Bishop Luers High School has announced the valedictorian and salutatorian of the Class of 2017.

Vanessa Schweiterman is the valedictorian of the Bishop Luers Class of 2017. The Roanoke resident and member of St. Joseph Parish, Roanoke, is the daughter of Michelle Schweiterman and Steve Schweiterman.

Vanessa’s plans are to attend Indiana University where she will major in biology and study medicine.

Her extracurricular activities at Bishop Luers included journalism, World Culture Club, Future Business Leaders of America, student council and National Honor Society, as well as working as a waitress at The Country Post.

Vanessa said, “My high school experience allowed me to put my faith into action by offering so many opportunities for service, both in school and in the community.”

She said favorite memories from her four years at high school include bake-off tournaments in journalism, school dances and football games. Hobbies and interests include reading, watching sports and movies, writing, swimming, “hanging out with friends,” shopping, laser tag and fishkeeping. The 4.3606-GPA senior said that attending a Catholic high school allowed her to grow “not only academically, but also allowed me to practice and strengthen my relationship with Christ.”

Abby Nicole Ulman is the salutatorian of the Bishop Luers Class of 2017. The Fort Wayne resident is the daughter of Anne and Dennis Ulman.

Abby’s plans are to attend Purdue University and double major in biomedical engineering and political science.

At Bishop Luers, Abby was part of National Honors Society and Future Business Leaders of America where she served as treasurer of both organizations, and played soccer and tennis, was in Key Club, World Culture Club and Academic Super Bowl.

Outside of school, she was a Mass server, extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and proclaimer of the Word at her parish, St. Joseph-Hessen Cassel, Fort Wayne.

“I especially enjoy hanging out with my friends and gardening,” said Abby. She also loves to travel and has dreams to do more traveling during college and after.

She said of her Bishop Luers experience, “The values that are reinforced in every classroom promote self-confidence, compassion and respect within each student.” She added that Catholic schools also help to “emphasize leadership in students” in many ways.