eLearning Through a Creative Lens Students Adapt to Remote Learning
Transforming Communities From Lion to Bear Lion on Front Lines of Pandemic
Class of 2017 Alumnus Drafted
ALION FORLIFE Saint Viator and Sacred Heart of Mary Alumni Magazine
Better Together Now More Than Ever
SPRING 2020
ALION FOR LIFE | Staff Listing SPRING 2020
IN THIS ISSUE
A Lion for Life Magazine is a publication of the Saint Viator High School Office of Institutional Advancement
Letter from the President.....................Page 3
Vice President of Development Mr. Thomas Ramsden
Class of 2020 News.............................Page 6
Director of Development Mrs. Kristen Daniels Director of Major Gifts and Strategic Partnerships Mr. William Sanford Alumni Relations Manager Mrs. Kathleen Corrigan Lynde ’05 Special Events and Development Manager Mrs. Sara Root Director of Marketing and Communications Ms. Cristina Willard
Student Update.............................Pages 4 - 5 Fine Arts News....................................Page 7 Class Notes...................................Pages 8 - 9 Viatorian Update................................Page 10 Alumni Feature..................................Page 11 In Memoriam.............................Pages 12 - 13 Event Update ....................................Page 14 Alumni News ....................................Page 15
Communications Manager Ms. Elizabeth Schuetz ’08 Director of Enrollment Mrs. Christine Bremner Assistant Director of Enrollment Mr. Patrick Gaeger ’08 Advancement Assistant Mrs. Jennifer Bonifacic Anderson ’89 Director of Development Emeritus Mr. Patrick Mahoney Director of Alumni Relations Emeritus Mrs. Judith Wampach Amberg Printing NPN 360 - Mr. John Fox ’71
Saint Viator High School 1213 East Oakton Street Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004 (847) 392-4050 www.saintviator.com Please email alumni@saintviator.com if you have any questions, if you would like to submit story ideas and photos, or to update your contact information.
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Front Cover ▼ Athletic Director Jason Kuffel ’99 awaits seniors before the Class of 2020 Celebration Parade in May. Find more photos from the event on page 6.
ALION FOR LIFE | Letter from the President
Dear Friends, We find ourselves in very unusual times at Saint Viator. Overnight, the global pandemic COVID-19 drastically changed how we teach, learn, work, and connect. No one could have anticipated we would close out the academic year with our students and faculty adapting to the world of eLearning, and our staff working remotely following the Illinois shelter in place order. While this time has been difficult and full of uncertainty, I am so proud of how our community has risen to meet the challenge. Saint Viator’s reimagined mission, vision, and values have guided us through this transition. We have found new ways to celebrate our traditions and come together as a community grounded in faith, including livestreamed Mass and Zoom prayer groups. Even though we are physically distanced from each other, this is an unexpected opportunity to reflect and be open to the Spirit of God’s presence in our lives — to “discern who God wants us to be, discover what the world needs, and transform the communities we encounter.” We continue to pray that you and your families stay healthy and safe. We ask you to join us in praying for the Saint Viator community, particularly our Class of 2020, who have experienced disappointment as many of the senior events they have looked forward to have been postponed, drastically changed, or even canceled. In recent months, I have been inspired by the Ralph Waldo Emerson quote, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” This reflects where we find ourselves at Saint Viator High School. We may not be able to control our current circumstances, but we can draw upon our internal strength to weather this storm and support one another as an extended Saint Viator family. While times are unprecedented and unsure for everyone, Saint Viator still needs your support so we can share our crucial mission with future generations of Lions. If you are in a position to donate to students and families who find themselves in more serious need because of COVID-19, please consider contributing to the Viator Foundation or to a project that inspires you. We encourage you to stay connected and involved in Saint Viator as we navigate the uncertainties of our new normal. Be sure to follow us on social media and visit our website to learn how we’re moving forward as an institution of excellence. Now, more than ever, we’re better together. God Bless and Stay Well,
Brian J. Liedlich President
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ALION FOR LIFE | Student Update
eLearningThrough a Creative Lens
W
hat do the Getty Art Museum in New York and Saint Viator High School share in common?
Both created a challenge in April inspired by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam to recreate a favorite work of art with objects lying around at home.
Welcome to the world of eLearning, where at Saint Viator, teachers were ahead of the curve, having created eLearning classes as early as 2017 for their international students who had returned home. When Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered schools closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Saint Viator was ready to make the transition. The one thing administrators asked of teachers, was to engage students in thinking creatively when making their assignments. “We wanted to continue our work towards the school’s vision of discerning, discovering, and transforming, just in an eLearning format,” says Assistant Principal Michael Field. “It’s just like we strive to do in the building.” Mr. William Faltinoski, chairman of the fine arts department, did just that in his art classes. He had seen the Getty Art Challenge on Instagram and he set out to adapt the project for his students. In it, they took a virtual field trip to the Art Institute of Chicago, where they had free reign to tour its many exhibits and select a piece that inspired them. He then challenged them to create their own interpretation, using objects from home. “While taking a field trip to the Art Institute isn’t possible now, I still wanted students to experience original art,” Mr. Faltinoski says. “Having students recreate the art at home made them think about the art in terms of color, composition, and other elements of art and how they could recreate that.”
