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CHRIS DELGADILLO AND FELLOW RITAMEN CELEBRATE 2014 COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES

STORY ON PAGES 6 & 7 ADMINISTRATION President Mr. Ernest J. Mrozek '71 Principal Mr. Brendan J. Conroy Chairman of the Board/School Chaplain Fr. Tom McCarthy '83, O.S.A.

OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Director of Institutional Advancement Mr. John O'Neill '79 Director of Major Gifts Mr. John Schmitt '84 Director of Alumni Relations Mr. Bill Heaney '05 Assistant Director of Special Events/Database Manager Mrs. Sue Connolly Assistant Director of Marketing Ms. Bridget Allen COVER STORY: PAGE 6-7 Class of 2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mr. Bill Attea Mr. James J. Brasher '71 PROFILES: Mr. Nicholas A. Calarco '73 Mr. Sean J. Carney '74 PAGE 5 alumni spotlight Mr. Paul Dachota '84 Mr. James Gagnard '64 THIS ISSUE: Mr. Thomas J. Healy '83 Mr. David S. Howicz PAGE 3 a message from our president Mr. Gregory J. Jania '89 PAGE 4 spring sports Wrap-up Alderman Lona Lane, 18th Ward PAGE 8-9 reCent happenings Mr. Timothy I. McArdle (Hon.) PAGE 10 Where are they noW? Rev. Thomas R. McCarthy, O.S.A. '83, Chairman Mr. Ernest J. Mrozek '71 message from mike mCardle PAGE 11 Mr. Charles F. Nash '71 Fr. Bob Prevost, O.S.A. Mr. Stephen M. Schaller '83 BACK COVER: Mr. Edward J. Schmit '63 PAGE 12 2014 football sChedule Mr. Charles A. Volpentesta '92 Mr. Michael A. Wagner Mr. J. J. Wilczewski '92 Mr. Andrew Youpel

EMERITI BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mr. Ronald M. Abramowicz '60 Mr. Anthony Colosimo '63 Mr. Patrick E. Mahoney '54 Mr. Michael J. McArdle '54 Mr. James C. Miller '47 Mr. Donald A. Petkus '58 Mr. Michael Schneider '46 Mr. Arthur R. Velasquez '56 Dr. John Donahue

2 TOLLE LEGE! SPRING 2014 A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Dear friends, parents and fellow Ritamen,

In today’s competitive world where strong values often seem endangered, making a quality, faith-based education available to young men of all backgrounds is more important than ever. Demographic changes and economic challenges continue to plague virtually all South Side Catholic schools. Despite these ongoing pressures, with your help, St. Rita continues to rise to the challenge. Through the combined efforts of our dedicated faculty and staff, committed

• Our 157 seniors were awarded a record $15.2 million in college scholarships, with two thirds receiving some form of academic grant.

• We trained our teachers on the use of iPads and will implement a 1:1 iPad program for our freshmen next year.

• We initiated a well-received Big Brothers mentoring program for freshmen, and further enhanced our service programs and class retreats for all Ritamen.

• Over 90% of our students again participated in one or more sports and activities, an extraordinary level of involvement.

by any school in league history.

• and wrestling had excellent seasons, while track, soccer and water polo continue to experience a surge in interest and success.

• The band received several top awards, the chess team went downstate and our theater program continued to grow.

• Our outdated library was completely upgraded to a state of the art Research Center, and we are replacing the 12-year alums.

Thanks to your generosity, we were also able to increase need-based tuition assistance and scholarships to almost $1.3 million. Despite this increasing cost, we continued to keep our revenues and expenses in balance, even as we grew our modest endowment. Increasing the endowment will enable St. Rita to continue to thrive well into the future, and is one of our top priorities.

Please know that your support is positively impacting the lives and futures of young men. If you haven’t done so already, please consider responding to our Annual Appeal and including St. Rita in your estate plans. If you have already done so, please accept our heartfelt thanks.

your support.

St. Rita, Pray for Us!

Ernie Mrozek, ‘71 President

VERITAS † UNITAS † CARITAS 3 Spring Sports Wrap Up The St. Rita Mustangs enjoyed yet another successful campaign this to build on the momentum generated from the successful summer season. Ranked at

history.

4 TOLLE LEGE! SUMMER 2014 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: A LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO VETERANS

Dr. John Hofer, ’69, has been recognized by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker for a lifetime of extraordinary service in the military, as well as his service to Veterans as a Chief of Dental Services at the William S. Middleton VA Hospital in Madison. Currently the Post Surgeon at William (Sonny) Simon VFW Post 8216 in Middleton, Hofer volunteered for the draft in 1970 at age 18, serving as an Army Combat Medic with Company B, 5th Battalion 46th Infantry, 198th Light Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division.

