2022 - 2023 School Year Recap

TOP MOMENTS IN ACADEMICS

Posse Scholar

Senior Julia Ilarraza ‘23 was selected as a POSSE SCHOLAR. Julia has been awarded a four-year, full tuition scholarship to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since 1989 the Posse Foundation identifies, recruits and trains individuals with extraordinary leadership potential. Julia is McAuley’s fourth POSSE SCHOLAR.

College Board AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award

Mother McAuley has earned the COLLEGE BOARD AP COMPUTER SCIENCE FEMALE DIVERSITY AWARD for the third year in a row. Mother McAuley is recognized for its outstanding work in expanding STEM access to young women.

Commended Student

Senior Maria Condron ‘23 was named a COMMENDED STUDENT in the NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. Maria is being recognized for exceptional academic promise demonstrated by her outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT.

Michael Sullivan Family Foundation Senior Year Scholarship

Paloma Alvarez ‘24 was awarded the Michael Sullivan Family Foundation Senior Year Scholarship for Excellence in Mathematics. Paloma is a first-year recipient of this award.

Math Macs

The MATH MACS TEAM qualified for the state competition. As a result, the Freshman Team placed 10th in their division.

TOP MOMENTS IN MERCY

NHS Fall Fest

The National Honor Society (NHS) celebrated 40 years of the Misericordia Heartbreakers at our annual NHS FALL FEST. All money raised from this event goes directly to Misericordia.

Macs Walk for a Cure

The National Science Honor Society planned and organized McAuley’s first MACS WALK FOR A CURE EVENT during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Over 350 participants were able to raise more than $800 for the OSF Breast Cancer Center.

Macs with Mercy

This year, McAuley began a new program with our neighbors at Mercy Circle, MACS WITH MERCY. Each month, one of our clubs or organizations gathers with the residents at Mercy Circle to do an activity. Some clubs included Student Government, Black Student Union, and Culinary Club.

Appalachia Mission Project

During Spring break 10 McAuley students and four chaperones, including alumna Grace McKee ‘16, went to APPALACHIA for a mission trip. This group helped fix a porch, build a ramp, paint, and powerwash for various people in Appalachia. This is the 30th McAuley Appalachia Mission Trip for Theology teacher, Art Sheridan.

NHS Ice Cream Social

The National Honor Society hosted our ANNUAL NHS ICE CREAM SOCIAL. The event fundraised more than $2,000 in raffles and ice cream sales for the Rally4Ryan Sisters Foundation to support alumna Maura Cahill Ryan ‘99 and her family.

TOP MOMENTS IN PERFORMING ARTS

The Little Mermaid

The Theatre Department put on an incredible performance of THE LITTLE MERMAID for their fall musical. The production was showcased during four nights of sold-out shows. Due to popular demand, it was decided to add a fifth performance. The cast, crew, and orchestra put in months of rehearsals to make it the best production yet.

Liturgical Choir

The LITURGICAL CHOIR had the honor of accompanying Cardinal Cupich at Holy Name Cathedral to celebrate the Christmas Day Mass and was featured to sing two hymns for the Easter Mass. The Liturgical Choir continues to share their musical talents with the greater Chicago community.

All-State Orchestra

Sophomore Amanda Schuler ‘25 was recognized as an All-State Selection by the Illinois Music Education Association and performed with the All-State Orchestra.

All-State Theatre Production

Erin Curran ‘23 (right) and Ava Petrowski ‘25 (left) were chosen to be members of the crew for the 2023 All State Theatre Production of SHREK THE MUSICAL.

Mac Melody

Mac Melody competed at the CHESTERTON CLASSIC SHOW CHOIR COMPETITION and took 2nd runner up in their division. Gigi Marceille ‘24 was the overall winner in the solo competition.

TOP MOMENTS IN VISUAL ARTS & TECHNOLOGY

Regional Scholastic Art Awards

Eleven of our talented artists were announced as 2023 REGIONAL SCHOLASTIC ART AWARD recipients by the University of Iowa’s Belin-Blank Center and the prestigious Alliance for Young Artists & Writers for their original works. They received a total of 15 Midwest Scholastic Art Awards.

Artapalooza

The Art Department celebrated our Mighty Mac artists in the annual ARTAPALOOZA event. The community was invited to view the displayed work through-out the halls of McAuley.

Senior Scholarship Exhibition

Art & Design students who participated in the Senior Scholarship Exhibition received more than $2 million in art scholarship offers. Congratulations to seniors Ava Martin ‘23, Eileen McInerney ‘23, Esmeralda Escarpita ‘23, Kiari Marini ‘23, Lily Ryan 23, Olivia Villaseñor ‘23, Matty Salgado ‘23, Maura McCluskey ‘23, and Meagan Callahan ‘23.

Northern Regional Exhibition

Lily Ryan ‘23 was awarded “Best of Show” for the Mixed-Media category at the Northern Regional Exhibition. Each year, more than 150 high schools from across the state participate in this juried exhibition with the top entries in each category awarded prizes and recognition. 

Chicago Architecture Center Newhouse Design Competition

Our Technical Drawing and Computer- Aided Design (CAD) students entered the Chicago Architecture Center Newhouse Design Competition. McAuley students swept the engineering category: Elaina Gipson ‘23 won 1st place and received an internship opportunity, Mia Luckett ’23 took 2nd, and Makenna Beattie ‘25 took 3rd.

