Detroit Catholic Central High School celebrates the top 10 scholars from the Class of 2025 for exemplifying academic excellence, leadership, and dedication throughout their high school years.

Congratulations to the following outstanding students:

DREW ABBOTT

Parents: Mrs. Kristin & Mr. Andrew Abbott

Resides in: Northville

Parish: Ward Church

Middle School: Hillside Middle School

Clubs/Activities: Track and Field (Captain), Cross Country (Captain), Swim and Dive, National Honor Society

Where will you be attending college? Kalamazoo College

What is your planned major? Biology

How has your time at Catholic Central impacted you?

Catholic Central has provided for me an enriching environment for me to grow as a man. Catholic Central has pushed me to excel in all areas of my life, whether it be academically in the classroom, or spiritually in my faith. I have been able to explore outside my comfort zone to find my true strengths and improve my weaknesses.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Catholic Central?

Raising 1 million dollars for the Drive for the first time ever as part of the winning Senior class will always be a great memory. Beating Belleville at the last home football game of the season is close second. Both times the spirit and brotherhood of Catholic Central were at their strongest.

EDWARD BADEL

Parents: Mr. Carlos & Mrs. Andrea Badel

Resides in: Dexter

Parish: St. Joseph

Middle School: Mill Creek (Dexter)

Clubs/Activities: National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society (Officer), Track and Field, Cross Country (Captain)

Where will you be attending college? University of Michigan

What is your planned major? Computer Science

How has your time at Catholic Central impacted you?

CC has had an impact on every part of my life. The exceptional people and the unmatched culture affect students far beyond the classroom in a way that is impossible to articulate. Throughout my time here, I have grown not only academically or athletically, but also as a person, and most importantly, in my faith.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Catholic Central?

Our playoff football game against Belleville senior year. It was far and away the most electric atmosphere of any sporting event I have ever experienced.

CHRISTIAN BAKKAL

Parents: Mr. Sermad & Mrs. Kristie Bakkal

Resides in: Commerce Township

Parish: St. Thomas Chaldean Catholic Church

Middle School: Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School

Clubs/Activities: Middle Eastern Student Association (MESA) (Founder and President), Spectrum Newspaper (Editor), Finance Club (Board Member), HOSA Future Health Professionals (Board Member), Spanish Honor Society (Board Member), DECA, National Honor Society, Poetry Out Loud Competitor, Academic Team (9th+10th grade), JV Tennis Team (10th+11th grade)

Where will you be attending college? University of Michigan

What is your planned major? Pre-Med and Business

How has your time at Catholic Central impacted you?

My time at Catholic Central has shaped me into a well-rounded individual, rooted in the ideals of Goodness, Discipline, and Knowledge. CC has given me several opportunities to grow and has taught me to set higher standards for my life in and out of the classroom. These experiences have made my time in high school special and given me friendships that I will carry into my college years and beyond.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Catholic Central?

From meeting Chase Bank CEO Jamie Dimon through the finance club, watching CC/DC’s rendition of “Back in Black” during the DRIVE entertainment, attending the March for Life every year, or even playing the role of TikToker Jeremy Fragrance in the DRIVE skit, I have so many favorite memories from my time at CC.

JAROD DUFIELD

Parents: Mr. Darryl & Mrs. Alena McDonald

Resides in: Pinckney

Middle School: Holy Spirit

Clubs/Activities: Golf, Cross Country, DECA, HOSA, Spanish Honors Society (Officer), National Honor Society.

Where will you be attending college? University of Michigan

What is your planned major? Biomedical Engineering + Biology

How has your time at Catholic Central impacted you?

My time at Catholic Central has definitely shaped me into a better person. I believe that Catholic Central's tenets of goodness, discipline, and knowledge have undoubtedly influenced me into who I am today. I feel that Catholic Central's community was the most important for this. The community at CC is one of the best in the state. Catholic Central emphasizes a brotherhood, and CC has definitely achieved that. 

What is your favorite memory of your time at Catholic Central?

My favorite memory was the junior year road rally.  My friend Michael shaved off all of his hair, but he still didn't win.

YECHIEL GUTIERREZ-DIAZ

Parents: Mrs. Danny Diaz & Mr. Ricardo Gutierrez

Resides in: Northville

Parish: Sacred Heart Catholic Parish

Middle School: Sacred Heart Catholic School

Clubs/Activities: HOSA (Officer), Spanish Honor Society (Officer), National Honor Society, Swim and Dive, News Team, Drama Club, Model UN

Where will you be attending college? University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

What is your planned major? Chemistry and Mathematics

How has your time at Catholic Central impacted you?

Catholic Central has given me confidence and allowed me to make some of my best friends. This school also challenged me academically, preparing me for college.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Catholic Central?

My favorite memory is this year's Drive, specifically when we brought in 1 million dollars. It was a time where I saw everyone so overwhelmed with excitement and togetherness.

AIDAN JANOSIK

Parents: Mr. John & Mrs. Colleen Janosik

Resides in: Northville

Parish: St. Kenneth

Middle School: East Middle School

Clubs/Activities: Senior Class President, DECA State Champion & National Qualifier, Kairos Rector Leader, Tennis (Captain), Baseball, National Honor Society, Finance Club

Where will you be attending college? University of Michigan Ross School of Business

What is your planned major? Finance

How has your time at Catholic Central impacted you?

