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AROUNDNOTRE DAME

Seniors Set School Record for Scholastic Awards Thirteen seniors were recognized for their impressive achievements in creative and academic writing in the 2020 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. This was the most competitive year in the organization’s history, and it marks the most Scholastic writing titles earned in one year for the Academy of Notre Dame. Gold Key Winners (photo above, left to right) Margaret Arfaa (two awards, for short story and personal essay), Emily Shank (poetry), Kaitlyn Moshang (poetry), and Lindsay Goldschmidt (short story). Lindsay’s short story was recognized by Scholastic in March with a national silver medal. Congratulations!

Silver Key and Honorable Mention Winners (photo below, front to back) Eva Kraus (poetry), Emmeline Lignowski (critical essay), Sofia Quagliariello (critical essay), Abigail Ryan (poetry), Grace Rivers (personal essay), Cecilia Quirk (critical essay), Katie Mowatt (fiction), and Shenglin Xu (personal essay). Not pictured: Katie Meguerian (critical essay).

Science Fair Recognizes Middle School Achievement Fifty-five ND seventh graders completed science fair projects as part of the academic curriculum and six of those students were chosen to represent the Academy at the Delaware County Science and Engineering Fair this spring. The annual event offers students the opportunity to conduct sophisticated research projects that focus on science topics in a variety of categories. 2020 Science Fair participants from left to right: Mary Kate Daniel-first place, zoology; Helen Potts-first place, behavioral sciences; Sabrina Gollotti-honorable mention, behavioral science; Avery Ovchar; Emily Hamill-second place, chemistry; and Emily Morley-first place, chemistry. Congratulations!

Dance Company Performs at West Chester University On Sunday, January 19, Notre Dame’s Upper School Dance Company, under the direction of Mrs. Pam Devenney, performed No One Left Behind at the West Chester University Dance Alumni’s Winter Dancefest. The dance was created from the Academy’s study of the UN Sustainable Development Goal to reduce inequalities among all people. You may view the dance on Notre Dame’s website, ndapa.org under the Arts/Dance tab.

National Merit Finalists Honored Notre Dame congratulates our three National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists who advanced to Finalist standing: Sarah Daoud ’20, Cecilia Quirk ’20, and Gwendolyn Pohlmann ’20. In early September, about 16,000 students, or approximately one-third of the 50,000 high scorers, were notified that they qualified as Semifinalists. Semifinalists are the highest scoring entrants in each state. To be considered for a National Merit® Scholarship, Semifinalists must advance to Finalist standing in the competition by meeting high academic standards and all requirements for the scholarship program. Congratulations!

Middle Schoolers Respond to COVID-19 Crisis

Middle School Volunteers with MANNA This winter, Middle School students helped prepare more than 3,000 meals at MANNA in Philadelphia. The organization uses nutrition to improve health for people with serious illnesses who need nourishment to heal. The students learned about the clients served by MANNA and reflected on the ways different groups within a community need to help each other. The service project marks the beginning of a new relationship with this impactful organization.

Robotics Team Competes in State Championship On March 6, the SPARKS robotics team competed at the Pennsylvania State FTC Championship The team won two of their matches and won the Promote Award, given to the team that best represents FIRST Robotics in a video they create. Team members from left to right: Kyrah Potter ’21, Julia Szela ’21, Stefanie Bonini ’21, Eva Kraus ’20, Sofia Quagliariello ’20, Brigitte Lubker ’20, Maddie Roselli ’22, and Sofia Oliva ’20. Congratulations!

Two ND eighth grade students are making a difference in their community in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Hannah Downing created a campaign called “CardsCuzWeCare” to thank first responders and healthcare workers and to bring cheer to individuals isolated in nursing homes or at home. Hannah and her team of volunteers have created more than 900 hand-made cards, inspirational notes, and posters for hospitals, fire stations, nursing homes, and other locations.

Eighth grader Sophie Dodds and her brother Liam, a junior at The Haverford School, were busy during their time at home sewing cloth face masks for charity. The funds, raised from donations for the face masks, support the work of the Long Island Alzheimer’s and Dementia Association. Together, they have raised more than $1,000 for the non-profit organization.

Saint Julie Ceremony Honors Sisters On January 31, we celebrated Mass commemorating the founding of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. During the Saint Julie liturgy, five Sisters of Notre Dame renewed their vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience to the order (left to right) Sister Jean Keesey, Sister Patricia Hanway, Sister Catherine Shanahan, Sister Helen Bellew, and Sister Maria Delaney. Readings during the Mass focused on justice and community, two of the Hallmarks of a Notre Dame learning community.

Talent Shines at Middle School Musical and Art Show ND’s Middle School cast and crew presented the popular musical Frozen, Jr. to two sold-out audiences in February after weeks of rehearsals, set design and creation, lighting and blocking, and costuming. Coinciding with the musical, the Middle School Art Show displayed works of our talented artists through a wide array of styles and mediums.

Seniors Selected to Represent Class of 2020

Congratulations to the following students who were selected to represent the Class of 2020 at Notre Dame’s Graduation Ceremony on May 30. Lauren Gunn and Catherine Crowe were selected by their class to serve as Salutatorian and Mistress of Ceremonies. Lauren will attend Northwestern University and Catherine will attend Villanova University next year.

Lauren Gunn Catherine Crowe Cecilia Quirk

Valedictory honors are awarded by the administration to the student who has achieved the highest level of academic achievement in the class by maintaining the highest overall cumulative GPA. Cecilia Quirk was named the Valedictorian of the Class of 2020. CeCe will attend Princeton University in the fall.