2023 Spring/Summer Legacy Magazine

The Way of S t. James

A spiritual journey

along El Camino de Santiago HERstor y

Mary Conlin MacGuire ‘47 shares her experience at the Academy as a student during World War II

E D I T O R I A L S T A F F

M e g a n K n i g h t

D i r e c t o r o f D e v e l o p m e n t & A l u m n a e R e l a t i o n s

J o s e p h Z i a y a

D i r e c t o r o f C o m m u n i c a t i o n s

L y n n B u r e k P r i n c i p a l

L a u r e n C o r v o A s s i s t a n t P r i n c i p a l

H e l e n K o t o u l a s C h i e f F i n a n c i a l & O p e r a t i o n s O f f i c e r

J e a n J a c k s o n

D i r e c t o r o f A d m i s s i o n s

B e t h E l l e n W a l s h

D i r e c t o r o f S c h o o l &

C o l l e g e C o u n s e l i n g

L i s a R a t z

D i r e c t o r o f Te c h n o l o g y

K e l l y A b n e r

D i r e c t o r o f A t h l e t i c s

B O A R D O F T R U S T E E S

K a t h e r i n e L o r d i , 6 7

Chairwoman of the Board

M a r i e l G e s u a l d o , ' 9 7

Vice Chairwoman

M i c h a e l M a r t i n e z Treasurer

M o n i q u e D e g n a n , P ' 2 0 Secretary

D e b o r a h B a s e i l , P ' 0 8

S r P a t r i c i a B u t l e r , S C

N i c o l e C h a s e , 8 7

D e i r d r e G a f f n e y , P ' 2 0

J a m e s G a r r e t t , P ' 2 0 & ' 2 1

S r M e r r i s L a r k i n , S C

S r N o r e e n N e a r y , S C

A n t o i n e t t e P l e w a , ' 7 2 , P ‘ 0 2

A n d r e a P r i b u l a , ' 0 7

J o s e p h i n e S e r r a n o , P ' 0 7

Mrs. Burek, you will be immensely missed in your professional capacity as principal, as well as your endearing, compassionate and selfless capacity as a woman and friend I feel lucky enough to have begun the journey at the Academy with you, beginning your first year as principal, and now I am here with my freshman daughter, Emma, as you are ending your professional career You faced every trial with immense grace and class May God bless you and your family always – Mrs. Gina Cordano, P ‘19, ‘26

We received an over whelming number of t ributes for Mrs. Lynn Burek. Read more loving words from students, families, faculty and staff on page 22.

C O N N E C T FOLLOWB E L O N G

w w w . a o s e n j . o r g

@AOSENJ @Academy1860

@ a c a d e m y o f s a i n t e l i z a b e t h

@ A O S E a t h l e t i c s

A c a d e m y o f S a i n t E l i z

The Academy of Saint Elizabeth is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women, founded by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth Our mission is to promote the disciplines of academic excellence and moral responsibility within our young women by sustaining a scholarly environment and a nurturing community of faith. Sponsored by the Sisters of Charit y of Saint Eliz abeth

The Lasting Legacy of Mrs. Lynn Burek page 16

A fond farewell and endless gratitude to our principal

HERstory: Mrs. Mary Conlin MacGuire ‘47 page 30

Life as an Academy student during World War II.

El Camino de Santiago, page 15

Follow in the footsteps of Elizabeth Kilgore '19 as she and her mother journey along the Way of Saint James in Spain

Toy Drive for St. Joseph’s Hospital, page 31

Toward Boundless Charity made a very special visit to St Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson.

Dear Friends of the Academy of S aint Elizabeth Communit y, Tr ue to our mission, we have pursued excellence and in the process of learning and becoming “exactl y who God has meant for us to be,” our young women have had some exceptional learning and faith experiences As you will see in the pages of this edition of L egac y, the y ear has been marked by some outstanding ac hie v ements in ac ademics, athletics, and the ar ts

Our students and their families truly live our mission and give of themselves in ser vice to others committed to engaging in meaningful philanthropic and faith endeavors such as Toward Bound less Char it y students adopting families from Josephine ’ s P lace at Christmas and collecting craf t supplies and toys for pediatric patients at S aint Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson, collaborating with the National Honor S ociet y to stock the S aint Elizabeth Universit y food pantr y for Thanksgiving, S panish Club students par ticipating in the P ulsera Project, a nonprofit organiz ation that empowers and connects Central Amer ic an ar tists with Amer ic an schools for the pur pose of creating lasting change in their communities, National Honor S ociet y walking in suppor t of breast cancer research, among so many other charitable initiatives. O ur students are activel y engaging with the wor ld be yond the c lassroom and exper iencing lear ning, faith and values through an authentic, global lens enhancing their understanding of our diverse wor ld.

S o muc h of the good work at the Ac ademy stems from our incredible Parents’ Association. From the moment a cadre of enthusiastic parents showed up at our front door in Jul y 2015 to this ver y day, our Parents’ Association has graciousl y and lovingl y fostered communit y, c ar ing and good wil l. The y hav e also generousl y suppor ted our school (and me) enhancing just about all that we do, providing a fun, festive, celebrator y atmosphere – creating a tight knit communit y that is second to none! It has been an incredible honor and pleasure to work hand in hand with ever yone who has been a par t of the Parents’ Association – your impact is immeasurable and will be ever lasting I remain in awe of your energ y, enthusiasm and love of our dear school.

In Januar y, the Academy Board of Trustees Search Committee appointed a new Principal, Dr. Beth Azar. We thank them sincerel y for their dedicated effor t to bring a tr ul y exemplar y leader to the Academy I am confident Dr Azar will be a tr ue blessing for this community – we share a common purpose and commitment to the future of the Academy and the advancement of our core values. P lease join me in wishing her the ver y best.

To e v er yone with whom I crossed paths dur ing my time as Pr incipal: S isters of Char it y, Board of Tr ustees, students, parents, col leagues, alumnae and fr iends of the Academy, thank you sincerel y for the beautiful memories that I take with me, along with admiration and gratitude for all of you. This was al ways a team effor t – and because of

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remember ing you in my prayers... today and al way s.

Ephesians 1:16

your deep reverence for our school and God ’ s grace, together, we were able to accomplish the unimaginable. The Academy I leave behind is a polished, resplendent jewel radiantl y beaming, ever so brightl y – may her light shine al ways.

Thank you for your care and suppor t, your kindness and compassion, your respect and confidence, and most of al l, the gr ace and lov e you hav e shown me. Bec ause of my relationships with all of you, I am forever changed

Onl y by grace,

Lynn Burek Principal

Dear Friends,

Lynn Burek has been an outstanding leader for the Academy of S aint Elizabeth. As the first lay principal, she has led the school over these last eight years with a dedication to the mission of educating young women, empowering them for leadership and instilling in them a commitment to live according to the values of the Gospel.

Lynn has successfull y brought the Academy through the Midd le S tates accreditation process and created the Univ ersit y Now progr am with S aint Eliz abeth Univ ersit y The environment created at the Academy and all the programs initiated have led to increased interest, applications and enrollment. The Academy is alive and flourishing!

Ly nn ’ s time at the Ac ademy has cer tainl y seen its c hal lenges. Together with her Administrative team and facult y, she navigated the COVID-19 period and kept the school open ful l time. The Ac ademy bec ame its own cor por ation in 2018 and Ly nn worked successfull y with the Board of Tr ustees, facult y and staff to create a six-year strategic plan.

Above all, Lynn embraced the Mission of the S isters of Charit y of S aint Elizabeth and has lived the Charism of Charit y in her words and actions. We were blessed to have her.

We wish Lynn ever y blessing as she moves on from here and tr ust that the next phase of her life journey will be filled with numerous possibilities.

