A Message from the Office of the Abbot
Dear Friends,
MARMION MAGAZINE
The News Magazine of Marmion Abbey and Academy
Winter 2024-2025 | Vol. 75, No. 1
The Marmion Magazine is published three times a year (Spring, Summer, and Winter) by Marmion, 1000 Butterfield Road, Aurora, IL 60502.
Publisher:
Rt. Rev. Joel Rippinger, OSB
Editor: Kathleen Hausmann
Layout/Design: Terri Rios
Writers & Photographers:
Maria Asher, Brian Birch, Evan Burns ’28, Paul Chabura, Jerry Chenski, Nicholas De Leon ’25, Bill Fox ’74, Kathleen Hausmann, Nancy Konrath, Mark Malkowski ’08, Jacob Popp, Jr. ’26, Fr. Charles Reichenbacher, OSB ’59, Abbot Joel Rippinger, OSB, Terri Rios, Christian Surtz ’16, Anthony Tinerella ’84, LTC Daniel Williams, USA
Cover photo by Terri Rios Outreach Ministry Leadership Board: (l-r)
Anthony Quail ’25, Owen Cousins ’26, Evan Paganelis ’25, Matthew Sullivan ’25, Charlie Schweiner ’25, Samuel Wirth ’25, (Article on pg. 5)
Send Address Changes to: MARMION Magazine Editor Marmion Academy 1000 Butterfield Road Aurora, IL 60502 or visit www.marmion.org/update
Contact Us: (630) 897-6936 advancement@marmion.org
Website: www.marmion.org
A question posed to me by a Marmion alumnus some weeks ago lingers in the memory: How can you maintain trust in the institution you are called to lead? At a time when trust in previously revered institutions, our federal and state governments, our Congress, our Supreme Court, and yes, our Church, has eroded or disappeared, it is a question worthy of consideration. In attempting to answer that question, I can point to events of recent months that have served to provide an answer.
The Benedictine Confederation is a worldwide entity of abbeys and monastic communities. Every four years there is a Congress of Abbots in Rome. The pandemic of 2020 forced the cancellation of the Congress. So this year was the first time in eight years that over 225 abbots and other superiors met atop the Aventine Hill at the Benedictine College of Sant’Anselmo. It is a place I came to know well in student days in the 1970s and a place where today our Father Eusebius is on the Faculty of one of the schools of the College, the Pontifical Liturgical Institute. What was most striking in our eleven days of meeting was the diversity of race, language and customs that were represented, as well as the unity visibly felt by all. A new Abbot Primate was elected to replace our outgoing American Abbot Primate, Gregory Polan. The new Abbot Primate is a Bavarian monk, Jeremias Schröder, a well-traveled and multilingual person who has won the confidence of the Confederation with his leadership. In conversations and workshops with fellow abbots throughout the world, I marveled at the immense variety of wisdom and experience we have in place to lead our Benedictine communities.
Our leadership of the Swiss-American Congregation is also in fine hands. Abbot Justin Brown of St. Joseph’s Abbey in Covington, LA was elected as Abbot President last year in our General Chapter. He knows our community well. He has given us a retreat in past years. Last summer he spent several weeks with our Priory community in Guatemala studying Spanish, and in October he was with us as part of our Visitation. His example of holiness of life and wise counsel have been clear gifts to Marmion.
Lastly, I want to acknowledge the great gift to Marmion Abbey and Academy of our Board of Trustees. I have come to see over the years the immeasurable expertise and investment they have contributed to the mission of Marmion. This past year the Board has been exceptionally generous in providing hours
Abbot Joel (far right) at St. Peter’s with Abbot President Justin Brown (center) and Abbot Alban Riley (left) of Westminster Abbey, Canada.
The election of the new Abbot Primate, Jeremiah Schröeder, of St. Ottilien Abbey in Germany.
of work on planning for the future of our Academy and on projecting the prudent stewardship of our resources for coming years. The decision of the Abbey Chapter on November 16 to proceed in the planning and implementation of a co-ed model of education benefited from the concentrated research and study of the Board. Their investment in the mission of Marmion and their dedicated service are living signs of how the Lord has gifted us with people of sound support and faithful service. The same can be said of our dedicated Administration, Faculty and Staff of the Academy. In answer to the question of the alumnus, I can echo the old Allstate commercial and say “we are in very good hands.”
Sincerely,
Abbot Joel Rippinger, OSB
75 th Anniversary of Abbey Farms
The History and Evolution of the Farm
byFr.CharlesReichenbacher,OSB’59,DirectorofPlannedGiving
In 1949, the Benedictines of Marmion Abbey, then located in the City of Aurora on North Lake Street and Illinois Avenue, purchased two farms (the Roth farm and Sherman farm) in Kane County on Butterfield and Hart Roads—then north of the City of Aurora, for a future monastery and school site. Both were active farms (grain and animals). +Father Matthias Zinkan, OSB, who had a farming background, was appointed in charge of these farms.
In 1957 Marmion Abbey decided to end its farming of grain and animals on approximately 100 acres of land that surrounded the monastery and the “under-construction” Academy. The problem? What to do with the farm property? Aurora, Batavia, and North Aurora had not expanded at this time, so residential or commercial use were out of the question.
+Father Andrew Wamhoff, OSB, whose family raised Christmas trees in the South Haven, MI, area, suggested that Marmion sign a “Soil Bank” agreement
with the federal government (basically, get paid for ten years not to plant grain crops), and to plant pine trees on these acres as a conservation project, with the government supplying about half the cost of the seedlings. The trees, according to the contract, could not be sold or removed for ten years. Marmion’s soil is basically “gumbo clay”, so only pine trees, not firs, grow well. Approximately 100,000 White, Scotch, and Red Pine trees were planted, which grow about 12” a year, once they take root (they are weather dependent).
There was no “business plan” about what to do with these trees once the tenyear limit was up. Rather, people came to the fields and asked if they could cut down a tree for their Christmas tree. Thus, Abbey Farms kind of “backed into” the Christmas tree business. The cost then was $5.00 a tree, any size.
The monk most associated with the Christmas Tree Farm was +Father Bede Stocker, OSB, who was appointed superintendent of the tree farm in 1970.
1952: +Fr. Matthias Zinkan, OSB in front of the new milk house.
1954: Fraters Stephen (driving tractor) and Patrick (stacking hay bales) demonstrate the use of the baler adjunct the Clerics invented to cut down the man power needed in farm work.
He served in this capacity for 36 years. Father Bede was assisted by +Father Andrew Wamhoff, OSB for many years. Also, many “men volunteers” helped with the tree sales, especially on weekends; many students volunteered after school to make Christmas wreaths, supervised by Fr. Andrew. Fr. Andrew also introduced a landscaping business along with Christmas Tree sales. At the height of the tree sales, 7,000-8,000 trees were sold per year. These monks, with assistance of other monks and volunteers, replanted 10,000-12,000 seedlings a year in the Spring. Fr. Andrew died in 2009; Fr. Bede died in 2010. With their deaths, there were no monks who could take over the farm operation.
+Father Philip Kremer, OSB, after retiring from teaching, made Christmas wreaths and helped with the tree sales on weekends, but the trees were not being replenished through new plantings, or shaped and sprayed.
With no “farmer monks” available, Adam Voirin, a 2002 graduate of the Academy and who has a degree from Ball State University in environmental engineering, was hired to run Abbey Farms. He introduced the autumn “Pumpkin Daze” program, summer produce sales, and other promotions, along with the traditional Christmas tree sales. He helped design the Nagel Emporium, and build the Stocker Barn and the Reed Pavilion, along with an on-site and on-line sale of gift items.
These Farm buildings are rented as business and banquet “meeting sites.”
When Adam Voirin resigned in 2022, another graduate of the Academy, Eric Mott ’03, was appointed the superintendent of Abbey Farms. Before Eric’s promotion, he was the manager of farming operations: selling, shaping, and spraying the trees, and planting new seedlings.
Thanks to all of these “farmers”, monks and laymen, volunteers and paid employees, Abbey Farms has grown in 75 years to a wholly owned “for-profit” business (tax paying) of Marmion Abbey, a “not-for-profit corporation”.
1979: +Fr. Bede Stocker, OSB tends to the pine tree saplings.
1987: Aerial view of the Butterfield Campus
2005: +Fr. Philip Kremer, OSB was an avid gardener.
