Catholic school academic honorees return to lead alma maters at Bishop Walsh, Archbishop Curley

Not everyone wants to return to their high school once they graduate. 

But for two Archdiocese of Baltimore Distinctive Scholars, their alma maters were more than just a chapter in their past – they became the foundation of their future. 

Jeremy Joseph, a 1996 graduate of Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, and Jennifer Flinn, a 1999 graduate of Bishop Walsh School in Cumberland, were recognized as among the top students in their senior year, earning the archdiocesan Distinctive Scholar honor. Now, as principals, they are shaping the next generation of students just as their schools once shaped them. 

“We love our school, and it’s an honor to be here and be a part of its future,” said Flinn, who returned to Bishop Walsh 19 years ago. She spent a decade teaching, followed by four years as assistant principal, and is now in her fifth year as principal. 

“What I did here as a student really did shape me and made me want to come back here,” Flinn said. “This really is home.” 

Becoming principal in April 2020, just a month into the pandemic, was a challenge she hadn’t anticipated. 

“I think back now and say, ‘Oh my gosh, what was I thinking?’” Flinn said, chuckling. “It is nice now to have the real job of a school administrator and not of an infectious disease specialist.” 

She never questioned, however, her desire to work at the school where as a student, she was active in theater and sports. 

Having attended multiple Distinctive Scholars ceremonies, Flinn is happy to see the tradition continue for new generations.  

“I try to explain to our seniors now, when they get this honor, that this program has been happening for a really long time, and that they’re in the top 50 students or whatever it is, in the whole archdiocese of all the seniors,” she said.  

Since Flinn graduated, an elementary school was added 20 years ago at Bishop Walsh. The student body currently numbers about 270 students. Students attend not only from Allegany County but from Garrett County, too, as well as West Virginia and Pennsylvania. 

“We’ve had increasing enrollment little by little over the last few years and we’re projecting that for next year,” Flinn said.  

Bishop Walsh is the most-western school of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.  

“It is kind of a special thing to be the Catholic school in Western Maryland,” Flinn said. 

The school has 23 full-time teachers. She noted that some of her former teachers were still there, with one of her favorite teachers now teaching her sons science. 

“It was a full-circle moment,” Flinn said. 

Raleigh Davis, assistant principal at Bishop Walsh, said she is Flinn’s “biggest cheerleader.”   

“I could never juggle as many things as she does,” said Daivs, a 2006 Bishop Walsh alum. “I just try to fill in where she needs me.”  

Like Flinn, 46-year-old Joseph never expected to spend most of his career at his alma mater. Joseph has either been enrolled or employed by a Catholic school for 40 years. Most of that time has been spent at Curley, first as a high school student and then for the last 25 years in various positions including director of admissions, English teacher and a worker in alumni relations.  

“The place has been really good to me. It has been easy to stay,” Joseph said. “I really felt that my time here as a student was fulfilling and beneficial. I stayed in touch with a lot of the friars that I had here.” 

Like Flinn, Joseph enjoys seeing today’s generation of students honored as Distinctive Scholars.  

“It is a great opportunity for the leadership of the schools and parents, to celebrate the success of the students,” Joseph said. “It’s a chance for the students to see they are part of something bigger than their own school. They really are student leaders and student scholars who are part of the Catholic school family in the archdiocese.” 

Joseph’s uncle was a member of Curley’s first graduating class in 1965, and Joseph remembers him visiting for his 30th high school reunion while Joseph was a student. His uncle’s class ring now sits in his desk drawer. 

“One of the nice things for me is that I have gotten to know sort of every generation of Curley guys,” Joseph said. “Now, I work with guys who are graduating, the class of 2028 are the current freshmen. It’s great to connect with guys who tell stories of the teachers, the building, the championships, the concerts and the fun that they had here. Whether that’s guys of the ’60s or ’70s or today, that’s pretty cool.” 

Over the last several decades, Curley’s surrounding neighborhood has changed and it is no longer predominantly Catholic. The school now boasts students from both Anne Arundel and Harford counties and has a diverse population. Each grade level has about 130 students. 

Updates have been made to the building, including a new arts center and stadium, and central air conditioning was installed. A new engineering program, college counseling and unique electives have also been added over the years but it is the school’s foundation in the Catholic faith, Joseph said, that “is central to who we are.” 

“We are responsive to what current families are looking for academically, but we are always putting out the mission of our school is to be a Catholic Franciscan high school,” said Joseph, who had been involved in the school’s Franciscan Youth Organization when he was a student. “For whatever reason families choose us, we want to be known as one that is true to itself, true to those Catholic underpinnings and foundation.” 

Conventual Franciscan Father Donald Grzymski, Curley’s president and alumni chaplain, has known Joseph since he was a student in his religious studies class. 

“I taught him his senior year,” Father Grzmski said. “Jeremy has a lot of natural talent. People like him. They will listen to him.”  

Joseph’s three sons are currently enrolled in the school and he is always proud when he sees them in the classroom or in chapel. 

“Curley is a great place and really important to who I am as a person,” Joseph said. “I think that so much of who I am has been influenced by this place, first as a student, then as an employee, now as a dad. I just believe in what we do.”  

Read More Schools

At St. Mary’s School in Hagerstown, vision takes shape to save a school

Catholic school students ‘elect’ pope in their own ‘conclave’

Cumberland Knott scholar Joseph Khachan a perfect fit for program’s mission in Western Maryland  

Education gala raises $1.1 million with ‘testament to Catholic education’

Top-performing students honored as Distinctive Scholars

Black Hawk helicopter pilot has passion for service and the skies

Copyright © 2025 Catholic Review Media

 Print