Seven Alumni Inducted Into Montini Catholic's Hall of Fame
Barb Dawson • May 29, 2025
Congratulations to these outstanding alumni Broncos!
It was a memorable night for Montini Catholic alumni members and their families as they were honored for their dedication, achievement and service and inducted into the Montini Catholic Alumni Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony was held at the Lasallian college preparatory high school's cafeteria earlier this spring on Saturday, April 26th. Inducted this year were:
Mike Manna ‘70
Debra (Tauscher) Goff ‘75
Rick Rafanelli ‘76
George Panos ‘81
Kevin Kuster ‘86
Bridget (Moriarty) McNamara ‘86
Whitney Holloway ‘11
Individual biographies follow for each inductee:
Mike Manna '70 (Southern Wisconsin)
Mike was recognized for his continued dedication and service to Montini Catholic High School and for his professional excellence and leadership in the manufacturing industry.
A member of Montini Catholic’s Chartered Class of 1970, Mike Manna was a three-year member of the Bronco baseball team, sang in the men’s chorus, wrote for the school newspaper, and was class treasurer during his senior year. After graduating from Montini, Mike attended Lewis University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. He later received an MBA from Illinois Benedictine College (now Benedictine University).
Mike spent his professional career in the manufacturing industry in a variety of management positions, starting out as a Production Control Manager for Aurora Pump, Inc. and eventually working his way up to a General Manager position at both Grove Gear, and later, Milwaukee Machine Works. He helped both companies grow their businesses by at least 30%, improved their on-time performance, and guided them through the difficulties of the late 2000s recession. In 2014, Milwaukee Machine Works was recognized by the town of West Allis, Wisconsin, as their “Business of the Year” for their efforts to grow jobs, improve the educational process and help the town’s economic development. Upon his retirement in 2014, Mike became an Adjunct Professor of Business at Robert Morris University and later founded his current company, the Manna Consulting Group, where he helps small companies improve both operational and marketing capabilities.
Mike continues to be involved in the Montini community to this day; he has been a member of the Board of Directors for the past ten years and is a supporter of the Bronco Classic Golf Outing. More recently, Mike helped spearhead the Class of 1970 Classroom Renovation initiative which provided upgrades, including lighting, paint, classroom fixtures, and technology equipment, to room 103, one of the original Class of 1970 homerooms.
Mike and his wife Lynn have two sons, Chris and Dan, and reside in southern Wisconsin.
Debra (Tauscher) Goff '75 (Ohio)
Debra was recognized for her achievements in the field of medicine as an Infectious Disease Specialist and Professor of Pharmacy Practice.
Debra Goff knew from an early age that she wanted to pursue a career as a pharmacist. While still a Montini student, she spent weekends working at a local pharmacy and credits the head pharmacist there for helping form her interest and desire for a career in this field. After graduating from Montini, Debra attended the University of Illinois at Chicago and received a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, a Doctoral Degree in Pharmacy and completed a residency as well.
Debra has spent most of her professional career at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Since 1988, she has served in the hospital as the first Infectious Diseases clinical pharmacists. She is the founding member of the Global Antibiotic Stewardship program. She is one of twenty-five global health experts selected by the World Health Organization (WHO) to implement antibiotic stewardship programs in low middle-income countries. In her role, she has traveled to over 35 low to low-middle income countries to promote responsible antibiotic use to combat antidote resistant “superbugs.” For her work, Debra has received the prestigious OSU Distinguished International
Outreach and Engagement Award. She has also developed and served as the Program Director for her Train the Trainer Antibiotic Stewardship Mentoring Program, which she founded in 2012. Originally designed for South Africa, this initiative has grown to include Lebanon and six countries in Latin America.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Debra did numerous interviews with the media to provide expert advice to the public on the ever-changing nature of the disease. She is a social media infectious diseases influencer with over 10,000 followers on X (Twitter). Her TEDx talk titled “antibiotics just-in-case” has over 35,00 views on YouTube. She has received over 50 grants for her work and is the author of 150 scientific publications. She lectures nationally and internationally on infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship. Debra and her husband Doug reside in Ohio and have two children, Natalie and Nick.
Rick Rafanelli '76 (Indian Head Park)
Rick was recognized for continued dedication and service to Montini Catholic High School and for his leadership in the manufacturing industry.
