Portrait of a Graduate

At Holy Comforter, we provide an education that prepares students to make a difference in their community by nourishing the spirit, challenging the mind, and strengthening the body in a Christian environment. Below are listed the traits and skills that have been instilled in a Holy Comforter graduate upon graduation.

Holy Comforter Graduates...

List of 3 items.

Character
- Holy Comforter Graduates...
- ...know that outcomes are changed through perseverance
- ...are critical thinkers and problem-solvers
- ...strive for progress, not perfection
- ...are life-long learners
- ...know how to study effectively
- ...possess the tools for self-driven success
- ...have explored their personal values and belief
- ...are equipped with the tools for self-driven success
- ...act with honor and integrity
Inner Awareness
- Holy Comforter Graduates...
- ...take ownership of their learning
- ...know that transitions are a part of life that can be mastered through practice
- ...know the value of hard work and grit
- ...leave confident with the ability and motivation to be leaders from within
- ...are confident public speakers
- ...know that growth comes through failure
- ...know they are valued for who they are
- ...understand the importance of self-reflection
- ...identify their own process, realizing and working within their strengths
Outward Awareness
- Holy Comforter Graduates...
- ...value and accept others - including those new and different than themselves
- ...show compassion and understand that a little kindness goes a long way
- ...effectively communicate with peers and adults
- ...can formulate and support an argument through written and verbal ...communication
- ...value the process as they work towards the end product
- ...work well in teams and value other’s opinions
- ...self-advocate, not scared to ask for help, but see it as a sign of success and leadership
- ...are willing to take the initiative when they see a need
- ...serve others unselfishly

Senior Alumni Class Accomplishments | HCES Class of 2015, Senior Class of 2019

Holy Comforter's 8th grade class of 2015 (71 students in all – our largest to date) graduated from 5 different local high schools (Leon, Lincoln, Chiles, Maclay, and John Paul II Catholic School) and 4 other schools from across the country (Vero Beach, Florida; Ashland, Massachusetts; Asheville, North Carolina and Las Vegas, Nevada). Although the information is still coming to us about scholarships and awards that they have been awarded, we are so proud of their accomplishments that we could not wait to share it with you.

We’d love to highlight every graduate but here are a few individual stories of high achievements worth sharing:

For the second year in a row, the valedictorian(s) from John Paul II Catholic High School’s are graduates from HCES! Natalie and Savannah Laywell have been announced as co-valedictorians. They both plan to attend the University of Florida as a Florida Academic Scholars. Congratulations to the Laywell sisters!

Each year Wake Forest University awards merit-based scholarships to less than 3% of its first-year applicants. These scholarships are among the highest honors given to Wake Forest students and we are pleased to announce that Carsyn Kenny (Leon) is one of those recipients.

Layla Fistos and her family moved to Asheville, North Carolina the summer after her HCES graduation where she enrolled in Enka High School. There, she continued to pursue her passion for Latin, originally instilled by HCES MS teacher Leslie Peebles, which has resulted in her election as the National Junior Classical League Parliamentarian during her senior year. Layla was named valedictorian and has accepted the Presidential Merit Scholarship at Bryn Mawr College, where she plans to major in Classical Studies and minor in Environmental and Arab Studies. She chose Bryn Mawr over acceptances from Duke, Davidson, Emory, Oberlin, Richmond and UNC Chapel Hill Honors College.

Johnny Fitzgerald (Leon) graduated in December and enrolled at the University of Akron, where he will play as a midfielder for Akron’s soccer team. The Zips play in the MAC conference and were ranked 4^th overall in the country this past year in Division I play.

Emma McGibany (Leon) has also signed a letter of intent to play soccer for Appalachian State University. Emma earned four varsity letters in soccer and All-Big Bend Conference honors four straight seasons while in high school. In addition, she is the career-leading scorer in Leon Girls Soccer history. Emma was the Winner in the Athletic category for this year’s Best and Brightest.

Ryan Rumana (Maclay) is a National Merit Commended Scholar and has accepted a scholarship to swim for the engineering school Colorado School of Mines. A finalist in the Athletic category for Best and Brightest, Ryan also created a non-profit organization Strokes for Strokes under the umbrella of the TMH HealthCare Foundation during his high school years.

Katherine Resavage (Leon) was the runner up for the Foreign Language category for Best and Brightest and credits HCES Middle School teacher Mrs. Durrance for her love of the Spanish language. She will be a Florida Academic Scholar at the University of Florida and was recently awarded the Childers/Everett scholarship, a student athlete award from Leon County Schools.

