CJA_Spirit_Feb2020_FINAL

Connections

COR J ES U ACADEMY M AGA ZI NE

S P RI N G 20 20

“I invite you to join me in focusing on the blessings that accompany change, grateful for the cherished connections that make them possible.”

SR. VERONICA BEATO, ASCJ ‘74 INTERIM PRESIDENT/PRINCIPAL

~ Read more of Sr. Veronica’s letter on page 2.

in this issue

the Halls: 4 Around US-Mexico Border Pilgrimage

A “Slam Dunk”

by Niele Ivey ’96

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Bauer 18 Cheryl Bartnett ’77,

Webster Groves Bookshop

ON THE COVER: Susan Vieth Zeid ‘04 with daughters Caroline and Anna, and CJ classmates Dr. Christine Cortelyou Pazandak ‘04 and Dr. Colleen Brennan ‘05.

Read the story on page 6.

President’s Letter

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Giving Tuesday

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Lauren Murphy Event

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Around the Halls

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Visit with Santa

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Reunions

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Alumnae Traces

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Upcoming Events

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Heart-to-Heart Society

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In Memoriam

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FEATURE

FEATURE

Searching for a Sign: Susan Vieth Zeid ‘04

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President’s Reception

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Partnering with a Purpose: Don Killian

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CPI: exp3 + INC

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From Fairground Park to the NBA: Niele Ivey ‘96

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FEATURE

Webster Groves Bookshop: Cheryl Bauer Bartnett ‘77

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41st Annual Auction

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President’s Letter

INTERIM PRESIDENT/PRINCIPAL Sr. Veronica Beato, ASCJ ‘74 INTERIM ASST. PRINCIPAL / DIRECTOR OF STUDENT LEARNING Sr. Susan Marie Krupp, ASCJ ‘76 DEAN OF CURRICULUM & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Jeanne Suda DIRECTOR OF ALUMNAE RELATIONS Patty Ferrara ‘85 ABOUT: SPIRIT is Cor Jesu Academy’s publication for alumnae, parents, friends and benefactors.

CONTACT: SPIRIT Cor Jesu Academy 10230 Gravois Road St. Louis, MO 63123 cbarry@corjesu.org EDITOR: Colleen Barry ‘11 Director of Marketing & Social Media SUBMISSIONS: We welcome your story ideas and submissions.

Please contact Colleen Barry ’11 at cbarry@corjesu.org.

THANK YOU Thank you to CJA alumna Alex Smith Adams ’09, owner of Birdeye Media, for digitally capturing many of Cor Jesu’s special moments and contributing to this publication.

And thank you to Stephanie Klinker Howe, owner of Klink Creative, for creatively displaying life at Cor Jesu in this magazine.

www.corjesu.org @corjesuacademy

©2020, Cor Jesu Academy.

All rights reserved.

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As I write this letter, I am sitting in my office at the front of Cor Jesu, facing Gravois. I look out the window and can’t help but imagine how much the landscape will change in the next few years. We are on our way to achieving a vision we established for this campus more than a decade ago. We hope to break ground on a new chapel during the 2021-2022 school year, a chapel that will sit exactly where it should: at the forefront of our campus.

Change has been a constant at Cor Jesu this year. Last summer, our president, Sr. Barbara Thomas, ASCJ, was named the Provincial Superior for the United States province of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As she prepared to take on her new role, we all had the opportunity to reflect on her years of service to Cor Jesu. During her tenure, we doubled the school’s footprint. We opened new science labs, a new CJTV studio, new athletic fields and added invaluable parking space. We successfully completed a $10 million campaign to give Cor Jesu a performance gymnasium, student commons, active learning classrooms and a dance studio. Last summer, we opened a new choir and orchestral space.

In addition to capital improvements, we have made strides toward ensuring Catholic education is financially accessible for families. In the last 12 years, the Endowment Fund has grown from $2 million to $9 million; annual financial aid has increased fivefold, to $1.1 million annually, with more than 40 percent of families now receiving tuition assistance.

It seems change has been a running theme here at Cor Jesu, thanks to the connections and relationships we’ve built since the Apostles founded the school in 1956. Serving as the interim president these last 7 months, I have experienced numerous alumnae events, one Giving Tuesday and an Auction from a new perspective. I have watched you pour out your love and support for Cor Jesu with amazing generosity. You site many reasons for this kindness, but almost all come down to the connections you made here – connections to faculty, to friends, and, most significantly, a deep connection to the Sacred Heart.

While the landscape has changed and our lives have taken us in different directions, the charism of the Sacred Heart has not wavered.

That spirit, the essence of Cor Jesu, has remained as steadfast as the love of the Heart of Christ itself. And thanks to your continued dedication, we look forward to eventually expressing our charism in a Sacred Heart chapel while also increasing opportunities for financial aid to ensure Cor Jesu remains a pillar of Catholic all-girls education, one that is accessible to young women regardless of socioeconomic status.

As we emerge from winter and enter this spring season, I invite you to join me in focusing on the blessings that accompany change, grateful for the cherished connections that make them possible.

Sincerely in the Sacred Heart,

Sr. Veronica Beato, ASCJ ‘74 Interim President/Principal

CJA sweeps SJA in Funderwear for the Photos below by Christine Ngo ‘21 and Mia Pogue ‘20

CJA wins the halftime tug-of-war contest!

first time ever!

CJA wins the basketball game, 55-44!

CJA wins “The Pants!”

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Around the Halls Amazing things happen here

BRAVO CORDE PLAYERS! CJA’s Corde Players put on a fabulous Fall Play this year! Thanks to the dedicated cast and crew, Radium Girls was a huge success.

A special shout out to our firsttime director, Mrs. Anna Millar, for her passion and guidance!

play on

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@corjesuacademy

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follow us

Stay current as it all happens!

