Montini Catholic Bronco Express April 2021

SPRING 2021

Students back on campus!

PEER MINISTRY coat drive

WINTER SPORTS WRAP-UP

MEET JAN ORLOWSKI, MCHS Board chair

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT “It feels and sounds like a high school again!”

- Jim Segredo, President

Bronco Express Spring 2021

upcoming events Virtual Maroon & Gold Gala - April 24 One Day of Giving - May 11 Founder’s Day/Graduation - May 21 Bronco Classic Golf Outing - August 13

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For student stories please contact Barbara Dawson, Print Media Coordinator at: bdawson@montini.org For alumni updates please email us at: alumni@montini.org

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Montini Catholic Bronco Express

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Dear Alumni and Friends, Through the leadership of Principal Kevin Beirne, Assistant Principal Sara Lhotka and our faculty planning committee, and after much planning and input from faculty, students and parents - along with modifications to our classrooms and schedule - I am very happy to report that on February 17th, Montini Catholic returned to full in-person learning. We have discontinued the hybrid method of instruction and students are back in school five days a week. Students have been given the option to continue with a remote method of instruction, however the majority have returned to campus to finish up their third quarter and begin their fourth of the 2020-21 school year.

Having our students back on campus has brought a great deal of spirit and enthusiasm. They are participating in IHSA sporting activities (congratulations to our Broncettes who finished 2nd in State in Dance, page 5) and other extracurricular activities. Our spring theater production, music/band concerts, Homecoming, Prom and Academic Awards are being held in April and May, and we are presently in the planning stages for outdoor Founder’s Day and Graduation ceremonies.

Although it would be nice to have all students back on campus, having the majority of them here has been great. It feels and sounds like a high school again. During our hybrid learning stage, Broncos continued to display their spirit of service with an overwhelming response to our Thanksgiving Golden Gobbler Food Drive, our Christmas Adopt a Family program and our Winter Coat Drive for John Stroger Hospital in Cook County (page 3). I am truly proud of their continued spirit to help others.

I am also extremely grateful to the members of our Board of Directors (page 9) for their constant support throughout this pandemic. Their sacrifice of time, their advice and consultation and their financial generosity played a major role in helping us get through this year successfully.

We are proud to have many success stories to report. From the Robotics team qualifying for State for the second straight year (page 5) to students engaging and excelling academically and athletically, I can say with confidence that the 2020-21 school year will go down as another successful one.

The quality of instruction and services provided by our faculty and staff throughout our e-Learning experience has been recognized by our neighboring grade school communities. This year over 180 eighth grade students sat for our placement exam and over 150 eight graders are presently registered for the 21-22 school year. With additional students expected to register in the upcoming months, our newest members - the class of 2025 - is expected to be one of our largest freshmen classes in recent years.

By the time you receive this latest edition of Bronco Express, it will have been over a year since our campus was shut down (March 16, 2020) due to the pandemic. It has been a very challenging and difficult year and there are still many challenges that we continue to face. Last year, when we asked for assistance to help families struggling financially due to the pandemic and mitigating guidelines, many of you responded enthusiastically to our One Montini Tuition Assistance Appeal. This year as we experienced unbudgeted expenses, members of our school community responded favorably to our Annual Fund and Giving Tuesday in early December. As we near the end of this school year we will be reaching out to you to ask for your support of our One Montini Tuition Assistance Appeal which will be held on Tuesday, May 11th. The funds raised will be used to help several of our families who are still struggling from the economic fall-out of the COVID-19 pandemic with tuition assistance and/or financial aid. I hope that you will give strong consideration to support us on this day.

As always, my sincere appreciation for all your support and generosity to our school community and “May Jesus Live In Our Hearts…Forever!”

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Sincerely, To receive your Bronco Express electronically please contact Michelle O’Connor ‘88 at: moconnor@montini.org

Spring 2021

In all issues of Bronco Express, an asterisk (*) follows the names of our legacy students (students of alumni).

Jim Segredo, President

SERVICE NEWS

LOVE AND COMPASSION 101 Dr. Michael Alebich ‘03 is second from the right above, with Campus Minister Mike Blanchette (center in black); Montini Peer Ministers (left) organize the coat donations.

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n conjunction with Catholic Schools Week, our Peer Ministers teamed up with Dr. Michael Alebich '03,* at John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital of Cook County to provide coats for patients in need.

