FAITH, FRIENDSHIP AND FORWARD MOMENTUM

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November 25, 2025

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Senior soccer standout, student leader with a future that includes pre-med studies shares how Notre Dame Prep shaped her academic, athletic and spiritual journey.

Senior Cate Jesena walks the halls of Notre Dame Prep with the assurance of someone who knows she’s made the most of her high school years. A four-year student, multi-sport athlete, student leader and faith-driven scholar, Jesena has become one of the school’s standout examples of what it means to be an NDP student.

This fall, she signed a national letter of intent to continue her soccer career at the University of Mary, a Benedictine university in North Dakota. The achievement helps cap a four-year journey that began when she arrived at NDP as a freshman, determined to challenge herself academically and deepen her relationship with her faith.

“I came to NDP in ninth grade, previously attending St. Hugo of the Hills,” Jesena said. “I chose NDP because of the faith-centered environment and challenging academics. My goal all along was to push myself to succeed and grow in faith.”

Finding her place

Now preparing for her final semester of high school, Jesena said she is grateful for the opportunities she found and embraced at one of southeast Michigan’s premier Catholic schools.

“Coming to school here has been one of the best experiences of my life,” she said. “NDP has not only allowed me to pursue a great education, but to continue to grow in my faith and to succeed in following my dream of playing soccer in college.”

Her favorite memories are rooted in the community she found here — especially the lifelong friendships forged in classrooms, on the soccer field and through the school’s most spirited traditions.

“One of the best things about NDP is Irish Week, when the whole student body comes together to compete in games and show off the Notre Dame spirit,” she said. “Plus, at NDP I have met people who have truly impacted my life for the better.”

Scholar, leader, teammate

Not formally part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, Jesena nonetheless has challenged herself academically, taking two higher-level IB courses: biology and history among other demanding courses. She credits a number of teachers for helping her reach her goals, especially chemistry teacher and community time mentor Jennifer Pakkala.

“She’s not only a great teacher, but also a great person who has been there for me always,” Jesena added.

With leadership roles extending beyond the classroom, Jesena serves as a student council representative and student ambassador and volunteers at Mary’s Children Family Center, a Catholic nonprofit care organization for brain-injured adults. She also works as both a golf caddie and tutor.

On the soccer pitch, though, Jesena believes she’s found her second home.

“The most fun experience I’ve had at NDP is being a part of the soccer program,” she said. “I love being a part of the team, as it has allowed me to participate in the sport I love and given me friendships that will last beyond high school.”

She credits Coach Jim Stachura for “helping me grow into the player and person I am today through his dedication to the team and each player on it.”

Looking ahead

As she contemplated her next academic level, the process of choosing a college, Jesena said, required patience and trust. Ultimately, the University of Mary’s balance of academics, athletics and community helped her know she had found the right place.

“It was not an easy choice deciding on the University of Mary,” she said. “However, I decided to choose it because of its academic and research opportunities, the competitive athletics, and the welcoming and personable character of the coaching staff and faculty I met when visiting.”

She plans to pursue a pre-med concentration, majoring in biochemistry with a minor in STEM research.

A foundation in faith

Jesena says the school’s mission, to form Christian people, upright citizens and academic scholars, also was a big factor in guiding her growth at NDP.

“The mission at NDP has encouraged me to be a multifaceted person, student, and athlete,” she said. “I’ve been taught that above being a successful student and driven athlete, the most important thing is to live according to my faith and put my relationship with Mary and God above all else.”

That focus on faith, she said, is woven into daily life on campus.

“Being a student at NDP has brought me closer to my faith, as there are multiple opportunities to grow through retreats, engaging classes, prayer and Mass.”

Advice for those choosing a high school

In her role as a student ambassador, Jesena often speaks with visiting prospective students. Her message is simple: take the time to explore your options — and trust the community that feels right.

“When considering high schools, I tell current seventh or eighth graders to visit area schools, as that was how I decided on NDP,” she said.

For families considering Notre Dame Prep, she also offers the same encouragement she shared in a school survey last summer:

“NDP offers a quality education, a positive faith experience and advanced extracurriculars that give students an opportunity to grow into well-rounded, successful and good people.”

As she prepares to graduate, Jesena leaves behind a legacy of leadership, friendship and faith. . . and a model for future NDP students looking to make the most of their high school careers.

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.