Blueprint - Spring 2017

A Publication of the NAZARETH

ACADEMY Community

Blueprint SPRING 2017

RIGHT FROM THE HEART in accents loud and clear

IN THIS ISSUE Walsh Center Opens • Naz Alum Crosstown Classic A Legacy of Service • Alumni Profiles • And more...

CONTINUING THE

Legacy of Service

Service remains a cornerstone of a Nazareth Academy education.

Guided by the mission and charism of the Congregation of St. Joseph “that all may be one,” we encourage students to donate time, treasure and talent to serve our dear neighbors in our own community and around the world. In the month of March alone, we had the privilege of witnessing how our alumni continue to live out this pillar “in accents loud and clear.”

Naz alumni joined together to take this year’s Polar Plunge for Special Olympics. Congrats to Dan Woods ’10, Julia Kilcommons Woods ’10, Michael Woods ’12, Ryan Woods ’15, Dan Woods P’12 and Robert Klaus ’10 who took the plunge as Mary Leigh Hayes ’10 cheered them on! Also helping to raise money for Special Olympics at the event was Christopher Comes ’89.

Nazareth’s fourth FISH Prom for Teens with Disabilities on March 11 was a wonderful event filled with alumni volunteers. “This is always such a special event for us at Naz. There is no doubt that these particular efforts embody the heart and soul of our mission,” says Deborah Vondrasek Tracy ’82.

Sara Hawkins Pendergrass ’07, a special education teacher at Hinsdale Central High School, was also on hand, to give a brief training to Nazareth students before the event, helping to greet our guests and offering helpful advice to our volunteers throughout the night.

Did you know Nazareth alumni have an ongoing service partnership with the organization Project CURE? A big shout out to Vita Di Pasca ’08, Debbie Hale Soldato ’72 and Sharon Zeiler Leonard ’82, as they, along with current Roadrunners Bridget Milam ’20 and Melissa Harris ’20, spent a Saturday morning volunteering at the Project CURE Distribution Center. They sorted close to $60,000 of medical supplies to be shipped around the world to people in need of assistance.

Dear Nazareth 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 Fax: 708.354.0109 www.nazarethacademy.com President: Mr. Dennis Moran Principal: Mrs. Deborah Tracy ’82 Academic Dean: Sr. Terry Middendorf, CSJ ’60 Director of Curriculum and Instruction: Mrs. Therese Hawkins ’79 Director of Finance: Mrs. Mary Callaghan Dean of Students: Mr. Tim Racki 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.

On the cover: Class of 2018’s Alyssa Esparza and Kevin Quinn present flowers to Sr. Terry Middendorf ’60 in honor of St. Joseph’s Day. : Nazareth Academy

“ Nazareth, our Alma Mater dear, right from the heart, in accents loud and clear” No truer words have ever been spoken (or sung!). Everywhere we look, we see bold and clear signs that the alumni of Nazareth Academy are taking our mission to heart. Whether it be in their chosen ministry or profession, their leadership and volunteer services, or the way they serve as sources of inspiration and strength to family members and friends, Naz grads are amazing!

We are continuously inspired by the wonderful stories shared by our Naz alum.

The seeds of scholarship, service, spirit and unity that were planted throughout their high school years, blossom into fruition in countless ways both locally and globally. We remain so very proud of their accomplishments as they continue to represent the very best of who we are as a school community.

“ Our lips proclaim our pledge of loyalty to you, dear Nazareth!”

In gratitude,

Dennis Moran President

Deborah Vondrasek Tracy ’82 Principal

: @NazarethLGP : @NazarethLGP : @NazarethLGP pg / 3

Crosstown Classic

NAZ-STYLE

Hannah Sundwall

’11

“From a young age, I knew that I wanted to work in sports, specifically baseball.”

