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Collegiate Friars: April 2022
Catching up with 2020 Fenwick Classmates Aimee Morrissey at the University of Notre Dame and Joe Sedlacek at Wake Forest University.
Fenwick Graduation: Class of 2020
Hometown: River Forest, IL
Grade School: St. Luke
Current School: University of Notre Dame
Major: I am majoring in political science with minors in constitutional studies and
business economics.
Internship: This past fall, I had the opportunity to intern in Washington, D.C., through Notre Dame’s Washington Program. While in D.C, I worked for the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. I conducted research to supplement the legislative drafting of professional staff members, monitored developments within both the federal government and across the world, and assisted with social-media strategy. Prior to this internship, I also interned in a U.S. Congressional Representative office in the spring of 2021. Although I have not finalized my plans for this upcoming summer, I hope to explore careers in legal or nonprofit work.
Career aspirations: I hope to either attend law school and practice international law or work in public policy in the future.
Fenwick achievements/activities: Public Forum Debate Team Capitan; Model United Nations Head Delegate; Fenwick Key Club Founder and President; Kairos Retreat Leader; The Write Place Tutor; Illinois State Scholar; AP Scholar; National Latin Exam Gold Medalist (2x); Recipient of the departmental honors awards in Latin, history, English and community outreach
Fenwick teacher who had the most influence on you: I am blessed to have had so many brilliant teachers at Fenwick, especially Dr. Porter. I was privileged enough to have Dr. Porter for three consecutive years and, in that time, her compassion for her students as well as her expertise in the Latin language were very apparent. She has instilled a love for Latin literature in me that I continue to pursue in my collegiate studies!
Fenwick class that had the most influence on you: A.P. U.S. Government with Ms. Logas, which I took sophomore year, first introduced me to my passion for politics and government and definitely has been most influential in shaping my life. Ms. Logas is such an amazing educator who I have to thank for where I am today.
Best Fenwick experience/the one you would like to live again: Some of my favorite moments at Fenwick were spent on the frosh/soph tennis team.
What Fenwick experience changed you the most: Leading Kairos in September 2019 had the greatest effect on me because I was able to witness firsthand the magic that happens on the retreat!
JOE SEDLACEK
Fenwick Graduation: 2020
Hometown: La Grange, IL
Grade School: Park Junior High
Current School: Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC)
Major: Mathematics and Computer Science
Summer internship: Engineering and Automation Intern at AvidXchange
Career aspirations: I have a passion for machine learning and automation, so whether those land me in cyber security, artificial intelligence or software development, I will be happy!
Fenwick achievements/activities: Kairos retreat leader, Friar Mentors, the Write Place tutor, freshman year basketball, varsity soccer, Banua, and TEAMS and WYSE (Computer Science and English) academic teams.
Fenwick teacher who had the most influence on you: Every teacher had a profound impact on my learning and development, but I think Mr. Schoeph [Fenwick Class of 1995] and I had, and still have, a special relationship that I know will last indefinitely. Not only was he a great teacher, but he was a great friend as well. Some of my favorite memories from his class consist of saying the rosary as a class, pranking the shadows (all in good humor), and listening to his lauding of each student at the end of the year. He taught with his heart, and I learned from him to go through each day teaching, communicating, and living with my heart just as he does.
Fenwick class that had the most influence on you: When I think of a class which completely changed how I think, behave, and look at the world around me, Mrs. Logas’ AP U.S. Government class is the first class to come to mind. In large part, the deep impact this class had on me can be attributed almost completely to Mrs. Logas herself, as it was not the material which influenced me, but it was Mrs. Logas’ teaching of the material. She taught the material in a way which was unbiased and strictly factual. This allowed me to form opinions and make sense of the world unaffected by misleading media or opinions, and for that, I thank her.
Best Fenwick experience/the one you would like to live again: Being that I am an avid soccer player, I think beating Oak Park River Forest (OPRF) in their stadium my senior year takes the cake. I could definitely live that experience over and over again until the end of time. It was the first time Fenwick had beaten OPRF in soccer in about twenty years, which made the feeling that much better. Nothing beats the feeling of victory, and to share it with my friends on the field and in the stands was truly something special that I will not forget.
The Fenwick experience that changed you the most: Contrary to most students’ opinions, I actually greatly enjoyed attending Mass during school. Coming from a public elementary and middle school, religion and school were always separate; however, Fenwick introduced me to a world in which they were tightly intertwined. I loved praying together before every class and attending mass, as it brought together the entire school. It helped foster a sense of community and friendship among my peers, and I think this is why friars have such long lasting friendships. I am thankful for Fenwick and all of the friends I made over my four years. I would not trade being a friar for anything.
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