

A Spirit of Service


A Note From the Head of School
We are also focusing on fostering a growth mindset and equipping our students with the skills they need to tackle complex problems, both inside and outside the classroom.
In what felt like a blink of the eye, we kicked off our 6th school year here at The Academy
Nothing brings more hope or joy than the start of school and witnessing the excitement and dreams in the students’ eyes. This joy is amplified seeing the students' excitement met with the love of our teachers I must say, I love my job
For 2024-2025 we welcomed 42 new students to The Academy family, including five preschoolers who are the children of St. Joan of Arc alumni. We also welcomed four new teachers to our amazing team of gifted and talented educators
As we prepared for the year we focused our hearts on challenging our students to think critically and problem-solve creatively. This year we are excited to deepen our commitment to providing a rigorous educational experience, with emphasis on our math program
ASJA Adminstrative Team
But while academic excellence is a priority, we also believe that education should nurture the whole child. Our mission is to guide students to use their knowledge by fostering a spirit of service to others. By integrating opportunities for community service into our programs, we are helping our students develop not just as scholars, but as compassionate and responsible citizens committed to following Jesus’ example.

Kristina Reyes, Head of School, kristana.reyes@theacademysja.org
Caroline Kennedy, Director of Marketing and Communication, caroline kennedy@theacademysja org
Lisa Tomassetti, Director of Operations, lisa tomassetti@theacademysja org
Holly Pickering, Director of Advancement & Community Engagement, holly.pickering@theacademysja.org
Missy Hebson, ‘85, Administrative Assistant, missy hebson@theacademysja org
Before our students returned to the building, our teachers invested much time in professional development. We celebrated our hard work on a glorious Chicago Friday afternoon cheering on the Chicago Cubs
Kristina Reyes, Head of Schol
Student Saint
Learning - Academics at The Academy
No time was wasted getting right back to work in the classroom. Students are on their second year using Illustrative Math and teachers have worked together to create a deep conceptual understanding of the subject The MAP scores below show their tremendous growth! Throughout the school students are settling into their classrooms and learning with joy




Creating - Arts at The Academy
Students are enjoying amazing experiences from participating in band and choir to watching and staging plays. In Art class the students are learning the seven elements of art.



Playing - Sports at The Academy
Fall sports are in full swing! Our 4th-8th grade girls and boys are participating in cross country, girls basketball, football, and cheerleading. Saturday Morning Basketball and a Sunday afternoon pickleball league are right around the corner




Growing - Practicing Faith at The Academy
A Blessing of the Backpacks kicked off the year at the first of our weekly all-school masses. Through our partnership with St. John Henry Newman Parish, twenty 8th graders are working and looking forward to their confirmation and our sweet 2nd graders are preparing for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion



A spirit of service has long been rooted in our school’s history, including the enormous generosity of time and treasure shared by all the folks that founded The Academy. A sense of community before self is the mindset of everyone connected to the school, from our myriad of volunteers to our faculty and staff
Nurturing this spirit of service in our students is a priority for our faculty and families and as a result enriching volunteer opportunities are woven into the fabric of the students’ days at The Academy
Buddies
A long, beloved tradition, students in upper grades serve as “buddies” to the lower grades each year. Each older student is paired with a younger student, serving as a mentor for the entire year. This relationship often extends far beyond their initial year, with countless stories of buddies remaining friends for a lifetime

Arc of Hope
Academy students continue a long-standing partnership with Arc of Hope Uganda that began with SJA Parish and School Last year the students raised money to purchase their peers at St. Joan of Arc Uganda a cow named Monica. Monica just had a calf named Gracie. Grace indeed!



f Service
Service Week
Service Week mobilizes grades K-8 into action across one week each spring to go out into the community and serve Founded by Margaret Pezza, P ‘16, ’18, ‘20 and supported by our Parent Volunteer Committee, this week of service has been a tradition 10+ years. Opportunities for service range from making treats for animal shelters to visits with veterans The week culminates in a student-led prayer service Overtime, The Academy has established wonderful partnerships with many community groups and everyone looks forward to this special week each year

S.O.S. Club
Launched in the Fall of 2023, the Service Over Self (S O S ) Club is an after school club led by Kindergarten teacher, Maureen Quiery S O S gives students an additional opportunity to put their goodwill into action and empowers them to make a difference.
Last year ’ s projects included making blankets and care bags for the homeless The club recently received a grant from the Skokie Valley Rotary Club to update the school garden.
Summer Service
This past summer, under the leadership of an Academy parent, the school launched a summer service program in partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Howard Area Community Center providing volunteer service at their food pantry. Every Friday Academy students and their families helped onsite putting their compassion into action and learning about food insecurities and reducing waste. Bonus - they were often led by former classroom teacher and current Director of Student Support, Mariellen Hendricks, P ‘98, ‘00, ‘02, ‘05.


