Roots & Wings--Spring 2021

ROOTS&WINGS NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • SPRING 2021

Special Anniversary Edition

A LETTER FROM THE HEADMISTRESS

ROOTS&WINGS

PUBLISHER Notre Dame Preparatory School

Dear Friends, The good news of Notre Dame Preparatory School is all around, and for this reason, we have decided to expand the audience and content of Roots & Wings! With this reimagined flagship publication, we are able to share more completely and more often all the achievements of alumnae and current students, as well as updates on present-day activities and future plans for the school. Communication is critical to all of our efforts to remain engaged with community members near and far, and we are excited with the opportunities Roots & Wings provides us to stay connected with our beloved alumnae, families, and friends.

This issue of Roots & Wings is a special one, because it highlights the literal roots and wings of NDP, which this year marks 60 years on our Hampton Lane campus. Emulating School Sisters of Notre Dame Foundress, Blessed Mother Theresa of Jesus, Sister Mary Virginia Connolly fearlessly sought to expand the reach of SSND education for young girls by establishing a larger, contemporary Notre Dame Prep campus in Towson, then considered “the wilderness!” The seeds she planted on this campus in the late 1950s and early 1960s have created the strong roots that support our school today.

It is remarkable to read how, through the years, the school’s foundational principles of academic excellence, spirituality, and service have remained hallmarks of an NDP education, ever present in the life of the school in spite of the change in location and the changes occurring in the world. Step back in time to read about the courses offered six decades ago to those offered today and discover how one beloved tradition was reimagined and celebrated in spite of the limitations this pandemic year brought us. In a

HEADMISTRESS Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D. EDITOR Cami Colarossi, APR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jennifer Caine ’86 Cami Colarossi, APR Neil Hrdlick Libby Geraghty Keady ’98 Kristen Kinkopf P’20 Steve Pomplon GRAPHIC DESIGNER Robin Albert PHOTOGRAPHY Carrie Burns, MSPH The Catholic Review NDP Archives David Pugh Leo Ryan Jennifer Tarr ABOUT NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY SCHOOL Founded in 1873, Notre Dame Preparatory School is sponsored by the School Sisters of Notre Dame.

More than 800 girls in grades six through 12 attend the Catholic, independent, college prep school, which claims 6,000-plus living alumnae. NDP has been named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, a Baltimore Sun “Top Workplace,” and a Top Engineering Source School by the University of Maryland.

MISSION STATEMENT Where Girls Become Women Who Transform The World

poem written expressly for our anniversary year, alumna Mary Beth Wey Quinn ’82 weaves the experiences of today’s NDP students with alumnae across the ages. Lastly, you will join us in celebrating the newest honorees of NDP’s Foundress Society, Athletic Hall of Fame, and Hampton Awards. The talents of these individuals are admirable; their commitment to living out the ideals of the SSNDs exemplary; and the gifts they have selflessly shared with Notre Dame Preparatory School inspiring. I am grateful for them, as I am for you, and all those who make Notre Dame Preparatory School the wonderful place it is!

I hope the articles in this magazine inspire pride and give you insight into life at the school today. We are one community that shares the same NDP roots, and together we will write the next chapter in Notre Dame Preparatory School’s storied history!

In Notre Dame,

Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D. Headmistress Roots & Wings • Spring 2021

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 six 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.” (Micah 6:8)

SPRING 2021 STORIES 8

Moving Forward

9

NDP Bestows Honors

Celebrating Inductees Into the Athletic Hall of Fame and Foundress Society, Hampton Award Recipients, and the Alumna of the Year

13

NYC at NDP

14

Computer Science at NDP

Inclusivity Work at NDP Continues

Re-Imagining Tradition During COVID-19

Exploring One of NDP’s Fastest-Growing Programs

FEATURE 4

60 Years on Hampton Lane

Academics, Spirituality, and Service Across the Decades

INTRODUCING THE SISTER HELEN MARIE DUFFY STUDENT SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM This year, Notre Dame Prep received an unprecedented number of requests for financial aid from prospective and current families. To meet such needs and help make an NDP education accessible for more students, NDP is launching the Sister Helen Marie Duffy Student Sponsorship Program.

Through this program, individuals, families, foundations, and businesses can sponsor a student for four years in the Upper Level or for seven years beginning in the Middle Level. Sponsorship grants can cover a portion or all of a student’s annual tuition.* This program honors former headmistress Sister Helen Marie Duffy, SSND, who served NDP for 59 years until her retirement in 1997. Beloved by many for her caring, compassionate nature, Sister Helen Marie believed in the transformational work of NDP and that an NDP education helps our students achieve their full potential. g

DEPARTMENTS 2

Hampton Headliners

12

The Heart of NDP

16

Living the Mission

Pam Keffer: A Helping Hand

The NDP Community in the Spotlight

“

AS WE CONTINUE TO SEE THE NEED INCREASE AMONG OUR APPLICANT FAMILIES, WE KNOW THAT THE FINANCIAL AID DOLLARS WE ARE ABLE TO AWARD EACH YEAR MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

”

- Maureen Cannon Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management

Mary Gamberdella: Woven True Blue

ON THE COVER: Aerial view of the Hampton Lane Campus construction, circa 1958-1959

To learn more about sponsoring a student, contact NDP’s Advancement Office at 410-583-8797 or kinkopfk@notredameprep.com. *Donors do not select sponsored students; rather, sponsored students are assigned by NDP.

Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • Spring 2021 • 1

Hampton

HEADLINERS

The NDP Community in the Spotlight

TEACHER

Grace ALL AROUND The pandemic reconfigured Lia Paolucci’s plans of teaching through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC) in unexpected ways. This determined young graduate from NDP’s Class of 2015 ended up serving most of her JVC year in the Maryland National Guard providing healthcare support and humanitarian assistance, and the experience, she came to understand, was grace-filled. She detailed her experiences in an essay that was named a notable entry in the Catholic Volunteer Network RESPONSE 2021 Volunteer Story Contest. “JVC was something I had dreamed of doing since freshman year, and it was only made possible by a delay in my initial training for the Army. This was a gift, as was my placement that felt like a perfect fit, my upcoming graduation, and my commissioning after four incredible years at an amazing school. Grace was all around.”

SHOWCASING

Influencers There is no stopping Raven Carter ’00! Her latest project for BET focuses on Black artists who are “disruptive” cultural influencers.

2 • Roots & Wings • Spring 2021

Photo credit: Kevin J. Parks/ Courtesy Catholic Review Media, www.catholicreview.org

For Life

Lauren Malcotti’s roots in Catholic education have turned into a life-long vocation. Featured in Baltimore’s Catholic Review, the 1985 alumna and her daughter, Kathleen, were profiled for their combined commitments to parochial school education in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. After serving in several Baltimore-area parochial schools during her career, Lauren now teaches fourth and fifth graders religion and language arts at Sacred Heart School in Glyndon, Maryland. To read Lauren’s story, go to: http://bit.ly/cr-cswteacher21.

CONGRATULATIONS, ALICIA! After a stellar 40-year career, Alicia Philipp ’71 retired as president of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, which grew into Georgia’s second largest foundation under her leadership. During her tenure, the Atlanta Business Chronicle named Alicia among the “100 Most Influential Atlantans,” while Georgia Trend Magazine included her among their “100 Most Influential Georgians.” Recognized as the ninth “most powerful” Atlantan by Atlanta Magazine, she was named one of 175 “Emory History Makers” by her alma mater, Emory University, which also awarded her its highest alumni honor, the Emory Medal.

Photo credit: Idris Ademola

ALUMNA PLAYWRIGHT WINS AWARD

Swimmer

Playwright Anna Moench ’02 is among this year’s 20 Steinberg Playwright Award winners, who, as the posting on the Playbill website states, collectively share “a bold, vital urgency and a common eye towards equity and social justice.” Each winner received $10,000 from the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust to assist during the COVID-19 shutdown. At present, Anna has also received commissions for new plays from the Gerbode Special Award in the Arts and the The National Asian American Theatre Company.

Alumnae

AUTHORS

Two NDP alumnae, Barbara Bagliani Clary ’80 and Allison Karbonik Wiest ’98, have recently published children’s books. Barbara’s The Mite-y Houseguest, which she co-wrote with her daughter and collaborated on with book coach Michele Dietz Chynoweth ’79, teaches how to prevent allergens like dust mites from wreaking havoc on a home and a child’s health—an especially relevant topic amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Allison’s first children’s chapter book, Roaming Riley: A Delmarva Adventure, tells the tale of an adventurous tabby cat who travels to Ocean City, Maryland, where he instantly meets an animal friend and takes in the sites of the Eastern Shore.

BRINGING TALENT TO

Stage & Screen ShoutOutLA recently profiled acting coach Tess Skorczewski Kirsch ’84. For nearly 20 years, Tess has been coaching aspiring actors of all ages in LA’s film and television industry, specializing in “Bootcamp” sessions to help the young actors in their audition process. Tess’ clients may be seen on TV shows such as Madam Secretary, The Good Wife, and Grey’s Anatomy, among others, and in featured films including The Hundred Foot Journey, The Proposal, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Pirates of the Caribbean, Santa Clause 3, and more.

OF THE DECADE

NDP alumna Kendall Krumenacker ’14 was named the No. 3 Girls Swimmer of the Decade by Varsity Sports Network (VSN). A standout Blazer swimmer, Kendall went on to swim for Towson University where, as a freshman, she recorded the third-fastest time in program history in the 200 backstroke (1:58.79) and continued for four years with top finishes and honors. Kendall shares this honor with her former swim coach, NDP’s Terri Byrd, who in the same poll was named VSN’s Girls Swimming Coach of the Decade.

BRINGING ALL

Together

Sherita Thomas is a busy woman. In addition to her full-time job as a Global Associate Experience Manager at T. Rowe Price and service on NDP’s STRIVE (Sustaining Transformation: Racial Inclusion, Value, and Equity) task force, she is also the Interim Director for the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Office of Black Catholic Ministries. In a moving essay in Baltimore’s Catholic Review, this Notre Dame Prep parent describes the work the Archdiocese is undertaking to combat racism and to bring all together in God’s love. “I am hopeful that the racism initiative will assist with ending the pattern of disregard too often displayed for Black lives.”

SKATING SUCCESS To mark its centennial, U.S. Figure Skating is highlighting “100 Contributors” to the sport of figure skating, including NDP’s own Patricia Muth ’68. Pat founded the Columbia Figure Skating Club in Maryland five decades ago and has instilled the love of figure skating in generations of young people. The club’s annual “Nutcracker on Ice,” now in production for more than 30 years, has become a holiday tradition in the city of Columbia, and features more than 100 skaters. Pat was inducted into the Howard County Sports Hall of Fame for her contributions.

Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • Spring 2021 • 3

When Notre Dame of Maryland Collegiate Institute for Young Women opened in 1873 on Baltimore’s Charles Street, few young women pursued a college education. With the move to Hampton Lane in 1960, the now-named Notre Dame Preparatory School was well on its way to cementing its reputation as a stellar college preparatory school. Today, this modern campus provides the setting for innovation, creativity,

Dedication of Notre Dame Preparatory School, 1960

and opportunity for the girls who enter its doors and leave as young women ready to transform the world. Throughout these past six decades, just as during the Charles Street years, the mission tenets of academic excellence, spiritual growth, and the practice of justice continue to resonate.

Fabrication Lab, 2020

ACADEMICS NDP’s academic program remains a standout in Baltimore’s competitive Catholic and independent school markets, providing an outstanding foundation for students entering college and beyond. Over the decades, NDP’s curriculum has evolved to meet the educational needs of the times. For instance, contemporary academic subjects have replaced traditional lessons in cooking and needlework, which are now 4 • Roots & Wings • Spring 2021

part of school clubs and activities. Recognizing the widespread utilization of technology, NDP added computer math in 1970; fast forward to today, and 2020-21 has seen growth in computer programming and cyber curricula.

Today, NDP is providing an education rich in opportunities for young women to explore intellectual and career interests.

The 12-Year Club of the Class of 1964

Signature programs, particularly those developed in the last decade, respond directly to our world’s need for global citizens who can think creatively, apply learned knowledge to real-world problems, and communicate and collaborate effectively.

• In 2020-21, NDP offered more than 190 courses in the

Upper Level, including academic requirements, electives, and fine and performing arts programming. With 24 Advancement Placement (AP) courses in all major subject areas, NDP students regularly graduate high school with a significant number of college credits.

• Our unique Middle Level program is designed for best

preparation in high school and incorporates a robust Innovate-Design Time Program (IDT), allowing for hands-on, project-based learning in the state-of-the-art Innovation Lab; fine and performing arts offerings; and age-appropriate advisory and guidance programs.

• A comprehensive grade six through 12 program in

STEAM—Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math— focuses both on academic and career exploration in STEAM fields; experiential learning and internships; specialized certificate programs in medicine, computer programming, engineering, and design in the Upper Level; and regular STEAM challenges and design projects in the Middle Level.

The bulk of STEAM activity takes place in the 23,500square-foot Jane Kroh Satterfield Innovation Wing, which opened in January 2020 and features premier learning tools and spaces, including a full-size Anatomage Table for 3D anatomy study, a Fabrication Lab for design-build engineering study, a cyber center, art and design studios, and more.

• Notre Dame’s performing arts program in grades six through

12 has expanded to include multiple choral groups, string orchestra, and Jazz band, while the ever-growing dance program provides learning and performance opportunities

Middle Level IDT Class, 2020

for students in all grades. The school’s high-caliber musical and dramatic productions have been enhanced with stateof-the-art lighting and sound technology, which student tech crews manage and operate.

• Since 2006, the Bette Ellis O’Conor Humanities

Program has cultivated a community of student scholars dedicated to intellectual pursuit that transcends the boundaries of usual study. This interdisciplinary program fosters a collegial and dynamic environment that elicits passion for ideas and learning.

• New courses such as Introduction to Sports Medicine,

Ecology, Global Environmental Issues, Genetics of Biology, and Infectious Disease allow students the opportunity to expand and explore other areas of interest. Dual enrollment courses with Notre Dame of Maryland University allow students to earn college credit while in high school.

Interweaving NDP’s academic and service missions, service-learning components were added to four courses through the AP Program.

• The Women In... (WIN) Internship Experience places

students in career settings so they may explore interests and apply classroom learning to real-work and real-world experiences. Initially begun with a focus on science and medicine, WIN now includes opportunities in business, law, computer science, communications, and more. To date, nearly 1,200 students have had a WIN experience, with more expected each year as new career tracks are added.

• Student life programming complements academics.

New honor societies, clubs, and activities, including CyberPatriots, One Love Club, dance and computer science, honor societies and more, have emerged to address students’ changing interests.

Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • Spring 2021 • 5

SPIRITUALITY

By Libby Geraghty Keady ’98, Upper Level Campus Minister

The strike of the match.

The beat of the drum. The glance up from the podium to encounter 1,000 faces looking to you. Stepping out into the aisle to grasp the outstretched hand. Clutching the chalice.

The harmony of the chorus clad in blue dresses and blazers.

Embracing a friend in peace. Extending an arm to welcome another to the table. Receiving the Eucharist from your teacher. “Amen!”

Liturgy, the sacramental expression of our communal spirituality, has been the centerpiece of all activity at Notre Dame Prep since the school’s founding. It’s the collective experience that strengthens our unity with God and one another, and this faith tradition enlivens and strengthens this Hampton Lane community.

The chapel overflows with the chattering sounds of friendship at the start of the annual faculty and staff mass held before students return to campus. Heralding the new academic year, an all-school liturgy follows the warm and welcoming Gateway Ceremony for new students. Holy Days, liturgical seasons, and uniquely NDP traditions, such as Ring Day, SSND Foundation Day and Alumnae Jubilarian Celebration, Gym Meet, and Senior Farewell, are rooted in celebrating liturgy together.

