Dear Friends,
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
—Eleanor Roosevelt
The School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) may not have dreamt what Notre Dame Preparatory School would look like 150 years after the doors of Notre Dame of Maryland first opened on Charles Street in Baltimore in 1873, but no doubt they would agree it is indeed beautiful! Last year, with your help, we commemorated that day when the vision of the SSND was realized, and today, we continue to celebrate that the school’s mission endures all these years later.
That mission, preparing girls to become women who transform the world through academic excellence, deep spirituality, and the practice of justice, is very much alive today and can be seen in countless ways in our students and alumnae.
This report details how NDP is Living the Mission (this year’s theme) and how your loyalty and generosity through time, talent, and treasure make that possible. In a special way, your support of the 150th Anniversary Gift Initiative helped the school to make continued investments in those individuals who work to keep our school’s mission alive—the faculty and staff—and our students, who benefit from their dedication.
Thank you for your past and continued support. You help make dreams a reality for all those individuals whose lives are touched in some way by those who live out our school mission and enliven the charism of unity at the core of SSND. You are a gift to Notre Dame Preparatory School!
In Notre Dame,
Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D. Head of School
Dear NDP Families and Friends,
I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying these days leading up to the Christmas season. I am deeply honored to connect with you and express our heartfelt gratitude for your incredible support.
Thanks to the support of the Notre Dame Preparatory School community, we raised a record-breaking $3,754,389 in overall giving by the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2024. That impressive total includes more than $700,000 for The Fund for Notre Dame Prep, which provides essential support to NDP’s operating budget. The year was such a success in large part because the 150th Anniversary Gift Initiative resonated so profoundly with donors. Through contributions to the Faculty and Staff Benefits Fund and the newly established Rollins-Luetkemeyer Scholars Program, the 150th Anniversary Gift Initiative was an investment in the heart of NDP—its people, most especially, our amazing students and the dedicated and talented faculty and staff who work with them each day.
Every day, your support is made evident in the achievements and growth of our students. As we look to the future, we eagerly anticipate the opportunities that lie ahead. Your continued support is crucial in helping Notre Dame Prep to build on past progress and further the school’s mission of transformational education for young women.
Thank you once again for your unwavering commitment to Notre Dame Preparatory School. You make it possible to educate girls who transform the world. If you would like to learn more about our programs or to visit our campus, please do not hesitate to reach out. We would be delighted to welcome you and share more about the ongoing impact of your support.
With deepest gratitude,
Lindsay Dorrance Director of Advancement
LEADERSHIP SOCIETY
Foundress Society: $25,000+
Head of School Circle: $10,000–$24,999
Onyx & Gold Society: $5,000–$9,999
1873 Circle: $1,873–$4,999
Gateway Society: $1,500–$1,872
Levels listed above effective through June 30, 2024. Visit notredameprep.com/giving for new giving levels as of July 1, 2024.
YOUNG ALUMNAE LEADERSHIP SOCIETY
Classes of 2014–2023: $250
Classes of 2004–2013: $500
Levels listed above effective through June 30, 2024. Visit notredameprep.com/giving for new giving levels as of July 1, 2024.
$1,247,892
Where a Gateway Opens… Celebrating 150 Years of NDP
Notre Dame Preparatory School has a rich history of providing transformative education to young women for 150 years. As part of the 150th Anniversary, the school honored its legacy and ensured the future of the school by investing in the heart of NDP—our faculty, staff, and students. This investment took shape in the specially launched 150th Anniversary Gift Initiative, which aimed to raise $1.5 million beyond The Fund for Notre Dame Prep for faculty and staff salaries, stipends, and benefits; and for scholarship through the new Rollins-Luetkemeyer Scholars Program. This one-year effort resonated with the NDP community and proved hugely successful, exceeding the goal by raising $2.8 million.
Faculty & Staff Benefits
To continue to attract and retain exemplary faculty and staff, NDP is committed to providing them with competitive and just compensation and benefits. By doing so, NDP can continue to ensure the academic excellence of the school and to build a culture rooted in fairness, collaboration, and rigor. The Faculty & Staff Benefits Fund, an endowed fund that has existed for nearly five years, enhances healthcare coverage, retirement plans, and other benefits that contribute to the overall satisfaction and quality of life of NDP employees. Donors to this fund stressed their commitment to recognizing and valuing the efforts of NDP’s educators, ensuring they feel supported and justly compensated for their transformative work. Because the endowed fund was already in existence, NDP was able to draw on the endowment, and faculty and staff felt
the effects of the successful gift effort almost immediately. In July of 2024, faculty and staff received an extra 1% increase in their salary in addition to the standard increase, which will continue to compound year-to-year. The spinoff from the endowment will supplement the annual operating expenses for faculty and staff compensation, which is the single biggest expense that NDP maintains annually.