Peace, Maureen S haughnessy, S.C. General Superior

Above all, Lynn embraced the Mission of the S isters of Char it y of S aint Eliz abeth and has lived the Charism of Charity in her words and actions We were blessed to have her

Halloween Fun

The Academy Halloween Assembly is a longstanding tradition of frighteningly fun times shared by students, faculty and staff Arranged by the Student Council and under the guidance of Ms Vukas, this year ’ s program boasted a variety of festive contests and games to raise our "spirits" as we celebrated Halloween as a school Students and staff voted for their favorite costumes in a variety of categories, and prizes were presented to all our winners

Thank you to Ms Vukas and the entire Student Council for truly bringing the spirit of Halloween to life here at the Academy

Best Individual Costume:

Mia Foer ‘24 as David Portnoy

Best Teacher Costume: Dr Altonjy as Gru

Best Group Costume: Mrs Prasad, Dr Sharma, and Mrs. Sardana as Fashions of India

Best Duo Costume: Riley Wasdyke ‘24 and Victoire Chupin ‘24 as Queen Elizabeth II and Royal Guard

Funniest Costume:

Madalena Benegas ‘25 as Bigfoot

Mummy Wrapping Contest: Samantha Sloan ‘24, Clare Farrell ‘24, and the Junior Class

Halloween Charades Greta Servitto ‘24 and Dr Reilly

Oreo Eating Contest: Anne Rojak ‘26

Donut Eating Contest: Bridget Lomax ‘24

Spooky Musical Chairs: Piper Tricarico ‘25

Ghoulishly Good Times

The study hall was transformed into spectacular, spooky setting for Night of Spirits, the Academy’s fall fundraising event Guests enjoyed a fabulous wine tasting hosted by Main Street Wine Cellars in Madison, in addition to two exciting raffles Sanjay Srivastava, parent of UmaSofia, ‘25, won a fully-stocked beverage cooler This year ’ s Tuition Raffle winner was Lisa Baca, a graduate of one of the Sisters of Charity high schools, St Aloysius in Jersey City Lisa was attending the Academy's first open house with her daughter in September when she scanned a QR code to purchase a ticket in the Study Hall

Ringing in Christmas At the Academy

Samantha Donnelly 26, Olive Sedlak 26, and Anne Rojack 26 take on their version of the Top Gun movie franchise

The Academy's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony was a cheery celebration of the Christmas season In addition to the lighting of our growing evergreen tree near the front entrance of the Academy, this year ' s festivities included performances by our Academy Dance program and Choir Thank you to all our performing students and attendees who came to ring in the Christmas season with us!

Faculty and Administration were ready to celebrate the Academy s annual Halloween Assembly

(Left to Right) Tammy Bruno P '25 Allie Orr P'25 and Getchel Lubke P '25 event chairs of A Night of Spirits

AOSE & CO.

The Annual Mother-Daughter Tea at The Academy

The Academy’s annual MotherDaughter Tea took on the look of a certain luxurious blue-box brand, capturing the essence of true elegance and refinement With Holly Golightly style sunglasses, glamorous pearl necklaces, and Audrey Hepburn as inspiration, the Study Hall was transfigured into a space where our students and their mothers were treated like true celebrities A chocolate fountain, Tiffany-blue candy bar and AOSE & CO photo props were some of the highlights

Prior to the event, attendees celebrated Mass in Holy Family Chapel with Fr Thomas Fallone, Pastor of St Thomas More Church

Thank you to event chairwomen April MacNaughton, P ‘25, Lucia Spina, P ‘25 and Committee: Jennifer Kelly, P ‘23, ‘24 and Marguerite Toohey, P ‘25 for helping bring this wonderful Academy tradition to life this year!

Traditions of Academy SEAsterhood

Joann Ranalletti, a graduate of the (then) College of Saint Elizabeth, Class of 1959, traveled down memory lane when she saw a singular photo posted in The Beacon, the Diocese of Paterson's newspaper The photo was of three seniors at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, joyously singing and welcoming Bishop Sweeney for his annual Bishop's Mass in Holy Family Chapel Joann took the time and wrote the following to The Beacon's editor:

"When I saw the picture of the three young women who are students at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth welcoming Bishop Sweeney at Mass in the Chapel of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth University, I was impressed with their enthusiastic attitudes and pride in their religion and school I find it interesting that these three were all wearing Varsity Sweaters! That was a walk down memory lane for me when I was a student at the College of St Elizabeth from 1955-1959, and each class had to wear a specific colored jacket and cap My class's color was red No matter what class, we wore them with pride as St E's girls, as I am confident these girls wear their Academy sweaters Have a wonderful year at a wonderful school Thank God every day for this wonderful opportunity your family has given you to be educated at the Academy of St Elizabeth Be the "Best You Can Be!"

Fairleigh Dickinson University Partnership

Athletic internship program

offers exclusive experiences for Academy students

This past winter, Academy of Saint Elizabeth partnered with Fairleigh Dickinson University to launch a Winter/Spring Intercollegiate Athletics Internship Program The program is focused on providing students with the opportunity to work in FDU’s College Athletic Department as a high school intern Interns will have the opportunity to gain real-life experience in the fields of sports communication, journalism, coaching, facilities operations and athletic administration

Qualified students are selected for the program based on their skills, abilities and career goals Once accepted, they are assigned to work alongside a college

athletic director or coach Exposure to college athletic administration as a high school student not only prepares our young women for college experiences as students and athletes, but the opportunity helps differentiate our students through an exclusive, unique experience not offered to many other local schools

Six Academy students were accepted into the first semester of the program, including Katharine Acken ‘23, Kate Condon ‘23, Margaret Callahan ‘23, Lola Ricciardelli ‘23, Catherine Schneider ‘23, and Maggie Sullivan ‘23 The group reported to Terry van Auken, Internship Coordinator at FDU Van Auken helped

place each student in positions related to their current interests in the field of college athletic administration

In her first days of her internship, Maggie Sullivan ‘23 worked with the televised/broadcasting team at FDU In her role, she was behind the scenes helping to produce broadcasts of FDU’s televised sporting events Internship experiences like this provide students with experiential learning opportunities rarely available to high school students

The Academy looks forward to building our partnership with FDU in the future as we seek to provide the best educational experiences for our students

From our SEAsters to our Sisters

Giving back to the Sisters of Charity at Christmas

Toward Boundless Charity ushered in the Christmas season at the Academy by making gift bags for the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth Each bag had packets of hot chocolate, candy canes and a pair of fuzzy socks to keep their spirits bright throughout the Christmas season! Giving back to the Sisters of Charity helped make the holiday season of giving extra special

Catherine Schneider 23 and Katharine Acken 23 pose with Ms Kelly Abner, Director of Athletics, at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Athletics building

A Crowning Moment

UmaSofia Srivastava ‘25 wins 2023 Miss Teen New Jersey title

Love Never Fails

The first Mass of the school year was celebrated by Bishop Kevin Sweeney

Words from our Bishop, as posted to Instagram on September 13, 2023:

Thanks to the School Community at Academy of Saint Elizabeth for the opportunity to celebrate with them, the Opening Mass for the School Year!!

Love is patient, love is kind It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated,

In a dazzling moment, UmaSofia Srivastava’s life was completely changed Standing on stage in front of a crowd of thousands, countless hours of preparation culminated in the crowning moment of UmaSofia’s life One of our very own SEAsters achieved the pinnacle of pageantry that only one young woman achieves each year: being named Miss Teen New Jersey 2023 UmaSofia is the first Mexican-Indian individual to be crowned Miss Teen New Jersey in state history Now, newly crowned, she has met countless individuals at various public events, including at the New Jersey State House where she received a resolution in her honor Throughout the upcoming year, she will make hundreds of appearances, representing our state, her nationality and background, and the Academy of Saint Elizabeth

As we reflected on the Readings of the Day, I mentioned how the end of 12th leads into the (well known) 13th Chapter of St Paul's, 1st Letter to the Corinthians, " Love is patient, Love is kind " Here's the entire verse:

If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal

And if I have the gift of prophecy and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge; if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing

If I give away everything I own, and if I hand my body over so that I may boast but do not have love, I gain nothing

it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.

It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing; if tongues, they will cease; if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing

1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Follow Bishop Sweeney on Instagram! @BISHOPKEVINSWEENEY

Celebration and Service

Academy students heralded our mission during Catholic Schools Week 2023

The Academy kicked off a festive 2023 Catholic Schools Week celebration with a Blue & Gold Tag Day, alongside the excitement of our annual “Hide-And-Paw Seek” event Students scoured the building for hidden panther paws, each corresponding to a prize for the lucky winner Prizes included candy, Academy spirit gear, and discount coupons to the Panther Shop!

On Tuesday, the Academy joined the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth in Holy Family Chapel to celebrate Holy Mass in memory of Mother Mary Xavier, Foundress of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth and the Academy of Saint Elizabeth St Thomas More Church Pastor, Fr Thomas Fallone led the Mass, and Deacon Peter Fiore’s homily reminded us of all the wonderful gifts afforded to our students because of Catholic Education

Braving the brisk winter weather, students donned coats and hats before heading out in the cold for Wednesday’s campus-wide scavenger hunt Students worked in groups to answer Academy trivia questions and take group photos at various locations, including the Greek Theater, Softball Field, and our treasured Shakespeare Garden

On Thursday, “Birthday at the Beth’ celebrated the 163rd birthday of the Academy, and students celebrated with cake and the full birthday party experience in the Study Hall

Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheer ful giver.