Second Vatican Council began two years after our Hampton Lane campus opened and changed the liturgy in many ways, including encouraging greater participation of the gathered faithful.

At NDP our students’ participation in liturgy are authentic expressions of worship that enliven and inspire and, over the years, the students have assumed greater leadership roles in our services. Our students decorate our worship space, welcome and guide guests, offer a Call to Worship, read Scripture, write and share the Prayers of the Faithful, sing and play instruments in our dynamic worship band, bear gifts to the altar, and operate the technology that makes it all possible and engaging.

After experiencing an NDP liturgy, one can’t help but think “our students have what this world needs.” Let’s continue to trust and dare!

The School Sisters of Notre Dame’s “trust and dare” philosophy of embracing progress to transform the world influences every aspect of our school, including our celebration of liturgy. The

Students outfitted for chapel

SERVICE

By Steve Pomplon, Director of Service

in how it quietly endures the passage of time. When that place is an institution, it bears the memories of people past, imbues a spirit to those present, and charges the unfolding future with its persistent aura of context and purpose.

The product of this ongoing discernment is astounding. Sixty years’ worth of Hampton Lane alumnae share commonality in traditions such as Penny Queen (42 years), Dinner with Our Elders (42 years), and Camp Umoja (35 years). Our partnerships in these events, grounded in mutuality and dialogue, endure, enrich, and become sacred over time.

At NDP, we dialogue within a culture enlivened with service and justice. Each year we recommit to traditions of service and justice, we continuously confer with community partnerships that are often decades old, and we host difficult conversations both within ourselves and in our community about the spirit of our work.

In 2021, we also look at the ways in which service has evolved.

Within the past decade, the 40-hour push for service hours during senior year expanded to promote an ongoing lifestyle of service: students now complete 60 hours over their final three years. And while the predominant focus remains

There is a magical quality to a place

6 • Roots & Wings • Spring 2021

relationship-building on the margins of society, students can now address the perils of climate change through “green” hours of service.

NDP TAPESTRY

A POEM BY MARY BETH WEY QUINN ’82 IN HONOR OF NDP’S 60TH HAMPTON LANE ANNIVERSARY

In 2015, NDP introduced a service-learning initiative to encourage the marriage of curricula and the world beyond the classroom. In four distinct courses, NDP now challenges students to connect their learning in community-engaged projects, as well as a mode of learning grounded in the critique of unjust systems.

Growing in our commitment to alleviating the symptoms of food insecurity, NDP now regularly volunteers with First Fruits Farm and the Maryland Food Bank. In 2010, in response to an increasingly displaced world, NDP became the first high school partner of the Refugee Youth Project, sending Blazer buses of tutors to an area afterschool program to teach English as a Second Language.

NDP’s mission to empower global citizens sends students throughout the Western Hemisphere. In addition to relationships in Mississippi, El Salvador, and the Eastern Shore of Virginia, NDP delegations have grown to include work with the SSND at the US-Mexico Border, the Peace Corps in Panama, biologists in Costa Rica, and the immersion volunteers of Rostro de Cristo in Ecuador.

An emerging world requires a commitment to our emerging community. In many ways, NDP now more fully understands that our commitment to transform the world really means we must transform our world. Ongoing work to promote anti-racism, cross-cultural communication, and authentic solidarity fuels a spirit that will shape decades of students, teachers, and partnerships yet to come. g

A mission that began on Charles Street is now retained on Hampton Lane The building is different but the tenets are not as the foundation remains quite the same The Gateway on campus is a beautiful symbol with a significance that’s crystal clear Its importance is treasured and celebrated by all during ceremonies held twice every year May you enter with excitement and leave with a purpose Leadership learned while within will soon rise to the surface Your course may be different from both your peers and your friends Yet these upcoming years are among some of the best you will spend Just as diamonds possess many facets to shine Your future looks brilliant through a path you define Your parents and teachers are there by your side Helping you weave your own tapestry and watching with pride Precious memories you’ll make at this time in your life will be some that you’ll never forget Hold them close to your heart and cherish them always for they’re a gift you will never regret The tradition of Gym Meet is a thread you are given to be woven into teamwork and unity A competition for sure but equally important is the feeling you achieve of community Aim to spend your time wisely and practice humility Share your strengths and your talents to the best of your ability Consider this a time of spiritual growth with an infinite date of expiration The lessons you learn will continue to grow and spring forth at your next destination If you hear those around you accuse you of suffering from something termed “Catholic guilt” Calmly remind them instead what you feel in your heart is the reason your faith has been built The spirit of camaraderie you share with each other is depicted through onyx and gold A unique sense of self unlike any other yet still projected as confident and bold As months turn to years and years turn to decades the golden years of your tapestry begin The only difference is now many more threads have been woven through a strength that lies deep from within Life’s challenges and struggles may sometimes present a fear of the unknown Allow your glistening threads to reflect all the comfort and love that you’ve been shown If one day you should learn that the gateway of gateways finally calls your dear classmate home Pray to the Lord for her soul and let her tapestry show that she was never ever alone

Camp Umoja summer service program

Be it six years or sixty many tapestries produced still carry the same heartfelt sentiment Love one another, be there for each other, and never harbor any unwarranted resentment Imagine one day if all the world’s tapestries could be fused together as one What a beautifully blinding light that would be to show our Creator’s work being done

*Photos taken pre-pandemic Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • Spring 2021 • 7

Moving Forward:

Inclusivity Work at NDP Continues

“

I HOPE THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS BEING A MORE EMPATHETIC AND ACTIVE COMMUNITY IN REGARDS TO FIGHTING RACISM.

”

- Clarisse Dapul ’21 Notre Dame Preparatory School has been educating young women for nearly 150 years—60 of which have been here on Hampton Lane—an expanse of time that saw our Nation recover from civil war, endure economic depression, and witness two world wars and countless national tragedies. Throughout its history, the NDP community responded with words and actions animated by our Gospel values.

The events of last year that brought to renewed light racial injustice and inequality in our country sparked widespread calls for an end to racism in all its forms. Notre Dame Prep and many of its members, from current students and faculty members to alumnae and others, lent their voices to those of countless others calling for peace, racial unity, and mutual respect.

“

AS A TEACHER, I KNEW I HAD TO CREATE SAFE SPACE IN OUR CLASSROOM FOR CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RACISM...OUR FAITH CALLS US...TO EXPLORE THE RACISM AROUND US AND WITHIN US.

”

- Libby Keady, Campus Minister

As a Catholic institution, NDP sees racism as a sin and stands for the equal treatment of all God’s people. In addition, the school has taken concrete steps to demonstrate its absolute and wholehearted commitment to ending racism within the NDP community, and beyond, including: initiating a search for a Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to coordinate and oversee the execution of the school’s anti-racism initiatives; contracting with a national consulting firm to oversee professional development for the school’s faculty and staff on diversity, equity, and inclusion; establishing an anti-racism task force 8 • Roots & Wings • Spring 2021

called STRIVE (Sustaining Transformation: Racial Inclusion, Value, and Equity); establishing student affinity groups that take an active role in student programming; and formalizing the school’s rejection of racism through the adoption of four Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitments, which STRIVE developed and the School’s Board of Trustees approved.

“

THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY AMERICA, SPECIFICALLY MINORITIES, RESPONDED TO THE ISSUES…IT WAS AN ONGOING, STILL IS AN ONGOING, DEMAND FOR EQUALITY...

”

- Alannah Moore-Boyd ’23

Catholic social teaching and the Gospel message root our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, which represent the school’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every student feels equally valued, treated, and respected. They also serve to renew the school’s promise to educate and form young women who are loving, just, and wise. For these commitments and promises to be realized, we must be prepared to listen, to educate ourselves, and to try and understand what we don’t already know, even if what we hear and learn is difficult, painful, or uncomfortable. The school is committed to listening and to the daily work of responding to the causes of racism—through word and deed—as long as it exists in the world. g

“

I BELIEVE IN THE TERM ‘RADICAL HOPE.’ I AM ALWAYS HOPEFUL THAT THE FUTURE WILL BE BETTER, BUT I BELIEVE THAT DOING THE ACTUAL WORK OF BECOMING ANTI-RACIST CANNOT BE DONE IN A PIECEMEAL FASHION.

”

- Terry St. Laurent, Director of Counseling/ Member of STRIVE

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION COMMITMENTS As a Catholic, independent school, Notre Dame Preparatory School is rooted in the Gospel and Catholic Social Teaching. The life and spirit of the School Sisters of Notre Dame permeate all aspects of NDP and its community. This spiritual heritage calls us and requires our action to nurture in all ways a community of one mind and one heart.

• Notre Dame Preparatory School’s mission, vision, and values guide our way forward and strengthen our commitment to the message of love, respect, justice, and equality for all.

• Notre Dame Preparatory School recognizes that racism is a sin and is committed to working towards ending all systemic racial injustice within the school community and extending to the greater community.

• Notre Dame Preparatory School embraces a diverse and inclusive community and is committed to creating an environment that honors and respects the dignity and gifts of each individual and fosters equity through its community life, programming and activities, and outreach to the broader community.

• Notre Dame Preparatory School is committed to educating and empowering young women to work actively to eliminate the root causes of injustice and thereby transform our world for the better.

Class

CHATTER Dear Sisters in Blue and White, We hope you and your families are well as we continue to navigate these challenging times. The connection we have to NDP and to one another is forever. It is our hope that these pages help to maintain that connection.

We love hearing from you and thank you for sharing your accomplishments. It is in sharing that we strengthen the bonds that connect us! We want to hear from you and are looking for chatter reps for various classes. If your class is missing, and you would like to submit news, please email me at osmeyers@notredameprep.com.

In true blue spirit, Shawn Osmeyer ’88 Alumnae Engagement Manager

1953

CLASS OF

Barbara Daugherty greemie1@comcast.net

To my dear best friends. Hope things are going well with all of you or “as good as can be.” We had a few girls that left us this year.

Anne Jones Malone, Nancy Wills Protzman and Mary Jean Wittlesberger Levasseur.

As I write this letter, a few of us are trying very hard to fight illness. Pat Williamson Hargest, Betty Bell Coakley, Barbara Lewis Kamberger, June Behles Outerson, Peggy Walsh Davies and Mitzi Hauf Sotir’s son Jimmy. All our sick classmates need lots of good thoughts and prayers! It’s almost time to start thinking about our 70th Reunion, ”a little bit early”?! Let me hear what your ideas are. Much love to the Great Class of 53, keep love and hope in your heart.

NDP Motto Act justly, love tenderly, walk humbly with God.

1955

CLASS OF

Margaret Wright margwright@comcast.net

At last, the year 2020 is over and we can look forward to being safely together again in person.

I had assumed that because we were ‘locked’ up all summer, we would hear more from each other. We all know what happens when we assume anything. I have little to report but hope this will spur you to send me some news about yourselves.

In the good news department, Larry and Vicky (Chrul) Chambers have moved into Mercy Ridge. Hoping all went well for them in their move.

Sympathy to Marguerite O’Hara Doxzen and her family on the death of her husband, Mickey. Please keep them in your prayers.

Hopefully we will be able to celebrate our 65th reunion soon. At least before it is our 70th.

Please take care, stay well, get vaccinated as soon as you are able. Perhaps that will enable us to celebrate together sooner.

1957

CLASS OF

Libby Silcott Lewandowski libbylewandowski@comcast.net

2020 has been the year of Zoom Meetings with friends and family, but hopefully 2021 will offer opportunities to get together in person. Make sure to put June 5 on your calendar. All NDP alumnae who have graduated 50 years or more are invited as guests to a Liturgy Mass and Reception during The Gateway Reunion Celebration to celebrate milestone reunions. Anne Brooks Heisey is enjoying retirement in Southwest Harbor, Maine home of beautiful Acadia National Park. She enjoys sewing at home and is doing her part to support her community’s hospital personnel and volunteers by making COVID napkins. Pat Kane Kelly has been keeping busy as a volunteer at Cromwell Valley Park. She is also a docent at the Hampton Mansion in Towson. During the pandemic shutdown Pat has joined other docents in doing historical research on topics to enhance presentations for visitors when the mansion reopens. Pat has also kept up with her Bridge and Book Club by meeting on Zoom. Our athlete, Pat, does manage to get in some rounds of golf regularly. Janice Thompson plans yearly visits to Susan Coleman Hogdeman in Deerfield Beach, Florida. It is a family affair Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • Chatter 2021 • C1

for Sue. Her son Mark lives with her and her daughter is nearby. Dolores Hergenroeder Pomles is looking forward to her daughter Natasha’s wedding in September. Dolores enjoys cooking weekly for Our Daily Bread and for ill neighbors and friends. Nancy Menton Webster is celebrating the birth of her 11th grandchild Emily (Milly) Webster born in California to Ned and Megan Webster. Granddaughter, Kate Tomick, will graduate from NDP in June. Kathleen Schimunek Karpers’ nieces keep her involved with student events at NDP. Emily Karpers is a senior and Elise is a freshman.

She enjoyed a trip to Greece before the pandemic. Toured the archaeological sites of the Peloponnese and ended the trip with a stay at the beautiful island of Santorini.

Our sympathy to Sandy Bornscheler Horak on the death of her husband Marty. Marty and Sandy were married over 56 years.

Sympathy also to Janice Thompson on the passing of her brother Michael. Stay well and email me any news for future Class Chatter to libbylewandowski@comcast.net. Hope to see many of you on June 5.

1958

CLASS OF

Charlotte Carozza Archer 410-323-1891 cc_archer@verizon.net

So nice to have good news to share. From the West Coast, Rina Torrieri Natopska (Carlsbad, California) is delighted that her new book, Secret of the Jetty has received great reviews. It’s a mystery novel, the first of her new series, So Cal Sleuths. Acclaimed

by Readers Favorite Book Reviews, it is rated five stars in each category: appearance, plot, development, format and marketability. Rina (pen name Rina Torri) has enjoyed a career as a feature story writer for several newspapers and magazines. Congratulations, Rina! Pat Innes Muth is in the news again, in Skating magazine, the official publication of U.S. Figure Skating Organization. This year is the centennial anniversary. As part of the 100-year celebration, they chose 100 “Contributors,” who have had significant impact on the skating community. Pat’s profile, with picture, in SKATING magazine’s initial issue of honorees, mentioned some of her accomplishments: She helped found the Columbia Figure Skating Club 51 years ago.

Their annual production of “Nutcracker on Ice” (30 years) has become a holiday tradition featuring 100 skaters. Pat initiated so many into the sport, she became a “pillar of the community,” and was inducted into the Howard County Sports Hall of Fame. On learning of this year’s centennial honor, one of her young skaters excitedly ran up to her: “Miss Pat, C2 • Roots & Wings • Chatter 2021

your picture is in the magazine! Pat played along: “WHY?” The little girl answered: “because you’re 100!”. What would we do without our dear friend Frances Lynch aka Pud, who keeps us posted on important happenings in each other’s lives? Phyllis Minakowski Simeroth is moving to Penn Valley, California, and will be closer to her son Brian and his blended family. Phyllis now has five grandchildren! She had planned an earlier move, but fires and COVID interfered.

So glad that you are safe and happy, Phyllis.

This past year, Pud’s birthday reminders were better than a Hallmark ad, regularly keeping us posted when someone’s BIG 80th was due. As not all were able to celebrate in grand manner, it certainly was special to hear from dear friends. In May, Nancy Farrell Venza celebrated with a family gathering, some surprising her from out of town. Pat Myers Stieber enjoyed a wonderful party with Rick and all of her family, including their three children, three grandsons, and four great-grandchildren, ages two to eight. Her sister, Sue, and husband flew from Baltimore, with crab treats. Two grandsons, Tyler, 36, and Turner, 25, are Secret Service Agents, stationed at the White House. They are members of the Emergency Response Team.

