Nazareth Academy Blueprint, Fall 2023

A Publication of the NAZARETH ACADEMY Community

Blueprint FALL 2023

embracing

Who We Are IN THIS ISSUE New Faces & Reimagined Spaces Alumni Profiles A Jersey Retirement New Plans for Reunion Weekend

Being a Roadrunner means welcoming and celebrating

Nazareth Academy has changed a lot over the decades we’ve been at 1209 W. Ogden. Each year we are blessed with changes that make our community more vibrant and better able to serve our mission and our future.

We’re proud not only to welcome seventeen new faculty and staff and a freshman class over 200 students strong, but also to show off some of the changes and upgrades to our facilities around campus which enhance the student experience.

We remain grateful for your support of our mission and legacy…that all may be one.

Freshman Class: The 200+ members of the Class of 2027 are ready to create their legacy!

We’re excited for them to begin their journey as Roadrunners.

Testing Center: This newly imagined space allows students to make up tests without sacrificing the popular Tutoring Center as an active study and academic support location.

Sanders Construction: R.J. Sanders Field is under construction!

We’re installing artificial turf in preparation for the spring baseball season and the field’s use for multiple sports.

Alumni Faculty/Staff: Not exactly new, but we are thrilled to have four alumni return in new roles.

Welcome home Aileen O’Carroll ’13, James Nowicki ’19, Madi Moster ’17 and Katie Ainge McKeon ’04.

Champions Sign: It’s no secret that Roadrunner Athletics has been on a championship roll lately.

This new sign shows off our Naz Pride to everyone visiting campus.

STEM Lab: Equipped with cutting-edge technology and large tabletops to facilitate intensive group work, students will now be more prepared than ever to explore STEM education with confidence!

M1 Nook: Students can choose where to spend time during the daily Activity Period including this freshly decorated and inviting nook on the lower level of M Building.

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 Buildings & Grounds: Mr. Dennis Moran Dean of Students: Mr. Tim Racki Director of Curriculum and Instruction: Ms. Jessica Radogno

Blueprint 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

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

Embracing Who We Are … That All May Be One calls each of us to consider who we are both individually and collectively. Our school theme invites us to think about the times throughout our lives that we have been able to celebrate wonderful milestones and accomplishments. It also invites us to recall times of struggle that have made us stronger on the other side of challenge or heartbreak.

Just as we have our individual stories, Nazareth Academy has a 124-year legacy as its story. In this issue we profile many alumni who are part of that story. While each person has a unique path, they have all embraced who they are to live as shining examples of our mission to educate the whole person.

Through them we can witness the long-term impact of an education infused with a dynamic mission of unity where all are welcomed and respected.

This school year, we are asking our students to think about and understand what it means to be part of the Nazareth Academy community. We know the challenge is to help the young men and women in front of us to embrace who they are. Teenagers are especially notorious for thinking they are not pretty or handsome enough, not smart enough, not clever or rich enough … the list is endless. The stories in this issue, together with the daily impact of all those alumni pictured on our cover who return to teach and work at Nazareth, exemplify our long history of working hard at helping students rise to the challenge of embracing who we are.

Our wish for them, for you, and for all of us, is to embrace this challenge, to better lean into the best parts of ourselves while also creating space for others we encounter who offer gifts and perspectives different from our own.

When we do this, we embrace Unity.

Gratefully,

Deborah Tracy ’82 President

Therese Hawkins ’79 Principal pg / 3

Caryn Cieplak Stancik

’85

“Empathy. Empathy. Empathy.” Caryn Cieplak Stancik knows very clearly the overarching value she remembers best from Nazareth Academy. It is a quality she recognized, having grown up with a mother and grandmother who were public servants. “Empathy and the desire to make people’s lives better were all around me. Nazareth helped me practice that in a new way. It is where I really learned about helping people in whatever way they were most vulnerable.”

Caryn felt that keenly as a transfer student into Nazareth.

