As the seniors in the 2023 class prepare to step into a new phase of their lives, the Jesuit Dallas community takes some time to honor the contributions made throughout their senior year. With this acknowledgment, the community places faith in the belief that these seniors will continue their faith-filled lives and shape the world around them.
Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps
This scholarship program provides full tuition for 4 years, valued at $200,000, along with a stipend, and more. The graduate will receive a traditional college experience while training to serve as a naval officer. Samuel White receive this award and will attend Texas A&M University to study mechanical engineering and become a naval aviator.
Enlistment in the US Army
Ryan Dunham has enlisted in the United States Army. After undergoing basic training, he will pick from a variety of career fields, including intelligence, combat support, law enforcement, healthcare, and aviation.
Venerable Fulton J. Sheen Seminary
Benjamin Gonzalez will enter the seminary in Maryland after graduation, extending the presence of Christ throughout the world while preaching and practicing the Spiritual Exercises.
Hearts of Fire Award
The office of Campus Ministry fosters religious growth in light of Catholic tradition and the vision of St. Ignatius of Loyola by supporting all members of the Jesuit Dallas community in their call to proclaim the faith, promote justice, and grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When St. Ignatius sent forth his men of the society to carry on the mission of Christ, he told them to “set the world on fire!” Campus Ministry awarded Leo Cruz and Austin Smith for their dedication to ministry during their time at Jesuit, hoping they, too, set the world on fire.
The St. Peter Canisius Award
This award honors a graduating senior who, with two or more years of service, contributed to the student newspaper. A renowned Jesuit scholar and doctor of the church, St. Peter Canisius published detailed information on Catholic teaching in 1555. His writings enjoyed widespread use in his day and stood as the church’s standard catechism for centuries. Kevin Babu received this award for dedication to the student newspaper, The Roundup.
Student Council Award
For exceptional service to the school, the award is presented to Jose Alvarado.
The E.L. Hohman Award
Named for Jesuit’s first band director, The E.L. Hohman Award is presented to Theo Nguyen, who has excelled in music and has used his gifts with Ignatian spirit.
Senior Magis Awards
This award is given to seniors who, in daily ways, give the Magis, “the more,” to their community. These students, in studies, in relationships, and in support of Jesuit, have gone beyond the ordinary. Hampton Aldrige, Dalton Box, Benjie Gonzalez, Tai Kryger, and Anthony Lucido were presented with this award.
Thomas Wunderlick Award
The Thomas Wunderlick Award is given in honor of Tom Wunderlick, a 1946 graduate of Jesuit Dallas. Mr. Wunderlick was the first president of the Jesuit Dallas Alumni Association. He had four sons graduate from Jesuit, as well as 10 grandsons who have attended our school. The Wunderlick Award is presented to Cameron Martin, who has combined athletic and academic achievement during his years at Jesuit. He will also receive a trophy at the graduation commencement.
Ad Astra Award
The Ad Astra Award recognizes leadership in creating new initiatives in community service and the development of new programs to serve the Greater Dallas community. Ad Astra is a Latin phrase meaning “to the stars.” The following students have gone above and beyond in their efforts to serve the Community Service and Social Justice program. They will wear their medals during the graduation ceremony. The Ad Astra Award was presented to John Garza and Anthony Manzanero.
Aloysius Gonzaga Award
The Aloysius Gonzaga Award for outstanding community service is presented to a student who gives unselfishly of himself to his community. While still a young Jesuit, St. Aloysius Gonzaga bravely gave his life ministering to the sick in Rome. As the patron saint of our school, we look to Aloysius as a model of generous service to others. Nick Archer received this award for outstanding community service. He will receive a plaque at the graduation commencement.
Man for Others Award
The Profile of the Jesuit Graduate states, “at graduation, the Jesuit student, well on the way to establishing his own identity, has also begun to move beyond self-interest and self-centeredness in human relationships.” The Jesuit Man for Others Award, voted upon by the faculty, is given each year to students who exemplify, in their words and actions, what it means to be a Jesuit student who has moved beyond himself. This year, Leo Cruz, Mercer Lee, and Jacob Ovenshire, received the award as they have demonstrated the ability to give of themselves selflessly in their dealings with others. They will receive a plaque at the graduation commencement.
