Nazareth Academy Blueprint Fall 2022

A Publication of the NAZARETH

ACADEMY Community

Blueprint

LOVE

ADVOCATE LEAD HELP CARE SERVE INCLUDE SEEK FOSTER SHARE MENTOR INSPIRE THANK A V LUE REPRESENT ASK WELCOME TEACH SPEAK CREATE GATHER O V ICE GIVE REMEMBER DEFEND COACH APPRECI ATE LI ST E N RESPECT HEAL NURTU RE BRIDGE SCHOLARSHIP EMPATHY COMPASSION LIFT MODEL SERVICE SPIRIT UNITY KINDNESS LEGACY LIGHT BUILD ADVOCATE LEAD HELP CARE SERVE INCLUDE FOSTER SEEK SHARE MENTOR INSPIRE THANK A V LUE REPRESENT ASK WELCOME TEACH SPEAK CREATE GATHER O V ICE GIVE REMEMBER DEFEND COACH APPRECIATE LISTEN RESPECT HEAL NURTURE BRIDGE EMPATHY COMPASSION LIFT MODEL SCHOLARSHIP SERVICE SPIRIT HELP UNITY KINDNESS LIGHT LEGACY BUILD ADVOCATE LEAD HELP CARE SERVE INCLUDE FOSTER SEEK SHARE MENTOR INSPIRE THANK A V LUE REPRESENT ASK WELCOM E TEACH SPEAK CREATE GATHER O V ICE IN THIS ISSUE GIVE REMEMBER DEFEND COACH APPRECIATE LISTEN RESPECT HEAL NURTURE BRIDGE EMPATHY COMPASSION LIFT MODEL SCHOLARSHIP SERVICE SPIRIT TEACH UNITY KINDNESS LIGHT LEGACY BUILD LEAD HELP EMPATHY CARE SERVE N I CLUDE FOSTER Welcome to Naz Alumni Profiles

Reunion Weekend

Baseball Wins State and more...

WELCOME MEET THE NAZARETH ACADEMY CLASS OF 2026

NEW FACES JOIN THE NAZARETH FACULTY AND STAFF

What a pleasure to welcome our dynamic Class of 2026. Their Naz journey began with Freshman Orientation - two days filled with information and opportunities to socialize with classmates, meet teachers, find classrooms and celebrate a prayer service. Their first weeks were filled with classes and meetings to further engage in the Four Pillars and our Core Values. These freshmen have jumped into the Naz Experience with great enthusiasm and we are looking forward to seeing the legacy they create.

Special shout out to our Youth Initiative student leaders who guided our freshmen through small and large group conversations; helped navigate lockers, schedules and the lunch line; and served as role models and mentors to our newest Roadrunners.

We can’t thank our students enough for hosting so wisely and graciously.

Class of 2026 - Create Your Legacy!

224

students strong, coming from

We are thrilled to introduce eight new faces to our faculty and staff for the 2022-23 school year. Coming from a variety of backgrounds, these newest employees bring knowledge, expertise and a host of interests and passions to our very dynamic Roadrunner Family.

Patrick Broncato, Math; Jennie Grigas, English; Mike Manno, Athletic Director; Maggie Mazur, English; Rosalinda Ramos, Theology; Michael Rawls, Theology & Campus Ministry; Rich Tarka, Math; Steven Zlatic, Theology & Gospel Service

59

grade schools in

40

communities

Dear Nazareth Academy Alumni, Families and Friends,

Nazareth Academy, sponsored by the Congregation of Saint Joseph, is a Catholic, coed, college preparatory high school dedicated to living Jesus’ mission of unity and committed to educating the whole person.

1209 W. Ogden Avenue La Grange Park, Illinois 60526 Phone: 708.354.0061 www.nazarethacademy.com President: Mrs. Deborah Vondrasek Tracy ’82 Principal: Mrs. Therese Uphues Hawkins ’79 Academic Dean: Sr. Terry Middendorf, CSJ ’60 Director of Maintenance: Mr. Dennis Moran Dean of Students: Mr. Tim Racki Director of Curriculum and Instruction: Ms. Jessica Radogno Editor: Ms. Alena Murguia ’89 Graphic Design and Print: The Stevens Group Please direct comments to: amurguia@nazarethacademy.com View Blueprint online at: www.nazarethacademy.com/blueprint Contact the editor to help stop duplicate and undeliverable mail by updating your address. Your help is appreciated.

