News Archives

We congratulate two Loyola Academy alumni who were ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, June 12, at Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Fr. Thomas A. Bambrick, SJ, ’99 will serve as director of Jesuit mission and identity at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Twin Cities. Fr. Hung T. Nguyen, SJ, ’06 will be missioned to serve as parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Parish in El Paso, Texas. Also ordained were Frs. Aaron Malnick, SJ, and Jeffrey Sullivan, SJ, who both completed their regencies teaching Theology at Loyola. Our continued prayers are with Thomas, Hung, Aaron and Jeffrey as they begin this next chapter.

Beginning August 2021, Loyola Academy will move ahead with plans to replace two synthetic turf athletic fields at the Theodore G. Munz, SJ, Campus, a 60-acre site in Glenview that is home to the school’s practice and competition fields in soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, baseball, softball, and cross country. The project is part of the larger Turf and Athletic Enhancement Initiative, an endeavor that began in 2020 with a $1.3M goal to update a total of three athletic fields: one on the school’s main campus in Wilmette and two at the Munz Campus in Glenview.

During the second semester, twenty one students representing all four graduating classes, along with eleven faculty and staff members, collaborated on content to enhance an Ignatian spirituality app sponsored by the Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies (IAJS) at Boston College. This virtual pilgrimage app, Journey with Ignatius, connects a community of pilgrims and follows the footsteps of Ignatius from his years as a young page in Arevalo, Spain, to his final days as Superior General of the Society of Jesus in Rome, Italy.

Loyola Academy is pleased to announce plans to construct a memorial wall to honor alumni veterans from all branches of service. Notably, those who were killed in action or listed as missing in action during a recognized conflict will receive special recognition and be listed by name. The wall will also honor faculty and staff veterans.

On Thursday, May 27, Loyola Academy honored the retirement of eleven outstanding faculty and staff members at an end of the year Mass in the East Gym.

On Saturday, May 22, Loyola Academy celebrated its 111th Commencement Exercises at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont. With family and friends present, 479 members of the Class of 2021 gathered one last time as classmates and departed as Loyola alumni.

Loyola hosted Sending Forth Days for underclass students on May 24–26. Similar to Orientation Days in August, the Sending Forth Days served as a recommitment to our community goals of wellness and oneness. Freshman, sophomore and junior students were on campus with their entire class for team building activities that included guided reflections, Mass, making art and more. The day provided opportunities to reflect on the year and make connections and preparations for the fall.

The Principal’s Office and the Office of Student Activities worked hard this spring to host a number of special events and senior-only activities for the Class of 2021. These opportunities to be together and spend additional time on campus were much needed after an unusual year of hybrid learning and time spent apart.

On May 12, Hope Squad members Lauren Dziedzic ’22 and Julia Swanson ’22 organized a webinar for Loyola students and parents with two prominent guest speakers, Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, nationally known as America’s most trusted celebrity psychologist with media interviews including The Today Show, Dr. Oz, Forbes and more, and Loyola alumna Cristin McAuley ’00, LCPC, president of CMCM Services, Inc. The discussion was titled “How Teens Can Cope With the Past Year's Stressors” and focused on overcoming mental health issues within the context of a global pandemic. 

On Sunday, May 16, senior Ramblers and their parents or guardians gathered on Loyola Academy’s Hoerster Field to celebrate the Baccalaureate Mass, held each spring to honor the graduating class. The in-person celebration hosted graduates and their parents/guardians, and a livestream of the event was available to the wider community. In his Homily, Loyola Academy President Rev. Patrick E. McGrath, SJ, told the Class of 2021: “You find yourself at an extraordinarily important and beautiful moment of transition and growth.”

We congratulate Computer Science Teacher Mrs. Anita Debarlaben on becoming a state finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)! The Presidential Awards are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K–12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching.

Every year, Loyola Academy’s Honors Convocation recognizes the academic and cocurricular achievements of students. This year’s ceremony, held virtually, premiered on Wednesday, May 12, and a recording is available to view on RamblerStream.

