SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 2025
HONORING
JOSEPH SLAWEK ‘67
CELEBRATING faith. tradition. brotherhood.
THE JOSEFOWICZ FAMILY
Greg ‘70 and Mike ’58 congratulates
JOSEPH SLAWEK ‘67 & SAINT PATRICK HIGH SCHOOL on a successful Green & Gold Gala!
Thank you to the staff, faculty, students, parents, and volunteers of the school and tonight’s event.
PROGRAM OF EVENTS
5:30pm - atrium
Cocktails & Hors d’oeuvres
Silent Auction Opens
Entertainment by Members of the Saint Patrick Jazz Band
6:40pm
Doors Open to Max Kurland Court for Seating
Greeting by Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band
Last Call for Bar until Program Commences
7:00pm - gymnasium
Bar Closes for Dinner/Paddle Raise
National Anthem, Saxophonist and Head Varsity
Bowling Coach, Travis Perry
Welcome by Emcee, Bret Buganski ‘03
Invocation, Brother David Galinski, FSC
Welcome & Introduction of Legacy Award Recipient, President Dan Santucci ‘02 Legacy Award, Joseph Slawek ‘67
7:20pm
Dinner Service, Unforgettable Edibles
7:30pm
Announcement of Golden Ticket Winner
Live Auction, Kyle Kelso
8:00pm
Video Presentation
Student Speaker, Noe Miranda ‘25
Financial Aid Appeal
9:00pm - auction closing
Silent Auction Closes
Raffle Winners Pulled
9:30pm - checkout
CONGRATULATIONS
SAINT PATRICK HIGH SCHOOL on a successful GREEN & GOLD GALA!
And CONGRATULATIONS to JOSEPH SLAWEK ‘67 on receiving the 2025 SAINT PATRICK LEGACY AWARD! & TERRI BORDES
OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
faith sponsors
Amish Custom Kitchens (Steve ‘79, Jack ‘10 & Joe ‘13 Bailey)
Mike ‘79 & Terri Bordes Family
City Auto Group (Anthony Scala ‘01)
Friends of Saint Patrick High School
Dick ‘58 & Flo Gadomski Family
Greg ‘70 & Carol Josefowicz Family
John ‘73 & Bonnie Martell Family
Mullarkey Distributors
Joseph ‘67 & Mary Slawek Family
Dennis ‘78 & Mary Pat Williams Family
tradition sponsors
Jeff ‘89 & Melissa Curio Family
Mancini Law Group (Anthony Mancini ‘84)
Mayerbock Law Firm, LLC (Pat Mayerbock ‘02)
Mid-States Glass & Metal (Jim Labuz ‘78)
Rick ‘82 & Laura Wilkens Family
brotherhood sponsors
Mick ‘86 & Karen O’Rourke Family
Safety Service Systems (Mary Beth Gerlach)
A Windy City Garage (Vince Sliwa ‘02)
5900 level sponsors
Wight & Co. (Pat Cermak Family)
belmont & austin sponsors
Accu-Cut Diamond Tool Co.
(Kevin Domanski ‘92)
Alum from ‘67
Donovan Family
Gale Street Inn (George Karzas)
Glatz Family ‘86
GNP Realty Partners
(Dean Kutrumanes ‘80)
Jimmy ‘02 & Shannon
Labuz Family
Marino Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (Tony Marino)
Pickens Kane (Jim Munroe ‘75)
Tom ‘02 & Ashley Shallcross Family
Dr. Joseph G. & Sheryl Schmidt
Dr. Joseph ‘74 & Debbie
Thornhill Family
Troon (Matt McIntee)
shamrock sponsors
Paul ‘79 & Carolyn Benson
Early Warning Alarms Inc.
