Visions Spring 2024

VISIONS

ACADEMY OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR SPRING 2024

State Champion ND Field Hockey Team

VISIONS STAFF

EDITOR

EDITOR

Lisa D’Orazio, Director of Marketing & Communications

CONTRIBUTORS

Elizabeth Winter, Digital Marketing Manager

Maria Breck Gunn, Director of Enrollment Management

Wendy Waltman, Director of Alumnae Engagement and Giving

PHOTOGRAPHY

Campli Photography | Jay Gorodetzer Photography

DESIGN

Biddle Design

PRINTING

McClafferty Printing Co.

Message from the HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear Notre Dame Community,

As we embrace the renewal and growth of spring, it is with great joy that I welcome you to the latest edition of Visions. Rooted in the cherished values of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, our institution continues to flourish, guided by the spirit of service, excellence, and creativity. At Notre Dame, we are committed to amplifying girls’ voices, providing the space for students to flourish, and helping each girl discover her passion and her purpose. Our Class of 2024 graduates will soon join the ranks of our distinguished alumnae, prepared to depart the Gates confident in their actions and ready to lead and serve the world boldly with honor and integrity. Within these pages, you will discover the profound impact of our service trips to both local nonprofits and the vibrant city of New Orleans. Through these experiences, our students embody the essence of compassion and solidarity, becoming catalysts for positive change in their communities and beyond from Meals for Many to transforming plastic shopping bags into durable sleeping mats for the homeless and others in need in the Philadelphia area.

Celebrating achievements on the field, we highlight the remarkable successes of our field hockey team, finished the season ranked #1 in the nation, and our cross country and basketball teams, which joined field hockey as Inter-Ac champions. The 200 Medley Relay Team holds the state record and broke individual, school, league, and state times. Their dedication, teamwork, and unwavering spirit serve as a testament to the power of perseverance and commitment – qualities demonstrated by the many student-athletes who will continue their athletic careers in college.

We invite you to delve into the intellectual journey of our seniors as they present their research projects. These endeavors showcase the breadth and depth of their academic pursuits, demonstrating their ability to engage with complex issues and contribute meaningfully to our collective understanding.

As we navigate the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, let us continue to uphold the values that define us—a commitment to service, a pursuit of excellence, and a dedication to lifelong learning. Together, may we embrace the promise of spring and the boundless possibilities it brings.

In peace, simplicity, and courage,

Dr. Laura M. Hotchkiss

MISSION STATEMENT

The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school, commits itself to the education of young women in grades 6 through 12 for responsible living in a global society. The Academy, rooted in the faith tradition of the Catholic Church and the charism of Saint Julie Billiart, provides its students with a challenging academic curriculum within a rich spiritual community in order to:

• inspire them to live the prophetic nature of the gospel, with a passion for justice and love for the poor

• enable them to develop the skills and desire necessary for lifelong learning

• empower them to be honorable, compassionate leaders

Preparing Girls for Life:

Teaching Crucial Research and Presentation Skills from Grade 6 Through Capstone Senior Research Paper

For the last decade, seniors at the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur have benefited from the extensive research, writing, and presentation skills developed through their Senior Research Paper (SRP), one of the most challenging, and oftentimes incredibly rewarding, projects for students.

From topic selection and background work to editing and citing, the SRP challenges students to use their creativity and their editing eye to hone in on the most important elements of their papers. Dr. David Califf, who began the Senior Research Paper initiative in 2013, explained that “The advanced skill of documenting sources correctly is one of the learning objectives for this project. The SRP wasn’t always a graduation requirement, but now it is a key part of the requirements for graduation. This is an important part of the ND senior year experience … more than one English assignment. We manage it in the English Department, but it’s become so much more.”

This assignment does not happen in a silo; students prepare for the SRP through intentional assignments and projects during their entire tenure at ND, from grades 6 through 12.

The Middle School Journey:

Research Pathfinders

As the academic journey begins in grade 6, so, too, do the research pathfinders that prepare Middle Schoolers for the challenge and expectations of the Upper School. Project-based learning is key at ND, and the instructional educational approach allows students to take a deeper dive into a selected topic, develop a skill set, and present the mastered knowledge in several classes.

The youngest members of the ND community begin research pathfinders through assignments like the Saint Project in Religion, where students research and present their saint of choice, and Geography, with the Age of Exploration and European Countries projects. In 7th grade English, students complete a substantial paper and project on China; they also join 8th grade students in creating a National History Day project, where they select a specific topic related to US history to research and present. They may elect to enter their project in the yearly National History Day competition with Middle School students from around the country. Grade 8 students enhance their writing and research skills further through assignments like the Science Research Paper and Animal Farm Project, receiving guidance on proper citation formats and use of primary and secondary sources.

The Upper School Extension:

Expanding and Refining Research Skills

Upper School students continue their research journey in grade 9 through projects like the Japanese American Internment project in World Literature or Ancient Greece & Rome Research Papers in English. In 10th grade, the Critical Lens Project, which includes an 8-10 min presentation, as well as lessons on the Canterbury Tales and the 10th Grade Research Paper, help students think more deeply and thoughtfully, refining and honing their writing and research skills and expanding their source catalog. Eleventh grade lessons, including The Roaring Twenties and the 1960s and 1970s project in US History, the Genetics Disorders project in Honors Biology, or the Social Justice Project in Catholic Morality enhance students’ writing, citing, and presentation skills.