The Ignatian Jubilee Year, which will be celebrated by the Jesuits worldwide and by the Loyola Academy community, commences on Thursday, May 20, 2021. This date is the 500th anniversary of a cannonball shattering the legs of St. Ignatius at the battle of Pamplona in 1521. Often referred to as his “cannonball moment,” this traumatic injury marks the beginning of Ignatius' spiritual journey and the great conversion of his life from soldier to servant of Christ.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there was no social gathering to celebrate and acknowledge this year’s winning student entries in the 39th annual Newhouse Architecture and Design Contest sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Center. This contest inspires high school-aged students from the metropolitan Chicago area to create solutions to very specific site problems. This year’s emphasis highlights the City of Chicago’s new INVEST South/West Initiative by concentrating students’ efforts on projects that improve the quality of life on the city’s south and west sides.

The Loyola Academy Spring Art Show was held in the Piazza April 26–29.  Entitled The Art of Resilience, the show celebrated the exceptional accomplishments of our student artists during this very unusual year.  In a time of uncertainty and challenge, the artists and designers of Loyola triumphed. They created art and designs that expressed vision and insight, capturing the beauty and unique diversity of our shared experiences. The artworks on display represented all the Visual Arts classes at Loyola: Studio 1, Studio 2: Art and Social Change, Honors Studio 3, AP Studio Art, Graphic Design, Architecture 1, Honors Architecture 2, Structural Design,  Photography 1 and Honors Photography 2.  

The Loyola Academy Dance Company (LADC) Spring Dance Concert, directed by LADC Moderator and Dance Teacher Debbie Henslee, was a delightful example of creativity and collaboration. Congratulations to the following LADC members, who choreographed three original dances: Adriana Ahern ’24, Elizabeth Collins-Ward ’22, Gabby Martinez ’21, Ariana Nebolsky de Ochoa ’24, Lila Noble ’22, Maya Riley ’22 and Samarah Souffrant ’22.

Loyola’s string musicians showcased their talents on the evening of Monday, May 10, in a virtual concert that premiered at 7:00 p.m. on RamblerStream.

Congratulations to Hope Squad members Liam Zidar ’22 and Lauren Dziedzic ’22, who will represent Loyola Academy on the Hope Squad National Council next year! The Hope Squad National Council is composed of juniors and seniors who have served on a Hope Squad for at least one year. The National Council leads monthly support calls, organizes and presents at Hope Squad trainings and participates at national Hope Squad events and conferences.

Eleven Ramblers received awards for their outstanding achievement on the 2021 National Latin Exam (NLE) this spring.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated for the duration of the month of May and recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the history, culture and achievements of the United States. Mrs. Yatabe's Studio 2 Art  and Honors Studio 3 celebrated through the study and creation of drawings, paintings and sculptural artwork.

Loyola Academy’s Virtual Band Concert took place on Wednesday, May 5. Congratulations to our talented musicians who worked hard to produce a beautiful concert!

As a culminating event of the Ignatian Service Learning (ISL) courses, all ISL program students participated in an evening of conversation on Wednesday, April 28. In sessions organized by course and the three service learning pathways, students discussed what they learned about service, social issues and their commitment to justice over the course of the year. The unique virtual forum enabled parents and families to partake and celebrated the year of service learning and civic engagement, despite the ongoing pandemic.

In April, the LA Tank program wrapped its sixth successful year by awarding students an opportunity to collaborate and present their ideas to a panel of Loyola alumni entrepreneurs.

Congratulations to our student-athletes! The spring sports season ended on Saturday, April 24, and the Ramblers had outstanding showings on the court and field. The following Loyola Academy teams competed in a non-traditional shortened spring season, which did not include an IHSA state series, due to the cancellation of their seasons in fall 2020. However, the athletes made the most of their opportunities. Overall 465 athletes competed on 12 teams during the spring sports season.

