Tickets Still Available for Marist's 50th Anniversary 'Red & White Ball'

Alumni, parents, faculty and friends are invited to the Marist High School’s Red & White Ball, culminating a year of events celebrating Marist’s 50th anniversary.

The ball takes place at Hilton Chicago, 720 S. Michigan Ave, this Saturday, April 12. Guests will enjoy cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by dinner and a brief program 7:30 p.m. Dancing follows with live entertainment by Final Say until midnight.

Several Marist Brothers will be recognized for awards they received earlier in the school year. Br. Brice Byczynski '67, Br. Richard Carey '76, Br. John Kachinsky '80, and Br. John Murray '67 (posthumously) are all alumni who went on to become Marist Brothers, and received the Time & Eternity Award. Br. Paul Forgues, Br. Richard Grenier, and Br. Kevin Moran received the Laetare Award, the school's highest distinction, for their many decades of service to the Chicago school.

The Red & White Ball is co-chaired by Marist President Br. Patrick McNamara, Marist president, and school dean Beth O'Neill. The ball honors the past and celebrates the future of the Catholic, college-prep, co-ed school.

Other Marist supporters on the ball’s planning committee include Patti Arvesen (Mt. Greenwood), Gerald and Jen Beeson (Orland Park), Dan and Vicki Brennan (Palos Heights), Jack and Joanne Callahan (LaGrange), Brian and Dawn Dolan (Tinley Park), Br. Hank Hammer (Beverly), Tom Inzinga (Mt. Greenwood), Kevin and Amy Hughes (Oak Lawn), Julie Mineman (Evergreen Park), Larry and Susan Mish (Palos Heights), Tom and Patti Skalitzky (Evergreen Park), and Larry Tucker (Tinley Park), Amy Hughes (Oak Lawn), Julie Mineman (Evergreen Park), Larry and Susan Mish (Palos Heights), Tom and Patti Skalitzky (Evergreen Park), and Larry Tucker (Tinley Park).

In an interview with Patch last September, Marist alumni Mike Steurer ‘67, recalled crossing wooden planks placed over mud to reach the school’s doors on his first day as a freshman at the brand new Catholic boys’ high school. Steurer said during the first year, many sections of Marist were still under construction.

Red & White Ball tickets are $150 per person and proceeds will benefit the school's endowment fund. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.  Contact the school to purchase tickets at 773-881-5320 or online on Marist’s website.

Read more Patch coverage of Marist’s remarkable 50-year milestone:

• From Hovel to High School: Marist Celebrates Half-Century Mark

• Marist 'Pioneer' Recalls High School's Early Days 50 Years Ago

• Marist High School Celebrates 50 Years