The SRP assignment entails:

• Select a Topic

• Write a Proposal

• Conduct Research

- Online

- In a Library

- Through Field Work (2 school days)

• Produce an Annotated Bibliography

• Write an 18-25 Page Research Paper

• Give a 20-minute Oral Presentation

The skills learned offer lifelong habits for our students. Alumnae frequently indicate that the SRP process was incredibly beneficial as they navigated the challenging collegiate research and writing processes. “All of the elements that contributed to the writing of my SRP (research, annotated bibliography, length of the paper, outline, etc.) helped me to be more confident in my writing and absolutely prepared me for papers in college,” shared Ceci Massaua ’23

Mia Horwath ’23 echoed these sentiments. “I feel as though my writing greatly improved from this process. Even more so, this project taught me how to manage time constraints and condense large pieces of writing into smaller chunks. I continue to use this outlining and drafting process in college,” Mia said. “In addition, I feel as though I am more informed about research in general and where to start … one of the most difficult parts of the project was building a foundation.”

Celebrating 10 Years of the SRP at ND

The following are just some of the Senior Research Paper topics from the last 10 years.

The Benefits of Art Therapy

The Musical, Mathematical, and Cosmological Legacy of the Pythagoreans

Medications Used to Treat Mental Illness

How Have Advances in Gene Testing Helped Those Suffering?

Exploitation of Animals

The Pursuit of Perfection

How the Nutrients in Urine Can Generate Electricity in a Microbial Fuel Cell

The Evolution of Track and Field

The Neurobiology of Anxiety Disorders

The Real Housewives

The Legalization and Ethicality of Organ Black Markets

Marketing to Women

The Uncharted Waters of Intelligence: How Scientific Research, Philosophy & Policy Can Learn from the Octopus and Nonhuman Creatures

The Sustainability and Future of Electric, Hybrid, and Combustion Vehicles

Forensic Sketch Artist

Childhood Trauma’s Effect on the Brain

The Armenian Genocide Cancer’s Effect on Women’s Health

Leadership opportunities abound for ND students; Sydney and Ava welcomed Dr. Mae Jemison to ND for the International Sisters in STEM Symposium in July 2023.

Topics continued

The Effects of Nutrition on College Students

Substance Abuse: A Social and Biological Malady

How Trauma Affects Emotional Development in Children

Skincare

Inside the Brains of Criminals

College Athletics Applied to Sports Psychology

Princess Diana and the Royal Family

Do Celebrities Deserve Their Right to Privacy?

DNA Evidence and Cold Cases

Phobias

Consequences of College Athletics

Net Zero Emissions

Early English Monarchy: The Normans, The Angevins and The Plantagenets

The Ski Industry and Environmental Impact

Movie Adaptations of Musicals and Their Implications on the Entertainment Industry

Mental Illness and Its Correlation with Homicide

Female Entrepreneurship

Neurology of Indecisiveness

Sustainability in the Agriculture Industry

Connections Between Physical and Mental Health

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

The Neuroscience Behind Stereotypes

The Senior Perspective: Forging

a Path, Making a Difference

Notre Dame’s Upper School curriculum focuses on preparing students to be leaders in an increasingly connected and global society. Students from the Middle School continue their educational growth, and new students learn to be women of Notre Dame. Teaching young women “what they need to know for life” progresses, encouraging exploration, innovation, imagination, and expression.

As a part of their required elements for the SRP, many students elect to shadow or interview someone in their chosen topic, participate in a cultural experience to get background information on their subject, or serve the community in some way. Isabelle Molinari ’19, who is currently serving as Notre Dame’s Assistant Campus Minister, tells us this process helped refine her understanding and appreciation for service. “My parents had served as missionaries in El Salvador when I first started at ND, and it had really stuck with me how they had worked with, not ’for,’ the people,” Isabelle explained. “When I began to learn (in 11th Grade Morality) about the importance of dignity, this became a point of interest for me and something I wanted to explore further. At a school that offered so many service opportunities, it was extremely relevant to discuss the right ways to do service, and this became a frequent debate as we explored different service organizations in Religion and other settings.”

Students also have the opportunity to participate in liturgies as cantors or readers.

Through the SRP process, students gain on-the-ground experience and insight into their chosen field, which frequently leads students to a particular college major or potential career opportunity. This was the case for Olivia Mulligan ’23. “I had been leaning towards some variation of government studies but was unsure specifically what I wanted to major in,” Olivia said. “My SRP helped me decide to pursue something that would allow me to study intelligence and security strategy around the world.”

Nikki Cirone, Women’s Studies teacher and fellow SRP faculty leader, sees some unanticipated benefits of the SRP experience. “This project really allows students to shine, especially those who aren’t quite as outspoken as others,” said Ms. Cirone, “It’s a nice leveling opportunity for all students. The professionalism piece is something we are helping them learn along the way — dressing professionally, academic seriousness, and owning their work.”

For some students, the SRP is also an opportunity to support others who may have similar life experiences and challenges. Current senior Lucy Maxim, who will study biomedical engineering at the University of Delaware in the fall, has chosen an SRP that highlights the mind, body, spirit connection as it relates to osteopathic medicine. Lucy, who has struggled with chronic pain, shared that many dealing with this issue react strongly to external stimuli, which can be overwhelming. She shadowed an osteopathic doctor who is working on pressure points vs. energy points and using the body to heal the body. Her end goal? “I want to work with children suffering from chronic pain issues, to help them overcome hypersensitivity and improve their quality of life.” Lucy said, “It’s all about your perspective and how you manage that perspective. Sometimes you can feel like you’re not normal — but telling yourself you are normal makes it easier to manage — you actually start improving and feeling better.”

