Montini Celebrates Legacy Students!

Barb Dawson • November 25, 2024

Children and Grandchildren of Alumni!

Montini Catholic is proud to gather a unique group of students for what has become an annual photo celebration. The group represent what Montini Catholic endearingly defines as their "Legacy Students" - students of alumni parents who once walked the halls of the Catholic school. This year fifty-two (52) students of alumni are carrying on their parents' legacies. The number represents close to 10% of Montini's total student body.

"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 Students (alumni parent(s) under students' names):

Katelyn Bell ‘25 (Naperville)
Jackson Bell ‘27
Patrick Bell ‘96

Courtney Canty ‘28 (Downers Grove)
Amy Caveney ‘94
Mark Canty ‘94

Peter Considine ‘25 (Naperville)
Maryfaith Considine ‘27
Michael Considine ‘86

Louis Corpora ‘27 (Woodridge)
Kimberly Corpora ‘98

Annalee DeFeo ‘25 (Lombard)
Laura (LaMontagna) DeFeo ’93 & Michael DeFeo ‘93

Nolan Ferris ‘25 (Wheaton)
Owen Ferris ‘27
Shannon (O’Connor) Ferris ‘93

James Fitzpatrick ‘25 (Lombard)
Nora Fitzpatrick ‘27
Michael Fitzpatrick ‘88

Zoe Gangas ‘25 (LaGrange)
Nick Gangas ‘81

Finnegan Grimes ‘26 (Lombard)
Joseph Grimes ‘84

Henry Herold ‘26 (Clarendon Hills)
Avery Herold ‘28
Brian Herold ‘94

Sean Hubeny ‘25 (Westmont)
Mary Grace Hubeny ‘28
Katie (Doll) Hubeny ’96 & James Hubeny ‘96

Nick Irion ‘25 (Lombard)
Vince Irion ‘25
Dave Irion ‘88

Giuliana Karnick ‘28 (Wheaton)
Gina (Mandeville) Karnick ‘95

Michael Kavanagh ‘26 (Burr Ridge)
James Kavanagh ‘28
Jennifer (Long) Kavanagh ‘97

Brianna Konopacz ‘27 (Woodridge)
Cheryl Kirk ‘82

Vincent Knudtson ‘25 (Lombard)
Lia (Badalamenti) Knudtson ‘89

Chase Langert ‘26 (Glen Ellyn)
Gianna Langert ‘27
Julie (Landano) Langert ’96 and Dan Langert ‘96
Chris Gogola ’87 (deceased)

Jamie Loftus ‘25 (Lombard)
Christina (Connelly) Loftus ‘86

*Madilyn McGady ‘28 (Naperville)
Shawn McGady ‘97
Kathy (Blank) McGady ‘70

Malin McGivern ‘26 (Hinsdale)
Matthew McGivern ‘28
Matt McGivern ‘93

Myles Monis ‘28 (Lombard)
Roderick Monis ‘91

Lilliana Navarro ‘26 (Lombard)
Karla Navarro ‘03

*Ava Neustadt ‘26 (Lombard)
*Juliana Neustadt ‘26
*Joseph Neustadt ‘27
*Johnathan Neustadt ‘27
Nicole (Minucciani) Bernardi ‘98
Julie (Savaiano) Borsellino ‘76
Lewis Borsellino ‘75

Margaret Nielsen ‘25 (Lombard)
Maureen (O’Neill) Nielsen ‘87

Teagan O’Connor ‘27 (Woodridge)
Pat ‘81 & Michelle (Ptak) O’Connor ‘88

Orla O’Flaherty ‘27 (Downers Grove)
Peggy (Batten) O’Flaherty ‘87

Marian Ogan ‘28 (Downers Grove)
Sarah (Morrow) Ogan ‘98 and Tom Ogan ‘98

Quin Paprockas ‘26 (Bolingbrook)
Noah Paprockas ‘28
Kerry Paprockas ‘91

*Charlotte Payne Zabojnik ‘27 (Lombard)
Samantha Payne ‘02
Cathy (Westerkamp) Payne '78

