May 10, 2022 // Uncategorized

Bishop Luers valedictorian leads full life

Jennifer Barton

Journalist

To say that Bishop Luers High School Valedictorian Teddy McComb leads a busy and full life would be an understatement. During his high school years, McComb has been involved in three sports, spent all four years in three different clubs, joined the National Honor Society and Academic Superbowl in the Fine Arts, Science and Interdisciplinary teams. Not only did he participate in all of these, he served as captain in many of them, including the tennis and swim team and Bishop Luers chapter of the NHS.

“Some of my treasured memories of high school include getting coffee after swim practice with friends at Crescendo’s, and team dinners,” McComb said. 

Most importantly, though, he has had an active faith life at Bishop Luers. He has lived out his faith through the service organizations he has been involved in, as well as his daily activities, or as he said, “through positive interactions with competitors at sporting events, attendance at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. and participating in the synod currently taking place in the Catholic Church.”

“My faith impacted my high school experience by allowing me to grow in my understanding of the faith and develop a stronger relationship with God. Through monthly school Masses, I was able to gather in prayer with the whole Luers community. This community of faith really pushed me to be better spiritually, academically and athletically.”

Participating in the sacrament of reconciliation and praying with others before classes and extracurricular events helped him to grow closer to God and to his fellow Knights. “This allowed me to share my intentions with my peers in a way that brought each of us closer,” he said.

A product of Catholic schools, McComb attended St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School in Fort Wayne until grade four, then transferred to St. Aloysius School in Yoder. He is the oldest of two boys; his younger brother Thomas is a sophomore at Bishop Luers. The family attends St. John the Baptist Parish in Fort Wayne.

His parents, David and Jennifer, were extremely pleased to find out that Teddy was named valedictorian for his graduating class. “We knew he was a good student,” Jennifer said, “but we were totally surprised by the valedictorian status.”

Jennifer had expected her son to be in the top ten, but when she accidentally opened the letter from Bishop Luers congratulating him on his accomplishment, she began to cry with joy. “I had to wait and not tell him,” she said, since he was at an Academic Superbowl competition at Bishop Dwenger that day and did not return home until 11 p.m. that evening. “It was a pretty emotional time.”

Teddy remembers coming home late from that competition and seeing the open envelope from the school waiting for him on the kitchen table. “I figured it was a notice about the AP exam schedule or some other notice. When I opened it, I was thoroughly shocked! I knew the race would be close but I was still surprised!” he said.

So surprised, in fact, that he woke his parents to tell them the good news. When his brother came home from the same competition and received the good news, David and Jennifer were roused to be told once again, this time by Thomas.

In addition to his studies and extracurricular activities, Teddy enjoys a wide range of hobbies: biking, kayaking, pickleball, “making homemade ice cream and spending time with friends and family.”

Teddy will graduate with a cumulative GPA of 4.444. Future plans for the esteemed valedictorian include majoring in nursing at Purdue University, West Lafayette. About his career choice, he stated, “I am pursuing nursing for my major because I have always felt I was meant to be in the medical field. I interact well with other people, and nursing is all about a team approach to caring for patients.”

He will take with him the friendships formed with other Bishop Luers students and even teachers. “I think the Luers Spirit has been really strong these past four years, especially in creating a community environment centered on Christ. I will also take with me the service aspect of the school.” 

Of the growth she has seen in her son over the years, Jennifer added, “Teddy has become a very conscientious, respectful, caring young man. He is a leader and positive role model for his peers, teammates, friends and family.”