Encore Chez Nous Winter 2016

Enc re Encore Winter 2016 Volume II, Issue 4

Notre Dame School of Manhattan

s u o N z e h C

Encore

CLASS OF 2016

Chez Nous

Winter 2016

CONTENTS 1 A Message from the President 2 A Message from the Principal 3 10 12 14 16 20 22 25 28 31 32

News Around School Student News Benefit Luncheon Alumnae Reunion Pope Francis: The Spiritual Awakening Expanding on our U.S. History Graduation 2015 Scholars’ Corner Class Notes In Memoriam Back Story: Robert Grote

Notre Dame School of Manhattan

Dr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U. President Jaclyn Brilliant Principal Karina Vargas Vice Principal Elizabeth Bixenman Director of Alumnae Relations Anthony Burke Director of Development Robert Grote Director of Admissions Submissions for Encore Chez Nous should be sent to: Notre Dame School Attn: Elizabeth Bixenman 327 West 13th St. New York, NY 10014 bixenmane@cheznous.org 212-620-5575 ext. 317 Design The Blank Page New York, NY ON THE COVERS

FRONT: (L-R) Julissa Mendez ’15, Gabriella Ruiz ’15, and Brianna Bosque ’15 designed an elaborate rollercoaster as part of a physics experiment BACK: 2015 Varsity Soccer Team including, Co-Captains Madison Marino ’16 and Regan Burke ’16

SENIOR TRIP

BOSTON

Wednesday, September 23rd - Friday, September 25th, 2015 DAY 1 – Departed Notre Dame School at 9:00 am sharp in charter buses headed north.

Visited the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum before heading to Fenway Park where the Boston Red Sox took on the Tampa Bay Rays. The students were even greeted by an official welcome on the Fenway scoreboard!

DAY 2 – Soaked up the history of Boston by walking through Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market followed by a stop at the Museum of Science and a visit to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum for a live interactive experience, which included throwing tea into the harbor.

Our girls finished the day with a quintessential trip to Cheers in Faneuil Hall for a group dinner.

DAY 3 – Early Friday morning, our students headed back to the Big Apple and, even with the Pope in town, they all made it back safe and sound thanks to the leadership of Ms. Ioana Donose, Ms. Eileen Frawley, Mr. Joshua Lippai, Ms. Patrice Narayanan, Ms. Erin Null, and Mr. Glenn Stordeur.

A Message from the President

Dear Alumnae, Families and Friends, In the midst of a cold January, thoughts of our June commencement may seem distant for all but the members of the Class of 2016. Nonetheless, the faculty and I are always attentive to how we can best form “young women for and with others.”

“We need our young women to move on and assume leadership roles to make the world more just and peaceful.”

I would like to share with you part of a document entitled “Notre Dame's Graduate Profile.”This small gem describes our students at the time they graduate. I quote the introduction: “The Notre Dame School graduate is a college-bound woman who demonstrates intellectual curiosity and the self-confidence necessary to face academic, as well as individual challenges. She develops an ever greater awareness of God's unconditional love in her life and of the strength of community and connectedness to others. The Notre Dame School graduate follows in the traditions of Anne de Xainctonge and the Sisters of Saint Ursula by valuing prayer, conversatio, magis and active engagement with others in her life. She appreciates the beauty of diversity and champions the marginalized.”

If you are reading this magazine, there’s a real possibility that you are one of our graduates, or that your daughter will soon be a graduate, or that you know an ND graduate. Whatever the case may be, in this time of such uncertainty, political unrest, global terrorist threats, and the worldwide immigration crisis, our graduates are a source of hope and encouragement for me and, hopefully, for you as well. We need our young women to move on and assume leadership roles to make the world more just and peaceful.

This year’s Encore Chez Nous provides a school year’s snapshot of the process of how a student Chez Nous lives our mission. ND students are fully engaged in the life of the school whether it be studying for one of their classes, volunteering their time to help those less fortunate, mingling with our alumnae during career day, after our college panel or during the Chez Nous Benefit, enjoying a workshop presented by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, or, for the first time in history, greeting Pope Francis as he arrived in New York City. Each of these experiences helps develop their inquiring minds and teaches them how to meaningfully engage with others. Our magazine stories culminate with portraits of a select few members of the Class of 2015 who exemplify the values stated in the graduate profile.

I hope you enjoy reading Encore Chez Nous. Know that we are blessed to have you as part of our family and deeply appreciate your prayerful and financial support of the school. As you continue to offer your support to the school community, may the abundance of God’s mercy find a home within your heart. We are Chez Nous. Are you?

Warm regards,

Dr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U. President

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A Message from the Principal

Dear Alumnae, Families and Friends, Every day, Notre Dame School students bring their many gifts to our school—they bring their intelligence, curiosity, kindness, compassion, and open-mindedness, among many other attributes.

Perhaps the gift I cherish most is the beautiful diversity of our students, a gift to us all, and the theme for our 2015–2016 school year. Faculty have been exploring this theme in conversation and instructional practice. Students will be reflecting on and writing about diversity for this year’s literary magazine, Conversatio.

“Perhaps the gift I cherish most is the beautiful diversityof our students, a gift to us all, and the theme for our 2015-2016 school year.”

Notre Dame School families hail from over 50 different countries. Many of our students are firstgeneration Americans and are bilingual, speaking a different language at home from the one they use at school. They commute from all five boroughs, and from Westchester and New Jersey!

Our students are a true mix of ethnicities and races. We’re an independent Catholic school, but several of our students come from other faith traditions. All find welcome in our lovely, inclusive school liturgies. They come from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds, family traditions, and political outlooks; yet, all share our school values, including respect, responsibility, and friendship.

At Notre Dame School, we treasure our differences, but we are so accustomed to having this beautiful diversity that, at times, we even take it for granted. Today, schools in New York City are more segregated than they were before the Civil Rights Act of 1964. What a shocking reversal, but, thankfully, Notre Dame School is a rare exception to this discouraging trend. Notre Dame School students all benefit from attending classes with and befriending students who may look different than they do and who also may have different experiences and different views.

How much better would our city, nation, and world be if during our formative years we were all immersed in diverse groups, all listening to one another, learning from one another, and working together?

Assembling this prize of diverse classes takes planning, effort, and money. Our Admissions Director, Bob Grote, recruits students with this tradition of diversity in mind. Our development team works hard to raise scholarship and financial aid funds so that every young woman who seeks a Notre Dame School education has access to it. Our loyal alumnae give generously to the school, so that the gift of diversity they benefitted from during their time can be offered to the Chez Nous sisters of today. The early experience of diversity offers lessons that last a lifetime, and I am so thankful to all who invest in this wonderful hallmark of Notre Dame School.

With admiration and gratitude,

Jaclyn Brilliant Principal 2

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A R O U N D

N E W LY M I N T E D

S C H O O L

F A C U LT Y D E G R E E S

Timothy Dooley

Skye Angioletti

On October 21, 2015, Timothy Dooley, a Theology teacher at Notre Dame School , traveled to London to defend his doctoral dissertation on the Vulgate Gospels and St. Jerome’s role in their creation. This defense was the culmination of his doctoral studies at Kings College, London. His dissertation focused on the analysis of grammatical, syntactical, and lexical differences found among Greek and Latin versions of Matthew and Mark in manuscripts from before the 6th Century. Please join us in congratulating the newly named, Dr. Timothy Dooley!

In August of 2015, Skye Angioletti, Theology Department Chair at Notre Dame School, received a Master of Arts in Religion and Religious Education, with a concentration in Christian Spirituality and Spiritual Direction from Fordham University. She completed most of her coursework by 2007, but being a recent convert to Catholicism, she struggled to settle on a thesis topic, the origin of the Communion of Saints in the Roman Catholic tradition and how this research relates to young adult women of high school age. She is now well versed in the Saints and the lives they led for Christ during various periods of history, with a specific interest in St. Therese of Lisieux.

C A R E E R D AY

On February 27, 2015, Notre Dame School hosted its annual Career Day thanks to a very distinguished panel of alumnae. A select group of remarkable women from the classes of 1977-1997 spoke about their vocations, along with the challenges and rewards their jobs have presented.

The Chez Nous sisters who spoke at this event represented a wide array of industries, including finance, entertainment and fragrance, along with an independent author. They each described a deep sense of pride and accomplishment in their work, in addition to a strong connection with Notre Dame School.

Whether working as a Senior Vice President at a talent agency or in Global Client Management at an investment firm, each panelist placed a great deal of emphasis on the importance of networking, not only when starting anew or transitioning, but throughout one’s entire career. A large number of panelists discussed how their careers were not always a linear journey, but their ability to adapt quickly and their willingness to change careers and goals allowed for well-positioned and successful transitions.