While Hannah Sundwall holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with concentrations in Management and Marketing as well as a minor in Music from Augustana, her true passion is, and always has been, baseball. “From a young age, I knew that I wanted to work in sports, specifically baseball. I became a big baseball fan around fifth grade and my passion for the sport only grew as I got older. By the time I entered Nazareth, I was memorizing team stats and the pitching rotation for various teams in MLB.” Throughout college she held internships with the DuPage County Hounds, the Kane County Cougars and the Baltimore Orioles. She also served as the Assistant Director of Baseball Operations for the Augustana College baseball team, where she did advanced statistical analysis for the team as well as helped with recruiting efforts.

After graduation Hannah landed another key internship, this time with the Chicago White Sox. That internship then turned into a full time job as the Coordinator of Media Services for the White Sox. “I handle all the credentialing of media members for the season as well as write and edit White Sox game notes, press releases and post game notes. I serve as the primary contact for all visiting team PR, media and team guests as well.”

Pursuing work in professional baseball hasn’t always been an easy journey for Hannah. She encountered biases along the way, including coaches who questioned her scouting abilities. “In college, I was sent to a recruiting event, prepared and ready to take notes on the high school baseball players. I was approached by a head coach of a rival school asking me why the head coach of Augustana would send a girl. I told him that it was because the head coach trusts my judgement because I know what I am talking about. That was the moment I knew that what I wanted to do in life wouldn’t be easy and I would face a lot of criticism from a lot of people, but I think proving everyone wrong is the most satisfying thing.”

As she looks forward to another summer of baseball, she happily keeps her dream alive. “I think when you are a female working in a male dominated field, it is easy to get discouraged. But it is the people who tell me that I will never make it that push me a little harder every day.”

Dave Miska

’90

A self described “music geek,” Dave Miska never expected to be part of Chicago sports history as he balanced the sounds of the ballpark, Pat Hughes’ final call and the excitement of the historic Cubs World Series win for CBS Sports Radio last November, but he found himself in that enviable position as the sound engineer for the station that broadcasts Chicago Cubs baseball.

“I still find it almost surreal. There’s a 40-minute gap that I don’t really remember. I could feel the weight of what we were doing and only thought, ‘Don’t screw it up. Don’t let the crowd overtake Pat. Don’t let it distort.’”

Since that night he’s had time to appreciate the “lucky accident” that his sports broadcasting career has been.

The opportunity to share two World Series (Dave was working for ESPN when the White Sox won it all.) has been part of the payoff for the crazy hours and competitive nature of sound engineering.

Dave actually got his start at Triton College when his parents signed him up for a radio class in 6th grade.

He ended up with his own Saturday morning show which he kept all through high school before giving it up while a student at Columbia. “I thought my career would be in producing music,” he explains. “I’m still like a kid in a candy shop going through new releases for a radio show.”

He’s found a way to transfer that passion for music to sound engineering, working with inputs from more than a dozen sound sources during a typical game. “It’s more subtle than rock and roll, but I’m still trying to create a certain atmosphere. Listeners need more than the crack of the bat and Pat Hughes. I try to provide a sense of depth.”

Whether doing Cubs games, or working on a remote broadcast for WXRT, Dave’s grateful to work in the industry that’s been a lifelong dream and credits his determination to never give up. I told myself, “If you really want it, you’re just going to have to go for it.”

Favorite Naz Memory

Most of all I appreciate the outstanding teachers. I was a punk-rock hooligan, but Sr. Ellen still referred to me as “Mr. Miska” and convinced me I knew more than I gave myself credit for. Sr. Kathryn Anderson actually got me to go read and think about scripture, just so that I could be prepared to debate and discuss with her. Those are the kinds of things you don’t appreciate as a teenager, but really come to value later. pg / 4

WALSH CENTER OPENS

Countless years in the DREAMING. 2 YEARS in the planning.

18 months in the CONSTRUCTION.

And now it is open.

On November 6, 2016, Nazareth Academy formally dedicated

the Walsh Center with a beautiful Mass, ceremony and blessing.