Jesuit Schools Network Award
Each year, the Jesuit Schools Network announces the recipient of an award to be presented in each of the 52 Jesuit high schools throughout the United States.
In the words of the JSN, “This award is to be presented to the member of the graduating class who, as a man for others, models the ideal profile of a graduate of Jesuit education: a well-rounded person who is intellectually competent, open to growth, religious, loving and committed to doing justice in generous service to the people of God.” The JSN Award winner, Dave Alcala-Frederick, will receive a plaque at the graduation commencement. He will also be the senior student speaker at this year’s graduation breakfast on May 21.
Bishop Lynch Award
Jesuit’s highest award for outstanding achievement is named after His Excellency, the late Joseph Patrick Lynch, Bishop of Dallas, who invited the Jesuits to open a high school in Dallas in 1942. It is awarded to Raul Hernandez, judged by the faculty to be most representative of Jesuit College Preparatory School and most responsive to the influence of the school. This award is in recognition of scholastic achievement, combined with character, leadership, participation in extracurricular activities, and service on behalf of the school and the wider community. He will receive a trophy at the graduation commencement where he will give the keynote address.
Award Winner Interviews
John Garza ’23 said, “I was quite surprised to hear my name be called. It made me think of all the times I had done service at Jesuit and how thankful I am for the school giving me all the opportunities to do what I love.”
Similarly, Jacob Ovenshire ’23 stated that “I’m really proud of our class and everything we have accomplished so it was great to see some individuals who go above and beyond what’s required get recognized for their hard work.”
Finally, Saikrishna Gujjarlapudi ’23 mentioned how “It was a pretty entertaining ceremony. We got some good laughs from the BBQ MVP and anime award. It’s great they give a chance for other awards not usually recognized during convocations, like military and community service awards.”
Academic/Extracurricular Awards
Below is a list of recipients of awards based on academic performance and extracurricular contribution.
Andrew Abraham
Men’s Chorus
Anthony Adams
UIL Scholar Award
Jonathan Adee
Latin 3
Jose Alvarado
Social Justice and Public Policy
Joseph Amador
FIRST Robotics Team 2848
Daniel Aranzazu
Advanced Ceramics
Nick Archer
Advanced Ceramics
Community Service Leadership
Kevin Babu
AP Calculus BC
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
Justice: Peace and Conflict
UIL Scholar Award
Alex Bach
Community Service Leadership
Bennett Barron
Big Brothers: Excellence in Leadership
Open Mic
Griffen Bass
Honors Mandarin 4
International Relations
Interreligious Dialogue
Music Appreciation
Ryan Beaudoin
Social Justice and Public Policy
UIL Scholar Award
Jack Betz
Car Club: Grease Monkey Award
Community Service Leadership
Jesuit Chess Club
UIL Scholar Award
Sy Black
AP United States Government and Politics
UIL Scholar Award
Luke Buckner
Big Brothers: Excellence in Leadership
Cooper Caley
Precalculus
Psychology
Dominic Chacko
Advanced Ceramics
AP Environmental Science
Jesuit Philosophy Club: Philosopher of the Year
UIL Scholar Award
Joshua Chacko
Anatomy and Physiology
UIL Scholar Award
Jackson Chesney
Jesuit BBQ Smokies: Club MVP
Emmanuel Daniel
AP Comparative Government and Politics
John Dryden
UIL Scholar Award
Aldo Escobedo
UIL Scholar Award
Zach Fawcett
Government
Griffin Fellows
Journalism: Broadcasting
Ben Fernandez
Community Service Leadership
Government
Nicholas Ferraez
AP Chemistry
AP Macroeconomics
Honors Precalculus
Cole Frutos
The Entrepreneurship Club
Grayson Gaither
Community Service Leadership
Government
Living the Fourth Club
John Garza
Band
Community Service Leadership
UIL Scholar Award