CJA CROSS COUNTRY HISTORY

The Cross Country team earned 7th place all together at the State Cross Country Meet and three runners medaled for the first time in CJ history!

Watlow Scholars + Perfect ACT Scores Isobel Dernlan ’20 and Anastasia Ramig ’20 had a great fall semester! Both were selected as Cor Jesu’s Watlow Scholars, each earning a $7,500 scholarship toward senior year tuition and a paid internship at Watlow this summer.

Plus, each earned a perfect score on the ACT!

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EMMA HERR ’20

earned the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Medal after completing 250+ hours of service in a 12-month period.

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COR JESU’S MOCK TRIAL

teams placed 1st and 3rd in the inaugural Show-Me Mock Trial Tournament at SLU in October.

A Pilgrimage Elizabeth Lorson 21, Maxine Straka ’22 and CJ faculty member, Peggy McGraw, represented Cor Jesu on the Pilgrimage to the U.S.-Mexico Border in El Paso in November.

They experienced life along the border and celebrated the Eucharist with Mexican and U.S. Bishops on All Souls Day.

Francie Luna ’22 9th place Molly Rolwes ’20 17th place Adie Luna ’23 18th place

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5 CHARGERS GO D1

Five Charger athletes signed letters of intent to play sports at Division I colleges next year: Julia Boyet ‘20 Softball at Duke University Taylor Etling ‘20 Field Hockey at Indiana University Emily Henken ‘20 Volleyball at Saint Louis University Jillian Mattingly ‘20 Volleyball at Saint Louis University Kelsey Watson ‘20 Volleyball at Loyola University Chicago

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ENGINEERS IN FASHION

Our Engineering Class created their own convertible shoes that seamlessly change from heels to flats!

From left: Molly, Francie and Adie

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YAG SUCCESS

Margaret Mathis ’21 was elected to serve as the Governor for the 2020 Youth and Government (YAG) Conference!

Campbell Tiffin ’20 served as the 2019 YAG Conference Media Director.

Libby Meister ’22 and Mary Tiffin ’20 were named “Outstanding Statesmen” at the 2019 Conference.

10 LILY KINNISON ’21 earned

the distinction of Soprano, 2nd Alternate, for the 2020 Missouri All-State Choir!

LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL ART EXHIBITION 11

Mary Kate Charles ’20 earned Best in Show.

Grace Killian ’20 earned 2nd place in Ceramics.

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Searching

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for a Sign

W

hen she was 24-weeks pregnant with her second child, Susan Vieth Zeid ’04 started experiencing unusual symptoms. She called her doctor and went in for a check-up at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis. She left in an ambulance bound for Barnes Jewish Hospital, and a longer journey than Susan or her husband, Nick, could have imagined. The minute that ambulance door closed, she began searching for a sign that everything would be okay.

Susan was in labor that day, and her doctors said that she would not be leaving the hospital until she had the baby. At only 24 weeks, Susan and Nick were scared; they knew their baby wasn’t ready for the outside world.

“It was very difficult for us to get pregnant with our second child,”

for their friend. She had an infection and her baby needed to come out as quickly as possible.

On October 21, 2018, Anna Mary Zeid was born at 28-weeks. A team of doctors from St. Louis Children’s Hospital cared for Anna, while a team of doctors from Barnes Jewish focused on her mom. These were scary moments for Nick; he wasn’t sure if either would make it. Doctors directed Nick to go to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with Anna and assured him Susan would be fine – and they were right. Nick was able to take Susan to see Anna for the first time the next day.

“I thought I had prepared myself,” Susan said. “I knew she would be really small and hooked up to a lot of things.

You want a feeling of excitement when you see your baby for the first time, but this time, I was terrified.”

Anna weighed only 2lbs, 5oz. Susan was distraught by how vulnerable and fragile her daughter looked. The nurse at Children’s talked Susan through her daughter’s condition and care plan, and made her feel comfortable enough to go back to her room and focus on her own recovery. While she felt some comfort, Susan was still looking for her sign that everything would be okay.

Enter Dr. Pazandak.

The next day, Dr. Christine Cortelyou Pazandak walked into Susan’s hospital room to meet the mom of her newest patient at Children’s. Because Susan’s married name was on the charts, Dr. Pazandak was unaware that she was walking into the room of a former Cor Jesu classmate.

Sign received.

C JA CO N N ECT I O N S

Susan said. “So this was devastating because we knew that even if our baby survived, it would be a very difficult road.”

Susan arrived at Barnes Jewish to a hospital room equipped for her to give birth. She received magnesium and steroid shots to stop her labor and promote the baby’s development.

The doctors told her it was crucial for her to make it through the first 24-hours – and she did. Twenty-four hours turned into 48 hours, 48 hours turned into 72 hours, and 72 hours turned into 4 full weeks.

Susan lived in her hospital room for a month, giving her baby time to grow.

“There was nothing I could do for myself and my baby besides pray,” Susan said. “I prayed the rosary every single day I was there.”

When she wasn’t praying, Susan was blessed with lots of visitors, including many Cor Jesu friends. In true CJ fashion, the Chargers created a schedule so that Susan consistently had a visitor to distract her. And when Susan had to cancel on a girls’ trip to Arizona, some of the other girls that couldn’t attend brought Arizona to her hospital room.

“They showed up with blow up cacti, balloons and other decorations!”

Susan said. “We had our own girls’ trip right in my hospital room and even face-timed the girls actually in Arizona. It was special.”

Not too long after the Arizona party began, Susan spiked a 103-degree fever. The CJ girls quickly left Susan’s care to the doctors and went to pray

Susan and Nick Zeid with daughters Caroline (left) and Anna.

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From left to right: Caroline, Anna, Susan, Dr. Pazandak and Dr. Brennan

C JA CO N N ECT I O N S

“I loved the Children’s staff already, but when I found out that Anna was being cared for by not only an amazing Children’s doctor, but a Cor Jesu classmate of mine, I was so relieved,” Susan said.

