45th Anniversary Celebration

On Her Sapphire Anniversary, She Shone as Brightly as Ever

Burbank, IL – On Nov. 4, former and current Peace faculty, administration, staff, students and friends gathered together at Queen of Peace High School for a liturgy and reception to celebrate Founder’s Day and the school’s 45th Anniversary. The prayerful celebration at which Bishop John Gorman, who has celebrated the school’s anniversary milestones, presided, was enhanced by the music of the Peace Chamber Singers and faculty. During his homily, Bishop Gorman recalled the school’s glorious founding, its past success, its present strengths and the hopes for its future.

Following the Mass, guests toured the newly wireless Peace campus, enjoying a reception where old friends reminisced, new connections sprouted, and laughter swelled the hallways of a place everyone has learned to call home. Part of the day’s events also included a special Inspired by the Values awards ceremony.

During the ceremony, five members of the Peace Community were honored for their commitment to Queen of Peace and dedication to the Sinsinawa Dominican values which are at the core of the school’s mission. Mary Roche, mother of seven Peace alumnae, earned the Partnership Award. Because of her work on the auxiliary at Little Company of Mary Hospital and volunteer-ism at St. Linus, Mary consistently goes above and beyond in her actions to promote the importance of partnership in any success.

“I feel so overwhelmed. I am embarrassed and truly honored. Peace has been so good to my family. The teachers are so encouraging. They provided my family with so many opportunities that my support of Peace is the very least I could do. At Peace, it’s what you know, not who you know. I thank you for this great honor.”

Carolyn Viverito, wife of State Senator Lou Viverito, earned the Community Award for her active roles with Moraine Valley Community College, The Garden Center, and the Crisis Center for South Suburbia. Carolyn is the History Chairman for the Palos Heights Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and worked as Secretary-Treasurer for the Burbank Park District.

“I am honored. Usually it’s Lou with all the titles and awards. I am proud of my community, our town, our parks, everything.” Carolyn and Lou’s two daughters graduated from Peace, and their son, from St. Laurence High School.

The Justice and Compassion Award went to Dr. Michelle Kassen, a 1988 Peace alumna who traveled to India in 2004 to do protocols for an AIDS program. Michelle has worked with Operation Outreach, which brings medical care to third world countries. As a current faculty member at Westlake Hospital, she researches the impact of HIV and AIDS on women in rural areas.

The Truth Award went to Susan Putzler Brauer, a 1966 alumna. She was the first college graduate in her family. As a mother, scholar, author, and electrical engineer who went back to school at age 35, she serves as a model for all women, advocating tirelessly for women’s equality by providing a beacon of hope for women to break down the barriers that confine and demean.

Currently, Susan is spearheading the creation of an Alum Engineer Association and implementation of The Infinity Project to help raise awareness of the opportunities available to Peace students in the field of engineering. Finally, the 2007 Heart of the School honor went to media and theater instructor Anna Reynes.

Like the variety of blue, yellow and orange sapphires exchanged between so many couples on their 45th anniversaries throughout the ages, Peace boasts her own glowing collection of varied gems – members who are as diverse in their work, styles, and life paths as any group could be, and because of this, forms a vibrant community bound by a common, unwavering spirit known as Peace Pride. On this day of celebration, the Peace Community excitedly looked ahead to another fruitful 45 years of truth, justice and compassion, partnership and community.