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Regina Dominican mourns the passing of Judith Speer 12/2/05Regina Dominican Faculty member from 1981 – 1999
Fine Arts Department Chair, Drama Director, Forensics Head Coach
A Memorial Service for Ms. Speer will be held on Wednesday, December 21at 8 p.m. with visitation from 3 – 9 p.m. at Olson, Burke, Sullivan Funeral Home 6467 N. Northwest Highway, Chicago Phone: 773-774-3333

Regina alumnae, alumnae parents, former faculty, and friends are invited to the Regina Evening of Remembrance on Wednesday, December 28 at 6 p.m. in the Regina Dominican Auditorium.

Those who knew and grew with Judi Speer during her years at Regina are invited to share their memories of her in the space where she devoted so much of her talent and love. We would like to present a photo recollection of Ms. Speer. If you have any pictures that you would like to share, please e-mail copies to Dianne Weinand at the address below.

If you are interested in helping to plan opening or closing portions of the evening or with hospitality please contact Dianne Weinand at 847-256-7660, ex. 267 / e-mail [email protected]

If you would like to make a gift to Regina in Judi Speer’s memory, you may do so on line at www.rdhs.org, and following the “donate now” button. You may also send your gift directly to Regina, 701 Locust Road, Wilmette IL 60091. In either case, please note Judi’s name in the memo/comments section.

Alum admitted to bar of Supreme Court
Kathryn Kucienski Ciesla ’89, General Counsel for Northwestern Business College, obtained certification to practice law before the nation’s highest court when she was sworn in to the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Kathryn was selected for this honor after establishing her eligibility through the court’s formal application process. She was required to submit a personal statement, along with a certificate of good standing from the highest court in Illinois and endorsement from two sponsors affirming that she is of good moral and professional character.

After her application was accepted, Kathryn elected to appear before the nine Supreme Court justices, including newly confirmed Chief Justice John Roberts, in open court. New York attorney Valerie McKenzie submitted a motion to admit Kathryn and nine other attorneys to the Bar of the Supreme Court, and they all took an oath pledging to conduct themselves properly and support the Constitution of the United States. Kathryn’s husband, E. Michael Ciesla, a Northbrook attorney from the firm Ciesla & Ciesla, P.C., was one of the attorneys participating.

In addition, Kathryn observed the Court’s scheduled oral arguments. She is proud to have earned such a noteworthy accolade.

Class of ’65 celebrates 40-year reunion

The Class of 1965 celebrated their 40-year reunion on October 22 with a special Mass in Regina Dominican’s chapel, celebrated by Father Jeremiah Lynch, S.J., of St. Ignatius College Preparatory School in Chicago. The Mass was followed by tours of the school and an afternoon get-together at Hackney’s. More than 50 classmates attended the gala event, which was organized by a committee chaired by Marsha De Volder Dover.

As a gift to the school, the class donated $475, which will be applied to the general scholarship fund.

Sister Adrienne Piennette, O.P., President, spoke of her gratitude to the Class of 1965 for their generous gift. “Thirty percent of our students are receiving a form of scholarship, which enables them to continue their education in Catholic high school,” she explained. “In my four years as president, the need has increased, along with more girls coming to us with one or both of their parents deceased and grandparents raising her. So there is always a need for financial assistance. [Click here for additional photos]

Alum raising funds to build hospital in India
Winnie Ash Bahrmasel ’99 remembers the devastation she has seen during visits to Third World Countries as a Regina Dominican student, and is now involved in a new organization to address some of the needs. A Master’s candidate in Health and Public Policy at the University of Chicago, Winnie is now raising funds for a new organization, Operation ASHA, which aims to build a hospital in Delhi, India, that would ultimately provide outreach to underserved people living in area slums. Asha is the Indian word for “hope.”

During an impromptu visit to Regina Dominican students on November 1, Winnie explained that individuals and government organizations have tried to reach out to meet the health care needs of the people of India, but that they lack the health care infrastructure to meet the needs of residents of the slums.

Winnie hopes to hold a fund-raising dinner in February, and Regina Dominican students are planning ways that they can get students involved in raising money for the cause. She is currently accepting checks, made out to Operation ASHA and mailed to 1460 Vista Walk A, Hoffman Estates, IL 60194.

Maggie Pucher
(10.11.05)
Recent alum recognized for accomplishments in soccer
Maggie Pucher ’02 was named Defensive Performer of the Week recently by the Midwest Conference in recognition of her accomplishments on Carroll College’s Lady Pioneers soccer team. She was instrumental in the team’s shut-out victories over the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, Illinois College, and Monmouth. A senior majoring in biology, Maggie has been known as one of the top defenders in the Midwest Conference.

(10.03.05)
Alum to serve Hurricane Katrina victims in Baton Rouge
Catherine Troka Cerone ’71, a registered nurse, has responded to the call to health care workers to come to the aid of victims devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Using her skills and training as a nurse, Cathy is helping to support the Recovery Care Shelter in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana area and is working with officers of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. [Full story]

Hilary Bouxsein, left, is shown with Mrs. Kathy Rzany, principal, after being named Finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Now a freshman at St. Olaf College in Minnesota, Hilary was recently named a National AP Scholar after earning scores of 4 and 5 out of 5 in nine Advanced Placement exams that she had taken.

(09.22.05)
Recent Regina alumna named National AP Scholar
Hilary Bouxsein, of Regina Dominican’s Class of 2005, was recently named a National AP Scholar by the College Board, which oversees the Advanced Placement (AP) Program giving high school students the opportunity to earn college credit by taking challenging high school courses. To qualify for National AP Scholar, Hilary had to earn an average grade of 4 or higher on a scale of 5 on all AP exams she took and grades of at least 4 in five or more of these exams. Hilary earned 4 or 5 on all nine AP exams that she took. [Full story]

The Young Alum Christmas Brunch is Friday, December 16th. Collece age alums are welcome back to celebrate the Christmas Liturgy and enjoy a visit with each other, teachers and administrators.

Click here for Hilary Bouxsein's graduation speech