The Gates - 2025 Autumn

Letter From the Editors

By Calleigh Newbert ‘26 and Meredith Rinaldi ‘26 Hello readers!

We hope everyone is having a great start to the 2025-2026 school year and we thank you so much for taking the time to read our first issue of The Gates! We have so much exciting work to share in this issue with all of you. From reflections, to interviews, to crossword puzzles, this issue features a broad range of fascinating work.

As we all know, fall is a busy time for everyone – the new school year starting, adjusting to post-summer life, and the added stress to seniors as they embark on their college application journey. Fall is fast; there are so many things occurring in one’s life, that it takes away from the beauty of the season. If one does not take time to pause and be present, one will miss out on the beauty this fast-paced season has to offer.

Hopefully, all of you readers can find a time in your busy lives to sit down, read these articles, and reflect upon what you read.

Part of our hope for The Gates this year is to expand the content of the issues. If anyone has any piece of work, whether it be a reflection on a trivial event, creative writing, or a spotlight on a Notre Dame club, please feel free to contribute your work!

Lastly, we would like to thank those who have contributed to this issue of The Gates. We love reading your work, and The Gates is a successful paper because of you all.

With Gratitude, Calleigh Newbert ‘26 and Meredith Rinaldi ‘26

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Fall 2025

Interview with New Director of Inclusive Programs & Belonging: Ms. Webb Conducted by Mallory Dubois ‘28 Q. What have been the biggest surprises and challenges of traveling and working for many differing schools in multiple states?

A. The biggest challenge with going to multiple different schools in a couple of years is the newness of it all. Everything is new all at once, and I had to learn how everything worked at these places quickly.

Q. What has it been like transitioning from working in a co-ed college to a girlsʼ college prep school, ranging from sixth to twelfth grade?

A. Itʼs been very interesting to see where everyone goes to college.

Many colleges that many girls go to have the values that we have. It has also been interesting to see the difference with the support given to the students. Here, the teachers are working together with the girls, while in colleges, it's less hands-on.

Q. Do you believe that Notre Dame is preparing its students for the academic rigor of college?

A. Yes, here I see many girls who take ownership of their own education at Notre Dame, which is important.

This ownership helps prepare the students for the rigor of college. In college, you have to advocate for yourself, and Notre Dame helps with that because it shows the students that they must go to the teachers themselves. Also, in college, you have to decide for yourself what you will do and decide when you will do it, because college forces you to become independent.

Q. What are you hoping to accomplish through the DEIB program this year?

A. This year I hope to get a sense of the community here and to create belonging. I want the work that is done now to snowball through the years, and for it to continue with our youngest students, even when they leave Notre Dame. I also want to foster a stronger sense of belonging for all.

Q. Is there anything that you want people to know about Notre Dameʼs DEIB program?

A. The DEIB program is now called Inclusive Programs and Belonging. This program is for all, and it's not just for specific people; itʼs everyoneʼs task. I believe that everyone should work for and feel a sense of belonging at their school.

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Fall 2025

Sunflowers & Medicine

A MET Trip Reflection

By Alina Tuwalski ‘27

By Meredith Rinaldi ‘26

As the 20252026 academic year begins, new clubs have emerged. At the Activities Fair in September, one of these new clubs created was Sunflowers and Medicine. Sunflowers and Medicine, founded by Marilyn Orlowski ‘28 and Emme Virta ‘28, is a club that is dedicated to the field and work of medicine. Marilyn and Emme founded this club for the purpose of their passion for medicine and the opportunities that lie beyond the fields. Beyond the gates, they also hope to work in medical careers.

This past September, I along with my fellow senior class attended the MET trip. The MET trip is a longstanding senior tradition, and I had the privilege to attend the twentieth anniversary of the trip. Along the way to New York City, there were a couple hiccups. My class sat in the bus lane for about thirty minutes as there was a broken down bus a couple buses up. When we finally reversed out of the bus lane back into normal traffic, the broken down bus was moved, and the bus lane started moving extremely quickly.

