What a Year — Thanks to You

As we prepare to welcome 2026, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the incredible highlights that made 2025 such an outstanding year for Purcell Marian. From academic and co-curricular achievements to memorable alumni events, new leadership, and our highest enrollment in 20 years, this year marked a new era of growth and strength for our Cavalier community.

We’re excited to share five reasons—with plenty of stories and milestones—why 2025 reaffirmed Purcell Marian’s place as Praestans Inter Omnes: Outstanding Among All.

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Outstanding LEADERSHIP

Welcome, President Whapham!

In May, Purcell Marian welcomed Dr. Ted Whapham as our President. He hit the ground running at Purcell Marian, leading the development of a Strategic Plan that will ensure Purcell Marian’s sustainability for years to come.

Abasi Key honored with Impact Award

Mr. Abasi Key, our CISE Student Advocate, was honored with the 2025 Impact Award by the Queen City Foundation at their Salute to Scholars event. Mr. Key was recognized for his work at Purcell Marian and his Keyz 2 Life foundation.

Sister Cities International honors Bob Herring ‘68 with Humanitarian Award

Mr. Bob Herring ’68, Director of Global Programs, received the 2025 Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance Award from Sister Cities International, recognizing programs that promote peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.

Outstanding Academics

International Baccalaureate Success

Students set new standards on IB exams this year:

• 45% of seniors participated in IB testing
• 4 seniors earned the prestigious IB diploma (The most ever at PM)
• 94% of students earned a passing score of 4 or higher in IB English
• 80% of students scored a 4 or higher in IB Spanish, and two students achieved a perfect score of 7!
• 70% of students scored a 4 or higher in Higher Level History, surpassing the global average

High School Student of the Year

Giovani Zamora-Rodriguez ‘25 was named the High School Student of the Year by the English Language Learning Foundation, Inc.. Giovani enrolled at Ohio State University to study Architecture.

Young Global Leaders

Purcell Marian students completed the Young Global Leaders Program presented by Harvard Model Congress. The program included leadership activities, problem-solving, and group collaboration to generate solutions to some of the most urgent challenges of our era.

Art

IB Art hosted its Senior Exhibit, "Implicit" with our 2025 seniors showcasing their work and producing an outstanding exhibition. In IB Visual Arts, students work to develop an informed response to different pieces and exhibitions they have seen and experienced, and formulate personal intentions for creating and displaying their own pieces.

Entrepreneurship Symposium

Our Entrepreneurship Class Symposium showcased bold ideas, big dreams, and brilliant pitches as our students presented their ideas for future business ventures.

Alumni volunteers Bob Sanker '80, Joe Sanker '73, Tianna Woodford '16, and David Mentzel '90 provided thoughtful feedback and support as judges.

Outstanding Extracurriculars

Girls Basketball

The Lady Cavs secured their fourth straight state championship and swept the MVC Postseason Awards - Coach of the Year (Jamar Mosley), Assistant Coach of the Year (Almesha Jones), Player of the Year (Dee Alexander).

Dee Alexander Makes History

Dee Alexander ‘25 became the first Cavalier to be named a McDonald’s All-American. She went on to sweep Ohio Player of the Year awards in historic fashion, being named Ohio Ms. Basketball, the Gatorade Ohio High School Girls Basketball Player of the Year, and the LaRosa’s female Player of the Year. She is the only Ohio Girls Basketball player to be named the Gatorade Player of the Year twice. She now plays for the University of Cincinnati

Senior Swimmers Named Academic All-Americans

Purcell Marian swimmers Leo Gustavsson ‘25 and Gavin Weisgerber ‘25 were named to the 2025 National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association of America, Inc. (NISCA) Academic All-American team, an honor bestowed upon only 2% of aquatic participants in the United States each year. Gustavsson additionally qualified for the State swim meet for the third consecutive year.

Signing Day

Six Cavalier football players in the Class of 2025 signed to play college football. The seniors were part of a class that never had a losing season and won playoff games in back-to-back years for the first time in over 30 years. The six signees represented the most college signees in one class in recent program history.

Track and Field

The Cavaliers had a strong showing at the State Track & Field Tournament. Matthew Wright '26 was the State Runner-Up in the 400m dash and took 7th in the 200m finals. Jesse Brown '25 placed 4th in the High Jump.

Mock Trial

The Mock Trial team advanced to the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education Regional Competition, where they beat Summit Country Day in the morning before losing their afternoon round. Senior Amy Morgan was named Outstanding Witness, and freshman Annie Eilermann took Outstanding Attorney honors.

Ethics Bowl

The Purcell Marian Ethics Bowl team completed its outstanding season by advancing to the Great 8 of the Greater Cincinnati Ethics Bowl. The Cavaliers defeated Gamble Montessori, St. Xavier, and Clark Montessori during their run to the tournament's final rounds.

Outstanding In Faith

Choosing Faith

Graham Kelsch ‘25, entered into the Catholic faith and received the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation during Easter Vigil at St. Monica-St. George. Purcell Marian teachers Ms. Ratterman and Mr. Groeber were there to support him in this momentous and joyous life step.

Kairos

Seniors spent three days in a faithful community at Kairos 59, deepening their relationships with one another and with God.

Catholic Schools Week

2025 Catholic Schools Week was highlighted by a delegation of Purcell Marian students attending a special mass at St. Peter’s Basilica and participating in the annual Q&A with the Archbishop.

Retreats

Every grade level participated in their yearly retreat, as students set new faith goals, rooted themselves in God’s love, and ultimately put their faith into action through prayer and service projects.

Outstanding Alumni

Alumni Events in Florida

The Alumni Association kicked the year off with two events in the Sunshine State! Floridian (and snowbird) Cavaliers gathered for a casual luncheon with updates from the school.

Psst… Did you know we’re coming back this year? Register now!

Alumni Open House

In March, Purcell Marian welcomed alumni back on campus to walk the halls and meet the faculty and staff. Our attendees represented all five schools in our alumni family.

Grand Event - Revelry in Red II
Mark Frietch ‘76, John Sarky ‘78, and Jeanne-Marie Tapke ‘69 were honored during the Grand Event. The event raised a record $260,000 in support of Purcell Marian!

SAVE THE DATE: Grand Event - Revelry in Red ‘26 is set for April 25, 2026

Summer News and Brews

Alumni gathered for a general meeting to socialize, have a drink and bite, and hear an update on strategic planning from Dr. Whapham. The Alumni Association hosts General Alumni Meetings twice per year to keep alumni informed about school matters and to give them a voice.

Homecoming Alumni Alley

We celebrated alumni from our family of five schools with walking tacos, light-up necklaces, and a sweet treat as we cheered on the Cavalier football squad during their Homecoming game. The stadium was a sea of red for the Red Out theme.

These are five reasons why Purcell Marian is outstanding—and they all rely on your support. Without investment in our leaders, programs, staff, and facilities, none of this is possible.

Each Annual Fund gift helps bring to life these experiences, and so many more, for our community.

Make your gift today to support Purcell Marian High School.

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