Blue&Gold The Magazine for Alumni, Parents and Friends of Waldron Mercy Academy
Winter 2016
IN THIS ISSUE: ANNUAL TRADITIONS • MATH WITH A PURPOSE • HOMECOMING EXCITEMENT
Then&Now VER ON THfeEatuCreOd
Nativity This year’s y ‘17 as Mary, e w e D e s Joseph, Kati epice ‘17 a Anthony R hlman ‘17 as Elaina Stu Gabriel and the Angel mpbell ’17 Abbey Ca man. as a wise
Top: March through time with the Waldron Academy band, from the 1930s (left) to the 1980s (right). A tradition still held today, the Christmas concert, complete with the live Nativity. Above: In 1998, our grade eight class portrayed the Holy Family (left), as did our kindergarten class in 2014, currently second grade students (right).
Winter 2016
INTHIS ISSUE DEPARTMENTS
WALDRON MERCY ACADEMY, A CATHOLIC SCHOOL SPONSORED BY THE SISTERS OF MERCY, IS A DIVERSE, FAITH COMMUNITY ROOTED IN THE GOSPEL VALUES OF MERCY AND JUSTICE. WE ARE A SCHOOL WHERE THE JOY OF DISCOVERY INSPIRES SERIOUS STUDY, SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND STRONG FAITH.
FEATURES
2 From the Principal 2 Vignettes 5 Serious Studies 8 Socially Responsible 11 Creative Expressions 13 Tiger Territory 21 Your Waldron 24 In Memorium 25 10 Questions
16 An Unbreakable Bond
18 Tradition, tradition!
The special connection between the WMA community and the Sisters of Mercy runs deep. Our students, parents, faculty, staff and alumni realize how special having the sisters on campus truly is and treasure the time spent with them.
BY KATHRYN AMRHEIN
When our alumni return and walk the halls of Waldron, they are flooded with memories of their experiences in the classroom or the playing fields. Take a walk down memory lane as we explore the traditions that once were and some that still exist!
BY MARGUERITE FLYNN AND JESSICA CARSWELL Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WaldronMercyAcademy facebook.com/groups/WaldronMercyalumni facebook.com/groups/WMAParentsofAlum facebook.com/groups/WMAFaculty Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/WaldronMercy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/waldronmercy Join us on LinkedIn: Search groups for “Waldron Mercy Alumni” or “Waldron Mercy Academy Parents and Friends”
Volume 11, Issue 1 Blue & Gold is published twice a year by the Marketing and Communications Office for the alumni, parents and friends of Waldron Mercy Academy
CONTRIBUTORS: Kathryn Amrhein Jessica Carswell Christine Cooper Marguerite Flynn Nell Stetser
STUDENT CONTRIBUTORS: Agustin Aliaga ’17 Abbey Campbell ’17 Maggie Carr ’18 Regina Passarella ’17
PHOTOGRAPHY: Kathryn Amrhein Jason Buss Jessica Carswell Christine Cooper Carrie Santoro
DESIGN: AcquireVisual.com
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
T
his edition of our magazine highlights the traditions that
NEW ADMIN STAFF
we hold near and dear to our hearts. At this time of year there are two hallmarks of the holidays—the annual collection of
items for Thanksgiving baskets and the Christmas Giving Tree. These long-standing traditions support our commitment to outreach throughout the years. Students and families, both past and present, reminisce about shopping for items for a turkey dinner or selecting a present, wrapping it in vibrant Christmas paper and placing it under the tree in the front lobby. Many have vivid memories of walking in the front door and zig-zagging through baskets and packages spread throughout the lobby, all waiting to be delivered by our volunteer parents to friends at our outreach ministries. Traditions invoke strong feelings of Mercy values that are passed from one generation of Waldron students to the next—compassion, hospitality, openness and trust. I hope this edition of the Blue & Gold stirs fond memories of your days at WMA. “Traditional math” may invoke memories of timed math facts and long division problems, but math teaching today looks differently than in years past. Math instruction today is so much more than “back to the basics.” Don’t get me wrong, the students know their math facts and operations, but more emphasis is placed on the application of math to everyday life. Students are encouraged to interpret mathematical problems and to write about the process of how they get to an answer or about why one strategy should be used over another. Math is embedded into science and technology projects. Students use their math skills in design builds. It is a great way for them to apply their classroom learning to practical situations and to be able to see the power of math. Another long-standing tradition is the support that we receive from every member of our Waldron Mercy family. Your generosity, in time and treasure, and in spreading the good news about our school, is greatly appreciated. Your contributions enable us to continue the legacy of mercy-educated students leading and making positive changes in the world.
Our administrative team has a few new faces this year! We asked the new directors some pressing questions to find out more about Adam Dickman, director of athletics, and Greg Soltis, director of religious education and outreach. Where did you come from? Where were you before Waldron? Adam: Originally, I come from the great state of Maryland, but I came directly from Holy Family University where I was the associate director of admissions since 2010. Greg: I was working for Holy Child School at Rosemont.
What has surprised you about working at Waldron so far? Adam: I have been surprised by how much everyone really believes in the mission here. The teachers go well above and beyond to help students in any way that they can. I have been pleasantly surprised by the faculty and staff because everyone is so easy to work with and is really dedicated to Waldron. Greg: So far I’m pleasantly surprised at how comfortable I feel being myself in a new community.
What do you hope to accomplish this year at WMA? Adam: I am hoping to increase the number of students participating in athletics. I think being on a team is an important part of the maturation process at the middle school level and I hope that more and more of our students choose to play a sport. I am also hoping to work with the administration to offer new sport opportunities for our students. I am hoping that within the next couple of years that I will be able to bring boy's lacrosse, tennis and golf to our students. Greg: I’m really looking forward to getting to know all of the students.
What is the sport or activity that you are looking forward to the most? Adam: I am looking forward to basketball season the most. I come from a basketball family and I will also be coaching the boys varsity team, so I am very excited for the season. Greg: The next one - I’m excited about the many liturgical and outreach opportunities afforded to this community and am blessed to be a part of them.
What’s a fun fact about you? Adam: This is quite a nerve-wracking question... I have played in a basketball game against the Harlem Globetrotters. Greg: I recently completed a 1500-piece jigsaw puzzle.
HOMECOMING 2016
Above: Young alumni return to campus to cheer on current student athletes during Homecoming.
Vigne tes
Below: The Marchese family, tennis participants and Frio family at the 23rd Annual Golf and Tennis Classic where Bill ’84 and Ann Marie Frio were honored.
GOLF & TENNIS OUTING
PARENTS OF ALUMNI RECEPTION
Above: Parents of alumni gather to reconnect at the fall event.
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All alumni are welcomed back each year to reconnect over the memories and nostalgia of their time at WMA. This year, graduates of the classes of the ones and sixes were especially honored in their anniversary years. Andrew McCloskey ‘84 was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award at this years reunion (pictured with Nell Stetser).
ALL CLASS REUNION Professional Development Our faculty and staff spent the early months of the school year working in partnership with Villanova University. In October, WMA hosted a workshop entitled “Parent and Community Partnership” led by Dr. Anthony Stevenson, director of secondary education at Radnor Township School District. Our teachers who attended the workshop, Eileen Flanagan, Eileen Aurand, Grace Zorn, Bonnie Guarini, Michelle Orapallo, Sue Burns, Nell Stetser, Kristen Romano and Theresa Gannon, participated in in-depth discussions regarding bridging gaps between parents and schools.
Some highlights included: ● Understanding parents as a vital part of the success of children and encouraging their involvement
CLASS OF 2016 HIGHLIGHT The tradition of Waldron Mercy Academy graduates attending prestigious high schools continued with the class of 2016. Our most recent class of alumni now roams the halls of: Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, Agnes Irwin School, Central High School, Conestoga High School, Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Friends Central High School, John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls’ High School, LaSalle College High School, Malvern Preparatory School, Merion Mercy Academy, Penn Charter, Roman Catholic High School, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, The Baldwin School, The Episcopal Academy, The Haverford School, The Shipley School and Walsh Jesuit High School (Ohio). Our students received academic scholarships to eleven of these institutions. 4
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● Identifying the difference between involvement and engagement in partnering with parents ● Realizing that valuable relationships can be built between our school, local business and universities ● Knowing that partnerships have to be generative and sustainable
SERIOUS STUDIES
MATH IN THE HALL, MATH IN THE LIBRARY, MATH IN REAL LIFE. THE CREATIVE PROJECTS DEVELOPED BY OUR FACULTY AND ADVANCED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AT WMA TRULY ENGAGE AND CHALLENGE OUR STUDENTS. Y=MX +B, AREA=LENGTH X WIDTH AND FOUNDATIONAL MATH SKILLS=A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE.
