The Mothers Club of Benet Academy
Wednesday April 18, 2012
President Clare Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. and thanked everyone for attending. There were approximately 60 members present. Mothers Club Moderator Brother Columban opened the meeting with a prayer. Clare thanked the Used Book and Spirit Store Committees for their dedication and hard work throughout the year. These 2 committees are the main revenue generators for the Mothers Club which result in the ability of the Mothers Club’s to make a generous donation to Benet for the annual Installation Banquet in May in addition to a $10,000.00 donation to help defer cost of Prom to the students. She then introduced Ms. Meagan Carlevato and Mr. Steve Frey, Student Government (SG) moderators to talk about Prom and Post-Prom.
Ms. Meagan Carlevato and Mr. Steve Frey: Prom and Post-Prom Friday May 11th
The Post-Prom (as we know it today) started here at Benet in 1989. Mr. Brown and Mr. Noel (SG moderator at that time) approached the Mothers Club to help host a safe celebration after Prom as a joint effort with SG. The first few Post-Proms consisted of a yacht cruise on Lake Michigan but after a couple of years there was not enough room on the yacht. For the next 15 years, Prom was held at Ashton Place (75th and Clarendon Hills Road in Willowbrook) which included a dinner, professional photography and music by the Andrew Marchese Orchestra. The students then boarded busses to the Chicago Yacht Club (Post-Prom) and were served pizza and danced to music by a DJ. The busses returned to Ashton Place ~3:00 a.m.
Two years ago, SG decided to try something different. The Prom and the Post-Prom were both held at the Shedd Aquarium. This was more expensive but the students really enjoyed the venue so now we alternate every other year. That way, everyone will be able to attend a Prom at each of the venues, assuming they go to Prom both their junior and senior years. This year the Prom and Post-Prom will be held at the Shedd Aquarium. The busses will leave Benet Friday, May 11th at 5:30 p.m. and arrive at the Shedd by 7 p.m. The juniors and seniors don’t have school that day. There is a cultural assembly for freshman and sophomores. From 7-7:45 Prom attendees will be able to walk around through the Shedd and enjoy viewing the fish. The Andy Marchese Orchestra will entertain them during dinner. There will be a DJ during the Post-Prom and pizza will be served around 11:30 p.m. The back door of the Shedd will be open so the students can go outside and walk out onto the back patio. They will leave the Shedd at 1 a.m. and arrive back at Benet ~ 2 a.m.
Students can sign up for tables starting Monday, April 23rd (5 couples/table) and tickets will be sold starting Wednesday, April 25th. The ticket price per couple for both Prom and Post-Prom is $185.00. The Mothers Club presented Miss Carlevato with a check for $10,000.00 at the meeting. Most area high schools charge at least $200.00/couple and their events are not as nice as ours.
The girls usually wear a garter to give to the boys and the boys give the girls a nose gay (small bouquet) instead of a corsage/wrist corsage. The girls usually wear long dresses to Prom. There are several tuxedo stores, including Lorenzo’s in Lisle, which will be happy to fit the gentlemen for their tuxes. Lorenzo’s will be at Benet on Monday, April 23rd. Lorenzo’s donates tuxes for the Mr. Redwing contest, for the 8 guys in the Fashion Show who escort the girls modeling prom dresses as well as to the teacher chaperones at the Prom. The cost for tuxedo rental is approximately $120.00. An order form for pictures will be available when they purchase their tickets. It is customary for girls to pay for the pictures at the Prom.
The ladies may want to bring flip-flops and a light jacket as it gets chilly outside on the lakefront. At Prom, the students will receive a ‘goodie bag’ including t-shirts. They don’t change clothes for the Post-Prom. If you have a son attending, have them put their name and phone number in a pocket in their tux jacket as every year jackets inadvertently get switched. The boys wear their own preference: bow-tie or tie. There is the usual photo party at someone’s house before the students meet at Benet at 5:30 Friday night. Usually groups of students go somewhere Saturday and/or Sunday such as Great America, downtown Chicago, someone’s lake house, etc.
Last year, 8 girls and 4 boys came ‘stag’. Mrs. Shuma will also try to pair people up if they don’t know who to go with. If you have a junior or a senior boy, encourage them to ask a girl to Prom! Most students would like to attend their Prom junior and senior years. A student from another high school can attend; permission forms (to be signed by all parents and the principal from their high school) will be available at ticket purchase. Permission slips are needed for everyone.
Fourteen teachers are needed to chaperone and teachers do not get Friday, May 11th off as the juniors and seniors do. It is almost a 24-hour day for these teachers. The Mothers Club gives them a small denomination gift card to show their appreciation.