Long-time Librarian and SRP Mentor Vicki Abens Retires

After 17 years as the Librarian, Information Skills Teacher, Senior Research Project mentor, and so much more, Vicki Abens has decided to retire from ND to support her family’s business. We thank Vicki for her dedication to Notre Dame and for all the ways she has supported her colleagues and students.

Ms. Abens shared, “I will treasure the last 17 years here at Notre Dame, always. How lucky I’ve been to drive onto our beautiful campus each day, have the job of my dreams, and work with some amazing students and colleagues. I’ve been so very blessed, and my cup truly does runneth over with gratitude!”

Living Our Mission:

Notre Dame Students Spend Christmas Break Serving

the New Orleans Community

While most of the community closed their laptops in anticipation of enjoying their Christmas break, a dozen Notre Dame students, led by faculty members Mrs. Nora Moffat, Director of the Center for Global Leadership, and Dr. Pat O’Brien, Middle School Social Studies Teacher, opted instead to travel to New Orleans for a four-day service opportunity.

Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans community nearly two decades ago, and the impact is still ever present. For the second consecutive year, ND coordinated a service trip to "the Paris of the South" to support the NOLA community in their ongoing recovery efforts.

For junior Brooke Miller, one of the students chosen to participate in the service trip, it was one of the best experiences she has ever had.

The service opportunities we took part in showed me how important a strong community is in a person’s life,” Miller said.

The group’s first stop was at a local nursing home, where volunteers played bingo with the residents and had the chance to listen and learn about life before and after Hurricane Katrina.

“

Hearing the stories of the residents who lived in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, and are still living there now despite all the damage that was done, showed me a sense of love and devotion that I have never experienced before,” Miller said.

The following day took them to the Arc of Greater Nola, where they sorted Mardi Gras beads that were left on the streets after the days of celebrations. Students organized the beads so they could be sold next year, with the proceeds benefiting adults with intellectual disabilities.

Make no mistake - Mrs. Moffat and Dr. O’Brien made it clear to the students that this was not a trip where they were “swooping in to save the day.”

We [Notre Dame] can play a small role in helping the New Orleans environment post-Katrina, we can meet people who have lived there for their entire lives and learn from them, and we can come to appreciate and care for people in another part of our country,” said Moffat.

Moffat said that this trip took ND students outside of their normal routine and encouraged them to see America through a new lens, one that is both difficult and beautiful.

The warm welcome they received while at Sunday Mass was Moffat’s favorite part of the trip.

There we were, not members of the congregation, let alone familiar faces in the community, and yet the welcome was so warm and genuine. They sang a glorious song that included the lyrics ’We welcome you. We’re glad you’re here.’ and it made such a difference in how we felt being there in their church,” Moffat said.

The third service activity ND took part in was helping the Common Ground Relief Center in their process of growing hundreds of cypress trees from seedlings, which are native to NOLA and highly effective at carbon capturing. The CGRC is located in the lower ninth ward, which is the most vulnerable area to natural disasters and the section of NOLA most devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Common Ground will now be the beneficiary of the Center for Global Leadership’s annual carbon-offsetting donation, funded by ND parents who are given the opportunity to offset the carbon impact of their daughters’ travels during ND trips.

Miller said that before this trip, she knew that the way of life in New Orleans post-Katrina was different from hers but did not realize how much her experience would have an impact on her. She never knew how to put herself in someone else’s shoes and show empathy without feeling bad for others.

I am one of 8 billion people living on this earth, and everyone is living this life differently. I hope that everyone gets an opportunity to feel this type of community and love I felt while I was in NOLA. This experience affected me in ways I never thought,” Miller said.

Around ND Service

Denim Day

Over $2,500 was raised this year for Breast Cancer Awareness during the annual Denim Day hosted by Student Council.

Meals for Many

Over 10 years ago the Meals for Many Club started at ND by faculty and staff.

The tradition lives on this year and in just the first few months of school, the Meals for Many Club made 100 meals for Caring for Friends! A big thank you to the ND families, faculty, and staff who donated and made these meals possible.

6th and 7th grade students made “outreach bags” for various organizations sponsored by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Before the Christmas Break, our National Honor Society hosted a coat drive which collected over 100 sweatshirts and jackets that were then donated to St. Francis Inn.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our Turkey Basket drive! With your help, we were able to provide meals for 21 families through the Kelly Anne Dolan Fund this holiday season.

The Bags to Mats Club continued their work in making sleeping mats for those experiencing homelessness.

Notre Dame soccer made Christmas Cards for Little Smiles Philadelphia.

ND Middle School Service Projects with Devon Prep

ND Irish Give Back

Coat Drive

Middle School Bags to Mats Club

Turkey Basket Drive

Student Life

Annual Mother-Daughter Liturgy and Picnic

It was a beautiful day in September for our Mother-Daughter Liturgy and Picnic. The day started with Mass, next came the senior plunge, and then lunch on the mansion lawn.

Campus Ministry and Middle and Upper School Student Council Induction

6th & 7th Grade Trip to Tree Trails

In October, the 6th and 7th grade took a joint class trip to Tree Trails where their friendships reached new heights!

First Day of School

Cuvilly was buzzing with excitement for the annual fall Student Activities Fair. Students were able to browse over 70 clubs, from Morgan’s Message to Dungeons & Dragons, Make-A-Wish and K-Pop to BSU, Hi-Q, Habitat for Humanity, Baking Club, and so much more!