At Montini Catholic, Rick Rafanelli was a three-year member of the boys’ tennis team and also wrestled and ran cross country. He was also a member of the National Honor Society and an Illinois State Scholar.
After Montini, Rick attended Valparaiso University and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration while studying accounting. He received his CPA certificate in 1981 and spent the early part of his career in public accounting. Rick then began a long career in the manufacturing industry, working first for Par Packaging before moving over to Chicago Block and Brick Company, where he served as both the Controller and President during his fifteen-year tenure. Rick then served as the General Manager of the Midwest Region at Northfield Block Company for seven years and has been a Manager at Meade Investments LLC since 2017.
Outside of work, Rick served for many years as the Scoutmaster of Troop 117 at St. John of the Cross in Western Springs. One of his proudest achievements was watching his son Robbie earn his Eagle Scout award in 2018. Rick continues to stay involved in the Montini Catholic community as an active member of the school’s Board of Directors and is often seen at Montini Catholic events such as the Auction and Golf Outing.
Rick resides in Indian Head Park. He has three children; daughters Anna and Cara, and son Robbie, a 2018 Montini Catholic alum.
George Panos '81 (Northwest Suburbs)
George was recognized for outstanding academic and athletic achievement while at Montini Catholic High School and for his professional excellence and leadership as an oral surgeon.
The son of Greek immigrants (his full last name is Panagiotopoulos), Dr. George Panos was a four-year member of the Montini football team and was a captain during his senior year, when he was named as a Chicago Prep Athlete of the Week and was featured on WLS-TV. He also played baseball, ran track, was an Illinois State Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society (1981 President) and the French Club. He also graduated as the Salutatorian of his class.
After Montini, George attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and briefly walked on to the Fighting Illini football team before deciding to focus on his studies. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and later earned both his Bachelor of Science in Dentistry and Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry.
George worked for 27 years at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. He is fully licensed with four different certifications including his Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and is a member of seven dental associations, including the Hellenic American Dental Society of which he served as President. In addition to his private practice, he served as an Attending Physician at Stroger Hospital where he supervised and trained residents in the operating room, ambulatory, and academic settings and served as a mentor to current and aspiring Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
In his spare time, George was a practitioner of martial arts and holds a Black Belt in both Tae Kwon Do and Jujitsu and a Brown Belt in Judo. He has also coached travel softball and served as an assistant football coach here at Montini Catholic. George and his wife, Nikki, have two daughters, Vasiliki and Katerina, and reside in the Northwest Suburbs.
Kevin Kuster '86 (Downers Grove)
Recognized for outstanding athletic achievement while at Montini Catholic High School, for outstanding excellence in his career as a professional photographer, and for his continued dedication to service and leadership in the community.
During his time at Montini Catholic, Kevin Kuster was a member of the football team, track and field team, and the Student Senate. After Montini, he attended the University of Kansas and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Design and Visual Communications. Following graduation, he began a 20-year career as a professional, award-winning photographer at Playboy Magazine where he worked with some of the world’s most renowned celebrities.
However, Kevin’s life later took an unexpected and profound turn following a life-changing encounter with the Holy Spirit. Renewing his commitment to God and his Catholic faith, Kevin left a life of decadence behind and embarked on a second, service-oriented career. Along with his sister and fellow Hall of Fame member, Nancy (Kuster) Economou ’84, Kevin co-founded Watts of Love, a global nonprofit based in Downers Grove dedicated to providing sustainable solar lighting to individuals living in extreme poverty. He served as the organization’s Creative Director and Chief Marketing Officer while continuing to pursue additional artistic endeavors and real-estate development. In 2021, he returned to Montini Catholic to serve as a long-term sub for the school’s photography class.
Kevin is the author of the forthcoming memoir, From Playboy to Prodigal Son, published by Dynamic Catholic. In this deeply personal account, Kevin reflects on his remarkable journey from a successful career in the magazine
industry to a life dedicated to faith, service, and redemption. He is often invited to share his story as a public speaker.
Kevin and his wife Sherry reside in Downers Grove. He has a son, Kaedin, and a step-son, Brady.
Bridget (Moriarty) McNamara ‘86 (Naperville)
Bridget was recognized for outstanding athletic achievement while at Montini Catholic High School and for professional excellence in her career as a physical therapist.
