Cachet Magazine: Winter 2023

Cachet

Friendship & Community

The Heart of Our School Traditions

Holy Child School at Rosemont

On

Pictured: The Christmas Tableaux, a beloved annual tradition, is performed by our Grade 8 class on Cassidy Stage at the Christmas Concert on Thursday, December 15, 2022.

The Cover: Grade 4 students sing and clap along joyfully to a song during our annual Thanksgiving Prayer Service, hosted in the Fitzgerald Performing Arts and Athletic Center on Tuesday, November 22, 2022.

A Message From Tom Lengel

Dear Friends and Supporters,

At the school’s opening assembly in September, I spoke to our students about friendship, personal growth, and community. I explained that those words were chosen several years ago by our students to describe and illustrate three of the seven Holy Child Goals that are shared by all nine Holy Child schools in the United States. And those words, along with student-designed symbols, (see below) are displayed in our cafeteria and in the gallery of the Fitzgerald Performing Arts and Athletics Center as visual reminders of our Holy Child mission and philosophy.

In the articles and pictures throughout this edition of Cachet, you will learn more about the many ways we operationalize and live out those words and our Goals. For example, we intentionally build community between our older and younger students with our Buddy Program, where the older students serve as mentors and role models for their younger schoolmates.

Friendship is a defining characteristic of our school community — and always has been. It manifests itself in the relationships that form almost immediately in Early Childhood or among teammates on the field or court. Friendship also manifests itself in the connections that are often reflected in the wedding announcements found in our Class Notes, where several members of our graduates’ wedding parties are typically friends they made at Holy Child.

Fostering, aiding, and facilitating the personal growth of each child is what all schools should do and what we do very intentionally and successfully. Our no-cut policy in Middle School sports allows each and every student to belong and contribute to a team, and to grow from that experience. Watching our eighth graders in the Christmas pageant and tableaux, seeing them perform as the leads in the Spring Play, and reflecting on how they have grown in confidence and ability during their time at Holy Child are the most obvious examples of the tremendous and transformative personal growth that our children experience here. And make no mistake — that growth occurs only when children feel safe to take chances; whether that is leading their grade’s performance of “The Little Red Hen” play, joining a musical ensemble for the first time, participating in a Middle School elective outside of their comfort zone, or running for student council president and giving a speech in front of all Grades 4-8, our children know that they will be supported by their friends and teachers no matter the outcome, leading them to grow in confidence.

Sincerely, Thomas G. Lengel P’12 Head of School

Rosemont

A Tradition Centered on The Buddy Program: Friendship

1. Buddies from Grades 4, 6, and 2 climb to new heights together after Buddy Picnic.

2. These Grade 4 and 8 Buddies get into the swing of things for the new school year.

3. A Buddy pair from Grades 1 and 5 enjoy an ice cream treat at Buddy Picnic.

2.

Emblematic of our Holy Child Goals, the Buddy Program is a longstanding tradition at Holy Child School at Rosemont that brings together Lower and Middle School students throughout the year as a way to build community and forge friendships across grades. The early years of the program are remembered by faculty member and alumna Judy Cassidy ’59 P’85’86’90’93 as a collection of moments where seventh and eighth grade students helped and played with younger children in the classrooms and at recess. While it has progressed and expanded over the years, Judy reflects that the Buddy Program “continues to serve our students today in new and different ways.”

Over time, the program grew in its intentionality around Buddy pairings and activities; today, the Buddy Program continues with the same spirit of nurturing and care as it pairs together children in Grades 1 and 5, 2 and 6, 3 and 7, and 4 and 8 as Buddies. As division directors, Jeanne Marie Blair P’96’99’04 and Diane Hren consciously create Buddy pairings each year, striving to identify common ground between Buddies and keeping pairs together year to year as much as possible. While the program evolves with time — “meeting the wants of the age,” as our founder Cornelia Connelly urged — the tangible and intangible experiences woven into the Buddy Program remain unique to Holy Child: centered on building friendship, fostering community, and spurring experiences of personal growth. Throughout the school year, school traditions, events, and service-learning activities are designed to bring Buddies together, creating opportunities for conversation and collaboration.

4.

Growing in Confidence and Leadership

During the first week of school every September, the Buddy Picnic signifies the start of a new school year and brings Buddies together. At this annual event, our Buddy pairs meet for the first time, enjoy lunch outside, and play together on the Lower School playground and Wendover Field. Joy radiates from their smiles on this day as the children push each other on swings, climb the spider web structure, and run across the field, tossing footballs and throwing frisbees endlessly. “Buddy Picnic is especially meaningful for our new students,” notes Jeanne Marie Blair P’96’99’04. “As they meet other students across grade levels and begin to expand their Holy Child network, they grow in confidence and know a few more friendly faces in the hallway the next day.”

Beyond the Buddy Picnic, traditions like St. Teresa’s Day and other school-wide prayer services and assemblies provide moments for Buddies to reconnect. Often, our Middle School students meet their Buddies in the Lower School classrooms, and then they walk together across the main driveway to the Fitzgerald Performing Arts and Athletic Center (Fitz PAAC). It is in these in-between moments, such as walking to the Fitz PAAC together, that Middle School Buddies can be overheard asking their Lower School Buddies about what they’re currently learning in class; an upcoming grade-level performance, like the “Ugly Pumpkin Play”; or what their favorite superhero is. As these little moments add up over the course of the school year, our Middle School students grow in their awareness of others, becoming especially mindful of the needs and hopes of younger children at our school, and what it means to think beyond one’s self.

“They grow in confidence and know a few more friendly faces in the hallway the next day.”

4. Playing tag at recess is a beloved activity by Buddies from Grades 1 and 5.

5. Buddies exchange high-fives on Gaffney Family Field at recess.

6. Leading up to Homecoming, Buddies from Grades 3 and 7 toss a football around on Algeo Field.

As the leaders of our school, Middle School students model appropriate actions and behaviors for their Buddies, especially during assemblies and prayer services. And they lend a helping hand when needed, such as when a younger Buddy needs a shoe to be tied. These experiences blossom into a closeness that is particularly meaningful to children who do not have siblings or those who may be in a role reversal of sorts: a Lower School student who is the eldest child in a family receives the kind of care and support that they normally give to their own younger siblings from their Middle School Buddy. At the same time, these experiences teach our Middle School students about acting responsibly as leaders and treating others with respect, knowing that their Buddy is looking up to them as a role model.