Rollins-Luetkemeyer Scholars Program
The Rollins-Luetkemeyer Foundation, a Baltimore-based foundation with a history of supporting independent schools and other charitable causes, approached NDP with an ambitious challenge: If the school could raise $500,000 for middle-income scholarships by February 14, 2024, the Foundation would match it with a $250,000 gift. Foundation President John “Jack” Luetkemeyer and Foundation Director Robert Black explained, “The Rollins-Luetkemeyer Foundation believes children of middleincome families should have access to a quality education. The foundation is committed to providing scholarships to students of middle-income families because they typically are not eligible for financial aid and they don’t have the resources to pay full tuition. This ‘affordability gap’ precludes hard-working families from having access to great schools, which can be life-altering opportunities for their children.” Notre Dame Prep secured the match by reaching its $500,000 fundraising goal, inspiring the Rollins-Luetkemeyer Foundation to renew the challenge on an annual basis.
Notre Dame Preparatory School is deeply grateful to all those individuals who chose to honor the school’s legacy during its 150th Anniversary celebration. While the anniversary year has concluded, opportunities to support the Faculty & Staff Benefits Fund or the Rollins-Luetkemeyer Program continue; for information, contact Lindsay Dorrance, Director of Advancement, at DorranceL@notredameprep.com or 443-921-2853.
Supporting the 150th Anniversary Initiative
DONOR SPOTLIGHT:
LAURA ROBINSON SCHERTLE ’02
When Laura Robinson Schertle ’02 reflects on her time at Notre Dame Preparatory School, it’s clear that the True Blue connection runs deep. As an alumna, Laura is part of a family legacy at NDP, following in the footsteps of her mother, Martha Queral Robinson ’74, and her aunts, Carmen A. Queral ’69 and Ana Queral Lusting ’78. She also attended NDP at the same time as her sister-inlaw, Bridgette Schertle Acchione ’03, and her niece, Lillian Acchione ’31, is now a student.
Laura has carved out a meaningful career as an emergency room nurse at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital. Yet, no matter how
demanding her professional life may be, she has consistently made time to give back to NDP, where her own journey began. Laura and her husband, Brad, have an unwavering philanthropic commitment to the school. They have supported both The Fund for Notre Dame Prep and major initiatives like the Limitless Campaign at the Leadership level.
“I grew up only wanting to go to NDP,” said Laura while recalling her steadfast dedication to her alma mater even as a young girl. Now, it’s her daughter, Reagan, a current fifth grader at Immaculate Conception School (ICS), who is eagerly awaiting her NDP journey. “My mom used to ask if I wanted to apply to other schools, but I never felt the need, and now Reagan feels the same way.”
For Laura, NDP represents more than just an educational institution. It’s a place that feels like home, a sentiment she carries with her more than two decades after graduation. “Students may be learning the same textbook material that is being taught at other schools in the area, but what sets NDP apart are the faculty and staff who drive the community and the culture. Every time you walk through those doors, you feel like you’re going home.”
Laura’s passion for NDP’s faculty and staff was a driving force behind her decision to support the Faculty & Staff Benefits Fund through the special 150th Anniversary Gift Initiative last year. She knows firsthand the profound impact that educators can have on a student’s life, both inside and outside of the classroom. “I want to ensure that NDP can continue to attract and retain excellent teachers for future generations. It’s a known fact that private schools don’t pay as much as public schools in the Baltimore area, and I want to help close that gap at NDP.”
Some of those teachers who left a lasting impression on Laura include Mr. Brian Helme, her middle school math teacher, and Ms. Sandy Horak, her eighth grade English teacher. “Mr. Helme took the time to make me realize I was good at math, and that discovery shaped my career path,” said Laura, who attained her business degree first before going back to nursing school.
“I don’t think I would have been able to go down this path if it hadn’t been for him.” Recitations at the beginning of Ms. Horak’s class seemed superfluous to Laura at the time, but they provided a huge advantage in college. “I felt more prepared than many of my peers at the start of college, not only with understanding the material, but how to learn and how to articulate my thoughts.”
As Laura looks forward to her daughter’s possible future at NDP, she is thrilled by the school’s continued innovation. During a visit to Open House last fall, she was struck by the advancements in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education and handson learning experiences. “I am grateful for the opportunities I had when I was there, but it has just come so far since then. I can’t wait for my daughter to explore so many of these new opportunities.”
Her hope for the Faculty & Staff Benefits Fund is that it continues to support the teachers who make NDP such a special place. “The teachers at NDP go above and beyond, and I want to make sure they continue to have the resources and support they need.” To fellow alumnae considering giving back, Laura offers simple advice: “Think back to those teachers who made a direct impact on your life both
during that short time you were at NDP, but also down the road 10 or 20 years later, and consider how your gift could help young girls experience those same opportunities with exemplary teachers there to guide them and lead them to success in the future.”
