Academic All Stars Honored at Annual Banquet
52 Seniors Celebrated! • May 12, 2023

52 Seniors Celebrated!

Montini Catholic High School in Lombard rolled out the red carpet on Thursday, May 11th to honor members from their Class of 2023 as Academic All Stars. Each year the Lasallian college preparatory school invites seniors who have excelled academically throughout their high school years to a celebratory banquet in their honor. This year's event was held at Bobak's Signature Events in Woodridge.

A total of 52 seniors achieved the honor of being named a Montini Catholic Academic All Star which involves attaining a 3.95+ GPA and/or being named an Illinois State Scholar.

Congratulations to:


Jhett Acuna (Glendale Heights) St. Matthew School graduate
Maya Alikpala (Lombard) St. Mary of Gostyn School graduate
Angela Banov (Lombard) Glenn Westlake School graduate
Brighid Barratt (Lombard) Sacred Heart School graduate
Alexa Bauman (Lombard) Glenn Westlake School graduate
Shannon Blacher (Burr Ridge) Hinsdale Middle School graduate
Megan Blim (Bolingbrook) Brooks Middle School graduate
Nathan Camba (Burr Ridge) Pleasantdale Middle School graduate
Emma Canty (Hinsdale) St. Joseph School graduate
Carissa Collier (Lombard) St. Dominic School graduate
Sofia Corona Orozco (Aurora) St. James the Apostle School graduate
Michael Crowley Jr. (Downers Grove) O'Neill Middle School graduate
Luke Cushing (Downers Grove) O'Neill Middle School graduate
Thomas Cyze (Willowbrook) Holy Trinity School graduate
Annabella D'Anca (Wheaton) St. Michael School graduate
Nadyarelis Delgado (Melrose Park) Roosevelt Middle School graduate
John DiSimone (Bensenville) Blackhawk Middle School graduate
Matthew DiSimone (Bensenville) Blackhawk Middle School graduate
Adam Garza (Forest Park) Forest Park Middle School graduate
Mary Catherine Gaughan (Downers Grove) St. Mary of Gostyn graduate
Katherine Gertsen (Plainfield) Bethany Lutheran School graduate
Ava Rose Giannini (Wood Dale) Immaculate Conception graduate
Willa Gramann (Burr Ridge) St. Isaac Jogues graduate
Eleanor Helm (Arlington Heights) F.E. Peacock Middle School graduate
Luke Hemmersmeier (Elmhurst) Visitation graduate
Maren Hoovel (Glen Ellyn) Hadley Junior High graduate
Gabrielle Husmillo (Roselle) St. Walter School graduate
Hailey Larcker (Naperville) Scullen Middle School graduate
Isaiah Lusk (Westchester) Westchester Middle School graduate
Mario May (Western Springs) St. John of the Cross School graduate
Randi Moraga (Wood Dale) St. Pius X Parish School graduate
Andrew Miller (Lisle) St. Joseph School graduate
Thira Minauskas (Lombard) Sacred Heart School graduate
Amanda Mrazek (Lombard) Glenn Westlake School graduate
Carla Osorio Palomino (Carol Stream) St. Pius X Parish School graduate
Luke Pacelli (Downers Grove) St. Joseph School graduate
William Prater (Naperville) Jefferson Junior High graduate
Samuel Ruddy (Downers Grove) St. Mary of Gostyn graduate
Natalia Sandoval (Westchester) Westchester Middle School graduate
Sara Severin (Downers Grove) St. Joseph School graduate
Alexander Silveyra (Carol Stream) St. Isidore School graduate
John Sipchen (Downers Grove) St. Joseph School graduate
Kenneth Sledzinski (Westmont) Holy Trinity School graduate
Kevin Snyder (Downers Grove) O'Neill Middle School graduate
Joseph Spaccapaniccia (Bolingbrook) Jane Addams Middle School graduate
Francesca Spizzirri (Oak Brook) Immaculate Conception graduate
Grace Tierney (Downers Grove) St. Mary of Gostyn graduate
Lillian Townsend (Lombard) Sacred Heart graduate
Dominick Trippiedi (Naperville) St. Raphael School graduate
Jacob Velazquez (Downers Grove) O'Neill Middle School graduate
Peter Vreeland (Lombard) Sandburg Middle School graduate