2016: Eric Mott ’03 and Adam Voirin ’02
2016: Br. Theodore Haggerty, OSB (now Fr. Theodore) assists with pre-cut tree sales at Abbey Farms.
What is Outreach Ministry?
Students Living Out Their Faith while Making a Difference
byJerryChenski,DirectorofOutreachMinistry
In 2014, Bill Johnson ’64 (Marmion’s former Campus Minister and Outreach Director) was promoting Marmion at local parishes. He was then asked to bring some Marmion students with him to help facilitate a Confirmation retreat, and thus the Outreach Ministry Program was born. The idea was to make Marmion more visible in the community, and have our students live out their faith.
Outreach Ministry provides fun, faithfilled retreats, for middle schoolers throughout the Rockford and Joliet Dioceses. The Outreach Team will present approximately 30 retreats a school year. It is a program that makes Marmion unique. Our students take what they learn from their Theology classes and take to the streets of Aurora, Wheaton, Elgin, Naperville, and Plano, just to name a few.
“We have used the Marmion Outreach Team for our Confirmation retreats for the past several years and couldn’t be happier with the experience. The retreats are well planned and run so smoothly, and the young men that are part of the team make a huge impact on the teens,” said Theresa Pratt, Director of Religious Education at Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Naperville.
Over 80 Marmmion students are involved in the Outreach Program this year; some only do one retreat while others do multiple retreats throughout the year. The Outreach Ministry Team has a student Leadership Board that meets to discuss ways the retreats can make a greater impact on the middle school students.
Charlie Schweiner ’25, member of the student Leadership Board states, “To me, Outreach Ministry means spreading and showing the message of Jesus to those who are learning and beginning to grow towards Him. I enjoy being able to meet people at different schools and share with them
the message of Jesus and talk about how they are called in their lives.”
Our students are truly gifted in sometimes surprising ways. There have been many students whom I have invited, or have signed up for a retreat, who tend to be on the quiet side. Once they get in front of a group and begin talking about their faith, they take on a whole different personality and do an amazing job.
“Mr. Chenski and the young men from Marmion do a wonderful job bringing their joyful, knowledgeable faith and playful attitudes to our 7th grade retreat. They are great role models who really connect with our students in their games, powerful witness talks, and small group discussions,” wrote Darci Mills, Middle School Youth Formation Coordinator at St. Michael’s Parish in Wheaton.
The students are very excited to be part of a retreat team. They look forward to it and it gives them a sense of pride in their faith and in their school. It has become an honored tradition among the student body to be part of the Outreach Team. To take the message of Jesus to the streets, they truly put themselves on the line, and put their faith out there in front of unknown 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. They are what makes Marmion special; they are making a difference.
Nicholas Large ’25 and Ryan Blakeslee ’25 lead a small group discussion with 1st year Confirmation students at St. Mary’s in DeKalb.
Charlie Schweiner ’25, Chimaobi Oguike ’25, and Charles Hoying ’25 were leaders of a St. John the Baptist (Somonauk) 7th grade retreat held at Marmion.
Charles Hoying ’25 leads a small group discussion at the Holy Angels (Aurora) Confirmation retreat.
Connor Moloney ’25 gives a personal witness talk to Confirmation students from St. Peter’s in Aurora.
Faith in Action
Blessed Columba Marmion Award
byMarkMalkowski’08,DirectorofCampusMinistry&StudentLife
The Blessed Columba Marmion Award honors and highlights our Benedictine traditions and recognizes the good works, high character, and many accomplishments of our students. This award proudly acknowledges those who demonstrate exemplary Christian leadership by living the Benedictine Hallmarks. Below are the monthly award recipients with excerpts from their letters of recommendation.
September 2024 Recipients
• Aidan Miller ’28, awarded for Hospitality: Aidan is very outgoing and fun to be with. I see him in conversations with his friends and he always seems to be having a good time. He helps others with a positive attitude, and thus, the nomination of Hospitality. He goes out of his way to say “hello” and he makes others feel good as seen with his warm, kind, and outgoing spirit.
• Tyler Dietz ’27, awarded for Love: You will rarely meet a student with a more positive disposition than Tyler. Despite the challenges he faces, the positive attitude he brings to school each day is an inspiration to his fellow students and the faculty. Tyler helps to spread God’s love and brighten the day of everyone he comes in contact with.
• Owen Cousins ’26, awarded for Love: It is hard to nominate Owen for only one category. Owen promotes excellence, growth, and positive attitude within the community. However, he is nominated for the hallmark of Love specifically because of his recent potentially life-saving actions of helping one of his classmates in need. This recent situation, amongst much else, highlights his faith, his kindness, and the fact that he daily walks the talk.
• Evan Conti ’25, awarded for Conversatio: Evan is so fun to talk to. He is extremely polite and mannerly. He really challenges himself academically and in his swimming endeavors. Evan shows genuine concern for everyone and anyone. He cares about who he is, and he represents himself as a dedicated, humble, and upstanding young man and athlete.
October 2024 Recipients
• Eric Learakos ’28, awarded for Hospitality: Eric is so upbeat and positive around school. Every time I see him, he is smiling and happy. He goes out of his way to say hello, and I see him acting with energy and fun with his classmates. Eric is just a happy person who is an excellent example of being kind and friendly to everyone.
• David Ferris ’27, awarded for Community: David is the essence of a Marmion man and lives out a spirit of community each day in the way he is always willing to help fellow students. This is evident especially in engineering class where it is common for him to help his fellow students. He will never deny anyone help when asked, and shows compassion and consideration in the way he interacts with his fellow students.
• Samuel Ramirez ’26, awarded for Love: Sam has really stepped up as a leader this year. In a short amount of time, Sam has already helped lead multiple Outreach Ministry retreats. Sam is willing to put himself out there and is not afraid to speak to younger students about his faith life. He has done a fantastic job.
• William Schwartz ’25, awarded for Love: Energetic, smiling, happy, moving fast and furious, and embracing each day are words associated with Will Schwartz. I enjoy saying hello to Will and it usually is followed up with a kind word. His upbeat attitude is obvious and he impacts the classroom and hallways with his positive outlook on everything. He loves to talk, and I admire his love for life.
Miller Learakos Dietz Ferris
Cousins Ramirez Conti Schwartz
Eucharistic Ministers Commissioned
Ten seniors were commissioned Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at the All-School Mass on September 3, 2024. In addition, the student altar servers, lectors, and choir members received a special blessing. In total, Marmion has over 50 students who are currently involved in serving our Lord during Mass in some capacity. Thank you to all of these great students and their examples of servant leadership!
Pictured above: (l-r) Henry Mikrut, Charlie Schweiner, Anthony Quail, Juan Liz, Thomas Chapski, Fr. Antony Minardi, OSB ’08, Charles Hoying, Vincent Hlavacek, Michael Dorando, Ryan Caballes, and Regan Konen.
Fall Clothing Drive
byJamesSanders,Theology,Philosophy,andLEADInstructor
Marmion’s annual fall clothing drive concluded on December 4 with the delivery to Hesed House of roughly 30 boxes and 15 large bags of used clothing and linens. In addition, Wayside Cross Ministries in Aurora received a donation of 70 boxes/bags of used clothing on November 21. The overall volume of donations this year surpassed any in recent memory. The Marmion Academy community again showed a great generosity of spirit in providing clothing and bedding for the unhoused in the City of Aurora.
It does indeed take a village. Marmion sophomores manned the student drop off location, accepting donations and carrying the clothing to Benkert Hall to be stored. The maintenance staff assisted in setting up sorting tables, hauling away refuse, and providing transportation for the delivery of the clothing to Hesed House. Many individuals within the building worked to advertise the drive on social media. Mrs. Hernandez again acted as a communication hub with the various entities involved in the drive. Special mention is certainly reserved for the Marmion parents who generously offered time and energy to sort and box the clothing - a five-hour day shortly before Thanksgiving break.
Joelle Tolentino was the coordinator of the sorting day and was assisted by Colleen Boraca, Shelly Young, Julie Swindle, Elle Withall, Kim Ferris, Nikki Yates, and Christie Malley. Diana Law, and Jaime Buchner assisted with recruiting volunteers. What a blessing to have the support of our Marmion parents in helping to fulfill the mission of the Academy within the wider Aurora community. Put simply, the clothing drive could not succeed without the service of these parents. We are grateful for their good hearts.