It’s no surprise that Montini came to his mind when the situation presented itself. As a Bronco student, Mike was not one to sit on the sidelines. “What wasn't I involved in at Montini!? I was the proud winner of the senior superlative awards of ‘most school spirit’ and ‘most likely to vote for themselves,’” he recalls.

“In my spare time away from my studies I found time *DO, FACP; Associate DIO; Clinical Documentation Physician Leader; Co-Director of Medical Student Programs; Attending Physician, Division of Hospital Medicine

There was no epiphany moment that motivated him to go into medicine. “I knew I liked science and people, and it seemed that a doctor blended those things nicely. I fell in love with what I do well after high school and only truly knew it was something I could do for a career once I was a resident (doctor in training).”

“I was, and still am, inspired by Dr. Mordente,” he said. “ I can still hear his voice saying "Tempus questions, quad libatales - please forgive my Latin, it's been a while. His infectious positivity is something I aspire to convey to my patients.” (Mike’s life has also forever been touched by - “Coach A, Coach Bu, and Coach McCann!”)

"We were honored to be able to help Mike and his patients at Stroger," said Mr. Blanchette who traveled to Chicago to deliver the donations.

"There is no better time (than Catholic Schools Week) to demonstrate compassion and kindness towards those in need. We are very happy that he reached out to us and will continue our relationship with Stroger in the hopes of helping even more of those in need in the future."

“On behalf of Stroger Hospital and the patients we serve I send a heartfelt thank you for the generous donation from the Montini family. These clothes may seem like a small gesture to the individual donator, but they will go a long way to assist our neediest patients.”

Mike encourages all interested to volunteer at any shelter in the city or donate to the Cook County Health Foundation.* “They can also continue to help by considering a future career in service to the underserved.” *@ cchealthfoundation.org

Montini Catholic Bronco Express

Dr. Alebich reached out to his alma mater in the hopes that Broncos could provide assistance in obtaining new and gently used coats for the hospital's many underinsured patients - many of whom are without basics. “I remember one day a patient was ready for discharge. It was maybe 15 degrees outside and he was undomiciled,” he said. “To make matters worse, his clothes were discarded in the emergency department. We had to buy him clothes as we had limited supplies in our social work office for a man of his size. I felt this was an easy fix. I thought to myself, ‘I'll ask the Montini community, they will donate and this situation won't happen again.’ I wasn't disappointed.”

to play football, run track, engage in student government, and practice the dance moves to nearly every NSYNC video - to bust out at all the school dances - or at home alone, or at a house party, or at the supermarket, anywhere really.”

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SCHOOL NEWS

WE’RE BACK I

n order to study the feasibility of our plan for a transition to a learning model that would bring the vast majority of students back to school on a daily basis, Montini’s administration formed a planning group in the first semester. The group, made up of a cross section of staff and faculty members, met weekly with the goal of devising the best plan possible for getting our students back together, full and in-person.

“I'm grateful for the collaborative work of the excellent and diverse group of educators in our planning group,” says Principal Kevin Beirne. “They were faced with an incredibly difficult challenge and tough decisions. As the landscape surrounding the virus began to shift in mid-January it became clear to the group that we were nearing the appropriate point to move “Bronco spirit is back in the air! Our concern for our students’ social and mental health drove us to get as back to normal as soon forward from the hybrid learning model we'd employed since the beginning of the school year.”

possible. And, our commitment to small class size made this transition much easier and safer to master.” - Jim Segredo, President

In mid-March the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) issued new guidance in an effort to provide schools the needed flexibility to return to in-person learning. Members of our Planning Group felt those expert recommendations validated much of the planning undertaken. “Since bringing our students back to school in a fuller way in mid-February, the pulse in the building is again palpable,” says Kevin. “While we're not yet past the pandemic, it's clear that we're making great progress towards moving forward from it. The teaching and learning, opportunities to grow in faith, socialization, activity, and sense of community that our students knew before the upheaval of the pandemic, are alive and well at Montini Catholic.”

Montini Catholic Bronco Express

From top left: Students collaborate with their remote-learning classmates; preparations are in motion for the April Spring play production of “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten;” Winter decorating; Freshmen math students problem solve while experimenting with mousetrap cars; Chicago HIstory students enjoyed a delicious ‘Chicago Hot Dog Day;’ Pottery making in Art II; Students left notes on our Learning Resource Center windows telling what they are thankful for; NHS sponsored their annual Blood Drive; Friday Night Lights are back at Duffy although our Broncos succumbed to Mount Carmel’s Caravan at their first game - it felt great to be back on the field; Math team members compete during a virtual Math Competition;

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Spring 2021

SCHOOL NEWS

STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS ——————–––––––– –––

Broncos never take a break from

achieving greatness

———––––––––—HEATHER SLEDZINSKI –––——— Heather is the perfect example of a Bronco that never slows down! She was most recently congratulated on her perfect score at the March 9th Illinois Math League National Competition.