–2 Corinthians 9:7

Alyssa Rossini ‘23 and Siena Bascom ‘23 distributed programs prior to the Academy’s Catholic Schools Week Mass in Holy Family Chapel

In closing out festivities of Catholic Schools Week, the Academy community celebrated how the values of service and selflessness are at the core of a Catholic education On Friday, freshmen and sophomores exemplified these values through a myriad of service projects throughout the Academy Students designed cards for veterans, crafted

blankets for homeless shelters and assembled activity kits for sick children in the hospital Our young women also learned about Blessed Miriam Teresa Demjanovich, a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth who embodied the very essence of service Students visited her shrine in Holy Family Chapel as they explored the history of her incredible life

Juniors and Seniors spent their day at the Community Foodbank of New Jersey where they helped pack boxes food items for communities in need

The very essence of our Catholic identity to serve one another through love could be seen and felt through all our students’ efforts throughout this celebratory week of Catholic education

Toy Drive for St. Joseph’s Hospital

called “High School Job Shadow Program” and met the Sisters who live at the convent on campus

The Academy is so grateful to Mrs Jennifer Mendrzycki for planning a wonderful day for our Toward Boundless Charity members, and to her family for graciously underwriting the cost of our bus transportation

In January, members of Toward Boundless Charity visited Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson, which was founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth since 1867

A schoolwide drive was held during Catholic Schools week, collecting toys, games and crafts for the children at Saint Joseph’s Hospital With an overwhelming outpouring of support from the Academy community, over 500 items were delivered to the hospital’s Child Life Center

During their visit, Academy students met with members of the hospital’s exec-

utive team, including Mrs Jennifer Mendrzycki, P ‘26, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and her esteemed colleagues They presented a program detailing the history of the hospital’s healthcare system, the role of a child life specialist, and the importance of a foundation in a hospital system Students also met the Chairman of Pediatrics, Dr Michael Lamacchia and received a warm welcome by the President and CEO of St Joseph’s Hospital, Mr Kevin J Slavin Additionally, the students explored a new program for high school students

Greta Servitto 24 meets with Dr Eileen Clifford, SC, when visiting St Joseph s Hospital Dr Clifford, affectionately known as "Cliffy " is a close friend of Greta's grandmother

from the SPORTS DESK

Field Hockey Team Advanced to NJSIAA Tournament Quarterfinals

The Field Hockey team put on one of its strongest seasons this past fall, culminating in an appearance in the quarterfinals of the NJSIAA Tournament Coach Jessica Cullari led the team to an 8 win season, which is the most single-season wins since 2017-2018 Seniors Magnolia Kern, Katie Acken, Brynn Kearns, Sonali Suri, Sydney Foer, and Margaret Callahan, all provided great leadership and support to their fellow players Facing a difficult start to the season, the Panthers advanced to 7-3 by mid-October Some close victories in final matches led the Panthers to a

spot in the NJSIAA Tournament for the first time since 2017

The Panthers entered the tournament with a desire to prove themselves worthy Facing Red Bank Catholic, the team took an early lead in the first quarter with a goal scored by Emerson Lezynski ‘25, assisted by Brynn Kearns ‘23 The 1-0 score was bolstered by a third quarter goal from Abigail Villa ‘24, assisted by Addison Heuck ‘25 The team went on to win 2-0 in great part due to the 9 saves of Mia Foer ‘24 throughout the game, granting passage to the quarterfinals

During the quarterfinals matchup against Kent Place, the Panthers played their hardest against a worthy opponent Despite a tough loss, they did prove they are a force to be reckoned with in upcoming seasons as the team seeks to build off this year ’ s strong successes

Panthers Volleyball Serves Up Record-Breaking Season

It was a stellar season for Panthers Volleyball, with numerous milestones and accomplishments achieved by the team Under the guidance of Coach Andrew Jacobs, the Panthers amassed a 15-11 record for the season, with an 8-2 record in the division Seniors Jordan Brenner, Ella Mansfield, Amelia Calveric, Colleen Dooley, and Lola Ricciardelli all played pivotal roles in supporting the team in each match Starting off the season on a 8-0 tear, the Panthers were positioned early on for a playoff berth They captured the title in the Independence Division of the Northwestern Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) for the first time in Academy history This secured a place in the NJSIAA State Tournament as a No 4 seed

In the first round against Saddle River Day School, the Panthers claimed the victory behind the individual, single season achievements of players Clare Farrell '24

and Amanda Chambers '24 in which Clare earned her 300th kill and Amanda garnered her 400th season assist, upping her career total to 800 The team subsequently earned a spot in the quarterfinals of the tournament against Mother Seton, where the Panthers played valiantly in a 2-1 loss In that game, Lola Ricciardelli ‘23 amassed 15 digs, breaking the Academy season record with 178 total digs She would finish her career with 311 digs the highest recorded in Academy history Colleen Dooley ‘23 also accrued her 100th kill of the season, ending her Panther career with 229 kills, the second most in school history Colleen Dooley ‘23 and Clare Farrell ‘24 are the first teammates to each score triple digit kills in the same season, another record-breaking milestone Alongside these achievements, the Volleyball team set all time records in wins, kills, digs, assists, and aces With a season

for the ages, the 2022-2023 Volleyball team has surely “spiked” their legacy in Academy athletics history

Seniors Sydney Foer Brynn Kearns Katharine Acken Magnolia Kern Sonali Suri and Margaret Callahan played their hardest on the field throughout the season and into the playoffs

Seniors Colleen Dooley Lola Ricciardelli Amelia Calveric, Jordan Brenner, and Ella Mansfield led the Panthers on the court to a record-breaking season

Seniors Lead a Hard Fought Season for Panthers Soccer

Led this season by Seniors Kathleen Byrne, Kate Condon, Lauren Santoriello, Emilia Lucas, Isabella Cortes, Emma Dietz, Katelynn Clifford, Lucia Ferriso, Ava Marcantonio, Allison Shannon, Catherine Schneider, and Maggie Sullivan, Panthers Soccer played a hard fought season as they focused on developing new talent with the impending graduation of senior

players in the Class of 2023 With some close matches throughout the season, the Panthers persevered together, honing important skills as a team, both on and off the field The future looks bright for the Panthers Soccer team as numerous underclasswomen prepare to step up and take charge on the field for the upcoming 2023-2024 season

Aces Abound: Panthers Tennis Heads to NJSIAA Tournament with 7-1 Record

FALL & WINTER ‘22 CONFERENCE HONORS

First Team All-Conference

Ava Marcantonio (Soccer)

Emer Vesey ( Tennis)

Alyssa Rossini ( Tennis)

Clare Farrell (Volleyball)

Amanda Chambers (Volleyball)

Anne Rojack (Field Hockey)

Greta Servitto (Basketball)

Second Team All-Conference

Catherine Schneider (Soccer)

Caroline Clarke ( Tennis)

Luciana Guido ( Tennis)

Avery Kelly ( Tennis)

Emma Kelly ( Tennis)

Madeleine Soliman ( Tennis)

Lola Ricciardelli (Volleyball)

Colleen Dooley (Volleyball)

Addison Heuck (Field Hockey)

Brynn Kearns (Field Hockey)

Ella Delatush (Field Hockey)

Molly McHale (Basketball)

Honorable Mention All-Conference

Emma Bradley (Cross Country)

Grace Gehm (Soccer)

Caroline O'Callaghan (Soccer)

Greta Servitto (Volleyball)

Fiona Farrell (Field Hockey)

Grace Gehm (Basketball)

Kasey Desiderio (Swim)

Caitlin Flanagan (Swim)

Academic All-Conference

Clare Farrell

Catherine Schneider

Colleen Dooley

Caroline Clarke

Luciana Guido

Avery Kelly

Emma Kelly

Alyssa Rossini

Following a strong 2021-2022 season, Panthers Tennis hit the courts sprinting with Head Coaches Ellen Edson and Joan Braulio at the helm A 7-0 start to the season was achieved in great part due to Seniors Annabella Biondo, Caroline Clarke, Emma Kelly, Alyssa Rossini, Samantha Lado, and Emer Vesey Strong-handed victories against Boonton, Pequannock, and Vernon displayed the team’s strengths on

the court in both singles and doubles play

The team entered the NJSIAA Tournament with a 7-1 record, facing off against the Academy of the Holy Angels Despite falling to the strong Angels team, the Panthers were proud of a well-played match Up-and-coming players Sophie Deutsch ‘24, Avery Kelly ‘24, and Luciana Guido ‘25, have already set their sights on capturing the team’s next divisional title

Anne Rojack

Addison Heuck

Brynn Kearns

Ella Delatush

Greta Servitto

FALL & WINTER ‘22 ALL COUNT Y HONORS

Third Team

Ava Marcantonio (Soccer)

Honorable Mention

Catherine Schneider (Soccer)

Caroline O'Callaghan (Soccer)

Brynn Kearns (Field Hockey)

The 2022-2023 Academy Soccer team poses for their group photo prior to a Pink Out match in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Behind the skills of seniors Samantha Lado, Alyssa Rossini, Emma Kelly, Caroline Clarke, Emer Vesey, and Annabella Biondo the Tennis team achieved great heights over the past four years

