2024 Fall/Winter Legacy Magazine

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ACADEMY OF SAINT ELIZABETH

LEGACY magazine magazine FALL 2024

Resiliency Rediscovered:

Promoting the Mental Wellbeing of Academy Students

Remembering a Trailblazer Ann Lauenstein Korogolos '59 Bequests $1,000,000 Donation to the Academy LEGACY Magazine | FALL / WINTER 2024

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ACADEMY OF SAINT ELIZABETH

LEGACY magazine

ISSUE 9 | FALL / WINTER 2024

E D I T O R I A L S TA F F Megan Knight Director of Development & Alumnae Relations

Joseph Ziaya Director of Communications

Dr. Elizabeth Azar Principal

Lauren Cor vo Assistant Principal

Rose Mourao Director of Finance & Operations

Anne Armelino Director of Recruitment & Enrollment Management

Beth-Ellen Walsh Director of School & College Counseling

Annemarie Gallo Assistant Director of Counseling

Dawn Durkin Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Student Ser vices

Melanie DeBrabant Coordinator of Operations & Community Engagement

Lisa Ratz Director of Technology

Pat Scarpello Director of Athletics

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

CONNECTFOLLOWBELONG www.aosenj.org

Monique Degnan, P '20 Chairwoman of the Board Nicole Schneider Chase '87 Vice Chairwoman James Garrett, P '20 & '21 Treasurer

@AOSENJ

@academyofsaintelizabeth @AOSEathletics

@Academy1860

Academy of Saint Elizabeth

Josephine Serrano, P '07 Secretary Sr. Patricia Butler Deirdre Gaffney P'20 Sister Merris Larkin, SC Antoinette Plewa '72, P'02 Stephanie M. Brown '87 Meghan Barrett Burke '97 DanaLynn T. Colao Katherine M. Donald '87, P'20 & '24 MaryAlice Dunne '83 Dr. Kathleen Hunter Barbara Maul Mulvee '00

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 Charity of Saint Elizabeth

Layout & Design of Legacy Magazine courtesy of Erika Desimone P ‘26

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what’s

INSIDE

Oh, What a Night! page 38 Highlights from the 2024 Junior/Senior prom at Olde Mill Inn in Basking Ridge, NJ.

TABLE OF CONTENTS On the Cover Emma Cordano ‘26, Isabel Sabnekar ‘26, Victoria Haviland '26 and their fur-ever friend from Creature Comfort Pet Therapy.

Letter from the Principal . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Accents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

A Transformative Legacy

Curtains: The Musical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

page 64

The Ties That Bind

The remarkable life of Ann Marie Lauenstein Korologos ‘59

Highlights from class retreats . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Panthers Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 The Uncertain Road to Becoming Miss 1,000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 All the World’s A Stage

The Uncertain Road to Becoming Miss 1,000 page 22

The impact of theater inside and outside of Dr. Reilly’s classroom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Living with Tourette Syndrome

Greta Servitto ‘24 shares her journey to scoring 1,000 career points for the Panthers

Student Feature by Ciara Mulcahy ‘27 . . . . . . 36

Oh, What a Night: Prom 2024 . . . . . . . . 38 Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health Student Feature by Giovanna Desimone ‘26 . . 40

Rediscovering Resiliency The Academy reaffirms Social Emotional Learning as the key to success . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Exploring the Ocean Deep Student Feature by Brooke Wesbecker ‘27 . . 50

Alumnae News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 HERStory: Nostalgic Reflections of The Academy Allison Shannon ‘23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Enchanted Evening 2024 Gala & Gift Auction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

A Transformative Legacy The Remarkable Life of Ann Marie Lauenstein Korologos ‘59 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Class of 2024 Commencement . . . . . . . 68

The Ties that Bind, page 14

2024 Commencement, page 68

Stronger Together

New retreat format strengthens SEAsterhood and community connections

Steeped in tradition, a two-day celebration marked the Mass and Commencement for Class of 2024

Laura Santoriello, P ‘20, ‘23 and ‘25 . . . . . . . 76

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Appreciating the Past, Planning for the Future Dr. Elizabeth Azar Principal Academy of Saint Elizabeth bazar@aose.info

Dear Academy of Saint Elizabeth Community, As I reflect on the completion of my first year as principal at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, I am filled with pride for the incredible strides our students and staff have made. This year has been memorable for its achievements in academics, athletics, and the arts. Our students have consistently demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence, whether in the classroom or on the field. The dedication of our faculty, teachers, and support staff has been instrumental in fostering an environment where every student feels valued and motivated to reach her full potential. “Listening Tours” conducted at the beginning of the year and continued throughout were enlightening and refreshing, providing a glimpse into the hearts of so many.

Throughout the year, we focused on enhancing the school culture to create a more inclusive and supportive community. Our initiatives to promote mental health, diversity, and equity were met with overwhelming positivity, and it’s heartening to see students continue to lead the charge in creating a welcoming atmosphere. The success of our peer mentoring programs and student-led clubs has been a testament to the strength of our school’s spirit and the importance of fostering strong relationships among our students.

As we look ahead to the next academic year, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. We will continue to build on the momentum we have gained, with a renewed focus on academic excellence, student well-being, faith, and community engagement. I am confident that with the continued collaboration between students, staff, and families, the Academy of Saint Elizabeth will continue to thrive and provide an exceptional educational experience for all.

At the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, we are committed to providing an environment where our students feel safe, supported, and equipped to thrive.

Our Continued Commitment to Social-Emotional Learning Moving forward into this new year, our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) initiatives will continue to focus on rebuilding community, fostering resilience, and promoting a sense of belonging among our students. We will continue to offer robust mental health resources, including counseling services and SEL-integrated curricula that address the specific needs of girls.

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Additionally, we will engage with parents and guardians to ensure they have the tools and knowledge to support their daughters’ emotional well-being at home. Our goal is to create a holistic support system that empowers our students to navigate the challenges they face with confidence and grace.

And finally, we cannot ignore that which is perhaps the most important part of our work, which is the integration of our Catholic faith. Social-Emotional Learning, in conjunction with the teachings of our Catholic faith, is fundamental to the holistic development of each student. The teachings of the Church provide a moral compass that guides our young women in understanding their emotions, making ethical decisions, and fostering empathy and compassion toward others. By grounding Social-Emotional Learning in Catholic values, students are encouraged to see themselves as beloved daughters of God, which nurtures a deep sense of self-worth and dignity. This spiritual foundation helps them navigate the complexities of adolescence, knowing they are supported by their faith, community, and the teachings of Christ.

Furthermore, the Catholic faith encourages a sense of communal responsibility, which is a key component of Social-Emotional Learning. In this environment, students are taught to recognize the importance of charity, service, justice, and stewardship, reinforcing the idea that their actions have a broader impact on the world around them. Through prayer, reflection, and participation in the sacraments, students learn to cultivate a strong inner life that supports their emotional well-being. This combination of faith and Social-Emotional Learning equips young women to become compassionate leaders who are not only academically successful but also deeply committed to living out their faith in service to others.

The past few years have been a testament to the resilience and strength of our students, faculty, and families. As we move forward, we do so with the knowledge that SocialEmotional Learning and Catholic teachings are more important than ever. Together, we will continue to build a community where every student feels valued, supported, and ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Thank you for your continued partnership and trust in the Academy of Saint Elizabeth.

Let us work and learn together to ensure that our students emerge stronger, more compassionate, better prepared for the future, while also fostering a close relationship with God. Thank you all for making my first year as principal so memorable, and I look forward to many more years of success together.

If in addition to instructing their minds

we also educate their hearts, we will inspire in them the religious principles of honesty, with the result that they will grow to be good Christians and good citizens.

– Mother Cabrini

Kind regards,

Dr. Beth Azar Principal

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From Square Dancin’ to Dancing Queens: Academy Fall Dance and Beth Ball The Academy hosted two dances for our SEAsters last year, with the Fall Dance enshrined in bedazzled cowgirl boots and hats, while the Beth Ball took on ABBA’s dancing queen vibes.

From western boots to cowgirl hats, the Academy’s Study Hall and Panther Den were transformed into a good ol’ rodeo for the Fall 2023 Dance. Students and their dancing partners came dressed in their western best for an evening of dancing, laughter, and SEAsterhood bonding that can only happen at an Academy corral.

At the end of Catholic Schools Week 2024, our students became their very own dancing queens for the night at the annual Beth Ball Semi-Formal. A mixture of classic and contemporary music echoed throughout the hallways of the Academy, marking another year of this incredible Academy tradition.

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Spanish Club Empowers Artisans Through Pulsera Project For the second year in a row, the Spanish Club hosted its Pulsera Project fundraiser, in connection with The Pulsera Project, "a nonprofit organization that educates, empowers, and connects Central America artists with students in more than 3,600 U.S. schools through the sale of colorful hand woven bracelets, or 'pulseras' in Spanish."

Hundreds of beautifully designed pulseras were displayed in the Study Hall during lunch periods over the course of several days. With each handcrafted bracelet selling at only a few dollars each, students often bought many bracelets at a time. After the fundraiser was completed, the Spanish Club raised a total of $1,278 for The Pulsera Project and the

artists it supports.

These funds will help sustain "jobs for more than 200 Central American artists...[as well as] support educational programs, scholarships, workers' rights, community development, housing, and a wide range of other projects that empower artists, their families, and their communities."

French Day at MSU French Honors Classes Celebrate French Day at Montclair State University The Academy’s French III Honors and French IV Honors classes visited Montclair State University to attend their "French Day 2024" event, a half-day program involving several interactive French workshops for high school students.

Of the different programs offered, Academy attendees said "oui, oui," to "Parfum: A French 'Savoir-Faire,'” which taught them about the history of popular French

perfumes and fragrances, such as Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent, and "Olympic Fever! Jeux Olympiques de Paris 2024," to learn about the origins of the modern Olympic games. During these workshops, students were able to mix their own perfume samples from essential oils and compete in an Olympic trivia competition!

At the end of the event, students viewed submissions for a French Film Competition, which the Academy hopes to participate in at next year's event!

Credit: Joe Gigli

Honors students explore France’s influence in society and culture

French III Honors and French IV Honors students pose on stage at the “Festival de Cinema” during Montclair State University's French Day.

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SettingSAIL Emma Bradley ‘24 joins U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2028

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Emma Bradley '24 accepts her commissioning from Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer Lindsey Beates during the Academy's “Celebration of Excellence” event.

As one of our country’s premiere undergraduate institutions, the United States Naval Academy seeks to prepare women and men “to become professional officers of competence, character, and compassion.” Nearly 15,000 candidates apply each year, but only around 11% are accepted. It is no easy journey for an aspiring female cadet, especially considering men outnumber women, 805 to 370 (Class of 2027). But even the daunting odds of acceptance—and the realities of being a woman in the Naval Academy— didn’t halt Emma Bradley ‘24 from seeking admission to this prestigious American institution.

Emma worked on her application alongside Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer Lindsey Beates, a proud Naval

To celebrate her joining the Naval Academy's Division I Cross Country/Track & Field team, the Academy hosted a Signing Day event for Emma in the Study Hall.

Academy graduate from the Class of 2010. Throughout the year-long process, Officer Beates gained first hand insight into Emma’s competence, character, and compassion, values the Naval Academy seeks in its recruits. After several months and with completed applications, letters of recommendation, and interviews, Emma was officially accepted into the United States Naval Academy Class of 2028.

At the Academy’s 2nd Annual “Celebration of Excellence,” Emma formally received her commission to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. To perform the honor, Officer Beates presented Emma with her commissioning documents. Prior to doing so, Officer Beates praised Emma not only for the countless hours required to complete

her application to the Naval Academy, but also for her staunch leadership qualities which are essential for success within the Navy.

Following her commissioning, Emma also celebrated becoming a member of the Naval Academy’s Division 1 Cross Country/Track & Field team. Emma’s candidacy for the team was proven through her three individual all-time Track records set for the Academy of Saint Elizabeth in the 800 Meter (2:25.19), 1600 Meter (5:08.29), and the 3200 Meter (11:23:49) races, in addition to the numerous awards she received for the sport. To learn more about Emma’s other athletic achievements, read our feature on our Cross Country, Winter Track, and Spring Track & Field programs.

The Academy of Saint Elizabeth community wishes Emma great success as she begins the adventure of a lifetime at the Naval Academy.

At the Academy’s 2024 “Celebration of Excellence,’ Officer Lindsey Beates expressed high praise for Emma Bradley and the unparalleled leadership qualities which will make her an invaluable asset in the Navy.

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SEAsters and Their Sister Academy students reunite with Our Lady of Sorrows teacher Juliette Roake ‘26, Isabel Sabnekar ‘26, , Chloe Mansfield ‘26, Catherine Mendrzycki ‘26, and Natalia Cardozo ‘26 reconnected with Sister Regina Bernard McCartney, SC.

Several Academy students, who are also all alumnae of Our Lady of Sorrows School in South Orange, New Jersey, discovered a beautiful surprise when they heard a former Our Lady of Sorrows music teacher was living at the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth Motherhouse.

Isabel Sabnekar ‘26, Juliette Roake ‘26, Chloe Mansfield ‘26, Catherine Mendrzycki ‘26, and Natalia Cardozo ‘26 enjoyed reconnecting and reminiscing with Sister Regina Bernard McCartney, SC, many times over the past school year.

Isabel recalls having Sister Regina as her teacher when she was in Kindergarten, saying, “She was by far the most memorable teacher. Years after she retired, my classmates and I would still talk about her.

The most prominent lesson I remember from Sister Regina was based in faith and prayer. She taught students what to do with their thumbs while praying. When your hands are in a prayer position, Sister Regina would tell us, always cross your thumbs as a symbol of the cross which Jesus died on.”

Ever since then, Isabel continues to cross her thumbs when she prays, a testament to the impact Sister Regina had on her students and their faith.

At the end of their initial meeting, the students and Sister Regina sang songs together from their childhood, which she had taught her students throughout her career. Sister Regina played beautifully on the piano, blending past memories with future opportunities to create new ones.

AP Students Conduct Soil Analysis While learning about soil qualities conducive to vegetative growth, Academy students in AP Environmental Science conducted a thorough analysis of several areas throughout campus.

From the softball field to the senior parking lot, girls collected soil samples to be analyzed based on their pH (potential hydrogen) levels. Samples were then sifted and mixed with liquid, before filtering the remnants for testing with pH strips. While most plants commonly prefer neutral, slightly acidic, or slightly alkaline soil, students learned that some plants do require specific levels of pH, making the analysis essential in agriculture and other industries.

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PANTHER PRIDE AWARD

Dr. Sharma Honored for Unyielding Enthusiasm and Student Support Famed differentiation in education specialist Carol Tomlison once stated, “Every child is entitled to the promise of a teacher’s optimism, enthusiasm, time, and energy.” These hallmarks are the epitome of what it means to be an effective teacher, meeting the needs of students in classrooms across the world. At the Academy, we are privileged to have all our teachers exude such characteristics in the classroom, yet one in particular was selected by our community for embodying these qualities and so much more.

This year, the Panther Pride Teacher Award, which recognizes a teacher whose influence extends beyond just that of the classroom, was awarded to Dr. Sunita Sharma, Science Department Faculty

Member. In her selection, students noted Dr. Sharma's positivity and enthusiasm in the classroom, support for our community beyond academics, and motivational, supportive pep talks before assessments that calmed students' minds and reminded them that they were prepared to face all challenges ahead. Dr. Sharma takes great pride in how she presents her classroom lessons, including devising biannual crime scenes for students in her Forensic Science classes to experience as if they were investigators themselves. Enhancing the learning experience for her students is the driving force behind all Dr. Sharma does.

Dr. Sharma’s curriculum vitae include receiving her Bachelor of Science in

Chemistry and Biology, as well as her Master of Science in Inorganic Chemistry from Jabalpur University (India). She also earned her Doctorate in Synthesis of New Multidentate Ligands and Their Metal Complexes With Applications in Biological Systems. Her teaching in both the secondary and higher educational fields garnered her greater understanding of the diverse nature of students’ needs, as well as the importance of being a motivational catalyst in their lives.

The Academy of Saint Elizabeth thanks Dr. Sharma for her unending support of our students, and of the larger school community.

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The Curtains Rise for Curtains: The Musical Boston, 1959. Lieutenant Frank Cioffi is called in to investigate a suspiciously dramatic crime scene: the murder of Ms. Jessica Crenshaw, the star of Robbin’ Hood of the Old West, on the show’s opening night.

