Issuu

A Publication of the NAZARETH

ACADEMY Community

Blueprint SPRING 2021

STRONGER TOGETHER IN THIS ISSUE A Family United Naz Family Profiles New Naz Nurses Naz by the Numbers Class Notes and more

A FAMILY UNITED “In every conceivable manner, the family is a link to our past, bridge to our future.” – Alex Haley Allow us to add to the great author Alex Haley that family is also a source of strength for our present. We talk a lot about Family at Nazareth because we recognize that we are more than a collection of students and teachers. We are more than a winning sports team or an after-school club or spring musical. The bonds that unite and strengthen us are best described as family. To be sure, our family has been tested by the events of the past 13 months, but, like the 120 years that preceded them, we have found strength in the many ways our family comes together for a common purpose. In the work our students are doing, we can find a link to the long legacy of service and unity instilled by the Congregation of St. Joseph, as well as a bridge to building a better and brighter future.

Archdiocesan Advisory Group for Racial Equity and Justice Racial tensions and injustice led to a call for action by Cardinal Cupich for our Catholic schools to change the narrative and become champions for racial equity and justice. Eight Nazareth students from every grade level are joining hundreds of students from 30 high schools around Chicagoland to meet virtually and discuss issues around race in their schools and communities with the hope of finding common solutions and ideas for progress. “We are so proud to participate in this effort,” said Principal Therese Hawkins. “The work of this group perfectly compliments what we have been doing in our school community around diversity, equity and inclusion. I am eager for our student participants to hear about what other students and schools have been experiencing and how, as a group, they can become a powerful force for change.”

Service Partnership with Ronald McDonald House For several years, Nazareth’s extracurricular clubs, including Student Council and Class Boards, have been building a relationship with RMH by preparing meals for residents. Even without that service option during Covid, JustUs, our social justice group, sponsored a school-wide drive for individual toiletries for guests at the Ronald McDonald House. Club member Megan Henehan ’21 explained that “JustUs wanted to do anything we could to make these families’ lives a little easier and a little brighter. Timing the Drive during Catholic Schools Week reflects the CSJ value of being a dear neighbor as we saw that people nearby were facing this pandemic much harder than most of us could ever imagine; we wanted to help. Helping people erases the idea of us vs. them.” The response was overwhelming, leading to a donation containing 418 items and $365 worth of restaurant gift cards.

Dear Nazareth Academy Alumni, Families and Friends,

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

strength /streNG(k)TH/ noun

1. The quality or state of being physically strong 2. The capacity to withstand great force or pressure 3. The ability to function and perhaps even thrive during a worldwide pandemic!

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

Who knew that strength would be one of the most needed gifts of the past year? Reflecting upon the past thirteen months, it is clear that each of us had to dig deep into our personal reserve. Physical strength in staying healthy, making smart choices in relationship to COVID and getting rest were certainly important. But this year’s strength required so much more. The definition of “strength” has expanded during this challenging time (see definition #3 above). We watched it happen both in exponentially quick fashion in terms of adjustment, creativity and problem solving ... and also in slow motion as members of our Nazareth family (ourselves included) had no other choice but to ultimately embrace our new realities. In the immediate, we all jumped in with strong resolve to make “it” work. Our school life, our personal life, everything ... but as the weeks and months unfolded, it became ever so evident that there was no way through this alone. We witnessed the strength of our Naz Family in full force and in high gear. Over and over again. The stories included in this issue of Blueprint are just a few of the many, many points of pride for us. You were strong and you are strong, and you continue to dig deep for yourselves and for others. You make us thankful and proud every single day. We are, indeed, Stronger Together.

