Alumnae Newsletter - SPRING 2019

Alumnae Michele Delisfort ‘88 Apara Mahal Sylvester ‘92 MSR Class of 1978

Students Emily Lescano ‘20 Brooke Belmonte ‘20 Sadia DeCastro ‘20 Jasmahik Mander ‘21

School News Transformational Enrichment STEM Wear Title Funding New Eyes for the Needy Sandwich Run Investors Bank Supports Athletes

Scenes At School Upcoming Events

Alumnae Spotlight: Michele Delisfort, ‘88 Union’s newest mayor, Michele Delisfort, MSR class of ‘88, was sworn into office on New Year’s Day 2019 at Union Town Hall during the Township’s Reorganization meeting. Mayor Delisfort began her remarks by acknowledging her family and colleagues. “It is a given that none of us ascends to elected office without the sacrifices and support of others,” she said. “So, I’d like to dedicate this moment to those whose sacrifices and support made it possible for me to appear before you today as the first Black female and first Haitian-American mayor of the great Township of Union.”

Michele thanked her husband George, sons Ahmael and Chase, her parents, Guy and Suzette Delisfort and her brother Guy and his family for the support they have given her in the pursuit of her career and her desire to give back to her community.

Michele began her journey as a volunteer on the Union Township Planning Board driven by the desire for community involvement. As a professional planner, she shared her skills for the establishment of the Township’s vision and management of its growth. Working with her colleagues, they reviewed numerous development applications and always based their decisions on the simple goal of improving neighborhoods and communities for all residents of the Township of Union. She then served as a Committee Member where she worked to shape policy and establish a vision for the town. Michele believes that women should support and help each other rise to the best of their ability.

Michele is grateful to Mother Seton for providing her with very good academic and social foundations that prepared her for college. To honor her education, Michele is funding a $1,000 scholarship for a deserving student with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who is going to study Urban Planning, Government, or Political Science in college. She hopes the scholarship will not only help the recipient but inspire the student to give back when able.

Congratulations Michele and thank you for your support!

Alumnae Spotlight: Apara Mahal Sylvester, ‘92 Inspired by her love of cats and living along the Delaware and Raritan Canal in South Bound Brook, Apara Mahal Sylvester MSR Class of ‘92, has published her first children's book.

She has lived in Somerset County with her husband for many years and previously published a memoir, "Angel Child," in 2015.

"I love cats; I have two of my own Babe and Boo," Apara explained.

"The D&R Canal is right by my house and there are canal cats there that we feed."

This inspired Apara to write her first children's book, Down By The River Where Dreams Come True, the story of Caz and Percy, cats whose friendship is able to overcome any obstacle, even a seemingly insurmountable wall. Once they are separated, neither cat gives up hope that they will be reunited. “The result is a touching tale anyone who's ever had a best friend will appreciate," said Apara.

The book already has several five-star reviews since being published in January 2019.

Student Spotlight: Brooke Belmonte, ‘20 & Emily Lescano, ‘20 SHE Spring 2019 Awards Brooke Belmonte ’20 and Emily Lescano ’20 represented Mother Seton at the Shadow Program organized by the Society of Hispanic Engineers at Rutgers University. The three-day event took place April 4th - 6th with the applicants staying on campus, participating in a design challenge, and culminating in a closing ceremony banquet at The Cove in the Busch Student Center, which parents and guardians were invited to attend.

Brooke and Emily had to apply with a two part presentation of an essay and power point including their autobiographies, abilities, academic interests, and plans for their future education.

Emily aspires to help others with her talents through the fields of occupational or speech therapy.

Brooke favors math and science and hopes to change the world by becoming an engineer. Both these young ladies enjoy team work, challenges, and are strong leaders. They brought their boundless enthusiasm with them to this program.

The course included Experiential Learning, Design Challenges, and workshops from Microsoft and Boeing along with lectures from Rutgers’ professors after initial bonding activities to welcome the participants.

Mother Seton was proudly represented by these two amazing young women. They brought their ideas and knowledge back to school to share with their peers.

CONGRATULATIONS, Brooke and Emily!

Emily Lescano and Brooke Belmonte

School News: Transformational Enrichment

This winter, Gina Mongiello, MA, LMT, joined the staff of MSR to offer transformational enrichment classes to our incoming freshmen. Gina is the foundress of Infinity Wellness whereby she leads her clients to well-being utilizing various wellness modalities.

