The 29th Annual Notre Dame College Prep Spirit Gala GO DONS! Proud supporter of the Notre Dame Dinner Auction Spirit Gala FAITH.SCHOLARSHIP.SERVICE Dear Notre Dame Family, Over the past several weeks, the world has learned how little we can actually control in our lives, and it has been an eye-opening experience. We have looked around and have had to decide what is important to us. We have looked at our faith, and our families. At Notre Dame College Prep, that includes all of the members of our community and in particular, our young men. We have also looked to our past for examples to guide us. This year our Gala takes on special significance. Our staff and volunteers have been working harder than ever to make this Gala a success. We cannot gather in person, so we will gather in spirit. We are having a “virtual” Gala, using the technology available to us, just as our Holy Cross educators and our Boys are conducting “virtual” classes during this time. Traditionally, we look to our rich history for an example to follow. This year, that example is A. J. “Tony” Kozole, a man who has been part of Notre Dame College Prep since nearly the beginning of its history. Tony is this year’s recipient of the “Spirit of Notre Dame Award.” There are few who have been here longer, and few who have served the community better than Tony. Please view the videos of Tony and a few of his friends on our website. While we will not be able to congratulate him in person this year (that will have to wait until next year), we can certainly show him our gratitude and appreciation by participating on-line – “virtually” this year. Please take the time to view the Gala page on our website and to participate in the electronic bidding and donations. Our financial needs are as great as ever, but our need to work together is greater than ever before. Browse through the gifts being offered and the opportunities to join with us in supporting the school. While it is true that we rely on our annual Gala to help make ends meet, it is even more accurate to say that our Dons rely on each one of you. Your contributions are incredibly important to that one young man who would not be here without your help. On behalf of all of our Dons, thank you. In Notre Dame, Ralph J. Elwart 7655 West Dempster Street . Niles, Illinois 60714 . 847.965.2900 . www.nddons.org Mr. Tony Kozole, Jr. began his lifelong career with Notre Dame College Prep in 1963 fresh out of the University of Notre Dame. Before he set his roots at Notre Dame College Prep, formerly known as Notre Dame High School, Tony’s life began in Detroit, Michigan. On December 16, 1940, Lillian and Anthony J. Kozole, Sr. welcomed their third child into the world. Their son would take his father’s namesake of Anthony Joseph Kozole, forming a special bond between father and son for years to come. Tony Kozole, Jr, grew up with his older sisters, Olive and Patricia and later younger brother Richard. They grew up in a loving yet humble Catholic household in Detroit, MI. His Catholic education began at Our Lady of Lourdes grade school in River Rouge, MI. His first year of high school was spent at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, MI. After his freshman year, he spent his remaining high school years at Our Lady of Lourdes. His strong Catholic roots and academic success led him to the University of Notre Dame. In 1962, he graduated with a degree in History but continued at UND earning a Master’s in Education in 1963. In 1963, he started his teaching career at Notre Dame High School teaching Social Studies. Being a young man himself, he could easily relate to his students but he also had the ability to gain their attention & respect from the start. Decades later, Tony still remains in contact with many of his students from his earlier days at Notre Dame. He’s always on their guest list for reunions and social gatherings. Tony was not only a teacher at Notre Dame but a coach as well. In 1964, he coached football until 2006. He also coached basketball, track, cross country and the Academic Team. Tony’s biggest accomplishment at Notre Dame came in 1991 when he became the first Director of the Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C. Program. The Hesburgh Scholar Program, that continues today, is a program designed to challenge the most academically gifted and motivated student through a demanding course of studies and to further his overall development through involvement in various service-oriented and enrichment opportunities. Tony was a major part of developing and implementing the program thus being named the first Director of it. This year marks the program’s twenty ninth year and still remains Notre Dame’s high honors program. In 2002, Tony saw himself in a different role at Notre Dame. He served as the Alumni Director. This role served him well since he taught and/or coached many of the alumni he was