VISIONS ACADEMY OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR
ND Unveils New Mental Health Initiatives Commencement 2022 Reunion Weekend
SUMMER 2022
Inspired by artists like Yayoi Kusama and Isaiah Zagar, who use their creativity to bring everyday spaces to life, Upper School artists created an insect installation using a wide range of materials including recycled wallpaper, fabric, handmade felt, plaster, wire, and paint.
Table of Contents 2
Student Well-Being Program Launches at the Academy
6
Around Notre Dame
16
Commencement 2022
22
Eighth Grade Graduates
25
Alumnae News
26
Reunion Weekend
29
Class Notes
32
In Memoriam
VISIONS STAFF EDITOR Lisa D’Orazio, Director of Marketing & Communications CONTRIBUTORS Elizabeth Winter, Digital Marketing Manager Maria Breck Gunn, Director of Enrollment & Institutional Advancement Lauren Power, Director of Alumnae Relations Maggie Malloy, Institutional Advancement Associate CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Active Image Media | Campli Photography | Jay Gorodetzer DESIGN Biddle Design PRINTING McClafferty Printing Co.
ON THE COVER: Amelia Mordan ’22, Catherine Chapman ’22, and Charlotte Lignowski ’22 concluded the Commencement ceremony with a moving rendition of Billy Joel’s Vienna. Photo by David Campli
This issue of Visions reflects information gathered through June 6, 2022. If you have suggestions for future features, please share them with visions@ndapa.org.
Message from the HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Notre Dame Community, Thank you for an amazing year. Thank you to our students for their energy and efforts in and out of the classroom; to our parents for their support and dedication of their time, talent, and treasure; and to our faculty and staff for their care and dedication to their Notre Dame students. I also thank each of you for supporting me during my first year. This is truly joyful work. The girls bring so much goodwill and kindness to school each and every day. The relationships we built this year will be critical for our ongoing work and commitment to the heart, mind, and spirit of Notre Dame.
After exploring the "99 Feelings Project" by Belgian artist, Mitsy Sleurs, Ceramics 1 students created visual interpretations of their emotions on nesting doll-inspired forms.
MISSION STATEMENT The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, a
This spring, we celebrated many transitions. The Ring Mass for the Class of 2023 marked their preparation for senior year. Sisters 4 Sisters celebrated a year of building sisterhood and the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Eighth Grade Graduation for the Class of 2026 marked the end of their middle school experience and the beginning of their upper school journey. For the Class of 2022, the graduates were inducted as Notre Dame alumnae, and on June 4, Commencement celebrated the culmination of their ND career. They depart the Gates as distinguished women of Notre Dame prepared for the next chapter - college - and beyond!
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
Congratulations on a successful year. I am confident that our ND students have developed the resilience, compassion, and independence that will be so crucial to the years ahead.
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
May you and your family have a safe summer, and may God continue to bless you. In peace, courage, and simplicity,
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
Dr. Laura M. Hotchkiss Head of School
leaders 1
NOTRE DAME CARES:
Student Well-Being Program Launches at the Academy Notre Dame is leading the way in elevating the mental health of girls and young women. The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur’s commitment to the development of the whole student - mind, body, and spirit - a hallmark of a Notre Dame education, remains as true as it has ever been; however, the definition of teaching young women “what they need to know for life” has changed since the Academy’s founding in 1856.
With the current nationwide attention on mental health among teens and adolescents, Notre Dame is taking a number of steps to amplify the pathway to well-being for every student, centered around the mission that “mental health and emotional well-being are critical for young people to live life with joy and purpose.” Key initiatives kicked off this spring with the inaugural Parent Education Night and the expansion of the Student Support Services Department, and more programs are on the horizon, including an exciting partnership with the JED Foundation.
Head of School Dr. Laura M. Hotchkiss, Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, and Mrs. Stephanie Giampietro, President, ND Parents’ Association Executive Board 2
VISIONS SUMMER 2022
Notre Dame hosted a Parent Education Night with Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg on Wednesday, April 27. Dr. Ginsburg is a pediatrician specializing in Adolescent Medicine at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, a Professor of Pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and Co-Founder and Director of Programs at Center for Parent and Teen Communication, which promotes the health, character and well-being of adolescents through education, research and advocacy. In his talk, “Promoting Resilience, Addressing Perfection,” Dr. Ginsburg discussed how to build on the strength of teenagers by fostering their internal resilience, sharing practical approaches for parents to use in preparing children and teens to thrive. As the mental health needs of students continue to evolve, Notre Dame will expand the department of Student Support Services, including hiring a Director of Student Experience and Well-Being. This new member of the Notre Dame administration, reporting to the Middle and Upper School Division Directors, will be responsible for creating a safe, supportive school climate, instituting a plan to enhance and sustain student well-being, and fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging for all. In addition, a dedicated Middle School Counselor will join the department in fall 2022 to provide more access, programming, and support both in the academic and mental health realm. Additionally, Notre Dame has committed to a partnership with the JED Foundation. JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide in teens and young adults, providing them with the skills and support they need to thrive and strengthening their emotional health by giving them the tools needed to develop health-seeking behaviors. Notre Dame will be the first non-collegiate institution in Pennsylvania to partner with the JED Foundation. Introductory work with JED will begin in August 2022 with a stakeholder committee of faculty, staff, parents, board members, and students. Through a student survey and focus groups, JED will lead an assessment of Notre Dame and the development of a strategic plan for programming. Dr. Laura Hotchkiss, Head of School, shared, “Through this focus on well-being, our girls will thrive in their personal development, engage in the community, and live a life of purpose while at Notre Dame and ’beyond the gates.’” In March, Notre Dame celebrated Bring Change to Mind Week. Each day that week, homerooms discussed daily questions and challenges created by the Bring Change to Mind Club. Topics included the effects school can have on one’s mental health, changes that can be made to help anxiety brought on by social media, how to respond when you have negative thoughts about yourself, and what ND can do as a community to help one another. The BC2M club also distributed self-care kits to junior homerooms.
3
NOTRE DAME CARES
Notre Dame students have also taken the initiative in addressing and enhancing the mental health of their classmates. In fall 2021, Upper School students, led by
Launching Notre Dame CARES In Gratitude:
junior Maddie Evans, established a new club at Notre Dame - Bring Change to Mind (BC2M), with the main priority of ending the stigma that can be associated with mental health. BC2M is a national nonprofit organization, co-founded by actress and activist Glenn Close in 2009,
The McKernan Family
dedicated to encouraging dialogue about mental health. The BC2M Club at Notre Dame gives teenagers the platform to share their voices and raise awareness around mental health. Maddie shared, “I’ve watched loved ones struggle increasingly with their mental health the last few years. During those hard times, I felt like I had no outlet and like I was the only one experiencing and feeling like this. After opening up about it, I realized that I wasn’t alone in what I was going through. From that, I decided that I needed to give back to my community and that I never want anyone to feel like I did during those difficult times in my life. I started this club to try to help students feel less alone and feel more comfortable being vulnerable with one another because, in reality, we all are having these feelings.”
Bill and Cindy DePiano McKernan ’88 (P’14, P’27)
Thank you to Cindy DePiano McKernan ’88 and the entire McKernan family for supporting this exciting and vital new initiative for the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur. Because of their generosity, Notre Dame CARES is becoming a reality, with the potential to improve the mental health of every student, faculty, and staff member at the Academy. The Visions staff talked with Cindy about her decision to support this important program.
4
Maddie Evans ’23 (read more about Maddie on pg. 6)
VISIONS SUMMER 2022
First of all, thank you for supporting this important
initiative for Notre Dame students, faculty, and staff. Could you tell us the main catalyst for deciding to get involved in this important initiative that focuses on the mental health of the girls and young women of Notre Dame? My husband and I were very excited when Dr. Hotchkiss joined the Notre Dame community - a community I’ve been a part of since my time as a student here - and I was trying to determine what area would fit best. After talking with Dr. Hotchkiss, I knew I wanted to do something more meaningful than bricks and mortar, and we both discussed the importance of the mental health of the girls. First and foremost, I’m a mom, and I’ve seen firsthand that our girls need to be healthy, both physically and mentally. The experiences, challenges, and stress of being a teenager are similar to when I was growing up - the wanting to belong, peer pressure, etc. - but the biggest change is the environment. It’s drastically different now; as a parent, it can be difficult to navigate, so I can only imagine how difficult it is to navigate as a teenager.