Congratulations to senior RB Vaughn Pemberton who was named MVP of the Chicago Catholic League Blue (Lawless Award) and Chicago Sun Times 2020–2021 Player of the Year! Next year, Pemberton is taking his talents to Ball State University.

Loyola Academy Choir Program’s spring Pops Concert featured our talented concert choir, contemporary vocal ensemble (CVE), chorale and honors chorale, and honors chamber singers performing pieces such as Frank Sinatra’s  "The Way You Look Tonight," The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun,” Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World,” and Cyndi Lauper’s "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” among others.

To amplify the electrifying energy of March Madness, Loyola hosted an intramural 3x3 basketball tournament which was open to all students. Throughout the month of March, 472 students played on 118 teams. In total, 245 games were played.

On Tuesday, April 27, and Wednesday, April 28, 104 students were inducted into Loyola Academy’s Spanish Honors Society, San Ignacio de Loyola chapter. The ceremony took place in the Chapel and on Zoom. The Spanish Honor Society is moderated by Spanish Teachers Tania Pineda and Erica Nathan Gamauf.

Congratulations to the Ramblerettes, Loyola Academy's competition dance team and spirit squad, for finishing 9th in the nation for jazz and 10th in the nation for pom at the UDA National Dance Team Championship virtual division!

After a whirlwind year and before the rush to the cross the line in May, we asked members of the Class of 2021 to reflect on their four years at Loyola. Our seniors began their Rambler journeys in the Fall of 2017. In the time since, they've studied new languages, examined universal themes in literature, completed countless hours of service work and learned important life lessons. They've made new friends, won championships and served as leaders of the school during a memorable time. And, most importantly, they've evolved into young women and men for others, poised to make a profound impact on the world.

The American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) has recognized Loyola Academy’s French program, by unanimous recommendation, as “Exemplary with Distinction" for 2021–2024, the highest recognition possible. Notably, Loyola Academy is the only school in the nation with this designation. Congratulations to French Teachers Ms. Catherine Kendrigan, Mrs. Inna McNally and Mr. Thomas Sapp!

Loyola Academy's Department of Performing Arts and Thespian Troupe 4729 performed the virtual musical “57th National Mathlete Sum-It” on April 15–18. The story follows an almost all-girl high school math team from Waukesha, Wisconsin, as it competes in the National Math SUM-IT. These smart and funny whiz kids must unite to solve difficult math problems without getting distracted by teen drama and pressures.

The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) announced that Computer Science Teacher Anita Debarlaben is a 2021 Aspirations in Computing Educator Award Honorable Mention. In addition, five members from Loyola’s Women in STEAM Club also won an NCWIT student award. Congratulations to Grace Beard ’21, Mia Aleman ’21, Amelia Dorgan ’22, Hermella Towodros ’22 and Ardyn Chin ’22.

A vision for the Loyola Academy campus 10 years in the making is now officially underway in Wilmette! A small group of school leaders, benefactors and stakeholders gathered in a private ceremony on Sunday, March 28, to mark the groundbreaking of the new $27 million Loyola Academy Center for the Performing Arts, home of the Leemputte Family Theater. The event hosted a limited number of guests due to current COVID-19 restrictions, and a highlights video was shared with the larger community to join in the excitement of this special milestone in the school’s history.

To align with the celebration of Women’s History Month, the Women Leaders of Loyola Club hosted a “Women in Industry” panel in March with five guest speakers who discussed their careers and paths to success. Four Loyola Academy alumnae and one current Loyola mother shared their stories via Zoom. The panel was hosted during lunch periods and on-campus students were invited to participate in the panel discussion from Loyola’s Theater.

Watch as Head Football Coach and former NFL linebacker John Holecek talks about building Loyola Academy into one of the top high school football programs in the nation. Holecek speaks with High School Football America's Jeff Fisher about his growth as a high school football coach, football during the coronavirus pandemic and more. 

