School News

Mrs. Majka began her teaching career in 1990 at Saint Viator and retired after 35 years in the Science Department. Over those years, she taught all levels of Physics, Physical Science, PhyChem, Earth Science, and Astronomy. She had been at Saint Viator so long that in her final years, she was teaching the children of her former students.

President Ryan Aiello reflected on the 2025 Night of the Lion event, hosted at Saint Viator High School on April 12.

“You took my breath away at the Night of the Lion this year. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for making this event one of the best nights of my career. From the warmth and hospitality you shared with me and my wife, Kelly, to the amazing energy, to the heartfelt wishes, to the incredible treasure you shared, I was overwhelmed. You helped us raise over $1,331,043 for tuition assistance!”

Erin Clifford ’97, managing director at Clifford Law Offices and corporate wellness consultant and coach at Erin Clifford Wellness, published her first book, “Wellness Reimagined: A Holistic Approach to Health, Happiness and Harmony,” this spring.

Sacred Heart of Mary High School alumna Holly Kuespert Caruso ’82 recently celebrated the release of Mary, a new film now streaming on Netflix. Produced by Holly and directed by her husband, DJ Caruso, the film tells the story of the Virgin Mary—from her miraculous birth, to her betrothal to Joseph, to the angel Gabriel’s announcement that she would give birth to the Son of God. It also explores the hardships Mary faced, including being shunned by her community and later fleeing with Joseph and Jesus to escape the wrath of King Herod, portrayed by Academy Award-winner Anthony Hopkins.

On Saturday, May 10, Saint Viator High School proudly welcomed back members of its first graduating class for a memorable celebration of the Charter Class of 1965. The day’s festivities honored both athletic achievement and enduring brotherhood, beginning on the baseball field and culminating in a heartfelt reunion on campus.

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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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

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.