Joliet Catholic Academy President/Principal Dr. Jeffrey Budz is pleased to announce the December Students of the Month: Emma Markun (Kiwanis Club), Alexandra Lange (Rotary Club), Ben Hulbert (Lions Club), and James Folino (Exchange Club). JCA is proud of the success these students have exhibited both in the classroom and out in the community.

Emma Markun, daughter of Stanley and Laura Markun, currently holds a 4.84 GPA in JCA Honors and AP classes. Markun is a member of Mu Alpha Theta (Math National Honor Society), International Thespian Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and National Honor Society. She was named an ILMEA All-District Musician in 2015, is co-captain of the JCA girls varsity tennis team, and vice-president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. She is attending Knox College where she plans on majoring in chemistry with a minor in mathematics.

Alexandra Lange, daughter of Jeffrey and Teresa Lange, currently holds a 4.83 GPA in JCA AP classes. Lange is a member of National Honor Society, French National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Student Council, French Club, and Broadcasting Club. She earned a medal in French and a certificate in Chemistry. She is also a member of the varsity girls golf team. Lange volunteers at the Miracle League, while also taking dance classes at BDA dance and piano lessons. She is currently undecided on her college of choice, and enjoys photography and traveling.

Ben Hulbert, son of Michael and Ann Hulbert, currently holds a 4.57 GPA in JCA Honors and AP classes. Hulbert is a member of National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, and National Latin Honor Society. He is also a recipient of a Magna Cum Laude on the National Latin Examination. He has received medals and certificates in multiple subjects at JCA Academic Awards Ceremonies, and is a member of JCA’s “A” Honor Roll. Hulbert also participates in Student Ambassadors, Photography Club, and Habitat for Humanity. He volunteers at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home and has taught 3^rd grade religious education classes at St. Jude Parish in Joliet. Hulbert plans on attending Illinois State University, Lewis University, or the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana where he will major in biology with a minor in Latin or English with plans on becoming a pathologist.

James Folino, son of James and Michelle Folino, currently holds a 4.09 GPA in JCA Honors classes. Folino is a member of National Honor Society, president of Drama Club, Varsity Club, Spanish Club, Student Ambassadors, Student Council, and Weather Club. He was a two-year team captain for the JCA varsity boys soccer program and a team captain for the varsity boys volleyball program. Folino was a two-time member of the ESCC All-Conference team in soccer, where he was also named the 2016 ESCC Goalkeeper of the Year. In 2014-2015 he was named Best Understudy in the JCA Drama Club, in 2015-2016 he was named Best Supporting Actor, and in 2016-2017 he was named Best Actor by the JCA Drama Club. Folino plans on attending Belmont University in Nashville, TN to study Music Business. After college he hopes to work as a music producer/sound engineer and eventually start-up and manage his own record label.