“People like Sr. Jackie, Mrs. Gurney and Mr. Michalek were so good to me. I realized right away I was in an environment where people are not just a number or a name in a gradebook. We were treated as individuals, pushed when we needed pushing, but these same people were also our biggest cheerleaders.”

Caryn got involved with Campus Ministry and credits Sr. Pat Bergen with helping to open students’ eyes to diversity in all forms. As a Naz parent to Sydney ’15 and Charlie ’17, Caryn and her husband Randy recognized that those same values were still present. Their daughters each succeeded as individuals and were encouraged in multiple ways to go out and make the world a better place.

Caryn has held fast to the values practiced at Nazareth, spending 25 years working for Cook County, the last ten of those as the Chief Communications & Marketing Officer for Cook County Health.

She was on the front lines during the pandemic, strategizing ways to inform the public, enrolling the support of physicians and working to keep Cook County’s most vulnerable citizens safe. The work she did on the

pg / 4

“My Shot” public service campaign led to her receiving a PR Top Women in Marketing award and being named a 2023 Chicago Woman of Impact.

Her lifetime of continued learning includes Southern Illinois University, University of Illinois Chicago and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has served as the City Treasurer in Countryside, IL and acted as a consultant for both the public and private sectors in her ongoing drive to improve communities. In fact, this year she turned her attention to consulting full time. “The timing felt right. I think I can have a greater impact by working to make more meaningful partnerships, so that public and private entities can pool resources instead of running down parallel tracks toward the same goal.”

As Caryn devotes her skills to this new part of her career, she leans heavily into the same advice she would give to young people today, “Take the time to understand who you are and keep track of that throughout your journey.

At the same time, make the effort to understand the people around you. At the heart of every person who is truly successful lies empathy.”

Steve Ryan

’04

Service seems to live at the very core of Steve Ryan. “Growing up I saw my mom actively involved in charitable work and I heard about my late father’s philanthropy.”

So, when Steve was figuring out how to truly engage in the Nazareth experience as a high school freshman, it’s no wonder that he turned to service.

“I first discovered Service Club at the Activities Fair. I went to a meeting and found people from all grades and backgrounds.

What we had in common was a desire to do good and the belief that we could make a greater difference collectively than we could as individuals.”

Steve stuck with Service Club, eventually serving as the club’s president and leading efforts with service partners and a host of successful drives to collect donations.

“The thing about Naz was that you barely had to ask. We raised the awareness and people jumped in immediately to help.”

Steve’s commitment to service didn’t end after high school. It continued through his time at Marquette University and while he taught at Butler Middle School; philanthropy ultimately became a core value of his business strategy as Founder and CEO of RyTech, LLC. “We are a digital marketing firm, but what we do as our core business is work in partnership with our clients to fill their needs.” In hiring his staff, Steve looks for team members who are well rounded

and service oriented. “We can teach digital and social media skills, but finding people who share an outlook of unity in the way they network, or mentor others, or even how they treat colleagues, is the greater goal.”

Steve has continued to model that ideal of unity throughout his life, frequently saying yes to community service, including roles with the Boards of Pillars and Nazareth Academy, where he served as a trustee for six years. “It was a rewarding experience to come back to Naz and see the mission in action from a different perspective.” Steve was not only happy to give back to an institution he believed had already given him so much, he was gratified to strengthen and build relationships with more members of the Nazareth family, particularly the Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph.

His good work has been recognized by the institutions he’s served so well. He and his wife Beth were recognized as the 2023 Young Alumni of the Year by Marquette University in 2023. And, in June 2024, during Reunion Weekend, Steve will receive the Four Pillars Award for Service from Nazareth - twenty years after being named a Sister Oliver Donlin Service Award winner at his high school graduation.

Steve is humble about these accolades and quickly turns the conversation to gratitude for the opportunities to serve others. He is, however, justifiably proud of whatever good example he’s set, not because of what he has gained, but because servant leadership is the foundation he wants to set for his own daughters.

