CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2026
The Legacy CONTINUES
Each year at the Closing School Mass, we honor alumni who have chosen to continue their Nazareth legacy by sending their children to our beloved school. At Mass, both alum-parent and Class of 2026 graduate were invited to step forward, pass along the light from the alumni candle and receive a blessing. At Graduation, these legacies, including a number of grandparents were invited to stand and be recognized.
We are delighted to recognize the following legacy families from the Class of 2026:
• Bill Broderick ’96, father of Margaret Broderick
• Mary Robinson ’68, grandmother of Jose Cervantes
• Mary Alexa Flowers ’61 and Thomas Flowers ’83, grandmother and father of Alexa Flowers
• Karyn Porod ’89, mother of Jake Horodecki
• Patrick Keenan ’93 and Margaret Hayes Keenan ’95, parents of Bea Keenan
• Amanda Booth McKay ’93, mother of Connor McKay
• Patricia Hayes Roach ’58, grandmother of Edward McLaughlin
• Dan Musker ’93 and Liz Zidlicky Musker ’95, parents of Grayson Musker
• Kyla Conway Pedergnana ’99, mother of Elizabeth Pedergnana
• Marsha Gentile Racki ’87, mother of Nicholas Racki
• Tim Siffermann ’95 and Kathleen Morrissey Siffermann ’95, parents of John Siffermann
• Bill Siffermann ’93, father of William Siffermann
Class of 2026 BY THE NUMBERS
• Kevin Skinkis ’94, father of Richard Skinkis
• Ned Stasch ’87 and Jackie Balian Stasch ’87, parents of Roxanne Stasch
• Kristen Driscoll Stojetz ’89, mother of Jack Stojetz
• Karen Boston Trayser ’96, mother of Mary Helen Trayser
• Candice Kafka Williams ’93, mother of Stephon Williams
The Class of 2026 continued Nazareth’s legacy of 100% college acceptance. These graduates earned acceptances from 218 colleges and universities. These graduates will attend 81 colleges across 24 states in 4 different countries
$50 million+ in merit awards and scholarships
1 National Merit FinalistSamuel Wilda 2 Commended ScholarsMark Rovano and Roxanne Stasch
13 students earned the Cook County Sheriff’s Commitment to Service Award
20 ESCC Scholar-Athletes from the Class of 2026 graduated with an average GPA of 4.69
Illinois State Scholars
21 student-athletes from the Class of 2026 committed to play 6 different college-level sports and 1 Gatorade Player of the Year - Landon Thome 6 AP Scholars with Distinctions 9 AP Scholars with Honors 32
Eucharistic Ministers helped celebrate communion and served as witnesses of unity, forgiveness and the unconditional love of Christ
On Sunday, May 17,
Nazareth Academy celebrated Graduation with Mass and Commencement at Christ Church in Oak Brook. Valedictorian Max Nemeth (University of Notre Dame) offered an address in which he celebrated the ways the Class of 2026 exceeded expectations for high school, “As a student body, we had star football athletes who were talented artists, skilled musicians who led amazing retreats, cheerleaders who starred in theatre productions. As I look out over this class, I am confident that every single one of us defied the expectations and I am so glad I got to do that alongside all of you.”
Graduation was the capstone event of celebrations including Circle the City, Closing School Mass and the Awards Ceremony. The Class of 2026’s remarkable achievements in Scholarship, Service, Spirit and Unity stand as testament to Nazareth Academy’s legacy of Educating the Whole Person. Salutatorian John Allegretti (University of Notre Dame) shared, "Nazareth Academy helped shape who I am today by surrounding me with a diverse community that broadened my perspective and challenged me to grow."
Students from the Class of 2026 were accepted at 218 colleges and universities all over the world, including Washington University in St. Louis, University of Wisconsin Madison, the University of Chicago, Wake Forest University and the University of Michigan.
At Commencement, Roxanne Stasch was honored with this year’s Sister Oliver Donlin Service Award. Principal Hawkins said, “Roxanne has been a remarkable student and leader throughout her high school years and is a young woman who embodies and excels in all of our pillars. She has been an active and essential member of multiple honor societies, Writers’ Society and Math Team. She has served her peers through Youth Initiative, Diversity Club, Mental Health Task Force and Operation Snowball and is active in the larger community through the Maddog Strong Foundation. Her contributions have truly left a mark on Nazareth and in the hearts of all of us who have been lucky enough to know and work with her." Roxanne will attend Carthage College.
As the class continued the tradition of raising their candles while the choir sang, “Go Light Your World,” all those assembled felt confidence in that message and the great things these Nazareth Academy graduates are bound to accomplish.
These pennants represent only a few of the 81 colleges that will be home to Nazareth Academy’s Class of 2026. You can find more information at nazarethacademy.co
We encourage all alumni to stay connected via Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Please share your good news and update your contact information with ccook@nazarethacademy.com.
Check out the alumni section in our newly redesigned website at nazarethacademy.com/alumni.
1209 West Ogden Avenue | La Grange Park, IL 60526-1700
Phone: 708.354.0061 | nazarethacademy.com
Founded and inspired by the Congregation of St. Joseph. NAZARETH ACADEMY