National Merit Commended Students
Standing (l to r) Michael Massaro, Cecilia Spesia and Mark Cachey. Sitting (l to r) Meghan Howat, Jessica Baldys and Isabel Rossi.
NEW LENOX (December 12, 2016) Dr. John Harper, Principal of Providence Catholic High School, is pleased to announce that seniors Jessica Baldys, Mark Cachey, Meghan Howat, Michael Massaro, Isabel Rossi and Cecilia Spesia have been named Commended Students in the 2017 National Merit Scholarship Program. “We are very proud of these students and their academic achievements in this highly competitive program,” said Harper.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships that began in 1955. More than 1.5 million students enter the National Merit Scholarship Program each year. Approximately 34,000 students are named Commended Students.
Jessica Baldys, daughter of Richard and Tracy Baldys of Mokena, is a graduate of St. Mary Catholic School (Mokena) and a parishioner at St. Mary Catholic Church. The honor roll student is member of the National Honor Society and was named an AP Scholar with Honors award recipient. Baldys is an Illinois State Scholar, Student of the Month and received the PCHS French Award, Theology Award, Villanova Book Award and a bronze medal for the National French Contest. She has been a member of the Theatre Club, Book Club and Math Team for the past four years. Furthermore, Baldys has been a member of the Scholastic Bowl, Proviscope, Manga Club and Habitat for Humanity.
Mark Cachey, son of Michael and Patricia Cachey of Tinley Park, is a graduate of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School and a parishioner at St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr. The honor roll student is an Illinois State Scholar, member of the National Honor Society and received PCHS awards in Algebra 2 Honors, Biology Honors, Geometry and Introduction to Art. He is a member of Student Council, Math Team, Art Club, International Club and Yoga Club.
Meghan Howat, daughter of Rick and Janet Howat of Plainfield, is a graduate of St. Mary Immaculate School and a parishioner at St. Mary Immaculate Church. The honor roll student is an Illinois State Scholar, member of the National Honor Society, Augustinian Youth Ministry, Habitat for Humanity (Treasurer) and Student Council. Howat is also a Sacristan, Eucharistic Minister, Student Ambassador, participant in the Student Augustinian Values Institute, Sandwich Patrol, and several clubs including Art, International and Respect Life. Furthermore, she has been a member of the cross country and soccer teams for the past three years. Howat has received PCHS awards in Theology, Mathematics and named Student of the Month twice.
Michael Massaro, son of Mike and Lea Massaro of Homer Glen, is a graduate of Oak Prairie Junior High and a parishioner at Our Mother of Good Counsel. The honor roll student is an Illinois State Scholar, member of the National Honor Society, Augustinian Youth Ministry, Habitat for Humanity and a participant in the Student Augustinian Values Institute. Massaro has been a member of the baseball and hockey teams for his entire high school career and named MIP (hockey) his sophomore year. He was also recently named Student of the Month.
Isabel Rossi, daughter of Marc and Amy Rossi of Naperville, is a graduate of Saint’s Peter and Paul School and a parishioner at Saint’s Peter and Paul Church. The honor roll student is an Illinois State Scholar and member of Art Club.
Cecilia Spesia, daughter of John and Mary Spesia of Joliet, is a graduate of Joliet Montessori School and a parishioner at Cathedral of St. Raymond Church. The honor roll student is an Illinois State Scholar, member of the National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Augustinian Youth Ministry and Habitat for Humanity (Officer). Spesia is also a member of Respect Life Club, International Club and a participant in Sandwich Patrol. She has been a member of the track and field team for her entire high school career and received PCHS awards in Spanish 1, Algebra 1 Honors, Spanish 2, Drawing, Chemistry Honors, Geometry Honors, Spanish 4, Western Civilization, Algebra 2 Honors and Christian Morality. Furthermore, Spesia was named Student of the Month three times.
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Jamie O’Brien
Director of Communications
815.717.3163