There were only 28 students in the entire state that had perfect scores on the last competition and she was one of them!

Heather received the Robert Huntoon Memorial Scholarship for Excellence in Mathematics as well as the 2020 Fermilab Science Award last May. She is a member of the Math Team, the Spanish Club, the National Honor Society (Vice President), the Spanish Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. She was also named an AP Scholar with Distinction this fall.

Heather is this year's Tri-M (Music) Honor Society Treasurer and shares her musical talents as a member of the Treblemakers. She was only the second Bronco to achieve All State Choir status this past winter. She is enjoying her second year as a member of Montini's Peer Ministry Team and is a member of LaSallian Youth, as well as Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She also finds the time to represent Montini Catholic as a Student Ambassador. She is quite honored to be a member of the Student Government. Athletically, she has been a vital member of the Bronco Cross Country and Track and Field Teams. Go Heather!

––– ARTISTS

BRONCETTES ARE 2ND IN STATE!

Congratulations to our Broncettes who finished second in state (2A) for dance!

The girls and head coach Eugenia Scavone ‘84 - who is also celebrating her 30th anniversary coaching the Broncettes - were honored on March 11th during our girls basketball game. (The IHSA State Competition was virtual with teams submitting their routines digitally.) Above l to r: Coach Eugenia Scavone ‘84, Principal Kevin Beirne, Coach Carrie Pionke ‘06, Aerin Sidler ‘22*, Emma Canty ‘23*, Carissa Collier ‘23, Kayla Chrapkowski ‘21, Rosalie Moraga ‘21, Kayla Kulhanek ‘22, Emerald Whaley ‘21, Amanda Mrazek ‘22, Randi Moraga ‘23, Athletic Director Tom Lentine, Megan Canty ‘22*, Frankie Arroyo ‘24, Tessa Gramann ‘22 and Claudia Sipchen ‘24.

OF THE MONTH ———––––––––—

ROBOTICS ARE STATE BOUND

Montini Catholic Bronco Express

Congratulations to our standouts: November Diane Maimonis ‘22 - for her dual performances in ‘1984’ this fall; December - Zena Jabir ‘21 - for her band and theater talents; January Jillian Snukst ‘21 - for her fine arts skills; February Michael Spidale ‘21 - for his exceptional pen and ink and digital designs.

On March 13th our two Robotics Teams competed against 51 other Illinois teams in the Great Lakes 8 VEX Robotics Competition. This was the final qualifying event for the Illinois State Tournament (March 26). Team 82997A, led by driver and programmer Jack Sebben, spotter and builder Ayaan Dhir ‘21, builders Daniel Cyze ‘21, Anjay Dhir ‘24, Alex Silveyra ‘23 and Devin Chiaramonti ‘21*, will be headed to state! They posted our best driver score and their overall score was 121 points, which was enough to qualify. (Team 82997B was led by driver Thomas Cyze ‘23, programmer and spotter Joshua Tolefree ‘22, and builders Dhruv Patel ‘24, Frank Flores ‘24, Will Prater ‘23, and Brendan Dwyer ‘22. They posted our best autonomous score and their overall score was 98 points.) Over 130 teams competed this season - only the top 32 qualified for State. Of that 32, Montini is the only private school in the State tournament. Awesome, Broncos!

Spring 2021 5

AT H L E T I C S

Winter

SPORTS WRAP-UP BASKETBALL

––– SPORTS SHORTS ––––––––

THEY’RE MOVING ON UP

Congratulations to our 8 athletes who committed to colleges during National Sports Signing Days.

Our Boys Varsity Basketball team finished the season with an 5-10 record, but Coach Adam DeMong (left) is not discouraged by the record. “This group competed hard and improved each and every day. Our team waited patiently as COVID-19 delays caused frustration, but were ready to work when the IHSA and IDPH allowed our season to begin.” Seniors Jemari Moore, AJ Ashford and Antoine Harris had strong seasons, while juniors Andrew Stokes, Tyler Leeberg,* Estevan Moreno and Ned Kalata and sophomores Trey Barrett and Joe Spaccapaniccia* made great contributions in the rotation. CCL All Conference this season - Andrew Stokes (4th Team All Conference) and Jemari Moore (Honorable Mention). On February 19, the Broncos won 55-53 at Loyola Academy on a last second lay-up by Antoine Harris, assisted by Jemari Moore. The following night, Montini won at Aurora Christian 66-51 to move the wining streak to 2 games.

