Press Home

News 05-06

News 06-07

News 07-08

This page was
last updated:
May 5, 2008

PRESS

4-30-08 - Senior Garden provides outdoor haven for students

4-17-08 - Music lovers welcome to experience St. Francis High School student talents

4-8-08 - Palate-pleasing competition debuts at St. Francis High School

4-8-08 - Peace Garden honors those who serve for the greater good

4-8-08 - Celebration thanks St. Francis High School volunteers

4-7-08 - St. Francis High School wins Mercy grant

4-5-08 - St. Francis Tennis Coach closes in on 200th career win

3-31-08 -Girls’ soccer team launches night game competitions at St. Francis High School

2-25-08 - Spartan Dance Team choreographs bid for state finals

2-21-08 - Dramatic musical targets evils of prejudice

2-21-08 - Stetson University taps Spartan soccer star

2-12-08 - St. Francis High School students achieve honors

2-11-08 - Casino Night event to benefit St. Francis High School

1-30-08 - Suburban Catholic Conference to expand to thirteen high schools; becomes
Suburban Christian Conference

1-22-08 - St. Francis High School launches 2nd annual book donation drive

1-22-08 - St. Francis High School Announces 2008 Illinois State Scholars

1-22-08 - St. Francis High School hosts speakers on health care reform

1-22-08 - Illinois Council on Economic Education awards top prize to
St. Francis High School team

1-02-08 - School leaders celebrate launch of Catholic Schools Week 2008

12-19-07 - St. Francis High School announces 2008 Entrance Exam for incoming freshmen

12-19-07 - St. Francis High School hosts 3rd annual holiday reunion for college-age alumni

10-26-07 - Former state champ to lead regional volleyball program

10-26-07 - St. Francis High School hosts annual fashion show

10-26-07 - St. Francis High School welcomes potential students

10-16-07 - St. Francis High School students host party for Marian Park youngsters

10-5-07 - St. Francis High School sponsors community-wide 5K Fun Run & Walk

10-5-07 - Little slice of heaven comes alive onstage at St. Francis High School

9-27-07 - St. Francis High School Announces Commended Students in the 2008 National Merit® Scholarship Program

9-24-07 - Familiar coach brings new meaning to court experience

9-24-07 - St. Francis High School rolls out the red carpet for potential students

9-14-07 - St. Francis High School principal named among most influential women of Wheaton/Glen Ellyn

9-14-07 - St. Francis High School students named 2008 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

9-8-07 - Oktoberfest festivities mark 2 nd Annual All-School Reunion at St. Francis High School

9-1-07- Alumni and friends tee up for St. Francis High School

8-30-07 - Audience spurs improv comedy action at St. Francis High School

8-8-07 - St. Francis High School Athletic Association sponsors 6th Annual Golf Outing

7-19-07 - St. Francis High School stages Disney’s “High School Musical”

Senior Garden provides outdoor haven for students

St. Francis High School invites community to dedication event

Wheaton, IL – 30 April 2008 – A garden refuge for students has been carved into the St. Francis High School campus in Wheaton.

All are welcome to attend a light-hearted dedication ceremony honoring St. Francis senior students on Tuesday, May 13. An opening blessing by Fr. Sunny Castillo from St. Michael’s Church in Wheaton will commence at 12:45 p.m. following senior exams.

For information, contact Jessica Stielow at 1-630-668-5800 x144.

Music lovers welcome to experience St. Francis High School student talents

Wheaton, IL – 17 April 2008 – All music lovers are welcome to a Spring Concert at St. Francis High School in Wheaton on Sunday, May 4.

Students will showcase their vocal skills and band instrument prowess at the combined choral and band event in the Slant Dome gym at 3:00 p.m.

Choral singers will be led by director and teacher, Nina Schroeder.Bob Mamminga, St. Francis director of bands/instrumental music, will conduct Spartan musical performances. Graduating senior students will be recognized during the concert.

For information, contact Nina Schroeder, at 630-668-5800 , x208.

Palate-pleasing competition debuts at St. Francis High School

Student chefs bring out the sizzle in first annual cooking contest

Wheaton, IL – 8 April 2008 – Students and faculty will engage in a clash of culinary skills at St. Francis High School in Wheaton on Friday, May 2.

Inspired by the hit TV show, “Iron Chef America” on the Food Network, the Culinary Club is holding its inaugural “Iron Chef St. Francis” Competition. The contest will challenge homegrown gourmands to create unique dishes utilizing a secret ingredient.

The Culinary Club is event-oriented to eliminate the addition of one more monthly meeting to hectic student schedules. Events have created opportunities to expose students to skills that were developed in Home Economics classes in earlier eras. The approach has lured participation by both male and female students and faculty.

Since its debut last September, the Culinary Club has been a big hit across grade levels among St. Francis students. From a foray into an outdoor barbecue for homecoming to baking for hospice patients, the amateur chefs are discovering new frontiers in the kitchen. Recently they experienced a behind-the-scenes look at how a restaurant operates, prepared a meal with the chef at the Chicago Westin Hotel and dined on the courses they had created.

Peace Garden honors those who serve for the greater good

St. Francis High School invites community to dedication event

Wheaton, IL – 8 April 2008 – A remembrance of “peace” has been etched into the campus of St. Francis High School in Wheaton.

A Peace Garden honoring St. Francis alumni veterans who have served for the good of others will be dedicated on Wednesday, April 30. All are invited to join Sister Sheila Megley, RSM, President of St. Francis, Fr. Tony Taschetta, pastor of St. Isidore Church, Mayor Michael Gresk of Wheaton and other honored guests at the event. An opening blessing commences at 3:00 p.m.

The late Blythe O’Sullivan, a St. Francis alumna, will be remembered during the program with the installation of a memorial plaque. The Bloomingdale native was killed in a tragic accident last December while on a tour of duty as a Peace Corps volunteer in Surname, a South American country.

A short reception will follow the blessing and dedication. For information, contact Jessica Stielow at 1-630-668-5800 x144.

About Blythe O’Sullivan

Blythe O’Sullivan was a 2000 alumna who personified core values of St. Francis High School: faith and service. She graduated magna cum laude from Bradley University with a marketing degree in 2004 and entered the work force. Soon she felt the call to serve others and joined the Peace Corps in May 2006.

O’Sullivan, 25, was stationed in rural Surname, a South American country, where she was assigned to help develop a community center, improve water quality and help women create sustainable incomes. During this time Blythe wrote on her My Space blog, “I love helping others and I believe in giving back because I have been given so much.” According to a Peace Corps spokesperson, O'Sullivan and some local women were gardening near the community of Drepada when she apparently tripped a gun-equipped animal trap. The Peace Corps reported that in one of O’Sullivan’s last phone calls to her parents, she said, “I am so humbled by the challenges the Suriname villagers must conquer day after day. We can never do too much for these fellow citizens of our one world.”

Celebration thanks St. Francis High School volunteers

Wheaton, IL – 8 April 2008 – More than 3,000 hours of time and talent have been contributed to support activities during the 2007-2008 school year at St. Francis High School in Wheaton. To recognize and celebrate those efforts, St. Francis will host a Volunteer Appreciation Party on Friday, April 18 at Klein Creek Golf Club in Winfield.