What other elements of the initiative really appealed to you? I am beyond thrilled about The JED Foundation coming to Notre Dame. We’ll be the first noncollegiate school in the area to work with JED. They are not just consultants who will tell us what we should look like; they’re going to be here for 18-24 months to support our students, our faculty, our staff, and our whole community. It makes me feel so hopeful - that they will help us figure out what should be done, what it should look like - really give us a roadmap from start to finish and help with the rollout and implementation of these programs. Our success is their success.
What do you hope ND and our girls emerge with as a result of these initiatives? One of the most important things is that I’d like to see the stigma around mental health be erased. Not one person goes through life without a mental health crisis. It could be as simple as a 12-year-old navigating friendships to teenagers having issues with depression. No one should feel judged or alone, and JED will help us with a program that will not only give our girls support, but also help them understand why and develop the tools they need to manage their mental health. We need to open the dialogue around the mental well-being of our girls and our community. Not only will it help the students, but it’s just as important to educate our faculty and staff. The people in the building should be trained to recognize when students need help and then be equipped to help our girls and to help one another.
The best schools evolve over time while remaining true to the hallmarks upon which the organization was built. What stands out to you as the core of the ND experience? At the core of Notre Dame are the people in the building. Driving through the gates of the school, you immediately feel the sisterhood. My daughter Danielle felt it, as well, and I hope my daughter Ella does, as well. Notre Dame is a really special place much of it can’t be articulated - but you feel it when you’re there. And having this mental health initiative embraced as it has been by Dr. Hotchkiss, our families, and the community proves the point.
5
Around Notre Dame Main Line Students of the Week Dani Laverty ’22 | January 31, 2022 Senior Dani Laverty serves on the TechGirlz Teen Advisory Board, which helps expose the STEM field to more girls and young women. Dani works as a volunteer at Divine Providence Village, and last summer, she worked as a volunteer for the Delco Citizen Corp to help with vaccine distribution. Since age 5, Dani has been involved in competitive Irish dancing, and she placed 21st in the mid-Atlantic region last fall, qualifying for nationals in Montreal next summer.
All-Catholic Chorus, Band, and Orchestra Congratulations to the following students who were named to the AllCatholic Chorus, Band, and Orchestra: ALL-CATHOLIC CHORUS
Sarah Deeney ’23 Lorna Petrizzo ’23 Charlotte Lignowski ’22 ALL-CATHOLIC BAND
Andrea Wat ’22 - Flute (First Chair) Arden Dougherty ’22 - Flute ALL-CATHOLIC STRING ORCHESTRA
Beatrice Aloi ’22 - Violin ALL-CATHOLIC FULL ORCHESTRA
Andrea Wat ’22 - Flute Beatrice Aloi ’22 - Violin Charlotte Hiscott ’26 was accepted into the 2022 Philadelphia Archdiocesan Honor Band, joining 70 student musicians representing 21 schools across the archdiocese at a concert on February 17.
6
Maddie Evans ’23 | April 10, 2022 Junior Maddie Evans established the Bring Change to Mind (BC2M) Club at ND, whose main goal is ending the stigma that can be associated with mental health. A national organization founded by Glenn Close in 2009, BC2M gives teenagers the platform to share their voices and raise awareness around mental health. Maddie is also a student leader for Notre Dame’s chapter of SpeakUp!, and she was one of 10 juniors selected to participate in Ignite Change, a four-week intensive leadership program led by Villanova professor Karen Graziano. Maddie Rohlfing ’23 | May 29, 2022 Maddie Rohlfing, a junior, is a distinguished honor student and a member of the National Honor Society, Mathletes, Diversity Club, and Notre Dame’s recently formed Asian Student Alliance. She has been a part of the Global Scholars program since grade 9, and she is a member of the athletics and activities committee of Student Council. Maddie is also Admissions Ambassador at ND, as well as a member of the school’s Varsity field hockey squad.
ND Celebrates International Women’s Day Notre Dame welcomed Jane Golden, Founder and Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, to speak to the community about how the arts inspire real change and how women have a particular role in the arts to help “break the bias.” Every day Jane’s organization works on “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope” through their social justice work, specifically, working with artists recently released from prison.
Lunar New Year Students enrolled in Mandarin celebrated Lunar New Year with traditions like hóngbāo (red envelope), practicing their calligraphy skills, creating paper art, making dumplings, and more!
VISIONS SUMMER 2022
Delaware Valley Science Fair Sixteen Notre Dame students participated in the Delaware Valley Science Fair on April 6 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. With over 700 projects presented at the Science Fair, eight out of 15 projects submitted by ND students received an award or certificate. Grace Yacobe ’25 was awarded a bronze medal, 3rd place overall for grade 9, earning an allexpense-paid trip to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) which took place in Atlanta, GA, from May 7-13. Yacobe was the first Notre Dame student to attend the ISEF, representing ND amongst students from 80 different countries.
Plant the Moon Challenge: ND STEM Scholars Work with NASA Scientists Notre Dame STEM Scholar students experienced an out-of-this-world opportunity last semester. They participated in a 10-week global science experiment and research challenge in which they examined how vegetable crops can grow in lunar or martian soil with the Plant the Moon Challenge. The Challenge sets students up with a real soil simulant from Exolith Lab, a not-for-profit organization largely funded by CLASS, the Center for Lunar & Asteroid Surface Science at the University of Central Florida. Students designed and conducted sets of experiments using the simulant to grow crops for a future long-duration mission. They began the project in February and wrapped their experiments up the last week of April. Students then had the opportunity to showcase their work at the virtual symposium with NASA scientists, program executives, and other dignitaries, where awards were presented.
Students Shine in Science Competition
Varsity Mathletes Place Second at Team Championships Congratulations to the Varsity Mathletes team for a terrific second place finish at the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Varsity Mathletes Team Championships! The top teams in the Archdiocese were invited to participate in this contest. ND team members Rebecca Jackson ’23, Lindsay McBride ’23, Riya Patel ’23, Ellie Pinto ’23, and Andrea Wat ’22 prepared enthusiastically for this competition.
On February 23, Notre Dame students competed in the PA Junior Academy of Sciences Competition. Students worked independently throughout the year, developing projects that interested them. Out of the 22 projects submitted, ND received 5 Second Awards, 16 First Awards, and 1 Perfect Score. Those who received a First or a Perfect Score qualified for the State PJAS meet, which took place on May 13 at Penn State in University Park, PA. Seven students placed first, 5 placed second and 1 student had a perfect score. The meet featured middle and high school students in 10 regions across the state.
Hi-Q Makes History On February 22, Notre Dame Hi-Q capped their inspiring 2021-2022 season by selecting this year’s All-Delco Hi-Q winner, Abigail Rowley ’22! Abby, the team’s resident expert in current events, sports, and history, represented ND at the Partners in Education Spring Gala in April. For the first time in ND Hi-Q history, there were two All-Delco Hi-Q champions at the team table - Madison Frank ’22, who won the title last year, joined Abby. 7
AROUND NOTRE DAME
Mock Trial For four months, the ND Mock Trial team prepared for the Pennsylvania Bar Association Mock Trial competition. On February 17, the team represented the prosecution in a murder trial against Penn Wood where Olivia Mulligan ’23 received Best Advocate Award and Cameron Landers ’24 received Best Witness Award from the opposing team.
