Class Notes

On January 9, 2021, Sheriff John D. Idleburg presented Auxiliary Deputy Thomas Brasuell ’82 with the Lake County Sheriff’s Purple Heart Award. Sheriff Idleburg surprised Auxiliary Deputy Brasuell with the award at his residence with members of the sheriff’s office. The Purple Heart Award is reserved for members of the sheriff’s office who are severely injured in the line of duty.

On December 23, 2019, Auxiliary Deputy Brasuell was at the scene of a fatal traffic crash in Volo. Auxiliary Deputy Brasuell was blocking the scene and directing traffic away, so sheriff’s crash investigators could conduct the fatal crash investigation. While directing traffic, a drunk driver drove his car into Auxiliary Deputy Brasuell, severely injuring him. It took months for Auxiliary Deputy Brasuell to recover from the significant injuries he sustained in the crash.

Sheriff Idleburg said, “I am proud to present Auxiliary Deputy Brasuell the Purple Heart Award, and while he was severely injured, we are thankful he was not killed by the reckless intoxicated driver who struck him. Our staff report for duty ready to serve the community every day knowing the risks and dangers they potentially face. I am honored to serve alongside such a dedicated group who are deeply devoted to the Lake County community.”

Marubio was named a 2020 Top Women Lawyer in Leadership by the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois (WBAI). The WBAI honored Judge Marubio during a virtual ceremony on December 1.

Jennifer (Scifo) Juarez was recently profiled in Emerging Lawyers Magazine, a Chicago Law Bulletin Publication. Additionally, she was named to their list of top ten emerging women.

Patrick Canning has published a new book, “Hawthorn Woods.” “It was great growing up in Hawthorn Woods. I have great memories of this place,” says Canning. Nestled in the nature separating Mundelein and Vernon Hills from Lake Zurich, the suburb of Hawthorn Woods has more trees than people. He adds some dark secrets to that setting in his new thriller. Midwestern University in March 2020 and is working in the specialty pharmacy sector.

Matthew F. Howeth has recently been named a new partner in The Wifler Law Group, specializing in Real Estate and Family Law.

Charles W. Wifler has recently been named a new partner in The Wifler Law Group, specializing in Real Estate and Family Law.

William Fernandez, MD, recently completed medical school and is doing his residency. In addition, out of about 400 applicants, he was one of the three selected to be a part of the NASA/UTMB aerospace medicine residency/ fellowship program in Houston. This program trains him to become a NASA aerospace physician. His responsibilities will include: taking care of astronauts, designing and optimizing medical kits for various mission types, and more. As part of the fellowship, he will be spending a couple of months each in Antarctica, Japan, Russia, and Germany. (This is a repeated entry from the last COMPASS in which Will’s last name was incorrectly spelled. Our apologies for the error.)

Alexander T. Matelski, MD, graduated with the University of Illinois College of Medicine Class of 2020 with Honors/James Scholar on the merit of outstanding academic performance. Alexander was also selected to deliver the Convocation Address. He will complete his residency in Internal Medicine/ Infectious diseases at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA.

William Riedl is part of a team studying infectious diseases, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. William received his Doctorate in Microbiology from the University of Chicago in June. He is currently employed by the Cleveland Clinic in Pt. St. Lucie, Florida.

Elizabeth Gutiérrez recently graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Physics and a B.S. in Astronomy. She was awarded graduation distinctions in Research and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the College of Natural Sciences. The college awards these two distinctions to less than 5% of graduating seniors for having significantly impacted the university and greater Austin area during their time as students. Elizabeth thanks her parents, CCHS staff members Ana and Jose Gutiérrez, for her educational success.

Juliana Nikolich graduated from the University of South Carolina in May and is pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Northwestern University. Sean Foster, captain and offensive tackle for the Iowa State Cyclones, was part of the team’s Fiesta Bowl victory over Oregon on January 2.

Flynn Johnson was recently named to the Midwest Conference AllAcademic Team for the 2020 season. Johnson, a first baseman for Grinnell College in Iowa, has led the Pioneers’ resurgence in recent years and holds down 17 spots on the program’s alltime top 10 record board.

As a member of Notre Dame’s Sophomore Class Council, George Yacu, a biochemistry major, worked with his team to create the commemorative Victory Beanies worn by students during the Clemson game Green-Out. Each purchase raises funds for the courtyard beautification project underway at St. Adalbert’s School in South Bend.