All those who have volunteered at St. Francis High School this year are invited. For reservations and information, call Debbie Quirk at 630-668-5800 ext 143, or email DQuirk@sfhsnet.org by Monday, April 14.

St. Francis High School wins Mercy grant

Humanitarian outreach education program receives funding support

Wheaton, IL – 7 April 2008 – St. Francis High School’s commitment to develop an intergenerational humanitarian outreach ministry has earned financial support from the Sisters of Mercy, Regional Community of Chicago.

Thanks to a $15,000 grant from the order’s Agatha O’Brien Ministry Fund, St. Francis will expand its Catholic Social Teaching efforts to educate and motivate adults within its school community. The innovative outreach ministry will challenge staff, faculty, parents and alumni to join students to serve the poor and victims of injustice in the local community. The ultimate education goal is to help participants develop life long awareness and commitment to work for peace and social justice locally and globally.

Service for others is integral to the St. Francis High School culture. An objective of the new program is to move the school community beyond completing service hours to forming awareness and lifestyle practices to respond to humanitarian needs.

Approximately 8,735 people will be affected at a variety of levels by St. Francis programs funded by this grant. It will directly impact 500 individual clients of social service agencies currently served by St. Francis High School volunteers.

“We continue to work towards educating our community in Catholic Social Teaching and hands on service to those around us in need.  This grant will help us expand our outreach and provide opportunities to serve God by serving others,” commented Diane Mercadante, St. Francis Director of Pastoral Ministry.

The Sisters of Mercy are a global congregation of Catholic women religious who value prayer, life in community and compassionate ministry. Sisters, associates and volunteers serve people who are poor, sick and uneducated, with special concern for women and children. Since it’s founding in 1831, Sisters of Mercy have used their knowledge and expertise to initiate systems for healthcare, education, housing, advocacy and social services. Over the last fifteen years the religious order has awarded 250 grants to various ministries in which its sisters or associates bring Mercy to the world.

St. Francis Tennis Coach closes in on 200th career win

Wheaton, IL – 5 April 2008 – Spartan tennis players have steadily racked up wins under the guidance of Coach Marcia Bussey at St. Francis High School in Wheaton.

Bussey is fast approaching her 200 th win in her ninth year leading the St. Francis boys and girls varsity tennis teams. The milestone can be achieved as early as Saturday, April 12. Spartans have opened the season with a (3-1-1) record.

Bussey has coached state qualifying players at eight different state final tournaments. Her prep tennis stars have included a trio of Dawson brothers from St. Charles.

Jeff Dawson, 2005 state singles champ commented, “To this day, I use many of the life lessons acquired during my four years with Coach Bussey. They have helped pull me through college matches, final exams, and have become part of who I am.” Connor Dawson agreed and said, Mrs. Bussey has influenced me greatly as a tennis player, but even more as a person. She taught me through her everyday actions to see the positive in everything.” Both St. Francis graduates are currently on the tennis team at Yale University.

St. Francis sophomore Kyle Dawson was coached by Bussey on his first trip to state competition lat year. He remarked, “Mrs. Bussey is a great leader on and off the court. She is one of a kind, and I still have the privilege of being coached by her for three more years, including this year.”

Coach Bussey is certified with the U.S. Professional Tennis Association as a developmental coach. She will be on the St. Francis courts teaching tennis clinics at the school’s summer camp program for her sixth season. Bussey is also a mathematics instructor at St. Francis.

First “green” athletic field lights debut in DuPage County

Girls’ soccer team launches night game competitions at St. Francis High School

Wheaton, IL – 31 March 2008 – “Green” technology will light up athletic field competition for the first time in DuPage County on Wednesday, April 9, at St. Francis High School in Wheaton.

All are welcome to attend the first official “under the lights” event when the Spartan girls’ soccer team takes on Aurora Central Catholic at 7:00 p.m. To celebrate the event, every ticket holder will receive a free hot dog and bottled water.

The St. Francis “green” lighting system was designed and installed by Musco Green Structure Technology. Using a special reflector technology, current energy costs will be reduced by fifty percent and are anticipated to be maintenance-free for 25 years.

While the new lights enhance playing conditions for young athletes, they are designed to contain spill light to St. Francis property, a deliberate consideration for the school’s neighbors.

“St. Francis now boasts the best state-of-the-art lighting in DuPage County,” said Paul Linden, Athletic Director. “All of this is due to the generosity of donors, the tireless work of parent volunteers, the creativity of Serena Sturm Architects, Ltd., the school leadership and the cooperation of the city and county.”

Spartan Dance Team choreographs bid for state finals

Wheaton, IL – 25 February 2008 – Racking up a dance card of competitive kudos, the Varsity Dance Team of St. Francis High School in Wheaton is on its way to the Team Dance Illinois State Competitions on March 2.

The Spartans earned an Automatic Qualification Bid to state finals when they took second place in the AA Open Dance/Jazz Category at the TDI “Stay Classy” Dance Competition on February 10. They also received a Wild Card Qualification Bid in the AA Lyrical Dance Category.

The State Championship tourney will be held at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, IL. It will highlight the best varsity dance, drill and pom teams in elite competition.

Earlier this season, the Spartans qualified for the UDA (Universal Dance Association) National Dance Competition at Disney World in Orlando, FL.

The St. Francis dance team is captained by Brittany Clemons ( St. Charles ), Jami Jurich (Wayne) and Brittany Levato ( Carol Stream ). Other team members include Katrina Clark (Hanover Park), Velarie Belovsky (St. Charles), Emily Carew (Carol Stream), Jessica Defino (Carol Stream), Madi Matichak (Glen Ellyn), Meghan McLaughlin (Bartlett), Emily Parenti (Bloomingdale), Amanda Peplow (Bartlett), Lauren Philiotis (St. Charles), Charissa Valdez (Hanover Park) and Courtney Windisch (St. Charles). The team is coached by Mary Prastscher, St. Francis teacher and alumna.

Caption : Varsity Dance Team of St. Francis High School in Wheaton.

Dramatic musical targets evils of prejudice

St. Francis High School production charts the wheels of injustice

Wheaton, IL – 21 February 2008 – The tragic, true story of the trial, rush to justice and wrongful lynching of a man for the murder of a young girl is not a typical setting for a Broadway musical. The Tony-award winning production Parade utilizes the scope of operatic musical theater to present this story with high drama and even, at times, a bit of light comedy.

All are welcome to attend Parade. A cast of fifty will perform Thursday through Sunday, March 6-9 in the Kuhn Cultural Arts Center at St. Francis High School in Wheaton. Dozens of other students will work behind-the-scenes.

Described as “daring, innovative and bold” at its opening in 1998, Parade was brought to emotional and theatrical life by Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright Alfred Uhry(“Driving Miss Daisy”) and Jason Robert Brown, one of Broadway’s most promising young composers.

Parade is based on the true-life story of Leo Frank (Tommy Malouf, Roselle) who lived in Atlanta in the early part of the twentieth century. The Jewish factory owner was wrongly convicted of the murder of a thirteen-year-old employee, Mary Phagan (Ali Mesenbrink, Aurora, and Katie French, Wheaton). The musical covers not only the events, but also dramatizes the love story between Leo and his wife Lucille (Becky Solomon, Naperville and Lindsay Pyrcik, Lisle). The show retells a historical event, but it also subtly examines class structure, race relations and prejudice.

