Top Ten Percent Honored at Annual Academic Banquet

"Be who you are and be that well." Dr. Joshua B. Slee '03 shared the motto of DeSales University with the students being honored at the annual Academic Banquet hosted by the PTO on Monday evening, April 29. Dr. Slee serves as the Division Head of the Division of Sciences and Mathematics and as the Department Chair of the Department of Biology at DeSales, one of Delone Catholic's nearly 30 college partnerships.

Dr. Slee returned to his alma mater to share the wisdom accumulated throughout his career in academia with the students in the top ten percent of their respective classes and their families, who gathered to celebrate academic achievement, along with faculty and local pastors. Dr. Slee encouraged students to explore the possibilities presented to them and to "Let your passion guide your path." 

"Grit," he told them, "is the most significant indicator of success."

And Dr. Slee cautioned students to foster all aspects of their life - not letting other things to interfere with nurturing their spiritual life. 

Class moderators presented each student with a certificate in honor of their academic achievement.

Class of 2027: Peyton Faller, Lia Fleming, Ann King, London Nieves, Baileigh Stetter, Micah Stouter, Allison Sullivan, and Noah Walter

Class of 2026: Jackson Arigo, Kaylie Brown, Julianna Donahue, Ben Goedecker, Camryn Groft, Grace Hewitt, Olivia Knox, Timothy Martz, Ivy Nieves, and Brielle Wittmer

Class of 2025: Molly Fleming, Noah Hall, Joseph McCall, Paige McIntire, Gavin Ocampo, Amelia Posner, Maxamillian Reinhardt, Josie Schussler, and Braden Smith

Class of 2024: Brielle Baughman, Brady Dettinburn, Jack Goedecker, Kathryn Keller, Mary Murry, Riley Slee, Victoria Staub, and Molly Stonesifer