SUMMER 2018 - MSR Alumnae Spotlight

Alumnae Spotlight Newsletter

Summer 2018

Alumnae Tiffany Soares 2013 Christina Campos 2014 Faculty John Uriarte In Memoriam

Students Jessenia Maldonado Christine Carvajal Parents’ Guild Lynn and Jenna Mikolay School News Upcoming Events

Tiffany Soares, MSR ‘13 As a young girl in East Brunswick, New Jersey, Tiffany Soares dreamed of teaching English as a second language. In September, after earning her MAT and completing her Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) master’s concentration, she will travel to Spain’s La Rioja region to do just that.

Soares has been named a finalist in the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. A first-generation American, Soares grew up speaking two languages: English and Portuguese. “I have a personal connection with immigration stories, diaspora and the yearning to learn English as a means to a better life,” she explains. “My family’s journey through this – and the inspiration of hearing my father’s stories of beginning school in the United States as a non-native speaker – has fueled me to pursue a career in teaching English as a second language.”

Soares is a four-year recipient of the James Patterson Teacher Education Scholarship. This scholarship was established to support the next generation of teachers as they work to learn their craft, foster learning and, particularly, inspire a love of reading.

As an undergraduate at Montclair State, Soares majored in linguistics and minored in Spanish, before continuing her education in the University’s highly regarded Teacher Education Program, which is recognized both nationally and internationally for its unique features. The University is ranked among the nations top 100 institutions for education by U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 “Best Graduate Schools.”

“I’m especially looking forward to immersing myself in Spanish culture and learning the history and way of life of a country I’ve wanted to visit since I started my Spanish studies nine years ago,” Soares explains.

She hopes that her experience in the prestigious international exchange program will give her a better understanding of the challenges facing students who are learning English as a second language. “I will soon be a foreigner in a place I don’t call home,” she says. “I hope to better my Spanish skills so that I can teach in a bilingual program when I come home after my time abroad.”

Soares follows in the footsteps of Jeremy Fishman, who as a 2017 Fulbright U.S. Student Program finalist traveled to Taiwan, where he has been teaching English as a Second Language.

“Montclair State provides excellent preparation and an ideal foundation for students seeking Fulbright grants and Tiffany’s success reflects that,” says Director of Study Abroad and International Programs Domenica Dominguez. “This year, we had six applicants to the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. Two were semifinalists – and Tiffany became a finalist.”

While Soares is the eighth Fulbright finalist in Montclair State’s 110-year history, the University has long been involved with the program in various capacities. Faculty currently serve on its Fulbright Campus Committee, which interviews and evaluates all of the University’s applicants. Faculty members have also received Fulbright Scholar Grants and the University has enrolled more than 50 international Fulbright students across all colleges and schools.

Named for former U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright, and operating in more than 160 countries worldwide, the Fulbright program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government. Its mission is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields.

“The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is committed to ensuring a diverse representation of the United States and American culture, which is well-reflected in Montclair State’s student population,” says Dominguez. “ Fulbright seeks applications in all academic fields offered by Montclair State from the sciences to the arts. In addition to our outstanding teacher education programs, our departments of Modern Languages and Literatures, and Spanish and Latino Studies prepare students for meaningful engagement with people around the world. That is just what Fulbright is looking for.”

Christina Campos, MSR ‘14 Congratulations to Christina Campos, MSR 2014.

This May she received her BFA degree from Caldwell University. Her thesis show of graphic design work was a big success.

While here at Mother Seton, Christina ran track and continued that at Caldwell. She credits her art classes at MSR for motivating her interest in art and making her choose to be a fine arts major at college.

John Uriarte In Memoriam

John Uriarte passed away on Tuesday, March 6. He was a part of the Mother Seton faculty since 1991. John taught Religious Studies, served as Chairperson of the Religious Studies Department, coordinated the Faculty Mentor Program for freshmen and sophomores and was the Advisor to the Sophomore Class. He helped sponsor activities such as the ice skating trip and a surprise Sweet 16 Party for them. He created videos for numerous events, including the 50th anniversary of Mother Seton High School and each of the three Sports Awards Programs where every sport was highlighted. John was Mother Seton High School's resident DJ as well as the DJ at Sisters of Charity events. He was an advisor to various clubs especially those that involve technology and he helped to build Mother Seton's first website.