Grade 2 students reconnect with their Grade 6 Buddies at the St. Teresa’s Day assembly.

Serving Others, Together

Friendship is one of our Holy Child Goals and is at the heart of the Buddy Program, evidenced by the connections made between Buddies throughout the school year. From high-fives in the hallway to making introductions across grade levels and Buddy pairs, these friendships engender a sense of community between the Lower and Middle School students. This experience of community among our children contributes to the home-like atmosphere that we strive to foster in our school, which contributes to our founder Cornelia Connelly’s vision for education. As a community, we also find opportunities to serve others through our Service-Learning Program, which has become one way in which Buddies work collaboratively during the school year.

In recent years, service-learning opportunities have provided Buddies with the chance to come together, learn about serving others in our region who are in need of support, and take action by assembling donations, often writing kind and hopeful notes to accompany each item or package. By teaching our children about the intention behind these acts of service, they are able to better understand what it means to serve others. More importantly, students learn how service connects us back to our Holy Child Goals, especially Goals 4 and 5, which are centered on justice, compassion, and respect for the individual. Learning about the why gives meaning to their actions and sparks important discussions among Buddies about how else we can serve our greater community.

Beyond the halls of Holy Child, many of our alumni have shared that they maintain friendships with their Buddies to this day. From grabbing lunch together to attending one another’s big life events, the bonds formed through the Buddy Program are resilient to the test of time. While Buddy pairs may change, the shared experiences, school traditions, and little moments in between make an impact on our students and the way that they relate to others.

“These friendships engender a sense of community between the Lower and Middle School students.”

Meaningful Experiences That Build Community Middle School Overnight Field Trips

A hallmark of the Middle School experience at Holy Child School at Rosemont are the grade-level overnight field trips that serve as opportunities for hands-on learning and, more importantly, building community. In new and unfamiliar settings, often set in nature, the playing field is leveled, allowing students to connect and form friendships while canoeing through wetlands, learning wilderness survival skills, and exploring museums. Physical and team-building activities keep our students active and engaged on each trip and provide a safe environment for encountering new challenges, spurring “aha” moments and personal growth. The overnight component of each trip instills independence in our students as they spend a few nights away from home, and problem-solving becomes a natural part of the experience.

Each grade level has its own unique overnight trip and setting. During the fall, Grade 5 visits Camp Mason, a 460-acre site managed by the YMCA and located adjacent to the 70,000-acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area; and Grade 6 travels south to Echo Hill, a 250-acre farm consisting of sunny fields, woodlands, and marshes located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Grades 7 and 8 come together each spring for a combined trip, and in May 2022, they visited Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for three full days of cultural and historical experiences.

Throughout each trip, faculty observe students forming closer connections and friendships with their classmates, ultimately creating a greater sense of community within the grade. The chaperones for each trip include homeroom teachers, and the evidence of these connections extends beyond the confines of the overnight trip and into the classroom.

Middle School faculty member Jessica Shorten P’25’26’27 has chaperoned these trips in the past and observed, “Overnight field trips allow our Holy

Child students and teachers to get out of the formal classroom environment and connect in ways that would not normally happen during a regular school day. On these trips, there are bonds that are formed among classmates and teachers that are invaluable…[allowing] our students and teachers to develop a deeper sense of community. These trips help foster our Holy Child mission.”

Two Grade 5 students enjoy canoeing at Camp Mason.

Hallmarks of Holy Child

The Class of 2034 welcomes Mr. Lengel into their classroom for storytime.

1. The Class of 2032 brings in their favorite stuffed animals to honor the feast of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals.

2. The Class of 2031 enjoys recess with friends after the St. Teresa’s Day assembly.

3. The Class of 2030 eagerly browses books at the annual Book Fair.

4. Mrs. Logan helps the Class of 2028 explore the capabilities of a microscope during science class.

5. The Class of 2027 performs a song during the St. Patrick’s Day prayer service.

6. The Class of 2026 leaves for Camp Mason, their first Middle School overnight trip.

7. The Class of 2024 builds community within their class through hands-on activities at the start of the school year.

8. During their annual Grade 8 leadership retreat, the Class of 2023 reflects on their roles as leaders in the school community through small-group discussions and prayer.

Growing Our Community: New Holy Child Faculty and Staff

This summer, we welcomed new faculty and staff to the Holy Child School at Rosemont community. These individuals are already making a positive impact in their respective divisions and departments, and we look forward to the ways in which they will contribute to our school now and in the future.

Back row, left to right: Craig Berman (Middle School Science Teacher), Caryn Blum (Middle School Art Teacher, fall term), Allison Emery (Parents’ Liaison), Tracy Gabor (Grade 4 Long-Term Substitute Teacher), Julie Whitaker (Middle School Math Teacher), and Pat Walsh (Middle School Language Arts & Social Studies Teacher).

Front row, left to right: Megan Hope (Advancement Assistant), Victoria Boland (Communications & Marketing Associate), Hannah Hicks (First-Grade Assistant), and Rebecca Murray (School Counselor).

Left to right: Elena Pike (Controller), Raichl Davenport (Independent School Teaching Fellow, fall term), and Catrina Simmons (Housekeeping Site Manager).

A Conversation With Chelsea Wallace

What brings you joy about teaching Middle School students?

The students in Grade 5 are so curious and open to the story of the faith. At the same time, they are mature enough to not accept things at face value; they ask intelligent questions and are open to hearing what others and I have to say in response.

Teaching Grades 7 and 8 is interesting because they think so much more deeply and critically about the faith. They see how their spirituality connects them to the world and to others. Through class discussion, we tap into deeper questions about faith and life, which I enjoy facilitating because I previously taught theology to high school students.

What do you enjoy most about your role as our School Liturgist?