Students Invest in Their Mathematics Education & Understand Its Importance in Everyday Life
THIS IS MATH IN REAL LIFE As any adult may tell you, despite what they may have thought in elementary school and high school, mathematical concepts and practices are used in everyday life. This fact is something that grade seven and eight math teacher, Mrs. Irene Pawlish, attempts to ingrain in her students through the life-math project, which her grade eight students have completed every year for approximately the past 15 years. The life-math project simulates life shortly after graduating from college. The students attempt to build a resume, find a job, negotiate a salary and stick to a budget for one month, building skills that will serve them very well a decade into the future. The project can be broken down into a series of 10 parts, which involve researching job interests and identifying qualifications, finding the right college to
build a good professional foundation, obtaining a letter of recommendation, completing an interview, shopping for a car and financing options, budgeting for food, looking at housing costs and mortgages in their neighborhoods, gathering tax data and of course deducting approximately 28% for taxes! All of the information and data collected by the students stays true to who they are and their life experiences. Their job qualifications must be factual. For instance, in the past, stu-
dents who wanted to pursue careers as veterinarians used their background walking dogs or pet sitting as applicable experiences. They interview for jobs with Mrs. Pawlish, who decides whether or not they are qualified. If they aren’t, it’s back to the drawing board. When researching mortgages, the students look at actual market prices in the areas where they currently live. The only information that might not yet be true, but instead hopeful, is their education. They choose an aspirational college, one where they can find an academic course of study that will lead them to their chosen profession. True to Waldron students, many are ambitious with their career choices. In the past, students have planned to be doctors, lawyers, chemical engineers. But, they Above: Bernard Cummings ’17 works intently on his research for Mrs. Irene Pawlish’s life math project. Left: Christina Giangiordano ’17 and Caileigh Grimes’ 17 diligently plan their budgets and investigate potential career paths. BLUE & GOLD
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realize the further study required for those jobs and with a four year degree, learn to compromise. For instance, those who plan to be lawyers, with a four year degree, seek positions as paralegals instead. The students are not the only ones who have fun with the life-math project. Mrs. Pawlish enjoys tweaking the plans the students begin to map and throwing curveballs, similar to those received in real life. In the past, she has generously granted raises and even inheritances! On the contrary, like life, not all of her surprises are good. Some students have received pink slips from work and have been plagued with car troubles. All of these things, good and bad, force the students to reassess their plans. Mrs. Pawlish reports that several students have taken the assignment to heart, allowing it to guide decisions in the future. Some have even said they have made choices based on what they learned in grade eight to find direction. This brief glimpse into adulthood and the education received at Waldron Mercy lays the foundation for future success and stays with our students after they graduate.
MATH EXPLORATIONS Ask any student, and they might tell you that their least favorite subject in school is math. That is, any student at any school other than Waldron Mercy Academy. The Everyday Math curriculum, taught by the lower school faculty and adopted out of the University of Chicago, instills a love of mathematics and provides a practical understanding of math concepts in a fun and interesting way. Everyday Math attempts to change the mindset of the learner, challenging them to not just find the answer, but to discover different paths of uncovering solutions. It’s simply approaching math in a different and interesting way. The curriculum taught by our faculty is not really about mastering skills, but more about introducing concepts, which stretches the minds of the students. The Everyday Math is truly math for everyday, with hands on learning, encouraging teachers to partner students and have them learn together in small groups. The games the students play are unique and engaging. They love fraction circles, which are equal sized circles divided into different fractions that help teach equating fractions or making improper fractions. They make arrays with counters, which works on division and multiplication skills. And they build shapes with straws, which lays a foundation for geometric concepts. Some of the topics covered include comparing masses by estimating and comparing weight of different objects, creating equal Left: Mrs. Irene Pawlish reviews project details with Jordan D’Alonzo ’17 and Patrick Ryan ’17 individually, navigating any complicated issues. Above: Mrs. Angela McKelvey plays instructional math games with some of her second grade students, Will Hanson, Charlie Parsons, Brian Pressley, Nathan Palermo and Louis Pauzano. Right: Mr. Brown, father of Ryan grade two, joins for Math Explorations and Morgan Reed dives into her grade one math assignments.
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shares by dividing pancakes into equal parts and creating equal groups by rolling several die and grouping the face amounts equally. Since adopting the curriculum, about 20 years ago, the teachers have led small group activities, allowing the students to connect the math concepts they learn in the lessons with everyday life, like learning the cost of gas or measuring height. Accompanying these faculty led activities is Math Explorations. About four times a year, parents of our students in grades one through three are invited to join their children and their children’s teachers for Math Explorations days. They lead small group activities with the students; everything from sharing money to speed factor bingo to Oreo cookie stacking challenges, which helps the students to
gain an understanding of weight and balance. The students love when their parents come and the small group work also gives the parents confidence in math. When looking at the challenging curriculum our young students take on, it may seem very advanced, but the approaches are simple enough for lower school students to understand. Not only that, the concepts taught in the lower school make advanced learning in middle and high school easier to digest and apply. It’s the same math that’s been taught for generations, simply with new or updated approaches and it’s fun!
INDEPENDENT STUDIES There is no denying that Agustin Aliaga ’17 is a driven student. Intelligent and dedicated, Agustin spends two periods each day working on independent studies in mathematics and Spanish, which will no doubt serve him well in the years to come. He details his path of study with advanced math. I have been doing advanced math for a long time. In kindergarten, I was able to do multiplication and sums with triple digit numbers. With this steady base understanding of arithmetic, I often felt unchallenged in my math classes. Waldron Mercy helped me find and pursue a more challenging curriculum to enrich my math abilities. In grade five, I began to work with my future math teacher Mrs. Mary Ann DeHoratius. Every morning during homeroom, I would
work with her in the library on problems more challenging than those in my regular advanced math class. Even though I was in advanced math, I worked with Mrs. D to push my skills further. In grade six, I started to take the grade eight course, instead of strictly taking enrichment classes. Mrs. D continued to work with me in the library, in communication with Mrs. Irene Pawlish, grade seven and eight math teacher. All throughout the year I followed this course with the guidance of Mrs. D. In grade seven, I took a step up and began studying in the grade eight advanced math class. In this class, I took Algebra 1 as a seventh grader and also made many new eighth grade friends. For me, class was significantly more challenging than usual. In this class, I had the amazing opportunity to work with Mrs. Pawlish. This experience was also challenging because my normal schedule got quite mixed up. It involved making many sacrifices, such as missing specials classes and not always being in the same class for different subjects. While it complicated my academic life, the experience was unforgettable and definitely paid off. Now that I am in grade eight, I have taken all of the standard math curriculum Waldron Mercy typically offers. But, Waldron was able
to fix that too. I am now back with Mrs. D in the library, taking an online geometry course. I am thankful for last year’s Algebra 1 experience and the complicated scheduling because it has prepared me greatly for this year’s course. Waldron’s math enrichment program has opened doors for me that otherwise would not have been open. Now, I am on track to take pre-calculus as a freshman in high school, all thanks to Mrs. D, Mrs. Pawlish and Waldron Mercy Academy. Above: Agustin Aliaga takes a break from his independent studies, which he completes in Perry Memorial Library. Left: Grade two students, Cole Furtek and Alexandra Murray, deep in thought during Math Explorations. Mrs. Vinovich, mother of Veronica, grade one, leads a Math Explorations activity.
LINDA QUINLAN D’ORAZIO: CLASS OF 1992 My career in design began early in childhood, when drawing houses was storytelling and rearranging my bedroom furniture was a weekly event. In fifth grade my teacher, Mrs. O’Brien, gave us an assignment to draw our dream homes. That was a dream project for me. My house included a “jungle room!” I graduated from WMA in 1992 and went on to be an Art Major at Merion Mercy. I earned a degree in architecture from Philadelphia University and worked at a local architecture firm for 12 years before starting my own practice in 2012. When I worked for the architecture firm in Philadelphia, I used math not only to design buildings but also to manage the budgets for multi-million dollar projects. Architects use math daily to determine square footages of rooms, calculate dimensions of wall thicknesses and measure existing dimensions of buildings.
We use simple addition and subtraction, as well as more complicated calculations including fractions, and of course geometry and all the degrees and formulas that come along with it. As a business owner, I’ve added other math related tasks to my daily routine. I establish budgets for my business expenses, document the accounting for bills and invoices, and create schedules for my work load based on my current and potential projects. Today’s technology and contemporary devices make resolving mathematical problems easier, but the basics we all learn in elementary and high school are practiced on a daily basis by architects, interior designers, cost estimators, engineers and building contractors.
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SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE
FEEDING THE HUNGRY, CLOTHING THE COLD, HELPING THOSE IN NEED. SERVICE IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE SEEN AND FELT IN THE HALLWAYS OF THE SCHOOL, WITHIN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND EVEN ON SUMMER VACATION. IT PERMEATES THE ENTIRE WMA FAMILY - STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS AND ALUMNI.
With Compassion & Dedication Our Community Strives to Make the World a Better Place
STOP HUNGER NOW! For the third consecutive year, Waldron Mercy Academy has participated in a day of meal packing, working with the global organization Stop Hunger Now. Stop Hunger Now is an organization “driven by the vision of a world without hunger.” Their mission is “to end hunger in our lifetime by providing food and life-changing aid to the world’s most vulnerable and creating a global commitment to mobilize the necessary resources.” On Friday, November 4, students in grades five through eight joined forces to package meals for those in need and make a dent in world hunger. This year, Waldron’s goal was to pack over 20,000 meals. One hundred and sixty students and teachers gathered that day, determined to succeed and knew the goal could be reached. Dixon gymnasium was quickly converted into a hunger elimination factory. Students in grades five and six teamed up in 8
Waldron Mercy Academy
groups that filled bags with rice, protein supplements and vitamins. Each time they filled a box they called for a runner, a seventh grader who transported the bags to the weigh and seal stations, manned by the eighth graders, who also served as counters and packers. The students and teachers worked furiously, celebrating every thousand meals packed with cheers and a gong ring.
