UPDATE Magazine: Winter 2022

WINTER 2022

Cutting-edge Technology for the Study of Anatomy

Letter from the President Dear Alumnae, Families and Friends of Saint Joseph Academy,

3470 Rocky River Drive • Cleveland, Ohio 44111 216.251.6788 • www.sja1890.org

UPDATE is published by Saint Joseph Academy for alumnae, parents/guardians and friends. Contributors to this issue of UPDATE include Maureen Fallon Adler ’79, Cheryl Arnold, Alison Barberic ’01, Maggie Berry ’10, Kathy Flinn, Diana Fogarty, Brent George, Hannah Hill ’16, Erin Hoffert, Fred Kieser, Mickie Matheis P’22, Laura McCarty Waryk ’07, Dan Mitoff, Melissa Murphy, Carolyn Conway Novak ’06, Tammi Olle P’12 & ’23, Brian Patton, Jodi Prolizo, Kathryn Purcell, Julie Schuler, Constance S. Sipple, CFRE, Tammy Sparks, Jeff Sutliff, Rebecca Synk P’22 & ’25 and Dr. Jessica Wrobleski.

Photography courtesy is extended to the following: Al Fuchs Photography, Renee Brickman ’91, Mary Jane Christyson N’75, Downie Photography, Valerie Gage Photography/Stephanie Gorsek-Clark ’14, Judy Ghazoul Hilow ’81, EMBA, CNM, Nicole Jamieson ’16, Lifetouch/Prestige Photography, Laura McCarty Waryk ’07, PhotoDAC/David Cleveland, Ripcho Studios, Rising Star Photography/ Natalie Miller Hintz ’16, Rebecca Synk P’22 & ’25, Trevor Holden Photography/Erica Uhler ’14 and Dr. Jessica Wrobleski.

For more information, please contact Marketing Communications Director Cheryl Arnold at 216.251.6788 ext. 217 or carnold@sja1890.org.

MISSION Saint Joseph Academy, rooted in the spirituality of the Congregation of St. Joseph, fosters unifying relationships with God and all creation, empowers each young woman to achieve academic excellence and inspires a life of compassionate leadership and service in a global society.

On the Cover: Joselyn White ’24 (daughter of Jennifer White ’01) and Caroline Favetti ’25 using the HoloAnatomy® Software Suite.

• N – Nazareth alumna • T – St. Therese alumna • P – Parent of SJA student • † – Deceased

Recently, at the big rivalry volleyball game between our beloved Jaguars and our sisters across the bridge, I stood in their visitor bleachers after the opening prayers waiting for the start of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” There was a long pause and no music. Then, from the SJA student section of the bleachers, I heard our young women begin to sing. Almost immediately, the entire crowd joined in, and we all sang the national anthem loudly and proudly together. I was not surprised at all that our students broke the uncomfortable silence with their voices. They are leaders and doers.

They assess and respond to situations. They act. I hope that as you read this issue of UPDATE, you will see examples of this leadership, problem-solving and service to the dear neighbor. There are examples of both our students and our alumnae serving and leading in a myriad of ways.

The start of the school year has been joyous. We warmly embraced our Class of 2026, new transfer students, faculty and staff and introduced them to the start of the school year traditions. There have already been numerous retreats, field trips and service opportunities. Athletics and Performing Arts are practicing and preparing for their big events and performances. School is truly back in full swing, and we are thrilled!

With the “Character of a Saint Joseph Academy Graduate’’ attribute of Personal Integrity as our theme this year, our community has been engaged in thoughtful dialogue about what it means to live with integrity in all areas of one’s life. At an adult retreat this fall, we focused on wellness as an aspect of personal integrity. It invigorated us to find other ways to help our students focus on this area of their lives as well. Our Wellness Curriculum offers our students a wide-range of opportunities for growth, reflection, fun and engagement. I am proud of this program, as it aims to address their physical, social and emotional needs.

In addition, we are constantly looking to the future and assessing the academic needs of our students as they relate to the world beyond the Academy. We continue to seek out the best opportunities for learning, collaboration and experimentation. You will read about the HoloAnatomy® Software Suite that we now utilize through a partnership with Case Western Reserve University that is not only a top-ranking university but is one of the top medical research universities in the United States. While wearing the Microsoft HoloLens 2 headset, students are immersed into a mixed reality system that enables a hologram to be viewed in a dynamic learning environment. The HoloAnatomy® Software Suite allows our students to view the human body, its system and organs through the system and to engage with one another as they investigate and explore anatomy in a way that was previously not possible.

Select universities across the country have recently started using this new technology in their medical programs. We are thrilled to be the only high school to have this technology and offer it, in addition to the Anatomage Table, as yet another learning tool to help prepare students for healthcare careers. It is such a wonderful opportunity for deep learning!

As the Christmas season is here and 2023 is on the horizon, we look forward to time for prayer and reflection, to opportunities to serve the dear neighbor and to celebrate with our loved ones. Please know that we are incredibly grateful for you and for your support of our mission and values, and that we take seriously our job to educate and prepare the future compassionate leaders of this world. What could possibly be more important?

May you and your family have a blessed and peaceful holiday season.

With gratitude,

Kathryn H. Purcell

Students Honored with National Recognition for Academic Achievements

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ongratulations to five students from the Class of 2023 and two students from the Class of 2024 who have been named with honors through the 2021 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/ NMSQT®).

Seniors Alicia Blouch (sister of Katelyn Blouch ’21), Emma McConnell and Alexia Wenzel are Semifinalists in the 68th annual National Merit® Scholarship Program, which included over 16,000 Semifinalists nationwide. The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, including the highest scoring entrants in each state.

With this honor, these young women now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,250 National Merit® Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring.

Seniors Kailey Aldrich and Theresa Kratt (daughter of Catherine Waters Kratt ’87) were named Commended Scholars in the National Merit® Scholarship Program. This year, about 34,000 Commended Scholars throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.

Commended Scholars placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the program by taking the 2021 PSAT/NMSQT®.

The College Board National Recognition Program has honored Senior Alicia Blouch and Junior Maria Tracy as National Hispanic Recognition Program Awardees and Junior Laurien Palmer as a National African American Recognition Program Awardee.

Each year, the College Board National Recognition Program recognizes students who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have excelled on the 2021 PSAT/NMSQT® or PSAT 10, or earned a score of 3 or higher on two or more AP® Exams; and are African American or Black, Hispanic American or Latinx, Indigenous and/or attend school in a rural area or small town.

Alicia Blouch ’23 Semifinalist & College Board National Hispanic Recognition Scholar Middle School: Avon Middle School Parish: Holy Trinity Plans to Apply to: Boston University and Northeastern University Career Interests: STEM/Engineering Emma McConnell ’23 Semifinalist Middle School: Holy Trinity School Parish: Holy Trinity Plans to Apply to: Boston College, Boston University, Case Western Reserve University, Miami University and The Ohio State University Career Interests: History or Biology Alexia Wenzel ’23 Semifinalist Middle School: Menlo Park Academy Parish: United Church of Christ Plans to Apply to: Duquesne University, Case Western Reserve University, The Ohio State University and the University of Pittsburgh Career Interests: Health Sciences Kailey Aldrich ’23 Commended Scholar Middle School: Olmsted Falls Middle School Parish: St. Mary of the Falls Plans to Apply to: Purdue University, University of Cincinnati, University of Michigan and University of Rochester Career Interests: Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Theresa Kratt ’23 Commended Scholar Middle School: Our Lady of Angels Parish: Our Lady of Angels Plans to Apply to: Case Western Reserve University, The Ohio State University, University of Michigan, University of Notre Dame and Xavier University Career Interests: Global Studies and Public Health Laurien Palmer ’24 College Board National African American Recognition Scholar Middle School: Lee Burneson Middle School Parish: St. Ladislas Career Interests: Chemistry or Economics Maria Tracy ’24 College Board National Hispanic Recognition Scholar Middle School: Rocky River Middle School Parish: St. Angela Merici Career Interests: Computer Science

L-R Back Row: Alexia Wenzel, Theresa Kratt, Alicia Blouch, Emma McConnell L-R Front Row: Laurien Palmer, Kailey Aldrich, Maria Tracy

Saint Joseph Academy WINTER 2022

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Class of 2026 Joins Our Community!

The Class of 2026 has numerous grandmother, mother, stepmother and sister legacy connections listed below.

