HeartBeat SPRING 2026
Feature Stories
THE JEAN FRAZIER LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE ENHANCES AND EXPANDS PROGRAMS
Founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville Since 1877
ALUMNA OF THE YEAR AMY MONTGOMERY BERGERON ’94
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From the Principal Dear Alumnae and Friends,
Greetings SHA Community,
The second half of the 2025-2026 school year was a remarkable period of blessings, growth, and accomplishment at Sacred Heart Schools as we advanced our mission to inspire diverse learners to become globally minded, compassionate leaders.
We started the school year with enthusiasm and expectations of success and promise, and I’m happy to say we ended the year the same way. We enjoyed a large freshman class and the thriving community they built was amazing to watch. They are going to accomplish remarkable things in the next few years.
Our students are growing into leaders ready to build community wherever they go. They excel in their studies, activities, and faith, grounded in the tradition of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville. I am moved daily by the enthusiasm, spirit, teaching, and learning that takes place at Sacred Heart Academy. In this edition of the HeartBeat, you'll hear about our Ursuline Innovation STEM Center, where students explore environmental science and sustainability through the Ursuline Environmental Education Program and create hands-on projects in the Ann Cowley Wells '60, '64 BSEE Design Lab. You will also read about our transformative 35,000-square-foot modernization and expansion of SHA now underway – enhancing student learning, fostering collaboration, and deepening connections. We look forward to sharing progress with you throughout the coming year.
Importantly, this past year SHA students demonstrated the most academic growth we’ve seen in years. Our IB and AP students excelled in their test scores and our 9th and 10th level students showed high MAP growth across the board. Ninety percent of our senior class received more than $31 million in scholarships to 149 colleges and universities. SHA celebrated four KHSAA state team titles, our thriving arts program brought out the best creativity imaginable, and our Catholic identity was palpable with large worship nights. This all comes as we look forward to the transformative expansion and modernization of SHA. I am confident this coming season will see SHA students construct their own futures and build the successful foundation that defines a SHA Valkyrie.
Thank you for your continued belief in our community and for investing in our students. Your support strengthens our vine and helps ensure that Sacred Heart will thrive now and forever.
With gratitude, Dr. Tim Adams Principal, Sacred Heart Academy
Together in Heart, Dr. Karen McNay President, Sacred Heart Schools
• REVERENCE • SERVICE • LEADERSHIP • COMMUNITY •
UPCOMING EVENTS! Alumnae Board 2025-2026 PRESIDENT
Alumnae Networking Event October 22, 2026
Allie Wibbels Kunau ’08 PAST PRESIDENT
Christie Leigh Mueller Wells ’02 SECRETARY
Welcome Home, Class of 2026 Event December 21, 2026
Lauren Peter ’10 If you are interested in giving back by joining the SHA Alumnae Board, please contact Megan Brumleve Theisen ’95 at mtheisen@shslou.org or 502.736.6408. To view all Board Members, visit sha.shslou.org/alumnae/
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The Heartbeat is published twice a year for alumnae, parents and friends of Sacred Heart Academy by the Sacred Heart Schools Office of Marketing and Communications. Please submit address changes to mtheisen@shslou.org.
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Information in this issue was received before June 1, 2026.
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SHA Alumnae Awards February 4, 2027 @ Louisville Marriot East Interlude February 27, 2027
FROM THE Alumnae Director Megan Brumleve Theisen ‘95
Dear Valkyrie Sisters,
Support Student Programming & Visit Campus
With the 2026-2027 school year upon us, I reflect on all that was accomplished this past year by our students, faculty, families, and alumnae of SHA. WOW. You’ll read the highlights in the pages that follow, and I know you will be proud of the strength in our academics, athletics, arts, and volunteerism - all rooted in the Ursuline Core Values of reverence, service, leadership, and community.
The SHA Alumnae e-newsletter, “The Horn,” is your ticket to campuswide events and opportunities to be a part of the Heart as an alumna.
I could name countless points of pride about SHA this year, but what impresses me most is the SHA sisterhood’s willingness to support our success in countless ways. Whether serving as reunion class planners, student career programming volunteers, mentors, and intern hosts, Parent Association members, class representatives, office volunteers, Annual Fund and Sacred Heart Forever campaign donors - and with the involvement of our incredible SHA Alumnae Board every step of the way - your dedication to our alma mater serves as a model for peer schools locally and nationally.
Update your contact information at https://sha.shslou.org/alum-contact/ and get connected. Sacred Heart Forever – The Campaign for Sacred Heart Schools To date, over $32 million has been raised, which is transforming our Ursuline Campus and soon, Sacred Heart Academy with the 35,000 square-foot modernization and expansion including the new dining hall and commons. As we enter our final year (2026-2027) of this transformative campaign for the Ursuline Campus and Sacred Heart Academy, I invite you to join me and be counted among our alumnae sisters whose support will take us boldly into our next 150 years.
To sum it up, your generous spirits, talents, and treasure are inspiring and represent the beauty of our Dear Sacred Heart’s sisterhood. (And that doesn’t even account for the ways you stand by one another throughout life.) SHA students witness your kindness, and on their behalf, THANK YOU!
To learn more, proudly make a gift that is meaningful to you, or contact me to chat, visit https://www.shslou.org/sacredheartforever/.
How else might you support our mission and enable more young women in our community to experience a Catholic, Ursuline, SHA education? Here are a few of the ways!
SHA Reunion 2027, June 4-5, 2027
SHA Alumnae Board Interested? We are seeking alumnae from all decades to apply to serve in our 150th academic year, 2027-2028. The formal application process will open in early January 2027. Visit https://sha.shslou.org/alumnae/ to submit an interest form.
Submit an SHA Alumnae Award Nomination Nominees in all categories (Alumna of the Year, Heart Award, Honorary Diploma, Ursuline Teaching Legacy Award, and the Valkyrie Hall of Fame) are now being accepted. Submit a nomination by September 11, 2026, for the 2027 SHA Alumnae Awards, held February 4, 2027, at Louisville Marriott East. Honorees will be announced in late fall! Visit https://sha.shslou.org/alumnae-awards/ to submit a nomination.
