A Letter from the Head of School
Dear Friends of Notre Dame Preparatory School,
It is my pleasure to greet you in this very special 150th Anniversary issue of Roots & Wings. The publication features photos and stories about the many exciting and memorable celebrations and events that enabled the entire Notre Dame Preparatory School community to mark this important milestone.
We are grateful for those members of the NDP community who have helped us celebrate the school’s long and rich history, while also supporting our efforts to ensure that Notre Dame’s strength and excellence live on for today's students and for future Blazers. Your participation and support have been the best part of this year—seeing so many friends old and new, spending time together, and sharing stories about what it was like at Notre Dame through the decades.
I’ve been blessed to have spent two decades here on Hampton Lane and witnessed the love for NDP in the hearts of the members of our school community. As a School Sister of Notre Dame, I am most grateful to see the educational vision of Blessed Mother Theresa of Jesus, SSND Foundress, and the order’s charism of unity still flourishing after 150 years. Notre Dame Prep is replete with timeless traditions that connect today’s students to those who came before them, an education that endures and carries our graduates on to the life that awaits them beyond the Gateway, and a community—past and present—that makes the world a better place.
I am grateful for God’s faithfulness and the many blessings that have graced NDP over this past century and a half! Notre Dame Prep is stronger than ever. This reality is a testament to you and the thousands who have called Notre Dame home since 1873. Your support of our students, commitment to excellence, and belief in NDP’s faith-filled mission have made our school not only an outstanding academic institution, but also a second home to generations of students, educators, alumnae, families, and friends.
Thank you for being such a valued member of the Notre Dame Preparatory School community, for your unwavering generosity, your loyalty to our school, and your presence during this very special year. I hope you enjoy reliving it in the pages that follow and that you will continue to keep NDP in your prayers, just as we keep you in ours.
In Notre Dame,
Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D. Head of School
ROOTSWINGS
PUBLISHER
Notre Dame Preparatory School
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D.
EDITOR
Cami Colarossi, APR
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Lindsay Dorrance
George Matysek
Michael Nitti
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Dave Pugh Design
PHOTOGRAPHY
Harry Bosk
Gabie Christy ’18
Gloria Healy ’18
Howard Korn
Kristen Madairy Lowman ’02
Bill McAllen
Michael Nitti
Mia Walsh ’84
NDP Archives
MISSION STATEMENT
Where Girls Become Women Who Transform The World
Notre Dame Preparatory School educates and empowers girls to become women who transform the world.
As a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for girls in grades 6 through 12, Notre Dame Prep inspires students to pursue academic excellence, spiritual growth, and the practice of justice. Infused with the spirit of the School Sisters of Notre Dame and rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church, the NDP community strives to answer God’s call “…to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with God.”
COVER STORY:
WHERE A GATEWAY OPENS Celebrating 150 Years of NDP
Notre Dame Preparatory School’s year-long 150th Anniversary celebration was marked by community building, celebratory events, and activities commemorating a century and a half of educating and empowering girls to become women who transform the world. During this time, the NDP community joined together to give thanks for God’s faithful love and endless blessings, and to celebrate a tradition of excellence, spirituality, and service that has been a hallmark of Notre Dame throughout the years.
With each passing anniversary milestone, Notre Dame Prep seamlessly wove together its rich history, beloved traditions, and the innovation and mission focus that characterizes school life today. From captivating events to community projects and groundbreaking initiatives, the 150th anniversary year epitomized the timeless spirit of Notre Dame, a spirit rooted in faith, sustained by mission, and expressed in unity in God’s love.
August
Faculty & Staff Anniversary Kickoff Event at Oriole Park at Camden Yards
August 22, 2023
Before the start of the school year, members of our faculty and staff and their families attended a special anniversary year kickoff event at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. It was a fun evening filled with school spirit and Orioles magic! Heartfelt gratitude is extended to the Glose Family for their gracious sponsorship, which made this memorable occasion possible.
First Day of School
August 28, 2023
Amidst the buzz of the first day of school and with an aerial drone hovering above to capture the scene, the entire NDP community joined forces by gathering on Yeardley Love Field to form the numerals 1-5-0, marking the grand inauguration of our 150th anniversary year (see image on back cover). The Class of 2024 also received gold anniversary name tags to remember this special year.
September
150th
Anniversary Celebration Day
September 22, 2023
At the heart of the anniversary year stood the grand 150th Anniversary Celebration Day, a momentous occasion that commemorated the day Notre Dame of Maryland first welcomed students through its doors on September 22, 1873—150 years prior.
Prayer Service at Notre Dame of Maryland University
Prayer Service at Notre Dame of Maryland University
The school began the day as it does all things—in prayer. Representatives from all school constituencies as well as the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) AtlanticMidwest Provincial Council met at Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU), NDP’s original home, for a prayer service that incorporated faith, history, and song. The service concluded with the ceremonial lighting and procession of the Anniversary Candle via caravan from NDMU to NDP in Towson.
Ceremonial Caravan
Leading a caravan of two NDP Blazer buses along Charles Street was a vintage wood-paneled station wagon reminiscent of the vehicles that parents used to help move library books, desks, and chairs to Hampton Lane when the school relocated in 1960. Riding in the wagon were Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D., Head of School, and Sister Charmaine Krohe, SSND, AtlanticMidwest Provincial Leader. As the convoy reached Hampton Lane, the entire NDP community erupted with cheers, waving pom poms in excitement and greeting the caravan as it rode onto campus. The arrival attracted the attention of NDP neighbors and numerous media outlets who were present to capture the magic of the moment.
Official Anniversary Liturgy
After the caravan arrived on campus, the school community gathered in the Auditorium for the 150th Anniversary Opening Liturgy, over which The Most Reverend William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore, presided. The procession featured ceremonial SSNDcreated banners of Mother Theresa and Mother Caroline
created by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in St. Louis, as well as a handcrafted NDP banner. During a gratitude procession, white roses were presented to recognize the present and past members of the NDP community. The Communion meditation featured the premiere of “Follow the Star,” a choral and string piece based on the writings of Blessed Theresa of Jesus, which NDP alumna Leia Sofia Mendez ’19 composed for the Liturgy. Anniversary pins for all students, faculty, and staff were blessed.
Leadership Society Reception
Later that evening, distinguished members of the Leadership Society celebrated NDP’s 150th Anniversary at the annual fall Leadership Society Reception. Guests enjoyed student performances from the NDP orchestra, and members of the NDP dance company guided guests to the Community Celebration taking place outside.
Community Celebration
The entire NDP school community gathered for an evening of fellowship and fun. Food trucks, lawn games, live music, spirit activities, a silent disco, and a Friday Night Lights varsity soccer game were among the festivities enjoyed by those in attendance. Over 1,000 students, faculty, staff, alumnae, families, and friends united under the starlit sky, creating unforgettable memories and celebrating our shared spirit in true NDP style!
