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.

Pictured: left to right, Sophomore, Michael Vugrin, Freshman, Griffin Lunny, Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A., Fr. Joseph Mostardi, O.S.A., Mr. Brendan Conroy, Senior, Tommy McNamara and Junior, Kevin Goosherst.

St. Rita of Cascia High School bestows the “Mustang of the Month” award every month during the academic year to notable students from each class.  Faculty and staff nominate students based on the student’s overall achievements and involvement at the school. The award winners are then selected from those nominated by an award committee comprised of members from the Activities Team, Athletic Department, Guidance Office and Dean’s Office. The following students were selected the February 2012 Mustangs of the Month:

Freshman – Griffin Lunny (Oak Lawn, St. Catherine of Alexandria School) As a freshman, Griffin is a member of the Spanish Club, the Knights of Augustine, SADD and Student Government.  He also played football and currently plays basketball.

According to Griffin, “So far my time at St. Rita has been great.  I’ve enjoyed meeting new people that I will be with for my next four years.  I am so excited to start my journey at St. Rita and I will never forget the wonderful things I learn here.”

Sophomore – Michael Vugrin (Oak Lawn, St. Catherine of Alexandria School) Since coming to St. Rita, Mike has been a member of the Knights of Augustine.  Mike also volunteers his time at Christ Hospital every Tuesday and is part of the teen club at St. Catherine’s.

Mike says,  “Being here is a great experience that I am lucky to have.  I look forward to whatever happens every day.”

Junior –Kevin Goosherst (Chicago-Mt. Greenwood, St. John Fisher School)  Kevin coaches football and volleyball at his grammar school, St. John Fisher.  He is also a member of the parish, where he will be participating in the Parish Leadership Day.  While at St. Rita, Kevin has been a part of the Cross Country team, Theater, SADD and the Knights of Augustine for all three years.  He was on the track team his freshman and sophomore year; water polo and chess sophomore and junior year.  Kevin has also participated in the Exchange Program and the Choir.

About his time at St. Rita, Kevin says, “Coming to St. Rita is the best thing to ever happen to me.  If home is where the heart is, St. Rita has truly become my home.”

Senior – Tommy McNamara (Chicago-Mt. Greenwood, St. Christina School) Tommy comes to us from St. Christina Grammar School and Parish, where he has helped with the Bread Program.  Tommy also volunteers at the PADS shelter.  During his time at St. Rita, Tommy was involved with track his freshman year and has been a football and basketball manager for the past three years.

When describing his experience at St. Rita, Tommy says: “My time at here has been great and St. Rita has given me what I need to be successful”

The Mustangs of the Month awards were presented at an all-school mass on February 3.  Each student was presented with a personally engraved Mustang statue.

There are two casts for the production, and both Shea, 17, and Reagan, 16, play the role of P.T. Barnum.

Reagan has the leading role Friday and Sunday, and Shea plays P.T. Barnum in Saturday’s production.

The boys’ younger brother, Casey, 10, also is in the play.  Read full story

In Friday night’s rematch, Hicks had some help in the backcourt. Cullen Foulks came through with a huge fourth quarter to help host St. Rita to a 60-46 win in the Catholic League North.

Foulks scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth period.

“The coaches always tell us to step up when we can,” Foulks said. “I had to step up because Tony can’t do all the scoring.”

Hicks led No. 8 St. Rita (12-8, 8-1) with 17 points, while Dominique Matthews scored 12. With four conference games left, the Mustangs control their own destiny in search of the program’s first Catholic League title since 2003.

Marcus White (18 points) and Gavin Shilling (12) paced De La Salle (14-4, 5-3).

Trailing 37-31 but charging fast, De La Salle looked poised to mount a comeback when Foulks came to life. Having scored just four points through three quarters, Foulks drilled two free throws and added a three-point play on an acrobatic layup. Hicks also had a three-point play as part of St. Rita’s 11-0 run that helped the Mustangs regain control.  Read Full Story

By Mike Helfgot Special to the Tribune, February 3, 2012