Would you consider serving on a committee to plan your class’s 2027 reunion? If you’re an alumna with a class year ending in 2 or 7, we need YOU. Let’s connect! With Valkyrie Pride, Megan Brumleve Theisen ‘95 SHA Alumnae Director mtheisen@shslou.org/502.736.6408
ALUMNAE UPDATES & PRAYER REQUEST If you have a new address or news to share or have a prayer request, please get in touch with Alumnae Director Megan Brumleve Theisen ’95 at mtheisen@shslou.org or 502.736.6408.
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STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS
Our IB Diploma students were recognized in a special ceremony celebrating their dedication and achievement to earn their IB diploma.
SHA's talented senior IB art students displayed their impressive works of multimedia art during the annual art showcase.
Congratulations to the recipients of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, Unsung Hero Award, Spectrum News Scholar, Father John H. Morgan Scholarship, Jamie Parsley Family Foundation Scholarship, Rodriq McCravy Scholarship, and our 2026 National Merit Finalist.
Congratulations to our talented Governor's Scholars Program, Governor's School for the Arts, and Governor's School for Entrepreneurs students. You represent SHA well! GOVERNOR’S SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Hannah Abell ’27
Hadley Bazant ’27
Annabelle Benson ’27
Cecelia Biagi ’27
Ellery Dolen ’27
Ellie Kate Gilfert ’27
GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL FOR ENTREPRENEURS
Ruby Lilla ’27
Debra Sistrunk ’27
Cameron Weber ’27
Alexandra Kent ’27
GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS
Zara Farber ’27 Creative Writing
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Layla Lockhart ’28 Dance
Addison Lynn ’28 Dance
Morgan Skorupa ’28 Vocal Music
Ella Syamala ’27 Drama
Congratulations to the following Valkyrie athletes and teams in spring 2026: Tennis, for winning the state team trophy, Bailey Scott winning singles, and Claire Rueff and Claire Christie winning doubles! Track & Field, for Eden Hoelscher winning the state championship in the 100m adapted wheelchair division, Lucy Kate Gaunt as the state runner-in the 1,600m, and Soren Wilson as the state runner-up in the 400m! Swim & Dive, for winning the 14th consecutive state championship, with Charlotte Crush earning two individual golds and Sydney Green earning a gold! Lacrosse, for finishing the season as state runner-up!
Twenty-one outstanding SHA student athletes signed letters of intent for their colleges sports careers this past school year. Congratulations Valkyries!
Junior Ring Ceremony on a beautiful spring day welcomed the Class of 2027 to their upcoming senior year. Valkyries traveled to Belize to build a home with Hand in Hand Ministries through the Katy Brown '83 Global Hearts Travel Program.
Students brought their gifts to life through singing, acting, and dancing in productions of Crazy for You and Clue (High School Edition).
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All Heart!
Interlude brings home over $700,000 to benefit Sacred Heart Schools Sacred Heart Schools’ Interlude All Heart annual fundrasier gala was a night to remember this year! Thanks to the amazing community of alumnae, friends, and supporters, we raised over $700,000 to support Sacred Heart students. Thank you to all sponsors, volunteers, and attendees for supporting both the legacy and the future of Catholic, Ursuline education at Sacred Heart Schools. Special thanks to our signature sponsors, Lynn Family Vision, the Mackin Family, and RedTag, as well as many other businesses and friends of Sacred Heart Schools. We are grateful for the amazing
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dedication of our Interlude Chairs Joe Aubuchon, Angela Becerra, Ashley Esposito, Stephanie Gumer, Mandy Lynn Jacobs '03, Katy Mackin, Carolyn Hemmer Matula '78, Sarah Mitchell, Olivia Woods, Jordan Young, and all of our Interlude Committee Members! We wouldn’t be so successful without your unfailing support. Proceeds from Interlude directly support Sacred Heart Schools’ mission and enhance the experience for students. Raffle ticket sales, sponsorships, live and silent auction gifts and the Wheel of Chance raised needed funds that support student financial aid, and the International Baccalaureate curriculum at Sacred Heart Schools. Your support makes a difference!
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2026 Alumnae Awards Every February we take time to recognize and celebrate our outstanding Sacred Heart Academy alumnae and friends. Congratulations to our 2026 Honorees who were celebrated at the Alumnae Awards event.
ALUMNA OF THE YEAR THIS AWARD OF HIGHEST HONOR RECOGNIZES AN ALUMNA WITH A DEMONSTRATED CONNECTION TO SHA WHO HAS CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO HER COMMUNITY BY ENRICHING THE LIVES OF THOSE AROUND HER.
Amy Montgomery Bergeron ’94 has been the ultimate Valkyrie since her days at SHA, always leading with heart, serving with compassion, and connecting others through her gift of friendship and impressive leadership skills. As the owner of Whitehouse Residential & Commercial Painting, she's a successful and respected female leader in the male-dominated construction industry and was instrumental in the 2023 renovation of the Ursuline Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. In addition to her role as an alumnae and parent on campus, Amy is currently the Chair of Sacred Heart's over $32 million Sacred Heart Forever capital campaign, which will transform SHA and the entire campus for the future.
HEART AWARD THIS AWARD HONORS THE URSULINE CORE VALUE OF SERVICE AND RECOGNIZES INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DEVOTED CONSIDERABLE TIME TO SHA AND PRIORITIZED ITS NEEDS.
