19 minute read
Around Notre Dame
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Students Shine in Science 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.
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.
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.
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
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
Model UN
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.
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.
ND Celebrates Black History Month
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.
Philadelphia Academic Honors Convocation
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
IN SERVICE OF OTHERS
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.
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.
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.
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.
Supporting the Women of Ardella’s House
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.
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!
Retirements
Ms. Sally Gallagher
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.
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.
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.
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.
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." 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.
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.
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.
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 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
