Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to:
GOAL I: a personal and active faith in God
GOAL II: a deep respect for intellectual values
GOAL III: a social awareness which impels to action
GOAL IV: the building of community as a Christian value
GOAL V: personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom
GRADUATION
Très Bien is produced annually by Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart. We welcome article topics, news, and photos from the Newton Country Day Community. Content may be edited for length.
Correspondence and Change of Address
Newton Country Day School 785 Centre Street Newton, MA 02458 (617) 244-4246 alumnae@newtonSH.org
EDITOR
Tina Lim Director of Marketing and Communications
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS
Laura Kelly
Digital Communications Specialist
Abby Woodworth
Digital Communications Associate
Adam Richins Photography www.adamrichins.com
miller studio boston www.millerstudiophoto.com
LAYOUT AND DESIGN
Graphic Details, Inc.
PRINTER
Journeyman Press
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Jessica Hooper P ’28
ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL
Nicole Noel
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Kym Gaissl
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Casey Young P ’21 ’24
DIRECTOR OF THE ANNUAL FUND AND ALUMNAE RELATIONS
Kay McMahon
DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT
Clare Martin
HEAD EMERITA
Sister Barbara Rogers, RSCJ
From the Head of School
Dear Newton Country Day Community,
In my first eight weeks at Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, I have been deeply moved by the powerful stories and experiences shared by this community. Each conversation has illuminated the profound impact this school has had on so many lives.
Parents and caregivers speak with heartfelt pride about their daughters’ growth and achievements, reflecting the nurturing environment that fosters both academic and personal development. Alumnae recount their journeys with gratitude, recognizing the unwavering dedication of educators who shaped their conviction to create lives of Courage and Confidence. Meanwhile, students radiate enthusiasm and optimism as they embark on a new year filled with opportunities and dreams!
This issue of Très Bien celebrates the many accomplishments, talents, and contributions of our students and alumnae. Enjoy reading about the innovative approach to learning our faculty delivers each and every day, from the Grade 5 Voyagers program to the dynamic theatrical performances in both the Middle and Upper Schools, to the success of athletic endeavors, and the launch of our new Innovation and Design studio. The future is bright at Newton Country Day.
Through each example of success, it is abundantly clear that the most important development in our students is their character and who they will become for the world. An education rooted in the Sacred Heart’s Goals and Criteria is a rare and treasured gift. We are a community that celebrates the value of faith, develops rich intellect, advocates for justice, builds community, and celebrates wise freedom. As St. Madeleine Sophie often reminded the RSCJ sisters, “Your example, even more than your words, will be an eloquent lesson to the world.” In deed and word, our students and alumna continue to illuminate the world.
As I walk these halls, I am profoundly appreciative of the remarkable individuals who have paved the way before me. It is with honor and gratitude that I assume the role of Head of School during these pivotal times. My heartfelt request to each of you is to engage deeply with our school community. Stay connected, attend our events, and follow us on social media. Your participation enriches our collective experience and strengthens the bonds that make our community so special.
To our alumnae: we hope to see you back on campus soon! Your continued involvement is a vital part of our ongoing story, and we look forward to celebrating the shared legacy that unites us all. Together, let’s continue to build on the legacy of excellence and community that defines Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart.
Cor Unum, Jessica Hooper Head of School
Introducing Jessica Hooper, Head of School
The Newton Country Day community is thrilled to welcome Mrs. Jessica Hooper as our 31st Head of School. As she and her family settled in during her first few months, we took the opportunity to ask Mrs. Hooper a few questions to get to know her better.
What led you to pursue the Head of School position at Newton Country Day?
In over two decades working in Catholic education, I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact of an all-girls education rooted in a community that celebrates faith as a value. During my time as President of Nativity Prep Academy in San Diego, we raised funds to send first generation students from historically underresourced communities to schools like Newton Country Day. Why? Because we knew they would reshape the trajectory of their future.
I pursued the Head of School position at Newton Country Day School because I could see in the school’s ethos the transformative power of this education. The school’s sponsorship by the Religious of the Sacred Heart emboldened my desire to learn more about the opportunity. Leading in a school and a community that knows itself, values faith, builds community, and advocates for justice is the privilege of a lifetime.
I felt a deep sense of grace throughout the entire process. When I received the news of my selection, I was overjoyed! I called my husband first, and simultaneously, we agreed; Boston was calling, and our answer was, “yes!”
What is your vision for Newton Country Day, and what are your key priorities in achieving this vision?
In the tradition of St. Madeleine Sophie, my vision for Newton Country Day is that we meaningfully accompany our students as they become not only women of Courage and Confidence, but also women who embrace faith as a value and feel called
“If students discover what they are capable of and experience a sense of belonging while learning to value community, we will have succeeded in our mission.”
to compassionate action. I hope that each one of our students graduates with full confidence that they are loved, and that nothing can separate them from God’s love.
This year, I will be listening and learning from each and every stakeholder I have the privilege of meeting. I will listen with the intention of discerning what has created the most lasting impact on the fruition of the Goals and Criteria in the lives of our students. I am also eager to dream with members of the community. As the world changes, so do the needs of our students. In that spirit, what does the Newton Country Day of tomorrow look like, and how will we be prepared to respond?
What is your educational philosophy, and how does it shape your approach to leading a school?
In recently viewing Into the Spider-Verse with my son, I was struck by a statement from Jefferson Davis to his son, Miles Morales: “I see a spark in you. And it’s amazing. It’s why I push you.” Catholic educators recognize this spark in their students. Having worked within a Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph (CSJ) institution for over a decade, I became enamored with the order’s phrasing of helping people discover “all of which they are capable.” I know I am leading effectively when I not only see my colleagues grow in awareness of all of which they are capable of, but furthermore, see evidence of the desire of these educators to help their students discover new depths of capability. If students discover what they are capable of and experience a sense of belonging and joy while learning to value community, we will have succeeded in our mission.
What value do you see in an all-girls educational environment?
All-girls schools in the Catholic tradition empower young women to find their voice and use it for others. I often describe them as countercultural in all the right ways. In a world that makes it easy for girls to grow up comparing themselves to others in an attempt to figure out who they are, girls’ schools create environments where the individual
thrives. Young women are encouraged to develop their unique gifts, and because of this authentic journey, deep and lasting friendships are formed. In girls’ schools, she does not have to be less so that I can be more. We celebrate the formation of sisterhood in these friendships that last a lifetime.
What
has the experience of moving from San Diego to Boston been like for you and your family?
We love Boston and are actively exploring the New England area. The weather, or really, just the existence of weather, is a bit of an adjustment coming from Southern California, but we are enjoying the variability of the experience. What was it that Mark Twain said? “If you don’t like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.” A saying that we now understand!
How
do you maintain your work/life balance?
Balancing pursuing a meaningful career with being a wife and mother is a very real challenge for women in our world. I am sure many of our alumnae can relate to this. I am not spared the challenge and have found some key strategies for the pursuit. The first is recognizing that life will never operate in perfect balance, which is okay. There are times in the school calendar that lend themselves to balance while others demand more of my time. I seek to live an integrated life and am privileged to enjoy a career path that embraces the value of family. My husband Jamie and I take an intentional and shared approach to parenting. I am certainly fortunate to have found a partner who supports the pursuit of my dreams and ambitions as much as his own.
As a family, we practice presence at the end of the day. Whenever possible, I sign off and go home for dinner and bedtime routines without simultaneously attempting to multitask. We make every effort to eat dinner together as a family, and without the distraction of phones!
To unwind, I enjoy an exercise class, a healthy walk around the neighborhood, a venture into the great outdoors, and social time with friends and family. I love to travel and have found it important to have an adventure to look forward to on the horizon.
Finally, I will add that as women, and most definitely as mothers, we have to take care of ourselves to be able to take care of others. I have learned that sleep is vital to health, equal to exercise and good nutrition, and to compromise in pursuit of a greater goal suffers negative consequences. To our students: value your sleep!
How do you hope to impact the lives of the students at Newton Country Day?
I hope to serve as one more person in their life cheering them on through their self-discovery. I hope that in me, they find
The Hooper Family, (left to right) Jamie, Clare ’28, Jack, Charlie, Jessica, and dog Henry (front)
a trusted confidant who is ready and willing to accompany them through the good, the bad, and the complicated. Through my lived example, I hope they develop a value and respect for the power and resource that faith offers us in life.
What legacy do
you hope to create as Head of School at Newton Country Day?
Thanks to the Courage and Confidence of Sr. Rogers and those who came before her, we are positioned for success.
In a rapidly changing world, educators are called to adapt and innovate. Thanks to the talent and dedication of our faculty and staff, we are fortunate to celebrate a world-class educational experience. I look forward to dreaming with the community about the future of Newton Country Day, envisioning what lies ahead and how we can best prepare our students to contribute to the world as leaders.
In the Sacred Heart and St. Madeleine Sophie tradition, our commitment remains to serve the whole child — body, mind, and spirit. What does the future hold, and how can we equip our students to thrive? I hope my legacy includes creative exploration of how we can enhance our use of technology, optimize our facilities, and allocate resources effectively to meet the evolving needs of our students.
Is there any message you would like to share with the school community, parents and caregivers, or students?
Absolutely. I’m genuinely excited to meet you! As we embark on these years together, I look forward to hearing from the diverse voices within our community about the ways Newton Country Day has touched your lives. My deepest hope is that everyone — whether students, alumnae, or community members — feels warmly welcomed and valued when they arrive on campus.
True belonging comes from understanding and addressing each person’s needs and creating an environment where everyone can thrive. To approach this with authenticity, I need to learn about your experiences and perspectives. Please feel free to reach out — I’m eager to hear from you and learn how we can continue to enhance our community together.
A THANK YOU TO MS. NOEL FOR HER YEAR AS INTERIM HEAD OF SCHOOL
Longtime Newton Country Day administrator and faculty member Nicole Noel stepped up to lead the school through a year of transition. With deep gratitude for everything she has done for the 2023–24 school year and beyond, we asked her advisees to reflect on her year as Interim Head of School.
“Ms. Noel’s positive attitude and happiness ripples through the Newton Country Day community every day. Through ups and downs, she’s been a constant source of support, and I am truly thankful for that. Thank you Ms. Noel for everything you do to better our community!” – Neasa Kearney ’25
“Ms. Noel has been there to see me through some of my best and worst times, and there is no one as kind and supportive as she is. She is everything I could have ever asked for in an advisor – someone to help guide me as an example, but also someone I know is always there to be a shoulder I can lean on. I am forever grateful to have formed such a bond with her.” – Lilly Pergola ’25
“Two of the things I love most about Ms. Noel are her ability to listen and her wisdom in decision making. There have been countless times when she has gently stopped me in the midst of my trying to pile everything I do and don’t have time for into my schedule, and directed me to make a balanced decision. It has proven to be the right choice every time.” – Abby Goodman ’25
“You can see how much Ms. Noel cares about her advisees and the students overall. She has specifically helped me find the joy in school over the stress of it all, which I deeply appreciate. I, along with the rest of the school, am so thankful for everything she has done for the school and each of us individually.”
– Stella Dearden ’26
“Ms. Noel has shown unwavering support and unconditional love to not just me, but the entire Newton Country Day community. She took on this position with so much grace and was the perfect person for the job. She is such a bright light to our community and I know that will never change.” – Caitlyn McCarthy ’24
Ms. Noel and her 2023–24 advisees.
AROUND CAMPUS
Campus Highlights
Grade 5 Voyagers Program
The 2023–24 school year marked the launch of Newton Country Day’s Grade 5 Voyagers Program, which takes students on interdisciplinary academic excursions throughout the school year. “Through the first year of the Voyagers Program, students’ educational experiences extended well beyond the doors of the school,” explained David Byron, head of the Experiential Education Subcommittee of the Future of Learning Group at Newton Country Day. “These excursions were not simply field trips, but rather an integral part of their curriculum.”
The success of the Grade 5 Voyagers Program’s first year has led to the expansion of the program. As the Grade 5 Voyagers advance to 6th grade in the fall, they will continue taking excursions with the newly-formed Grade 6 Explorers Program. This new initiative will offer students unique learning opportunities that will deepen their curriculum understanding by providing focused hands-on experiences, bringing classroom lessons to life.
“These carefully curated Explorer excursions will enhance students’ critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills,” explained Deborah Tully, Head of the Middle School. “As our Middle School students progress through the Voyagers and Explorers Programs, our hope is that they will develop a sense of ownership and personal connection to their education, with a deeper, self-driven desire to learn.”
“I am in a hurry to board the ship that will take me to the goal of my desires.”
– St. Philippine Duchesne, 1818
Boston Freedom Trail (History and Mathematics)
Boston Public Library (Roots of Language and Art)
Museum of Science (Dance and Wellness)
Jackson Homestead and Museum (English and History)
deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum (Dance and Mathematics)
Harvard Museum of Natural History (Science and Roots of Language) Boston Symphony Orchestra (Instrumental Music and Religion)
Boston Public Market and Eastie Farm (Wellness and TAG)
GRADE 5 VOYAGERS PROGRAM CONTINUED
“It has been so exciting to augment the Grade 5 curriculum with the culture, history, and academic opportunities in the Boston area. Our students completed their school year with a better understanding of how their education connects to real-world experiences.”
– Catherine Barber, Assistant Head of the Middle School
Scan the QR code to watch a video following the Grade 5 Voyagers on several excursions.
Berlin Orchards (Wellness and Religion)
Guild Hall (Technology and English)
Fenway Park (Mathematics and Athletics)
Concord Museums (History and English)
Grade 6 Speeches
In Grade 6 English, students researched, wrote, and presented original speeches inspired by Goal III, educating to a social awareness which impels to action. Using their knowledge of rhetoric, oratory, and the power of language, they shared their researched topic of interest with the entire Middle School. Topics this year included: gender inequality in athletics, the danger of perfectionism, and the effects of social media usage on mental health.
Scan the QR code to watch students describe their experiences with the speech project process.
Emilie Christian ’30 speaks about social media’s effect on mental health.
Olwen Davis ’30 gives her presentation about traditional dance.
Mia Na ’30 delivers her speech on animal extinction.
Eighth Graders Demonstrate Social Awareness Through Inaugural Capstone Projects
The 2023–24 school year marked the introduction of the Grade 8 Capstone Project, a year-long independent study project that connects academia, service, and the Goals of Sacred Heart schools. With mentorship from a faculty member, each student proposed, planned, and presented their project. Capstone Director and Middle School faculty member Emily Horwitz P ’28 shared, “By creating a space for the eighth grade students to pursue a course of study that is self-determined and limited only by the time they can give to the project, the Capstone process establishes a model for intrinsic motivation and independent learning and achievement.”
“This was the biggest thing I had ever had to do on my own,” Emma Wulff ’28 remarked. She chose to learn about the history of American Sign Language and created a booklet to teach simple signs to those unfamiliar with the language. “It took me a couple of months, but I began to feel confident in writing out my weekly plans to stay on top of my work.”
Noelle Trull ’28 was inspired to train her dog to be a service animal. Through her project, she learned the differences between emotional support animals, therapy animals, and service animals. “My favorite part of my Capstone Project,” she explained, “was getting
to spend more time with my dog and learning about the impact a fluffy friend can have on a person experiencing trauma, depression, and anxiety.”
Grade 8 teacher Allyson Grasso explains that the Goals were anchors for the students in the research process: “They were through lines that created purpose for their projects.” Horwitz echoed Grasso’s statements, saying, “The Sacred Heart Goals are central, as they are the shared values that shape our days and our identity.”
Noelle Trull ’28 and her newly trained service dog Ollie.
Caroline Hoenscheid ’28 designed a costume and choreographed a dance to raise awareness about how climate change affects the ocean.
Jael Farmer ’28 presents Project Take A Step, a recreational center for unemployed people.
New Innovation and Design Studio and Updated Art Space Set to Open in the Fall of 2024
Thanks to the generous community Fund-ANeed donations at the 2023 and 2024 Très Bien Auctions, the new Innovation and Design Studio and updated art space will open in the fall of 2024. This new, state-of-the-art facility will provide students with the equipment and space to innovate, invent, and bring their ideas to life, empowering them to excel in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). The facility will consist of a design and build space, where students can challenge themselves as they engage in hands-on learning experiences, as well as a new art classroom, where students can express their creativity and imagination. The space will encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and exploration across the intersections of science, art, and technology.
“This space models what it’s like to be a real-life engineer or innovator,” said Genevieve Fein, Science Faculty and Coordinator of Educational Innovation. “It gives our students the confidence to walk into a design team in college or a work space and be familiar with the equipment, so that they can just jump in and collaborate and innovate.”
Scan the QR code to watch a video about the project.
Architectural renderings of the new Innovation and Design Studio and updated art space.
Data Science and Analytics Curriculum Initiative Prepares Students for College and Beyond
The Data Analytics curriculum initiative, led by faculty co-chairs Kathleen Scorza and Jacqueline Finnegan, flourished across numerous academic disciplines in the 2023–24 school year. The initiative aims to illuminate the presence of data science in existing lessons and increase opportunities inside and outside the classroom to learn more about the data cycle and data analysis, collection, and visualization.
Scorza, who teaches Middle School History and Religious Studies, explains, “The Data Analytics Committee has taken part in professional development opportunities so we can have a shared understanding of the topic. We can then bring a new lens to our lessons.” Scorza previously integrated data science into Grade 7 History by using the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database. Now, she teaches this lesson with a new focus on database construction, information analysis, and data science language.
