Beyond the Academy Winter 2022

Emphasis Program Prompts Cultural Shift

portrait OF A graduate Notre Dame Academy is devoted to “educating young women to make a difference.”

An NDA graduate is a woman of

faith, who lives Catholic values

and witnesses God’s goodness and provident care;

academic excellence, who thinks critically and communicates effectively;

vision& leadership,

who collaborates, problem solves, and uses technology ethically;

service& compassion, who makes a positive difference in the world.

educating

YOUNG WOMEN

difference

to make a

table of contents

3

Freshman Faculty Team Teaches Newest Regals to Be Scholars

4

Campus Life Winter 2020 Editor: Kristin Callaghan Contributors: Giuliana Battaglini ‘13, Kelly Cobb ‘23, Samantha CostanzoCarleton ‘11, Sayuri Nagai ‘23, Francesca Parodi ‘23 Photography: Raynelle Duronslet ‘98

2 6

10

Welcome Pilot Emphasis Program Prompts Cultural Shift at NDA

Regal Sisters Connect in Media

Graphic Designer: Stacie Martinez Beyond the Academy is published by Notre Dame Academy for alumnae, parents and friends. Class Notes and In Memorian can be submitted at alumnae.academy.ndala.org/ page/class-notes or emailed to gbattaglini@ndala.com.

Notre Dame Academy 2851 Overland Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90064 310.839.5289 www.academy.ndasla.org

8

New Women in Business Club Revitalizes Entrepreneur Day

9

Regals Reconnect on Retreats

11

Making a Difference

12

Class Notes

13

In Memoriam / Upcoming Events

BEYOND THE ACADEMY | Winter 2022

1

welcome Dear Friends, Welcome to the newly redesigned Beyond the Academy! Within these pages you’ll find fresh voices, new features, and an updated layout. Most importantly, you’ll discover the ways Notre Dame Academy continues to redefine the high school experience and prepare young women for tomorrow’s careers.

We are thrilled to preview our unique Emphasis Program, a brand new offering we’re piloting this year. The quintessential “pick your own path” for high school students, it transforms traditional secondary education with real world skills and experience. Hear from current students on page 7 about their experience of our very first community-wide symposium featuring media inquiry.

In addition, on the next page, you’ll meet our freshman faculty and learn about our efforts to smooth each student’s transition from middle school to high school. Our team of expert educators helps girls from all over Los Angeles build confidence and develop strong habits of mind as they join our community of scholars.

All of these efforts reflect our school wide theme “grace and grit.”

As we learn and work as a community, together we grow in grace as we collaborate, give others the benefit of the doubt, and engage in meaningful conversation. And as we evaluate and refine our emphasis program, try, perhaps fail, and try again, and confidently anticipate new challenges, we develop the emotional grit essential for future success.

As you learn about all that’s new at Notre Dame Academy, you’ll also see our most recent celebrations of the traditions you cherish. I hope you’ll recognize our efforts to keep NDA both timely and timeless.

In Notre Dame,

Lilliam Paetzold ‘84 President/Head of School

2

Notre Dame Academy

academic excellence Freshman Faculty Team Teaches Newest Regals to Be Scholars Each fall, Notre Dame Academy welcomes a new class of freshmen who come from more than 40 different middle schools and 70 different zip codes all over Los Angeles. In addition to adjusting to a high school workload, getting the hang of the rotating schedule, or even memorizing their new locker combination, they must acclimate into the Regal community, complete with its own language of growth mindset and habits of mind. Luckily for them, we have handpicked a team of expert educators prepared to shepherd them from unsure eighth grader in August to wellestablished ninth grader by the end of their first semester.

“Part of the mission is gauging where students are coming from,” said Oscar Navarro, freshman English teacher. “With so many different middle school experiences, it’s essential to get to know one another within an encouraging environment in order to build confidence.”

“Confidence is key,” agreed Spanish teacher Blake Dirickson.

“Students must be comfortable to make mistakes and recover -- that’s how we’ll all learn together.”

Math teacher Ron Lebron also prioritizes differentiation and collaborative learning: “Many students are eager to participate and share their knowledge.

