School News

Advanced theatre students are winding up their show tour this week. During the semester, they visited 14 different elementary schools, libraries, and even Kohl’s Children’s Museum. They close their tour on Thursday at Holy Family Catholic Academy in Inverness.

Two weeks after Saint Viator’s student athletes signed letters of intent to play their sport in college, students in the fine arts did the same. From film and theater to music and graphic design, Fine Arts Signing Day showcased students pursuing all those majors and more.

After a year of hard work, creativity, and collaboration, Saint Viator’s INCubatoredu students are ready to present their start-up ideas at the annual Final Pitch Night on Thursday, May 8, at 6:30 p.m. in Jeuck Auditorium.

Coach Michael O’Keeffe ’07 was named Basketball Coach of the Year for Class 3A, District 4, by the IBCA. After the announcement, Coach O’Keeffe released a statement.

“This award is a result of our team’s core values: relationships, development, and competition. Our team's biggest strength this year was how connected we were, on and off the court. I had the opportunity to lead and coach a fantastic group of young men who valued team success ahead of individual stats, goals, and wants. This led to us sharing the basketball on offense, playing great team defense, and winning 24 games, the third most wins in program history.”

• The final day of second-semester classes is Friday, May 16 (Red Day).
• Monday, May 19 will serve as an independent study day for students to prepare for final exams.
• Final exams will take place from Tuesday, May 20, through Friday, May 23.
• The final day of the academic year for students is Friday, May 23.

Saint Viator High School is proud to announce that Wesley Marshall '27 was recently awarded the Blessed Carlo Acutis Merit Award, a prestigious honor presented to high school students in Vicariate I for their outstanding service and leadership within both their parish and school communities.

Earlier this month, seniors in Mr. Patrick McGarry’s Environmental Justice classes used a drone to assess the Viatorian Province Center's vulnerability to wildfires. Just last week, they spent their classes in a science lab testing drinking water and exploring ways to contain oil spills.

Saint Viator High School’s mission to form students who are intellectually inspired, faith-filled, and ready to serve was brought to life in a remarkable way when senior Ben Konopka ’25 stepped into the operating room for a shadowing experience, only to discover that he would be learning alongside fellow alumnus Bobby Tangredi ’18.

Senior Grace Adler and junior Thomas Bollard are already veterans of Saint Viator’s theater productions. Still, for the last six months, they have volunteered as student directors with another theater group: UPS for Downs, or United Parental Support for Down syndrome.

This weekend, Grace and Thomas are working behind the scenes of "Seussical Jr.," taking place on the Joanne Calzaretta Stage at Saint Viator. The production features nearly 50 actors, aged 12 to 65, with and without Down syndrome. Another dozen Saint Viator students are working behind the scenes of the show, serving as ushers and selling concessions. 

Saint Viator High School proudly announces Dr. Erika Mickelburgh, Ed.D., as its new principal effective July 1, 2025.

We are pleased to announce that Nick Sobieszczyk (Coach Sobie) has been officially selected as Saint Viator’s Assistant Athletic Director, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. 

Ryan Wolfe ’14 found his voice, so to speak, when he started performing in the Saint Viator musicals. Memorably, during his junior year, he starred as Lumiere in "Beauty & the Beast." To this day, Ryan still credits his former choral director, Kristina Sandrock, as one of his mentors.

Some 25 years after Rob Fryc '99 played soccer at Saint Viator, his teammates and head coach still remember him.  He was an attacking-style outside forward who played a role in their 3rd-place finish at the IHSA state semi-finals in 1997 and in their 17-6-2 finish in 1998, which led them to regionals. 

“The kid played for the love of the game,” said former Head Coach Mike Taylor. “He had such a demeanor about him. He just loved to play.”

Saint Viator High School is proud to announce that 646 students—over 80% of the student body—achieved honor roll status in the first semester of the 2024-2025 academic year. The administration and staff congratulate the following students on their outstanding academic accomplishments.

Principal Jon Baffico called seniors Lucy Jochaniewicz and Henry Marshall into his office last week to deliver the good news in person: Lucy is this year’s valedictorian, while Henry is the salutatorian.

Due to the predicted inclement weather and its timing, we will transition to asynchronous remote learning on Wednesday, February 12, for all students. This will be a Red Asynchronous Remote Day, and students are expected to check in on Blackbaud by 10:00 a.m. Teachers will provide guidance on learning expectations and assignments. Find check-in instructions here: bit.ly/3PPjExT

Seniors Owen Kelly, Henry Marshall, and Aidan McLeod have earned national recognition for their academics and leadership. Today, they were named National Merit Finalists—after being named semifinalists in September—and can now compete for a National Merit Scholarship.

Nolan Dowling was named the next Athletic Director at Saint Viator High School and begins June 1st. Shortly after meeting with the Saint Viator administration, Dowling released a statement: “I am truly honored and excited to join Saint Viator as the new Athletic Director. This program has a rich history and a tradition of excellence in athletics, and I am eager to build on that strong foundation while leading us into the future. I look forward to giving my all to Saint Viator and being a part of this incredible journey.”

When searching for an Eagle Scout project, Aidan McLeod ’25 reflected on one of his passions: reading. In fact, he describes himself as a “voracious reader” whose earliest memories were family trips to the library and days spent with books.

Three senior bowlers, who have grown from recreational bowlers into competitive ones, are extending their journey Saturday at sectionals.  Jack Aliprandi, Jack Krowczyk, and Brendan Patton all advanced through regionals and will be representing Saint Viator at Bowlero in Vernon Hills starting at 9 a.m.

Fr. John Eustice, C.S.V., describes Fr. Daniel Hall, C.S.V., as his “inspiration.” Sure, they both served as Vice President of Viatorian Identity and Mission in recent years, but they share another passion: running, and more specifically, running marathons.

"Henry Marshall is riding the train to success. Both on and off the basketball court. Marshall is a three-year starter for the Lions. He is coming off a pair of wins Monday for the Lions, scoring 52 points. With the huge day, Marshall is now averaging nearly 16 points per game and has helped Saint Viator (15-5, 5-0 in the East Suburban Catholic League) win its last nine games. It is not just his play that has highlighted his four years as Saint Viator. It is his ability to overcome obstacles in his personal life and become one of the top academic students in the school." Read more from the Daily Herald.

Due to the forecast of unusually frigid weather conditions, including dangerous wind chill temperatures,  which have resulted in a Cold Weather Advisory that will sustain through student and faculty arrival times tomorrow, we will transition to asynchronous remote learning for Tuesday, January 21, for all students. 

Tickets are now on sale for Saint Viator's 59th annual winter musical, "The Drowsy Chaperone!"

Br. John Avellaneda, C.S.V., helps out when needed in Campus Ministry, and he plans to attend the Kairos retreat next month. Last week, he took a deeper dive into daily life at Saint Viator when he stepped in to be a substitute teacher in Spanish.

Maura Dussman Haddad ’09 returned to Saint Viator last month in a newly created position as the school nurse. However, as a nurse practitioner, Haddad will provide first aid and monitor medications, as well as work to monitor the overall health of students and staff.