Carolyn Brady, Director of Theatre Productions, directs the spring musical production in her ninth season at St. Francis.

The five performances are Thursday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 8 at 1:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m.; and, Sunday, March 9 at 1:30 p.m. Ticket costs are $8 for Students/Seniors and $10 for Adults. To order tickets, call St. Francis at 668-5800 x 130 or purchase tickets online at http://www.sfhsonline.org/ParadeSpringMusical.html. Online ticket orders will stop on Wednesday, March 5 at 3:00 p.m.

Stetson University taps Spartan soccer star

St. Francis High School senior commits to women’s collegiate soccer squad

Wheaton, IL – 21 February 2008 – Four years of varsity play on the soccer field at St. Francis High School has been a warm-up for Crossley Simmons. The Winfield native, who captained her team this season and was named the 2007 St. Francis MVP for girls soccer, has accepted a scholarship from Stetson University in Deland, FL.

The aggressive midfielder will trade her Spartan blue for Hatter green when she joins the Stetson squad next fall. Simmons competed on the IHSSCA (Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association) All-Sectional Team in 2007 and 2006; on the All-Conference Team in 2007 and 2006; and was named Academic All Conference in 2006 and 2007. More recently she was recognized for the 2007 Daily Herald All Area Team.

"Crossley Simmons is one of the finest soccer players in St. Francis history. Her skill, determination, work ethic and leadership have led the Spartans for the past two years. She is looking forward to an outstanding season in 2008 and the subsequent challenges of a collegiate career," said Tim Dailey, St Francis soccer coach.

The young athlete originally dreamed of becoming a great basketball player, but laughs when she says that her parents signed her up for soccer to help use more energy. Ten years later, she is going strong. “I love the teamwork, intense and constant motion of the game and the physical aspects of pushing myself to the limits and competing with other girls,” she said. Aside from four years of St. Francis varsity soccer, Simmons plays club soccer with the Strikers of St. Charles.

Simmons lives her advice to other students: “Never waste one minute!” She has been honored as an Illinois State Scholar and is an AP scholar at St. Francis. She also serves as a weekly tutor at Marian Park. Simmons commented, “I make time for Marian Park because I have had so many great opportunities in life and I want these brilliant kids to have the resources to help them reach their dreams and full potential.”

Simmons credits the attentive atmosphere of St. Francis High School for helping her become a well-rounded person. Calling it an amazing experience, she said, “Balance is necessary to a healthy life and that is exactly what St. Francis promotes.”

Asked about her post-college soccer plans, Simmons reflected, “I would like to continue, but am not sure how yet. But the thing about soccer is that you learn so much from the game. You learn how to work and communicate well with others, you take responsibility for mistakes and push yourself to be the best both mentally and physically.”

Caption : Crossley Simmons in action.

St. Francis High School students achieve honors

Wheaton, IL – 12 February 2008 – St. Francis High School in Wheaton has released its “A” and “B” Honor Rolls for the first semester.

Students recognized on the “A” Honor Roll maintained a composite average of 4.00 or above for the first semester. They include:

Aurora
Kyle Gannon, Grace Mesenbrink

Bartlett
Dana Healy, Kyle Healy, Matthew Malak, Peter Malak, Jaclyn Martin, Trevor Morgan, Amanda Peplow, Jack Roback, Kelsey Robinson, Allison Sparks

Batavia
Patrick Fagan, Bridget O'Toole, Elizabeth O'Toole, James O'Toole, Jr

Bloomingdale
Samantha Blackwell, John Culhane, Siobhan Culhane, Christine Czajkowski, Emily Parenti, Adam Seraphin, Alexander Seraphin, Ashley Torres, Kaitlyn Unger

Bolingbrook
Raymond Rivera

Carol Stream
Derek Bishe, Jeremy Capulong, Emily Carew, Nicole Kadzioch, Kaitlin Kwiatkowski, Gabrielle Levato, Kimberly Neary, Mallory Niemiec, Katherine Parisi, Charina Ruiz, Roberto Sanchez-Vegas, Francine Santos, Michael Southwell, William Southwell, Sarah Wagner

Downers Grove
Nicolas Simoncelli

Geneva
Nicole Fox, Jay Holinger, Molly Holinger, Kellen Michuda, Claire Stark, Kayla Stueland

Glen Ellyn
Andrew Caron, John Clifford, Brian Cozzi, Jennifer Eldridge, Sean Fagan, Meagan Gitchell, Michael Godinez, Anne Hennessy, Daniel Herr, Steven Howe, Michael Kiser, Maura Lenahan, Madelynn Matichak, Bobby Miller, Erin Moffitt, James Pigott, Thomas Purdom, John Purdom, Jr., Kelly Reinke, Patrick Reinke, Mark Roberts, Courtney Trunk, Colleen White, Patrick White

Hanover Park
Robert Delfin, Calvin King, Charissa Valdez

Lisle
Kyle Bhatia, Monica Bhatia, Matthew DeAngelo, Matthew DuBois, Michael Ferraro, Chelsea Gerberich, Amanda Ledvora, Joseph Ledvora, Connor Malloy, Lindsay Pyrcik, Mark Salomon, Katherine Scharnagle, Timothy Zientek

Naperville
Megan Anderson, Stephanie Berger, Madeline Blecha, Patrick Bourne, Sarah Cayer, Zachary Clark, Cara DiBona, Hannah Ellis, Danielle Fragen, Collin Framburg, Sara Francesconi, Carolyn Griffith, Alyssa Hach, Jonathan Hayes, Emily Hollingsworth, Danielle Janota, Lauren Kaminky, Jaclyn Leffelman, Benjamin Lewis, Kathryn Lillis, Alexis Lozinak, Daniel McGuire, Eric McKee, Thomas Mifsud, Ian Miller, Meghan Moore, Bethany Nichols, Daniella Pena, Miriam Rajab, Kathryn Rozner, Kelly Rupkey, Michael Segneri, Rebecca Solomon, Lauren Spangler, Martha Stewart, Lauren Szalach, Ann-Cathrin Weber, Catherine Zimmerman

North Aurora
Joseph Rysavy

Roselle
Chelsea Baker, Conrad Buranicz, Kathleen Hugar, Emily Karpinski, Thomas Malouf, Matthew McShane, James Olofson

South Elgin
Daniel McCoy

St. Charles
Conor Adams, Morgan Banti, Marc Barrowclift, Velarie Belovsky, Peter Byrnes, Grant Conner, Erin Crandall, Kyle Dawson, Mary Dorsch, Laura Engquist, Joseph Giamberdino, Bradley Gorecki, Luke Halleran, Meghan Harig, William Kernan, Zachary Kuzemka, Allison Lindstrom, Garrett McKnight, Michael Metzler, Jessica Osorio, Ryan Shulski, Alec Smidt, Michael Vale, Anthony Vargyas, Sarah Vargyas, Morgan Walsh

Villa Park
Lauren Gorski

Warrenville
Thomas Kenealy, Daniel Lynch, Matthew Mulcahy, Kara Walsh

Wayne
Michelangelo Consiglio, Joseph Germanos, Jennifer Golnick, Emily Jagielo, Jami Jurich, Katherine Kohl, Martha McDonnell, Matthew Sarna

