May 17, 2012

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St. Rita Teacher Joe Partacz named Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction

May 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Mr. Joe Partacz of St. Rita of Cascia High School was recently selected as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS).  A role model to pupils, Joe was nominated by student Christopher J. Ciciora for outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence in the classroom.

Student members of NSHSS have the opportunity to nominate the educator who made the most significant contribution to their academic career.  The Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction award recognizes teacher role models who have made a lasting difference in their classroom by encouraging students to strive for excellence.

“Dedicated educators who exhibit a commitment to excellence deserve our highest praise and appreciation,” said NSHSS President James Lewis.  “We’re excited to provide an ongoing means to do so, and we encourage our members to nominate teachers who have contributed to their academic success.”

Filed Under: Recent Stories

St. Rita Athletic Director Mike Zunica Inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame

May 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

On May 3, 2012, St. Rita Athletic Director and Varsity Head Baseball Coach, Mike Zunica was joined by family, friends and colleagues at the 52nd Annual Hall of Fame Induction Banquet of the Chicago Catholic League. Zunica was one of fifteen men honored by the Chicago Catholic League Coaches Association for their contributions to academic and athletic excellence within Chicago Catholic high school athletics

Coach Mike Zunica is currently entering his 16th season as Varsity Head Baseball Coach at St. Rita High School. He has amassed an overall record of 440 – 141. During his tenure, he has lead the Mustangs to 9 regional championships, 4 sectional championships, 4 super-sectional championships, and 9 Elite 8 appearances, including summer state championships in 2005 and 2009, and a 2nd place finish in both the spring of 2009 and 2010.

In addition to their success on the field, the St. Rita Mustangs Baseball team is proud of their comparable achievements in the classroom. This year’s Varsity Mustangs have 17 student members of the National Honor Society. During Mike’s tenure as head baseball coach, he has witnessed four members of his team earn the distinction of Class Valedictorian. Overall, 143 St. Rita Mustang baseball players were named to the National Honor Society and 127 players went on to compete in collegiate athletics – 26 of whom are currently competing at the collegiate level.  St. Rita principal, Brendan Conroy said, “We are fortunate to have a baseball coach and athletic director like Mike, whose passion for St. Rita and commitment to the growth and improvement of his athletes and all our students is truly an inspiration.”

“I believe the greatest gift you can give your kid is a Catholic education,” said Zunica, who gave special thanks to his parents for the sacrifices they made to send him to Catholic schools. Zunica’s wife, Jacqui and three children, Camille, Michael and Mateo were also present at the induction ceremony. During the past four years, Zunica had the opportunity to coach his son, Mike, who will be graduating from St. Rita this month and entering Columbia University in New York to play football in the fall.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, Latest in Sports, Recent Stories

St. Rita High School Blood Drive Yet Another Way Students Hope to Save Lives

March 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Throughout the month of March, the students, faculty and staff of St. Rita of Cascia High School have been committed to saving lives.  The St. Rita Family started the month raising thousands of dollars in the fight against childhood cancer, and immediately jumped into yet another way they hope to save live, St. Rita’s Annual Blood Drive.

This live saving event, sponsored by the St. Rita’s Student Government, was held on Thursday, March 22, 2012.  Everyone at St. Rita was invited to participate throughout the day and by the conclusion a total of 108 pints of blood was collected.  According to O’Brian Jenkins from LifeSource Blood Services, the donations made at St. Rita’s Blood Drive will help to save 324 lives.

“While the Annual St. Rita Blood Drive once again proved to be a huge success, it is the hundreds of lives that will now be saved with these donations that really matters.  We are proud of our Student Government Representatives for working together to make the Blood Drive happen and to all our Ritamen who stepped up to donate the gift of life.  This year’s Blood Drive was yet another example of how we witness our Ritamen truly living out their Catholic and Augustinian values,” said Mr. Josh Blaszak, Student Government Moderator.

Photo: On Thursday, March 22, St. Rita’s gym was transformed into a blood donation center for the annual blood drive.

Filed Under: Recent Stories

St. Rita French Club Visits Alliance Francaise

March 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The St. Rita French Club has had an exciting and eventful year.  They attended a performance of Cyrano at the House Theatre, dined at La Sardine, attended a performance by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and hosted Christmas and Mardi Gras celebrations. On March 7th, the French Club visited the Alliance Francaise, Chicago’s French cultural language and learning center.  The French Club members partook in a French cooking class conducted in French and then enjoyed the fine meal that they prepared.  They then enjoyed watching several prize winning French short films in the Alliance’s theatre and ended their day with a discussion on the themes addressed in the films.