John could be found at nearly every Mother Seton event whether it was doing makeup for the annual school musical (sometimes making a cameo appearance), taking pictures at sports events, working on Haunted Hallways or sharing his love and compassion with students.

John loved all children. He was a life-long journey volunteer at Camp Fatima, NJ’s only free camp for children with disabilities where he served in nearly every capacity from counselor to the Board of Directors. He also volunteered teaching CCD classes, helping in Group Homes, Vacation clubs for children and, Hudson Pre-School and Recreation Programs for Brain Injured Children. He was involved with the Road Less Traveled retreat program for adults with disabilities.

John gave his time to several Sisters of Charity committees especially those associated with communications and vocations. He served as a Seton Associate, one of the men and women who, following their own particular vocation in life, deepen their relationship with God and share in the mission and ministry of the Sisters of Charity.

John coordinated the Toward Boundless Charity group of students at Mother Seton, which is a high school version of the Seton Associates. In 2009, the Senior Class dedicated their yearbook to John. In the dedication his students remembered him as one who “instilled in his students the morals and principles of the Catholic faith.” He encouraged his students to explore different means to reach their inner selves. His students are grateful that he dedicated his undivided attention to each of them and always served as an inspiration. John’s impact on our school will live forever in the grace and faith he bestowed upon us.

In Memoriam John C. Uriarte September 12, 1955 - March 6, 2018

Jessenia Maldonado, MSR ‘20 Jessenia Maldonado of Perth Amboy, a sophomore at Mother Seton Regional High School, is the first place winner in New Jersey of the Moose International Youth Awareness contest. She has earned the distinguished honor of representing New Jersey at the International Youth Awareness Congress in Boston, Massachusetts next month. In addition, as a state winner, she will receive a $1000.00 scholarship payable to her college of choice.

The Moose International Youth Awareness Congress is the culmination of the annual Youth Awareness program of the Loyal Order of Moose. At both the state and international levels, the participants discuss how to use their influence to encourage students aged four to nine years old to make healthy and wise choices in their lives.

Jessenia was required to give a minimum of three presentations entitled “Moose KidTalks” to groups of youngsters in this age range within their local communities. “I chose to do this project because nowadays many children struggle to embrace who they are”, she says. “My goals were to teach the children to be proud of themselves and all of their accomplishments big or small, to be their own individual person, to be a leader and not a follower and to promote self-confidence”.

At the international competition next month Jessenia will compete for a $12,000 college scholarship. “Although I taught the groups that we are all different in many ways and we must celebrate our differences, they understood the point that we are all equal in our self-worth”, she says.

Christine Carvajal, MSR ‘19 All the scholarships our students receive are important but the one Christine Carvajal, a Junior, has to the 2018 Summer Advanced Space Academy is literally out of this world!

Christine’s glowing recommendation from her Chemistry teacher, Ms. Jamie Cunningham, cited her excellent science and math skills and praised her as a student who genuinely loves to learn.

The Scholarship for Inner-City Children to attend the Space Academy will send Christine to Huntsville, Alabama this July 15-20. In her essay for acceptance Christine Carvajal wrote of her theories of combining creativity and reasoning thus expanding knowledge and awareness paths connecting intellectual ideas. These thoughts will also lead her to study engineering in college.

Christine looks forward to working in radically new settings in the camp’s Mars Mission simulator, the Underwater Astronaut Trainer, the jet aircraft simulator, 1/6th Gravity Chair, and designing, building, and launching a team rocket and payload.

Perhaps the most vital experience will be the essential capability of working with a team using each person’s talents to strive toward a goal.

Being a true Renaissance woman, Christine recently participated in the arts Festival here at school as well as at the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders Arts Festival, reading her poem, “Tracing the Path of a Relationship”. The poem was replete with mythical and literary references and was read with sincere emotion and pathos.

