School News

Academics

National Hispanic Recognition Program

Mother McAuley seniors Olivia “Rosie” Wantuck and Alena Pedroza were named as scholars through the National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) for scoring in the top 2.5 percent among Hispanic and Latino PSAT/NMSQT test-takers in the region. The National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP) recognizes approximately 5,000 Hispanic/ Latino juniors each year from among the more than 400,000 juniors who take the PSAT. As with the National Merit Scholarship Program, NHRP uses the junior year PSAT/NMSQT as the qualifying test

National Merit Program

The National Merit Scholarship Corporation named five Mother McAuley seniors as National Merit Commended Students: Brigid Barkmeier, Sydney Conn, Megan Howley, Martina Maples and Mary Russell. About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation were recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.6 million students who entered the 2020 competition by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).

Inscape

The Inscape Newspaper staff won second place in the annual American Scholastic Press Association Yearbook Contest. The staff received perfect scores in creativity, student coverage, athletic coverage and body copy.

Macs with Merit We honored our first semester Macs with Merit on November 5. Students were selected by a teacher or staff member to receive this honor. It is a tribute to their honorable character, diligent work ethic, and notable contributions to the McAuley community. In alphabetical order: Aminah Amadou ‘20, Jenna Badali ‘20, Matty Blair ‘22, Kalynn Brown ‘20, Kathleen Carter ‘21, Olivia Carter ‘23, Sarah Chiu ‘20, Nicole Condon ‘20, Ellie Guest ‘21, Megan Howley ‘20, Maya Kamin ‘20, Olivia Klapp ‘23, Mia Luckett ‘23, Megan May ‘20, Hannah McMahon ‘23, Katie Menke ‘20, Jacqueline Munoz ‘20, Annamarie Olsen ‘20, Keelin O’Mahony ‘21, Kylah Patrick ‘20, Lizbet Perez ‘22, Maura Reidy ‘23, Colleen Rooney ‘21, Clarissa Sapien ‘20, Olivia Shareef ‘20, Alyssa M. Smith ‘21 and Talia Vari ‘22.

A. Franklin Pilchard Scholars

Congratulations to seniors Meghan Dowd, Siobhan Hickey, Jacqueline Munoz, Margaret O’Malley and Janie Ternes, who were named recipients of the A. Franklin Pilchard Scholarship, which awards $8,000 in tuition and room and board assistance for four years of higher education. The students were selected based on their exceptional academic talent, financial need, and community service experience.

Meghan Dowd Siobhan Hickey Jacqueline Munoz Margaret O’Malley Janie Ternes

Clubs & Organizations

Mindful Macs

Our Mindful Macs Club is new this year, and developed with the intention to help students learn ways to de-stress and relax! Here they are at a meeting filling up their “peace cups” with cider and practicing meditation. Black History Month Unity Community club members hosted an African American Heritage celebration in honor of Black History Month, during which they shared poems, sang songs and enjoyed snacks.

March for Life

Deacon Bob Cislo and members of the Respect Life Club attended the March for Life - Chicago in Federal Plaza. This year’s theme of the march was “Life Empowers:

Pro-Life is Pro-Women”

Mock Trial

Our Mock Trial Club competed in the 11th Annual Sixth Municipal District Mock Trial Competition at South Suburban College. Thank you to alumnae Eileen Knightly ‘01 and Katie Siefert ‘02 for helping prepare these Macs for the competition!

Academic Decathlon

Our Academic Decathlon Team members and coaches participated in their first competition in January. This year’s theme was “In Sickness and in Health: An Exploration of Illness and Wellness.” The team met weekly after school to cover seven academic subjects: science, math, music, art, social science, literature and economics, all with a focus on health and wellness.

Faith & Service

Macs Give Back

Eleven McAuley students helped out at the Action Sertoma “Rocktoberfest!” This fundraiser supports the Sertoma Centre & Sertoma Speech & Hearing Centers.

Cyndi Washington-Bolden ‘20 volunteered at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Walk. The proceeds from the walk go toward helping to identify a cure for juvenile diabetes.

National Honor Society members made tie blankets for Project Linus, an organization that provides blankets for children in need.

Mother McAuley Honors Sister Rosemary Connelly, RSM and Misericordia

On October 17, McAuley held its Fall Festival to benefit Misericordia Heart of Mercy, a home for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This annual event is hosted by the McAuley National Honors Society (NHS). Students were invited to donate $5 to dress out of uniform, with all the proceeds going toward Misericordia. Part of the day also included a performance by the Misericordia dance troop, The Heartbreakers, followed by a party with the performers. During the past 30+ years the Fall Festival has raised more than $50,000 for Misericordia. This year’s Fall Festival theme was “Disney.”

