Pax Christi Award Recipient Honored at Founder's Day

Barb Dawson • June 12, 2023

Congratulations to senior Sara Severin!

Montini Catholic proudly congratulated this year's Pax Christi Instrument of Peace Award recipient from their Class of 2023. The prestigious award was announced on Friday, May 19th, during the Lasallian college preparatory high school's Founder's Day ceremony.

This year's Pax Christi Instrument of Peace Award went to senior Sara Severin. "Each year, this esteemed award recognizes a Bronco student who has devoted themselves to God by working in the Lasallian tradition to serve others and to build a heritage of faith in the community," said Montini Catholic President Jim Segredo.

“Sara is one of kindest and most intelligent students that I have had the pleasure of working with," said Ms. Alexxis Johnson, Student Government moderator. "She is a true leader, not only in Student Government, but in our Montini community. Sara works hard to make sure that everyone's voice is heard and all opinions are shared. She leads our Executive Board meetings each week, attends all of the Student Government sponsored events, and is conscious to collaborate with our underclassmen to get them involved in Student Government."

Sara, Valedictorian of Montini's Class of 2023, is headed to the University of Illinois (Urbana Champaign) this fall to pursue a career in Biology. She was also honored as a St. Pope Paul VI Award recipient at Founder's Day. It is her dedication to service to Montini students and the Montini Catholic family as a whole that earned Sara the Pax Christi Award.

She most recently earned Bronco Student of the Month accolades for May (her second during her time as a Bronco) for being a very enthusiastic, involved and inspiring Bronco. She served as Student Government President her senior year and devoted her time as a Peer Minister (core team member) her junior and senior years. She was a member of Yearbook and Mental Health Clubs as well as a member of the Montini Maniacs (spirit team). She was also a member of the Volleyball Team and kept the Bronco community updated and informed as their Social Media Manager.

Academically, Sara is a member of Montini's Spanish Club and Honor Society and was inducted into the National Honor Society during her junior year. She was most recently named a Bronco Academic All Star - which involves attaining a 3.95+ GPA throughout her high school career. She has earned the President’s Gold Award for Academic Excellence and is an Illinois State Scholar, a prestigious recognition, given annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, honoring the academic achievements of high school students from across the state.

"We are so honored to present this award to Sara," said President Segredo. "She truly exemplifies the Christ-centered leadership qualities we need here at Montini and in the world."

Image above: Sara with Montini's Assistant Principal Sara Lhotka on Founder's Day

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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)