Sam Hardin ’28 (left) and Beckham Krol ’28 help load 70 boxes/bags of donated clothing into the Wayside Cross truck.
Academic Accolades
Illinois State Scholars
Twenty members of the Class of 2025 have been named Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC). The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the State’s college access and financial aid agency, confers this important recognition of academic achievement to exceptional Illinois high school students annually. This year, more than 16,500 honorees join the other outstanding students who have been honored since the designation was first introduced in 1958.
Samuel Carrera
Thomas Chapski
John Daffenberg
Remington Davis
NMSC
Camden Dempsey
Benedict Graft
Nicholas Large
Juan Liz
Henry Mikrut
Andrew Mumford
Adam Ozsvath
Anthony Quail
Commended Students
John Regan
Rudolf Reitmann
Kevin Schultz
William Schwartz
Seniors, Adam Ozsvath (left) and Matthew Sullivan (right), were named Commended Students in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Competition (NMSC) Program. Approximately 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation were recognized for their exceptional academic promise demonstrated by their outstanding performance on the qualifying test (PSAT/NMSQT). Commended Students place among the top 50,000 of all high school students who entered the competition.
Caleb Soulsby
Matthew Sullivan
Grant Turcich
Samuel Wirth
Advanced Placement Scholar Awards
The College Board Advanced Placement (AP) program recognized 58 Marmion students/graduates for their outstanding performance on the 2024 AP exams.
AP Scholar with Distinction: Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
Brendan Blair ’24
Nathan Brandon ’24
Charles Donoghue ’24
Christopher Eby ’24
Henry Garrison ’24
James Jochum ’24
James Kennedy ’24
Nicholas Large ’25
Jonathan Moscinski ’24
Dominic Pipitone ’24
Anthony Quail ’25
Mateo Ramirez ’24
Ian Roskuszka ’24
Maxwell Rowe ’24
Brody Sartain ’24
John Schatteman ’24
Grayson Stewart ’24
Matthew Sullivan ’25
Colin Tazelaar-Kruger ’24
Sanjay Vlk ’24
Joseph Walsh ’24
AP Scholar with Honors: Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
Jonah Augustyn ’24
Thomas Chapski ’25
John Daffenberg ’25
Remington Davis ’25
Juan Liz ’25
Henry Mikrut ’25
Matthew Sabotta ’24
Nolan Sayasane ’24
Tyler Siwicki ’24
Joseph Trocchio ’24
Aiden Vega ’24
Samuel Wirth ’25
AP Scholar: Granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
Nathan Acosta ’24
Alvaro Alanis ’24
Declan Anderson ’24
Ryan Anderson ’24
Cameron Aristuk ’24
John Paul Bangs ’24
Rory Bennett ’24
Lucas Chung ’24
Logan Cromwell ’24
John Curley ’24
Pierson Darling ’24
Camden Dempsey ’25
Anthony Gallo ’24
Robert Gramley ’24
Gabriel Letizia ’24
Samuel Lin ’25
Mactzil Lopez ’24
Jeffin Martin ’24
John Murray ’24
Giancarlo Ortega ’24
Adam Ozsvath ’25
John Regan ’25
Wiliam Schwartz ’25
Aaron M. Sidman ’24
Grant M. Turcich ’25
Lin ’25 Excels in Biomedical Research Program
The Kimberly Querrey Summer Research Program, through Northwestern Medicine’s Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, offers a six to eight-week paid, competitive research experience at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine for rising high school seniors and undergraduate college/university students interested in the biological sciences. The program combines intensive research training with support for students’ academic and professional development.
Marmion student, Samuel Lin ’25, was accepted into this highly competitive program for two years in a row. “From the very beginning of the program, Sam exhibited an extraordinary willingness to learn and adapt. His attentiveness, receptiveness to feedback, and coachable nature allowed him to use his newfound Python programming skills to build a machine learning model to predict which patients would require extracorporeal membrane oxygen support during their intensive care unit hospitalization,” states Catherine A. Gao, MD MS, Assistant Professor, Pulmonary and Critical Care at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “Sam made remarkable contributions to the project on developing machine learning models using biomedical electronic health data. He is a highly motivated and talented individual who embodies the qualities of a successful student and researcher.”
Fall Awards Convocation
Meet Our New Faculty & Staff
The first semester of the 2024-2025 School Year brought with it some new faces around campus. Please join us in welcoming these new faculty and staff members.
On September 16, Marmion celebrated the hard work of 70 different students with 90 nominations to our departmental honor societies, and 37 commendations for the Highest Average Honor Roll Award. The nominations for the departmental honor societies were based on four years of hard work, perseverance, and academic excellence in the subject areas of English, Math, and the World Languages. The Highest Average Award is a distinction earned by less than 10% of the Marmion student body. Pictured: Principal Joseph Large ’97 and Math Department Chair John Salomone congratulate Bramlett Eggen ’25 upon his induction into Marmion’s inaugural chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, the Math Honor Society.
Jessica Brown Events Manager
Kristina Wilson Associate Director of Finance
Noah Giblin ’01 Maintenance Department
Tomi O’Neill Athletic Trainer
Adam Guerra Assistant Dean of Students, Social Science Instructor, Head Football Coach
JROTC Saber Ceremony
byLTC(Ret.)DanWilliams,USA,SeniorArmyInstructor
The JROTC program honored Cadets from the Class of 2025 with military promotions at the 2024 Saber Ceremony on September 13. Seniors were presented with a saber (Officers) or a sword (Non-Commissioned Officers) by their parents, as they were promoted to their respective Battalion, Company, and Platoon leadership ranks. The following are Marmion’s JROTC student leaders for the 2024-2025 School Year:
Battalion Command Team & Staff
Commander: Thomas Chapski
Command Sergeant Major: Anthony Quail
Executive Officer: Nicholas Large
Adjutant & Personnel Sergeant: Henry Mikrut & Andrew Mumford
Intelligence Officer & Sergeant: Remington Davis & Joseph Wileman
Operations Officer & Sergeant: John Daffenberg & Alec Poss
Supply Officer & Sergeant: Camden Dempsey & Trey Howicz
Public Affairs Officer & Sergeant: Owen Theriault & Matthew Schweik
Headquarters Company
Commander: Charles Hoying
First Sergeant: Rudolf Reitmann
LEAD Commissioning
Marmion’s LEAD (Leadership Education And Development) program held its annual Commissioning Ceremony on September 25. The LEAD Commissioning is the kickoff event for the LEAD program when the Student Leadership Team, called the Executive Team, is introduced. In addition, students new to the LEAD program received their LEAD patches, which are worn on their school blazers on LEAD uniform days throughout the school year. This year 40 students were commissioned into the LEAD program (pictured below)
2024-2025 LEAD Executive Team
Student Director: Samuel Wirth ’25
Assistant Directors:
Media/Marketing: Nicholas De Leon ’25
Activities: Evan Paganelis ’25
Special Events: Matthew Sullivan’25
Outreach: Samuel Lin ’25
Additional Executive Team Members: Seniors Caden Anderson, Juan Campos, Samuel Carrera, Austin Conlin, Charles Dee, McKinley Moore, Chimaobi Oguike, John Regan, Jack Young; Juniors Grant Buchner, Joseph Danz, Ethan Potts, Samuel Schatteman, Jackson Washington, Gabriel Heck, and Maxwell Ulbrich
Alpha Company
Commander: William Schwartz
First Sergeant: Alex Eloe
Bravo Company
Commander: Kevin Schultz
First Sergeant: Regan Konen
Charlie Company
Commander: Vincent Hlavacek
First Sergeant: Juan Liz
Delta Company
Commander: Edward Morvice
First Sergeant: Benedict Graft
Photos: (top) Alpha Company Commander, William Schwartz ’25. (bottom) William Graft, Sr. ’79 presents a saber to his son, Benedict Graft ’25.
Members of the Executive Team: Samuel Wirth ’25, Nicholas De Leon ’25, Matthew Sullivan ’25, and Samuel Lin ’25
Marmion Rosary Marching Band
Marengo Settlers’ Day Parade & Field Competition byEvanBurns’28
On October 13, 2024, the Marmion Rosary Marching Band competed in the 53rd annual Marengo Settlers’ Day Parade & Field Competition at the Marengo Community High School. The Settlers’ Day Marching Band Competition has been a tradition in Marengo for many years. It is hosted in October, after bands have been able to perfect their marching band shows and perform them for a wide audience.