Emily Baird (sister of Chloe Knowles ’22), Claire Barendt (sister of Rachel Barendt ’15, Natalie Barendt ’18 and Sarah Barendt ’20), Mary Dial (granddaughter of Rosina McGarrity Dial ’56, daughter of Anne Faulhammer Dial ’86 and sister of Catherine Dial ’21), Angela Drabik (daughter of Katie Shalek- Drabik ’92), Meghan Dulik (sister of Samantha Dulik ’21), Alaina Gardner (granddaughter of Betty Ann Distefan Fergus ’47 and Patriciann McNulty Gardner ’52, daughter of Laureen Fergus Gardner ’88 and sister of Shannon Gardner ’22), Madalyn Geisler (great granddaughter of Virginia Delgaudio Reynolds ’58, granddaughter of Karen Reynolds Reddy ’81 and daughter of Kelleen Reddy ’05), Brooke Haddad (sister of Ava Haddad ’22), Elizabeth Holtz (sister of Victoria Holtz ’20), Julia Houghtling (daughter of Marie Roth Houghtling ’87), Brigid Hyland (sister of Mary Hyland ’17), Catherine Hyland (granddaughter

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Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

of Marge McNeeley Harkness ’60 and sister of Brigid Hyland ’20), Jayci Janison (daughter of Cheryl Bauer Janison ’98), Hero Kate (sister of Htoo Htoo Thaw ’20), Brianna Kazy (sister of Mackenzie Kazy ’18 and Nora Kazy ’22), Mallory Kenning (granddaughter of Helen Fox Curtin ’44), Eva Kohler (granddaughter of Denise Tinnirello Chomoa ’78, daughter of Angela Brown ’07 and stepdaughter of Angela Choma Kohler ’07), Lucy Lepore (sister of Mary Lepore ’22), Eve Lewis (sister of Olivia Heidorf ’17), Grace Ljubi (daughter of Michele Haas Ljubi ’80, sister of Colleen Chambers ’12 and Molly Chambers ’17), Emma Loepp (daughter of Karen Canty Loepp ’81), Daniela Luna (daughter of Gabriela Luna-Galindo ’81), Adley Mack (granddaughter of Lucille DeCrane Mack ’71), Martina Maline (sister of Madeline Maline ’21 and Margaret Maline ’22), Lucy McBride (daughter of Rhonda Verchick McBride ’91), Vivien McLaughlan (daughter of Kathleen Madigan McLaughlan ’97), Ellen Mingus (granddaughter of Coletta Kahl Mulloy ’64 and sister of Erin Mingus ’21), Elizabeth

Montag (daughter of Terese Montag ’85), Samantha Moore (sister of Vanessa Moore ’21), Navene Myslenski (granddaughter of Joan Vavrus Wheeler ’65), Theresa Natt (sister of Margaret Natt ’22), Chloe Norris (granddaughter of Marie RooneyNorris ’62 and sister of Renee Norris ’16), Lillian Owens (granddaughter of Rose Marie Mezera Sahlica ’62 and daughter of Maria Mezera Owens ’86), Madeline Pierce (granddaughter of Shirley Wagner Pierce ’63), Nicole Robinson (daughter of Dawn Heipp Robinson ’86), Katherine Sandy (granddaughter of Linda McGinty Hyland ’68), Megan Sandy (granddaughter of Linda McGinty Hyland ’68), Marilyn Smith (sister of Allison Smith ’22), Francesca Sowinski (sister of Gabriella Sowinski ’18 and Victoria Sowinski ’21), Jaime Stutzman (sister of Jenna Stutzman ’22 and Mia Stutzman ’22), Natalya Takach (granddaughter of Mary Beth Hill Page ’82), Libby Weiss (sister of Emma Jean Weiss ’19), Addison Wolverton (granddaughter of Kathleen Korosi Reid ’80), Alaina Zagaria (daughter of Nicole Zagaria ’93)

The Class of 2026 Experiences Its First Tradition

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n August 24, students, faculty and staff welcomed 172 members of the Class of 2026 into the Saint Joseph Academy community through the Freshman Rose Ceremony. Each member of the Class of 2026 was handed a yellow rose by either Principal Mr. Jeff Sutliff or President Mrs. Kathryn Purcell and then were warmly welcomed honor guard style by the Academy community.

Roses have a special meaning to Saint Joseph Academy. Freshmen receive a yellow rose (which symbolizes joy and friendship) during their Freshman Rose Ceremony, signifying the start of their journey at the Academy. Students will then receive a single red rose their Junior year at the Upperclass Induction/Junior Ring Ceremony, signifying their transition to becoming upperclasswomen. As Seniors, students will receive a bouquet of red roses (which symbolizes appreciation and respect) to carry during their “Walk of the Roses” ceremony, signifying the end of their high school journey and graduation from the Academy.

Fun Facts

about the Class of 2026

Most common first name is

Abigail

4 students have

hyphenated 10

last names

different languages other than English spoken at home 38 different

zip codes represented

56 different

grade schools represented

L-R: Maya Lesu ’26, Clare Grady ’26 and Gabriela Vanegas ’26

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Creating A Community of Belonging for the Class of 2026

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hen Freshmen start their high school journey at Saint Joseph Academy, the community wants each member of the class to feel valued, seen, heard and that she belongs. Traditions and programs are designed to ease their transition into high school and to build relationships with their peers and faculty members. Freshman Welcome is one of those traditions.

On September 30, the Class of 2026 was officially welcomed by the Class of 2023 in an annual tradition of Freshman Welcome. This Senior-led tradition creates a bond between the two classes as Seniors help Freshmen transition to Academy life.

During the day’s Activity Blocks,

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that have been influenced by the love and service from the CSJs and pass it onto the Freshmen to find their own path at SJA.” Freshman Jasmine Chen shared this reflection on her Freshman Welcome experience. “I thought Freshman Welcome was really exciting, and I had a lot of fun.

Seniors and Freshmen don’t get to spend a lot of time together usually, so I had a lot of fun getting to know them. I look forward to all the opportunities I’ll have to get to know my new classmates and upperclasswomen this year!”

In addition to traditions like the Freshman Rose Ceremony and Freshman Welcome, Saint Joseph Academy helps members of the Freshman class transition from middle school to high school through the School Counseling team. Ms. Maryann Marek and Mrs. Nora Walsh provide a proactive versus a reactive approach to ensuring the success of the young women.

Both personally work with and regularly interact with each member of the Class of 2026 on study skills, self-awareness, personal growth and the beginning of post-secondary planning. At various times throughout the school year, the entire Freshman class will gather for mentoring programs during Activity Blocks led by the School Counseling team.

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the Auditorium was transformed into an underwater tunnel for the “Under the Sea’’ theme with Freshmen running through to the cheers, claps and whistles of Seniors.

After the last Freshman ran through the tunnel, all Seniors and Freshmen sat together on the floor to watch a skit by the Senior Leadership Team. Following the skit, a dance party broke out with students dancing and jumping together.

Senior Margaret Dalton shared this reflection on the tradition, “As a Senior, Freshman Welcome is kind of a bittersweet day. It was the first big event that our class took part in as Seniors and was a fun beginning to our last year at SJA. It’s a blast getting the chance to know and connect with the Freshmen and make a lasting impact on them to feel like a part of SJA! When I was a Freshman, I don’t think I truly understood the influence of tradition at SJA. Participating in Freshman Welcome honestly made me feel so loved. I wasn’t just a Freshman in the Class of 2023, but I was a woman in the SJA community.

In my past four years here at SJA, the feeling of tradition that started with the CSJs has been woven into the hearts of our student body. It is so exciting to be immersed in the traditions at SJA

Members of the Class of 2023 and 2026

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Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

Class of 2024 Celebrates the Tradition of the Upperclass Induction/Junior Ring Ceremony

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n October 20, 168 members of the Class of 2024 celebrated the beloved tradition of being recognized by the Academy community and their parents/guardians as Saint Joseph Academy upperclasswomen. President Mrs. Kathryn Purcell provided each upperclasswoman with her chosen ring and Principal Mr. Jeff Sutliff provided each with a red rose.

Science Teacher and Department Chair Mrs. Jessica Carny was elected by the class as the teacher speaker. In her speech, Mrs. Carny asked the class, “So, what will you remember about this moment? I hope you remember the people that you experience it with, what the ring on your finger signifies, maybe even this speech. You will have so many more special moments in your life.”

Amelia Borisa ’24 shared this reflection of the tradition.

“This was the first time since COVID-19 that the entire school was there. As we walked in and took our seats, it truly felt like graduation that will be happening next school year. We asked Science Teacher Mrs. Jessica Carny to give a speech to all of us. One thing I took away from her speech was ‘how will you use all of your moments.’ This really stuck out to me because we only have a year and a half left of high school. As we all start looking for a college, I know we will all think about this ceremony and how much as a class we were in unity together. And maybe all of our rings don’t match, but receiving a red rose signified us as a community and as a class.”

