Morgan Park Academy Alumni

As we get ready to celebrate the Class of 2026 at Morgan Park Academy’s 153rd graduation exercises, we are pleased to announce this year’s valedictorian and salutatorian. Congratulations to Diego and Varun!

Both seniors plan to attend Northwestern University and study biological sciences on a pre-med track. Passionate about academics, athletics, service, and leadership, they will graduate as Illinois State Scholars and members of the Cum Laude Society and the National Honor Society.

The two awards are based on cumulative high school grade-point average. To be eligible, students must have attended MPA for at least three years, including junior and senior years.

Diego and Varun continue a long line of outstanding Morgan Park Academy valedictorians and salutatorians who have gone on to succeed at top colleges and universities, with recent schools including:

✅ Massachusetts Institute of Technology
✅ University of Chicago
✅ University of Michigan
✅ Cornell University
✅ University of California, Berkeley
✅ University of Notre Dame
✅ Morehouse College
✅ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
✅ Drake University
✅ Benedictine University
✅ New York University

This year, the Class of 2026 earned admission at a host of top national universities and liberal arts schools and received nearly $475,000 in scholarship offers per student.

The valedictorian receives the Haydn E. Jones Cup, which is named for the lieutenant colonel who helped lead the Academy’s reorganization as a military school a century ago. Our campus quad also is named in his honor. The salutatorian receives the Harry D. Abells Award, named for the school’s superintendent from 1917-1945.

Northwestern University

We are offering a limited-time raffle for a $5,000 comprehensive estate planning package, in partnership with The Law Offices of Theodore London & Associates. This package is designed to help you or your family complete essential legal planning — something many intend to do but often delay.

Raffle tickets are $100 apiece, or $250 for 3 tickets. Only 50 entries are available!

Tickets are available through Wednesday, May 27, with the winner announced on Friday, May 29.

Included in this all-inclusive Estate Planning Package (a $5,000 value) are:
* Living Trust: Helps protect your privacy, safeguard assets, and avoid probate.
* Certificate of Trust: Verifies your trust’s authority without disclosing private details.
* Quitclaim Deed Recording: Transfers property into your trust.
* Powers of Attorney (Two Sets):
- Healthcare Power of Attorney: Appoints a trusted individual to make medical decisions.
- Durable Power of Attorney: Ensures financial matters are managed effectively.

Beyond the chance to win, every ticket directly supports Morgan Park Academy's Innovation Fund, helping us continue to strengthen and advance MPA within our community.

Buy Tickets: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?svcid=renxt&formId=a8cbc128-bd2c-41ea-92ed-c5505f917209&envid=p-EfA0nWjEMUyoc_jiaL801Q&zone=usa

This year's recipient of the Thomas Malcolm Award, our highest award for MPA volunteers, is Erica Enright Twomey '99, an MPA parent and alumna whose dedication, service, and generosity over the past year have made a tremendous impact on our school community.

Erica consistently goes above and beyond, gives selflessly, contributes thoughtfully and strategically, and leads with both heart and purpose — whether that means helping with outreach for our Alumni Celebration, assisting with event planning, or lending her architectural expertise as we evaluate and reimagine our campus spaces for teaching and learning.

She also is co-leading a new historical project to preserve MPA’s history digitally. This fall she will utilize this body of work and serve as the Academy's first guest lecturer teaching Upper School students all about our rich history.

Congratulations, Erica, and thank you for making such a difference for our students and teachers!

🎭 ✨ The Morgan Park Academy community gathered April 18 to dedicate the stage in our Baer Theater in memory of beloved educator Lillian Mackal, whose passion for the arts inspired a generation of MPA students.

We were also proud to mark a historic moment with the launch of the MPA Arts Hall of Fame, honoring its inaugural inductees — acclaimed actor Paula Newsome and accomplished filmmaker and visual storyteller Peter Babakitis, whose careers exemplify the creativity and excellence nurtured by MPA faculty.

The evening was filled with reflection, gratitude, and a shared commitment to the power of artistic expression. Thank you to all the alumni, faculty, and friends who joined us!

If you were inspired by Ms. Mackal or moved by the impact of the Fine Arts at MPA, please consider making a gift to support this meaningful initiative. Your generosity will help ensure the arts continue to thrive for future generations of students. Donate here:
https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form/?svcid=renxt&formId=23f142dc-9681-41ed-8bdd-c31ffd92d41c&envid=p-EfA0nWjEMUyoc_jiaL801Q&zone=usa

See more photos from the dedication event:
https://morganparkacademy.smugmug.com/Events/Lillian-Mackal-Stage-Dedication

We were sorry to hear of the passing of Connie Murphy Doody ’83 this week, and extend heartfelt condolences to her friends and family, including her siblings Morgan ’78 and Michelle ’80.

Morgan Park Academy is proud to announce the launch of our new Alumni Leadership Council, a junior board of engaged alumni dedicated to strengthening their alma mater.

Leading this exciting new initiative is Zachary Bertucci ’15, who will serve as the Council’s inaugural Chair. Zac has more than six years of experience in the commercial real estate sector and currently serves as a Senior Associate at Kaufman Hall, where he focuses on healthcare real estate consulting. A proud MPA alumnus, Zac is passionate about giving back to the community that helped shape his path.

Want to get involved with the Alumni Leadership Council? Membership is open to alumni approximately 10-25 years post-graduation. Learn more about the board and the nomination process (including self-nominations) at https://www.morganparkacademy.org/alumni.

Thanks to the MPA alumni in Los Angeles who met up to say hi while our Upper School group was in town for Project Week! Mr. Drahozal, Mr. Ellis, and Dr. Zhao loved catching up with Jiheon Jun ’14 and Stephanie Mullings ’15.

Still feeling the magic from an unforgettable night at last weekend's Innovation Gala ✨

The MPA community came together for a joyful celebration filled with meaningful moments, and we’re so grateful to everyone who showed up, supported, and made the evening special.

As we look back, we’re also looking ahead to the opportunities we can continue to create for our students. Help us build what’s next at MPA — there’s still time to make a gift and keep the momentum going!

Donate today at https://morganparkacademy.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/InnovationGala/FundANeedDonation/tabid/1587369/Default.aspx

See more photos from the event at https://morganparkacademy.smugmug.com/Events/MPA-Innovation-Gala-2026

The latest award in the trophy case is the biggest yet 🏀✨

Congratulations to Tiara on reaching a level achieved by few athletes in MPA history — she is Class 1A Illinois State Player of the Year!

This honor from a statewide panel of sports writers and broadcasters adds to the legacy this junior guard has amassed in three seasons of high school basketball:

- 3 All-State selections (2 first team)
- 3 IHSA Regional Championships
- 3 Conference MVP Awards
- 3 Best Scoring Seasons in Program History (800+ points, 28 per game)
- MPA’s All-Time Leading Scorer, Boys or Girls (2,534 points)

Her skills, leadership, and relentless drive set the standard all season long. 🔥