Issuu

ROOTSWINGS

LIVING THE MISSION

A Letter from the Head of School

Dear Friends of Notre Dame Preparatory School,

It is my great pleasure to greet you one final time as Head of School at Notre Dame Prep in this 2024–2025 issue of Roots & Wings!

This school year, not yet completed as of the time of this publication's printing, has been extraordinary— full of countless moments of success, joy, friendship, and the making of special memories. Many of these moments are highlighted within this publication, which we take great pride in sharing with you, our valued members of the NDP community. Our students exceeded all expectations, which are already high at the start of each year, as they were strengthened by their faith, nurtured by caring teachers, and loved by their families and so many of us here on Hampton Lane. This is their home, a home filled with love and support; a place for them to feel safe and comfortable to explore their God-given gifts as they prepare to use them for the good of others in keeping with our cherished mission.

In early May, our Dining Room erupted as the students joined Christians around the world in receiving the joyful news of the election of our new Holy Father and the first North American Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV! It is a memory they will have with them throughout their lives, a reminder of our communion, our belonging to a family of faith that is united in Christian charity and love for our sisters and brothers in Christ.

As I prepare for a new opportunity to serve the Lord through the ministry of education, I join all members of the NDP community in welcoming the school's new Head, Dr. Angela Allen. She, like each of you, will have my prayers and unending support. I can't adequately express my gratitude for the love and support I've been shown by so many members of this special community during my two decades as Head of School. Notre Dame Prep will always have a very dear place in my heart, as will all the students, teachers, staff, parents, alumnae, and special friends of this extraordinary institution.

Thank you for all you do for our students and for NDP. Please join me in praying for a successful, joyful, and memorable school year and for the future success of our beloved students, especially our graduating seniors. May they always call Notre Dame Preparatory School their home and return often as they go on to make the world a special place with the gifts they share!

In Notre Dame,

Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D. Head of School

ROOTSWINGS

PUBLISHER

Notre Dame Preparatory School

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D.

EDITOR

Cami Colarossi, APR

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Lauren Benjamin Cami Colarossi

Jackie Baird Donoghue ’16

Michael Nitti

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Dave Pugh Design

PHOTOGRAPHY

Harry Bosk

Jackie Baird Donoghue ’16

Gloria Healy ’18

Howard Korn

Kristen Madairy ’02

Michael Nitti

NDP Archives

Kevin J. Parks, Catholic Review

MISSION STATEMENT

Where Girls Become Women Who Transform The World

Notre Dame Preparatory School educates and empowers girls to become women who transform the world.

As a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for girls in grades 6 through 12, Notre Dame Prep inspires students to pursue academic excellence, spiritual growth, and the practice of justice. Infused with the spirit of the School Sisters of Notre Dame and rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church, the NDP community strives to answer God’s call “…to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with God.”

(Micah 6:8)

THE YEAR

The 2024 – 2025 School Year

From the classroom to the playing field to the performance stage…through volunteering, justice work, and community worship…and during moments of sisterhood, school spirit, and fun, the Notre Dame Preparatory School community spent the 2024–2025 school year “Living the Mission.” Here are some highlights from this wonderful year! a

103Advanced Placement Scholars

43American Voices Winners in the Scholastic Writing Awards Competition including Elisa Rodriguez ’27

462 inductees into 14 UL Honor Societies

23juniorsreceived college and university honors

52 Middle Level creative writing pieces published across three national writing anthologies

1 winner in the prestigious St. John Properties

2025 Summer Engineering Internship: Lauren Schnitzlein ’25

8 guest engineers from Whiting-Turner Contracting Company conducted hands-on activities for students during Women in Construction Week

?? WHODUNNIT?

NDP Forensic Science students crafted intricate crime scenes in a box

137cm high tower built in the annual Johns Hopkins Tower of Power competition

ACADEMICS

Congratulations, Grade 8 Students!

Overall Achievement Award: Bella Dana

Mother Theresa Gerhardinger Award: Katie Tallon Service Award: Joshika Banerjee

Scholar Athlete Award: Lillian Augustino

Sister Patricia McCarron Leadership Medal: Leila Gedney

$6,500+earned by this year’s Applied Economics businesses and donated to charity

STEAM

13 Middle Level students considered a career in engineering at Baltimore’s Engineers Club during Engineers Week

#1 Best Design Team at the ACE Mentor Program of Baltimore

1martial arts master teaching Chinese students during Lunar New Year Celebrations

616,737 reading minutes logged by Middle Level students

15 STEAM students celebrating Aviation Day at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport

64 trees distributed to NDP families through Neighborhood Forest

1st Place

for NDP’s Grade 7 Team Egg-celente in the annual Egg Drop Competition

615digits of pi recited—an NDP record—by Katherine Berger ’25

175days of morning prayer

18 community Liturgies and prayer services

3 mission tenets—academic excellence, spiritual growth, practice of justice

72 succulents planted with students from Refugee Youth Project

40+ Christmas families served

8 Friends in Faith parties held for young adults with disabilities

4 faculty and staff members attended the annual NAIS People of Color Conference (POCC) in Denver, Colorado

27 student performers for the firstever Arts of the World presentation

28 Middle Level Monday chapel services

7 class retreats

1 Catholic Daughters of the Americas National Youth Scholarship Winner: Ayanna Thomas ’28

5 members of the Latin & Hispanic Student Union attended the Hispanic Heritage Month Liturgy at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church

59 portraits painted through The Memory Project

4 Penny Queens—Emma Enoch ’25, Georgia Hunter ’26, Bells Albert ’27, and Penelope Banks ’28—raised nearly $10,000 for service programs

20 service clubs

BUILDING COMMUNITY SERVICE

3 schools NDP’s Asian Student Association hosted for Filipino American History Month

14 students and faculty attended Lessons of the Shoah, a Genocide Education Program at the John Carroll School

60+ pounds of discarded holiday lights recycled

3072 The house number of the Habitat Home NDP students helped build this year

16 students participated in the Baltimore Student Diversity Leadership Conference 100pounds of turkey served at Dinner with our Elders

6 students attended the Black History Month Liturgy at St. Matthew’s Church

47dance numbers presented at annual concerts

3 fabulous musicals presented: Hadestown Teen Edition, Matilda Jr., and Anastasia

THE ARTS

Upper Level Adjudication Results

Concert Band: 1st Place, Superior Rating

Chamber Choir: 1st Place, Superior Rating

Concert Choir: 1st Place, Superior Rating Orchestra: 1st Place, Excellent Rating Best overall solo vocalist: Abby Bilenki ’25

Middle Level Adjudication Results

6th Grade Choir: 1st Place, Superior Rating 7th & 8th Grade Combined Choirs: 1st Place, Superior Rating Band: 3rd Place, Excellent Rating String Orchestra: 4th Place, Excellent Rating

79 musical numbers performed to more than 3,100 attendees

34 dance students traveled to Washington, D.C., where they learned acrobatic arts on aerial silks

STUDENT LIFE

239 new students walked through the Gateway

Scholastic National Silver Medal for Alice Glikin ’25’s digital art piece, “Waiting”

300+

materials used to create Project Greenway and Middle Made designs

1 World Trade Institute Albrecht Fellow: Claire Hogans ’26

442 WINternship placements

59 years NDP seniors have traveled to New York City

WNDP newscasts

#1 National Catholic Swimming and Diving Champions

#1 IAAM B Conference Softball Champions

1200+attendees at UMD vs. UVA One Love Lacrosse Game on NDP’s campus

103 student-athletes, on 18 teams in 8 sports representing 54% of students

In the Middle Level,

166 faculty and staff sharing lots of love at the bi-annual Student Appreciation Day

5 pillars of focus in the school’s new Strategic Plan: Academics, Faculty-Staff Support, Catholic Identity, Student Experience, and Financial Vitality

2 Mother Caroline Friess Alumnae of the Year: Sister Sharon Slear, SSND, Ph.D. ’61, and Peggy Mullan Greenman ’61

24 seniors signed to play at Division I, II, and III schools

#1 IAAM All-Conference Cross Country Champions

29 IAAM All-Conference Athletes over 15 sports

COMMUNITY

70+ Class of 2024 alumnae at this year’s Christmas Liturgy

Baltimore’s Child Readers’ Choice Award for Best Girls Independent School, Best Sports Program, and RunnerUp Best Visual Arts Program

InspirED School’s Marketing’s Brilliance Awards for 150th Anniversary Year Celebration Bronze Winner

#1 IAAM All-Conference Swimming Champions

200+ registrants to hear renowned economist Anirban Basu discuss the proven value of Catholic education

61 fantastic Gala volunteers

175+ at the first-annual NDPrepFest held as part of Alumnae Reunion Weekend

KUDOS

6 consecutive years receiving College Board AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for achieving high female representation in AP Computer Science A (CSA) and AP Computer Science Principles (CSP)

1 IAAM Basketball Coach of the Year: Katie Marks ’98

All our best wishes to this year’s retirees: • Mary Margaret McClurg (Religion) • Bernadette Streett (Counseling)

3 outstanding parent organizations: Parents’ Association, Friends of the Arts, and Sports Booster Club

633 donors and $100,915 raised in this year’s Blazer Raiser three-day challenge

A+ rating by Niche. com for Best Catholic Girls High School

3 Outstanding faculty honored: Aimee Sann (Math; Hyacinths for the Soul Award); Kim Bryson (Physical Education; Mildred Motsko Hunt Memorial Award); and Mary Agnes Sheridan (STEAM Director; NDP's Catholic School Teacher of the Year)

Congratulations, CLASS OF 2025!

Congratulations to the 158 members of the Class of 2025! This talented group of young women leave Notre Dame Preparatory School ready to transform the world with their gifts and talents. Many blessings to the Class of Purple and Blue and the promise the future holds for our newest alumnae! a

2025 White Blazer Girl: Molly Bryson

Academic Excellence Award: Jahniya Braga

NDP Medal: Katherine Phelan

Bene Merenti Award: Kaitlyn Melegari, Ayomide Odedina, Alaina Pfaff

Service Medal: Abbey Diffendall, Campbell Diffendall, Nyla Harris, Lucy Loeffler

Sister Patricia McCarron Leadership Medal: Kaitlyn Melegari

$39.3M

students attending Catholic universities granted in merit awards

3 Commended Scholars 1000/0 accepted to four-year colleges or universities merit scholarships awarded scholar-athletes playing in DI–III programs

total service hours

students studying internationally

3 National First-Generation Recognition Awards

academic certificates awarded in STEAM, Humanities, and Biliteracy college acceptances AP Scholars

7 College Board School Recognition Awardees

Dots represent schools where students are attending

COVER STORY

How Education Shapes a More Just and Compassionate World

From its earliest days, Notre Dame Preparatory School has embraced the transformative power of education to shape a more just and compassionate world. This is as true today as it was for the School Sisters of Notre Dame who opened the doors of Notre Dame of Maryland Collegiate School for Girls in 1873. For more than 150 years, academic pursuits, faith formation, and a commitment to justice have informed life at NDP, from curriculum and extracurricular activities to liturgical celebrations to an understanding of charity and a directive toward justice.

Inspired by the momentum of last year’s sesquicentennial, the Notre Dame community renewed its commitment to "Living the Mission" during the 2024–2025 school year

by celebrating the many ways—both large and small— the school's mission manifests itself in the lives of our students, faculty, staff, and alumnae. Critical thinking, deep spirituality, and the practice of justice are the tenets that ground all strategic planning and action so that an NDP education always addresses the needs of the times.

In the pages that follow, you’ll meet four remarkable individuals—two alumnae, a recent graduate, and a current student—who are living proof of the enduring power of the NDP mission. Through their academic studies, professional careers, and volunteerism, they exemplify what it means to act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly in today’s world.

Our Mission

Notre Dame Preparatory School educates and empowers girls to become women who transform the world. As a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for girls in grades 6 through 12, Notre Dame Prep inspires students to pursue academic excellence, spiritual growth and the practice of justice. Infused with the spirit of the School Sisters of Notre Dame and rooted in the teachings of the Catholic Church, the NDP community strives to answer God’s call “…to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with God.” (Micah 6:8)

BIANCAROSE NNABUE ’26 Living the Mission

While many high school students are just beginning to think about service, BiancaRose Nnabue ’26 is already leading it. Since age six, she has traveled abroad to provide free medical care, food, and supplies to communities in Southeastern Nigeria as part of the Mezu International Foundation (MIF), a public charity organization founded by her grandparents that provides educational and scientific programming to underserved communities locally and across Africa.

“My role with Mezu International Foundation has evolved significantly over the years,” said BiancaRose. “I’ve taken on greater responsibilities—from triaging at the case history table and supervising children receiving treatment, to shadowing cardiologists, pediatricians, and pharmacists.” She has also begun managing a medicine packaging team and operating pre-testing equipment to improve patient flow. Last year, a research article to which she contributed during her medical mission was submitted to the National Public Health Association, and she is hopeful it will be published.

This experience deepened BiancaRose’s commitment to service and affirmed her passion to pursue a medical career. “These trips have shown me that small acts can have a huge impact,” she added. One particularly powerful moment was when she gave a young girl her first pair of eyeglasses. “Her eyes lit up as she looked around, and she just smiled and hugged me.”

BiancaRose credits her passion for service to her parents, Mr. Chigozie Nnabue and Dr. Kelechi Mezu-Nnabue, and thanks them for providing her with an NDP education which has given her the opportunity to raise awareness for service among her peers. By working on assemblies and programs with the NDP Black Student Union and the Diversity Council, as well as raising funds for the Ancilla Orphanage in Nigeria, she has learned the impact of awareness. This summer, she hopes to partner with local eye care professionals to provide free exams and glasses to highachieving students in underserved Baltimore communities.

She also credits many of her teachers, including Director of Service Steve Pomplon, Speech and Debate Moderator Aimee Sann, and her art teachers, who have played a pivotal role throughout her NDP journey. “As I prepare to enter my final year at NDP, I’m incredibly grateful for all of them,” she said.

BiancaRose’s many accomplishments—including multiple Scholastic Art & Writing Gold Medals, the 2025 American Voices Award in Creative Writing for the State of Maryland, top speech and debate honors, and induction into several National Honor Societies—reflect both her talent and dedication. Recognized by the College Board's National African American Recognition Program and other academic honors, she points to NDP for nurturing her strengths and helping her use them to raise awareness and make a meaningful impact.

“Academic excellence has taught me the importance of using my education to make a difference. Social justice has instilled in me the responsibility to challenge inequality.” And at the heart of it all is a deep, enduring sense of spirituality and service. “Service isn’t just about giving,” she says. “It’s about being present, listening, and doing your part to bring light into someone else’s life.”

KATE FAHEY ’00 Living the Mission

When Kate Fahey graduated from Notre Dame Prep in 2000, she never imagined that one day she’d be leading a life-transforming ministry in Zambia. But as her story reveals, God had a bigger plan— and Kate was willing to follow.

Kate started her professional career as a college financial representative for Northwestern Mutual at the age of 19. By 20, she was recruited to MassMutual, quickly climbing into management.

But life shifted dramatically when she left her job as an investment specialist to care for her two grandmothers, one battling Alzheimer’s, the other recovering from a stroke. It was during this deeply personal and emotional time that Kate discovered her calling to become a nurse.

In 2014, after becoming a nurse, Kate was invited to join a short-term medical mission to Zambia—a trip she initially resisted. Africa was never on Kate’s radar. But when she prayed about it, God made it clear that she needed to go. That single act of following God’s call led to more than just a two-week trip; it sparked a calling that would redefine Kate’s life.

Each summer, Kate returned to Zambia, staying longer and organizing medical clinics alongside local nurses to reach people in remote areas with little to no access to healthcare. In 2018, her work expanded when she connected with a local children’s home of over 100 children and a school of 600 students.

By 2019, Kate moved full-time to Zambia to deepen her impact. During the COVID-19 shutdown, she began working with young adults who had aged out of the children’s home system, helping them transition into adulthood with discipleship, emotional counseling, and career coaching. Many of these young people had been suddenly displaced and left to fend for themselves. Kate's response was to walk with them through the crisis— offering hope, healing, and practical life tools.