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Model UN
Seven Notre Dame students were recognized in the 2022 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Students wrote these pieces for their Religion and English classes. REGIONAL GOLD KEY:
Emma Oyakhire ’22 for Poetry - Dear Mr. Malcolm X - now considered for a National Gold Medal! REGIONAL SILVER KEY:
Anna Fedak ’22 for her poem, A Sharing of Faith Lindsay McBride ’23 for her personal essay, An Ode to Spring Rolls HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Madison Frank ’22 - Personal Essay and Memoir category Charlotte Lignowski ’22 - Short Story Ava Trask ’22 - Poetry Amy White ’22 - Poetry
Notre Dame sent two groups to in-person Model UN Conferences. One group left for the University of Pennsylvania and the other boarded a train early to Harvard on January 27, 2022.
Toni Frank ’24 Places Third in Delaware County Bar Association Law Day Essay Contest Congratulations to Sophomore Toni Frank who placed third in the Delaware County Bar Association Law Day Essay Contest for High School students.
AAA Club Hosts First Meeting The first Notre Dame Asian American Alliance Club held its opening meeting in early May. Members gathered together to share their backgrounds and fun stories. The AAA is grateful for the club’s establishment and is looking forward to hosting events in the future.
8
ND Celebrates Black History Month Dr. Atiya Love came to Notre Dame on February 14, speaking with students about the importance of sisterhood, self-love, and the difference between equality, equity, and justice as a part of Black History Month at ND.
VISIONS SUMMER 2022
Philadelphia Academic Honors Convocation
Anatomy & Biomedical Engineering Class Uses Med School Software Students in Dr. Terry Maksymowych’s anatomy and biomedical engineering class have access to a software called BodyViz, a program that is typically only available in nursing and medical schools. BodyViz featured Dr. Maks and her class in a February 2022 article.
Claire Chaplin, Kyleigh Calvert, and Phoebe Phillips represented Notre Dame’s Class of 2022 at the 42nd Annual Archdiocese of Philadelphia Academic Honors Convocation on May 19. Joined by Dr. Hotchkiss and Dr. Willis, these seniors were celebrated for their academic accomplishments, earning the extraordinary distinction of ranking in the top 3% of their class. The convocation, which took place at the Cathedral Basilica of Ss. Peter and Paul, was preceded by a celebration of the Liturgy of the Word, at which Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez presided.
9th Consecutive PSMLA “Golden Globe Award” for World Languages Department The Notre Dame World Languages Department is once again the recipient of a PSMLA Exemplary Program (PEP) "Golden Globe Award" for 2022-2023. The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur is the only school in PA to be recognized with the "Golden Globe Award" nine consecutive times. The "Golden Globe Award" is the highest designation of the PEP award, which honors exemplary high school world language programs on the basis of 11 evidence-based performance indicators.
Widener Leadership Award Rylee Barnhart ’23 was named a recipient of the Widener University High School Leadership Award. Rylee was recognized as a leader who develops and inspires positive change. The recognition comes with a $20,000 scholarship upon attending Widener University.
National History Day Notre Dame had an impressive showing at Regionals at the Chester County Historical Society for National History Day! Students participating in the competition created exhibits, websites, papers, and student-directed performances relating to this year’s theme of Debate and Diplomacy in History. Congratulations to all student participants, especially those who moved on to States! • 1st place exhibit
Charlotte Hiscott ’26 - "Tinker vs. Des Moines"
• 2nd place performance
Sarah Deeney ’23 & Victoria Hiscott ’23
• 2nd place group website
Mary Kate Daniel ’25, Emily Morley ’25, Mary Rossano ’25, & Mary Kate Zaffarese ’25
• 3rd place
Abigail Rowley ’22 9
AROUND NOTRE DAME
IN SERVICE OF OTHERS ND Spreads the Love Just before Valentine’s Day, the Class of 2025 prepared Valentine’s Day crafts and cookies for students at St. Agnes Escuelita in West Chester.
Giving Back During Lent Before Easter Break, the Class of 2025 assembled Easter totes for the students at St. Agnes Escuelita. The totes were filled with handwritten notes, stickers, baked goods, and other items which they can use when they visit the pool and go to camp this summer.
Also Grace Ganley ’22 held a bake sale raising money for her organization Grace for Dignity, which partners with The Humanity Share, a nonprofit that provides sponsored high school girls with everyday essentials.
Supporting the Women of Ardella’s House
Ribbons for Ukraine On March 29, Notre Dame held a dressdown day and sold ribbon pins to benefit Catholic Relief Services’ support of Ukraine. The ND community continues to pray for all refugees around the world.
Notre Dame students recently visited Ardella’s House located in Philadelphia and made a donation that will help make a year’s supply of "dignity bags." The donations were collected earlier in the school year through a drive hosted by 5 Main. Ardella’s House is a "service and advocacy organization committed to helping women with criminal justice histories realize new possibilities for themselves and their families. AH program services make it possible for women to obtain work, housing, and health care; to rebuild their families; and to participate fully in civic life."
NHS and NJHS Raise Over $3,000 to Help Provide Access to Education to Students in Kenya On April 29, Notre Dame’s chapters of the National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society held a bake sale and dress-down fundraiser supporting The Humanity Share, whose mission is to "work hand in hand with East African communities to break cycles of poverty and build sustainable, equitable futures.” The NHS & NJHS set a fundraising goal of $1,692 which covers the costs of sending three students to school for a year, and with the help of three faculty members, they raised $3,948, which covers the cost of seven students’ tuition total. 10
Sunflowers ND Smiles Club In February, students in the Sunflowers ND Smiles Club made sock puppets for the patients at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Each sock puppet was given a birthday and place of birth by the ND students. The naming of these colorful friends was left for the patients at CHOP!
Ms. Sally Gallagher
Retirements
After 37 years of loving, dedicated service, Ms. Sally Gallagher retired from Notre Dame at the close of the 2021-2022 school year. Her friend and colleague, Mrs. Joan Turner, shares, "Following her time as a school principal in Philadelphia, Ms. Gallagher joined the ND community in 1985. She taught Scripture for two years in the Religion department before becoming the Director of Studies. Ms. Gallagher led our academic program for 12 years before taking on a new position as Director of Technology and Curriculum. Ms. Gallagher moved our technology program into the 21st century and taught both Technology and Social Studies to Middle and Upper School students for several years. She eventually became a full-time member of the Social Studies Department and began teaching AP US Government and Politics in addition to other classes. "Ms. Gall is a true woman of Notre Dame, offering all of her talents for the benefit of our students and faculty. Her dedication to our students is evidenced by her involvement in Diversity Club, Model UN, Hi-Q, and trips to Washington, D.C., and Europe. She truly has ’a heart as wide as the world!’ Perhaps the most important gift that Ms. Gall has shared with ND is her passion for justice and spirituality. Eucharistic Ministry and Kairos leadership are among her many gifts of service, but the jewel in her crown would be her 20+ year involvement with Women of Hope. Her devotion to this wonderful organization and the women supported by it serves as an example for us all." We celebrate our dear Ms. Gall and her many years of devoted service, and we wish her the very best as she embarks on this wonderful new chapter.
VISIONS SUMMER 2022
Mrs. Mary Anne Opila After 35 years of dedication to Notre Dame, Mrs. Mary Anne Opila retired at the close of the 2021-2022 school year. Following her years as a chemist at Wyeth Labs, she found her true passion: teaching at Notre Dame. During her time at ND, Mrs. Opila taught various Upper School mathematics courses and served as Chair of the Math Department. A generous, thorough, and patient educator, Mrs. Opila bears a keen insight into what students need to succeed in their future math endeavors. As a result, her passion for mathematics brought the AP Statistics program to Notre Dame. Her commitment to fostering a love of math in young people is evident as the enthusiastic moderator of Varsity Mathletes for over 30 years and as the Division Coordinator for the Archdiocese for over 10 years. She is on the board of the Association of Teachers of Mathematics of Philadelphia and Vicinity, an organization of educators dedicated to the improvement of mathematics education. Mrs. Opila inspires students with her encouragement and enthusiasm. Her teaching style incorporates technology and STEM activities, enabling students to visualize and reinforce concepts. Her dedication and caring nature foster her students’ desire to learn. She has been an integral part of Upper School student life at Notre Dame serving as senior class moderator, chaperoning European trips, and participating in Kairos. Mrs. Opila recognizes and celebrates the unique gifts of each individual. She is tremendously nurturing and always acts with integrity and honor. We wish her the very best as she begins this new phase in her life.
