Class Notes

▲ Caitlin Petrakis married Chase Stephens at St. David’s Episcopal Church on December 3, 2022. The reception took place at Overbrook Golf Club. The couple met in Chicago, IL, while Caitlin was studying for her master’s degree at the University of Chicago. Chase grew up in Wisconsin and attended Northwestern University for his undergraduate degree and stayed in Chicago after graduation. They moved back to Philadelphia, PA, in March 2020 and now live in the Fairmount area.

▲ Samantha Siegfried married Graham Parsons on January 21, 2023, in Palm Beach, FL. The reception took place at The Everglades Club. Emily Siegfried ’11 was maid of honor and Caroline Troncelliti ’08 was an attendee. Samantha and Graham met at Dickinson College.

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▲ Paige Marshall married Dan Trexler on October 15, 2022, in Charleston, SC. Carly Cox Palumbo ’07 was a member of the bridal party and Abby Sarmiento ’07 attended the celebration. Back row left to right: Brad McMahon ’94, Greg Marshall ’97, Nancy Marshall, Megan Marshall ’11, Mart Marshall, Paige Marshall, Dan Trexler, Janet Marshall, Courtney McMahon Donnell ’00, Bill Donnell, Drew McMahon ’97; Front row left to right: Lily Marshall, Bryn Donnell ’29, and Kirby Donnell ’32.

2009

Dante Clementi completed his bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees in philosophy at Johns Hopkins University during the inaugural year of the combined BA/MA program. He went on to Boston College and completed a master’s degree in theology and philosophy. Then, in the fall of 2021, he departed for the University of St. Andrews in Scotland as a research PhD student. Dante passed his qualifying exams and his probationary thesis, and is now a PhD candidate ABD (All But Dissertation).

Dante has been quite fortunate to work with Dr. Judith Wolfe and Dr. George Pattison, an international Kierkegaard scholar. He is looking ahead to a career in research and teaching or writing.

▲ Kelly Manning is engaged to Mike Stephens, whom she met at Bucknell University. A December 2024 wedding is planned in New York City.

Owen Phelan has been living in Amsterdam, Netherlands, for the past year and a half, working for a software company called Datadog. Owen regards Amsterdam as “an absolutely beautiful and quaint city” where he is able to ride his bike everywhere. At his job, he has met a large population of fellow expats from many different countries and hears 10 languages throughout his office on a typical day. Owen was named the top sales engineer MVP in 2022; he attributes his skill for presenting products in an engaging and entertaining way to the performing arts opportunities he had at Holy Child through participating in Spring Plays and musical groups.

Larissa Wietlisbach graduated from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in May. She begins her residency this summer with the University of Chicago’s plastic surgery program.

2011

Chris Abate works at the Bryn Mawr Film Institute. He was recently promoted to the position of theater manager and also serves as the projectionist. He is currently living in South Philadelphia.

Maddie Keane works in tech sales as a smalland-midsize-business account manager for UiPath. She lives in the Philadelphia area, plays team handball with a Philadelphiabased team, and assists the Academy of Notre Dame golf team in her spare time.

2015

▲ Malenne Kelly (center) is a recent Presidential-Scholar graduate of the University of Richmond, where she majored in economics. She was selected as the winner of the Westhampton College Distinguished Leadership Award at the University of Richmond for her work on various diversity and inclusion initiatives in the Robins School of Business. After graduation, Malenne returned to Philadelphia, PA, to join Stout as an analyst.

Kayla Pierre was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to Colombia, South America, where she will be working as an English teaching assistant. Kayla recently graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a double major in political science and economics and a certificate in global studies.

▲ Lauren Gunn starred as Agatha Trunchbull in Northwestern University’s winter production of “Matilda the Musical.” She also served on the executive board for the production as the co-marketing director. A rising senior theater major and business minor at Northwestern, Lauren took her first major role offstage in October 2022 as producer for the school’s fall musical, “Into the Woods.” In March, she performed the role of Mrs. Lovett in “Abandon All Hope: A Musical Comedy” at Chelsea Table & Stage in New York City, and in April, she performed at the Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre in Chicago, IL.

▲ Will Keane danced for 46 hours in Penn State’s 2023 THON, representing the Ohana organization. As a dancer, he did not sit, sleep, or get off his feet for the entire 46 hours. He was joined on the floor by his sister Maddie Keane ’12 for a few late-night and early-morning hours. In total, 2023 THON raised $15 million “For The Kids” battling childhood cancer. Will has been elected executive chair of Ohana for his upcoming senior year. He is a marketing major with a minor in Spanish.

Bobby Parillo is a rising senior at the University of Notre Dame majoring in chemical engineering, where he made the Dean’s List in the fall 2022 semester. He is enjoying his time at Notre Dame and lived in Knott Hall this past year.

2017

▲ Tristan D’Elia will be attending Manhattanville College in the fall, as he recently committed to play for their NCAA men’s ice hockey team. After going undefeated and winning the state championship as a high school senior, and racking up 102 points in his final two seasons, he went on to play junior hockey for the past two years, winning a national championship.

