Inscape - Summer 2025

Contents | Summer 2025

Carey Temple Harrington ‘86 President charrington@mothermcauley.org

Meredith Obiala Simpson ‘03 Director of Marketing & Communications msimpson1@mothermcauley.org

Maura Moran Vaughan ‘07

Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications mvaughan@mothermcauley.org

Rachel Howard ‘17

Marketing Content Manager rhoward@mothermcauley.org

Peggy Evans Rourke ‘76

Vice President of Institutional Advancement prourke@mothermcauley.org

Maria McCormack Lappe ‘16

Associate Director of Alumnae Relations mlappe@mothermcauley.org

Inscape is a publication of Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School. Copyright 2025 Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without written permission.

THE ORIGINS OF “INSCAPE”

The 1964 yearbook first coined the term “Inscape,” beginning a 60+ year tradition that has now carried over to this publication and our student-run magazine. For six decades, the word “Inscape” has been synonymous with compelling storytelling and the meticulous recording of our history, providing snapshots of our students’ lived experiences.

“Inscape” was inspired by a quote from Gerard Manley Hopkins: “Beauty of inscape is unknown and buried away yet how near at hand for those with eyes to see it and to call it out again.”

As the 1964 yearbook reflects, “Inscape is a pattern formed by its peopleeach a unique person, each a part of the unified whole. Its classrooms - alive, the atmosphere charged with the electricity of learning. Its activitiesmagnetically drawing like interests together. Its apostolate - reaching beyond the school, extending McAuley enthusiasm, living in Christ.

“Inscape synthesizes these bits of colored glass which make up the patterned mosaic that we know at McAuley. Turning its pages, kaleidoscopic, fragments fall into place and there before you - tangible expression of the intangible essence that is McAuley.”

We are thrilled to continue the tradition of our Inscape magazine after a two-year hiatus. This issue is packed with stories and news about our MIGHTY community - and we look forward to sharing this magazine in the years to come.

One of our most-anticipated traditions is our Mercy Day celebration. This year marks our 39th anniversary of awarding the Catherine McAuley Award to a member of our faculty and staff, and a senior student, who exemplify the spirit of Catherine McAuley. The celebration also includes a skit about our history and the Sisters of Mercy, and a dance to the song, “Why We Tell the Story” from the musical, Once on this Island - a song that has personified the spirit of Mercy Day since 1999. The cover photo features our dancers, who bring this spirit to life.

Dear McAuley Community,

I have been reflecting a lot lately on one of the most unique identifiers of Mother McAuley. We often recognize our legacy, and that of the Sisters of Mercy, who had a profound impact on the city of Chicago as they opened the first hospital and the first school. We have a long history that predates many famous Chicago events and landmarks. Our predecessor, Saint Xavier Academy for Females, was empowering young women before the Great Chicago Fire changed the city’s landscape, before the World’s Columbian Exposition brought Chicago into the world spotlight. We have withstood the test of time. And there’s a simple but powerful reason that we are still here today, and we are still going strong.

It’s because this legacy that was started by the Sisters of Mercy is a legacy of innovation and forward thinking. We are successful because we continue to develop programs and curriculum that meet the evolving needs of our students and prepare them for the future, and because we continue to provide a faith-based environment where young women thrive.

And we do it well.

We believe girls deserve spaces where confidence is assumed, not earned - where they learn to lead without apology and show up fully as themselves. We’re raising the bar on what the world expects from leaders by changing when and how young women begin to see themselves as one.

I am thrilled to welcome our students back for a new school year. I feel privileged to once again see the magic unfold as our young women experience beloved traditions, plant the seeds of lifelong friendships, begin the journey on a path to self discovery, and become equipped with the tools to face the challenges ahead with creative problem-solving and determination.

These pages of Inscape celebrate the many ways our legacy plays out daily for our students, our alumnae and our community. Thank you for being a part of this legacy!

In Mercy,

Carey Temple Harrington ‘86 President

STORIES THAT LIFTS

A LEGACY GENERATIONS

Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School has been educating young women in Chicago since 1846, which means we have prioritized the education and well-being of women for nearly 180 years. Our mission to empower courageous women to change the world is not new to usit is our well-established and unrivaled legacy here on the south side of Chicago.

McAuley is a school, yes, but it’s also a lifelong identity that keeps showing up. Our alumnae carry their education into the world with purpose - mentoring the next generation and modeling what it means to live with faith, integrity, and ambition. With every graduating Mighty Mac, we fuel a movement - one leader, sisterhood and ripple effect at a time.

Mentoring the Next Generation

Renita Young ‘03 is an entrepreneur with nearly two decades of experience in broadcast and digital journalism - but before her talents matured as a student at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism or were showcased at Schwab Network, Bloomberg News, Reuters, or CBS News, they were nurtured at Mother McAuley. Specifically, by her English teacher, Ms. Melissa Apcel, and Theology teacher, Mr. Jerry Williams.

“Those two teachers recognized my writing talent, something that I didn’t know that I had. I thought that I wanted to be an entertainment attorney who studied intellectual property and who was an agent to the stars,” Renita laughs. “And I was confident in doing that.

But I remember the first parent teacher conference that year, my mom told me how Mr. Williams spoke about my writing with her and my dad, and it just encouraged me to keep going and recognize that whatever it is that I’m doing, is working.”

With a final push by her undergraduate Honors Program advisor at DePaul University, and her only Journalism professor at DePaul, Renita realized she wanted to be the talent, not represent them, and left her dreams of becoming an entertainment attorney behind to pursue broadcast journalism. The move was the right one for Renita, who has realized many of her dreams over the past two decadescovering the 2012 London Olympics via Twitter, launching and hosting successful web series like Goldwatch and Your Money Story, reporting on huge national news stories, and much more.

These opportunities have led her across the world, honed a habit of creating things with meaning and passion wherever she went, and

inspired her to build a company from the ground up. Throughout it all, she has continually acknowledged the important role her mentors and friends have played.

You can learn more about Renita’s career on her website, www.renitadyoung.com.

Renita’s story is built on her talent and her drive, a strong belief in the strength and power of her community, and her faith. These beliefs are reflected in her current roles as founder and Chief Vocal Architect of The Vocale Group and adjunct professor at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She now has the platform and opportunity to leverage her expertise and offer professional development workshops, media training and voiceover work to help clients give voice to their visions, as well as nurture the next generation of journalists.

It’s a full circle moment. “That’s the power of telling a 16 year old kid, ‘you’re a pretty good writer. You could be really great, keep nurturing this writing,’” Renita shares. “That’s a gift that McAuley gave me, that I’m now able to give to whoever comes into my classroom. I’m able to assess people’s talents pretty well. I’m able to tell them. And it reminds me of something I knew a long time ago: I have always felt like my purpose in life is to help people see themselves.”

Amidst her busy schedule, Renita has made time to return to Mother McAuley, attending Career Day, the Black Student Union History Makers Breakfast, and for an opportunity to speak to the Mighty Mac Student Ambassadors.

“What keeps me coming back?” Renita asks. “Knowing that there are girls [at McAuley] like me, who haven’t yet seen themselves and who have this whole amazing future ahead of them. They have no idea what they’re capable of. They have no idea that strength is inside of them. They have no idea the resilience that they have. Whatever trials they might be facing right now, I want them to understand that there’s a future ahead and behind whatever is happening in life right now, and it is good.

“I told some ladies at the breakfast: understand that you are part of a very elite group of women. Carry yourself in that way,” she continues. “In some way, it might feel like you were chosen to be here. But people sacrificed for you to get here, too. So do a good job with it and pave the way for the next several generations.”

There is power in mentoring others and helping them recognize their strengths. You never know what you might spark in someone else.

Igniting the Spark

On February 7, 2025 we welcomed more than 90 alumnae back to Mother McAuley for our annual Career Day. Participants arrived ready to share more about their educational and professional journeys with our Mighty Macs, hoping to inspire the next generation and ignite a spark within them. What no one expected was to realize a connection 11 years in the making.

Julia Carey ‘07 is a senior project engineer for Mars Wrigley. Her career in chemical engineering has spanned across major corporations including Kellogg’s and Kraft Heinz, pairing her passion of solving puzzles through engineering with a passion for playing with chemical reactions through baking. This career path was set in motion by her McAuley chemistry teacher, Mrs. Judith Kratzke, who saw her strengths in both chemistry and math and encouraged her to learn more about chemical engineering and the possibilities it could offer.

This led to a lot of research and an eventual decision to pursue chemical engineering at Villanova University, which she felt closely mirrored the smaller class sizes, personal experience, and Catholic identity she had at McAuley. “It was important [for me] with engineering, that there is a moral compass to it. [Villanova] had an engineering ethics class... We dove into not only what we can do as an engineer, but how we do it, how we do it ethically, and what else does it impact long term.”

No matter how far her career has taken her from Chicago, Julia has always made an effort to come back to McAuley to speak to students. “To me, [chemical engineering] is such a different field and I want the girls to know what their potential

is. It can be intimidating but to me, it’s also door opening, right? Thinking about the people who influenced me to go into not only engineering, but the food industry specifically, I wanted to be that and to show the girls that there’s a lot to offer and that science is really fun and really cool… and you can do it in a fun industry,” Julia shares. “My perception of engineering was always cars and rockets and buildings and highways, but those aren’t the only things that you can engineer. There’s a lot of fun stuff and if you’re passionate about it, it makes it even more fun.”

Rachel Zuppa Reilly ‘15 is a production supervisor at Cargill, where she has the chance to pursue her passion for agriculture and manufacturing in their bioindustrial plant in Chicago. Her love of science and engineering was cultivated at an early age through STEM-focused summer camps and opportunities at local universities, but it was during her junior year at McAuley that her interest in chemical engineering was kindled. Her AP chemistry teacher, Mrs. Kim Turnbull, had a knack for making chemistry fun and approachable, and it just clicked for Rachel.

As she began the college search, she knew she wanted to attend a school with a collaborative approach to learning, like McAuley - where teamwork, interdisciplinary learning, communication, and diversity - not only of people, but of thought - was emphasized.