TOP MOMENTS IN ATHLETICS

IHSA State Tennis Tournament

Seniors Maddy McNamara ‘23 and Mairead Doran ‘23 qualified for the IHSA STATE TENNIS TOURNAMENT two years in a row as a doubles team.

IHSA State Diving Finals

Junior Sarah Speski ‘24 qualified for the IHSA STATE DIVING FINALS.

GCAC Championship

The McAuley Varsity Basketball team won the GCAC CHAMPIONSHIP for the second year in a row. Grace Gambotz ‘24 and Morgan Feil ‘24 were selected for the 2022-2023 Girls Basketball GCAC Red Division All-Conference.

IHSA Wrestling State Tournament

Sophomore Maggie Zuber ‘25 qualified for the IHSA WRESTLING STATE TOURNAMENT. Maggie represented Mother McAuley at the State Tournament and is the first wrestler from McAuley to compete in this sport.

IHSA State Runner up - Water Polo

Mighty Macs Water Polo won the STATE RUNNER-UP title. Becca Enquist ‘24 and Bella Morquecho ‘23 received All State First Team and Ella Mulchrone ‘23 received All State Third Team. Check out more information about this incredible team on page 20.

IHSA State Track and Field Tournament

Maya Hooks ‘25 went down state for TRACK & FIELD competing in the Shot Put event and won 12th Place!

STATE CHAMPIONS

This Fall, The Mighty Mac Volleyball Team returned to Bloomington-Normal, Illinois to finish business. After ending their last season as state runner-ups, the Macs were motivated more than ever to come back stronger and come out on top as champions.

Their victory against the Benet Academy Redwings in three sets clinched the 2022 IHSA CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONS TITLE. This state championship is the 16th in the storied program history and third under the current head coach, Jen Rees DeJarld ‘87. DeJarld is no stranger to victory; as a student, she won state, and as head coach, has brought three championships, two second place finishes, and three third places finishes home to McAuley.

The strong tradition and legacy of the volleyball program can be seen in three members of the team, who followed in their mothers’ championship footsteps. Gigi Navarrete ‘23 is the daughter of setter Ellen Monson Navarrete ‘88 (1987 Championship Team), a member of the AVCA Girls High School All-America First Team and committed to continue her career at Northwestern University. Georgia Lausch ‘23 is the daughter of middle blocker Mary McNulty Lausch ‘88 (1987 Championship Team). Ellie White ‘24 is the daughter of outside hitter Colleen Quinlan White ‘94 (1992 Championship Team) and has verbally committed to the University of Michigan.

MacNation sent eight student fan buses down to the state tournament. Transportation expenses were generously underwritten by the McAuley community. The student body filled four sections at RedBird Arena in support of their peers on the court.

“When we were at our weakest moment you were cheering your loudest, and that helped elevate us. This win very much has to do with you lifting us up. Thank you for taking care of us. Thank you for following us from the beginning to the end. I am a proud alum and I’ve never been more proud to be with you today. Thank you.”

Coach DeJarld, at the State Recognition rally addressing the crowd

TEAM ACCOLADES

Tess Hayes ‘23
Michigan Tech University
CAC All Conference; GCAC All Conference Academic Team; IVCA- Girls 3A/4A All-State 2nd team; 2022 Daily Southtown All-Area Volleyball Team

Olivia Klapp ‘23
University of Kentucky
Metea Valley All Tournament; GCAC All Conference

Jill Moonan ‘23
University of Southern Indiana
Most Improved Player 2022

Maeve Moonan ‘23
University of Southern Indiana
GCAC All Conference

Gigi Navarrete ‘23
Northwestern University
IVCA Girls 3A/4A All State 1st Team; AVCA All American 1st Team; JVA All National Team; GCAC Conference Player of the Year; Max Prep All American; Volleyball Magazine All American 1st Team; Under Armour All American; USA Today All American; ASICS Challenge All Tournament Team; Metea Valley All Tournament Team; Southtown All-Area 1st Team

Ellery Rees ‘24
University of Alabama
Southtown All-Area 2nd team

Ellie White ‘24
University of Michigan
Metea Valley All Tournament Team; ASICS Challenge All Tournament Team; ASICS Challenge MVP; Autumn Fest All Tournament Team; IVCA Girls 3A/4A All State Volleyball 1st Team; Reached 1000th kill; 2022 Daily Southtown Girls Volleyball Player of the Year; 2022 Daily Southtown Girls Volleyball All-Area 1st Team; GCAC All Conference 1st Team; State Tournament MVP; Gatorade Player of the Year

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Featured Story: Ted Lasso - A Connected Foundation

Ted Lasso - A Connected Foundation

At their 50th reunion in December 2022, sisters Gina Reynolds ‘70 and Sheila Reynolds Trainor ‘70, and Loretta Wendt Jolivette ‘70 found out they have something unique in common - their nephews are both stars and creators of the popular Apple TV+ show, Ted Lasso.

Jump to Ted Lasso - A Connected Foundation!

Featured Story: Turf Field of Dreams

Turf Field of Dreams

The installation of the new turf field in the summer of 2022 is the latest example of Mother McAuley's commitment to provide state-of-the-art, equitable facilities, opportunities, and funding for all students.

Jump to Turf Field of Dreams!

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