In April, I was totally surprised by my family, who gathered outside for a very brief time, with balloons, banners, and such, and the most appreciated gift of all—a large bouquet of toilet paper from my sister Carmel Carozza Miller ’62. How bizarre, but great to see cousins drive by, and all six grandchildren, who normally would have been away at college, or at sports practice or jobs. In the last year or so I have been in contact with a student from my very first year of teaching, third grade in Baltimore City. He became a professional race-car driver, all over the world, and was very successful in life. He said I was his favorite teacher and he never forgot me because I made him practice handwriting over and over.

Katy O’Ferrall Friedman wrote; “I relinquished my senior status as a judge to devote my time to taking care of my husband Richard who has Parkinson’s disease. I am happy to report that Rich was selected as a National Association Worker Pioneer for his life-long career as a social worker committed to juvenile justice. “Katy added the “challenges of social distancing and sometimes quarantining induce us to appreciate the importance of family and friends.” In early 2020, Pat Muth suggested that we plan a mini-reunion to celebrate our 80ths. Then COVID happened. We WILL do it this year!

Stay tuned—and please STAY WELL!

CLASS OF

1959

Peggy Bradley 301-251-0458 maclaugh2003@yahoo.com

Franny Quinn Brooks Franny has been enjoying attending a women’s spiritual and social group on Zoom.

Her 12-year-old grandson who spends weekends with Franny and her husband, frequently will ask her if he can make a snack for her! Adorable. She is looking forward to having a great grandchild soon and to being a great-grandmother.

Barbara Mackowiak Harps “Since my marriage in 1967, I have been living in Germany. At the moment, during the pandemic, I feel especially fortunate as the government here has taken it seriously and the numbers of new infections is falling steadily. But I feel confident that the new government in the US will gradually get COVID under control. I hope all my classmates and their families are well. I am healthy and in pretty good shape.

During our lockdown curfew, only grocery stores are open, masks are a requirement. I occupy my time with reading, piano playing, knitting, walks, trying out new recipes, keeping in touch with friends by telephone or e-mail. I have a daughter living in St. George, Utah, whom I visit once a year, and the other daughter living in northern Germany, 800 miles away from me and five grandchildren but no great-grandchildren yet”.

Joanna Bianca Krieger Joanna now lives full time in Ocean Pines, Maryland, where she has been volunteering at the Cancer Center. When the COVID virus is contained, she is looking forward to spending more time with her adult children and grandchildren. She is in contact with Pat Boyd Rites, also a member of the class of ’59, who lives nearby in the same community.

Kathy Roach (the 2019 Mother Caroline Friess awardee for serving and advocating for the impoverished). Due to COVID travel and safety restraints, Kathy has not been able to travel to Guatemala, where she has been a volunteer nurse for many years, but she continues as an advocate locally with her church racial equity justice committee.

In her spare time, she swims three times a week.

Margee Eichelberger Tinker Margee is living in Texas in the same “wonderful community” where she has maintained close friends for the past 20 years. She feels fortunate that members of her family are living within driving distance.

Each summer, she and her family continue to travel back to Sherwood, Maryland to visit her beloved childhood summer place.

Class Chatter Marguerite Walsh Marguerite, the past president of the Baltimore Symphony Associates, is still an active organization volunteer. With 18 grandchildren and five great grandchildren she remains busy, and yet managed to complete several quilts for Children’s Hospital. She and her grandchildren made 100 masks for a shelter and many for family members.

1960

CLASS OF

In Memoriam: Trish Neville Woodall Class Rep, Class of ’60

together—over the years and across the miles—and made us a family.

We remember her accomplishments from our high school days: a National Honor Society scholar who aced every French exam, sang soprano (including descants!) in the Choral Club, served as class treasurer, worked on the yearbook, and—despite a legendary dread of public speaking—was vice president of the Debate Club. But more importantly, we remember her talent—even in those early days—for understanding, for encouraging, for making friends, for being comfortable joining any lunch table in the cafeteria, where she was always warmly welcomed because when you talked and she listened, you really felt heard.

they could always count on for caring and compassion. And she was loved by us, her classmates, whom she held together for 60 years with her listening, her enlivening, and her irresistible sense of humor.

Our loss is great. But her legacy of love is greater.

Pat Montley ’60 *I am indebted to my classmates for much of the content of this tribute.

These were talents that motivated her to earn a BA in sociology from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, a master’s degree at the University of Maryland School of Social Work and Community Planning, and her license to practice in the state. And practice she did—first as a counselor for the Archdiocese of Baltimore and later in private practice. At the time of her death, she was still using her counseling skills, working with the elderly-infirm nuns at the School Sisters of Notre Dame motherhouse.

Trish Neville Woodall

On January 5—what would have been Trish’s 78th birthday—our class had a Zoom memorial tribute, attended by 49 participants sharing memories.* One of those memories was of Trish telling why she embraced the role of class rep: her mother, Marie Besche Neville ’30, had been her class rep and cherished the rewarding experience.

Trish Neville Woodall

With overwhelming sadness, the Class of ’60 mourns the loss of our beloved class rep Trish Neville Woodall, who died of a heart attack on Dec. 12.

Our loss is immeasurable. Was there ever a more loyal, dedicated classmate/class rep, a more caring, generous friend than our Trish?

If we have been cradled in camaraderie these 60 years, it is because Trish was forever rocking that cradle: soliciting our individual stories of joys and losses and sharing them in the newsletter, planning dozens of reunions and lunches, urging us to come, to share our bios online, to keep in touch. She was always reaching out, never giving up on any of us.

When I sent out the email to the class with the news of Trish’s sudden death, 25 classmates flooded my inbox with grief.* Tellingly, at least eight of the 28 indicated they had had recent contact with Trish—by phone, text, email, handwritten notes, even through singing together on Zoom! She remembered not just our names (and those of our spouses and children) and our ever-aging faces, but also our stories, our successes, our struggles. She kept us

Trish was our treasure—listening, supporting, sympathizing…and of course, nagging and nudging with her inimitable sense of humor.

She was our center, our glue, our lifeline. She was the heart of the Class of ’60.

Trish had many passions. She loved quality clothes and well-crafted antiques. She loved gardening and traveling, especially to the National Parks. Most of all, Trish loved music.

She loved going to concerts and listening to good choral music. And she especially loved singing. From her four years in NDP’s Choral Club to the 35 years in the church choir at St. Pius X, singing was her soul’s delight.

And it was everyone else’s delight to hear her sing.

But most of all, Marie Patricia Neville Woodall loved her family (her husband Jerry, her son Mark, her granddaughters Chloe and Iris, her sisters Anne and Celie), loved her classmates, loved her friends, and loved her work. And in return, she was loved. She was loved by her family, who credit her with being their lodestar, the guiding light of their lives. She was loved by her clients who trusted her with their troubles and relied on her support. She was loved by her neighbors and friends who knew her to be someone

19 61

CLASS OF

Peggy Mullan Greenman 217 Northway Baltimore, MD 21218 410-467-3500

In thinking of our 60th reunion on June 5, 2021, many of us have known each other since we were “wee” girls. Eleven of us spent 12 years together: Honey Armstrong, the late Rose Brubach, Bobbie Lears, Judy Hook, Lawre Donnelly, Connie Neer, Charlotte O’Donnell, Marie Boccuti, Jeanne Phillips, Barbara Gaver, Nannette Smith, and I. Four were with us for 11 years: Mikie Armstrong, Susan McCaffray, Claire Watson, and the late Russell Phillips. Sissy Muse and Nancy Morgan joined the class for ten years.

What a wonderful group!

Congratulations to Sr. Pat McLaughlin on her election to Chair of the Board of Notre Dame of Maryland University—her alma mater. Sr. Sharon Slear is serving as Provost/ Vice President for Academic Affairs for NDMU. Charlotte (Sissy) Muse is teaching in Menlo Park, CA, and has published her fifth book of poetry, “In Which I Forgive the River” from Broadstone Books in Kentucky. It will also be available through Amazon.

Dr. Barbara Gaver has established the “In My Father’s House Endowment for Disabilities Ministry” in the Catholic Community Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • Chatter 2021 • C3

Class Chatter Foundation. Her idea is to have parishes throughout our Archdiocese employ young adults with disabilities, adding dignity and purpose to those first five years of their adulthood. The fund will help parishes cover the salaries of these young people.

Gene Palmer Moore writes from Victoria, Australia, that due to her country’s lockdown, they had two months of no COVID cases and only recently had an outbreak of 29 cases and are now back to zero.

The Pandemic prevented Jeannie Leonhart Anfossi from visiting Ocean Pines, MD, last July to see her grandsons and brother, John, and Eileen.

Carmel Carozza Miller’s son, Russ, opened his third Abbey Burger or Uptown Burger/ Abbey Burger Mt. Washington last year.

Despite the Pandemic, all three are thriving, due to carry out.

Susan Wright Lattin has retired after 28 years with MedStar Franklin Square Hospital.

You may know that Winnie Day Woodbury lost her long battle with lung and brain cancer. A whiz in school, Winnie was a Reunion Regular.

Honey Callan Moran is enjoying her retirement in Murrells Inlet, SC, while watching her two “grandgirls” grow up.

Clare Smith Pitz passed away from Multiple Myeloma. A former SSND nun, Clare become a wife, mother, and former NDP Principal.

Our sympathy to Cyrilla Bollinger Rohrer and Connie Neer Gourley on the passing of their husbands. Surry (a nurse) and Brad and son settled in Annapolis after his retirement from the State Department. Connie and Jim were married for 56 years, raised two children, and moved to Silver Point, TN, after retirement as a nurse at our St. Joe’s.

After several illnesses, Pat Caughy Runkle’s husband, Patrick succumbed to pneumonia.

Betsey and Finlay Grace

Looking forward to seeing our classmates at the reunion!

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CLASS OF

Sheila Sweeney Peter 115 Castlewood Road Baltimore, MD 21210 sheila.peter@verizon.net 410-323-8526

In February, I received very sad news, indeed, when I learned that Mary Lou Koontz Baikauskas had died suddenly, in her sleep! Mary Lou was kindness itself and unwavering in her dedication to NDP. May she now find comfort in the arms of our Lord.

Another proud grandmother, Ann Turner Berger, excitedly reported that oldest grandson, Turner Wibbelsman, daughter Anne Carroll’s son, is in his second year of medical school. He is at Sidney Kimmel Medical School, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia.

Ran into Claire Albert, who told me that winter has curtailed her golf but she and Mike travel between Columbia and her Bethany beach house.

Tom and I feel so lucky that we traveled to the Holy Land and Jordan, in 2019! We visited all the holy sites from Christ’s birth to His death. It was such a thrill and will be a very treasured memory! In Jordan we rode donkeys and camels to explore the “’Lost City” of Petra en route to Mt. Nebo, where Moses saw the Promised Land!

C4 • Roots & Wings • Chatter 2021

Jane Matricciani Shabb and daughters received a sad shock, when her husband, Charlie died in his sleep in December!

May all of their dear, dear souls Rest in Peace.

In 2022, we will celebrate our 60 Year Reunion!!! Colleagues, let’s make it a blowout!!!

1964

CLASS OF

Sallie Mullen sarahmullen46@gmail.com

The Class of 1964 had a quiet year, staying healthy, not traveling, zooming away, keeping kids and grandkids (and, gulp, great-grandkids!) at arm’s length. I’m aware of at least two of us who now have great-grandchildren: Betsey Barringer and Nancy Knauff Damico. Nancy’s first, a boy, was born last fall. Betsey’s first, Carson, is 2; here she is with the second, Finlay Grace, born in May of 2020.

Janie Kammer Powers suggested that since our usual holiday brunch was a no-go, we should gather via Zoom. She kindly set up and hosted the session, in which nine of us participated. We’re going to do it again— stay tuned.

(l-r, top-bottom): Janie Kammer Powers, Sallie, Susan VanWiggeren Markowitz, Maureen Murphy McCart, Valerie Pearce Herwig, Sharon Maciolek Byerly, Pat Smith Shaw, Mary Louise Libby Palm, and Betsey Barringer.

Debby Helfrich and Tim Coleman snuck in a cruise to Antarctica in January but had to cancel their 50th anniversary trip to Lake Como and Portofino in August owing to COVID — sigh...In the meantime, their daughter Sarah, son-in-law Ryan, and three grandchildren moved from Chicago to Nashville, where Sarah is teaching at Vanderbilt. Tim and Deb are happy to have the family four hours closer to them in Lexington, KY. COVID notwithstanding, I managed to spend eight months of 2020 in Italy with Peter.

My first stay was extended by almost three months because I couldn’t get a flight home.

I was able to return in October because Italy grants an exception to unmarried couples in a “stable emotional relationship”—that’s us! Our house is finished and, despite a roller coaster of closures and limitations on travel, we were able to see friends in small

Kathy Latrobe has pulled up stakes and moved to Clarksville, TN, to be near to her son Michael his wife Lauren and their three children, including four-month-old Austin.

Michael is a major (soon to be Lt. Col.) in the Inspector General’s office at Fort Campbell, home of the Army’s 101st Airborne Division.

Sallie Mullen’s Italian abode

Class Chatter groups, eat out occasionally, and make good progress on decorating the house. Here’s our house, the view to the north, and Peter hamming it up.

different accents and speech patterns, she imagines being able to travel to so many different places and visit some of them— hopefully in the near future.

“In memoriam: I came across this photo of Anne MacKay Lawton and Franne Reilly Nale, both of whom died in 2019, which was taken at our (year of turning 70) gathering in May 2016.”

Barbara Jacobs Eyring’s daughter, Sharon, is a missionary currently living in Shkodra, Albania. Interesting facts: the people are friendly, kind, and hard working. Mother Theresa was born in Albania. Fun fact: Albania has the most coffee shops in Europe.

Anne MacKay Lawton and Franne Reilly Nale

CLASS OF

1965

Bobbe Harder Friedman bobbefriedman@gmail.com

Hello Class of ’65. I started this column once before with a cute little introduction about our no good, very bad year, yet we persevered, and was half way through the news when I hit some key and it all disappeared. Story of my life. So here we go again, no cute introduction: Eileen Woytowitz Masaschi is pleased to announce the arrival of grandchild #6, Victor John Masaschi, a Thanksgiving blessing, born November 26, 2020. He weighed 8 lbs., 8 oz., and parents John Joseph and Miluska are over the moon.

Anna Maria Ostrom Storey (AMO) and husband Mike have been staying home, going grocery shopping during senior hour, and going for walks along American River six out of seven days/week. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a quiet dinner at daughter Anna Lisa’s while Facetiming with the other two children.

Their Viking cruise which was cancelled twice is now scheduled for October.

Deborah Bender created a small window on the world even during the pandemic. She is mentoring English language learners on a global platform, English First. In her classes and private lessons she meets adult learners from many countries, including China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Brazil, Columbia, Russia, France, and Germany. As she listens to their

Marcia Pearce DeWitt writes that she and husband Henry continue to enjoy living in Rehoboth Beach, DE, where they’ve been for 16 years. Henry still does work in his business for NASA, and Marcia serves on several museum boards, although virtually.

All five children and six grandchildren are doing well. Actress daughter, Gigi, who lives in London completed a HBO Max pilot, and Marcia will let us know if it gets picked up.

Her other grown children are working in law, international environmental practice, veterinary medicine and software development.

Mary Brent Toohey Buckett sent the following: “It is with both sadness and joy that I let you know of my mother’s recent passing on January 8, 2021. Dorothy Simms Toohey lived an amazing 104 years. I will miss our ‘visits’ by phone every evening yet feel so blessed to have had a mother who was full of love, inspiration, and courage to her family and all she met.”

Donne Klemkowski LaVerghetta wanted to pass along the sad news that Monique Naddeo Blazek lost husband Charlie on December 30, 2020, due to complications of Parkinson’s.

