Spotlight: Caroline Avell Starr ‘91

C

Some 28 years later, Starr still remembers the thrill of walking the halls, dressing up for school, and helping to establish new traditions. Yet, what she now realizes as a parent of two current students and one graduate, is just how much the Viatorian charism continues to impact her.

Starr joins students and faculty alike this year who are drawing inspiration from the founder of the Viatorians, Fr. Louis Querbes. In particular, they are invoking one of his famous quotes, "Strive to do everything well so that through us Jesus may be adored and loved,”

“In both my work and in my life, I adhere to the teaching ‘Do unto

realtor in Arlington Heights.

In that way, she says, she strives to do all things well and live out her faith on a daily basis. Starr is an active member of St. James

among other roles.

But these days, Starr has student athletes on her mind as the new

shares with her husband, Dominic.

They and their board members are charged with supporting 28 athletic teams, or nearly 700 student athletes who compete. “We take our responsibility seriously, “Starr says. “We want to make sure all athletes on all teams are treated equally and that every athlete has the support they need to succeed.”

During her years at Saint Viator Starr competed on the swim and tennis teams while her husband played football and wrestling.

Consequently, she understands the demands of being a student

demands at Saint Viator.

wanted them to have that faith-based education, with the same values and goals that we have, in a community atmosphere.”

Out in the community, Starr draws on the spirit of the Viatorian mission statement, of reaching out to those “counted of little importance” in her role as a board member of Journeys the Road Home. It is a resource center for the homeless and those at risk of being homeless, located in Palatine.

of 1985 alumna, and executive director. Board members work to support all of its social services, including its emergency PADS program, spread across 37 communities in the North and Northwest suburbs of Cook County.

Their latest initiative is invested in a capital campaign, to build a

that the demand for emergency housing in the suburbs has grown

to determine who will be able to stay.

“I see my role with Journeys as an extension of my role as a realtor,” Starr says. “By day, I work with people to buy and sell homes, and as a board member I work to provide housing for the homeless.”