Alumni Return Home — New Faculty and Staff

FACULTY & STAFF

ALUMNI RETURN HOME

Four Loughlin alumni returned to their alma mater in September. In total, we are proud of the twelve alumni who serve in various capacities at Loughlin! We are incredibly excited to welcome back Tiffany Livingstone ‘00, Josephine (Santos) McKenna ‘90, Grace Brancale ’12, and Ahmbria Garner ‘12.

Grace Brancale ’12

Grace Brancale ‘12 graduated from Columbia University in 2018, where she majored in Music Theory. Prior to returning to Loughlin she taught at Success Charter Academy in Brooklyn. When she received a call from her former Music Director Mr. Lou Maffei that there was an opening, she “jumped at the opportunity” as she put it. “It has been a very smooth transition, it feels like I’ve come home.”

Tiffany Livingstone ‘00 plays a vital role in two school offices — the Office of our Assistant Principal, Ms. Gottsegen, and the Office of Institutional Advancement. Her career has taken her to Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Grand Central Neighborhood Social Services Corporation, and the Salvation Army. When asked how she felt about returning to Loughlin, she replied that “being back feels like I am right back home where I belong! It is pleasure to be working with Ms. Gottsegen, who was my Guidance Counselor as a student. It is great to see the changes that have taken place over 20 Tiffany Livingstone ’00

Ahmbria Garner ’12

years. I hope to continue to be a part of the Loughlin community for the next 20 years.”

Josephine (Santos) McKenna ‘90 takes on the newly created position of Associate Director of Institutional Advancement after the recent retirement of John Klemm ‘65. She will work closely with her colleagues Morgan Allison and Andrew Josephine (Santos) McKenna ’90

Leary. Her first day was “like traveling back in time. I am 16 again and filled with high hopes and ready to serve!” She continued that the “students are just as we once were and striving for the same things we once did. They struggle and hope for things that perhaps at one point in their young lives seemed out of reach, and yet Loughlin, with its amazing faculty, administration and staff help them realize that whatever they’re searching is attainable.”

Ahmbria Garner ‘12, who is in the classroom teaching Spanish 2, graduated from St. Joseph’s College with a BA in Psychology and minors in English and Biology. She is currently pursuing her MSEd in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at St. John’s University. Ahmbira says that “teaching at Loughlin has been a great experience. Being a recent graduate, it felt a bit awkward being on the other side of things at first. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to continue being a part of the Loughlin family.” ◊

AROUND LOUGHLIN

ATHLETICS

Loughlin sports teams power on!

BOWLING

Bowling is off to a great start for the season in spite of all the obstacles to safe and effi cient practice sessions. Kiev Charles ’23 scored a 160 in bowling which was the highest score in years. Charles Karim ‘23 scored a 112.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Ronan McGouran ‘21, a member of the varsity team reports that “because of COVID-19, the basketball season has been delayed, and preparing for my senior season has been diff erent from the past years. Although the pandemic brings struggles and diffi culties, the basketball program run by Coach Gonzalez has been working hard. With multiple practices during the week, the team is divided into groups of four, which allows us to work on our endurance and individual skills. This is very helpful for the team because we can work on our game consistently and in small groups while following safety procedures and social distancing. Being able to practice safely with my teammates has strengthened my experience during the pandemic. As we continue to train, I pray for an end to this crisis.”

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Like the men’s basketball team, COVID-19 has changed the season in major ways — the season will not begin until January (we hope). Practices are diff erent, masks are worn at all times while working out

— though it’s hard to breathe in them. In the beginning, in order to maintain social distancing, only fi ve people were allowed in the gym at a time — including coaches. Kennedy Grady ‘22 says “Since the season is supposed to start in January, the team is preparing with practice every weekend at the school. If tested, the entire team is allowed to participate. This helps because during the week many of the players attend school virtually. We are also preparing by utilizing our new coach for strength and conditioning to make us stronger, faster, and ready for the season.”

SOCCER

The soccer season was challenging for most of our players — many were unable to play soccer over the summer because of quarantine and some felt they even forgot how to play! But that didn’t stop the team from getting out there and representing Loughlin. Hard work at every soccer practice and in every single game made for a productive season that was a lot of fun. The team progresses every year.

SOFTBALL

The softball team held their fi rst clinic in mid-November and are looking forward to their season this spring. Games are scheduled to begin after Easter break. Coach Callahan is excited for the year with his team and their potential and willingness to learn. ◊ In spite of a delayed season and several canceled meets, the school’s two cross country teams were able to compete at the CHSAA Intersectional and Sectional Championships.