Enc re Encore Fall 2020 Volume II, Issue 9
Notre Dame School of Manhattan
s u o N z e h C
Carlina Rivera ’02 Council Member, New York City, 2nd District
BONUS: NOTRE DAME SCHOOL’S 20192020 ANNUAL REPORT ENCLOSED STARTING ON PAGE 29
Encore
Chez Nous
Fall 2020
CONTENTS 1 2 3 4 8 10 18 20 23 28 29 45 46 51 52
A Message from the President A Message from the Principal News Around School Awareness and Action Student Spotlights Alumnae Making a Difference Alumnae News 2020 Graduation Scholarship Stories College Matriculation 2019–20 Annual Report Ways to Give Class Notes In Memoriam Back Story: Lauren Clark ’92
Notre Dame School of Manhattan Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU President Jaclyn Brilliant Principal Karina Vargas Vice Principal Elizabeth Bixenman Director of Development & Alumnae Relations Robert Grote Director of Admissions Dr. Christopher Hampton Director of Annual Fund & Communications
OUR MISSION Notre Dame School of Manhattan offers a Catholic education for young women in the tradition of Anne de Xainctonge. Inspired by this 17th century pioneer in women’s education, Notre Dame promotes academic excellence for girls, an awareness of God in their lives and engagement in the world around them. At Notre Dame in the 21st Century, the school’s small, nurturing environment encourages each student to be open to personal and intellectual growth. The rich cultural, racial and ethnic mosaic of Notre Dame’s community and its urban location enhance global awareness. A challenging curriculum prepares talented young women for college and for lives of leadership and service.
Annual Fund Overview and Highlights September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2020 All gifts to the Annual Fund go directly toward the education of our promising Notre Dame students. The Annual Fund helps bridge the $5,000 gap that is created between the cost of educating each girl, and the tuition paid. The Annual Fund also gives each student access to scholarship and financial assistance packages and helps maintain our fine facilities. It allows us to enhance the curriculum, to provide the latest technology, and to offer professional development for our teachers. Here are some highlights from the past year:
1.65 million dollars contributed by you, our alumnae, parents, grandparents, Trustees, and friends
hamptonc@cheznous.org 212-620-5575 ext. 348 Photographer Stomping Ground Photo Zoran Prodanovic Design The Blank Page New York, NY
413 alumnae, parents, grandparents, Trustees, and friends raised over
$245,000
164 alumnae contributed over
$150,000
$325,000
355
at the 63rd Annual Chez Nous Benefit, which was held virtually!
students enrolled during
2019-2020 academic year
16 foundations contributed over
$475,000
Breakdown of Income & Expenses 2019–2020
Please send submissions for Encore Chez Nous to: Notre Dame School Attn: Dr. Christopher Hampton 327 West 13th St. New York, NY 10014
18 Board of Trustee members contributed over
Mandated and Student Services
Special Events
Other Income
7.0%
0.6%
Enrichment Programs
Admissions Special Events
3.6%
1.0%
2.6% Development
6.6%
7.8% INCOME
Annual Fund
Tuition and fees
18.6%
66.0%
Depreciation
9.1%
EXPENSE Faculty Salaries and Benefits
43.5%
Operations and Maintenance
14.0% General Administration
19.6%
ON THE COVERS
FRONT: Carlina Rivera ’02 speaks at rally on DOHMH Legislation BACK: Art Teacher Liz Davenport welcoming new students
We are grateful to you, our generous donors, who supported the mission of Notre Dame. Each one of you, regardless of the size of your gift, played a real and meaningful role in the education of our students.
A Message from the President
Fall 2020 Dear Notre Dame, Although our school building closed due to the coronavirus March 13th, we simultaneously planned for a safe in-person reopening on September 1st.
“In carrying out Anne de Xainctonge’s mission of academic excellence for girls, we are continuing to be ever more attentive to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. ”
Fortunately, we were able to accomplish that goal as a result of steadfast, daily hard work through the spring and summer months. During all the preparations to ensure social distancing, I came across this blessing from Paul's letter to the Thessalonians: May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Creator, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through God's grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word. I think the blessing is a perfect one for each of us as we live during the pandemic. Our theme for the 2020–2021 school year is “Community”. At orientation, one activity involved each student using colored pencils to make a unique design that, when assembled together, created a beautiful mosaic pictured above. The activity was symbolic of this line in our mission statement: The rich cultural, racial and ethnic mosaic of Notre Dame's community and its urban location enhance global awareness. In carrying out Anne de Xainctonge's mission of academic excellence for girls, we are continuing to be ever more attentive to issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. To make sure that each student feels at home Chez Nous, we need the moral and financial support from all members of the community. Scholarship stories highlight only a few of our graduates from the Class of 2020 as they make their way to exceptional colleges and universities such as Williams College and Washington University with academic scholarships. Congratulations to all! Evidence of God’s grace in the lives of our Notre Dame community abounds in a great variety of ways. Carlina Rivera’s (‘02) role on the N.Y.C. Council enables her to make a genuine positive impact on the lives of so many through championing affordable housing. Suzanne Drucker Robotham’s (‘68) work in her parishes strengthens the faith of many in her Boston community. Valentina Morales’s (’95) advocacy as an attorney brings justice for underserved and disenfranchised communities. Our Back Story features Lauren Clark Mercado (’92) whose tireless efforts as a healthcare provider and first responder during this pandemic give strength and hope to so many in need. While we highlight these four alumnae, Class Notes also contains entries where alumnae are at work in the world, strengthening family and friends. May the stories of our Notre Dame community always be a source of encouragement and good hope to each one so that we can all continue to do God's work though our good deeds and words. Warm regards,
Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU President
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A Message from the Principal
Fall 2020 Dear Alumnae, Families and Friends,
“And we’ve always said that at Notre Dame, we do more than talk the talk—we walk the walk.”
Greetings from a newly re-opened Notre Dame School of Manhattan! We are so happy to be back together in person, albeit with a hybrid learning model and staggered attendance, but here we are sharing space again (socially distanced, of course). It is challenging, exciting, demanding, and WONDERFUL to be back. The spirit of ND, starting right with our founder Anne de Xainctonge all those centuries ago, is one of courage, care, and pluckiness. As you will read about in this issue of Encore Chez Nous, we are a school shaped by action-oriented women. When we talk about our principles, our service, our faith, we are always talking about our beliefs, but also our deeds. What do we do, how do we act every day to showcase and share our values? You’ll read about many fine examples of this kind of transformative action in the articles of this edition. Every day, in the halls of our school, in our classrooms (whether they are conducted in person or via Zoom), I see evidence of our vibrant approach. It’s there when our faculty gamely learns yet another technology-related skill that will help us reach our students better. It’s there when our students find ways to give voice to and demand change regarding some of the most pressing issues of our day—climate change, racial injustice, gun violence, inhumane immigration policies, and entrenched sexism. It’s there when our parents share opportunities and information that benefit all students, not just their own children. It’s there when our student athletes take the field for practice, observing health and safety precautions, but still running and playing their hearts out. It’s there when our alumnae find ways to get back in touch with their alma mater to lend moral and fiscal support. We all have an active part to play. And we’ve always said that at Notre Dame, we do more than talk the talk—we walk the walk. Thank you for being on this journey with us, for helping us meet the challenges of today, and plan for the needed actions of tomorrow. We couldn’t do it without you, and we are ever so thankful. Gratefully,
Jaclyn Brilliant Principal 2
N E W S
A R O U N D
S C H O O L
Virtual Summer Camp
ND Book Club
Since 2005, Notre Dame has offered an academic summer camp experience for girls entering 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. This year, the four-week program during June and July was virtual for the first time. Through interactive projects and a collaborative approach, the ND faculty worked with the students every day and helped them develop critical thinking skills necessary for academic successes in math, science, English and art. ND teacher Ms. Liz Davenport planned a creative course for the girls in the art portion of the summer camp. Students learned about a range of diverse artists and created visual art using different online platforms. In the sciences, Ms. Ioana Donose made sure that the students had hands-on experiences through virtual labs. One experiment was focused on the sounds in the environment. These young artists and scientists expressed their true enjoyment of the experience and all reported that they learned a great deal at the ND Summer Camp.
The Notre Dame Book Club was founded four years ago by now current seniors, Brigid McCabe and Devon Neville with the help of club moderator and English teacher, Ms. Lydie Kane ’96. Over the years, selections have covered a range of genres, with an emphasis on women writers. The Book Club has read works by Toni Morrison, Roxanne Gay, Virginia Woolf and Natasha Tretheway, just to name a few. The recent change to an online platform has allowed the ND Book Club to include parents, alumnae and all members of the Notre Dame community. This year, The Book Club is selecting works that focus on eradicating systemic racism. These books include Colson Whitehead’s, The Underground Railroad, So You Want To Talk About Race by Oluo Ijeoma, and Jon Meacham’s new book, His Truth is Marching on: John Lewis and the Power of Hope. Brigid and Devon have continued to be extremely talented discussion facilitators, and the feedback from participants has been positive. We hope you will consider attending the next one!
ND WELCOMES THE DYNAMIC CL ASS OF 2024! Ninety-three new members of the Chez Nous community arrived on campus for the first time on September 3. And what a wonderfully diverse and interesting group they are! Geographically, these new students hail from all five boroughs of New York City, as well Nassau County, Westchester County, and New Jersey. From Bayonne to Valhalla; from New Jersey to Rockville Centre, the 9th graders represent a vast portion of the region, near and far.
Academically, this incoming class is outstanding. From excellent grades to stellar test scores, these students have distinguished themselves as high achieving scholars. There are even some class valedictorians in the mix! Athletically, the Class of 2024 contains runners, basketball players, and members of soccer leagues, (Ms. Maria Vulcano, Athletic Director, is very happy to meet them); while artistically, the new class consists of
actors, singers and dancers, a few of whom were accepted to LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, but chose to share their talents at Notre Dame. (Music Director Ms. Nicole Wakabayashi is eager to begin working with them.) Mr. Robert Grote, Director of Admissions, reports that all of these girls had many choices and decided on Notre Dame, and the ND community is thrilled that they have joined the Chez Nous family. 3
Awareness and Action
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A
nne de Xainctonge founded Notre Dame with a spirituality based of that of St. Ignatius Loyola, whose mission was putting faith into action. To this day, students Chez Nous take this to heart in all that they do. This is especially evident in the social justice activities of the school community. ND offers a great deal on campus to educate students on the injustices of the world, and to help them find practical ways to make a difference. On campus, the school offers opportunities to widen their scope on social justice issues in the classroom as well as in extracurricular endeavors. Mr. Scott Vasey’s Global Inequalities class focuses on issues for women who are oppressed in various countries. Through lectures, readings, and discussions, the students are able to understand the roots of these injustices and ways to stop them. Girls enrolled in this course have stated that it had a profound impact in their understanding of women’s issues on a global scale. Another vehicle for social awareness can be found in the school’s organization called S.T.A.N.D. (Solidarity Throughout All of Notre Dame). Meeting regularly and creating outreach projects, this club deals with social justice issues including global warming, immigration, gun control, and race relations. It is not just on campus that they are seeking ways to effect change. Notre Dame has also offered outreach programs that have taken students to other locations to understand global issues. Yearly, the school attends the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington, D.C. This is a forum for teenagers that addresses timely social justice issues in the context of Catholic faith tradition. In 2019, the primary focus was on racism and immigration. Fifteen Notre Dame students ventured to Washington, D.C., where they listened to amazing speakers, and worked in small breakout groups with young adults from around the country. The ultimate goal was to return to campus with practical ways to make a difference. And they did just that.
This year’s Teach-In took place in October. It was unfortunately presented virtually, but the spirit and dedication were the same. The students participated in online lectures as well as the breakout sessions. The theme was Prophetic Resilience, a call to build up individual and collective capacities for healing and justice. Students listened to relevant stories, and learned strategies on how to rise up for the common good; and to tap into the energy of the Spirit at work in themselves and in others. Another impactful opportunity that brought students to the frontlines of social inequities was the ND trip to El Paso, Texas last December. Sr. Mary Dolan, SU, had researched various opportunities for students to be exposed to immigration issues. She discovered The Encuentro Project, a collaborative and intercongregational ministry involving the Jesuits of the USA Central and Southern Province. Through an intense imNotre Dame is committed mersion, its goal is to help participants gain a to continuing to find ways greater understanding of the reality of migration in to strengthen the sense of the El Paso-Ciudad Juarez community and acceptance border community, and of all students, a mission inspire participants to challenge the borders in that has been a hallmark their own communities Chez Nous for generations. that push immigrants to the margins. Ten ND girls ventured to El Paso with four faculty last December, and participated in the Encuentro Project. They visited the border wall; volunteered in a migrant shelter; and had sessions with lawyers and advocates on ways to effect change for this vulnerable people. They came back inspired to continue to fight for immigration rights even right here in New York City. Intended to be an annual trip, this year’s will take place in December but due to the pandemic, it will be remote. There will still be opportunities for conversations, learning, and brainstorming with experts and advocates in this regard. Sr. Mary reported that there was a record number of students interested in joining this year.
Opposite page, Top: NYU African Gyil and Percussion Ensemble; Dr. Derrick Gay’s Diversity Workshop; Center: Participants in the Encuentro Project in El Paso, Texas, December 2019 ; Bottom: Border Patrol discussing “the wall” with ND students and faculty; Students at the Capitol for lobbying session during Ignatian Teach-In
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The awareness of social disparities is not just a global focus however. Since 50% of Notre Dame’s students are students of color, the school has recognized the need for greater awareness and acceptance of all people. The school has changed its traditional American Studies course to include two new classes on African American History and Native American History. ND also schedules speakers and assemblies to deepen students’ understanding of diversity. Notre Dame was honored to host two prominent South African executives and civil rights activists. Mr. Scott Vasey’s Global Mr. Sakumzi Macozoma and Mr. Bulelani ThandaInequalities class focuses bantu Ngcuka were on issues for women who invited to campus to speak to the students are suppressed in various last October. Both were countries. Through lectures, friends with Nelson Mandela and all three readings, and discussions, were pivotal members the students are able to of the African National Congress. They worked understand the roots of tirelessly together to end these injustices and ways apartheid. These powerful activists told their story to stop them. of fighting apartheid and inspired the girls to make a difference in their own communities. Dr. Derrick Gay, an expert in inclusion and diversity strategies, presented an all-school seminar last November. And throughout the year, through the support of the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the Lincoln Center Jazz Ensemble performed and educated the students on the strong influence African Americans had on culture and music in this country. Last December Music Director Ms. Nicole Wakabayashi created “What is Black?” a student production of songs, poetry, music and art celebrating Black culture.
During this past spring, the Black Lives Matter movement that was reignited with the death of George Floyd, brought to light that not enough was being done for systemic change in our society, including at Notre Dame. With this in mind, Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU, President of Notre Dame, spent a great deal of time working with other administrators of the school over the summer to create ways to address this issue so that all members Chez Nous would have a greater awareness of racial insensitivities and injustices. The school continues to schedule assemblies and meetings covering equity and social justice issues. The theme of the school year is Community, and thus the focus has been on ways to make all members of the community feel safe and accepted. In addition to these structured opportunities for students, Notre Dame has begun working with two consultants, Dr. Sandra Chapman, and Ms. Martha Haakmat. Dr. Chapman is the founder of Chap Equity, an organization rooted in the belief that, through teamwork, institutions can discuss and discover the foundational research needed to address the needs in a community; create conversations that support individuals where they are and confront barrier issues; and create actionable steps towards building stronger educational communities. ND hired her to help the school identify the racial equity issues that the community is facing. Since the start of the school year, she has conducted workshops, seminars, and one-on-one sessions to help guide individual and institutional change. She began the school year with a workshop for faculty on microaggressions, helping them become more cognizant of any potential verbal or behavioral indignities that they may display, even unintentionally. The teachers state that they found it helpful and enlightening and are grateful for the oppor-
Social Justice Opportunities at Notre Dame On Campus
• • • • • • 6
Global Inequalities Course African American History Course Native American Course S.T.A.N.D. Social Justice Club (Solidarity Throughout All of Notre Dame) Jazz Concerts/Classes—Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History “What is Black?” Concert—ND’s showcase of Black American History, Music, and Art
Off Campus
• •
Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice- Washington DC ND Encuentro Service Trip—El Paso, Texas
Consultants and Speakers
• Dr. Derrick Gay: Diversity Workshop • Dr. Sandra Chapman: Chap Equity— • •
Racial Equity Seminars Ms. Martha Haakmat: Haakmat Consulting—DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Programs Mr. Sakumzi Makozoma and Mr. Bulelani Thandabantu Ngcuka: Apartheid Civil Rights Activists
tunity to learn. She also held a formal seminar about implicit bias, a term used when individuals have preconceived attitudes towards people, or associate stereotypes with them without their conscious knowledge. In addition to facilitating this workshop for teachers, she also held one for parents as well. Again, they were vibrant and productive sessions. In the course of the work she is doing with ND, she will also address racial anxiety and pressures of being students of color. Ms. Martha Haakmat is the other consultant advising the school regarding diversity awareness and resolution. She is the Executive Director at Haakmat Consulting in Brooklyn. She is an experienced educator who has spent her 32-year career teaching and leading in independent schools. Her mission is to help schools develop strategic planning expertise, focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goal setting and ongoing systemic work. Her focus this fall has been to work with the Board of Trustees and the school administrators to provide leadership coaching and support, as well as offer insights to help the school with DEI strategic planning. Ms. Haakmat expressed her goal clearly, “My vision is a world where schools and organizations are built upon and operating from strong foundations for equity and justice, and where the people in them are inspired to be their best selves.” The school shares this vision and has appreciated the insights she has given the Chez Nous Board of Trustees. Notre Dame is committed to continuing to find ways to strengthen the sense of community and acceptance of all students, a mission that has been a hallmark Chez Nous for generations. There is still much work to be done, and ND’s goal is to ensure that all members Chez Nous feel they are treated fairly and celebrated for who they are.