Music played, voices cheered and red hair nets were donned as WMA spent the November morning reaching and surpassing the goal of 20,000 meals. In fact, the students worked so diligently that they ran out of boxes to pack the meals in! Not only did our WMA school community unite to package enough meals to feed tens of thousands of individuals, students in the entire school also raised money to donate to Stop Hunger Now. Every September, WMA celebrates Mercy Day and hosts a student walk-a-thon. This year, students raised $5,825 through this walk-a-thon, an amount that supplemented the food donation to Stop Hunger Now. Above: Grace O’Connor, Ella Hoey and Nyla Williams, grade five, enjoy packing nutritious meals. Left: Fifth graders Synii Holland, Hannah Downing, Christine Link and Kaitlyn Quinn measure rice for Stop Hunger Now.
OUTREACH AT ST. COLUMBA Since its founding in 1989, Project HOME has become an essential organization in the city of Philadelphia, providing services to individuals who experience chronic homelessness. The organization responds to the causes of homelessness, helps to rebuild neighborhoods and provides residences to individuals throughout the city. One such residence, St. Columba in West Philadelphia, offers the men that live there service coordination, health-care, education and employment opportunities, to name a few. It also has a special relationship with the Waldron Mercy Academy community. Many Waldron students and their families visit the men of St. Columba regularly, as one of the outreach partners. WMA families spend time with the residents, play games and serve them dinner. The Santoro family - Jake, grade four, Madelyn, grade two, and parents, Carrie and Joseph - have enjoyed many a trip to St. Columba over the past five years and continue to dedicate their outreach efforts to helping its residents. Carrie Santoro reflected on her family’s involvement with the residence: “Our family started going to St. Columba’s five years ago when Jake was in kindergarten. The first time we went we were unsure if Jake was too young, but the older Waldron students quickly got Jake involved and helped him carry the tray to serve the men soda. All of the children worked together and were so eager to help serve the men dinner. The first time we went a worker at St. Columba asked me to serve a man with no arms his dinner. I thought she had asked an adult because she wasn't sure about the kids experiencing a man with no arms. Well, quite the opposite occurred. My son and another student asked to help me, so I let them take him his dinner. I held my breath as they approached, hoping my 5-year-old son wouldn’t say something inappropriate. Jake and the other student watched the gentleman for a minute and both got huge smiles on their faces. They told him how cool it was that he had no arms, so he learned to eat with his feet. They asked him a few other questions about how he did other things in life without arms and I am certain that both children learned more from this meeting than anything in a book.” Since that initial visit, the Santoro’s and the gentleman, Robert, have developed a bond and maintained a relationship. Carrie continued, “We love serving the Friday night meals with other Waldron families. Last year, we were able
to go at Christmas time and serve dinner and bring presents donated by WMA families to the men. This was a wonderful opportunity. There were many kindergarten and first grade students, as well as a few older students. They all enjoyed giving the men their gifts. For many of these men this is the only gift they will get. This year, we brought Robert a Waldron sweatshirt and sweatpants. He was so touched and spent a long time talking to the kids about how he got through school with no arms.” Robert shared some life lessons with the Waldron students that visit with him. He’s taught them that despite having a good education, he made some bad choices and at any one time we are all only one bad decision away from homelessness. “For the older kids,” Carrie said, “this was a
great lesson and eye opening to many.” The outreach visits to St. Columba are not only impactful for the adults. Jake Santoro even reported his time at the residence being more fun than a trip to Disney World. When asked by his mother why he felt that way, he said: “I love helping the men get a good dinner and it makes my heart feel good.” Carrie and the Santoro family feel blessed that Waldron provides service opportunities, like St. Columba, so that the outreach is not only taught, but also experienced. Carrie states, “I know because of this early exposure they will continue volunteering to help others in need.” Above: Students visit with the residents of St. Columba and Jake Santoro, grade four poses with one resident, to whom he gave a WMA sweatshirt.
MADDIE BOUCAS-NETO: CLASS OF 2000 “I have always been inspired to go to Africa from my days at Waldron Mercy and Merion Mercy because of all the service work and trips they’ve promoted. After years and years of having such a strong passion for children and countries in need, I figured now was the time to ‘stop saying’ and ‘start doing.’ From a story a classmate of mine shared, I reached out and found IVHQ (International Volunteer Headquarters). I decided on Kenya and spent 10 days last summer volunteering in an orphanage. It was an eye-opening and life changing experience to visit the Maasai, who are the indigenous people of Kenya and Tanzania. They were so welcoming towards us and invited us into their village to learn all about their traditions, culture and lifestyle. It was pretty uplifting to see what simple, seminomadic lives they lead. This gave me
so much insight on what we have and how we can share our love and kindness with others who are less fortunate. I will always remember the sweet little souls at Pillars of Hope Children’s Home. They have inspired me in so many ways, mainly to be grateful for what you have and, no matter what, to always show love. These children had so little, but they always had the biggest smiles, the kindest and strongest hearts, and such a tight family bond with one another, which is something I will admire and cherish for a lifetime.” Maddie Boucas-Neto ’00 is also a graduate of St. Joseph’s University and is currently enrolled in a counseling psychology masters program at Rosemont College. She plans to become a licensed practicing counselor and work with children and families who struggle with mental illness. BLUE & GOLD
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SUMMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE For students entering grade eight, Summer Service is an opportunity that they seize. Abbey Campbell ’17 reflected on her experience this past summer. Summer service was an experience that I won’t be forgetting. We got an unaltered look into the lives of those in need. We got to hear about how they got where they are, as well as how they plan to build up in the future. We heard about misconceptions about homelessness, as well as what we can do to help. I enjoyed not only hearing their stories, but also getting to know them as a person. Not a homeless person, not someone I’m helping, not someone who has lost everything, not someone to feel sorry for, just a regular human being with a life story that they overcame. If anything, I admired their perseverance. Everyone in the places we went were incredibly nice and they seemed so happy to see someone so young, strapping on gloves or lugging a huge box of clothes or just plain having a conversation with someone who has struggled in life, instead of someone incredibly successful. Though those with large amounts of money and millions of fans are great people to look up to, so are those who have nothing and still see the bright side of things. During my experience with Summer Service, we got to visit many places where we played bingo and beach volleyball, sorted clothes and made meals. While all that was good and fun, the most important thing in Summer Service for me was right before bingo. We all sat down and wrote negative things that we have heard people say about homeless people on sticky notes and placed them on a board. There were a lot of things on that board that did not match my outlook on homeless people, but came from opinions of those on social media, news stations and those too small minded to see homeless people as human beings. There were things like ‘lazy,’ ‘uneducated,’ ‘drug users’ and ‘waste of space.’ When I wrote things down, I didn’t even remember where I had heard some of the descriptions. They just seemed to be common knowledge and that worried me more than anything. My family and I have always tried to give money to those on the streets. We have no idea what they do with the money, but it does not matter. Who are we to decide what they do with it or if they really need the money at all? The point is to help, not be the person standing in their way to a better tomorrow.
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Summer Service was also a great bonding experience with some of my classmates that I may not have talked to as often as my closest friends. Now, whenever any of us who participated in Summer Service hear The Wiggles ‘Fruit Salad,’ we all sing along (long story)! We all loved competing against each other with the elderly as our teammates in beach volleyball and we loved working together sorting through clothing for those who have none. Together we were stronger, faster and smarter. We all worked together to make a difference! From MANNA to Cradles-to-Crayons, at the end of the week, we were a group of kids that helped the less fortunate. I, for one, loved being a part of such an amazing group. I loved learning
everything from the under-recognized fact to the all too well known fiction about homelessness. I’ll never forget the feeling we had when we finished a shift of hard work, knowing we made someone hurt a little less. One week went by so quickly, it seemed to blur at the edges. I wish I had a chance to go back, but I wouldn’t deprive anyone else of such a spectacular experience. Above: Katie Turk, Heloise Braun, Caileigh Grimes, Regina Passarella, Sophia Hoey and Abbey Campbell pack fruit cups at Manna. Ms. Barbara Scott accompanied the grade eight students to Francis House of Peace, a Project H.O.M.E. location. There, Regina Passarella, Nile Andah and Charlie Miller, Sophia Hoey and Maya Murray, and Patrick Ryan and Jimmy King played bingo with residents.
CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS
TECHNICALLY ARTISTIC AND ARTISTICALLY TECHNICAL. THE ART PROJECTS AND LESSONS LEARNED AT WALDRON PROVIDE OUR STUDENTS WITH THE REASONING AND UNDERSTANDING OF WHY ART WORKS. STUDENTS ARE AFFORDED OPPORTUNITIES TO HONE AND PERFECT THEIR UNIQUE SKILLS WITH A PAPER AND PENCIL OR THEIR VOCAL CHORDS.