L-R: Back row: Frances McBride, Kaelin Alfonso, Abaeny Dek, Catherine Lally and Bianca Gehring L-R: Front row: Sadie Urso Kriska, Elizabeth Zuchold and Maya Antonetti

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L-R: Abigail Konjura, Margaret Morscher and Shannon Joyce

Students Accepted to Prestigious Cleveland Musical Programs If you have an opportunity to attend a 2022-2023 season performance of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra (COYO) or the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony (CYWS), you may hear the musical talents of a few Saint Joseph Academy students.

Shannon Joyce ’23 was accepted to both COYO and CYWS as

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Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

a clarinetist. Margaret Morscher ’24 and Abigail Konjura ’25 (granddaughter of Alice Gerba Haught ’63) were accepted into CYWS as a trumpeter and a flutist respectively. These students will also share their musical talents in Saint Joseph Academy’s performances during the school year.

Mrs. Tammy Sparks Wins OAEA Award & Continues to Foster Students’ Talents

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isual Arts Teacher and Department Chair Mrs. Tammy Sparks was named an Ohio Art Education Association (OAEA) Outstanding Art Teacher for 2022.

OAEA is a service organization dedicated to helping promote art education. Its mission is to “build a community for visual art educators by promoting professional growth and leadership” among visual arts educators, professors, researchers, scholars, teaching artists, administrators, supervisors and art museum educators.

OAEA consists of eight regions in Ohio with each region awarding up to three teachers for the Outstanding Art Teacher award each year. Mrs. Sparks is one of three teachers receiving this award in the Northeast region. She was nominated for the award by a former colleague, with Principal Mr. Jeff Sutliff and Visual Arts Teacher Mrs. Beth Pleban providing letters of support.

“I think it’s great to receive this award but everything I do as an art educator is to help my students recognize their gifts and talents while helping them develop an appreciation for the Arts,” Mrs. Sparks said.

Mrs. Sparks continues to encourage her students to show their artistic talents to others.

This fall, the OAEA’s Emerging Artist High School Show accepted 16 students’ artwork for display and Senior Carmela DiLisi’s piece entitled, Right Out of the Bag was selected as part of the Ohio House of Representatives High School Student Art Exhibit to be on display in the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts from fall 2022 to spring 2024.

Principal Mr. Jeff Sutliff provided the following recommendation of Mrs. Sparks, “As a visionary educator, Tammy has consistently demonstrated a unique ability to identify and foster the unique gifts of

her students and colleagues while leading the development and implementation of a series of programs and initiatives. Under her leadership, our Visual Arts Program has been a model for creative collaboration, service learning and experiential learning.”

A recent example of Mrs. Sparks’ continued passion and persistence for promoting the Arts is the bottle cap mural located in the courtyard. Creation of the mural began in the fall 2018, but was not able to be unveiled to the community until fall 2022. Even a global pandemic could not stop Mrs. Sparks and the Art Club from finishing this piece.

Mrs. Sparks joined Saint Joseph Academy during the 2014-15 school year. She currently teaches Art I, Art II, Art III, 3D Design and AP® Studio Art. She also is the moderator for the Art Club, National Art Honor Society (NAHS) and Makers Club.

Mrs. Tammy Sparks and the bottle cap mural

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Another Collegiate-level Learning Tool for the Academy:

Yuxin (Lucy) Ye ’24 using the HoloAnatomy® Software Suite

S

tepping into Science Teacher Mr. Fred Kieser’s classroom, you might think you have been transported into the future.

This classroom features the most state-of–theart technology for studying anatomy - the same that students participating in college/ university medical programs use.

In 2018, Saint Joseph Academy enhanced its learning experience for students interested in health sciences with the introduction of the Anatomage Table.

This 3-D visualization and dissection tool took studying body systems to a new level, and the Academy was the first in Northeast Ohio to offer this experience at the high school level. The Academy’s commitment to providing preparation for college studies didn’t end there. Last spring, the Academy acquired the Microsoft HoloLens 2 headsets with HoloAnatomy® Software Suite not found in any other high school in the world!

The HoloAnatomy® Software Suite is 8

Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

a 3-D mixed reality solution created by Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), featuring the Microsoft HoloLens 2 that allows students to isolate and study parts of the human anatomy in ways that offer the detail and simulated experience previously only available when working on cadavers.

The HoloAnatomy® Software Suite was integrated in Mr. Kieser’s Honors Anatomy and Physiology class beginning in early 2022 as an additional learning tool to the Academy’s state-of-the-art Anatomage Table, a 3-D visualization and dissection tool that creates a simulated anatomy, pathology and surgical planning experience through 8,000 images that encourage students to isolate body systems and turn body parts to see cross-sections. The HoloAnatomy® Software Suite offers an additional benefit for students to study anatomy in a visual and spatial format. Through customized shared views in mixed reality, students can further

isolate body systems and move entirely around and through them.

Picture this: students put on one of seven Microsoft HoloLens 2 headsets. Mr. Kieser also has a headset and pulls up a detailed, 3-D image of the human brain. He invites students to walk around the brain.

He asks them to zoom in on sections to isolate and study specific areas of the brain and how it works with other systems.

“The HoloAnatomy® application gives students the 3-D perspective that they can’t get from websites, videos and textbooks.

It clearly demonstrates the relationship between structures by providing depth and angles that can be very important to learning,” Mr. Kieser said. “With constant exposure to screens and technology, today’s students are more visual learners than ever. The HoloAnatomy® application taps right into this strength by giving students something concrete we can all recall when challenged with retrieving information.”

Susan (Susie) McGowan ’23 has appreciated how the HoloAnatomy® Software Suite allows her to bring what is sometimes a difficult concept to life. “HoloAnatomy® gives me the unique ability to see all angles of the body and conceptually understand how it works to function as a whole.”

According to CWRU, medical students who used the HoloAnatomy® Software Suite in a pilot program discovered they learned material twice as fast compared to traditional dissection. A study published by the journal, Medical Science Educator, indicated that the software required 40% less classroom time to cover the required learning compared to dissection.

Alivia Griwatch ’23 shared her experience using this using the HoloAnatomy® Software Suite. “This new technology greatly impacts my learning perspective and ability to understand and apply concepts,” she said. “This is due to the fact that seeing perhaps intangible aspects and enlarged, 3-D representations of topics provides a unique perspective and ultimately deepens my learning to a great extent.”

HoloAnatomy

®

Software Suite

L-R: Carly Cushing ’23, Margaret Molnar ’23 and Science Teacher Mr. Fred Kieser

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Cultivating Cultural Understanding In October, the community welcomed four international students from Guatemala into the Academy. The students stayed with their Academy host students through December 7. Working with the Faces & Our Cultures Program, our new community members will help to broaden our students’ world perspectives about Latin America, specifically Guatemala.

L-R Mary Tompkins ‘25 (daughter of Catherine Corrigan Tompkins ‘87, sister of Cecilia Tompkins ‘19), Sofía Castillo, Jenna Nejman ‘25, (María) Regina Schottler, Katie Hansen ‘23, Daniela López Not available at time of photograph: Elizabeth Tobón ‘23 and Alexia Tormo

PRINCIPAL’S CORNER: Jesus teaches us in the Gospels, “Whatever you do for the least of my brothers and sisters, you do for me” (Matthew 25:40).

Service to the dear neighbor is fundamental to every member of the Saint Joseph Academy community. When our Sisters founded our Academy 132 years ago, they empowered future generations to create a world more unified, more whole – a world where all of God’s creation can reach its full potential.

Our own Sisters of St. Joseph were part of a wave of service – tens of thousands of American women in religious orders devoted their lives to a consecrated vocation.

The Sisters established schools, hospitals, safe and warm places for the homeless and hungry and built the United States into a country where immigrants from around the world and migrants from the plantations of the Deep South could 10

Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

find a cordial reception. The Sisters were leaders in making the American land of opportunity. Most importantly, they established a tradition of service so that future generations are inspired to carry on the work they had begun.

And today, our students carry on that work through service to the dear neighbor without distinction. They tutor children, visit the elderly, comfort the sick, support parish activities and prepare and serve meals; like the Sisters before them, our students seek to meet the unmet needs of the day.

As members of the Academy community, we are challenged to learn and live the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph. We are often reminded to “serve the dear neighbor” – our first Vice President of Mission, Phyllis DiFuccia SSJ, taught me an important second part of the teaching – the complete phrase is “serve the dear neighbor without distinction.” This second part of the phrase adds a great deal of richness and wisdom.

If we embrace the challenge to serve the dear neighbor without distinction, we are

reminded that we serve not because of who THEY are but because of WHO we are.