By working together, each student develops the confidence to work hard and put her best self forward – that’s more important than any math skill.”

“It’s about critical thinking -- not about content,” said Bridget Higgins, who teaches Engineer Your World, the hands-on class for freshmen in NDA’s new physics-first science curriculum.

“Each project builds on critical thinking and problem solving skills that are foundational to success not just in science, but in math, literature, and even the arts.”

The faculty also acknowledge that these young women are growing as much outside the classroom as they are academically.

“It’s a moment when they’re making new friends and figuring out who they are,” said Ms. Higgins. “As a faculty team, we encourage a diversification of strengths so that girls get a chance to shine even if their strengths are not exclusively academic.”

“They’re not only developing new friendships and collaborating with a whole new group of peers,” added Jacqueline Davis, freshman English teacher, “but they are also building relationships with at least seven different teachers, all of whom have different styles. That’s one reason we’re intent on using a common vocabulary to support skill development across the curriculum.”

The freshman teachers’ approach reflects the philosophy and language of our community as a whole. While content is important, more critical are the development of executive functioning skills and habits of mind that will be essential for success in college and career. The team’s efforts are just one small part of NDA’s commitment to supporting all of the members of our diverse community with four years of differentiated instruction, student support, and spiritual formation.

“We are helping our newest students to become scholars,” said Amy Hickl, dean of faculty and freshman religion teacher. “We are helping them establish good habits and study skills that will enable them to access all of the curriculum over the next four years.”

Learn more about all of our faculty members at ndasla.com.

Freshman faculty shown center from top left to right: Ronald Lebron, Jacqueline Davis, Sarah Case, Raynelle Duronslet, Kristin Duerr, and Anthony Heim. Bottom left to right: Sophia Beauvy, Amy Hickl, Bridget Higgins, Oscar Navarro, and Blake Dirickson.

BEYOND THE ACADEMY | Winter 2022

3

campus life Welcome Dance The first dance of the school year was a resounding success despite moving completely outdoors to comply with COVID restrictions. The “Tropical Turn Up” featured a Hawaiian theme complete with Kona Shave Ice. Student Council leaders worked hard to entertain nearly two-thirds of the student body that evening.

Notre Dame Day Regal spirit was on full display for Notre Dame Day in October! Following Mass in honor of Our Lady, the Football Freshmen, Sleepy Sophomores, JetSetting Juniors, and Spy Seniors all did a great job representing their themes.

The event featured all of the highlights of a traditional Notre Dame Day: banners, decorations, costumes, skits, chants, dances, and volleyball.

New Affinity Groups Two new affinity groups established this fall have already made a significant impact on NDA’s campus.

The Latin American Hispanic Student Organization (LAHSO), which celebrated its inception in October, organized a college information event and dinner especially for first generation students and their families. In addition, members of the association for Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans (APIDA), inducted at the end of November, were instrumental in the school’s first Symposium Day, leading a break-out conversation about colorism in the media.

4

Notre Dame Academy

Fine Arts Night On Saturday, December 4, nearly half of the NDA student body participated in Fine Arts Night. The annual celebration highlighted our award-winning visual arts, drama, dance, and choir programs. For the first time, the event was an indoor-outdoor affair, with an art show in the gym followed by performances from all grade levels on a stage in front of Rosa Mystica Hall.

Junior Ring Ceremony Seventy members of the junior class marked an important rite of passage in November as they celebrated the blessing of their class rings. The treasured symbol and celebration of the transition to upperclasswomen remains a highlight of the year for students and their families. From Ms. Paetzold, president and head of school, “As important as the ring is to each of you tonight, it will grow in significance as you complete your high school career and embark on new adventures in college, family, and career. Your beautiful ring will become a physical reminder of your transformation over four years at NDA and of the foundation established and informed by the Sisters of Notre Dame.”

Athletics We are very excited to announce the formation of a Regal golf club this year, with a goal of growing into an official team next year. Nuvision and the Southern California PGA donated five sets of golf clubs to get us started. The club practices both on campus and at local driving ranges.