When Christine Carvajal returns to New Jersey she will have space tales to tell and a Science Credit from The University of Alabama, Huntsville. We at Mother Seton wish Christine Godspeed and a thrilling blast off!

Lynn and Jenna (MSR ’19) Mikolay This dynamic mother and daughter team add their energy to the success of Mother Seton Regional. Let’s begin our story with MSR Junior, Jenna.

The energizer bunny can take a page from this athlete’s book. Jenna became interested in volleyball in the second grade and played for her dad as coach on the Saint Agnes Elementary School team through seventh grade. Her passion for the sport then took her to a competitive team in eighth grade when Saint Agnes school closed.

Add Beach Volleyball to her presence on The Great American Volleyball team playing at Point Pleasant and Bradley Beach. Jenna cannot be contained to one spot on the court but enjoys being an all around player - mostly on the outside positions.

Add the MSR softball team to her ground skills where she plays right field for Coaches Moran and Downey. Then let’s dive into the MSR swimming team with Jenna where she swims the 500 freestyle and 100 back stroke for Coach Kate.

Academically, Jenna’s favorite subject is Algebra II. She has her sights on studying to be an athletic trainer in college either at Sacred Heart, Connecticut or Seton Hall.

An only child, she enjoys family and friends when she isn’t on a field or in the pool. Jenna also prides herself on keeping her mom, Lynn, on her toes!

Clearly Jenna inherits her energy from her mom, Mrs. Lynn Mikolay, Co-President of the MSR Parents’ Guild with Vivian Marticorena (MSR ’84). Lynn graduated from Colonia High School but is an honorary MSR sister through her daughter and involvement in all things Mother Seton. Lynn began her career at Bristol Myers Squibb but chose not to move to Connecticut when the firm transferred her department there.

She now owns and operates Approved Travel Service in Colonia. Lynn spends her time working as a travel agent, watching Jenna’s teams, and immersing herself in Seton Spirit. Her husband, Ray, is the unofficial photographer of athletic events at our school; his family devotion extends to the mystique of MSR. Importantly, in all the events Mrs. Mikolay runs for the Parents’ Guild to raise money for the school, she builds in a charitable focus to always remember those less fortunate. Chemo Care Bags, Saint Joseph’s in Elizabeth, Veteran’s, and unwed mothers have seen the beneficial effect of Lynn’s boundless energy and community outreach. Lynn is inspired by the students and faculty here at Mother Seton and is grateful for the privilege of being embraced by our school.

The Mikolays celebrate with family and friends and bring their warmth, skill, and enthusiasm to these halls of truth and knowledge.

Thanks, Lynn, Ray, and Jenna!

Teen Arts Festival The Union County Board of Freeholders sponsors an annual Festival of the Arts open to middle and high school students throughout the county. Mother Seton is represented by girls involved in the Visual and Performing Arts and Creative Writing. Students share their talent with their peers as they enhance their experience with hands-on workshops and discussions.

Students in all grade levels are welcome to present their pieces to the head of various departments for approval. There are also in-house try-outs for instrumental, vocal, dance and drama entries. Prior to the March Festival, writing selections are submitted to the Cultural and Heritage Commission, the organizers of the Festival. The artwork is displayed at Union County Community College in Cranford, New Jersey, and the performances take place at the festival.

Student artists attend the event where their work is critiqued by professional artists and performers. These scores send students on to the next level of the competition including the State Festival, and the County and State Touring Exhibitions. Performances by the winners take place at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway, New Jersey.

Mother Seton students have always been very successful in this competition obtaining selections in all artistic areas. Their talents and dedications have received accolades.

This year, three art works by MSR students will spend the year traveling with the Union County Touring Exhibition. These include sophomore, Melany Lutz’s sculpture, Feeling Blue, sophomore, Julia Moreira’s digital photograph, Sunny with a Chance of Rain, and senior, Francesca Mescall’s watercolor, On The West Coast.

