Hilltopper Honors

John “Jack” Coons ’47 graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, with a Bachelor of Arts in history in 1950, and Northwestern University, where he earned his Juris Doctorate in Law in 1953. As the Robert L. Bridges Professor of Law, emeritus, at the University of California, Berkeley, John dedicated his career to the fields of education, poverty law, and school choice advocacy.

John’s scholarly contributions include numerous works that focus on empowering low-income parents through educational choice, a cause he passionately promotes as a means of reviving family responsibility. His best-known work is Education by Choice: The Case for Family Control, published in 1978; his most recently published books are School Choice and Human Good in 2022, and The Case for Parental Choice in 2023.

His support for parental choice evolved from research and legal efforts to promote just and efficient funding between wealthy and poor public school districts, including the successful design of, and argument for, a monumental California court case, Serrano v. Priest. He believes that giving lower-income parents more power to choose schools is a way to pursue equity in a system that has strongly favored the wealthy.

John’s commitment to social justice extends beyond academia. His involvement in various organizations and his recent recognition by the Religious Liberty Initiative of Notre Dame reflect his lifelong dedication to the principles of individual responsibility, both civic and religious.

Additionally, John loves singing, and in his younger days, enjoyed canoeing and backpacking. He continues to be an active voice in educational reform, believing that his efforts answer the call to create positive change in his community.

John views his nomination for this award with humility, expressing that “it is a pleasure to be recognized” for his work.

The Distinguished Alumni Award will be given each year to an alumnus/a who has had a positive influence on their communities and who has been a steward of the school's mission following graduation, embodying its core values of global citizenship, respect, compassion, integrity, self-discipline, and intellectual curiosity. The award will honor alumni who have excelled in their personal achievements, professional lives, or service to society, and whose accomplishments have brought credit to the school.

• 2023 - Nordica MacCarty '96
• 2022 - Michael Jaros '64
• 2021 - Elizabeth (Barry) Sandza '69
• 2020 - Professor Tadd Johnson, Esq. '75
• 2019 - Dr. John Knoedler '69
• 2018 - Joan McNamara '76
• 2017 - Hon. John DeSanto '64
• 2016 - Thomas Miller '54
• 2015 - John Ribarich '53
• 1993 - Nance O'Brien '75
• 1993 - David Homstad '72
• 1993 - Marianne Connelly '73
• 1993 - Tim Blackburn '66

Mark Zastrow '05 has forged a path from studying the stars to amplifying voices through the written word. A graduate of the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities with a B.A. in Astronomy (2009), Mark continued his studies at Boston University, earning both an M.S. in Astronomy (2013) and an M.S. in Science Journalism (2014). His academic journey, which started with an interest in aviation at the University of North Dakota, took a pivotal turn towards astronomy and eventually led him to journalism—a field where he has made significant contributions.

Mark is currently a Senior Editor at Astronomy magazine, where he writes and edits content that brings the wonders of the universe closer to readers. Early in his journalism career, he moved to Seoul, South Korea, where he covered a broad range of topics, from air pollution to political shifts and public health crises like the MERS and COVID outbreaks. His work often focused on amplifying underrepresented voices, whether it was scientists in Korea seeking global recognition for their work or researchers advocating to save vital astronomical facilities from funding cuts.

A former co-editor of the science section of The Offing, an online literary journal, Mark has always been passionate about blending science with storytelling. He is also an avid sailor with the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center and has been a licensed private pilot since he was 17—a reflection of his varied interests that include both the skies above and the waters below.

Mark's professional achievements have been recognized through numerous honors, including being a member of the inaugural class (2019) of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) Executive Leadership Program–Asia and winning the 2019 AAJA National Story Slam held at CNN headquarters in Atlanta. His involvement with the Asian American Journalists Association, National Association of Science Writers, and the Airplane Owners and Pilots Association underscores his commitment to both his craft and his community. As a former board member of the AAJA-Asia chapter and co-leader of the AAJA Seoul subchapter, Mark has been a strong advocate for press freedom in Asia and has written statements supporting this vital cause. He has also served on the board of the Boston Korean Adoptees, further demonstrating his dedication to community and civic engagement.