Ski & Snowboarding Trip

ND hit the slopes in January for our annual ski and snowboarding trip to Killington, VT.

World Mental Health Day

On October 10, students were invited to grab a Post-it note and write down one thing they do to take care of their mental health.

French Club Rocks

Keep your eyes open as you walk around campus! French Club students painted rocks early this school year with inspirational messages in French to give everyone a boost as well as an opportunity to learn a little bit of Français!

Student Activities Fair

Student Life

6th Grade Class Retreat

In October, the 6th grade had their class retreat. They created mosaic crosses using various colors of tiles in a random pattern representing the diversity of God’s people. They also enjoyed a service portion, creating centerpieces for the guests of Cathedral Kitchen.

7th Grade Class Retreat

The 7th grade had their class retreat at Daylesford Abbey last October. Mrs. Fox spoke to students about St. Julie and explained that each of us is like a sunflower - without the proper nutrients (friends, family, faith) we cannot grow alone. Students also had time for quiet reflection and team-building activities; they decorated sunflower pots to take home as a reminder of their retreat.

Advent Angels

The always highly anticipated ND tradition of Advent Angels kicked off Christmas Break on December 15. Students, faculty, and staff exchanged their final gifts and enjoyed performances by the Women’s Chorale and the ND Dance Company.

ND celebrated a Spirit Week with themed dress down days leading up to the beloved Spirit Day. The Red Class of 2024 took home the trophy, while the 9th grade won best banner, 11th grade won best choreography and song, and 8th grade won the inaugural Middle School Cup.

Day of the Dead

To celebrate Dia de los Muertos, Mrs. Guarino’s Spanish II and Honors Spanish II students wrote poems honoring important people in their lives who have passed away while Ms. Hernandez’s classes constructed an ofrenda with papel picado, cempasúchil, or marigolds, pictures of their loved ones, and more. Students also designed La Calavera Catrinas!

BSU Partners with VMH in DEIB Brainstorming Session

ND’s Black Student Union met with members of Villa Maria’s DEIB club to take part in a Diversity Brainstorming session. Students came up with action items for their schools, discussed how they can collaborate with other schools in the area, and more!

Academics

Mary Rossano ’25 - AP Exam

Congratulations to Mary who not only received the top score of 5, but was also one of only 48 students in the world to earn every point possible on the AP United States Government and Politics Exam, receiving the maximum score on each portion of the exam!

The ND Hi-Q 2023-2024 season opened with an impressive showing at the yearly practice meet, held at Marple Newtown High School in November. ND

competitors Mary Kate Daniel, Ava DiGiuseppe, Jules Kampf, Lucy Maxim, Emily Morley, and Emma Voegele faced off against assorted other teams in the 21-member Delaware County league.

8th Grade Historians

College Board National Recognition & Commended Students

Congratulations to the four students who have been awarded National Recognition from the College Board and the two named as Commended Students in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program!

Kiley Raum: Commended Student

Sydney Batts: National African American Recognition Award (NAARA)

Chidera Madu: National African American Recognition Award (NAARA)

Grace Hicks: National Hispanic Recognition Award (NHRA)

Mia McCloskey: National Indigenous Award (NIA)

Devyn Sargent: Commended Student

Our 8th grade historians studied the three Branches of government last fall. They engaged in conversations as members of the President’s Cabinet. Each cabinet member introduced a classmate to the office, the roles and responsibilities of each office, and an interesting fact related to the Cabinet Office.

Chloe Smith ’24

Named Coca-Cola Scholars Program Semifinalist

Congratulations to Chloe Smith ’24 who was selected, from over 100,000 applicants, as a Coca-Cola Scholars Semifinalist!

National Honor Society & National Junior Honor Society Induction

“

I want to remind us all to challenge ourselves this year, and to not be afraid to explore new opportunities we may otherwise shy away from. Use this opportunity to give back, not just to your sisters at Notre Dame, but to those in the world around us.

- Talia Cherry ’24, National Honor Society President

In January, the Middle School Junior Model United Nations Club attended its first conference of the year at the Penn Museum, engaging in a session about culture and diplomacy. They attended their second conference in March, representing Thailand and Guatemala and addressing solutions to global issues like clean water and income inequality.

STEM Scholars Visit Mütter Museum & American Philosophical Society

On November 8, a group of STEM Scholars and students in Ms. Alexander’s Writing the Body course visited Philadelphia’s Mütter Museum and the American Philosophical Society, an exhibit called Pursuit & Persistence: 300 Years of Women in Science, receiving a guided tour of each to complement their studies. Students learned about fearless female trailblazers in STEM, examined primary sources from centuries ago, and even viewed part of Albert Einstein’s brain!

MAIN LINE STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

Soledad Quainoo ’25 | December 3, 2023

Junior Soledad Quainoo was an integral part of the success of Notre Dame’s inaugural Sisters in STEM Symposium, as she was one of three students chosen to introduce keynote speaker Dr. Mae Jemison, former NASA astronaut and the first woman of color in space. A Global Scholar and Girl Scout of 12 years, Soledad is also a leader of Notre Dame’s Model United Nations and is involved in the Future Business Leaders of America. She is a member of the Black Student Union, Mandarin Club, Environmental Club, Diversity Club, and serves the community in many ways, including volunteering with Cradles to Crayons.