WMA Students Sing Loud and Draw Proud with Guidance from Our Spectacular Faculty
PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS AT WMA One of the trademarks of a Waldron Mercy student is their unyielding quest for academic excellence, inside and outside of the classroom. Thus, WMA provides advanced learning opportunities, such as private music lessons, for our students to perfect their skills. Maggie Carr ’18 reflects on her two years of taking private voice lessons. At Waldron, our students stay in tune with a wide variety of private music lessons, from voice lessons to french horn. Lessons can start as young as pre-kindergarten. They run for a half an hour once a week with a full focus on our students’ musical development. No treble! With our professionally experienced teachers, these lessons help students grow their blossoming talents, prepare for the school plays and musical arts at the high school and college levels. The practice in the lessons culminates into
a recital for the chosen musical instrument. From my experience as a vocal student, saying my lessons are helpful is an understatement. Every Thursday afternoon, I am greeted by the enthusiastic teachers in the music department as I start my lesson. My teacher, Mr. Michael Borton, is the director of music at Waldron. He also serves on the faculty at the Walnut Street Theatre. We go through a handful of warm ups with the piano, during which he carefully guides me through specific corrections in how I use my voice. Then, I turn to my voice lesson books, which include countless songs from different musicals, widening my knowledge on musical theatre. Mr. Borton plays the piano and listens to every note I sing. He guides me in learning how to know whether to use my head voice or chest voice or a merging of the two, and how to use my breath to power through a note or measure. Once in awhile, when I do my best job at
singing a line, I have a special relieved feeling when he looks up from the piano, smiling, because he knew I did my very best. And if I do not have proper insight of the drama of a certain song, he informs me on how I can achieve it, whether it is listening to a recording or watching a video of a performance. That’s how many of my enlightening lessons have gone and they have produced benefits for my voice. Although only thirty minutes, the tips I get in my lessons will help me for years. These lessons have helped many students in the broader Waldron community. Waldron students have gone on to perform their musical instruments in their high schools and beyond. So I guess you can say, us Waldron students are in perfect pitch! Above: Mr. Michael Borton leads Maggie Carr through vocal warm-ups to begin their private voice lesson. BLUE & GOLD
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THE SCIENCE OF ART To some, art and drawing may seem abstract, complex or even spontaneous. But in reality, art, specifically portraiture, as our grade three students have come to learn, is quite the opposite. Each year, as the first art project of the school year, our students in grade three learn the science and mathematics behind portrait drawing and the human face. Of course, like any good artist, our students need a muse - someone to inspire their creativity. To find the perfect subject, art teacher Ms. Beth Hymel, looks to her annual theme to find the perfect portrait study. In the past, this has included Frida Kahlo and the Sphinx. This year, the theme weaving through all of the art projects is African art, drawing influence from
traditional African style. So, of course, Ms. Hymel identified anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician and philanthropist Nelson Mandela as the subject of the portrait study. Before the drawing begins, the students first learn about the individual they are going to artistically honor, sharing facts with Ms. Hymel. For Mandela, they learned that he was nicknamed “Troublemaker,” they tried to grasp the tenacity of his unrelenting plight until his death at age 95 and, most importantly, that the focus of his struggle was to end the apartheid in South Africa, earning all citizens the right to vote. Portraiture, as the students learn, is all about proportions and reconfiguring some misconceptions about the human form. After learning that the head is in fact an oval and not a circle, Ms. Hymel goes into detail about the lines of sym-
DONATA CUCINOTTA: CLASS OF 1996 WMA had a very rich music program; it was always my favorite part of the day. I made sure to join every extracurricular music related activity I could and that inspired me to become a musician. I attended Ithaca College where I received a bachelor of music. Ithaca is well-known for its high caliber of music education, as well as its musical theater program. By that time, I had fallen in love with opera (which to me just seemed like a musical theater on steroids) and decided to continue my studies in New York City at Mannes. My first professional job was at Ohio Light Opera, a company specializing in musicals and operetta. I completed my training as a young artist at Shreveport Opera and Opera Colorado. Since then, I have performed with the Queens 12
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Symphony Orchestra at Avery Fisher Hall, played Josephine at Knoxville Opera, Aldonza at Asheville Lyric Opera, First Lady in Die Zauberflöte at Opera Tampa, and had leading roles with Opera Colorado, Indianapolis Opera, Amarillo Opera, Salt Marsh Opera, Ohio Light Opera, Shreveport Opera, Opera in the Heights, Opera New Jersey, Opera Fort Collins, GLOW Lyric Theater, Opera Ithaca, The Indianapolis Symphony orchestra, Prince Music Theater, and the American Music Theater Festival. My favorite roles are the ones where I get to use all my unique abilities. For me, that stand-out role is Nedda in Pagliacci. Since the show is usually set in a circus, I get to juggle, stand on my head and sing beautiful music, all at the same time.
metry, crossing the face horizontally and vertically. The students then measure the distance from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin and determine that, even though it seems the nose lives in the center of the face, it’s the eyes that rest in the center of the face. Fun fact: a third grade student’s head is approximately eight inches, compared to Shaquille O’Neal, who may have a 14-inch head, and an infant, who may have a four-inch head; all of whose eyes live in the center of their face! The students learn that the space in between the eyes, which are lemon-like in shape, is the size of a third eye. They further discover that the bottom of the nose resides halfway between the eyes and the chin and that the iris lines up with the edge of the mouth and continues down to the outside of the neck. As Ms. Hymel asserts, like mathematics, “once you know the formula, it’s really easy to put everything in the right place.” Once all of the measuring is complete, the creation can begin. The students fold a sheet of paper in half to find the lines of symmetry on the page, take pencil to paper and create life. With all of the detailing, the hair takes the longest to complete, especially on Mandela with all of his curls. After the pencil is complete, the students outline parts of the portrait in marker and paint the entire image with tempera cakes paint. As the first art project of the year, the portraiture study aligns nicely with the grade three library project in which the students conduct a research project on a famous Pennsylvanian and finalize the project with a drawn portrait of the historical figure. After all of the practice in the art studio, the students are equipped with the artistic skills and confidence to complete their library research project. This year, Mandela proved not only to be a beautiful subject for a portraiture study, but also a beautiful human after whom we can all model a merciful existence. Above: Ms. Beth Hymel instructs her class in painting techniques and measures Isabella Arias’s head for proportions. Third graders Kinsley Jackson and Sean Gorman detail their portraits of Nelson Mandela.
TIGER TERRITORY
THIS FALL, WALDRON MERCY STUDENT ATHLETES KICKED, SERVED AND SPRINTED THEIR WAY TO VICTORIES. THEY WON TOGETHER AND LOST TOGETHER. THEY CHEERED EACH OTHER ON FROM THE SIDELINES, SET A PACE FOR A STRONG YEAR OF WMA SPORTS AND WORKED HARD TOWARDS A SUCCESSFUL ATHLETIC FUTURE.
Hustle and Determination: Two of the Many Words That Can Describe Our Student Athletes
A TEAM ABOVE ALL. ABOVE ALL A TEAM. When thinking about the soccer season this fall, one word comes to mind: teamwork. The student athletes that earned a spot on the soccer field this year melded together. When they set foot on the field, they ceased existing as individual players and morphed into a well-oiled machine. Under the leadership of their captains, Natalie Coughlin ’17, Sophia Hoey ’17 and Patrick Ryan ’17 on varsity, and Jack Gallagher ’19 and Billy Ross ’19 on junior varsity, both teams won (and lost) not as separate teams, but as Waldron Mercy Academy soccer. It was inspiring to watch the junior varsity players run the sidelines of varsity games and hear varsity players cheering on their younger teammates. Not only were the players there for each other in spirit and cheers, but in skills as
well. During practices, varsity players would pair with junior varsity players during drills and games, bonding with each other and making one another better. Players on both teams were bursting with talent and skill, however junior varsity soccer went the first few games of the season with only one substitute. Seeing how tired their teammates
were by the end of the game, almost every varsity player eagerly volunteered to play for JV, even after they had played a full game just moments earlier. For the second half of the season, several of the seventh grade players stepped up and helped out in every game, allowing their younger teammates to stay fresh and setting an example of how to be a team player. When such leadership and camaraderie is at the start of the season, it carries through, not only one season, but for seasons to come. The players on WMA soccer this year may not have made it to the championship, but they laid a foundation for future Waldron soccer teams to build upon and and find success. Above: JV soccer celebrates after Blaise Giacobbo, grade five, scores a goal at Homecoming. Left: Lauren Anderson ’18 drives down the field during the Varsity Homecoming soccer game. BLUE & GOLD
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VOLLEYBALL SERVES A SUCCESSFUL SEASON Over the years, players come and go, and records change, but Michelle Orapallo, Jacki Pawlowski and Bob Gallagher have been familiar faces on the volleyball court. The three have coached Waldron Mercy Academy girls volleyball in the CYO league for several seasons and can also be seen in the classroom. Orapallo teaches grade three, Pawlowski teaches grade one and Gallagher instructs physical education classes for the whole school, all three of whom run the court like they do their classrooms. They strive for positive learning experiences, growth and development, and of course fun! There’s no denying that time flies by, which was exactly how the fall 2016 season felt. The team approached each game with excitement and determination. With every passing game and practice they grew a little more. Coach Pawlowski stated, “The girls
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dedicate a lot of their weekends to play volleyball and it always amazes me how excited and pumped they are to play every weekend. One of my favorite things about this team was hearing before every game how excited they were to be there and they were ready to play.” Not only did the players grow, the coaches evolved right beside them. According to Coach Orapallo, she had a lot of fun “implementing new drills at practice, getting to play scrimmage games with the girls during practice and working alongside Coach Pawlowski and Coach Gallagher.” As with all sports, the Volleyball team experienced highs and lows throughout the season. In all the thrills of victories and pains of defeats, the athletes put forth valiant efforts and left it all on the court. Every player brought her own unique skills and strengths to the court. The grade eight players, in particular, were excellent leaders and role models this year, according to Coach
Pawlowski, who enjoyed getting to know the girls as athletes and as individuals and watching them build their skills throughout the season. While the girls brought home some fantastic wins and made it to the Gold bracket of the CYO playoffs, they lost in the first round against St. Anastasia. As teams grow and bond each year, they also must say good bye to the dedicated athletes who graduate and move on to high school. Homecoming 2016 gave these grade eight students an opportunity to celebrate and play in front of a gym full of fans. This year, the volleyball team says goodbye to seven out of the 11 players on varsity. We wish them well in their high school athletic careers and look forward to seeing new faces on the volleyball court for seasons to come. Above: Varsity Volleyball cheers to begin their Homecoming match. Alyssa Williams’17 serves to start the game. Below: Regina Passarella ’17 serves a winning point, after which Alyssa Williams and Maeve Pinheiro ’17 celebrate.
