The latest group of Illinois State Scholars was announced this week, and Saint Viator High School seniors were well represented. Out of the 182 members of the Class of 2025, 53 were named Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for their outstanding academic achievement.
Saint Viator High School’s unique size allows students to excel in athletics and academics. With over 30 athletic teams, there are numerous opportunities for students to participate in individual and team sports.
For the first time in recent history, Army football is undefeated and ranked in the top 25 as the college football season winds down. And at Wednesday’s National Letter of Intent Ceremony, Saint Viator’s starting left tackle, Ben Konopka, committed to playing for the Mules.
Fr. Dan Hall, C.S.V., coached football and wrestling at Saint Viator on and off for nearly 20 years, starting in 1978 when he was Br. Hall. He keeps up with many of his former players and wrestlers, but recently, one stood out, Cole Kmet ’17.
The set of this year’s fall play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, features a barn in a dreamy forest, with a cover band off to one side.
Wait, say what? A cover band playing a contemporary soundtrack to one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays? That’s right. This contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic comedy adds an unexpected musical element to Saint Viator’s interpretation, taking its inspiration from some “fun, thematic elements,” as junior Elle Hohmier puts it.
The Saint Viator Theater Department is ready to dazzle audiences with a country twist on the classic A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare. Join us for a spellbinding performance from Thursday to Saturday, October 24-26, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., and on Sunday, October 27, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Grab your cowboy boots and get ready for a night of laughter, magic, and maybe a little romance under the stars. Don’t miss out on this wild ride through the enchanted woods—it's gonna be a hootin’ good time! Purchase tickets here.
Saint Viator High School is proud to announce its selection as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon by the U.S. Department of Education. Saint Viator High School is honored to be recognized as a 2024 National Blue Ribbon School, marking the third time the institution has received this accolade. Previously, the school earned the Blue Ribbon Award in 2008 and again in 2014.
Principal Jon Baffico announced the names of five students recognized as Commended Scholars in the highly competitive 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. He presented each one with their certificates this week.
Saint Viator High School students are encouraged to come together for Homecoming Week beginning Monday, September 30, and ending with the "Greek Mythology"-themed school dance on Saturday, October 5.
Steven Wright ’28 is just beginning his freshman year at Saint Viator, but already he is making a name for himself. Last month, Steven was named Player of the Game at the bronze medal game of the International Indoor Junior Lacrosse World Championship in Buffalo, New York. Steven played goalkeeper for the Poland U16 Box Lacrosse Team.
Students, faculty, and staff opened the solemn anniversary of the tragedies of 9/11 with a prayer today. While they prayed for the more than 3,000 people who lost their lives that day, they especially lifted up in prayer Mary Lenz Wieman, a 1976 alumna of Sacred Heart of Mary High School.
Saint Viator High School proudly announces that three seniors were named National Merit Semifinalists today by officials with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. They are Owen Kelly, Henry Marshall, and Aidan McLeod.
The theme of this year’s spirit wear T-shirt says it all: “Lions are better together.”
That theme is the driving force behind a workshop opening today at Saint Viator, and taking place again on Wednesday, called “Breaking Down the Walls.”
Once again, the popular Saint Viator pink uniform polos will be available for sale through an online pop-up shop for one week only – Friday, September 6 through Friday, September 13. The pink polos are highly sought after, as evidenced last month by the seniors who wore them at their opening tailgate.
A favorite expression hangs on the wall of Mr. Mike Masterton’s office in the Counseling Department. It reads: “Be where your feet are.”
Masterton ’08 begins his first year back at his alma mater, and he finds this simple message applies to him – and his students.
“My philosophy is to enjoy being where you are right now,” he says. “Now, that’s not to say you can’t think about the future or reminisce about the past. But I try to teach my students to enjoy where they are because it can move pretty fast if you don’t pay attention.”
Abby Dickey ’10 played golf and softball all four years while she attended Saint Viator, and now she finds herself back in the familiar Saint Viator vans, heading to practice. Only this time, she’s the coach.
For the past several weeks, President Ryan Aiello has been busy getting to know faculty and staff, meeting with individual members of the Board of Trustees, traveling to engage with community members throughout the suburbs and Chicago, and articulating his vision for his tenure. As he continues to learn about his new Lion family, he has shared some personal details and his vision for our community.
Siblings Nick '97, Joe '98, Tony '00, and Gina Papanicholas '03 Bertolini opened their second restaurant last month in Mount Prospect, and though they didn't realize it at the time, The Prospect involves several Saint Viator High School alumni.
