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Advancement Updates

Did you know that only 1.6% of Americans’ charitable giving goes toward nonprofits helping women and girls?

That is wrong and a great opportunity. You have the power to change this by giving to Mother McAuley. It’s that simple. Your gift will tell our young women they matter and their future is important.

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Carey’s Corner

Dear Alumnae and Friends,

Recently, we celebrated Mercy Day at Mother McAuley….September 24….every year. It’s our big day highlighting our heritage and the foundation of the Sisters of Mercy. We honor a staff member and student who exemplify the qualities of Catherine McAuley. We tell the story of a young woman, Catherine, who used her talents and her resources to start a movement of supporting women and children in mercy and love. It is the most important day of the year for our school community because we look back on where we came from and on whose shoulders we are standing.

This year, we also tied this celebration to a more deliberate day of giving. We have dipped our toe in this water before, but cautiously. We did not want to seem too bold and tie this celebration to money and fundraising but instead we suggested that if you were so inclined would you consider giving?

Guess what? We weren’t listening to the story.

There was no caution or fear in Catherine McAuley when she set out to build the first House of Mercy on Baggot Street in 1827. It is part of the story - a key component!

Catherine McAuley used her inheritance to start a school and home for women and children. Why would we separate that part of the story? It’s the foundation. Financial support was the catalyst that helped her vision become a reality. Bold and daring are not flaws but wonderful attributes. I was recently moved by this quote: “I stand on the sacrifices of a million women before me thinking what can I do to make this mountain taller so the women after me can see farther.” (Rupi Kaur)

McAuley has thousands of bold and daring alumnae and supporters. We educate young women who are bold and daring and we need financial support to fuel our resources building taller mountains that allow our young women to grow and see farther.

Help us build that mountain!

Boldly,

Carey Harrington Vice President of Institutional Advancement charrington@mothermcauley.org

School News

The end of the 2019-2020 school year and the start of this current one looked different than anyone anticipated, however, our McAuley family didn’t Here’s a look back at some of the people and accomplishments we celebrated in-person or virtually!

Spring Drama

In early March, a cast of 70 students, a student-led costume crew, and a beautiful period set built by our crew brought to life “The WOMAN who Came to Dinner” - a twist on the beloved comedy classic “The Man Who Came to Dinner.”

Macs with Merit

Congrats to our spring awardees! forfeit traditions and celebrations for our Macs.

Administration Upperclasswoman Advisory Board

Molly Maloney ‘20 Grace Kaplan ‘20 Devyn Petrowski ‘20 Molly Curley ‘20 Tierney Harkins ‘20 Maggie McCarthy ‘20 Jenna Badali ‘20 Amia Owolabi ‘20 Ellie Urchell ‘20 Emma Galvan ‘20 Julissa Gomez ‘20 Katie McShane ‘20 Kyli Williams ‘20 Leah James ‘20 Maeve Hartnett ‘20 Oliva Shareef ‘20 Grace Amado ‘20 Mary Horan ‘20 Mia Bruce ‘20 Anne Farrell ‘20 Natalie Heilmann ‘20 Miranda Keeter ‘20 Emma Keaty ‘20

Athletics

Maddie Bonnett ‘20 Brigid Barkmeier ‘20

PE/PA

Emma Funk ’21 Erin Curran ‘23

Math

Holly Sanders ’20 Cecilia Conroy ‘22

Science

Mia Perez ’20 Kaileigh Leahy ‘20

World Language

Tina Song ’21 Nora Riordan ‘22

PE/PA

Tess O’Leary ’23 Natalie McKenna ‘23

VA and Technology

Leilani Diaz ’22 Grace Rowan ‘21

Social Science

Haileigh Pritchard ’20 Morgan Unold ‘22

Institutional Advancement

Natalie McKenna ’23 Grace Ellerbeck ‘20

Peer Ministry

Abby Graeber ’20 Jackie Munoz ‘20

LRC

Molly Godfrey ’22 Melanie Gutierrez ‘22

English

Katarina Rios ’22 Harlyn Pickens ‘21

Student Activities

Elizabeth Gildea ’20 Maddy McGrane ‘22

Theology

Maeve P. Sullivan ’20 Kylie Hernandez ‘22

Counseling

Gabrielle Jackson ‘20 Hannah O’Neil ‘20

Spring Sports Signing

We celebrated five athletes who signed to play their respective sports at college. Congrats to these students!