If you are a Notre Dame School alumna who would like to participate in 2016 Career Day, please contact Elizabeth Bixenman at bixenmane@cheznous.org.

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O R I E N TAT I O N

New Faces, New Perspectives!

The 2015–2016 academic year began with two separate Orientation Days, which centered around the wonderful diversity of our school. On the first day, each freshman was matched with a Notre Dame School senior and presented with a small gift from her Chez Nous sister.

The sophomores and juniors gathered on the second day with great confidence and familiarity, excited to be back and catch up with friends.

Even though the students were separated by grades, both days consisted of the same activities. The students were assigned homerooms, familiarized themselves with the building, and settled in to their surroundings.

When asked to gather in the Dolan Center, the girls received a short history of The High Line from Ms. Katie Walters, our school’s Art Department Chair. Afterwards, they went on a relaxing stroll to visit the unique rail line park, took pictures and chatted with new and old friends. The day concluded with the girls breaking up into smaller groups to create a spoken word piece. The activity brought to light the diversity that each student brings to our Chez Nous community, whether it is through her personal experiences, cultural background, geographical perspective, family life or socioeconomic differences. We are ever grateful to have such a diverse community from which we can learn and grow daily.

CO L L E G E PA N E L On January 8, 2015, a group of Notre Dame School alumnae were wonderful enough to return and share some of their words of wisdom with the Class of 2016 regarding their forthcoming college application process.

The panel was comprised of recent alumnae who have attended a wide range of colleges, including those both near and far geographically. In particular, one of our panelists, Alexa Mena ’13, participated as a panel member by video conference since she is currently attending NYU Abu Dhabi. Discussions throughout this event also revealed that Notre Dame School alumnae feel well-prepared for the rigors of a college curriculum. Members of the panel credited the academic support and standards placed on them as high school students for their smooth adjustment to college life and the responsibilities presented.

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FA L L S P O R T S Notre Dame School is thrilled to announce how exceedingly well both our Varsity Soccer and Varsity Volleyball teams performed last fall! We are most proud of our girls for their continued enthusiasm, teamwork and commitment throughout their entire seasons.

Our Varsity Soccer team had a riveting season and entered into the playoffs with a 10-0-3 record, but not before their dramatic rise to the top following a 5-4 victory over St. Vincent Ferrer! The team was led by Co-Captains Madison Marino ’16 and Regan Burke ’16, along with other notable players, including Niamh Hoban ’16, Jane Ferris ’18 and Corrin Motyka ’19. As a whole, they practiced determinedly with a particular focus on quality passing and ball possession, and it worked since they scored a total of 127 goals by the end of the season! All of which contributed to becoming New York City Division Champions

and Girl’s Catholic High Schools Athletic Association Tier 3 Champions!

Our Varsity Volleyball team had an equally exciting season.

Starting in August, they worked arduously on improving their techniques and communication, making great strides individually and, more importantly, as a team. The team was led by Co-Captains Jessica King ’16 and Maria Sciancalepore ’16, and they completed their regular season with an 8-2-0 record. Our girls then continued on to the playoffs where they finished second in the Girl’s Catholic High School Athletic Association League! Although this was the last season for many talented seniors who will be greatly missed, the team will remain strong due to those returning who contributed significantly to the team’s overall success.

Congratulations on an extremely exciting and successful fall season everyone!

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S C H O O L

Jazz for Young People On Monday, November 9, 2015, our sophomores had the privilege of listening and participating in a jazz concert called “Let Freedom Swing! - Jazz and Democracy” hosted by Lincoln Center’s Jazz Academy.

This event was the first in a series of three as part of their Jazz for Young People program to be held this academic year.

Warming Hearts All Around The spirit of giving never falls short here at Notre Dame School! Last fall, thanks to the generosity of Board member Virginia Dolan and her delightful friends, our girls worked together to create beautiful fleece blankets, which were later donated to those in need during the Christmas season.

This event has become an annual tradition and instills a sense of humility and social awareness for all those involved.

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R I N G D AY

Ring Day marks a rite of passage for members of the Junior Class. The ceremony celebrates our girls as they transition into their final year of high school. Current seniors participated in this special Chez Nous tradition on April 30, 2015 with abundant enthusiasm and appreciation. In keeping with tradition, the girls were treated to brunch in the beautifully decorated Dolan Center.

The space was adorned with stunning floral displays and gifts organized by the then Sophomore Class.

Following brunch, all those in attendance proceeded to Notre Dame School’s Alumnae Chapel for

Liturgy. Rev. Joseph Parkes, S.J. gave a poignant homily in which he exhorted the Class of 2016 to share their gifts with the world. He encouraged each member of the then Junior Class to focus on and enjoy their present lives rather than over think their distant futures.

As with each Ring Day, the meaning of the Notre Dame School crest came to light and the students learned the history of its significance through the words of Sr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U. The girls were reminded that the circle surrounding the crest is a symbol of God’s love, which will remain with them always.

Spooktacular Celebrations!

The hallways are always filled with such excitement when Halloween comes around, and last fall was no different!

Thanks to Notre Dame School’s Student Council, all students participated in a homeroom pumpkin decorating contest in the nearby Jackson Square Park on October 27, 2015. The following day the Halloween celebrations continued in our very own Dolan Center with featured performances from the Notre Dame Music Club, Glee Club, Drama Club and Chez Nous Steppers.

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S C H O O L

Women of Influence On September 29, 2015, our Notre Dame School Student Council Executive Board, Peyton Abrams ’16, Maria Sciancalepore ’16, Sarah Doumbia ’17, and Eileen Woods ’17, along with Mya Powell ’17, Sophia Bertran ’17, and Kayla Stanke ’16 attended Glamour’s “The Power of an Educated Girl” panel — presented by Maybelline New York and The Harnisch Foundation. Guest speakers included First Lady Michelle Obama, former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Plan International girl advocate Nurfahada, actress and activists Charlize Theron and Sophia Bush. The event was attended by over 1,000 young women and held at New York City’s historic Apollo Theater.

Making Strides Last fall, Notre Dame School’s National Honor Society organized a team and raised money to help support the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Central Park. The entire Notre Dame School community was invited to join the walk, which started by the 72nd Street Bandshell at 8:00 am on Sunday, October 18, 2015. Participation in the event was a wonderful demonstration by our girls of fulfilling one of Anne de Xainctonge’s values—Service. All those involved helped raise awareness, fund ongoing research and celebrate breast cancer survivors!

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Ignatian Family Teach-In

In early November, eight students from Notre Dame School joined over 1,600 high school and college aged students from across the country for The Ignatian Solidarity Network’s Annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice. The three day seminar provided opportunities for students to learn, discuss, and reflect on social justice issues, including Environmental Justice, Immigration Policy and U.S. policy towards Central and South America. The program included guest lectures by Sr. Helen Prejean, C.S.J., Dr. Maureen O’Connell of LaSalle University, and Fr. Jim Martin, S.J. of America Magazine. Following the conference, our students traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with a representative from Sen. Kristen Gillibrand’s office to advocate for social justice issues.

Supporting our Sisters in the Congo At the start of the academic year, our girls welcomed Sr. Marilyn Gramas, S.U. as she gave a heartening presentation on our sister school in the Congo at our first school assembly.

On November 10, 2015, Notre Dame School demonstrated their support for this same cause by hosting its annual Global Awareness Dinner, which was organized and led by Anne’s Leaders, Sr. Virginia O’Brien S.U. and Ms. Karina Vargas. With additional help from Ms. Maria Vulcano and Board members, the pasta dinner and night of dancing raised over $2,000! Chez Nous thanks everyone for attending!

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STUDENT NEWS: E X P L O R A T I O N S Julia Betancourt ’17 Julia took a creative writing summer course at Columbia University School of General Studies, taught by the university’s current or former MFA candidates. For the application, Julia put together a brief writing portfolio, including several pieces written in ninth and tenth grade English, along with recommendation letters from her Notre Dame teachers.

In late March, she was accepted into the program and later spent three weeks fulfilling a childhood dream! Those who were accepted shared similar hobbies, passions and experiences with Julia as well. Some students were local but others had traveled from as far as Korea and Taiwan, which made the last day of goodbyes particularly difficult. Julia has since completed the program but is now working on an independent project, a novel-inprogress, with one of the professors she met through the program.

Regan Burke ’16 Over the summer, Regan worked as a special needs camp counselor at Camp Fatima for Boys and as a summer camp counselor at Camp Bernadette for Girls, both located in New Hampshire. To be a counselor at either camp, applicants have to be at least 17 years of age, and the camps typically hire prior campers who were previously Counselors-in-Training.