In fact, when we serve the dear neighbor without distinction there is no THEY. We are ONE. We serve the dear neighbor without distinction not because they are poor and we are privileged, or they are sick and we are healthy, or they are hungry and we are fed - but because we are one. If we live distinct and apart from our dear neighbors, we are incomplete – we are not whole – we are not who we are created to be.

Recall a time when you have connected with another person through an act of service. Hold that memory in your mind and how it felt to form that relationship.

That feeling of connection with another person, that experience of fullness, of wholeness, of completeness and of unity.

There is no I, you, he, she or they. There was only a WE. That is what service to the dear neighbor without distinction means.

Twenty-Seven Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion Commissioned

Isabella Bellini ’23 distributes Holy Communion

On September 21, the entire school community gathered for a Commissioning Mass at which 27 members of the Class of 2023 were commissioned as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. For the first time, in the presence of their families and friends, these Seniors distributed Holy Communion to the Academy community.

Congratulations to the following Seniors: Isabella Bellini, Lauren Blakely (granddaughter of Sheelah Novak Glovna ’58), Kate Boland (sister of Mary Boland ’17, Celia Boland ’19 and Bridget Boland ’21), Hannah Caruso, Caroline Darrah, Kate DiCapua (sister of Sarah DiCapua ’21), Audrey Dinger, Annie Dubecky, Deirdre Fanning, Suzanna Fernandez, Alivia Griwatch, Mia Hazard, Shannon Joyce, Mackenzie Koeth (sister of Elizabeth Koeth ’21), Theresa Kratt (daughter of Catherine

Waters Kratt ’87), Lily Kuebler, Marina Mastantouno, Clare McCarthy, Molly Mennen (sister of Megan Mennen ’21), Isabel Merriman-Velez, Sophia Mrosko, Kelsey Niehaus (granddaughter of Kay Koch Niehaus ’51), Coral Riegler, Elizabeth Safran, Julia Scheatzle, Paige Schilens and Elizabeth Tobón.

Now commissioned, these students are able to distribute Holy Communion at all school Masses and in Masses at their home parishes.

Hannah Caruso ’23 shared her reflection on this special occasion, “..the Commissioning Mass was sentimental and memorable. It was very special to me that I was able to share such an important event with my family and friends who were there to support me. I am thankful to have been offered an opportunity where I can become a Eucharistic Minister.”

Members of the Class of 2023 commissioned as Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

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LIVING THE MISSION Students Embody the Charism through Service to the Dear Neighbor

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fter a two year pause due to COVID-19, service trips returned for Saint Joseph Academy students.

Service immersion trips offer students an opportunity to “serve the dear neighbor” beyond their local community, deepen

Ava Kappler ’23 (great niece of Kathryn Thomas, CSJ ’65) reading a story to a child

their faith and reflect on their past and current service experiences while building relationships with others.

This past summer, Saint Joseph Academy students participated in service trips to Kermit and Wheeling, West Virginia.

Eleven students traveled to Kermit, West Virginia to work with Affirming, Believing, Learning and Empowering (ABLE) Families, a non-profit, faith-based agency created by the Sisters of the Congregation of Saint Joseph of Wheeling in 1995. During the fiveday trip to one of the most socioeconomically disadvantaged areas in the United States, students lead a children’s day camp. Students planned an ocean adventure themed week for the 30 campers consisting of educational and physical activities.

Students shared these reflections about the Kermit service trip: “As I was making my high school decision, I had cousins and friends mention their Kermit experience,” Deirdre Fanning

’23 said. “They talked to me about how special and impactful the experience was for them, and I wanted to experience something that impactful and special too! I heard many things like ‘building relationships,’ ‘living in the shoes of others’ and ‘being so happy.’

I knew even before stepping foot into the halls at Saint Joe’s that it was something I wanted to do.”

“Seeing these kids be happy about the little things really made my mindset change,” Carly Cushing ’23 (sister of Kady Cushing ’19) said. “Just a trip to a park or simple water balloons put smiles on these kids’ faces which was very eye opening. It made me think about the little things that I can be grateful for.”

The summer of 2022 marked the first service trip to Wheeling, West Virginia.

Seven students learned about sustainable food systems and integral ecology while serving the dear neighbor.

Students shared these reflections about

Planting a garden in Wheeling, West Virginia

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Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

Seeking Wholeness “It cannot be emphasized enough how everything is interconnected.”

A Julia Olle ’23 (sister of Jessica Olle Francis ’12) performing a science experiment for the children

the Wheeling service trip: “I learned how much service can bring people together,” Rachel Garlock ’24 (daughter of Jill Satanek Garlock ’92) said.

“Seeing how close the people in Wheeling were to each other was really special. It was really eye opening that a place that is filled with poverty and homelessness can be so positive and have so many special and personal relationships.”

“I always envisioned myself doing a service trip in high school and this one seemed really well suited for me,” Theresa Kratt ’23 said. “I am interested in health issues, nutrition, environmental conservation and how all of these ideas relate to my faith.

The Wheeling trip incorporated all of this, as well as direct service with organizations working to improve people’s lives in the Wheeling region.”

“I didn’t have any prior knowledge about food deserts and how impactful they are to entire communities, so that was a big takeaway for me coming back from this service trip,” Fiona Ross ’24 (daughter of Bridget Monroe Ross ’96 and sister of Maeve Ross ’22) said. “I also learned a lot about the poverty in Wheeling and about how a lot of the negative stereotypes and statistics surrounding the area stem from the lack of nutritional food and the economic disadvantages in the area.”

(Pope Francis)

s a Saint Joseph Academy community, each school year we highlight one of the qualities in “The Character of a Saint Joseph Academy Graduate” through our summer reading selections and other activities. In 20222023 our focus is Personal Integrity, which invites us to focus on honesty, courage and the discovery of one’s unique gifts, as well as “valuing the wellness of body, mind and spirit.”

The word “integrity” comes from the Latin root integritas, “the state of being whole and not divided.” Just as an “integer” is a whole number without fractions or divisions, a person of integrity lives from the awareness that there is an essential relationship between the various aspects of her life: between her physical and mental health, between her spirituality and her social life and between her behavior in one context and the person that she is becoming as a whole. God creates and calls each of us in a unique way, and integrity is what allows us to be faithful to that call across the whole of our lives.

This holistic vision of the human person is foundational to the education offered at Saint Joseph Academy, and evidence of it can be seen in myriad ways in the life of our school and the pages of this magazine.

It is why students take part in service and wellness activities and are able to participate in experiential learning and a wide variety of retreats. It is the philosophy that informs our Distinguished Programs and the reason our Athletics Department is calling attention to mental health. It is also why we

want to foster a culture where every person feels that she belongs and her voice is heard.

But integration–the process of wholemaking–is important to our mission in additional ways, as well. Over the last several years, the Congregation of St. Joseph has consciously embraced the worldview of integral ecology, which is the understanding that human social and economic well-being is inextricably tied to our care of Earth, our common home. This theme was central to our students’ immersive learning experience in Wheeling, West Virginia, where students were able to see the connections between sustainable food systems and community health and well-being. Integral ecology maintains that ecological education and spiritual conversion, not just technological advances, are necessary to address our contemporary crises. “The Gospel calls individual Christians to live lives of honesty, integrity and concern for the common good,” Pope Francis has said. “But it also calls Christian communities to create ‘circles of integrity’, networks of solidarity which can expand to embrace and transform society by their prophetic witness.”

While we typically understand the mission and spirituality of the Congregation in terms of unifying love, it is equally fitting to think about our mission as seeking wholeness–that is, striving for greater integrity–in ourselves and our relationships, as well as in our local and global community. In a world that is divided by politics and ideology, where there is pressure to succeed at any cost, we are called to seek truth and integrity and healing wherever there is brokenness. As we grow in our vision of how everything is interconnected, this awareness gives rise to our vocation to take what is broken and separate and weave a world of love and wholeness.

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Fall Sports Cross Country Makes State Meet; Places 17th The Cross Country team continues to grow its roster each year with strong runners. This season, 67 students, Seniors to Freshmen, helped advance the team to the OHSAA State Meet. Qualification for the State Meet this year marks the 13th time in the past 23 years the Jaguars have made the State Meet.

The team opened its season with the Solon Comet Invitational at the Polo Fields of the South Chagrin Reservation by taking third place. The team continued to achieve strong results earning a sixth place finish in the Avon Lake Invitational and third in the Pat Ritchie Invitational.

At the JB Firestone Invitational at the Black River High School, the JV team carried the Jaguars to a first place finish. The final two invitationals before the OHSAA post season were the Portage Invitational in Kalamazoo, Michigan and the Milt Invitational in Medina.