Her work was the beginning of Atlantic Ministries Discipleship Center and its new program, Activate Life Transformation Centers—a holistic model focused on emotional, spiritual, physical, and financial transformation. By 2026, the center plans to launch a robust offering of counseling, life and career coaching, business development, and health and wellness programs.

Since returning to the U.S. in 2023, Kate continues to serve as the Nurse Manager at St. Vincent’s Villa, a trauma-informed care facility for children ages 5–14. Her work there has deeply influenced her leadership in Zambia. “The training that I attend for work significantly impacts the work I am doing in Zambia.”

Looking back, Kate sees how her foundation at Notre Dame Prep laid the groundwork for her life of service. “In high school, I participated in the Special Friends programs at St. Vincent’s Villa and at Gallagher Center. As a senior, I was awarded the Service Award for my class and continued my service through college and beyond.”

As for what’s most rewarding about her work in Zambia? “Seeing individual lives transform and then seeing those people help others to transform,” Kate says.

KATHERINE BERGER ’25

Living the Mission

From the moment she entered Notre Dame Prep as a STEAM Gateway Award winner, Katherine Berger ’25 knew she had found a place that could nurture her passions and push her toward her dreams. Now, as a recent graduate who earned a General STEAM Certificate, as well as two Pathway Certificates in Computer Science and Engineering, Katherine is headed to the University of Maryland Honors College as a Banneker/Key Scholar, UMD’s most prestigious scholarship.

Selected from a competitive pool of around 400 semifinalists, Katherine is one of approximately 150 students offered the full scholarship after an intensive interview process. Her acceptance to the Banneker/Key program was the culmination of a high school career defined by excellence in academics, a deep curiosity for engineering, and a generous spirit of service. “I have wanted to be an engineer since elementary school because I love math and science, construction, and understanding how things work,” said Katherine. She took full advantage of NDP's cutting-edge programs and the Jane Kroh Satterfield Innovation Wing. Her favorite classes, calculus and physics, helped confirm her interest in a math- and physics-heavy field. Her academic prowess is matched by her passion for hands-on problem solving and efficiency. A four-year member and two-year president of the Fire Protection Engineering (FPE) Club, Katherine wired and programmed Arduino-based fire suppression systems and led her team to victory as a sophomore. She participated in the ACE (Architecture, Construction, and Engineering) program, where she developed 3D models of a proposed community center on the Baltimore Peninsula and took a paid internship with Limbach to learn about construction management. Additional internships included the UMBC Observatory and Becton Dickinson, where she worked with a small group to design and build a device that allows someone with only one arm to get dressed. She also had the unique opportunities to shadow Whiting-Turner employees for a week, work on punch lists for Johns Hopkins University’s new Life Sciences Building, and help with the documentation for NDP’s water main project last summer.

Katherine also believes in using her talents to give back. From guiding adaptive mountain bikers to teaching English weekly over Zoom to a Ukrainian student, she lives out NDP’s mission of social justice through service. “There are students who are exceptionally gifted, others who are born leaders, and still others who when faced with challenges provide innovative solutions. Katherine is one of those rare individuals who does it all,” said Mary Agnes Sheridan, Director of STEAM. “It has been a joy to witness her intellectual curiosity and innovative problem solving in all her pursuits,” added Janine Field ’97, Engineering Teacher. “Her creativity, technical knowledge, and collaborative mindset truly reflect NDP’s mission to empower young women to transform the world.”

Next year, Katherine will join the Design Cultures & Creativity (DCC) program and participate in the Women in Engineering (WIE) program at UMD where she looks forward to meeting a dedicated community of female engineers in such a male-dominated field. Whether she’s designing efficient systems or coding her next gameplaying bot, Katherine will undoubtedly continue Living the Mission beyond NDP while inspiring others to do the same.

“To me, living the mission means chasing my dreams without fearing failure. I do everything in my power to work toward my goals and then judge myself based on effort instead of results.”

KAITLYN GRIFFIN ’15

Living the Mission

Along-time sacristan at The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Kaitlyn Griffin remembers the day she saw the light…literally.

“One morning Mass, the priest was consecrating the host. As he lifted it up, the sun came through a large stained-glass window and shone directly on it. It was insane! And I felt, ‘Oh this is real!’”

Serving as sacristan has been how Kaitlyn has lived NDP’s mission tenet of spirituality beyond her graduation in 2015. The role, which she assumed nine years ago when she was a Towson University freshman, proved a natural progression for this determined altar server who was eventually named the first-ever female master of ceremonies at the Cathedral.

As sacristan, Kaitlyn works each weekend serving as the “go-to” person for services, special events, and building set up. Yet the role is more than a part-time job, which she holds in addition to being NDP’s full-time Assistant Director of Technology. It is a way for her to explore her faith more deeply, understand Catholic doctrine more fully, and bear witness to the real presence of God in people’s lives.

“Part of my role is staying in the shadows, and there I get to see a lot of ‘small moments’ of people in the church,” she says. “Some of the most powerful spiritual moments come from those small moments that not everyone gets to witness.”

Kaitlyn points to her time in Catholic school as most formative in her spiritual and personal journey. At NDP, in particular, she credits her Religion teachers for encouraging her and instilling in her a confidence that to this day has helped her in her professional and personal lives, especially important given the dominance of men in both the technology profession and Catholic Church leadership.

“NDP helped me build confidence and the ability to present myself in any situation. It helped me in college, and it helps in the church where there are a lot of men. That confidence has helped me gain a lot of respect in my role in the church,” she says.

When talking about faith and spirituality, Kaitlyn is very pragmatic and independent. Her advice for anyone, especially those exploring their faith, is to learn as much as they can about church doctrine and engage in dialogue with priests, sisters, and others familiar with Catholic teachings to arrive at personal understanding. Ultimately, the lessons of any spiritual exploration should be transferrable to day-to-day living, something that Kaitlyn points out is fundamental to her faith.

“At the end of the day, you have to look past all of the details and the nuances,” she says. “The number one thing we should be prioritizing as we live our lives is living with love and respecting and loving everyone around us. That’s the core of Catholic faith.” a

Living the Mission through Artistic Expression SEEKING SERENITY:

Jackie Baird Donoghue ’16, Notre Dame Preparatory School’s Social Media Manager, is a documentary photographer who recently earned her Master of Fine Arts in Photography + Media & Society from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). There, Jackie completed her thesis project, Seeking Serenity, a deeply personal and immersive exploration of addiction recovery, spirituality, and human connection.

Rooted in the work of The Helping Up Mission (HUM) in Baltimore, Seeking Serenity captures the profound role that spiritual transformation plays in the recovery journey. Through striking photography and intimate storytelling, the project highlights the resilience of individuals rebuilding their lives, emphasizing moments of healing,

self-discovery, and renewal. More than a documentation of struggle, Seeking Serenity is a meditation on hope—the quiet strength found in surrender, the peace that comes with community, and the personal awakenings that shape the path forward.

HUM’s commitment to holistic recovery has been at the heart of this project. Their staff, volunteers, and clients embody a deep sense of compassion, service, and transformation, and their presence is woven into every image and story. For Jackie, this project was not just about capturing recovery but experiencing the profound spiritual connections that emerge in spaces of healing.

To experience Seeking Serenity in full, visit www.jackiebaird.com/ seeking-serenity. a

Photos by Jackie Baird Donoghue

MISSION SPARK

Words of Advice from NDP Alumnae on Living the Mission Each Day

Lindsey

Shannon Windsor

’08, Alumnae Board President and Speech Pathologist

Remember that living out God’s intention for you is a lifelong journey. You are not supposed to have it all figured out right now. Trust that God is with you every step of the way, and keep your eyes, ears, and heart open for opportunities to answer His call.

Sydney Peterson Fortmann ’10, Attorney and Trustee Associate

NDP taught me that we have the privilege, responsibility, and opportunity to serve others, particularly those in our own community. Today, my career as an attorney affords me space to contribute to the pursuit of justice, but our family’s small business, [of which a portion of each sale is donated to the Down Syndrome Association of Maryland,] allows me to love tenderly and walk humbly with God—specifically among those within the Down Syndrome community in Maryland. NDP instilled in me the core belief that no achievement is quite so great as using your own gifts, abilities, and resources to contribute to the lives of others, particularly those in need—a belief which continues to drive me each and every day.

Amy Salazar Alfriend ’80, Coordinator, NDP WIN Program

Throughout my 12 years at NDP, followed by my college years and nursing career, the mission has guided my life to answer God’s call to care for others through service, to always seek spiritual growth, and to pursue the practice of justice for those in need. It’s so inspiring to once again be walking the NDP halls and living the mission in the spirit of the SSND, side by side with the faculty, staff, and student body. Collectively, we truly live the mission every day through campus ministry; service programs to address poverty, medical or educational needs, and homelessness; and advocacy work for the poor and marginalized of society.

Lauren C. Yap

’09,

Pediatric Dentist

It was at NDP where I first learned what it truly means to serve, to lead with love, and to stand with those who are voiceless. That foundation shaped my path, guiding me not only to dentistry but also to a deeper commitment: to be an advocate for children, including victims of vulnerable populations, and to bring healing where it’s most needed—gently, justly, and humbly.

Michele Shores Sawicki ’80, Pharmacist

My involvement in the Christian Community Awareness Program for four years at Notre Dame Prep provided me with a firm foundation for social awareness in my life. As an adult, I am privileged to be a member of the nonprofit Gathering Point Giving Circle. Our group’s shared spirit for volunteering created our mission to support, with respect and kindness, women and children in our community. I hope all young women will recognize and pursue the opportunities NDP offers to help and serve others.

Lisa Petit ’98, Pediatrician

My experience at NDP gave me the leadership, compassion, and confidence to thrive as a pediatrician, business owner, and strong woman in a maledominated field. The mission rooted in Micah 6:8 continues to inspire me to advocate for my patients, many of whom are among the most vulnerable in our society. NDP taught me that strength and humility are not opposites—they are the foundation of meaningful service. To the young women coming up now: Study the Bible. Let it be your compass, and trust the still, small voice of God to guide, comfort, and embolden you.

Diane Dippold MacIntosh, Ph.D., ’58, Professor

ACharlotte Carozza Archer ’58, Former Educator

Having received an excellent education from the SSND, I was inspired to become an elementary school teacher and to give back. I was certified and volunteered weekly in the Baltimore Dyslexia Tutoring Program. As more women joined the work force, I saw a need for after-school childcare, and in 1985, I founded the program at the School of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, the first in the diocese.

I am a member of the Christ Child Society, an organization that is driven by faith, love, and a desire to make a difference in the lives of those in need. a

s part of Library Week 2025, literature professor Diane Dippold MacIntosh, Ph.D., ’58 met for a roundtable talk with college-bound graduating seniors from Upper Level Humanities classes.

As a graduate student in English at the University of Maryland College Park, Dr. MacIntosh's dissertation on an African American writer placed her in the new field of minority literature. Also, when she graduated in 1971 only 3% of those awarded the Ph.D. in the U.S. were women, and the median age for both men and women was 34. She was 29. In that same year, she was appointed first Head of the African American Collection at Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore. Her visit was a wonderful opportunity to learn from her experiences and be inspired by her trailblazing journey.

“I am here today because I once wore saddle shoes like you,” said Dr. MacIntosh. “I want to share with you what you can expect once you leave here and go on to college or university."

After Pratt, Dr. MacIntosh continued her career teaching British and American literature as a faculty member of Johns Hopkins University, Oberlin College, and the University of Maryland. During her visit she offered insights into her career as well as stories about what it was like to attend NDP in the 1950s.

Dr. MacIntosh fielded students' questions on a variety of topics, from her choice of college major (English) to her favorite NDP tradition (Gym Meet) to her most inspiring teacher (Sr. Maura Eichner, English Department Head at her undergraduate alma mater, the College of Notre Dame of Maryland). Her conversation with the students was part living history exercise and part life lessons.

As Abbey Diffendall '25 summed up: "Dr. MacIntosh shared her invaluable experiences and gave us advice as we continue through our time at NDP and beyond.”

Dr. MacIntosh’s commitment to education and literature is reflected in her generous support of NDP. In 2007 she founded and funded the Margot and Diane Dippold Women's Collection at NDP. Then in 2009, she and her husband, Houston MacIntosh, M.D., established the Drs. Houston and Diane Dippold MacIntosh Reading Room, creating a beautiful home in the school library for this special collection.

Also in 2007, Dr. MacIntosh and her husband funded a multi-year lecture series which featured guest authors including Pulitzer-winner Geraldine Brooks, Lisa See, and Ann Patchett, among others. The series enabled students to engage one-onone with these authors and featured free, public evening lectures that consistently met with at-capacity audiences. a

Dr. Diane Dippold MacIntosh, flanked by classmates Charlotte Carozza Archer (left) and Theo Mallek Karpovich (right) in front of the MacIntosh Reading Room.

Living the Mission

MOTHER CAROLINE FRIESS ALUMNAE OF THE YEAR

Sister Sharon Slear, SSND, Ph.D. ’61 and Marguerite “Peggy” Mullan Greenman ’61

Notre Dame Preparatory School is proud to honor Sister Sharon Slear, SSND, Ph.D. ’61, and Marguerite “Peggy” Mullan Greenman ’61 as the 2025 corecipients of the Mother Caroline Friess Alumna of the Year Award—one of the highest honors bestowed upon a Notre Dame Prep alumna. As cherished jubilarians and members of the first class to graduate from NDP’s Hampton Lane campus, Sister Sharon and Peggy have each made a lasting impact on their communities.

t Sister Sharon Slear, SSND, Ph.D. ’61: A visionary leader and lifelong educator, Sister Sharon has transformed Catholic education through decades of service. From her early days at Archbishop Keough and Bishop Walsh to building graduate and doctoral programs at Notre Dame of Maryland University, her leadership has empowered generations of educators and students. Honored with numerous awards, she continues to serve both Notre Dame Prep and the university. We proudly recognize her extraordinary impact and unwavering commitment to academic excellence, faith, and leadership.

t Marguerite “Peggy” Mullan Greenman ’61: A 12-year girl and past Alumnae President, Peggy remains a devoted advocate, staying active with her classmates and supporting NDP’s mission. A loyal benefactor, her generosity established multiple family scholarships, ensuring future Blazers access to an NDP education. Peggy’s legacy spans generations of NDP women and deep Baltimore roots. Peggy is the owner of the Joseph Mullan Co., an apartment management company founded by her father in 1971. Since 1995, she has faithfully carried on his legacy, managing the family business. In every way, Peggy Greenman exemplifies the spirit of NDP: faith-filled, generous, grounded in tradition, and forward-looking. a

CELEBRATING in True Blue Fashion

True Blue Reunion Weekend brought nearly 500 alumnae back to Hampton Lane for a joyful celebration of connection and tradition. The weekend began on Friday, May 2, with a Reunion Liturgy, including a special procession of the Jubilarian Class of 1975 and the Class of 2025. Following the service, both classes gathered for a celebratory brunch in their honor. That evening, alumnae from classes ending in 0s and 5s, along with the Class of 1975, reunited at the True Blue Cocktail Reception. The festivities continued on Saturday, May 3, with the debut of NDPrep Fest featuring live music, food trucks, a visit from the Oriole Bird, and plenty of family fun. Thank you to everyone who joined us. It’s always a joy to welcome our alumnae home to Hampton Lane! a

ALUMNAE BOOK CLUB The Heart of NDP:

Since the early 2000s, Notre Dame Prep alumnae have come together to share a love of lifelong learning and NDP connection through the Alumnae Book Club.

Club reads it all. It’s this eclectic mix of genres and personalities that makes each meeting truly special. And no matter the book, the Book Club always makes room for every member to share her thoughts, ask questions, and engage in thoughtful dialogue.

There’s something undeniably special about reflecting on books with fellow alumnae who understand what it was like to wear that uniform, sit in those classrooms, and navigate those formative years at NDP. Longtime Book Club member, Karen Rolfes Godspeed ’82, shares, “Whenever I mention going to book club to other people, they are always amazed it is a high school alumnae group.”

The diverse group of graduates from the early 1970s through the 2010s meet bimonthly to celebrate their shared Notre Dame Prep experience while also forging new friendships and discovering different perspectives. “A key tenet of the group is that all opinions are respected,” says Rose Schmitz Marcin ’77, the current organizer of the Book Club.

