Alumni

Send information to alumni@sthelenaofthecross.org Please include your current name and name at the time of graduation if different, current address, e-mail address biographical information. If you would like to include a picture of you and your family, and do not have a digital image, you can mail a photo to St. Helena of the Cross School - Alumni Photos, 10121 S. Parnell, Chicago 60628.

If you would like to be included in the alumni database but would rather that your information not be posted on this site, please let us know in your e-mail.

Mary Patricia (Pat) Sweeney '59
Currently: Employed by St. Francis Catholic Cemetery-Diocese of Phoenix

Eddie P. Goss '68
Currently: Chyron Operator for WREG-TV also Freelance the Pro and College Teams in the area.

Bernadine Goss-Holeyfield '70
Currently: Working for People Energy for the last 26 years

After leaving St. Helena of the Cross grammar school, Annette attended and graduated from Academy of Our Lady High School. From there, she went on to a technical school, Chicago College of Commerce, and has embarked on a career in the field of Court Reporting. She has the designation of CSR, Certified Shorthand Reporter, providing free-lance services to the legal field , including lawyers, courtrooms, and a myriad of other arenas. Her passion has always been and still is sports and physical fitness . She has a host of family and friends whom she generously and lovingly reach out to. She is a member of Apostolic Church of God.

I am divorced and have recently returned to the home of my youth to live with my mother.

St. Helena has once again become my church home and I keep busy with all the activities that the church and school have to offer. I also enjoy singing with The Voices of St. Helena at Sunday's 9:00 am Mass. I hope to see some of you at one of the services in the near future.

Currently: President and General Counsel, National Institute for Urban Entrepreneurship, Washington, DC

Patricia H. Lee founded the National Institute for Urban Entrepreneurship (“NIUE”), a Washington, DC based nonprofit, nonpartisan organization to stimulate, create and grow private enterprises of Blacks, Latinos and other persons of color. She is President and General Counsel of this organization and currently serves as a consultant and lecturer in law at the IJ Clinic on Entrepreneurship at The University of Chicago Law School.

Prior to founding NIUE, Ms. Lee worked for the Institute for Justice, a Washington, DC based public interest law firm, as Managing Vice President and National Director of Clinical Programs. Previously, she was the founding director of the IJ Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Law School, a clinical program that provides free legal services to entry-level micro-businesses with students involved in all phases of client representation. She also served as senior lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School, teaching Entrepreneurship and Law and Entrepreneurial Advocacy seminars that introduce students to entrepreneurship in both theory and, to a greater extent, legal practice. She was also corporate counsel for McDonald’s Corporation in Oak Brook, IL for ten years.

Ms. Lee has provided testimony before the House of Representatives Small Business Committee regarding the impact of regulations on micro-businesses and entrepreneurs; won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2001; been awarded the Ron Brown Minority Advocate of the Year Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce and numerous local awards for her service to the community.

Ms. Lee is licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and the United States Supreme Court. She has a Bachelor of Arts & Sciences from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL (1979) and a law degree from Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago (1982) and serves on numerous boards, including the Montgomery County Mid-County Citizens Advisory Board in Maryland and is Chair of the Small Business Law Section of the National Bar Association, Washington, DC.

Back in 1966 my family moved into the Fernwood district where I attended Fernwood public grammar school for 3rd and 4th grade (1966, 1967) In 1968, transferred to St. Helena of the Cross catholic grammar school. Attended St. Helena from 1968 thru 1971 and completed the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. When I attended St. Helena, the school had a mobile unit classroom. Sister Leroy was my 8th grade teacher. When I graduated from St. Helena in 1971, I attended Leo High School graduating 1975, I attended Northern Illinois University earning a B.A. degree in Sociology: Criminal Justice Emphasis.

I enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in 1980. Served four years and picked up a reserve officer commission. While in the marine corps I served as a corrections officer at the Camp Lejeune, N.C. base correctional facility and as a lieutenant at The Basic School for newly commissioned officers where I served as a logistic officer for field training. After my honorable discharge from the Marine Corps in 1984, I returned to Chicago, IL. and worked in the law enforcement field up to 1995 for Federal Bureau of Prisons - MCC Chicago, The Chicago Police Department, and the Illinois Department of Corrections -Youth Division IYC St. Charles, IL.

In 1995, I left the Continental U.S. and went to live with my brother and his family in Honolulu, Hawaii for nine months in hopes of getting set up to live there. In 1996, I returned to Chicago, IL. from Honolulu, Hawaii and was accepted into a 5 years apprenticeship program to become an union pipe fitter for Pipe fitter Union Local #597 based out of Chicago, IL. Graduated the apprenticeship program in 2001. I am currently employed as a union journeyman pipe fitter.

