Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers and St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples held their commencement exercises in mid-May.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass for each of the schools, with the St. John Neumann Mass celebrated May 14, 2026, at St. Agnes Parish in Naples, and the Bishop Verot Mass on May 15, at St. Columbkille Parish in Fort Myers.
Bishop Dewane first thanked the parents and guardians for entrusting their children to a Diocesan Catholic high school for four years of their education, acknowledging that they made a personal sacrifice to do so. The Bishop then congratulated the graduates for their own accomplishments, both academically and athletically, but reminded them that he was more interested in how they grew spiritually; that is in developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
“It is my prayer that you have learned the message of Jesus Christ, and that it is woven into who you are as men and women, made in the image and likeness of God,” Bishop Dewane said. “You were provided a tremendous opportunity to attend at Catholic high school. Now that this experience is something in the past, let the vision of God you have developed in your four years be how you respond to God’s call.”
The Neumann commencement exercises included 101 graduates receiving their diplomas, a record for the growing school. The class, which accumulated more than 13,400 service hours, also earned more than $11.5 million in scholarship offers and nearly all are going off to college; one graduate will be attending a military service academy. The Valedictorian was Thomas O’Brien and Salutatorian was Sophia Bosco. The guest speaker was Dr. Victoria Weekly, Associate Director for the Office of Salesian Youth & Young Adult Ministry.
At Bishop Verot commencement was celebrated with 214 graduates. There are no valedictorians or salutatorians recognized during graduation at Verot, however nearly three dozen students graduated Summa Cum Laude. Margaret Swift provided the introductory address, while Ambrielle Calixte offered the commencement address. The class earned more than $16.2 million in scholarship offers and completed more than 21,000 service hours. Two graduates will be attending military service academies.
The Baccalaureate Masses and Commencement Exercises for Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota and Donahue Catholic Academy of Ave Maria Parish in Ave Maria are scheduled for later in May.
Please join the Diocese of Venice in praying for all the new graduates on the road ahead!