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In the social studies department, Mrs. Maureen Martin ’92 had her AP World History students participate in a discussion board on Blackbaud. She ultimately offered them a Rasputin dance challenge to introduce the Russian Revolution. Mrs. Martin captured their responses in a fun collage. Back in the Fine Arts Department, Mr. Vince Genualdi, band director, devoted a recent eLearning unit to the school’s fight song. With band students unable to play the remaining basketball games or at the spring sports pep rally, they dove into the familiar song’s history. Turns out, there was a lot of history to mine. They learned about the original three students who composed the song, and they weren’t from the 1960s when Saint Viator opened. No, they go back to the 1920s, when the Viatorians ran St. Viator College in Bourbonnais and its administrators encouraged students to come up with a “good, lively college song.” To culminate the unit, Mr. Genualdi had his students upload a video of themselves playing the fight song, which he compiled into a video montage and shared with the wider Saint Viator community, where it ultimately reached thousands of people. The familiar lyrics, he reasoned, could uplift people during this unprecedented time. “In the words of Fr. Louis Querbes (founder of the Viatorians) and James Dalrymple (Class of 1927 St. Viator College grad and lyricist), ‘Strive, strive with might and main,’ ” Mr. Genualdi said, quoting from the song. “Don’t forget that you are bold. You are defiant and you will conquer remote learning.” n
“Woman Descending the Staircase” recreated by Genevieve Cantore ’20 for Mr. Bill Faltinoski’s Advanced 3D Art Design class.
Junior Works to Keep Homeless Off the Streets During Pandemic It was a routine, even a high school student grew to like: every Thursday morning, John O’Neill ’21, son of Tom O’Neill ’88, met up with his classmates—before school—at the PADS site at the Presbyterian Church of Palatine. Each time, they scrubbed down the pads, tables, and chairs all used the night before during the temporary shelter hosted by the church. “I went and fell in love with volunteering,” says John, who started going in October when this year’s PADS season opened. “It went from volunteering to having fun.”
Students meeting with french teacher, Mrs. Laura Klaw, over Zoom.
“In the words of Fr. Louis Querbes (founder of the Viatorians) and James Dalrymple ’27 (lyricist), ‘Strive, strive with might and main.’”
Mr. Vince Genualdi
It’s a tradition that’s been going on for the last ten years with Saint Viator students. It was started by Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, who continues to accompany students. But John has taken it one step further. Faced with the sudden closing of the PADS site, after the “stay at home” order by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, John worried about what would happen to these people, who depended on the network of PADS shelters hosted by Northwest suburban faith communities and JOURNEYS: The Road Home, a resource center for the homeless in Palatine. On March 23, on what would have been the start of his spring break, John started a GoFundMe page, with the goal of raising $1,000 or enough to pay for an individual or family in a hotel room for three weeks. All funds are earmarked for JOURNEYS and its services for the homeless. In just one day, he quickly surpassed his goal. One day later, he set a new goal of $2,000 and quickly surpassed that as well. “Due to (the governor’s order), we have many people who regularly come to PADS, living on the streets,” John said to supporters on his GoFundMe page. He followed a lead donation made by the Clerics of St. Viator, who pledged $63,000 to house 60 people for three weeks. Inspired by the Viatorians, John says he will continue raising money and awareness of the needs of the homeless during this pandemic. He has since raised over $5,000.
Screengrab of the fight song video montage compiled by band director, Mr. Vince Genualdi. Watch the full video at www.twitter.com/viatorbands.
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Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, John O’Neill ’21, and Beth Nabors ’85, executive director of JOURNEYS: The Road Home.
ALION FOR LIFE | Class of 2020 News
Meet Saint Viator’s Class of 2020 Valedictorian and Salutatorian Saint Viator High School seniors Andrew Bremner and Daniel Fecko have pushed each other since freshman year. They have participated in many of the same activities, sat in the same AP classes and were part of the Querbes Scholars Program. Turns out their friendly rivalry paid off. The two Arlington Heights residents finished with the top two grade point averages in their class, leading Daniel to be named valedictorian and Andrew as salutatorian. “These two young men represent the Class of 2020 so well,” said Mrs. Karen Love, Principal, “as superstars in the classroom, on the stage, in the athletic arena, and in their service.” Take Daniel. A graduate of St. Colette School in Rolling Meadows, he competed on Saint Viator’s math team, as well as its academic team, where he earned individual medals in math and English. He’s taken nine AP courses over his four years and learned in November of his junior year that he earned a perfect ACT score. Andrew also participated on Saint Viator’s academic team, medaling in computer science and physics, and he competed in the Academic Challenge in Engineering & Science, sponsored by Eastern Illinois University. He attended Our Lady of the Wayside School in Arlington Heights, before completing eight AP courses and being named last year as an AP Scholar with Honors. Both seniors have been involved in the fine arts at Saint Viator. They play in the brass section of the symphonic band –
Daniel Fecko, valedictorian; Andrew Bremner, salutatorian
Daniel plays trumpet and Andrew plays tuba – while also participating in a wide variety of choral offerings, including helping to launch Saint Viator’s first show choir. They have appeared on stage together every year, most recently in “The Sound of Music,” where Andrew portrayed Capt. Von Trapp and Daniel was the dance captain. They do all this and compete on the athletic fields as well. Daniel played soccer and volleyball, while Andrew captained the boys’ water polo team. Alas, they will go their separate ways in college. While both plan to major in engineering, Daniel is headed to the University of Chicago to pursue molecular engineering, while Andrew heads further north to the University of Minnesota to study computer science.