At the OHSAA District Meet, the team earned one of seven spots. At the OHSAA Regional Meet, the team finished eighth, earning them a bid at the State Meet. The Jaguars ended their season placing 17th out of 20 teams at State.

Overall, the team had 30 personal records for the season.

Alicia Blouch ’23

Sophomore Qualifies for State Golf Tournament

Gianna Reginelli ’25

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Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

The 2022 golf season closed on a high note for Sophomore Gianna Reginelli as she qualified as an individual player in the OHSAA D1 State Golf Tournament.

Reginelli ’25 is the second golfer to represent Saint Joseph Academy at the OHSAA D1 State Golf Tournament. In 2009, Madeline (Maddie) Keefe ’10 was the first to represent the Academy at the state level.

Overall, the Varsity team had a 7-3 record and achieved a 9-home team match best score of 172 when playing Magnificat High School. Throughout the season, many of the golfers achieved personal best rounds, including Devon Maxwell ’23 who shot her season low of 39 at Avon Oaks Country Club versus Magnificat High

School and Ava Maloof ’23 (granddaughter of Flo Cregan Schwind ’56, daughter of Laurie Schwind Maloof ’90) who earned a varsity letter this season with it being only her second year playing for the Jaguars.

Freshman Emerson Glending joined the Varsity team this season and broke 100 for 18 holes and frequently shot in the 40s for nine holes. Caroline Neitzel ’24 and Hannah Caruso ’23 also shot in the 40s for nine holes this season adding to the success of the overall Varsity team.

The JV golf team had a strong season and developed greatly over the season according to Varsity Golf Head Coach Mrs. Maureen Fallon Adler ’79. The program will graduate five Seniors this year.

Volleyball Advances to the District Final

Tennis Completes Season

With an overall record of 15-8, the Varsity Volleyball team continued to command the court advancing to the OHSAA District Final.

The Jaguars opened the season with a three set sweep against Hudson High School. Notable wins for the season included Padua Franciscan High School, Central Catholic High School, Olentangy Orange High School, and Normandy High School in the OHSAA Section Final and Avon Lake High School in the District Semifinal.

In September, the Varsity team traveled to Louisville, L-R: Olivia Castelluccio ’24 and Juliette Chandler ’24 Kentucky to compete in the Louisville Invitational Volleyball Tournament. The tournament hosted 24 high school teams from Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. The Varsity team finished in sixth place with a record of 3-2.

The JV team finished the season with a record of 19-1 with their only loss to Saint Ursula Academy. The Freshman team went 17- 4 for the season.

The Varsity team finished a challenging schedule with an overall record of 5-13. The Jaguars beat Medina High School (3-2), Shaker Heights High School (3-2), Marion L. Steele High School (Amherst) (4-1), Olmsted Falls High School (5-0) and Bay High School (3-2).

In August at the Highland Invitational, doubles partners Geneva Uhlenbrock ’24 and Isa Iditoiu ’25 won two out of three matches, helping the Jaguars earn sixth place.

The Varsity “B” team finished a tough season as well, with an overall record of

Soccer Advances to Sectional Final

Georgia Wagner ’24

Zari Newell ’26

6-12. The JV team shows promise for the next season by finishing this season with a 12-6 record. Notable wins for the JV team included Rocky River High School (5-0), Magnificat High School (3-2) and Lake Catholic High School (5-0).

This season, the Varsity soccer team advanced to the OHSAA Sectional Final, competing against Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School. After a tough match, the season came to an end with a final score of 1-3. The Varsity team was the #14 seed out of 33 teams in OHSAA Division 1 and beat #15 Marion L. Steele High School (Amherst) to advance to the sectional final.

Overall, the Varsity team finished with a record of 7-8-2. Notable wins for the Varsity team this season included Cathedral Preparatory (2-0), Gilmour Academy (2-1), Hawken High School (4-1), Nordonia High School (3-0) and Padua Franciscan High School (1-0). During Senior Day, the entire SJA Soccer program recognized the hard work, dedication and leadership of Seniors Carly Cushing (sister of Kady Cushing ’19), Taylor Gregory, Kelsey Niehaus (granddaughter of Kay Koch Niehaus ’51) and Cate Shepherd (sister of Claire Shepherd ’20).

The JV team finished the season with a record of 5-9-2.

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ALUMNAE SPOTLIGHT Mary Jane Christyson N’75 Jane Christyson N’75 has spent her entire 40-year career in nonprofit work. She had always been drawn to the sector because of her desire to help others and give back. “This was inspired by my family’s commitment to service, my time as a girl member in Girl Scouts and my years at Nazareth Academy,” she said.

She started in fundraising for United Way of Greater Cleveland, moved to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as the Executive Director, then served as the Director of Marketing and Golf Clubhouse Services for Cleveland Metroparks.

Jane is currently the Chief Executive

Officer of Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, a position she has held for the last decade.

Her extensive background in nonprofit administration and management, combined with a commitment to servant leadership and a unique perspective about Girl Scouts, made Jane inimitably suited for the position. “My 10 years as a girl member in Girl Scouts and 10 years as a volunteer troop leader helped establish credibility with our volunteers and supporters,” she shared.

She is responsible for the strategy and operations of Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, an agency with a $12 million operating budget, 70 employees, 18,000

Judy Ghazoul Hilow ’81 EMBA, CNM Judy’s parents, Tony and Kalima Ghazoul, Syrian immigrants who settled in the West Park neighborhood, stressed the importance of education in order to help others. “Whether it was at home, Our Lady of Angels, or with the CSJs at Saint Joseph Academy, the message was the same: work to your full potential, recognize your gifts and give back always,” said Judy, the youngest of the couple’s five children.

Judy has been married to her husband, Henry, for 36 years, and they have five children: Elizabeth Hilow, MD ’06, Eleanore Hilow Andreani ’08 (Michael),

Fred, Henry, Jr. and Catherine Hilow ’21. The Ghazouls’ first great-grandchild and the Hilows’ first grandchild, Charlotte Kalima Andreani, is named after her greatgrandmother.

For the last seven years, Judy has served as Executive Director of Malachi House, a nonprofit that serves the homeless who are terminally ill. She is responsible for managing the clinical, development and volunteer areas and the financial stability of the organization. The co-founder of Malachi House, Catherine “Kaki” O’Neill, has been an inspirational mentor to her.

Renee Brickman ’91 spent more than two decades teaching—10 years as a grade school teacher followed by 12 years as a Theology teacher at Saint Joseph Academy.

She has a B.S. in Education from the University of Akron, a M.S. in Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a M.A. in Theological Studies from Loyola Marymount University.

“As a Theology teacher, I provided many service activities for the students,” Renee said. “I especially enjoyed designing activities that helped others in the community, like the homeless.”

In fact, it was her own high school

experience at Saint Joseph Academy that introduced Renee to working with the homeless. A favorite memory involved an overnight Retreat to Saint Augustine Hunger Center with a group of classmates. The students served meals to the homeless, and Corita Ambro, CSJ, the director of the Center, talked to them about homelessness and the services provided by the Hunger Center.

“The experience impacted me so much that, when I became a Theology teacher, I began taking students on an Urban Plunge Retreat where they interacted with the homeless,” Renee shared.

In a full-circle moment, she began

Renee Brickman ‘91

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Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

girl members and 9,000 volunteers.

Encompassing 18 counties in North East Ohio, the organization’s mission is to nurture girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Key pillars of Girl Scouts include curriculum in STEM, Outdoors, Life Skills and Entrepreneurship. Jane also serves on the National Philanthropy Committee and Licensing Committee of Girl Scouts of the United States of America.

The atmosphere of female empowerment at Nazareth Academy was very impactful to her formative years. She believes that girls have to “see it to be it,” and being in a place

of all-female energy gave her the confidence to take risks and fail in a safe place. “I bring these lessons to everything I do in Girl Scouts, and Girl Scouts mirrors and reinforces all these learnings,” Jane said.

She described her time at Nazareth Academy as empowering, challenging and supportive. She is particularly grateful to two teachers for their positive influence.

Language Arts teacher Miss Maureen Brady pushed her students to hone their presentation skills, and Sr. Marie Fillo encouraged lifelong learning.

Jane’s two sisters, Patricia Christyson Clark N’78 and Lynn Christyson Slane N’68

also graduated from Nazareth Academy.

In addition to her work with Girl Scouts, Jane serves as the Board President for North Pointe Ballet and is a Board Member with The Beck Center for the Arts where she chairs the Arts Experience Committee.

She resides in Strongsville, Ohio, with her husband of 33 years, Robert Mahoney. The couple has one daughter, Bridget Mahoney, who is also a Girl Scout alumna.