From mysteries and thrillers to romance, historical fiction, nonfiction, and contemporary novels, the Book

With Rose’s help, the Book Club's popularity skyrocketed when pictures of the Club’s book boxes (yes, those adorable, stacked-up literary treasures) made their way to social media. Occasionally local authors will attend the meeting, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their writing process and stories; one such moment was when author Shawn Nocher discussed her book, The Precious Jules. Even the COVID-19 pandemic could not interrupt the rhythm of the group, which met virtually for their spirited discussions. No matter your class year, whether you’re an avid reader or not, all NDP alumnae are invited to join Book Club (more information can be found at notredameprep.com/ alumnae)! You’re never too young or too old to experience the joy of literature and the warmth of the NDP sisterhood. a

SISTER PATRICIA McCARRON

2005 –2025:

20 Years of Vision, Leadership, and Love

WORDS OF WISDOM Over Two Decades

We know that God created us in love, with love, and for love. And because of these words, we know that our reason for being is to live out the simply challenging notion to love God and to love one another. 2018

Hope is the greatest gift we can use to “answer the call” to be Christ to one another in the New Year. 2010

We are blessed at Notre Dame with a faith community where each person is cared for, respected, and loved. 2010

It is the light of God’s grace which guides us, strengthens us and makes each day a new beginning. 2011

Kindness lives in a loving heart, and God’s love, made manifest in Jesus’ birth, is ours to receive and share. 2018

We come to know Jesus in sacred scripture, in one another, and in all of creation. Most assuredly as we become more connected to the Word, we grow in our understanding of who we are, how we are called to be, and what we are destined to become. 2013

The resurrection is God’s gift of hope to us, and the foundation of our faith. 2020

Taken from Sister Patricia’s monthly messages shared with the NDP Community over these past 20 years.

Inspired by the spirit of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, we say “yes” to God’s call and all that is required of us as we live out our mission to transform the world through education. 2021

Let us mindfully call upon remembrance and gratitude to guide our prayers, decisions, expressions, and interactions every day. It is this interplay that make life “real and colorful, fruitful and makes whole.” 2014

Unity is intrinsic to community, and community is what Notre Dame Prep is “all about”— everyone is accepted for the wonderful individual she or he is, and each person is valued. At the center of this community is God’s love of each person and the love each person, in turn, shares with one another. 2014

Notre Dame Prep’s mission is rooted in service to others, most especially our sisters and brothers in need. By putting the needs of others first, through acts of love big and small, we reflect the love we receive from God. By loving others, we are expressing our love for God and truly living as Christians. 2024

Strong teaching grounds the tradition of Catholic education, whether it be academic or spiritual lessons. These roots run deep at NDP, where our teachers, like Jesus, daily inspire our students with wisdom, compassion, and care. 2018

As a community “rooted in grace,” we at Notre Dame understand the hand of God guides us and His grace inspires our actions and decisions. 2013

Notre Dame is rooted in unity and works through its academic, spiritual, and service mission to bring “all to that oneness for which Jesus Christ was sent” (SSND Constitution, You Are Sent, p. 37). 2020

How do we build the City of God? With love. Love in every encounter, in every interaction, and with every expression and communication. 2015

Grace is a blessing of our faith and is central to our ability to see Christ in each other and to be Christ for those we encounter. Grace is at the heart of patience, understanding, forgiveness, and growth. 2022

EMPOWERING Young Women

After 20 years leading NDP Sister Patricia McCarron will step down

By Lisa Harlow, Special to the Catholic Review

Sister Patricia McCarron has long been an unabashed cheerleader for all-girls education. A product of single-sex schooling at the Institute of Notre Dame in Baltimore and what is now Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, the School Sister of Notre Dame began her educational ministry in 1984 as a first-year math teacher at Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson. She has led the all-girls school for the last two decades as its head of school.

All-girls education can have tremendous benefits for students, said Sister Patricia, who served as assistant

dean of academic affairs at Notre Dame of Maryland University from 1998 to 2005 prior to taking the leadership role at NDP.

“Personally, it really helped shape my life,” said Sister Patricia, a Baltimore native who grew up in Rodgers Forge across the street from her home parish of St. Pius X, where she was enrolled in the parish elementary school. “Research shows that girls who attend single-sex schools feel more empowered and engaged in their communities and are more likely to hold leadership roles.” u

School Sister of Notre Dame Patricia McCarron speaks with students at Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson.

(Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

After 20 years of educating and empowering girls to become what her religious community calls “women who transform the world,” Sister Patricia is stepping down.

During her tenure, she led two successful capital campaigns, as well as last year’s 150th anniversary initiative, raising $3.7 million to support faculty and staff and middle-income scholarships. She also oversaw the expansion of the campus to include the addition and renovation of academic, fine arts and athletics facilities. With 843 students, NDP is the largest Catholic girls’ school in the Baltimore metro region.

The longtime educator called NDP an “extraordinary community” where everyone is “totally committed to the mission.”

Chris Kaiser, former math teacher, NDP dean of students and current associate upper-level dean of students, is in her 44th year at NDP and has known Sister Patricia for four decades. Early on, they shared the same classroom and became fast friends.

“Sister Patricia’s impact has been nothing short of phenomenal,” Kaiser said. “Sister will be remembered

School Sister of Notre Dame Patricia McCarron, head of school at Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson, visits with members of the Class of 2027 from left, Gabbi Greeff, Maddie Hecklinger and Darby Bunte, during a chemistry class. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Sister Patricia was a champion of the school’s touted science, technology, engineering, art and math program, noting that girls who attend single-sex schools are six times more likely to consider majoring in STEM than their counterparts who attend co-ed schools.

“I’m going to miss the people at NDP the most,” said Sister Patricia, who holds a master’s degree from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and a doctorate in educational administration and policy from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

as a visionary and one who held high expectations for herself and those supporting her and the mission of the school. Deeply faithful, Sister Patricia was often the first one many turned to in times of need as her trust in God and love of family was most important in her life.”

In December 2024, Sister Patricia was awarded The Daily Record’s Icon Award, which celebrates Baltimore leaders over the age of 60 for their professional and civic contributions. Upon leaving NDP, she will be given the

title of head emerita—the first time in school history the title has been bestowed on a former head of school.

Although she is leaving NDP, the 62-year-old religious sister is definitely not ready to retire.

“I still have a lot left to do,” said Sister Patricia, who also held administrative positions at Bishop Walsh School in Cumberland and at The Seton Keough High School in Baltimore over the years. “I’m excited to launch a new phase as a Catholic school educator wherever God may bring me to serve. This is the right time to make a move. I feel so confident that NDP is poised for success, and I have loved every minute that I have been here at NDP. I look forward to wherever it is that God calls me.”

She’s indebted to a long list of female mentors, including her mother, Mary Elizabeth McCarron, who died in 2022, and School Sister of Notre Dame Kathleen Feeley, president emerita of Notre Dame of Maryland University.

“My mother, along with my father, showed me the importance of faith as the center of my life, and they sacrificed to send all four of their children to Catholic schools,” Sister Patricia said.

Campbell Diffendall, an NDP senior, said Sister Patricia embodies the true meaning of sisterhood, from being at every dance concert, to walking the halls when classes are in session.

“She has an immense amount of care, love and respect for every single girl who has walked through the gateway,” Campbell said. “She shares in our joys and triumphs and knows everyone by name.”

Campbell’s sister, Abbey Diffendall, an NDP [senior], said Sister Patricia makes it a priority to know each student, creating “an atmosphere of support, love, happiness and pride.”

Sister Patricia said she is “so grateful God placed me here at NDP.” Even though she is leaving, she said she will continue to follow the girls and their accomplishments.

“I’m so excited to see the next generation use their talents and gifts, and to see the amazing things they do as they grow and leave us,” she said. a

As the Catholic Review magazine went to press, Archbishop William E. Lori announced the appointment Feb. 20 of Sister Patricia McCarron as the new superintendent for the Department of Catholic Schools, beginning in August. The archbishop said, "She is the perfect fit to lead our schools in the years ahead.”

For more on this story, visit tinyurl.com/cr-mccarron

HEADMISTRESSES 1873-2025

Since 1873, nine School Sisters of Notre Dame have led Notre Dame Preparatory School as headmistresses or, as they are known today, heads of school.

Sister Ildephonsa Wegman, SSND • 1873-77

Melitia Foley, SSND • 1877-1917

Sister Coeline Lyons, SSND • 1917-43

Mary Virginia Connolly, SSND • 1943-65

Sister Doris Ann Gentry, SSND • 1965-68

Mary Ellis Denny, SSND • 1968-79

Sister Helen Marie Duffy, SSND • 1979-97

Christine Mulcahy, SSND • 1997-2005

Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND • 2005-25

Sister

Two Decades of

MISSION GROWTH

Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D.’s Legacy from 2005–2025

Sister Patricia McCarron’s appointment as Notre Dame Preparatory School’s ninth head of school completed a remarkable circle: she started her professional career at NDP as a faculty member 30 years ago and returned to lead the school in 2005. In the 20 years that she has been Head of School, Sister Patricia has overseen remarkable growth at NDP, from academics and extracurriculars, to facilities and financial health, to faith formation and community building.

Guiding her work has been an unshakable faith in God and the supreme belief, something innate to her vocation as a School Sister of Notre Dame, that individuals, given the gifts of education and opportunity, can transform the world. Anchoring these gifts is God’s love for all, a love that we, as children of God, are compelled to share with one another. Notre Dame Preparatory School moves forward confidently with an incredible vision of providing the best Catholic, independent, college preparatory education for middle and high school girls. Thanks to Sister Patricia, this vision is solidly focused, rooted in mission, and contemporary in execution.

Reaching New Heights: Strategic Growth

Under Sister Patricia’s leadership, NDP has earned a reputation as a top Catholic and top private school in the region. With enrollment reaching a historic high in September 2024 and the school twice earning the coveted National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award by the U.S. Department of Education (2012 and 2020), Sister Patricia has helped make NDP one of the top schools in the nation.

• National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (2020 and 2012)—Exemplary High Performing School l 1

• Continuous Middle States Association for Colleges and School (MSA) accreditation since 2005

• Participation in MSA’s invitation-only Sustaining Excellence protocol reserved for high-performing school

• Record School Enrollment

• Significant growth in students of color: currently 33% in Middle Level and 22.3% in Upper Level

• Outstanding student retention l 2

• Baltimore Sun Top Workplace for 11 years l 3

• Niche.com #1 recognition

• Endowment growth from $5 million to more than $42 million

• Two Record-Breaking Capital Campaigns l 4

Ensuring Academic Success

As a School Sister of Notre Dame, Sister Patricia is committed to empowering others through education. She has worked tirelessly to ensure that the academic program delivered at Notre Dame Preparatory School provides as many intellectual opportunities as possible to all students, so they may achieve their God-given potential.

Ensuring that the education offered at Notre Dame Prep remains true to the institution’s founding ideals and addresses the needs of contemporary society has been a complex task executed masterfully through careful planning, rigorous assessment, and continuous refinement. The results point to success in terms of college preparedness and external validation. In the last 20 years:

• 500% increase in merit scholarships awarded to graduating seniors

• Expanded performing and visual arts offerings

• 39 new courses

• College Board—AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award (2019-present)

• University of Maryland Clark School of Engineering Source School

• Fourteen New Academic Programs

— Learning Resources Writing Skills (2024)

— Middle Level Honors Program (2022)

— Wellness Program with Part-Time Specialist (2022)

— Learning Resources Math Skills (2021)

— Susie Williams Simon '71 Reading Program (2018)

— Learning Resources Study Skills (2017)

— Learning Resources Program (2016)

Global Languages Certification Program (2016)

— Service Learning Program (2016)

— Dual-Enrollment Courses (2016)

— Middle Level Innovate-Design Time or IDT (2015) l 5

— Science-Technology-Engineering-Arts-Math or STEAM (2012) l 6

— Bette Ellis O’Conor Humanities Program (2010)

— WIN Career Exploration Program (2006)

“ The school remains widely known for its academic excellence and success at placing graduates in competitive colleges.”

~The Baltimore Sun, 02/20/25, on the reputation of Notre Dame Preparatory School

Nurturing a Faith-Centered Community

Sister Patricia has served as the school’s faith leader cultivating an environment where all may explore, understand, and grow in their relationship with God. Promoting the SSND charism, or spirit, of unity, Sister Patricia has advanced the spiritual prong of the school’s tri-partite mission with grace and understanding. Additionally, and what is often unknown or left unsaid, were the private moments in which Sister Patricia counseled individuals, prayed for community members, upheld individuals in times of crisis, and celebrated them in times of success. Through these actions, Sister has

modeled what it means to be a child of God and what it is to share God’s unconditional love with all.

• Creation of separate Middle and Upper Level campus ministry programs l 7

• Enhancement of existing spiritual spaces and creation of new ones, including the campus inner courtyard with Visitation Statue; Courtyard with Mother Theresa of Jesus statue; Middle Level prayer garden l 8

• Integration of SSND mission l 9

• SSND Tribute Display and annual Foundation Day Celebrations l 10

Advancing the Call of Justice

Intrinsic to school life, service at NDP has experienced exponential growth thanks to Sister Patricia’s leadership. New volunteer programs, a service learning curriculum, and increased funding have advanced one of the area’s strongest and longest-running initiatives, paving the way for decades-long impact in the local and global community.

Upholding the school’s Catholic identity and Catholic Social Teachings, Sister Patricia created a welcoming environment where all had the opportunities to reach their God-given potential and to celebrate the gifts of others. In learning how to understand and engage with all, the NDP community is given the foundation needed to be compassionate and caring global citizens of our one human family.

New Initiatives

• Joann “Josanna” Abromaitis Social Service Fund l 11

• Four new volunteer programs

• Two new service trips

• College Board Service Learning Program

• Sustaining Transformation: Racial Inclusion, Values, and Equity (STRIVE) group

• Expanded student leadership circle to include Student Diversity Council

• Diversity-Equity-Inclusion-Belonging (DEIB) Commitments l 12

• School Sister of Notre Dame DEIB Grants

• Board Inclusivity Committee and Board Diversity Statement

• Student affinity groups l 13 Accolades

• Starkville Habitat for Humanity “Hall of Honor” (2022)

• Baltimore City – 44th Annual Mayor’s Business Recognition Awards for Camp Umoja (2018)

• Baltimore City – Award for Community Service to the Youth in Baltimore City (2013, 2014) l 14

Celebrating Community Life

The heart of Notre Dame Prep is its people, and through actions large and small, Sister Patricia has cultivated a “spirit about this place” that reveals itself in and out of the classroom, on the playing fields, through traditions and student activities, amid a beautiful campus, and among the many individuals who comprise our school community.

Faculty/Staff Support

• Consistent, annual compensation increases and improved benefits

• Tuition remission

• Ongoing professional development

• Upheld environment designed to support success:

— Three teachers received National Catholic Education Association “Lead. Learn. Proclaim.” National Award l 15

— Two teachers received National Society for High School Scholars Educator of Distinction Award

— Five teachers received Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Excellence in Teaching Award

— Seven teachers received regional and disciplinespecific awards related to their work at NDP Athletics

• 36 team division championships

• Over all sports, more than 360 IAAM All-Conference athletes since 2006

• Four sports added

• 11 “Coach of the Year” awardees l 16

• 204 student athletes signed to DI Schools l 17

• Two McCormick Unsung Hero awardees l 18

• Consistent All-Metro, All-State, and All-Region recognition

Facilities

• Language Lab (2023)

• Batza & Simon Learning Resource Center (2022)

• Field lighting (2022)

• Communications Suite (2022)

• Middle Level Admissions Suite (2022)

• Jane Kroh Satterfield Innovation Wing (2020) l 19

• Outdoor classroom (2020)

• Purchased former St. Thomas Episcopal Church property adjacent to campus off Providence Road (2020)

• Dance Studio (2019)

• Middle Level Garden (2018)

• Middle Level Innovation Lab (2016)

• Upper Level STEAM Lab (2014)

• Technology Help Desk (2014)

• Yeardley Reynolds Love ’06 Turf Field (2012)

• MacIntosh Reading Room (2010)

• Renovations to athletic spaces such as fields, pool, and gyms; existing spaces including auditorium, foyer, outdoor courtyards, and more; system improvements; and the convent Community Building

• Campus anniversary celebrations

— 150th Year Anniversary Celebration (2023-2024) l 20

— 50 Years on Hampton Lane (2010-2011) l 21

• Program celebrations

— 40th Anniversary of Social Service (2017-2018)

— 30th Anniversary of Camp Umoja (2015) a

IN THEIR OWN WORDS...

