From the Heart - Sacred Heart of Mary Feature

FROM THE HEART: Carol Serrani Anderson ’70

Carol Serrani Anderson ’70 sees Saint Viator as a community in which you can find or provide support whenever needed. Carol has filled many roles over the years from student to alumna, and from teacher to working in the Development Office, and finally as a Board of Trustee member and legacy parent.

After teaching English at Saint Viator from 1974-1977 (pictured above in 1976), Carol embarked on a new journey, working towards a master’s degree in gerontology. That journey led her career path to the nearby Lutheran Home for some time before eventually returning to Saint Viator to work in the Development Office.

“I was working in the Development Office in the mid-90’s when we were growing. We had the first-ever capital campaign followed by a huge Night of the Lion auction. We even hosted an alumni phone-a-thon when Fr. Bolser was president.”

She spoke about Sacred Heart of Mary being a joyful place with many long-standing traditions that were adopted at Saint Viator after the merge. series of books about local veterans written by Saint Viator students. The latest book “Arlington Heights’ War on Terror” was published in the fall.

“I wasn’t looking to be involved, Carol Anderson ’70 featured in Saint Viator’s 60th Anniversary tribute video. but couldn’t pass up this opportunity. The Viatorians along with the history teachers, Maureen Martin ’92 and Eric Levin, truly set the tone and expectations for talking with several military veterans.”

Anderson pointed out that current high schoolers have no experience of September 11th, so they were really experiencing history in the present through these veteran accounts.

“The alumni who proofread the student’s work were so impressed that the academic standards are still high. Those communication skills are life-long and will serve students for their entire lives.”

Saint Viator and Sacred Heart of Mary established many lasting relationships for Carol, including meeting her husband Mark. The couple was married in July 1974 with Fr. Pat Render, C.S.V. presiding and former math teacher, Peter Tantillo, serving as a groomsman.

Carol and Mark were delighted to send all four of their children to Saint Viator, each of whom went on to pursue service professions: Lindsey ’95 is a nurse, Matt ’97 is a high school English teacher-librarian-and coach, Kate ’00 currently serves as an elementary school principal and is a member of the Saint Viator Board of Trustees, and Lauren ’05 is a licensed clinical social worker.

“I was thrilled to see Viator offer the distinctive Sacred Heart class rings as an option for girls for the junior ring ceremony. The first musical Saint Viator and Sacred Heart performed together was ‘Annie Get Your Gun.’ We were so excited to finally do something with the boys! Mr. Stahm, the director at the time, started the idea of double-casting because the first meeting we had was standing-room only in the auditorium.”

“It’s sad that we can’t walk in the Sacred Heart building, but the building isn’t what matters,” Anderson said. “It’s what you take away from the place that does.”

Carol recalls celebrating friends’ birthdays by decorating lockers and eating cake at the lunch table as well as doing plenty of homework from the rigorous, thought-provoking classes. She made memories with her classmates on the junior trip to New York and Washington, DC.

“The Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary and the lay faculty instilled in us the belief that we could do anything, that we could make a difference, and that we should make ourselves heard,” she recalled. “Saint Viator is not just a private school. It is a Catholic school. Service requirements are such great exposure for kids. I saw that with my own children at Saint Viator. When you are a teenager, you may not have the appreciation, but the seeds are planted, and it’s faith that sustains you through your life. I’m glad we were able to offer that to our kids.”

Much like her children, Carol volunteered her time in her community, serving on the Wheeling Township Senior Advisory Council, the Arlington Heights Senior Commission, and was a board member for Connections to Care in Arlington Heights. She began Wheels to Worship at St. James Parish, a service that provides transportation to mass and appointments for older adults modeled after Connections to Care.

So what’s next for Carol at Saint Viator? Carol will be celebrating her 50th reunion with the rest of the Class of 1970 in September after COVID concerns forced postponements for two years.

She still relishes the bonds created by students and faculty at Sacred Heart of Mary. “My classmates, some who are still my good friends, are still curious, life-long learners. I’m happy that Sr. Gabriel and Sr. Mary Alice have remained close to our class since we graduated.” n