News Archive

MAA Celebrates 60 Years On The Hill

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 In Development News, Parent News

The 2010/2011 school year marks Mount Assisi Academy’s 60th Anniversary of educating young women in the Franciscan tradition. MAA’s 60th festivities launched on Friday, August 27, 2010 with a special evening reception at the recently opened Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse in Oakbrook, hosted by owner and MAA alumna Peg O’Ryan Lombardo and husband Steve.

The 60th Anniversary brings with it a special mantra, “Mount Assisi Academy, Franciscan Tradition ~ Franciscan Future.” The ministry established by the Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King in 1951 has educated over 6,100 young women who are successful in a variety of professions. On August 19th Mount Assisi Academy opened its doors to continue its mission for young women in the Chicago metropolitan area and the west, south and southwest suburbs, by welcoming the Class of 2014.

“The 2010/2011 school year is a special one because we are strong, our enrollment is on the rise, our future is bright, and we continue our 60th year of the Sisters’ Franciscan formational legacy for young women,” says K. Tina Donahue, current MAA President and 1964 alumna. “Strong Catholic High Schools promise a positive future lead by competent women and men – that’s what’s so important about our celebrations this year,” Ms. Donahue continues.

MAA will host a variety of events throughout the year to celebrate its 60th Anniversary. Upcoming activities include an All-Alumnae Open House on Sunday, September 26, 2010 and a 60th Anniversary Mass on Monday evening, October 4, 2010 celebrated by Bishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S.

For more information about Mount Assisi Academy and its 60th Anniversary celebrations please contact Nina Solava, Marketing Manager, at 630-257-7844, ext 23.

Left to Right: Sister Mary Terese Giblin (Assistant Principal for Student Services), K. Tina Donahue (President), Sister Therese Ann Quigney (Provincial Superior), Reverend Joseph Glab, CR (Board Member), and Peg Lombardo (Honorary 60th Anniversary Campaign Chair)

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Softball Team Wins GCAC Sportsmanship Award

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010 In All News, Athletic News

Mount Assisi Academy’s varsity softball team was recently awarded the 2010 Girls Catholic Athletic Conference (GCAC) Sportsmanship Award in the Red Division. This honor, voted by conference coaches, is awarded annually to the team exemplifying superior sportsmanship and hospitality before, during and after competition.

Interestingly, the criterion for the GCAC Sportsmanship Award not only takes into consideration the on and off-field conduct of players and coaches, but also the conduct and behavior of the team’s spectators as well.

The MAA varsity Eagles are in the midst of IHSA Regional competition, sporting a 24-8 overall won-loss record to date. Pitcher Megan Kelly was recently named GCAC Red Division Player of the Year, as well as Triblocal Athlete of the Month for April 2010.

Mount Assisi is hosting regional competition with Finals scheduled for Saturday, May 29, at 11:00 a.m. at MAA.

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Class of 2010 Graduation

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 In Academic News, Admissions News, New Calendar, Parent News

Mount Assisi Academy’s 59th Commencement Exercises and Baccalaureate Mass took Place Sunday, May 23, 2010, on the school’s campus. The Class of 2010 includes 65 graduates, 97% of whom will continue their education at 44 post-secondary institutions. Collectively, members of MAA’s Class of 2010 have been awarded over $2.98 million dollars in scholarship funds.

The morning’s activities began with faculty, staff, members of the MAA Board of Directors and graduates with their families who gathered to celebrate the traditional Baccalaureate Mass led by Reverend Brian G. Paulson, SJ, president of St. Ignatius College Prep. The Mount Assisi Academy Concert and Liturgical Musical groups led the community in musical worship throughout the Mass, and several graduating seniors also participated in selected parts of the Mass.

The 59th Commencement Exercises of Mount Assisi Academy immediately followed Mass, with the conferring of diplomas conducted by Sister Therese Ann Quigney, Provincial Superior of the School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King; K. Tina Donahue, MAA Class of 1964 and President of MAA; and Sister Mary Francis Werner, Principal of MAA. Following the diploma ceremony, Sister M. Ann Barbara Plavac, MAA Class of 1959 and Provincial Vicaress of the School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King, announced the winner of the prestigious 2010 Franciscan Service Award – Jessica Curbis.

