The Loyola Academy Hockey Club is proud to announce that Loyola Academy Gold player Charlie Baine '24 has been selected as a member of the 2023-24 Blackhawk Alumni All-Star team. This team is selected by various varsity coaches and members of the alumni and is based on an outstanding performance throughout the season.
On Wednesday, March 6, students in AP Spanish Literature & Culture course participated in a unique field trip to the Newberry Library in downtown Chicago for a chance to explore primary documents from the 1500-1700s as part of the unit "Testimonios from the Exploration of the New World," in which students compare and contrast indigenous perspectives with those of the Spaniards through course readings.
On Saturday, March 9, members of the Loyola Academy community celebrated Ramble 2024: Inspire Excellence, Transform Lives. Thanks to the generosity of Loyola parents, alumni, and friends supporting our Tuition Assistance Program! Your support makes a difference in the lives of many of our students, and we thank you.
In September 2022, Loyola Academy launched a partnership with Special Gifts Theatre (SGT), a not-for-profit organization that provides individuals who possess a wide array of special needs (physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and learning) the opportunity to experience the joy and enrichment that theatre arts can bring. Now in its second year, the SGT x LA Peer Mentor Program continues to give Ramblers the opportunity to work one-on-one with a Special Gifts Theatre buddy in the beautiful McGrath Family Performing Arts Center. Together this spring they put on a magical performance of "High School Musical Jr" on March 2 and 3!
Loyola Academy's AP Studio Art and Design Exhibition, now in its thirteenth 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.
Each quarter, the Physical Education Department recognizes students as "Ramblers of the Quarter" for their hard work and effort in PE. These students are selected based on four important criteria: excellent performance, exemplary service for others, special accomplishment, and significant improvement. Please join us in congratulating the following students who earned this PE distinction for the third quarter: Chloe Mangel '27, Whitney Beil '27, Spencer Schmalz '27, Ryan Lam '27, Michelle Dutkin '26, Lola Polerecky '26, Kai Calcutt '26, and Brandon Batzaya '26.
On Saturday, March 2, Loyola Academy students traveled to St. Ignatius College Prep for the biannual Latinx Youth Conference. The goal of the conference is to empower and unify the Latinx community of Chicago by building connections and developing leadership skills while embracing the uniqueness of all cultures within the Latinx community. The theme for this year's conference was Building for the Future.
On Saturday, March 2, Loyola Academy and Francis W. Parker School hosted the fourth annual Young Women of Color (YWOC) Symposium, which led over 200 sixth through twelfth grade participants in a series of workshops, affinity group sessions, and activities to create a space for conversation, connection, and community for students who self-identify as young women of color. The day's conversations were guided by the 2024 theme: Find Your Path.
This past weekend, Loyola's DECA business skills chapter sent eighteen students, led by Chapter President Dia Drossos '25, to the Illinois State Competition in Rosemont. Two Loyola students placed highly in their respective events, qualifying for the National DECA Competition in California next month! Sophomore Emilia Nelson took second place in the state in the Principles of Marketing event, and senior A.J. Tomaska placed second in the state in the Principles of Finance event. All other Loyola team members achieved strong levels of competency.
On Wednesday, February 28, Loyola Academy Choirs presented their annual winter concert titled "The Distance Between Then & Now." The concert featured songs from Billie Eilish, The Beatles, and Kirk Franklin.
On Thursday, February 29, roughly thirty young alumni gathered at the Hook and Ladder in Lincoln Park for a night of networking and socializing with fellow Ramblers hosted by the Loyola Academy Young Alumni Council (YAC), formerly known as the PLC.
From February 26 through March 1, Loyola's Hope Squad hosted a special "Week of Hope" to spread positivity across campus and raise awareness for suicide prevention. Hope Squad is a student organization that seeks to prevent youth suicide through education and the destigmatization of mental illness. Hope Squads are implemented in high schools across the country as peer-to-peer mentorship programs that build a culture of care and support among students.
The Loyola Academy girls' varsity basketball team defeated the Nazareth Academy Roadrunners 44-40 to become the 2024 IHSA 4A State Champions! This is the 3rd state championship title in program history (1997, 1998, 2024). Join us in congratulating all our players and Coach Schoenecker & his coaching staff on a perfect ending to an incredible 38-0 undefeated season.
Congratulations to the boys' varsity basketball team on their IHSA regional championship. The team defeated Niles West 54-32 and advanced to the IHSA sectional semi final but lost. The team finished the season 27-7. Congratulations to the entire 2024 team on a great season.