Giving at The Academy
A Note from The Director of Advancement and Community Engagement
Such a long title that really translates to there’s very little In life that I love more than The Academy at St Joan of Arc and the community that surrounds the school
By way of introduction, I am Holly Pickering, proud Academy parent to James ‘20, Thomas ‘23, and Mae ‘27 My family joined the community in 2008 when we moved here from Texas
Amongst many roles through the years, I served on the Strategic Leadership Committee that helped launch The Academy In 2019. Outside of raising my children, it’s the most rewarding endeavor I have been apart of accomplishing.
As The Academy approached their 5-year anniversary and began to formalize plans to ensure the school’s long-term success and sustainability, I jumped at the chance to help lead this process

With 20 years in development and a Masters In Nonprofit Management, I believe in advancing the mission while engaging all stakeholders and respecting the sacrifices of your time and treasure I care deeply about sustaining a mission so near and dear to all our hearts.
My role is to listen, strategically plan, and work as hard as I can to support your efforts to advance The Academy’s mission
Together we will ensure that the school that has offered so many blessings to our families is around for generations to come. Go Saints!
The Academy’s Annual Advancement Efforts
Fun Run - Oct. 2024
Our annual student-led campaign sponsored by the PVC aimed at students’ families and supporters.
Annual Giving Campaign - Dec. 2024
Alumni, alumni families, and Academy friends’ annual endeavor to raise funds to support tuition assistance.
Moving forward all donors will be recognized in the Annual Report Edition of Saints published each year in June
More information can be found at www theacademysja org/giving
Gala - March 1, 2024
PVC’s signature special event to raise critical school operating dollars and fund special enhancements. Includes sponsorship opportunities
Honorary & Memorial Gifts
Gifts made in honor or memory of a loved one creating a lasting impact on the lives of our students
Legacy Giving
Academy Stakeholders may choose to make a lasting legacy on generations of saints by making a planned gift
The Community at The Academy
Parent Volunteer Committee (PVC)
PVC’s year is off to a great start. With a mission to build community and raise dollars for The Academy’s operation budget, they are well on their way having hosted many fun events like Back to School Night and Oktoberfest Fun Run and the Gala are right around the corner. Thank you PVC Leaders and Volunteers!
2024-2025 PVC Executive Team
Anje Cluxton, ‘89 - President
Emily Piga, ‘95 - Vice President
Megan Haughey - Secretary
Kate Ommen - Treasurer
Denise Leicester-Radke - Communications

The Academy Junior Board
23 Academy high school alums have stepped up to serve on the 2024-2025 Academy Junior Board. The Junior Board mentors Academy 8th graders helping to prepare them for high school. Members also volunteer at Academy events We are so proud of this awesome team of alumni!
Claire B ‘24
Colin B s ‘23
Nora B. ‘23
Danny C. ‘23
Betty C. ‘24
Denny D ‘21
Matt G ‘23
Tommy G ‘23
Joe H. ‘23
Caden H.‘21
Brady J. ‘22
Ella K ‘23
Kate M ‘23
Will M. ‘23
Augie O. ‘21
Thomas P. ‘23
Francie R ‘21
Carey S ‘24
Stella S ‘24
Bella S. ‘22
Josie S. ‘22

Community Event YOU’RE
PVC Turkey Trot - November 16, 2024
Join us for everyone ' s favorite traveling social event (not a race)! Meet fellow Saints and and visit with friends as you "trot" from house to house. http://weblink donorperfect com/turkeytrot24
The Lot at The Academy at THE FAT SHALLOT!
The Academy’s Annual Christmas Tree Lot held the weekend after Thanksgiving, Friday November 29 - Sunday, December 1st Moving to The Fat Shallot, 2902 Central St. Evanston. Details to come.
Christmas Sign Up Party - December 7, 2024
Feeling festive? Join your hosts for an elegant evening of holiday spirits, heavy appetizers, and warm hospitality at the home of the Bishop’s 9401 Ridgeway, Evanston. http://weblink.donorperfect.com/Christmasparty2024
Ladies Christmas Luncheon - December 12, 2024
Yummy bites, bubbly, and shopping culminating with the sweetest Christmas Program and Nativity. The perfect way to celebrate the season. Registration coming soon.




