Band & Basketball (Boys & Girls) Middle School Night

Friday, December 15, 2023

Click here for more information and to register

Join Us On The SFHS Path

“Let us begin to do good, for as yet we have done little.”   

Saint Francis of Assisi 

Welcome

Saint Francis’ Quiet Contemplation of Christmas Celebrates 800 Years

Did you know that three years before Saint Francis died, he created the first Nativity scene?

Francis preached during a liturgy in a cave while his friend brought a donkey and ox to the altar. Christmas Eve, 1223, in the Italian city of Greccio, Saint Francis asked for hay and a manger and invited friars and villagers to create a living nativity. Saint Francis’ quiet contemplation filled that cave with light and joy. A friar celebrated the Eucharist above the manger, and someone is said to have envisioned Baby Jesus in the hay.

That night, Francis wanted to share the love of Jesus he discovered in Bethlehem a few years prior. His gift has endured for 800 years, and Pope Francis is paying homage this Christmas with a special display in Saint Peter’s Square that includes an image of Saint Francis holding baby Jesus beside the Virgin Mary. All this to say, the gifts of Saint Francis endure.

We aspire to be faithful stewards of his gifts here at St. Francis High School, reflecting the spirit of Saint Francis as we prepare young people to take their responsible place in the world. This joyful community, this humble campus. Hidden within are the treasures of superior Blue Ribbon academics shared alongside the love of the gospel. This is the spirit of St. Francis High School, the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi, our patron.

As you enjoy your family’s nativity scene this year, remember how the gifts of Saint Francis live on here with the St. Francis High School community and alumni network. We pray for all the families we’ve encountered this year. If you missed the Class of 2028 Entrance Exam, please call the office to discuss your situation and any arrangements we may make to accommodate you.

Wishing you a joyous Christmas and a blessed New Year. 

Maureen Isphording, Director of Admissions

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

ATHLETICS: FALL RECAP

The SFHS Spartans are yearly contenders for Conference and State titles. Our legendary coaches, gifted athletes, and loyal fans create a winning team. Our inclusive program consists of both cut and non-cut teams providing many opportunities to compete. Our coaches are committed to ensuring athletes rise to their potential.

Congratulations to our teams on their outstanding athletic accomplishments during the fall 2023 season.

CHEER

Fall season consists of performing at halftime and on the sideline at games; competitive season takes place in the winter

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

• 1st – Chicago Catholic League (CCL) White Division
• 3rd – IHSA Regionals
• 9th – IHSA Sectionals
• State Qualifier – Charlie Coyle ’24 (106th)
• All-Conference: Michael Coco ’26, Charlie Coyle ’25, James Keegan ‘24

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

• 1st – Girls Catholic Athletic Conference (GCAC) White Division
• 1st – IHSA Regionals
• 4th – IHSA Sectionals
• 6th – IHSA State
• All-Conference: Elena Mamminga ’27, Erin Hinsdale ’27, Margaret Andrzejewski ’26, Cate Earl ’25, Ashley Spahn ’26, Addy Wordekemper ’27, Siena Schwan ‘26

DANCE

Fall season consists of performing at halftime and on the sideline at games; competitive season takes place in the winter

FOOTBALL

• 11-3 Record
• 1st– CCL Orange Division Conference Champions
• 6 – years in a row making playoffs
• IHSA Semi-Finals – Final 4 (2 years in a row!)
• All-Conference: Alessio Milivojevic ’24 (Conference MVP), Dom Beres ’24, Jack Donovan ’24, Antonio Gutierrez ’24, Corin Greenwell ’24, Ian Willis ’25, TyVonn Ransom ’25, Zach Washington ‘26
• All-State: Alessio Milivojevic ’24 (Conference MVP), Dom Beres ’24
• Academic All-State: Alessio Milivojevic ’24, Dom Beres ’24
• Suburban Life All-Area: Alessio Milivojevic ’24 (Player of the Year), Dom Beres ’24
• Kane County All-Area: 1stTeam: Alessio Milivojevic ’24 (Player of the Year), Dom Beres ’24, TyVonn Ransom ’25, Ian Willis ’25, Antonio Gutierrez ’24, 2^nd Team: Jack Donovan ‘24
• Chicago Sun Times All-Area: Alessio Milivojevic ’24
• Champaign News Gazette 88th All-State Team: Alessio Milivojevic ’24, Dom Beres ’24
• Daily Herald All-Area Team: Alessio Milivojevic ’24 (Team Captain), Dom Beres ’24, Antonio Gutierrez ’24, Jack Donovan ’24, Corin Greenwell ’24, Ian Willis ’25, TyVonn Ransom ’25, Asher Boose ’25, Zach Washington ‘26
• Red Grange All-County Team: Alessio Milivojevic ’24 (Player of the Year), Dom Beres ’24
• Coach Bob McMillen – 2023 Chicago Catholic League Orange Lawless Coach of the Year