Computer Science I, taught by Department Chair Martha Haddad P ’22, introduces students to data science via the Dear Data project, where they creatively and visually represent personal data. For instance, Johanna JaneLeonardis ’27 illustrated types of questions she asks each day with colorcoded symbols, and Sophie Tournet ’26 tracked time spent on homework by drawing ice cream cones with varying scoops and toppings. In AP Computer Science, students engage in a month-long data science unit, praised by Nicole Hemm ’24: “My favorite part was our final project, when we had the opportunity to choose a topic of personal interest, collect data on it, analyze it, and present our findings. Data science combines my love for problemsolving and computer science to reveal hidden patterns and encourage innovation in the technological field. Thanks to Ms. Haddad, I plan to take a data science class in college!”
In the Science department, data analytics has always been embedded into the curriculum. “In everything we do, we encourage students to go out in the world and make observations to gather data,” Science Department Chair Rebecca Sen explains. Several new initiatives have highlighted how the department stays on the cutting edge: the mini science fair in Grade 5, where students collaboratively collect and graph data on a small scale to get a glimpse into the Science and Engineering Fair in Grades 7 and 8; the Charles River water testing experiment in Grade 9 Biology, where students collect and compare data to historical data sets to make inferences; the Grade 5 caterpillar experiment, where students alter variables and analyze data to assess their impact on caterpillar development; and the environmental case study in Upper School Engineering Design, where students utilize the Environmental Protection Agency’s EnviroAtlas to analyze data and determine the optimal location for a greenway pilot section in Tampa, Florida.
Sophie Tournet ’26 illustrates the time she spends doing homework for each class by drawing ice cream cones with varying scoops and toppings.
Maysel Woolbert ’31 releases her butterfly from the Grade 5 butterfly development project.
Sophia Zaphiris ’27 examines water samples from the Charles River in Grade 9 Biology.
Within the Mathematics curriculum, Grade 5 students ventured to Fenway Park for a Voyagers excursion, where they worked with a Red Sox data analytics professional to learn how to score on the Green Monster. Students in the Upper School Statistics and Financial Algebra class used linear regressions to learn how to apply a mathematical lens to information and model behavioral outcomes. In their financial budgeting projects, students used mathematical modeling to demonstrate how they spent a theoretical salary. Teacher Kate Tremarche encourages students to not simply look at the numbers, but to also consider the data’s impact. “We think about what inferences we can make, what ways our culture influences our data, and how we interpret it,” she explains. “Students are encouraged to be critical of data collection, as it is not collected and presented the same way every time.”
From history and computer science to biology and finance, the infusion of data analytics across curricula at Newton Country Day has ignited a passion for critical thinking and innovation among students, paving the way for a future where data literacy is fundamental to all academic disciplines.
Grade 5 students learn about data science from a Red Sox statistician at Fenway Park.
Johanna Jane-Leonardis ’27 uses data visualization to display the questions she asked and to whom for her Computer Science I course.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging at Newton Country Day
Cultural holidays and events are celebrated throughout the school year with a variety of performances, presentations, and festivities, often produced and driven by our student-led Affinity Groups. Whether it’s a student presentation at announcements, a visual display in the library or on hallway walls, or a vibrant all-school celebration, the Newton Country Day community enjoys sharing sights, sounds, and tastes of cultures from around the world.
In observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month, acclaimed Mexican artist Veronica Robles and her all-female mariachi band performed “Journey Through Latin America” for both the Middle and Upper Schools. The educational and interactive performance included music and dance from Peru, Colombia, and Mexico with students learning dances for performances with the band, complete with instruments, skirts, hats, and props.
To celebrate Black History Month, the Black Student Union invited accomplished neuroscientist Dr. Sade Iriah to speak to the Upper School about her experiences in her academic, athletic, and professional careers.
Scan the QR code to read more about Dr. Iriah’s visit.
The Middle School Affinity Group hosted its first Community Meal, where students and their families worked together to prepare and partake in Jamaican akee and saltfish, as well as Armenian maqluba and baklava.
The Upper School Asian Students in America (ASIA) Affinity Group hosted a Lunar New Year Celebration to observe the Year of the Dragon. Students enjoyed practicing Chinese calligraphy, painting festival lanterns, and sampled festive snacks, books, and videos.
The annual Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Festival was hosted by the Upper School ASIA Affinity Group with the assistance of members of the Middle School Affinity Group. Students tried their hands at mandala art, origami, and calligraphy while enjoying K-pop music, Asian sweet treats, delicious Indian mango lassi, and displays of items of cultural significance.
Throughout the year, students also engaged in peer-led crosscultural programming between affinity groups, which included hosting fundraisers, conversations, and open sessions.
Other recognitions during the 2023–24 school year included Diwali, Hanukkah, Passover, Kwanzaa, Disability Awareness Month, Native American Heritage Month, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Women’s History Month, and National Arab American Heritage Month.
AROUND CAMPUS
Awards
Science and Engineering
MASSACHUSETTS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR – REGION V
Of the 11 Independent Research students who represented Newton Country Day, three projects received awards at the regional level, and five projects advanced to the state level.
SECOND PLACE OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH AWARD
Isabella Adarme ’24
“Using the B6Ei.LT-Y* Mouse Model to Investigate the Contribution of Sex Chromosomes Within the Kiss1+ Neurons of the Preoptic Hypothalamus”
MASSACHUSETTS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING STATE FAIR
One project was recognized at the state level:
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION FOR RESEARCH IN PSYCHOLOGY
Carina Fujimoto ’25
“Impact of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance Among Female Middle and High School Students”
SECOND PLACE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AWARD
Ludovica Melodia ’25
“A Model for Smarter Urban Intersections ”
THIRD PLACE AWARD
Erin Bourque ’27 and Regan Montague ’27
“The Effect of Sunscreens on the Mortality Rate of Daphnia Magna ”
MASSACHUSETTS MIDDLE SCHOOL STATE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR
Of the four projects who represented Newton Country Day, two projects received recognition at the state level:
FIRST PLACE AWARD
Madeleine Milone ’29, Bella Salamone ’29, and Charlotte Sullivan ’29 “Caffeinated Caterpillars ”
SECOND PLACE AWARD
Rebecca Chen ’28, Diya Giridhar ’28, and Casandra Ortiz Gonzalez ’28 “Clean Fast, Have a Blast! ”
Computer Science
Thirteen Upper School students were selected to receive a National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC). Newton Country Day’s 13 awards were out of only 52 total in Massachusetts.
Since 2017, Newton Country Day has received an impressive 61 AiC awards.
AFFILIATE AWARD RISING STAR
Gracie Goodman ’27
Gigi McIsaac ’27
MASSACHUSETTS AFFILIATE AWARD HONORABLE MENTION
Giselle Montoute ’25
Sam Ryan ’26
Tessa Venanzi ’26
Hannah Mulligan ’24
MASSACHUSETTS AFFILIATE AWARD
Lucy Guden ’26
Alivia Hennessey ’25
Ellie Schlichtmann ’25
Saydee Straub ’24
Nicole Fondo ’24
Madeline Brogen ’24
Ludovica Melodia ’25
COLLEGE BOARD AP ® COMPUTER SCIENCE FEMALE DIVERSITY AWARD
Newton Country Day earned the College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science A.
Art and Writing
SCHOLASTIC ART & WRITING AWARDS
This year in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, Newton Country Day received 56 awards given to 39 different students (a school record) and earned the third highest total number of awards per school in Massachusetts. The number of Newton Country Day students recognized in this year’s writing awards means one in six students were honored.
WRITING AWARDS
NATIONAL SILVER MEDAL
Meredith Huber ’25
Critical Essay, “Asserting the Truth: Analyzing the Role of Marie Curie’s Marriage in Her Road to Academic Acclaim”
NATIONAL OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR
Evan Adair
GOLD KEY
Meghan Gavin ’24
Senior Writing Portfolio, “The Overlooked”
Abby Goodman ’25
Critical Essay, “The Effect of Militarism on Perceptions Surrounding People with Physical Disabilities in WWI Era Great Britain ”
Novel Writing, “The Journal of Silvia Seren Akirkja”
Lucy Guden ’26
Flash Fiction, “The Interview”
Meredith Huber ’25
Critical Essay, “Asserting the Truth: Analyzing the Role of Marie Curie’s Marriage in her Road to Academic Acclaim”
Alina Tejeda ’25
Poetry, “Odes to the Seasons”
SILVER KEY
Madeline Brogen ’24
Poetry, “Curiosity”
Short Story, “I’ll See You Soon Darling”
Novel Writing, “The Song of the Silent”
Julia Connolly ’25
Short Story, “Coca-Cola and a Conversation”
Cecilia Culver ’25
Personal Essay, “Bubblegum”
Personal Essay, “The Ice Cream Place Next to the Shed Next to the Train Station”
Abby Goodman ’25
Novel Writing, “Through Crooked Feathers”
Rose Kelly ’24
Personal Essay, “Vignette Collection”
Iris Liao ’26
Flash Fiction, “The Not-So-Perfect Family”
Izzy Lucibello ’26
Flash Fiction, “Electric Blue”
Lily Souza ’25
Flash Fiction, “How to Swim”
HONORABLE MENTION
Shira Arokiaraj ’24
Humor, “Fish Dress”
Nora Augst ’28
Flash Fiction, “Noted”
Sarah Brody ’25
Critical Essay, “Missing Him Was Dark Gray
All Alone”
Madeline Brogen ’24
Poetry, “The Dark Forest Asks of You”
Sloane Brzezinski ’26
Poetry, “Lipstick”
Caroline Burns ’26
Flash Fiction, “Class President”
Corby Coughlin ’26
Personal Essay, “Dear Mom”
Personal Essay, “Swimming in the Striped Shirt”
Elsa Cressotti ’25
Poetry, “If My Peers Are to be Trusted, this would be an Ode to Me”
Nora Donovan ’24
Humor, “Living the Fourth Floor”
Journalism, “Portrait of a Life”
Ava Duncan ’24
Humor, “The Convenience Store”
Alara Ecemis ’25
Personal Essay & Memoir, “Mediterranean”
Wheatley Evarts ’25
Flash Fiction, “Testing Life”
Nicole Fondo ’24
Humor, “How to Live a Successful Life”
Meghan Gavin ’24
Journalism, “Free Speech: Viewing the Abolishment of Censorship and Effects of the Media During the Prague Spring”
Humor, “Tales of a Painstaking Encounter with a Woman I Have Never Met”
Flash Fiction, “Test for Overthinkers”
Julia Hirsch ’25
Personal Essay, “Hiking Math”
Meredith Huber ’25
Personal Essay, “Hummingbirds”
Caroline Meckel ’24
Journalism, “A Case of Child Welfare”
Poetry, “The Things I’ve Seen”
Humor, “A 4.0 Has Nothing on My Moves”
Critical Essay, “Mental Health Throughout the Progressive Era”
Ludovica Melodia ’25
Personal Essay, “Phecda”
Audrey O’Neill ’24
Humor, “LET ME IN.”
Jordan Rich ’28
Poetry, “Dear Little Girl”
Autumn Rivers ’24
Senior Portfolio, “The Anomalies of My Life”
Anna Rupp ’24
Poetry, “An Ode to the Color Orange”
Maggie Sullivan ’25
Humor, “The Things I’ve Forgotten”
Samantha Sullivan ’26
Flash Fiction, “Right”
Devin Walsh ’24
Senior Portfolio, “Bits and Pieces”
Dina Zahos ’25
Flash Fiction, “My First Sewing Lesson”
ART AWARDS
GOLD KEY
Caroline Hoenscheid ’28
Fashion: The Julia Dress
Bonny Luxieo ’28
Drawing: Threads of Taste
Devin Walsh ’24
Painting, acrylic paint: The Blues
Painting, acrylic paint: The Sculpting of Mankind
SILVER KEY
Kaelea Severino ’24
Drawing and Painting Media, Portfolio Category: Feelings and Emotions Conveyed Through Portraiture
Gabby Zhang ’26
Charcoal, Drawing & Illustration: Statue in the Louvre
HONORABLE MENTION
Alexandra Bradley ’25
Acrylic paint, Drawing & Illustration: Ignorance is Bliss
Abby Hirsch ’27
Painting: Ballerina
Bonny Luxieo ’28
Drawing: Renaissance Reverie
Adele Touloukian ’25
Watercolor and colored pencil, Painting: Ancient Observations
Devin Walsh ’24
Acrylic paint, Painting: Paris Street
Drawing: “Threads of Taste” by Bonny Luxieo ’28
Drawing & Illustration: “Statue in the Louvre” by Gabby Zhang ’26 (charcoal)
Painting: “The Blues” by Devin Walsh ’24 (acrylic paint)
Fashion: The Julia Dress by Caroline Hoenscheid ’28
Drawing & Illustration: “Ignorance is Bliss” by Alexandra Bradley ’25 (acrylic paint)
National Latin Exam
UPPER SCHOOL
MAXIMA CUM LAUDE
Erin Bourque ’27
Julia Connolly ’25
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Abby Goodman ’25
Elizabeth Kfoury ’25
Ludovica Melodia ’25
Matilde Melodia ’27
CUM LAUDE
Audrey Freyermuth ’26
Elizabeth Morey ’27
MIDDLE SCHOOL
SUMMA CUM LAUDE
Madison Li ’29
MAXIMA CUM LAUDE
Luella Lam ’29
Eila Murray ’28
Molly Papazian ’29
MAGNA CUM LAUDE
Jordan Rich ’28
Tatum Santaniello ’28
CUM LAUDE
Lucy Davenport ’29
National French Exam
UPPER SCHOOL
GOLD MEDAL
Caitlin Cunjak ’27
Meredith Huber ’25
Izzy Lucibello ’26
Matilde Melodia ’27
Gigi McIsaac ’27
Alessia Velutini ’27
Tessa Venanzi ’26
SILVER MEDAL
Carys Anderson ’24
Brenda Borges ’26
BRONZE MEDAL
Helen Carey ’27
Teia DeGeorge ’25
Sandy Kario ’26
Iris Liao ’26
Larissa Naccour ’27
Sophia Zaphiris ’27
HONORABLE
MENTION
Lila Allen ’27
Sloane Brzezinski ’26
Kaileigh Ferrero ’26
Katelyn Hanson ’26
Jessi Huang ’26
Mallory Kilcoyne ’27
Gisele Montoute ’25
Kate Rivers ’27
Taylor Santaniello ’25
Jane Schwartz ’27
Samantha Sullivan ’26
Lilly Weigold ’27
MIDDLE SCHOOL
GOLD MEDAL
Arianna Adarme ’28
Katia Bunner ’28
Isabella Goncalves ’28
Emma Wulff ’28
SILVER MEDAL
Zoey Bekarian ’29
Sarah Li ’28
Lexi Pierce ’28
BRONZE MEDAL
Diana Campolongo ’28
Hudson Fornes ’28
Maddy Kim ’28
Emily Schumacher ’28
Sophie Weber ’28
HONORABLE
MENTION
Nettie Bourque ’29
Abigail Louissaint ’28
Anabelle Tantillo ’28
National Spanish Exam
UPPER SCHOOL
SILVER MEDAL
Lane Carroll ’26 (Level 3)
Flora Colbert ’25 (Level 4)
Sochi Egwim ’25 (Level 4)
Bridget Gavin ’26 (Level 3)
Julia Hirsch ’25 (Level 4)
Sophie Tournet ’26 (Level 3)
Mariamawit Afework ’27 (Level 2)
Regan Montague ’27 (Level 2)
BRONZE MEDAL
Tiana Egwim ’27 (Level 2)
Gracie Goodman ’27 (Level 1)
Abby Hirsch ’27 (Level 2)
Ana Horgan ’27 (Level 2)
Johanna Jane-Leonardis ’27 (Level 2)
Kaelea Severino ’24 (Level 4)
Sophie Sidhom ’27 (Level 2)
Marquisha Spencer ’27 (Level 1)
HONORABLE
MENTION
Katie Ascione ’27 (Level 2)
Sofia Ayala ’26 (Level 3)
Perrin Baisley ’27 (Level 2)
Lauren Barrett ’27 (Level 2)
Phoebe Bui ’27 (Level 2)
Maya Capodilupo ’27 (Level 2)
Camila Castellanos ’25 (Level 4)
Mary Carroll ’27 (Level 2)
Caroline Condon ’27 (Level 2)
Julia Connolly ’25 (Level 4)
Betsy Dunphy ’27 (Level 1)
Vivien Lichtenstein ’27 (Level 1)
Meghan Gavin ’24 (Level 6)*
Avery Grover ’25 (Level 4)
Chrysanthi Grover ’25 (Level 4)
Fiona Jobson ’25 (Level 3)
Elizabeth Keefe ’27 (Level 2)
Analise Kretsedemas ’25 (Level 4)
Izzy Martin ’27 (Level 2)
Zayde Martinez ’27 (Level 2)
Finlay McCormick ’25 (Level 4)
Kylie Mitchell ’27 (Level 2)
Sabrina Pierre-Louis ’25 (Level 3)
Sasha Schafer ’25 (Level 3)
Maggie Sullivan ’25 (Level 4)
May Sullivan ’27 (Level 2)
Colette Tate ’27 (Level 2)
* Meghan Gavin ’24 is the only student in the history of Newton Country Day to have taken the National Spanish Exam to Level 6 (the highest level). She has achieved recognition every year including Gold, Silver, and Honors. Congratulations!
MIDDLE SCHOOL
GOLD MEDAL
Casandra Ortiz Gonzalez ’28
Regina Qu ’29
SILVER MEDAL
Nora Augst ’28
Diya Giridhar ’28
Keilona Kennedy-Latham ’28
BRONZE MEDAL
Rebecca Chen ’28
Sydney Young ’28
HONORABLE
MENTION
Gigi Cincotti ’29
Daphne Koenig ’29
Lulu Nardone ’29
May May Condlin ’28
Ella Liljedahl ’28
Elaina Collins ’28
Jael Farmer ’28
Annika Teamey ’28
Tildie Lucibello ’29
Ruari Montague ’29
Evelin Teamey ’29
Selected Writing Award Winners
Poetry: Gold Key
ODES TO THE SEASONS by Alina Tejeda ’25
Ode to the Mango (Summer)
Your green skin morphs orange as the clock ticks. The tree, full. It is time to take my pick.