Photos: Class of 2020 Celebration Parade The Class of 2020 Celebration Parade took the place of the annual Senior Celebration, the traditional kick-off to graduation festivities. Instead of gathering inside the school for a host of activities and giveaways, students drove around the school campus, passing through different stations to pick up their cap and gown, awards, senior issue of the “Viator Voice,” and more.
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To see more photos from the event, visit www.saintviator.com/about/ school-news. Look out for our next A Lion for Life Alumni Magazine for more on the Class of 2020’s achievements and end-of-the-year celebrations.
ALION FOR LIFE | Fine Arts News
Kate Costello ’70 Takes Final Bow with “The Sound of Music” The halls were alive with “The Sound of Music” this winter at Saint Viator High School. After months of rehearsing, the school presented the beloved musical, featuring nearly 150 students on stage, behind the scenes, and in the orchestra. But if the excitement was tangible, so were the emotions as Mrs. Kate Schafer Costello directed her last show at the school.
“The Sound of Music” capped 20 years of teaching at the school, and was one of her favorites. The 1970 alumna of Sacred Heart of Mary High School who earned her master’s in theater from Northwestern University, steadily built the program, both in numbers of students involved and its reputation.
Legacy Student Cast Members: Sarah Conneely ’20 (Stage/Tech Crew) - (Kerry Lemke Conneely ’90) - Make-up Designer Ryan Daugherty ’23 - Friedrich (Robert ’83 and Suzanne Collins Daugherty ’83) Matt Goss ’20 - Johann (Brian Goss ’91) Henry Jochaniewicz ’23 - Villager/Guest/Nazi (Alexander Jochaniewicz ’92) Hannah Klimas ’20 - Floor Manager (James Klimas ’86) Paige Klostermann ‘21 and Leah Klosterann ’23 Stage/Tech Crew (Sheila Culm Klostermann ‘86) Patrick Kopp ’21 - Sound (Rita Walsh Kopp ’94) Maeve Martin ’23 - Stage/Tech Crew (Maureen Henning Martin ’92) Bryce McDonnell ’20 - Friedrich (Mark McDonnell ’86)
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Ryan Politzki ’20 - Villager/Guest/Nazi (Stacy Romanowski Politzki ’89) Chris Rapala ’22 - Kurt (Bryan Rapala ’79) Gwen Starr ’23 - Curtain (Dominic ’91 and Caroline Avell ’91 Starr) Cecelia Whelan ’23 - Villager/Guest (Michael Whelan ’85) Rory Whetstone ‘22 - Sister Kathryn (Kerry Paulsen ‘91) Timmy Wittich ’20 - Villager/Guest/Nazi (Susan Neugebauer ’86 and Kenneth Wittich ’85) Dominic Yonkus ’20 - Stage Manager (Andrew ’92 and Maria Cinefro ’92 Yonkus)
ALION FOR LIFE | Class Notes
Class Notes Class of 1973 ▶ In September, Sr. Maria Christine Lynch, LSP, celebrated the 150th anniversary of Provincial of the Chicago province of The Little Sisters of the Poor, where she currently serves as the provincial mother. Pictured here with Dorothy Lynch at a Mass of thanksgiving in August 2019.
Class of 1987 ▼ A group of Sacred Heart of Mary alumni traveled to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, to celebrate their 50th birthdays. Pictured from left to right: Colleen Jennings Suljic, Susan Ryan, Lynda Askew Meek, Susan Miller, Susan Tidball Noble, Kathie Beckman Dossett, Rhonda Starr, Marisa Donofrio Sattley, Colleen Flanagan-Riefenberg, Anne-Marie Predovich Taylor, and Lisa Smith Fulton.
Class of 1988 ▼ In May, Jeff Rogers debuted “Jeff’s Homemade Game Show,” a game show where he hosts family members competing in wacky challenges for the chance to win money, prizes or a piece of junk from “Jeff’s garage.” Stream all episodes on https://www.byutv.org.
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Class of 1995 In April, Quin Hayes was named the new head boys basketball coach at Glenbrook North High School where he will be a physical education teacher. Quin served as an English teacher and head boys basketball coach at Saint Viator since 2014.
▶ After working in media and marketing for the past twenty years, last summer, Tom Cattapan began his new role as Associate Director of Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington, Illinois.
Class of 2003 Dominic Manola was named as the principal of East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, Illinois, where he previously served as a teacher in the social studies department, the director of student activities, and director of community outreach.
After teaching in Saint Viator’s social studies department and working in the Scanlan Center the past few years, Br. Peter Lamick, CSV, will be teaching history at Cristo Rey St. Viator College Preparatory in Las Vegas beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year.
Class of 2010
▼
Class of 2007
Anthony Quagliano delivered his PhD dissertation defense via Zoom in April. He was fortunate enough to walk with his class at the University of Delaware last May while finishing his dissertation along with research for a paper that will be published this August. Anthony will head off to medical school at Nova Southeastern in Davie, Florida, this summer.
Class of 2018 ▶ Class of 2008 ▶ With only the maid of honor and two best men in the pews, Matt Ptack and Paige Bonk got married in March at St. Gregory the Great Church in Chicago. The ceremony was livestreamed to friends and family at home.
During the month of May, Olivia Isufi ran a 5K every day to raise awareness of lupus and honor her brother Daniel ’18 and late father Tim.
Class of 2019 ▼ Class of 2009 ▼ Bryce Hensley was included in Crain’s Chicago Business’s “20 in their 20s” list. He is a Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney at Romanucci and Blandin in Chicago.