Like us! facebook.com/NazarethAcademy Join us! facebook.com/NazarethLGP Alumni Tweet us! twitter.com/NazarethLGP Share us! instagram.com/NazarethLGP Connect with us! linkedin.com/school/nazareth-academy

“LOVING ACTIVELY AND INCLUSIVELY...

THAT ALL MAY BE ONE” IS OUR THEME FOR THIS SCHOOL YEAR. For us it sums up both our foundation and our challenge to live out the mission and charism of the Congregation of Saint Joseph. It is not enough (and truly it has never been enough) to speak words of “loving the dear neighbor” that fall short of action. Letting your life speak…is something we talk about directly with our students from the very first days they start with us. It is both our hope and our expectation that Nazareth Academy students recognize the importance of respect and value the dignity of all. This can seem like a tall order for a teen in 2022 and yet we have found that our young people have the capacity to rise to the level to which they have been called.

Perfectly? No. But consistently challenged to grow into the very best versions of who God has created them to be.

This issue of Blueprint brings many stories of Love in Action to life. We are so very proud of how our alums continue to rise up and inspire us with the ways they live out our mission. These stories are just a small (yet powerful) example of how our graduates continue to make such a positive and impactful difference in our world.

Keep it up, Roadrunners!

You make us so very proud!

Deborah Tracy ’82 President

Therese Hawkins ’79 Principal

pg / 3

ALUMNI PROFILES

Peggy Nolan Hanna refuses to slow down in her 81st year. The mom to 9 grown children, 15 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and the past foster-parent of “too many to count” teenagers, she’s busy teaching herself a new skill - grant writing, so that she can finish producing a not-for-profit film based on her screenplay, Under ‘S’ for Sucker. She’s already published a memoir, Patriotism, Peace and Vietnam; run for public office in Ohio, and founded the Springfield (OH) Peace Center in the 1980’s, which is still going strong. Still, she sees no reason to stop.

“I feel great; I’ve already lived a great life, but there is more to be done.” The “more” for Peggy largely revolves around issues of equity, peace and justice; for example, all proceeds from her film will promote and help foster and kinship care, especially for teens.

Peggy credits her years at Nazareth for her desire and her confidence to take action for causes that matter.

“There were so many opportunities for us to step up and make our voices heard. I can trace my writing back to my AP English class with Sister Mary Joanne way back in 1958.” Nazareth was also a solid foundation for Peggy’s faith, which continues to inspire her to action, “If you care about the Gospel message, love means a commitment to do something about it.”

For Peggy, it started simply with a desire to be a wife and mom. When she and her late husband Jim

moved to a large farm house in Ohio with three small children, she realized she had room for many more so she called Children’s Services and opened her home to teenagers in the foster care system.

The Hannas spent the next 30 years as temporary shelter to mainly boys who were eventually reunited with their biological families, and did adopt four children permanently.

“Opening up to foster care was the first of many risks I’ve taken for what I think are the right reasons.

I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone and faked confidence when I thought it mattered.” What matters to her most is peace. She worked for it during the Vietnam War and continues to work for it as a parent, as an activist and as a writer. “Jim and I never had a lot in terms of money, but gave a lot of ourselves to make the world better. Our children grew into wonderful adults because they learned tolerance, forgiveness, acceptance and love in how we lived every day.”

Peggy continues to move forward confident her film will get made and that new opportunities await. “You have to just approach life open to the possibilities and not be so concerned with what people think of you. I know I’m doing the right thing, because I know my choices are based on the values I learned and practiced at Nazareth.”

’59

“YOU HAVE TO JUST APPROACH LIFE OPEN TO THE POSSIBILITIES AND NOT BE SO CONCERNED WITH WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF YOU. I KNOW I’M DOING THE RIGHT THING, BECAUSE I KNOW MY CHOICES ARE BASED ON THE VALUES I LEARNED AND PRACTICED AT NAZARETH.”

pg / 4

IN

’79

“I’ve lived a wide life,” says Theresa Denton, Executive Director of CSJ Ministries. Indeed, she has lived all over the country and her work experiences have included theater, comedy, college admissions, teaching, fundraising, massage therapy and even owning a restaurant. That circuitous path has led her to value the diversity of people’s experiences and cemented a commitment to grow from life’s ups and downs. “Things may not always be kind or soft or easy, but understanding comes with hindsight.”

