The ten members of the CNF Board are all unpaid, enthusiastic Lisle Alumni volunteers. We dedicate ourselves to this work because we are deeply committed to its mission and to keep our costs minimal so that nearly all your donations go to the scholarship fund.

With our gratitude, the Carlin Nalley Foundation Board,
Front Row L to R:
Rachel Birkley, Ambassador Director, class of 2013
John Bartels, President, class of 1985
Karl Csukor, Secretary, class of 1980
Don Krause, Director of Communications, class of 1972
Back Row L to R:
Bill Buchelt, class of 1984
Steve Doyle, class of 2009
Karla (Nalley) Modelski, class of 1983
Nicole Urban, class of 2011
Alan Nalley, Treasurer, class of 1986
Jay Grochowski, class of 1977

Dear Partners,
 
I hope you and your family have had a fantastic year and are ready to reflect on 2024 as you set your sights on 2025.
 
As you select charities to support, we ask you, our valued partners, to consider donating to the Lisle Alumni Carlin Nalley Foundation (CNF).  We are very proud to carry forward the legacy of Coach Nalley, one of the most outstanding leaders in the history of our beloved hometown.  During our annual year-end fundraiser, we reach out to you, the loyal Lisle Alumni, and ask that you financially support the CNF scholarship fund, enabling us to reward exceptional Lisle High School students who have achieved excellence in various academic, athletic, artistic, vocational, and service fields. 
 
Every year, all the scholarship recipients share how grateful they are. One stood out to me: Ty Russell, our 2024 Brian Piccolo and Carlin Nalley scholarship recipient. Ty is studying Computer Science at the University of Missouri.  He is one of seven siblings, and they tragically lost their mother in March of 2024.  Here are a few of his heartfelt words to you, the alumni:
 
“This award relieves the stress on my father’s shoulders as it is hard for him to fulfill what every one of his kids needs without my mom…I am immensely thankful for the support of the alumni.  Your contributions have a lasting effect on students like me, enabling us to strive for success and make our families and the alumni proud.”
 
We can all stand tall knowing we help exceptional Lisle kids like Ty, who deserve our support. 

• In 2024, alumni donations allowed us to give out over $40,000 in scholarships. 
• To date, we have awarded over $300,000 in scholarships. 
• Our “‘Partners for Excellence” fundraising program seeks to raise $50,000 before the end of 2024 so we may sustain and increase our scholarship awards in 2025.

Thanks to you, loyal Lisle Alumni, the program's growth has been remarkable over the last decade.  Your donations continue to make a positive difference in the Lisle Community.

You can donate using the enclosed card and self-addressed envelope or securely online by clicking here.
 
Please join our mission to give back to today's Lisle students, knowing that your donations will cover a portion of their post-high school career development studies. 
Go Lions!
 
John Bartels, Class of ‘85
Carlin Nalley Foundation Board President

​By John Grochowski
November 15, 2024
Good group today for a Downers Grove stop on the Tour d'Omega at the Omega restaurant on Ogden Avenue in Downers.
Sometimes the Downers outings are just me and my pal of 65 years Jeffery Myers. Today, it was a crowd of eight, with Lisle Class of '70 compatriots Jack Pripusich and Peter Blazek joining Jeff and me, along with David Tyznik and Don Krause from the Class of '72, my brother Jay Grochowski from the Class of '77, and Jeff's video guy Bruce Shipyor.
Jay is doing a signing for his two novels Saturday in Lisle, and Jeff and Bruce will be there to shoot video.
Many, many tales were told over a two-hour lunch. I won't even attempt to capture it all, but I'll throw a couple out there.
Jack, Jeff, Pete and I talked about the Constitutional Convention our class held as part of American History our junior year, All the students in all the American History sections divided up into delegations and wrote a new U.S. Constitution. One resolution that was passed: Evict history teacher Barney Niehaus from the convention. Barney actually thought it was very funny.
Lots of talk about sports personalities. Blackhawks players used to drink at Andy's Steakhouse in Oak Brook, where my grandmother was a hostess, my mom and aunt were waitresses and Jay worked the coat room. One of Jay's tasks: Call a cab to get defenseman Gilles Marotte to the Stadium for a game when Marotte had more than a few too many. He managed to skate somehow.
Jay told of being at Disney World at the same time baseball's winter meetings were being held. He was mistaken for Terry Kennedy by many baseball folk throughout the stay. I countered with my own mistaken ID story. I was covering the National Sports Festival at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. I walked out of an arena, wearing my media credentials. Two kids were autograph hunting and spotted the plastic badge. One kid said, "Is he one?" The other said, "Does he LOOK like one?" I resemble that remark.
With such a large group, I didn't track everyone's food. I started with mushroom barley soup, then had a hot turkey sandwich. Brought some of that home for tomorrow's lunch.
Splendid time with my Lisle peeps. Next Tour stop will be back in Niles on Dec. 2 with Gerry Labedz and perhaps other Daily Illini comrades. Cheers!

Sixteen years ago, The Lisle Alumni Carlin Nalley Foundation was officially incorporated as a not-for-profit organization. Since our inception, we've awarded over $300,000 in scholarships to over one hundred deserving students, most of the donations coming straight from LHS alums.
On Sunday, November 10, 2024, the CNF board of directors met to review 2024 and lay out future plans. All twelve points (plus some not on the agenda) were covered in a brisk five-hour meeting.

Meeting host and CNF Cofounder Jay Grochowski shared, “2025 will be loaded with plenty of opportunities for Lisle Alumni to reconnect at events including the Lisle Bags Championship in March, the Lisle Alumni Golf Outing in June, and climaxing with our sixth AllYears reunion "Blue & White Reunite."

The agenda included past reflections, financial review, year-end fundraising, alumni events including AY6, Ambassador plans, expansion of the alumni LHS mentoring program, and officer elections.

CNF Board President John Bartels added, “I am excited about varied talents they bring while working towards the same goals. It is an honor to serve the Alumni and students of Lisle High School as a member of the Carlin Nalley Foundation Board of Directors. I wish to thank you all for your support.  We can all be very proud of what we are doing for our beloved hometown school.”

On Ye Lions!
 
The board took the opportunity for a group photo compliments of board member Bill Buchelt owner of Elan Photography.
Top row left to right: Bill Buchelt, Steve Doyle, Karla (Naley) Modelski, Nicole Urban, Alan Nalley, & Jay Grochowski.
Seated left to right: Rachel Birkley, John Bartels, Karl Csukor, & Don Krause.