Click the links below to view the book list for each class for the 2013-14 school year.

Summer Reading List

Freshmen book list

Sophomore book list

Junior/Senior book list

Anthony Ray, a recent graduate of St. Rita High School, has decided to sign  a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals and has reported to rookie ball. The 6’1 left handed hitting center fielder was a highly sought after prospect with his stellar defense in the outfield and a his lightning quick hands at the plate. His speed may be the most intriguing part of his game adding to a list of athletes the Cardinals acquired in this years’ draft.

Ray is currently on the GCL Cardinals Roster. To view Anthony Ray’s profile click here.

“Guide us Lord as we journey to make the world a more beautiful place, by using the gifts you have given us.”

What seems to be a simple, straight forward prayer was nothing of the sorts this year for students in St. Rita’s Advanced Placement Art class. This prayer was said every morning before class started to recognize the talents of each of the students and to inspire those students to share their art with the world.

Five students took this prayer to heart and spent their entire senior year creating a drawing portfolio that included 29 different pieces of art which was submitted to the AP Central/College Board.  The Board reviews every portfolio that is submitted across the country and gives the project a grade.

Brandon Mitchell, Will Keefer, Anton Thauer, Matthew Bigeck, Esteban Hernandez took on a challenge that had never been accomplished before in Ms. Robyn Kurnat’s AP Art class.

The biggest challenge the students faced was the requirement of creating only original art. Students were encouraged to study and learn about another artist’s work that they admire as well as looking over published photographs. These were only used as tools for self-inspiration, each student then had to take that inspiration and create his own, unique art. 

This process is a bit of a journey and a trusting atmosphere needs to exist between the teacher and the individual students as well as the class as a whole. Professor Kurnat believes the students created such an environment.

“These students were brave enough to talk a lot about their work, which is helpful to everyone in the class as they relate it to their own pieces,” Kurnat stated. “The students really put forth a great effort to improve their technical skills while stepping out of their comfort zones in order to really get in touch with their own ways to express themselves visually.”

Robyn Kurnat and St. Rita High School  is continually striving to enhance the fine arts program with a focus on the skill building that is necessary from one year to the next.  The goal is always to value the process as well as the product and attempt, at the very least, to grow an appreciation of the visual arts for all students in the school. 

This is evident as two of Kurnat’s students, Esteban Hernandez and Brandon Mitchell will be attending The American Academy of Art in the fall.

“The fact that these students had such successful experiences is very gratifying for me as their teacher,” Kurnat stated, “but even more so because I know they will use what they gained here the rest of their lives.”

]]> http://stritahs.com/five-students-inspired-to-share-their-talents-in-art/feed/ 0 http://stritahs.com/textbook-buyback-msblowout/ http://stritahs.com/textbook-buyback-msblowout/#comments Fri, 31 May 2013 15:21:20 +0000 mikestawski http://stritahs.com/?p=5625

Student Life Plan Survey

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The three-day Major League Baseball draft starts next Thursday, June 6, and when it’s over, look for Mark Payton to be a happy man no matter what happens.

The worst that could happen isn’t all that bad.

The Orland Park native is a junior at Texas and as the draft unfolds, three things could happen.

He could be drafted in the desirable higher rounds.

He could be drafter in the lower rounds.

He might not be drafted at all, although that seems unlikely. One scouting service listed him as the 249th-best prospect available in the draft.

Any of the three scenarios would be OK with Payton, who prepped at St. Rita High School.

“I can’t ask for a better situation right now,” Payton said. “It’s every kid’s dream to wear a Texas jersey. And it’s every kid’s dream to hear their name called in the draft. I’m in a pretty fortunate situation right now.”

Minnesota drafted Payton in the 31st round of the 2010 draft but he chose to honor his commitment to Texas.

Since the left-handed outfielder arrived on campus, he has been a mainstay in the lineup. This year, he made the All-Big 12 Conference team. He batted .393 with 11 doubles, eight triples and 29 RBI while recording nine outfield assists. He led the team with 20 multi-hit games and finished the season with a streak of reaching base safely in 39 straight games.

For full story click here

On Memorial Day, Longwood Drive was home to many Mustangs runners—from both St. Rita High School and John Marsh Elementary—for their 2^nd annual “Running Mustangs” Club. 

The partnership, which pairs up St. Rita students with 5^th & 6^th grade boys from John Marsh Elementary School on Chicago’s east side, was started by Beverly resident, Margie Leiser, a teacher at John Marsh. 

Ms. Leiser, a runner at Mother McAuley, started the running club for her students and enlisted the help of St. Rita High School to send her “running buddies” for her runners.  The big brother, little brother program has been strong for two years now, and the Marsh students have been amazed at the large crowds and strong support from the residents of Beverly.  Despite colder, rainier temperatures this year, the Mustangs from both schools had an amazing experience.

The St. Rita Mustangs, which came from St. John Fisher, St. Barnabas, St. Cajetan, Christ the King, Queen of Martyrs, and Sutherland schools, each received a running buddy to run the 5K race with.  It was the Rita students’ job to run with their new friend, encouraging them along the way, and helping to set a good running pace for them.  In many cases, the John Marsh 5^th and 6^th graders ended up setting the pace for the Rita students and in some cases, even beat their Rita Mustang buddy.

For both Mustang groups, it was a chance to participate in a fun event and meet a new friend along the way.  Next year’s Ridge Run will be another great day for St. Rita Mustangs and the great runners from John Marsh Elementary School! 

The road to the regional championship first went through Kennedy HS who the Mustangs beat by a score of 12-0 to bring their record to 29-7 on the year.

Saturday pitted Morton HS vs. St. Rita with the winner advancing to the Reavis Sectional. A strong effort on the mound coupled with a great offensive attack saw the Mustangs come out on top once again and see their win total hit 30.

Mike Constanzo (9-3) was brilliant on the mound going 6 innings, giving up only 1 run on 2 hits. Constanzo kept the Morton hitters off balance all game, tallying 10 strikeouts in the effort.

The offensive attack was provided by many players highlighted by Connor McClain’s 2 run homerun.  Jake Shepski added a 3-3 effort tallying a RBI double. Marty Napleton also paced the Mustangs with 2 doubles of his own.

The Mustangs now will face off against St. Laurence in the Reavis Sectional. The game will be played on Thursday, May 30^th at 4:00pm.

The Chicago-born musician passed away from cancer Monday morning in Germany, according to a statement from his publicist and posted to the band’s official web site.

Before starting the Doors, Manzarek grew up on the South Side, attending Everett Elementary School and St. Rita High School before enrolling at DePaul, where he graduated with an economics degree.

After that, he headed west to UCLA where he met poet Jim Morrison in 1965 and formed the Doors. Until Morrison’s death in 1971 the moody, often psychedelic band was enshrined in the pantheon of 1960s rock stardom thanks to songs such as “L.A.Woman,” “Break On Through to the Other Side,” “The End,” “Hello, I Love You,” and “Light My Fire.” In 2002, Manzarek began touring again with Doors guitarist and long-time collaborator Robby Krieger.

For full story click here