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Kent State University men’s basketball freshman guard, Jeremiah Hernandez, was redshirted.
ALION FOR LIFE | Viatorian Update
Carrying out the Viatorian Mission During a Pandemic In a recent episode of our “A Lion for Life” podcast, our host, Jim Mitchell ’77, spoke with Br. John Eustice, CSV, vice president of Viatorian identity and mission, about how we can live out the Viatorian mission during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what students were doing during this time of crisis. Br. Eustice reflected on his novitiate, which is the first official year of entering a religious congregation that’s dedicated to slowing down and discovering who you are personally and spiritually. “Ever since my novitiate, I’ve hit the ground running,” said Br. Eustice. “And I often found myself thinking, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to be back in the novitiate where things slowed down?’ Well, that’s where we are now.” Now that our mornings are a little slower, Br. Eustice encourages students and families to focus on prayer and reflection. If you don’t have access to live streaming masses, he suggests going to USCCB.org to look up the readings of the day. Saint Viator’s campus ministry also sent out morning prayer throughout the week on social media. “At the end of a mass, the priest or deacon says, ‘Go and live this out. Live out the Gospel through your lives,’” said Br. Eustice. “The last time we heard that, little did we know that, that was the mandate for us now.” Br. Eustice noted that students have been doing an incredible job of reaching out to those in need. They have been writing letters to people in nursing homes, sewing masks, introducing themselves to guests at Viator House of Hospitality, which houses young adult men who are asylum seekers, and one student even raised nearly $5,000 for JOURNEYS to provide housing for people in the PADS
Above: Student letters to young adults at Viator House of Hospitality; Right: Br. John Eustice, CSV, Vice President of Viatorian Identity and Mission.
program (read the full story on page 5). “Help each other remember that no one is alone in this,” advised Br. Eustice. “Keep connected to one another. Keep reaching out. Keep looking to experiences in the past of when you felt most alive, and then share those with others. Reach out to your theology teachers, your counselors, your campus ministers, your friends and keep it going. God is present in all of this, so let’s be a community and work together to try to find evidence of that.”
Better Together, Now More Than Ever Saint Viator High School is pleased to report that our school community has been able to adapt well to these challenging times – leading by example in remote learning, continuing a commitment to service, and sharing our spirituality with those who need it most. Never before has academic strength, steadfast emotional support and faith been more important to our students and their families. Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, several families reached out for financial aid to allow their sons or daughters to finish the academic year at Saint Viator. Their requests totaled nearly $70,000 (as of May 15, 2020) and we anticipated the number of families and funds needed would only continue to grow as new appeals are received almost daily.
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In response to the requests, the development office launched a special Tuition Assistance campaign: Better Together. Now More than Ever. Recognizing this is a time of economic uncertainty, we humbly reached out to our Saint Viator community for help. And you answered. Thanks to the generosity of many, more than $70,000 was raised. Every gift of every size made an immediate positive impact on the life of a Lion. We are grateful for your support and proudly recognize that we are in fact, better together, now more than ever.
ALION FOR LIFE | Alumni Feature
Transforming Communities
ER Doctor and Alumnus on Front Lines of Coronavirus Fight in New York
D
r. Michael Lamberta ’04 credits his love of science and problem-solving in part to his chemistry teacher at Saint
Viator High School, Fr. John Van Wiel, CSV. Now working on the front lines of the coronavirus as an ER doctor in New York, Lamberta took the time to thank those who had shaped him, and that included his teachers at Saint Viator. In a letter sent to family and friends, Dr. Lamberta credited his parents, including his father, Frank, a retired orthopedic surgeon, and mother, Laurabeth, as well as his former teachers and even teammates. Dr. Lamberta played soccer all four years, including his senior year when his team traveled to Europe the summer before and returned to win the school’s first state championship. Dr. Lamberta also wanted to reach out to his biology teacher, Mrs. Eileen Cairo, his religion teacher, Mrs. Rita Boeke, his Italian teacher, Mrs. Mirella Rullo, his soccer coach, Mr. Mike Taylor, and Mrs. Eileen Manno, then his counselor, among others. Fast forward to the last seven years, when Dr. Lamberta has worked in emergency medicine in New York. He completed his residency at Montefiore Medical Center and now works as an ER doctor at Maimonides Medical Center, located in the heart of Brooklyn. “I have been overwhelmed by an outpouring of concern and support the last couple of weeks,” Dr. Lamberta wrote in April. “I’d like to thank everyone for the thoughts and prayers that have come in my direction. I want to reassure you that I am well and continue to feel very fortunate to be among a group of compassionate, fearless, and hard-working providers.” Each day, Dr. Lamberta and all of the medical professionals at Maimonides report to work, covered head to toe in personal protective equipment or PPE. He and his colleagues presume almost all of the patients coming through their doors are COVID-19 positive. Their concern is real. The hospital and its triage tents, set up for the worst, have transformed into a “wartime” response, according to one doctor, where the number of “unbelievably sick” patients is relentless.