“There’s only one you. You need to be comfortable with yourself in order to make a positive impact on others.” pg / 5

Laura Medina Gieseke Still as multifaceted as she was as a high school student, Laura Medina Gieseke continues to embrace opportunities and possibilities as her way of living life. Never confined to one role, she is a teacher, a mother, a coach and a “lifelong learner”; she has also been a journalist, an activities director and Montini Catholic’s Lasallian Educator of the Year. She relishes every role.

’02

Involved in everything from the school newspaper and choir to Nazareth’s first Kairos Retreat, Laura applied effort and diligence to her dreams thanks to the support of the Naz Family. She especially treasures her English teachers for encouraging her to think outside the box and Mr. Michalek for helping her understand the true meaning of school spirit. As a high school teacher she continues to model these lessons with her unique optimism.

“I was idealistic but uncertain about my life’s journey when I started at Naz. I wanted to be a singer-chef-journalist-teacher, but I had no idea what was even possible. While my cooking and singing are now limited to my family, I was indeed able to achieve both journalist and teacher. At Nazareth, I learned that it was okay to dream and to dream big.”

pg / 6

“I try to convey both passion and perspective to my students.

It’s difficult for them to see – at 14 or 15 years old – that lifelong learning is a part of becoming a well rounded adult, but it doesn’t mean that I stop helping them pursue this path.

I try to share my learning journey with them, making mistakes that demonstrate that I haven’t failed, but rather that there is potential for growth.”

Laura is deeply appreciative of the Nazareth environment that nurtured her. “I never felt forced to be anyone but myself - a quiet kid from the south side of Chicago who wanted to take advantage of every opportunity. High school ends, but the memories I made and the opportunities I took advantage of have stayed with me for years.”

She offers a lifetime of thanks for the scholarship that made her education possible. “Every year, I say a prayer of thanks to the family of Michael J. Usher. Their benevolence in awarding me with a gift in honor of their beloved son is a moment I’ve never forgotten. I’m confident that I’ve developed a sense of giving because of the Ushers, and I hope that all of us can find a way to give of ourselves to the world around us.”

When Laura had the opportunity to speak to scholarship donors and students a few years ago, she not only offered gratitude, but also encouraged current Roadrunners to be both curious and bold.

“Take classes that challenge you, join extra-curricular activities, take part in service that sends you into the community. Be the leader that Nazareth expects you to be. I think that if we all remember our childlike ambition, we can all embrace who we are and remain one in Christ.”

Julian Love Now an NFL star. Once an NCAA All-American. Always a Nazareth Academy Roadrunner. What’s not to Love?

“It was Nazareth Academy, our small Catholic school, that instilled important lessons in my life and my career,” Julian Love ’16 said on June 15, during a packed reception and ceremony to retire his #20 Naz jersey – the first football jersey Nazareth has retired.

It was an honor befitting the man. Julian’s considerable accomplishments after his time at Naz are his own, but we can’t help but think of them with Naz pride. After helping Naz Football bring home two State Championships, he played at Notre Dame and was named an All-American in 2018. A 4th-round draft pick by the New York Giants, Julian was named a 2022 team captain and received the 22nd annual George Young-Ernie Accorsi Media Good Guy Award. In 2023, he signed a two-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks.

Julian knows he didn’t accomplish his dreams without a village behind him. Surrounded by his family, including siblings Devinne ’14 and Michael ’19, his wife Julia Veome Love ’15, plus coaches and teammates, it was clear that our Naz family came together not only to honor Julian as a player and teammate, but also Julian as the whole person. “This honor is about the type of man you were when you represented Nazareth as a student-athlete and the type of man you’ve become,” Head Football Coach Tim Racki said during an emotional tribute.

