Karen Metzinger accepts the Foundation Award on Sept. 28. Looking on are (from left) her husband, Bob Metzinger, who shared the award; Fatehr Kyle Lucas, chaplain; and Randy Simmons, principal. (Provided photo)

As part of homecoming activities, Peoria Notre Dame High School honored Bob and Karen (Crowley) Metzinger with its Foundation Award and gave the Distinguished Alumni Award to Donna (Malley) O’Brien, a member of the Bergan High School Class of 1970. They were recognized during an all-school Mass celebrated by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, CSC, on Sept. 28.

Among the concelebrants was Father Kyle Lucas, chaplain at Peoria Notre Dame.

A reception followed in the school library. The honorees were also recognized during the half-time show of the game between Peoria Notre Dame and Manual Academy of Peoria.

The Foundation Award is presented each year to those who have shown outstanding leadership and support for the mission of Peoria Notre Dame. The Metzingers were cited for volunteering where needed, “quietly and humbly.”

They are members of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Peoria Heights, where they have served on the parish council and as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, and taught baptism preparation classes.

Bob Metzinger has also served as chairman of the CEFCU Board of Directors, and is a member of the Bradley University Chiefs Club and the Easter Seals Board of Directors.

Karen Metzinger was on the school board at Father John Sweeney School, a member of the University of Notre Dame Club of Peoria, and team captain for Komen Race for the Cure. She was the third generation of her family to graduate from the Academy of Our Lady and Spalding Institute in Peoria (Class of 1973).

The Metzingers have three children, all graduates of Peoria Notre Dame.

Donna O’Brien

The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented each year to a graduate who stands out because of their exceptional service and dedication to the principles and values of Peoria Notre Dame High School. O’Brien has taught at St. Philomena and Peoria District 150 schools, and was a substitute teacher at St. Thomas the Apostle in Peoria Heights for four years.

She and her husband, Tim, are members of St. Mary in Kickapoo, where she has served as a substitute teacher for the parish school since 2008. They have four children, all graduates of Peoria Notre Dame.

A member of Pilot International for 10 years, O’Brien has been liaison or moderator of the Peoria Notre Dame Anchors for eight years.

She was cited for consistently putting her needs aside to help others.