VISIONS ACADEMY OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR
by Dr. Dwyer page 2
The DNA of ND page 6
Commencement 2021 page 14
SPRING 2021
COVER: Dr. Judith A. Dwyer, Head of School, at her 2014 Inauguration INSIDE FRONT COVER: Middle School students are ready for Spirit Day 2021 festivities!
MISSION STATEMENT The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school, commits itself to the education of young women in grades 6 through 12 for responsible living in a global society. The Academy, rooted in the faith tradition of the Catholic Church and the charism of Saint Julie Billiart, provides its students with a challenging academic curriculum within a rich spiritual community in order to: • inspire them to live the prophetic nature of the gospel, with a passion for justice and love for the poor • enable them to develop the skills and desire necessary for lifelong learning • empower them to be honorable, compassionate leaders
STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS ADMINISTRATION Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D., Head of School Liz Willis, Ph.D., Associate Head of School Bridget Bonner, Director of Middle School Kim Burke, Director of Upper School CONTRIBUTORS Lisa D’Orazio, Editor, Director of Marketing and Communications Maria Breck Gunn, Director of Enrollment and Institutional Advancement Mimi Koelle, Director of Development Paula Gaughan, Event Coordinator/Parent Liaison Lauren Power, Director of Alumnae Relations Elizabeth Winter, Digital Marketing Manager Jessica Turner ’06 DESIGN Biddle Design CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Active Image Media Campli Photography Jay Gorodetzer
Table of Contents 2 Inspired by Dr. Dwyer | Middle School Q&A
6 The DNA of ND
9 Around Notre Dame
12 ND Sports
14 Commencement 2021
20 Spring 2021 Highlights
21 Alumnae News and Class Notes
Message from the HEAD OF SCHOOL Since 1856, the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur has taught students “what they need to know for life.” This legacy of St. Julie has inspired generations of young women to celebrate God’s goodness and the goodness of others. Thank you for the distinct honor and privilege of serving this wonderful community for these seven years. I am deeply grateful that we could be together on this part of Notre Dame’s great journey through time, as hundreds of young women continue to be educated every day “within the Gates.” I count these seven years as one of God’s great blessings in my life, and I shall always cherish the relationships and experiences that we have shared. I believe that the best is yet to come as a Future of Promise now serves as Notre Dame’s next strategic road map, grounded as always in the Academy’s extraordinary Mission, as established by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. I know that we pray together for God’s continued blessing on this extraordinary school, now and in all the days to come. May God bless you and your families and may God bless Notre Dame. Sincerely,
Judith A. Dwyer, Ph.D.
Message from the BOARD CHAIR It is with profound gratitude that I thank Dr. Judith A. Dwyer for her service here at the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur. As she transitions from her role as Head of School on June 30, we celebrate the seven amazing years that she has given our beloved community. Dr. Dwyer’s inspiring leadership, passion and commitment to the Academy will have a permanent imprint and lasting legacy in the school’s honored history. We are deeply grateful for the many significant accomplishments during her tenure, including: • Continuing to position Notre Dame as the premier independent Catholic academy for young women in North America • Launching the Academy’s Center for Global Leadership and establishing sister school relationships with private girls’ schools from eight different countries around the world • Leading the comprehensive Our Time to Inspire campaign, surpassing all fundraising records, putting the school on sound financial footing for the future and spearheading the efforts to build the Riley Center for STEM Education • Aligning the school’s infrastructure to its strategic goals and initiatives, including implementing the one-to-one MacBook initiative • Recruiting and mentoring top administrators and teachers to continue to propel Notre Dame into the 21st century while driving record enrollment Most importantly, we thank Dr. Dwyer for her tireless work on behalf of our students. Her vision, love and dedication to the young women of Notre Dame has provided for each student an exceptional education and empowered our graduates to be honorable, compassionate leaders in a global world. Dr. Dwyer, on behalf of the entire Notre Dame community, we wish you health, happiness and every blessing as you embrace the next chapter in your journey. You will forever be a special member of the Notre Dame sisterhood and may the mission and charism of St. Julie continue to inspire you.
Anne Vazquez ’99 Chair, Board of Trustees
1
by Dr. Dwyer
2
VISIONS SPRING 2021
Over the last seven years, Dr. Judith A. Dwyer has had a tremendous impact on the Notre Dame community. She has embraced the Mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and inspired excellence in every student and employee. Dr. Dwyer has transformed both the footprint and curricula of the Academy, working to ensure the very best educational opportunities are available to every young woman of Notre Dame. Whether helping to raise over $30 million for the Our Time to Inspire campaign or navigating the uncertain waters of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Dwyer has led the Notre Dame community with confidence, grace, and compassion. Dr. Dwyer has left an indelible mark on the Academy of Notre Dame. Her presence and leadership will be felt by generations of ND students, as they experiment, measure, and analyze in the STEM Center; collaborate with our sister schools; compete on our athletic fields; travel the world through our Center for Global Leadership; excel as an Arts, STEM, or Global Scholar; rehearse and perform in the new dance studio; walk the halls of the Mansion; and experience the excellence of a Notre Dame education. Thank you, Dr. Dwyer, for your leadership and your vision. We wish you all the best in your next chapter, and may God bless you!
MIDDLE SCHOOL
WITH DR. DWYER
QUINN CARPENTER ’27: “What attracted you to
Notre Dame?” DR. DWYER: “The vibrancy of the community attracted me
immediately! The legacy of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur and our commitment to community, to responsible freedom, to the empowerment of women and to the Honor Code – all these qualities attracted me to this wonderful community.” NOE PINTO ’27: “What are you most proud of in
your seven years at the Academy?” DR. DWYER: “I am most proud of the fact that the Mission of this
school is alive and well—you as students live it every day—and that Notre Dame remains a happy place – even in the middle of a pandemic! There is energy, joy and exceptional teaching and learning taking place ‘within the Gates.’ I am deeply proud of our dedicated teachers and staff and all the middle and upper school students.” ELIANA DEGENNARO ’26: “What Notre Dame
traditions are most meaningful to you?” DR. DWYER: “There are so many rich traditions at the Academy.
They shape a rich tapestry of excellence in teaching, a beautiful mosaic of opportunities cherished by generations of Notre Dame students since 1856. In this way, they are all meaningful to me.”
MIA GJORVEN ’27: “This has been a challenging, but
inspiring, year. What have been some of the biggest challenges brought on by COVID-19?” DR. DWYER: “The COVID-19 pandemic has been an
extraordinary experience for all of us. Last spring, as you recall, we successfully transitioned to all-virtual teaching and learning. After that seamless experience, one of the most significant challenges was to create a safe environment so that we could return to in-person instruction on campus in the fall. I had great confidence in our students, teachers and staff and believed that if we all gave our best effort, we could maintain a very safe environment even with the entire Notre Dame community on campus. And we did it! I thank our Board of Trustees and Notre Dame parents for all their support throughout this year. I am especially proud of our students, teachers and staff for their daily efforts to keep Notre Dame safe throughout the academic year.” 3
by Dr. Dwyer
QUINN CARPENTER ’27: “As a part of The Center for SABRINA GOLLOTTI ’25: “We were present during
the completion of the construction of the Riley Center for STEM Education. Can you describe your favorite part of that process?” DR. DWYER: “I enjoyed the entire process, from start to finish.
Notre Dame started with an idea, a vision and all members of the community, including students, had the opportunity to contribute to this significant project. The selection of the architect followed, as did the fundraising to support this effort. The result is our Riley Center for STEM Education, a beautiful, LEED-certified building that supports all the Academy’s important work in STEM, a facility in which Notre Dame can take great pride.” MARIA TUFARO ’26: “You have always had a vision
for the ‘space’ at Notre Dame both student space and faculty space. How do you get inspired by your vision?” DR. DWYER: “Working with the potential that ‘space’ affords an
academic community has been an interest of mine throughout my career. I try to see not what is, not what the space looks like now, but what it could be. The context for this process is always creative and educational, with the student experience at the heart of the deliberation.”
4
Global Leadership, you spent time traveling and exploring other educational institutions. How did you select our sister schools, and did you have a favorite location or a particular school that stood out in its similarities to or differences from Notre Dame?” DR. DWYER: “One of the goals of the strategic plan Our Time to
Inspire was to establish a Center for Global Leadership in order to provide opportunities for Notre Dame students and teachers to experience cultures throughout the world. This goal included the formation of strategic partnerships with high quality, all girls’ schools. Today, we have sister schools in Argentina, Canada, China, England, Japan, Peru, Singapore and Taiwan. These are all exceptional schools and I encourage you to participate in the programs offered by our Center for Global Leadership. You will be tomorrow’s leaders in a complex international community and Notre Dame’s Center for Global Leadership will be a key resource for your own development as leaders.”