’16

Julian represents a tradition of excellence, bringing together personal talent and integrity enriched and guided by Nazareth’s Four Pillars. “I remember the many ways Julian got involved in the fuller life of our school,” recalled President Deborah Tracy. “The ways he embraced Campus Ministry, service, drama, and other sports.”

Alongside his successes in the NFL, Julian has continued to give back, hosting a youth camp each summer on our campus and establishing a scholarship for current and future Roadrunners. “He has always been a legitimately good human being. Humble, involved and dedicated to the greater school community,” Coach Casey Moran ’01 remembered.

Julian made it clear to everyone that Naz will always be his roots. “I have worn a lot of jerseys in my life, but none compare to the #20 Naz jersey. I have played in a lot of stadiums and under plenty of lights and yet nothing seemed as big or bright as when we played our very first Friday night game here.”

Congratulations, Julian, on this honor! Go Seahawks, and Go Naz!

pg / 7

Sr. Jacqueline Schmitz, CSJ Sr. Jacqueline Schmitz cannot remember a time when the Sisters of St. Joseph were not part of her life.

From grade school at St. Mary Margaret through Nazareth and her calling in religious life, the CSJ charism of unity has inspired Sr. Jackie and has given her a sense of belonging and purpose. She has applied that purpose to an almost unbelievable number of roles at Nazareth, including PE teacher, Assistant Dean, Principal, Guidance Counselor, Campus Ministry and Trustee.

’64

through activities or sports or academics, it all comes down to the relationships that are being formed.

I was able to find a place where I fit which helped me feel good about myself; that security helps me want to make other people in need feel the same way.” In fact, offering opportunities to belong is something Sr. Jackie believes is only getting better. “It’s not just sports that offer a way to be involved. When I see the stat about 96% student involvement, it makes me so proud and hopeful. It’s marvelous.”

“There’s something about being here. I can feel the energy of life. ‘That All May Be One’ is so ingrained in this place and the resulting unity is visible in the classrooms, at Masses and even at Pep Rallys and sporting events. It’s always reinforced so it’s always a joy to be on campus.”

The large swath of alumni who know Sr. Jackie as a tough-loving principal likely also remember her fun-loving alter ego Nancy Nazarene.

She is proud of both sides of herself and grateful for the ways Nazareth nurtured her competitive spirit and made space for a residential prep student discerning her religious calling. “Honestly, I came to Nazareth because they had great girls sports teams and the only way I could come was by doing the convent prep program and boarding here. It turned out to be the best decision in my life.”

While sports remained (remain!) a passion, Sr. Jackie also found a community which encouraged girls to be strong women, to be leaders, to make a difference in whatever ways they thought they could. “What Nazareth did, and still does, is offer a sense of belonging. Whether it’s

pg / 8

The other CSJ lesson that Sr. Jackie took to heart was, “Every one of us matters.” She knew it from every nun who educated her and lived it with the service projects she’s organized, witnessed or aided over the past 60 years. She continues to serve a world in need in myriad ways, notably through the TEACH program and her work at the U.S./Mexico border in Texas.

“Sometimes I wonder how much good I’m doing making hundreds of bologna sandwiches. Then I remember that everyone needs to eat.

I am filling a basic need.”

Meeting people’s needs has been a tenet of Sr. Jackie’s life and her best piece of advice for the future. “What is most important is what is needed to make someone’s world just a little bit better. We need each other to make it into the future.”

Mary Elizabeth Calabrese

’07

“While Dr. Mary Elizabeth Calabrese has moved far from her roots in Westchester, she continues to put into practice the lessons that she learned at Nazareth Academy.

“What I remember so clearly is that all of the adults, faculty and coaches, led by example.

They didn’t just treat everyone equally, but saw us as individuals and treated us as we needed to be treated. This holistic approach was a very early lesson in equity vs. equality.”

