Adobe Stock
Graduating seniors from four Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, have earned more than $81 million in college scholarships this year, highlighting both academic excellence and the strength of Catholic education in the region.
The diocese reported that as of May 20, the combined scholarship total had already surpassed $81 million, and diocesan officials expect that number to grow.
Graduation ceremonies took place across May at the diocese’s four high schools: Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School, Saint Paul VI High School, Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School, and Bishop Ireton High School.
Bishop Michael F. Burbidge reflected on the significance of the milestone and offered words of gratitude and encouragement.
“We thank our parents for the sacrifices they make to provide their children with a sound Catholic education, and our administrators and educators, who see this as a vocation to teach in our Catholic schools to form men and women as disciples of the Lord,” he said, according to the diocese.
Alongside impressive scholarship totals, the Class of 2025 also includes five National Merit Award finalists, more than 100 student-athletes who have committed to college athletics, and nine students who are headed to US military service academies.
“We are delighted to send these students forward with a prayer that God will continue to bless them in this new chapter,” said Joseph E. Vorbach III, superintendent of the diocese’s schools. “May he work through them to bring the light of Christ to the margins and be voices for peace in an ever-changing world.”
