A Publication of the NAZARETH
ACADEMY Community
Blueprint FALL 2021
GROWING in
RESILIENCE and
HOPE
IN THIS ISSUE Growing Through Service Alumni Reunion Weekend Alumni Profiles Class Notes In Remembrance
GROWING through Service This spring, a group of CSJ sisters headed south to serve our dear neighbors at an intake facility at the U.S./Mexico border. For two weeks, Sisters Rita Ann Teichman, Mary Pung, Marianne Race ’59, Jackie Schmitz ’64 and Mary Jo Curtsinger (former faculty and current Board member) volunteered at Catholic Charities Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas, where thousands of refugees pass through each year. “Observing the sadness and exhaustion in the eyes of the brave and courageous asylum seekers broke my heart,” said Sister Jackie. “Witnessing their desperation for a better life, I was reminded of my own privileged life and wanted all the more to reach out with the kindness and respect they deserved.” Their duties included organizing and finding clothing for incoming families in the “Ropa (clothing) Room,” distributing toiletries, baby formula and medicines at the “Hygiene Bar/Pharmacy,” and other work that addressed the essential needs of arriving refugees. The refugees stay at the center approximately 2-3 days while waiting for their sponsors to be contacted. Once they are contacted and a bus or plane ticket has been purchased, they are on their way to the next leg of their journey. “This ministry was both heart-breaking and heart-warming,” said Sister Marianne. “We were honored to be able to offer care, respite and simple comforts to these incredible, brave people.” In June, students and alumni also spread out into the community to grow Nazareth’s pillar of service. Over 30 current students volunteered for the Community Builders for Peace Program and a Chicago Service Project with Marillac St. Vincent. At the Quinn Center of St. Eulalia, our Alumni Office kicked off the first annual Circle the Cities event, a week-long celebration of how Naz grads continue to live the pillar of service throughout their lives. Working in gardens and food pantries, preparing meals and decorating bulletin boards, planting and weeding, sorting donations, cleaning and organizing, Roadrunners were called to understand the true nature of service to the dear neighbor, as well as the abundant joy and personal growth that accompany such generosity.
“DURING THIS EXPERIENCE I LEARNED THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE COMPLETING LARGE ACTS IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE SERVICE, EVEN SMALL ACTS OF SERVICE CAN HELP MONUMENTALLY.” –AVA BUCUR ’24
Photos and portions of this story reprinted with permission from the Congregation of St. Joseph.
Dear Nazareth Family,
Nazareth Academy, sponsored by the Congregation of Saint Joseph, is a Catholic, coed, college preparatory high school dedicated to living Jesus’ mission of unity and committed to educating the whole person.
1209 W. Ogden Avenue La Grange Park, Illinois 60526 Phone: 708.354.0061 www.nazarethacademy.com President: Mrs. Deborah Vondrasek Tracy ’82 Principal: Mrs. Therese Uphues Hawkins ’79 Academic Dean: Sr. Terry Middendorf, CSJ ’60 Director of Athletics and Maintenance: Mr. Dennis Moran Dean of Students: Mr. Tim Racki Director of Curriculum and Instruction: Ms. Jessica Radogno Editor: Ms. Alena Murguia ’89 Design and Print: The Stevens Group Please direct comments to: amurguia@nazarethacademy.com View Blueprint online at: www.nazarethacademy.com/blueprint Contact the editor to help stop duplicate and undeliverable mail by updating your address. Your help is appreciated.
Like us! facebook.com/NazarethAcademy Join us! facebook.com/NazarethLGP Alumni Tweet us! twitter.com/NazarethLGP
We can say that as a school and as a community, we are not fully “back to normal.” But we are certainly “back to better.” Our halls are filled with welcomed sounds of laughter and happy students, faculty and staff. Even while wearing masks, the smiles cannot be denied! We remain so proud of the enormous efforts that underscored last school year and are thrilled to be building upon them this fall. This year’s school theme: “Growing in Resilience and Hope….That All May Be One” speaks to us on many levels. As educators we know that we are equipping our students with skills beyond their excellent academic preparation. It is our goal to be teaching and modeling for them, hopeful and resilient ways to deal with life’s inevitable twists and turns. In our darkest and most difficult times, when we are hurting or when we say, “Maybe I’m not enough for this,” we know we need to dig deep into our well of resilience and hope. Our ability to bounce back is largely determined by the strength of skills and endurance of spirit that have been growing over time. This issue will focus on how our current climate demands both strength and optimism. We explore stories and profiles that reflect the ways our school, our students and especially our alumni continue to show both resilience and hope in their professional and personal lives, as well as showcase how Nazareth sets the same tone for the incredible students in our care. Thank you for your prayers and support as we all continue to navigate life’s uncertainty. We hold you in our thoughts and prayers as well.