During her sixth year at Holy Child School at Rosemont, Chelsea Wallace is wellknown for her roles as an educator, teaching religion to Grades 5, 7, and 8, and as our School Liturgist. This year also marks the beginning of a new role for Chelsea: She is now a Holy Child parent, as her son Daniel ’34 is enrolled in Young Falcons. With a background in teaching, college campus ministry, and clinical social work, Chelsea brought a wealth of experience, as well as her Catholic faith, to the Holy Child community, both of which guide her approach to teaching and sharing the faith with our community.

Serving as our School Liturgist is a privilege and a blessing. Through our school masses and prayer services, I try to create a setting where people can experience God’s love and grace. I hope that our community is able to take away the feeling that God is here among us, and we can encounter God in all things if we know where and how to look. I also love that I can talk about my faith so openly here at Holy Child and that I can be myself.

How does the mission of Holy Child influence your role as an educator?

When I originally applied to work at Holy Child, I was weighing two professional opportunities, yet I felt like Holy Child was where I needed to be. I am so happy working here, since I always wanted to feel this sense of community, a family, and home in my everyday job. Being able to live out and talk about my faith through my roles here feels so right and fits so beautifully with my life.

A Little About Chelsea Wallace

Favorite Food: Dark chocolate

Hobbies: Singing in choirs and a cappella, salsa dancing, exercising, and reading fiction and sci-fi novels.

Fun Fact: She is great at beatboxing—a talent she discovered during her college a cappella days!

Bucket List: She would love to travel with her family and explore the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Colombia.

Cornelia Connelly approached education with a focus on inclusivity, compassion, and love for the uniqueness and dignity of each child. I feel that Cornelia understood Jesus’s message about loving one another and about breaking down barriers between people, resulting in the Holy Child mission that supports children and guides them to experience God’s love. Being Jesuit-educated myself, I like how Cornelia embraced the Ignatian idea of finding God in all things. The Holy Child mission reflects this idea that God is all around us, and we can see him at work in our friendships and our community.

In my classroom, I strive to take the approach that Jesus took: He invited people to come and see, because God’s love is a free invitation. Faith has brought so much meaning to my life and into the lives of others, so I invite my students, “Come and see if it connects with you.” Teaching religion and the subject of faith is different in its intention and purpose, as compared to other subjects that we teach. Helping my students discover and build a relationship with God is my main goal, and I strive to do that by providing them with tools and creating spaces where they can encounter God — through Scripture, through each other, and within themselves. In my classroom, students have the opportunity to learn about the Christian faith, reflect in both writing and discussion on how that faith applies to their lives, and grow in their ability to live it and share it with others.

Welcoming Grandparents and Special Friends to Holy Child: A Beloved Tradition

“Words are failing me in my effusive praise of Holy Child in general and Grandparents’ Day specifically. The teachers are a winning combination of warmth and intelligence. Even though our granddaughter just began this year, I felt the teachers knew her really well and extolled her strengths.”

— Carol Haldy GP’29’32

On Friday, May 6, 2022, we opened our classroom doors and hosted a beloved Holy Child tradition in person for the first time since the pandemic: Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day. This annual event provides students in PreKindergarten through Grade 8 with the opportunity to invite their grandparents and special friends to our school for an exciting day filled with in-the-classroom experiences.

With record-breaking attendance, the magnitude of our Holy Child community was felt, as students, faculty, staff, and guests gathered together in the Fitzgerald Performing Arts and Athletic Center on the morning of May 6. The morning began with a welcome from Head of School Tom Lengel P’12, followed by a prayer service that offered

moments of reflection on the crowning of the Blessed Mother. Keeping with tradition, the opening session concluded with an outstanding musical performance by the cast of “Beauty & the Beast, Jr.,” our 2022 Spring Play.

For the rest of the day, grandparents and special friends joined their students in the classroom for hands-on experiences spanning all subjects, such as mindfulness and storytime in PreKindergarten, science and math in Grade 2, and religion and music in Grade 6. Parent volunteers were essential to the event, guiding guests to different parts of the school to ensure that they could spend meaningful time with all of the children and grandchildren who had invited them. The strength of our greater Holy Child community was evident in the packed hallways and classrooms, and the students beamed with pride as they showcased their school, teachers, and academic accomplishments to people whom they care for greatly.

Fatima Sultan & Reese Robinson: Why We Are a Holy Child Family

Parents Fatima Sultan and Reese Robinson, and their son Maddox ’32, joined the Holy Child School at Rosemont community during the fall 2020 term, enrolling Maddox in the Young Falcons class in the midst of a global pandemic. Despite joining the school at a time when traditions and gatherings were reimagined, both Fatima and Reese deeply value our school’s community, reflecting on what it has meant to them. “What is unique to Holy Child is that the people within this school place family and community above themselves,” shares Fatima. “I find consistently that we have a shared value and commitment toward our community, and that’s how many families view Holy Child. It’s not only a school…it is seen as an extension of one’s own family.” Reese adds, “We are all individual families, but when we come together on campus for events, everyone there acts as a family. Parents are willing to help each other out and check in on one another…it’s one of the biggest blessings we have received since enrolling in this school.”

The concept of family can be defined in many ways, as evidenced by Fatima Sultan and Reese Robinson, who co-parent their son Maddox ’32. They are one of several Holy Child School at Rosemont families who coparent and, in further recognition of this fact, a self-organizing group for single mothers at Holy Child formed in June 2021 with the support of the school and its administration. Fatima cites this group as another example of our community’s strength, saying, “This group has been so supportive. It allows many mothers and our children to acknowledge our family situations openly and honestly. We tell the children, ‘It’s exciting that you now have a community of people who have a similar life

experience to you,’ and for many, it’s the first time they have heard it presented this way. It brings them comfort and relief.”

In addition, Fatima shares that the single mothers affinity group is one of many examples of “how Holy Child makes the implicit, explicit.” She also sees this concept evidenced in how our teachers usher in examples of diversity from around the world, focusing lessons and activities on different cultures and customs that exist beyond the halls of our school. “Our teachers are preparing our children well because future leaders need to be able to lead across differences and see difference in a way that respects it.” For Fatima, “making the implicit, explicit” is important for a young person’s educational experience, especially when done in a caring and inclusive environment, and she values that about Holy Child.

