Marmion Academy offers its 'Salute to Youth'

The 47th annual "Salute to Youth Dinner," Marmion Academy's annual black-tie benefit, was recently held at the Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The elegant evening brought together new and longtime friends of Marmion to honor the students of the Class of 2009. The "Salute to Youth Dinner" is the oldest continuous high school benefit event in the Chicago area and is sponsored by the Marmion Academy 55-member board of lay trustees.

Event chairmen Philip and Lynn Cali of St. Charles welcomed 794 guests and reported that this year's dinner-dance pulled in more than $180,000, which will benefit the educational programs of the academy's college-preparatory curriculum.

Besides honoring the Class of 2009, the evening was dedicated to Gerard Dempsey of Elburn, Dr. Edward Garrity of Aurora and Jerry Hammes of South Bend, Ind. recipients of Abbey Affiliate Membership. Affiliate Membership is a special sharing in the mission, good works and prayers of the monks of Marmion. First conferred in 1980, only 22 men have been so honored with this recognition.

Student speaker, senior David Brouch of Aurora, addressed the evening's theme "Diamond Jubilee: Celebrating 75 Years." 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). Matt Jacobs of Geneva, the student master of ceremonies, introduced the couples for the formal white dress and black tuxedo presentation ceremony. Each couple walked through the Marmion Color Guard's "arch of sabers" onto the stage.

The 48th Salute to Youth Dinner is scheduled for April 24, 2010 at Drury Lane.

View photos from this year's event, visit marmionacademy.smugmug.com or to be put on the mailing list for the 2010 event call the Marmion Development Office at (630) 897-6936, ext. 244.