Bronco Robotics Team Started Strong and Haven't Slowed Down!

Barb Dawson • January 11, 2024

VEX Worlds is on the Horizon!

Montini Catholic's Robotics Team is celebrating a very successful season thus far, gaining much traction after securing an early State qualification in November. Last year, Team (A) was the highest ranking team at State upon qualifying for the VEX Worlds Competition where they ranked among the top 3% in the world at the conclusion of the season. This year's Team A hasn't lost the momentum and is cautiously celebrating a repeat of last year's successful season, racking up the awards as they set their sights on Worlds.

The 23-24 VEX Robotics season began for the Broncos on November 19th when they found massive success at their first match, qualifying for State early in competition season! The students' diligence and exhausting after-school sessions and late night hours are paying off. The team secured the ‘Create’ Award at the Vex Tournament in Batavia for the second year in a row and also earned the Robotics Skills Champion title in addition to bringing home the 2nd Place overall title!

The Broncos Team A traveled to Batavia once again on Sunday, January 7th when they competed against 38 other teams at the VEX Tournament #2 - Over Under, achieving first place in the individual competition, and 2nd Place overall (by just 1 point in the finals). They also earned the 'Amaze' Award, which is given to the highest scoring robot.

Montini's A Team is led by Anjay Dhir '24, Matt Silveyra '25, Wyatt Prater '25, Connor Kaefer '25, Geethan Siram '25, Michael Pogorelec '24, Dhruv Patel '24, Issy Jaojoco '25, Hayden Surrette '25, and Damjan Pasic-Hernandez '24.

"Our Montini Robotics B team also competed on January 7th and had a great run of 5 wins and only 2 losses," informed Technology Director and Robotics Coach, Mr. Pete Farina '87. "They finished 6th in qualifications and in the top 16 overall. A fantastic first tournament for this mostly freshman team!"

Leading Montini's B team were Frank Flores '24, Franklin Barnes '27, Brendan O’Connor '27, Eric Burgener '27, Molly Felice '27, Brianna Konopacz '09, Ailish McKinzie '09, Julian Reyes '27, Alex Santelli '25, Sophia Stiso '27, and Lucas VanWitzenberg '27.

Up next for Team A - they will be heading to Cleveland, Ohio in February to compete against 80 teams from around the Midwest! The team is also registered for the CREATE U.S. Open National Robotics Championship in Council Bluffs, Iowa on March 14, 15, & 16. "This tournament is second only to Worlds in terms of number of teams and the level of competition," said Farina who can't hide his excitement for his team. "There will be 180 top teams from around the U.S. and 20-30 teams from around the world. This is an amazing competitive opportunity for the team! We've been trying to qualify for this event for the last four years."

Image above:

Robotics A Team - front row l to r: Seoyeon Park - (Seoyeon was not on the A Team at the 2nd Competition as listed above), Issy Jaojoco ; second row: Hayden Surrette, Geethan Siram, Wyatt Prater, Anjay Dhir , Matthew Silveyra, Dhruv Patel; Back row: Connor Kaefer, Damjan Pasic-Hernandez, Michael Pogorelic and Mr. Pete Farina '87;

< Older Post Newer Post >

SHARE THIS POST

Freshmen Welcomed at First Step Social

By Barb Dawson • June 19, 2025

New friends were made and high school anxieties calmed on Thursday, 12th at Montini Catholic High School's First Step Social welcoming their Class of 2029. Montini Catholic's First Step Social is the first opportunity for Montini's newest freshmen to begin building class spirit and to get to know their fellow classmates and future friends. The informal event, facilitated by the school's Admissions team, included several small group games, led by members of Montini's Peer Ministry Team, intended to break the ice and get freshmen excited about their high school years. Parents were also invited to attend and gathered in a separate location in order to meet up with current parent ambassadors, ask questions and gain more insight in preparation for the next four years. Students and parents were treated to burgers and hotdogs via Tailgate Caterers in Lombard. "It was very exciting to have so many new Broncos and their parents on Montini Catholic's campus for our First Step Social," said Admissions Coordinator Sara McGady. "The goal of this event is to provide our new freshmen with a sense of familiarity when they walk through our doors again in August. We also wanted to give our new parents a chance to ask questions and meet fellow parents as they start their new journey as high school parents."