Regan applied to be a special needs camp counselor at Camp Fatima a few months before the summer sessions began. She was not originally hired to be a counselor at Camp Bernadette, but the director of both camps asked her to stay for the rest of the summer at Camp Bernadette. Regan realized her love of helping others when she began tutoring underclassmen at Notre Dame, so being a camp counselor was another opportunity that allowed her to share her talents and time with others.

Andenelis Rosario ’17 Andenelis had the opportunity to explore Spain, France, Belgium and the Netherlands last summer. It was a wonderful experience because she was able to spend the entire summer with her family in Europe, returning only six days before school started. While traveling, she did get homesick and struggled to adjust to the time difference, which made it difficult to communicate with other family members and friends back home. Nevertheless, she found traveling around Europe to be an incredible experience and is grateful for the opportunity. Barcelona was a particular favorite because she was able to apply her Spanish, thanks to Ms. Harrington, and found traveling around the city to be quite easy by train.

She also enjoyed the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris where she felt the spirit of Chez Nous all around.

Yuan Sciscent ’16 For ten days, Yuan traveled to Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic so that she could observe and study the Baroque, Rococo, and medieval architecture and art. She visited the churches, basilicas, shrines and cathedrals, as it was a religious pilgrimage as well.

Yuan loves traveling, and she particularly enjoys stepping away from NYC’s skyscrapers to be surrounded by Europe’s historic buildings and cobblestone streets. Prior to her trip, she had just completed her AP Art History course with Ms. Katie Walters, so she took with her the information she had recently learned. Her resounding knowledge even made one of her tour guides believe she was an Art History major! With this experience, she was glad she took AP Art History because it was quite valuable and helped her to engage in intellectual conversations with people all over the world.

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Ariana Carrasquillo ’17 Ariana is a member of the Kips Bay Makos swim team in the Bronx. Over spring break, her coach certified a handful of teens, both on the team and not, between the ages of 15 and 18 in CPR, lifeguarding and waterfront lifeguarding, which Ariana passed. With her certifications, she was able to take a lifeguarding job at Mosholu Day Camp in Bear Mountain, New York where she had the opportunity to work with children last summer. Her job included teaching the children how to be comfortable in the water and how to swim.

This experience developed her communication skills, which helped her with her job and in creating new friendships with the children, counselors and supervisors. However, aside from all the fun, she learned that being a lifeguard is a very serious responsibility. The entire summer she never had to save a child from drowning, but she did save two counselors! At first, Ariana was terrified, but she knew she had a job to do, so she did not let fear hold her back. Her supervisor and coworkers also reassured her that she handled both situations very well.

Klea Lisi ’16 & Kristina Lisi ’18 Klea and Kristina travel to their home country of Albania with their younger brother and parents whenever they have the opportunity, not only to reconnect with their distant family members, but also their Albanian roots. On their most recent trip back, they decided to add to their experience by spending their two week vacation volunteering at an orphanage last summer. Both Klea and Kristina place a great deal of importance on community service work due to the values they have learned at Notre Dame. They have a sense of global awareness that encourages them to better not only the community in which they live but the country from where they came. While in Albania, they volunteered at Hope for the World Albania, which supports four programs where each serves a different purpose. The four programs were organized by age and condition, such as the baby orphanage, the young children/teenage orphanage, the elderly home, and for the physically and mentally disabled. The girls were proactive and reached out to the organization to secure volunteer positions at the young children/teenage orphanage. They spent two weeks helping, mentoring and emotionally supporting the children. Once Klea and Kristina completed their volunteer service, Hope for the World Albania wrote a short piece about their work in their newsletter.

Victoria Barrett ’17 & Kate Scherer ’17 Over the summer, Victoria and Kate had the opportunity to take part in a three-week summer internship at the Council on Foreign Relations. This opportunity was made possible due to a program at Global Kids, an organization that Notre Dame Board member Dr. Grace C. Pilcer introduced to Chez Nous. To be selected for this program, they had to submit two essays along with a general application, which they did at the end of their sophomore year. In addition, they had to include a recommendation from one of their teachers and submit their report cards. The program focused on international law and foreign policy. It was through the program that they met guest speakers, ranging from international journalists from the New York Times to filmmakers that specialized in documentaries on the conflict in Israel and Palestine. The program was only three weeks, but it ran from nine to five every weekday. Once they completed the internship program, they agreed to create a peer education project on one of the topics they had studied. At Notre Dame, they were both fortunate to have taken AP World History, which not only challenged them academically but also helped them to appreciate other cultures. By studying World History in depth, they were able to better understand and consider the issues discussed in the program.

Furthermore, the diverse community at Notre Dame prepared them to tackle the issues with a sense of understanding. Victoria and Kate completed the internship program with a more critical lens of the world and international affairs, which they hope to share with the Notre Dame community.

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THE CHEZ NOUS BENEFIT LUNCHEON

Bidding for the Future obile bidding was an due to her longstanding commitment exciting new addition to last to volunteerism. She first began volunyear’s Chez Nous Benefit. teering with a victim support group in Leading up to the event, invitations London, followed by a home for single and e-mails reminded guests to bring mothers in Hong Kong. When she later their fully charged mobile devices, returned to the United States, she became and upon arriving at Pier Sixty, they a Board member at the Princeton YWCA, were greeted at the registration tables which opened up new opportunities, by volunteers holding iPads ready to including working at a women’s shelter check them into the event. Moments and a home for runaway children. after walking through the doors, guests Arlene also volunteered in a neo-natal received a text message that led unit at a hospital in Trenton. In 1997, she them straight to the bidding website, trained and became a hospice volunteer, after which they were ready to go! and, after seventeen years, she initiated a Instead of paper bid sheets lining the mentoring program for hospice volunteers. silent auction tables, all bidding ocThe Chez Nous Parent Awards went curred electronically. No longer did to Kerry Murphy-Orlando (mother of they have to leave a conversation Isabella Orlando ’15 and Alexa Orlando ’16) with an old friend to squeeze in to and Catherine Pino (mother of Stephanie an already crowded auction table, or Licciardi ’15 and Natalie Licciardi ’19), hover over a coveted item just waitSr. Virginia with Chez Nous Parent Award who dedicated their time, effort, talents, Winner Kerry Murphy-Orlando, her daughters and resources in the months leading ing to place a new bid. Those truly Alexa Orlando ’16 and Isabella Orlando ’15 skilled with their phone did not even up to the Chez Nous Benefit. Kerry has have to set down their drink to stay in (top); Anne de Xainctonge Award Winner – been working at CBS for the last 22 Arlene DENINGER Prendergast, ’60 (center) the lead! And to top it off, check-out years, and she is currently an Account and Chez Nous Parent Award Winner Catherine lines were minimal, as attendees who Executive at WCBS-TV. Before having Pino, and her daughters, Natalie Licciardi, ’19 pre-registered their credit card were her daughters, Catherine was as an and Stephanie Licciardi, ’15. immediately able to pick up their audio engineer for Off-Broadway proreceipt and auction item upon departure. ductions, as well as the office manager for a company While our Chez Nous Benefit underwent a big change owned by her then soon-to-be husband. Both Kerry with the use of mobile bidding, the generosity of our and Catherine commented that they have been very guests remained constant and true. In particular, the pleased with Notre Dame School, as the girls “feel right bigheartedness of our loyal attendees was most apparat home” and the school has been “the ideal situation ent in our Fund-the-Scholarship special appeal, which [for them].” And so, everyone involved is delighted to raised almost $35,000—a significant increase from prior be Chez Nous! years. This was a triumphant gain for our school since it On a final note, our 2015 Chez Nous Benefit was only had a prominent impact on the overall success of the made possible due to the abiding support and commitevent. We were more than delighted to learn that our ment from so many individuals. We would like to extend 2015 Chez Nous Benefit raised nearly $150,000! our utmost thanks to all of our donors, volunteers, Board As with each year, the event program included an members, parents, alumnae, faculty, staff and students award ceremony to honor a Notre Dame School alumna, who played a role in ensuring the success of last year’s event. as well as two Notre Dame School parents. Last year, Our Chez Nous Benefit is Notre Dame School’s largest Arlene DENINGER Prendergast ’60 received the Anne de fundraising event, and we are most grateful each year Xainctonge Award for her life of service and her continued because all proceeds feed directly back to our scholarsupport of Notre Dame School. Arlene was an obvious ships and financial aid programs, a need that is at the choice when deciding who should receive this award heart of remaining true to Anne de Xainctonge’s mission.

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6 1. (L - R) Barbara ROWBO Seymour ’77, Sr. Mary Dolan, and former Principal Sr. Elizabeth DITOLLA ’60 2. 2015 Graduates (L-R): Savannah Ruiz, Michelle Yip, Ashley Arnold, Princess Gordon, Joralyssa Conley, Kyanna Johnson, Delia Butler, Emely Espinal, and Jennifer Fox 3. Kerry Murphy-Orlando and Principal, Jaclyn Brilliant 4. Fund the Scholarship bidding commences!