Expanding on what they value about Holy Child, “our teachers” was a common answer between Reese and Fatima. Reese shares, “The care that the teachers give to each child is very comforting and reassuring to me as a parent. The teachers at Holy Child enjoy enriching these children’s lives and are so positive and welcoming with the children

and parents.” Fatima adds, “The teachers are prime examples of teaching excellence: They are intentional, dedicated, and focused on nurturing values that go above and beyond a traditional academic experience.”

As parents who heavily researched educational options around the Main Line, Fatima and Reese share that what stands out to them as a primary differentiator of Holy Child is the intentional character- and leadership-building experiences woven into the curriculum. Based on her own experience as a leader in the professional world, Fatima notes, “I understand the importance of leadership principles, and I love that Maddox is being taught about leadership so early in life. This community places an emphasis on values and character, which I feel are real contributors to a child’s success.” Looking ahead to Maddox’s future at Holy Child, Reese shares his hopes for his son, saying, “Maddox is strong-minded and independent, and it’s exciting for me as a parent to see him grow. In a few years, he will have the chance to engage in the Buddy Program as a form of mentorship. I look forward to the time when he will become a mentor and a leader for the younger children at school.”

Fatima Sultan and Reese Robinson with their son Maddox ’32.

Gathering at lunch with Buddies

After lunch, it’s time to play Learning together in science class

Judi Taylor P’14’16 as Board Chair Welcoming

This year, Holy Child School at Rosemont was pleased to welcome Judi Taylor P’14’16, a past parent and longtime trustee, as chair of the Board of Trustees. Judi and her husband Matt ’78 have been involved in the Holy Child community in many ways over the years, especially as active volunteers. In addition to six years as a board member, Judi has served as a homeroom parent, an auction chair, and a member of the 2011 Strategic Plan Committee. Most recently, Judi was a co-chair for the Campaign for Holy Child. Beyond the halls of Holy Child, Judi is a mother to Ross, Jenna, Daniel ’14, and Brendan ’16, she is a certified public accountant, and she has served on the Board of Trustees for the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur.

During her first year as board chair, Judi is also engaged in the head of school selection and transition processes, as Holy Child will soon welcome a new head who embraces our mission and community. Judi has worked in collaboration with the Head of School Search Committee, co-chaired by Steve Schreder P’13’15’18’23 and Anne Schoemaker Vazquez ‘95 P’25’27’30, to ensure a fair and intentional process.

We are grateful to Judi Taylor for her dedication to Holy Child, both past and current, and the way in which she leads with grace and thoughtfulness.

Left to right: Anne Schoemaker Vazquez ‘95 P’25’27’30, Judi Taylor P’14’16, and Steve Schreder P’13’15’18’23

Nurturing a Curiosity for Nature in the NEST

The creation of the Nature, Exploration, and Science Territory (NEST) was born out of a vision for expanding outdoor education opportunities, especially those that are experiential and connect our children with nature. Now, the NEST is beginning to serve our students while also marking the conclusion of the Campus Expansion project, a three-year-long endeavor that greatly expanded the Holy Child School at Rosemont campus and facilities at 1344 Montgomery Avenue.

New additions to the NEST include an entrance pavilion and elevated observation deck, both of which are ideal locations for gathering students and teaching lessons outdoors. Nearly 300 native plants were added to the NEST during the fall planting season, and, this spring, the mature plants will attract pollinators and insects, ultimately creating a one-of-a-kind observatory where students will be immersed in nature.

The NEST is able to serve a variety of subjects and teachers, although our science teachers across all divisions are some of the most excited faculty members. This fall, Craig Berman, our Middle School science teacher, led the initiative to hang bird feeders around the NEST as part of a larger program called Project FeederWatch. Operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada, Project FeederWatch engages students and hobbyists in surveying birds that visit their local areas. Our students will collect data on the number and types of birds that visit the feeders around the NEST, ultimately contributing to a continental data set with their findings.

During our upcoming spring term, we look forward to the NEST being abuzz with students, as it becomes our school’s premier outdoor education space with mature and thriving plants, insects, and a pond.

Middle School students check out the features of the NEST, including our pond and the elevated observation deck.

Alumni Spotlight Kathleen Shields Anderson ’93

For Kathleen Shields Anderson ’93, serving others is a common thread in her career: She worked as a legislative aide in the U.S. House of Representatives, formerly served as a Philadelphia assistant district attorney, and is now at the University of Pennsylvania working as the vice president for the Division of Public Safety. Reflecting on her career, Kathleen remarks that she often finds herself coming back to the motto of our founder Cornelia Connelly, “Actions, Not Words,” and sees it as a guiding principle for her path in life. “As a Holy Child student, I remember hearing these words, which came from Cornelia, and learning that this was one of the founding principles of the [Sisters of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus] who came together in service of their community, of their faith,” she reflects.

Learning about the Holy Child mission at a young age impacted Kathleen, who felt drawn to service. Her current role at Penn allows her to amplify this message of service and responsibility and direct it toward her local community, including the university’s campus and West Philadelphia, which are intertwined. Service is also a value that she sees evidenced in the students at Penn, sharing, “For someone who works in higher education, [service]

takes on an important meaning, as I see what many other college campuses are seeing now: people being inspired and impacted by what’s going on in the world and wanting to make a difference. This generation of college students is one of the most informed and engaged generations in a long time.” Recognizing commonalities between service-minded college students at Penn and the values taught to Holy Child School at Rosemont students, Kathleen adds, “The lessons about volunteerism and civic engagement and the principle of ‘Actions, Not Words,’ are messages that Holy Child has always taught. By doing so, they are preparing the next generation to be civically engaged and to contribute to our greater community.”

The Holy Child community in particular stands out in Kathleen’s memory as she reflects on her 10 years as a student of our school. “So many aspects of Holy Child are ingrained in my memory,” she reminisces. From caring, engaged teachers to the emphasis on our Holy Child Goals, Kathleen notes, “I felt that as a school and as a community, we were always thinking about how to make sure everyone felt welcomed, supported, and included. Inclusion is an enduring value of our school community.”

