Profiles in Excellence: Four Catholic school graduates who excelled in academics, athletics and service

Many stellar students who excelled in academics, sports, community service and more were among the graduating seniors from Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The Catholic Review highlights a few of them.

Mary Katharine Wilmot

When her firefighter father was diagnosed with cancer, Mary Katharine Wilmot of Mercy High School in Baltimore was deeply affected. She longed to offer her father solace as well as her profound respect for his admirable profession. So, she followed her heart, and enrolled in the local Firefighter 1 class at age 16.

“My dad is my best friend, and we get along super well,” said Wilmot, now 18. “I wanted to honor my dad, as well as give back to others and make a difference in the lives of other people.”

Initially, Wilmot’s father thought that she was too young to register; but the age requirements were fortuitously lowered, and she quickly enrolled into a male-dominated class, as one of the youngest women to be accepted into the program.

Wilmot’s experience in firefighting training was challenging, and she struggled with the demands of school, the demands of her FF1 class, as well as the emotional pain of her father’s declining health.

“It was extremely difficult because a lot was going on during my sophomore year; but the people in my class felt like family,” she said. “They took care of me – and I couldn’t let myself give up. We had physical and written exams that were very difficult. Carrying heavy ladders and hoses was very challenging, but I passed. I was so proud to tell my dad that day, and I realized that I can do so much with these skills.”

Wilmot intends to apply her acquired skills to the nursing program at Frostburg State University, where she also plans to play rugby, this fall. She also intends to enroll in an emergency medical training class in the near future, as she continues to carry on her family legacy of caring for others.

Jordan Lewis

Growing up in a Christian, community-oriented family provided the ideal formative experience for Jordan Lewis. Those early experiences allowed the 18-year-old graduate of Calvert Hall College High School in Towson to observe and eventually promote the wellbeing of his friends, classmates, and – ultimately – society at large.

“Education opens up opportunities for you, and my family has always stressed networking,” he said. “I heard a great quote that I included in my valedictorian speech, which is, ‘Success is not linear, it’s lateral.’ That was mind-blowing for me because we often think of success as a one-track path. My parents have taught me that I will do so many things in life, but whatever I choose to do is only one facet of the success that we all share.”

Lewis was president of the Black Student Union, a member of the yearbook committee, the school newspaper and the National Honor Society at Calvert Hall. He was also a peer educator serving as a mentor to freshmen.

Lewis’ parents have been the primary impetus for his career path, due to their commitment to community involvement. His mother is the vice president of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, and his father is an entrepreneur. He plans to pursue a degree in political science from Morehouse University in Atlanta this fall.

Lewis also was influenced by a personal finance class, where he discovered the dynamics of human interaction.

“We would debate anything and everything. I discovered that human relationships must be seen as more than transactional, and to view them as exclusively transactional is never good,” he said of the class.

Lewis was nominated to be the valedictorian by a panel of faculty and staff during an oratory contest.

Greta Giese

Greta Giese says she has always been fascinated by the world around her. From the limited habitats in her backyard tio the vast ecosystems of Maryland, she found herself vigilant, immersed and mindful about the environment.

“I’ve always loved being outside,” said the 18-year-old graduate of Maryvale Preparatory School in Lutherville. “I liked learning about wildlife behaviors, and how we can protect their habitats.”

Geise recalled that her childhood home was behind a highway, but she had a yard where she spent hours of her day.

“As I grew older, I learned about the environment and Maryland’s native ecosystem – and that translated into choosing conservation biology as my (future) course of study, with the intention of becoming a forest ranger,” she said.

During her formative years, Giese was diagnosed with dyslexia. Her parents’ response was to supplement her educational career with specialized programs. As a result, Giese thrived under the care of her mentors, and had a cumulative 3.96 grade-point average. She was also the president of Maryvale’s Environmental Club, a member of the National Art Honor Society, the National Honor Society and a recipient of the Paula Scher Award. She also earned certificates of achievement in graphic design, illustration and theology. Additionally, she served as the president of the student government (2024).

“Growing up, it’s always been clear how much my parents did for me,” she said. “When I was diagnosed with dyslexia, they put me in a specialized school; and then they sent me to Maryvale. All of this required great sacrifice. So, as a way to give back I always try to do my best. Gratitude is my biggest motivator.”

Patrick Kiely

Patrick Kiely went above and beyond the normal requirements for graduation. If you happened to attend one of the school’s Rowdy Red football games at Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, you might have enthusiastically witnessed the 17-year-old student opening huge holes in the opponent’s line or inspiring his teammates. Kiely even rode a mechanical bull on Rodeo Night to galvanize spectators.

“I grew up in a large family,” Kiely said. “My dad was really close with his cousins, and we saw them several times a year; I guess that’s why I’m an extrovert – because when you’re regularly surrounded by 100 cousins (and that’s on a slow year) you don’t have time to be shy.”

Beneath his obvious comedic talent lies the heart of a Good Samaritan. Post-COVID, Kiely saw a need to provide an event that would bring his school together. So, in the spirit of community (and breakfast), he began the Lumberjack Club. The purpose of the Lumberjack Club is to offer free pancakes, camaraderie and friendship. The following year the Lumberjack Club went on the road, and served pancakes to depressed communities, while still maintaining the pancake ritual at home.

“You make pancakes – it’s as simple as that,” he said. “It was just fun. It’s funny how something so silly like making pancakes can make people laugh, but it was really special because we really were bringing the community together. It was like shining a light into communities I didn’t even know before.”

Since its inception, the Lumberjack Club has spread, with four other local high schools initiating their own Lumberjack chapters.

Kiely plans to attend the University of Florida in the fall, where he will study business.

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