Congratulations to our Class of 2027 Kazma Scholarship Recipients
Barb Dawson • September 25, 2023

Thank you to the Kazma Family Foundation.

Montini Catholic High School in Lombard congratulates five Kazma Scholarship award recipients from their Class of 2027. Each year, the Kazma Family Foundation, in conjunction with the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF), presents awards to eighth graders actively attending a Catholic parish in the Diocese of Joliet and who are interested in attending a local Catholic High School.


Traditionally, scholars are honored at an annual Mass held at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet.  This year's Mass, celebrated by Bishop Ronald A. Hicks was held on Saturday, August 26th. Also in attendance were scholarship recipients from Benet Academy, Bishop McNamara, IC Catholic Prep, Joliet Catholic Academy, St. Francis and Providence Catholic.


Montini Catholic Kazma Foundation Scholarship recipients honored this year are:


Isabella Baldwin

Jasmine Bell Brunke

Rosemarie Callagan

Owen Ferris

Kevin May


"Each of us have unique talents and gifts we've been given from God," said Bishop Hicks. "The Kazma family are the epitome of those living the gospel by sharing what they have unselfishly with others. They are an example to us all." 


The Kazma Family Foundation proudly supports Catholic education by providing scholarships to the seven Catholic high schools in the Diocese of Joliet. The Class of 2027 represents the 20th class of high school students that the foundation supports and mentors through their generosity.


The Kazma Family Foundation was established in 1997 by Gerald and Margaret Kazma. At that time, their daughter, Leigh-Anne Kazma, was named president and sole employee. The main mission of the foundation is to provide financial assistance to students and their families seeking a Catholic education. Ms. Kazma serves on several boards including the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF), Chicago's Big Shoulders Fund and numerous elementary and secondary schools. Ms. Kazma has dedicated her entire career to personally engaging with students who receive financial aid from the foundation. She serves as a mentor for her scholarship recipients, reviewing their progress and enjoying lunch and conversation with them at their high schools. They began providing college scholarships to students at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in the Archdiocese of Chicago and branched out to provide scholarships to students throughout the Chicagoland area, including the Diocese of Joliet. In recent years, the Kazma Family has established scholarships at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Ava Maria University in Florida, St. Joan of Arc school in Florida, Universidad de Don Bosco in El Salvador, and has helped fund school construction in Honduras.)


In order to be eligible for a Kazma Scholarship, a student must demonstrate a sense of respect for others, be a good Catholic role model in their community, and receive no less than a "C" letter grade in any of their courses. Student applicants are also asked to submit a 250 word essay on what it means to be a Catholic student.

Every spring, Montini Catholic offers several opportunities for students to apply for scholarship awards. All scholarship and financial aid opportunities offered by Montini Catholic High School can be explored by visiting:  www.montini.org/tuitionassistance

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Freshmen Welcomed at First Step Social

By Barb Dawson • June 19, 2025
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."

Legacy Seniors Honored at Celebration of Excellence Ceremony

By Barb Dawson • June 19, 2025
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;

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.
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