Confronting our History

The following article originally appeared in the 2018–2019 Annual Report published by the Society of the Sacred Heart. We are pleased to share it here.

By Irma Dillard, RSCJ Member of the Slavery, Accountability and Reconciliation Committee

In April 2016, The New York Times published an article, “272 Slaves Were Sold To Save Georgetown,” featuring Georgetown University. It was time for our province to confront our own history. Provincial Barbara Dawson, RSCJ, established the Society of the Sacred Heart’s Truth, Healing and Reconciliation Committee, with a focus on the on-going issue of racism in the world and the Society of the Sacred Heart’s participation in the historic sin of slavery. As the group worked together, the committee name became the Slavery, Accountability and Reconciliation Committee.

I agreed immediately to participate. As one of three African American RSCJ in the United States–Canada Province, I felt it my duty and responsibility to get to the truth. I had to know how our foremothers treated the enslaved, as well as find out their names and their descendants.

I believe we must be about what is written in the committee’s mandate: “It is time to listen…to telling the fuller story…to confront a painful part of our legacy…to commit to truth, healing and reconciliation for a better future.”

Some of this was accomplished when RSCJ gathered with the descendants in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, on September 23, 2018, to honor the ancestors enslaved on this property. We were able to give the descendants the names of their people.

The ritual, “We Speak Your Names,” was powerful—my heart was full! I knew we had done something right! Because enslaved people were treated as chattel, they are rarely found in government birth and death records and, instead, must be traced through the property ledgers of the people who owned them. By using this approach, members of our committee were able to identify a number of descendants.

I believe if Madeleine Sophie were here today, she would have also written to us: “Let us leave acts, not words. Nobody will have time to read us.”

Ashé!

Descendants gathered to honor their enslaved ancestors at Grand Coteau, LA, pictured here at the former slave quarters.

RSCJ Visit 91st Street

In February, three Religious of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ) came to 91st Street to speak with faculty and staff about the congregation’s participation in slavery in the 1800s.

Sr. Sheila Hammond, Sr. Irma Dillard, and Sr. Marilyn McMorrow spent two days at 91st Street. Sr. Hammond is the Society of the Sacred Heart’s Provincial for the United States and Canada, while Sr. Dillard and Sr. McMorrow were members of the Society’s Slavery, Accountability and Reconciliation Committee; the committee was dissolved when the Society formed a new committee focusing on next steps.

The first day, the RSCJ met with small groups, including 91st Street’s Awareness Council, Heritage and Spirituality Council, Administration, and faculty/staff who are also Sacred Heart alumnae. The second day, Sr. Hammond and Sr. Dillard addressed the entire faculty and staff, sharing historical details about the people enslaved at Grand Coteau, one of the Sacred Heart schools in Louisiana, as well as what

has been done there so far to honor them. Sr. Dillard then discussed the importance of educating ourselves about not only the history of slavery, but also the systemic racism that still pervades our world.

The RSCJ emphasized that the Society and the Network of Sacred Heart Schools were only just beginning the process of understanding this sorrowful part of our history, and that a “Next Steps” committee had been formed to determine how best to move forward. The committee already has some ideas, such as creating scholarships for the descendants; creating a curriculum on this topic that Sacred Heart schools can use; and reimagining the “Roots” program and other Network training to include this part of Sacred Heart’s history.

Sr. Dillard, Sr. McMorrow, and Sr. Hammond were scheduled to return this spring to speak with the students. The visit will be rescheduled when possible. In the meantime, additional information about this topic can be found at rscj.org/history-slaveholding.

As this edition of Les Amies went to press, the RSCJ and leadership of the Society of the Sacred Heart issued a statement condemning the gross violation of human dignity witnessed in the video of George Floyd’s last minutes, expressing outrage and pledging to fight tirelessly against racial and anti-black violence and discrimination. The full statement is available here. Ninety-first Street stands with the RSCJ. To read more about our response, click here.

When Forensics coach Michaela Ablon was hired at 91st Street in 1994, the Forensics team had a mere four stude nts. No one ever expected the team to become one of the largest and most successful teams at 91st Street. In the 2018 –2019 season, the 42-member team attended 17 tourname nts, earned two First Place Team Sweepstakes awards, produced one New York State Champion, and finished Third Place in New York State.