In her life and career, Kathleen clearly sees the impact of our community and its inclusive approach. “The people at Holy Child, and the school itself, are things that helped form me. The support and preparation provided by the Holy Child community are important factors that influenced who I am and where I am today,” she says.

Kathleen’s family connection to Holy Child School at Rosemont runs deep: Her father Bob Shields P’83’86’89’93 GP’19’19’21 served as a longtime trustee and chair of the board, and her siblings and nephews also attended Holy Child. Through the lens of being an aunt to three recent graduates, Patrick ’19, Reid ’19, and Liam ’21 Shields, Kathleen has continued to see evidence of the school’s efforts to “stay current on trends for elementary education,” and be thoughtful about the future of education and “how [the school] can best prepare and support students today.” In addition, she has a further connection to the Holy Child mission through knowing and spending time with her aunt and great aunt, both of whom were Sisters of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus. As students, Kathleen and her classmates visited the Sisters at New Sharon, located across the street from Holy Child School at Rosemont. “Visiting the Sisters was and continues to be an important reminder for us about who has come before us and why we, as a school community, are here,” shares Kathleen. “It was one of the most enjoyable experiences, and it emphasized the importance of continuity and community.”

“The support and preparation provided by the Holy Child community are important factors that influenced who I am and where I am today.”

Golden Alumni Luncheon

Reunion Classes of 1956 to 1973 / Friday, December 2, 2022

Diane Castner ’62 is greeted by members of the Student Council including Macrae Brenan ’23 (Grade 8 representative) and, pictured in the background from left to right, Conor Morsell ’23 (co-president), Shelby Rhodes ’23 (co-president), and Finley Nolen ’23 (Grade 8 representative).

After the second-grade students sang a few songs for the alumni, Jim Finegan ’68 P’98’01’04’07’10 GP’28’29’33 and his granddaughter, current student Grace Moser ’29, posed for a photo. Grade 2 celebrated their First Reconciliation on December 1, 2022 and proudly displayed their lambs.

Dennis Boylan ’69 P’12, Florence Lane Bazhaw ’69, and Frank Sherry ’69 Judy Wankmiller Cassidy

Former Head of School Sr. Marcia Sichol, SHCJ, Christina Rigterink ’57, Helen Meeks Horstmann ’59, and Catherine Ameche Cappelletti ‘70

Mimi Sherry Lurio ’70, Madeline Sherry ’66 P’01’03, and Frank Sherry ’69

Around School

Homecoming & Fall Festival 2022

1. Some of our most recent graduates of the Class of 2022 gather at Homecoming. Left to right: Elizabeth Storrer, Frankie Tomaszewski, Noah Brand, Ryan Storrer, Teddy Gillin, Lucas Scott, Jack Rischitelli, Sofia Casey, Ava Schlich, and Audrey Manion

2. Left to right: Khiya Salley ’21, Charlie Cutler ’21, and Stacy Garcia ’22 catch up with faculty member Señora Peggy Stephens

3. JV football is ready to take on Ancillae-Assumpta Academy’s squad.

4. Left to right: Stephanie Cunningham Ortiz ’83, Former Head of School Sr. Marcia Sichol, SHCJ, and April Bright ’83

5. The Rhodes family celebrates their 8th grade field hockey player!

Left to right: Brian Rhodes, Shelby Rhodes ’23, Alicia Downs Rhodes ’90, Eden Rhodes ’27, and Savannah Rhodes ’18

6. Troy Sams ’93 and his children admire Steve Clarke’s ’73 pumpkincarving skills.

7. Our Middle School Choir kicks things off with “The Star Spangled Banner”.

8. Varsity field hockey celebrates a goal at their Homecoming game against Ancillae-Assumpta Academy. 2.

Visit With Santa

Sunday, December 11, 2022

P23 | Holy Child School at Rosemont

Maddie Miller ’30, daughter of Mollie Manno Miller ’99 and Jim Miller P’29’30’33

Grace Fallah and her parents Robert and Kathleen Roach Fallah ’00

Allie ’30, Brady ’29, and J.D. ’24 Robinson, children of Joanne Petit Robinson ’94 and Brian Robinson P’24’29’30

Liz Finegan McKee ’01 and Gerard McKee P’33 and children Griffin ’33 and Phoebe

Cristiano Sylvia ’34, son of Maryellen and John Sylvia ’99 P’34

Class Notes

1972

Marie McCormick; daughter Meghan McCormick ’03; and daughter-in-law Puja Bhatt, spouse of Packy McCormick ’01; are working with a Tiwaa Sarkodee-Addo female entrepreneur in Ghana to launch a line of purses in the U.S. These one-of-a-kind purses are handcrafted using indigenous Ghanaian wood and genuine Italian leather off-cuts. They were delighted to showcase the purses at Holy Child Shops in November. Find them on Instagram @ShopWudu.

1973

▲ Amy Barone has a new poetry book, “Defying Extinction,” from Broadstone Books. It was ranked as a Poetry Bestseller for Small Press Distribution in July. Amy regularly reads at spoken word events in New York City and the Philadelphia area. Purchase Amy’s book at BroadstoneBooks.com.

1993

Kathleen Shields Anderson, vice president of public safety for University of Pennsylvania, was featured in “Penn Today,” the university’s online newsletter, in August. Kathleen spoke about how her commitment to service was inspired by the Holy Child motto, “Actions, Not Words,” which is also evident in her choice to serve her alma mater as a member of Holy Child’s Alumni Association. Read more about Kathleen on page 20.

1995

▲ Lauren Lehane married Sean Travers on September 24, 2021, at Our Mother of Good Counsel Church in Bryn Mawr, PA. Lydia Lehane Heying ’98 served as matron of honor for her sister.

▲

2001

Elizabeth Finegan McKee and husband Gerard welcomed their daughter Phoebe Lynn on May 19, 2022. Big brother Griffin ’33 is currently enrolled at Holy Child in the Falcons class.

▲ Sean McCloskey started a new job as director of strategic partnerships for New Pace Productions, which is based in Ardmore, PA. For 15 years, New Pace has specialized in making high-production-value video content and animation, serving brands, organizations, and agencies.