VISIONS SPRING 2021
EMILY MORLEY ’25: “Are there any opportunities MARY KATE DANIEL ’25: “What are some of the
biggest changes that have taken place since you began your tenure as Notre Dame’s Head of School in 2014?” DR. DWYER: “A Head of School must constantly focus on all
areas of community – the quality of the education, financial stability, enrollment, the safety of the physical plant, the integration of technology, fundraising, marketing and communications – as well as the wellbeing and safety of all the students, teachers and staff, and the engagement of alumnae and parent communities. This range of responsibilities is why the strategic plan as a ‘road map’ is so important, as it articulates specific goals for each area in order to move Notre Dame forward as a very strong community and national thought-leader in allgirls’ education.” MIA GJORVEN ’27: “We frequently use the phrase
you wish you had in school, and did you incorporate any of those opportunities into our school life here at Notre Dame?” DR. DWYER: “I have always enjoyed learning about aerospace,
although I did not formally study that discipline in school. I am especially grateful to see so many women assuming leadership roles in aerospace engineering as the United States prioritizes the exploration of Mars. I would encourage Notre Dame students to consider this path by participating in educational opportunities offered within our own curriculum but also through NASA’s K-12 education programs. The United States Naval Academy also has fine STEM programs for upper school students.” EMILY MORLEY ’25: “Do you have any advice for
incoming Head of School Dr. Hotchkiss?” DR. DWYER: “Enjoy this great Notre Dame community! My
tenure at the Academy has been a great blessing and honor for me. I shall always thank God for my days ‘within the Gates.’”
‘Life Beyond the Gates’ to describe students’ preparation for both college and career. How does Notre Dame prepare young women for ‘Life Beyond the Gates?’ What knowledge/tools do our graduates depart with when they leave Notre Dame?” DR. DWYER: “Everyone has gifts and talents—that’s how God
made us, and life within the Gates helps a student discover her potential in an environment of authenticity and affirmation. The Notre Dame community believes in you! The result is the development of the self-confidence needed to take on any challenge that comes beyond the Gates – whether life at the university or career opportunities. My hope is also that our students graduate with a great sense of God’s goodness and their own goodness as women of faith and daughters of St. Julie.”
5
The
DNA of ND By: Jessica Turner ’06
Our DNA is what makes us who we are. Composed of different characteristics from generations past, our DNA shapes us into the people we were meant to be. It tells us where we came from and where we might go, and it will always remain with us. Examining the DNA of Notre Dame is similar to the analysis of popular genetic kits. Our faces and uniforms might change, new generations of students and faculty come and go, but the heart of the Notre Dame experience is a chain of building blocks that carries on through every member of the ND family: our traditions, our teachers, and our community. The key to unlocking Notre Dame’s genetic code is the Honor Code. It is a call to
live an honorable life, both within the Gates of the school and outside in the rest of the world. Sister Regina Finnegan once wrote that Notre Dame is here to help students begin their lifelong journey to become honorable people. She said, “An honorable person is a person of integrity and honesty, one who speaks the truth, who lives by principles, who does not pretend, does not manipulate, is always and at all times trustworthy. She sees each person as a sacred being [and] treats everyone with respect and dignity; does not disdain; does not ridicule. Each person is perceived as a child of God and is accepted as such. An honorable person is kind to everyone. She seeks out those in need of support; she is a friend to the lonely…An honorable person lives by the motto of the school: Fides et Caritas, faith and charity.” This mission to cultivate honorable women is a sacred tradition here at Notre Dame.
1950
1956
1968 6
“Notre Dame allowed me to begin to create my identity and helped me to understand who I was as a person and what I hoped I could accomplish in my life. The Honor Code is something that has remained with me throughout my entire life and has been the cornerstone of how I live and work every day. The Honor Code taught me how to act with integrity, how to really understand right from wrong, and gave me the courage and confidence to speak up and lead by example – both personally and professionally.” • D’Arcy Rudnay ’73
Other traditions come in many forms, from uniforms to celebrations and ceremonies. The uniform has changed some over the years, but its concept has been part of the school since the beginning. The class ring, which girls receive during their Junior Ring Mass, connects alumnae through the years. Some students receive the ring that belonged to a family member who previously attended Notre Dame, with both (or more!) sets of initials and graduating years engraved inside.
Blazers were a part of the Notre Dame uniform for much of the 20th century until the mid to late 1980s.
2020
Notre Dame Honor Code 2020-2021 In accordance with our Mission, the Academy of Notre Dame strives to create an atmosphere of openness, warmth, and responsible freedom so that our students may be able to internalize and implement those Christian values so important to personal and social growth. The Honor Code fosters the development of each student's personal integrity, character and respect for self, others, and school policies. Students are obligated to follow its guidelines in support of their personal development and understanding of what it means to be a student of the Academy of Notre Dame. The specific goals of the Honor Code, supported by students, faculty, staff, and parents, stand as follows: • The Honor Code is a system of behavioral expectations which, in accordance with our Mission, holds each student responsible for her actions while affording her responsible freedom. • The Honor Code fosters the development of self-discipline, through which each student is encouraged to exercise her growing maturity through making good decisions. • The Honor Code fosters the development of individual selfawareness in relation to the group and community. • The Honor Code instills positive values necessary for healthy, productive adult life. • The Academy of Notre Dame charges each student with embracing and taking responsibility for living the Honor Code by demonstrating respect and care for the reputation, wellbeing, and physical safety of oneself and each member of the Notre Dame community; maintaining her own safety and the safety of others; practicing responsible freedom; and understanding the privilege and responsibility of being a student at the Academy of Notre Dame.
VISIONS SPRING 2021 “I really love Spirit Day and Advent Angels because I feel that they really bring ND together as a community! Whether we are all dancing together in the gym before skits or looking around for our Advent Angels, these traditions will always hold special meaning for me even after I leave the Gates.” • Ceci Massaua ’23
Spirit Day is one of our most beloved traditions among alumnae and current students alike. It contains competition with its games and skits, but at its core, Spirit Day is a unifying
celebration. Elisa Loprete Hibbs ’77 remembers it as a “community-oriented day that brought all of our sisters together.” Celia Giampietro ’24 loves Spirit Day for its stress-free atmosphere and how “you are just happy to be surrounded by all of your sisters.” Ava Del Vescovo ’23 said it’s the best time to see your class come together as one. Celebrations with parents and guardians have always been favorite activities for the girls and their families. Today that includes Grandparents’ & Special Friends Day, Mother-Daughter and FatherDaughter Liturgies, Mother-Daughter Picnics and Lunches, and the Father-Daughter Dance. Bringing parents and caregivers into the community of the school makes our already tightknit family even more connected. Our faith-based events are not only central to the Notre Dame experience, they also hold a special place in the hearts of students and alumnae. From KAIROS and class retreats to liturgies in the Mansion chapel and ones in the gym, each ceremony is filled with sacred ritual and beloved music. Songs like “Digo Sí, Señor” and “Like a Sunflower” (and for some alumnae, the “Rockin’ Our Father”) stay with us throughout our lives. The most tangible and daily tradition is the use of the Mansion. Generations of students
have walked through the halls and graduated on the back patio, savoring the building that is quintessentially Notre Dame. “The Mansion is truly a very special place on campus,” said Del Vescovo. She loves its history and envisioning the years of alumnae that came before her, sitting in the same classrooms that students and faculty use today. Our teachers have always been a central part of the Notre Dame identity. From the
Sisters of Notre Dame to long-time faculty members to those who were here briefly, each has left an impact on the school and students. Part of the joy of shared alumna experiences within families is the possibility of having the same teachers. For this author, that included getting to know Sister Regina, being taught by Sister Nancy, and having Mrs. Suppa (who influenced over five decades of students) as my freshman year English teacher, just as my mom did almost 30 years before. St. Julie said, “Teach them what they need to know for life,” and the faculty have taken on her mission and influenced students beyond the classroom. Hibbs said, “Sister Nancy taught me how to write and how important service is. Sister Mary taught me English and my love for Shakespeare continues to shape who I am.” Morgan Van Arsdall Bracken ’94 said, “Mrs. McFadden and Mrs. Connor’s social studies classes taught me to read, write, and think.” Del Vescovo is grateful to Mme. Napier for teaching her more about conversational French. Alex McCulloch ’23 said Mrs. Gleeson has helped her discover a love for technology and computer programming, and Ceci Massaua ’23 said Ms. Gallagher’s ability to brighten any day has had such a wonderful impact on her this year.
