List of 20 news stories.

• 

  Alum competes in Food Network’s Summer Baking Championship

  5/15/2023
  Kristina DeLuco ‘07 Krause takes baking talents to TV
• 

  Philip L. '23 Receives Northwestern Medicine Scholarship

  5/15/2023
  Philip L. '23 received the Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital and Delnor Hospital Medical Staff Scholarship in the amount of $2,500. Philip received the scholarship based on his acceptance to a college/university with a documented major in pre-med and his role as an upstanding member of his community. Representatives from Northwestern presented Philip with the scholarship at school on May 12.
  
  The scholarship is awarded to six local students annually and may be renewed for three additional years for up to a total of $10,000. Congratulations, Philip!
• 

  4 Students Named National Merit Finalists, Scholarship Award to Philip L.

  5/11/2023
  Congratulations to SFHS students Emily B., Madelyn H., Philip L., and Connor S. who were named finalists in the 68th annual National Merit Scholarship Program! Additionally, Philip L. was awarded the National Merit $2,500 Scholarship.
• 

  NHS Members and Inductees Honored

  5/11/2023
  Congratulations to our National Honor Society Members and Inductees! These students were recognized at a ceremony at school at the end of April. A list of Class of 2023 Members, 2024 Members, and 2023 Inductees are listed in the program linked in the below.

  
  View the NHS Program
• 

  Bob Mamminga Named 2024 Music Educator Award Quarterfinalist

  5/9/2023
  Award presented by the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum 
• 

  Students Raise $100K+ for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

  5/8/2023
  Two groups of SFHS students participated in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Student Visionaries program this spring, raising more than $120,000 for the organization.
• 

  Students Honored at Senior Awards Night

  5/4/2023
  Congratulations to the following students who were honored at the 2023 Senior Awards Night on Wednesday, May 3!
• 

  Tim G. ‘23 nominated as IHSMTA Best Performer in an Actor Role

  5/2/2023
  Tim played Ren in SFHS’ spring musical, Footloose. The award is granted by the 2023 Broadway In Chicago Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards.
• 

  Empower Illinois - We Need Your Help!

  4/26/2023

  Did you know that more than 60 scholarships have been awarded to St. Francis High School students since 2018 thanks to the Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship Program?

• 

  SFHS Math Team Places 9th In State

  4/24/2023
  The SFHS Math Team continued its 20+ year tradition of placing in the top 10 at the state competition this weekend! We are so proud of all you accomplished throughout the season!
• 

  2023 Art Show Recap

  4/21/2023
  The 2023 SFHS Art Show was held on April 13 with outstanding and awe-inspiring artwork from more than 150 students. Prizes were awarded for each class level and Best in Show. Thank you to judges Michael Reuth '16 and Duncan Dickinson, art teachers Kate Kolasinski '95 Doane and Tia Hollinger, and all of our students for their participation!
• 

  Students Earn World Language Honors

  4/19/2023
  Congratulations to students inducted into the World Language National Honor Society for Chinese, French, and Spanish, and those who received the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy!

   

  A ceremony was held on Wednesday, April 12, to recognize these students for their outstanding achievements.
  
  
  
• 

  Kathie Carroll ’64 Nash Joins SFHS Students in Service

  4/17/2023
  Kathie Carroll ’64 Nash was reacquainted with SFHS this winter as she joined students at a Faith & Fellowship service opportunity.
• 

  Alums Inspire Engineering Students

  4/5/2023
  Thank you to alums Kellyn Langton '19 and Henry Plamondon '19, who spoke to students in Dr. Juliano's Intro to Engineering class in March!

   

  Henry is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison double majoring in Biomedical Engineering and Neurobiology with two minors in Entrepreneurship and Computer Science. He is preparing to begin graduate school with a Master's in Biomedical Engineering with the end goal of going to medical school to be a neurosurgeon.

   

  Kellyn is graduating this May with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering from Bradley University. She is a Business Analytics Minor and Supply Chain Analytics Concentration. She shared about her internships at Harmon Inc. and West Monroe Partners and encouraged students to be adaptable, research things they enjoy, and make the most of their time at SFHS.
• 

  Teacher Tia Holinger Honored for 40 Years at SFHS

  4/3/2023
  Tia Holinger began her career at SFHS in 1983, and it has changed her life and the lives of many students since then. She has taught both art and French, served as a Department Chairperson for 19 years, coached girls tennis, and was moderator of the Culinary Club for 10 years.
  
  The decision to embark on her career in Catholic education has also played an important role in her personal life – her children, Jay ’08 and Molly ’10, are now SFHS alums.

  
  Mrs. Holinger was honored at the All-School Liturgy in February and Principal Raeann Huhn mused that the art room has moved six times during Mrs. Holinger’s tenure. “No matter the location, Mrs. Holinger provides a welcoming space where thousands of students have learned to create,” Ms. Huhn said. “She has inspired many alumni to pursue careers in art: architects, furniture designers, storyboard artists, illustrators, graphic designers, animators, and of course, teachers.”

  
  During the recognition, Kate Kolasinski ‘95 Doane – current SFHS art teacher and former student of Mrs. Holinger – presented Mrs. Holinger with a collection of letters written to her from alumni dating back to 1988.

  
  “We hope these letters remind you that your mentorship, guidance, and impact continue to make waves,” Ms. Huhn said.