Michael Wind (Downers Grove) St. Joseph School graduate


So far, Montini Catholic's Class of 2023 has earned over $16,000,000 in academic scholarship offers.  "You have worked hard, sacrificed other pursuits and avoided the many distractions that surround you to put your studies first," said Principal Kevin Beirne. "You have set and exceeded goals and earned this night and all that it means for your future, I am heartened by the doors you have opened for yourselves."


The dinner was attended by recipients and their families.

Image Above: . Front Row (sitting)l to r:  Katheine Gertsen, Maren Hoovel, Kiki Gaughan, Megan Blim, Amanda Mrazek, Sofia Corona Orozco, Carissa Collier, Sara Severin, Nadyarelis Delgado, Gabrielle Husmillo, Maya Alikpala and Lillian Townsend; . Second Row l to r: Thira Minauskas, Jhett Acuna, Jacob Velazquez, Michael Wind, Luke Cushing, Andrew Miller, Kevin Snyder, Dominick Trippiedi, Mario May, Peter Vreeland, Eleanor Helm and Nathan Camba; Third Row l to r:  Natalia Sandoval, GraceTierney, Emma Canty, Shannon Blacher, Joseph Spaccapaniccia, John DiSimone, Sam Ruddy, John Sipchen, Hailey Larcker, Anna D'Anca and Brighid Barratt; . Back Row: Angela Banov, Isaiah Lusk, Michael Crowley, Matthew DiSimone, Will Prater, Francesca Spizzirri, Thomas Cyze, Kenneth Sledzinski and Alexander Silveyra;


Academic All Stars not pictured: Luke Hemmersmeier, Ava Rose Giannini, Randi Moraga, Alexa Bauman, Adam Garza, Willa Gramann, Luke Pacelli, Carla Osorio Palomini,


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Julia Gergen Earns the 2025 Jean Diane Colletti Memorial Scholarship

By Barb Dawson • June 13, 2025
Montini Catholic congratulates senior Julia Gergen on being this year's recipient of the Jean Diane Colletti Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is one of several that have been named and endowed by Montini Catholic alumni, parents and friends in order to provide financial assistance to graduates pursuing higher learning in college. The award was announced at the Lasallian college preparatory high school's annual Academic Awards Banquet (May 1st) this spring by Dr. Vince Colletti DDS '05 (son of Jean Diane Colletti) Julia was honored again on May 16th at Montini's Celebration of Excellence Award ceremony in front of the entire student body. Julia has been a very academically accomplished student throughout their four years at Montini Catholic. In May she received the President's Award for Academic Excellence, she is an Illinois State Scholar and a College Board Advanced Placement Scholar. Julia was also a member of Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society as well as Montini's National Honor Society where she served as Secretary her senior year. She enjoyed her time as a member of Montini's Math Team, and celebrated their 6th Place State finish this year. Julia also valued her experience gained from serving her fellow students as a Peer Minister through Montini's Campus Ministry program. Athletically, Julia was a valued member of Montini's Track & Field Team and celebrated securing school records her junior year in the 4x100m and 4x200m races. "Julia has been an outstanding student," said Principal Chris Tiritilli. "Her academic and athletic career here at Montini has been quite extensive and impressive. She is never seen without a smile on her face, she has been a role model to her fellow students. She truly deserves this recognition and we know she will do great things at Notre Dame!" Julia, a St. Pius X Parish School alum, and a member of St. Pius X Parish. She plans on majoring in Biological Sciences on a Pre-Med Track at the University of Notre Dame in the fall. Above: Julia Gergen '25 and Dr. Vince Colletti DDS '05 at Montini Catholic's Academic Awards Night on May 1st.