The first home victory came against St. Joseph on February 26, ending a long drought against the rival Chargers from Westchester. A thrilling overtime victory over Providence-St. Mel was highlighted by some late-game heroics and shooting from Ned Kalata. The final victory was a road win at Providence Catholic on the last night of the season, highlighted by a 26-point effort from Andrew Stokes. With 1 overtime loss and 4 games decided by single digits, this group competed every night and is really close to breaking through. The momentum is building at Montini and it’s an exciting time to be a Bronco!

Montini Catholic Bronco Express Montini Catholic Bronco Express

The pandemic shortened 2021 season presented a great deal of changes, challenges, and great opportunities for a young and talented Lady Bronco squad. First year Head Coach, Shannon (Herold) Spanos ’99 (left) inherited a team that looked considerably different from the 3rd Place Class A Bronco team that finished the 2019/20 season. The Lady Broncos returned juniors Sawyer White and Sam Mogilinski (co-captains), and sophomore Shannon Blacher. The roster was filled out with sophomore transfer Maren Hoovel, Miranda Bon Durant, and freshmen Alyssa Epps, Victoria Matulevicius and Riley White. Our two seniors were Alivia Gianatasio and Mary Kate O'Connor (out with an injury). “We really had a challenging start to the season while facing strong division opponents Loyola, Fenwick, and St. Ignatius,” said Coach Spanos.

“Despite the tough competition, we played incredibly hard, competing in every game, and improving despite the win/loss record.”

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“As the season progressed, the young team began to understand and trust the process, gained confidence, played excellent team basketball, and positive results followed,” added Spanos. We won 5 of our final 7 games and chalked up big conference wins over Trinity 65-46 and Mother McAuley 54-46. In the final game of the season, the girls lost a close game to Mother McAuley 47-45. The 2021 Lady Broncos boast two All-Conference selections - sophomore Shannon Blacher and freshman Victoria Matulevicius. Blacher had an impressive season averaging 13.4 points per game, 8 rebounds per game, and shot 78% from the free throw line. Freshman Matulevicius was equally impressive averaging 14 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game, and shooting 82% from the line.

The Lady Broncos will return all starters and the entire bench for the 2021/2022 season. While they will still be young next year, depth will be added with an exciting and talented incoming freshman class. The current freshman and sophomore class will benefit and grow from the considerable varsity minutes played this season. That experience will bode well for Coach Spanos and the 2021/2022 Lady Broncos team. The future is extremely bright for the Lady Broncos!

Spring 2021

Jack Angus - Baseball Belmont Abbey College, North Carolina Kennedi Bell - Volleyball Lewis University, Illinois Madeline Crosse* - Gymnastics Iowa State University Cal Doucet* - Football Indiana Wesleyan Nicolas Fisch - Cross Country/Track Illinois Wesleyan Max Kasallis* - Baseball University of Wisconsin - Parkside Jalen McBride - Football Valparaiso University Patrick Wind - Football Rockhurst University

AT H L E T I C S

EUGENIA SCAVONE’84 CELEBRATES 30 YEARS As her Broncettes take 2nd Place at State IHSA Dance Competition Eugenia (Wasson) Scavone '84 is celebrating her 30th anniversary as head coach of our award winning Broncettes. In the fall of 1991, a time when Murphy Brown, New Kids on the Block and Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles were making the scene, Eugenia was making her own - beginning what she describes as a very memorable and rewarding coaching career. Her love for dance started at a very young age, "I took ballet and jazz classes prior to high school and in college I was a member for one year on the Illinois State University Dance Team."

(She was a Bronco cheerleader for two years, and a Broncette for two.)

"Coaching is my passion. There are so many rewards. The biggest is being able to make a positive difference in one’s high school experience by giving them great memories - half-time performances, choreography sessions, practices, competition season, the fashion show, hosting kids’ summer camp, alumni support and all the traditions that we keep - and the new traditions that we add each year."

Coaching a large group of young, energetic teenagers has its challenges as well. "Every year the dynamics of the team change and what goes on in everyday life with young adults is different than how it was from what I remember as a teenager," says Eugenia. "On the competitive side, there is so much talent across the state of Illinois. The challenge for me has been learning how to be creative, resilient, motivational, and open to change while at the same time staying true to who I am and to this program."