Tweet us! twitter.com/NazarethLGP Share us! instagram.com/NazarethLGP

Deborah Vondrasek Tracy ’82 President

Therese Uphues Hawkins ’79 Principal

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NAZ FAMILY PROFILES pg / 4

New Nurses: Strong in Mission

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NAZARETH ACADEMY HAS A STRONG LEGACY OF GRADUATES WHO CHOOSE CAREERS IN HEALTHCARE. NEVER BEFORE HAVE WE WITNESSED THEIR STRENGTH SO POWERFULLY AS DURING THIS COVID PANDEMIC. WHAT’S MORE, SEVERAL YOUNG ALUM STARTED THEIR NURSING CAREERS DURING THIS CRISIS, DRAWING ON THEIR KNOWLEDGE, SENSE OF CARE AND COWORKERS TO OVERCOME THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES OF THIS YEAR. WE REACHED OUT TO A FEW TO FIND OUT HOW THEY ARE REMAINING #NAZSTRONG.

Karli Chambers Christ Medical Center Medical/Surgical Float Nurse I chose a career in nursing based on my experiences with the medical field and because I wanted to give back to others because of the impact nurses have made on my family. I have always loved helping others so the career seemed suited for me, but I could have never planned for a worldwide pandemic in my first year. Starting my career like this has helped me develop skills and knowledge in a timely manner and has taught me how to handle a patient whose status is declining rapidly. It has no doubt been very challenging, but it has also been extremely rewarding in so many ways. As a float nurse, I don’t work with COVID patients daily; but when I do work with them, I have learned that encouragement, calming their nerves and anxieties, and making them comfortable with their status are skills just as important as monitoring their vital signs, labs and symptoms. The pandemic has created chaos within communities and within our country, but I have noticed that the emotional darkness of the pandemic has affected patients more than anything, reinforcing the lessons that easing their minds is just as important as providing them necessary medical care. Ultimately, working in a pandemic as a new grad nurse has turned out to be extremely rewarding.

Lily Franko Northwestern Memorial Hospital Kidney/Liver Transplant Floor I’ve always been drawn to the medical field but didn’t know what exactly I wanted to do. When I had surgery in high school, I was inspired by the nurses and their ability to provide healing comfort both physically and mentally. I’m the first person to become a nurse in my family, so I went into it all pretty blindly. Aside from the typical challenges any new nurses face, this year we’ve been faced with the added challenge of COVID and all that comes with it. One of the hardest parts for the patients on my floor is that visiting hours are very limited and they are not often able to see their loved ones before they go down for surgery or once they return to the floor. It’s my job to act as a sort of substitute for their loved ones, and try to calm their nerves. Although it’s a large void to fill, it’s been so rewarding being able to get to know my patients better and know that I’m giving them the support they need before one of the scariest moments of their life. It’s the little moments with patients that make it all worth it. In March, I gave vaccines at Northwestern to those who qualified in the 1B group. It was so rewarding to see everything come full circle and see how far we’ve come in one year. Although we still have a long way to go, seeing the smiles and hearing the gratitude from everyone gave me hope for the future.

Sarah Janek Northwestern Memorial Hospital Orthopedic/Trauma Floor and COVID-19 Critical Care Step-down Unit I was drawn to nursing because I wanted to combine my passion for helping people with my love of science. I felt nurses interact with patients the most and thus, have the greatest opportunities to positively impact their care and health. My biggest challenge has been transitioning to the role of a COVID nurse - I had just gotten through orientation when my unit switched over. My manager, charge nurses, and co-workers were amazingly supportive, but it was still very hard emotionally. I went a couple of months without seeing any friends or family because I didn’t want to risk infecting them if I was asymptomatic from work. Just in the month of December, we lost at least five patients, whether on our unit, after they transferred to the ICU, or after discharge. One of the patients I had the closest bond with ended up passing away after transferring to the ICU, and another patient I transferred to the ICU on Christmas Eve passed shortly after. I think that has been and will probably be always the emotionally hardest moment of my nursing career. I’m grateful for my co-workers because they have always been there for me when I had a question or just needed someone to talk to. I honestly couldn’t have been a COVID nurse without their support because everything we did or needed to do took a team effort.