Mark's philosophy of life is rooted in the pursuit of new experiences, the accumulation of knowledge, and the desire to make that knowledge beneficial to others. This philosophy has driven his career, whether in science, journalism, or his varied hobbies. He reflects on his accomplishments not in terms of accolades but in the power of journalism to effect positive change—by giving a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard.

Reflecting on his nomination for this award, Mark feels honored and humbled. He attributes much of his success to the formative experiences and supportive community at Marshall School. He recalls his senior project in Heather Fishel’s physics class, where he first delved into orbital mechanics, and his time as a freelance reporter for The Illuminator under Georgia Swing, where he learned the impact journalism could have on a community. These experiences not only shaped his career but also instilled in him a belief in the power of storytelling to bring about change.

Mark’s career is a testament to the value of seeking out what is rewarding and finding ways to make it meaningful to others. His journey from aspiring pilot to senior editor demonstrates that the most rewarding paths are often those that combine passion with purpose.

A Distinguished Young Alumni Award will be given each year to an alumnus/a who has received recognition as an emerging leader and shows potential for continued success while additionally having a positive influence on their communities. The Distinguished Young Alumni Award will be given each year to an alumnus/a who has been a steward of the school's mission following graduation, embodying its core values of global citizenship, respect, compassion, integrity, self-discipline, and intellectual curiosity. The award will honor alumni who have excelled in their personal achievements, professional lives, or service to society, and whose accomplishments have brought credit to the school.

• 2023 - David Krueger '07
• 2022 - CB Baga '08
• 2021 - Misha Kahn '07
• 2020 - Linnea Betzler Mirsch '97
• 2019 - Nathan Olson '04
• 2018 - Alyza Bohbot '04
• 2017 - Carolyn Roby '99
• 2016 - Abby Crisostomo '02
• 2015 - Nora Cross '08

Sam Rathke '09 has always been passionate about education, community service, and fostering meaningful connections. A graduate of DePaul University with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Sam was deeply involved in several organizations during his time there, including Community Service Scholars, Vincentians in Action, and the Vincentian Mission Fellows. His commitment to student growth extended beyond the classroom, where he also ran an after-school tutoring program at the YMCA on the west side of Chicago for four years.

After graduating, Sam spent seven years teaching at a Catholic school on the west side of Chicago, where he also coached basketball, ran a summer camp, and developed a social-emotional learning curriculum. In November 2020, Sam and his family made a significant move to Shenzhen, China, where he now teaches 7th-grade English Projects at Avenues Shenzhen, a bilingual school. There, he also serves as a Division Learning Guide, guiding students through critical learning stages.

Sam’s dedication to service and education has been recognized with several awards, including the Hilltopper Award during his time at Marshall and the St. Vincent DePaul Award. His passion for helping others extends beyond his professional life; he has been a long-time volunteer and advocate at Comfort Zone Camp, a place that offers support to children who have lost a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver.

In addition to his professional and volunteer work, Sam is an avid basketball coach, kayaker, traveler, and photographer. These hobbies reflect his belief in providing roots and wings for children, encouraging them to embrace change, seek truth, and always strive to do their best. This philosophy is evident in his daily work with students. He takes pride in the small but impactful acts of "showing up every day for kids at the most incomplete part of their lives—AKA middle school."

Being nominated for this award fills Sam with pride, especially as he thinks back on his time at Marshall, where the focus was always on the whole person’s development. He strives to bring the same energy and commitment to his classroom today, hoping that his students will carry forward the values he learned at Marshall.

Sam continues to reflect on how his journey has brought him to new places, both literally and metaphorically. Moving to China has been an incredible opportunity, allowing his children to see the world from a broader perspective and develop a wider lens for looking at life. He fondly recalls how so many Marshall graduates return to reconnect with teachers, share memories, and bask in their influence—even if only for a short while. "Teachers are powerful," he says, recognizing the lasting impact of educators on their students' lives.

The Global Citizenship Award will be given to a Hilltopper alumn who embodies the call to global citizenship which is a central part of being a Hilltopper. They will have made a distinct and recognizable effort to contribute to global society while carrying out the core tenets of respect, compassion, and integrity.

The Global Citizenship Award is not confined to any geographic region, and nominees' accomplishments and contributions will be considered equally whether they are made domestically or abroad.