5. Friends and parents of Xavier High School with Notre Dame Board members Sr. Mary Dolan and Daniel Dougherty 6. Dr. Grace Pilcer, Notre Dame Board member, and daughter, Julia Pilcer 7. Teachers Ms. Katie Walters and Mr. Glenn Stordeur with students Isabel Ortiz ’15 and Savannah Ruiz ’15 8. Vice Principal, Ms. Karina Vargas ’02 9. Back Row - The Prendergast Family - (L-R) Margaret Prendergast Kumar , Arlene DENINGER Prendergast ’60, Tom Prendergast, Kelly Prendergast Nestor and Patricia COOK Hult ’60; Seated: (L-R) Sr. Elizabeth DITOLLA ’59, Leigh Combes ’60, Pat Murphy Carlin ’60, Molly Sheils ’60

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Mark your calendars for the 2016 Chez Nous Benefit on March 12, 2016, at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers!

Should you or someone you know have an item to donate to our live or silent auctions, please contact the Director of Alumnae Relations and Special Projects, Elizabeth Bixenman, at bixenmane@cheznous.org.We are actively collecting donations at this time for the 2016 Chez Nous Benefit.

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N O T R E D A M E ’ S A LU M N A E R E U N I O N

Sharing Smiles and Stories

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n the fall of 2014, Notre Dame School held its third annual Alumnae Reunion, which honored the class years ending in “0” and “5,” but all alumnae were invited to attend.

The two-day celebration took place on Thursday evening, November 6th and on Friday morning, November 7th.

In keeping with tradition, the reunion festivities kicked off with student-led tours through our West 13th Street building. As whispered in the hallways and at the end of the tours, our alumnae were pleased to learn that even though Notre Dame School has changed locations over the many years, from West 79th Street to St. Mark’s Place to our current location on West 13th Street,

our existing location still feels like home because it encompasses many aspects of the school’s history.

The tours finished in the Dolan Center where alumnae and their guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, wine, and beer.

The day then continued with class photos and a presentation of gifts to those celebrating a reunion year.

Alumnae caught up with classmates, flipped through old yearbooks, and reminisced about their high school days. The Dolan Center was filled with laughter and conversation, and one class even Skyped a classmate in Italy so that she could join in on the fun!

The following day gave alumnae the opportunity to see our Notre Dame

School in action. Teachers generously opened their classroom doors and invited alumnae to become students again. They were able to sit in on U.S. history, math, biology, chemistry, art history, or French class. Afterward, they headed to the Alumnae Chapel where Father Anthony Soo Hoo, S.J. presided at a special Mass. Our alumnae appreciated this time with friends, faculty, staff and current students, who served as Eucharistic ministers, lectors, and altar servers. The two-day extravaganza was capped off with a lunch on the school’s mezzanine floor where everyone came together for one final goodbye—until next time, that is!

1. Rose DeMARCO Sulinski ’75 and Catherine CONNALLON Ilkew ’75 2. Vivian CARDIA ’70 3. Victoria HERNANDEZ ’70 4. Class of 1960: Leigh COMBES Phillips, Patricia MURPHY Carlin, Patricia COOK Hult, Sr. Virginia O’Brien S.U., President, Rita MOEHRINGER Papke, Arlene DENINGER Prendergast, and Jaclyn Brilliant, Principal.

5. Jasmin Rivera ’99 and Sr. Mary Dolan S.U.

6. Monique SULLE Bowen’90, Sr. Virginia O’Brien S.U., President, and Melanie AURE Duford ’90 7. Ms. Vicky ABAD ’99, ND Science Department Chair, Ms. Karina VARGAS ’02, Vice Principal with Foreign Language Department Chair, Ms. Ann Crosson 8. Class of 1980: Eileen GLEASON and Eileen MURPHY 9. Class of 1975: Rosana GONZALEZ Agostini, Jo Ann LODICO, Nadine CAMPBELL, Paula ANDRYUK, Rose DeMARCO Sulinski, and Catherine CONNALLON Ilkew

10. Class of 1985:Anne Marie WALSH Woods, Robin NEWMAN, Nami KUWABARA, Josephine LAWLOR Jamieson, Sr. Virginia O’Brien S.U., and Theresa BROLLY Daly 11. Class of 1970: Sr. Virginia O’Brien S.U., President, Victoria HERNANDEZ, Sr. Barbara Marie Cady, S.U., Muriel FLYNN Gonzalez, and Jaclyn Brilliant, Principal.

12. Sr. Virginia O’ Brien S.U., President, Carolyn WAHLIG Szostek ’65, and Jaclyn Brilliant, Principal.

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5

4

7 6

8 9

11

10

Our next Alumnae Reunion will be held on Friday, May 13, 2016 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm.

At this event, we will be honoring the class years ending in 1 and 6, but as always, all are invited!

Please visit our school website for more information and to purchase tickets.

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15

Pope Francis:

The Spiritual Awakening

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Pope Francis arrives in New York City on September 24, 2015 (Photo credit: Rianne Pyle ’17)

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Madison Square Garden

A

Bixenman, Karina Vargas, inia O’Brien S.U., Elizabeth Eager ticket holders, Sr. Virg an, await entry into Madison Square Garden ry Dol Jaclyn Brilliant and Sr. Ma

t the end of September, “Papal Fever” swept the city as New Yorkers prepared to host, for the first time, Pope Francis.

The now 79 year old Argentinian, Jesuit Pope was all anyone was talking about in the weeks leading up to his historic visit and for what will likely be years to come. Notre Dame was not immune to the anticipation surrounding the visit, as students and faculty alike were gripped with excitement.

Of course, several of Pope Francis’ predecessors have visited New York City. In 1965, Pope Paul VI became the first Pope to travel to the Western Hemisphere. Blessed Pope John Paul II made seven trips to the states between 1979 and 1999 and, most recently, Pope Emeritus Benedict

Pope Francis appr oaches Sr. Patrick ’s Cathedral (Photo credit: Eilee

XVI visited the United States in 2008. The buzz surrounding Pope Francis’ visit was not due to novelty but rather his extreme popularity, especially with the youth. A week before the Pope’s arrival, senior Kathleen Valonis and sophomore Rebecca Raslowsky sat for an interview with James Ford of PIX11 and two students from Xavier High School. When asked about the Pope’s appeal, particularly amongst the youth, Kathleen Valonis explained: “Everything that he’s doing and everything he’s talking about is just really refreshing, especially for all of us [students], because we’re a lot younger and we’re still learning the ways of the Catholic Church.”

For Rebecca Raslowsky, Pope Francis’ atten-

n Woods ’17)

“Everything that he's doing and everything he's talking about is just really refreshing, especially for all of us [students], because we're a lot younger and we're still learning the ways of the Catholic Church.”

–Kathleen Valonis ’16 17

Notre Dame sophomores tune in to watch Pope Francis in Washington, DC

fie with Elena Jones ’17 snaps a sel

er and Senator Charles E. Schum

Mayor Bill de Blasio

tion to environmental issues and global crises, particularly the refugee crisis in the Middle East is of particular significance. When asked about his popularity and how she relates to the 79 year-old Argentinean, she commented, “He’s not going to look down on us. He’s not on a throne above us.

He’s one of us, and he even says that, in his interviews, he’s a sinner.” View the interview at cheznous.org/chez-nous-on-pix11/.

During Pope Francis’ first day in the United States, Notre Dame teachers set aside lesson plans to watch the news as Pope Francis met with President Obama and prayed alongside the U.S. bishops at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Washington, DC. While Notre Dame tuned in from afar, alumna Isabella Bogdanos ’14 was preparing to be a part of history. Bogdanos, a sophomore at The Catholic University of America, volunteered to work at the Canonization Mass of Junipero Serra held at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which 18

Notre Dame students Rebecca Rasl owsky ’18 and Kathleen Valonis ’16 with Xavier students

abuts the university’s Washington, DC campus. This event marked Pope Francis’ first Mass in the United States and the first Canonization Mass ever held in the U.S. “I volunteered through Campus Ministry at Catholic, of which I am a member,” said Bogdanos. “We began preparing for the Mass in early September, which included meeting with U.S. Secret Service agents, clearing a background check and learning our roles for the Mass.” For Bogdanos, her role was to assist the Deacons assigned to distributing the Eucharist to the tens of thousands gathered, a feat that was accomplished in under 17 minutes!

She also remarked that seeing Pope Francis was transformative. “Reading what Pope Francis says in the prayers, or even seeing him on TV does not do him justice. He is a man of all the people, and I think that finally became clear to me when I saw him speak live. He speaks from the heart. And that, to me, in anyone is rare.”

