Graduation 2023

The Class of 2023 earned $22,260,000+ in scholarship awards.

Please see the list of college acceptances for the Class of 2023 here.

Valedictorian - Molly Catherine McDonough

While pursuing her academic interests at Holy Cross, Molly quickly became absorbed by STEM courses. Focusing on engineering and physics, she also sought and excelled in rigorous math and English coursework. Her dedication and success have been acknowledged with membership in the Sancta Crux Scholars program, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society), Science National Honor Society, and the Latin National Honor Society.

Molly supported the school community as a member of the Health and Wellness board, a One Love student leader, and president and founder of Girl Up club. Through her junior year, Molly played volleyball at Holy Cross and MVSA. She also played basketball during her freshman and sophomore years. Molly continues to volunteer weekly with kids that need extra support at Beall Elementary School (through the Rock Kidz mentoring program). 

Molly attended St. Elizabeth Catholic School in Rockville, her home parish. She is a regular cantor at Mass. She regularly sings the National Anthem at Holy Cross and locally including at the Capital One Arena before two Notre Dame basketball games and at every home Holy Cross volleyball game during the last two years.

Molly will attend the University of Notre Dame and study biomedical engineering.

Salutatorian - Reese Michelle Long

During her time at Holy Cross, Reese’s interest in engineering was encouraged through the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) program. Reese is the first student at Holy Cross to complete all four PLTW courses during her tenure. As evidence of her academic success, Reese has been acknowledged as a Gillespie STEM Scholar, Sancta Crux Scholar, and Madeleva Scholar, and holds membership in the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (math honor society), and International Thespian Society. 

Reese is a very active member of the school community and has found a second home, outside of academics, within the Performing Arts department. She participated in drama productions all four years, including writing and directing the spring 2022 show. In addition, she is a member of every Holy Cross Performing Arts club, and holds leadership positions in many. In her free time, Reese enjoys creative writing, paddle boarding, and car repairs.

Reese came to Holy Cross from St. Jane De Chantal school in Bethesda, where she is also a parishioner. Reese will attend the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor and will study mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering, with an environmental and automotive focus.