However, for Lieutenant Cioffi, this is not only an investigation, but an opportunity for him to tread the theatrics of being a professional actor, something which he has dreamed about for much of his life. This musical (in a musical) tells the story of how Lieutenant Cioffi not only seeks to solve this crime and save the show from its own demise, but also auspiciously attain his own curtain call as an “overture of hope” in his somewhat stagnant life.

From the creators of Cabaret and Chicago, Curtains: The Musical Comedy Whodunit captured both the intricacies of musical theater, including synchronized choreography, singing as storytelling, and the impeccable comedic timing necessary to make a crowd roar with laughter. Returning Co-Directors, Mrs. Christin Kennedy and Ms. Erin Dowd, imparted their vast knowledge of the performing arts with the cast and crew over several months of auditions and rehearsals. They were also assisted by the knowledgeable Dr. Catherine Reilly, Academy English Faculty Member and experienced performer herself, having worked with Pax Amicus Castle Theater in Budd Lake, New Jersey.

The murder-mystery whodunit unraveled April 19 - 20, 2024 at the County College of Morris in the Dragonetti Auditorium, which seats an audience of almost 450 people. The two-performance run magnified the incredible talent of the Academy’s Theater Department, which this year included 24 cast members and several behind-the-scenes crew members. And while the curtains may have risen and fallen on this theatrical production, it is yet another storied performance showcasing the artistic talent of our aspiring thespians.

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CAST & CREW Morgan Lomax ‘24 Lieutenant Frank Cioffi Audrey McCarus ‘25 Niki Harris Maggie Jones ‘25 Georgia Hendricks Francesca Coniglio ‘27 Carmen Bernstein Samantha Donnelly ‘26 Aaron Fox Mia D'Angelo ‘24 Sydney Bernstein Audrey Rohlf ‘26 Christopher Belling Bridget Lomax ‘24 Bambi Bernet Maria Clara Bragagnolo Rose ‘24 Daryl Grady Amelia Lisco ‘24 Joanie Harmon Ava Breault ‘24 Olivia Shapiro Keiri Shuyama Gomez ‘24 Bobby Pepper Isabella Cerciello ‘24 Jessica Crenshaw Madelyn Riordan ‘26 Sasha Iljinsky

Olive Sedlak ‘26 Randy Dexter Olivia Nuzzo ‘25 Mona Page/Roberta Wooster Emma Brading ‘25 Harv Fremont Riley Jade Principe ‘27 Detective O’Farrell Natalia Cardozo ‘26 Ensemble Chloe Mansfield ‘26 Ensemble Catherine Mendrzycki ‘26 Ensemble Eleanor Nielson ‘27 Ensemble Emma Ritchie ‘25 Ensemble Juliette Roake ‘26 Ensemble Rebekah Marsh '24 Isabella Misrahi '24 Stage Managers Angelina Salese '24 Assistant Backstage Manager Shannon Hunt '25 Avery Kelly '24 Sound Madeleine Soliman '25 Lighting

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THE TIES

That Bind

New retreat format strengthens SEAsterhood and community connections.

All academy students attend a class-specific retreat during the school year in an effort to instill essential values of respect, kindness, and devotion within our community. This year, the Theology Department reimagined retreats to intermix prayer, reflection, dialogue, and action, which became hallmarks of these retreats and inspired students’ growth into empowered young women. Seniors experienced a more comprehensive retreat with a two-night stay in Pennsylvania.

F R E S H M E N R E T R E AT The Class of 2027 began their first retreat at the Academy, with breakfast in the Study Hall before visiting the Community Food Bank of New Jersey (CFBNJ) in Hillside, NJ, bringing food items donated by our community. They helped pack boxes, bags, and meals for distribution to over 800 partners throughout the state. In total, the Academy donated over 400 pounds of food, while the freshman class packaged over 2,800 bags of pasta and loaded 10 pallets of boxed food items.

Following their volunteer work at CFBNJ, the Class of 2027 returned to the Saint Elizabeth campus, convening at Annunciation Center. After lunch, the students participated in "Ask a SEAster Anything," where three senior Panthers fielded questions from the freshmen. The day concluded with Dayanna Vera, a Saint Elizabeth University student, speaking about the mission work she has completed in her native country of Ecuador.

S O P H O M O R E R E T R E AT The Class of 2026 headed to FLGXNJ, an adventure course in Ledgewood, NJ, for “Friendship & Belonging”, a themed retreat built upon the bonds of SEAsterhood.

Students were challenged to reach new heights, both on the course and in their life through reflection and prayer.

Students scaled challenging obstacle courses high in the trees, while lending support and strength to one another.

Lunch at Annunciation Hall followed, where students heard from fellow SEAsters about the importance of growing our supportive, loving community here at the Academy.

Dawn Colapietro, a Seton Associate of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, ended the retreat by speaking to the students about Spirit Alive, the order's mission school in Haiti. Every $100 raised for the school enables one child to attend for one year, with meals included. The Class of 2026 was moved by the presentation, and made awareness ribbons to sell at the Academy with a goal to help sponsor four children for the year.

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accents J U N I O R R E T R E AT The Class of 2025 embraced and experienced interreligious dialogue during their retreat at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Robbinsville, New Jersey. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is one of the largest Hindu temples in the world. Recently opened and dedicated in October 2023, the temple welcomes individuals of all faith backgrounds, and even honors various leaders, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., with their own plaques.

With the retreat's theme of “Friendships, Peace and Bonding,” students were guided through their visit to the temple, learning about different Hindu gods and associated beliefs. By promoting such dialogue, students experienced the importance of building friendships and respect, amidst both similarities and differences with others.

Once their visit to the temple concluded, the Class of 2025 returned to campus and visited The Nest at Saint Elizabeth University, where they reflected further on their experience, as well as spent time together in friendship, collaboration, and prayer.

S E N I O R R E T R E AT The Class of 2024 gathered for their final retreat as students at the Academy, this year staying at Malvern Retreat House in Malvern, PA. The retreat focused on helping the Class of 2024 fortify their bonds of friendship and faith, especially as they prepared for their future beyond the Academy.

The three-day retreat was full of activities, including student-led prayers and reflections, adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, a visit to the Eucharistic Miracle Shrine for Blessed (soon to be Saint) Carlo Acutis, service projects, Stations of the Cross, Mass, movie nights, an alumna reflection

by Emma Kelly ‘23, reading palanca letters (letters of support and guidance) from family, friends, and supporters, and so much more.

These retreats would not have been possible without the vision and planning of our Theological Studies Department. The entire Academy of Saint Elizabeth community extends our gratitude to them, and all who helped make each of these retreats moments of reflection, grace, and faith.

We are also deeply grateful for the generosity of the James P. Verhalen Family Foundation for underwriting a portion of each retreat that benefited all of the young women served by the Academy.

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G E N E R AT I O N A L B O N D S :

Inaugural GrandPanther Mass & Reception The Academy of Saint Elizabeth hosted their inaugural celebration of our first "Grandpanther" Mass on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 in Holy Family Chapel. This special Mass, celebrated by Fr. Thomas Fallone, JD, was exclusively for grandparents and their granddaughters, honoring the generational bond which unites families and our community. Immediately following the Mass, the group enjoyed a special reception in the Study Hall.

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Evelynn Leung ‘27 Attends National Student Leadership Conference This summer, Evelynn Leung, 27, attended the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) at Columbia University. NSLC offers an immersive pre-college experience, preparing students for life after high school by allowing them to study in a university atmosphere and learn how to thrive on a university campus.

During the nine day conference, Eveylnn had the opportunity to meet many diverse and talented peers from around the world. Evelynn focused on Forensic Science, learning from experts in the field, and allowing her to develop analytical and investigative skills through crime scene analysis, detailed autopsies, and realistic forensic simulations.

Evelyn also participated in leadership workshops to enhance her conflict resolution skills, while attending sessions with Chief Medical Examiners to understand forensic biology and mental health issues in criminal investigations.

After completion of the program, Evelynn gained knowledge and skills she can apply in both academic and practical situations.

Evelynn Leung '27 stands on the steps of Columbia University's Low Memorial Library. The statue behind her, entitled “Alma Mater”, is the embodiment of Columbia's identity as an educational institution.

Sister Gloria A. O’Brien, SC was the 11th Principal of the Academy of St. Elizabeth.

InMemoriam The Academy Remembers Sister Gloria O’Brien, SC We were deeply saddened to share the news that Sister Gloria A. O’Brien, SC, former principal of the Academy, passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

Sister Gloria served as the Academy’s principal from 2014-2015 and was in the 65th year of her religious commitment.

Please join us in praying for the repose of Sister Gloria’s soul. Eternal rest, grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.

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2023-2024

LACROSSE

SPORTS RECAP

Another Strong Season In the Books for Panthers LAX With back-to-back eight win seasons, Panthers Lacrosse accrued major victories last spring, including games against Hackettstown, Jefferson, Whippany Park, Cedar Grove, West Milford, Indian Hills, High Point, and Newark Academy. With Coach Michael Gervis at the helm again this past season, the team focused on enhancing returning talent while welcoming several new players from the Class of 2027.

Seniors Lorgan Corcoran ‘24, Grace Gehm ‘24, and Sofia Uribe ‘24 acted as the

team’s stalworth leaders throughout the season. Scarlett Claps ‘25 led the team in both goals (93) and points (109), followed

by Katie Callahan ‘25 with 33 goals, 57 assists, and 90 points. The team was also fortified by juniors Ella Delatush ‘25, with 25 goals on the season, Tessa Koza ‘25 with 26 goals on the season, and Kiersten Gann ‘25 with 24 goals on the season.

Between these five players, 201 of the total 235 total goals scored throughout the season were recorded.

Several personal milestones were set throughout the season with Scarlett Claps ‘25 attaining 100 Career Goals and 200 Career Points, along with Madelyn Moore ‘26 garnering 200 Career Saves as goalie.

Ella Delatush ‘25, Kathryn Callahan ‘25, and Grace Gehm ‘24 also attained 100 Career Points. The team looks to continue to build on their previous successes, as high caliber players enter their senior year this upcoming season, and seek to set their imprint in Academy Lacrosse history.

AWARDS Most Valuable Player: Scarlett Claps ‘25 Blue & Gold Award: Lily Agnew ‘25 Sportsmanship Award: Grace Gehm ‘24 18

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sports

SOFTBALL Swinging Into The Best Record in Over 10 Years The late Hank Aaron once said, “My motto was always to keep swinging.

Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging.” Such a quote perfectly tells the story of the Academy’s softball team over the last decade and how they have come to arrive at their present iteration: that of the most competitive version of themselves in over a decade.

The softball team rallied behind seniors Morgane Farrell ‘24, Melanie Mon-

tanez ‘24, Isabella Misrahi ‘24, Bridget Lomax ‘24, and Angelina Salese ‘24. With seven wins during the season, the team finished tied for 3rd in the NJAC Independence Division. Major victories over Veritas Christian, Dover, Boonton, Mother Seton, and Roselle Catholic bolstered the team’s morale as the players realized the potential success that they possessed. A team batting average of .283 brought about such success and was the highest since the 2020-2021 season, with Sara Sterling ‘25 leading the team with a .509

batting average (27-for-53), followed by Sophia Berrios ‘27 with a .411 average (23for-56), and Morgane Farrell ‘24 with a .396 average (21-for-53).

One of the most important takeaways from the season is that the team doubled in size this year with 20 student-athletes taking the field. After struggling to field a team and sharing a co-op only a few years ago, ongoing growth has become an important goal to sustain the Panthers’ success. The future is looking bright for softball, so let’s keep those bats swinging!

AWARDS Most Valuable Player: Sara Sterling ‘25 Blue & Gold Award: Sophia Berrios ‘27 Sportsmanship Award: Kelsey Puma ‘27 Caritas Award: Morgane Farrell ‘24 Unsung Hero Award: Elisa Spataro ‘27

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CROSS COUNTRY, WINTER TRACK, SPRING TRACK & FIELD Panthers Set New Records At the Finish Line This past year, the Academy introduced a new athletic offering to our students, (especially exciting for Cross Country and Spring Track & Field athletes) adding Winter Track to the Panthers roster.

The programs saw great growth through new experiences, competitions, and many successes.

Cross Country veteran Emma Bradley ‘24 garnered several early season victories, including taking 1st Place in the 5K NJAC Batch Race (19:20)—for the second time nonetheless—alongside Reagan Mathesien ‘27, who celebrated her first race with the Panthers. But it did not stop there as Emma went on to win the 2023 Garrett Invitation (20:05) and the NJAC Batch Race at Greystone (18:35), 30 seconds ahead of the eventual second place finisher. The season culminated at the NJSIAA Non-Public B Group Championships, where Emma finished in 3rd Place (19:58) and Reagan finished with her personal best time (30:52).

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The Cross Country season segued into the Academy’s new Winter Track program with the same level of success that was seen throughout the fall. Starting the season off strong, Emma Bradley ‘24 finished in 1st Place at the 2023 Tony Passarelli Invitation, followed by setting a new Academy record for the 3200 Meter (11:41). When the Morris County Freshman-Sophomore Championship came around, it was time for our underclasswomen to shine as Isabel Sabnekar ‘26 took 3rd Place overall in the Sophomore High Jump (4’ 4”), as well as Reagan Mathiesen ‘27 and Zoey Birjah-Rooplal ‘27 setting personal records. Reagan recorded her fastest mile to date (4:43) and Zoey ran her fastest 300 Meter. At the 2024 Morris County Championships, Emma finished 4th in the county for the 2-Mile Race alongside new personal records set

by Isabel, Zoey, and Reagan in their respective competitions. The season ended just as it began, with Emma finish-

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ing 1st Place in the NJSIAA Non-Public B Group State Championship (11:33.21) in the 3200 Meter, and a 3rd Place finish in the 1600 Meter Race. Yet that was still not all: Emma went on to The Eastern States Meet in New York City where she secured 4th Place (11:30.77), and then finished off the Winter Track season with a 2nd Place medal at the NJSIAA Preps for the 1600 Meter (5:13.38).

But there was no slowing down since Spring Track & Field swiftly appeared on the heels of the inaugural Winter Track season. Starting with the Morris County Freshman-Sophomore Relay Championships, the team of Sabrina Schwarz ‘26, Emma Cordano ‘26, Chloe Readlinger ‘27, and Isabel Sabnekar ‘26 earned 3rd Place in the Sprint Medley Relay and 4th Place in the 4x400 Relay. The team then went on to compete, for the first time, at the world-renowned Penn Relays, hosted by the University of Pennsylvania. The season began to wind down with the 2024 NJAC

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NJAC CONFERENCE HONORS First Team All-Conference Emma Bradley ‘24 (Cross Country, Outdoor Track) Clare Farrell ‘24 (Volleyball) Morgan Farrell ‘24 (Softball) Grace Gehm ‘24 (Soccer) Addison Heuck ‘25 (Field Hockey) Anne Rojack ‘26 (Field Hockey) Greta Servitto ‘24 (Basketball) Sara Sterling ‘25 (Softball)

Championships, where Emma Bradley ‘24 once again dominated with a 2nd Place finish, while breaking her own 1-Mile Record (5:08.29), as well as placing 3rd in the 3200 Meter and 6th in the 800 Meter.

Crystal Pisello ‘24 also etched her name into the Academy’s record books in Pole Vault (7’ 0”), an accomplishment that will be hard to beat in the future.

It may have felt like one, unending season for these young women, but just as St. Paul told Timothy, they “competed well, [they] have finished the race.”

AWARDS

Second Team All-Conference Sophia Berrios ‘27 (Softball) Amanda Chambers ‘24 (Volleyball) Ella Delatush ‘25 (Field Hockey) Fiona Farrell ‘24 (Basketball, Field Hockey) Kelsey Puma ‘27 (Softball) Alyssa Massaroni ‘26 (Tennis) Maggie Misita ‘25 (Soccer) Isabella Misrahi ‘24 (Softball) Chloe Readlinger ‘27 (Outdoor Track) Sabrina Schwarz ‘26 (Outdoor Track) Josephine Speace ‘27 (Swimming) Olivia Ventola ‘27 (Tennis) Honorable Mention All-Conference Kayle Brody ‘25 (Field Hockey) Sophia Formanes ‘25 (Swimming) Grace Gehm ‘24 (Basketball) Luciana Guido ‘25 (Tennis) Reagan Mathiesen ‘27 (Cross Country) Isabella Pribula ‘26 (Soccer) Isabel Sabnekar ‘26 (Outdoor Track) Mackenzie Siegel ‘25 (Volleyball) Elisa Spataro ‘27 (Softball)

TRACK & FIELD Most Valuable Player: Emma Bradley ‘24

NJIGLL CONFERENCE HONORS

Blue & Gold Award: Crystal Pisello ‘24

NJIGLL First Team All-Conference Scarlett Claps ‘25 (Lacrosse)

Sportsmanship Award: Isabel Sabnekar ‘26

Second Team All-Conference Kathryn Callahan ‘25 (Lacrosse) Ella Delatush ‘25 (Lacrosse) Honorable Mention All-Conference Gracelyn Spina ‘25 (Lacrosse)

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

The Uncertain Road to

BECOMING MISS 1,000 The Athletic Immortality of Greta Servitto ‘24

By Joseph Ziaya 22

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O

n January 26, 2024, Greta Servitto ‘24 stood at the precipice of basketball greatness with a personal record that few high school athletes ever achieve: scoring 1,000 points during their high school athletic career. Yet on that brisk January night, Greta etched her name in the Academy of Saint Elizabeth record books by scoring her 1,000 career point against Mountain Lakes. However, the road to this moment was not always smooth, and in Greta’s eyes, at times was not even possible. Her journey to becoming the newest member of the 1,000 Point Club was one of uncertainty, doubt, perseverance, and hope which will be remembered for years to come.

