L to R: Frank Cservenyak, Sue Gulas, Christine Scheibe, John Lausch, Dave Sims.

Congratulations to the JCA Alumni Association 2016 Award recipients: Sue Georgantas Gulas, ’81 – Alumna of the Year; John Lausch, ’88 – Career Achievement; David Sims, ’80 – Rev. Paddy McGowan; Frank Cservenyak – Honorary Alum; and Christine Scheibe – Sr. Anna Marie Becker Service to JCA. The award winners were honored with a reception at the Jacob Henry Mansion on Thursday night. JCA Director of Alumni Relations Sue Bebar added, “the evening was filled with heartwarming stories, inspiring individuals and touching moments. We hope each of our winners felt the honor they so deserved. We are so very proud of each of them for all their accomplishments.”

Mrs. Sue (Georgantas, SFA Class of ’81) Gulas

JCA Alum of the Year Award:  Mrs. Sue (Georgantas, SFA Class of ’81) Gulas
JCA’s Alumna of the Year, Sue Georgantas Gulas, SFA ’81 has shown a great passion, dedication and love for JCA through her involvement with the school. She has been a past President and 6 year Alumni board member as well as a past President and 4 year member of the Parent Board. Giving countless hours to the school while her children, Jenny (JCA ’11) and Nick (JCA ’14) attended. Sue has taken the lead within her own class by informing them of news that relates to the accomplishments and sometimes the heartache of fellow classmates. Sue’s parents, Judith (Boban, SFA ‘56) and Richard (JCHS ’54) also embodied the volunteer spirit and were chairs for Jubilation during Sue’s time at St. Francis. Sue shares her commitment to JCA with her husband Jim.

Mr. John Lausch (JCHS Class of ’88)

JCA Career Achievement Award: Mr. John Lausch (JCHS Class of ’88)
A partner at the Chicago law firm Kirkland & Ellis, John is a Harvard graduate who earned the rare and prestigious honor of being chosen Captain of the Harvard football team as a senior. John’s parents Jack & Barb, SFA ’60; siblings, Amy (SFA, ’87) married to Ken (JCHS, ’83) Mihelich, Steve (JCHS ’90), Andy (JCHS, ’90) married to Saba, and Jacquelyn (JCA ’94) married to Kurt Johansen, exemplify the great families that have traveled through and affected the lives of so many other families and friends during and since their times at JCHS, SFA and JCA. John now lives in Beverly with his wife Mary and their children, Jack, Mia and Georgia.

Mr. David Sims (JCHS Class of ’80)

Rev. Paddy McGowan Award (for Athletic Achievement): Mr. David Sims (JCHS Class of ’80)
David is the sole Olympian in the JCA family. He is an accomplished swimmer who graduated from Stanford University and earned a spot on the USA Swim Team for the 1980 Olympics in Moscow and set several conference and NCAA records while at Stanford. While at JCHS, Dave was an IHSA State Champion and JCHS Scholar Athlete of the Year in 1980. He has since gone on to great success as the COO, CFO and a Founding Principal of Lodging Capital Partners, LLC, a premier owner and manager of upper-upscale and luxury hotels. Dave’s parents, William and Marilyn, and siblings Mike (JCHS ’79) and Maureen are all proud members of the JCA family. Dave currently resides in Downers Grove with Janice and his four children, and the swimming legacy continues within the Sims family, as his son Burke and daughter Haley also attended Stanford on swimming scholarships, while his twin daughters Gabby and Maddy are both currently championship swimmers at Harvard and Northwestern respectively.

Mr. Frank Cservenyak

JCA Honorary Alumnus of the Year: Mr. Frank Cservenyak
A Partner at the Joliet-based law firm of Rathbun, Cservenyak, and Kozol. Frank is foremost a proud parent of F. Steven Cservenyak (JCA ’09), Victoria (JCA ’07) and Benjamin, who is currently a sophomore at JCA. Frank has been and continues to be an ardent supporter of JCA. His contributions to JCA have taken many forms over the past few years. He has proven to be a visionary by sharing his thoughts on ways to make JCA  better and is a proud ambassador telling others about the accomplishments of his children as well as their classmates.

Mrs. Christine Scheibe

Sr. Anna Marie Becker Service to JCA Award: Mrs. Christine Scheibe
Chris is best known as the coach and team leader of JCA Girls Volleyball, a program that consistently ranks among the very best in Illinois. She has led the Angels to three State Championships and has just come off of two consecutive 2^nd Place finishes. Her impact and inspiration go well outside of the lines of the volleyball court and beyond the walls of JCA. In addition to being a great role model for students, players and coaches alike, she is also a great teacher, mentor and leader. Chris has created the “We Believe in Angels” endowed scholarship at JCA, and is also an active participant in community service with Feed My Starving Children. She has recently made a significant donation toward tuition assistance for her elementary school alma mater, Immaculate Conception in Morris. Chris and her husband, Bill, remain visible, vocal and vibrant parts of the JCA experience.