Surrounded by the Capital Campaign Committee, the Board of Trustees, the Congregation of St. Joseph, donors, faculty and staff, we celebrated the completion of a new building that meets the needs and standards of our students, securing our legacy for years to come.

“Today is a wonderful celebration of both gratitude and accomplishment. On behalf of all the Sisters of St. Joseph, those here today and the many sisters who have contributed to the education program and the spirit of Nazareth since its beginning, we thank you for making this next step in Nazareth’s growth a reality,” said Sr. Marianne Race ’59 in her remarks.

In the Mass readings as well as in speeches, the themes of hope, gratitude and resurrection were prominent. Board of Trustees Chairman Mark Doyle read the intercessions that day, as we prayed, “In gratitude for all donors and volunteers who have made the Walsh Center possible... may they take comfort knowing that through their generosity and leadership, the students of Nazareth Academy may continue to light our world that all may be one.”

In fact, the dedication weekend had begun on November 4, when current Nazareth students were invited to explore the nine new classrooms, second gym, fitness center, new locker rooms and expansive training room. As these Roadrunners roamed the new space taking photos and videos, the word “Wow” was heard on all three levels.

Deborah Tracy, Principal, is enthusiastic about the new opportunities made possible in the Walsh Center. “The new space reflects the excellence that has been ever-present in our academic and extracurricular offerings.

The state of the art classrooms, athletic and flex space all provide a quality environment for our students, faculty and staff. We are proud to be providing educational space that incorporates our vibrant vision for present and future students.”

Appreciation has continued to grow as our students, faculty and coaches have put the spaces to good use. Student musicians are thrilled to come out of the lower level of M and into a spacious new room. “The Rob Donat Band Room will significantly improve the already fine music tradition at Nazareth,” says Director of Bands Michael Sliwinski. “More work and storage space allow for large group rehearsals. The recording system allows for immediate feedback and assessment of our pieces from the students.”

The Walsh Center houses not only classrooms for Fine Arts, but also our entire Religion Department. The second gym has alleviated the need for lower level sports programs to leave campus for practices and has opened up more opportunities for clinics and future tournaments.

And student athletes are not the only ones taking advantage of the fitness center. Faculty, staff and even some alumni, can be found working out alongside current Roadrunners.

The opening of the Walsh Center was only Phase I of the Building Our Legacy campaign. Work is underway on M Building, which we hope will be open to students to start the 2017-18 school year. Nazareth will then begin renovations on the Sisters Chapel as we continue to guarantee our facilities match our high standards for students.

“The remarkable growth on this campus has come about because of a community of people who believe in the CSJ and Nazareth missions.

Our celebration of gratitude is specifically an acknowledgement of what that partnership with the Sisters has accomplished,” said Sr. Marianne.

Dennis Moran, President, echoes this sentiment, “Most importantly, I want to thank you - our current families, beloved alumni and community partners - for believing in us and for supporting us along the way, not only monetarily but with your enthusiasm and affirming comments.

You are a big part in making this dream a reality.” pg / 5

RIGHT FROM THE HEART

In Accents Loud and Clear ALEX HERDER ’03 When Alex Herder landed at Nazareth in 1999, he was a sort of fish out of water.

With his parents working in international development and public health, Alex had grown up all over the world, so a suburban Catholic high school felt somewhat foreign. But then, he got to know Nazareth and came to appreciate both the faculty and the community.

“In Ms. Paliatka’s class I instantly felt comfortable. Students could experiment with concepts and discuss progressive ideas. It was a safe place for a lefty thinker like me.”

Certainly Alex’s desire to think outside the box did not end with Nazareth. After graduation and the University of Illinois, Alex followed his passions and his heart (literally following his girlfriend, now wife, Melissa, to Paris).

From France to England to South Africa, Alex volunteered and worked in marketing, grant writing, television production, and web and infrastructure development, primarily with an eye toward public health.