A lot can happen in 25 years. The Forensics Team, affectionately known by members as “FOF” thanks to the team slogan, Forensics on Fire, recently celebrated a quarter-century of success. In honor of this milestone, we asked alumnae who participated over the years to tell us about their experience in Forensics and how it helped them to excel beyond 91st Street.

“ According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the ave rage person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than delivering the eulogy.” —Jerry Seinfeld

Statistics and Seinfeld aside, the truth is that given the choice, most people would decline the chance to speak before a crowd. So why did our alumnae sign up to do it on a regular basis?

To improve their Public Speaking

Ana Maria Guay: I was interested in becoming a better public speaker and intrigued by the challenging nature of extemp. Catherine Hannan: I signed up for Forensics specifically so that I could increase my confidence speaking from memory and without a script. Kaitlyn Corbin: I wanted to get out of my comfort zone! I wasn’t nervous about public speaking, but I only excelled when I had the chance to prepare beforehand. I came into the experience with the goal of getting better at formulating a point of view and learning how to communicate “on the fly.”

A love of politics and current events

Ginny Hogan: I wanted an activity I could throw myself into, and I loved politics, which is what we discussed in extemp. Erin Hylton: After I performed a piece at International Night my first year at CSH, Ms. Ablon told me that the Forensics team was a place I could continue to grow as a public speaker, perform work that I truly love, and explore the socio-political-economic issues of the world. I immediately signed up after that! Amanda Ross Miller: Honestly, I think I signed up to improve my social life (i.e. hang out with Regis boys) but I also really liked current events and politics, and wanted to improve my public speaking.

A love of literature, drama, or performing

Vicky Cuesta Snyder : I was on the VERY FIRST speech team at 91st Street! It was such a new and exciting time even though we were a small team and only competed in a few categories. I joined because it was yet another way to practice acting outside of doing the school play.

Allegra Marino Shmulevsky: I loved drama, literature and storytelling. And I had a great duo partner, Grainne Belluomo ’03, who I just liked to laugh with—we probably should have been doing stand-up comedy instead! Danielle Tufano Poussart: I have always loved storytelling, performing, and reading aloud. When I was younger, I would pretend to be Jo March reading to her aunt and read to my family. I grew up taking dance lessons and performing in community productions. Forensics was a great opportunity to perform in a different capacity—really digging into a piece for a number of months and refining my delivery. I was also very drawn to the team aspect.

The coach, Michaela Ablon

Catherine Sear: Ms. Ablon is full of energy and enthusiasm for forensics—I thought, “I want to learn from her!”

Mary Zaborskis: I was incredibly compelled by Michaela’s energy and vibe, even though I had no idea what forensics was, or what I was getting myself into—I just knew I wanted to work with this teacher…Michaela is an incredible coach and role model for this growth and work. She helps competitors transform perceived weaknesses into strengths and become the best version of the selves they already are. Miki Lainovic: The main reason was that Ms. Ablon encouraged me to. I didn’t see myself as an obvious candidate because I felt insecure about public speaking, but she really pushed me to move out of my comfort zone and join the team. It ended up defining my high school experience and shaped the person I am today in more ways than I could have imagined.

1994 MICHAELA ABLON IS HIRED TO COACH FOUR-PERSON FORENSICS TEAM LOCALLY. OVER THE NEXT TEN YEARS, THE TEAM COMPETES LOCALLY AND REGIONALLY, ADDING TOURNAMENTS AS THE TEAM GROWS.

2001 FOR THE FIRST TIME, A STUDENT (CATHERINE SEAR ’01) WINS THE NYCFL SCHOLARSHIP, THE LOCAL LEAGUE’S HIGHEST HONOR! THREE MORE STUDENTS (MARY ZABORSKIS ’08, MIKI LAINOVIC ’08, AND NICOLE ZIVKOVIC ’16) WIN THIS HONOR IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS.

2006–07 FOF GROWS TO 22 STUDENTS; 91ST STREET’S FIRST STUDENT TO QUALIFY FOR THE NCFL GRAND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP, MARY ZABORSKIS ’08, IS A SEMIFINALIST IN HOUSTON.