2018

▲ Laura Wallon completed her freshman year at Widener University, where she is studying neuropsychology. She is an Apogee Scholar, made the Dean’s List, and was invited to join the National Psychology Honors Society. She was elected director of communications for Widener’s Student Government Association and is on the Publications and Marketing Committee. Laura was also elected social media chair for Widener’s chapter of the National Council of Negro Women and is involved with Latinos Unidos and the Black Student Union.

2019

Jamia Nelson graduated from the Agnes Irwin School and has committed to playing softball at The University of South Florida. During her junior season, Jamia earned Second Team All Inter-Academic League and Second Team All-Main Line Honors. She was also selected to the All-Delco Honorable Mention Team in 2022. In addition to playing on the Agnes Irwin softball team, Jamia has played for the Newtown Rock and Chaos softball clubs. Academically, Jamia received honors in Grade 9 and high honors in Grades 10 and 11.

▲ Eliana Okala was presented the Silver Key Award for her photography portfolio, “The Beauty Yet to Unfold.” The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is a program that identifies exceptional creative talent across the U.S. Eliana will attend Southern Methodist University in the fall.

Mariel O’Leary graduated from Merion Mercy Academy in June and earned Distinguished Honors during her senior year. Mariel was a member of Merion’s swim team. She will attend St. Joseph’s University in the fall, majoring in political science.

Davis Peterson, a recent graduate of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, was named Pansini Law Group Scholar-Athlete of the Week in April. The award recognizes senior and junior lacrosse players who excel in academics, service, and athletics. While at St. Joe’s Prep, Davis was captain of the varsity lacrosse, varsity cross-country, and varsity squash teams. Davis received first honors in all four years and was a member of the National Honor Society. He enjoyed participating in many service opportunities, including tutoring, Mission and Ministry at the Prep, and Kids Smiles, which is a nonprofit dental center in West Philadelphia. Davis plans to major in economics at Boston College in the fall.

▲ Thalia D’Elia will attend Robert Morris University this fall, playing for their NCAA women’s ice hockey team. Thalia just wrapped up her youth career last month with a career-high 56 points this season, playing defense for the Philadelphia Junior Flyers. Thalia also finished her career winning backto-back USA Hockey National Silver Medals and one Bronze Medal (2019).

Maia Salas is headed to Duke University in the fall, where she is planning to major in biology. Senior year at the Academy of Notre Dame was a busy one for her: Maia is the founder and served as the president of the Asian American Alliance, and she was president of the Diversity Club, a Student Ambassador Officer, and a member of the Honor Corps. Maia has consistently been on the Distinguished Honor Roll and won First Award at the PJAS Regional Science Competition for her experiment on powering up microbial fuel cells with urine; this May, she competed at the PJAS State Science Competition at Penn State. She was also a member of the Notre Dame Varsity A-Team Mathletes, this year’s Archdiocesan League champions.

Julia Youakim graduated from the Academy of Notre Dame and was named a Commended Student by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. She will be attending Boston College this fall.

2020

2021

Charlie Cutler, a rising junior at Shipley School, starred as Jason W. (first cast) and Damian (second cast) in Shipley’s production of “Mean Girls.”

▲ Patch Shields graduated from Archmere Academy and will attend Fordham University in the fall as a psychology major. Patch was awarded a Golden Key Award for his digital art portfolio as part of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Reid Shields graduated from Archmere Academy and will be an engineering major at Lehigh University this fall.

I’Jaaz Abdul-Malik, a rising senior at the Episcopal Academy, was awarded two Silver Key Awards and an Honorable Mention for his photography submissions as part of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. I’Jaaz is also a vestry member, which means he speaks during chapel services, and he is involved with community service at Episcopal. He is a member of the football team and was named Second Team All Inter-Academic League and was third in the league for tackles. I’Jaaz hopes to use his success in photography and football as he looks ahead to college.

Nick Gianoukos completed his third year of rowing at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School and was elected president of the school for his upcoming senior year. He is also a National Merit Commended Scholar.

Eddie Wright, a rising senior defender for Harriton High School soccer, is a second-year captain and was named MVP. He was named First Team All-Central League selection as well as First Team for the 2022 All-Main Line high school boys’ soccer team.

Mary Neilly, a rising junior at the Agnes Irwin School, creates her own line of jewelry, which can be found on her website, neillyjewelry.com.

Our Alumni Council

▲ Cousins Patch and Reid Shields during their spring student-exchange trip to Spain.

Jack Swalley graduated from Harriton High School in June, where he was a member of varsity golf and varsity basketball teams. He will attend the Elfer School of Management at the University of Arizona in the fall, majoring in business.

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Thank you to Olivia Calamia ’09 for her service as president of the Alumni Association for the past three years. We are grateful for the dedication and support Olivia has shown to the Holy Child School at Rosemont community.