Nazareth Academy Blueprint, Fall 2024

A Publication of the NAZARETH ACADEMY Community

Blueprint FALL 2024

125 years

IN THIS ISSUE Honoring Our Own | A Mission 125 Years in the Making | Alumni Notes | Naz by the Numbers

We stand on the shoulders of those who’ve come before us.

Reunion Weekend

Please join us for June 6 & 7, 2025 as we honor all those who have contributed to Nazareth’s mission and legacy of Educating the Whole Person for 125 Years.

June 6 • Anniversary Gala Including new honors for our beloved CSJ Sisters

Nazareth Academy’s Gospel Service Program will be renamed in honor of Sister Pat Bergen ’63.

Our annual outstanding math student recognition will now be named in honor of Sister Terry Middendorf ’60.

The Sister Marianne Race ’59 Faculty and Staff Leadership Award will be presented to a member of the Faculty or Staff each year.

Three Sister Jackie Schmitz ’64 Spirit Scholarships will be awarded to students in need who have displayed a strong commitment to building school spirit.

The third floor of Nazareth’s O Building will be named Sister Ethel Vaca ’45 Hall in loving memory and honor of her.

June 7 • Four Pillars Mass & Induction 2025 Award Recipients

SCHOLARSHIP

SPIRIT

Kathy O’Hara Gurney ’69

Dennis Moran

Shannon Swilley ’95

Lisa Turano ’85

SERVICE

UNITY

Community Memorial Foundation

Sr. Kathy Brazda, CSJ ’74

Loraine Kubiak ’49

Sr. Carol Crepeau, CSJ ’57

Stay tuned to Nazareth’s Facebook and Instagram accounts for details and visit our anniversary website at naz125.nazarethacademy.com for more information.

Dear Alumni, Parents and Friends,

Nazareth Academy is a Catholic, Coed, College Prep High School inspired by the mission and spirituality of the Congregation of Saint Joseph. We are committed to academic excellence, educating the whole person and fostering a community of inclusivity rooted in Gospel values.

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

Well there are Anniversaries…and then there are ANNIVERSARIES. We are so excited to be officially celebrating the 125th Anniversary of Nazareth Academy! And it is only fitting that we share this special year with our Congregation of Saint Joseph, also celebrating their 125th.

In 1900 the Sisters, led by Mother Alexine, responded to the need for Catholic faith-based education in La Grange and, in true form, began the hard work to make it happen. Incredible women of grit, determination and resilience, they and all Sisters to follow, laid the solid foundation upon which Nazareth has been built.

This year we will spend time telling many of the stories that have paved our way. We will also spend time looking ahead to our bright and vibrant future. This issue of Blueprint is packed with dynamic timelines that show both the commitment to and the evolution of our Pillars of Scholarship, Service, Spirit and Unity. It is heartwarming to know that although many things inevitably change over time, these Pillars have remained constant. It is a source of great pride to know that the CSJ and Nazareth mission of Unity remains the cornerstone of who we are and what we do.

We hope you enjoy this walk down memory lane as much as we have.

And we hope that your plans include joining us this year to help celebrate.

Come visit…..attend a game or a theater production…..join us for one of the many scheduled events…..attend your Class Reunion…..follow us on social media….pray for our Nazareth family. Your continued support encourages the work we do. We are so very grateful for YOU! It is an honor and a privilege to be part of our magnificent history.

We never take it for granted.

God’s Blessings to you and yours….

And Cheers to 125 Years!

Deborah Tracy ’82 President

Therese Hawkins ’79 Principal

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Scholarship

TECHNOLOGY FOR EDUCATION While the word “technology” has a modern connotation, our faculty has always embraced technology to enhance the Pillar of Scholarship. Their innovative use of intercom technology helped students like Anne Marie Bell and Susan O’Hara ’56 stay connected even when they were too ill to attend classes. This legacy of creativity has always been apparent, most recently in Nazareth’s quick transition to remote learning during the pandemic.