The Band started the day with Mass in the Student Chapel, followed by a rehearsal on Marmion’s football field prior to their departure.
The parade route covered 1.5 miles and was filled with spectators along the entire way, making it exciting for the band members as they marched through downtown and residential areas within Marengo. Along the way, the Band played Noble Men of Kyle (six times along the route).
After lunch, the Band competed in the Marching Band competition. Other schools in the Class A Division included Oregon, Sandwich, Johnsburg, GenoaKingston, and Marmion Rosary. The temperatures continued to drop as the day went on, and the wool uniforms of the Band did little to stop the heavy wind from chilling the musicians through and through.
At 5 PM, the Marmion Rosary Band competed their show, “Music of Boston & Elton John”, arranged by Daniel Moore, with great enthusiasm and energy. The program included Foreplay/Long Time/More Than A Feeling, and Tiny Dancer/Saturday Night. After completion, the Band watched several of the Class AA bands compete before returning to Marmion.
The Marmion Rosary Band placed 2nd in both the Class A Parade Competition and the Class A Field Show Competition.
1 st Semester Music & Art Highlights
• Ceramics instructor, Louise Grissinger, began “Wheel Wednesdays” - an opportunity for faculty and staff to create pottery in the ceramics lab.
• Winners in the 2024 Kane County Student Photography Contest: Ryan Blakeslee ’25, David Brol ’27, Ryan Caballes ’25, Nicholas De Leon ’25, and Charles Dee ’25
• Marmion Choir 2 performed at the Fox Valley Park District’s Veterans Day Luncheon.
• The Marching Band placed
second at the Sandwich Marching Competition, Class A.
• Marmion musicians in the ILMEA All District Festival: Samuel Lin ’25, Henry Mikrut ’25, and Thomas Chapski ’25
• Artists in Aurora’s Winter Garden of Youth Art Show: Regan Konen ’25, Kam’ron Tolliver ’25, Nicholas De Leon ’25, Luis Nunez ’26, and Greyson Robinson ’28
• The Men’s Chorus sang in the Festival of Lights Parade in Naperville on November 29.
• The Brass Ensemble performed at the Marmion Christmas Craft Show on December 1.
• The Jazz Band performed Christmas music at Holy Cross, St. Patrick’s, and Holy Angels.
• The Men’s Chorus went on a caroling tour to Holy Angels, Rosary High School, Sts. Peter and Paul, Eola Community Center PreK, Holy Cross, Fox Knoll, Annunciation, St. Pope John Paul II, St. Peter, and Emmanuel Lutheran.
The Arts
Student Life
Homecoming 2024
Let the Good Times Roll
byMarkMalkowski’08,DirectorofCampusMinistry&StudentLife
Good times were undoubtedly had by all who took part in Homecoming 2024 as alumni, families, friends, faculty, and students came together for an unforgettable week of Homecoming celebrations.
As Marmion tradition has it, Homecoming festivities began with great excitement at the annual Bonfire & Kick-Off Party. Performances by the Marmion Rosary Band and Flannigan Rifles Color Guard, and the announcement and coronation of the 2024 Homecoming Court started the evening; followed by the lighting of one of the largest bonfires we’ve had in recent years and the start of the ever-competitive and ever-exhilarating student volleyball tournament. As the bonfire raged on, the Marmion community indulged in a variety of food vendors, cheered on their favorite volleyball teams, took part in games and face-painting, and enjoyed live music provided by Electro Retro
Marmion pride continued to be on display throughout the week with the “decorating” of campus by the Class of 2025, daily themed dress-down days and competitions, and the annual MarmionRosary pep rally hosted by the Cadet Crazies and won by the seniors. Friday evening brought a Cadet football victory as Marmion beat the Marian Catholic Spartans 21-7 in convincing fashion at Regole Stadium. The traditional halftime JROTC pass-in-review in honor of the Queen and her Court, escorted by LEAD Executive Team members, added to the atmosphere of a spirited night.
The week culminated New Orleans style as the Academy Student Council transformed our campus into Bourbon Street for the MarmiGras Homecoming Dance. Held outdoors in the main quad on an amazing fall evening, the dance featured Mardi-Gras inspired food, games, dancing under the big tent, introduction of the Court, and countless memories — memories that truly captured the Marmion spirit.
Left: 2024 Marmion Homecoming court! Pictured left-to-right: King Jedsen Koss & Queen Claire McEniry, First Attendants Maddie Stumm & Ryan Caballes, Second Attendants Elizabeth Nawrocki & Thomas Chapski, and Third Attendants Molly Lambert & Kevin Schultz.
Right: (top) Homecoming is enjoyed by all members of the Marmion family. (center) Cadets and Royals had a great time at the annual Homecoming PRIDE Assembly & Pep Rally. (bottom) Cadets proudly take the field at the start of the Homecoming football game.
The Cadet Crazies get hyped during the Homecoming football win!
Emerson Commandos Raider Team
byJacobPopp,Jr.’26
Raiders use teamwork to scale the 12-foot wall obstacle of the Gauntlet at the Hobart, IN competition.
Named after MAJ (Ret.) Mark Emerson, USA, former Marmion Senior Army Instructor (SAI), Emerson’s Commandos Raider Team has excelled in competition since its revival in 2021. Originally started as the “Adventure Platoon” where students learned military survival techniques and engaged in physical games such as Capture the Flag, the team now competes in official events in locations from Camp Arrowhead and Fort Leonard-Wood, MO, to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and most recently Fort Knox, KY. Raiders is a JROTC competitive program that challenges Cadets physically and mentally. Each competition involves a ten-man team working together to complete five event challenges, including a 5K terrain run and a Cross-Country Rescue (CCR) where four cadets carry a stretcher loaded to simulate human weight while the remaining six carry 35-pound rucksacks. The grueling day continues with the Physical Team Test where Raiders navigate obstacles such as walls, tires, and sections where they must carry ammo or water cans weighing 40-60 pounds. The final event tests the Cadets’ technical knowledge of knot-tying skills with teamwork and speed essential to success. The One-Rope Bridge requires the ten-man team to construct a bridge to get Cadets quickly and safely across a river. Select competitions have a finale where each team sends their most physically fit Cadet to determine the fastest and strongest “Ultimate Raider”. In 2023, Joe Wileman ’25 scored first in his heat.
The Raider team builds a great sense of camaraderie and brotherhood through shared experiences, and pushing beyond perceived physical limits. In October 2024, Emerson’s Commandos took 3rd in the CCR and Gauntlet, and tied for 7th out of 50+ all-male teams at the 2024 U.S. Army Junior ROTC Raider Challenge National Competition at Fort Knox, KY. The Commandos’ impressive performance would not have been possible without the team’s coach, SFC Robert Norton and MAJ Emerson, who traveled with the team, and the parents who supplied team meals and showed their support along the sidelines by motivating Cadets to push through the challenges.
Below: Caden Walsh ’28, Jacob Popp, Jr. ’26, Aiden Baer ’26, Ezekiel Johnsos ’26, Andrew Siener ’28, Joseph Wileman ’25, SFC Robert Norton, USA, Ethan McLochlin ’25, Alec Poss ’25, Owen Cousins ’26, Henry Medernach ’26, Matthew Hall ’28, Connor Carney ’27, and Sean Minalga ’26 (photo credit: Ray Wileman)
Coming Soon!
Show Dates
Friday, March 28, 2025
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Sunday, March 30, 2025
The S. S. American is sailing between New York and England with a comically colorful assemblage of passengers: Reno Sweeney, a popular nightclub singer and former evangelist; her pal Billy Crocker, a lovelorn Wall Street broker who has come aboard to try to win the favor of his beloved Hope Harcourt (who is engaged to another passenger, Sir Evelyn Oakleigh); and a secondrate conman named Moonface Martin, aka “Public Enemy #13”. Song, dance, and farcical antics ensue as Reno and Moonface try to help Billy win the love of his life.
Tickets will be available for purchase online in March.
Presented
photo credit: Ray Wileman
2024 Fall Sports Recap
byPaulChabura,AssistantAthleticDirector
The Fall of 2024 turned out to be a tremendous season for our athletic programs with much to be celebrated and many Cadets to recognize.