11
ND Arts On February 25 and 26, the Middle School presented a lively, entertaining performance of Annie, Jr. Congrats to the entire cast and crew on two fantastic shows.
12
VISIONS SUMMER 2022
The Middle and Upper School Dance Companies and Introduction to Dance class presented two stunning performances on April 28 and 29.
On Thursday evening May 5, the Middle and Upper School Ensembles and Middle and Upper School Women’s Chorales performed a beautiful Spring Concert.
13
ND Athletics 2022 PTFCA State Indoor Track and Field Championships
ND Swimming Finishes 4th at Easterns The Notre Dame swim team finished 4th overall at the Eastern Championships. ND swimmers broke four school records, had seven All-American times, and had multiple top finishers. For the 5th year in a row, Notre Dame won the Frank Crippen Award, presented to the winner of the 500 free.
NFHCA High School National Academic Squad The Indoor Track Team had a victorious weekend at the 2022 PTFCA State Track and Field Championships in State College in March. Therese Trainer ’23 placed 7th in the mile, Emma McGuinn ’22 placed 12th in the 60m hurdles (2nd fastest in ND history), and the distance medley relay team of Kyleigh Calvert ’22, Liv Barton ’24, Maura Brady ’23, and Therese Trainer ’23 placed 7th.
Saylor Milone ’24 Named to Field Hockey National Team Last February, Saylor Milone ’24 was named to the USA Field Hockey 2022 Women’s U16 National Team! Field Hockey Coach Adele Williams said that she is so proud of Saylor and that since her freshman year she "has been a significant contributor to the team and continues to raise the standard of play each year." 14
Congratulations to Morgan Carra ’23, Brennan Czajkowski ’23, Sydney Dalton ’23, Madison Frank ’22, Lilly Kraus ’22, Aly Maguire ’23, Lauren Margerison ’23, Lindsay McBride ’23, Chloe McCloskey ’23, Evelyn O’Neill ’22, Gabriella Recchilungo ’22, Madeline Rohlfing ’23, Julia Hneleski ’22, and Emma Steel ’22, who were named to the 2021 National Field Hockey Coaches Association High School National Academic Squad, in recognition of high school seniors and juniors who have achieved a minimum cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.50 out of 4.0 during the first quarter of the 2021-2022 school year.
VISIONS SUMMER 2022
Main Line Girls Athletes of the Week Devyn Sargent ’24 - Swimming (January 24, 2022) Sophomore Devyn Sargent was a first team All-Main Line swimmer in grade 9 and was a standout on the Easterns leaderboard, ranking fourth in the girls 100 back, 100 breast and 200 IM, as well as ninth in the 50 free and 10th in the 100 free. Sargent also was part of the school record-holding 200 free relay team. She also competed in the 200 IM and the 100 and 200 back at the Junior National Championships in Greensboro, N.C., last December. Tori Abruzzo ’25 - Swimming (March 7, 2022) As of March 1, grade 9 swimmer Tori Abruzzo had broken three Notre Dame swimming records and got All-American cuts at Easterns in February - 200 medley relay (1:43.48, freestyle anchor split 23.50, second place), 100 fly (54.73, third place), and the 100 back (54.02, second place and a Junior National cut). She also helped the Irish gain an All-American consideration time in the 400 freestyle relay. Katie Onderdonk ’23 - Lacrosse (May 29, 2022) Junior midfielder Katie Onderdonk scored her 100th career goal during a 16-13 win over Germantown Academy on May 18, 2022. A second team All-Main Line girls’ lacrosse selection last year and an All-Inter-Ac performer this spring, she has been a solid all-around force for the Irish this season, scoring 53 goals during the regular season and winning 103 draw controls. Katie has verbally committed to the University of Massachusetts.
Maeve McErlane Shines on the Court
All-League Awards: Fall CROSS COUNTRY
First Team: Therese Trainer, Caroline Stevenson, Kyleigh Calvert, Maura Brady FIELD HOCKEY
First Team: Reese Czajkowski, Maddie Frank, Saylor Milone, Evelyn O’Neill, Maeve Seeger Second Team: Mia McCloskey Special Recognition: Julia Hneleski SOCCER
First Team: Audrey Cain Second Team: Sophie Hall, Abby Reger, Julia Rossi TENNIS
Second Team: Caroline Daly VOLLEYBALL
Congratulations to Maeve McErlane ’22 on her stellar senior basketball season. She received the Markward Philadelphia Co-Player of the Year Award, recognized as one of the two best players in the Philadelphia area. She was also named first team All-State, first team All-Delco, and Inter-Ac MVP, and she took home the Markward Dennis W. Hill Inter-Ac Player of the Year award. Maeve will also forever be in the Notre Dame athletic history books after scoring her 1,000th point on January 25, 2022, a feat particularly impressive considering her shortened junior season due to Covid. She was also named Main Line Athlete of the Week for the Week of February 7, 2022. Maeve will continue her basketball career at DePaul University next year.
First Team: Margo Kemp, Maddie O’Meara Second Team: Marissa Bruno, Ava Kelly Winter BASKETBALL
First Team: Maeve McErlane (League MVP) Second Team: Julia Dever SWIMMING
First Team: Tori Abruzzo, Ashley Kolessar, Devyn Sargent, Natalie Stuart Spring GOLF
First Team: Kiersten Bodge Second Team: Onca Urban LACROSSE
Second Team: Katie Onderdonk SOFTBALL
First Team: Jada Wade TRACK & FIELD
Second Team: Temperance England Special Recognition: Emma McGuinn 15
COMMENCEMENT
Natalie Patricia Alexander* Antonia Camile Almeida* Beatrice M. Aloi Aubrey Day Angle Carlee Elizabeth Beck* Olivia Grace Brand Marissa Nichole Bruno* Ava Grace Cain Kyleigh Rose Calvert* Claire Elizabeth Chaplin* Catherine Alexis Chapman* Leah Mary Croft* Caroline Francis Crossed* Julia Katherine Dever* 16
Congratulations to
Marli Elizabeth Dorn* Arden Christine Dougherty* Caroline Magargee Doyle Anna Lora Fedak* Morgan Clair Ford Madison Noel Frank* Olivia Grace Friess* Caroline Grace Fullem Grace Lauren Ganley Nicole Rose Gunn Makayla Kathleen Haas Grace Mackenzie Hannah Katherine Patricia Harrington Jillian Ruth Hart
Honor Isabel Henry Adjuké Madianna Golonje Heyburn Mollie Irene Hickey* Julia Elaine Hneleski* Molly Evelyn Hughes* Alexis Catherine Hurchalla Leila Elizabeth Husain Brooke Marie Husar* Sarah Angelina Montana Joslin Ava Jude Kelly Regan Anne Kelly* Caroline Heather Kemp Sarah Katherine Kichula* Ashley Olivia Kolessar
Lillian Rose Kraus Margaret Anne Krein* Ashley Marie Kyle Dani Marie Laverty* Olivia Rose Leonard Charlotte Ann Lignowski* Megan Mary MacFarlane Maureen Rose Maguire Caeli Anna Maher Micaela Marí McCloskey* Sophia Regina McDevitt* Maeve Reegan McErlane Molly Dwyer McFillin Kelly Joan McGlinn*
the Class of 2022!