What stands out most to me is the profound sense of belonging to a faithfilled, loving community that Sister Patricia has consistently nurtured in all of us. Sister Patricia has shown me—and all of us—that prayer is not just something we do for one and other; it is something that transforms us, guides us, and holds us together as a community.

~Christian Leitch ’93, Middle Level Art Teacher

1 Peter 5:2-3 tells us, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve.”

Since day one, Sister has always come to school with a smile on her face and kindness in her heart, not because she is told to, but because she is eager to serve.

Sister Patricia always walks these halls, conversing with everyone she passes, saying good morning to those in the hallway, not because she is forced to, but because she is eager to serve.

Sister Patricia acts in little ways in our lives every single day not because of anything else, but because she is eager to serve us.

~Carolina Razon-Fernandez ’28

…[F]ew, if any, have contributed more to building up NDP over these past twenty years than Sister Patricia McCarron! Sister Patricia, no words are adequate to thank you for your leadership and service! You have transformed the campus. You have attracted great teachers. You have built up academics, athletics, the fine arts. You have instilled in this community a passion for service to others. Most of all, as a leader and in your consecrated life, you have led by example; you devoted yourself entirely to making NDP a community of disciples, united in faith and mission. And you have done this for countless young women, alumnae who respect you deeply and love you dearly. What you have done here at NDP, Sister Patricia, will not only stand the test of time but indeed the test of eternity!

~The Most Reverend William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore

Sister Patricia has done many things to support service at NDP. Most impactful may be her expansion of the Service Office to include a college-level service-learning academic program. Sister’s vision for a more substantial integration of justice issues in our school has helped hundreds of students launch lifestyles and vocations of service and transformation.

~Steve Pomplon, Director of Service

Simply stated Sister Patricia is a leader. No task is too difficult nor is any goal not able to be achieved…Sister Patricia has always held herself to the highest standards and asks that all who work with her do the same. All the while she is true to her vocation and continues to keep God at the center of her work.

~Chris Kaiser ’68, Former Dean of Students, Math Instructor, and NDP Parent

Whether it is at a school-sponsored event on or off campus, in the Board Room, in Chapel, in our new Innovation Wing, or in a meeting with a lead donor, Sister Patricia represents the very best of Notre Dame Preparatory School. Top educators regularly call upon her for her insight, wisdom, and counsel. Her visionary leadership, tireless work ethic, and commitment to the school's mission of educating young women to transform the world inspire excellence in all who know her and work with her.

~Laurie Jones, Former Principal

Sister Patricia’s influence is not restricted to one sphere, but multiple ones—NDP, the School Sisters of Notre Dame, her religious order, Baltimore, and the Catholic Church. She is a strong, independent woman who is humble, and loving and respects everyone equally.

~Sister Sharon Slear, SSND, Ph.D. ’61, Executive Director of Academics (NDP) and Special Projects Assistant to the President (Notre Dame of Maryland University)

Sister Patricia is the glue that holds people together and is the bright light on one's darkest day. She will gracefully be remembered as such. Whether it is a conversation in the hallway on my way to class, or being sure to recognize every person involved at a schoolwide Mass, she is the epitome of a gracious and thoughtful leader, and transforms the world here, each day, at NDP.

~Abbey Diffendall ’25 a

Celebrating

SISTER PATRICIA!

Knowing that the 2024–2025 school year would be Sister Patricia’s last, a group of dedicated staff and faculty members committed to making it a year to remember! Here is a sampling of the many special ways members of the NDP community honored Sister during the year. a

At the opening of School Liturgy, the school community presented Sister Patricia with 20 white roses tied in a blue ribbon, representing the school colors of blue and white. The blooms signified her 20 years as NDP's Head of School.

Upper Level students, faculty, and staff surprised Sister Patricia with heartfelt letters of appreciation for Valentine’s Day. Later in March, Middle Level students and faculty made a similar presentation.

This year’s Catholic Schools Week liturgy was led by Archbishop William E. Lori, who specially blessed Sister Patricia in honor of her 20 years of dedicated service to the school. The school announced a special Leadership Medal in her honor to be given to a graduating eighth and twelfth grader, and she received this piece of artwork featuring the themes from each of her 20 years as Head of School.

On St. Patrick's Day, the luck of the Irish rained down as Sister was presented with special tickets to the Orioles home opener on March 31. Later that afternoon, Irish duo, Tara, entertained the NDP community with a lunchtime performance.

Friends, family, and students came together to celebrate Sister Patricia at this year’s NDP in Bloom Gala. Sister’s niece, Emily Sheridan ’20, opened the program with a prayer. A special performancedanceand remarks from Kelly O’Conor Buedel ’80, Lilly Mihm Hunter ’90 u, and Chris Kaiser ’68 made for a memorable tribute.

At a special reception, the Board of Trustees proudly dedicated the school auditorium in Sister Patricia’s name. With Sister’s deep love for community and faith, it’s the perfect space— one where we’ve gathered countless times for assemblies, Mass, and moments of unity.

All members of the Notre Dame Prep community honored Sister Patricia at a joyful school assembly, which included singing, dancing, laughter, and heartfelt memories. Students, faculty, staff, School Sisters of Notre Dame, old friends, and even her own family joined the celebration, which was full of gratitude and good wishes.

An ice cream social was a sweet “thank you” from Sister Patricia to all of the students, teachers, and staff. It was a lovely reminder from her to us that her success wouldn’t be possible without the love and support of the NDP community.

To express her gratitude, Sister Patricia hosted an end-of-the-year crab feast for faculty and staff as part of the annual retirement celebrations. Special thanks are given to Conrad’s for making it an afternoon to remember.

Family and friends gathered in a culminating event of a year-long celebration to honor Sister Patricia and her “20 Years of Vision, Leadership, and Love” to NDP. Friends from near and far gathered to thank her for her unwavering dedication and to wish her well as she begins her next chapter with the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

AWARDS & HONORS

CONGRATULATIONS, NDP!

National

National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence (2020 and 2012; Category— Exemplary High Performing School)

Middle States Association for Colleges and Schools (continuous accreditation 2005-present; includes participation in the invitation-only Sustaining Excellence protocol reserved for high-performing schools)

College Board—AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award (2019-present)

Federal Bureau of Investigation—Safe Online Surfing Award (2020-21)

InspirED School Marketers: Bronze Award in the Category of Special Events in the 2024 Brilliance Awards for NDP’s 150th Anniversary Celebration Year

CONGRATULATIONS, SISTER PATRICIA!

National

National Catholic Educational Association— Educational Excellence Award (2013-14)

Regional

Niche.com #1 recognition (continuous 2020-present)

Baltimore Style Readers’ Choice (2019-24; includes Best Private High School, Best Private Middle School, Best High School Teacher, Best Middle School Teacher)

Baltimore’s Child Readers’ Choice (2022-present; includes Best Private School, Best Girls Middle School, Best Girls Independent School, Best Sports Program, Best STEM Program, Best Visual Arts Program; Runner-Up Best Swim Instructor—Terri Byrd)

Baltimore Sun Top Workplace (2011-22)

Daily Record Reader Rankings (2020-24)

Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland (RMI) (2020-21, 2018-19, 2016-17)

One Love “Hero School” (2020-21)

44th Annual Mayor’s Business Recognition Awards (2018-19)

University of Maryland Clark School of Engineering Source School (2012-13)

Public Relations Society of America

Maryland Chapter Celebration activities for 50 Years on Hampton Lane Anniversary received Best in Maryland (2010-11)

Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) “Green Schools” certification (continuous 2010-present)

Regional

Daily Record— Icon Award (December 2024)

Daily Record— Top 100 Women (2012-13, 2010-11, 2007-08)

Daily Record— Circle of Excellence (2012-13)

Notre Dame Preparatory School—Foundress Society Inductee (2010)

Notre Dame Preparatory School—Head Emerita (2025)

NOTRE DAME PREP The Fund for

Like most independent schools, Notre Dame Prep depends on the philanthropy of our community to provide critical funding for school operations. The Fund for Notre Dame Prep lends support to every aspect of what makes the NDP experience unique.

Philanthropy plays a significant role in the strength of our institution. The ability to respond to our most urgent needs gives us the financial flexibility to provide critical support to make an immediate impact where it’s needed most. In addition, The Fund for Notre Dame Prep provides annual support to our academic programs, the arts, athletics, tuition assistance, and student life. Your gift has a tangible and immediate impact on our students, faculty, and staff. a

Learn more

Thank You

Many thanks to all who so generously supported NDP this school year. Together, our community donated more than $775,000 for The Fund for Notre Dame Prep and over $2 million in total funds raised. From Pledge for the Prep, our fall giving kickoff, to our spring giving challenge, Blazer Raiser, our community showed up and stepped up to make a difference at NDP! Stay tuned for final giving results in our donor impact report which will be available later this fall. a

2024-2025Advancement Events

T2025 GALA SPONSORS

GATEWAY SPONSORS

The Bradley T. MacDonald Family Foundation Kaela ’24 • Karli ’25 • Kirsten ’25

he NDP in Bloom Gala was held on March 29, 2025, at the Grand Lodge. It was an unforgettable evening of celebration as our community came together to support our beloved school and help our students blossom at NDP. We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, ad journal patrons, event guests, and everyone in our community who generously supported the Gala. Thank you to everyone who participated in our silent and live auctions. Many thanks to our speakers and performers who helped us celebrate Sister Patricia’s 20th anniversary as Head of School. Much appreciation goes to our Gala Committee who worked tirelessly to cultivate an evening of beauty, and their dedication allowed everything to blossom on event night. Thanks to the generosity of our community, the NDP in Bloom Gala flourished, raising $225,000 in net proceeds for our school and our students. Take a stroll through the garden of memories by visiting our website for more event photos: notredameprep.com/gala

Addison ’26

1873 SPONSORS

BuildingPoint Northeast Ella ’24, Abby ’27

Calvert Mechanical Solutions

Michael & Honey Constantine

Valerie ’99, Samantha ’08, Abby ’28

Kastendike Insurance Group (KIG)

The Lauer Family Nicole ’97, Maggie ’28

Lehnhoff’s Supply Alaina ’30

LongJuve Medspa

Dr. Fermin Barrueto Bella ’25, Lily ’31 Truist

Nancy ’67 & Steve Whalen Abby ’25, Kelly ’28

ONYX & GOLD SPONSORS

ChemStation Chesapeake/Maryland Chemical Company, Inc.

Phoenix Sales & Marketing, Inc. • Kelly ’93, Mia ’24, Nellie ’26

Scott & Susan Wilfong • Julie ’95, Sarah ’00, Madison ’21

BLUE BLAZER

Apartment Services, Inc.

The Benassi/Harbold/Saxe Group at Merrill Lynch

The Driscoll Family

Patrick, Grace ’18, Tara ’22

The Eastern Sales and Engineering Co. Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. (JMT)

RED ROSE

The Andrusis Family

Marina ’25, Juliet ’27

BlazerDash 2024

OnSunday, September 29, 2024, we hosted the 27th annual Blazer Dash. This beloved tradition brings our community together to celebrate the spirit of NDP while honoring the lives and legacies of students and alumnae gone too soon. Thanks to the incredible support of over 1,200 race registrants, we raised more than $90,000 to provide vital scholarship support for deserving NDP students.

THESAVEDATE

Sunday, September28, 2025

THANK YOU TO OUR FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS!

Thank you to our amazing alumnae who made NDP Alumnae Galentine’s Bingo such a success back in February! Nearly 400 alumnae joined us on campus for a night full of laughter, connection, and fun. Thanks to your generosity, we raised over $20,000 for the Alumnae Scholarship Fund, which currently supports seven legacy students at NDP. Whether you shouted “Bingo!” or simply enjoyed the evening, your support turned a fun night into a meaningful opportunity to give back!

2024 BLAZER

DASH SPONSORS

PRESENTING SPONSOR

FieldTurf USA Inc.

GOLD SPONSORS

Calvert Mechanical Solutions

Notre Dame Preparatory School

Alumnae Association

The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

SILVER SPONSORS

Sentral Services

Constantine Commercial Construction

Cove Electric

ONYX SPONSORS

Amanda Gallagher Orthodontics

Archdiocese of Baltimore

Gamberdella Inc.

Kennedy Business Services

Dental Associates, Brian W. Muhler

Pediatric Partners

Rosedale Federal Savings & Loan

SpeedPro Towson

Sun Berry Holding Truist

Will Power PT

2025 ALUMNAE BINGO

SADDLE SHOE SPONSORS

Honey and Michael Constantine

Continental Realty, Johanna Montenegro ’18

TRUE BLUE SPONSORS

Calvert Mechanical Solutions

Maury Donnelly & Parr Insurance

The Balcerzak Group, Laura Kerney Mackle ’99

Main Street Home Loans, Brian Coleman

ChatterClass

Dear Alumnae,

Since becoming part of the NDP community, it’s been a true joy to read your updates, celebrate your milestones, and learn about the incredible ways you’re impacting the world around you. Your stories are a beautiful reflection of how the values instilled during your time at NDP continue to guide and inspire you.

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated Class Chatter Representatives and to everyone who shared their news with us. The richness of Class Chatter comes from your voices— it’s your experiences that bring it to life. These shared stories help the NDP community stay connected and strengthen the bonds within the alumnae network. If your class isn’t

Class Chatter reflects submissions through May 2025.

CLASS OF

19 42

In May, Genevieve ‘Jennie’ Palladi Cary ’42 u celebrated her 100th birthday with a large family and friends party. She attended Notre Dame Prep for her junior and senior years.

CLASS OF

19 55

Margaret Frainie Wright margwright@comcast.net

This is fun but a little frightening to be writing Class Chatter again. The fun part is the excitement which comes from contacting classmates. The frightening part is that my typing has never improved and my computer skills have diminished in the almost five years since our last news. I thank NDP for having such a helpful alumnae staff.

Let me start with the reunion weekend of May 2nd and 3rd. Even though we have aged, I still find it hard to believe it has been 70 years since we graduated. I can see and feel those 70 years on some days but the good memories are still good and I have decided to forget the unpleasant ones.

currently represented and you’re interested in stepping into the role of Class Chatter Representative, or if you’d like to share an update for a future issue, I’d love to hear from you at BenjaminL@notredameprep.com.

I’m excited to connect with many of you in the coming months and hope to see you at an upcoming alumnae event!

In true blue spirit,

Lauren Benjamin Director of Leadership Giving and Alumnae Engagement

The usual format for reunion has been Mass followed by brunch on Friday morning. Dinner is held at the school on Friday evening. Several of us have attended the dinner the last few times and enjoyed good food and the fun of another chance to get together. You will receive more specific reunion activities information.

Sam and I have moved to Mercy Ridge Retirement Community. We decided to make this move while we were well enough to enjoy the experience. We have not been disappointed with the care, the service or the friends we have made. The first two people we saw were Gerry Hall Lundquist and Vicki Chrul Chambers, both of whom are residents here. Mary Elizabeth Lewis Law and Carol Wilson Sweeney chose Pickersgill Retirement Community and seem to be enjoying their choice. Liz Law and I get together with Alice Ann Fannon Finnerty regularly. Alice Ann has decided to remain in her beautiful condo at the Warrington, at least for now.

I have been playing bridge monthly with Gerry, Vicki, Mary McHenry Quinn, Susan O’Brien Carl and Helen Hamman Boote who have been living at Oakcrest Retirement Community for several years. Although I have not seen her, I have spoken with Marie Feild Ford as her brother, Msgr. Marty Feild is our neighbor. Marie lives in Atlanta and says she will be here for the activities in May.

Condolences to the families of two classmates who have died in the last two years; Dr. Barbara McLean, who also lived here at Mercy Ridge and Ann Schwentker Phillips. Further condolences to Vicki Chambers on the death of her husband Larry, Carol Sweeney on the death of her husband Bill and Helen Boote on the death of her husband Tom.