s At The Academy INVITED!
Academy Class of 2020 Guest Speakers at Christmas Prayer Service
December 20th - 10:45 a.m.
Join members of the Class of 2020 as they reflect on their journey from their time at The Academy through their freshman semester at college.
Community Saints Day
Donor & Volunteer Mass & Breakfast
January 31, 2025 8:30 a.m. Mass
As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week and The Academy's Founding Day please join us for a morning of community as we thank you - our supporters and stakeholders - for the boundless gifts of time, talent and treasure you contribute to our school.
http://weblink donorperfect com/communitysaintsday24
Gala - March 1, 2025
An elegant evening of dining and dancing at Evanston Golf Club. The Academy’s signature special event and largest fundraiser. Community Sponsorships available. Registration opening soon.
Friends of The Academy SJA on Facebook for current event details & registrations.




Eileen Sheahan’s Light
This past Winter, Eileen Sheahan ‘16 passed away in a tragic skiing accident. In addition to being a beloved member of the St. Joan of Arc Class of 2016, Eileen is the oldest daughter of Board Chair Patti Sheahan and her husband, longtime community stakeholder T.J. Sheahan Eileen is also the niece of Academy teachers and alumni parents Kathy Caplice P’ 06, ‘08 and Mariellen Hendricks, P ‘98, ’00, ‘02. ’05.
Eileen was the oldest of four siblings, all who graduated from SJA/ASJA - Erin ‘17, Margaret ’19, and Michael ’21 Eileen and her family have deep roots in the community and her passing was felt far and wide by many. It is often said that the St. Joan of Arc community feels like a family, and to many that never felt more true than facing the loss of Eileen
Eileen’s friends and family coined the phrase “Live Like Eileen” and established the Eileen Sheahan Memorial Scholarship at The Academy.

To “Live Like Eileen” means to live with kindness, loyalty, strength, compassion, humor, and to love unconditionally. Eileen exuded these qualities and captured the hearts of everyone she met with her blue eyes and loving, joyful spirit.

Through the incredible efforts and generosity of her friends and family, Eileen’s light continues to shine brightly. Shortly following her passing, the Sheahan’s established The Eileen Sheahan Memorial Scholarship. To date over 500 gifts have been made in memory of Eileen
Additionally, Eileen’s friends and family have come together to coordinate many efforts to honor Eileen’s memory, including Live Like Eileen shirts and sporting events.
Eileen’s sorority at the University of Michigan and Eileen’s sisters at the University of Indiana have both hosted incredibly successful Live Like Eileen 5Ks. In October three of Eileen’s oldest SJA school classmates Lily Delaney ‘16, Rileigh Farragher ‘16, and Meaghan Haughey ’16, are running the Chicago Marathon in her honor, amongst others efforts across the country
Eileen Sheahan, ‘16
Eileen, second from right, with siblings Michael ‘21, Margaret ‘19 and Erin ‘17
Continues to Shine
All of these generous heart-felt efforts are making a tremendous impact on the students of The Academy. During the 2024-2025 school year, four students received scholarships. These gifts make it possible for the school to ensure that any student that desires it, can access the gift of education and a community that meant so much to Eileen.
One only needs to look as far as Eileen and her family to understand why these scholarships matter The selfless, faithful loving spirit of Eileen is one that The Academy works to cultivate In the hearts and minds of all our students.
Eileen’s spirit was truly extraordinary. We thank all of her friends and family for helping to keep it shining in the hearts and minds of all our Saints





Left: Supporters at the Live Like Eileen Indiana 5K. The Eileen Sheahan Award Is given to a third grader at The Academy who exemplifies what it means to Live Like Eileen. The inaugural award was given to Maggie S and presented by Eileen’s sister Margaret ‘19 and Erin ‘17
Top to Bottom: Eileen and classmates at St Joan of Arc through the years
Eilleen and her family Fall 2023.
Alumni at The Academy
Once a Saint, Always a Saint




The Next Generation of Saints
The 2024-2025 Preschool class at The Academy includes five children of proud alums: Michael Da Mario ‘02, Julian Williams ‘04, Danny Kozlak ‘00, Toni Stout ‘01, and Molly Centlivre ’05. And if that wasn’t enough of a fun reunion, the classroom is being led by teacher Catherine Kane, ‘14 and aide Carolyn Woodward, ‘14.

