Meet your new Director of Alumnae Engagement | | |
Dear Alumnae,
Hello! My name is Katie MacKinnon and I am a proud graduate of the Willows Class of 2002 and the new Director of Alumnae Engagement. I am thrilled to be back at my alma mater to serve in this role. I look forward to connecting with our alumnae, celebrating their accomplishments and finding ways to keep everyone connected to the school.
Willows has played such an important role in shaping who we are today, providing us with a strong foundation rooted in faith, friendship, and lifelong connections. I would love to see you stay connected and involved in our alumnae community, whether through attending events, mentoring current students, or supporting the school through giving. Every connection is meaningful and makes a difference.
In the coming months I will be reaching out with opportunities to get involved. I am so happy to be here! Please email me with any questions.
Warmly,
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Katie (Laird) MacKinnon '02
Director of Alumnae Engagement
mackinnon@willowsacademy.org
| | IN THIS ISSUE · Save the Date · News From Willows · Alumna Spotlight · Class Notes · In Memoriam | | | | |
Coffee and College Check-In
9:00AM | Wednesday, January 6th, 2027
Classes of 2022-2026 are welcome to coffee at the Willows Academy. Evite to follow with more details.
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Willows Celebrates First Homecoming Week
The week kicked off with a volleyball game and Senior night, followed by a Pep Rally, a Power Puff football game and a Dash before the Bash 5K fundraiser. They ended the week with a Homecoming dance on Saturday in the Willows gym. The students were excited to celebrate this new annual tradition!
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Students Serve Girlstown School in Chalco, Mexico
Led by chaplain Fr. Pete Arriagada, a group of students served with the Sisters of Mary at Girlstown School in Chalco, Mexico, a school serving girls living in extreme poverty from across the country. Willows was honored to partner with them for our first ever service trip!
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Cross Country Claims Regional Championship
Congratulations to the Willows Cross Country team on winning their Regional Championship this Fall! We are so proud of all your hard work and dedication. A special thank you to Coach Sacris and Coach Cullotta!
| | | | Tess (Civantos) Barber '07 covers a historic beatification | From “Beyond the Clock” at Willows to Aleteia’s 10 million monthly readers, Tess has built a successful career in journalism. She recently had the honor of covering the beatification of Blessed Fulton Sheen, a personal inspiration for her own work. | | | | Faith (Bohlin) Cintron ’00 has worked in maternity housing for 15 years, including 10 as Maternity Homes Manager at Aid for Women. Her time at Willows helped form her heart for accompanying pregnant women. She is grateful for her Willows classmates, who gathered last year for their 25th reunion. She and her husband recently enjoyed a trip to the Caribbean. | | | | Therese (O’Malley) Junker '97 and her husband, Billy, live in St. Paul, Minnesota, where they are raising their six children. Billy is a professor in the Department of Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas. Therese works for the Lumen Christi Institute based at the University of Chicago and enjoys helping the Institute grow and carry out its Catholic mission. | | | | Marie (Brown) Huguelet ‘06, Catherine (Kane) Falvey ‘05 and Mary Therese (Laird) Brown ‘05 got together for a rugby game with their families in South Bend in October. | | | | Mrs. Barb Sunko reunited with some Willows grads at the Aid for Women dinner on Sep 30, 2026 at the Union League Club in Chicago. Attendees included Amy Marbach ‘02 and daughter Delia, Katie (Laird) MacKinnon ‘02, and Bonnie (Ryan) Trainor ‘01. Thank you to Beth (Georgopulos) Shallcross ‘02 who sponsored a table! Not pictured but also in attendance: Mariana (Avila) Madigan ‘18. | | | | |
Lucia Rodriguez ’22 is studying at the University of Oxford. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in 17th- and 18th-century literature at New College.
Lucia earned her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University before continuing her academic journey at Oxford.
Congratulations, Lucia!
| | Judy (Castillo) Budge '96 is registered nurse that has worked in pediatrics for the past 26 years. She is a wife and mom of 3 children, Michael, 23, who has autism, Nick, 22, who graduated from Northridge in ‘23 is attending the university of Missouri as a biology major, and Maggie, 11, a 6th grader at St Gilbert School. Judy loves to sing and cantor at the 5pm mass on Saturdays at St Joe’s in Round Lake. She also does a lot of volunteer work including working at a food pantry once a month, serving as coordinator of highlighters club, being a room mom and volleyball and softball coach for her daughter. | | Michelle (Samano) Dula '17 Graduated from Franciscan University with a BS in Business Management (2020) and an MBA in Business Administration (2021). She married NRP alum Mike Dula in 2021 and they live in Florida with their two daughters Laura and Lucy. | | | | |
The Prelude
Saturday, November 14th, 2026
Our annual benefit dinner, featuring Willows Idol and the Class of 2027. Saturday evening at the Marriott Lincolnshire Resort.
Learn More ->
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The College Choice: What Matters Most and What Comes Next
Saturday, January 9th, 2027
Wine & Cheese 6:00PM | 7:00PM Keynote
Keynote by Dr. Peter Kilpatrick, President of the Catholic University of America.
Learn More & RSVP ->
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First Responders Mass
Friday, January 22nd, 2027
Save the date for this special mass: all First Responders are welcome! Details coming soon.
| | Let us pray for these members in our Willows community who have passed away and will be remembered at the annual Legacy Society Mass. Please click on the link below to read their obituary. | | | | |