On the morning of Thursday, September 24th, Pope Francis would continue to make history as he addressed a joint session of Congress followed by a visit to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington. At 5:00 p.m. that same day, Pope Francis finally arrived in New York City, first stop: the newly renovated St. Patrick’s Cathedral. However, hours before his New York City arrival, Notre Dame students, parents and faculty members had already begun their trudge through security checkpoints followed by hours of waiting with the hope of seeing Pope Francis make his arrival down Fifth Avenue. Dozens of members of our Notre Dame community joined the tens of thousands in this pilgrimage. As Pope Francis made his way down Fifth Avenue, the anticipation boiled over into a roar as the flash of cameras filled the air and all of the waiting became worthwhile as Pope Francis offered blessings over the crowd.

A lucky group of students stood with great anticipation on the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral to greet Pope Francis as he arrived for evening prayer. The wait was long, but selfies with the likes of Sen. Charles E. Schumer and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio helped pass the time.

Allyssa Olivan, a junior from College Point, New York, was overwhelmed the moment she saw Pope Francis. She remarked, “I felt this warm feeling. His presence gave me goose bumps, I felt great vibes radiating off of him.

When he was out of my sight I felt content.”

For junior Eileen Woods,“standing on the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral to greet Pope Francis was a once in a life time experience. Just being able to stand there in his presence and witness seeing him in person was a gift in itself. There were kids from other high schools there, and we all bonded over the fact that we were all so excited to see the Pope. I really loved to see how we were all brought together by our common excitement for seeing Pope Francis.”

When Pope Francis entered St. Patrick’s Cathedral, hundreds of clergy members, including former faculty members, Sr. Patricia Bruck, S.U. and Sr. Marylin Gramas, S.U. ‘59 along with Notre Dame Board members Most Rev. Gerald T. Walsh, Rev. Vincent Biagi, S.J., former President Sr. Mary Dolan, S.U. and current President Sr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U. '70, delivered a thunderous applause.

On Friday, September 25th, students and teachers once again watched as Pope Francis addressed the United Nations General Assembly, participated in an interfaith prayer service at The National September 11th Memorial and Museum, followed by a visit to Our Lady Queen

of Angels School in East Harlem. Following this, several Notre Dame students had the opportunity to travel to Central Park where Pope Francis met the massive crowds as he made his way to Madison Square Garden.

Waiting for him there was Jaclyn Brilliant, Principal, who stood in line with her fellow Notre Dame staff members, along with 20,000 other excited attendees. As the mass of people poured into MSG, a venue which generally hosts concerts, sporting events and special performances, she commented that “before Pope Francis arrived, I ran into several Notre Dame alumnae, which made the huge venue feel like a small town.” Then, as she looked around, she noticed she was not the only one, and everyone in attendance was excitedly chatting with one another in anticipation of hearing Pope Francis speak in person. When Pope Francis arrived, the arena “turned electric, everyone stood at once and got as close to whatever railing or barrier that marked their section to take pictures,” as described by Brilliant. After countless rounds of applause, the crowd settled, and the Mass began.

Pope Francis’ homily, delivered in Spanish, resonated with the massive crowd and the Notre Dame community as he explained: “Living in a big city is not always easy. A multicultural context presents many complex challenges. Yet, big cities are a reminder of the hidden riches present in our world: in the diversity of its cultures, traditions and historical experiences. In the variety of its languages, costumes and cuisine, big cities bring together all the different ways, which we human beings have discovered to express the meaning of life, wherever we may be.”

This Pope’s message is easily applied to life at Notre Dame. Our students, with their hidden riches, talents, and abilities, bring their cultural diversity to school each day, and while it is complex, it results in a beautiful expression of human life and understanding.

Departing on Friday evening, Francis had been in New York City for just over 24 hours, a span that felt more like 24 days for Catholics and non-Catholics alike as they rallied around the Pontiff. His message of an inclusive Church and love of all human beings is one that is lived out by all students at Notre Dame, and the answer to his questions, “How do we encounter God, who lives with us amid the smog of our cities? How do we encounter Jesus, alive and at work in the daily life of our multicultural cities?” can be seen and heard each day in our hallways and classrooms.

“Reading what Pope Francis says in the prayers, or even seeing him on TV does not do him justice. He is a man of all the people, and I think that finally became clear to me when I saw him speak live.”

–Isabella Bogdanos ’14

“He’s not going to look down on us. He’s not on a throne above us.

He’s one of us, and he even says that, in his interviews, he’s a sinner.”

–Rebecca Raslowsky ’18

“I ran into several Notre Dame alumnae, which made the huge venue feel like a small town.”

–Jaclyn Brilliant, Principal

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Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Expanding on our U.S. History The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (“Gilder Lehrman”) works to foster a knowledge and love of American history by providing a wealth of professional development materials and opportunities to outstanding educational institutions in the areas of U.S. history and government. Notre Dame School is fortunate to be one of eleven Gilder Lehrman network schools nationwide, which affords our students and faculty an excellent website with teaching materials and the opportunity to attend lectures, visit local historical sites, and participate in special events for young historians throughout the New York area. The Gilder Lehrman events are connected to or hosted by the New York Historical Society or the Morgan Library, and our students and faculty members regularly visit both venues. Read on to learn how Notre Dame School has utilized Gilder Lehrman’s resources in the last year.

Gilder Lehrman Competitions Each year, Notre Dame School students participate in two competitions as part of our continued affiliation with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Sophomores participate in National History Day in the New York City Regional competition, and juniors compete in the Civil War Essay Contest—a national competition.

National History Day National History Day is an annual competition that takes place at the Museum of the City of New York. Students throughout the City produce exhibits and projects to be presented to judges on the topic of the year. Topics are often general and varied, allowing students to choose a subject that is most interesting to them. The 2015 topic, “Leadership and Legacy,” allowed our students to research a wide range of historical figures from many different periods and areas. In the last few years, Notre Dame School students have been among the winners in their categories. Our most recent winners, sisters Maria and Kauribel Javier ’15, received their awards in 2013.

Civil War Essay Contest All of Notre Dame School’s juniors participate in a cross-curricular research paper between the Social Studies and English Departments. Once all papers have been reviewed, the best five from Notre Dame School are selected and sent to the nationwide Gilder Lehrman Civil War Essay Contest in midJanuary. This project allows students to dive deeply into a topic related to the Civil War and conduct original research on a subject most interesting to them. In recent years, Notre Dame School has had a pair of honorable mention awards: Paige Guevara ’14 and Maria Javier ’15 each received a $500 cash prize for their outstanding papers.

NY Historical Society Class With the help of funds from the Gilder Lehrman Institute, Ms. Frawley and Mr. Stordeur collaborated with the New York Historical Society to bring a historian to the junior US History classes and sophomore American Studies classes.

Justinne Jedzinak analyzed and discussed primary documents from the Historical Society’s collections. Ten lessons were given on eight topics ranging from the American Revolution to the Roaring Twenties to Civil Rights. This enrichment program not only brought life to the subjects but also helped prepare the students for the Regents Exam.

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2nd Annual Historian Forum In January of 2015, Notre Dame School hosted their 2nd Annual Historian Forum in the Dolan Center. The event was the centerpiece of a month long celebration in preparation of African American History Month, as our Dolan Center displayed the Gilder Lehrman exhibition entitled Freedom Riders. Notre Dame School hosted the Xavier High School Junior Class to see the exhibit and engage with the noted historian, Professor Clarence Taylor, of Baruch College to discuss the topic. The month culminated with the entire Notre Dame School Junior Class going to see a special screening of the feature film “Selma.”

Gilder Lehrman Events Morgan Library and Museum Gabriela Calero and Thalia Nunez, both juniors, attended a Meet and Greet with the 2015 Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize authors at the Morgan Library and Museum. The students also visited the limited run, critically acclaimed exhibit “Lincoln Speaks: Words That Transformed a Nation.”

The students met the 2015 winner, Harold Holzer, author of “Lincoln and the Power of the Press: The War for Public Opinion,” as well as the nominees, William Blair, author of “With Malice Toward Some: Treason and Loyalty in the Civil War Era,” Richard Brookhiser, author of “Founders’ Son: A Life of Abraham Lincoln,” James B. Conroy, author of “Our One Common Country: Abraham Lincoln and the Hampton Roads Peace Conference of 1865,” Jonathan W. White, author of “Emancipation, the Union Army, and the Reelection of Abraham Lincoln,” and Joshua Zeitz, author of “Lincoln’s Boys: John Hay, John Nicolay, and the War for Lincoln’s Image.”

Gilder Lehrman Gala At the 2014 Gilder Lehrman Gala, Ms. Frawley and students Alexandra Galdi ’14 and Elizabeth O’ Malley ’14 had the opportunity to meet Mrs. Laura Bush and Mr. David McCullough.