When we learn how to become resilient, we learn how to embrace the beautifully broad spectrum of the human experience.” -Jaeda Dewalt
Deborah Vondrasek Tracy ’82 President
Therese Uphues Hawkins ’79 Principal
Share us! instagram.com/NazarethLGP pg / 3
NAZ FAMILY PROFILES
Paula Pluta Hajakian Paula Pluta Hajakian’s successful career as a chemical engineer found its roots at Nazareth Academy. In her day, sophomores took surveys to identify potential career paths and engineering was one of her options. That result, combined with her relationship with Sr. Ellen Springer both in the classroom and on The Announcer newspaper staff, cemented her path and she has lived and worked all over the country, developing patents and shining as a leader in her field ever since. Just because her path was clear, doesn’t mean it was easy. As the oldest of five siblings, all of whom graduated from Nazareth, she began her college career at IIT while paying her own way, including a job in a chemical research laboratory. Ultimately she transferred to the University of Massachusetts and worked in a paper mill while pursuing her degree. “At U-Mass, I could really dig into chemical engineering in the paper industry. I also discovered TAPPI (Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry), which opened up educational tools, scholarships and networking that I value to this day.” Paula has chaired several TAPPI committees and helped start the Women in Industry Division, which honored her this spring with the Woman of the Year Award.
Naturally there were challenges over her 30+ years in the industry. She was one of only a handful of women when she began her career. She was a single mother raising her daughter while moving from plant to plant. She chose an industry that demands 24/7 attention and any number of unplanned emergencies. But she found resilience in her education. “Nothing I’ve done could have happened without my education. No matter what life throws at you, nothing can take your education away. The doors it opened allowed me to pay for childcare and provide a home for my daughter and me.” Paula also believes in the power of looking forward. “I am always planning for my own future, looking for all the potential paths. Thinking through the possibilities gives me a sense of control over the uncontrollable.” She is comfortable addressing obstacles not only head-on, but over, around and under if necessary. Paula also points out that the greatest resilience stems from having a strong base to start with. “I find my foundation in faith and family. Knowing the strength I have in those allows me to always ask myself where I can go from here.”
“NOTHING I’VE DONE COULD HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT MY EDUCATION. NO MATTER WHAT LIFE THROWS AT YOU, NOTHING CAN TAKE YOUR EDUCATION AWAY. THE DOORS IT OPENED ALLOWED ME TO PAY FOR CHILDCARE AND PROVIDE A HOME FOR MY DAUGHTER AND ME.”
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NAZ FAMILY PROFILES
Sr. Terry Middendorf, CSJ FIFTY YEARS! Very few people stay at one job for 20 or 30 years, much less 50. But then again, most people don’t have the “privilege of working in a place like Nazareth Academy, that is so deserving of loyalty and enthusiasm for its mission,” explains Sr. Terry Middendorf, who began her 50th year as a Naz employee with the 2021-22 school year. Over her tenure she has held a variety of positions, including math teacher, Math Department Chair, Academic Dean and Director of Admissions. She taught math at least part time from 1972 until the mid-1990s because she valued her connection to and relationship with her students. “As a frosh-soph teacher, I had the chance to know pretty much every student within four years. I still miss that.” Sr. Terry’s determination to build those connections stemmed from her own experience as a Naz student. “Even then I knew I wanted to come back and teach here. Even though I wasn’t mature enough to name what I was experiencing, I had an intuitive sense of the goodness of this place and was drawn to the strong relationships I witnessed among the students and the Sisters who taught us.” In fact, 2021 also marks Sr. Terry’s 60th Jubilee as a Sister of St. Joseph, which only deepens her connection to Nazareth. “I appreciate that Nazareth is ours, the Sisters’. The mission remains consistent. The school itself is always changing - a new campus, the move to coed education, modular to traditional to block scheduling - but the people I have worked with have kept me steady. There has always been someone to encourage me or to support me or to push me forward.”
“... I HAD AN INTUITIVE SENSE OF THE GOODNESS OF THIS PLACE AND WAS DRAWN TO THE STRONG RELATIONSHIPS I WITNESSED AMONG THE STUDENTS AND THE SISTERS WHO TAUGHT US.”
There have been times she’s needed that push. As the Academic Dean, Sr. Terry assembles all students’ class schedules each year. “I enjoy puzzles and I enjoy making a schedule that helps students find success in high school, but when Nazareth decided to move to a block schedule in 2019, I was sure I couldn’t do it. I said I couldn’t do it, but Therese [Hawkins] told me to just go back and try again. I trusted her leadership as much as she trusted me to figure it out. That’s how Nazareth works.” That forward-thinking mentality is something Sr. Terry credits for continually sparking resilience. “Every time we turn the page to a new class, we are looking at a number which is five years out. The gift of always looking ahead is that you can’t just accept the way things are, because you know that when that class graduates, the world is going to look different. They have to be ready for it; therefore, we have to be ready for it.”
