PCHS Names Valedictorian and Salutatorian for Class of 2018
(New Lenox) – Providence Catholic High School Principal, Dr. John Harper, announced Megan Kulpinski as the Class of 2018 Valedictorian and Tianqi “Mike” Hu as Salutatorian. “We are very proud of these academically gifted students who are very strong leaders among their peers both in and out of the classroom. We know they have very bright futures,” offered Harper.
Valedictorian Megan Kulpinski (pictured at left) is the daughter of Todd and Merita Kulpinski. She is a graduate of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School (Orland Hills), a parishioner at St. Stephen’s (Tinley Park), and a resident of Tinley Park. Kulpinski will attend the University of Notre Dame and will study Engineering with a minor in business.
Megan has been a member of the Providence Catholic high honor roll all semesters and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is an Illinois State Scholar and received numerous academic subject awards from the school including Algebra 1 Honors, Physics Honors, English 3 Honors and the Villanova Book Award. Outside of the classroom, she is active as the Director of Augustinian Youth Ministry and a sacristan for all school masses while being named PCHS Student of the Month three times. She is also a Eucharistic Minister, Joliet Exchange Club Student of the Month, Kairos leader, and in Spanish National Honor Society.In addition, she has been a member of the PCHS volleyball team and was named the captain this past year. Outside of school, she has been playing club volleyball for eight years, coaches and refs grade school volleyball and plays the piano at local parishes.
Kulpinski credits the help of Providence Catholic High School in making her college decision. “Providence Catholic really helps you prioritize what is important in your life,” Kulpinski said. “Putting God first is very important to me and I knew I wanted to go to a Catholic college or university. Providence has helped me manage my time academically, athletically as well as being able to volunteer my time to others.”
Salutatorian Tianqi “Mike” Hu (pictured at right) is the son of Weiping Hu and Hui Wu of Frankfort. Hu is a graduate of Pleasanton Middle School in California. Hu hopes to attend the University of Illinois and major in Computer Science.
Mike is a member of the PCHS National Honor Society, was recognized as an AP Scholar with distinction and National Merit Commended Student. Hu has also won numerous class awards for Algebra 2 Honors, Geometry Honors, Chemistry Honors, Web Design, Physics Honors, Pre-Calc Honors, AP Computer Science and AP European History.
He is also the captain of the school’s Scholastic Bowl and Math teams. In addition to Mike’s academic excellence, he also excels as a member of the PCHS cross country and track team.
Hu says Providence Catholic has prepared him academically to continue at the University level. “I moved to America from China at age 14. It was a hard adjustment.” Michael took ESL classes in grade school and enrolled in English Honors his freshman year, which improved his English language tremendously.
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Kathleen Kennedy
Director of Communications