I see you.
Your skin so bright I cradle you in my hand, admiring your weight, feeling your suppleness in every curve.
My knife cuts through your skin and you bleed ripe juice. I bite into your succulence— Flavor like no other.
Delight plastered across my face.
Your flesh runs down my arm as I dig into your core, to find my own beating heart. My taste buds dance at the taste of our juice.
Cut me open and your blood would pour out.
Ode to the Pillow (Fall)
Your polyester fabric, Gently enclosing your feathers. Your smooth silky case, Meeting my tan skin.
You lay serenely still, Perfectly centered about my tousled bed.
The Earth rotates and yet you remain.
Clouds beneath my hair. The moon rises and my eyes tire.
I rest my head among your silk. You the protector of my thoughts And the sponge of my tears.
Rustling dreams, Frail trees left behind.
Earth swollen, Frost of winter seeping in.
Ode to a Rocking Chair (Winter)
Teak wood stained white. Rings of water, Marking the arm rests.
Curved cracked legs, Stretchers connecting. Crisp thick winter breeze Rocking it back and forth.
Creaking bones, Coated by falling snowflakes. Bare seat, Longing for the warmth of summer.
Ode to My Pollen Allergy (Spring)
The early beam of the sun, Peeking through my window. Maple seedlings, Concealing my backyard.
Flurries of golden dust
Billow from the trees.
Sharp scratching pain Filling my nose.
My eyes sting, Tears build. Making me nearly blind.
Zyrtec, My greatest hero.
Novel Writing: Gold Key
THE JOURNAL OF SILVIA SEREN AKIRKJA
by Abby Goodman
’25
Selected passage from this full-length novel
This frame narrative novel opens in prose, fifty years before the start of the interior story in the sprawling fictional city of Isa Nera. The interior of this novel is told in free verse poetry in journal entry form from the perspective of Silvia, the narrator of much of the novel.
Fifty years before the exterior frame, the city of Isa Nera was destroyed by the Nafenthef, a powerful but deceptive usurper who not only burned the city, but also took many of its people captive. In the Nafenthef’s attack, Silvia escaped, leaving many of her friends and family behind.
After hiding outside the city limits in an abandoned lighthouse, she vowed to do whatever she could not only to find a way to bring her people home, but also record what she remembers of Isa Nera and come to terms with the attack.
1140 days after Isa Nera fell
The day the strangers came I drifted in a sea of exhaustion, Shocked awake, then in a haze of Counting, planning Recounting.
Watching and waiting, Wondering and fearing every stranger Who were brothers and sisters would Remember and hate me for Running against the seams of our unraveling World while they fell. They did not see my bitter tears.
I longed to forget, forgo, Leave it all behind, but Reality shoved through in concrete form when A knock echoed, Once. Twice.
I undid the bolts, Fingers forgetting the motion I knewHands fighting my mind Mind fighting my breath.
I pulled back the door, trying to be Everything I was notWelcoming and ready and calm.
The first was the Lakka family, Winnie
Ollie
Elias who leaned on Veera As blood poured down his shoulder. Now Winnie is Olwen And Ollie is Oliver, They have aged centuries in years.
These were the first strangers that entered in. More came as the sun sunk down, Staining the sky red.
More strangers came as the dark rent the sky, Stars shining through.
More came as the clouds crowded in, Waves scrambled higher.
Friends asking me to save unconscious friends, Family begging for miracles.
Short Story: Silver Key
I’LL SEE YOU SOON DARLING by Madeline Brogen ’25
Selected passage from this short story
Juliet laughs. “First and foremost, please just call me Juliet–or Jules if you’re feeling fun. Princess is way too formal. We’re the same age anyways.”
My smile widens. “I do believe that to be true, Prin — Juliet. I recently turned 16.”
Juliet’s eyes widen. “We should have brought you something then!”
My hands raise to stop her, and I chuckle. “No worries. I never celebrate much. Mother typically plans some event, but it’s always more about making connections with the other nobles than me.”
“Still! It’s impolite. Hmm…” she taps her finger on her chin then suddenly gasps, making me jolt in place, “I know! I do enjoy painting. What if I paint something for you? What would you like me to paint?”
I blush lightly, hopefully not too noticeably. “That sounds lovely. Maybe of the mountain range. You can see it from the balcony in my bedroom.”
Her face lights up. “That sounds amazing! Let’s go check it out.” Juliet’s hand, warm and lithe and distinctly purposeful, grasps mine. I sheepishly wave towards Mother, who shoots me a look that I can’t interpret. Is it approval for making friends with the Princess? Or is it disapproval for running off
while the King and Queen are present? Maybe a bit of both. Who ever knows with her?
Juliet drags me off, eventually letting me lead her through the foreign hallways. Soon enough, my door stands freshly polished in front of us.
“This is our stop.” The handle feels painfully cold compared to the pleasant heat of Juliet’s hand. I twist the handle and push lightly, “Sorry. It’s a little messy. Mother told me to clean up, but you arrived sooner than I anticipated.”
“ This is messy?” She gestures towards the parchment and inkwells scattered across my desk as well as the assortment of instruments I keep on hand. “If my room looks like this, it’s clean. I normally have three dozen books scattered on the floor, desk, bed, and I can find scraps of parchment everywhere! Sometimes,” her voice drops to a secretive whisper, “I even find parchment in my dresses.” She giggles and wiggles her hips, and I huff out a slight laugh. Her eyes suddenly rove the room voraciously. “Where’s your balcony?”
“Oh!” I hunch forward and blush. “It’s right by the piano. Glass door.” I guide her towards it, muffling my steps on the carpet. The sunbathed handle burns almost painfully hot under my skin. “Here it is.” A rough breeze flushes into the room sending sheet music everywhere.
Juliet’s eyes light up. “The view is gorgeous!” I guess she’s right. There’s a mountain range — I forget which one — in the distance framed by the Storm Meadows. I normally just look at it when Mother and Father yell at me.
“The springtime colors really pop. Don’t they?” I fumble out. “They really do. Stay right here.” She pushes her hands towards me as if to force me still. “I’m just grabbing my canvas and paints.” She bounds out of the room, and I am left alone staring at the scenery with new eyes. Something beautiful that I thought of as an escape before. Just like… No. I couldn’t. I’m in trouble.
Flash Fiction: Honorable Mention
MY FIRST SEWING LESSON by Dina Zahos ’25
Every Tuesday, I would visit my grandmother in the same house in which she raised my father, receiving a kiss on the forehead, a tight hug, and a magnet to collect needles and pins strewn across the floor, which she was now unable to do. Until one day, when she asked me to sit with her on the couch, signature needle and thread in hand, instructing, “ Κοίταξε με , Watch me.” Needle threaded, knot tied, my eyes wide, she began. Hand weaving in a circular motion, whipping through the fabric, creating what I now know as the whip stitch. My first sewing lesson. Most certainly not my last. Nine years later, my eyes well with tears and I kick myself for not remembering more, but I am thankful for each memory of her. Σ’αγαπώ
Humor:
Honorable Mention
FISH DRESS by Shira Arokiaraj ’24
“Smile!”
Mom, please please please don’t make me go out like this. I mean come on! I’m seven years old.
Why do I have to dress up like a 70 year old librarian?
And… and I hate this color, it’s like orange and pink’s ugly cousin. You know the one, the one you hide in all the family photos. Do you want me to hide in the family photos?
Actually… you know what they call this color, mom? They call it salmon. I DON’T WANT TO BE A FISH! Please mom please let me change. What if we made a deal, the fish dress can stay but the tights, ugh the tights they have to go! I get the whole tight thing but these are just suffocating my legs. Not to mention monotone floral stockings don’t compliment fish tone dresses as well as you thought. I mean this has to be some kind of joke! White and salmon. This is a wedding not some foodie Halloween event where I can dress up like a bagel with lox! Oh my God my feet… they are covered! It is just a disaster waiting to happen. What if I slip and fall? Did you think about that? Oh and here’s a thought, fish don’t wear tights so if I wear the fish dress no tights. Let’s be realistic.
“Come on, Sho — smile properly.”
You know sandpaper isn’t supposed to be clothing material and yet somehow…
You know what, I’m just gonna hit you with some logistics. The giant flower headband is not going to stay on my head (science and all that). I appreciate the white matching with the cream cheese color of the stocking but I’d prefer to get rid of both additions. Again hear me out, I mean, it’s Uncle Ashwin and Aunt Rachel’s wedding — I’m gonna dance. Miss Varell taught us about Johnny Appleseed. I know how apples fall from trees and how this HEADBAND is gonna fall off my head. I’m only thinking of you mom. The truth is you deserve a break, and I don’t think that you should be worrying about the possible loss of your daughter’s accessories. Let’s get ahead of the problem.
Okay, shall we revisit the dress. For one, you and I both know that the color doesn’t even make my top ten favorites. So let’s subtract some points for that. I’m not trying to be difficult, but the length is a little off. I mean the dress has to make up its mind; choose between short and long. You taught me to be decisive. I will not have any of this medium length nonsense. I know I have expressed this concern before but everything is just so ITCHY.
“Sho one smile and we are done.”
Aaaah I see we have decided to go with the guilt trip.
Well I will not give in to your reasonable solutions!
At the end of the day, mother, we want the same thing. You want to have a good time, and have your daughter look as cute as can be. Turns out I would also like to look decent for this event. What I would not like is to match my dinner at the reception. I swear mom, if someone compares their dinner to my dress I’m gonna…I’m gonna do something REALLY REALLY bad! This is my final plea. Please take no photos of the fish dress.
“Shira Angelica Arokiaraj! Smile.” Fine.
Faculty Professional Development
by Abby Woodworth
Each year, the faculty and staff at Newton Country Day have the opportunity to expand their skills by participating in the form of workshops, seminars, conferences, online courses, and hands-on training.
World Languages teacher Erin Cummins attended the Classical Association of New England (CANE) Summer Institute in Providence, RI. The conference’s theme was “Classical Antiquity: a global phenomenon in local contexts” and featured activitiess that aimed at expanding the understanding of the Classical world and its reception. Cummins took two courses, attended ten public lectures, and participated in Latin teaching workshops and reading groups.
Mathematics Department Chair Patty Rockensies attended the Mathematical Quality of Instruction (MQI) Coaching Institute through Harvard University. The MQI is a Common Core-aligned observational rubric that provides a framework for analyzing mathematics instruction across several domains.
Kate Kenney, also from the Mathematics department, took the course “Essential Strategies for Students with Learning Differences to Think Mathematically” through the Education Cooperative. In this course, she developed a deep understanding of how research-based strategies can help students with learning disabilities develop mathematical thinking.
History teacher Laura Baines-Walsh took a course on executive function and study strategies through Landmark. This course aimed to provide teachers with an understanding of the different components of study skills, including the management of materials, time, and information. Baines-Walsh noted: “This course helped me to think about how to better support my students in learning how to take useful and efficient notes as well as strategies to better prepare and take tests.”
History teacher David Byron has taken advantage of several professional development opportunities with the Five College Center for East Asian Studies, which collaborates with educators in K-12 schools and higher education to provide tools to support the teaching and learning about East Asian cultures. This past spring, Byron also visited the New Bedford Whaling Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Science teacher Sarah Webster attended the Island School Educators Conference in the Bahamas. The conference is an opportunity for educators and school administrators to explore best practices in experiential education. Webster hopes to bring back many elements from the Island School into her own classroom, including the practice of nature journaling to develop close observation skills.
Jessica Hooper P ’28, Nicole Noel, Deborah Tully, and Melissa Bleakney-Dalton traveled to Baltimore, Maryland in June to attend the 2024 International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS) Conference. The conference provided an opportunity for advocates and administrators of girls’ schools from around the world to network, share best practices, and learn about emerging educational trends through a wide array of breakout sessions. Martha Haddad P ’22, Computer Science Department Chair, was invited to present a breakout session titled “Building Support and Enthusiasm for Programs Our Girls Need: A Case Study”. Her session focused on empowering girls to be creators instead of simply consumers of technology. The attendees of her session shared ideas about navigating support for building a program and how to, inspire girls to explore male-dominated or emerging fields.
Faculty Endowed Chairs
In the fall of 2023, two new Faculty Endowed Chairs were appointed at Newton Country Day. These honors are made possible by generous contributions from anonymous donors who appreciate our exceptional faculty and the influence that skilled teachers have our students. Endowing a Chair helps the School continue to attract and retain teachers noted for their excellence and commitment to the mission. With a focus on the long-term sustainability of Newton Country Day, the donors want girls’ education, rooted in the Sacred Heart tradition, to continue for generations.
Scan the QR codes to watch videos honoring our Faculty Endowed Chairs.
Did You Know?
We have eight proud Newton Country Day alumnae who work on campus to continue their own legacy of cultivating women of Courage and Confidence!
Genevieve Fein The Mary-Louise Coates Endowed Chair in Science and Mathematics
The
Endowed Chair in Humanities
Emily Horwitz Genevieve Fein
Emily Horwitz
Charles Berman
Caroline (Phelan) Leto ’96 Assistant Director of Admission
Elizabeth Gallagher ’99 Assistant Director of Admission
Brittany Borders ’04 Assistant Director of Admission
Caroline Hurley ’13 Religious Studies Teacher, Field Hockey Coach, Lacrosse Coach
Kathryn (Holland) Jarvis ’09 English Teacher
Emily Martland ’15 English Teacher, MS Soccer Coach, MS Tennis Coach
Catherine Roy ’09 Health and Wellness Teacher, Varsity Crew Coach, MS Basketball Coach
Ellen (Kinnealey) Tyler ’77 P ’15, ’19 Mathematics Teacher
AROUND CAMPUS A Glimpse Behind the Curtain
by Laura Kelly
EXPERIENCES AS A PARENT AND ASSISTANT TO THE HEAD OF SCHOOL PROVIDE ELLEN LEVINE P ’17 ’18 ’20 WITH A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE
Through a transitional year for the school, Ellen Levine P ’17 ’18 ’20 has been, and continues to be, an anchor for all in the Newton Country Day community. As the Assistant to the Head of School, her reliability, consistent communication, and calm composure help carry the school forward. Now in her fifth year of supporting school leadership, she continues to feel inspired by the spirit of the faculty, the dedication of the staff, the enthusiasm of the students, and the strength of the Sacred Heart Network.
Levine first heard about Newton Country Day when her oldest daughter, Delia ’17, was looking at schools for sixth grade, and the principal of her school at the time recommended she attend an Open House. “I had lived 15 minutes away from the school my whole life and never knew about it,” Levine recalls. “I came to an Open House and realized all the magical things that were happening here. Then I heard Sister Rogers speak, and that was it for me.” Daughters Maria ’18 and Teresa ’20 soon followed in their older sister’s footsteps. As Levine reflects on her girls’ experiences at Newton Country Day, she emphasizes the importance of the integration of the Sacred Heart Goals and tradition into the curriculum and life at the school. “The Goals are in everything, from the curriculum to events to retreats. They are always at the forefront. There is no other place that claims that kind of roadmap for its students,” she explains. “Josh and I wanted our daughters to be part of a small, intimate community with faith-based education, so Newton Country Day was a great fit.”
Levine’s career path provided a smooth segue to the administrative side of Newton Country Day. “I am a teacher by trade. I taught for several years in early childhood education and feel that I have a sense of what a good teacher is. And this place is full of them,” she remarks. She started as a Development Associate and then transitioned to the Head of School’s office shortly thereafter, where she plays a pivotal role in the daily operations at the school. Her role allows
her to help share the school with the world, a mission she is particularly passionate about. “Because my three daughters benefitted from their time here, I think more people should have the opportunity to learn about the school and attend,” she says. “That secret should be shared.”
Joining the Newton Country Day community as a staff member allowed Levine to pull back the curtain to see the inner workings of her daughters’ alma mater up close. “There’s something truly magical about how this school attracts people to it and how many choose to stay.” She also met her daughters’ teachers, mentors, and coaches in a different setting: as colleagues. “It is not surprising that they are not only fantastic teachers but also fantastic individuals with great personalities, a sincere vocation, and a willingness to engage their students, families, and coworkers. They are great people,” she shares.
With her years of experience supporting the leadership of Newton Country Day, Levine feels particularly hopeful for the school’s future. “Sister Rogers built a foundation that is so strong and Nicole Noel bridged this transition in a way that points us toward the future,” she explains. “Jessica Hooper has a fresh perspective and she is very appreciative of the Goals and criteria. I am humbled to have a very small role in continuing Sacred Heart education for more students to come.”
The Levine family (left to right): Delia ’17, Maria ’18, Ellen, Josh, Teresa ’20
AROUND CAMPUS
Mastering Creative Balance
In his art studio, Dalvin Byron merges his roles as artist and educator
by Laura Kelly
If you were to paint a picture of Newton Country Day’s secondfloor art studio, you would likely include the following: a stretch of windows drenching the room in sunlight, various student works in progress on canvas and paper, graffitied work tables, and perhaps a still life scene composed of various household objects. But there is something else in the studio that cannot be depicted with brushstrokes; it is a feeling of immense calm, steadfast encouragement, and boundless potential. This environment is cultivated by Dalvin Byron, Grade 8 and 9 Visual Arts teacher, who effortlessly balances his roles as both an educator and professional artist.
