NAZARET 1 CADEM Catholic | Co-Ed | College Prep La Grange Park nazarethacademy.com N Leaders in Scholarship Est. 1900 BESHIP-SERVICE-SMART Celebrating the 2024-25 School Year 125 Years of Educating the Whole Person 179 graduates will attend 66 different colleges in 24 states. They have earned over $52 million in merit scholarships and awards. Students from the Class of 2025 were accepted to 232 colleges and universities all over the country, including the University of Notre Dame, Northeastern University, University of Southern California, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Wisconsin Madison, Stanford University, Brown University and the University of Michigan. Erin Briars, Valedictorian, will attend Lehigh University and Clare Sandoval, Salutatorian, will attend the University of Alabama. Ms. Patricia Filomeno received the 2025 Outstanding Educator of the Year Award. Erin Briars (Lehigh University) and Natalie Finnegan (University of Michigan) were named National Commended Scholars. Isabel Cervantes (Northeastern University), Isabela Flores (Triton College), Victoria Gonzalez (University of Notre Dame), and Clare Sandoval (University of Alabama) graduated as National Hispanic Scholars. The Class of 2025 boasts 35 Illinois State Scholars. 20 seniors earned the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy. 10 additional seniors earned Commendations toward the Seal of Biliteracy. Nazareth again earned a place on College Board's AP® School Honor Roll, plus the AP Access Award. 44 students earned AP Scholar Awards in 2024. 2 U.S. History Honors students advanced to the State level, with Thomas Delgado advancing to National History Day. 7 students represented Nazareth at the State Math Tournament; 2 earned State medals. Nazareth's music programs received national recognition from the NAMM Foundation with a Support Music Merit Award and Mike Sliwinksi, Band Director, was recognized as a quarterfinalist for the 2026 Grammy Music Educator Award. Nazareth added new Honor Society chapters for Fine Arts and Science. 3 English Department faculty attended the National Council of Teachers of English where Department Chair Jennie Grigas presented at the Conference on English Leaders. Leaders in Service Through Gospel Service, Community Builders for Peace and service events on campus and with community partners, students completed over 15,000 hours of service. Olivia Mowrer (Clemson University) received the 2025 Sister Oliver Donlin Service Award in recognition of her leadership and determination to make a difference in her community. Nazareth Academy partnered with the Congregation of St. Joseph for a Roadrunners Give Back Day of Service on October 20. Over 200 students, faculty, administration, Sisters, parents and alumni volunteered at 17 locations around the Naz neighborhood in a single day. The annual Thanksgiving Drive and Christmas Giving Tree encouraged students to care for the dear neighbor. Faculty and Staff once again met the goal of 100% participation in supporting the annual WALK. Campus Ministry along with over 100 student volunteers hosted our seventh FISH Prom Night for Teens with Disabilities. Clubs and activities led efforts to support causes and organizations including California Wildfire Relief, Caring Place for Kids, food pantries, La Grange Hospital, Marillac St. Vincent, Project CURE, Oak Park Migrant Ministry, Playsmart Literacy, and more. 17 students were chosen for the Young Community Changemakers Program, investigating the needs in our community and developing skills in philanthropy. Sophomores Miranda Carrasco and Patrick O'Reilly were chosen to represent Nazareth at the 2025 HOBY Youth Leadership Conference. 9 students earned the Cook County Sheriff's Commitment to Service Award. During Circle the City, the Class of 2025 served at 11 different Chicagoland sites, positively affecting thousands of lives. The Alumni Department continued the effort with a week-long celebration of service by Naz Alum on campus and across the country. Leaders in Spirit The Football Roadrunners 3-peated as IHSA 5A State Champions. At the individual level Roadrunners earned 1 IHSA State Medal, 8 IHSA State Qualifications, 3 All-State selections, 4 All-State Academic Team selections, 22 Sectional Medals, 4 Regional Titles, 6 IHSA Regional Medals, 3 ESCC Players of the Year, 19 Conference Medals and 36 All-Conference selections. Jaden Fauske '25 was named Illinois Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year. Girls Soccer won the 2A Regional, Sectional and Super-Sectional Titles finishing 4th in State; Softball won the 3A Regional Title; Baseball won the 4A Regional Title; Competitive Dance finished Top 10 in State; Football won the 5A State Championship; Girls Golf finished 5th Place in State; Girls Cross Country (2A), Boys Golf (2A) and Girls Tennis (1A) all qualified for State; Girls Basketball won the ESCC Conference Title and 4A Regional Title. The Fine Arts Department presented multiple band and chorus concerts, plays and musicals, and the Scenes and Sounds Fine Arts Showcase. Hundreds of students, faculty and staff brought school spirit to campus as early as 4 a.m. when Nazareth was featured on ABC7 Chicago's Morning News on October 11. Nazareth retired the Baseball jersey of Michael Spidale '00, who was inducted into the ESCC Hall of Fame alongside the 2015 Roadrunner State Champion Football