School News

The latest group of Illinois State Scholars was announced this week, and Saint Viator High School seniors were well represented. Out of the 183 members of the senior class, 53 were named Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for their outstanding academic achievement. 

College seems like a long way away for members of the Class of 2024, but not for the student athletes who gathered Wednesday for the National Letter of Intent ceremony. Taking this step, of publicly committing to playing their sport in college, makes it seem that much closer.

The Saint Viator High School Board of Trustees passed a resolution on October 10, to increase the number of opportunities for the high school’s Tuition Assistance program.

The current Tuition Assistance program annually provides over two million dollars of support to roughly one-third of the student body at Saint Viator.  With the new addition of scholarships, Saint Viator is doubling down on a commitment to provide a Catholic, college-preparatory education for any students seeking academic excellence grounded in faith. New scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic school year include a multi-child discount and a legacy scholarship.  

Rev. Daniel Lydon, C.S.V. has announced that he will not seek another term as President of Saint Viator High School after the current school year. In a letter to families yesterday, Fr. Lydon said that as his initial three-year term expires June 30, 2024, he will move into other ministries.

Senior Maeve McClellan returns to the basketball court this month, where she is one of the top guards for the Lions and a natural leader. Last year, her teammates voted her to receive the Lion Award, along with Sophie Vernoski.

This semester, Saint Viator High School has two new students from Ukraine enrolled in classes. Vitalii Strutynskyi is a current senior who arrived last year, while Olha Slobodianiuk is new this year. In both cases, they cited the warm, welcoming atmosphere they felt when they arrived – from both students and faculty – and the many opportunities they have to explore.

Jack Mahoney ’20 describes the last two days as something of a “grenade going off on my phone.” That’s because he learned Monday that he had been drafted in the third round of the MLB draft by the Colorado Rockies.

Service is one of the core values at Saint Viator High School and that was on full display last week as its unique Service & Song Camp.

More than 40 middle school students participated in the camp, along with students from Saint Viator who served as leaders, and another 10 adults who led individual teams. 

A veteran basketball coach, who learned from former Iowa Coach Steve Alford, among others, comes to the girls’ basketball program as the new head coach.

Kyle Braheny replaces Jason Raymond, who led the program for the last eight years. Raymond, who has five children, left to spend more time with his family.

Coach Patrick Gaeger ’08, handed his lacrosse players an interesting assignment at the start of their season in March: to research a Marine Corp saying that came back to light when Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black was appointed the 19th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps in July of 2019.

 

“Mission First, Marines Always” was the way Sgt. Major Black closed his remarks that day. Coach Gaeger and his lacrosse team adapted the phrase to inspire what would become an historic season, saying “Mission First, Lions Always.”

After three years of the pandemic, one tradition returned this year with all its pomp and circumstance: graduation.

After holding graduation for the last two years at Arlington Park, this year’s commencement exercises returned to the Cahill Gymnasium. The morning started with the traditional procession, as graduates in their caps and gowns processed around the building, led by a cross bearer.

N-1 8:00-9:15 a.m.

N-2 9:30-10:45 a.m.

N-3 8:00-9:15 a.m.

N-4 9:30-10:45 a.m.

Make-ups 11:00-12:15 p.m.

R-1 8:00-9:15 a.m.

R-2 9:30-10:45 a.m.

Make-ups 11:00-12:15 p.m.

R-3 8:00-9:15 a.m.

R-4 9:30-10:45 a.m.

Make-ups 11:00-12:15 p.m.

At Wednesday’s Incubatoredu Final Pitch Night, five teams presented their business ideas to a panel of sharks who had some challenging questions about competition, marketing, patenting, and overall product viability. 

It was standing room only as teammates, coaches and family members crowded into the Academic Commons to cheer on their student athletes. Wednesday was Spring Signing Day, when athletes signed letters of intent to continue their sport at the college level.

Saint Viator welcomed 57 new inductees to the National Honor Society on Wednesday night. More than just an honor roll, NHS honors students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character. These students have maintained a minimum cumulative average of 4.0. 

There’s a knack to writing clever headlines. Just ask Grace Kelly ’23, who relies on clever word play, alliteration and even a double entendre now and then to write catchy headlines. Suffice it to say she knows the value of word association. After all, her name is synonymous with the famous actress by the same name who became the Princess of Monaco. 

Breaking news: three students on the staff of the Viator Voice and another on the Viatome staff advanced to the state finals of the IHSA journalism competition, that takes place Friday on the campus of Heartland Community College in downstate Normal.

State bound journalists include: 

Congratulations to the Math Team on being named a Full Team Qualifier for the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) State competition later this month at Illinois State University!

Students enrolled in Saint Viator’s STEM program got a rare, inside look at a pair of American Airlines massive hangars at O’Hare International Airport, as well as a tour of some of its most well-known planes, the Airbus 319 and the Boeing 737. 

Feb. 1 is recognized as National Signing Day, around the country — and at Saint Viator High School. On Wednesday afternoon, three seniors took their seats at the table to sign letters of intent to play their sports in college.

This is the busy season for students in any of the Saint Viator bands. 

Consider this lineup of performances: They are rehearsing to play in the pit orchestra for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella from Feb. 2-5. Next up, the symphonic and concert bands are preparing for the State of the Art Catholic band competition, on Feb. 18. at Providence High School. Saint Viator enters this year’s competition as the defending grand champion.

A handsome prince, a fairy godmother, and a royal kingdom. Saint Viator High School’s presentation of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella has all the elements of the beloved fairy tale, but with some surprising twists.