Eugenia stresses there are too many great memories to count, but a few do seem to stand out: "1982 - When I first made Broncettes; 1983 - when my parents gave me a 'boom box' and I would cut music with Mr. Mack (coach) on a tape recorder; performing my Senior Goodbye routine at the Spring Pep Rally to “Footloose;" and, the day my friends, and former Broncettes, Debbie Baker Krizek '84 and Heather Hendrickson Goldin '85 took me to Brother Chris and said, 'Can she coach with us?' And, here I still am, thirty years later!"

HOCKEY

"I have so many great memories with many wonderful Broncettes and families. I remember every parent who opened their home for team events and all the labors of love spent - the hours decorating, costume sewing, gluing rhinestones, food runs and even hammering stakes in the frozen ground for signs with their daughters’ pictures!"

Eugenia cherishes every time she runs into a past Broncette or parent and they share their own memories. "I love seeing posts with past Broncettes who have started families of their own. I am thankful for all their children that I have met and those who danced in our halftime or fashion shows. I am also very thankful to have been able to coach my own two daughters (Tori '19 and Taylor '15) and watch them perform as Broncettes."

"So much good over the past thirty years, and yes, sometimes it’s not always as rosy, but we’re a family. You count to eight and you get through it! You come out a better person and you look back and you just smile in awe of all the people who have been part of the Broncette journey. As we all come to say, 'Once a Broncette, Always a Broncette.'"

LACROSSE NEWS! We’re proud to announce the addition of two new Head Coaches, Amanda Kammes and William Sanford, to our Bronco Lacrosse program. Both coaches are bringing extensive coaching backgrounds to the field are very excited about the opportunity to coach the Broncos!

go!

Broncos

"To be joining Montini Catholic's Broncos as lacrosse coach is to be joining a proud, tradition-rich legacy of athletic achievement and I am eager to get started to begin building our own legacy," says Coach Sanford. We can’t wait to see what this season has in store!

Montini Catholic Bronco Express

The JV Renegades had a big win over Neuqua Valley to win the Hayes Suburban League Championship in March. Montini athletes on the team are: Dion Pavlopoulos ‘23, Thomas (TJ) Filkowski ‘23, Rick Maringer ‘23 and Blake Holtquist ‘24. Not to be outdone, just one night later, our Varsity Renegades won their six Cougar Cup - Hayes Suburban League Championship in a row with a 7-1 win over Marist! Montini athlete on the team is John Martin ‘22. This is the first time both JV and Varsity take the championship together!

Eugenia and assistant coach Carrie Pionke ‘06 celebrate after taking their team to 2nd in state.

Spring 2021 7

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Facts about Ms. LHOTKA you never knew you didn’t know . . .

4 to be a teacher too.

My mom was a high school religion teacher, and she inspired me I tore my ACL in the Montini Catholic gym when I was a junior in high school and playing basketball for a different team. I did not ever plan to return to Montini after that injury!

My Dad and I were at the 1988 Fog Bowl when the Bears beat the Philadelphia Eagles. Once the fog rolled in, we couldn’t see the field, but luckily we were able to listen to it on a radio my dad brought.

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My first job was in child care at a health club, and that was when I knew that I could never teach in an elementary school.

I love to watch cooking shows, especially “Barefoot Contessa,” because one day I am going to learn to cook.

am not a social media fan, so you will never catch me on Facebook or 9 ITwitter.

While most of my ancestors are from Ireland, I also have some Czech ancestry; in fact, several small villages in the Czech Republic are named Lhotka. the pandemic is over, I hope to get back to traveling including to Ireland and the Czech Republic.

11 Once I worked for several years at the Gap, and yes, I am a master at folding denim.

While I don’t have children of my own, I love being the fun aunt who never has to tell my niece and nephew no.

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F

When I was in seventh grade, I moved and I transferred to a new school. Just a few months after school started, I was at a school sponsored roller skating party when I collided with another student.

Unfortunately, I knocked out my front teeth and was completely mortified.

Montini Catholic Bronco Express

rom her love of a good memoir to her expertise in denim folding - there’s alot you may not know about Assistant Principal Sara Lhotka.

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My favorite character on TV is C.J. Cregg from the “West Wing” because she is smart, she fights for what she believes in, and is not afraid of public speaking.

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I. to.