One of the most essential things she’s learned is that she loves to pull strengths out of people for greater purpose.

“I can sometimes see things in people they don’t see in themselves.” It’s a skill she traces back to her days at Naz. “There was a high level of trust that we would make good choices and from that, would make great memories.”

Theresa (or, as she was known then, “Hutch”) threw herself into Student Council, Spanish Club, Coffeehouse, Chorus and Naz Drama. “Not everything was my strong suit, but the teachers at Nazareth pulled the best out of me. They were fully committed to my success even as they allowed me to express myself.”

“RELATIONSHIPS ARE AT THE CORE OF EVERYTHING WE DO. WE STAY AT THE TABLE. WE KEEP DOING THE WORK BECAUSE THE GROWTH AND DEEPENING OF LOVE SO OFTEN HAPPEN DURING THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES.”

She also witnessed a time of great upheaval at Nazareth.

The move to 1209 Ogden was new and in her junior year, the school went co-ed. “Of course at that time I couldn’t articulate the charism of the Sisters, but even then I intuited that Nazareth needed to make those changes in order to survive and thrive. I understood it wasn’t the end of anything, just an evolution.” This understanding serves her well in her current role which involves working with all of the CSJ ministries to ensure that the mission and charism are vibrant and active.

Now, fully able to articulate that charism, Theresa sees “serving the dear neighbor without distinction” as the core tenant of putting love into action. “We are all called to leadership, to look around the table and ask who is missing from the conversation, to ask ourselves who will be impacted positively and negatively by our actions.”

She is enormously proud of the ongoing work Nazareth does to nurture love in action, to have the difficult conversations and, most meaningfully, to build relationships.

“Relationships are at the core of everything we do. We stay at the table. We keep doing the work because the growth and deepening of love so often happen during the most challenging times.”

I SP RE N

pg / 5

“It’s all thanks to FenNaz Band,” explains Wendy Barth Montalbano, who first met her husband Rick when she was in 7th Grade. “Joyce Cosentino and I were flag girls for the band in middle school. I knew then that I wanted to go to Nazareth.” She followed her heart to Naz, joined the combined band and fell in love, not only with Rick, but with the Pillar of Service. Alongside Rick, Wendy has devoted her life to serving adult wards of the state who have special needs, most notably as Co-founder and Creative Director for Touch My Heart.

’91

“WHEN I THINK OF LOVE, I SEE THE FACE OF GOD. MY JOB HERE IS TO SIMPLY BE THE HANDS AND FEET THAT BRING GOD’S LOVE TO THOSE WE SERVE.”

“Our first date was at a Knights of Columbus dinner dance and it was one of the first times I had been exposed to people with special needs. I found my heart moved and I immediately wanted to do something.” The couple, along with their three children, worked for years organizing regular social outings and events for residents of group homes. They made contacts and grew their involvement and, in 2010, made Touch My Heart an official 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. Even through Covid and challenges, Wendy has remained steadfast in finding creative ways to serve her community, most recently with the group’s increasingly popular therapy chickens.

“Like with most projects, I dove head-first into learning about therapy chickens, attending virtual classes and learning all I could about how to make this program work.”

The program, still run out of her home’s backyard, has touched the hearts of over 3000 visitors since May of 2021, a fact which pleases Wendy even as it astonishes her.

“I just wanted some chickens in the backyard. I had no idea I was embarking on a first in the country program with such great results.”

pg / 6

Whether it’s organizing a bowling outing, planning their annual Christmas event or training volunteers to care for the chickens, what Wendy sees as active love is rooted in her faith and in her upbringing. “When I think of love, I see the face of God. My job here is to simply be the hands and feet that bring God’s love to those we serve.” She does this with a care for the neighbor she feels came to life at Nazareth. “When I transferred in my sophomore year I felt a true sense of belonging. The teachers at Nazareth not only cared about me, they cared about serving a community bigger than just us.”

Wendy has no doubt that Nazareth laid the foundation for her life of faith and service and she is grateful. “People sometimes think that when we serve this population we will be the ones touching the hearts of others, but the opposite is true. It’s my heart that’s been forever changed.”

R A SH E

United States Army Colonel Jeff Limjuco has always thought of himself as a science guy, an interest that was fostered in high school. “I still remember sending Sister Ellen [Springer] a note after I graduated to thank her for encouraging me and to let her know the significant role she played in my life.” He took his passion for science first to pre-med studies at Benedictine University and then was commissioned into the United States Army with the Uniformed Services University (USU), where he earned his medical degree.

