On March 27, hundreds of St. Rita students were treated to a presentation from Dr. Audrius Plioplys, a doctor, historian, artist, and scientist—and the valedictorian of St. Rita’s Class of 1968.

Dr. Plioplys, recently named “Man of the Year” by the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture in Chicago, spoke of his “Hope and Spirit” program at the museum.  Dr. Plioplys educated the St. Rita students on the atrocities committed by Joseph Stalin and the deportation of hundreds of thousands of Europeans and how our world today doesn’t properly appreciate the devastation and terror he fed Europeans in the 1930’s and beyond.

We as a nation know very little about Stalin as compared to that of German leader Adolf Hitler—and that is reflected in the way today’s media operates.  We simply know and recognize Hitler’s evil ways more than Stalin’s.

Dr. Plioplys, however, was quick to point out to the St. Rita community that the two were friends, allies, and even that Hitler modeled many of his “death camps” and strategies from that of Joseph Stalin.

This “historical imbalance” is what drives Dr. Plioplys in his work to educate our community on what really happened to people of European descent.  He stressed to the students that “history repeats itself” and for them to challenge what they know about our world’s history.

Among the shocking details portrayed by Dr. Plioplys were the stories of the cattle trains that were used to deport the victims across the Soviet Union to the slave camps.  The train rides, which took over a month, featured the worst imaginable conditions as the victims were packed inside like sardines and exposed to unsanitary and unhealthy conditions—deaths on the trains were common, as bodies were simply “thrown off” the train.

The St. Rita students listened carefully as Dr. Plioplys spoke of political unrest that still exists today in Europe and China—and how small pockets of “Stalinism” thinking still exist.  It was an eye-opening experience for the students, who, like ourselves, can sometimes take for granted the freedoms and blessings they enjoy as Americans.  Many of them will be headed to colleges soon, but that type of freedom was virtually impossible for many during the era Dr. Plioplys highlighted.

Over 160 viewers from outside St. Rita High School tuned in for the live broadcast as several local grammar schools were invited to watch the presentation online.  The online speech is available at www.ihigh.com/strita/broadcast.

The St. Rita High School family would like to thank Dr. Audrius Plioplys for educating our school on an otherwise unknown, but very dark and evil time, that existed not too long ago in our world.  His words will make a lasting impact on our current Rita men.

Drama Director

St. Rita of Cascia High School

For the 2012 – 2013 school year

This is a part time, stipend position.

Job Description:

• Direct the play, “Tooty’s Corner” with rehearsals beginning in October of 2012 and the play being performed in April of 2013.
• Recruit students and host auditions
• Maintain a clean and organized auditorium and stage area
• Work with Facilities Director and Band Director on auditorium usage
• Work with the Faculty Liaison in coordinating students, calendars, scheduling, parents, budgets, etc.
• Arrange for workshop days and/or workshop type field trips for the students.
• Work with Mr. Michael Maione, who is the writer of the play.  Be sure to fulfill his vision for this play.
• Additionally, a fun, variety/improv type show can be added around December/January.
• All rehearsals and performances will take place after normal school hours.
• Be consistent with rehearsals and expectations
• Communicate with the Director of Student Activities and give updates.
• Be available to recruit St. Rita students for this club.  Work Activity Fairs (2) and Open Houses (2).
• Communicate with the St. Rita student body and family via Daily Announcements, emails, and phone calls.
• Be flexible, willing, and open to ideas and restrictions.

Attach Resume And References here.

The majority of 18-year-old high school students probably have other things on their mind than working with the homeless and serving their communities.  There are just not too many high school boys who put “community service” on the top line of their agendas.  At St. Rita High School, however, some students value community service and excel in their roles for their community.

Recently, I was blown away by the efforts of three St. Rita seniors.  At a nearby PADS homeless and food shelter, 20-25 homeless Chicagoans were treated with a dose of compassion, kindness, and warmth that was out of this world—the kind you’d expect from a priest or a nun.  The St. Rita seniors, Albert Alfano (Beverly, Morgan Park Academy), Brad Dorng (Beverly, St. John Fisher), and Matt O’Donnell (Evergreen Park, Most Holy Redeemer) went above and beyond their call of community service and changed the nights in a positive way for the people they served.   The three young men brought plates of food to their new friends, poured drinks and bowls of soup, and then sat down with them and engaged in friendly conversation—it was like they were eating 4^th period lunch with their pals in the St. Rita Dining Hall.

And here’s what really stuck out to me: they did all of this without being prompted by me, the adult chaperone.  They did it because it’s who they are and it’s what they believe in.  They know they’re blessed and fortunate to be where they are, and they know the people they served were not as lucky.  No one was tugging at them and telling them what to do.  Albert, Brad, and Matt just did it—it was the right thing to do.

One of the more touching moments of the night came when one woman, a recent stroke victim, was picking out clothes for what was to be another long, cold night on the streets.  She had difficulty walking, a side-effect of her stroke.  As she stood at the basement steps unsure of her plan of attack for getting back up to the first floor, Albert grabbed her hand and walked her up step-by-step.  Later, he dressed her back up in her coat, mittens, and winter hat and held her hand back to the door.  My jaw nearly hit the floor.  To see a young man take the initiative and assist someone like he would his own grandmother was as good as it gets.  The beautiful moment will be engrained in my memory for some time.  Albert, Brad, and Matt are three of the finest examples of what we consider “Ritamen” at St. Rita.  These are young men who do the right thing and put others first, time and time again.  I was proud that night to be associated with them.  I was proud to walk out of there in a St. Rita jacket.  I was proud to see future St. Rita alums in action, doing amazing work behind the scenes, when no one was watching.

They are not saints and I don’t mean to portray them as that—they aren’t seeking publicity or fame or even a pat on the back.  But when we see others in our community and neighborhood struggle with some decisions and actions, we need to remind ourselves of the work of young men like this.  As a reminder to ourselves, perhaps, that we, too, sometimes stray from our paths and don’t always do the best thing for ourselves and others.

St. Rita High School is filled with young men like this who impact their community in such positive ways—and they do it unconsciously and naturally, because it’s what their Augustinian beliefs call for.

Thank you for your time.

Ed Leiser ’04
Director of Alumni Relations