Team. Nazareth clubs continue to reflect the passions and interests of the student body, with the addition of Women in Business, Computer Science Club and Entrepreneur Club this school year. 1 Choir Member and 1 Band member were selected for the District 1 ILMEA State Festival; 2 student-artists earned Scholastic Art & Writing Silver Keys with an additional 6 students meriting Honorable Mentions. Coach Tim Racki was a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Football Coach of the Year. Leaders in Unity 125th anniversary events included a Legacy Mass, honoring multi-generational Nazareth families; Grandparents Day; an Alumni Career Day on our 125th day of school, a June Gala honoring the Congregation of St. Joseph, and the establishment of five new honors recognizing the legacies of Sister Pat Bergen, Sister Terry Middendorf, Sister Marianne Race, Sister Jackie Schmitz and Sister Ethel Vaca. A collaborative effort among Campus Ministry, Student Activities and CSJ Sisters resulted in monthly student-led prayer services centered around common interests and concerns. 3 faculty and staff members represented Nazareth as part of a CSJ delegation in Montgomery, Alabama exploring issues of racism and social justice. LatiNaz hosted a celebration for Our Lady of Guadalupe, including a Prayer Service, pot luck dinner, social time, and a performance from Mariachi Universal. Spiritual retreat was offered for every student, including Kairos, a nationally recognized retreat program. The efforts of Youth Initiative, Diversity Club and Writers' Society brought Narrative 4 Story Exchanges to Nazareth, providing opportunities for students, Sisters and Faculty to share their stories, tell others' stories and through the process, build bridges of empathy and inclusiveness. Our Black History Month celebration included the National African American Read-In, a new Black student and family breakfast, and a performance by our Drumline with Park Junior High students. Cathy Kokontis was recognized by the Community Memorial Foundation with the Youth Mental Health Advocate Award. School-wide Masses and Prayer Services, including the Living Stations of the Cross Service, offered students, faculty and families opportunities to pray and worship as one. 125 Years of Educating the Whole Person...That All May be One. Our school theme celebrated Nazareth's history and foundational belief that it is only by creating an academic environment where all aspects of a young person are developed - mind, body, soul and spirit - that they are able to lead lives of consequence...making a true difference in the world. NAZARET 1 CADEM Catholic | Co - Ed | College Prep La Grange Park nazarethacademy.com N Leaders in Scholarship Est . 1900 BESHIP - SERVICE - SMART Celebrating the 2024-25 School Year 125 Years of Educating the Whole Person 179 graduates will attend 66 different colleges in 24 states . They have earned over $ 52 million in merit scholarships and awards . Students from the Class of 2025 were accepted to 232 colleges and universities all over the country , including the University of Notre Dame , Northeastern University , University of Southern California , Washington University in St. Louis , University of Wisconsin Madison , Stanford University , Brown University and the University of Michigan . Erin Briars , Valedictorian , will attend Lehigh University and Clare Sandoval , Salutatorian , will attend the University of Alabama . Ms. Patricia Filomeno received the 2025 Outstanding Educator of the Year Award . Erin Briars ( Lehigh University ) and Natalie Finnegan ( University of Michigan ) were named National Commended Scholars . Isabel Cervantes ( Northeastern University ) , Isabela Flores ( Triton College ) , Victoria Gonzalez ( University of Notre Dame ) , and Clare Sandoval ( University of Alabama ) graduated as National Hispanic Scholars . The Class of 2025 boasts 35 Illinois State Scholars . 20 seniors earned the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy . 10 additional seniors earned Commendations toward the Seal of Biliteracy . Nazareth again earned a place on College Board's AP® School Honor Roll , plus the AP Access Award . 44 students earned AP Scholar Awards in 2024 . 2 U.S. History Honors students advanced to the State level , with Thomas Delgado advancing to National History Day . 7 students represented Nazareth at the State Math Tournament ; 2 earned State medals . Nazareth's music programs received national recognition from the NAMM Foundation with a Support Music Merit Award and Mike Sliwinksi , Band Director , was recognized as a quarterfinalist for the 2026 Grammy Music Educator Award . Nazareth added new Honor Society chapters for Fine Arts and Science . 