“My favorite tradition at Notre Dame during my time here so far is Advent Angels. This special activity helped me to grow closer to my fellow ND sisters and recognize how much everyone is valued by the school community. During a different year, being able to participate in Advent Angels gave a sense of normalcy and hope!” • Saylor Milone ’24
7
THE DNA OF ND Numerous alumnae have also joined the faculty and staff. For these women, Notre Dame is a part of their DNA as much as they are a part of ours. Notre Dame is not just a home for students; it is a home for faculty, and coming back to teach is like coming back to a family reunion. The building block that ties all of these people and experiences together is our community. This connection shared across the generations is special. At any class reunion, you
“To me, being a Notre Dame student means having core values like the Honor Code instilled in me for life. It also means being surrounded by my hundreds of sisters!” • Ceci Massaua ’23
would think you had stepped back in time to the days when the alums were just teenage students themselves. The Mansion is filled with shrieks of laughter that sound no different decades after graduation. Even when alumnae meet for the first time, whether it’s within the Gates at a homecoming event or outside in the world, there is a shared excitement to find a fellow sister. The Notre Dame connection and community extends far beyond the years spent at Launfal: it is lifelong and worldwide. Students today and alumnae reflect on what it means to be a part of such a community: Giampietro said, “To me being a Notre Dame student is really just being a kind, thoughtful leader. One of the main reasons I chose ND is because of the sisterhood and care for one another… ND has taught me many life lessons and that not everything in life is going to be perfect and go as planned, but it is those people around you that help you face your challenges and build you up.” Stephanie Cullen ’94 said “It means to be a kind, compassionate woman who was fortunate to receive an excellent education in the setting of a beautiful historic campus. We were taught to serve God by loving others and living out His Word. I treasure my time at Notre Dame more than my college experiences. I loved college, but I feel that ND was where I learned the most about friends, family and life. I am still close with many of my classmates and consider them a big part of my life.” Lisa Corcoran Wolfington ’80 said, “Notre Dame helps awaken your soul to become the woman you were meant to be. Notre Dame helps us be bold and confident. Our faith is our greatest gift – never apologize or water it down – people are yearning for it.” The DNA of Notre Dame courses through our veins to make exemplary women with, in the words of St. Julie, hearts as wide as the world. Hibbs said that being part of Notre Dame “means learning, growing and working together for the greater good. It means community and looking out for your sisters. It means being molded into independent, passionate women who know how to take risks and achieve their goals. It means FAMILY.” This family is what bonds us as sisters. These friendships formed ’neath the gold and blue indeed unite us, Notre Dame.
The West Rittenhouse Square location of the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur and the Notre Dame convent officially opened in 1867.
8
The Mansion at Notre Dame’s current campus in Villanova, PA, where the Academy has been located since 1944. Notre Dame operated at two locations until 1967 when Rittenhouse Square finally closed. The Mansion became the much-loved symbol of the Academy, home to the Sisters and a gathering place for classes, chapel, and special events for the students.
“Becoming a part of the Notre Dame community has been one of the greatest experiences of my life because it has given me more opportunities to succeed and recognize my potential.” • Saylor Milone ’24
VISIONS SPRING 2021
AROUND
NOTRE
DAME
MAIN LINE STUDENTS OF THE WEEK
Notre Dame Announces Next Head of School Laura M. Hotchkiss, Ed.D. In a letter to the Notre Dame community, Board Chair Anne Vazquez ’99 wrote, “I am very pleased to announce that the Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Laura M. Hotchkiss as the next Head of the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur effective July 1, 2021.” For the past 20 years, Dr. Hotchkiss has served on the senior leadership team of the Marlborough School in Los Angeles, California, currently serving as the Associate Head of Academics and the Director of Upper School. She has helped to guide Marlborough through strategic planning, leadership transition, fundraising efforts, and the development of financial, operational, and academic plans. Dr. Hotchkiss received her B.S., M.Ed., and Ed.D. from UCLA, and she is a champion of girls’ education, having served on the boards of One Schoolhouse and the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools. Following a nationwide search process in partnership with Diversified Search and including feedback from all constituents at the Academy, “it was clear that the community saw that Dr. Hotchkiss not only brings a very accomplished resume but the heart, mind, spirit, and faith to lead the Notre Dame community into the future,” shared Vazquez.
Bryn O’Hara ’21 Senior Bryn O’Hara was named Main Line Student of the Week for the week of January 26, 2021. Bryn is a standout member of the school’s Global Citizen Scholars program, an application-based cohort. She has embraced her leadership role on Model UN, cohosting meetings once a cycle with underclass students and helping to register Notre Dame’s chapter for the Harvard Model UN virtual conference in January. In AP Spanish, she recently participated in Notre Dame’s virtual debate with Devon Prep on whether or not Internet access was a fundamental global right. O’Hara also has participated in Academy of Notre Dame’s Social Justice Nights and was involved in weekly discussions with students from Notre Dame’s sister school in Singapore. She is also a member of Notre Dame’s Varsity crew team. Emma Oyakhire ’22 Junior Emma Oyakhire was named Main Line Student of the Week for the week of April 4, 2021. Emma was one of eight students selected to participate in Notre Dame’s inaugural International STEM Symposium in the Design Thinking & Entrepreneurship cohort. She is Vice President of the school’s Diversity Club, bringing creative ideas to the group on how to move the school forward in its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts. Oyakhire recently participated in the NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Conference, and subsequently offered ideas to school faculty, staff, and administration. Isabella Langley ’21 Senior Isabella Langley was named Main Line Student of the Week for the week of May 23, 2021. Among her many accomplishments, Isabella Langley is a National Merit Commended Scholar, and she was one of three students whose Semester 1 GPAs qualified her to represent the Class of 2021 at the 41st Annual Academic Honors Convocation on May 18 (see page 10). Isabella is a member of the ND Dance Company (which requires auditioning) and the Global Scholars program, and she also belongs to Model UN, Diversity Club, Environmental Club, Spanish Club, Student Council, The Gates Newspaper, and Student Ambassadors. 2020-2021 Middle and Upper School Artwork
Dr. Hotchkiss commented, “I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to serve as Head of School at the Academy of Notre Dame, and my sincere thanks to Dr. Dwyer, the Board, the Search Committee, and the many members of the Notre Dame family that I had the chance to speak with as part of the interview process. I look forward to starting my new role over the summer and getting to know all the incredible young women of Notre Dame.” 9
AROUND NOTRE DAME
Notre Dame’s Riley Center for STEM Education Receives LEED Silver Certification We are thrilled to share that Notre Dame’s Riley Center for STEM Education is LEED Silver Certified under the new Version 4 LEED Building Design and Construction rating system. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) provides a framework for efficient, healthy and innovative buildings, and is globally recognized as a symbol of sustainability. The STEM Center represents an educational case study for students and an example of how to perpetuate environmental and social responsibility, and most importantly, supports the Academy’s mission to inspire young women to inquire, explore, imagine and innovate. A LEED-certified building has several environmental, health and economic benefits, including lower CO2 emissions and less energy consumed. These health benefits are critical, especially for school projects, and LEED creates healthier spaces with cleaner air and spaces clear of harmful chemicals found in many building projects. Dr. Dwyer, Head of School, shares, “This LEED designation testifies to Notre Dame’s deep commitment to protect and improve all aspects of the environment for the health and well being of present and future generations.”
LEED Certification is granted by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), which handles the verification of the project’s compliance with the desired LEED requirements.
Notre Dame Students Selected to AllCatholic Chorus, Orchestra and Band Congrats to the following students chosen to represent Notre Dame AllCatholic Chorus, Band and Orchestra Festivals: Middle School Honor Band: Isabelle Mendoza, Flute 1, and Charlotte Hiscott, French Horn High School Chorus: Shannon Clark, Sarah Deeney, and Lorna Petrizzo High School Orchestra: Hannah Jackson, Violin 1, and Beatrice Aloi, Violin 2 High School Band: Andrea Wat, 1st Chair Flute 1
FROM THE DEI DEPARTMENT:
Notre Dame Hosts Keynote Speakers in honor of Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Asian American Pacific Islander Month In honor of Black History Month, Notre Dame welcomed University of Pennsylvania Vice-Provost Postdoctoral Research Fellow and community faith leader Dr. Atiya S. Love for a keynote address on February 10 to discuss purpose, passion and what it means to be a Phenomenal Woman. Through her many professional platforms, Dr. Love commits herself to inclusive leadership, equity, justice and community, and has been published several times on these topics. In honor of Women’s History Month, the ND community welcomed Dr. Anne Angle, orthodontist and owner of Angle Orthodontics (and parent of Aubrey ’22), on March 16. Dr. Angle shared her perspective on being a woman in a male-dominated medical profession and the educational path it takes to go into a career in the dental field. In honor of Women’s History Month and Asian American Pacific Islander Month, Ms. Amy Go, the former President of the Chinese Canadian National Council, spoke to the Notre Dame community on March 23 and on May 17. Ms. Go discussed the phenomenon of antiAsian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) violence, offering our students ways in which they can support our Asian American Pacific Islander sisters.