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NAZ FAMILY PROFILES
Shannon Swilley Shannon Swilley, Principal at Central Middle School, credits his passion for education to teachers who impacted him beyond the content material to truly engage his mind. “Even in middle school, when I didn’t want to go to any class other than PE, I didn’t mind social studies because of my teacher Mr. Thomas. Then at Nazareth, Bill Milano blew me away with his socratic method because it was so immersive. I wanted to be like them.” It wasn’t always easy. At Olivet Nazarene, where Shannon received an academic and athletic scholarship, his first experience in an actual classroom was so disappointing he left the education program. “I switched to a history major and it took a couple of years before I felt truly able to follow my heart again.” Now, with two Masters degrees in Teaching and School Improvement and Leadership, plus years of classroom and administrative experience under his belt, Shannon can look back at the missteps and challenges as part of the process.
“YOU ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE PRESENTED WITH CHALLENGES IN LIFE. WHAT MATTERS IS WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO FIGHT FOR YOUR DREAMS OR CHOOSE TO RUN AWAY FROM THEM.”
Over his career he has fought hard to take care of the emotional well-being of students and to advocate for equity in education, including developing and teaching the African American History curriculum at Kankakee High School. Growing up the 14th of 17 brothers and sisters, Shannon was witness to both challenges and dreams. “I’ve been blessed beyond measure to always be surrounded by people who helped me to dream and stood as a bridge for me to remain future focused." First it was his brother Baxter ’93 who paved the way at Naz. “I never lose sight of the opportunity Nazareth provided me with. I’m not sure to this day if the adults there knew some of our hardships at home, but people like Bill Milano and Nancy Ryan were always there with an extra bit of help or moment of attention. I stood on the shoulders of everyone who helped me find my way.”
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Shannon remains inspired and strengthened by both his family and the students he works with and for. He positively lights up talking about the blessings of his wife Jillian, a nurse, and his three children, Isaiah, a freshman at Howard University and his two high schoolers Micah and Leah. “I keep a picture of them behind where students sit when they come to my office. That way I am always reminded to treat students the way I want my children to be treated.” One of the things I tell them is that “you are never doing this by yourself. If you can find the courage to take the first step, someone will be there to walk with you. And maybe that’s where hope grows … in that space where you just decide to do the next right thing.”
NAZ FAMILY PROFILES
Meagan Gallagher Outsiders might see Meagan Gallager’s accolades and success in the nonprofit sector as a sign of her confident rise through the ranks, but Meagan herself is more likely to describe her career as a series of blessings in disguise. “Going back to my senior year at Nazareth when I was wait-listed for my top college choice, I have faced experiences that I could view as failures.” From that setback, to a disappointing layoff, to the COVID crisis, Meagan has had experiences that have felt more like endings than beginnings. “I knew early that I had to find a way to change the negatives in my mind to opportunities or gifts.” The key was to focus her energy on service. “Service is who I am at my core. Volunteering in high school taught me that the world was much bigger than me, my friends and family. I saw people with much bigger struggles and learned how to use my voice and privilege to help others. Service set the foundation for me to be a global citizen.” In 2002, after an internship volunteering at Disney World with the Youth Education Series, Meagan fell in love with Florida. “Moving unexpectedly was another time that life veered off course. I never thought I would be teaching physics, much less teaching it on a roller coaster, but I learned that I wanted to work directly with people and I didn’t want to be in a classroom.” By focusing her career in the nonprofit world, Meagan found growth and fulfillment as the Program Manager for Best Buddies International and the Assisted Living Administrator at Bishop Grady Villas, a residential community for adults with intellectual
and developmental disabilities. Meanwhile she met and married her husband David Coutant and continued her education at Rollins College, earning a B.A. and M.B.A. and is currently working toward her Executive Doctorate in Business Administration. But when she was laid off from Bishop Grady in 2019, she needed to recalibrate again. She spent over a year consulting which allowed her to “take a step back to focus on myself as a leader and examine the impact I want to make on this world.” When a job opened up for the Executive Director of Tijuana Flats Just In Queso Foundation, Meagan took the chance and started somewhere new just as the country shut down in March of 2020. She went into action, helping create a program where area restaurants partner to collect donations and provide meals to frontline workers. “We helped keep restaurants open, employees in their jobs and gave our team members an opportunity to give back to their communities during a time when people weren’t sure where or how to help.” Meagan was honored by the Red Cross in Florida for her work on this project and her commitment to volunteerism far beyond the scope of her job, but for Meagan the true reward is the work. “Seeing the great work that nonprofits are doing inspires me daily. Working with, leading, mentoring and listening to young people in nonprofits inspires me and reminds me why I choose to work in this field.”
