Class of 2018 Valedictorian, Samantha Sabapathypillai, is the daughter of Mercy and Noel Sabapathypillai of Cape Girardeau.  Samantha attended St. Vincent de Paul Grade School and is a member of LaCroix Methodist Church.  While at ND, Samantha was active in National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Women in God’s Service (WINGS), Pro-Life Club, Big Brother Big Sister, and Franciscan Leadership Club.  She was a part of the JV Softball Team.  Samantha received the JV and V letters for Community Service and has been recognized as Student of the Year in Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra, Interpersonal Communications, and Health.  In addition, she has received Student of the Month for Math, Foreign Language, and Science.  On the National Spanish Exam, Samantha earned a Silver and Bronze medal.  She has been named a Bright Flight Scholar, Presidential Finalist at St. Louis University, and received the Mizzou Chancellor’s Award.

Samantha plans to attend the University of Missouri at Kansas City where she has been accepted to the six-year B.A./M.D. program.  She hopes to become a physician.

From Samantha: “I would like to thank my family for always pushing me to work hard, my teachers for continuously answering my questions and always helping me, and my friends for always supporting me.”

Class of 2018 Salutatorian, Blake Sparkman, is the daughter of Randy and Laura Sparkman of Cape Girardeau. Blake attended St. Vincent de Paul Grade School and is a member of LaCroix Methodist Church.  While at ND, Blake was active in Franciscan Leadership Club, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Friends of the Library, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Athletes Give Back, Women in God’s Service (WINGS), Peer Helpers, Pro-Life Club, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, and National Art Honor Society.  As a member of the Soccer Team, she has earned a Varsity letter.  She received two bars for Christian Service to add to her Varsity letter.  She was recognized as the Spanish III and Civics Student of the Year.  Blake was awarded the Bob and Bernice Christian Service Scholarship.

Blake plans to attend St. Louis University and study Chemistry on a pre-med track.  She hopes to become a surgeon and travel as a medical missionary.

From Blake: “I want to thank my parents for loving and supporting me, Brother David for being the best principal a school can ask for, and God for His blessings.”