Congratulations, Class of 2025!
Barb Dawson • May 19, 2025
Montini's 56th Graduating Class!
Seniors from Montini Catholic's Class of 2025 celebrated four years of hard work, discipline and achievement on Sunday, May 18th at the Lasallian college preparatory high school's 56th Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremony. One-hundred and thirty-two (132) graduates were honored. The Mass prior to Commencement ceremonies was celebrated by Father Shaun Cieslik of St. Mary of Gostyn Parish in Downers Grove.
"Your students brought with them a sense of energy and possibility, and over these four years, they’ve shown us what it means to lead with both heart and excellence," said President Kevin Beirne, addressing parents and guardians before the procession of graduates. "This class has achieved remarkable things— a record setting amount of college scholarship offers, a national championship for our band, state championships in football and girls basketball, record-breaking seasons in boys and girls cross country, our best ever finish in boys basketball, top finishes for the math and robotics teams. These accomplishments are impressive on their own. But what truly sets them apart is not just what they’ve done—it’s how they’ve done it: together. There is a noticeable kindness among them —a unity that isn’t always easy to find in high school. They’ve supported one another, celebrated each other’s wins, and shown genuine care in moments that mattered. And I can say that with confidence—because I saw it firsthand. They are the last class I had the privilege of teaching, and it has been an honor to walk a bit of this journey with them."
Senior Matthew Silveyra (Carol Stream) earned Class of 2025 Valedictorian honors this year and Conor Kaefer (Lombard), Salutatorian. "As we step into the next chapter of our lives, I would argue that the greatest impacts that we’ll have on the legacy of this school won’t come from these past four years, but rather from how we carry forward the lessons we've learned here into the future," said Matthew in his address to his peers. "The lifelong friendships, the invaluable lessons learned, and the moments of growth—these are the things that will echo far beyond these walls. Whether we return as alumni, inspire future students, or simply embody the values this school has instilled in us, the true legacy of the Class of 2025 begins now."
Before sending the graduates on their way, President Beirne concluded with his final words. "Class of 2025 - your many achievements speak for themselves, but what I admire most is the way you’ve carried yourselves—with humility, with heart, and with a deep sense of community. You’ve made Montini a better place, and I know you’ll carry that same spirit with you wherever you go next. As you leave here today, remember that you are always part of the Montini Catholic family. Go forward with confidence, stay grounded in your faith, and never underestimate your ability to make a difference in this world."
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New friends were made and high school anxieties calmed on Thursday, 12th at Montini Catholic High School's First Step Social welcoming their Class of 2029. Montini Catholic's First Step Social is the first opportunity for Montini's newest freshmen to begin building class spirit and to get to know their fellow classmates and future friends. The informal event, facilitated by the school's Admissions team, included several small group games, led by members of Montini's Peer Ministry Team, intended to break the ice and get freshmen excited about their high school years. Parents were also invited to attend and gathered in a separate location in order to meet up with current parent ambassadors, ask questions and gain more insight in preparation for the next four years. Students and parents were treated to burgers and hotdogs via Tailgate Caterers in Lombard. "It was very exciting to have so many new Broncos and their parents on Montini Catholic's campus for our First Step Social," said Admissions Coordinator Sara McGady. "The goal of this event is to provide our new freshmen with a sense of familiarity when they walk through our doors again in August. We also wanted to give our new parents a chance to ask questions and meet fellow parents as they start their new journey as high school parents."
Montini Catholic was proud to honor fifteen special seniors on May 16th at the Lasallian college preparatory high school's Celebration of Excellence Awards ceremony. The group represents what Montini Catholic endearingly defines as their graduating "Legacy Students" - students of alumni parents who also graduated from Montini Catholic. This year fifty-two 52 total students of alumni are carrying on their parents' legacies at Montini Catholic, a number that represents close to 10% of Montini's total student body. Each year senior legacy students are called up on stage to receive a special stole to be worn at graduation. Alumni parents are also invited to take a special portrait with their senior as a keepsake on graduation day. "We are always honored when our alumni return as Montini parents to continue our Bronco legacy," said Alumni Relations Officer William Dawes '13. "When you are at Montini Catholic, you are family, which is one of the main reasons parents choose Montini. An education at Montini is a unique experience and we love to see our legacy grow with each passing year." Montini Catholic's 2024-25 Legacy Seniors (alumni parent(s) under students' names): Katelyn (Kat) Bell ‘25 Jackson Bell ‘27 Patrick Bell ‘96 Peter Considine ‘25 Michael Considine ‘86 Annalee DeFeo ‘25 Laura (LaMontagna) DeFeo ’93 & Michael DeFeo ‘93 Nolan Ferris ‘25 Shannon (O’Connor) Ferris ‘93 James Fitzpatrick ‘25 Michael Fitzpatrick ‘88 Zoe Gangas ‘25 Nick Gangas ‘81 Sean Hubeny ‘25 Katie (Doll) Hubeny ’96 & James Hubeny ‘96 Nick Irion ‘25 and Vince Irion ‘25 Dave Irion ‘88 Vincent Knudtson ‘25 Lia (Badalamenti) Knudtson ‘89 Jamie Loftus ‘25 Christina (Connelly) Loftus ‘86 Margaret Nielsen ‘25 Maureen (O’Neill) Nielsen ‘87 Ava Sebben ‘25 Patricia (Gary) Sebben ‘90 Lily Spanos ‘25 Shannon (Herold) Spanos ‘99 Collins Whitfield ‘25 Katherine (Janko) Whitfield ‘00 Collins Whitfield ‘00 Image above: Front l to r: Lily Spanos, Ava Sebben, Margaret Nielsen, Jamie Loftus, Sean Hubeny, Zoe Gangas, Nolan Ferris, Annalee DeFeo and Kat Bell; Back row l to r: Collins Whitfield, Vincent Knudtson, Vince Irion, Nick Irion, Jimmy Fitzpatrick and Peter Considine;
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.
