Todd Shaw '89

Alumni Relations

tshaw@

sfhscollegeprep.org

(630) 668-5800 x1143

Classes from ‘1s and ‘6s – it's time to organize your reunion! We're here to help, please reach out to start planning your event.

We’d like to formally celebrate and recognize the Class of 1963 for their dedication to reunions! Classmates Jim Manna, Pat (Sommer) Blumen, Rich Shepherd, Liz (Browne) Pinder, and others have organized reunions for their 60th (47 attendees!) and 62nd reunions.

They are gathering again this year for their “Golden” Reunion – their 63rd. The reunion is September 9 from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Seven Dwarfs Restaurant in Glen Ellyn. We can’t wait to see their picture from this year!

Please join us in honoring the memory of Larry Baker, a former administrator, coach, and longtime friend of St. Francis High School, who died over the weekend. Larry served the SFHS community from 1983 to 2018 in various roles including Track Coach, Athletic Director, Assistant Principal, and Director of Operations. Click here for obituary and service information.

"Eternal rest grant to him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen."

We're hiring for the 2026-2027 school year! Current open positions include a Business Teacher and Religion Teacher. If you or someone you know is interested, click the position titles for the job description or visit our website.

Alec Kissane '24 is a drummer for Iowa State and played with the band during March Madness!

Scott Valenta '06, Junior High Science Teacher at St. John the Baptist Catholic School, was named the 2025 recipient of the Paul Dehard Hurd Award for Exemplary Middle Level Science Teaching and Leadership!

The Paul Dehard Hurd Award goes to someone who has demonstrated both exemplary science teaching performance in a middle level classroom and leadership in sharing these skills and ideas with others. Scott will receive the award at the National Science Teaching Association’s Annual Conference in California.

Cate Downs '22 was recognized by Marquette University's College of Business Administration as an "Outstanding Senior in Marketing."

Tommy Rittenhouse '21 signed with the British Columbia Lions of the CFL!

Hank Foley '84 has served as a pilot with Delta Airlines for 30 years, as a captain on a 757 and 767, flying mostly International flights. During the 2025 Presidential Campaign, he was the pilot for Trump Force One, and still flies the Trump family when needed. He also has a short cameo in the documentary, "Melania."

Hank recently shared with us that he was raised in a single-parent home by his father, who he remembers as "the smartest and most positive man in the world...he would say if you believe you live in the greatest country on earth, you have the good Lord in your life, and you work harder than anybody else - you can do anything," Hank said. "With an influence like that in your life, you cannot fail."

Hank also credited his time at St. Francis for his successes in life. "Some of the lessons don’t come into effect until we get older and more mature," he said. "I’ve always gone to Mass on Sundays and always believe that God will get me to where he wants me to be."

After every preflight briefing on Trump Force One, Hank would say a prayer. On the day of the attempted assassination during now-President Trump's campaign, Hank said he prayed for the flight and for God to "send your legion of angels to protect him from all who want to harm him."

"A Secret Service agent who heard the prayer told me when he jumped on the president that day, he felt a divine presence, and the first thing he thought of was my prayer," Hank remembered.

Hank said flying the president has been one of the greatest honors of his life. "I am living proof that all things are possible through God," he said.

Congratulations to Katherine Lemke '21 for receiving Aviation Week's annual 20 Twenties award. Katherine has been recognized as a top university talent to watch in the field of aerospace engineering! Read more here.

Katherine has another endeavor under her belt as well; pursuing professional golf. She shared the following with us:

"I graduated from SFHS in 2021 and followed my dream of playing collegiate golf to Creighton University. Over the course of two years, I set many records. With all my success, I transferred to Virginia Tech to pursue both a higher level of golf and an aerospace engineering degree. In the summer of 2025, I embarked on a new journey using my aerospace engineering education in the UK. Working in industry was great, and I learned a ton, but I also found a deeper love for golf. I decided I would pursue professional golf before starting work in industry. I will graduate in May 2026 with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and will part-time complete my Master’s in Aerospace Engineering at VT during my professional golf career.

To pursue professional golf, I will compete in tour-qualifying school this September, which is three phases running through November. A good performance can earn me status on the LPGA tour or other lower lever professional tours. Before September, I will compete in “Monday Qualifiers” for large professional events and small tour events. These events are another way I can earn my way into major professional tours.

I am currently training and fundraising to support my professional endeavors. I have built a basic schedule for 2026 and set a fundraising goal of $20,000 based on my budget estimate. I am also currently looking for a championship level course to practice at over the summer when I am home in Illinois and a course somewhere warmer to practice at over the winter."

If you think you can assist Katherine in her future endeavors, please email Todd Shaw at tshaw@sfhscollegeprep.org to connect with her.

All are invited to attend the SFHS Fathers' Club Pickleball Tournament from noon-2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 26, at Pickled in Wheaton. Cost is $20 per team and top three places receive a cash prize. Click here for more information and to register!

NEW: Class of '63 - 63rd Reunion: 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. September 9, Seven Dwarfs Restaurant in Glen Ellyn.

Class of '76 - 50th Reunion: Saturday, September 26, at SFHS. Contact Bob Shuppert for more information at rwshuppert@sbcglobal.net.

Class of '91 - 35th Reunion, Save the Date: 7:00 p.m. September 26, Warren's Ale House in Wheaton. More details to follow!

Class of '66 - 60th Reunion, Save the Date: October 10, 2026, at Reserve 22. P.J. Leston is the contact person and can be reached at pjleston@gmail.com. More details to follow!

Is your child looking for an unforgettable summer camp experience? Registration is now open for SFHS Summer Camps, featuring a wide variety of programs for students in grades 1–12. Browse camps and register here!