As a Developmental Pediatrician at Inova Fairfax Children’s Hospital, Mary Elizabeth works with families to help them better understand their children who have developmental differences. She recently added a degree from Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health to her already impressive resume in her ongoing effort to further develop that kind of equity work. “It is very much like trying to figure out a puzzle when you don’t have all the pieces. Furthering my Public Health education allows me to do that on a larger scale. By strengthening the connections between education and healthcare, we can address systems that are not working for people who are ‘not typical.’ Systematic change requires a holistic lens.”

Having worked as a Resident Physician at Rush University Medical Center and a Clinical Fellow at Boston Children’s Hospital, Mary Elizabeith is currently settled in northern Virginia with her husband and son. She remains close to her Nazareth friends, particularly her Pom & Dance teammates and her fellow recipients of the Lisa Marie Santoro Scholarship. “I love to attend the annual luncheons and read about the remarkable things these women are doing. The Santoro Family is a wonderful way to stay connected to Nazareth.”

In retrospect, she recognizes that she has always sought educational and professional environments that reflect the family environment she found in high school. “When it came down to choosing a college, I opted for the place that felt most like Naz, where I was so happy. Notre Dame gave me that same sense of family, of community.”

She is encouraged to witness the ways Nazareth continues to provide such an inclusive environment for students. “As high schoolers,

we didn’t appreciate enough the amazing environment that welcomed us to be exactly who we are.

That’s a hard thing to figure out for young people.” Her advice is to keep asking the question she learned early, “What makes me feel like I am doing good?” She explained that everyone has a different answer to that question and a unique path to follow, “but when that is the question that guides decisions, we can all move through the world in ways that make things better.”

pg / 9

Hello fellow alumni!

My name is Colleen Cook and I’m the Alumni and Donor Relations Manager at Nazareth. I’m also a very proud alum from the Class of 1988. This is my 16th year here at Naz and my main focus is to reconnect our alumni with Nazareth Academy.

Can you believe we are kicking off our 124th year?!? We are so very proud of how far we have come and how we continue to soar.

Things have changed physically quite a bit here on campus, but one thing that remains the same is our mission.

We have several things planned for our alumni this year and hope to stay connected with you through our publications (mail and/or online), social media channels, or at an event or game.

I am excited to share that we have changed our Reunion Weekend up a bit. We have decided to host reunions in June instead of the fall so that we are able to dedicate the much deserved time for our significant reunions and take a more hands-on approach.

REUNION WEEKEND WILL TAKE PLACE ON JUNE 7 & 8 We are excited to welcome alums celebrating significant reunions (graduating years ending in 4/9) along with honoring alums at our Four Pillars Mass & Reception and inducting recipients into our Fine Arts Hall of Fame.

Friday, June 7

I will partner with class reps from 1984 and celebrate their 40th reunion at a local establishment off campus.

Saturday, June 8

Nazareth has a full day of fun and reminiscing planned.

We will host a luncheon on campus for the alumna celebrating significant reunions from 1974 and earlier (1974, 1969, 1964, 1959, 1954). At 4 p.m. we will host Mass in Alexine Chapel to celebrate our significant classes and honor the new recipients of our Four Pillars Awards and the 2024 Fine Arts Hall of Fame. After Mass, we will have a reception back at school to celebrate.

2024 FOUR PILLARS RECIPIENTS Scholarship Antonette Minniti ’96 (posthumously) Service Steve Ryan ’04 Spirit John Weyer ’89 Unity Tess Hutchison Denton ’79

All of our reunion information is updated on our website (www.nazarethacademy.com). If you are interested in helping by being a class representative, do not hesitate to reach out to me at ccook@nazarethacademy.com or directly at 708-387-8506.

Nazareth’s successes are your successes…thank you for paving the path to where we are today. I look forward to connecting or reconnecting with you!