Bridget Barrett basketball Carthage College

Maggie McDonald basketball St. Ambrose University

Janie Ternes

basketball Concordia University, Chicago

Caitlin Fitzsimons

soccer Carroll University

Nikki Condon softball St. Norbert College

eLearning - A Brave, (Somewhat) New World

When the world essentially shut down this March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, every person, every industry, was forced to pivot and adapt. McAuley has long been a pioneer for women’s education, changing to address the needs of the ever-evolving demands of the educational marketplace. Meeting obstacles and challenges head-on is a hallmark of our legacy. Because of our faculty and staff’s commitment to ongoing professional growth (especially in technology) and their flexibility and understanding in doing what was best for our students and community, we successfully transitioned to an entire quarter of eLearning.

At the conclusion of the school year, we asked parents and students to complete a survey to better understand their eLearning experiences. In total, we received 304 parent responses and 422 student responses, and the results were overwhelmingly positive.

Gigi Navarrete ‘23 learning at home.

99.6% of students felt prepared to transition to using the online applications or sites needed for eLearning. 98.4% of parents felt their daughter(s) was prepared to utilize the eLearning tools during fourth quarter.

95% of students didn’t need additional help but felt the teachers were available for additional help.

“Hybrid learning was definitely a challenge in the beginning since I did not see my teachers day-to-day, but McAuley has done a great job helping us adapt to a new way of learning. My teachers are very knowledgeable when it comes to technology and make me feel like I am in the classroom each day. Our teachers and counselors offer support either virtually or in-person. They are able to check up on us through our Google classroom pages or by email. I know that if I need help I can contact them and they will be there to answer my questions.”

- Gigi Navarrete ‘23 These results were critical in helping us create a fall reopening plan that adheres to the Illinois State Board of Education and the Archdiocese of Chicago Office of Catholic Schools mandates. Our current hybrid plan accommodates 50 percent of students returning to the building to ensure the health and safety of all students and faculty/staff members. The school population is separated in half by alphabetical listing – identified as the “red” group or “gold” group – to ensure social distancing in all classrooms. Fifty percent attends school in person while the other 50 percent learns from home. Masks and social distancing are required, and although things look different, the academic rigor remains. Even behind their masks our students are smiling!

Celebrating the Class of 2020

On Saturday, July 18, McAuley celebrated the more than 200 graduates of the Class of 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ceremony, originally scheduled to be held on May 17 at the Shannon Center at Saint Xavier University, was moved to McAuley. The diploma ceremony was held in the school auditorium. Graduates were assigned a designated time to receive their diploma and were permitted to have no more than 10 family members present.

Some parts of the commencement ceremony, including remarks by the administration and student speakers, were recorded in advance and shared virtually via YouTube for families to view, including a prayer and remarks by Principal Eileen Boyce O’Reilly ‘03; the valedictorian, Alena Pedroza’s remarks; the class-selected student speaker, Allie Duffy; the introduction of the faculty speaker by salutatorian Megan Howley; remarks by Mrs. Kathy Gordon-Davis, faculty speaker; and the alumnae induction led by President Mary Acker Klingenberger ’75.

$58 million 100% 82%

earned a record in college scholarships

acceptance rate

accepted into their first-choice school

5 National Brigid Barkmeier Merit Commended Sydney Conn Megan Howley Martina Maples

Scholars Mary Russell

2 National Hispanic Scholars Alena Pedroza Rosie Wantuck

5 A. Franklin Meghan Dowd

Pilchard Foundation Siobhan Hickey Jacqueline Munoz Margaret O’Malley

Scholars Janie Ternes

1 Chick Evans Scholars Kathryn Alvarez

13

college athletes

35

Illinois State Scholars

“Surreal as it seems, we have reached a point in our lives where we are closer to adulthood than we are to childhood, and that means the time has come for us to assume our roles as the next leaders, workers, defenders, advocates, and activists of a world, which is crying out for the difference that only we can bring, because of our changing world view. This new role that we are stepping into is uncharted territory, bearing immense responsibility, and with any new endeavor, there is a guaranteed adjustment period characterized by fear, excitement, and even eagerness brought about by the prospect of change in our accustomed routines. But if we have learned anything from the past few months, it is that in times of uncertainty, we have the greatest opportunity to grow from our previous experiences in order to shape a greater future.