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Seniors Awarded $2.98 Million in Scholarships

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010 In Academic News, Admissions News, Development News, Parent News

As Mount Assisi Academy’s Class of 2010 prepares for graduation ceremonies which are scheduled for Sunday May 23, 2010, the academic accolades and scholarship awards continue to come in. There are 65 seniors graduating from MAA and to date, collectively they have been awarded $2,989,683.00 in scholarship funds from over 44 colleges and universities nation-wide. The amount of the scholarship awards vary, ranging anywhere from $500 to $25,000.

“Clearly, this is an indication of the caliber of education young women receive at Mount Assisi Academy,” stated Ernest Cherullo, MAA Director of Guidance and Counseling. “The tradition of providing a quality, college preparatory education at Mount Assisi Academy began 59 years ago and continues today as Mount Assisi looks forward to its 60th anniversary next year,” Cherullo continued. “In today’s economy all students are actively pursuing financial support to help them with their college expenses, and the competition for scholarship awards has become even more challenging. Mount Assisi seniors have always been competitive when it comes to college admissions and scholarship awards – and even more so this year,” Cherullo noted.

In addition to those scholarship awards, seven MAA seniors were named 2010 Illinois State Scholars.

Kim Bretz (Chicago-Garfield Ridge), MAA Class of 2009, in a reflective moment during last year’s commencement ceremonies.

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May Crowning & Senior Awards

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010 In Academic News, Parent News

The community of Mount Assisi Academy honored both Mary and the Class of 2010 Friday May 7 at its annual May Crowning ceremony, followed by the Senior Awards Ceremony and Breakfast.

During the Senior Awards Ceremony, finalists for Mount Assisi’s prestigious Franciscan Service Award were announced. The Franciscan Service Award is awarded annually to a graduating senior who meets specific criteria. Jessica Curbis (Crestwood), Abigail Durkin (Oak Lawn), and Maria Radcliffe (Lockport) are the 2010 finalists and the winner will be announced at MAA’s May 23 graduation commencement exercises.

Madilyn Joyce (Worth) was presented with the Bill Bradna Award which commemorates the MAA late athletic director and honors a student athlete.

Lauren Pratl (Chicago Ridge) was named recipient of the Heather Noonan Memorial Scholarship, which honors the memory of MAA Alumna Heather Noonan, Class of 1995.

Georgina O’Driscoll (Crestwood) and Maria Radcliffe (Lockport) were recipients of the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) Achievement Award.

Megan Sempkowski (Worth) was named recipient of the Marquette Bank Education Foundation Scholarship, and Jessica Curbis (Crestwood) and Amanda Gesiorski (Lockport) earned National Honor Society Certificates of Merit.

MAA’s 2010 Illinois State Scholars include: Jessica Curbis, Abigail Durkin, Amanda Ferstead (Chicago-Beverly), Amanda Gesiorski, Julia Marbach (Chicago-Beverly), Georgina O’Driscoll, and Maria Radcliffe.

Amanda Gesiorski was the recipient of the Ripon College Pickard Scholarship, and Julia Marbach, Georgina O’Driscoll, and Maria Radcliffe each received the University of Dayton Scholarship Award.

Other Mount Assisi Academy 2010 Senior Awards include:
Regional ICTM Math Contest Participants: Jessica Curbis, Abigail Durkin, Amanda Ferstead, Amanda Gesiorski, Georgina O’Driscoll, Lauren Pratl, Maria Radcliffe, Megan Sempkowski, Selina Sepulveda (Romeoville), and Karly Taylor (Chicago-Clearing.)

Wendy’s High School Heisman Award : Rebecca Baran (Chicago-Garfield Ridge.)
President’s Education Award: Jessica Curbis, Cara Delorto (Chicago-Garfield Ridge), Abigail Durkin, Amanda Gesiorski, Annette Gil, Lauren Hubick (Tinley Park), Julia Marbach, Georgina O’Driscoll, Maria Radcliffe, Megan Sempkowski, and Selina Sepulveda.

MAA seniors celebrate their upcoming May 23, 2010 graduation

Annette Gil (Burr Ridge), Kaitlyn Piazza (Oak Forest), Kristen Tracy (Chicago-Mount Greenwood), Stephanie Larson (Orland Park), Karly Taylor (Chicago-Clearing), Ariana Lopez (Chicago-Mount Greenwood), and Caitlin McNamara (Chicago-Mount Greenwood)

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