Three ND Seniors Honored at 41st Annual Archdiocesan Academic Honors Convocation On Tuesday evening, May 18, three Notre Dame seniors, Kat Lanzalotto, Claire Pinnie, and Isabella Langley, were honored at the 41st Annual Archdiocesan Academic Honors Convocation for earning the extraordinary distinction of ranking in the top 3% of their class. The ceremony took place at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter & Paul. Congratulations! 10
VISIONS SPRING 2021
Junior Ring Mass On Friday, April 23, the Class of 2022 participated in a revered Notre Dame tradition that links generations of students and alumnae to the cherished Notre Dame sisterhood: the Junior Ring Mass. The class ring connects the history, memories, and shared experiences of all Notre Dame graduates. Juniors receive their ring during a liturgy celebrated with the ND community. The school seal appears on one side of the center stone and on the other side, ND’s Gates represent the bond and legacy of the sisterhood of Notre Dame.
Students Shine in National History Day Competition After competing at the regional level through the Chester County Historical Society, three students advanced to the State level of the National History Day competition, and one student placed at the State level!
Senior Madelyn Schultz Receives Nursing Scholarship Congratulations to Madelyn Schultz ’21, who received the Delaware County School Nurse Association’s $1,000 Nursing Scholarship. The scholarship is offered to a senior attending a Delaware County high school who is planning a career in nursing and has been accepted into a NLN accredited program leading to a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. Maddie will attend Villanova University next year to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, then she plans on getting her Master’s degree in nursing, on her path to a desired career as a sports medicine nurse practitioner.
Abigail Rowley
Sarah Deeney
Charlotte Hiscott
Upper School: Abigail Rowley (Junior) - Breaking Enigma: The Key to Unraveling Nazi Communication (2nd place in regional, 5th place at states) Sarah Deeney (Sophomore) - Expression Through Blues (2nd place in regional) Middle School: Charlotte Hiscott (7th grade) - The Pentagon Papers (3rd place in regional) Congratulations to Abigail Rowley who placed 5th in the National History Day State Competition for her exhibit entitled Breaking Enigma: The Key to Unraveling Nazi Communication. Abby’s exhibit examined the importance of Alan Turing and other British intelligence officers in deciphering the encrypted German communication during WWII. Congratulations, Abby!
Recognizing Middle and Upper School Academic Achievement
On Saturday, April 17, 27 Middle School students were inducted into the Notre Dame Chapter of the National Junior Society, joining the 25 current members of the Middle School previously inducted. Sixty-one Upper School students joined the 29 current members of the Upper School as new members of the Notre Dame Chapter of the National Honor Society.
11
ACHIEVEMENTS ALL LEAGUE AWARDS GOLF: 1ST TEAM 2ND TEAM
Stef Bonini & Heather Styslinger Catherine Chapman
LACROSSE: 1ST TEAM Ava Bleckley & Dani Falcone 2ND TEAM Katie Onderdonk SOFTBALL: 1ST TEAM Jada Wade TRACK: 1ST TEAM 2ND TEAM
Therese Trainer Maura Brady, Emma McGuinn, Saylor Milone, Gabriella Recchilungo
Senior Athletes Make College Commitments Four Notre Dame athletes signed their National Letters of Intent this spring to play their respective sports at the collegiate level. Congratulations to Mia Abruzzo, University of Georgia (DI) Swimming; Christine Covello, Saint Francis University (DI) Volleyball; Grace Guerin, Catholic University of America (DIII) Volleyball; and Avery Thomas, Washington College (DIII) Basketball!
2020-2021
Sports Recognition Ceremony Awards Stotesbury Regatta Outstanding Achievement Award from the Catholic Philopatrian Literary Institute
Grace Quirk The Inter-Ac Athletic Director’s Award
Mia Abruzzo Blue and Gold Award
Mary Livingood Jo Trexler Award
Avery Thomas Faith Bascome Sportsmanship Award
Maddie Schultz Notre Dame Spirit Award
Izzy Casale
CREW TEAM
Advances for First Time Since 2016 at Stotesbury Regatta Notre Dame’s crew Varsity 8, Ellen Shank, Grace Wolter, Grace Quick, Sarah Duncan, Keira Chambers, Hannah Murphy, Sophia Pappano, Mollie Hickey, and Mary Livingood, finished their season at the Stotesbury Regatta on Friday, May 14th and Saturday, May 16th 2021. They were the first Notre Dame boat to advance at Stotesbury Regatta since 2016. 12
VISIONS SPRING 2021
ACHIEVEMENTS 2020-2021 Main Line Athletes of the Week Mia Abruzzo ’21 Mia holds the Academy of Notre Dame records in the 50 free (24.19), 100 free (51.84 – tie), 500 free (4:46.89), 100 fly (54.91), 200 IM (1:59.24), 200 medley relay (1:45.37), 200 free relay (1:37.11) and 400 free relay (3:38.12). “Mia is the fastest swimmer the Irish have ever had,” said Academy of Notre Dame swimming coach Brigit Barry. “Maybe more importantly, she is a true leader on the team. She swam in events that we needed her to swim throughout her entire Irish career and could always be counted on to anchor a relay and swim her absolute best in any given race.” Abruzzo is currently focusing on Olympic Trials that are coming up in June, and will swim the 200 fly and 400 IM. In the fall, she will swim for the University of Georgia.
Maeve McErlane ’22 As of February 10, Maeve was averaging 19.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg and 4 apg this season, then she poured in 32 points in Notre Dame’s huge 67-35 win against GA on February 11. Among the candidates for Miss Pennsylvania Basketball, an award that recognizes the best high school basketball players in the state according to SportsRecruiters.com, Maeve has already has received multiple Division I basketball scholarship offers. Notre Dame basketball head coach Lauren Power shared, “Maeve is a gifted player and her impressive stat sheet tells half of the story. She’s a gym rat, plays unselfish ball and makes everyone around her better. She wants to play the best and beat the best. Her competitiveness and work ethic are inspiring to her teammates, and she has helped elevate the program on so many levels. As good as she already is, she just keeps getting better, so I know the best is yet to come for her.”
Natalie Stuart ’22 All-American junior swimmer Natalie Stuart was named Main Line Girl’s Athlete of the Week for the week of January 31, 2021. A school record-holder in the 200 free relay and 400 free relay, Stuart also swims for the Suburban Seahawks, qualifying for the NCSA National Swimming Championships after placing fifth in the 1650 and 12th in the 500 free and 400 IM. Her 400 IM time (4:27.44) and 1650 time (17:11.06) qualified her for the NCSA National Swimming Championships. When asked about her most influential swim mentors and what they’ve taught her, Natalie shared, “I am currently swimming for Coach Charlie Kennedy at Suburban Swim Club, and he has really taught me how to love the sport. At the Academy of Notre Dame, Head Coach Brigit Barry is really great at bringing the team together to have fun and swim fast. Finally, Coach Andrew is an assistant coach at SSC and Notre Dame, and he has helped me to believe in myself and make the most of my training.”
GOLF TEAM
Notre Dame’s golf team finished the season 7-0 in InterAc league play and 8-0 overall. Congratulations on a successful season!
13
Congratulations to
14
Angela Abruzzese Mia Abruzzo Rhea Agrawal* Sophia Mary Andrisani Elizabeth Lucia Armenti Jade Diana Bennett Hanna Elizabeth Bodner* Stefanie Elizabeth Bonini* Sarah Law Bowen* Keegan Marie Bradley Taylor Joi Brooks Ella Delia Canavan Kira Alexa Capaldi*
Isabella Anne Casale Kiera Katherine Chambers* Shannon Elizabeth Clark Alexandra Noel Coneys Christine Marie Covello* Julia Adele Czachor Abigail Rose D’Anjolell Elizabeth Constance Dankmyer Ella Muldoon Donohue* Karissa Marie Edmundowicz* Danielle Nicole Falcone* Madeleine Delaney Fitzhenry* Isabel Grace Flotron
Olivia Herndon Fuller Meghan Katherine Gallary Ella Grace Glennon Isabelle Alexis Gochtovtt* Kate Grauer* Grace Margaret Guerin Nina Catherine Hipp Victoria Ruth Hneleski Hannah Mahoney Jackson* Emma Lane Keller* Jaiden Ann Kennedy* Paige Winifred Kieft* Corie Jean Kiselak
Marilyn Isabella Langley* Katherine Scanlon Lanzalotto* Catherine Marie Leary Olivia Grace Lepore Lauren Elizabeth Liebezeit* Mary Margaret Livingood* Alexandra Maria Loke* Ella Claire MacFarlane* Megan Grace Mackey Ava Frances MacLaughlin* Chiamaka Chelsea Madu Erin Theresa Maguire Tatum Anne Maloney*
the Class of 2021!