RACING TOWARDS THE FINISH LINE First year teacher, Christine Cooper, grade five, dove head first into the world of Waldron Mercy Academy and became the cross country coach this fall. The 2016 Waldron Mercy Academy cross country team started the season outstandingly! Each week, the team grew in number and in talent. Cross country is unique in that the roster spots are filled from students in both the lower and middle schools. By the end of the 2016 season, we combined the talents of about 40 runners from first through eighth grade, who all ran their hardest on the trails of Belmont Plateau in Fairmount Park this fall. Runners join cross country for many different reasons; some purely for the love of running and others use the sport as a means to maintain endurance for basketball or lacrosse. No matter their motivation, whether our athletes came to practice to prepare for Sunday’s meet or to just stay in shape for other upcoming sports seasons, these runners gave their all. Despite some rain and weather cancellations, the earliest meets of the season saw quite a few successes for WMA runners. Each week, almost all the runners achieved personal best times for their races. Waldron participates in the Catholic League, which proves year after year to be tough competition. With over 50 teams and about 200 runners in each race, the Waldron runners faced the field with determination and tenacity. They focused on running hard and fast, not only to achieve their personal best, but to pass as many runners as they can before nearing the finish line. No matter the age and skill level of the Waldron runners, every athlete displayed true grit and dedication this season. Nathan Messano, grade three, consistently competed as one of the top runners on the team. Nathan’s dedication to running is evident in each practice. He ran each day as if it were a Sunday meet, which built his endurance, stamina and confidence, and helped him to persevere through the long races. Nathan even took an early rainy day cancellation as an opportunity to take it to the track and compete in his own race. With every passing week and every
mounting run, Nathan achieved a personal best at the championship meet clocking an impressive 13:32 for 1.86 miles! Meg O’Brien, grade four, also smoked the competition in the championship meet, finishing ninth out of 198 runners with the time of 13:13. Meg earned the chance to run in a regional meet where she can qualify for nationals. Not only is the competition of the Catholic League tough, the course around Belmont Plateau is quite a challenge for our young runners and seasoned racers alike. A few mere seconds after the sound of the starting shot each week, our runners trek off to climb a monstrous hill. Depending on the skill and age level of the runners, the athletes face the steep incline several times throughout the run. The Novice runners, athletes in grades two and three, complete this hill twice during each race. Runners in the Minor,
grades four through six, and Cadet, grades seven and eight, divisions not only tackle the monstrous hill twice, but also complete an additional hill in the woods of the Fairmount Park trail. The challenging terrain, which the students have deemed “suicide hill,” takes the trail seemingly 90 degrees, straight up, and is covered with rocks and dirt. Not an easy feat to conquer! Despite the arduous course and competitive field of challengers, our runners never backed down. They came out each week ready to give it their all! Above: Colin McCabe, John Hiester, Aidan Furtek and Nathan Messano excitedly await their cross country meet. Teá Oliver rounds a corner during the race. Sabine Corrielus and Jessica Link smile after a well run race. Brian Pressley sprints past the competition and finishes with a PR.
BRENDAN SMITH: CLASS OF 2000 I remember fondly my basketball experience at Waldron, playing JV and Varsity. Each year, our team improved, on and off the court, under the guidance of our coaches, Pat Smith (my father) and Mr. Pat Welde. I enjoyed every minute on the team, even though, in eighth grade, we lost a heartbreaker in the league championship. At the Prep, I was cut from the freshmen basketball team and, to stay involved, decided to become a team manager. I continued to manage at Arizona State and Penn State, where I went for college. After graduating from Penn State in 2011, I took a graduate assistant position for the men's basketball team. While earning my Masters in Higher Education, I assisted the Nittany Lion coaching staff in all aspects of the program. Thankful for the opportunity, I learned so much under Coach Chambers and his staff.
In 2013, I joined the coaching staff at Philadelphia University, under Hall of Fame Coach Herb Magee. As an assistant coach, I recruited and evaluated players, worked on skill building one-on-one and assisted with the off-season strength and conditioning program. It is privilege to work closely with a basketball Hall of Famer; I absorbed everything because I knew how much I could learn from Coach Magee. He is such a respected name in the sport of basketball, and to work on his staff for three years as an assistant coach is something I will always look back on. Though it was hard to leave, in November of this year, I accepted the position of director of basketball operations at Brown University in Rhode Island. I encourage students to keep pushing; never lose hope. Opportunities exist, in basketball or in an office job. Not everything will be easy, but if you keep your mind to it, things will work out in the end. BLUE & GOLD
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the Sisters of mercy AN EVER-PRESENT GIFT No matter what the situation (or learning environment), the Sisters of Mercy take everything in stride and look at any situation and approach it through the lens of their mission, which makes their presence on campus that much more important. The students witness the faith of the Sisters of Mercy in the lay faculty and staff. The one constant in the almost 100 year history of Waldron Mercy Academy is the mission and what they do today carries on the mission and creates a domino effect, influencing the future. Simply put, by Eileen Flanagan, “as teachers, we should share the mission and make it come alive for the students. The sisters are our role models for doing this.”
PRESENCE ON CAMPUS In the not too distant past, Catholic schools were led by and filled with religious faculty and staff. Sisters and priests taught in classrooms, coached on the fields and chaperoned school dances. As time moved on, more and more lay persons filled roles traditionally held by religious leaders, and thus, were tasked with carrying on the mission and traditions of Catholic schools. Luckily, for Waldron Mercy Academy we are located on the same campus as The Convent of Mercy, not only the mother house for sisters but also the offices of the Mid Atlantic Community. The Convent of Mercy gives the sisters a physical identity on campus and also serves as a sort of beacon to the neighboring communities. Agustin Aliaga ’17 spoke about how magnificent the structure really is. His face lit up as he talked about seeing the dome at the top of the chapel as you enter campus from the back. Agustin also mentioned how much having the sisters on campus enhances the religious education. The Sisters of Mercy conduct a lot of the chapel ceremonies, which are absolutely beautiful. He compared the beauty of the chapel to the churches and cathedrals that he saw on a recent trip he took to Italy. In addition to the physical structure, Waldron Mercy benefits from having five sisters still on staff, an advantage that not many schools can claim. Sister Barbara teaches grades kindergarten to three enrichment reading groups, Sister Carmel works with students in the library, Sister Kathleen Anne does all of the high school recommendations, assists the director of religious education and outreach and helps with all of the services and liturgies, Sister Joellen works tirelessly as the director of admission, and Sister Mary Christella remains an essential piece of the Montessori program at Waldron Mercy, which she helped establish. One of the most significant things about having the sisters pass on their legacy and life’s work to the lay faculty and staff is how confident the Sisters of Mercy are that their mission will be 16
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IMPORTANCE OF THE SISTERS
honored. Nell Stetser spoke about how amazed she is by the faith the sisters have in the lay ministers. “They are 100% supportive and trusting that their mission will be carried out.” Our teachers work in partnership with the sisters and look to them as an example of how to carry out the mission of WMA and to be leaders in education. Many of the sisters spent their lives devoted to children and teaching, and they always wore every hat! Sister Kathleen Anne often tells a story of being a young teacher. She had a class of 87 students that was held in her school auditorium. Not only did she teach general curriculum, but also prepared the students to receive sacraments - and on the fly. The auditorium was often used for services and funerals, so her classroom location would move a lot. One location was even a school bus, with the students sitting three across on each seat!