West Chicago
Traci Bauer, Chiara Burke, Thomas Carani, Sarah Dubiel, Nicolette Fiordirosa, Stephanie Stephanie, Shannon Koester, Samantha Laycock, Samantha Mascari, Alexis Miller, Mario Munoz, John Wiesner

Wheaton
Razna Ahmad, Katherine Arena, Genna Armbrust, Kristin Barth, Stanley Bobowski, Jennifer Buchholz, Kaitlin Corcoran, Andrew Cox, Maria Diamond, Lynn Dreisilker, Molly Farrell, Amy Feehan, Ryan Ferguson, Giulian Ferruggio, Lindsey Fox, Katherine French, Leah Gladkowski, Caitlin Hamrin, Haley Henseler, Katharine Hildreth, Sarah Holsinger, Elizabeth Jensen, Katherine Jensen, Diana Kaiser, Matthew Kaiser, Kristen Kelsay, Michelle Kocher, Stephanie Koenigsman,
Alex Kwiatkowski, Brendan Maguire, Amanda Matusiak, Sandra Miskiewicz, Jack Mordell, Kristin Morrone, Joey Murnane, Mary Murray, Grace Neigel, Bethany Noonan, Matthew Novack, Michael Novack, Felix Ogles, Kaitlin Olufs, Nathan Olver, Lauren Perkins, Thomas Pilewicz, Emily Poitras, William Quinn, Alyssa Robinson, Brett Robinson, Jacqueline Saland, Katherine Schmidt, Lindsey Schmitt, Mark Schmitt, Ellen Schram, Meghan Shearer, Katie Slavin, Maureen Slavin, Daniel Sledz, Lauren Smith, David Spahn, Daniel Sufranski, David Sufranski Grace Thomas, Meredith Thomas, Jeffrey Tibble, Alexandra Vitagliano, Erica Erica, Elizabeth Vonderhaar, Margaret Vonderhaar, Caroline Waszok, Elizabeth Yanan, Melissa Yanan, Michael Yanan, Melanie Zumm

Winfield
Kailey Ackermann, Julia Bongiorno, Colin Brown, Tyler Brown, Cheryl Charly, Clement Charly, Kate Dorman, Mary Dreisilker, Allison Duncan, Kelcey Fabianski, Vivian Fitzgerald, Emily Gotsch, Grace Hitzeman, John Kraft, Meghan Matusiak, Bryanna McClure, Collin Moat, Alexandra Morris, Ryan O'Donnell, David Palash, Amanda Pelkey, Meghan Pirics, Bridget Reczek, Stephanie Sheehan, Crossley Simmons, Ryan Spatz, Benjamin Trimble

Woodridge
Dean Quaranta

Students named to the “B” Honor Roll maintained a composite
average of 3.00 or above for the first semester. They include:

Aurora
Sean Dougherty, Gregory Foral, Thomas Rentner

Bartlett
Amy Conaghan, Meghan McLaughlin, Alexandra Mostardo, Lauren Pisarski, Taylor Ravlin, Stephanie Sorensen, Jeremiah Valdez, Joshua Valdez

Batavia
Brandon Jay, Sarah Kane, Christopher Sullivan

Bloomingdale
Lawrence Doruelo, Peter Kao, Nicole Meyer, Aileen Read, Adriana Saia, Carissa Saia

Carol Stream
Matt Baria, Jessica Defino, Courtney Fanizza, Caitlyn Holman, Samantha Marasco, Michael Mendyk, Matthew Padleckas, Louis Pelletiere, Christopher Poulakos, Krysta Ramsey, Karen Woznicki, Nicole Zayner

Downers Grove
Natalie Simoncelli

Elburn
Spencer Angsten, Lauren Hepworth

Geneva
Mary Beckmen, Lauren Castronovo, Thomas Castronovo, Brett Donner, Thomas Kliebhan, Elizabeth Kraig, Kyle McKenna, Michael Stolte, Patrick Wolande

Glen Ellyn
Michael Atkins , Michael Brophy, Brian Cullen, Catherine Culligan, Thomas Culligan, Ryan Curi, Paige Davis, Kara Fagan, John Herr, Kelly Leyden, Daniel Lorch, Matthew Lorch, Colin Marshall, Jeffery Melin, Lindsey Miller, Lauren Minning, Cristina Ortiz, Andrew Pecora, Alexis Peterson, Joseph Pfeiffer, Nicholas Pfeiffer, Scott Purdom, Nora Quirk, Jenna Riordan, Richard Ruhstorfer, John Sienkiewicz, Hallie Woods

Hanover Park
Katrina Cacal

Lisle
Kelsey Fox , Kelsey Kerr, James Koslowski, Erin McShea, Daniel Noble, Evan Repsholdt, Benjamin Stefely, Kyle Synowiec

Lombard
Julia Casey, Heide Gudenkauf

Medinah
Christine Paolella, Michael Paolella

Naperville
Alexandra Berger, David Cox, Ella Francesconi, Matthew Fuller, Lauren Furiasse, Kathleen Garcia, Kimberly Gianos, Carlton Gossett, Matthew Krese, Kevin Lusk, Mary-Katherine Lusk, Yasmeen Mahmud, Christina Mier, Megan Milano, Griffin Paulson, Jeffrey Pugliese, Michael Quigley, Brittany Riesenbeck, Justin Riesenbeck, Casey Riggen, Taylor Ronchetto, Ellen Rowan, Lauren Rozner, John Spangler, Kyle Wood

North Aurora
Mary Elizabeth Rysavy

Roselle
Laura Behnke, Greg Fetter, Monica Mraz, Alexis Pellegrino, Sarah Skelton, Kaley Valker

St. Charles
Quinn Adams, Gaetano Altobello, Julia Blake, Jacob Butler, Morgan Butler, Brittany Clemens, Allison Cochrane, Anne Donahue-Grossman, John Giovenco, Andrew Hammes, Dominic Imbordino, Stephanie Kotars, Alexander Krause, Anna Krause, Caitlyn McDonald, Brian McMahon, Aaron Metzler, David Metzler, Meagan O'Brien, Keegan O'Rahilly, Ethan Ouimet, Donald Perry, Vincent Perry, Jeff Reckards, Paula Whisler, Ryan Wolande, Alex Woodard, Courtney Wright, Daniel Wright

Warrenville
Alvaro Anguera, Emma Moise, Alex Polkow, Alvaro Valles, Claudia Valles

Wayne
Hannah Filipski, James Kahn, Nicolo Loizzo, John Murphy, Ashley Richardson

West Chicago
Natalie Albergo, Christina Belniak, Gerard Casimiro , Alexander Gaggioli, Greg Gushurs, Kaitlyn Gushurst, Amanda Jarzynski, Jason Kurtyka, Paul Lewis, Christine Little, Sammantha Mammoser, Fernando Munoz, Raquel Novak, Shannon Phillips, Aubrie Schatz, Kenneth Schatz, Devin Wojtanek