While doing marketing for a public health concern in Washington, D.C., Alex found himself in need of some product videos so he partnered with a college roommate to create some animated pieces. This side-job eventually

took off with increased demand, leading Alex and his partner to found The Duke and The Duck in November, 2009. Early on, they specialized in explainer videos, animated graphics which take complex concepts and make them easy to digest and share.

As unconventional as his path to entrepreneurship seems, even to him, it has its roots in his desire to be an independent thinker. “This is something that was enforced in Mr. Jaglin’s history class. We really learned the importance of challenging conventional wisdom.”

With public health and international philanthropic organizations like the ACLU and the Gates Foundation as clients, The Duke and The Duck has taken off, adding corporate clients like Volkswagen and Sam Adams.

As co-founder, president and creative director, Alex is incredibly involved at the start of any project, which might be a series of PSAs for an anti-bullying campaign or quick social media content for a corporate client. “We all feel very strongly that the story should come first and we think hard about how to tell it.”

In fact, Alex thinks often about the need to put what he’s doing into a larger context,

a lesson he credits to Mrs. Ryan. “I believe that we can create our own reality, make it what we want it be, but making it what it should be – considering ethics, morality and values –that’s what a good religion class can teach. Mrs. Ryan had a gift for helping us feel a part of the bigger picture.”

Now at home in D.C., building his business and his family as husband and father of two sons, 2½ years and 6 months, Alex treasures living and working in a place that draws people from all over the world who want to make a difference. He would counsel the Class of 2017 to not fear the unanticipated path in creating their own futures.

MATTHEW SERAFIN ’13 As a Nazareth student, Matthew Serafin was known for his voice, not just on stage with Naz Drama or in the choir at Mass, but as a vocal leader in Campus Ministry and with FISH Prom for Teens with Disabilities. In 2015, as a sophomore at Marquette University, Matthew found another creative outlet for his voice when he joined the cast of Up With People (UWP). Their mission to unite the world through service and music engaged and inspired him every day for two 6-month tours.

“I didn’t even realize what I had been missing in my first years of college life before joining Up With People. At Nazareth I had so many opportunities to do service for and with pg / 6

others. It’s hard for students to recognize all that Naz offers for leadership, family and service before it is suddenly gone.”

Despite his mother Ann being a UWP alum, Matthew had no plans to go on tour with the group. He was investigating a semester abroad in Argentina when his family attended an Up With People 50th Anniversary Reunion in Orlando in August 2015. “I went from wondering who would be part of this hippie-looking group, to being completely drawn into their performance and their message of international unity. I applied for the program at intermission.”

DONNA KILLOUGHEY BIRD ’67 “OK God, what do you want me to do now?”

These are words Donna Killoughey Bird ’67 has thought, prayed and spoken her entire life, but never more so than in the hours, days and years since her husband Gary was killed in the 9/11 attacks. “I know that on September 11 and 12, my ‘Catholic autopilot’ kicked in.

I relied on my foundation in faith and found comfort in my knowledge that my faith would always be there.”

Gary was, in fact, the only Arizona resident killed in the World Trade Centers so Donna became the face of 9/11 for her adopted state. Through press conferences, interviews and now a new memoir, Donna has continued to rely on faith to help her meet each new day without bitterness or a desire for vengeance. “I was thankful for so many blessings – of love, family, community, good health, the gifts of learning, teaching, my law practice – and I strove to use those gifts well; but this was beyond my ability to handle.

I had to give it up to God’s control and trust He would get me through.”

For that deep faith, Donna is thankful for her Catholic education and upbringing.

“A place like Nazareth reinforced the glue of community, the beauty of discipline and the joy of mental release. Of course I remember best the shared experiences that held us all together and the Sisters who inspired me in ways even different than they may have intended. What I also remember is Senior

Retreat, which was my first profound experience of God.” All of these experiences launched Donna into DePaul University, a short stint as a teacher and eventually a law degree from Arizona State University and a career as a commercial trial attorney “where my goal was to bring peace and resolution to situations of great anxiety.”