Prior to this year’s assembly and performance, McAuley hosted a very special presentation honoring Sister Rosemary Connelly, RSM, for her 50 years of service to Misericordia as its executive director. In 2019, she also celebrated 70 years as a Sister of Mercy. During the ceremony, Sister Rosemary was presented with a framed McAuley athletic jersey, with her name embroidered on the back, and an engraved plaque on the frame with the words: “In recognition of your 50 years leading the team at Misericordia. You inspire Mother McAuley to lead with Mercy on and off the court.”

Sister Rosemary has been integral in promoting inclusion by advancing the mission of Misericordia. In 2015, she was inducted into the Mother McAuley Hall of Honor, in recognition of her service.

“Through her work, Sister Rosemary has changed the world so profoundly, and done so in the name of God and the Sisters of Mercy,” said Mary Acker Klingenberger ‘75, president of Mother McAuley. “Like our founder, Catherine McAuley, she’s been a bold pioneer, driven to do the right thing for those who could not necessarily do it for themselves. She is a tremendous example to McAuley students of how the vision and influence of one can impact so many. Our young women and our alumnae have strengthened their own cultural empathy under the inspiring leadership of Sister Rosemary and through various volunteer opportunities.”

As a former McAuley faculty member (she taught English for one year before joining Misericordia) Sister Rosemary has maintained strong ties with the McAuley family. Those ties have continued to grow throughout the years as McAuley has shared with its family the great mission of Misericordia and how vital it is to the community. Over the years, members of the school’s Board of Trustees and alumnae have supported Misericordia events including its annual Golf Outing, Women’s League, Family Fest and Holiday Brunch. Each spring, McAuley students and faculty support Misericordia’s Candy Tag Days by collecting donations and volunteering at tagging locations.

Catholic Schools Week activities

With the theme of “Angels Among Us,” Catholic Schools Week provided a great opportunity for students, faculty and staff to raise awareness of and celebrate the Sisters of Mercy Five Critical Concerns -- Immigration, Women, Non-Violence, Racism, and the Earth. Activities for the week were overseen by theology teacher, Terese O’Connell Lecompte ‘69.

Faculty, staff, Mercy Associates and Sisters of Mercy joined us at tables in the lounge and dining hall. Each table was dedicated to a particular critical concern. Earth: Students signed up to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22. Racism: Our UNITY club made and distributed pins.

Non-violence: Students signed their names to a paper dove. The cut-outs of the doves then were displayed on the walls of our theology hallway. Immigration: Holy Cards with photos and prayers for immigrant children were distributed. Women: For Human Traffic Awareness Month, cards with the hotline number to report human trafficking were distributed. Students helped write letters to Gov. Pritzker asking the hotline number to be put on the state website.

Art Dept. Chairperson, Kathleen Gordon Davis, prepared a stretch canvas board that lists the Critical Concerns. All were invited to add their thumbprint to the canvas, under the concern they commit to taking action for.

Faculty Accolades

Congratulations to our newly-certified Apple Teachers! This group met weekly to learn ways to increase productivity with iPads, Pages, Keynote, Numbers and iMovie.

Ms. Rebecca Houston was nominated for The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History “Teacher of the Year” award! Exceptional American history teachers are nominated for this honor based on teaching excellence. Once nominated, teachers must submit an essay detailing their teaching philosophy, sample lesson plans, and other supporting material. Award recipients will be chosen in June.

Congratulations to Mrs. Eileen O’Reilly, Mrs. Jan McAuliffe and Ms. Caitlin Gallagher, recipients of the Illinois Directors of Student Activities Educator Awards! Mrs. O’Reilly was awarded Outstanding Principal, Mrs. McAuliffe received the Distinguished Service Award and Ms. Gallagher was awarded Outstanding Activity Advisor.