  
  Mrs. Holinger was also part of the committee that wrote the school’s mission and vision statement.

  
  “I truly feel that every teacher at St. Francis strives to follow both the mission and vision and that the students are prepared for the next step in their lives after graduation,” she said.

  
  In honor of her 40-year career, Room 1202 is now named and commemorated with a plaque as the “Tia Holinger Art Room.”

  
  “I am exceedingly grateful to my students past and present for the richness they have added to my life,” Mrs. Holinger said. “My high school art teacher and I have been friends for 53 years. I hope that I can be friends with my students for that long!”
• 

  Ensuring our Future Auction - Thank You!

  3/6/2023
  It was another record-breaking year for the annual SFHS Ensuring our Future Auction on Saturday, March 4! We are thrilled to share we had more than 400 registered attendees and raised $523,561 overall, including $85,700 for Fund-A-Cause.
  
  

  THANK YOU to everyone who supported us by sponsoring the event, purchasing raffle tickets, attending, and bidding during the live and silent auctions! 
  
  

  We also send a heartfelt thank-you to all of our volunteers, Auction Chair Lynn Gilroy, and Décor Chair Lori Connelly. Your hard work and dedication were evident at every turn of the event - from the breathtaking transformation of Spyglass Athletic Center, packed auction tables, and outstanding photo booth opportunities; we appreciate you!
• 

  Faculty-Staff Anniversaries Celebrated at All-School Liturgy

  2/2/2023
  On February 2, faculty and staff celebrating milestone anniversaries were honored at the special Catholic Schools Week All-School Liturgy. Thank you for your years of service!

   

  5 years – Vicky Beelow, Bridget Buckley, Nichole Favero, Bob McMillen, Maddie Wall

  10 years – Delaina Blake, Jeff Jozwiak, Michele LeBeau, Adam Lindley

  15 years – Patty Dahle

  20 years – Paul Johnson, Tim Reist

  25 years – Michael Lynch

  35 years – Scott Nelson

  40 years – Tia Holinger
• 

  SFHS wins IHSA Sportsmanship Banner Award

  2/2/2023
  St. Francis High School was awarded the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Sportsmanship Banner Award today for positive sportsmanship shown by the team, the community at large, and the student body during the Girls Volleyball 2022 State Tournament.
  
  

  IHSA Assistant Executive Director Stacey Lambert and IHSA mascot "Add A. Tude" attended the February 2, 2023, All-School Liturgy to present the school with the banner.

  
  “As you know, your team was fantastic, and you all did a great job in the state finals,” Lambert said. “We are thrilled to present you with the sportsmanship banner today.”

  
  An IHSA-formed committee grades all participating schools and selects the winner based on their coaches, players, and fans.
  
  

  Thank you to the SFHS fans, Blue Crew, and community for making this award possible, and congratulations to all!
• 

  Alum Shares Career Journey with Engineering Students

  1/27/2023
  Alum Krystian Link ’07 returned to SFHS in January to visit with engineering students and share about his career journey. Krystian, who said he’s “not your typical engineer” because he prefers to be more forward- and people-facing, is an Application Engineer at the software development company, Rand Worldwide.
  
  

  Krystian received his bachelor of arts in Engineer Science at Benedictine University,  bachelor of science in mechanical engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology, master of science in mechanical engineering at Northern Illinois University, and MBA at Indiana University – Kelley School of Business.

  
  Krystian shared with students that it’s OK to start small, make mistakes, then learn from those mistakes, and get better.
  
  

  “God calls us to perfection, not to always be perfect,” he said.

  
  He also encouraged students to explore their hobbies and develop them, as they can sometimes turn into opportunities. After sharing his career journey and lessons learned along the way, Krystian took the time to answer questions from students.

  
  Thank you, Krystian, for sharing your story and expertise!
• 

  Loughman Family Tennis Center Announcement

  1/19/2023
  St. Francis High School is delighted to announce that Dan & Julie Loughman, parents of Emily '14, Caroline '16, and Will '24, have made a $400,000 naming gift toward our new SFHS tennis court facility, replacing the existing courts.

   

  The facility will be named the Loughman Family Tennis Center upon the planned completion of the project in early July 2023.

   

  The project includes a new court surface, a new fence, windscreens, and signage.
  
  

  "St. Francis has long been an excellent school and an asset to our local communities,” said Julie Loughman. “Over the past 15 years it has upgraded its educational resources, technology, and facilities to give its students and faculty an environment in which to thrive. We are so grateful that our three children have had the opportunity to receive the excellent education, community support, and personal attention offered here.”

   

  Looking forward, Julie added, “We hope that this investment builds on St. Francis' reputation as a premier high school and benefits the student body by improving the home of its tennis teams and enhancing its P.E. classes."

   

  The SFHS Tennis program is one of the school’s largest, as are the tennis summer camps. Tom Castronovo, Varsity Tennis Head Coach, said, "On behalf of our entire coaching staff and in speaking for all our players past, present, and future, we are thrilled and so thankful to the Loughman family for their generosity as well as the support of the St. Francis High School Board of Directors for making this new tennis court facility a reality."

   

  The SFHS community thanks the Loughman family for their generous naming gift!

   

  For more information about the Loughman Family Tennis Center, including inquiries into naming opportunities for dedicated courts at the facility, please contact

  Steve Nache, Vice President for Advancement, at snache@sfhscollegeprep.org or (630) 668-5800 x1220.