But her search bred apprehensions about engineering school. “You start to hear, ‘oh, it’s so hard, it’s male-dominated,” Rachel shares. “But that year, we had a group of alumnae come to talk to the Catherine McAuley Honors Scholars, and there was a chemical engineer who presented and it completely blew me away. She assured us that as McAuley girls, we were smart enough to pursue engineering. Hearing that gave me such peace of mind.

“And she was so enthusiastic and I felt so inspired by that,” Rachel continues. “One comment she made that stuck with me was something along the lines of, ‘I’m a chemical engineer and I get to make Pop-Tarts.’ As a high schooler, I thought it was amazing… McAuley girls have a lovely gratitude for their careers or their activities in life. So her word selection, saying I get to do this cool thing… That’s really what I feel like McAuley does - we’re practicing gratitude. And that made me feel seen and was so aligned with my values. It was the affirmation I needed that I was selecting the right career path.”

Rachel shared this story over lunch at the end of Career Day this year, as she sat with a group of women who were reminiscing about the ways in which one person or one sentence could completely change your life.

“Julia (Carey) was sitting right next to me, and there was this outburst from her, saying, ‘That was me!’ It was so surreal,” Rachel remembers. “I think there were a couple watery eyes between Julia and me, but how cool. She had no idea what impact she had on me. It was just amazing to see her.”

“Finding out from Rachel that I was the person who influenced her to go into engineering in the food industry still makes me really proud, and emotional,” Julia shares. “Just seeing the effect that you can have on somebody is an amazing feeling. It’s still wild to me.”

Interested in joining us for our next Career Day on February 6, 2026? Email us at mlappe@mothermcauley.org!

It is a strong affirmation for the women at the lunch table that their presence at Career Day holds power. They are leaving a lasting impact on the students in hundreds of big and small ways, helping guide them on their journey. Julia and Rachel left Career Day with an even greater sense of purpose and confidence. They had a chance to reconnect at the Mac-Tails at Tiny Tapp this summer, further reminiscing about the thread that connects them.

The Value of Sisterhood and “Balloon People”

Kate Scully Krebsbach ‘05 is no stranger to the importance of community and bringing people together. Now an insurance agent for Scully Insurance Group, she helps business owners understand their risks and options through the lens of insurance, so they can focus on the important task of growing their company and caring for their employees. She has a background in human resources and media relations, giving her a unique lens as she advises and assists her clients.

Kate shows this same care and attention for the personal connections she cultivates. “It’s a big world,” Kate reflects. “It’s a lot of life and you have to have your friends to keep you buoyed when the seas get rough. Making time for joy, that’s my biggest goal. Who you surround yourself with is a huge component of that.”

She shared an analogy she heard from the priest who led her and her husband through Pre-Cana. The idea is simpleeveryone has a string that they hold onto in life, and sometimes that string gets heavy with life’s worries or concerns, becoming paperweights on their string. You have to surround yourself with people who are balloons to help lighten the load, because if there’s an imbalance, your arms are going to get heavy and you can only do so much. The shorthand of that is: make sure the people you’re spending your time with are balloons and they’re not paperweights.

This has stuck with her through the years. When Kate and her husband moved into their new home, she jumped at the opportunity to host a dinner party for her mom, some of her mom’s friends who had become role models to Kate, and other women who were “bright lights” in her life.

“It was one of my most favorite events of my recent adult life because we were getting together for the full purpose of friendship,” Kate shares. “These women had supported me in different ways, [and in bringing them together], there were a lot of individual connections that happened that seemed fortuitous. That’s the power of McAuley and living a life filled with people who are going to raise you up in life and not drag you down.”

Through this intentionality of caring for and supporting the “balloon people” in her life, she stumbled on a fundamental idea that you don’t need a holiday or event to trigger a gettogether; you can choose to spend time with people simply for the enjoyment of each other’s company. This seems to

be a theme that gets lost in adulthood, when busy work and family lives take precedence.

With this in mind, she and her three closest friends, Stephanie Florence ‘05, Laura Washburn ‘05 and Lindsay Washburn ‘05, who met as kids through McAuley theatre’s Kid’s Kamp in the 90’s, established what they affectionately call “quarterly earnings.” They set a quarterly date to all get together, where they stay in, order the same exact meal, watch a movie, sleep over, and go out for breakfast together in the morning.

“It’s not like we have an agenda,” Kate laughs, “but we do call it quarterly earnings because it’s kind of like all of our lives are operating as a little firm… We have the chance to recap our lives, check in and see who needs what, and just enjoy being together.”

So many alumnae share their gratitude for the lifelong friendships that began at McAuley. The safety net and comfort that can be found in friends who were with you in such formative years, who see you for who you are and are your biggest cheerleaders in the good and the bad, is vital. We are all stronger and more successful when we celebrate our sisterhood.

Modeling Mercy Values

For many, becoming a Mighty Mac is part of the family tradition, creating a bond that spans generations. Carol Fiscella Condron ‘65 recently celebrated her 60th reunion, and reflected on the school’s impact not only on her, but also her sister, Gail Fiscella Crowley ‘74; daughter, Beth Condron Ryan ‘95; her granddaughters, Maria Condron ‘23 and Anna Condron ‘28; and many nieces.

“I decided to ask [my family] how McAuley helped them bridge the awkward gap between childhood and womanhood that we all experience,” Carol shared at the reunion luncheon. “The thread running through their responses was similar: that they received a great (and appropriate to the era) education in a nurturing environment where they made lifelong friends.”

Carol was a special education teacher for many years, working in both the Chicago Public Schools and at St. Xavier University. She was thrilled when her daughter, Beth, chose to attend Mother McAuley. “In a lot of ways, being in an all-girls school provides leadership opportunities, and there are just more of them because every club has a president who is a girl, and every organization has officers that are girls.”

Beth is now a judge in the Circuit Court of Cook County, following a legal career in the courtroom as a trial lawyer where she advocated on behalf of the mentally ill, injured and disabled. She has carried her Mercy values and confident leadership skills into her impressive career, and has participated in the recent Women in Law events at McAuley.

There is a strong sense of pride as Carol witnesses her granddaughters, Maria and Anna, experience Mother McAuley. They both jumped right in, becoming active in theatre and music, joining clubs, playing sports, fostering friendships, and growing their community.

This resonates with Carol, who remembers her time at McAuley and the camaraderie she felt fondly. “As a class, we called ourselves, ‘the spirit of 65.’ We were just one of those classes that said, ‘Okay, here we are. We’re a force. And we were in it together.’ We’re still in it together. It’s interesting

how we passed that spirit of McAuley down, and now it’s there for my grandchildren. It just keeps on flowing.”

Carol also shared a reflection from Maria at the reunion luncheon. “McAuley has given me a network of supportive and powerful women who make me proud to be a Mighty Mac. Even after graduating and moving to Washington DC for college, I see Mercy in action wherever I go, running into successful alumnae on my George Washington University campus, as flight crews on planes, on Capitol Hill during discussions about policy and digital strategy!”

These same Mercy values are deeply rooted in their family. “It turns out that in the late 1800’s, my great grandmother attended St. Francis Xavier Academy for Females, the very early beginning of Mother McAuley,” Carol explains.

As a family built on a multi-generational foundation of Catholic, Mercy values and leadership, they are a strong testament to the resiliency, strength and foresight of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy, who have staunchly believed that “no work of charity can be more productive of good to society than the careful instruction of women.”

The Mighty Mac Movement

Mother McAuley is the cornerstone for so many. It’s where lifelong friendships are made. It’s where dreams are born. It’s where students are encouraged to explore and discover their inherent talents and strengths. It’s where young women learn to be unapologetically themselves, and carry that conviction with them through their lifetime.

As they go into the world, our alumnae continue to show up for themselves and each other, leaving their communities better than they found them to pave the way for the next generation.

JOURNEYING TO NEVERLAND

Second Star to the Left, and Straight on to 99th Street!

Mother McAuley’s theatre productions have long been known for their professional quality. The space itself lends to this feeling - with a 900-seat auditorium boasting a distinctive thrust stage and state-of-the art lighting and sound equipment, it’s easy to feel awe when walking through its doors. But the real magic is the life brought to the stage by the faculty and students, who have skillfully transported audiences through time and space for more than 60 years.

In the fall of 2024, McAuley produced the classic musical, Peter Pan. With five sold-out performances, the show delighted audiences as they journeyed to Neverland with Peter, Tinkerbell, Wendy, Michael and John. The awe-inspiring and playful moments as Peter and the kids fly across the stage; the twinkling light and bells of Tinkerbell as she flits around the room; the seamless transition from a children’s bedroom in London to a leafy forest in Neverland; the harrowing sword fight between Peter and Captain Hook;

the complex music that helps set the tone throughoutall of these pieces worked together to tell the story of magic, courage and friendship.

But there is so much more to the story of Peter Pan than what audiences sawonstage.Theflawless productionswereaproductof monthsofenergy,effort,andthoughtful designfromourfaculty,productionstaff,andthemorethan 200studentswhoparticipatedintheshow.

MagicintheMaking

Therearesomanywaysforstudentstogetinvolvedina productionatMcAuley.Theycanperform,playaninstrument inthepitorchestra,buildtheset,managethesoundor lighting,orworkonthecostumesandmakeupdesign.With thisvariety,thereisreallyahomeforeveryonewhowantsto getinvolved.

“Iwasalwaysthestagefrightkid,”sharesMadison McKatherine‘25,whowasthepitorchestraleaderforPeter Pan.“Whatmademewanttogetinvolved[intheatre]was seeingmyfirstMcAuleyshowmyfreshmanyear.ItwasMeet MeinSt.Louis,andmyjawwasonthefloor.Ithought,‘this issoamazing.HowdoIgetintothis?Ijustwanttobea partofthissobad.’Andsothenextyear,mysophomore year,IauditionedforTheLittleMermaidandIgotinand immediatelyfellinlovewithpit”

EllieCavanaugh‘25,whowasthepropmasteranda memberofthebuildcrew,runcrew,andflycrewforPeter Pan,hadasimilarexperience.WhenshestartedatMcAuley, sheknewshewantedtobeintheatre,butwasn’tsurehow. “IwasattheclubfairandIsaw‘stagecrew,’andthought,

that sounds cool. I’ll do that,” Ellie shares. “And I just fell in love with it… I like to be behind the scenes and see how it all works, and help make it work.”