Sunflowers and Medicine not only focuses on the definition of medicine and what the fields entail, but it also has three main aspects for the club. These aspects are volunteer opportunities, fundraisers, and the Future Health Professionals (formerly Health Occupations Students of America, HOSA) competitions. Emme ‘28 states, “Starting this club has meant so much to me, and I hope others appreciate the opportunities that they will experience. I also hope that this club will become a special part of ND for many years to come!ˮ For volunteering and fundraising, the main goal of the club is to support and provide for local hospitals and the community. During their volunteer opportunities, their goal is to bring a small group of students to have hands-on experience and understand what the needs of the community are. For fundraising, they not only fundraise money, but also books and toys for the hospitals. Their goal is to spread awareness to people about the needs of the community.

Through the HOSA Competitions, they provide a better understanding of medicine and the medical fields. These competitions also allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of medicine to the world. Marilyn ‘28 remarks: “Iʼm excited to see where this club takes us and learn more about the medical field, all while helping those in our community!ˮ

When we arrived at the MET, all these troubles quickly faded as my class was so excited to explore the MET. We went on tours with Dr. Califf, met with Notre Dame alum, Rachel Smith ‘15, and explored all of these exhibits the museum had to offer.

Before going to the MET I was a bit apprehensive because I had never understood the appeal of art; however, this changed when I went to the MET. Since I was more grown up and had more knowledge, I was able to integrate what I have learned from life and school courses into understanding the context and purpose of the art. It was entertaining to see art pieces I have seen online in person, understanding the historical context of a specific piece, and making connections across subjects and regions. I left the MET with a new interest and appreciation I had not anticipated.

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Fall 2025

Flying High & Ready to Rise Again!

By Marguerite Lilley ‘27

Even from the Main Line, you can feel the energy on Eaglesʼ game days everywhere you go. Green fills store windows and covers crowds, and just about every corner you turn, you can hear a “Go Birds!ˮ or hear a “Fly Eagles Flyˮ chant break out. The hopes are high and excitement fills the air, just as it did at the beginning of the 2025 season.

The Eagles opened their 2025 season flying high. Riding their decisive Super Bowl win last February, they pulled out four wins in their first four games, establishing a promisingly successful season ahead and feeding into high hopes for Philly fans. Quarterback Jalen Hurts maintained the same confidence and focus that catapulted last winter's championship run. The defense appeared dominant, blocking two field goals in one game in week three, holding opponents to low scores, and forcing turnovers. With each win, the Eagles reminded America that theyʼre the defending champions and their victories stood as proof that they were prepared to preserve their title for another year. By week 4, Philadelphia stood dominant in the NFC East with a 40 start and an optimistic future.

But the momentum couldnʼt last forever. Week 5 brought a destabilizing loss against the Denver Broncos, followed by an incredibly disappointing upset loss against the 14 Giants. The loss to Denver didnʼt simply break a 4-game streak, but a 10-game winning streak, dating back to December of 2024. These back-to-back losses revealed weaknesses that were blissfully overlooked in the midst of Philadelphiaʼs season kick-off winning streak. The offense, formerly dynamic and unpredictable, began to crack as opponents began to anticipate plays. As many critics noted, Philadelphiaʼs offense became predictable and therefore easily countered by opposing defenses. Additionally, the abrupt retirement of defensive end Za'Darius Smith damaged the teamʼs defensive line, his absence leaving a visible gap in the pass rush. Fans who initially had full confidence in their team begin to wonder what went wrong.

However, resilience is and always has been a core component of Philadelphia football. Team leaders have made it clear that the season is far from over ,and this is only the beginning of a long, favorable season ahead. With an incredibly talented roster and unwaveringly supportive fanbase, Philadelphia football has all the devices needed for a successful rebound. This Sunday, the team has the opportunity to reclaim their rhythm as they take on the Minnesota Vikings, a tough and challenging opponent.

Throughout Philadelphia and the greater Philadelphia area, optimism remains. Despite the discouraging outcomes of the past two weeks, the Eagles' spirit is still seen everywhere you look, and the upcoming Sunday will bring the same optimistic excitement as any other week. The Eagles may have stumbled, but as every fan knows and rival fears, the birds never stay down for long.

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Fall 2025

A MET Trip Reflection, Continued Our time in New York was not over with the conclusion of our time at the MET, though.

For dinner, my class and I attended Chelsea Market in Manhattan. We were exposed to all types of food, and able to walk around a window shop for a bit.

When we arrived back to Notre Dame that night, I left with a fulfilling experience and a new appreciation for something I would not have otherwise had.

