Skip To Main Content

Record Milestones, Bright Futures for the Class of 2026

Record Milestones, Bright Futures for the Class of 2026

In a joyful celebration on May 26, the Class of 2026 received their diplomas while marking several historic firsts for DPCR. The 63 graduates crossed the stage surrounded by proud families, friends, teachers, and supporters as they celebrated the culmination of four years of hard work and achievement. 

Valedictorian Yirialis Diaz Mercedes ’26 addressed her classmates, reflecting on her journey and the accomplishments of the Class of 2026. Her speech can be found here.

Commencement speaker Theresa Bruns ’15 encouraged students as they prepare for their next chapter. Her speech can be found here.

Here’s a look at the graduation celebration.

The Class of 2026 achieved several milestones in school history: • They reached 100 percent college acceptance earlier than any class before them. • Class members earned 21 full-tuition college scholarships — the most in DPCR history — to Berea College, Mount St. Joseph University, The Ohio State University, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Dayton, and Xavier University.

Preston Frater ’26 received DPCR’s highest senior honor, the Credo Perago Floreo Award. It recognizes the senior who most exemplifies the school motto, Believe. Achieve. Become.

Griselda Lorenzo-Cabrera ’26 was honored with the Distinguished Young Professional Award for achieving an outstanding professional transformation through the Corporate Work Study Program.

A blue background frames a crest with four quadrants and a banner, alongside text announcing the twelfth commencement exercises of DePaul Cristo Rey High School, Class of 2026.
A woman in academic regalia claps her hands at a podium with a dark background.
Graduates in navy blue gowns and caps walk down a hallway lined with cheering people, with orange chairs visible in the background.
Graduates in blue gowns walk down a hallway with cheering onlookers in the background.
Graduates in navy blue gowns and caps cheer and clap in a hallway, with a blurred background of more graduates and onlookers.
A young man in a graduation gown has his cap adjusted by another person, while other graduates in similar attire are visible in the blurred background.
A young woman in a graduation cap and gown speaks at a podium in front of a dark curtain.
A young woman in a graduation cap and gown speaks at a podium in front of a dark background.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps clap their hands in the foreground, while a blurred crowd of similarly dressed individuals fills the background.
Five graduates in navy blue gowns and caps pose in the foreground, with a bulletin board and a doorway visible in the background.
A young woman in a graduation cap and gown stands with a woman in academic regalia against a dark background.
A smiling woman in academic regalia stands next to a beaming graduate holding an award, with a school banner in the background.
A young woman in academic regalia speaks at a podium in front of a dark curtain.
A smiling graduate in a cap and gown waves with her right hand while holding a diploma, with a woman in academic regalia and a school banner in the background.
A graduate in a purple cap and gown holds a diploma with her arm raised in celebration against a yellow banner with a crest.
A young man in a graduation cap and gown triumphantly raises his fist in the foreground, while a yellow banner with %22Class of 2006%22 is visible in the background.
A graduate in a purple cap and gown holds a diploma with her arm raised in celebration against a yellow banner with a crest.
A smiling graduate in a navy blue cap and gown clutches her diploma in front of a yellow banner with a school crest.
A graduating student in a cap and gown poses with his family in front of a crowd of people and a %22Molly-Mulkey Graduates%22 sign.
A smiling graduate in a cap and gown stands in the foreground, while a blurred crowd of people fills the background.
Three smiling women pose for a photo with a graduation cap and a money bouquet in the foreground, while a blurred crowd of people fills the background.
Four women in graduation caps and gowns pose with diplomas and bouquets in front of an orange wall and a hallway.
Three smiling individuals, two in graduation gowns and caps holding diplomas, stand in a hallway with other people blurred in the background.
A large group of graduating students in blue gowns stand on a paved area in front of a grand stone staircase with lush greenery on either side.