On April 27, 2026, forty-two seniors were recognized at the second annual International Baccalaureate Diploma Medal Ceremony at the Ursuline Motherhouse. Dr. Karen McNay and Dr. Tim Adams bestowed each diploma candidate with an IB medal that she will wear at commencement on May 16. IB Programme Director, Candace Kresse, invited each candidate to reflect on her academic journey, highlighting the students' intellect and curiosity as well as revealing the close friendships these scholars have developed through collaboration, study, and service.
The IB Programme is recognized and respected globally by the world's leading universities, and Sacred Heart is the only all-girls or Catholic school in the state of Kentucky to be an authorized IB World School.
Join us in congratulating these incredible Valkyries who will attend the following colleges:
Abby Adams: University of Louisville
Violet Bacon: University of Texas at Austin
Ava Birk: undecided
Brooklynn Bohnert: Butler University
Katherine Borthwick: St. Andrews University
Blair Bowman: Bellarmine University
Alice Calabrese: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Hadley Dierking: University of Tennesse, Knoxville
Abbi Duffee: Florida State University
Keely Ecleberry: Washington and Lee University
Emma Elstner: Purdue University
Rosalee Flack: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Kathryn Fuller: Georgetown University
Arden Garrett: University of Notre Dame
Madeline Garrison: Villanova University
Lily Hoang: University of Tampa
Molly Hooker: University of Virginia
Kate Huseman: Purdue University
Vera Kelly: Wake Forest University
Sarah Kirchdorfer: Univeristy of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Mia Lancaster: University of Evansville
Eve Lehmann: University of South Florida
Edie Mascarich: Wake Forest University
Mallory McGee: University of Cincinnati
Mary Claire McKnight: Auburn University
Maggie Meiners: University of Kentucky
Kelsey Meyer: University of Cincinnati
Lucy Monarch: Wofford College
Evangeline Montoya: Xavier University
Sarah Niblett: University of Cincinnati
Ellery Reynolds: Xavier University
Meredith Roetker: University of Tennessee
Kate Solon: University of Notre Dame
Liz Staley: Bellarmine University
Greta Stall: Tulane University
Marin Swyers: Texas Christian University
Isabella Verdi: Indiana University
Abby Warner: Miami University
Avery Williams: University of Georgia
Reagan Williams: University of Kentucky
Lenna Witt: Texas Christian University
Emma Zutterman: University of Kentucky
SHA students can earn an IB diploma by completing a rigorous college-level curriculum over two years, taking six IB courses, one in each subject area: English, Language Acquisition, Individuals & Societies, Sciences, Math and the Arts. Three of these courses must be at the Higher Level (240 hours of content). Additionally, candidates must complete three Diploma core requirements: completing a minimum of 150 hours of CAS (Creativity, Action and Service) hours, writing a 4,000-word Extended Essay, and taking the Theory of Knowledge course. Finally, they must pass 25 hours of international exams--good luck, Valkyries!
Congratulations! We are so proud of your hard work and academic achievements!
More pictures can be seen in SHA Louisville's post on Facebook.