All members of the Saint Viator High School community are invited to celebrate a living legend while enjoying a round of golf with fellow Lions at the 6th annual Pat Mahoney Golf Classic. An outing named in honor of Mr. Pat Mahoney - longtime teacher, coach, dean of students, friend and supporter of Saint Viator. A true Lion for Life.
The event will be hosted by Saint Viator's Alumni Association Board and all proceeds will benefit the Alumni Scholarship Endowment for legacy students; providing critical tuition assistance for second and third generation Lions. Register today.
Saint Viator High School’s unique size allows students to excel in athletics and academics. With over 32 athletic teams, there are numerous opportunities for students to participate in individual and team sports.
Interested in suiting up as a Lion? Continue reading for more information on upcoming fall sports practice and tryout dates. Please note, all athletes must complete the mandatory registration form and have a current physical on file before they can practice/try out.
By now, neighbors living around Saint Viator High School are used to finding flyers in their mailbox about a food collection as part of the Service & Song Camp. As middle school students and their high school leaders attempt to provide direct service in their own community, they start by collecting food.
Saint Viator High School administrators and staff congratulate the following students for their academic achievement during the second semester of the 2023-2024 school year.
Hannah Hoog ’25 already went downstate for the IHSA state journalism competition in news and feature writing events. But now she has another feather in her cap: She took third place in a national student essay contest — that drew more than 600 submissions — sponsored by the Maryknoll Society.
Peter McLeod graduated with the rest of his classmates on Monday, but he’s not yet done earning awards. This week, he learned he had advanced from being a National Merit Finalist to a National Merit Scholar.
Saint Viator High School’s 61st Commencement was held Monday, May 20, with 182 graduates celebrating in Cahill Gym.
“The Class of 2024 is a truly remarkable group of young women and men. They are intellectually inspired, extremely talented, ready to serve, faith-filled, wonderfully accomplished, and fully engaged in the Viatorian mission,” said Chief Administrator Fr. Tom von Behren, C.S.V.
Saint Viator High School hosted its inaugural Underclass Awards Ceremony today, Monday, May 20. Highlights from this morning’s ceremony included the presentation of department and volunteer service awards. The ceremony was capped off with the announcement of the Heart of the Class Award winners. The Heart of the Class Award recognizes the student(s) who live out the Saint Viator spirit daily in the classroom, independent of their grades, and make outstanding positive contributions to the classroom atmosphere.
The Saint Viator administration, faculty, and staff is proud of the individual and collective student accomplishments both in and out of the classroom during the 2023-24 academic year.
This past Friday, the Saint Viator community gathered to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our Saint Viator Class of 2024 students. They have thrived in the classroom, in faith and service, in athletics and the arts, and as a community. Collectively, we recognize their capacity for critical thinking, leadership, commitment to service, thirst for knowledge, and the manner in which they have upheld the tradition of Saint Viator High School.
Click "Read More" to find a listing of various honors and awards.
Congratulations to Elizabeth Schermerhorn ’27 whose submission to Mental Health America of the Northern Suburbs’ 2024 Essay and Multimedia Contest was selected for the Founder's Award!
The annual MHANS contest is open to students around Chicago’s northern suburbs. This year’s theme focused on social media and its impact on mental health and relationships.
“The word of the night is ‘new.’ New President, new optimism, new chapter in the history of Saint Viator High School.” That’s how Nick Papanicholas '97 described the energy and excitement that filled the room Saturday at the 18th annual Night of the Lion Fundraiser.
Sophomores Thomas Bollard and Joe Kaiser already are veterans in Saint Viator’s theater productions, but for the last six months they have volunteered as student directors with another theater group: UPS for Downs, or United Parental Support for Down Syndrome.
Tara Jennings ’21 endured all of the changes to daily life – and school life – as a result of COVID-19, but now as a budding scientist she has the chance to impact future outbreaks.
Tara is a co-author of a paper published in the Journal of Immunity and Ageing. Its research explores COVID-19 and its effects on the innate immune system, especially in older adults.
Saint Viator welcomed 51 new inductees to the National Honor Society on Thursday night. More than just an honor roll, the National Honor Society honors students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. These students have maintained a minimum cumulative average of 4.0.
Sam Hargadon ’24 thought of his backpacking trip through the rugged wilderness at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, as a thrilling high adventure. But it turned out to be life changing, convincing Sam about the urgent need to conserve the environment.