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After reading the book, “The Dreams of Ada,” I knew that if I wasn’t a teacher, I would want be a lawyer fighting to free those who have been wrongfully convicted.

I love to play golf! I try to play a few times a week in the summer. My dream is to play Pebble Beach one day.

Spring 2021

My favorite song of all time is “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.” I could listen to it for hours on repeat.

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My favorite sport is volleyball; I played it for ten years and coached it at Montini for ten years.

“Ordinary People” was the first book I read that made me cry; I love to read books that make me feel emotions like that. Right now I am obsessed with reading memoirs because I love learning other people’s stories. favorite subject in high school was Math. Yet when I got to college, I realized poetry wasn’t as scary as I originally thought, and 18 My the right subject for me to teach was English.

I love every kind of pizza, just don’t put any green peppers on it.

Catholic is the only school I have ever taught at, 20 Montini and after 22 years, I cannot imagine teaching anywhere else.

ALUMNI NEWS

Meet Board Chair

jan orlowski ‘74 This school year we welcomed new Board Chair, Janis M. Orlowski, M.D. ‘74. Dr. Orlowski is Montini Catholic’s third Board Chair.

“I am honored and humbled by this new opportunity. I look back at my years at Montini as being the formative years that launched me successfully for college and for life. I thank my parents for making the sacrifice to help me attend Montini. I am grateful that my best friends from Montini are still my dear life friends. I take my chairmanship as an opportunity to give back.”

What are the goals you would like to achieve as Board Chair?

Montini provides a phenomenal college preparatory high school curriculum. I hope to work with the Montini staff to continue and strengthen this tradition. In addition, like many private schools Montini must make strategic investments in staff and resources to remain strong while moderating tuition increases.

10 years from now I’d like Montini to be know for its scholastic rigor that helps all students of all capabilities, for its strong Christian Brothers culture and as the “go to” school in the Western Suburbs.

As a graduate of Montini Catholic - how has your time as a Bronco shaped your own life? Both Montini and my parents taught me that I could do anything if I reached for it.

I would tell you that this foundational support has helped throughout my life. In addition, Montini taught me to look for the good in everyone. I believe that this acceptance of all has strengthened the teams that I’ve been able to work with through the years.

MCHS BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR Janis M. Orlowski, M.D. ‘74 VICE-CHAIR Michael Manna ‘70 SECRETARY Edward Mack TREASURER Michael Bava MEMBERS Jeannette (Workman) Bartosz ‘85 Frank Conforti, Jr. ‘86 Joseph Dailey Charles Erdman John Gavin ‘91 Michael Gilmartin ‘86 Catherine Hoovel Leigh-Anne Kazma Dr. Scott Kier Charles Kirk ‘78 Dennis McNicholas James Miller John Nania ‘79 Richard Rafanelli ‘76 Michael Schumacher ‘71

Shannon Smith ‘89 Barry Tharp ‘78 Tracy TreDenick-Fricke James Van De Velde ‘70 Walter Weisenburger ‘75 Carol Winfrey EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS James Nelson Business Manager Kevin Beirne Principal James F. Segredo President School Attorney Michael Devine Nisen & Elliott, LLC EMERITUS Ronald Mangelsdorf Janet McGivern Chub Thompson

Montini Catholic Bronco Express

Who inspired you to pursue your career in the medical field?

So many teachers impacted my training. In particular I’d like to mention Mr. Hudik who taught me math, Brother Chris who was my psychology and religion teacher and of course Brother Thomas Hetland who taught me math.

After graduating from Montini, Jan attended Marquette University as a biomedical engineering major. At Marquette she had the opportunity to co-op at GE Med Systems. She then graduated and went on to The Medical College of Wisconsin where she received her MD degree. Jan completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine and then her Subspecialty training in Nephrology all at Rush University Medical Center. She remained at Rush as a faculty member and then rose through the ranks to become the Executive Dean and AVP of Rush. In 2004, Jan accepted a position as SVP and Chief Medical Officer at Medstar Washington Hospital Center affiliated with Georgetown University. In 2014 she joined the Association of American Medical Colleges as the Chief Health Care Officer where she remains today. Along the way, she has continued to practice and teach medicine as a nephrologist with special work in transplantation.

Spring 2021 9

ALUMNI NEWS

k c a b e m o Welc

KUSTER

T ”

Montini Catholic Bronco Express

his spring we are honored to welcome back Kevin Kuster ‘86 to teach photography. Kevin took to social media recently to share his thoughts about re-entering the halls he left 35 years ago:

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As the ‘Welcome Back Kotter’ theme song played in my head, I entered into the hallowed halls of my old high school.