26th Annual Blazer Dash
September 24, 2023
The 150th Anniversary Weekend concluded on Sunday as hundreds of NDP faithful braved Tropical Storm Ophelia to take part in the 26th Annual Blazer Dash Scholarship 5K Run and One-Mile Walk, which raises funds for scholarships at NDP, most of which were created to honor alumnae we have lost. Congratulations to the winning racer #150 John Ford! This year’s event saw a record-breaking number of 1,500 registrants. In addition, for the first time, one class, the Class of 2024, had 100% participation.
Student Spirit Week
September 25–29, 2023
October
Foundation Day 2023
October 24, 2023
The 150th Anniversary of Notre Dame Preparatory School intersected with the 190th Anniversary of the establishment of the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Therefore, NDP's celebration of Foundation Day included several unique elements designed to honor these two milestones, including a special Roses Tribute and the creation of an SSND Legacy Wall honoring SSND educators at NDP. The school reaffirmed its steadfast dedication to honoring the enduring legacy of those who have shaped thousands of students and profoundly influenced the school’s rich history.
Notes to Sisters at Stella Maris
Middle Level students crafted thank-you cards for the School Sisters of Notre Dame currently residing at Stella Maris.
Roses Tribute
Four student leadership groups at Notre Dame Prep— Student Council, Athletic Association, Christian Community Awareness Program, and the Diversity Council—put their creative minds together to craft unique themes and activities for every day of NDP’s first-ever Student Spirit Week in honor of the 150th Anniversary. From engaging courtyard games to a refreshing Kona Ice fundraiser benefiting Maui, Hawaii, and even a heartwarming casserole collection, each initiative added its own touch of excitement and meaning to the school week.
Members of the NDP community honored those deceased SSND who taught and served at the school since its founding in 1873. Students, faculty, staff, and alumnae gathered in the school chapel on October 11 for the blessing of nearly 200 white roses, which were taken to the SSND cemeteries at Villa Maria, Notch Cliff, and Notre Dame of Maryland University and placed on the graves of each SSND who served at the Prep. Appreciation is given to Marge Potter ’68, NDP Learning Specialist and SSND Associate, who organized this effort.
Foundation Day Liturgy
Students, faculty, and staff gathered for a special Foundation Day Liturgy. In addition, the school welcomed SSND guests from the Baltimore area. Amidst the solemnity of the Mass, Sister Roxanne Schares, former SSND General Superior, offered a heartfelt video message from Rome, while a video of the Roses Ceremony was shared with those present. Additionally, a touching tribute commemorating all past Heads of School at NDP was showcased, evoking a profound sense of gratitude and reverence for our school's rich heritage and those who have served in leadership.
Dedication and Blessing of the SSND Tribute Wall
Following Mass, the community gathered for the dedication and blessing of a new display, the SSND Tribute Wall. Located in the school's main foyer, this permanent installation lists over 700 names of each School Sister of Notre Dame who served at NDP, either on the original Charles Street campus or on Hampton Lane. Appreciation is given to Peggy Mullan Greenman ’61 for sponsoring the creation of the wall. Following the blessing, NDP hosted its SSND guests for a special luncheon.
November
Community Mural Project Launches
Special to the anniversary, NDP launched a community mural project in November 2023, inviting participation from all NDP constituents. Spearheaded by Christian Leitch '93, Middle Level Art Teacher, this collaborative endeavor brought together students, faculty, staff, parents, alumnae, and friends of the school to craft a vibrant and visual testament to NDP's 150 years of excellence.
Be Our Guest Alumnae Event
November 12,
2023
Throughout this special year, the school organized numerous community gatherings to foster unity and camaraderie among our NDP family. Prior to the final performance of the Upper Level’s theatrical production of “Beauty and the Beast,” NDP's Alumnae Office, as part of the anniversary year, hosted a gathering of alumnae, their families, and friends with student actors and musicians. Guests sang along to songs with the costumed performers, received treats, and had the chance to meet the characters from this beloved musical.
December
Visit with Santa Alumnae Event
December
2, 2023
On the first Saturday of December, the halls of the NDP Sports & Fitness Center teemed with Christmas spirit as alumnae and their families gathered for the school’s first-ever Visit with Santa event, sponsored by the Alumnae Office. Laughter and joy filled the air as the NDP community came together to enjoy Christmas sing-a-longs with our cheerful student elves and a special appearance from Santa Claus himself. Each child's enchanting moment with Santa was captured in a printed photograph, creating a treasured keepsake for years to come.
January
Alumnae Trip to New York City
January 26–28, 2024
Just as they did their senior year at NDP, nearly 80 alumnae boarded coach buses and headed off to spend a wonderful weekend in the Big Apple. After a day filled with exploration and discovery in the bustling city, the alumnae reunited for an evening reception at the Cosmopolitan Club in celebration of NDP’s milestone year. It was a weekend full of fun and laughter, celebrating not only their love for one another but for their alma mater that gave them sisters for life. The senior trip to New York City has been a beloved part of NDP's heritage since 1966.
February
Catholic Schools Week Liturgy
February 2, 2024
In honor of Catholic Schools Week in this special anniversary year, NDP welcomed back esteemed former faculty and staff to campus for a very special liturgy, during which guests were celebrated and every faculty and staff member—past and present—was thanked for their unwavering dedication to NDP. Following the liturgy, a special reception took place, where guests mingled with current faculty and staff, sharing stories and gratitude for their collective efforts in advancing NDP's mission of educating and empowering young women to transform the world.
March
Gym Meet
March 1–2, 2024
Throughout the year, NDP's cherished traditions paid homage to the 150th Anniversary. To commence this year’s Gym Meet, the Anniversary Candle was lit, accompanied by a prayer from the student leaders of our Athletic Association.
International Women’s Day Assembly
March 8, 2024
As part of the 150th Anniversary, NDP marked International Women’s Day (IWD) with a special ceremony celebrating the contributions NDP and its founding order, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, have made and continue to make in advancing the education of women. In an assembly designed, researched, and presented by the Women’s Studies Class, the school learned about the focus of IWD and how NDP students and alumnae are advancing women’s equality worldwide. Students heard from Sister Grace Okon, SSND, a Nigerian-born School Sister who served as Principal of the SSND’s Notre Dame Secondary School in Mkar, Nigeria. Video messages delivered from alumnae worldwide illustrated the vast opportunities available to women in a host of fields. Alumnae guests included Shelby Litz ’11, a crime scene technician, Julia Bouchelle ’08, former Peace Corps volunteer and community developer in Tanzania and Panama, and Kosha Engler ’95, an actress based in the United Kingdom.
May
Reunion Celebrations
May 3, 2024
Reunion Day brought alumnae from the classes of the 4s and 9s back to campus for a time of celebration, thanksgiving, and friendship.
