St. Francis High School Focus-January 2017

Congratulations Class of 2017 Illinois State Scholars

The St. Francis High School community announces and congratulates 49 seniors who have earned Illinois State Scholar distinction and represent 26% of the Class of 2017. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission honors students based on a combination of their junior year ACT or SAT scores, and their GPA or class rank. In addition, any student who scores a 30 or better (or the SAT equivalent) by June of 2016 is automatically qualified. Click here for the list of scholars.

Ensuring Our Future Auction

It's a "call to the post" for the Ensuring Our Future "A Night at the Races" auction to enrich the St. Francis experience for EVERY student. The funds raised on this night help the school sustain its three core programs; academics, co-curricular and financial aid. This is the school's major fundraising event and your participation will contribute to the success.

Do you have sports tickets or memorabilia, home goods, play tickets, gift cards or services to donate? Looking to advertise your business? Place an ad in the program and be seen by more than 500 people. Planning to attend? Then consider a sponsorship and receive guaranteed seating AND a parking spot. Want to win some cash? Purchase a raffle ticket.

Visit the auction website at sfhscollegeprep.org/auction for all the details and registration for "A Night at the Races" on Saturday, March 11!

Thank you for your support!

60th Anniversary Dinner

As we commemorate the 60th Anniversary of St. Francis High School, we invite you to join us on Saturday, April 29, for a celebratory dinner honoring the following alumni:

John J. Cullerton '66

Barbara Nelson '62

Herb Essig '64

The "Pace e Bene" Award honors an individual who has emulated our patron saint through his/her exceptional service and distinguished leadership to the community and throughout his/her career. Saints Francis and Clare of Assisi used this phrase, "Pace e Bene", in their own time as a form of greeting, which translated from Italian means "Peace and all good!" Like Saints Francis and Clare, the recipient of this award has worked to protect the well-being of others by providing with them a sense of fullness, security, happiness and dignity. The 60th Anniversary "Pace e Bene" Award recipient is Illinois State Senate President John J. Cullerton '66.

The San Damiano Award honors those whose service has both enabled the Church and inspired others to grow in their faith. In the church of San Damiano, St. Francis heard a voice speak to him from the cross and say three times, "Francis, go and repair my church which, as you see, is all in ruins!" St. Francis responded by working to repair the physical stone structure of the San Damiano Church, only to realize God's message was calling for him to restore the entire Catholic Church. The 60th Anniversary San Damiano Award recipients are Sister Barbara Nelson '62 and Father Herb Essig '64.

Tickets for the dinner will be available for purchase in March. Please visit our website at sfhscollegeprep.org for more details in the coming month.

Host an International Student

This year, St. Francis High School is blessed to welcome 15 students from seven different countries (China, Italy, Japan, Korea, Spain, Singapore and Vietnam). Our program is flourishing, and the International Students are sharing their love of St. Francis High School with their friends. In fact, two of our new students were referred by current International Students!

Our program would not exist if it weren't for amazing host families. These families reap all the benefits that come from caring for a student from another country, as well as have the opportunity to build lifelong relationships. In many cases, host families receive a stipend that helps cover associated costs.

Please consider hosting an International Student. For more information, contact Beth Erazmus '89 Wiborg at 630-668-5800 x 1140 or [email protected].

Alumni News

The Alumni Association is busy planning for next fall's Alumni Homecoming Weekend. If you are interested in joining the Alumni Board, a planning committee, or just volunteering for an event, please contact Becky Feltes '97 Fischesser at [email protected].

The Golf Planning Committee is meeting on February 2, 2017 and the next Alumni Association Board meeting is on February 8, 2017. Both meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Rosmonowski Room at St. Francis High School. We would love to see some new faces at our meetings! Please plan to join us!

Save the Date - 2017 Alumni Reunion Weekend

Friday September 29

28 th Annual Alumni Golf Outing, 9:00 a.m.

Alumni Homecoming Tailgate, 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 1

Alumni Mass honoring Distinguished Alumni, 10:00 a.m.

(More details to follow in the coming months)