Kevin Collins has given years of service to SHA. His and Sandy's three daughters attended Sacred Heart Model School and SHA, and he generously sponsored Sacred Heart Schools’ Interlude, Apple Tournament, and Braveheart Tournament for decades. His family helped launch SHA’s first campus tennis courts, and more recently, he’s served as SHA’s tennis team’s assistant coach, alongside his daughter, head coach, Whitney Collins Thompson ’01. As a child, Sylvie Umuhoza ’08 emigrated with her grandmother and young sister to the United States as they fled the Rwandan genocide. She came to SHA as a King Scholar and participated in the National Honor Society, French Honor Society, Student Advisory Board, Peer Leader Program, and Quest Leadership Program. She continued to serve as a mentor for King Scholar students at SHA after she left for college at St. Louis University. 8
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URSULINE TEACHING LEGACY AWARD
VALKYRIE HALL OF FAME
THIS AWARD IS GIVEN TO AN ALUMNA WITH 20 OR MORE YEARS OF DEDICATED AND
THIS AWARD HONORS A FORMER SHA ATHLETE, TEAM, OR COACH WHO EXCELLED
PASSIONATE TEACHING EXPERIENCE, DEMONSTRATES INNOVATIVE METHODS FOR
IN A VARSITY SPORT AND DEMONSTRATED TRUE SPORTSMANSHIP TO FAMILY AND
STUDENT SUCCESS, AND EXEMPLIFIES THE URSULINE CORE VALUES.
COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFE.
Sally Baker Rothenburger ’57 spent nearly her entire life on the Ursuline Campus. She was a graduate of both Sacred Heart Model School ’53 and later, Sacred Heart Academy ’57. Sally taught language arts, religion, movement, health, and ballet to countless SHMS students throughout her storied 38-year career, from 1970 until 2008. She received the SHMS Alumni of the Year Award in 2004. She also taught ballet for over 60 years, retiring from dance at the age of 79. Sadly, Sally unexpectedly passed away in January, but we celebrate and honor her amazing dedication and service to Sacred Heart Schools.
HONORARY DIPLOMA THIS AWARD, THE HIGHEST ANNUAL HONOR GIVEN TO A NON-ALUMNUS, RECOGNIZES AN INDIVIDUAL WHOSE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS EXEMPLIFY SHA'S ASPIRATIONS FOR ITS STUDENTS AND EMBODY THE URSULINE CORE VALUES.
Tim Rutledge enjoyed a long, successful career at Brown-Forman and has quietly given his time to many organizations throughout Louisville. He served on the SHS Board of Trustees for many years, including serving as Chair of the Board. He currently serves as a valuable member of the Sacred Heart Forever campaign committee. Tim’s quiet, humble leadership has changed countless students’ lives, and his guidance has helped SHA maintain the legacy of excellence in education it has enjoyed for over a century.
Leah Stevens ’15 is one of SHA’s most decorated swimmers and was named the 2014 KHSAA Athlete of the Year and was a six-time KHSAA individual event champion and six-time KHSAA relay champion. She was a member of four KHSAA state champion teams, one of which was named number one in the nation. She set SHA team records in the 200 and 500 freestyle and in relay events. She also won the SHA swim and dive scholar-athlete award her senior year, and later, was a member of the USA Swimming National Junior Team and participated in the 2016 US Olympic Trials. At SHA, Autumn Miller ’10 was one of two freshmen to make the varsity basketball team, and she quickly became a starting guard and leader. In the summer before her senior year, she suffered a devastating ACL injury but continued to inspire her teammates from the sidelines. She was later named McDonald’s All American. She played basketball throughout her collegiate career and helped lead her University of Southern Indiana team to a NCAA bid. During Madeleine “Maddie” Hamilton’s ’15 time at SHA, she helped lead the golf team to four KSHAA State Championships, shattering records with the largest margin of victory in 2011 and the lowest team score in 2013. Individually, she won more than 30 junior and high school tournaments, including the prestigious Bunny Daugherty Invitational twice, setting a course record of 66. She went on to enjoy a stellar collegiate golf career as well.
Marc Breit leads a busy life as an attorney, dad, and new grandfather, but he happily shared his passion for coaching flag football with SHA for 13 years as SHA’s coach for the popular Pink and White Flag Football game. The springtime classic pits senior athletes from SHA against Assumption High School, and has made a profound impact on our community, collectively raising over $375,000 to benefit Norton Cancer Institute.
Nominate your favorite Valkyrie for the 2027 Alumnae Awards! Please consider an alumna of SHA or someone you believe has impacted our SHA community in positive ways, by nominating them for a 2027 Alumnae Award! Contact Megan Theisen (mtheisen@shslou.org) to learn more. SPRING 2026 HeartBeat
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On Being a Valkyrie with Heart We sat down with SHA 2026 Alumna of the Year, Amy Montgomery Bergeron ’94, to share some thoughts on what it means to be a SHA Valkyrie and what the future holds for Sacred Heart. What makes a strong Valkyrie alumna? A strong Valkyrie alumna can be many things. Sacred Heart gave so much to me. The foundation that I built from those four short years helped me create the rest of my life. It's easy for me to give my time back because I'm so thankful for everything that SHA gave to me. A strong Valkyrie alumna cares about making the Ursuline campus better. This means focusing on fundraising and strategic planning and identifying things the school needs in the future to help it continue to thrive. Why should alumnae reconnect and be involved in the Sacred Heart Forever campaign? I think you must ask the question: “What did Sacred Heart give to me, my children, my grandchildren, and my family? How can I give back to SHA so that it can continue to prosper for many generations to come?” The generations before us laid the groundwork, and now it's our time to expand that foundation for future generations that attend one of Sacred Heart’s four schools on the Ursuline campus. We’ve raised over $32 million through the Sacred Heart Forever campaign so far – that’s never been accomplished by Sacred Heart Schools. Yet, there is more to raise and more exciting work to accomplish. Do we all have an obligation to help SHA grow and succeed in the future?
Amy Montgomery Bergeron ’94, left, with The Honorable Audra J. Eckerle '84, right.