While attending Dental School at Southern University he transferred to the United States Naval Reserve with assignments including the 4th Dental Battalion, 4th Marine Division and also two Seabee Construction Battalions, retiring in 2003 as a Commander. His military decorations include the Combat Medical Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Seabee Combat Warfare Pin and several other decorations from service in Vietnam and in the Reserves.

“Doc” Hofer founded the “Hall of Heroes” while employed at the VA Medical Center in Chillicothe, OH in April of 1999 and subsequently brought it to the Middleton VA facility. He also helped establish it at the Tomah, WI and Seattle WA VA Hospitals. The “Hall of Heroes” recognizes highly decorated combat Veterans with pictures and citations centrally displayed in the VA hospitals.

During a recent Americal Division Veterans Association (ADVA) reunion in Nashville, TN, Dr. Hofer was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the ADVA. This was from the grassroots efforts of many Vietnam Veterans in his platoon with whom he served, several of which were service, then and now.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: HONORING A TEACHER WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE

Rev. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A, ’83 receives a $ 30,000 check from Dan Van Dorpe, ’52 and his wife Peggy to fund the Father Edward Chapman, O.S.A. Tuition Assistance Scholarship Fund. Father Chapman (1917 – 1986) was a religion and mathematics teacher at St. Rita from 1944 until he was transferred to Austin Catholic High School in Detroit in 1952. Dan Van Dorpe stated, “Father Chapman saw me struggling with Algebra I in my freshman year, so he took me under his wing and tutored me in math.”

Upon graduating from St. Rita, Mr. Van Dorpe earned a degree in civil engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He and Peggy live in Southern California engineering business for almost thirty years. “I would not have achieved what I did in life were it not for Fr. Chapman,” said Van Dorpe.

The Father Chapman Tuition Assistance Scholarship of $ 1,800 will be granted annually to a worthy student who is planning a career in a religious order or in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Math) career and who submits a short essay on “How I will serve God through my vocation.”

VERITAS † UNITAS † CARITAS 5 Graduation Day: Class of 2014

Cascia High School, highlighted by the Baccalaureate Mass presided over by Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A, ‘83 and concelebrated with Fr. Bernard Danber, O.S.A, ’68; Fr. Rich Young, O.S.A, ’82; Fr. Bill McFarlane, Honorary Alum and Fr. Bolivar Molina. Highlights of the ceremony included the presentation of multiple awards and honors to the graduates and the heartfelt and moving addresses made by Valedictorian Tony Signorelli, Most Holy Redeemer parish in Evergreen Park and Salutatorian Trevor Jestadt, St. Joseph’s parish in Summit. Tony and Trevor reminisced about their time at St. Rita while challenging their fellow graduates to embrace the challenges this next phase of their lives will present them.

The Class of 2014 has thus far received $ 15,353,771 in college scholarships, a huge accomplishment and testimony to their hard work. This translates to $ 101,000 per graduating senior in college scholarships. Members of this class will matriculate to such colleges and universities as Arizona State, Ball State, Creighton, Illinois Wesleyan, Indiana, Marquette, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska Lincoln, Dayton and Syracuse.

Included in the graduating class were the following:

• Fifty-seven members of the National Honor Society • Twenty-six Presidential Award Winners • Seventeen Illinois State Scholars • Twenty-eight members of the Gold Honor Roll • Forty-four members of the Silver Honor Roll

A highlight at every St. Rita commencement exercise is the recognition paid to the “Tradition Which Shapes the Future”, whereby graduating seniors are recognized with their Fathers and / or Grandfathers who graduated from St. Rita or Mendel Catholic before them. This year, there were twenty-four seniors who were recognized with their St. Rita-graduate fathers and four seniors who were recognized with their Men of Mendel fathers. Four St. Rita graduates were recognized with their fathers and grandfathers as third generation Ritamen while two St. Rita graduates were recognized as fourth generation Ritamen. In addition, thirty-nine St. Rita graduates had brothers who graduated from St. Rita before them. “Tradition Never Graduates” is more than just a tag line at St. Rita.