The Academy has a long tradition of educating generations of families Currently 16 alumni parents have a total of 26 students enrolled Our alumni and children of alumni are a vital component of the school’s spirit, keeping us connected to our traditions and the community at large


Our Newest Saints!
Elisa April ’07 and Jacob Beach welcomed Rory James on August, 23, 2024.
Briggs King ’07 and Olivia King welcomed Quinn Kathryn on September 17, 2024 Briggs pictured with proud grandfather Founding Board Chair, Steve King, P’07, ‘07, ’10, ‘14.
Young Alumni Updates
Kaden J. ’20 a freshman at the University of Miami, landed a student job with the Miami Hurricanes football coaching staff where he is using advanced analytics to establish player development and roster management strategies.
Bella S. ’22 won gold in the 14-17 Team Kata Division qualifying her to compete at the Pan American Championships in Brazil and at the World Championships in Venice
Congratulations to Kate M. ’23 on receiving one of ETHS varsity field hockey team’s three coveted core value coins She was honored for her selflessness as a team player
Through Loyola Academy’s summer service week, Francie R. ’21 spent a week living in a church in Milwaukee and working at food banks, food pantries and homeless sanctuaries cooking, cleaning, and visiting with the less fortunate in that city. A life of service was introduced at ASJA and continued Francie is the daughter of SJA Alum Terry Ryan ’91.
Notre Dame College Prep Students, and ASJA alums Sean C. ‘21 (second from left) and Caden H. ‘21 (far right) were named Commended Students In the National Merit Scholarship Program





Reunions
The Class of 1969 will celebrate their 55th Reunion on October 19, 2024
The Class of 1972 held a mini-reunion this past Fall.
The Class of 1974 will celebrate their 25th Reunion in November 2024
The Class of 2014 celebrated their 10th reunion this past July.


Weddings
Michelle Olivares '01 and Alex Blodau - July 6, 2024 (pictured)
Christian Friedrich ’01 and Jackie Shipman - August 26, 2024
Saints In Sympathy
Joan Hattstrom Phillips ’59 - View Obituary
Carolyn McConnell, P ’81, ’85 - View Obituary.
Richard Burke, P ‘71, ‘73, ‘74, ‘77, ‘85 - View Obituary

Class of 1972
Class of 2014
Academy Board of Directors
Patti Sheahan, P ‘16, ’17, ’19, ’21
Board Chair
Rachel Atterberry, P ’25, ’27
Assistant General Counsel, Litigation and Labor & Employment at Beam Suntory Inc
Dan Byrnes, P ’23, ’23, ’25, ‘28
Principal & Senior Portfolio Manager at AAM
Shana Carroll, P ‘29
Clinical Professor and Associate Chair, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
Sarah Cummins, P ’18 President, Swellsville Marketing
Beth Davoren, ‘89, P'19, '21, ’25
Partner Experience Manager, Defined Learning
Larkin Flanagan, P '11, '12, '14, '18 Managing Director, Thompson Flanagan.
Timothy Kane, P ’12, ’14, ‘17 English Teacher, Loyola Academy
Emeritus Board Members
Steve King, P ’07, ’07, ’10, ’14 Founding Partner, Prairie Capital
Johnjoe Farragher, ‘85, P ’16, ‘18 President, EduSmart Education
Ted Cominos, P ‘19, ’22, ’25 Corporate Partner, Eversheds-Sutherland LLP
Jeana Marqueda, P ’19, ’21 Marketing Director, Infrastructure Engineering, Inc.
Outgoing Board Members
This past June longtime board members Dan Schermerhorn, P ‘10, ‘11 and Nikki Rafferty completed their board service Dan was instrumental in founding the school and shared untold hours toward advancing the mission As a leadership coach with Notre Dame’s ACE Principal Academy, Nikki’s expertise and experience was invaluable, especially during the early years of establishing The Academy.