Emma Ann McGuinn* Claudia Mary McHugh Sareen Marize Minasian Moira Minnich Amelia Rose Mordan* Lillian Elizabeth Murphy Colleen Maredydd Murray Colleen Moira Murtagh* Madeline Frances O’Meara* Evelyn Niamh O’Neill* Grace Catherine Opperman* Emmanuella Oyakhire* Ava Rose Pastore* Kiley Anne Pegg
Serafina Helena Peluso* Stephanie Hanna Peyton* Phoebe Phillips* Kathryn Jane Ranaudo Gabriella Rose Recchilungo* Alyssa Ann Reilly* Annabelle Elizabeth Reilly Clare Ann Rivers* Ciara Margaret Rogers* Madison Antonia Roselli* Julia Katherine Rossi* Abigail Helen Rowley* Jessica Lynn Rowley* Bella Grace Scarpato*
Brigid M. Searing Ellen Anne Shank Farrah Dolores Sheffer Paige Elizabeth Shelton* Isabel Grace Smith Reagan Nicole Smith Ava Marie Smolizza Samantha Elizabeth Smoot* Emma Harrison Steel* Aurora Belin Steele Caroline Wasson Stevenson Natalie Marie Stuart* Margaret Mary Sullivan Ava Marie Trask
VISIONS SUMMER 2022
Madeline R. Turley Onca Isabelle Urban* Mia Rae Vitanzo Andrea Wat* Nicole Natalie Watson* Kathryn Kiely Weise Caroline Elizabeth Werder Amy White* Jordyn Alisa Williams* Bailey M. Wolfington
*National Honor Society 17
BACCALAUREATE/COMMENCEMENT
Celebrating the Class of 2022
The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur honored the Class of 2022 at their Baccalaureate Liturgy on Friday, June 3, and at the 155th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, June 4. Congratulations to the 108 members of our beloved Green Class of 2022! Each of you has left an indelible mark on the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur. In the words of Head of School Dr. Laura M. Hotchkiss: “I hope that you will always call Notre Dame your home and that you will come back and share your experiences beyond the gates with me and with your teachers. May God bless you now and in all the days to come, and may Saint Julie always keep you in her loving care.”
“Faith and charity are no longer just words on our school seal. They are the essence of a woman of Notre Dame. As women of faith we’ve learned to believe in ourselves because the good God first and foremost believes in us. We have known this gift through our parents, family, teachers, and classmates. As women of charity, our hearts have been stretched and defined through service learning, becoming in the words of St. Julie Billiart, women with ’hearts as wide as the world.’ As we go forth from our beloved Notre Dame today, may we carry her wisdom, be light for the world, and make known your goodness to everyone we meet.” -Kathryn Ranaudo ’22, Invocation 18
VISIONS SUMMER 2022
“In my mind, there is nothing better, stronger for a girl’s education than the confidence it instills in us. I went on from Notre Dame to Carnegie Mellon to study architecture where the class was 160 people and only 10 were women. It never occurred to me that I couldn’t do engineering or architecture because I was a girl. Just the opposite - I was coming from an environment where the girls were the class president, the scholars, the athletes - we did everything so I knew we could do anything. “My advice is to get out of your comfort zone … try something new and follow your passions … Set a goal, and dream big. Your goals and dreams may change over the years, and it may take a long time to get there. Keep it and nurture it because it can come true, but at the same time, the journey along the way is going to be worthwhile … see where the turns and paths take you.” -Ambassador Nina Fite ’75, Commencement Speaker
“Of all the things I love about being able to speak here today, I’m most appreciative that I’ve been given this chance to properly say goodbye to all of the people who have made an impact on my life in the past seven years … For some, though, this goodbye won’t really come until August. This August will be very different, but for those of us on stage today, it will mark the beginning of the next era of our lives. When we pack up our things and move 15 minutes or 15 hours away from home, we take with us the memories of our time at Notre Dame; not just the Augusts, but the back-toschool Septembers, the Spirit Day Octobers, the Advent Angels Decembers, the Winter Ball Februarys, and these few, fleeting days of June.” -Claire Chaplin ’22, Valedictorian
“If you’re lucky enough to be a part of Notre Dame, there comes a time when you realize that Notre Dame isn’t confined to merely the place we find ourselves today. It’s every single person sitting in front of me and on stage with me. It’s every girl that has come before us and left her mark here. Most of all, it’s each and every one of these amazing girls I am extremely grateful and proud to call my family. The moments we cherish most when we exit the gates will be the memories and lessons we share with one another. Notre Dame will always be available to those who seek it out. There will always be a network of people here to help and guide you because we all share a love for this school and for one another.” -Abigail Rowley ’22, Salutatorian
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the administration and the faculty and staff, congratulations. We are proud of you and all that you have accomplished. Today you join an impressive group of Notre Dame alumnae. You will always hold a special place in my heart as you introduced me to Notre Dame – your Senior Tailgate on the first day of school, your Spirit Day win for the Green class, the re-imagined Senior Plunge, the lovely expressions of sisterhood at the Agape Dinner, and now, Commencement. Thank you for welcoming me into your ND sisterhood.” -Dr. Laura M. Hotchkiss, Head of School
Samantha Smoot ’22, Senior Spokesperson
“Good and loving God, we thank you for the beauty and bounty of this day … You have fashioned each of us with care and delight, and we have grown into women of Notre Dame in the warmth and light of one another. As the Class of 2022, may we be like the sunflower, which follows every movement of the Son … As we go forth from this place, which has been like a second home, keep us generous of heart, faithful to our commitments, true to your covenant and happy in your service.” -Andrea Wat ’22, Closing Prayer 19
COMMENCEMENT
Academic and Distinguished Awards At the Baccalaureate and Commencement ceremonies on June 3 and 4, 2022, Notre Dame honored students for their academic excellence and for exemplifying the Hallmarks of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. They are a living testament to the work we do here.
Carlee Beck
Kyleigh Calvert
Claire Chaplin
Catherine Chapman
Madison Frank
Sister Mary Augusta Award for French
Aimee Willard Scholar Athlete Award, Irma Alonso Award for Spanish, Rittenhouse Square Award
General Excellence Award
French Award
Excellence in English Award, Social Studies Award
Katherine Harrington
Brooke Husar
Charlotte Lignowski
Megan MacFarlane
Amelia Mordan
Distinguished Service Award
Mathematics Award
Choral Music Award, Sister Rose Carmel Award
Mandarin Award
Religion Award
Emmanuella Oyakhire
Phoebe Phillips
Paige Shelton
Natalie Stuart
Madeline Turley
Sister Nancy Bonshock Social Studies Award
Science Award, Irma Alonso Award for Spanish
Sister Mary Augusta Award for French
Latin Award
Dance Award
20
Andrea Wat
Amy White
Jordyn Williams
Instrumental Music Award
Religion Award, Spanish Award, Visual Art Award
Notre Dame Alumnae Award, Sister Mary Anne Broughton Religion Award
VISIONS SUMMER 2022
Notre Dame Class of 2022 Matriculation Auburn University Boston College (5) Bucknell University Case Western Reserve University Clemson University College of Charleston College of the Holy Cross (2) Cornell University DePaul University Elon University Fairfield University, Honors Program Fairfield University (5) Florida State University Fordham University (4) Georgetown University Gettysburg College (2) Hampshire College Harvard University High Point University Indiana University Johns Hopkins University Lafayette College Lehigh University
Loyola University Chicago, Honors College Loyola University Chicago Marist College Northeastern University Northwestern University Pepperdine University Purdue University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Saint Louis University Samford University Savannah College of Art and Design Southern Methodist University (4) Syracuse University, Bandier Program Syracuse University, Honors Program, Coronat Scholars Program Syracuse University Temple University Texas Christian University The Catholic University of America The Catholic University of America, Honors Program The College of William & Mary The Pennsylvania State University (9)
University of Alabama, Honors College University of Alabama University of California, Los Angeles University of California, Santa Barbara University of Delaware, Honors College University of Delaware (2) University of Georgia University of Miami (3) University of Michigan (3) University of Mississippi, Provost Scholars Program University of Notre Dame (2) University of Pittsburgh (2) University of Richmond (2) University of Scranton University of South Carolina, Capstone Scholar Program University of South Carolina (5) University of South Florida University of Southern California University of Tennessee, Knoxville (3) Villanova University (6) Wagner College 21
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR EIGHTH GRADE GRADUATES!