At MSR, over the course of 10 weeks, the freshmen received classes in yoga and meditation, diet and lifestyle, sound healing and gratitude, as well as Emotional Freedom Techniques (a.k.a.

“Tapping“). The goal was for the girls to deepen their understanding, appreciation, and experience of wellness practices as they transition into young adulthood.

In a recent Sound Bathing and Gratitude session, Gina was approached by several students after class, who said ‘wow, that was so relaxing.’ She heard many thank you’s and saw many smiles after each of the classes.

At the conclusion of this 10 week series, Gina will begin a similar course with our seniors to assist in the transition time of graduation. These newly learned wellness tips and tools may be carried along with each graduate, serving them for years to come.

Check out Gina‘s website at infinitywellnessnj.com for further information on the services that she is sharing with our girls.

Transformation: here we are!

School News: STEM Wear

Mr. Jakubowski, Teacher of the Engineering Design Processing Class at Mother Seton Regional, gave Christian Louboutin a run for his red sole money on February 25, in our STEM lab. Runaway lights and music enhanced the students’ second annual Designer Footwear Activity. Roll out the signature red and gold carpet!

The engineering class focused on designing functional, comfortable, economical, and marketable footwear. They presented their prototype with their peers and then a model from each group walked the runway - at least 10 feet - without any wardrobe malfunction. Each pair of shoes came with a complete explanation of the process for construction and associated modifications. Mr. Jakubowski’s engineering students give brainstorming and construction the Seton touch!

School News: Title Funding Aids Mother Seton Teachers

Magic continues to happen at our school when forces for good work together. This was the case when Laura Flammia, Director of Development, Jessica Illingworth, and JoAnn Zwiebel sought to improve classroom instruction in History and the STAR program through a non-public schools technology initiative program.

The grant funding allowed Mrs. Illingworth to procure two stand alone virtual reality headsets to be used in her History curriculum. Students in World History can now experience cultural immersion wearing the goggles. The first app allowed them to witness the change from Romanesque architecture to Gothic by being part of the construction of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, France. The learning can occur in teams while one student wears the head set and her partner records her findings. The students then switch. Some of the activities are game based which increases the modality of learning options and encourages competition and team work. This is twenty-first century education at its finest.

The STAR program curriculum, led by Ms. JoAnn Zwiebel, also benefited by acquiring an ELMO document camera that is attached to a Smart projector and a printer to enhance the students’ experience.

School News - SERVICE TO OTHERS New Eyes for the Needy Sadia DeCastro, class of 2020, has her eye on doing some good in the world. Sadia has begun a drive to help the program New Eyes supply glasses and hearing aids to those in need. Her goal is to turn your clutter into clear vision and renewed hope.

New Eyes for the Needy is a charitable organization that collects used glasses, hearing aids, and precious metal items such as jewelry, silverware, and even broken gold chains. After donation these items fill different aspects of the program. Fine and costume jewelry, watches, crystal, china, silver, decorative items, and designer sunglasses are sold in their Jewelry Boutique. Other items generate finances from their scrap value. Proceeds from these sales go toward purchasing new glasses for needy children and adults across the country and some donated glasses are sent to the needy overseas.

New Eyes for the Needy is a Non-profit organization run by many volunteers serving our communities by providing a much needed resource.

A donation box is placed in the library. Please stop in any time to make a donation. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Flammia at the school’s Development office.

Recycle!

GIVE THE GIFT OF CLEAR VISION AND CHANGE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND ADULTS IN NEED.

School News - SERVICE TO OTHERS Sandwich Run

Jasmahik Mander, a Sophomore here at MSR, is trying to effect a charitable change in our MSR community by starting a project called, “The Sandwich Run.” Jasmahik explained: “We are recruiting students, teachers, faculty, alumnae, and any others concerned with those less fortunate than ourselves, to deliver sandwiches every Monday morning to Mother Seton Regional High School. When all the sandwiches are collected, they will be delivered to Saint Joseph’s Social Center in Elizabeth. The soup kitchen in the center is in desperate need of help. We hope many of you will take the time to make a few sandwiches but even one sandwich would help. Just be sure to label the ingredients of your donation clearly, including your name. One sandwich can fill one person's stomach. Imagine how many stomachs we can fill when we come together and support this good cause.“ If you are interested or have any questions about becoming a part of this worthy cause to feed the hungry of our community, please contact Sr. Mary Anne Katlack, at the Campus Ministry Office.

