Fall 2020 Where the Marist Family Meets for News
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THE Fall 2020 Where the Marist Family Meets for News New Marist leadership eyes the future Fall 2020 DEAR MARIST FAMILY, 03 have walked the Marist halls for just about half of my life. I remember School News starting here as a nervous freshman. My family had moved here from Ohio, so we did not know many people. But as I walked the halls, I found friendly faces. I found Brothers who tempered being strict with 09 I their love of teaching and of God. I found teachers who were Athletic News passionate and pushed us to do better. I found teammates and coaches that gave every last bit of energy they had. I found 14 friends for life who have been with me for decades now. Advancement News When I became principal in 1998, I had a new perspec- tive as I made my way through the halls. So much was the same—the devoted Brothers, the dedicated teachers, the 17 Alumni News spirited students, the successful co-curricular programs. But as principal, I felt the urgency to put in place the programs, technology, space, and opportunities for our students and 29 faculty members to flourish so that our students were ready Donor Recognition Report for higher education and life. I humbly helped carry on the 2019-2020 Marist tradition of “reading the signs of the times,” as St. Marcellin had said, in order to serve our students. Today, as the first lay president of Marist Chicago, I see things from a different outlook. I now am looking towards the future and working to ensure that Marist’s Catholic, coed, college prep experience is available long after I walk these halls. I want future generations to come here and know what it means to be Marist. 2 To make that a reality, Marist and all those who believe in its mission must take on the task of creating long-term financial viability for the school so that tuition can be attainable, financial assistance available, and funding for curriculum and campus improvements in place. Marist’s mission continues to drive our work. We have consistently been the leader in Catholic education and that remains true even in the face of challenges—even a global pandemic. As we move ahead in these uncharted On the cover: Larry Tucker ’79 and Dr. Katie Baal, waters, I am encouraged by the dedication of our faculty and staff who kept Marist’s new president and principal, education moving forward for our students. This past spring, e-learning respectively, are excited to move training that normally takes weeks was completed in days for the benefit of Marist forward. our students. At the start of this school year, two weeks were set aside for additional training focused on robust teaching methods and an improved Rita Hoffmann, Photo credit: e-learning environment. This work was led by Dr. Katie Baal, our new Marist Visual & Performing Arts Curriculum Coordinator principal, in whom I have the utmost faith and confidence. I am excited to partner with her as we and our great team lead Marist. We will continue to move our story forward through our faith, family spirit, and commitment to future-readiness. I invite you join us on the journey and to walk the halls with us literally and figuratively. You are in the prayers of the Marist community, and we especially pray for your health and safety. Sincerely, Marist High School 4200 West 115th Street Chicago, Illinois 60655 www.marist.net Larry Tucker ’79 President School News New Marist leadership sets historic firsts Larry Tucker ’79 becomes first lay president and Dr. Kathryn Baal becomes first female principal at Marist he 2020-2021 school year officially began assistant principal of student services. She oversees July 1, and this year, it brought with it many counseling, student activities, the academic resource T changes within our administrative team. As center, and the health office, along with other announced during the past school year, Marist has a student life needs. new president and principal at the helm. Joe Inzinga ’77, who served as the academic Larry Tucker ’79, who served as principal for dean for underclassmen, and Don Pirkle ’77, who 22 years, is now the school’s first lay president. In his served as the dean of discipline for underclassmen, 3 role, he acts as the chief executive officer and “chief now serve as deans of students with a new focus executive in faith.” He is responsible for driving within their roles. Mr. Inzinga oversees juniors and long-range planning and all aspects of the school’s seniors, while Mr. Pirkle works with freshmen and general operations, financial management, and sophomores. They run class-specific programming, institutional advancement of the 55-acre campus. plan student and parent events, manage discipline Dr. Kathryn Baal assumed the principal’s role. A issues, and oversee school safety measures and other seasoned educator, Dr. Baal joined Marist during the logistical responsibilities. 