2024 FINE ARTS HALL OF FAME RECIPIENTS Anthony Bartucci ’09 Kristen Pawlowski Fischer ’97 Nan Garside - Educator

pg / 10

Class Notes Lucia Battaglia ’19 won the Bruin

Award at the 2023 Belmont Student Leadership Awards. The Bruin Award represents the highest honor bestowed by the Division for Student Formation and recognizes junior and senior students who have consistently engaged in campus life and demonstrated outstanding service to the campus community.

Eddie Olewinski ’19 was the 2023

Dr. Richard F. Southby Police Science Prize recipient at George Washington University, presented to an exceptional graduating student from the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Homeland Security/Police and Security Studies program.

Weddings Corboy & Demetrio Attorney Michael D. Ditore ’06 was selected to the 2023 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers, an elite legal directory comprising the nation’s top 500 plaintiff trial lawyers.

John Gurney ’06 was an honorary

Grand Marshall for the 2023 La Grange Pet Parade. Joining him at the event were members of Class of 2006 - Mike

APRIL Haley Renehan ’13 married Riley Gallagher ’12. The wedding party included Bre Renehan Linney ’11, Jerrod Bush ’12, Christian Petrino ’12, Lauren Dore ’13, Gabriela Eraci ’13, Dimitra Spandonidis ’13, Allie Cipra ’15, Kelly Renehan ’16 and Colleen Renehan ’19.

Ditore, John Doyle, Kevin Duranty, Nick Rocco, Mike Ryan, Joe Saraceno, Tom Sargent, John Thunander and Joe Horan ’07.

Amanda Ward ’19 received the

Outstanding Senior Service Award at the University of Evansville. Recipients demonstrate a commitment to service, high academic performance, outstanding leadership and involvement in diverse campus activities.

MAY Juliana Raimondi ’14 married Jacob Perez.

Naz alumni in the wedding party included

Derek Salata ’18 was drafted in the 19th

round of the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft. He was selected by the Oakland Athletics organization after a very successful college career at Illinois State University.

Natalie Salata Aycock ’11 and Anne Marie DeMatteo ’11 completed the

London Marathon in April. While in London, they also visited with Mary Ellen McGann ’11, who lives in England.

Summer Rogers Butler ’95 was

Grace Rafferty Raimondi ’12, Vinnie Raimondi ’12, Eileen Kennedy ’14 and Sydney Newman ’14.

appointed as a board member for Berwyn South School District 100. She also recently received a full academic scholarship from the Illinois Principals Association to pursue her second master’s degree in Educational Leadership with a Type 75 Certification.

Carolyn Brady ’90 (Fine Arts Hall of

Fame) was nominated for a 2023 Jefferson Award for Music Direction for A Chorus Line at Drury Lane. Carolyn also served as Co-Musical Director for the Jeff Awards Ceremony.

Catherine Adams Arredia ’79 is the

International Carrier Manager for Ecolab and in March was named one of Ecolab’s Sustainability Champions as they commit to the United Nations Net Zero by 2050 Sustainability Goals.

pg / 11

Weddings continued JUNE

Nina Peconio ’12 married Manuel Abreu.

Rachel Bomher ’09 married Brian Maher.

Naz alumni in the wedding party included

Naz alumni in the wedding party included Mary Pat Bomher Campbell ’97, Frank Bomher, Jr. ’99, Michael Bomher ’01, Katie Bomher Genaze ’06, Sarah Bomher Giacone ’08, Jessica Janus Stahl ’09 and Gabriela Soltys Herr ’10.

Faith Villapiano ’15 married Jonathan Berry.

Josie Moreno Jaworski ’12, Alyssa Levato ’12 and Marri Gragnani ’14.

Lauren Wajda ’14 married Mitchell Allman.

The wedding party included Kate Wajda ’09 and Lindsay Zasadzinski ’14.

JULY Nancy Payne ’12 Michael Gray ’11 married Haley Orler.

In attendance were Steve Gray ’06, Chris Gray ’09, Ryan Collins ’11, Brian Duranty ’11, Sean Williams ’11, Kevin Curtin ’12, Tiffani Brescia Gray ’13 and Tommy Gray ’13.

married Tom Simmermaker.