Bailey Ann Mattson* Ryan Elizabeth McCabe Molly Rose McCarthy Charlotte Amanda McGill Tia Amber McHugh Megan Elizabeth McNeill* Amber Lynn Morrison Lauren Christine Mullen Johanna Irene Murphy* Bryn Elizabeth O’Hara* Isabel Maria Oliver* Sophia Marie Pappano* Maeve Marie Pinheiro*
Claire Patrice Pinnie* Kyrah Potter* Scarlett Emily Price Mary Grace Quinn Aidan Maria Quintiliani Grace Patricia Quirk* Marta Therese Reid Mary Grace Reid Paige Makaela Riley* Alison Marie Romani Madelyn Loughran Schultz* Eleanor Katherine Scott Margaret Mary Searing*
Samantha Grace Shreiner Serena Spearman Sarah Lucia Sposato Molly Jeanne Stirling* Heather MacKenzie Styslinger Quinn Alexandra Sullivan* Amelia Grace Swan Julia Janina Szela Riley Elizabeth Tegler Jeannia Ezekia Telfort Avery Elizabeth Thomas Halle Lindsey Wallis* Peyton Mae Williamson
VISIONS SPRING 2021
Ashley Ann Wingfield Stephanie Winterdal* Grace Reilly Wolter* Sydney Marie Worrell* Catherine Mary Wynne* Cameron Mullen Zozaya *National Honor Society
15
COMMENCEMENT
Seniors Recognized for Academic Excellence Notre Dame recognizes the following students who were honored for academic excellence at the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies on June 4 and 5, 2021.
16
Sophia Andrisani
Kiera Chambers
Danielle Falcone
Hannah Jackson
Jaiden Kennedy
Notre Dame Alumnae Award
The Rittenhouse Square Award, Sister Mary Augusta Award for French
English Award, Aimee Willard Scholar Athlete Award
Instrumental Music Award
Dance Award
Paige Kieft
Marilyn Isabella Langley
Katherine Lanzalotto
Ella MacFarlane
Ava MacLaughlin
Art Award
Mathematics Award, Spanish Award, Sister Rose Carmel Award
Social Studies Award, Spanish Award
The Distinguished Service Award
Choral Music Award, Latin Award, Sister Nancy Bonshock Award for Social Studies
Chiamaka Madu
Bryn O’Hara
Isabel Oliver
Sarah Pappano
Maeve Pinhiero
Religion Award
Mandarin Award
Irma Alonso Award for Spanish
Science Award
Art Award, Sister Mary Anne Broughton Award for Religion
Claire Pinnie
Madelyn Schultz
Molly Stirling
General Excellence
Religion Award
Dance Award
VISIONS SPRING 2021
Notre Dame Class of 2021 Matriculation American University Boston College (5) Brown University Bucknell University (5) Claremont McKenna College College of Charleston (2) Columbia University (2) Duke University Elon University (3) Fairfield University (3) Florida Atlantic University (2) Franklin & Marshall College Georgetown University (3) High Point University Holy Cross College-University of Notre Dame Howard University James Madison University Lafayette College
Louisiana State University Marquette University Pace University Princeton University Providence College Purdue University Rowan University Rutgers University, Honors College Saint Francis University, Honors Program Saint Joseph’s University Saint Louis University, Madrid San Diego State University Savannah College of Art and Design Southern Methodist University (2) Syracuse University (2) Temple University Texas Christian University The Catholic University of America (2) The Pennsylvania State University (5)
The University of Edinburgh The University of Tampa (2) Thomas Jefferson University (2) Tulane University University of Delaware (3) University of Georgia (2) University of Maryland, College Park (2) University of Miami (2) University of Michigan University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh, Honors College University of Pittsburgh University of Rhode Island University of Richmond University of Rochester (2) University of Surrey University of Virginia (2) Villanova University (9) Washington College 17
COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY VALEDICTORIAN: CLAIRE PINNIE
SALUTATORIAN: KYRAH POTTER
Class of 2021: By the Numbers
529 337 95% 94% 12%
offers of admission from 173 colleges and universities scholarships received for a total of $17,177,548 attending one of their top three college choices accepted in the early acceptance round student-athletes who will compete in collegiate athletics
We are pleased to honor our STEM and Global Citizens Scholars in the Class of 2021. Global Citizens Scholars Kiera Chambers Isabella Langley Hannah Jackson Katherine Lanzalotto Alexandra Loke Ella MacFarlane Ava MacLaughlin Bryn O’Hara Maeve Pinheiro Sydney Worrell
18
STEM Scholars Stefanie Bonini Ella Donohue Madeline Fitzhenry Bailey Mattson Johanna Murphy Isabel Oliver Sophia Pappano Claire Pinnie Molly Searing Madelyn Schultz Amelia Swan Grace Quirk Catherine Wynne
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER: DR. MONDIRA KUNDU ’89
“Seniors: you’re here at an amazing moment in your lives. A moment where you get to chart your own course. Where the world is yours for the taking. And the future is but a book that’s yet to be written … When we’re young, we’re often asked about the future. What are we going to do? Who are we going to be? And told to think about the destination. To set goals before we embark on the journey of our lives. We’re told that the journey is the means to the end. Well I’m here to speak up for journeys! And to defend the occasional wrong turn. Because sometimes it’s only when we realize we’re lost that we’re able to figure out where we really want to go. So cherish the journey every bit as the goal itself. The most important thing is to embark on that journey that is an end in itself and to not be afraid of getting lost. And as you travel, be inquisitive and ask questions. That’s something I learned at Notre Dame thanks to the wonderful teachers here who encouraged curiosity, which in turn sparked my interest and fostered my love of science. Congratulations, good luck and enjoy the journey ahead.”
Dr. Dwyer presenting Mistress of Ceremonies, Madelyn Schultz, with her diploma.
VISIONS SPRING 2021
Congratulations to our
8th Grade Graduates! Torianne Abruzzo Siena Asselta Avery Balitsaris Raina Banerjee Alexandra Paige Beekley Taylor Mary Brown Natalia Reese Condit Helen Porter Coogan Marley Grace Daggett Mary Katherine Daniel Rachel Consuela Deeney Ava Rose DiGiuseppe Lauren Paige Dougherty Sienna Dempsey Dunn Temperance Anne England Isabella Marie Roque Everard Alexandra Phelps Fahey Bridget Marie Fahey Rory Paige Ferris Catherine Elisabeth Fitzhenry
Catherine Crawford Fox Mackenzie Elizabeth Foy Maggie Elizabeth Fullem Bryn Isabella Galiffa Milani Adelina Gallo Leah Solomon Gebrehiwot Sabrina Marguerite Gollotti Sophie Joyce Hall Emily Hamill Bridget Clare Hickey Natalie Ioannidi Ava Grace Kennedy Keira Catherine Kim Caitlin Murphy McFadden Jacqueline Hope McGowan Alyssa Diane Meakim Leah Grace Mejzak Isabelle Grace Mendoza Katharine Brooke Miller Kendyl Claire Mordan
Emily Ava Morley Bethany Leigh Morris Rosa Grace Morroney Grace Odeyemi Avery Anne Ovchar Izabela Palladino Ava Rose Patel Helen Elizabeth Potts Sienna Rae Russo Hayoon Shin Ella Katherine Simko Amelia Elizabeth Snyder Eva Lynn Stillwell Riley Ann Sullivan Brooke Alexandra Walters Ava Warren Sophia Grace Webster Demi Charlotte Wolfington Mary Kathleen Zaffarese
19
Spring Highlights MOTHER DAUGHTER MASSES AND PICNICS
FATHER DAUGHTER WALK
SPIRIT DAY
DANCE PERFORMANCES
20
VISIONS SPRING 2021
Alumnae News Alumnae Compete Against Each Other in NCAA Championship Tina D’Anjolell ’18 from Michigan University and Mia Leonhardt ’20
from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill competed against each other in the NCAA Division-1 Field Hockey Championship. Mia scored a goal for the Tar Heels en route to a 4-3 thrilling, overtime championship victory.
Please join our new Head of School, Dr. Laura M. Hotchkiss, and the Academy of Notre Dame community in Stone Harbor, NJ Tina D’Anjolell ’18
Mia Leonhardt ’20
ND Alumnae Virtual Floral Arranging Experience
Enjoy a summer evening with cocktails, light fare and conversation Thursday, August 5, 2021 6:30 - 8:30 pm The Reeds at Shelter Haven 9601 3rd Avenue Stone Harbor, NJ 08247 RSVP to Mimi Koelle at mkoelle@ndapa.org by July 30, 2021.
Guests Welcome – Attendees must be 21 years of age
Thank you to Alumnae Association President Megan McNeill Trost ’94 who partnered with Alice’s Table to host an exclusive floral arranging experience with Notre Dame Alumnae, and thank you to all who were able to join us for this fantastic virtual event on March 18. A great time was had by all who logged in and learned how to create beautiful DIY flower bouquets!