“The USU appealed to me not only as a top medical school, but also as a way to perform service on a larger scale in the community.” His Army medical career, with a specialty in pediatrics, has taken him from community health centers in Fort Knox, KY and Vicenza, Italy to active duty care of soldiers and civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq.

He admits it was a steep learning curve. “I was a relatively young pediatrician still learning my profession and focused on just the patient in front of me. While deployed I saw how the failure of an entire healthcare system in wartime affects every member of the community.”

In 2018, Jeff returned stateside to earn his Masters of Health Administration and Policy and was named the Director for Healthcare Operations at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in July 2020. His focus shifted from a provider trying to get patients to the places

they would receive the best care, to accepting those same patients at the centerpiece of American military medicine.

“Along with being the ‘president’s hospital’, we care for service members from all the military branches, their family members and retirees. We have even had the honor and opportunity to care for NATO allies and evacuees.”

To accomplish his goals, Jeff also relies on another key lesson he developed at Nazareth – teamwork. As a member of the football team under Coach Dennis Moran, Jeff learned that a team functions more effectively with a common goal. “As cliché as it might seem as an adult, the idea of a team only being as strong as its weakest link made a big impact on me as a teenager. It still resonates with me now, as a member of the strongest team in the world, the U.S. Army.”

Jeff admits he’s never thought of his career and service in terms of “love in action” but does encourage young people to ask themselves what kind of love pushes them to act.

“Chances are that money or prestige won’t be enough motivation for a lifetime. When you have to ‘find your why’ it’s far more likely that changing someone’s life for the better will be what really drives you. When I ask myself why I stay in my career, I know it’s so that my wife and children will have a better life, so that a young soldier facing danger across the world in a tank will know he or she will be taken care of. That’s my why.”

O OR H N

“CHANCES ARE THAT MONEY OR PRESTIGE WON’T BE ENOUGH MOTIVATION FOR A LIFETIME. WHEN YOU HAVE TO ‘FIND YOUR WHY’ IT’S FAR MORE LIKELY THAT CHANGING SOMEONE’S LIFE FOR THE BETTER WILL BE WHAT REALLY DRIVES YOU.”

’93 pg / 7

Erika Davis Owen carries a passion for advocacy into everything she does. “Someone has to step up, to say something. I have always wanted to be that person.”

Throughout her education and professional career, including 10 years with Northwestern University, she developed skills in management, communications and executive counseling specifically geared toward emerging leaders.

She is particularly proud of her work creating affinity leadership groups for Black and Bi-Racial staff at Kellogg School of Management. “It’s so nice to have a community where you can share that experience and help lift each other up to get to the next step.”

Erika’s commitment to building community began early. As one of only a few black students in grade school and at Nazareth, she joined as many groups as possible to make friends. From Band, to Math Club, to Track and Hodgkins Tutoring, Erika blossomed and connected to people she still calls her friends. It was through Naz Drama though, that Erika took some of the deepest lessons.

“Mrs. White was always reminding us to project our voices, not to count on the microphone to make ourselves heard. She was talking about the stage, but I’ve carried that lesson into my life.”

Erika is now putting her multifaceted professional experiences and her passion to change the world into practice as the Director of Leadership Programs for Leadership Greater Chicago, an organization dedicated to mobilizing bold leaders to effect transformative civic impact. “The whole point is to make the city and its many neighborhoods a better place, to be mindful of the gaps, to raise awareness and inspire engagement.”

For Erika, Leadership Greater Chicago exemplifies her understanding of love. “Yes, love is an emotion, but it is also the care and desire to make change. Love is a passion for a greater purpose.” She is a firm believer that everyone has something to offer in terms of making the world a better place. “The key is to step out of your own way long enough to ask, ‘What can I offer to someone else?’ When you look deep into that question, you will find that love is behind every answer.”