Ms. Frawley reported, “I used McCullough’s book, ‘1776,’ in class, and the two Notre Dame School students who had the opportunity to meet him, told him so. One quipped, ‘I read it twice.’”

For more information about upcoming events and programs, please reach out to Glenn Stordeur, our Social Studies Department Chair, at stordeurg@cheznous.org.

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Graduation 2015

Caps off to our Chez Nous Sisters!

Brianna Bosque

Nia Francis and Sierra Williams

Abigail Collins, Maria Javier, Kauribel Javier, Stephanie Licciardi, Gabrielle Lacqua and Sophia Schaedle

Bianca Columbia and Morgan Baker

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Maya Fidelia and Jaclyn Brilliant, Principal

G

raduation, a day long anticipated by the members of the class of 2015, was celebrated with grace and gratitude by our 75 graduates, generations of their families, their beloved teachers and dear friends. Gathered on June 4, 2015 in Cooper Union’s historic Great Hall, the assembled group was welcomed by Sr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U. She reminded the girls that Anne de Xainctonge’s deepest desire was that her students would not only be academically smart but also know they are unconditionally loved by God. Our graduates, blessed by their experience of God’s love, are known for their service to others through the National Honor Society, Student Council, outreach to the Sisters of St. Ursula’s mission in the Congo, leadership in the Notre Dame School retreat program and openness to personal and academic growth. During their years Chez Nous the girls have excelled academically and become “women for and with others.”

Maria Javier, Class Valedictorian, gave a warm talk imagining who her classmates

top: Tara Bradley, Bianca Columbia, Morgan Baker, Brianna Parker, Abigail Collins, Kristen Carita, Chloé Makowsky, Ashley Nally-Nagel and Jenna Tuzzino; bottom: Clarissa Gordon, Marissa Vitarelli and Olivia Santos

will become as they pursue their dreams to study art, law, medicine and education.

Maria, a native of the Dominican Republic, urged the audience to help her realize her dreams for Notre Dame School, which include establishing a foundation so that Notre Dame School can become tuitionfree like one of the Jesuit schools for boys in New York City.

Brianna Bosque, President of the Student Council, reminisced about the graduates’ experiences over their years at Notre Dame School and gratefully recognized the individuals who offered them support along the way. Always encouraging, she urged her classmates to express their gratitude to individual teachers and members of their families while remembering the lifelong friendships formed Chez Nous.

Ms. Jaclyn Brilliant, Principal, graciously lauded four women who had announced their plans to retire from Notre Dame School.

Sr. Margaret McEntee, S.C. was fondly remembered for referring to the girls as “cupcakes” with power to change the world. Ms. Eileen Frawley, Notre Dame School’s most

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Kathe Rodriguez-Morick, Alyssa Roldan, Sierra Williams, Isabelle Orlando and Delia Butler

Diomercy Espinal and Emely Espinal

intrepid traveler, inspired us to, “pack lightly and go far.” Sr. Sarah Ryan, PBVM, led generations of young women to see God as father, and mother as well. Sr. Patricia Bruck, S.U., who, herself, epitomizes the beautiful mingling of math and music, reminded us that: “Music is our prayer, and we must sing out.”

Ms. Brilliant went on to quote from a column by David Brooks that appeared in the New York Times in April entitled “The Moral Bucket List.” In it he refers to “the stumbler,” a person who faces her imperfect nature with unvarnished honesty, with the opposite of squeamishness. Ms. Brilliant recognized the class’s aspiring professionals while encouraging and saluting those members of the class who have uncertainty about their futures. She exhorted them to be open to life and appreciative of moments of grace that we often undeservedly stumble upon.

In the midst of speeches, our young scholars were celebrated for their various accomplishments. One hundred percent of the graduates will attend four-year colleges and universities. Over 90% of the graduates received academic scholarships to colleges and universities, totaling over 17 million dollars. Our students and their families’ investment in Notre Dame School reaped tremendous rewards.

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Michelle Yip, Sierra Williams and Sandra Williams

Tara Boyce

Maria Limchayseng and Stephanie Licciardi

The following prayer was offered for the graduates at the conclusion of the ceremony:

May you travel the path to inner light, guided by the lamp Anne de Xainctonge carried and shared.

May your outstretched arms find and offer assistance to friends along the way.

May you stumble upon moments of grace as you journey toward your final destination.

May God hold you in her arms.

Each year Notre Dame School is proud that many of our students move forward to attend prestigious colleges with academic scholarships.

Here are the stories of six scholars from the Class of 2015.

Albert Einstein once said, “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”

From the moment I entered the doors of Notre Dame as an excited freshman, I was empowered not only to succeed in my studies, but to create value and meaning in everything I did. While at Notre Dame, I was encouraged to step out of my comfort zone and to explore my interests, which allowed me to develop into a strong leader.

The faculty took the time to get to know me, and through those relationships, they pushed me to grow intellectually and reach my full potential. The support system I was given allowed me to set high goals for myself and have the motivation to surpass any expectations others had of me. Not only have my teachers helped me grow and reach my full potential, but the relationships I built with my peers over my four years at Notre Dame have as well.

The leadership skills I developed throughout my four years at Notre Dame contributed to the success of my college application process. I am fortunate enough to have won a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to Lafayette College through the Posse Foundation. This achievement will be an incredible opportunity, which will grant me both financial support and the ability to develop further my leadership skills. Notre Dame has always been a huge part of my personal development. I am leaving Notre Dame with the confidence that I can achieve all the goals I set for myself. As I continue into the next chapter of my life, I will never forget the place that shaped me into the young woman I am: Notre Dame School of Manhattan, Chez Nous. ~Fanessa E. de la Rosa ’15

SCHOLARS’ CORNER

When I first stepped through the doors of Notre Dame as a freshman, I was quite unsure of what to expect.

In a short time span, I met teachers who pushed me intellectually and nurtured me spiritually in a way that has shaped the young woman I am today. Not only did I get the chance to meet amazing teachers, but I also formed lifelong friendships with the beautiful and articulate girls that I have had the honor of calling my Chez Nous sisters. Together, the teachers and my Chez Nous sisters helped to create a truly memorable and inspiring high school experience.

The generosity and kindness of the ND teachers continued to amaze me my senior year, especially during the college application process. As an immigrant from the Dominican Republic and the first in my family to pursue higher education, I knew very little about applying to college. My parents never had the opportunity to attend college, so my twin sister, Maria, and I assumed we would have to figure out the application process on our own. I went into my senior year with a few colleges in mind, but I was unsure of where I really wanted to go. My college list quickly changed once I met with my guidance counselor, Ms. Paccione, and our Principal, Ms. Brilliant. They both inspired me to apply to schools that I never dreamed I would be able to attend. Ms. Paccione’s door was always open, and I never felt ashamed of asking questions—and I had plenty.

I received guidance throughout the entire college process, which lifted a huge weight off my shoulders as a first-generation, college-bound student. Now that the college process is over, I am happy to report that I will be attending Princeton University in the fall with a generous grant from the school!

I have yet to come up with the words to express how grateful I am to the teachers of Notre Dame for believing in me. Until I find those exact words, I would like to say thank you for not only providing me with my second home, but also showing me that through hard work, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. ~Kauribel Javier ’15 25

Before joining the ND community, I attended a small middle school located near 125th Street that fostered the idea of a small family in a school environment, and I knew I wanted the same for high school. I was fortunate enough to have found it at Notre Dame, better known as Chez Nous. Coming in as a freshman, I quickly became involved in numerous clubs and activities, and I soon knew that I wanted to pursue an engineering degree at college.

With the support of Ms. O’Neill and Ms. Becker, I was able to establish a strong foundation in mathematics, and I cannot wait to begin my engineering courses this fall.

I successfully navigated the college process with the help of my guidance counselor, Ms. Paccione. She helped me develop the perfect college list, and she continued to motivate me as I finished all my standardized tests. Now, I am proud to say that I will be attending Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science in the fall! With Ms. Paccione’s help, I have secured a near full scholarship through the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and the Bloomberg Technology Scholarship, which will both greatly support my interests in the engineering and technology fields. I will never forget the help I received from my teachers and counselor at Notre Dame. I will miss Chez Nous the most for the wonderful people that I have met and the family that I have made over the years. ~Maria Javier ’15

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When I first entered the halls of Notre Dame, I immediately understood the meaning of Chez Nous.

The warmth and kindness the teachers showed on my first day of freshman year assured me that Notre Dame was the school for me. It was on that day that I began my journey to expand my horizons and develop my independence. For four years, I committed to a three-hour commute from Staten Island, arriving home after 7:00 pm during the basketball and softball seasons with just enough time left in the day to complete my homework. I was always aware of what I was giving up by not attending a school closer to my home, but I have gained and experienced so much more by choosing to attend Notre Dame over any other school.