As a child, Byron spent hours poring over his father’s art history books, drawing what he saw and adding his own splashes of color. Artistic creation and experimentation intrigued him. “Out of nothing, you can create a whole painting or sculpture,” he explains. “That is what has always fascinated me about art, and wanting to share this experience with others is what inspired me to teach.”
This fascination eventually led Byron to Messiah College, where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Two-Dimensional Art. Though he was mentored by numerous high school and college professors, he was first inspired at five years old by an art teacher named Mrs. Richardson. “She let me come to the studio and pick whatever materials I wanted, and she would create a lesson based on what I had in hand,” he recalls. “That freedom, that trust that allowed me to pick up anything and we could work together to make something, that stuck with me from the very beginning.”
Byron brought Mrs. Richardson’s teaching philosophy to his own class, fostering an environment of mutual trust and collaboration between his students, whether they consider themselves artists or not. In his studio, you’ll find a diverse mix of experience levels and personalities displayed in the works of art throughout the room. “I always meet students where they are,” Byron explains. “If a student is a star on the lacrosse field but doesn’t know how to put a pencil to paper, we start with the basics and go from there.”
Encouraging the self-proclaimed “non-artists” of Newton Country Day to try their hand at drawing or painting is an easy feat for him. He says there is genuine interest among the students in trying something new and challenging. “Even after six years of teaching here, I’m constantly impressed by the students’ willingness and openness,” he shares. “With art, it’s more about mindset than innate talent.” This mindset allows students to feel empowered to step out of their comfort zones and encourage others to do the same. “Just jump right in,” reads student graffiti on a work table. “You are loved,” reads another. Byron maintains this mindset as well, which has allowed his professional artistic journey to grow and evolve over time. While his current works lean more on the cerebral side, analyzing and interpreting his dreams and psyche through painting and drawing, his artistic inspiration previously manifested elsewhere: “A lot of my art in the past was focused on taking the medium of oil paint,” he notes, “which is unpredictable and hard to control, and creating order out of that.” This practice parallels his work with his students in Grade 8 and 9, critical years of development for them as artists and as people. “I like teaching
Encouraging graffiti on a work table in Byron’s studio.
“I find the balance between the two sides of my life by letting students into my world as a professional artist. I find fulfillment in that.”
– Dalvin Byron, Grade 8 and 9 Visual Arts teacher
those years because they are an important transitional time in a young artist’s life,” Byron remarks. “You think about whether you want to draw or paint; it’s a time when you need a lot of guidance as you build important life skills.” Under his guidance and mentorship, students finish middle school and enter high school with refined drawing and painting abilities and a skill set that helps them grow in and out of the classroom.
Mentoring young artists during the school day while commissioning paintings and drawings for art shows outside of school requires a special type of work/life balance. “I find the
balance between the two sides of my life by letting students into my world as a professional artist. I find fulfillment in that,” he shares. On an easel in the back of the room rests a large painting that he actively works on during the school day, sometimes with the help of his students. “I let my students paint on it sometimes. Some have painted the background or helped with shading. I like stepping outside the world I normally call home to the teaching world and inviting students to step the other way,” he explains. By bridging this gap between his two careers, he receives fresh perspectives from his students and can see art through their eyes, which enriches both of his professional careers and his students’ experiences in the classroom.
Byron shares a mantra from one of his painting professors that he now uses in his classes: Always try your best to look for the good in yourself and in other people. “That way, you can maintain a wide perspective and you can appreciate the best qualities about yourself and about others,” he says. Students emerge from Byron’s classes with more than honed painting and drawing skills; they are more confident, appreciative, observant, and open. His studio not only strengthens technical skills, but also cultivates a mindset of creativity and persistence, and it represents a space where every student, regardless of artistic background, can grow.
“Folie
à Deux” 2024, oil on canvas
Byron’s Sacred Heart mural on display in the Middle School, intended to represent the vibrant community of the Network (2018)
Athletics
Fall Season Highlights
Varsity Volleyball finished the season as EIL League Champions and EIL Tournament Champions for the third consecutive year. The team earned the #2 seed in the Class B New England Tournament. Gabriella Hernandez ’24 was named EIL Player of the Year, and Emilia Powderly ’25 was named All-NEPSAC.
Varsity Field Hockey finished the season as EIL League Champions and EIL Tournament Champions. The team earned the #2 seed in the Class C New England Tournament. Varsity Head Coach Kimberly Southall was named EIL Coach of the Year for the third consecutive year, and Emma McCann ’24 was named EIL Player of the Year and also received All-NEPSAC honors along with Caitlyn McCarthy ’24.
Varsity Soccer landed fifth out of 11 teams in the EIL. Captain Alex Tsanotelis ’24 earned All-NEPSAC honors.
Varsity Cross Country began the season with an undefeated streak of eight straight wins. At the EIL championship race, four runners ran all-time personal bests, and four more ran their fastest races of the season. Captain Nora Joyce ’25 was named All-New England.
Varsity Crew had an entry into the Head of the Charles Regatta and had an improved placement from the previous year.
Scan the QR codes to see more photos from the fall season.
Upper School Middle School
Winter Season Highlights
Varsity Basketball showed resilience and competitiveness through a tough season, including a memorable comefrom-behind win against Wheeler after being down double digits at halftime.
Varsity Dance had one of its largest dance teams in school history with 22 members. A highlight of the season was dancing at a Varsity Basketball game halftime.
Varsity Ice Hockey began its season with an impressive win at the Newton Country Day Jamboree — the first time in seven years. Other highlights from the season included defeating Berwick in overtime to secure a second place spot in the EIL
Virginia Floyd ’24 Smith College Rowing
Laura Leong ’24
Boston University Rowing
Emma McCann ’24
Middlebury College Field Hockey and Lacrosse
Spring Season Highlights
Varsity Softball finished 7–5 overall, losing to only two EIL teams and coming in at third place in the league. Sarah Brody ’25 was named EIL Player of the Year and Evan Adair was named EIL Coach of the Year.
All four Varsity Crew boats qualified for the New England Interscholastic Rowing Association Championship Regatta (NEIRA).
Varsity Lacrosse finished the regular season seeded third and then beat Winsor 9–8 to place second in the EIL tournament. Alison Vander Vort was named an EIL Co-Coach of the Year.
Varsity Sailing joined Beaver Country Day again this year in a cooperative team. The team placed second in the overall Mass Bay League C division. Kaileigh Ferrero ’26 competed in both team regattas and won the Division A at the Donald Greene Regatta in a fleet of 24 boats, as well as finishing off the season winning the Most Valuable Athlete award as a skipper.
Upper School Track, the first track team in Newton Country Day’s history, had a team of thirteen athletes in its inaugural season.
Middle School A Lacrosse celebrated an undefeated season.
Scan the QR codes to see more photos from the spring season.
Upper School
Middle School
Crossing Finish Lines Beyond Newton Country Day
By Abby Woodworth
After growing up in Boston, cheering for Boston Marathon runners each year, Maeve Westover ’14 began her own marathon career in 2020. She has since completed six marathons and plans to run the New York City Marathon in November 2024. Recently, Westover broke her marathon personal record, finishing the 2024 Boston Marathon with a time of 3:02:01 and placing as the sixth fastest female resident runner by Boston.com.
“Running provides an outlet before my workday, and I’ve met some of my best friends through this sport,” Westover says. “Runners are typically goal-oriented individuals, and being surrounded by high-achieving individuals continues to inspire me to my next goal — to break 3:00 and potentially explore triathlons.”
During her years as a student-athlete at Newton Country Day, Westover was a significant contributor to the Cross Country team’s success, placing first in nearly every race over her six years on the team and receiving numerous accolades such as Boston Globe All-Scholastic/EIL Player of the Year, All-New England, EIL All-League, and team MVP. In 2013, the team made school history by winning both the Eastern Independent League Tournament (EIL) and New England Prep School Track Association (NEPSTA) D-III championships.
Westover offers this advice to current Newton Country Day athletes: “Strong time management skills, preparedness, and perseverance, are three key attributes of a student-athlete. Believe in yourself and enjoy your academic and athletic pursuits.”
Westover finishing the 2024 Boston Marathon
Westover running during a Cross Country meet in 2013
Advent Vespers 2023
Scan the QR code for more photos of MS Advent Vespers
Advent Vespers 2023
Scan the QR code for more photos of US Advent Vespers
AROUND CAMPUS
Congé
The silence of a peaceful spring morning of classes was interrupted by mobs of Seniors screaming down the hallways, announcing the annual holiday from classes for Congé! This year’s theme: The 2024 Congé Olympics, Blue vs. Silver.
Scan the QR code to watch the Congé recap video
AROUND CAMPUS Junior Ring Ceremony
On May 23, we celebrated the Feast of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat and the Junior Ring Ceremony. After the Class of 2025 received their rings, they were joined by their families for photos on the terrace and goûter in the Blue Room.
Scan the QR code for more photos of the Junior Ring Ceremony
Middle School Celebration of the Arts
Scan the QR code for more photos and a video recap of the MS Celebration of the Arts
Photos
Video Recap
Upper School Festival of the Arts
Scan the QR code for more photos and a video recap of the US Festival of the Arts
Photos Video Recap
Middle School Musical
Cats: Young Actors Edition
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Cats: Young Actors Edition
Upper School Musical Anastasia
Scan the QR code for more photos of Anastasia
AROUND CAMPUS
Sacred Heart Network Connections
The Network Exchange Program Connects
Sacred Heart Girls Across the Globe
In the 2023–24 academic year, over 30 Newton Country Day students traveled to 11 countries through the Sacred Heart Network Exchange program, which provides students with the opportunity to attend another Sacred Heart School abroad for three to four weeks with a host sister, who reciprocates the visit to Newton Country Day. The school maintains Exchange relationships with approximately 19 other schools in the Network, allowing students to travel to countries such as Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, France, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, and Taiwan.
Maggie Sullivan ’25 attended Colegio Sagrado Corazón Apoquindo in Chile and immediately created a lasting bond with her Exchange sister Mathilde. Upon her arrival, Maggie was greeted with hugs from Mathilde’s family and friends, and she quickly recognized that the welcoming community mirrored Newton Country Day. “Being part of the same Network, I saw the same relationship between students there that I do here. Everyone is very close and cares a lot about each other, and it’s very interconnected,” she explained. “I even met a girl who had gone to Austria on Exchange and met a Newton Country Day girl there. There’s something universal about Sacred Heart friendships.”
Although Abby Goodman ’25 had concerns about traveling internationally by herself for the first time, she asked
herself, ‘When else will I get the chance to go to Australia?’ and took the leap. She traveled to Melbourne to attend Sacré Cœur Glen Iris, where she immediately felt at home despite being over 10,000 miles away. “Sacré Cœur has similar traditions, like having their own version of Blue/ Silver Induction. It was clear that it was a Catholic, Sacred Heart school with shared values.” She became fast friends with her Exchange sister after bonding over their shared love for school,
reading, and history. When asked how she overcame her initial anxieties, Goodman shared, “I reminded myself to be as open as possible to the new opportunities that came my way. It’s okay to be nervous– you probably will be until you get off the plane. But don’t let your nerves get in the way. It’s always worth it.”
Also wanting to step outside of her comfort zone, Izzy Lucibello ’26 ventured to Austria for an exchange at Gymnasium Sacré Cœur Vienna.
Abby Goodman ’25 smiles with her Exchange sister, Rosie, in Melbourne.
She recalled attending an event with the nuns who live in the convent attached to the school, where she and several other Network Exchange students discussed and shared traditions from their home schools and compared them with Gymnasium Sacré Cœur’s. “With Network Exchange, you can feel more secure in your experience abroad. I knew that the school would have similar values and history.” She also noted that participating in the program has inspired her to travel more: “I don’t feel restricted whether I’m traveling alone or not. Now I feel like I can go anywhere, thanks to my experience in Austria.”
With hopes to experience a culture vastly different from her own in the United States, Alexandra Bradley ’25 traveled to the International School of the Sacred Heart in Tokyo, Japan. Being the only exchange student at the school, Bradley was able to partake in activities that allowed her to fully immerse herself in Japanese culture. “I was a bit worried
“[The Network Exchange Program] provided over thirty of our students with life-changing experiences in encountering the world and fostering friendships for a lifetime.”
– Cole Stephenson, Exchange Program Director
about being the only exchange student at first,” she admitted. “I felt that I had a reputation to uphold and that there was a bit of pressure. But after connecting with my Exchange sister and forming relationships with other students at the school, I realized that I had nothing to worry about.” Despite it being an international school on the other side of the world, Bradley noted several fundamental similarities between her Tokyo host school and Newton Country Day: both schools feature the same portrait of Mater, both foster a deep sense of sisterhood, and both cultivate welcoming environments rooted in religious values.
When reflecting on the success of this year’s Exchange cohorts in a post-COVID year, Exchange Program Director Cole Stephenson explained: “The Exchange team worked to deepen Network relationships and school partnerships, and we sent off a wide age group of students, many of whom had to defer during previous years’ travel shutdowns. The program’s leadership also transitioned from Nicole Noel, who built and nurtured the program for decades into the landmark program it is today. Most importantly, it provided over thirty of our students with life-changing experiences in encountering the world and fostering friendships for a lifetime. The future appears bright for the Newton Country Day Exchange Program!”
THE SACRED HEART NETWORK CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY WITH FIRST SACRED HEART SUMMIT
To celebrate the Network of Sacred Heart Schools turning 50 years old this year, the Network will host the firstever Sacred Heart Summit in Chicago, an intergenerational learning and action conference for educators, students, Religious of the Sacred Heart, young alumni, and mission partners across the world. Newton Country Day will send ten students and two faculty members to attend. The Summit aims to deepen participants’ collective understanding of the call to the Sacred Heart tradition and the commitment to serving the common good on a global scale. Attendees will explore global issues of inequality and sustainable futures under the guiding theme of “Hearts Rooted in Change: How Reflection, Analysis, & Transformative Action are Critical to Our Future.” This event is just one in a string of efforts to unite the Sacred Heart community this year to celebrate this incredible milestone.
Alexandra Bradley ’25 wears a traditional Japanese kimono at Yamano Beauty College while on exchange in Tokyo.
Network Summer Service Projects Broaden
Students’ Perspectives
In the summer of 2023, ten Newton Country Day students traveled to six schools to participate in Network Summer Service Projects, which provide opportunities for Sacred Heart students across the country to travel to sister schools for week-long community engagement activities. With an emphasis on Goal III, educating to a social awareness which impels to action, the projects provide students with immersive service-based learning experiences designed to deepen their understanding of how to forge connections with nearby underserved communities. Newton Country Day students traveled to schools from New York City to Washington state to learn about Indigenous environmental justice, the biodiversity of southern Louisiana and food deserts, and the importance of land acknowledgments, among other social and political issues, to foster empathy through education and service.
Avery Grover ’25 traveled to Sacred Heart Greenwich in Connecticut for “The Land on Which We Stand: An Exam of the Indigenous Experience.” Alongside eight other Sacred Heart students, Grover participated in group discussions and concentrated history lessons, and heard a presentation from Harlan Pruden, a First Nations Cree scholar and community
organizer. “Harlan was amazing. His discussion was the most impactful part of the trip,” Grover remarked. “This project was a great way to examine the gap in my education about Indigenous people’s culture and history, and to consider my role in the steps we can take to help Indigenous communities that have been historically oppressed.” Grover brought these lessons back to Newton Country Day and worked with Director of DEIJB Ursula August to strengthen the school’s land acknowledgment statement. She has also partnered with History faculty to spread awareness about Indigenous rights and cultures across all grade levels to create a tradition of sharing this important information with the school community.
Religious Studies Department Chair Mark Potter commented on the increase in Newton Country Day’s attendance at Summer Service Projects over the past several years: “There is an increased appreciation for place-based learning on the faculty and student side, and our students love having the opportunity to meet students from other Sacred Heart schools. There has also been a push from the Network to get more Middle School students involved, which is great to see.”
One Newton Country Day middle schooler, Emma Wulff ’28, was inspired by her experience immigrating to the US from Venezuela at age six, and chose to attend “Seeking New Frontiers: An Exploration of Modern Immigrants’ Experiences” at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami, Florida. “I thought it would be interesting to learn how other immigrants overcome challenges in their immigration processes,” Wulff shared. “It’s important to learn about other people’s experiences so that we can help them feel welcome.”
The project included a conversation with an immigration law firm director, a Zoom call with Villa Duchesne in St. Louis about immigration in the midwest, and peer-to-peer discussions. Wulff commented that being surrounded by other Sacred Heart students created a collaborative and welcoming environment. “We were a small group, so we bonded quickly. It was easy to share different opinions because we felt comfortable with each other,” she said.
Approximately ten Network Summer Service projects are held each summer, and Sacred Heart faculty also get involved by chaperoning projects at sister schools and crafting programs to host at their respective institutions.
Left Photo: Emma Wulff ’28 (fifth from left) visits the Fernando Pro Child Development Center in Miami with fellow Sacred Heart students.
Right Photo: Avery Grover ’25 (bottom, second from left), accompanied by Saydee Straub ’24 and Alex Tsanotelis ’24, bonds with her service group at Sacred Heart Greenwich.
The Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice Ignites Passion and Curiosity
Every October, a collection of Newton Country Day students joins thousands of students from Catholic high schools and colleges across the country for the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice (IFTJ) in Washington, D.C. Led by the Ignatian Solidarity Network, the annual event features keynote speakers, prayer services, and discussion sessions to inspire young people to be active members of their communities and take action when they witness injustice. In the fall of 2023, six Newton Country Day 11th graders attended the IFTJ alongside Religious Studies teachers
Mark Potter and Erin Regan, who sought to integrate lessons taught at the conference with the Grade 11 Religious Studies curriculum.