Congratulations to the boys' swim team on their 12th place finish at the IHSA state championship. Congrats to Gus Koh '25, Devon Bone '26, Velizar Filipov '26, and Carter Tiv '25 for finishing in 5th place in the 200 yard medley relay and 9th place in the 400 free relay, breaking the team's record. Congrats to Velizar Filipov '26 on finishing in 10th place in the 100 butterfly, Gus Koh '25 for finishing in 10th place in the 100 back, and Devon Bone '26 who broke the team's record in the 100 breast.
After a spectacular 53-44 win over Libertyville on Monday, February 26, our undefeated girls' varsity basketball team faces off in the IHSA 4A Semi Final against Fremd on Friday, March 1, at 3:45 p.m. at Illinois State University's CEFCU Arena. Tickets are $11 and are available online here. The triumphant team will then advance to the IHSA 4A State Championship on Saturday, March 2, at 7:30 p.m. Find more details here.
Congrats to Harlee Hiller '25 on her 2nd place finish in the IHSA girls' wrestling state championship. Harlee has made it to the state championship for three consecutive years. Congrats, Harlee!
On Thursday, February 22, Loyola Academy alumni artists and members of our community gathered for an exciting preview of the inaugural Alumni Visual Arts Exhibition, which debuted at the McGrath Family Performing Arts Center and will run through Monday, March 18. This exhibition celebrated the exceptional accomplishments of fourteen alumni artists who submitted their work during an open call period at the beginning of 2024.
During the month of February, Loyola Academy students had the opportunity to explore and celebrate the contributions of Black Americans to our country and our community. Through powerful displays and reflective activities, Ramblers were encouraged to pause and consider the impact and influence of Black history. This year’s special focus was intersectionality.
On Friday, February 23, Loyola hosted International Night, an annual celebration of the unique cultures and traditions that enrich our Loyola community. Guests at this year's International Night, or I-Night, enjoyed an array of performances from a number of Loyola's heritage clubs including:
Now in its 46th year, the Archdiocese of Chicago’s African American Heritage Prayer Service celebrates and recognizes educators and students for their contribution to Catholic education by bestowing African American Heritage Awards to student and adult leaders. This year's celebration, themed "Rooted in Greatness and Growing Towards God," was held on Friday, February 23, at Holy Name Cathedral with hundreds of guests in attendance. Yvette Mensah '23, Loyola Academy graduate and recipient of the 2023 Student Leadership Award, presented Esther Debrah '24 with the Henriette Delille Award for Student Leadership.
Senior Gianna Figlioli was the recipient of this year’s Good Citizens Award, sponsored by the Skokie Valley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Created in 1934, this honorary award recognizes the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities.
On Thursday, February 15, members of the LA Bar Association gathered to honor Matt Devine '85, executive partner at White & Case LLP, and Jim Murphy '90, former assistant state's attorney, at the annual LA Bar Association Luncheon.
Loyola Academy President Rev. Gregory J. Ostdiek, SJ, announced that Ms. Alice Kearney Alwin ’98 of Chicago has been named the school’s next vice president of mission, ministry, and identity.
Congratulations to the boys' swim team for their 3rd place finish at the IHSA sectional on February 17. The team qualified 2 relays and 7 individual events for the IHSA State Championship this weekend.
Congratulations to the girls’ basketball team on their IHSA 4A Regional Championship. The team defeated Taft High school, 65-29. The team advanced to the IHSA sectional semi final and defeated Glenbrook North 62-32 to advance to the IHSA Sectional Championship vs Maine South at Maine South on Thursday, February 22, at 7:00 p.m. Gates open at 6:15 p.m. Limited tickets will be sold at the door. All other ticket sales are available on GoFan. Come out and support the girls basketball team!
Students in Honors Native American Literature, taught by Mrs. Colleen Whelan, attended “Opening the Archive, St. Charles Mission School” at Marquette University on Tuesday, February 6. The discussion was part of Marquette’s Mission Week programming, which brings opportunities for students to listen to inspirational speakers, participate in service, pray, worship, reflect, and take time for silence each day. The evening’s discussion was led by Alexandra C. “Alex” Gambacorta ’14, a former student of Mrs. Whelan. Alex graduated from Marquette in 2018 and subsequently joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest, where she taught at St. Charles Mission School on the Apsáalooke Reservation in Pryor, Montana.
Congratulations to Coach Matt Collum, his staff, and theLoyola wrestling team on a historic season. Harlee Hiller '25, Kai Calcutt '26, Quinn Herbert '24, Gavin Pardilla '26, James Hemmila '26, and Joey Herbert '25 competed at sectionals and all 6 wrestlers qualified for the IHSA state championship. The team competed very well. Congratulations to Quinn Herbert for his 2nd place finish and Kai Calcutt who was named State Champion. Loyola finished in 8th place overall. Harlee Hiller will represent Loyola this weekend at the IHSA Girls Wrestling State Championship in Bloomington. Good luck, Harlee!
