Dear SFHS Alumni,

I hope this Advent season finds you and your family surrounded by love, peace, and good cheer. As we look back on this past semester, we are amazed by all that's happened here on campus but also what our alumni are celebrating in their professional and personal lives. Make sure to check out all the recent celebrations below!

This Christmas, we humbly ask you to join us in prayer for our students and our school. We pray that our students find the wisdom to continue to excel in their studies and deepen in their Catholic faith. We pray for strength and continued enthusiasm for our faculty and staff as they form the minds and hearts of our students. And we pray for our entire school community, that unity and charity guide us all, and safety and well-being follow us wherever we go.

May the peace of Christ be with you throughout the holiday season and in the new year. Thank you for remaining a vital and cherished member of the Spartan family. We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming alumni events!

Merry Christmas from all of us at St. Francis High School!

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.

Join us for the St. Francis High School Alumni Association Pickleball Tournament at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 10, at the Wheaton Sport Center. This is a Round Robin Tournament; register with your ability (beginner, intermediate, or advanced). Tickets are $25 per person. Click here to buy tickets and get ready to play!

Music Ensemble (Rock Band) is playing at Sturdy Shelter Brewing from 7:00-10:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19, for an annual Christmas Break gathering of SFHS friends, faculty, and alumni. Sturdy Shelter is owned by a member of the SFHS family - the Mercadante family! We hope to see you there!

SAVE THE DATE: Alumni Theatre Night is scheduled for March 21, 2026! More details to follow.

The SFHS Girls Basketball Alumni Night is at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, December 20, vs. Wheaton Academy at SFHS. We will recognize all alumni at halftime and have a short reception in the Atrium after the game with pizza and soft drinks. Please RSVP here if you can attend.

Spartan Sweethearts are couples who met during their time at SFHS and went on to get married. We have more than 190 married couples in our records, and we're sure there are more! If you and your spouse are Spartan Sweethearts, please email jlavigueur@sfhscollegeprep.org with your names and a picture of you "then" and "now."

John Andrzejewski ‘21 was selected for the 2026 Forbes 30 Under 30 Transportation & Aerospace 2026 list! He received the honor as part of his work building Guardian RF, a technology startup he founded while in college at Georgetown University. Read the article here!

“St. Francis gave me an academic runway I didn’t have before,” John recently shared with us. “The science curriculum and AP courses were exceptional and sparked my interest in physics, which later became my major at Georgetown University. St. Francis helped me grow in my faith, my character, and my ability to think clearly and work with purpose. The community, the teachers, and the daily structure reinforced the idea that hard work and integrity matter. It’s a place that formed me in ways I still rely on today.”

John also gave a special shout out to teachers Mr. Harper, Dr. J, Mr. O, Ms. Dahle, and Mrs. Ston – “Each played a meaningful role in shaping how I learned, worked, and thought during my time at St. Francis,” he said. Thank you and congratulations John!

Pictured: Co-founders of Guardian RF John Andrzejewski '21, Eli Kerstein, and Lucas Raskin

Congratulations to Bianca Pandolfi '25, who made the women's rowing team at The Ohio State University!

Madelynn Zeller '20, who was recently crowned National American Miss Illinois, came to visit us and say hello to her former teachers! She's pictured below with SFHS President Phil Kerr, who gave her a tour of the school.

Gabby Rodriguez '23 (on clarinet) and Margaret Brady '23 (on bass drum) perform in the Notre Dame Marching Band together!

Share your updates with us! Weddings, new babies, career accomplishments, and more are welcome! Email tshaw@sfhscollegeprep.org with a photo and details.

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!

Our 2026 Annual Ensuring Our Future Auction theme is "A Night On Broadway"!

Each year, we rely on our annual auction as the largest fundraiser of the year for our school. Ticket sales, sponsorships, proceeds from live and silent auctions, and our show-stopping Fund-A-Cause help sustain the school with gifts that benefit everything from keeping the lights on to supporting our outstanding academics and co-curriculars.

NEW THIS YEAR: The auction is at a new location this year, the Marriott in Naperville, and will feature a gourmet plated dinner.

When is it? The curtains open for VIP Access at 5:30 p.m. and General Admission at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, February 28. Buy your tickets today! You will be prompted to select your meal choice and if you would like to sit with a specific attendee (optional).

Why should I attend? This is our school’s premier fundraising event and supports academics, co-curricular activities, and tuition assistance.

This event is open to everyone, and new friendships are often formed throughout the night. You can attend solo, as a couple, or with a mix of friends and family.

We invite everyone to participate, even if you are unable to attend.

ICYMI: Spartan Football is your 5A IHSA State Football Champion! Click here to read the email we sent after their win on on Tuesday, December 2.

Congratulations to the 57 St. Francis High School students from the Class of 2026 who earned the recognition of Illinois State Scholar! This is a prestigious recognition of academic achievement presented by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).

This outstanding representation accounts for 34% of the senior class. It is the highest number of scholars we have had since 2018, when 61 students were honored (31% of that class). Each State Scholar will receive a congratulatory letter and a Certificate of Achievement from ISAC.