Wheaton
Steven Alcantara, Brett Anderson, Ryan Archibald, Jessica Armbrust, Matthew Beck, Paige Burger, Amanda Cady, George Cady, Constance Carter, Henry Chaon, James Chaon, Alexandra Cox, Jillian Crane, Kelly Dale, Louisa Diaz, Kevin Fassnacht, Elizabeth Feehan, Benjamin Graunke, Sean Hamman, Bridget Hannon, Kevin Hannon, Trevor Holzman, Samantha Joseph, Mark Kachmer, James Keegan, Margaret Kilrea, Sean Kilrea, Jarusha Lang, Paul Larkin, Jennifer Leakakos, Jason Lombardi, Nathan Mackowiak, Elizabeth Major , Frederick Marciniak, Erin Meyer, Joseph Mordell, Margaret Morelli, Tessa Morelli, Michael Morrone, James Murphy, Dillon Murray, Emily Neigel, Maggie O'Toole, Chad Pierce, Clint Pierce, Grace Pinns, Grace Polzin, Michelle Quinn, Nicholas Riccolo, Kristen Ricondo, Jessica Rinaldi, Stephanie Rowitz, Ellie Sauter, Brian Scanlan, Katherine Sexton , Emily Shearer, Matthew Sledz, Michael Southard, Angelina Spiotta, Luke Szczepaniak, Colleen Thomas, Robert Vonderhaar, Kevin Walsh, Andrew Zettinger, Tori Zimmerman

Winfield
Marie Bongiorno, Danielle DiVito, Jennifer Dixon, Wes Dorman, Joseph Duncan, Lauren Duncan, Sean Fallon, Caroline Flood, Joshua Gates, Jimmy Gates II, Lindsay Kasavich, Theresa Katarzynski, Diana Matusiak, Taylor McGowan, Matthew Mochel, Michael Morris, Andrew Nelson, Colin O'Donnell, Kevin Petrando, Christopher Pivonka, Stephen Reczek, Nathan Schram, Leonello Simmons, Brittany Slusar, Mark Stram, Katherine Tarchala, Todd Weiderman, Bethani Werner

Woodridge
Larry Murison, Kaitlyn Vokaty, Patrick Vokaty

Casino Night event to benefit St. Francis High School

Wheaton, IL – 11 February 2008 – All are welcome to enjoy Las Vegas style gaming to benefit students of St. Francis High School in Wheaton on Saturday March 15, 2008 .

“Taking Chances for St. Francis” will offer casino-type action, silent auction, raffles, food and open bar at the Westin Lombard at 70 Yorktown Center in Lombard. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Advance purchase tickets available online at www.sfhsnet.org. $75 per person. No sales at door.

For information, contact Marianne Graunke at 630-752-9109 .

Participants are eligible to win a maximum of $250 per person per Illinois State Gaming Regulations. Winnings will be returned to players at a rate of 50% of proceeds (cash back).

ID #362373448 CG applied for.

New SCC will increase teams by 50% in 2009

Suburban Catholic Conference to expand to thirteen high schools;
becomes Suburban Christian Conference

Aurora, IL  – 30 January 2008 – Citing a win-win situation for student athletes, the Suburban Catholic Conference (SCC) today announced a thirteen-school expansion to form the Suburban Christian Conference (SCC) that will begin competition during the school year 2009-2010.
 
Guerin Prep (River Grove) will leave the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference (GCAC) and the Chicago Catholic League (CCL); and Aurora Christian (Aurora), Chicago Christian (Palos Heights) and Wheaton Academy (West Chicago) will leave the Private School League (PSL) to join the new league.
 
The competitive merger includes all nine high schools currently in the Suburban Catholic Conference (SCC): Aurora Central Catholic (Aurora), Driscoll Catholic (Addison), Immaculate Conception (Elmhurst), Marian Central Catholic (Woodstock), Marmion Academy (all boys – Aurora), Montini Catholic (Lombard), Rosary (all girls – Aurora), St. Edward Central Catholic (Elgin) and St. Francis (Wheaton).
 
The newly formed SCC will provide opportunities for greater competition for student athletes in member schools, especially those with smaller enrollments affected by IHSA-adjusted figures. SCC school populations range from 245 to 757 students.
 
The new league will utilize an innovative approach to re-set divisional groupings by sport every two years. This will ensure greater competition at all levels on a perpetual basis and a healthy environment for success for students. The expanded high school pool will also encourage natural local rivalries among school competitors.
 
 “This partnership exemplifies faith-based institutions working together to benefit students,” commented Jon Keith, Chief Operating Officer of Wheaton Academy. “It respects faith traditions while acknowledging differences.”
 
 “The name Suburban Christian Conference was deliberately chosen to represent the broader faith umbrella that encompasses both traditional Catholic and Protestant institutions,” said Paul Linden, Athletic Director of St. Francis High School. “School representatives collaborated to find a conference name that represented the new partnership while maintaining existing traditions and the excellence associated with the brand name SCC.”
 
Keith and Linden cited commonalities of member high schools: all are faith-based; all have a holistic approach to education; all are dedicated to excellence. The high school initiative models common ground cooperation for young people.
 
Negotiations for the expansion have occurred for 1-1/2 years. The Suburban Christian Conference (SCC) will be a system of faith-based schools organized to compete against each other athletically. The expansion of the SCC addresses the population size diversity of member schools to provide greater competition at all levels. The purpose of the SCC will be to provide a governing body for the member schools, a code of principles and a set of operational procedures.
 
The SCC will continue to be affiliated with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA). The IHSA is designed to regulate competition in interscholastic events at the high school level. The IHSA regulates 14 sports for boys, 14 sports for girls, and eight co-educational non-athletic activities. More than 760 public and private high schools in the state of Illinois are members of the IHSA.

Bookplate design winners cited

St. Francis High School launches 2nd annual book donation drive

Wheaton, IL – 22 January 2008 – Samantha Joseph of Wheaton has taken top honors in the Senior Bookplate Design Contest at St. Francis High School in Wheaton.

Joseph’s entry was judged by a panel of five school and community members to be the best representation of the theme – St. Francis High School: Building our Future. A copy of her bookplate design will be affixed to all books donated during the 2008 Book Drive. The original artwork will be permanently displayed in the St. Francis library.

Senior students Patrick Vokaty of Woodridge and Daniella Pena of Naperville were also awarded second and third place recognition.

St. Francis High School is committed to building and maintaining a current and relevant print collection as an educational resource. Commented librarian Judi Rath, “The Internet is a wonderful tool, but as Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, ‘If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.’”

The annual book drive and student-designed bookplates offer donors the opportunity to acknowledge the accomplishments of anyone in the St. Francis High School Community, including students, educators, alumni and friends.

To participate in the book drive, contact Judi Rath (630-668-5800, x111 or jrath@sfhsnet.org), or Trish Lynch (630-668-5800 x115 or tlynch@sfhsnet.org ). To view the library’s wish list of books, visit www.sfhsnet.org.

Caption: Senior Samantha Joseph of Wheaton with winning bookplate design

St. Francis High School Announces 2008 Illinois State Scholars

Wheaton, IL – 30 January 2008 – Raeann Huhn, principal of St. Francis High School in Wheaton, today announced the names of thirty-eight students who were cited as 2008 Illinois State Scholars.

The prestigious award is given annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission ( ISAC ). This year 18,178 high school students from across the state have been recognized. Illinois State Scholars rank in the top ten percent of the state’s high school seniors from 711 high schools in all 102 counties.

