CLASS OF 2021 PORTRAIT OF A NAZARETH ACADEMY
Graduate
Create Your Legacy
THE LEGACY CONTINUES Each year, at our Closing School Mass, we take a moment to honor alumni who have chosen to continue their Nazareth legacy by sending their children to our beloved school. At Mass, both alum-parent and Class of 2021 graduate were invited to step forward, pass along the light from the alumni candle to their sons and daughters and receive a blessing. We are delighted to recognize the following legacy families from the Class of 2021, which also includes two 3rd generation legacies:
• McKenzie Duffy, daughter of Maria Winiarski ’90, who is lighting McKenzie’s way from heaven
• Kaitlyn Horodecki, daughter of Karyn Porod ’89
• Matthew Ivansek, son of Patricia Begg Ivansek ’81
• Madison Kaup, daughter of
• Jake Racki, son of Marsha
• Gioia Solano, daughter of
• Elizabeth Merchant, daughter
• Nicole Randazzo, daughter of
• Anthony Pigatto, son of
• Margaret Rausch, daughter of
At Commencement we also acknowledged: Will Matschke, grandson of Joanne Malecki Ash ’60
EJ Kaup ’89
Gentile Racki ’87
of Rebecca Boston Merchant ’91 Anthony Pigatto ’92 and Laura Zeck ’92, and grandson of Barbara Voller Zeck ’64
John Randazzo ’85
Janet Houda Rausch ’91 and granddaughter of Arlene Mlsek Houda ’57
174
CLASS OF 2021 BY THE NUMBERS
$27 million
earned in merit scholarships and awards
21
Eucharistic Ministers
Lisa Turano ’85
graduates 87 colleges of choice
1st
class to ever graduate on Spirit Field
across
96%
28 states
will attend 4-year colleges Megan Henehan named the
48th recipient
A perfect
20
ESCC Scholar-Athletes from the Class of 2021 graduated with an average GPA of 4.6
36
ACT score for Salutatorian and National Merit Scholar Daniel Metzger
of the Sister Oliver Donlin Award
74 National Honor Society members
17 Student-Athletes from the Class of 2021 committed to play
5 different college-level sports, including 3 Division 1 programs
In keeping with their high school journey,
On Sunday, May 23, 2021, the Class of 2021 experienced a Nazareth Graduation unlike any other. After an online Mass in the morning, the 174 graduates gathered on Spirit Field for an outdoor Commencement Ceremony.
Commencement was the capstone event of a week of senior-themed celebrations including Nazareth’s Closing School Mass and the traditional passing of the flame during “Go Light Your World;” Awards Ceremony in full cap and gown; and a pre-recorded Graduation Mass led by Friar JohnPaul Cafiero. These graduates include 33 Illinois State Scholars, a National Merit Finalist, a National Merit Commended Scholar and a National Hispanic Scholar. Their achievements in Scholarship, Service, Spirit and Unity were never diminished by COVID or the restraints it placed on them. At the Commencement ceremony, Ronald Glas, Valedictorian, encouraged his classmates to see their high school experience as a tapestry of dots and interconnected lines as they continue to “embrace the messiness and chaos of the canvas of life.” Ronnie will attend Northwestern University. Students from the Class of 2021 were accepted to colleges and universities all over the world, including such highly competitive institutions as Boston College, the Catholic University of America, Columbia University, Northwestern University, the University of Wisconsin, Duke University, Cornell University, Fordham University, Morehouse College, Villanova University and the University of Michigan. At Commencement, Megan Henehan was honored with this year’s Sister Oliver Donlin Service Award. Principal Hawkins said, “Megan is a “hidden gem” of Nazareth, recognized for her maturity and for being firmly rooted in her faith, dependable and always willing to lead an effort without ever asking for recognition. Her contributions have truly left a mark on Nazareth Academy and in the hearts of all of us who have been lucky enough to know and work with her. Above all, she is an outstanding young woman most deserving of this honor.” Megan will attend Boston College.
Nazareth Academy has no doubt that the Class of 2021 will continue to go out and light this world.
We send you forth...
These pennants represent only a few of the 87 colleges that will be home to Nazareth Academy’s Class of 2021. For a complete list of college acceptances, please visit nazarethacademy.com. Click Academics/Achievements.
Stay Connected! We encourage Class of 2021 alumni to stay connected via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Please share your good news to the Alumni Facebook Group and update your contact information with ccook@nazarethacademy.com. Visit often and read your Roadrunner Report email for the latest on alumni news and gatherings.
NAZARETH ACADEMY 1209 West Ogden Avenue | La Grange Park, IL 60526-1700 Phone: 708.354.0061 | www.nazarethacademy.com
Sponsored by the Congregation of St. Joseph