ACADEMY OF SAINT ELIZABETH
SUMMER 2023
The best decision
! r e v e
ACADEMY OF SAINT ELIZABETH
Convent Station, New Jersey
ACADEMY OF SAINT ELIZABETH
ISSUE 7
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Magazine | SUMMER 2023
EDITORIAL STAFF Megan Knigth Director of Development & Alumnae Relations
Joseph Ziaya Director of Communications
Lynn ve Principal
Lauren Corvo Assistant Principal
Helen Kotoulas
ATHLETICS
MEET THE SOFTBALL TEAM. The Panthers Softball Team is preparing for their game against Morristown-Beard this afternoon while soaking in this incredible Spring weather!
Chief Financial & Operations Officer
Jean Jackson Director of Admissions
Beth Ellen Walsh Director of School & College Counseling
Lisa Ratz Director of Technology
Kelly Abner Director of Athletics BOARD OF TRUSTEES Katherine Lordi, '67 Chairwoman of the Board Mariel Gesualdo, '97 Vice Chairwoman Michael Martinez Treasurer Monique Degnan, P '20 Secretary Deborah Baseil, P '08
EARTH DAY
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION Members of the Academy community gathered with the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth to celebrate Earth Day, observed on this upcoming Saturday, April 22.
Sr. Patricia Butler, SC Nicole Chase,'87 Deirdre Gaffney, P '20 James Garrett, P '20 & '21 Sr. Merris Larkin, SC
A prayer service was held on the front lawn of the Academy, during which a dogwood tree was blessed and planted to commemorate our ongoing care for and stewardship of God's Creation.
Sr. Noreen Neary, SC Antoinette Plewa, '72, P '02 Andrea Pribula,'07 Josephine Serrano, P '07
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Thank you to Dr. Borin, Mrs. Donnelly and Mrs. Antico for helping prepare their students for the celebration!
In an effort to "provide sustainable fair trade employment and have dramatically expanded economic opportunities for hundreds of artists" from Central America, the Spanish Club has been selling "pulseras," or "bracelets," during lunch this week. Each "pulsera" has been handcrafted by an artisan from Central America and bears an information tag about the artist.
What's Inside TABLE OF CONTENTS On the Cover
Uliana Leshchuk, '23 and Kalvna Leshchuk, '17 stayed connected to their cultural roots by sharing their gifts of traditional Ukrainian music.
Letter from the Principal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Accents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9
Members of the Academy's faculty and staff brought their children to work for a special day of activities, including a Genetics Lab, Math Exploration Game, Dance Class, and Fitness & Wellness Games!
Junior Ring Ceremony, Beth Ball, Calendar Party, Alma Mater Competition, Mother-Daughter Tea, Father-Daughter Bowling, Field Day, Class of '22, Gift Auction & Senior Gala, Emma the Musical
Panthers Athletics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11 Praying and Playing for Ukraine. . . . . . . . 12 Faculty Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Mrs. Brady discusses the importance of writing in the modern world.
Student Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Valedictorian Grace Roethlin '22
SEAster News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Class of 1967 Scholarship, Art Show, Model UN Awards, AOSE At Niche rating, U.S. Congressional Art Recognition, Commencement Speaker Cara Cavanaugh '12
Alumnae News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Our annual Academy Art Show is today, April 30, from 11 AM to 2 PM! Come stop by the Academy's Study Hall to view some of the incredible fine art skills our students have learned throughout the year, including in areas of mixed mediums, photography, painting, drawing, dance, and theater!
Before Easter Break, the Academy had themselves a little Taylor Swift party, including a concert hosted by some of Taylor's most dedicated "Swifties" in the Study Hall!
Wedding Bells at AOSE, Class of 1972 Reunion, SEAsters in Italy, Class of 2002 Reunion, Career Day
Supporting the Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Transformative Gifts, Knights of Saint Elizabeth
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An Elegant Tapestry We have opened the 2022-23 school year with much excitement and eager anticipation of
Valentina N Beattie Student
Academy of St. Elizabeth
the good that is to come. Perhaps the best part of our opening was the return to normalcy for our young women after two very challenging school years. While we adjusted beautifully to the intrusive public health and safety measures, we are now free once again to experience school as it was meant to be - connecting, collaborating, communicating - we are whole, loving and thriving. A true blessing. The Holy Family Chapel came to life with prayer, inspiration and song on September 13 as we welcomed Bishop Sweeney for the traditional Bishop's Mass. Together with our students, parents and Sisters of Charity we asked for the Lord's blessing for this new year. The Mass ended with Bishop Sweeney's final blessing reminding our students "Love Never Fails' alongside a spirited rendition of "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High. We are prond to introduce a new schoo motto created bw student Maria Clara Bragagnolo Rose, '24, the winner of a contest sponsored by the Mission Integration Committee of the Board of Trustees and implemented through our Theological Studies Department. Our goal was to present the Academy mission in a clear, concise and direct manner, communicating who we are while defining the Academy experience - in very few words. Nine simple words that so eloquently capture who we are and what we value: Minds in Wisdom. Hearts in Service. Lives in Faith. Please accept our invitation to join the Academy for cherished events like the MotherDaughter Tea, Career Day, Gala/Senior Celebration, Class Reunions and more. As always, we are deeply grateful for your support and look forward to bringing you back to our storied halls to take part in Academy life as student, parent, grandparent, alumnae, faculty/staff, Sister of Charity, or friend. Together we form an elegant tapestry with unique and remarkable contributions to the Academy legacy. May God continue to bless the Academy of Saint Elizabeth community as we endeavor to bring light and love into the world through our young women - they are the future. And, we are blessed and proud to enrich the future in our work each day.
Regards,
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SAVE THE DATE It was a wonderful "Bring Your Child to Work Day" here at the Academy! Members of the Academy's faculty and staff brought their children to work for a special day of activities, including a Genetics Lab, Math Exploration Game, Dance Class, and Fitness & Wellness Games!
Thank you to our incredible, honorary Panthers for visiting us!
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