Each time Dr. Pazandak had Anna as a patient during her shift, she was sure to stop by Susan’s room and let her know there was no need to worry.

“When you’re in these situations, you see a lot of doctors and nurses.

Lots of faces are coming in and out, and it’s overwhelming,” Susan said. “So when you see a familiar face, and it’s someone you associate with a place (Cor Jesu) that made you feel so safe and comfortable, that good feeling comes back. Having Christine as Anna’s doctor was my sign from God.” Eventually, Susan was discharged from the hospital and was able to be with Anna in the NICU during the day, and also go home and keep a normal family routine with her 4-year-old daughter, Caroline. At Children’s, Susan knew that Anna

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Faith-wise, Cor Jesu instilled in me the notion that I was never alone.

-SUSAN VIETH ZEID ‘04

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was in the care of people who loved her like their own – she was never nervous to leave.

Anna was doing so well that Susan says the doctors and nurses made her the official mascot of her section of the NICU. Anna flourished through every challenge in those first few months of life. She gained weight every day and tolerated medication.

And while premature babies are typically discharged on their actual due dates, Anna was able to go home five full days before hers.

“The doctors told me Anna was a miracle, and that progress like this wasn’t typical for the NICU,” Susan said. “I think Anna was an inspiration for them.”

After spending Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s at Children’s, the Zeids finally said their goodbyes to their Children’s family on January 9, 2019.

Dr. Pazandak did the honors of discharging Anna – a special moment for both her and Susan.

And if Susan wasn’t convinced after her first sign from God that Anna would be okay, she was certain when she saw the doctors at Anna’s 6-month check-up. Dr. Pazandak happened to be the physician in clinic that day, administering Anna’s check-up – and she was accompanied by Dr. Colleen Brennan, a 2005 CJ grad, who happened to have red hair…just like Anna.

“Faith-wise, Cor Jesu instilled in me the notion that I was never alone,” Susan said. “I knew that God was going to get me through tough times, but I don’t think I fully realized it until this experience with Anna.

I never felt truly lost, even in these dark times.”

in honor EVEN TS

PRESIDENT’S RECEPTION ON JULY 14, 2019, Cor Jesu’s president, Sr. Barbara Thomas, ASCJ, was appointed Provincial Superior for the United States province of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In October, we had the opportunity to welcome Sr. Barbara back and thank her for everything she accomplished on CJ’s behalf at our first-ever President’s Reception.

Special thanks to current parents Dan and Mary Charles for hosting the event at Greenbriar Hills Country Club. We look forward to making the President’s Reception an annual event!

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Partnering with a Purpose

W

hen high school students gifted in mathematics look ahead to the future, they’re sure to consider careers in engineering and accounting—but what about actuarial sciences? You know—the discipline that applies mathematical and statistical methods to assess risk in insurance, finance and other industries and professions?

Most high school students do not know of this discipline, and the rare ones that do, likely don’t have a grasp of what it really means to be an actuary. Fortunately, at Cor Jesu, students now have the opportunity to not only learn about, but also experience actuarial science, thanks to the Corporate Partners Initiative (CPI) and “Grace’s dad.”

CJ senior Grace Killian’s dad, Don Killian, is the Senior Vice President of Actuarial Services at Centene Corporation. In 2016, as a freshman at Cor Jesu, Grace began to take advantage of the opportunities available through CPI, first with exp3 Day, the program’s annual career exploration day, and then, the summer after sophomore year,

developing leaders

CO R PO R AT E PART N ER S I N I T I AT I VE

D o n K illia n a n d C e n te n e C o rp o ra tio n fin d v a lu e in b e c o m in g a C o r Je su A c a d e m y C o rp o ra te Pa rtn e r.

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as a participant in Summer Engineering Experience (SEE) Week.

As Grace learned more about her potential career paths, Don learned more about the value of the initiative.

“Our company purpose at Centene is: ‘Transforming the health of the community, one person at a time,’” Don says. “And transforming health isn’t just providing doctor visits. It’s getting involved in the community to help better people’s lives. Seeing the amazing career exploration opportunities Grace was being given at Cor Jesu, I wanted Centene to get involved in helping these students on their journey.”

To do so, Don spearheaded Centene’s efforts to become an official Cor Jesu Corporate Partner. In 2018, Centene hosted its first group of CJ students on exp3 Day, and

Don, working with other motivated Centene colleagues, organized a variety of educational and handson activities designed to expose the girls to the actuarial science field and careers within it. He also invited an actuarial science professor from Maryville University to guide students through the academic path for pursuing those careers.

“I want to make sure that girls interested in math are aware of actuarial science and understand that it’s another great, but often overlooked, STEM career path,” Don says.

In addition to exp3 Day, Centene has also participated in Cor Jesu’s Alumnae Internship Networking Connections (INC) event, where college-aged Cor Jesu alumnae seeking jobs and internships can network and make connections

One of Centene’s major focuses is to develop the next generation of leaders.

And what better place to find those leaders than at Cor Jesu? -DON KILLIAN

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with different corporations. In fact, two Cor Jesu alumnae from the Class of 2015, Shannon Turner and Anne Wilhelm, worked as interns at Centene during the summer of 2018 as a direct result of the INC event. Further, Shannon was hired full-time at Centene after graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia in May 2019 as a result of the internship.

“Cor Jesu girls all have a similar makeup in terms of their excellent work ethic, intelligence and desire to be challenged,” Don notes. “So, of course we want to expose them to the field with hopes that some of them may pursue it, and maybe even eventually work for us at Centene.”

To Don, it simply makes sense to partner with Cor Jesu—a place where the mission to Share the Love of the Heart of Christ aligns with his company’s purpose to better the community, a place with a pool of young and eager learners, and a place where he has watched his daughter grow and be challenged.