This desire to bring peace is also what led Donna to turn her story of loss and faith into a book. Nothing Will Separate Us, authored by ghost writer Charlotte Rogers Brown, tells the story of Donna’s journey to a place of peace alongside Gary’s story. “My husband’s story was worth telling. I think the short alternating chapters between the tension of

9/11 and the joy and certainty of a man like Gary make for a good book.”

The book’s title, taken from a passage in Romans, holds great meaning for Donna.

“Of course those words signify the fact that not even death can really take Gary away.

He’s with us every day. But in a deeper sense, nothing, not even tragedy, can separate us from God’s love.”

Donna continues to ask what God wants of her. She has raised her children, studies theology, skis, serves on boards of Catholic institutions and is even helping to plan the Class of 1967’s 50th Reunion next fall. She does it all with a grateful heart. “Acting consistently with my values is the most effective way to evangelize, to model Christ in the world.”

“ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.

Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”

Romans 8:38-39

Instead of a semester in Argentina, Matthew spent 2016 living a week at a time with host families in eight countries all over the world, from Watertown, South Dakota to Bermuda, Belgium, Mexico and Sweden.

Each week consisted of three “Community Action Days” partnering with local nonprofits already making a difference, then two days of performances, whose proceeds went directly to local beneficiaries, then a travel day.

“Each week was totally different. Each host family wanted to show us the best of their home town. The families were inspiring because I wanted to match their enthusiasm and the constant changes kept me motivated.”

Matthew is grateful for the lessons he brought to UWP. “When we started in Denver and I found out we only had four weeks to put this whole show together, I rediscovered the persistence and push to succeed that I had experienced as part of the Godspell cast at Naz.” In the UWP cast, he also found that familiar family feeling he’d felt in the Nazareth community. “These people become your home base no matter where you happen to be in the world.”

Now back at Marquette and poised to graduate in December with a major in Corporate Communications and minor in Spanish, Matthew continues to use his voice

as an advocate for service and social justice.

“I remember back to Junior Retreat and how that was a jumpstart for me to think critically about what I wanted to do with my time remaining at Naz. UWP jumpstarted my focus on global citizenship. Instead of being immobilized by the immensity of need in the world, I will commit to taking some action to help.”

Whether lending his voice to the Gospel Choir or tutoring Somali refugees in Milwaukee’s “Our Next Generation” program, Matthew is determined to be part of the everyday miracles that change society.

pg / 7

ALUMNI NEWS Young Alum Mia Davis ’16 earned her first career accolade at Eastern Illinois University this February as she was named the OVC Player of the Week. This marks the first time a freshman has won the softball player of the week award at EIU since 2004. Davis has made an immediate impact for the Panthers in her freshman season as one of only two freshmen to start in all 14 games to begin the year.

In October, Villanova Volleyball player Emma Decker ’16 landed a spot on the Big East Weekly Honor Roll after averaging 11.58 assists per set over three matches! Decker dished out 54 assists and 12 digs in the Wildcats win over Marquette for her first collegiate double-double of her career. This was her second Big East Honor.

In February, Cat Klostermann ’16 was named Dominican University’s Student Athlete of the Week. Making her collegiate softball debut facing a pair of NFCA top 10 opponents, Cat posted a 1.56 earned run average while limiting opposing hitters to a .200 batting average. The Dominican rookie racked up ten strikeouts in just nine innings of work.

Congratulations to alumna Margaret Harrington ’15 who was

accepted into an Engineering Co-op with the University of Dayton and Ethicon Inc. Ethicon is the surgical supply subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.

Taylor Szala ’15 has accepted a marketing internship with Blast Marketing and PR for Summer 2017.

It’s a small world! Frank Putz and his wife hosted Utah tennis player Alexia Petrovic ’14 in Alabama during the Blue Gray National Intercollegiate Tennis Tournament in February. Frank’s sisters Patricia Putz Impens ’47, Arlene Putz Manning ’52, and Loretta Putz Dalaskey ’43 (deceased) are all Naz Alum.

pg / 8

In December Molly Alberts ’13 traveled to Nicaragua for two weeks with the organization Global Brigades. She assisted health care professionals who provide pro bono dental and public health services to communities who have little to no access to health care.