Nazareth’s embrace of new technologies, initially to prepare young women for careers in the business world, has also enhanced the academic experience. Nazareth graduates enter the world knowledgeable about the use and best practices of cutting-edge technology, specifically to enhance learning.

1970s & 1980s 1950s & 1960s Typewriters, switchboards, binary system computer  Pat Gustafson White ’66 explores complexities of the binary system computer (Alexine, 1965) “Through the determination and ingenuity of the Sisters, Susan [O’Hara ‘56] completed her high school coursework through an intercom connected to her hospital bed.

Susan went on to receive both undergraduate and graduate degrees.” (Blueprint, 2018)

pg / 4

Language labs and computers “In the early 80’s Sr. Beth Stoffel ’45, CSJ generously donated three Apple computers to the Language Department so students could practice their pronunciation and grammar. The 90’s brought VCRs into the language classrooms with videos such as “La Catrina” and “Destinos” to provide students with audio immersion, as well as entertaining stories in soap opera fashion.

When the computer lab was set up around 2006, the Language Department reviewed the latest textbooks and implemented the series that would meet the needs of our students and would best develop their language skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking.” –Claudia Pascual (former faculty)

2020

Remote learning in response to the Covid pandemic “Although I would prefer in-class learning, the way we did eLearning was a really good way to stay connected to the school, teachers and classmates.” Elizabeth Selover ’23 (Nazareth archives)

1990s & 2000s

2023

Advent of the Internet and Introduction of Computer Science classes “The first computer languages we taught at Nazareth were BASIC-I and BASIC-II. Over the years, we adapted both our computer languages and our hardware as AP courses changed. In my 35 years I ‘spoke’ BASIC, Pascal, C++ and Java.

Because not all students were eager to take an AP course, I included two new courses: HTML and Javascript. Students learned how to build websites and how to design these sites using Javascript and CSS. The IBM PCs were eventually replaced with 15 laptop computers. It was nice because students were able to sit at their desks and work together while they collaborated to solve the projects offered to the students to complete.” –Kathy Biga (former faculty) “The fact that we can create projects by simply using a HTML program is astonishing.”

–Bill Dinon ’09 (Alexine, 2009)

20142017 1:1 iPad integration program launched and completed “The key to utilizing technology effectively has always come back to adopting a balanced approach and being intentional about when and how to use iPads. When we first adopted iPads, I tried to really focus on things like exploration, the ability to research quickly and easily and the ability to collaboratively co-create content in real time. Content creation, whether that be writing, making a slide deck, or interacting on a digital bulletin board, has been one of my favorite uses of technology because it makes students active participants in the learning process rather than simply passive recipients of content.” –Jessica Radogno, Director of Curriculum and Instruction

STEM Lab opens “Especially in science we can use technology to simulate lab situations that are not easily studied in a physical setting, such as events that take place on very large or small scales. The STEM Lab allows students to look at new and emerging technologies that were barely a dream when many of us were students ourselves. Being able to work with tools that allow for 3D modeling and creation, students can work on problem-solving projects that can solve problems in their everyday lives. The creative thinking that can come from the options in the STEM Lab is really amazing.”

–Matt Foster, Science Department Chair

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Service

STUDENT-DRIVEN CARE FOR THE DEAR NEIGHBOR Educating the Whole Person includes helping students to understand that we make a positive difference in people’s lives while developing servant leaders.

This Pillar of Service can take on many forms, from a one-time donation to a lifetime relationship with and commitment to people in need. What has felt so magical is the way these service relationships have evolved based on the interests of our students. From local neighbors to international service trips, Roadrunners have given of themselves, That All May Be One.

HODGKINS TUTORING

MISSION DRIVES 1950s & 1960s The women of Nazareth organized clothing drives to support the Church’s mission work in post-WWII Europe, collecting, organizing and packaging shoes and clothing.

In the 1960s, their food drives shifted their focus toward local organizations to feed the hungry. pg / 6

AIDE

ORGANIZATIONS

1970s Duffy aides brought companionship and comfort to Sisters in the Duffy Hall infirmary. ALC Aides tutored in local grammar schools.