Cross Country
Coming off a great 2023-2024 Cross Country season, our runners were excited to build upon last year’s success. Competing in the Chicago Catholic League Conference Championship, we narrowly captured the championship again, but came 2 points short. Five of our seven runners finished in the top twenty and earned All-Conference recognition in the process. First team honors went to John Daffenberg ’25 (9th) and Matthew Sullivan ’25 (10th). Second team honors were earned by: Joseph Dorando ’26 (11th), Jonah Sartain ’26 (18th), and Michael Whitacre ’26 (20th).
The following week they competed in the Class 2A IHSA Regionals and won! This is now back-to-back IHSA Regional Championships and the school’s sixth overall IHSA Regional Championship!
At the IHSA Sectionals, hosted at Katherine Legge Memorial Park in Hinsdale, our boys finished in a very impressive 3rd place among some of the best Class 2A schools in the State. The top 3 finish was good enough to earn a trip to the State Finals!
The IHSA State Cross Country Finals is one of neatest and most exhilarating events of the year. For the second consecutive year our Cross Country Cadets competed as a team. On an overcast and rainy day, our team gave it their all and had another top ten finish. This year they finished in 7th place, besting the prior year’s finish of 8th place. Kudos to Coach Andrew Lifka ’17 and his staff, as well as to our Cadet runners for yet another exceptional season! Great job, gentlemen!
Football
Christopher Soto ’25, Jack Young ’25, Mateusz Nycz ’25, Bryan Scales ’25, Michael Roche ’25, and Coach Adam Guerra walk on the field for the Homecoming game coin toss.
The inaugural year of Cadet Football under new Head Coach, Adam Guerra, was a year to be remembered and be proud. Coach Guerra inherited a gritty bunch of athletes and was able to wring out every bit he could from all his Cadet football players.
The season started off well with two wins, including a come from behind win against Oak Forest to start the year. The CCL/ESCC schedule, as usual, was challenging, but our Cadets were able to navigate through the ups and downs of the schedule and managed to go undefeated in Divisional play –resulting in capturing the CCL/ESCC Red Division title. This is the first Divisional title our Cadets have captured since joining the League in 2014.
Cross Country finished top ten in IHSA State.
The Cadets finished 5-4 overall in the regular season, good enough to secure a birth in the IHSA Class 5A State Playoffs. Unfortunately, we were unable to advance after an opening round loss to Rochelle.
A number of postseason accolades were earned by our Cadets.
• Bryan Scales ’25 was recognized as the Anthony Lawless recipient as the CCL/ESCC Red Division Most Valuable Player.
• Matuesz Nycz ’25, was recognized as the Offensive Player of the Year in the CCL/ESCC Red Division.
• Michael Roche ’25, was recognized as the CCL/ESCC Red Division Defensive Player of the Year.
• Coach Guerra, was awarded the CCL/ESCC Anthony Lawless Coach of the Year. A great testament to all the hard work and effort our boys put forth.
Golf
Once again, our golf squad had two strong levels and were ready to compete at every opportunity!
Varsity came in first place at both the St. Laurence Invite and the annual Aurora City Meet, which was the first time we earned that title in quite a while. They were runnerup finishers at the Chicago Catholic League Conference Championships, just one stroke away from winning it all! Regan Konen ’25 was the Individual Champion at the Conference Meet. Regan and Coach Solarte were both recognized as the CCL Anthony Lawless recipients as the Most Valuable Golfer and Coach of the Year, respectively.
During the IHSA postseason the Cadets competed in the Lemont Regional at Green Garden Golf Course. As a team they took 2nd place and qualified for IHSA Sectionals. Konen was the Medalist at Regionals, shooting a 71 to capture top individual honors.
The following week the Cadets finished in 2nd place, once again, at the Class 2A IHSA Sectionals and in the process qualified for the State Finals! The team shot incredibly well on the back nine to secure a spot for State! Konen continued his outstanding play and finished with a three under (-3) 68 to claim the IHSA Class 2A Sectional Medalist honors!
The Class 2A Golf State Championship, held in Normal, was played at Weibring Golf Club over two days. Only the top eight teams advanced to the second day. Their first day round of 314 earned them 5th place overall and an opportunity to come back on Saturday! The team was unable to improve their score on the second day, shooting a combined score of 324 for a two-day total of 638, which placed them 6th overall. Their top 10 finish in State is a wonderful accomplishment!
Individually, Regan Konen ’25 shot a 71 on the first day which placed him in 3rd place overall and only a few shots back of the leader. Regan hunkered down on Saturday and shot an incredible 69, forcing a three-player playoff for the Individual State Title. Regan, on the second hole of the playoff, birdied his shot to come away as the 2024 IHSA Class 2A Individual State Champion. This was back-to-back years for Regan - an absolutely incredible accomplishment!
Soccer
The 2024-2025 Soccer campaign was unlike any we have grown accustomed to over the last few years. A rash of injuries, some unlucky bounces, and overall inconsistent play led to our Cadets posting a 6-9-3 overall record.
Our Cadets finished 5th within the Chicago Catholic League Blue Division with a divisional record of 2-3-2. Jordan Peinado ’26 and Emilio Morones ’26 were both selected as CCL Blue Division All-Conference selections.
We hosted the IHSA Class 3A Regionals for the second consecutive year and were matched up against Metea Valley in the semi-final round. It was a tremendous game that resulted in needing extra time to determine who would advance. Both teams scored in overtime forcing the game to go to penalty kicks. Unfortunately, Metea Valley got the better of us in penalty kicks ending our season.
This year we say goodbye to eight senior soccer players (pictured below) and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.
State Golfers (l-r): Trey Howicz ’25, Regan Konen ’25, Evan Paganelis ’25, Coach Lou Solarte, Luke Feltner ’26, Cooper Okolita ’25, and Matthew Murray ’25
Senior Soccer Players (l-r): Giovanni Magana, Diego Tellez, Patrick Fitzgerald, Austin Conlin, Adam Ozsvath, Emilio Arizaga, Victor Martinez, and Juan Campos
Honoring Our Donors
Annual AMS Appreciation Mass & Luncheon
byMariaAsher,AssociateDirectorofMajorGifts
This October, Abbot Joel Rippinger, OSB and the monks of Marmion Abbey hosted the annual Donor Appreciation Mass and Luncheon, a heartfelt celebration honoring the generosity and commitment of our invaluable supporters. The event marked a special opportunity to acknowledge the donors whose support continues to transform our mission into meaningful impact within our community.
The luncheon brought together donors, Board members, staff, and beneficiaries, creating an inspiring atmosphere of gratitude and reflection on the year’s achievements.
The Abbot Marmion Society (AMS) was founded 53 years ago and offers two distinguished levels of membership:
• Sustaining Membership is awarded to donors whose annual contributions reach $1,500 or more in a fiscal year (June 30 – July 1). Membership is sustained with yearly contributions at this level.
• Life Membership is awarded to those whose lifetime contributions total $10,000 or more to the Marmion causes.
The continued dedication of all of our donors, especially our AMS Members, enables Marmion to expand its educational, spiritual, and missionary outreach. We extend our deepest gratitude to all AMS Members for their indispensable role in advancing Marmion’s vision. Thank you for being an enduring part of our community!
Anthony Tinerella ’84 presents Robert ’59 and Ann Miller with their AMS Life Membership certificate.
The Letherman family (Pete ‘91 & Suzanne, and their children, Andrew, Cecilia, and Patrick) with Abbot Joel Rippinger, OSB and Kathleen Hausmann, Executive Director of Advancement.
Anthony Tinerella ’84, President of Marmion Academy, with Larry Malllon ’59
Fr. Vincent Bataille, OSB with Kurt Andrews ‘88 and Michelle Fremund
Marc and Kathleen, Executive Director of Advancment, Hausmann receive their Life Membership certificate from Anthony Tinerella ’84, President of Marmion Academy.
Newly Dedicated St. Benedict Meditation Garden
byKathleenHausmann,ExecutiveDirectorofAdvancement
On September 6, 2024, the Marmion community came together to dedicate the final element of the newly renovated Regole Stadium – the Juriga Family St. Benedict Meditation Garden. The St. Benedict Meditation Garden was the final touch on the year-long renovation project and is located at the circular plaza outside the former ticket booth building, on the northwest side of Regole Stadium.