Alison Maslar-Donar ’13 was

in London this Spring and ran into Daniel Radcliffe!

In September, Amy Zasadzinski ’12 was asked to speak on behalf of the Illinois Tech student body at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the renovation of the Life Sciences Building honoring Robert Pritzker.

Class Notes Hannah Sundwall ’11 is now the

Coordinator of Media Services for the White Sox. Read more page 4.

Thank you to Clare Takash ’11, who visited Naz Band classes in March to share her Masters in Music Therapy presentation with current student musicians.

Erin Dine ’10 is the Editor in Chief

Break a leg Aileen O’Carroll ’13.

Aileen has been an active member of the Marquette University Theatre Program. She portrayed Edith in Noël Coward’s spirited, fast-paced comedy, Blithe Spirit to kick off Marquette’s 2016-2017 season in October.

Emma Saunders ’13 is at the

Coast Guard Academy and has been named captain of the Coast Guard volleyball team. She was also named the CGAS Officer of the Summer Battalion, which means she is the leader of the summer training program for incoming freshmen going into the Coast Guard prep school.

Erin Reynolds ’12 was named to The University of Akron’s fall 2016 President’s List. Reynolds, a full-time undergraduate student majoring in Early Childhood Education, earned a perfect 4.0 semester grade point average for fall 2016.

for the 2016-17 Loyola University Chicago Law Journal. The Journal is the law school’s primary scholarly publication distributed throughout the nation’s law libraries, judges’ chambers and other various legal organizations.

Through Fund for Teachers, Mary Claire Gustafson ’09 received a

grant to interview people in France about the displacement of Muslims in that country, as well as the building (or maintaining) of their identity and community. She traveled to Marseille and Paris, documenting and blogging along the way. Mary Claire was thrilled to dive into the project to produce more authentic and relevant writing models for her students.

She experienced the French culture from the perspective of immigrants, gaining better understanding of how communities develop their identities.

Mary Catherine Hogan ’09 is currently in her second year of the M.Ed program in exceptional student education at the University of Central Florida and is a mentor in a pilot program that allows students with special needs to attend college in a supportive environment.

Congratulations to Jessica Kania ’09 on her upcoming graduation from Washington State University as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

She received her undergraduate degree in Biology in 2013 from Murray State University, graduating summa cum laude. In the summer of 2012 she traveled to California and interned with an ambulatory veterinary practice that mostly managed dairy cattle herds. Then in 2015, she traveled to Ethiopia for a month with the organization Veterinarians Without Borders. She plans to return to the Chicagoland area and work in a small animal veterinary general practice.

Brad Tlusty ’07 backed the World

Champion Cubbies in his own way.

To satisfy a bet with his brother, he ate a hot dog for each Cubs game, and each had to have different toppings.

That means Brad ate more than 160 hot dogs during the regular season and 15 during the postseason.

Even when he got married and went on his honeymoon in July, he’d go by a hot dog stand to pick up his gameday dog.

Naz Freddie Fanatics were thrilled to welcome back Chicago Bulls’ Tom Sargent ’06 this fall. He met with Fanatics leaders to give them some pointers on sports entertainment.

Tom currently works with the Chicago Bulls as Benny the Bull’s assistant. He was even kind enough to provide some Bulls swag!

Way to go Tamika Curtis ’04!

Tamika was recently inducted into Benedictine University’s Hall of Fame for Women’s Basketball. Tamika was inducted into the Nazareth Academy Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.

Congratulations Mike Lyons ’85 who was named the newest Lieutenant on the Berwyn Fire Department.

Congratulations to Justin Hanson ’01 on his successful half marathon

Bri Clark ’10 married Spencer

Lueders in a beautiful ceremony in November. The bride was attended by several friends from the Class of 2010. Bri also earned her Masters of Science, Speech-Language Pathology from Truman State University in 2016.

