A Leo High School graduation is a ceremony unlike any other

By President Dan McGrath

A Leo High School graduation, it’s often said, is a ceremony unlike any other.

And this year’s, for the Class of 2025 held at St. Margaret of Scotland on Sunday, May 11, fit that description.

The stately old church was filled to capacity as 49 young men made the transition from Leo student to Leo alumnus, giving our school 13 consecutive years of 100 percent graduation. The world-renowned Leo Choir performed two songs, including a customized version of “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” that had the audience on their feet.

The energy level was high at the start and grew higher as each speaker congratulated the graduates on their achievement and encouraged them to use their preparation and be confident and strong as they take on the world ahead.

“I know I yelled at you a lot,” said Leo’s Principal, Dr. Shaka Rawls,” but I was looking out for you. I wanted you to be ready for what awaits you today and from this day forward.

“And I believe you are.”

Indeed, confidence in themselves and an appreciation of each other helped form the bond that made the Class of 2025 particularly close. That appreciation was evident in the enthusiasm with which they greeted each graduate who was recognized. 

Aiden Lott, 2025 valedictorian, thanked the Leo administration, faculty, staff and coaches for “always having our back and showing us the right way to do things.” Lott, who graduated with a GPA above 4.0, is headed for Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo on an academic scholarship.

Shane Shambley, the salutatorian, recalled highlights of the previous four years and thanked the Leo staff and the graduates’ parents for the strong foundation they provided. Shambley will attend the University of Memphis.

Gavin Donald is the recipient of a $10,000 scholarship from the Arose Foundation, his entry deemed best of the more than 400 submitted. Donald will use the scholarship toward his tuition at Jackson State University. 

In addition, 10 graduates were honored for proficiency in various academic subjects, as well as citizenship and leadership.

Nick Armour, the William J. Kolosieke Award for athletics
Joshua Clark, the Bishop John R. Gorman Gold Medal for religion
Keith Smith, the Michael L. Thompson Gold Medal for music
Scott Millsaps, the Donald R. Flynn Gold Medal for history
Carlin Henry, the Dr. James J. Ahern Gold Medal for science
Aiden Lott, the Thomas and Mary Owens Gold Medal for math
Joshua Smith, the Stafford L. Hood Gold Medal for English
Kshawn Moore, the Br. James Glos Gold Medal for foreign language
Javon Logan, the Frank W. Considine Gold Medal for social justice
Lordan Black, the Andrew McKenna Gold Medal for leadership.

 The new graduates brought the total of Leo alumni in the house to more than 100. Following the presentation of their diplomas, they were all summoned to the front of the church for another Leo tradition: a rousing rendition of the Leo Fight Song, with the Class of 2025 leading.

Leo graduation: A ceremony unlike any other.

And it never gets old. 

Lions Fall to Mount Carmel, 83-41 on February 11

December 20 Game vs. University High Postponed

The Lions were scheduled to return to action Friday night in a nonconference game with University High (1-5) at Leo, but the Maroons requested a postponement, citing the availability of players and coaches. No makeup date has been scheduled.

Leo will open play in the IC Catholic/Westmont Holiday Tournament against Westmont (3-4) at Westmont at 6 p.m. on Monday, December 23.

John Gardner ’75, Leo Alumni Association Man of the Year for 2024

By Dan McGrath

John Gardner ’75 has been named Leo Alumni Association Man of the Year for 2024. 

Along with the Doc Driscoll and Community Service award recipients and a five-member Hall of Fame Class, John will be honored at the Alumni Banquet on Friday, April 26. Tickets are still available on-line for the event, which will be held at Casa del Mar in Hickory Hills.

A past president and current vice-president of the Alumni Association, John has been involved with the organization since 1999, overseeing such events as the banquet, the golf outing and the Alumni basketball night that have generated thousands of dollars in revenue for Leo High School. He believes he owes the school a debt of gratitude.

“Without the friends I met at Leo, I’m not sure how my life would have turned out,” he said. “We learned how to be men, husbands and fathers together … We all credit Leo for our success.”

John attended Western Illinois University after Leo, graduating in 1979. He and wife Susan have four children and are active at Most Holy Redeemer Parish. John is a member of the Leo Hall of Fame and was the Doc Driscoll Award recipient for exemplary service to Leo in 2018.

This year’s other honorees: 

Doc Driscoll Award – Bob Cheval ’74 is this year’s Doc Driscoll Award recipient. Bob is the longtime treasurer of the Alumni Association, and his ability to “keep the books straight” surely fits the award’s criteria for above-and-beyond service to Leo.