Jubilee Liturgy and Brunch
On the morning of May 3, the school welcomed members of the Class of 1974 as well as other Jubilarian classes to campus for a special liturgy and brunch where members of the Class of 1974 presented their reunion gift to Sister Patricia McCarron: a $57,500 check to endow a student scholarship in their class’s name.
Class of 2024 Induction into the Alumnae Association
Coinciding with the Jubilee Liturgy, members of the Class of 2024 were officially inducted into the Notre Dame Prep Alumnae Association. In a tradition started three years ago, the school's newest alumnae were gifted Miraculous Medals, which were blessed and presented by Sister Patricia McCarron and Father Brendan Fitzgerald. These medals remind all that the school's Patroness, our Blessed Mother, is always with them.
Award Presentations
Following the Jubilee Mass, the Mother Caroline Friess Alumna of the Year Award was officially presented to Sister Kathleen Feeley, SSND, Ph.D., ’46. Read more about Sister Kathleen on page 17. Tracey Henson Ford ’74 received special recognition for her contributions to Catholic girls’ education in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Shawn Donohue Osmeyer ’88 was also honored for her 10 years of faithful service as NDP's Director of Alumnae Relations.
True Blue Reunion
Later that evening, alumnae from all class years were invited back for the annual True Blue Reunion, during which alumnae classes ending in 4s and 9s were given special recognition. The event was filled with laughter as old memories were revisited and new ones were made. See photos of all Reunion Classes on pages 19–21.
150th Anniversary Gala
May 4, 2024
The 150th Anniversary served as the backdrop for this year’s Notre Dame Prep Gala, the school’s signature spring fundraising event, which included live music, special student performances, live and silent auctions, and plenty of surprises. The Anniversary Gala raised $275,000 in net proceeds, which are being directed to NDP's faculty and staff as part of the 150th Anniversary Gift Initiative. Read more about this special initiative on pages 14–16.
Blessed Mother Theresa of Jesus Feast Day Prayer Service
May 9, 2024
In celebration of the feast day of Blessed Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger, foundress of the School Sisters of Notre Dame whose charism and educational vision shaped the foundation of NDP over the past 150 years, the school hosted a schoolwide prayer service. Those present were invited to give thanks for her life and vision and to honor her memory by living by the principles she embodied during her time as a visionary and bold leader.
Mural Unveiling & Blessing
May 8–9, 2024
The final installation and unveiling of the 150th Anniversary Community Mural took place during the annual Upper and Middle Level Arts Nights on May 8. The following day, after the conclusion of the Blessed Mother Theresa of Jesus Feast Day Prayer Service, the mural was officially blessed by Sister Patricia McCarron, symbolizing the school’s commitment to the SSND charism of unity and the NDP mission of utilizing our God-given gifts for the benefit of others. Located in the Knott Performing Arts Center, the finished work, which consists of 248 individually crafted panels, stands eight feet tall and spans an impressive 34 feet in width.
Closing Liturgy
May 31, 2024
Reminiscent of the 150th Anniversary Liturgy, NDP’s Closing Liturgy brought a formal ending to both the 2023–2024 academic year and the 150th Anniversary Year. Elements from the 150th Anniversary Liturgy held in September were included in this final community celebration, such as the beginning procession with the anniversary banner and anniversary candle and special prayers of the faithful. Prior to the liturgy, a special video highlighting the various 150th Anniversary celebrations and activities was shown.
From its humble beginnings to its current status as the best and largest Catholic girls school in the Baltimore region, Notre Dame Preparatory School serves as a testament to the transformative power of community, faith, and education. As we look ahead to the next chapter in the school’s storied history, we do so with gratitude for the past, excitement for the future, and a deep sense of pride in all that NDP has accomplished over the past 150 years. a
CLASS OF 2024! Congratulations,
Congratulations to the 155 members of the Class of 2024! This talented group of young women leave Notre Dame Preparatory School ready to transform the world with their gifts and talents. Many blessings to the Class of Pink and Green and the promise the future holds for our newest alumnae! a
2024 White Blazer Girl: Jillian Noss
NDP Medal: Sophia Sudano
total service hours
students attending Catholic universities college acceptances
Bene Merenti Award: Kira Bobian, Catherine Guterres, Makayla Novak
Service Medal: Autumn Anson, Margaret Back, Morgan Baird, Patricia Kohler, Marguerite Mantler
3 Commended Scholars 1000/0 accepted to four-year colleges or universities merit scholarships awarded scholarathletes playing in DI-III programs students studying internationally granted in merit awards Academic Certificate Programs (STEAM, Humanities, Biliteracy)
3 National African-American Recognition Awards
5 National Hispanic Recognition Awards
1 National Merit Scholar
Dots represent schools where students are attending
AP Scholars
THE YEARin Review
The 2023–2024 School Year
In addition to the 150th Anniversary activities, the 2023–2024 school year had many highlights, from academic honors and student life activities to service work and spiritual formation to community events and individual accomplishments. Here are some highlights of this amazing year! a
88 Advanced Placement Scholars
8 Middle Level Academic Bowl competitors
3,000+books collected during the Library Week Book Drive
1 Planet Earth celebrated during Earth Week
1st Place in Beginner Division
Loyola Blakefield Cyber Competition
6 NDP alumnae and parents from The Whiting-Turner Construction Company who visited Engineering classes during Women in Construction Week
25Middle Level STEAM Club representatives celebrated National Engineers Week at the Engineers Club
ACADEMICS
423 inductees into 14 UL Honor Societies
28 juniors received college and university honors
Congratulations Grade 8
Students!
