Guerin High School, River Grove, Illinois
Guerin Prep High School was a Catholic, co-educational and college preparatory high school serving the northwest side of Chicago and surrounding suburbs through the completion of the 2019-20 school year.
Guerin loses a dear friend.
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Linda M. DeBolt. Linda served for 26 years as a teacher at Mother Theodore Guerin High School, from 1974-2000. She also served as the Chair of the Guerin Prep Board of Directors from 2011-2014.
Visitation for Linda will be held on January 13 from 1-3 p.m. (CST) at River Woods Funeral Chapels, 205 S. River Rd., Des Plaines, IL. Please keep Linda’s friends and family in your prayers.
https://www.riverwoodsfc.com/obituaries/Linda-Debolt/#!/Obituary
Guerin Alumni Association
Soon, the Sisters of Providence will form a Guerin Alumni Association. Those interested in being a part of the association or assisting with its operation should contact Cami Pritchett, Constituent Engagement and Planned Giving Manager, at 812-535-2807 or cpritchett@spsmw.org.
Alumnae from Guerin Prep High School may also contact Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp at jhagelskamp@spsmw.org or by phone at 812-535-2855.
Upcoming events
- The Mother Theodore Guerin High School Class of 1970 is planning its 54th reunion, which will take place in September 2024. Stay tuned for additional information.
-
Mrs. Mary Smythe
(May 2024) -
Linda (Kozak) Cuzman
Class of 1966
Linda Kozak Cuzman 1966. I came from Our Lady Of Mercy on the north side of Chicago (Kedzie & Montrose) along with my best friend, Betty Vukovics. We were the first graduating class. I remember attending the boys school next door Holy Cross, for our first year. We took the Kimball bus to Belmont then Belmont to school. Great times back then, It was sad when I heard the school closed. Not sure where Betty is now a days. Thanks for listening.
(August 2024) -
Mary Ann Evans
Class of 1970
Mary Ann Evans MTG 1970 – Returned to Chicago, IL in the 90s, and am currently a consultant in Illinois schools. Served in PC 1993/96 in D.R., and received a Masters in Public Health from Yale Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health. Served on the board of American Cancer Society in Illinois and as a board member of Cisco and Cisco Production-CCP, an organization which assists underserved populations and others with cancer prevention. Also serve on the board of American Heart Association and Rush Hospital in Oak Park and am a member of the American Public Health Association where I attend many nationwide public health conferences in the USA.
(August 2024) -
Fran Sobotka Allibone
MTGHS, Class of 1973
“Life is short, If you get the opportunity to go to Reunion–GO, GO-GO!!”
(January 2024) -
Nancy Vandenbergh Kremer
MTGHS, Class of 1973
Last year our class celebrated its 50th Reunion from MTGHS and I was so blessed to share the event with Francesca (Fran) Sobotka Allibone, my first friend, we met the summer of 1969 while attending a review class at Guerin! We have been blessed to share over 50 years of friendship, graduating also from SMWC, motherhood, gardening, and so much more! Fran always tells people, “we’ve been friends longer than some people are married, and that I am her best friend in the universe!!” Truly, I feel the same way and pray we can go on being best friends into the years!
To all the alums who have postponed planning or going to their reunions, I have two words of wisdom, ‘DON’T WAIT!!” send in the RSVP TODAY.
(January 2024) -
Valerie Wodzinski
Class of 1973
Valerie Wodzinski is working part-time as a nurse consultant.
(August 2024) -
Beth Janowski Damascus
Class of 1976
Mother Theodore Guerin, Class of ’76
If you are interested in helping to plan your 50 year reunion, please contact Beth Janowski Damascus at bjdamascus@aol.com
(September 2024) -
Melissa (Di Giacomo) Reyes
Class of 2013
Melissa Di Giacomo (now Melissa Reyes) got married June 17, 2023 in a traditional Catholic Wedding Ceremony. Class of 2013 at Guerin Prep.
(August 2024) -
Ethan Espinosa
Class of 2020
Ethan Espinosa is playing professional basketball in Lima, Peru while continuing his studies.
(December 2023) -
Guerin Alum
All Classes Welcome
Thursday, October 24th, 4:30 p.m. EDT
Reconnect via Zoom with Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp, who will reflect on her time in the classroom.
We will reminisce, answer your questions, and Sister Jeanne will share the experience and wisdom she’s learned over the years!
Don’t miss the opportunity to see (virtually!) your teacher and classmates! Register today.
(October 2024)
History of Guerin College Prep High School, River Grove, Illinois
Chicago Archbishop Meyer invited the Sisters of Providence to establish a high school for girls in River Grove adjacent to the Holy Cross High School for boys. The offer was accepted, and the decision was made to name the school Mother Theodore Guerin High School after the foundress of the Sisters of Providence. The Archbishop gave the land and contributed $1 million. Groundbreaking ceremonies took place on April 15, 1962, with Monsignor McManus officiating. Since the new building would not be ready for occupancy until the fall of 1963, a wing of Holy Cross High School was rented. More than 300 freshmen began classes in September 1962. Bishop Cletus O’Donnell presided at the laying of the cornerstone on Aug. 24, 1963, and on Sept. 9, classes began in the new building with 796 freshmen and sophomores. Cardinal Meyer blessed and dedicated the school and the convent on April 11, 1964.
The school was built to accommodate 1,200 girls. However, the enrollment grew well beyond this, and in the 1970s, five mobile units were added. Other developments have been the establishment of the Learning Club, a preschool in the Home Economics Department, and some co-educational classes with Holy Cross.
In 1990, following a recommendation of representatives of Catholic School Management, Sister Margaret Kern was appointed first president of Mother Theodore Guerin High School. She was succeeded in 1993 by Sister Cathy Campbell.
In accordance with the Congregation’s Contingency Plan, the sisters made studies at various times to consider the possible sale of Guerin High School or the leasing of it to the archdiocese. In 1985, the sisters proposed a lease to the archdiocese. According to the terms of the agreement, the sisters need the written consent of the archdiocese to discontinue maintenance or sell. The archdiocese was unwilling to lease the school or allow the sale, as the school as thriving and it was needed because of the large number of students who wished to enroll in a Catholic high school. As of 1996, the school continued to operate as a sponsored institution of the sisters.
In April 1999, Sister Nancy Nolan was appointed third president of the school, and Sister Kathleen Burke the principal. Sister Kathleen resigned at the end of the 2000-01 school year. Sister Jeanne Hagleskamp, who had been principal from 1991-97, accepted the invitation to serve as interim principal during the 2001-02 school year. Bonnie Brown, who had been assistant principal, was named principal beginning in the 2002-03 school year.
When Holy Cross High School for boys announced it would close in June 2004, Cardinal George asked if the sisters and Guerin would be willing to become co-education, college preparatory high school. The request was granted, and in September 2004, the school opened its doors as Guerin College Preparatory High School.
Guerin Prep remained dedicated to developing the unique potential of its diverse student body through an extensive academic curriculum, excellent administrative and instructional staffs and through its Catholic faith, service and extracurricular programs until it closed after the completion of the 2019-20 school year.
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In this issue, we explore various forms of support and connection. You’ll discover how to find unity through listening and engaging in trusting dialogue and how to uncover common ground even amid conflict. We invite you to experience the peace offered by the sacred spaces at the Woods — spaces nurtured by our sisters, both present and past. As always, we provide practical guidance on deepening your spiritual life through prayer and spiritual direction.
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