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| Chicago St. Scholastica Academy Entrance - 2012 |
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| St. Scholastica Academy Building - 2012 |
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The History of St. Scholastica Academy
Chicago (population 2.8 million) is located in the northeastern-most portion of Illinois
in the heart of Cook County. Interstate Highways 55, 57, 88, 90, and 94 all lead you directly to and from Chicago.
In addition several Illinois and U.S. Routes will take you there as well. Chicago was at one time one of the stockyard
capitals of the world. The town was established in 1832 and incorporated in 1837.
St. Scholastica Academy High School was established in 1865. The school closed in May of 2012 after
147 years of service. The last senior class of 26 will be allowed to graduate from St. Scholastica next May (2013), however
all lower grades (Freshamn, Sophomores, Juniors) have been cancelled. Below is a history of the school as found
on the school's website at the web address of http://www.scholastica.us/history.asp
History of St. Scholastica Academy
One of the oldest Catholic academies for young women in Chicago, St. Scholastica Academy opened its doors
in 1865. The Academy is the sponsored ministry of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago.
In 1861, three Benedictine sisters from Erie, Pennsylvania (originally from Eichstatt, Germany) answered
a call to come to Chicago to educate children of German immigrants in Chicago’s St. Joseph Parish School. These
three sisters were eventually joined by Benedictine sisters from St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania. In 1865, they opened
the Academy (named St. Joseph’s Academy) that served as a convent and a school with space for residential students.
The Chicago Fire destroyed a great part of the city in 1871 including the Academy. This did not deter
the Benedictine Sisters in their mission to educate young women in Chicago. On July 1, 1872, the newly established Benedictine
Sisters of Chicago bought land at Hill and Orleans Streets and re-opened the Academy under the name of Saints Benedict and
Scholastica Academy. As the Academy and their community grew, the Benedictine Sisters needed more space. They
purchased land in Rogers Park and moved the Academy and their monastery there in 1906 where St. Scholastica Academy sits today.
The Academy has continued to grow through the last century. Today the Academy consists of the original
1906 building, a 1926 building, and a 1958 fine arts building. The Academy has newly renovated science laboratories,
fully equipped information technology classrooms, wireless technology throughout the buildings, two visual art studios, music
studios, a choral room, and a 1,000-seat professional auditorium that benefited from a $1M renovation completed in 2007.
The Academy sits on 14-acres of landscaped property that includes a softball field, a playing field for field hockey and soccer,
a running track, and a long jump pit. All of these facilities help St. Scholastica Academy enact our mission of Benedictine
education for girls, in which we are committed to educating the whole person.
In March, 2012 the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago announced they would close St. Scholastica Academy.
| St. Scholastica Complex - Rear View - 2012 |
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| 'Left Click' on Photo for larger view. |
| St. Scholastica Mosaic - 2012 |
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| 'Left Click' on Photo for larger view. |
St. Scholastica Academy to Close at the End of the June 2012 School
Year
CHICAGO, March 14, 2012 — The Benedictine Sisters of Chicago have decided to closeSt. Scholastica
Academy (SSA) at the end of the current school year.
“We are deeply saddened by the need to close SSA,” said Sister Patricia Crowley,
Prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, who have sponsored this academy for over 146 years. “St. Scholastica
Academy has educated thousands of young women who have served our world well in business, religious and civic spheres. Our
graduates are solid leaders, family members, friends, and genuinely fine women. This fine educational institution has been
an integral part of our ministry here in Chicago. We are dedicated to making the best transition possible for students and
faculty, by providing assistance and support as they make plans for the coming school year.”
| St. Scholastica Wall Painting in Hall of School |
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| Photo Submitted by Henry Henderson |
If there is enough interest, juniors will have the option to continue their schooling at what
will be called St. Scholastica Senior Academy for their senior year and earn their SSA diplomas upon graduation. If juniors
choose to transfer to another Catholic high school, The Benedictine Sisters of Chicago will work with that school to try to
arrange for SSA students at that school to receive St. Scholastica Academy diplomas. SSA does not have
sufficient funds to support its operation and must close. The school has struggled financially as well as with enrollment
for the last 15 years
The Benedictine Sisters of Chicago are very grateful for the SSA students and faculty, past and
present. Through their hard work and commitment to Benedictine education, they have lived a great history and they leave a
great legacy.
About St. Scholastica Academy and Benedictine Sisters of Chicago:St. Scholastica Academy, 7416
N. Ridge Ave., is a Benedictine school rooted in a tradition of community and academic excellence. The Benedictine Sisters
of Chicagoare a community of women committed to contemplative prayer, community life and ministries that respond to needs
in the community, including parish ministries, pastoral counseling, work with the homeless, and spiritual direction. Over
the past 150 years, St.Scholastica Academy and the Benedictine Sisters of Chicago have educated thousands of students through
St. Scholastica Academy and many parish elementary schools. They have also served the people of Chicago in many other ways.
St. Scholastica Academy Quick Facts
Year opened:
1865
First Known As:
St. Joseph Academy
Re-Named St. Scholastica: 1872
Year closed:
2012 (In-coming Freshman, Soph., Junior classes eliminated)
Last Graduating Class: May of 2013 (Junior Class
of 2012 allowed to attend Senior year at SSA)
School Team Nickname: "Stingers"
School Team Colors: Navy Blue
& White
School Fight Song: (needed)
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| St. Scholastica Gymnasium Entrance 2012 |
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| Photo by Henry Henderson |
| St. Scholastica Gym Floor "STINGERS" |
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| Photo by Henry Henderson |
| St. Scholastica "Stinger" Mascot |
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| Photo by Henry Henderson |
ATHLETICS
The St. Scholastica "Stingers" had some very competitive teams and athletes over the years. The sports program brought
home seven Regional titles and a District Championship! In addition one lady earned medals in two different sports at State
Meet competition. We are in need of season records and coaches names for several of the teams. We are also looking for the
school's fight song. The following items were found on the IHSA website ( www.ihsa.org).
