Ten Sunny Hill residents
awarded honorary diplomas at Joliet Catholic Academy

JOLIET - They never heard Pomp and Circumstance played in their honor or marched across a stage to receive a hard-earned sheet of parchment.

But for 10 residents of Sunny Hill Nursing Home of Will County, their longing for that missed milestone has been met. The three men and seven women were awarded honorary high school diplomas by Joliet Catholic Academy during the school's Christmas concert on Dec. 7.

The pursuit of the academic acknowledgment began in June when the nursing home's community liaison, Mary Behringer, wrote area high schools, asking for help in fulfilling some residents' dreams of high school diplomas. In September, Behringer heard back from JCA. The 10 became honorary members of the Class of 2006. Each was presented the coveted diploma, as well as a JCA T-shirt.

Will County Executive Larry Walsh, who oversees the county-owned nursing home, lauded the effort. "It's important that our residents get out into the communities they helped build," he said. "In this instance, I am sure that some of the young people who were part of the holiday event were touched by it. Even if they don't realize it now, someday the kindness of this act and the pleasure it brought to the residents will come back to them. Maybe it will even encourage them to do another kind act."

Meet the grads

     The honorees range in age from 65 to 97. Many had to quit school to help their families. The newest members of the JCA Class of 2006 are:

• Louise Betti, 83, quit school to care for ill parents. She then went on to care for other homebound people, an experience she found humbling. The trust families had in her caring for their loved ones meant more than any paycheck;

• Theresa Botka, 92, left formal education to help support her family. Among her jobs was one at the arsenal during World War II, where she would load explosives with powder and bolt together the shipment boxes the explosives were shipped in. She said she was able to help her family and her country at the same time;

• Martha Centeno, 84, enjoyed school, but it was too expensive and a three-mile walk made it difficult to get there. She helped on the family ranch and later began cleaning houses and apartments;

• Collis Jones, 65, was forced to quit school because of an illness. When he recuperated he joined the workforce, first at a concrete plant in Lemont and later at Shetfield Steel, previously Phoenix Steel;

• Lucille Kempke, 97, attended continuation school, which taught job skills. She completed the course, but never received a certificate. She went to work at Republican Printing Press, where she met her future husband. While she does not regret working at the Printing Press, she wishes she would have gotten some documentation from the school because it might have helped her find a better job;

• Agnes Ludden, 95, was unable to finish her education, but wished she could have. She did secretarial work at a tile store and raised three children. She has no regrets about her life, but still wanted a diploma;

• Mary Praylor, 65, had to quit school to help support her family. She worked at Folger Adam's and fruit canning factories. While she speaks of her work experiences fondly, she says her best experience was tending to her children. She says looking at pictures of her grandchildren assures her it was all worthwhile;

• Art Tarlini, 79, had to leave school and join the workforce. He worked for Material Services and later the Joliet Park District, where he helped maintain many Joliet parks. He enjoyed working outdoors and meeting people;

• Joe Thurmond, 68, also wishes he had been able to finish his education. The Tennessee-born Thurmond eventually relocated to Illinois, where he found a job with Ceco Steel in Lemont, where he enjoyed working and made a lot of friends;

• Ethel Vahlkamp, 84, didn't mind the studying in school. Her problem was the students - and occasionally teachers - who would tease her about speech problems. She left school to go to work, including jobs at factories and as a waitress at the Athletic Club. 

Grateful to JCA

Sunny Hill Administrator Karen Sorbero is grateful for Joliet Catholic Academy's response to Behringer's request. "We know how important it is for our residents to see  others care about them. I'm sure the students and staff at the Christmas program couldn't help but feel their gratitude and joy," said Sorbero. "I have to believe the holidays were enriched for all of the people who participated in or watched this heartwarming event."