The Board of Governors of Saint Viator High School announced the appointment of Ryan Aiello as the school’s next president effective July 1, 2024. Beginning in July, Mr. Aiello will spend the next several months working closely with Rev. Thomas von Behren, C.S.V., Saint Viator’s Chief Administrator, to facilitate a smooth transition.
The Class of 2024 is a high achieving one, by any measure. Seniors include four National Merit Finalists, 10 National Merit Commended Scholars, three who earned perfect ACT scores, to name just a few of their many academic accomplishments.
So, it should come as no surprise that in announcing the class valedictorian and salutatorian, it resulted in a tie. Carmela Martinez was named valedictorian while David Koziol and Clare McDonough both were named salutatorians.
In a rare achievement, this year’s senior class contains four National Merit Finalists. Principal Jon Baffico made the announcement when he learned the four had advanced from National Merit Semi-Finalists, which was announced last fall, to National Merit Finalists and are now able to compete for a National Merit Scholarship.
These high achieving students are John Hutchinson, Peter McLeod, Omar Salinas, and Sophia Stuber.
Since 1946, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has awarded more than $23 million in scholarships to outstanding National Honor Society seniors. This year, NASSP is awarding $2 million in scholarships to 575 students around the country — and a Saint Viator senior is among them.
Michael O’Connor ’24 learned last month that he had earned one of the National Honor Society scholarships. He was recognized virtually in a national Zoom call on Feb. 28.
The odds were stacked against them. When the girls’ basketball team entered post season play, they entered the regional semi-final as the No. 10 seed — with a record of 7-24 — facing No. 5 Wheaton Academy. No problem, the Lions were not intimidated. They cruised to a 43-29 win.
It may only be the Second Week of Lent, but we know Easter will be here before we know it!
Mark your calendars for Sunday, March 10, when our annual Easter Egg Hunt returns to Cahill Gym! It's a fun and festive afternoon for children ages 8 and under. Admission is $5 at the door.
Greetings during this holy season of Lent. I write to inform you in my capacity as the Chairman of the Board of Governors for Saint Viator High School and Provincial for the Clerics of St. Viator. My friend and the President of the School, Rev. Daniel Lydon, C.S.V., requested that he be allowed to begin his retirement early and leave before the end of the academic year. After due consideration, the Board of Governors granted his request. Fr. Lydon will continue his priestly ministry and enjoy some well-deserved rest at the Viatorian's house in Bourbonnais, Illinois, before taking his sabbatical. All of us are deeply grateful to Fr. Lydon for his three years of dedicated work on behalf of the families, students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Saint Viator High School.
Saint Viator hockey plays in the first round of the state playoffs on Saturday, as part of the Amateur Hockey Association Illinois State Championship series. The No. 6 seeded Lions will take on the No. 28 seed, St. Rita High School, at 5:20 p.m. at the Mount Prospect Ice Arena.
Did you know there are currently 280+ living Saint Viator and Sacred Heart of Mary alumni couples? In honor of Valentine's Day today, we are spotlighting a handful of sweethearts and their love stories.
A standing room only crowd filled the Academic Commons Wednesday, to cheer on student athletes committing to play at the next level. Teammates, coaches and family members all packed the place for Winter Signing Day, when athletes sign letters of intent to continue their sport at the college level.
At this signing day ceremony – the second of three this year – five athletes took their seats at the signing table. Their sports ran the gamut, from baseball, basketball and football, to hockey and swimming.
Anastasia Papaioannou ‘25 was featured Wednesday on the Steve Cochran Show on WLS-AM 890 as the “Kid of the Week.” She stood out as being among the first group of Chicago area students to receive a scholarship created in memory of fallen Chicago Police officer, Ella French.
Over the many decades that Saint Viator High School has produced popular musicals, its students have never performed in a sci-fi smash hit, until now.
For the first time, Saint Viator presents Little Shop of Horrors, a rock musical that debuted in 1982 and is currently running Off-Broadway starring a rotating cast of celebrities. Performances take place Feb. 1-4.
For the fifth consecutive year, Saint Viator High School has earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award. This year, we were recognized for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science Principles, having previously been honored for the same in AP Computer Science A.
Due to inclement weather and for the safety of our students, faculty, and staff, Saint Viator High School will switch to eLearning tomorrow, Friday, January 12. The building will be closed.
Purchase tickets to next month's 58th annual winter musical, "Little Shop of Horrors" here. Performances will be held Thursday, February 1, through Sunday, February 4, in Jeuck Auditorium.
Located in Arlington Heights, IL, Saint Viator High School is a private, co-ed, Catholic school for grades 9-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.