This year’s program, “Boundless and Beloved,” emphasized “the boundlessness of community and creativity that is possible when working together for justice.” Students heard from speakers who discussed the importance of welcoming migrants, the experience of being a descendant of enslaved people in America, and how to have conversations about climate justice. Potter remarked that the keynote speakers shared immense hope for the future due to the younger generation’s willingness to listen, have difficult conversations, and engage in public service.
Sophia Beaver ’25 attended the IFTJ for the first time and felt empowered by the number of students in attendance and their shared passion for social justice. “It was really cool to see how many people cared,” said Beaver. With her foundational knowledge from the Religion 11 curriculum, Beaver learned more about Indigenous reservation preservation, climate justice, refugee crises, and migration issues, but she also learned about herself. “It was an insightful experience,” she shared. “I was able to let myself be courageous and walk up to any booth and say, ‘tell me about this social issue.’”
Beaver expressed her desire to attend again because she felt so encouraged to ask questions about the world around her. “The IFTJ really made me consider what I want to do after school. I know I want to be involved in social justice work,” she explained. “The conference was a safe space to wonder how I can be of help and make a difference in my community.”
Hope Moriarty ’25 also attended and noted the seamless integration
of the IFTJ with the lessons about the principles of Catholic Social Teaching in class. She appreciated the comprehensive and well-rounded approach to sharing information at the conference: “There were diverse points of view shared with each social injustice topic,” she explained. “Some speakers had personal experiences to share, some were experts who studied these social issues, and some were priests who talked about the effects injustice can have on a person’s spirituality.”
At the conference, Moriarty and her classmates bonded with several Boston College High School students, so they chose to attend the same breakout sessions and discuss what they learned together. The conference fostered ongoing friendships that empowered students to share what they learned with their peers. “I love making the world feel like a smaller place,” Moriarty shared. “IFTJ allowed me to do that with other students who care about the same things I do.”
Middle School Faculty Deepen Sacred Heart Understanding at Roots That Give Us Wings Conference
Four Middle School faculty members attended the annual Sacred Heart conference, Roots that Give Us Wings, in the summer of 2023. The conference, held jointly at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in St. Charles, Missouri, and Villa Duchesne in St. Louis, aims to provide a foundational understanding of the philosophy and history of Sacred Heart Education for faculty in the early years of their Sacred Heart teaching careers. During the conference, Allyson Grasso, Lily Kumi, Catherine Roy ’09, and Katie Scorza heard presentations about the life and work of the Founding Mothers, discussed with other Sacred Heart faculty how to teach and live out the mission in today’s world, and visited the shrine for Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, RSCJ at the Academy of the Sacred Heart. “It was a great opportunity to understand the history of the Network and tradition,
to hear where we came from, where we are now, and where we are headed as a community,” shared Kumi, who attended shortly after completing her fourth year of teaching at Newton Country Day. She explained that the Five Goals of Sacred Heart education are something that you learn immediately upon starting at Newton Country Day, but the conference gave her a chance to examine them more deeply, learn about their history, and consider how they apply to her life. “I was able to see how tangible the Goals are in my day-to-day interactions with students. The conference reaffirmed why I do this, why I teach here, why I show up everyday. I definitely came back with a sense of fulfillment.”
“I was able to see how tangible the Goals are in my day-to-day interactions with students. The conference reaffirmed why I do this, why I teach here, why I show up everyday. I definitely came back with a sense of fulfillment.”
– Lily Kumi
Left to right: Catherine Roy ’09, Lily Kumi, Allyson Grasso, and Katie Scorza smile in front of sister school Villa Duchesne in St. Louis.
Maggie Crowley ’25 represents Newton Country Day in the Sacred Heart National Student Advisory Committee
As a new student in her first months at Newton Country Day, Maggie Crowley ’25 did not hesitate to dive headfirst into the Sacred Heart Network and everything its global community has to offer. In the fall of 2023, she joined the Network Student Advisory Committee (NSAC), a group of students who serve as liaisons between the Network Office and students at Sacred Heart schools in the US and Canada. The committee connects students at the Network level and creates a platform for them to collaborate on new initiatives for their schools.
On the first Thursday of each month, the committee, composed of approximately 20 girls, convenes over Zoom with Amanda Codina, the group’s facilitator and a graduate of Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. Crowley focuses on communications initiatives with her NSAC subcommittee and shares infographics with her class that include fun facts about the history of other Sacred Heart schools. Other initiatives include Senior Connect, a platform which will allow graduating students to network with fellow Sacred Heart seniors who are committing to the same colleges, a global pen pal initiative, and a mental health panel hosted by the committee in spring 2024.
“Every initiative is a completely original student idea,” Crowley shared. In May 2024, she hosted a Newton Country Day-themed trivia event through NSAC. All proceeds from the event supported the post-typhoon rebuilding of Sophie’s Farm, a farm in the Philippines where struggling families can plant and grow their own food.
“NSAC has the potential to be really amazing,” Crowley explained. “It’s an opportunity to connect with schools that share the same values and moral compass. Sacred Heart is such a beautiful network that deserves more student voices.”
“It’s an opportunity to connect with schools that share the same values and moral compass.”
– Maggie Crowley ’25
Student Chapel Reflection: Charlotte Wagner ’24
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything — all she had to live on.”
Mark 12:41–44
It can often seem like comparison is everywhere. Whether it was my lack of coordination on the soccer field, or my inability to draw more than a stick figure in art class, I have measured myself and my abilities against others from the time I was young. Grades, social media posts, sports teams, clothes, social status, and everything else can feel like an opportunity to look at someone and see their accomplishments and gifts, and feel inferior about your own. It is so easy to become discouraged and let self doubt take over, which is why today’s Gospel is so meaningful. In this Gospel, Jesus sees everyone putting their gifts into the temple treasury. Among them are some very wealthy people, who donate large amounts of money. Jesus then looks upon a widow who puts two small coins in for donation. Although the Gospel does not give us details, I can picture a small and unassuming woman, sitting among the proud and haughty. I imagine her eyes downcast, and maybe some feelings of insecurity about what she could give in comparison to the larger offerings from those around her. She offered “the last that she had to live on.” In other words, she gave all she had. I imagine Jesus looking her in the eyes, as He affirms her and holds her as a standard for the others. I can imagine the confused, and even judgemental looks on the faces around her, as Jesus tells everyone that it is not so important what they give, but rather, how they give it. As someone who feels the need to give into the constant temptation to be faster, stronger, and better, this Gospel flips that message on its head.
“My experience at Benchmark… makes me wonder what our communities could be like if we were all brave and vulnerable enough to give like the widow and stopped comparing ourselves to others so often.”
Last year, I chose to complete my Hesed project at Benchmark, the assisted living facility where my grandparents live. I spent my very first day in the memory care unit of the facility, where I encountered two women crying and begging me to bring their mothers to them. Seeing them in a state of distress, I wished more than anything that I could fix the situation. “I am not cut out for this.” “Someone with more experience would be better here.” “I am not going to be able to do much,” I thought to myself. Noticing my discomfort, my supervisor said, “Charlotte, they just want a friend.” I quickly realized that while I could not fix this situation, what I could do was listen. I could still use my presence in a positive way and offer what I could, while it was often just a warm smile and some conversation.
Someone I will never forget was a woman named Julia. Physically, she was not in great shape, but mentally she was very sharp. Every day I would take her to and from activities and meals, listening to her stories and telling her mine. She became my friend and I became hers. We shared recipes, crossword puzzles, pictures, and laughs. On my last day at Benchmark, Julia said: “leave me your phone number sweetheart, I will give you a call.” I got calls from Julia twice a week, every week, until she passed.
Many residents at Benchmark suffer from loneliness, so having someone care about what you have to say and just be there to listen is important. In the beginning, I worried about my place at Benchmark, self-conscious about my inexperience and inability to care for the elderly. However, as I watched the workers, I realized that I should not waste my time worrying about doing the right or perfect thing, and should start focusing on offering my undivided attention and my presence. The gratitude that each resident showed towards me when I would do something as simple as play games like cornhole, bake, or color with them left a lasting impression on me.
The second I stopped worrying about what I could not do and started focusing on being a willing companion is when genuine relationships began to form between myself and the residents. This experience helps me to understand today’s Gospel on a deeper level. The widow understands that her offering might be significantly less than her wealthy peers. She is not concerned about what it will do for her reputation, or how it makes her look in comparison to her neighbor. She has no hidden agenda. She is earnest and authentic in her desire to give what she can, which is why Jesus holds her up as a model. It reminds me of my experience at Benchmark. It makes me wonder what our communities could be like if we were all brave and vulnerable enough to give like the widow and stopped comparing ourselves to others so often.
Jesus sees our hearts, he sees our efforts, and he simply wants our presence with Him. Our relationship with God is not about being bigger and better. It is not about a to-do list or a resume. We all are different people with different gifts. Jesus simply asks us to offer them to the world, and to Him, honestly and wholeheartedly. He reminds us in today’s Gospel that when we surrender the pressure to be perfect, we are finally able to give ourselves to God and to others authentically. It is not what we give, but how we give that matters.
A Tribute to Sister Barbara Rogers, RSCJ
Members of the Newton Country Day community gathered on Sunday, June 2 to celebrate Sister Barbara Rogers, RSCJ and her 34 years of service to Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart. Among the upwards of 800 attendees were: students and alumnae with their families; past and present faculty, staff, and trustees; members of Sister Rogers’ family, and many of her fellow Religious of the Sacred Heart.
The Mass was celebrated by the Very Reverend Monsignor Kevin J. O’Leary. Sister Rogers was gifted with a letter from Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley, OFM, Cap.
The Mass featured a choir of students, faculty, staff, and alumnae.
The celebration of the Liturgy was held at the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola at Boston College.
Guests gathered for a reception in the Kathleen R. Martin Wellness Center.
Sister Rogers with members of her family
Newton Country Day Honors the Class of 2024 at Graduation
Newton Country Day’s 144th Graduation Ceremony was held in the Sunken Garden on Thursday, June 6. The rain held off as faculty, staff, and the families and friends of the 62 graduates of the Class of 2024 gathered under the tent to celebrate the accomplishments of the senior class.
After the procession into the tent, Interim Head of School Nicole Noel welcomed everyone and introduced Class President Maille Hickey ’24, who gave the Invocation, followed by Mary Quinlan Prize recipient Devin Walsh ’24 who took the stage to deliver the Salutatory Address.
“Goal I, Criterion 3 calls our community to reflect ‘an ethos of joy, hope and celebration.’ When I look back on the years we’ve spent together, I think this criterion highlights some of our grade’s defining characteristics: our irrepressible joy, our support for one another, and our celebrations of unity,” said Walsh.
“In every tear shed and every success celebrated, our grade has shown that our bond as Sacred Heart sisters is one of unwavering support, genuine joy, and deep love for one another.”
Graduation speaker Nelly Coleta Xavier ’96, Managing Director at CW Advisors, then addressed the crowd with the Graduation Address, reflecting on her own experience at Newton Country Day. "When I first arrived, I felt like an outsider because I was one of the few black girls from the inner city and one of the few with Cape Verdean immigrant parents," explained Xavier. “The diversity gap was real.”
Xavier gave credit to the encouragement of her advisor, Ms. Noel, along with other teachers, her classmates, and her classmates’ parents for helping to bridge the gaps, paving the way for her to take on a leadership role as student body president. “As I’ve grown to senior roles
“In every tear shed and every success celebrated, our grade has shown that our bond as Sacred Heart sisters is one of unwavering support, genuine joy, and deep love for one another.”
– Devin Walsh ’24
in the investment management industry with more leadership responsibilities, I have been intentional about creating the space and community that welcomes more women, people of color, and folks who historically didn’t have access to the investment management industry,” she explained.
She left the Class of 2024 with an ask: “Take the responsibility to bridge the gap for yourselves, and for others. As you decide on your professional pursuits and identify your paths to success, ask yourself if you can widen the path and bring others on your journey with you; others with less access... I promise you will see that you will be the biggest beneficiaries of these actions because your lives will be enriched with diverse perspectives and approaches.”
After the conferring of the diplomas, Alice Husson Prize recipient Meg Murphy ’24 took the stage to thank the faculty and staff.
“Being a student at Newton means so much more than just the academics. It means the chance to grow in all aspects of our lives–emotional, spiritual, communal, and personal. And the faculty and staff have been with us at every turn,” said Murphy. “So as we say goodbye to those who have helped us become the best versions of ourselves, we say thank you."
Following the distribution of prizes, Gabriella Hernandez ’24 delivered the Janet Erskine Stuart Valedictory Address. Hernandez reflected on the Class of 2024’s
GRADUATION PRIZES
Mary Quinlan Prize: Devin Walsh ’24
Alice Husson Prize: Meg Murphy ’24
Janet Erskine Stuart Prize: Gabriella Hernandez ’24
Art: Devin Walsh ’24
Chinese: Nicole Hemm ’24
Computer Science: Amanda Rivers ’24
Dance: Moyo Ogungbadero ’24
English: Grace Brucato ’24
French: Hannah Mulligan ’24
History: Carys Anderson ’24
Instrumental Music: Saydee Straub ’24
Latin: Emily Aslett ’24
Mathematics: Gabriella Hernandez ’24
National Honor Society: Courtney White ’24
Performing Arts: Maddie MacDougall ’24
remarkable camaraderie through their years at Newton Country Day. “We gave ourselves permission to love each other and our school without reservation or hesitation. We found ways to bring light into the everyday, celebrating our teachers, and celebrating each other’s achievements at every turn.”
She went on to share her hope for the future for the Class of 2024. “NCDS has shown us what it means to respect the human dignity of others, to stand alongside vulnerable communities, and to walk a path of solidarity, centered in the universal love of God. My hope for the future is that we enter the coming stages of our lives with the same open hearts, minds, and hands we used during our time here,” she said. “Let us take this all-encompassing education — the love we have shared, the lives we have led, and the ideals we believe in — and use our extraordinary gifts to serve others.”
The inaugural Cor Unum Award was given to Sister Barbara Rogers for her extraordinary contributions to Newton Country Day in her 34 years as Head of School. After the Sacred Heart Awards were distributed, Chair of the Board of
Trustees Maura T. Murphy ’99 thanked Nicole Noel for her year of service as Interim Head of School and delivered the closing prayer. Families then joined their graduates for photos and celebration as they were welcomed into our alumnae community.
Religious Studies: Emma Walsh ’24
Scholar Artist: Shira Arokiaraj ’24
Scholar Athlete: Caitlyn McCarthy ’24
Science: Isabella Adarme ’24
Senior Project: Audrey O’Neill ’24
Spanish: Meghan Gavin ’24
Vocal Music: Nora Grimes ’24
Writing: Madeline Brogen ’24
Pamela Donovan Prize: Rosemary Pagliano ’24
Sarah Jones Prize: Caroline Meckel ’24
Collins Mazzio Prize: Autumn Rivers ’24
Clare Pratt Prize: Skylar Herrmann ’24
Virginia Schumann Prize: Charlotte Wagner ’24
Barbara Rogers Prize: Carys Riffe ’24
Clare McGowan Prize: Ms. Ashlie Swallow
Cor Unum Award: Sister Barbara Rogers
SACRED HEART AWARDS
Goal I: A personal and active faith in God: Nora Donovan ’24
Goal II: A deep respect for intellectual values: Isabella Adarme ’24
Goal III: A social awareness which impels to action: Farrah Coleman ’24
Goal IV: The building of community as a Christian value: Devin Walsh ’24
Goal V: Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom: Sydney Hajjar ’24
St. Philippine Duchesne Prize: Kaelea Severino ’24
St. Madeleine Sophie Barat Prize: Gabriella Hernandez ’24
Nelly Coleta Xavier ’96 delivers the Graduation Address.
Gabriella Hernandez ’24 delivers the Valedictory Address.