More than 520 Alumnae have joined the private LinkedIn page, “Academy of Notre Dame de Namur Alumnae Networking Group.” It is a wonderful resource to stay current on all things Notre Dame, and importantly, to network with your fellow Alumnae on internships, career opportunities, and more. Join our page and stay connected! 21
ALUMNAE NEWS
2021-2023 Alumnae Executive Board Officers and At-Large Members Megan McNeill Trost ’94 President Cerise Knowles James ’91 Vice President Kaitlin Smith Donnelly ’08 Secretary Samantha Carroll Harris ’05 Treasurer JoAnne DiLauro Alexander ’57 At-Large Member We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the members of the Executive Alumnae Board who have worked to advance the Alumnae community and the programming within the Association. A special thank you to our outgoing Board members for their dedicated service and leadership including: Molly Kelly Joyce ’04 Vice President Jennifer Harvey Waggenspack ’04 Secretary Members At-Large:
Amanda Zajdel Perwien ’05 Kristen McNeill Nicholls ’11 Erin Boyle Ward ’96
2020-2021 Rittenhouse Square Alumnae Board Officers Loretta Salvadore Hartnett ’55 President Janet Salvadore Colella ’59 Treasurer Rose DeRienze ’55 Frances Casey Hansen ’55 Joan Lotuff Kummeth ’54 Jeanette McGann Lamb ’64 Anne Stevenson McAdams ’57 Patti Devereaux McAleer ’66 Rosalie Foti Morgan ’56 Joan Pacella ’58 Kasey Morgan Price ’60 Irene Ricci Rejewski ’59 Nancy Rigney ’51 22
SQUARE CORNER SPOTLIGHT:
Siblings, Loretta Edmonds SQ ’54 and Don Edmonds SQ ’54 Loretta Edmonds SQ ’54 is a singer, pianist and actress. Born into a musical family, Loretta studied piano at the Philadelphia Conservatory and played in her first concert at the age of eight. Loretta began to appear professionally as a pianist and singer at the age of 18, touring the country and appearing at hotels such as the Waldorf Astoria, the Plaza and the St. Regis in New York. She moved to New York to study opera; Loretta also studied acting with Wynn Handman. A former Soprano Soloist at Radio City Music Hall, Loretta has also appeared off-Broadway in many shows including Master Class and Wonderful Lives, acted in 25 theatrical films and was featured in many mini-series and soap operas. In addition, she has appeared with many opera companies, at outdoor concerts in Central Park and created the role of “Chloe” in Love and Psyche, an American Opera in English. Although opera has always been her first love, Loretta also enjoys jazz and Broadway music and was the recipient of the Joseph C. Reilly award from the Screen Actors Guild. Loretta remembers fondly her days at Rittenhouse Square. In her own words, she describes, “It’s hard to know where to start. We had wonderful teachers, including Sister Marion, who taught 5th and 6th grade, and Sister Catherine Clare, freshman class homeroom teacher, along with Sister Catherine Joan, senior class homeroom teacher, and Sister Mary of the Passion, the librarian who permitted me to screen books before they went into circulation. I look back on the feeling of refinement, the joy of learning, the May processions, the school plays (I played Marmee in the Senior class production of Little Women), the library club, the Senior Tea, the daily recitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary with all of its wonderful and colorful verses and the belief in the future. “Years after graduation, I visited Sister Catherine Joan at Trinity College in Washington. She asked me if our education was ’too precious’ and if I thought we were not prepared for the world. I told her that I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Those lovely years will remain with me for the rest of my life.” Don Edmonds SQ ’54 has been playing jazz and music of every genre for many years in New York, Philadelphia, nationally and internationally, performing with bands led by Buddy De Franco, Charlie Ventura, Lou Anderson, Gene Roland, Sam Ulano, Leter Lanin and Peter Duchin. Don has appeared in concerts at Lincoln Center with the Gotham Jazz Orchestra and has been featured in numerous television shows and TV and radio commercials for major companies including Pepsi Cola, Burger King, Campbell’s Soup and Schaefer Beer. He was also featured in the motion picture Earthly Possessions starring Susan Sarandon. When he was on the Joe Franklin television show, he was described as “an outstanding young American jazz pianist.” In recent years, Don has been playing with the Stan Rubin Jazz Orchestra at Swing 46 on Restaurant Row in Manhattan’s theatre district and many other venues.
VISIONS SPRING 2021
Alumnae Class Notes 1970s Lisa Schmidt Boiani ’74 and the Class of 1974 have been hosting monthly Zoom meetings on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm. Donna Besa Wroblewski ’74 became a grandmother again. Donna’s son Domenick and wife Jenn welcomed a baby girl named Demi Renee on July 8, 2020. Wendy McClatchy ’76 is a professional artist and exhibited her art in Notre Dame’s 48th Annual Fine Art Show and Sale, which took place virtually this year. Wendy attended Hollins College where she earned her Bachelor’s in Studio Art and Art History. She attended graduate school at Drexel University, earning a Master of Arts degree in Psychology. She received two national awards for her work, including the Purchase Award from Degas Pastel Society and the Terry Ludwig Award from The Appalachian Pastel Society. She is represented by The Station Gallery in Greenville, DE, and The William Ris Fine Art Gallery in Stone Harbor, NJ. 1980s Mondira Kundu, M.D., Ph.D. ’89, pathologist and full member at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, gave the Academy’s Commencement Address on June 5, 2021. (Read more on Page 18.) Dr. Kundu received her Bachelor of Science from the Pennsylvania State University and her M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Jefferson Medical College as part of the 6-year accelerated B.S./M.D. and Gibbons Scholar M.D./Ph.D. program. Dr. Kundu was a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health, prior to completing clinical training in Clinical Pathology/Hematopathology and additional research training at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Kundu has received several prestigious awards, including the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Fellowship Award, Burroughs Wellcome Career Award in Biomedical Sciences, American Society of Hematology Junior Faculty Scholar Award, as well as multiple grant awards from the National Institutes of Health. She is also an elected member of the American Society for Clinical Investigations.
ALUMNAE AUTHORS: Una Mannion ’83 has enjoyed much success over her career as an author, winning numerous prizes for her poetry and short stories. Her most recent achievement is her debut novel, A Crooked Tree, published by Harper Collins in the US and Faber in the UK. Throughout her childhood, Una and her siblings spent summers visiting County Sligo, Ireland, where their father was born, and where Una settled almost 30 years ago. She has taught at the Institute of Technology, Sligo and is program chair of the BA in Writing and Literature. She lives in Sligo with her husband and three children. Una joined the members of the Alumnae Book Club in April to share her perspective on storytelling. Claire Holroyde ’97 is a writer, graphic designer, and storyteller living in the Philadelphia metro area. Her first novel is critically acclaimed and was featured in Barnes & Nobles promotions. She joined the Alumnae Book Club on June 10 to share more insights and discuss her debut novel, The Effort.
The Alumnae Book Club meets every other month virtually. We are grateful and honored that both Una and Claire shared their time with the Alumnae Book Club Members, providing an in-depth perspective on the life of an author and all that goes into storytelling.
1990s Morgan Van Arsdall ’94 has worked as an aerospace engineer on the Hubble Space Telescope program since 2001 and for the past three years, she has been the Systems Manager. Morgan was recently featured in a Brain Pop! episode celebrating Hubble’s 30 years in orbit. Morgan works with all of the subsystem engineers to coordinate their activities and make sure all the requirements and goals are met for major spacecraft activities. She ensures all of the testing is correct and complete, reviews the procedures, and oversees the actual commanding of the spacecraft. When there are problems on Hubble, she is one of the anomaly response managers that coordinates the actions to get Hubble up and operating again as quickly and safely as possible. Morgan earned a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from University of Notre Dame and an M.A. in Science, Technology, and Public Policy from George Washington University.
23
ALUMNAE CLASS NOTES
Nicole McCauley Forzato ’94 was appointed as the Chester County Solicitor in August 2020. She is the first female to hold this position in Chester County. Nicole attended Villanova for both undergraduate and law school and graduated in 2001. She worked as a law clerk and then became a prosecutor in Montgomery County before moving into private practice. More recently, she joined the Montgomery County Solicitor’s office, providing legal guidance to the Department of Voter Services and handling election-related cases. She was a state prosecutor focusing on election related cases and matters involving public corruption around the Commonwealth before her recent appointment as Chester County Solicitor.
Lindsay Gosnell Green ’04 and her husband Jordan welcomed their second child, Torin Christopher Green, on February 2, 2021. Kacy McNichol ’04 and fiancé, Andrew Cellucci, got engaged at Neumann University on January 25, 2020. They will be married on June 25, 2021 at Sacred Heart Church and Radnor Valley Country Club. 6
2000s Angela Guarino ’00, husband Colin, and grandmother, Rosemary Guarino welcomed Justin Andrew on April 15, 2021. 6
Regina Burns Nurk ’08 and her husband, Jeffrey, welcomed a baby boy, Harvey Patrick Nurk on December 2, 2020. Bridget Burns ’10 and Natalie Burns ’16 are the proud aunts. Bianca Wilson Tamagnini ’04, her husband Todd and big sister Elisa welcomed Juliana Christina on August 9, 2020. Kate Devlin ’05 completed postdoctoral training in clinical neuropsychology at Thomas Jefferson University in 2020 and joined the faculty of the Department of Psychology at Drexel University, where she studies cognitive impairment and everyday functioning. Lauren Katona ’05 and her husband Scott welcomed a baby boy, Hugo Lawrence, on November 30, 2020. He joins his proud big brother and sister, William and Layla.
