The McNicholas Milestone

By Michael Muenchen and Katie Noble  

At 7 a.m. on May 1, McNicholas held its 12th annual Academic Signing ceremony for the top 10 scholars in the Class of 2025. The Valedictorian and Salutatorian are Jonathan Byrum and Lila Moeves. Byrum committed to the University of Cincinnati while Moeves committed to the University of Notre Dame. The remaining top 10 (in alphabetical not academic order) include Julia Cheek, Evelyn Hurlburt, Kennedy Kramer, Tyler Munzel, Mia Ray, Eric Reinhart, Grace Reuss, and Jordan Wheatley.  

Jonathan Byrum – Valedictorian  

Jonathan Byrum is planning to major in Aerospace Engineering at University of Cincinnati. He was also accepted into Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. At McNick, he was involved in many theatre productions, Academic Team, National Honor Society, and St. Joseph Scholars. The extracurricular that he said had the greatest impact was theatre because he has been involved all four years and it has helped him develop a strong community of friends and peers. The University of Cincinnati appealed to him the most due to its localness and strong engineering program. Byrum said he is thankful for Mr. Dalton and his passion for math and engineering. He believes his greatest academic achievement has been scoring a 5 on the AP Physics exam. Byrum is also the valedictorian for the Class of 2025. 

Lila Moeves – Salutatorian 

Lila Moeves is planning to major in Political Science at the University of Notre Dame. She was also accepted into the University of Dayton, The Ohio State University, and the University of Cincinnati. She also said that she will “probably” enter pre-law. At McNick, she participated in Cross Country and Track, was president of the Thespian Troupe, St. Vincent DePaul Youth Conference President, Faith on Fire co-founder, Catholic Relief Services, Magnified Giving, CREW Leadership Team, Eucharistic Minister, and an ambassador. The activity most impactful to her has been cross-country, and the teacher that impacted her most academically is Mr. Paul Romolo. She believes that her greatest academic achievement is becoming Salutatorian. 

Julia Cheek 

Julia Cheek is going to major in Industrial and Systems Engineering at The Ohio State University. She was also accepted to the University of Dayton, University of Tennessee, and University of Cincinnati. At McNicholas, she is involved in the CREW Leadership program, where she holds the position Student Body President. She is a cheerleader for the football and basketball teams, and she plays lacrosse. She is in several clubs, including Saint Vincent De Paul Hands Across Campus, and is president of the Cooking Club. She is also a student ambassador. Cheek has known she liked Ohio State since her sister went there. When she toured there, she said it was “really the only place I could see myself at.” She said that the ones who helped her most on her journey to college were her parents and siblings. 

Evelyn Hurlburt 

Evelyn Hurlburt will be attending Cleveland State University, where she plans to major in Biomedical Engineering on a pre-med track. In addition to Cleveland State University, Hurlburt was accepted into Montana State University, University of Louisville, Georgetown College, University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, Catholic University of America, Ohio Northern University, The Ohio State University, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. At McNicholas, she is involved in the Women’s Soccer Team, Track and Field Team, St. Vincent DePaul Youth Conference, Engineering Club, and Ecology Club, where she held the presidential title. Science teacher Ms. Cat Humphries has been the most influential in Hurlburt’s academic career as she was taught by Humphries in both Anatomy and Physiology and AP Biology. “She just gets really excited about the material she teaches and then I get very excited to learn,” Hurlburt said. She chose Cleveland State due to the proximity to the Cleveland Clinic and the scholarships she received. Her greatest academic achievement throughout her years at McNicholas has been being recognized as a part of the Top 10 scholars.  

Kennedy Kramer 

Kennedy Kramer plans to major in Environmental Engineering at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Additionally, she was accepted into the University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, The Ohio State University, and Clemson University. At McNicholas, she has been involved as a four-year Basketball and Football cheerleader, four-year CREW Leader, co-founder of the Faith on Fire Club, Hope Squad, and National Honor Society, among many others. Engineering Club and Faith on Fire have been the most impactful activities because they have helped her grow in her faith and develop her passions.  She said she chose the University of Tennessee Knoxville because of the presence of faith and the academic standing of the university. “I am majoring in engineering, so I really wanted to make sure the program I was going into had a lot opportunities to dive deeper into my major before going into my career. My faith is [also] super important to me… And has helped me develop peace in my life,” she said. Mr. Steve Dalton has been incredibly influential during the three years Kramer has had him as a teacher. “He has allowed me to look at math from a new perspective and helped me grow my confidence [in math] as well,” Kramer said. Kramer said her greatest academic achievement has been being in the top 10 and finishing third in the class.  

