The Class of 2025 Receives Diplomas – and Outstanding Leadership Awards

By any metric, the Class of 2025 is an impressive group. They boast a 100% acceptance rate into college and have earned $30+ million in scholarship offers. But a closer look reveals a highly accomplished group of graduates filled with the desire to lead and serve.

“The Class of 2025 is truly a remarkable group of young women and men,” Mr. Ryan Aiello, President, said at Monday’s graduation ceremony. “They are intellectually inspired, extremely talented, ready to serve, wonderfully accomplished, and fully engaged in the Viatorian mission.”

That servant leadership aspect of these graduates was evident in the first awards handed out at Friday’s Baccalaureate Mass.

Two graduates and a staff member were recognized with the Fr. John W. R. Maguire, CSV, Award for embodying the living spirit of Saint Viator by being honorable and just.

Fr. Maguire advocated for the dignity and rights of workers in the 1930s. Consequently, the award recognizes students and faculty members in the Saint Viator community who embody a dedication to solidarity and the common good.

This year’s recipients included Lucy Jochaniewicz, Aidan McLeod, and Ms. Maggie Miskowicz, Instructional Technology Coordinator.

Lucy won many academic awards this year and is the Valedictorian of the Class of 2025, but she also served as a member of the Campus Ministry core team, as a retreat leader, co-founder of the Rosary Club, and an active participant in the Right to Life Club.

“Thank you, Lucy, for your dedication to the dignity of all people,” said Mrs. Ann Perez, Vice President of Mission & Identity.

Aidan has served as a liturgical minister at all-school Masses, as a retreat leader and a delegate to the Viatorian Youth Congress, while helping to lead middle school students in the Service & Song camp in the summers. He also earned the rank of Eagle Scout through his leadership in the community.

“Thank you, Aidan, for your commitment to the common good and those accounted of little importance,” Mrs. Perez said.

As instructional technology coordinator, Ms. Miskowicz has helped faculty and staff access technology. She has also served as an adult leader on retreats and led multiple service groups to help at Bessie’s Table in Des Plaines.

“Thank you, Maggie,” Mrs. Perez said, “for your commitment to educating the whole person here at Saint Viator.”

This year’s graduation ceremony opened by acknowledging the 37 alumni who have children in the Class of 2025, which translates to 16% of the class being made up of legacy families. They were surrounded by 19 alumni on the faculty and staff, another 24 alumni serving as coaches, and 40 alumni who sit on boards and various committees—evidence of a community deeply rooted in tradition and committed to the Viatorian mission.

The ceremony featured remarks from both the Salutatorian, Henry Marshall, and the Valedictorian, Lucy Jochaniewicz.

Henry has been named to the Principal’s Honor Roll every semester, is a National Merit finalist, an Illinois State Scholar, an ESCC scholar-athlete in basketball and track and field, an IHSA all-state academic selection, and a member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association all-state team. Next year, Henry will attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to major in engineering and play basketball.

In opening his remarks, he described his speech as something of a thank-you letter to his teachers, classmates, coaches, parents, and friends.

“I cannot think of a better lens to look back at our four years than through one of gratitude,” Henry said.

Lucy has also been named to the Principal’s Honor Roll every semester and is an Illinois State Scholar. She was a Querbes Scholar, a STEM Scholar, and an ESCC Scholar in golf. In the fall, she will major in engineering at the University of Notre Dame.

“Those people you remember and those friendships you want to maintain have changed your life,” Lucy told her classmates, “And just as people have changed your life, you have changed someone’s life.”

The ceremony included two significant awards named for alumni, which embody leadership and the spirit of Saint Viator: the Andrew Johnstone Award and the Christopher Erdmann Award.

The first one was created in the memory of Andrew Johnstone, who died in the summer of 1991, before the start of his senior year, when he would have served as class president. Consequently, the criteria for the award include demonstrating leadership within the school community.

Andrew’s father, Frank, and brother, Francis E. 'Buzz' Johnstone III '85, were on hand to present the award. This year, in something of a first, two students were named co-recipients: Ainslie McKenna and Brendan Patton.

“The award recognizes a student who has held a leadership position in various activities, while building community and exhibiting humility, humor, and courage,” said Mr. Jon Baffico, Principal.

The Christopher Cup was established in memory of Christopher Erdmann ‘68, who passed away from leukemia. It was created to recognize a student who has taken an active role and leadership in the improvement of Saint Viator High School.

This year’s winner, whose name will be etched on the cup, along with more than 50 earlier recipients, is Ellen Denten.

“The Erdmann Award recognizes a person who is dedicated to the mission, vision, and values,” Mr. Baffico said, “and is the living spirit of Saint Viator High School.”

📺 - Watch livestreams of both ceremonies on YouTube.