(Mike Icuss ‘96)
Lewis University
Oak Park Jewelers
River Elm Properties (Jonathan Zivojnovic ‘99)
Stumm Insurance
Unforgettable Edibles
DINNER MENU
first
Mixed Greens, Shredded Carrots, Purple Cabbage, Grape Tomatoes, Cucumbers & Croutons
drizzled with House Vinaigrette
Served with Irish Soda Bread & Rye Bread with Butter main
- served family styleCorned Beef & Cabbage
Shepherd’s Pie
Lemon Chicken
Parsley Potatoes
Glazed Carrots dessert
- coffee available at stationBar Bites, Cheesecake Bites, Petit Fours, Cupcakes
Coffee available after Program
dinner prepared by: unforgettable edibles
SAINT PATRICK HIGH SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Legacy Award Congratulates
JOE SLAWEK ‘67
ON RECEIVING THE SAINT PATRICK
Welcome to the 57th Annual Green & Gold Gala honoring Joe Slawek ‘67! It is always an honor to gather with so many dedicated alumni and friends as we celebrate the mission and future of Saint Patrick High School. Your presence this evening is a testament to the strength of our community and the commitment we all share to shaping the lives of our young men.
Tonight is about more than just an evening of celebration; it is about recognizing the profound impact your generosity has on our school, our students, and the City of Chicago. With your support, we have made incredible strides—allocating over $2 million in tuition assistance funds, over $2.5 million in plant renovations, more than $2 million in new programming installations, and the addition of a Career & Technical Education Department Outreach Coordinator to ensure that we not only talk the talk but walk the walk when it comes to guiding each student toward his unique path to success. Most importantly our student body continues to increase annually.
These achievements are only possible because of you. Your generosity fuels our ability to provide transformative opportunities, ensuring that every student who walks through our doors receives the education, support, and preparation needed to thrive. Together, we are preserving the legacy of this great institution and paving the way for an even brighter future.
On behalf of the faculty, staff, students, and the entire Saint Patrick family, thank you for believing in our mission and for continuing to invest in the success of our young men. Enjoy this special evening, please continue to be generous, and know that you are making a lasting difference in the lives of countless young men.
Dan Santucci ‘02 President, Saint Patrick High School
SAINT PATRICK LEGACY AWARD
Joe Slawek will tell you that he is at a “new beginning,” the 4th Quarter of his life. He has a vision for his coming days including: to be generative, meaning plant seeds for new generations; to be generous by providing many dimensions of opportunity; and, to continue his personal journey in his faith.
From sweeping floors to extracting vanilla to leading sales, Joe rose through the ranks at Food Materials Corps. That is, until he arrived at a veritable fork in the road – a keen desire for autonomy in taking the actions and risks necessary to start his own business and eventually redefine the flavor industry.
That business, Flavors of North America (FONA), founded in 1987, became FONA International, creating and producing flavors and complete market solutions for many of the largest food, beverage, and nutritional companies in the world. FONA’s core values drove a pursuit of excellence and the fostering of customer partnerships and employee relationships. His employee base of over 225 people and their families enjoyed a culture encouraging innovation, learning, and rewards.
Perhaps as the oldest of 8 children in his family, he had an original leg up in understanding dysfunction, and how to traverse and thrive through it. Joe is a common man who has achieved extraordinary things. FONA was named one of Chicago’s 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work, receiving Elite Status for the 15th year. They went on to the national level to receive the top award for mid-size businesses. They were recognized by Inc. magazine for seven years running as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the country. They were also named Manufacturer of the Year by the Safe Quality Food Institute
(SQFI). Topping off this summarized list of achievements, Forbes named FONA a Small Giant, One of America’s Best Small Companies, and Fortune named FONA #1 Best Small/Medium Workplace in Manufacturing & Production.
Joe was inducted into the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame for driving growth that was five times the industry standard. He was named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year® for Manufacturing in the Midwest, a highly coveted and competitive award. Joe operates with business and life principles intricately intertwined, knowing honoring God and faith changes the lives of people. With recognition, Joe was inducted as the sixth recipient into the ‘hall of fame’ of the Avodah Fellowship, an award given by Corporate Chaplains of America, undaunted in sharing the hope of Christ and unleashing work, worship, and service in the American workplace.
Joe is the author of Life’s 4th Quarter, released in 2023. His book Ingredients for Success: 10 Best Practices for Business and Life was released in 2013. In his personal life, he is an instrument-rated private pilot flying his VisionJet, values outdoor activities, and is actively committed to his family, his church, and to community service.
