MATTERS MARIAN - Marian Catholic High School

SUMMER ACTIVITIES OFFER GRAND VARIETYExpansion at Marian Catholic. The last decade has seen some fantastic physicalexpansion at 700 Ashland, including the Fine Arts wing, the West Gym complex andbeautiful Dominican Way.However, expansion of programs ranks just as significant as the physical plant. Summercamps and programs have been turning out record numbers in recent years. Camps forsports alone number an annual registration of nearly 700... and the plans are to offer morevariety and creative angles.“Summer camps at Marian provide the opportunity for our coaching staffs and currentathletes to teach and motivate the younger athletes in the community,” women’s basketballcoach Shannon Reidy ’90 explained. “The relationships that are built bring moreexcitement to upcoming seasons at Marian and get the youth excited about the possibilitiesof playing for Marian Catholic in the future.“The summer camps also help the coaches set higher expectations within their athleticprograms by getting kids athletically and mentally prepared for competing at the highschool level one day,” Reidy said.Virtually every Marian interscholastic sport offers a summer camp, and Theater was addedto the mix in the the summer of 2003. Expectations are to expand into several other areasfor camps and seminars in the near future.“Previously, our program included mostly athletics for elementary school students andincoming freshmen,” Recruitment Assistant Diana McDonnell said.“However, last year we had a very successful Summer Theater Camp Program. On thebasis of this experience, we decided to expand our program by offering junior high studentsa variety of academics and fine arts along with the athletic camps. These would be moreinteractive for the purpose of academic enrichment as well as giving students theopportunity to realize that learning can also be fun.”The following camps are possibilities this summer: Band, Field Biology, CreativeWriting, Technology (which would include Power Point and designing a web page),Equestrian Experiences, Art, Speech, Math and, once again, Theater.“These camps will give junior high students a taste of the excellence and the manyopportunities Marian Catholic has to offer,” McDonnell explained.In terms of technology, the potential is unlimited. Because of its computer labs, wirelessenvironment, advanced learning through technology and web site, Marian Catholic is wellahead of most high schools in Illinois in bringing the latest technology to the classroom.Many of these advantages could also be brought to the community while offering moreindividuals an opportunity to view and learn at Marian. From one-day seminars to weeklysummer classes, diverse learning experiences at Marian could be offered to all ages.Please be sure to visit our website to view all summer schedules.KEVIN LARSONOCCUPATION:Currently transitioning from corporateworld to business ownership.START OF TERM: 2001FAMILY: Wife, Diane; daughtersJill (’98) and Dawn (’01).COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:St. Kieran School Board (President),St. Kieran Facilities PlanningCommittee (Chairperson).HOBBIES: Golf, Reading.VISION FOR MCHS FUTURE:“I see Marian Catholic continuing to bea beacon of hope and opportunity forkids growing up with big dreams in theSouth Suburbs. Marian will continue tobe a place where they can build their selfesteemand confidence, and come toknow that they are capable to achievewhatever it is they take aim at. Marianwill continue to help them appreciatethat God is at their side on life’s journey.”2004 HALL OF FAME AWARDEESThis year’s honorees at the Hall of Fame Awards Dinner at Olympia Fields Country Club on February 26.From Left to Right John Lustig ’84 Fine Arts Distinguished Achievement, Mary Margaret FlanaganSpirit of Marian Award, Judge Derek Mosley ’88 Alumnus of the Year, Lyndon “Stretch” WallerLifetime Achievement, and Richard Klupchak ’70 Athlete of the Year.5