I will be a substitute teacher for the photography class for the rest of the year.

Although Montini has grown up since I graduated 35 years ago, there is a comforting feeling to be in many of the same halls and rooms. Although some people have troubled memories from their time at high school, most of mine are very positive.

I had great friends, fond memories and AWESOME sports teams. I still hang out with many of my friends from high school. Whenever we gather there is always a lot of laughs and telling of old stories. The class of 1986 was very special and was comprised of some truly incredible people. Like the character of Mr. Kotter, I am older than when I left, now have facial hair but, like him, I too hope I can inspire one or two of the students. I love photography and story telling. I feel honored to share my passion especially at my old high school. My home room teacher my sophomore year, Brother Chris, gave me my first ‘American Photo’ magazine. We often talked photography. Without his influence, I would have never been inspired to see a camera more than just a picture capture device.

Good photography captures life’s most meaningful moments. Great photography elevates our understanding of what it means to be human.

Transcendent photography can change the world.

Wish me luck fellow Sweathogs! “Welcome back, your dreams were your ticket out . . .To that same old place that you laughed about.

Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back!”

Spring 2021

sympathies The Aieloo Family on the passing of Ronald Aiello, father of Joy (Aiello) Andersen '79, Julie (Aiello) Iavarone '81, and Jana (Aiello) Maher '83.

Mr. Aiello was also father-in-law to Sean Maher '82, grandfather to Dylan Maher '16, Rachel Maher '17 and Michael Iavarone ’17, and uncle of Kathleen (Galasso) Scaffidi '74, Nicholas Galasso '76 and Jeffrey Galasso '77.

The Capparelli Family on the passing of Robert Capparelli, father of Robert '76†, Cynthia (Capparelli) Sciortino '78, Joe '80 and Richard '85. Mr. Capparelli was also the grandfather of Gianna Capparelli '09 and Joe Capparelli '12.

The Coleman Family on the passing of Michael Coleman, father-in-law of Nicole Esposito Coleman ’88.

The Ferris Family on the passing of Marilyn Ferris, mother of Phoebe (Ferris) Bachleda '72, Mark '73, Amy (Ferris) Pollack '77, Nora (Ferris) Sternquist '78, Hugh '80, Pat '82, Mike '82, Andy '83 and Megan '88.

Tom Kelly ‘82 on the passing of his father Jim. The Lally Family on the passing of Breda Lally, mother of Teresa (Lally) Roberto '83, Michael '84 and Colleen (Lally) Los '88.

The Long Family on the passing of Jim Long, father of Jim Long '94 and Jennifer (Long) Kavanagh '97.

The Nevins Family on the passing of George Nevins, father of Michael ’78, Mitchel ’80 and father-in-law of Sean Krisch ’83.

The Pardi Family on the passing of Arthur Pardi Jr., father of William Pardi ‘71 and Margaret ‘Peggi’ (Pardi) Schwanebeck ’72.

Thomas Ryan ’86 on the passing of his father Dr. Hugh Ryan.

The Schmitt Family on the passing of Edward Schmitt, father of Edward ’75, Stephen ’77, Anne (Schmitt) Kolatorowicz ’78, Katherine (Schmitt) Miley ’79, Thomas ’80, Daniel ’84, William ’87, Michel ’90, Margaret (Schmitt) Aho ’95 and father-in-law to Patrice (Zaccagni) Schmitt ’87.

The Schonta Family on the passing of Marcella Schonta, mother of Jeannine '71, Beth (Schonta) Martin '73 and Tim Marin '76.

The Tauscher Family on the passing of Eleanor Tauscher, mother of Diane (Tauscher) Ward ’70, Barbara Lee (Tauscher) Hightower ’73, Debra (Tauscher) Goff ’75 and John ‘77.

The Vrona Family on the passing of Rita Vrona, mother of David '77 and Mark '79 and mother-in-law of Catherine (Kirk) Vrona '79.

The Walsh Family on the passing of Mary Ann Walsh, mother of Pat '83, Daniel '84 and the late Timothy '87.

Joe Wattenberg ’93 on the passing of his father Jerry Wattenberg.

