Joliet Catholic Academy President/Principal Dr. Jeffrey Budz is pleased to announce the February Students of the Month: Hannah Markun (Kiwanis Club), Jacob Mihelich (Rotary Club), Emily Jones (Lions Club), and Katherine Dow (Exchange Club). JCA is proud of the success these students have exhibited both in the classroom and out in the community.

Hannah Markun

Hannah Markun, daughter of Stanley and Laura Markun , currently holds a 4.88 GPA in JCA Honors classes. Markun is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, where she serves as club president after previously serving as secretary. She was named an ILMEA District 1 All-District Senior Band Member (2014, 2016, 2017). Markun is also a member of National Spanish Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and International Thespian Society. Markun is a four-year member of the JCA Drama Department and the JCA Band. She plans on attending Millikin University to study instrumental performance, with an emphasis on trumpet. She plans on one day playing in a professional orchestra or a Broadway Pit Orchestra. 

Emily Jones

Emily Jones, daughter of Guy and Gina Jones, currently holds a 4.29 GPA at JCA. She is a member of National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society (where she serves as secretary), JCA Student Council, and JCA Student Ambassadors. Jones has received the JCA Physical Education Award twice, and was named an AAU Volleyball Academic All-American. She was a member of the JCA varsity volleyball team, where she receive the Coach’s Award in 2017. Jones has played for Club 1 Volleyball for four years, and is an active volunteer at Presence St. Joseph Medical Center. She plans on attending SUNY Fredonia to major in Communications (with an emphasis on communication disorders and speech/language pathology).

Jacob Mihelich

Jacob Mihelich, son of Ken and Amy Michelich, currently holds a 4.01 GPA in JCA Honors and AP classes. Michelich is a member of National Honor Society, JCA Scholastic Bowl Team, Habitat for Humanity Club, JCA Weather Club, and JCA Student Council. He was a four-year member of the JCA football program, participates in intramural basketball, and is also a member of the JCA varsity lacrosse team. In his spare time he volunteers at Habitat for Humanity. He is currently undecided on college, but plans on majoring in Aviation Science and hopes to fly commercial airplanes. 

Katherine Dow

Katherine Dow, daughter of Dr. Thomas and Colleen Dow, currently holds a 4.79 GPA in JCA Honors and AP classes. Dow serves as the president of the JCA Drama Club (6-year member), is a member of the Key and Leo Service Clubs, and also serves the JCA community in Student Council (4-year homeroom representative), Habitat for Humanity Club, JCA Student Ambassadors, Music Ministry, and Eucharist Ministry. She is also a member of National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, National Thespian Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. She has also been a four-year member of the JCA varsity dance program. Throughout her four years at JCA she’s earned the following honors and achievements: Franciscan/Carmelite Top Scorer Scholarship for Incoming Freshmen, English I medal, Spanish I certificate, Spanish II medal, 2-D Design Medal, Guitar Certificate, Health Certificate, Psychology II Certificate, Spanish III Certificate, National Spanish Exam Bronze Medalist in 2015, A-Honor Roll (all six consecutive semesters),and The Ronald Reagan Student Leader Award in 2017. Dow attended the 2016 Rotary Leadership Conference as a representative of JCA, was voted Best Actress in the JCA Drama Department in 2016-2017, and was voted Best Performance by a Female Understudy in 2015-2016. Dow plans on double majoring in Music Therapy and Psychology with a minor in Spanish, with hopes of one day receiving her P.H.D. in Psychology with a specialization in Music Therapy.