Theresa Gannon hit the nail on the head when describing how critical the Sisters of Mercy remaining involved with Waldron Mercy is. “The sisters are the faces of mercy. They are the history of the school, the foundress, the roots of mercy; they embody what we strive for. Not many Mercy schools still have the sisters in school, let alone on campus. They teach us the Mercy charism - openness, trust, outreach, hospitality.” The sisters are integral parts of maintaining Waldron Mercy Academy as a school, and as a focus of outreach opportunities. One such opportunity is Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, the WMA outreach partner, run by the Sisters of Mercy. Sister Ann Provost, founder of MNM, had a dream to start an organization serving North Philadelphia neighborhoods. “The Mission of Mercy Neighborhood Ministries of Philadelphia, Inc. is to create partnerships and services that respond to the needs of those who are poor in the North Philadelphia community, especially women, children and persons with special needs.” Having an organization with the mission that aligns so closely with that of our school truly resonates with the students. MNM, similar to WMA, strives to align itself with the Gospel values and vision of Catherine McAuley. The “focus of these ministries is to identify needs which are not being met by other
Facing page above: Sr. Kathleen Anne McKee (center) as postulant with her aunt and cousin. Facing page below: Sisters enjoying a dinner out together at Williamsons, Top of GSB. Left: Sr. Madeline Smith, who recently passed away, works with her “boys in gray” in the O’Brien Learning Center. Below: Sr. Mary Christella calling alumni during the 2014 phone-a-thon. Bottom: Sr. Joellen McDonnell with Domenic Colavita ’15 and Matthew Nolan ’15.
groups, to respond to these needs over time, and to fulfill them in a collaborative and empowering way.” Organized by Bob Fogarty, Waldron Mercy students visit with the members of MNM on Wednesday mornings and after school. The eighth grade students work with the adults and students in grades six through eight work with pre-kindergarten students from area schools doing arts and crafts or reading books. All of the students love visiting Mercy Neighborhood Ministries. A loyal visitor, Agustin Aliaga had a hard time narrowing down only one favorite part. He loves how funny the little kids are and how they remember the WMA students who visit regularly.
TRAVELING UP THE HILL In order for students to truly understand the importance of McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy on campus, students often travel up the hill to visit and have mass. Seeing the sisters walking and praying, sets a strong example and is a huge benefit for the kids. The sisters are always happy to see the students in the chapel and see their smiling faces. Students will often visit to sing songs and play games. The Kindergarten parades in their costumes at Halloween, those preparing for Confirmation visit for service and ECC visits a few times a year. Many of the sisters have devoted their lives to education and our kids have the opportunity to give back. One outreach opportunity that has been reignited this year, thanks to Greg Soltis and Anne Miller, mother of Charlie ’17 and Max ’20, is the monthly Book Club. On Tuesday’s, once a month, students go up to McAuley Convent, where they read with the
sisters, do puzzles, some have even picked berries from the garden. Originally, the Book Club was an opportunity for younger students who were just learning how to read to go and practice, but has grown beyond that. Students young and old are matched with sisters to visit each time they go, helping them build relationships. Charlie Miller said about his last visit during Book Club, that he read stories, including Hibernation Station, and a book of jokes with one of the sisters. He couldn’t pick out the funniest joke, because Sister laughed at all of them! When asked about his favorite part of Book Club, Charlie said, “I enjoyed how much they enjoyed it.”
They are invited by either another associate or a Sister of Mercy for reflection, deepening their own spirituality. It is a year long process, ending in a covenant agreement to work with the sisters in spreading the charism within daily life and work. At WMA, we are lucky enough to have several faculty and staff Mid Atlantic Mercy Associates: Mary Augustine, Eileen Aurand, Eileen Flanagan, Marguerite Flynn, Bob Fogarty, Louise Fry, Angela McKelvey, Nell Stetser and Anne Wellman. As Theresa Gannon puts it, “Mercy Associates and lay persons serve as the hands, feet, eyes, mouths to carry on the traditions and charism of the Sisters of Mercy. The organization offers talks on topics covering everything from global warming to refugee situations, volunteer and outreach opportunities, spiritual direction and retreats.
CARRYING ON THE TRADITION Along with continuing the mission of Waldron Mercy Academy, lay ministers have take on the responsibility of carrying on the mission of the Sisters of Mercy as a whole, and the Mercy charism. This organization, the Mercy Associates, consists of anyone, Catholic or non, who embodies the Mercy charism.
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As Waldron approaches its centennial year in 2023, we are inclined to look back on our storied history and the many traditions that have come and gone and those that have remained core to the Waldron experience.
Tradition
Tradition! Tag Day
Homecoming
Before “Homecoming” existed, Waldron celebrated “Tag Day.” The name comes from the “tags” purchased by students and parents to attend a long-awaited football game against one of Waldron’s archrivals, which included St. Matthias and St. Colman. According to Hilaire O’Malley ’53, “the days leading up to Tag Day were filled with high spirits and much excitement. Students were encouraged to create signs and posters to be displayed around the school.” Tag Day continued through the 1960s and a new rivalry emerged in the form of St. Aloysius. Tags could be purchased from J.Taney Wilcox, parent of alumni and a Waldron parent at the time, for a price of two dollars. The purchaser would fill out the tag with their name and address. At the end of the day, the tags would be put into a drum and a name was drawn to share in the dollars collected. Sr. Kathleen Anne McKee remembers those days fondly and recounted a game in which the students in grades one and two played each other during half-time. She added, “the parents got a kick out of it and the little ones had a great time experiencing what it was like to be on the field with spectators cheering them on.”
By the 1970s, Tag Day morphed into Homecoming and a new tradition was born thanks to the help of the Waldron Academy Fathers Association. After the merger, the Parent Teacher Cooperative took a lead role in facilitating the activities of the day. A special moment graduating students and their parents celebrate to this day began in the 1980s with the practice of athletes presenting corsages (now roses) to their parents on the field at half-time. The tribute to the parents made the day all the more special as it celebrates one of the last home games for the soon-to-be graduates. Jared Nolan ’16 described the experience as a “nice way to thank them for being there for all of our games and driving to practices. Most of us had been playing sports together at Waldron for four or more years, and our parents were our biggest supporters!” Homecoming has grown over the years, adding many more home games for other fall sports as the WMA athletics program grew to include field hockey, soccer and volleyball. New family-oriented and fun activities were added including a disc jockey, face painting and pumpkin carving. Alumni have always been a part of Homecoming and for several years our youngest alumni—those in high school—return to campus, often wearing their new sports team’s colors and apparel. But, for
those few hours back at WMA, everyone is cheering for the blue and gold. Jared Nolan summed it up well: “the best memory I have from homecoming was when we ran through the banner onto the field. I remember seeing everyone there cheering for us--classmates, parents, siblings and even alumni.”
Colonial Day Each year, WMA’s third grade students don their dust caps and tri-cornered hats as they re-enact the historic colonial era during WMA’s traditional Colonial Day. This celebration began over 20 years ago as a culmination of their study of the rich history of Philadelphia and its environs. The students and their teachers dress in costumes of the period and spend the day churning butter, making “johnnycakes” and preparing chicken legs, apple crumble and lemonade. Everything is prepared right on campus. Initially, electric frying pans were pressed into service in the old science lab, but that has evolved into utilizing a stove and crock pots. While not true to the period, these devices make prep and clean-up much easier. In keeping with a little helpful influence of the modern era, ingredient lists are photocopied and online sign-up tools are utilized to divide up resources and send reminders to parents responsible for bringing in the items.
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Calling all Alumni! Do you have stories of Waldron traditions? Send us a letter or email us at mflynn@waldronmercy.org about one of your favorite traditions. Stories will be shared on the Waldron website as well as future issues of the Blue and Gold.
In addition to historic food, the students create colonial toys and play games representative of the era. Some games are still popular today, such as jump rope, marbles, and relay races. According to Megan Zak ’08, who celebrated Colonial Day when she was in grade three almost 14 years ago, "Colonial Day took us back in time to reflect on the values on which our country was founded. It brought all of my classmates together to reflect on our shared experiences, spend a day living like the colonists, and eat great food! Most importantly, Colonial Day reminded us that an education is
the key to success, and this day was always memorable to me." Sr. Barbara MacWilliams, who taught in grade three at WMA for years, remarked, “On Colonial Day, I worked with the young colonists on some activities that the children in colonial times made or played with. We made a sachet on which we painted apple prints. We then filled these with sweet smelling dried flowers. We also made a fun toy called a whirligig. It is a simple toy, but it was fun to watch children who play computer games get so much enjoyment out of a simple toy. Utilizing tools of the 21st century, our grade
three teachers have investigated and implemented the use of apps that will be used to draw maps of colonial villages. The school’s 3D printer is also used to create and “print out” a piece of furniture popular during the colonial period. To enrich the experience further, a field trip to Pennsbury Manor is scheduled each year where the students share many hands-on activities. It’s obvious that the work that goes into maintaining this tradition is well worth it as the students gain a deeper appreciation for the colonial era and the rich history that exists so close to home.
Each grade celebrates annual events together. Modern Traditions These are some of the moments each grade holds as their own special tradition.
Montessori TRADITIONS
Christmas pageant – singing songs and dressed in the roles of the Nativity, the oldest students present to friends and family.
3rd GRADE Colonial days – students dress up in costumes, make special meals, and do activities from the colonial era.
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Early Child Care Hawaiian Luau party- families are invited to a special “graduation” celebration including leis, grass skirts, and treats.
4th GRADE State/territory project – students learn about all 50 states through group projects and virtual “road trips”.
Pre-K Grandparents Day – grandparents and “grand” friends are invited to campus for a special breakfast.
5th GRADE Skype with an Author – students gather in the library for a virtual classroom experience with the author of a book recently read by the class.
Kindergarten 100 days of school celebration – in preparation, students build creative “100 things” projects and on the special day, with parents and big buddies, do a number of fun math activities.