Greta’s ties with basketball started at a young age, though she provided credit for her years of running the courts to an attribute beyond her control. “Height helped,” Greta quipped, “since I come from a pretty tall family. Both my parents also played high school sports. My dad played football and my mom was a softball player. We were always a big sports family, which is why my parents enrolled me in gymnastics when I was three-years-old.”

From that point forward, sports became an integral aspect of Greta’s life.

It was only a few years later that Greta was introduced to the sport of basketball during kindergarten. Alongside her twin brother, Nick, Greta began to develop and hone her on-court skills, leading to her committing to play a travel team starting in 6th Grade. “I really thought this was something [playing basketball] that I wanted to do. My brother and I played together, and now we practice with each other as we go to the gym, and rebound for each other,” Greta recalled.

It was then that Greta began to realize the love she felt for the game. Her passion fueled her to continue playing basketball until she was preparing for high school.

“I believe that to play great high school basketball, you have to really love it. And to continue to play travel [basketball], you do so if you want to play beyond high school.”

The career stat line for Greta Servitto '24 places her in the discussion for one of the most impactful Panther student-athletes in the Academy's history: 349 Two-Pointers, 52 Three-Pointers, 265-of-294 Free Throws Made, 737 Rebounds, 106 Assists, 111 Blocks, 104 Steals, and 1,119 Points in 86 games played.

Greta’s older sister, Frankie Servitto ‘21, who also played basketball for the Panthers, encouraged Greta's love of the sport and gave her the opportunity to witness a rare and inspiring event during a game. “I was in 8th Grade and I would come to see Frankie play. While there, I saw Hannah Kelly ‘20 score her 1,000th point. I thought it was pretty cool and it became something that I wanted to do.”

With such a goal in mind, Greta’s time as a Panther at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth began, though under the auspices of the COVID-19 pandemic, which greatly limited her opportunities on the court.

With a shortened 2020-2021 season of only 14 games, Greta garnered 72 total points, a noteworthy achievement as a freshman, yet far from the possibility of achieving 1,000 career points.

As the pandemic continued into 20212022 and safety protocols allowed for a regular-length season to be played, Greta had the opportunity to show her true skill set on the court. In her sophomore year, Greta was able to score 246 points, nearly quadrupling what she scored in her freshman year. Halfway through her high school career, a total of 318 points was still a far cry from 1,000 points, casting doubts on whether achieving such a historic

milestone could become reality.

“I didn’t think I could [get to 1,000 points], especially since freshman year was a shortened season and I scored less than 100 points. And by doing the math, I could see needing 250 points every year.

I scored less than 250 points both my freshman and sophomore years, so I believed it was not going to happen.”

It was during Greta’s junior year that what seemingly felt impossible grew potentially more tangible after a breakout season. She not only eclipsed her seasonhigh total points by over 100 points scored, but placed herself within the realm of athletic greatness that few even view on the horizon of their careers: with 355 points scored in the 2022-2023, Greta’s total career points score rested at 673; almost three-quarters of the way toward her dream, but with only one season left in her Panther basketball career.

“Once I got to my senior year, I started redoing the math and saw I could achieve 1,000 points if I worked hard for it and went into every game with the mindset that winning is the most important goal and that attaining stats, while important, was secondary. If I focused on winning, I felt I could also achieve 1,000 points,” Greta said.

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“It was surreal to achieve this goal, especially with this team and being able to be part of

something bigger than myself.”

Senior year arrived and Greta understood that to attain her goal of 1,000 career points, she would need to have one of the best, if not the best, seasons of her entire basketball career. The numbers don’t lie: with 25 games played, Greta was the highest Academy scorer in over 65% of those games with a season-high of 34 points scored in a single game. Each game was another step up the mountain of athletic immortality. Just over halfway through her final season as a Panther, Greta reached the summit of her dreams.

In the January 26, 2024 matchup against Mountain Lakes, Greta entered with 995 total career points. In reflecting on the day leading up to the game, and the career accolade within her grasp, Greta followed the same routine and gameday preparations that sustained her throughout her playing career.

“All my teammates kept telling me to believe in myself and to not go into the game fearing that I wasn’t going to get it [1,000 points]. Playing the game as if it was any other game helped offset some of the nerves. Once we started playing, the nerves really began to subside.”

When she took to the court, the focus for Greta was less about only needing to score five points, and more about doing whatever it took to help her team succeed. That has always been the hallmark mentality throughout her playing career, but in this moment, Greta was able to step back and celebrate a history-making moment for the Academy’s basketball program. In the immediate moments after scoring her 1,000 point on a free throw, Greta recalls the flood of applause and emotions that, up to that moment, had

been stymied by her focus on the collective goal of winning a game. Yet, in this singular point in time, Greta stood in the limelight on the top of the mountain.

“It was surreal to achieve this goal, especially with this team and being able to be a part of something bigger than myself.

You see other schools with many 1,000 Point Scorers, and it is pretty cool to be able to have my name as one of the few who have achieved it at the Academy. But I would not have been able to get those points without my teammates and coaches. This is a personal achievement as much as it is an achievement for our entire team working together,” Greta said.

Having achieved this momentous goal, Greta never ceased to play hard on the court for her teammates and coaches.

The final stat lines on her career showcase that unending, never-give-up attitude that paved a pathway forward to attaining this dream: 1,119 total career points, 349 career two-pointers, 52 three-pointers, 265 free throws made out of 294 attempted, 737 rebounds, 106 assists, 111 blocks, and 104 steals in 86 games played for the Academy of Saint Elizabeth. By the numbers, Greta will go down in Academy history as one of the greatest all-time basketball players to ever wear a Panthers jersey. Beyond that, however, Greta wishes to be remembered not for scoring 1,000 points, but rather what can happen when you surround yourself with individuals who all support one another, no matter what.

“Coach Bruce [McCloud] told me to not overthink anything, especially before that game started where I scored my 1,000th point. He said ‘Do your thing,’ and

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reminded not only me, but the entire team, that mistakes happen, to forget about them, and focus on the next play.

That has been our team’s story for the last four years and will continue to be into the future: always focus on the next play.”

Greta’s next play will take place at Susquehanna University, where she has committed to play basketball as a River Hawk. While she may no longer appear on the Academy’s courts as a Panther, her name will forever be etched in the history books as one of the all-time great Academy of Saint Elizabeth basketball players.

All statistics reflect those reported and published by NJ.com.

Joining SEAsters Before Her: Prior to Greta Servitto '24 joining the 1,000 Point Club, the first to do so was Robin Deehan '06. After Robin, record books indicate the next student to achieve this milestone was Hannah Kelly '20, followed by Greta.

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BASKETBALL Panthers Dominate Rivals in NJAC Independence Division Panthers Basketball saw incredible achievements on the court this season, marked by Greta Servitto’s 1000 Career Points and Coach Bruce McCloud’s 100th Career Win. Beyond these monumental accomplishments, the Basketball team had a bounceback season after going a sub .500 record for the 2022-2023 season. With a 13-12 overall record, the team displayed their power in the NJAC Independence Division, going 10-2 against their divisional rivals.

Seniors Riley Wasdyke ‘24, Fiona Farrell ‘24, Grace Gehm ‘24, and Greta Servitto ‘24 were power players on the court, amassing a combined 807 points out of the 1,032 points scored by the team throughout the season. Fiona Farrell ‘24

set the Academy record for most threepointers in a single season with 62, as well as the most career three-pointers in Academy NJAC history with 91. Juniors Caroline Bodnar ‘25 and Zoe MacWhannell ‘25 also scored 50+ points each this season, setting them up to be integral parts in the future success of the program.

The team recorded major victories against Villa Walsh Academy, Parsippany, Whippany Park, Kittatinny, Veritas Christian, Kinnelon, and more, with some close, single-digit losses that could have gone either way. These major steps forward in the program’s successes, especially within the NJAC Independence Division in 2nd Place, hopefully pave the way for greater successes on the court next year.

AWARDS Most Valuable Player: Greta Servitto ‘24 Blue & Gold Award: Fiona Farrell ‘24 Sportsmanship Award: Colleen Santoriello ‘25

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SWIMMING

NJAC ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS

AquaPanthers Dive Into Season With a Wave of Veteran and Rookie Victories The swimming pools rippled with several AquaPanther victories throughout the season, displaying the talent and hard work of the Academy’s returning and more recent members to the team.

Coach Greg Yarnall continued his tenure as the team’s head coach, with seniors Caitlin Flanagan ‘24, Julia Riccio ‘24, and Crystal Pisello ‘24 steering the team toward victory.

Julia Riccio ‘24 earned two individual victories in various competitions, including the 100 Backstroke (1:11.46), and 500 Freestyle (6:47.70), along with several relay victories, including in 200 Freestyle Relay (2:04.51; Sophia Formanes ‘25, Crystal Pisello ‘24, Kasey Desiderio ‘25), 200 Medley Relay (2:05.85; Sophia Formanes ‘25, Josie Speace ‘27, Kasey Desiderio ‘25), and 400 Freestyle Relay (4:27.66; Sophia Formanes ‘25, Kasey Desiderio ‘25, Caitlin Flanagan ‘24). Kasey Desiderio ‘25 took home seven individual victories, including

in 100 Backstroke (1:09.13); 100 Freestyle (1:03.87); 200 Freestyle (2:12.77); and 50 Freestyle (0:27.91), as well as seven relay victories. In every competition, both individual and relay, newcomer Josie Speace ‘27 achieved either 1st or 2nd Place throughout the season. This included taking 1st Place in five out of six competitions for 100 Butterfly (1:06.52); 1st Place in all three competitions for 200 Individual Medley (2:22.97); two out of three 1st Place finishes in 50 Freestyle (0:27.60); and a victory in 500 Freestyle (5:50.07).

Victories over Pequannock and Roxbury speak to the growing success of both individual swimmers and relay competitors, especially as the team continues to grow in size and power. The AquaPanthers appear set for continued success over the next several years as the program continues to expand.

Sophia Berrios ‘27 (Softball) Emma Bradley ‘24 (Cross Country, Outdoor Track) Ella Delatush ‘24 (Field Hockey) Clare Farrell ‘24 (Volleyball) Fiona Farrell ‘24 (Basketball, Field Hockey) Morgan Farrell ‘24 (Softball) Grace Gehm ‘24 (Soccer) Addison Heuck ‘25 (Field Hockey) Alyssa Massaroni ‘24 (Tennis) Kelsey Puma ‘27 (Softball) Anne Rojack ‘26 (Field Hockey) Sabrina Schwarz ‘26 (Outdoor Track) Greta Servitto ‘24 (Basketball) Sara Sterling ‘25 (Softball) Josephine Speace ‘27 (Swimming) NJIGLL Academic All-Conference

NJIGLL ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE HONORS Kathryn Callahan ‘25 (Lacrosse) Ella Delatush ‘25 (Lacrosse)

AWARDS Most Valuable Player: Josephine Speace ‘27 Blue & Gold Award: Julia Riccio ‘24 Sportsmanship Award: Ella Picciano ‘27 AquaPanther of the Year: Samantha Donnelly ‘26 LEGACY Magazine | FALL / WINTER 2024

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ICE HOCKEY Mia Foer ‘24 Concludes Her Run With Co-Op Ice Hockey Team

Mia Foer '24, surrounded by her family, including her mother, Allison, sister, Sydney '23, and father, Chris, at her Signing Day event in the Study Hall. Mia currently attends SUNY Oswego.

TENNIS

After four seasons playing with the Academy of Saint Elizabeth-Morris Catholic Ice Hockey team, Mia Foer ‘24 skated off the ice, one final time, and officially hung up her skates. In a showcase of grit, determination, and unwavering strength, Mia took to the ice, often against teams with all-male squads.

While it was a difficult season for the Co-Op team, Mia finished her career on the ice with 2 Goals, 8 Assists, and 10

Acing the Future With Younger Talent This season, the Academy’s underclasswomen took over the Tennis courts as the team focused on developing and enhancing the skills of the next generation of strong athletes. With over half the team being either freshmen or sophomores, this season exposed the up-and-coming team to competitive play against more experienced players.

Senior Avery Kelly ‘24 guided the team as they navigated the season, earning five 1st Singles victories on the season. Morgan Artiglere ‘27 displayed great court awareness throughout the season, going undefeated in her three 1st Doubles matches with Olivia Ventola ‘27 and Alyssa Massaroni ‘26, as well as earning five victories in 2nd Doubles alongside Audrey McCarus ‘25 and Lily Ferguson ‘26. Olivia Ventola ‘27 took on 1st Doubles with

seven victories with Alyssa Massaroni ‘26 and Morgan Artiglere ‘27, as well as picked up a 3rd Singles victory against Parsippany Hills. Additionally, Seniors Isabella Misrahi '24 and Mia D'Angelo '24 acted as stalwart leaders on the court, not only through their final season, but throughout their entire time as members of the Tennis team.

Shutout victories over Boonton and Pequannock, as well as highly competitive matches against Whippany Park and Parsippany Hills, indicate that the team is heading in the right direction as they continue to excel in experience, making them a formidable force in the seasons ahead.

AWARDS Most Valuable Player: Avery Kelly ‘24 Blue & Gold Award: Luciana Guido ‘25 Sportsmanship Award: Olivia Ventola ‘27

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Points, embodying the mentality of never giving up, even when it got tough.

When it got tough, Mia got going. For her years as a trailblazer on the ice, Mia was honored on Senior Night with her proud parents by her side. To add to that pride, Mia’s father, Chris Foer, is also the Head Coach for the team, making this a special moment not only for a coach and his players, but also between a father and his daughter.

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FIELD HOCKEY Panthers Shoot Historic Winning Season The Field Hockey team recorded one of its best record-setting seasons with an overall record of 12-4-2 and a NJAC Independence Divisional record of 4-2. Seniors Fiona Farrell ‘24, Abigail Villa ‘24, Mia Foer ‘24, and Sarah Heflin ‘24, all acted as the team’s leadership, both offensively and defensively, assuring major gains in team performance compared to last season.

Fiona Farrell ‘24 had a stellar season, with a stat line of 11 Goals, 7 Assists, and 29 Points. Juniors Emerson Lezynski ‘25, Ella Delatush ‘25, and Annie Rojack ‘25

combined for nearly half of the teams total season goals (24 of 52), showcasing the offensive capabilities the team will continue to bring to the field next season.

And with shutout wins against Parsippany, North Warren, Parsippany Hills, Morris Hills, Koinonia Academy, and Whippany Park, the team witnessed strong defensive performances by goalie Mia Foer ‘24 throughout the season.

With a 2nd Place finish in the NJAC Independence Division, though with the highest overall win percentage of .722, the

team found themselves in the first round of the NJSIAA Tournament against Newark Academy. In the 2-0 victory, Addison Heuck ‘24 and Fiona Farrell ‘24 scored the same stat line each: 1 Goal, 1 Assist, and 3 Points. Mia Foer ‘24 also defended the goal with 6 saves to complete the shutout victory. The Panthers fell to Princeton Day School in a difficult but well-fought matchup in the quarterfinals. Despite falling short in the NJSIAA Tournament, the overall season indicates more recordsetting accomplishments in the future.

AWARDS Most Valuable Player: Mia Foer ‘24 Most Offensive Valuable Player: Fiona Farrell ‘24 Most Defensive Valuable Player: Anne Rojack ‘26 Blue & Gold Award: Kayle Brody ‘25 Sportsmanship Award: Addison Heuck ‘25

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VOLLEYBALL

Panthers Spike Personal Milestones, Smash Academy Records Seniors Amanda Chambers ‘24, Clare Farrell ‘24, and Greta Servitto ‘24 excelled on the court this season, achieving personal milestones and shattering Academy records. Clare Farrell ‘24 led the charge by achieving her 600th Career Kill alongside setting the Academy record for Digs with well over 300+ total. In the following weeks Amanda Chambers followed suit by finishing the season with 400 assists, bolstering her total of 900 Career Assists.