“It is with genuine pleasure that we honor these students,” said Huhn. “They represent 21% of the St. Francis Class of 2008.”

“These students personify excellence,” said ISAC Executive Director Andrew Davis. “Illinois State Scholars are among the best and the brightest in our state’s high schools.”

St. Francis High School scholars include Wheaton residents Razna Ahmad, Phillip Diamond, Amy Feehan, Caitlin Hamrin, Matthew Kaiser, David Lynch, Joey Murnane, Mary Murray, Daniel Sufranski, Meredith Thomas, Jeffrey Tibble and Melanie Zumm.

Naperville winners include Cara DiBona, Alyssa Hach, Jonathan Hayes, Ryan Kaminky, Eric McKee and Kelly Rupkey.

Those named from Winfield include Kailey Ackermann, Julia Bongiorno, Clement Charly, Kate Dorman, Mary Dreisilker and Crossley Simmons.

Winners also include Peter Brynes and Garrett McKnight, who live in St. Charles. Residing in Glen Ellyn are Jack Purdom and Colleen White. Kaitlin Kwiatkowski and Arianna Rubio are from Carol Stream. Illinois State Scholars Lindsay Pyrcik and Tim Zientek are from Lisle.

Additional St, Francis High School winners named are Alexander Seraphin (Bloomingdale), Joseph Rysavy (North Aurora), Patrick Buranicz (Roselle), Thomas Kenealy (Warrenville), Jami Jurich (Wayne) and Traci Bauer (West Chicago).

Physicians cite solutions for medical insurance crisis

St. Francis High School hosts speakers on health care reform

Wheaton, IL – 22 January 2008 – The failure of private insurance to provide affordable health care has already become a crisis for middle-income America. It is a topic resonating with the public during this presidential election year.

Dr. Quentin Young, the National Coordinator of Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), and Dr. Steven Armbrust, president of Cornerstone Medical Group in Wheaton, will address problems and solutions for the medical insurance crisis with students at St. Francis High School in Wheaton on Thursday, February 7.

Dr. Young is an advocate for single-payer national health insurance. It is a system in which a single public or quasi-public agency organizes health financing, but delivery of care remains largely private.

Dr. Armbrust, a Wheaton native, will discuss medical insurance hurdles to providing optimum patient care and possible solutions from the perspective of a local family medical practice group.

The U.S. spends twice as much as other industrialized nations on health care, $7,129 per capita. Yet the system performs poorly in comparison and still leaves 47 million without health coverage and millions more inadequately covered. According to Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), this is because private insurance bureaucracy and paperwork consume one-third (31 percent) of every health care dollar.

Mark Kolodziej , St. Francis faculty member, arranged the presentation to challenge students to engage in critical thinking about problems and solutions prior to writing a research paper.

"Both Dr. Armbrust and Dr Young have established reputations as highly skilled, hard working and thoughtful doctors who well understand the problems with our system,” commented Kolodziej.  “Both are passionate advocates for change, and our students have an extraordinary opportunity to hear their views and ask them questions."

Four junior English classes will hear the medical insurance crisis viewpoints in the Kuhn Cultural Center at St. Francis.

Savvy Spartans “play the market” and win big

Illinois Council on Economic Education awards top prize to St. Francis High School team

Wheaton, IL – 22 January 2008 – St. Francis High School students have learned that information analysis is the gateway to stock market success.

Team members Jeff Howe, a senior from Glen Ellyn, and Maggie O’Toole, a junior from Wheaton, took first place in the Suburban High School Region for the fall session of the Stock Market Game ™ program. Over 15,000 Illinois students in grades 4-12 participated in the educational program this fall. In the Suburban High School Region category, 550 student teams participated.

Preparing for the competition, St. Francis students independently researched companies and observed global current events to invest a hypothetical $200,000 in a real-time portfolio.

“Once the competition heats up, students start grabbing the business section of their newspapers,” commented Mike Lynch, faculty moderator for the stock market team.

What makes for a successful team, Lynch continued, is how well they interpret the effect of the news on the markets. Lynch, a Wheaton native who teaches Consumer Education, Marketing Management and Economics at St. Francis, has led numerous winning student stock market teams.

The Stock Market Game™ program is an online education program used in thousands of classrooms. The Illinois Council on Economic Education coordinates this simulation for teachers throughout the state of Illinois. The game is sponsored by Northern Illinois University in conjunction with the Chicago Tribune. For more information, visit http://stockmarketgame.org.

Caption: Senior Jeff Howe of Glen Ellyn and Junior Maggie O’Toole of Wheaton view stock market returns with faculty moderator Mike Lynch of Wheaton.

School leaders celebrate launch of Catholic Schools Week 2008

St. Francis High School recognizes Catholic school principals
and presidents at fourth annual luncheon

Wheaton, IL  – 2 January 2008 – Catholic elementary school principals will be hosted by the Presidents and Principals from the Catholic High Schools of the Joliet Diocese at the 4th Annual “No Meeting Celebration Luncheon” on Thursday, January 17. The event celebrates the launch of Catholic Schools Week 2008, which begins January 27.
 
Setting aside time to recognize the commitment of Catholic school administrators at a meeting without an agenda was an idea which began in 2005 at St. Francis High School in Wheaton and was later embraced by the other Catholic high schools.
 
Sister Sheila E. Megley RSM, president of St. Francis, will welcome luncheon attendees at the Fareways of Cantigny in Wheaton. The Most Reverend J. Peter Sartain, D.D., bishop of the Diocese of Joliet, will be among the guests.
 
Nina Schroeder, St. Francis choral director, will lead a combined high school student choir performance prior to the luncheon. Participating vocalists are from Benet Academy (Lisle), Bishop McNamara High School (Kankakee), Driscoll Catholic High School (Addison), Immaculate Conception High School (Elmhurst), Joliet Catholic Academy (Joliet), Montini Catholic High School (Lombard), Providence Catholic High School (New Lenox) and St. Francis High School (Wheaton).
 
Seventy-three schools have been invited to attend. They will promote their conviction that Catholic schools “Light the Way” in education during Catholic Schools Week 2008 from January 27 through February 2.

St. Francis High School announces 2008 Entrance Exam for incoming freshmen

Wheaton, IL – 19 December 2007 – Eighth grade students are invited to take the St. Francis High School entrance exam on Saturday, January 12. The exam session begins at 8:00 a.m. To register for the exam a completed registration form, a copy of the student’s 7th grade report card and a $30 fee are required. Forms are available online at www.sfhsnet.org < http://www.sfhsnet.org> or call 630-668-5800 ext 120.

St. Francis High School is located at 2130 West Roosevelt Road in Wheaton.

St. Francis High School hosts 3rd annual holiday reunion for college-age alumni

Wheaton, IL – 19 December 2007 – Young alumni of St. Francis High School in Wheaton, are invited to reconnect with old friends at their high school alma mater before they head back to college. St. Francis is hosting its 3rd Annual Young Alumni Gathering for all alumni from the Classes of 2003-2007 on Friday, January 4. The food and festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. A hospitality room will be set-up for alumni to see old friends, teachers and coaches. Attendees are also invited to the varsity basketball game following the reunion gathering at 7:30 p.m. in the Spyglass Athletic Center. Spartans will take on Immaculate Conception High School.

