Student-Athletes make College Committments

NEW LENOX (May 4, 2017) – Mr. Doug Ternik, Athletic Director of Providence Catholic High School, is pleased to announce that 19 seniors will continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. “We are extremely proud of these young men and women for their hard work both in the classroom and on the field. We wish them the very best in college and in the future,” said Ternik.

 Lauren Bird of Orland Park, daughter of John and Chris Bird committed to continue her cheerleading career at Indiana University and plans to major in Accounting and minor in Business.  Bird is a graduate of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School and a member of St. Stephen Parish. The honor roll student has been a member of Habitat for Humanity and the Augustinian Youth Ministry. Lauren has been a member of the Celtics Cheerleading team for the past four years and was named MVP her senior year.  Her team accomplishments includes two-time sectional champions, three-time state qualifier, and team finishes of second, third and fourth in State.
Kurt Dankovich of Homer Glen, son of Albert and Diane Dankovich signed his National Letter of Intent to continue his baseball career at Lewis University where he received athletic and academic scholarships and plans to major in Computer Science.  Dankovich is a graduate of Homer Junior High School and a member of Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish.  The honor roll student has been a member of the baseball team for the past four years and was a member of the 2016 Baseball State Championship Team.
Allyssa Demma of Orland Park, daughter of Dino and Lynn Demma committed to continue her softball career at Carroll University where she received an academic scholarship and plans to major in Business and minor in Marketing.  Demma is a graduate of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School and a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish.  The honor roll student has been a member of the National Honor Society and Habitat for Humanity.  Demma has also been on the softball team for the past four years and this year she was named a captain.
Michael Drew of Plainfield, son of Michael Sr. and Roberta Drew committed to continue his basketball career at Cornell College where he received an academic scholarship and plans to major in Pre-med and minor in French.  Drew is a graduate of John F. Kennedy Middle School.  The honor roll student has been a member of the National Honor Society, the French National Honor Society and has been a Pastoral Sacristan.   Drew has been on the basketball team for the past four years and earned All-Conference for the Chicago Catholic League his senior year, All-Area Honorable Mention his senior year and All-Area Special Mention his junior year.
Sarah Kaley of Tinley Park, daughter of Tom and Mary Kaley signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her cheerleading career at St. Xavier University where she plans to major in Biology.  Kaley is a graduate of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School and a member of St. Stephen Parish. The honor roll student has been a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Theatre Club.   Sarah has been a member of the Celtics Cheerleading team for the past four years.  Her team accomplishments includes two-time sectional champions, three-time state qualifier, and team finishes of second, third and fourth in State. Kaley was also named PCHS Student of the Month.
Domenic Kimak of Bolingbrook, son of Jeff and Mary Kimak committed to continue his volleyball career at Aurora University where he received an academic scholarship.  Kimak is a graduate of Jane Addams Middle School and a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish.  The honor roll student has been a member of the National Honor Society and participated in basketball his freshmen through junior year. Kimak has been on the volleyball team for the past four years.
Lillian Knapp of Shorewood, daughter of Derek and Amy Knapp committed to continue her dance career at the University of St. Francis where she received an athletics and academic scholarship and plans to major in Nursing.  Knapp is a graduate of Troy Middle School and a member of St. Joseph Parish (Joliet). The honor roll student was a member of the Augustinian Youth Ministry and the track team.  Lillian has danced for a total of 15 years and has been a member of the Celtics Dance Team for the past four years, which included qualifying for state three years and a team state finish of third place in 2014.  She was also a 2017 Dance All-American.
Tyler Korhorn of Plainfield, son of Neil and Suzanne Korhorn committed to continue his volleyball career at Aurora University where he received an academic scholarship.  Korhorn is a graduate and a member of Holy Family Parish.  The honor roll student has been a member of the Volleyball team for the past four years.
Jacob Mahaffey of Plainfield, son of Tallen and Lisa Mahaffey committed to continue his track & field career at Illinois Wesleyan University. He received an athletic and academic scholarship and plans to major in International Studies and minor in Japanese. Mahaffey is a graduate of St Paul the Apostle School and a member of St. Mary Immaculate Parish.  The honor roll student has been a Student Ambassador, a member of the National Honor Society, Science Club, and International Club and has helped with the Pastoral Sandwich Patrol.  He was a member of the track & field team his junior and senior years and the basketball team his freshmen through junior years.
Brendan McGuire of Woodridge, son of Brendan and Melissa McGuire committed to continue his cheerleading career at St. Louis University where he received an academic scholarship.  McGuire is a graduate and member of St. Alphonsus/St. Patrick Parish.  During his time at Providence Catholic, the honor roll student has been a four-year member of Habitat for Humanity and the Augustinian Youth Ministry. McGuire also participated in Lacrosse and Cross Country for all four years.  He was the 2016 MVP for Lacrosse and a named to the Chicago Catholic League All-Conference Team.  Brendan was a member of the fourth place Cheer team this past year, and voted the “Most Improved” Cheer athlete. He is also an Illinois State Scholar and received a Physics Honors Award.