A ENG

’04 “THE KEY IS TO STEP OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY LONG ENOUGH TO ASK, ‘WHAT CAN I OFFER TO SOMEONE ELSE?’ WHEN YOU LOOK DEEP INTO THAT QUESTION, YOU WILL FIND THAT LOVE IS BEHIND EVERY ANSWER.”

pg / 8

The world of accounting may not be known for the word “love,” but Jim Haggerty, UIUC Gies College of Business alum and Senior Audit Associate at Grant Thornton, has had no trouble finding ways to put love into action in his work life and personal life. “One of the great things about working there is the opportunity to serve your community, similar to the Service Pillar at Naz. Grant Thornton partners with the Chicago Big Brothers Big Sisters branch, specifically with Kennedy High School in the Midway neighborhood.”

Jim has served the community as a Big Brother to a now senior at Kennedy. “I’ve been able to learn so much about the current struggles and issues of a high school student while being able to give my personal advice.” When it comes to that advice, Jim recollects his own time in high school, and specifically his Kairos experience. “When I was a Kairos leader, Ms. Cook and Mrs. Rausch gave me a lane to express my feelings and grow into the person I’ve become.” Jim is now paying that experience forward with the Big Brother program.

AGE

’15

Jim Haggerty, pictured here with girlfriend Kelly.

“LOVE IN ACTION IS DISPLAYING CARE TO PEOPLE WHO SURROUND YOU, WHETHER IT BE REACHING OUT TO A FRIEND WHO’S GOING THROUGH A TOUGH TIME OR A CO-WORKER WHO COULD USE SOME HELP.”

“I think the Kairos experience puts a great perspective on things that truly matter, including displaying genuine care and interest in the people you interact with. You never know what an act of kindness can mean to someone. There’s enough stress that surrounds our daily lives; why not be kind and caring in our normal interactions?”

Jim also credits Nazareth with a culture that fosters love. At Naz he met the friends he’s still in daily contact with and he witnessed the ways that “clubs and teams give each individual opportunities to practice commitment and care for their peers in relation to an activity they love.”

For Jim, this basic care is the right start for growing a habit of kindness for everyday living. “I think it’s easier to experience the harder parts of life with people you know you can lean on.” For him, the small interactions that don’t seem like a huge deal at the time loom huge down the road when love is most needed.

“Love in action is displaying care to people who surround you, whether it be reaching out to a friend who’s going through a tough time or a co-worker who could use some help. A consistent display of care and love can build relationships and trust that can last a lifetime.”

CARE

pg / 9

ALUMNI UPDATES

Young Alum (2012-2022) In May, Ryan McGee ’19 was named to the NACC First Team All Conference for Women’s Lacrosse, representing Concordia University Chicago.

Anthony Paul ’19 started his own

Julian Love ’16 was named one of the

Patrick Murphy ’13 graduated from

Team Captains for the New York Giants 2022 season. The 2022 season will be Julian’s fourth in the National Football League, all with the Giants.

the University of Illinois in 2017 and received his Masters in Accounting there in 2018 along with his CPA. He graduated from Northwestern Law School in May and started a new job at Winston & Strawn LLP in September.

business. He is the Founder/Chief Executive Officer at First Step Finance LLC. “While still a young company, we plan on revolutionizing and refining the way our youth learn and retain personal finance and wealth building habits through education in order to help build generational wealth rather than just riches.” His partners include Jacob Waksmanski ’19, the company’s Chief Technology Officer.

Bridget Lockie ’18 graduated from

After serving as the Chicago Area Public Affairs Group (CAPAG) treasurer for two years, Matthew Serafin ’13 assumed the role of President in January. Matthew is also a 2022 recipient of the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry Regional 30 Under 40 Award.

Dr. Courtney Urzen, PharmD ’15

DePaul University and began attending the University of Notre Dame Mendoza School of Business this fall. She is pursuing her Master of Science in Management.

graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy and will be pursuing her residency at the Cleveland Clinic.

James Moster ’18 was named a 2022

the University of Illinois and will be heading to Ohio State University for his residency in Psychiatry.

Fulbright Scholar with an English teaching assistantship to Belgium.

James graduated from the University of Notre Dame, Program of Liberal Studies and Political Science in May.

Dr. Kevin Saladino ’14 graduated from Natalie Spetter ’12 graduated from

Loyola University Chicago with her Masters degree in Environmental Science and Sustainability.

Class Notes Sara Maslar-Donar ’11 was promoted

to News Anchor/Producer at WKOW ABC 27 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Kyla Barranco ’09 who is Assistant

Attorney General, State of Michigan, became the newest Board of Directors member for Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore To Shore.

Allison Zalesny ’09 is a 2022 recipient

of the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry Regional 30 Under 40 Award.