Congratulations to the following members of the boys' basketball team who were recognized by the Chicago Catholic League (CCL): Miles Boland '24, All Conference-1st Team; Brendan Loftus '25, All Conference-4th Team; Andrew Hollerich '24, All Conference, Honorable Mention. The team will compete in the IHSA Regional at Maine East on Wednesday, February 21, at 6:00 p.m.
On Wednesday, February 14, Loyola celebrated Ash Wednesday with an all school Mass in the West Gym. During the homily, Campus Minister Rev. Stanislaw Czarnecki, SJ, reminded students of Jesus' invitation to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving during this holy season.
There's really no such thing as a "home field advantage" when it comes to Latin competitions, just students in classrooms, answering tough questions on language, history, culture, and myth. But you might have wondered if you watched the performance of Loyola Academy's Lower Level (second-year) Certamen team at LA on Tuesday, February 6. Overcoming a narrow six-question regular-season deficit, the team took control in the first round and pressed ahead in rounds two and three to win the Northern Region Illinois Certamen League lower-level title and advance to the state tournament coming up this spring at North Side College Prep. There, they will compete against the champions of the five other Illinois regions.
On Wednesday, February 7, sixteen Loyola Academy student athletes signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to play their respective sport at the collegiate level. Congratulations to the following students and their parents!
On Friday, February 2, Rambler daughters and dads enjoyed a night of dinner, dancing, and carnival fun at the 2024 D4: Dinner Dance for Daughters and Dads, held at the Evanston Golf Club in Skokie! D4, which alternates annually with Mom Prom, was a wonderful night our Rambler daughters and their dads will not soon forget.
Loyola hosted the MCAC Championship swim meets February 3–4. The varsity Swim team finished 2nd in the conference. Event champions included: 200 medley relay (Velizar Filipov '26, Devon Bone '26, Max Rice '24, Carter Tiv '25), 100 fly - Velizar Filipov '26, 100 back - Velizar Filipov '26, 100 breast - Max Rice '24.
The team took 4th place with five sectional qualifiers and one alternate. Regional champs were James Hemmila '26, Gavin Pardilla '26, Kai Calcutt '26, and Joey Herbert '25. Placing second was Quinn Herbert '24. Quentin Williams '26 finished 4th. Boys will be wrestling at the Barrington Sectionals on Friday and Saturday, February 9–10.
Harlee Hiller '25 took first place at the first ever IHSA Girls' Regional tournament, registering four pins in her matches. Harlee will compete at the Evanston Sectionals on Friday and Saturday, February 9–10.
Congratulations to LAG players Charlie Baine '24, Chris Sipe '24, Liam Finegan '24, and Charlie Trapp '27 on being selected for All SHL 2nd team and the 2024 Boys High School All-State Team.
Congratulations to the varsity girls basketball team! Their hard work and commitment has paid off to have a perfect regular season finishing 31-0. It's a remarkable achievement to excel in sports, demonstrating dedication, and teamwork. We are very fortunate to have two girls score 1,000 career points: senior Paige Engels and junior Aubrey Galvan.
Congratulations to the Loyola Varsity cheer team on an amazing performance at Sectionals! Varsity hit a zero deduction routine and received their highest score of the season!
On Friday, January 26, 28 Ramblers represented Loyola at the DECA regional competition. This is the first year that Loyola has been a part of the DECA program. Students participated in a number of solo events, like Personal Finance Literacy and Sports and Entertainment Marketing, and partner events, including Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making, Hospitality Team Decision Making, and Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making
Loyola's girls' bowling team took second place in the GCAC tournament. Natalie Valencia '26 finished in 6th place with an average of 166, and Emmary Arciniega '25 finished in 8th place with an average of 162. Additionally, Emmary and Addison Lundgren '25 were named GCAC All-Conference.
Loyola Academy senior Milannia Martin-Hayes has been awarded admission to Connecticut 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. Fewer than five percent of applicants nationwide are selected as Posse Scholars.
Congratulations to the JV and Varsity cheer teams as they competed at their conference competition this past weekend! Both teams showcased amazing performances which resulted in JV taking home 3rd place and Varsity taking home 4th place.
On Tuesday, January 9, the Village of Wilmette approved an ordinance that grants Loyola Academy with approval to move forward with its proposed lighting plan. The decision comes after the school conducted a months-long process of community outreach and dialogue between school officials and surrounding residents. The process concluded after two Zoning Board meetings (September 6 and October 11) and a vote to approve a drafting of an ordinance by the Village Trustees on November 14.