We wish Michael Spartz ’03 all the best on the launch of his new podcast, The Evolution. Michael will be interviewing notables from the sports, entertainment and business worlds.

Brava to Meghan Picerno ’02, who starred in New York City Opera’s Candide in January. Meghan was inducted into Nazareth’s Fine Arts Hall of Fame this April.

Weddings

Sister Pat Murray ’80 celebrated

her transfer of vows ceremony in November, formally recognizing her role as a Sister of St. Joseph.

Congrats to Michelle Norini ’08 and Sean Broderick ’08 who married in October! These two met Junior year in the halls of Nazareth and finally tied the knot after dating almost 10 years. Many Roadrunners were in attendance, including current faculty member, Mr. Mullen!

Brad Tlusty ’07 wed Sara Dastice

in July 2016 surrounded by many Naz friends and family.

run in NYC in March. Quite an accomplishment.

Did you catch NBC’s new comedy Powerless? Sean Ryan ’00 is the show’s Script Supervisor.

Watch out for Mary Grill ’99 who was included in Time Out Los Angeles’ “L.A. comedians to watch in 2017.” This spring, her new show Shrink premiered on Seeso TV. The Nazareth Family works together... literally. Happy to report that RyTech, LLC owner Steve Ryan ’04 welcomed Becca Boston Merchant ’91 to the company as Administrative Coordinator.

Round of applause to Mike Balian ’91

on completing the Chicago Marathon this fall.

It was great to see Dave Miska ’90 in the news. In September, dnainfo featured Dave and his work helping mix the voices of Cubs play-by-play analysts with the noises inside Wrigley Field. Read more on page 4.

Thanks Dr. Lynn McIntyre ’70, who spoke to Nazareth’s Psychology class in November about her career as a social worker and the role Naz played in her professional life.

Sister Barbara Jean (Bee Jay) Ciszek ’64 dedicated her life to

education and in December a Chicago street was dedicated to her legacy. Sister Bee Jay founded the Cardinal Bernardin Early Childhood School in Chicago and also shared her knowledge of education with others around the world, traveling to Nsukka, Nigeria to work with teachers there. The street, which can be found at Paulina and Diversey, honors Sister Bee Jay, as well as her life of good works for the dear neighbor.

Lindsey Carpino ’03 and husband Charles Corella welcomed baby girl Madison Marie in January. Lindsey is a law librarian at Sidley Austin LLP and husband Charles is an executive for PNC bank.

Congratulations to Janet Brace Santori ’02 and Daniel Santori ’01, who welcomed baby, George David, to the family in September.

Anna Nuzzo Federman ’00 and

her husband, Jeffrey, welcomed their first child, Eli Joseph, right before Thanksgiving. Now that’s something to be thankful for.

Alex Dulze Farooq ’96 and her

husband welcomed a little girl in January. Baby Anisa joins her two big sisters, Eliana and Zahara!

Mike Ciepierski ’96 and his wife Katie, welcomed William Steven in late February. William joins his older twin siblings, Mitchell and Molly.

Naz couple, Fred and Andrea Bartzis Leinweber, both ’95, welcomed twin boys, Andrew and Wilhelm, in November. Big sister, Emilia, is excited to have two baby brothers!

Teagan Louise Steker was welcomed in August by

Tinamarie Hernandez ’89

received certificates of achievement from The Civic Leadership Academy of Northern Illinois University for Civic Leadership in Nonprofit.

The CLA training program offers a series of workshops across an array of topics central to being an effective leader in the 21st Century.

Future Roadrunners

In January Ann Bogan Pitra ’58 walked in the Women’s March in Washington, DC while classmate, Sue Wolfram Scanlon ’58, walked in Chicago.

Kathryn and Nick Steker ’96.