“One of Centene’s major focuses is to develop the next generation of leaders,” Don says. “And what better place to find those leaders than at Cor Jesu?”

Join the Cor(p) Jesu Professional Connections Facebook Group!

In October 2019, Cor Jesu launched the Cor(p) Jesu Professional Connections Group on Facebook to help Cor Jesu alumnae form professional connections in the St. Louis area and beyond. We invite you to join this group and become part of our network of professional women! Search Cor(p) Jesu Professional Connections on Facebook to request access, or contact Director of Alumnae Relations, Patty Ferrara ’85, at pferrara@corjesu.org with questions.

Grace Killian ’20 and her dad, Don Killian – Senior Vice President of Actuarial Services at Centene Corporation, at the Cor Jesu Father-Daughter Dance.

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exp3 DAY 2019

C EN T EN E

Now in its eighth year, exp3: Exposure, Experience, Exploration, provides a one-day innovative learning experience for all grade levels. On Monday, November 4, 2019, almost 400 Cor Jesu students participated, traveling to 36 locations in and around the metro area to actively experience and explore a day in the life of a professional area of their choosing.

Thank you to all of our Corporate Partners that participate in exp3 Day each fall!

B EN R U S S U RG ERY CEN T ER

ROYA L CA N I N

B RI G H TO N AG E N CY

“My exp3 experience involved watching a live surgery and interacting with a team of surgeons throughout the day. They gave us opportunities to see things I never thought I would be able to watch at my age! It helped me decide that surgery is definitely something I’m very interested in pursuing!” -ELISE ADRIAN ‘21

H EART L AN D CO CA- CO L A WASH I N G TO N U N I VE RS I T Y I N ST. LO U I S 12

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networking

ALUMNAE INTERNSHIP NETWORKING CONNECTIONS (INC) EVENT 2020

A special thank you to Slalom St. Louis for sponsoring this great event and to all of the companies who attended!

Access Engineering LLC Affinity Law Group Anders CPAs + Advisors Barry-Wehmiller Design Group BKD CPAs & Advisors Brown Smith Wallace Caleres Centene Corporation The Clark-Fox Family Foundation Express Scripts Hastings + Chivetta Heartland Coca-Cola Jacobs June Jessee Memorial Foundation Krilogy Financial McCarthy Building Companies Northwestern Mutual NISA Provident Behavioral Health Reinsurance Group of America (RGA) Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis Slalom SSM Health St. Louis Cardinals Stifel Tarlton Corporation Watlow World Pediatric Project S P R I NG 20 20

CO R PO R AT E PART N ER S I N I T I AT I VE

THE COR JESU CORPORATE PARTNERS INITIATIVE IS UNIQUE IN THE FACT THAT CJ STUDENTS CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM PROGRAMS EVEN AFTER THEY GRADUATE. On January 7, Cor Jesu hosted its fourth Internship Networking Connections (INC) event where college-aged CJ alumnae and recent college graduates are invited to network with a variety of companies and organizations who are seeking candidates for internships and permanent entry-level positions. Alumnae are also offered one-onone professional coaching, resume building tips and complimentary professional headshots at this event.

This year, nearly 100 CJ alumnae attended the event, networking with 28 companies that were seeking to fill roles in accounting, architecture, engineering, healthcare, law, marketing, non-profit and more. Keynote speaker Ilana Austin, an executive recruiter at Square, gave attendees her top three pieces of advice to job applicants: 1) Proofread applications and resumes carefully 2) Remember to write a thank you note or e-mail after an interview 3) Ask for the job

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a time of giving KI N D N ESS

GIVING TUESDAY

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n December 3, 2019, Cor Jesu Academy participated in its fourth Giving Tuesday, raising funds for the future Charger Chapel. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our community, and are proud to say that, together, we raised $243,486 to propel us forward in this important piece of our master plan.

We were blessed to begin the day with a $110,000 matching challenge and our students rallied together to raise $2,182! For the first time, we had evening events on campus for Giving Tuesday; both the season’s first home basketball game as well as the winter instrumental concert fell on December 3. To encourage students to participate in any way they could, Cate Wittgen ’81 offered to give $10 for each student who attended the game and another $10 for each student who attended the concert. It was beautiful to see our students support each other, while our community supported the chapel.

We even made a new friend who made a surprise contribution to the chapel! On Giving Tuesday, Lee Weber was sitting in her Affton home when she received a phone call from CJ’s own Sr. Veronica Marinari (Sr. V). Sr. V was 14

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calling families for Giving Tuesday and accidentally dialed the wrong number, leading her into a lovely conversation with Lee about the chapel and Lee Weber and Sr. Veronica Marinari Cor Jesu’s mission. Lee was touched by Sr. V and walked in the next day with a gift for the chapel. She said it was “serendipitous” that Sr. V had called her on a day where she happened to be feeling a little down. “God sent me an angel,” Lee said.

We are grateful for Lee’s kindness and the generosity of all our alumnae, parents, friends, students, faculty and staff this year! We hope to be praying with you in the new chapel soon!

’Twas

the night of St. Nick’s Day, when down Gravois Road

VISIT WITH SANTA Santa Claus & his elves visit CJA!

Santa’s sleigh needed fixing, to get him on home He pushed with his reindeer, til he saw a light The Sisters were prepping for a cold winter’s night Santa knocked on the door, and Cori gave him a yelp But of course the CJ Sisters were happy to help They placed a quick phone call to Tom and Matt Who sprang to the scene with their tools, it was stat!

KI N D N ESS

The sleigh was fixed and Santa was all set to go But he was so grateful and wanted them to know So he called on his elves to make their way to CJA And they set up the North Pole in a very special way The Auditorium was filled with Christmas crafts and games And Santa welcomed every parent and child by name

Christmas cheer

Joyful Christmas music made its way down the halls While children were dancing, singing and throwing snowballs Mrs. Claus even came, serving warm cookies to each guest December 7 at CJ became a day unlike the rest Santa stayed until each Christmas wish was heard Then he left CJA with a few little words “Thank you for your kindness and shining your light Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”

Thank you to the following alumnae for helping us create such a special day for our community!