Absolutely. This is our time to make a collective difference. There have been 149 years of students who have attended SHA, and have been shaped by the legacy, mission, and incredible work of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville. These girls grew into women whose leadership positively impacted their communities and the world. Why do I love Sacred Heart so much? Because I know there will be another 150-plus years of girls attending and receiving an excellent education at SHA. It's up to us to make sure that this school has every opportunity to excel for generations to come. Are alumnae building a legacy for the future of SHA? Yes, as alumnae, we are all shaping SHA’s legacy together. SHA already offers so many amazing programs to students – from the International Baccalaureate program, to leadership development programming through the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute, including the Lucy Lee Helm ’75 Leadership Incubator, to global travel opportunities through the Katy Brown ’83 Endowed Global Hearts Travel Program, to athletic, arts, performance, and many clubs and extra curriculars. SHA’s new 35,000-square-foot modernization and expansion project will take what the school offers students to the next level. It’s an amazing place to go to school. I’ve had one daughter graduate and another coming into SHA soon, and I couldn’t be more excited. The opportunities are unreal, and all these things come from our donors, alumnae, and the entire Sacred Heart community. It's everyone's legacy. It’s the ultimate girl power. 10
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GENERATIONS OF SHA FAMILIES HONOR
“Dear Sacred Heart”
Revive the Ties is a time-honored SHA tradition recognizing the amazing legacies of alumnae of Sacred Heart Academy, Ursuline Academy, and Angela Merici High School who currently have a daughter, granddaughter or great-granddaughter attending Sacred Heart Academy. Hosted by the SHA Alumnae Board, guests shared memories and heard exciting updates about the renovations and building plans at SHA from Dr. Karen McNay and Dr. Tim Adams. The planned improvements include a new dining hall, outdoor patio, student-run coffee shop and cafe, welcoming entrance and grand hallway, conference center, and Student Life Empowerment Hub with collaboration spaces and offices. Students and their female family members also decorated pots and received seed packets embellished with the Ursuline Coat of Arms, a fun and meaningful activity that reminded us of St. Angela Merici's words to "Never cease to cultivate the vine entrusted to you." It was so heartwarming to see our legacy alumnae supporting the current generation of SHA students during this very special event. Life comes full-circle and the educational legacy of an Ursuline education is unmatched. The bonds of the SHA Sisterhood last forever!
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Sacred Heart
FOREVER SACRED HEART FOREVER CAMPAIGN BRINGS STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES TO SACRED HEART ACADEMY
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Sr. Jean Anne Zappa
Dr. Karen McNay
On a sunny afternoon in April, Sacred Heart Schools took a bold step towards their future with the groundbreaking on an impressive 35,000 square-foot expansion and modernization of Sacred Heart Academy. Surrounded by students, families, donors, faculty and friends, the event marked a watershed moment for the Sacred Heart Schools community. “At Sacred Heart Academy, our mission to inspire young women to become compassionate, globally minded leaders is rooted in our Catholic, Ursuline Core Values of reverence, service, leadership, and community,” said Dr. Karen McNay, President, Sacred Heart Schools. “We are cultivating an environment where every student can grow as a leader, succeed academically, pursue extracurricular interests, and give back to their community to make a positive impact. Dr. McNay added, "Thanks to the passion and generosity of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, board members, campaign and construction committee members, donors, alumni, parents, faculty, and staff, and to the success of our Sacred Heart Forever campaign, we have made bold, meaningful progress - growing our endowment and scholarships, enhancing programs and student experiences, and updating our facilities - to ensure Sacred Heart thrives now and forever.” The SHA expansion will include a stunning new front entrance adjacent to the Doris Boland Jones Tower ‘49, featuring a three-story entryway that will welcome Valkyries and their families. There will be dedicated spaces for enrollment, meetings and a two-story conference center that will bring the community together for events. A new student-centered complex at the back of SHA will accommodate over 350 students and serve as the “Heart” of the school community. It will contain a stunning and spacious new dining hall filled with natural light, two and three-story ceilings, natural design elements, a variety of comfortable and flexible seating options, and an expanded dining menu. SHA’s new dining hall will serve as a lively gathering spot where students can connect and build community during meals, throughout the day, and after school. There will also be flexible gathering areas, a gated outdoor patio, and an expanded student-run café in partnership with locally-owned Heine Brothers Coffee, where students can gather before and after classes and build community. Since its launch in 2023, SHA’s coffee shop has provided part-time jobs and real-world business management experience for students, with some proceeds benefitting service projects.
Dr. Tim Adams
Dr. McNay with former Presidents of Sacred Heart Schools, Charlie Francesconi and Dr. Cindy Crabtree.
In the last phase of the project, the existing cafeteria will transform into a Student Life Empowerment Hub – a dynamic center for leadership, collaboration, and connection, and will house key programs for college counseling, campus ministry, community service, and the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute. Sacred Heart Schools is working closely with architects and project managers to ensure school instruction and events flow smoothly throughout the construction process, which is scheduled to be completed by December 2027. “At SHA, we’re intentionally cultivating an environment where every student develops as a leader, achieves academic success, explores extracurricular passions, and contributes meaningfully to the community,” says Dr. Tim Adams, Principal, Sacred Heart Academy. We are proud to offer best-in-class facilities that prepare students for what they will experience in college and beyond.” Over the past five years, through the Sacred Heart Forever strategic plan and $30 million capital campaign, Sacred Heart Schools has worked with bold intention to strengthen Catholic identity, increase its endowment, and expand scholarships, making a Sacred Heart education more accessible. Through Sacred Heart Forever, Sacred Heart Schools restored the Ursuline Chapel of the Immaculate Conception; unveiled the Elizabeth Campbell Moir '07 Outdoor Playspace; and opened the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center, featuring the Ursuline Environmental Education Program and the Ann Cowley Wells '60, '64 BSEE Design Lab. Students’ experiences – and lives – have been changed by new, enhanced programs, facilities, and opportunities for learning. The current phase of Sacred Heart Forever focuses on Sacred Heart Academy’s modernization and growth. “The expansion of SHA is another sign of the commitment from Sacred Heart Schools to be embedded in the strong tradition of Ursuline education and the foundation started by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville since 1877,” says Sr. Jean Anne Zappa, President, Ursuline Sisters of Louisville. “We are entrusted with many vines,” says Dr. McNay, “Our students, our families, our Catholic, Ursuline mission, and this sacred campus. We are ensuring our students and facilities are prepared for generations to come. We mean it when we say, Sacred Heart Forever.” To learn more about the Sacred Heart Forever campaign or to make a gift, please visit the campaign website, https://www.shslou.org/sacredheartforever/. SPRING 2026 HeartBeat
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Sacred Heart
FOREVER
NEW URSULINE INNOVATION STEM CENTER For decades, it was an unassuming building between the Ursuline Motherhouse and SHA that housed the Ursuline Sisters’ laundry facility, and later, storage for lawncare equipment. The creation of the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center was announced in early 2025 after close collaboration between Sacred Heart Schools and the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville. The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville’s leadership team initiated discussions with Sacred Heart’s President Dr. Karen McNay regarding their shared commitment to Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, or “Care for our Common Home,” encouraging her to dream big. This collaborative vision between Sacred Heart Schools and the Ursuline Sisters culminated in the bold plans for the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center, which opened its doors to Sacred Heart Model School and Sacred Heart Academy students in the fall of 2025. “It is our hope that this learning facility will prove to be fruitful ground for Sacred Heart students, as they experience first-hand the love of creation as Pope Francis envisioned,” says Sr. Jean Anne Zappa, President, Ursuline Sisters of Louisville. The 6,000 Ursuline Innovation STEM Center is the first of its kind in the region and features the Ursuline Environmental Education Program, aligning with Laudato Si,’ and emphasizing reverence and love for all creation and the interconnectedness of all living things, including the planet. Additionally, the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center features the Ann Cowley Wells ’60, ’64 BSEE Design Lab, Marshall Family Foundation Environmental Education Lab, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Research Greenhouse, Teri Tafel ’72 and Keith Cullinan Environmental Classroom, and a Heartwood outdoor classroom.