“Bob’s job as treasurer requires many hours of behind-the-scenes work making sure we’re in proper financial shape as an organization,” Leo Hall-of-Famer Brian Earner said in nominating Bob, who was a four-year football player and the student-council president after arriving at Leo from St. Walter.

“I always thought my time at Leo prepared me for life,” Bob said, “I took the school motto, Facta non Verba, to heart.”

Bob and Debra, his wife of 47 years, have two children and eight grandchildren. 

Community Service Award – Thomas “Tommy” Russell ’78 “has devoted his life to the veterans,” Terry Earner said in nominating his classmate. A veteran himself, Tommy enlisted in the Marine Corps a year after graduating from Leo. 

“I got my ass kicked by the nuns at St. Gabe’s, by the Irish Christian Brothers and by a nutty Irish mother, so when I got to the Marines it was like, ‘This ain’t bad at all,’” Tommy said.

A motorcycle enthusiast, Tommy serves as President of the Canaryville Veteran Riders Association and organizes coat drives for veterans each Thanksgiving. He’s a regular participant in the riders’ Toys for Tots drives that try to brighten Christmas for needy children. 

And, as a retired carpenter, he helped make Darkhorse Lodge at Kentucky Lake a reality as a no-cost, outdoors-oriented retreat for combat veterans from all branches of the service.  

Hall of Fame Inductees

Terrance L. Bates ’86 – The Oriole newspaper, the Lion yearbook and student government occupied Terrance at Leo. He still finds time to be an Alumni Association stalwart while working as a counselor for School District 130, coaching youth basketball and raising two daughters. “Whatever Leo needs, I’m there if I can be,” he said. “I live our motto every day.”

Jim Earner – Jim would rank near the top of any list of MVP’s who have contributed to Leo’s success in recent years. And he didn’t even go to Leo – he went to Brother Rice, which was within walking distance of the family home. But that’s not to say he isn’t a Leo Man as a product of a truly distinguished Leo Family: Jim’s dad is Gene Earner ‘50, a Hall of Famer known to many as “Mr. Leo.” Six of Jim’s brothers are Leo grads, including Hall of Famers Dan ‘82 and Brian ‘93. After a long career with Pepsi, Jim hired on at the Archdiocese of Chicago, and it was Leo’s good fortune that he was assigned to help out after bookkeeper Tanya Townsend retired. “Helping out” gradually evolved into a total overhaul of Leo’s business operations, which run so smoothly and efficiently these days that they’ve landed Jim in the Leo Hall of Fame. “His contributions are immeasurable,” school President Dan McGrath said. “I’d be lost without him.” 

John “Jack” Hannigan ’63 – Known as “The Quiet Man” to his classmates, Jack is anything but quiet when it comes to publicizing Leo’s sports teams – moments after a game, alums can expect a score and highlights to hit their devices “quicker than an SOS,” says Bill Figel, a recipient. “I believe communication is a vital need, so I get the word out to the alumni … It has been a constant effort to support our school through communication,” Jack said. After 40-plus years as procurement specialist, Jack and wife Judy, a special ed teacher, retired to Lockport, where their three kids and three grandkids are close by.    

Robert “Bob” Marks ’63 – The oldest of 11 children, Bob chose to work and help pay the family bills as a teenager, which ruled out playing sports at Leo. But his impact on the school was profound nonetheless as his eight younger brothers followed him to Leo and became Hall of Famers. “Leo High School was a foundational moment in Bob’s life,” the Marks family said in nominating Bob for the Hall. “It not only provided him an excellent education, it instilled the values of hard work, integrity and giving back.” Bob gave back plenty as a volunteer with several social service organizations in the Detroit area while working as CFO for McCann-Erickson Detroit. 

David K. Mutter ’70 – “I thought he was already in,” was a common reaction to the announcement that Dave Mutter was joining the Leo Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Indeed, he probably should have been after a standout football career as a two-way lineman for the Lions, on the field for nearly every play “except kickoffs, because I was too slow,” Dave said. After playing at the University of Hawaii, he returned to Leo for two separate coaching tours, including five years as head coach and four as an assistant for his mentor and role model, Bob Foster. Retired from a successful career in the insurance industry, Dave and wife Connie have four grown children and seven grandchildren. 

Lions on Parade

By Dan McGrath

It never gets old.

For the 10th year, Leo participated in the South Side Irish Parade down Western Avenue in the Beverly neighborhood, reconnecting with the dozens of Leo alums and Leo families who call the area home.