Brendan Green ’02 is a 2022 recipient

of the West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry Regional 30 Under 40 Award.

pg / 10

Congratulations to all our Naz Family honorees from the 2022 West Suburban Chamber of Commerce and Industry “Regional 30 Under 40” celebration.

GATHER with us! April 28-30, 2023 All alumni are welcome to come back to campus.

We are celebrating classes ending in 3 and 8.

Friday, April 28, 7-9 p.m.

Alumni Reception for significant years in Hanson Dining Hall; School Tours

Saturday, April 29 Individual Class Reunions take place throughout the day and evening - various locations

Sunday, April 30, 10 a.m.

Alexine Chapel - Four Pillars Mass & Reception Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Congratulations to our 2023 honorees: More reunion information is available on our alumni website at nazarethacademyalumni.org.

Class representatives are needed!

All significant reunions are organized and run by class rep volunteers.

Please contact Colleen Cook ’88 at ccook@nazarethacademy.com or 708-387-8506 to learn more.

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

FOUR PILLARS

Athlete - Ryan Powers ’11

Scholarship Patricia Kralik Babjak ’70

Athlete - Alysa Straub ’13 Coach - John Sime (Baseball)

Service Roberto Paniagua ’07

Friends of - Janet & Jim Kennedy (P14 & P17)

Spirit Victoria Hansen ’00 Unity Kathleen McGowan ’64

Victoria Hansen ’00

Madelyne Giloth Balitz ’73 is a retired

was named the Superintendent of Bellwood School District 88. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Concordia University Chicago and a member of Nazareth’s Board of Trustees.

hospice social worker and author of All is Well, Understanding the End of Life, Caregiving and Hospice Care, which she wrote after her mother and husband died.

Caryn Cieplak Stancik ’85, Chief

Marketing and Communications Officer at Cook County Health, is the winner of Agency Motion’s second annual Chicago Women of Impact Award. Caryn has made significant impacts to the health of Cook County residents for three decades and counting.

Nazareth honors and celebrates the 70-year jubilees of Srs. Julie Cannon ’51, Rosie LaFlaur ’51 and Pat Willems ’51.

Carol McCarthy LaChapelle ’61 was

interviewed by The Story Blender, a podcast on storytelling.

Peggy Nolan Hanna ’59 is producing and

filming her screenplay, Under ‘S’ for Sucker, as a non-profit production corporation.

Read more on page 4.

Kathleen Richards ’55 is proud to announce

the birth of her 2nd great-granddaughter, Junie Lou Queen, who joined her older sister Zo. She also has two great-grandsons who live in Montana.

Pictured are Srs. Julie Cannon, Henrietta Hibbs and Pat Willems

SHARE YOUR GOOD NEWS! Alumni news and photos can be sent to ccook@nazarethacademy.com pg / 11

ALUMNI NEWS continued Weddings MAY

JULY Dominque Seo ’15

married Austin Shull.

Deanna Crouchelli ’14 married Christian Bradley.

Allison Hawkins ’09 married Neil Puri, attended by sisters Sara Hawkins Pendergrass ’07 and Megan Hawkins Sloup ’10 as well as her mom Therese Uphues Hawkins ’79. Many

Naz family and friends also made the trip to Jersey City for the celebration.

JUNE Julian Love ’16 and Julia Veome ’15, high school sweethearts,

were wed at St. Francis Xavier Church. The wedding party was abundant with Naz Family.

Nick Pondel ’12 and Ginny Parkey were married in Madison, WI. Alumni in the wedding party included Tyler Pondel ’18, Matt Pondel ’14, Sal Sulla ’12 and Chris Sulla ’16.

Tasha Serafin ’11 married Matthew Marcell. The bridal party included classmates Anne Marie DeMatteo and Katarina Vinyard-Perez.

LOVE Lucas Stimach ’14 married Alyssa Challans.

Births APRIL

MAY

Josie Moreno Jaworski ’12 and her

Julianne Nelson Pedi ’07 and husband

Clare Grill ’97 and Bill Ryan ’97 welcomed

husband Andrew welcomed their first child, Winona Hope.

Phil welcomed baby #3, Benjamin Nelson.

Big sisters Gabby and Julia are excited.

daughter #2, Pearl Mary.

Sara Hawkins Pendergrass ’07

and husband Mike welcomed Owen Michael to join siblings Kate and Liam and grandmother Therese Uphues Hawkins ’79.