BEYOND THE ACADEMY | Winter 2022

5

vision and leadership Pilot Emphasis Program Prompts Cultural Shift at NDA As the world grows increasingly complex and connected, NDA faculty are continually adapting their curriculum and methods to prepare young women to be tomorrow’s leaders. Currently in its pilot year, the new Emphasis Program reimagines the high school experience by supporting and expanding NDA’s excellent curriculum with unique learning opportunities in and outside of the classroom.

Beauvy directs the symposium, a community-wide conversation with a common theme.

The perspective Ms. Beauvy developed through her visual arts, advertising, education and international experience informs her approach, and she encourages students to develop skills to express themselves, successfully navigate contemporary society, and understand their communities through the study of art, design, photography, film, and art history.

Through a combination of inquiry, experiential learning, and communitywide symposia, our unique Emphasis Program challenges students to grow as they gain deeper knowledge of the world around them, develop passions, and try to solve real-world problems.

In his efforts to guide the Emphasis Program’s academic component, Mr. Guardado focuses on creating educational experiences and spaces that reward curiosity, celebrate innovation, and encourage collaboration. He has spent nearly 10 years implementing, managing, and facilitating educational programs at the Norton Simon Museum, the J. Paul Getty Museum, and LACMA. Mr. Klier works directly with teachers to develop units to infuse these skills and concepts into every course over four years of curriculum.

In addition to master’s degrees in English and library science, he relies on his extensive education experience at the college level.

Four expert teachers lead the program’s development and bring more than four decades of education experience: Sophia Beauvy, Manny Guardado, Bob Klier, and Oscar Navarro, each of whom manages one of the program’s key pillars. Ms.

6

Notre Dame Academy

“The symposium is a year-long space in which the NDA community can learn, converse, and act upon the important issues and ideas that we face,” said Ms. Beauvy. “It seeks to encourage curiosity, deep learning and critical analysis across the campus and supports our students’ journey through the Emphasis Program by mirroring a sustained inquiry.”

“Our primary goal of the program is to make a cultural shift at NDA in which students are experiencing an approach to education that enables them to look at academics through the context of real world challenges,” said Mr. Guardado. “It’s a community effort that will integrate gradual changes into every facet of the NDA experience.”

Student View Experiential learning complements the other two elements and offers students an opportunity to apply their growing skills beyond the classroom in a variety of industries. Oscar Navarro serves as a liaison between the campus and the corporate community, and trades on his extensive network established through his work as director of Innovation.

We focused on representation in the media for our first Symposium Day in October. In addition to small group discussions led by faculty on a wide variety of topics, the whole community enjoyed a keynote conversation with social media content creator (and TikTok influencer) Anna Sitar. Originally an engineering student, she discovered film and almost overnight her social media hobby became her full-time job. She encouraged students to stay grounded and “accept that you don’t have all the answers. We all have work to do...don’t be afraid to try something new.”

With our pilot year well underway, the entire NDA community is trying something new everyday in an effort to refine the Emphasis Program for the future. We look forward to our second schoolwide symposium day in the spring, when we will continue the exploration of media through various lenses while also offering different perspectives.

From Francesca Parodi ‘23 and Sayuri Nagai ‘23 This year, NDA students have had the exciting privilege of participating in the pilot Emphasis Program. A major part of this new program is an immersive, thought-provoking symposium experience. Our recent symposium dealt with critically analyzing the media that surrounds us, and we certainly had the opportunity to take this discussion to a deeper level. Throughout the day, NDA offered several unique workshops for media study, including (our personal favorite) “The Connection Between Media and Self Identity.” However, we also were tasked with conducting what was arguably the most exciting part of the day: an interview with guest speakers from several different media outlets. To be quite honest, we originally went into this experience with little idea of how to tackle such a feat - after all, how often is it that you have the chance to speak with such talented professionals in front of the entire school? Hoping to expose our audience to new thoughts and ideas, we outlined the following topics for the interview: the evolution and cycle of the media, the ethics of media production, steps for critically interpreting media, and the often discreet (and yet entirely present) influence of the media around us.