The Weiss Family on the passing of Robert Weiss, father of Sue WeissBudak ’75.

in memoriAm Debra Beahan Bornemann ’79 Barry Forte '70, brother of Steve Forte ‘71 & Maureen Forte Undzis '74 Chris Gogola '87 brother of Laura (Gogola) Carroll-Elkins '84 Mark Gowgiel '84, brother of Brad Gowgiel '87 Kevin Hickey ‘81 Kelly Palm '03 sister of Heather Palm del Alcazar '92 & Brett Palm '98 Susan Schrader '71, sister of Debra Schrader '71†, Carol (Schrader) Weiland '73, and Tim Schrader '77

KEEPING UP WITH THE

BRONCOS

Please e-mail your Bronco updates and/or photos to alumni@montini.org.

MARRIAGES, FUTURE BRONCOS, UPDATES & SYMPATHIES

ALUMNI NEWS Joslyn Boyer ‘19 and Olivia Broeski ‘20 were recognized for "doing it for the kids" as participants in the University of Iowa’s Annual Dance Marathon fundraising event in support of the UI Stead Family Children's Hospital.

Erin Williams ‘15 was one of ten fall graduates at the University of Iowa to be chosen to speak at their December 17th virtual commencement ceremonies for the College of Nursing.

births

(in memoriAm continued) John Van Petten '90 Sister Mary Elizabeth Scheibel, OP

UPDATES Jon Carey ‘98 was awarded "Middle School Coach of the Year" by the Iowa Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association.

Bryanna Crouch '16, a senior at the University of Kansas' William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications, was selected as a Gracie Award winner for Best Producer in Student Television.

Sara Birdsall Kulick ‘05 and husband, Joe, welcomed Chloe Jane on March 7, 2021.

Jim Guthrie '88, is one of the founders of Brittany’s Trees, an organization started in memory of Brittany Valene who died at age 8 as a result of Long QT Syndrome. This past Christmas marked the 16th year of Brittany's Trees and their support of the non-profit SADS.

Jim Fitzpatrick '71, Professor at National Louis University with over 20 years experience as a High School Principal and 14 years as a Superintendent recently published "Beyond Theories and Degrees: The Alley Smarts of Educational Leadership." His book can be found on Amazon.com.

Paul Kaefer '09 and his father, Fred, recently published "Introduction to Python Programming for Business and Social Science Applications," a teaching textbook. Their book can be found on Amazon.com.

Jake Mencacci ’14 is working with the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League team in analytics with the hitters and catchers.

Glenn Shimkus ’88 founded Presidio, a private and secure cloud vault for users to collect, store and organize sensitive personal documents.

Greg Strezmpek ’02 and wife, Tessa, welcomed welcomed Zachary Scott on December 31, 2020.

Caitlyn Meeks ‘19 transferred to Clemson University to play volleyball.

engagements

Maggie South ’12 published her first book, “Images of America: Westmont.” She was also awarded the James Wright Making Memories Award by the Westmont Special Events Corp. for her commitment to community events and volunteerism. Maggie is attending graduate school at Central Michigan University for her Masters in Parks and Recreation Administration.

Mario Conforti ‘13 and Natalie Jenkins ‘13 are engaged.

Mario proposed on Christmas Day!

Dr. Bob Starvel ’89 opened a new Dentist practice in Oakbrook Terrace.

We want to keep up with all of our Broncos! Have you moved, gotten a new job, or started a family? Just let us know and $100 (choose from Amazon, Visa, or Grubhub gift cards) could be yours to spend! All Bronco alums who fill out our online form at montini.org/alumni/update will be entered into a drawing to win. We’re drawing 6 winners plus an additional winner among alumni parents. Winners will also receive a FREE Montini Alumni t-shirt to show-off your Bronco pride!

The drawing will be held on Monday, May 10th. Deadline to win a gift card is May 9th.

Montini Catholic Bronco Express

HELP US TO KEEP UP WITH YOU!

Spring 2021 11

BRONCO EXPRESS Montini Catholic High School 19W070 16th Street Lombard, IL 60148 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Are you getting multiple issues of Bronco Express? Please send address changes for Montini graduates not at this address to: alumni@montini.org.

Thank you!

BroncoClassicGolf Outing St. Andrews Golf & Country Club, West Chicago

FRIDAY, August 13, 2021

The countdown has begun for Montini Catholic’s

One Day

24 Hour Donor Challenge on Tuesday, May 11th.

One Day is all about being a Montini Catholic Bronco!

Who we are, What we have accomplished & Where we are going!

We all have stories to tell, today is the day to share them and help power the potential of our students!

One Day – One Montini! #Montinisoneday #BroncoPride #wearemontini www.montini.org/oneday “Live, Jesus, in our hearts…forever”