AquaPanthers Make Waves with Record Breaking Performances

Seniors Katharine Acken, Sophia Dobrusin, Sydney Foer, Brynn Kearns, Alexa McCarus, and Naomi Murphy led the AquaPanthers to another record-breaking season Kasey Desiderio ‘25 accounted for several 1st Place finishes throughout the season in competitions including the 100 Backstroke, 100 Freestyle, 200 Freestyle (Undefeated), 500 Freeform (Undefeated), and more Rookie senior Brynn Kearns ‘23 garnered incredible accolades and found her stride in the 200 Freestyle, 200 Individual Medley, and 200 Medley Relay, placing

1st and 2nd Place in several meets Sydney Foer ‘23, another rookie senior, contributed in numerous events throughout the season, including the 200 Medley Relay and the 50 Freestyle

Personal records broken include Alexa McCarus ‘23, dropping 40 seconds in her 500 Freestyle and over 20 seconds in the 200 Freestyle Shannon Hunt ‘25 dropped over 30 seconds in her 200 Freestyle, over 45 seconds in the 500 Freestyle, and over 10 seconds in her 100 Butterfly

Bounceback Season For Panthers Varsity Basketball

After a tough 2021-22 battle, varsity Basketball had a bounceback season, garnering a 7-5 NJAC Independence record and 11 overall wins on the season Greta Servitto ’24 led the team on the court with 355 total points scored (103 two-pointers, 20 three-pointers, and 91 free throws made) and an astounding 230 rebounds It was an incredible season for Molly McHale ‘23 who scored 210 total points (44 two-pointers, 37 threepointers, and 11 free throws made) Despite being sidelined by various injuries, Seniors Kate Condon, Colleen Dooley, Molly McHale, Catherine Scheider, and Maggie Sullivan all contributed to the team’s success

Major wins included victories over Dover (Final Score: 47-11), Veritas Christian Academy (Final Score: 60-19), Villa Walsh Academy (Final Score: 39-20), Whippany Park (Final Score: 65-39), and Parsippany (Final Score: 40-28) Greta Servitto ‘24 was named a finalist for NJ com ’ s Player of the Week, finishing a close 2nd place for her achievements on the court

Molly McHale ‘23 was selected to participate In the Morris County All-Star Game, and took home the victory in the 3-Point Shootout

The final matchup of the season vs St Dominic Academy (Jersey City) in the NJSIAA Tournament was an intense back-and-forth game extending into overtime Despite the loss, the Panthers had an amazing season and are looking to next year with greater prospects of success

Division Names Ice Hockey Junior “Unsung Hero”

Mia Foer ‘24 was joined by upstart player Audrey Rohlf ‘26 this year on the Academy of Saint Elizabeth-Morris Catholic Co-Op Ice Hockey team While Audrey spent the season honing her skills in practice, Mia took to the ice for some competitive bouts with a stellar performance in the teams 6-1 victory over Parsippany Hills, scoring a goal in the 2nd Period

Mia was selected by the divisions’ coaches to receive the Harry Shatel Memorial Award (“Unsung Hero Award) for

the Charette Division in recognition of her humility, character, compassion, community service and commitment She embodies these characteristics on the ice and in every interaction she has with others, whether it be at school or elsewhere With her tireless work and dedication to being a well-rounded hockey player and young woman, the Academy community is exceptionally proud of Mia’s reception of this prestigious award

Greta Servitto 24 accrued numerous accolades and record-breaking accomplishments throughout the season, helping lead the Panthers to a playoff birth

The Aqua-Panthers continued to break records behind Seniors Brynn Kearns Sydney Foer Naomi Murphy Katharine Acken, Alex McCarus, and Sophia Dobrusin

El Camino de S antiago

Walking the “ Way of St. James”

I was twelve years old when I first watched The Way in my sixth grade religion class Martin Sheen plays a stubborn doctor who walks El Camino de Santiago in a valiant act of homage to his estranged son, who died tragically along the route I resolved on that day to complete my own Camino, and nearly ten years later, I did

The name El Camino de Santiago translates to “the way of St James,” and it describes a vast network of pilgrimages weaving throughout Europe and converging at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain Every year, El Camino attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from every end of the Earth, hoping to follow in the footsteps of St James and perhaps leave their own behind Though every pilgrim embarks from a different starting point and

for a different reason, pilgrims are united by a shared commitment to weather the roads to Santiago

I was beyond fortunate to walk El Camino with my mom, Geraldine We walked over 400 miles on El Camino Portuguese, a leg of the Camino beginning in Lisbon, Portugal and stretching north through Portugal before crossing into Spain We walked on every kind of surface imaginable pavement, cobblestone, sand, dirt, grass, boardwalk We walked along oceans and highways and through eucalyptus forests and rainstorms

Our first ten days on El Camino were marked by a heat wave that moved through Europe with ferocity Those days were mostly spent walking through farmlands, meaning there was little shade to shield us from the blazing sun and

temperatures reaching 106°F In addition to our backpacks holding all of our belongings, we carried up to ten pounds of water, sometimes traveling as far as ten miles without water stops Those early days tested our willpower as every muscle in our bodies adjusted to their new normal

Our daily routine was simple We typically awoke hours before the sun to beat the heat, laced our trail shoes, and walked And walked, and walked, and walked We often arrived in the next town by late afternoon, just in time for a much-needed lunch and siesta We used whatever strength we had left in our legs to explore the towns we passed through, collecting fragments of the unique history and personality of each By each evening, we crawled into our hostel beds and fell fast asleep

E liz abeth Kilgore ‘19

“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go I travel for travel's sake

The g reat affair is to move. ”

– Robert Louis Stevenson

Earlyintotheirjourney,Kilgoreandhermom metothertravelersfrommanydifferentcultures,who willalwaysberememberedastheir"CaminoFamily".

Though many pilgrims arrive on El Caminosolo,nopilgrimeverwalksalone. Early into our journey, we met our “Camino Family,” which expanded with each day of our journey. We often enjoyed lively, multilingual dinners with thosewemetontheroad,employingthe Spanish and Portuguese skills we had honedalongthe way. When we lacked a linguisticmedium for communication, we relied heavily on pantomime and translation apps. Though we hailed from different parts of the world, we wereunitedinoursharedjourney.

ThelastdayofElCaminowasfullof emotions. It was one of the hilliest stretchesofourjourney,afinalchallenge before the finish line. The moment we

stepped into the vast plaza of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela was surreal. We were joined by hundreds of other pilgrims completing their journeys, and though we had all come from different places, our paths had led us to the same destination.

In the months since returning home from Santiago, I have often found myself thinking back to the days of El Camino fondly. I think about the roads, the fiery heat and tired feet, the bonds we formed and those we strengthened, and the faith that carried us when we were too tired to walk. I hope to return to El Camino one day, but until then, I will carry the memories with me with a full heart, a grateful soul, and a sore leg or two.

Ms. Elizabeth Kilgore graduated from the Academy of Saint Elizabeth in 2019 as Valedictorian. The second of four sisters to attend the Academy, she was the recipient of the highly prestigious Jefferson Scholarship, awarded to cover the entire cost of attendance for four years at the University of Virginia, in addition to supplemental enrichment experiences.

Elizabeth graduated in May with a B.A. in Cognitive Science and a minor in Social Entrepreneurship. She is excited to continue her education this fall at UVA’s McIntire School of Commerce. She has earned the Clark Construction Scholarship, another fully-funded scholarship, to pursue a Master's in Commerce on a Finance Track.

Careful preparation was key as the Elizabeth and her mom planned their trek. When walking hundreds of miles a light backpack is critically important, but so are essentials like sunscreen, rugged shoes and gear for the varied geography of their journey. At right, Elizabeth Kilgore ‘19 stocks up on water as she and her mother prepared to walk 400 miles in the blazing hot Spanish sun.

“NO PILGRIM WALKS ALONE.”

