GreatNews.Life Student Voices: From Marian to beyond

What’s happened recently?

The end of the school year has finally come to the bittersweet relief of Marian High School’s students and staff. Seniors are off to college, trades, or whatever path lies ahead, and juniors are eager to step into their shoes.

Graduation took place on May 29 at The Lerner Theatre in downtown Elkhart. Families, friends, and teachers gathered to celebrate the Class of 2026 and all their accomplishments throughout four years at Marian High School.

Seniors have had a packed schedule in the last few weeks. Traditions such as the senior breakfast and Catholic Mass, senior skip day, and the senior lock-in gave the graduating class a few last chances to enjoy their time together before heading in new directions. While it has been an emotional few weeks, many seniors have expressed gratitude for all the friendships and memories high school has brought them.

Finals week also just wrapped up for all students. It brought plenty of stress and late nights, but students are relieved that it’s summer. Seniors had the opportunity to skip finals if they had a high grade in their classes, which was a perfect incentive to finish out the year strong. Underclassmen are now looking ahead to vacations, relaxing, sports, and a fun summer.

What’s coming up?

Summer has just begun, but fall athletes are already looking ahead to their impending seasons. The halls and sidewalks of Marian High School will still be bustling in the summer months as athletes and coaches attend practices and conditioning sessions.

Fall sports at Marian High School include volleyball, soccer, football, Boys Tennis, and Girls Golf. All teams have bright futures and are expected to have successful seasons. Summer conditioning in preparation for the fall includes open gyms, fields, courts, and weight room training with Coach Brian Herzog. The mornings are certainly early, but the rewards will be sweet.

Many students have fun summer plans, while others are looking forward to relaxing at home. In the last two weeks of June, Marian High School will send a group of 15 students to Tübingen, Germany to study abroad at a local high school. The students are grateful and excited to experience a new culture and immerse themselves in the language.

Although school is out, the Marian community is still active and faithfully living out its mission to learn, serve, and lead. This summer will be a time of opportunity, hard work, and fun.

Staff spotlight:

Sister Mercy Briola is the head of the math department and has been teaching math at Marian High School for seven years. She belongs to the order of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration.

The sisters of this order take turns day and night praying in front of the Eucharist for the needs of the Catholic Church and for the world. Their community life focuses on Franciscan joy, ceaseless adoration, and sisterly love.

“External circumstances don’t matter. We love Jesus and therefore we can be joyful in anything,” Briola said.

Briola is renowned at Marian High School for her baking skills and the treats she often brings in for the Marian community. She is known to cook and bake up an entire feast at the end of the year for her AP Calculus students. Apart from this, Briola also enjoys reading mystery thrillers, World War II-era literature, praying, and exercising.

“I always wanted to teach as a young child. I loved math. It wasn’t always easy for me, but I loved the challenge, the intellectuality and the clear thinking it required. Calculus was a highlight for me senior year,” Briola said.

Sadly for the Marian High School community, Briola has been asked by her order to leave Marian behind for now and move to Rome in October. There, she will begin a nine month program at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Briola will study Graduate Theology focused on religious life. When she moves back, she will most likely work as a formator – a guide – with the young sisters of her order.

“It seems counter-intuitive, but the more I am open to obedience and what my community asks of me, the more free I am,” said Briola, “It’s a hard request for me to accept because I love teaching ministry here, but I recognize that God will bring the best thing forward.”

Briola will be living in an international convent with 10 other sisters from throughout the US. She is excited to study, discover more of her Italian heritage, and be in the presence of the Pope. She is also looking forward to getting to know the other sisters she will be studying with. However, she leaves Marian High School behind with a heavy heart.

“I love my students. The gift of working with young people is a highlight in my life, and I have so many friendships among the faculty,” Briola said.

Though moving into this new chapter of her life is bittersweet, Briola is approaching it with the same faith and courage that has guided her through her vocation. While she will be greatly missed at Marian High School, her impact will remain long after her departure.

Briola imparts one last sentiment with her students.

“Stay close to Jesus and study hard. Math is important.” Briola said.

Student spotlight:

Ethan Abbott has made a name for himself among his classmates. He is the soccer goalie, a student ambassador, a member of the Knights for Life Club, National Honor Society, Spirit Knight, and the Science Research Team.

“I think it’s important to branch out and develop yourself as a whole person,” Abbott said.

Looking ahead to his senior year, Abbott is most excited for the soccer season. He recently suffered a labrum tear in his shoulder and had surgery in November. After a tiring, six month recovery, Abbott was cleared to play sports on May 20. His recovery was tedious and challenging, but it gave him a new perspective and taught him a lot of patience.

“I like to be independent and help others but not so much accept the help myself. I had to learn how to lean on those around me,” Abbott said.

This summer, under the warm June sun, Abbott will attend the US Naval Academy Summer Seminar. This is a week-long program at the naval academy for rising seniors who are prospective candidates. Abbott’s week will include physical training, workshops, classes, and meals.

Being a naval fighter pilot has been Abbott’s dream since seventh grade. His interest in the military began with his grandfather, an Air Force veteran.

“My dad showed me ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ for the first time, and I saw how cool naval fighter pilots were,” said Abbott.

Since his freshman year, Abbott has been a part of the Love of God retreat group. It has formed his early high school years and instilled the principles which push him onward. There, he has made countless friends and had opportunities to help others.

“Putting my trust in God has really been the driving principle throughout all of high school,” Abbott said.

Abbott is looking forward to his senior year with high expectations. He’ll be back in front of the soccer net, maintaining his grades, and developing his hobbies.

Whether it is leading on the field, serving the people around him, or preparing for a military future, Abbott hopes to make the most of every opportunity that comes his way.