All sandwiches should be delivered to MSR every Monday morning before 9am to the food science kitchen. They will be delivered before noon to St. Joseph’s. This project began, Monday, January 28, 2019 – the first day of Catholic Schools’ Week and will continue through the school year.

Investors Bank Supports our Scholar Athletes

“Sports contribute to the love of life, teaches sacrifice, respect and responsibility, leading to the full development of every human person.”

This quote by Pope John Paul II, reminds us that as educators, we have a special obligation to teach our students not only in the classroom but outside traditional learning environments. Our various sports programs allow students to ‘play’ while they experience sacrifice, respect and responsibility. Here, at Mother Seton, our girls have a unique opportunity to do this as they participate in multiple sports offered through our physical education, JV, and Varsity athletic programs.

It is our belief that the Mother Seton student athlete is an exceptional example of this ideal because she represents a hybrid student, strong in both body and mind – a ‘scholar athlete’ to be admired. This scholar athlete, born of our all-girls environment, is both educated and trained to be resilient, take risks, persevere and be a leader in the classroom and on the playing field.

Our administration, Athletic Director and Development Department are constantly seeking ways to improve and expand all of our athletic programs. We especially seek out opportunities that help support these programs financially as the improvements typically involve a financial obligation that go above and beyond what is budgeted annually for our sports programs.

The funding through this grant awarded to Mother Seton in a spirit of partnership between the Investors Foundation and the school will help us carry on this long tradition of empowering our scholar athletes. Investors Bank representatives David Nunes, Ann Cicchetti, and Sheryl Shara presented their generous grant check to Sister Jacquelyn, Miss Barron, and Grant Writer - Mrs. Laura Flammia, on March 5, 2019. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Investors Bank through their Care to Share Program – more information to follow soon.

Seton ‘78 Spirit

The class of ‘78, held their reunion in the spirit of raising money for their Alma Mater. A collaborative effort from everyone - even classmates who could not attend the actual reunion supported the fund raising aspect of their gathering. With the back stop in mind, they asked for donations using live Face Book video feeds weekly. The class held a 50/50 raffle and a basket auction at their event. In the end the Class of ‘78 made a generous contribution of $1,500 to our school and accomplished their goal of helping to finance a new back stop for the softball field. Adding the alumnae gift to the Investors Bank Grant will see the improvement to the field became a reality this season. The Class of ’78 hit a home run!

Scenes at School Tradition rings at the Junior Ring Ceremony as alumnae moms celebrate with their MSR daughters.

Anne Caha Bongiovanni - MSR class of 1980, mom of

Karen Abrahamsen Moore - MSR class of 1982, mom of

Danielle Bongiovanni MSR class of 2020

Amy Moore MSR class of 2020

Sweetness reigns at the

Sophomore Sweet Sixteen.

Seton Spirit rolls out from the Alumnae with our gifts of MSR themed goodie bags for these student skaters.

Upcoming Events at our Alma Mater: Gala 2019 - Save the date!

Plans have already begun for the fifth Annual Gala to be held again at the Westwood on Friday, October 4, 2019. The event promises to be filled with friendship and Seton Spirit enhanced by a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, music, cocktails, dinner, and the awards ceremony.

Please consider getting involved in this worthy project by being on a planning committee or at least marking your calendars to attend this very special Mother Seton event.

MSR’s Easter Egg Hunt – April 14, 1pm-3pm Meet the Easter Bunny and join the fun at our annual Easter Egg Hunt. This event is open to all Mother Seton families.

Alumnae Induction Ceremony - May 23 @ 7pm You are invited to join our Candlelight Ceremony as the Class of 2019 enters our Alumnae Association. A prayer service, special alumnae speakers, readings, and the singing of our Alma Mater will all enhance this meaningful ceremony. A reception following the ceremony, will give you the opportunity to meet and connect with our newest members and welcome them into our alumnae sisterhood.

Graduation - May 30 @ 11 am The class of ‘69 is cordially invited to attend as our special guests.