 

Filed Under: Feature Stories, Recent Stories, Student News

St. Rita Symphonic Band takes 1st Place in Catholic Schools Band Competition

February 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Congratulations to the St. Rita Symphonic Band and its director Ms. Cindy Gradek for their outstanding results in the recent 32nd Annual State of the Art Catholic Band Competition.  On Saturday, February, 19, St. Rita made its 32nd appearance at the annual competition sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

St. Rita took first place in the Class “AA” division and Best Woodwinds Award in Class “AA”.  They also received the Leo J. Henning Most Improved Band Award overall.

St. Rita finished with a score of 94.17 points, second only to Marian Catholic who performed in the “AAA” class of the competition, which took place at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights.  Adjudicators for the event were Stacey Larson, Associate Director of Bands at Vandercook College of Music, Dr. Kenneth Dye, Director of Bands at the University of Notre Dame and Judy Grimes, Associate Director of Bands at Elmhurst College.

 

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McCarthy Center for Ritamen Opens with Blessing

February 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Bishop Dan Turley, O.S.A. blesses the McCarthy Center for Ritamen and St. Rita students.  The McCarthy Center will open for the first time after school today.  Students will have the opportunity to have a snack, play games, watch TV or study in St. Rita’s new student activity center and commons.

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Ten Mustangs Sign National Letters of Intent

February 1, 2012 By 3 Comments

Ten members of the Fighting Mustangs, St. Rita of Cascia High School’s football team, signed national letters of intent on Wednesday, February 1.  Among the players, three are headed to the Ivy League, four to Division I schools and three players will be playing on teams that are current National Champions.  The players’ family members were present for the signing, along with Head Football Coach, Mr. Todd Kuska, Athletic Director, Mr. Michael Zunica and President, Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A.

Michael Zunica (RB) signed a letter of intent to attend Columbia University in New York City.  Mike attended St. Alexander Grammar School and resides in Palos Park, IL.

Max Kurucar (DB/P) signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.  Max attended Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School and resides in Oak Lawn, IL.

Will McNamara (LB) signed a letter of intent to attend Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH.  Will attended St. Catherine of Alexandria Grammar School and resides in Oak Lawn, IL.

Dan Fitzgerald (OLB) signed a letter of intent to attend St. Xavier University in Chicago.  Dan attended St. Christina Grammar School and resides in the Mt. Greenwood neighborhood of Chicago.

Dan Ladd (WR) signed a letter of intent to attend St. Xavier University in Chicago.  Dan attended St. Cajetan Grammar School and resides in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago.

Ricardo Valadez (LB) signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Wisconsin Whitewater in Whitewater, WI.  Ricky lives in the Ashburn neighborhood of Chicago and attended St. Bede the Venerable Grammar School.

Kenny Golladay (WR) signed a letter of intent to attend the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND.  Kenny resides in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood of Chicago and attended St. Ethelreda Grammar School.

Nick Dachota (OL) signed a letter of intent to attend Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN.  Nick resides in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago and attended St. John Fisher Grammar School.

Patrick O’Connor (DL) signed a letter of intent to attend Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI.  Pat attended Mt. Greenwood Elementary School and resides in the Mt. Greenwood neighborhood of Chicago.

Charles Elmore (DB) signed a letter of intent to attend South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD.  Charles resides in Bridgeview, IL and attended George Washington Elementary School in Lyons.

Photo: Ten members of the Fighting Mustangs, St. Rita of Cascia High School’s football team, signed national letters of intent on Wednesday, February 1.  Pictured (standing, left to right): Head Football Coach, Mr. Todd Kuska, Michael Zunica, Max Kurucar, Will McNamara, Dan Fitzgerald, Dan Ladd, Ricky Valadez, St. Rita Athletic Director, Mr. Mike Zunica.  (seated, left to right): Kenny Golladay, Nick Dachota, Pat O’Connor and Charles Elmore.

Filed Under: Feature Stories, Recent Stories, Student News

St. Rita Announces Jasica Art Scholarship Winners

January 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

St. Rita of Cascia High School recently announced the winners of the 5th Annual Joseph J. Jasica Art Scholarship.  The program was founded by St. Rita alumni Mr. Raymond Jasica ’55 and Mr. Robert Jasica ’57, in memory of their brother, Joseph, who was a 1952 graduate, now deceased.  Each winner was awarded a $500 grant that goes toward the current school year’s tuition.

