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Campaign Launch

Join us as we celebrate 60 years and 6,000 graduates.

Friday, august 27th, 2010 at 6:00 PM

Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, Oakbrook, IL

If you are interested in a gift level, please contact Donna Murphy-Buckley at 630-257-7844 extension 23 or at dbuckley@mtassisi.org.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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)

In the annual state competition that included competitors from Dwight, Red Hill, Cornerstone, Johnston City, Northridge Prep and High School of St. Thomas Moore, the Mount Assisi Oral Team of Lisa Izquierdo (Lemont) and Maria Radcliffe (Lockport) captured 5th place honors with their presentation of Graph Theory: Networks and Circuits.

MAA’s Algebra II team of Lisa Izquierdo, Jennifer Ferchau (Worth), Megan Kirkland (Evergreen Park), Brittany Sepulveda (Romeoville), Julia Dunford (Palos Heights), Christine Bednarz (Palos Hills), and Julie Lanham (Chicago-Garfield Ridge) also competed in the state contest, ranking among the top 125 students in the state.

According to MAA math teacher Ms. Linda Frieh, all of the students worked very hard over the past year to qualify for the state ICTM meet. “The competition amongst high schools is tough, and I am very proud of our student’s dedication and willingness to put in the extra time to qualify for not only the state meet, but the regional contest as well,” noted Ms. Frieh.

Back Row , l-r: Megan Kirkland (Evergreen Park), Julia Dunford (Palos Heights), Brittany Sepulveda (Romeoville) Sitting, l-r: Julie Lanham (Chicago-Garfield Ridge), Lisa Izquierdo (Lemont), Jennifer Ferchau (Worth), Christine Bednarz (Palos Hills)

Kelly has led the MAA Eagles this season with an impressive 19-5 record, and currently sports a 1.15 ERA (earned run average.) No shrinking violet at the plate, she currently owns a .536 batting average. In addition to playing softball for the past four years, she also competed on the Eagles’ volleyball squad for the past two years. Kelly looks forward to attending Western Illinois University in Macomb next year, having earned an athletic scholarship for softball. She plans to major in Education.

“I have loved every minute of playing Eagle softball at MAA,” Kelly stated. “It is great to play for a coach I respect and admire, along with fellow team members, especially the seniors. I will really miss Mount Assisi Academy – both the school and the athletics,” she continued.

According to head MAA Softball Coach Brad Reynard, Megan Kelly has been “the face of MAA softball for the past four years.”

“Megan has truly been a coach’s dream when it comes to student athletes,” Coach Reynard explained. “She has helped move the team up to the next level of play when it comes to facing tough competition, and has been a true play-maker – both on the mound and at the plate. We congratulate her on this recognition and wish her well at Western Illinois. She will be missed at MAA,” Reynard continued.

The MAA softball Eagles begin GCAC Conference Tournament play today on their home diamond and it’s no surprise that Meg Kelly will the first pitcher on the mound in the opener.

MAA Varsity Softball Coach Brad Reynard (left) and MAA Athletic Director June VerSchave (right) congratulate senior Meg Kelly, GCAC Red Division Softball Player of the Year (middle).

The class’ final assignment for The Great Gatsby had several elements – including writing original stories and designing issues of 1920’s magazines such Life and Look – and planning a 1920’s-type party including food; designing original invitations to individuals of that era (Al Capone, Duke Ellington, Daisy Fitzgerald); and wearing 1920’s-era fashions . All of these elements would be graded by Ms. Kane.

The End of An Era party was held Wednesday May 5 in the Granite Room (aka Ms. Kane’s Classroom 301.) Additional guests included Babe Ruth, Harry Houdini, Humphrey Bogart, Clara Bow, Langston Hughes and Greta Garbo. Clara Bow and Greta Garbo choreographed and danced the Charleston for guests and Harry Houdini performed some of his magic tricks. Refreshments were served and a great time was had by all!

Standing l. – r. Julie Lanham (Chicago-Garfield Ridge), Erica Paprzycki (Chicago-Garfield Ridge), Brooke Keller (Worth), Jennifer Ferchau (Worth), Brittany Sepulveda (Romeoville), Lauren Piccirillo (Oak Lawn), Meghan Gallagher (Orland Park), Ms. Kristy Kane.
Kneeling l. – r. Amy Sears (Chicago-Clearing), Lisa Izquierdo (Lemont), Megan Kirkland (Evergreen Park), Christine Bednarz (Palos Hills), and Julia Dunford (Palos Heights.)

Mount Assisi Partners with Mona Lisa Stores to Support Scholarships

Mount Assisi Academy is teaming up with three alumnae – who just happen to own the Mona Lisa Stores, located at 11900 S. Harlem Avenue in Palos Heights – in support of MAA’s Guardian Angel Scholarship Fund.

Mount Assisi Academy President K. Tina Donahue, MAA Class of 1964, proudly announced the partnership with Pam Evans Cronin ’82, Wendy Evans Lundberg ’78, and Jill Evans ’81 noting that “the Evans sisters have worked hard to establish a landmark business in the southwest suburbs and they are truly outstanding ambassadors for Mount Assisi Academy. We are proud of them and their success and are grateful for their support of their alma mater,” Donahue continued.

Mona Lisa stores and the Evans sisters will host the Mona Lisa-Mount Assisi Shop to Support Scholarships event Saturday, May 8, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. This particular Saturday is the day before Mother’s Day, and the Mona Lisa-Mount Assisi event provides alumnae and friends of MAA with an opportunity to find a wonderful gift for Mom – and benefit Mount Assisi Academy as well! A percentage of the day’s Mona Lisa sales will be donated to MAA’s Guardian Angel Scholarship Fund by Wendy, Jill and Pam

For more information about the Mona Lisa-Mount Assisi Shop to Support Scholarships event Saturday, May 8, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., please call 630-257-7844, Ext. 23.

Mount Assisi Academy alums and Mona Lisa owners (left to right) Pam Evans Cronin ’82, Jill Evans ’81 and Wendy Evans Lundberg ’78 prepare to host the Mona Lisa-Mount Assisi Shop to Support Scholarships event Saturday, May 8, 2010, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.