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St. Viator in Arlington Heights starts 50th year

Classes begin Friday for Saint Viator High School students, 50 years after the Catholic school opened in the Northwest suburbs.

The anniversary year began with a Mass in January celebrated by Cardinal Francis George and included a gala dinner dance that drew more than 900 to Navy Pier. School officials also hosted a series of speakers on different themes that address the challenges facing students in a global society.

The third in that series of presentations takes place at 7 p. m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, when the school will host a panel on the theme, “Awakening the Servant in Young Men and Women.” Monsignor Kenneth Velo of the Archdiocese of Chicago will deliver the keynote address.

Summer projects completed at the school at 1213 E. Oakton St. in Arlington Heights include refurbishing the back parking lot, improvements to the boys’ baseball and girls’ softball fields, renovation of one of the computer labs and work on the school’s fire suppression system.

The incoming freshman class numbers 259 students from 35 communities and 50 different schools across Northwest Cook, Lake, Kane and McHenry counties.

  Freshman Sarah Miklius smiles as a group of seniors visits her homeroom class on the first day of school at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights Friday. JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Junior Samantha Maentanis, left, briefly visits with classmate Maria Zivoli in front of her locker during a passing period on the first day of school at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights Friday. JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Students pass in the hallway between periods during the first day of school at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights Friday. JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Senior Katie Kerstetter listens to teacher Patty Bruce during anatomy/physiology class on the first day of school at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights Friday. JOE LEWNARD/jlewnard@dailyherald.com