Then we gathered a team of researchers, editors, and writers from our recently established Speech and Debate Team, holding meetings with the symposium director and researching our guests to construct insightful, compelling questions. And in the end, our hard work undeniably paid off. The day was nothing short of a resounding success, offering unique and valuable experiences not just to us but to the entire student body.

Along with learning much about the media’s role in our lives, we also learned how to think on the spot and tailor the conversation to our guests. Overall, we are beyond grateful for this experience, and cannot wait to continue with more symposium events in the future!

BEYOND THE ACADEMY | Winter 2022

7

vision and leadership New Women in Business Club Revitalizes Entrepreneur Day

By Kelly Cobb ‘22, founder of Women in Business club In the Women in Business (WIB) club, aspiring business leaders explore opportunities in entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, and management.

Through interactive games and presentations, students expand their knowledge of what business entails, and the mechanics within a business. As a part of an entrepreneurship exploration, we created a fun competition where members collaborated in groups to start their own small business and sell their items at NDA’s Entrepreneur Day December 3. The artisan market featured a wide array of jewelry, pet accessories, food, stickers, and craft offerings all handmade by Regal entrepreneurs.

Throughout the year, WIB members build their confidence and prepare to take on the business world with collaborative activities that cultivate eloquence in public speaking. In addition, guest speakers share their experiences so that members gain reallife insight and advice on business. In the spring we will host a panel of female entrepreneurs to speak about how they started their own business. Our main goal is for members to find their place in the business world as strong and confident women.

8

Notre Dame Academy

faith, service and compassion Regals Reconnect on Retreats Notre Dame Academy students have always looked forward to spiritual retreats as a way to connect with each other and their faith. These events took on a new meaning this year, however, when they returned to their in-person format after many months of online classes and virtual events due to COVID-19.

“We wanted students to leave retreats feeling closer to Christ and with an awareness that God is with them through their friends, their classmates, their families, and that they are a cherished part of our community,” said Betsy Ward, director of Mission, campus minister, and theology teacher.

To strengthen that community bond, the campus ministry team and faculty members worked tirelessly to make sure that students had plenty of chances to spend time together and find their own place within the NDA sisterhood this year.

“Students had a need to connect with each other, so we wanted to hold a space for that as well as for their spiritual development,” says Amy Hickl, theology teacher and dean of Faculty.

Each class’ customized retreat combined fun activities, thoughtful conversations, and plenty of unstructured time to just hang out and make those connections outside of the usual school routine.

The freshmen listened to and reflected on talks older students gave about taking risks and embracing their unique gifts, messages that particularly resonated after transitioning into high school during such an unusual time. Sophomores enjoyed a Tangledthemed day that helped them identify people in their lives who could help them overcome obstacles, while the juniors centered self-care, prayer, and sisterhood through a show about mermaids called “H2O.” The entire senior class embarked on an NDA-designed retreat called Petra instead of splitting into two groups as they usually do for the Kairos retreat. Petra combined the most cherished elements of Kairos with new activities, like taking a prayer walk with a partner, to highlight students’ values, sense of self, and relationships with God and each other.

“Because the whole class was there, they had a chance to affirm each other in a really powerful way,” Ms. Ward said. “Coming together outside of the classroom, being together, having some good discussions, and praying together was really, really nurturing for them.”

BEYOND THE ACADEMY | Winter 2022

9

alum highlight Regal Sisters Connect In Media Kristen Rodriguez ’13 and Alyssa Sales ’04 didn’t attend Notre Dame Academy at the same time, but the school’s enduring sisterhood still connects them both.

The alumnae met when Kristen interviewed for a job on Alyssa’s team at NBC. Though they didn’t realize that they were fellow NDA graduates right away, Alyssa recognized something special in Kristen.

Alyssa Sales ‘04

“She had this enthusiasm about her, and she was so composed,” Alyssa said.

Soon after Kristen got the job, the two discovered their shared high school connection and the similarities between their NDA experiences. Both dedicated themselves to AP and honors classes, participated in sports—Kristen played soccer, while Alyssa ran track and cross country—and grew as part of the NDA community.