BOYS GOLF

• 3rd – IHSA Regionals
• 2nd – IHSA Sectionals
• 5th – State (team); 3rd – Beckett Jones ’26 (Individual)
• All-Conference: Becket Jones and Nick Sparacio ’24
• Coach of the Year Runner-Up (CCL)

GIRLS GOLF

• 2nd – Conference
• 2nd – IHSA Regionals
• 5th – IHSA Sectionals
• 13th – State: Emmy Hollarbush ’24
• All-Conference: Emmy Hollarbush ’24, Leah Grivetti, Cali Simpson ‘27

BOYS SOCCER

• 1st– CCL Conference White Division (Co-Champions)
• All-Conference: Justin Klein, Nick Madden ’24, Patrick Spahn, Cooper Winslow ‘24, Marco Costabile ‘25, Nicholas Tisjlar ‘25
• Co-Player of the Year: Nick Madden ‘24
• Co-Coach of the Year: Jim Winslow

GIRLS SWIMMING

• 6th – MCAC Championships (highest finish in the last 10 seasons)
• Lily Janowiak ’27 (1st place finish in 500 Freestyle, Top 6 finish in 200 Free, and All-Conference); Audrina Capeless ‘27 (Top 10 finish in the 100 breaststroke)
• State Qualifier: Lily Janowiak ‘27 (200 Free and 500 Free, finishing 17th and 18th)
• 3 Dual Meet Victories; 2 Top 5 Finishes at Invitationals
• Set 8 of 11 school records

GIRLS TENNIS

• 5th – GCAC Conference
• 1st – IHSA Sectional
• IHSA Sectional Medalists (Must finish in top 4 of the 18-20 competitors in each singles & doubles bracket): Ashley Rajcevich (4th in Singles), Cameron Rajcevich & Lauren Cleveland (1st Place in Doubles-Champions), Ella Wozniak & Elizabeth Szalek (4th in Doubles)
• 22nd – State
• State Qualifiers: Ashley Rajcevich, Cameron Rajcevich, Lauren Cleveland, Ella Wozniak, Elizabeth Szalek (5 State Qualifiers-1st time in School History)
• All-Area Award:  Ashley Rajcevich, Cameron Rajcevich, Lauren Cleveland, Ella Wozniak, Elizabeth Szalek
• Coach Tom Castronovo – Illinois High School Tennis Coaches Association Girls 1A Regional Coach of the Year

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

• IHSA Regional Champions – 33 years in a row!
• IHSA Sectional Champions
• IHSA Super-Sectional Champions
• IHSA Class 3A State Champions
• GCAC All-Conference: Catherine D’Orazio ‘24, KK Dumpit ’24, Anna Paquette ‘24, Addy Horner ’25
• Peggy Scholten All-Tournament Team: Catherine D’Orazio and KK Dumpit
• Crossroads Classic All-Tournament Team: Addy Horner and Shay McMillen
• Blocktober Fest All-Tournament Team: MVP: Addy Horner, All-Tournament: Anna Paquette, Shay McMillen
• IVCA 1^st Team All State: Addy Horner and Catherine D’Orazio
• IVCA 2^nd Team All-State: Anna Paquette
• IVCA State Tournament MVP: Addy Horner
• IVCA State All-Tournament Team: KK Dumpit
• ILL Prep First Team All-State – Addy Horner
• ILL Prep Special Mention All-State – Catherine D’Orazio
• DuPage All Area Teams: Addy Horner, Catherine D’Orazio, Anna Paquette
• Kane County Chronicle All-Area Team: Catherine D’Orazio, Anna Paquette, Shay McMillen
• Kane County Chronicle Player of the Year: Addy Horner
• IVCA Academic ALL State: Liv Basel, Catherine D’Orazio, KK Dumpit, Addy Jones, Grace Melcher, Fabiana Pizzo, Veronica Urbasek
• Team Awards from SFHS:

o Best Offensive Player of the Year: Addy Horner

o Best Defensive Player of the Year: Catherine D’Orazio

o Spartan Award: Liv Basel and Gabs Rendina

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT

PERFORMING ARTS: FALL RECAP

We embrace the arts at SFHS. Our curricular offerings are broad, with academic classes that range from Rock Band to Spartan Singers (a capella ensemble) and from Production Technology to AP Music Theory. Opportunities outside of class are limitless. Congratulations to our performers on their outstanding accomplishments during the fall 2023 season.