Visual Arts & Technology

Fourteen McAuley students were recognized as 2020 Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Award Recipients. Presented by the nonprofit organization, the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the country’s longest-running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for creative students in grades 7–12. As one of the largest national affiliates, the Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa adjudicated over 7,000 pieces of art and writing from the Iowa and Midwest Regions. Creative teens from Iowa and the Midwest received regional honors, including Gold Keys, Silver Keys, Honorable Mentions, and/or American Visions & Voices nominations. For Gold Key works of art and writing in the Awards’ 29 categories, including architecture, painting, flash fiction, poetry, printmaking, video game design, and more, the opportunities for recognition will continue when those works are adjudicated again on a national level by a panel of leading creative professionals. Congratulations to these Mighty Macs! entry into the Youth Art Month contest, sponsored by the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA). Additionally, Mother McAuley receives $1000 worth of supplies! Thalia’s was one of 126 entries. She was honored at the IHSAE Awards Ceremony on March 8 in Chicago. Her work will be featured on the Illinois state flag at the National Art Education Association and will be printed in the Mosaic publication for IAEA.

Abby Graeber ‘20 Aubrey Doyle ’20 Charlotte Wagner ‘20 Josa Keller ‘20 Maya Krueger ‘20 Nicole Todd ‘20 Samantha Dederichs ‘20 Sasha Anoshenko ’21 Thalia Wesclitz ’20 Olivia LaPage ‘21 Daniela Sanchez ’21 Nora Cunnea ‘21 Kate Lawler ‘20 Elle Harper ‘21

In February, Samantha Dederichs ‘20 held her opening reception of her one woman exhibition at McCord Gallery in Palos Park as part of its Emerging Artist program. Her original artwork was on display

Thalia Wesclitz won the grand prize of $500 worth of art supplies from Sargent Art for her until mid-March.

Athletics

For National Signing Day on November 13, we had six Mighty Macs sign letters of intent. Congratulations to these Mighty Mac Athletes: Lexi Warfield for volleyball at Loras College; Abbey Murphy for ice hockey at the University of Minnesota; Amia Owolabi and Devyn Petrowski for volleyball at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Morgan Riordan for water polo at Salem University and Jenna Badali for basketball at Lewis University.

Basketball point guard Jenna Badali ‘20 scored her 1,000th career point during a game against Crystal Lake Central.

Cart Ride Celebrations

A Cart Ride to celebrate students advancing to state and national competitions is a beloved McAuley tradition. We recently lined the halls to recognize the achievements of these students:

Evelyn Rowan ‘22, for advancing to the state cross country finals.

Abby Manos ‘22 and Maddie Schultz ‘21, for the swimming and diving state finals. Abby placed 10th in State for diving and Maddie competed in the 50 Free.

Abbey Murphy ‘20, who helped Team USA win the Gold at the 2020 International Ice Hockey Federation U-18 Women’s World Championship in Slovakia. Abbey has committed to play ice hockey for the University of Minnesota. In February, Abbey and her USA Hockey Teammates were honored at a Blackhawks’ game in celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Abbey also was chosen to participate in the “Shoot the Puck” contest during the game.

Our JV bowling team placed first and varsity placed third in the GCAC Tournament. GCAC all-conference winners were Tamia Edwards ‘22, Ayana Coleman ‘21, and Carolina Duenas ‘20. Ayana also reclaimed her title as the GCAC Bowler of the Year with a regular-season average of 175!

Music & Performing Arts

Grease

Our fall musical, “Grease” brought together the talents of nearly 200 cast and crew members, and musicians. There were a total of six performances during late November, with the evening and weekend shows performing to sold-out crowds!

A special “thank you” to McAuley alumna and nearly eightyear breast cancer survivor and “thriver,” Katie McAlinden ‘96, who returned to McAuley to speak about her personal journey with cancer and how it has empowered her to raise awareness of the importance of early detection and treatment. Katie addressed theatre classes, cast and crew members for “Grease.” She was joined by her mother, Pat Rose McAlinden ‘71, who also talked about Katie as a survivor and thriver and the importance of having a strong support system, but also reaching outside one’s circle for help. Katie donned a Pink Lady jacket, as a nod to “Grease” and also the signature color of breast cancer awareness. The students wore the official performance t-shirt, also pink in color.

Each October, in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness month, McAuley’s student performers choose a breast cancer initiative to support. In anticipation of Katie’s presentation, students were invited to make a free-will contribution. Money collected benefits investigative research by Dr. Kay Macleod at the University of Chicago Ben May Department for Cancer Research. Additionally, during the November performances of “Grease” free-will donations were collected during intermissions.

Our a cappella and Mac Melody choirs brought Christmas cheer to the WGN Morning News, performing live on Christmas Eve morning. The choirs sang festive carols several times between the 6 am and 8 am hour, concluding with the traditional Hallelujah Chorus.