Hailey Hobbs (Maclay) was Honorable Mention in the Foreign Language category for Best and Brightest. Hailey accumulated an astonishing 1,039 service hours through her work for Dance Marathon over her four years in high school. She will be attending Florida State University in the fall.

Other HCES Best and Brightest Finalists were:

Career/Technical: Cole Miller (Maclay)
Drama & Performing Arts: Holden Crumpler (Maclay)
English & Language Arts: Natalie Laywell (SJPII)
Journalism & Media Production: Helen Bradshaw (Maclay) – Honorable Mention, Savannah Laywell (SJPII)
Leadership: Rasee Bhoola (Chiles)
Music: Alexis O'Rourke (Maclay) – Honorable Mention
Technology: Chase Gray (Maclay)

Overall, 80% of the HCES Class of 2015 will graduate with honors from their respective high schools.

Statistics by School:

Leon High School has 32 of our graduates; 27 are graduating with honors: 7 summa cum laude, 4 magna cum laude; 3 cum laude; 4 with honors and 9 with distinction.

At Leon High School, our HCES graduates represent only 6% of the Leon High School Senior Class, yet they represent 24% of those graduating summa cum laude and 20% graduating magna cum laude.

Lincoln High School has 3 of our graduates: 1 is graduating cum laude.
Chiles High School has 8 of our graduates; 6 are graduating with honors: 1 summa cum laude, 3 magna cum laude, 1 with honors and 1 commended scholar.
Maclay School has 18 of our graduates and 15 will be graduating with honors. (Maclay does not distinguish summa, magna and cum laude graduates)
John Paul II Catholic School has 3 of our graduates; 2 will graduate summa cum laude and 1 cum laude.

The list of college acceptances is long, but we know that the matriculation list includes, but is not limited to: Appalachian State University, Auburn University, Bryn Mawr College, Catholic University of America, College ofCharleston, Colorado School of Mines, Emory University, Florida State University, Furman University, Indian River State College, Loyola University Maryland, Palm Beach Atlantic University, Regis University, Rollins College, Santa Fe College, Tallahassee Community College, Texas Christian University, University of Akron, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of the South – Sewanee and Wake Forest University.

Congratulations to the HCES Class of 2015! We know that their formative years at Holy Comforter set them apart from their peers and inspired them to Be the Difference during their high school career.

Alumni Athletes 2020

Portrait of a Graduate

Our graduates call Holy Comforter home. Our alumni enter high school prepared and confident for the next challenges that await them. The high school Class of 2018 boasted 77% graduating with honors from their school, including a valedictorian. But during their HCES reunion on campus last spring, the class wanted to swing on the playground and sing songs in chapel. They wanted to write well wishes on the whiteboard of their favorite teachers and visit their old locker. On this campus, they felt childlike again, safe and secure, known and loved. We invite all of our alumni back home again, where, even for a moment, they can re-capture what it feels like to be a part of “Holy Comfortable.”

College Matriculation

List of 33 items.

Auburn University
Belmont University
Berry College
College of Charleston
College of William & Mary
Duke University
Emory University
Flagler College
Florida A&M University
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Southern University
Florida State University
Furman University
Georgia Tech
John Hopkins University
New York University
Randolph Macon College
Savannah College of Design
Spring Hill College
Stetson University
Troy University
University of Alabama
University of Central Florida
University of Colorado
University of Florida
University of Georgia
University of Michigan
University of Mississippi
University of Texas
University of Virginia
University of Washington
Wabash College
Wake Forest University

Statistics & Noteworthy Facts

List of 8 items.

Alumna Jane Darby Menton was named a 2015 Rhodes Scholar.
In 2018, our rising freshman chose to attend Chiles High School, John Paul Catholic II, Leon High School, Lincoln High School, Maclay
Alumna Kirsten Huffer was selected as a 2018 Fulbright Scholar.
Overall, 77% of the 2018 High School graduates who attended Holy Comforter (8th grade class of 2014) graduated with honors from their respective high schools.
The 2018 valedictorian from JPII, the 2013 valedictorian from Lincoln High School and the 2012 and 2011 valedictorians from Maclay School were HCES graduates.
The freshman and sophomore class president at Leon High School are HCES graduates
99% of HCES graduates enter an honors track in high school
99% pass rate end of course exams