Legacy Seniors Honored at Celebration of Excellence Ceremony

By Barb Dawson • June 19, 2025

Montini Catholic was proud to honor fifteen special seniors on May 16th at the Lasallian college preparatory high school's Celebration of Excellence Awards ceremony. The group represents what Montini Catholic endearingly defines as their graduating "Legacy Students" - students of alumni parents who also graduated from Montini Catholic. This year fifty-two 52 total students of alumni are carrying on their parents' legacies at Montini Catholic, a number that represents close to 10% of Montini's total student body. Each year senior legacy students are called up on stage to receive a special stole to be worn at graduation. Alumni parents are also invited to take a special portrait with their senior as a keepsake on graduation day. "We are always honored when our alumni return as Montini parents to continue our Bronco legacy," said Alumni Relations Officer William Dawes '13. "When you are at Montini Catholic, you are family, which is one of the main reasons parents choose Montini. An education at Montini is a unique experience and we love to see our legacy grow with each passing year." Montini Catholic's 2024-25 Legacy Seniors (alumni parent(s) under students' names): Katelyn (Kat) Bell ‘25 Jackson Bell ‘27 Patrick Bell ‘96 Peter Considine ‘25 Michael Considine ‘86 Annalee DeFeo ‘25 Laura (LaMontagna) DeFeo ’93 & Michael DeFeo ‘93 Nolan Ferris ‘25 Shannon (O’Connor) Ferris ‘93 James Fitzpatrick ‘25 Michael Fitzpatrick ‘88 Zoe Gangas ‘25 Nick Gangas ‘81 Sean Hubeny ‘25 Katie (Doll) Hubeny ’96 & James Hubeny ‘96 Nick Irion ‘25 and Vince Irion ‘25 Dave Irion ‘88 Vincent Knudtson ‘25 Lia (Badalamenti) Knudtson ‘89 Jamie Loftus ‘25 Christina (Connelly) Loftus ‘86 Margaret Nielsen ‘25 Maureen (O’Neill) Nielsen ‘87 Ava Sebben ‘25 Patricia (Gary) Sebben ‘90 Lily Spanos ‘25 Shannon (Herold) Spanos ‘99 Collins Whitfield ‘25 Katherine (Janko) Whitfield ‘00 Collins Whitfield ‘00 Image above: Front l to r: Lily Spanos, Ava Sebben, Margaret Nielsen, Jamie Loftus, Sean Hubeny, Zoe Gangas, Nolan Ferris, Annalee DeFeo and Kat Bell; Back row l to r: Collins Whitfield, Vincent Knudtson, Vince Irion, Nick Irion, Jimmy Fitzpatrick and Peter Considine;

Julia Gergen Earns the 2025 Jean Diane Colletti Memorial Scholarship

By Barb Dawson • June 13, 2025

Montini Catholic congratulates senior Julia Gergen on being this year's recipient of the Jean Diane Colletti Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is one of several that have been named and endowed by Montini Catholic alumni, parents and friends in order to provide financial assistance to graduates pursuing higher learning in college. The award was announced at the Lasallian college preparatory high school's annual Academic Awards Banquet (May 1st) this spring by Dr. Vince Colletti DDS '05 (son of Jean Diane Colletti) Julia was honored again on May 16th at Montini's Celebration of Excellence Award ceremony in front of the entire student body. Julia has been a very academically accomplished student throughout their four years at Montini Catholic. In May she received the President's Award for Academic Excellence, she is an Illinois State Scholar and a College Board Advanced Placement Scholar. Julia was also a member of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society as well as Montini's National Honor Society where she served as Secretary her senior year. She enjoyed her time as a member of Montini's Math Team, and celebrated their 6th Place State finish this year. Julia also valued her experience gained from serving her fellow students as a Peer Minister through Montini's Campus Ministry program. Athletically, Julia was a valued member of Montini's Track & Field Team and celebrated securing school records her junior year in the 4x100m and 4x200m races. "Julia has been an outstanding student," said Principal Chris Tiritilli. "Her academic and athletic career here at Montini has been quite extensive and impressive. She is never seen without a smile on her face, she has been a role model to her fellow students. She truly deserves this recognition and we know she will do great things at Notre Dame!" Julia, a St. Pius X Parish School alum, and a member of St. Pius X Parish. She plans on majoring in Biological Sciences on a Pre-Med Track at the University of Notre Dame in the fall. Above: Julia Gergen '25 and Dr. Vince Colletti DDS '05 at Montini Catholic's Academic Awards Night on May 1st.