De Smet Graduates 273 Young Men in 2011

"The thing that sets the dreams of guys in this room apart from guys not here today is our dreams will come true because taught us to dream the right things for the right people." 

With those words, Kurt Wemhoener, valedictorian of De Smet Jesuit High School Class of 2011, fired up a group of 272 of his fellow classmates gathered for the school's 41st graduation ceremony Sunday.  The celebratrion began with an awards breakfast in the Khorassan Room at the historic Chase Park Plaza hotel, before moving two blocks down Lindell Boulevard for the commencement at the Cathedral Basilica St. Louis.

In 2011, De Smet graduated 273 young men who will go on to attend 63 different colleges. 46 of the graduates will continue their education at Jesuit universities.

Of the 273 students who graduated in 2011, 200 received scholarships that totaled $24.5 million.  The average college scholarship per student was $122,500. 30 of those students received Bright Flight scholarships, meaning they scored 31 or higher on the ACT.  The highest possible ACT score is 36 and two De Smet students achieved the top score this year.

At a Sunday morning awards breakfast the following awards were presented:

The Windmueller Ignatian Educator Award was presented to English teacher, Mr. Carl J. Evola.

Two Jesuit Secondary Education Association Awards were presented to students Kevin P. Feltz and Andrew J. Struttmann.

The McMahon Award, honoring the graduating senior who demonstrated the most compassion in the Jesuit tradition went to Joseph A. Detwiler.

And the following students received President's Medals for leadership:

Lawrence M. Haynes

Connor J. McFarland

Michael A. Newbold

Michael G. Rehme, Jr.

Tyler J. Ryan

Benjamin T. Weber 

In addition, De Smet bestowed a special meritorious service award to Mike Ruesler, who lives in a north St.Louis County neighborhood devastated by the tornado that struck on Good Friday. Although his home was spared destruction, Ruesler took extraordinary steps to help his fellow neighbors. He received a standing ovation from his classmates when his meritorious service award was announced.