Elizabeth Kilgore ‘19

T he LAST ING LEGACY of Mrs. Burek

How the Academy’s first lay principal transformed the future of the oldest all-girls Catholic high school in New Jersey

Joseph Z iaya, Director of Communications

Several Christian symbols and traditions are derived from the text of a second-century manuscript known as the Physiologus Though composed by an unknown author, it bears import eighteen centuries later especially to the Academy of Saint Elizabeth One such symbol recorded in Physiologus is that of the pelican feeding her starving nestlings with her own blood by pecking her breast, mortally wounding herself so that her children may live This eloquent symbol is found in the seal of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, as well as in the Academy of Saint Elizabeth’s school logo and crest Another symbol recounted in Physiologus is that of the legendary phoenix, a bird which burns with blazing fire into its eventual own ending, yet arises anew, eternal and transformed; a perfect blending of its old and new selves into one being

In many ways, the legacy Mrs Lynn Burek has etched into the Academy of Saint Elizabeth resembles that of the mythology attributed to the pelican and the phoenix: selfless love and transformative power Her

Photo Credit: Ellen Denuto

eight years as principal of the Academy have enabled great transformations in academics, extracurriculars, social life, and expression of mission, all while remaining true to the historic 163-year-old legacy started in 1860 by Mother Mary Xavier and her fellow Sisters of Charity Mrs Burek is herself a symbol of the Academy, transforming and changing when the Sisters of Charity entrusted her to be the first lay principal

When Mrs Burek accepted the offer as principal, she knew she was being called upon to care for and grow the school’s history

“ There is an incredibly rich history here and I planned to come in and do my best to honor this longstanding legacy ”

From day one, Mrs Burek’s vision for the Academy could be summed up with one word: community She did not seek to impose her idea of what a high school

A H ISTORY of Excellence

only 124 students enrolled in the school at the start of Mrs Burek’s tenure as principal, the task of transforming the Academy was vital to its future success Today, as Mrs Burek enters her retirement, the school boasts an enrollment of 222 students The Academy, a phoenix rising anew, offers the rigorous and competitive educational experience required in the 21st century, while at the same time remaining true to its original mission, traditions, and identity as the oldest all-girls Catholic high school in the State of New Jersey

But how did this transformative vision come to fruition as a thriving school? For Mrs Burek, the answer is clear

should be Rather, her desire to help strengthen the success of the Academy was achieved through her selfless collaboration with others with shared goals for the school’s thriving future

“My idea for the Academy was to use the vision of the people who were already here: the Sisters of Charity, the parents, the students, and the faculty and staff It had to be a shared vision ”

That shared vision commenced by diligently preparing and equipping the Academy for the future of education With

“It started with fostering a wonderful balance of academics, athletics, extracurriculars, service, etc The Academy was a diamond in the rough and all it needed was a little polishing by every stakeholder in this wonderful community ”

And so the metamorphosis began As with any transformation or change, there were moments of difficulty, including the COVID-19 pandemic Year after year, through Mrs Burek’s unwavering leadership, the Academy stayed the course and began to rekindle itself into a competitive option for talented young women seeking a premier education within a warm and nurturing environment

One primary focus was to highlight

Siste r Mary Pauline

“It was my hope to foster a war m, c ar ing, inviting energ y in the hal l way s and c lassrooms of this historic building.”

Mrs Burek met with Academy students at the outset of her tenure as principal, gaining firsthand insight from their high school experiences

the robust, welcoming nature of the Academy Upon stepping foot in the door, Mrs Burek wanted current and prospective students, families and alumnae to sense the atmosphere of the building

“Every building has a pulse, I say, and you can feel that pulse the minute you step into a building I think it is the role of the principal to set the energy of that pulse It was my hope to foster a warm, caring, inviting energy in the hallways and classrooms of this historic building ”

This warm tone, akin to the warmth of a phoenix rising from the flames, gave way to new beginnings that would set the Academy on a path of future growth, especially in the programs offered to its students and the community at large The Academy experienced a major transformation to its academic programs under Mrs Burek’s expert guidance

At the start of Mrs Burek’s tenure, the formerly named College Now program offered just one theology class at the Academy, enabling students to earn college credit before graduation Through Mrs Burek’s shared vision of growth, more college courses were quickly added to the curriculum Today, in conjunction with Saint Elizabeth University, the University Now program offers six different courses for which students can earn college credit in a variety of subject areas including theology, history and the arts Popular University Now classes include Exploring the Basics of Judaism, Christianity & Islam and Freedom, Power & Politics

The Academy’s elective offerings also experienced strategic enhancements A more robust elective program would give Academy young women more options to discover what their future dreams looked

like beyond high school

“I am proud of the elective program that we have grown here It is rich and diverse, providing the students with the ability to explore different areas of education, especially in the areas of STEM, the arts and technology, more relevant to young women in the 21st Century ”

These new advancements in the Academy’s offerings also initiated greater familiarity amongst families, students, faculty and staff Collaboration was a hallmark of Mrs Burek’s time as principal, defined by a myriad of integral relationships helping to elevate the Academy standards of excellence When the school was separately incorporated in 2018, Mrs Burek remained steadfast at the helm of the transformative venture Guiding the school through this time of transition, she maintained strong ties with the Sisters of

Mary

cecilia

Mrs Burek stands with Ann Lauenstein Korogolos '59 prior to the 2016 Commencement Ceremony Mrs Korogolos was only the second woman to ever hold the position of Department of Labor Secretary in United States history

Mrs Burek speaks to graduates in the Study Hall prior to their Commencement ceremony

Charity while also forging positive relationships with the newly formed Board of Trustees Managing the expectations of both challenged Mrs Burek to push the Academy to envision their future as an educational powerhouse “ The Sisters entrusted me to their oldest and, I think, most beloved ministry There is great responsibility that comes along with such trust I simply tried to live up to that, each and every day ”

In addition to the relationships formed with the Sisters of Charity and the Board of Trustees, Mrs Burek’s welcoming presence helped construct pillars of great confidence within our community of

families, students, faculty and staff

“I wanted to develop an environment where the girls are happy to come here every day; where staff is happy to come to work That is what you want in a school ”

And that is the culture Mrs Burek built over the years: a pulsing, lively, welcoming school ton the forefront of education Her collegial, warm, and inviting personality is a Mrs Burek’s most defining characteristic, and one that allows for truly deep connections between the principal and faculty and staff Her approach fostered a work environment focused on a simple shared vision: growing and elevating the Academy for generations of young women in

Mrs Burek visited Costa Rica this past year with Academy faculty and students during our Easter Break overseas program where she joined the students on a thrilling ziplining adventure

Mrs Burek poses with a portrait, painted and gifted to her on behalf of the Class of 2023 by Emilia Lucas ‘23

Mrs Burek shares some inspiring thoughts following the Academy's Ash Wednesday Mass in Holy Family Chapel

“I wanted to develop an environment where the gir ls are happy to come here e ver y day ; where staff is happy to come to work.”

the future

Complex processes like reaccreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools highlighted areas of great strength and potential, driving the core principles of the Academy’s strategic plan recently instituted as a pathway for the future

Yet in the end, Mrs Burek believes the most important aspect of the Academy is its people “I always say it is the people who make a school what it is What I will miss most are the people who make up our Academy community ”

As Principal, she would experience her favorite tradition one final time before bidding farewell to the Academy: Gradu-

ation During every educational career, many will experience “phoenix-like” moments, where one journey ends as a new one begins Graduation is a perfect example of one of these transformative moments, where our young women take what the Academy has imparted and create for themselves a new future

One eternal lesson instilled by the Academy is the selfless love of the pelican, willingly giving of itself for another In many ways, the pelican illustrates the foundational bond of SEAsterhood which has come to define the Academy and Mrs Burek’s own personal faith The moment our young women graduate, their transformation from freshman year to senior year is complete, and they will embark on a new, bigger journey As each graduation passes, another group of beautiful women become inextricably tied to the history that is the Academy of Saint Elizabeth

“Graduation is the culmination of four years of transformation for these students Seeing the young women they emerge as, particularly on that day, is always the most rewarding ”

And so, as Mrs Burek’s time as principal of the Academy of Saint Elizabeth comes to an end, her legacy is forever etched in our own historic 163-year-old manuscript As the embers of her time at the Academy begin to cool like that of the phoenix, her legendary, selfless love akin to that of the pelican will fuel the bright, burning future the Academy possesses all because of the outstanding leadership of Mrs Lynn Burek

A Fut ure of P romise

The Academy of Saint Elizabeth proudly welcomes Dr Elizabeth Azar as the 13th Principal in our 163 year history. We look forward to the numerous opportunities Dr Azar plans to bring to the Academy

MRS LYNN BURE K 2023present DR e liz aBE TH Az ar

Mrs Burek and members of the administration and faculty delivered celebratory lawn signs to members of the Class of 2020 during the initial onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Erin Kilgore 22 was awarded the first ever Academy of Saint Elizabeth Lead With Your Heart Award, as instituted by Mrs Burek and Mrs Corvo

TRIBU TES to Mrs. Burek

Mrs Burek, thank you so much for your hard work at the Academy The warm and friendly disposition that you embody made AOSE an enjoyable community to be a part of There is no doubt you left a positive impact on all of the students and faculty We appreciate your dedication for everything you have done to make the Academy a better place for us to learn and grow as students to prepare us for our future endeavors We are all so grateful for you

– Ms Emma Chiofolo ‘22

I am so thankful for Mrs Burek and her dedication to Catholic education She steered the Academy through some very challenging times and worked hard to maintain the spirit and traditions of the Academy through it all. Under her leadership, the Academy has thrived, becoming a place where the girls can grow academically, spiritually, socially and emotionally I am grateful for my daughter’s experience at the Academy and grateful that Mrs. Burek was at the helm Catholic education is more important than ever, and Mrs. Burek has made the Academy a place where our daughters can learn how to become the women God made them to be May God bless her in her retirement!

