Brother Konrad Diebold, F.S.C., president of Saint Patrick High School, feels that John and Kathleen Buck are “wonderful examples and representatives of caring friends and citizens who do all in their power to support and sustain the educational process for so many young people throughout our city—at Saint Patrick, San Miguel, Cristo Rey, SOS Children’s Villages, through the Big Shoulders Program, and, undoubtedly, at other institutions of which we are unaware. What an example and gift they are to those of us who are graced with the privilege and responsibility of educating on a day-to-day basis!”

John and Kathleen Buck are the ninth honorees to receive the President’s Crystal Shamrock. Previous recipients were: Fr. John Smyth, Phil Corboy, Pat Conroy, Ray Meyer, Elaine Schuster/Paul Vallas, Lowell and Nancy Stahl, Edwin “Max” Kurland, and Robert Scarpelli.

Saint Patrick is Chicago’s oldest secondary school for young men, having provided 144 years of educational service to the youth of Chicago and surrounding communities.