SACRED HEART AWARDS AND PRIZES
The St. Madeleine Sophie Barat Prize is awarded to a student who exemplifies excellence in all aspects of Sacred Heart Education: Gabriella Hernandez ’24
The St. Philippine Duchesne Prize is awarded to a student who demonstrates a spirit of steadfast purpose and the courage of her convictions: Kaelea Severino ’24
The Janet Erskine Stuart Prize is awarded to the student with the highest cumulative average for four years: Gabriella Hernandez ’24
The Mary Quinlan Prize is awarded to the student with the second highest cumulative average for four years: Devin Walsh ’24
The Alice Husson Prize is awarded to the student with the third highest cumulative average for four years: Meg Murphy ’24
The Pamela Donovan Prize is awarded to a student who demonstrates personal integrity: Rosemary Pagliano ’24
The Virginia Schumann Prize is awarded to a student who demonstrates devotion to the tradition of Sacred Heart education: Charlotte Wagner ’24
The Sarah Jones Prize is awarded to a student who possesses a deep commitment to determination, follow-through, and a vision for the future: Caroline Meckel ’24
The Clare Pratt Prize is awarded to a student for her interest in the world: Skylar Herrmann ’24
The Paula Collins Mazzio Prize is awarded to a student who excels in writing in any genre: Autumn Rivers ’24
The Barbara Rogers Prize is awarded to a student who, like, Sister Rogers, worked in large and small ways to help the community grow in its capacity to make known the love of the heart of Jesus: Carys Riffe ’24
The Clare McGowan Prize , named in honor of sister Clare McGowan, alumna of Newton Country Day and Headmistress at the Sacred Heart School in Washington, Stone Ridge, available to our teachers who have served for more than ten years: Ms. Ashlie Swallow
The Cor Unum Award is presented in recognition of exceptional contributions in enhancing the school’s ability to make known the love of the heart of Jesus: Sister Barbara Rogers, RSCJ
8TH GRADE AWARDS
The Kiki Niedermeyer Award is given for faith, courage, and kindness: Elly Culleton ’28
The Trudy Hennessey Award is given to a student who has exhibited good sportsmanship and a positive spirit in all aspects of school life: Maggie Ganley ’28
The Alice Husson, RSCJ Award is given to a student for demonstrating qualities of
GOAL AWARDS
generosity, service, courtesy and responsibility: Emma Wulff ’28
The Catherine Baxter, RSCJ Award is given to the Middle School student who best exemplifies the goals and criteria of Sacred Heart schools: May May Condlin ’28
G oal I : Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a personal and active faith in God. Recognized for their commitment to Goal I are:
Middle School
Elle Foster ’31
Lyla Viviano ’30
Madeleine Milone ’29
Emily Antonellis ’28
Upper School
Cecelia McKeigue ’27
Katelyn Hanson ’26
Sophia Beaver ’25
Nora Grimes ’24
Goal II: Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a deep respect for intellectual values. Recognized for their commitment to Goal II are:
Middle School
Marian Emans ’31
Keira Huang ’30
Charlotte Sullivan ’29
Nora Augst ’28
Upper School
Lilah Wallace ’27
Lane Carroll ’26
Abby Goodman ’25
Madeline Brogen ’24
Goal III: Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a social awareness that impels to action. Recognized for their commitment to Goal III are:
Middle School
Zara Grimshaw ’31
Lulu Meng ’30
Isabelle DeLeo ’29
Jordan Rich ’28
Upper School
Ella Christian ’27
Sandy Kario ’26
Avery Grover ’25
Elizabeth Knopp ’24
Goal IV: Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to the building of community as a Christian value. Recognized for their commitment to Goal IV are:
Middle School
Kathleen Cullen ’31
Emilie Christian ’30
Sabrina Dacey ’29
Tatum Santaniello ’28
Upper School
Ellie DeVito ’27
Lily Aslett ’26
Taylor Santaniello ’25
Skylar Herrmann ’24
Goal V: Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom. Recognized for their commitment to Goal V are:
Middle School
Coco Baugh ’31
Mia Na ’30
Ava Smith-Farrell ’29
Colleen Cullen ’28
Upper School
Kesbine Exantus ’27
Sarah Dagher ’26
Alexandra Bradley ’25
Emily Prucher ’24
Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart College Acceptances as of June 1, 2024 Class of 2024
University of Alabama
Allegheny College
American University
Amherst College
Arizona State University
Bard College
Baylor University
Boston College
Boston University
Brandeis University
Brown University
Bryant University
Bucknell University
Carleton College
Carnegie Mellon University
Case Western University
Catholic University
College of Charleston
Clark University (MA)
Clark Atlanta University
Clemson University
Colby College
Colgate University
University of Colorado, Boulder
Colorado College
University of Connecticut
Connecticut College
University of Dayton
Denison University
University of Denver
Dickinson College
Drexel University
Eckerd College
Elon University
Emmanuel College
Fairfield University
Florida Atlantic University
Fordham University
Furman University
Georgetown University
Gettysburg College
Grinnell College
Harvard University
Hamilton College
Hobart and William Smith
Hofstra University
College of the Holy Cross
University of Illinois
Indiana University
John Carroll University
Johns Hopkins University
Kenyon College
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Maryland
Loyola Marymount University
Macalester College
University of Maryland
UMass Amherst
UMass Boston
UMass Dartmouth
UMass Lowell
Merrimack College
University of Miami (FL)
University of Michigan
Michigan State University
Middlebury College
University of Minnesota
Mount Holyoke College
University of New Hampshire
New York University
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
University of Notre Dame
Oberlin College
Ohio State University
Pace University
Pennsylvania State University
Pepperdine University
University of Pittsburgh
Providence College
Purdue University
Quinnipiac University
Rice University
University of Richmond
University of Rochester
Rhodes College
Rutgers University
Sacred Heart University
Saint Anselm College
Saint Mary’s College
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
Santa Clara University
Sarah Lawrence College
Sewanee University
Skidmore College
Smith College
Southern Methodist University
Spelman College
University of St. Andrews (Scotland)
St. Joseph’s University (PA)
St. Lawrence University
Stonehill College
Syracuse University
University of Tampa
Texas Christian University
Trinity College (CT)
Tufts University
Tulane University
University of Utah
Vanderbilt University
Vassar College
University of Vermont
Villanova University
University of Virginia
Wake Forest
Washington University, St. Louis
Wellesley College
Wesleyan University
Western New England University
Wheaton College
Williams College
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Sharing the “Love”
KAREN
O’SULLIVAN ’93 CHANNELS HER
PASSION FOR TENNIS TO GIVE BACK TO HER COMMUNITY
by Laura Kelly
Even in her youth, before earning national and international athletic accolades, Karen O’Sullivan ’93 was a trailblazer. When she started in eighth grade at Newton Country Day in 1989, she was one of only a few students who commuted from the city, while most of the student population came from Newton and its nearby suburbs. “I was an anomaly of sorts,” she says. “I was a scholarship kid who took the bus from the city every day. I was probably the first kid my classmates met from South Boston.”
Despite this difference from most of her classmates, O’Sullivan shares that her
27-person graduating class was a tightknit community that gave her and the girls around her “a strong foundation that was truly special.” This foundation instilled values of courage and confidence, conviction, and open-mindedness in O’Sullivan, which served her well in her academic and athletic careers throughout high school and beyond. Her most cherished takeaway from her time at Newton Country Day, however, is the bond she shares with her classmates. “The lifelong friendships I created are the most special part about the school,” she says.
“As a student-athlete, I did a lot of juggling with my studies and my sport. It helped me learn to balance my priorities, overcome adversity, and build a strong work ethic.”
– Karen O’Sullivan ’93
Karen’s senior photo from The Spire yearbook
O’Sullivan (in front) in a family photo with her sister Marie O’Sullivan Cox ’85 (back middle)
“It is an incredibly nurturing environment as you’re going through adolescence. I’m in my forties and I am still in touch with everybody, and I think that’s really great.”
Newton Country Day provided a holistic education that helped O’Sullivan feel empowered in the classroom and on the tennis court. “The curriculum shares the careers and paths available to girls. It opened my eyes to what else was out there in the world,” she explains. With the confidence that she could pursue her passions, she played on the school tennis team and received accolades such as 4-time EIL MVP, League All-Star and AISGA All-Star, and was elected into the school’s Hall of Fame.
She then went on to play tennis at Duke University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She was a twoyear team captain, two-time All-American, was named All-ACC on three occasions, and participated in the Professional Women’s Tour in Europe following her graduation. “Tennis was and is a vehicle in my life that brought me around the world and taught me incredibly important life skills that come along with being an athlete,” she explains. “As a studentathlete, I did a lot of juggling with my studies and my sport. It helped me learn to balance my priorities, overcome adversity, and build a strong work ethic.” Thanks to these skills, her tennis career continues today. O’Sullivan has been a New England
adult tournament player for the past 20 years. In 2023 she was inducted into the U.S. Tennis Association of New England Hall of Fame and enshrined at a ceremony at the International Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.
“[The USTA New England Hall of Fame] was an amazing acknowledgement,” O’Sullivan shares. “I was truly honored to be recognized for not only my competitive achievements, but also my contributions to the sport, which is an important journey of mine. Tennis has given me the opportunity to give back through nonprofits in the New England area. That is my continued mission now. It is equally important to give back.”
As part of this mission, O’Sullivan currently leads the Police Activities League (PAL) as the Executive Director. PAL is a Boston nonprofit that promotes positive, trusting relationships between law enforcement and the community through recreational, educational, cultural, and social programs for children of all ages. Programs organized by and with PAL aim to empower young people and guide them toward a successful future. In summer 2024, PAL partnered with Special Olympics Massachusetts for the Sunday Community Tennis: Inclusive Tennis Training Series program at Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center in Dorchester. The program provides free opportunities for people with autism and other intellectual disabilities of all experience levels to train to join a team or learn the basics of tennis
gameplay. O’Sullivan maintains her strong connection to the Newton Country Day community even in her nonprofit work; current student and varsity tennis player Zayde Martinez ’27 joined O’Sullivan for Sunday Community Tennis as a volunteer.
“Moving forward, we all need to think about how we can positively impact the lives of youth when the world is not an easy place at times,” O’Sullivan explains. “Many aren’t as fortunate as others, so how can we work collectively to help kids get on a productive life path?” Her nonprofit work has come full circle, allowing O’Sullivan to plan events for underserved Boston communities with the tennis clubs she played at in her youth. “It’s been an amazing journey that allows me to positively impact the lives of city kids, and that deeply resonates with me and makes me very proud.”
O’Sullivan with volunteer Zayde Martinez ’27 at the Sunday Community Tennis program
ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT
Living Out Goal III Overseas
HOW SOCIAL AWARENESS IMPELS MEAGHAN DOHERTY MYERS ’05 TO ACTION IN HER FOREIGN AFFAIRS CAREER
by Laura Kelly
Meaghan Doherty Myers ’05 arrived for her first day of class at Newton Country Day on September 11, 2001. This tragic day that changed the lives of millions of Americans was also a pivotal moment in Myers’ life. “It flipped the switch on everything that would define my life thereafter,” she says. She thought she wanted to eventually study business in college while continuing her classical ballet training, but being at Newton Country Day on this particular day, surrounded by classmates she knew would become the next generation of changemakers, changed her worldview. “I just remember wanting to learn more about the world and its complexities that could lead to an event like this,” she explains. “I was sure of one thing: the world was far more complicated than I had perceived.”
At Newton Country Day, Myers excelled in her French classes, thrived in Libby Budinger’s and John Tierney’s government and history classes, and danced from her first day to her last. Her academic and artistic passions led her to Fordham University in New York City, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and French Studies. She affectionately refers to her years living in Manhattan after graduation during the Great Recession as her “hustle years,” when she held three to five jobs at any given moment to make ends meet. Rather than reflecting on these years with dread, Myers smiles and says, “It was the best possible lesson for someone in their early twenties, to work and make hard choices and figure out how to support the life you want to live.”
“You don’t understand social justice until you encounter social injustice. My experiences around the globe have really helped with this.”
– Meghan Doherty Myers ’05
Myers with Sister Rogers on Graduation Day 2005
Myers and husband Jacob, a major in the U.S. Army, celebrating their graduation from the Russian program at the Defense Language Institute in 2018 (Monterey, CA)
During her New York years, Myers met her husband Jacob, now a major in the U.S. Army, through Exit12 Dance Company, a NYC arts organization that analyzes and communicates the military experience through dance, and they married in 2015. Myers went on to receive her master’s degree in International Relations and Economics from Johns Hopkins University (SAIS) and an associate’s degree in Russian Language from the Defense Language Institute, worked as a private-sector and government consultant in the aerospace and defense industry, traveled to 23 European countries in a ten-month period, and gave birth to their first daughter overseas. In 2021, shortly after beginning a new job with Deloitte, Myers learned that her family would again move to Europe when Jacob was named U.S. Army Attaché to Latvia. At 31 weeks pregnant, with a 22-month old daughter, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Eastern Europe, Myers moved over 4,000 miles away to Riga. “With some talent, a lot of luck, and a leap of faith, I landed on my feet,” she says.
A year after the birth of their second daughter, Myers began to work for the Department of State as a political and economic specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Latvia, where she continues to work today. There, she works on diverse
initiatives ranging from border security, European Union affairs, the defense industry, and the development of health, science, and education within Latvia. When Russia further invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and refugees flooded into Latvia, she began volunteering with the International Women’s Club of Riga, which supports a variety of local charities for women and children. “People were finding housing for streams of women and children coming from Ukraine,” she says. “I saw this selflessness and this desire to help those going through a hard time. The Latvian people’s willingness to help, even when they themselves had little, just blew me away.”
Myers’ social justice work didn’t stop at refugee support. She learned about being a breastmilk donor when she gave birth to her first daughter in the U.S. and noticed a lack of donation opportunities in Riga. After contacting numerous nearby hospitals, she learned that Latvia’s first milk bank was about to open — and they needed donors. “When I was in the U.S. and saw the impact this act of service had on families in the NICU or those who couldn’t consume formula, I realized that this is a lifesaving superpower and God has given me the power to do this,” she says. “I didn’t know Latvian
at the time, but I knew this was a way I could contribute to this country that welcomed me, the country where one of my daughters was born.”
Myers worked with Latvia’s milk bank for sixteen months as Donor 00001, the first in Latvia’s history. Once the bank had enough donors, Myers retired and was granted access to the NICU, where she met one of the babies she had been feeding. “It was the greatest possible reward,” she explains. “Through the milk donor experience, I became more confident as a mom, more compassionate for other mothers, and more of an advocate for them, their families, and their babies. It exposed me to inequities in health and in the care of new mothers, and it emboldened me to do what I can to enact change.”
When asked if she knew she would so fiercely live out Goal III, a social awareness which impels to action, Myers admitted she never predicted this path for herself during her time at Newton Country Day. “You don’t understand social justice until you encounter social injustice," she explains. “My experiences around the globe have really helped with this.” Myers hopes that by sharing her story, more students at Newton Country Day will be inspired to learn more about how to serve their country and communities.
Amidst working at the U.S. Embassy, advocating for women’s and children’s health, and actively parenting two daughters, Myers keeps a mantra in mind: “You will never regret serving others. That is my North Star. Through works of service, we are our best selves. When we put others first, whether they are nameless people we will never meet, or one child, or a class of children, it will always lead to a valuable life.”
Myers with daughters Maeve (3.5 years) and Sophia (1.5 years) holding up one of the milk donation bags from the Children’s Clinical University Hospital (BKUS) in Riga, Latvia
Myers with Exit12 Dance Company Director Roman Baca rehearsing a ballet for a Memorial Day performance on the flight deck of the USS Intrepid, as seen in The Wall Street Journal
ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT
The Superpower of a Unique Perspective
NELLY COLETA XAVIER ’96 ENCOURAGES THE CLASS OF 2024 TO NOT DIM YOUR LIGHT FOR OTHERS
by Laura Kelly
Nelly Coleta Xavier ’96 returned to campus last May to deliver the graduation address to Newton Country Day’s Class of 2024. A graduate of Loyola University Maryland, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, Xavier currently serves as Managing Director at CW Advisors in Boston and resides in Newton with her husband and three daughters. She paved her own path when she started at Newton Country Day in ninth grade as a child of Cape Verdean immigrants, a woman of color, and one of only a few residents of Dorchester in the school community. She carries that same spirit with her today in the financial services industry, thanks to the values instilled in her from her four years at an allgirls Sacred Heart institution.
Xavier’s educational and professional career paths were not linear, nor was her daily drive from Dorchester to Newton Country Day. She remarks that her commute to school felt very long, both physically and metaphorically. “It was like I was going between two different worlds,” she explains. She was one of very few students of color and students from her part of Boston at the time, and she quickly learned how to navigate being “the only one in the room.” Newton Country Day provided her with resources to learn how to own her voice and trust that her unique perspective is a powerful asset. “The school feels a level of responsibility for bridging the gap. I, and other alumnae, feel a responsibility to help the school do that, too,” she says.
“There are opportunities to support students going through a similar experience that I did at that age, and I am so thankful for that.”
– Nelly Xavier ’96
Xavier giving the Class of 2024 Graduation address
Xavier (right) with classmate Ana Cristina Guerra ’96, from The Spire yearbook
“There are opportunities to support students going through a similar experience that I did at that age, and I am so thankful for that.”
Having a unique background enabled Xavier to view her Newton Country Day education in a different light than many of her peers. “When I got here, I didn’t know what AP classes were. The academics were very different from anything I had experienced before,” she says. Her rigorous coursework and the method of pedagogy at Newton Country Day was eye-opening and allowed her to view the whole world as her classroom. “The way the curriculum is shaped here teaches you that learning can happen outside of a book, outside of a classroom. Teachers really fostered intellectual curiosity,” she explains. Experiential and place-based learning were pivotal for her; every teacher found ways to bring lessons to life and to teach material utilizing the five senses. “Teachers’ passion and perspectives were shaped over their many years of experience here, and that longevity is really special,” she says.
Cherished relationships also blossomed between Xavier and her classmates. She credits attending an all-girls school as one of the cornerstones in her development as a courageous and confident woman. “There’s something that happens when you are with other women who are really smart and motivated. We allow ourselves to be our most authentic selves. You’re allowed to make mistakes and take on challenges. You truly realize how much you are capable of,” she says. In her graduation address, Xavier frequently used the term “sisterhood” to describe the bonds that still hold strong between her classmates.
“I say sisters because when I meet up with my classmates, we are, at our cores, the same people that we were when we attended Newton Country Day. No matter how much time has gone by, we always pick up right where we left off.”
While she noticed differences in the way the school operates today in comparison to her high school years in the nineties, she remarks that the bonds between the girls feel just as strong. The sisterhood is a lasting hallmark of the school.
Today, Xavier works in the investment management industry as a relationship manager, a career that requires authenticity, vulnerability, and the ability to forge strong interpersonal relationships with investors dealing with complex dynamics. She attributes much of her success in this role to her time at Newton Country Day. “We are all relationship builders here,” she remarks. “The environment here created a level playing field for me. It doesn’t matter who my classmates are and where they come from. This school empowered me to have my voice, be comfortable in it, and find it in the hardest times.”
Xavier offered this advice to the Class of 2024: even if you’re the only one in the room — the only woman, the only person of color, or the only young person — the right people will want to hear your perspective because it will enrich the conversation. “I lead with that now. I have a unique perspective to offer and I am proud of that. I think it’s a superpower. Don’t dim your light for others. If you’re the only one, there is a reason you are in that room. Own it.”
