Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • June 9, 2023 12 HATTIESBURG -- Sacred Heart Catholic School is proud to announce that Sarah Michele Gallardo has been named Valedictorian of the class of 2023, and Bianca Carmilia Soriano Fernandez has been named Salutatorian. Sarah Michele Gallardo is the fourth in her fam- ily to be named valedictorian or salutatorian at Sacred Heart Catholic School. She will graduate with Special Honors and Mississippi Scholars distinction. She received the Human Anatomy and Physiology and AP U.S. Government Awards her senior year, and has received numerous academic awards while at Sacred Heart. She was recognized as an AP Scholar, by scoring a 3.0 or higher on at least three AP exams. Sarah has been involved in student government since seventh grade and she served as class Vice President and Student Body Secretary her senior year. She served as secretary of National Honor Society and President of Mu Alpha Theta and was a member of the Beta Club. Sarah was a scholar athlete, playing volleyball and softball for the Crusaders for six years and serv- ing as captain of both teams her senior year. She also played point guard for the basketball team for four years. Last year, Sarah was selected for the Pine Belt Sports All-Area Team in Softball, and she made the All-District and All-State Volleyball teams. She was this year’s school female representative for the MHSAA Lindy Callahan Scholarship and was named Sacred Heart’s 2023 Outstanding Female Student Sacred Heart High School Sarah Galladro Valedictorian Biabca Fernandez Salutatorian Athlete at recent awards ceremonies. As a participant in Mississippi Girls State, Sarah was voted mayor of her city. She was also a state finalist for the United States Senate Youth Program. In the community, she has volunteered for Americorps, Forrest General Hospital Spirit Girls, is a Girl Scout Gold Award Honoree, and is the presi- dent of the Junior Auxiliary Crown Club. Sarah is a member of the school’s 14-Year Club, having attend- ed Sacred Heart since Pre-K4. Sarah is the daughter of Cindy andMark Gallardo. She is a parishioner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She plans to attend Wake Forest University in North Carolina and major in biology, with plans to become a physical therapist. Bianca Carmilia Soriano Fernandez will grad- uate with Special Honors and Mississippi Scholars distinction. At Sacred Heart she was a member of the Beta Club and National Honor Society. Bianca has served as a Student Council Class Representative and volunteers as a math tutor. Bianca was an active member of Book Club, Environmental Club, Mock Trial, Crusader Champions and the Campus Ministry Team. Bianca served as a member of the Hattiesburg Mayor’s Youth Council and was a youth member of Eagle Catholic. Bianca is the daughter of Maria Soriano and Jose Fernandez. She is a parishioner at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Bianca plans to attend Mississippi State University majoring in architec- ture. Class of 2023: Samantha Alliston ** , Sophie Bell, Brennen Bennett ** , Jude Bishop, Rylee Blackledge * , Aaron Blythe, Andie Brewer * , Noah Brock, Anne Bullock, Charlize Cledera ** , Karrington Com- modore * , Clare Conliff, Conner Davis ** , Natalie Davis ** , Tanner Davis ** , Harper Doggett * , Ameze Ekunwe ** , Julia Farris, Bianca Fernandez *** , Cormac Galaher, Sarah Gallardo **** , Andrew Grubbs, Donald Everett Hinton, III ** , Sophia Hodges * , Aidan Irizarry, Lela Knight ** . SEE SACRED HEART, PAGE 16 BILOXI -- St. Patrick Catholic High School is proud to announce Thomas Owen as Class of 2023 Valedictorian and London Lafferty as Class of 2023 Salutatorian. Valedictorian Thomas Owen is the son of Dr. Sam and Kirsten Owen. He is a parishioner of St. James Catholic Church in Gulfport and attended St. James Catholic Elementary School. Thomas plans to attend Mississippi State University to major in com- puter science. Thomas was an active member of his parish’s youth group, being a member of the Lead Team and receiving the Brag Moore award at the Diocese of Bi- loxi Youth Convention in 2023. He was also a mem- ber of St. Patrick’s Campus Ministry. He found joy in volunteering as a choir member and lector both at his parish and school. At St. Patrick, Thomas was President of Key Club and Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society. He was the Chair of the Social and Events Committee and Secretary for Student Council, and Vice-President of Science National Honor Society. He performed as a percussionist for the Fighting Irish Band for six years. He was a member of the National Honor and National English Honor Societies. He also served his school as Thomas Owen Valedictorian London Lafferty Salutatorian St. Patrick Catholic High School SPCHS for 2023 and has received the St. Patrick Citizenship Award every year since seventh grade. He was in the Principal’s Honor Roll for six years. In his time at St. Patrick, Thomas has received 33 class awards and was a member of the ACT 30+ Club. Salutatorian London Lafferty is the daughter of Todd and Deedi Lafferty and is a member of St. James Catholic Church where she participates in Life Teen and the Diocesan Spirit Mover team. She attended St. James Elementary School from kindergarten through sixth grade. During her time at St. Patrick, London was a member of numerous clubs and honor societies in Science, English, Spanish, and Math. She was also a member of the National Honor Society where she served as Vice President her senior year. She has held various leadership roles at St. Patrick including Class Vice President for four years, Emerald Ambassador, and Campus Minister. She has been a member of the Varsity Cheerleading and Competition Team since ninth grade, where she served as Captain her senior year. London will attend Mississippi State University in the Fall. SEE ST. PATRICK, PAGE 17 an Emerald Ambassador. Thomas is a skilled pianist and vocalist. He has passed the American College of Musicians’ ten-piece program audition for ten years. He has also per- formed in many musical productions throughout his elementary, middle, and high school career. Thomas was named a U.S. Presidential Scholar candidate, National Merit Finalist, and one of St. Patrick’s 2023 STAR students. He was voted as Mr.