Graduation 2024
St. Stephen
2024 Graduates
Zachary Lemelin
UNT Dallas College of Law
Zachary graduated from UNT Dallas College of Law. During his studies he donated legal assistance to Legal Aid of North West Texas. His future career plans are to practice law in Fort Worth.
Bridget Ourada
ICOM : Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine
Bridget had graduated with her Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine. Her academic activities and honors included being in the Sigma Sigma Phi – Academic Honor Society and finishing in the top 11% of her class. Bridget was also the SGA Community Outreach Committee Chair, the OB/GYN Club Secretary, and Orthopedic Club Treasurer. She also received the Humanitarian Award for Class of 2024. St. Stephen has been Bridget's parish since birth to when she graduated from high school and where she received her sacraments. During her years here, Bridget was a Youth Group Leader, Catechist, and a Eucharistic Minister. She will be doing her General Surgery Residency at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Harrisburg, PA.
Autumn Marie Jordan
Tarleton State University
Autumn Marie Jordan is graduating from Tarleton State University with a degree in Digital Media. Throughout her academic journey, she has consistently excelled, securing a spot on the Dean’s List and earning the prestigious Honors Ale award. Her dedication extended beyond the classroom as she served as a Digital Media Intern for Tarleton State, honing her skills in a real-world environment. Autumn's commitment to community and leadership is evident through her active involvement in Tarleton’s Sound of Fury Color Guard, the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, and her role as Vice President of the Tarleton University Rifle Team. As she looks forward to a rewarding career in digital media, Autumn is guided by her faith and a deep trust in God’s plan for her future.
Lindsey Gomez
Weatherford High School
Lindsey was a National Honor Society and Science National Honors Society member and will be graduating in the top 5% in her class. She was the Girls Soccer Team Captain, and awarded Academic All State, Academic All District, and First Team All District. Here at St. Stephen, she was a Junior Catechist from 2022 to 2024. Her future plans are plan to attend Southwestern University to play soccer and to obtain her degree in biology and attend PA school to one day become a Physicians Assistant specializing in oncology.
Eli Lang
Poolville High School
Eli will be graduating as the Poolville Valedictorian! He was the NHS President, Student Council Vice President, and the FFA President.
His extracurricular activities and awards included FFA Lonestar Degree – Summer 2023, FFA Star Chapter Farmer, Basketball District Newcomer of the Year – 2020 – 21 season, Basketball 1st Team All–District – 2021 – 22 and 2022 – 23 seasons, Basketball All–Parker County Co–Utility Player of the Year – 2022 – 23 season, Basketball All–Region Team – 2022 – 23 and 2023 – 24 seasons, Basketball Academic All–District – 2020–21, 2021 – 22, 2022 – 23, and 2023 – 24 seasons, Poolville High School Basketball MVP – 2022 – 23 season, Basketball TABC All–State Team 2023–24 season, Poolville High School Cross Country MVP – 2022, Cross Country Team State Qualifier – 2020, 21, and 22, Cross Country Individual State Qualifier – 2023, Cross Country Team State Runner–Up – 2020, Cross Country
Team State Champion – 2021, Poolville High School Tennis MVP – 2022 – 23 season, Poolville Monarch Athlete of the Year 2020 – 21, 2021 – 22, 2022 – 23 School Years, and Track Regional Qualifier 2021, 22, 23, and 24 seasons. His service to St. Stephen Catholic Church was being an altar server for four years. His future plans include going to Tarleton State University majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
Grace Kechnie
Weatherford High School
Grace was the Deca Senior Class Historian, member of the cosmetology program and will graduate with her cosmetology license, a Texas Bank award winner, and National English Honor Society member. Also, she is graduating in the Top 10 percent of her class, and she earned dual credit classes through Weatherford College. She was a member of the WHS cheer program for all 4 years and served as the freshman captain and varsity captain. She was named an All American Cheerleader in 2023. Grace has been a lifelong member of St. Stephen Catholic Church, has been a Cathesist Aid for two years, volunteered with Vacation Bible School and the Box of Joy project, plus was a member of the youth group for 6 years. Her future plans are to attend Tarleton State University.
Thomas Gillham
Springtown High School
Thomas was the First Responders Club Vice President and plans on directly entering into the workforce.
CJ Thornton
Weatherford High School
CJ has accomplished an impressive balance between academics and extracurricular
activities, managing to graduate in the top 20% of his class comprising 503 students.
One of CJ's greatest passions is throwing a ball. He has been a quarterback for the WHS Roo Football team for three years and a player on the Roo Baseball Team for two years. He also enjoys indulging in fishing, golfing, and spending time on boats with his friends when he's not playing sports. Throughout his high school career, CJ has volunteered at various city events and local charities. However, he is most dedicated to mentoring the younger generation. He is currently a mentor to elementary and middle school students in the PAL program (Peer Assistance & Leadership), a volunteer for WYA (Weatherford Youth Association), and a Roo Fest Special Olympics volunteer.
CJ has been a member of St. Stephen for eight years. Although he hasn't finalized his decision on where to go in the fall, he looks forward to applying himself both athletically and academically while pursuing a degree in Business.
