The 45th annual Salute to Youth Dinner, Marmion Academy’s annual benefit, was held on April 28 at the Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The elegant evening brought together new and long-time friends of Marmion to honor the students of the Class of 2007. The Salute to Youth Dinner is the oldest continuous high school benefit event in the Chicago area and is sponsored by the Marmion Academy 53-member Board of Lay Trustees.

 

Salute to Youth General Chaircouple Winnie and Jack Emmons (seated) are pictured with their family at the 45th annual benefit. (standing l-r) Krista and Pat Emmons ‘96, Stephanie and Matthew DiMarco, Sasha Emmons and Justin Oborne.

 

 

General chaircouple Jack and Winnie Emmons welcomed the 700 guests and reported that this year’s dinner-dance profited over $186,000, which will benefit the educational programs of the Academy’s college-preparatory curriculum.

“These gift funds are essential for Marmion’s quality academic programs. As a private Catholic school, Marmion’s tuition income supports 82% of the actual educational costs. The rest must come from personal donations and Marmion’s one major fundraiser, the Salute to Youth,” reports Fr. Charles Reichenbacher OSB, Marmion’s director of development.

 

Salute 2007 was dedicated to the Marmion Board of Lay Trustees which celebrated its 50th anniversary this school year. The Board, which began in 1956 with sixteen members, has grown to include 29 Elected and 24 Life Trustees.

Student speaker senior Brett Bromann addressed the evening’s theme Heritage of Faith & Leadership. “I feel extremely honored to be a part of this magical tradition,” said Bromann.

“As we celebrate the 45th Salute to Youth it is almost unbelievable to consider the thousands of people who have graced this room in years past. It is one of the many traditions that the Marmion family passes down from generation to generation. It will soon be our turn to pass on the gifts that cannot be taken away, the gifts of education and Marmion’s heritage of faith and leadership.”

The highlight of the evening was the After-Dinner program of the presentation of the Guard and Court of Honor (Marmion Academy seniors and the young women they escorted). Charles Duncan, the student master of ceremonies, introduced by name the couples for the formal white dress and black tuxedo presentation ceremony. Each couple was presented as they walked through the Marmion Color Guard’s Arch of Sabers onto the stage. The young women did a formal curtsey as they were announced to the guests.

After the presentation ceremony, the couples and all of the guests were invited to dance to the music of the Greg Thompson Orchestra, one of Chicagoland’s premier orchestras.

The 46th Salute to Youth Dinner is scheduled for April 26, 2008. To view more photos from this year’s event, visit www.marmionacademy.smugmug.com or to be put on the mailing list for the 2008 event call the Marmion Development Office at 630/897-6936, Ext. 244.

The Logue table: Standing (l-r) Vince Janks, Bridget Logue, Thomas Logue, Jr. ‘75, Jeri Logue, Michele Jamerson, Mary Ann Bunyan. Seated (l-r): Teresa Janks, Mary Ann Logue, Abbot Gerald Benkert OSB, Thomas Logue ‘48 and Paul Jamerson.

 

 

 

 

Standing (l-r): Greg and Grace McKnight ‘71, Dr. Christine Sobek and Dr. Paul Anderson, Fr. Michael Burrows OSB, Chuck Anderson, Dr. Rich Regan. Seated (l-r): Melissa and Joel Riley ‘87, Linda Anderson and Mary Beth Regan.