Mary Rossano ’25 | January 15, 2024

Mary Rossano not only received the top score of 5 but was also one of only 48 students in the world to earn every point possible on the AP United States Government and politics exam. Rossano is a member of Notre Dame’s Robotics team, which competed at the 2023 Greater Philadelphia SeaPerch Challenge last spring, receiving the Vehicle Performance Award, Captain Class, 2nd Place, and the Overall Champion, Captain Class, 2nd Place, and the Women in Defense Liberty Chapter 2023 SeaPerch Challenge Award. She also received a gold medal on the National Spanish exam last spring and is a member of the varsity cross country and track and field teams at ND. She is active in local service projects, regularly attending Meals for Many and supporting St. Francis Inn, where warm meals are served to those in need in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia.

Four Honorable Mentions for ND Model UN

Fifteen members of ND’s Upper School Model UN attended the St. Andrew’s School MUN Conference in October, engaging in conversations and debates about international topics with delegates from a number of other schools. Four students received honorable mention honors: Ella Bidez ’26, Grace Yacobe ’25, Emma Dailey ’24, and Ava DiGiuseppe ’25.

Inaugural Conference for ND Junior Model UN

Trips & Speakers

The 8th grade took a class trip to Washington, DC, last November, visiting sites like the Holocaust Museum, the Spy Museum, and the Artechouse.

ND welcomed speaker Cristina Fink, PhD, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month last fall. Dr. Fink, the Athletic Director and Physical Education Chair at Bryn Mawr College, spoke to students about her career in athletics and performance psychology, as well as her participation in the Olympic games. She held the Mexican high jump record for 22 years with a 6’4" jump!

In December, junior and senior GCS students visited the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) to take in the collection of international artists who broke away from the norm. Students also visited Bryant and Central Parks and enjoyed a Thai dinner together.

Students Participate in NAIS Diversity Leadership Conference

Four ND students and three faculty members traveled to St. Louis last November to participate in NAIS’s annual Student Diversity Leadership Conference and People of Color Conference. Attendee Maryam Laraki ’26 shared, “Attending the conference was a lifechanging experience for me. It created a safe space for me to learn and grow, to understand the power of small changes, and to appreciate the beauty of different cultures and religions.”

Pen Pals from St. Nicholas Girls’ School, located in Singapore, visited Notre Dame in November. Students collaborated on a design thinking challenge of redesigning a school backpack with useful features, from a charging port to better padding on the straps to more storage and better organization.

Global Citizen Scholars NYC Trip

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

8th Grade Visits D.C.

ND Welcomes Singapore Pen Pals

Arts News

The Fall Dance Festival, hosted by the ND Dance Company, kicked off ND’s fall festivities last week with beautiful performances on the Riley Center Terrace. Congratulations to the Upper School Dance Company, 2nd Company, and the Middle School Dance Company members and thank you to our special guest performers from Chester Valley Dance, Touch of Class Dance, Angela Bates Dance Company, and the Quinn Center.

Tale as Old as Time!

ND's Upper School Theatre program presented three stunning performances in early December. The cast and crew spent hours preparing in the summer and fall to perfect this Disney classic.

Congratulations to the cast, crew, and directors on a beautiful performance!

Christmas on King

The Women’s Chorale gave a beautiful performance kicking off the holiday season with Malvern Prep’s chorus on Saturday, November 25 at the Christmas on King event in Malvern!

6th Grade Art Class

Students created their very own Nativity scene using sculpey, popsicle sticks, and paint to celebrate Christmas.

Fall Dance Festival

Christmas Concert

ND Students Compete in 2023 Mid-Atlantic Oireachtas

During Thanksgiving break, six Notre Dame students competed in the 2023 Mid-Atlantic Oireachtas, an annual Irish Dance competition held at the regional level in Philadelphia. Participating students included Katie McNeill, Bridget Blaney, and Emma McNeill, who dance for the McGough Academy School of Irish Dance, and Brigid Kelly, Sarah McCollum, and Riley McComb, who dance for the McDade-Cara School of Irish Dance.

Cuvilly Hall was filled with Christmas cheer when the Middle and Upper School Ensembles, Women’s Chorale, and 6th grade chorus classes held their annual Christmas Concert.

Winter Dance Performance & ND Dance Company

Two ND Dance Company pieces were selected out of 260 submissions for The Regional High School Dance Festival! The five-day dance festival is held for programs on the East Coast and each year, schools may submit five choreographic pieces to an adjudication panel consisting of university professors and dance professionals. Out of 52 high schools with a total of 260 dances submitted, 39 were selected. The Notre Dame Dance Company is proud to announce two works were accepted to be presented at the festival’s performances! Tap the link in our bio to watch the performances. Framed, choreographed by Mrs. Devenney Old Skin, choreographed by Mrs. Chambers

Athletics News

#1 in the Inter-Ac, PAISAA, and the Country

Record-Breaking Season for ND Field Hockey

The Notre Dame Field Hockey team finished at the top of the Inter-Ac League again this season, defeating Episcopal Academy. They also won a hard-fought contest against the Hill School (last year’s winners) to take the top spot in the PA Independent School Athletic Association Championships. After three scoreless quarters, featuring stellar defense by Helen Coogan, Reese Milone, Keira McHugh, and captain Maeve Seeger, Reese Czajkowski scored the winning goal from an assist from Saylor Milone to bring home the PAISAA championship for the Irish! To cap off this incredible season, the field hockey team also finished with a #1 ranking in the country by MaxPreps.

ALL-DELCO PLAYER OF THE YEAR and senior captain Saylor Milone, who will play for the University of Michigan next year, broke the school’s record for most goals scored in a career (132), a 10-year-old mark held by alumna Moira Putsch ’14. Saylor finished her exceptional field hockey career with a total 146 goals.