Margie Geraghty-Schaeffer ’67 Sara Whitman Carron ’96 Karen Czmarko ’96 Irene Schlueter Lee ’96 Veronica Schlueter Russo ‘99 Julie Schwarz Przygoda ‘01 And a special thanks to our student “elves!”

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BenFred: From Fairground Park to the NBA, Ivey’s inspiring basketball climb continues

by Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

congratulations, Niele!

Photos courtesy of the University of Notre Dame.

T

he boys once told her no.

Now she will coach and coach against the best male basketball players in the world.

Niele Ivey wins.

The St. Louis sports hero has done it since a little girl defied her brothers’ basketball teasing.

“Too small,” they jeered years ago. “Too slow.”

They learned.

“I always looked up to playing my brothers,” Ivey recently said by phone. “That’s where my passion for the game originated.”

Look at where it’s led her.

Ivey lifted her Cor Jesu team to a Missouri state high school championship in 1995. In college, she helped Notre Dame win its first national championship under Hall of Fame coach Muffet McGraw. That was in 2001.

She went on to play five seasons in the WNBA. Since returning to her college alma mater to coach in 2007, Ivey became McGraw’s top assistant as Notre Dame made seven Final Four appearances, six of which turned into title games. One became another championship victory, in 2018. Many believe Ivey will be the future head coach at Notre Dame. And maybe that happens.

But Ivey, 41, recently made history again when she became the first woman on the coaching staff of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies. As their new assistant coach, Ivey is just the ninth woman ever on an NBA coaching staff. Her strong background in player development and the youth movement on Memphis head coach Taylor Jenkins’ team made Ivey a perfect fit. It also helped that the Grizzlies selected Murray State point guard Ja Morant with the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft.

Ivey knows a thing or two about that position.

The Post-Dispatch recently caught up with Ivey. The following Q&A has been edited for space and clarity. If you’re reading this, she hopes you make the trip to see her on the Memphis sideline this season.

Right: Niele Ivey ’96 coaching the Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s basketball team.

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game, because we didn’t play above the rim, you know? Everything had to be detail-oriented. Our fundamentals had to be solid. The way we set screens. Passing. Angles.

Ball handling. Shooting. All of those things, very, very fundamentally sound. We didn’t have athletes that you could just throw a lob to. We have to have talent and athleticism, but we didn’t have that (kind). So, my perspective is a little bit different.”

P-D: Speaking of player development, your son, Jaden, is a basketball player who has committed to Purdue. How did raising and coaching him help prepare you for this new job?

Ivey: “When I wasn’t coaching with Notre Dame, I’m in the gym with him.

Watching his practices, watching his AAU practices, watching how his coaches interact with him. Being there, being a voice of reason for him when he was struggling with things, or figuring out how he sees the game. I’ve had opportunities to observe and watch USA Basketball.

I’ve had five or six days just sitting in the gym watching really great individual skill work, individual talent.

That’s definitely something that made me more comfortable.”

P-D: Can you describe the reaction you have received since the news of your hiring in Memphis?

Ivey: “It’s been such a positive

response. My phone is still blowing up. It speaks volumes to the basketball community, men or women. Memphis completely embraced me. I’ve had such great feedback from fans, family and friends in St. Louis, people who have followed my career. There are a lot of new Memphis Grizzlies fans.

It’s brought positive attention. For me, that’s awesome. I knew the magnitude of it, because I talked to Coach McGraw about it. It’s really awesome to feel that I’m inspiring young girls, young women, a lot of people. That is what it’s all about. It’s something I’m going to embrace. It’s a door that was opened for a reason.

I want to make everyone proud, and do a really good job.”

P-D: There is some symbolism in your story, right? The little girl whose big brothers used to try (and fail) to keep off the court is now coaching in the NBA. Ivey: She laughed, and agreed.

“We were playing in Fairground Park in north St. Louis. When I was younger, I would tag along and watch them. That’s where it originated from. Then, when my brothers were at Chaminade, I would be the little girl on the floor, trying to shoot at halftime. The student body would cheer me on. It’s so funny that it’s all come full circle.”

ALU M N AE I N T H E N EWS

P-D: Congratulations, Coach. Was this jump from the women’s game to men’s something you always had in mind?

Ivey: “I just wanted to get out of my comfort zone, to be honest. I’ve had the opportunity to learn from a Hall of Fame coach for 12 years, and I feel like this was an opportunity for me to even grow more. Coach McGraw is always learning, always growing. And when this opportunity presented itself, she was the first person I told.

This was a great opportunity for me to learn. And then it comes with the whole, you will be a trailblazer, and all of that stuff. But initially, just learning from a different level. Being in one place for a long time, I’ve always wondered how so-and-so runs their program, or how they implement their offense. I can’t wait to absorb so much information.

When you surround yourself with greatness, it can only rub off.”

P-D: You have said you can offer a unique perspective to the NBA thanks to your time coaching the women’s game. Some would argue that basketball is basketball. What’s the difference, and why can it be a strength for the Grizzlies?

Ivey: “Where I learned, fundamentals were really, really important. I learned to perfect things in a very detailed manner from the women’s

Approved © 2019, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“

It’s really awesome to feel that I’m inspiring young girls, young women, a lot of people. That is what it’s all about.

-NIELE IVEY ‘96

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Year after reincarnation, Webster Groves Bookshop has re-found its community

by Jane Henderson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

C

heryl Bartnett prepared for an empty nest by buying books.

In fact, she also resurrected a bookstore to put them in.

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“This is kind of my retirement project,” Bartnett says.