3 English Department faculty attended the National Council of Teachers of English where Department Chair Jennie Grigas presented at the Conference on English Leaders . Leaders in Service Through Gospel Service , Community Builders for Peace and service events on campus and with community partners , students completed over 15,000 hours of service . Olivia Mowrer ( Clemson University ) received the 2025 Sister Oliver Donlin Service Award in recognition of her leadership and determination to make a difference in her community . Nazareth Academy partnered with the Congregation of St. Joseph for a Roadrunners Give Back Day of Service on October 20. Over 200 students , faculty , administration , Sisters , parents and alumni volunteered at 17 locations around the Naz neighborhood in a single day . The annual Thanksgiving Drive and Christmas Giving Tree encouraged students to care for the dear neighbor . Faculty and Staff once again met the goal of 100 % participation in supporting the annual WALK . Campus Ministry along with over 100 student volunteers hosted our seventh FISH Prom Night for Teens with Disabilities . Clubs and activities led efforts to support causes and organizations including California Wildfire Relief , Caring Place for Kids , food pantries , La Grange Hospital , Marillac St. Vincent , Project CURE , Oak Park Migrant Ministry , Playsmart Literacy , and more . 17 students were chosen for the Young Community Changemakers Program , investigating the needs in our community and developing skills in philanthropy . Sophomores Miranda Carrasco and Patrick O'Reilly were chosen to represent Nazareth at the 2025 HOBY Youth Leadership Conference . 9 students earned the Cook County Sheriff's Commitment to Service Award . During Circle the City , the Class of 2025 served at 11 different Chicagoland sites , positively affecting thousands of lives . The Alumni Department continued the effort with a week - long celebration of service by Naz Alum on campus and across the country . Leaders in Spirit The Football Roadrunners 3 - peated as IHSA 5A State Champions . At the individual level Roadrunners earned 1 IHSA State Medal , 8 IHSA State Qualifications , 3 All - State selections , 4 All - State Academic Team selections , 22 Sectional Medals , 4 Regional Titles , 6 IHSA Regional Medals , 3 ESCC Players of the Year , 19 Conference Medals and 36 All - Conference selections . Jaden Fauske '25 was named Illinois Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year . Girls Soccer won the 2A Regional , Sectional and Super - Sectional Titles finishing 4th in State ; Softball won the 3A Regional Title ; Baseball won the 4A Regional Title ; Competitive Dance finished Top 10 in State ; Football won the 5A State Championship ; Girls Golf finished 5th Place in State ; Girls Cross Country ( 2A ) , Boys Golf ( 2A ) and Girls Tennis ( 1A ) all qualified for State ; Girls Basketball won the ESCC Conference Title and 4A Regional Title . The Fine Arts Department presented multiple band and chorus concerts , plays and musicals , and the Scenes and Sounds Fine Arts Showcase . Hundreds of students , faculty and staff brought school spirit to campus as early as 4 a.m. when Nazareth was featured on ABC7 Chicago's Morning News on October 11 . Nazareth retired the Baseball jersey of Michael Spidale '00 , who was inducted into the ESCC Hall of Fame alongside the 2015 Roadrunner State Champion Football Team . Nazareth clubs continue to reflect the passions and interests of the student body , with the addition of Women in Business , Computer Science Club and Entrepreneur Club this school year . 1 Choir Member and 1 Band member were selected for the District 1 ILMEA State Festival ; 2 student - artists earned Scholastic Art & Writing Silver Keys with an additional 6 students meriting Honorable Mentions . Coach Tim Racki was a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Football Coach of the Year . Leaders in Unity 125th anniversary events included a Legacy Mass , honoring multi - generational Nazareth families ; Grandparents Day ; an Alumni Career Day on our 125th day of school , a June Gala honoring the Congregation of St. Joseph , and the establishment of five new honors recognizing the legacies of Sister Pat Bergen , Sister Terry Middendorf , Sister Marianne Race , Sister Jackie Schmitz and Sister Ethel Vaca . A collaborative effort among Campus Ministry , Student Activities and CSJ Sisters resulted in monthly student - led prayer services centered around common interests and concerns . 3 faculty and staff members represented Nazareth as part of a CSJ delegation in Montgomery , Alabama exploring issues of racism and social justice . LatiNaz hosted a celebration for Our Lady of Guadalupe , including a Prayer Service , pot luck dinner , social time , and a performance from Mariachi Universal . Spiritual retreat was offered for every student , including Kairos , a nationally recognized retreat program . The efforts of Youth Initiative , Diversity Club and Writers ' Society brought Narrative 4 Story Exchanges to Nazareth , providing opportunities for students , Sisters and Faculty to share their stories , tell others ' stories and through the process , build bridges of empathy and inclusiveness . Our Black History Month celebration included the National African American Read - In , a new Black student and family breakfast , and a performance by our Drumline with Park Junior High students . Cathy Kokontis was recognized by the Community Memorial Foundation with the Youth Mental Health Advocate Award . School - wide Masses and Prayer Services , including the Living Stations of the Cross Service , offered students , faculty and families opportunities to pray and worship as one . 125 Years of Educating the Whole Person ... That All May be One . Our school theme celebrated Nazareth's history and foundational belief that it is only by creating an academic environment where all aspects of a young person are developed - mind , body , soul and spirit - that they are able to lead lives of consequence ... making a true difference in the world .