NAZ FAMILY PROFILES

Dr. Jen Layden NAZARETH IS OFTEN STRENGTHENED BY THE WILLINGNESS OF PARENTS TO SHARE THEIR RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE.

Katie Mazur Northwestern Memorial Hospital Emergency Room I was drawn to nursing because of my own health struggles growing up and the positive impact of nursing staff during those difficult times. I chose to go into emergency nursing because I love that we treat any and all patients, from level 1 traumas to broken bones. This fall and winter, the ER has been saturated with very sick COVID patients. Unfortunately this meant that I had to work both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Now that I have both vaccines, I am grateful that I am able to spend time around family without the risk of exposing them to COVID. The support of my family, friends, and coworkers has helped me to stay positive during these times filled with such grief and loss. I am also grateful that I have such a strong foundation in faith that allows me to trust that I am serving my community to the best of my ability during this pandemic. COVID has forced new nurses to jump right into our careers without allowing for the regular learning curve associated with being a new grad, but I think our generation will be better and more compassionate nurses because of it.

That legacy grew even more important in the Spring of 2020 when COVID closed our doors and schools were left to develop ways forward without much clear guidance. Dr. Jen Layden is the mom of Owen ’22 and Layden ’24 Almer and also happens to be an infectious disease and public health expert. “At that time I was the Chief Medical Officer for the City of Chicago, helping to run the city’s COVID response. I reached out to Debbie [Tracy] and Therese [Hawkins] and offered to be a resource if they had questions.” Even after moving to the CDC in August, where she serves as the Deputy Director for the Department of Science, Jen has continued to answer questions and provide scientific guidance for Nazareth, even hosting a Q & A with faculty over Zoom in the fall. “One of the things I really appreciate is how much thought and planning Nazareth has done in re-opening and staying open safely. When Deb and Therese meet with me, they’ve already done research and developed strategies, which makes our time so much more productive.” As a parent, Jen expressed gratitude for the fact that her children have been able to attend classes in person and even play sports. “Those small connections play a huge role in students’ lives.” Jen also appreciates the creativity and flexibility administrators and faculty have shown over this school year. “This has been a road full of ups and downs, but Nazareth has paid attention to implementing what science and public health guidelines suggest. They committed early to being transparent and open about plans and have shown a willingness to listen to suggestions and ideas.” As a professional who’s frequently briefed on the data and the crises in districts around the country, she understands the critical importance of each personal choice. “What Naz students are really experiencing and witnessing is the strength that can be found in making decisions that affect more than themselves; they are learning how to act on behalf of their families and communities.” She hopes today’s Roadrunners will come away with the conviction that we are all in this together. “Nazareth provides an example that a challenge doesn’t stop us. The key is in figuring out the solutions to overcome those challenges.”

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NAZ FAMILY PROFILES

Mike Barnicle GIVEN THE MANY VARIED EXPERIENCES MIKE BARNICLE HAS HAD ALL OVER THE WORLD IN BOTH HIS MILITARY AND CIVILIAN CAREERS, SOME MIGHT BE SURPRISED AT HIS STRAIGHTFORWARD AND DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE OUTLOOK THAT STAYING STRONG ALL BOILS DOWN TO GRATITUDE.

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“Gratitude is the cure for a variety of negative feelings. If I can pick one good thing that’s happened today, it leads to other good moments; those positive thoughts build upon each other.” He finds this strategy works for him whether he’s dealing with the tumult of raising three small children or dealing with a crisis related to negotiating international contracts with the Department of Defense. And, he traces the roots of this outlook back to Nazareth. A self-admitted high school prankster, Mike was heavily involved in Naz Baseball and appreciates the lessons of teamwork and leadership he took from there, but he was also fundamentally moved by Nazareth’s approach to theology. “Not only was I surrounded by