And a few classmates checked in with no news, but sent greetings—Susan Feldman Thompson, Nancy Nugent Bowers, Ann Conneen Klaes, and Anne Peter Hahn.

Please send Kathleen Gallagher any changes of address or email to kgallagher6945@outlook.com. Thanks to Kathleen for keeping us informed and on track, as always. Signing off -- Bob.

1968

CLASS OF

Mary Kay McGovern mkmcg625@verizon.net

Hi, Girls, hope everyone is healthy and managing well through this challenging year.

Meanwhile, we have some fun chatter. Janet Butz Tomick reports that “besides turning 70 this year, Mike and I celebrated our 50th

anniversary. We had four big trips planned to include taking the whole family to Mexico.

It would have been 15 of us going. All four trips had to be cancelled. But we have our health.” Janet goes on to note that, Robin Gould Scherer and Dieter moved to North Carolina to be close to their daughter who just had a baby girl in the spring. Also, Judy Nelson Connelly welcomed a baby granddaughter in the spring. Her son, Patrick, who lives in California, and his wife are the proud parents. Nikki Possident Cole also “welcomed a grandson last February. It was her daughter’s second son.” Trish Toti Kolker shares that, “Life goes on here in our little town in Ashland, OR. Much different than living in a big city with big numbers.

We are still very cautious and trying to be safe. We sold The Blue Giraffe Spa in March and the new owner closed down two days later. She opened again in July and as any spa, I guess things are not what they used to be. Meanwhile, my husband and I are enjoying retired life with no travel and no visits from our six grandchildren. My 92-year-old mom is still living with my sister Judee, on the coast and we can’t even visit her. We look forward to things getting back to normal! I hope everyone is safe and well! Best to you all! Trish.” Phyllis Barlow Godfrey writes that, “This isn’t NEWS per se...just checking in. I am well and so far my whole family has stayed healthy and employed. Praise God! Our Christmas celebration with family will be postponed until we have gotten vaccinated. I am teaching 5th grade Religious Education by Zoom. Having retired at 55, this technology was new to me and is a challenge. I am really thankful for my 12 years of up close and personal Catholic Education. Our local Catholic HS just closed. My granddaughter in NJ went through TWO Catholic school closures in six years. She is in public school now. I am heartbroken. I pray that more parents recognize the value of a Catholic education for their children. I did visit Ireland with our Bishop in 2018 and loved the Irish people and fresh whole food.” Kathleen Sweeney “retired after 31 years on the District Court in Baltimore City although still sitting part time as a recalled judge.

We added our grandson, Harry, on June 22, 2020 who joins his sister, Ida, who is 2 1/2. I am really dreading winter.” Jane Kaltenbach McElroy adds that “We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in December, and we were very happy to have had a great day with just the two of us and carryout. Our youngest son will be getting married in FL on April 30, 2021 instead of October 23, 2020. We will stop by Sallie Zeidler Grandi’s for a visit en route. I did retire from hospice nursing in 2019 but am now able to volunteer for the COVID vaccine clinics. We have two grandsons from our oldest son who are 10 and five and then our daughter has two boys who are 11 and six.” Congratulations are in order!!! Sallie Zeidler Grandi was named to Notre Dame Preparatory School’s 2020 Athletic Hall of Fame. The Athletic Hall of Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • Chatter 2021 • C5

Class Chatter Fame aims to recognize outstanding individual athletes and coaches of NDP who continue to exemplify the spirit of Notre Dame Prep. The selection committee felt that the leadership, ability and team spirit you demonstrated in your athletic career were outstanding. You have set a wonderful example for all of our students— both athletes and non-athletes. This virtual induction celebration was held on Friday, April 30th. Best wishes and sincere congratulations, Sallie! My thrilling news is that my older daughter, Lauren Engel Fenwick and her husband, Jason presented our family with our first grandchild, Elliott Lawrence Fenwick on November 2, 2020. We are all having so much fun with this new little boy”. Chris Murray Kaiser mentions that her granddaughter, Ella (whom I provided care for when she was a wee girl) “just turned 16” (date January 22, 2020 of Chris’ update to me)—Ella, btw, was a delightful addition to my child care group at the time! “She is a beautiful girl who loves her new school in Michigan. I miss her and Marin so much though. I also have a new little grandson who was born in January. He missed Ella’s birthday by 21 minutes :) My son, Tim and his wife, welcomed their second child, Charles Evans Kaiser “Charlie”. That is number six for us! It’s fun, isn’t it?? I am about to finish year number 40 at NDP! Can you believe that?

That’s in addition to the four years I attended as a student! Crazy! It’s a special place!”

Marie Ann Leyko shares “The pandemic has been hard on my husband and I in that we have not seen our daughter, Moira, for over a year. While weekly Zoom meetings, phone calls during the week, and daily texts help, they are no substitute for a strong hug or a kiss on the cheek. Moira is working as a Geophysicist II for a company in Tucson, AZ. For a lover of the outdoors she has a dream job with her team of hiking the deserts of the Southwest looking for rare earth metals that are needed within our hi-tech equipment that we all use every day. She was elected to serve on the board of the Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society and is the acting chair of their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force. In that role, she is trying to attract and support more women and underrepresented minorities in the field of Geophysics. She recently hosted a webinar featuring a film and follow-up discussion attended by 150 people from 13 different countries. The film featured was “Picture a Scientist”—you can find the trailer here: Picture a Scientist—trailer on Vimeo. One of the scientists featured in the film was an alumnus of Moira’s alma mater, Boston University. While there has been progress for greater inclusivity within the sciences, Picture a Scientist shows that we still have a long way to go. As for my husband and I, we are cooking, gardening, and have become somewhat politically active, after being horrified at what went on at the Capitol in early January. We live 13 miles due west of DC. We consider it part of C6 • Roots & Wings • Chatter 2021

our home, and do not want to see the institution, its occupants or its physical structure disrespected.” We ’68ers know that and agree. NDP is a special place with the Class of ’68 gathering an extra special group of girls!!! “It is with much sadness that I am letting you know that Mary Ellen Connell Moore passed away suddenly in September on her 70th birthday. We had remained close over the years, having an NDP girls weekend for many years with Mary Ellen, Millie Hooper La Fontaine, Kathy Peroutka Szarko, and myself. She will be greatly missed. Our friendships formed at NDP have been a blessing for a lifetime. God bless.” Lovingly shared by Margo Pearce Davis. Please stay safe and healthy. Let’s all get through this craziness and move onto better times ahead. Always, my best—keep sending me updates. We all enjoy hearing what is going on with each of our classmates. Happy Spring!

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CLASS OF

Karen Kyne Cashen 1201 Windy Gate Road Towson, Md 21286 kkcashen@comcast.net 410-812-1781 Anita Williams Feeley feeleya@gmail.com Susie Bailey Muller suzymuller32@gmail.com

wife and daughter, Chloe, live locally, while Matthew and his wife and daughter, Naomi, live in Brazil.

Suzie Gaudreau DeVore reports that she and husband, Pat, are still living in Pittsburgh and they are loving retirement. They remain active despite COVID-19, but it is preventing them from seeing three of their five grandchildren, though they are trying to be creative with staying in touch. Suzie started a non-profit with a dear friend of hers, Micheline, from Burkina Faso, Africa.

Micheline is there now looking for their second village that is in need of a grade school. This is her new retirement career Fasolife.us.

Paula Recknor Sykes is still a Special Education teacher in Baltimore City and loves her job! She has three daughters, all married. The oldest has three children and one on the way. The middle one is more than halfway through becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner. The youngest is a school-based mental health therapist.

Patty Wiedorfer Smith welcomed her second grandchild on December 23, 2020.

Welcome to the world Jackson Ryder Smith!

Also welcoming a new grandchild was Susie Bailey Muller. Henry Hamilton was born on November 10, 2020 in Los Angeles. She is looking forward to seeing him when it is safe. For now, it’s lots of FaceTime and Zoom, and they are loving every minute with him!

After a brief hiatus, the class of wine and blue is back! Thanks so much for helping us to update email addresses and for sending us your news! There’s so much to report!

Rona Ammons Dixon is still working for MCPS as a School Psychologist and loving it. Also, she works for the Autism Waiver program. Everything is on hold in this time of COVID-19. Her two sons Richie (38) and Jonathan (32) are doing well in these challenging times.

Mary Rosewin Sweeney is a grandmother of one, Brian, who turned two in February. She is still working as an environmental lawyer but with reduced hours. She is also doing the “COVID granny” routine—watching Brian a lot during the pandemic while his parents work. He has helped her stay sane!

Susie Biano McCune, Betsy Chasney Dorney, Joan Scelsi Hawthorne, Marianne Weis, and Lee Taborsky Bandy all say hello!

Lynn Bradley recently purchased a condo in Mays Chapel North. She spends her time mentoring both women and men through Komen, who have recently been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She is also an Advocate in Science (AIS) for Komen. This is her favorite thing to do! Her son, Jason, his

Susie Bailey Muller’s grandson, Henry Hamilton

Condolences to Beverly Jo Strehlen Gallagher whose mother passed away in 2019, prior to COVID-19.

Colleen Heffernan Burke has no real news to share, other than she’s been stuck home in Virginia Beach for the last year. It is not how she envisioned her first year of retirement!

Congratulations on your retirement anyway!

Like many of us, Connie Krebs Bison had to delay her trip to France last fall, but it is rescheduled for this September. She will be

Class Chatter traveling with her husband and another couple. The women will be horseback riding for four days of the trip around Normandy.

The guys will join for tours and other activities while the women ride. They have a car and plan for 10 days total in France.

Connie and her husband, Richard, will then fly to Lisbon and drive along the southwest coast of Portugal for about a week. It is all contingent on vaccines and safe traveling conditions, but she remains hopeful! Her son, Henry, has one more year of medical school at Northwestern before deciding on a specialty and heading to residency.

Safe travels!

Margaret Sweeney was appointed a Judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims

by President George W. Bush on October 24, 2005, and entered duty on December 14, 2005. She served as Chief Judge from July 12, 2018 - October 18, 2020.

Dana Conroy shared the following information: “I was on crutches for six months last year after necessary foot arch bone fracture surgery caused by picking up my too-heavy ailing golden retriever. While recovering from that I developed what the doctors called a massive blood clot, ankle to hip, from a foot cast that was likely too tight when my foot swelled immediately post-surgery. I was very lucky and blessed nonethe-less by the outcome. I went from PT to Biden Headquarters daily until both shut down with COVID-19. I worked on the Biden Presidential Campaign out of Biden National Headquarters in Philadelphia. I’m still working with Human Rights Watch, the gold standard not-for-profit which fights human rights abuses globally in 100 countries, as I have been for 15 years. Son Jamie is just out of isolation after recovering from COVID-19 in Oaxaca, Mexico, where he’s remotely writing after working for the app Purposity and as a wildland firefighter this year in Colorado. Son Kitt’s still at Facebook in marketing/sales in Austin, and we’re happy he’s going to UCLA for grad business school for a program marrying technology, marketing, and entertainment in August.

Jim’s still working for NBC Philadelphia.

Our back and forth between Philly and NYC will continue and resume more after vaccination. Apartment renovation in NYC is almost finished. In June, we drove 30 hours cross country to Aspen to visit Jamie who was alone during the worst of the pandemic.

I was so happy I was able to hike and bike and get in decent shape after the sadness and isolation of last year. In August, we drove 15 hours to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, where we spend time every summer since living in Chicago, and I wake-surfed and played golf every day. It’s been tough for so many people. Faith and NDP’s teachings have helped. Praying for all.”

Cindy Lisiecki Fitzgerald reports that life is wonderful for she and her husband, Tom, and their three sons and three darling

grandchildren, ages 6, 4, and one. She is happily retired from teaching elementary school in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, she enjoys making good use of her time with her grandchildren and volunteer work. She is looking forward to post-COVID fun times soon!

Jane Boecker MacDonald shared that not much has happened, but lots has been cancelled! Her family is doing well and looking forward to gathering again soon.

Jane and her husband, Doug, celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary in April.

It was a quiet celebration at home in Gettysburg watching wedding videos! Her grand twins turned 13 in August and are amazing young ladies. She is getting to know her one-year-old grandson through many virtual visits and can’t wait to give him a giant Nana hug again! Jane is still working nights in the laboratory at Carroll Hospital, where she is trying to ease into retirement soon.

Anita Williams Feeley is currently on the Board at Sisters Academy of Baltimore, which is a Catholic, community-centered middle school that educates girls of different races, ethnic groups, and religions from families of limited economic means. She is also a committee member for Maryland’s Newest World-Class Event and Weekend Festival that will be held in Baltimore City September 2021. To round that out, she takes care of her great nephew, Tucker, every Thursday and remains physically active by walking, using her Peloton, and doing Beach Body videos. Come spring, her son, Galvin, will be opening his own garage to service antique automobiles. Her husband, Goody, is still working and doing well.

Shout out to Nancy Ward’s daughter, Devon Conklin ’01, who is featured in Baltimore Magazine’s February 2021 edition of “Women Who Move Maryland”!

Ann Jagelski Crostic is a fabulous Plein Air artist who travels all over painting on location.

Mary Kay Ford DeMarco is the Nursing Program Director at Community College of Baltimore County.

Charlene Little O’Malley closed her antique business and opened a wedding venue destination called Rock Creek Farm in Gettysburg, PA. And finally, I too welcomed a new granddaughter, Caroline Marie, on May 4, 2020.

She is the daughter of Caitlin Cosgrove, ’01. I spend every Tuesday working with my other granddaughter, Lila, as she navigates her way through virtual kindergarten. My happiest times are spent with my four grandchildren! Brian and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in June with a beautiful family get-together. Anita, Susie,

and I walk together twice a week to catch up on our lives and keep our sanity. Stay safe and healthy!

CLASS OF

1974

Natalie Aiken Shields 10 Clynmalira Ct. Phoenix, MD 21131 nashields@comcast.net 443-904-4535

As we all know, 2020 was a strange (and hopefully once in our lifetimes) year. Some of us did have some positive news to share which I’m sure makes us all happy. Sue Coliton decided to relocate in the middle of the pandemic—from Seattle to Santa Fe. The drive there was better than normal with very few cars on the road, and the winters in Santa Fe are very nice. She is now the interim CEO of the Santa Fe Community Foundation.

Margaret Case Gugerty checked in to let us know that she is excited about the upcoming wedding of her son TJ in Salt Lake City where he lives and the expectation of her second grandchild from daughter, Kate.

Sue Hill Gebhardt became the grandmother of a third grandson, Griffin Florian Gebhardt, in August 2020 and is looking forward to getting together with all three grandsons as soon as it’s safe. Deb Kazmerowski Welsh is enjoying retirement. She and husband, Bob, retired to Delaware in a golf community near Rehoboth Beach. They would love visitors once people can really travel again.

Carol Watkins Reid had a lovely backyard wedding for her daughter, Erin, in November 2020. Her May wedding had been cancelled due to COVID so they decided to have a more intimate affair at home which turned out great.

Mary Lyons Dawson is implementing Social Media for businesses in Los Angeles in addition to running her Revelation Tops store.

She recently had a fashion videographer interviewing and filming in her store.

Katy O’Neill had quite a travel experience in 2020. She and her husband embarked on a cruise around Cape Horn on March 2 which was supposed to be 14 days long.

After 39 days they were able to disembark in Miami, then flown home via private jet to North Carolina. Katy tested positive for the virus and quarantined with mild symptoms.

She then joined Survivorcorps and donated convalescent plasma throughout 2020 to be used on COVID patients.