2000

Caitlin F. Devlin Andreotta and her husband Gregory welcomed their third child, Lacey Maeve Andreotta, on February 4, 2022, joining big brothers Brayden and Nolan.

▲ Cousins Joelle and Emerson will be the best of friends since they were both born in the summer of 2022. They are the daughters of Danielle Fraider Furey ’01 and Denise Compton Furey ’98, respectively.

2002

▲

Stephanie Hayden married Nolan Funchion on April 23, 2022, at St. John Vianney Church in Gladwyne, PA.

Caitlin F. Devlin Andreotta ’00

A reception followed at Philadelphia Country Club. Included in the wedding party were Stephanie’s sisters, Mandy Hayden McConnell ’88, Patrice Hayden Meagher ’93, and Tara Hayden Buchakjian ’97, as well as classmates Kathryn Boova Craven ’02, Mariana Uribe ’02, and Catherine Elliott ’02; nieces Kate ’26, Quinn ’27, and Rhys ’29 Buchakjian served as flower girls.

▲ Mary Lauren Magargee Sabatino is a pediatric nurse practitioner with Singular Pediatrics in Boston, MA. In a feature on Boston Children’s Hospital Primary Care Alliance’s Instagram, Mary shares some of the most rewarding parts of her career. “I love watching a child, and their parents, grow from the initial newborn visit through the toddler years, school age, and adolescence. I admire the resiliency of children, which has been most notable over the past two years. I appreciate the unique needs of children that change as they grow and develop. Most importantly, I love how fun it is. Children have a palpable energy that keeps me actively engaged in their care. I believe there is no greater honor than a parent trusting you to care for their child.”

Mary Lauren and her husband Derek are the proud parents of Sophie and Charlie.

2005

▲ Allegra O’Neill married Mark Jesse on June 18, 2022. The ceremony took place at St. Joseph’s Church in Sea Isle City, and they celebrated the night away at ICONA in Avalon, NJ. Allegra is currently working as a senior associate of internal communications and learning at Lilly Pulitzer.

Inspired by her love of party dressing but frustrated with an increasingly homogenous fashion market, Caroline Keating Gilroy co-founded Couper with best friend Agee Leinberry and sister Hannah Keating ’12 in 2022. Couper is a luxury fashion retailer that features thoughtfully designed and exclusive collaborations from emerging global designers. Caroline entered the work world as a buyer and merchandiser at Tory Burch. She quickly realized there was a tremendous gap in the fashion-technology space and took steps to learn the tech industry, leading her to her career at Salesforce, where she has

▲ Caroline Keating Gilroy ’05

spent most of her time. Couper was always in the back of her mind and, after giving birth to her second child, Caroline knew it was a nowor-never situation. Since its launch in 2022, Couper has grown tremendously. Caroline and her husband Greg are the proud parents of Grace ’34, who is currently enrolled in Young Falcons at Holy Child, and son Rory.

2006

▲ Christopher Carnall married Paige Henderson on September 24, 2022, at St. Davids Golf Club in Wayne, PA. Left to right: Matthew Gilwee, Kendall Henderson, Barbara Henderson, William Henderson, Jr., Paige (Henderson) Carnall, Christopher Carnall Jr. ’06, Linda Cruz-Carnall, Christoper Carnall Sr., Liz Carnall Cupo ’04, Patrick Cupo III, and Patrick Cupo, Jr.

Left to right: Mandy Hayden McConnell ’88, Patrice Hayden Meagher ’93, Tish Hayden, Stephanie Hayden, Tony Hayden ’91, and Tara Hayden Buchakjian ’97

Class Notes

▲ Katie Magargee married Rob Grant on December 4, 2021, in Villanova, PA. Katie is a pediatric nurse practitioner for Advocare in Summit, NJ.

▲ Charlie Foltz married Brooke Beenders on April 23, 2022, at St. Francis Cabrini Church in Ocean City, NJ, followed by a reception at the Flanders Hotel. Charlie graduated from Temple Law School in 2021. He is a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Kai Scott and has accepted a position with the Defenders Association of Philadelphia starting in the fall 2022.

▲ Carly Cox married Daniel Palumbo on June 4, 2022, at Saint Katherine of Siena Church in Wayne, PA, followed by a reception at Overbrook Golf Club. Holy Child classmates Paige Marshall ’07 and Abby Sarmiento ’07 were in the bridal party, and Caitlin Petrakis ’07 was in attendance. Left to right: Paul Barrett ’00 and Becky Cox Barrett ’00, with Charlie ’31 and Emmy ’33 (current Holy Child students), Jean Cox, Dan Palumbo, Carly Cox, Mark Cox, Grace Cox, and Chris Cox ’03

▲ Michael Smith married Chloe Montgomery on October 7, 2022, at Springton Manor Farm in Chester County, PA. Left to right: Eileen Smith, Joseph Smith ’08 (best man), Chloe Montgomery, Michael Smith ’06, Rita Smith, and Mike Smith.

Michael Eichert recently completed his first year at Harvard Business School as an MBA candidate.

2009

Kristen Hinckley completed her master of education degree at Harvard Graduate School of Education in the international education policy program. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in early childhood development at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute in Basel, Switzerland and continues her fieldwork in Cajamarca, Peru.

2010

Asunta Rossi recently started working for “Philadelphia Magazine” as art director. Learn more about Asunta’s graphic design work at asuntarossi.com.

2011

Laura Dallara was recently accepted to the Lewis Katz School of Medicine class of 2026 at Temple University. Additionally, Laura co-authored a publication in the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation as part of the research she conducted as a Measey Surgical Scholar at the University of Pennsylvania.

2012

Jacqueline Curry started graduate school at Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI to pursue a master’s degree in forensic mental health counseling.

2014

▲ Lexi Suydam earned her doctorate degree in occupational therapy from the University of Pittsburgh last spring. She is currently working at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania as an occupational therapist.