On Friday, March 19, Loyola Academy faculty and staff participated in an annual day of reflection. Situated in the season of Lent—a time set aside for contemplation, spiritual growth, and conversion—faculty and staff engaged in a "forced pause." Using St. Ignatius' Examen as a template, Loyola’s teachers and staff members were invited to reflect on the unexpected graces and blessings of this past year, as well as the ways we have all been called to conversion, to a transformation of our hearts.

This spring, Loyola Academy honors seven faculty members who have earned tenure status. The achievement of tenure is a milestone in an individual's career, and Loyola is proud to recognize members of our community who have embraced the desire to be women and men for others.

Loyola Academy President Rev. Patrick E. McGrath, SJ, offered a virtual Palm Sunday Mass for the Loyola community on March 28.

Loyola Academy’s Scholastic Bowl team recently joined over one hundred high school students from across the country and globe to compete online in Buzzword, a web-based academic competition with divisions for middle school, high school and college competitors. Players listen to recordings of questions being read and buzz in as soon as they think they know the answer. National Academic Quiz Tournaments created Buzzword to allow academic competitions to continue during social distancing.

A fleet of golf carts, navigated by Loyola faculty and staff members, awaited seniors as they arrived at school on March 25–26 and valeted them in style from the student parking lot to the main entrance for an unforgettable red carpet entry.

On Tuesday, March 23, Loyola Academy's College Counseling Department hosted its annual College Fair for students and parents to begin the college exploration process. Though this year’s event was virtual, with over 100 colleges and universities in attendance it remains one of the largest fairs in the state of Illinois.

On March 19–21, Loyola Academy and Francis W. Parker School in Chicago co-hosted the inaugural Young Women of Color (YWOC) Symposium, which led nearly two hundred 7th to 12th grade participants from twenty schools in a series of workshops, affinity groups sessions and activities that enabled students who self-identify as young women of color to explore and celebrate their identities.

On Sunday, March 21, Loyola Academy parents and students participated in the annual Family Mass and Day of Service, sponsored by the Rambler Parent Organization (RPO). Loyola Academy President Rev. Patrick E. McGrath, SJ, presided over a virtual Mass before participants set to work on projects that enabled them to answer the call to serve others.

Loyola Academy condemns all acts of violence and stands in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Asian-American community.

This past month, Loyola Academy brought back its intramural bags tournament that lasted a span of eight days before crowning new tournament champions. Adhering closely to health and safety guidelines, Mr. Chris Ackels, who leads the intramurals program, and a team of student leaders are dedicated to continuing fun, in-person and socially distant activities for all Ramblers.

On Wednesday, March 10, Loyola Academy’s Faith Formation Program was blessed to welcome Daniel P. Horan, OFM, PhD, as its final speaker in the Faith and Culture in Conversation series. The virtual presentation was titled "Seeking Hope in a Time of Fear,” and Fr. Daniel discussed how fear operates in our lives and offered resources from the Christian tradition to assist us in seeking authentic hope.

Ebony Scott '98 was in Loyola's first class to graduate young women. She returned to LA this month to virtually speak with the Ignatian Service Learning (ISL) Program and brought a poignant and powerful perspective to current students. Today, Ebony serves as the partnership director at Family Independence Initiative, an California-based nonprofit that accelerates the exchange of financial and social capital in low-income communities across the nation.

The Ignatian Service Learning (ISL) Program recently hosted a panel of Loyola Academy faculty members on the topic of diversity, equity and inclusion and creating a more just community at LA. Faculty speakers included Language Teacher Mrs. Tania Pineda, School Counselor Ms. Rosanna Suh, and Visual Arts Teacher Mr. Keith Brown. The panel was moderated by ISL students Alex Brennan ’21, Amiaya McCord ’21, and Angelica Milkie ’21.

Congratulations to all of the Loyola Academy orchestra students who participated in the IHSA Solo and Ensemble Virtual Contest 2021! Everyone did an outstanding job and received either an excellent or outstanding rank.

Congratulations to our student-athletes! The winter sports season ended on Saturday, March 13, and the Ramblers had outstanding showings in the pool, on the court, and more.