AUGUST Joey Nelson ’14 married Angela Shaw.

Naz alumni in the wedding party included Jake Bartels ’14, Kaitlyn Yarka Pipik ’14, Julianne Nelson Pedi ’07 and Jonathan Nelson ’09.

Cammy Lang ’14 married Austin Baeten.

Alexis Veliotis ’13 married Kyle Piotrowski ’13. In attendance were several alumni from the Class of 2013, including Maid of Honor Katharine Klinger, Nick Kosenesky, Phil Martyn, Michael Noesen, Ariana Galvan Pedota, Groomsman Dominic Pedota, Matron of Honor Sarah Matyskela Robinson, Best Man Michael Smietana, Nate Wojtynek, Brandon Kane ’14 and Groomsman Nick Veliotis ’18.

pg / 12

Courtney Urzen ’15 married Richard Pursell.

Several Naz alum from the Class of 2015 were included in the wedding party: Jessica Gomez, Bridget Adams King, Gabby Lesnicki, Abby Meehan and Alex Plenys.

Births MARCH

JULY

Tamika Curtis Foster ’04 and husband

Cara Stewart LeCoure ’13 and husband

Anthony welcomed twin boys Aiden and Ashton. Big sister Averi can’t wait to help out.

husband Patrick welcomed their first baby, Scarlett Marjorie, aka “Scottie.”

Eric welcomed baby boy Carter James.

Kevin Reardon ’11 and wife Katie

welcomed baby girl Madeline.

APRIL

Maura Johnson Foley ’11 and

Dana Hillsman Ryan ’11 and

Jessica Janus Stahl ’09, husband

Westin and big brother Owen welcomed Cooper Anthony to the world.

husband CJ welcomed their first baby Jacob Gerard Ryan.

MAY Ryan Powers ’11 and wife Sara welcomed

Steve Gray ’06 and wife Kelly welcomed

twin boys Bryson William and Daniel Scott.

Renada Bakovich Kelly ’13 and husband

Sean welcomed baby boy Sonny Lee.

Kayleigh Ryan Kelly ’11 and Patrick Kelly ’11 welcomed their first

baby, Connor Patrick.

their first baby Samantha Grace.

Disa DiBuono Simpson ’06 and John Simpson ’04

welcomed baby #2.

John Francis joins big sister Sienna.

JUNE Katie Broenneke Bartucci ’09 and Anthony Bartucci ’09 welcomed their

AUGUST Mary Claire Gustafson Brass ’09 and

husband Connor welcomed baby boy Samuel Edward.

Mackenzie Mitchell Klein ’14

and husband Riley welcomed baby boy William Trenton.

first bundle of joy, Lorenzo.

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

pg / 13

In Memoriam

April - August 2023

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

Mary Louise Ambrose, mother of Mary Kay Ambrose Lucas ’78, Betsy Ambrose Kneepkens ’81, Jean Ambrose Stephens ’83, Margaret Ambrose Glenski ’84, Dan Ambrose ’88, Noreen Ambrose Bird ’89, Lore Ambrose ’91 Mary Lou Lifka Atkinson ’64 Barbara Zilic Barder ’73 Harry Barreuther, son of Barbara Blaha Gwodz ’58 John Berger, husband of Angela Lanzillotti ’79 Mary Ann Brazda ’56 Sharon McCarthy Costa ’57 Fred Creed, former girls soccer coach

Sharon Gronski Little ’61 Patricia Paul ’75 Wende Purchase, mother of Preston Purchase ’01 Eleanor Spevak Russ ’49, mother of Mary Russ Suta ’73, Laura Russ Meyer ’74 and Sharon Russ Ranos ’78 Cynthia Kourim Schuette ’76 Frieda Gretchen Schultz, former German teacher Helen Simatovich, mother of Linda Simatovich Dolan ’69 and Helen Simatovich DeCock ’71 William Steber, father of Maggie Steber ’86