in communication with. In 2006, Tony retired from Notre Dame College Prep as a full-time faculty/staff member but he continued to keep his ties with the school until 2018 as a substitute teacher, a member of the Board of Directors Academic Committee, Hall of Honor Selection Committee, Wall of Fame Selection Committee and the Varsity football and basketball announcer. Although Tony dedicated five decades of his life to Notre Dame, he did have a family life too. He married Velma Mollett in July, 1969. They have two daughters they are most proud of, Lora Kay and Andrea. Their family expanded when Lora Kay married Scott Barnas and Andrea married Zach Stellberg. Tony and Velma are proud grandparents to six grandchildren; Jack, Elizabeth, Juliana, Noah, Dylan, and Zoe. Spending time with his family is Tony’s priority now. He has gone on various family trips around the world and he makes it a point to be at every grandchild’s sporting and/or school event Tony’s dedication, commitment and wisdom are part of the school’s history. For over fifty years, Tony has met a tremendous amount of students, parents, alumni and coworkers making him a living legend and rightfully deserving of the Spirit of Notre Dame Award. Thank you Tony for your vocation to Notre Dame College Prep. Thank You A heartfelt thank you to all of these special people for your hard work and dedication! Silent Auction Co-Chairs: Laurie Vlasic (Nicholas ’21) & Heather Davern (James ’22) Cash Raffle Co-Chairs: Laura LaPorte (Antonio ’21, Francesco ’21), Maria Santiago (Christopher ’21) Advisory Collection Chair: Anne Cisneroz (Michael ’21) Ad Sales Solicitors: Mary Beth Ficht (Brendan ’20), Dick Allegretti ’73 and Mike Marrese ‘73 Auction Gift Solicitors: Mary Beth Ficht (Brendan ’20), Dick Allegretti ’73 and Mike Marrese ‘73 Graphic Designer: Mike Jankowski Publicity: Janice Lake Volunteer Coordinator: Mike Marrese ‘73 Database and Financials: Jody Zanon (Kyle ’08, Ryan ’10, Tyler ’11) and Arlene Zoeller (Adam ’13, Ryan ’13, Joseph ’14) Program Book Coordinator: Paula McCabe (Patrick ‘21) This has been a Gala season that no one could have predicted. A most sincere thank you to all of the people who volunteered for the evening of the event and helped so much these past few months with your ideas and promise to help at the Gala with raffles, set up, decorations, paddle raise, silent auction, live auction and so much more. Your offer and commitment to help as we turn our Spirit Gala into a Virtual Event has been deeply appreciated! Thank you Spirit Gala Volunteers: Albertine Burget Jen Durand Paul Jankowski Ann Furby Joe Clarke Paula McCabe Ann Greene Julie Genualdi Rebecca Gillespie Anne Cisneroz Kevin Brady Samanta Heitmann Barbara Foley Laura LaPorte Stephen Davern Carrie Clarke Laura Tonkinson Steve Tonkinson Christina Itounas Laurie Vlasic Tammy Pritt Colleen Holohan Maria Santiago Veronica Toussaint Emilio Abdala Maribeth Conley Viredella Magee Erika Abdala Marionnel Gutierrez Floradeliz Yuson Michele Crump Heather Davern Nancy Luisi Janelle Jankowski Nikkita McCoy Notre Dame College Prep Sponsors Spirit Gala Event Sponsors Sommers & Fahrenbach, Inc. Tom Sommers ’84, Bob Walsh ‘87 Mr. & Mrs. James DiStasio ‘65 The Thomas & Christina Grusecki Foundation The McAndrew Family The Geiger Family NDCP Annual Sponsors Acierno Dental - Dr. Michael Acierno ’90, Dr. Alan Acierno ‘93 Althoff Industries - Tom Les ’71 DaPrato Rigali - Bob Rigali ’76, John Rigali ’77, Mike Rigali ’79, Luke Rigali ’10 Flood Brothers Disposal / Recycling Robert Flood ’66, Kevin Flood ’69, Brian Flood ’75, Michael Flood ’78, Thomas Flood ’78, James Flood ’83, Daniel Flood ’89, Michael Flood ’01, Robert Flood ‘07 Norwood Consulting - John Zei ‘62 Wintrust Community Banks Made in the USA ... Since 1919 SOMMER S & FAHR ENBACH Full Service Printers CongratulatesTONY KOZOLE With the “Spirit of Notre Dame” Award OVER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE AND DEDICATION TO THE NDCP COMMUNITY. ALSO PROUD SPONSORS OF NOTRE DAME COLLEGE PREP & NOTRE DAME COLLEGE PREP ATHLETICS Tom Sommers ‘84 • Bob Walsh ‘87 • Matthew Sommers ‘11 • Christopher Sommers ‘13 Call us for all of your printing needs. 3301 W. Belmont Avenue • Chicago, IL 60618 • 773-478-3033 • www.sfprinting.net The Thomas & Christina Grusecki Foundation is proud to support The 29th Annual Notre Dame College Prep Spirit Gala Proud parents of James Grant Class of 2022 COLUMBIA PHARMACY Best Wishes (312) 791-3334 Merlyn & Dennis Fruin 2929 South Wabash Ave #101 Chicago, Illinios 60613-3243 ProudProud toto SupportSupport NotreNotre DameDame CollegeCollege Prep!Prep! Tom, Gary & Jim Les Heating ● Air Conditioning ● Plumbing Electrical ● Building Automation Residential Commercial Industrial 2424--HourHour EmergencyEmergency ServiceService Offices in Crystal Lake and Hillside (815) 455-7000 www.althoffind.com (847) 304-9000 2 0 TH A N N U A L Tim B.