30 Illinois State Scholars Named At JCA

Four state final football players. The lead in the school play. Two all-area volleyball players. Presidents of National Honor Society, French Club and Drama Club. State qualifiers in cross country and golf.

The 30 students from Joliet Catholic Academy who were recently named Illinois State Scholars are success stories across the broadest of spectrums and include a National Commended Student.

The Illinois State Scholars from JCA are:

Dominick Allen (Minooka), Stacy Bedore (Joliet), Anna Bertani (Joliet), Stephanie Demos (Plainfield), Joshua Falk (Joliet), Nicholas Fedosenko (Joliet), Kelly Feigh (Plainfield), Kelsey Fenske (Joliet), Nicole Formhals (Joliet), Andrew Gudac (Joliet), Jillian Hickey (Oswego), Nick Humbles (Wilmington), Jacob Judge (Plainfield), Austin Kairis (Crest Hill) and Michelle LaViola (Plainfield).

Alex Mantis (Joliet), Sarah Morimoto (Joliet), Austin Naal (Joliet), Cole Parris (Joliet), Daniel Rabulinski (Plainfield), Lauren Randich (Joliet), Alexander Rubocki (Joliet), Rachelle Sartori (Joliet), Anne Schmig (Joliet), Carley Serena (Shorewood), Alessa Smith (Shorewood), Kornelijus Survilla (Joliet), Alexandria Trafton (Joliet), Eric Vanisko (Joliet) and Myra Villas (Bolingbrook).

Earlier, Demos was recognized as a National Commended Student. As a senior, Demos ran cross country for the Angels’ girls team that placed 19th in the state and is a member of the dance team, highlighting the way JCA students compete not only in the athletic arena, but academically in the classroom.

“I’m very proud of our students who have excelled in the classroom,” said Jeffrey R. Budz, principal/CEO of JCA. “They are great representatives of our school and of their communities. Academic excellence always has been a hallmark of JCA’s tradition, and these senior students exemplify that mission.”

FRENCH CLUB: JCA’s French Club recently went to Feed My Starving Children and donated $100 to this important cause. Thirteen students took part: Adam Wahl (Plainfield), Alanna Wahl (Plainfield), Courtney Walsh (Elwood), Dan Rabulinski (Plainfield), Andrew Pultorak (Joliet), Jessica Pettenuzzo (Shorewood), Katie Nicholson (Joliet), Mallory Goulding (Plainfield), Nate Pultorak (Joliet), Rafael Garcia (Joliet), Sarah Morimoto (Joliet), Tracey Sams (Plainfield) and Maggie Whalen (Joliet).

KEY CLUB: JCA’s Key Club recently donated 25 meals to the Morning Star Mission Thanksgiving Drive and appeared on Scott Slocum’s morning radio show on WJOL. Slocum commended the JCA students and mentioned it was the first time a group of high school students had donated to this worthy program.

ART EXHIBITS: Crest Hill’s Molly Vodacek (photography, drawings), Joliet’s Brittany Rosales (soldered ring) and Joliet’s Emily Egizio (soldered ring) have prepared work for the University of St. Francis High School Exhibit. Joliet’s Nathan Arnett and Joliet’s Jessica Westerfield have prepared work for the Joliet Junior College Art Exhibition. The display at JJC will be until Dec. 9. The awards ceremony is Thursday.