Antonia DeGeorge McClune ’03 and Kate Hillegass Finnegan ’03 both had their first children, beautiful baby boys: Owen Everett McClune born on May 5, 2020 and Seamus Dennis Finnegan born on September 14, 2020. Kate now lives in Seattle and Antonia lives in Portland and they were finally able to see each other and meet their sons. 6
24
Krista Funari ’08 is a graduate of Villanova University, with a degree in Marketing and International Business. While in college, she studied abroad in both London and Hong Kong. Krista interned with Walt Disney World Paris, Philadelphia Magazine, Lululemon and the Philadelphia 76ers. She is currently employed at Lilly Pulitzer as a Retail Operations and Communications Senior Associate. Her responsibilities include store event management, planning and opening of new brick and mortar stores, and process and technology improvements and training for retail stores. Krista spoke at the Alumnae Mentorship Program, “Life Beyond the Gates,” in March.
Jessica Turner ’06 returned as an exhibiting artist in the 48th Annual Fine Art Show & Sale at Notre Dame. Jessica attended Drexel University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Playwriting and Screenwriting. Alongside her love of theatre, she began creating art and has sold out of her highly-coveted Victorian-era circus animal collection in recent Art Shows. Kara Brown ’08, her husband Dave and daughter Savannah welcomed Charlotte James on February 24, 2021. 6
Devynne Bruder Slagis ’08 and her husband, Ben, welcomed a baby girl, Kellyn Quarry Slagis, on August 3, 2020. Lynn Bond Bruder ’80 is Kellyn’s grandmother and her aunt is Erin Ryan Bruder ’17. Kimberly Curtis ’09 spent a year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps as a housing advocate, after graduating from Boston College in 2013. Her commitment to public service led her to internships at the White House, National Low Income Housing Coalition, and Central Virginia Legal Aid Society. She has contributed to pro bono projects with the Virginia Innocence Project and Virginia Poverty Law Center. Kim recently received her dual degree in law and public policy from the University of Virginia and will join a small firm in Washington, D.C., that focuses on the development of affordable housing. Kim was honored for her service at the 2021 Holy Child Awards Virtual Dinner on March 18 with the Holy Child Spirit Award. On March 24, she came to speak at the “Life Beyond the Gates” senior event. Kimberly and fiancé Christopher Rossie were engaged on June 30, 2019. 6
VISIONS SPRING 2021
Rosetta DePaul ’09 and Shane Doherty were engaged on September 19, 2020 at The Sagamore Resort in Lake George, NY. Their wedding will take place on May 14, 2022 at Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester, MA. Rosetta is the Director of Marketing and Client Services at Rauhaus Freedenfeld & Associates, a renowned and award-winning architecture firm and published leader in animal care design, such as veterinary hospitals, animal shelters, and pet boarding facilities. 6
Alumnae Mentors Prepare the Class of 2021 for Life “Beyond the Gates” On March 24, the Class of 2021 had the opportunity to learn from Notre Dame alumnae as part of the newly established mentorship program. The event, entitled “A Senior Workshop: Preparing for Life Beyond the Gates,” was a huge success! Alumnae spoke about a variety of topics—financial literacy, nutrition, preparing for college, study abroad, internships, advanced degrees and more—throughout the day to help prepare the seniors for the next chapter of their lives. At the end of the day, Eryka Waller ’10 sent the senior class off with a vibrant choreographed dance. It was a special day, with women empowering young women just in time for Women’s History Month! We are deeply grateful to the following alumnae who created such a memorable day for the seniors: Eryka Lynn Waller ’10 Emily Fuss ’12 Hannah Fuss ’16 Kaitlin Smith Donnelly ’08 Kelly Corcoran Putsch ’09
Kristen Bandos ’12 Krista Funari ’08 Kimberly Curtis ’09 Lindsay Gosnell Green ’04 Jaimie Lafferty ’12
Kelly Corcoran Putsch ’09 attended Pennsylvania State University and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Advertising. Kelly’s family – her grandmother, mother, sister and cousins – are all graduates of Notre Dame. She is currently working in business development with a focus on Branding for D2 Groups, a full service design firm based in King of Prussia. Kelly resides in West Chester with her husband and 21-month old daughter. Stephanie Sudjian ’09 is an Integrative Registered Dietician in the Boston area who started her own company, Fuel for Life, LLC specializing in Sports Nutrition, Functional Medicine, and Gastrointestinal Health. Stephanie earned a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Dietetics and Nutrition from the University of Pittsburgh where she minored in Fitness. She then earned a Master of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine from the University of Western States and a Master of Education in Counseling from West Chester University. She has also been published in Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions Newsletter. Stephanie works to honor the uniqueness of each patient’s genetic makeup so that optimal health can be achieved. She provides 1 on 1 nutrition counseling, group counseling, and a corporate wellness option. Fun fact, she also offers children’s cooking classes!
25
ALUMNAE CLASS NOTES 2010s Cathy Lee McNeill ’10 moved to New York City and recently accepted a position as Enterprise Account Executive with Intrado Digital Media, a software company in the media and communications space, selling virtual event and streaming software to their largest customers, primarily Fortune 500 companies. Ashley Crandall ’12 is a Senior Financial Analyst at Johnson & Johnson and is a key member of the Global Central Team for Talent and Workforce Transformation. This role provides her with unique visibility to Leadership and an opportunity to partner with many stakeholders. She began her career at J&J through a 6-month Co-op while attending St. Joseph’s University. Jaimie Lafferty ’12 is a Registered Dietitian and completed her training at Mercy Philadelphia Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. She began working for the Philadelphia Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program where she provided both nutrition counseling and breastfeeding education to low-income pregnant and postpartum women in English and in Spanish. She recently graduated with her master’s degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Delaware and currently works for Constructive Partnerships Unlimited, a company that specializes in a wide range of programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Brittani Smith ’12 is a Registered Nurse and joined Lankenau Medical Center in the middle of the pandemic and has served on the Covid-19 unit of the hospital. 6
Brittany Stokes ’12 attended Saint Joseph’s University and was captain of the women’s rowing program in 2015-2016. After graduation, Brittany completed a year of service with City Year AmeriCorps. As a member of AmeriCorps, she served at W.D. Kelley School where she taught eighth grade math and reading, along with social-emotional learning skills and
26
promoting classroom attendance. Brittany is currently in her second-year at Widener University Delaware Law School and a member of the Widener Black Law Students Association. Brittany is the Staff Editor of the Widener Law Review, and her recent Covid-19 article was published in The Philadelphia Lawyer magazine. You may view Brittany’s article on page 13 here. After law school, Brittany aspires to enter into litigation. Last summer, she was a judicial intern for the Honorable Timika Lane, while this summer, she has secured an internship with the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office. 6
Mel Derderian ’14 attended Villanova University, majoring in Communication. She graduated in three years with magna cum laude honors and is now a Dean’s Merit Scholar at Villanova Law. Upon her graduation in May, she will join the Department of Justice, a position she received through the Attorney General Honors Program, and will be a judicial law clerk at the Boston Immigration Court in the fall. Caitlin Livesey ’15 is currently finishing her first year at the University of Pennsylvania where she is pursuing her Master of Science degree in Historic Preservation. Caitlin completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Richmond in 2019. Christina Dietzler ’16 is pursuing a Master of Arts in Theology through the University of Notre Dame Echo Graduate Service Program. Recent graduate of Villanova University Class of 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Theology and Humanities with minors in Public Administration and Peace & Justice. Experienced in facilitating retreats, preparing liturgies, coordinating events and ministering with youth and young adults at religious institutions and non-profits.
Janae Grier ’13 earned a Bachelor’s degree from Temple University and is currently pursuing her MBA from Saint Joseph’s University. Once the pandemic hit, she shifted gears in her career and obtained her real estate license. Janae is now a Pennsylvania Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, serving Philadelphia, the Main Line, and everywhere in between. Mary Rose Bethel ’14, who graduated from Loyola University Maryland in 2018, is currently a third-year Doctor of Audiology student at the University of Pittsburgh (Class of 2022). She will be completing her fourth-year externship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She was drawn to the audiology profession because of her personal experience with hearing loss. Diagnosed with hearing loss at the age of four, Mary Rose has sought to help break the stigma surrounding hearing loss. As a doctoral student, Mary Rose is involved in research as well as academic and clinical activities. She was invited to submit a three-part article series to The Hearing Journal, based on her research project poster, which was displayed at the Academy of Audiology Annual Conference 2020. Her research project examined the experiences of deaf and hard of hearing audiology students throughout their clinical education.
