The Fascinating Origin of “Blue Smoke”!

Before the house parties, there was the glory on the fields, and we can thank the Class of ’75 for the mantra that kept Mendel a top contender and brought a revolution to Mendel, rewriting the rulebook with their prowess in sports. But there’s more to their story than meets the eye. Let’s journey back to 1971 and uncover the …

Las Vegas Hosts a Mini R-O-M-E-O Meetups

On Wednesday, May 26, 2023. John Lotito (’68). Greg Morin (’68) and Mike Dreznes (’68) conducted a “Mini R-O-M-E-O (Random Old Monarchs Eating Out) at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada. John and Greg live in Las Vegas, and Mike was visiting Las Vegas to give Vegas his money so they could build more casinos and hotels!Inline imageJohn Lotito …

Mendel Alumni Association Board Members Reconnect with Retired Augustinians at St. Anthony’s Village: A Heartwarming Visit Filled with Memories and Appreciation

On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, three Members of the Mendel Alumni Association Board of Directors,President Tom Gavin (’67), Secretary Mike Dreznes (“68), and Andy Youpel (’66) caravanned fromChicago to St. Anthony’s Village in Crown Point, Indiana, to visit with retired Augustinians, many of whomtaught at Mendel High School. The Mendel Board of Director Members were greeted by Fr. MikeO’Connor and …

UPDATE Italian American Club Remembers Mendel CHS

UPDATE 05/18/23: Zarr remembers more moments about his time at Mendel. Read his latest story here. Rick Zarr (’71) ran into CJ Martello, who writes for Fra Noi, an Italian American heritage magazine. CJ eloquently relives fond memories of growing up in Rosleand and attending Mendel. Read his story here. More about CJ – CJ Martello has returned to his …

ROMEO II Connects SW Side Alums

We had a great R-O-M-E-O (Random Old Monarchs Eating Out) Event on Monday, May 15, 2023, at the Original Pancake House in Orland Park.  We had 56 Monarchs in attendance. The food was great, and the comradery was even better. The highlights were a rousing rendition of the Mendel Fight Song and the presentation of a plaque to Lisa, the …

Hawkins (’79) Inducted into IBCA Hall of Fame

William “Billy” Hawkins is a name that is synonymous with excellence in basketball coaching. He has dedicated his life to the sport, inspiring and guiding young players to reach their full potential. His hard work and dedication to the game have not gone unnoticed, and his induction into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) Hall of Fame is a testament …

Mendel Legacy Scholarship Award Winners Announced

The Mendel Alumni Association launched the inaugural Mendel High School Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship in February 2023. For the first year, this Scholarship was only open to high school seniors at St. Rita High School, Providence High School, and Gwendolyn Brooks High School who had been accepted at any institution of higher education for the 2023/2024 school year. The Scholarship …

Hampton and O’Hare Inducted into the Catholic League Hall of Fame

Two Mendel Monarchs were inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Thursday April 27, 2023, at the Crystal Sky Ballroom in McCook, Illinois. Monarchs Mark O’Hare (‘72) and Michael Hampton (’82) were two of the eleven Inductees for the 2022-2023 Class of the Chicago Catholic League Coaches Association Hall of Fame. MICHAEL HAMPTON MENDEL CLASS …

Fr Sotak (’69) Honored by Midwest Augustinians

The Midwest Augustinian Gala was held last week, and it was a night to remember! The event honored one of our very own, Fr. John Sotak, a proud Mendel Catholic High School graduate. Fr. Sotak has immensely impacted the Augustinian community, and it was a privilege to recognize his contributions. Fr. Sotak has had an impressive career journey. After graduating …

Mendel Alum, St Cajetan, Host Moving Vietnam Veterans Mass

UPDATE April 25, 2023 | The event continues to impress, Chicago Catholic, The Newspaper for the Archdiocese of Chicago, featured this story. Read the story here. UPDATE April 6, 2023 | The event garnered such widespread attention that even The Beverly Review felt compelled to cover it. Read the story here. On the evening of March 29, 2023, the Mendel …

Top Chef Among our Midst

Chef Richard James Mendel Class of 1985 Executive Chef of Rick Bayless’s Frontera Grill. Chef Richard James has been cooking for 30 years and with Chef Rick Bayless for 20 years. He started as the grill cook in Frontera and was promoted to sous chef a year and a half later. He eventually became the managing sous chef of Frontera …

Augustian Magazine Internationally Lauds Mendel Alum Efforts

UPDATE TO THE PREVIOUS STORY. Augustian Magazine, delivered worldwide, including Rome, ran this two-page article describing the Vietnam Veterans Day Mass hosted by Mendel Alum at St. Rita High School. This is a huge accomplishment! From Augustinian Magazine Mendel Catholic High School Alumni Association Veterans Day Mass honoring Fallen Monarchs and First Responders, as well as all Mendel Veterans and …

Kelvin Lovely (’78) Presented With Prestigious Award

Our Mendel Alumni Association Vice-President, Kelvin Lovely (‘78), was presented with one of the 29th Archbishop James P. Lyke African American Male Image Awards on Sunday, February 26, 2023 Congratulations to Kelvin for this prestigious award!

