Sacred Heart is proud to announce that Katie Paige Gardes is the salutatorian of the Class of 2021. In addition to receiving numerous accolades for academic excellence over her 16 years attending the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Katie Paige has demonstrated strong leadership qualities, love of both arts and athletics, and a desire to serve her community.

Earlier this year, Katie Paige was named a National Merit Finalist by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and over the past three years has competed in both State and District Rally to represent Sacred Heart. Katie Paige was a member of the National Honor Society, and during her senior year, she served as treasurer of the Student Council Executive Board, after serving as treasurer for her class for three years. Katie Paige was also a valued member of Sacred Heart’s Varsity Soccer team for four years and served as co-captain of the team her senior year. She is a talented artist, whose art was featured in several major Sacred Heart functions, and served as a dedicated member of the yearbook staff.

Outside of the classroom, Katie Paige has been active in her community, through her volunteer service at St. Michael’s, as a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Student of the Year Program, and a volunteer at the Miracle League of Greater New Orleans and at Ochsner Medical Center. She enjoyed exploring the world through Sacred Heart’s Global Exchange program, having visited sister schools in both Vienna, Austria and Nantes, France.

Katie Paige is the daughter of Karen and Derek Gardes of New Orleans and will attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall.