The newest members of the Shamrock family were officially welcomed to Catholic Central on Friday, August 14, as the Class of 2030 gathered for Freshman Orientation.

Faculty and staff lined the entrance to welcome students as they arrived between 7:30 and 8 a.m., while the band played the school song. Once inside, the freshmen gathered in the gymnasium to hear from members of the administration before beginning their first day on campus.

The Class of 2030 comprises 309 students from 88 middle schools and 45 cities. More than 75% of the incoming freshmen participated in a Catholic Central shadow day last school year, and more than one-third were already part of the Shamrock family as Junior Shamrocks.

"This is a great group of kids," said Director of Admissions Jake Marmul 2007. "They work hard, they want to be here, and there are some great personalities. I can't wait for everyone to meet them."

The Class of 2030 brings a unique perspective to Catholic Central. Most were born in 2011 or 2012, meaning they have never known a world without smartphones, streaming services, or social media. They are the same age as the original Avengers movie, the Harry Potter films were already complete before they were born, and Minecraft is essentially the same age as they are. Fortnite was released when many of them were in kindergarten.

Their school experience has been shaped by some major changes, too. The iPad debuted in 2010, before they were born, and the COVID-19 shutdowns came during their second- or third-grade years. ChatGPT launched when they were only 10 or 11 years old.

And while the Class of 2030 may be new to Catholic Central, the school has been building quite a history during their lifetime. Since they were born, Catholic Central has won 48 state championships and 78 Catholic High School League titles. They have never known a year without a Shamrock Quiz Bowl state championship and have seen 78 Catholic Central students named National Merit Scholars.

While the Class of 2030 was getting acquainted with campus, the Admissions Office is already gearing up for the next group of potential Shamrocks. More than 200 eighth graders have already submitted a potential student form for next year's freshman class. Shadow days begin Sept. 9, and Brothers Day is scheduled for Aug. 27. Catholic Central's Open House will be held Sunday, Nov. 8.

The Junior Shamrocks program also continues to grow, with approximately 750 students participating last year and more than 275 already signed up for the 2026-27 school year.

For the Class of 2030, however, the focus is now on the year ahead.

Welcome to Catholic Central, freshmen. We're glad you're here.