Seniors Bryana Martinez, Maggie Reed, Mary Helen Hennessy and Molly May who participated in the 2020 Illinois High School Theatre Festival. This year’s musical production was “Aida.” Bryana performed as part of the orchestra, while Maggie, Mary Helen and Molly who were part of the musical.

McAuley Awarded Brach Grant to Support Mighty Mac Musicians

In late March, the Helen Brach Foundation awarded Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School a grant of $15,000 in support of the artistic work of students involved in our performing arts program. The performing arts program offers a comprehensive program of coursework in chorus, strings, band, and orchestra.

The award from the Helen Brach Foundation will allow us to renew the strings section of the orchestra by replacing instruments that are significantly worn, some of which are beyond repair. Students who elect to take coursework in Beginning and Advanced Strings are provided an instrument for their learning courtesy of the school. The Brach award will allow us to eliminate the sharing of instruments. This will impact up to 50 students in furthering their music education, not to mention the many more students we will gain as a result of providing additional new instruments. The importance of beginning new students on good quality instruments will increase the learning level that the students are able to achieve. A quality instrument ensures that each student is able to maximize their learning potential on what many would consider the most difficult and demanding of all instrument families to learn.

For more than 15 years the Helen Brach Foundation has awarded grants in support of programs across all departments here at Mother McAuley. We count the Brach Foundations as a trusted partner in the work of providing an integrated liberal arts education to our young women. Our gratitude is immeasurable!

Donor Profile

Everything We Do is Part of Something Bigger!

Back in the mid 70’s, Mother McAuley’s flag football team was well defended Back in October of 2017 Maureen Mullarkey-Miller’77 by two dynamic defensive ends. They worked together to make McAuley reached out to Mother McAuley wanting to do some- champions, Dee on one side, Maureen on the other. This teamwork approach thing bigger. She wanted to keep the memory of her and forever friendship has launched a lifetime of helping others, and continuing to make McAuley a winning team. best friend and classmate Diana “Dee” Morrissey, alive in the halls and hearts of Mother McAuley. Here is where their forever friendship and memories were formed. Maureen proposed a class challenge gift to the class of 1977 at their 40th “McAuley is truly reunion. The support from the challenge launched The Diana L. Morrissey Eden ’77 Scholarship. an incredible school, Dee was an inspiration to everyone she met. She was a fun loving, kind person who was an and I am so grateful for the entrepreneur at heart. Her spirit ignited many through her compassion and desire to make opportunity I have been a difference in the lives of those in need. Dee cared very deeply about the special needs popu- granted to be able to attend lation. Her passion and zest to help those in need who learn differently has been imprinted on here due to the generous Maureen’s heart. donor who made Today, the impact of this gift has allowed McAuley to provide 26 scholarships over it possible.” the last three years in her Dee’s memory. This scholarship assistance has filled these students with feelings of self-assuredness, empowerment, gratitude and higher self- Won’t you consider teaming esteem that has helped them become more confident in their daily lives. Recipients up with us to make it now attend colleges such as St. Mary’s College of Notre Dame, St. Ambrose, and the something bigger -- University of Nebraska-Lincoln. One scholarship recipient shared: “I am thankful. This was a huge game changer for me. It truly shaped me into a determined student.” the lifetime advantage of a Mother McAuley Beyond the initial scholarship, Maureen elevated her commitment by sponsoring the education for our Learning Resource Center (LRC) ACT Preparation Program for students who need in- students and families. dividualized instruction and support to ease the pressures of testing. This program has impacted our students in many ways, the greatest being a boost in self-confidence, Please reach out to less test anxiety, and higher test scores. Director of Development and Alumnae Relations, Peggy Evans Rourke ‘76

Average increase of “Before starting in the for more information at 3.3 points from pre-test Learning Resource Center (LRC), I had prourke@mothermcauley.org to the post-test. The increase in test scores is crucial for never had a teacher who expected anything from me... I did not think I was going to go to college or (773) 881-6547 or visit mothermcauley.org/scholarour students. at all, and I had no desire to. But the LRC taught me ships to learn more.

The higher the ACT, organization, test taking skills, and how to advocate for the better chance for myself and my disabilities, and showed me that even when admission into more people didn’t expect anything from me, I needed to expect things select four-year colleges and increased scholarship opportunities. from myself. I could have never imagined I would be accepted into one of only 40 Respiratory Care Therapy programs in the country, and that I would be lucky enough to take one of only 22 spots in that program. The LRC entirely altered the course of my life and helped me go above and beyond what I thought was possible for myself.” 47

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