- Alenza Pedroza ‘20, valedictorian, attending The University of Chicago

Student speakers from left to right: Megan Howley, salutatorian; Alena Pedroza, valedictorian; Allie Duffy, student speaker. Back row, faculty speaker, Kathy Gordon-Davis.

“As you take leave of us today, promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind; to talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet; to think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best; to be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own; to wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a great big smile. Promise to give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. Promise to aspire to not just to make a ‘living’, but to make a difference!”

- Faculty speaker, Mrs. Kathy Gordon-Davis “Despite the loss of these last few months, friendship has still impacted and dominated everyone’s time at McAuley. Whether those friendships were made through being locker neighbors, sitting at the same lunch table, having the same chemistry class, or just becoming friends this year because of Kairos, we can all agree that the friendships made at McAuley are like no other. These are the girls you’ve shared all of your memories with, the ones that helped you grow through the challenges and the joys, the ones who helped us become the women we are today.”

- Allie Duffy ‘20, student speaker, attending the Univerity of Iowa

Principal Eileen O’Reilly ‘03 offers a blessing over graduates.

Summer Camps!

Summer camps forged ahead this summer! Although the offerings were limited to only current students and rising 7th and 8th graders, we were pleased that we could provide the opportunity for girls to get out and get active. All camps adhered to the safety and health protocols set forth by the Illinois High School Association, including social distancing and wearing of masks.

September 11th Commemeration

Our students joined members of the Brother Rice community for a flag ceremony to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks.

New Roles for Faculty and Staff

Science faculty member, Mrs. Kim Turnbull now serves as director of curriculum and instruction. She works closely with faculty in areas related to curriculum development, instruction, and school improvement goals. She continues in her role as chair of the science department, in a non-teaching role. She also chairs the Academic Council, consisting of department chairs, with Principal, Eileen O’Reilly. Turnbull joined the McAuley faculty in 2001. She was instrumental in earning the school the distinction as an Amazon Future Engineer School in 2019.

Dean of Upperclasswomen, Mrs. Meg Griffin Gardner ‘99, adds the title of assistant principal to her role. She serves in various leadership capacities for school improvement planning and strategic endeavors. As dean of upperclasswomen, Gardner has played a significant role in increasing student connectedness while continuing to foster a culture of high expectation and engagement through the creation of the Upperclasswomen Advisory Board and other school activities. Gardner joined McAuley in 2005. She is the assistant coach for the varsity volleyball team.

Homeroom Family Feud - McAuley Style While pep assemblies, large school gatherings, and lunch periods on hiatus, faculty and staff have found innovative ways to foster the school spirit and camaraderie that is one of McAuley’s hallmarks. Thanks to the work of Dean of Underclasswomen, Mrs. Jennifer Murzyn and Student Activities Coordinator, Mrs. Colleen Quinlan White ‘94, students are feeling virtually connected -- and competitive -- through Homeroom Family Feud.

Homeroom Family Feud began in September and will run throughout the school year. Two homerooms compete against each other weekly during third period homeroom, with five students representing each homeroom. The competition is single elimination. The team who wins advances to the next round. The team who loses is done. At the end of the year, one homeroom will be the overall winner of the Feud and will receive a breakfast treat and will get the chance to play against the faculty/staff team!

The Feud is streamed live over McAuley’s YouTube channel. Students in the classroom and at home can watch as the homerooms battle it out. For the questions and responses, all McAuley students were surveyed in August. Examples of recent survey questions include: What do you do when you first wake up in the morning? What are things that come in pairs? Name a throwback TV show that teens love to watch. Name a food that you can eat with your hands. The top answers were recorded and Mrs. White created the game show template based

on the questions and answers. Mr. Jeremy Eberhard, orchestra director, is the host and Ms. Katie McCasland ‘11, technical director, is live streaming the game show. For the first show, more than 500 people viewed the Feud online!

The competition has become a much-loved activity for faculty and students.

