Valedictorian and Salutatorian Announced

Providence Announces Valedictorian and Salutatorians for Class of 2017

(New Lenox) – Providence Catholic High School Principal, Dr. John Harper, announced Samantha Dorning as the Class of 2017 Valedictorian and Meghan Howat and Michael Massaro as Co-Salutatorians.  “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 Samantha Dorning is the daughter of Michael Dorning and Mari Ann Herbert.   She is a graduate of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School (Orland Hills), a parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi Parish (Orland Park), and a resident of Orland Park.  Dorning will attend Boston University and will study Political Science/Business.  Samantha has been a member of the Providence Catholic high honor roll all semesters and is a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society.  She is an Illinois State Scholar and received numerous academic subject awards from the school including Biology Honors, English 1 Honors, Spanish 1A, AP US History, AP English 3, AP US Government and Politics, and Spanish 3 Honors. Outside of the classroom, she is active in the Augustinian Youth Ministry and Law Club while being named PCHS Student of the Month four times.  In addition, she has been a member of the PCHS soccer and track teams.  Outside of school, she has played ice hockey for 12 years, seven for Chicago Fury AAA Women’s Hockey Team.  She is also a youth volunteer coach for the Fury.  She was a District Finalist for “Voice of Democracy” and volunteers South Suburban Hospital and Victorian Village Senior Living.

Co-Salutatorian Meghan Howat is the daughter of Rick and Janet Howat of Plainfield.  Meghan is a graduate of St. Mary Immaculate School and a parishioner at St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church.  Howat will attend the University of Notre Dame on the Notre Dame Provost Scholarship and University Scholarship and will study Pre-Health and Poverty Studies. Meghan has been a member of the high honor roll all semesters and is a National Merit Commended Student, Presidential Volunteer Service Award, Illinois State Scholar, and Student of the Month and Joliet Exchange Club Youth of the Month.
She represented Providence at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference and founded the annual Easter Basket Drive. Meghan also started a tutoring program that partners PCHS students with elementary students from local schools.

She attended the Student Augustinian Values Institute and is a member of the National Honor Society, Augustinian Youth Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, Student Council, Student Ambassador, Sacristans, Respect Life Club, International Club, and Art Club.   Meghan has also served as captain for the school’s Cross Country Team as was a member of the soccer team. Outside of PCHS Meghan has excelled in dance, St. Mary’s Youth Ministry, volunteered at Presence -St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Hopeful Tails Animal Rescue, Miracle League, Daybreak Shelter and St. Jude Joliet.

Co-Salutatorian Michael Massaro is the son of Mike and Lea Massaro of Homer Glen. Michael is a graduate of Oak Prairie Junior High (Homer Glen) and a parishioner at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church (Homer Glen).  Massaro will attend either the University of Notre Dame or Hillsdale College on athletic and merit scholarship.  He plans to study Finance. He is an Illinois State Scholar, National Merit Scholar Commended Student, Student of Month and a Freshman Celtic Scholar.  He attended the Student Augustinian Values Institute and is a member of the Habitat for Humanity, Augustinian Youth Ministry, and Law Club.  He is an officer for the National Honors Society, member of the Student Council, National Spanish Honors Society, Band and Celtic Time Leader.  Michael plays baseball and hockey for the Celtics.  He is a 4-time Kennedy Cup Champion and has had 4 state championship appearances in hockey, one state championship in baseball.