Greta Servitto ‘24 also set the Academy record for Career Blocks with over 47.5 total.

Seniors Ava Montaruli ‘24 and Crystal Pisello ‘24 held down the court as well in the team’s eleven victories for the season,

including shutout wins against Mountain Lakes, Madison, Morris Catholic, Morris Hills, Pingry, Hackettstown, and Mount Olive. In each victory, the team displayed cohesiveness on the court, supporting one another and filling in when needed.

Junior Mackenzie Siegel ‘25 had the most Aces (61) and the second most Kills (137) and Digs (129) on the season, right behind Clare, and was met with equally important success from Amanda Acevedo ‘25, who had 125 digs and Madalena Benegas ‘25, who recorded 47 kills. The upcoming season seems to be full of talented young women, prepared to take on the NJAC Liberty Division after a tied, 3rd Place finish this year.

AWARDS Most Valuable Player: Clare Farrell ‘24 Blue & Gold Award: Piper Tricarico ‘25 Sportsmanship Award: Greta Servitto ‘24

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SOccer

Focused Aim Delivers Most Panther Wins Since 2017 Season Program growth has been a hallmark of the Academy’s athletic programs over the past few years, and Soccer is a prime example of such growth. With Coach Ardi Emini guiding the team to four wins this season, there was increased enthusiasm around the team’s performance, starting in the preseason and carrying throughout the ensuing months.

Led by senior forwards Grace Gehm ‘24 and Alea Bediner ‘24, the team fought valiantly in several closely-contested matches while garnering important victories over Dover, Sussex Tech, College Achieve Central, and Boonton. In their largest victory on the season over College

Achieve Central, Alea Bediner ‘24 led the way with two goals, followed by Maggie Misita ‘25, Piper Misitia ‘26, Isabella Pribula ‘26, Grace Gehm ‘24, and Giulia Prestia ‘27 each scoring a goal.

Just as important to the offense is the team’s defense, which was managed by goalies Maggie Misita ‘25 and Grace Van Hoven ‘27. Combined, Maggie and Grace saved over 250 shots from scoring throughout the season, locking down the goal and giving the team opportunities for success. With several rising upperclasswomen, the future looks bright for the Panthers Soccer program.

AWARDS Most Valuable Player: Grace Gehm ‘24 The Coaches’ Award: Gracelyn Spina ‘25 Defender of the Year: Kayla Pizzi ‘25 Blue & Gold Award: Alea Bediner ‘24 Sportsmanship Award: Colleen Santoriello ‘25

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FACULT Y SPOTLIGHT In addition to her love of theater and teaching, Dr. Reilly enjoys spending her time completing pen and ink drawings, like this drama mask, created specifically for this edition of Legacy Magazine.

All the World’s

A STAGE

By Dr. Catherine Reilly

Early each school year, I ask my students to answer this simple question: “Who are you?” They inevitably look at me as if I have two heads, and proceed to tell me their names, which forces me to clarify. “Perhaps the better question is, ‘What are you? How do you describe yourself?

A young woman? A student? Perhaps an athlete?’” As they consider the question and ponder their personal lives, the responses become more varied and particular…

“A sister; a daughter; a niece...”

“A babysitter…”

“A harpist…”

“A water-skier…”

“A tightrope walker.” (I never had a tightrope walker in my class, to my knowl32

edge, but it is possible that, somewhere in the hundreds of courses I’ve taught, lurked an aspiring circus performer.)

I explain that all of these descriptions are examples of our many and numerous selves. We all harbor inner personalities, various personas, perhaps even hidden dreams that we conceal from the world for different reasons. We decide which of our “selves” we will release, depending upon our audience. We speak differently to our parents and teachers than we do to our friends. (It’s true. I’ve heard my students converse with their friends. Different language entirely.) We are all a conglomerate of assorted personalities. And, occasionally, the traits of one personality will predictably escape and influence the “self”

that we are showing to the world. This is not a bad thing. In fact, it is one of the things that makes us unique.

When describing my own “self,” it gets a little complicated, probably because I have had a few more years on earth to develop my “selves.” I’m a teacher, of course, but I have not always been a teacher. My career arc has been a varied one, from customer service rep to marketing manager; from video company to construction company, from HR to PR, my early professional experience was an eclectic series of industries and professions, all of which have influenced my current “self.”

But there is still another ongoing personal activity - the one passion that has encompassed a great deal of my life and has in-

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fluenced every profession I have pursued.

I have always been a theater person. I act, I sing, I dance, I direct. I’ve worked the lighting board and designed sets; I’ve sewn costumes and approved makeup. I have spent decades on stage and behind the scenes, and I state with pride and conviction, I am a Theater Nerd. As my old friend William Shakespeare observed, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts.” The Bard knew his subject well…

My first love has always been the stage; I was drawn to theater when my enchanting first-grade teacher, Sister Christina, (a saintly Sister of Charity) discovered that I had something of a voice and bestowed upon me the role of Lead Angel in the St. Cecilia Elementary School Christmas Pageant. My parents assumed that I would be terrified to stand in front of hundreds of people to sing my solo in “Silent Night,” but I had had a small history of enjoying the limelight, having spent many memorable hours entertaining my grandmother’s friends who often visited during the holidays; I happily twirled around her living room, belting out old standards, encouraging everyone to sing along, and devouring the attention. When given the chance to perform on an actual

Dr. Reilly appeared again with The Players Guild of Leonia in their production of Annie, where she portrayed one of The Lovely Boylan Sisters.

Dr. Reilly portraying Nancy from “Oliver”, alongside fellow actors from The Players Guild of Leonia. This performance took place in a beautiful outdoor 3/4 round theater.

“I have spent decades on stage and behind the scenes, and I state with pride and conviction,

I am a Theater Nerd.” stage, my six-year-old self jumped at the opportunity, and, when the audience applauded, I was in my element. In the years that followed, I auditioned for local plays and musicals, recorded the title role for a taped version of Sleeping Beauty, and even founded a performance troupe that rehearsed after school and had the joy of missing classes to visit the upper grades and stage plays based on Charlie Brown and friends. The Company’s name? “The Peanuts Players,” of course!

Throughout my life, theater has been my secret “side gig,” one that I have pursued with passion. By day, I was a student, and later, a mother, a marketing professional, a corporate trainer, a writer, and a teacher, but by night (and weekends!) I often have traveled around the tri-state area, appearing in musicals and dramas, comedies and tragedies. My wide-ranging experience includes: Journeying to Medieval England, where I was viciously stabbed by an evil king wielding a sword, (but, thankfully, was saved from death by a magic potion) [Mer-

lin, Warrior Wizard]; Visiting a Greek island to witness (and sing about) my best friend’s daughter’s wedding, and celebrate being a Dancing Queen [Mamma Mia!]; Lurking around an enchanted forest, demanding that a Baker and his wife procure for me “a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, and a slipper as pure as gold” [Into the Woods]; And, as some of the AOSE community may recall, working a short gig as a singing housekeeper at a certain ski lodge in Vermont [White Christmas].

Over the years, I have discovered that teaching is a lot like acting, and the classroom is my theater. The word theater is derived from the Greek word thetaron: “thea,” meaning “eyes” and “tron,” referring to place. So, theater is really “a place for seeing.” The classroom is the place that students come to see things…about themselves, about their subjects, and about life.

And the skills that I have acquired on stage have spilled over, translating into skills that

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have enlightened the classroom: 1) Good actors know that, to be successful, one must be authentic, and have authentic conversations. The conversations in an English class must be genuine, to delve deeply into character motivations and examine the author’s intended symbolism.

2) Actors address the audience honestly, creating a community with the audience, and with fellow actors on stage. This community-ness is evident in the classroom when students are sharing concepts and observations about a piece of literature.

3) Actors know that, to reach an audience, one must explore texts actively.

We examine the settings and dialogue, aggressively tearing apart the prose and searching for the hidden meanings and messages of the text.

My hundreds of theatrical experiences inform my teaching. Every day I convey a new story about my behind-the-scenes life on the stage. (An actor is always telling a story.) Each of my theater experiences invariably contains an incident, which becomes a story, that teaches a lesson in my classes. We all are the sum total of our experiences, and I happen to have many, many experiences that originated on the stage, which I love sharing with my students. One day, Sally Bowles will want to convince my class that “Life is a Cabaret;” another day, we may be learning how to correctly pronounce the phrase, “How do you do?” as perfectly as the lead character in My Fair Lady, to celebrate Eliza Doolittle Day. (It’s May 20th. Trust me.) Some days we all use our “Mary Poppins voices;” other days we read Macbeth aloud in our proper British accents. If we sound odd,

Recently, Dr. Reilly took on the role of took on the role of Mother in the Pax Amicus' rendition of “A Christmas Story.”

what does it matter? We learn to be authentic, honest, and creative. Acting out the literature makes it come alive in the classroom and we don’t need to be taking a drama class to express ourselves on the stage. We all deserve to enjoy our moment in the spotlight, and, as I often tell my students, a classroom is simply a stage with bad lighting.

Stories are little snippets of our lives that, when shared, reveal to the world who we are. In English classes, we tell stories, and those stories expand our respective worlds. Our tales reach out into the universe and return with ideas and potentials, opening our minds to opportunities and options that we may not have considered, if we had remained closed in our shells, observing from the wings, instead of playing our roles. As the playwright Arthur Miller said, “The mission of the the-

ater, after all, is to change, to raise consciousness of people to their human possibilities.” Isn’t that the job of education, as well?

My theater experience has slowed a bit in recent years, with so many papers to grade and less time available to devote to theatrical pursuits. But I still find myself completely immersed in St. E’s theater department, helping with rehearsals and casting, and, when I am fortunate enough, even joining the students on stage to share our talents with the wonderful audience. When something is so deeply rooted, it is impossible to extricate oneself from it, but I never would want to. As the playwright Anton Chekov wrote, “The teacher must be an actor, an artist, passionately in love with his work.” If that is the definition, I am truly a teacher.

And a proud Theater Nerd.

Dr. Catherine Reilly received her B.A. in Communications from Ramapo College of New Jersey, M.S. in Communications from Iona College, and her Ph.D. in Education from Northcentral University.

Dr. Reilly has been a member of the Academy’s faculty since 2022. Prior to working at the Academy, Dr. Reilly was an Assistant Professor at Dominican College, Adjunct Professor at County College of Morris, and an English teacher at Immaculata High School. She also currently works as a professional writer, corporate communications consultant, and career coach.

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Welcome to a place where girls thrive beyond expectations.

Join the Academy legacy of young women who strive for excellence alongside a true commitment to happiness, sisterhood and purpose.

APPLY NOW FOR 2024-2025 Application deadline is December 13

BEGIN YOURJOURNEY at aOSENJ.ORG

WHERE YOU BELONG.

Discover your future at the Academy.

For more information or to schedule a private tour, please contact admissions@aose.info LEGACY Magazine | FALL / WINTER 2024

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Advocating for Myself and Others:

Living WITH TOURETTE SYNDROME

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

By: Ciara Mulcahy ‘27 “It's just a shiver.”

“It's not cold in here.”

“What are you doing?”

“Why are you making that noise?”

Those are all things that I started to hear when I was 11 years old. It was the year I started middle school. It was the year that my anxiety started getting worse.

It was the year that I had been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). And (eventually) I learned that the answer to so many questions and concerns I had for several years involved Tourette Syndrome.

After struggling for several months, my family and I finally met with a neurologist. Because of my symptoms, seizures had to be ruled out first, which meant spending an afternoon hooked up to electrodes attached to my head while laying completely still for an Electroen36

cephalogram, also known as an EEG. I was intently watched by a nurse I had never met before, in a cold room on an uncomfortable bed, as everything was tracked that showed up on various machines. And from there, we had several months of explanations and half-answers, including, "Let's just see what happens."

After another EEG, this time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, where I had to wear the electrodes around the clock and be recorded 24/7 for three days, I was diagnosed with a Tic Disorder. It did take another year to be officially diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome (TS), but I was already on my way to understanding what it all meant. And since I still had so many questions, my mother and I explored advocacy groups and potential options for treatment. This search led us to the Tourette Association of America, which has established a Youth Ambassador Program that invites children and

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teenagers from across the United States to come to Washington, D.C., to be trained as advocates. When we found this opportunity, my mother and I knew this was meant for me.

A few weeks after sending in my application, I received notice that I had been selected to participate. After feeling scared, lonely, and confused about what I was going through for such a long time, it was such an incredible feeling to be accepted into the program. My mother and I arrived in Washington, D.C., in March 2022, not truly knowing what to expect.

We were still exiting social distancing precautions, so the whole experience was a lot to take in, but I knew I had found my voice in advocacy. I saw firsthand what other teens like me experience, and how important it was that I use my voice to advocate for myself and others who navigate their own experiences with TS. The first day of training consisted of

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“The greatest gift someone can give me is

the space to be myself…” workshops, while the second day focused on meeting with our elected officials. My mother and I met with the New Jersey senators, congressional staffers, and other elected officials, during which I had the opportunity to share my story. To share what I needed to be successful. To share what we all need to be accepted. And to share what is needed of our elected officials in support of the Tourette Association of America. It was such an empowering experience, that I came home looking to get involved even more.

Since 2022, I have attended three Tourette Syndrome Advocacy Days on Capitol Hill. I have continued to meet with numerous elected officials and staffers as I share my story. I have advocated for ongoing funding, education, and support to benefit teenagers like me. And I have never felt more passionate to keep doing more.

In addition to attending Advocacy Days, I have had the unique opportunity to speak to over 500 middle school students to share what living with TS is like from a teenager’s perspective. I have participated in online interviews with over 200 virtual

attendees. And I started Ciara's Crafty Corner to combine my passion for advocacy with my love of arts and crafts.

Ciara's Crafty Corner raised over $250 in proceeds within the first two months of its founding, which went straight back to the Tourette Association of America to support ongoing educational needs. And this is just the beginning! I have also just started getting involved in the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome, where I recently participated in a summer program with other high school students living with TS. I learned so much more about advocating for myself and others through that experience.

In addition to the advocacy work, through several tried and failed treatment options, my family and I finally found a balanced treatment that seems to work for me. We discovered a therapist specializing in Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT). We have also worked closely with my doctor to find medication that helps manage my tics.

Enjoyable activities, like crocheting, have greatly reduced my tics, too.

The saying goes, "If you meet one

Ciara and her mother, Tara, meet with U.S. House of Representative member Thomas Kean, Jr., from New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, which includes parts of Morris, Somerset, Susses, and Union counties.

While in Washington, D.C., for Tourette Syndrome Advocacy Days, Ciara also visited other important historical sites, including the Supreme Court.

person with Tourette Syndrome, you have met one person with Tourette Syndrome."

I can attest that this statement is entirely true. As an advocate and a teen living with TS, the greatest gift someone can give me is the space to be myself, the space to feel comfortable when my tics are coming out more, and not to be afraid to ask me what it is like to have TS. In the past few years, I have been asked, “If you could wish not to have TS, would you?” I can confidently say that my answer is, “No!”

Ciara poses at the annual Tourette Advocacy Days on Capitol Hill, sponsored by the Tourette Association of America.

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Oh, what a night!

PROM 2024 On Wednesday, May 22, Academy of Saint Elizabeth proudly presented the 2024 Junior / Senior prom at the Olde Mill Inn in Basking Ridge, NJ. Amidst lush gardens adorned with lights, the elegant historic venue was an idyllic setting for a magical and picture-perfect evening for our beautiful girls and their guests.

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

the of Mental Health MY SUMMER EXPERIENCE AT BROWN UNIVERSIT Y

By Giovanna Desimone ‘26 As a teen navigating recent global events and changes in society, it has been frightening to experience and observe the widespread impact these shifts have had on mental health. Social media has become flooded with videos of young adults struggling with depression, stress, anxiety and a variety of other conditions.

Many people highlighted the lack of resources and services available to them or a lack of understanding in their school or home environment.

In fighting my own battle with anxiety and panic disorders, I realized how fortunate I was to have professional resources to guide me. They helped me choose a high school that prioritized mental health and offered a supportive and nurturing 40

environment for young women to thrive.

Recognizing the critical importance of mental health professionals motivated me to pursue a career in Psychology, where I can support children and young adults facing a significant national shortage of licensed counselors, therapists, and social workers.