Courtney Subramanian

’03

COURTNEY SUBRAMANIAN REALIZES SHE IS FORTUNATE TO HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN WHAT SHE WANTED TO DO. “My love is writing. At the end of the day, no matter how exhausted I am or whether I’m doubting myself, I can’t imagine doing anything else. I belong in journalism.” In fact, Courtney decided on journalism as her career back in 5th grade, and has never stopped working toward that goal. She wrote a weekly column and was the Sports Editor for The Announcer at Nazareth and a member of Roadrunner Club’s Board of Governors, even while playing Basketball and leading as a Team Captain for Volleyball. “What I really appreciate about Nazareth was that opportunity to be so well rounded. The skills of multi-tasking and balancing priorities are an essential foundation for newspaper journalists.” She was also pushed to hone her writing skills, and remembers Fran Maloney in particular for pg / 6

adults who showed me repeatedly how much they cared about my well-being, the approach to world religions introduced a much broader world to me. Service and leadership opportunities drove my confidence and prepared me for my formative years in college.” Going from Naz’s small school environment to the 25,000+ student body at the University of Kansas, Mike felt equipped to hold on to his core values of respect and gratitude. He carried those further at John Marshall Law School. After reading an article about military veterans who weren’t getting a fair shake, Mike reached out to fellow alum Kevin Cavanaugh ’99 to explore what they could do. Together they founded the Veterans Legal Clinic in 2007, a pro-bono group which continues to offer free legal services to American veterans. This work led Mike to a career in the United States Army as an Airborne Specialist.

pushing her to do her best work. “Naz really fostered an environment for learning and spirit. It was about finding your passion and then finding a way to cultivate that.” Courtney earned degrees in journalism and history from Miami University in Ohio before getting her Masters from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. When she received a scholarship from the White House Press Corps, she got her first taste of Washington and covering politics, meeting President & First Lady Obama and attending the now famous 2011 White House Correspondents Dinner. But Courtney wasn’t ready to plant herself in that world just yet. She spent a few years reporting and editing for different news outlets in London, Hong Kong and even Australia before returning to Washington, D.C. in 2016. “I had always kept a foot in politics and 2016 felt historic, like I should be home for this.” First with the BBC and now as the White House correspondent for USA Today, Courtney

NAZ FAMILY PROFILES

For six years, in the Middle East and in Washington, DC, Mike brought his commitment to serve and his legal expertise to Army contracts in both war and humanitarian environments. “It was possibly the best legal job a person could have. I was all-in on moving forward.” But a career in the military also meant moving his wife too often, so Mike transitioned to a civilian career, still deeply involved in international contracts with the US Military. When COVID rattled the daily lives of people all over the world, Mike felt prepared. “It’s like another deployment; when the regular beat of life is changed, it takes its toll, but ultimately, that highlights what’s truly important.” For Mike, what’s important is remaining grateful for the smallest things. “‘The new normal’ may be cliche in 2021, but it’s just simply life. There is always a new normal. I am glad to be here and I’m ready to embrace it.”

has witnessed plenty of historic moments up close. She has experienced frustration, excitement and even heartbreak, as she describes the events of January 6, 2021, but through it all she remains strong in her commitment to amplifying stories that need to be told. Her commitment includes making sure that future writers understand the importance of their stories. Courtney frequently talks with both college and high school students about her twin passions of history and journalism. She wants students to know that their memories and observations of January 6 will be an important part of how this history will be taught; their perspectives on COVID learning are meaningful; their reactions to the election of the first female, black, Indian Vice-President part of the bigger picture. She also wants them to know their strengths are greater than their fears. “I always tell them, ‘You’ve already done a very hard thing, going to school in a pandemic. If you’re looking for strength, trust that you already have it’.”