“Duffy and ALC aides are special people who devote some of their free time to help others.”(Alexine, 1975)

1980s, 1990s & 2000s One of the most popular service activities of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s was Hodgkins Tutoring.

An evolution from the ALC Aides, Roadrunners worked to provide academic help and friendly companionship to our close neighbors.

“Giving back to those who did not have the privileges that I had was the main reason I got involved with Hodgkins Tutoring. Sharing knowledge we learned at Naz with those in Hodgkins was not only rewarding, but something that I carried with me throughout life. It inspired me to become a teacher and work with similar students in south central Los Angeles.”

–Lacey Buidosik Hatfield ’98

RELAYS FOR LIFE

SERVICE TEAM

2000s In the early 2000s students served at over 40 local organizations including Hodgkins Tutoring, FISH, SMILE and Pool Pals, plus international service in Belize. Service Team led and organized those efforts.

“The prospect of traveling abroad and connecting with people from a different culture was incredibly intriguing. This transformative experience opened my eyes to a small community that prioritized the well-being of its members above all else.

Towards the end of each trip we hosted a parade and party for the families. To see the whole town come together and pitch in with food, drinks, decorations and a helping hand was breathtaking. Nazareth was pivotal in my life’s commitment to service.” –Roberto Paniagua ’07 “I got involved with Pool Pals & Miracles in Progress because I loved the idea of connecting with kids through a fun and therapeutic activity. Through those experiences, it became clear to me that I wanted to become a special educator.

I am endlessly grateful for the experiences Naz afforded me. Without them, I would not be where I am today: fulfilled and happy in my career, continuing to help others daily. Not to mention, I met my husband at a Pool Pals event, so the Pillar of Service really was transformational in my life!” –Sara Hawkins Pendergrass ’07

2010s Nazareth’s fundraising history includes over $300,000 for the American Cancer Society through its Relay For Life and Lights Out for Cancer events between 2010-2015.

“We all know someone – a parent, grandparent, cousin or friend – whose life has been touched by cancer. Lights Out is the chance for us to come together to make a positive impact.” –Madison Lozanoski ’15 (Nazareth archives)

FISH PROM

SOLSBERRY HILL 2005-2019 For 15 summers between 2005 and 2019, students volunteered for a week-long summer service trip in southern Indiana.

“I wanted to be exposed to a service that I had not done before. It was amazing to work with kids from other backgrounds and to volunteer in gardens and shelters.”

–Amanda DeCesare ’20 (Nazareth archives)

2011-present The idea to host a prom for teens with disabilities began in 2011, inspired by the relationship and coordinated efforts of ASPIRE of Illinois and the FISH Service Team. Since 2012, many hundreds of students have given their time, their company and their hearts to this favorite service tradition every other spring.

“Everything about that night is focused around our guests and that is what really makes it special. Prom is a rite of passage and every high schooler should have the opportunity to experience a night of their very own.” –Maggie Reynolds ’17 (Nazareth archives) pg / 7

Spirit

SCHOOL-WIDE SPIRIT The evolution of the Spirit Pillar has shown itself most brightly in the times our entire school community has gathered as one, whether during glorious May Crownings or with voices raised at the adoption of our school song in the 1940s (Thank you Sr. Mary Carl). With the transition to co-ed, Nazareth’s all-school celebrations have taken on even more fervor as we continue to proclaim our loyalty.

“Nazareth, we’re proud to sing your praises. Nazareth, we love to shout your glories. For to us you bring the best of happiness …”

WALK

MAY CROWNING

Catholic Tradition The Catholic tradition of crowning the Virgin Mary the first weekend of May was a proud school-wide tradition for over 60 years.

“We processed from the old campus down an elm-lined and far less busy Ogden Avenue to Our Lady of Bethlehem.

