FACULTY REFLECT ON THEIR DAYS AS STUDENTS

Discover how Marian’s traditions and lessons have left lasting impressions on our alumnae, now serving as faculty and staff! Their reflections connect the past and present, celebrating the enduring spirit of the school we all love.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY FROM FIELD DAY?

Rosanne Charles Acciaioli ’74 - “The remaking of songs (late 60s to early 70s) was a great time in music. Including the Beatles, Motown, etc.! The tunes were catchy and loved!”

Dawn Tafel Zink ’86 - “My favorite memory from Field Day was winning first place as a junior and beating the seniors. We had an incredible class!”

Sharon Allmen Videtich ’88 - “Winning junior year. Making flowers for the float – after school and at Megan’s house.”

Erin Anderson Wiseman ’11 - “My favorite Field Day Memory was coming in 3rd place my freshman year! The Freshman Flight Attendants soared above the competition!”

Elle Flynn ’13 - “I loved being part of the committees and helping plan for the day. Working with people I wasn't necessarily friends with was always fun for me.”

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY FROM SENIOR FOOTBALL/POWDERPUFF?

Mrs. Acciaioli - “No Senior Football/Powderpuff in my day.”

Mrs. Zink - “I did not take part in Powderpuff, sadly. It's probably one of my high school regrets.”

Mrs. Videtich - “One time during training, I was the fastest of all the linebackers when running around the field.”

Mrs. Wiseman - “Beating Regina of course!”

Ms. Flynn - “I loved my junior year when my friends and I wore costumes and got dressed up for the game.”

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU LEARNED AT MARIAN THAT HAS HELPED YOU BECOME THE WOMAN YOU ARE TODAY?

Mrs. Acciaioli - “I had the pleasure of being taught by many IHMs. They instilled in me that the best gift to the world and God is to be yourself and working hard at knowing who you are!”

Mrs. Zink - “So many things...where to start??? Speak my mind; hold my head high and be true to my convictions; be independent; persevere and overcome adversity/work hard and stop complaining about it; don't let others do for you what you should and can do for yourself; I am capable and can overcome it.”

Mrs. Videtich - “The importance of helping each other and being part of a community. How else would we be successful at Field Day, Powderpuff or Model United Nations??”

Mrs. Wiseman - “Marian taught me invaluable lessons that shaped the woman I am today, especially the importance of a strong faith foundation. This foundation not only guided me in developing my personal faith practice during college but continues to support me through life's challenges. The values I learned at Marian remain a source of strength and inspiration in every aspect of my life.”

Ms. Flynn - “At Marian, I learned how to work hard and take pride in my work.”

WHICH TEACHER MADE THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOU, AND WHY?

Mrs. Acciaioli - “My favorite teachers were French Teachers Madame Ruzicska (9th grade through 11th grade) and Madame Dewey (10th grade through 12th grade). They showed me a part of the world and a culture that I still love today. Each was bright, creative, and so loving toward the students!”

Mrs. Zink - “Actually, the person who made the biggest impact on me at Marian was not a teacher; it was Sr. Joan Charnley, the principal. I had (and always will have) profound respect for her and the impact she had on me. She, like most of the nuns back then, spoke quietly but carried herself with such poise and commanded such respect. I'm not sure what most resonated with me, but I just remember being inspired by her and her message: ‘God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, the wisdom to know the difference, and the conviction to defend my beliefs’ (Sr. Joan always added that final part when she'd speak to us and the parents, so it may have been a little different, but that's how I remember it). I really looked up to her.”

Mrs. Videtich - “Sr. Agnes Joseph Sun! She challenged me but also cared for me as a person.”

Mrs. Wiseman - “The teacher who had the greatest impact on me as a student at Marian was Mrs. Peters. I was fortunate to have her for every class she taught at the school—even study hall—and each experience left a lasting impression. Her classes were challenging, but she approached every lesson with patience and encouragement. Mrs. Peters’ support helped me not only build a strong foundation in writing but also develop study skills that became invaluable during college and beyond. Her dedication to teaching and her ability to inspire confidence in me helped me become the person I am today!”

Ms. Flynn - “Mine's not a teacher. I still remember coming to see Mrs. Riek when I was so worried about one of my classes. I was so afraid to ask her for help, and I immediately felt reassured in her office. That feeling of comfort sticks with me to this day.”

WHAT WAS YOUR GO-TO LUNCH ORDER AT MARIAN?

Mrs. Acciaioli - “I was a brown bagger-and still am today!”

Mrs. Zink - “Back then, it wasn't the Student Dining Area with TruFoods...I brought my own lunch.”

Mrs. Videtich - “Going to A&W for vanilla ice cream with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on top.”

Mrs. Wiseman - “When I was at Marian, the food was not as delicious as it is now, so I didn’t buy often. When I did, I went for the mostaccioli!”

Ms. Flynn - “Chicken patty and fries. Duh.”