“MS. VONDRASEK [TRACY], SISTER BETH AND MRS. WHITE WERE ALL SO INFLUENTIAL DURING MY STUDENT DAYS BECAUSE THEY CONSISTENTLY MODELED FAITH, KINDNESS, COMPASSION, LOVE AND LEADERSHIP. THEY DEFINITELY SHAPED ME INTO THE WOMAN I AM TODAY.”
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NAZ FAMILY PROFILES
Patrick Manno After almost 17 years in law enforcement with the Illinois State Police, Pat Manno truly understands the need to be resilient on a daily basis. “We are often encountering citizens on their worst days. They’re confused, maybe hurt, often scared. The best outcomes happen when I remain calm and focused on solving whatever the problem is.” That calm, thoughtful approach has served Pat well, not only in his career, but in life as well. “I know that each day I get up, life may have something new to throw at me, but I’m trained to assess the entire situation before jumping to conclusions or reacting to the raw emotions.” Pat is quick to point out that working on resiliency started long before he became a State Trooper. “All through Naz I played baseball and that is a slow-paced game of failure; I learned to be patient throughout the adversity and, thanks to Coach [Lee] Milano, discovered ways to create opportunities for successful results.” Learning how to work a count in the batter’s box and control his emotions during games laid the foundation for Pat to see challenges and failures as a way to grow as a person. He also counts himself lucky to have been raised in a family, along with brothers Anthony ’96 and Tom ’99, that reflected those same values and lucky to have lived next door to another Naz family. “Mrs. [Therese] Hawkins is like another mother to me. She has always modeled commitment and drive to make Nazareth better, and that always centered around us, the students.”
“THAT WAS REALLY THE KEY THING AT NAZ. WE WERE NURTURED AS YOUNG PEOPLE, ENCOURAGED TO SHOW RESPECT, TO WORK HARD AND TO STICK WITH A PROJECT FROM START TO FINISH AND THAT’S HOW WE GREW. YOU DIDN’T QUIT WHEN IT GOT HARD.” Likewise, when COVID had most of Illinois in quarantine or sheltering in place, quitting wasn’t an option. Law enforcement was on the front line and life was moving forward. In Pat’s case, there were many positives to balance the challenges, including a wedding to his wife Millie and a move to a new home.
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Beyond his family, Pat has also found hope in his extended network of friends, many of whom are Nazareth-based. “There is this incredible network of people who are there for support – personally and professionally.” But reaching out for that support isn’t always easy; whether through his experience with fellow officers feeling the strain of the front lines or working with student-athletes during his time as a Naz baseball coach, Pat understands the vulnerability inherent in admitting you need help. “I appreciate the focus on mental health within law enforcement and I hope that society continues to keep pushing the fact that it’s actually admirable to have the courage to ask for help. That's how we'll all grow."
ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND
APRIL 1-3, 2022
The Alumni Office has been hard at work planning an all-new weekend of celebrations for our beloved Naz Alum, now scheduled for April 1-3, 2022. All alumni are invited to attend any and all parts of this Reunion Weekend as we celebrate classes ending in 0, 1, 2, 5, 6, 7. “While we are always thrilled to welcome back alums and celebrate our Poms, Cheer, Band and Football alums at halftime of our fall Homecoming, we decided to move our significant reunions and Four Pillars Mass & Reception to the spring because it offers our alums a better opportunity to see our campus and also allows current students to participate in our Four Pillars Mass,” explained Colleen Cook ’88, Alumni & Donor Relations Manager. The move to spring also allows Nazareth to catch up on Hall of Fame inductions which have been delayed since 2020.
Friday, April 1 7-10 p.m. Alumni Reception in Hanson Dining Hall & School Tours
Saturday, April 2 Significant Class Reunions take place throughout the day/night
FOUR PILLARS 2022 Scholarship Dr. Michael Pulia ’97 Service Kristen Kierulf Mighty ’00 Spirit Judy Nix ’61 Unity Meagan Gallagher ’99
2020 FINE ARTS HALL OF FAME Jennifer Aparicio ’02 David Bowman ’86 Ryan Jagiello ’93
Sunday, April 3 10 a.m. Four Pillars Mass & Reception We will honor Four Pillars 2022, Fine Arts Hall of Fame 2020 and Athletic Hall of Fame 2022 inductees. Reunions All significant reunions are run by class rep volunteers. Reunion information is on the alumni website at www.nazarethacademyalumni.org. If you are interested in coordinating your class reunion, please contact Colleen Cook ’88 at ccook@nazarethacademy.com or 708-387-8506.