Michael May '26 Awarded the Weisenburger Family Scholarship

By Barb Dawson • June 12, 2025
Congratulations to Montini Catholic's Michael May '26 for earning the 2025 Weisenburger Family Scholarship The scholarship is awarded annually to a student at Montini Catholic High School who has expressed an interest in pursuing a degree in education and was presented by Kimmy '07 and Wally Weisenburger '75 during Montini Catholic's Celebration of Excellence Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 16th. Michael, Monitni's newly elected Student Government president, was selected for his demonstration of outstanding leadership in the classroom as well as in extracurricular activities throughout his high school career as a Montini Bronco. Michael is a member of Montini Catholic's National Honor Society (inducted in the fall of his junior year) as well as Montini's Tri-M Music Honor Society. He is currently the 'voice of Montini' as a key member of the Bronco Broadcasters Team, winning the 2025 Most Valuable Player award this year for his devotion to the club's success. Michael is also a member of A Cafellas (singing group), Lasallian Youth, Chinese Club and contributes to the Bronco Breakdown (newsletter). He is no stranger to the Montini stage, starring in two theatre productions this year, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and "Murder on the Orient Express." The Weisenburger Family Scholarship is offered each year in gratitude for the transformative Lasallian education that was received by Cathy '70, Marc '71, Carolyn (Drengler) '72, Wally '75, Joe '78, Andrew '05 and Kimmy '07 Weisenburger. It was created to honor and remember Walter and Catherine Weisenburger who, as patriarchs of the family, recognized and valued Catholic education. "It is a special thank you for all they sacrificed to send all four of their children to Catholic schools," said Wally, who was formerly the Chairman of Montini's Board of Directors. Image above: Michael May with Kimmy Weisenburger '07 and Wally Weisenburger '75

Senior Danny Sherman Named Pax Christi Award Recipient for 2025

By Barb Dawson • June 10, 2025
Montini Catholic in Lombard proudly congratulated this year's Pax Christi Instrument of Peace Award recipient from their Class of 2025. The prestigious award was announced on Friday, May 16th, during the Lasallian college preparatory high school's Celebration of Excellence Award Ceremony. This year's Pax Christi Instrument of Peace Award went to senior Daniel Sherman . Each year, this esteemed award recognizes a Bronco student who has devoted him/herself to God by working in the Lasallian tradition of serving others and building a heritage of faith in the Montini community. Daniel is a two year member of Montini's Peer Ministry Team - a faith-based team whose Christian mission is to inspire and motivate by example. He also earned his Eagle Scout rank which recognizes those who have a strong record of voluntary service to their community. He is a member of Montini's Lasallian Youth as well as a member of Montini's Student Government Exec Board. Academically, Daniel was most recently recognized as an Academic All Star at Montini's Academic Awards on May 1st. The honor is awarded each year to seniors attaining a 3.95+ GPA during their time as a Bronco student and/or earning Illinois State Scholar status. He is an Illinois State Scholar and an AP Scholar with Honor. He is a member of Montini's National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society and earned a Commendation Toward Biliteracy Award (Spanish) this year. During his time as a Bronco he enjoyed Chess Club, Math Team and History Club. Athletically, he was a four year team member of both the Cross Country and Track teams, earning Academic All Conference in both all four years. Daniel was also awarded the St. John Baptist de La Salle award during the Celebration of Excellence ceremony. "Daniel is a wonderful example of someone living our Lasallian mission," said Campus Minister Michael Blanchette. "He truly deserves this award as he has shown himself to be a dedicated young man who truly demonstrates dedication, reliability, and a commitment to his education and personal growth." Daniel, a graduate of St. Scholastica School in Woodridge, is headed to University of Wisconsin (Madison) this fall.
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