At Montini Catholic, Bridget McNamara was a member of the National Honor Society, the Student Senate, the school choir, and was named as an Illinois State Scholar. She also excelled athletically as a member of the girls track and field team. As a sophomore in 1984, she was part of the 4x100 relay team which set a school record time that stood until 2023. In 1985, as a junior, she set Suburban Catholic Conference records in both the 100-yard dash and long jump.
In her senior season of 1986, she was named as an All-Conference selection, won the long jump event at the conference meet, was named team MVP, and set a Montini school record in the long jump that stood until 2005. She was also a three-year member of the cheerleading team, which advanced to the USCA National Championships during her senior year. For her outstanding athletic success and her academic excellence while at Montini Catholic, Bridget was named as the “Female Student Athlete of the Year” in 1986.
After Montini, Bridget attended the University of Illinois at Chicago and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy. Following college, she worked for ten years at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago as a clinician with rotations in acute care, pediatrics, geriatric rehabilitation, and outpatient orthopedics, serving as a manager in outpatient orthopedics for three of those years. For the last twenty-five years, she has been working as an outpatient clinical manager at Newsome/Accelerated/Athletico Physical Therapy in Naperville, with her areas of practice including Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy, Dry Needling, ASTYM Therapy, APTA Clinical Instruction, Sports Rehabilitation and Spine Rehabilitation.
Bridget met her husband Bryan, a fellow 1986 alum, while attending Montini. They live in Naperville and are the parents of three children, all Montini alumni: Kelly ’15, Katie ’17, and John ’22. In 2023, they welcomed another Montini alum to their family when Kelly married fellow Class of 2015 alum Joe Palasek.
Whitney Holloway '11 (Chicago)
Whitney was recognized for outstanding athletic achievement while at Montini Catholic High School.
Whitney Holloway was a four-year starter on the Montini Catholic girls basketball team, playing for head coach Jason Nichols. During her time as a member of the program, she helped lead the Lady Broncos to IHSA Class 3A State Championships in 2010 and 2011 as a junior and senior and a third-place finish in 2008 as a freshman. She scored 1,594 career points in a Montini uniform, good for third all-time behind fellow Hall of Fame members Lynette Pestel ’92 (1,728) and Tammy Kocher ’89 (1,710). For her success on the court, Whitney was twice recognized as a two-time My Suburban Life All-Area Most Valuable Player in 2010 and 2011, a four-time All-Area pick by numerous Chicago-area media outlets from 2008-2011, a two-time Suburban Christian Conference Player of the Year in 2010 and 2011, a four-time First-Team All-Conference choice and four-time Academic All-League pick from 2008-2011, and was the captain of the Daily Herald DuPage County All-Area Team in 2011.
After graduating from Montini, Whitney attended the University of Notre Dame on a basketball scholarship and played for legendary coach Muffet McGraw. During her four years at Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish made the NCAA Women’s Final Four each year, finishing as the national runners-up three times. Whitney served as a team captain during her senior season and was twice named to the Big East All-Academic Team and once to the ACC Academic Honor Roll. She graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Business Economics.
Whitney currently works as the Senior Coordinator of Corporate Partnership Activation for the Chicago White Sox and resides in the South Loop.
"First established in 1992, the Montini Catholic Hall of Fame has grown to include 152 alumni representing 41 different graduating classes," said Montini's Alumni Relations Coordinator, William Dawes who emceed the event. "Each year we have the privilege of acknowledging these impressive alumni."
The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognize alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in one or more of the following areas:
1. Exceptional academic ability exhibited while at Montini Catholic High School or in college.
2. Exceptional athletic ability exhibited while at Montini Catholic High School, in college, or as a professional athlete.
3. Exceptional leadership exhibited while at Montini Catholic High School, in college and/or their chosen profession.
4. Exceptional positive impact for Montini Catholic High School, through leadership shown in the business, professional or civic community.
5. Exceptional contribution to Montini Catholic High School, through continual active participation and engagement in school and alumni projects and events.
In order to be nominated for the Hall of Fame, an alum must have graduated from Montini at least five years prior to nomination. Nominees must receive at least 70% of the vote from the Hall of Fame Committee in order to be inducted.
Image above: l to r: Mike Manna, Debra Tauscher Goff, Rick Rafanelli, George Panos, Kevin Kuster, Bridget Moriarty McNamara and Whitney Holloway
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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.