Carole Herzog Walton

’55

“ I WAS FOURTEEN IN 1951 WHEN I FIRST CAME TO NAZARETH AND I REMEMBER IT VIVIDLY BECAUSE I FELT WELCOME AT ONCE.” The comfort of that welcome has never dimmed. Time and again Carole has turned to the welcoming strength of the friendships she formed and the lessons she learned as a Nazareth student. She is enormously grateful for sisters and lay teachers who inspired her to be a lifelong “person of the word.” Teachers like Sr. Aquinas, Sr. Florence Marie and Miss LouAnn Rabun “saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself.” At their urging, Carole expanded her vision beyond a career in typing and instead pursued degrees from Rosary College and Northwestern University. She became a teacher herself, at Nazareth and Lyons Township and then, after moving to South Bend with her husband, at St. Mary’s Academy and Saint Mary’s College. No matter where she lived, Carole maintained close bonds with the women she met at 14. Her tight group of friends remains close, often travelling together and now, 70 years later, connecting through frequent calls and emails. “We were formed together; they were shaped by the same teachers who shaped me. We are a mutual support system.” Carole’s time at Nazareth also impacted how she has lived her life. “As the sisters showed by example, I realized I could do what I was afraid of doing, what I thought was too hard. The kind of exuberance I felt in that sense of accomplishment has never left me.” She has depended on that strength throughout her career as an educator and storyteller. In fact, she continues to do a 1-hour radio broadcast each week, sharing her love of the written word with the South Bend community and streaming around the country. Carole is a woman of great faith, a member of the Saint Mary’s Liturgical Society and, even in a time of social distancing, finding creative ways to meet (via Zoom) and share her Catholic faith with her community. “Technology has actually widened the loop of people who can pray together. Retirees in Arizona can attend our weekly service and we take time before and after to chat with one another.” Zoom is another lesson learned for a woman who continues to seek knowledge. “I’d like to think that Naz alums who have held onto these intellectual and personal gifts, developed them and shared them, have had a chance at a merrier outlook on life.” In honor of that philosophy, in 2017, she established the Carole Herzog Walton Endowed Scholarship at Nazareth as a way to support current students. “Nazareth opened up the world for me. When you take pleasure in the possibilities of the world around you, you want to share it.” Reaching back and paying it forward are just some of the ways Carole remains #NazStrong.

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ALUMNI UPDATES

Class Notes John Chopp ’20, University of Dayton,

was inducted into the professional business fraternity, called Epsilon Nu Tau and was elected to hold the Service Chair for his pledge class. Sarah Rusthoven ’19, Elon University,

had two art pieces published in the first edition of Carolina Muse literary magazine. She was also hired as the new Marketing Editor for Elon’s Colonnades Literary and Art Journal. Louis Stec ’19, a University of Iowa

football player majoring in Enterprise Leadership, was named to the 2020 Big Ten Fall Academic All-Conference team. Grace Calabria ’18 was named the

2021 Outstanding Student Member of the Year for Indiana by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). The CEC awards this honor to one student who has demonstrated their knowledge, skill and sensitivity in teaching students with exceptional needs. Grace is the President of the Butler University Chapter. This is the first time the award was given to a student who was not a Special Education major.

Dreamers of UW-Madison named Angelica Contreras ’18 the Programming Co-Chair in September. Angelica is a junior studying International Relations, Spanish, with a certificate in Gender and Women’s studies and is currently interning with the Greater Chicago Legal Clinic. You never know who you might see on SportsCenter! In January Katie Cipra ’17 made the “SportsCenter Top 10 Plays” for her amazing goal and the win for Northeastern Women’s Hockey. Natalie Walsher ’17 is currently the

Promotions Director at Radio DePaul. For the show “A Trip To Nashville” she interviewed fellow alum John Gurney ’06. The interview is available on the Nazareth Academy Alumni Facebook group.