In her leisure time, Jane enjoys walking her dogs, fishing, gardening and sewing costumes for community theater.

After graduating from Cleveland State University in 1986 with a degree in Accounting, Judy worked as an auditor with Ernst & Whinney. Recently, she received an EMBA from Case Western Weatherhead School of Business and a certificate of nonprofit Management from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences. Over the summer, she received a certificate in Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management from Harvard Business School.

Judy realized that her financial, business, and organizational acumen were well-suited

for nonprofit work. She sees that every relationship that she has cultivated and every fundraising campaign she has ever run have led her to be a servant leader.

Her years at Saint Joseph Academy shaped the person she is today. “I felt welcome at SJA, part of a special community, whether it was through academics, athletics and most importantly, spiritually through the wisdom of the Sisters of St. Joseph,” Judy said. She is honored and grateful that Ms. Mary Ann Fischer ’66, former math teacher and alumnae director, remains a part of her life as well.

Judy stays involved with the Academy and the Congregation of St. Joseph through development, leadership activities and speaking engagements, spiritual gatherings and athletics.

To date, the Ghazouls count 11 alumnae throughout two generations. In addition to her three daughters, Judy’s two sisters— Kathy Ghazoul-Nemeh ’74 and Deborah Ghazoul-Mills, MD ’79—and five nieces—Fadia Nemeh ’02, Ashley Nemeh ’06, Deborah Nemeh ’08, Alexandra Mills-Aoun ’13, Caroline Mills ’14—are graduates.

volunteering at St. Augustine Hunger Center and became reacquainted with Sr. Corita after moving back to Cleveland in 2009 from living out West. Not only have the Hunger Center and its guests become a second home to Renee, but she experienced a deep calling to serve others, especially the homeless, on a full-time basis.

In June 2021, she joined the West Side Catholic Center as a Client Services Coordinator, assisting with housing applications, mental health referrals, Food Stamp benefits, legal services regarding evictions, rent and utility assistance and

other social services.

The job exposed Renee to the systemic issues regarding safe, affordable subsidized housing in Cleveland. “I was inspired to purchase a property to rent to a low-income or homeless person,” she says. “In April 2022, I became a landlord to a homeless Veteran through a program with the Volunteers of America.”

In September 2022, she began a new position at the West Side Catholic Center as Family Engagement Program Coordinator.

“I facilitate programs that assist low-income families with their children’s social, emotional

and academic development,” she said.

Renee also currently serves as the Board President of the Metanoia Project, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency shelter to homeless people during the winter months.

Renee credits her time at Saint Joseph Academy—as a student and as a Theology teacher—as guiding the work she does today. “I think about how my education and experiences at the Academy have been the impetus for my desire to help others and above all else to continue to remain strong in my faith,” she said.

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2022

Grand Reunion D

uring the weekend of October 8-9, Saint Joseph Academy welcomed nearly 200 alumnae home for Grand Reunion. This year, graduates with years ending in ‘2’ and ‘7’ attended the reunion reception on Saturday, October 8. The Class of 1972 marked their 50th reunion with a champagne toast on the Howley Scholars’ Porch. On Sunday, October 9, alumnae from all classes and their families attended the Family Fun Day including attending Mass and taking guided campus tours and enjoying pumpkin painting, lawn games and refreshments.

Congratulations to the Class of 1972 who had the highest participation in the Grand Reunion Class Challenge!

1972

Thank you to all alumnae for your financial support in raising over $7,000 to support the mission of Saint Joseph Academy.

1952 1957 18

Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

1962

1967

1967

1992

1977 1982

2002

2007

1987

2012

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ADVANCEMENT

The Howley Foundation Advances Support Through Howley College Scholars Saint Joseph Academy is humbled and honored to be invited to participate in The Howley Foundation’s College Scholarship Program. Like The Howley High School Scholars Program currently at Saint Joseph Academy, the College Scholarship Program provides financial and other resources that students may need to matriculate and graduate from college. The inaugural cohort includes Jillian Langley ’22 who is attending John Carroll University and Lily Hynes ’22 who is attending The Ohio State University. As College Scholarship Program award recipients, Jillian and Lily will be supported for the next four years with scholarships. They will also continue to receive support from Saint Joseph Academy Counseling Department to ensure the successful transition to and success throughout college.

Like Saint Joseph Academy, the leadership of The Howley Foundation

stands firm in its commitment to the education of young women from diverse backgrounds so students have every opportunity to experience their highest level of personal achievement. Saint Joseph Academy’s relationship with The Howley Foundation began with their support of one student in 2005. Since then, The Howley Scholars Program has grown considerably, and the Academy has been entrusted with the education of 120 scholars. Last year, the Academy building was gifted with The Howley Makerspace innovation lab, and in 2012 we celebrated the gifts of The Howley Terrace and Scholars’ Porch.

The Howley Foundation supports Catholic private schools in Cleveland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and other select locations that emphasize support for strong character formation in students. It was founded more than 20 years ago by

Another Successful Golf Classic!

Thank you to the many golfers, sponsors and members of the Saint Joseph Academy community for supporting the 28th Annual Golf Classic.

Our sponsors and golfers raised more than $25,000 dollars for the Saint Joseph Academy Scholarship Fund. Below is a list of sponsors who helped make the day possible.

Event Sponsor EnnisCourt 1890 Sponsors The Cupach Family KPMG LLP - Jamie SanchezAnderson ’00 TorrMetal LLC Beverage Sponsors Benedictine High School Minotti’s Wine & Spirits SP Mount Printing 20

Jaguar Sponsors Avalon Foodservice Russo & Rieke LLC Saint Ignatius High School Schoolbelles Purple Sponsors A Taste Of Excellence Catering Lake Point Medical Group OneDigital - Jim Schade Regency Construction

Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

Jillian Langley

Lily Hynes

Nick Howley and his wife, Lorie. Nick is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Transdigm, an international New York Stock Exchange aerospace company. Lorie is a former member of the Academy’s Board of Directors and the 2013 recipient of the Medaille Shield, the Academy’s highest award presented to someone who is not a graduate in honor of their outstanding service to Saint Joseph Academy.

Jaguar Jackpot Exceeds Goal!

We are grateful for your incredible support of the Jaguar Jackpot!

The Jaguar Jackpot is Saint Joseph Academy’s online raffle fundraiser designed to benefit each and every young woman attending the Academy. As a result of the incredible efforts of our students, their parents/guardians and families, our loyal alumnae, and friends of the Academy, the Academy’s goal was surpassed at 112% of goal!

Congratulations to all our alumnae who participated and the decade with the most participation was the 1980s! The winner of the $50 Amazon eGift Card was Kim Hostelley ’88.

For many young women, obtaining a quality high school education is something of which they can only dream. The Saint Joseph Academy Annual Fund provides tuition assistance for 75% of our 685 students, making a quality Catholic education possible and thriving within a community of belonging.

In this season of giving, it is our sincere hope that you will consider making a yearend gift to the Annual Fund in support of the young women of Saint Joseph Academy.

Your continued support is vital to our mission to empower each young woman to achieve academic excellence and to be inspired to live a life of compassionate leadership in a global society.

Gifts to the Annual Fund are the most direct investments that touch each and every student, every day and help to fund the financial gap between tuition and the actual cost of one year of a Saint Joseph Academy education. This year, the financial gap is $1,431 per student. Every donation has a

powerful impact on the experience of every student, every day. To make your gift today, go to www.sja1890.org/donate or mail your check using the enclosed envelope.

Tax Savvy Ways to Support Saint Joseph Academy Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), also known as IRA Charitable Rollovers, are the savviest way for individuals age 70½ or older to use their Traditional IRAs to maximize their charitable impact. QCDs are distributions from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) made directly to Saint Joseph Academy without having the distribution counted as taxable income.

Up to $100,000 in IRA funds can be counted as QCDs annually, or $200,000 for married couples.

Securities and mutual funds that have increased in value and been held for more than one year are popular assets to use when making a gift to Saint Joseph Academy. Making a gift of securities or mutual funds offers you the chance to support our work while realizing important benefits for yourself.

When you donate securities to Saint Joseph Academy, you receive the same income tax savings that you would if you wrote a check, but with the added benefit of eliminating capital gains taxes on the transfer, which can be as high as 20 percent.

Turning Taxes into Tuition: Any Ohio taxpayer, single or married, with an Ohio tax liability can take advantage of a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit of up to $1,500 (married filing jointly; $750 otherwise) with a gift to the Catholic Community Foundation’s Angel Scholarship Fund. When you make a gift designated to Saint Joseph Academy, you redirect your state tax dollars to help us grow our ability to provide tuition assistance. Residents of Ohio may now receive a 100% tax credit of up to $1,500 for donations designated to Saint Joseph Academy to the Catholic Community Foundation’s Angel Scholarship Fund. Visit www.catholiccommunity.org/angel-scholarship-fund/overview.

