The Newport Central Catholic Class of 2026 earned approximately eight million dollars in a wide variety of scholarships and grants, both academic and athletic. Of the school’s 39 graduates, 28 plan to continue their education at a post-secondary college or university, including an art academy and a music conservatory. Seven students have dedicated themselves to a union or trade school, including two who have committed to joining the police academy. One student has also committed to the United States National Guard. They applied to and were accepted to around 50 colleges and universities across the country. Sixteen graduates were accepted into three or more institutions. Three graduates were accepted into the Kentucky Governor’s Scholar Program, and one student attended the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts. Four students will join ACT’s 30+ score club. Twelve graduates are members of the National Honor Society and 13 are members of the National Spanish Honor Society. Three students are graduating with the academic distinction of Cum Laude, two Magna Cum Laude, and thirteen Summa Cum Laude. Of the graduates, nearly 60% successfully completed at least one Advanced Placement Course. Over 60% successfully completed Dual Credit Courses during high school. Over 80% achieved first or second honors during their senior year. Nine students were members of the valuable and prestigious Providential Scholars Program. Eight graduates completed the swiftly growing and reputable St. Joseph Institute Vocations & Trades Program, participating in a variety of trades and internships. Five seniors are members of the newly founded International Thespian Society. To date, four graduates plan to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. While at NCC, 100% of the class participated in clubs, activities, or sports with almost all being involved in three or more extracurricular activities.
To view a list of graduates, awards and scholarships earned, please see the 2026 Graduation Program at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11xjwLnLSMNouA-MpUDbjfDwXDVXekpfv/view?usp=sharing
Alexander José Alarcon – Newport Elks Grant, Newport Optimist Club, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, International Thespian Society, Science Department Award, Thoroughbred 30+ Club, Providential Scholar, Science Club Award, Summa Cum Laude, 1st Honors
Preston Michael Alford – St. Joseph Institute Vocations & Trades Program, 2nd Honors
Liam Jacob Allen – St. Joseph Institute Vocations & Trades Program
Noelle Simone Skylar Baxter – Xavier University, Thomas More University, 1st Honors
Edward Eugene Bivens, Jr. – St. Joseph Institute Vocations & Trades Program
Benjamin Aaron Colwell – Jim Boeckman Memorial Scholarship, Mount St. Joseph University, University of Kentucky, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Summa Cum Laude, 1st Honors
Aidan Alton Dance – St. Joseph Institute Vocations & Trades Program, 2nd Honors
McKenna Kathleen Desmond – Miami University, Ohio State University, University of Alabama, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of Tennessee, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Kentucky Governor’s Scholar Program, Thoroughbred 30+ Club, Providential Scholar, Summa Cum Laude, 2nd Honors
Lucas Hunter Duty – St. Joseph Institute Vocations & Trades Program
Jack Donovan Gearding – University of Kentucky, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Summa Cum Laude, 1st Honors
Khloe Rose Griffith – Northern Kentucky University, Providential Scholar, 1st Honors
Greta Josephine Hansbauer – Loyola University Chicago, Newport Elks Scholarship, Newport Firefighters Local 45, NSPE-KY Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers, University of Alabama, University of Cincinnati, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, University of Notre Dame, University of Tennessee Knoxville, William G. Verst Endowed Scholarship, Xavier University, Honorary Baccalaureate Speaker, Service and Loyalty Award, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Math Department Award, Kentucky Governor’s Scholar Program, Thoroughbred 30+ Club, Providential Scholar, Mathletes Award, Our Lady of Providence Female Student-Athlete Award, Summa Cum Laude, 1st Honors
Jackson Thomas Hoffstedder – St. Joseph Institute Vocations & Trades Program, 1st Honors
Genevieve Belle Howard – Baldwin Wallace Conservatory, Bellarmine University, Ithaca College, Jacobs School of Music: Indiana University Bloomington, Miami University, New England Conservatory, Northern Kentucky University, Thomas More University, University of Kentucky, Bryan Wagner Memorial Scholarship, Xavier University, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, International Thespian Society, Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, Drama – Performance Award, Summa Cum Laude, 1st Honors
Noah John Jacob – St. Joseph Institute Vocations & Trades Program
Thomas Joseph Kerans – University of Cincinnati, University of Louisville, Providential Scholar, Cum Laude, 2nd Honors
Grant Patrick Kevill – Northern Kentucky University, Thomas More University, University of Louisville, Business Department Award, Magna Cum Laude
Preston Michael Koeninger – Baylor University, Bowling Green State University, Charles Pulsfort Academic Scholarship, Heritage Bank Scholarship, Newport Elks Scholarship, University of Cincinnati, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Honorary Graduation Speaker, Service and Loyalty Award, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, International Thespian Society, Social Studies Department Award, Spanish Department Award, Kentucky Governor’s Scholar Program, Thoroughbred 30+ Club, Providential Scholar, Academic Team Award, Drama – Performance Award, Science Club Award, Summa Cum Laude, 2nd Honors
Piperlyn Justine Kramer – Student Government Award, 1st Honors
Alannah Marjorie Marie Kues – Belmont Abbey College, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, English Department Award, Providential Scholar, Campus Ministry Award, Summa Cum Laude
Mario Robert League – 1st Honors
John Edward Luhn – Concord University, Malone University, Manchester University, University of Kentucky, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Summa Cum Laude, 1st Honors
Kara Lynn Matthews – Cincinnati State University, 1st Honors
Max David Meadows – Caroline Huseman Memorial Scholarship, Cum Laude
Thomas Alexander Messmer – 2nd Honors
Isabella Gianna Middendorf – Mount St. Joseph University, Northern Kentucky University, Thomas More University, Xavier University, Service and Loyalty Award, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Providential Scholar, Summa Cum Laude, 1st Honors
Emmanuel Rylin Miles – St. Joseph Institute Vocations & Trades Program, 2nd Honors
Eva Marie Paxton – Bellarmine University, Mount St. Joseph University, Northern Kentucky University, Thomas More University, Western Kentucky University, Xavier University, 1st Honors
Addison Rose Powell – 2nd Honors
Paytin Mildred Reckers – Bellarmine University, Brescia University, Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky Association of Master Contractors, Inc., Morehead State University, Northern Kentucky University, Procter & Gamble Scholarship, Thomas More University, Transylvania University, University of Dayton, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Wright State University, Xavier University, Service and Loyalty Award, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Student Government Award, Summa Cum Laude, 1st Honors
Nicholas Lee Riley – 1st Honors
William Joseph Sandfoss – Dartmouth College, Eastern Kentucky University, Georgia State University, Kent State University, Lafayette College, Marshall University, Mercyhurst University, Ohio University, Southeast Missouri University, Tennessee Technology University, Western Illinois University, West Point Academy, Youngstown State University, National Spanish Honor Society, Theology Department Award, Walter McGaff Male Student-Athlete Award, Magna Cum Laude, 2nd Honors
Grayden Joseph Schirmer – 2nd Honors
Taylor Eileen Smith
Benjamin James Sperbeck – Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, Xavier University, Art Department Award, Summa Cum Laude, 1st Honors
Jack Edward Stevie – Cum Laude, 2nd Honors
Cecily Ann Stracener – Art Academy of Cincinnati, The New School for Dramatic Arts, International Thespian Society, 1st Honors
Samantha Rose Twehues – Northern Kentucky University, Thomas More University, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, International Thespian Society, Providential Scholar, Summa Cum Laude, 1st Honors
Demairah Le’Shea Welch – 2nd Honors
