Class Notes Archives

Jessica Godwin '01 won Best Composer of the Future and Best Singer of the Future in the 2023 Cannes World Film Festival for "dreamer," a 50 minute short musical film and performance. In addition, "dreamer" was selected for seven international film festivals. It won Best Experimental Short in the Mindfield Film Festival; Best Experimental Feature and Best Original Score in the Indo French International Film Festival; and Best Musical Film in the Cannes World Film Festival. Photo courtesy of https://www.redletterj.com/.

In the fall, Loyola Academy Rowing Association (LARA) alumni spoke to current Ramblers, sharing insights about their collegiate rowing careers and tips for success. Thank you (l-r) Mary S. McDermott '18 (Harvard), Peter N. Leemputte '08 (Stanford), Peter D. Melbinger '05 (Rutgers), and Joseph B. Alagna '08 (Yale).

A chance encounter! Ruben A. Mesa, MD, FACP, '87, president and executive director of Atrium Health Levine Cancer and Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center in North Carolina, recently met Ellen "Ellie" (Richmond) Souza, RN, BSN '08, clinic nurse, while visiting the Levine Cancer Institute in Huntersville, NC. Dr. Mesa shared the encounter in a Facebook post: "How exciting to join a fellow LA Rambler in #NorthCarolina bringing our motto #peopleforothers to Atrium Health." "You just never know where you might find men and women for others in this crazy world of ours," added Ellie in an email. 

Robert J. "Jay" Smith III '05 married Dana Koth on May 20 at Queen of All Saints Basilica in Chicago. Celebrating with the couple were several Ramblers including Jay's sister Kelly A. Smith '04, and groomsmen Scott R. Slussar '05, Patrick O'Connor '05, and Theodore Joseph "TJ" Wysocki III '05.

Anthony M. Eames '06 is the director of scholarly initiatives at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, where he oversees the development of academic alliances and is responsible for fellowships and programs to support scholarship on the Reagan presidency, legacy, and era. His new book, A Voice in Their Own Destiny (2023), addresses the Reagan administration’s revolution of U.S. public diplomacy. In addition to his work at the Institute, Anthony teaches for George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs.

Maureen O'Malley Kirschner '06 shared the story of her daughter's birth on the podcast RISK! that aired last spring. Listen here.

Katharine L. Friedrich '08 and Christian E. Harkna '08 were married in December at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Evanston. For more information, click here.

Loyola Academy choirs presented their annual fall concert themed "Better Together" on Thursday, October 13. Notably, this was their first performance in Loyola's new Leemputte Family Theater. To mark the occasion, they debuted five original songs co-written with alumna Jessica "J" Godwin '01, an immensely talented audiovisual artist and mentor based in Brooklyn, New York. Beginning last spring, J has led choir students through the invaluable experience of singing harmonies, building lyrics and recording music to produce an EP of their own.

Andres Robledo Jr. '04 is the founder of Feeding People Through Plants, a Chicago-based organization that provides resources such as food, tents, heat, blankets, clothing, and hotel stays to those experiencing homelessness. In December, Robledo and a group of volunteers conducted wellbeing checks and distributed blankets, hand warmers, and gloves to those in need. The group also helps connect people with employment, mental health resources, addiction treatment, and housing programs.

Alex Maragos '09 started the new year in a new role with NBC Chicago, anchoring the 11am and 4pm newscasts on weekdays with Marian Brooks.