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21st Annual Valentine Dinner Dance a Success for St. Rita of Cascia High School
For Immediate Release February 22, 2010
The St. Rita of Cascia High School Valentine Dinner Dance was held on February 13th at The Four Seasons Hotel Grand Ballroom in Downtown Chicago. This annual event, filled with socializing, dinner, dancing, special awards, auctions, and fund-a-cause donations, once again proved to be a huge success for St. Rita in its 21st year. This year’s Dinner Dance brought in over $276,000 for St. Rita.
As dinner began guests were treated to an incredible speech given by senior Roberto Hernandez. In his speech, Roberto described how the St. Rita Family has positively impacted his life. Fundraising for the night then kicked off as fantastic items were put on the live auction block. In addition, a silent auction was held and fund-a-cause donations were taken up in support of St. Rita Student Financial Aid and Scholarships. Those in attendance truly showed their support of St. Rita through their generosity. Mr. Paul ’58 and Mrs. Doreen Petriekis even made a sizable donation to aid St. Rita in acquiring a new 14-Passenger Bus for the school.
St. Rita High School President Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A. ’83 took the stage following dinner to award this year’s special honorees. Mr. Don Mrozek ’65 was awarded the Tolle Lege Community Service Award. Mr. Mrozek who was at one time a St. Rita teacher has built an amazing career as a lawyer, earning himself many special distinctions. Since 1990, he has been a member of the Valentine Dinner Dance Committee. The Petriekis’ were honored as the 2010 Couple of the Year. Together they actively support St. Rita to help assure the school’s continued success in education. The Crest of St. Augustine Award was presented to Mr. Dan Leahy ’50, who after graduating from St. Rita went on to attend Villanova University and DePaul University to become a successful lawyer.
Another highlight of the evening was the great musical atmosphere created by the St. Rita Jazz Band and the group The Connexion. Guests were delighted with the evening and St. Rita is already looking forward to the 22nd Annual Valentine Dinner Dance.