Aunts Jennifer Knack ’96 and Katie Steker Kral ’97 have also been showering

this beauty with love.

pg / 9

ALUMNI NEWS continued Trivia Night Congrats to our alumni team “The Sheena Easton Fan Club” who won 1st place at the 2017 Mother’s Club Trivia Night. The team included Dom Dinon ’11, Myles Dobis ’11, Will Stauffer ’11, Tom Dinon ’08, Tom Amidei ’07, John Thomas ’07 and Rich Clegg ’06. Also making a strong showing at the event: Matt Letcher ’09, Chris Beedie ’07, Brendan Green ’02, Bethany Mager ’99, Laura Moran Claxton ’96, Jeanne Paliatka ’86 and Therese Hawkins ’79.

In Memoriam September 2016 - March 2017

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

Anna Marie Culligan Aamodt ’43 Anthony ‘Cakes’ Basile, father of Zac ’09 Edward Evans “Ted” Bruce, grandfather of Mary Claire Gustafson ’09, Annie Gustafson ’14 and father-in-law of Daniel Gustafson, former Nazareth Board of Trustees Chair Louis D. Carvelli, father of Nicole ’03 and Amanda ’06 Theresa Galasso-Campo ’63 Dick Houda, husband of Arlene Micek Houda ’57, father of Tom Houda ’84 and Janet Houda Rausch ’91(staff ), grandfather of Emily Rausch ’19 and Maggie Rausch ’21 Denis Kotnik, father of Denis ’94 and Denice ’96

Athletic Hall of Fame Congratulations to the Nazareth Academy Class of 2017 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees.

From left to right: Tom O’Brien ’97, Larry and Sheila Schiffler P ’05, ’08, ’10, Coach Wayne Saunders, Stephan Petrak ’05, Beth Dragas Tischler ’89, Colleen Cunningham Laurich ’88 and Christopher Wronkiewicz ’84.

John Kravcik, former Trustee, husband of the late Joan ’52, father of Jane Kravcik Murphy ’83 and Jennifer Kravcik Nikolic ’87, grandfather of John Kravcik ’17 Marion Kuber ’83 Kevin Lynch ’87 Donna Nabor ’53 Evelyn Roeckles Pickert ’49 Rita Kearney Ruklic ’43 Peter Santori, former Trustee, father of Daniel ’01, father-in-law of Janet Brace Santori ’02 Judith Rooney Weber ’58 Margaret Ann White, CSJ (former staff ) Mary Sue Wielgus ’67

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

pg / 10

NAZ

by the numbers

200+

sandwiches were made and donated to Port Ministries Bread Truck program by the Class of 2018 thanks to a Junior Board service project.

$367,000+ raised by Naz parents, alumni and friends at the 2017 Mardi Gras Auction.

Thank you Mothers Club.

79

Since 2007, Nazareth’s World Studies Program, via kiva.org, has invested

over $9,000 in 276

seniors volunteered this year to mentor and tutor underclassmen.

49,000 42

guests at our fourth FISH Prom for Teens with Disabilities in March.

groups and individuals

in over 52 countries.

square feet of space are now being used for learning, training, performing and competing in the Walsh Center.

75% of Nazareth’s Faculty and Staff have advanced degrees.

$2,500 raised by the Class of 2017 for the organization Jusoor.

The class service project will help fund early childhood education for Syrian refugees.

1st Place for Nazareth Band’s Brass Section at the annual State of the Arts Competition, where Concert Band also received a “Superior” rating.

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college applications were processed by Guidance for the Class of 2017 (as of 3/20/17).

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Blueprint

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

REUNITED...and it feels so good!

Save the Date Homecoming 2017 Mark your calendars for September 29 and 30, 2017!

All alumni are welcome as we spotlight graduates from graduation years ending in 2 or 7. If you haven’t been to Nazareth lately, please come and see how we have grown.

Please contact Colleen Cook ’88 at ccook@nazarethacademy.com for more information.

www.nazarethacademy.com

The young ladies from the Class of 1967 couldn’t wait until their 50th reunion in October, so they gathered for brunch in February.

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.