From Top to Bottom: ND Participants in the Ignatian Teach-In Summit on Immigration and Racism; Students perform in “What is Black?”; Lincoln Center Jazz Ensemble performs at ND; Students from Notre Dame and Fordham Prep ready for the Ignatian Teach-In in Washington, DC; Mr. Macozoma and Mr. Thandabantu Ngcuka discussing apartheid with the ND community
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STUDENT S P O T L I G H T S Sofia P. Corsico-Sanchez ’22 JUNE 17, 2020
One of Notre Dame’s core values is service to others, and all students Chez Nous give of their time and talents to the school and their local communities. The social outreach of one such student, Sofia P. Corsico-Sanchez ’22, “GOD’S D ALL OF REAM IS THA caught the attention of the Imagine Society, an organization dedicated to T US LL L REALI YOU AND I A FAMILY WIL ZE TH ND , TH TOGET THERN AT WE ARE M AT WE ARE the development of future service leaders and recognizing students who ESS, ADE FO FOR CO S FOR R MPASS SIION.” GOODNESS,, AND - DE make a difference. ESMON D TUTU For several years, Sofia has volunteered at her church’s food pantry. Ascension Church on 107th street is a vibrant parish with an extremely active food pantry run by the youth. Their goal is the collection of foods of all kinds from parishioners, especially canned fruits, canned tuna and chicken, boxes of pasta, cereal and packages of dried rice. These students then organize the nonperishables for distribution on the third Saturday of each month. Sofia has been an active participant in the Food Pantry for the past three years and has been deeply impacted by what she has seen. Wanting to hear her perspective, The Imagine Society asked her to share her thoughts, and her article was published in the Imagine Society’s Newsletter in June. Sofia has made a difference for others with her compassionate outreach, and ND is proud of her living the mission of the school. Nicely done, Sofia! SPEC E IAL
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“Compas sion and mercyy,, fr me. Exactly om me to what God you and you to wants to the point. see, and ” I grew yes, that up hearin is favorite g these Veggie T words sun Ta ales mo g in my vie, based story of Jonah. As on the bib a lica you l ng kid, I as nothin viewed the g more tha se lines n fun rhy scripture, mes to e but writing xplain this arrtticle about the has led me m more in-depth. to think So, what is compas sion? Ther about it, e are so so many many boo stories, so difffi ficult to ks ma ny teach verbalize. ings, but Merriamcompas it’s Webster sion as, Spotted “sympathe defines t d on the others’ dist tic conscio Street ress tog *Carl Sch Carl Scchu usness of S urz ether with rz Park a desire in NYC Union Arm was a US Senato to allevia or, Gener y, Germa te it.” al in the n immigr advocate rant and for civil a strong rights for 1 Bla lack Am the late ericans in 1800ss.
Laura De Los Santos ’20
The annual Dominican Day Parade is a brilliant showcase of numerous artistic talents and cultural pride. Even though it was virtual this year, the excitement was still high, especially for the Dominican Day Parade Scholarship Finalists. The Dominican Day Parade Scholarship Program offers $100,000 in scholarship monies. With a pool of more than four hundred applicants, the competition is tough. One of these remarkable students chosen as a finalist was Laura De Los Santos, a 2020 graduate from Notre Dame. She is currently attending Binghamton 8
University where she plans to study biomedical engineering. “Being selected as a finalist means that here are a group of Dominicans, who see your potential, and they want to support you on your career path,” Laura said. “It's nice to know that there are people who believe in you.” Notre Dame certainly believes in Laura and looks forward to seeing the successes in store for her in college and beyond. Editor’s Note: We recently received the news that Laura was awarded the scholarship. Congratulations!
Avelicia Doster-Schellenbaum ’22
With the pandemic and the social unrest, this past year has been filled with challenges, fears, and sorrows for everyone. Those who ventured out into the streets of NYC last spring found shuttered buildings and vacant storefronts, adding to the sadness people were feeling. Ava Doster ’22 and her mother Eileen decided to do something about it. Last June, they were part of a beautification project, painting murals on boarded up facades throughout the city. The colorful work of art they created was at the Bowery Bar and Grill on 4th St and Bowery. Their positive actions provided cheer and motivation for all those who encountered it, giving the artists a sense of satisfaction during a challenging time.
Jillian Lewis ’20 Notre Dame empowers all students to find their voices and use them. The school offers opportunities on campus for students to develop confidence and learn leadership skills, as they collaborate on social justice and community service projects, and the results are amazing. What is more impressive, however, is when the students take their voices and the actions to the world at large. Jillian Lewis ’20, is one such voice. In April, as the pandemic reached its peak, and fear and uncertainly were pervasive, people were searching for answers, especially the youth. As a means to dialogue, Global Kids scheduled a special virtual panel discussion on how these children are coping with the pandemic crisis. Global Kids is an organization that develops youth leaders through dynamic global education and leadership development programs. Begun in 1989, it works with more than 20 schools in NYC, including Notre Dame. Jillian, who has been a member of
Global Kids for many years, was asked to be on this special panel. Jillian represented her school well as she expressed herself thoughtfully and articulately. She stated that it should not have taken a pandemic for people to realize the needs of some of the world’s populations, especially the more vulnerable ones. Each person, including the youth, can play a role in making a difference in any small way. Notre Dame is proud of Jillian’s outreach and her important message, and knows that she will continue using her powerful voice in in the future. 9
Alum nae M a king a Dif f e re nc e The mission of Notre Dame School is to provide a challenging curriculum for talented young women, preparing them for college and for lives of leadership and service. ND students are motivated to strengthen themselves in the classroom, in their spiritual lives, and in their commitment to helping others. The ND mission does not stop at graduation. The thousands of ND alumnae include women who have gone out to make their mark in the world in medicine, business, technology, and so many other fields. Here we highlight three alumnae who have taken what they learned Chez Nous and have bettered the world through their work for faith, justice, and service to their communities.
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From top: Suzanne Drucker Robotham ’68 attending Parish Volunteer Appreciation Night; Valentina Morales ’95 responding in a Q&A Panel; Carlina Rivera ’02 cuts ribbon on newly renovated dry dock playground
TAKING ACTION FOR FAITH
Suzanne Drucker Robotham ’68 Suzanne Drucker Robotham ’68 at Confirmation check-in
uzanne Drucker Robotham grew to love Notre Dame so much, she never wanted to leave! In her large family of seven children, all four of her sisters attended Notre Dame. One of her good friends was Dr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U. (now President of Notre Dame School), and they commuted on the subway each day to ND with fellow classmates from the same neighborhood in Queens. Suzanne thrived at ND because of the sense of camaraderie and friendship so apparent on the 79th Street campus. The Chez Nous spirit was as alive then as it is now, and she has happy memories of her classmates and teachers who influenced her life in so many ways. Suzanne was an excellent student, with math being her favorite subject. Her teacher Sr. Catherine Keating, S.U., (aka Mother William) inspired her love of math, especially Geometry. She was also very involved in school life, and was a member of the Glee Club and Drama Club as well as the Yearbook Committee. After graduation, she attended the College of Mt. St. Vincent for two years. The competence and skills she honed in mathematics at ND prompted her to declare math as her major in college. During her junior year, she participated in a visiting students program at the State University of NY at Buffalo where she ended up staying to finish her degree. After graduation, she was quickly hired in a computer programming position. Her qualifications in math and computer technology were strong, and women in that field were scarce. Although she enjoyed the work (and met her future husband on the job) she realized this was not a rewarding career for her. She felt that there was more she was called to do. With many health professionals in her family, she began to look at those fields. She ultimately decided on dentistry, and was accepted to the
S
Medical College of Virginia. After she graduated in 1981, she and her husband moved to the Boston area. She joined a local dental practice, where she remained for eleven years while raising their three children. When her son began to struggle with learning issues, she left her job to focus full time on her children’s education and care. With her youngest going off to college, Suzanne took some time to reflect on what her next chapter of life should entail. She felt she was called to a more spiritual ministry, and began looking for ways to do so. She researched information about religious programs available at Boston College, and at age 57, was accepted to Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry. In 2010, she earned her Masters in Pastoral Ministry, and quickly began utilizing her pastoral skills. For three years, she worked at an underserved parish in Roxbury, Massachusetts, as part of the Ignatian Volunteer Program in Boston. Her abilities and dedication became apparent to Church leaders, and she was asked to join the Archdiocesan Pastoral Planning Committee, a group of religious and lay people who were strategizing on new initiatives to bolster and reignite the faithful. Suzanne stated that at times it was challenging because she was one of very few women on that committee. “I’m not afraid to speak my mind, and ND taught me to tell it like it is!” Her voice was heard, and the end result was the committee’s Disciples in Mission Plan, the pastoral plan formally promulgated by Cardinal Sean O’Malley in 2012 for the Archdiocese of Boston. The goals of this plan were to link parishes together under one pastor and one staff to better utilize their resources. They
“I am living today what was taught to me at Notre Dame!”
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Top left and bottom right: Assisting in socially distant outdoor Mass; Top Right: Spearheading Parish Italian Dinner; Bottom Left: Facilitating at Women’s Retreat
work to nurture faith communities with a culture of welcoming, engaging faith formation for both children and adults, vibrant worship and active ministries of outreach, evangelization and social justice. Currently, Suzanne is Pastoral Associate and Ministry Manager for not one, but two parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston. She aspires to be a beacon of light for the members of these parishes, who are desperately searching for answers in a suffering world. As a Certified Pastoral Associate, Suzanne has taken on considerable responsibilities within these parishes, and ministry leaders report to her instead of the pastor. Her direct approach and forthright nature have allowed her to gain momentum with her various initiatives. At 69 years of age, she stays committed to these initiatives, including Baptismal Prep, RCIA, and Faith Formation. She has even added a Bible Study group because so many parishioners were searching for a greater understanding of scripture to help guide them in such tumultuous times. When the COVID pandemic hit, she moved her study groups to Zoom. It was not just spirituality and confidence that she acquired at ND. Experiences and influences from Chez Nous have woven their way throughout all of Suzanne’s
life. Many years after she moved to the Boston area, she discovered that one of her former teachers, Sr. Mary Walsh, SU, (aka Mother Kieran), was living and working in the nearby town of Arlington. Suzanne was overjoyed to be reunited with her, calling her one of the biggest blessings in her life. They were able to reconnect and had many happy times together. Their friendship continued until Sister’s death in 2008. Suzanne gives Notre Dame credit for giving her a foundation in faith and a passion to inspire others. It was Chez Nous where she learned to find God in all things, and to always search for meaning in life. During these recent months of intense suffering and sorrow, her mission is more critical than ever. Her life’s path has been a circuitous one, with each chapter being fulfilling and rewarding. She feels happiest in what she is doing now, and knows that this is where she is called to be. “My goal is to ‘feed’ people so that their lives have meaning and joy. The work I am doing now is directly linked to my time at ND.” Suzanne is a blessing to her faith, her work, her family, and to her alma mater, and Notre Dame is fortunate to have her in the Chez Nous sisterhood.
“My goal is to ‘feed’ people so that their lives have meaning and joy. The work I am doing now is directly linked to my time at ND.”
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TAKING ACTION FOR JUSTICE
Valentina Morales ’95 Valentina Morales ’95 with The Fedcap Group directors
otre Dame School’s goal is to provide a wellrounded education, grounded in faith and strong values, enabling graduates to go out and shape a changing world. It is this mission that motivated Valentina Morales ’95, to attend ND, and it is the school’s values that have shaped her entire life and incredible career. Valentina says choosing Notre Dame was one of the best decisions she ever made. “The first word that comes to mind when I think of ND is GRATITUDE”, she stated. “I was challenged to be bold in my thinking which helped me find my place in the world.” She loved school and did incredibly well academically. It is there that she developed the ability to think critically. At ND, critical thinking was expected to be utilized not only in every course, but in students’ daily lives as well. Mr. Joseph Rapaglia’s classes were particularly powerful for Valentina. With Mr. Rapaglia she sharpened her analytical skills, learning how to ‘push back and talk back’ in a strategic way. The discussions that took place there were outstanding, as were those led by Sr. Sarah Ryan, PBVM, a teacher, supervisor and mentor. Sr. Sarah’s quiet yet incredibly informed and impactful presence is something Valentina has always sought to achieve. Valentina is grateful to Ms. Christine Clark, a phenomenal Latin teacher, who helped her understand history, language and leadership—“Amor omnia vincit.” She credits Ms. Alicia Harrington for honing her Spanish language skills, pivotal in her future academic and professional achievements. Valentina has developed social service and advocacy programs in Spanish. Ms. Anne Crosson and Mr. Ted Povinelli were also impactful, while Dr. James Mirrione
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was a key mentor in her life. In addition to being an English instructor at the time, he also was a faculty member and playwright-inresidence at NYU. He had written a play about the life of novelist Jack Kerouac and had Valentina audition for the lead role, which she landed. As a result, during her junior year at Notre Dame, she took the stage at NYU for this performance. Through this exposure, she subsequently received a grant from Kerouac’s estate to study acting at Oxford. Valentina had never been out of the country before, and stated that it was an important chapter in her life, not only because of the experience, but because there were people in her life at ND who believed in her and opened doors for her. The confidence she developed at Notre Dame motivated her to be involved outside of the classroom as well. In her years there, she was Student Council President, a member of the Spanish Language Honor Society, and a participant in the ND Choir with Sr. Patricia Bruck, SU. She also helped plan Masses and coordinate special liturgies. Valentina credits the school’s close-knit community for strengthening her confidence, giving her the courage to speak out and support others in need. The school’s emphasis on being a family (Chez Nous) gave young women the stability and the ability to carry on, even when things were challenging. Friendships that she made there have remained strong. To this day, she continues to support her Chez Nous sisters. She works closely with fellow alumnae, and hires Notre Dame graduates as interns. This year she
“Notre Dame is like a beacon for me. It always gives me comfort to know that it’s there. It served me so well in my years there, and I know it continues to do so for others.”
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Valentina with her team: Laura Fettig, Borinken Mitchell ’19, and Alicia Williams
Alicia Williams, Edward Arsenault, Wildcat’s ED, and Christine McMahon, ED of The Fedcap Group, Laura Fettig, Dana Rand
will work with two ND alumnae, Ericka Echavarria ’94 and Gisela Jasmine Gomez ’02. She still keeps in contact with many of her classmates and met one of her very best friends at ND, Ayanna Cohen ’95, whom she considers a sister. She is Godmother to Ayanna’s son, Amani. During her senior year, her counselors recognized the abilities that Valentina had and encouraged her to apply to the top-tier schools. Her dedication and focus paid off, as Valentina graduated from Wellesley College Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude. She thought she wanted a career in music, but after a brief stint at Sony in their Business Affairs Department, she realized that music industry was fraught with significant problems. Trying to figure out next steps, she returned to Notre Dame and taught Religion, including classes in Social Justice and Moral and Ethical Decision Making. It was during this second tenure at ND when she discerned her future plans. The conversations about faith, justice, and equity that she had with the students made her realize she could make a difference as a lawyer. After attending Columbia Law School, Valentina received a fellowship and started working for the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, a holistic, community-based public defender. There she created a practice specifically to serve Spanish-language speakers who were not receiving the same quality of representation as others. Her bilingual abilities and legal knowledge continued to serve her well, and she was successful in many cases. Her reputation as a strong attorney led her to a job with an international law firm where she joined a team of lawyers representing Venezuela in arbitrations at the World Bank and the International Chamber of Commerce. In this position, Valentina maintained a robust pro bono practice. Her representation of an incarcerated mother took her to the highest court in New York State where her victory solidified lasting change for mothers at Rikers
Island. She left the firm to join the Mental Hygiene Legal Service, where she worked in defense of persons with significant mental health needs and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Her professional goal has always been to stand in defense of the beautiful people and communities too often disenfranchised—communities like her own. Her professional experiences and personal convictions led her to her current role. In 2017, Valentina joined Fedcap as the Senior Director of Justice Initiatives. In this role, she creates programming and advocates for those affected by the criminal legal system, focusing on women, persons with mental health needs, and individuals of various physical abilities. In this position, she’s drawn from all corners of her past experiences to craft reform strategies that address the needs of vulnerable populations. Valentina takes pride in what she is accomplishing while recognizing the tremendous power of those she serves—primarily resilient women who teach and inspire her every day. Together they are making a difference. On top of all the professional achievements she has had, Valentina is a powerhouse single mom, and takes the most pride in the raising of her 13-year old son, Benin, and 11-year-old daughter, Cecilia (a future ND graduate?) Valentina credits her years at ND for giving her the foundation for her successful career of social justice and advocacy. “Notre Dame is like a beacon for me. It always gives me comfort to know that it’s there. It served me so well in my years there, and I know continues to do so for others. I have hired interns from ND. When I see Notre Dame’s name on an applicant’s resume, I know that this person will be a change-maker!” Valentina Morales ’95 has certainly been a ‘changemaker’ in her own career, and Notre Dame is proud to have her as an alumna.
The confidence she developed at Notre Dame motivated her to be involved outside of the classroom as well.
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TAKING ACTION FOR SERVICE
Carlina Rivera ’02
Carlina Rivera ’02 attends rally with NYSNA
arlina Rivera knew early on in her life that she wanted to do more for her community. Raised by a single mom who emigrated from Puerto Rico, Carlina grew up in Section 8 Housing in the Lower East Side, where many families struggled to make ends meet. She was aware that her mom and so many others in her neighborhood had to work tirelessly to provide for their families, but they always made time to help each other as well. It is not surprising then, that Carlina is now a New York City Council Member for the 2nd District, which includes her old neighborhood, where her goal is to effect positive change for her constituents. Councilwoman Rivera would be the first to tell you that her years at Notre Dame were pivotal in directing her career towards a path of service to others. It was Chez Nous where she discovered the strength of community; the importance of friendship; a passion for writing; and an understanding of effective communication. These are all components of Carlina’s work ethic, and much of that began at Notre Dame. Carlina attended St. Joseph’s, her local Catholic Church and parish school. When it came time to look at high schools, her mother wanted her to look at only Catholic and all-girls schools. “I was looking for camaraderie. I played sports. What really sold me was actually visiting the school and seeing it in action. It was the staff and faculty at ND that really drew me in, in terms of the whole experience. I just knew those were the conversations I wanted to be a part of! Thankfully, I was accepted and supported through a scholarship.” Carlina was a dedicated student and immediately
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flourished academically. “I loved my experience there. It struck me how prepared I was when I went into college, much more than my other college friends. I am indebted.” She discovered her love of literature and writing at the school. She remembers being so excited with ND’s extensive required reading, especially books written by people of color. This passion was cultivated by wonderful teachers such as Ms. Jean Halloran. “I always wanted to write and be a writer whether for a newspaper or magazine. But I also just loved reading fiction. Ms. Halloran always had an extensive book list to choose from.” Carlina also sings the praises of Ms. Jackie Brilliant. “She said I was a true writer. She was doing a hundred things at a time, and I was always so impressed with her.” Councilwoman Rivera realizes now that these women were early role models and their lessons have helped her as a council member. Carlina gives credit to all her teachers for inspiring her, motivating her, and giving her practical advice that continues to serve her well in her political career today. One experience that illustrates the faculty’s support vividly resonates with Carlina even today. During her senior year, she was asked to deliver a special speech to the Catholic Lawyers Guild at their annual meeting at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. She was overwhelmed by the prospect, but Sr. Mary Dolan, SU, then President of Notre Dame, helped her edit the speech. It was a daunting task, and Carlina felt intimidated. It was already an incredibly
“I would not be the person I am today without the education I received at Notre Dame and the teachers who encouraged and supported me.”