No matter how students become involved, they all leave with a strong sense of community and friendship.

“I wish I got involved earlier,” shares Mikaela Madrangca ‘26, second violin and section leader for the pit orchestra. “I feel like it made me and my friends closer. It’s like your second family because of how much you experience together.”

This sense of community was a priority to the faculty and staff members who led the production. “We have some seniors from the cast, crew, pit and costume crew meet as a leadership team to help spread spirit amongst the company,” director Julie Wogan McKee ‘93 shares. “They help with choosing themes for spirit week; they choose the menus for dinner during tech week; they plan a prayer service for the cast, crew, and orchestra; and they assist with other fun activities. It’s important that all members of the company know that we cannot do the show without them!”

This variety also means there are a lot of moving parts, and they all heavily rely on each other, especially in the case of Peter Pan.

The Power Behind the Pixie Dust

To prepare for the flying scenes, ten performers and the students on fly crew spent three full days of training, going over safety procedures and learning flight choreography with Vertigo Flying.

There were two tracks for the flying system: three pendulum ropes used by Wendy, John and Michael, which allowed the three characters to bounce up and down but mostly stay in one place; and a separate track in the front, used by Peter Pan and the maid, Liza, which allowed the characters to move back and forth across the stage.

“The front track was unique because it had multiple parts to it. There was a rope to physically lift the person into the air, but then someone else had the ropes that would move them across the stage,” Ellie explains. “And it was all students who did it. It was all student run.”

“There were multiple people on standby at all times,” she continues. “For example, there was a scene where Michael got tossed in the air between Wendy and John. So it was me and Alice lifting Michael up because it was too heavy for me to do on my own safely. And at the end of the first act, there was a part where they would swing back and forth. There were three people from run crew that came and helped hold the rope down because it was a good minute of them swinging back and forth.”

“This required a lot of trust between the actors and the crew,” Amélie Villaseñor ‘25, who played the titular role of Peter Pan, shares. “Even for my first entrance, we were a team. I was on the pendulum to swing in, and I had to figure out the perfect spot to enter and not run into a set piece.”

“We couldn’t really see when you should enter,” Ellie remembers. “There was a set piece in the way. So I timed the entrance to the music. The orchestra was especially essential for Peter Pan. I don’t think they realized that. I timed all of the tricks to the music. At the beginning, there was a horn that sounded, and when I heard that, I knew it was time for Peter to make an entrance.”

Coordinated Chaos

Many of the student performers also attended special fight training sessions with Forte Weapons.

“It was kind of like boot camp,” Amélie says. “Though the fighting seems weird, chaotic and spontaneous, it is very

controlled and very specific. That’s a really important part of fighting - if certain things don’t happen, there can be no fight.”

The students learned fundamental stage fight skills: how to fall correctly, the importance of making eye contact before swinging at someone, what to do if something unplanned happens, and how to take care of their weapons. They used real swords - though dull - and their maintenance was part of the training.

There were rehearsals dedicated to choreographing the fight scenes. A full day was devoted to coordinating the complex elements of the final battle, which featured Peter flying into a fight with Captain Hook.

To ensure these scenes were executed safely every time, two students led fight calls before every full run-through of the show, whether a rehearsal or performance. They switched out the sets and walked through every fight science in slow, controlled motion to give the cast a chance to note if something didn’t feel right and adjust, before then running through it again at full speed.

Bringing Tinkerbell to Life

Tinkerbell wasn’t played by a person; the audience had to expend its belief in her as she flitted around the stage as a green light with bells chiming as she spoke. Her validity lies in the successful teamwork and coordination of Addy O’Boyle ‘25, assistant technical director; Brielle McClellan ‘26, pianist; and the performers who shared scenes with her.

Addy and Brielle worked closely together to time their cues for Tinkerbell to talk, to appear in various places around the set, and make her actions and “words” work together seamlessly.

“It was really cool. It was definitely a learning curve, because

I love music, but I’m horrible at it,” Addy laughs. “I was just writing in cues for myself and it was a lot of practice… And then [Brielle’s] back was turned to me because she was positioned to see the stage and the conductor, but she couldn’t see me.”

This added another complex layer to Tinkerbell, but through practice, determination and a sharp focus, the two brought this iconic character to life.

“[Addy and Brielle] made Tinkerbell a great scene partner,” Amélie says. Out of any other character on stage, Peter Pan had the most interactions with Tinkerbell, though she also pulls Wendy’s hair - a true moment of teamwork between the crew, pit and performers.

The audience certainly cared for Tinkerbell - when Peter asks them to help Tinkerbell by clapping and showing her that they believe, the auditorium erupted into applause each time.

“I remember talking to my cousins after they saw the show and they were so excited to see Tinkerbell flying around,” Addy remembers. “It was definitely such a cool experience to have.”

Providing the Soundtrack

The music in Peter Pan is complex and moving, setting the tone of the story from start to finish. The score was skillfully produced by dedicated and talented musicians in the pit orchestra, led by orchestra pit conductor and McAuley faculty member, Jeremy Eberhard

“A lot of the music in Peter Pan was really difficult and it did take a lot of sight reading throughout the show,” shares Mikaela Madrangca ‘26.

“Wereallywanttofamiliarizeourselveswiththemusicand getcomfortablewithitbeforewestartworkingwiththe actorssothatwedon’truintheirtime…it’salotabout teamwork,”MadisonMcKatherine‘25agrees.“Themusic waschallenging…butIthoughtitwasreallygreatbecause weovercamethechallengeanditwasareallyawesome show.”

Aboutthreeweeksbeforetheshowopened,theorchestra andcastsatdowntogethertorunthroughthemusic,and begantorehearsemusicalnumberstogethermovingforward.

“Wecouldn’twatchtheshowatall,though,”Madison continues.“Wehavetolookattheconductorthewholetime, soweneverknowwhat’sactuallygoingon.Wehavetoreally listentovoicecues”

MastersBehindtheScenes

Thetechcrew,buildcrew,runcrewandcostumeand make-upcrewareessentialpiecestothepuzzle.Theyspent hoursvisualizingtheworldofPeterPanandbuildingitwith strongattentiontodetail.

Onemajorprojectforthecostumeandmakeupcrew,ledby theheadofthecostumecrewandMcAuleyfacultymember, CarolynHart,wastobringTigerLily’s“BraveGirls”intothe

modern world. Each dancer was given a symbol of feminine power from a different country or culture. The costume crew hand painted sashes for each dancer, and found unique accessories for each to match. These featured dancers performed choreography by Meghan McGriff Hynes ‘93.

The build crew also had a chance to explore as they made and gathered props and crafted the sets.

“It’s a place where you’re free to grow and try new things. We have every tool and all the supplies you could ever need to make something,” Ellie shares. “My job is pretty much glorified arts and crafts and I say that with love. I’m very free to build some set pieces and props as I want. When I get a list of needs from Mrs. McKee, I’ll go talk to the technical director, Mrs. Katie McCasland ‘11, and either say, I know how to make this already, I’ll just do it, or ask how to do something and she’ll show me.”

“I feel like [the teachers] definitely provide you the support if you need it, but you do have a lot of opportunities to grow and put your own spin on it,“ Addy agrees. “They have a lot of trust in us to get it done.”

In the case of Peter Pan, the build crew was busy as they crafted three major sets for the show - the children’s bedroom in London, the forest in Neverland, and Captain Hook’s ship.

“I got to witness them switching it out during the scene where [Peter, Wendy, Michael and John] are flying away,” remembers Grace Sebby ‘27, who played the maid, Liza. “Liza runs in and sees them flying away, so I’m on stage and had to wait for the crew to pull the set back, unclip the actors from the lines when they landed, and then I had to avoid the crew and the set pieces as they hurried to make the transition in time - I just thought that was so cool!”

“It was a big coordination when we moved between sets,” agrees Ellie. “Definitely all hands on deck. There were

probably30ofusonruncrew.Veryrarelyiseverysingle persononstagedoingasetchange,butforPeterPan,every singlepersonwasneeded.Itwaslike,oh,you’renotdoing anything?Comehere.Anditwasalotofpracticeduringtech weekandrehearsals.Ifitwastooslow,we’dhavetostart again.Wegotitdowntoaminute.”

Thecrewwasbusyinbetweensetchanges,too.

“Iwasn’tonstagecrew,butIgottoseehowmanydifferent jobstheyhave,”sharesAbbyO’Connor‘28,whoplayedthe faithfuldog,Nana.“WhenIwasthedog,Iobviouslygotvery hotinthecostume.SowheneverI’dcomeoffstage,someone fromcrewwouldholdupafanonmyface.Andmycousin washeadofcostumesatthetime,soshecamearoundwith mebackstageandhelpedmewiththepropsIhadtobringon becauseIcouldn’treallyusemyhands”

Thecrewalsospenttimementoringandteachingthe freshman,sophomoreandjuniorstudents.

“I was teaching two younger girls who are going to take over the sound program,” Addy explains. “It was so cool to see them experience everything for the first time, and tell them all the little tricks and hacks… It’s definitely a big learning curve. You try to soak up all of the information and then you have to run it on your own. But it’s a great challenge, and it was very rewarding.”

Honoring our Legacy

Through the years, McAuley theatre has inspired thousands of students and provided them with a foundation in confidence, teamwork, dedication and passion that has served them well in every facet of their lives.

Our theatre program has been upheld by outstanding theatre directors, teachers, musicians, and leaders, including the late Patricia Haynes, whose expertise, innovative thinking, leadership, and dedication to the theatre program and every student she encountered, inspired more than three decades of Mighty Macs; and the late Donnarose Usher Thomas ‘73, whose compassion and guidance helped steer the theatre program for 10 years. Both passed away in 2024, leaving behind a long-lasting legacy.

