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Our Alumni

Maintaining a strong connection with alumni is important to the continued growth and success of Catherine Cook.

Our community of alumni will forever be valued members of the Catherine Cook family. We regularly collect and share highlights such as academic and athletic achievements, college acceptances, career accomplishments, and more. We also enjoy looking back at the great times our alumni had during their time at Catherine Cook.

Catherine Cook alumni stay connected and involved by reading our regular alumni newsletter, visiting, acting as mentors and tutors, participating in knowledge transfer events such as the Alumni High School Chat, and reuniting throughout the year at school-hosted alumni events. 
 

Annabelle '20 joined first grade students in their science class to engineer 3D structures.

Catherine Cook

Alumni Association

The Catherine Cook School Alumni Association was formed to keep graduates and their families informed about and involved with the Catherine Cook community. To further engage both groups, the school hosts class reunions, alumni panels, our annual Graduation Pinning Ceremony with graduating 8th Graders, alumni meet-ups at Cook events, and more. Interested in learning more? Contact Lindsay Bartlett, Director of Development, at lbartlett@ccookschool.org.

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    Recent Alumni Highlights

    Drew and Leo Gerstung

    CLASSES OF 2021 and 2022

    Brothers Drew and Leo, both students at DePaul College Prep, worked on a short film together for Drew’s capstone project in Advanced Film Studies class, and it was featured at DePaul Prep’s Arts Festival. Drew wrote, directed, and acted in it, and Leo was the cinematographer.

    Dominique Leroy

    CLASS OF 2022

    Dominique had the 2nd highest PSAT score in the Mt. Carmel class of 2026 and has been referred to as a “Physics All-Star” in his AP Physics class. He has also developed a love of flying and even went on his first flight this year!

    Avani Nandi

    CLASS OF 2024

    Avani Nandi returned to the National History Day competition for the 3rd year in a row. She submitted independently, as Northside College Prep does not have a History Fair program. Avani won as a national qualifier with a documentary on the Bracero Program’s Legacy of Rights of Non-Citizens.

    Brickago

    CLASS OF 2023

    We are proud of our innovative and passionate Catherine Cook alumni who are making a positive impact in our community! WGN Chicago featured Brickago, the nonprofit organization co-founded by our very own class of 2023 alumni Rollin, Gracie, Sid, Braden, Annabelle, and Mina. Brickago collects, repackages, and donates old LEGO kits to kids in the Chicago area.

    Learn more at brickago.org and click here to view the story on WGN Chicago!

    Isabel Kapustka

    Class of 2017

    Isabel Kapustka is Vice President of the Speech and Debate team at the University of Illinois Chicago, and in April her team won the National Championship. Isabel reached the semifinal in both extemporaneous speaking and persuasive speaking, placed 3rd in impromptu speaking, and placed 5th in informative speaking.

    Charlie Leversha

    Class of 2015

    Charlie Leversha has entered the world of film with remarkable success. Due to his extended stay in Australia because of border restrictions during COVID-19, he made some connections and is now working on his first feature directorial debut in Melbourne.

    Ash Srivastava

    Class of 2020

    Ash Srivastava is reporting to the United States Air Force Academy for four years of rigorous military and academic studies, majoring in mathematics.  

    Christopher Zrazik

    Class of 2017

    Christopher Zrazik is a student researcher and author for OPUS-Africa at George Washington University. He has published analytical pieces on security issues on the African continent, including "Ethiopia’s Port Deal with Somaliland: Diplomatic Fallout, International Response, and Regional Implications.

    Avi Lapchick

    Class of 2016

    University of Iowa photojournalism graduate Avi Lapchick has been working as an Arts Editor at the Daily Iowan after starting out as a photojournalist for the newspaper. 

    Surya Newa

    Class of 2018

    Surya, a student at New York University, has launched a consultancy in AI. Part of his work has been reaching out to various schools and organizations to help companies utilize this tool to advance education and business productivity. He credits his skills back to Catherine Cook, where he learned video editing, vector graphics, spreadsheets, and coding.

    Hero