2011 FOF TIES WITH REGIS FOR SECOND PLACE AT THE STATES TEAM SWEEPSTAKES. IT IS CONSIDERED A HUGE MILESTONE FOR FOF.

2014–15 FOF GROWS TO 67 STUDENTS, BIGGEST ROSTER SO FAR.

2015 FIRST LOCAL 1ST PLACE FINISH, CSH GREENWICH TOURNAMENT

2016 MS. ABLON IS INDUCTED INTO THE NYCFL HALL OF FAME.

2017–18 FOF WINS 1ST PLACE AT THREE OF SIX LOCAL TOURNAMENTS: URSULINE, REGIS/LOYOLA, AND GREENWICH.

“To put this in perspective, every weekend our students compete in the most competitive local league in the country,” said Ms. Ablon. “Our competitors are the schools who most regularly win national tournaments and have tens if not hundreds more students on their team than we do.”

FOF ALUMNAE

NIÑA CABALLERO ’9 8

“As a Parent Coach, I empower, educate, and mentor 1st time parents of toddlers. As a Personal Growth Speaker, I lead wellness workshops grounded in speaking your truth and sharing in stories.” FOF Events: Duo and Oral Interpretation Living in: Ohio

Self-Employed Parent Coach/Personal Growth Speaker

Education

BA, Trinity College ’02 MST, Fordham University

KAITLYN CORBIN ’10

“I work in healthcare consulting. I help hospitals all around the country thorough large-scale transformation initiatives (i.e. mergers) by improving their clinical operations and patient experience.” FOF Events: Extemporaneous Speaking

Living in: Chicago, but I’m moving back to New York in November!

Accenture Management Consultant

Education

BA, Johns Hopkins University School of Arts & Sciences ’14 MSPH, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health ’16 MBA, Johns Hopkins Carey School of

Business ’22

ANA MARIA GUAY ’11

“I administer and score tests for a nonprofit educational foundation that provides aptitude testing and career consultancy. I’m currently in training to become a consultant, which will entail providing clients with detailed, in-person summaries and interpretations of their testing results and possible career paths. I also work part-time as a Writing Instructor for the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) online program. FOF Events: Extemporaneous Speaking; team captain, 2011

Living in: Atlanta, GA Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation Test Administrator Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Writing Instructor

Education

BA, University of Michigan ’15 MPhil, University of Cambridge ’16 MA, UCLA ’19

Being on the forensics team gave them confidence…

Niña Caballero: The most profound skill I gained from Forensics is the ability to simply enter a room and say, “Hi, my name is Niña.” At the tournaments, we were placed in situations that put us into rooms with strangers all the time. We learned to grow our interpersonal connections and communication skills. Maria Caballero Humphrey: Forensics gave me the confidence to speak eloquently and comfortably in front of complete strangers. Forensics taught me that people would listen when I speak—because doing Forensics made me feel like I was someone worth listening to.

…A confidence many of them feel is essential for women to succeed.

Catherine Hannan: It is critical for educated women to both demand a place at the podium and to speak with confidence about our experience, expertise, and knowledge. The Forensics team can be a wonderful tool to help us increase our presence and our voice in our respective fields. Maria Caballero Humphrey: I think Forensics is an experience that many women I have met since high school did not have growing up, and it has made a huge difference in my life. Mary Zaborskis: Forensics is a male-dominated sport, and I cannot overstate the power and significance of competing on the Sacred Heart team. I attended Sacred Heart and then Bryn Mawr, a women’s college. So graduate school was the first time in almost a decade that I was being educated in a co-ed environment. The gender disparity in the classroom was immediately apparent to me upon arrival —in seminars, men took up more space, both vocally and physically, than women—and their taking up space often came at the cost of women being able to speak and participate.

Too often, girls and women are told in implicit and explicit ways to take up less space, to be quieter, and to mitigate the force of their message in an effort to placate others. This results in management and policing of the ways girls and women can occupy space and express themselves—and the perceptions of how well a girl or women adheres to the norms in which she’s socialized are going to differ across racial, class, religious, and dis/ability lines. Competing in forensics is an opportunity to refuse to play by the rules of a society that tells girls to be quiet. Discovering and exercising my voice in the context of the Sacred Heart Forensics team has helped me become the unapologetic ballbuster that I am today.

