” noting how he humbly shares his talents with others. Consistently “front and center, ready to ask questions,” Andrew embodies the Grad at Grad quality of being Open to Growth. 

Jack Kwiatt
Jack’s leadership is rooted in humility and care for others. Faculty members highlight that he “thinks about others’ needs before his own” and is “always willing to do the right thing.” As a cross‑country captain and REDgen mental‑health ambassador, he led through “hard work and persistence,” inviting peers into meaningful conversations and service. Mentors add that Jack has shown “care and concern for younger students” since sophomore year and is a steady presence in MUHS’s liturgical life.

Luke McCormick
Luke is celebrated for his generous spirit and community‑building leadership. One nomination calls him the student “who willingly gives of himself to others constantly… he cares deeply about people, leads people, and builds community.” Advisors note Luke’s personal growth, praising how he has “integrated all the challenges of the MUHS experience” into a mature, reflective outlook. Teachers add that Luke’s ability to rally classmates whether on retreat teams or through Key Club demonstrates a servant leader who listens first and lifts others up.

Student Leadership Award 

Jude Ballinger – Exemplary service to the senior class and MUHS community

Leadership & Faith in Action

Kwasi Nsiah and Nick Orton – Outstanding Leadership as a Freshman Retreat Leader

Timmy Brienza & Luke Murray – Outstanding Leadership as Freshman Retreat Core Group Leaders

Patrick Pelikan – Living the 4th Award (Senior retreat witness to Ignatian spirituality)

Service & Justice Champions

Amer Asad, Kevin Cuevas, Ernesto Enciso & Vidal Ojeda – Dedication to Service Award

Charlie Ingrisano – Service in the Spirit of Humanity Award

Giovanni Ávila‑Gutierrez – Exceptional Achievement in Service

Key Club Officers – Luke McCormick, Drew Blonski, Nathan Sanders, Joe Rudek and Cormac Moloney recognized for exemplary chapter leadership

Athletic Integrity & Sportsmanship

Peter Gavahan & Luke Josetti – WIAA Scholar‑Athlete Award

Jack Kwiatt & Will Grellinger – Tom Burns Sportsmanship Award

Departmental Scholars

English – Luca Viccari

Fine Arts – Luke Murray

Math & Computer Science – Gabe Barbosa

Science – Luke Josetti

Social Studies – Nick Pienkos

Theology – Luka Boban

World Languages – Braden Shambarger (German), Jackson Czukas (Latin), Colin Corr (Spanish)

Language Honor Societies – Fabian Cornelio‑Muñoz (Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica Premio de Honor), Andrew Blount (German Honor Society)

Military & ROTC Appointments

Sean Hutchinson – NROTC Marine Scholarship

Jude Ballinger – U.S. Naval Academy

Andrew Blount – U.S. Air Force Academy

Tyce Ortega – U.S. Military Academy at West Point

Scholarship & Formation

Bobby Koehn & Brian Hayes – Evans Scholars

Giovanni Ávila‑Gutierrez – Ignatian Global Scholar

Jesuit Honor Society

The following seniors were recognized for their service as Jesuit Honor Society tutors: Daniel Astorga, Evan Bahr, Jude Ballinger, Drew Bergan, Andrew Blount, Luka Boban, Marco Brand, Timothy Brienza, Donovan Burris, August Conradson, Colin Corr, Peter Gavahan, Gabriel Guminski, Thomas Haverty, Brian Hayes, Charlie Ingrisano, Lincoln Johnson, Andrew Kim, Asa Kloss, Bobby Koehne, Connor Konieczny, Max Larcheid, Eric Lohse, Drew Mangarelli, Joseph Manning, Mikael Martensson, John Martin, Luke McCormick, Gabe Miller, Jack Mineau, Bode Minor, Cormac Moloney, Dermot More‑O’Ferrall, Tommy Mount, Luke Murray, Matt Nacker, Patrick Pelikan, Luke Petrucci, Nick Pienkos, Joe Rudek, Nathan Sanders, Alex Santana‑Cruz, Christian Schlidt, Braden Shambarger, Akram Sheikh, Luke Spielbauer, James Stamm, Luca Viccari, Andrew Volm, Bobby Walsh, Trevor Waltersdorf, Connor Wyatt and Braydn Zomcheck.

Big Brothers

The following seniors were recognized for leading student orientation for incoming freshmen: Amer Asad, Evan Bahr, Jude Ballinger, Gabriel Barbosa, Kristian Benishek, Drew Bergan, Carson Beyer, Drew Blonski, Jonah Borchardt, Marco Brand, Timmy Brienza, Robert Escobar Trujillo, Peter Gavahan, Preston Haase, Jace Hauser, Tomas Holsen, Charlie Ingrisano, Jack Kwiatt, Asa Kloss, Bobby Koehne, Max Larcheid, Elijah Lesperance, John Martin, Drew Mangarelli, Luke McCormick, Gabriel Miller, Bode Minor, Cormac Moloney, Michael Nolan, Thomas Organ, Patrick Pelikan, Luke Petrucci, Dennis Raynor, Joe Rudek, Nathan Sanders, Erik Schmidt, Akram Sheikh, Braden Shambarger, Luca Viccari, Andrew Volm, Trevor Waltersdorf, and Connor Wyatt.

Congratulations to all the award recipients in the Class of 2025. Your dedication, leadership, and commitment to the values of Marquette University High School inspire us all and set a high standard for future classes.