“We added some elements into the set from the Pat Haynes and Donna Thomas shows, in their memory,” shares Julie. “There was a dollhouse in the nursery set that Pat had actually gifted to the twin daughters of Carrie Peterson Alifantis ‘87, music director for Peter Pan and long-time faculty member. We named Captain Hook’s ship the ‘Donna Rose’ after Donna. We were also excited to use the rocking horse and the fireplace in the nursery, where Peter Pan stands, both of which are pieces from the 2003 production.”

This marks the fourth time McAuley has produced Peter Pan, a show which holds a special place in our history as one of the very first musicals to be performed on the auditorium stage during the 1966-1967 school year. It was produced again in 1984 and 2003.

Kate Scully Krebsbach ‘05 was a featured dancer in the 2003 production of Peter Pan. As she reflected on her high school experiences and spoke about the lifelong friends she made through McAuley theatre, she said, “I’m showing my daughter the DVDs of Peter Pan, and I’m just as enamored. I’m thinking, wow, we were really part of something magical… Talk about living in a community. We couldn’t have done anything in theatre without each other. I think that was one of the best examples of teamwork that I have ever encountered. Because it didn’t matter how good the singing was or how amazing the dancing was, if we didn’t have proper lighting or we didn’t go through tech or the mics weren’t working… you needed all the components. I am just very appreciative to have experienced the importance of leaning on each other at a very young age.”

We were thrilled to have cast and crew members from the 1984 and 2003 productions join us for an alumnae reception before the Friday performance of the show. Many of the past characters had a chance to meet their next generation counterparts!

Beyond 99th Street

Katie Spelman ‘05, who played Tiger Lily during her junior year at Mother McAuley, is now a world-renowned choreographer.

She has appeared on the Broadway Women’s Fund “Women to Watch” list, the New City Magazine’s “Top 50 Players in Chicago,” and the inaugural list of Theatrely’s “31.” Katie made her Broadway choreographic debut in the spring of 2024 with The Notebook; she was also the associate choreographer on Moulin Rouge for the Boston, Broadway, and Australian companies, as well as a dance consultant on the West End and first US national touring productions. She was an associate on Amélie, American Psycho, and Once on Broadway.

During a spring break trip to New York in 2024, theatre students had the chance to see The Notebook and meet Katie after the show!

One famous McAuley theatre alum, John C. Reilly, was interviewed by the New York Times in June 2025, and shared the impact McAuley theatre had on him: “I got an amazing education in a lot of things by participating in those schools where nuns and women ran the whole programs. The school Mother McAuley, across the football field from my high school, was like a liberal arts college. They had a thousand-seat theater, they had an orchestra program, a choral program. They had all these strong women that taught me how to be a feminist. They taught me to find my voice.”

This is a true testament to the importance of women in leadership and how providing an environment where anyone can find their voice has a long-lasting impact.

Rising Stars

Many of our students - performers, musicians, and crew members - have been selected to showcase their talents at a state level, and many plan to continue studying theatre or musical theatre.

Emily Guzman ‘25 was selected to participate as a crew member in the 2024-2025 Illinois All-State production of The Prom

Ryann O’Sullivan ‘27 has been selected as assistant director for the 2025-2026 Illinois All-State production of Newsies

Grace Regalado ‘27 has been selected as part of the cast for the 2025-2026 Illinois All-State production of Newsies.

Amanda Schuler ‘25 was named to the 2024-2025 All-State Orchestra.

Amélie Villaseñor ‘25, who portrayed Peter Pan, was named a finalist in Broadway in Chicago’s 2025 Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards (IHSMTA) for her performance. She’s heading to Illinois Wesleyan University, where she’s majoring in musical theatre.

(From left) Grace Sebby ‘27, Amélie Villaseñor ‘25, and Amar Tadros ‘25 were named to the 2024-2025 All-State Choir.

CHAMPIONING OUR STUDENT ATHLETES

Building Confident Competitors on the Field and on the Mat

The Mother McAuley Mighty Macs are well-known for our powerhouse athletic program. With 21 state championships, two national championships, 50+ state appearances, and recognition from the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) for the #1 volleyball program in the state, we are a MIGHTY force to be reckoned with.

Just as important as the accolades is the chance for students to be a part of something: to join a team, gain leadership skills, learn the importance of working together, and grow alongside their peers. Fifty-eight percent of our students participate in one or more interscholastic sports; this is possible because we offer 16 different sports, with varying freshman, JV and varsity team options. This year we saw a bigger boost in participation, as we proudly introduced two new sports: flag football and wrestling.

Taking to the Turf Across Generations

When the IHSA Board of Directors approved girls flag football as an official IHSA sport in February 2024, the Mighty Macs were thrilled to add the sport to its growing program. Fortyeight student athletes participated on the JV and varsity teams for the inaugural season. Many Mighty Macs had never played flag football before, but were eager for a chance to learn something new.

The teams held their own against schools which had previously sponsored club teams, fearlessly facing off against those who might have more experience in the game - and coming off the field with many victories to their name.

With our new turf field as their home, the student athletes spent many days together in the sun - and rain - as they learned the game and found balance as a team. The varsity team, a majority of which were juniors last season, really gained momentum the longer they played together, gaining most of their wins in the second half of their season. The JV team finished their season with a nearly even win/lose ratio, proving their might as a team. And with so many returning players for the 2025 season, we’re excited to see what the future holds for the program.

Though new to the IHSA, this is not the first time McAuley has boasted a flag football team. In the 1970s, flag football was popular at McAuley, and unsurprisingly, the Mighty Macs have a winning history. Read this article in the Southtown from their win in 1975 on our website by scanning the QR code!

With the addition of flag football at the high school level, 12 of the Catholic grammar schools in the area introduced the sport to their junior high students. McAuley was thrilled to welcome their Southside Catholic Conference to our campus, hosting games every Sunday throughout their spring season on our new turf field. It has been incredible to see how our investment in the turf field provides equitable facilities, resources and opportunities for the young women in our community to grow in their capabilities and confidence, even before they become Mighty Macs themselves.

1st PLACE

St. Catherine of Alexandria

Congratulations to the conference winners, and a MIGHTY congrats on an awesome inaugural season to all teams who participated! We can’t wait to see you next year!

2nd PLACE

St. Christina School

RUNNERS UP

Queen of Martyrs and

St. Michael School

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

Christ the King School

Most Holy Redeemer School

St. Barnabas School

St. Daniel the Prophet School

St. Gerald School

St. Germaine School

St. John Fisher School

St. Linus School

The Mighty Mac Spirit

We have designed a destination environment at Mother McAuley, where every girl has the freedom to choose their own journey. With 50+ clubs and organizations that tailor to specific interests, hobbies, academic success, and more, students have the opportunity to explore and tap into their strengths. With an ever-changing student body, we are continually evaluating our programs and listening to our students so we can meet them where they are.

As they find their voice and are assured it matters, and as they are encouraged to stand up for themselves and claim their space, something magical happens.

This was the case when Maggie Zuber ‘25 championed the need for a McAuley wrestling team - and spectacularly succeeded. Her Mighty Mac spirit led to the introduction of wrestling for the 2024-2025 winter season.

“I got started in wrestling during COVID when I was getting too bored stuck at home,” Maggie shares. “My dad made my twin sister, Maeve ‘25 and me, go to outdoor wrestling workouts hosted by Beat the Streets Chicago (BTSChicago) at Vittum Park. I had never wrestled before but the workouts were so much fun and challenging, and I wanted to try the sport out for real. Also, my brother had wrestled his whole life and I always loved watching the practices and competitions so it made sense that I gave it a try.”

Maggie fell in love with the sport. “I love the community the sport brings and how everyone has so much care to give. I also really love how challenging it can be, the feeling you get after accomplishing a hard practice is like no other.”

As Maggie headed into her freshman year at Mother McAuley, she knew there was no wrestling team. But she also recognized that this sense of community within the sport was one where Mighty Macs like her could find belonging and an exciting new challenge to face. With this in mind, she met with the athletic director, and worked with her to set up a meeting to gauge interest among other students in a wrestling team. When only a handful showed up, the idea of a team was set aside.

But Maggie didn’t let this stop her. “I didn’t have an actual school coach or a team with me, but my freshman year I competed for McAuley at sectionals. I think I was able to do this because of the Mighty Mac spirit that you get when you attend McAuley.”

We are thrilled to announce that Colleen Quinlan White ‘94 has stepped into the new role of Director of Athletics and Enrollment at Mother McAuley. She shows an unwavering commitment to our students and families - both current and futureand we know her mission-driven, compassionate leadership will support generations of Mighty Macs to come!

In2023,MaggiemetSamanthaBarrientos,anewwrestling coachatBTSChicago.“[Maggie]mentionedtomethatshe attendsanall-girlshighschoolthatdoesn’thaveanofficial team,”Samanthashares.“Sheinformedmeofhergoalsand theobstaclesshe’sfaced,soIreachedouttotheathletic directorandin2024,Maggiehadmeasanofficialcoachfor heratMcAuley.

“Maggiewasherownadvocate,”Samanthacontinues.“When [thesport]wasannounced,MaggieandhertwinsisterMaeve recruitedmultiplegirlstocomeoutforthewrestlingteam.I wasshockedwhenIwalkedinonthefirstdayofpracticetosee somanygirlseagertolearn,aswellastrysomethingnew”

Theteamhad13athletesontheroster,withMaggieandMaeve leadingthewayasexperiencedwrestlersandthesoleseniors ontheteam.

“Wordscannotdescribehowlovelyitwastobeabletohavea teambehindmecheeringformeasIwrestledintournaments anddualsformyhighschoolaftersolongbeingbymyself.” Maggieshares.“EndingmytimeatMcAuleyknowingthatIhad leftafullteamofwrestlerswhoactuallylovedthesportand hadthesamesparkthatitgavemewasanamazingfeeling.”