He is a graduate of the University of Illinois-Chicago, where he met his wife, Mary. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren, and one on the way (Summer 2025)! Joe is CEO and Chairman of Slawek Family Holdings (SFH) and leads focused efforts dedicated to securing the future for the next generation of successors.
Joe attended Saint Patrick High School from 1964-1967, where the values instilled in him as a Shamrock never left him as he advanced through FONA and beyond. His deep appreciation for the education and formation he received led him to become a major supporter of Saint Patrick High School in 2021. Over the past four years, Joe has generously funded over 2 million dollars for tuition assistance, ensuring that future generations of Shamrocks have the same opportunities that shaped his own life. His continued investment in Saint Patrick High School is a testament to his unwavering belief in the power of faithbased education and the importance of giving back to the community that helped mold him.
Congratulations
JOE SLAWEK ‘67 & SAINT PATRICK HIGH SCHOOL
on a successful event!
DENNIS ‘78 & MARY PAT WILLIAMS
GALA PLANNING COMMITTEE
We extend a heartfelt thanks to the Green & Gold Gala Planning Committee for your tireless efforts, generous contributions, and dedication to make this event the success it is. We deeply appreciate the time and resources you have given, as well as the sacrifices made by your families to support this important mission. Your commitment to Saint Patrick High School and our young men is truly remarkable. For months, you have been hard at work executing every detail we enjoy this evening, all for the benefit of our young men. Please join us in thanking the following members of this committee:
event & auction chair: Mary Beth Gerlach
auction committee:
Christy Bendersky
Jackie Briskey
Maria Chippetta
Jake Heinrich ‘94
Jennifer Hegener
Shanna Karamaniolas
Jennifer Kelly
Karyn Kroeger
Alex Pat ‘03
Karin Sandman
Katie Schayer
A GIFT FOR YOU AT YOUR SEATS...
Tonight, at each of your seats, you’ll find a special keepsake—a handcrafted bottle opener laser cut by our students in the all-new Career and Technical Education Department’s Engineering and Fabrication Pathway. Using AutoCAD software and Epilog laser cutting machinery, our young men created these from start to finish, showcasing one of the many hands-on experiences now available at Saint Patrick.
This initiative is part of our commitment to provide students with real-world skills in engineering and fabrication. We hope you enjoy this token of their hard work and ingenuity—there is much more to come.
Thank you for your support, and enjoy the evening!
Saint Patrick High School Career & Technical Education Department
AUCTION CLOSURE INFORMATION
auction closing times
* A text message will be sent and an announcement will be made before all sections close.
9:00 PM - Premier Silent (300s) & Brotherhood (400s) Sections
9:10 PM - Sports (500s) & Golf (600s) Sections
9:20 PM - Fabulous Finds (800s) & Entertainment (700s) Sections
9:30 PM - Checkout
self check-out instructions
When you are ready to pay, review the items in your cart and choose to pay either with an existing credit card on file, or enter a new card or select between Google or Apple Pay. Once your balance is paid in full, a statement is automatically emailed to the address added to your account.
1. Visit the Pay page at the top of the screen.
2. Review the purchase summary.
3. Enter a credit card, use the one on file or select Google or Apple Pay.
4. Click Pay
5. Once payment is secured, a red Pay stamp appears.
6. Show the Pay stamp at the time of item redemption to confirm payment was made.
LIVE AUCTION ITEM #1
MARCH MADNESS AT THE ISLE
Gather your crew together for the ultimate March Madness watch party in the private room at Emerald Isle in Edison Park!
You and up to 30 guests will enjoy a 3-hour open bar with appetizer menu while catching all the action of the 2025 NCAA Tournament’s first or second round—on the date of your choice! Don’t miss this chance to cheer, celebrate, and enjoy the madness in VIP style. Gratuity not included.
donated by:
Erin Folan
Emerald Isle, Edison Park
LIVE AUCTION ITEM #2
golf getaway to sea island, georgia
Get away for a long weekend on a luxurious golf excursion to beautiful Sea Island, Georgia. Including United Airlines
Economy Airfare for two into Jacksonville (52 miles from Sea Island) with 3-day standard car rental, enjoy garden wing or standard view accommodations at your choice of The Cloister or The Lodge at Sea Island with a round of golf at your choice of Seaside, Plantation, or Retreat Courses. Inclusive of tax, parking, and resort fee as well as cart and forecaddie. Valid for stays through May 1, 2026.