Nancy Balthazar Lapanne was able to get her travel finished before the shutdowns. In early January she and husband Gary took a Viking cruise from Athens to Barcelona and Barcelona to Rome. Nancy is happy to live in South Carolina where the weather is mild Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • Chatter 2021 • C7

Class Chatter and she is able to get outside most of the time. She completed a mini triathlon and half marathon virtually during the pandemic.

Barbara Vitale Wood wrote to let us know that her father, Dr. Vitale, died in 2020.

At 93 he lived a long active life as a physician, pilot, woodworker, golfer and founder of Medifast. Our condolences go to Barb. Condolences also to Kathy Reahl Auth, whose husband Michael died in 2020 after a battle with prostate cancer. Condolences to Stevie Ernest Battista on the death of her mother and Barbara Goode Mannisi on the death of her mother.

Melissa Allen Moser wrote to remind everyone that we have a Facebook group, NDP ’74, so if you join you will be able to see pictures of classmates and what is going on with everyone.

19 77

CLASS OF

Karen Meekins Benckini kbenckini@comcast.net (443) 841-4571

Greetings, Ladies, While things were quite different in 2020, let’s all be thankful that we still have our strong sisterhood! Hopefully now that Spring is around the corner and people have access to vaccines, we can look forward to a better, brighter 2021!

Just a few pieces of news to share from classmates, both near and far: Susan Epstein: “I started an instructional design certificate program in January 2020 to complement my librarian skills of 26 years and will be looking to combine my medical library systems acumen with instructional design knowledge and ability. I continue to work at the Maguire Medical Library, Florida State University. Meanwhile, our son is looking for full-time work after finishing Stony Brook this summer.”

Aurora Diaz-Plaza-Birch: “2020 put a pause on just about everything, but it couldn’t

stop love or the miracle of birth! Tom and I welcomed our fifth grandchild, Jonas Birch Leek, into the world on June 23, 2020. Great blessings!!”

Cindy Bauerman Foster: “I am on indefinite furlough from my trade show job so I am getting ready to launch Teamcrafters—Small Business Consulting and Career Coaching.

My sister Cathy (class of ‘75) is now my neighbor at The Avalon. Our son, Elliott, is still in LA, delivering for Postmates since losing his job in August. Our other son, Jameson, will begin his final semester at Peabody, and we are eager to see if a doctorate program is in the cards. Alyssa, his wife, is still very busy in the kitchen at Woodfire Grill in Parkton.”

Mary Jo Melvin Mullin: “My best news ever is my first grandbaby!!!! Baby Ben born October 14!!”

Kathy Stanley Wilmot: “Hi Ladies – I hope everyone is doing well and your families are safe as we battle through what is, hopefully, the last big outbreak of the virus!

Both Mike and I had COVID during the month of November. We were exposed at a small cocktail party with just six people – all of us got it. Luckily, Mike only got the sniffles and a slight fever for two days. Mine was like a bad cold and even though I battled fatigue and what I call “Fuzzy COVID Brain” for a few weeks, we are both doing great now. As for news, I did join the Board of Trustees this year at NDP. I’m seriously blown away by the professionalism, innovativeness and foresight of our school’s staff and faculty! I am over the top proud to say I went to NDP, and I have developed a new passion for making sure the school is able to continue providing the best education and school experience to those girls lucky enough to be NDP students!”

Rose Schmitz Marcin: “Bill and I have been staying home for the most part. I have been keeping busy with remote everything: book clubs, Mahjong, and game nights with friends. We have a new grandchild, Vera Nathalie June Marcin, born Oct 4, 2020. Her two middle names are for her great-grandmothers. She is my middle son Daniel, and his wife, Amy’s, first child. We haven’t been able to hold her yet, but we see her on video calls. Also, eldest son David and his family moved from CA to OR in August, and John (youngest) passed the NY Bar, and is working for a judge before joining corporate law. I also volunteer for the NDP Alumnae Association and am so honored to see how our class comes together to support the school!”

Joyce Kohlerman: After many years of living in Utah, Joyce recently relocated to West Palm Beach, FL, close to where her daughter lives. Joyce is an OR nurse and is loving the warm, sunny weather in FL!

Jonas Leek, Aurora and Tom’s 5th grandchild C8 • Roots & Wings • Chatter 2021

Nancy Karpinski: “As planned upon Cindy’s retirement, we moved to Dana Point, CA, in July. We are welcoming any and all visitors as soon as it’s safe to travel and gather! Our new address is: 34091 Calle La Primavera Unit A, Dana Point, CA 92629. Love to all!”

Karen Meekins Benckini: “Our family managed to stay healthy in 2020 while all four of us worked from home and attended school online. Like most, I have experienced “Zoom fatigue” and I certainly miss collaborating in-person with my co-workers and clients. Joey and Gigi are sophomores at Loyola and NDP respectively. Both are new drivers, so word to the wise, clear the roads in Baltimore (kidding!).”

Wendy Popp: “The Popp-Simmons family looks forward to a brighter 2021 and wish you all the same. I had actually spent the last seven weeks or so in Baltimore caring for my aunt in hospice at home. We have sadly lost her to pancreatic cancer. I want to reflect on our gratitude toward those individuals of Johns Hopkins Hospice Care, and our deepest thanks for the medical aides on the front line and all that is done for patients at home under the stress of this current situation. It is unimaginable. To my NDP friends, we thank you for your thoughts and prayers during this time. Despite this recent loss, we have had a chance to take a moment in gratitude and celebrate the fact that our daughter Zoe has had the nod to defend her dissertation for a Doctorate in Biochemical Neurology. She anticipates her graduation in the summer and will head to the East Coast to begin a new life in the Bio-tech industry after six years of graduate study. We so look forward to that! We have all survived the setbacks and restrictions of COVID-19 and I am happy to begin my 30th year of teaching (after learning how to do the last year online) and celebrate 40 years of professional illustration. Much of the last decade has been dedicated to creating art as advocacy, and I am happy to note one of the last creations was auctioned to help Stacey Abrams Campaign to stop voter suppression with the help of the women artists of the Pen and Ink Brigade. The campaign is proving to be pivotal in these historical and unprecedented times. Otherwise, we all remain healthy and keep everyone in our thoughts for a more empathetic, inclusive, and positive 2021.”

Congratulations to Barbara Reahl Kasun!

Barb was inducted into the NDP Athletic Hall of Fame this spring. You make us proud!!

Condolences to: Cindy Clary-Rose, on the loss of her Mom, Shirley, in January. Emily Rodowsky Savopoulos, on the passing of her Mom, Colby, in October. Mary Jo Hart, on the loss of her Dad, Paul, in September. Laurie O’Conor Berger, on the passing of her brother, Rob, in October. Nancy Karpinski, on the sudden loss of her sister-in-law, Donna, in August.

Class Chatter Heartfelt wishes for a joy-filled 2021! Please stay in touch and try to attend some of our social events once we can again gather in-person. We love staying connected and seeing each other! Our 45-year reunion will be next year—start getting excited!

1978

CLASS OF

Mary Paula Carroll Olert steole4@aol.com

Fellow Classmates of Wine and Rose Greetings! I shall compose a brief, rather different submission from our class.

In these most original of times, the friends I reached out to weren’t “hip” to be included in the chat so I had to put my thinking cap on and veer in another direction.

Thus, I felt two or three topics to ponder might be relevant.

At our reunion upon the tables were centerpieces sent by Patti Pyle’s mother and sister to have her with us in spirit although she had sadly passed away.

I reached out to Mrs. Pyle and have remained in contact. She is 90, healthy, missing Patti everyday but capable of crafting lovely notes!

I found that a National Plant Salvage Foundation/Patti Pyle Memorial Fund has been established to remember her. This be a fine cause for classmates­—identifying their NDP connection of course—to which to donate.

Patti and I attended IHM and then NDP and certain bonds are strong when a Catholic education binds you. Several other girls have this same connection with IHM and NDP. Other classmates may speak to different Catholic elementary through high school bonds as well. In these times I think it is a “gift” to be appreciated by us—even if we didn’t appreciate the sacrifices our parents made at the time. The values, structure and kindness have certainly helped to define us.

Second, please remember the plethora of skills and abilities NDP embedded in us.

To this day, I think we are compelled to act and react based on behaviors learned at NDP. Of course, I speak of the positive behaviors. Let’s leave sunning with reflectors out of the equation!

Remember, these are gifts and we need to use them for good. It is so easy to become, negative and demoralized.

Sr. Joannene would have none of it! Sit up

straight, don’t look out the window, and listen to me. I have written in note form everything you need. Just listen!

Sr. Joannene impacted so many of us. Pay it forward.

Mary Patricia Kilbourne Chandler continues her part-time career with the Department of Defense (36 years to date) as well as her full-time gig as trainer/instructor/ competitor and judge in the Equestrian sport of Dressage. She’s based at her and husband Kent’s 40-acre property, Lucky Charm Farm, located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. If anyone from the class of ’78 is in the area, feel free to reach out via her farm’s website. She would love to reconnect!

Susan Baughman moved to Waterville, Ireland, a few years ago, and “I am disappointed that COVID prevents me from visiting as per usual! Would love to be in everyone’s address book: if you come to Ireland my home is on many people’s bucket list destination: The Ring of Kerry!”

Lastly, who are we kidding. I can’t help myself. I run into the following gals in various venues. Guess who fits into which slots? I play tennis, bridge and am a hon who belongs to the Hon Hive-hons who want to have fun all year long and wind up on people’s lawns hopefully creating laughter dressed in holiday related “getups” adorned by a beehive wig! Shelly Teabo, Ginny Curren, Brendy Bishop, Eileen O’Donnell, Mary Ellen Vikell, and Tracey McGibbon. There are girls I used to see at the gym but that is a distant memory, so I apologize to that gaggle of gals I haven’t listed.

This was hastily configured as I didn’t want us to appear to be “slackers” with a gaping hole where chatter could appear.

Stay safe, remain hopeful and find joy-it abounds if your “peepers” are focused.

Well-get the glasses out if necessary.

19 81

CLASS OF

Diane Surak Rohan 133 Tall Pine Lane Southern Shores, NC 27949 Dianerohan3@gmail.com 917-375-1596

My dear Dad passed from COVID on Jan. 5.

I am eternally grateful for the support from my community in the OBX and the prayers, cards and presence of so many NDP sisters. Tyler is a management trainee, moving to Providence in September and now in Phoenix. In October, I flew to NYC and drove home with a rescue “Cheagle.”

Pippa is a love. I am hopeful we will be able to celebrate our 40th reunion safely together in the Fall and thank all the

healthcare workers for keeping us safe and healthy.

VIRTUAL GRADUATIONS Hannah Aberle (NDP ’14), Masters in Public Administration, University of Utah. Living in Seattle and engaged Sam Aberle, Xavier University Raquel Chakales (NDP ’16), Magna Cum Laude from Villanova University, with a degree in Computer Science and minors in Business and Spanish. Completing her masters in Software Engineering this May from Villanova.

Lindsay Bridgid Jackson, Summa Cum laude, Boston University. Now a Technology Risk Consultant for Ernst and Young, living in Brookline, MA. Colin Katchmar, Coastal Carolina (BA in Psychology) Caitlin Katchmar, Masters in Education from Johns Hopkins University Mollie Myers, Medical School; now a resident at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

Grace O’Malley, University of Maryland School of Law; Commercial Litigation at Venable.

William O’Malley, University of Maryland, College Park; heading to law school Tyler Rohan, Elon University School of Business; Finance GRANDBABIES Angela Krieger Shannon welcomed grandson Thomas Andrew Windsor, born Aug. 11.

Cristina Rosell Chakales became a first-time GM when Avery Rosalynn Miller was born, Dec. 14.

Sheila Frost Davis became a first-time GM on April 9. Welcome, Brett Madeleine Davis.

Tara Reed Carlson welcomes with joy Chase Marshall, born Jan. 24.

Tara Reed Carlson’s grandson, Chase Marshall

Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • Chatter 2021 • C9

Class Chatter Mary Pat Muller Ortenzio welcomed grandbaby #4, 3rd girl, on Jan. 27. Sweet Ellie joins cousins, Olivia (2), Clark (21 mos), and Charlotte (4 mos).

Mary Epstein has moved to a new home, where she works remotely and has a new man in her life.

Jennifer Stradtner Myers’ son and fiancée were to be married in August in Boston, which morphed into a small wedding in Maine at Christmas, which became a surprise wedding on New Year’s Eve! Kelly Doyle Oakes saw Colene Kirwin Barbaro in Vail, CO, last August.

Margaret Nagel Gnegy’s has been at home working doing a lot of COVID support and her husband (cardiologist) has been crazy busy with COVID. Helen Linhard Aberle loves working from home as Director of Enterprise Applications in the IT department at Loyola University.

Her new kitten, Wicomico, fills her with joy.

Terre Jones Short has been in NZ since March, maintaining her coaching business remotely. She published her book on July 30th - The Words We Choose: Your Guide to How and Why Words Matter.

Dr. Sheila Frost Davis’s team at Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville handles COVID testing in their parking lot.

Katie Curran O’Malley’s Tara graduates from Fordham Law this May. Judge O’Malley’s youngest, Jack, graduates this May from Calvert Hall.

Carolyn Clarke Gartner says she has been working as a PA-C making house calls for home-bound Veterans. Her daughter is at Princeton Seminary and her son is practicing law with White and Case in DC. Marie Deegan Kelly “can’t imagine going back to the office… wearing something other than yoga pants, and furry slippers, and the excessive grooming (bras, hair brushing) that comes with it!”

Condolences: Anne Lund Regan lost her mother, Mary Anne “Maisie” Lund, 9/10/2019. Carolyn Clarke Gartner lost her mother, Pearl Clarke, 3/20/2020. Susan Valis Faber lost her sister, Terri Valis, 8/20/2020. Diane Surak Rohan lost her dad, Martin Surak, 1/5/2021. Katie Curran O’Malley lost her mother-in-law, Barbara O’Malley, due to COVID complications, 1/6/2021. Jenny Jenkins lost her father, Edward Jenkins, on 1/30/2021.

1982

CLASS OF

Karen Rolfes Goodspeed 909 Oakdene Road Baltimore, MD 21220 goodspeed909@gmail.com 443.326.9342

Class of Blue and Green, It has been quite a year since we last chatted. Everyone’s lives have been disrupted in some way by the pandemic that hit the US last year. I hope that by the time this is in print, everyone who wants and needs a vaccine has been able to receive one, and we are on our way back to a more “normal” life. I want to thank all of our classmates who work in healthcare and other helping jobs for their endless work caring for others. For those in the education field, bravo on your efforts to teach in these challenging times. The virus has limited my news since celebrations and traveling were put on hold, but I do have a few things to share.

Shortly after I submitted my last chatter and before the world shut-down, Mary Ellen Hasslinger McLaughlin hosted a Galentine’s Dinner at her house. Attendees included Susan Sunderland DeFelice, Sue Ellen Sacco Grove, DeeDee Hendrickson Mayor, Mary Beth Wey Quinn, Tracy Werner Rammacca, Karen Plott Welsh, Dorie Flynn, Lisa Wiedmann Winter, and Lisa Taylor McCaffrey. We had delicious food and drinks and tons of things to catch up on. The amount of chatter that happened in those few hours was tremendous. I hope that these

Anne Lund Regan is in her 14th year as a school nurse at Worcester Prep (PK-12) school in Berlin, MD. Betsy Mohler Combs’ daughter Sarah Beth had a small wedding last May in which the Dads officiated. They had 200 Zoom dial-ins to share dessert.

Julie Ellis Langan’s daughter, Caroline, is a nurse working in the COVID field tents at GBMC. Son, Frank, works for the government in IT, and youngest son, Nate, recently finished nursing school and will be working with his sister. Three nurses in the family!