Miss Carlevato also discussed the Senior Outing, Baccalaureate and Dress-Up Week. She also mentioned that proceeds from the Mr. Redwing contest went to Sister Mary’s Daybreak of Lisle and proceeds from the Variety Show went towards Prom.
Senior Outing
The Senior Outing is Friday, May 4th from 8a-5p. There is also a bus that will leave the park earlier (2pm) for people involved in sports or other after-school activities. The destination is usually Starved Rock but last year it was flooded so they went to Matheson (also spelled Matthiessen) Park and they actually liked it better so that is the destination for this year. The students wear very casual clothes as they’ll be hiking. They bring coolers, a few bring small grills. The cost is $25.00.
Baccalaureate Ceremony for Seniors
This ceremony is Friday, May 18th. It is a dress-up occasion and is only for seniors and all teachers. School is in-session for all in the morning. Dismissal is at 11:55 for freshman, sophomores and juniors. The seniors have lunch in the cafeteria with the teachers and then attend mass in St. Daniel Hall. After mass there is a slideshow of pictures taken over the last 4 years. It is a memorable event. Parents are not involved. The program is completed by 3 p.m.
Dress-Up Week for Seniors
A group of 12 seniors has been meeting with Miss Carlevato and Mr. Frey. They are discussing dress-up week including possible Slop Days during senior final exams. Thursday May 17th is college day, students will be wearing their chosen college t-shirt with jeans. The attire for Monday May 14-Wednesday May 16 is currently under discussion with these 12 seniors and the SG moderators for various theme possibilities to present to Administration and the Dean’s Office.
1st Vice President
The March meeting of the Mothers Club was the annual ‘Mom’s Night Out’. We played bunco at Hugo’s Frog Bar in Naperville. It was a good turn-out, all the tables were full and everyone had a good time. There were also raffle prizes given to a few lucky winners.
The incoming Board for the 2012-2013 school year is 80% complete. Lisa Mojica (next year’s Mothers Club President) is working on it and will have it finalized soon.
2nd Vice President
Judy Koziol reported that the Installation Dinner this year is Wednesday, May 16th at Seven Bridges and all are welcome to attend. In the past, it was for committee co-chairs and the executive board only. At the banquet, we say ‘good-bye’ and ‘thank-you’ to this year’s board and ‘welcome’ to next year’s board. Email Judy at
if you are interested in attending.
Also, if you have co-chaired a committee this year, please email Judy and she’ll give you access to her Shutterfly account as she is compiling a memory book of pictures for this year.
Also, please make sure you register tonight for the Goodnight Gift!
Secretary
The minutes from February 15th were approved. Minutes will be posted on the website Friday or Monday at the latest.
Treasurer
Lynn Sojka asked that event co-chairs turn in expenses using the reimbursement form on the website and attach receipts as she is trying to ‘close-out’ the year so she knows the amount to be donated to Benet at the Installation Banquet (a giant-sized check is always presented to Mr. Marth at the Banquet).
Brother Columban
Our moderator, Brother Columban commented on the recent retirement of Benet President, Father Jude Randall. Fr. Jude has multiple physical challenges and is seeing several physicians. He is in good spirits. We said a Hail Mary for him.
Used Books
Marie O’Hara reported the collection of used books will be the last day of senior finals exams, Thursday, May 24th and the last 2 days of underclassman finals: Thursday and Friday May 31st and June 1st. There are changes this year as Mr. Marth would like to offer parents the opportunity to purchase hard copies of books online as other schools do. The Mothers Club will be selling used books on Monday June 4th, as opposed to mid-August at registration. The student’s schedules (without teacher’s names) will be available at the end of May. The prices of the used books from the Mothers Club sale will be competitive to what is available online. The sale will be all-day: early morning until the evening. Please support the Mothers Club used books sale as the proceeds go to Benet and to the Prom.
You can also purchase the summer reading books on Monday June 4th. Order the books on the Benet website and pick them up on June 4th. Andersons will donate 20% of their profits back to the Mothers Club.
The Used Book sale is returning to consignment, which was done several years ago. Each book that is turned in will be tagged and the family will receive a major percentage of the resale value possibly as a credit towards tuition-these details are still being worked out. Senior families leaving Benet will receive a check in the mail. Historically, all used books are sold.
Mr. Leffler will no longer be selling new books here on registration day. Gym uniforms for incoming freshman were ordered on uniform-ordering day in March.
The details about books for incoming freshman for classes that require placement tests (math and foreign languages) are still being determined.
Books that are rented from the state will be distributed in the classroom once school starts.
