NEW LENOX (April 16, 2024) – Providence Catholic High School Principal, Mr. Paul Houston, announced Zachary Ford as the Class of 2024 Valedictorian and Caden Baudek, Dominic Ford, and Joseph Gelonese as co-Salutatorians. “The Celtic community is very proud of Zach, Caden, Dominic, and Joe, who are talented and dedicated young men. They are strong leaders among their peers at Providence Catholic and have contributed greatly to the Celtic family. They have very bright futures in and out of the classroom, and we look forward to seeing all they will accomplish,” offered Houston.
Valedictorian Zachary Ford is the son of Mike and Laurie Ford. He attended St. Mary Mokena Catholic School, of which he is also a parishioner. He will be studying Psychology or Engineering at the University of Notre Dame.
While at Providence Catholic, Zachary has participated in Math Club and Augustinian Youth Ministry all four years. He is a member of the French Honor Society since his sophomore year, and served as a Sacristan and on Student Council his junior and senior years. In addition, Zachary served as a Student Ambassador during his senior year. He is also a member of the National Honor Society, inducted as a junior. Athletically, Zachary has been a player on the basketball team all four years, and on the baseball team his freshman and sophomore year. He earned many academic honors, including being named a National Merit Commended Scholar. He is also an AP Scholar with Honor and an Illinois State Scholar. He has earned a National French Contest Certificate of Honor, 2nd Place in the Regional Geometry Individual Competition, a 1st Place in the Regional Geometry Team Competition, and has been a member for three Math Team Regional Championships. Along with his brother (and co-salutatorian) Dominic, he partnered with LWSRA freshman year to create a chess club that coincides with their summer camp and offers a place for children with special needs to stay, learn, and play while their parents are away from home or at work during the summer.
“The challenging academics of Providence have taught me the importance of being organized and prepared. They have shown me the value of hard work, while also teaching me how to think critically and collaborate with my classmates,” says Zachary. “I would like to thank my parents and all my teachers and counselors for their guidance in helping me achieve this goal.”
Co-Salutatorian Caden Baudek is the son of Brian and Kim Baudek. He attended Troy Middle School and is a parishioner at Holy Family Parish. He plans to major in Neuroscience and minor in Theology at Notre Dame.
While at Providence Catholic, Caden has been a member of the Math Team, Student Council, and has served as a Student Ambassador all four years. He played in the Providence Catholic band as a freshman, and gave back to the community as a member of the Augustinian Youth Ministry since his sophomore year. He was involved with the Student Augustinian Values Institute (SAVI) his sophomore, junior, and senior years. In addition, Caden is a Sacristan, a member of the Spanish Honor Society, and a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. Athletically, Caden has been a member of the football and baseball teams his freshman through junior years. His many academic honors include awards in English 1 Honors, Geometry Honors, Spanish, Spanish 2 Honors, AP Statistics, Pre-Calculus Honors, and Physics Honors.
“Providence has given me an environment that has left me ready not only for college but also for life beyond. They taught me how to adapt to different learning environments, work cooperatively with others, and taught me the significance of critical thinking,” says Caden. “First and foremost, I would like to thank God for giving me the gifts that allowed me to be where I am. Also, I am incredibly grateful for my family, friends, and teachers for supporting and pushing me to be the best version of myself.”
Co-Salutatorian Dominic Ford is the son of Mike and Laurie Ford. He attended St. Mary Mokena Catholic School, of which he is also a parishioner. He will be studying at the University of Notre Dame.
While at Providence Catholic, Dominic has been a member of Student Council, Augustinian Youth Ministry, the Math Team, Habitat for Humanity, and the French Honor Society all four years. His junior and senior year he participated in Chess Club. He served as a Sacristan his junior and senior year and was inducted into the National Honor Society as a junior. As a senior, he served as a Student Ambassador and co-founded the Stock Market Club. Athletically, Dominic was a member of the basketball team as a freshman and the baseball team freshman to junior years. He earned many academic accolades including being named a National Merit Commended Scholar. He is an AP Scholar with Honor and an Illinois State Scholar. In addition, he has earned a National French Contest Certificate of Merit. Along with his brother (and valedictorian) Zachary, he partnered with LWSRA freshman year to create a chess club that coincides with their summer camp and offers a place for children with special needs to stay, learn, and play while their parents are away from home or at work during the summer.
“Providence has prepared me for the future by offering a caring, supporting family that challenges me intellectually and spiritually. Experiences such as Kairos as well as participating in unique clubs and academics have formed me into a well-rounded student prepared to succeed in college,” says Dominic. “I want to thank everyone at Providence who helped me over the past four years, including engaging teachers, friends, and college counselors. Most of all, I want to thank my family for their support, encouragement, and help in everything I do.”
Co-Salutatorian Joseph Gelonese of Joliet is the son of Joe and Dawn Gelonese. He attended Liberty Junior High and is a parishioner of St. Jude New Lenox. He plans to major in Neuroscience and Philosophy at Northwestern University.
While at Providence Catholic, Joseph has been a member of Habitat for Humanity all four years. He was involved with the Student Augustinian Values Institute (SAVI) from sophomore to senior year and served as a Sacristan senior year. He was inducted into the National Honor Society as a junior. He earned many academic awards, including Old Testament, French 1, French 2 Honors, French 3 Honors, AP English Language, and AP Statistics. Joseph was also named a National French Contest Bronze Medalist. Joseph has been an avid volunteer at Silver Cross Hospital, The Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation, and Team NM (Northwestern Medicine). He also devoted significant time to the Northwestern Medicine Discovery Program (healthcare pipeline program) Member, and was an Ophthalmology Intern-Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
“Providence has consistently challenged me not only academically but by making me reconsider preconceptions and assumptions, teaching me to be open to different perspectives, and learning to convey my own,” says Joseph. “This, with the support and guidance of my teachers, and the rigor of my courses, prepared me for what’s ahead in college. I would like to thank my teachers, especially my English teachers. They not only taught me how to write eloquently and persuasively but have greatly supported me through my endeavors academically, personally, and in the college admissions process. My family, peers, and counselors have also supported me immensely and pushed me to succeed throughout the last four years.”
# # #
MEDIA CONTACT:
Allie Rios
Director of Marketing and Communications at Providence Catholic High School
(815) 717-3163
arios@providencecatholic.org