BAND/INSTRUMENTAL

• 2023 ILMEA All-District Band: Shannon Walgren ’24
• 2023 ILMEA All-District Jazz Band: Robert Barnhisel ’24, James Collie ‘24, Lara Risdon '24 
• 2023 ILMEA All-District Orchestra: Matthew Lemke ’26
• Marching Band

o Performed at home football games

o Group traveled to the University of Illinois Home Football game (following the Marching Illini)

• Pep Band

o  Performed at girls’ volleyball home games

o  Performed at the Homecoming Pep Rally

• Rock Band

o  Performed at Mothers’ & Fathers’ Club Spartan Family Tailgate at home SFHS football game

o  Performed at The Forge in Lemont

o  Performing at the opening of “A Christmas Carol”

o  Performed at both Open Houses

o  Performed at Tennis Senior Night on top of the press box

o  Worship Team

o  Christmas Concert

• Jazz Band

o  Meets during Zero Hour on Tuesday (7:00-7:40 a.m.) and Activity Period on Thursday (2:30-3:10 p.m.)

o  Christmas Concert

• Orchestra

o  Fall Concert, Christmas Concert

o  Performed at the Mother’s Club Brunch

o  Meets on Fridays during the Activity Period

• Coming Up – You’re Invited!

o  Band Middle School Night: Friday, December 15

Click here for more information and to register

CHOIR

• 2023 ILMEA All-District Choir: Lauren Richardson ’26, Lara Risdon '24, Victoria Turner ’25
• Performed the National Anthem at home football games and home volleyball games.
• Worship Team
• Fall Concert
• Performances at the Candlelight Dinners at Medinah Country Club
• Christmas Concert

THEATRE

• Fall Play: “Clue” – October
• Musical Revue – November
•  “A Christmas Carol” – December

"I Am St. Francis"

The Student Perspective:

What do Athletics & Performing Arts

mean to you?

Catherine D. ’24 (Volleyball): “Athletics at SFHS act as a second family for me, and as member of the volleyball team, I have the opportunity to represent St. Francis on and off the court. Being able to continue the tradition of the volleyball program here at St. Francis is so special for me; whether eating dinner with my teammates before games or running out onto the court, wearing a Spartan jersey means I am part of a group bigger than myself that contributes to the St. Francis community as a whole. My memories from the volleyball team will last a lifetime, especially winning the State Championship both last year and this year, and I know I will be a Spartan forever.”

Alex G. ’26 (Performing Arts): “In my high school experience, performing arts has been extremely influential. When I first came to St. Francis Performing Arts allowed me to connect with others. Whether it's playing in the band or performing a play, I will never forget the experiences I've had.”

Sarah K. ’25 (Performing Arts): “I am involved in many of the activities in the PVA department such as band, jazz band, theater, and worship team, and each different activity adds something different into my life. As a whole, I have gained so much of my current confidence from doing different leadership and solo opportunities. Freshman year, I was a very shy person who could barely speak in front of a few people without shaking, but three years later, I have gained the ability to show the hard work we do in class on stage, and it applies to other classes than just music. To me, the PVA department means personal growth with amazing people and fun events.”

Cooper W. ’24 (Football/Soccer): “Athletics for me is a great place to be myself among my friends but also compete against some of the best programs in the state. Doing both soccer and football at the same time for 4 years always kept me on top of my academics as well. It’s a big help to have the amazing coaches that we have at this school because it makes kids actually want to come play.”

Around Campus This December

SFHS Recognized by the U.S. Department of Education

Our school was highlighted at the national level as we accepted the highest award granted by the U.S. Department of Education - the National Blue Ribbon School Award!

Thank you SFHS President Phil Kerr and Principal Raeann Huhn for attending the ceremony and accepting the award on behalf of our school community in Washington, D.C.! 

Performing Arts Christmas Concert – Choral (Spartan Singers, Chamber, Concert, Mixed), Wind & Percussion Ensembles, Jazz Band, Music Ensemble (Rock Band), Orchestra

The concert showcased extraordinary talent and was a great way to enjoy the holiday season. The students’ performances were captivating and filled with holiday spirit, bringing joy to everyone in attendance.

Mothers’ Club Advent Brunch

It was a wonderful experience to come together for brunch following the All-School Mass. The atmosphere was filled with joy and warmth as Mother’s Club celebrated the holiday season. (All mothers of SFHS students are automatically part of Mothers’ Club.)

Spartan Girls Basketball Play at Iconic Hoosiers Gym in Knightstown, IN