That’s all for now. My email address is at the top of this chatter and I would love to hear from you with any news you have about anyone in the Class of 1955.

CLASS OF

19 58

CLASS OF

19 59

Charlotte Archer cc_archer@verizon.net

Dr. Diane Dippold MacIntosh met with Humanities students during Library Week. For a full write up, see page 15.

Peggy Bradley Maclaugh2003@yahoo.com 301-251-0485

Anne Klug Coyle shared: The golden years find hubby Hughie and me walking the paths and lanes of Mays Chapel Village in Lutherville. Condo life sure makes that easy. The 2 needlepoint groups I’m in keep me busy twice a week plus being on the Board and committees in my building. Every other week, I deliver chicken and duck eggs, fresh

from my granddaughter’s farm. In between, the parties continue at our old log house, Taylor’s Hall, which is still in the family.

Anne Marie McGloin Doody writes: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

This is how I see the people my African priest friends serve in their west African countries of Ghana and Cameroon. There is a variety of “darkness” that envelops these nations; lack of clean water, poor medical assistance, insufficient food (and more). Yet the smiles, joyful celebrations of births and marriages (and more) reflect the light that lives within these villages. It is a privilege to know the priests of these nations.

Rosie Giordano Profili shared: The Best Gift from GOD is a newborn child and I now have 3 great grandsons (ages 3, 1 and 1/2 and 6 months) so Sunday Dinner is quite different. We have not planned a trip this year because of our grandsons’ upcoming weddings and because Butch is going to get light chemotherapy for his Prostate cancer after becoming resistant to the trial medications that he has been on. So, keep us in your prayers. I hope to see my 59er classmates soon. Stay happy and healthy. Remember life is not a dress rehearsal.

Peggy Bradley shared: In February I took a quick trip to Cartagena, Columbia, which has a fascinating, colorful, historic old town and a hotel with the most beautifully landscaped and uniquely designed pool and garden area. I was disappointed I didn’t find any markets with an undiscovered emerald for which Columbia is famous. Soon I will be moving to Riderwood, a retirement community in Silver Spring, Maryland, and am looking forward to joining some of the many activities on site.

Melanie Dugan writes: I am about halfway through my 83rd year, yet with no big news to share other than more great-grandnieces and nephews appearing in sweet photos from parts east and south and Texas!! I am loving life in Santa Fe with many friends at our church and nearby, and with a little tutoring twice weekly to keep me in touch with struggling third graders. This collection is in the grade I began at Berkshire Country Day School in 1969! They keep me on my toes. My pooch, “Mr Fox” is a wonderful companion and he has all sorts of codes to let me know when it’s time for children to arrive, another walk, some lunch or dinner, or time to chase the squirrel! He’s part Shiba Inu and part Corgi.

Now ten years old, he has slowed down a bit, but still loves the nearby mountain trails when weather is fair! My doctors can’t find anything much wrong with me so far, and I’m grateful for that!

Hope the same good luck is with each of the 59’ers! Politics aside!?! Lots of love to all.

Pat Montley

side was a gnocchi-making lesson. Pat’s takeaway: “Dazzling scenery, Swiss chocs and fondue + Italian pasta…what’s not to like?”

CLASS OF 19 60 CLASS OF 19 61

207 Spring Avenue Lutherville, MD 21093 pat_montley@msn.com 443-841-0058

We celebrated our 82nd birthdays on May 9, 2024, at our usual haunt, Bluestone Restaurant where we had “a room of our own” to make as much noise as we wanted. Many thanks to Carolyn Finnerty who made the arrangements. The other nineteen attending were Maureen O’Brien Mulligan, Puddy Boyle Hermann, Phoebe Ward Sachs, Erin Mulligan Witherspoon, Joanna Shehan Baird, Maribeth Gilliece LaVecchia, Bobbie Davis Speace, Lynn Phillips Wigton, Dee Green, Peggy Plunkett Bauersfeld, Carolyn McLean Polk, Jean Phillips Brune, Sharon Dopman Krulak, Laurie Kunkel Mills, Ann Trail Albrecht, Pat Scally Hines, Carol Toohey O’Hara, and Pat Montley. Our class chaplain, Sister Tess Horvath, blessed our food and friendship with her usual good grace.

Joan Machen Corcoran reports that she took a fabulous cruise of the lower Mississippi on a paddlewheel boat in April. With a small group from her retirement community, she enjoyed delicious food, lectures, touring Civil War sites, and even played bridge after a 50-year hiatus!

Bobbie Davis Speace has finally officially retired—for the third time!—after being a nurse for 61 years. Although working only one or two days a week the past few years, she had kept her license current until her recent birthday. She’s enjoyed all the experiences she’s chosen and thanks God for the ability to have continued this long.

Pat Montley and wife Sally took a trip to the Swiss Alps in October that included a ride (together with a trio of muddy dirt-bike riders whose accoutrements would definitely not have passed S.O. inspection) to the mountain top by cable car and gondola—where they did not join the bikers on the trip down but instead had lunch above the clouds. Just as exciting was a train ride over the Bernese Pass—in the snow! Waiting on the warmer, Italian

Peggy Greenman peggygreenman@yahoo.com 410-467-1375

Sissy Muse (Menlo Park, CA) was in town for a visit and was joined at lunch at the Maryland Club by Susan Wright Lattin, Peg Sullivan Young, Carole Forbes Hinkel (Myrtle Beach, SC), Marty Hohenstein Franz, Claire Watson Fisher, Lynn Reagan Macfarlane, Dr. Barbara Gaver, Lawre Donnelly Langhoff, Cass Herman Coyle, Pat Hoy Evans ’62, and me. Sissy continues to publish her poetry books. Susan’s granddaughter, Alice, and Bobbie Lears Dripps’ granddaughter, Charlotte, graduated this year from NDP. Lynn has retired after 22 years working with Marty and myself at our family business, Kenwood Park Apartments. Cass continues to work for her family business, Herman’s Bakery, and enjoys cruising with her family. Peg was named the Bel Air Citizen of the Year in 2023. Some of our classmates have moved to local retirement homes. Lawre and Pat to Mercy Ridge and Pat Riley to Oak Crest. Other classmates have moved to communities in other cities, including Honey Armstrong in Princeton, NJ, Charlotte O’Donnell Fedders (grandmother of eleven and great-grandmother of two) in Lansdowne, VA, and Stephanie Schaub O’Hara in Lewes, DE. Two of our classmates have moved to be near their daughters— Carroll Fitzsimmons Mackey to Aledo, TX and Peggy Goldsborough Lambdin to the Chesapeake Bay. Judy Wall Isphording (Conroe, TX) travels around the country visiting her 28 grandchildren. Susan White Wootton continues to keep in touch with Lois Reid Halloran and Regina Maguire Dwyer in Richmond, VA, especially while playing online bridge. Regina is proud of her three grandchildren that have graduated from the University of Maryland, Cornell University, and Washington College. Karen Kapland works as the office manager for Brasher Design while enjoying her five grandchildren, of which two have graduated from the University of Tennessee and Kennesaw State University. Dianne Lears Stern is a great-grandmother of three and is also proud of her race horse, Foxy Junior, who has won over $300,000. Honey Callan Moran (Murrells Inlet, SC) “would love to catch up with our classmates who

decide to pop on down the coast.” Connie Neer Gourley (Silver Point, TN) now has fourteen great-grandchildren and spends time in Florida. Nancy Morgan Donnelly (Hamilton, NJ) visited with Mary Jo Wood Griffin in New Market, MD. Sister Sharon Slear is working at both NDP and Notre Dame of Maryland University. There was a dedication at the college for the Sister Sharon Slear Center for Service, Social Justice, and Community Engagement which I attended. Pam Hyle Hess is helping to raise her six-year-old grandson. Many of you probably read The Women. Our Barbara “Chimps” Chiminello (New York City, NY) was an army nurse in Vietnam at that time along with her brother Tom who was lost in the war. She has donated many of her paintings to a VA hospital and has displayed photos, personal stories, and memorabilia at the New York Historical Society. She was invited to the Ken Burns documentary film series opening of The Vietnam War at Lincoln Center and was interviewed on Fox TV. If you have a copy of NDP’s 150th anniversary book, please note on page 46 a photo of the Tribute Wall which I donated in honor of our class. On page 68 is a picture of Stephanie and the late Doris Crimy Bowen. On page 87 is a photo of our senior prom. I recognize Judy Hook Smith, the late Pat Reilly, Susan Wright Lattin, Lois, and Sharon Gardner Basham (Peoria, AZ). We have classmates living in fourteen states, plus DC and Australia (Gene Palmer Moore). Margaret Miller Mayo (Ormond Beach, FL) sends a big hello, love, and happy 82nd birthday to our classmates and wishes that we continue to enjoy good health and happiness!

Sheila Sweeney Peter 410-323-8526 115 Castlewood Road Baltimore, MD 21210

p Enjoying hot fudge sundaes at monthly birthday dinner Connie Callis Shapiro, Mary Ellen McEvoy Morrison, Edie Bloodgood Hellmers, Martha Delea and Sheila Sweeney Peter

CLASS OF 19 64

Sallie Mullen

Sarahmullen46@gmail.com

This year’s highlight for the class of ’64 was our 60th reunion in May 2024! Twenty-nine of our classmates attended events at the school and at three separate events off-campus: a dinner at Tark’s organized by Kathie Donnelly Solomon, a party hosted by Marion Maguire Caslin and Terry Maguire at Marion’s house, and a luncheon at Pappas’s organized by yours truly. A great turnout for a 60-year class!!

p At Tark’s: Carol McEvoy Shilling, Valerie Pearce Herwig, Jane Strausbaugh, Ann Callanan Kneavel, and Sallie Mullen

p Also at Tark’s: Kathy Latrobe, Susan VanWiggeren Markowitz, Kathie, and Maureen Murphy McCart

p Marion’s party: (front row) Sallie, Ann, Maureen, Ellen Hanley Herwig, and Lois Maule Welsh; (back row) Jane, Susan, Terri, (hiding) Carol O’Neill Shear; Valerie; Marion

p Reception at NDP: Ann, Jane Slear Gesker, Kathy, Valerie, Sharon Maciolek Byerly, Susan, Maureen, Sallie, Michele Blair Jackson, Pat Smith Woods, and Kris DiPaolo Kelly

p Pappas’s: (front row) Lois, Betsey Barringer, Nancy Meehan Stude, and Pat O’Connor Celeste; (middle row) Mary Ruth Galvin Logan, Barbara Umerley Daly, Maureen, Terry Rodemeyer Aylsworth, Nancy Phillips Garrett, Pat Smith Woods, Pat Zaccari, and Kim Creighton; (back row) Marion, Carol O’Neill Shear, Jane, Ann, Terry, Ellen Flanigan Nordhoff, Val, Ellen, Jane, and Sallie

Life in Italy remains beyond satisfying for me and Peter. We added a pool last summer and are planning a trip to the Baltics in April and another to northern Italy and Slovenia in July. We will host Michele Blair Jackson and friends during their trip to Tuscany and Umbria in the fall. She will be the fifth NDP classmate to have visited us. Michele has taken up painting and continues to volunteer for GBMC’s Nearly New Spring Sale, whose proceeds support patient care. Debby Helfrich Coleman and husband Tim (a grade-school classmate of mine at St. Matthew’s!) paid us a visit in September. q

And, during her annual trip to Rome in January, Jane Strausbaugh dropped in for a couple days.

t Janie Hammer Power and husband Barge were a stunning couple at their grandson’s wedding in Houston in February and they traveled extensively in ’24: Turks and Caicos, Galapagos, Greece, Bordeaux, and Hawaii. At the invitation of Barbara Bishop Wilson, Janie joined her for an NDP alumnae event in Naples, FL. q

Bobbe Harder Friedman bobbefriedman@gmail.com Cell: 410-868-1471

Congratulations to us on the 60th anniversary of our graduation from NDP! Now let’s get right to the news.

From Marian Lipinski: “I’m finding the weeks and months seem to fly by faster every year—never enough time! My weekly activities right now include caring for older family members, Mah Jongg with friends, cuddling babies, lunches and dinners with family and friends. Hopefully, some travel in the near future. Stay well.”

Pat Keating Potler writes that her granddaughter Mackenzie graduated from North Harford High School in May 2024 with honors. She also played Varsity Softball for four years. Upon graduation she chose to pursue a career in Law Enforcement and is currently employed by the Harford County Sheriff’s Department working in the Detention Center. In addition, she is studying Criminal Justice at Harford Community College.

Monica Fallon O’Keefe and husband John (Loyola College, 1968) like to travel now that both are retired. They visited John’s cousins in Ireland with their family in the summer of 2024. That September the couple went to France and Luxembourg with Monica’s brother Mike and his wife Ruth. Monica and John have one daughter in California, a son in Ohio, and a daughter in New York City. They bought NYC daughter a sleep sofa so they can visit. They live in Virginia outside of Washington DC but visit Baltimore often to see Monica’s two brothers who live here.

Linda Wille Kneafsey reports that she happily spends most of her time in Delray Beach, Florida, returning to Maryland for the summer and early fall months. Her daughter and family live close by in Florida and she is delighted to spend time with them, especially the grandchildren. Soon she plans to be a full-time Floridian.

Your class luncheon planning group is looking into a get together in the fall. Until we meet again, please stay in touch, be well, and adventure on.

Jenny Schaefer

jenny-schaefer@mdpins.com

The Class of 70 is preparing for its 55th reunion (that’s Emeralds and Calla Lillies, in case anyone wants to send gifts). Just a few dispatches from our class,

I bet everyone is saving up their news so they can deliver it in person.

Mary Anne Novtony Leitch reports that she and husband Scott just returned from a South America and Antarctica cruise. In a case of Smalltimore on the high seas, Mary Anne says “Karen Barry Boyd and I were in the same vicinity within days of each other. What are the chances?” q

She goes on to say, “Karen wins for stepping on the continent, though. Ours was ‘just’ a drive-by, but spectacular none-the-less. Our trip also took us to the Falkland Islands and Chilean fjords. Majestic scenery, penguins, whales, sea lions, glaciers and blue icebergs—each day something new and beautiful.”

Barb Kearny McKay and husband Ed have also been traveling, but she feels that time will come to an end soon as it has become more stress filled with the comings and goings of air travel. Our children and grandchildren are doing well; Kelsy, our almost 16-year-old granddaughter is attending Mercy on a partial art scholarship. She sees Harriet Lawery Doherty, Noreen Mellick Lidston, and Dee Ruben Gittings regularly for lunch which is lots of fun as they explore local restaurants and laugh a lot.

Dee Ruben Gittings and her husband Neil just returned from a trip to Cancun—a treat from her son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren in celebration of their 50th anniversary. WOW, what a milestone!

Celie Neville also had a great year for traveling. “I went to The Galapagos last February with a travel friend from Maine. The wild life was utterly amazing; blue footed boobies, seals, penguins, iguanas, and so many more. We went snorkeling and swimming in the beautiful ocean every day. In September, Joanne Galvin ’67 and I visited Hawaii. Absolutely gorgeous; from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor to the lovely beaches. Amazing. Our next trip will be to Japan in October with our amazing foursome: Joanne, Robin Higgins and our friend from Maine.

Barbara Barry Conover is enjoying her 2-year-old grandson! “It’s so much fun to sit on the floor and play games, make a fort and listen to him talk in that little 2-year -ld voice.” She spends the summer with friends and family on Cape Cod and is planning a road trip out West to visit National Parks and hopefully next year will get to a few places in Europe. She says “I don’t love to fly, especially transatlantic flights, but unless I go on a ship, it’s the only way :) How many of us have Martin Barry prints in our homes?”

the Canadian Rockies with Pat and Denise Litrenta Kellinger ’72. If you are planning to travel, you might want to catch up with Teresa. She has great travel knowledge, and her stories are even better!

her 50th from NDP. She hopes to see any other ’72ers who might attend.

CLASS OF

Your intrepid reporter, Jenny Schaefer, is still working but making time for my 5 grandkids. I had a great time at the Alumnae Bingo event with Celie Neville, Sue Connell Muth, Mary Love Connor, Jeffra Manchester Zeller, and Toni Marcantoni Mitchell. Mary Gamberdella Marygamberdella@yahoo.com 410-828-7870

19 71

Welcome back to class chatter!! My cousin, Roz Healy, is the Associate Director of Alumnae Relations at NDP. She has challenged me to get our class back on track. Foolish girl to think our class would ever back down from a challenge! I got into the game late and put out only a few calls. Karen Smith Deeley got back to me in a minute and sent me our first comeback class chatter.