Notre Dame has challenged me academically and instilled in me effective study habits and strategies over the past four years. But more importantly, Notre Dame has really prepared me for college. Not only has it shown me the benefits of a culturally diverse community, but it has proven that my choice to push myself and my boundaries was the right one.

Both my teachers and peers have given me the confidence to go to a large, public university from a small, Catholic high school and to study engineering, a field dominated by men.

I look forward to my new journey that will begin at The Ohio State University in the fall, but I will always continue to take with me the lessons that I learned at Notre Dame. ~Gabrielle Lacqua ’15

SCHOLARS’ CORNER

Walking into Notre Dame as a freshman, I didn’t know what to expect. But, as I took my first steps into the building, I experienced an overwhelming feeling of belonging.

Notre Dame’s challenging curriculum took me by surprise. I had to get accustomed to the work load quickly, but with the support of faculty, I was able to thrive. By my senior year, it was clear to me that Notre Dame had prepared me well for the college process.

My first choice was Fordham University. Acceptances started coming in, but I did not hear from Fordham. I continued checking and checking, but received nothing. I had lost hope and I was prepared to attend another university where I had been accepted. Then, one evening I received an email that said I had been referred to the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) at Fordham University. To get into HEOP, I had to go through a rigorous interview process and take a placement exam. A few weeks later, I learned that I had been admitted to the school. Through scholarship and financial aid, I will be graduating debt-free. Due to the guidance and support I received at Notre Dame, my parents can now sleep at night knowing I do not need to take out loans. Thank you Ms. Brilliant and Sr. Virginia for making sure Notre Dame truly felt like a second home, and thanks to my Chez Nous family for always helping me to believe in myself and my abilities.

It has been a blessing attending Notre Dame, and now I am ready to begin my next journey at Fordham University. ~Jorvelyn Tejada ’15

My years at Notre Dame were both smooth and turbulent. On some days, I easily tackled all my tasks, while other times I was overloaded with work and lots of studying. Now, I realize it was all to prepare me for a new adventure: college! Throughout my four years, I had help from many people, including other students, my teachers, and my parents. My teachers constantly pushed me to study for my SATs and ACTs, and, because Notre Dame really helped me mature, I was also able to push myself. I still remember my first day of freshman year when a senior gave me advice on how to best prepare for college and the importance of forming strong relationships with faculty. Although I thought the advice about college was too far ahead, I took it to heart and applied it throughout high school. I was rewarded with an amazing four years, incredible recommendation letters, and a very high quality education at Notre Dame.

Looking back on the past year, I was overwhelmed, studying each day for the SATs, balancing school work, and sneaking in time for myself. Before I knew it, I was loaded with college applications, and I didn’t know which school to apply to or how to write strong supplements. But, I knew it was all worth it when I received a letter congratulating me on my acceptance to New York University with a wonderful scholarship!

Due to Notre Dame, I am now well prepared to attend such an incredible university and study to become a female engineer.

I never believed the senior who told me when I was a freshman that high school flies by in a blink of an eye. But, believe it or not, it flies by faster than that! Now, it is time to close this chapter of my life and start my next adventure at college.

With that said, because I received a Notre Dame education, I am fearless, and, without a doubt, I know I will always be welcomed back Chez Nous. ~Michelle Yip ’15

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Class Notes 1942

1967

Mary WENDELKEN Nixon celebrated her 90th birthday! Her six children organized and hosted the party, which was attended by family and friends.

Mary and her husband, Charles, have been married for 68 years and are Eucharistic Ministers at their parish.

They have eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, and still counting.

Karabelle LASTIQUE Pizzigati, one of America’s premiere advocates for children, passed away June 12th after a two-year battle with cancer. She was only 65 years old.

primarily volunteered in Comayagua, Honduras where she serves the poorest of the poor. This beautiful, small Catholic Hospital is under the auspices of the Catholic Diocese of Comayagua.

The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal maintain and direct this facility. Mary is proud to be a worker in the Lord’s vineyard. She claims, “I was born to serve the poor.”

1951

1970

1976

Barbara NESBITT Cautero broke her wrist and shoulder and then underwent therapy. While recovering last July, Barbara’s daughter Jeanne and husband, Gene, visited the sisters at Linwood.

Jeanne was delighted to find Sr. Gloria Mooney, S.U. and Sr. Lois Zingaro, S.U. ‘53 doing well.

Ann BURKE Bunting and her family traveled to Colorado to visit Rocky Mountain National Park and Mesa Verde National Park last fall. She continues to work at her psychotherapy practice and spends her free time working on projects with urban sustainable gardening on the Upper West Side.

Virginia DILLON lives in Amherst, Massachusetts with her partner of 26 years, Elana Davidson. They have three beautiful children named Zoe, 22, and twins, Ciaran and Sophia, 19. The twins are currently sophomores in college, Ciaran is at Boston College and Sophia is at Wellesley College. Virginia is the Executive Director of Homework House, which is a small after school tutoring and mentoring program for low income kids in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

1963 Mary Jane DRUCKER Gabbay’s husband, Meir Sion Gabbay, passed away after a long illness on March 10, 2015. He suffered from Lewy Body disease.

Mary Ellen GLYNN Horan and her husband, Allan, became great grandparents last year. They have three sons and daughters-in-law, eight grandchildren, one great granddaughter and two dogs! Last year, Mary Ellen and her husband also had a wonderful time travelling to Japan to visit their youngest son and his family for three weeks. While retirement is treating Mary Ellen well, she sometimes misses teaching. She finds that getting together with her family and volunteering keeps her busy.

Loreta (Laurie) DiRUSSO Emanuel and her husband, Anthony, traveled to Hawaii for the first time to celebrate their 37 years of marriage. They enjoyed 16 days of perfect weather and partook in exciting activities, including hiking to the top of Diamond Head, visiting Pearl Harbor, stargazing at 14,000 feet and observing an active volcano at Volcanoes National Park.

1975 Mary O’CONNELL is currently employed as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in a Long Island Level I trauma center. She lives with her eldest brother, who is her motivation and inspiration in life. Mary has volunteered in Calcutta, India; yes, at Mother Theresa’s. She has

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Kellie GESSNER Nachmias and her husband, Lou, became first time grandparents on June 23, 2015 to a beautiful little girl named Reese Emery Nachmias!

Reese is the daughter of their oldest son, Christopher, and his beautiful wife, Kristen. Kellie and Lou celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary on October 4, 2015 as well.

1985 Robin NEWMAN has a second picture book coming out this spring titled, Hildie Bitterpickles Needs Her Sleep, which is illustrated by Chris Ewald of Creston Books. For anyone interested, it is currently available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

1986 Kathleen WALSH Mousouroulis and her family recently welcomed a new pet into their home. Kathleen’s daughter, Lyla Grace, became “Port Washington’s Finest Tortoise Keeper” on her ninth birthday! Lyla was eager to take on the responsibilities of having a pet, so Kathleen finally caved and gifted her with a Russian Tortoise on her birthday.

Kathleen highly recommends this type of land tortoise for anyone interested in taking in a small pet that is easy to interact with and handle.

Laura LIPANI Hines gave birth to a baby boy on November 16th, 2014! His name is Christian Gerard Hines, and he joins his big sister, Madeline Rose.

What’s New? 1995

1994 Alexandra BARRERA Hawkins and her family recently moved to Jacksonville, Florida from Westfield, NJ. Also, she would like to introduce her two sons to the Chez Nous Community! They are Gavin Rush Hawkins, age 7, and Lincoln Tate Hawkins, age 1.

Kristen BENJAMIN Randolph started her new job as a deputy to the Director of Consumer Services who serves as the community engagement lead and government relations liaison. In her role, she serves as a community liaison to the Public Service Commission, which is the governing body that oversees public utilities in the District of Columbia.

Kristen will be front and center on discussions surrounding renewable energy and public utilities for policy makers and elected officials.

Keep your classmates updated by sending us your latest news!

Photos are encouraged!

Please send all updates and photos to our Director of Alumnae Relations, Elizabeth Bixenman, at bixenmane@cheznous.org.

Regarding photos, remember to send the highest quality image available and identify all individuals in each photo.

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Class Notes 1996 Lydie KANE became a certified yoga instructor through the Jaya Yoga Center in Brooklyn in January 2015. She is currently the in-house yoga teacher at ND, and she teaches several classes at various studios throughout Brooklyn. She also has branched out as a freelance writer, contributing to one website in particular called The Care Giving Life, which is centered around offering support to home health aids.

They have been together for six years, and he is an electrical engineer from Brooklyn. They have already set a date and will be married on Long Island in July 2017.