Leah Piper ‘28 (Lombard)
Nicole (Trenkamp) Piper ‘99 and Mike Piper ‘98

Audrey Ruddy ‘26 (Downers Grove)
Brian Ruddy ‘88

*Bryce Ryan ‘26 (Lombard)
James ’00 & Amy (Marino) Ryan ‘00
Deborah (O’Connell) ‘74 & John Ryan ‘74
Kathleen (Happel) Naatz ‘78

Ava Sebben ‘25 (Downers Grove)
Patricia (Gary) Sebben ‘90

Lily Spanos ‘25 (Glen Ellyn)
Jack Spanos ‘27
Shannon (Herold) Spanos ‘99

Alexander Tack ‘26 (Lombard)
Daniel Tack ‘01

Patrick Thompson ‘26 (Naperville)
Jennifer (Herold) Thompson ‘89

Collins Whitfield ‘25 (Downers Grove)
Katherine (Janko) Whitfield ‘00
Collins Whitfield ‘00

* Third generation: parent(s) and grandparent(s) are Montini alumni

Image Above:

Front row l to r: Noah Paprockas, Ava Neustadt, Nora Fitzpatrick, Zoe Gangas, Charlotte Payne Zabojnik, Avery Herold, Joseph Neustadt, Annalee DeFeo, Teagan O'Connor, Maryfaith Considine, Giuliana Karnick, Mary Grace Hubeny, Brianna Konopacz; Second Row: Owen Ferris, Orla O'Flaherty, Margaret Nielsen, Juliana Neustadt, Audrey Ruddy, Jamie Loftus, Nolan Ferris, Jackson Bell, Katelyn Bell, Madilyn McGady, Marian Ogan, Leah Piper and Courtney Canty; Third Row: Ava Sebben, Matthew McGivern, Sean Hubeny, Nick Irion, Johnathan Neustadt, Myles Monis, Vince Irion, Quin Paprockas, Chase Langert and Lily Spanos; Back Row: James Kavanagh, Louis Corpora, Henry Herold, Vincent Knudtson, Peter Considine, Jimmy Fitzpatrick, Alexander Tack, Bryce Ryan, Patrick Thompson and Finnegan Grimes.

Not pictured: Collins Whitfield, Michael Kavanagh, Lilliana Navarro, Malin McGivern, Gianna Langert, Jack Spanos

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Brothers Visit to Celebrate Founder's Feast Day

By Barb Dawson • April 7, 2025

We were honored to be joined at Mass on Monday, April 7th 2025 by Father Jeff Stoneberg of Christ the King Parish and Brothers Rob Veselsky, Chuck Gregor, Joel McGraw, Richard Merkel, James Gaffney, Phil Jones, Brother Kotek, Dr. Steven Torres and Brother Br. Michael Fehrenbach (with Principal Chris Tiritilli (left) and President Kevin Beirne (far right)) to celebrate the Feast Day of our Founder St. John Baptist De LaSalle. Students commemorated the 306th Anniversary of St. John Baptist de La Salle, Patron Saint of Teachers and Founder of our Lasallian Mission. He was a man of deep prayer, unwavering faith, and boundless compassion, devoting his life to God through service and education. "St. John Baptist De Lasalle, pray for us. Live, Jesus, in our hearts, forever."