Best of luck to our graduating seniors as we prepare to welcome the class of 2018 this August. For further information, please contact Congratulations Class of 2014 $15,353,771 College sCholarships earned

VERITAS † UNITAS † CARITAS 7 NEW PLAYING SURFACE FOR DOYLE STADIUM

area school – public or private – to install an time, Pat Cronin Field at Doyle Stadium has played host to thousands of events, from St. Rita football, soccer and lacrosse games to grade school football jamborees to Police and Fire football games to neighborhood sporting events, not to mention daily practices, gym classes and alumni tournaments.

pounding over the years. “The issue with being the Rita Director of Institutional Advancement John O’Neill, ‘79. St. Rita is proud to announce that beginning in July, 2014, the surface of Pat Cronin This technology is rapidly being installed in high school, college and professional football and baseball stadiums around the country and will be in place when the Mustangs begin their 2014 home campaign hosting class 5A runner-up Montini High School on Friday, September 12th.

“Our student-athletes and our neighbors and guests who use Doyle Stadium deserve the best surface on which to prepare and play their games,” said St. Rita President Ernie Mrozek, ’71. “Now, thanks to the incredibly loyal support of our alumni, they will have the best in the entire area. on our beautiful campus.”

MARK PAYTON, ’10: A CLASS ACT

Senior CLASS Award. The award is presented annually to an NCAA Division I senior who has notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student- athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. Mark, majoring in Applied Learning & Development, has been especially active with youth, volunteering with Marathon Kids, helping speaking to students about the negative aspects of bullying and at the Neighborhood Longhorns Banquet, a scholarship banquet recognizing local children for academic achievements.

Payton, recently drafted in the 7th round by the New York Yankees, owns the nation’s longest reached-base streak in Big 12 University of Texas advance to the 2014 College World Series tournament. Mark leaves the University of Texas as the Big 12 conference active leader in total bases (382), walks (146), triples (19), doubles (50), RBI (121) and on-base percentage (.427). St. Rita baseball coach Mike Zunica for the game and great instruction his whole life,” said Zunica. “Those three things and he has a God-given ability to play the game.”

8 TOLLE LEGE! SPRING 2014 ST. RITA STUDENTS HEADING TO VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY

At the beginning of every school year, during his address to the freshman class, Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A., ’83 implores the new Ritamen to avoid being a “2:22 guy”: that guy or activity. Our two recent graduates heading to Villanova University this fall are anything but “2:22 guys”.

Tony Signorelli, a third-generation Ritaman (Grandfather Sam, ’52 and Dad Frank, ’84) was the Valedictorian at our recently held commencement exercises in May. Tony came to St. Rita from Most Holy Redeemer parish in Evergreen Park. He played freshman soccer, then went on to become very active in the St. Rita Scholastic Bowl, the Knights of Augustine and served as the President of the St. Rita chapter of the National Honor Society. Tony will enter the School of Engineering at Villanova, where he claims his studies at St. Rita taught him the value of time management and how large a part it played in his academic success.

Vince Ryan followed a similar path. He was a 4-year letterman in soccer, but also found the time to participate in the Knights of Augustine, the French Club and the Scholastic Bowl, among other activities during his four years at St. Rita. “I chose Villanova because I wanted to go away and experience new things,” said Vince. “I had great teachers at St. Rita, including Mrs. Krystoff and Mr. Pazin. Hopefully college can live up to my last four years here at St. Rita.” Vince chose Villanova over such east-coast schools as Boston College, Boston University, UConn and Midwest powers Illinois and Purdue and plans to major in engineering. Tony and Vince join fellow Ritamen at Villanova Dennis Rutter, ’13 (class Salutatorian), Brian Omastiak, ’11 (class Valedictorian) and Zach Wagner, ’12 (Augustinian Scholar Awardee).

1965 RITAMAN REUNITES WITH CLASS RING

Though the memories begin to fade over the years, the one thing that always connects a Ritaman to his high school days is his class ring, realizing

“Before graduation, my Mom and Dad purchased my class ring for me. To me, it was one of my best graduation gifts ever,” said Bob. Unfortunately, Bob and his ring were separated shortly thereafter and he thought it was gone forever. “Even after eight years in the military and thirty years as a Physical Science and Math teacher, I still remembered and missed my ring.”

out the year books associated with each ring, compared the initials inside the ring with a senior whose initials matched and then got on the phone. years, I still missed my ring to this day.”