Genesis TORRES-ALCANTARA traveled to Nicaragua over her sophomore winter break to partake in community service, after which she fell in love with the Latino history and culture. Due to her experiences, she decided to study abroad in Peru last fall and will be traveling to Argentina for her 2016 spring semester. Genesis is excited to embark on her upcoming journey and is grateful for all that ND has done for her.

2013 1998 Melissa RIVERO gave birth to a baby boy on April 3, 2015! His name is Gabriel, and he joins his big brother, Sebastian. She currently works at Boxed Wholesale, which is a mobile wholesale shopping app and website. Melissa was also recently named a 2015 Emerging Writers Fellow at the Center for Fiction.

2002

Natalie CORREA has been studying abroad at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland for the 2015-2016 academic school year. With that, she cannot thank the Notre Dame School faculty enough for providing her with the inspiration and knowledge to study abroad, and she thanks Chez Nous for introducing her to European culture when she went on the school trip to Italy and Spain.

2014

Andrea VELEZ has been appointed as Assistant Principal of P.S. 42, The Claremont Community School and got married in August!

2008 Erica ZISSEL is excited to announce that she got engaged to her boyfriend, John Andrinopoulos, while vacationing in Mykonos, Greece over the summer.

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Stephanie DeCASTRO, Victoria JACKSON, Alexandra GALDI, Jenna BLOOMER

In Memoriam Jenna BLOOMER is a student at Manhattan College and loves it! She joined a sorority, writes for the college newspaper and is majoring in Journalism.

Over the summer, Jenna worked at an ice cream shop in Long Beach, New York.

She is enjoying her college experience but will never forget her Chez Nous family!

Stephanie DeCASTRO is a sophomore at The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia where she is currently majoring in Pharmacy. Over the summer, she worked at a local taco joint called Ho’Brah on Staten Island and took a chemistry lecture and lab class.

Stephanie is loving college and says the last year has been one of the best years of her life!

Alexandra GALDI is a sophomore at Davidson College in North Carolina.

She is currently on the Crew Club and loving it! Over the summer, Alex interned at a dental office to explore her interest and possible future in dentistry.

Victoria JACKSON is a sophomore at The College of the Holy Cross. After much deliberation, she decided to major in psychology and minor in anthropology. Victoria plans to pursue a career in clinical psychology.

2015 Michelle YIP is in her first year at NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering and is currently a STEM major. She is studying biomolecular science and is on a Biotech track where she will be studying the human body and the world we live in today.

Michelle recently became a candidate for Alpha Omega Epsilon, a professional sorority that supports women in the STEM field. In addition, she balances two jobs on the side, including acting as a college student ambassador for Nike. In her free time, she enjoys running and often runs the Brooklyn Bridge.

We extend our deepest sympathy to the graduates, Sisters of St. Ursula, families and friends of Chez Nous who have experienced a recent loss. In particular, the individuals listed below will be greatly missed by the Notre Dame School community.

Imelda Armieri, mother of Eileen ARMIERI ’78 Irene BRESLIN, S.U. ’38 Harry Hong-See Chen, father of Jane CHEN Firester ’88, Board Member Rose GALLAGHER Dale ’44 Kathleen SMITH Dillabaugh ’86 Meir Sion Gabbay, husband of Mary Jane DRUCKER Gabbay ’63 Kathleen P. Hillman, mother of James Hillman, Staff Member Daniel A. Jenks, father-in-law of Jaclyn Brilliant, Principal Anthony Lacqua, grandfather of Gabrielle LACQUA ’15 and Alexandra LACQUA ’12 Mariana Mercado, mother of Iris Rivera, Staff Member Noreen DOYLE Morris ’59 Sr. Eleanora Murphy, S.U., former faculty member Wanda Ortiz, mother of Jessica BARTON Ortiz ’09 John Person, father of Erin PERSON Haggerty ’97 and Laura PERSON ’99 Karabelle LASTIQUE Pizzigati ’67 James Scherer, father of Kate Scherer ’17 LeRoy Springer, father of Iris SPRINGER-Elkerson ’86, Lisa SPRINGER ’90 and Cieja SPRINGER ’00 Frank Strehle, brother of Arthur Strehle, Board Member Lucile DARRACQ Viscardi ’40 Lawrence Wozniak, father of Cheryl Wozniak Murphy, former Faculty Member I am the resurrection and the life; those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.

John 11: 25-26

Anne de Xainctonge desired to educate girls in the Christian faith.

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N

Back Story

otre Dame came along just when I thought things were going to calm down in my life. I’d recently finished ten years on the road with Ringling Bros. Circus working in a once-upon-a-time job as the teacher for the children in the show. Crisscrossing the country on the circus train, changing towns and “classrooms” every week, my life was filled with travel, train yards, clowns, elephants, aerialists and amazing students from far flung places like Germany, Mexico, Colombia and Brazil. It was, in the words of one of the Bulgarian acrobats, an “all everything experience.”

Now, just married and back in New York, I pictured myself fading quietly into middle age, teaching English or theology (with a recently minted master’s degree) in a Catholic high school before adoring students whom I would beguile with tales from the show. The picture had me toting a briefcase full of books and papers—little did I know.

An old friend who taught at Regis High School suggested I apply to a school I’d never heard of: Notre Dame. “It’s a school with a certain character,” he said. “It’s on the Upper West Side. Corazon Aquino went there.” This was the spring of 1988.

Ms. Aquino was President of the Philippines, a recent TIME Magazine “Person of the Year,” and someone who stood for something. I sent in my resume, had an interview with ND’s wise and genial Principal, Sr. Mary Dolan, S.U. and that’s how it all began.

It didn’t take me long to realize that Notre Dame was the kind of school you could fall in love with—the small size, the two cozy brownstones on W. 79th Street, filled with students and teachers, all with a love of learning.

And there was a kind of crazy, Catholic poetry to the place along with a wonderful sense of hospitality, a special charism of the Sisters of St. Ursula, it seemed, which made everyone feel at home and like family.

I was just settling in when suddenly, Notre Dame became a ship on stormy seas. In November of 1988, the faculty was gathered in the library and told that the school would close and the buildings would be sold at the end of the academic year. Gone! Just like that. But ND was resilient. There were protests, night rallies, a New York Times article, “Save ND” buttons, searches for new locations, and finally the finding.

When it was all over, we’d washed up on the shores of St. Mark’s Place in the East Village the next fall. Our

Robert Grote new home was a well-worn elementary school building that needed a total renovation—and a development director. I’m making a long story short here, but I believe it was during that whole passage from 79th Street to St. Mark’s Place, that wonderful shared experience of grit, tenacity, determination, hilarity and rebirth that I was becoming a development director even though it didn’t really happen for a couple more years.

But when it did happen, it felt like a perfect fit. Development means fundraising, and at a small school like ND where you wear several hats, it included admissions as well. I think Sr. Mary described the job best when she said to me, “You’re the one who gets to tell the Notre Dame story,” and what a story it is to tell.

In the early years of the 20th century, a group of Sisters from France landed at the teeming port of Manhattan hoping to find a home and open a school. Their search continued until they met a kindhearted, Irish priest (who spoke French!) who took them into his parish and offered them a place to live. So the Sisters then improvised and opened the school Chez Nous. Not only is this Notre Dame’s own nativity story, it’s also such a New York story. Who could hear it and not be moved? And what about those two words, Chez Nous? They reach into the very heart and soul of the school.

So, you had a story with a great beginning, those two words, and onto it you could add ND’s remarkable success as a college prep, its decades old mission of student diversity, its legendary teachers, its journey through the East Village and on to the trending Meatpacking District. Here was a unique story and one I feel fortunate to have been a part of for so many years.

Fast forward to the present day, and I am delighted to see all of the fresh faces here. I am also grateful that Anthony Burke is taking over the reins of development and allowing me to focus on admissions. What I’m most proud of is to be part of making Notre Dame a destination school where our students arrive each morning via bus, boat, subway or rail from all over the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area, adding new chapters to the story of Notre Dame.

So, I guess things never really did calm down, but what was I thinking anyway? And what about all those “adoring students?” Well, I’d have to say, it’s turned the other way around. And I think that’s true for all the inspiring people I’ve worked with here Chez Nous.

“It didn’t take me long to realize

that Notre Dame

was the kind of

school you could

fall in love with”

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“I think Sr. Mary described the job best when she said to me, ‘You’re the one who gets to tell the Notre Dame story’”

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Saturday, March 12, 2016 Noon to 4 p.m.

Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers • New York City

The Pursuit of a Goal!

Our soccer and volleyball teams performed incredibly well this season. To learn more, be sure to read the highlights and final results on Page 5!

DATE: E H T E V A S union

Re Alumnae

Friday, May 13, 2016 • 5:00–8:00 p.m.

Notre Dame School • 327 West 13th Street Celebrating the anniversary years ending in 1 & 6.

All alumnae are invited!