Who Are You? - In 500 Words

By Calleigh Newbert ‘26

I adore writing for the newspaper: to express my opinions on any topic in any capacity, to lay my ideas bare for others to read, and to capture an image of my passions in words. To shape, bend, and derive meaning from thought and craft purpose in paragraphs. To a writer, words serve as the ultimate tool for creative freedom. And that is exactly why I despise the college application process so much.

It sounds absurd: a person who loves to write has the opportunity to capture their essence in a series of short paragraphs. Best of all, the prompts are largely vague, leaving room for endless creativity. Except they are not; every supplemental prompt has a series of “dosˮ and “don'ts.ˮ Implied boxes to hit and fulfill to market yourself as the ideal student. In reality, the short length and topic constraints of college essays compel students to tailor their ideas to the preferences of an institution rather than express their own beliefs authentically. Therefore, colleges do not receive the holistic picture of an individual, but a generic and inauthentic image.

In other sections, like the activities and honors of the Common App, further the need for brevity and misrepresentation. With space for only five awards and ten extracurriculars, students are forced to curate their variety of interests into a list of those most impressive to colleges. Although I may place more importance on the hours I spend tutoring my brother at night or hiking on the weekends, listing internships I have participated in better suits my major of Computer Science. Through those optimizations, colleges only gain a false sense of my identity, rather than a comprehensive understanding of what makes me a unique candidate for the school.

So why do we put so much effort into application supplements if they fail to recognize all our efforts? Despite the limited opportunities that college essays provide to express yourself, they still allow a person to express their unique ideas in a small capacity. With enough creativity, students can still use supplementals to both show off their writing and set them apart. Similarly, the college experience is ultimately what you make of it, and it is important to maximize the potential of what is in your control.

Ultimately, as someone who has recently finished the supplemental writing process, I can only recommend that seniors give themselves time to think creatively about their approach to essay drafting and put their best foot forward.

However, it is crucial to remember that the admissions process is largely out of your control and that the worth of a student does not rest on the opinions of one representative. Writing is meant to be appreciated by various people in various ways, as should a person.

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Summer School Trip Reflection

By Creighton Czajkowski ‘27

This past summer, a few groups of adventurous teachers and students from ND went beyond the gates. As the students and teachers explored either Iceland, Argentina, Paris with the dance team, or Boston with the middle school, they got to experience everyday life in a new, totally different place. Additionally, each group got to learn about a completely new culture. This amazing experience is one that all of us will never forget. We all took away different memories and will be able to reflect on the culture and special times we all had together.

As I think back on this priceless experience, many things come to mind. The main experiences that were planned will always be an amazing memory for my sisters and I that we will always have, but the little things will forever be my favorite part of the whole thing. The long bus rides, our reflections as a group every night, getting to know our tour guides, etc., really were what made this trip so special. This trip to Iceland made me realize that learning about other cultures and how their everyday life differs from ours is imperative to expanding our knowledge of other cultures. What we take away from this experience allows us to hone in on the things we loved while being there and the amazing things we experience daily in our own world at NDA and our community, in turn, making us aware of the gifts we have and appreciate them to the fullest.

My experience in Iceland was collective among all of the girls on all of the trips. Everything we learned and lived on these trips brought us all together as sisters with a new cohesive feeling of enjoyment and fulfillment.

Talking with one of my friends, Monica Feeney, who went and appreciated the Argentina trip, she had expressed to me that the trip opened her eyes to a new culture that influenced her daily life and provided a sense of accomplishment.

Fall 2025

Additionally, Monica still keeps in touch with her host family today as they gave her a warm and loving home while she was there. Meghan Owen and Monica shared a lot of the same takeaways of the trip, and Meghan highlighted the diverse city and population of Argentina and how it was something she had never experienced before.

Meghan and Monicaʼs experience in Argentina relates to my experience visiting Iceland and exploring and learning about the country.

In addition to the Argentina trip, a few of my friends attended the Paris excursion. Their experience was a bit different, as they went with the dance team, but it also gave them all the same benefits as the Iceland trip and the Argentina trip gave to others.

My two friends, Audrey and Johanna, are a part of the ND dance team. When talking to Johanna, she had emphasized how it was so fun taking French dance classes and learning from a French teacher.