“I love seeing the “What I like the most about students having fun homeroom family feud is how and it’s open for any it brings together the girls in student to pareach room, especially if we ticipate,” shared Mrs. don’t know each other.” Murzyn. “They are able to connect with - Keira Jarrett, 15, Evergreen Park one another socially in a new, enjoyable experience for them during this time when we are so limited on what we can offer. I love the competitive aspect it brings while promoting student connectedness and camaraderie with their teachers, peers and homerooms.”

“It is important that McAuley student’s experience some fun outside of their academic day,” shared Mrs. White. “McAuley’s student life and activities is a huge part of their growth and development that they are currently missing. We thought Homeroom Family Feud was a great way for them to just have some fun!”

Mercy Day 2020 her spirited step exhibits cheerfulness; it’s impossible not to feel that when you’re with Colleen. She’s never too busy to share a In commemorating Mercy Day, which recognizes September happy smile, a kind, personalized greeting, or to raise her hand 24, 1827, the day Catherine McAuley opened the first House of in volunteering to help. She is always making McAuley a better Mercy – a place to shel- place because of her positive attitude and her willingness to do ter and educate women all the extras.” and girls – on Lower Baggot Street in Dublin, McAuley bestows the Catherine McAuley Award. It is presented to a senior student and faculty or staff member whose deep faith and commitment to the school inspires their co-workers, students and family members to be better stewards of Catherine’s vision. This year’s honorees were Colleen Rooney ‘21 and faculty member, Mrs. Lauren Dowden. Catherine McAuley Award recipients for Mercy Day 2020, faculty member Mrs. Lauren Dowden (left) and Colleen Rooney ’21. Colleen shared these remarks in her acceptance speech: “As I began thinking about what to share with you all today, I came across a quote by Catherine McAuley that reads, ‘We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.’ This statement rings especially true today. We are currently living in a world shroud in darkness. The COVID-19 pandemic has uprooted many of our normal routines and we’ve been forced to adapt in uncharted territory... This unconventional Mercy Day is yet another testament to the strength of the McAuley community, and I have no doubt in my mind that each and every one of you will go on to do something incredible. I take so much pride in knowing that I am a part of something so special, and I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to share how much it means to me. Thank you for inspiring me to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be every single day. Thank you for bringing me closer to my mom, and for giving me the opportunity to witness all of your lamps.” The award presentation typically would occur during class gatherings in the auditorium, however, COVID restrictions required some creative thinking to mark this special occasion. With a hybrid educational in place, Mercy Day was celebrated over two days, September 22 and September 23. The award presentations were pre-recorded and students gathered in groups of 50 in specified locations within the building to watch and celebrate. Instructional Technologist, Mrs. Lauren Dowden was honored as the faculty/staff awardee. Entering her fifth year at McAuley, Lauren has tremendously impacted McAuley by helping faculty, staff, and the student body enhance their skills and expertise in technology. In her multifaceted role, Lauren trains teachers in various instructional technologies while assisting students with their technological needs. She also teaches a self-created Student honoree, Colleen business course, B-Tech, that Rooney has been or current- has quadrupled in popularity ly is a member of basketball, since she took it on. lacrosse, and cross country teams as well as Catherine McAuley Honors Scholars, National Honors Society, National Spanish Honorees Society and National English Honors Society. Colleen is the daughter of the late Honorable Jeanne Prendergast Rooney ‘88 (2018 McAuley Hall inductee) and granddaughter of Joan Curtin Prendergast ’64. During her acceptance remarks, Lauren shared this reflection: “Our students, faculty, and staff strive to be like our founder, Catherine McAuley, every day. You can hear that in conversations in the hallways, classrooms and offices. You see it in the interactions teachers have with their students. The McAuley community exemplifies the virtues that Catherine McAuley lived by. Her love, generosity, and service Administration with the Catherine McAuley Award recipients for Mercy Day 2020. Pictured from left to right are Principal, Mrs. Eileen Boyce O’Reilly ’03, Colleen Rooney ’21, Mrs. Lauren Dowden and President Mrs. Mary Acker Klingenberger ’75. “It is not what she does, but how she does it that makes Colleen to others can be found in every aspect of the McAuley commumost like Catherine,” shared Principal Eileen Boyce O’Reilly nity.” ’03. “Her smile exudes friendliness, her eyes show kindness, and

Making our Campus Future Ready

While COVID may have stalled a few projects, this summer as part of our Future Ready capital campaign, our back road – sometimes referred to as the “McAuley Little 500” by alumnae and students -- received a facelift! Thanks to a lead gift from the Bigane family - Anne ‘76, Katie ‘78, Sheila ‘79, Meg ‘82 and Julie ‘84 - and other Future Ready donors, our architects, Wight and Co. worked in partnership with Bigane Paving on the project management of this vital campus enhancement. New sewers were installed, additional parking spots were created and the road was widened.