NOTE: In the drop down menu of schools listed on the Diocese of Cleveland’s Giving web page, find Saint Joseph Academy with “Saint” spelled out.

Contact Us

To explore the many ways you can make a lasting impact on Saint Joseph Academy, please contact a member of our Institutional Advancement Department for a confidential conversation:

Constance Sipple, CFRE Vice President of Institutional Advancement 216.671.0166 csipple@sja1890.org

Melissa Murphy Development Director 216.251.6788 x232 mmurphy@sja1890.org

Hannah Hill '16 Alumnae Director 216.619.1653 hhill@sja1890.org

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Memoriam Madeline Lammermeier, CSJ ’44 on the death of her nephew, Paul Lammermeier.

Jeannie Walters Danko ’62 on the death of her brother, Dale Walters.

Patricia Kramer Holland ’55, Carlyn Kramer Obendorfer ’56 and Mary Kay Kramer Boland ’59 on the death of their sister, Maddy Kramer Coughlin.

Frances Adler Atkins ’63 on the death of her sister, and Eileen Patton Arnold ’80, Ann Patton Belliveau ’85 and Maureen Patton Butrick ’87 on the death of their mother, Paula Patton.

Margaret Corrigan Radle ’55 on the death of her daughter, Susan Belauskas.

Judy Faust Guarnera ’56 on the death of her brother and Debbie Faust McHale ’79 on the death of her father, Joseph Faust.

Robin Blair ’63 and Rebecca Blair-Cardona ’67 on the death of their sister, Ann Blair.

Vicki Jurist N’64 on the death of her brother, Joseph Jurist Jr.

Barbara Callahan Sponseller ’57 on the death of her husband, Thomas Sponseller Sr.

Cathy Foshee Wingeier ’65 on the death of her sister, Shelia Foshee Rosko ’63.

Jane Conway Voltz ’57 on the death of her sister, Anna Mae Conway Owens ’44.

Beverly Buzek Birch ’66, Rita Buzek Garrett ’68, Dorothy Buzek Layner ’73 and Ruth Buzek Cordy ’83 on the death of their mother, Dorothy Layner.

Lenore Begin ’58, Laura Begin Kuhn ’63, Barbara Begin Campbell ’72 and Madonna Begin Tkachyk ’76 on the death of their brother, Rev. Robert Thomas Begin, J.D. Carolyn Pukys Gance ’58 on the death of her daughter, Jacqueline Gance.

Elizabeth Walsh Watters ’58 on the death of her son, Kevin M. Watters.

Janet Engler Cote ’59 on the death of her brother, Jim Engler.

Joanne Klausman Albers ’60 on the death of her husband, Gary Albers.

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Janet Bartu Bolick N’70, Carol Bartu N’72, June Bartu Rauchenstein N’74 and Christine Bartu N’77 on the death of their sister, Loretta “Lory” Bartu Giriunas N’75.

Eileen Corrigan ’70 on the death of her son, Beau Mooney.

Dorothy Neuberger Westfall N’70 on the death of her husband, William Westfall.

Angelica Zylowski Harris N’71, Stanja Zylowski Hurley N’74 and Gloria Zylowski Royal N’75 on the death of their sister, Mary Zylowski N’79.

Gayle Harris Hicks N’71 on the death of her mother, Margaret Lunder Harris ’49.

Terri Rooney McGlynn ’71 on the death of her husband Timothy McGlynn.

Theresa Offenberger ’66 on the death of her sister, Gertrude “Gerty” Offenberger Delfs ’69.

Linda Cangemi Vacha N’72 on the death of her husband, Raymond Vacha.

Mary Jo Zweidinger Hobe N’68 on the death of her husband and Elizabeth Hobe Bolek N’74 and Susan Hobe Pfleiderer ’84 on the death of their brother, David Hobe.

Laura Celebrezze Haylet N’73 on the death of her brother, Matthew Celebrezze.

Kathleen Reidy Garcia N’69 on the death of her mother, Patricia Reidy.

Kathy Romeo Hurley N’69 on the death of her brother, Paul Romeo.

Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

Susan Palof Irwin N’74 on the death of her mother, Mercedes Palof.

Maureen Curan Oaklief ’74 on the death of her husband, Mark Oaklief.

Beth Fisher Kirk ’75, Judy Fisher Klein ’78, Kate Fisher Boie ’81, Laurie Fisher Humphrey ’82 and Jenny Fisher Coyle ’83 on the death of their father, Fred Fisher.

Karen Rath Dolan ’76 and Janet Rath Colaluca ’82 on the loss of their father, Jack Rath.

Michelle Mackert Mikovsky N’76, Deborah Mackert Tisdel N’79 and Denise Mackert Meeks N’80 on the death of their mother, Mary Mackert.

Lisa Lancione Fabbro ’77 and Catherine Lancione ’78 on the death of their father, John Lancione.

Elizabeth Bryll Tubero N’77 on the death of her sister, Carol Putka.

Patricia Hennessy Zingalis N’77 on the death of her husband, and Anna Zingalis ’16 and Marie Zingalis ’20 on the death of their father, Joseph Zingalis.

Maureen Fallon Adler ’79 on the death of her mother-in-law, Sheila Adler.

Charlene Rolf Berry ’79 on the death of her mother-in-law, Elizabeth “Bette” Berry.

Mary Hohman Kraft ’79 on the death of her brother, Daniel Hohman.

Patricia Scully Rehor ’79, Mary Jo Scully Vonderau ’80 and Eileen Scully Mills ’83 on the death of their mother, Joan Scully.

Jeanne Nolan Rist ’79 and Deborah Nolan Kuzma ’83 on the death of their brother, William Nolan.

Eternal rest grant unto them O, Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.

Kathryn Gavin N’80 on the death of her father, John Gavin.

Mary Logue Peterson ’80, Therese Logue ’83 and Elizabeth Logue ’84 on the death of their father, John Logue.

Ann Fox Stefancin ’80, Kathleen Fox Drellishak ’81, Maura Fox Byrne ’82, Eileen Fox ’83 and Patricia Fox Gompf ’93 on the death of their father, John Fox. Renita Kolman-McMillen ’81, Cynthia Kolman ’83 and Kandace Kolman Trexler ’84 on the death of their sister and

Kerry McCarty-Kolman ’85 on the death of her sister-in-law, Jacquelyn Kolman-Indre ’86.

Shelia Loftus Ferguson ’90 on the death of her father, William Loftus.

Dina Hanna ’11 and Rita Hanna ’13 on the death of their mother, Ivonne Hanna.

Tina Tapajna Valencik ’81 on the death of her husband, Joseph Valencik and the death of her brother, Timothy Tapajna.

Constance Coleman Scott ’90 and Elizabeth Ann Coleman Dolego ’93 on the death of their mother, Janet Coleman.

Karianne Stanton ’14 on the death of her mother, Colleen Stanton Hecht.

Cathy Hamilton Romantic ’86 on the death of her father, Larry Hamilton.

Beth Havericak Folvik ’94 on the death of her father, Jerome Havericak.

Noreen Huber Nageotte ’83, Suzanne Huber Ferrara ’87, Laura Huber Olitsky ’89 and Allison Huber ’91 on the death of their sister, Ellen Huber ’85.

Kathleen Gaydos Cunningham ’99 on the death of her father, William Gaydos.

Tiffany Leahy ’06 and Brittany Leahy ’08 on the death of their father, Kevin Leahy.

Elizabeth Neelon ’22 on the death of her mother, Jayne Neelon.

Losses from the Adult Community Maggie Berry ’10 on the death of her grandmother, Elizabeth “Bette” Berry.

Please remember in your prayers the following deceased alumnae: Margaret Lunder Harris ’49 Mary Anne Ledford Drobnak ’52 Martha Kirk Heimann ’60 Geraldine Ryan Tisch N’61 Sue Cook Bradley ’62 Judith Gore Wokoun ’62 Shelia Foshee Rosko ’63 Martha Kosarko Fyfe N’63 Judy Gulling Burgraff ’64 Leah Kwait Fry N’64 Peggy Trannett McClosky N’65 Gertrude “Gerty” Offenberger Delfs ’69 Suzanne Kowalski Bassani N’72 Kathleen Babroski Haines N’72 Loretta “Lory” Bartu Giriunas N’75 Ismaela Zapanta Emery ’76 Mary Zylowski N’79 Kelli Buzzard Chamberlain ’81 Ellen Huber ’85 Jacquelyn Kolman-Indre ’86 Rosamaria “Rose” Belmonte ’00 Aricelis “Ari” Rodriguez-Branigan ’01

CHRISTMAS ANGELS Saint Joseph Academy will be decorating a tribute Christmas tree in our Holy Family Chapel to honor a loved one or the memory of a beloved one who has passed away.