There a tall, rocky grotto held the statue of Mary soon to be crowned. Girls from Our Lady of Bethlehem Academy and boys from St. Joseph Military Academy joined us. The walk there was meant to be a solemn procession, but there was also the freedom of being outside with friends during the school day.”

–Sr. Terry Middendorf ’60

pg / 8

Annual WALK Fifty years ago, Nazareth adopted an annual WALK (a-thon).

While the distance and route have changed, it remains the only fundraiser that students, faculty and staff go all in on together. The WALK has helped create a legacy of fundraising based in community and school spirit.

“Back in the 1970s, the WALK was much longer. I remember walking through downtown Riverside with so many of my friends who lived there. I just remember the day being so much fun! It’s evolved, but the recent Color Challenge adds a spirited and competitive aspect to the event.”

–Therese Uphues Hawkins ’79 “One of my favorite memories was coordinating the first post-WALK event in 2013. We had local vendors to serve food and a band to create a festive atmosphere. Naz Spirit spread by partnering with local families and businesses.

I’ll never forget how everyone came together for a successful event. I thank Naz for that experience, the first of many in my life as an Events Planner for corporate events.”

–Devinne Love ’14

STATE CHAMPIONS

HOMECOMING

School Spirit Alongside Football came Homecoming celebrations including parades and Pep Rallies. Creative Spirit Week themes, hilarious challenges and games, amazing emcees like Mr. Mike’s Energizer Bunny and even an ornery camel have all brought joyous Naz Spirit to campus.

“Homecoming provided an opportunity for many talents from athletics in sports and cheer, music in band, dance in PomPon, flair of color guard and excitement overall to cheer on not only the team, but the progress of our school! My experiences provided me with a sense of freedom to be myself but also to be part of something bigger, greater and meaningful to others.

I learned to identify as part of the Nazareth community and it is a pride I still carry today.” –Lisa Turano ’85 “I’ll never forget the look Madi Lozanoski and I exchanged when Mrs. Gurney gave us the go-ahead to rent live camels for our circus-themed Homecoming. Even funnier was the fact that the camels never made it inside the gym. Who could have known they’d get stage fright? Thankfully, the backup alpacas delivered. Naz taught us to challenge ourselves and face obstacles head-on. I’ve found that the more energy and optimism you bring, the less imposing any challenge becomes. You also have more fun along the way.” –Sydney Stancik ’15

FREDDIE FANATICS

Fan Section In 2010 our fan section took on a new identity as the Freddie Fanatics, named in honor of the Superfan herself, Sr. Frederick Molitor ’46. They claimed the Comcast Battle of the Fans the next year and have been rowdy proof of Naz Spirit ever since.

“My enthusiasm for the Freddie Fanatics has changed both Nazareth Academy and also La Grange Park. As the Fanatics grew in size, buses packed with up to 400 students became featured in local media outlets and even attracted the attention of the Chicago Tribune.

Schools throughout our conference have recognized the success it’s brought to our sports teams.” –Dom Purpura ’12 (Nazareth archive)

Athletic Excellence Nazareth’s athletic excellence goes at least as far back as Girls Basketball winning the State Shooting Championship in 1956.

What began officially in 2014 was a legacy of IHSA State Titles and accompanying celebrations. Rooney Student Center has celebrated 9 State Champion teams in 4 sports and countless teams have been sent off to State with school-wide clap outs..

“We were so proud and ecstatic when we got the news we had won the State Title! Honestly, I’m just as proud today watching this year’s teams compete on my iPad! Such spirit.” –Ginny Karstens ’57 (Blueprint, Spring 2022) “Thanks to the diverse talents of our community, we almost always have something to party about. I can remember having very happy tears in my eyes and having trouble reading the names at many of our State Championship Pep Rallies.

The pride that we all felt, and continue to feel in our school is palpable.”

–Brendan Green ’02 pg / 9

Unity

FAITH BASED CLUBS Nazareth’s Pillar of Unity has always been felt in Masses, Prayer Services and Retreats.