Tyler Munzel 

Tyler Munzel plans to attend the University of Notre Dame, where he will major in Civil Engineering. He was also accepted into The Ohio State University, University of Dayton, and Case Western Reserve University. At McNick, he was involved in various clubs and sports, including cross country and track, which have been very important to him. They showed him that anyone can get better at things over time… if you are persistent with it. He was also a part of the Engineering Club, which was also very influential for him. He chose Notre Dame because he liked the culture and the academic reputation the school has.  The biggest helpers in his academic career have been his parents and Mr. Steve Dalton. One of his greatest academic achievements in his opinion is scoring a 5 on his AP Physics exam. 

Mia Ray 

Mia Ray plans to major in mathematics at the University of Cincinnati. Additionally, Ray was accepted into Xavier University and Case Western Reserve University. At McNicholas, she has been involved in many different service opportunities, St. Joseph Scholars, Cooking Club, and many others. The service opportunities have been the most impactful for her: “The Appalachian retreat – you can’t really beat that – getting to work with people like that, is just so different than my everyday life,” she said. She chose the University of Cincinnati due to its close proximity to home, the strong STEM program, and the comfortable environment she felt during her many visits to the campus. Mr. Steve Dalton and Mrs. Chrystel Wells have been the most helpful because they have helped keep her engaged in fields she is interested in and have always been helpful for any questions she has needed answered throughout her years. Ray believes her greatest academic achievement has been making Dean’s List all four years.  

Eric Reinhart 

Reinhart plans to attend the University of Notre Dame where he will major in Mechanical Engineering. He has not chosen a minor but plans to discuss options with his academic counselor at Notre Dame. Additionally, he was accepted into The Ohio State University, University of Tennessee Knoxville, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Dayton, Miami University, and University of Cincinnati. He has participated in several different sports in his time at McNick including football, baseball, and basketball. He is also a part of several honors societies including Saint Joseph Scholars, National Honor Society, Math National Honor Society, and the Science National Honor Society. Additionally, he is a member of the Hope Squad, Hands Across Campus, Saint Vincent DePaul Youth Conference, a Eucharistic Minister, and more. He is also involved in Rockets for Life Club, Spanish Club, Pickleball Club, Spirit Committee, and Investment Club. He said the most impactful activity for him has been football, as it helped him make some of his best friends, develop perseverance and courage, and help him grow in his faith. He added that he chose Notre Dame because of the way its community developed a sense of belonging and how their culture “felt like a family, all of which is rooted in their passion for their faith.” For him, his greatest academic achievement was reaching a 4.34 weighted GPA and earning the Ohio Governors Merit Scholarship. He said that his biggest help in academics has been Mr. Steve Dalton. “He has been a very influential teacher and mentor in my life,” Reinhart added. 

Grace Reuss 

Reuss plans to attend the University of Cincinnati where she will major in Mechanical Engineering. Additionally, she was accepted into University of Tennessee Knoxville, Purdue University, University of Dayton, Case Western Reserve University, and The Ohio State University. At McNicholas, she is involved in Engineering Club, softball, and Hope Squad, among many others. Reuss said the most influential extracurriculars have been being a part of the softball team and Engineering Club. “ I spent a lot of time at softball and has helped me develop as a leader… engineering helped me decide I want to go to college for engineering and I really enjoy the service,” Reuss said. Reuss stated that the greatest factor in making her college decision was the proximity to home.  Mrs. Angie Noble and Mr. Steve Dalton have been her greatest influences and have helped her develop key skills she will need in her future career. Reuss said her greatest achievement has been being a National Merit Finalist.  

Jordan Wheatley  

Jordan Wheatley plans to attend The Ohio State University, where she will major in Civil Engineering. Additionally, she was accepted into Michigan State University, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, and University of Mississippi. She is involved in the CREW Leadership program, where she holds the position of Vice President. She also played both soccer and basketball in her time at McNick. She was also in several clubs including Pickle Ball Club, Spike Ball Club, and more. She said that her decision was largely driven by her tour at Ohio State: “When I toured Ohio State I really fell in love with it and with the campus and I could really picture myself there, and it just felt like home.” She said that her biggest motivators were her parents and friends.