Students Create Mosaic Mural of Founder, St. John Baptist De Lasalle

By Barb Dawson • April 3, 2025

Under the direction of Fine Arts Department Chair and Music Director, Donnie Glowinski and Art Teacher Christiana Blatchley, Montini Catholic students were invited to participate in the creation of a beautiful mosaic of the Lasallian college preparatory high school's founder, St. John Baptist De Lasalle. St. John Baptiste De Lasalle was designated the Patron Saint of teachers by the Catholic Church in 1950. The artistic endeavor was an activity created as a part of Montini's celebration of Belongingness Week (March 24-28, 2025). "Belongingness Week is designed to promote a sense of inclusion, connection, and community among students and throughout the school," said Principal Chris Tiritilli. "The purpose of this week is to enhance and emphasize an environment where each student feels known, accepted, valued and supported, regardless of their background, identity, or differences. During this week, we seek to provide several experiences and activities to celebrate the things that make us each unique and special, such as the backgrounds, experiences and traditions that we come from, all while also realizing that we come together and belong as one Montini community and family." Throughout the week, each department wwas asked to organize an activity to align with one of the three main goals of the week: Building Positive Relationships, Promoting Inclusion, Increasing Self-Esteem and Emotional Well-Being. The mural was a way for Montini students to come together through a fun and artistic activity. Each piece of the mosaic symbolized an individual, with its unique shape, color, and position contributing to the overall 'masterpiece.' The final piece will be unveiled during Montini's upcoming Mass to celebrate the Feast Day of St. John Baptist De Lasalle which is April 7th.

Alumni Return to Host Career Focused Lunch and Learns

By Barb Dawson • April 3, 2025

Under the direction of Alumni Relations Officer, Mary Albert, Montini Catholic High School is proud to continue their Lunch & Learn series throughout their spring semester as an opportunity for Bronco juniors and seniors to learn more about potential careers. This program, now in its 4th year, offers students a unique opportunity to connect with Montini alumni who have built successful careers in various fields. The informal sessions, each held during lunch periods, were developed to provide the opportunity for Montini students to explore career paths, ask questions, and gain valuable real-world advice as they plan for their futures. The first of four sessions was held on Wednesday, March 26 and featured alumni Sarah Sniegowski '14 (Senior Manager, Customer Story Development, Product Marketing at Salesforce Chicago), Alexandra Briggs '12 (Elementary School Teacher, Naper Elementary) and Mike Sullivan '94 (Managing Director & Wealth Advisor, The Wealth Management Group). Earlier in the year, students were asked to complete a career interest survey to help Lunch and Learn organizers to tailor the series to the most sought after careers. Among the careers most listed were those involving Sales/Marketing/Advertising, Banking/Accounting, Medical, Nursing, Public Service, Education, Engineering, IT/Computer Science, Political Science/Legal and Entrepreneurship/Business. Once preference information was received, Miss Albert invited those alumni holding careers in these specific areas to present at the Lunch & Learns. Montini Catholic juniors and seniors are able to register for the Lunch & Learn presentations online. The presentations are held from 12:15-1:15 PM on the designated days with pizza being served to the students as they 'listen and learn.' There is also an opportunity for students to ask questions and make connections for their future career goals. "Our first day of presentations was very successful," said Miss Albert. "Students were truly enthused and engaged to learn about their chosen careers. We are so appreciative to our alumni for graciously giving their time and for teaming up with us on this project." Upcoming Montini Lunch & Learn presentations/presenters are as follows: April 16, 2025 Finance Tom Wasilowski CFA, CPA, ‘05 – Financial Manager, Amazon Medical Dr. Megan Muscia, DO, ‘01 – Pediatrician April 28, 2025 Government & Law Enforcement Richard Starmann ‘89 –Former U.S. Secret Service April 30, 2025 Law Enforcement Guy Papa ‘94 – Law Enforcement Bureau Chief, DuPage County Sheriff’s Office Nursing Mariella Maduzia RN, ‘19- Registered Nurse, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Level IV NICU. Civil Engineering Dan Lowery, PE, ‘08 – Assistant Vice President & Construction Services Team Leader, Gannett Fleming TranSystems Image above: From L to R: Mike Sullivan '94, Alexandra Briggs '12 and Sarah Sniegowski '14 - pictured here with President Kevin Beirne (far left in blue) and Alumni Coordinator Mary Albert (far right)