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The Ursuline Innovation STEM Center is preparing students for future STEM careers. Students are exploring technologies such as 3D printers, robotics kits, and laser cutting machines, as well as engaging in hands-on learning in environmental science, engineering, and sustainability. Those efforts are now bearing fruit for Sacred Heart Model School and Sacred Heart Academy students. Outside of the front side of the Ursuline Innovation STEM Center building are five new flower and vegetable beds, which were planted by the Sacred Heart community this spring. “The environmental science students assembled
BUZZING WITH EXCITEMENT THIS SPRING! one of the beds, and then the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute (JFLI) cabinet leadership team assembled and planted another bed,” says Eleanor Cowley Mitchell, ’04, who leads the Ursuline Environmental Education Program. There are five giant beds with a variety of vegetation. “SHA’s Go Green club planted two beds, one is a pollinator garden and in the other, we’re growing vegetables,” Mitchell adds. “SHMS kindergarteners planted two additional beds, one with vegetables and a pollinator bed filled with wildflower seeds, which they will use in their curriculum studies for first grade in the fall. The junior kindergarteners planted pumpkin seeds and they're hoping to have a little pumpkin patch.”
“I've had a lot of unique people use the space, including SHA English and foreign language classes you might not traditionally think of as STEM-based,” says Lynch. “French classes custom designed Mardi Gras beads, based upon the different Krewes that are part of Mardi Gras. Junior level English classes read the book Left to Tell, the memoir of the Rwandan genocide survivor Immaculée Ilibagiza. They custom crafted rosaries in honor of the book, which came out exceedingly well and were very creative.” More traditionally based STEM classes like physics also crafted giant rollercoaster rides out of cardboard to study motion and the physics of movement. SHMS level 8 students on their class trip to Disney World studied the dynamics of ride construction, bringing their fun adventures to a more practical learning experience that made them think through engineering and design. The new greenhouse will be an exciting addition this fall. “The greenhouse will be new and in constant use,” says Mitchell. “Freshman biology will use the greenhouse to recreate classic experiments and do hands-on learning with genetics.” There will also be different growing systems underway that multiple grade levels will access. SHA students will replicate genetic experiments with pea plants and SHMS second graders will focus on growing food that they will then donate to food pantries as part of their pillar of Laudato Si,’ which guides, “feed the poor.”
Deonna Lynch leads the Innovation Design Program, delivering unique learning opportunities to students. The Ursuline Innovation STEM Center is still a work in progress, with new opportunities on the horizon.
The Ursuline Innovation STEM Center fulfills a real-life message of building community – one of the treasured Ursuline Core Values on campus. “I've met a lot of people and reconnected with so many alumnae,” adds Mitchell. “That was the intention of this building - to gather community from all across campus to literally cultivate the vine with which we’ve been entrusted.” SPRING 2026 HeartBeat
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The Jean Frazier Enhances and It has been a productive year for the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute (JFLI) at Sacred Heart Schools under the direction of Emily Brinkmoeller Karem ’96, who joined last year and brings over 20 years of experience in education, global development, and nonprofit leadership. JFLI integrates the Ursuline Core Values of reverence, service, leadership, and community through innovative programming that develops Sacred Heart Academy and Sacred Heart Model School students as leaders. Its mission is to inspire students to discover the leader within themselves and empower them to share their leadership to make the world a better place. JFLI teaches that leadership can be taught and nurtured through deliberate study and practice – everyone can learn to lead. Since its founding in 2017, JFLI has grown exponentially by continually adding authentic student leadership experiences and programming in real-world settings. In the 2025-2026 school year, Karem, Dr. Karen McNay, and JFLI Cabinet Chair Lucy Lee Helm ’75, along with an impressive group of SHA alumnae and business leaders on the JFLI Leadership Cabinet, enhanced programs and built exciting new connections and structures. The past school year, JFLI moved beyond a collection of individual programs to build a comprehensive leadership ecosystem designed to reach all students across SHMS and SHA. All SHMS students participate in leadership curriculum through lessons ranging from leadership within a team, leading with a global mindset, and leading with an entrepreneurial mindset. All SHA students participate in JFLI through curriculum-embedded programming for freshmen and sophomores. Juniors and seniors can participate in opt-in experiences that encourage mentorship, internships, and entrepreneurship, such as The Charles Kane Family Internship Program. Students can also pursue capstone opportunities that allow them to apply their leadership abilities to real-world scenarios. “Our SHA capstone program, the Frazier Fellows program, now has three tracks, enabling more students to find the best fit for them,” explains Karem.