Xavier with her family at Newton Country Day Graduation Day 2024
ALUMNAE EVENTS
Reunion 2024
It was a pleasure welcoming our alumnae back to campus for Reunion 2024. Members from 12 classes reconnected and reminisced with their classmates and faculty members. Alumnae enjoyed student-led tours, cocktail hour, class dinners, and a service in the Chapel which included an introduction of Jessica Hooper, our incoming Head of School.
SAVE THE DATE!
Reunion 2025, for classes ending in 0 or 5 May 2–3, 2025
60th Reunion (’64) (left to right) Ann Bagdonas Bergstrom, Patty Noonan Cronin, Alicia Guedes Franzosa, Mathilde Guedes McCoy
50th Reunion (’74) (front row, left to right) Marnie Reynolds, Ellen Hannan, Meg Rogan, Carrie Mathers-Kurland; (back row) Deri Lutz, Eileen Heenan White, Siobhan Campbell Jordan ’75, Karen Quinn Regan, Maura Sheehan Davis, Meg Fahy Galligan, Karen McCarthy Sullivan
20th Reunion (’04) (front row, left to right) Claire Bryant, Emily Simon Pfeifer, Hilary Tredennick, Christine Driscoll Simoni; (second row) Kate Herlihy, Beth Galligan Bixenman, Alison Rush; (third row) MaryNell Nolan-Wheatley, Amanda Delaney Coronado, Laura Markell, Elizabeth Foley McLaughlin, Mary Beth Boyle Levie; (back row) Kathleen O’Brien, Katherine Giddings, Brittany Borders, Mackenzie Colgan Reinoso
15th Reunion (’09) (front row, left to right) Amy McDermott, Caroline Markey, Kyra Prats, Lizzie White, Katie Jarvis ; (middle row) Jen Corcoran, Elise Dubuque Naughton, Hafsa Chaudhry Cantwell; (back row) Nora Doherty, Kim Lawton, Rachel Davidson, Catherine Roy
10th Reunion (’14) (front row, left to right)
Emily Hession, Nora DeSimone, Paula (Carroll) Connard, Amy Monasterio, Caroline (Dubuque) Bausinger, Kelly Rafferty, Cleo Greenwood, Natalie
Henderson, Gianna Famolare, Mary Katherine Tuomey; (middle row) Maria (Trachy) Del Rosso, Lizzy Marano, Mairead Meideros, Regina Jean-Noel, Cori Galligan, Shannon Seidl Daniel, Jasmine Turnbull, Catherine Gildea, Cristina Gallo, Sarah Jackson; (back row) Christina Fitzgerald, Caitlin Stadtler, Elizabeth (Van Flandern) Boesch, Danielle Drubner, Elizabeth Koger, Margaret Fee, Sophie Ryan, Maeve Westover, Lucy Kapples, Catherine Joyce, Jessica (Smith) Reynolds
5th Reunion (’19) (front row, left to right) Caroline McLaughlin, Olivia McKeigue, Taylor Field, Kate Levangie, Jocelyn Mulvey, Caroline Popeo, Julia Dubuque, Lexi Cavallo, Ginger del Real; (middle row) Ella Flaherty, Emily Devlin, Heather Heffernan, Margaux Dowdle, Molly O’Brien, Maddie Hughes; (back row) Lainey Cox, Keira Glynn, Elizabeth Anderson, Madigan Kelly, Katie Mahoney, Charlotte Stoddard, Sarah Naughton, Aoife Harte
THE CLASS OF 2013 BOOK CLUB REUNITES ALUMNAE
In the spring of 2023, when Hannah Tyrrell ’13 and her classmates returned to campus for their ten-year reunion, the Class of 2013 Book Club was born. “Our class is small and people are spread out, so we don’t see each other as much,” explained Tyrrell. “The Book Club is a great way to consistently reconnect with people you haven’t seen in a while.”
The Class of 2013 Book Club meets every few months in the Boston area to discuss a book of an alumna’s choosing. “We each have a month to read the book, and then we meet at a member’s house to chat about the plot,” explained Tyrrell. “We always end up sharing memories from Newton Country Day as well.” Recent titles have included The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne, The Lioness of Boston: A Novel by Emily Franklin, and The Postcard by Anne Berest.
The Class of 2014 had the greatest participation with 44% of the class attending Reunion
10th Reunion
25th Reunion
20th Reunion
15th Reunion
5th Reunion
ALUMNAE Events
Alumnae
Children’s Advent Party
Alumnae brought their children to campus to experience the magic of Advent with games, treats, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus!
SAVE THE DATE!
Friday, December 6, 2024
Vespers
Each year, we invite graduates from the last three years to a Young Alumnae Goûter and to watch Upper School Vespers. Following tradition, they join students, faculty, and staff in Trinity Chapel in singing “Silent Night.”
SAVE THE DATE!
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Alumnae Hockey Game
In January, we had graduates return to the ice for our Alumnae Hockey game. We look forward to hosting this event again next year.
SAVE THE DATE!
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Winter Alumnae Gathering
Alumnae reunited at Clerys in Boston to enjoy a night of reminiscing and creating new memories.
Thank you to Katie Freeman ’11 for hosting us!
SAVE THE DATE!
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Summer Alumnae Gathering
We were thrilled to host our first summer alumnae gathering at Dillons in Boston! A heartfelt thank you to all who joined us — it was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect and share cherished memories.
SAVE THE DATE!
Summer 2025. Watch your email for the invitation!
Get involved!
CLASS REPORTER
Email, text, or use social media to collect news, updates, and photos to send for the next magazine issue of Très Bien . While updates can be submitted any time throughout the year, final submissions are due by late May (exact date announced each spring).
CLASSROOM AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Alumnae are invited to be guest speakers in a class or on a panel, to judge the annual Science and Engineering Fair, and to serve as evaluators at the Senior Project Symposium.
REUNION COMMITTEE
Work with Alumnae Relations to create enthusiasm around your celebratory Reunion. Reach out to your classmates to encourage their attendance, update contact information, and assist in fundraising efforts.
ALUMNAE AMBASSADOR
Alumnae Ambassadors are a dedicated and loyal group of alumnae that strengthen the alumnae community through their leadership and engagement. They are some of our most valuable volunteers that build strong connections with fellow alumnae, classmates and the school. The time commitment is minimal and job requirements are simple: keep in touch with your classmates and friends.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Create networking opportunities and coordinate alumnae events with support from the school and the Alumnae Relations office.
? Questions? Email alumnae@newtonSH.org or call (617)244-4246.
Class Notes
Newton Country Day reserves the right to edit, format, and select all materials for publication. This includes photos that do not appear because of low resolution. Due to the long lead time for Très Bien , we refrain from publishing news about pregnancies.
Class of 1951
Betty Curtin Crowley ’51 writes: “Hello Everyone! Still hoping we can get together soon. I’m still subbing K–5 and enjoying every minute. Recently got my 30 year pin from the town of Scituate. Last July brought my 4th great grandchild. Unfortunately, three of them live west of the Mississippi, but FaceTime helps us to keep in touch. They’re great kids who love their Mimi! I’m busy every day, but have time always to send everyone my best. God bless, Betty C.”
After reaching out to all of her classmates, Penny Reilly ’51 reports: “We are a limited number. But the women to whom I spoke were well, active and engaging. We did lose one member since the last issue: Addie O’Keefe McMurrer ’51 passed away in Montana where she has lived for many years with her daughter Betsy. Our deepest condolences. I had spoken with her some years ago and was surprised to hear about it.
I spoke of many things with Mary Chisolm Sullivan ’51 . She is the same and sounds healthy and strong… not surprising. She still lives in Falmouth but travels to see her 11 children, 32 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren and sister Pat Chisolm ’47 who lives in Natick. She keeps in touch with Maureen Cortelli Sheehan ’51 (see note below).
Maureen Cortelli Sheehan ’51 , or “Babe” as she was affectionately called at school, is well and active, living in Duxbury with her husband Jerry. Maureen and Jerry are very devoted to Newton Country Day and are generous supporters of its Scholarship Program.
Catherine Mary Donovan ’51 , a very loyal alumna, still lives in Boston. She reads and enjoys all the wonderful educational and cultural things that the city offers… ballet, opera, theatre, and volunteering when she can.
Betty Curtin Crowley ’51 (see note from Betty above) is in Scituate and as involved and active as
ever. She sings in the church choir at St. Mary’s, writes articles, and devotes much time to the community. She sounds well and I hope that she, Mary Sullivan ’51 , and myself can sit on a beach and have a cup of coffee or a glass of wine sometime soon. The invitation is open.
Sister Mary Jane Sullivan ’51 now lives in Teresian House in Albany, NY. We had lunch a couple of years ago in Needham and talked forever about everything. Her sister Brenda Sullivan Geichecker ’58 lives in Dedham, MA, and Mary Jane hopes to visit again sometime soon. As she describes her situation, she is content and in a good place.
Your scribe, Penny Reilly ’51, is fine. I work at St. Sebastian’s part time, play some golf and lunch, visit with my children, grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, and wakes and funerals are a common experience at our time of life. I did lose my last two siblings, baby brother Jimmy in October 2022 and Mike in August 2023. I was the oldest of seven. My life at Newton was special, and it was fun to connect with the people in it.”
Class of 1953
Lucille Saccone Giovino ’53 writes: “What fantastic participation of alumnae, relatives, and friends of Sr. Rogers at the 2pm Mass at St. Ignatius Church in Chestnut Hill, MA. The church was packed with well wishers who shared a beautiful Mass with a student choir and a few words of appreciation from Sister Rogers. Then a lovely reception on campus with canapés, minisandwiches, and tempting sweets.”
Class of 1955
Join us for your 70th reunion in May!
Class of 1959
Pam Tosi Hodgkins ’59 writes: “The eldest of my ten grandchildren graduated from Franklin County Technical School in June. Robert graduated with
REUN ON
Class of 1955: 70th Reunion
Class of 1960: 65th Reunion
Class of 1965: 60th Reunion
Class of 1970: 55th Reunion
Class of 1975: 50th Reunion
Class of 1980: 45th Reunion
Class of 1985: 40th Reunion
Class of 1990: 35th Reunion
Class of 1995: 30th Reunion
Class of 2000: 25th Reunion
Class of 2005: 20th Reunion
Class of 2010: 15th Reunion
Class of 2015: 10th Reunion
Class of 2020: 5th Reunion
high honors as a member of the National Honor Society, received his certification in Landscaping and Environmental Engineering, and received awards for History and Social Studies and Physical Education. He is gainfully employed, continuing his career path with the management company with which he served his cooperative internship near Mt. Snow, Vermont.”
Class of 1960
Join us for your 65th reunion in May!
Gwendolyn Hoeffel ’60 writes: “Greetings from Bedford, NY. I moved here a year ago after completing my ministry with our elderly sisters in Albany, NY. I live with two other RSCJ, classmates from Manhattanville days. Two of us celebrated our 60th college reunion. I was able to attend the funeral of Deirdre Gavin Hager ’60 and meet her family. I also visited Lolín Menendez ’60 in Puerto Rico. Then I spent September and October with my communities in Japan. I visited NCDS in June to attend the reception
for Sister Barbara Rogers, retiring after 34 years as headmistress. Amazing.”
Class of 1963
Anne Hayes ’63 writes: “Sad to report that Karen Avakian ’63 died on June 19, 2024 after a series of illnesses. Karen and I were NYC pals, never missing the June reunions at the elegant Lotus Club in the city, always in awe of the direction Sister Rogers was taking the school. Peace Karen.”
Class of 1965
Join us for your 60th reunion in May!
Anne Carey Hurwitch ’65 writes: “Happily retired after a career in retail that included living in Europe and many parts of North America, Peter and I have moved to a condo in Natick. Looking forward to our 60th Reunion in 2025!”
Class of 1966
Roberta Munce Nelson ’66 writes: “I am living at the beach and still enjoying both of my careers. I am still working as a registered nurse, but compassion has gone from a 20 year OB/GYN stint at Brigham and Women’s, to visiting nurse Alzheimer’s care, and now in a detox facility keeping people from living on the street until a place is found for them to live. Naturally, I am also loving my real estate. I did close my own office and joined another as not to have all the responsibility. I guess that might be semi-retirement! And in touch with a few special and close NCDS friends!”
Class of 1967
Divorced since 2004, (Mary) Lee Roversi ’67 and her family continue to own and operate an organic farm on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. Blessed beyond measure with good health, she enjoys her yoga practice, long beach walks, travel and great reads. Her grown children and grandchildren are a constant source of pride and joy.
Robert, grandson of Pam Tosi Hodgkins ’59 at his graduation from Franklin County Technical School.
Newton Country Day School May 2-3, 2025
Lucille Saccone Giovino ’53 at Sister Rogers’ on-campus farewell celebration on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
Class of 1970
Join us for your 55th reunion in May!
Class of 1971
Maryelaine Taddeo ’71 writes: “Still working as a nurse 80+ hours a week! Attending open mic sessions and working on a compiled poetry book. Healthy and happy!”
Class of 1972
Marie Gauthier Portner ’72 writes: “Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ Encyclical carries a great deal of meaning for me. I am a volunteer with the international Laudato Si’ Movement, where our group has formed the New Hampshire Chapter. We hope to spread the pope’s message of Care for Creation and answer the call for the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”
Class of 1974
Meg Fahy Galligan ’74 writes: “We just celebrated our 50th Reunion in May and had so much fun catching up that we were the last to leave! In attendance were: Ellen Hannan ’74, Carrie Mathers-Kurland ’74, Deri Lutz ’74, Marnie Reynolds ’74, Karen Quinn Regan ’74, Karen McCarthy Sullivan ’74, Eileen Heenan White ’74, Maura Sheehan Davis ’74, Meg Rogan ’74, Siobhan Campbell Jordan ’75, and myself. Many classmates connected with each other in the months leading up to
the reunion and expressed an interest in staying in touch more often. Debbie Boole Smelko ’74 offered to set up a few zooms every year. We had one in May and on the call were: Anne Elise O’Connor ’74, Mary Ellen Stringos ’74, Carrie Mathers-Kurland ’74, Marnie Reynolds ’74, Debbie, and myself.”
“I continue to enjoy retired life with my husband Peter & our dog Lucy. Reunion 2024 was extra special because our daughter Cori Galligan ’14 celebrated her 10th, and the 20th for our niece Beth Galligan Bixenman ’04. We are thrilled that Cori is nearby, living and working in Boston. The day after our reunion I hosted classmates and local gals from the class of 1973 and 1975. There were 16 of us and thoroughly enjoyed being together. We hope to do that more often.”
Marie Kirk Burke ’74 and husband Kevin moved to Lake Bluff, IL to be closer to their daughter Marron, son-in-law Zack Brookes, and two granddaughters Clare (7) and Holly (3). Marie is busy painting in her new studio in Lake Bluff and recently had the good fortune to win a place on the elevator doors at the Cape Cod Cultural Center. It was so fun to hear from Cape Cod friends and family who were able to see it! Marie always loves hearing from classmates on Instagram, where she shares her artwork. She is enjoying good health and time with family and golden retriever Daisy.
Ellen Hannan ’74 writes: “It was wonderful to see everyone at Reunion, nice to connect with all of the Class of ’74! Before Mass, we had coffee in the Headmistress’s office (for once not in there for a reprimand of some sort) with girls from the Class of 1964 whose parents had settled in Newton from Cuba. We all agreed the school looked wonderful with all the new additions, but had the same "feel" as 50+ years ago. Dinner in the dining hall was fun — not the grayish dungeon that I recall as a boarder back in 1970! Fun fact: the gal that took the official photos at Reunion ( Sheryl Percy P ’10 ) is the daughter of the photographer that took our Senior pictures. I have not scaled any new mountains, won any new accolades, acquired any children or grandchildren or achieved anything particularly noteworthy. However, I am grateful to be enjoying retirement, keeping busy with various volunteer activities and lots of duplicate bridge.”
Karen Quinn Regan ’74 retired in August 2022 from Boston Children’s Hospital as the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Emergency Medicine and the Physician Organization President. She and her husband Michael moved to the Richmond Virginia area to be close to their oldest son’s family and to enjoy the milder weather. She recently connected with Marian Marra-Morecock ’74 and Kim Felopulos ’74 in Richmond.
“All my heart on my front porch, fall 2023.” – (Mary) Lee Roversi ’67
(Front row, left to right) Deri Lutz ’74 , Siobhan Campbell Jordan ’75, Carrie Mathers-Kurland ’74 & husband, Marnie Reynolds ’74 , Maura Sheehan Davis ’74, Robin Schelzi Miller ’75, Melissa Smith Jacobson ’75 . (Back row, left to right) Karen O’Hearn Visinski ’73, Margaret McCullough ’73, Kenna Mahoney Shue ’73, Karen Quinn Regan ’74, Denise Murphy Sauter ’73, Sue Kelley Myers ’75, Meg Fahy Galligan ’74
Marnie Reynolds ’74 writes: “Happy to be back in Boston after four decades living and working in NYC and Connecticut and thrilled to welcome my first grandchild, Louise Marion O’Connor, daughter of Isabel Ruane O’Connor and Luke O’Connor, born March 14, 2024. Living in Brookline and loving urban life again. Staying busy in retirement with the Ignatian Volunteer Corps and a part-time job at Brimmer & May School and, of course, spending lots of time with the O’Connor trio who live nearby.”
Debbie Boole Smelko ’74 is still working full-time at TRG, a marketing and branding agency in Dallas. Her son TJ is a LEADer for To Be Like Me, a program that teaches empathy to school age children. Her son Peter, his wife, and two children live close by which brings Debbie so much joy, and daughter Katie has her own counseling practice. Debbie looks forward to hosting another virtual call in the near future.