Detroit Catholic Central provided me opportunities to expand my comfort zone into areas like public speaking and leadership of spirituality. Within the Catholic Central community I was able to foster strong, deep-rooted relationships with faculty and classmates that supported me in embarking on my future pursuits. These relationships transcend the walls of this school and act as a second family wherever life takes me.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Catholic Central?

Accomplishing our $1 million goal of funds raised for our annual tuition assistance DRIVE and winning as the Senior class! Having witnessed DRIVE as a freshman and not fully understanding the impact, to becoming a Senior leader and collaborating to develop the 2025 Greek Mythology drive theme, decorations, and presentations was an incredible experience. It was truly satisfying to be part of this magnificent milestone at Detroit Catholic Central.

IAN LEE

Parents: Mr. Joon & Mrs. Tricia Lee

Resides in: Novi

Parish: Oak Pointe Church

Middle School: Novi Middle School

Clubs/Activities: North Korean Human Rights Forums (Speaker, Host & Organizer), American Institute of Architecture Students Chapter at CC (Founder/President, 2024 National Juror), Architecture Media Politics Society (Reviewer), Published Author (Journal of Student Research; Curieux Academic Journal; AMPS Conference), Varsity Esports - Overwatch, Valorant & Fortnite (Captain; All‑State), String Orchestra (1st Chair Cellist; National School Orchestra Award), Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society (Associate Member), Spanish Honor Society (Officer), Shamrock Prep Hockey Club (4‑year Member), National Honor Society (Member), National Speed Cubing (Competitor), Scholastic Art & Writing (Honorable Mention), Published Artist (Celebrating Art National Anthology)

Where will you be attending college? Johns Hopkins University

What is your planned major? Public Health on the Pre-Med Track

How has your time at Catholic Central impacted you?

At Catholic Central, I quickly learned that the more I put in, the more I got out. The school’s culture of involvement surrounded me with opportunities, from clubs to leadership roles, that encouraged me to step up and grow. Through these experiences, I developed some of the most valuable life skills: social confidence and the ability to connect with others. Whether I was motivating teammates as a captain, teaching peers about architecture, or exchanging light-hearted banter with teachers, these experiences have helped me grow from a shy freshman that was nervous to ask questions into someone that is now able to confidently speak my voice thanks to Catholic Central.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Catholic Central?

There are far too many to count, but almost all of my favorite memories come from the friendships I’ve built at Catholic Central whether it’s making fun of each other, pulling pranks,  or working hard toward a common  goal. One moment that stands out, though, is when we became State Champions for Overwatch. The energy in the room was electric. We were yelling, jumping, and celebrating like never before.

BRENDAN MATO

Parents: Mr. Gerry & Mrs. Nicole Mato

Resides in: Farmington Hills

Parish: Our Lady of Sorrows

Middle School: Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School

Clubs/Activities: Shamrock Media Team (Head of Announcing), Varsity Golf, National Honor Society, Rock Vitae, Spanish Honor Society

Where will you be attending college? University of Notre Dame

What is your planned major? Business

How has your time at Catholic Central impacted you?

I believe my time at CC has made me a kinder, more disciplined, more faithful, and smarter man.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Catholic Central?

Announcing the CC vs. Belleville Regional Final football game in the fall of 2024.

BENJAMIN TOWNE

Parents: Mrs. Margaret & Mr. Andrew Towne

Resides in: Plymouth

Parish: Resurrection Parish

Middle School: East Middle School

Clubs/Activities: Spectrum Newspaper (Editor-in-Chief), Quiz Bowl/Academic Team, National Honor Society, Boys' Bowl Mural (Leader)

Where will you be attending college? College of William & Mary or the University of Michigan (Undecided)

What is your planned major? Geology and English - Double Major

How has your time at Catholic Central impacted you?

My attendance at Catholic Central has been the most beneficial event in my life so far and I believe that it will continue to positively affect me throughout my life. I found an incredible network of peers and faculty, discovered my love for art, was exposed to the field of journalism, and found a variety of other spaces in which I could grow. I have told multiple students planning to attend Catholic Central that it is the best decision that they will ever make, and I wholeheartedly believe that to be true.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Catholic Central?

My favorite memory at Catholic Central is leading the creation of the Boys' Bowl Mural. It was an activity that absorbed much of my time this past fall, but I wouldn't want to have done anything else. Seeing my efforts and the contributions of many others culminate in the finished product was an incredible experience, as was speaking at the Boys' Bowl Assembly to unveil the mural.

TOMMY WATSON

Parents: Mr. Peter & Mrs. Alice Watson

Resides in: Novi

Parish: Our Lady of Victory

Middle School: Our Lady of Victory

Clubs/Activities: National Honor Society, Spanish Honors Society (Officer), Cross Country (Captain), Track and Field (Captain)

Where will you be attending college? University of Michigan (Ross)

What is your planned major? Business (Finance)

How has your time at Catholic Central impacted you?

My time at Catholic Central has made me a more well-rounded individual in all aspects of my life. It has strengthened me both athletically and academically, instilled a high level of discipline in me, and created long lasting relationships and memories. Most importantly, CC has drawn me even closer to my faith and inspired me to continue pursuing it in the future.

What is your favorite memory of your time at Catholic Central?

My favorite memory from CC is the three cross country camps I attended during the summer my sophomore, junior, and senior years.