Connolly at (773) 925-5029 so we can get you reunited with your ring. 1955 RH 1968 RBG 1966 MJR 1961 TD 1968 RRS 1961 RS 1978 JAK

2014 VARSITY SOCCER SCHEDULE

26-Aug Windy City Tourney 7:45 PM 21-Sep Providence (Toyota Park) 4:00 PM 28-Aug Windy City Tourney 7:45 PM 23-Sep at Wheaton - St. Francis 6:30 PM 30-Aug Windy City Tourney @ Reavis TBD 25-Sep Mount Carmel 6:30 PM 2-Sep at Richards 4:30 PM 27-Sep Marist Noon 4-Sep Windy City Finals TBD 30-Sep at Brother Rice 7:00 PM 9-Sep Notre Dame 6:30 PM 2-Oct St. Laurence 6:30 PM 11-Sep at Bishop Mac TBD 4-Oct at Oak Forest TBD 13-Sep Argo Noon 9-Oct at Marmion 6:30 PM 16-Sep at De La Salle 4:30 PM 11-Oct at Oak Lawn 9:00 AM 18-Sep Kennedy 6:30 PM 14-Oct Marian Catholic 6:30 PM

VERITAS † UNITAS † CARITAS 9 WHERE ARE THEY NOW? following updates on some of our alumni, with all important updates please contact Sue Connolly at [email protected] 1945 1957 consulting services to school districts in admin of John Patrick McGuire, turned 87 on May 8th Lou Antonacci, will be celebrating 50th Wedding special education and advocacy in areas of special he retired at 62 from Francisco Sisters of the Anniversary this year. Enjoying time spent with education and deaf and hard of hearing. Sacred Heart in Frankfort, IL where he was the our 6 kids and 16 grandkids. Continue to practice Don Rogers, retired living in a suburb of Chief Engineer. Enjoying their 6 children and 18 dentistry part-time. grandchildren. Rev. Jim Corrigan, retired though remain and volunteer work. My wife Donna and I spend Anthony F. Studin, Assigned to Berlin Engineer active with the Association for Clinical Pastoral the winter in Siesta Key, FL. Supply Depot during 1946. Discharged as S/ Education. Sgt. 1947. Self employed IT Consultant to the Michael Matkovich, I have been retired for 10 1966 insurance industry for 21 years. Married for 62 years. I spend winter in Florida playing and Gregory Kunysz, retired, taking life easy and years, 2 daughters, 6 grandchildren and 2 great enjoying the weather. I also enjoy traveling to see enjoying a little traveling. grandchildren. Living in Batavia, IL. my grandchildren in California and Montana. 1967 1946 1959 Richard S. Andrews, retired 4 years from career as Leo Loughran, retired General Contractor, Stanley Bartecki, wife and I recently traveled Labor Attorney with NLRD. Serving Indian Head spending time with wife, 2 sons, 2 daughters, 4 around the world together to England, Japan, South Park Village in 2nd term as Mayor. Enjoying my grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Korea and France. Having a great time. grand-daughter, relaxing and having fun traveling Thomas M. Foley, retired. Father of seven - with my wife Diane. 1947 Alumni sons, Robert ’83,o Timothyf ’86, Leonard David W. Lesniak, retired Radiation Therapist at Thomas P. Mulhall, retired for 22 years. My wife ’87 and grandsona Matthew ’08. C Weiss Hospital. Active runner 5k-10k, – Ann and I just back from the Fred Waring Choral John F.i Looneyt , retired since 1998 from Navistara senior and master’s competition. Music Workshop in Delaware, PA. R s take trips with our local seniors club. We have c1968 1950 .been to Washington, DC and Pigeon Forge, TN. Garyi Waxmonsky, retired after 35 years in Richard Vleck , 1954-56 Army Infantry 1st LT, selft Frank L. Markunas, retired CPD - school crossing internationala affairs with EPA, National Research employed realtor for 30 years, Paralegal 6 years. guard for 31 years. Great times at Ritamen Lunches Council, and Dept. of State. Retired. Helps at church food pantry and is a choirS and other SR events. Keeping in touch with retired member. members CFD, volunteer at church. 1969 Jack Walsh, almost 30 years at Continental Bank; Edward Smith 1952 Little Village Boys & Girls Club Board; Catholic with grandchildren. Charities Volunteer; widower w/boy & girl in early Jim Fingleton, 1956 Illinois Grad, BSEE. Married 30’s. the girl I took to the senior prom, Denise Leiser 1970 from Visitation. Six kids, all graduated from Thomas Lonergan, just elected as a Trustee of college, and married. 15 grandchildren. Currently 1960 The Chicago Police Union – Fop Lodge 7. retired and selling real estate. Feel like I’m 18 Larry Lucarelli, still working – designing pollution again. 1971 Fred Sopron, retired in 2012 after 43 years as John Wilkes, Just celebrated my 80th birthday, still Hon. Raymond Jagielski, became a grandpa on Electrical Engineer at University of Chicago – working as a bank courier in the Phoenix area. 11/18/13 - Adam James Kulik, Class of 2031! Consortium for Advanced Radiation Sources. Bob Mietz, retired from Coca-Cola as Vice resident Received Bachelor in Tech Management from UNI 1954 Marketing Unit . in 1983 – Just 23 years after graduating from St. Charles (Chick) Graffy, continues to coach high Rita! L U M N school sports at Hoffman Estates High School. A I 1975 21 years of Freshman Football and 15 years of 1961 Chicago Joseph Gotfryd, employed with Arthur J. Freshman/Sophmore Baseball. Gallagher & Co. and Varsity Hockey Coach at St. Richard Morris, retiredest. and !"#$ living near Robert “Jake” Schmitz, Member of ’54 Ignatius College Prep. Championship “lites” team. Graduate Fredericksburg, VA. Loyola University ’58; employed by Continental 1976 1962 Can Company for 31 years in management and Timothy A. Reidy, worked 35 years for Department Robert Buras, retired, playing golf, Eucharistic of Human Services – retired 2013. Park. Member Chicago 16” Softball Hall of Fame; Minister, Lector and Finance Council member for our church. inducted 2000. 1995 Robert Thompson, retired 17 years from Director Richard Butler, retired, enjoy travel, 5 grandkids, Brett Sanchez, lives in LaGrange, IL with my wife of Rosemont Park District. and Knights of Columbus involvement. of 10 years, Michelle and two beautiful daughters Karl F. Walter, retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief William Insley, currently a broker with Century 21 Gabrielle (8) and Cecilia (4). Working for Bank in Oaklawn, IL. The father of 3 fellow Ritamen of Montreal for 15 years, currently focused on Detective. Live part-time in Venice, FL – enjoying and grandfather of 3 Ritamen. corporate lending and private equity. life! Nicholas Simich, retired for the last 14 years from the Chicago Police Department. 2003 1955 Andrew Okon, Chicago Fireman, Married Don Manderscheild, retired photographer. Still 1963 November 2013. enjoy using a camera. John J. Conway, retired from Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. 2012 1956 Stanley Kruszynski, retired 33 years. Teaching at Craig Sabath, student at , George F. Kahlfeldt, still healthy at 75 years of Carl Sanburg High School in Orland Park, IL. age, married to Marlene for 54 years and living at School next summer in Quantico, VA. Lake Bloomington. 1964 Michael Vastalo , retired and blessed to be able to John Jun, retired in 2001 from Special Education enjoy my life and new grandson. Administration. Currently, provide contractual

