2025 Graduation Speakers & Top-Ten

Valedictorian

Cash H. Kellen has been named Valedictorian of the Cheverus Class of 2025. He delivered an address at graduation on Monday, June 2, at Merrill Auditorium. 

While at Cheverus, Kellen served on the math team all four years and was the captain his senior year. He was the highest scorer for the team and a top-seven scorer in the state his junior and senior years. He received the Coach’s award his junior year. He was president of his class in his freshman, sophomore, and junior years and served as vice president his senior year. He participated in the Swan’s Island immersion program as well as the service immersion trip to Bethlehem Farm. 

Kellen was a four-year member of the cross-country team and served as captain his senior year. He was a member of the indoor track team all four years, and placed third in the state in the 4x800M his junior year. His senior year, he broke the indoor 600M school record and served as captain. He was also a member of the outdoor track team all four years and placed at states in the 4x800M his freshman, sophomore, and junior years, as well as the 4x400M his sophomore year. Kellen was an individual qualifier in the 400M his sophomore and junior years. 

Kellen is a member of the National Honor Society, and he received the Underclassman of the Year award his junior year. 

Outside of school, Kellen is a Boy Scout, and earned the distinction of Eagle Scout his sophomore year. 

Kellen is the son of Georgia Kellen of Falmouth. He plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the fall.

Salutatorian

Sophia Monfa has been named Salutatorian of the Cheverus Class of 2025. She delivered an address at the Senior Awards Ceremony, immediately following the Baccalaureate Mass on Sunday, June 1, at Cheverus High School.

While at Cheverus, Monfa was a three-year member of the Math Team and Key Club, transferring from Massachusetts her sophomore year.

She was a three-year member of the soccer team, serving as captain her senior year. She was named SMAA All-Conference 2nd team and received the All-Citizenship Award her senior year, earning an honorable mention sophomore and junior years. Monfa was named team Offensive Player of the Year her junior and senior years. She is 2nd in all-time points scored at Cheverus for Girls’ Soccer. Monfa was also a three-year member of the tennis team, playing 1st singles each year, and served as captain senior year. Her sophomore year, she was a member of the indoor track team and was a state qualifier and medallist in the 55M, 200M, and 4x200M.

Monfa is an officer and member of the National Honor Society, an AP Scholar, and the recipient of the National Hispanic Recognition Award. She received the Yale Book Award junior year. She was named a National Merit Finalist and received an NMSC scholarship. Monfa was also recognized as a U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidate.

Outside of school, Monfa has been a volunteer at Maine Medical Center and Maine Needs. During her junior year, she was selected to participate in the Maine Space Grant Consortium internship at Bowdoin College. Here, she worked in the Neuroscience Lab studying interactions between neuropeptide hormones and muscular systems in lobsters.

Monfa is the daughter of Jennifer Monfa of Falmouth. She plans to attend Bowdoin College in the fall and study molecular and cellular biology.

Outstanding Senior

Liam R. Backman has been named the Outstanding Senior and All-Around Student from the Cheverus Class of 2025. This award is given to the graduating senior who best exemplifies the spirit and ideals of a Cheverus student and is selected by the students, faculty, and staff. He delivered an address at graduation on Monday, June 2, at Merrill Auditorium. 

While at Cheverus, Backman received the Cheverus Award his junior year. He was four-year member of the football team, winning the state championship his freshman year, was selected for 1st team all-conference team his senior year, and served as captain his junior and senior years. He received the Coaches Award his senior year. He was a four-year member of the wrestling team, received the Stag Award his sophomore and senior years, made 2nd team all-conference his junior year, and made the 1st team all-conference his senior year. He served as captain of the wrestling team his junior and senior years. Backman was also a four-year member of the baseball team and served as captain his senior year.  

Outside of school, Backman works part-time, and has volunteered as a camp counselor. 

Backman is the son of Karen and Bill Backman of Westbrook. He plans to attend the University of Maine at Orono in the fall.

Senior Class President

Jack T. Fenton is the president of the Cheverus Class of 2025. He delivered an address at graduation on Monday, June 2 at Merrill Auditorium. 

While at Cheverus, Fenton attended Dirigo State his junior year, where he was elected Speaker of the House and was one of two students from the state of Maine to go to Boys Nation in Washington, DC. He served as an admissions ambassador and was a member of Best Buddies all four years. He is a member of the National Honor Society. 

Fenton was a four-year member of the wrestling team, qualified for states twice, and was named captain his junior and senior years. He was a four-year member of the baseball team and was named captain his senior year. He was also a four-year member of the football team, winning the state championship his freshman year. 

Outside of school, he attended the FBI National Academy Associates Youth Leadership Program his sophomore and junior years. Fenton works part-time and has served as a volunteer youth football coach. 

Fenton is the son of Anna and Paul Fenton of Portland. In the fall, he plans to attend Bowdoin College, where he will play football.

Baccalaureate Speaker

Reis Stamaris has been named Baccalaureate Speaker. He delivered an address at the Senior Awards Ceremony, immediately following the Baccalaureate Mass on Sunday, June 1, at Cheverus High School. 

While at Cheverus, Stamaris was a two-year member of the Key Club and participated in the Milan Exchange Program his sophomore year. He is a member of the National Honor Society and will graduate among the top ten in his class. 

Stamaris was a four-year member of the baseball team. He had a 1.000 fielding percentage his sophomore and junior years, and led his team in stolen bases his junior year.  He was a  three-year member of the alpine ski team, represented the Maine State Alpine team in the Eastern High School Championship his sophomore and junior years, and served as captain his junior year. 

Outside of school, he has a part-time job and is an active volunteer coach for Maine Lightning baseball team, a club he also plays for. 

Stamaris is the son of John and Rebecca Stamaris of Gorham. He plans to attend St. Lawrence University, where he will play baseball.

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