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stressful time for Carlina and all of her classmates. The attacks of 9/11 had just occurred, causing angst and fear on a daily basis. In addition, the school planned to move, which added some uncertainty to Carlina’s life. The final stressor was on the actual day of her speech; the streets were closed off due to terrorist threats, making it nearly impossible to get to her destination. Thanks to the support of her school and classmates who came to root her on, she was prepared for all of these challenges. “Sr. Mary not only gave me some great advice on how to write and deliver a speech, she also helped me prepare, practice, and even travelled with me, guiding me through all of the closed off streets to get to the event! It turned into one of the most profound moments for me giving that speech. I wanted to ‘land it’, and having the support of my teachers and friends there to help me through allowed me to do so!” Her love of writing and passion for community service were nurtured at Notre Dame and shaped her years at Marist College. Carlina majored in journalism and immediately became engaged in school life. “That all came from ND. The school consistently emphasized that the city was our classroom. They always got us out into the surrounding communities to expose us, to focus us on the needs in front of us. As a result, I feel that I am always in service.” She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Marist in 2006. Carlina maintains that the values and lessons she learned at ND remained with her throughout her college career. The discussions of social justice issues that permeated her ND classes continued to inspire her to find ways to make a difference. As a result, after graduating from Marist in 2006, Carlina decided to focus her career path on service to others. She worked for several years in both educational and legal services before she was appointed Director of Programs and Services at Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES) in 2011. GOLES is a neighborhood housing and preservation organization that has served the Lower East Side of Manhattan since 1977. Hurricane Sandy in 2012 was a pivotal moment in her life. “We lost fellow New Yorkers during the storm and we suffered serious loss in terms of housing and economic challenges.” Again, she was dedicated to supporting those
in need, and helped organize volunteers to provide food, water, and emergency services to the communities around her. She saw clearly during this crisis that those in government could really impact the outcome of people’s well-being, and decided to enter politics. In 2015 she became Legislative Director for NYC Councilwoman Rosie Mendez. In that role, she oversaw legislative requests and served as liaison to the Community Board, which dealt with issues from local community groups. These incredible experiences served her well when she ran for City Council office in 2017. She won her seat with an impressive 82% of the votes. Since taking office, Carlina has made an impact on her district and on the city. As Chair of the Council’s Committee on Hospitals, Carlina has fought tirelessly for access to better healthcare for all New Yorkers. She continues to focus on the neighborhoods she came from, and even recently helped fund a new nurse’s station at Bellevue Hospital, where she was born! The recent COVID crisis has made this committee even more critical, and she is spearheading ways to enhance safety protocols and to solidify guidelines going forward. She has also fought for the affordability and livability of New York City by championing issues around affordable housing, small business survival, transportation, and quality of life issues. In addition to tackling these tough legislative issues, she has taken a stand for gender equity as the former Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus by sponsoring legislation on sexual harassment and the gender wage gap. She expressed that one of the major obstacles she faces each and every day is being a woman of color in the political arena, where the majority of leaders are white men. “As a woman of color, it is incredibly difficult to be heard and taken seriously. People will find opportunities to discredit you.” Her advice to her Chez Nous sisters and to her team is to always be prepared for any situation, any meeting, and any interaction. She consistently does her homework on any issue she is dealing with, and comes armed with facts. She stated that this pressure actually puts her at an advantage. “I feel I am much more thoughtful in my approach because I have studied each issue from all angles and have a strategy to approach every one holistically."
“The ND girls are so impressive, not only with their knowledge base, but how they present themselves with confidence and courage.”
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Hosting census event and PPE giveaway in Tompkins Square
Meeting with the Women’s Caucus
Attending celebration to announce new LES affordable housing initiative
Chairing Committee on Hospitals' hearing
Participating in census march & rally in Sunset Park
Carlina credits her years at ND for preparing for these challenges. She has never forgotten the gift of the education she received at Notre Dame, and supports the school’s mission. She has returned to her alma mater for the school’s Career Day. The political path she has chosen has been an inspiration to current students and fellow alumnae. On her visit, she was impressed with all of the new initiatives that ND is undertaking, and left eager to do what she can to support future ND graduates. “When I came back, I had just finished my campaign. It was wonderful to be there. I actually found a number of interns from that visit. The ND girls are so impressive, not only with their knowledge base, but how they present themselves with confidence and courage.” With Carlina’s advocacy and support, the ND Summer Camp received essential funding to continue this important program that helps middle school girls build a strong academic foundation to set them on the right path for high school. Her political priorities these days are dealing with the economic and social issues stemming from the pandemic and the fight against racial injustice. Carlina is an optimist, but maintains a necessary realism. Again, she credits ND for teaching her early on the need for a pragmatic and thoughtful approach to all situations. As far as her prediction for NYC? “We are going to get through this. We are NYC. We are a strong and resilient place. This is where people come to live to be themselves and live authentically. We
have a long way to go. This has challenged us to look at new approaches as to how we study and how we work. But this is a great opportunity to reevaluate our healthcare and transportation systems; to find new ways to support our small businesses; and to create new initiatives to strengthen our local communities. It will take some time but we will come out of it reinvigorated and better than ever.” So far, Councilwoman Rivera has secured millions of dollars for her district to improve services, programs, housing, schools, and cultural institutions. Despite her hectic career, she still finds time to connect with her husband of five years, Jamie Rogers, and her two beloved pets. She still lives in the Lower East Side, where she was raised, and she still counts on her mom for guidance. “Mom is still here and she is a great barometer. She continues to be even-tempered, democratic, and understanding. I use her as a sounding board.” She also gives ND the credit for her work ethic and values-driven determination to effect positive change, advocating for social justice in her district. “I would not be the person I am today without the education I received at Notre Dame and the teachers who encouraged and supported me”. Notre Dame is grateful for Councilwoman Rivera’s words of praise for the school and for her ongoing support. Chez Nous is proud that she is carrying Anne de Xainctonge’s light forward, making a difference in her community and the world.
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A L U M N A E
N E W S
CAREER FAIR
Alumnae Return Chez Nous
Last February more than 50 alumnae, parents and friends of
ble. By doing so, the students learned how to network; how
Notre Dame returned to campus to be a part of the inaugu-
to ask appropriate questions; and how to gain more infor-
ral ND Career Fair. In years past, this event has been a panel
mation regarding careers they may have never considered
discussion that would include a small group of alumnae,
before. Leading up to the event, the counselors worked
who spoke to the entire student body about their current
with the students on dress code, professional manners, and
careers. There was a limited number of career fields repre-
interview skills.
sented, however, and a plan to widen this scope was designed, resulting in the inaugural Career Fair. The new format allowed the school to host a wider range
The fair was a huge success. The Dolan Center was abuzz with conversations, suggestions, and advice from a multitude of professionals who volunteered to be there. The students
of professionals in a larger setting with various booths set
said they obtained a great deal of knowledge from meeting
up around the Dolan Center. The careers represented in-
an array of leaders in various fields. And the alumnae who
cluded lawyers, engineers, architects, judges, research ana-
returned thoroughly enjoyed seeing the vibrant campus in
lysts, publicists, social workers, surgeons, registered nurses,
action, and meeting the next generation of ND leaders.
directors and entrepreneurs, among many others. The goal was to give students time to visit as many booths as possi18
Notre Dame School’s next Career Day will be held on February 2, 2021
A L U M N A E
N E W S
COLLEGE PANEL
Recent Graduates Share Their Stories
CLASS CHAIRS
WA N T E D
The support of our alumnae is imperative as it allows our dedicated faculty and staff the opportunity to preserve Anne de Xainctonge’s vision of an education that provides academic excellence, spiritual formation, and engagement in the world for our Chez Nous girls. For this reason, we have established a Class Chair opportunity to help strengthen the relationships among our alumnae and the greater Chez Nous community. We are looking for TWO to FIVE alumnae from each graduating class to act as liaisons between their classmates and the school. Some of the responsibilities include: The college process can be a daunting one, but not with the outstanding ND Counseling Department. Ms. Lauren Cimera, Ms. Dashea Hickson, and Ms. Carly Savino make up the ND counseling team, who are dedicated to supporting all the students’ needs, especially during the college process. In addition to guiding them on the college essay, college selection and majors, every year they invite back young alumnae to speak on their own processes; how they chose their schools; and the resulting college experiences they are having now. This past year, a record number of alumnae offered to help out, with more than 20 alumnae returning to campus to participate in the panel. They came from colleges all over the country and were excited to share their stories with the eager students. Moderated by the counselors, these enthusiastic alumnae gave practical advice and answered questions on writing essays, choices of majors and campus visits. The ND students were very grateful for the valuable insights into the process and college life from their older Chez Nous sisters, and the young graduates were thrilled to be back on campus.
Soliciting Class Notes for ND’s annual Encore Chez Nous magazine Obtaining current class contact information Promoting alumnae events and reunions Supporting the Annual Fund Please contact Elizabeth Bixenman, Director of Development and Alumnae Relations, at bixenmane@cheznous.org if interested or you would like to learn more.
Notre Dame School’s next College Panel will be held on January 6, 2021 19
2020 Graduation
Graduation Innovation
President of Notre Dame, Dr. Virginia O’Brien presenting Class Valedictorian Erin Pender ’20, with her diploma
Cayla Akomah ’20
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Gianna Contegiacomo ’20
Principal Ms. Jackie Brilliant congratulating the Class of 2020
New graduates Florentina Kolic and Chanel Torres showcasing their college choices
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he last several months of the 2019–2020 school year were very difficult for all students at Notre Dame. Due to the pandemic, campus closed in March, and the girls continued their classes remotely with an online schedule. The entire student body rose to the occasion, and showed great resiliency and courage during this challenging time. It was especially hard for members of the Senior Class, whose spring semester is usually filled with special events, including prom and graduation. Of course, many of these gatherings were cancelled, and the girls were resigned to the fact that they would not return to campus and would receive their diplomas by mail. Not to be daunted, the administration worked tirelessly to find a solution. Through the creative brainstorming of Notre Dame President, Dr. Virginia O’Brien S.U., the school’s principal, Ms. Jackie Brilliant, and the vice principal, Ms. Karina Vargas, graduation finally took place—in fact, several graduations took place! On Thursday, July 30, 2020, the school hosted eight separate graduations in the Dolan Center. With the limitation to number of people allowed to gather, these small ceremonies enabled the 80 seniors and their parents to come together to celebrate safely. The goal was to mimic the traditional event, usually held at Cooper Union, as closely as possible under these unique circumstances. For each celebration, the students, dressed in their graduation robes, processed in to the Dolan Center to “Pomp and Circumstance,” and were seated on stage. Sr. Virginia greeted the Class of 2020 and their parents, and expressed her gratitude for the leadership and maturity that they exemplified during their years at ND. She said that their flexibility and steadfastness during the past several months was remarkable and would serve them well in their lives ahead. Sr. Virginia reminded them that in their four years at ND, they have learned and upheld the 12 values of the school’s patron, Anne de Xainctonge. For each ceremony, Sr. Virginia spoke about two of the values, and encouraged each group of new alumnae to continue to live by them and go out and change the world. Maintaining ND graduation traditions, there were two student speakers, Valedictorian Erin Pender, and Student Council President Danica Mercado. They had prerecorded their speeches, which were then played at each event. Both student leaders were able to speak in person during the own ceremonies. Erin spoke of the hardships that her generation has endured—from being born right after 21
One of the eight graduation ceremonies to honor the Class of 2020
Danica Mercado, Student Council President
9/11, to witnessing terrorist attacks and bombings within the city and around the world. She focused on recent months and the angst of the pandemic, the racial injustices that have been so prevalent, and the ongoing gender disparity in the work place. She told her classmates that they have all been faced with innumerable challenges, but these obstacles have not hindered them. Their years at ND have given them confidence, resiliency, and an outstanding education, and because of this, there is no limit to what they can do to effect change as they enter their next chapters. Danica reiterated the same theme of coping with the stress and worries in the world, and the uncertainty of the future. She expressed her gratitude to ND for preparing her and her classmates for the future. The education they received and the strong sense of community they have experienced Chez Nous, have instilled in them the compassion, selflessness, and tools to be able to write the next pages of history. She ended by telling her classmates that if they took nothing else away from her speech, they should at least remember the word 'exhaust'. She advised her classmates to exhaust every opportunity, every path, and every obstacle, with the fortitude and passion nurtured in their years together at Notre Dame. By doing so, they will find their own way to effect change and have an impact on society. After these inspirational speeches, Ms. Vargas called each student’s name, Sr. Viginia presented the diplomas, and Ms.
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Brilliant delivered some final words of wisdom. She remembered welcoming them four years ago, telling them about the school’s history and Anne de Xainctonge, who had looked out her window and saw great needs in the world. Like Anne de Xainctonge, the seniors’ years at ND have given them the chance to look outside their own windows and see what needs to be done, and now they have the opportunity to make a difference in the world. The Class of 2020 and their families were very grateful for the innovative approach to graduation, and expressed their gratitude to the school for making it happen. One of the ND values is perseverance, so it should come as no surprise that, despite the difficulties and challenges of the pandemic, the seniors were able to return Chez Nous one more time, and enjoy a special graduation ceremony that they will never forget.
SCHOLARSHIP STORIES
One hundred percent of the 80 members of the Class of 2020 received academic scholarships at four-year colleges or universities totaling over $28 million.
One hundred percent
Britney Aparicio, Barnard College
Aliyana Bonilla, Binghamton University
Thinking back over my four years at Notre Dame, I can say it was quite an experience. I remember entering ND and feeling the instant support from my peers and teachers. I was able to discover who I was and who I wanted to be with the many opportunities Notre Dame gave me. It all started with finding my passion in Girls Who Code. Having supportive teachers like Mr. Lejano and Ms. Vella made my experience in this club unique, and I learned to believe in myself regardless of how challenging a task may be. Girls Who Code allowed me to discover the world of technology, and I was able to participate in such opportunities as the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program. It was because of this experience that I officially knew I wanted to be a part of the world of technology. Another experience Notre Dame gave me was in 2019, when the counselors encouraged me to join the Job Opportunities Program. This involvement led to me landing an internship at a finance corporation for the summer. As a first-generation, low income student, I was not aware such opportunities could ever happen to me, but today I am extremely grateful to have had those experiences because of ND. Through my years at Notre Dame, I was able to create a steady support system along with the guidance of my family. I had my sponsors, Mr. and Mrs. Houlihan, who would encourage me and check up on me regularly; my peers, who would support me no matter what; my teachers, who would stay after hours to make sure my friends and I were well; and my guidance counselor Ms. Hickson, who was a huge help during the college process. If it were not for all the guidance and experiences I have had over the last four years, I would
not have been able to start my new journey at Barnard College, where I plan on studying Computer Science and Mathematics on a nearly full scholarship. Having so many
As it is time to reflect on the amazing four years I have spent at Notre Dame, I could not be more grateful for the decision I made to be a part Chez Nous. From the beginning of middle school, I knew that I wanted to belong to the Chez Nous community because of the stellar academic and supportive reputation I learned about through ND alumnae and my admissions counselors. Coming from a co-ed middle school, I did not know if it would be easy to make friends in an allgirls school because of the stereotypical assumptions of “cliques”, but that wasn’t the case with ND. Even on my first day, I felt a part of the community, because Notre Dame makes sure you have people there for you. The ND community helped motivate me to set the foundations in order to achieve my goals. For example, during my junior year, my counselor, Ms. Hickson, introduced me to the Futures and Options Program, which led to a paid summer internship at a nonprofit organization, where I had the chance to sit down with Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, and Police Commissioner, Ray Kelly. Notre Dame continued to help me grow my resume by referring me to new opportunities that revolved around the career I wanted to pursue. From working as campaign staff to ND alumna City Councilwoman, Carlina Rivera, to landing a full time, paid i nternship at a law firm, I could not be more thankful to have ND as one of my biggest supporters. With the many highlights of high school came various struggles. From insecurities to challenging subjects, the one thing that never let me down was the Notre Dame faculty. Anytime I was struggling I knew I could go to a teacher or counselor to talk and express how I felt, and they would try their best to help. Coming from a Latino family, and given the low statistics for Latin American teens to attend college, the college process was a bit intimidating. However, with Notre Dame's consistent support and guidance, I knew I could achieve the impossible.
people believe in me, and pushing me to be my best, I know I will have a chance to make a difference while continuing to have that ND support through my lifetime.
