Delone Catholic Class of 2025 Graduates; Offered more than $6.8 million in scholarships

In a joyful culmination of four years of accomplishment and aspiration, Delone Catholic High School held commencement exercises for the Class of 2025 on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Lawrence B. “Sonny” Sheppard, Jr. Memorial Gymnasium. Bishop Timothy C. Senior, Twelfth Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, conferred the diplomas. 

Bishop Senior addressed the students, reminding the graduates that they have been introduced to Jesus Christ "in an extraordinary way" in their high school experience. He continued, 

"Allow that encounter to shape your life. Let your friendship with Jesus be the center of your life. Let it guide all your decisions."

The Class of 2025 Valedictorian is Molly Irene Fleming, daughter of Michael and Jennifer Fleming of Spring Grove, Pa. A member of the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, and Société Honoraire De Français, Molly also excelled as an executive officer of the Student Council and a girls' soccer team captain. Molly plans to study environmental engineering at Santa Clara University.

In her Valedictory Address, Fleming inspired her classmates to live out the school motto. 

"I know we hear it so often that it sometimes becomes background noise, but we must truly endeavor to be 'Doers of the Word.' We must seek to help those who need it most, even when we may share nothing in common with them. We must care for our planet, not only for ourselves and the future generations to come, but simply because it is the right thing to do. We absolutely must venture to create a less divided society: One where we love others for who they are, not hate them for who we think they should be....We may not have the power to inspire the entire world to do what is right, but we do have the power to try to do it ourselves. My challenge to each of you and myself is to do all we can to spread all of the good in our hearts."

The Class of 2025 boasts two Co-Salutatorians. 

Paige Marie McIntire is the daughter of Kelly and Anna McIntire of Hanover, Pa. Paige arrived at Delone Catholic as the 2025 recipient of the John Gastley Foundation Scholarship (JGSF) and continues to serve on the JGSF scholarship committee. Paige is the Class of 2025 President, National Honor Society Leadership Committee Chair, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica Treasurer, and Interact Club President. She is also a member of Mu Alpha Theta and the National English Honor Society. Paige served as a Peer Minister, Extraordinary Minister of Communion, and member of the Kairos Core Team. Paige will embark on a mission trip through NET Ministries following graduation.

In her speech, McIntire encouraged her classmates not to worry about the future.

"As much as I would love to stand here and tell you exactly what the future holds, the past four years have shown me just how unpredictable life can be. What I can tell you is ... that 'God’s got you.' In your achievements, your failures, your doubts, your fears, your mistakes, your embarrassments - God is present in every uncertain detail, every big dream, every late-night prayer for direction. God has faithfully brought you this far, and He is not finished yet."

Josephine Sharon Schussler is the daughter of Michael and Phyllis Schussler of Westminster, Md. Josephine is an executive officer of the Student Council, National Honor Society Service Committee Chair, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica President, Mu Alpha Theta Vice President, National English Honor Society Vice President, Tri-M Honor Society Secretary, and Interact Club Vice President. Josephine has also participated in Delone Catholic Theatre, Chorus, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and the Respect Life Club. She was a member of the girls' basketball and golf teams. Josephine plans to study health science/pre-physical therapy at Mount St. Mary’s University. 

Speaking to her classmates, Schussler implored them to live in the present moment rather than only look toward the future. 

"When we were younger, our only wish was to grow up. Now that we have grown up, our only wish is to go back to being kids. It seems like we are never content in the present. Never living in the moment and giving it our full attention. Even if the moment is painful or unpleasant, it deserves our presence. The way we spend our time matters."

In the immediate future, 91 percent of the Class of 2025 will pursue further education at colleges and trade schools. Nine percent will enter the workforce after graduation. 16 percent of the class participated in internships during high school, while another 4 percent finished vocational training programs. One college-bound student will first serve for a year as a NET Ministries missionary, leading other teens to Christ. Three college-bound students will also serve in the Army National Guard, and two will pursue Army ROTC. Together, the Class of 2025 performed more than 9,536 hours of service to school, church, and community. 

Earlier this week, the Class of 2025 and their families gathered for a Baccalaureate Mass on Thursday, May 16, at 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hanover, Pa.  Very Rev. Philip Burger, the principal celebrant, was joined by many of the priests and deacons of the Adams Deanery. Rev. Dwight Schlaline '00, the school’s chaplain, gave the homily, a reflection on a verse from the Gospel reading, "As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love (John 15:9)." Rev. Schlaline directed the graduates,

"Let's not misunderstand this message, though: the love of God compels us, not to inaction and laziness, but rather to valiant effort. Today, right after saying He loves us, Jesus says, 'Remain in my love.' Remain in His love. That is our task moving forward from this moment....I know of only one way to have any real meaning in life, to achieve any success that's worthwhile, only one path to a life worth living - to remain in the love of Christ."

The evening concluded with a celebration for families and guests in the parking lot of the church.

