Joliet Catholic Academy President/Principal Dr. Jeffrey Budz is pleased to announce the December Students of the Month: Tanner Lee (Kiwanis Club), Breanna Ciemny (Rotary Club), and Zachary Bertino (Lions Club). JCA is proud of the success these students have exhibited both in the classroom and out in the community.

Tanner Lee, son of Anthony and Carrie Lee of Joliet, and a graduate of St. Joseph Academy, currently has a 4.43 GPA in JCA Honors and AP classes. Lee is a member of the International Thespian Society, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, and the JCA Drama Club (where he serves as vice president). Lee plans to attend college and major in either History or English, with a minor in secondary education. He hopes to become a high school teacher in the future.

Breanna Ciemny, daughter of Bryan and Lori Ciemny of Shorewood and a graduate of Holy Family Catholic Grade School, currently has a 5.03 GPA in JCA Honors and AP classes. Ciemny has received numerous academic awards while at JCA, highlighted by being named a national Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. She is also a member of National Honor Society (secretary), National Spanish Honor Society, National English Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta (vice president). Ciemny is a member of the JCA Angels varsity cross-country, basketball, and soccer programs. In her spare time, she also participates in JCA Respect Life Club, Keyo Service Club, JCA Student Council (senior class president), JCA Medical Science Club, and the JCA Habitat for Humanity. Ciemny was named ESCC all-conference in 2019 on the Angels’ soccer team that finished 4^th at the IHSA State Finals. She plans on playing soccer collegiately and has interests in entering a medical field in the future.

Zachary Bertino, son of Brian and Jessica Bertino of Shorewood and a graduate of Holy Family Catholic Grade School, currently has a 5.00 GPA in JCA Honors and AP classes. Bertino is a member of National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National Thespian Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. He also participates on the varsity cross-country and tennis teams, and is a member of the JCA Drama Club, JCA Student Council, and JCA Student Ambassadors. Bertino was also recently named a Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship program. He plans on attending Washington University to major in computer science and business, with hopes to become a computer programmer.