How FOF Got its Name

“FOF: forensics on fire. We adopted it as our cheesy slogan around 2004. It helped make the team more visible, which ultimately made more kids join and helped the rest of the community support and celebrate their work off campus. Forensics is incredibly demanding, but also invisible because it all happens off-campus on weekends.

Deploying the FOF slogan helped the team feel seen and celebrated. And we have so much cute and silly fire swag now to boot!” —Michaela Ablon

Alumnae say their experience on 91st Street’s Forensics team has helped in their careers in …

… education

Ana Maria Guay: Becoming a skilled extem poraneous speaker has been an invaluable resource throughout my (changing) career. When I was applying to graduate schools, fellowships, and more recently, non-academ ic jobs, being able to think on my feet and express myself with confidence ensured I could handle high-pressure intervi ews. Likewise, as a teacher, there is nothing more important than public speaking and clear argumentation to help my students wrap their heads around a difficult concept. Allegra Marino Shmulevsky: Teaching English in a college setting depends heavily on the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, but it’s also very much about engagement: making students feel comfortable taking risks in their second language. There is a definite dramatic element I use to make that happen. Ambreen Satia: I am a teacher, so I am called to essentially talk and “perform” all day long. Forensics has definitely given me a more positive and confident outlook in my abilities to carry myself and my point across to an audience.

Mary Zaborskis: The skills I learned in Forensics have helped me in every aspect of my profession. As a diversity postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pittsburgh, I research, write, and present my work for different audiences—colleagues, specialists and non-specialists in my fields, editors, and students. I peruse archives—boxes containing hundreds of pages of materials, reports, letters, ephemera—condense and frame this information, put it into dialogue with other scholarship, and make clear my own intervention through writing. Many, many drafts eventually become a conference paper, a peer-reviewed article, and/or a mini-lecture for a course. I have to make both my prose and delivery compelling, accessible, and engaging. Comic timing is also pretty key. So my work is basically a larger scale version of what I did each season I competed in Original Oratory … I joke a lot that academic conferences are basically forensics tournaments without the trophies.

At Greenwich after winning 1st place in 3 local tournaments, 2017–2018

Photo: Amatus 2019 CATHERINE HANNAN ’97

“I am a board certified plastic surgeon at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, D.C., I also run my own cosmetic surgery private practice: Washington Women Plastic Surgery.” FOF Events: Declamation Living in: Washington, DC Education Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in Washington, DC Board Certified Plastic Surgeon BS, Yale College ’01 MD, Georgetown University School of Medicine ’05

GINNY HOGAN ’09

“I write humor for books and the New Yorker, and I perform stand-up comedy.” FOF Events: Extemporaneous Speaking

Living in: Los Angeles, CA Self-Employed Comedy writer

Education

BA, Stanford ’13 MA, Columbia ’14

MARIA CABALLERO HUMPHREY ’96

“Forensics taught me that people would listen when I speak—because doing Forensics made me feel like I was someone worth listening to! I don’t many women I have met since high school shared that experience growing up, and it one which has made a huge difference in my life.“ FOF Events: Oral Interpretation; Duo Interpretation

Living in: Las Vegas, Nevada Premise Health, at the Caesars Entertainment Health and Wellness Center RN, Chronic Disease Management Nurse, Certified Diabetes Educator

Education

BA, Wesleyan University ’00 BS, New York University ’05

ERIN HYLTON ’06

“I work alongside the Head Teacher to support a homebase class of students through planning, instruction and assessment directly connected to student learning.“ FOF Events: Extemporaneous Speaking; Oral and Duo Interpretation Living in: Bronx, NY Education Riverdale Country School Kindergarten Assistant BA, Salem College ’10 MS, The New School for Public Engagement ’12 Teacher MS, Education, Hunter College School of Education ’17

MIKI LAINOVIC ’13

“WPP is the world’s largest advertising and media group. The WPP Fellowship is a three-year program that allows Fellows to work at different agencies in different countries each year. I spent my first two years in London and Hong Kong, and I’m now in my third year in New York, working in media.” FOF Events: Oral Interpretation; team captain

Living in: New York City WPP WPP Fellow

Education

BA, Stanford University ’17

AMANDA ROSS MILLER ’09

“I am a scientist who studies how the brain controls the heart and blood flow.” FOF Events: Extemporaneous Speaking