Overall Achievement Award: Carolina Razon-Fernandez
Mother Theresa Gerhardinger Award: Carolyn Keady
Service Award: Grace Stewart
Scholar Athlete Award: Julia Trentler
STEAM
1,000 solar eclipse glasses distributed
1:8 scale models constructed for this year’s Cardboard Boat Races
155 seniors visited the Holocaust Museum
7 medalists/ honorees Le Grand Concours National French Contest
81 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
500 digits of Pi recited by Sophie Reider ’24 on Pi Day
2 professionals from aerospace company Textron presented on STEAM careers to Middle Level students
#1 Best Integration of Local Culture Award at the ArchitectureConstruction-Engineering (ACE) Baltimore Competition
#2 & #3 placement for NDP teams in the school’s National Science Honor Society Egg Drop Competition
400
50+
5
1 year
amount of time Reilly DiPaula ’24’s painting “The Comfort of Childhood” will hang in the U.S. Capitol as part of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition
4,000+ attendees at this year’s musicals
930 pieces of art showcased on Upper Level and Middle Level Arts Nights
15 dance genres learned and performed this year
13 8th Grade Synchronized Swim Show routines
8C winning advisory in the annual tugof-war match up for ML Field Day
24.1 seconds— winning time of Blakely Tischer ’28 in the Tour de Notre Dame
THE ARTS
58 musical numbers performed in three musicals
26 NDP dancers traveling to New York City
STUDENT LIFE
215+ students placed in summer WINternships
2 new class colors for the Class of 2028: Apple Green and Blue
4 creative Gym Meet themes: Seniors in the Dream House; Juniors in Neverland; Sophomore Superheroes; and Freshmen in Black
19 Middle Level clubs and student organizations
Upper Level Adjudication Results
Concert Band: 2nd Place, Excellent Rating
Chamber Choir: 1st Place, Superior Rating
Concert Choir: 1st Place, Superior Rating
Orchestra: 1st Place, Superior Rating
Best overall solo vocalist: Abby Bilenki ’25
Middle Level Adjudication Results
Band: 3rd place, Good Rating
6th & 7th Grade Chorus: 1st place, Superior Rating
8th Grade Chorus: 1st place, Superior Rating
Orchestra: 1st place, Excellent Rating
45 designs showcased at CW Project Greenway and Middle Made
29 Dances performed in concert
27 Model UN participants
172 class pins distributed at the Sophomore Pin Ceremony
825 red noses painted for Upper Level and Middle Level Tree Trim
620 shoes filled with treats for St. Nicholas Day
60+ clubs featured at the Upper Level Club Fair
1 National Catholics Swimming Coach of the Year—Girls School: Terri Byrd
15 seniors signed to Division I and III schools #1 IAAM All-Conference Swimming Champions
1 IAAM Indoor Track and Field Coach of the Year: Jim Lancaster #1 National Catholic Swimming and Diving Champions
200th win reached on January 5 by Basketball Coach Katie Marks
150+ guests for Middle Level’s Grandparents and Special Friends Day
20 activities hosted by the Parents’ Association, Friends of the Arts, and Booster Club
215 Gala baskets
Daily Record: Ranked in top three for Best Private School (Middle/High School) and Best Private School (High School)
26 IAAM All-Conference Athletes over 15 sports
1 inVESTed community celebrating Community Day
1 amazing Sister Kathleen Feeley, SSND, Ph.D. ’46, the Mother Caroline Friess Alumna of the Year
1 powerful message from motivational speaker Chris Herren, who spoke about substance use disorder
605 donors and $125,676 raised in the first-ever Blazer Raiser
274 reunioning alumnae Jubilarian alumnae 22 Baltimore Style Magazine: Best Elementary-Middle School
In the Middle Level,
133 student-athletes, on 16 teams in 8 sports representing more than 76% of students.
U20Scotland Lacrosse faced off against NDP Varsity Lacrosse
8 retirees who we will dearly miss: Mary Dohmeier (English); Brendan Dowling (religion); Sharon Moser (language); Celia McGrain (learning resources); Marge Potter (learning resources); Jerry Potter; and Holly Adolph (math). Not pictured: Cathi Love (math)
2 new Turkey Bowl commercials appeared on television
$102,000 raised from 221 donors during Giving Tuesday
400 attendees at both Alumnae Bingo and Mini Gym Meet
Aimee Sann was named a “diamond” coach by the National Speech and Debate Association Niche.com: Best Catholic Girls High School in Baltimore Mrs. Marge Potter ’68, Learning Resource Specialist, was Notre Dame Prep’s Catholic School Teacher of the Year!
College Board: College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science A (CSA) and AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) (fifth consecutive year)
Notre Dame Preparatory School (NDP) 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 its future by investing in the heart of NDP—its people, most especially, its amazing students and dedicated and talented faculty and staff.
This investment took shape through the 150th Anniversary Special Gift Effort, which aimed to raise $1.5 million beyond The Fund for Notre Dame Prep for faculty and staff salaries, stipends, and benefits as well as scholarships as part of the Rollins-Luetkemeyer Scholarship Program. The two programmatic options allowed the community to support these specific areas of interest.
The 150th Special Gift Effort resonated with the NDP community and was a huge success, exceeding the goal by raising approximately $2.5 million.
“The success of the 150th gift effort reflects the heart of what we stand for at NDP,” said Mary Glagola P’23, NDP Trustee, who, along with former Trustee Mike Gill P’95, P’99 GP’24, co-chaired the 150th Anniversary Special Gift Effort and led a committee of extraordinary volunteers. “The special gift effort was a way to celebrate the strength of our community, a community woven together by the threads of support and shared experiences. Every donor, student, alumnae, and parent will be touched by the support and success of this campaign. It is because of this collective impact that we will see students propel to unparalleled success as they step out into the world.”
Immediate Impact of the Faculty and Staff Benefits Fund
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 help faculty and staff grow in their areas of expertise.
One of the primary goals of the 150th Anniversary Special Gift Effort was to increase the Faculty and Staff Benefits Fund, an endowed fund that has existed for several years. This fund aims to support the well-being and long-term security of NDP’s 187 faculty, staff, and coaches by enhancing 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.
As part of the effort to raise funds for faculty and staff, several donors contributed to the newly established Marge Baumbach Potter ’68 Learning Resource Endowed Fund in honor of Potter’s retirement at the end of 2023–2024 academic year and her tremendous impact on NDP students. This fund will support the Middle and Upper Level learning specialists in The Batza & Simon Academic Services and Enrichment Center.
The Batza and Railey families, who made a lead gift to fund the endowment, shared “Mrs. Potter’s unending devotion to and support for ‘our girls’ will carry forward with this fund. Our family cannot think of a more fitting way to honor all Mrs. Potter has done for NDP and most specifically her students.”
Inside Notre Dame Preparatory School’s Rollins-Luetkemeyer Middle-Income Scholars Program
At the start of the 150th anniversary year, Notre Dame Prep was approached by the Rollins-Luetkemeyer Foundation—a Baltimore-based foundation with a history of supporting independent schools and other charitable causes—with an ambitious challenge: If NDP could raise $500,000 for middle-income scholarships by February 14,
the Foundation would match it with a $250,000 gift. In collaboration with the Board Advancement Committee and the 150th Anniversary Special Gift Committee, Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D., Head of School, and Lindsay Dorrance, Director of Advancement, thought the proposal aligned well with the special gift initiative.
The Rollins-Luetkemeyer Foundation feels strongly that there is a significant gap for families who may not qualify for financial assistance under standard guidelines, but still face financial strain in affording private education. Foundation President John “Jack” Luetkemeyer and Foundation Director Rob Black shared the following sentiment stating, “The Rollins-Luetkemeyer Foundation believes children of middle-income 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.”
Will Benassi P’17, NDP Board Member and Chair of the Advancement Committee who helped connect the Foundation and the school, sees the transformative effect this program can have on NDP.