Their coach, Samantha, was excited to see the progress of the team. “As the season continued, we retained the majority of the team and individually they learned something about themselves - they can do hard things (mentally and physically), not see the results they want right away and get back up to try again. Holly Rowan ‘27 found the most success by becoming an IHSA sectional qualifier her first year in wrestling. Maggie Zuber found herself in the IHSA State Finals after being a two-time state qualifier. A pivotal moment not only for her but for Mother McAuley.”

Maggie was proud to head to state with a team supporting her, and with a goal in mind.

“Going to state was a great experience. I had gone sophomore year and junior year, but fell short of my goals both times. This year was different. I had a goal and I was going to reach it,” she shares. “It was the goal that I told my coach at the very start of

the season: I am going to be on that podium. I trained non-stop from August until the tournament in March. This year was also different in that I was able to get multiple competitions under my belt before the state series and this gave me confidence that I lacked years prior. I was able to finish off my McAuley wrestling career as a state runner-up, which gave McAuley their first ever medal in IHSA state women’s wrestling.”

With a medal under our belt in our inaugural year, and the potential for so many returning wrestlers for the 2025-2026 season, we’re excited to see what the future holds for Mighty Mac wrestling!

Maggie is taking her considerable talents to the University of WisconsinStevens Point, where she plans to major in dietetics and has committed to wrestling on their women’s team. She’s pictured here on signing day - one of 10 student athletes who signed letters of intent to play collegiate sports during the 2024-2025 school year.

Embodying the “Mighty” in Mighty Macs

The Mighty Mac spirit is a tangible feeling. It ensures the ambition, curiosity, and power instilled in our students never get lost in comparison or fear - but are nurtured into self-trust and leadership. It ensures our students know they can be and do anything. And this feeling keeps showing upas a student, unafraid to speak up and champion a cause they care about; as student athletes trying out a new sport and not backing down from a challenge; as alumnae, fearlessly pursuing their dreams; and as women of faith with strong Mercy values.

Our athletes channel this spirit, embodying the “Mighty” in Mighty Macs in all they accomplish.

LED BY MERCY

LED BY MERCY

As a member of Mercy Education, Mother McAuley proudly embraces a set of Mercy-inspired values. These values guide us as we empower mighty girls, turning them into young women who learn fairness and justice right alongside STEM and language arts. Macs are proud to be mighty - and we’re proud to be building the next generation of women called to lead.

We celebrate our alumnae, students, and members of our community who live their lives devoted to these Mercy values.

Empowering Young Girls with Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan

to do whatever I could to spend my day-to-day making a difference in the lives of others, particularly girls and women. I definitely care about empowering girls and women. I view that as my life’s mission, and now I get to live it out every day.

Brenna Smith West ‘13 is the Chief Communications & Customer Experience Officer for the Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan. In her role, she guides the strategy for all internal and external communications for the organization, and oversees three departments: communications, customer experience, and the contact center, an outbound call center. Her organization is one of 110 Girl Scout Councils around the nation, serving 34 counties in the lower peninsula of Michigan, with approximately 16,000 members.

Brenna holds a bachelor of arts in communication, a bachelor of science in economics and a master of arts in communication from Western Illinois University.

What drew you to the Girl Scouts?

After grad school, I was really reflecting on what my path would be and where I wanted to go, because communications is such a broad degree and it’s such a broad field. I was drawn to the nonprofit sector because I really felt like I wanted

I was a Girl Scout for about 10 years while I was at Queen of Martyrs… It’s funny because when you’re preparing for an interview with an organization, you’re doing your research: who are they? What do they value? And it was when I was preparing for my first interview with Girl Scouts that I really reflected on what a transformative effect Girl Scouts had on me as a young girl. And then part of that story for me is that when I stopped Girl Scouts, which was in eighth grade, I went on to McAuley. So, yes, I didn’t have my Girl Scout troop, but I joined the sisterhood that carried me through my next four years. And then when I got to college, I joined a sorority. I really credit that presence of an all-girls environment throughout my life as one of the reasons I’m so passionate about girls having access to that same kind of environment, where they can build life skills and gain confidence and courage… they just get to have that safe space.

What stands out as you think about your role with the Girl Scouts?

I love that every day is different and that the work I do makes a real difference in the lives of girls, and in the lives of the volunteers that we get to work with. And it’s a really fun place to work. Girl Scouts is an incredible organization and the fact that we get to empower girls with incredible experiences that change their life and inspire them to change the world around themthere’s nothing better than that.

I do a couple different events per year that we call Media Girls, which is where we get a group of Girl Scouts together and teach them all about various aspects of media, including how to interview and how to be interviewed. We work with them on content creation and how you create content to match your marketing strategy. We train them on how to be in front of the camera if they were to be on TV or on the radio. That’s one of my favorite ways that I get to interact with girls - helping them sharpen their communications and media skills.

A Global Impact with the Peace Corps

What is your favorite memory from your time at Mother McAuley, and how do you feel like it shaped you?

I was involved in Inscape through a journalism class, and we published a monthly paper… I always loved writing, but as part of the leadership for Inscape, you really got to craft what the narrative was... I absolutely loved it. I loved the rush of going to press and getting everything ready on time, meeting a deadline, doing interviews, all of that. When I was deciding what to study [in college,] that was one of the things that I thought about. I love storytelling, I love putting that message together, crafting the words so that it’s just right, and getting it out to people.

Do you feel like you had any leaders who were mentors for you growing up that helped guide you?

My mom, Dorie Filpovich Smith ‘83, was a huge mentor to me, and she was my Girl Scout leader so she was always there. And I had a lot of teachers along the way who really made an impact on me… I recently read a published news article that was just riddled with so many grammatical errors and typos… I thought Mrs. Virginia Murphy, who was my freshman English teacher, and Sister Nancy Houlihan, who I had junior year, would have just ripped this paper to shreds… I think about those two phenomenal teachers in particular a lot when I’m writing and editing because of all they drilled into my brain.

Mariel Galvan ‘16 is a volunteer with the Peace Corps in their Youth in Development sector. Now a year into her service, she is currently based in a rural beach town in Costa Rica with a population of 500 people. She spends her days rotating between three institutions: a daycare, an elementary school, and a high school, facilitating workshops, teaching, coaching, and more. She holds a bachelor degree in integrative biology, pre-medicine/ pre-medical studies from the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign.

What was your educational and work experience before joining the Peace Corps?

During undergrad, I was heavily involved in disability advocacy, collaborating with my friend and sister Analiz Magana ‘16, who also attended UIUC. I completed my research and senior thesis with reproductive health expert and bio-anthropologist Dr. Kate Clancy. With her lab, I investigated Imposter Phenomenon in women-of-color scientists and the health implications associated with the experience. Kate’s lab was my first exposure to practical wet lab work and qualitative methods; likewise my first window into research as a profession.

Post graduation, I was accepted to the Peace Corps to serve in Costa Rica in July of 2020. This plan was delayed due to the pandemic. In the meantime, I landed a job in Pediatric Clinical Research at the University of Chicago. There I had the pleasure of working under the management of Melissa Zeilner Marx ‘06, daughter of McAuley Spanish teacher Señora Laura Zeilner. In the clinical research coordinator role, I supported studies within the university’s infectious disease, hematology, and oncology departments. The majority of my time at the institution was devoted to Sickle Cell Disease research. As someone who grew up in a Black and Mexican household, working within this patient population felt like the best way to use my education to support my community. After three years with the department, the itch to pursue the Peace Corps persisted. With the blessing of my colleagues and friends, I began service in July of 2024.

What drew you to the Peace Corps?

I joke that I am a product of Peace Corps propaganda. I remember watching the commercials on television as a child and I knew it would be something I would do. At UIUC, I prepared my application with our campus’ Peace Corps Adviser. I worked for the Chicago Park District and the Muscular Dystrophy Association during my summers so I decided to pursue the ‘Youth in Development Sector.’ Costa Rica resonated due to the country’s communal values and ecological focus.

Another motivator for me was the immersive language learning opportunity provided in service. Prior to entering your service site, volunteers receive three months of language training. The opportunity to solidify my Spanish felt like a fair trade for the volunteer stipend. One year in, I can confirm that it was worth its weight in gold.

What is your role, and what does your day-to-day look like? Every day I rotate between three institutions: a daycare, an elementary school, and a high school. All of my primary work from meetings, lesson planning, and facilitating workshops occurs in Spanish. At the high school, I coach boys and girls volleyball teams and co-lead our environmentalism service projects. At the elementary school, I facilitate art workshops that incorporate soft-skills such as managing conflict and emotions. At the day-care, I co-lead a mother’s group and teach English. Our first three months of service are dedicated to the completion of a community participatory assessment and every project that my community is facilitating now via the Peace Corps is a product of that collective brainstorming. The Peace Corps model requires the projects to be replicable and sustainable so collaboration and community investment is a non-negotiable.

External to my school-based work, I spend most of my free hours on various porches drinking ‘cafecito.’ The generosity of neighbors has expanded my paradigm of mutuality. Food exchange is the currency of the day. Individual problems come with group solutions. At my best and worst (food

poisoning) and 3,000 miles from my home-base, I have rarely felt alone.

What are your future plans when your service with the Peace Corps comes to an end?

I have one more year left in service. I intend to work abroad for one more year before making my way back stateside for medical school.

What is your favorite memory from your time at Mother McAuley, and how do you feel like it shaped you?

Entering McAuley, I was swiftly humbled by the talent flooding the halls. I learned that women here refused reduction. The star athlete is also an AP student and an artist. The lead actress of the fall play is in student government and a champion of service. Seeing this role modeled altered the way I view work and academics. I’ve come to view nuance in passion as adaptive, advantageous, and more aligned with the reality of navigating fulfillment in career.

Beyond academics, McAuley gave me my chosen family. To this day the people with which I co-habitate, celebrate, grieve, and love are my McAuley sisters.

One of my favorite memories is that Les Miserables was big my senior year. Unprovoked, our AP Literature class with Ms. Mary McCormick would break into ‘I Dreamed a Dream.’ It was this inexplicable domino effect; girls standing on desks and turning the room upside down for four minutes. It was just as ridiculous as it sounds and cemented the importance of whimsy. That class was abundant in star students but in those moments, everyone was reminded not to take themselves too seriously.