Living in: Hershey, PA Penn State College of Medicine Postdoctoral Fellow

Education

BA, Johns Hopkins University ’13 PhD, Penn State College of Medicine

MICHAELA MURPHY ’12

“I am a fundraiser for New York Presbyterian's Phyllis and David Komansky Children's Hospital.“ FOF Events: Duo and Dramatic Interpretation

Living in: New York City NewYork-Presbyterian Major Gifts Officer, Development

Education

BA, Colgate University ’16

DANIELLE TUFANO POUSSART ’06

“I oversee the in-house merchandise sales, strategy, and visual merchandising for The Lion King, the third longest running show in Broadway history. I also oversee the hiring, training, and scheduling for our Disney Cast Members who staff our sales locations and the development of our Lead Cast Members.” FOF Events: Program of Oral Interpretation

Living in: Hoboken, NJ Disney Theatrical Group, The Walt Disney CompanyAssistant Merchandise Manager, The Lion King on Broadway

Education

BA, New York University ’10

…science and medicine

Amanda Ross Miller: As a scientist, I give monthly presentations and answer questions after. It’s not as scary for me as it is for many of my colleagues because I began learning how to synthesize information and communicate effectively at a young age. In addition, I had several long oral exams in graduate school that I felt more prepared for since I had experience with Q&A rounds in extemp. Catherine Hannan: I am a plastic surgeon. While the primary way I spend my time is in the operating room and seeing patients, I often attend national plastic surgery conferences where I lecture or speak on panels to share my expertise. In my field, women still only account for fewer than 10% of all board certified plastic surgeons, so these panels—or “man-nels”—are heavily male-dominated. Without my background on the forensics team, I would not have the ease or fluency necessary to sound confident at the podium. Maria Caballero Humphrey: Being successful in my field of nursing depends largely on my ability to express myself and communicate effectively with both patients and providers. From job interviews, patient consultations, and salary negotiations to functioning in a lead role in my department—having the ability to speak my mind with ease and confidence has definitely given me an advantage.

…communications/media

Catherine Sear: My experience in Forensics at Sacred Heart boosted my confidence, taught me skills to combat my nerves, and gave me a lot of experience speaking in front of a group—all things that have helped me advance in my career. Miki Lainovic: Forensics taught me the fundamentals of public speaking, which I still think back to every time I need to give a presentation. It taught me how to receive feedback— both positive and negative—and act upon it, which is incredibly useful in my professional life. It gave me leadership experience through being Team Captain, and helped me develop a sense of accountability to others. More broadly, Forensics helped me become a clearer and more effective communicator, which aided me in interviews for college, jobs and now graduate school, and made me a more confident person overall. Finally, Forensics nurtured my love of performing and the arts, which continues to be a big part of my life and influenced my decision to go into a creative industry. Vicky Cuesta Snyder: The skills I developed in Forensics not only nurtured my love of acting, but also cultivated confidence, professionalism and thoughtful communication. Our words have the power to convey a message, but the delivery of these words is just as important. These skills have had a direct impact on what I do…I coach kids to speak well on camera! I’ve also had the opportunity to book commercial work as an actor, usually spokespersontype roles in corporate instructional videos, online courses and even public service announcements. These settings usually demand a polished confidence, and Forensics definitely trained me to be able to do that.

…fiction writing

Inez Tan: Forensics taught me how to sense when an audience is with you—something I draw on every day now as I read my own fiction and poetry. When I published my first collection of fiction in 2018, This is Where I Won’t Be Alone (Epigram Books, Singapore, London), the launch was standing room only and the bookstore sold out. Waking up early every Saturday for Forensics was the best training I could have asked for!

…business

Danielle Tufano Poussart: My experience with Forensics helped me stand up in front of executives, interviewers, and corporate partners and speak with confidence. Presenting at the front of a room was second nature! Delivery skills, poise, pace, and energy weren’t skills I needed to develop—they were ingrained, thanks to Forensics. When I started working with Disney, leaders immediately noticed and selected me to represent the brand across North America at media events.

Coach Michaela Ablon presents Miki Lainovic '08 with trophy for 1st place (Greenwich tournament).