For information, call Jessica Buchholz ‘00 Stielow, 630-668-5800 ext 144, or email jstielow@sfhsnet.org.

Former state champ to lead regional volleyball program

Wheaton, IL  – 26 October 2007 – Wheaton native Noel Olson was recently named Director/Volleyball Events of Game Day USA, Inc., a sports management company based in Naperville, Illinois. Olson will oversee the company’s volleyball operations in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Iowa.
 
Olson’s interest in volleyball was sparked when she was a third grader watching St. Francis High School Spartans play in St. Michael’s gym in Wheaton. She was a volleyball standout at St. Francis and captained her team’s IHSA State Championship season in 2003. She went on to play NCAA Division I volleyball at the University of Cincinnati, where she was a 2006 Captain and member of the Big East All-Conference team.
 
“This is a unique and exciting opportunity for Noel,” according to Rich Janor, Game Day USA’s President, who is also a part-time faculty member and baseball coach at St. Francis.  “She will be directly responsible for building our volleyball program from the ground up.”

Students and models offer a glimpse of the latest fall apparel

St. Francis High School hosts annual fashion show Wheaton, IL – 26 October 2007 – All are welcome to see the latest fall apparel trends at St. Francis High School’s Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon on Sunday, November 18. The St. Francis Parents Organization is sponsoring “Luncheon at Tiffany’s” at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. Social hour begins at 11:30 a.m. The Luncheon and fashion Show follow from 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Tickets are $40 per person. For information and reservations, Call Gayann Pfeiffer at 630-469-4748 or email gfifer2@comcast.net.

St. Francis High School welcomes potential students

Wheaton, IL – 26 October 2007 – Middle school students and their families are invited to experience St. Francis High School on Wednesday, November 14. The Open House event will kick-off with a program at 6:00 p.m. in the Spyglass Athletic Center.

Throughout the evening, attendees will have the opportunity to attend classroom demonstrations and tour the facilities. Teachers, coaches, administrators, school parents and student ambassadors will be on hand to share their high school insights.

St. Francis is located at 2130 West Roosevelt Road in Wheaton. For more Open House information, call 630-668-5800 ext 120 or visit online at www.sfhsnet.org.

Good neighbors and goblins gather for Halloween revelry

St. Francis High School students host party for Marian Park youngsters Wheaton , IL – 16 October 2007 – Halloween festivities will come early for children from Marian Park residences. St. Francis High School students are hosting a party and inviting their neighbors on Sunday, October 28, at their campus in Wheaton. An afternoon of games, activities and refreshments is in store for the youngsters. Student organizer Kelsey Fox, a St. Francis senior from Lisle, is spearheading the Halloween event. All planning, set-up, activities and refreshments will be run by Spartan student volunteers with the help of teacher and volleyball coach, Mike Lynch. St. Francis students are contributing all prizes, candy and goodie bags for their young neighbors.

“Through this event, and more to come, I hope that I can help open people's eyes to different types of communities and also to help them realize that we can co-exist,” said Fox. “Service work is very important,” she continued. “Through it, I feel like I have a purpose. It has definitely opened my eyes to other parts of life; beyond that of a suburban teenager.”

The Halloween party is an expansion of a service outreach program initiated last year by former St. Francis student Billy Nichols of Naperville. St. Francis students regularly volunteer as tutors and recreation facilitators in the children’s after-school program at Marian Park.

“Our students are committed to getting to know the children at Marian Park,” commented Diane Mercadante, St. Francis Director of Pastoral Ministry. “Service at St. Francis is simply an extension of the gospel or Jesus to love our neighbor as ourselves. In this case we have the opportunity to literally love our neighbors, and it has been a wonderful gift to our community. The students are learning about responsibility and commitment, organization and teaching.”

Marian Park in Wheaton is a transitional residence community managed by the Wheaton Franciscan Sisters.

St. Francis High School sponsors community-wide 5K Fun Run & Walk

Wheaton, IL  – 5 October 2007 – All runners, friends and families of St. Francis High School are invited to lace up their running shoes on Sunday October 28. The Spartan Athletic Association will host the 2nd Annual “SAA 5K Fun Run & Walk” at Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton.
 
The Adult 5K Race begins at 9:00 a.m. The Youth Mile for ages 12 years-and-under starts at 8:50 a.m. All K-12 students are encouraged to enter teams.
 
Awards will be presented to the overall male and female winners, top achievers by age group and teams. Student teams can also compete for most creative costumes.
 
Race packets with T-shirts can be picked up on Saturday, October 27 from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the race site or on the morning of the race. Register online at http://www.sfhsonline.org/5kFunRun2007.html. For information, call Paul Linden, Athletic Director, at 630-668-5800 x134.

Little slice of heaven comes alive onstage at St. Francis High School Wheaton, IL – 5 October 2007 – Step back and experience the joys and travails of a 12-year-old boy growing up Catholic in 1950’s America.Over the Tavern, a beguilingly irreverent comedy, will be presented in the Kuhn Cultural Arts Center at St. Francis High School in Wheaton. Performances will run Friday through Sunday, Nov 2-4. Written by Tom Dudzick, Over the Tavern, is a hilarious tale as seen through the eyes of Rudy Pazinski, a precocious schoolboy who’s starting to question family values and the Roman Catholic Church. He matches wits with Sister Clarissa over his catechism lessons and struggles with practical life applications when he comes home to his crowded family apartment over his father’s tavern.Marc Barrowclift of St. Charles and Calvin King of Hanover Park have been cast as Rudy. Erin Meyer and Emily Neigel, both of Wheaton, will perform as Sister Clarissa. Pazinski family members are Wheaton residents Samantha Joseph, Jacqueline Saland, Brian Scanlan and Caroline Waszok. Peter Byrnes of St. Charles and Brian Hartzell of Glen Ellyn will also perform. Carolyn Brady , Director of Theatre Productions, directs the St. Francis production.

Three performances will be presented on Friday, November 2 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, November 3 at 7:30 p.m.; and, Sunday, November 4 at 1:30 p.m. Ticket costs are $8 for Students/Seniors and $10 for Adults. To order tickets, call St. Francis at 668-5800 x 130
 or purchase tickets online at http://www.sfhsonline.org/OverTheTavernFallPlay.html. Online ticket orders will stop on Wednesday, October 31 at 3:00 p.m.

St. Francis High School Announces Commended Students in the 2008 National Merit® Scholarship Program

Wheaton, IL – 27 September 2007 – Raeann Huhn, principal of St. Francis High School in Wheaton, today announced the names of six students who have been recognized as Commended Students in the 2008 National Merit Scholarship Program. The academically talented seniors are Peter Byrnes of St. Charles, Caitlin Hamrin of Wheaton, Thomas Kenealy of Warrenville, Lindsay Pyrcik of Lisle, Alexander Seraphin of Bloomingdale and Melanie Zumm of Wheaton.

“It is with genuine pleasure that we honor these students,” said Huhn. “Our school’s mission is to provide a strong foundation to prepare young people like them to become critical thinkers and faith-filled, responsible adults.”