C10 • Roots & Wings • Chatter 2021

Susan Sunderland DeFelice, Sue Ellen Sacco Grove, DeeDee Hendrickson Mayor, Mary Beth Wey Quinn, Tracy Werner Rammacca, Karen Plott Welsh, Dorie Flynn, Lisa Wiedmann Winter, and Lisa Taylor McCaffrey celebrating a Galentine’s Dinner at Mary Ellen Hasslinger McLaughlin home.

types of get-togethers are on our calendars once again so we can enjoy one another in person.

Lisa LaPore Sheridan has three beautiful daughters and an awesome husband, Tim. Lily is in her third year at the University of Delaware, and Riley is in her second year at Temple. The baby of the family, Molly, is a high school senior who has committed to play D1 lacrosse at Youngstown State Ohio.

Lisa is still working for the Anne Arundel Bar Association. If anyone is in the Annapolis area for the day, she hopes you look her up for lunch (once it is safe again)!

Jane Carrol Wilson’s three children spent the year in three different states. Her oldest son, Tyler, who chose to do Army ROTC in his junior year, graduated from Elon University in 2019. In 2020, he completed his Officer Leadership training and graduated from the grueling Army Ranger School, followed by Airborne school. Army Ranger school includes months of sleep and food deprivation, and frigid temperatures and the only access to the outside world was a 15-minute phone call at the end of each phase. He went into Ranger School pre-COVID, so you can imagine how unfathomable it was coming out.

Her middle son, Sam, is in a job training program. Sarah, Jane’s daughter, was very sad to have missed out on graduation, prom, and senior lacrosse season. She was thrilled to get to campus at Clemson University in South Carolina, finally. Jane continues to enjoy working for EAB, an educational consulting company, as a Senior Quality Assurance Director in Washington, DC. Two of our classmates, Toni Ianniello Stapel and Wendy Strassner, were very active in the state of Georgia’s elections this year.

Wendy has also been active in BLM efforts, working toward social justice and equity with her two teenage daughters.

Our condolences go to several of our classmates who lost a parent this year: Lisa Taylor McCaffrey and Margaret McCambridge, on the loss of their mothers, and Kelley Gilmore and Wendy Wilderson Thomas on their fathers’ loss. Last, I would like to ask for your prayers and positive thoughts for some of our classmates and their family members facing considerable health challenges as I write this. I hope they can feel our love and support.

Class Chatter

1988

CLASS OF

Shawn Donohue Osmeyer osmeyers@notredameprep.com

In the words of Ceci Maniago Rice, “2020 marked a big milestone for ALL of us—we’re all Fifty and Fabulous now!”

Kim Hitselberger Fernandez had the extreme privilege of doing a first read on Bill Waters’s first book this past spring. She shared, “It was an honor to be asked, and I will admit the prospect of recommending any edits to your former teacher’s work is more than a bit intimidating, but it was fabulous to work with him a little bit and the book is amazing. It was heartwarming to read a book my teacher wrote about his teacher, and the final product is a great retrospective of a uniquely Baltimore artist and a touching peek at their friendship.”

It’s here: myceliumpress.LLC. Lisa Maher Weaver achieved National Board Certification for Professional Teaching Standards. Lisa add’s daughter, Megan is a member of the senior Class of 2021!

Maria Garin Jones shared that she “became a dog mom. We adopted a puppy from our local shelter and my girls swear that I love him more than them.”

Congratulations to Jennifer Haefner Donelly for starting a new job during a Global Pandemic! She was heavily recruited by Red River to lead their new Department of Defense European and Middle Eastern inside sales division. She is enjoying the new challenge and her new company!

Maria Gina Cirilli recently started a much-needed business/service with a friend. “People send their homeschoolers, virtual school students, and E-learners to our academy during the school day.

We help them with their lessons and assignments. We ensure they get on each new class meeting and into breakout rooms on time. We take care of technology issues.

We correspond with their teachers including setting up meetings, DBAs, etc. We have their homework done when their parents pick them up. We follow social distancing protocols.” Congratulations Maria! Check it out! MatthewErik.com Kristen Mrozinski Sayan shared that she continues to sell estate silver and jewelry on Instagram @silvercupboard! Kristen also shared that she spends time “trying to be as fancy as Plecker.” For those of you not on Facebook who do not understand the reference, allow me to enlighten you. Each Friday, since the start of the pandemic, Beth Plecker Sedleck has posted a “Fancy Friday” video. She dresses up, she sings, she dances

and she reminds us all not to take ourselves too seriously! Jennifer Haefner Donelley said it best, “I look forward to Fancy Friday because of her. It was one of the bright spots this year. She reminded all of us to keep smiling and laughing, even through all the stress.”

As always, I remain honored to be a member of the Class of 1988 and wish each of you happiness and health in the year to come!

1998

CLASS OF

Kate Kaiser Kasabula kmkasabula@gmail.com

Mary Voneiff was promoted to Director of Global Supply Chain Processes and Systems within Northrop Grumman’s Mission Systems Sector. Holly Burleson Dengler has taken the position as the Before and After School Director at Immaculate Heart of Mary school where both of her boys attend. She continues to substitute for the school and work within the Faith Formation office at the church associated with the school. She loves it because it gives her an opportunity to be in school with her kids!

Over the summer, Allison Karbonik Wiest published her first children’s chapter book: Roaming Riley: A Delmarva Adventure. It is about Riley, an adventurous tabby cat, who loves to chase paper balls and sleep in comfy places. His curiosity takes him on a business trip to Ocean City, Maryland, where he instantly meets an animal friend. Through the help of his new tour guide, Riley explores the Eastern Shore, from Chincoteague, VA, to Lewes, DE, and everywhere in between.

He enjoys some of the area’s most exciting attractions, while taking risks and learning about friendship along the way. It is perfect for ages 7 and up. Signed copies are available through her website: www.allisonwiest.com. You can also order copies from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or ask your local bookstore! Contact Allison at allison@allisonwiest.com for more information, including packages for classroom teachers.

1999

CLASS OF

smiling all the time and bringing tons of joy into their home. She continues to work as a Financial Management Specialist for Peace Corps in Washington, DC.

2000

CLASS OF

Daley Formby daleyformby@gmail.com Theresa Tsamoutalis theresa@allsafeelevators.com

The Class of 2000 was proud to celebrate our 20th class reunion virtually this past October 24, 2020. We had 75 attendees join the virtual event. The reunion included an opening prayer from Kate Fahey in Zambia, where she is doing both nursing and pastoral missionary work. We then got into some class trivia, a 500-photo slideshow, and singing from our class’ favorite quartet, Forte: Melissa Real, Jamie Stephens Kinsella, Heather Nace, and Sarah Wilfong Crutchfield. We even had a halftime aerobics routine led by Raven Carter! It was a fantastic hour of fun and reconnection for the ladies of 2000. We learned we have 45 out of 123 classmates living outside of the state of Maryland, primarily in South Carolina, Virginia, New York, and Pennsylvania. We have 14 teachers, five business owners, four doctors, and three TV/film producers...with two Emmy awards won by Julia Kimani Burnham! We have two Ph.D. graduates in Katie Brennan and Jen Fox, with one English Ph.D. on the way from Lee Conderacci. There is no doubt that the Class of 2000 is one special group, and we were very grateful to have had such a successful virtual reunion in 2020!

2002

CLASS OF

Christy Grieves finished editing her boss’s book, she writes, “It was pretty exciting to see my name in the acknowledgements, I have to admit.”

Sylvia Boules graduated medical school, became a child psychiatrist and delivered a beautiful boy who recently turned one. oh...and survived 2020!

Lauren Engel Fenwick and her husband, Jason, and stepson, Sam, welcomed a little boy, Elliott Lawrence Fenwick, on November 2, 2020. Elliott just turned three months old and is the happiest baby, Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • Chatter 2021 • C11

Class Chatter

2003

CLASS OF

Jill Koehler and Alexander Iwaskiw welcomed a baby boy, Luke Koehler Iwaskiw, on October 6, 2020.

Lauren Tracy and her husband adopted a baby! Jacqueline Ann was born December 12, 2020 weighing 7 pounds 15 ounces.

Ally MacMeekin Ryan and her husband, Mark, welcomed their first child, William “Will,” on November 2, 2020.

2004

CLASS OF

Hillary Millard Amoyal hillaryamoyal@gmail.com

2020 was a wild year, but there were some exciting things happening for the class of 2004! Monica (DiFonzo) Sterling had her first child, Eleanor Rose Sterling, on April 21.

She and her husband, Andrew, were married in 2016. Colleen (Nuzzi) Lambdin welcomed her third child, Katherine Elizabeth, on May 13. Her brother and sister, James and Ruby, love their baby sister. Lauren (Jason) Harkins, who was recently promoted to Director of Sales at WeWork, had her first child, Henry Yates Harkins, on July 20. Lauren and her husband are currently living in Houston, but relocating to Washington, D.C. this Spring. On September 11, Sarah (Schindler) Lambertsen gave birth to her second child, a baby girl named Stevie Rose Lambertsen weighing seven pounds 12 ounces. Stevie joins big brother Max, who just turned three.

I, Hillary (Millard) Amoyal, had a baby boy, Fisher Louis Amoyal, on November 23. My two-year-old daughter, Bennett, is loving her new role as big sis.

Nicole Carlozo’s dog, Mr. Bingley

2005

CLASS OF

Sarah Hackman Lucas s.r.hackman@gmail.com

Marisa Gentry (Vella-Camilleri) and her husband welcomed their second child, Hazel Emilia Noel Gentry, on December 2nd.

Jessica Hargest started her own company in the summer of 2020 called Hillmont Creative (www.hillmontcreative.com). It’s a brand and retail creative strategy agency, specializing in A to Z creative for direct-to-consumer brands at all stages of growth. Their specialty is content creation, including art direction, styling, graphic design, and content/marketing calendars.

Victoria Kneip and her husband, Charles, (BL Class of ‘04) joyfully welcomed their second child, Abigail Elizabeth, on August 27, 2020. Victoria celebrated her third anniversary working full time for Flywheel Digital, an Amazon Marketing and Advertising Agency, and has started a side monogramming and embroidery business, Annapolis Monograms. Victoria and her family reside in Annapolis, Maryland.

Sarah Schindler Lambertsen’s daughter, Stevie Rose Lambertsen

Over the course of the year, Nicole Carlozo earned three virtual AKC Dog Training titles with her dog, Mr. Bingley (Titles: Canine Good Citizen, Trick Dog Novice, Rally Novice). Whitney Mades is loving her job at Cross Keys Pediatrics and plans to start nursing school this Fall!

C12 • Roots & Wings • Chatter 2021

Lauren Tracy’s daughter, Jacqueline Ann

Angie Groom Wilson and husband, Luke, welcomed their second child, Gifford “Giff” Wilson, on June 14th, 2020. Big sister Olivia is two years old. Angie is working at Brown Advisory in Fells Point as an ESG Research Analyst.

2006

CLASS OF

While Emily Bock Mehra’s plans for a November wedding surrounded by family and friends at New York Athletic Club (where Ryan and Emily met) were cancelled, the couple opted instead to have an outdoor wedding for immediate family only on 9.12.20. A few months, some cancelled flights, and many negative PCR tests and COVID safety precautions later, Emily and Ryan were miraculously able to enjoy the honeymoon they’d long planned to Uganda and Kenya. After nine months of bunkering down in their apartment in Manhattan, the epicenter of the virus in the US, it was truly a blessing to be so intimately surrounded only by animals and nature in East Africa.

Megan (Lindenmeyer) Emdad, CPA, MBA was admitted as a partner at GRB&A, a full-service public accounting firm in Towson.

She oversees closely held business client consulting and is an integrated mentor to her clients and internal team.

Victoria Knelp’s daughter, Abigail

Bunny Brooks may not be able to travel, but that won’t stop her from preparing. In

Class Chatter

20 11

CLASS OF

Maria Medved maria.medved@marriott.com

Though 2020 was a year full of unforeseen challenges, the Class of 2011 was able to persevere through and create positive impacts in their lives and communities.

First and foremost, a HUGE applause to our healthcare heroes and frontline workers. This year would have been unimaginable without their efforts, and we thank them! Here are some heroes from the Class of 2011 Emily Bock Mehra and her husband Ryan on their honeymoon in East Africa.

her Oakland apartment, she and her partner have been learning Japanese and making pasta from scratch like Italian grandmothers do. If you’re ever in California, try inviting yourself over for lasagna. It’ll be worth it.

In October 2020, Erin McDermott Roth and her husband, Brad, welcome their son, Charles Roderik.

Beck Wityk McWhite welcomed baby girl Rhiannon on November 28, 2020.

Kelly Cashen Moran and her husband Matt Moran welcomed Walker Richard Moran on July 27, 2020.

Ashley Podolak Meyer and her husband welcomed their first child, Dexter Nathanael Meyer, on May 20, 2020. Ashley also recently joined the office of the Baltimore County Executive as the new Grants Coordinator, Government Reform and Strategic Initiatives, responsible for overseeing all county grants operations and standing up a countywide grants office. In addition, she was invited to become a Board Member of Trash Free Maryland, an environmental advocacy organization in Maryland. She is a member of the 2020-2021 cohort of the Towson University Professional Leadership Program for Women.

After six years in private legal practice, Kelly Quinn recently embarked upon a career in public service as a Trial Attorney at the United States Department of Justice. She currently practices in the Civil Division, Fraud Section in Washington D.C.

Kirstie Geier is an emergency room nurse in Chicago on the front lines of COVID-19.

Morgan Carmody Bleinberger is a float nurse at UMMC living in Canton with her husband. They had a COVID wedding in September and in April they rescued a pup!

After five years at UMMC, Lauren Craig Adams switched to a home health RN position in Fredrick County, which she loves. She and her husband are in the market for some land and a house. Regina Alongi-Huslig has started a new job as an ortho spine PA. She also recently got engaged to her boyfriend of six and a half years and are living in Jax Beach in a house that they bought! They also rescued an adorable pup named Otto. Meghann (Ryan) Hoos started her PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Maryland, Baltimore this Fall.

She and her husband, Trey, also got a red lab puppy (Bailey) in July! Sam Lemmon has been “living in her home in Baltimore for two years and is working in the operating room at Hopkins. She even assisted on her old floor (now the COVID ICU) for a few months when surgeries stopped. She just finished her first semester of family nurse practitioner school and should be finished in 2022. Natalie Burke worked for five years in DC and Boston. She is now in her first year of medical school in Philadelphia.

Jenny Santos is finishing up her fourth year of med school. She is currently doing virtual interviews for residency. She was also able to see Kristina Kissiova, who is a wonderful pediatrician, in a socially distanced way a few months ago! Casey Berman is still working on the same neurology/ neurosurgery floor at Hopkins after 5 1/2 years. She is still living in Canton with her boyfriend; however, they are looking at houses to buy likely in the county in the spring. Cory Keffer is still working as a child life specialist and medical facility dog handler on the Pulmonary/Respiratory Rehab unit at Children’s Hospital Colorado.

She and her boyfriend are considering a move back to Baltimore this summer! Krissy Fioretti started general surgery residency at Wake Forest Baptist in July and loves it!

Lauren Anderson is still at Sheppard Pratt Center for Eating Disorders as a therapist.

She recently bought a two-level condo near

Quarry Lake in Baltimore! Also, as a hobby, she does antigravity aerial yoga every week!

Aside from our healthcare heroes, here are more Class of 2011 updates!

Melanie Mavunkal Varghese’s highlight of her year has been having her sweet baby girl join their family in June! Meet Emma Theresa Varghese.

Melanie Mavunkal Varghese’s daughter, Emma Theresa

Liz Ford Wuestling got married COVIDstyle in her parents’ backyard in September.

They also bought a home in Ruxton and are now parents to two crazy Siamese kitties. Claire Yokum started a new job at the end of June with Greenspring Associates, working for Liz Ford Wuestling’s husband (small world!). She is still living in Canton with her boyfriend, where they are itching to get a house but probably have another year until they move. Rachel Brown Giroux is still working as a medical malpractice defense attorney in Baltimore.

