Providence Names Class Of 2021 Valedictorian, Salutatorian

NEW LENOX, IL — Providence Catholic High School has named its Class of 2021 valedictorian and salutatorian. Frankfort resident Dylan Riemen was named as valedictorian and New Lenox resident Mia Paolella was named as salutatorian, according to the school.

“We are very proud of these academically gifted students, who are both strong leaders among their peers at Providence Catholic. We know they have very bright futures in and out of the classroom,” Principal John Harper said in a release.

Riemen is the son of Ken and Kristy Riemen, and is a graduate of Liberty Junior High School, a parishioner at St. Jude Catholic Church in New Lenox, and a resident of Frankfort, the school said. Riemen will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and will study brain and cognitive sciences. He is a scholarship recipient and has earned high honors every semester of high school. Riemen is an Illinois State Scholar, a National Merit Commended Scholar, an AP Scholar with honor and an Augustinian Scholar, and was also selected as a Chancellor’s Scholar in the Campus Honors Program at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. He has taken nine Advanced Placement courses and 11 honors courses. Riemen has earned a 4.95 GPA, the school said.

He has earned several academic subject awards including: Algebra I Honors, Algebra II Honors, Pre-Calculus Honors, Spanish 3 Honors, AP Chemistry, AP English Language and Composition, World Religions and AP Calculus BC. Dylan serves as President of the National Honor Society.

Riemen has been a member of the Theatre Club, Science Club, Habitat for Humanity, Augustinian Youth Ministry, Math Team, and IALAC 2.0. Riemen has also played soccer at Providence and has volunteer-coached a U9 co-ed soccer team in the community, the school said.

“Providence has given me the opportunity to find myself and be confident in my future as I take the next step in my life. It has challenged me with its many difficult classes, which allowed me to prove to myself that I can take on the rigor of college academics. Socially and spiritually, I have learned much about myself through the many people that come from so many different walks of life. Having the family atmosphere that Providence has allowed me a unique chance to connect with people on a deeper level than I ever have before, which has been vital in making me the person I am today. Because of that, I feel more than ready to take on the next challenges that lay ahead and make the most of my college experience,” Riemen said in a release.

Salutatorian Mia Paolella of New Lenox is the daughter of Mark and Marilyn Paolella. She is a graduate of St. Jude School in New Lenox, where she is also a parishioner, the school said. Paolella will attend the University of Notre Dame next year to study Architecture on a university scholarship.

According to the school, Paolella has earned high honors every semester of high school. She is an AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, Augustinian Scholar and Cross-Country Scholar Athlete for the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference. She has taken eight Advanced Placement courses, and ten Honors courses, earning a 4.92 GPA.

Paolella has earned several academic awards including: French and French Honors, Biology Honors, Chemistry Honors, English Honors, AP Two-dimensional design, and Studio Art. Paolella is a member of the National Honor Society, the National French Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society, and she’s an International Thespian Society Scholar, the school said.

Paolella has been a member of the Theatre Club, Book Club, Creative Writing Club, Table Top Games Club, and Art Club, the school said. She has also served as a Student Ambassador, and a catechist. Paolella also competed with the school's cross-country team, and was a girl scout for five years, and volunteers at Silver Cross Hospital.

“Providence has offered so many amazing opportunities to prepare me for college. The teachers care so much about their students and are always there to help and support us. The counseling department has been so helpful in the college process. They really walk us through it and ensure that everybody is well-prepared. The teachers and the faculty have done so much for us throughout our four years, but they have worked especially hard this year to get the most out of it,” Paolella said in a release.