There was a gathering of NDP ’71 at Claire Ayres Fountain’s house in early March celebrating lots of March birthdays; Ann Pierson, Carol Farley, Claire Hartman, Mary Ann Fetting Williams, Denise Cahill, Mel Connor Smith, and Karen Deeley Fun night catching up! I’m thinking about changing my October birthday to March so I can get an invite next year!

I was also excited to hear from Suzie Yaruta Young. Suzie has two grandchildren and one great grandchild! After living 30 years in Maine, she and her husband Luther will be living and loving their lives in St Mary’s. Their new home is about 1 mile north of St Mary’s College. Suzie invites us to stop by and visit!

Got a hold of Teresa Romiti—hot off a trip from Italy with her brothers. She has been doing a lot of traveling with more plans this year. Teresa left on New Year’s Eve for a month-long trip to New Zealand, Tasmania, and Australia. Next on her list is Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands in May. In August she will be traveling by train across

I know there is much more to tell and so let’s start now and let me know what is going on with my fellow members of the Class of ’71. I am rather easy to find as I have been doing the same thing for the last 47 years. I love it and will continue to dress graduates and brides for as long as I can. My contact information is at the top of the chatter, so you can email or call me. If you are in Towson stop by and see me and let me know what you are up to. I am at 30 West Pennsylvania Ave in the heart of Towson. Hoping you are all well and will accept the challenge with me and the next issue we will have lots to talk about. Take care!!

CLASS OF

19 72

Lisa O’Conor Banknell 203 Overbrook Rd. Baltimore, MD 21212 lbanknell@stpaulsmd.org 410-371-4167

Dear ’72 classmates of Blue and Blue, I hope this email finds you all well. Sorry to start on a sad note but I wanted everyone to know Foofie Kammer Chasney passed away August 3, 2024. As her brother Jerry Kammer eloquently said in his eulogy there was only ONE Foofie! She will be forever missed. Foofie loved life and life loved her! Continued prayers for her family.

Barbara Williams Case’s daughter, Megan. NDP class of 2010 was married in June 2024. Megan was a stunning bride. Several of NDP alums attended: Anita Williams Feeley, Karen Kyne Cashen and Susie Bailey Muller ’73, Margaret Case Gugerty ’74, Page Radebaugh Fick ’72 and Susie Williams Simon ’71 just to name a few. It truly was a magical evening!

Touched base recently with Rosemay Zome Streppa, she and her husband David reside in Bluffton, SC but travel often to see their 3 married children and 6 grandchildren! Ro was here for our 50th and it was as if it was 1972, we all picked up where we left off. Great to see her.

It has been an NDP month for Lizann Prosser. She has caught up with Mary Jo Holin and Denise Litrenta Kellinger in DC, Charlene McGrath and Debbie Ramsey Bienert in White Marsh, Stevie Callan Huffman in Murell’s Inlet and Rosemary Leonard Waskey in Holden Beach. Lizann is also planning to go to the reunion Mass on May 2 to help her sister, Nancy, celebrate

Denise Litrenta Kellinger and others are hoping to organize a gathering of ’72ers when many of us turn 72! I am sure she would welcome anyone who would like to help plan.

Sharon Feeley Crook and Mitch now have 4 wonderful grandchildren and travel frequently to Columbia, South America and Atlanta, Georgia to visit!

Please keep in touch and stay healthy!

CLASS OF

19 74

Natalie Aiken Shields 10 Clynmalira Ct. nashields@comcast.net 443-904-4535

We had a wonderful 50th reunion in May 2024. It started with a Mass and brunch attended by Melissa Allen Moser, Karen Kehoe Lindenmeyer, Debbie Kazmerowski Welsh, Carolyn Finlay McCombe, Tracey Henson Ford, Jill Boggs Rowan, Mary Jean Benson Meyer, Felicia Plesic Hennessy, Karen Kohlhepp Raubach, Dottie Jankalski Metzger, Mary Galvin O’Conor Wilson, Margaret Case Gugerty, Sherry Mitchell Dodson, Brienne Pratt Fiske, Janice Hunt Damon, Jane Rowley, Eleni Tsakalas Flannery, Eileen Gallagher Leahy and me.

At the conclusion of the Mass, the senior class was inducted into the Alumnae Association and Tracey Henson Ford was given special recognition for her contributions to Catholic girls’ education in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. There was a lovely brunch following which included our class, the senior class at the school and all alums who had already celebrated their jubilarian year. As part of our reunion planning a Reunion Gift Committee comprised of Martha Queral Robinson, Margaret Case Gugerty, Brienne Pratt Fiske and myself contacted as many members of the class as we could and, at the brunch, we proudly presented Sr. Patricia a check for over $58,000 to endow a scholarship in the name of Class of 1974.

On Friday night there was an all-class reunion at the school attended by Karen Kohlhepp Raubach, Karen Kehoe Lindenmeyer, Mary Elizabeth Salazar Harris, Tracey Henson Ford, Barbara Goode Mannisi, Mary Galvin O’Conor Wilson, Janice Hunt Damon and Karen Morekas Kotapka. The majority of the class waited until Saturday to attend a lovely cocktail party at the home of Charisse Fenari Wernecke

The committee who planned this wonderful reunion event was chaired by Jill Boggs Rowan and included Dottie Jankalski Metzger, Mary Galvin O’Conor Wilson, Melissa Allen Moser, Sean Grafton Ballard and Charisse q In addition to

those attending the Mass and Friday night event, the following ladies from our class enjoyed reconnecting at Charisse’s—Vicki Aversa, Lisa Pettinato LiPira, Debbie Conway, Andi Cobbs, Dottie Caldwell Lopez, Missy Connolly, Donna Cosentino O’Malley, Mary Grace Curlander Fordyce, Terri Epp, Jeanne Garland, Sean Grafton Ballard, Katy Macielag Lightburn, Martha Queral Robinson, Stephanie Naplachowski Stepien, Barbara Vitale Wood, Kathy Reahl Auth and Carol Watkins Reid

We had such a great weekend of reconnecting that a few of us promised to do more of that and not let 5 more years go by. Carolyn Finlay McCombe, Barbara Vitale Wood and Peggy Wise Strysak got together for coffee and enjoyed meeting in a smaller setting. Tracey Henson Ford, Karen Kehoe Lindenmeyer, Karen Kohlhepp Raubach, Mary Galvin O’Conor Wilson and I decided to make a day of it when we went to Frederick to have lunch with Stephie Naplachowski Stepien q

We shopped for a few hours and then had a really nice lunch together catching up at the Wine Kitchen. Margaret Case Gugerty and her husband spent some time this winter in Siesta Key, Florida and invited both Sue Coliton and Janice Hunt Damon to join them for them for some days at the beach and O’s spring training games. q

Gallagher Leahy is suggesting another get together at the beach maybe this summer. Let her know if you are interested. Felicia Plesic Hennessy wrote to say how delighted and shocked she was when her daughters threw a surprise 40th anniversary party for she and her husband. They thought they were going to dinner at a hotel overlooking Lake Michigan. When they arrived, they were directed to a different area of the hotel and walked in to see over 50 family members and friends who came to celebrate them.

Some of our class proudly have granddaughters attending or about to attend NDP. Martha Queral Robinson’s granddaughter, Reagan Schertle, was recently accepted as an incoming 6th grader—following in her mother and grandmother’s footsteps. Carolyn Finlay McCombe has 2 granddaughters attending NDP—Molly ’25, who is a senior and the AA President and Bryn, who is a 6th grader. In addition, Carolyn’s daughter, Kim McCombe Bryson ’98, is now the chair of the Physical Education department at NDP.

A number of us have been blessed with grandchildren in the past year. My daughter, Erin Shields Evans ’06, had a baby boy, Leo James, in June, Eileen Gallagher Leahy’s daughter had a baby girl, Cara Marie, in August, Karen Kehoe Lindenmeyer’s daughter Katie Lindenmeyer Keenan ’04, had a baby boy, John Joseph (JJ), in January and Mary Galvin O’Conor Wilson’s daughter-in-law had a baby girl, Adele Joan, in February.

MaryBeth Koliha Protzman

410-365-1919

Mbp100@verizon.net

Congratulations Class of ’75 on celebrating our graduation 50 years ago! Wearing that white dress and holding those red roses, we thought we were ready for anything once we had our diplomas! Most, if not all of us continued to college, and then maybe on to more degrees or our first job out in the real world. Careers, marriages, children, maybe more marriages, different careers, volunteer opportunities, and grandchildren might have also come into our world. Along with moving, traveling, taking care of our parents and doing their final farewells. Which—we are so happy for the parents who are still with us. Condolences go out to Darbie Colonell Beitman on the recent passing of her mother, who I remember from 5th grade onwards, and she was a friend and classmate of my mother-in-law! (class of ’53 at NDP).

And lastly, condolences to the family and all the friends and our classmates on the passing of Leslie Frank Higgins.

Kathy Rogers writes: I fulfilled a long-time dream to visit Antarctica. Went in January and saw my penguins, some whales, seals and lots of birds. Oh, I also did the plunge! It was a bit chilly. Thank God it was summer. Only 29 degrees! q CLASS OF 19 75

Eileen

Trudy Plunkett Dashiell writes: I recently returned from a visit to Tennessee. Third grandchild, Mary, was born April 14, (15 days late!) and two days after her brother’s second birthday. (Big sister is 5.) Dave, Joanne, and the kids live outside of Nashville, TN—but plan to sell the house soon and spend 6 months or so in Hawaii. My older son, Ray, and his fiancé, Paola, have the wedding planned for November 15th in her hometown of Bucaramanga, Colombia. (This doesn’t give me much time to learn Spanish.) They are local—near Highlandtown. I’m enjoying retirement! Still involved with the Towson High School Music Program as volunteer photographer. (We’ll be busing to Disney World for a long weekend in April.) I still volunteer with the high school group and Confirmation group at church. (St. Isaac Jogues on Old Harford Rd.) Kathy Rogers and I did some traveling in November. We spent a few days in Lisbon then took a transatlantic cruise hitting a couple of islands in the Caribbean before flying home from Miami. I’m looking forward to some road trips next!

Janie Healy Stierstorfer writes: Mark and I still live in Stewartstown, PA. Our oldest daughter, Katherine lives in New Cumberland, PA, with her husband Justin and their two daughters Maddie 4 and Emma 2. Our daughter, Lauren lives in Dover, PA, with her husband Spencer and their children Collins 4, Luke 2 and new baby brother Carter, born 2/9/25. Our youngest daughter Elizabeth lives in Charleston, SC. She and her husband Nate were married there last April. Mark and I are enjoying retirement and spending a lot of time in the summer at our beach house in Ocean City.

Elise Forrester is very active with the DC Daughters of the American Revolution. Currently serving as the DC (state) Conservation Committee Chair. In 2024 she was awarded the DAR National Society’s Conservation Medal for her work with DAR chapters and her HOA recycling soft plastics to earn Trex composite wood benches to place in 10 community spaces. She has also served on the Property Beautification & Hospitality Committee at the DAR national headquarters in DC for the past two years. Following the Frenchman, Marquis de Lafayette, on his Bicentennial Farewell Tour, will take Elise and her husband Mike to New Orleans and France in 2025. (Lafayette200.org). She was thrilled to meet Lafayette’s granddaughter’s descendants at the New York City events last August and caught

up with Corrine Dorsey Onnen at Fort McHenry in October. When not working or attending DAR or American Friends of Lafayette activities, you will find her at Brightview Senior Living at Dulles Corner volunteering in the WellSpring Village community where her mother currently resides. Yes, our freshman year Unsung Hero is still the ‘vulnerable volunteer’ she was penned as in our Senior yearbook. q

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

Greetings Ladies, I hope 2025 has been fabulous for you and your families thus far! It was so nice to hear from several of our classmates, we love staying connected and sharing news!

Kathy Stanley Wilmot:

In September, we completed the building of a new Corporate Center and production facility for our business, Wilmot Modular Structures. We celebrated with a Grand Opening and used Carey Talucci’s amazing catering business to help host it. I highly recommend Talucci Fine Foods! Our sons are both in senior leadership now and our daughter-in-law works in the Marketing Department. q

Susan Epstein:

Recently, my 26-year-old son and I attended the same conference (NISO Plus 2025) and when I told him it was fun and that I was proud of his professional accomplishments thus far (he is an IT guy), he agreed and said he thought it was a sweet mother-son bonding activity. Amazing how kids turn into adults!

Sally Fitzpatrick Waller: q

My husband Jim and I traveled to England in September ’24 to hike the Cotswold Way—102 miles from Chipping Campden south to Bath. We stayed in 17th century pubs and bed-andbreakfasts, and had a company transfer our bags from one inn to the next while we hiked up the escarpment, through fields and woods. I hiked about six miles per day and due to some hip muscle issues, spent the afternoons visiting beautiful English gardens, castles, and Iron Age hill forts. I rode the steam railway from Winchcombe to Cheltenham racecourse in lieu of hiking 14 miles!

Cindy and I traveled to Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic in late fall for several weeks and had a great time. We were able to hit several Christmas markets, which were a lot more fun than anticipated! If anyone happens to be in Southern CA for any reason, please look us up. Miss my ’77 Sisters! CLASS OF 19 77

Nancy Karpinski:

Mary Gibbons Myers:

My husband Jack and I became grandparents on 11/11/24. Michele (Myers) Schulwitz, class of 2006, gave birth to our granddaughter, Ember Mae. The family is gathered in Florida enjoying an extended maternity leave together where Ember is spending special time with her 98-year-old great grandmother! u

Mary Claire Shepherd Kretzschmar:

My husband Tom and I are enjoying retirement and are looking forward to our twins graduating from college this year! I spent 2 ½ weeks in Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende in January and we are headed to Ireland and the British Open this July. We celebrated Christmas on the island of Oahu, a welcome change from the long winter in Anchorage, where we still reside. q

Our daughter Anna graduates from Carroll College in Helena, MT with a bachelor’s in business and a minor in religious theology. Son Will is slated to graduate in December 2025, majoring in Game Design and minoring in Music Technology.

Rose Schmitz Marcin:

Bill and I took several trips last year, visiting many countries in Europe. We also travel through the US, as our family is blessed with three sons, their wives, and five grandchildren, and we enjoy visiting them in NY, OR, and MD. Hopefully more travel is in our future!

Barbara Callis Helms:

Last year my youngest daughter, Cori, got married to Zach Boone. Our family had a wonderful wedding week in Boulder, CO. Everyone had a fabulous time, and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect! I came home and had back surgery in September. Tough recovery but I’m now back in Florida playing golf. Life is good! q

Mary Suarez-Murias Miller: p

Mary says she loves being “Mimi” to her 4 grandkids! She is excited to visit her son Colt, his wife Cait and their two children in Charleston, SC this spring. Grandson Boden is 7 months old, and granddaughter Quinn is almost 2 years old. Daughter Courtney (NDP ’05) also has 2 children—Milly, 9 years old and George, 7 years old, and they live in Baltimore.

Ellen Layug Grimes:

My oldest daughter and son-in-law have a 1½ year-old son, Ellis, so we are grandparents!! They live nearby in Wilmington, and we get to visit him frequently; for that we feel blessed!!

My youngest daughter lives in Philadelphia but works at AI Dupont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE as a speech pathologist....and incidentally works with our oldest daughter (an occupational therapist) in the same department!

Karen Meekins Benckini:

Our ’77 class had a nice group at Mini Gym Meet (still relishing our two-time silver cup wins!), and several joined for dinner afterwards. It was delightful to see Terry DeMatteo Pugh, Rose Schmitz Marcin, Cindy Clary Rose, Sally Fitzpatrick Waller, Ellen Layug Grimes, Marianne Mainolfi Walsh, Sr. Missy Gugerty and Mary Jo Hart Febres. Lots of laughs and fun memories!