• 2023 - Julia Hart '99
• 2022 - Ian Grant '87
• 2021 - Peter Loken '99
• 2020 - Christa Knudsen '92
• 2019 - Hilary Bown '98
• 2018 - Martin Malley '71
• 2017 - Jane Letourneau '77
• 2016 - Perrin Banks '03

Rachel Moline '02 is a graduate of the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, NE, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008. With a diverse nursing career that spans medical/surgical, cardiac care, ICU, and operating room nursing, Rachel has dedicated herself to providing compassionate care across the northland. Her experience also includes roles in long-term care, acute psychiatric care, and public health, where she contributed as a COVID-19 vaccinator for Douglas County. Rachel holds multiple certifications, including ACLS, PALS, TNCC, CPR, and BLS, and has served in charge, supervisory, and nurse management roles. Currently, she is taking time off to raise her three children while remaining actively involved in the nursing community through various professional organizations.

Rachel’s athletic career at Marshall School was nothing short of extraordinary. As a three-sport athlete, she excelled in track and field, basketball, and soccer, earning All-Conference and All-State honors in all three sports. She was a key player on the first Marshall School girls basketball team to make it to the state tournament in 2000. Her track records in the triple jump, 100M hurdles, 4x100m relay, and discus, as well as her remarkable performance in soccer—including a memorable hat trick against East—are still remembered today. Rachel's prowess on the field earned her a full athletic scholarship to Troy State University, where she set a Division I single-game scoring record in soccer. After transferring to the University of Florida, she continued her soccer career despite a significant ACL injury, ultimately finishing her athletic journey at the University of Nebraska Omaha, where she was part of a National Championship team in 2005.

Post-collegiately, Rachel has remained an active athlete, competing in CrossFit competitions and sprint triathlons, where she continues to showcase her strength and endurance. Her love for the outdoors is evident in her hobbies, which include hunting, fishing, hiking, and exploring national parks. Rachel’s philosophy of life—believing in oneself, being proud of one’s achievements, and finding strength through adversity—guides her in both her personal and professional endeavors.

Rachel Moline feels deeply honored to be nominated for the Athletic Hall of Fame, reflecting on the positive impact that Marshall School and her coaches had on her life. She credits her time at Marshall for not only preparing her for her collegiate athletic career but also for instilling in her the values that have shaped her life as a nurse, mother, and community volunteer.

This award, started in 2003, has honored at least one alumnus/coach/athletic director per year since its inception. It was created as a way to celebrate athletes, coaches, and others who have excelled in their athletic and community achievements.

• 2023 - David Homstad '72
• 2022 - Gregory Cane '79
• 2021 - Brendan Flaherty '82
• 2021 - Anna Ringsred-Beavers '03
• 2020 - Jack Connolly '07
• 2019 - Tyler George '01
• 2018 - Adam Freed '96
• 2017 - Dr. Michelle (Gross) Lilly '97
• 2016 - Joe Benda '23
• 2016 - '65-'69 Hockey Team
• 2015 - Dave Katoski '77
• 2015 - Meghan (Overom) Law '99
• 2015 - Bill McBride '72
• 2014 - Dave Erickson '59
• 2014 - Jack Farrell '58
• 2014 - Dana Grandmaison -Gilligan '98
• 2013 - Mari Casserberg '90
• 2013 - Mitch Corbin '74
• 2013 - Katherine (McGee) Koski '91
• 2013 - Tom Paul '68
• 2012 - Bill Gooder '29
• 2011 - Jake Muhvic '56
• 2010 - Brian Murphy '76
• 2009 - Dave Krmpotich '73
• 2008 - John (Rip) Ribarich '53
• 2008 - Kevin Hoene '68
• 2007 - Bob Kelly '48
• 2007 - Jim Morrissey '49
• 2006 - Tom Cartier '68
• 2006 - Richard (Stitch) Martin '49
• 2006 - Carol (Newman) Barnstorf ' 55
• 2006 - Joe Nowak '46
• 2005 - Phil Letourneau '48
• 2005 - John (Jack) Horner '60
• 2005 - Bob Pokorney '40
• 2004 - Dr. Len Sarvela '41
• 2004 - Leo Spooner '47
• 2003 - Frank Napoli
• 2003 - Bernard Pfeffer '32
• 2003 - John Vucinovich 
• 2003 - Del Genereau