– Mrs Joanne Roethlin, P ‘22

Thank you for the grace you brought to the Academy of Saint Elizabeth! May this sense of grace continue to guide and nourish you on the next step of your journey. Thank you!

– Dr Kimberly Borin Faculty Member | Theology Department

With daughters in the Classes of 2019 & 2024, as parents we have only known the Academy of Saint Elizabeth with Mrs. Burek at the helm. As the first lay principal of The Academy, Mrs Burek’s steady leadership to students and all stakeholders of the Academy advanced the now 163-year old high school to a modern and needed phase Mrs Burek continued the Academy’s focus on a Catholic values-based education, retained and understood the Academy’s deep history and traditions, and built upon and advanced the school to new heights. She made appropriate academic changes while hiring true professionals, expanding staff and growing enrollment. Unbeknownst at the time, when a global pandemic hit in 2020, the impact of Mrs Burek’s first five years became all the more meaningful Mrs Burek and her team maneuvered the Academy through an unprecedented time for which there was no playbook while keeping students’ best interest in mind We are all so thankful Mrs Burek was there as an educator and leader when she was needed the most. Our students are forever grateful Thank you, Mrs Burek Congratulations and enjoy your retirement – you have certainly earned it!

Mr & Mrs Charles J Malone, P ‘19,

–

The Academy of Saint Elizabeth is a family and the community has been blessed by the gift of your presence at its helm. We, as one individual family, are filled with gratitude for your service and wish you many blessings as you start the next chapter of your life!

– The Beck Family, ‘21

‘24

Mrs Burek has been a thoughtful and strong leader! I especially admired the way she handled the pandemic, giving our daughters the best possible situation during a tough time. AOSE was easily the best example of keeping a school safe but still open and operating at the highest level She has been a great role model for our girls, always offering kindness and grace We wish Mrs. Burek a happy, restful and fun retirement! Thank you for all you have done for our school and our daughters

- Mrs Elizabeth Hathway Muir, P ‘22

“You don't choose your family They are God ’ s gif t to you, as you are to them.”

–

Bishop Desmond Tutu

Mrs Burek began her time as the Academy's Principal as I started my journey as a freshman I never knew the Academy without her, nor would I want to! Mrs Burek had a way of speaking to students that not only calmed us but also invigorated and straightened us out. Mrs. Burek was passionate about volunteering, investing in young women, and Catholicism. During tense political elections, current events and more, Mrs Burek was our rock in morning prayer, afternoon dismissal, and the day-to-day She was always there for us, office door ajar I recall a conversation with Mrs Burek leaving our Thanksgiving prayer service My dear friend had commented on how she loved the shortened day, because our class periods were only 45-minutes long as opposed to the normal 55-minutes As I smiled foolishly in agreement, Mrs Burek approached the two of us and said, "and you are now in a state of grace to take on the rest of your day!" At first, we felt embarrassed and childish, but looking back on this moment now, this was just what we needed, and her words certainly stuck like glue! This moving moment illustrates how appreciative my fellow graduates and I are of the time and care the Academy invested in us not only academically but, more importantly, spiritually I encourage everyone to take Mrs Burek's spirit with you; indeed, she may leave her desk, but her aura drapes the halls As you and I exit our next prayer service in a newfound state of grace and keep Mrs. Burek in mind, let us think: what will we make of the rest of our day?

– Ms. Olivia Cordano ‘19

Mrs Burek has been such a guiding force and kind light for AOSE students and their families. We have felt completely confident in her skills as a leader and comforted by her wholeness as a human We have watched AOSE grow forward while never losing its heart and soul Mrs Burek welcomed everyone and made all her students feel loved. We wish her the very best in her next adventure We will miss you!

– The Mansfield Family, ‘23, ‘26

Mrs Burek – You are one of a kind, a rainbow and sunshine in the clouds! Thank you for being an incredible professional and life mentor to me Even though we were only able to connect and work together for a few months, you had a profound impact on my life Your demeanor, strong work ethic, and generous spirit have inspired me to grow as a person through character and kindness Thank you for your dedication to the Academy of Saint Elizabeth I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. I know you’ll continue to brighten others' day by putting a smile on their face, wherever the next chapter begins. Thank you again for everything and best wishes!

– Ms Kelly Abner Director of Athletics

Mrs Burek has put the Academy of Saint Elizabeth back on the map! Her strength of character, compassion and her caring for the school and the students we all love, have been admirable. Who would have thought eight years ago, when we had the wonderful good fortune of having Mrs Burek accept the position as principal of the Academy, that her vision of the future would be so far reaching, and so successful. Mrs. Burek has changed the attitude, the academics, and more that has brought our Academy so far ahead in nurturing our Catholic values and ensuring their place in the lives of our students and faculty. Not only do the girls appreciate the many changes that have been made in learning, but also the changes many families have wrought to the magnificent 122 year old building and the history and security it brings to everyone who enters there. Thank you, Mrs Burek, from the bottom of all our hearts!

- The Moran Family, ‘23

I came to the Academy as the part time Educational Services Commission of Morris County (ESC) Supplemental Instructor I was assigned the same year as Lynn Burek Mrs Burek understands the needs and supportive services needed for our ladies and she always came to me to ask if there was anything additional that I needed to make my stay at the school as comfortable as possible, and would comply with whatever I needed to accommodate our students It has been a pleasure working with her as principal She also was always available to talk on a personal level. I know she will be surely missed!

– Mrs. Alexandra Protopapas

Congratulations to Mrs Burek on a brilliant career

It would not be an overstatement to say you not only saved our school, but you also catapulted the Academy into the shining example of an all-female education I am certain there was divine intervention when you were delivered to us Thank God and may God bless our fearless leader in the future Mrs Burek, your legacy is securely among the greats who built our school You will be so missed

- Mr & Mrs Angelo Giambattista, P ‘13, ‘18

Pollinator’s Committee founding members Morgan Lomax ‘24, Greta Servitto ‘24, Maria Clara Bragagnolo Rose ‘24, , and Bridget Lomax ‘24 admire their work in the courtyard

Living “ L audato S i ”

Pollinators Find Inspiration in the Encyclical of Pope Francis

Written by Morgan Lomax ‘24

of practice stewardship for the environment

At the Academy, this mission has bloomed to life with our Pollinators Committee, a group of young women seeking to care for our world Their dedication and drive to live out their mission is based not in faith alone, but also in the science which backs Pope Francis’ call to act now by showing love and appreciation for the many ecological gifts God has given to us

Native pollinators are on the decline

Since 2006, American beekeepers have lost around 30% of their colonies every year (Bee Informed Partnership) These are staggering losses, exacerbated by the effects of climate change, pesticide use and parasites In order to combat this global trend, the Pollinators Committee was founded in September 2021 by then-

sophomore Morgan Lomax ‘24 It has since sponsored numerous schoolwide projects and initiatives, including the Academy’s first-ever pollinator garden Such ambitions were established early on The Committee’s mission is as follows: “[it] consists of dedicated young women that are instilled with the values of environmental stewardship and sustainability so as to help sustain the pollinator population The Committee promotes student-led initiatives to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the natural world and of pollinators ” These values were certainly upheld in the year of the Committee’s founding From September 2021 through June 2022, the group formed within the pre-existing Ecology Club organized a range of creative projects in order to raise money for the garden: a seed bomb fundraiser, origami project, Adopt a Flower Fundraiser, poster contest within the club, bake sale, bracelet fundraiser, Adopt a

Butterfly Fundraiser, and butterfly release

The seed bomb fundraiser was in large part inspired by the planting method’s popularity during the COVID-19 lockdown To create the “seed bombs,” one must simply mold balls out of a mixture of water, dirt, and seeds, allow them to dry, and then distribute them outdoors The seed bombs themselves were handmade by Committee members and sold alongside “pollinator pods,” which was the name given to peat pots donated by Bartell Farm and Garden Supply, filled with soil and native wildflower seeds The first-ever Pollinators Committee fundraiser was met with great fanfare, inaugurating the group and setting the stage for future successes

One of the aims of the Pollinators Committee is to provide Academy students with opportunities for leadership

This idea was particularly relevant in the second semester of the 2021-2022 school

year, during which time the majority of the Committee’s fundraisers occurred The origami project, completed in February 2022, entailed the creation of small, pollinator-shaped figurines which were then distributed to the homerooms The intention of the project was to not only bring awareness to the wide variety of native pollinators, ranging from bees to bats to butterflies, but to also beautify classrooms during the drearier winter months The following year, Committee members again folded origami, but the figurines were instead sold during the Valentine’s Day craft fundraiser to raise money for the expansion of the pollinator garden

