Annually, Roncalli High School, in conjunction with the Roncalli Alumni Association, present the Circle of Faith Distinction Awards. These awards were created to honor and recognize faculty, staff, alumni, volunteers and community members who serve with distinction, excel in their careers and devote themselves to their Catholic faith and Catholic education. Please take a moment to nominate a deserving recipient for one of the following awards:
- Alumni of the Year
- Honorary Alumni
- Volunteer of the Year
- St. John XXIII Award
- ROYAL Award
These awards recognize the important role our community plays in educating, nurturing and forming today’s students — tomorrow’s leaders.
Although nominations are accepted throughout the year, the deadline for 2027 recognition is Saturday, March 1, 2027.
For a complete explanation of the criteria for these awards. See this link.
Contact the Advancement Office at (317) 787-8277 with questions.
Nominate Distinction Award winners
2026 Award Winners:
Jennifer R’89 and James Kedra were named this year’s Volunteers of the Year.
James and Jennifer are members of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church and have six children: Ryan R’12, Kyle R’13, Ashley R’14, Dylan R’21, Makayla R’25 and Tyler – a current junior at Roncalli. The Kedras are the proud grandparents of Adalynn and Finnley.
The Kedras were married in June 1993 at St. Thomas Aquinas on the Purdue University campus. They first met on Roncalli Summer Field Studies. Jennifer is currently a medical technologist at IU Health Pathology Laboratory and James is an instructor at Marian University, where he is also a licensing advisor and data coordinator.
Their volunteer adventures are numerous, and they have given generously of their time to Roncalli, Holy Name and the broader community in countless ways. James has coached youth soccer and CYO basketball, worked Roncalli concessions as a grill cook, driven the equipment truck for show choir, served as a Eucharistic minister at Holy Name, volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, tutored math, participated in Summer Field Studies and served as an adult leader for both Roncalli and Chatard Senior Retreats. Jennifer has served as a Eucharistic minister and lector at Holy Name, directed the Holy Name variety show, planned and coordinated the Holy Name Easter Egg Hunt (for 23 years and counting), co-led Mom’s Ministry at Holy Name, volunteered at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and Gleaners Food Bank, served as Roncalli Theater Booster Co-President for five years and worked Roncalli concessions since 2008.
Thank you to, Jennifer R’89 and James Kedra our Volunteers of the Year who have made a significant impact on the students, families, faculty and staff of Roncalli.
Lizzie Layer R’16 was awarded the ROYAL Award.
Lizzie attended St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic School and graduated from Roncalli in 2016. She then attended Franklin College in the Inspire Program. Her mother Toni is 1976 alumna as are her siblings Erika R’09 and Evan R’11. Lizzie is an active member of her parish, St. Mark.
As a student at Roncalli, Lizzie was a four-year member of the swim team, Rebel Buddies and Ski Club. She also was on the Unified Track and Field Team and a manager for the softball team. Lizzie was recognized at Roncalli by her peers and faculty as Prom Queen, Student of the Month, Christian Attitude Award and Spirit of Special Olympics. Lizzie also had perfect attendance at Roncalli.
Currently, Lizzie is a pre-K assistant at St. Mark and also works at Making Memories Playschool. She has volunteered for the past eight years at the Alex and Ali Foundation, which empowers individuals with special needs through meaningful job experiences and community involvement. She has been a 10-year athlete for the Johnson County Special Olympics in volleyball, basketball and swimming.
Congratulations to Lizzie Layer R’16, Roncalli’s ROYAL Award recipient!
Mary Sheets was awarded this year’s Honorary Alumna Award.
Mary and her husband, Paul, have been married for more than 38 years and are the proud parents of four children, all of whom are Roncalli graduates, Jonathan R’08, Nick R’09, Lauren R’12 and Emily R’14. They also have one granddaughter, Adelyn. Mary’s connection to the Roncalli family began long before her own years at the school, as her mother, Elizabeth Hoereth Myers, was a 1951 Sacred Heart graduate.
A native of Indiana, Mary grew up in a large family with three sisters and three brothers. She went to St. Barnabas Catholic Grade School, Our Lady of Grace Academy High School and Indiana University School of Nursing, where she earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing administration. Mary spent her nursing career in medical and surgical nursing, eventually serving as director before staying home to raise her children. She later spent 16 years working as the registrar in the Roncalli Guidance Department before retiring in 2026.
Mary is a Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi Catholic Church parishioner and is a frequent volunteer at the church and food pantry. She has also volunteered at St. Barnabas Catholic Church, St. Francis Hospital and Roncalli. She has served on boards for St. Elizabeth Home, St. Meinard Seminary and School of Theology Board of Overseers and various nursing organizations.
At Roncalli, Mary sold football tickets in the ticket booth on Friday nights and served as moderator of the Linus Club. She and her husband have worked on capital campaigns for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, St. Barnabas Church and St. Meinrad.
Roncalli officially welcomes Mary Sheets into the Roncalli family as an Honorary Alum.
Jeff Small was awarded this year’s Honorary Alumnus Award.
Jeff and his wife, Sara, were married in 2002 and have two children, both are Roncalli graduates: Eli R’23 and Katelyn R’26. Jeff attended Madison-Grant High School and graduated from Ball State University with a degree in mathematics education. He and his family attend St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and The Refuge Church.