2022 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME Athlete - Matt Behrendt ’11 Athlete - Shannon Cawley ’11 Athlete - Debbie Murphy Kehoe ’91 Athlete - Matt Wilkinson ’02
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ALUMNI UPDATES
Young Alum (2011-2021) Michael Rooney ’20 was inducted into
Sarah Reynolds ’16 graduated from
Phi Kappa Phi honor society in April. He’s in the top 12 academically of 1200 in his West Point class.
Elmhurst College and is teaching at Addison Trail High School in the English and Literacy Departments.
Congrats to Jacklyn Alfred ’19 who was inducted into the Saint Xavier University chapter of Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology.
Bridget Adams-King ’15 made her
In his first season with Iowa Western Reiver Football, Michael Love ’19 earned a National Junior College Athletic Association All-American Honorable Mention. In March Bridget Lockie ’18 was officially sworn in and named a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). She joined “this admirable organization to ensure that all abused and neglected children within our community feel cared for, represented, and have a voice in the court and foster care system.” In summer 2021, Bridget also accepted an internship position with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ Membership/Major Gifts team. Daniel Wilkinson ’18 earned induction
into the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society at DePauw University. Chi Alpha Sigma recognizes college student-athletes who earn a varsity letter in at least one sport while maintaining a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA throughout their junior and senior years. David Zavala ’17
graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Knox College and was recognized for academic excellence by the Knox College Department of Chemistry (Cum Laude) and received the ACS Division of Organic Chemistry Undergraduate Award in Organic Chemistry. David has started his Ph.D. Program in Organic Chemistry at Stony Brook University and was offered/earned a full tuition scholarship for his Ph.D. program along with an annual stipend as a full-time doctoral graduate research assistant. pg pg // 10 8
television debut in May, appearing in an episode of Chicago P.D. With the fastest time in the mile in DIII for 2021, a Coast Guard Academy record, and a facility record, Maeve Roach ’17 was the 2021 DIII Elite Mile Champion. In May, Ensign Roach graduated from the Coast Guard Academy and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. Maeve accepted her commission from her father, U.S. Navy Captain Paul Roach, and received her diploma from President Biden. Maeve graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Maeve has been assigned to the Coast Guard Cyber Command in Washington, D.C.
In March, Michael Owens ’15 graduated from the Field Artillery Basic Officer Leaders Course at Fort Sill. In April, he reported to Ft. Benning for Ranger and Airborne School, and then finally to Ft. Bragg to start at 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division.
Jake Panek ’17 graduated with a BA
in Communication Television Arts from Bradley University and was recognized by Bradley’s Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts with the Global Scholars Award. Congratulations to Carson Bartels ’16 on being named All-Big East First Team for baseball. Carson is a graduate student at St. John’s University. In June, Carson signed a professional contract to play ball with the Southern Illinois Miners from the Frontier League. Congratulations to Julia Durnell ’16 who was elected to the Alumni Association Board of Directors for Illinois State University. Carol Frugoli ’16 was awarded a Top 5
Petitioner’s Brief out of a pool of 140+ talented classmates at UIC Law School Moot Court Honors Program. Thrilled to see Lelandra Randle ’16 recognized by Jumpstart as a Remarkable Woman in HR for 2021. “These women are doing the hard work to advance the world of recruiting and push forward diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.” Lelandra works in Recruiting/ Diversity & University Programs at Teladoc Health.
Congratulations to Devinne Love ’14 who completed her American Staffing Association Technical Services Certification and was promoted to Technical Recruiter at blueStone Staffing. Michael Perry ’13 was
sworn in as a Trooper for the Illinois State Police and is assigned to District Chicago. Caitlin Salvino ’13 played the part
of Caroline Shelton in Paul Inman’s That Feeling with Dollar Baby, a Stephen King short movie program. The film will make the rounds of film festivals this fall. Congratulations to Rebecca Hosek ’11 who was recently promoted to Controller of Executive Construction, Chicago. Rebecca supports the CFO, leads the accounting team and serves as a key contact to outside financial partners.
ALUMNI NEWS
Class Notes Meaghan Foody ’08 accepted a position at
Matt DiBari ’00 was promoted to Chief
the University of Iowa as a clinical professor. She’ll be working with graduate students in the clinic and hospital to educate them on how to work with people who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Product Officer of SpotHero. According to Business Wire, “DiBari’s role will expand to include leading long-term product strategy, vision and innovation at SpotHero. He will continue building upon his previous role’s work, which includes leading the SpotHero product management and product design teams as they work across the two-sided parking marketplace toward the creation of customer and operator value.”