Dr. Joseph G. Schmidt
donated by:
Sea Island
LIVE AUCTION ITEM #3
GRIDIRON TALK AT GALE STREET INN
Prepare for a memorable evening at the iconic Northwest side rib hotspot, Gale Street Inn, where you and five guests will indulge in a mouthwatering rib and lobster feast alongside some of the biggest names in football! Joining you for this exclusive dinner will be Saint Patrick High School President, Dan Santucci ‘02, Northwestern University Defensive Coordinator, Tim McGarigle ‘02, SPHS Head Football Coach & All-American Safety, Tom Zbikowski and Eddie “Barstool” Farrer ‘09. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is the perfect blend of legendary food, insider football stories, and unbeatable company!
donated by:
George Karzas
Gale Street Inn
The Wilkens Family proudly
supports the
Shamrocks of Saint Patrick High School
Rick(’82) and Laura
Bill (’80) and Amoret
Pat (’69) and Mary Ann Levar
Helen Wilkens - an eternal Shamrock
Those who dedicated their lives to Saint Patrick High School and the Shamrocks:
Herman (1957-1989) and Mary (1974 – 1991) Wilkens
Bill and Ann Wilkens (1957-1966) (DeLaSalle HS 1930-1957)
“To be entrusted with the teaching of the young is a great gift and grace of God” - St. John Baptist De La Salle
LIVE AUCTION ITEM #4
THE SUITE LIFE WITH PEARL JAM IN NASHVILLE, TN
Get ready for an epic night in Music City while you and 13 lucky guests come “Alive” at Pearl Jam’s Dark Matter World Tour in a Center Ice Suite at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday, May 8!
Experience the VIP treatment as Eddie Vedder and crew take the stage for an unforgettable show. Before the show, head to Luke Combs’ brand new hot spot, Category 10 for an app and drinks! Don’t miss out on this package - you’ll be a “Better Man” for it!
donated by: Joe ‘67 & Mary Slawek Friends of Saint Patrick High School
Mick ‘86 & Karen - Conor ’14, Jack ’19, Eddie ’23
Jack ‘80 & Laura O’Rourke, Dan O’Rourke ‘84
Patty & Michael Collins - Kevin ’20, Sean ’20, Mikey ’21
Denis ’94 & Jaime O’Rourke - Denis ’25, Liam ’27
Geralyn & Terry Lawler - Tommy ’24, Brendan ’26
Pat & Marietta Mullane - Patrick ’17
Pat ’88 & Christina Crawford - Michael ’19, Johnny ’24
Ed ’01 & Veronica Roche
Live Jesus in our Hearts Forever
LIVE AUCTION ITEM #5
ULTIMATE NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE
Bring the Shamrock Pride to the Home of the Fighting Irish! You and three friends will travel to South Bend for the Ultimate Fighting Irish Experience! Join President, Dan Santucci on October 10 & 11, 2025, and “kick off” one fabulous weekend. Friday evening, you and a small group of fans will take a tour of the Notre Dame Stadium locker room and tunnel followed by a private reception in the Chivarelli Lounge, exclusively for former football players. Enjoy dinner at a local hot spot and end the night with with a two-night stay at the Doubletree on the River in Downtown South Bend. Saturday morning, “Wake up the Echoes” at a spirit-filled tailgate before watching Notre Dame take on North Carolina State in the private club, which includes all-you-can-eat-and-drink. Don’t forget your pre-game Field Pass before the game!
donated by:
Michael Lamoretti, William Mitchell, Jim Mooney, Friends of Saint Patrick High School
Congratulations to Joseph Slawek ‘67
2025 Legacy Award Recipient
LIVE AUCTION ITEM #6
AND THE CMA GOES TO...
You never know which stars you’ll run into at the 59th CMA Awards, and this year, you and five guests will be part of the excitement! This exclusive package includes six premium centerice suite tickets to the Country Music Association Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. While the official date has yet to be announced, the show will likely take place on Wednesday, November 12 or November 19, 2025.
