Every Student, Every Day

By Ariel Anderson '13

The halls were full of energy during Homecoming Week 2021, the first “normal” homecoming celebration in two years. Spirit Week kicked off with pajama day followed by duo day, clash day, team jersey day, and class color day! Friday’s assembly featured the cheerleaders, a school fight song challenge, the Marian Catholic Band, and a friendly tug of war between classes and the faculty. To wrap-up the week, Marian Catholic’s football team played in their first-ever CCL-ESCC Purple Division contest against St. Patrick. The difference of one conversion kick spoiled a brilliant, recordsetting night for Marian Catholic quarterback Kyle Thomas '23. St. Patrick handed the Spartans a divisional loss in a 41-40 shootout.

The Mass of the Holy Spirit, held on September 9, was the first all-school, in-person Mass since January of 2020. The entire community gathered to thank God for the gifts of creation and salvation, and to seek the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit in the coming year.

Students had the opportunity to meet with admissions representatives from over 130 in-state and out-of-state colleges and universities at the

Illinois Regional College Fair

hosted by Marian Catholic on October 4.

130+

Service Club brought some joy to senior citizens with the Give A Little, Help A Lot campaign. Students made fidget blankets with buttons, zippers, and other small items for seniors who suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. The students helped brighten someone else’s day!

Congratulations to Peyton Stoffregen '25 who won a $10,000 scholarship from Rucker Academy, a not-for-profit Community Based Organization founded by Rucker Holding. The mission of Rucker Academy is to strengthen families and build stronger communities, by ensuring access to equal opportunities and providing essential programs and services that will enhance and improve the quality of life for those individuals, families. and communities.

Marian Catholic’s first web-based student newspaper, The Spartan Star, made its on-line debut on October 12. From current news, to music and movie reviews, information about clubs and organizations, and the latest in Marian Catholic sports, The Spartan Star is produced for students, about students, and by students! English teacher and moderator Mr. Michael Wamble, guides students through the entire production process.

Led by sophomore Tommy Walsh, members of Generation Green planted a living wall in Main Hall complete with a built-in irrigation system to keep the plants alive and thriving! Congratulations to the 101 students who received an Academic Letter at the Fall Academic Awards Breakfasts held on October 28 and November 2. Honored students maintained a 4.0 GPA for two consecutive semesters at Marian Catholic.

Marian Catholic’s LatinX & Hispanic Student Coalition led the school’s Dia de los Muertos celebration by selling Conchas, Horchata, and Hot Cocoa during lunch periods. An ofrenda in main hall invited everyone to remember and honor loved ones who have passed.

101 students

Friendsgiving, a blend of friends and Thanksgiving, refers to a large meal eaten with friends near Thanksgiving. This year, a group of students hosted their own Friendsgiving with a potluck of favorite foods. Dishes included chicken, biscuits, tamales, macaroni and cheese, french fries, Hershey kisses, donuts, Takis, and Cheetos. And to wash it all down, Hawaiian Punch and Pepsi!

Congratulations to math teacher Kim Brightmore on her award from the Math Teacher’s Association of Chicago! The award recognized teachers who went above and beyond in delivering last year’s lessons and supporting students throughout the 2020-2021 school year.

As part of Ernst & Young’s National Day of Service, eleven EY employees spent time talking with Marian Catholic juniors and seniors about resume writing and virtual interviewing. The event was aligned to the company’s Supporting the Next Generation pillar focused on youth in local communities and preparing them for what is ahead in college and careers.

Sponsored by the Student Council,

Marian Catholic’s Annual Christmas Drive

raised almost $9,000 for Respond Now, an organization that provides much needed assistance to families in the south Chicago suburbs. The money was used to purchase gift cards for children in the program, making their Christmas a little brighter. The Marian Catholic Community’s generous contributions came from in-class collections, online donations, a ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Pajama dress-down day, and candy gram sales. $9,000

Discovery in Service Club members collected birthday box items to help homeless children celebrate their day. Each party-in-a-box included hats, candles, cups, plates, balloons, a small toy, and special birthday treats!

Students had fun taking selfies with a very special guest who came all the way from the North Pole for a surprise visit before finals!

A fourth place finish at the Bloom Invitational qualified Marian Catholic’s Mock Trial Team for the state tournament! Sponsored by the Illinois State Bar Association, the competition is a mock case where teams present the evidence in a trial by playing the roles of both the witnesses and the attorneys, just like in a real case.

Each school presents one side of the case with points awarded to each side based upon style and performance. Students learn the rules of evidence, just like in real court, and deliver opening statements, direct examinations of witnesses, cross-examination of witnesses, and closing arguments. Congrats to team members Patrick Biegler '23, Megan Boykins '22, Alana Canino '23, Warner Ferry '22, Lauryn Middleton '22, Kennedy Spencer '22, and Kennedey Walton '23.

Marian Catholic’s Dominican Preachers and Campus Ministers hosted Preparation in Celebration, a Christmas retreat for students that included Mass, Christmas crafts, and a fun holiday trivia game!

Xīnnián hǎo: Happy Lunar New Year!

In preparation for the Year of the Tiger, students cooked authentic Chinese dishes, such as meat and sweet potato dumplings, and shrimp.