22
Gabrielle Abruzzo
Maeve Isabelle Herrin
Alayna Kay O’Donnell
Eva Sofia Acosta
Charlotte Rose Hiscott
Rachel O’Donnell
Eleanor Lynne Biborosch
Brooke Holsten
Lyla Grace Offshack
Sophia Castello Bratteson
Maeve Holsten
Shelby Parker
Ann Patricia Brogan
Bailey Renee Jones
Ella Pippett
Caroline Marie Bruder
Clare Amanda Joslin
Anna Grace Quarto
Emma Rose Canuso
Paityn Kehoe
Tala B. Qubain
Ellen Christman
Ashley Ann Kelly
Theadora Briar Reilly
Caterina Cilluffo
Brigid Crean Kelly
Ella Rae Shaak
Sicilia Sage Clement
Gracie Marie Kennard
Emily Elizabeth Sweeney
Eliana Maria DeGennaro
Kaitlyn Rae Kolessar
Kara Sweeney
Raya Downs
Charlotte Rian Lange
Joy Ellen Thomas
Olivia Anne Drexelius
Izabella Marie Lile
Carson Marion Tierney
Jayla Gardner
Grace Logan
Maria Rose Tufaro
Emilia Charlotte Giangiulio
Essa Rose Mayhall
Grace Catherine Valenti
Alex Gillin
Morgan Katherine McComb
Olivia Grace Weissman
Olivia Catharine Hall
Arianna Yasmine Nekoumand
Heidi Alexis Welsh
VISIONS SUMMER 2022
Eighth Grade Graduation Celebrated on Thursday, June 2, 2022
23
Spring at ND CLASS OF 2023 RING MASS
MIDDLE SCHOOL GRANDPARENTS’ AND SPECIAL FRIENDS’ DAY
FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE & SENIOR DINNER
SENIOR PLUNGE
24
FATHER DAUGHTER WALK FOR WATER
VISIONS SUMMER 2022
Alumnae News 2021-2022 Executive Alumnae Board Officers and At-Large Members
2nd Annual Alumnae Mentorship Program: Life Beyond the Gates
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 Danielle Dunn O’Connor ’01 Hannah Fuss ’16 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. 2021-2022 Rittenhouse Square Alumnae Board Officers Loretta Salvadore Hartnett ’55 President
The Class of 2022 spent the morning of March 22 hearing words of wisdom from Notre Dame graduates at the Alumnae Mentorship Program “Life Beyond the Gates.” Alumnae Megan Budd Forgie ’92, Gina Ellis ’93, Krista Funari ’08, Mary Emily Pagano ’08, Kaitlin Smith Donnelly ’08, Nicole Panoc ’12, Megan Rosica ’11, Jaimie Lafferty ’12, Kristen Bandos ’12, Hannah Fuss ’16, and Natalie Burns ’16 returned to campus to provide valuable insight and advice about college, career paths, measuring success, mental health, and how Notre Dame prepared them for life.
Alumnae Healthcare Panel
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 On March 16, 2022, Megan Smith O’Sullivan ’10, Charlotte Tiley ’18, Amy Schwartz ’09, Emily Miller Otto ’99, and Angela Desmond ’01 (not pictured) came back to campus for a healthcare panel in Ms. Marielle Alexander’s Modern Literature and Human Experience class. Students asked alumnae questions about their careers, their collegiate experiences, and what it’s like to be women in STEM fields. Thank you to these amazing alumnae for sharing valuable insight and advice with current students! 25
ALUMNAE NEWS
Reunion Weekend On Saturday, May 7, Notre Dame welcomed home nearly 200 alumnae and guests to celebrate their milestone Reunion years. The Classes ending in 2 and 7 spent the day touring the Riley Center for STEM Education, getting an archives tour of the Mansion, reminiscing and looking through photo albums, celebrating a special alumnae liturgy and catching up on life. Thank you to the many alumnae who traveled many miles and weathered the storm to come back through these gates and relive the memories.
26
VISIONS SUMMER 2022
27
ALUMNAE NEWS
Athletic Hall of Fame and Alumnae Awards On Friday, May 6, Notre Dame honored the 2020 and 2022 inductees of the Notre Dame Athletic Hall of Fame and Alumnae Awards. Congratulations to the honorees, and a special thank you to the presenters!
Athletic Hall of Fame
28
Alumnae Awards
2020
2022
2022
Alexis Brandolini ’97 Field Hockey & Lacrosse presented by Nicole Brandolini Yurkanin ’02
Kelly McCallion ’09 Field Hockey & Lacrosse presented by Nora McCallion ’13
Julia Tully ’08 Notre Dame Award presented by Kaitlin Smith Donnelly ’08
Katie Gerzabek Salem ’11 Field Hockey, Basketball, & Lacrosse presented by Adele Williams
Eryka Lynn Waller ’10 Distinguished Alumna Award presented by Joan Sammartino Turner ’77
Brigit Barry ’03 Swimming presented by Briana Barry ’07
VISIONS SUMMER 2022
Alumnae Class Notes 1970s Camille Lewis Brown ’77 married Hugh Privette on May 15, 2021, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Baltimore. 6
1980s Joan Fitzpatrick ’84 is the Co-Owner and Psy.D. at Anchor Psychological Associates, LLC. She received her doctorate in Psychology from Immaculata University. Denise Konieczny McMonagle ’84, an Advanced Math Teacher at St. Dorothy Parish Elementary School in Drexel Hill, was recently named the recipient of the NCEA 2022 “Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award” from the National Catholic Educational Association. The award recognizes leadership and excellence in Catholic education. McMonagle was one of 13 recipients selected from more than 150,000 teachers, administrators, diocesan leaders, and organizations dedicated to serving Catholic schools throughout the nation. 1990s Barb Phelan Riley ’90 and some classmates from the Class of 1990 - Kara Pruett Ullmann, Bonnie Corr Morrow, Shannon Berry Swidersky, Gillian Walsh Reilly, Annie Williams Brogan, Kathy Hondros Barton, Tara Walsh Karbiner, Cristin Cusumano Davis, Sharon Augusterfer Alexander - celebrated their 50th birthdays in a mini-reunion weekend. 6
Nicole FitzGibbon Logan ’94 recently became a Senior Account Manager at Epsilon, an outcomebased marketing firm. Kierstin Lange ’97 is a partner in Zarwin Baum’s commercial litigation group, practicing in state and federal courts throughout PA and NJ. Kierstin has successfully litigated complex commercial disputes on behalf of both small and large corporations, commercial landowners, property management companies, asset managers, REITs and individuals at the state and federal levels. Kierstin’s most recent areas of practice include contract enforcement, commercial landlord and tenant representation, construction and zoning disputes, business torts, real estate, bad faith, professional malpractice and collection practices. Kierstin began her career at a small, successful firm with a focus on all areas of commercial real estate. She handles all aspects of civil litigation, from pre-litigation counseling, analysis and strategy, to pleadings and discovery, to dispositive motion practice, trial advocacy, and preand post-trial proceedings. Cristy Jones Stack ’97 recently celebrated 20 years with The Vanguard Group. She is currently a Systems Engineer. Caroline Swift Stansbury ’97 is the Operations Coordinator at the non-profit organization Amigos de Jesus, which is a home in Honduras for at-risk and homeless children and families. Emily Miller Otto ’99 has been a Lead Clinician with Dynamic Home Therapy for over three years, specializing in at-home treatment services to patients with progressive neurological diseases. She also serves as one of Delaware County’s Lead Therapists, ensuring a patient-centric, effective practice, leading eight mobile Therapists. Emily received her BS from Wake Forest University, majoring in exercise science with minors in psychology and French, and received her DPT from Drexel University. 2000s Melissa Trevine Henry ’00 started a new position as Director of Operations for the Cultural Market Development Team at Visiting Nurse Service of New York.