Infused with Mercy

We have a renewed focus on infusing Mercy into all we do at Mother McAuley - including our interactions and offerings for our greater school community. With this in mind, we launched a new initiative at the start of the 2024-2025 school year to provide a deeper understanding of how our Mercy charism and mission relate to our Catholic identity for all adults in our communityfaculty, staff, parents, alumnae, Board of Trustees, benefactors, and friends. Led by Sr. Nancy Houlihan, RSM as the new Assistant Director of Mission Integration, we have worked to bring our Mercy values into every aspect of our school. This spring, Sr. Nancy celebrated her jubilee, honoring 50 years of service as a Sister of Mercy.

You can read more about the conference in the Chicago Tribune’s Daily Southtown!

“It was such an exciting experience to meet students from other Mercy schools around the world. You hear about other Mercy schools but it’s so cool to actually see that there’s other schools around the world with the same morals as you. All the students connected really well, it was like we all knew each other for years. I’m so blessed I got the opportunity to experience it because it was honestly so amazing. I came out refreshed and with many new friends and memories.”

- Kennedi White ‘26

“The Mercy Leader Conference was one of the most eye opening experiences. We met so many girls from so many different backgrounds, and it was so interesting getting to know each other. We could talk for hours with these girls! I loved getting to know their cultures, home life, and Mercy values. This is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”

- Nora Guardi ‘27

The Next Generation

This summer, six of our Mighty Macs attended the Conference of Mercy Student Leaders at St. Xavier University. They stayed on campus for a week, joining Mercy education students from around the world as they deepened their leadership skills and shared how they embody the spirit of Mercy and practice the critical concerns within their communities. Sr. Nancy Houlihan, RSM, brought her expertise to the conference, sharing a keynote with the students addressing Mercy charism and ministry in today’s world.

Some of our students reflected on their powerful experiences.

“The Conference of Mercy Student Leaders gave me the amazing opportunity to meet young women from many different schools within and outside the United States. Meeting young women from Belize, Honduras, and Jamaica and learning about their lifestyles in these countries and their schools was an unforgettable experience. It was surprising that although we live in different places, there were many things we had in common and it was interesting to learn about our differences.”

- Gianna Cislo ‘26

“Having the opportunity to meet girls from all over the world that prioritized works of Mercy in their schools was very inspirational. Just because we were from different backgrounds and cultures didn’t change the fact that we shared many of the same values. After everyone shared the way their school includes Mercy, our team created our own vision of what works of Mercy can be brought back to McAuley. My biggest takeaway from the conference was realizing the impact works of Mercy can make in peoples’ lives. Meeting real people that are seeking refuge reminded me that I don’t have to go far to help others. I hope to carry what I learned from my experience at the conference with immigrant families into my understanding of Mercy in my daily life.”

- Lucy Lakawitch ‘26

Mental Health & Wellness Through a Creative Lens

Karen Spears ‘13 is the founder of Kareracter, a creative and strategic marketing firm that helps brands find their voice and express it visually through thoughtful logo design and brand identity work. Since its inception eight years ago, Karen has worked with a diverse range of clients, including the Poetry Foundation, Thales, Therapy for Black Girls, the Tory Burch Foundation, and Arts Alliance Illinois, as well as numerous small businesses. She also works as Creative Director for Therapy for Black Girls, a digital platform and community dedicated to the mental wellness of Black women and girls.

Karen attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she majored in communications and minored in business.

What has been your experience as an entrepreneur?

My first company, which I founded during my time at McAuley, was called The Korean Pears. It was a playful spin on my name, Karen Spears (and no, I didn’t sell Korean Pears). I got my start creating fun hand-lettered quotes on small painted canvases. Some of my first patrons were [my 2013 McAuley classmates] Leah Roethle, Brenna Smith, Emily Reynolds, Katherine Kezon, Mary Joan Evans, Mairead Zigulich, Avyaunce Anderson, and more. Their early support helped jumpstart my creative entrepreneurial journey most expansively. From there, I began selling my work on Etsy and through my university’s consignment shop.

In 2015, I was deeply inspired by the Girl Boss era, as women collectively chased their dreams and passions lit a fire within me. I founded Let’s Vibe in partnership with my sister friend, Diamond Greer. We created it to extend the fantastic relationships we built at McAuley. Our goal was to build a community of women uplifting one another.

Through Let’s Vibe, we hosted events and created spaces where women could hone their leadership skills, access career opportunities, and receive support. Although we eventually decided to dissolve the organization, the connections we made still stand. We’re still connected with many women we met along the way.

I naturally evolved into building my creative firm, Kareracter. At this stage in my creative career, I’ve successfully pivoted from

graphic design into creative and strategic marketing. My internship in New Business at advertising agency Leo Burnett laid the foundation; it taught me how to develop and sell my big ideas. With that experience, I merged my passions for community building and design to help businesses craft compelling brand and visual identities.

I launched Kareracter during my junior year of college. At Kareracter, we’re building a world where everyday dreamers can design their lives and the world around them, and we start with a tool called mind-mapping.

Can you share more about Therapy for Black Girls?

Therapy for Black Girls is a digital platform and community dedicated to the mental wellness of Black women and girls. Founded by licensed psychologist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, the brand has grown into a trusted voice in mental health through its award-winning podcast, robust therapist directory, and impactful events. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Dr. Joy on building her brand and serving as her Creative Director since 2021. In my role, we champion the wellness of Black women and girls worldwide. Our goal is to make these topics accessible through pop culture and destigmatize seeking professional support as part of one’s mental wellness journey.

As Creative Director, I bring visions to life in a way that visually resonates with our audience segments. From ideating at an organizational level with our CEO on big picture vision, we determine creative initiatives that drive revenue and impact. From there, we activate those campaigns through digital marketing campaigns and in-person events. Day-to-day, I manage a team of creative designers and freelancers to bring those concepts to life. I draw on my lived experience to create mood board concepts, allowing our team to work their magic!

Why does this work feel important?

The World Health Organization has reported that one in six people worldwide experience loneliness, which can have profound effects on health and well-being. In today’s society, we need safe spaces that foster connection and community. The work done by Therapy for Black Girls offers numerous free resources to help individuals embark on their journeys toward education, encouragement, and support. As women, it’s our responsibility to support and uplift one another, and I’m happy that my creative leadership can encourage others to prioritize their health to become their best selves.

How do you feel your time at Mother McAuley shaped you?

Mother McAuley was my window to the world. I still remember my first visit, which was during an 8th-grade shadow day. The young women and faculty I met left a lasting impression; they carried themselves with such confidence and ease. I immediately connected with that energy.

At McAuley, I finally felt seen. For the first time, my creativity was celebrated by both my teachers and peers. I will never forget McAuley as being one of the first places where my creativity took root and began to flourish. I credit McAuley’s uplifting and empowering culture for helping me grow into the artist and person I am today.

What is one of your favorite memories from McAuley, and what were you involved in?

During my time at McAuley, I was voted Homeroom Rep and Kairos leader (shoutout to K106, live the fourth!). I was also

deeply involved in the arts department, but my most significant anchor of involvement was through the Daniel Murphy Scholarship. This scholarship not only supported my education but also allowed me to attend McAuley.

My favorite memory at McAuley was Kairos! It is one of my earliest memories of understanding Christianity. The lessons I learned helped me connect with my classmates on a deeper level. McAuley does a remarkable job of creating safe spaces where students can excel not just academically, but spiritually and emotionally.

JOIN US AT McAULEY

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Mother McAuley’s annual 24 HOUR ONLINE GIVING DAY that benefits the McAuley Fund. mothermcauley.mercydayofgiving.org

DECADES REUNION

Classes of 1985, 1995, 2005 and 2015

Friday, September 26, 2025

Purchase your tickets today!

We have a packed calendar of alumnae and community events, and we hope to see you soon! More events will be added throughout the year. To receive updates about upcoming events, join our email list by scanning the QR code.

AUTHOR

Dr. Lisa Damour

Wednesday October 15, 2025

Dr. Damour will hold a dynamic presentation in the evening, open to all parents in our community! This is a great opportunity to learn more about how to support our adolescent children and help them navigate the hard mental health and wellness issues they face. Time to be announced.

Author of three New York Times best sellers: Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers; co-host of the Ask Lisa podcast; recognized as a thought leader by the American Psychological Association; Senior Advisor to the Schubert Center for Child Studies at Case Western Reserve University; an advisor for industry leaders on topics related to adolescent mental health; a consultant to Pixar on the film Inside Out 2; and much more!

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Friday, October 17, 2025

Purchase your ticket today!

Monday, October 27, 2025

A fun Halloween event recommended for children 2-8 years old!

Friday, November 21, 2025

Join us for drinks and appetizers before watching the performance from our reserved alumnae section!

Career Day

Friday, February 6, 2026

Interested in inspiring the next generation of Mighty Macs during our morning career fair? Email Maria McCormack Lappe ‘16 at mlappe@mothermcauley.org!

ALUMNAE NEWS

ENGAGING ALUMNAE WITH NEW EVENTS

Our alumnae always have a home on 99th Street! Over the past two years, we were excited to create new opportunities for alumnae to network and reconnect with the McAuley community. Learn more about these opportunities below! For a full list of events from the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, visit our website by scanning the QR code.

Celebrating Black History and Building Community

On February 25, 2025, we were proud to host our inaugural BSU Welcomes Back the McAuley History Makers Breakfast. This special event marked the return of our Black Student Union, which has been revitalized to continue its legacy of empowering Black students and fostering community at McAuley.

The breakfast brought together BSU members and alumnae for a morning of meaningful conversation and connection. Students and alumnae shared stories, insights, and encouragement that left our Mighty Macs inspired to carry forward the legacy of those who came before them. A special thank you to Michaela Foreman ‘16 and Ronia Linton ‘25 for their powerful and inspiring remarks, and to everyone who helped make this new tradition a success.

