Will County Gazette

The latest class of Augustinian Youth Ministry members has been unveiled at Providence Catholic High School.

“Truth, unity and love aren’t just happy words,” Fr. Rich Young, O.S.A. said. “They are a way of life and the Augustinian Youth Ministry members are going to show us what that way is.” 

Young’s comments came as the school inducted 63 new members into the Augustinian Society. The inductees will undertake service projects in support of the high school and community in the Christian service tradition. Each member is also required to complete 10 hours of service to their community or parish. 

“I am very proud to be moderator of Augustinian Youth Ministry because each year, I get to see the incredible capacity of these students to give back,” AYM Moderator Jennifer Williams said in a press release. “Whether it’s here on our campus or out in their communities, these students continue to live out the values of Providence Catholic and make the community a better place.”

AUGUSTINIAN YOUTH MINISTRY OFFICERS 

Augustinian Youth Ministry leaders who were inducted include Elizabeth Dykas, Sophia Wilko, Grace Spesia, Kylie Williams, and Erica Winjum.

The Augustinian Youth Ministry organizes blood donor drives, food drives, clothing drives, and other service activities. In the fall semester in coordination with Catholic Charities and the Diocese of Joliet, Augustinian Youth Ministry members were highlighted by the school for its project collecting underwear and socks for Chicago’s needy. 

“This is one of the many ways students work together to give back to the communities they live in,” Williams said in a statement at the time. “Students take on a leadership role with these initiatives to coordinate, market, and encourage their classmates to participate. We are grateful to have community organizations to partner with on these much-needed fundraisers, and look forward to finding new ways to give back this year.”

FRESHMEN AND SOPHOMORE AYM MEMBERS

The new membersare Jada Akroush, Mia Alvarado, Emily Amann, Olivia Babich, Sophia Bastas, Caden Baudek, Joseph Baumhardt, Alex Beltran, Madison Bolden, Matthew Botello, Elizabeth Bradford, Brideigh Cavanaugh, Ryan Cavanaugh, Annemarie Chaveriet, Peter Conser, Sara Cooper, Gianna Cox, Andrew Dau, Natalie DeMoor, Michael Durkin, Ryan Dusak, Matthew Dusak, Sean Dusak, Dominic Esposito, Rachel Faut, Andrew Fitzgerald, Dominic Ford, Zach Ford, Emily Gacek, Andrew Gregory, Madi Hagwell, Hayden Hill, Natalie Hill, Megan Houlihan, Ellie Kulpinski, Adriana Lawson, Ryan Lenahan, Cassidy Lloyd, Keara Maloney, Marissa Massaro, Bella Morey, Mikey Moss, Laurel Murach, Cullen Parker, Gia Perme, Giovanna Picciolini, Sarah Pierson, Anne Piet, Annalise Pietrzyk, James Piko, Jacob Pilon, Delaney Purtill, Michaela Ryan, Grace Ryan, Tabatha Shirley, Reagan Sinca, Sophia Thormeyer, Lucy Westbrook, Emma Winjum, Hanna Winkleman, Anna Zemaitis, Drew Zemaitis, and Elle Zemaitis.

Providence High School is a college prep academy. It is a "co-educational, college preparatory Augustinian high school located on 75 acres in New Lenox.” The Augustinians note on their website that their "students come from more than seventy elementary, middle and junior high schools within a thirty mile radius of the school." 

Providence High School's "dedicated and caring faculty and staff integrate the core Augustinian values of truth, unity and love into all dimensions of student life."

"A demanding curriculum, inclusive service programs, competitive athletics and comprehensive extracurricular offerings challenge students in a safe and nurturing environment,” the website further reads. “Providence's recent graduates earned scholarships valued at nearly $47 million. These seniors performed in excess of 100,000 hours of community service during their high school careers. In addition, Providence Catholic has 32 state championship titles; the most among private high schools in the state of Illinois.”