10 TOLLE LEGE! SPRING 2014 1905 GUILD: A MESSAGE FROM MIKE MCARDLE, CLASS OF 1954

“When I began to plan my estate, I was reminded of my responsibility to help keep Catholic education alive on the south side of Chicago.”

– Michael J. McArdle, Class of 1954 McArdle, Frost & Brinton Law Firm

with the top in the nation. Our school ranks among the very best in academics and athletics, but what’s even more important are the Augustinian Catholic values that have been instilled in our young men, needed in our society today more than ever.”

“Anyone who has walked St. Rita’s halls, whether at 63rd Street or 77th and Western, knows what she means to all her alumni, Family provide the greatest lessons of all.

“These lessons have resonated with me throughout my life, and when I began to plan my estate, it was natural for me to think of ‘giving something back.’ I was reminded of my responsibility to help keep Catholic education alive on the south side of Chicago. I encourage everyone who has had their life touched by St. Rita to consider adding a legacy to the school.”

designations that will avoid probate, and potentially reduce taxes as well. These gift ideas allow you to provide for our future

We encourage you to inform us about any bequest you make to St. Rita of Cascia High School, so that we may thank you properly and include you in the 1905 guild. The 1905 guild recognizes people who have included the school in their estate plans. All members will be recognized with a leaf on a planned“Tree of Life” display located in the front foyer of our school. you have any questions.

S!"#$ R"$! of Cascia High School

O%ce of Institutional Advancement 7740 South Western Avenue Chicago, IL 60620 Contact John O'Neill Phone: (773) 925-5029 E-mail: [email protected]

11 ST. RITA OF CASCIA HIGH SCHOOL Non-Pro!t Organization 7740 S. Western Avenue ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED US POSTAGE Chicago, IL 60620 PAID Chicago, Illinois 773.925.5029 | www.stritahs.com Permit No. 2955

2014 St. Rita Football Schedule

8/31 9/5 9/12 9/19 9/26 10/3 10/10 10/18 10/24 vs. Simeon vs. Dunbar vs. Montini vs. vs. at Aurora vs. at Loyola at at Toyota at Gately Catholic Mt. Carmel Providence Christian St. Joseph Academy Br. Rice 6:00PM TBD 7:30PM 7:30PM 7:30PM 7:00PM 7:30PM 1:30PM 7:30PM 12 Follow us on Twitter @StRitaFootball