Condolences to our classmates on the loss of their loved ones:

Mimi Burch Dagger on death of husband (Jimmy 3/30/2024)

Wendy Popp on death of brother (Anthony 6/2/2024)

Cindy Bauermann Foster on death of father (Chuck 7/9/2024)

Cathy Otenasek Levitas on death of mother (Peggy 12/6/2024)

Carolyn Downes Sheehan on death of father (James 12/23/2024)

CLASS OF 19 78

Brendy Bishop Esmond and Tracey McGibbon Santry attended the NDP Reception held in Naples, FL, this past February. Thanks to Brendy for making a great restaurant suggestion to the Alumnae Office!

Barbara Cinquegrani Militich writes, “I am retired and determined to spend as much time as possible in flip flops by spending the winter months in the Florida Keys and the summers in Brigantine Beach, New Jersey, with my husband Matt.”

Genny Carroll Duffy writes, “Hello to the Class of 1978! I still think we have one of the greatest classes. I always enjoy running into my NDP girls. I ran into Mary Beth Shane, and Mary Lou Healy at this year’s Alumnae Bingo. It was great fun! Time just flies, I can’t believe I have worked for Dr. Alexander for 31 years this past May. In my “spare time” I keep busy with my two sons and six grandsons! My son Billy and his wife Molly, live in Baltimore. I love helping with their three boys. My son, Patrick and his wife Lauren live in Charleston with their three boys. My husband and I try to visit as much as possible. We love Charleston! Big congratulations to Roz Healy for being back at NDP!

Roz Healy writes, “After an extensive career working on events for Baltimore City, I have transitioned to working on events for NDP in the Alumnae Office. It is great to be back on Hampton Lane! I love collaborating with the staff in the Alumnae Office and being in a school environment. The Alumnae Office hosted Mini Gym Meet & Reception in March and I spotted Kay DiNardo Daue, her daughter Louise Senft Hanssen ’06 and granddaughter Lucy!”

Condolences go out to Page Otenasek Kozak, who lost her mom, Peggy ’51, in December 2024 and Michele Valle who lost her mom, Rita, this past January.

CLASS OF 19 79

Jeannie Hegarty Class of ’79 443-956-1080 jeanniehegs@gmail.com

Greetings from the beach, Sunshine Class of ’79!!! All is well here as I kick off my fourth year and third summer in Lewes, Delaware! Crazy! As my buddy Ferris Bueller said, “Life happens fast.” Without further ado, lots of ground to cover.

It seems we’re in the middle of a population explosion! Grandbabies Galore!!!!! Very exciting times! Keep in mind, these are the folks I’ve heard from, so if your little ray of sunshine is missing, it was not intentional (I like that! Ray of sunshine = grandchild! Get it?)! Lori Herlth Kilberg’s third grandson made his debut! Mary Beth O’Brien is a first-time grandmother to Isabel Rose! And, get this, she has already attended her first Mini Gym Meet! Give that baby a gym uniform, stat! She already has the bloomers (probably)! Speaking of Gym Meet, Kay Martel Connors’ family welcomed grandson Ollie. Maria Arciaga Goode’s daughter, Emma, Class of 2008, (and my pseudo niece by the way), were thrilled with the arrival of baby Jun! I was fortunate to meet her when she came to the beach! What a cutie! She slept through our initial meeting—no reflection on me, of course. Our dear, dear Loriann Wright Bobotek has three of the most precious granddaughters you’ve ever seen. Her daughter, Katie Bobotek Canterbury, Class of 2010 keeps us all updated on Facebook. Carole Chodoff Zamostny has two very handsome grandsons, Cooper and Bennett. Not spoiled at all, I’m sure. Laurie Benson is happy to report her grandson, Forest, is running all over California and (recently) Hawaii. Run, Forest, run! He keeps Laurie on her toes whenever he visits!

Sue Chrest Pumphrey and hubby Bruce have decided to sell the 25-acre farm that they have painstakingly restored—Oh, my goodness, so beautiful (health issues but everyone is fine), and retire to a simpler life in a different part of North Carolina. Love those retirement type houses! No grass to cut or maintenance! Sign me up! They plan to travel more and spend more time with the grandkids.

Rose Wolfe is one proud momma. Her daughter, Miranda, is a second-year nurse in the pediatric oncology unit at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. God bless Miranda and all who work there. And, Rose recently came back from a birder trip to paradise in Costa Rica. Pics are fab! Check them out on FB and Instagram!

Nancy Hinds recently went on a trip of a lifetime—a two-week safari in Africa! So cool! She visited Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana! And, if I can figure out how to do it, hopefully they’ll be a pic of Nancy with one of the locals—an elephant. u

Teresa Suarez-Murias Merriweather attended a fun event—a regional NDP Alumnae Dinner in Naples, FL! Lindsay Dorrance, NDP Director of Advancement, hosted at Ridgeway Bar & Grill and it was attended by about a dozen other diverse and talented women from NDP!!!!! q

As I’m sure you are aware, lots of local parishes in the Baltimore area have closed. So, so sad. Such an integral part of most of our childhoods. The final Mass held at each individual church was a bittersweet farewell. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it to Saint Mary of the Assumption’s last Mass but Linda Epstein Praley reported many of our NDP sisters (including my actual sister, Mary) did. Linda said it was great catching up with members of the Guidera, Glose, Fitzpatrick, Enoch, Hegarty, and multiple other family members that went onto NDP. Nice. Truly an end of an era. Linda also wanted to give a shout-out to Suzanne Nichols, her mentor and art teacher at NDP. She credits her for encouraging her to go to art school (MICA), which led to a satisfying and successful career as creative director at University of Maryland Medical System! And Linda is still rockin’ that job, by the way!

Continued prayers up to Janelle Stewart who lost her home in the California wildfires, and to Mary Kaye Yeakle Gubenski who is going through a serious health challenge.

Meredith Fielding Bower and husband Craig stopped by Dewey Beach for lunch on their way to the ferry to visit Cape May! We had a great time catching up. She was telling me about her granddaughter (2), Josephine (Josie)—who lives in Belgium! Thanks to the wonders of FaceTime, she gets

to see her frequently! We covered lots of territory yapping about everything! Visits like that are good for the soul! Thanks, Meredith and Craig!

Well, I’ve checked my phone, three email accounts, and Facebook and I THINK I’ve gotten everyone’s updates for Chatter. Phew! If I didn’t, I apologize! Until next time! Much love to all.

CLASS OF 19 81

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

My husband Chris and I went to Portugal to celebrate his birthday in January. We had what are now the usual flying snafus, and both of us got sick. But in between those chaotic bookends, we enjoyed touring another part of that beautiful country, including the limestone cliffs of the incomparable Algarve. q

Son Tyler is still living large in Manhattan, and we are excited for Easter, when he and girlfriend Eloise come to visit us. Augie turned ten in December, so he’s officially the oldest in our household! He still loves hanging outdoors and saving us from squirrels and delivery trucks, only we now have a “Fi” collar on him to track his wanderings. Pippa was diagnosed with IVDD in February, which temporarily paralyzed her. After two more occurrences, I drove her to NC State Veterinary Hospital for surgery to remove the damaged disks in her back. She is 90% cured and 100% sweet girl.

The Outer Banks has seen a rare second snow this Winter, but my Crocuses say, let’s go, Spring! Chris and I are still loving it here in our little slice of paradise and hope my NDP sisters let me know when they are in the OBX (the real one, not the fake one filmed in South Carolina, silly Pogues!) We’ll play golf, tennis or pickleball, go to the beach, watch the sunrise and set, swim in the ocean or pool, and you’ll see why I call this place “home.”

I had a blast at NDP at Alumnae Bingo once again, and a fun sleepover at Susan Valis Faber’s beautiful home. And once again, our table did not have a single winner. What’s good with that? It’s not as if Angela Krieger Shannon could throw some numbers our way, but she still did a great job hosting. Mary Epstein organized a fun table with Betsy Plunkett, Cristina Rosell Chakales, Kathy Michaud Garliss and Susan Valis Faber. Always lovely to see (at the next table, no less!) Helen Linhard Aberle, Carolyn Brennan Wescott, Ceci Frederick Neubauer, Kathy Anderson Chaney and Janet Stadter Tomasic. The class of Pink and Blue really represented!

Angela Krieger Shannon writes: I am on the Alumnae Board supporting my daughter Lindsey (2008) who is the President of the Board. Enjoying being “G” to Hannah (7) and Thomas (4). Husband Tom published a book in 2024—Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace). Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Nancy Hubbard Mann left being Dean at the University of Lynchburg this past summer and has served as an Interim CEO at two organizations. The first was DUCHATEAU in La Jolla, CA, and she is now serving as Interim Executive Director of the YWCA Central Virginia. Nancy writes: “It is an amazing experience working with a dedicated team helping women out of violence.”

p Carolyn Clarke Gartner writes: My biggest news is my daughter Lauren got married in September in a beautiful ceremony in Weaverville, North Carolina. We love our son-in-law Clifton—he and Lauren are terrific partners. (Unfortunately, the area was hit hard by the hurricane only 2 weeks later.) Following the wedding, I

met my son, Ryan, in Italy for one week. We explored Cinque Terre for two days and then took on Florence. q

Amazing to be back in Florence with my son the first time I was taken there was 1985 by my parents when I graduated from PA school. So cool to be there 40 years later with my own adult son. From Florence I met my husband in Austria—and then on to Germany.

At the end of January 2025, I retired from a 40-year career as a Physician Assistant—the last 22.5 years with Department of Veteran’s Affairs. I’m in the process of completing additional Yoga training to achieve RYT500 status. I will be expanding my “side business” Palms of Light LLC. Offerings to include Wellness coaching with focus on Women, Reiki sessions / trainings (in-person and virtual), Yoga continuing education/workshops, and introduction to mindfulness trainings.

Susan Ebersole Boddiford’s two sons are living in Florida. Blake is a social media videographer with the luxury car community out of Fort Meyers, FL.

Chase attends The University of Tampa where he’s majoring in Business Entrepreneurship. He “moonlights” as a popular EDM DJ in Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Boca and Miami. Susan reminds us that “aging ain’t for sissies!” She encourages us all to keep moving and stresses the importance of strength/ resistance training. She also plays pickleball with husband John, as well as weekly with Susan and Barry Faber. She challenges our class to at least try it once since it’s easy to learn, increases longevity and is a lot of fun!

Mary Epstein texted: So many of our ’81 NDP gals were spotted at Charissa Seipp’s u art opening reception on March 6 in Towson, including Mary Pat Muller Ortenzio, Marion Knott, Lisa Carr Bamberger, Jill Guidera Packo, Mary Carol Alderman, Ginna Krebs Alderman, Mary Beth Regan, Lyn Smith Jablonski, and me.

Other attendees included Betsy Plunkett, Joann Guidera Golden ’79 and Jennifer Morales ’82, Charissa’s mom, brother Joe, sisters DeChantal Seipp Colegrove ’79 and Danielle Seipp Carroll ’82, and of course Charissa!

Terre Jones Short missed the email last time (sorry, Terre!) but is catching us up now from New Zealand (where she and Jamie are staying for a month) She writes: “Did I mention last spring that my daughter married the love of her life, Samantha (Sam)? I love having another daughter! I am a board member for A Loving Organization Consortium (ALOC). We bring together leaders, mostly in healthcare currently, with the focus on weaving love into all they do. And I’m working on my second book, the working title is “leadership: what’s love got to do with it?” I am passionate about all that is heart-centered, overcoming fear and hate.” You’re preaching to the choir, Terre. Ceci Frederick shared: “I’m a grandma! My heart is full of love. My first grandchild! Beautiful baby girl Kinsley Babe Neubauer welcome to the world and our family.”

Condolences:

Diane Hernandez on the death of her brother Max (59) on November 6, 2024

Karen Rolfes Goodspeed 443-326-9342

Goodspeed909@gmail.com

During the past year, I hope all of you found a way to celebrate entering a new decade! It will be one with many changes for us. Some will be retiring after decades in a career, some will watch children marry, some will become grandparents, some will move, and some will do more traveling and volunteering. This means we should have more chatter to share in the years to come.

I was lucky to be included in a great 60th Birthday Celebration in November with classmates Wendy Strassner, Kathy Natale Thompson, Jane Coyle Ballentine, Colleen Kelly, Clara Ferro and Karen Plott Welsh. We met in Atlanta, Georgia, at Wendy’s house over two days. Once the last one arrived, we loaded two cars and drove to Wendy’s cabin in Blue Ridge, Georgia, where we spent a long weekend. It is amazing how the decades just fall away when one gets together with old friends (five of us also went to Immaculate Heart of Mary together)!

We hiked beautiful trails, soaked in the hot tube, played games, hit a brewery, toured the cute town, made homemade pasta, drank, ate, and laughed until we cried many times (paging through old yearbooks, looking at photo albums, and reading notes we had passed to one another in classes). A few of us seemed to have saved everything!

pastors around the country. She also teaches a leadership class and other classes for them. To celebrate her long-term career retirement, she took a trip to Sicily in October where she visited her mother’s hometown of Caltanissetta and other cities. Most weekends you can find Maria at the Church of Nativity in Timonium where she leads the greeter ministry.

Lisa Groenheim also recently started volunteering for Rebuilt Parish.

Laura Hargest Chasney joined the retired crowd in January 2025. Laura spent 38 years working at T. Rowe Price. She is looking forward to traveling and spending time at the beach with family and friends. Wishing you all a wonderful year and looking forward to hearing exciting things next time!

Laurie Klein Huger blhuger@gmail.com

The clock hands are making their way to the Big 6-0 for many of us this year! Hope you mark this milestone with something special. Jane Patzwall Gamboli continues to reside in Massachusetts—36 years and counting. Every day they have with their daughter, Caitlin, who has special needs, is a gift. q

Karen Manzo Auwaerter’s family grew again as her second son was married in St. Michael’s. Two daughters to love! q

Katie Meredith has now tallied 16 portraits of Baltimore County Circuit Court judges. She has a son in college and daughter in high school. Katie recently did work for Xanne Dorn Luera—said she is as cute as ever and stays busy with her young grandchildren. She also attended the funeral for Christine Stokes’ father where it was comforting to tell Christine stories again. Katie is fortunate to see Karen Manzo Auwaerter a lot. Fiona McGibbon Coulter will be retiring from 19 years of teaching elementary art. She is looking forward to spending time with her growing family at their Bethany Beach cottage. Fiona often sees Kathleen LaPore Miller, Lisa Fox Lyons, Karen Ebersole Martin, and Katie Meredith Colleen Kennedy DelPo lives in Annapolis and is celebrating 32 years with the interior design company Calico Corners. As Director of Stores, she enjoys traveling to all parts of the country. Her son, Trey, is married and working in Virginia Beach as a college professor and theater director, and her son, Colin, is at home in Annapolis and working in the TV and film industry.

Maria Pulitano retired from her federal government job in March 2024 after 20 years. In April, she took a job with Rebuilt Parish as a lead coach. This is a nonprofit engaged in a parish transformation ministry, and she coaches parishes and

She has outlived expectations that she would live to her early twenties and just celebrated her 32nd birthday! When Jane is not fulfilling her role as full-time caregiver for Caitlin, she sees daughter Erin who works for a high-end furniture retailer in NYC and son Jimmy, a software engineer on Long Island. Jane and family were able to visit the Swiss Alps last summer. u When she gets to Baltimore a few times a year, she sometimes sees Erin Whelan Boland and Teresa McEnroe Clare

p From l to r: Clara Ferro, Wendy Strassner, Karen Rolfes Goodspeed, Colleen Kelly, Kathy Natale Thompson, Jane Coyle Ballentine, Karen Plott Welsh

She and Geri Gue Riley are still partners in crime, and she also enjoys getting together with Laura Langis Hoey, Renae Kosmides Howard and Gina Frizzera Wheeler. Cindy Smith Claffey hosted Pam Rolfes Keffer, Anne Jenifer Walker, and me last summer at her beautiful home in Rehoboth. q

Cindy and I proved mind over matter last year by training for and finishing the Marine Corps Marathon, held in Washington, D.C., in October. We trained together virtually in PA and VA and came together for the weekend in DC to run 26.2 miles before turning 60! q

Thanks to all of you who send tidbits—it is so great to catch up.

