Calvert graduates ready for what's next

TIFFIN — Calvert Catholic Schools will send another graduating class into the world May 24, and for two of its seniors, four years of faith, competition and community left a mark they say will follow them beyond Tiffin. Kara Somodi Kara Somodi said she appreciated the "small, family feel" at Calvert and is "very grateful" to have attended a small school. Reflecting on her four years of high school, Somodi said two experiences stand out as her best memories. First, she said, attending the Kairos retreat had a tremendous impact on her faith. Somodi was invited to attend Kairos her junior year, then served as a student leader her senior year. The experience strengthened her leadership skills and helped her grow personally, she said. Kairos is "a very healing experience," she said, and leaves students "wanting to always have that spiritual high." Her second-favorite memory was winning a state championship in cheerleading her junior year, when the team won the Division VI Gameday title. Calvert's weekly school Masses and the senior service projects also were highlights of her high school experience. She said senior service projects build a bridge between Calvert and the Tiffin community, allowing students to "bring God's love" to others, and school Masses ensure all students attend church at least once a week, even if their families don't attend on Sundays. Somodi said she had "a great experience" in high school sports, including volleyball, track and cheerleading, and "wouldn't trade it for anything." This fall, she will attend John Carroll University to study pre-law. She plans to complete the school's 3+3 doctorate program with the goal of becoming a trusts and wills attorney. "I want to be face-to-face and help people," she said. Brooklyn Widman Brooklyn Widman, another Calvert graduate, said she "had a really great experience at Calvert." Widman attended Calvert Catholic Schools her whole life and said she felt surrounded by good people and good opportunities. Throughout high school, she was a member of the cheer squad, performing at football and basketball games and with the competition cheer team. This year, Widman was co-captain alongside Somodi and said she enjoyed "watching the student section coming together." She said the Calvert community's support was remarkable. Homecoming week with the cheer team ranks among her best memories, she said, with activities focused on "working together as a team" and growing closer. Kairos also was impactful for her, Widman said. The retreat "helped us grow closer with our classmates." Widman said the faith component of her Calvert education deepened over the years. Particularly in high school, she became more fully aware of how faith "works into real life" and developed skills to incorporate her Catholic upbringing into everyday life. She said she strives to be kind, think of others and be a good leader. This fall, Widman plans to attend Tiffin University to study digital media and cheer for the Eagles. Her experience with Calvert's cheer program and knowing the TU cheer coach both factored into that decision, she said. Yearbook and a graphics class at Calvert also influenced her choice to pursue digital media. Widman said she will most miss seeing her friends and the time they spent together. Having grown up at Calvert alongside many of her classmates, she said she has enjoyed growing closer to them and learning where life is taking them all.