Collegiate Athlete Signing Days

Congratulations to our 10 seniors who will continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.

Nora Barth | University of Notre Dame | Rowing

Tessa Crossed | Catholic University | Soccer

Reese Czajkowski | Bucknell University | Field Hockey

Lizzie Halligan | University of Scranton | Basketball

Avery Hannah | Washington & Lee University | Soccer

Player of the Year

Mia McCloskey | College of the Holy Cross | Field Hockey

Saylor Milone | University of Michigan | Field Hockey

Kylie O’Brien | University of Delaware | Lacrosse

Devyn Sargent | Yale University | Swimming

Maeve Seeger | Boston College | Field Hockey

Athletes

of the Week

Lizzie Halligan ’24 | Basketball

January 1, 2024

Versatile senior guard/forward and captain Lizzie Halligan, a first team All-Inter-Ac girls basketball selection last winter, has a wide range of skills that have been a key factor in the strong start by the Irish this season, averaging 9 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg and 2 spg. She was an integral part of the Irish’s season, leading her team to its first Inter-Ac championship in 15 years. Head coach Terry Mancini said, “Lizzie is everything you could ask for as a coach. Her leadership is outstanding on a relatively young team, and her play has been equally impressive. She will do whatever is needed to help her team win.” Lizzie has committed to play basketball for the University of Scranton.

Kaitlyn Kolessar ’25 | Swimming

January 22, 2024

ND Cross Country Three-Peats as Inter-Ac Champions

Versatile sophomore Kaitlyn Kolessar, a first team All-Main Line swimmer as a freshman, had a strong start this winter. A highlight was her performance in Notre Dame’s 96-90 win against EA in January, the first Irish win over the Churchwomen in nearly two decades. Against EA, Kolessar finished first in the 100 breast, second in the 500 free, anchored the first-place 400 free relay with a split of 53.3, and was part of the first-place 200 medley relay.

Riley Davis ’27 | Basketball

February 5, 2024

Three-sport athlete Riley Davis ’27 helped lead the Irish to their InterAc Championship season, and at the time of this article, was leading the Irish basketball squad in scoring (13 ppg), averaging five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and 1.5 blocked shots per game. Head coach Terry Mancini said, “Riley is just a superior athlete. She works hard every day to get better, is very coachable and a sponge to what she is being taught. She’s an outstanding teammate, who shows signs of leadership at the young age of 14. Her future is so promising and that includes the other sports she plays."

The Academy of Notre Dame won their third consecutive Inter-Ac Girls Cross Country Championship on Monday, October 16 at Belmont Plateau. The Irish placed three runners, Mary Rossano ’25 (4th place, 20:52.8), Kara Sweeney ’26 (5th place, 20:56.7), and Chloe Calvert ’24 (9th place, 21:54.7), in the top 10 spots for a total of 55 points, defeating Penn Charter (62) handily. Also placing in the top 25 for ND were Carson Tierney ’26 (22:19.6) and Laura Neary ’26 (23:45.7). In the JV race, Alex Fahey ’25 placed 15th and Sunny Peterman ’26 placed 17th.

For the first time in 15 years!

ND Basketball Named Inter-Ac Champions

For the first time in 15 years, the ND Irish basketball team rose to the top of the Inter-Ac, finishing tied with GA and Penn Charter for a share of the league championship. In the deciding game, Notre Dame defeated GA decidedly 60-39, with four players having 9 or more points, including Riley Davis (17), Grace Nasr (15), Sophia Hall (11), and Lizzie Halligan (9). Head Coach Terry Mancini shared with City of Basketball Love, “When they set their minds to something, they’ll do it. They wanted to win a championship. That was their goal. It’s a three-way tie, but that’s the Inter-Ac and we’ll take it.”

Notre Dame Expands Swimming Program with Addition of Diving Coach

Joshua Bonner joined the ND community in the fall, expanding and elevating the Swimming & Diving team. A former DI swimmer and 10-year coach, Bonner joins Head Coach Brigit Barry ’03 and Andrew Austria. Coach Barry shared, “We are thrilled to introduce Josh Bonner as our first-ever Diving Coach at the Academy of Notre Dame. Josh brings a wealth of experience and passion to our aquatics program, and we are excited to build our program with his guidance.”

Fall/Winter at ND

GOLF & TENNIS CLASSIC

FATHER-DAUGHTER COMMUNION BREAKFAST

MOTHER-DAUGHTER LITURGY

Alumnae News

Alumnae

Christmas Party

Notre Dame alumnae celebrated the holidays on December 12 at the annual Christmas party at the Union League. The night was filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of fun.

Class of 2023 Winter Reunion

We loved seeing our most recent graduating Class, the yellow Class of 2023, back on campus on Friday, January 5! Our young alums spoke to current juniors and seniors to share advice and insight about collegiate life, selecting the best fit university, and how the ND experience prepared them for the academic rigor of college curricula.

Alumnae Class Notes

1940s

Lois Stodder Flatley ’47 and Jane Law McGann ’47 celebrated almost 80 years of friendship at lunch in October. 6

1960s

Carolyn “Candy” Conlen Kulzer ’61 is a proud great grandmother of four: Nate, Kaden, Noelle, and Adelina.