Ava Courtney ‘21

Elizabeth McNicholas ‘21

Fall sports, go on!

Although somewhat limited, our Mighty Macs were excited to get back to the golf course, tennis courts and elsewhere with the kick off of the fall season.

Thanks to the “Beverly Review” for providing these photos. Visit their website to become a subscriber.

Gabi Hernandez ‘21

Class of 2024 Admissions Update

McAuley welcomed 232 young women to the Class of 2024 this August! These young ladies are eager and ready to meet new challenges, expand their horizons and embrace the Mercy mission. Here are some fun stats about our newest class of Mighty Macs!

$211,900 in total scholarships and this will total $583,600 during their four years of

The three most popular names are: high school.

1. Sarah

(7 students)

2. Grace

(6 students)

3. Ella, Emma & Maggie (tie with 5 each)

The students represent: 70 feeder schools

31 zip codes

Lots of Legacies! 64 students have a MOTHER who graduated from McAuley

19 students have a GRANDMOTHER who graduated from McAuley

34 have a SISTER attending McAuley

57

Tradition of Excellence scholarship recipients

18

Agatha O’Brien Scholars (testing 95% or higher on the entrance exam)

11

Number of scholarships which equal one-half tuition

Delivery of Scholarship Certificates to Class of 2024

In the spring, we hand-delivered certificates and small gifts to the scholarship recipients to congratulate them on their success!

Do You Know a McAuley Girl?

Help them get started on their Lifetime Advantage as they join us for an in-person school tour or these virtual events! In-Person Tours Virtual Shadow Days

Questions? Contact Ms. Carli Weiler, Director of Admissions & Recruitment at cweiler@mothermcauley.org

Planned Giving

A planned gift to Mother McAuley indicates a commitment to the long-term success of the school and its students. These gifts help create a very strong cornerstone for the future of McAuley. Making a planned gift confers membership in the Catherine McAuley Legacy Society.

Planned gifts to McAuley can help:

further the School and its mission

ensure the future financial strength of the school beyond annual fundraising provide future generations of students with an exceptional learning experience create a lasting legacy for the women of tomorrow

What is planned giving?

Planned giving is the transfer of assets (e.g. IRAs, stock, life insurance, etc.) to a designated not-for-profit organization during a lifetime, or upon the death of someone. This forward-thinking approach to giving is “planned” because often these assets are not liquid, have tax consequences and are generally transferred via a will or other written means.

Why plan?

We know that for our donors, charitable giving is an important part of their lives. They plan, knowing that the causes and organizations they care about today, will continue to thrive in the future. Discussing a planned gift to Mother McAuley allows you the opportunity to share with your family your hopes and dreams, values and faith. Having a clear estate plan alleviates any confusion for your family and advisors and communicates what is of enduring value to you.

Plan a gift now for a lasting legacy

There are ways to make a gift to Mother McAuley that pay you income for life, provide an immediate tax deduction for you, and a future charitable gift to the high school, including:

BEQUESTS / WILLS OR TRUSTS

IRAS AND TAX-DEFERRED ACCOUNTS

GIFTS OF STOCK

LIFE INSURANCE

Forms and additional information, including a list of current tax benefits, can be found at mothermcauley.org/give/plannedgiving.

“My decision to leave Mother McAuley a gift in my will was an easy one. When it came time to prepare a will, I reflected (as I expect most people do) on the people, places, events, and institutions that had made a difference in my life. The positive impact that McAuley had on my life path and on my character could not be overstated. I knew that I wanted to do what I could to give other young women the same experience and advantage, so I named McAuley as a beneficiary.”

- Carol Miernicki ‘76, Ph.D., U.S. and Canadian Patent Agent

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