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Hana Sedivy ’17,

Elon University, social media manager, and captain of the Dance Team, was selected to receive the Edwina Graff Hughes Johnson Art Scholarship. This prestigious scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student who shows promise as a visual artist. Clare McIntosh ’16 was inducted into

Emma Wilkinson ’13 is in her second

year at the University of Chicago in the cancer biology PhD program. She graduated from Loyola with a degree in molecular biology. For two years she worked in a cancer research lab and then entered into the program last year. Morgan Borkovec ’12 graduated from

Rocky Mountain University of Health Sciences with a doctorate in physical therapy, a DPT! She was also given the Clinical Excellence Award for her clinical experience at the military base in San Antonio.

the Valparaiso University chapter of Psi Chi - International Honor Society in Psychology. Julia Nowicki ’16, graduated

Cum Laude from Illinois State University with a BS in Education Specialist in Deaf & Hard of Hearing. Julia has accepted a position at Westmont Jr. High as a Teacher of Deaf & Hard of Hearing, teaching Science and Social Studies. Melissa Matcha ’15, a Doctor of

Pharmacy student at the University of Iowa, is the recipient of the UI College of Pharmacy’s 2020 Student Pharmacist ExCELS Award. Maggie Long ’13, a kindergarten teacher

at El Campito Child Development Center in South Bend was featured on WNDU News in February. She captured a moment of Scholarship and Unity when her young students rose and held hands to honor the country’s first female Vice-President. Kyle Piotrowski ’13 was sworn in as

a firefighter in Forest Park.

Vita Di Pasca ’08 joined the Joint Civic

Committee of Italian Americans Young Professionals Division as well as the Chicagoland Italian American Professionals. She heads the CIAP Young Professionals Division and would love to have more Italian-Americans join her. Grazie e a presto! Congrats to Michael Ditore ’06, listed in Chicago Daily Law Bulletin “40 under 40.” Congrats to Justin Hanson ’01, named to Crain’s Chicago Business Super Lawyers Magazine “Business Litigation Rising Stars.” Congrats to Jim Lynch ’00, chosen as a Top 40 attorney under 40, across all practice areas, by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer Magazine. Sean Ryan ’00 was featured on CBS

This Morning in December for a comic he wrote for Marvel inspired by true stories of nurses, real life superheroes, in Pennsylvania.

ALUMNI NEWS

Patrick Bolton ’99 was a contestant on

Wheel of Fortune in September and finished as the night’s big winner.

Nick DiBrizzi ’99 appeared in Fargo, season 4,

appearing in multiple episodes as the character of Paolo Endrizzi. Bravo Nick!

Last fall, Meagan Gallagher ’99 joined the Board of the Florida Juvenile Justice Foundation. Meagan is the Executive Director of Tijuana Flats, Just in Queso Foundation. She has several years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Her passion is to improve the lives of youth and people with disabilities. Maeve Yore ’93 was a guest star on

Law & Order in January.

Stephanie Schwab Grimm ’87 became

a lieutenant in the Western Springs Fire Department along with being a Paramedic and raising four children with her police officer husband. Congratulations to Julie Ryan ’87 who moved to 360 Youth Services as their Chief Philanthropy Officer in the fall. Congratulations to Karen McNulty Enright ’85, named in Crain’s Chicago Business Super Lawyers Magazine “Top 50 Women.” Congratulations to Bob McDermott ’85 who took over as North Riverside’s Fire Chief in September after retiring from a 32-year career as a firefighter in Forest Park.

Births

John Polivka ’03 and Laura Battistoni Polivka ’07 welcomed William “Will” Michelle Anderson Schaeve ’06 and

DECEMBER Mary Clare Reardon McNally ’07 and

Richard. Emma couldn’t be more excited to be a big sister!

husband Brian welcomed their first child, Molly Kathleen.

husband Mark welcomed son Luke in February 2020. Happy First Birthday Luke.

JANUARY Matt Gragnani ’07

and wife Lauren, welcomed their first child, Luca Saverio.

AUGUST Katelyn Boehmke Williams ’08 and husband Jimmy Williams ’06 welcomed

son Benjamin James. SEPTEMBER

Matt Smith ’07 and Erin Melone Smith ’07

welcomed baby #2 to the Naz Family, Norrine Mary (Reenie).