In true commitment to their purpose, all fundraisers were themed keeping the garden in mind The Sponsor a Flower and Adopt a Butterfly fundraisers were merged together in 2023, becoming an engaging way for students to contribute to the Committee’s efforts For five dollars, students and faculty could either sponsor a flower to be planted in the pollinator garden or “adopt” a native butterfly to be released in May of that year Those who sponsored a flower received a digital certificate and butterfly donors were given a special opportunity to name their very own Painted Lady butterfly

The idea for the garden emerged out of exigency: according to New Jersey Audubon, the state is projected to be the first in the nation to reach “build out ” This does not bode well for pollinators because most depend on native plants for habitat and nutrition The Academy pollinator garden contributes to the nationwide “pollinator pathway,” providing an oasis among manicured lawns and concrete jungles It is located in the courtyard behind the school known as “ The SEA of Flowers,” which had been overrun with overgrowth In May 2022, student volunteers and Pollinators Committee members planted one of the plots with noninvasive, native flower species using the Great Swamp Watershed Association’s “shade kit ” The seedlings were a collection of pollinator-friendly flowers:

Foamflower, Blue Lobelia, Wreath Goldenrod, Blue Wood Aster, and Christmas Fern

Similar species were planted next to one another, forming clumps and “ green mulch,” thus reducing space for weeds In June, the garden was supplemented with full-grown perennial plants

Unlike in most domestic gardens, the flower stalks were left through the winter to provide shelter and food to wildlife

Besides the pollinator garden, the Committee is also excited to plant butterfly milkweed in the garden beds near the picnic table area

Ultimately, the Pollinators Committee hopes to cultivate an appreciation for native pollinators at the Academy and beyond, fulfilling the motto of being “all the buzz ”

FROM MISSION TO AMBITION Morgan Lomax 24 and Greta Servitto 24 discovered their green thumbs through a shared mission to beautify and protect

Maria Clara Bragagnolo Rose 24 helps the Pollinator s Committee beautify the Academy s entryways with some greenery

ALUMNAENEWS

The Academy Connection

Reunited SEAsters will celebrate wedding of Umaima Saleem ‘12

Alen Salibasic and Umaima Saleem ‘12 met in early 2014 when Umaima was visiting a family friend at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa Alen, originally from Lukavac, Bosnia and Herzegovina, was a student-athlete at the university, and played for the men ’ s tennis team When Alen met Umaima, he was impressed with how much she knew about Bosnia and Herzegovina Little did he know that she and fellow SEAster Stephanie Garofalo ’12, delivered a presentation on the country in Ms O’Rourke’s Current World class Thank you, Ms O’Rourke!

A few years after graduating with her Bachelor’s degree, Umaima discovered her true passion for books and decided to pursue a career in publishing She interned

at BookEnds Literary Agency in Gillette, NJ and was one of the winners of the We Need Diverse Books 2020 Internship Grant, a grant given to individuals from marginalized communities who want to diversify the publishing industry Currently, Umaima works as an Assistant Production Editor at Page Street Publishing

After his graduation from Harvard Business School in 2022, Alen proposed to Umaima in front of The Breakers Mansion in Newport, RI They plan on getting married in Fall 2023 in the Hudson Valley area Currently, the couple resides in Stamford, CT

Since graduating in 2012, Umaima and Stephanie have maintained a close friendship Throughout the years, they have

spent summers, Thanksgivings, and Christmases together Stephanie and her older sister, Rosemary (nee Garofalo) Mugurusa ‘06 have always treated Umaima like another sister Stephanie will be getting married in July of this year where Umaima will serve as her maid of honor, and at Umaima’s wedding, Stephanie will serve as her matron of honor

After reuniting during the pandemic, Umaima and two other SEAsters, Madelyn (Maddie) McCleary ‘12 and Christine Tran ‘12, would eventually plan weekend getaways together with Stephanie Both Maddie and Christine will join Stephanie as Umaima’s bridesmaids

Congratulations, Umaima and Alen, on your upcoming wedding!

Lenten Devotional Takes a Road Trip

to the Everglades

This inspirational photo was shared by Suzanne Casana ‘69, from a recent trip to Florida Suzanne writes, “I’m in an Everglades campground enjoying the Lenten Devotional at sunrise A good way to start the day ”

We agree, Suzanne!

Class of 2012 Celebrates 10-Year Reunion

On Saturday, November 26, 2022, the Academy was honored to host the Class of 2012 for their 10 year reunion!

Special thanks to Mrs Lauren Corvo, Assistant Principal, who made a surprise appearance at the reunion, reuniting our alumnae with their favorite biology teacher and tennis coach!

A Panther and a Pirate Tie the Knot

Robin Deehan ‘06 married her high school sweetheart Michael Giordano, Seton Hall Prep ’06, on October 8, 2022 The couple met at a Seton Hall Prep versus Delbarton hockey game at Mennen Arena their freshman year of high school and the rest is history Robin and Michael were married at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Short Hills followed by a night of dinner and dancing at the Park Chateau Estate and Gardens in East Brunswick Robin’s best friend from St E’s, Katherine Barilla ’06, served as her maid of honor Robin and Michael currently reside in Hoboken

Welcome to the family, Asher!

Congratulations to Grace Kunas Patel, ‘11 and her husband, Uddit, on welcoming their first child, Asher, who was born on February 4, 2023

Grace is excited to complete her residency as an emergency medicine physician in Phoenix, AZ where she will become an attending physician in the upcoming months

Alumna Father/Daughter Fun

The Knights of Saint Elizabeth would like to thank our alumnae and fathers who joined us for our first ever Alumna Father/Daughter Bowling Tournament on the eve of Thanksgiving at STRYXE in Madison Everyone had a great time at this new Saint E's tradition!

For this year ’ s gathering, The Knights of Saint Elizabeth will be hosting a private party on November 22 at Grasshopper Off the Green, from 5:00 PM -7:00 PM SAVE

DATE NOVE MBE R 22, 2023!

Registration will open in Fall 2023

of the war The drive and determination of women to support American soldiers on the front lines involved working in factories, creating and sending care packages overseas, and living day-to-day under rations This was true for every student at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth during World War II, including Mary Conlin MacGuire ’47 Mary sat down with Katelyn Rohlf ‘21 for our first HERStory Interview to learn more about life at the Academy during “the Great War ”

Mary did not start her high school career at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth Rather, she transferred from Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth, New Jersey following the end of her freshman year Why did she transfer? Her brother, Rob, was dating one of the Academy girls who convinced her to make the change “She [Rob’s girlfriend] said you’ll love St E’s She talked me into going and I never looked back or regretted the decision to transfer,” Mary recalled

Transferring to the Academy meant Mary would become a boarding student

HERStor y :

Reliving the Ac ademy Exper ience with Mar y Conlin MacG uire ’47

me on the s, I would ation and alk down to my father s work office and go home for the weekend with him ”

However, life during the week was more exciting, even amongst the backdrop of World War II With the vast majority of students boarding at the Academy, freshman year meant living in communal dormitories, whereas afterwards students could live in private rooms, either by themselves or with a roommate Mary reminisced how each day of the week was packed with events and classes

The Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, under the guidance of then principal Sister Marie Josephine, encouraged students to wake up early for Mass every day, followed by breakfast and classes starting at 8:30 AM Uniforms varied throughout the year, with fall and spring uniforms including a blue jumper, white short-sleeve shirt, blue tie, blue jacket, stockings and sandal shoes and winter uniforms having a dark green jumper with matching jacket and tie and a tan long sleeve shirt At noon each day, students were given a lunch break until 1:00 PM, with classes concluding at 3:30

PM On the days the students had gym, they wore a special gym dress that “went halfway down to our knees and bloomers which we would pull as high as we could,” Mary remembered, laughing Afternoons involved outdoor walks, Study Hall sessions, and bonding with fellow SEAsters in the Circle Room Lights were always out by 9:30 PM, especially the gas lights in the hallways, so as to conserve gas rations during the war Yet some students did not finish their homework in time for that lights out rule, leading them to hide under their blankets with books, papers, pencils, and flashlights Mary recalls one such incident involving her roommate and a late-night homework session

“You had to have a good dark blanket over your bed so you could do your homework without one of the sisters telling you to turn your flashlight off One time, and I am not sure why, my roommate was using my blanket to hide as she did her homework She somehow burned my blanket with her flashlight, leaving a burn mark for all to see!”