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August marked her one-year anniversary as owner of the new/ old Webster Groves Bookshop.

Although the bookstore business has never been a cash cow, Bartnett is happy with the first year’s sales: “It surpassed my wildest expectations.”

The wood-paneled, corner shop was a fixture in town for more than half a century. In 2016, owner Ann Foy, then 79, closed the landmark at 100 West Lockwood Avenue, citing her declining health. She, too, had become a bookstore proprietor after her children were grown, buying it with her husband in 1999.

When the store’s closing was announced, loyal customers mourned the intimate space’s homey feel.

“I’m going to be very sorry to see it go,” Bliss Shands of Kirkwood said in 2016. She estimated she’d shopped there for 30 years. “They were awfully good about ordering books I want.

And the whole interior of the shop was so charming.”

Bartnett, who had worked briefly for Foy, said upset customers even came in “for one last smell.”

Three years later, the Lockwood site houses the Clover and the Bee. The restaurant pays homage to the

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old store, noting on its website that owners used a literary reference from an Emily Dickinson poem for the name.

Sometimes lunch patrons walk half-a-block to the new store at 27 North Gore Avenue, finding a virtual reincarnation of the old Bookshop.

The original rough-hewn cedar paneling is on the walls, as are the original shelves, built by Franciscan monks. (The store was founded in 1965 by Natalie Sheetz and Julie Robinson, who hired architect Robert J. McClenahan to design it.)

The large white Japanese lanterns are new, but they look like clones of the lights that hung for decades from the shop’s ceiling.

Although the store is slightly smaller, Bartnett says some customers are a “little spooked” that it’s so similar. At least one has looked around confused, thinking she was in the old store.

Six months after the original Bookshop closed, Bartnett and her husband would peer into the

“

vacant space during walks. They contemplated whether to open a store and asked the building’s owner if they could have the shelves and wood.

Bartnett knew it was a big step, but thought, “If we decide to do this, we have it. If we don’t, we have a storage locker of cedar we have to get rid of.”

They eventually found a space in the Old Webster area when a fabric shop closed. As their younger son was about to go to college, Cheryl and Neil Bartnett spent weeks putting up paneling and painting.

She felt her new business wouldn’t quite be starting from scratch. Every Monday, Bartnett had gone to see Ann Foy, who was living with her daughter. Foy gave her blessing to use the Webster Groves Bookshop name.

She introduced Bartnett to sales reps and talked about ordering books.

“I’d sit there and make notes and ask her a million questions,” Bartnett says. “It gave her something to be excited about again.”

Foy also wrote letters to former

I feel like I’m giving back to the community. -CHERYL BAUER BARTNETT ‘77

”

customers, telling them the shop was reopening.

When the store debuted Aug. 7, 2018, customers returned, paying full price for books in lieu of online discounts. “The community has come back and so embraced this place,” Bartnett says.

Four days after the opening, Foy’s family gathered for her birthday. They wanted to see the Bookshop. Foy insisted on going, so they took her in her wheelchair.

A photo of her at the new shop would run with her obituary just a few months later. This past May, the store was the site for the family’s celebration of Foy’s life.

Bartnett says: “I miss her every day. I think, ‘What would Ann choose?’”

Bartnett, who had only worked at the old store for eight months, says she’s been “slowly getting my book feet.”

She has a carefully curated collection of classics and quality new books, usually just one copy per title. There are children’s books, but few toys. Now, she’s planning to turn a lower-level space into a meeting room for book clubs. She’s made back her initial financial investment.

But clearly that isn’t Bartnett’s greatest pride: “I feel like I’m giving back to the community.”

Approved © 2019, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE 41ST ANNUAL TREASURES OF THE HEART AUCTION!

Itwasa ”roaring”sucess!

A special thank you to our 2020 Auction Chairs: Matthew & Carrie George Jost ’93 & Robert & Andrea Fischer Funke ’93!

# of Attendees: # of Alumnae Attendees: # of Volunteers: # of Student Volunteers:

53

85

120

484

# of Appearances by Blessed Clelia:

1

Photos by Christine Ngo ‘21

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LAUREN MURPHY SPEAKER EVENT

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t the Fall Alumnae Association meeting in October 2019, Cor Jesu Academy welcomed inspirational speaker, Lauren Murphy, to share her story of faith, determination and recovery.

On a morning run during a 2013 business trip to Los Angeles, Lauren was struck by a car and critically injured. She remained in critical condition for weeks, suffering from traumatic brain injury. She had a slim chance of survival, and doctors said if she did survive, she would most likely never be able to feed herself, walk, talk or understand spoken words again.

Today, Lauren is still working on her recovery, but not only is

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never give up! she able to walk and talk, she has even run in 5k races.

With a little help from her mom, Colleen, Lauren shared her story at CJ along with the five biggest lessons she has learned throughout her recovery: 1. Show Up 2. Find Your Cheerleader 3. Kindness is Free 4. Work Hard 5. Never Give Up Cor Jesu wishes Lauren, a fellow Catholic all-girls’ school graduate (Incarnate Word Academy ‘06) the best in her continued journey. The CJ community was truly inspired!

#MurphysDontQuit

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girls only...

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T

he invitations for the 2020 class reunions will be arriving in the mail soon, equipped with all the details for the CJ girls-only reunion event. We hope to see you back on campus in June! A special thank you to the following alumnae, who have volunteered to be on their reunion committee:

SAVE THE DATE FOR CJA’S 2020 CLASS REUNIONS! WE LOOK FORWARD TO

“gettingmad fortheplaid”

WITH YOU AT YOUR REUNION!