With the help of ND, I am proud to say I will be studying Politics, Philosophy, & Law at Binghamton University on a full scholarship. 23
SCHOLARSHIP STORIES Kelly Guzman, Boston College
Leyla Heredia, Washington University in St. Louis
My time at Notre Dame has given me many things. From numerous opportunities to lifelong friends, I am forever grateful that I chose Notre Dame for my high school experience. I cannot thank my parents enough for constantly pushing me to do more. Without their endless support I would not be the person I am today. My teachers always motivated me to be the best that I could be, even when I was not the most confident in my work. They always made sure that I had all the resources and support needed to truly thrive. Whether it was coming in early to help me review for a test I had that day, or staying after school when I needed to work on a project, the teachers at Notre Dame helped me find the space to do that. I have also met some of my favorite people at Notre Dame. My friends have made my high school experience the best it could have been. They were there for me on good days and bad, and I know we will always be there for each other. I can always count on them for endless laughs or homework help and I know they feel the same way. I know that even though I am leaving Notre Dame, the connections I have established will last a lifetime. I know I will always be able to reach out to any one of my teachers whether it is just to catch up or ask for help. Beginning the next phase of my life in college with the values Notre Dame has instilled in me will greatly aid my first-year experience. Going to a college that was founded on Jesuit beliefs ensures me that I will continue to be surrounded by people who share my values. Getting a
Thinking about my time at Notre Dame, I cannot help but go back to when I was an eighth-grader in middle school trying to figure out where I would be for the next four years. High school seemed so intimidating, and on top of that, I had to apply to schools all over New Jersey as well as the city. I knew that I wanted to push myself, and unlike my classmates then, I wanted to take the journey into Manhattan because I knew that was where my opportunities existed. I was in search of the perfect place. Thankfully, Mr. Grote came and visited my school. I will never forget him coming in and talking to the girls about the family that is Chez Nous. He explained to us that school should be your second home. It should not just be an institution to attend classes, but a place to make memories, to find yourself, to give back, and to have amazing experiences. At that moment, I knew that ND would be my second family and the place that would eventually send me off to Washington University in St. Louis. In my search for colleges, I was trying to find a school that mimicked what I have grown to love about ND. I was trying to find a place where the teachers would recognize me and know my story and goals; a place where I can try new activities; and a place filled with people who love learning to better our society. Throughout the process, I reminded myself that I was no stranger to being the first person at my school to attend a new institution, and no stranger to new locations, as it gives me the chance to have a fresh perspective critical to my personal development. With that said, none of this would be possible if I did not have teachers at school who were ready to support me 100% and who pushed me to dream big. Ms. Kane was the first person I ran to when it came to starting my personal statement, and I am so blessed to have a mentor like her in my life. I am also thankful to Ms. Savino, who guided me without making me feel overwhelmed or out of control. I am so grateful for the
nearly full scholarship from Boston College will allow me the opportunity to invest in other ventures, including the opportunity to travel more and step out of my comfort zone.
opportunities that Notre Dame bestowed upon me and cannot wait to represent ND at Washington University in St. Louis, and welcome more of our girls to the university in the future. 24
Suzan Juncaj, Fordham University
Bria Leflore, Binghamton University
As I graduate from Notre Dame this year, I look back to my 9th grade self. Four years ago I was not prepared for the unique and life-changing experience I had ahead of me. It was within the walls of ND, from the lunchroom all the way to the library, where I really grew up into a young adult. I figured myself out alongside my peers, and found family in friends and even teachers. I am proud to have found people quite like me but yet so different. I know for a fact I have built longlasting relationships with my peers, my teachers, my guidance counselor, and everyone else at ND! I am forever grateful for their warm and welcoming faces they have shown me since the moment I first walked into the school. It is within ND where I always felt empowered as a woman and never questioned my abilities. The staff has shown light on my intelligence and my worth as a student. Notre Dame has helped me pave a clear direction and path for my future, and I will be taking everything I have learned within this school with me to college. Without the help and guidance of my counselors, teachers, and even my peers, I would not be where I am now. It is truly unique how much the Notre Dame community focuses on giving a helping hand to everyone in our school. I started my senior year clueless on how to even apply to schools. I did not have the help and guidance at home because my family never went to college. However, I am more than ready for the next four years, because Notre Dame has prepared me for this moment. I will be attending Fordham University with a near full scholarship. My abundance of questions to my counselor and peers never bothered anybody, and they were all more than willing to help me on my college process. Without their help, I wouldn’t have been able to afford to go to college at all.
As I look back at my time spent at Notre Dame, I am amazed that this journey flew by so quickly. As a 9th grader, I was not sure how I would even make it through the year. But as time progressed, I created amazing bonds with girls older and younger than me, and that is what really made my years special. I felt I was in a real sisterhood. Friends slowly became family and teachers became friends. Yet, there was one person that truly took my high school career to the next level. I did not know Ms. Savino all four years, but I knew her for most of my time at ND. During junior year, I began seeing Ms. Savino more regularly, and we just clicked. She taught me about the long college process and when the time came, I was ready to apply. As senior year approached, I had numerous colleges to choose from. Ms. Savino mentioned all the wonderful scholarship opportunities I could possibly achieve. I wasn’t always confident in myself so when she informed me how competitive it was to earn these scholarships, I was immediately unsure about it all. Yet, she always motivated me and built my confidence as the process continued. When my nerves kicked in about where I was going, I would go to Ms. Savino and tell her how I was feeling, and to this day, her advice continues to influence me. She taught me to be organized with dates and time frames, and to always be on top of emails and phone calls. I began to spend a great deal of time in the counselor's office to ensure all my work was completed. Once I got my first acceptance, I instantly felt my hard work had paid off. College acceptances then began to roll in and I was ecstatic. Scholarships came along as well and with Ms. Savino’s help, we finally found a perfect match. I made the decision to
Going to Fordham on a nearly full scholarship gives me the opportunity to fulfill my dream, my parents’ dream, and the dreams of my family generations before me.
spend my next four years at Binghamton University where I received a nearly full scholarship and I will be majoring in political science. If it were not for all the opportunities at Notre Dame and Ms. Savino always seeing the potential in me, I would not be where I am today. I am so thankful, and am relieved to say I will be graduating from 25 college debt-free!
SCHOLARSHIP STORIES Danica Mercado, University of Michigan
Melodie Nerestant, Williams College
As a senior I have begun to think back at my years at Notre Dame and what it has done for me. My time at ND has empowered me to become a better leader by strengthening my confidence, cultivating my passions, and challenging the way I see the world. This school has supplied me with connections I never would have gained if I had not attended. I have made great friends and had wonderful teachers that have made a difference in my life. The endless guidance, support, and reassurance from both my peers and teachers continuously pushed me to aim higher than what was required. There were times that I would struggle academically, and it was during those moments that my teachers went above and beyond to make sure I had the resources to prosper. The counselors I worked with always made sure to check in with how I was doing and became the support system that assisted me through many hardships. They made sure I was organized and had everything necessary for the college process. Using everything I have
When I first joined the Chez Nous community, I understood I needed to work hard to get into college but I was not entirely sure what I needed to do. As a first generation student, I did not have the benefits of parents who took the SATs or had a teacher write them a letter of recommendation. I was scared going into high school because I did not know what to expect. I was afraid to fail because I thought it would mess up my chances of getting into college. Thankfully, my peers and my teachers helped me throughout this crazy ride known as the college admissions office. They helped me pick classes, curate my college list, and strategize a plan on tackling admissions tests. Going to Academic Center helped with my fear of failing because it allowed me to make mistakes in a judgment free environment so I could learn from them. My friends at Notre Dame have been such a blessing. They motivated me to do my very best in school and to also be an outstanding citizen in the process. Although some people were more fortunate than me to have both parents attend college, they never made me feel inadequate. They shared with me the knowledge that I would have never known existed. We endured the stresses of admissions together, as one big family. Thanks to the support at Notre Dame, I am finally turning into the young woman that I dreamed of. I am also so happy that I will be attending
learned at this school, I will make sure to bring all the lessons, experiences, and memories to The University of Michigan where I plan to major in Political Science. I am very fortunate to have received a very good scholarship. I was also accepted to the Michigan Community Scholars Program, a special academic and mentorship organization. I will forever be grateful to the teachers and mentors who did everything in their power to help me succeed. They have inspired me to take the world by storm and be a catalyst for change in my community and for others.
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Williams College on a nearly full scholarship in the fall. Although I never imagined that my fourth quarter of senior year would be online, I am so grateful that my school community remains strong, and that I am able to reach out to my peers and teachers for help. We all cheered for each other when we made our decision on where we will be attending in the fall, and motivated each other to finish the final stretch of high school. Notre Dame has proven to me that they care a lot about the wellbeing of their students, and I will miss my time there.
Vanessa Obi, Johns Hopkins University
Maeve Shanks, Catholic University of America
The summer before 9th grade, I was not entirely sure what to expect from Notre Dame. It was a new setting, in a different part of the city, and it was much bigger than my middle school. However, I knew that Notre Dame was the place for me once I met other girls at orientation and during the first few weeks of school. My peers and teachers were eager to help me whenever I was lost or had a question, and I soon found myself doing the same for others. At Notre Dame, I was given the opportunity to flourish academically and socially. The school’s close-knit community was useful for one-on-one support whenever I needed more help outside of the classroom. I was also able to join a multitude of clubs and activities, and even became secretary of the National Honor Society! Through these clubs, I was able to give a greater meaning to my time in high school, and learn important life lessons in the process. Four years ago, I walked into this school as a shy girl who was not sure of her future, and now I am graduating as a well-rounded, confident woman who knows she will achieve amazing things. Over the past four years, I have made lifelong best friends and met amazing teachers and counselors who encouraged me to pursue my biggest dreams. Especially during the college process, when I doubted myself the most, Notre Dame gave me most of the love and support that I needed to make it through to the end. I am proud to say that I will
Looking back on my time at Notre Dame, I think of all of the opportunities that were offered to me. One specifically that comes to mind is a trip I took with Notre Dame called the “Encuentro Project”, where I was able to learn firsthand about all of the issues at the US/Mexico border pertaining to immigration. This experience exposed me to the neglect of thousands of people with seemingly nothing. I was transformed by the faces I saw in the refugee shelter where I volunteered. This exposure made me realize that no human being deserves to be neglected and also that I must appreciate everything that I have, even the smallest things. These opportunities allowed for growth and experience, which have brought me to where I am now. They are opportunities that will help me fight hate, fight bigotry, fight racism, fight neglect, etc., because I have learned to stand up for what I believe in, to do what is right—not because I have to but because I want to - and to care for others. I formed a family at Notre Dame, one that supports me and my aspirations, not only in school, but in life. My family, my friends and the faculty and staff at Notre Dame have done nothing but create a positive environment for me to thrive in. I am proud to say that because of the many opportunities ND provided.
be attending Johns Hopkins University, where I received a full scholarship and will be majoring in molecular and cellular biology. Without my determination and hard work,
I will be attending the Catholic University of America on a full tuition scholarship for Nursing. The countless values and lessons of life I have picked up during my time at Notre Dame have not only helped me achieve this goal, but will continue to aid in my college life and beyond so that I can become a woman for others. For that, I am eternally grateful.
along with being motivated by the people in my life, I doubt I would have been able to obtain such an amazing achievement. Thanks to Notre Dame, I am now equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to face my next four-year journey and beyond.
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2020 College Matriculation
One hundred percent of the Class of 2020 matriculated to four-year colleges or universities. American University
Long Island University
SUNY Binghamton
Arizona State University
Louisiana State University
SUNY Buffalo
Bard College
Loyola Marymount University
SUNY Cortland
Barnard College Baruch College Binghamton University Boston College Boston University Bryn Mawr College College of the Holy Cross Connecticut College CUNY City College CUNY Hunter
SUNY Oswego
Loyola University Maryland
The American University of Paris
Manhattan College
The Catholic University of America
New York University Ohio State University Pace University Penn State University Providence College Rutgers University
The City College of New York UC Berkeley University of Alabama University at Buffalo University of Michigan University of Rochester
Fairfield University
Rutgers University— New Brunswick
Fashion Institute of Technology
Ryerson University
University of South Carolina
Sacred Heart University
University of Tampa
Saint Joseph’s University
University of Washington
School of Visual Arts
Villanova University
St. John’s University
Washington University in St. Louis
Fordham University Gettysburg College High Point University Howard University Johns Hopkins University 28
Loyola University at Chicago
Stony Brook University
University of Scranton
Williams College
N O T R E D A M E S C H O O L 2019 ïš» 2020
Annual Report
2019–2020 Gift Club Members The Notre Dame Annual Fund offers several Gift Club opportunities. We are very grateful to our Gift Club members for their generous donations.
Our Lady of Lourdes Society $100,000 or more
The Honor Society $3,000–$6,499
Principal’s Circle $1,000–$1,999
Anonymous The Carson Family Charitable Trust
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Browne Mr. Raphael De Niro & Ms. Hannah Carnes Mr. & Mrs. Michael Cseh Patricia Cullen ’73 Mr. & Mrs. Eric Eckholdt Mr. Michael Halloran & Ms. Catherine Halloran Mary Burke Heyman ’55 Antoinette LeQuire-Schott ’59 The M&T Charitable Foundation Norma Moglia Reidy '77 Mrs. Patricia Richlin Chrystia Slywotzky ’72 Sisters of St. Ursula
Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Anthony Brooklyn Jesuit Prep Dawn Tennant Calabia ’58 Kathleen Dunne Carberry ’69 Ms. Virginia Connor Mr. & Mrs. Martin Cottingham Mr. & Mrs. Peter Cunningham Carol Gose DeVine ’66 Jane Clifton Dockery ’61 Mr. Marc Foley & Bridgette Brennan Foley ’90 Brigid Frey ’77 Mary Jane Drucker Gabbay ’63 Mr. & Mrs Ioannis Glyptis Nancy McNamara Haney ’58 Mr. Daniel Dougherty & Ms. Hee-Sun Hong Ms. Anne V. Kane Mr. James C. Kennedy Mr. & Mrs. Edward Knapp Moira Gleason Kowal ’77 Ms. Sheryl Kurtis Parutta Leeyawanich ’88 Mr. John Licitra & Catherine Vadasz Licitra ’91 Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Littlefield Mr. Christopher Flynn & Ms. Maureen Marren Mr. David P. McKelvey Bernadette Castellano McSweeney ’70 Mr. Brian Neville & Ms. Maureen Melnick Ms. Melissa U. Meserve Ms. Maureen Nugent Mr. Thomas O’Brien Mr. Vincent O’Brien Mr. George Delaney & Ms. Louise O’Connor Mr. & Mrs. Todd Parker Ms. Gloria Picariello Stephanie Pinto ’62 Mrs. Nancy Robinson Suzanne Drucker Robotham ’68 Mary Ellen Milazzo Roche ’65 Elizabeth Hofmann Salazer ’83
Anne de Xainctonge Angels $50,000–$99,999 Inner City Scholarship Fund and the Partnership for Inner City Education
Anne de Xainctonge Associates $25,000–$49,999 Cornelia Connelly Center for Education Estate of Felice O'Brien Earley Ms. Elizabeth Roth Sarita Kenedy East Foundation, Inc.
Mother Genevieve Guild $10,000–$24,999 Anonymous Brooklyn Benevolent Society Mr. & Mrs. Raymond P. Dolan Estate of William DiPippo Harris Mathews Charitable Foundation Mary Burke Heyman ’55 Mr. & Mrs. Jack Houlihan Mr. Thomas Lacorazza Ms. Ann Lopez The Michael Gordon Foundation Ms. Mary Ellen O’Brien Dr. Grace C. Pilcer Mr. & Mrs. John Spollen Carolyn Wahlig Szostek ’65 Virginia Turezyn ’75 Xavier High School
President’s Circle $8,750–$9,999 Mr. & Mrs. William Bell
Trustees’ Circle $6,500–$8,749 Columbus Citizens Foundation Downtown Giants Youth Football Inc. Mr. Michael F. Doyle Estate of Ligia Trujillo Yousri ’41 Carol Rowbo ’79 Alexandra Rynczak Teper ’81
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Chez Nous Circle $2,000–$2,999 Anonymous Johanna Vespe Aulisa ’01 Mr. David Transom & Ms. Aisling Carroll Patricia DiTolla ’62 Mr. & Mrs. William Foulkes Msgr. Jamie J. Gigantiello Mr. Thomas Newman & Dr. Anne Hardart Mr. William H. Lycette Barbara McInerney McGovern '70 Thelma Milliken Negley ’66 Ms. Julia Pilcer Arlene Deninger Prendergast ’60 Mr. James Quinn & Agnes McComiskey Quinn ’61 Jack & Sarah Raslowsky Mr. & Mrs. Joseph P. Riccardo Mr. William Schwebel & Ms. Lori Schwebel Mr. Jeffrey C. Seymour Mr. Ray Sozzi Dr. David Stuhr Mr. Scott Vasey & Ms. Colleen Vasey Ms. Mary Wright Xavier Jesuit Community Mr. Richard S. Zimmerman
On previous page: Mr. Christopher Dunleavy P ’91 & GP ’20 presenting his granddaughter Christy Gately ’20 with her diploma. Chris Dunleavy has been supportive of Notre Dame's mission for more than thirty years. He led the effort to save the school from closing in 1989 and was an original Notre Dame Trustee.