Julie Cloetingh Cady ’03 and her husband, Joshua, welcomed their fourth baby and first girl, Taylor Kerr Cady, on April 9, 2021. 6
Amy McMahon Reich ’03 worked in policy for two years in Washington, D.C., before returning to nursing school at UPenn. Amy then moved to New York City, working in pediatric critical care at NYP Weill-Cornell and Sloan Kettering, with a brief stint in hospice, managing a palliative medicine team in adult care. More recently, Amy decided to dedicate herself to spending more time with her children at home. Dana Zuppo ’03 graduated from Drexel with a degree in Marketing and is the Director of Brand Marketing at Five Below. Stephanie Hayden ’06 married Nolan Funchion in Gladwyne on April 23, 2022. Lauren Andrews ’07 married Matt Hutchinson on June 11, 2021, after postponing the wedding three times due to COVID-19. They were married at St. Augustine Church, and the reception was held at Franklin Square in Philadelphia. Bridesmaids included Anna Schultz ’07 and Tara Meissner Flexon ’07. 6
Jacqueline Gorbey ’02 is an attorney at Endo Pharmaceuticals. She received her J.D. from the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law.
29
ALUMNAE CLASS NOTES
Lauren Willis Cardone ’08 and her husband, Nick, had a baby girl, Sophia Genevieve Cardone, on September 3, 2021. 4
Mary Emily Pagano ’08 attended college at the University of Pittsburgh where she majored in Business, with concentrations in Marketing and International Business. She then attended Villanova University School of Law where she received her Juris Doctor as well as a Master of Laws in Taxation. She is admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Mary Emily began working for WSFS Bank in June 2016, beginning in the Trust Compliance group and moving on to the Corporate Trust group. Currently, she is an Assistant Vice President within the Structured Finance group at WSFS. Kelly Corcoran Putsch ’09, her husband, Chris, and their daughter, Grace, welcomed their newest addition, James Jude Putsch, on November 29, 2021. 6
Megan Kay ’09 received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering from Cornell University before embarking on an impressive career at General Mills, where she’s held several positions within the company including her current position of Maintenance and Reliability Manager. Ashley Senss Joyce ’09 married Connor Joyce on October 3, 2021, at Philander Chase Knox Estate in Valley Forge National Park. Ashley and Connor live in Wilmington, DE, where she practices as a Physician Assistant in a Dermatology practice after graduating with her Master’s Degree from Salus University in October 2020. 6
30
Amy Schwartz ’09 is currently the Director of the Cancer Service Line at Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System.
Kelly Goodman Gaus ’12 and her husband, Thomas, welcomed Thomas Joseph Gaus on June 4, 2021.
2010s Ann Marie Kelly ’10 graduated from Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. She matched at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Orthopaedics.
Caroline Donovan ’13 attended the University of Scranton and earned her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. She has since worked as an occupational therapist in a few different environments and recently started her own company. Caroline is the founder of Starfish Occupational Therapy, PLLC, a pediatric occupational therapy practice for children – newborn to age 18 – in the Philadelphia region. She offers a holistic lens to occupational therapy as she provides nature-based therapy sessions. Her services are structured around five guiding principles, represented by each arm of the starfish. These include helping the child’s growth when facing adversities through grit, grace, character, confidence, and knowledge. The result addresses their therapeutic needs, life skills, and resilience.
Megan Smith O’Sullivan ’10 is an Occupational Therapist at Children and Adult Disability and Education Services (CADES). She received her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy at Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals. Alexandra Wakim ’10 graduated magna cum laude from The George Washington University in 2014 and is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Marketing Officer of Chou2 Pharma. Kelly Davis ’11 is the Associate Vice President of Peer and Youth Advocacy at Mental Health America. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Law and Society, Psychology and went on to earn a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. Alexis Washington ’11 has received her second master’s degree, Master of Divinity with a concentration in chaplaincy, from Regent University. In addition, congratulations to Alexis on her ordination as clergy with the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Alexis heard her calling while in high school serving on Campus Ministry and as the Kairos Coordinator. Rev. Washington will serve as an adjunct professor at Eastern University and as a team leader with young lives Delco. Meghan Riegel ’12 is a Computer Engineer at ICR, Inc., living in Washington D.C. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Pennsylvania State University in Computer Science and Engineering. Meghan is engaged to be married to David Gilmour. Jenna Taylor ’12 is currently in graduate school, pursuing her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She recently finished her fourth year with one final year left to complete her degree in May of 2023. Jenna is specializing in child, adolescent, and family therapy, while completing her doctoral internship at a specialized practice for anxiety and other mental health areas. Nicole Panoc ’12 graduated from The George Washington University in 2016 where she studied International Affairs. Following graduation, Nicole supported the US Department of Justice as a paralegal contractor for nearly four years. She is currently pursuing a law degree at Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law.
Maggie Malloy ’13 began her tenure as the Institutional Advancement Associate at Notre Dame this past winter. Prior to her time at the Academy, Maggie was part of SEI Investments as a Marketing Analyst. She graduated from Saint Joseph’s University where she was a Division 1 student-athlete in track and cross country. Maggie is now coaching track at Notre Dame. Barbara McHugh ’13 received her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan with minors in Business and German Studies. After graduation, she spent almost five years at Medline Industries, a manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies, as a product manager overseeing products used in and developed for the operating room. She recently began a new position as the Vice President of Product Management at Naitive Technologies, a UK-based venture capital-backed population health company. Darcy Curtis ’13 graduated from Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals and matched at University of Maryland Medical Center in Psychiatry. Berline Francis ’13 graduated from Georgetown University School of Medicine and matched at Duke University School of Medicine in Internal Medicine. Emma Willis ’13 is a Media Supervisor at DiD Agency. Emma is an experienced Media Planner skilled in advertising, sales, customer retention, event management, and team building. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration, with a focus in Marketing, from Saint Joseph’s University.
VISIONS SUMMER 2022
Marissa Baum ’14 graduated from Villanova University with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. She is working in software sales and project management at SAP, America, a global software company in Newtown Square, PA. Shannon Cattie ’14 is preparing for the Miss America Organization’s Miss Pennsylvania competition. Shannon holds the title of Miss Montgomery County. Along with the crown and title, Shannon received scholarship money from the Miss America Organization. Shannon met a fellow ND young woman - Hannah Downing ’24, Miss Liberty Bell Outstanding Teen, who is also competing in the Miss Pennsylvania competition - at a Miss America Preliminary competition in Philadelphia. Imagine the excitement when Hannah won the teen division and Shannon won the women’s division of the same competition. As title holders, they will attend numerous service activities throughout the year. The foundation for service was created at Notre Dame, where both girls participated in Notre Dame Women’s Chorale under the direction of Mrs. Lindsay Miller. After graduating from Notre Dame, Shannon went on to Virginia Tech where she studied Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Nanoscience. After Virginia Tech, Shannon went to Walt Disney World where she made magic in Cinderella’s Castle as a Fairy Godmother in Training for close to two years. Shannon now works for National Medical Systems as a research and development analyst. In June, Shannon will head to York, PA, for a week-long competition for the title of Miss Pennsylvania. 6
organization and had the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in Florence, Italy. She also helped to fundraise for the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON), the largest student-run philanthropy initiative dedicated to providing emotional and financial support to those battling childhood cancer in the US. She was also elected to “dance” for 46 hours straight in 2020. Natalie currently lives in Boston and works as a Life Sciences Recruiter for Actalent, an engineering and sciences talent solutions agency. She is a member of their DE&I committee and is spearheading a subgroup focusing on empowering women of their local office. Cara DePiano ’17 graduated with honors with distinction from Drexel University with a BS in Biological Sciences and a minor in Public Health. She is continuing her education in one of Drexel’s dual degree programs, pursuing a Master in Public Health (with a concentration in Health Management and Policy) and a Master in Business Administration. During undergrad, Cara founded the first student chapter of Sharing Excess Inc., a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that rescues food surplus for redistribution to hunger relief organizations. In their first six months alone, the Drexel Chapter was able to rescue over 2000 meal swipes for students that needed them and 1000 lbs of food for community organizations! Since graduation, she has joined Sharing Excess’s Campus Department, where she serves as the Director of Chapter Leadership. Cara also became certified as a Clinical Medical Assistant in February of 2021. Julia Scanlon ’17 is an MSN student at Johns Hopkins University. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton.