The funding for this project was made possible by a generous gift from Dr. Stephen and Alexandra Juriga, of Aurora, along with their children. The garden area features a five-foot bronze statue of St. Benedict and a meditation garden with seating for prayer and reflection. The Jurigas have been members of the Marmion family for more than a decade, with son, Alex, a 2015 Marmion graduate; daughters, Lindsay (RHS ’11), Grace (RHS ’13), and Elle (RHS ’20) all Rosary alumnae; and Alexandra a member of the Marmion Board of Trustees since 2014.
“Marmion Academy and the Monks of Marmion Abbey have given so much in education and spiritual support to our family. We felt it was important that the statue of St. Benedict, the Patron Saint of students, be visible to the students and visitors as they entered the stadium, Ora et Labora - prayer and work,” said Trustee Alexandra Juriga.
“We are most grateful for this incredible gift from the Juriga family, creating a place for peaceful pause for those who visit our campus, and for our students and families who enter the stadium to participate in and support competitions,” said Academy President, Anthony Tinerella ’84.
Marmion is deeply grateful to the Juriga family for helping to put this final and very meaningful touch on the projectcreating a place for all who enter the stadium to pause for prayer before competition.
Salute to Youth Saturday, April 5, 2025 Funding Marmion’s Educational Goals
Abbot Joel Rippinger, OSB blesses the statue of St. Benedict, the center of the Juriga Family St. Benedict Meditation Garden.
(l-r): Anthony Tinerella ‘84, President of Marmion Academy; Dr. Stephen & Alexandra Juriga; and Abbot Joel Rippinger, OSB
New Investment Fund Established
The Frances Heimsath Strong Memorial Music and Performing Arts Fund
byKathleenHausmann,ExecutiveDirectorofAdvancement
Collectively, Frances Heimsath Strong’s daughter, Mary Frances Strong; her son, Thomas G., Jr. ’65; and her grandson, John T. ’04; established this fund in her memory. The purpose of the fund is to help offset expenses related to Marmion Academy’s Music and Performing Arts Program.
Musical expression was important to Frances. She believed that students who are given the opportunity to express themselves through the arts often achieve greater academic growth. Her children and grandson wish to have her name and memory live on through the support of this program.
The goal is to utilize investment net earnings to support the program’s needs.
Alumni Director, Bill Fox ’74, Retires
byFr.CharlesReichenbacher,OSB’59,DirectorofPlannedGiving
After almost ten years as Alumni Director for Marmion, Bill Fox ’74, and wife, Janice, moved to Greenville SC to enjoy retirement. Bill did a great job as Alumni Director. He said in his Director’s Letter in the recent Alumni Cadet Call that he was not the “best student” during his teenage years ... I agree! I was teaching Senior Theology and just starting my development career so I did not have Bill in class. His “reputation,” though, among the faculty was not the greatest.
The son of a salesman and a school teacher, William and Toni Fox, Bill inherited good traits from both, which served him well in his Alumni Director role. He is the youngest of five siblings: Jim ’62, Dan ’65, Mike ’66 and Mary Catherine, PhD. His son, LTC Tom, USA ’03, and his nephew, Will ’01, are also Marmion graduates.
Bill and I shared his Alumni Director’s office; he “rented” me a corner of the room. I never paid my rent and he never increased “space available.” I’m still in the same corner. We got along well, and he answered my many technology questions, although he conferred on me many “Computer: Dummy of the Day” awards.
Thanks, Bill, for your hospitality, and your work as Alumni Director, especially directing the Alumni Board of Directors. You served Marmion well.
Marmion is heading West!
Thanks for the memories!
Bill’s “Bitmoji” was featured in every issue of the Cadet Call, the alumni e-newsletter.
This year Anthony Tinerella ’84, President of Marmion Academy; and Kathleen Hausmann, Executive Director of Advancement; along with Abbot Joel Rippinger, OSB or Fr. John Brahill, OSB ’67, will be heading West to visit alumni and friends in the Denver, Los Angeles, and San Francisco areas.
Stay tuned for more information in the coming months. We are looking forward to reconnecting with our friends out West.
Frances Heimsath Strong
Rios Family Legacy Saber
byFr.CharlesReichenbacher,OSB’59,DirectorofPlannedGiving
Six Cadets from three generations of the Rios Family of Aurora have used the same JROTC “military saber”- signifying a Cadet officer of the JROTC Corps of Cadets.
It began in the Fall of 1960 when Salvador “Sal” Rios ’61 (1st generation) was promoted to Cadet 2nd LT. Sal, the son of MexicanAmerican farmers, came from Edcouch, TX (near McAllen) to the Aurora area in the early 1950s. The Scheuring family (family of David ’53), who farmed in Oswego, was Sal’s host family throughout middle school and Marmion.
Sal was a popular student among his classmates. He played football and ran track all four years at Marmion and he was co-captain of both the football and track teams his senior year, all the while working his way through school. He attended Creighton University and graduated from its School of Pharmacy.
Sal and Sue raised five children. He was a pharmacist at the former High Street Pharmacy in Aurora, until he purchased his own pharmacy, the former Rios Pharmacy. He was the first Latino on the Fox Valley Park District Board. Sal has a soccer complex named in his honor, the S.A. Rios Soccer Complex (located on North Eola Road).
Sal and Sue’s youngest son, Daniel ’94 (2nd generation), used his dad’s saber when he became a JROTC Cadet officer in 1993. Dan received an appointment to and graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1999 and was promoted to Major in 2007. While in the Air Force he was a Space and Missile
officer and had responsibility for 150 nuclear missiles and the Global Positioning System satellites (not at the same time). He served honorably for over 8 years on active duty and then transitioned the reserves. He and wife, Janice (whom he met at the Air Force Academy), have four children and currently live in Larwill, IN.
The 3rd generation of Cadet JROTC officers to use the “Rios saber” are Sal’s grandsons: brothers Michael Rios-Keating ’08 of St. Paul, MN and Jonathan Rios ’12 of Appleton, WI; and brothers Carlos Liz ’20 of Scottsdale, AZ and Juan Liz ’25, a current senior at Marmion.
To have three generations of Marmion Cadets, all as JROTC officers is unique - as is having all six using the same family saber. The saber now has all of their names and class years engraved on it – a special family heirloom for generations to come!
Legacy Spotlight
(l-r) Mike Rios-Keating ’08 and Sal Rios ’61 present Jon Rios ’12 with the family saber.
Daniel Rios ’94
Juan Liz ’25 with his grandfather, Sal Rios ’61. Juan is the 6th Rios family member to use this saber.
Sal’s daughter, Diana Liz, presents her son, Carlos Liz ’20, with the Rios family saber.
Dan Rios ‘94, an Air Force Captain at the time, presents the saber to his nephew/godson, Mike Rios-Keating ‘08.
NEW! Alumni Spotlight
A New Initiative Launched by the Alumni Office
In November, the Alumni Office launched a new online series of alumni profiles. The Marmion Alumni Spotlight showcases discussions with accomplished alumni who attribute their successes in life, at least in part, to the Benedictine education they received at Marmion. Virtual interviews were conducted by Alumni Director, Bill Fox ’74, with several alumni candidates from various decades. We plan to present the edited versions on a monthly basis on several online platforms: Marmion’s website (www.marmion.org/alumnispotlight), social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook), and the Cadet Call newsletter. The interviews will also be available on our YouTube channel (MAA1934) as well as linked from our Cadet Connection newsletter sent to prospective Cadet families.
Through these Alumni Spotlight features, we hope to inspire our current students to consider career opportunities and potentially connect with Marmion alumni for advice. The videos will also spark interest among future Cadets and families considering Marmion. Watch for these Alumni Spotlight features on the various social media sites in the coming months!
Scan the QR code to view our new Alumni Spotlight online series!
Marmion
Athletic Hall of Fame
Announcing the 2025 Inductees
The 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025 during half-time of the Cadet Varsity basketball game versus the Pioneers of St. Vincent De Sales High School. We’re excited to announce our 2025 inductees:
Seth Groom ’18
& Field
Additionally, Jordan Glasgow ’15 (Football) will be on hand as we acknowledge his 2024 induction since he was unable to attend last year’s ceremony due to a scheduling conflict.