Last spring, I researched Summer Pre-College Programs that would offer an intensive introduction to the field of Psychology. “Stigma and Mental Health” was one of the residential programs offered at Brown University, with this particular course promising a deep dive into Psychology and an understanding of the societal challenges in achieving successful outcomes. Despite my own

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reservations about my chances within their highly competitive selection process, I decided to apply. Many weeks later, to my surprise, I received a letter of acceptance into the program.

Upon arriving at Brown University, I was introduced to the college experience in an instant – I was assigned a roommate, a key to my dorm room, and an ID card for meals – and became immediately immersed in resident life on the beautiful campus of a renowned university.

The week-long course required attending a three-hour class each day. The professor discussed a wide range of different mental health disorders including psychosis, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and more. Group discussions in the class

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“Lessons effectively instilled specific methods by which we – and others –

can combat mental health stigmas in everyday life.” allowed for the deeper exploration of these conditions, their symptoms, treatment options, and the societal stigmas that often accompany them. We were assigned homework each day, requiring reading, more extensive research and group projects with fellow classmates.

Assignments were graded daily, and each lesson effectively instilled specific methods by which we — and others — can help combat mental health stigmas in everyday life.

The primary objective of the course was actualized in a final group project, which required us to conceptualize, develop, and present a stigma-reducing public policy campaign. My group consisted of three other high school students, and we focused on creating an advocacy campaign for people with schizophrenia.

Within this campaign, we sought to define ways to help prevent these individuals from exhibiting suicidal ideation and tendencies. My creative media skills, learned during my freshman year Visual Communications & Web Design class at the Academy, proved to be an invaluable asset in my contributions to the project, as we developed posters, slide decks, and other support materials. At the conclusion of the course, it was incredible to realize how much we learned together after collaborating for just one week.

Beyond the classroom, I was able to familiarize myself with the Brown University campus and its very active population.

(continued on page 42) The green-tinged “Bronze Bruno” statue towers over College Green. The 7-foot-tall sentinel is one of four bear statues that dot the Brown University campus in celebration of the Brown mascot .

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One of the posters Giovanna designed for her group’s “Silver Lifeline” campaign, designed to offer hope to individuals living with schizophrenia.

I quickly bonded with other students from my floor and neighboring residence halls, becoming friends with people who traveled from all over the world to attend one of Brown’s many programs. After our studies and dinner at one of the dining halls, we could explore downtown Providence where we’d get crepes, ice cream, or go shopping together. Back on campus there were more fun activities like music bingo, volleyball, and residence hall gatherings.

I am so grateful I stepped outside of my comfort zone for this opportunity, because it provided an unforgettable experience of learning and growth. As I begin AP Psychology at the Academy, I have already recognized content I learned in pre-college, and I’m excited to deepen my understanding of the topics alongside my SEAsters. I encourage my peers at the Academy to explore the wide range of amazing course opportunities available through Brown University Pre-College to discover new interests or further enhance their passion within an existing field.

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Giovanna gets a first glimpse at Metcalf Hall, a place she’d call home for a week.

Located in the heart of Brown’s campus, the Urban Environmental Laboratory serves as a community gathering place for environmentally minded students and faculty alike.

Students in residential programs had full access to all of Brown’s facilities including the Nelson Fitness Center, a 10,000 sq. foot mecca for strength and conditioning.

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RESILIENCY Rediscovering

Prioritizing Student Mental Wellbeing Through Social-Emotional Learning

The history of school counseling is intertwined with one of the most important historical events in the world: the Industrial Revolution. With the initial imprints of the field taking on the form of vocational guidance, counselors sought to provide insight into a quickly changing workforce due to growing industrialization. However, over 100 years later, school counseling has transformed into an expansive field focused on academic support, mental wellbeing, and social growth. The journey from where this field began to where it currently resides requires an ever flexible outlook on what each day holds, not only for students, but for the school counselors who seek to support them. That is why at the Acad-

emy of Saint Elizabeth, greater focus has been placed on growing our School and College Counseling Department, as well as the associated programs provided to meet student needs. Ms. Beth-Ellen Walsh, Director of Counseling and Student Affairs, and Ms. Annemarie Gallo ‘11, Assistant Director of Counseling, shared their experiences and insights into successfully navigating life as a high school student in the modern world.

Uncertain Times While many recent studies have concluded the COVID-19 pandemic played a detrimental part in the decline of students’ mental wellbeing, with some studies identifying up to 56.5% of high school

aged females in the United States of America experiencing sadness or hopelessness in 2021, some surmise that the deterioration of mental health began prior to this global event. Technology appears to have played an influential role in the occurrence of declining mental health, though other variables have been posed as explanations for the phenomenon. One thing has grown clear: students’ mental health, across the globe, needs to be addressed and supported, especially during their most formative years.

“Looking back within the last five to ten years, we did not experience as much of a prevalence of mental health issues within our student population as much as (continued on page 44)

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is generally seen today,” recounted Ms. Walsh. “Our job was less focused on addressing mental health, and more focused on supplying academic support to students. With the onset of the pandemic, however, it was shocking how many students were coming to us with anxiety, depression, and stress, which all needed to be addressed.”

Forging a Pathway Forwards Teachers and administrators alike worked collaboratively to maintain a sense of connectivity with Academy students during the pandemic, including offering several afterschool programs and activities which students could participate in while at home. The Counseling Department also hosted office hours in tandem with teachers, providing students with the opportunity to meet with one of our school counselors as needed. It was during this time that the Counseling Department realized it needed more personnel to support the lives of our students and growing community, especially as life began to return to a new normal.

With the hiring of an additional school counselor, the department had three full-time members seeking to address the needs of our Academy students.

Implementing a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum provided a map to bolstering students’ strength and resiliency for all life’s challenges.

“Meeting with students in a classroom setting and sharing specific lessons on topics we feel are needed by the student body became the basis for our Social Emotional Learning curriculum,” Ms. Gallo reflected. “We are the heart of the school, constantly communicating with students, parents/guardians, and teachers so we can understand what’s needed and how we can meet those needs.”

Student needs have grown more complex over the last few years, not only due to school-related anxieties, but also struggles beyond school with family, friends, relationships, and the like. These situations collaboratively contributed to the shifting foundation students found 44

themselves on in recent years and into the present, requiring additional attention and support.

“We sought to create stability in our students’ lives by addressing several identified needs in the last few years. We invited our School Resource Officer (SRO), Officer Faith Niemynski of the Florham Park Police Department, to talk about personal safety and managing students’ online presence. We did a workshop with JBWS, a non-profit agency that provides support for victims of abuse in Morris County, about forming healthy relationships and recognizing signs of abuse. And we arranged for different mental health presentations promoting stress management, test anxiety, time management, and mindfulness training,” shared Ms. Gallo.

Sustaining a Nurturing Environment The Counseling Department has allocated a great deal of time and resources to develop a nurturing environment for high school students and teenagers in

today’s world. An expanding Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum, which now incorporates a Freshman Seminar class to teach our newest SEAsters the importance of self-care plans and mindfulness, has sought to address the mental wellbeing of students from the moment they begin their journey at the Academy.

Additional programming, such as the newly incorporated Wings of Kindness initiative, blend the Academy’s affiliation with the Kind Campaign alongside the Wingman program, in an effort to build stronger, durable relationships between students and within our larger community.

“When we incorporated the Kind Campaign into addressing the needs of our students, the goal was not simply to focus on girl-on-girl bullying, for example, and simply be a one-time presentation,” said Ms. Walsh. “Rather, the idea of the Kind Campaign was for it to be a way of life at the Academy. And the program is student-led, student-driven, with bi-directional communication between the Counseling Department and the student leaders

“We are the heart of the school, constantly communicating with students, parents/guardians and teachers so we can understand what’s needed and

how we can meet those needs.”

Students meet regularly with their assigned school counselor, such as Ms. Gallo, to check-in on academic performance, social adjustment, and future aspirations.

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Ms. Walsh, Director of Counseling & Student Affairs, meets with Sonia Gavrilovic '25 for a touch point meeting in preparation for college application deadlines.

of the Kind Campaign. We receive our feedback from them about relevant topics to discuss and we, in turn, address those concerns through both the new Wings of Kindness program and other initiatives we offer.”

By gathering feedback directly from Wings of Kindness student leaders, who each moderate their own small group of Academy students throughout the school year, the Counseling Department seeks to create a sense of belonging within the school community. In each small group, different conversations and activities encourage students to discuss their thoughts and feelings with one another, providing a safe space to be vulnerable, without judgment or unsolicited advice. Each Wings of Kindness meeting becomes an opportunity to reflect, share, and grow together.

Wings of Kindness meetings include the integration of reflective and motivational activities, all focused on increasing students’ sense of self, relationships with others, and unity within the school community. One such activity, called “Warm and Fuzzies,” provides each student

with pieces of yarn to make a necklace.

To collect more pieces of yarn for the necklace, students go around the group and give a piece of yarn to their fellow SEAsters, while also sharing something nice about each person they meet. Each strand of these newly formed necklaces is symbolically interwoven with respect and admiration for one’s peers, strengthening the bonds of SEAsterhood within a supportive environment.

With the Counseling Department advancing current and future programming focused on promoting students’ wellbeing, the basis for such comes from the students themselves. This interplay has become the hallmark of being a school counselor in today’s world: seeking to identify the needs of a school population, which may vary from another school community, and developing schoolspecific strategies to address such needs.

“We need to have flexibility and the ability to pivot,” said Ms. Walsh, especially since “students’ needs vary day-to-day, hour-to-hour,” added Ms. Gallo.

Students’ needs have led to other

changes in daily life at the Academy, including the introduction of additional school-wide study periods, during which students can meet with teachers, study with their friends, or visit their school counselor. The opening of the Panther Peace Den on the 3rd Floor of Xavier Hall also became a space where students could go to relax and has even hosted bi-weekly meetings with one of several furry friends that visited from Creature Comfort Pet Therapy. And with the recent addition of a college counselor to the Academy’s staff, Ms. Jessica Garreffa, who focuses on working with our upperclasswomen as they explore their educational opportunities, our school counselors will now have more time to attend to providing academic support and mental wellness to our community.

Glimmers of Hope on the Horizon With the efforts already focused on promoting the mental wellbeing of our (continued on page 47)

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In seeking to integrate two different initiatives, the Kind Campaign and Wingman Program, the Academy created the Wings of Kindness program. Activities from the Wingman Program are adapted to the goals of the Kind Campaign, formulating a highly welcome environment where all girls can feel they matter and belong.

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Notes of gratitude can be found posted to the doors of our school counselors as brief, yet powerful, testimonies to they perform each day.

students in a rigorous academic setting, there are still numerous opportunities that can be explored, developed and prepared by the Counseling Department.

“Many students struggle with developing coping skills in today’s world. Our goal is to teach those skills, as well as encourage students to understand accountability and how they can work to alleviate such challenges. Part of this is due to a fear of failure, but in failure there are valuable lessons to be learned. We cannot pave the way for students without some bumps because that is not a realistic reflection of life,” said Ms. Walsh. “But when students can cope with present challenges and learn from them, it is then that they become empowered to handle any future difficulty.”

“Building resiliency in our students by teaching them problem solving tools involves balancing their ability to solve problems on their own with our support and encouragement,” Ms. Gallo further added.

Yet how resiliency is learned and employed by each student can vary greatly, leading to a need for differentiated instruction. To focus on providing greater assistance for students who have an IEP/ISP/504 Plan, the Academy created a new administrative role of Director of

The Counseling Department invited the Madison Chatham Coalition to visit the Academy, during which they supplied free stress-reducing items, including fidget spinners, calm sensory stickers, and the like for our students.

Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Services, currently filled by Mrs. Dawn Durkin, who works hand-in-hand with the Counseling Department to offer individualized, comprehensive plans for students who may need additional support. And in situations where outside support is needed, a collaborative approach is employed to meet student needs between our school counselors and students’ outside resources.

“We often work in collaboration with students’ outside resources as well, such

as their therapists or social workers, as a necessary component of developing an effective, individualized plan for students’ wellbeing,” explained Ms. Walsh.

And as the call to support and sustain students’ mental wellbeing continues to be an important aspect of school counseling services throughout the world, there are glimmers of hope that the work being done, especially here at the Academy, is having a positive impact on the life of our students.

Academy Wings of Kindness leaders pose after a two-day training session, hosted by the Wingman program.

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Afterword by Dr. Beth Azar

FAITH AS A GUIDING LIGHT As we enhance our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum, we additionally seek to integrate our Catholic faith and its faith-based values to promote wholeness and serenity.

In seeking to cultivate well-rounded young women who embody both spiritual depth and emotional intelligence, the Academy will continue to embed Catholic values into SEL practices, while creating a nurturing environment where students can develop a strong moral foundation. In this, students will continue to learn how to manage their emotions, build healthy relationships, and make ethical decisions.

The Counseling Department will continue to play a crucial role in this vision, offering support that aligns with the Church’s teachings on human dignity, love, and community.

This approach ensures that each student is seen and supported as a whole person—mind, body, and spirit—fostering both academic success and personal growth rooted in faith.

As we revise and update our entire school curriculum, this integration will be reflected through a balanced emphasis on both academic excellence and the development of virtues such as compassion, humility, and resiliency. Lessons in theology, ethics, and personal development will be interwoven with SEL concepts, allowing students to see the direct connection between their faith and everyday life experiences.

Through prayer, reflection, and active participation in bi-weekly Masses, students will be encouraged to draw upon their relationship with God as another source of strength in their life. Our overall vision aims to prepare young women not only for future academic and career success, but also for a life of service, leadership, and deep spiritual fulfillment, guided by the principles of their Catholic faith.

“We want our young women to have a strong sense of who they are, rooted in faith, confidence, resiliency, and coping skills to meet whatever challenges they need to overcome. That is our ultimate goal. By providing them a safe space to learn these important skills, students will not only find success in their academics, but in other areas of life as well,” both Ms. Walsh and Ms. Gallo shared.

And so, the course is set to continually venture forward, meeting individual needs of our students so they can persevere through all of life’s varied moments. In having our school counselors, administrators, faculty, staff, and students working together, we can resiliently face the future with steadier hands, stronger hearts, and calmer minds. Such allows our school’s mantra to become words etched into the very fabric of our community’s life: to live with “minds in wisdom, hearts in service, and lives of faith.”

Extending our deep appreciation to the Lomax Family for generously underwriting the leadership training and development through the Wingman program.

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1860 LEGACY SOCIETY Securing SEAsterhood for future generations of young women.

we either have to cut something or need to add something.

The Academy is the oldest Catholic high school for girls in New Jersey, building on a legacy of women since 1860. Our rich history and tradition of excellence can live on through a gift from your estate.

Planned giving creates a perpetual legacy in your name, through a provision in your will or estate. Your generosity will continue our mission

for generations of young women at the Academy.

W H E N T H E R E I S A W I L L , T H E R E I S A WAY .

For more information, please call 973.290.5226 or email mknight@aose.info Development Office | 2 Convent Rd. | Convent Station, NJ 07961 Do you have an IRA with a minimum annual distribution requirement?

Consider supporting the Academy with a Qualified Charitable Distribution directly from your IRA. Sample wording that can be used: “I give to the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, a New Jersey nonprofit corporation, or its successor, Federal Tax Identification Number 22-2738106 [insert here the exact dollar amount or other specific information].”

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STUDENT FEATURE

Exploring the

OCEAN DEEP A Student’s Open Water Voyage in Marine Biology

Brooke Wesbecker ‘27 Imagine standing on the deck of a research vessel, the salty breeze whipping through your hair as you prepare for a day of shark research. This dream was my reality during the captivating New Jersey 4-H Scientific Hands-On Applied Research Knowledge (S.H.A.R.K) Program that I was able to attend during April 2024. For four days, I lived on the scientific Research Vessel, named Garvin, in Biscayne Bay, located in Miami, Florida. Over the course of the program, I gained incredible insights and explored careers in Marine Science, as well as participated in field research in the 50

Biscayne Bay, working hands-on with sharks. Each and every shark we caught offered a memorable experience, as well as an incredible learning opportunity.

I was so grateful to have been able to work alongside experienced marine biologists who guided me and others along the way as we took part in the various research components on each shark we encountered. I actively participated in the capturing, measuring, fin clipping, tagging, and releasing the live sharks, which all enhanced my understanding of what field research is like in the open waters. From

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identifying different species to analyzing their ecological roles, every moment on the boat was a lesson that allowed me to gain respect and a deeper appreciation for these magnificent creatures who play an essential role in their habitat.

My fascination with Marine Biology traces back for as long as I can remember.