“It is difficult to overstate the importance to Notre Dame Prep of securing the Rollins-Luetkemeyer Middle Income Scholarship match,” said Benassi. "There's the obvious benefit of making NDP within reach of several families whose daughters deserve such an education, but whose financial circumstance may not allow for it. Less obvious, though, is the benefit of enhanced financial flexibility the school gains from these scholarship grants. A wider array of brilliant girls are given the opportunity to become women who transform the world, and NDP is stronger financially. Everything gets better, and the School Sisters’ mission is furthered.”
While the Foundation has created Rollins-Luetkemeyer Scholars Programs at area boys’ schools, Notre Dame Prep is the only area girls’ school with the program. “It is our privilege to support NDP due to their unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Black and Luetkemeyer. “NDP’s solid academic curriculum combined with fostering personal integrity, character, leadership, humility, and critical thinking aligns with our belief that schools that inspire these principles produce students equipped to do good things in life.”
The funding for these scholarships positioned NDP well during the recruitment process for the 2024-2025 school year. “There is no greater gift to deserving students than opportunity,” said Jennifer Caine ’86, Upper Level Director of Admissions. “The Rollins-Luetkemeyer Foundation made it possible for several extraordinary young women, whose families would not have otherwise been able to afford the transformational education NDP provides, to enroll. Our families are grateful. NDP is grateful. These young women will make a difference in our world.” Several Middle Level girls were also offered admission through the scholarship program.
The Rollins-Luetkemeyer Challenge resonated with the community, and NDP was able to secure the match by reaching its $500,000 fundraising goal. The effort was so successful that the Rollins-Luetkemeyer Foundation has agreed to renew the challenge on an annual basis, which will have an immeasurable impact on NDP’s financial future and the talented girls who will now have access to an NDP education.
The school is incredibly grateful to the donors who joined a long legacy of support for NDP faculty, staff, and students. Together, we invested in the Notre Dame community and celebrated 150 years of educational excellence, ensuring the continued success of the school and the transformation of students’ lives. a
If you are interested in supporting either the Faculty & Staff Benefits Fund or the Rollins-Luetkemeyer Scholars program for future years, please reach out to Lindsay Dorrance (dorrancel@notredameprep.com or 443-921-2853) or visit our website at www.notredameprep.com/giving.
“This award is such an honor, but to tell you the truth, I received so much from Notre Dame Prep that I feel I should be giving back, not getting something else in return. This adds one more layer to the deep feeling I have to pay it forward—to try and do more things that are worthy of this honor.”
Living the Mission:
Sister Kathleen Feeley ’46
Mother Caroline Friess
Alumna of the
Year
“What matters is that in all you serve God not as much as you want but as much as is possible for you.”
~Blessed Theresa of Jesus, Foundress School Sisters of Notre Dame
The words of Blessed Theresa of Jesus, whose vision for a world united in God’s love and transformed through the power of education, are embodied in this year’s Mother Caroline Friess Alumna of the Year:
Sister Kathleen Feeley, SSND, Ph.D., ’46
Sister Kathleen has lived a life of service throughout her 75 years as a School Sister of Notre Dame; she is an esteemed academic who has earned numerous awards, served as a former college president, is a lifelong educator, a champion for social justice, and a true-blue NDP alumna. She is entrenched in the history of Notre Dame, from her days as a student on Charles Street to being a part of the Hampton Lane faculty.
After graduating from Notre Dame of Maryland High School, as it was then named, in 1946, she promptly embraced the call to consecrated life and joined the School Sisters of Notre Dame—a decision she recalls first considering thanks to a writing assignment in her freshman year.
“I wanted to be like these SSNDs who were all around me,” said Sister Kathleen. “When I graduated, I felt equipped to do just about anything. I understood all kinds of things that I didn't know before. I was very selfconfident. Ultimately, I wanted to be like the Sisters who educated me.”
In the years that followed, she taught at several schools before returning to Notre Dame of Maryland High School to teach English. When the time came to relocate the school to the new Hampton Lane campus in the summer of 1960, she was assigned to help transport the entire library collection. u
“I felt like it was a whole new world when we moved to Hampton Lane. Although it was technically the same school with the same teachers, the atmosphere and layout were new and exciting. It just felt like a whole new era because the entire campus was ours.”
Sister Kathleen earned her bachelor’s degree in English at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and her master’s degree in English from Villanova University. In 1970, she received her doctorate in English from Rutgers University.
In 1971, she was appointed the President of the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, now known as Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU), a role she held for 21 years. Through her leadership, the foundations of future growth were laid for the-then-small women's liberal arts college. Today, NDMU offers 11 graduate programs, including doctorates in pharmacy studies and occupational therapy. She launched forward-thinking programs that supported the aspirations of non-traditional students and adult learners. Her impact on the school was so profound that in 1991, the College of Notre Dame of Maryland officially named the Sister Kathleen Feeley International Center, a laboratory for language and culture, in her honor. She returned briefly in 1999 to serve as professor of English.
Beyond the walls of academia, Sister Kathleen has been a fervent advocate for social justice, addressing poverty, education, and inequality both locally and globally. After she retired in 1992, she founded the Caroline Center in East Baltimore, an organization that serves as a jobtraining center for women. She also led efforts to bring Baltimore City Public Schools into compliance with special education laws.
She eventually turned her sights abroad, and with the help of Fulbright teaching fellowships, visiting professor invitations, and calls from the SSND community, she taught at universities in India, Australia, Japan, China, and Africa, where she helped establish the Catholic University of Ghana—what she describes as one of the most rewarding experiences of her life. She took over for a dear friend who passed away suddenly. “That really shook me, but I felt like God was calling on me to take her place, and my whole future changed in that moment.”
Her seven years in Africa took her through several locales, including the village of Sunyani, where she guided novices on their path to religious life, and even to Southern Sudan, where she witnessed what a war-ravaged country looked like.
“When I went to Africa, it was a huge adventure for me. Seeing these young women and men embrace higher education, it was a big step for them, and it gave me a great deal of personal satisfaction that I could help them.”
Today, Sister Kathleen teaches poetry at the Renaissance Institute, a program for students over 50 that she founded in 1989 when she was president of the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. She has authored numerous works that weave together her steadfast faith, scholarly insights, and her unyielding zeal for social justice.