Please join us at the game on January 17 to help celebrate these terrific Cadet athletes as Marmion acknowledges their achievements!
November 2024: Chris Groom ’90
December 2024: John ’19 and Robert ’20 Dzierzanowski
Alumni Class News & Notes
Alumni Class News & Notes will appear (as space allows) in every issue of the MARMION Magazine. Go to www.marmion.org/update or email trios@marmion.org.
1945
John ’45 and Mary Karwoski of Winfield celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary on October 1, 2024. John celebrated his 98th birthday the end of August. They are the parents of John ’70 and James ’72 and grandparents of Chad ’98 and Neil ’00 John ’45 was a JROTC instructor in the early 50s when regular Army personnel were assigned to the school.
1960
Jack Simmons and wife, Sally, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary by enjoying the sights and sounds of Las Vegas. Sally was treated to a show by her favorite artist, Rod Stewart, at Caesars Palace. “It’s a date that I can’t forget, as we were married on my birthday, October 3rd!” wrote Jack.
1964
Gary Paul is the director of a new Discovery Network series “Pro Athletes Cross the Line” to air in March 2025.
1965
During a recent conversation with Thomas Strong, Jr. it was discovered that both he and son, John ’ 04, were Drum Majors during their time at Marmion.
1964-1965
1971
1971 alumni (standing) Joe Parisi, Mark Mallerdino, (sitting) John McCortney, and Mark Creedon got together at Flagship on the Fox in St. Charles, IL on September 8, 2024 to celebrate their 71st birthdays. Great stories and memories were shared, along with lots of laughs.
1976
Alan Nickerson (“Nic Allen”) is the new PM Drive DJ
for WPCV-FM in Lakeland, FL. Recent ratings show that he is the #1 rated afternoon drive DJ in Central Florida. He has been in the business going on 50 years. (pictured above, third from left)
1980
Mayor Frank Trilla of Willowbrook, IL received the Patrick R. Higgins “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the West Central Municipal Conference of Government for 2024.
Alumni Updates
Left: Thomas (front row, far right) Drum Major and Bandmaster, Marmion Lake Street Band,
school year; Right: John Strong, Drum Major of Marmion-Rosary Band, 2002-2003 school year
1981
Bill Novack and Mike Jacobs successfully completed a half RAGBRAI bike ride across the eastern portion of Iowa. It was 3 days and about 200 miles. They are pictured dipping their front tires in the Mississippi River at the conclusion of the ride. Note that they are wearing their “MPC (Marmion Poker Club) Senior Member” t-shirts earned as they turned 60 years of age a couple of years ago.
1981 alumni (below) Bill Weiler, Mike Jacobs, Bill Novack, Jim Wollwert, and Marty O’Shea at Notre Dame Stadium on September 7 after the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame succumbed to Northern Illinois University.
1988
Deacon Dan Moore of Buffalo Grove, a deacon for the Archdiocese of Chicago, was recently named the Director of Deacon Formation, Spanish and English, at St. Mary’s University in Mundelein.
Jon Weiler (right) was recently eating at the bar at Andiamo Steakhouse in Las Vegas and struck up a conversation with the gentleman next to him. It turned out that he was also a Marmion alumnus! “Great to meet Brandon Ritchey ’05!“
1993
Geno Denari spends six months in Las Vegas, NV and six months as a helicopter firefighter fighting wildfires in Washington State.
1997
Hugo Saltijeral of Aurora, the Executive Director of Valley Sheltered Workshop (VSW), has been appointed to the Governor’s Taskforce for Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities (EEOPD). This prestigious appointment reflects Saltijeral’s deep commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities and his ongoing advocacy for inclusive employment opportunities across Illinois.
Celebrating the Classes oF:
1975: 50 year Reunion
2000: 25 year Reunion
2015: 10 year Reunion
Friday, June 6
Steak Fry/Lobster Boil
Saturday, June 7
Reunion Celebration
1999
Allen (AJ) and Shannon McKechnie welcomed the birth of their second child, daughter Diana Aurora McKechnie, on August 27, 2024.
2001
Dr. Matt McKnight, oral surgeon, opened a new office in St. Charles in September 2024. He is the son of Life Trustee Greg McKnight ’71
2003
Tom Fox, the son of outgoing Marmion Alumni Director Bill Fox ’74, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army on November 1. The promotion ceremony took place on December 6 at the Harry S. Truman Building
of the State Department in Washington, D.C., where Tom is currently serving as a Military Advisor to the Office of Taiwan Coordination. Pictured is LTC Fox, his wife Chloe; children Grant, Antoinette, and Zadie; along with the presiding officer, Colonel Aaron Martin.
2009
MAJ Timothy Hagerty, USA of New Orleans and the 377th Theater Sustainment Command
Deputy Intelligence Lead, made it a family affair for a well-earned promotion.
Major Timothy Hagerty’s wife, Marijke (RHS ’09) and son, Declán, did the ‘pinning’ honors as his mom, dad, in-laws, and colleagues joined in celebrating the milestone.
Jake and Cathy Moore of Deer Park, IL were featured in an extensive article in The Observer, the newspaper of the Diocese of Rockford, for their development of TruthPop Ministry (www.TruthPop.net) and their work with young Catholic millennials. They are a young Catholic couple, eager to share their faith through podcasts and their Christian music radio station. They began their music radio station in February 2024 and are busy building it up. Jake has been involved in Christian radio since grade school. He is the oldest son of Dr. Phil Moore, Jr. ’82 and grandson of +Phil Moore, Sr. ’53
2013
A.J. and Natalie Bohr of Chicago welcomed identical twin boys, Arlo and Brooks, on August 10, 2024. If Arlo and Brooks attend Marmion, they will be the 5th generation of Bohrs to be Cadets:
• Great-GreatGrandfather: +Al Bohr ’36
• Great-Grandfather: Robert ’69
• Grandfather: Ryan ’92
• Father: A.J. ’13
Jacob Gilmore received his Fellow of the Society of Actuaries in October. Only 10% of actuaries are fellows. Jacob is an Annuity Valuation Actuary at Protective Life. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Actuarial Science from Drake University in 2016.
Matt and Taylor Smith of Plainfield welcomed Sutton Rose on February 13, 2024. Sutton was baptized in July 2024 at St. Peter’s in Geneva. Her godparents are Adam Roe ’17 and Lauren Smith (RHS ’17).
Joshua Zwolski was welcomed by the Alabama Supreme Court into the Alabama State Bar on October 24, 2024. He is now an attorney practicing law in Gadsden, AL. Pictured with his wife, Selina (married 2019); son, Jack (2 yr); and daughter, Amara (6 mo).
2015
Bobby and Anna Stephens of Centerville, VA welcomed their first child, Catherine, in May 2024. Pictured here at the Cubs vs. Nationals game in D.C.
Women’s Holloway White Vest
Men’s Russell Royal Polo
Men’s Tie Red
Youth Jersey Royal Hoodie
Senior Day at the University of Illinois vs. Michigan State football game was November 16, 2024. The Illini recognized all 91 band seniors in the Marching Illini at halftime. Among the 91 seniors is Marmion alumnus, Ethan Bello ’21. Other Marmion Rosary Band alumni in the Marching Illini are Nathan Brandon ’24, Aaron Sidman ’24, and Brody Sartain ’24. The Bello, Brandon, Sidman and Sartain families invited Marmion Rosary Band Director, Mr. René Rosas, to spend the weekend in Urbana-Champaign for the game day events. Marching Illini Director Barry Houser took time out to pose on the field with his “Marmion squad.” Pictured above (l-r): Professor Barry Houser, Ethan Bello ’21, Mr. Rosas (UIUC ’92), Nathan Brandon ’24, Aaron Sidman ’24, and Brody Sartain ’24.
2022
Lucas Blair is currently studying architecture at the Ohio State University. Lucas played clarinet in the Marmion Rosary Band. However, at the Ohio State University, the marching band is all-brass. Lucas picked up the mellophone to participate. Lucas is doing well and has managed to keep music a part of his experience at college. He is applying for an archivist position in the School of Architecture and is getting his applications ready for grad school. Pictured: Lucas on the 50-yard line, front row.
Midshipmen (l-r) Jack Healy and Max Rowe, who are both currently enrolled at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, attended the Navy football game Saturday October 19. Go Navy!