Michael Geary
Stagecraft
Tres Gordon
Government
Joey Guidone
Open Mic
Sai Gujjarlapudi
AMC 12: Top Scoring Senior
First Robotics Team 2848
Jordan Harris
Historical Concept of War
Payne Harvey
Economics
Raul Hernandez
Freshman Retreat Leaders: Excellence in Leadership
Jayson Hess
Jesuit Ranger Sports Network
Lorenzo Hidalgo
AP Psychology
Social Justice and Public Policy
Benson Higgins
Game Development
Cruz Hoitsma
Jesuit Musicians Union: Excellence in Leadership
Roark Holman
UIL Scholar Award
Elliott Huang
Chamber Orchestra
Math Club
UIL District 1st Place: Spelling and Vocabulary
UIL District 2nd Place TEAM: Current Events
Oliver Ikard
AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based
Engineering Society
Psychology
Christian Jackson
Honors English Seminar
UIL Scholar Award
Spencer Jewesson
Economics
Lawrence Jin
Jesuit Debate
Bo Jouette
Jesuit Stage and Film
Justice: Economics
Andrew Jubin
Community Service Leadership
Adam Kelly
Ceramics Throwing
David Kostell
History of the Catholic Church
Community Service Leadership
Tai Kryger
Big Brothers: Excellence in Leadership
Guy LaMorgese
Music Composition and Film Scoring
Luke Lange
Community Service Leadership
Joshua Lim
AP Psychology
Band
Interreligious Dialogue
UIL Scholar Award
Alejandro Lizardi
TXML: Top Scoring Student
Sebas Llanos-Rodrigues
English 4, World Literature
Dillan Lohr
AP Studio Art: Drawing
Precalculus
Anthony Manzanero
Community Service Leadership
Cameron Martin
AP Statistics
Economics
UIL Scholar Award
Michael Mathie
Big Brothers: Excellence in Leadership
Historical Concept of War
UIL Scholar Award
Collin McKinney
Dungeons and Dragons
James McKinney
UIL District 2nd Place: Ready Writing
Leo Mejorado
MAGIS Mentoring Program
Michael Melle
English 4, Non-fiction
Damon Menchaca
Community Service Leadership
Emerson Metzger
AP Environmental Science
UIL Scholar Award
Logan Mezger
Stagecraft
Blake Miller
Mass Media and Cultural Studies
Nick Morris
AP Calculus AB
The Roundup: Excellence in Journalism
Tejas Murugesh
Community Service Leadership
Jesuit Debate
Justice: Peace and Conflict
Kenneth Nazareth
Community Service Leadership
Drawing
English 4, World Literature
Justice: Economics
Charlie Needham
Photography
Ryan Nguyen
UIL Scholar Award
Theo Nguyen
Anime Club
Chamber Orchestra
Medical Society
Weston Okamoto
Freshman Retreat Leaders: Excellence in Leadership
Dominic Orwig
Engineering Design Process
Jude O’Shea
Justice: Peace and Conflict
UIL Scholar Award
Jacob Ovenshire
AP Language and Composition
UIL Scholar Award
Alex Park
AP Human Geography
Reed Pfaffenberger
Game Development
Colton Phillips
Christian Relationships
Drawing
Coleton Power
Community Service Leadership
Jesuit Political Society
Van Alex Ramey
Justice: Environmental
UIL Scholar Award
Parker Rasco
AP Computer Science A
Ian Smith
AP Biology
Interreligious Dialogue
UIL Scholar Award
Ben Songy
Model United Nations: Most Honorable Delegate
Reagan Spickard
Theater Directing
Liam Stillings
Ceramics Hand-Building
Christian Straffon
Drawing
Niko Stringer
Barista Bros
Brendan Thoele
Community Service Leadership
Frasier Till
Calculus
Jonah Timmons
English 4, Modern American Literature
Music Appreciation
UIL Scholar Award
Alex Tinker
AP Physics C Mechanics
Christian Relationships
UIL Scholar Award
Ryan Virkar
Admissions Ambassadors: Excellence in Leadership
Big Brothers: Excellence in Leadership
UIL Scholar Award
Ryan Visokay
Psychology
Grant Whitney
English 4, Non-fiction
Ethan Wolf
Forensic Science
Willis Zemanek
Economics
UIL Scholar Award
John Henry Zolton
Anatomy and Physiology
English 4, Modern American Literature
As the seniors receive their awards and await graduation, they prepare to enter college and start a new chapter in their lives. Congratulations to the Class of 2023 for their exceptional academic year. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors. Stay tuned to The Roundup for more convocation news.
