Each month we will feature a member of our alumni (the League of Knights) to highlight their accomplishments after graduating from IC Catholic Prep. This month, we spoke to alumnae, Angela M. Rodriguez Villegas, class of 1993. Angela attended the College of DuPage and earned an associates and certificate in supervision. She then attended Lewis University for business management.
Angela has been married to her husband Tony for 27 years. They have two children, Crystal 27-year-old graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago and Tony Jr., a 21-year-old junior at Columbia College.
ICCP: What was your favorite subject in school?
Angela: English and Theology were my favorite classes. I truly enjoyed Mr. Schramm’s style of teaching English. He truly engaged his students in everyday lecture. His passion for Shakespeare was intense. I felt as if I was living the moment as we would read the material. Who would have known that I would end up neighbors with Mr. Schramm!
Mr. Doolin truly explained how theology is a discipline that helps us live and understand concepts such as love and life. He made us understand the importance of respecting one another. He really brought us together. To this day, we are still friends.
ICCP: What is your best memory from your time at IC?
Angela: Attending our Junior Retreat was truly amazing. It was rewarding in many levels. A therapeutic experience which gave us peace and relaxation. It also strengthened our relationship with students and teachers. This spiritual retreat was a way for us to remove ourselves from everyday distraction and allowed for us to focus on ourselves and our fellow students and teachers.
ICCP: What are some highlights from your career?
Angela: My passion has always been helping people, not just in the personal level but in the professional level. I have been in the banking industry for over 25 years. I have been blessed to work with strong leadership who have given me the opportunity to develop and show my strengths. I have worked from the bottom up, teller, banker, Assistant Branch Manager, Branch Manager, and now Vice President for Lakeside Bank. Lakeside Bank is your leading, independent community bank here in Elmhurst and a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace! I have been fortunate enough to not only live in Elmhurst but work in Elmhurst!
ICCP: What is one other thing you would like to share with IC alumni?
Angela: My parents, both immigrants to the United States taught us that honesty and working smart and hard will lead you down the right path. My parents sacrificed so much to give my siblings and I the Catholic education they believed we deserved. Exposure to the catholic faith provided me with the strong foundation for not just my personal life experience but my career as well. It prepared me to accept the challenges of being a better person in tomorrow’s world. I volunteer and give back to those less fortunate. My husband and I are involved with Pads Homeless Shelter through Immaculate Conception Church where we work the midnight shift to help those less fortunate. Three siblings, four nieces and nephews have graduated from IC Catholic Prep and one nephew is currently a Sophomore. We are proud to be called Knights!
Visit ICCatholicPrep.org/alumni for more spotlights. Know an alumni that needs to be recognized? Send their name and email or phone number to tortman@iccatholicprep.org.