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As the class of 2025 prepares to wear their blue gowns and step into a new chapter of life, two students stand out for their academic achievements: Valedictorian Mackenzie Reidy and Salutatorian Martha Chapman. 

From robotics and service projects to leadership roles and deep friendships, Reidy and Chapman have used their four years at Marian to learn, grow and leave a lasting mark.

For salutatorian Martha Chapman, her high school experience was filled with more than just academics. Chapman balanced her time between the soccer field, cross country trails and classrooms, where clubs like robotics, math club and sustainability sparked her curiosity and fueled her passion for problem-solving.

“I’ve loved being involved in STEM clubs,” she said. “One of the highlights of my time at Marian was getting introduced to robotics by Dr. Genoways. She really helped me come out of my shell. She’s strong, dependable and has done so much for the Marian community.”

That sense of community and curiosity extended beyond the walls of the school building. Chapman also helped tutor elementary students from St. Pius/St. Leo and served as chair of the parish and grade school outreach for Operation Others, organizing donations from churches and schools across Omaha. She even explored the world of optometry through her job as a pre-tester, scanning eyes and recording medical histories.

Her favorite memory? Winning Field Day junior year. “I’ve loved going to Marian. I found some of my closest friends here and have made memories that will last a lifetime.”

Looking ahead, Chapman is heading to Purdue University to study mechanical engineering, with the potential of a double major in aerospace. With her drive and heart, she’s sure to take off.

Valedictorian Reidy’s journey was kick-started freshman year following the Student Board elections. “I remember being really nervous,” she said, reflecting on that first campaign. “I hadn’t gone to elementary school with most of my classmates, and I was afraid no one knew me. But I poured my energy into my poster and my speech, and I ended up getting elected. It showed me I could be involved in more than just academics.”

From start to finish, Mackenzie’s résumé reflects her leadership: President of Student Board, NHS, and Math Club; member of FIAT and Operation Others Core Teams; leader for both Freshman and Senior Retreats; cross country runner, recreational hockey player, speech and mock trial competitor, and more. Alongside all this, she completed twelve AP classes and held jobs at chiropractic offices, the German American Society and a dispute resolution firm.

But it wasn’t always easy.

“Junior year was really hard for me,” she said. “I felt overwhelmed and like my life was getting more complicated than I could handle. But that challenge made me push harder. I knew I still wanted to achieve the goals I had set for myself, so I worked even more.”

She credits much of her success to the people around her. Math teacher and cross-country coach, Ms. Megan Han, and her counselor, Mrs. Anna Sparwasser, offered support and wisdom along the way. “Ms. Han never minimized the struggles I was facing. She always offered advice and made me feel heard. And Mrs. Sparwasser’s door was always open.”

Yet, for all her accolades, Reidy’s proudest achievement isn’t a title or a GPA, it’s the friendships she’s made. “When I first came to Marian, I didn’t know a single person. Now, I’m leaving with more friends than I can count. That’s what I’m most proud of.”

In the fall, Reidy will head to the University of Notre Dame, her childhood dream school, where she plans to major in Psychology on a pre-law track. While her exact path remains open, one thing’s for sure: politics and public service are on her radar.

Though Chapman and Reidy’s schedules were packed and their GPAs nearly perfect, what defines Reidy and Chapman isn’t the number beside their names at graduation; it’s the intentional way they used their time at Marian. As the class of 2025 looks to the future, Marian’s top two students leave them with a lesson: academic success is important, but it’s the relationships, resilience and real-world impact that truly matter. Whether launching satellites or drafting legislation, these two graduates are just getting started.