Rachel and her husband, Mike, got married this October and bought a home in Canton this past summer. Hope Daily is living in DC (Capitol Hill) working as an associate attorney at Williams & Connolly. She and her husband had an intimate front yard wedding in October! Christina Moore is coming up on nearly six years at T. Rowe Price where she is currently a strategist and VP in the multi-asset investment division. She is also halfway through her MBA at Georgetown McDonough. She and her fiancé, Ben, are living in Fells Point and are counting down the days to their new wedding date in September 2021, after postponing their 2020 plans due to COVID-19. Jen Guthrie Novotny and her long-term boyfriend, Garrett, got married back in June! She is still working as a Legislative Manager of the Maryland Port Administration. They adopted an absolutely adorable golden retriever named Ovi during quarantine.

Hannah Mahon moved down from Boston with her fiancé, Jake, and bought a home in Ellicott City. She also started a new job not too long ago as a Software Engineer at the Washington Post. Valerie Parks Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • Chatter 2021 • C13

Class Chatter recently started a new job as an accountant at a tech start-up called Flywheel Digital.

She added another cat to her household, named Freya. Kati Asbury is the sole web developer at Stetson College of Law. She created a virtual commencement website for spring graduation, launched a campus-wide mobile app, and led the project management and development of a website redesign. She also started in the realm of real estate investment by moving in with her boyfriend in Tampa and becoming a landlord. She even has found time to work towards her MBA. In her spare time, she has gotten into boating, snorkeling (with manatees!), and attempting to learn how to surf. Kristen Francis Fechtel finished her first year of MBA at Kellogg and interned at Bain & Co. this summer. She is planning to move back to Dallas and join Bain & Co. full time this coming summer. She spent most of 2020 living/quarantining in West Texas with her husband, John. They got a puppy this spring, Juniper, which has made being stuck at home much more enjoyable for them!

Janie McDermott will graduate with her master’s in Public Policy from Duke in May! She also interned for the past six months with the Brookings Institution doing research on racial and gender inequity in the labor market. She has been in Baltimore during the pandemic where she and her boyfriend adopted their dog, Monty! Right before COVID, Caroline Ladzinski, received an offer to work in Governor (New York) Cuomo’s office. However, in the middle of COVID, she left Governor Cuomo’s office and now serves as the Chief Operating Officer for a company called The School of Womanly Arts. This school creates classes and courses for women looking to connect to their power in all aspects of their life.

Caroline has also chosen to let go of her Brooklyn apartment and drive across the country staying in Airbnb’s each month!

Caitlin Regan moved into DC (DuPont/ Admo) in March and was promoted to manager at KPMG in their commercial audit practice in June. She is also planning to do some Airbnb hopping this year! Melanie Stickles has been managing a bar called The Reef VB. Due to the effects of COVID-19, government mandates, and lack of business, they are most likely going to close soon, unfortunately. However, she is very proud at how hard she and her team have worked together during these difficult times.

Heather Grzechowiak recently finished up her M.S. in Criminal Justice through the University of Cincinnati. She accepted a job to bring her back to DC and away from the frozen tundra that is Minnesota. She is still working as an agent however under a different agency. She is also under contract for a house in Fairfax, VA. Clare Goggins got engaged to her fiancé, Neal, this past May and is having a Catholic/Hindu fusion wedding next October 2021! She also finished her internal medicine intern year at Mercy Medical Center in June and started her dermatology residency at Hopkins in C14 • Roots & Wings • Chatter 2021

July which has been a blast. Brooke Jenkins released her second album! Take a listen: https://album.link/j6GHFx6s5gFfK. Nicole Arcodia finished up law school and graduated in May virtually. She was also able to take the BAR exam, which she passed and was sworn in as a North Carolina attorney in October! She then moved to Charlotte and started as an associate at McGuireWoods as the newest member of their complex commercial litigation team in November.

Maria Medved was unfortunately furloughed from Marriott due to COVID-19 in early April. During that time, she was one of the many filing for unemployment in New York City. With her newfound free time, she took full advantage of taking online hospitality courses, created a Class of 2011 Healthcare Hero Fund, and started a virtual platform called “The Red, White, & Black Series” with Baltimore community members. The Red, White, and Black Series was a community discussion platform that focused on social issues – inclusion, diversity, equity, etc.

After many submitted applications, in late November, Maria was hired as a Marketing Manager for MCR Developments! Her job is permanently remote, so she has a lovely desk in her Upper East Side apartment that she shares with her boyfriend. Shannon Will lives in Fells Point with her boyfriend where she works as a sports and orthopedic physical therapist at Impact Sports. She has a side business with Juice Plus to encourage a healthy lifestyle and diet paired with exercise. She has also found time to study for becoming an EXOS performance specialist. Lauren Jackson Schwartz teaches Math to students in grades 3-8 with dyslexia at Odyssey, where she works with some older NDP women. On another note, she and husband, Brenden, bought a house near NDP! And last but not least, Marissa Fritz has moved to the editorial department at her current company in Boston.

2013

CLASS OF

Sydney Tommins Lohr 10208 Wetherburn Road Ellicott City, MD 21042 443-472-0543 Sydney.Tommins@gmail.com

There are lots of fun updates for the Class of 2013! The pandemic didn’t stop several of our classmates from getting married this year, though they did have to make significant changes to their plans. Nancy Padden married Stephen Mince on January 2, 2021, in Pylesville, Maryland. It was the third round of changes due to COVID for them, so sadly the number of guests had to be significantly cut down to just their sisters, parents, and a few grandparents.

They did live stream the mass on Zoom, so lots of friends and family joined that way.

They had a nice dinner afterwards and some family and friends drove by to visit from their cars. The big reception is planned for next year on their one-year anniversary, and they are hoping to celebrate with more of their loved ones then.

Julia Tich married Alyssa Cosentino at their home in Bel Air, Maryland, on September 12, 2020, in the presence of their close family.

They are enjoying life with their puppy Ellie and look forward to a larger reception in the fall of 2021. Catherine Aumann also got married in September to Christian Minter after almost two years of engagement.

They had to change all of their plans just four months in advance of the wedding!

They ended up moving the event outdoors to Catherine’s parents’ house, who were so incredibly helpful in pulling off a successful wedding weekend despite COVID. They still had dinner and danced with close family and friends, and though they missed out on hugs, not having everyone join in on their celebration, and a honeymoon, they were extremely grateful to be able to get married without anyone getting sick.

Catherine still remains best friends with Vida Young, who was her maid of honor.

Vida enjoys fostering cats, and currently has four. Another pet parent, Kayla Santos is currently finishing her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with a focus on sex therapy and clinical counseling, while also serving as an intern-therapist at an addiction treatment center in Miami. Kayla stays entertained by her dog, whose ears are as big as her personality. Speaking of finishing up a degree, Cassidy Stout is now in her fourth and final year of medical school at Uniformed Services University, and she just recently matched into a military residency program for general surgery at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio! It is a five-to-six-year program where she will be training to be a surgeon. She will graduate with her M.D. in May 2021 and then head off to Ohio! Becca Meyers also graduates in May from Franklin & Marshall College, while she also balances her current swim training in hopes of qualifying for her 3rd Paralympic

Class Chatter Games that are set to take place this summer in Tokyo, Japan. Just like Becca, Liz Donhauser also finds her time split between school and work. Liz works full-time at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics at the University of Pennsylvania where she translates health economics and health policy research into plain language for policymakers. She’s also studying part-time for her Master of Public Health at UPenn, and is scheduled to graduate in August. Pennsylvania isn’t too far from Baltimore, but Anne Federico is still in the local area, working full-time as an accountant (CPA) for Allegis Group, located in Hanover, Maryland. She currently lives in Fells Point, which is not too far from Canton, where Taylor Lumpkin lives. Taylor is working as the Digital Operations Coordinator for HOBO Bags, a locally owned and operated retail fashion brand located just outside of Annapolis. May this new year be full of blessings for all!

2015

CLASS OF

Siena Thrasher married Davis Michaud on May, 29, 2020.

Siena Thrasher and Davis Michaud on their wedding day

In

MEMORIAM

since April 2019

’40 Mary Dutrow Cunningham

’53 Mary Jean Wittlesberger Levasseur

’68 Mary Ellen Connell Moore

Nancy Wills Protzman

’80 Michele Miernicki

’44 Patricia Firor Lowry

’55 Jane Schwing Offermann

’89 Lisa Decker Alvey

’46 Mary Virginia Porter Siems

’60 Virginia Ebert Neubauer

’09 Kathleen “Kat” Ryan

’42 Helen Spalding Schwab

’47 Lilian Doud Brown Rosalie Jones Connor ’48 Alice vonRinteln Brennan Sister Dolores Marie Todd ’50 Patricia Byrd Kelly Carolyn Civish Wheeler ’51 Patricia Cavanaugh Ernest ’52 Mary Kathryn Carroll Alderman Barbara Hughes Donegan-Eley Margaret Cecil Seoane

Patricia Neville Woodall

’12 Anna Brashears

’61 Rose Brubach Chester Russell Phillips Welch ’62 Mary Lou Koontz Baikauskas Patricia Clare Pitz Winifred Day Woodbury

If anyone has been overlooked, we sincerely apologize. We depend on your help to keep us updated.

’63 Rosemary Seechuk Soper Judith Flaccomio Truss ’64 Anna MacKay Lawto Frances Reilly Nale

CLASS CHATTER, or information submitted by alumnae of Notre Dame Preparatory School, exists for the purpose of alumnae-to-alumnae communication. Publication does not signify endorsement by Roots & Wings or its sponsoring bodies, Notre Dame Preparatory School and the School Sisters of Notre Dame. Notre Dame Preparatory School is an independent, Catholic school for girls which upholds the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • Chatter 2021 • C15

To g

he best place

to

NDP

G

ate

wa y R

eunion Cele

be!

e

r is t e h t

io t a r b

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021 n

For details and to register visit: www.notredameprep.com/events 815 Hampton Lane, Towson, MD 21286

UPCOMING EVENTS Blazer Dash September 2021

Silver Cup Alumnae Bingo January 2022

Visit our website for more information at www.notredameprep.com

WE ARE ONLY AS STRONG AS OUR CONECTIONS

NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY SCHOOL ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION BOARD RESTRUCTURE WE INVITE YOU TO HELP MAKE US STRONGER!

OUR NEW ADVISORY COUNCIL CONSISTS OF THE ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND FOUR NEW COMMITTEES

WE ARE ADDING FOUR NEW COMMITTEES:

THE ALUMNAE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS MADE UP OF:

• Networking & Recruitment • Mission & Community Service • Alumnae Giving • Alumnae Events

• President • Vice President • Secretary • Treasurer • Chairpersons of new committees

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING? CONTACT: SHAWN DONOHUE OSMEYER ’88 ALUMNAE ENGAGEMENT MANAGER OSMEYERS@NOTREDAMEPREP.COM 410-583-8797

BE YOUR CLASS AMBASSADOR! AMBASSADORS REPRESENT THEIR CLASS BY WORKING WITH THE ALUMNAE ENGAGEMENT MANAGER ON UPDATING CLASS INFORMATION, SHARING NEWS FROM THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY, AND REACHING OUT TO CLASSMATES AT REUNION TIME. OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE AMBASSADOR FOR EACH YEAR!

C16 • Roots & Wings • Chatter 2021

NDP INDUCTS HONOREES e •• • f

In Notre Dame Preparatory School’s 60th anniversary year, the school proudly recognizes community members who have exemplified the school’s stellar history as well as those whose contributions have ensured strength for the future.

This past April, NDP inducted five and six new members to the Foundress Society and Athletic Hall of Fame, respectively, as well as awarded six Hampton Awards for service to the school. In addition, M. Anita Barry ’71, M.D., infectious disease and public health expert, was honored as the 2020-21 Mother Caroline Friess Alumna of the Year.

This group of life-long educators, entrepreneurs, elite athletes, visionary philanthropists, and dedicated volunteers would be impressive in any honors ceremony. The fact that Notre Dame Preparatory School can claim these remarkable 18 individuals as part of its school community is a gift for which all can be thankful! g

e • Alumna of the Year • f M. ANITA BARRY ’71

This year’s Mother Caroline Friess Alumna of the Year awardee, Dr. Anita Barry ’71 is serving NDP in a unique capacity under unique circumstances at a unique time: she is a member of the school’s first-ever Medical-Public Health Advisory Team, which is helping NDP Administration navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Barry has brought her stellar credentials as an infectious disease expert to the Prep, and NDP is ever grateful to have someone so accomplished assisting the school.

Graduating from Georgetown University magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, Dr. Barry went on to study at the prestigious Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, earning her M.D. in 1979.

Today she is Board certified in both Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, having received a master’s in Public Health from Boston University in 1988. Prior to retirement in 2017, Dr. Barry and her Boston-based health department team had managed communicable diseases and outbreaks ranging from meningitis and measles to tuberculosis and Ebola.

Just as she was settling in to retirement with husband, Jim, of 37 years, Dr. Barry was asked in spring 2020 to assist with COVID-19 efforts in Boston, work she is currently pursuing on a part-time basis.

What were you like as a student at NDP? As a student at NDP, I was really focused on academics, but I certainly enjoyed many other activities – The Gateway, plays (I was the pianist and organist), and the many other traditional events that continue to this day (as best they can with COVID…) How do you feel NDP prepared you for where you are today?

At NDP, I learned skills that were important for successfully navigating

through life. Of course, this included subject matter in various disciplines, but probably more important was the sense that I could do whatever I chose to do in life.

How have you stayed in touch as an alum? How are you “giving back”?

I have not lived in the Baltimore area since my graduation from NDP. But when Laurie Jones, NDP’s coordinator of special projects, found me and sent an email asking if I would help safely navigate the COVID crisis, I was happy to help.

In your role as a member of the Medical-Public Health Advisory Team, how would you say we have handled the pandemic?

From the beginning, NDP leadership made clear to the Advisory Group that the first and most important priority was to keep the NDP community safe. As you can imagine, this has resulted in some difficult decisions with regard to which activities can or cannot continue at this Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • Spring 2021 • 9

point in time and in what format. NDP leaders have put an enormous amount of time and effort in trying to be creative, modifying events so that they can occur in a safer way. No one asked for this pandemic, but it will end, and when it does, I think NDP will be able to look back and say everything possible was done to keep everyone healthy and safe.

What advice would you give to our students today who believe they may want to follow in your footsteps?

At this point in your life, explore. Try different things. Find the one(s) that you love, and go for it! You can accomplish any goal you set if you’re willing to work hard enough.

Full biographies of all of our honorees are available on the Notre Dame Preparatory School website www.notredameprep.com. † Posthumously

e • Foundress Society • f MARY BARTEL A steadfast student advocate, Ms. Bartel is credited with expanding NDP’s physical education and interscholastic athletics program. She is presently in her 40th year teaching at NDP.

SISTER JOANNENE MERENDINO, SSND† Thousands of NDP students studied history and social studies with Sister Joennene, who taught at NDP during the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s.

CASSANDRA ROBERSON A trailblazer, Mrs. Roberson was the first student to integrate her alma mater, Barry University, in 1962. She shared her passion for education and social justice with students during her 30 years teaching middle school math at NDP.

SISTER SHARON SLEAR ’61, SSND Sister Sharon is a life-long educator who currently serves as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Notre Dame of Maryland University.

JANE KROH SATTERFIELD ‘60† Mrs. Satterfield enjoyed a successful career as a physical therapist and later health care entrepreneur.

