MARIAN Catholic [tÄÄ Éy YtÅx
Alex Panio ’62
Bernie Jablonski
Shannon Reidy ’90
More than 17,000 students are Scholars with a Soul having benefited from learning at Marian Catholic. More than 90 percent of students each year honor that educational background by volunteering for service at Marian. Then, some go well beyond that call. Led by Alumnus of the Year Alex Panio, Jr. ’62, the Alumni Association Hall of Fame inductees for 2006 have all made significant contributions back to their communities. In most cases, the Class of 2006 has given talents and efforts back directly to private school education and Marian Catholic High School. Through teaching, coaching, medicine, directing and as benefactors, the Class of 2006 Hall of Famers have given a new definition of service to others through generosity and profession. Alumnus of the Year Alex Panio, Jr., Ph.D. ’62 recognized in his formative years as Class President at Marian Catholic, his ability to lead. Beginning his career at Northwestern University Medical School and Memorial Hospital in Psychiatry, Panio realized his professional dream in 1982. Panio founded and serves as President of the Adolescent and Family Institute of Colorado, Inc. The institute is a unique, intensive treatment hospital specializing in the care of adolescents and their family systems. More than 1,600 families have been recipients of the hospital’s care. “Marian Catholic was the start of a journey,” Panio explained. “I have not stopped my journey. I love to travel, to learn, to share and to teach, and to enjoy the arts and new experiences with my family. I founded the treatment center that is one of the finest in the country due to the loyalty and skill of my staff.” Panio has found success in his exploits by “getting a great view, getting close to the edge and most importantly, having a partner (wife Mary Kruse Panio, BSN) to live with, work with and love. I do not give up!” The Chicago Heights native has served as an advisor/consultant to former President Carter’s Mental Health Commission and has presented major formal professional lectures and publications throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, South America and Cuba. He has appeared on several national media presentations
and participated in a documentary that awarded the United Press International Best Documentary Award in 1975. Panio has received training and his education background from Tulane, Roosevelt, DePaul, Northwestern Medical School, California Western and has received post-graduate training at The Family Institute of Chicago. In 2004, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Family Institute of Northwestern University. For Panio, much of his charisma was honed while at Marian Catholic. “The ‘premier class’ was full of energy, talent, spirit and we cared for each other,” Panio recalled. “Every day was exciting. Something new was there for us to master. As Class President, meeting with staff and officers set the tempo for problem solving and success.” A huge favorite of Marian students in the Fine Arts Department and well beyond, Bernie Jablonski will be honored with the Fine Arts Distinguished Achievement Award. On staff for 24 years at Marian, Jablonski has directed dozens of plays at the school, coordinated the Stage Techs and has been a key contributor for Marian musicals, concerts and special events in the Fine Arts Department. Through nearly a quarter-century, “Mister J” has instilled skill and confidence in Marian students in the public speaking and performance arenas. “I’ve had tons of people who had faith in me and supported me,” Jablonski said of his Marian experience. “I’ve always had friends here and always had an audience to play to. People at Marian made me want to explore what was beyond and always made me want to come back.” “Marian has been life-spanning and lifeopening,” said the graduate of Weber High School and St. Louis University. “I’ve always been able to rely on Marian Catholic for warmth, support, knowledge and wisdom.” Thousands of Marian students have also been able to rely on Jablonski in many ways. He continues to be integral to the learning process for current students, but also remains a great friend and resource for so many Marian graduates. “Bernie has been an important part of our Marian Fine Arts family for such a long time,” Band Director and Fine Arts Department Chair
Greg Bimm said. “During his time here, he has given freely of his time, talent, caring personality and, of course, his wonderful sense of humor. He has been a true gift to the students and staff alike. He has been a great colleague and a true friend. I am so happy to see him honored by the Hall of Fame.” Before “rambling” off this past spring to accept the position of head women’s basketball coach at Loyola University, Athlete of the Year Shannon Reidy ’90 offered her talents to Marian in two different ways. As a student-athlete, Reidy was a multiplesport athlete for the Spartans, which paved her way to a college career at Lake Forest College after becoming one of the all-time women’s basketball leading scorers at Marian. She also helped lead the Spartans to their first women’s basketball IHSA Sweet 16 in 1988. The next time Marian reached the Sweet 16? When, as head coach, Reidy guided the squad to the Elite Eight in 2002. This time, the Spartans advanced all the way to the state championship contest before earning the school’s second Second Place trophy. Marian made three straight visits to the Elite Eight, adding a Fourth Place trophy in 2004. “When Marian Catholic ‘stole’ alumna Shannon Reidy from the business world, who would know the impact this passionate professional woman would have on women’s sports here?” Marian President Sr. M. Paul McCaughey, O.P. ’67 said. “Shannon’s imprint is deep and solid, a lasting legacy of excellence, enthusiasm and hard work.” A three-time Illinois Basketball Coaches Association District Coach of the Year, Reidy led the women’s basketball program to a 160-54 mark in seven campaigns at her alma mater. With Reidy coaching, the Spartans had five 20-win seasons, won five regional titles, three sectional titles and made three visits to the IHSA Elite Eight. "The Marian community and my players have made me a better coach every day and they will forever be in my heart, Reidy said. The Hardest part about leaving Marian is leaving the current players who have become so important in my life. But like others who have left Marian, I hope to remain close to them all."
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