Molly Mojden ’08 became Principal at
Tennyson Knolls Preparatory School, part of Westminster Public Schools in Arvada, Colorado. Roberto Paniagua ’07, an
account executive at Google in Chicago, was named the University of Iowa 2021 Tippie Young Alum of the Year. The honor is awarded to an alumnus of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business who has achieved a distinguished level of professional/ career success, is engaged in the life of the college, and is under the age of 40. Congrats to Roberto not only on his business success, but for all the ways he continues to live the pillar of Service.
The American Red Cross of Central Florida honored Tijuana Flats Just in Queso Foundation Executive Director Meagan Gallagher ’99 as a ‘Hero Among Us for Outstanding Acts of Humanity and Selflessness’ in June. Read more on page 7.
Congrats to Steve Ryan ’04 and the many Naz Alum on his team at RyTech, LLC. RyTech was named one of the fastest growing, privately held companies in the Midwest by Inc. Magazine in the spring. Colleen Slattery Enger ’02 and Therese Porod ’11 are both speech-language
pathologists at Pleasantdale Elementary School and have enjoyed sharing an office for the past three years. Congratulations to Maria Onesto Moran ’01. She accepted the Vocational Leadership Award from Helping Hand Center in August on behalf of her company, Green Home Experts.
Principal at Central Middle School Evergreen Park D124. Read more on page 6. Tim O’Brien ’89, former Vice President of
the Park District of La Grange Board, was elected to fill a vacancy on the La Grange Village Board in August. Village President Mark Kuchler said, “His enthusiasm and dedication to serving the public will be beneficial to the residents of La Grange.”
In May Paula Pluta Hajakian ’84 was elected “Woman of the Year” by TAPPI’s Women in Industry Division. She was also recognized in the July/August 2021 version of Paper 360 magazine in the “Top 50 Power List.” Read more on page 4.
promoted to Assistant Director of Special Education for Hinsdale Township. promoted to VP of Finance & Operations at Mayslake Village.
Shannon Swilley ’95 has been named
Huge congratulations to Nazareth’s Head Girls Golf Coach Nicole Jeray ’88, who qualified for the 2021 U.S. Women’s Senior Open, ultimately finishing tied for 23rd. She also tied for 26th at the Senior LPGA Championship.
Sara Hawkins Pendergrass ’07 has been
Joseph Saraceno ’06 CPA has been
Congratulations to Dana Olson Storino ’96. Her short story, “Keep it in the Closet” made the Strands Publishing long list in their short story competition. Another piece, “The Next Four Minutes” was accepted into the online magazine, Her View From Home.
Class of 1977, still having great times together!
Flapjack Brewery, a brewery and wood-fired pizza spot co-owned by Paul Macchione ’98, was featured on Chicago’s Best TV in May. Dr. Michael Pulia ’97
is the recipient of the 2021 Wisconsin Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physician’s Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Pulia’s nomination was submitted based on his pioneering work over the last decade to raise awareness and advance the science of antibiotic stewardship in the emergency department of the University of Wisconsin Medical Center. This is an important advancement for emergency medicine, patient safety and public health.
This group gathered at Maria Belmonte’s lake house in Saugatuck, Michigan. Maria’s son Drew Rautenberg ’17 popped in to say hi too! Front row: Patty Boyce Doyle,
Patti McMahon Andrews, Lisa Turchan and Erin McDonnell Leahy. Back row: Susan Long Kolb, Maria Belmonte and Patti McAuliffe Powers. It was a great time.
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ALUMNI NEWS
Class Notes continued A few ladies from Class of 1971 gathered in July to reminisce. They visited with each other for a few days and toured “Old & New Naz” as they shared lots of memories and laughter. Thanks for visiting Dorothy Colgan Knoll, Sally Smith Kronholm, Lynn Larsen Hayes, Claudia Wendt Vann and Terri Blaha Clune.
The “Naughty Naz Girls” - Class of ’61! They still love getting together. Clockwise from left to right: Bonnie Kuklinski Layher, Jeanine Radous Soloy, Maryelln Visek Szwed and Mary Kay McNamara Reeg.
Happy Jubilee! We are so proud of the work of Sister Pat Borchardt, Sister Barbara Lord and Sister Marybeth McDermott from the Class of 1950 and Sister Terry Middendorf and Sister Mary Lou Pleitner from the Class of 1960. Thank you for the ways you have lived your mission and the charism of the Congregation of St. Joseph as well as the many ways you have remained connected to Nazareth Academy. Class of 1955, class rep Jenny Palzer Jarosz
will be emailing all classmates regarding their upcoming reunion in April 2022. Please contact her by phone at 312.405.1962 if you do not have email and leave a message if you want more info on the reunion in April. Nazareth was proud to welcome new faces to our Faculty and Staff in 2021-22. We were especially proud to welcome back many alumni who are returning home, including Erin Grogan Burba ’01, Liz Letcher Marsh ’05, Bobby Lee ’08 and Abbie Straziota Marincus ’10.