A former NDP trustees and lifelong philanthropist, she was the driving force behind the school’s Innovation Wing.

e • Athletic Hall of Fame • f CHASTITY DUNNAVILLE ’06† A standout athlete in volleyball and basketball, Ms. Dunnaville was NDP’s Athletic Association President and White Blazer recipient.

Attending the U.S. Naval Academy, she was a Rugby All-American (2009-2010) and graduated as a Distinguished Midshipman in 2010.

10 • Roots & Wings • Spring 2021

PATRICIA LAGATOR KNOTT ’86 Mrs. Knott demonstrated strong leadership and work ethic in basketball and lacrosse at NDP. Playing for Johns Hopkins University, she set the record for lacrosse assists. She currently serves as an NDP Board member.

SALLIE ZEIDLER GRANDI ’68 A former president of NDP’s Athletic Association, Mrs. Grandi was a superb tennis player; she later returned to her alma mater to coach badminton.

AMY SIELICKI LARKIN ’93 A three-sport athlete in field hockey, winter soccer, and lacrosse, Mrs. Larkin always led by example in collaboration and team spirit.

She graduated from NDP as Student Council President and recipient of the White Blazer.

BARBARA REAHL KASUN ’77 Considered a strong leader who always maintained a sense of humor, Mrs. Kasun was an exceptional three-sport athlete in field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse.

MARGARET WATSON STROTT ’50 A one-time Gym Meet Captain, Mrs. Strott was a three-sport athlete championing NDP in field hockey, basketball, and tennis.

e • Hampton Awards • f J. CONRAD† & MARILYN COOK BUEDEL ’52 Since 2007, Mr. and Mrs. Buedel have provided half-tuition scholarships for deserving students through the Buedel Financial Aid Grant. Their daughter, Jackie ‘73†, a former Trustee, was named to NDP’s Foundress Society in 2015.

LILLY MIHM HUNTER, M.D. ’90 One of Baltimore’s leading OB-GYNs, Dr. Hunter is an NDP Board member and former co-chair of Limitless, the school’s most successful capital campaign. Her two daughters are current students.

BARBARA LEONARD DAUGHERTY ’53 Thoroughly committed to her NDP sisters, Mrs. Daugherty has spent each year since graduation as the Great Class of ’53’s chatter writer, reunion organizer, and cheerleader.

ARTHUR & MARTINA VARNADO Mr. and Mrs. Varnado, parents of two young alumnae, share their passion for social justice and inclusivity through the Varnado Family Diversity Scholarship Fund and service to STRIVE, NDP’s Antiracism Task Force. Art is a former two-term NDP Board member.

J. FRED† & JEAN GLOSE Mr. and Mrs. Glose have been tireless volunteers and loyal donors to NDP for many years. They are the parents of five alumnae and the grandparents of two alumnae.

J. SCOTT WILFONG Father of two alumnae and grandfather of a current senior, Mr. Wilfong co-chaired NDP’s recent Limitless campaign during which time his family established the Wilfong Family Scholarship Fund, to benefit future generations of NDP students.

He is also a school Board member.

Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • Spring 2021 • 11

The

HEART OF NDP

MARY GAMBERDELLA: WOVEN TRUE BLUE

By Jennifer Caine ’86 Creative Services Manager

Mary and her mother founded their eponymous business in 1978.

There aren’t many local bosses who understand what it means when an employee asks for time off for Gym Meet practice. But it’s never been a problem for the generations of NDP girls who have worked, or continue to work, for Mary Gamberdella ’71. “There’s no question! Of course they need off. It’s Gym Meet! What am I going to say, no?”

Mary chatted with us from the office of her landmark dress shop that has served Baltimore brides since 1978, the year she and her mother, Rita, opened for business in Towson. She remembers asking Sister Helen Marie Duffy if her shop could have a shot at supplying the graduation dresses. “She agreed,” said Mary “but made sure I knew there would be no preferential treatment. I had to earn it on my own.”

Ultimately, Gamberdella Bridal has been dressing the seniors for over 30 years.

12 • Roots & Wings • Spring 2021

Mary has employed dozens of NDP girls over the years. Some were her own classmates. One is a current sophomore. Two are members of the senior class. Clare Ryan ’14, whose family has a long history as Gamberdella graduation-towedding gown customers, started as a junior. She is proud to now be the General Manager.

“I feel my time at Gamberdella has been a continuation of my Notre Dame Prep experience,” says Clare. I use skills and lessons I learned at NDP everyday to help serve our brides through the most important day of their lives. I have learned so much from my time here and cannot wait to continue to grow with Mary and the store.”

All of the girls Mary hires, she says, have that certain connection. “They come in with the same values: hard work, kindness, dependability, trustworthiness.

All those ideals instilled in them at Notre Dame.” She goes on to say, “I get a great deal of joy working with the NDP girls and as an added bonus – they keep me young!”

Mary, who started at NDP in the fourth grade and went on to win the White

Blazer, says one of the best things about her work is that she doesn’t feel alone.

“I was an only child. My parents are both gone, but these girls, they are my family.

I love the school. I love the kids. I get attached, and it’s nice to see them again when they come back to me as brides.”

g

Mary, Clare Ryan ‘14, and current NDP student employees

Thanks to Mary’s creativity, this year’s senior class reviewed potential graduation dresses at home in lieu of an in-person show.

NYC AT NDP

Faculty and staff of Notre Dame Preparatory School weren’t about to let COVID-19 restrictions completely dash the school’s long-standing Senior Class Trip to New York City tradition. On a Friday evening in January, on what would have been the day the Class of 2021 was touring the Big Apple, faculty and staff members creatively reimagined the 55-year school tradition by bringing New York to NDP and transforming the school’s center courtyard into “Central Park South.”

“We’ve missed out on some traditions, and NDP has allowed us to create our own,” said Serenity Holmes ’21, in an interview with WBAL-TV News.

“I think our class has really bonded through this experience.”

Throughout the evening, socially distanced student groups arrived on campus in shifts to experience a recreated version of Rockefeller Plaza, reminiscent of the people and scenes of New York City. Volunteers dressed as the Statue of Liberty and Audrey Hepburn greeted the seniors, and life-size cutouts of the NBC’s Today show were on hand for “photo opps.” Students were treated to a New York-themed experience complete with food trucks, music, and even shopping; students browsed the “streets of New York” for clothing, jewelry, and other items provided by Laissez Faire & Company.

“Notre Dame Prep’s long-standing tradition of the senior class trip to NYC has been etched in the hearts and memories of generations of alumnae,” said Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D., headmistress. “During this COVID time,

we have tried to keep the NDP spirit alive by reimagining and reinventing many of our beloved traditions. NYC at NDP is a tangible example of this. I am grateful to those who drew upon their creativity to give Notre Dame Prep’s Class of 2021 a one-of-a-kind New York experience they will never forget.”

Following the event, Today featured a picture of a group of NDP seniors along with cardboard cutouts of the hosts. NDP was then invited by producers of Today to record a message to the hosts that aired in early February.

This is the first time since its establishment in 1966 that NDP’s Senior Class Trip to New York City has been canceled.

g

Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • Spring 2021 • 13

NDP’s Cyber Patriots at an annual competition*

The early days of classroom computing

Computer Science AT NDP

By Neil Hrdlick, Computer Science Teacher

As NDP celebrates its 60 Years on Hampton Lane, Computer Science Teacher Neil Hrdlick explains how NDP’s computer science program is priming today’s students for tomorrow.

Is computer science an elective or a requirement? This question is more complicated than it first appears. Of course, here at Notre Dame Preparatory School, computer science is an elective course offering. On the other hand, we would be hard pressed to find an aspect of our lives that computers and the impacts of software have not infiltrated.

Computer science is rapidly becoming a requirement in life.

The growth rate of software-enabled technology in our lives is astronomical, and the need for skilled software developers is on the same path. Just as important, if not more so, is the need for cybersecurity and cyber literacy in our society. We have recently seen that this threat is real and is 14 • Roots & Wings • Spring 2021

here today. To this end, Notre Dame Prep is perfectly positioned to make an impact.

The computer science program and family of related activities are alive and growing in the school and are set to keep pace with this growing need.

The core of NDP’s computer science program is rooted in a foundational Introduction to Computer Science course that sets the baseline for multiple Advanced Placement course offerings. NDP is continually looking to expand course opportunities to meet and pace the needs of students. The curriculum easily serves the development of computer literacy while allowing focused study for students looking to major in computer science in college.

This foundational curriculum is supported by a number of student-formed computer science clubs. The Cyber Club has grown three-fold this year and serves to prepare its members in the skills of cybersecurity and the tenets of cyber citizenship.

This learning is constantly tested and reinforced as the girls compete in any number of local, regional, and national cyber competitions, including the Air Force Association’s CyberPatriot Program.

The Girls Who Code Club focuses on collaborative learning and sharing of skills and software development techniques and uses project-based focuses to add relevance to this development.

An exciting development this year at NDP is the establishment of the Notre

Starting in the earliest Middle Level grades, all students learn the essentials of digital citizenship.*

Dame Prep Computer Science Honor Society. This nationally recognized honor society operates under the guidance of the Computer Science Teachers Association and recognizes computer science students for their equity, service, and excellence.

NDP is proud to have inducted seven members this inaugural year and looks forward to honoring future student leaders in computer science.

Computer science lies at the nexus of Science-Technology-EngineeringArt-Math, or STEAM. Software design is rooted in technology and has a strong relationship with mathematics and mathematic principles. It applies engineering practices and combines problem solving, design, and presentation to produce meaningful benefits in our everyday lives. Science is not forgotten in this mix, as this industry is constantly pushing the envelope in areas such as artificial intelligence and the development of smart and able technology systems.

Computer science reaches beyond the Upper Level, as digital citizenship and computer science literacy begin in the Middle Level and grow through a

The Jane Kroh Satterfield Innovation Wing houses a dedicated Cyber Computing Lab, generously supported by Roger and Kathleen Schwab Novak ’67.

coordinated curriculum that leads to the STEAM pathways in the Upper Level. Mary Agnes Sheridan, NDP’s director of STEAM, notes, “Learning today involves providing students opportunities to use technology to engage with questions and ultimately harness the power of Technology at NDP, 1960. technology to support innovation and build knowledge.” The school’s new Jane Kroh Satterfield Innovation Wing is dedicated to this exact purpose.

Finally, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room. Computer science has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, and it is time for that tradition to end. This industry, like any other, is in desperate need of diversity in the workforce, and here again NDP is well positioned to take on this need. The students are willing and able to tackle these challenges, and I am proud and privileged to work with them every day.

NDP truly is educating women who will transform the world. g

NDP has earned the College Board’s AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for expanding young women’s access to both AP Computer Science A and AP Computer Science Principles—one of only 56 schools nationally to be recognized for achieving this important result in both courses.

* photos taken pre-pandemic

Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • Spring 2021 • 15

LIVING THE MISSION: A Helping Hand

Pam Rolfes Keffer ’83

Pam Rolfes Keffer ’83 has made it her mission to help

Over the years, Pam has participated in the yearly service

people. From working in NDP’s Library helping students

trips to Starkville, Mississippi, for Habitat for Humanity.

find the right books and databases; to moderating and

As the faculty moderator for the Christian Community

mentoring students in NDP’s service club; to planning

Awareness Program, she mentors as the students organize

Habitat for Humanity trips, Pam has taken the service lessons from her student days at NDP and applied them to life.

“I think I can trace it back to Social Service class my senior year. I volunteered at St. Vin-

“

food drives, oversees

I CAN TRACE IT BACK TO MY SOCIAL SERVICE CLASS MY SENIOR YEAR. I VOLUNTEERED AT ST. VINCENT’S CHILDCARE CENTER AND NEVER LOOKED BACK.

cent’s Childcare Center and never looked back. It’s where I found my passion and decided to become a special education teacher.”

”

Penny Queen, and ensures the success of NDP’s longstanding Christmas Families gift collection.

Always one of the first to pitch in or to send an email of gratitude, Pam lives the School Sisters of Notre Dame mission that transformed her as a student.

“I was so shy and quiet, but I do remember Sister Pam returned to work in NDP’s Library 11 years ago, since

Joannene [Merendino] helping me find my voice,” Pam

which time, the mother of Jill ’09, Cory ’11, and Alex ’15, has

recalls. “She was among the strong, amazing, and brave

made a formative mark on the school’s service program.

SSNDs who modeled the need for every one of us to step

She started Rafiki, an afterschool club that pairs young

out of our comfort zones to make a difference. She taught

women with special needs with NDP student volunteers.

me that every girl has a gift within that needs to be shared.

Through Rafiki, the Swahili word for “friend,” Pam brings

I hope I can help our students find their gift.”

her gentle spirit to colorful and fun afternoons of dancing, crafts, and togetherness that bring light and love to all who take part.

16 • Roots & Wings • Spring 2021

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CONTACT THE ADVANCEMENT OFFICE TO LEARN MORE AT 410-583-8797

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THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO GIVE!

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Where tuition ends, philanthropy begins!

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It enables our school to be innovative while sustaining existing programs.

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It helps NDP remain accessible, by keeping tuition costs down.

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It keeps our school sustainable and strong today and into the future.

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It enhances the experience of every NDP student.

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EVERY gift makes a difference

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Why Your Gift Matters

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THEY MAY NEVER KNOW YOU... ...but they will always celebrate the friendship, opportunities, and sisterhood made possible by members of our LEGACY CIRCLE. Strengthen future generations of NDP students with a gift in your estate plan.

To learn more about planned giving opportunities, contact our Advancement Office at 410-583-8797 or kinkopfk@notredameprep.com.

If you have already included NDP in your plans, please let us know.

We want to acknowledge your legacy in our Legacy Circle.

Special Edition: 60th Anniversary Issue • Spring 2021

815 Hampton Lane, Towson, Maryland 21286

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 237 Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland

410.825.6202 • www.notredameprep.com

THANK YOU to our All-Event Sponsors

Thank You GALA SPONSORS Presenting Sponsor

Blue Blazer Sponsors

The Acevedo Family Alessia ’22, Isabella ’24

Colleen ’87 and Luke Driscoll Grace ’18, Tara ’22

The Andrusis Family Marina ’25, Juliet ’27

Floors Etc. • Shannon ’91 and Dennis Walsh Devin ’22, Logan ’24

The Antkowiak Family Emily ’03, Michelle ’08, Carlie ’15 & CEM Technology Advisors Apartment Services, Inc.

Headmistress Sponsor The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company 1873 Sponsors Calvert Mechanical Solutions Honey and Michael Constantine The Herwig Family • Kaelin ’24 Jerry’s Toyota KELLY Nancy ’67 and Steve Whalen Onyx & Gold Sponsor Scott & Susan Wilfong Julie ’95, Sarah ’00, and Madison ’21

Josh and Jessica Itzoe Lydia ’26

Will and Pilar Benassi • Elena ’17

Brian and Jill Kroneberger Sarah ’15, Emma ’22

ChemStation Chesapeake/ Maryland Chemical Company, Inc.

The Lynn Family Natalie ’16, Anna ’24

Data Networks

Marlene and John Schiech Kristen ’06

Red Rose Sponsors Archdiocese of Baltimore Karyn ’93 and Ken Bauer The Buedel Family DEX Imaging, LLC, a Staples Company eCampus.com Lilly ’90 and David Hunter Anna Kate ’23, Georgia ’26 Patty ’86 and Mark Knott The Mangione Family NDP Parents’ Association Notre Dame of Maryland University

The Rudolph Family Abigail ’20, Emma ’22 Craig and Ruth Scheiner School Sisters of Notre Dame Atlantic-Midwest Province Sentral Services The Shaeffer Wealth Advisory Group at RBC Wealth Management SpeedPro Imaging • The Bouchard Family • Emma ’22, Lily ’26 Joan Sweeney ’81 and Sudina Search Kathleen and David Willis Katie ’14

Thank you to everyone who supported our 2021 Gala!