Graduate
Create Your Legacy
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 2024 graduate were invited to step forward, pass along the light from the alumni candle and receive a blessing.
We are delighted to recognize the following legacy families from the Class of 2024:
• Joe Caputo ’87, father of Zoe Caputo
• Chris Foltz ’91, father of Sophia Foltz
• Jennifer Glaser Hesser ’91, mother of Hannah Hesser
• Debbie Storcel Korinek ’86, mother of Mark Korinek and Mary Korinek
• Angela DiBenedetto Layden ’94 and Brian Layden ’93, parents of Claire Layden
• Scott Mazur ’87, father of Sara Mazur
• Becca Boston Merchant ’91, mother of Max Merchant
• Donna Savino Mouw ’87 and Ron Mouw ’87, parents of Faith Mouw
• Liz Zidlicky Musker ’95 and Dan Musker ’93, parents of Jackson Musker
• Sean Pearson ’91, father of Talen Pearson
• Carla Close Prosen ’92, mother of Kevin Prosen
• Mary Elizabeth Barrera ‘01, mother of Madyson Ramirez
• Deb Dowjotas Sarin ’95, mother of Victoria Sarin
• Bill Siffermann ’93, father of Evelyn Siffermann
CLASS OF 2024 BY THE NUMBERS
$44 million in merit awards and scholarships
1 QuestBridge National Scholar to Denison UniversityDiego Trejo
4
At Graduation, we also acknowledged:
• Mary Jo Dellaria ’73, grandmother of Isabella Broderick
• Germaine Jopek Buchman ’63, grandmother of Alice Buchman
188 graduates
73 colleges of choice across 28 states
21 ESCC Scholar-Athletes from the Class of 2024 graduated with an average GPA of 4.7
National Merit Commended ScholarsScott Creviston, Drew Fowler, Francesca De Fina Hillman, John Ryan Nelson
41 Illinois State Scholars
13
Eucharistic Ministers who helped celebrate communion and served as a witnesses of unity, forgiveness and the unconditional love of Christ
15 State Seals of Biliteracy and 23 Commendations toward Biliteracy
Nazareth’s legacy of 100% college acceptance includes outstanding schools. The Class of 2024 earned acceptances from over 206 colleges and universities.
2 Chick Evans ScholarsGianina Montoro Bella Ramirez
The class Circled the City in Service and Unity with 10 different community partners on May 10th
12 student-athletes from the Class of 2024 committed to play 5 different college-level sports, including 9 Division 1 programs
On Sunday, May 19, 2024,
Nazareth Academy’s Class of 2024 celebrated Graduation with a Mass and Commencement at Christ Church Oak Brook. This was the capstone event of senior-themed celebrations including Circle the City, Closing School Mass and the Awards Ceremony. Father Rich Prendergast presided over the Mass and encouraged the graduating seniors to continue spreading light and love into the world with the advice to “Trust God, trust yourself and trust others.”
The Class of 2024’s achievements in Scholarship, Service, Spirit and Unity were visible signs of our school theme to “Embrace Who You Are.” In her Graduation Address, Neeve Olson, Valedictorian, reminded her classmates of how far they had come since their freshman pandemic year. “We give ourselves grace when we appreciate who we are and where we are. Now is one of those moments of grace. Let us enjoy this time. We have accomplished so much and are heading off to places across the nation to accomplish even more . This time in between deserves some love.” She, too, encouraged the Class of 2024 to trust their Nazareth Academy experience as they move forward, “Just like you did at Nazareth, embrace who you are and what life has to offer.” Neeve will attend the University of California Berkeley.
Students from the Class of 2024 were accepted to colleges and universities all over the country, including the University of Notre Dame, Dartmouth College, University of Southern California, Wake Forest University, University of Wisconsin Madison, Boston College, Denison University, University of California Berkeley and the University of Michigan.
At Commencement, Gianina Montoro was honored with this year’s Sister Oliver Donlin Service Award. Principal Hawkins said, “Teachers and other staff members who work with her describe her as one of the most motivated students they’ve encountered in their many years of working with high school students. She is an outstanding leader who is determined to make a difference in our community. Her peers look to her for leadership and in turn aspire to lead as she does. She is smart, dedicated, empathic and positive. She is a great listener and an outstanding communicator. She cares deeply about those around her and displays this caring and thoughtfulness in all that she does.” Gianina is also an Evans Scholar and will attend Purdue University.
Nazareth Academy has no doubt that the Class of 2024 will continue to go out and light this world.
These pennants represent only a few of the 73 colleges that will be home to Nazareth Academy’s Class of 2024. For a complete list of college acceptances, please visit nazarethacademy.com. Click Academics/Achievements
Stay Connected!
We encourage Class of 2024 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 We send you forth...
Sponsored by the Congregation of St. Joseph