Weddings OCTOBER
JUNE
Jacob Mijares ’10 married
Dana Hillsman ’11 married CJ Ryan
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in June. The wedding party included Kayleigh Ryan Kelly ’11, Anna Tassi ’11, Maura Johnson ’11, Danielle Scaletta Krull ’11, Dulie Herr ’11, Julie Maline ’11, Charlie Herr ’09, Tom Herr ’13, Steven Ryan ’09 and Michael Hillsman ’15.
g
Tiffany Tannhauser last October. His groomsmen included Michael Martinez ’11. NOVEMBER Shamika Pearson ’99 married
Justin Washington in November. Her uncle Sean Pearson ’91 and cousins Tagen Pearson ’20 and Talen Pearson ’24 were also present. g
MAY Megan Hawkins ’10 married Oliver Sloup in May. She was attended by her sisters Sara Hawkins Pendergrass ’07 and Allison Hawkins ’09. Principal Therese Uphues Hawkins ’79 is mother of the bride.
g
In June, Jane Schiffler ’10 married Phil Sexton at St. Francis Xavier. The wedding party included Matt Schiffler ’05, Julie Schiffler ’08 and Julie Spidale Schiffler ’08. AUGUST
This August Sarah Wozniak ’13 wed Robert Filec. Members of the bridal party included Emily Wozniak Szymanski ’10, Lindsey Torphy ’14 and Emylee Zdarsky ’15.
SHARE YOUR GOOD NEWS! Alumni news and photos can be sent to ccook@nazarethacademy.com pg / 12
ALUMNI NEWS
Births
In Memoriam JULY Joe Nuzzo ’02 and Dana Scalzitti Nuzzo ’04
welcomed their first baby, Santino John, in July.
March 2021 - August 2021
We prayerfully remember all those in the Nazareth community who have passed away. Katie Balaskas, mother of Barbara Balaskas Fox ’78 James Beatty, father of Jim Beatty ’83 and Kathy Beatty Wunderlich ’83 Paulette Cannon, mother of Curtis Cannon ’08 Sr. Thomas Eileen Coha, CSJ ’48, aunt of Kathleen Kovacevic Drenth ’72
AUGUST
Donna Cook, mother of Cathleen Cook Carroll ’80, Christine Cook ’81, Charlie Cook ’86 and Colleen Cook ’88
Katie Maietta Regan ’99 and
John “Johnny” Donaldson ’85
husband Philip welcomed baby #2, Lucinda, in August. Big brother Gabe is loving his baby sister.
Dick DuSatko, father of Dawn DuSatko ’82, Rich DuSatko ’86 and Bridget DuSatko Bachara ’90 Jean Snell Farrar ’51 Steve Farrell, father of Steven Farrell ’14 Cindy Wendt Goetz ’73 Dr. Barbara Witczak Hartnett ’64
Jessica Janus Stahl ’09
Sr. Rosemary Huddleston, OP ’58
and husband Westin welcomed their first baby in August. Future Roadrunner, Owen Michael, arrived at 8.5 lbs and was 20 inches long.
Robert Joyce, father of Matthew Joyce ’83 Lorraine King ’47 Francie Heenan Krick (former faculty) Conrad Joanis, father of Kevin Joanis ’96 and Erin Joanis Henry ’99 Margarita Valvoda Johnson ’59 Paul Lareau, father of Carol Lareau Barlow ’87, Jennifer Lareau Baxa ’89, Karen Lareau Patel ’94, Elizabeth Lareau ’97 Catherine Moore Lemcovitz ’44 Gayle Reimann Males ’57 Lorenzo Medrano, father of Sondra Medrano Savino ’89
Matt McGrath ’09 married Paige Henry in August.
Naz was well represented in the wedding party with Colleen McGrath Yoo ’99, Sean Kelly ’12, Matthew Eraci ’09, Michael Reynolds ’09, Christopher Gray ’09, Steven Murphy ’09 and Mark O’Connor ’09. Laura Kelly Smith ’74 is mother of the groom.