Class of 1975
Join us for your 50th reunion in May!
Melissa Smith Jacobson ’75 writes: “Hi everyone from the Class of 1975. I’m looking forward to our 50th reunion next year. I hope all of you can join me. We have lost quite a few women from our class, all the more reason to celebrate with those of us who are still here. Here’s to next May 2025!!”
Class of 1980
Join us for your 45th reunion in May!
Class of 1982
Nadine Nelson Chmura ’82 writes: “My husband and I both took an early retirement, and we enjoy our free time. It’s hard to believe I will turn 60 this year! I hope everyone is well.”
Class of 1985
Join us for your 40th reunion in May!
Class of 1990
Join us for your 35th reunion in May!
Candice Mcdonough ’90 writes: “In July 2024 I took the job being Head of Publicity and Communications for DC Studios. I am currently working on Superman the movie. My daughter, Brynne, has been acting and was most recently featured in Holiday in the Vineyards on Netflix.”
Class of 1993
Monica Merino Garrido ’93 was recruited to establish and run the marketing function of Consumer Edge, a high growth B2B consumer transaction data company in the alternative data space.
Class of 1994
Blythe Pikosky Kaufman ’94 has released a new book, A Soul Prepared through Suffering. The book explores the topic of suffering and how suffering in many ways is a gift from Our Lord. The author, Dr. Blythe Kaufman, at the age of 30 was diagnosed with a genetic condition that ultimately would remove her from endodontics after only one year of clinical practice. Although she experienced disability and a failing body at an early age, the journey showed that when suffering was given in healthy
measure, good things resulted. Blythe is the founder of the Children’s Rosary® prayer group movement (childrensrosary.org) with groups having been started in over 44 countries worldwide. She has been a frequent guest on EWTN and has authored two prior books that have been translated into multiple languages. Bishop Oliver Doeme calls her new book a “must-read.” Check out her books at childrensrosaryretreat.com.
Class of 1995
Join us for your 30th reunion in May!
Class of 2000
Join us for your 25th reunion in May!
“A Soul Prepared through Suffering” by Dr. Blythe Kaufman ’94
Class of 1975
The
Class of 2003
Amanda Russo ’03 lives in DC and is the Director of Communications for the Crypto Council, an industry trade group working on regulation. She also opened i29 Global, a Strategic Communications agency helping high profile companies, start-ups, and women-founded businesses across tech, healthcare, and energy sectors get their messages out. She is honored to be the godmother of Oonaugh and Rheid — children of classmate and good friend Elaine Coates ’03 .
Class of 2004
Amanda Delaney Coronado ’04 writes: “Married to my husband Sergio in November 2022 at the Hemingway House in Key West, Florida, it was an honor to have my NCDS sisters by my side. Kathleen O’Brien ’04 was a bridesmaid, and Audrey Dolberg ’04 made the trip from Geneva to be there! Sergio and I welcomed our daughter Sophia on October 16, 2023.”
Mackenzie Colgan Reinoso ’04 and her husband Michael welcomed a son, Theo James, on October 6, 2023. Their daughter Stella Rose will turn three in June and takes her role as big sister very seriously, making sure her little brother never has too much personal space. They live in the Hudson Valley, NY. Kenzie continues to work in the field of impact investing for a private equity firm called Renewable Resources Group, investing in sustainable water infrastructure, agriculture, and renewable energy.
Natasha Walwyn Robinson ’04 was named In-House Legal Counsel of the Year by the Southeastern Legal Awards in June 2024.
Class of 2005
Join us for your 20th reunion in May!
Jane Mostue ’05 writes: “I am still working as Director of Academic Advising & Student Success at a small university in Louisville, KY. We just had commencement and are starting to welcome our new group of incoming first years — it’s an exciting time for us! My husband and I adopted a senior dog in 2019 who is still with us, his estimated age is 15 and therefore we spoil him completely.”
Class of 2006
Kira Henderson ’06 has been a fulltime “digital nomad” since fall 2022 and is currently traveling around the country, working remotely, and exploring her new hobby of wildlife and travel photography. Kira would love to see classmates around the country, email her at kira.henderson@gmail.com or message her on IG @kira.out.there to meet up!
Lindsay Ventura ’06 writes: “On May 1, 2014, my mom received a life-saving liver transplant from Massachusetts General Hospital. I am thrilled to have started as Clinical Research Program Manager for the Abdominal Transplant Surgery team at MGH in October of 2023. This year, May 1, 2024, marked 10 wonderful, healthy years for my mom and found me working side-by-side with her surgeon.”
Stella Rose and Theo James, children of Mackenzie Colgan Reinoso ’04
(left to right) Meghan Dunham ’07, Emily Moncton ’07, Madeleine Drouin ’07, Mary Kate Powers ’07, Olivia Green ’07, Claudia Fehling ’05, Erin Linnoila ’07, Megan Kramer ’07, Beth Fischer ’07
Class of 2007
Olivia Green ’07 married Andrew Weymouth on September 22 in Camden, Maine, where they lived for several months during the pandemic. Her sister Claudia Fehling ’05 was the matron of honor, and many of Olivia’s Sacred Heart sisters from the Class of 2007 celebrated with them. Olivia joined the commercial strategy team at Vertex earlier in 2023 — an eventful year! — and has been focused on launching a gene therapy for people with sickle cell disease. She and her husband Andrew recently moved to Cohasset with their two dogs.
Grace (Dubuque) Kortlander ’07 and her husband, Matt, welcomed their first child, William Matthew Kortlander, on July 2, 2024.
Class of 2008
Jill Carlson Gunter ’08 and her husband Tom are thrilled to have welcomed baby Beatrix in January.
Sarah (Torrence) Shapleigh ’08 and her husband, Michael, welcomed their daughter, Tinsley Kate Shapleigh, on June 13, 2024. She joins two older brothers, Luke (5) and Parker (2.5).
Class of 2010
Join us for your 15th reunion in May!
Anna Nilles ’10 married Sam Wizon on March 12, 2024 in Boston. Anna and Sam met at BC Law, right next door to NCDS. They live in Charlestown.
Class of 2011
Vicky Travia Bucci ’11 writes: “We expanded our family this year and welcomed a baby boy, Cameron Bucci, in August! He has filled our life with so much joy.”
Kasthuri Sivalogan ’11 and Senthuran were married on June 8, 2024 at Danversport. In attendance were Erica (Jobse) Figueroa (attended NCDS in middle school), Minica Long ’11, Melia Snodgrass ’11, Sofia Carrera ’11, Luxshmi Sivalogan ’13, Sophie Afdhal ’13,
Stephanie Breen ’13, Elizabeth Buchanan ’11, Caroline Corbett ’11, and Bridget Kostigen ’11
Melia Snodgrass ’11 married her wife Pana Korini in November 2023 in Amsterdam.
Class of 2012
Micaela Kelly ’12 writes: “Celebrating Katie Neuberger ’12 graduating from BC Nursing school, officially becoming a DNP, FNP-BC, MSN, RN.”
Alana MacKay (née Keane) ’12 welcomed son Declan MacKay in February 2024.
Class of 2013
Katie Bradley (née Schneeberger) ’13 and her husband Ryan Bradley welcomed their first child, John Gerard Bradley “Jack” on May 27, 2024.
Meredith Sullivan ’13 married Jake Pirri on December 16, 2023 at Providence College in Rhode Island.
(left to right) Mike Nilles P ’10 ’11 ’14, Caitlin Nilles ’11 , Anna Nilles ’10 , Sam Wizon, Kathleen Nilles P ’10 ’11 ’14, Megan Nilles ’14, and John Nilles
NCDS alumnae at the wedding of Kasthuri Sivalogan ’11
Tinsley Kate Shapleigh, daughter of Sarah (Torrence) Shapleigh ’08
Jill Carlson Gunter ’08 with baby Beatrix
Class of 2014
Christina Fitzgerald ’14 was awarded as one of the recipients of the International Association of Venue Managers 30|Under|30 Class of 2024. Jessica Smith Reynolds ’14 celebrated her wedding with many classmates on October 21, 2023.
Class of 2015
Join us for your 10th reunion in May!
Class of 2016
Congratulations to Daisy MazzioManson ’16, who represented the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in rowing. Competing in the Women’s Four as the stroke seat (seat three), her boat finished fourth in the first heat of the qualifying rounds with a time of 6:49.66. The boat then won the repechage with a time of 6:32.48,
advancing to the final round, where they placed fifth with a time of 6:34.88.
Class of 2020
Join us for your 5th reunion in May!
In Memoriam
Marjorie Bennett ’48
Addie O’Keefe McMurrer ’51
Janet Phillips Connelly ’55
Karen Avakian ’63
Andrea Quigley Griffiths ’64
Charlotte Moore Leavitt ’68
Ruth Martin ’70
Ann Sullivan McManus ’55
Ann Saunders Quinn ’99
Shirley Deloach Ragster ’77
Mary McGrath Rauscher ’69
Maura O’Neil Stimpson ’53
Carroll Donahue Swan ’61
Sally Weinrich ’68
Colleen (Smith) Mateo ’08, Margaret Fee ’14, Jamie (Smith) O’Brien ’11, Megan Nilles ’14, Grace Fotiades ’14, Gianna Famolare ’14, Tim Smith P ’08 ’11 ’14, Cleo Greenwood ’14, Sarah Jackson ’14, Alexa Mackintire ’14, Caitlin Stadtler ’14, Kelly Rafferty ’14, Jessie (Smith) Reynolds, Mary Katherine Tuomey ’14, Niki Bramley ’14
Melia Snodgrass ’11 and wife Pana Korini
Meredith Sullivan ’13 and husband Jake Pirri
Katie Neuberger ’12 celebrating with Micaela Kelly ’12 and friends
Christina Fitzgerald ’14
John Gerard Bradley “Jack”, son of Katie Bradley ’13
Annual Report
Scan the QR code to view the 2023–24 Annual Donor Report
Brian Cordeiro is the Head of Saint Philomena School of the Sacred Heart, the newest school to join the Network in 2021. Brian received his undergraduate degree in Elementary and Arts Education from Muhlenberg College and an M.A. in Catholic School Leadership from Boston College. Upon graduation, the Diocese of Providence recruited Brian to serve as the founding principal of Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School. In 2015 Brian began his tenure as Head of Saint Philomena School, where he led the process of securing the school’s 26 acre campus, doubled the school’s endowment, and transitioned to sponsorship through the Religious of the Sacred Heart. Brian has served as a commissioner on the Independent School Board of the New England Association of School and Colleges (NEASC) for over seven years and currently serves as President of the Independent Schools Association of Rhode Island.
Jessica Hooper P ’28
Jessica is the new Head of Newton Country Day School. She has held a multitude of roles within schools, from classroom teaching to program development, enrollment management, and advancement. Before arriving at Newton Country Day, Jessica served as President of Nativity Prep in San Diego, an independent, all-scholarship Catholic middle school and college prep program. She is a University of San Diego alumna and holds a Master’s in Educational Administration. Jessica and her family, including Clare ’28, moved to Newton in the summer of 2024.
Kathleen Hughes, RSCJ, Ph.D., Newton College ’63
Sister Kathleen Hughes is a sacramental theologian, teacher, speaker and writer. She entered the Society of the Sacred Heart after graduating from Newton College of the Sacred Heart, and professed her final vows in 1970. She served in various teaching and administrative positions at Stone Ridge, Washington D.C. and Newton Country Day from 1968 to 1974. Sister Hughes was the first woman to receive a doctorate in Liturgical Studies from the University of Notre Dame in 1981. She served as a Professor of Word and Worship at the Catholic Theological Union at Chicago for 19 years (1980–1999). Appointed Provincial Superior of the United States Province of the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1999, she served two terms until 2005. Sister Hughes has written nine books, served on ten editorial boards, and published several hundred articles and reviews.
Jay Mitchell P ’27 ’30
Jay is a Partner with Audax Private Equity, where he leads investments in the consumer, industrial and business services sectors. Previously, he worked in investment banking at JP Morgan. Jay is a graduate of Roxbury Latin and Princeton University (A.B. Classics). Jay also serves on the Board of Trustees at The Roxbury Latin School. He has been involved as a youth coach in hockey, baseball and softball. Jay and his wife Colleen live in Westwood with their son and four daughters, including Kylie ’27 and Charlotte ’30.
2023–24 SENIOR FAMILY FUND
CO-CHAIRS
Tom Guden P ’24 ’26
Gina Powers P ’24
MEMBERS
Jorge Adarme P ’24, ’28
Laura Montiel P ’24 ’28
Sandi Capplis P ’20 ’24
Kelvin Coleman P ’24
Catrice Coleman P ’24
Timothy Gavin P ’24 ’26
Cara Gavin P ’24 ’26
Liz Grimes P ’24
Jenn Nassour P ’22 ’24 ’30
Mike MacDougall P ’24 ’29
Amy MacDougall P ’24 ’29
PJ White P ’24
Grace White P ’24
“The generous support of the Senior Family Fund by the families of the Class of 2024 demonstrates our gratitude for the transformative experience that our daughters have received during their time at Newton Country Day. This capstone gift from the families of the Class of 2024 will provide the necessary tools and experiences for place-based learning, strengthening their connection to the world around them. Moreover, our support serves as a thank you to the faculty and staff for the care and attention they have given to our daughters.
Thank you to the families of the Class of 2024 for helping to ensure that Newton Country Day continues to thrive for future generations of students.”
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THANK YOU TO ALUMNAE AND PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Thank you to all of the alumnae, parents, caregivers, past parents and caregivers, and Admission
Ambassadors for your dedication, talent, and time in volunteering throughout the year! Your participation helps make Newton Country Day School a thriving educational institution for our girls.
“Through the generosity of Newton Country Day parents and caregivers, we convene to build relationships and serve the greater good of our community.”
– Mary Moriarty P ’25, Parents’ Association President
Tom Guden P ’24 ’26 and Gina Powers P ’24
Photo: The Powers (left) and Guden (right) families.
Sacred Heart Endowment Challenge Match Goal Met
Through the generosity and vision of a Newton Country Day School family, a new endowment was created in the Spring of 2023 to honor the legacy and leadership of Sister Barbara Rogers. The Sacred Heart Endowment supports, in perpetuity, tuition assistance for generations of young women who seek a Sacred Heart education. Each year, a percentage of the Endowment’s investment income will be used to fund tuition for Sacred Heart Scholars, furthering the School’s commitment to Goal IV — the building of community as a Christian value.
The endowment was established with an initial gift of $1.5M and a challenge for our community: to match this gift and raise an additional $1.5M by Sister Rogers’ birthday, May 30, 2024. The Newton Country Day community, including alumnae, parents, parents of alumnae, family, and friends came together to collectively achieve this challenge match goal, and the original donors generously contributed an additional $1.5M, bringing the full impact of the Sacred Heart Endowment to $4.7M in support of tuition assistance. This is the largest endowment fund at Newton Country Day and will make possible a Sacred Heart education to promising, talented, curious, and courageous young women and their families for generations far into the future.
Thank you to all in our community who doubled their financial impact this year by generously supporting the Sacred Heart Endowment!
“Your example, even more than your words, will be an eloquent lesson to the world.”
– St. Madeleine Sophie Barat
The 50th Anniversary Très Bien Auction
This year’s Très Bien Auction certainly succeeded in “Hitting It Out of the Park,” returning to Fenway Park to mark the 50th anniversary of Newton Country Day’s annual Auction. The festive fête exceeded the fundraising goal with gross proceeds of more than $460,000. A special thanks is extended to it’s illustrious Auction committee: Chairs Christina Knopp P ’24, Katy Wallace P ’27, and Kristen Weber P ’28 along with Co-Chairs Marie Carroll P ’27 and Diane Cavallo P ’28 ’23. With countless hours of work alongside dedicated volunteers, their enthusiasm, energy, and commitment created an amazing evening for our community.
Parents and caregivers, alumnae, and friends of Newton Country Day filled the room to browse the wide array of silent auction items, view local artwork, and participate in games and raffles. Students from the Class of 2024 popped balloons to reveal incredible prizes for the lucky winners.
The live auction, featuring emcees Kevin Lemanowicz and Butch Stearns from Fox 25 Boston, created friendly
competition for many sought after items: a trip to Tuscany, a stay in Nantucket, tickets for the US Open Tennis Championship, concerts, and more.
The highlight of the evening was “raising the paddle” for the Fund-a-Need. Last year, the 2023 Très Bien Auction raised $128,000 towards the construction of an Innovation and Design Studio and updated art space at Newton Country Day, and this year’s Fund-a-Need raised the remaining $150,000 necessary to break ground this summer. This space will enhance the school’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) program by allowing our students to engage in hands-on learning experiences and express their creativity and imagination. (See pg. 11)
The Auction’s tremendous success was due to the unwavering generosity of Newton Country Day’s families, alumnae, and friends. Our faculty, staff, and students offer sincere thanks to our school community for your continued support.
From the Archives
Newton Country Day School
Do you know any students who might be a great fit for Newton Country Day?
We value recommendations from our alumnae and current families who have experienced what Newton Country Day has to offer. The Admission Office is eager to welcome prospective students throughout the 2024–25 admission season.
Please share your recommendations with us directly by emailing admissions@newtonSH.org or send prospective families to the admission section on our website newtoncountryday.org/admission. We look forward to meeting future members of the Newton Country Day community!
Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart
785 Centre Street
Newton, MA 02458
Stay Connected to Newton Country Day!
Follow our social media accounts to see what it’s like to be a student at Newton Country Day today. View photos, watch videos, read news stories, and more. /NewtonCountryDay @newtoncountryday @newtoncountryday1880 /school/newtoncountryday