Madison Lynch ’18, after graduating from the University of Delaware, has embarked on a career as an incoming Financial Advisor Development Program Associate at Vanguard. Christina D’Anjolell ’18 graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and a minor in Entrepreneurship and was a member of UM’s field hockey team. Last summer, she served as a Ticket Sales and Service Intern for D.C. United, the professional soccer team. 2020s Grace Bleckley ’20 recently started a position as a business solutions co-op at Comcast Business. Olivia Nast ’20 is a studio production intern at QVC this summer. Meghan O’Meara ’20 is in her second year at Drexel University studying Marketing and International Business. At Drexel, each LeBow Business School first year student takes a University 101 class where two peer leaders assist in teaching the class. Meghan loved her peer leaders so much during her first year that she applied to be one, interviewed for the position, and was chosen! She and another student taught their students everything a first year needs to know to be successful at Drexel. Serena Spearman ’21 is attending Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, pursuing her nursing degree and gaining valuable experience working in the hospital setting.
ARRIVALS: Maureen Malloy Loester ’02, her
Julia Walton ’17 graduated from Princeton in 2021 and received the Earl R. Miner Senior Thesis Prize for her independent work. She recently accepted an offer to begin her Ph.D. in English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University this fall. 6
Julie Cloetingh Cady ’03 and her husband, Joshua, welcomed their fourth baby and first girl, Taylor Kerr Cady, on April 9, 2021. Marielle DuBovec Mazda ’06, her husband, Jason, and big brother, Rhett, welcomed Gavin Mazda on April 29, 2022.
Victoria DiGiacobbe ’14 is an Associate Buyer at BHLDN and Anthropologie Weddings. She graduated from Drexel University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Design and Merchandising. Natalie Burns ’16 received a BA in Advertising with a dual minor in Digital Media Trends and Analytics and International Studies from The Pennsylvania State University. At Penn State, Natalie was elected President of a national service
husband, Kevin, and big sister, Rosie, welcomed Brendan Thomas David on November 10, 2021.
Kelly Corcoran Putsch ’09, her husband, Chris, and their daughter, Grace, welcomed James Jude Putsch on November 29, 2021.
Victoria Baum ’18 graduated from West Virginia University in 3.5 years with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Addiction Studies. She is preparing to enter Drexel’s accelerated nursing program in the fall of 2022.
Kelly Goodman Gaus ’12 and her husband, Thomas, welcomed Thomas Joseph Gaus on June 4, 2021.
31
ALUMNAE CLASS NOTES
In Memoriam 1950
1963
Mary Dolan Kirsch ’50 February 9, 2022
Liz Bauer Takai Sq ’63 December 8, 2021
1953
1981
Joan Marie Berkelbach Cella Sq ’53, grandmother of Ryan-Elizabeth Cella ’18 and Peyton Cella ’24 March 2, 2022
Dr. Michele J. Sharkey ’81 “Mish” February 2, 2022
1955
Margaret O’Malley Patton Sq ’55 April 5, 2021 1956
Norma Neely O’Brien Fox ’56 April 3, 2022 Geraldine Dougherty Long Sq ’56, former Square Alumnae Association President January 3, 2022 1958
Lizanne Hardegen Jones Sq ’58, sister of Honey Hardegen Pauxtis Sq ’63, sister of Lisa Hardegen McHale ’63, and aunt of Heather Byrne Clune ’96 August 12, 2021 1960
Meg McGarry Hollinger ’60, former Director of Development April 15, 2022 1962
Lynn Adams Jones ’62, parent of Kristy Krivitsky ’87 and Keri Krivitsky Bass ’90 and sister of Megan Adams ’70 May 16, 2022
Frank Kirby, husband of Constance Smith Kirby ’57 June 17, 2021 William Ranieri, husband of Roseann Mobilio Ranieri ’59 October 19, 2021 James J. Keightley, husband of Bonnie Lawler Keightley ’61 October 31, 2021 Barry Clayton, husband of Betty Anne Moriarty Clayton ’57 November 27, 2021 M. Eileen Guerin, grandmother of Allison Guerin ’23 and Grace Guerin ’21 and mother-in-law of Nicole Guerin ’84 November 30, 2021 Veronica Nask, mother of Monica Nask ’85, Janine Nask ’91, and Alana Nask Zerillo ’95 December 3, 2021 Robert Dudzinsky, father of Jane Dudzinsky ’15 and Jen Dudzinsky ’18 December 19, 2021 William Ryan, grandfather of Meghan Gallary ’21 December 21, 2021
Mike Mealey, father of Beth Mealey Yocum ’94 December 29, 2021 James Kevin Hayes, father of Lauren Boas Hayes ’09 and Christen Boas Hayes ’12 January 14, 2022 Thomas Bruder Jr., grandfather of Devynne Bruder Slagis ’08, Erin Bruder ’17, Kathleen Trusk ’17, Katharine Bruder ’28, and Caroline Bruder ’26 January 24, 2022 Mary Frances “Bunny” Backe, mother of Lizanne Backe Barone ’79 and Karen Backe O’Brien ’82 January 29, 2022 Eleanor Fritsch, mother of Kim Eife, former member of the STEM Department and Director of Studies, and grandmother to Erin Eife ’08 March 19, 2022 Christopher Peluso, father of Serafina Peluso ’22 and Gianina Peluso ’24 April 27, 2022 James Pettit, father of Joanne Pettit Robinson ’98 June 4, 2022 Sharon McNamara, mother of Kate McNamara ’00 June 10, 2022 Joseph Corbi, grandfather of Isabella Casale ’21 June 12, 2022
Susan Mara Barksdale Orlowski ’62 November 25, 2021
Mrs. Leah Bowers lost her struggle with cancer and passed away on January 16, 2022. Mrs. Bowers was a kind, gentle person with a big smile and deep care for the Notre Dame community. She was an integral part of our Physical Education and Health Department, as well as a devoted Notre Dame coach. Her positivity radiated throughout the Notre Dame community and created a welcoming environment for all. Leah encouraged her students to be confident and to persevere through any curveball life may throw at them.
“We thank Mrs. Bowers for inspiring us to be the confident young women that we are today. Her positive spirit and eagerness, even through the toughest of times, to guide us through the last four years are greatly admired. She left a lasting impression on the Class of 2022 and in her memory, we will carry with us the enthusiasm for lifelong learning that she inspired.” - Sophia McDevitt ’22, Editor in Chief of Launfal
32
Photo by Kriston Bethel
Help us to ensure that our students continue to receive the unparalleled educational experience at Notre Dame by making your gift to The Notre Dame Fund, which is the cornerstone of all fundraising at the Academy. With your help, we will be able to offer the finest in academics, athletics and arts. In addition, 46% of our students received financial support last year, allowing us to open the doors to a talented and diverse student body. Every gift matters and every donor counts! Please join in by supporting the Notre Dame Fund this year. For more information, please contact Mimi Koelle, Director of Development, at mkoelle@ndapa.org or 610-971-4919. To make a gift now, visit our online site at www.ndapa.org/makeagift, VENMO us @AcademyofNotreDamedeNamur, or use the envelope in this magazine.
SCAN HERE TO ACCESS OUR GIVING PAGE.
S AV E T H E D AT E
GOLF & TENN S
Join us for a day of fun and camaraderie to support the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur
Tuesday, September 20, 2022 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
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Southeastern, PA Permit No. 301
560 Sproul Road Villanova, PA 19085 610.687.0650
Parents of Alumnae If this issue is addressed to your daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address in your home, please send the new address to: Alumnae Office, Academy of Notre Dame de Namur 560 Sproul Road, Villanova, PA 19085 or email: alumnae@ndapa.org
FOLLOW WHAT’S HAPPENING AT NOTRE DAME: @NDAVillanova
@ND1856
Academy of Notre Dame de Namur
NDVillanova