The tree will be adored with angel ornaments displaying the name of the individual you wish to honor or remember. It will be on display throughout the Advent/Christmas season and the entire Saint Joseph Academy community will pray for these individuals.

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ClassNotes Alumnae

1950s Sister Mary Allan Kenzig, CSA ’50 celebrated her 70th Jubilee as a Sister of Charity of St. Augustine on September 25, 2022.

1980s

Church in Cleveland. The wedding party included her sister Alexis Butler ’16 who was her maid of honor.

Congratulations to Stephanie Gorsek ’14 who married Brian Clark Jr. on September 10, 2022 at The Ballroom at Parklane in Cleveland. There were many Academy friends of the bride at this wedding, as shown below.

Marie Conlon Buddie ’88 recently accepted a new position as Director of Case Management at North Okaloosa Medical Center in Crestview, Florida.

Congratulations to Emily Tabar Cathey ’15 who married Hunter Cathey on July 17, 2022 in Sherman, Texas. The wedding party included one alumna Marisa Petticord ’17 and current student Amelia Borisa ’24.

Congratulations to Victoria Henderson Ponomarenko ’16 who married Jacob Ponomarenko on June 26, 2021 at St. Theodosius Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio. The wedding party included her sister Julia Henderson ’19 who was Victoria’s maid of honor.

1990s

Dr. Mary Kovach ’96 released a new book #MINDSET: A Research-Based Approach to Understanding Motivation which earned the #1 spot on Amazon Hot New Releases in Non-Formal Education. Her work explores different mindsets and how they influence daily life. The book includes a selfassessment for each reader to help discern one’s own mindset.

2000s

Kristy MacCarthy Shawen ’00 is the Senior Event Sales Manager at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Princeton where she manages 50 South Asian weddings annually.

She and her husband Trevor Shawen were married in Riviera Maya, Mexico on January 1, 2018.

Top row, L-R: Vivian Kellicker ‘14, Emily Pellegrino ‘14, Stephanie Gorsek ‘14, Sara Hurley ‘14, Katie Waters ‘14.

Middle row, L-R: Victoria Gorsek ‘17, Annie Grove ‘14, Erica Uhler ‘14.

Bottom row, L-R: Katherine Gorsek ‘17, Liz Millar ‘14, Claudia Chadwell ‘14.

Photo Credit: Valerie Gage Photography

Congratulations to Erica Uhler ’14 who married David Rauseo on February 2, 2022 in Providence, Rhode Island. Sara Hurley ’14 and Annie Grove ’14 were members of the wedding party. Erica captured the Saint Joseph Academy sisters that were a part of this special day, as shown below.

Nancy Abdelshahid Baker ’09 is working at Honeywell as an Aerospace Materials & Process Engineer II. Her work has been recognized and awarded throughout her career as she has been steadily promoted.

She started at Honeywell as a Senior Technician in the Chemistry Lab.

2010s Congratulations to Ashley Butler Veltre ’11 who married Alexander Veltre September 24, 2022 at St. Thomas More

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Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

L-R: Friends Hannah Hill ’16, Alexis Butler ’16, Victoria Henderson Ponomarenko ’16, Mariah Rodriguez ’16, Corrine French ’16 Photo credit: Family photo used with permission

Congratulations to Natalie Miller ’16 who married her high school sweetheart Jackson Hintz on September 3, 2022 at St. Rocco’s in Cleveland. The wedding party included three alumnae. Helen Cornelison ’16 was maid of honor and Maggie Cornelison ’19 and Julia Hoban ’16 were bridesmaids.

Natalie Miller ’16 and Jackson Hintz Photo credit: Rising Star Photography

L-R: Liz Millar ’14, Stephanie Gorsek Clark ’14, Katie Waters ’14, Sara Hurley ’14, Erica Uhler Rauseo ’14, Rose Dolan ’14, Claudia Chadwell ’14 and Annie Grove ’14.

Photo credit: Trevor Holden Photography

Veronika Stropko-Jorgesen ’19 graduated Valedictorian of Cleveland State University’s Fall 2022 graduating class. She is the first to do so from CSU’s Levin College of Education and Public Affairs. Recently, she was accepted into the Peace Corps and will be serving as a Youth Health Educator in Belize following her graduation.

CubClub Lisa Gibbons Marullo ’98 and Joseph Marullo a daughter, Jennifer, born January 17, 2022 Michelle Fox Kester ’98, godmother Carissa Lucas Alabise ’00 and Andrew Alabise a daughter, Katherine Ann, born July 22, 2022 Samantha Brady Langford ’03 and Vernon Langford a son, Ezra Alexander, born June 8, 2022 Amanda McNamara Domnori ’04 and Fatjon Domnori a son, Anderson Julian, born April 17, 2022 Madeline Paulett Jacobson ’10 and Nicholas Jacobson, a daughter, Emma, born August 12, 2022 Maria Parente Boone ’11 and Adam Boone a daughter, Murphy Eileen, born August 15, 2022 Maria Nagle McLaughlin ’11 and Colin McLaughlin a son, Francis Michael, born July 18, 2022 Samantha Billittier Bowers ’13 and Corey Bowers a son, Bryson Michael, born August 25, 2022

“25 Under 35” Award Nominations Now Being Accepted Saint Joseph Academy’s “25 Under 35” Awards program celebrates the Academy’s alumnae who are under 35 years of age and are making a difference in their communities.

Established in honor of Saint Joseph Academy’s 125th birthday, this event celebrates our alumnae for living out the mission of the Academy and embodying the character of a Saint Joseph Academy graduate in their personal and professional endeavors.

Candidates are either nominated by their peers or self-nominated.

An independent committee of female leaders will rank and select nominees based on their achievements, as well as social, philanthropic and community involvement.

Nominations must be submitted by December 31.

Visit www.sja1890.org/25under35 The 6th “25 Under 35” Awards Ceremony will be held Saturday, June 17, 2023 at Saint Joseph Academy.

Nominees must be under 35 years of age as of June 17, 2023.

Please join us

For a fun and memorable evening benefiting Saint Joseph Academy student scholarships and academic initiatives.

Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 6 p.m.

Saint Joseph Academy, Academy Center HONORING

Helen C. Malloy ’57 2023 Distinguished Alumna Award Honoree K. Kelly Hancock P’17 2023 Medaille Shield Award Honoree For more information visit www.sja1890.org/CTA or for sponsorship opportunities contact Development Director Mrs. Melissa Murphy at 216.251.6788 ext. 232.

Saint Joseph Academy WINTER 2022

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PARENTS OF ALUMNAE: If this publication is addressed to your daughter who no longer maintains a permanent address at your home, please notify the Alumnae Office at 216.251.6788 x221 or email alumnae@sja1890.org.

In an effort to be good stewards of both the environment and your generous contributions, we are now sending only one magazine per household.

LOOKINGAHEAD Important Admission Events for 8th Grade Girls High School Placement Test (HSPT): Required for 8th grade girls interested in applying for admission to the Class of 2027.

Admission Only Testing: Saturday, January 7, 2023 and Wednesday, February 1, 2023, 4-7 p.m. Admission consideration only. Visit www.sja1890.org/admission for more information and registration.

An Evening of Mindfulness Saint Joseph Academy alumnae and parents/guardians are invited to join us virtually for an evening of mindful reflection and intention-setting on Thursday, January 5, 2023 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. as we begin the new year and celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. The evening will offer the opportunity for prayer, guided reflection, and sharing with others in the hopes that this time together will bring insight and inspiration for the

year to come. Vice President of Mission Dr. Jessica Wrobleski will facilitate this gathering. The event is free of charge, but space is limited. RSVP at www.sja1890.org/epiphany by Wednesday, January 4, 2023. Please contact the Alumnae Office at alumnae@sja1890.org with questions.

Evening of Reflection Please join us on Monday, April 3, 2023, for our annual Evening of Reflection for Women. This event is designed as an evening of spiritual and personal reflection. please contact the Alumnae Office at alumnae@sja1890.org or 216.251.6788 ext. 221 with questions.

Spring Scholarship Luncheon The annual Spring Scholarship Luncheon will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at Westwood Country Club. More information will be forthcoming. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Alumnae Office at alumnae@sja1890.org or 216.251.6788 ext. 221.

Additional events are being planned. To stay up to date regarding Saint Joseph Academy’s events, follow us on social media or contact the Admission or Alumnae Departments to request to be added to our mailing list.

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