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Leadership Institute Expands Programs Frazier Fellows who demonstrate enthusiasm about international topics and global systems can now choose the Ursuline Global Scholars track. Frazier Fellows in the Lucy Lee Helm ’75 Leadership Incubator take an in-depth look at their role as a leader through guided study, enhanced networking opportunities, and self-directed leadership experiences. Students in the Learn and Lead track selfselect one of four pathways enhanced with intentional college, career, and experiential learning opportunities. “This year, we took an important step in the evolution of JFLI, defining the leadership characteristics that matter most,” adds Karem. “While leadership can take many forms, we believe the leaders our world needs are grounded in self-awareness, guided by purpose, committed to belonging, and motivated by service. Inspired by global leadership research and anchored in the Ursuline Core Values that define Sacred Heart Schools, we established a shared vision for leadership development across our programs. The result is a distinctly Ursuline model of leadership that prepares students not only to succeed, but to use their gifts, talents, and influence to make the world a better place.” This past spring, JFLI also launched the Athletic Leadership League, a pilot leadership development initiative designed specifically for student-athletes. The League helps students identify, hone, and redeploy the leadership lessons they learn through sports, in the classroom, on their teams, and in their wider communities. The JFLI leadership team is creating strategic plans to guide their work at Sacred Heart over the next several years. JFLI plans will focus on developing the whole person and defining what this means from a leadership perspective. “We want to be intentional about providing opportunities for global perspective building and empowering young learners to find their voice, explore their purpose, and make a lasting impact,” explains Karem. “Together, we’ll build inclusive pathways for leadership that reflect the diversity and brilliance of our students; while strengthening the bridge between Sacred Heart Schools and the broader world they’re preparing to shape.”
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72 hours. 805 donors. Dozens of alumnae volunteers. AMAZING FUNDS RAISED FOR SHA STUDENTS!
The sixth annual Alumnae Unite fund drive kicked off for three exciting days April 20-22 across Louisville. Sacred Heart Academy alumnae stepped up and gave from the heart for this friendly competition between six Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of Louisville. Because of your generosity, a record $191,011 was raised by 805 donors to benefit SHA students. Alumnae from 37 states and 75 graduating classes spanning 1947-2025 came together in support of our students. Many thanks to our alumnae who offered matching challenge grants, including, Cindy Hennessy ’75, Sherri Conti Kramer ’80, and Elizabeth Wohlleb ’95. Alumnae Unite focuses on raising funds for area Catholic high schools and encourages women’s philanthropy. Over the past six years, alumnae have raised more than $1.6 million for girls’ Catholic high school education. The friendly rivalry between Sacred Heart Academy, Presentation Academy, Mercy Academy, Assumption High School, Holy Cross High School, and Bethlehem High School encourages alumnae at each school to reach a goal of 20% participation during the three-day event. “Alumnae Unite is more than just a challenge - it’s a powerful statement about the impact of Catholic education and the strength of our incredible alumnae community,” says Tina Miller Kauffmann ’84, Vice President for Advancement at Sacred Heart Schools. “SHA is a community that shows up, gives boldly, and believes deeply in our Valkyries.” We were proud to rank second in participation among all Alumnae Unite schools, and SHA ranked first in dollars raised for our students. Thank you for your continued support of Alumnae Unite and our annual fund in proving alumnae are powerful philanthropists – it’s the ultimate show of SHA Sisterhood!
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Heart of the Valkyrie Crissie Huntley Buntin ’06: Mentoring SHA Students with the Heart of a Forever Valkyrie
Each year, the SHA Alumnae Board recognizes an alumna member with the Heart of the Valkyrie award. The 2026 recipient is Crissie Huntley Buntin ’06. A member of the SHA Alumnae Board since 2024, Crissie served this year as Chair of the Forever Valkyries committee. She and her team of alumnae volunteers worked closely with Forever Valkyries Club students, partnering on projects, events, and service opportunities. For Crissie, a former King Scholar who helped found the STEP club at SHA, this role came full circle. She also participates in SHA’s Career Day as the owner/broker of Home & Comfort Realty and serves as a mentor for the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute. Recently, Crissie celebrated her 20th anniversary reunion with her SHA friends. “I’ve always had a servant’s heart,” says Crissie, “but working with SHA students truly fulfills my soul. I want to help, teach, and support them by being the person I know I would have needed during that pivotal transition from teenager to young adulthood.” Why do you lend your time to the SHA Alumnae Board? It’s been incredibly rewarding to pour back into the place that helped shape me. I remember being in their shoes – full of excitement, uncertainty, and big dreams. Now, two decades later, I can truly say the sisterhood, lessons, and foundation built at Sacred Heart stay with you long after you leave those halls. Watching the Class of 2026 celebrate these moments makes me proud, not just of who they are today, but of who they’re becoming. Supporting SHA means helping shape confident, compassionate young women who will make a meaningful difference in their communities and others’ lives. Sometimes you may be the only one who takes time with a student, because their parents might be too busy or have other obligations. One student I mentor said, “Ms. Crissie always shows up for us,” and that warmed my heart and gave me purpose to continue giving back my time, no matter how busy I get. What excites you about Sacred Heart Academy today and for future Valkyries? The capital campaign and upcoming renovations are exciting to watch. You may contribute as a phonathon volunteer or give something that seems small to you, but when you see how quickly we’ve raised significant support from our SHA community, it’s amazing. Despite a tough economy, so many are sharing their time and resources to support SHA because they see the true value in what it does for girls’ futures.
fosters an environment that welcomes students’ thoughts and ideas. His willingness to be there for all students gives me an appreciation for his character. As an alumna, I am happy to support students, and in particular, students of color, whose success can be boosted by a connection to someone who can relate to their challenges. What does it mean to be a “Forever Valkyrie?” We were always taught the Ursuline Core Values of reverence, service, leadership, and community, but it didn't truly resonate until I returned to my first SHA Career Day as an alumna. Seeing those four Ursuline Core Value banners, I realized I had come full circle and now live those values today. Being a Forever Valkyrie means continuously striving to embody the four core values so that you become the woman you’re meant to be after graduating from Sacred Heart Academy. Do you have a favorite memory of your time at SHA? I was a King Scholar, and we learned so much from Nick King. He is a man of many talents, but in addition to being our mentor and teacher, he taught me how to drive! More importantly, he taught us the principle of “primacy, recency, and repetition,” words I still use throughout my professional career. Mr. King has been the most impactful person from my childhood into adulthood. His guidance has meant everything to me, and I never want to let him down. Thank you, Crissie, for your service to SHA! We are so happy you are a Forever Valkyrie!