Kathleen Finnegan Cybulski ’73

Ronald Swanberg, father of Katherine Swanberg ’09

Noreene Osinski Demolaris ’51

Patricia Riordan Vondrak ’58

Anthony Di Pasca, father of Vita Di Pasca ’08

Marilyn Greco Vondrasek ’58, mother of Deborah Vondrasek Tracy ’82; grandmother of Maya Vondrasek ’17

Donald Filomeno, father of Patty Filomeno ’84 and Donna Filomeno Bruno ’84 Sharon Lofthouse Fuesz ’59 Wilbur Gage, father of Will ’90 and Kara Wesolowski Gage ’95, Joe ’96 and Jessica Augustyn Gage ’96; grandfather of Mia Gage ’26

Ed Ward, father of Tom Ward ’88 Sr. Pat Willems, CSJ ’51 Mary Ondresky Woods ’64

Charlotte Janda Gerber ’49

Pat Zeiler, mother of Janet Zeiler Bresch ’81, Sharon Zeiler Leonard ’82 and the late Christopher Zeiler ’88

Sandra Kodat Harms ’59

Al Zukauskas, father of Matt Zukauskas ’19

Thomas Kay, husband of Deborah Stonich ’79 Michael Kleist ’93 Jacqueline Torello Kouba ’01 Art Kraft, husband of Carol Kaduk Kraft ’69

pg / 14

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

NAZ BY THE NUMBERS

18

seniors volunteered to serve as Eucharistic Ministers at the Opening School Mass

Naz Athletics kicked off 23-24 with

5

3

students were selected for the Loft 8-Corners Teen Advisory Board on Mental Health

defending State Champion Teams (Football, Girls Basketball, Baseball)

2

new class offerings in Fine Arts - AP 2-dimensional Design and Beginning Guitar

17

#20

new faculty and staff joined Naz this school year

Alumni donations in 2022-2023 surpassed

$359,000

33 YEARS A million thank yous to Mrs. Kim White for her years of service to Nazareth.

Enjoy retirement Mrs. White!

8

(Football Julian Love ’16) and

students served the dear neighbor through Community Builders for Peace, including 3 days of mission formation and service

55

#21

(Boys Basketball Sean Pearson ’91) are retired jerseys

named scholarships directly benefit

88 students. These scholarships add up to a total of $242,572 for 2023-2024

In May, 191 Naz students took 252 AP exams in

12 areas. 37 of those students earned AP Scholar Awards in recognition of their excellence

Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage

Blueprint

PAID

Crystal Lake, IL Permit No. 174

FALL 2023

Forwarding Service Requested

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

at Nazareth Academy Nazareth’s 124 year history includes generations of alumni who spread our mission throughout the world. That powerful history also includes women and men who “come home” to work at Nazareth, helping to shape our current Roadrunners and defining our ongoing legacy every day.

Nazareth’s faculty and staff for the 2023-2024 school year includes 23 alumni. We are grateful for every single one.

Pictured here and on our cover are: Erin Grogan Burba ’01 Melissa Dudak Byram ’01 Laura Moran Claxton ’96 Colleen Cook ’88 Patty Filomeno ’84 Brendan Green ’02 Therese Uphues Hawkins ’79 Bobby Lee ’08 Bethany Mager ’99 Abbie Straziota Marincus ’10 Liz Letcher Marsh ’05

Katie Ainge McKeon ’04 Sr. Terry Middendorf, CSJ ’60 Casey Moran ’01 Madi Moster ’17 Alena Murguia ’89 James Nowicki ’19 Aileen O’Carroll ’13 Jeanne Paliatka ’86 Sean Pearson ’91 Janet Houda Rausch ’91 Kristen Driscoll Stojetz ’89 Deborah Vondrasek Tracy ’82

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.