Summer 2017 S T. B E N E D I C T P R E P H I G H S C H O O L
ALUMNI NEWSLE T TER
“Not Typical, but EXTRAORDINARY” HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM CONCLUSION PLAN UPDATE: As was announced this past February, through the strategic planning process, we came to acknowledge that our high school program is no longer financially sustainable due to market trends, demographic shifts, and declining enrollment. The financial challenges and declining enrollment make it impossible to sustain the superior four-year college preparatory academic experience that our bright and deserving high school students seek. Since the announcement our parish school has begun the high school transition plan. For our last two classes, the high school experience may not be typical, but we will make it extraordinary.
· providing four
2017-18 GOALS:
our upper classmen and acting on their recommendations: - new student lounge for HS students only - a new venue for prom - team building outing in September to Iron Oaks
· being committed to our rising junior and senior
classes through a tuition freeze and renewal of financial aid to those currently receiving assistance
· working to continue to offer a quality academic
program that prepares students for college entrance by having a fully certified and dedicated faculty
· continuing our dual credit course AP British Literature through Loyola University
· having Ms. Colleen Fahrenbach join the staff as our guidance counselor to help all students identify and achieve success in entering the colleges or universities of their choice.
· the continuation of our Protégé internship program for seniors
options for our Agora experiential week learning program: one international trip, one service- oriented trip, one local trip, and one regional trip to the Smoky Mountains.
AGORA 2017: St. Benedict High School service trip to Costa Rica
· seeking input from
Ninety-five percent of rising juniors and seniors indicated they intend to return to SBPS in the fall. We have also been providing transfer assistance to other Catholic high schools for the accepted, incoming freshman applicants and the rising sophomore class (majority were accepted at DePaul College Prep). For more information regarding our strategic plan, “Reaching New Heights 2020”, please check out our website at www.stbenedict.com.
THIS HAS BEEN A YEAR OF TRANSITION. We are grateful to Mr. Ben Mazzone (left) for all his hard work and efforts to build alumni relations over the last five years. Back in January, Ben became the school financial recorder working in our tuition office. Mr. Joe Accardi (right) assumes the role of Director of Alumni and Annual Giving beginning in July to support the work of yet-to-be-named Head of Parish and School Stewardship, who will oversee all the advancement work around the block.
Thank you alumni! Here is a snapshot of your hardearned dollars at work through the HS scholarship fund. These students, the majority of the Class of 2017, were assisted by YOU and have been able to accomplish great things. Their future is bright thanks to your support over their last four years here with us. Your gift - no matter how big or how small - continues to live on as they grow up to be college graduates, upstanding men and women in society making a difference, and living out the tradition and values espoused by St. Benedict High School.
“Make use of the lessons that you have learned at Kairos and from the relationships that you have formed here. Stay true to yourself. The future is now,
EMILY GUTIERREZ
and now is an opportunity to become better people
Protégé: Swedish Covenant Hospital
than we were in high school. It is time to not only grow independent, but also mature and accountable for our own decisions. Define success for ourselves and live up to our own expectations. Class of 2017, I am urging you
FERNANDO SAAVEDRA
to take action. Take ownership of your own destiny.”
Protégé: Paws Chicago
Maisha Kasole ‘17 Valedictorian Address at HS Commencement June 2017 JACOB WOJDYLA
MAISHA KASOLE Valedictorian Protégé: Weiss Memorial Hospital
SARA COLLETTI
VINCENT PEREZ Protégé: 2RZ Architecture
PHONATHON NEWS: Phonathon 2017 success
FELIXIA RIVERA
is thanks to Ben Mazzone and Suzanne Stone, our Protégé Internship Coordinator, who along with numerous HS students including our protégé interns manned the phones this year. We received 82 pledges that translated into over $10,000 for KAITLYN MCGOVERN the HS Scholarship Fund. Thank you!
Protégé: 47th Ward Alderman Office
ODALYS BAHENA
MONICA RUIZ
JORGE CARRANZA
TIFFANY SLOROZANO
Protégé: Grein Funeral Directors
Protégé: Wolverine Trading
Protégé: Weiss Memorial Hospital
GARY DODOVICH
LEXI GILLEN
HUNTER KOGEN
Protégé: Walsh Construction
Protégé: Fit Institute Physical Therapy
Protégé of the Year: Coonley Elementary
ADAM KUMMERER
“Life starts now, and this is our moment to think about what matters, what’s important, and what positive contributions can be made to make something, anything happen. Going forward, have the confidence
KEZIA DANSO
to follow what you know is right in your heart. This
Protégé: Doula at Birthways
is our new first day as graduates of 2017 to share our new gifts and talents on whatever journey we take. Along this path, God will be there with signs to help us reach the destination we want to achieve.
TESSA NYKAZA
What difference will you make?”
Protégé: Weiss Memorial Hospital
Ursula Baca ‘17 Salutatorian Address at HS Commencement URSULA BACA Salutatorian
June 2017 RHEA OMANDAM Protégé: Weiss Memorial Hospital
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARDS: This year’s Alumni Association Awards were presented by Jeanette (Gerlsberger) Heiner ‘54 to two outstanding graduates, Adam Kummerer and Sara Colletti.
BROOKLYNN MARCHAN Protégé: Diana L. Patarroyo Dental
“When you put the pieces of success together into one cumulative concept, I believe that one of the most important pillars is noticing the signs. When
YASMINA TUEROS
when you believe that everything with a will will happen in your heart of hearts, when you sleep, eat, dream, and breathe your goal then it will happen. Another one of those pillars is relying on the right people to help you become better. Without my teachers, I wouldn’t be who I am.” Kaitlyn McGovern ‘17 Student Address at HS Commencement June 2017
Please consider a gift today as we prepare for the new school year with our rising juniors and seniors.
GRADS OF BOTH ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL
you notice signs as they can be you create them as they will be. Just like
RYAN HONG Protégé: SBPS Advancement Office
ALESSANDRA SKOLNICK
JACK GAERDITZ
Non-Profit Organization
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3900 N. Leavitt I Chicago, IL 60618 Phone: 773-539-0066 I www.StBenedict.com
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SAVE THE DATE - AUGUST 19, 2017
Annual All-Class Reunion Anticipated Sunday Mass St. Benedict Church 5:00pm - 6:00pm
2016 ALL-CLASS REUNION:
Jeanette (Gerlesberger) Heiner was inducted into the AlumniI Hall of Fame
Courtyard Celebration 6:00pm - 9:30pm (School Tours will be available) BBQ Dinner Cheeseburgers, Hot Dogs, Bratwurst, Coleslaw, Potato Salad, Pasta Salad, Dessert Beverages (Cash Bar) Beer, Wine, Soda, Water
$20 PER PERSON
For more informations go to: http://sbps.stbenedict.com/upcoming-events-at-st-
PLEASE R.S.V.P. TO MR. ACCARDI AT JACCARDI@STBENEDICT.COM OR THE ALUMNI OFFICE (773) 509-3832