In the classes they took, Johanna enjoyed her time because she saw the different perspectives there were in dance and how it may differ in many other countries. Being in Paris enlightened Johanna with a new culture while also learning about one of her most dedicated passions. Talking to Audrey, she had pointed out most of the same things Johanna did, but highlighted the bonds made on the trip between her and her teammates! Talking to all of my friends, we all experienced a new culture and had one of the most memorable moments in our lives so far. All of these amazing experiences and memories would not have been accessible and available if it were not for Notre Dame providing us with opportunities to grow as young women.

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Fall 2025

Meet Our Director of Middle School Mrs Gartner!

Cry Over Spilled Milk - An Occasional Paper

Conducted by Caroline Daniel ‘27

By Calleigh Newbert ‘26

Q What background do you have in teaching, and how has it shaped the educator that you are today?

A Early in her career ,she spent time teaching and balancing thirty 3rd graders at a charter school in West Philadelphia. She successfully adapted to this environment and to the needs of the children by differentiating her instruction, learning new teaching techniques, and understanding each child individually. Mrs. Gartner met the needs of her beloved students on all levels: emotional, social, and academic. Following this, she moved to New York City and worked as a reading specialist for children with special needs. As she continued throughout the years at this school in NYC, she became the Middle School Director and finally the Director of Education. While Mrs. Gartner enjoyed her time at this school, she eventually found herself at Notre Dame.

Q What core values do you carry throughout your life and job as an educator?

A Through her approachability or charismatic personality, Mrs. Gartner wants to be someone who others are excited to be around. She is very empathetic and kind to everyone she meets, always greeting them with a smile.

The Gates - Staff Editors in Chief: Calleigh Newbert ‘26 and Meredith RInaldi ‘26 Staff Writers for Issue #1 Mallory Dubois ‘28, Alina Tuwalski ‘27, Meredith Rinaldi ‘26, Marguerite Lilley ‘27, Calleigh Newbert ‘26, Caroline Daniel ‘27 Newspaper Games Contributor: Ella Bidez ‘26

On days when the world feels on fire, I turn towards the one meal I can never burn: a cup of Cheerios. The subtle sweetness lingers on my tongue and in the back of my mind like a distant memory, and tastes of a time when that bland texture, that grit and dullness characteristic of a quick meal, was softened by the presence of family and the slow passage of time. When a boring life felt tolerable because the people in it consumed all my interest. A sense of plainness, and the feeling of comfort that it accompanies, is the same emotion that I have been running from since I could pick out my own cereal at the grocery store, and the sensation I run back to when all sense of that control is lost.

Stepping out of my car at 10 PM on a Tuesday, I fought the urge to shut my eyes as I walked wearily through the doorway of my house. After seven hours of school, three hours of crew, and an extra two of night class, my body had nothing left to give. Only the need to eat, study, and collapse into bed. Downstairs, the lights were off, the windows were shut, and a silence hung in the air–only broken by the sound of slow, intentioned footsteps. I assumed that after a long day of work, my parents must be asleep already, and in a strange, inexplicable way, that moment of solitude felt comforting after a day of stress and social interaction. Nevertheless, I heard the faint buzzing of a television playing the introduction to How I Met Your Mother from an upstairs room: an unfailing sign that my dad was still awake after the long day. After grabbing myself dinner, I would run upstairs to say hello.

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Fall 2025

Meet Our Director of Middle School Mrs Gartner, Continued

Cry Over Spilled Milk, Continued

Q What was the biggest influence on your career, and how did it change your perception of education?

I shove off my bags, step into the kitchen, and debate heating the container of lasagna left by my mom in the fridge; however, that lasagna would take at least five minutes to bake, and I lacked the patience to waste time when each passing moment prolonged the separation between my bed and me. Rather, I rummaged through the pantry to quickly pour a cup of Cheerios into a bowl, then sat at the counter to scroll on my phone and look over my Physics notes. The scratching of the pencil and kick drum of jazz filled the sound of silence around me, lighting the dark room in the soft artificial glow of a lockscreen, and creating a thumping beat like footsteps. Footsteps that gradually grew nearer and nearer.

A Her students that she taught throughout the first couple of years of her teaching career in Philadelphia inspired her to pursue her calling even further. They taught her numerous lessons of determination, adaptability, and kindness. These students helped shape her as the kind, strong, and personable educator she is today.

