Memorable Experiences: Can you share a memorable experience or favorite memory from your time at the school?

I have two very memorable experiences that I still think about today and talk with my kids about, All Saints Day and Stations of the Cross.

1. All Saints Day – This may be my favorite experience in all of grad The task of researching your saint, helping to make my costume and giving my saint “Speech”, was so much fun. The teachers all made it a fun way to deepen our knowledge of the saints and our faith. It also exposed us at a young age to public speaking.
2. My other favorite memory was being able to participate in the Stations of the Cross. This was also a very fun way for us to learn so much about Jesus and his journey and to then present it to the entire parish community. I was a roman guard and was able to participate in several of the stations in that role.

Influential Figures: Were there any teachers or mentors who particularly influenced you during your time there?

1. The two most influential teachers that I had at SJA were Joan Soukup, who was the junior high religion teacher, and Mrs. Lafond, who taught junior high vocabulary and also ran the yearbook. Sr. Joan always had great stories and activities during class that made learning fun and kept everyone engaged.
2. Lafond also made class fun with a variety of activities and really fostered a love of reading and vocabulary in me that I did not have before junior high. I remember that this is the time that I started to really get into doing crossword puzzles. This is still one of my favorite activities to do when I have some down time.
3. However, the most influential person to me at SJA was of course, Sr. Caroline, the principal. She always fostered such a loving relationship with all the students and teachers. It was such an exciting time when you got to go to the principal’s office and pick out a prize, or just sit and talk with her. She truly built the foundation for what St. Joan of Arc school has continued to be, as a loving, tight knit community for learning and

Academic and Extracurricular Activities: What subjects or activities were you most passionate about in school?

1. I was always most passionate about Math when I was at SJA, which continued on throughout my academic career, as I received my degree in Accounting, and continue to work in the field today.
2. I was involved in several extracurricular activities while at SJA, including Basketball, Track, Yearbook, Drama, Stations of the Cross and as an Altar Server. I have great memories of these activities, and they fostered a great sense of community.

Continued Connection: Do you stay connected with the school or your classmates? If so, how?

1. I have remained a continuous parishioner of Joan of Arc since before I started at the school. We joined the parish in 1976, when we moved to Lisle. Baptism is the only sacrament that I have not received at SJA. My wife, Rena, and I were married in the church and all five of our children were baptized, received first communion and were confirmed at SJA. When it was time for our oldest to attend school, we drove from

Aurora to Lisle each morning so that she could attend 3-year-old preschool at SJA. Now three of my kids have graduated from SJA, and my last two are currently in 5 th grade. During this time, I have also volunteered in several capacities at the school, including School Board Treasurer, classroom volunteer, basketball coach, Gala Committee member, and chair of the annual Charger Open golf outing. One of my most exciting volunteer opportunities was as a member of the Technology Committee, which was integral in establishing the use of Chrome Books throughout all grade levels. I was student at SJA when the first tech lab opened, under the leadership of Mrs. Connell, so it was great to participate in continuing the passion for technology that she always tried to instill in us as students..

Reflections on Change: How do you think the school has changed since you attended, and what do you think has remained the same?

While I believe that SJA has changed physically since I graduated in 1988, I also believe that the community foundation that Sr. Caroline built in her time there has remained and the leadership under Mr. Sweeney and now Mrs. Picchione have continued to build on that foundation.

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