I also enjoyed speaking on a panel with the Black Student Union this past year and connecting with Dr. Tim Adams, whom I think is amazing. With all that is going on in the world, he SPRING 2026 HeartBeat
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“...To us, you’ve given courage and joy and a shining start!” CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2026 Congratulations to the Class of 2026! SHA seniors, their parents, and friends gathered in May for SHA’s 148th graduation ceremonies to celebrate four memorable years.
170 Graduates, 100% Attending College
They continue to distinguish themselves academically, athletically, in leadership positions, and in service to the larger community. We are so proud of you all!
90% of Graduates Earned College Scholarships Equaling Over $31 Million
Accepted Into 149 Colleges and Universities
42 International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidates 1 National Merit Finalist and 1 National Merit Commended 10 Governor’s Scholars, Governor’s School for the Arts and Governor’s School for Entrepreneurs 104 National Honor Society Members (61% of the Class of ’26) Performed Over 20,000 Service Hours 51 Angeline Service Award Recipients 77 Jean Frazier Leadership Institute Frazier Fellows Graduated with a Leadership Certificate of Distinction on Their Transcript 21 Committed Collegiate Athletes 2 Scholastic Art Recipients 6 KMEA Choral State Distinguished Vocalists
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Friends Forever!
REUNION WEEKEND 2026
Hundreds of Forever Valkyries celebrated their class reunions in May with an abundance of laughter and heart. Classes ending in “1” and “6” came together on campus and at class parties throughout the city to celebrate the years, the friendships, and the great memories from their time at SHA. Reunion weekend kicked off with the annual Golden Grads luncheon, which welcomed the Class of 1976 to its ranks. Thanks to this amazing class for establishing the SHA Class of 1976 Endowed Scholarship! A fun Friday night reception at SHA followed for all reunion years’ graduates and their families, which included food, fun, and trolley tours of campus. A special moment included honoring the one and only Sr. Lorna Weiler OSU, SHA ’58 for her incredible 59
years of service to SHA. Sr. Lorna was extremely moved by the love shown by her former students in person, and by the dozens of notes and kind wishes sent to her. An alumnae mass was held Saturday afternoon at the Ursuline Chapel of the Immaculate Conception at the Motherhouse, and the reunions flowed late into the evening at various parties held throughout Louisville. A grand time was had by all and the bonds of sisterhood strengthened even tighter as all paid tribute to “Dear Sacred Heart” and a lifetime of friendship. If your graduation year ends in “2” or “7” .... get ready, your reunion is coming up next! Reunion Weekend 2027 will be June 4-5, 2027. For more information, contact Megan Brumleve Theisen ’95 at mtheisen@shslou.org
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The Ursuline Connection “...In Angela’s Footsteps”
Good Chemistry Sr. Lorna Weiler Retires After 59 Years at SHA!
If you had to describe a typical day at SHA, invariably the description would mention Sr. Lorna Weiler, OSU, SHA ’58 who has been a continual presence at SHA for an incredible 59 years of service. Her quick wit, wise guidance, and love of all things SHA are legendary. Sr. Lorna’s command over graduation and dozens upon dozens of red rose bouquets; her ability to make chemistry and physics come alive to students; her passion for her miniature poodles, Beeker 1 and Beeker 2; and her huge heart and overwhelming kindness make her an unforgettable teacher and mentor. You may “never, never, never” (remember that phrase, alums?) think it possible, but after a storied career, Sr. Lorna officially retired from Sacred Heart Academy this year. Her dedication to our school community and the countless students she's mentored over the decades has left an indelible mark on all of us. Sr. Lorna Weiler entered the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville upon her graduation from SHA in 1958. After her final vows in 1962, she taught grade school for five years, while completing her undergraduate degree at Ursuline College. She longed to teach high school and was thrilled to return to SHA as a teacher in 1967. She later did graduate work in chemistry at the University of Notre Dame and was awarded a master’s degree by the University of Louisville. She earned another degree in physics later in the 1970s. She loved science and enjoyed doing experiments in the laboratory. While she inspired hundreds of students to pursue science as a career, she also quietly tutored and helped those students who struggled with chemistry and physics, firmly believing women needed a strong background in math and science. “She was teaching STEM before STEM was even an acronym,” said former President of Sacred Heart Schools, Charlie Francesconi. Dr. Tim Adams, Principal of Sacred Heart Academy, agreed. “Sr. Lorna is the embodiment of the spirit of SHA,” he said, adding, “The other part of her legacy is that she's a consistent figure. I think if you talked to people who graduated in the 1970s or '80s, and then people who graduated two years ago, they're all going to know Sr. Lorna and have stories about her. I was blessed to just get to be near her and learn from her and hear her fun stories, because she has a million of them. I think having that kind of cultural institutional knowledge leave us is really sad, but we're blessed to have experienced it for so long.” Sr. Lorna took chemistry and physics outside the classroom, taking 22
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her students on field trips that included Churchill Downs, where they studied the centrifugal forces of the horses, and to Kentucky Kingdom, where students performed calculations on each ride at the amusement park. On holidays, she would “decorate” her lab with holiday-colored liquids in the beakers, and legions of students would watch for her in the hallways, as she moved through SHA with her poodle Beeker 2 riding along, on top of her AV cart. “I remember taking Sr. Lorna’s Forensic Science class, and she set up a crime scene outside that we had to analyze,” said Julia Means Taylor ’10. “It was such a fun and creative assessment, and I was so excited to come to school that day.” When Sr. Lorna stepped away from teaching full-time, she then served as a substitute teacher and lunchroom monitor. She was a constant presence each year at graduation, keeping graduates in line and watching carefully over all details of the big day. Sr. Lorna enjoys crocheting and making baby blankets as gifts for new moms. She also loved cooking large meals for her family and SHA faculty. She has been given accolades and honors along the way, including the Francesconi Award of Integrity. Named in honor of former Sacred Heart Schools President, Charlie Francesconi, the award is given annually to one employee who has contributed significantly to the school and Louisville community, enriches the lives of those around her by living the mission of Sacred Heart Schools, and demonstrates integrity through her daily interactions with others. During Reunion Weekend at SHA in May, SHA honored Sr. Lorna with a special presentation during Friday evening’s celebration that included grateful speakers, heartfelt wishes from many, and piles of letters and cards from alumnae, friends, and colleagues. It was a moving tribute that brought many to happy tears, including Sr. Lorna. Sr. Jean Anne Zappa, President of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, taught alongside Sr. Lorna for years at SHA, and respects and honors Sr. Lorna’s unwavering dedication to her craft. “We talk a lot about what makes a “perfect Valkyrie”, and I think Sr. Lorna is a prime example,” said Sr. Jean Anne, adding, “Sr. Lorna’s commitment and dedication to teaching is an inspiration to all of us. My hope is that all teachers at SHA – new and seasoned – mirror her witness to teaching and her mission to help students learn every day. Sr. Lorna has been a crucial part of the history of Sacred Heart Academy and has been on campus nearly her entire life. She has touched countless lives here.”
