City Council June 12, 2019
2019 JUM-U AH 11=39 RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, On June 30, 2019, Santa Lucia School will be closing after 58 years of faith based on academic excellence. The Alumni, Former Faculty, Current Parents, Friends, and Benefactors of Santa Lucia School will gather on June 1, 2019 with a Celebratory Mass and reception; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this day by the Honorable Patrick D. Thompson/ Alderman of the 11th Ward; and
WHEREAS, On August 18,1960 the land was purchased at 3017 South Wells Street to build Santa Lucia School; and
WHEREAS, September 18,1960 there was Groundbreaking Ceremony for Santa Lucia School for a ten (10) room brick structure with Mayor Richard J. Daley and Archbishop William D. O'Brien presiding over the ceremony; and on June 4, 1961 the Blessing of the Cornerstone by Bishop Raymond Hillinger; and
WHEREAS, On September 1961; the first students, Kindergarten through 8th Grade entered Santa Lucia School; and on November 26,1961, Santa Lucia School was officially dedicated by Cardinal Albert Meyer; and
WHEREAS, The School Sisters of Notre Dame staffed Santa Lucia School from 1961 through 1986. Sister Angela, SSND was the First Principal and Father Dino Dai-Zovi was the First Pastor in 1961; and
WHEREAS, Geraldine Maratea, Class of 1963 and an 11th Ward Resident became the 5th Grade Teacher in 1971. She then became the First Lay Principal in 1986 and served in the role until her retirement in June, 2016. Sadly, Miss Maratea passed away on December 9, 2016. During Miss Maratea's Funeral Mass her successor Miss Eileen Sheedy, officially announced that Santa Lucia School Hall was being renamed Maratea Hall; and
WHEREAS, May 31, 2019; Santa Lucia School will graduate its last class. These four (4) graduates have distinguished themselves throughout this final year. In particular, all four (4), 8th Grade Students participated in the Annual Campaign to Stop the Violence and DO The Write Thing Challenge. Of the thousands of entries, these four (4) Students - Nicholas Barragan, Alexia Escudero, Michaela Galvez and Ogbonna Uguw-Uche were selected among the top 100 best entries. From July 13 - 17, 2019, Ogbonna who was one ofthe top 10 winners, will attend a 4 day seminar in Washington D.C. with his proud mother, Mrs. Uche and his 8th Grade Teacher, who resides in the 11th Ward Mrs. Mary Eileen Dalcamo.; and
WHEREAS, Since its first graduation in June 1962, Santa Lucia School has produced thousands of graduates who have excelled academically in their chosen high schools, universities and post graduate educations; and
WHEREAS, Santa Lucia School has received generous scholarship and financial operating support for numerous years from the Big Shoulders Fund. This support enabled Santa Lucia School to continue to provide the highest levels of academic excellence while enrollment declined and educational costs rose for its families. The Leadership of James O'Connor, John Canning, Jr.; Joshua Hale; John Moran and Thomas Zbierski provided invaluable support to many Santa Lucia Students; and
WHEREAS, During this celebration Santa Lucia School will honor Mrs. Joanne Moravec, 11th Ward resident, on her retirement as Secretary to Santa Lucia School; and
WHEREAS, Patricia Jackowiak was a graduate ofthe Class of 1973 and served as Santa Lucia School Board President. An Alumni of Santa Lucia who serves currently as Commissioner of Administrative Hearings for the City of Chicago; and is an outstanding public servant and a person of an overwhelmingly generous community spirit; and
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago gathered here this twelfth day of June 2019, do hereby express our congratulations to Santa Lucia on their 58 years of academic excellence ; and