Over his 25 years at Roncalli, Jeff has served the school community in countless ways. He has been a member of the Campus Ministry Team, participated in Sophomore Day of Reflection, Junior Day of Reflection and Faculty Day of Reflection and taken part in six Summer Field Studies and four mission trips to Appalachia. He has written numerous prayers for the Roncalli student handbook, the St. John XXIII gallery opening and various athletic teams. Jeff was also part of the team that established the nine charisms of our namesake, Angelo Roncalli. He served as substitute teacher coordinator for 18 years, started Roncalli’s Friday afternoon Saint John XXIII blessing, coached cross country and served as an assistant basketball coach. He was also a member of the faculty for Roncalli’s first and fourth Blue Ribbon School Awards.
Jeff started a musical group called The Cosmic Pilgrims after a very spiritual experience with God calling him to play an instrument, the mandolin. Jeff writes all the songs and performs mostly with Ray Shelburn R’92, Roncalli theology teacher. The Cosmic Pilgrims have recorded a CD and play in the halls of Roncalli every Thursday during passing periods.
Roncalli officially welcomes Jeff Small into the Roncalli family as an Honorary Alum.
Patrick Kuntz R’05 was awarded this year’s Alumnus of the Year award.
Our Alumnus of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has taken the lessons from the classrooms of Sacred Heart, Kennedy Memorial, Bishop Chartrand and Roncalli and lives them out in the world.
Pat and his wife, Amber, have two sons, Harlow and Axel. His father, Tom, was a 1963 graduate of Sacred Heart, and Pat has more than 50 family members attend Roncalli, including his two siblings, Justin and Joey.
A 2005 graduate of Roncalli High School, PK (as he was known then) played four years of both basketball and football, winning three consecutive state titles. He then attended the University of Notre Dame and was a defensive lineman on the Irish football team. He graduated in 2009 with a degree in Sociology before signing as an undrafted agent with the Indianapolis Colts.
Pat has dedicated his career to coaching high school and collegiate football. From 2010-2015, he coached the defensive line and served as defensive coordinator at Roncalli. From 2016-2017, he was a graduate assistant at Indiana University, working with the defensive line. From 2018-2021, he coached the defensive line and served as defensive run game coordinator at the Virginia Military Institute. From 2022-2023, he was an assistant coach with James Madison University football, working as the defensive line coach. In 2024, Pat was hired as the defensive tackles coach at Indiana University.
In 2026, he was part of the IU team that won the national championship, as well as the Rose Bowl and Big Ten Championship. In 2023, Pat was named 247Sports DL Coach of the Year.
Despite all of his accolades, awards and championships, Pat says that he loves his wife and two sons more than anything. Being a father and husband is his favorite title and accomplishment.
We are proud of Patrick Kuntz R’05 and honored to recognize him as our Alumnus of the Year!
Steve SH’63 & Sharon (posthumously) Coffman were awarded this year’s St. John XXIII award.
The St. John XXIII Award is considered to be the most prestigious award that is given to a person who best exemplifies the nine traits identified in the halls of our school as encompassing the life, legacy and spirit of Saint John XXIII. Those traits are Welcoming, Simple, Kind, Peaceful, Humble, Humorous, Servant, Holy, and Inspired Change.
Steve and Sharon were married in 1968 and shared 56 years together before her passing in November 2024. Together, they raised a huge family of 10 children: Christine Coffman Brooks R’87, J. Stephen Coffman II R’89, Stephanie Coffman TenBarge R’90, Michael Coffman R’91, Robert Coffman R’94, Diane Coffman Spotts R’96, Mary Coffman DeVore R’99, James Coffman R’01, Joseph Coffman R’01 and Catherine Coffman Quinn R’04. They are also the proud grandparents of 28 grandchildren.
Steve always wanted a big family. He actually wanted 12 kids, while Sharon only wanted two: one child to wash the dishes and one child to dry the dishes. They compromised and had 10.
Steve attended Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School and graduated from Sacred Heart in 1963. He continued his education, graduating from Indiana Central with a major in physical education and a minor in math. As a student at Sacred Heart, he participated in cross country, track, student council, Latin Club, French Club, Letterman’s Club, Junior Red Cross and Spartans on Parade. Sharon was a graduate of Beech Grove High School in 1965.
Steve founded Coffman Financial/Wealth Management in May 1974. It is an independent, family-owned advisory firm with many family members working together to offer wealth management products and services. He volunteered for many years on the Holy Name school board and enjoyed doing seminars to help teachers plan their retirement. In the early 2000s, he helped Father Vince Lampert and others conduct the feasibility study to create a new grade school in Center Grove that would become Saints Francis and Clare School Ministry, where seven of his grandchildren graduated. If Steve had any other free time, he would volunteer to help Sharon raise their 10 children!
Some of Steve’s awards include being named Marion County Basketball Coach of the Year in 1975, Franklin Life Legion of Honor (twice) and Dual Career Agent of the Year (twice). Sharon won Mother of the Year every year, as voted on by her 10 children! Steve wishes Sharon was here to receive the award with him.
Congratulations to Steve SH’63 & Sharon (posthumously) Coffman, our Saint John XXIII Award recipients.