SHCHS holds commencement exercises
Sacred Heart Catholic High School held its graduation ceremonies Sunday afternoon, May 19 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Hallettsville with the largest class since 2017. Thirty seniors received their diplomas.
The top graduates were recognized with Haley Noska named valedictorian, Natalie Osina, salutatorian, and Ava Lackey, Historian.
Haley Noska, daughter of Mark and Lisa Noska, was named Valedictorian for the SHCHS graduating class of 2024. Haley is graduating with highest honors and an overall average of 102.2.
Throughout high school, Haley has received High Honor Roll honors all 4 years while being involved in many activities. Haley was the treasurer for the National Honor Society, Secretary and Class Treasurer for the Student Council, Class Representative for Teens for Life, and Editor for the Yearbook. She was a member of the Leo Club Board of Directors, Czech Heritage Club, Astronomy Club, and on the 1st place team twice in the Catholic Knowledge Bowl.
Haley was a two-time Catholic Daughters of America Contest winner, two-time Rural and Small Town Recognition Award winner based on PSAT scores, fourtime Sacred Heart School Sports Achievement Award winner, fourtime Sacred Heart High Academic Achievement Award winner, and a VFW Voice of Democracy State Level Essay Contest winner.
As a four year starter and member of the 2021 and 2024 State Champion Softball teams, Haley received 1st Team All-District and All-State honors all four years, three All-State Tournament Team honors, and 1st Team All-Area honors.
Haley received a full-ride athletic scholarship to McLennan College, where she’ll continue her softball career at the top ranked softball program in the country, while majoring in Biology.
She also received the SBEC scholarship, Sacred Heart Booster Club scholarship, and The Texas Highest Ranking Graduate scholarship.
Natalie Gene Osina, daughter of David and Carol Machicek Osina, earned a four year high honors average of 101.3 in being named salutatorian.
Throughout high school, Natalie has been involved in numerous events and activities.
She was a member of the National Honor Society, Leo Club, Astronomy Club, Czech Heritage Club, Teens for Life, and KJT.
Natalie played volleyball, was in the Coronation Court, and received the National Rural and Small Town Recognition College Board Award.
She has participated in a number of art contests and as well as placing individually in the TAPPS State Art competitions all four years. She was also a member of the Art State Champion team during her junior year. Natalie was also a regular blood donor.
In addition to all of her school activities, Natalie has been very active in her church. She has been an altar server starting before the second grade and helped train several others throughout the years. She also volunteered her time as a lector, working at parish picnics, and cleaning the church.
Natalie has been on high honors all four years of high school and has received many awards during her high school career.
She has been fortunate to receive scholarships from the Hallettsville Lions Club; Bishop Charles Grahmann Memorial Scholarship; KJT; Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 870; Texas State Council Vietnam Veterans of America Memorial Scholarship; Schulenburg American Legion McBride Post 143; Texas Statewide Telephone Cooperative Foundation; Wanda Johnson Beaudry Stanzel Memorial; Texas Water Utilities Association; and Presidential Academic Award from Texas Lutheran University.
Natalie will attend Texas Lutheran University and plans to major in biology.
Ava Grace Lackey, daughter of Jeff and Jennifer Lackey, was named Historian and is graduating with highest honors, with an overall four year average of 100.9.
Throughout high school, Ava was very involved in many extracurricular activities and clubs.
She served as class Student Council representative all four years of high school, president of her 4-H Club, and National Honor Society president. Ava was very involved in the Leo’s Club, Teens For Life, Czech Heritage Club, and Astronomy Club.
Along with all of these organizations Ava was a very competitive athlete and leader.
She played volleyball, basketball, and softball and helped win won State Championships in basketball in 2023, and softball in 2021 and 2024. Ava was awarded the 2024 All-Round Girl Athlete and has received many state, tournament and district honors.
She has been generously awarded $32,250 in scholarships from Duncan Scholars Program, Texas 4-H Foundation, Dewitt-Lavaca A&M Mother’s Club, Hallettsville Junior Livestock, Lavaca County Go Texan, and Knights of Columbus. Ava will be attending Texas A&M in the fall and be working towards a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in hopes of becoming a veterinarian.
The graduating class of 2024 was awarded a total of over $250 thousand in local, state and national scholarships.
The class especially thanked all the local organizations for their generosity in providing money for the scholarships.