Loyola Academy’s Women in STEAM Club recently hosted a virtual workshop to help local Girl Scout Brownies, ages six to nine years old, earn their computer expert badges. Fourteen participants were led by current Ramblers Kaitlin Vagra ’22, Amelia Dorgan ’22, Sophia Murphy ’22, Paris Gapp ’22, Martha Santiago ’22, Flor Pallchizaca ’23, Ines Galiano ’22, Elizabeth “Zeb” O’Hara ’24, Sophie Monterola ’24, Klaudia Partyka ’22 and Ardyn Chin ’22.

The 2021 virtual Band Concert took place on Tuesday, March 9, and featured Loyola Academy’s talented concert band, percussion ensemble and symphonic band.

Throughout the month of February, Loyola’s Student Diversity Board encouraged  Ramblers to explore and celebrate the  contributions of Black Americans to our country and our community. Opportunities for reflection were on display all throughout the halls of Loyola Academy, urging students to pause and consider the impact and influence of Black history in their own lives.

Loyola’s Spring Choir Concert took place virtually on Wednesday, March 3, and featured the talents of students in chorale, honors chorale, contemporary vocal ensemble, concert choir and honors chambers.

The winter Strings Concert took place virtually on Tuesday, March 2, and featured the talents of guitar and string orchestra students at Loyola Academy.

Loyola Academy’s International Night, an annual celebration of the unique cultures and traditions that enrich our Rambler community, took place virtually on Friday, February 26. Heritage clubs worked diligently to keep many of the event’s beloved traditions, despite a modified virtual format and other limitations set in place due to COVID restrictions and health and safety guidelines.

On Tuesday, February 23, Honors Dance presented its concert titled “4,” a celebration of the four seasons. This year’s virtual concert marks the first collaboration between dance and film classes.

Loyola Academy’s AP Studio Art and Design Exhibition, now in its tenth year, is an annual celebration of student work in the visual arts held at the Evanston Art Center (EAC). Many of the students exhibiting work in the show have been in art courses at Loyola for two to four years and come from the following disciplines: studio (drawing, painting), graphics, photography and architecture. The opportunity to present in a professional gallery is a unique and valuable experience for students.

Congratulations to the varsity and junior varsity Ramblerettes! The two teams had outstanding showings at three competitions this weekend: the Marist High School IHSA Invite, the Deerfield High School IHSA Invite and the UDA Spirit of the Midwest Competition.

Loyola Academy President Rev. Patrick E. McGrath, SJ, celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass on February 17 before school in the Chapel. The Mass was open to any students, faculty and staff in the building on the day’s B schedule, though space was limited in accordance with current COVID-19 restrictions. For those unable to attend, Mass was live streamed on Loyola’s website at goramblers.org.

The Loyola Academy Dance Collective, formerly Company B, is proud to virtually present its 2020–2021 showcase! Dancers have been preparing for months and have seamlessly incorporated technology into their rehearsals and choreography to bring their performances to life. The video broadcast was made possible by a collaboration with Rambler Stream, a student-led organization that delivers both live streams and pre-recordings of performances, athletic events and more.

Fifteen young alumni across a variety of industries and disciplines have signed on to mentor current students in the 2021 LA Tank entrepreneurial competition. The program was hatched by Sam J. Serio ’16 during his senior year at LA and is designed to inspire students to explore entrepreneurship while building relationships between Loyola students and alumni.

Loyola Academy’s National Merit semifinalist, senior Charles S. "Charley" Radtke, named by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) in September, has advanced to finalist standing. The NMSC honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies.

On Wednesday, February 3, Loyola Academy Vice President of Athletics and Fitness Genevieve Atwood honored seventeen Rambler student-athletes at the February National Letter of Intent Signing Day Ceremony. Congratulations to the following student-athletes and their parents!