McAuley on the Road: Connecting Mighty Macs Near and Far

In February 2025, McAuley brought the spirit of 99th Street to alumnae in Charlotte, NC, and Bonita Springs, FL, through McAuley on the Road gatherings. Alumnae enjoyed conversation, cocktails and Mighty Mac camaraderie while hearing school updates from President Carey Temple Harrington ‘86.

We are grateful to everyone who joined us to reconnect, share memories and strengthen our Mighty Mac network. We look forward to bringing McAuley on the Road to even more cities soon!

Women in Law: Building Connections, Strengthening Community

In November 2024 and June 2025, we were proud to bring together our Mighty Mac law professionals for a dynamic luncheon and happy hour. These gatherings offered alumnae the chance to share insights, expand their professional networks and celebrate the many ways McAuley women continue to lead in the legal field.

A special thank you to Janet Garetto ‘90, Intellectual Property Partner & Co-Leader of the Food, Beverage and Agribusiness Practice at Nixon Peabody, and Heather Mulligan Begley ‘95, Personal Injury Attorney at Tomasik Kotin Kasserman LLC, for graciously hosting these meaningful events. We look forward to growing these opportunities and connecting more of our alumnae through profession-based gatherings in the year ahead!

We were proud to honor the Tom Hopkins Foundation with the Caring Heart Award at our 2025 Fore the Macs: Playing it Forward Golf Outing in August!

Learn more by scanning the QR code!

A New Era for Mighty Mac Athletics

On April 30, 2024, McAuley proudly unveiled a brand-new scoreboard and lights on our turf field, thanks to the generous support of the Tom Hopkins Foundation and Marquette Bank. We celebrated this important investment in advancing equity in women’s sports alongside our Mighty Mac community.

As the first all-girls school in Chicago to have a state-of-the-art turf field, McAuley continues to lead in providing outstanding opportunities for our student-athletes. Every goal scored, inning played, and lesson learned on this field shapes our students far beyond the scoreboard. These enhancements support our soccer, lacrosse and softball teams, reflecting our community’s commitment to fostering confidence, leadership and resilience through athletics. We are deeply grateful to our partners for helping our Mighty Macs shine even brighter - today and for generations to come.

Over the past two years, we have celebrated MIGHTY members of our community at our events!

CELEBRATION

2024 Catherine McAuley Leadership Award

(From left) Bridget Gainer ‘86, Mary Gainer, MD ‘96, Sheila Gainer ‘99, Maureen Gainer Reilly ‘93 and Nora Gainer ‘88

2025 Catherine McAuley Leadership Award

(From left) Molly King Samansky ‘04, Kathleen King Buck ‘87, Kristen King Prendergast ‘96, Beth King Furlong ‘84, Maura King Finn ‘97, Margie King Elias ‘83 and Jennifer “Gigi” King Pappas ‘84

2024 Life Trustee

Sister Marion Johnson, RSM

2025 Life Trustee

Anne Edwards-Cotter ‘73

McAULEY HALL OF HONOR

McAuley Hall 2024

From left: Lynn Malooly ‘80, Dr. Alicia Thompson Lenzen ‘02, Sr. Jean McGrath, CSJ ‘62, Laurie Roache Jakubczak ‘78, Dr. Susan McNicholas Rowan ‘76, Alexandra Meneses ‘83, and President Carey Temple Harrington ‘86

FORE THE MACS: PLAYING IT FORWARD GOLF OUTING

2023 Caring Heart Award

Lemolade / Morgan Ingersoll Winters ‘03 (right) and Nikki Harrington

2024 Caring Heart Award

The Leadership and Staff at Blair Early Childhood Center

For more information about these honorees and events, visit our website by scanning the QR code!

ALUMNAE NEWS

Alumnae Marriages

1 Ryan Carroll ‘04 married David Barrett on June 3, 2023 at Gaelic Park. Five of her six bridesmaids were McAuley alumnae.

2 Christine Schmidt ‘13 married Jerry Chee on June 17, 2023 near Taughannock Falls in Ithaca, New York with McAuley alumnae as bridesmaids and trusted supporters: Kim Tinklenberg ‘11, Dr. Casey Rowe ‘13, Megan Malloy Fox ‘13, Dr. Sarah Abbott ‘13, and Maggie Graney-Dolan ‘13.

3 Lyndsey Powers ‘07 married Isaac Neven on June 25, 2023.

4 Katherine Jones ‘94 married Brandon Young on July 14, 2023. Katherine is a part of a three generation legacy family; mother Angelique Jones ‘71, sister Melissa Jones McVey ‘93, and daughter Hayley Dotson ‘25

5 Mary Kate Mixan ‘12 married Thomas Creagan on September 9, 2023. Mary Kate celebrated her big day with her fellow Mighty Mac friends, Bridget Powell ‘12, Anne Best ‘12, Megan McCauley ‘12, Kara Frost Fahey ‘12, Ashley Rogers Knight ‘12, and Honor Bennett Fitzgerald ‘12.

6 Rachel Zuppa ‘15 married Pat Reilly on May 18, 2024, 10 years and a day from their dating anniversary. Rachel shared, “We are high school sweethearts and have so many favorite memories at Mother McAuley and Brother Rice events! We were able to celebrate our wedding with so many of our friends who are alumni of McAuley and Rice! We celebrated the wedding ceremony at St. Catherine’s of Alexandria and the reception at Firefly Pavilion at Morton Arboretum! Fun fact, I booked Firefly Pavilion before it was built based on architectural drawings!”

7 Maria McCormack ‘16 married Peter Lappe on August 3, 2024. Her alumnae bridesmaids included Molly O’Neill ‘15, Cara Murphy ‘16, Nora Halleran ‘16, Molly Moran ‘16, and Kathleen Sullivan ‘16.

8 Brittini Bridges ‘02 married Steven Trueblood on September 7, 2024. There were many Mighty Macs in attendance including, her mother Robin Burns ‘81, Paige Compton ‘00, Kristin Morrow ‘02, Jaclyn Bivins ‘03, Brittany Blackwell ‘03, and Brianna Holland ‘08.

9 Barbara Koss ‘71 married Timothy Milet on January 18, 2025 at Palmira Country Club in Bonita Springs, FL, where she and her husband reside for nine months out of the year.

10 Molly Rourke ‘08 married Michael Daly at St. Cajetan Church on June 6, 2025. Weekend celebrations were held at Chicago Cut Streakhouse on the River and Morgan Arts Complex.

Not pictured:

Kathleen Malloy ‘08 married Anthony Galske on July 15, 2023. Annie Galotta ‘13 married John Rumbaugh on September 14, 2024.

Sydney Lawrence ‘19 married Melvin Beauchamp on March 1, 2025.

Alumnae

Births & Adoptions

1 Meggan Sterk LaRocco ‘09, husband Joe, and big brother Dominic welcomed home baby Luca LaRocco on March 9, 2023.

2 Marlee Tumpich Puljic ‘10 and husband Tomislav Puljic welcomed home Avalina Puljic on April 30, 2023.

3 Hilary Sterk Tully ‘05, husband Tommy, and big sister Blake welcomed home Timmy Tully on May 20, 2023.

4 Cara Gigante Parkkonen ‘09 and husband Bradley Parkkonen welcomed home baby Martin Parkkonen on May 21, 2023.

5 Shannon Ready O’Neill ‘08, husband Matthew, and big sisters Reagan and Abby welcomed home baby Mae O’Neill on June 21, 2023.

6 Eileen O’Connor Berner ‘02, husband Cameron, and older sister Theodosia welcomed home baby Carnegie Berner on July 15, 2023.

7 Meredith Obiala Simpson ‘03, husband Patrick, and big sister Gwendolyn welcomed home Henry Michael Simpson on July 17, 2023.

8 Lauren Frost Stull ‘08, husband Sam, and proud older siblings Lyla (4) and Lincoln (2) welcomed home Lennon Marie Stull on August 8, 2023.

9 Kate Murnane Korte ‘10 and husband Matt welcomed their daughter, Wren Deborah Korte on October 9, 2023.

10 Victoria Acevedo Barrett ‘04, husband John Barrett, and proud big brother, Henry, welcomed home baby Aurora on January 18, 2024.

11 Courtney O’Brien Rogers ‘08 and husband Matthew welcomed home baby boy Liam Rogers on January 27, 2024.

12 Maura Moran Vaughan ‘07, husband David, and big sister Joanie welcomed home Rosie Lynn on March 23, 2024.

13 Leah Durham Flaherty ‘08 and husband Steve welcomed home their first baby, Carter Flaherty on March 26, 2024.

14 Grace Flaherty Markvart ‘09, husband Ryne, and big sister Ellie welcomed home baby John Markvart on April 13, 2024.

15 Elyse Schmudlach Kruse ‘06, husband Paul, and sisters Eleanore, Ava, and LilBeth welcomed Novalynn as an official member of the Kruse family on April 29, 2024.

16 Alexandria Brown ‘14 welcomed home baby Myles Paulson on June 6, 2024.

17 Jennifer Germino ‘01, wife Jenna Rooney, and siblings Ben (8), Alice (5), and Charlotte (4) welcomed home baby Quinn Sophia Rooney on July 13, 2024.

18 Ryan Carroll Barrett ‘04 and husband David Barrett welcomed home baby Clare Barrett on July 23, 2024.

19 Kelly Bartusiak Gilbert ‘09, husband Ruben, and older siblings Ambrose (3) and Raphael (2) welcomed home Maximus Gilbert on September 20, 2024.

20 Sarah Kielbasa Pine ‘06, husband Robert Pine Jr., big sister Lyla, and big brother Wyatt welcomed home Everett Pine on October 15, 2024.

21 Alyse Biszewski Rourke ‘06 and husband Mike welcomed Adalynn Scott on October 16, 2024. Ada is loved so much by older sister Emilia and older brother Will.

22 Maggie Omastiak ‘10, husband John Scarpinato, and older sister Adeline welcomed home baby Margot Scarpinato on October 26, 2024.

23 Diana Burban ‘99 and husband Adam Rauen welcomed home baby Tess Rauen on November 4, 2024. Diana was an English/Journalism teacher at McAuley from 2010-2021.

