Fifty-Four Members Join Our National Honor Society
Barb Dawson • October 28, 2024

Congratulations to these outstanding students.

Montini Catholic's National Honor Society (St. Pope Paul VI Chapter) proudly inducted fifty-four (54) new members on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at the Lasallian college preparatory high school's NHS Induction Ceremony.  The goal of the NHS program is to empower and equip Montini students with the knowledge and skills to be transformative leaders at Montini, their communities and beyond.


Principal Chris Tiritilli, Assistant Principal Sara Lhotka and NHS moderators Michael Dailey and Kelly Davis were in attendance to congratulate the honored students. "With your gifts comes great responsibility. As a member of the National Honors Society, you are now called upon to lead by example, through servant leadership. You are looked upon to help be the voice of our student body, and your own generation. You are challenged to identify the areas of injustice in our society and world today, and to organize, collaborate, communicate and ultimately lead in developing the solutions to today’s problems and conflicts, while also looking ahead to anticipate the problems and conflicts of the future."


Returning NHS members joined the inductees to celebrate the newest members and to renew their own commitments to the goals of the National Honor Society. Seniors were also presented with special NHS stoles to wear at graduation in May.


Montini Catholic National Honor Society members are the leaders of their class and represent the very qualities the society is built on - Character, Scholarship, Leadership, and Service. Members are responsible for organizing and enlisting school participation in various events during the school year including the school's Golden Gobbler Thanksgiving Food Drive in November, their Adopt-A-Family Christmas Drive in December and the annual Blood Drive for Vitalant, held in January.


NHS officers led inductees in the Ceremony of Light and Pillars which explained the four pillars of success which are the basis for which Montini's chapter was founded upon and the characteristics that each member strives to emulate in their everyday lives. 

The minimum requirement for membership in the Montini Catholic High School chapter of the NHS is a 4.0+ cumulative GPA at the end of their sophomore year. All students qualifying receive the opportunity to petition for membership in the National Honor Society. When applying, students are asked to detail their qualifications in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. Students meeting all the requirements are then invited to become members in the NHS in the fall of their junior or senior year.


Once accepted into the NHS, students are required to maintain high scholastic standards, act as true leaders of the school and perform ten hours of community service each year (in addition to the service hours required for graduation (40).

Congratulations to Montini Catholic's NHS 2024-25 Inductees: (pictured above as l to r as listed)


Madalyn Aguilar '26
Isaac Alexander '26
Molly Bonino '26
Brody Boyer '26
Miley Brunski '26
Adyson Caminiti '26
Madeline Caruso '26
Sophia Cetrone '26
Julia Ciaccio '26
Gabrielle Colagrossi '26
Christopher Davis '26
Angelo DeSensi '26
Sofia Flores '26
Cameron Fountain '26
Sydney Gertsen '26
Savannah Gutierrez '26
Tyiance Haney '25
Nicholas Harris '26
Thomas Healy '26
Henry Herold '26
Blake Heyer '26
Aliana Hrdina '26
Lauren Jaskier '25
Karissa Jones '26
Abigail Kimball '26
Jonathan Kosinski '26
Brian Kuratko '26
Ashlynn Lindt '26
Ava Lomardi '26
Zongyuan Lyu '26
Michael May '26
Cassidy McCarthy '26
Malin McGivern '26
Ava Mihelich '26
Nicole Navarro '26
Eleanor Neal '26
Ashlinn O’Brien '26
Charles Paciga '26
Gabby Paulino '26
Bon Pham '26
Aubrey Podojil '26
Brendan Pully '26
Christopher Reyes '25
Brielle Rowgalo '25
Audrey Ruddy '26
Bryce Ryan '26
Robert Sansone '26
Jackson Simek '25
Honor Snell '26
Andrew Sparke '26
Ariana Spizzirri '26
Troy Stumbaugh '26
Maria Torres '26 )
Sophia Torres '26


"I am so proud of each of our National Honors Society members," said Principal Tiritilli. "I enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate their continual hard work and efforts to maintain high academic marks while also serving as an engaged and active member of the student body. I am confident that all of these students are already on the path to transforming our school, community and world, and so pleased that they are beginning their leadership journey here at Montini Catholic High School."



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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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