Your VIP experience also includes:
• Three rooms for two nights at The Westin Nashville
• Exclusive tour of Gear Seven, one of Nashville’s top recording studios—home to productions for Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Dolly Parton, and more!
• Dinner in the suite before the show with Dan ‘02 & Meredith Santucci and Joe ‘67 & Mary Slawek
donated by: Joe ‘67 & Mary Slawek
LIVE AUCTION ITEM #7
EXCLUSIVE CHICAGO CUBS
EXPERIENCE
Step up to the plate for the ultimate Chicago Cubs VIP experience at Wrigley Field on Saturday, June 21 v. the Seattle Mariners at 1:20 pm! This exclusive package for six guests starts up to 90 minutes before game in the Makers Mark Barrel Room, the hidden gem behind the visitor’s dugout. With only 240 members, this ultra-private speakeasy offers an incredible view of the visitor’s batting tunnel, gourmet food, mixologistcrafted cocktails, premium beers, and fine wines—a true luxury ballpark experience! At game time, head to your Club Box seats in Section 8, Row 5 (just steps from the 3rd base dugout!) for an unforgettable view of the action. After the game, you and your group head onto the field! Run the bases, snap photos on the pitcher’s mound, and who knows? You might even rub elbows with a Cubs legend! Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to Fly the W in true VIP style.
donated by:
Dean ‘80 & Vasi Kutrumanes
Wrigley Field Friends of the Shamrocks
Anthony ’84 & Gina Mancini Mancini Law Group P.C. would like to congratulate
JOSEPH
SAINT
SLAWEK and
PATRICK HIGH SCHOOL
on a successful Green & Gold Gala.
LIVE AUCTION ITEM #8
AC/DC SUITE FOR TWENTY
Get ready to be Thunderstruck! AC/DC is still rocking 50 years strong, and now’s your chance to witness their electrifying Power Up Tour at Soldier Field on Saturday, May 24—from the best seats in the house! This epic package includes 20 suite tickets and $2,000 in food and beverage, so you and your crew can enjoy a high-voltage night of legendary rock. Don’t miss out—this experience will shake you all night long!
Friends of Saint Patrick High School at Soldier Field
donated by:
LIVE AUCTION ITEM #9
5-NIGHT GETAWAY PASSPORT
WINNER’S CHOICE! You choose from three breathtaking getaway spots! The winner of this package will take their pick of one of the following 5-NIGHT vacations for 2 PEOPLE:
BARCELONA:
• Stay At The 5-Star Iberostar Selection Paseo De Gràcia
• Choose between a 48-hour “Hop On Hop Off” Bus Tickets + Catamaran Tour or a Barcelona Secret Food Tour
EUROPEAN PASS: With the Euro-Pass, the choice is yours— select one, two, or all three destinations to create your dream vacation!
• Amsterdam: Private luxury boat cruise through canals, Heineken brewery tour, tour Johan Cruijff Arena.
• Copenhagen: Canal architectural cruise, food tour, foodie haven!
• Vienna: Savor Austrian cuisine, relish in romantic ambiance of Vienna’s streets, enjoy quaint cafes, classical music, etc.!
ALOHA PASS: Choose your Hawaiian paradise from the vibrant Waikiki Beach in Oahu, the serene Kona on the Big Island, or the picturesque Kaanapali in Maui!
• Choose your escape
• Choose your adventure (activity)
• Choose your hotel
LIVE AUCTION ITEM #10
CHICAGO BEARS TAKE ON SIN CITY
Rest up for an action-packed weekend in Las Vegas where you will see the Chicago Bears take on the Las Vegas Raiders this fall! You and a guest will fly economy on United Airlines to Sin City (date to be announced in May when schedule is released) for a two-night stay at the luxurious Mandalay Bay Resort, known for world-class dining, spa treatments, and entertainment. No trip to Vegas is complete without an epic dining experience at Gordon Ramsay’s “Hell’s Kitchen,” where you’ll enjoy a fiery, Michelin-star-worthy meal at one of the Strip’s most iconic restaurants. This is your chance to cheer on the Monsters of the Midway while enjoying Vegas in style!
donated by: Friends of Saint Patrick High School
Proudly Supporting the Shamrocks!