Trips to the beach with my family, as well as experiencing the underwater world firsthand through snorkeling excursions, captivated my attention and developed a profound devotion to protecting all marine life. The thrill of experiencing vibrant

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coral reefs and encountering colorful fish swimming through the clear waters has ignited a curiosity that has lived on in me ever since. My experience during this shark research program has reinforced my commitment to ocean conservation in my future college studies and beyond, as it became clearer to me that preserving marine life is not just about saving a single species, but protecting the delicate balance of life beneath the waves.

Beyond their fearsome reputation, sharks play a crucial role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. As apex predators, they regulate populations of prey species, ensuring the balance of the food chain. Their disappearance could trigger cascading effects throughout the ocean, impacting everything from coral reefs to commercial fisheries. The benefits

sharks provide are frequently overlooked because they are typically seen as intimidating creatures. This flawed perception increases the importance of advocating for their vital role in aquatic ecosystems across the globe.

As I reflect on my incredible experience during the 4-H S.H.A.R.K Program, I am grateful for every moment spent exploring sharks and taking a deeper dive into how much they mean to the underwater world they call home. Through education and advocacy, I plan to inspire others to appreciate and protect our oceans. Whether it be the thrill of encountering a shark up close, or the quiet wonder of observing them in their natural habitat from a boat, each aquatic experience has shaped my understanding and passion for marine conservation.

“It became clearer to me that preserving marine life is not just about saving a single species, but

protecting the delicate balance of life beneath the waves.”

Brooke spent four days with the New Jersey 4-H Scientific Hands-On Applied Research Knowledge (S.H.A.R.K) Program, studying the diverse marine line in Miami, Florida.

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ALUMNAENEWS Robin Deehan Giordano ‘06 Robin Deehan Giordano ‘06 and her husband, Michael, welcomed a beautiful baby boy this year. Edward Michael Giordano arrived February 10, 2024 weighing 8 pounds 12 ounces. Eddie is the first child for Robin and Michael, and the proud parents are overjoyed!

Barbara Maul Mulvee ‘00 Barbara joined the Board of Trustees for the Academy of Saint Elizabeth on July 1, 2024. She and her family have deep roots here at the Academy starting with her mother, Theresa Smith Maul ‘72, aunts, Anne Smith O’Connor ‘75 and Babs Smith Scureman '77 and sister, Carolyn Maul '06. Barbara brings a breadth of experience from the Financial Services industry with over 20 years experience across innovative strategic planning and leadership.

Caleigh McGough ‘18 Caleigh graduated from Catholic University in 2022 with a degree in International Economics and Finance. During her time there she was a member of the field hockey team and the university honors program. Presently, Caleigh is living in NYC working as an equity research associate for Wolfe Research covering publicly traded surface transportation companies. She expresses gratitude for her supportive teachers and opportunities during her time at the Academy setting her path to success!

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Kristen Riley Scher ‘04 Kristen just started her clinical year as a marriage, couple, and family therapist intern at Family Roots Therapy in Portland, Oregon. She is enjoyThe village of Polykastano, ing working with kids, teens, adults, and couples. located in northern Greece.

She is looking forward to graduating from her masters program next May. She lives in Portland with her spouse, Max, and her two daughters ages 7 and 3.

Pictured with Kristen and her family is her mother, Diane Riley, who proudly spent many hours as a parent volunteer at the Academy.

Some of our alumnae may remember Mrs. Riley in the main office covering for the school secretary, Mrs. Skidmore, after 9/11 while she grieved her husband. Diane moved to Oregon from New Jersey to be close to her grandchildren.

Mari Leslie Uhl Vuilleumier ‘72 At the age of 70, Leslie still lives and works in Ridgefield, CT. She is traveling with her husband and has been to Norway, Iceland, Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, and England , among other places, and looks forward to many more trips abroad. Leslie has two children, and her daughter shares her passion for education as a math teacher. Sister Lucy has rubbed off on the family. After attending her 50th SEA reunion via ZOOM two years ago, Leslie was able to meet up with many of her old classmates.

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Sarah Landi ‘11

Larisa Bohensky ‘20 Larisa Bohensky graduated from Moravian University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and a Bachelor of Arts in Management. Her artwork was shown at Payne Gallery in Bethlehem, PA, for her senior solo exhibition and senior thesis.

She completed an internship with Soft Machine Gallery in Allentown, PA, assisting with exhibition installation, social media management, and research for potential artists at Moravian.

Larisa was a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha, and held two leadership positions, Wellness chairman and Sisterhood chairman. Larisa was a member of the Moravian Equestrian team, placing in both of her classes in her final IHSA show. She was a member of Spiritual Fellowship, assisting with Bethlehem’s Christmas Vespers as a corner captain. She was inducted into Kappa Pi - International Art Honor Society, Phi Beta Delta - Honors Society for International Scholars, and Omicron Delta Epsilon - International Honors Society of Economics. Her plans are to start work in the art industry in a gallery, museum, or for another artist to gain some experience before planning to attend graduate school. Of course, she plans to continue creating her own art.

Sarah is currently living in Alexandria, Egypt where she has been residing for the last 4 years. Sarah taught English at an International school in the British Curriculum Department, she is now the accent and culture specialist/consultant for The American Egyptian Academy. Sarah has a German Shepherd named Wolf and is planning on going back to college to get a degree in Humanities and Communications. Since her time at the Academy, she has traveled, discovered new cultures and is working on learning the Arabic language. She thanks the teachers and her time at Saint Elizabeth’s for helping shape her life and ignite passions in teaching and helping others.

Cara Cavanaugh ‘12 Cara Cavanaugh ‘12 graduated from the Georgetown University Law Center in May. After taking the Bar exam this summer, she will be starting her legal career at the law firm Milbank LLP in their Washington, DC office. She anticipates joining the Transportation & Space Law practice group.

Julie McGee Verbaro ‘90 After a lifetime of memories in New Jersey, Julie and her husband, Joe, recently moved to Florida when their son, Joey, was accepted into the Disney college program. They currently live right outside Disney World and Julie works at Walt Disney World Golf operated by Arnold Palmer management. Their daughter Lindsey is a Junior at LSU and Joey will be a senior at UCF while continuing to work for Disney. It was the best decision they ever made. Their family does come back to the Jersey Shore during the summer, making it their new vacation getaway.

This year, Julie and Joe are excited to celebrate their 29th wedding anniversary.

Laura Kenny Kent ‘10 Congratulations to Laura Kenny Kent and her husband, Alex Kent, who welcomed a baby girl in April. Blair Grady Kent will be joining the class of 2042!

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Steffi Gannon Hugo ‘02 Steffi Gannon Hugo '02 visited her alma mater to speak with the Pollinator's Committee and other interested students about her distinguished career as a horticulturist and what such a career involves.

Currently working at Syngenta Flowers, Steffi not only shared her great wealth of knowledge and experience with our students, but also brought some beautiful flowers that were planted around campus by members of the Pollinator's Committee.

After graduation Steffi began her journey at Penn State University. She actively participated in the Horticulture Club which led into learning about flower judging and landscape competitions across the United States. This exposure gave her endless opportunities to explore the green industry. Upon graduation in 2006, Steffi participated in a Horticulture tour of the Netherlands with Penn State to gain insight into the industry. This tour explored nursery production to cut flowers for an

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in-depth knowledge of the options in Horticulture.

Steffi has worked in the landscape industry, for a perennial wholesaler, to making a move clear down the east coast to Florida where her talents began to flourish. Upon moving to Naples, FL Steffi was managing a 100-acre wholesale production farm. At this facility she was growing annuals, perennials, and various tropical plants. Through her six years with the team, she was nominated in 2015 for Young Grower. In 2019 she was awarded with the Top 40 under 40 thru Greenhouse Product News Magazine a top achievement in the industry and a coveted

accolade. She even has a flower named after her, Gaura lindheimeri ‘Steffi Dark Rose’ and ‘Steffi Blush Pink.’

From her earlier achievements and her determination to always strive for greatness, she is continuing to master her Horticulture skills within Syngenta Flowers where she is a Technical Lead. In this role she creates trials and experiments to collaborate with colleagues and growers alike for technical documents and research of new genetics coming to market.

Steffi loves traveling the world and seeing new cultures and of course plant material.

Cristina Zamora ‘15

Umaima Saleem Salibasic ‘12

In May 2021, Cristina graduated from Rutgers University with her Doctorate in Nursing Practice. She has since been working in primary care and recently transitioned to working as an aesthetic nurse practitioner. Additionally, she moved to Florida in April 2023 with her fiance Anthony. Recently, they returned home to their roots for their wedding in August 2024. Fellow alumnae, Lindsey Martinangelo Edsall ‘15 acted as her matron of honor and Marie Ricca ’16 was one of her bridesmaids.

Umaima Saleem ‘12 married Alen Salibasic, on Thursday, October 26, 2023.

The couple had their wedding at Arrow Park in the Hudson Valley region.

Fellow SEAsters, Christine Tran '12, Madelyn (Maddie) McCleary '12, and Rosemary Garofalo Mugurusa ‘06, served as bridesmaids, while Stephanie Garofalo O'Neill ‘12 served as matron of honor. The newlyweds honeymooned in Japan.

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SHARE THE

scoop!

Share your news to be featured in an upcoming issue of Legacy Magazine!

Email Megan Knight at mknight@aose.info

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alumnae news Webinar with New York Times Bestselling Author, Jennifer Breheny Wallace '90 The Academy of Saint Elizabeth was honored to have one of our esteemed alumna, New York Times Bestselling Author, Jennifer Breheny Wallace '90, host a webinar for her book, Never Enough - When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic - and What We Can Do About It. During the hour-long webinar hosted on March 6, 2024, Jennie spoke about her experiences as a transfer student at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, where she expressed feeling a sense of belonging and mattering. These experiences gave rise to her focused study on the importance of mattering, especially from a student's perspective, and how students today experience struggles with such in their personal, academic, and social lives.

A question-and-answer discussion followed, during which Jennie spoke about her research for Never Enough, her newly established Mattering Movement, and important insights she discovered throughout the compilation and writing process for her book.

The Academy of Saint Elizabeth community extends deep gratitude to Jennie for hosting this webinar with our community.

"My memories of St. E's are so warm.

It was such a caring community.

It was a community where no one was invisible. It was a sisterhood.

I am just so grateful for the wind beneath my wings that allowed me to soar."

—Jennifer Breheny Wallace '90, New York Times Bestselling Author

Megan Jacobs DiDominica ‘12 These Class of 2012 girls are growing their lady panther pack! (From left to right) Alyssa Julich Beresford with baby Parker, Gloria Pereira Paladino now a Medical Doctor, Miranda Telmany Garret, Lauren Savas Werner expecting baby Warner, Megan Jacobs DiDominica with baby Charlotte, Caitlin Hering, & Karly Seeley. Forever SEAsters, forever best friends!

Lily Moran ‘23 Lily is loving her University of Montana pre-med education and location.She has also made the Dean’s list the entire year. Lily gives credit to her Academy of Saint Elizabeth education!

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Stacey Aromando ‘84

Jaclyn Fraser ‘19 Jaclyn Fraser, now performing under her stage name Jaclyn Grace, released her debut single "Intertwine" on July 12, 2024. The song is available on all streaming platforms, and she is back in the recording studio every day, working on more new music set to release this year.

Jennifer Susan Malicher ‘97 My education at the Academy opened up so many opportunities. After college, Jennifer moved to China for 6 months and worked in Shanghai. After moving back to the USA, she earned her Masters in Cultural Anthropology. Jennifer worked as a professor and now works in the government in quality assurance. But the memories of the days Jennifer spent at the Academy are never far from her. Also, rest in eternal peace, Ms. O’Rourke. Jennifer shared, “She was truly one of the best teachers I ever had.”

Morgan Powers Geber ‘08 Morgan Powers ‘08 married Matthew Geber at Holy Family Chapel at the Academy on a beautiful Saturday in June. Matthew and Morgan reside in Los Angeles, California with their dog, Miri. Morgan works as a designer for Revolve and and Matthew works in software operations.

Former Faculty Members Enjoy a Walk Down Memory Lane Former Academy faculty members Jeanne Wallace Romeo, Peggy Kirby, Merle Chorba, Bella Nathan, and Maureen Capuzzi met for their annual summer luncheon July 17 at Pane Vino in Livingston. They continue to feel blessed to be part of the Academy family and shared many good memories together over lunch.

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Stacey has lived in Nutley, New Jersey since 1990 and worked in Boston and New York City in the medical field and veterinarian field as a patient care secretary and medical assistant. She has been in the medical profession for over 35 years performing administrative duties to include credentialing, billing, transcription, stress tests, and EKGs. She is a mother of two, Hailey Marie, age 30, a music producer and engineer for Sirius XM radio and independently owned music label, and Derek Jordan, age 17 who will graduate from DePaul Catholic High School next June. Both kids are AP Honor students and are avid basketball players as well as track and field athletes.

Stacey recently published her first book through Christian Faith Publishing and an audiobook through Findaway Voices NYC exclusively produced by Hailey Marie Aromando Sirius XM both projects are about hope and surviving. Stacey also battled a small lesion of a diagnosis of cancer but a short surgical excision found no cancer cells but a condition called atypical hyperplasia. Stacey feels blessed and grateful that she was given a second chance. She enjoys Pinot's Palette, exercising with both Namaste Yoga and walking with light running from time to time. Stacey has worked for Kings Supermarkets in Bedminster for 11 years where her parents have resided for forty years since moving from Whippany. As an advocate for Veterans and animal rights, she believes in paying it forward. She reflects on all the fun times she had at the Academy of St Elizabeth and is grateful to her parents and all the teachers who helped her along the way.

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alumnae news

Front row from left to right: Pat Curran Hulla, Sue Bartsch Casana, Mary Foley Paul, Cathy Clemente Tombari. Back row: Cecilia Carson Skove, Betsy Keuthen Downing, Mary Pellek Pyle, Leanne Fosbre.

Class of ‘69 Reunion Eight classmates from the Class of 1969 rented a large Victorian home in Tybee Island, Georgia, owned by author Mary Kay Andrews. Hailing from Colorado, Texas, Washington, upstate New York, Colorado, Virginia and New Jersey, the group enjoyed remembering their time at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth. They enjoyed walks along the sand, dinners at the Crab Shack and the Deck, and visited the famous lighthouse. Classmates unable to join them were included via Zoom. It was such a wonderful time that plans are being made for a 2025 meet-up in San Antonio, Texas.

A Golden Milestone for Class of ‘73 The Class of 1973 celebrated their 50 year reunion immediately following the Class of 2023’s Baccalaureate Mass in Holy Family Chapel on Saturday, June 3, 2023. The reunion reception was held after mass in the Moran Library for dinner, drinks and the reconnection of over 20 SEAsters.

Sr. Patricia Codey and Mrs. Eileen Murphy Russick participated in the Alumnae Association Induction Ceremony at the end of Baccalaureate Mass, welcoming the next group of SEAsters into the legacy of generations of women.

Class of ‘03 Reunion

Class of ‘83 Reunion

On October 14, 2023 the members of the Class of 2003 celebrated their 20 year reunion in the Moran Library at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth.

The Academy welcomed over 30 SEAsters back home to enjoy dinner and drinks together on a Saturday evening. The group walked down memory lane on a tour while they laughed and shared stories of high school years.

On Saturday, November 25, the Class of 1983 celebrated their 40 year reunion at the Academy. Alumnae enjoyed dinner, cocktails and lots of laughter while reminiscing together in the Moran Library. Many memories were recalled as the group revisited their old classrooms, stairwells and hallways.

Those who couldn’t attend in person were able to catch up and chat with their classmates via Zoom. Many thanks to Tara Tierney Ramsey, Maryalice Dunne, Christina Conlin Waggoner, Elizabeth Edwards, Beth Lang Powell, Valerie Brown Fritz and Melissa Beneduce Marcantonio for their tireless work in organizing a wonderful celebration with 25 classmates from all over the country.

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REUNION

round-up

Celebrate your upcoming Class Reunion at the Academy!

We’d love to help you plan your special event with your SEAsters! Email Megan Knight at mknight@aose.info

In attendance (not in any particular order): Carmen Cefolo-Pane, Siobhan (Murray) Kirk, Jackie Walsh, Gina Erhard Devine, Sue Verge Kaminski, Joanne Chormanski, Colleen (Kennedy) Huber, Charlene McHugh, Katen (Loia) Fulton, Pierrette (Ranieri) Zaia, Mary (Lusardi) Ansell; Halena (Marusyn) Yasko, Kathleen Madaras, Kris (Verhalen) Turner, Michelle (Thurnagel) Werling, Jennifer Luke Bean, Lori Roberts, Mary Ellen (Downs) Hagstoz, and Megan Campbell.

