Robotics Makes Montini History and Are Headed to VEX Worlds!

Barb Dawson • March 17, 2023

Robotics Makes Montini History - and Are Headed to VEX Worlds!

Montini Catholic's Robotics Team (82997A) won the top honor on Saturday, March 11th at the VEX Illinois State Championship Tournament on the Millikin University campus in Decatur. The Bronco team won the Excellence Award which VEX describes as "the highest award presented in the VEX Robotics State competition." The Excellence Award is presented to a team that exemplified overall excellence in building a high-quality robotics program. "This team is a strong contender in numerous award categories and a top performer at the State tournament."

It was earning the Excellence Award that qualified 82997A ("A") for the VEX Worlds 2023 Tournament which will take place at The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas on April 25-27. Eight-hundred teams from the USA and over 30 other countries will gather to compete for top honors in the largest high school robotics competition in the world.

Montini's "A" team also won the 2nd Place Trophy in the Robotics Skills Challenge which is the single robot competition that is used to rank robotics teams worldwide. The team achieved a score of 305 which currently places them 200th out of almost 6,000 teams worldwide - placing Montini's Broncos in the top 3% of all VEX teams this season. "We've got our work cut out for us to get that score up even higher in the weeks ahead before Worlds," said an ecstatic Pete Farina '87, Montini Catholic's Technology Director and Robotics Coach.

"The judges at State confirmed what I knew in my heart to be true all season," added Farina, "82997A is the all-around best VEX team in the State of Illinois! Their determination to make it to Worlds 2023 was truly remarkable and ultimately unstoppable! They have made it to the highest level of high school robotics competition in the entire world and they have received more honors and awards than any robotics team in Montini Catholic history!" Farina in his memo to his team members asked them to "Take a moment to savor this victory and all that you have achieved. Our journey together this season is not yet over! We have one more destination, one last mountain to climb together!"

Montini's Robotics "A" team has celebrated many milestones this season, the first of which was qualifying for the State Competition in December - the earliest qualification the team has enjoyed since competing in VEX. At a VEX tournament on March 5th they made history once again by being ranked #1 in the State and earning the Amaze Award for having the highest scoring robot at the tournament! During the same tournament, Robotics Team 82997B "B," who took 2nd place in skills and were ranked #8 in state!

Coach Farina and his team are now focused on VEX Worlds and will spend many after-school hours in the next six weeks working on an updated robot design. "Words can't express how happy we were to get the news of the team's success," said President Jim Segredo. "We are so proud of these students. Their hard work and drive for success are incredible. We can't wait to see what they get done in Dallas!"

The members of Montini Catholic Robotics Team 82997A are:
Angela Banov '23 (Lombard), Thomas Cyze '23 (Willowbrook), Anjay Dhir '24 (Lombard), Matthew DiSimone '23 (Bensenville), Conor Kaefer '25 (Lombard), Will Prater '23 (Naperville), Wyatt Prater '25 (Naperville), Alex Silveyra '23 (Carol Stream), Matthew Silveyra '25 (Carol Stream) and Hayden Surrette '25 (Downers Grove)

The members of Montini Catholic Robotics Team 82997B are:

Dhruv Patel '24 (Bolingbrook), Damjan Pasic-Hernandez '24 (Lombard), Michael Pogorelec '24 (Woodridge), Frank Flores '24 (Bloomingdale) and Issy Jaojoco '25 (Bolingbrook)

Image above: Robotics Team "A" after earning the Excellence Award at VEX State: l to r: Alex Silveyra, Angela Banov, Will Prater, William Cyze, Anjay Dhir, Conor Kaefer, Hayden Surrette, Matthew DiSimone, Wyatt Prater and Matthew Silveyra

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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.