Natalie Burns ’16 recently accepted a position as a recruiter at Aerotek. Elizabeth Devenney ’16 is currently a special education classroom teacher at the Vanguard School (Malvern, Pa) for grades K-1. In February, she passed her certification exam to become a Board Certified Assistance Behavior Analyst. She is also currently continuing her education at Penn State University to obtain her Master’s degree in special education and applied behavior analysis. Maddie Keane ’16 is a 2020 graduate of Pennsylvania State University and currently is a Sales Development Representative Intern at UiPath. Maddie majored in advertising, minored in Spanish, and received a Smeal College of Business certificate. Recently, she started a podcast that is available on Spotify. Claire Nappi ’17, a communications major, helped her team win the lacrosse Atlantic Coast Conference championship at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Caroline O’Keefe ’17, a senior at Temple University, is the President of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Network at TU, which is a branch of the Entrepreneurial Student Association.
VISIONS SPRING 2021
Anna Dewey ’19 is a Customer Finance Solutions Intern at Takeda, gaining experience in the accounting and operational aspects of a global biopharmaceutical company.
2020s Mikayla Dever ’20 scored two goals early in her freshman debut for the Rutgers University Women’s Lacrosse Team. 6
Meredith Lauzon ’19, a sophomore Finance and Marketing major at the University of Pittsburgh, is Vice President Community Service for her business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi (DSP). She had the opportunity to put together a beneficial Linkedin and Professional Development Workshop for students studying English and working toward their goals at Literacy Pittsburgh, a local organization that offers free tutoring and small classes for adults. Notre Dame lacrosse teammates, Belle McHugh ’19 and Grace Bleckley ’20, from Drexel University competed against Mikayla Dever ’20 from Rutgers University in the first round of the NCAA Division-1 Lacrosse Tournament earlier this spring.
Eva Kraus ’20, a freshman at Drexel University majoring in Biomedical Engineering, is part of Drexel’s STAR Scholar program. Eva joined Inside Ambition, Drexel Television’s student news show where she co-hosted segments interviewing people about news and events happening at Drexel. Kate Meguerian ’20 was recently elected as a Cohort President of the College of Arts & Sciences at New York University. The opportunity includes a leadership development program and the planning of an impactful event for her Class of 2024.
CeCe Quirk ’20 and Grace Rivers ’20, both of whom are pursuing Spanish in their studies, visited Senora Fink’s AP Spanish students earlier this year, to share helpful strategies and best practices for achieving great success on their upcoming Language & Culture exam.6
Sisters Maggie O’Brien ’19, University of Richmond, and Morgan O’Brien ’20, Davidson College, played against each other this spring. After many years of being teammates, they were competitors.6
ARRIVALS: Angela Guarino ’00 and husband, Colin, welcomed a baby boy, Justin Andrew, on April 15, 2021. Lindsay Gosnell Green ’04 and her husband, Jordan, welcomed their second child, Torin Christopher Green, on February 2, 2021. Bianca Wilson Tamagnini ’04, her husband, Todd, and big sister, Elisa, welcomed Juliana Christina on August 9, 2020.
Mary Kate Trevisan ’19 was accepted into Fairfield University’s Jesuit Honor Society, which recognizes students who distinguish themselves in scholarship, loyalty, and service. Caroline Voegele ’19 is attending UNC-Chapel Hill and studying Public Policy and History. She is on the executive board with UNC-UNICEF and interned for the World Affairs Council last winter. Recently, she secured the position as Curriculum Director at Happy Kids, Healthy.
Lauren Katona ’05, husband, Scott, and big brother and sister, William and Layla, welcomed Hugo Lawrence on November 30, 2020. Kara Brown ’08, her husband, Dave, and big sister, Savannah, welcomed Charlotte James on February 24, 2021. Regina Burns Nurk ’08 and Jeffrey welcomed son, Harvey Patrick Nurk, born on December 2, 2020. Devynne Bruder Slagis ’08 and Ben Slagis welcomed a baby girl, Kellyn Quarry Slagis, on August 3, 2020.
27
ALUMNAE CLASS NOTES
UPCOMING EVENTS:
GOLF & TENNIS CLASSIC September 21, 2021 REUNION CELEBRATING THE CLASSES ENDING IN 0 & 5 AND 1 & 6 October 16, 2021
In Memoriam
NOTRE DAME AT THE REEDS IN STONE HARBOR, NJ August 5, 2021 1947
Virginia Fiorentino ’47 November 21, 2020 1948
Joan Mecke ’48 February 28, 2021
2010
Ayanna Fields ’10 May 30, 2021 Margaret Carney, mother of Carroll Carney Robertson ’76, Susan Carney Fahey ’77 and Resie Carney Flaherty ’81 November 20, 2020
COOKIES & COCOA WITH SANTA December 5, 2021 10:30 am-12:30 pm • The Mansion
1952
ALUMNAE CHRISTMAS PARTY December 14, 2021 6:30-9:00 pm • The Union League
1954
Thomas Cloetingh, father of Julie Cloetingh Cady ’03 and uncle of Kristina Cloetingh ’08 November 19, 2020
Ann Hughes ’54, sister of the late Mary Hughes Rinaldi ’53 and Alice Hughes Zygmont ’59 January 21, 2021
Dr. John Daly, father of Maureen Daly Moore ’04 March 26, 2021
1955
John “Doc” Dougherty, husband of Tricia Dougherty ’74 January 5, 2021
THE CLASSES OF 2020 & 2021 REUNION December 16, 2021 The Mansion
Antoinette Roach Campbell ’52 September 12, 2020
Patricia Peleggi Lerro Sq ’55 February 10, 2021 1956
Anne “Nancy” Dougherty Lavin ’56, mother-in-law of Jennifer Lavin ’90 and grandmother of Kathleen O’Connor ’17 January 21, 2021 Faith Christensen Johnson ’56 January 23, 2021 1960
Epiphany “Piff ” Pantaleo Collins Sq ’60, mother of Epiphany Collins ’85 and April Collins Crockett ’87 and cousin of Ashley McGuigan ’94 April 20, 2021 Kathryn Pierce Cox ’61 February 18, 2021 1962
Veronica Goodman DeAngelis Sq ’62 January 9, 2021
Kevin Higgins, father of Claire Higgins ’13 and Elise Higgins ’15 February 21, 2021 Joseph Iacovitti, father of Lorraine Iacovitti Henderson ’69 June 10, 2020
Theodore Raymond, father of Lisa Raymond ’91 March 2, 2021 Agnes Rocchia, mother of Rosemary Guarino and grandmother of Angela Guarino ’00 December 9, 2020
1966
Carla Fanticolla Sq ’66 December 17, 2020 1981
Gerry Houghton Wallace ’81 November 5, 2020
Helen Devine Tobin, mother of Colleen Tobin Skrzat ’69 and Denise Tobin Garrigus ’73, sister of Patricia Devine Carmody ’46 and Joan Devine Sq ’50, and aunt of Susan Carmody ’75, Maureen Carmody ’78 and Caroline Carmody ’81 December 25, 2020
Moreen Dearie Brady ’89, wife of Gerard Brady, Jr., mother of Shannon ’19 and Maura ’23, daughter of Mary Ann Dearie ’62 and sister of Doreen Doyle ’86 and Coleen Weir ’87 April 5, 2021
28
Robert Galante, husband of Juliet Giordano Galante Sq ’57 March 27, 2021
David McCarthy Jr., husband of Mary McGlynn McCarthy ’56 October 1, 2020
1961
1989
Basil Dzubak, husband of Gina Demopulos Dzubak ’57 October 16, 2020
Help Notre Dame finish strong! Show your support for the Academy by making your gift today: use the enclosed envelope, give online at ndapa.org or use Venmo at AcademyofNotreDamedeNamur. Please contact Mimi Koelle, Director of Development, if you have questions, mkoelle@ndapa.org. Now, more than ever, we are thankful for your generous support!
CELEBRATING 0’s, 5’s AND 1’s, 6’s
Third time’s the charm! Reunion Weekend | Saturday, October 16, 2021 For more information please visit, www.ndapa.org, www.facebook.com/NDAVillanova, and www.instagram.com/NDAlumnae or contact Mimi Koelle at 610-971-4919 or mkoelle@ndapa.org. Register online at www.ndapa.org/alumevents.
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Southeastern, PA Permit No. 301
560 Sproul Road Villanova, PA 19085 610.687.0650
SAVE THE DATE
Join us for a day of fun and camaraderie to support the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur
GOLF & TENN S
Tuesday, September 21, 2021 Tennis at 8:30 AM
Golf at 11:00 AM
OVERBROOK GOLF CLUB
APPLEBROOK GOLF CLUB
Cocktails, Dinner, and LIVE Auction at 5:00 PM APPLEBROOK GOLF CLUB
To register as a player and/or sponsor please visit: www.ndapa.org/golf Parents of Alumnae If this issue is addressed to your daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address in your home, please email her new address to: alumnae@ndapa.org.
FOLLOW WHAT’S HAPPENING AT NOTRE DAME: @NDAVillanova
@ND1856
Academy of Notre Dame de Namur
NDVillanova