Mr. Victor Santillan & Talya Pinto Santillan ’95 Ms. Phyllis Sollecito Gabrielle Solleder ’75 Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Stuhr Mr. Ron Gottschalk & Ms. Mary Thaman Mr. Daniel Weisz & Kimberly Weisz Mr. & Mrs. Tim Zisimopoulos
1912 Club $500–$999 Paula Andryuk ’75 Mr. Jeffrey Angelo & Ms. Eileen Angelo Angelina M. Arlia ’92 Mr. & Mrs. George Awikeh Mr. Essa Bateh & Ms. Janice Bateh Mr. & Mrs. Donald Baum Mr. Oliver Will & Ms. Kimberly Beck Darlene Billia ’66 Ms. Cheryl Callan Ms. Joan Clark Mr. & Mrs. Rob Clores Mr. John Conroy & Ms. Kathleen Wilson Conroy Ms. Jacqueline Cooper Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Corsico Mr. & Mrs. Bracken Carter Craft
Alessia Mangano ’22
Patricia Connors Daver ’60 Carol De George ’84 Mary Susan King Delahunty ’61 Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Denham Rosemary DeNatale Dineen ’73 Mr. Christopher Dunleavy & Ms. Elizabeth Dunleavy Jean Corley Fischer ’79 Maureen Flaherty ’68 Ms. Laureen Fredella Mr. Edward Gallagher Ms. Jeanne Gallagher Diana Henriquez Glubiak ’80 Mr. Jerome Hanifin & Ms. Christine Hanifin Mr. & Mrs. Don Harding Laura Lipani Hines ’94 Mr. Christopher Horrigan & Ms. Christa Horrigan Sheila Lewis Houde ’54 Patricia Cook Hult ’60 Ms. Jaclyn Brilliant & Mr. Anthony Jenks Mr. William Keefe & Alice Alves Keefe ’91 Ellin Rosasco Learned ’66 Maria Ann Basso Lipani ’94 Lauren McNamara ’01 Ms. Arlene Miller
Mr. Christopher Morris Mr. & Mrs. Terence A. Mullervy Mr. Warren Nelson & Ms. Christa Nelson Mr. John O’Donnell Maria Cristina Rodriguez O’Neill ’68 Mary Ann Paszkiewicz Gordon ’73 Mr. & Mrs. David Piscitelli Jill Ford Reams ’70 Mr. Huw Richards & Ms. Allison Richards Mr. Brian Michael Rohan, P.E. Amalia Garcia Samoylenko-Russian ’56 Mr. Scott Schoneman & Ms. Lana Schoneman Mr. & Mrs. Gerald L. Sciscent Mr. & Mrs. Frank Sestak Mara Eileen Slakas ’03 Mrs. Helen Smith Mr. & Mrs. Gino Soave Sara Stalkus ’66 Mr. Arthur Strehle Ms. Rachel Tigges Dr. Phyllis Trible Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Valonis Lisa White ’71 Katherine Powers Wolf ’47 Mr. & Mrs. Gregg Zaletofsky Eileen Drucker Zwart ’76
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Contributors
Crown & Anchor Club $100-$499 Anonymous Mr. Rodolfo Abad & Ms. Virginia Abad Mr. & Mrs. Robert Abraham Mr. Michael Acerra Ms. D'arcy Achziger Mr. Joseph Nerestant & Mrs. Maggie Adonis Mr. Jonathan Affatato Rosana Gonzalez Agostini ’75 Mr. & Mrs. Hermann Alarcon Mr. & Mrs. John Altomare Daria Amato ’72 Amazon Smile Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Mark Andermanis Mr. Paul Andrews Erica Zissel Andrinopoulos ’08 Dana M. Angelo ’10 Dr. & Mrs. Richard Angle Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Aninos Janet Swift Balbach ’60 Mr. Peter Barret Rev. Vincent Biagi, S.J. Elizabeth and Jeremy Bixenman Ms. Mary Kate Blaine Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Bonilla Ms. Sharon Borawski Ms. Julia Bradford Ms. Lisa A. Bretherick Mrs. Allyn Bruder Ann Burke Bunting ’70 Mr. Claudio Calado Mr. Andrew Eccles & Ms. Erin Calhoun Lois Huneke Camperlengo ’55 Ms. Barbara Capeci Katherine Caracappa ’16 Patricia Murphy Carlin ’60 Mr. Miguel Ballena & Ms. Jessica Carrion Mr. Frederick Ringor & Ms. Rose Casareo-Ringor Elena Castellano ’68 Barbara Nesbitt Cautero ’51 Ms. Eleanor Cesaria Mr. & Mrs. David Chang Carolina Valdes Clarens ’68 Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Cody Nancy Breen Coey ’61 Mr. Thomas Collins
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Elizabeth Drucker Condrige ’64 Mr. Paul Conley Mr. Gordon Medenica & Ann Connolly ’71 Patricia Connelly ’61 Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Contegiacomo Catherine McDonough Corcoran ’60 Mr. Anthony Costantini Kathleen Albano Cuttita ’64 Mr. Vincent D’Aco Ms. Carol Jeanne Dale Patricia Connors Daver ’60 Dr. Sandra Davis Mr. & Mrs. Michael S. Davis Mr. Jerry Dellova Georgiene Spellman Dempsey ’66 Mr. Brian Dempsey Jane Simpson Dolan ’81 Fr. George Drance, S.J. Mr. & Mrs. Robert Dreeke Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Duggan Alice Prajka Dunatov ’70 Liezl C. Echavez ’20 Brenda Ewald ’60 Mr. & Ms. Gene Fennell Helena Albuquerque Fenyo ’85 Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Fernandez Ms. Jeremy F. Fieseler Jean Ann Hoban Flynn ’61 Ms. Eileen Frawley Mr. & Mrs. John Gangone Stephanie Garace ’11 Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Garace Mr. & Mrs. Emilio Garcia Mr. Patrick Gately & Lisa Dunleavy Gately ’91 Mr. Ali Kokmen & Ms. Michelle Gengaro-Kokmen Ellen Beitz Geraghty ’68 Muriel Flynn Gonzalez ’70 Audrey Masi Greene ’52 Mr. & Mrs. James Greene Elizabeth Morales Gregg ’66 Ms. Wendy Gregory Mr. & Mrs. Predrag Grncarski Mr. & Mrs. Robert P. Grote Cara Villano Guerra ’92 Mr. Jose Guzman Ms. Nieves Guzman Mr. William Haddad
& Ms. Deirdre Dunn Haddad Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Hanks Christina Terminelle Harley’77 Mr. & Mrs. Greg Hastings Mr. & Mrs. Oscar Heredia Mr. Dennis J. Hickey & Ms. Ann Hickey Patricia Aloma Hicks ’63 Christine Pidhorodeckyj Hillenbrand ’73 Rita Ryan Holland ’80 Mr. Peter Baracskai & Mrs. Theresa Howard Mr. & Mrs. John Hullihan Mr. Robert Murphy & Mrs. Monica Iken-Murphy Ms. Rebecca Jacobsen Josephine Mary Lawlor Jamieson ’85 Ms. Marie Adeline Jean-Pierre Christine LeGoff Kauffman ’82 Mr. Steven Williams & Ms. Edwina Kee ’84 Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Kenny Mr. & Mrs. William Kilcommons Mr. & Mrs. Michael King Patricia Sheehan Kirwan ’60 Mr. & Mrs. Anthony La Malfa Mr. & Mrs. Mark Mongelluzzo Ms. May-Linda Labidou Crista Marie Lacqua ’13 Mr. & Mrs. Felix Lam Jeanine Schupbach Larkin ’79 Mr. Richard Leahy & Ms. Kathleen Leahy Nora Palmer Leibman ’65 Mr. Alaric Lejano Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Littlefield Jo Ann Joya Lodico ’75 Mr. & Mrs. Fatmir Lumaj Mr. & Mrs. Spencer A. Maher Lorraine Riccobono Mahony ’69 Roseanne Mallner ’66 Mr. & Mrs. Leonat Malshyti Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Maniscalco Ann Masterson ’72 Jane Masterson ’64 Mrs. Anne McBennett Mr. Brian McCabe & Ms. Mary McCabe Mr. & Mrs. Christopher M. McCarthy Mr. & Mrs. Robert McGoldrick Rosemarie McGrath ’59 Mr. & Mrs. James McNamara
Contributors
Elizabeth McNamara Melcher ’76 Victoria Melignano ’76 Irene Uhnak Messina ’69 Ellen Loughran Miccio ’97 Mr. & Mrs. Adam Mietus Ann Milanese ’72 Mr. & Mrs. Jim Mirenda Ms. Donna Morelli Ms. Esther Moreno Eileen Murray ’67 Mr. Michael Murray & Ms. Christine Murray Mr. Garth Naar Ms. Sandra Nana Thelma Milliken Negley ’66 Robin Newman ’85 Mr. & Mrs. Natalie Nguyen Mr. & Mrs. John Noonan Mr. Joseph Noto & Mrs. Maureen Noto Mr. Douglas O’Brien & Ms. Eileen Griffin O’Brien Eileen O’Brien ’73 Dr. Virginia O'Brien S.U. ’70 Kathleen O’Connell ’84 Mr. & Mrs. Brendan O’Connor Mr. John O’Donnell Ms. Catherine M. O’Hara Mr. & Mrs. Donald F. O'Halloran Mr. & Mrs. Sean P. O’Malley Ms. Emilia Orengo-Vera Patricia Masterson Palacios ’69 Ms. Marion Paolucci Ms. Rosemary Paparo Suzanne Fenech Pasocello ’98 Ms. Leslie Paynter Mr. & Mrs. Raul Perez Lorraine Pucher-Petersen ’73 Leigh Combes Phillips ’60 Mr. Joseph Licciardi & Ms. Catherine Pino Mr. & Mrs. Scott Postell Dale Drucker Prifti ’71 Geralyn McBennett Randazzo ’78 Kristen Benjamin Randolph ’95 Mrs. Marjorie Raslowsky Mr. & Mrs. George Reber Marcia Halleran Reidy ’63 Mr. Raymond Rivera & Ms. Gladys J. Rivera
Maria Rivera-Trudeau ’60 Cecilia Corvi Rogers ’68 Kathleen Koppinger Rowe ’63 Dr. Eileen Ryan ’75 Mr. & Mrs. Richard Ryan Dr. Tara Ryan ’77 Mr. Lloyd Cornelius & Mrs. Stacey Ryan-Cornelius Mr. & Mrs. Peter Sandler Lillian Gonzalez Sarro ’73 Mr. Marvin Santos & Ms. Cristina Santos Mr. & Mrs. Richard Schaedle Cheryl O’Rourke Schmidt ’65 Ms. Mary Schmutter Alison Turnbull Schoew ’71 Mr. Dominick Sciangula & Ms. Rina Sciangula Brigid Scott ’74 Sue Ellen Mulligan Sheeley ’63 Mary Sheils ’60 Mr. & Mrs. John Sipp Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Stordeur Elaine Feeley Swords ’62 Mr. Hiram Szeto & Ms. Monica Connell Szeto Ms. Lisa Szubin Mr. Binh Lu & Ms. Ly Tang Donaldine Temple, Esq. ’91 Ms. Marcia Teviovitz Clare Begley Thomson ’62 Ms. Marie Todisco Louise Pociecha Toth ’61 Mr. Casey Kaplan & Ms. Samantha Treacy-Kaplan Ms. Sonia Tresca Mr. Edward Tully & The Honorable Jane Tully Mr. & Mrs. Robert Tyka Ms. Lucille Urciuoli Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Valente Mr. Mark Valenti & Ms. Ann Valenti Mary Vasquez ’85 Helen K. Madden Vespe ’73 Mr. & Mrs. David Villa Mr. & Mrs. Kai Wakabayashi Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Walls Ms. Rita L. Walters Mr. Marc Wells Mr. & Mrs. Paul Whelan
Milagros Williams ’72 The Honorable Milton Williams & Ms. Rose Williams Ms. Suzan Wollard Mr. Steven Womer Mr. Joel Stanger & Mrs. Lily Wong Mr. Gerard Woods & Ann Marie Walsh Woods ’85 Betty Lou Jeffrey Wright ’48 Anne Marie Vagra Zanfardino ’81
Building Fund Air Conditioning Building Project Anonymous Vivian Cardia ’70 Mary Frances Sheridan DeLaney ‘56 Estate of Genevieve Connolly Cunningham '33 The Hyde and Watson Foundation Mr. Michael Nicholson & Ms. Carolyn Nicholson Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Panepinto Mr. Nenad Radulovic & Ms. Paulette Radulovic Jack & Sarah Raslowsky Mr. & Mrs. Joseph P. Riccardo
Air Conditioning Building Project Notre Dame installed air conditioning throughout the remaining 11 classrooms that were without cooling systems. With the leadership gifts received to date, ND has secured 47% of the $550,000 financial need for the project. We will continue to reach out to our larger community until the financing is complete. To make a financial gift towards this building project, please contact Elizabeth Bixenman, Director of Development & Alumnae Relations, at bixenmane@cheznous.org or (212) 620-5575 ext. 317.
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Contributors The names of contributors to the 2019-2020 Annual Fund are listed on the following pages in the following categories: Alumnae, Current Parents, Alumnae Parents, and Friends. We at Notre Dame are deeply grateful for the moral and financial support of all our contributors.
ALUMNAE 1947 Katherine POWERS Wolf 1948 Betty Lou JEFFREY Wright 1951 Barbara NESBITT Cautero 1952 Audrey MASI Greene 1954 Sheila LEWIS Houde 1955 Mary BURKE Heyman Lois HUNEKE Camperiengo 1956 Amalia GARCIA Samoylenko-Russian Mary Frances SHERIDAN DeLaney 1958 Nancy McNAMARA Haney Dawn TENNANT Calabia 1959 Antoinette LeQUIRE-Schott Rosemarie McGRATH 1960 Leigh COMBES Phillips Patricia CONNORS Daver Patricia COOK Hult Arlene DENINGER Prendergast Brenda EWALD Catherine McDONOUGH Corcoran Patricia MURPHY Carlin Lorraine PRAJKA Sturmfels Maria RIVERA-Trudeau Patricia ROACH Gogolak Patricia SHEEHAN Kirwan Mary SHEILS Janet SWIFT Balbach 1961 Nancy BREEN Coey Jane CLIFTON Dockery Patricia CONNELLY Jean Ann HOBAN Flynn Mary Susan KING Delahunty Agnes McCOMISKEY Quinn Louise POCIECHA Toth
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1962 Clare BEGLEY Thomson Patricia DiTOLLA Elaine FEELEY Swords Stephanie PINTO 1963 Patricia ALOMA Hicks Mary Jane DRUCKER Gabbay Marcia HALLERAN Reidy Kathleen KOPPINGER Rowe Anne MARSH Stottler Sue Ellen MULLIGAN Sheeley 1964 Kathleen ALBANO Cuttita Elizabeth DRUCKER Condrige Jane MASTERSON 1965 Mary Ellen MILAZZO Roche Cheryl O’ROURKE Schmidt Nora PALMER Leibman Carolyn WAHLIG Szostek 1966 Darlene BILLIA Carol GOSE DeVine Roseanne MALLNER Thelma MILLIKEN Negley Elizabeth MORALES Gregg Ellin ROSASCO Learned Georgiene SPELLMAN Dempsey Sara STALKUS 1967 Eileen MURRAY 1968 Anonymous Ellen BEITZ Geraghty Elena CASTELLANO Cecilia CORVI Rogers Suzanne DRUCKER Robotham Maureen FLAHERTY Maria Cristina RODRIGUEZ O’Neill Carolina VALDES Clarens 1969 Kathleen DUNNE Carberry Patricia MASTERSON Palacios Lorraine RICCOBONO Mahony Irene UHNAK Messina
1970 Anonymous Ann BURKE Bunting Vivian CARDIA Bernadette CASTELLANO McSweeney Muriel FLYNN Gonzalez Jill FORD Reams Virginia O'BRIEN, S.U Barbara McINERNEY McGovern Alice PRAJKA Dunatov 1971 Ann CONNOLLY Dale DRUCKER Prifti Alison TURNBULL Schoew Lisa WHITE 1972 Daria AMATO Ann MASTERSON Ann MILANESE Chrystia SLYWOTZKY Milagros WILLIAMS 1973 Patricia CULLEN Rosemary DeNATALE Dineen Lillian GONZALEZ Sarro Helen K. MADDEN Vespe Eileen O’BRIEN Mary Ann PASZKIEWICZ Gordon Christine PIDHORODECKYJ Hillenbrand Anna PINTO Lorraine PUCHER-Petersen Diane WRONSKI Romano 1974 Brigid SCOTT 1975 Paula ANDRYUK Rosana GONZALEZ Agostini Jo Ann LODICO Dr. Eileen RYAN Gabrielle SOLLEDER Virginia TUREZYN 1976 Eileen DRUCKER Zwart Elizabeth McNAMARA Melcher Victoria MELIGNANO
Sophia Gregory ’21
1977 Brigid FREY Moira GLEASON Kowal Norma MOGLIA Reidy Dr. Tara RYAN Christina TERMINELLE Harley
1985 Helena ALBUQUERQUE Fenyo Josephine Mary LAWLOR Jamieson Robin NEWMAN Mary VASQUEZ Ann Marie WOODS
1978 Geralyn McBENNETT Randazzo
1988 Parutta LEEYAWANICH
1979 Jean CORLEY Fischer Carol ROWBO Jeanine SCHUPBACH Larkin
1990 Bridgette BRENNAN Foley
1998 Suzanne FENECH Pasocello 2001 Lauren McNAMARA Johanna VESPE Aulisa 2002 Karina VARGAS 2003 Mara Eileen SLAKAS 2008 Demi ALBURQUERQUE Ocampo Erica ZISSEL Andrinopoulos
1980 Diana HENRIQUEZ Glubiak Rita RYAN Holland
1991 Alice ALVES Keefe Lisa DUNLEAVY Gately Donaldine TEMPLE, Esq. Catherine VADASZ Licitra
1981 Alexandra RYNCZAK Teper Jane SIMPSON Dolan
1992 Angelina M. ARLIA Cara VIILLANO Guerra
2010 Dana M. ANGELO Kathy E. VELASCO
1982 Catharine BURCHELL Quaranta Christine LeGOFF Kauffman Anne Marie POCOCK Roth
1993 Jean CODY McCall
2011 Stephanie GARACE
1994 Maria Ann BASSO Lipani Laura LIPANI Hines
2013 Natalie Ann CORREA Crista Marie LACQUA
1995 Kristen BENJAMIN Randolph Talya Marie PINTO Santillan
2016 Katherine CARACAPPA
1983 Elizabeth HOFMANN Salazer 1984 Carol De GEORGE Edwina KEE Lilian MIGLIORINI Evans Kathleen O’CONNELL
1997 Ellen LOUGHRAN Miccio Erin PERSON Haggerty
2009 Kelly DUNNE
2020 Class of 2020 35