It’s also lived daily in the interactions among students and staff and Sisters and has evolved through a variety of faith-based student clubs over our rich history. While Nazareth no longer has students active specifically in Sodality of Our Lady, involvement in Liturgy Planning and training as Eucharistic Ministers remains strong. Clubs change and evolve; what has remained constant is the recognition of our interconnectedness with God and with each other that underscores so many extracurriculars.

1970s & 1980s Ministry Teams Ministry Teams developed more formally in the 1970s and are still going strong. Members “give their time and energy to serve the people of Nazareth and the Archdiocese of Chicago.” (Alexine, 1980)

1950s & 1960s

pg / 10

Sodality of Our Lady The 1960 Alexine described club members embracing “a way of life that will sanctify themselves, help others along the road to holiness and defend the church in any circumstances.”

Committees in the 1950s included Social Actions, Apostolic and EOL.

“I got involved in the Ministry Team, mostly because Sister Pat recruited my friends and me with such passion and enthusiasm; it’s hard to say no to her! Each week we would crowd into her office with our lunches for what we affectionately called our “God Squad” meetings.

I particularly remember introducing the song, “One Bread, One Body” on a poster as a recipe for Unity. No matter your race, gender or income, God calls each of us to be part of the one Body of Christ, and we are called to make every human being feel included and welcome. The lessons of unity all contributed to shaping my understanding of inclusivity and compassion and still influence me as a volunteer and as a mom. It’s inspiring to see how the values I learned from Nazareth’s Ministry Team have been woven into my life today.” –Wendy Whelton Pindar ’82

2010s

2000s Catholics Opposed to Racism (COR) COR, active in the 2000s claimed, “The only requirement was an open mind and an open heart.” (Alexine, 2000) “I got involved in COR because I saw it as a crucial way to live out the principles of social justice that are deeply rooted in our faith.

Catholic teaching emphasizes the inherent dignity of every person and standing against racism is a way to uphold that dignity and promote equality. I’ve carried that into my life as a teacher by creating an inclusive classroom environment and helping today’s students honor and respect each other’s cultures. This approach not only enriches the learning experience, but also prepares students to engage with the world in a more empathetic and connected way.” –Kristen Yarka ’07

Retreat Leadership and Eucharistic Ministers Student Retreat Leaders and Eucharistic Ministers remain the most visible representatives of our Pillar of Unity.

Dozens of students each year take on the responsibility to be examples of Christ’s love in their actions and service throughout the year.

“My entire life I have looked to Eucharistic Ministers as role models, so being mandated the same day as our first school Mass after Covid was unreal.” –Molly McGee ’22 (Alexine, 2022) “Our retreat leaders embody servant leadership. Through their words and actions, they represent what it means to carry the flame of the CSJ mission of Unity. Whether they are helping freshmen feel like Nazareth is their home, guiding 7th graders to see how they can be light in our world, or encouraging their classmates to embrace God’s time on Kairos, our retreat leaders know God’s love and grace and actively share that with those around them.”

Janet Houda Rausch ’91, Campus Minister pg / 11

ALUMNI UPDATES Class Notes Miles Hayford ’23 has delved right into

Journalism at Elon University. At the end of his freshman year he received the Times-News Publishing Co., Inc. Scholarship and the Member of the Year Award for the Elon News Network.

Ryan Smith ’21 (pictured) and Cooper Malamazian ’24 were

selected in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft. Ryan has signed on with the Houston Astros organization.

Cooper opted to play Division 1 Baseball at Indiana University.

Upon his graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point, Michael Rooney ’20 was one of 81 Cadet-Athletes inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma Scholar-Athlete Society for his high achievement in both tennis and academics.

He has been awarded a scholarship to attend Purdue University for a master’s degree in computer science engineering.

Congratulations to Nicholas Rozmus ’20, who was named to the University of Illinois 2024 Senior 100 Honorary! These 100 seniors were selected due to their academic achievements, campus involvement, leadership and community service during their time at UIUC. Carlie Merola ’19 was selected to be a part of

Chicago Design Museum’s Students for the Future exhibit, which opened in May. She created a poster based on Gwendolyn Brooks’ quote, “Art hurts. Art urges voyages – and it is easier to stay home.”