24 Erin Obiala Rodriguez ‘08 and husband Manny welcomed home baby Lucas Alexander Rodriguez on February 1, 2025.

25 Colleen Frost Piko ‘10, husband Dan, big brother Danny (4) and big sister Maeve (2) welcomed home baby Faye Piko on February 20, 2025.

Not pictured: Melissa Ritter Leyendecker ‘06, husband Ryan, and big brother Beau welcomed home Colt Leyendecker on December 29, 2022.

Bridget Tuzik Hunter ‘05, husband Matt, and older siblings Danny, Teddy, and Libby welcomed home baby Emma Hunter on September 1, 2023.

Therese McCarthy Brendich ‘08, husband Dan, and older sister, Margot, welcomed home baby Charlie Brendich on March 15, 2024.

Alumnae Notes

1970s

Kathleen Gallagher, Ph.D. ‘79 was announced as the Director and George Kaiser Family Foundation Chair and Professor of Education at The University of Oklahoma Early Childhood Education Institute (ECEI) .

1990s

On June 3, 2025, Bridget Duignan ‘95 was the 7th woman to be elected President of the Illinois State Bar Association.

Melissa Berg Flaherty ‘96 is a debut contemporary romance author whose first novel, Pages in the Sand, was released April 11, 2025. Set in the charming seaside town of Seaside Cove, it marks the beginning of her Seasons series, a planned four-book journey exploring love, healing, and self-discovery under the warm sun.

Katie Schumacher-Cawley ‘97, Penn State’s women’s volleyball head coach, received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance on July 16th at the 2025 ESPYS. This past year, Katie led her team to win the NCAA championship amid her battle with breast cancer, and was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year. She is the first female head coach to claim the championship title. She’s pictured with her daughter, Shea, on the field before the White Sox game when she was honored at McAuley Day at the Park.

2000s

Marvet Sweis Drnovsek ‘00 (pictured left) was named on the 2025 Illinois Super Lawyers List, a designation awarded to the top 5% of lawyers in the state. She also was honored to be appointed to the new Advisory Council for the Cook County Clerk of Court by fellow McAuley graduate Hon. Mariyana T. Spyropoulos ‘82 (pictured with Marvet) in June 2025.

2010s

Grace McKee ‘16 was crowned the 2025 South Side Parade Queen.

With a hefty two years worth of exciting updates and news from our alumnae, we have hosted our Alumnae Notes section on our website!

Check out the MIGHTY accomplishments of our alumnae on our website by scanning the QR code!

In Loving Memory

We hold close the memory of the beloved alumnae, family and friends who we have lost over the past two years. As a community, we pray for those in mourning and join together to carry on the spirit of our loved ones.

You can view a listing of those we have lost by scanning the QR code.

Eternal

MASSCARDS

Avarietyofmasscardsareavailablefromthe MotherMcAuleyAlumnaeOffice. $10donationrecommended.

Theselectionincludes:

PEACE&COMFORT | IMPACT | INLOVINGMEMORY

Thespecialintentionswillberememberedatmassescelebrated bytheMotherMcAuleyHighSchoolCommunity.

Formoreinformationortopurchaseamasscard, pleasecontactMeganBeglin mbeglin@mothermcauley.org,or773-881-6559.

rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Mrs. Mary Kay Mannelli (formerly Mrs. Menke)

It is with profound sadness that we honor the memory of Mary Kay Mannelli, a beloved social science faculty member who passed away suddenly on July 25, 2025. In her 31 years at Mother McAuley, she touched many lives and inspired generations of students with her sarcastic sense of humor, warmth, and quick smile.

We mourn her loss as we begin the 2025 - 2026 school year, and hold her memory close.

Mary Kay is the mother of alumna Georgia Menke ‘17

SCHOOL NEWS

Featured on ABC 7 News Flyover Friday

The Volleyball team won the State Championship for the second year in a row, with players and coaches receiving major awards

Ellie White ‘24

Gatorade Player of the Year for the second year in a row

Peyton Heatherly ‘27

MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year for 2023

Jen Rees Dejarld ‘87

National Volleyball Coach of the Year by the National High School Coaches Association for 2023

Hosted the Young Hearts for Life screening event at McAuley - more than 50% of students received a free, potentially life-saving ECG screening

A sold-out weekend of Chicago

Amanda Schuler ‘25 (pictured left) was named to the All-State Orchestra and Amélie Villaseñor ‘25 - All State Chorus and All State Production - first student in McAuley’s history to be selected for both of these prestigious performances in the same year

Makilah Cooley ‘24 shared a reflection on Martin Luther King Jr.’s Christmas Sermon which was featured on WVON AM 1690 Voices of King media campaign

9IHSAState Appearances

MarykateHalleran‘24& NoraWolfeHalpern‘25TennisDoubles

EileenO’Connor‘24-XC

EmilyMangin‘26-XC

2023-2024VolleyballTeam

MaggieZuber‘25-WrestlingMaya Hooks‘25-ShotPut

MaryClaireDeacy‘25-HighJump

JadaJones‘25-100m&200m

SarahSpeski‘24-PoleVault

Professional ABC’s Club won FIRST PLACE in the State Championship Competition for the second year in a row!

Students viewed the solar eclipse on the lawn during the school day

Sophia Rowan ‘24 was named a NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP SEMIFINALIST, and was officially appointed to the UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY at our Honors Assemblyonly the second student in Mother McAuley’s history

Math Macs competed at State

6 VISUAL ART students selected for the IHSAE Senior Scholarship Exhibition

Mother McAuley & Brother Rice Band and Orchestra students traveled to Nashville over Spring Break

A performance by

Student Athletes signed letters of intent to play collegiate sports

Mother McAuley Mariachi Club opened for the Grammy Award-Winning Rock Band, Los Lobos, at the St. Germaine Cinco De Mayo Celebration

SCHOOL NEWS

7 IHSA State Appearances

ACROSS TRACK, WRESTLING, CHEER, SWIMMING & TENNIS

Mary Claire Deacy ‘25 - High Jump

Maggie Zuber ‘25 2nd place in state for Wrestling Cheerleading Team

Wyndel Ellis ‘26 - Swimming

Havillan Dow ‘28 - Tennis

Nora Wilson ‘25 & Kaitlin Zoller ‘25 - Tennis

Kathleen Ilarazza ‘25 & Ella Galey ‘25 - Tennis

Brynn Peloquin ‘25, Evie Skog ‘25 and President Carey Temple Harrington ‘86 were interviewed by CBS Morning News during the Science National Honor Society’s annual Macs Walk for a Cure event. This year, they raised funds for the Y-Me Softball Tournament.

STUDENT ATHLETES signed letters of intent to play collegiate sports this year

A sold-out weekend of Peter Pan Completed 163rd Kairos Retreat

New hires Meredith Obiala Simpson ‘03 and Beth Meyers Shibata ‘03 complete the all-female senior leadership team

AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for the fifth consecutive year

Macs LEAD Club participated in the Polar Plunge with Brother Ricetogether raised over $75,000 for Special Olympics over the last 7 years

CLASS OF 2025 ACCEPTED TO 311 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

11 VISUAL ART STUDENTS were named 2025 Regional Scholastic Art and Writing Award recipients AP SCHOOL HONOR ROLL GOLD AND AP ACCESS AWARD

MATH MACS competed at State

String Orchestra, Chorus, A Cappella and Band students traveled to Ireland over spring break. The students (pictured above), and faculty and administrators (below, from left) Jeremy Eberhard, Principal Dr. Katie Baal, Julie Wogan McKee ‘93, Carrie Peterson Alifantis ‘87 and Jamie Portal Guardi ‘95, honored our school’s history by visiting Catherine’s House on Baggot Street in Dublin.

WAYS TO GIVE

Join us in empowering the next generation of mighty leaders: mighty smart, mighty ambitious, and mighty compassionate.

Mighty Macs graduate with unshakeable confidence and strong Catholic, Mercy values.

Your gift will support our students and the environment that encourages them to learn, explore, lead, and become their authentic selves.

Unrestricted Gift to the McAuley Fund

A gift to the McAuley Fund is used where it is needed the most and helps enrich academic, art, music, technology, athletic, and ministry programs, financial aid, and operational expenses.

Scholarship and Financial Aid

A gift will have a direct impact on a student’s ability to attend McAuley.

Event Sponsorship and Participation

Fore the Macs: Playing it Forward Golf Outing, McAuley Hall of Honor, Celebration, and Mercy Day of Giving are just a few of the events open to sponsorship and attendance.

Catherine’s Garden

Commemorative Bricks are a beautiful way to honor or remember a special person, family, team, or event. Three sizes are available: Standard $200 (8x7), Large $300 (8x14), and Seating Stone $500 (14x8)

Planned Giving

The opportunity to ensure McAuley’s mission remains strong through deferred gifts, such as life insurance, IRAs, wills, bequests, and trusts.

Matching Gift Program

Check with your employer about their Giving Program. There may be an opportunity to multiply the impact of your gift.

Let us help tailor a giving experience that is right for you.

Please contact:

Peggy Evans Rourke ‘76 prourke@mothermcauley.org (773) 881-6547

Make a gift today by scanning the QR code!

Principal Dr.

and

CLASS OF 1973 at their 50th Reunion

50th Reunion

CLASS GIFT

One way to make a gift to Mother McAuley is through a class gift! The classes of 1973 and 1974 celebrated their 50th reunions over the past two years, gathering together to celebrate, reconnect, and reminisce about their days at McAuley.

As part of the reunion efforts, both classes set a goal of raising $50,000 in support of the school that played such an important role in their lives.

We are thrilled and grateful to share that both classes surpassed their goal!

As Fran Robinson ‘74 shared in her address at a McAuley Celebration dinner:

“... The way I see it, you can invest in the stock market. You may win, you may lose. You can invest in Real Estate. You may win, you may lose. But if you invest in these McAuley girls, you will never lose.”

CLASS OF 1974 at their 50th Reunion

Join us for your reunion on October 17 and make a gift today!