“Being at NDA, you didn’t have to worry about what people thought,” Kristen said. “I was excited to raise my hand in class, even if my answer might be wrong. It allowed me to just be myself.”

Kristen Rodriguez ‘13

Once they began working together at NBC, the Regal colleagues strengthened their bond and supported each other as they collaborated on publicity for “The Voice,” among other projects. Kristen credits Alyssa with teaching her everything she knows about public relations, and Alyssa admired Kristen’s work ethic and progress. They eventually parted ways when Alyssa moved on to a role at Peacock, NBC’s streaming service, but the separation was temporary.

In July 2021, Netflix recruited Alyssa to be its manager of series awards publicity for its unscripted and standup comedy category.

Soon after, a coordinator for unscripted series publicity role opened on her team, and she immediately referred Kristen for the job. Now they’re working and learning together again to develop and implement public relations strategies for this emerging category at Netflix.

“There was a really strong community at NDA, and I feel like it’s a testament to Kristen and me finding these connections and going on a similar path together,” Alyssa said.

10

Notre Dame Academy

The Making a Difference Scholarship Benefit provides the opportunity for our donors and community partners to support our commitment to providing an exemplary Catholic education to young women from all socio-economic backgrounds.

• 2021-22 Tuition is $20,650.

• NDA provides 33% of students with need-based tuition assistance ranging from $1,000 to $20,650; these students would have not been able to attend this year without the financial assistance.

• NDA awarded over $1 million in financial support for the 2021-2022 academic year.

• Since its inception in 2020, Making a Difference has provided almost $400,000 in tuition assistance.

Tuition assistance allows us to continue offering a seat to those who desire and deserve a challenging, nurturing, and safe educational experience regardless of ability to pay. This year’s event is our first time celebrating together in person as we support tuition assistance. We hope you will join us with fellow alumnae, past and current parents, and friends!

Maria Ruiz ‘22 2022 Student Speaker

Christine Bertero Landis ‘65 2022 St. Julie Billiart Making a Difference Award Recipient

Learn more and RSVP at academy.ndasla.org/giving/making-a-difference Bonnie Abaunza ‘82 Keynote Speaker

“To all of the benefactors out there, I personally thank you for your generosity and assure you that your dollars are at work - and for a phenomenal cause, at that! This financial support eases the burden placed on families in need and maintains a quality high school education like the one offered at NDA.”

“I would not have been able to attend NDA without the financial support of our generous donors. Because of this I have been able to receive a top tier education, as well as a lifelong learning experience, particularly in the areas of service, faith, and leadership.”

- Alondra Bailon-Garnica ‘21, Making a Difference 2021 Student Speaker

- Cristina Cuellar ‘00, Making a Difference 2021 Keynote Speaker BEYOND THE ACADEMY | Winter 2022

11

class notes We want to hear from you! Advanced degree? Career change? New baby? Send us your class notes! Submit your updates at alumnae.academy.ndasla.org/page/ class-notes.

If you prefer to email us, you can send your news to Giuliana Battaglini ’13, director of advancement and alumnae engagement (gbattaglini@ndala.com). We can’t wait to hear from you!

Janet Kolhoff Quilici ‘62 is retired and keeps busy with volunteer activities. She is registered to do volunteer Medicare counseling and is on the board of the local city-owned art gallery.

Jan is busy writing her memoir as well as facilitating a memoir writing group for the local virtual senior village of which she is a member. She loves bicycling, and finds it especially important during the pandemic.

Elena (Padilla) O’Shea ‘83 is a grandma! Introducing Winifred Marie Andujar (12/27/2020), born to Erin O’Shea-Andujar ‘08 and Nicholas Andujar, and Harper Evangeline O’Shea (07/02/2021), born to Angelina Guido O’Shea ‘11 and Joseph O’Shea.

Julie Woodson ‘98 is a LMFT in CA and TX and owns a group practice in Palos Verdes. She is a doctoral candidate at NCU and was just published in AAMFT Family Therapy Magazine on arthritis and family dynamics. She is also launching a new school-based mental health program for her dissertation called Thrive. She specializes in chronic illness/pain and trauma.

