Althoff Catholic High School
2023 Awards in Excellence Awardees
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The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes the accomplishments of an Althoff Catholic High School or Associate alumnus whose exceptional achievements in their faith, profession, and community have had a profound and lasting impact.
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2023 Distinguished Alumni Awardee
Dr. Gregory Hipskind '65
- Nationally recognized MD PhD in Nuclear and Behavioral Neurology
- Undergraduate studies at Notre Dame University
- MD/PhD at St. Louis University
- Researcher in LED light therapy to improve cognition in Veterans with chronic TBIs.
- I credit all the teachers I have had throughout the years- Althoff, Notre, Dame, St. Louis U. for it was upon their shoulders that I stood
Rising Star Award recognizes the accomplishments of a recent graduate (within the past 15 years) of Althoff Catholic High School.
2023 Rising Star Awardee
Courtney Kemper '07
- Studied Business Administration and Marketing at SIUC
- Vice President of Business Solutions at Wells Fargo
- Co-owner of Joe and Onie’s Café
- St. Clair County Junior Service Club for nine years and current club president
- Looking forward to the day her daughter, Kinsley, becomes an Althoff Crusader.
Crusader Spirit & Excellence Award recognizes a friend of Althoff Catholic High School who has enriched the Crusader mission through volunteerism and continuously shows outstanding enthusiasm, loyalty, and pride of ACHS.
2023 Crusader Spirit Awardee
Fr. Nick Junker '99
- Studied Theology at Mundelein Seminary
- Priest for 15 years, currently Pastor at St. Mary's Mt. Vernon
- Chaplain at a University Newman Center, and 2 prison ministries.
- Vocation Director working with youth and men preparing for priesthood.
- “Fun uncle” to 6 nieces and nephews, and 7 godchildren.
Salute to Catholic Education Award recognizes Catholic educators who have dedicated their life to educating young people in the Catholic tradition to lead successful, faith-filled lives.
2023 Salute to Catholic Education Awardee
Denise Meile
- Gibault Class of '74
- Studied Elementary Education at Eastern Illinois University
- Kindergarten teacher at Cathedral Grade School for 40 year
- Current substitute teacher at Cathedral.
- I strived to educate the whole child in an atmosphere of love, respect, and concern for the Lord and one another.
2023 Salute to Catholic Education Awardee
Mary Pat Keubel
- Academy of Notre Dame Class of '69
- Studied Elementary Education at Benedictine College
-1st grade teacher at Cathedral Grade School from 1979 till 2014
-Volunteer at the Poor Clare Monastery assisting Sisters with shopping and errands
- I was very fortunate in my years at Cathedral. I was blessed with the best kids, the best parents and the best colleagues.
2023 Salute to Catholic Education Awardee
Bert Scannell
- Graduate of Mater Dei
- Studied Elementary Education at Quincy University
- Teacher for 42 years
- 1st and 2nd teacher at Cathedral Grade School from 1979 till 2018
- Loves Cardinal Baseball
- My decision to pursue teaching as a career is due to my desire to make a positive impact on children's lives.