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Yet, Dr. Lamberta stresses that he and the rest of his team have not lost sight of their calling. Perhaps drawing on his Viatorian education, he strives to treat every patient with compassion. “As the lens of the mass media has zeroed-in its focus to the nuances of our work — public health considerations, provider safety, ventilator numbers and the obstacles we face in the context of stressed resources — I think it is safe to say that this is the craziest experience I have ever encountered in the ER,” Dr. Lamberta said. “That said, emergency medicine as a discipline thrives in cases of uncertainty, strives to resolve difficult decisions, and gracefully contorts itself to the most pressing needs of the hour, all while seeking to maintain the humanity for every patient.” In parting, Dr. Lamberta wanted to reassure people as much as he wanted to thank them. “I am thankful for the many ways you all have contributed to my development as a family member, friend, relative, teacher, teammate, and physician,” he wrote. “If there is a silver lining in all of this it would be an acute reminder about how everything/ everyone is related in our world, and we have a decision at every moment to be grateful, giving, and compassionate.” n
Staff Listing ALION FOR LIFE | In Memoriam
In Memoriam God, grant eternal rest to these members of the Saint Viator and Sacred Heart of Mary community.
ALUMNI Mark A. Anderson ’76, Feb. 1, 2020. Son of Carmela and the late Roy Anderson; husband of Colleen Anderson; father of Daniel, Stephen, Kristin, Andrew, and David Anderson; brother of Michael Anderson ’75, Paul Anderson ’77 (Laura Langlotz Anderson ’77), and Joseph Anderson ’80; uncle of Meghan Johnson ’04 and Amanda ’07, Kevin, ’09, Morgan ’11 and Timothy ’14 Anderson. Barry Daidone ’69, March 21, 2020. Husband of Vikki; father of Abby and Keith.
FAMILY Ann S. Augustin, Feb. 28, 2020. Mother of Edward Augustin ’74, Kathryn Augustin LaMantia ’75 (Victor LaMantia ’75), Donald Augustin ’76 and Suzanne Augustin ’78; grandmother of Angie LaMantia-Collier ’02 and Nick LaMantia ’04. Nancy Barfield, Jan. 7, 2020. Wife of the late Thomas Barfield Sr.; mother of Thomas Barfield Jr. ’87, Debbie Dreyer and Michelle King. Dorothy Biancardi, Jan. 26, 2020, Wife of the late Anthony Biancardi; mother of Andrew Biancardi ’75, Katherine Biancardi Cacciato ’76, James Biancardi ’78, Karen Biancardi Frigara ’80, Mary Biancardi Dyer ’82 and Anthony Biancardi Jr. ’87.
Susan Gosch Kuhn ’72, March 22, 2020. Daughter of the late Anne and the late Walter Gosch; wife of Michael Kuhn; mother of Emily, Kait and the late Matthew; sister of Anne ’70, Peggy ’71, Saint Viator’s Director of Technology, Br. Michael, CSV ‘74, former English teacher, Timmy ’76, and Tricia ’79.
John P. Biestek, Feb. 14, 2020. Husband of Elizabeth; father of Scott ‘75 and Becky Perry.
John A. LaMonica Jr. ’69, Dec. 31, 2019. Son of the late John Anthony Sr. and the late Dorothy LaMonica; father of Drake, Trent, and Elizabeth LaMonica; brother of the late Deborah DiGati.
Frank Ignazio “Poppie” Bruscianelli, Jan. 7, 2020. Husband of GeorgeAnn; father of Lisa Bruscianelli Clifford ’83, and Jack ’86 and Mark Bruscianelli.
Marianne Kucharski Page ’69, Oct. 30, 2019. Son of Glenn April 5, 2020. Daughter of the late Anita and the late Chester Kucharski; wife of Robert Page; sister of James Kucharski ’72, Thomas Kucharski ’80, and Paula Miller. Denise Marie Kerstin Sommer ’77, Feb. 17, 2020. Daughter of Donald and the late Irma Kerstin; mother of Stephanie Faulds, Melissa Weiss, Pamela Schmidt, Jonathan Sommer and Jeffrey Sommer; sister of Scott Kerstin ’78, Kari Kerstin Evak ’80, Christopher Kerstin ’86 and Roger Kerstin ’88. Joseph H. Vinci Jr. ’79, Dec. 7, 2019. Son of the late Joseph Sr. and the late Rita Vinci; husband of Anne Vinci; father of Paul and Ally Vinci.
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Gregory J. Vogler ’70, April 2, 2020. Husband of Kathleen Vogler; father of Kimberly Sekhon and Douglas Vogler; brother of Janet Ruiz.
Dolores V. Bobruk, March 7, 2020. Wife of the late Larry Brobruck (died April 26. 2019); mother of Jonathan Bobruk ’78, Leslie McIntyre and the late Mark Bobruk.