Colin Mitchell of Homer Glen, son of Wade and Lisa Mitchell committed to continue his lacrosse career at the Concordia University Wisconsin where he received an athletic and academic scholarship.  Mitchell is a graduate of Homer Junior High School and a member of Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish.  The honor roll student has been a member of the lacrosse team for the past three years and the lead scorer for those same three years.  He was also named captain of the team his senior year.
Amanda Rachke of Elwood, daughter of Chuck and Jill Rachke, committed to continue her hockey career at Grand Valley State University where she received an academic scholarship and plans to major in Criminal Justice.  Rachke is a graduate of Elwood Elementary School and a member of St. Joseph Parish (Manhattan). The honor roll student has been a member the Sabre Hockey program for the past four years.  She has earned the Sabre Hockey Sportsmanship Award in 2016, the 2016 Tournament MVP Award in the St. Louis Girls Invite and has been a four-time national championship quarter-finalist 2013-2016.  During her off time, Amanda takes the time to help with the younger teams in the girl’s hockey program.
Hailey Radakovitz of Tinley Park, daughter of Jerry and Sandy Radakovitz committed to continue her cheerleading career at Butler University where she received an academic scholarship and plans to major in Communications.  Radakovitz is a graduate of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School and a member of St. Stephen Parish. The honor roll student is a member of Habitat for Humanity and the National Honor Society.  She also participated in the International Club and the Respect Life Club.  Hailey has been a member of the Celtics Cheerleading Team for the past four years, which includes two-time sectional champions, three-time state qualifier, and team finishes of second, third and fourth in State.
Jake Schutter of Mokena, son of Robert and Cheryl Schutter committed to continue his basketball career at the University of Wisconsin/Platteville where he received an academic scholarship. Schutter is a graduate and member of St Mary Parish. The honor roll student has been a Student Ambassador, a member of Habitat for Humanity, and Student Council. Jake has been a member of the basketball team for the past four years and was MVP his junior and senior years.  He was also named South Suburban All-conference, 22nd Century media All-Area first team and Herald News All-Area first team his junior and senior years.
Caitlin Shanahan of Orland Park, daughter of Edmond Shanahan and Janet Haff was recognized for signing her National Letter of Intent to continue her soccer career at Lewis University where she received an athletics and academic scholarship and plans to major in Nursing.  Shanahan is a graduate of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin School and a member of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish.  The honor roll student has been a member of the National Honor Society, Habitat for Humanity, the Augustinian Youth Ministry, the International Club, Art Club, Spanish Honor Society and helped all four years with the Pastoral Sandwich Patrol.  She has been a member of the soccer team all four years.  The Illinois State Scholar has earned a Graphic Design Award, All-Conference honors for soccer, the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Scholar Athlete Award, and the Tom Barrett Memorial Scholarship.
Natasha Tuminello of New Lenox, daughter of Raymond and Jennifer Tuminello committed to continue her cheerleading career at St. Norbert College where she received an academic scholarship and plans to major in International Business and minor in Spanish.  Tuminello is a graduate of Liberty Junior High School and a member of St. Jude Parish. The honor roll student has been a Student Ambassador, a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Habitat for Humanity, the Augustinian Youth Ministry and Student Council.  Natasha has been a member of the Celtics Cheerleading Team for the past four years, which includes two-time sectional champions, three-time state qualifier, and team finishes of second, third and fourth in State. As a St. Norbert Cheerleader, Natasha will also be a Green Bay Packers Cheerleader, cheering at preseason, regular and playoff games.
Alexa Vennetti of Orland Park, daughter of Mike and Andrea Vennetti made a commitment to continue her cheerleading career at Indiana University and plans to major in Broadcast Journalism.  Vennetti is a graduate of Century Junior High School and a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. During her time at Providence Catholic, the honor roll student has been a member of Habitat for Humanity, Student Council, Augustinian Youth Ministry and the School Newspaper Proviscope. She was also a Student of the Month. Lexi has been a member of the Celtics Cheerleading team for the past four years, which includes two-time sectional champions, three-time state qualifier, and team finishes of second, third and fourth in State.
Madison Watson of Frankfort, daughter of Robert and Jody Watson committed to continue her cheerleading career at the University of Iowa and plans to major in Business and minor in Spanish.  Watson is a graduate of Noonan Academy and a member of St. Anthony Parish. The honor roll student has been a member of Habitat for Humanity all four years.  Maddie has been a member of the Celtics Cheerleading Team for the past four years, which includes two-time sectional champions, three-time state qualifier, and team finishes of second, third and fourth in State.
Gaosh Williams of Joliet, son of Gary and Sonya Williams signed his National Letter of Intent to continue his baseball career at Central Michigan University where he received an athletic and academic scholarship and plans to major in Business and minor in Accounting.  Williams is a graduate of Whittier Middle School (Oklahoma).  Gaosh joined Providence Catholic his senior year coming from Oklahoma, the honor roll student was a member of the baseball and football teams.  Gaosh earned a football Chicago Catholic League Blue All-Conference Award, and for Baseball, he earned the WJOL tournament All-Conference Award and played in the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Game.  Gaosh was also the school emcee for special events.
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