6th GRADE Bottle rockets – students build rockets from two liter soda bottles, adorn with special decorations, and compete for the highest skyward launch.
1st GRADE Raising baby chicks in the spring – from egg to hatchling, students learn from a local farmer and then raise their own baby chicks in the classroom.
7th GRADE Gettysburg field trip – a bus ride out to this historic battleground and a tour of the museum and grounds brings to life discussions in the classroom.
2nd GRADE Sacraments – students prepare for Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
8th GRADE Little Buddy Christmas Stories – students write a short story that includes their kindergarten buddy as a character. Then the buddies get together to read these special gifts before the Christmas break.
YOUR WALDRON
WRITE TO US! CONTACT US IF YOU’VE GOTTEN MARRIED, HAD A BABY, MOVED, RETIRED, OR IF YOU JUST WANT TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FELLOW WALDRON ALUMNI. EMAIL PEG FLYNN, DIRECTOR OF STEWARDSHIP AND ALUMNI RELATIONS AT MFLYNN@WALDRONMERCY.ORG
1976
Jack O’Brien ’76 is vice president, divisional sales manager at LD Wholesale, a division of LoanDepot. Jack is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep and St. Joseph’s University, where he earned a BS in accounting.
1993
Dave Krull ’77 is global category lead, software/SaaS at AstraZeneca. A graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep, Dave attained a bachelor’s in Finance at Fairfield University and an MBA from the University of Delaware Lerner College of Business and Economics. He and his family are residents of Media, Pa.
1991
1977
Marc Bonavitacola, CFA ’77 is head of private equity in the Philadelphia area. After graduating from St. Joseph’s Prep, Marc attained his bachelor’s in finance and marketing from Temple University Fox School of Business Management and his master’s in finance and investment management from Drexel University LeBow College of Business. Marc returned to the area in 2013 after living in Boston for 10 years.
Carolyn Tascione McCollum ’93 and her husband Keith celebrated the birth of their daughter, Emma, on July 17, 2016. A graduate of Merion Mercy and Lycoming College, Carolyn is currently a sales representative/ field sales trainer for ERMI, an Orthopedic medical device company. They reside in Audubon, Pa.
Nicole Fenlon McKeown ’91 is the chair of special education programs at Eastern University. She is also working on a doctorate in education with a concentration in special education. For the past three years, Nicole worked part-time as an affiliate professor of education at Eastern University. She is a student teaching supervisor at St. Joseph’s University, supervising elementary and special education student teachers. Nicole holds a master’s degree from St. Joseph’s University and three certifications from the State of Pennsylvania: reading specialist, special education and elementary education. Nicole and her husband Paul reside in Havertown with their two children, Sienna and John, both current students at WMA.
Albert Scaperotto ’91 is a lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force, and on September 3, 2015, was made squadron commander of the 432d Attack Squadron (which was subsequently changed to the 89th Attack Squadron) at Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, South Dakota. A St. Joseph’s Prep and University of Delaware alumnus, Albert is a graduate of the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS), which is an elite school with high standards and uncompromising rigor. According a recent letter of commendation, “Albert demonstrated the intellectual capacity and personal discipline to master, what is arguably, the toughest curriculum in military education. He was awarded an accredited Master of Philosophy in Military Strategy degree that is the tangible manifestation of his excellence and potential for significant work at the highest levels of the US Air Force.”
Janet Doyle Thompson ’93 is the principal of Mastery Charter Mann Elementary in West Philadelphia. A graduate of Merion Mercy and St. Joseph’s University, Janet and her husband Sage have two children, Jack and Oliver.
BLUE & GOLD
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1994
Anthony (Tony) Leonard ’94, his wife Katherine, and daughter Victoria ’28 are pictured with their newest family member, Abigail (Abby) who was born on October 24, 2016. Tony is a graduate of LaSalle College High School, the University of WisconsinMadison, and Widener University School of Law. Daughter Victoria is a Montessori student at WMA and the family resides in Philadelphia, Pa.
1995
Big brother Joey poses with brother, Nicholas Andrew, who was born on September 9, 2016. Joey and Andrew are the sons of Joe Vitello ’94 and his wife Jessica. Joe is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep and Widener University, where he earned a bachelor’s in environmental science in 2002. Joe is currently employed at the US Environmental Protection Agency in Philadelphia and he and his family are residents of Springfield, Pa.
1994
Maisha Tyler ’95 was inducted into the St. Joseph’s University Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame on October 15, 2016. A graduate of Merion Mercy and St. Joseph’s University, Maisha is a resident of Los Angeles, Ca. She is employed at The Giving Keys, which promotes positive messages through a line of wearable keys. When Maisha recognized her coach Kevin Quinn that night, she “paid it forward” with a key labeled, “Inspire” to acknowledge the inspiration of Coach Quinn in her life.
Julian Holloway ’97 is presently a reporting and data analyst at Purdue University. Julian is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep, Delaware Valley University, and Purdue University, where he graduated in 2008 with a bachelor’s in computer/information technology administration and management with a minor in organizational leadership and supervision. He and his wife Andrea are residents of West Lafayette, In.
1998
1997
Lizann Gallagher McLaughlin ’94 and her husband Sean welcome their newest arrival, Lily Eve, who was born on July 21, 2016. Big brother Will and big sister Anna are thrilled. Lizann is a child life specialist at Peter’s Place in Radnor. She is a graduate of Merion Mercy and Georgetown University. Lizann received her master’s degree from George Mason University. The McLaughlins are residents of Wyndmoor, Pa.
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Waldron Mercy Academy
Courtney Wooten Gliwa ’94 and her husband Gabe welcomed their daughter, Sloane, on April 16, 2016. While born at only 1 lb. 9 oz., Sloane has blossomed into a beautiful and healthy girl. She is shown on her recent Christening Day. Courtney is a graduate of Merion Mercy and received her degree in business from Loyola University. She has been working as a budget analyst for Duane Morris, a global law firm based in Philadelphia, for the last year and a half. She and her husband Gabe are residents of Philadelphia.
Michael Campo ’97 and his wife Victoria are the proud parents of Michael (4) and Luigi (3). Michael is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep and Temple University. He works in his family’s historic business, Campo’s, which has been in operation and family-owned for almost 70 years.
Valenteen Giuda Murtha ’98 is the owner of Capture Photography, LLC located in Center City Philadelphia, which specializes in newborn, children and family portrait photography, events and weddings. Valenteen graduated from Merion Mercy in 2002 and received her BS in Business Marketing from West Chester University in 2006 and earned her MBA from LaSalle University in 2012. Valenteen is married to Brian Murtha and they are the proud parents of Isabella, Callan, Aiden, and Audrey. The family resides in Philadelphia.
In June, Aaron Jaroff ’98 and his wife Amanda celebrated the birth of their first child, Lucas. After Waldron, Aaron graduated from William Penn Charter, Bowdoin College in Maine, and received his law degree from American University in Washington DC. Aaron is now an attorney in New York, where he resides with his wife and son.
2000
2001
Kristy Constantino Pagano ’00 and her husband Mark are excited to welcome Nicolette Rose, who was born on September 29, 2016. Pictured with Nikki Rose are proud grandparents, Jackie and Nick Constantino, along with aunt, Alexa Constantino ’07. Kristy is a graduate of Merion Mercy and St. Joseph’s University and is a sales specialist at Depomed, a specialty pharmaceutical company. Kristy, Mark and Nikki Rose live in Havertown, Pa.
Michael (MJ) Andrews’01 was married to Caitlin Walsh on September 10, 2016. Fellow alumni Garrett McInnes ’01 and Fran Daulerio ’01 served as groomsmen, along with MJ’s brother Stephen ’97. Many friends from Waldron attended the wedding and are pictured with the groom’s parents, Jeff and Rennie Andrews. On board to celebrate the occasion were parents of alumni: Joe and Linda Camardo, Frank and Mary Ann Daulerio, Doug and Kate Farrell, and Debbie and Steve Stritch, along with Peg Flynn, director of alumni relations. MJ currently serves as the Interim chief compliance officer for a long-only equity institutional asset manager based in New York City, where he and Cait reside.
2002
Rachel Bowe ’02 married Chris Paley on August 26, 2016 in Philadelphia. Waldron alum and life-long friend Monica Tassoni Cryan’02 was a member of the bridal party. Rachel is a director at Kinetic Social and is a graduate of Merion Mercy. She studied Broadcast Journalism at Penn State University, and she and her husband are residents of New York City.
1999
Stefan Niemczyk ’99 and his wife Stephanie are pictured at their 2014 wedding. Life-long WMA friends Michael Calabrese and Ross DiBono ’00 were in attendance. A graduate of Malvern Prep, Stefan attained his bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University. He later graduated from Le Cordon Bleu with an associate’s of occupational studies degree in culinary arts. He founded a food base business in LA five years ago called elite EATS serving locally sourced, freshly made meals that were ready to eat and delivered to your door. Stefan recently sold that start up, and is now part of Power Supply, another food based start-up. He and his wife are expecting a daughter in December and currently reside in Porter Ranch, Ca.