Patricia A. Budin, Feb. 13, 2020. Wife of the late John Budin Jr.; mother of Anne Budin ’73, John Budin ’75, Maria Marchlewski, Paul Budin, and Katherine Budin; grandmother of Christopher Budin ’09 and Nicholas Garth ’17. Donald Andrew Byczynski, Feb. 25, 2020. Husband of Connie; father of Allison ’86 and Donald Byczynski. Frank Calzaretta, Jan. 4, 2020. Husband of Cathy; father of David and Lisa; brother of Tony Calzaretta, assistant director of musical and plays. Michael F. Collins, Jan. 9, 2020. Husband of the late Louise Collins; father of Mary Jo Polark (Jim Polark) - co-chairs of the Shaping the Future Campaign, Kathy Bearden, Tricia Chuipek, Michael
Collins and Jim Collins; grandfather of Brian ’96, Beth ’00, and Michael ’06 Polark. Carl Del Medico, April 12, 2020, Husband of Mary Del Medico; father of Michael Del Medico ’73, Teresa Del Medico Donlon ’75, and Joseph ’83, Susan ’85, and the late Laura Ann Del Medico. Beverly A. Dockendorff, Jan. 3, 2020. Wife of the late Joseph Dockenforff; mother of Mark ’84, Matthew ’86 and Carrie ’87 Dockenforff. Hugh P. Dorsey, March 19, 2020. Husband of the late Adele; father of Adele Dorsey Patton ’68, Anne Solner, Susanne Klehr, Hugh Dorsey, Margaret Bokina, and Tom, John, Robert and Joseph Dorsey. Audrey M. Englehardt, Feb. 7, 2020. Wife of Bob Englehardt; mother of Joellen Englehardt Stein ’80 and Suellen Englehardt Murphy ’84; grandmother of Erin Marie ’13, Kevin ’16, Patrick ’16, Jack ’16, and Grace’16 Murphy, and Katherine and Michael Stein. Joseph Edward Fiebig, March 10, 2020. Husband of Cathy; father of Amanda, Jacob and Maggie; brother of Susan Fiebig Sitta ’65, Janet Fiebig Hamrin ‘67, Linda Fiebig Comstock’70, Peggy Cole, Trisha Costa, Betty Jean Kendziora, Jim Fiebig, and John Fiebig. David Gaeger, Feb. 18, 2020. Husband of Michelle Gaeger; father of David Gaeger ’02 (Lauren Weber Gaeger ’03), Joseph Gaeger ’04, and Patrick Gaeger ’08, Assistant Director of Enrollment. Earl Richard Hobbs, Dec. 18, 2019. Husband of Pat Hobbs; father of Jeff Hobbs ’80, Cindi Redman, and Richard Hobbs; grandfather of Brandon ’01 and Tyler ’04 Hobbs. David M. Hora MD, Feb. 14, 2020. Husband of Suzanne Hora; father of Dave ’83, Susan, and Michael Hora; grandfather of Jordan ’16; brother of Jim Hora ’70, Marge Novak and the late Kate Chudik; uncle of Steve ’88, Brian ’89, Amy ’93, and Matthew ’99 Chudik and Andrew Hora ’10. John Horton, Feb. 23, 2020. Husband of Helen Horton; father of Louise Horton ’86. John B. Kearns, Jan. 25, 2020. Husband of Lorraine Kearns;
father of Mary Kearns Paquette ’67, Constance Kearns Goetz ’70, Margaret Kearns Sanders ’79, and Timothy, Paul, and Peter Kearns, and the late Gail McBurney ’68. Judith C. Kizior, Feb. 26, 2020. Wife of Ronald Kizior and the late Roger Matelski; mother of Shari Matelski-Duffy ’93. Mary Jane Koska, March 9, 2020. Wife of the late Leonard; mother of Chris Koska ’77, Mary Therese Keane, and Elizabeth Boyer. John Kenneth Larson, Feb. 27, 2020. Husband of Sharon; father of Matthew ’00, John and Andrew Larson. James E. Lesniak, Feb. 13, 2020. Husband of Marcia; father of Stephanie Lesniak Maslen ‘04. Eugene DeValcourt Lockwood, Dec. 20, 2019. Husband of Prabha Lockwood; father of Tara Lockwood LaCerra ’98 and Michael Lockwood. Annette McMahon Lopatka, Jan. 1, 2020. Wife of the late Horace E. McMahon and the late Art Lopatka ; mother of Linda McMahon Meilinger ’67. Eileen Steffen Marshall, Jan. 10, 2020. Wife of the late Jack Steffen and the late Chuck Marshall; mother of Kaysie Steffen Oldani ’67, Mary Beth Steffen Tushner ’69, and John and Marty Steffen; stepmother of Linda Hartman, Rick Cohen, Michael Marshall, Steven Marshall, and the late Michael Cohen. Nancy Marston, Dec. 30, 2019. Mother of Peggy Hayes (Sean Hayes’91), Emily, Bernard, Thomas, and Michael Marston; grandmother of Kate Hayes ’22. Dolores Ann McDonald, Dec. 26, 2019. Wife of the late Patrick McDonald; mother of Sandy Grogman (Roger Grogman ’65), and Patrick ’70, Terry ’72, and Tom ’76 McDonald. Thomas J. McGovern II, Dec. 29, 2019. Husband of Renae McGovern; father of Megan McGovern ’95 and the late Tommy McGovern. Joseph J. McMahon, Dec. 30, 2019. Husband of the late Margaret McMahon; father of Michael McMahon ’79 and Jeannine Paxton.
Geraldine “Gerry” J. Moscinski, April 5, 2020. Wife of the late Warren Moscinski; mother of Susan Moscinski Hall ’67, Mary Beth Moscinski Ensalaco ’69, Gail Zapchenk, Paul Moscinski, Ann Much, Andrew Moscinski, and Aimee O’Donnell.
Dayle Slack Ellis ’88, and the late Douglas Slack ’73.
FACULTY
Phyllis M. Sommers, Jan. 27, 2020. Wife of the late William Sommers; mother of Linda Sommers Chalk ’67 (the late Craig Chalk ’66) and Beth Sommers Trapani ’77 (Daniel Trapani ’71); grandmother of Christopher Chalk ’93, Sarah Trapani Sullivan ’08, and Dominic Trapani ’10.
Elaine T. Mundt, Jan. 10, 2020. Wife of the late Warren Mundt, mother of Keith ’71, Darlene Mundt Rawls ’72, Clyde ’74, Warren “Mick” ’87, Gary, Gaye Dell’Aringa, and Craig; grandmother of Eric Dell’Aringa ’05.