Kaylee Hage’s ‘13 fiance Joseph proposed in November on the beaches of Hawaii!

After 10 years at NDA, Bri Berlin ‘05 is now the Associate Principal at Notre Dame Academy Elementary!

Meredith Yinger ‘11 married Cole Trezek on November 6, 2021. Her wedding was filled with NDA alumnae! There to celebrate the happy couple were Kristin Yinger ‘09, Julia Farina ‘11, Alyssa Kennedy ‘11, Mallory Rawson ‘12, and Madeline Friess ‘09.

Marisa Guerra ‘12 is the founder of Marisa Bakes, an online baking blog where she shares fun recipes and baking tutorials.

Based in Los Angeles, she is a self-taught baker that develops, tests, photographs, and shares each recipe on her site. Check out www.marisabakes.com or @ marisabakes on Instagram and Pinterest for the latest recipes.

Yvonne Vasquez Morales ‘93 and Ricka Kelsch, former NDA dance teacher, reconnected when Ricka’s nonprofit organization, Dance and Dialogue, partnered with Wisdom Elementary in South Los Angeles where Yvonne is the principal. Mayor Garcetti recognized Dance and Dialogue on December 17, 2021.

“I LOVED all my years of teaching at NDA. The dance studio was built to accommodate the growing program I created, which I am so proud of. I will always hold my memories of the 20+ years I spent at NDA close to my heart! This is the legacy of NDA…of us who once walked the halls and now continue to uphold the values instilled in the students by teachers and administrators.” - Ricka Kelsch

12

Notre Dame Academy

in memoriam Giuliana Battaglini ‘13 is engaged to her college sweetheart, Michael! Go Bruins!

Tyler Vicknair ‘13 was selected to serve as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) CoChampion for the Southern California region of Point B, a consulting company.

Please remember the following alumnae in your prayers.

As of this publication, we have noted the “In Memoriam” notifications received between July 10, 2021 and December 15, 2021. Those received after that date will appear in our next issue of Beyond the Academy.

Diane (Towle) Marshall ‘53 Teresa(Quick) Lewis ‘55 Michele (Smith) Makagon ‘60 Katherine Margaret Richey ‘64 Patricia Osuna ‘64 Deirdre (Flannery) Gollop ‘65 Carmen (Morin) Campos ‘74 Please also remember Carmen Baltierra, formerly Sister Mary Thadine, SND.

Annie Cipiti ‘12 is enjoying her work as a senior administrative coordiator in alumni and parent engagement at Loyola Marymount University. She’s also studying for her Masters in Educational Studies.

upcoming events Kathryn (Godleiwski) Valverde ‘14 welcomed her daughter Clara in October 2021. Welcome, future Regal!

Giulia Marsella ‘15 is currently a first-year student at Duke University pursuing her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. This is also her first year living outside of LA. The fall colors and chilly weather in Durham, North Carolina have been treating her well. As she progresses in this program, she is excited to reach a better understanding of which patient populations she wants to treat— pelvic health, neurological, performing arts, and pediatric PT are all intriguing avenues to take!

Plan now for an in-person reunion on June 4, 2022, for the Classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972! Celebrate 50+ years of memories and serve as the Honor Guard for the Class of 2022! Connect before the event by joining your class page on NDA Connect (alumnae.academy. ndasla.org).

BEYOND THE ACADEMY | Winter 2022

13

2851 Overland Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90064 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

upcoming events Dance Workshop February 26, 2022

Baccalaureate Mass June 3, 2022

Godspell Musical March 31-April 3, 2022

Graduation June 4, 2022

Making a Difference Benefit May 7, 2022

Reunion June 4, 2022

Parents of Alumni If your daughter no longer resides at your home, please notify us of her new mailing address at gbattaglini@ndala.com.

Annual Dance Concert May 14, 2022

FOLLOW US:

@NDALA NOTREDAMEACADEMYLOSANGELES

310-839-5289