Contributors CURRENT PARENTS Anonymous Mr. Joseph Nerestant & Mrs. Maggie Adonis Mr. & Mrs. John Altomare Mr. & Mrs. Mark Andermanis Dr. & Mrs. Richard Angle Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Aninos Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Anthony Mr. & Mrs. George Awikeh Mr. Peter Barrett Mr. Oliver Will & Ms. Kimberly Beck Mr. & Mrs. William Bell Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Bonilla Ms. Sharon Borawski Mr. & Mrs. Edward Browne Mrs. Allyn Bruder Ms. Cheryl Callon Mr. Andrew Eccles & Ms. Erin Calhoun Mr. Raphael De Niro & Ms. Hannah Carnes Mr. Miguel Ballena & Ms. Jessica Carrion Mr. David Transom & Ms. Aisling Carroll Mr. Frederick Ringor & Ms. Rose Casareo-Ringor Mr. & Mrs. David Chang Mr. & Mrs. Rob Clores Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Contegiacomo Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Corsico Mr. & Mrs. Martin Cottingham Mr. & Mrs. Bracken Carter Craft Mr. & Mrs. Michael Cseh Mr. & Mrs. Peter Cunningham Dr. Sandra Davis Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Denham Mr. & Mrs. Johnny De Los Santos Mr. & Mrs. Robert Dreeke Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Duggan Mr. & Mrs. Eric Eckholdt Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Fernandez Mr. Marc Foley & Bridgette Brennan Foley ’90 Isobel Stanger ’20
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Mr. & Mrs. John Gangone Mr. & Mrs. Emilio Garcia Mr. Patrick Gately & Lisa Dunleavy Gately ’91 Mr. Ali Kokmen & Ms. Michelle Gengaro-Kokmen Mr. & Mrs. Ioannis Glyptis Mr. & Mrs. James Greene Mr. & Mrs. Predrag Grncarski Mr. William Haddad & Ms. Deirdre Dunn Haddad Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Hanks Mr. Thomas Newman & Dr. Anne Hardart Mr. & Mrs. Don Harding Mr. & Mrs. Greg Hastings Mr. Christopher Horrigan & Ms. Christa Horrigan Mr. Peter Baracskai & Mrs. Theresa Howard Mr. & Mrs. John Hullihan Mr. Robert Murphy & Mrs. Monica Iken-Murphy Mr. Steve Williams & Edwina Kee ’84 Mr. William Keefe & Alice Alves Keefe ’91 Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Kenny Mr. & Mrs. William Kilcommons Mr. & Mrs. Michael King Mr. & Mrs. Anthony La Malfa Ms. May-Linda Labidou Mr. & Mrs. Felix Lam Mr. Richard Leahy & Ms. Kathleen Leahy Mr. & Mrs. Fatmir Lumaj Mr. & Mrs. Leonat Malshyti Mr. & Mrs. Matteo Mangano Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Maniscalco Mr. Christopher Flynn & Ms. Maureen Marren Mr. Brian McCabe & Ms. Mary McCabe Mr. Brian Neville & Ms. Maureen Melnick Mr. & Mrs. Adam Mietus Mr. & Mrs. Jim Mirenda
Mr. Michael Murray & Ms. Christine Murray Mr. Warren Nelson & Ms. Christa Nelson Mr. & Mrs. Sonny Nguyen Mr. Douglas O’Brien & Ms. Eileen Griffin O’Brien Mr. & Mrs. Brendan O’Connor Mr. George Delaney & Ms. Louise O’Connor Ms. Emilia Orengo-Vera Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Panepinto Mr. & Mrs. Todd Parker Mr. & Mrs. Raul Perez Mr. & Mrs. David Piscitelli Mr. Nenad Radulovic & Ms. Paulette Radulovic Jack & Sarah Raslowsky Mr. Huw Richards & Ms. Allison Richards Mr. Raymond Rivera & Ms. Gladys J. Rivera Mr. Lloyd Cornelius & Mrs. Stacey Ryan-Cornelius Mr. & Mrs. Peter Sandler Mr. Marvin Santos & Ms. Cristina Santos Ms. Mary Schmutter Mr. Scott Schoneman & Ms. Lana Schoneman Mr. William Schwebel & Ms. Lori Schwebel Mr. & Mrs. Dan Sciotto Mr. & Mrs. Dimas Serrano Mr. & Mrs. Frank Sestak Mr. & Mrs. John Sipp Mrs. Helen Smith Mr. & Mrs. Gino Soave Mr. & Mrs. Andreas Stuhr Mr. Hiram Szeto & Ms. Monica Connell Szeto Mr. Binh Lu & Ms. Ly Tang Mr. Ron Gottschalk & Ms. Mary Thaman Mr. Casey Kaplan & Ms. Samantha Treacy-Kaplan Mr. Edward Tully & The Honorable Jane Tully Mr. & Mrs. Robert Tyka Mr. Mark Valenti & Ms. Ann Valenti Mr. Scott Vasey & Ms. Colleen Vasey Mr. Kevin Williams & Ms. Theresa Williams Mr. Joel Stanger & Mrs. Lily Wong Mr. Gregg Zaletofsky & Ms. Jane Zaletofsky Ms. Feifei Zhao Mr. & Mrs. Tim Zisimopoulos
Contributors ALUMNAE PARENTS Mr. Rodolfo Abad & Ms. Virginia Abad Mr. & Mrs. Robert Abraham Mr. & Mrs. Hermann Alarcon Mr. Jeffrey Angelo & Ms. Eileen C. Angelo Mr. Essa Bateh & Ms. Janice Bateh Mr. David Chance & Ms. Margaret Chance Ms. Joan Clark Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Cody Mr. Joseph DeGeorge Mr. Christopher Dunleavy & Ms. Elizabeth Dunleavy Ms. Laureen Fredella Mr. & Mrs. John Galperin Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Garace Ms. Nieves Guzman Mr. William Haddad & Ms. Deirdre Dunn Haddad Mr. Dennis J. Hickey & Ms. Ann Hickey Mr. George Janis & Ms. Beth Ann Janis Ms. Anne V. Kane Mrs. Dolores Lawlor Mr. Federico Lupo & Ms. Maureen Lupo Mr. & Mrs. Spencer A. Maher Mrs. Anne McBennett Mr. & Mrs. Robert McGoldrick Mr. & Mrs. James McNamara
Ms. Arlene Miller Mr. & Mrs. Mark Mongelluzzo Mr. Michael Nicholson & Ms. Carolyn Nicholson Mr. & Mrs. John Noonan Mr. Joseph Noto & Mrs. Maureen Noto Mr. George Delaney & Ms. Louise O’Connor Mr. & Mrs. Donald F. O'Halloran Ms. Catherine M. O’Hara Mr. & Mrs. Sean P. O’Malley Ms. Rosemary Paparo Mr. & Mrs. M. Todd Parker Mr. Paul Piccone & Ms. Sibyl Piccone Mr. Joseph Licciardi & Ms. Catherine Pino Mr. & Mrs. Scott Postell Jack & Sarah Raslowsky Mr. & Mrs. Richard Schaedle Mr. Dominick Sciangula & Ms. Rina Sciangula Mr. & Mrs. Gerald L. Sciscent Mr. & Mrs. Gerald B. Todd Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Valonis Mrs. Shelda Washington Mr. & Mrs. Paul Whelan The Honorable Milton Williams & Ms. Rose Williams Mr. Gerard Woods & Ann Marie Walsh Woods ’85
Zofia Tubin ’23
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Contributors FRIENDS Anonymous Mr. Michael Acerra Ms. D'arcy Achziger Mr. Jonathan Affatato Mr. Paul Andrews Mr. & Mrs. Donald Baum Elizabeth and Jeremy Bixenman Ms. Nicole Bezinski Rev. Vincent Biagi, S.J. Ms. Mary Kate Blaine Ms. Lisa A. Bretherick Brooklyn Jesuit Prep Mr. Claudio Calado Ms. Barbara Capeci Mr. & Mrs. Russell L. Carson Mr. & Mrs. Michael Carvalhido Ms. Eleanor Cesaria Mr. & Mrs. Rob Clores Mr. Thomas Collins Mr. Paul Conley Ms. Virginia Connor Mr. John Conroy & Ms. Katharine Wilson Conroy Ms. Jacqueline Cooper Mr. Anthony Costantini Ms. Colleen Cullen Mr. Vincent D’Aco Ms. Carol Jeanne Dale Mr. & Mrs. Michael S. Davis Mr. Brian Dempsey Sr. Mary Dolan, S.U. Mr. & Mrs. Raymond P. Dolan Downtown Giants Youth Football Inc. Mr. Michael F. Doyle Fr. George Drance, S.J. Ms. Donna A. Feder Fr. Thomas H. Feely, S.J. Ms. Teresa DeLacy Feguson Mr. & Ms. Gene Fennell Ms. Jeremy F. Fieseler Mr. & Mrs. William Foulkes Ms. Eileen Frawley Mr. Edward Gallagher Ms. Jeanne Gallagher Mr. Anthony Gennaro Msgr. Jamie J. Gigantiello Ms. Wendy Gregory Mr. & Mrs. Robert P. Grote Mr. Jose Guzman Mr. Daniel Dougherty & Ms. Hee-Sun Hong Mr. & Mrs. Jack Houlihan 38
Ms. Rebecca Jacobsen Ms. Marie Adeline Jean Pierre Ms. Jaclyn Brilliant & Mr. Anthony Jenks Mr. James C. Kennedy Mr. & Mrs. Edward Knapp Ms. Sheryl Kurtis Mr. Thomas Lacorazza Mr. Alaric Lejano Mr. John Licitra Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Littlefield Ms. Ann Lopez Mr. William H. Lycette Mr. & Mrs. Christopher M. McCarthy Mr. David P. McKelvey Ms. Melissa U. Meserve Dr. Kendall Mitchell Ms. Donna Morelli Ms. Esther Moreno Mr. Christopher Morris Mr. & Mrs. Terence A. Mullervy Mr. Garth Naar Ms. Sandra Nana Mr. & Mrs. Peter Normandia Mr. Joseph Noto & Mrs. Maureen Noto Ms. Maureen Nugent Mr. & Mrs. Daniel O’Brien Ms. Mary Ellen O'Brien Mr. Thomas O’Brien Mr. Vincent O’Brien Mr. John O'Donnell Ms. Valerie O'Keeffe Ms. Marion Paolucci Ms. Leslie Paynter Ms. Gloria Picariello Dr. Grace C. Pilcer Ms. Julia Pilcer Deryn Sciolto ’22
Mrs. Marjorie Raslowsky Mr. & Mrs. George Reber Mr. & Mrs. Joseph P. Riccardo Mrs. Patricia Richlin Mr. & Mrs. Nancy Robinson Mr. Brian Michael Rohan, P.E. Ms. Elizabeth Roth Mr. & Mrs. Richard Ryan Ms. Carly Savino Mr. Jeffrey C. Seymour Ms. Susan Shea-Klot Ms. Phyllis Sollecito Mr. Ray Sozzi Ms. Robin Spiegelman Mr. & Mrs. John Spollen Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Stordeur Dr. David Stuhr Ms. Lisa Szubin Ms. Amelia Tedesco Ms. Marcia Teviovitz Ms. Rachel Tigges Ms. Marie Todisco Mr. Anthony Torres Ms. Sonia Tresca Dr. Phyllis Trible Ms. Lucile Urciuoli Ms. Rita L. Walters Mr. & Mrs. Kai Wakabayashi Ms. Marc Wells Wells Family Fund Ms. Suzan Wollard Mr. & Mrs. Steve Womer Ms. Mary Wright Xavier High School Xavier Jesuit Community Mr. Richard S. Zimmerman
Special Gifts
ALUMNAE SISTERS PROGRAM
President’s Circle Sponsor $15,440 or more Carolyn Wahlig Szostek ’65
79th Street Sponsor $6,000-$12,134 Mary Burke Heyman ’55 Alexandra Rynczak Teper ’81
St. Mark’s Place Sponsor $2,500-$5,999 Arlene Deninger Prendergast ’60 Antoinette LeQuire-Schott ’59
13th Street Sponsor $1,000-$2,499 Patricia DiTolla ’62 Agnes McComiskey Quinn ’61
NOTRE DAME PARTNERS PROGRAM
President’s Circle Sponsor $15,440 or more Anonymous Mr. & Mrs. Raymond P. Dolan Mr. & Mrs. Jack Houlihan
79th Street Sponsor $6,000-$12,134 Dr. Grace C. Pilcer Mr. Ray Sozzi
St. Mark’s Place Sponsor $2,500-$5,999 Dr. David Stuhr
13th Street Sponsor $1,000-$2,499 Mr. David P. McKelvey
MEMORIAL GIFTS Notre Dame received gifts in memory of the following individuals during the 2019–2020 school year: Dolores V. Alcid Luigi & Maria Arlia P’83 & P’92 Sheila K. Barrett Raymond Boni Joan Poltronieri Bowden ’60 Jeanne Kathleen Burchell ’47 Marie Castellano Helen & Philip Castellano Elissa Rosasco Cella ’62 Vincent Cerrone Patricia Cleary Genevieve Connolly Cunningham ’33 Rose Gallagher Dale ’44 Paddy Delaney Marguerite DeNatale P’73 Marguerite Drucker P’63, P’64, P’68, P’71 & P’76 Marie J. Dolan Susan Donnellan ’75 Francis J. Feeley Nancy DuBois Feeney ’66 Cpt. John R. Fischer John & Evelyn Gallagher Florence Halleran P’57, P’60, P’63 Ellen McNamara Helgesen ’60 Jenna Hernan ’10 Guy Lipani P’94 Helen P. Masterson P’64, P’69, P’72 Kevin McBennett P’78 The McCloskey Sisters Connie V. Miller P’87 Dorothea O’Farrell Moore ’28 Noreen Doyle Morris ’59 My teachers on 79th Street Mother Myriam Meg O’Halloran Blazinski John Person Regina Pociecha Mary & John Prajka Gregory Reda Olga Rodriguez P’68 Margaret Ann Ronayne Louis & Marian Rosasco P’70 Lorraine Nesbitt Safrath ’46
Barbara Rowbo Seymour ’77 Hugh M. Smith, Jr. George and Helena Solleder P’75 Christopher Sturmfels Jean & Andrew Turezyn P’75 Christine Schuler Wagner ’69 Jeanne Caretto Wilson ’51 In Memory of Jenna Hernan ’10 Mr. Jonathan Affatato Ms. Mary Kate Blaine Ms. Barbara Capeci Patricia Cullen ’73 Sr. Mary Dolan, S.U. Kelly Dunne ’09 Ms. Teresa DeLacy Feguson Mr. & Ms. Gene Fennell Ms. Eileen Frawley Ms. Jaclyn Brilliant & Mr. Anthony Jenks Dr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U. ’70 Mr. & Mrs. Sean P. O’Malley Ms. Leslie Paynter Ms. Lisa Szubin Ms. Marcia Teviovitz Helen K. Madden Vespe ’73 Mr. Marc Wells In Memory of Donna Press Lacorazza Mr. Michael Acerra Mr. Paul Andrews Mr. & Mrs. Michael Carvalhido Mr. Thomas Collins Mr. Vincent D’Aco Ms. Donna A. Feder Mr. Anthony Gennaro Mr. Jose Guzman Mr. Thomas Lacorazza Ms. Donna Morelli Ms. Esther Moreno Ms. Sandra Nana Mr. & Mrs. Peter Normandia Ms. Robin Spiegelman Ms. Amelia Tedesco Ms. Marie Todisco Ms. Lucille Urciuoli
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63rd Annual Chez Nous Benefit Donors We extend our utmost thanks to all of our loyal supporters for making our 2020 Chez Nous Benefit a huge success! As a community, we raised over $325,000 toward scholarship and financial aid for our students. To learn how you can volunteer and support this year’s event please contact ND’s Special Events Associate, Megan Gong ‘14, at gongm@cheznous.org FUND THE SCHOLARSHIP Anonymous Mr. David Muchnick & Ms. Darcy Achzinger Mr. Joseph Nerestant & Mrs. Maggie Adonis Rosana Gonzalez Agostini ’75 Alliance Bernstein Mr. & Mrs. Augie Aloia Mr. & Mrs. Mark Andermanis Dana M. Angelo ’10 Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Anthony Johanna Vespe Aulisa ’01 Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Bala Janet Swift Balbach ’60 Mr. & Mrs. Omar Balouma Mr. Pilar Bartley Mr. Richard Battaglino Mr. & Mrs. William Bell Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Benkovitz Mrs. Marilyn B. Benta Mr. & Mrs. Eric Berquist Mr. Kevin Bielicki Ms. Elizabeth Bixenman Mrs. Jeanine Bogdanos Mr. & Mrs. James Bourke Ms. Lisa A. Bretherick Ms. Jaclyn Brilliant Jean McGrath Brodeur ’91 Mr. & Mrs. Edward Browne Ms. Allyn Bruder Mr. Brendan Bruder Ann Burke Bunting ’70 Dawn Tennant Calabia ’58 Ms. Cheryl Callan Naomi Jean Camacho ’10 Patricia Murphy Carlin ’60 Mr. David Transom & Ms. Aisling Carroll Mr. Salvatore Olivella & Ms. Angela Castro-Olivella ’97 Mr. Frederick Ringor & Ms. Rose May Casareo-Ringor Barbara Nesbitt Cautero ’51 Mrs. Margaret Cecil Ms. Juliet Centino Ms. Eleanor Cesaria Mr. David Chance & Ms. Margaret Chance Mr. & Mrs. David Chang Ms. Linda Cholodenko Ms. Lauren Cimera Ms. Joan Clark Roisin Clarke ’10 40
Mr. & Mrs. Rob Clores Noreen Coady-Navin ’76 Edwina Morgan Conrad ’55 Mr. John Conroy & Ms. Katharine Wilson Conroy Catherine McDonough Corcoran ’60 Mr. & Mrs. Martin Cottingham Mr. & Mrs. Bracken Carter Craft Ms. Maureen Craig Patricia Cullen ’73 Mr. & Mrs. Peter Cunningham Theresa Brolly Daly ’85 Mr. & Mrs. Sunil Damodar Patricia Connors Daver ’60 Carol De George ’84 Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Denham Margaret Fergus DiGiovanna ’75 Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Dinkins Patricia DiTolla ’62 Jane Clifton Dockery ’61 Ms. Christine Dolan Sr. Mary Dolan, S.U. Mr. & Mrs. Raymond P. Dolan Mr. Michael F. Doyle Mr. & Mrs. Robert Dreeke Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Drew Mr. & Mrs. Mark Driscoll Ms. Dominique Dumlao Mr. & Mrs. Eric Eckholdt Ms. Mary Jane Escobar-Collins Ana Escrogima ’97 Ms. Rhonda Evans Mr. and Mrs. Wilfredo Fernandez Evelyn Phair Finn ’65 Jane Chen Firester ’88 Mrs. Emily Fleischer Jean Ann Hoban Flynn ’61 Mr. Joseph Flynn & Dr. Patricia Flynn Mr. Marc Foley & Bridgette Brennan Foley ’90 Brigid Frey ’77 Ms. Lori Galella Ms. Moira Gallagher Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Galligan Mr. Thomas J. Galligan & Dr. Ann C. Galligan Mr. & Mrs. John Gangone Mr. James McCue & Ms. Michele Gargiulo-McCue Mr. Patrick Gately & Ms. Lisa Dunleavy Gately ’91 Rev. Kenneth Gavin, S.J.