In Loving Memory ...
Please keep our deceased alumni, family, and friends in your prayers.
Alumni Taps
+Michael Janowski ’48 of Garden, MI; August 23, 2023
+Augustine “Gus” Caliendo ’49 of Aurora; October 16, 2024
+Kenneth “Buzz” Wood ’51 of Naperville; father of Kevin ’85 and Timothy ’86; Abbot Marmion Society Life Member; November 17, 2024
+Frank C. Anderson ’52 of Lemont; November 19, 2024
+Patrick J. Kennedy ’52 of Flora, IN; brother of Timothy ’60; Abbot Marmion Society Life Member; Member of Canterbury Society; October 25, 2024
+Robert “Buck” Buckley ’53 of Big Rock; November 11, 2024
+Robert Dollinger ’53 of Villa Park; November 8, 2024
+COL (Ret) Joseph W. Fischer, USAF ’54 of Amherst, NH; October 15, 2024
+Robert Cirese ’56 of Placerville, CA; July 18, 2024
+Gerald J. “Sam” Medernach ’56 of Dieterich; brother of +James ’50, +John ’51, Dave ’55, +Al ’59, +Frank ’60, +Fritz ’61, Bernie ’66, and Gregg ’67; brother-in-law of +Gerald Yager ’49; August 21, 2024
Marmion Family & Friends
+Rosemary Bagan of Clearwater FL; mother of Larry ’82, John ’83, Brian ’84, and James ’87; former school kitchen employee; Abbot Marmion Society Life Member; September 23, 2024
+Dr. Jerome L. “Jerry” Bettag of St. Charles; father in-law of Scott Seraphin ’86; grandfather of Michael ’16, Thomas ’16, & Daniel ’20 Seraphin, and Brett ‘17, Jacob ’19 & Grant ’23 Bettag; September 20, 2024
+Mary Tornabene Coleman of Aurora; sister of Dr. Vince Tornabene ’60, former Marmion monk; former Principal of Annunciation School and St. Rita of Cascia School; Abbot Marmion Society Life Member; September 20, 2024
+Dolores Dunn of Batavia; wife of +Dean ’48; mother of Daniel ’69 and David ’72; sister of +Peter ’46 and Jerome ’55; October 24, 2024
+Susanne Ferris of Elburn; grandmother of Brody Smith ’27; June 1, 2024
+Joan Gaul of Aurora; wife of
+James “Jim” ’50; October 30, 2024
+Irene Geltz of Aurora; mother of John ’70 and +James ’72; November 11, 2024
+Charles Graham of Port Saint Lucie, FL; grandfather of Collin ’21 and Evan ’23; June 8, 2024
+Robert Hurley of Alton, IL; father of Daniel ’90 and Thomas ’95; August 17, 2024
+Diane Jay of Ponte Vedra, FL; wife of Michael Jay ’72 ; sister-inlaw of John ’79; August 23, 2024
+David Knott of Indianapolis, IN; father of Eric Knott (former Br. Oblate Francis); November 14, 2024
+Randal “Randy” Kopp of Aurora; father of John ’01; former President of the Marmion Sports Boosters; October 14, 2024
+Shirley McLean of Aurora; wife of +Michael ’57; mother of Tim ’79 and +Tom ’84; grandmother of Joe ’06, Jeff ’10, and Dan ’12; October 13, 2024
+William Hoffer ’57 of Aurora; November 4, 2024
+James Michels ’57 of Sugar Grove; Abbot Marmion Society Life Member; September 9, 2024
+James “Jim” R. Weiland ’58 of Aurora; December 4, 2024
+Tom E. Kelley ’59 of Lakeland, FL; November 1, 2024
+Robert McCormick ’60 of Aurora; brother of +Joseph ’62, Daniel ’72, and Rev. Brendan, former monk of Marmion Abbey; grandfather of Bradley McCormick ’13; September 9, 2024
+Dr. Carl T. Berkhout ’62 of Tucson, AZ; brother of Keith ’65,
+Margarita Morales of Chicago; mother of John E. ’76; October 8, 2024
+Marilyn (Konen) Nickels of Aurora; wife of Ronald ’50; mother of Rick ’85; sister of +Vern ’43 and +Vince ’46 Konen; grandmother of Michael ’04 & David ’09 Brouch, Brian ’09, Kevin ’14 & Luke ’16 Hoss, and Adam Streich ’17; Abbot Marmion Society Life Member; November 29, 2024
+Patricia Pedi of Sugar Grove; grandmother of Joe ’11, Josh ’16, John ’19 & Jude ’23 Ruddy and Riley ’18 & Will ’17 Kane; October 10, 2024
+Arlene Pierce of Aurora; wife of +Robert M. ’37; mother of former Mayor of Aurora, David ’65, and Ronald ’68; October 9, 2024
+Janet Pinks of Aurora; mother of Dr. Vic Pinks ’72, Marmion Science Department Chair; October 30, 2024
+Bonnie Pribyl of Yorkville; wife of Eugene ’54; grandmother of Brett ’17, Jacob ’19, and Grant Bettag ’23; January 29, 2024
Andre ’69, and Richard ’71; Abbot Marmion Society Life Member; October 29, 2024
+William Frank Hankes ’66 of Batavia; November 1, 2024
+Hon. Anthony A. “Andy” Jackson ’69 of Charlotte, TN; September 2024
+John Gaglione ’71 of Aurora; October 25, 2024
+Tom Garrity ’76 of Laconia, NH; brother of Dr. Ed, Jr. ’70, and Father Bob ’73; son of Dr. Ed, Sr. and Pat Garrity; AMS Life Member; October 21, 2024
+Ty Tolentino ’27 of North Aurora; December 1, 2024
+Marge Sinkovitz of Batavia; mother of Jean (Tim ’79) McLean, former art and computer design instructor; grandmother of Joe ’06, Jeff ’10, and Dan ’12 McLean; October 11, 2024
+Leah Theisen of DeKalb; wife of +Raymond ’55; step-mother of Jeffrey ’77, Dr. Timothy ’78, and Brian ’82; sister-in-law of +Robert ’42, Richard ’48, +Harry ’50, +James ’53, +Gerald ’58, and Rev. Kenneth, OSB ’59; August 23, 2024
+Roseann Theisen of Aurora; wife of +James ’53; sister-in-law of Rev. Kenneth, OSB ’59; October 12, 2024
+William “Bill” Thompson of Aurora; father of Timothy ’80 and Michael ’81; Christmas Tree sales volunteer with Fr. Bede; August 20, 2024
+Tim Wilkinson of Cleveland, TN; husband of Deborah, former Marmion Mathematics and Science teacher; father of +Benjamin ’11; Abbot Marmion Society Life Member; September 29, 2024
OF CATHOLIC BENEDICTINE EDUCATION
For 92 years, Marmion Academy has proudly delivered a Catholic Benedictine education, grounded in the foundational pillars of Spirituality, Academics, and Leadership.
7,567
WORLDWIDE
$4,500 GAP 92 YEARS
7,567 Men of Marmion have made a difference in our world and will continue to do so with your support.
PER STUDENT
Part of our mission is to provide an affordable, faith-based education for every student who seeks it. Therefore, by design, there is a “gap” between our tuition and the actual cost of education a student. That gap is $4,500 per student. Since the Academy receives no annual funding from the diocese or parishes, we rely on generous tax-deductible contributions from our community to help fill that gap. The MARMION FUND is the foundation of support for the Academy -it is the most comprehensive way to support the school and all aspects of the student experience.
DONATE TO THE MARMION FUND TODAY!
The MARMION FUND provides:
R State-of-the-Art Equipment: Ensuring our facilities and resources meet the highest standards.
R Upgraded Technology: Keeping our students and faculty equipped with the latest tools for learning and teaching.
R Exceptional Faculty: Attracting and retaining the best educators to inspire and guide our students.
R Financial Assistance: Assisting current families in need of financial aid.
Your contribution to the MARMION FUND helps us maintain the strength and integrity of our school community. Whether you are an alumnus, parent, grandparent, or friend, your support plays a vital role in upholding Marmion’s legacy and advancing our mission.
WE NEED YOU … Make your gift to the MARMION FUND today to support the uniqueness of the Marmion experience and the development of Christian leaders for tomorrow.
MAGAZINE
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