Amidst the ever-expanding list of accolades she has garnered throughout her lifetime, the recipient of this year’s Mother Caroline Friess Alumna of the Year Award maintains her characteristic humility: “This adds one more layer to the deep feeling I have to pay it forward—to try and do more things that are worthy of this honor.” a
Celebrating Sister Kathleen Feeley
1991 • The College of Notre Dame established the Sister Kathleen Feeley International Center, a laboratory for language and culture
2001 • Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee
2002 • Lifetime Achievement Award, The Caroline Center
2003 • Maryland Top 100 Women, The Daily Record
2017 • Monsignor Arthur F. Valenzano Joyful Servant Award, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Baltimore
2020 • Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement, Marquis Who's Who
2023 • The Elizabeth P. Hoisington ’40 Distinguished Alumna Award, Notre Dame of Maryland University
2024 • Mother Caroline Friess Alumna of the Year Award, Notre Dame Preparatory School
CELEBRATING in True Blue Fashion
Notre Dame Preparatory School hosted several wonderful alumnae activities throughout the year, including a trip to the Big Apple in January, our Galentine’s Bingo in February, and family-friendly events like Visit with Santa and a magical gathering with the cast of NDP’s fall musical “Beauty and the Beast.” However, welcoming home our alumnae for reunion is always the most exciting time of the year. This year’s True Blue Reunion was particularly special as it marked the 150th anniversary of NDP. It was a pleasure to celebrate and reconnect with classes ending in 4s and 9s and to honor the Jubilarian Class of 1974! Thanks to all who traveled from near and far to attend! a
Events (left
right): Be Our Guest Reception as part of NDP's production of “Beauty and the Beast”; Visit with Santa;
Alumnae
to
Alumnae New York City Trip; Alumnae Galentine’s Bingo
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SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO OUR FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS!
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• Katie ’14
NOTRE DAME PREP The Fund for
The Fund for Notre Dame Prep is essential to the sustainability of the school and supports our annual operating budget, helping us meet our most urgent needs and bridging the gap between tuition and actual costs. This provides support to every aspect of the NDP experience, allowing the school to sustain excellence in current programming, while also giving it the financial flexibility to launch new initiatives.
A gift to The Fund for Notre Dame Prep is far-reaching and supports students learning in the classroom, performing on stage, playing on the field, or attending field trips and activities. It also supports professional development for teachers, maintenance of NDP’s beautiful campus, and so much more. Every student benefits because of the generosity of all of our donors: current and past parents, alumnae, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends.
NDP’s
In our school’s inaugural Blazer Raiser giving challenge, we raised $125,676 from 605 donors. We were blown away by the support of this new initiative and thrilled that the entire NDP community worked together to raise critical immediate-use funds for the Fund for Notre Dame Prep. We hope you’ll join us again next year!
INFLECTION POINTS Key moments drive advancements at NDP
By George P. Matysek Jr. • Special to Roots & Wings
Throughout its 150 years, Notre Dame Preparatory School has embraced a certain nimbleness in responding to change.
“Notre Dame has always been a school that has responded to the needs of the times,” said Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D., Head of School. “While these actions have taken many forms over the years, they have always ensured that NDP students experienced the most dynamic, relevant, and faith-filled education which empowered them to change the world in their time.”
A look at the school’s reaction to steady advances in technology, a new spirit brought on by the Second Vatican Council, and the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic shows how.
Tech forward
The way the staff members produced NDP’s Gateway newspaper in the late 1950s and early 1960s was a far cry from how students do it today.
Back then, the writers pounded out their stories on a typewriter. When finished, they sent everything to a printer, which sent back galleys.
“We cut up the galley sheets, glued them on a page, sent it all back to the printer, and then it would come back as a newspaper,” Sister Pat McLaughlin, SSND, former Gateway staffer, remembered.
Today, students produce Gateway stories on laptop computers. Articles and commentaries are published in a matter of seconds on the newspaper’s website before being distributed instantly via social media, email, or texts.
When other school publications need to be distributed in a print format, they are designed with state-of-theart publishing software that allows designers unlimited creative possibilities for layout.
Beyond the written word, students can even practice broadcast journalism in a state-of-the-art video, sound, and production studio, serving as news anchors or behind-the-scenes camera operators and sound technicians.
“When you think about how far things have come, it’s just amazing,” said Sister Pat, a former chairperson of NDP’s Board of Trustees and a member of the Class of 1961.
Staying on top of technological developments has long been a priority at NDP.
The records of the School Sisters of Notre Dame at NDP are replete with references to the introduction of new technologies and campus improvements over the decades.
t Science students in 1954 use state-of-the-art equipment.
Before computers, Gateway newspaper staffers in 1961 had to type and layout copy by hand. q
During the 1897-98 school year, for example, the Rev. Dr. J.J. Griffin presented a “fine” solar microscope, a collection of books for the library, an office desk of solid oak, and instruments for the laboratory.
In 1901, electric lights were added in playrooms and laboratories, with additional electric lighting added elsewhere a year later.
Electric clocks and automatic signals were installed, and a new switchboard for telephones was added in 1926.
In 1935, for a bacteriology course, a new laboratory was built and an older room was transformed into a museum and lecture room.
In 1952, the biology department boasted a new microtome and a microphotographic camera.
Filmstrip projectors, mimeographs, and handheld scientific calculators of the 1960s and 1970s would give way to White Boards, subscription-based online resource libraries, and 3D printers in modern times.
The first computers are believed to have been introduced for academic use in the mid-1980s for a journalism class. Desktop computer labs would soon follow before the campus went wireless with its freshman laptop program in 2003.
The last two decades have witnessed some of the most stunning technological developments on campus, culminating in the 2020 opening of the Jane Kroh Satterfield Innovation Wing. The STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) building is home to maker spaces, computer labs, a
fabrication lab, art studios and galleries, and a fullsize Anatomage table for 3D anatomic dissections and medical procedures.
During classes one spring day this academic year, some students were busy constructing robots they could move in multiple directions, while others were fine-tuning computer coding that could be used for commercial itemized receipts.
“Regardless of the decade, NDP has always empowered its students to be creative thinkers and engaged learners,” said Cindy Miller, Director of Technology. “Technology enhances those abilities.”
Miller noted that students have grown up with technology that evolves daily, “and they learn differently because of it.” u
t The first computer for academic use was purchased in 1989 for the Finis yearbook staff.
NDP's first laptop camp was held for incoming students in 2003. q
Today's students use technology and tools to design and build in the Fabrication Lab. u
“It was only a few decades ago that women were learning to type so they could become someone’s assistant,” Miller said. “Today, our students are leaders in the classroom and in their careers. At NDP, they learn 21st-century skillsets that encourage them to fulfill their full potential and set them up to lead and be successful.”
Mary Agnes Sheridan, Director of STEAM at NDP, said STEAM is first introduced to sixth graders as part of the core curriculum. Students rotate through 12 different STEAM experiences in the Middle Level. Projects are collaborative, she said.
“At the Middle Level, we want to encourage innovation and new ideas,” she said. “We want to encourage failure so that they know that that’s part of progress. So the focus is on the process, which really drives the innovation.”
Upper Level students can explore four STEAM pathways: medicine, computer science, engineering, and architecture.
“STEAM ensures that we are preparing students to thrive as global citizens,” Mrs. Sheridan said. “I really see it as providing opportunities and the skills necessary to transform the world.”
What’s coming next?