Ms. Josette Generale Ms. Jeannie Giordano Dr. Josh White & Mrs. Carrie Glasser Mr. Thomas Roemischer & Ms. Julia Glazer Patricia Roach Gogolak ’60 Mr. & Mrs. Ross Goldstein Muriel Flynn Gonzalez ’70 Mr. & Mrs. Mark Granger Mr. John-Michael Griesbauer & Ms. Carmela Griesbauer Ms. Mary Margaret Griffin Mr. & Mrs. Predrag Grncarski Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Grote Dr. Joel Gernsheimer & Dr. Marilyn Guerrero Mr. William Haddad & Ms. Deirdre Dunn Haddad Mr. Timothy Haddad Barbara Haggerty ’78 Ms. Jean Halloran-Monaco Mr. & Mrs. Scott Halstead Christopher and Rene Hampton Dr. Christopher Kennedy Hampton, Jr. Mr. Patrick Hampton Nancy McNamara Haney ’58 Mr. Jerome Hanifin & Ms. Christine Hanifin Mr. Thomas Newman & Dr. Anne Hardart Mr. & Mrs. Don Harding Mr. & Mrs. Greg Hastings Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Heaney Mr. & Mrs. Neeraj Hegde Freyja Helmer-Sindemark ’78 Mr. James Hillman Mr. Daniel Dougherty & Ms. Hee-Sun Hong Mr. Christopher Horrigan & Ms. Christa Horrigan Mr. Peter Baracskai & Mrs. Theresa Howard Ms. Jody Hrazanek Ms. Susan S. Icklan Mr. Robert Murphy & Mrs. Monica Iken-Murphy Mr. & Mrs. Jay Imus Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Incandela Dr. Angelo Ippolito Ms. Elizabeth F. Jenks Ms. Madeline Jenks Mr. Charles Jordan & Ms. Kristen Jordan Sharon Grunwald Joy ’75 Mr. & Mrs. Stuart Kaplan Mr. Brian Kappock & Ms. Filomena Kappock Mr. Steven Williams & Ms. Edwina Kee ’84 Mr. William Keefe & Alice Alves Keefe ’91
63rd Annual Chez Nous Benefit Donors Ms. Sue Keenan Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Kickasola Justine Killion ’91 Patricia Sheehan Kirwan ’60 Lona Kim Koehler ’60 Moira Gleason Kowal ’77 Ms. Sheryl Kurtis Mr. & Mrs. Anthony La Malfa Mr. Thomas Lacorazza Mr. John Licitra & Catherine Vadasz Licitra ’91 Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Little Jo Ann Lodico ’75 Ms. Ann Lopez Mr. Robert LoPinto & Ms. Tania LoPinto Maryann Lynch ’70 Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Maniscalco Ms. Jacqueline Markoff Ms. Luby Masi Jane Masterson ’64 Mr. & Mrs. Christopher M. McCarthy Kathleen Powell McClearn ’75 Judith McCormack ’72 Rosemarie McGrath ’59 Elizabeth McGuckin ’80 Sr. Rosemary McNamara, S.U. ’77 Elizabeth McNamara Melcher ’76 Mr. Brian Neville & Ms. Maureen Melnick Ms. Carla Mercado
Ms. Melissa U. Meserve Mr. Bert Michell & Ms. Maddalena Michell Mr. & Mrs. Adam Mietus Mrs. Taylor Minervini Mr. & Mrs. Jim Mirenda Magdalena Jodko Morris ’97 Ms. Elaine Mowbray Mr. & Mrs. Terence A. Mullervy Mr. & Mrs. Louis Nezolosky Mr. & Mrs. Natalie Nguyen Mr. Michael Nicholson & Ms. Carolyn Nicholson Mr. Douglas O'Brien & Ms. Eileen Griffin O’Brien Ms. Joanne O'Brien Ms. Kelly O'Brien Mr. Vincent O'Brien Dr. Virginia O'Brien S.U. ’70 Mr. George Delaney & Ms. Louise O'Connor Mary O'Shaughnessy ’81 Maria Cristina Rodriguez O'Neill ’68 Mr. John Oden Karen & Brian Osborne Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Panepinto Ann Parise ’73 Mr. & Mrs. Tito Pecoraro Ms. Catherine Peischel
S AV E T H E D AT E
64th Annual Chez Nous Benefit Saturday, March 20, 2021 Mr. & Mrs. Michael Pender Mr. & Mrs. Raul Perez Leigh Combes Phillips ’60 Ms. Gloria Picariello Mr. Paul Piccone & Ms. Sibyl Piccone Dr. Grace C. Pilcer Ms. Julia Pilcer Mr. Joseph Licciardi & Ms. Catherine Pino Arlene Deninger Prendergast ’60 Dr. James Dolan & Ms. Helene Raacke Mr. Nenad Radulovic & Ms. Paulette Radulovic Hon. Dakota Ramseur ’88 Geralyn McBennett Randazzo ’78 Mr. & Mrs. Jack Raslowsky Mr. & Mrs. Rosalino Regino
Julia Hasou ’21
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63rd Annual Chez Nous Benefit Donors Mr. & Mrs. Joseph P. Riccardo Mrs. Patricia Richlin Cecilia Corvi Rogers ’68 Mr. & Mrs. James Rombone Mr. Robert Rose & Ms. Elizabeth Ortecho-Rose Ms. Elizabeth Roth Carol Rowbo ’79 Dr. Eileen Ryan ’75 Mr. & Mrs. Michael Ryan Mr. Lloyd Cornelius & Mrs. Stacey Ryan-Cornelius Mr. & Mrs. Carmelo Sanchez Mr. & Mrs. Peter Sandler Mr. Victor Santillan & Talya Pinto Santillan ’95 Ms. Debralee Santos Mr. Sean Sargent & Ms. Jen Sargent Lillian Gonzalez Sarro ’73 Ms. Carly Savino Mr. Duncan Schieb Mr. Scott Schoneman & Ms. Lana Schoneman Mr. William Schwebel & Ms. Lori Schwebel Mr. & Mrs. John Sciancalepore Sofia Corsico-Sanchez ’22
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Mr. & Mrs. Frank Sestak Mr. & Mrs. Fred Shanks Mary Sheils ’60 Mr. Aleksander Janik & Ms. Diana Shieh Chrystia Slywotzky ’72 Cathy Smith ’91 Mrs. Helen Smith Ms. Nisha Smith Mr. & Mrs. Gino Soave Gabrielle Solleder ’75 Mr. & Mrs. John Spollen Priscilla Rama Sprieser ’60 Mr. Arthur Strehle Lorraine Prajka Sturmfels ’60 Rose DeMarco Sulinski ’75 Mr. Edward Suter & Ms. Angela Suter Ms. Barbara Syversen Mr. Hiram Szeto & Ms. Monica Connell Szeto Carolyn Wahlig Szostek ’65 Mrs. Cheryl Thomas Tania Torres ’00 Mr. Casey Kaplan & Ms. Samantha Treacy-Kaplan Diana Trebbi ’46 Mr. & Mrs. Mark Trimmer
Mr. Edward Snajdr & Mrs. Shonna Trinch Maria Rivera Trudeau ’60 Mr. Edward Tully & The Honorable Jane Tully Virginia Turezyn ’75 Ms. Stacey Turner Mr. & Mrs. Angelo Valente Mr. Mark Valenti & Ms. Ann Valenti Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Valonis Mr. Scott Vasey & Ms. Colleen Vasey Helen K. Madden Vespe ’73 Dr. Marie Elvira Villafuerte ’92 Ms. Nicole Wakabayashi Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Walls Mr. Edward Weilage & Ms. Mary Ellen Brannigan Weilage & Miss Madeline Weilage ’24 Mr. Daniel Weisz & Ms. Kimberly Weisz Mary Williams ’73 Milagros Williams ’72 Ms. Cheryl Williamson Mr. Joel Stanger & Mrs. Lily Wong Barbara Paszkiewicz Wrenn ’78 Xavier High School Ms. Maria Zaino
Chez Nous Angels The following individuals have notified Notre Dame that they have included the school in their estate planning:
Gabrielle Benkovitz ’20
Special Gifts MATCHING GIFTS 2019–2020 American Tower BlackRock BNY Mellon Community Partnership Credit Suisse Estee Lauder Companies Good Works IQVIA JP Morgan Chase Foundation Lexis Nexis Macy’s Mastercard Impact Merck Partnership for Giving Microsoft Matching Gift Program Mutual of America Foundation
National Grid New York Life Foundation One Main PayPal Holdings, Inc. Pitney Bowes TD Bank Affinity Program UBS Verizon Foundation New York Wells Fargo Advisors UNITED WAY United Way of Greater Portland
Foundation Support & Grants During the 2019–2020 fiscal year, Notre Dame was honored to partner with the following foundations and organizations who provided nearly $500,000 in support. The generosity of these partners in mission supported tuition assistance programs, scholarships for our bright and deserving students, and general support of the programs and opportunities that are hallmarks of the Notre Dame experience. Anonymous Amazon Smile Foundation Anna E. Gallagher Charitable Trust Brooklyn Benevolent Society The Carson Family Charitable Trust Columbus Citizens Foundation Cornelia Connelly Center for Education Harris Mathews Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Margaret M. Ahern † Jeanne K. Burchell ’47 † Thomas P. Coffey † Patricia Cullen ’73 Genevieve Connolly Cunningham ’33 † Mary Frances Sheridan DeLaney ’56 Suzanne Falcone ’70 Nathalie Frank ’35 † Jane Anne Gavaghan, Marygrove ’46 † Robert & Penny Grote Michael & Catherine Halloran Sheila Lewis Houde ’54 Patricia Norris Klett ’58 † Antoinette LeQuire-Schott ’59 Barbara Heidi Loftus ’47 † John R. Joven & Susan L. Malley † Patrick O’Malley † Mary Pat Hanigan Peterson ’40 † Jack & Sarah Raslowsky Carolyn Wahlig Szostek ’65 Diana Trebbi ’46 Ligia Trujillo Yousri ’41 †
Have you included Notre Dame in your estate plan? If so, please contact Elizabeth Bixenman at (212) 620-5755 x 317 or bixenmane@cheznous.org
The Hyde and Watson Foundation ICSF-Be a Student’s Friend Program Inner City Scholarship Fund The M & T Charitable Foundation The Michael Gordon Foundation Sarita Kenedy East Foundation The Y.A. Istel Foundation, Inc. † deceased 43
Gifts-in-Kind Mr. Michael Barbieri Mr. Richard Battaglino P’91 & P’95 Ms. Amy Bell P’22 & P’24 Rev. Kenneth Boller, S.J. Ms. Claudia Bourke P’22 Mr. James Bourke P’22 Sr. Patricia Bruck, S.U. Ms. Allyn Bruder P’23 Ms. Angela Castro-Olivella ’97 & P’21 Ms. Eleanor Cesaria GP’13 Ms. Linda Cholodenko P’23 Mr. Martin Cottingham P’23 Ms. Jennifer Cunningham P’23 Ms. Caroline Damodar-Desloire P’22 & P’24 Rev. Rocco Danzi, S.J. Mr. Brian Dempsey Mr. Kevin Dinkins P’20 Ms. Patricia DiTolla ‘62 Sr. Mary Dolan, S.U. Ms. Virginia Dolan Rev. George Drance, S.J. Ms. Irene Driscoll P’21 Ms. MJ Escobar-Collins P’22
Amandine Panepinto ’20
Ms. Amarilis Ferreira P’23 Ms. Emily Fleischer P’23 Ms. Bridgette Brennan Foley ’90 & P’21 Mr. James Fowler P’12 & P’14 Ms. Julia Roemischer Glazer P’23 Ms. Jeanette Guzman P’20 Ms. Deirdre Dunn Haddad P’18 & P’20 Mr. William Haddad P’18 & P’20 Ms. Caroline Halstead P’19 Ms. Christa Horrigan P’21 Ms. Diane Imus P’20 Mr. Daryn Johnson Ms. Filomena Kappock P’22 Mr. James C. Kennedy Ms. Justine Killion ’91 Mr. Matthew Lackman P’16 Mr. Thomas Lacorazza Mr. Joseph Licciardi P’15 & P’19 Magis Theatre Company Ms. Anne Marino P’23 Ms. Patricia Mastellone Mr. Robert Mastellone Ms. Kathrine Mangano P’22
Ms. Michele McCue P’21 Ms. Eileen Griffin O’Brien P’22 & P’24 Ms. Louise O’Connor P’19 & P’22 Ms. Nguzo Ogbodo Mr. Salvatore Olivella P’21 Mr. Brian Osborne P’23 Ms. Karen Osborne P’23 Ms. Catherine Pino P’15 & P’19 Ms. Jodie Price-Soave P’20 Ms. Paulette Radulovic P’21 Ms. Sarah Raslowsky P’18 & P’21 Ms. Lisa Regino P’23 Ms. Talya Pinto Santillan ‘95 Ms. Lori Schwebel P’20 Mr. John Sciancalepore P’16 & P’20 Ms. Felicia Sestak P’22 & P’24 Ms. Diana Shieh P’23 Ms. Andrea Singh P’18 Ms. Nisha Smith P’22 Ms. Holly Johnson Stuhr P’22 Ms. Monica Connell Szeto P’22 Ms. Shonna Trinch P’23 Ms. Ann Valenti P’22
Great thanks to our many generous supporters Results reported on a cash basis.
The Notre Dame Annual Report is an opportunity to recognize those who have made a significant difference in the lives of our students through their generous contribution of time, talents, and treasure. If your name was omitted or improperly listed, please accept our apologies. If you have detected an error, please notify Elizabeth Bixenman, Director of Development and Alumnae Relations, at bixenmane@cheznous.org so we may correct our records. With love and gratitude to all who are mentioned herein, including alumnae, parents, alumnae parents, grandparents, friends and current students. 44
Ways to Give The generosity of the alumnae, parents, alumnae parents, grandparents and friends of Notre Dame makes a tremendous difference in the lives of each student Chez Nous. Your gift to the Notre Dame Annual Fund and support of the Chez Nous Benefit helps to bridge the gap between the tuition and the significantly higher cost of educating each student. Each gift, regardless of size, directly supports our students through tuition assistance, scholarships and access to the programs and opportunities that enhance their experience. Thank you for your generosity!
To Make a Gift By Mail
Bequests
All donations to the Annual Fund are most welcome. Please mail your check or money order made payable to Notre Dame School.
Notre Dame welcomes bequests from alumnae, parents, grandparents, and friends:
Development Office Notre Dame School 327 West 13th Street New York, NY 10014
Giving On-line To make a donation on-line, visit www.cheznous.org/giving/give-now
Matching Gift Many companies match donations made by their employees which allows you to increase the impact of your gift. Ask your HR department about their matching gift program. Notre Dame’s FEIN Number is 13-1782481.
To Make a Gift of Stock Please call Ms. Elizabeth Bixenman for instructions at 212.620.5575 ext. 317.
Bank Partnership To participate in TD Bank, N.A.’s Affinity Program contact any TD Branch with the program code AF 109
We invite you to become a Chez Nous Angel by naming Notre Dame School of Manhattan as one of the beneficiaries of your Will. It is simple to do. Sample language might be: “I give, devise, and bequeath (state amount, asset or percentage of the estate) to Notre Dame School of Manhattan at 327 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10014.” We suggest discussing your plans with an attorney and advising us of your decision so that we may list your name in our Annual Report.
Important Facts Legal Name Notre Dame School of Manhattan Contact
Elizabeth Bixenman
Telephone
(212) 620-5575 ext. 317
bixenmane@cheznous.org
Tax Status
As a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations to Notre Dame are deductible for federal income, gift, and estate tax purposes to the fullest extent of the law.
United Way Contributions Did you know that if you make a United Way contribution through your workplace your gift can be restricted to Notre Dame? The development office will gladly complete any necessary forms. Our New York City agency code is 042392.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 20192020 Ms. Ann Lopez Chairperson Mr. Daniel Dougherty Vice Chairperson Ms. Johanna Vespe Aulisa ’01 Rev. Vincent Biagi, SJ Patricia A. Cullen, Esq. ’73 Sr. Mary Dolan, SU
Mr. Raymond P. Dolan Ms. Virginia M. Dolan Mr. Michael F. Doyle, FAIA Rev. George Drance, SJ Rev. Kenneth J. Gavin, SJ Ms. Maria Teresa Mata Ms. Melissa U. Meserve
Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU ’70 Dr. Grace C. Pilcer Ms. Sarah Raslowsky P’18 & P’21 Ms. Elizabeth A. Roth Mr. John Spollen, Esq. Ms. Carolyn Wahlig Szostek ’65 Most Rev. Gerald T. Walsh, DD 45
Class Notes 1948 Betty Lou JEFFREY Wright reports that thanks to God’s goodness, she is still ambulatory and on the green side of the grass! She counts her blessings every day and wishes Notre Dame the very best!
a poem she wrote for Mother William’s (aka Sister Catherine Keating) Anniversary, in 1995. She generously shares it with her Chez Nous family herein. Despite the strange situation, she hopes everyone at Notre Dame remains well.
1952 Audrey MASI Greene lives in Jupiter, Florida, and is grateful to report that she still drives, still shops, still cooks, and still swims. She is 86 years old and feels very lucky. She hopes that everyone is staying safe.
In honor of Mother William’s Anniversary, November 6, 1995
1954 Sheila LEWIS Houde writes that she is fortunate to live in beautiful Quebec City, with her daughter Michèle and son Rémi nearby. She keeps in touch with Mary Werthman, ND Class of 1953; and with Maureen Brophy, ND Class of 1955. They share many happy memories of 79th St., and feel blessed to be in good health in their 80’s. How could that have happened?! She wishes great success to the incoming Freshmen! How lucky they are to be at ND! 1959 Toni LEQUIRE Schott reported that this has been something of a non-year. The Schott family has hunkered down and stayed in place; no trips this year, and no Chautauqua season. The bright side to all of it was that she did get to see more of Lilly, her 10-year old granddaughter and was able to focus on her service of fostering kittens for a local kitten rescue. Toni recently came across
Toni’s granddaughter Lilly 46
White Gloves
You could tell we all were ladies By the pristine gloves we wore, Even if we donned them Just before we reached the door— Where Mother Mary Darling Could check us one by one; to see that we upheld the rule— White gloves, everyone. One morning Mother William And Mother Eleanora Betook themselves sedately Down the steps of our front door— Little knowing their “First Seniors” In the window high above, prepared to toss some freshman That all-important glove. The signal came from down below, Pray heave those white gloves off! Alas! One soared and landed upon dear Mother’s coif. The other glove sailed gaily, Landing at her feet. Thence did we all promise No more gloves in the street. Now the class of ‘59 (Though) Harbors many happy memories From those treasured days. From work and raising children, World traveling and more, Where ‘ere our lives may take us, We return Chez Nous Encore!
1960 Patricia COOK Hult reports that like so many, it has been a tough summer in New York, but she did manage to visit her son, who has a summer house in Maine, and was with all her grandchildren. Her oldest, Olivia, will be a high school senior this year, while Ava will be a freshman. Both are her son Billy’s girls. Patricia’s daughter, Mary Ann, has two children. Ronan who will begin middle school, and Mathilda who will be in fourth grade. Later this summer, she spent a few days at the NJ Shore with her daughter Mary Ann, her husband John and her children. She looks forward to the end of this sad time and a return to the new normal.
Patricia and her four grandchildren
Arlene DENINGER Prendergast was disappointed that the Class of 1960 was not to be able to celebrate their 60th Anniversary in May. However, several members of the class enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect via a Zoom meeting, thanks to Director of Development Beth Bixenman. It was a fun afternoon that even included a guest appearance by Sr. Virginia! Just like so many events, the Class of 1960 had to take a pass on celebrating special occasions, but is always grateful to have each other and Chez Nous!
1961 Mary Susan KING Delahunty and Dennis spent the month of March in County Kerry Ireland. Even though things closed down due to the pandemic, it was still wonderful. This was taken at the Gallorus Oratory, still water tight after 1400 years! She hopes that everyone is well and staying safe!