▲ Trishie Cosgrave graduated from Franklin and Marshall College last May and worked as a business development seasonal assistant for the Kansas City Chiefs football team. Trishie was recently hired full-time by the Chiefs as a ticketing data and technology analyst.

statistics and a bachelor of science degree in business analytics. He was a member of the rugby team at Notre Dame and participated in the Collegiate Rugby Championship in New Orleans, LA last May. Jack is currently working at Key Bank in Chicago, IL as an enterprise analyst.

Charlie Minnich, a recent graduate of Elon University, was named a 2021–2022 Scholastic All-American by National College Rugby. During his senior year, Charlie served as the vice president of Elon University’s club rugby team. Charlie graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in political science and a double minor in business administration and psychology. He is currently working at Vanguard.

Taylor Morrison graduated from the University of Pittsburgh last spring, where she studied communications with a minor in leadership and digital media. She was a member of the university’s field hockey team and a member of Theta Phi Alpha.

2015

▲ Eric McLaughlin and Jack Magargee graduated from the University of Notre Dame last spring. Eric is pursuing a master of science degree in accounting at Notre Dame and is a teaching assistant this school year. Jack earned a bachelor of science degree in applied computational mathematics and

▲ Kayla Brown stops for a photo at the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy this past summer. Kayla is currently working at Snider Hockey in graphic design. She will be studying abroad in Florence, Italy in the spring at Florence University of the Arts.

2015

Donny Gayhardt, a senior at Colgate University, was named co-captain of Colgate’s lacrosse team for the 2023 season. He was featured in a PhillyLacrosse.com article in October 2022. Donny is majoring in political science.

2016

▲ Ryan Rischitelli studied abroad this summer with Fairfield University in Florence, Italy. She studied health and wellness in the Mediterranean and was able to visit Sorrento, Capri, the Amalfi Coast, Pisa, Cinque Terre, and Venice while she was in Italy.

2017

▲ Ciara Dasher is a sophomore at George Washington University majoring in criminal justice and psychology. Ciara and her sister Rory Dasher ’20 visited Florence, Italy this past summer.

Amber Morrison, a sophomore at the University of Tampa, is a member of Theta Alpha Chi sorority and is studying athletic training with a goal of attending graduate school to become a physician assistant.

State University, University of Virginia, College of the Holy Cross, and Belmont University, respectively.

Finn Brenan, a senior at The Shipley School, was elected all-school president for the 2022–2023 school year. He received The George Wrangham & Margaret Ralph History Research Prize which is awarded annually to a student who produces the best research paper or project as judged by members of the history department. Finn was recently recognized as a semi-finalist by the National Merit Scholarship Program.

▲ Grace Wolter (second from right), a sophomore at Georgetown University, rows in the varsity eight lightweight boat. Their boat won the silver medal in the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship Regatta on June 5, 2022. Grace was named to the Patriot League academic honor roll as a student-athlete who earned a 3.20 GPA or higher during the semester in which their league champion was crowned.

2018

▲

▲ Cydney Brown is majoring in communication studies at Northwestern University. She was named Shine Global’s inaugural Youth Activist Honoree. Cydney also released her debut spoken word album “Roundtrip” in May. She is currently a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts and is active in helping her community and sharing her poetry with others.

Patrick Casey graduated from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School last June. He is currently a freshman at Villanova University and is on the university’s swim team. While at St. Joe’s Prep, Patrick was a tri-sport athlete as a member of their swim, cross country, and track teams. He was inducted into the National Honor Society and was an Advanced Placement Scholar.

Annelise McGowan, Caroline Lingle, Savannah Rhodes, and Skylar Ortiz graduated from The Baldwin School last June. They are currently freshmen at Penn

Nicholas Schreder graduated from The Episcopal Academy in June 2022 and is currently a freshman at Boston College, majoring in finance and entrepreneurship in the Carroll School of Management. While at Episcopal, Nicholas was named captain of the varsity men’s cross country team, which won both the Inter-Academic League and State Championships his senior year, and he was a member of the varsity men’s lacrosse team.

▲ Eliana Okala was recognized as a scholar by the 2022 College Board National African American Recognition Program for her outstanding academic achievement. A couple of the eligibility requirements were earning a 3.5 GPA or higher and scoring in the top 10% on the PSAT.

Jenna Vega is a member of All Star Team Dynasty Spirit Elite (Red Royals) Cheer Team and participated in the World’s Cheerleading Competition on April 20, 2022, in Orlando, FL. Jenna is a senior at Archbishop John Carroll High School.

2019▲ Rory Dasher is a junior at Harriton High School and competes regularly for her school and club squash teams. She is pictured here after the High School Squash Championships at Penn in spring 2022.

Class of 2018 College Destinations

Belmont University Boston College Colby College

College of the Holy Cross (2) Fairfield University (2) Fordham University

Franklin & Marshall College

Lafayette College

Loyola University Maryland Marist College

Northwestern University Penn State University

Roger Williams University

Southern Methodist University University of Delaware (2) University of Florida University of Miami University of Notre Dame (4) University of Richmond University of Virginia Villanova University Wake Forest University Widener University (2)

Births

Riley Elizabeth Plain July 1, 2022 Lauren Manning Plain ’02 and Tim

Joelle Christine Furey August 5, 2022 Danielle Fraider Furey ’01 and Will

Josephine Maris Latran March 24, 2022 Grant Latran ’10 and Mary

Clementine Bryn Brescia May 10, 2022

Meghan Magargee Brescia ’02 and Alex

John Kieran “Jack” Rafferty April 21, 2022 Matt Rafferty ’01 and Christine

Charlie Sabatino October 17, 2021

Mary Lauren Magargee Sabatino ’03 and Derek

Liam Kyriakos Roach March 15, 2022

Brendan Roach ‘02 and Arianna

Lacey Maeve Andreotta February 4, 2022 Caitlin F. Devlin Andreotta ’00 and Gregory

Emerson Audrey Compton June 16, 2022

Denise Fraider Compton ’98 and Steve

Phoebe Lynn McKee May 19, 2022 Elizabeth Finegan McKee ’01 and Gerard

Educational Improvement Tax Credit

Participating is easy, simple, and smart.

