A New Era of Aviation at St. Rita High School
A new generation of Ritamen is learning the ropes of aviation, as the 2025–26 academic year marks an exciting new era for flight at St. Rita.
The Aviation Club got a fresh start in 2023 under the leadership of science faculty member and former head football coach Todd Kuska ’90, who retired from coaching after 25 years at the helm of the Mustangs Football Program.
“As I was winding down my coaching career, Deacon John expressed an interest in starting an aviation club and was looking for someone to lead it,” Kuska shared. “I had a lot more time available and just as my son Jake 20’ was getting into his aviation studies at Lewis University — it just made sense to me to get involved.”
Now, two years later, the club is not only thriving but also taking on its most ambitious project yet — one that’s giving students real-world experience and life-changing opportunities.
The club’s current undertaking? They’re building a plane.
Since last fall, a dedicated group of five to seven students — along with Coach Kuska — has been traveling to Romeoville each week to work with Chapter 15 of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Together, they’re constructing a Sonex Waiex, a lightweight aircraft designed for amateur builders.
“I was shocked we would be able to do something like this,” Juan Ruiz ’28 shared his reaction to his Freshman Biology teacher, Coach Kuska, inviting him to join the club and help with the plane build. “I’ve always been interested in engineering; I was so excited to be a part of this.”
St. Rita’s connection to aviation didn’t begin with this project. In fact, it dates back nearly 70 years. In 1955, St. Rita partnered with the EAA to become the founding high school of Project Schoolflight, a nationwide youth aviation initiative. The program was led by Robert D. Blacker, St. Rita’s aeronautical instructor at the time.
"Spirit of Cascia" Baby Ace airplane built at St. Rita High School in 1957 at the 63rd and Claremont Campus by Robert D. Blacker and his students.
“I think that spirit has never left,” Kuska said. “St. Rita has always been a place where young men are challenged to do big things, and this group is living up to that legacy.”
The current club is made up of 17 freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors: Zach Anderson ‘29, Alex Arguello ‘29, Jack Arvetis ‘29, Jack Braun ‘29, Jake Bubacz ‘29, Finn Marciano ‘29, David McKinney ‘29, Evin Espinoza ‘28, Brandon Lopez-Cerrillo ‘28, Elijah Reed ‘28, Juan Ruiz ‘28, Joah Allen ‘27, Nick Bubacz ‘27, Joe Baxtrom ‘26, Luke Cole ‘26, Dean Radejewski ‘26, and Charles Skoczylas ‘26.
“What they are doing each week is a powerful extension of what they are learning in the classroom day in and day out,” Principal Josh Blaszak ’02 explained. “They are using math, engineering, and physics in a real-life situation — this is a truly unique opportunity for our guys to be having at the high school level. I’m excited to see how they continue to grow as they get closer and closer to completing the plane build.”
Just this week, a donation by Ray Mertens ’90 made acquiring a new engine possible.
“This was huge for us,” Kuska explained. “It makes completion of the project possible, which now looks like Summer 2026. We cannot thank Ray enough — this is a great example of St. Rita brothers stepping up to help one another.”
In the meantime, they continue showing up week after week, eager to learn something new. They even completed a wing in recent weeks. They’ve also taken several field trips to Midway Airport and other small airports in the area to get a behind-the-scenes look at the aviation industry in action.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our students, their families, and, of course, the folks at EAA Chapter 15.” Kuska said. “We are beyond grateful for the opportunities and support from the EAA.”
“Bringing aviation back to St. Rita felt like the right thing to do as soon as I became president,” said Deacon John Donahue, J.D., Ed.D, President of St. Rita. “To watch Coach Kuska and our Ritamen embrace it with such dedication — and to see a plane actually coming together — fills me with immense pride.”
With the finish line set, this project continues to fuel academic growth, personal development, and a renewed sense of pride in St. Rita’s legacy in aviation.
