Nazareth Academy President Deborah Tracy and Principal Therese Hawkins proudly announced the establishment of five new honors to coincide with the school’s 125th anniversary in 2024-25.
“As we continue to reflect upon our rich history, it becomes abundantly clear that our Congregation of St. Joseph Sisters are collectively the foundation upon which Nazareth Academy has been built,” explained Nazareth President Deborah Vondrasek Tracy ’82. “We would like to recognize some of these incredible women and better infuse their legacies by bestowing special honors. It is our hope that their names and their stories will live on in Nazareth Academy history for many, many years to come.”
Each of the five honors, announced at Nazareth Academy’s Opening School Mass on September 5, 2024, is named for a woman who is both a Nazareth alum and a CSJ Sister.
Nazareth Academy’s Gospel Service Program will be renamed in honor Sister Pat Bergen ’63. Throughout Sister Pat’s entire life, she has served others with great empathy, inclusivity and care, seeing all of life as connected through God and of God. A significant part of Sister Pat’s ministry was through her work as the Campus Minister of Nazareth Academy in the 1980s. The Sister Pat Bergen Gospel Service Program at Nazareth Academy will serve as a reminder not only of her years of service, but also as a counter-cultural challenge to see the face of God in everyone we meet.
Sister Terry Middendorf ’60 has been a member of the Nazareth Academy Faculty and Staff for 53 years. She began her Nazareth career as a teacher in the Math Department where she taught hundreds of students in the most advanced math courses at that time. Sister Terry’s love for math and her ability to help others understand it have been the foundation of her expanding roles as part of Nazareth’s Administration Team, where she currently serves as Academic Dean. Sister Terry serves as a reminder that a solid foundation in math can open many doors in the future lives of our students. It is in Sister Terry’s honor that Nazareth Academy is pleased to present the Sister Terry Middendorf Math Achievement Award each year, awarded annually to one graduating senior for outstanding achievement in the subject.
Each May, the Sister Marianne Race Faculty and Staff Leadership Award will go to one Nazareth Academy Faculty or Staff person who exemplifies qualities of leadership, perseverance, creativity and vision all rooted in the CSJ mission of Unity. After teaching in Nazareth Academy’s Math Department, Sister Marianne Race ‘59 served in Nazareth Leadership and as the Principal from 1970-1988. It was during this time that Nazareth made the bold decision to become a co-educational high school. This decision was met with both resistance and hope in restoring and re-establishing a solid enrollment and future for the school. Sister Marianne met challenges with confidence, hard work and strength that was rooted in the CSJ mission of Unity. She was a strong and influential leader who inspired many others in leadership as well.
The Sister Jackie Schmitz Spirit Scholarship will be awarded in honor of Sister Jacqueline Schmitz ‘64 who served as Nazareth Academy Principal from 1988-2000. It was during her tenure as both Assistant Principal and Principal that Sister Jackie often delighted the student body with her catchy rhyming songs while in character as Nancy Nazarene. Her surprise entrances to a student body assembly were followed by the entire gym singing in response. She continues to remain a regular presence at Nazareth Spirit events and games. It is with great pride that this Scholarship has been established to recognize rising sophomores, juniors or seniors who display a palpable sense of school spirit and pride. Three $2,000 need-based scholarships will be awarded annually to students who have already displayed a strong commitment to the fuller life of the school and to building school spirit.
Sr. Ethel Vaca ’45 began her educational career as a teacher in several west suburban parish schools before shifting her career to Nazareth Academy in 1964, which became the love of her life for almost 30 years. Over the years, she served in many capacities at Nazareth Academy: teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Alumni Director and founder of the Development Department. Sister Ethel’s establishment of the Development Department launched a significantly new era in strengthening Nazareth’s foundation and enabling the school to better plan financially for the future. It is in loving memory and honor of Sister Ethel and her presence on the third floor of Nazareth’s O Building that this floor will be named Sister Ethel Vaca Hall.
“How lucky we are to be serving Nazareth Academy during its 125th Anniversary year alongside our remarkable sponsors, The Congregation of St. Joseph,” said Principal Therese Uphues Hawkins ’79. “The fact that we could announce these honors to our entire student body at our Opening School Mass helps to reinforce the important impact these women have had on our history. We are thrilled that these women will be remembered and honored for many generations to come.”