Monica Tassi Piraino ’06 and husband Michael

had their first baby Luciana Valentina. pg / 12

Jennifer Kolodziej Sloan ’02 and husband

Brian had their second child Austin Michael. Big sister Maura is happy to have a baby brother.

JUNE Ashley Kosenesky Karpiel ’10 and

husband Robbie welcomed their first child, Emma Mary.

Mary Clare Reardon McNally ’07 and

husband welcomed their second child, John Francis. Older sister Molly is beyond excited.

AUGUST

Jen LeBeda Hannigan ’92

and husband Patrick welcomed Finn Padraig to join sisters Hannah and Caiside.

In Memoriam

March 2022 - August 2022

We prayerfully remember all those in the Nazareth community who have passed away.

Jane Ritter Beaty ’51 Don Burke, father of Darryl Burke ’85 Carol Cerney ’69 Eugene “Jim” Copp, father of Karen Copp Kelliher ’75, Kathy Copp Tristano ’77, Carol Copp Stewart ’80, Cindy Copp ’82 and Chris Copp Hart ’85

Chrissy Turek ’14 married Cameron Guest

in the Alexine Chapel. The wedding party included Carrie Turek ’10 and Bobby Turek ’17.

AUGUST Marianne Grogan Kaiser ’69, married Steven Martin Clark. Her classmates Sue Grogan Gunnin, Ann Hulihan Lee and Diane Kaiser Jones celebrated with her.

Denice Kotnik ’96 married William Hannah.

Her brother Denis ’94 walked her down the aisle. In attendance were Yalile Ramirez ’96, Jennifer Prouza Thacker ’96, Michelle Stawski Delarosa ’91 and Laura Bresingham Smous ’96.

Patrick Murphy ’13

married Hannah Sophie.

Mary Elizabeth Duffy ’00, sister of Joe Duffy III ’99 Susan Zaker Franchina ’63 Dorothy Autowski Goliszewski ’56 Larry & Marilyn Hable, parents of Lisa Hable Urzen ’84 Susan Dreiling Hemmens ’71 Brian Hiestand, brother of Mike ’86 and Phil ’87 John J. Hojnar, father of Jack ’84 and Laura Hojnar Tarnow ’91 Donna Hrncirik, mother of Jennifer Hrncirik-Almeida ’94 Dolores Dietz Karl ’53, sister-in-law of Dorothy Karl ’49 and the late Doris Karl ’49 Sharon Karr-Karovic, mother of Kim Karovic Elliott ’84 and Kelly Karovic Danek ’88 Patricia Koukalik Kovarik ’49 Carolyn Prignano Kujawa ’73 Helen Dalton LaBarge ’46 Norma Cernet Lovett ’53, mother of Sue Lovett Rejdukowski ’87 and mother-in-law of Kim Calarco Lovett ’85

Holly Stanger ’12

married Derek O’Shaughnessy.

Sean Stanger ’14

officiated the wedding.

Alex Marthaler, brother of Bridget Marthaler Caragher ’06 and Kathleen Marthaler-Macfadden ’07, brother-in-law of Patrick Caragher ’06 DeShon McAdory ’98 Antonette Minniti ’96 James Mirallegro Sr., father of James ’84 and Lynette Mirallegro Smith ’89

Ed Paliatka, father of Julie ’85, Jeanne ’86, Jennifer ’91 and Jason ’93. Grandfather of Greta ’23 and Iris ’25 Ginene Pascua, mother of Michael ’12 and Gianna ’14 Mary Patricia Plesha, mother of Daniel Plesha ’83 and Bryan Plesha ’84 Carol Alexa Pokorny ’62, sister of Molly (Rita) Alexa Flowers ’61 Terry Powers, father of Laura Powers Patela ’87, Tom Powers ’91, Terry Powers ’92, father-in-law of Megan Westerkamp Powers ’93 Paul Proteau, father of Susie Proteau Burns ’90, husband of the late Roseanne Vitullo Proteau ’54 Jane Rolfe Rigsby ’53 Michele Santiago ’88, sister of Patrick ’89 and Anne Santiago ’90 Sr. Marlene Schemmel, CSJ ’54, sister of Barbara Schemmel VanNatta ’49, June Schemmel Laven ’51, Shirley Schemmel Rothwell ’56 Mathew Schmidt, son of Ann Rogan Schmidt ’70 Albert Tassi, father of Monica Tassi Piraino ’06 and Anna Tassi ’11 Virginia Uphues, mother of Therese Uphues Hawkins ’79 and Liz Uphues Evans ’92; mother-in-law of Alena Murguia ’89; grandmother of Sara Hawkins Pendergrass ’07, Allison Hawkins Puri ’09, Megan Hawkins Sloup ’10, Katie Uphues ’17, Patrick Uphues ’19, Connor Uphues ’20, Matt Uphues ’23 Shirley Mae Wedoff, mother of Charlotte Wedoff Pratel ’80, Nancy Wedoff McDonald ’82, Diane Wedoff Gerardi ’86, Jim Wedoff ’88 and Brian Wedoff ’90