Class of ‘84 Reunion

(Photo credits to Karen Fulton, Mary Ellen Hagstoz, and Megan Campbell).

The class of 1984 celebrated our 40th reunion at the home of Mary Ellen (Downs) Hagstoz in Brielle NJ on June 22. The reunion was organized by Mary Ellen, Carmen Cefolo-Pane and Karen (Loia) Fulton. Twenty members of the class of 1984 attended and traveled from as far away as Florida, Bermuda, and Vermont. They had a great afternoon catching up and reminiscing about their time at the Academy.

Class of ‘74 Celebrates 50 Years!

The Class of 1974 celebrated its 50th Reunion on Sunday, June 6, exactly 50 years to the date of their graduation.

Former faculty members, Sr. Geraldine O’Brien, Sr. Marie Russo, Mr. George Pantos, and Mrs. Constance McKenna were all present and made the day extra special.

SEAsters reconnected in the Study Hall, recounting their favorite Academy memories, reminiscing through their yearbooks, and taking a tour of campus to see new renovations.

A special thanks goes to Mrs. Candy Camdus Nunn and her husband Bill for all of the effort and planning it took to gather over 25 members of the class for this milestone reunion.

CL ASS OF 1974

$10,000 Scholarship 58

An anonymous member of the class created a Class of 1974 scholarship with a $10,000 matching gift to inspire her classmates to contribute an additional $10,000 to help students with financial hardships. Thank you SEAsters for taking care of our current generation of SEAsters.

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HERstory

Allison Shannon '23 high fives her fellow SEAsters after receiving her diploma during the Class of 2023 Commencement Ceremony.

HERStory:

Nostalgic Reflections of the Academy Allison Shannon ‘23 he Academy of Saint Elizabeth was Leaving the familiar walls of the Acad- the chaos, the foundation of our friendT more than a school; it was where our emy was bittersweet. Stepping into the ship remained unshaken. friendship found its roots. Amidst the echoing singing in the halls and the hushed laughter in the classrooms of that small, all-girls Catholic high school, I found two of my best friends, Maggie Sullivan and Annie Bruder. Little did we know that our bond would carry us through the whirlwind of change awaiting us at Indiana University, halfway across the country.

vastness of IU's campus felt like diving into an ocean of possibilities and uncertainties.

But I wasn't navigating this new world alone—Maggie and Annie were by my side.

College life was a flurry of lectures, new faces, and the pursuit of individual passions. We made new friends, explored different interests, and delved into the depths of our chosen paths. But amidst

The Academy of Saint Elizabeth had prepared us for this transition in ways we didn’t even realize. The camaraderie, the support, and the shared experiences had woven our friendship into an unbreakable connection. When the challenges of college life loomed large, the memories of our high school days became a lifeline.

The Academy had been our launching

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Allie stands at the entrance to Indiana University, the place she now calls home following graduation from the Academy.

“Nurtured in the Academy’s corridors

our bond transcended the miles between New Jersey and Indiana.” pad, preparing us not only academically, but also for life beyond its walls. The values instilled in us — compassion, resilience, and the importance of sisterhood—were the guiding principles that held our friendship intact amidst the vastness of college life.

We had our own circles of friends, our unique interests, but the tie that bound us was unyielding. In moments of uncertainty or loneliness, I found solace in the fact that I could knock on Maggie’s door or text Annie, and they'd be there. The comfort of having them nearby, even amidst the hecticness of a large university, was immeasurable.

Our friendship remained steadfast amid new experiences. It wasn't about doing everything together; it was about

knowing that no matter what, we had each other's backs. Nurtured in the Academy's corridors, our bond transcended the miles between New Jersey and Indiana.

We were a testament to the enduring power of friendships forged in the hallowed halls of high school. Without the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, our paths might never have crossed, and our bond might not have thrived. It was because of those shared moments and the unwavering support we found in each other that we remained friends, navigating the beginnings of college together. At the end of the day, the Academy of Saint Elizabeth wasn't just a place where we received an education; it was where we learned the true essence of friendship and support.

Allie was also joined at Indiana University by her fellow SEAsters Annelisse Bruder '23 and Maggie Sulliven '23, brining with them fond memories of their time in Convent Station.

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The Academy proudly presented an “Enchanted Evening,” the 2024 Senior Gala & Gift Auction on Thursday, May 16 at the Birchwood Manor. The many achievements of the Class of 2024 were celebrated alongside family and friends.

Our deepest appreciation to our generous sponsors whose support helped raise $100,000 for the Seton Fund:

LOVE STORY SPONSOR The Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth

ROSE GARDEN SPONSORS The Bragagnolo Rose Family ‘24 The D’Angelo Family ‘24 The Fox Family ‘24 The Malone Family ‘19 & ‘24

The Marsh Family ‘19, ‘23, ‘24 The Lisco Family ‘20 & ‘24 The Montaruli Family ‘24 The Paragano Family ‘24

Special thanks to the following individuals for their tireless work in creating a night to remember: EVENT CHAIR Tammy Bruno, P ‘25 GIFT AUCTION CHAIRS Deborah Lombardi P ‘22

SENIOR WALL COMMITTEE Tammy Bruno, P ‘25 Megan Knight P ‘24 Deborah Lombardi P ‘22

RESERVATIONS CHAIR Marguerite Toohey, P ‘25

DADS SUPERHERO CHAIR Steve Tractenberg, P ‘26

FAMILY DONATIONS & RAFFLES Laura Santoriello, P ‘20, ‘23, ‘25

STAGE MANAGERS Getchel Lubke, P ‘25 Gabrielle O’Connor P ‘27

MASTER OF CEREMONIES - Anne Servitto, P '21, '24

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The Academy’s signature spring event raised an incredible $100,000 for the Seton Fund!

Thank you to everyone from our Academy of Saint Elizabeth community who joined us for a truly magical and enchanted evening!

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A Transformative

LEGACY The remarkable life and leadership of Ann Marie Lauenstein Korologos ‘59 64

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LEFT: When President Reagan welcomed Ann to his Cabinet as Secretary of Labor, he called her a ‘woman of uncommon experience and competence, and a woman who will continue the tradition of strong leadership.‘

ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT Written by Megan Knight Ann Marie Lauenstein Korologos ‘59

One could say Ms. Ann Marie Lauenstein Korologos ‘59, was a friend of the Academy since before she was born. Both her mother, Marie Koelhoffer ‘27, and her aunt, Loretta Koelhoffer ‘29, attended the Academy as young women together.

As Ann remembered her mother and aunt at the Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2016, she recalled, “This is a very special occasion for me for many reasons. Both my mother and my aunt also graduated from St. Elizabeth's. And if they were here in person, not just in spirit, they would be proud and pleased that you

have asked me to speak at an event that marked such an important point in their lives at a school that meant so very much to them and to me. Prepared by St. Elizabeth's to confidently make their way in the world, my mother and my aunt were among the groundbreaking women who left here in the 1920s to go on to earn college degrees. Just think of the ways the world has changed for women since that time. Every St. Elizabeth's graduate here today is college bound. I congratulate you and applaud you.”

Ms. Lauentstein Korologos was an

active member of her class participating in many extracurricular activities such as Student Council, Mission Unit, the Athletic Association, Music Club, Debate Club and of course, one of the longest standing student run activities – The Beth. She also played basketball and field hockey. She held many leadership positions, which surely helped prepare her for a prolific professional career in public service throughout her life. As with all young women who walk the halls, whether today or years past, there is a deep bond Academy graduates share. Ann supported her alma mater throughout the years, investing in the future and helping to preserve the school’s legacy.

When Ann served as a trustee for the Kellogg Corporation she was given the opportunity to participate in a new initiative called, “The Charitable Directors Award” which was a program specifically designed to allow Kellogg trustees to participate in transformative philanthropy for charitable cause(s) of their choosing.

Trustees could select up four charities to split their gift among. Ann designated the Academy of Saint Elizabeth as the single awardee for her gift.

In May 2023, Ms. Megan Knight, Director of Development & Alumnae Relations, was notified by the office of the President & CEO of Kellogg (now Kellanova) that the Academy of Saint Eliza(continued on page 67)

Ann shares a joyous moment with Sr. Francis Maria Cassidy, SC, at a charity dinner (date unknown).

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When President Reagan announced his intention to nominate Ann as his Secretary of Labor, he remarked, “She’s proven her skill and dedication. She’s placed her stamp on our so-called revolution.”

“Between 1989 and 1990, Ann oversaw the President’s Commission on Aviation Security and Terrorism, which was formed in response to the 1988 bombing of Pan Am(erican) Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, by Libyan terrorists.”

Excerpt from an obituary by Clay Risen, New York Times

In 2000 Ann married Tom Korologos, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Belgium from 2004 to 2007.

Tom recently visited the Academy of Saint Elizabeth during Catholic Schools Week ‘24. He joined us in Holy Family Chapel for a special Mass dedicated in Ann’s memory, following her death in January 2023 at age 81.

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Ann was invited to be the Commencement Speaker for the Academy of Saint Elizabeth Class of 2016.

She told the graduates, “Prepared by St. Elizabeth’s to confidenty make their way in the world, my mother and my aunt were among the groundbreaking women who left here in the 1920’s to go on to earn college degrees. Just think of the ways the world has changed for women since that time.”

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beth was designated as the sole recipient of a $1,000,000 gift through their Director’s Charitable Award program.

On Tuesday, January 30, the Academy of Saint Elizabeth community gathered in Holy Family Chapel for Mass celebrating not only Catholic Schools Week, but also the memory of Ann Marie Lauenstein Korologos ‘59, an incredibly kind benefactor of the Academy. Ann's husband, Ambassador Tom Korologos, and her family and friends traveled from Washington

D.C. to join over 300 students, faculty members and the Sisters of Charity to remember Ann on the one year anniversary of her death.

A special thank you to Mr. Matthew Scalaro, P '16, member of the Knights of Saint Elizabeth who co-hosted the Korologos family with Ms. Knight. Matt's daughter, Emilia, graduated the year that Mrs. Korologos was our esteemed commencement speaker. The student leaders from Toward Boundless Charity participated

in all aspects of Mass and shared the profound history of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth and the Academy of Saint Elizabeth.

We are deeply grateful to Ambassador Korologos who graciously sponsored the luncheon following Mass for the Sisters and Toward Boundless Charity students to break bread together, share stories and bond over an incredible legacy we share.

HERstory

“But above all, because you were exposed to the Great Truths and Mysteries that religious belief offers freely to the prepared mind, you learned values.

It is those values that will provide a compass to guide you through the next stage of your journey on to college and then for the rest of your lives.”

Do you want to be a part of the Academy legacy with a transformative gift?

Make a meaningful difference for the students who call the Academy their home today and for future generations.

Contact Megan Knight at mknight@aose.info Ann cuts her graduation cake after her commencement ceremony in 1959. Pictured here is the original diploma of Miss Julia Marie Lauenstein, the presumed paternal aunt of Ann who graduated in June 1927.

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COMMENCEMENT 2024

CLASS OF

2 24

The Academy Legacy Continues The Class of 2024 celebrated their Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2, 2024, surrounded by their family, friends, and fellow SEAsters.

The two-day celebration was filled with great excitement, especially since many of our graduates did not experience an 8th Grade graduation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making the occasion all the more memorable. With our 58 graduates preparing to embark on journeys across the United States ofAmerica and abroad to further education, Commencement weekend was an opportunity to look back on how much our SEAsters overcame in pursuit of this momentous occasion.

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Baccalaureate Mass Highlighted the Importance of Faith in the Journey Ahead Gathered in Holy Family Chapel, the Class of 2024 Baccalaureate Mass was celebrated on the Feast of Corpus Christi, or the Feast of the Most Precious Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Mass celebrant, Fr. Thomas Fallone, connected the feast day’s commemoration with the afternoon’s celebration of our graduates, reminding them that the Eucharist was food for the journey ahead, beyond graduation and throughout the entirety of life itself.

The music for the Mass was supervised by Academy Choir Director Mrs. Alexandra Carroll, with accompaniments from an organist and trumpeter. The angelic voices of the Academy choir filled the sacred space, intermixing ancient hymns and contemporary songs of praise.

Following the Mass, Ms. Megan Knight, Director of Development & Alumnae Relations formally inducted our graduates into the Academy Alumnae

Association. Each graduate received a packet consisting of their membership card and letters from fellow SEAsters containing words of inspiration and support. The packets were handed to the graduates by fellow SEAsters Caroline Arre Olivieria ‘02, who was also the weekend’s Commencement Speaker, and Maggie Leuzarder '02.

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COMMENCEMENT 2024

Commencement Ceremony Celebrates With Abounding Grace and Gratitude On a bright, Sunday afternoon, the Class of 2024 exited the front doors of the Motherhouse for the last time as Academy students, making their way to the front lawn for their Commencement Ceremony. Greeted by their flower girls, our graduates were showered with applause from family, friends, and fellow SEAsters attending the beautiful ceremony.

Sister Maureen Shaughnessy, SC, General Superior of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, offered an opening prayer, invoking God’s blessing and continued guidance in the lives of our graduates.

Maria Clara Bragagnolo Rose ‘24, Salutatorian, then welcomed the graduates and their guests, reflecting on the abounding graces the Class of 2024 received by being students at the Academy. After awards and diplomas were distributed, Morgan Lomax ‘24, Valedictorian, spoke to the nature of the Academy’s deeply rooted SEAsterhood, which extends throughout many generations, through proper nurturing and

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care. Morgan’s Valedictory Address is featured in its entirety on page 65.

Dr. Azar then shared a story with the graduates about an often forgotten friend, especially in the 21st Century: Ticonderoga No. 2. The power of Ticonderoga No. 2, Dr. Azar shared, does not come from access to WiFi or a computer, but rather when such is paired with a simple piece of paper used to solve a problem, take notes in class, or even write a letter home to loved ones and friends.

Before the graduates processed out at the end of the ceremony, they sang the Alma Mater with great pride in the journey they traveled throughout the last four years and in anticipation of the journey ahead, knowing they can come back home to their “Alma Mater true.” The Academy is always ready to welcome back our SEAsters, and our administrators, faculty, staff and current students look forward to doing so for the Class of 2024 in the future!

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Valedictory Address: The Roots of SEAsterhood Morgan Lomax '24, Valedictorian

Good afternoon, Dr. Azar, Mrs. Corvo, Sisters of Charity, fellow graduates, faculty, family, friends, and guests.

If anyone has followed nature-related news lately, you may have heard of the Wood Wide Web. Scientists propose that trees communicate via delicate fungal threads which constitute an underground web so dense that there can be hundreds of miles of fungi under just one footstep. I think this discovery is a perfect metaphor for the gift our St. E’s education has afforded us: a solid support system.

Like plants, people rely on each other.

At the Academy, we grew and learned together, working through challenges ranging from Freshman year’s frog dissection lab to Senior year’s rising cookie prices.

The start of our journey was eclipsed by a global pandemic. On the first day of classes in 2020, we were introduced to each other six-feet-apart and masked.

Some of us were eager to return to in-person classes, while others maybe not so much. But, the real beauty is that behind our masks were people whose stories we uncovered and added to throughout high school. Our class comes from many different towns and backgrounds, yet we are joined by our shared time at St. E’s. Much like the Wood Wide Web, our interactions

with one another have strengthened us as individuals, and with it the success of the whole. And like these natural webs, we as people are messy. Everyone has a distinct web of connections which form who they are and who they are becoming. Yet, today’s young people are squeezed into certain boxes.

Whether it be the pressures of maintaining high extracurricular involvement or fitting a social group, we are encouraged

to develop a consistent self-narrative that will guarantee us success later on. This simplification is facilitated by social media.

On these platforms, we present a curated image of ourselves to society, literally destroying the real world in order to power the fictitious. Because nature is far from perfect, we are made to believe that we are insufficient as we are; our innate complexity is condensed into a digestible (continued on page 66)

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COMMENCEMENT 2024 brand, in natural competition with other brands and “other” girls. In this public square, we are exposed to illusions that profit on insecurities, breeding comparisons. Our entanglement in this environment slowly dims our own, God-given light. As singer Olivia Rodrigo famously stated, “it's brutal out here.”

But, we can counter this, and I've seen it in my fellow graduates’ actions: it is reinforcing and celebrating each other’s individuality. At the Academy, we have been gifted with a supportive community and the confidence to develop our talents.

When we accept our infinite potential for growth, we can reach greater heights in academics and maturity. I believe this community has encouraged us to accept the authentic, multifaceted individuals we are, enriching our lives now and in the years to come. In other words, we will continue to be affected by the indelible impressions left by this network, both as recipients of its blessings and as contributors. One of my favorite Wood Wide Web theories is that the network persists because trees share their resources when their neighbors require aid. Through Nature’s version of the internet, trees transfer resources and signals to bolster the health of the entire forest system.

