LOMBARD – Montini Catholic High School President Jim Segredo believes focusing on each student individually and touching their hearts has been the key to the school's success over the past 50 years. And to celebrate this milestone anniversary, the Lombard school is hosting a number of events throughout the year to honor students, faculty, alumni and their families.

“We want to make sure that everyone in the school community is involved,” he said. “Our alumni are very supportive of the school. They come back and enjoy seeing the teachers. Parents of alums continue to make a gift, which says something about what they think of their child’s experience.”

Montini Catholic High School opened its doors in 1966, making 2015-16 its 50th year of education. Six area parishes joined together in 1963 to request a high school be built in the area, and the Diocese of Joliet agreed to build Montini. The religious order that sponsored the school was the De La Salle Christian Brothers, with the Adrian Dominican Sisters acting as co-administrators.

The new school year kicked off with an opening liturgy Aug. 21, and pastors from the original six parishes, as well as representatives from the De La Salle Christian Brothers and Adrian Dominican Sisters, were in attendance.

“It was really special. We talked a lot about the history, and I think it’s important the students know about that. We also acknowledged everyone at the Mass,” Segredo said.

Alumni are welcomed for every homecoming, but Segredo said this year is special. The school is celebrating 50 years of football, cheerleading and band at this year’s game.

Former football players, cheerleaders and band members will be honored with a video on the jumbotron. Former band members who still play their instruments also are invited to play along with the school band.

The school will celebrate 50 years of basketball on Jan. 9, 2016, and 50 years of baseball April 30, 2016.

But athletics aren’t the only things being celebrated. The school will honor its music program at the winter concert Feb. 18 at the Wentz Concert Hall in Naperville. Choir alumni will be invited to perform with the students.

“I’m very excited about that; it should be a great night,” Segredo said.

The 50th anniversary celebration wraps up with a dinner and dance June 4 at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, where there will be a video presentation of 50 years of Montini.

Montini Principal Maryann O’Neill said she is very excited to see the alumni and their families at all of the year’s events.

“It’s so fun to see what they’ve become and how they’ve changed and grown,” she said. “I’m so proud of the kids here. We take our responsibility very seriously, and seeing the alums is the reward for us.”

History teacher Jim Izzo isn’t just an employee of Montini. He’s an alumnus as well, graduating in 1971, and he has been teaching at the high school for 41 years. He said he came back to work at Montini because “it felt like home.”

“There’s a family atmosphere where people care and people share,” he said. “It always seemed right. Fifty years is a thrill for me because it’s been such a big part of my life. In our culture, 50 years is a significant time marker.”

Segredo said Montini is a special place because the faculty believes in the school’s mission of providing students with a well-rounded college preparatory education that focuses on the individual.

“Kids don’t get lost in the shuffle here,” he said. “They have the opportunity to get involved. It’s more than just a high school. It’s a place where young people can grow socially and academically. It’s all about touching hearts.”

O’Neill said Montini is like a “large family” that has a growing alumni base with several generations attending the school over the past 50 years.

“I really like the family atmosphere, and it’s been fun seeing kids and grandkids of our alumni,” she said. “Our founders said the only way you can educate a child is to touch the heart, which means to really get to know the child in order for him or her to learn. Our teachers really care about the students.”