The St. Francis students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.4 million students who entered the 2008 competition by taking the 2006 Preliminary SAT /National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being presented letters of commendation from their schools and from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program.

“The young people named Commended Students in the 2008 National Merit Scholarship Program are distinguished by their strong academic performance in this rigorous competition, “ commented a spokesperson for NMSC. “Our nation’s pursuit of educational excellence can be furthered by publicly honoring these outstanding students and by acknowledging the important role schools play in fostering their development.”

Familiar coach brings new meaning to court experience

Wheaton, IL – 24 September 2007 – Ask local sports fans about Mike Harper and they’ll conjure up an image of a basketball coach who has galvanized St. Francis Spartans for over two decades. Harper has also inspired generations of students in a much different capacity. He has motivated them in his U.S. history class at St. Francis High School for 28 years. His goals for both athletes and students are simple: think critically, develop your skills and act responsibly. Recently, Harper’s Landmark Supreme Court Decisions class was challenged to look beyond the sound bite images of TV’s “LA Law” to the information-intense realities of the legal system. Students participated in a mock trial conducted at Bell Boyd & Lloyd LLP, in Chicago, where attorneys are preparing for a major patent case later this year. They were invited to attend with DePaul Law School students by firm partner, Michael Abernathy of Wheaton. Student response was more gratifying for educator Harper than a 3-point swish at the buzzer. “They had a glimpse of the depth of information and technology support required to substantiate arguments,” he remarked. “At St. Francis, we try to open their minds to the big picture and new possibilities as a lifetime learning process.” Commenting about the mock trial experience, Andrew Rutkowski of Wheaton agreed, “Absorbing loads of information to prove one’s point is astonishing and challenging. Through Mr. Harper’s teaching, the urge to fight for what is right has consumed me. No subject or job has ever appealed to me as much as law does now.”

For Harper, satisfaction in the classroom or on the court is not about grades or scores. It is the gleam of understanding and drive in a young person’s eyes.

Top

St. Francis High School rolls out the red carpet for potential students

Wheaton, IL – 24 September 2007 – Middle school students and their families are invited to experience St. Francis High School on Sunday, October 14. The Open House event will kick-off with a program at 1:00 p.m. in the Spyglass Athletic Center. Throughout the afternoon, attendees will have the opportunity to attend classroom demonstrations and tour the facilities. Teachers, coaches, administrators, school parents and student ambassadors will be on hand to share their high school insights. A second Open House event is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14. The evening program will begin at 6:00 p.m.

St. Francis is located at 2130 West Roosevelt Road in Wheaton. For more Open House information, call 630-668-5800 ext 120 or visit online at www.sfhsnet.org.

St. Francis High School principal named among most influential
women of Wheaton/Glen Ellyn

Wheaton, IL – 14 September 2007 – Raeann Huhn, principal of St. Francis High School in Wheaton, was recently named one of the most influential women of the Wheaton/Glen Ellyn area by Glancer Magazine. Huhn was in a field of nearly fifty women nominated over a four-month period. The publication’s criteria for consideration were community involvement, impact and overall influence in community relations. The Batavia native has been an educator for 25 years. In addition to her administrative role, Huhn’s love for teaching also keeps her in the classroom where she teaches one technology course each year. Commenting on working with a passionate faculty to help shape young people, Huhn says she is rewarded with the sense that the St. Francis educational experience is more than a job. Instead it feels like being connected to a community or a second family.

Caption : Raeann Huhn, principal of St. Francis High School

St. Francis High School students named 2008 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

Wheaton, IL – 14 September 2007 – St. Francis High School seniors Eric McKee and Daniel Sufranski were recently cited as semifinalists in the 2008 53rd Annual National Merit Scholarship Program. McKee, of Naperville, and Sufranski, of Wheaton, are among 16,000 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. The pool of semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.

About 1.4 million students qualified for entry in the scholarship program by taking the Preliminary SAT /National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test last October. Those who advance to finalist standing next spring will be eligible for 8,200 Merit Scholarship awards valued at $33 million.

Oktoberfest festivities mark 2 nd Annual All-School Reunion at St. Francis High School

Wheaton, IL – 8 September 2007 – All alumni and friends of St. Francis High School are invited to a traditional Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, September 29. The community event marks the school’s 2 nd Annual All-School Reunion. Festivities begin at 7:00 p.m. in the campus Slantdome facility. Tickets reserved by Monday, September 24, are $25 and include all food and beverages. They will also be available at the door. All net proceeds will benefit student scholarships.

For Oktoberfest information, call Jessica Stielow at 630-668-5800 x144 or register online at www.sfhsnet.org.

Alumni and friends tee up for St. Francis High School

Wheaton, IL –1 September 2007 – Open to all friends of St. Francis High School, the 18 th Annual Alumni Golf Classic on Friday, September 21, is a kick-off to Homecoming Weekend festivities. Golfers will hit the greens for a best ball scramble at Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton. Shotgun start is at 10:00 a.m. Entry fee is $100. All net proceeds benefit student scholarships.

For information, call Jessica Stielow at 630-668-5800 x144 or register online at http://sfhsonline.org/alumni_golf07.html

Audience spurs improv comedy action at St. Francis High School

Wheaton, IL – 30 August 2007 – Audience-driven competition goes on stage in ComedySportz™, an improv comedy show coming to St. Francis High School in Wheaton on Saturday, September 8. All are welcome. The St. Francis Parents’ Organization is sponsoring the interactive performance as their Annual Fall Social. It begins at 7:00 p.m. in the school’s Kuhn Cultural Arts Center. The ticket price of $35 includes hors d’oeuvres and beverages following the performance. For information, contact Allison Simmons at 630-293-0740 . Tickets can also be ordered online at www.sfhsnet.org.

Caption : ComedySportz™ comes to St. Francis High School.

Tee up to make wishes come true

St. Francis High School Athletic Association sponsors 6th Annual Golf Outing Wheaton, Ill. – August 9 2007 – Friends and families of St. Francis High School in Wheaton will tee off to raise funds for Spartan athletics on Tuesday, August 21. The Spartan Athletic Association (SAA) will host the 6 th Annual Golf Outing at Prairie Landing Golf Course in West Chicago. Every dollar earned through the event is used toward the St. Francis coaching staff’s annual “wish list” for all athletic programs and facilities improvements. Last year over $40,000 was collected to benefit every sports program at the school. An individual golfer’s package costs $195.00 and includes golf, lunch and dinner. Tickets for the dinner and post-golf activities are available for $40.00. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For golf or dinner packages, register at www.sfhsnet.org .

For information, call Paul Linden, Athletic Director, at 630-668-5800 x 112.

St. Francis High School stages Disney’s “High School Musical”

Wheaton, IL – 19 July 2007 – Teenage angst over cliques, auditions and young love comes to life in the smash hit, Disney’s “High School Musical.” It is the first full-scale summer show presented by St. Francis High School in Wheaton. The fifty-two cast members are from twenty-one different high schools and grade schools in the DuPage area. They have been rehearsing with professional musicians, directors and choreographers since early June. Two performances of “High School Musical” will run at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday July 26, and Friday, July 27 in the Kuhn Cultural Arts Center at St. Francis. General seating for performances are $5 each. Tickets will be available at the door. For more details, see www.sfhsnet.org.