Late night study sessions were common, since Mary recounts many hours of homework to do and seemingly

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not enough hours in the day to do it all “We had so much homework, that’s what we worked on even when we didn’t have to! After catching me with my flashlight under my already-burned blanket, one sister said to me that if I was not smart enough to do my homework in the time allotted, I didn’t deserve to be an ‘A’ student ”

But for Mary and her fellow SEAsters during this time, such memories of life at the Academy are intermixed with the realities of a country at war Each Academy student was a mini “Rosie the Riveter,” helping the war ’ s cause by abiding under the same rules and regulations the rest of the nation lived under for several years “People don’t realize how many sacrifices we all made then One example was how my mother did not drive so she could save her gas rations My mother wanted to give

the saved rations to my brothers once they came home from serving in the war so they could spend time visiting their friends ” Mary had three brothers, all of whom served in the armed forces Her oldest brother served in the Navy, followed by a career in the nuclear power industry Her youngest brother served in the Air Force, though too young to fight in World War II Her middle brother served in the Army and was sadly killed in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium

Rationing, though, went beyond just gas and driving “Everyone was involved in the war effort It wasn’t like the wars today where you listen to it on television and that’s about all the effect it has We rationed needles, canned goods, shoes (we got one pair of leather shoes a year), sugar, etc ” Rationing also affected the Academy, even though the sisters had farmland on

which they grew apples and had their own dairy farm Mary recollected a funny memory about her father visiting the Academy after she complained about how sour the milk was, even though the sisters were able to make it themselves “My father was a very good friend of the Archbishop of Newark since he was the Archbishop’s financial advisor The Archbishop said to my father, ‘John, go up there [to the Academy] and see what the problem is with their milk ’ So, my father went up to the Academy and befriended the Mother Superior’s secretary, asking her to become one of his assistants After that, things began to turn around at school, especially with the milk and food Because my father made that visit, we eventually found out the chef was preparing Sunday night supper on Friday afternoons before he left! That’s why the food was so dry and the milk sour ”

In addition to rationing, many young women would write letters of encouragement to those in the armed forces Mary recalled the letters being “decorated with flowers or something funny ” Nothing was wasted, with students even collecting scraps of food and paper to be reused in various ways “We all were making strides to do our part for the military and the larger war effort ”

Even during the summer, Academy

But for Mary and her fellow SEAsters during this time, such memories of life at the Academy are inter mixed with the realities of a countr y at war.

Academy students gathered in what was known as the Circle Room, a common area where reading, writing and bonding occurred

Mary with one of her horses on her ranch in Casper Wyoming

patrol ling beac hes on the lookout for U-Boats and enemy submar ines.

students and Americans were on alert with soldiers patrolling beaches on the lookout for U-Boats and enemy submarines At night, homes along the shore had to make sure black curtains covered the windows completely, otherwise a warden would come and knock on the front door, demanding for any infractions to be corrected This was done so enemy ships and submarines could be more easily spotted, especially as they attempted to disrupt and destroy shipping vessels offshore “ The ocean was so full of oil from the destroyed ships that there was always a bucket of turpentine and rags on the beach to clean the oil off your body after coming out of the ocean Everybody wore black swimming suits so the oil wouldn’t easily show In the springtime, before the swimming season would start, people would dig deep holes in the beach, pick up the oil, and bury it ”

After the war, Mary recalls life slowly returning to normal Following the war,

Mary recounted memories of her Junior year Prom at the Academy in 1946 “Sister Marie Josephine asked how would we have the prom since we could not invite a boy to be our date; the boys had to invite us! However, we convinced her and we had our first prom following the war We had the prom in the Study Hall, moving all the desks and chairs out so we could decorate the whole place with Smilax It turned out beautiful ”

The fun did not end there as Mary and her fellow SEAsters prepared for their graduation a year later in 1947 “ The morning before graduation, we had a big party in the bathroom behind the Study Hall Nobody was supposed to know about it, though the sisters probably all knew Each girl brought something to the party to help celebrate ”

While there was a balance of seriousness and enjoyment during Mary’s time at the Academy, she can honestly say her “most enjoyable years were at St E’s ” And

having been forced to grow up quickly due to the war, her experiences as a “Rosie the Riveter,” working both toward her diploma and the war ’ s success, are important recollections of a time gone by which should not be lost to history “History isn’t the same for people who haven’t lived through it And such a feeling hasn’t happened in all the wars that have happened since, just as it affected our daily lives for the duration of the war [ This history] should not be forgotten and it’s only someone who’s lived through it that can truly express it ”

We thank Mary for sharing her vivid memories of the time she spent at the Academy, both during and after World War II, and also thank Katelyn Rohlf ‘21 for conducting the interview for this HERStory feature

Even during the summer, Academy students and Americans were on alert with soldiers

The Class of 1947 poses for one final group photo on the steps of Holy Family Chapel Mary can be seen smiling second row first from the left

“The Beth”, the yearbook of Academy of Saint Elizabeth, from Mary’s senior year in 1947

The Mor an Libr ar y : W hat ’ s O ld is Ne w Again

In 1901, the Academy celebrated the completion of Xavier Hall as the new home for a library to be shared by both College and Academy students Through the years, efforts have been made to ensure the look and feel of this iconic space maintained its original and historic opulence In the 1990’s, a renovation of the library was generously funded and orchestrated by Mrs Suzy Moran and her husband Brian, while their daughter Regan was an Academy student Mrs Moran wanted to honor the library’s rich history and ensured all upgrades were fashioned with the same grandeur and fine craftsmanship of the original library built nearly 125 years ago

Three years ago, Mrs Moran returned to the Academy community to lovingly renovate the Study Hall and Main Office Upon completion of those projects, her focus shifted to the library the space she and her husband renovated many years ago She began by choosing the perfect color palette for the space, and over Easter Break 2022 the library was painted and ready for her artistic touch She then carefully selected rich fabrics, custom wood blinds and plush carpeting to properly

enhance the beauty of the room, now utilized as both a classroom and quiet study area for students during lunch

Original artwork from the 1700’s was expertly curated, and both the columns and ancient busts of philosophers were refreshed and repainted Existing furniture was then refurbished and reupholstered to elevate the space into a room inspired by the libraries of the most prestigious colleges and universities

A notable highlight of Mrs Moran’s endeavor was her restoration of the 19th century walnut sofa she gifted to the Academy, formerly used in the McMullen Auditorium Mr John Riccio, P ‘24, owner of Antiques Plus, promptly and enthusiastically picked up the treasured piece and began to restore the woodwork and structure of the sofa, honoring the historic

craftsmanship and splendor surrounding the Academy’s founding era

After completing the structural repairs and refinishing, John’s team of artisans and craftsmen reupholstered the sofa in plush, elegant French velvet the same fabric that now richly dresses the windows in the Study Hall, Main Offices and Moran Library

These three beautiful spaces within the Academy's building are now branded with the grandeur, functionality and grace that together form our legacy, 163 years in the making We are deeply grateful to Mrs Suzy Moran for investing her time, talent and treasure into our beloved school, and we promise to remain steadfast stewards of her good will and heartfelt investments

TRANSFORMATIVE GIVING AT THE ACADEMY

Be part of our legacy and make a meaningful difference for today’s students and future generations of SEAsters

Contact mknight@aose.info to partner with us!

Gratitude from the Knights of Saint Elizabeth

On November 29, 2022, the Academy was grateful to celebrate a successful Giving Tuesday campaign, an annual effort fueled by generous donors and bolstered by the tremendous support of the Knights of Saint Elizabeth Over $100,000 was raised for the Elizabeth Ann Seton Fund, established to provide financial aid to Academy families, support our Panthers athletics programs and fund countless important initiatives essential to our thriving school community

This year, the Knights of Saint Elizabeth are especially grateful for the 28 new members joining our Founders' Circle through their single donation of $1,860 or more During Giving Tuesday, these gifts were matched up to $23,600 through a challenge sponsored by the Knights The Founders' Circle and matching gifts from the Knights have played an integral role in the growth of the Academy, as we continue to exponentially increase the funds available to reinvest in our students, programs and facilities

After receiving an overwhelming number of applications for Fall 2023, we are proud to welcome the Class of 2027 as one of the largest in Academy histor y Our admissions success is a direct result of a renewed focus on competitive academics, robust extra-curricular programs and campus-wide renovations

The Academy of Saint Elizabeth is beyond grateful to every donor who helped us exceed our goal of $100,000 on Giving Tuesday

The success of this campaign is a testament to the strength of our community and the strong bonds of SEAsterhood between past and present students and families Together we will ensure the Academy’s legacy of excellence continues

Members of the Knights of Saint Elizabeth:

Angelo Giambattista, P '13, '18

Matthew Scalaro, P '16

Gregory Lowndes, P '17

Perry Neilson, Jr † , P '18

Kenneth Purzycki, P '19

Phillip Schubert, P '22

Mark Voccola, P '23

† In memoriam, honorary member $108,633