Q What made you choose Notre Dame?

A The aspect of Notre Dame that stuck out to Mrs. Gartner the most was the sisterhood community. This is a value of Notre Dame that Mrs. Gartner had yet to experience in her career, but was always something she felt that she would enjoy and connect with. As her time at ND continues, she sees sisterhood come to life as she experiences all the traditions, events, and teachings throughout the community.

Q Do you think the community at Notre Dame has impacted any aspects of your life?

A As she continues to experience the positives of being a part of an all-girl student community here at ND, she finds herself reevaluating what she wants for her daughter. The charming and welcoming experience at ND is what draws people to an all-girls Catholic school. The sisterhood aspect has become a core value within Mrs. Gartner, which is a major reason she loves ND. Q How do you feel about Notre Dame now and what are you excited about for the future here?

A This is now her home, and she feels at peace with making this drastic change of moving back to Philadelphia. Her life has changed significantly for the better because of Notre Dame, and she cannot wait for it to continue to improve. She is eager to join in on all the fun traditions and events at Notre Dame as well as continue to grow as an educator and leader who inspires the girls here at Notre Dame.

From behind, I felt my dad tap lightly on my shoulder. He questioned why I had not come up to say goodnight to him when I got home. The tension in his voice was subtle, but carried an air of hurt I could not ignore. Flooded by an instinctive defensiveness, I remembered that I had, in fact, planned to go, but had gotten preoccupied by other tasks. My mouth moved faster than my thoughts. “Sorry, I was distracted,ˮ I replied, turning back to my work.

Red in the face, my dad pointed to the makeshift dinner I had made myself. “Is that all you plan on eating, Calleigh?ˮ He continued. “If you are going to push yourself away and not take care of yourself, then why do I keep staying up until you get home?ˮ The argument paused for a moment, and he stared at me expectantly–searching my eyes for all the words I refused to say. So thatʼs why heʼs awake, I realized. Smiling faintly, I whispered, “Iʼm sorry, you can just go to bed now.ˮ

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Fall 2025

Cry Over Spilled Milk, Continued As he turned to leave, a knot began to grow in the pit of my stomach. Suddenly, sitting in a renewed silence with my empty bowl and sprawling bags, I became all too aware of the bitter taste of oats on my tongue, as a new feeling, stronger than exhaustion, crept into my mind. Why did I keep making myself a cup of something I didnʼt actually enjoy every night when the better option only required a bit of extra time? In truth, I wondered why a person would sacrifice anything they hold close to their heart, if only to save a moment in a day. After all, those few minutes of conversation were often all I got with my parents in the moments that our hectic schedules collided. And on those rare occasions, the distance between us seemed to grow.

It feels strange how time with the people who raise you and share every waking moment of your childhood becomes so scarce when you no longer need a Little League softball coach or personal taxi driver. There is a joke that my mom likes to tell at every social gathering: “My daughter keeps herself so busy, we barely even see her anymore.ˮ Suddenly, I had grown accustomed to making my own breakfast, acting as my own transportation, and taking pride in my own independence. Spending so much time looking towards the future that I wanted to build for myself and the person I wanted to be, I neglected the beauty of a girl who already existed and the genuine connections she had worked tirelessly to build. As the pressure for that girl to grow up heightened, she responded instead by rejecting that side of herself entirely to sink entirely into personal ambitions. And it was exhausting. Ultimately, that lack of fullness did not ground itself in a physical sensation I could chase, but the sense of fulfillment fostered with the people I pushed away.

Getting up from the kitchen counter, I walked upstairs to find my dad turning off the television and climbing into bed. Lingering there in silence, he pulled me into a wordless hug. There was no dialogue exchanged, but in the warmth of that embrace, I felt as if the million words I could not express to him were said.

The downstairs hallway was empty the next morning, and I could tell that my parents had left for work not long ago. Still, I entered the kitchen to find a freshly toasted bagel on the counter and a warm container of lasagna packed for lunch. Without words or a bowl of Cheerios, I felt the comfort I had chased for years existing in the quiet love that had never run from me.

Join Us!

Reach out to cnewbert@ndapa.org or mrinaldi@ndapa.org with ideas, articles, and photography for our future issues!

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ND Crossword Puzzle - Ella Bidez ‘26

Fall 2025