The Joseph J. Jasica Art Scholarship Competition encourages art students and the entire student body to create a piece of art.  There were six entries this year, which in some way relate to St. Rita’s mission and tradition.  While all demonstrated the talents and perspective of the artists, two were selected as scholarship winners.  The winning entries were submitted by senior Charles Elmore (Bridgeview, George Washington-Lyons) and junior Nick Henrichs (Oak Lawn, St. Gerald).

The winners were announced at an all-school Mass on January 6th and the awards presented by St. Rita Principal Mr. Brendan Conroy, President Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A. ’83, art teacher Mrs. Robyn Kurnat, and scholarship coordinator Ms. Martha Dion.  Also present for the ceremony were Mr. Raymond Jasica, his wife Jeanine, and Mrs. Karen Omastiak, daughter of Joseph and mother to Ritamen Mark ’08 and Brian ’11 (St. Bede the Venerable).  The other contest participants were presented with a commemorative glass keepsake.  Those students were senior Ryan Tomlinson (Chicago – Grand Boulevard, Dawes School), Juniors Anton Thauer (Evergreen Park, Most Holy Redeemer), Sophomores John Carpenter (Chicago-Bridgeport, Bridgeport Catholic Academy) and Charles Henrichs (Burbank, St. Gerald).

Congratulations to the winners and all who participated, and special thanks to the Jasica family for giving back to the fine arts program and students at St. Rita while keeping the memory of Joseph alive.

Photo: St. Rita of Cascia High School recently announced the winners of the 5th Annual Joseph J. Jasica Art Scholarship.  Pictured back row from left to right, St. Rita Art Students Ryan Tomlinson, John Carpenter, Anton Thauer, Charles Henrichs, Charles Elmore and Nick Henrichs.  Front Row:  St. Rita President, Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A., Art Instructor, Mrs. Robyn Kurnat, Mrs. Karen Omastiak, Mrs. Jeanine Jasica, Mr. Raymond Jasica and Scholarship Coordinator, Ms. Martha Dion.

Filed Under: Recent Stories, Student News

Test Day 2012

January 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Filed Under: Recent Stories

St. Rita Students Deliver Donation to Advocate Center for Breast Care

December 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

On Monday, December 12, St. Rita of Cascia High School Senior Student Government members along with Student Government Moderator, Mrs. Jodi McLawhorn and their teacher, Mrs. Mary Misora, delivered a check to the Advocate Christ Center for Breast Care in Oak Lawn.  The donation, totaling more than $2,200 was collected through various fundraisers led by student government.  These include the sale of pink rally towels, pink bandanas and pink ribbon suckers.  Student Government also planned a student dress down/spirit day, where students are entitled to dress out of uniform in St. Rita Spiritwear for the day if they make a donation to the cause.

 The donation to the Advocate Breast Care Center in Oak Lawn was especially meaningful to the St. Rita students because one of their own teachers is a patient there.  Mrs. Mary Misiora, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, accompanied the students who thanked the nurses and staff for taking such good care of their teacher, “Ms. Mis.”

 Patrice A. Stephens, MS, APN, AOCN, Breast Health Specialist for Advocate Christ Medical Center and the Advocate Christ Center for Breast Care, thanked the students and said the donation would be used for a variety of breast cancer projects at Christ Medical Center.

 Photo: St. Rita students deliver a donation to the Advocate Center for Breast Care. Pictured  Standing from left to right St. Rita Senior Student Government Members: John Johnson (Chicago Beverly, St. Cajetan), Shakir Spells (Chicago Morgan Park, St. Ethelreda), Mike Murphy (Evergreen Park, Central JHS), Brendan Duffy (Palos Heights, St. Alexander) St. Rita Augustinian Volunteer, Dan Madden, Max Kurucar (Oak Lawn, OLHMS) Mark Murphy (Burbank, St. Albert the Great), Chris Ciciora (Chicago Mt. Greenwood, St. Christina), Albert Alfano (Chicago Beverly, Morgan Park Academy) and St. Rita Director of Student Activities and Student Government Moderator, Mrs. Jodi McLawhorn, along with Advocate Center for Breast Care Staff and St. Rita teacher, Mrs. Mary Misiora.

Filed Under: Recent Stories
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