Sammy Hall ’02 and wife Lindsay

OCTOBER

welcomed Santino McDougal Hall “Sonny Mac” to their growing family.

Ben Cloutier ’11

Sarah Kaiser ’96 and husband Justin

welcomed Henry James. Big brother Miles is excited to have a little brother to play with.

and wife Angie welcomed their son Oliver Roland.

Tanya Jech ’06 and husband Georgio

welcomed baby #2, Magalini Lynn Sourbis. Big brother Andriano is so excited. FEBRUARY Chris Grano ’02 and his wife Alicia welcomed

baby #2, Rose Gabrielle, to the family. Amy Klod Boyle ’96 and husband, Packy Sarah Furjanic Peterson ’08 and husband

Valerian welcomed their first child, Valerian Jr.

welcomed baby #4. Gavin Roche is lucky to have big brother Jack and sisters, Hannah and Ella. Grandparents Jim Klod (current staff) and Patt Rowe Klod ’62 are thrilled. pg / 9

ALUMNI NEWS

In Memoriam

Class Notes continued John Horton ’84 was honored by Mainstreet Organization of

Realtors as the Affiliate of the Year. In October, Tracey Tarantino DiBuono ’74, Executive Producer of ZzazZ Productions, was a panelist for the Entrepreneurs Series at the Brennan School of Business. Sr. Rita Ouska, C.D.S. ’60

celebrated 60 years of dedicated life as a member of the Congregation of the Divine Spirit in August. Sister Rita has served in many roles and currently assists in ministry at the House of Loreto in Canton, OH. Sister Rita is sister-in-law to Mary Rose Maretta Ouska ’63 and to Mary LaMarche Ouska ’69 and is aunt to Charrise Ouska Wilkommen ’89.

September 2020 - March 2021

We prayerfully remember all those in the Nazareth community who have passed away. Edwin Apel, father of Mark Apel ’96

Janice Joy Schaub McMahon ’65

Jean Marie Baranowski ’67

Vern Miller, husband of Kathy Tecza ’67 and stepfather of Jennifer Foras Pollard ’88

Margaret Ann Hovorka Barica ’51 Joan Finkey Barth ’45, grandmother of Wendy Barth-Montalbano ’91 Virginia Cagandahan, mother of Cetania Cagandahan Mendoza ’96 Sister Leyla Cerda, CSJ (Partner in Prayer and Presence) Janis Kueber Chase ’50 Richard DeLong, father of Jeff DeLong ’84 Dorothy Broz Dolezal ’49

Pat Pochron Mishur ’57, mother of Jeff Mishur ’85 and sister of Sharron Pochron Muldoon ’63 Christina Morkin, mother of Michael Morkin ’17 Ronald F. Mouw, father of Rhonda Mouw-Howley ’86, Ron ’87 (Donna Savino Mouw ’87), and Ryan ’92, grandfather of Grace ’22 and Faith ’24

Weddings

Catherine Culligan Driessen ’40

Paul A. Napolitan, father of Dana Napolitan Lien ’91

Maureen Dunlavy ’58

Evelyn Blaha Nosek ’38

Michael Bradt ’96 and his lovely bride, Kelsey, tied the

Mary Lou Dziekanowski ’62

knot in September.

Barbara Emmenegger, mother of Susan Emmenegger Biskup ’67 and Edie ’72, grandmother of Carrie Biskup ’97

Lawrence Patterson, father of Michelle ’94, Danielle Patterson Balcer ’96 and Nicolle Patterson Ollier ’98

Ryan Kohs ’10

married Jessica Trumbull in October. g

Josie Moreno ’12 married Andrew Jaworski in October. Ryan Powers ’11 married Sara Eldridge in October. Rapher Ryan ’11 married Liz Vick in October. Chris Sulla ’16 married Carolyn Engelhardt in October.