Elaine Spike, March 25, 2020. Wife of Raymond Spike Jr; mother of Jennifer Spike Scanlan ’96 and Jaclyn Spike Plasschaert ’99.
Robert D. Pasquale, Feb. 23, 2020. Husband of the late Dolores; father of Suzanne Pasquale Kroupa ’68, Robert Pasquale Jr. and Dorothy Lance.
Lucille “Lucia” Stepek, Jan. 15, 2020. Wife of the late James Stepek; mother of Tom ’79, Michael ’81, Mary Jo, and Terri.
Tomάs Alexander Diaz-Lee, January 20, 2020. Son of the late Jesus Diaz and Candida Lee. Mr. Diaz-Lee taught Spanish and French at Saint Viator from 2004 until his retirement in 2013.
Lilly Thompson, Jan. 24, 2020. Mother of Alan Parsons’ 66, Mimi Parsons Perper and the late Suzanne Parsons-Levy ’66.
Silvio Pontarelli, Jan. 21, 2020. Husband of Adeline; father of Raymond ’88. Robert Thomas Rogers, April 21, 2020. Husband of Margaret Rogers; father of Kathleen Rogers Henderson ’70, Debra Rogers Bolash ’72 (John Bolash ’72), Linda Rogers Voirin ’73, and Diane ’75, Kevin ’76, David ’78, Lawrence ’80, Mark ’81, Steven ’84, Jeffrey ’86 and Jennifer ’90 Rogers.
James J. Walsh, Jan. 29, 2020. Husband of Janet Walsh and the late Joan Walsh; father of James Walsh ’79, Harold Walsh ’80, Peter Walsh ’81 (Cathy Notaro Walsh ’81), Lisa Walsh Burns ’83, Daniel Walsh ’87 and Sharon Williams; grandfather of Ryan ’08, Laura ’10, Kevin ’12, and Danny ’16.
Tommie Lou Scalzitti, March 19, 2020. Wife of the late Guy Scalzitti; mother of Larry Scalzitti ’71, Gary Scalzitti ’73 and Mary Scalzitti Barrett ’74.
Louis “Lou” Wibicki, Dec. 13, 2019. Husband of Bernadine Wibicki; father of Bradley ’95, Kevin, Lori Anne, the late Kenneth and the late Lisa Wibicki.
Patricia Hall Schneider, Feb. 25, 2020. Wife of Harold Schneider; mother of Thomas ’78, David ’80, Andrew ’82, and John Schneider ’84, and Mary Ellen Schneider Zeiger ’85.
Daniel “Dan” Wickstrom, Feb. 2, 2020. Husband of Catherine; father of Emily Wickstrom-Ruiz, Olivia Walker and Nell Wickstrom; brother of Tim Wickstrom ’65 - former Board of Trustee member, Casey, Julie, the late Kathy and Terry; uncle of Richard Wickstrom ’89.
Ellen Jean Schoepke, March 16, 2020. Daughter of Jane and the late Richard Schoepke; sister of Daniel Schoepke ’69, Patricia Schoepke Henderson ’73, Geri Schoepke Hill ’74, Mary Benner, Mark Schoepke, Eileen Arosen, Kevin Schoepke and the late Jeffrey Schoepke ’70.
Russell F. Williams, Jan. 1, 2020. Husband of Mary Jo Williams; father of Julie Williams Martynowycz ’71, Cynthia Williams ’74, Dan Williams ’76, and Nora Williams-Fielder. Lorraine Winkler, Jan. 8, 2020. Wife of the late Frank Winkler; mother of James Winkler ’85, Carol Winkler and Sandra Barnhill.
Muriel Kathryn Schrock, Feb. 23, 2020. Wife of the late Victor; mother of Valerie Schrock Zemko ’70, and Michael ’71, David ’73, Jeffery and Vicki Schrock and Ginny Zega.
Joseph John Zielinski, April 3, 2020. Husband of the late Rita Zielinski; father of Robert ’77, James, Diane ’80, Christina, Deborah, and the late Joseph ’76.
Patricia Mae Slack, Dec. 22, 2019. Wife of the late Lowell Slack; mother of Deborah Slack CurreyBoyd ’69, David Slack ’71, Diane Slack Greco ’76, Daniel Slack ’80, Denise Slack Mortellaro-Ryan ’83,
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James Bush Lyne III, February 23, 2020. Husband of Frances Lyne; father of Victoria, Valerie, John, Michael, and Scott. Coach Lyne taught physical education and served as head coach of both the football and track teams at Saint Viator. He was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1988, and he retired from teaching in 1999.
John Paulik, April 9, 2020. Son of the late George Paulik and Mary Paulik; brother of Thomas Paulik, Michael Paulik, and Caron Paulik Goffron. Mr. Paulik began teaching in the theology department at Saint Viator in 2006 and was also a Viatorian Associate, working alongside of the Viatorians, and advancing their charism.