There will be a Used Book meeting tonight after adjournment of the Mothers Club meeting.
Hospitality
Nancy Bertschy reported that the third and final faculty appreciation luncheon will be held on Thursday, May 3rd and will have a Cinco de Mayo theme. Donations of desserts and fruit salads are needed. Angeli’s will cater again. Please drop off your items by 10:00 a.m. in the faculty lounge, at the top of the stairs in St. Joseph Hall and try to minimize items that require refrigeration. There are many recyclable bowls and trays in the faculty lounge that you can help yourself to. Contact Lisa Mojica if you are interested in joining the Hospitality Committee for next year as all 3 current co-chairs are senior moms.
Mother Son Junior Senior Communion Brunch
Charlotte Cziperle reported that the brunch was held this past Sunday, April 15th at the Abbington. The staff at the Abbington was friendly and efficient. She had a committee of 14 incredible ladies including Amy Manion and Denise Stephen. Benet’s Jazz Combo is very talented and started the morning off. At 9:30 a.m. there was mass with Fr. Ed who mentioned friendships between the boys and their mothers as well as being part of the Benet family in keeping with the theme “A Place Where Friendships Dwell”. A pianist played during the breakfast buffet. There were raffle prizes and a video involving over 700 pictures submitted of the boys and every sport and event at Benet over the last 4 years was represented. There were over 220 guests present. A photo and frame was given to all who attended and an emotional tribute to Fr. Jude and Benny was made at the conclusion of the Alma Mater. It was a beautiful and memorable occasion.
Mother Daughter Junior Senior Fashion Show
Co-chair Jeanne Schimeck reported that this event will be this Sunday, April 22nd also at the Abbington in Glen Ellyn. There will be ~105 senior girls modeling and over 300 guests have RSVP’d. Please contact either Jeanne or Colleen Brown if you are interested in attending. The cost is $40.00 per person. The day starts with mass at 11:00 a.m. with Father Ed Kucera followed by a luncheon at noon and the Fashion show at 1:00 p.m.
Graduation Yard Signs
Elizabeth Roskam reported that the senior boys picked up their yard signs at the Communion Brunch and the girls can pick theirs up this Sunday at the Fashion Show. Signs can also be picked up from Mrs. Shuma starting next week. Last-minute orders are being taken: call or email Elizabeth. The cost is $20.00.
Benet Moms’ Prayer Group
The next meeting of Benet Mom’s Prayer Group is this Friday, April 20th in the Chapel, 3rd floor St. Joseph Hall at 9:30 a.m. The final meeting will be Monday, May 14th, also in the Chapel at 9:30 a.m.
Benet Cares
All were asked to keep Father Jude in their prayers.
New Business
1)Wednesday May 2nd is the Parent-to-Parent meeting, sponsored by the Mothers Club. They will be discussing uniforms, busses, band, Mothers Club, Dads Club, etc. It’s the “everything you always wanted to know about Benet but were afraid to ask” meeting.
2)If you co-chaired an event, please post your Event Summary document online. You will need an Edline login to do this; if you forgot your user name or password, contact Mr. Myers. Julia Cziesla will provide instructions on how to post these documents online in the near future.
Old Business
1)The Spontaneous Cookie Distribution on March 14th was wildly successful and will be repeated after school on Wednesday April 25th and again on Thursday May 17th. Please contact Clare Nelson at if you are able to send cookies and/or join in on the fun!
2)Clare thanked Lois Tyznik who represented the Mothers Club on the BenetReaccreditation Committee for the Diocese. Lois collected data and attended frequent meetings throughout the entire school year. The process is complete and Benet is accredited for 5 years.
Closing Remarks
President Clare Nelson asked if there were any Benet issues that anyone would like the Mothers Club to look in to as the school year wraps up. No one mentioned any.
She also asked all of the senior moms who will be leaving Benet to stand and be acknowledged.
She also thanked Past-President Jeanne Schimeck for all of her advice and support throughout this school year. Jeanne also applauded Clare for her hard work this year, esp. as she guided the Mothers Club through many changes and helped us to learn more about Benet as part of the 125th anniversary celebration.
Upcoming Meetings
May 16Installation Dinner, Seven Bridges Golf Club
Adjournment and Good Night Gift
The good night gift was a decorative plate and stand and was won by Mare Chiaro.
President Clare Nelson adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
The next meeting of the Benet Mothers Club is Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 and is the Annual “Installation Banquet” at Seven Bridges Golf Club in Woodridge. Please contact 2nd Vice President Judy Koziol if you would like to attend, all are welcome.
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