1980s

Congratulations to Debbie Pearce McCabe ’81 and Martie Gillin Bernicker ’85, who were recognized as 2023 Power Women by Main Line Today magazine. The 2023 Power Women are exceptional female leaders from across the Main Line making an impact in their industries and community. 6

Jackie Krasas ’83 was named Dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences at Wake Forest University. Jackie previously served as deputy provost for faculty affairs at Lehigh University.

Kate Mashett ’83 married Brian Kimmel on September 15, 2023 at The Fox Barn in Great Valley. Kate’s sister, Mary Mashett Michelsen ’81, and her ND sister and best friend, Grace Beston Enderlein ’83, were by her side. 6

Jennifer Holsten Maddaloni ’87 attended the 143rd Charity Ball of Philadelphia where her daughter Alexandra Maddaloni ’24 made her debut. The event raised money for the Special Olympics Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Charity Ball is the oldest debutante ball in the country, celebrating its 143rd year of inspiring the young people of the Philadelphia area to make philanthropy a central part of their lives.

6

1990s

Barb Riley ’90 was a participant at the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia Women in Philanthropy Forum. This networking event was an opportunity for women in the area to connect, collaborate, and make a positive impact in the community. Barb was one of the “impactful female philanthropists and non profit leaders” chosen to speak.

After graduating from Boston College and Villanova Law School, Amanda O’Dea Dillon ’91 worked as an attorney in the Philadelphia area for 17+ years. She moved to Jupiter, FL, in 2016 where she works as a Realtor.

Megan Forgie Budd ’92 is an Academic Coach and Advisor at the University of Delaware within the Alfred Lerner School of Business and Economics.

Jane Foreman ’92 started as Foodservice Director, Central and National Accounts for Otis McAllister, a rice importer, in January 2024.

Christine Marchionni ’97 shared, “It’s been a busy 2023! We are happily raising our two boys (who attend their own Notre Dame of Bethlehem) in Bethlehem, PA. Both my husband and I are still physicians with St Luke’s Health System and we are looking forward to a healthy 2024.”

Kelly Cunningham ’98 and her familyhusband, Ben, and daughters, Rose and Ruby - relocated from Vermont back to the Philadelphia area. They’re now living in Wynnewood, PA, and loving it.

Meg Kane ’99 received the John J. Finley ’24 Award from La Salle University. The Finley Award is presented annually to a La Salle alumnus or alumna who has exhibited outstanding service to the University or the Alumni Association. Meg is the President and CEO of Signature 57, a strategic communications firm with a special focus on hospitality, tourism, large-event strategy, along with arts, culture, and nonprofits.

2000s

Alyse Fiori Stach ’03 was elected partner at the national law firm Baker Hostetler where she practices complex commercial litigation with a specialty in antitrust. Alyse lives in Berwyn with her husband and three sons.

Shannon Killeen Schwartz ’04 and her husband, Michael, welcomed daughter Paige Chasely Schwartz on October 29, 2023. She weighed 9 lbs, 1 oz and measured in at 20.5” long. Big sister Morgan is loving her new role! 6

Sam Carroll Harris ’05 and her husband Chandler welcomed Edward Henry on November 15, 2023. He joins big sister Harper and big brother Jack.

Colleen Walsh Thompson ’05 and her husband Jon welcomed baby boy Jonathan Kees Thompson Jr. (“Jack”) on August 2, 2024. He joins older sisters Waverly (4) and Serena (2). 6

Deirdre Moran Barnes ’05 and her husband, Paul, welcomed a baby boy, Paul Francis Barnes IV, in July. He joins big sisters Darcy (4) and Margot (2). Deirdre now resides in Bryn Mawr and looks forward to reconnecting with ND friends.

Katie McCabe ’08 and her husband, Ian Herrick, welcomed Jamie Sutherland McCabe on February 23, 2023.6

Amy Fizzano-Krauter ’08 gave birth to Rocco Mark Krauter on September 11, 2023.

Dr. Katherine Carlisle ’09 was the amazing OBGYN resident who helped birth this precious baby boy. 4

Laura Schwartz ’09 married Andrew Romandino on October 14, 2023, at Aronimink Golf Club. 6

2010s

Beth McCabe LeStrange ’10 and Justin LeStrange welcomed Benjamin Pearce LeStrange on November 5, 2023. 6

Erica Gosnell ’10 married Timothy Jackson at Pen Ryn Estate at the River’s Edge Pavilion on November 11, 2023. Erica’s sisters and fellow ND alums Lindsay Gosnell Green ’04 and Tory Gosnell ’06 were bridesmaids along with classmate Bridget Burns White ’10. In attendance at the wedding were several other Notre Dame classmates Lauren Nichols ’10, Melissa Kelley McNamara ’10, Trish Hayden ’10, Morgan Moppert ’10, Danielle Antonini Sullivan ’10, Jackie Spoerl Smith ’10, Lanie Stitt Fragomele ’10, Karine Keshgegian ’10 and Gina Siclari Laken ’08. 6

Molly Petersen ’10 married Kyle Hedden, on April 29, 2023, in Delray Beach, Florida. 6

2010s

Stephanie Powers ’10 married Rory Magargee (Malvern Prep Class of 2010) on June 23, 2023. The ceremony was held at Our Mother of Good Counsel Chapel on Malvern Prep’s campus, and the reception took place at Overbrook Golf Club. 6

Mary Davis ’11 married Paul Gregory at St. Andrew the Apostle Church on November 11, 2023. Fellow classmates Clare Spence ’11, Devon Gorbey ’11, Christine Capinski ’11, and Holly Flynn ’11 were bridesmaids in Mary and Paul’s wedding. 6