Please notify Nazareth Academy of the death of an alumnus. We apologize for any errors that occur in this In Memoriam section.

Ed O’Hara, brother of the late Susan O’Hara ’56, Peg O’Hara Cain ’62, Elizabeth O’Hara ’66 and Kathy O’Hara Gurney ’69

pg / 13

NAZ

15

#1

On June 11, 2022, Naz Baseball made school history, defeating Glenwood High School by a score of 5-1 to secure our first-ever Baseball State Championship.

The 2022 season marked the fifth time since 2011 that the Roadrunners played in the State Finals, their highest previous finish coming when they were Runners Up in 2015.

alumni returned to campus to take part in our 2nd annual Circle the Cities event

9

student volunteers served the dear neighbor through the Community Builders for Peace program this summer

This State Title is a capstone for a program with an impressive pedigree of success under the leadership of IHSBCA Hall of Fame Coach Lee Milano. Coach Milano was quick to share the glory, saying, “This championship is for anyone that ever played or coached in the program. We played for the guys before, after us, and next to us.”

IHSA All State player Lucas Smith ’23 agreed, adding, “It was so meaningful because we won for the program and Naz as a whole.” According to Finn O’Meara ’23, “The 2022 season was so special because of how much went into it. Everyone was committed to our success.

Throughout the season we worked hard to stay focused on our goal of winning state.” That focus paid off in a big way. “I will never ever forget my view from shortstop seeing the last pitch to strike the batter out,” said Cooper Malamazian ’24. “I’ll never forget how high I threw my glove and how happy I was.”

Congratulations Roadrunners!

pg / 14

77

students volunteered to lead Freshman Orientation in August

47

Band students represented Nazareth in June for a workshop at Disney World

16

17

new Eucharistic Ministers were welcomed from the Class of 2023 to help distribute Holy Communion throughout the school year

students brought Roadrunner spirit to London for the return of international travel

43 years For the first time in 43 years, Nazareth started the 2022-23 school year without the powerful and unmistakable presence of Nan Garside, who retired in May. Generations of artists were inspired and encouraged

by Nan and we are so very grateful for the legacy she left us. As she said in a 2015 interview, “Art is not just my job; art is my life.”

35 students earned AP Scholar recognition for tests taken in May

Deborah Tracy paid tribute, saying, “Students who study the arts…the ones who hang in the art room...those who gravitated to the basement of M and later to her room in Walsh, all seemed to have a common thread of uniqueness. Her space was always a safe haven for creativity of thought and expression. I am certain that throughout her many years here, her love and connection made a profound impact on numerous students.”

We wish Nan all the best in her retirement and have no doubt she is creating something beautiful.

Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage

Blueprint

PAID

Crystal Lake, IL Permit No. 174

FALL 2022

Forwarding Service Requested

NAZARETH ACADEMY 1209 W. Ogden Avenue La Grange Park, Illinois 60526 www.nazarethacademy.com

NAZ ALUMS IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS...

2,332

$330,000+

Nearly

$950,000 supported our student experience

Sustain It:

gifts totaling over

$1.2M

directly supported specific needs such as scholarship, campus improvements and our endowment fund

28

Average of

61

new alum donors each year

15

alums in St. Joseph Society This legacy of leaving a planned gift is a commitment to the long-term future of Nazareth Academy and our students.

alums are monthly givers. Paying it forward by giving back.

Will you join us in making a gift in support of the Nazareth experience today?

If you receive duplicate copies of Blueprint, please contact Alena Murguia at amurguia@nazarethacademy.com or 708.387.8536 with your current address. Thank you in advance for helping conserve our resources.