Kate Kaiser Kasabula kmkasabula@gmail.com 410-917-4525

Julie Cook married Jamaal Rashad in January. They are currently living in Frederick, MD. Marian Antony Saxena was admitted to the partnership at PricewaterhouseCoopers US in July 2024. Lisa Williams Petit is a pediatrician and works in private practice in Catonsville with her dad. Lisa lives in Howard County with her husband and three children. Lisa started teaching parenting classes to her patients and just started offering them to the general public, covering topics like picky eating, managing stress and anxiety, and managing screen time for kids. Lisa will also be featured in an interview with Soulfire International Ministries about how she integrates her personal faith with her knowledge of medicine and the human body. The series will be released in April!

Emily Solel Lessner shared “I have started up my own Travel Agency called Walt Dreams Are Made Of. We specialize in Disney, Universal, All Cruise Lines, and Island Getaways! My company’s services are free and we are passionate about sending families on memorable vacations that fit every budget. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram or contact me at waltdreamsaremadeof@gmail.com .”

Kristin Peters LeFeber shared: “Hi NDP family! I completed my Masters in Spiritual Direction from seminary and established my own practice. Spiritual Direction has deep roots in Catholicism, but is for anyone who would like to delve deeper and allow their spiritual journey to unfurl regardless of age, stage, or religious/spiritual identity. I hope you will consider joining me for a free session. For more information please visit: www.dwellingspace.org

Theresa Tsamoutalis TTsamoutalis@vdassoc.com

Even though we are in disbelief that this much time has passed, we look forward to celebrating our 25th reunion. We are eager to spend time with our classmates back at NDP and then at an offsite afterparty with significant others and friends.

Mary Kate Allshouse Federico was tapped to lead Ernst & Young LLP’s Baltimore office home to more than 250 employees. She also

serves on the board of the Maryland Food Bank and most recently joined the board of the Greater Baltimore Committee.

Sarah Conkwright Smithwright was promoted to Senior Attorney Advisor at the Social Security Administration

Meg Jancuk, M.S., was appointed as Deputy Executive Director at The Arc of Washington County. With a steadfast dedication to continuous improvement, Meg will focus her expertise on driving quality throughout The Arc of Washington County’s programs, ensuring that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive the highest standard of care and support.

In 2009, Theresa Majchrzak Tsamoutalis co-founded a local elevator inspection and consulting company, Allsafe Elevator Inspections, that grew to over 100 employees with offices on the east and west coast. Recently Allsafe partnered with a national vertical transportation firm, VDA. Theresa now oversees the elevator inspection strategy for VDA across the US and Canada.

Jessica Shedlock Brunnett, DDS passed her Fellowship exam and will be inducted as a Fellow of the AGD in Montreal this July, an honor only 6% of US dentists have earned. This year also marks year 10 as business owner of her solo practice in Towson.

Tiffany Mazzulli Akers made an exciting career pivot and started working at Loyola University Maryland (her alma mater!) as their Director of Contracts and Risk Management.

CLASS OF 20 01

Meredith Clare Bambrick shared: “2024 ended my year-long assignment in Armenia where I supported justice sector reform programming. After a brief trip back to the US, I set out on my next assignment with the American Bar Association in Kinshasa, DRC where I lead USAID’s Africa flagship project to combat human trafficking.”

Allie Lanzi Rich allie.lanzi@gmail.com 410-215-6876

CLASS OF 20 04

Amanda Cataneo completed her Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning, Policy, and Leadership with a specialization in Applied Linguistics and Language Education from the University of Maryland.

Lauren Miller was appointed co-director of HERE, an iconic downtown New York City theater and longtime leader in commissioning, producing, and presenting hybrid performances. As co-director, Lauren will collaboratively take on the artistic and executive leadership of the organization, oversee the various functions of the organization and bring her individual passions, skills, and artistry to the theater.

Katie Lindenmeyer Keenan and husband, Jack Keenan, welcomed a son, John Joseph Keenan, on January 15, 2025. JJ is younger brother to Makenzie, 2.

Katelyn Rockwell Thompson shared: Bringing Community to the Table: To The Table Supper Series.

In 2024, I launched To The Table with a Roland Park Country School alum, driven by a shared passion for food, farming, and fostering meaningful connections. Our mission is to bring people together through unforgettable farm-to-table dining experiences, celebrating the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay region while supporting local farmers, chefs, winemakers, and brewers.

Now in our second year, To The Table is expanding with an exciting 2025 supper lineup, featuring four immersive dining events set on stunning local farms. Each evening includes a lively social hour with local wine, craft beer, fresh oysters, and passed hors d’oeuvres, followed by a multicourse, family-style meal prepared by some of the region’s most talented chefs. Live music and breathtaking farm settings make every supper a one-of-a-kind experience.

Visit at www.tttsupperseries.com. We’d love to see you at the table! q

CLASS OF 20 05

CLASS OF

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

Whitney Schepf and her husband Tom Dolan welcomed their second child, Wilhelmina Alice Dolan, on January 3, 2025. u

Elise Jason and fellow NDP sisters celebrate Elise’s wedding! q

CLASS OF 20 08

Amy Woolf and her wife, Cynthia, are excited to share the birth of their second daughter, Camila Rose, hopeful NDP Class of 2042! q

CLASS OF 20 09

Katherine Fitzgerald Kfitz134@gmail.com 410-262-5616

Hello Class of 2009! This is Katherine Fitzgerald, writing from Buffalo. It was so good to see some pink and blue sisters a year ago, as the Class of ’09 was back at NDP for our 15(!!) year reunion last May. We got to do a self-guided tour of some of the new classrooms and reminisce on our fun times at NDP. And our class has been thriving since then!

Christie Orlando Trapani just had her second daughter! At the time of writing this, Sofia Grace is five months and big sister Rebecca Rose is about to turn three. Christie would love for the girls to go to NDP one day, and the family is all doing great! q

Bridget Powers is moving back to New York City this fall, after she’s had an adventure in Colorado for the last couple of years. She’s climbed up mountains and climbed up in the business world – way to go, Bridget!

That’s all for now! If anyone is traveling when the Ravens play in Buffalo this fall, let me know and you have a place to stay! Xoxo

CLASS OF 20 11

Jenny Santos shared: In December, I matched into a hematology/oncology fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. I will be relocating from Colorado to Nashville, TN in July and am very excited!

Brittany Livingston Prunty shared: I’m excited to announce that my husband Conor and I welcomed our first baby on December 15, 2024—Peter Scott Prunty.

Kati Asbury Gregg wrote: My husband, Patrick and I welcomed our first child, Jack Thomas Gregg, on November 5, 2024. He weighed 6 lb. 13 oz. at birth and is a happy, healthy 4 month old boy. The light of our lives! q

Anna Bellatoni Gendron wrote: My husband and I welcomed a baby girl, Malia Michele, in October 2024. q

Jenna Massoni Sublett shared: “This November my husband and I welcomed our first baby boy, Brik Jr.! He is perfect and we are loving being his parents. I am still working at a lobbying firm in Annapolis and living in Forest Hill where we have about 30 fruit trees in our back yard!” q

Shannon Will wrote: “My small business is celebrating 3 years at Will Power PT, Sports Physical Therapy located in Timonium (@ will_power_pt). We work closely with the NDP Varsity soccer team, lead a warm up for Blazer Dash and host NDP students through the WIN program! We attended a science lecture with Dr. L to teach sports

medicine hands-on techniques followed by a chocolate muffin from Mrs. Barry. Due to the positive word of mouth, we treat countless athletes and their families in the Baltimore private school community. From ACL surgery and ankle sprains to rotator cuff repairs and low back sciatica, all injuries are treated 1 on 1 with our doctors. We recently added recovery sessions for monthly maintenance of lingering pain and injuries.”

p My husband, Justin (Gilman alum) and I welcomed our daughter, Finley Kelly George, on December 3, 2024. Can’t wait for her to be an NDP girlie.

Margaret Holzman Arbolino shared: “I gave birth to a baby boy on December 31, 2023 and his name is James Arbolino.” q

Kelsey Kuhn Eubank and husband, Jackson, welcomed Roy Michael Eubank to their family on April 5, 2025. q

CLASS OF 20 13

Sydney Tommins Lohr sydney.tommins@gmail.com

Angela Healy ahealy@sistersacademy.org

Sending love and well wishes to our 2013 sisters!

Julia Cosentino-Tich shared she and her spouse adopted their 3-year old son, Chance, on January 3, 2025.

Lindsay White Kroll and her husband, Brennan, welcomed Hudson Doyle Kroll April 30. q

CLASS OF

20 14

Sarah Hannan sarahmhannan18@gmail.com

Katie Willis shared: “I just moved to Nashville, TN, to begin my doctorate program for my Educational Doctorate from Vanderbilt University! While working on my doctorate, I will be teaching 4th grade Math, Science, and Social Studies at Overbrook Catholic School. I am also a new aunt to my one year old nephew, Parker.”

CLASS OF

20 20

Hi, Class of Pink and Blue!

We are working on plans for a fall reunion gathering since spring did not work out for our class to get together. Please make sure to update your contact information with the Alumnae Office (use QR code u) so you can stay up to date as plans unfold. We hope to see you all this fall, more details to come!

In

MEMORIAM

1942 Claudia Rose Fielding

Catherine Leland Huesman

Grace Hayden, Tavi Steckel, and Catherine Kinkopf

CLASS OF

2023

Elizabeth Kane shared: “I am excited to announce that I’ll be a charity runner for the American Red Cross in the 2025 Boston Marathon!

My commitment to the Red Cross deepened as I organized blood drives and raised awareness on campus as part of the Boston College Red Cross Chapter. Knowing I’ll be crossing the marathon finish line after pushing my limits while raising money for the Red Cross fills me with purpose.

While the training will be challenging, I’ve learned endurance through my experience as an NCAA Collegiate Lacrosse Official. This background has prepared me to train diligently and effectively fundraise, allowing me to embrace this opportunity fully. a

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.

1951 Margaret Bagli Otenasek

1952 Mary Lucia Eilers Strott

1953 Barbara Leonard Daugherty

1955 Ann Schwentker Phillips

1956 Barbara Green Curtis

Margaret Trail Neubauer

1958 Stephanie Sodaro Esworthy

1959 Mary Frances Quinn Brooks

1960 Roberta Bloodgood

Mary Laura Muse Griffin

1961 Doris Crimy Bowen

Rosemarie “Pat” Freiert

Virginia Braun Hand

Mary Jeannette Smith Singer

1962 Nancy Woods Curtis

Mary Elizabeth Muhly Wetzig

1963 Eileen Mikolayunas

Anne Neville Oates

Carole Lears Powell

1964 Kathleen Hart

1965 Beau Leonhart

Sharon Miller Parker

1968 Sharon O’Connor Bantleon

1972 Mary Kammer Chasney

1975 Leslie Frank Higgins

1977 Jennifer Crook

2006 Meghan Brady Merkert

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

WELCOME BACK, ALUMNAE! There’s no place like…NDP!

Introducing

DR. ANGELA ALLEN

Notre Dame Prep’s New Head of School

Notre Dame Preparatory School continues to make history in its 152nd year as the community welcomes its first lay Head of School, Dr. Angela Allen. Beginning her tenure July 1, Dr. Allen is NDP’s tenth Head of School since the institution’s founding in 1873.

As former Associate Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Richmond, and more recently Associate Head of School at Christ Church Episcopal School in Greenville, South Carolina, Dr. Allen is deeply inspired by the opportunity to lead an all-girls Catholic school.

“From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt the strong sense of mission and the deep commitment to nurturing young women of wisdom, integrity, and compassion,” she said. “It was clear to me that NDP is more than a school; it is a community that nurtures each student’s gifts and calls her to something greater.”

Dr. Allen earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Master of Teaching degree from the University of Richmond, and her Doctorate in Education from The College of William and Mary. At the beginning of her career as an educational leader, she served as a principal and assistant principal in Hanover County and Henrico County public schools in Richmond, Virginia.

Dr. Allen understands the significance of her appointment in the living history of Notre Dame Prep and fully embraces the responsibility of shepherding the school’s mission of transformative education well into the 21st century.

“As the first lay leader in the school’s history, I approach this role with profound respect for the traditions, mission, and faith that have shaped NDP for generations. May God’s grace continue to guide and bless Notre Dame Preparatory School, and may we continue to inspire one another to learn, lead, and serve.”

As the 2025–2026 school year gets underway, there will be many opportunities for the Notre Dame Preparatory School community to meet Dr. Allen. Visit notredameprep.com and follow the school’s social media for regular updates. a

COMING FALL 2026: NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY SCHOOL’S NEW STUDENT COMMONS!

Notre Dame Prep’s existing Dining Room will transform into the new NDP Student Commons: a flexible, multi-functional hub matching the vibrancy of our campus community. Breaking ground in January 2026, project renovations will include a transformed front façade, additional square footage, updated social and dining spaces, a new faculty and staff lounge, and a brand-new kitchen and service line. The Commons is expected to open to students in August 2026. Stay tuned for project developments!

July 18, 2025 ................................................ Alumnae Blazers at the Beach at Saltwater75 in Ocean City, MD

September 28, 2025 ..... Blazer Dash Scholarship Run and NDP Community Fest

December 6, 2025 ............................................... Cocoa & Cookies with Santa January 30–February 1, 2026 ................................ Alumnae New York City Trip

February 7, 2026 .....................................................................Alumnae Bingo

March 4, 2026 ........................................................................Mini Gym Meet

March 28, 2026 ..................................................................................... Gala

April 21–23, 2026 ........................................... Blazer Raiser Giving Challenge

May 1, 2026 ........................................... Jubilarian Alumnae Liturgy & Brunch

May 2, 2026 .......................................... Gateway Reunion Cocktail Reception

Roots & Wings: Summer 2025

ROOTSWINGS

LIVING THE MISSION

A Letter from the Head of School

ROOTSWINGS

THE YEAR

The 2024 – 2025 School Year

ACADEMICS

BUILDING COMMUNITY SERVICE

THE ARTS

STUDENT LIFE

COMMUNITY

KUDOS

Congratulations, CLASS OF 2025!

COVER STORY

How Education Shapes a More Just and Compassionate World

Our Mission

BIANCAROSE NNABUE ’26 Living the Mission

KATE FAHEY ’00 Living the Mission

KATHERINE BERGER ’25

Living the Mission

KAITLYN GRIFFIN ’15

Living the Mission

Living the Mission through Artistic Expression SEEKING SERENITY:

MISSION SPARK

Words of Advice from NDP Alumnae on Living the Mission Each Day

Diane Dippold MacIntosh, Ph.D., ’58, Professor

MOTHER CAROLINE FRIESS ALUMNAE OF THE YEAR

CELEBRATING in True Blue Fashion

ALUMNAE BOOK CLUB The Heart of NDP:

SISTER PATRICIA McCARRON

WORDS OF WISDOM Over Two Decades

EMPOWERING Young Women

After 20 years leading NDP Sister Patricia McCarron will step down

HEADMISTRESSES 1873-2025

Two Decades of

MISSION GROWTH

Sister Patricia McCarron, SSND, Ph.D.’s Legacy from 2005–2025

Reaching New Heights: Strategic Growth

Ensuring Academic Success

Nurturing a Faith-Centered Community

Advancing the Call of Justice

Celebrating Community Life

IN THEIR OWN WORDS...

Celebrating

SISTER PATRICIA!

AWARDS & HONORS

CONGRATULATIONS, NDP!

CONGRATULATIONS, SISTER PATRICIA!

NOTRE DAME PREP The Fund for

Learn more

Thank You

2024-2025Advancement Events

T2025 GALA SPONSORS

GATEWAY SPONSORS

1873 SPONSORS

BLUE BLAZER

RED ROSE

BlazerDash 2024

THESAVEDATE

2024 BLAZER

DASH SPONSORS

2025 ALUMNAE BINGO

SPONSORS

SADDLE SHOE SPONSORS

ChatterClass

In

MEMORIAM

Introducing

DR. ANGELA ALLEN

Notre Dame Prep’s New Head of School

COMING FALL 2026: NOTRE DAME PREPARATORY SCHOOL’S NEW STUDENT COMMONS!

Articles inside

Mission Spark: Words of Advice from NDP Alumnae on Living the Mission Each Day

Living the Mission: BiancaRose Nnabue '26

Living the Mission: Katherine Berger '25