ALION FOR LIFE | Event Update
Night of the Lion: Roaring Into the Twenties Each year, the Saint Viator community gathers in celebration of our school and in support of our students at the Night of the Lion. On Saturday, March 7, nearly 300 guests roared into the twenties at Saint Viator’s annual premier fundraising event. Raising more than $200,000 for the Tuition Assistance Fund, the 2020 special event was an evening of camaraderie and fun, in support of student scholarships. The speaking program began with prayer by Br. John Eustice, CSV, vice president of Viatorian identity and mission, and a warm welcome from President Brian Liedlich. Highlights of the night included entertainment by Exit 147, gourmet food and drinks, a lively auction and paddle raise, and most importantly, remarks by distinguished student guests: Bryce McDonnell ’20 and Erin Aldana ’20. Both Erin and Bryce humbly reminded us of the value of the Saint Viator experience, and reflected warmly on their time as students, athletes, thespians, volunteers, leaders in their faith, and friends. While many other charitable organizations were not as lucky, Saint Viator recognizes how blessed we were to have had an opportunity to gather, celebrate and support our community before the COVID-19 pandemic began this spring. We look forward to celebrating alongside you again soon. In the meantime, please save the date for Night of the Lion 2021 on Saturday, March 6, and join us in thanking this year’s generous sponsors: Scholar Sponsors
Insight Sponsors
Clerics of St. Viator Grand Victoria Casino
Aeroshield All About Kids Dentistry/ Patrick Hoffman and Dr. Victoria Ursitti C. Starr Properties John Fox ’71, Gourmet’s Delight Cheesecakes Holy Family Parish McAndrews, Held & Malloy Thomas ’88 and Danell and John ’21 O’Neill Quest Food Management Services Rooney Landscape, Inc
Tradition Sponsors Cashman Stahler Group The Conneely Family – Kerry ’90, Mark, Fiona ’18, Sarah ’20 and Nora Jack and Beth Klues Brian Liedlich, President Motor Werks Auto Group Nicholas & Associates, Inc. Village Bank & Trust
Loyal Heart Sponsors Anonymous Capital Point Financial Group/ Dave Hogaboom and Colleen Gaughan Kopon Airdo
Selden Fox, Ltd.
Innovation Sponsors Smiles by Smoron The Lakota Group
Friends Arlington Dermatology Greg ’65 and Laura Carlson DKM&O Attorneys Kelleher & Buckley, LLC
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ALION FOR LIFE | Alumni News
Bears Go Local, Draft TE Cole Kmet ’17 with 43rd Pick Reprint from Daily Herald , 4/24/2020 By John Radtke, Daily Herald High School Sports Editor Cole Kmet’s NFL dream came true Friday night. Kmet, a 2017 Saint Viator graduate who just completed his junior season at Notre Dame, was selected by his hometown Chicago Bears with the 43rd pick. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound tight end was ecstatic to hear his named called on the NFL Draft show, which was done virtually and aired by ABC. “This is awesome,” Kmet told the Daily Herald moments after the pick was announced. “This is just great.” The Bears look to Kmet to help charge up their offense. Bears tight ends combined for just 395 yards last season and none had more than 91 all year. They now have 10 on their roster after taking the surehanded Kmet, who started 11 games as a junior last season after missing the first two because of a broken collarbone and caught 43 passes for 515 yards and 6 touchdowns. Also a standout baseball player who at one time was a top MLB prospect, Kmet was a Daily Herald All-Area baseball captain and athlete of the year in 2017, after leading Saint Viator to the Class 3A state championship. The White Sox showed interest in drafting him out of high school. He even worked out for them at their ballpark.
He appeared in 30 games as a relief pitcher at Notre Dame during his freshman year but was limited to eight games his sophomore year due to an elbow injury. With the Bears, he will get to work with one of this generation’s most accomplished tight ends in Jimmy Graham. Chicago signed the veteran, hoping the five-time Pro Bowl pick can regain the form that made him a star for New Orleans and Seattle before getting released by Green Bay. Kmet said he models his game after Rob Gronkowski. Either way, the Bears are banking on bigger things. Kmet was home in Arlington Heights, where he recently moved, with his immediate family and girlfriend, Emily Jarosz ’17, when he got the call. It got disconnected and so did a FaceTime attempt before coach Matt Nagy gave him the news.
Judith Amberg Recognized with Young at Heart Award Almost 40 members of the Saint Viator community were in attendance at the annual Arlington Heights Hearts of Gold Dinner in February to celebrate as Judith Wampach Amberg was given the Young at Heart Award. Judy’s career spans not only her time at Saint Viator as a teacher, administrator, and director of alumni relations, but also her years at Sacred Heart of Mary High School. She served as a religion teacher and assistant principal at Sacred Heart for 14 years, forging lasting relationships with many students. When the two schools merged in the late 1980s, Judy served on the transition team before continuing her career at Saint Viator as the chair of the religion department, working in Campus Ministry and ultimately being named director of alumni relations. Today, she remains involved as director emeritus of alumni relations. “I just feel so blessed to be part of the Saint Viator and Sacred Heart communities and to celebrate here with so many deserving people,” Amberg said during her brief speech.
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In her introduction of Judy, Arlington Heights Special Events Commission Chairperson Laurie Mitchell said, “Judith Wampach Amberg has a long and inspirational history of service to young people and Catholic education. She has worked tirelessly to ensure that the alumni from Sacred Heart never lose their identity and connection to their school and classmates.” Those on the committee mentioned that Judy received multiple nominations for the Heart of Gold Award this year, and noted that the only difficulty they had was in determining how to fit all of her accomplishments and aspects of her service into a brief introduction.
Saint Viator High School 1213 East Oakton Street Arlington Heights, IL 60004 www.saintviator.com (847) 392-4050
Recipient of the 2008 and 2014 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Awards
Please email alumni@saintviator.com with new addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, photos and updates. Stay connected to us on social media. Find us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.
