Chicago St. Scholastica Academy “Stingers”

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

For up to date information regarding St. Scholastica Alumnae events please check out the web address of  http://www.osbchicago.org/alumnae .

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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St. Scholastica Mosaic – 2012
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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 close St. 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:                 “Scholastica”

Submitted by Meghan Smeenge

St. Scholastica School Song
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Submitted by Meghan Smeenge
St. Scholastica School Song
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Submitted by Meghan Smeenge
St. Scholastica School Song
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Chicago St. Scholastica School Song
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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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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

Softball/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.

1997-98    8 – 1      GCAC Blue Division Champions!    Coach Aimee Schmidt Dabe

Asst. Coach John Osowski

  

1998-99    8 – 2      GCAC Blue Division Champions!    Coach Aimee Schmidt Dabe

Asst. Coach John Osowski

 

1999-00    6 – 3      GCAC Blue Division Runner-Up         Coach Aimee Schmidt Dabe

*Alex Alikakos ISHA Hitting Derby State Homerun Finals in 1998, 1999, and 2000.

*GIRLS CATHOLIC LEAGUE ALL-CONFERENCE AWARDS 1998 – 2000:

ALEX ALIKAKOS, BRITTANY SPREAD, ELLEN CURANO, MELISSA CURRAN, KIM ARREOLA, ELIZABETH ELWOOD

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 ??

 

1999-00                GCAC White Division 3rd Place (6-3)     Coach Aimee Schmidt Dabe

*GIRLS CATHOLIC LEAGUE ALL-CONFERENCE AWARDS:

CHARLOTTEBRITTANY SPREAD

2005-06  16 – 14                                                                   Coach Sarah Perry

SEEKING FURTHER INFORMATION AND MEMORIES

St. Scholastica had a very long history, in fact one of the longest on this site. We are hopeful that some alumnae or faculty can provide us with more facts and memories as to what made St. Scholastica a special place to attend high school. We know that athletics were not the only activity, however it is the easiest for us to research. If you have information on other clubs, athletics, or simply memories to share please contact us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or write to us at:

IHSGD Website

6439 N. Neva Ave.

Chicago, Il.   60631

A nice article printed in the Chicago Tribune covers the closing of St. Scholastica as well. Click on this link to read this article.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-st-scholastica-nuns-20120601,0,3153856.story?page=1


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