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Memory Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Lynda “Lyn” Anderegg Baldwin '63, sister of Laurel “Lori” Anderegg Fallon '69, died October 6, 2025. Sherry Vetter Burns '64, died December 11, 2025. Carole Raque Caras '56, sister of Maruite Raque Scanlan '56, died April 25, 2026. Nancy Tittel Coleman '62, sister of Patricia Tittel Zack '68, died October 31, 2025.
Pat Lally Minton '65, mother of Jennifer Minton Whelan '91, grandmother of Elizabeth Whelan '23 and Sophie Minton '29, sister of Nancy Lally Stromberg '61 and Kathy Lally Sothmann '66, died December 17, 2025. Patricia Kleier Moses '64, mother of Renee Moses Angel '86, sister of Debi Kleier Russell '69 and Annette Kleier '76, died February 7, 2026.
Carol Corso '71, died April 7, 2026.
Katie Duerr Mullaney '01, mother of Lucy Mullaney '29 and sister of Kelly Duerr Hendrikson '02, died February 26, 2026.
Kelly Schoo Curtis '78, mother of Maggie Curtis Herbert '07, Andrea Curtis '13, sister of Gini Schoo Duffy '63 and Ann Schoo Mayer '72, died May 28, 2026.
Nancy Schimpeler Nemeth '60, sister of Suzanne Schimpeler '58, died March 12, 2026.
Mary Angela 'Angie' Briggs Frye '87, sister of Leigh Ann Briggs Gutermuth '91, died March 11, 2026.
Patricia Ochsner '52, sister of Janet Ochsner McElroy '60, died November 6, 2025.
Kathy Carothers Geoffroy '67, sister of Jane Carothers McNally '62 and Susan Carothers Denny '70, died April 9, 2026.
Judith Ann 'Judy' King Peters '69, died March 15, 2026.
Nancy Nunnelley Perna '78, died April 24, 2026.
Carole Poggel Greulich '59, mother of Caroline Greulich Brandon '95, died February 16, 2026.
Virginia Spahn Quilling '64, died January 4, 2026.
Kathleen Higgins '65, died April 27, 2026.
Sally Baker Rothenberger '57, mother of Sharon Rothenburger Masters '87, Kristi Rothenburger Kelly '91, Rebecca Rothenburger Elizabeth '97, and grandmother of Lilly Kelly '22, died January 10, 2026.
Carolyn Hubbuch Hall '53, died March 3, 2026. Sarah LaBeau Heard '81, died January 8, 2026.
Carolyn Bishop Rice '63, sister of Nan Bishop '67 (dec.), died December 6, 2025.
Nancy Lee Zehnder Hughes '53, mother of Elaine Hughes Howard '81 and Anne Marie Hughes Horne '83, died December 14, 2025.
JoAnne Messersmith Sherman '61, mother of Barbara Sherman '83, and grandmother of Caroline Sherman '16 and Ellie Hubbuch ’18, died November 22, 2025.
Karen Klemenz '72, daughter of Mary Muhs Klemenz '47 (dec.) and sister of Diane Klemenz Schuhmann '79, died November 10, 2025.
Lucinda 'Petey' Tapp, mother of Kim Tapp Meyer '79, died January 22, 2026.
Karin Larkin Kula '88, daughter of Marcia Hasenour Larkin '59, and sister of Laura Larkin '85 (dec.) and Lisa Larkin '86, died April 9, 2026.
Carol Wessel '99, died April 14, 2026.
Cathy Krider Mattingly '74, mother of Katrina Mattingly '93, died December 31, 2025.
Diane Nave Walsh '81, died January 9, 2026.
Memorials received prior to May 1, 2026, are included in this issue. More recent memorials will be featured in our Fall 2026 issue.
If you would like to make a gift in memory of a classmate, family member or classmate’s family member, please call 502.896.8681. We continue to honor the lives of those SHA community members who have lost a loved one. Please visit our website via this QR code to view the full listing of Family Memorials.
You may also send a check, payable to “Sacred Heart Academy” to Sacred Heart Schools Office of Institutional Advancement 3115 Lexington Road
Louisville, KY 40206 SPRING 2026 HeartBeat
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Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Louisville, KY Permit No. 1644
3175 Lexington Road Louisville, KY 40206 A member of Sacred Heart Schools Founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville Since 1877 Sacred Heart Schools is a proud member of the Ursuline Education Network
Follow Your Heart /shalouisville /shalouisville
Planned Giving Ways to Give
• Gifts of Cash
• Gifts of Stock and Appreciated Securities
• Bequests
• Donor Advised Funds
• Life Insurance
• Gifts from Your Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
• Charitable Gift Annuities
Plan Now!
We can help you discover the best ways to meet your financial and philanthropic goals. Contact Tina Miller Kauffmann ’84, Vice President for Advancement, at tkauffmann@shslou.org or 502.736.6447 for more information. 24
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