“The teachers at NDP go above and beyond, and I want to make sure they continue to have the resources and support they need.”
The Faculty & Staff Benefits Fund aims to support the well-being and long-term security of NDP’s dedicated faculty, staff, and coaches. This fund allocates resources to enhance healthcare coverage, retirement plans, and other benefits that contribute to the overall satisfaction and quality of life of NDP employees. By donating to this endowment, donors demonstrate their commitment to recognizing and valuing the efforts of NDP’s educators, ensuring they feel supported and justly compensated for their transformative work.
The philanthropic activities I was able to engage in throughout my time at NDP have allowed me to graduate with confidence that I can positively impact the community around me with strength and grace. I feel prepared to enter the world knowing that the opportunities NDP has provided for me, specifically in service, have opened my eyes to realities previously hidden.
Through the connections I made participating in the Refugee Youth Project, Umoja, Friends in Faith, and Sisters Academy Camp, I know I have grown as a person and feel inspired to begin the next chapter of my life, never forgetting what I have learned at NDP.”
—Jill Noss ’24
Like most independent schools, Notre Dame
Preparatory School depends on the philanthropy of our community to provide critical funding for school operations. The Fund for Notre Dame Prep lends support to every aspect of what makes the NDP experience unique. For 150 years and counting, Notre Dame Prep has remained at the forefront of Catholic girls’ schools and offers a modern 21st-century learning experience coupled with a rich history steeped in tradition and rooted in faith. Philanthropy plays a significant role in the strength of our institution, and we rely on all community members to help fund the work of our mission, educating and empowering young women who will graduate ready to transform the world. We are grateful to those who partner with us and support our incredible students, faculty, and staff, all of whom are directly impacted by your gift.
Building a Legacy After Loss
When Anna Brashears ’12 was awarded the Anne Lindsay Otenasek Memorial Scholarship as a Notre Dame Preparatory School freshman in 2008, her family could not foresee the day when their daughter’s own name would be tied to a memorial scholarship.
Thanks to their commitment and desire to continue Anna’s legacy, Terry and Doug Brashears recently hit their personal fundraising goal to endow the Anna Kathleen Denise Brashears ’12 Memorial Scholarship, which honors their daughter who died of a rare brain cancer on her 26th birthday in 2020. Though Anna is no longer with them, Terry and Doug describe this one-time “angel on earth” as their “angel in heaven.”
“The woman that she became is a true testament to her time at NDP,” said Terry, who added that Anna was always committed to service and wanted to make a difference in the world.
Anna loved her time at NDP and found connection in the school’s arts program. Vocally trained through the Children’s Chorus of Maryland, Anna honed her craft at Notre Dame taking AP Music Theory, singing in the choirs, playing the flute in the concert band, starring in musicals (most notably as Liesel in “The Sound of Music”), and cochairing her class’s Gym Meet Song Committee. She formed a core group of friends, and today her parents consider Brogan, Lonna, Steph, and Julia as extended family, like their own daughters.
The Brashears no longer live in Anna’s childhood home and say they now feel closest to their daughter at her “second home,” NDP. They look forward to the day when the first Brashears scholar is announced, so they may witness Anna’s legacy unfold through the dreams of another NDP student.
Steady fundraising, including grassroots efforts with friends and family over the past four years, brought Anna’s scholarship to fruition. Now that they have raised enough to endow it, they hope to continue to grow it over time. A first public push at the NDP Blazer Dash in September 2024 found the family inspiring friends, family members,
and Anna’s classmates to participate in her honor at this memorial event.
The Brashears saw the value of their daughter’s education, one they shared that would not have been possible all those years ago had it not been for Anna’s scholarship award. As an Institute of Notre Dame alum, Terry embraces the impact that a Catholic, all-girls education can have: “So many things can pull our youth away from their faith. To go to a place that allows
them to focus on their education and grow spiritually, and then continue to make an impact on the world—NDP has done that with its graduates.”
“The woman that she became is a true testament to her time at NDP.”
Though Anna’s dream of transforming the world as a social worker was cut short, she is still changing lives and transforming someone’s world, through this scholarship. “An investment in our children is an investment in the world,” said Doug. “This scholarship is a small part of [fulfilling Anna’s dreams].”
Full STEAM Ahead LIMITLESS: 5 YEARS AND COUNTING!
September 2024 marked five years since the public launch of Limitless: Redefining Possibilities, Unleashing Potential, NDP’s largest and most successful capital campaign to date. Spearheaded by campaign co-chairs, Lilly Mihm Hunter ’90 and Scott Wilfong, Limitless funded the construction of the Jane Kroh Satterfield Innovation Wing, raised funds for existing scholarships, and launched 20 new endowments to support student scholarships.