Regarding the team nickname from Coach Henry Henderson:
"The nickname "Stingers" came from the hobby of the Nuns who ran the school. As the story goes, the Sisters kept
bees on the vast campus behind the school. The "Stingers" name replaced "Suzy's", I'm guessing sometime during the 80's. I'm
not quite sure where the nickname "Suzy's" came from."
| St. Scholastica Gym / Scoreboard |
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| Photo by Henry Henderson (left click on photo for larger view) |
BASKETBALL
The Stingers had a great tradition on the hardwood court. A total of SIX Regional titles were won, the
most recent in 2004-05! The girls were a force for the area in the early 1980s winning three straight Regional championships from
1981 - 1983. We do need team records and some coaches names from these and the many other great Stinger teams.
1980-81 Class
AA Regional Champions! Coach ??
1981-82 Class
AA Regional Champions! Coach ??
1982-83 Class AA Regional
Champions! Coach ??
1996-97 Class
A Regional Champions! Coach ??
1997-98 10 - 13
Coach Michelle McCaskey
1998-99 12 - 14
Coach Michelle McCaskey
1999-00 17 - 12 Class A Regional Champions! Coach
Michelle McCaskey
2000-01 10 - 16
Coach Michelle McCaskey
2004-05 Class
A Regional Champions! Coach Virginia Hamill
CROSS COUNTRY
One harrier earned medals in consecutive years at the IHSA Class 'A' State Meet! Her accomplishments are to
be congratulated and are listed below.
1995 Individual Medalist - Shannon McGowan 15th Place
1996 Individual Medalist - Shannon McGowan 22nd Place
| Sofftball/Soccer Fields - St. Scholastica Academy |
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SOFTBALL
The Stingers earned a Regional Championship on the softball diamond, and this came in their last year of existence! The
Stinger spirit lived on to the very end!. Other season records and coaches names are being sought.
2003-04 17 - 8 GCAC Blue Division
Champions! Coach Henry Henderson
2004-05
Coach Leah Carter
2005-06
Coach Leah Carter
2006-07
Coach Leah Carter
2007-08
Coach Colleen Brewer
2008-09 (GCAC White Division Tournament 2nd place) Coach Colleen
Brewer
2009-10
Coach Colleen Brewer
2010-11 5 - 12
Coach Colleen Brewer
2011-12 Class 'A' Regional
Champions! Coach Henry Henderson
| St. Scholastica Regional Softball Champs - 2012 |
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| Courtesy of Coach Henry Henderson |
Above Photo, Front Row, L to R:
Megan Rux, Kate Speare, Dalia Martinez, Eman Hamdan, Symone Robinson, Nicole Mercurio (holding regional
plaque), Vanity Robinson, Kelly Mercurio, Leslie Camilotes
Back Row, L to R:
Mary Kate Cahill, Avril Maku, Ana Booczko
**From Coach Henry Henderson:
"I had the honor of being the last softball coach in the history of St. Scholastica Academy. I can't tell you how
proud I am of our team for winning the first and only IHSA softball regional in the school's long history. When we found out
that SSA was closing, the girls set the goal of winning the regional and were determined to bring home the hardware. The regional
final was played at Scholastica in front of a large crowd of current and former students, parents, family and under the watchful
eyes of the school's nuns. The 17 to 7 mercy rule victory over Hope Academy was, without a doubt, the greatest win in the
program's history."
SOCCER
We found two season records on the IHSA website for soccer. Please contact us if you have more to add.
2005-06 9 - 6 - 2
Coach Dan Snower
2006-07 11 - 10 Coach
Mike Wasielewski
TRACK & FIELD
Shannon McGowan not only left her mark in Cross Country, but she truly excelled on the track scene.
Shannon won SEVEN medals on the oval track, four coming in the 1600 meter run and three coming in the
800 meter run. In fact, Shannon medaled at the state meet in each of her four years of high school. This
is an incredible feat and makes Shannon the most decorated individual athlete in St. Scholastica Academy
history!
1994 Class 'AA' Medalist - Shannon McGowan 1600 M. Run
5th Place
1995 Class 'AA' Medalist - Shannon McGowan 1600 M. Run
7th Place
Class 'AA' Medalist - Shannon McGowan
800 M. Run 6th Place
1996 Class 'A' Medalist - Shannon McGowan 1600 M. Run
5th Place
Class 'A' Medalist - Shannon
McGowan 800 M. Run 3rd Place
1997 Class 'A' Medalist - Shannon McGowan 1600 M. Run
5th Place
Class 'A' Medalist - Shannon
McGowan 800 M. Run 7th Place
| St. Scholastica Gym / Stage |
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| Photo by Henry Henderson (left click on photo for larger version) |
VOLLEYBALL
The lady netters won a District title and we are certain had other great seasons along the way. We are need of the season
records and coaches names of the volleyball program.
1979-80 Class 'AA' District
Champions! Coach ??
2005-06 16 - 14
Coach Sarah Perry
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