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.

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

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Dear Nazareth Academy Alumni, Families and Friends,

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

President

Principal