In March 2020, one month after Loyola Academy launched Hope Squad, a peer-to-peer program that trains "squads" of students to recognize peers at risk for suicide and then access immediate help from an adult, the global COVID-19 crisis took hold, forcing most schools and businesses into a strict lockdown. For a program modeled on building connections between students, the situation presented a seemingly insurmountable challenge. But, for the eighty-nine members of Loyola's Hope Squad, adaptability was the name of the game.

At the end of January, students were encouraged to listen to the speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and create art and poetry inspired by his words. The result? Deeply moving images and poems expressing students’ anxieties, fears, and hopes for the future.

The month of February is dedicated to honoring the ways that the Black community has contributed to America's history and culture. Mrs. Yatabe's Studio 1, Studio 2 Art and Social Change, and Honors Studio 3 classes interpreted quotes from Black History into artwork to celebrate Black History Month.

Seniors Sean F. Dougherty and Charles S. "Charley" Radtke have been named candidates in the 2021 United States Presidential Scholars Program. Of the millions of high school seniors graduating this year, Sean and Charley are among only 4,500 students to receive an invitation to apply. Being selected as a candidate is a tremendous mark of distinction, and becoming a Presidential Scholar is one of the highest honors our nation’s high school students may receive.

Loyola’s Women in STEAM Club welcomed Tara Larrue ’09, a Chicago-based data scientist with a special interest in sustainability and the circular economy, to speak to Ramblers via Zoom about her career path. Larrue currently works at Civis Analytics, a data science consultancy dedicated to doing social, environmental and economic good. Specifically, her team supports the Governor’s office on matters related to COVID-19.

January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month. To increase awareness of this important humanitarian crisis, the Women Leaders of Loyola Club invited students to hear from a local survivor via a digital event on Wednesday, January 27. The survivor, Kimberly, shared her story and explained how the organization Selah Freedom has helped the mother of two rebuild her life.

We are pleased to announce that Loyola Academy is recognized for closing the gender gap in AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) and has earned the College Board's AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for expanding young women’s access to the AP course. This award acknowledges schools for their work to engage more female students toward equal gender representation in computer science classes. Loyola is one of only 831 schools to be recognized for achieving this important result in CSP.

Loyola Academy’s Rambler Parent Organization (RPO) hosted a virtual trivia night in lieu of the traditional Ramble Rouser, a parent mixer held in the East Gym, on Friday, January 22. The event serves as a kickoff to the Ramble season, and this year’s virtual format provided for a fun new twist on this annual parent gathering.

When Loyola Academy adopted a hybrid schedule to maximize in-person learning, teachers went above and beyond to make the new model work for students. Director of Orchestras Mr. Patrick Rustandi knew that achieving harmony, even while apart, was essential for his music students. He has since made the most of the hybrid schedule with the help of a carefully curated selection of applications and software that creates a feeling of cohesion and unity, whether at-home or in-person, among the budding musicians in his classes.

Two Loyola Academy seniors, Omaru Konneh and Carla Flores, have been awarded admission to college through The Posse Foundation, which works to improve college access and attests that the key to a promising future for our nation rests on the ability of strong leaders from diverse backgrounds to develop solutions to complex social problems.

Loyola’s girls’ varsity basketball team, led by Head Coach Jeremy Schoenecker, has been recognized as one of the area’s best teams of the decade by Journals & Topics online. The team boasts six regional titles, one sectional, one super-sectional and a fourth place finish in 2012.

Loyola Academy is a proud partner in the North Shore Coalition for Drug-Free Communities (NSCDFC), which has recently received a federal grant of up to $625,000 over five years to implement evidence-based substance use prevention programming. The Coalition brings together committee members from Loyola with colleagues from New Trier and North Shore Country Day School as well as police officers and drug and alcohol counselors. Loyola Academy students have and will continue to benefit from NSCDFC programming, including educational webinars, presentations, training and materials on current drug and alcohol trends, and more. 

Check out this wonderful feature of Loyola Academy's Vice President for Athletics and Fitness Genevieve Atwood in the Northshore Weekend's popular "Sunday Breakfast" series!