Mary Fiacchino, mother of Marijo Fiacchino Wimbush ’80, Michelle ’82 and Frank ’87 Michael Gardner ’90, son of Judy Phelan Gardner ’61, brother of John ’86 (Kim Slater Gardner ’86) and Patrick ’92, cousin of JC Phelan ’97 John “Jack” Geraghty, father of Therese Geraghty Thursby ’82 and Mary-Kate Geraghty Sableski ’94 Marilyn Martin Grayson ’52

CORRECTIONS from Fall 2020 In the Births section, we misidentified the name of Tamika Curtis Foster’s ’04 husband. Congratulations again to Tamika and Anthony on the birth of Averi Joi. When John Thoms’s name was published in the In Memoriam section, we neglected to mention his sisters, the late Lynn Thoms Demontoy ’66, Barbara Thoms ’68, and Susan Thoms Swarbrick Reed ’70. SHARE YOUR GOOD NEWS! Alumni news and photos can be sent to ccook@nazarethacademy.com pg / 10

Rebecca Grazulis ’94, sister of Joseph Grazulis ’96 Patricia Jana Hassler ’62 Sr. Christopher (Louise M. Jacobs) ’47 (former faculty) Bill Jagiello, father of Todd ’88 and Ryan ’93 Rita Kucera ’49 Nancy Greenan Lufrano ’77, sister of Susan Greenan Shilling ’84

Nate Pollard, son of Jennifer Foras Pollard ’88 and grandson of Kathy Tecza ’67 Lawrence Puzas, father of Laura Puzas Ruswick ’00 Jana Gillespie Reeves ’94 Fred St. Pierre, husband of Rosemary Mullane St. Pierre ’62 Julia Galvin Steele ’52 Joan Swade, mother of Susan Swade May ’79, Maureen Swade Milligan ’81, Terry ’84, Alan ’86 and Don ’90, grandmother of Mike Milligan ’08, Jen Milligan ’10, Emily Milligan ’13, Sarah ’13, Christopher ’14, Katie ’16 and Anne ’18 Patrick Thorburn ’89 Clarence Ronald Vylanek, husband of Nancy Van Cura Vylanek ’52 Peter Zuk, husband of Georgine Baran Zuk ’65

Please notify Nazareth Academy of the death of an alumnus. We apologize for any errors that occur in this In Memoriam section.

NAZ BY THE NUMBERS 1,304 college applications have been processed by the Guidance Department, representing 99% of the Class of 2021 - who are well on their way to ‘Go Light Your World”

90+ Members of the Naz faculty and staff fully vaccinated during on-campus clinics

art students were recognized with the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Silver Key Award, putting their work in the top 10% of the nearly 320,000 works submitted by students from every U.S. state

seniors were mandated and blessed as Eucharistic Ministers, adding service and presence to our Masses and Prayer Services

$400,000+

raised in support of Nazareth during NazBash Week in February

NBC5

Charlie Wojciechowski visited Nazareth in January to interview Principal Hawkins and report on our successful in-person Hybrid Learning Plan

new electives in the Social Studies Department offer students the opportunity to learn more about U.S. Politics & Policy and Chicago History

gift tags for St. Cletus Giving Tree fulfilled during our Christmas Drive which also supplied toys for Catholic Charities

juniors and seniors chosen for the 3rd annual Young Community Changemakers Program

speakers offered expertise to our parents and broader community as part of the 2020-2021 Parent Speaker Series

56, 57 and 58 Kairos retreats were reimagined and reintroduced for the Class of 2021

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NAZARETH ACADEMY 1209 W. Ogden Avenue La Grange Park, Illinois 60526 www.nazarethacademy.com

AWARD

HALL OF FAME

COMING APRIL 3, 2022 THREE EVENTS RE-IMAGINED INTO ONE MEMORABLE CELEBRATION MORE INFORMATION TO FOLLOW

If you receive duplicate copies of Blueprint, please contact Alena Murguia at amurguia@nazarethacademy.com or 708.387.8536 with your current address. Thank you in advance for helping conserve our resources.