We are eternally grateful to the many generous donors who played a part in the success of this campaign. Limitless set the stage for the growth of our STEAM program, giving it not only a physical home on campus but also the tools and technology students need to explore these fields. We have great hope for the future of women in STEAM and know our students will be trailblazers in this historically male-dominated field.
What does it mean to you to see students walking the halls and learning in the classrooms of the Jane Kroh Satterfield Innovation Wing? Seeing NDP students in the Innovation Wing makes my heart soar. I know my mother would have been elated to see the girls not only attending classes but also eager to learn and experiment.
Your mom was such a trailblazer. How do you see her legacy in action here at NDP? My mother was an innovator and pioneer. She never let anyone tell her “no.” She was passionate about women’s ability to participate in all aspects of the business world. The Innovation Wing was a dream come true for her. It was another step toward leveling the playing field in STEAM careers. Giving young women opportunities to experiment, learn, and build confidence in a safe environment was something she always wanted.
What is your hope for future NDP students and specifically students interested in STEAM? My hope is that through the efforts of the women who blazed trails before them, today’s girls interested in STEAM careers will be able to attain their career goals. I hope that anyone interested in STEAM can see that all paths are open for them, regardless of their gender.
Anything else you want to share? I know that every time a student uses the Anatomage Table to learn about human anatomy, designs a new building, or creates a visual arts masterpiece, Mom is smiling. All she ever wanted was to help others succeed and learn.
Q&A WITH CAREY SATTERFIELD FANZONE ’90 (DAUGHTER OF THE LATE JANE KROH SATTERFIELD ’60)
STEAM Pathways
Students may elect to pursue a General STEAM Certificate through coursework and extracurricular activities. Students who pursue a STEAM Certificate have the unique opportunity to choose a course pathway that best meets their career interests.
General STEAM • Architecture & Design Medicine • Computer Science Engineering & Manufacturing
236 STEAM Certificates have been awarded since 2020.
Advancement Events
Notre Dame Prep’s 150th Anniversary Year was full of celebration, including September’s Blazer Dash Scholarship Run, which raises funds annually to support endowed memorial scholarships. In February, alumnae and friends filled the NDP dining room for the Galentine’s Day Alumnae Bingo to raise funds for the Alumnae Association Scholarship Fund, which supports legacy students. More than 380 parents, alumnae, and friends gathered for the Anniversary Gala in May, the proceeds from which supported the Faculty & Staff Benefits Fund as part of the 150th Anniversary Initiative. We are so grateful for the support of our generous sponsors and our engaged community which allows the events to succeed and grow each year.
Feb. 1, 2025
The Gateway Society
Everyone benefits from a gift anyone can make.
Did you know you can support Notre Dame Preparatory School in several simple and smart ways without reducing your income or diminishing your savings? With thoughtful planning, you can make a lasting impact on NDP while also benefiting yourself and your family.
By naming NDP in your long-term plans:
• You can make a gift that costs you nothing during your lifetime.
• You can make a gift that preserves your savings and cash flow.
• You can make a much larger gift than you ever thought possible.
There are different types of planned gifts that can help you meet your financial goals while also supporting the NDP traditions and programs that mean the most to you. We hope you will consider joining The Gateway Society along with the many other NDP parents, alumnae, trustees, grandparents, past parents, and employees who have included NDP in their estate plans.
Interested in learning more about The Gateway Society and supporting NDP with a Planned Gift? Please contact Lindsay Dorrance, Director of Advancement, at 443-921-2853 or DorranceL@notredameprep.com.
Notre Dame Preparatory School extends its deepest appreciation to the members of The Gateway Society. If you have already made a gift to NDP through your estate but have not notified the School, please reach out so we can include you in this special group.
My time there was special and was the foundational experience for me finding success in my personal life and my career. If I can contribute even in a small way to giving another young woman the same experience— including my daughter—I’m in.”
—Nicole Lauer ’97, P’28
2023-2024 Board of Trustees
Sister Jane Forni SSND, Ed.D., Chairperson
Patrick Antkowiak
Karyn Danielczyk Bauer, CPA ’93
April Bell
William C. Benassi
James Brennan
Margo Bryant
Mark Buedel
Sister Jane Cayer, SSND
Victoria B. Chou, M.S., Ph.D. ’92
Michael Constantine
Matthew C. Franke
Mary Glagola
Allison Nicolaidis ’94
Lisa W. Petit, M.D. ’98
John W. Schiech
Jennifer Brune Speargas ’92
Richard J. Stromberg
J. Scott Wilfong
Kathleen Willis
Kathy Stanley Wilmot ’77
Sister Mary Fitzgerald, SSND, SSND Liaison
Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D., Ex Officio
For a complete list of donors and supporters, visit notredameprep.com/ giving/donor-impact or scan the code.
