The four Diocese of Venice Catholic high schools graduated a record 510 into the world during a three-week span in May 2026.
This group, as they are each year, is impressive for their accomplishments earned through sacrifice, hard work and commitment in mind, body and soul.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated the four different Baccalaureate Masses and noted how the Diocese is proud of the graduates and made a point to recognize the role of parents and grandparents, expressing his gratitude to them for entrusting their children to Diocesan Catholic high schools for their education.
“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.”
An astounding 98 percent of the graduates are heading off to higher education at some of the top colleges and universities in the land. Dozens were recognized for their academic prowess with many graduating with honors. Of note, four have opted to join the military and three have accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, one to the U.S. Military Academy, and one to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
As a group, these graduates gave back to the community with more than 62,000 service hours while also garnering more than $48.2 million in scholarship offers.
In addition to academic awards, many of these students were scholar athletes with several earning state titles in a variety of sports. More than 70 of the graduates were offered scholarships to continue their athletic career at the next level.
At Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School in Sarasota, the graduation was May 22. Duke Bergstrom was the class Valedictorian and Gabriel Mehlum was Salutatorian. The Baccalaureate Mass was celebrated at Incarnation Parish in Sarasota on May 20.
The St. John Neumann Catholic High School Commencement Exercises were May 15 at the Naples school, with the Baccalaureate Mass at St. Agnes Parish on May 14. The Valedictorian was Thomas O’Brien and Salutatorian was Sophia Bosco.
The graduation for Bishop Verot Catholic High School in Fort Myers was May 15, with the Baccalaureate Mass at St. Columbkille Parish on May 14. Verot had 37 students recognized as top graduates, and among those, Margaret Swift provided the introductory address, while Ambrielle Calixte offered the commencement address.
The Ave Maria Catholic Academy graduation in Ave Maria was May 26 at the school, with the Baccalaureate Mass earlier in the morning at Ave Maria Parish. Paul Jahnke was the class Valedictorian and Camila Pineros was the Salutatorian.
Congratulations to the Diocese of Venice Catholic high school Class of 2026!
Bishop Frank J. Dewane was the main celebrant for the Mass which was attended by all the students, faculty and staff of the school. The opening procession for the Mass included each graduate carrying a white rose which was then placed in a vase before a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Bishop Frank J. Dewane celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass for the graduating class on May 20, 2025, at Incarnation Parish in Sarasota. Bishop Dewane thanked the parents for entrusting Cardinal Mooney with the education of their children. He also praised the graduates for their academic achievement, adding that his prayers were for their continued spiritual growth as they leave the Cardinal Mooney community to points beyond.
During graduation the Cardinal Mooney Outstanding Senior Award was presented by Principal Ben Hopper to both Lucia Maria del Valle and Mason Dean Jordan. These two students were selected because they demonstrate the school’s ideals of religious and moral responsibility, personal and social responsibility, intellectual achievement, and a sense of purpose and direction, among other desirable traits and qualities. Their pictures and distinct honor will be placed in the school lobby.
Bishop Dewane first thanked the parents and guardians for entrusting their children to one of the Diocesan Catholic high schools for four years of their education, and then congratulated the graduates for their own accomplishments.
For Cardinal Mooney, commencement took place at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center in Sarasota, with 159 graduates. The Valedictorian was Lauren Burd and the Salutatorian was Tyler Ruben. This group earned nearly $10 million in scholarships and completed more than 17,500 service hours.
The fourth Diocesan Catholic high school, Donahue Catholic Academy of Ave Maria Parish in Ave Maria will hold their Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercises on May 24.
“That groundwork was prepared for you by the accumulated knowledge you received here at Ave Maria University,” Bishop Dewane said. “Seek God in your lives. Let that be the glory of life for you as graduates.”
There were 120 graduates who received their diploma. The Valedictorian was Halle Monserez and Salutatorian was Peter Etz. The Commencement Address was given by Leah Roddenberry, Mooney Class of 2017, and current Miss Florida.
The Baccalaureate Mass was celebrated May 11 at Incarnation Parish with Most Rev. Bernard Hebda, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, as the main celebrant (His nephew is a 2022 Mooney graduate).