This year’s event was held on March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day. Cold, blustery weather may have held the crowd down some, but shouts of, “My dad went to Leo!” or, “My grandfather went to Leo!” still greeted the Leo party as they traveled the parade route from 103rd to 115th Street. Including students, parents, faculty, staff and alumni, the Leo party numbered close to 50.

“We appreciate being invited, and we’re always honored to participate in the parade,” Leo President Dan McGrath said. “The kids always enjoy the experience, and it’s a great opportunity to demonstrate that Leo is alive and thriving.”  

March 3

2021 Veterans Day Ceremony

Leo Veterans Day Ceremony November 11 at 11am

You’re Invited to Our STEM Family Night on October 7

Leo High School’s STEM Department invites you to our STEM Family Night on Thursday, October 7, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Cafeteria.

Get ready for hands-on fun for the whole family including SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING and MATH activities!

FREE Hot dogs, chips and popcorn.

• Get extra credit
• Make slime
• Fly a glider
• Build a boat

St. Joe’s 53, Lions 50

This was probably inevitable … but at least it took only 32 minutes. 

After excruciating, spirit-sapping overtime losses to Catholic League kingpins Fenwick and Brother Rice in their two previous games, the Leo Lions didn’t have much in the tank for their makeup meeting with cellar-dwelling St. Joe’s on Saturday, March 6 at Leo. (The game had been scheduled for Feb. 19 but had to be postponed because of COVID concerns on the St. Joe’s campus.)

“Cellar-dwelling St Joe’s”—is that a misprint? The school that Isiah Thomas, Evan Turner and 1,000-win coaching legend Gene Pingatore made synonymous with basketball is struggling?

Mightily. The Chargers were without a conference win and dragged a 1-9 overall record onto the floor with them. They might lack their customary blue-chip talent, but they’re still long, quick and aggressive, and those traits carried them to a 53-50 win over a spent Leo squad.

Typically, the Lions (3-7) didn’t go quietly in a fourth straight loss, whittling a 13-point deficit down to three points while holding St Joe’s to six points total in the fourth quarter. But they couldn’t find the juice for a final push, and the three-point spread at the end was as close as they would get in the second half.

Leo’s fatigue was evident in many ways. The Lions were a step (or more) slow on defense, allowing the visitors too-easy access to driving lanes and close-in shots. They had a hard time getting off the floor to rebound, and each time the Chargers pulled the ball off the board they took off with it, creating a succession of fast-break opportunities that Leo seemed too pooped to stop.

Most tellingly, the Lions connected on just 32 percent of their floor shots. A dozen or more misses landed on the front of the rim and fell off, a sure sign of tired legs among the shooters.

Cameron Cleveland scored 11 of his 15 points in the first half and Austin Ford had 10 of his 13 in the second, but the starting guard line of Ja’keem Cole, Tyler Smith and Christian Brockett struggled to find good looks against St. Joe’s long, rangy defenders and combined for just 10 points after hitting Brother Rice with 43 one night earlier.

Tired, tired, tired. And so were the sophomores, falling to St. Joe’s sophomores 56-44 in the preliminary game to stand at 4-5 for the season. 

A once-postponed game at Mt. Carmel has been canceled because of COVID issues at Mt. Carmel, but there are still four games to play in the final week of this tightly packed season, all of them at home: St. Rita on Monday, March 8; DePaul Prep on Tuesday, March 9; St. Laurence on Wednesday, March 10. A Senior Night nonconference meeting with Christ the King at Leo on Saturday, March 13 concludes the season.

“We’re going tø keep pushing and building,” Leo Coach Jamal Thompson said. “We’ll get better.” 

A different Opening Day this year

When Shaka Rawls ’93 became Leo’s principal in 2016, he invited the alumni back for the first day of school to greet the students and welcome the newcomers to Leo. Alums gathered in the courtyard and shook the students’ hands as they arrived at school, a display of solidarity meant to remind the kids that by enrolling at Leo, they were becoming part of something special—the Leo Family. A reception in the cafeteria followed, featuring coffee, rolls and reminiscence. 

“Opening Day” thus has become an annual celebration, with more than 60 alums taking part last year.      

Of course, that was pre-COVID. With restrictions discouraging in-person contact and emphasizing social distancing, handshakes and face-to-face courtyard greetings were impractical and not advisable this year. So the alums were not part of Opening Day, which took place on Thursday, August 13.

“We missed the alums,” Principal Rawls conceded. “But we’re hopeful that this is a one-time deal and they’ll be back next year.”

COVID restrictions permitting, the alums also will be invited back to Leo for the annual Veterans Day observance, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6 this year.