Graduate
Educating the Whole Person Since 1900
THE LEGACY CONTINUES
Each year, at Closing School Mass, we honor alumni who have chosen to continue their Nazareth legacy by sending their children to our beloved school. At Mass, both alum-parent and Class of 2025 graduate were invited to step forward, pass along the light from the alumni candle and receive a blessing. At Graduation, these legacies, including a number of grandparents were invited to stand and be recognized.
We are delighted to recognize the following legacy families from the Class of 2025:
• Lynn Opila ’97, mother of Ashlyn Briano
• Bill Broderick ’96, father of Grace Broderick
• Mary Robinson ’68, grandmother of Isabel Cervantes
• Jamie Barbara Chiarito ’95, mother of Emma Chiarito
• Joanne Ahern ’75, grandmother of Natalie Finnegan
• Jessica Augustyn Gage ’96 and Joe Gage ’96, parents of Mia Gage
• Katie Mahoney Gray ’92, mother of Grace Gray
• Paul Kleppetsch ’96, father of James Kleppetsch
• Eileen Field Lascola ’61, grandmother of Bryce Lascola and Bryonna Lascola
• Shannon Carlson Malachuk ’95, mother of Logan Malachuk and Michele Cison Carlson ’72, grandmother of Logan Malachuk
• Jeanne Paliatka ’86, mother of Iris Nelson
• Megan Kaiser Parkes ’98 and Steven Parkes ’98, parents of Sean Parkes and Lori Fox Neal ’72, grandmother of Sean Parkes
• Anna Edmonds Phillips ’94, mother of Sarah Phillips
• Chris Plahm ’96, father of Alayna Plahm
• Elyse Hanahan Steger ’69, grandmother of Philip Steger
CLASS OF 2025 BY THE NUMBERS
$52 million in merit awards and scholarships
2 National Merit Commended ScholarsErin Briars Natalie Finnegan
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• Steve Strnic ’89, father of Isabel Strnic
• Karen Boston Trayser ’96, mother of Annie Trayser
• Thomas Zidlicky ’94, father of Chase Zidlicky
• Samantha Ballou Zielinski ’97 and Anthony Zielinski ’96, parents of Maryssa Zielinski
179 graduates
66 colleges of choice across 24 states
20 ESCC Scholar-Athletes from the Class of 2025 graduated with an average GPA of 4.6
National Hispanic Scholars - Isabel Cervantes, Isabela Flores, Victoria Gonzalez, Clare Sandoval
35 Illinois State Scholars
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Eucharistic Ministers who helped celebrate communion and served as witnesses of unity, forgiveness and the unconditional love of Christ
20 State Seals of Biliteracy and 10 Commendations toward Biliteracy
Nazareth’s legacy of 100% college acceptance includes outstanding schools. The Class of 2025 earned acceptances from 232 colleges and universities.
The class Circled the City in Service and Unity with 11 different community partners on May 8th
18 student-athletes from the Class of 2025 committed to play 10 different college-level sports, including 6 Division 1 programs
On Sunday, May 18, 2025,
Nazareth Academy’s Class of 2025 celebrated Graduation with a Mass and Commencement at Christ Church in Oak Brook. In her homily, Sr. Marianne Race, CSJ ’59 made special note of the outstanding service to the community given by this class of graduates as she encouraged them to continue pursuing the Nazareth Pillar of Unity.
Graduation was the capstone event of celebrations including Circle the City, Closing School Mass and the Awards Ceremony. The Class of 2025’s remarkable achievements in Scholarship, Service, Spirit and Unity stand as testament to Nazareth Academy’s 125-year legacy of Educating the Whole Person. In her Graduation Address, Valedictorian Erin Briars made note of many examples of those same Pillars as she called upon her classmates to “look for the moments where Nazareth shines through” as they move on to college. “We may not be able to see what's around the corner, and we may not know exactly where we are meant to be at times, but trust that our own gate to our future is there and waiting. We will have friends new and old guiding us on our path and our Naz family cheering us on no matter how far we journey.” Erin will attend Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.
Students from the Class of 2025 were accepted to colleges and universities all over the country, including the University of Notre Dame, Northeastern University, University of Southern California, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Wisconsin Madison, Stanford University, Brown University and the University of Michigan.
At Commencement, Olivia Mowrer was honored with this year’s Sister Oliver Donlin Service Award. In awarding the honor Principal Hawkins said, “Olivia has been an outstanding student and leader throughout her high school years. Teachers and staff members who work with her describe her as a powerhouse, exemplifying stellar academics, extracurricular and athletic participation, sportsmanship and community service. Her peers respond to her empathic leadership style … bringing people together guided by kindness, care and inclusivity of everyone … without distinction.” Olivia will attend Clemson University.
As the class continued the tradition of raising their candles while the choir sang, “Go Light Your World,” all those assembled felt confidence in that message and the great things these Nazareth Academy graduates are bound to accomplish.
These pennants represent only a few of the 66 colleges that will be home to Nazareth Academy’s Class of 2025. A complete list of college acceptances will be available at nazarethacademy.com. Click Academics/Achievements
Stay Connected!
We encourage Class of 2025 alumni to stay connected via Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. Please share your good news to the Alumni Facebook Group and update your contact information with ccook@nazarethacademy.com Visit often and read your Roadrunner Report email for the latest on alumni news and gatherings.
NAZARETH ACADEMY
1209 West Ogden Avenue | La Grange Park, IL 60526-1700
Phone: 708.354.0061 | nazarethacademy.com
Sponsored by the Congregation of St. Joseph