The Immaculata Alumnae Association will honor Amundsen High School Principal Pauline Abraham Tarvardian for career distinction at its annual awards luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Sunday, April 25, at the Chateau Ritz, 9100 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles.
Tarvardian was also the first recipient of the Peggy Notebaert Environmental Leader Award for landscaping students did at the school, located at 5110 N. Damen Ave. They planted over 1,000 tulip bulbs of various colors as well as evergreens and shrubs in front of the school and an Illinois prairie to the south of it. The school, which specializes in environmental science, was also the first to receive blue bags from Mayor Richard M. Daley and the first to introduce recycling to Chicago, Tarvardian said.
During her 4 ½ years as principal, the school has also been given two $1 million grants from alumnus L. Daniel Jorndt, former chief executive officer of Walgreen Company. The first grant is comprised of $50,000 annually for 20 years. It includes $10,000 each to three teachers (a $5,000 gift and $5,000 in expenses) for the classroom program of their choice based on grant proposals chosen by a school-community committee. Three students also receive $5,000 each for college and the principal receives $5,000, which Tarvardian has used for the computer lab. Jorndt gave an additional $1 million to redo the Amundsen stadium, which will be renamed Louis Jorndt Field in honor of his father, a former football coach at the school.
Tarvardian's leadership has also resulted in implementation of a Middle Years Programme and an International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at the school.
After graduation from Immaculata High School, Tarvardian received her bachelor's degree from Mundelein College and then master's and doctorate degrees from Loyola University of Chicago. She was an English teacher at Von Steuben High School before she came to Amundsen as assistant principal, a post she held for nine years. She and her husband Arthur, who is principal of Taft High School, live in Sauganash.
Classes from years that end in "4" and "9" will have reunions at this luncheon. Tickets are $27.50 until April 15, $5 additional afterward. Reservations can be sent to the association at 6364 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60660. Tickets will held at the door. For more information, call (773) 338-2211.
Although the Immaculata High School closed in 1981 after nearly 60 years at Irving Park Rd. and Marine Drive, its alumnae number over 7,000. Luncheon proceeds benefit retired Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the religious order that taught at the school, as well as a scholarship at Loyola University of Chicago for alumnae and their relatives. |