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SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020 1965, 1970, 1985, 1990, 2005, 2015 SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020 1960, 1975, 1980, 1995, 2000, 2010

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

Marie DiMartino Wohlert Gail Gregory Hunyar & Joan Pieper Korpal Leslie Garanzini Bono, Micky Heimos Byland & Julie Yates Radke Becky Rabbitt Pogorzelski & Lisa Komrska Younger Barb Guenther Bardelmeier, Patty Ferrara & Barb Davis Reinholz Joan Lutkewitte Fisher and Teresa Beckerle Jellison Jennifer Lebbing Walton Emily Baumann Kohlberg & Jen Betz Kuhn Kathleen Grim & Kelly Hoffman Kong Maggie Murphy, Brittany Pallme & Mary Kate Mullen Theriault Sarah Jaeger, Kathryn Kohnen, Allison Stumpf & Molly Waller

To volunteer to be on your class reunion committee or for more information about the CJ class reunions, please contact Patty Ferrara at 314.842.4429, ext. 266 or pferrara@corjesu.org or visit our website at www.corjesu.org/reunions.

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Kathleen Fuller Patrick and her husband, Chris Patrick, celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows on October 18, 2019. Kathleen lives in O’Fallon, MO where she and Chris are raising two sons, Brenden (6) and Henry (5). She is a part-time Pediatric Psychotherapist at Progress West.

2008

Kate Horan married Patrick Keeley on April 17, 2019, at The Basilica of Saint Louis, King (Old Cathedral).

Lori Sinclair ’08 was the maid of honor, and Maggie McGrath ’08 and Christine Kutis Tillotson ’08 were bridesmaids.

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Megan Ostermueller, the creative force behind the design business, The Mod Company, was featured as one of ALIVE Magazine’s three St. Louis Artisans on the Rise in August 2019.

Megan is a graphic designer and lettering artist with a passion for paper goods and modern calligraphy.

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Dr. Julie Young of Premier Pediatrics was chosen by her peers and St. Louis Magazine as one of the 2019 Best Doctors in the area.

spirit

WE WILL NOT FORGET TRUE! YOUR

Karen Callanan Schneider and her husband Joe Schneider joyfully announced the birth of their son, Jonathan Lee Schneider, on December 31, 2018.

Jonathan joins big brothers Ryan (9) and Patrick (7), as well as older sister Allison (5).

If you have exciting news to share about yourself or a fellow CJ alumna, please send them to us by emailing Colleen Barry ’11, Director of Marketing & Social Media, at cbarry@corjesu.org.

Events Deceased Alumnae Memorial Mass Friday, March 6 8:15 a.m.

Cor Jesu Academy Alumnae Night at the Musical – “Bye Bye Birdie” Wednesday, April 1 6 p.m. – Reception 7 p.m. – Performance Cor Jesu Academy Spring Alumnae Association Meeting Tuesday, April 21 7 p.m.

Cor Jesu Academy Alumnae Inductions for the Class of 2020 Friday, May 1 8:15 a.m.

Cor Jesu Academy

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Sawyer Judge was accepted into the prestigious Accelerated Security Studies Graduate Program at Georgetown University.

The program, founded within the Pentagon, is absorbed into the School of Foreign Service and is ranked globally as the leading program in Security.

Sawyer graduated with a bachelor’s degree in the Science of Foreign Service this December and will graduate with a master’s degree in Military Operations this Spring.

Emily Stahl, owner of Emily Stahl Design Co., partnered with the St. Louis Blues in November 2019. She designed a handlettered “Let’s Go Blues” tote bag that was the giveaway at Teacher Appreciation Night on November 21, when the Blues played Calgary.

Upcoming Alumnae

Alumnae Night at St. Patrick Center Tuesday, May 12 Time TBD Alumnae Class Reunions Saturday, June 6 and Saturday, June 13 Cor Jesu Academy

New!

Run with the Nuns 5k Run/Walk Saturday, April 18 Time TBD Grant’s Trail

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40%

of CJ families are receiving financial aid, thanks in part to Class Endowed Scholarships.

“RECEIVING THIS GENEROUS SCHOLARSHIP provides me with so many opportunities. I am able to go to a school that I love, and I have amazing friends that I never would have met outside of Cor Jesu. Cor Jesu provides us with materials and equipment that challenge us to think in new ways.

I am able to understand so much of the world around me while I am in a classroom, which I think is incredible! Thank you for your kindness!”

G I VI N G

– Amy Hohenberger ’21

Heart-to-Heart Society Share the Love of the Heart of Christ with the next generation of Chargers!

THE HEART-TO-HEART SOCIETY is a group of alumnae who have chosen to make an automatic recurring gift to their Class Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to a fellow Charger in need. When you join the Heart-to-Heart Society with a recurring gift, you will enjoy the heartfelt benefit of knowing your support is helping a student realize her potential in the halls of Cor Jesu.

ourgift

To learn more, visit corjesu.org/H2H or contact Director of Alumnae Relations, Patty Ferrara ’85, at pferrara@corjesu.org.

Showing our gratitude Heart-to-Heart Society members receive a special tumbler!

“THROUGH MY EDUCATION at Cor Jesu, I learned the importance of leading a values-centered life.

Some of my favorite memories include attending the March for Life, playing field hockey and spirit weeks. Those experiences, combined with the education I received in the classroom, I learned the values of integrity, gratitude, service and leadership.

I contribute to the Heart-to-Heart Society so that more young women can have the same educational experience, impact their community and grow to be leaders of integrity.

To all the alumnae who are considering donating, this is truly the best way you can give directly to a student and her future! Please consider making an impact by giving back!”

– Libby Brooking Evers ’08

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In Memoriam We extend our sincere condolences and prayers to the families of the Cor Jesu community mourning the loss of their loved ones.

