Nazareth Academy Portrait of a Graduate 2023

CLASS OF 2023

THE LEGACY CONTINUES

Each year, at Closing School Mass, we take a moment to 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 2023 graduate were invited to step forward, pass along the light from the alumni candle to their sons and daughters and receive a blessing.

We are delighted to recognize the following legacy families from the Class of 2023:

• Caroline Kelly, daughter of Maria Madigan Kelly ’83

• Greta Nelson, daughter of Jeanne Paliatka ’86

• Elizabeth Plahm, daughter of Chris Plahm ’96

• Marc Skrip, son of Laura Hinton Skrip ’87

• Rocco Solano, son of Lisa Turano ’85

• Matthew Uphues, son of Alena Murguia ’89

CLASS OF 2023 BY THE NUMBERS

$33,000,000+ in merit awards and scholarships

2 National Merit Commended ScholarsSophie Hynes Alexander Soto

34 Illinois State Scholars

We also acknowledge:

• Mia Furlan, granddaughter of Charlene Tavormina Owens ’57

• Charles McLaughlin, grandson of Patricia Hayes Roach ’58

• Owen Reichl, grandson of Catherine Zandrews Reichl ’64

78 colleges of choice across

28 states and abroad

21 ESCC Scholar-Athletes from the Class of 2023 graduated with an average GPA of 4.6

• Katherine Sandt, granddaughter of Elizabeth Campbell McManaman ’66

• Jannelle Steger, granddaughter of Elyse Hanahan Steger ’69

165 graduates

3 State Seals of Biliteracy and 16 Commendations toward Biliteracy

Nazareth’s legacy of 100% college acceptance includes outstanding schools. The Class of 2023 earned acceptances from over 190 colleges and universities.

2 Chick Evans ScholarsCharles McLaughlin Melanie Ortiz

The class Circled the City in Service and Unity with 9 different community partners on May 12 500+ books were collected by the Senior Board in their final Book Drive to benefit Marillac St. Vincent

11 student-athletes from the Class of 2023 committed to play 7 different college-level sports, including 6 Division 1 programs

Noah Guzman named the 50th recipient of the Sister Oliver Donlin Service Award

On Sunday, May 21, 2023,

Nazareth Academy’s Class of 2023 celebrated Graduation with a Mass and Commencement in Alexine Chapel. This was the capstone event of senior-themed celebrations including Circle the City, Closing School Mass and Awards Ceremony. Father Wayne Watts presided over the Mass and encouraged the graduating seniors to continue spreading light and love into the world, saying, “You have a job to do - go do it.”

The Class of 2023’s achievements in Scholarship, Service, Spirit and Unity were visible signs of our school theme to love actively and inclusively. In her Graduation Address, Valedictorian Colette Kinsella thanked her fellow classmates for the lessons they had taught her, “Passion, joy, hard work, kindness, generosity, positivity, and faith. These lessons are the patchwork of my time here at Nazareth Academy.” She encouraged these newest alumni to take these lessons forward, “Let’s keep growing, let’s keep exploring, let’s keep making a difference. We have the gifts. Now let’s share them with the rest of the world.” Colette will attend Vanderbilt University.

Students from the Class of 2023 were accepted to colleges and universities all over the country, including Princeton University, Clemson University, Wake Forest University, the University of Wisconsin, UCLA, the University of Notre Dame, Boston College and the University of Michigan.

At Commencement, Noah Guzman was honored with this year’s Sister Oliver Donlin Service Award. Principal Hawkins said, “Noah has been an outstanding student and leader throughout his high school years and is a young man who embodies and excels in all four of our pillars of Scholarship, Service, Spirit and Unity. He has been an active and essential member and leader of Youth Initiative, Freshman Orientation, Snowball, Class Board, Roadrunner Club, LatiNaz, Yearbook, our Math Team and NHS. He has served as a Kairos leader, YC2 participant and unfailing volunteer in our Peer Tutoring Center. On top of this, he has achieved an outstanding academic record all while being a three sport athlete.

Nazareth Academy has no doubt that the Class of 2023 will continue to go out and light this world.

We send you forth...

These pennants represent only a few of the 78 colleges that will be home to Nazareth Academy’s Class of 2023. For a complete list of college acceptances, please visit nazarethacademy.com. Click Academics/Achievements

Stay Connected!

We encourage Class of 2023 alumni to stay connected via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Please share your good news to the Alumni Facebook Group and update your contact information with Ms. Cook at 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