Chelsea Regan ’11 married F. Paul Mita IV at St. Thomas of Villanova Chapel on September 16, 2023. 6

Stephanie Coffua ’12 married Benjamin Cunningham on October 28, 2023, in Savannah, Georgia. The bridal party included fellow alumni: Christen Boas Hayes ’12, Bridget O’Malley ’12, Maureen McGrath ’12, and Grace Poole ’12. 6

Members of the Class of 2016 gathered on Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend to reunite and reminisce! 6

Maura Bradley ’16 married Ryan Naehr on August 12, 2023. 6

Members of the Classes of 2015 and 2016 gather in New York City in the fall. 6

Marina Ruiz ’17 received her real estate license and joined DeZarate Real Estate Sales Group at RE/MAX Main Line. Whether you’re thinking of buying, selling, or simply exploring the world of real estate, I’m here for you. Reach out with any questions - let’s make your property dreams a reality! Call or text me at: 610-716-7384 or email: marina.ruiz@mariedezarate.com 6

Lauren Curran ’19 had a hat trick in the CAA Championship game to lead William and Mary to victory. Lauren was named Most Outstanding Player in Championship and to the CAA AllTournament Team.

2020s

Lauren Gunn ’20 is a marketing and communications intern in the Querrey InQbation Lab at Northwestern University. The InQbation Lab is a university incubator that extends Northwestern’s excellence in researchdriven innovation by accelerating translation of its rich research portfolio. Through programming and space, the InQbation Lab provides support and resources for the very early stages of company formation, allowing the University to immediately enable nearterm opportunities and increase the pipeline of startup companies.

Mia Leonhardt ’20 won her 3rd National Field Hockey Championship and 4th ACC Championship this past season with UNC Tar Heels.

Emmeline Lignowski ’20 original composition "Ring Out, Ye Bells!" for choir and orchestra was premiered at the 45th Advent Festival of Lessons & Carols at College of the Holy Cross. This piece was a setting of the poem "Christmas Carol" by American author Paul Laurence Dunbar.

Meghan Mitchell ’20 was selected as Offensive Player of the Year in the Big East Conference for field hockey. Meghan is a senior at Villanova University.

Olivia Nast ’20 is a senior at Fordham University and finished a digital media specialist internship at Literacy Partners’s La Fuerza de Familias Latinas.

Kayleigh Olszewski ’20 was named First Team (200 fly) All-Landmark Conference and took first place in 200 fly at the Landmark Conference championships. Kayliegh attends Scranton University and is a member of the swimming & diving team.

Alison Tegler ’20 joined the White House Student Correspondents Team with ASKM Media as a White House Reporter. Alison is a senior at Villanova University.

Maeve Pinheiro ’21 recently returned to ND to share her study abroad experiences. Meave has traveled to Ireland, Italy, and most recently Thailand where she spent 4 months performing surgeries and practicing medicine. Maeve attends Boston College and studies veterinary medicine.

Jade Bennett ’21 and Amelia Mordan ’22 met for lunch and photos while studying abroad in Florence, Italy. 6

Jessica Rowley ’22 will be joining RBC this summer as a Global Markets Summer Analyst in the Delaware office.

Molly Hughes ’22 and Marli Dorn ’22 ran the Philly Marathon in November and crossed the finish line together. 6

In Memoriam

Josephine Coppolino Marchese ’47

October 22, 2022

Anne McGinnis Sq ’54

April 2, 2023

Malvina Granese Augustine ’56

July 19, 2023

Marie Nardone Sanderson ’64

April 27, 2023

Anna Toroni Murdock ’48

January 5, 2023

Laura Marie Graham ’04

December 23, 2023

Anne Stevenson McAdams Sq ’57

January 18, 2024

Mary Ellen Persico Gabriele Sq ’64

January 3, 2024

Jacqueline Farrell Faulhaber ’58, sister of Evelyn Farrell Federico ’57

February 12, 2024

Jane O’Keefe ’59

February 24, 2024

Bernard F. Haughey, father of Beth Haughey VanBuren ’94

May 15, 2023

Sheila O’Connor, mother of Sheila O’Connor Wagner ’78, Karen O’Connor Potocki ’81, the grandmother of Jennifer Wagner ’11, Katie O’Connor ’11, and Allison Wagner ’14

November 5, 2023

William Jordan, father of Catherine Jordan ’03, Genevieve Jordan ’06, and Anne Jordan ’08

November 9, 2023

Matthew McCloskey IV, father of Kathy McCloskey Neff ’86 and grandfather of MaryKate Neff ’17, Micaela McCloskey ’22, Chloe McCloskey ’23, and Mia McCloskey ’24

January 3, 2024

Thomas J. Lavin Jr., husband of the late Nancy Dougherty Lavin ’56, father-in-law of Jennifer Bruder Lavin ’90, and grandfather of Kathleen O’Connor ’17

January 7, 2024

Eileen McNeill, mother of Lee Ann McNeill Leary ’89, grandmother of Catherine Leary ’21, Kelly McNeill ’15, and Megan McNeill ’21

February 18, 2024

Please keep all of loved ones in your prayers.

The impact the Notre Dame Fund has on the Academy is immediate and monumental. Gifts to this fund allow the Academy to offer unique opportunities for students to discover themselves, pursue their passions, grow as individuals and leaders, and so much more.

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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@ndapa.org.

Join Dr. Laura M. Hotchkiss, our Head of School, and the Academy of Notre Dame community in Stone Harbor, NJ.

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