Alumnae Spotlight

The Renaissance Award is the highest honor awarded by Resurrection High School. "Renaissance" is defined as a re-birth and renewal of life. Resurrection High School was founded on the spirit of Renaissance and specifically on the "renewal of society."

In selecting our Renaissance Award recipient we look to individuals who exemplify the Renaissance spirit. They embrace new ideas, independent thought, and classical values whatever their fields of endeavor.

In their personal or professional life, these individuals remain open, curious and creative with a determined passion for learning and excellence. In keeping with the mission of the Sisters of the Resurrection, these individuals are guided by the "transformation of society" with an emphasis on the "uplifting of women in that society."

Previous Renaissance Award Recipients:

2011 - Sharon Szypulski O'Keefe '70
2010 - Peggy Kusinski '81
2009 - The Sisters of the Resurrection
2008 - Sr. Mary Barbara Sniegowski, C.R. '65
             Dr. Fran Norlock '83
             Marie Matys Rakoczy '71
             Edith Bukowski Kooyumjian '40

Prior to the initiation of the Renaissance Award, the Alumnae Hall of Fame Award honored an alumna who lives the philosophy of Resurrection in her life. This individual exemplifies the venerated tradition of the Sisters of the Resurrection, which requires:

• A strong Christian character
• A strong and gracious personality
• A well-disciplined intellect
• An appreciation of beauty and harmony in nature and art
• A love of truth, goodness and justice.

This individual is active in parish and spiritual life in her community and demonstrates excellence in her chosen field.

2007 Catherine Harper '70
2006 Carol Needham '75
2005 Dr. Chris Wasielewski Kelly '59
2003 Nancy Slack Stachnik '67
2002 Mary Stretch Root '26
2001 Therese Fenney '52
2000 Bonita Grabarczyk Brown, '64
1999 Sr. M. Jerome Rompala, C.R. '37
1998 Leanne Wiedemann '72
1997 Sr. Stephanie Blaszczynski, C.R. '55

The Charity and Truth Award recognizes individuals who have shown remarkable commitment to Resurrection College Prep High School through their generosity of time, talent, and treasure. These individuals have gone above and beyond the call of duty to consistently support the ideals of our mission - the spiritual, ethical, intellectual, physical, and social growth of students.

The Blessed Celine Award is in honor of the foundress of the Sisters of the Resurrection, Celine Borzecka, who was beatified in Rome in 2007. Blessed Celine lived a life of service and dedication as a wife, mother, and widow. In 1891, she and her daughter formed the Sisters of the Resurrection.

The Blessed Celine Award recognizes Resurrection Alumnae who exemplify the life values of Blessed Celine as a positive Christian role model for young women. The recipients are accomplished in their fields of endeavor and like Blessed Celine, work toward the advancement of women in society. They are involved in service to others and contribute to the ongoing success of Catholic education and Resurrection College Prep High School.

Prior to the initiation of the Renaissance Award, the Alumnae Hall of Fame Award honored an alumna who lives the philosophy of Resurrection in her life. This individual exemplifies the venerated tradition of the Sisters of the Resurrection, which requires:

• A strong Christian character
• A strong and gracious personality
• A well-disciplined intellect
• An appreciation of beauty and harmony in nature and art
• A love of truth, goodness and justice.

This individual is active in parish and spiritual life in her community and demonstrates excellence in her chosen field.

2007 Catherine Harper '70
2006 Carol Needham '75
2005 Dr. Chris Wasielewski Kelly '59
2003 Nancy Slack Stachnik '67
2002 Mary Stretch Root '26
2001 Therese Fenney '52
2000 Bonita Grabarczyk Brown, '64
1999 Sr. M. Jerome Rompala, C.R. '37
1998 Leanne Wiedemann '72
1997 Sr. Stephanie Blaszczynski, C.R. '55

The Resurrection Athletic Hall of Fame Award recognizes individuals from the Resurrection Athletic community who have participated in sports or contributed to the Resurrection College Prep Athletic Program.  Athletes inducted into the Hall of Fame have demonstrated outstanding athletic accomplishments, leadership or contributions and met at least four of the following criteria:

• Coach & Mentor
• Demonstrated Athletic Leadership
• Four-year Athlete
• GCAC All-Conference Player
• Multi-sport Athlete
• MVP, MIP, Coaches Award Recipient
• Professional or Semi-Professional Athlete
• Varsity Player at Res
• A friend of the school who has made significant contributions to the Res Athletic Program

The Dreams to Reality Award was established in 2019 at Resurrection to recognize organizations or foundations which have shown remarkable and generous financial support of young women attending Resurrection College Prep.

Introducing our 2019 Dreams to Reality Award Recipient

 We are pleased to introduce the 2019 Dreams to Reality Award recipient, the Madonna Foundation. Established in 2001 by the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, the Madonna Foundation is a public charity that increases access for young  women to attend Catholic high schools in the Chicago area. The Foundation is the only one of its kind in the region focusing exclusively on serving young women with scholarship support and programming.

The Madonna Foundation annually awards tuition grants to young women who demonstrate financial need and the potential for academic achievement. In many cases, without the Foundation's scholarships, these young women would not be able to attend Catholic School. Over 125 Resurrection College Prep High School students have been the recipients of the scholarships funded by the Madonna Foundation and we are grateful for their ongoing support.

2020 Alumnae Career Day ParticipantsThank you to the participants at the annual Resurrection
 Alumnae Career Day panels held on February 27 & 28, 2020.

Deb Bartell – Class of 1990
Manager, Chicago Airports District Office, Federal Aviation Administration

Nancy Bongiorno – Class of 1988
Teacher

Kristin Brennan – Class of 2012
Product Engineer

Amanda Hogen – Class of 2011
Senior UI and Graphic Designer – Location Designer for FiG Advertising and Marketing and Owner of Nell & Huss

Jessica Kusinski – Class of 2006
Staff Nurse, Operating Room

Mary Daul Manganaro – Class of 2009
Senior Program Manager

Cathy Paul McManamon – Class of 1984
Musician

Christine Morgan – Class of 2002
Real Estate Broker, Co-founder and owner at Two Girls and A Hammer, LLC

Kaitlin Moser – Class of 2006
Equity Stage Manager with Actors Equity Association

Barbara Nakanishi – Class of 1972
Architect

Nicole Potoski – Class of 2008
Substance Abuse Counselor

Emily Radlowski – Class of 2002
Assistant Professor of Nutrition Sciences and Director, Didactic Program in Diatetics

Alyssa Romeo – Class of 2011
Master Software Engineer

Theresa Sciaraffa – Class of 2009
Cancer Genetic Counselor

Kristin Daul Simkins – Class of 2005
Owner of Lou and Co Wholesale and Registry Physical Therapist

Rachel Olinger Sorenson – Class of 2009
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Marisa Villalba – Class of 1997
Senior Meeting Planner, College of Surgeons

Jo Wolthusen – Class of 1987
Clinical Psychologist