The possibilities are endless, Mrs. Sheridan said, but quantum computing and artificial intelligence will likely be the next “big things.” It will be the school’s responsibility to teach students to use those tools ethically, she said.
‘Engaged faith’
The renewed spirit of openness and engagement with the world that swept through the Catholic Church following the Second Vatican Council also breathed new life into religious practice and instruction at NDP.
“The ways that liturgy and worship grew and developed after Vatican II certainly opened doors for our students to participate in ways they could not before,” said Dr. Victor Pellechia, Upper Level Principal.
In the wake of the council’s liturgical reforms, students at NDP took on new roles at Mass—planning religious liturgies themselves and serving as lectors, cantors, musicians, and ushers.
t Pictured here are students in the school's 1960 May procession.
Prior to Vatican II, all women were to cover their heads at Mass, thus necessitating chapel berets as part of the school uniform, as pictured here in 1962. q
Young women stopped wearing chapel veils at Masses now celebrated in English instead of Latin. Even the garb of the School Sisters of Notre Dame changed, with the women religious shedding traditional religious habits in favor of lay clothes and short veils (and then no veils)—a move designed to make themselves more approachable and relatable to students.
With the support of leaders such as Sister Ellis Denny, SSND, and Sister Helen Marie Duffy, SSND, NDP embraced the council’s call for Catholics to engage their faith more actively.
What students studied in religion class expanded to include not just the catechetical aspects of learning the Catholic faith, a pedagogical approach that predominated in Catholic schools across the United States prior to the Second Vatican Council, but also the practical application of those beliefs.
“If students can tell you all the different tenets of the faith and all the facts, but do not ever put that faith into action, then are we really serving the whole person?” asked Dr. Pellechia, whose degrees include a master’s degree in theological studies from Washington Theological Union.
“We really intentionally try to help students see it’s not just something we read about in Scripture or learn in the classroom,” he said. “It’s something we put into action and practice. To say that God is love and that God loves you and that you are beautifully and wonderfully made— those are just words until we actually then bring that out into the community. That’s Catholic social teaching and that’s social justice in action.”
NDP’s religious education program today helps students understand “foundational beliefs,” Dr. Pellechia said, but also “the experience of a God who loves us and wants to be in relationship with us.”
NDP’s service program is an example of “faith in action,” Dr. Pellechia said, giving students opportunities to volunteer locally and abroad. In recent years, students have helped harvest crops at First Fruits Farm, a Christian ministry in Maryland that provides fresh, nutritious food for those experiencing hunger in the region. Students have also gone on service mission trips to Mississippi, Arizona, El Salvador, and elsewhere.
Following suit with the SSND imperative to follow Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ call for environmental justice, Notre Dame has embraced environmental sustainability efforts. Many students have enrolled in a special course on the loss of biodiversity in the environment. They’ve waded into local streams to study invasive species and look at ways of improving water quality. With support of the world-water project, the Thirst Project, and targeted Earth Week activities, students come to understand their actions can impact the health of our planet.
In religion classes, in addition to studying Scripture, Church history, and morality—much as previous generations had before them—students examine the beliefs of other world religions and explore topics such as racial discrimination.
Dr. Pellechia acknowledged that a focus on social justice permeates the curriculum at NDP in a way it likely did not prior to the Second Vatican Council. Yet he does not u
t Today, student campus ministers plan and actively participate in liturgies as readers, gift bearers, and Eucharistic ministers.
The beloved Christmas Liturgy begins with a single candle bringing the entire auditorium into light. q
view it as something new for NDP, an institution founded by religious sisters who have had a gift for “reading the signs of the times,” he said.
“I think the Church has always had a strong voice when it comes to matters of human dignity,” Dr. Pellechia said. One example is the institution-wide adoption of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Commitments which guide the community in sustaining a welcoming environment for all.
Continuity with Catholic traditions of the past remains important at NDP. Retreats have long been present at the school, with student retreats first documented as early as 1877. Today, each class has several retreats throughout the year, another way young women are encouraged to ask deeper questions about faith in their everyday lives. An active campus ministry that involves students as campus ministers encourages faith-sharing and mutual learning.
The school also celebrates important Catholic feasts and religious observances throughout the year, building on the May processions and 40 Hours Devotion gatherings of generations past.
“The pillars of NDP have remained the same: academic excellence, spiritual growth, and the practice of justice,” said Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D., Head of School, “and that’s always seen through the lens of our Catholic identity, the lens of the Gospel and looking at the needs and the signs of the times. You’re able to adapt because you’re coming from that strong foundation.”
‘Follow the science’
For a year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there wasn’t a single case of the virus being transmitted on NDP’s campus. That remarkable accomplishment was no accident. It resulted from the quick implementation of protocols designed to keep students, faculty, staff, and visitors safe.
Dr. Anita Barry, an infectious disease expert and a 1971 NDP graduate, was one of 10 members of the school’s first-ever Medical Advisory Team that included physicians, pediatricians, nurse practitioners, health educators, and others who helped NDP administrators navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We tried to follow the science and the data as it was understood at the time,” remembered Dr. Barry, a former head of the infection disease bureau for the Boston City Health Department who helped manage communicable diseases and outbreaks such as meningitis, measles, tuberculosis, and Ebola prior to her 2017 retirement.
The advisory team recommended a host of actions implemented by NDP, including separating people by six feet, mandating masks over the mouth and nose, encouraging frequent hand-washing, and arranging for increased ventilation in the school.
“I have to give kudos to the school,” Dr. Barry said. “It’s very easy to say to try to separate by six feet, but it’s a little harder to put into practice. But they worked with the students, the faculty, and staff. Students played a role in
t File photo of a Spanish Flu ward during the global pandemic of 1918; NDP students first received polio vaccines in 1955.
q The show must go on! March routines from Gym Meet 2021 were conducted outside to ensure appropriate social distancing.
trying to get the right education out because there was a lot of rumor and confusion at the time.”
Dr. Barry said school leaders arranged for vaccination clinics to be made available on campus. They also worked hard to know where every student was in school at all times during the pandemic, Dr. Barry said, so that contact tracing could proceed if there was ever exposure to the virus.
“That was really very important in knowing who would be at highest risk of developing infection if there was ever a case on campus,” Dr. Barry said. “That was a lot of work for the nurses and for the administration. But they did it, and because of that, there was no campus transmission for a very long time.”
Just as NDP leaders watched out for the health of students, they also worked to ensure young women continued receiving a high-quality education even under the stressful conditions of a pandemic. Early in the pandemic, teachers had to pivot to teaching only remotely via Zoom. Later, they would adapt again as they taught hybrid classes in-person and online before students eventually all returned to the classrooms.
The COVID-19 pandemic was not the first time NDP had to navigate health scares. Throughout the school’s 150 years, administrators had to work to protect students from everything from the Spanish Flu in 1918 to measles and polio outbreaks in the mid-20th century.