To continue the spring art fling, Mother Seton Regional held its own festival on Tuesday, May 15. The halls were alive with student art work and performances. Mrs. Carolyn DeMaio’s Family and Consumer Science students modeled the skirts they made. Mr. Love’s students filled the school with the sound of their music. Taylor Eccles sang, “In My Dreams” from Anastasia, Rachel Montilus sang, “I’d Give My Life For You” from Miss Saigon and also performed at UCPAC for the next round of the teen arts festival, Emily Lescano sang, “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” from Evita and Christine Mauhay played the ukulele while singing, “Would You Be So Kind” by Dodie Clark.

The evening continued with original poems read by the poets: Danielle Bongiovanni’s, “I am Made of Words,” Anna Holland’s, “Poetry from the Apocalypse,” and Christine Carvajal’s, “Tracing the Path of a Relationship.” Parents and the public were in attendance and refreshments were served as everyone soaked up the artistic talents of these MSR girls.

World Language Competition at William Paterson University On Thursday, May 17th, seventeen students from Mother Seton Regional High School in Clark, NJ competed in the 35th annual state world language competition at William Paterson University. Over sixty schools and nearly 1,000 students from the state of New Jersey competed in the event. A special recognition goes to the following students: Junior Victoria Silverman placed third in Intermediate Latin and received a trophy from the University, Sophomore Emily Duester placed first in Native German, and Senior Julianna Bulsiewicz placed first in level one Latin. Each of these students also received a trophy from the University.

Students were selected by their MSR World Language teachers (Maria Vazquez, Maria Buontempo, and Karla Giron) to compete at various world language levels at this event and each received a certificate of commendable participation and merit issued by William Paterson University.

During March, in preparation for this event, both private and public schools throughout the United States took a national French examination, Les Grand Concours, in four levels of French, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF). Nearly 75,000 students in each of the 50 states competed in this 2018 event. Students were evaluated on their written, auditory, and reading comprehension skills in their specific level of French.

Graduating senior students Nina Francisco and Abigail Pepe each achieved a New Jersey ranking of 24 in level four French, the last and most challenging level of French and will each receive a national certificate of distinguished merit from AATF for achieving within the top twenty-five students in New Jersey.

Coralie-Jean-Franรงois achieved a national ranking of number 14, scoring amongst the top French level 4 students in the United States, above the 85th percentile. She is also ranked at number 12 in the state of New Jersey at her level. For this exceptional achievement, Coralie will be receiving a silver medal from the American Association of Teachers of French.

MSR Senior, Melissa Gonzalez, and Junior, Alyssa Del Rio, received Gold Medals in national recognition for excellent performance on the Spanish Examinations.

We are proud of all our language scholars.

Julianna Bulsiewicz First Place - Level One Latin Victoria Silverman Third Place - Intermediate Latin

MSR World Language Team

Brielle Robinson, MSR ‘18 On May 9, Senior Brielle Robinson, received the Greater Middlesex Conference Sportsmanship Award at the Pines Manor. Brielle was selected from all the senior athletes because of her outstanding leadership and sportsmanship. Brielle sets the example for the underclassmen and shows them what sportsmanship truly means on and off the court. On the court, Brielle is the first one to extend a helping hand to anyone that may need it, including the opposing team. Off the court, Brielle is the one that everyone knows they can count on, she never lets anyone down. She will be missed at Mother Seton next year when she moves on to St. Peter's University.

Gala 2018 - Save the date!

Plans have already begun for the Annual Gala to be held again at the Westwood on Friday, October 5, 2018. 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.

Attention Class of 1968 - 50th Class Reunion Check the Class of ‘68 Facebook page for information on our weekend activities November, 2, 3 and 4, 2018. Be sure to join us in celebration!

Pocketbook Bingo 2018 - Save the date!

Planning is underway for Pocketbook Bingo, hosted by the Parents’ Guild, and will be held on November 2, 2018. This is a fun-filled event that benefits the school and a charity as yet to be selected. Mark your calendar now!