ESCANABA — Holy Name Catholic School held its graduation ceremony on Tuesday night for the eighth grade class of 2014.

The class of 26 graduates included two valedictorians with perfect 4.0 GPAs and one salutatorian.

The two co-valedictorians, who both earned a perfect 4.0 GPA over their entire three years of middle school at Holy Name, are: Luke LaFave (pictured wearing a gold cord in front row, far left) and Rushil Kasetty (pictured wearing gold cord in second row, far right). The salutatorian (pictured wearing a silver cord in front row, 5th from right) is Janel LaPalm, who graduated with a 3.95 GPA over her three years of middle school at Holy Name.

Prior to the graduation ceremony at Holy Name Catholic School, Bishop John Doerfler celebrated Mass for the students at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Wells. Bishop Doerfler also conferred degrees upon the students, shaking hands and handing diplomas to all the 26 graduates as they walked across the stage.

“It was an honor to have our Bishop attend our students’ graduation,” Kate Swanson, faith formation coordinator and assistant to the principal for Holy Name Catholic School, said.

Concelebrants for the Mass included Father Rick Courier, Father Fran DeGroot, Father Eric Olson, and Father John Longbucco.

Holy Name Catholic School eighth grade teacher Amy Chartier said of her students, “Holy Name graduates are well-rounded, both academically and spiritually. Our class of 2014 is a prime example.”

Last year’s eighth grade graduating class had three co-valedictorians, also with perfect 4.0 GPAs throughout their three years of middle school: Darby Beckon, Dylan Bernson and Jon Perrault.

Pictured in this photo of Holy Name Catholic School’s 8th Grade Class of 2014 are: Front row: (left to right): Co-valedictorian Luke LaFave, Garek Dyszel, Sloan Wunder, Claire McInerney, Peyton Rabitoy, Kaylin Holden, Megan Dagenais, Taylor Emmi, Janel LaPalm, Christina LaPalm, Lucas Weinert, Corwin Laczhazy, and Riley Ross. Second row: (left to right): Victoria Chenier, Paige Wendt, Savannah Barron, Garrett McMillan, Taylor Gauthier, Bishop John Doerfler, Cailin Carignan, Brandon Erickson, and Co-valedictorian Rushil Kasetty. Top Rows: (left to right): Alex Valentine, Cody Vandermissen, Jared Ness, Andrew Dykema, and Logan Carroll.