The Colorado Rockies presented major leaguer Michael Prosecky ’19 with the inaugural Rick Mathews Pitcher of the Year Award.

pg / 12

Erin Lorenzen ’17 graduated from

Northwestern University with a doctorate in physical therapy. Erin began her profession at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital in Chicago.

When the NFL Network announced its annual NFL Top 100 rankings in July, Julian Love ’16 made his debut on the list as the 95th best player in the league as voted by his peers. Love spent the 2023 NFL season with the Seattle Seahawks and earned a spot in his first Pro Bowl last year.

Courtney Urzen Pursell ’15 has accepted

a position as a Solid Organ Transplant Clinical Pharmacist at the University of Utah. She has completed four years of Pharmacy school, postgraduate year one at Cleveland Clinic and postgraduate year two at Loyola Medical Center.

Jenny Chlipala ’14

currently serves as an Associate Director and Board Member for Save the Prairie Society at Wolf Road Prairie. She credits Nazareth for the wonderful opportunities as an ambassador for conservation, land stewardship and environmental education. She and former teacher Sue Martin teamed up to take part in Circle the Cities in June.

The 2014 Football Roadrunners were inducted into the ESCC Hall of Fame in April. The undefeated team won Nazareth Academy’s first IHSA State Title, the Class 6A Championship and are now the first Nazareth team to be inducted into the ESCC Hall of Fame.

Aileen O’Carroll ’13

was the winner for Best Direction in the 13th Annual Broadway In Chicago Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards for the Naz Drama production of Freaky Friday. Under her direction, the cast and crew were also nominated for Best Ensemble.

Frances Lorenzi ’08

was named PA of the Year for her work with the Medical Oncology team at the University of Colorado Division of Hospital Medicine. PA Lorenzi shines as the director of the Advanced Practice Fellowship in Hospital Medicine. She has developed over 50 different core faculty talks and created the first-ever APP education conference and orientation handbook.

It was a Great Food Truck Race win for

Wally Strzepka ’06

whose business, Wally’s Waffles, won Season 17 of the popular Food Network show.

Megan Doyle ’03 continues to make

her mark in Los Angeles. She is one of the producers of a recent Netflix series, The Brothers Sun. Congrats to Carolyn Kras ’02, whose screenplay Authoress about Jane Austen was selected for the inaugural “The Women’s List” and was on Coverfly’s “The Red List of the Top 20 Historical Feature Scripts” in July.

Shawna Epich ’98 started the 2024-25

school year in District 105 at Hodgkins Elementary School as the K-6 resource teacher.

Laura Moran Claxton ’96 was the

recipient of Nazareth’s 2024 Christian Values Award. Laura was nominated by fellow faculty and staff for this honor.

With the 2024-25 school year, Shannon Swilley ’95 started a new position as Director of Teaching and Learning at Hazel Crest School District 152 1/2.

Babies

JUNE Natalie Salata Aycock ’11 and

husband Aaron welcomed their first baby Mason Michael.

SEPTEMBER (2023) Brendan P. Green ’08 and wife

Angela welcomed their first baby Jackson Richard Green.

MARCH Grace Rafferty Raimondi ’12 and Vinnie Raimondi ’12

Trinity High School Principal Amy Gallie ’88 and members of her team visited Nazareth in February to talk with teachers and administrators including Bethany

Colleen McGivney Badali ’14 and

welcomed baby boy Vincent Joseph.

Mager ’99, Therese Uphues Hawkins ’79 and Sr. Terry Middendorf, CSJ ’60.

husband Matt welcomed their first baby Nora Eileen.

Mike Stromberg ’13 and wife Jenni

welcomed their first baby Harper James.

MaryKate Halm Vlcek ’12 and

The national board of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), which represents about two-thirds of the 36,000 Catholic sisters in the United States, named Sr. Kathy Brazda ’74 CSJ as president-elect.