We are currently accepting applications for next year. Space is limited so apply now! Please contact Director of Institutional Advancement Jill Gregori at jgregori@holychildrosemont.org for more information or to apply.

Did you know that you can satisfy your Pennsylvania state tax liability while benefiting Holy Child students?

The Pennsylvania EITC/OSTC Tax Credit Program is a win–win for you and our students! Join the many other parents, alumni, and businesses in our Holy Child community who are helping to support our financial aid budget by supporting Holy Child through the EITC/OSTC program.

Paying state taxes is inevitable, so why not direct them to Holy Child School? You can receive up to a 90% Pennsylvania State Tax Credit in three easy steps. (And, assuming you also claim this as a contribution on your federal taxes, your gift will ultimately cost you 6–7 cents on the dollar.)

1. Join our special purpose entity by filling out a brief form and signing an operating agreement.

2. Write your check.

3. Do your taxes.

Cachet

Condolences

John Phelan ’90—May 19, 2022—brother of D’Arcy Phelan Glanzmann ’85

Stephanie Pino ’08—October 4, 2022—sister of Chris Pino ’05

Elizabeth Ashdale-LaMent—September 12, 2022—mother of Sara LaMent ’13

Ellen Barton—July 24, 2022—grandmother of Max ’19, Liv ’20, and George ’24 Barton

Joanne Beronja—July 23, 2021—mother of Gerry Beronja ’84

Denis Brenan—October 27, 2022—grandfather of Riley ’16, Finn ’18, Macrae ’23, and Ella ’25 Brenan

Jean Dasher—September 11, 2022—grandmother of Ciara ’17 and Rory ’20 Dasher

Joan DiMarzio—June 10, 2022—grandmother of Claire ’05 and Colman ’10 Cumberland

Robert Goggin—July 3, 2022—father of Suzanne Goggin Carlin ’79, Garrett Goggin ’80, and Brendan Goggin ’85, and grandfather of Kelly Goggin ’11

Charles Havens—July 29, 2022—grandfather of Stephen ’13, Joey ’14, Tristan ’17, and Thalia ’18 D’Elia

Francis Hennessy—May 26, 2022—father of Evan ’11, Justin ’12, and Scott ’17 Hennessy

Raymond Knorr—June 25, 2022—grandfather of Kaitlin Brennan Barra ’04, Ted ’07, and Meghan ’10 Brennan

Anastasia Lawlor—October 24, 2022—grandmother of Chris ’03 and Brett ’06 Lawlor

Laura McCandless—May 16, 2022—former Holy Child Advancement Office staff member

Jack McGowan—October 20, 2022—grandfather of Christine ’14, Conor ’16, and Brendan ’17 McGinn

Cynthia Murkley—November 2, 2021—and Michael Murkley—January 20, 2022— grandparents of Tyler Murkley ’07

Henry Nacrelli—May 1, 2022—grandfather of Juliet ’27 and Nicholas ’30 Santiago

Nancy Paolino—May 3, 2022—grandmother of Emily ’07, Margaux ’12, and Thomas ’16 Paolino

James Pettit—June 4, 2022—father of Joanne Pettit Robinson ’94 and grandfather of J.D. ’24, Brady ’29, and Allie ’30 Robinson

Timothy Schmitt—June 18, 2022—husband of Anne Haughton Schmitt ’62

Clinton Stuntebeck—June 4, 2022—father of Will Stuntebeck ’92

Eugene Sweeney—July 5, 2022—grandfather of Jack ’13, Caroline ’15, and Maeve ’18 Roarty

Marion White—June 28, 2022—grandmother of Dan ’01, Bill ’03, Mary Anne ’04, and Patrick ’06 Woody

Head of School

Thomas G. Lengel

Associate Head of School, Director of Middle School

Diane Hren

Director of Admissions and Enrollment

Katie Storrer

Manager of Communications and Marketing

Kelsey Poholsky

Communications and Marketing Associate

Victoria Boland

Director of Institutional Advancement

Jill Gregori

Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations

Tina Abate

Director of Leadership and Planned Giving

Sr. Mary Broderick, SHCJ

Parents’ Liaison Allison Emery

Advancement Assistant Megan Hope

Contributors

Tina Abate, Victoria Boland, Kelsey Poholsky

Photographers

Victoria Boland, Kelsey Poholsky

Graphic Design

Kelsh Wilson Design

Holy Child School at Rosemont Magazine

Since 1949, Holy Child School at Rosemont has served as a “home away from home” for thousands of children. This feeling still resonates with our current students, so it was fitting that the theme of the

2022–2023 Holy Child Fund is “Holy Child is home.” Whether you graduated 50 years ago or 5 years ago, or if you dropped your children off in carline every day, 1344 Montgomery Avenue engenders a feeling of warmth, safety, and love.

Today, that feeling continues with the 323 students who now call Holy Child home. Each day, our children are surrounded by caring faculty and staff members who not only know their names but also care about each of them as individuals.

Your gift to The Holy Child Fund demonstrates your commitment to Holy Child School at Rosemont and to the exemplary education offered in this “Joyful, Catholic Community.”

Our goal for The Holy Child Fund this year is $250,000. We cannot meet this goal without your help! Please join our committed faculty/staff and Board of Trustees, parents, and alumni in supporting this “home away from home.”

All

Giving Circles:

Holy Child Circle $50,000 & above

Cornelia Connelly Circle $25,000 – $49,999

Circle of Achievement $10,000 – $24,000

Circle of Excellence $5,000 – $9,999

Tudor Circle $2,500 – $4,999

Founders Circle $1,949 – $2,499

Millennium Circle $1,000 – $1,948

Falcon Circle $500 – $999

Homecoming

Gifts to The Holy Child Fund are tax-deductible. Leadership gift amounts begin at $1,000.

WAYS TO GIVE

Use

For

1344 Montgomery Avenue Rosemont, PA 19010 610-922-1000

HolyChildRosemont.org

Parents of Alumni

If this issue is addressed to your son or daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address in your home, please send their new address to:

Office of Advancement, Holy Child School at Rosemont 1344 Montgomery Avenue, Rosemont, PA 19010 or send by email to: alumni@HolyChildRosemont.org