Joanne Mensik, mother of Sarah Mensik Booth ’96 (TK Booth ’96) and Kimberly Mensik Santoro ’96 (TJ Santoro ’96) Margaret Tolomeo Pedota ’74, mother of Frank Pedota ’01, Nicole Pedota Steinhouse ’02, Philip Pedota ’07 and Dominic Pedota ’13 (fiance Ari Galvan ’13) Donna Russell Pieniazek ’71
g
Peter Sako, father of Anna Sako ’22 Claire Serdiuk-Anderson ’92, wife of Kurt Anderson ’83 and sister of Andrew Serdiuk ’87 Kathleen “Katie” Shoevlin ’74, daughter of Nancy Kersten Shoevlin ’48, sister of Maureen Shoevlin ’73, Sue Shoevlin Vestal ’75, Maggie Shoevlin Arellano ’81 and Jennifer Shoevlin Saldukas ’83 Patricia Terracino, mother of Jill Terracino Holtz ’87 and James Terracino ’89 Theron Tobolski ’93, brother of Janeane Tobolski Hanus ’85 and Tim Tobolski ’87 Charles “Chuck” Usher, father of Andrew Usher ’82, Martha Usher Lamke ’84 and the late Michael Usher ’90, grandfather of Charles Usher ’13. Joyce Wagner, mother of Michael Wagner ’89
Please notify Nazareth Academy of the death of an alumnus. We apologize for any errors that occur in this In Memoriam section. pg / 13
IN MEMORIAM
In Remembrance
FRANCIE KRICK Beloved Spanish teacher Francie (Heenan) Krick, 75, passed away peacefully in March. She was the loving wife for 47 years to the late Harold “Hal” J. Krick and aunt to many adored nieces and nephews and to great nieces and nephews, her “kids.” Francie was known for kindness to her “kids,” never forgetting a card that would arrive on the day of their birthday and randomly leaving “smiley” cookies at their doorstep. Señora Krick was a high school Spanish teacher for over 40 years, spending 24 of those at Nazareth, where she was beloved for her high standards of teaching and ability to produce true “Spanish speakers” who went on to higher education with emphasis in Spanish. Francie, who was born with cerebral palsy that was hidden from most people due to her graceful carriage and positive spirit, bore all challenges in silence and lived her life with exemplary strength. News of her passing elicited an outpouring of love and affection from alumni who remembered her.
My deepest sympathy to Señora Krick’s family. I spent many mornings before school just visiting with her in her classroom. She was one of my favorite teachers! RIP Señora Krick.
Sra. Krick was so kind and sweet, and she was my first-ever world language teacher. I learned a lot from her, and at times last year, I even channeled her Spanish skills as I stepped in to teach a language class. What a lovely soul!
–Debbie Gentilini Kwilas ’90
–Laura Medina ’02
SRA. KRICK WAS A TREASURE... TO HER STUDENTS, HER COWORKERS, TO NAZARETH ACADEMY. SHE TOUCHED SO MANY LIVES, INCLUDING MINE! REST IN PEACE DEAR FRIEND. –PATT ROWE KLOD ’62
“en mi alma en mi corazon en mi vida, me abriste la puerta de tu mundo.” Really sad to hear this news. I used to sneak into her class and hide on Fridays my junior year when I was no longer taking Spanish just to sing. –Will Allison ’96
pg / 14
I was a tough cookie to teach but some teachers did get through to me. She was one. Thank you and Rest In Peace. –Jim DeFalco ’91
God bless Señora Krick.
She touched so many lives, mine included. With a special smile and positive attitude, she made you feel like you were the most important person in the room. Always coaching, mentoring, teaching. What a blessing she was and how sad this news is. –Steve Ryan ’04
One of my absolute favorite teachers, and I still remember so much from her classes. She was also an amazing colleague. I came to her for teaching advice on more than one occasion, and she always gave me 100% of her focus and time as if she didn’t have a million other things to do.
I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT SRA. KRICK'S PASSING. SHE WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON, A GREAT TEACHER AND SHE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL IN THE NAZ COMMUNITY.
–Michael Bradt ’96
–STEVEN KRIZ ’02
NAZ BY THE NUMBERS 20
Naz Alum are members of the Faculty & Staff
In May,
203
14 seniors
245
were blessed as new Eucharistic Ministers at Opening School Mass
students took
AP exams in
12
3A
different subject areas
AP exams in 12 different subject areas
Baseball capped off their 2021 season with a 3A Regional Championship
17 6
juniors and seniors were named as College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars
Thank you to the 1850 donors who showed their support for Nazareth during the 2020-21 fiscal year
Environmental Club partnered with CRTI and Morton Arboretum to plant 17 new trees on campus as part of Earth Day
1250
Our summer camp programs drew 1250 kids, ages 5-18, for sports, drama and even a mini-superhero week
THE CLASS OF 2025 is 186 strong from 55 grade schools in 35 communities
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