“I am both humbled and excited to be appointed president of the LCWR during this time of great change in religious life,” Sister Kathy said. “I look forward to serving and hold all women religious in prayer as we journey forward with faith and hope.”

Happy 60th Jubilee to Sr. Pat Bergen ’63.

Sharon Gallagher Andrlik ’61 and Lynne Kramp Strutzel ’61 just celebrated their

80th birthdays. They have held a very special friendship since they met in 6th grade.

Sarah Copeland Wood ’08 and

husband Lee welcomed baby girl Mina.

Chuck Stevens ’83 retired in May after

35 years of teaching US History, AP US History and Government. He spent 31 years at Morton East High School. His late mother, Patricia Bunning Stevens ’49 and sister Patty Stevens Kudlacz ’77, as well as his daughter were/are also teachers.

JULY

husband Alex welcomed baby number two.

Henry James joins big brother Gus.

APRIL Amber Hitney Amarino ’08

and husband

Anthony Amarino ’01

welcomed baby number two.

Big sister is thrilled to welcome Josephine Mary.

AUGUST Ariana Galvan-Pedota ’13 and Dom Pedota ’13

welcomed their first baby boy Lucas.

Bill Dinon ’09 and wife welcomed twin

girls Violet Michelle and Dakota Frankie.

Big sister Haley is loving it.

MAY

Katie Durnell Kirk ’12 and husband Donald

welcomed their first baby Emma Rose.

Curtis Cannon ’08 and Inoni Gatell

welcomed baby boy Otis Denis.

Rachel Janus Donnelly ’07 and husband

Nick welcomed baby number two Ellen Victoria. Big brother Jack can’t wait to show her the ropes.

pg / 13

ALUMNI UPDATES continued

Weddings

Vincenzo Giampietro ’15 married

Brianna Chmielewski.

AUGUST Dominic Carmignani ’16 married

Christina Conforti. The wedding party included Brandon Bossard ’16,

MAY

Will McKenna ’16, Frank Bakovich ’17, Alex Martyn ’17, Spencer Suchy ’17 and best man Zach Carmignani ’19.

Sara D’Onofrio ’13 married Brian Cullinan

in Tuscany, Italy.

Becca Letcher ’15 married Sean Maloney ’12 . The wedding party included Jack Mahoney ’12, Mark Perrone ’12 and Liz Letcher Marsh ’05.

Vicki Lesnicki ’13 married Nick

Genova. The wedding party included

Gabrielle Lesnicki Wozniak ’15, Joey Citro ’14, Sam Citro ’13, Carli Kebby Kelly ’13, Tyler Van Dahm ’13 and Kevin Curtin ’12.

Harry Colmery ’09 married Tara

Johannesen. The wedding party included Class of 2009 alumni David Gustafson, Ryan Mullaney, Colin Schwendt and Chris Wanderling as well as Freddy Colmery ’11 and Will Colmery ’14.

JUNE Kayla Cameron ’18 married Isaiah Lee ’18.

The wedding party included Aimee Paradee ’18 and Isabelle Cameron ’21.

Jack Mahoney ’12 married

Kathryn Ingersoll. The wedding party included Brianne Mahoney ’11 and Katie Mahoney ’14.

Maggie Smith ’12 married

Brendan Mulvey.

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

pg / 14

In Memoriam

March - August 2024

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

Eric Almeroth ’95, brother of Nichole Almeroth ’99

Margaret Rose Tadic Harp ’70, sister of Marie Tadic Levy ’70

Maureen O’Connell Anderson ’57

Nora Monaghan Heidecke ’48

Charlene LeBlanc Blaszczak ’55

George Hill, father of Andrea Hill Vela ’96

Kathleen Marie Bohan ’68

Christopher Jaglin, former faculty

Barbara Simec Brabec ’48 Frank Brady, father of Carolyn Brady ’90 Paul Cella, father of Courtney Cella Smith ’96 James Chlipala, father of Jenny Chlipala ’14

