We're Celebrating our 2023-24 Legacy Students
Barb Dawson • October 3, 2023

55 Children of Alumni this year!

Montini Catholic, a college preparatory high school in Lombard, was proud to gather a unique group of students prior to the end of the school year for what has become an annual photo. The group represent what Montini Catholic endearingly defines as their "Legacy Students" - students of alumni parents who once walked the halls of the Catholic school.


This year fifty-five (55) students of alumni are carrying on their parents' legacies. The number represents over 10% of the school's total student body. "Another awesome fact this year is that six of our students are double legacies," informed Alumni Director, Katie Doll Hubeny '96. "Indicating that one or both parents as well as one or more of their grandparents also graduated from Montini Catholic!"


"We are always so pleased when Montini alumni return as Montini parents and continue the Montini Catholic legacy," added Katie. "Family is important at Montini Catholic, which is one of the reasons Montini and the legacy of Montini is so special. A Montini LaSallian education is something to be treasured and we love to see that passed down to younger members of the family."



Montini Catholic's 2023-24 Legacy Students and their Alumni Parents:


Collin Angelakos ‘24 (Lombard)
William Angelakos ‘92

Katelyn Bell ‘25 (Naperville)
Jackson Bell ‘27
Patrick Bell ‘96

Cassius Campbell ‘24 (Downers Grove)
Trisha (Engel) Campbell ‘93

Colleen Considine ‘24 (Naperville)
Peter Considine ‘25
Maryfaith Considine ‘27
Michael Considine ‘86

Louis Corpora ‘27 (Woodridge)
Kimberly Corpora ‘98

Annalee DeFeo ‘25 (Lombard)
Laura (LaMontagna) DeFeo ’93 & Michael DeFeo ‘93

Marin Ferris ‘24 (Wheaton)
Nolan Ferris ‘25
Owen Ferris ‘27
Shannon (O’Connor) Ferris ‘93

James Fitzpatrick ‘25 (Lombard)
Nora Fitzpatrick ‘27
Michael Fitzpatrick ‘88

Cole Forsyth ‘27 (Lombard)
Don Forsyth ‘91


Ruben Galvan ‘24 (Lombard)
Enrico Mazzei ’85 (step-father)

Zoe Gangas ‘25 (LaGrange)
Nick Gangas ‘81

Julie Gedraitis ‘27 (Westmont)
Jennifer (Doll) Gedraitis ‘94

Finnegan Grimes ‘26 (Lombard)
Joseph Grimes ‘84

Erin Grimsley ‘24 (Itasca)
Leonard Grimsley ‘85

Henry Herold ‘26 (Clarendon Hills)
Brian Herold ‘94

Sean Hubeny ‘25 (Westmont)
Katie (Doll) Hubeny ’96 & James Hubeny ‘96

Nick Irion ‘25 (Lombard)
Vince Irion ‘25
Dave Irion ‘88

Michael Kavanagh ‘26 (Burr Ridge)
Jennifer (Long) Kavanagh ‘97

Brianna Konopacz ‘27 (Woodridge)
Cheryl Kirk ‘82

Vincent Knudtson ‘25 (Lombard)
Lia (Badalamenti) Knudtson ‘89

Chase Langert ‘26 (Glen Ellyn)
Gianna Langert ‘27
Dan ’96 & Julie (Landano) Langert ’96
Chris Gogola ’87 (deceased)

Jamie Loftus ‘25 (Downers Grove)
Christina (Connelly) Loftus ‘86


Angelina Marinelli ‘27 (Lombard)
Isabella Marinelli ‘27
Leah Tomasetti ‘96

Olivia Mateja ‘24 (Lombard)
Jim Reed ’99 (step-father)

Malin McGivern ‘26 (Hinsdale)
Matt McGivern ‘93

Zander Montgomery ‘24 (Lombard)
Cheryl (Jenkover) Montgomery ’84 & Daniel Montgomery ‘82

Lilliana Navarro ‘26 (Lombard)
Karla Navarro ‘03

*Ava Neustadt ‘26 (Lombard)
*Julianna Neustadt ‘26
*Joseph Neustadt ‘27
*Johnathan Neustadt ‘27
Nicole (Minucciani) Bernardi ‘98
Julie (Savaiano) Borsellino ‘76
Lewis Borsellino ‘76

Margaret Nielsen ‘25 (Lombard)
Maureen (O’Neill) Nielsen ‘87

Rory O’Connor ‘24 (Woodridge)
Teagan O’Connor ‘27
Patrick ’81 & Michelle (Ptak) O’Connor ’88

Orla O’Flaherty ‘27 (Westmont)
Peggy (Batten) O’Flaherty ‘87

Quin Paprockas ‘26 (Bolingbrook)
Kerry Paprockas ‘91

*Charlotte Payne Zabojnik ‘27 (Lombard)

Samantha Payne ‘02
Cathy (Westerkamp) Payne '78

Audrey Ruddy ‘26 (Downers Grove)
Brian Ruddy ‘88

*Bryce Ryan ‘26 (Lombard)
James ’00 & Amy (Marino) Ryan ‘00
Deborah (O’Connell) ‘74 & John Ryan ‘74
Kathleen (Happel) Naatz ‘78

Tanner Sebben ‘24 (Downers Grove)
Ava Sebben ‘25
Patricia (Gary) Sebben ‘90

Lily Spanos ‘25 (Glen Ellyn)
Jack Spanos ‘27
Shannon (Herold) Spanos ‘99

Alexander Tack ‘26 (Lombard)
Daniel Tack ‘01

Patrick Thompson ‘26 (Naperville)
Jennifer (Herold) Thompson ‘89

Collins Whitfield ‘25 (Downers Grove)
Katherine (Janko) Whitfield ‘00
Collins Whitfield ‘00

* Third generation: parent(s) and grandparent(s) are Montini alumni


Image above:


Front Row l to r:  Lilliana Navarro, Orla O’Flaherty, Jamie Loftus 


2nd Row: Patrick Thompson, Finnegan Grimes, Owen Ferris, Joseph Neustadt, Marin Ferris, Nolan Ferris, Erin Grimsley, Audrey Ruddy, Annalee DeFeo, Teagan O'Connor and Angelina Marinelli


3rd Row:  James Fitzpatrick, Quin Paprockas, Olivia Mateja, Katelyn Bell, Brianna Konopacz, Johnathan Neustadt, Ava Sebben, Nora Fitzpatrick, Isabella Marinelli, Lily Spanos, Maryfaith Considine;


4th Row: Malin McGivern, Bryce Ryan, Zander Montgomery, Jack Spanos, Julianna Neustadt, Ava Neustadt , Zoe Gangas ‘25, Julie Gedraitis, Gianna Langert, Jackson Bell, Cole Forsyth;


5th Row: Nick Irion, Ruben Galvan, Tanner Sebben, Rory O'Connor, Sean Hubeny, Charlotte Payne Zabojnik, Colleen Considine, Peter Considine; 


Back Row: Cassius Campbell, Vincent Irion, Michael Kavanagh, Louis Corpora, Alexander Tack, Colin Angelakos, Henry Herold, Margaret Nielsen and Vincent Knudtson


Not Pictured:  Chase Langert and Collins Whitfield, III


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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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