Braxton Boyer
Weatherford High School
Braxton was on the honor roll all four years of high school and was a member of the National Technical Honor Society. He was in the Technology Student Association and came in 1st place in the TSA State Residential Design competition. His extracurricular activities included being on the Cross Country and Long-Distance Track team all four years of high school. He was part of the team that placed 1st place at District 3-6A for Cross Country for the first time in 20 years. Braxton is a member of USA cycling and has competed Nationally in Road cycling, cyclocross, mountain bike and time trial. Other activities included being in the Marching Band and Wind Symphony each year in high school. Plus he won 1st division during his Junior and Senior year at the Band Solo competition. He has attended St. Stephen Catholic Church his whole life. He will be attending Marian University, a Catholic Franciscan University in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he will study Civil Engineering and be a member of the cycling team.
Kylie Keis
Millsap High School
Kylie became certified in CPR, EKGs, Stop the bleed, and as a CNA during high school.
Her time in extracurricular activities were spent in various sports. Volleyball – earned 2nd team all district 2021-2022 and academic all district 2021-2022. Basketball – awarded an academic all district and honorable mention 2021-2022, achieved academic all district, and 2nd team all district 2022-2023. Track – ran hurdles and won district champ, area champ, and regional finalist in 2022, the 4X100 and 4X200 relays regional qualifier for both in 2023, and the 4X100 relay district champ, area champ, and 3rd place finish at regionals. Service at St. Stephen, included being an alter server and assisted the ushers with collections. Kylie will be pursing a Nursing degree at Weatherford College. She will go into labor and delivery with additional plans to get her masters degree in nursing to become a Neonatal nurse practitioner.
Itzanami Martinez
Brock High School
Itzanami is currently an "A" honor roll student in Brock High School. She takes all Honors and Dual-credit classes and is a member of National Honors Society with more than 100 service hours completed. During her high school career, she has done two years in archery and qualified for nationals, three years of color guard and became Co-Capitan last year, and has competed in Debate since her junior year and became the LD Capitan this year. At St. Stephen, Itzanami loved to help around the church, especially with helping children grow their faith and relationship with God. She helped in the office when she could, volunteered during VBS, and was a Catechist Aid for two years. During this last year, she helped with the second grade communion class. After graduation, Itzanami will attend the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. She plans to major in Criminal Justice.
Wesley Payne
Springtown High School
Wesley was first team academic all state for cross country, A/B honer roll for all 4 years, and a member of the NHS for one year. His Extracurricular Activities included Cross country – district winner x1, regional qualifier x3, state qualifier x2, varsity 4 years track – district champ in 1600 x2, district champ in 3200 x2, area qualifier x3, regional qualifier x2 , varsity 4 years baseball – district Champ x2, varsity for 2 Years.
St. Stephen has been his place of worship for three years. His future college plans include to run track and cross country at Dallas Baptist University. While being there, he plans to study Mechanical Engineering. From there he will get a job working somewhere to put his education to great use whether that is working on planes or cars.
Julia Huggins
Weatherford High School
Julia is in the top 5% of class and is ranked 5th in her graduating class, is a National Honor Society member, and earned her Theatre Honor Cord. She was awarded Miss WHS, Optimist of the Month, One Act Outstanding Performer, was the Vice-President of WHS Chapter of International Thespian Society (Troupe 3042), performed at Mainstage at the Texas Thespian Festival, was part of the Roo Crew, a Rally girl for WHS pep rallies, was President of her class for three years, had theatre performances at the Granbury Opera House and Plaza Theatre Cleburne, plus she volunteered for Mary Martin Elementary Martin Musicals. Julia was in the St. Stephen Youth Group for one year and was in the choir and sang as a cantor. She will be attending Pace University in New York City majoring in musical theatre.
Abril Barrientos
Aledo High School
Abril received her certifications in EKG, phlebotomy, CCMA, blood borne pathogen, and CPR. She also obtained dual credit classes through Weatherford college to be a step forward in college. For her extracurricular activities, she was in the student council, HOSA member (Health Occupations Students of America), Leading Ladies and serves as their community chair, plus being in the Aledo Page Turners Book Club all four years at Aledo High School! Abril attended the St. Stephen Catholic Church summer camp when she was younger. Her future college plans are to attend Tarleton State University in the fall of 2024 and majoring in nursing following the pre-med route.
Zoe Cooper
Seton Home Study School
Zoe was an A honors student. Her extracurricular activities during high school included ballet and piano. At St. Stephen, she has enjoyed participating in Youth Group activities the past five years and volunteered as a lector at the Saturday Vigil Mass for three years. She plans to attend Texas Christian University in the fall and to major in Spanish with a pre-veterinary medicine emphasis.
Brooke Bevelle
Poolville High School
Brooke's academic achievements and honors during high school included FCCLA, AB Honor Roll, and dual credit classes at Weatherford College. Some of her extracurricular activities were serving for the Center of Hope, participating in a Food Drive for a Dance Studio, and performing at nursing homes. Her future college plans are to attend Tarleton State in the Fall of 2024 majoring in Pre-Law.
Allianna Rainbolt
Springtown High School
Allianna concentrated in studying as a sports medicine trainee during high school. While at St. Stephen, she worked as a 1st grade catechist/aide. She plans on going to medical school.
Ryan Cabrera
Springtown High School
Ryan received a certification from welding class. For extracurricular activities, Ryan was part of the Weatherford High School varsity soccer team. He helped for two year at St. Stephen in the religious education office and three years as a lecture and usher. His future plans are to get a welding job.
Raiza Chacon
Weatherford High School
Raiza accrued dual credits through her courses throughout high school and will be graduating with an associate's degree. During high school, she was in the marching band, HOSA, NTHS, and the Wind symphony concert band. At St. Stephen, Raiza participated in the youth choir. For college, she will be attending the University of North Texas to pursue a degree in biology.