FOF at the NYSFL championship, 2015

…nonprofits and development

Erin Hylton: The critical thinking skills, poise, and thought organization you practice and master during Forensics have directly supported me in my professional roles in the arts, education and Board membership. From Student Government Association President of my undergraduate institution to my current roles as CFO of the nonprofit BxArts Factory, I have used my speech skills to advocate passionately for myself, my community, and the arts in the Bronx.

Michaela Murphy As a major gifts officer in development, public speaking is a skill I use every single day, and I am thankful for Forensics every time. In college it made me feel comfortable about speaking in front of my professors and peers (and boys! *Gasp*). Forensics completely prepared me for being asked to speak in front of any group large or small and how to think on my feet in those situations. Public speaking is such an amazing skill and I am so thankful for it! Also, reciting a few lines from Shakespeare now and again is certainly a hit!

..technology

Ginny Hogan: I’m definitely more assertive. I used to work in the tech industry with all men, and I was used to navigating situations like that because of Forensics.

...consulting

Kaitlyn Corbin: As a management consultant in healthcare, I present frequently in front of high-level hospital executives, which involves communicating my team’s perspective and sometimes delivering hard news. It’s not easy, and I often have to respond to difficult questions immediately in the room. Learning how to formulate an effective response to a question through Forensics was instrumental in getting me comfortable thinking on my feet and giving me confidence when speaking in front of a crowd.

…the performing arts

Kelsey Robins: Picking and staging my own pieces in Forensics helped sharpen my eye for how to choose pieces to direct and bring them to life. Certain rules in my events that put limitations on what we could do ultimately led to us find more creative and interesting ways to tell that story. This lesson—that what initially seems like a roadblock may actually lead to the most interesting outcome— helps me to be flexible and readjust when problems arise, and use those problems to my advantage. My experiences coaching my teammates and as team captain developed the leadership skills and confidence I needed to lead rehearsal rooms and creative teams. We all strove to support one another so we could do our best as a team. This spirit of teamwork instilled in me importance of collaboration, a value I put at the forefront of every room I lead.

KELSEY ROBINS ’15

“I am working with the Milwaukee Repertory Theater for their 2019–2020 season, assistant directing on seven of their productions.” FOF Events: Duo and Oral Interpretation

Living in: Milwaukee, Wisconsin The Milwaukee Repertory Theater Directing Resident

Education

BA, Northwestern University ’19

AMBREEN SATIA ’06

“I am a teacher, but I am also part of an art collective performance art troupe called Legacy Fatale, and no doubt, forensics at Sacred Heart has subconsciously influenced that.“ FOF Events: Duo and Dramatic Interpretation

Living in: New York City NYC Department of Education Teacher

Education

BS, New York University ’10 MS, Hunter College ’17

CATHERINE SEAR ’01

“I work in the World Bank’s Climate Change Group where I lead communications for funds that invest in low-carbon development programs (such as energy access, clean cookstoves, micro-hydro, biodigesters) in developing countries. “ FOF Events: Declamation; Original Oratory

Living in: Washington, D.C. The World Bank Communications Officer

Education

BA, Colby College ’05 MA, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies ’10

ALLEGRA MARINO SHMULEVSKY ’03

“I teach academic language, composition and presentation skills to international students in an art school setting.” FOF Events: Duo Interpretation

Living in: Brooklyn, NY Pratt Institute Lecturer

Education

BA, Tulane University ’07 MA, Teachers College Columbia

University ’11

VICKY CUESTA SNYDER ’96

“I produce teaching videos for kids ages 4 to 8 at a megachurch in Central Illinois. Think of it as Sunday school meets PBS Kids—It is their sermon in video format! I write, cast, direct and provide creative direction from start to finish. Additionally, I rehearse the kids that appear in these videos, run the shoots and manage the budget.” FOF Events: Duo and Oral Interpretation Living in: Normal, IL Eastview Christian Church Video Coordinator for Eastview Kids

Education

BA, University of Chicago ’00

INEZ TAN ’0 8

“I’m a fiction writer and poet, and I teach poetry and fiction writing to amazing students! I also teach them how to give readings, drawing on none other than my time with Forensics.” FOF Events: Original Oratory; Oral and Duo Interpretation