1962 Elaine E. FEELEY Swords retired as a Casualty Actuary and has been teaching Statistics at The University of Hartford for the last 21 years. In 2019 she went to China for three weeks to tour, walk the Great Wall and visit with her son who was teaching in Beijing. Elaine thanks God for His goodness to her and her family. Stephanie PINTO shares that she has been sheltering in place in her weekend home in Ulster County. Her garden has never been so beautiful and she quips that she should have studied botany instead of political science, as it has become a second career! She reports that all is well, and wishes the same for everybody. 1963 Mary Jane DRUCKER Gabbay is thrilled to report that she is cancer free, after having finishing 11 months of various treatments for triple negative breast cancer. She counts her blessings every minute!
1965 Mary Ellen MILAZZO Roche is sad to report the death of Gretchen (Gretsch) Elsner-Sommer ’65. Five weeks after a diagnosis of breast cancer that had spread to her liver, she died peacefully at her home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, surrounded by her three children and husband on August 14, 2020. 1966 Carol GOSE DeVine retired from her position as Head of School from The Caedmon School in 2007. She and her husband, Fra, are living in Vermont where they purchased property back in 1972. They have three children—twins, Anne and Patrick, who are 36 years old and an older daughter, Monique, who came into their lives when she was 20 years old. Fra and Carol are delighted to welcome their first grandchild, Tobin William DeVine, who was born on January 8, 2020, to their daughter Anne and her wife, Sydney.
Carol DeVine’s first grandchild, Tobin William DeVine.
Nicole Reisch Galante (née Rosa SERRITELLA) Nicki was known as Rosa Serritella during her years at Notre Dame. Upon graduation from St. John’s University, she legally changed her first name to Nicole (Nicki). In 1997 she married Antonio Galante, and has seven children (two from her previous marriage and five wonderful stepchildren.) In 1996, she enrolled at NY College for Holistic Studies for a degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Since then, she has worked as a Wellness Therapist as well as a political activist with a focus on social justice, children and woman’s issues. She is thrilled to share her news of her family in these photos (including
grandchildren and her 93-year-old mother) with her Chez Nous family in photos below.
Nicki’s son Evan his wife Rachel and granddaughter Emma with Nicki’s 93 year old mom, Olga Serritella. Nicki with husband, Antonia Galante, and grandson Max
1968 Jeanne BRESCIANI continues to be the Director of The Isadora Duncan International Institute, in which she honors the passion originally fostered within her by the remarkable Sister Mary Virginia, S.U., through years of profound Latin education and participation in the Know-English Etymology Program. Jeanne is now preparing for their Third Festival for the Reinstatement of the Delphic Games in Delphi, Greece June 15 - 21, 2021 in co-sponsorship with Harvard University and the Ecumenical Delphic Union. Jeanne stated that her truly classical education at Notre Dame has never ceased to lend dedication and direction to love and to serve.
Jeanne Bresciani '68 & The Isadora Duncan International Institute Dancers; Tholos Temple, Delphi, Greece Courtesy of the Honorable Mayor Panagiotis Kaltsis 47
Class Notes 1969 Alina Concepción GREEN Pinelli finally got the opportunity to attend college in 1994, with an Ada Comstock Scholar scholarship. She majored in Studio Art, and minored in Art History. Alina’s dissertation was “How Grief and Loss Compel Us to Create Funeral Art.” Now retired since 2003, she was an Academic Advisor to the Honors population of a Community College. Sadly, she lost her first born granddaughter on 5/1/2012 to Acute Mylogenous Leukemia. She lives in Florida, enjoys spending time with her five grandchildren, and travels to India whenever possible. Alina wishes everyone Chez Nous happiness and safety.
Alina with her Emotional Support Animal, Beauty, a rescue from the County shelter.
1970 Ann L. BURKE proudly announces that she is now a grandmother! Josie Ann Sommer was born 6/9/20. She is named after her grandmother and great, great grandmother, Anna Josephine Scully. Ann sends her regards to the entire Chez Nous community. Muriel FLYNN Gonzalez recently came out of retirement to become EVP, chief merchant and marketing officer at the Vitamin Shoppe. She is also pleased to announce the arrival of her first grandchild, Alexander Flynn Gonzalez, born 10/30/19.
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Jill FORD Reams is thrilled to announce that her son, Patrick & his wife, Katelyn, who live in Seattle, were blessed with a baby girl, Elliana Grace Dewey Reams, born a month early on June 29, 2020 5lbs. 3oz. (A little peanut!) Jill reported that she and her husband are thrilled to be grandparents and will be visiting them soon. They live on Cape Cod in Massachusetts and are staying safe. Jill hopes all is well in NYC and offers continued prayers for the safety and wellbeing of all on the front line. 1971 Lisa WHITE declared that she cannot believe the members of her class are Medicare/ retirement age! The COVID situation accelerated her own personal adjustment to slowing down at work after decades in the restaurant, catering, and then organic food industry, all intense and time consuming industries with sometimes too much international travel. (She said it can get old if there is too much time away from home and loved ones!). She missed a creative outlet, so she started a company with her college roommate making custom affordable aprons. Sewing during lockdown kept her sane. Their original plan to sell at farmer’s markets and crafts fairs obviously did not happen, so they accepted the learning challenge of digital marketing and e-commerce and launched their website in March— not a minute too soon for lockdown! She is proud of their brand name: cheznew-chezvous.com, which is her bridge from Notre Dame to the present. She and Michael still live in Cambridge and still enjoy their vibrant neighborhood, only somewhat dimmed by present circumstances. Lisa counts her blessings with good health and a loving marriage and hopes to continue her travels and explorations. She has been studying Italian and keep brushing up her French with Zoom calls to friends in France. She misses the contact with their large families, but technology has been very helpful. She hopes all are well and safe.
1977 Linda KOSTER Presti retired in March of this year after a 32+ year career with American Express. She reported that she has a lot of hobbies to keep her busy and hopes to get back to traveling once this pandemic is over. One hobby that she has absolutely fallen in love with is glass fusing.
A glass fused window Linda KOSTER Presti made and installed in her home.
1979 Jeanne HABLITZ Gully sadly reported that her mother Margaret Giordano passed away this past March, 2020. 1982 Norma CARMONA Morgan began working for KPMG International, a multinational professional services network. She stated that it is a great company that provides a positive work/life balance, and she is very happy with her job. 1984 Lilian MIGLIORINI Evans maintains that the Class of 1984 will always find a way to stay connected. She was part of a ‘Virtual Get-Together” in May 2020. Even a pandemic could not keep them apart!
Pictured top left to right: Lilian MIGLIORINI Evans, Debra GIUFFRE Cunningham, Michele DiBIASE Flanigan, Olga Ann SALTER, Jeanine RAMOS Monteiro, Suzanne AUGRESANI Katz, Christina SOLARINO Leddy, Angela SAMARTIN Criscuolo, Marie MATTHEWS Soy, Tara WALL, Mary MURPHY Natoli
1985 Robin NEWMAN is thrilled to share that her latest book in the Wilcox & Griswold Series, The Case of the Bad Apples, released on September 1. Kirkus Reviews said it was, “Completely ‘pig-dic-u-lous’—and a whole lot of fun.” She also has two other books coming out in 2021, Don't Call Me Fuzzybutt! with Sleeping Bear Press and her second project with Sesame Street Workshop, Sesame Street Breathe, Think, Do with Elmo: Problem Solving for Little Monsters. She hopes everyone in the Chez Nous community is well.
In August, Nacia booked her first film role in the upcoming fantasy Hexengeddon. She begins filming in Spring 2021. Her message to Chez Nous is—“Never give up on your dreams, ladies!”
1996 Lydie KANE began her sixteenth year of teaching at Notre Dame. She currently teaches ninth grade English and is also the librarian. This year, Lydie is most excited about the all-school virtual book club that meets every month on Zoom. Even though we've been apart, the book club has proven to be a wonderful way for students, ND families, alumnae, friends of the ND community and teachers to join together in the spirit of reading great literature. Along with the book club’s student leaders, Brigid McCabe and Devon Neville, Lydie has decided to focus this year’s selection on books of all genres that support the Black Lives Matter movement. The book club is currently reading John Meacham’s, His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis And The Power Of Hope.
Nacia Walsh with her family
1999 Nacia KARIM Walsh graduated college in 2003 with a BA in Digital Arts. Nacia put her dreams of acting professionally on hold while growing her family which now includes 4 children: Tyler, 21, Bryson 14, Nolan, 9, and Anica 5.
2009 Stephanie SANCHEZ is thrilled to announce the arrival of a new addition to her family. Her baby boy AJ joins Chloe as a little brother.
Katie TAMOLA has been spending a lot of time with her dogs and her mother, trying to practice active gratitude for everything she has been given. She has been focusing on her writing career and trying to read as much as she can. She reported that her mother is an ER nurse and that she is the person Katie wants to highlight and make proud in everything she does. Nursing is a challenging profession, and to witness all the work that she and others are doing during a pandemic is humbling. Katie is beyond proud to be her daughter.
What’s New? Keep your classmates updated by sending us your latest news! Photos are encouraged! Please send all updates and photos to our Director of Annual Fund & Communications, Dr. Christopher Hampton, at hamptonc@cheznous.org Regarding photos, remember to send the highest quality image available and identify all individuals in each photo. 49
Class Notes 2010 Marquise BELL is proud to announce the recent launch of the company she founded, BLKDMND COOPERATIVE. BLKDMND is an independent purveyor for a diverse set of products ranging from beauty, art, and fashion to home furnishings, consumables and beyond. The BLKDMND COOPERATIVE is a curated online store that features and highlights products from majority Black-Owned Businesses. The goal is to bring a series of products ranging from fashion to art, delectables, and more to a modern marketplace! Her mission & vision is to transform the narrative of buying black and make it an easier lifestyle change to commit to. Check it out at www.blkdmnd.co!
Roisin CLARKE is in her sixth year teaching at ND. She stated that now this means she has been at ND long enough to experience the beautiful, yet strange, feeling of working alongside one of her former students. In addition to teaching math, she was an essential part of an administrative team, with fellow ND alumna and Vice Principal Karina Vargas ’02, which created two new schedules to adapt to the changing times. In addition, she continues to spearhead the school’s strategic vision, Light the Way, as well as to serve as the New Teacher Mentor. This role is extra special for her this year, as she will be mentoring one of her closest Chez Nous sisters, Tara Crimmins ’10. They supported each other from freshman year to graduation day as students, and now Roisin looks forward to doing the same thing back at ND as teachers.
2013 Athena BOGDANOS stated that as an independent New Yorker she decided that she should not have to wait for a man to get engaged. This past June she proposed to her boyfriend on a beach. In the middle of her proposal, HE proposed to her! Both had the same idea!
Tara CRIMMINS had the incredible opportunity to teach Theology at Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School for the past six years. While she said it was an absolute blessing to be a part of that community, she is thrilled to be back Chez Nous as a Theology teacher. ND has been formative in so many ways for her, and she is excited to give back to this family as a member of the Faculty. 2011 Gianna SCIANGULA graduated from Fordham University with her Master's in Social Work. Her social work practice includes working with refugee children and their families, and working in a sexual health clinic as a counselor.
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Athena and Keith’s double proposal!
Murphy HARR married Brendan Sibilio
on July 11th, 2020 2016 Tiffany MELENDEZ is incredibly honored to return to the place that was a second home for four years. This time she is returning as the proud permanent substitute teacher. She is excited to be able to give students advice and knowledge that she gained throughout her time at ND and to have a hand in creating the warm and caring environment that Notre Dame has always had. Once a Chez Nous sister always a Chez Nous sister.
In Memoriam 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 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.
George Anderson S.J., friend of Notre Dame School Robert Birmingham, friend of Notre Dame School Richard G. Brolly, father of Theresa Brolly Daly ’85 and Margaret Brolly Lefebvre ‘91 Azalea Bates, grandmother of Shaun Bates ’21 Leo Beggan, grandfather of Emma Esposito ‘21 Cathy Marguccio Bonner ’77 Pierre Compere, father-in-law of Rigo Chery, staff Jorge Campos-Thomson, father of Gianela Campos ’20 Gretchen (Gretsch) Elsner-Sommer ’65 Jacqueline Frazier, mother of Dana Frazier ’92 Margaret Giordano, mother of Jeanne Hablitz Gully ’79 Isabella Geaga Gomilla, grandmother of Carla Gomilla ’96 Patrick Heaney, father of Maureen ’20 and Caroline Heaney ’23 Georgia Hickson, grandmother of Dashea Hickson, ND School Counselor Eileen Kennedy, mother of James Kennedy Marie Lyons, grandmother of Kate McCullagh ’23 Rev. Dennis McNally, S.J. passed away peacefully on May 6 in Philadelphia. Fr. McNally served on the faculty at Saint Joseph’s University since 1975, chairing the Department of Fine and Performing Arts for 22 years and guiding aspiring artists. In addition to his many contributions to St. Joseph’s, Father McNally planned cultural experiences in other cities for students, and traveled on service immersion trips with them to Tijuana and Appalachia. For many years, Fr. McNally also was a member of the Senior Retreat Team for Notre Dame School. He was a creative and inspirational leader, and he had a lasting impact on countless students, both in Philadelphia and New York City.
Sirio Maccioni, grandfather of Stella Maccioni ’23 Hanora Malley, grandmother of Maureen Heaney ’20 and Caroline Heaney ’23 Edward Matzelle, father of Kerry Matzelle ’14 Dennis McNally, S.J., friend and retreat director of Notre Dame School Connie Miller, father of Andrea Miller, ’87 Ernest Molinari, father of Carol Molinari Giunta, ’85 Marie Lara Moore ‘43 Joseph O’Hare, S.J., former Trustee of Notre Dame School Vicente Paul Puig, father of ND Board Member Virginia Dolan William Joseph Rada, brother of Barbara O’Flaherty Keltos ’60 Olga Rodriguez, mother of Maria Cristina Rodriguez O’Neill ’68 Richard Schilling, brother of Mia Schilling Grogan Eduardo Silva, father of Gabrielle Silva ’14 Telleta Taylor, grandmother of Doniella Taylor Ambersley ’21 Lisa Vega, Director of Graduate Support, Cornelia Connelly Center
Rev. Joseph A. O’Hare S.J. died on April 1. He was the longest-serving president of Fordham University, (1984-2003) and during his tenure, he strengthened the school’s academic program, built a more diverse student body, and even found time to be the founding chairman of New York City’s campaign finance board. Committed to academics his whole life, Fr. O’Hare also served on Notre Dame’s Board of Trustees, where he was invaluable in promoting institutional advancement Chez Nous. Fr. O’Hare had a powerful impact on New York City, on Fordham University, and on Notre Dame School. He will be sorely missed, but his legacy lives on in all that he accomplished.
Sr. Sarah Ryan, P.V.B.M died peacefully on Sunday, October 18, 2020 in New Windsor, NY. Sr. Sarah joined the Notre Dame faculty in 1986 and served in several important roles until her retirement in 2015. Sr. Sarah taught generations of young women a love for scripture and encouraged them to find God in all things. When the school moved in 1989 and again in 2002, Sr. Sarah, librarian Chez Nous, twice packed over 9,000 library books and designed a library for each school. Sr. Sarah was the author of the ND Mission Statement. She received her D. Min. in Pastoral Studies at the BlantonPeale Graduate Institute. Sr. Sarah will always be remembered as a beloved teacher, mentor and friend. 51
Back Story
Lauren Clark Mercado ’92
A
n old adage states, “Patience is the first step”. At ND, this quality was demonstrated by everyone. I have a memory of patience in Chemistry class, with Mr. Joven. Science did not come easily to me and required daily after-school review. This would have been difficult, had it not been for Mr. Joven demonstrating the quality of patience. He never gave up on his students, and gave you all the time in the world through multiple trials until you were confident. He always included a few jokes to keep positive. Because of his patience and encouragement, I became a straight A student in Biochemistry in college, which was an essential factor to complete my nursing degree and graduating Magna Cum Laude. In dealing with the challenges of working with families with a variety of disadvantages, patience has been key to helping them be successful in their lives. Father Pat Higgins, my faith and justice teacher, demonstrated compassion. Father Pat educated us about the world and about how we had the power to change things. In order for us to do this, he exposed us to the harsh realities of past and current world events, and, with thoughtfulness and kindness, challenged us to find ways to solve them. As I have worked in public health for the last 15 years, I continue to utilize this quality in my interactions with families of different socio- economic backgrounds. As Maya Angelou said “They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” I certainly can relate to this as many nurses do. Working as a registered nurse in a hospital setting in maternal child health, there were many opportunities to utilize my compassion to support the diverse families in their journey to wellness. This was especially a necessary skill guiding parents through childbirth, especially with patients from multi-cultural backgrounds. In order to accommodate their needs and truly be a help to them, I needed to understand them and where they were coming from. The Notre Dame staff demonstrated the power of resilience and community during the school relocation of 1989. This change was not easy for everyone, as change never is. However, together we pushed through. ND worked hard to get the building at
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St. Mark’s Place up and running quickly. Parents and students participated in getting the school ready both physically and financially in order that it could continue to be Chez Nous for us. Versatility is the ability to transfer information and knowledge in different forms for different minds. The staff of Notre Dame showed this perfectly to me. Sister Virginia, my counselor at the time, would guide me towards my career as a nurse. She would review all of my options, break them down, and show me how to apply my talents to the challenges of being a healthcare worker. She also had the patience to observe my strengths and lead me towards realistic opportunities that would help achieve my academic and career goals. I have been in a leadership role for ten years as the Director of Children with Special Healthcare Needs. Early Intervention versatility has been a key quality for me. I have found myself in challenging situations, often ‘building a plane in midair’ as healthcare regulations and circumstances change at any moment. My most recent experience is with the COVID-19 pandemic. I was tasked to put my scrubs back on and administer testing while doing contact tracing as a team leader. Being a part of the experience of Notre Dame High School ‘building their own plane’ at St. Mark’s Place, I am able to fully appreciate the versatility and flexibility it took. I am thankful for the road map that Notre Dame provided, leading me to a fulfilling career in healthcare, and I will always hold dear the values I learned Chez Nous, that include patience, compassion, resilience, versatility, and community. It is these values that I share with my husband who has faithfully served in law enforcement for over 15 years. And together we have instilled them in our two children, who because of these values, have chosen paths of service. My daughter works in special education. And my son is a volunteer firefighter and is pursuing a career in aviation. Notre Dame gave me the foundation to make a difference in the world, and the ability to ‘pay it forward’ through the service to others that I, as well as my whole family, carry out each day.
“I will always hold dear the values I learned Chez Nous, that include patience, compassion, resilience, versatility, and community.�
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