Cor Jesu mourns the loss of our alumnae: Susan Streuber Moorman ’64 Carol Daugherty Klarsch ’70 Michael Antinora

Brother of Sr. Catherine Antinora, ASCJ ‘67

Kenneth Auck

Mother of Marie Auck Pendergast ‘79 Grandfather of Katie Pendergast Dolan ‘08, Lorie Pendergast ‘08, Christy Pendergast ‘11, Molly Auck ‘18 and Angela Auck ‘19

Mark Crenshaw Father of Maria Crenshaw ‘19

Patrick Crowe

Husband of Jane Bauman Crowe ‘67 Father of Laura Crowe Sobol ‘95

Glenn Michael “Mikey” Dugan

Son of Glenda Dugan (CJ Staff)

Elias “Eli” Engel Son of Tamara Kenny ‘85 Nephew of Lisa Kenney ‘86

Mary Fendler

Mother-in-law of Shelley Fender, Cor Jesu Director of Special Events Grandmother of Ava Fendler ‘20

Maria Fernandez Mother of Coco Fernandez ‘10

Virginia Frein

Mother-in-law of Barbara Kramer Frein ‘82 Grandmother of Elise Frein O’Brien ‘11 and Andrea Frein Riesenberg ‘13

Peggy Gilligan

Mother of Ann Gilligan Hancock ‘82 Grandmother of Katie Gilligan Costantinou ‘01, Theresa Hancock ‘11 and Angie Hancock ‘15

Judith Haenni Mother of Becky Haenni ‘02

Myra Heaghney

Mother of Kathy Heaghney Hill ‘69, Rita Heaghney Welz ‘70 and Joan Heaghney Deelo ‘77 Mother-in-law of Jeanne Schulte Heaghney ‘81 Grandmother of Julie Hill Bertel ‘95, Laura Hill Hotz ‘98, Chrissy Hill Rogers ‘00, Ann Deelo Guntli ‘03 and Amy Deelo Curtin ‘08

Kenneth Hirlinger Stepfather of Nina Berenato ‘05

Mary G. Kempf

Mother of Mary Kempf Holtmann ‘81

Craig Kramer

Father of Chelsea Kramer Borchers ‘06 and Hannah Kramer Kutz ‘09

Raymond Kramer

Father of Laura Kramer O’Hallaron ‘79, Nancy Kramer Kroll ‘81, Barb Kramer Frein ‘82, Debby Kramer Koulouriotis ‘88 and Michelle Kramer Moffatt ‘90 Grandfather of Emily Kroll Carpenter ‘11, Elise Frein O’Brien ’11, Gretchen Kroll ‘12, Andrea Frein Riesenberg ‘13, Hannah Kroll ‘15

Janice ParrinoReed

Mother of Stephanie Parrino Craig ‘90

Evelina Pasetti

Mother of Angela Pasetti Holland ‘72, Lorenza Pasetti ‘76, Carla Pasetti ‘85 and the late Vivian Pasetti ‘74 Grandmother of Gabrielle Holland Abel ‘03

Betty Rumbolo

Mother of Lisa Rumbolo Jellinek ‘84

Harry J. Schneller

Father of Kay Schneller Dulle ‘76 and Ann Schneller Vessey ‘78 Grandfather of Kristen Moore Lewandowski ‘92, Jessica Farhatt Kerckhoff ‘93, Laura Moore Bohon ‘94, Maria Farhatt Dunlap ‘99, Corrie Moore Galli ‘99 and Mary Grace Schneller ‘22

Betty Schonhoff

Mother of Cindy Schonhoff Strawhun ‘77 and Barb Schonhoff Yemm ‘86 Grandmother of Beth Nogosek Galli ‘08

Alan Schubert

Father of Sandy Schubert Bevolo ‘85

Geneva “Genny” Schwaig-Davis

Mother of Kathleen Schwaig Buritsch ‘72 and Marianne Schwaig Boettger ‘75

Brandon Sechrist Husband of Allie Faber ‘07

Alphonse W. Steinman

Father of Julie Steinman King ‘80

Stephen M. Strawhun

Husband of Cindy Schonhoff Strawhun ‘77 Brother-in-law of Barb Schonhoff Yemm ‘86 Uncle of Beth Nogosek Galli ‘08

George Swett

Father of Jenn Taylor (CJ Faculty)

Collin Taaffe

Brother of Lauren Taaffe ‘22 Nephew of Maureen O’Shea ‘89 Cousin of Megan O’Shea ‘20 and Kristen O’Shea ‘23

Virgil Vonder Haar

Father of Mary Lou Vonder Haar Greenfield ‘68, Christine Vonder Haar ‘70, Sr. Jeanne Marie Vonder Haar, ASCJ ‘71, Laura Vonder Haar Bolt ‘72 and Janice Vonder Haar Wilson ‘74 Grandfather of Sarah Bolt Crowell ’99, Katherine Bolt Fischer ‘03, Emily Bolt ’05, Emma Vonder Haar ‘11

Barbara Wittgen

Mother of Dr. Catherine Wittgen ‘81 and Mary Carol Wittgen Parker ‘83 Grandmother of Caroline Parker ‘13, Clare Parker ‘16 and Victoria Wittgen ‘18

Alyce Zimmerman Mother-in-law of Bridget Atwood Zimmerman ‘02 Grandmother of Amy Zimmerman ‘11 S P R I NG 20 20

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Cor Jesu Academy, a Catholic, collegepreparatory school founded by the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, offers an academically challenging program committed to the total education of young women. Inspired by the charism, “SHARING THE LOVE OF THE HEART OF CHRIST,” students embrace personal dignity, faith, integrity and compassion.

Empowered intellectually, spiritually, and morally, graduates serve as responsible members of the global community.

COR JESU ACADEMY MISSION STATEMENT

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10230 Gravois Road Saint Louis, MO 63123 Electronic Service Requested

Cor Jesu students load the St. Patrick Center truck with bags full of new socks and underwear collected during Funderwear 2020. Together, with St. Joseph’s Academy, we collected 23,896 new pairs!

NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID ST. LOUIS, MO PERMIT NO. 2912