Living in: Irvine, CA University of California, Irvine Lecturer in English and Academic Coordinator of the Emphasis in Creative Writing

Education

BA, Williams College ’12 MFA, University of Michigan ’14 MFA, University of California Irvine ’19

MARY ZABORSKIS ’0 8

“I research and teach how the state and its institutions have shaped our understandings of gender, sexuality, and race, both historically and in the contemporary moment... I also teach a range of introductory and upper-level courses in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies.“ FOF Events: Declamation and Original Oratory

Living in: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh Diversity Postdoctoral Fellow, Humanities Center (jointaffiliated with the Programs in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies and Childhood Studies/Children’s Literature); I’m also a Series Editor at Public Books

Education

BA, Bryn Mawr College ’12 PhD, University of

Pennsylvania ’17

FOF ties for 2nd place at States Team Sweepstakes, 2011

No matter what their profession, our alumnae said they felt lucky they’d had the opportunity to do Forensics.

Niña Caballero: Forensics was magical. I was part of the original Forensics team with Miss Bisgolio and Co-captains Vicky Cuesta and Maria Humphrey. The days we spent rummaging the Drama Book Shop for pieces and arriving to Forensics tournaments, a small but mighty team, will always be dear to my heart. Amanda Ross Miller: Being on the Forensics team was one of the best experiences I had in high school. Traveling to tournaments was a great bonding experience with my friends at school, and I made friends from all over the country. Our team grew and improved significantly my sophomore to senior year, and it was amazing to be a part of that, and leave a legacy. Forensics on Fire!

Ambreen Satia: I feel lucky that I was part of such a committed and powerful group of female performers, claiming their voice, their expression, their opinions. I am happy it is stronger than ever. Thank you so much, Michaela, for encouraging and supporting your students, and imbuing such enthusiasm and dedication!

Catherine Hannan: My time on the forensics team was wonderful. I remember the camaraderie we experienced in competition, and the thrill we found in winning over the other schools— especially the boys’ schools! Catherine Sear: When I look back, Forensics was one of the activities that helped me grow and build confidence the most. Speaking in front of a room, memorizing a text, and communicating well—and being critiqued—leave you no room to be nervous or scared. Competing taught me that having a good mentor who believes in you, like Michaela, and lots of practice can help you conquer pretty much any fear. Danielle Tufano Poussart: Being a member of the Forensics team is still an experience I hold near and dear to my heart. I developed critical skills that I still use daily, and fostered my love of speech and performance. FOF! Forensics on Fire! Erin Hylton: In the nonprofit world, it is critical to deliver the 5-second pitch about your organization to stakeholders in the community, potential donors, and the community-at-large. I was able to practice and learn those skills during my time in Forensics as well as develop a fierce passion to speak about what is on my heart and mind. I am truly thankful for my time in Forensics. Forensics on Fire!

Ginny Hogan: I loved my experience! I felt like it was one of the most formative extracurriculars I’ve ever been a part of, and I’m so happy to hear the team is now so big! Inez Tan: Ms. Hall was an amazing coach, and I remember she bought us the magnets with a quote from St. Ignatius Loyola: “Go forth and set the world on fire.” Some people describe their flow state as being in the zone, or in their groove, but I will always think of it as being “on fire.”

Kaitlyn Corbin: I loved the camaraderie of the Forensics team! It was just like any sports team I participated on at Sacred Heart, and our early Saturday morning tournaments were definitely a bonding experience. I also loved the opportunity to meet people from other New York City schools that I otherwise would not have met, some of whom turned into friends I stayed in contact with long after graduation! Maria Caballero Humphrey: Forensics was fun!! More than anything else, I remember Forensics as good times with good friends. Michaela Murphy: I am so thankful for Michaela Hall, all of my teammates, the amazing memories, and of course a lifelong skill set! Miki Lainovic: I have no doubt that joining the Forensics team was one of the best decisions of my life. It was so much fun to participate in as a student, and it’s been so exciting as a graduate to watch the team grow and succeed in such impressive ways. None of it would be possible without Ms. Ablon, who brings so much expertise, energy and love to the team. I still consider her a dear friend and mentor.

Vicky Snyder: I loved Forensics team! We always had such fun and I’m grateful for the experience!