I think we can learn from nature’s example. To maintain a strong community, it's imperative that we actively seek to help others. In theology class, we were taught that “the greatest among you will be your servant.” Gratitude is best expressed through service toward others. As we depart from the Academy, now is the time to make good on what we learned within its halls. Whether it be academic or personal, our education has been enhanced through involvement in the Academy’s legacy. We had the privilege of obtaining a St. E's education, and we now have the honor of applying the lessons we learned to shape the future we desire.

Even though the rest of our stories are still unwritten, one thing is certain: we will face adversity. Like in nature, there will be 72

We must exercise the wisdom to cherish what we have in the present,

and strive for a better future. times of both rain and shine, night and day. I encourage my fellow graduates to embrace this variability. Like when cultivating your unique person, seek to be an active participant in your journey. Have the courage to overcome complacency and take the road less traveled by, but hold respect for the worn path and its travelers.

Every hill is one of a kind, and all possess their own stunning contour. We must exercise the wisdom to cherish what we have in the present and strive for a better future, for ourselves and others. Success

nor failure are final, and it is up to us to find meaning in the journey.

Ultimately, the lessons learned in our time at the Academy extend beyond the doors of Xavier Hall. Now is the time to celebrate all that we have become and the endless possibilities we inherit. Like the networks of the forest, the connections we made here are robust and will continue to support us so long as we give in return.

Just remember your roots as you reach for the stars.

Morgan Lomax '24 received several academic awards during the 2024 Commencement Ceremony, including the Social Studies Award, the Sister Francis Maria Cassidy Award for English, and the Sister Helen James O'Donnell Award for Mathematics.

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Building Doors of Opportunity: Caroline Arre Oliveira ‘02, Commencement Speaker

As the Honorable Caroline Arre Oliveria ‘02 began her Commencement Speech, she recalled many fond memories of her time at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, especially the Calendar Party, Alma Mater Competition, meeting a (then) brand-new teacher by the name of Mr. Yarnall, and sharing the storied wooden lockers with her best friend, Maggie Leuzarder ‘02. However, the focus on Caroline’s speech was not that of the past wooden lockers and the countless women who have used such throughout the last several decades, but rather on the wooden doors of opportunity that awaited members of the Class of 2024. This was the story of Caroline herself: a story of discovery during her time at the Academy, as well as her entering and building doors of opportunity that brought her to the current career as a judge for the Superior Court of Morris County.

The process of self-discovery began with her membership in the Academy’s Mock Trial team, which competed at the Morris County Courthouse, an approximately 10-minute drive from the front gates of Convent Station to the heart of Morristown. It was there that Caroline experienced her first interactions in a court-

room, something which became deeply seated in her heart for years to come.

Following her graduation from the Academy in 2002, Caroline attended Boston College, where she was a Sister Thea Bowman Scholar and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a minor in Secondary Education. However, it was then that Caroline realized her passion was rooted in the legal profession, a seed planted in Convent Station and now blossoming into a door of opportunity that would take her on a journey into an unanticipated, yet highly successful future.

Caroline enrolled in Suffolk University Law School, taking part in their evening program while working full-time as a paralegal. While there, Caroline was awarded the Libman Scholarship and was a Suffolk Public Interest Law Group Fellow.

Upon receiving her Juris Doctor degree, Caroline was a judicial law clerk in Hudson County, and then joined the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office as an assistant prosecutor. She later worked as a deputy attorney general at the Office of the Attorney General in the Office of Public Integrity & Accountability. Following her work as a criminal prosecutor, she was nominated by New Jersey Governor Phil

Murphy to be a judge on the Superior Court of Morris County. She was subsequently confirmed by the State Senate, and officially sworn in on June 26, 2023.

Caroline currently presides in the Family Division, in the same courthouse which beckoned her as an Academy student for Mock Trial competitions, and which still stands 10 minutes from the front gates of Convent Station. However, instead of entering those wooden doors at 56 Washington Street, Morristown, as a student, Caroline now is welcomed through those same doors as an example of how determination and hard work can lead to opportunity and success.

However, Caroline does not consider herself the prototype of a woman creating opportunities for herself, especially within the legal field. Rather, she takes the perspective of following in the footsteps of strong women before her, especially that of Mary Philbrook, a pioneering trailblazer who forever transformed the role of women in society and the workforce.

The following is a part of Caroline’s Commencement Speech, detailing the story of Mary Philbrook and how her story not only built the door of opportunity for all women, but planted the seeds of (continued on page 72)

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COMMENCEMENT 2024 success for generations to come. Caroline also reflected on the important lessons and values which Academy graduates can rely upon throughout their life, wherever opportunity presents itself.

“In my legal career, I have on multiple occasions come across the story of a remarkable woman, Mary Philbrook, who lived right here in New Jersey. Philbrook’s story is one of creating opportunity – not only for herself, but for others.

Philbrook was born in 1872, not long after the Academy was founded. Her family later moved to New Jersey, where as a young woman, she worked at a law firm, which was rare in the 1800s. At the time in 1894, the law in New Jersey said that “any citizen” could petition to join the bar. Following her apprenticeship at the law firm, Philbrook decided to take a bold step forward and petitioned to join the bar, arguing equal protection guarantees to all citizens - men and women. The New Jersey Supreme Court denied her application because no other woman had ever previously applied.

But that didn’t stop Mary Philbrook.

She kept persevering and sought the support of the New Jersey Woman Suffrage Association. She lobbied the New Jersey legislature to enact a law that would allow women to practice. That law was passed.

And in 1895, she became the very first female lawyer in New Jersey, paving the way for generations of women who would come after her.

Philbrook remained professionally active for another twenty years or so, including an ongoing commitment to an equal rights amendment to the state constitution. This is not to say she did not face challenges. But Philbrook persevered. And Philbrook, at 75 years old, organized a coalition of women’s groups to lobby for the replacement of the word “men” to the word “persons” in the New Jersey Constitution.

This important work helped pave the way for equal protection rights and the 74

Excerpts of Caroline's yearbooks, including her Mock Trial team photo. Caroline now serves as a presiding judge at the Morris County Courthouse, the same courthouse where her Mock Trial team competed when she was an Academy student.

prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex.

Opportunity is defined as “a set of circumstances that make it possible to do something.” Just like Mary Philbrook, you must create the circumstances that will make your dreams possible, and then MAKE IT HAPPEN. What does it mean to create the circumstances for the possibility of success? It means that you put in the hard work. You work tirelessly to set yourself up for success. Not everything in life is going to be easy. I have yet to meet one

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person who has not encountered setbacks in some way, shape, or form, either personally or professionally on their journeys.

Disappointment need not be a detour from your final destination. You continue on.

As you go forth from today to pursue higher education and beyond, I urge you to remain steadfast in your commitment to your own goals. Be flexible when necessary. Dr. Azar read some of my professional history. I actually went to college thinking I was going to be a high school teacher, and when I was at Boston

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“Be who God meant you to be and

you will set the world on fire.”

College I had the opportunity to work for a semester in an urban high school. I realized I was not cut out for it, and it was not the best fit. But I remained open minded and decided to study education policy.

That led to my wanting to study special education laws. After law school, I thought I would end up at a firm but instead took a clerkship. I loved the courtroom, the trials.

I never imagined I would practice criminal law until I landed at the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. So stay flexible, stay open minded. If you have plan A, you may find you also need plan B, C, D. E. Things don’t always turn out exactly as you expect.

Some of the best experiences you’ll

have in life will come out of nowhere and take you by surprise.

Ladies, you’ve already taken necessary initial steps to set yourself up for success.

Although you are leaving the Academy, the Academy and what you have learned here will always be with you. Just about an hour ago I found myself in a text chain with a teacher who taught me when I was a student here, the woman who was the mock trial team coach when I was on the team here. It’s particularly special for me because when I was on the team I competed at the Morris County Courthouse right down the street. When I first stepped into that courthouse it was as a student on the mock trial team. It’s the same courthouse where I now sit as a judge. Your experiences, relationships, and friendships from the Academy don’t end today. This is part of who you are. You possess the values of hard work and discipline, community service and commitment to social justice.

These values comprise the cornerstone of character, and together with your faith, inform who you are meant to be. You already have a strong academic foundation.

Today, you graduate from the oldest

Caroline’s husband holds the Bible as she is being sworn in, while her father administers the oath on June 26, 2023..

Catholic all-girls high school in the State of New Jersey. You are part of the legacy of young women who graduated from the Academy gaining not only confidence, but also sisterhood.

Like Mary Philbrook in her pursuit of equal rights for women, my hope for you today is that you take what you have learned in your four years here, remember who you are and what you are capable of, and create opportunity for yourself and others.

When I graduated, I sat in the audience right where you are all sitting now. A woman spoke at my commencement ceremony. I don’t remember her name, I don’t remember what she said, but I am sure it was all lovely. I hope that my message has inspired you. If not, that’s ok, too. Because what matters in the end are not the words I have said to you on this one day. What matters is what you do with all the days ahead of you.

In closing, I leave you with the words of St. Catherine of Siena: ‘Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.’ May God speed and bless you on your way.”

Caroline’s investiture ceremony was held on September 20, 2023 at the Morris County Courthouse. The judge on the bench next to Caroline is the Assignment Judge for Morris County, Judge Minkowitz.

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Stronger TOGETHER Our collective contribution ensures the Academy will continue to thrive.

By Mrs. Laura Santoriello, P ‘20, ‘23 and ‘25

My family has had the privilege of being a part of the Academy community for nearly nine years now. Our oldest daughter Casey ‘20, along with myself and my husband Paul, were hooked from the very first time we visited the Academy for an Open House in 2015. I can fondly recall being in awe of the historic campus, full of history and beauty, and of the warm welcome extended to us by the Academy’s administration, faculty, and students as we entered their home away from home. A few years after Casey chose the Academy

as her home, our daughters Lauren ‘23 and Colleen ‘25, made the same decision.

Our decision was an easy one, as it turned out to be the best decision for our family. Our oldest daughter, Casey, started her high school journey in Fall 2016. Her two younger sisters, Lauren and Colleen, soon followed in her footsteps a few years later. Each of our daughters are unique unto themselves, as most siblings tend to be, yet they were still able to experience a deep sense of belonging as soon as they entered the front doors.

“For when we are a family, we are

stronger and better together.”

Colleen, Lauren, Laura, Paul, Casey and Ryan Santoriello

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As a parent, I also experienced that same sense of belonging as I was drawn to the beauty and sense of community that the Academy fostered. Volunteering as a member of the Parents’ Association has allowed me to be a part of my daughters’ Academy journeys, providing immense fulfillment and meaning for me, especially as a mother. From chairing events to being a class parent, and now in my third term as President of the Parents’ Association, I have found myself surrounded by countless incredible mothers and fathers, all of whom support our school with unending pride. We work together as a family to sustain the mission of the Academy as it enters into the 165th year of empowering young women in New Jersey. This has been an enriching experience for parents and students alike.

For when we are a family, we are stronger and better together.

As I approach the sunset year of my family’s Academy journey, my heart is full of gratitude for every experience and accomplishment my daughters had during their time here. They have learned how to effectively communicate with others, prioritize their voice, and understand when they need to advocate for themselves.

These are just a few of the essential life skills they gained while also balancing their academic responsibilities, athletic participation, and involvement in extracurricular

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clubs/activities. And when the time came for our daughters to transition to college life, such was seamless, in large part because they were so well prepared from their Academy experience. They have become confident young women with the courage and compassion to be leaders in their chosen paths.

Looking back on our family’s Academy experience (and as we are about to become empty nesters in the coming year), Paul and I would not change a thing, and I know that our daughters would wholeheartedly agree, too. The Academy is truly a home away from home where all girls can discover comfort in being themselves.

My reminiscing reminds me of how important our communal support is to the Academy’s ongoing success. In an effort to promote even greater parent support, the Knights of Saint Elizabeth was founded in 2021 by a group of current and alumnae fathers who also shared in the same amazing experiences my family had because of the Academy.

As with all Catholic schools, the reality is that tuition is not enough to cover the

many operating expenses to support our mission. The Knights of Saint Elizabeth desire to make a difference and endeavor to support the Academy in ensuring that the quality academics, determined athletic teams, support of the arts, amazing traditions, and spiritual development continue to benefit countless young women in the future.

The Academy’s halls are lined with the photos of past graduating classes who have benefited from this historic institution. Those photos are a testament to the years of amazing growth and change at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth. In recent years, the school has also grown, through the completed renovation of the Panther Den, a restoration of the Moran Library, and an updating of our beautiful Study Hall and Main Offices, all of which is a reminder of a grand history that Mother Mary Xavier Mehegan, SC began when she founded our school in 1860.

As we celebrate the 165th anniversary of the founding of the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, I ask, on the behalf of the Knights of Saint Elizabeth and all current and future students, that you prayerfully

consider a donation to the Elizabeth Ann Seton Fund as an investment in the continued future of the Academy of Saint Elizabeth.

If your means allow, please consider investing at the Founders’ Circle level of $1,860 in honor of our founding year.

The Knights of Saint Elizabeth have once again challenged us to join the Founders’ Circle by matching your donation with an additional $1,000—increasing your total contribution to the Academy to $2,860.

Please join me and the Knights of Saint Elizabeth by donating today. Every gift matters. When we all do a little, we can accomplish a lot. Through our collective contribution, we are ensuring that this special place will continue to thrive and support the growth of the young women of this beloved institution for many years to come.

With gratitude and many thanks,

Mrs. Laura Santoriello P ’20, ‘23 and ‘25

How giving sustains OUR PROMISE An Annual Fund like the Academy’s Seton Fund, is established to close the gap between a school's revenue and expenses.

See how the Academy of Saint Elizabeth fares in comparison to other independent schools in the nation:

NATIONAL AVERAGE GAP:

$4,500 PER STUDENT

NATIONAL AVERAGE GAP:

$5,800 PER STUDENT

Independent Schools

Independent Schools with < 300 Students

A.O.S.E. AVERAGE GAP:

A.O.S.E. ANNUAL GAP:

$3,000 PER STUDENT

2023-2024 Academic Year

$700,000 TOTAL ANNUAL GAP

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#GIVINGtuesday support

SAVE THE DATE - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2024

Members of the Knights of Saint Elizabeth: Kenneth Purzycki, P '19 CHAIRMAN

Angelo Giambattista, P '13, '18 Matthew Scalaro, P '16 Gregory Lowndes, P '17 Perry Neilson, Jr.†, P '18 Phillip Schubert, P '22 Mark Voccola, P '23 Charles Malone, Jr., P '19, '24 CHAIRMAN EMERITUS

DONATE THROUGH 12/31

† In memoriam, honorary member

Join the Founders’ Circle and help unlock a $50,000 Challenge Grant from The Knights of Saint Elizabeth!

GIVE NOW!

MatCHING GIFTS DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT! Many companies offer matching gift programs, allowing individual gifts of their employees to be doubled—sometimes tripled!

When requesting a matching gift through your company’s electronic portal or submission form, you may need the following information:

Scan this code and search your company’s name for information on available matching gift programs.

Don’t see your name listed? Inquire with your Human Resources Department

Academy of Saint Elizabeth, Tax ID: 22-2738106 P.O. Box 297, Convent Station, NJ 07961 Attn: Development Department Megan Knight, Director of Development & Alumnae Relations (973) 290-5226 | mknight@aose.info LEGACY Magazine | FALL / WINTER 2024

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UNLOCK A

$50,000 FOUNDER’S Challenge GRant!

Join the

CIRCLE

WILL YOU MEET THE CHALLENGE? Turn $1,860 into $2,860 with your gift to the Seton Fund today • The Seton Fund accounts for approximately 12% of the annual budget at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth • 26.3% of our students received financial aid and merit scholarships thanks to your incredible support.

• The Seton Fund also helps support our robust athletic program – nearly 80% of SEAsters play one or more sports!

The Knights of Saint Elizabeth will contribute a bonus gift of $1,000 for each of the first 50 gifts received at the Founders’ Circle level or higher!

The season of GIVING.

NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 31

Your company’s matching gift could doub le y our don ation - see pa ge 72

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PAID

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. Postage

2 Convent Road Convent Station, NJ 07961

CLASS OF ‘24 by the numbers:

Hackensack, NJ Permit No. 1121

• 58 Graduates • $15,151,868 in 4-year scholarships

Results Matter!

PROUD TO BE A 2024 NICHE A+ SCHOOL

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