10 under 10
Recognizing Our Rising Alumni Leaders
10 Under 10
The Catholic Central "10 Under 10" program recognizes ten outstanding alumni who have graduated within the last ten years. These individuals embody the CC mission through their professional achievements, community service, and commitment to faith.
By highlighting our young leaders, we celebrate the enduring impact of a Catholic Central education and inspire our current students to lead lives of purpose and service.
We are looking for young alumni who are making waves in their careers and communities. Nominees are evaluated based on:
Professional Achievement: Demonstrating excellence and leadership within their chosen career field or industry.
Community Impact: Serving others through volunteerism, civic engagement, or philanthropic efforts.
Living the Mission: Exemplifying the values of faith, leadership, and service instilled during their time at Catholic Central.
Nominate an alumni leader
Help us identify the next group of honorees. Please provide as much detail as possible. Nominations are open to all alumni, parents, and friends of the CC community.
Nominee Information
Thank you for your nomination! We appreciate your help in recognizing outstanding CC alumni. Honorees will be announced in the upcoming Spring Inside CC.
2026 honorees
Joey Puglessi '16
Healthcare Technology Consultant, Amazon Web Services | Performance Coach, Hackneys Aquatic Club | UK
University of Cincinnati ’20 | University College Dublin ’22
“Being part of the incredible Catholic Central community gave me the confidence to take risks and step outside my comfort zone, empowering me to pursue opportunities abroad. I’m grateful for that foundation, which continues to shape not only how I approach my career, but also serves as the playbook for how I build community in my life all these years later - making life abroad feel more familiar.”
Michael Brown ’17
Safety, New England Patriots
Miami University ’21
“Catholic Central education prepared me for my career because of the high standard they held me to. I take that same standard and apply it to my daily life to help me achieve goals that I have for myself.”
John Jakubowski ’17
Medical Student, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
University of Notre Dame ’21
“My education at Catholic Central prepared me for my career by consistently encouraging me to grow spiritually, mentally, and socially!”
Joseph Blanco '18
Electrical Systems Engineer, Los Angeles Metro
University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute ’22
“When I was trying to decide between two different career paths, going to Catholic Central gave me the opportunity to explore both through classes and extracurriculars. But more crucially for making my decision, CC helped me realize that what was important for myself beyond a job was to expand my worldview and create sustainable growth for my community.”
Emily Daum '19
Marketing Manager & AI Responsibility Marketing, Google
University of Michigan ’23
“Being able to work in a team effectively has been one of the most important aspects of my career, and CC helped me prepare for this both inside and outside of the classroom. “
Bree Bylak '20
Reporter/Anchor, WSAW NewsChannel 7
University of Wisconsin-Madison ’24
“Catholic Central prepared me in the classroom and in co-curricular activities. Classes helped me learn how to ask the right questions, achieve accuracy in my work, and hone in my writing skills. Theater, choir, and debate prepared me to clearly deliver a message while working to understand and better serve my audience.”
David Shamblin '21
Seminarian, Diocese of Grand Rapids | Discipleship Stage-Mission Year-Christ in the City | Denver, CO
“The support and formation that I received at CC were instrumental in my ongoing discernment of the priesthood. The grace and joy demonstrated by members of the staff, such as Dcn. Rybicki, Frs. Steve, Colin, Doug, O.P., and the late Bob Kennedy have nurtured a desire in me to bring that grace and joy to others.”
Molly Leonard '21
Math Teacher, Arrupe Jesuit High School
Hope College ’25 | University of Notre Dame ’27
“As I have stepped into my role as a first-year teacher with ACE, I am incredibly grateful for my time at Catholic Central. I was provided with countless models of teachers who emulated Christ the Teacher in their knowledge of students, just as much as in the content they taught.”
%20Chen.webp)
Kevin (Yuxiang) Chen '21
PhD Candidate, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
University of Michigan ’24 | Johns Hopkins University ’29
"Catholic Central’s strong STEM program gave me the academic preparation to pursue science, while the broader school community shaped my character and sense of responsibility as both a professional and a person."
Avery Plachecki '25
Actor, Film, Television, Commercial & Print | Los Angeles, California
“My education at Catholic Central reinforced the importance of faith, perseverance, and trusting in the gifts I've been given. Those values continue to guide me as I further my acting career, and I hope my journey encourages others to follow the paths they feel called to… even when they fall outside the norm.”
Past honorees
2026
Joey Puglessi '16
Healthcare Technology Consultant, Amazon Web Services | Performance Coach, Hackneys Aquatic Club | UK
University of Cincinnati ’20 | University College Dublin ’22
“Being part of the incredible Catholic Central community gave me the confidence to take risks and step outside my comfort zone, empowering me to pursue opportunities abroad. I’m grateful for that foundation, which continues to shape not only how I approach my career, but also serves as the playbook for how I build community in my life all these years later - making life abroad feel more familiar.”
Michael Brown ’17
Safety, New England Patriots
Miami University ’21
“Catholic Central education prepared me for my career because of the high standard they held me to. I take that same standard and apply it to my daily life to help me achieve goals that I have for myself.”
John Jakubowski ’17
Medical Student, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine
University of Notre Dame ’21
“My education at Catholic Central prepared me for my career by consistently encouraging me to grow spiritually, mentally, and socially!”
Joseph Blanco '18
Electrical Systems Engineer, Los Angeles Metro
University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute ’22
“When I was trying to decide between two different career paths, going to Catholic Central gave me the opportunity to explore both through classes and extracurriculars. But more crucially for making my decision, CC helped me realize that what was important for myself beyond a job was to expand my worldview and create sustainable growth for my community.”
Emily Daum '19
Marketing Manager & AI Responsibility Marketing, Google
University of Michigan ’23
“Being able to work in a team effectively has been one of the most important aspects of my career, and CC helped me prepare for this both inside and outside of the classroom. “
Bree Bylak '20
Reporter/Anchor, WSAW NewsChannel 7
University of Wisconsin-Madison ’24
“Catholic Central prepared me in the classroom and in co-curricular activities. Classes helped me learn how to ask the right questions, achieve accuracy in my work, and hone in my writing skills. Theater, choir, and debate prepared me to clearly deliver a message while working to understand and better serve my audience.”
David Shamblin '21
Seminarian, Diocese of Grand Rapids | Discipleship Stage-Mission Year-Christ in the City | Denver, CO
“The support and formation that I received at CC were instrumental in my ongoing discernment of the priesthood. The grace and joy demonstrated by members of the staff, such as Dcn. Rybicki, Frs. Steve, Colin, Doug, O.P., and the late Bob Kennedy have nurtured a desire in me to bring that grace and joy to others.”
Molly Leonard '21
Math Teacher, Arrupe Jesuit High School
Hope College ’25 | University of Notre Dame ’27
“As I have stepped into my role as a first-year teacher with ACE, I am incredibly grateful for my time at Catholic Central. I was provided with countless models of teachers who emulated Christ the Teacher in their knowledge of students, just as much as in the content they taught.”
Kevin (Yuxiang) Chen '21
PhD Candidate, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
University of Michigan ’24 | Johns Hopkins University ’29
"Catholic Central’s strong STEM program gave me the academic preparation to pursue science, while the broader school community shaped my character and sense of responsibility as both a professional and a person."
Avery Plachecki '25
Actor, Film, Television, Commercial & Print | Los Angeles, California
“My education at Catholic Central reinforced the importance of faith, perseverance, and trusting in the gifts I've been given. Those values continue to guide me as I further my acting career, and I hope my journey encourages others to follow the paths they feel called to… even when they fall outside the norm.”