I Worked as a College Football Coach for 7 years, at the University of Redlands and at the Apprentice School in Newport News, Virginia. Currently, I took a rest from football and I'm an Operations Coordinator with Northrop Grumman Newport News in Virginia. Our company is the only company in the US to design and produce Nuclear Aircraft Carriers and Nuclear Submarines. Specifically I work in project management in the design and engineering area of the CVN 21, the next generation in Nuclear Aircraft Carriers. I'm married to a wonderful wife and mother Crystal, and we have one son named Liam (almost 2 years old).

Kenneisha L. (Anderson) Patton '95
Currently: Claims adjuster for Allstate

Hello! My name is Kenneisha L. Patton and I graduated from St. Helena in 1995. At the time, my name was Kenneisha L. Anderson. I lived right around the corner from St. Helena at 10204 S. Normal Ave. My sister and I, Kendria, went to St. Helena from kindergarten through eighth grade.

I have so many fond memories of St. Helena! I miss Sis. Jeanine, Ms. Durkin, Mrs. Currin, and Sis Cyrille so very much! I must say, the world was truly different once I left the safe and secure doors of St. Helena!

I graduated from CVS in 1999, went on to attend Northern IL University in DeKalb, IL from 1999-2005. I graduated from NIU w/a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. I now work for Allstate in South Barrington, IL as a Claims Adjuster. I married my college sweetheart in June 2004 and I have 2 little boys, with one new baby expected Mar. 2007.

I thank you, St. Helena, and all of the teachers and administration that was part of my development while I attended St. Helena. I could never forget you all and please, keep in touch. I would love to hear from Ms. Durkin, and I would like to tell her, thank you so much for pushing me and encouraging me. The subject I really did well in during my college years was English. I definitely owe that to you!

My name is Trenise Newman-Wilkins and was Trenise Newman when I attended St Helena. I attended St. Helena for only one year, 95-96. I graduated with the class of 96. My little brother Lonnie Newman also attended St. Helena. After graduation I attend Josephinum all girl high school and graduated 3rd in my class and with honors from The National Honors Society. I went on to Robert Morris College where I received my AAS in Computer Programming and my BAS in Computer Networking and graduated with honors and titled SUMA KUM LADI. I got married April 20, 2003 to my childhood sweetheart Patrick Wilkins, right after graduating from college. We are still currently happily married with two children Brianna Newman 12, and Patricia Wilkins 4. I had a hard time getting work right after college but faith and prayer prevailed and things started picking up. I am currently a Supervisor at Visions Network, a company where we assist disabled adults in living full and abundant lives.

I attended many grammar schools but St. Helena was the best. My favorite memories of St. Helena are the trips to Florida, and Springfield, and the 8th Grade Dinner Dance. Both my children have attended or are attending St. Helena. I really miss being there and having Sister on the front steps with her megaphone telling us its time for school to start. My favorite teacher was Mrs. Currin. She helped me with a lot of personal problems I was having and saw to it that I didn't let the problems affect my education. Thanks Mrs. Currin I love you very much and appreciate the help you gave me.

I am still in contact with some of my class mates from St. Helena, like Robert Blocker and Jason Shields. I also have a myspace page if anyone wants to see pictures of my life. The address is myspace.com/pugy2000 or search Trenise Newman.

I attended St. Helena of the Cross from 1995 to 1998. I had attended four different grammar school's, but in all St. Helena was my best grammar school experience. After St. Helena, I attended Leo High School where I was greatly involved with football, wrestling, track, band, choir, and student government, etc. I graduated from Leo in 2002 and started my career job as a Local Union 597 Pipe fitter at the age of 18 on June 3, 2002 . In September of 2002 I started taking lessons for the keyboard and organ prior to 3 years of drum experience, which St. Helena of the Cross was my first live performance. Therefore, my music career was initiated at St. Helena of the Cross Catholic Church. As a Union Pipe fitter, I purchased my first house at the age of 20 and my second house at the age of 21. I now own numerous things and through all of my success I thank God for his many blessings. I am currently engaged and in the process of getting married. I will be graduating from the L. U. 597 apprenticeship class in June. The bible states that when a man finds a wife, he has found a good thing and obtains favor with God. Thank you for taking the time to learn about me. Take care and TO GOD BE THE GLORY FOR THE THINGS HE HAS DONE AND WILL DO!

Class of 2005 (Valedictorian) set to graduate from Seton Academy on May 23, 2009.