2019-2020 school year as the director of curriculum These four administrators along with Athletic and instruction. She now works as the chief operating Director Eric Simpson will comprise the principal’s officer with primary responsibility for all matters leadership team. These changes, in part, come as a related to academic programs, student services, faculty, response to the growing needs and additional atten- and the daily operations of the school. She is the first tion required for our students and their learning, the woman to serve as principal at Marist. desire to have more structure around organizational The number of remaining positions on the admin- flow and communication, and the capacity to istrative team stayed the same while the roles and enhance Marist’s current practices to better serve all responsibilities changed for the new school year. constituents, including faculty and staff. Sarah Kolkmeyer, who has taught in the Former President Br. Hank Hammer, FMS, Religious Studies Department, managed Marist’s remains at Marist Chicago, overseeing all standard- transition to a 1:1 iPad program, and directed the ized testing and semester exams, among other Marcellin Program and Peer Leadership Program, responsibilities. We are grateful for his six years of joined the team as assistant principal of academics, leadership and spiritual guidance that have made a overseeing course offerings, teacher development, lasting impact on our community and campus. Tom school accreditation, and several other academic Gouterman, who worked as the academic dean for areas. Beth O’Neill, who served as the dean of upperclassmen, wanted to return to the classroom, discipline for upperclassmen, assumed the role of and now teaches in the Science Department. Fall 2020 School News HATS OFF to the class of A CLASS LIKE NO OTHER Memory Lane: Seniors MARIST HIGH THE CLASS STATS INCLUDE: pulled onto campus for one SCHOOL’ S of six outdoor showings of the class of 2020 memory CLASS OF 2020 video May 7 through 9. th Upon arrival, students marked the 54 graduating 64 5 received a mask and movie class for the school. Despite Illinois State Scholars National Merit Finalists candy. Then they sat back the unexpected end to and enjoyed watching four years of memories. the 2019-20 school year due to COVID-19, the class $45+ 4 Senior Surprise: Marist’s continued the school’s National Merit campus was transformed into a living yearbook tradition of excellence. million Commended Students in scholarships May 19 to 21. Balloons, lights, and special signs welcomed seniors and families who drove through 2,655 campus to check out special 4 73 applications sent to 375 displays featuring athletics, Legacy Graduates activities, messages colleges and universities from teachers, and class coast to coast memories. The highlight was seeing Fathead images (2’ x 3’) of all 397 seniors lining 2 the west end of campus. Students scored 36 52 Grace ’20 and Tim ’89 Enright are on the ACT College-bound athletes all smiles driving through the senior surprise display. TOP OF THE CLASS STAR STUDENTS CO-VALEDICTORIAN: CO-VALEDICTORIAN: CO-SALUTATORIAN: CO-SALUTATORIAN: FACULTY AWARD FACULTY AWARD Connor McNamara Zachary Stack Jack Molenhouse Nicole Viz WINNER: WINNER: Caleb Davis Grace Maxwell GRADE SCHOOL: GRADE SCHOOL: GRADE SCHOOL: GRADE SCHOOL: St. Michael Cardinal Joseph Mt. Greenwood Ss. Cyril & GRADE SCHOOL: GRADE SCHOOL: Bernardin Methodius St. Thomas Most Holy COLLEGE: COLLEGE: the Apostle Redeemer University of COLLEGE: Texas A&M COLLEGE: Illinois at Urbana- Harvard University University of COLLEGE: COLLEGE: Champaign University Illinois at Urbana- Marist College St. Mary’s College Champaign (Notre Dame, Ind.) The Point SENIOR EVENTS … REIMAGINED The traditional milestone events for seniors could not be held due to the pandemic, so Marist got creative in order to Br. Rich Grenier greeted families atop a volleyball referee stand as part of the athletics display while the Marist Fight Song played on repeat at the senior recognize these amazing surprise May 19-21. RedHawks. Graduation “Practice”: Seniors, many Ceremony: Reverend Tom Hurley ’85 with their families in decorated cars opened the doors of Old St. Patrick’s on and donning college shirts, lined up in May 24 so that Marist could livestream their cars to receive caps and gowns, its graduation celebration, which included academic cords, and other special Mass, senior awards, and commencement. senior items. “Pomp and Circumstance” Thousands viewed the event online. Pictured 5 played as each car pulled up for a with Fr. Hurley (center) are co-valedictorians moment with then Principal Larry Connor McNamara (from left) and Zachary Tucker ’79. Pictured is Reginald Riley Stack and student council president and vice- who was happy to take one last photo president Brigid Englehart and Caleb Davis.