Damone Bester (’88) discusses his new book

On Saturday, February 25, 2023, Damone Bester (’88) was invited by his Alma Mater, Illinois State University, to discuss his award-winning book  “Mendel” at Sip & Savor, at 528 South 43rd Street, in Chicago.    If you have not read “Mendel,” you are doing yourself a disservice.   It is an excellent read!  You can order it here, and don’t forget …

Inaugural ROMEO Breakfast brings Alumni Together from Across Chicagoland

This is a new concept that the Mendel Alumni Association has initiated to encourage more camaraderie and socialization among Mendel Alumni. Three or four times a year, we will choose a restaurant to meet for breakfast and to catch up on Mendel Alumni News. Our first R-O-M-E-O was held in Morgan Park at Lumes Pancake House and was a great …

Mendel Scholarships to Award Alumni Descendants

The ultimate purpose of the Mendel High School Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship is to memorialize Mendel High School and to foster Augustinian ideals of uniting people in the communion of mind and heart and the service of God’s people.   The Mendel High School Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship will be implemented in two phases: For 2023, two $1,000 Scholarships will be available for …

Midwest Augustinians offer gratitude to Mendel Alumni

Acta Non Verba We were honored to receive this excellent letter from Father Michael O’Connor expressing his gratitude for Mendel ALumnus’ help and support. The donation of $7,000 was recently made to support retired Augustinians. Pres. Tom Gavin, Chair Kirk Townsend, and Board Member Mike Foley are pictured with Fr Mike O’Connor, Fr Don Lewandowski, and several other Augustinians. Big …

HOLIDAY EVENT SUNDAY DEC 11

The Mendel Alumni Association 2022 All-Class Christmas Gathering will be held on Sunday December 11 from 3 to 6 PM at Nino’s Pizza 4835 West 111th Street in Alsip, Illinois.  We will order off a menu and the $20 donation will be used to cover the cost of the food and the tip. We will have a cash bar. If you were not …

ALUMNI ASSOC DONATION TO RETIRED AUGUSTINIANS

A donation of $7,000 was recently made to support retired Augustinians. Pres. Tom Gavin, Chair Kirk Townsend and Board Member Mike Foley are pictured with Fr Mike O’Connor, Fr Don Lewandowski and several other Augustinians. Big thanks to those who have contributed to make this donation possible.

Veteran’s Day Mass & Ceremony (November 11th, 2022) LIVE STREAM

You can live stream the Mass & Ceremony at this link: https://youtu.be/qDQ-9WQ3Q8Y .  Mass booklets and Vietnam commemorative pins [limited supply] are still available. Pins are available for anyone [or spouses of deceased veterans] who served in the military from 1955 to 1975. Please contact Andy Youpel at [email protected] or text at 773 881 1378 with your name, class year and …

MENDEL VETERANS AND FIRST RESPONDERS

The information below was gathered in preparation for the November 11, 2022 Mass and Ceremony to honor those who have served. If you see information that needs correction or new additions, please communicate with Mike Dreznes at zekedrez @ aol.com.

CONTACT US

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MONARCHS WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY

The Mendel Catholic Prep community holds in its heart the brave alumni who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country and communities. Nineteen Men of Mendel lost their lives in the line of duty—some as courageous soldiers in the Vietnam War, and others as dedicated police officers protecting Chicago and its suburbs. From Edwin Heisse (Class of 1957), …

MONARCHS WHO HAVE RECENTLY PASSED AS OF DEC 31, 2022

Giamo, John ’65 2017 Madritsch, Edwin ’65 2011 Janesek, Jerome ’65 2006 Bird IV, Richard ’64 December 23, 2022 Gierat, Thomas ’55 December 11, 2022 Magee, Dennis ’66 December 13, 2022 Nawrocki, Bill ’69 January 7, 2020 Siska, Dennis ’68 August 18, 2022 Gallagher, James ’58 2019 Kielbowski, Dave ’72 March 16, 2022 Clark, Edward ’56 2010 Parker, Jack ’71 …

GOLF OUTING – TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2022 (CLOSED)

AN ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM IS AVAILABLE BELOW THIS MESSAGE. A REGISTRATION FORM MUST BE SUBMITTED. USE THE ONLINE FORM OR DOWNLOAD AND FILL OUT FORM IF YOU PREFER TO MAIL WITH A CHECK. CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS THROUGH THE WEBSITE ARE AVAILABLE, USE THE PAYMENTS AND DONATIONS MENU. ALL CHECKS – PAYABLE TO “MENDEL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.“

Bill Callahan (’74) Induction into the Catholic League Hall of Fame

Billy Callahan, who played quarterback at Mendel had a storied career as an NFL and College Football Coach, culminating with the opportunity to be the Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders in the Super Bowl in 2003.  Billy was inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame on April 28, 2022.  Billy Callahan currently is the Offensive Line Coach …

HALL of FAME APPLICATION- UPDATE

Please download the pdf file to fill out the application. SAVE THE DOWNLOADED FILE TO YOUR COMPUTER. You can directly enter all the fields into that file and then save it with nominee’s name to your computer. You can then print it. If you choose to fill it out manually, it must be typed. Please follow the guidelines. To submit …