Mokena Teen Named Marist HS Class Of 2025 Salutatorian

CHICAGO, IL — A Mokena teen has been named among the top two members of Marist High School's Class of 2025.

Nathen Toth, of Mokena, has earned the honor of salutatorian, the school said in a release. Toth graduated from Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School in Orland Hills.

"My initial reaction to being salutatorian was a complete surprise," Nathen said. "I knew I was in the running, but when Mrs. Dunneback called me down to her office, I was not expecting that to be the news."

Nathen’s academic excellence is matched by his leadership and athletic accomplishments, the school said. He is the President of the Spanish National Honor Society, serves on the National Honor Society board, is a member of the math team, and a student ambassador officer. Athletically, he has been a four-year member of the boys’ volleyball team and a three-year varsity player. In 2024, Nathen played a key role in leading the team to an IHSA State Championship and was named State Finals MVP. He was also honored as a High School First Team All-American.

His favorite class was AP Chemistry, and in the fall he will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Although MIT students do not declare a major until sophomore year, Nathen plans to study either computer engineering or investment banking/finance.

"Marist has been amazing these past four years. I have no doubt that I am well prepared for college and beyond," he said.

Joining Nathen at the top of their class is Celia Lindokken, of Tinley Park. Celia carries on a remarkable family legacy as a third-generation female valedictorian.

Her mother, Margy (Ortigara) Lindokken, graduated at the top of her class from Providence High School in 1984, and her maternal grandmother, Cecilia (Tribbia) Ortigara, was the valedictorian of St. Louis Academy on 116th and State Street in 1945.

“I was excited; it feels like a culmination of my years here," Celia said, reflecting on the moment she learned of the designation.

During her time at Marist, Celia was involved in a wide array of academic and extracurricular activities, including Marist band, jazz band, math team, National Honor Society and the Italian National Honor Society. Her favorite classes were AP chemistry and Italian.

Celia earned a perfect ACT score of 36 and was recognized by the mayor of Tinley Park for this achievement. She also received the prestigious Michael Sullivan Family Foundation “Senior Year Scholarship for Excellence in Mathematics,” covering full tuition and fees for her senior year. This fall, Celia will attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she plans to study food science.

“I’ve really enjoyed my years at Marist and look forward to the future feeling well-prepared from my time here, with the dedication of both my classmates and teachers to get me here,” she said.