Corrine “Rae” Jurack ’64 Rosemary Tree Kellogg ’59 Jeremy Kolasa ’18 Betty Krupp, mother of Roger Krupp ’82, the late Ken Krupp ’87 and Ron Krupp ’89 Marian Kuzma ’72

Clare Paliatka, mother of Julie Paliatka ’85, Jeanne Paliatka ’86, Jennifer Paliatka ’91, Jason Paliatka ’93 and grandmother of Greta ’23 and Iris ’25 Nelson Nancy Sowinski Pekarek ’59 Mary Phillips ’55, sister of Luanne Phillips Peterson ’59 Xaverie Pleshar ’74, sister of Eunice Pleshar ’60, Nadine Pleshar Herion ’68 and Darice A. Pleshar Carlstrom ’71 Judith Baloun Kramer Pokorny ’55, sister of the late Carol Baloun Mapes ’55

Roger Laven, husband of June Schemmel Laven ’51. Father of the late Matthew Laven ’82, Sarah Laven Magnesen ’83, Anne Laven Beach ’85, Pete Laven ’87 and Dan Laven ’88.

Brother-in-law of the late Sr. Marlene Schemmel, CSJ ’54

Mary Ann Procida, mother of Clare Procida Woday ’85 and Grace Procida Positano ’88

Thomas “TJ” Courtney IV ’83, brother of Michael Courtney ’95

Mary Gaffney Licar ’61

Ellen Shannon DeLong ’59

Carol Baloun Mapes ’55, sister of the late Judith Baloun Kramer Pokorny ’55

Barbara Wright Siebel ’63, sister of Deborah Wright Maggio ’64 and Pat Wright ’67

Therese Rolewick Cihlar ’54 James Connellan, father of Cathy Connellan Konsoer ’91 Quinn Cook, father of Cathy Cook Carroll ’80, Christine Cook ’81, Charlie Cook ’86 and Colleen Cook ’88

JoAnn Driscoll, mother of Kristen Driscoll Stojetz ’89, Brian Driscoll ’93 (Nora O’Connell Driscoll ’92) and grandmother of Ryan Stojetz ’22 and Jack Stojetz ’26 Sue Ellen Petrick Flockencier ’70, mother of Peter Flockencier ’11 Paul Frank, husband of Mary Feeney Frank ’74 Sharon Lofthouse Fuesz ’59 Tina Maas Galvin ’59 Jacqueline Madell Geesaman ’59 Linda Gusswein Graham ’59

Sr. Barbara Lord, CSJ ’50

Marge Dryz Rossman ’57 Mary Fran Bronge Schenk (Sr. Laurence, CSJ), former faculty

Kathleen O’Donnell Strubbe ’62

James Miglore ’85

Nancy Kara Tozzi ’51

Dolores Kestel Mikl ’51

Mary Zimmerman, mother of Maria Zimmerman Mercola ’84

Mickey Lee Bramstedt Novinger ’63, mother of Dawn Novinger Bielski ’84, Amy Novinger Dettloff ’86 and Andy Novinger ’91 Sister Rita Ouska, C.D.S. ’60, sister-in-law of the late Mary Marretta Ouska ’63, Mary LaMarche Ouska ’69 Ava Marie Pagliuco, daughter of Erin Goode Pagliuco ’10

Merilou Richter Ziola ’62 Rachele Frances Zamboni Zito ’63

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

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

125 YEARS BY THE NUMBERS

22

Sisters of St. Joseph have served as Principal or President since 1900

Nazareth’s first co-ed high school class graduated in

1981 with

17 boys The Class of 2025 has

94 boys

(approximately 50% of the class)

50th

2024 marks the 50th annual WALK

4th

1209 W. Ogden is the 4th location for Nazareth, all within the La Grange area

15,000

hours of service are given annually by the student body (on average since 2005)

52

artists of all kinds are included in our Fine Arts Hall of Fame

3,000+

students have attended a Kairos retreat since it was introduced in 2000