The records of the School Sisters of Notre Dame at NDP note that a student from Tennessee fell ill and died in 1894 from a “walking typhoid fever.” The sisters
reported in 1904 that the school’s Artesian wells were in good working order, “yielding a supply of water of excellent quality” which lessened their anxiety regarding the health of their students. A 1943 note referenced the “increasing ‘flu,’ now epidemic in Baltimore,” and a 1955 entry reported that the Salk polio vaccine was administered to first graders at the school.
Dr. Barry believes the American experience with infectious diseases in general and the COVID-19 pandemic in particular has greatly heightened awareness of the seriousness of illnesses caused by viruses.
“These transmissible, contagious diseases, like influenza, have to be taken a lot more seriously than they have in the past,” she said. “Perhaps coronavirus COVID-19 has helped people to realize the importance of everyday respiratory etiquette. I hope there’s a greater awareness that you can do a lot of things to prevent the risk of those infections in yourself, in your family, in the rest of your community.”
Dr. Barry called her alma mater’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic impressive.
“They knew this was serious,” she said, “and everybody pulled together. I was really proud of the way the school community responded.” a
THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY,
q During spring 2020 and the 2020–21 school year, Zoom classes were the norm for students as the world was coping with the constraints of COVID.
Notre Dame Preparatory School has benefited from the innovative leadership of its Heads of School. Through blessed and challenging times, these nine extraordinary women, all School Sisters of Notre Dame, held fast to Foundress Blessed Theresa of Jesus’ vision of transformational education for young women and the commitment to the SSND charism of unity.
1873–1877 • Sister Ildephonsa Wegman
1877–1917 • Sister Melitia Foley
1917–1943 • Sister Coeline Lyons
1943–1965 • Sister Mary Virginia Connolly
1965–1968 • Sister Doris Ann Gentry
1968–1979 • Sister Mary Ellis Denny
1979–1997 • Sister Helen Marie Duffy
1997–2005 • Sister Christine Mulcahy
2005–present • Sister Patricia McCarron
NOW THEN and
Chapel
Pictured here from 1942, the Charles Street campus chapel was created with a vaulted ceiling and in Byzantine design. The Hampton Lane chapel, built in 1960 by Italian architects in a mid-century modern style, continues to serve as a center of spiritual and community gatherings.
Science Classes
Science has always been a core subject for Notre Dame students, as this image of an early physics class indicates. Today, students are introduced to Science-Technology-Engineering-ArtsMathematics, or STEAM, curricula through hands-on, project-based learning. STEAM topics focus on cyber security, architecture, engineering, medicine, digital media, and more.
Lower and Middle Schools
When it opened in 1873, Notre Dame of Maryland welcomed students as young as kindergarten. By the early 1980s, NDP’s lower school began to phase out. Today, students may enter Notre Dame as early as sixth grade.
Gym Meet
Begun in 1929, Gym Meet is one of the school’s oldest and most beloved traditions. The calisthenics competitions of yesteryear, as pictured here from 1951, have given way to today’s aerobics routines. One thing has not changed—the sisterhood bonds formed by collaboration, teamwork, good sportsmanship, and fun.
The more things change…the more they stay the same. At least that is true for the academic focus, beloved traditions, and community activities at Notre Dame Preparatory School. Here’s a look back at how key moments in NDP life have remained constant—with some adjustments— for more than 15 decades. a
Basketball
For nearly 125 years, Notre Dame Prep has competed on the basketball court. Pictured left is the earliest known NDP team photo, dating from 1911. Though the uniforms are no longer gym tunics, the spirit of teamwork and sisterhood has always been emphasized while on the court.
Synchronized Swimming
Synchronized Swimming has been a part of NDP life since the campus opened on Hampton Lane, as pictured at left from 1961. In the 1980s, the Synchronized Swim Show was formalized in the Middle Level as the culminating class-bonding activity for the eighth grade.
Service
Service has been intrinsic to the NDP mission since the school was founded in the late 19th-century. Early charitable efforts led to more formalized clubs such as the Cardinal Gibbons Mission Unit (pictured at left, 1935). Today, a host of events and activities, such as Penny Queen (right), are designed to familiarize students with justice work and the intrinsic value of service.
Dinner with Our Elders
Since 1978, NDP has hosted seniors from Baltimore City Housing to come to campus to enjoy a homecooked meal, delicious dessert, music and dancing, and an afternoon of fellowship. It is estimated that more than 12,000 individuals have attended this event. Pictured are images from dinners in 1979 and 2024.
Junior Ring Ceremony
The Junior Ring Ceremony, a milestone day when juniors receive their class rings and enter the ranks of upperclassmen, was first held in 1951. Turning rings, as seen here in 1984 and 2023, is a wellbeloved tradition shared between NDP sisters for decades. Remember, always turn it toward the pinky finger!
The Heart of NDP:
AN INVESTED COMMUNITY
One message rang loud and clear on Community Day 2024: Notre Dame Preparatory School is a community invested in its people!
This wellness-centered day—focusing on students in the morning and faculty and staff in the afternoon—was intentionally designed to foster a sense of belonging and celebrate the talents of all community members, explained Tara DeCapite, the school’s part-time Wellness Specialist, who, along with Terry St. Laurent, Director of Counseling, and the entire Counseling Department, planned and organized the day.
As DeCapite explained, there is a direct correlation between one’s sense of belonging to a community and one’s stress level. “If you feel connected and have a sense of belonging, your stress response system is calmer. Wellness activities counter the pull of stress.”
“There is palpable joy in being together, and that sense of community is healing for all.”
in various activities that showcased the interests and talents of the NDP faculty and staff. Whether learning new skills like origami or needlepoint, playing games, or simply decompressing through meditation or movie watching, the students were invited to “just be” for the morning. After an early student dismissal, faculty and staff spent the afternoon focusing on their self-care, from more restful, nurturing activities like yoga and nature walks to rousing games of team trivia.
Community Day is the school’s latest activity designed to further the school’s wellness imperative for all its community members. With the hiring of a Wellness Specialist last school year, NDP became the first independent school in the area to have a staff member dedicated to wellness.
The day began in the context of community at a schoolwide assembly featuring fun skits and a visit from the Oriole Bird. Following, students participated
“Wellness is an equalizer,” explained DeCapite. “We all have mental health, and it exists on a continuum. There is palpable joy in being together, and that sense of community is healing for all.” a
Donning neon yellow vests, faculty and staff animated the message that they are “inVESTed” in NDP students!
Special to Notre Dame Preparatory School’s 150th Anniversary, a limitededition coffee table book has been created! This 90-page hardcover book chronicles the history of the school from its early days on Charles Street to today on Hampton Lane. The price of the book is $50 (includes shipping), and delivery is expected sometime this summer.