Congratulations to the Shamrock 2025 Western Golf Association Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship Recipients!
Kacper Kwela ‘25, Jack Nelson ’25 & Jack Harrington ‘25
Congratulations to the Schmidt Caddie Scholars!
Jack Nelson ‘25, John Kuruc ‘26, Sammy Ramirez ‘26
Joey Rosenau ‘26, Robert Serrano ’26, Alexander Valdez ’26
Brendan Castro ‘27
Dr. Joseph Schmidt & Sheryl
A WINDY CITY GARAGES & DOORS proudly supports the Shamrocks of Saint Patrick High School
Congratulations on a successful Green & Gold Gala!
Vince Sliwa ‘02
CONGRATULATIONS TO CLASSMATE & FRIEND
Joe Slawek
ON RECEIVING THE
2025 St. Patrick Legacy Award
Gary ‘67 &
Mariann Schira
Wishing the entire Shamrock community
our students, teachers, administration, staff, alumni and Board, and all of their families a safe, happy and healthy 2025!
Dave ‘86 & Shiela Glatz
THE PRIDE OF ‘69!
Live Jesus in our hearts... forever!
Joe Asaro
James Class
Henry Gruss
Jim Konicek
Jim Kostrewa
Pat Levar
Joe Lyons
Norman Madrigali
Kevin McCann
George O’Meara
Dean Pfister
Mark Rakoczy
Rich Risner
“Joltin Joe” Stec
Ed Wallace
In Memory
Wally Doherty
Bob Lynch
Tom Noorine
Bill Kevil
Greg Mierzwinski
Sam Jamieson
... and all of our deceased classmates.
Ryan Fischer ‘11 Vice President, Mortgage Lending
rfischer@uhloans.com cell: 773.991.9642 NMLS #2218928 uhloans.com
Congrats to Joseph Slawek and Saint Patrick High School on another successful Green & Gold Gala!
The Donovan Family
congratulates
SAINT PATRICK HIGH SCHOOL on another successful Green & Gold Gala! Live Jesus in Our Hearts Forever!
CONGRATULATIONS TO JOSEPH SLAWEK
2025 LEGACY AWARD RECIPIENT
WISHING
SAINT PATRICK HIGH SCHOOL CONTINUED SUCCESS!
JIM MUNROE ‘75
Sayre & Jones Auctioneers is a full-service auction company specializing in fundraising/charity events. We are a progressive and innovative company, educated on the newest techniques but rooted in tradition. With a history of professionalism and respect, we dedicate ourselves to each and every event we are involved with—maintaining the excitement and drive, matched only by the committed organizations we serve.
Over the years, Sayre & Jones Auctioneers has become a highly respected and sought after, fundraising/charity auction company. Based in the Chicagoland area, with capabilities to travel nationwide, we have had the opportunity to serve all types of organizations, regardless of size or dollar amount. It is a history of dedication, professionalism and humanity that remains the essence of our company today.
OUR MISSION:
To provide equal passion, excitement, knowledge and professionalism to each and every event we are involved with.
www.sayreandjonesauctioneers.com
John Zelic ‘27
Tom Zelic ‘28 57th
Lewis University salutes
Joseph Slawek ’67
recipient of the Saint Patrick Legacy Award for his dedication and generosity toward Saint Patrick High School
SAINT PATRICK GREEN & GOLD GALA
Lewis is proud to share with Saint Patrick’s a common Lasallian heritage, based on the vision of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, founder of the De La Salle Christian Brothers who sponsor both the High School and the University.
Lewis University is delighted that many graduates of Saint Patrick High School are now students at Lewis. Like Saint Patrick’s, Lewis provides a Catholic and Lasallian education, imbued with Christian values, and featuring small, interactive classes, dedicated and highly competent faculty, and a vital community to offer students the kind of quality education that will help them succeed in life and their careers.
PROUD SUPPORTERS OF THE SHAMROCKS
March 7, 2026
SAINT PATRICK HIGH SCHOOL
MONDAY, JUNE 9 RIDGEMOOR