November Mustangs of the Month

Each month St. Rita of Cascia High School honors one student from each class to be the Mustang of the Month.  For a student to be nominated by a faculty or staff member for the Mustang of the Month Award, he must excel or stand out in at least two of the following areas: academics, activities, athletics, spirituality or community service projects or programs.  Nominees for Mustang of the Month are those students who are vital elements to what St. Rita of Cascia High School is all about and whose efforts, accomplishments and contributions to our community sometimes go unnoticed.

Senior: Jacob Torres

Representing the Class of 2023 as our November Senior Mustang of the Month is Jacob Torres.  Jacob is a graduate of Epiphany Catholic School and is a member of the Queen of Martyrs & St. Bernadette Parish community.

Jacob is a very high achieving student in the classroom, earning Superior Honors (4.4+ GPA) during the second semester of last school year. He was also recently named an Illinois State Scholar. Jacob is a member of the National Honor Society, Jazz Band, Marching Band, and Chess Team. During the second semester he also plans to get involved with the Esports Club. Outside of St. Rita Jacob tutors grammar school students.

A faculty member who nominated Jacob, spoke of him saying, “Jacob is a very hard working and respectful young man. He is an active participant in class and always adds valuable insight into class discussions. I am always impressed at how he is able to make cross curricular connections to get the most out of each lesson.”

Speaking about his experience as a Ritaman, Jacob said, “I have enjoyed my time at St. Rita greatly. St. Rita has always been there to support me and has provided me with many lifelong friends.”

Congratulations Jacob!

Junior: Bruce Garner

Representing the Class of 2024 as our November Junior Mustang of the Month is Bruce Garner. Bruce attended St. Therese Chinese School and is a member of the Christian Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church community.

Bruce is very active at St. Rita. He is a member of the Chess Team, Swimming Team, and Water Polo Team. Outside of school Bruce is an altar server and volunteers at many charity events. He was awarded the Big Shoulders’ Gallagher Scholarship and St. Rita’s Andrew Smialek ’08 Leadership Award. In the future, Bruce wants to attend the University of Michigan.

A faculty member said of him, “Bruce always goes above and beyond. He volunteers to help when no one else is willing, and he gives his best effort. He brings a positive attitude to class every day and spreads his cheerfulness to everyone around him.”

Bruce spoke of his experience as a Ritaman by saying, “My time at St. Rita can be described as nothing more than a learning experience. My fellow Rita brothers and teachers have taught me so much about growth and being a respectable person. I look forward to the rest of my time here.”

Congratulations Bruce!

Sophomore: Alan Cazares

The student for the Class of 2025 chosen as our November Sophomore Mustang of the Month is Alan Cazares. Alan is a graduate of St. Germaine School and is a member of the Our Lady at St. Germaine Parish.

Alan works hard in the classroom, achieving Honors (4.0-4.19 GPA) for the second semester of last year. Alan is involved as a member of the Broadcasting Club, Outdoors Club, Spanish Club, and Honors Band. He is also active in Campus Ministry as a Eucharistic Minister and recently attended the Student Augustinian Values Institute.  In the future he plans to run for Student Government, write for the NATIR and work toward induction into the National Honor Society. Alan also is an Assistant Catechist for children with special needs at Our Lady at St. Germaine.

In his nomination, a St. Rita faculty member is quoted saying “Alan always helps. He is concerned about his brothers, his teachers, and the school in general.”

When asked to speak about his experience as a Ritaman, Alan replied, “My time at St. Rita so far has taught me to take on new opportunities and challenges. I have expanded my knowledge of being Catholic and used it to be closer with God. St. Rita has also given me friends who have shown me true friendship.”

Congratulations Alan!

Freshman: Raul Romero

The Ritaman from the Class of 2026 chosen to be our November Mustang of the Month is Raul Romero. Raul comes to us from Epiphany Catholic School and is also part of the Epiphany Church community.

Raul has wasted no time in getting involved at St. Rita. Raul is currently a member of the Wrestling Team, Broadcasting Club, Cooking Club, Science Olympiad, and Advice Beyond the Classroom. In the Spring he plans to try out for the Baseball Team.  Raul is also proud to be in Spanish 2 Honors and the Honors Band.

The following was said of Raul in his nomination, “Raul is the perfect candidate for November Mustang of the Month. He demonstrates being thankful every day. Raul recognizes the efforts of his parents to send him to St. Rita and works very hard to earn a solid education which will prepare him for college. Raul is patient when helping others, funny, and ambitious. Raul often asks how he can be better and will reflect on the discussion and then act on the advice.”

When asked about his experience as a Ritaman, Raul replied, “My time at St. Rita has been amazing. I am thankful for the trust and respect that exists in this school and for all the activities St. Rita offers. I really hope everyone loves St. Rita as much as I do.”

Congratulations Raul!

Congratulations to our November Mustangs of the Month!

Left to right: Raul Romero, Freshman; Alan Cazares, Sophomore; Deacon John Donahue, President; Bruce Garner, Junior; Jacob Torres, Senior