Porsche S. Slocum ’00 is an alumna of Merion Mercy and earned her bachelor’s. in print journalism from Hampton University with a concentration in Spanish. She began her professional career at ESSENCE Magazine as a digital intern and has since worked for Philly2Philly.com as a staff writer and Mercy Home Health & Mercy LIFE as a marketing communications consultant. Porsche currently resides in Hollywood, Ca. and is a project coordinator at ABS Collective, an event production company based in Los Angeles. She says WMA influenced her life immensely and she takes great pride in being an alumna.
Krysta Genovese ’02 was married on September 17, 2016 to Bradley Jones at Old St. Mary's Church, Philadelphia. Classmate Nina Fortuna ’02 participated in the liturgy as a reader. A graduate of Merion Mercy and Penn State University, Krysta is an associate buyer: decorate with Urban Outfitters Housewares. She and her husband are residents of Philadelphia, Pa.
2003
Ryan Cray ’01 was married to Angela Lombardo on October 1, 2016 at St. Monica’s Church in Philadelphia. Waldron alumni in the bridal party were: Richard Cray ’99, David Suro ’00, Stephen Albertini ’01 and Marissa Monzo Harrow ’99. Ryan is a staff auditor for the Department of Internal Audit at Thomas Jefferson University. He is a graduate of Roman Catholic High School for Boys and Philadelphia University.
Brian Brinkmann ’03 is in commercial sales with ServiceNow – The Enterprise Cloud Company. A graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep, Brian attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated with a bachelor’s in Political Science from St. Joseph’s University where he was captain of the men’s lacrosse team. Brian is a resident of San Diego, Ca. BLUE & GOLD
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2004
2007
In Memor am Christopher L. Butler III ’04 currently works at the Asia Society Texas Center in Houston, TX. At Asia Society he works as a Visitor & Membership Services Assistant. In this role he is responsible for patron services, customer relations, memberships, and general information. He has spent the last 5 years working in the nonprofit sector and is both an alumnus of the Episcopal Service Corps (’15) and the AmeriCorps VISTA program (’12). In 2014 he received a degree in Liberal Arts from Xavier University with a concentration on Sports Studies. Currently he is enrolled in the Creative Writing program post baccalaureate program at the University of HoustonDowntown. Upon graduating he plans to work in higher education teaching creative writing and working in higher education around student athlete services.
Kellianne Rafter ’07 will graduate in 2017 from Seton Hall University with a master’s in speech language pathology. A Merion Mercy alumni, Kellianne is a graduate of Temple University College of Health Professions and Social Work, where she achieved a bachelor’s in speech language hearing science in 2015.
2008
Marie Anderson
Robert John Harrington
Sister of Sr. Mary Christella, faculty/staff
grandfather of Ainsley ’24 and Marlowe ’25 Short
Judge Alex Bonavitacola
Kathleen Scanlan Harrison
father of Marc ’77
grandmother of Gabrielle Harrison, faculty
Pasquale Bova father of Lucille Donnelly, former faculty/staff; grandfather of Andrew ’04, Theresa ’06, Brendan ’09, and Victoria ’12 Donnelly
Marie Hendon
Gertrude Brannau
brother of G. David Hollenbach, S.J. ’56 and George Hollenbach ’59
wife of Bill, former athletic director; mother of Matt Brannau ’78; Grandmother of Madlene Brannau ’05
mother of Joanne Dougherty, faculty/staff; grandmother of Maddie and Isabel Dougherty ’17
Mary E. Costello grandmother of Nicole ’95 and Megan ’97 Roe
Aaron Nuble ’15 was chosen to speak to the Devon Prep Alumni at the Annual Campaign Dinner. Aaron is a sophomore at Devon Prep.
WRITE TO US! CONTACT US IF YOU ’VE GOTTEN MARRIED, HAD A BABY, MOVED, RETIRED, OR IF YOU JUST WANT TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FELLOW WALDRON ALUMNI. EMAIL PEG FLYNN, DIRECTOR OF STEWARDSHIP AND ALUMNI RELATIONS AT MFLYNN@WALDRONMERCY.ORG 24
Waldron Mercy Academy
brother of Bill ’67
Mary McFadden
Aurelia Moro grandmother of Michaela ’13 and Stella ’17 Peterson
James T. Newman grandfather of James Newman ’05
Rena Rowan Damone
W. Gresham O’Malley ’46
mother of James ’67 and David Rowan
Emilia Dezzi
brother of E. Campion ’45, Shaun ’48, and Hilaire ’53 O’Malley; Grandfather of Mimi ’22 and Evi ’24 O’Malley
grandmother of Jamie ’90 and Christopher ’87
Joseph M. O’Neal, MD ’55
James E. Dooley
Joy Pancoast
grandfather of Jimmy Dooley ’25
sister of Pam Moran, former faculty/staff; Aunt of Ryan Moran ’95
Jane Dougherty
Kelvin (KJ) Johnson, CPA, ASQ SSGB ’04 is director of finance and operations at ThrivePass. Kelvin is a graduate of William Penn Charter and received his bachelor’s as well as his master’s in accounting from Villanova University. KJ recently relocated from New York to Denver, Co.
Larry Kuharich
former faculty mother of Carolina Kakos, faculty; grandmother of Frank Kakos ’12
2015
William Hollenbach ’62
Barbara Byrne Angela Calderon
A graduate of Mt. St. Joseph’s Academy and the University of Pennsylvania, Ashley Jackson ’08 is currently a first year medical student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
grandmother of Marie Quainoo, faculty
grandmother of Brendan Dougherty ’19
Dennis Ressel
Liborio Gallone
grandfather of Molly ’22 and Billy ’25 Baldini
grandfather of Katie Gallone ’17
Philip J. Seri
John J. Gartland ’33
father of Theresa Seri, faculty/staff
Frank A. Gerolamo, Jr.
Daniel Smitko
father of Frank A. Gerolamo, III ’68
uncle of Greg Soltis, faculty/staff
Kim Winters Gibrault
Samuel Joseph Weiss
fister of Margie Winters, former faculty/staff
brother of Rachel Weiss ’12
Dr. Quentin Giorgio
grandfather of John ’26
former advisory board member
Ronald Wentzler Jacob Edward Williams grandfather of Nile ’11, Paige ’12, and Pierce ’15 Hodges
Regina Passarella, class of 2017 and Montessori graduate, went in depth with Miss Mary Augustine to find out more about the wonderful teacher. Here’s what she discovered.
Q: How long have you been
Q: How can Montessori
teaching at Waldron Mercy Academy?
teachers meet the needs of so many different aged children?
A: I started my teaching career
A: The Montessori Materials at
at Waldron Mercy Academy in 1980, so I have been teaching here for 36 years.
this level are designed for children from age’s three to six. As the children grow and develop their use of the materials advances through the years. The materials incorporate language, math, sensory learning, geography and practical life–everyday living and lessons in grace and courtesy.
Q: What made you decide to go into teaching?
A: I have to say I was always interested in being a teacher and always loved the idea of teaching younger children. Growing up I was always playing school with my sisters. I knew I would be drawn towards teaching, I felt that I could have a positive influence in the lives of young children.
Q:
Have you ever considered teaching a different grade level?
A: No, I love the joy of life that young children express. I enjoy their innate desire to learn and their genuine honesty and openness.
Q:
What is your favorite thing about teaching Montessori?
A: What I appreciate most about Montessori Education is the multi-age grouping; younger children learning from the older children and older children teaching the younger ones. It is so interesting to observe and teach many ages versus just one age. It makes a very interesting classroom environment; it truly is the most effective method for learning. There is also a great deal of hands on learning. The children are actively involved; they use their minds and bodies in the learning process. They become independent workers and children love this.
Q:
What do you like to do outside of the classroom with your free time?
A: I enjoy spending time with my family. I enjoy being an active part of my nieces’ and nephews’ lives. I like to be active; I enjoy bicycle riding and walking.
Q:
Do you think the children working independently in the classroom makes them a better prepared student?
A: I think when children become independent workers it allows them to become strong and capable individuals and thus great students. Independent children develop good self-confidence and self-esteem. Independence allows children to become active thinkers, who know how to plan their work and see it to completion.
Q&A 10 Questions with Miss Mary Augustine
children and being the constant, dependable adults that young children truly need to feel secure in their world. Also, reading to young children is critical.
Q:
What women have had the most influence on you and in your life?
A: In terms of my teaching profession, Maria Montessori's understanding of the young child and her methodology have enabled me to find true delight in the teaching of young children. In terms of my wonderful years here at Waldron, Sister Mary Christella has been a tremendous mentor and influence in guiding me to become a dedicated educator. And finally, in terms of my life in general my dear and humble, faith-filled mother has been a guiding light for me.
Q: What words of wisdom could you share with students considering going into the teaching field?
A: It is critical to remember that the children always come first. Truly understand the process of the children's growth and development. Remember to be the best role model at all times for your children. Everything you do, from how you communicate with them, to how you interact with them teaches them such important life skills and values.
Q:
How can parents reinforce the Montessori principles at home?
A: We encourage parents to set the child’s home up with good organization, having toys on low shelves, not having too many toys out at once–rotating toys. Also, guiding their children to be more independent, allowing their children to work through struggles and not always solving their problems for them. Also, encouraging parents to set limits for their
To read Regina’s extended interview with Miss Augustine, visit www.waldronmercy.org/blueandgold.
513 Montgomery Avenue Merion Station, PA 19066 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED