If you are directed athletically, artistically, driven by serving others, or someone who can do it all there are paths for students to follow at Catholic Memorial. Paths that like fingerprints are unique to every boy with every set of unique skills.
Some boys entering CM arrive with a multitude of goals. Others come to find out who they are and what i
gnites the flame before focusing their efforts. The paths they take are varied, built with the purpose of entering a certain college or studying a certain subject or even towards a career or profession. Just how they reach their goal is where the magic happens. For musician Ifeanyi Azums ’26, Student Government President Carson McCarthy ’26, athlete Seamus Henry ’26, and academic leader Tim Ryan ’27 their individual paths have taken twists and turns before taking shape. We look at these students to see how their futures were formed and the direction they’ve taken.
THE ARTIST: IFEANYI AZUMS '26
Hometown: Hyde Park
CM Family Legacy: Brothers Ikenna ‘20 and Stephen ’16
Prior School: Sacred Heart School, Roslindale
As a young boy, Ifeanyi Azums sat in the Ronald S. Perry Gymnasium watching his older brother Stephen ’16 compete for the state championship basketball team. A decade later, he found himself in the same space—not as an athlete, but as part of a band.
Beginnings: Entering eighth grade, limited co-curriculars and relationship building due to COVID.
Discovery: Inspired to join the honors band as a freshman following All-School performance.
Growth and Challenges: Encouraged by mentors like Spanish teacher Mr. Ricardo Mora to find new friends.
“I told him that he needs to sit down with other people and have conversations. That way, he’ll find people who share interests with him,” says Mora. Clarinet player since fourth grade, had to learn how to be a band member and not a solo act.
Achievements: Gained confidence with each live performance, starting with his first all-school concert.
Earned the Excellence in Spanish Award as a sophomore, the Excellence in Music Award as a junior, and an invitation into the Spanish Honor Society. Regular member of the honor roll (first honors).
Beyond CM: Will attend Tufts University as a pre-vet student in the fall.
Lessons: “CM taught me how to be independent, but also how to ask for help,” says Azums. “And to never stop playing music."
THE RENAISSANCE MAN: CARSON MCCARTHY '26
Hometown: West Roxbury
Prior School: Holy Name Parish School, West Roxbury and St. Joseph School, Needham
Catholic Memorial always felt like home to Carson McCarthy. As a regular at CM’s summer sports clinics, he learned all about the campus before setting foot in Donahue Hall for his first day of seventh grade.
Beginnings: Enters CM in seventh grade. Seventh grade trip to Acadia National Park helps build friendships.
Discovery: Joins Middle School Speech to overcome shyness and gain confidence as a speaker.
“I never thought I’d join a competitive speech program, but Ms. Eberly pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me how to communicate.”
Growth and Challenges: Repeats eighth grade at St. Joseph School due to COVID setbacks. Tours several schools. Returns to Catholic Memorial for ninth grade. Returns with improved confidence and focus.
Achievements: Joins varsity baseball as a junior and varsity soccer as a senior. Regular member of the honor roll (first honors). Participates in student government. Elected Student Government President as senior.
Named a peer minister as a junior. Invited to join the National Honor Society. "Carson was an easy admit,” says English teacher and NHS Co-Moderator Caitlin Corsano. “He’s service-oriented and his place on the Principal’s List demonstrates his academic excellence. He’s the ultimate example of poise and class.” Named senior manager for the varsity hockey team.
Beyond CM: Applied to Holy Cross, Providence College, and Villanova.
Lessons: “I was a very timid kid; I didn’t have my spot, but that quickly turned around at CM. I found my place and people. I gained confidence and became not scared to try new things, and I learned that I can always learn a lesson when I try something new.”
THE ATHLETE: SEAMUS HENRY '26
Hometown: West Roxbury
CM Family Legacy: Nephew of CM assistant to the principal Denise Henry and cousin of Sean Henry ’17.
Prior School: Edith Baker School, Brookline
As a young student in Brookline, Seamus Henry ’saw himself as anything but a football prospect. But after watching CM dominate on the gridiron and finding friends who encouraged him to join the team, he was ready to try something new.
Beginnings: Asked to join the football team at a CM Open House event. Told by Brendan Conneely ’22 that he had the frame and work ethic for the sport.
Discovery: Had to learn football from scratch. Teammates like current starting Notre Dame defensive end Boubacar Traore ’23 teach him how to pass rush. Coaches like Mike Milo breaks down blocking.
Growth and Challenges: During his sophomore year, warned that his grades were falling. Given a mandatory study hall before football practice. “Coach told me if I worked hard enough, I could go to an Ivy League or Power Four school,” says Henry. “He told me it wasn’t going to work if I wasn’t working hard off the field.”
Joins the wrestling team as a sophomore. Created a new structure: homework before practice, practice, go home and finish homework, study game film.
Achievements: As a junior, named a Catholic Conference All-Star in wrestling. Regular member of the honor roll (first honors). Received the Iona College Book Award as a junior. Joins Peer Ministry
Beyond CM: Recruited to play football at Brown where he will major in Economics
Lessons: “I would see the seniors go to amazing schools like Harvard, Cornell, Notre Dame, Boston College and I would realize that there is that potential for me. I worked hard to get to Brown because Coach DiBiaso and my teammates inspired me,” says Henry.
THE ACADEMIC: TIM RYAN '27
Hometown: West Roxbury
CM Family Legacy: Son of former middle school principal, Tom Ryan and brother of Jake ’21
Prior School: Holy Name Parish School, West Roxbury
CM has always been part of Tim Ryan’s life. With a father working at CM and a brother thriving at the school, Baker Street was always a familiar place to him. When it came time to find a home for high school, joining the CM brotherhood felt natural.
Beginnings: Entered CM in seventh grade, noticed how tight-knit the school is. “You hear about involvement,” he says, “but when I came to CM, I saw it. Everyone cared. Everyone worked together.”
Discovery: Joined Speech and Scholars programs in middle school. As a freshman, joined speech & debate, cross country, swimming, and rugby teams.
Growth and Challenges: Joined Speech and Scholars programs in middle school. As a freshman, joined speech & debate, cross country, swimming, and rugby teams.
Achievements: Found a spot on the Speech & Debate Team as an extemporaneous speaker. Must speak about a current event with only minutes to prepare. Consistent member of the Principal’s List. As a freshman, earned the Social Studies Award. As a sophomore, Earned the Pursuit of Excellence in Theology Award. “Tim is insightful and thoughtful,” says theology teacher John Pietro. “He doesn’t leave anything on the table.”
Beyond CM: Exploring potential schools such as Marquette and Notre Dame.
Lessons: “CM challenges you to think critically,” says Ryan. “You don’t just copy what you read in textbooks. You need to take information, think about it, and make your own conclusions.”