The Senior Awards Ceremony was held on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 9:15 a.m. in the Lawrence B. "Sonny" Sheppard, Jr. Memorial Gymnasium, with several guests on hand to present scholarships and awards, many of which are available exclusively to graduates of Delone Catholic High School. 

Of note, Paige McIntire earned the Catholic Faith Award, the school’s highest honor. Campus Minister Kate Phenicie wrote in her nomination, "Paige demonstrates an exemplary consistency of character and discipleship in the leadership roles she has taken on this year, and also in her personal devotion. It is evident that she has a personal relationship with the Lord, and she witnesses to the truth with love and passion."

A Snapshot of the Class of 2025

• 76% of the Class of 2025 will attend a four-year college or university.
• 9% will attend a two-year college.
• 6% will attend a trade school.
• 9% will move on to the workforce.
• One college-bound student will first serve for a year as a NET Ministries missionary, leading other teens to Christ. 
• Three college-bound students will also serve in the Army National Guard, and two will pursue Army ROTC.
• 23% of the Class of 2025 will attend one of Delone Catholic’s 31 partner colleges and universities, having earned guaranteed admission and a merit scholarship.
• Colleges and universities have offered the Class of 2025 more than $6,874,801 in scholarships. 
• 43% of the Class of 2025 have been offered scholarships. 
• 46.9% of the Class of 2025 graduates earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher. 
• 35.8% of the Class of 2025 took one or more Advanced Placement® courses. 10 graduates earned AP® Scholar honors.
• 16% of the Class of 2025 completed an internship during high school.
• 4% of the Class of 2025 completed a vocational program during high school. 
• 57% of the Class of 2025 were inducted into at least one academic honor society.*
• The Class of 2025 has reported more than 9,536 hours of service to school, church, and community.
• The Class of 2025 has brought five plays and three musicals to the stage: Bethel Park Falls, Seussical: The Musical, Clue, omeo and Juliet, You Can’t Take it with You, Disney’s Aladdin, Jr., Our Town, and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!
• The Class of 2025's athletic achievements include several District III titles and YAIAA division championships. As members of the baseball, football, golf, lacrosse, boys’ and girls’ soccer, and girls’ tennis teams, they advanced further into district and state playoff action than any of those teams had in school history. 

*Includes: National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Société Honoraire De Français, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society, National Speech and Debate Honor Society, and Tri-M Music Honor Society

Class of 2025 Leadership

• 2025 Student Council Executive Officers: Molly Fleming, Carolyn Melody, Abigail Perricone, Josephine Schussler, Annalise Woolford
• Class of 2025 Officers: President Paige McIntire, Vice President Amelia Posner, Secretary Jayden Jacoby, Treasurer Jordan Warfield, Class Representative Dimitra Kalathas 
• Peer Ministers: Samuel Hall, Owen Ignatowski, Vladimir Kojic, Joseph McCall, Paige McIntire, Jane Scovitch, Jordan Warfield
• Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion:  Samuel Hall, Owen Ignatowski, Vladimir Kojic, Joseph McCall, Paige McIntire
• Kairos Core Team: Noah Hall, Owen Ignatowski, Joseph McCall, Paige McIntire, Josephine Schussler, Jordan Warfield, Annalise Woolfoard, Ryan Young
• National Honor Society Officers & Chairpersons: President Owen Iganatowski, Vice President Megan Jacoby, Secretary Camilla Zepeda, Treasurer Molly Fleming, Student Chaplain: Samuel Hall, Character Committee Chairperson Jordan Warfield, Leadership Committee Chairperson Paige McIntire, Scholarship Committee Chairperson Annalise Woolford, Service Committee Chairperson Josephine Schussler
• Mu Alpha Theta National Math Honor Society Officers: President Braden Smith, Vice President Josephine Schussler, Secretary Jordan Warfield, Treasurer Austin Gregg
• National English Honor Society Officers: President Molly Fleming, Vice President Josephine Schussler
• Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society Officers: President Mary-Elizabeth Berman, Vice President Leah Geppi, Secretary Samuel Hall, Treasurer Colby Mackle, Historian Elizabeth Smith
• Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica Officers: President Josephine Schussler, Vice President Carolyn Melody, Secretary Camilla Zepeda, Treasurer Paige McIntire
• Tri-M National Music Honor Society Officers: President Annalise Woolford, Vice President William Frizzell, Secretary Josephine Schussler
• Interact Club Officers: President Paige McIntire, Vice President Josephine Schussler, Secretary Owen Ignatowski, Treasurer Molly Fleming
• Speech and Debate Team Captain: Annalise Woolford
• STEM Club Officers: President Sophia Vitale, Vice President Meredith Keefer, Secretary Audrey Burns, Treasurer Anna Boseck, Lead Activity Coordinator Mary-Elizabeth Berman

Read on for more information about the Delone Catholic Class of 2025 

• Members of the Class of 2025
• Class of 2025 Commencement Livestream Recording
• Class of 2025 Senior Awards Listing
• Class of 2025 Senior Awards Livestream Recording
• Class of 2025 College Acceptances