Saint Joseph Academy - Update Spring 2014

Sharing a Tradition of Excellence with Alumnae, Parents and Friends • www.sja1890.org • Spring 2014

Award-Winning Artistic Endeavors!

Letter from the President Dear Alumnae, Parents and Friends of Saint Joseph Academy, This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad. – Psalm 118

3470 Rocky River Drive • Cleveland, Ohio 44111 216-251-6788 • www.sja1890.org

UPDATE is published by Saint Joseph Academy for alumnae, parents and friends. Contributions to this issue of UPDATE include: Mary Ann Corrigan-Davis ’71, Mary Ann Fischer ’66, Betty Hjort, Susan Condon Love ’76, Mickie Matheis, Laura McCarty ’07, Geoff Powers and Constance S. Sipple, CFRE. Photography courtesy Susan Condon Love ’76, John Mulgrew, Laura McCarty ’07, Bill Rouse and Lifetouch Photography.

For more information, please contact Susan Condon Love ’76, Communications Director, at 216.619.1937 or slove@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: L-R: Seniors Liz Millar and Misty Mencin stand in front of their winning National Scholastic Art & Writing Competition entries. Photograph by Laura McCarty ’07.

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• N – Nazareth alumna • T – St. Therese alumna • P – parent of current SJA student • † – deceased Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE Saint

In this holy Easter season, we rejoice. We rejoice in the Risen Lord’s victory over sin and death, and the promise of eternal life. Alleluia!

We rejoice in the arrival of spring. Not that we ever doubted its return, but it sure was difficult to remember the warmth of the sunshine and the flowering of trees when the snow was falling and the wind howling. We give thanks for the blessings of a new boiler, the warmth it provided during the interminable winter, and the benefactors who made it possible.

We rejoice in the diverse talents of our students. We are bursting with pride for their awards in the visual and performing arts at the local, state and national level, as featured in this issue. With the guidance and encouragement of an engaged faculty, these young women have shared their God-given gifts for singing and performing on the stage, for playing instruments, for drawing and printmaking, for photography and digital design, for ceramics and other media.

The young women of Saint Joseph Academy are also excelling in the health sciences and engineering, as well as athletics. We’re not just an all girls school.

We’re an all kinds of girls school!

We rejoice that our students have responded to the call to “serve the dear neighbor” in countless ways. We are glad for the dedication of our students to issues of peace and justice, serving as student leaders in the Catholic Schools for Peace and Justice organization. For ten years, Saint Joseph Academy has been an active member, touching the lives of people in need and the hearts and minds of our students.

We rejoice and are glad for our dedicated faculty and staff who are committed to the personal growth of every young woman entrusted in our care. The introduction of the Chromebook laptop for each and every student has provided another tool to advance student learning, but it is the dedication of our teachers, counselors and administrators that sets Saint Joseph Academy apart.

We rejoice and celebrate our four newest Distinguished Alumnae Award recipients and applaud their achievements. Their lives of compassionate leadership and service reflect the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph and we are proud to claim them as our own.

As we rejoice in the joy of the Easter season, let us invite the Spirit to enter our hearts to strengthen us. Let us rejoice and reflect God’s love for every neighbor without distinction, “so that all may be one.”

Sursum corda! Lift up your hearts!

Mary Ann Corrigan-Davis ’71 President Joseph Academy UPDATE

Students Work to Create Teen Chapter of American Heart Association’s ‘Go Red for Women’

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tudents received special attention in February for being the leaders in a movement to create a teenage chapter of “Go Red for Women.” The American Heart Association program raises awareness nationally about heart disease being the No. 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. Many share the common mistaken belief that breast cancer is the No. 1 killer among women.

For that reason, and because of many other misconceptions about women and heart disease, the American Heart Association started the “Go Red for Women” movement several years ago. Students at SJA will take the campaign further and start a “Girls Go Red” movement involving teenagers.

The initial steps toward that goal took place in mid-February as students met with a representative of the American Heart Association and University Hospitals cardiologist Dr. Judy Mackall N’79 to brainstorm ideas to raise awareness of heart

disease on the high school level. Dr. Mackall is the Chief of Cardiac Electrophysiology at UH Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute.

Among the many ideas generated by the students were a “dress down” fundraiser competition among area Catholic high schools, and a “Take Your Mother for a Walk Day” to encourage heart-healthy exercise habits.

The following week, Dean of Women Marie Ciolek accompanied six students to the 2014 “Go Red for Women” Health Expo & Luncheon in the new Medical Mart in downtown Cleveland. Their attendance, as well as thoughts on starting a national chapter for teenagers, were featured in several editions of the Sun newspapers, as well as on Cleveland.com. The link to that story is: www.sja1890.org/GoRed “This is just the start,” vowed Samantha Velasco ‘15. “We will definitely be getting something going for a ‘Girls Go Red’ movement in SJA and at all area high schools.”

L-R: Delaney Famiano ’16 (daughter of Annemarie Pahler ’85), Samantha Velasco ‘15 (daughter of Monica Velasco ’96 and granddaughter of Connie Betley Mathis N’72), Analese Chandler-Nieves ’15, Margaret Mary Hicks ’15, Ellie Berchak ‘15 and Samantha Jammal ‘16 (daughter of Patricia Sebesta Jammal ’84 and granddaughter of Patricia Gornik Sebesta ’54) pose for a photo at the Go Red for Women event on Feb. 21. They are wearing red uniform sweaters from our sister school, St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge, La.

Engineering Students Excel in Semifinals of VEX Robotics Competition The SJA Robotics Team proved its mettle in February at the VEX Robotics Competition, held at Cleveland State University, by making it to the semifinals in the hard-fought competition. The team, calling themselves the Fast Cats, advanced to the semifinals

L-R, Liz Millar ‘14, Liz Renner ‘17, Vivian Kellicker ‘14, Erica Uhler ‘14, Sydney Tenaglia ‘14.

with their alliance partners from Norwalk High School, after mastering the building of a robot that was able to move balls into the proper corners in a game called “Toss Up.” SJA students participating were captain Liz Millar ’14, co-captain Vivian Kellicker ’14 (sister of Michelle Kellicker ’03), Erica Uhler (daughter of Kathleen Wilk Uhler N’79), who was the lead driver in the competition, Sydney Tenaglia ’14 and freshman standout Liz Renner. Team members Katrina Wrabel ’14 (daughter of Caroline Smerillo Wrabel ’79) and Erin Wiemels ’14 helped with designing and building but were not able to attend the event. The students were accompanied

by Science teachers Mrs. Mary Ellen Foley Scott ’76 and Mr. David Weiss.

The VEX Robotics Competition, presented by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, is the ultimate STEM activity for middle school and high school students (ages 11-18). Each year, an engineering challenge is presented in the form of a game. Students, with guidance from their teachers and mentors, use the VEX Robotics Design System to build innovative robots designed to score the most points possible in qualification matches, elimination matches and Skills Challenges.

Nine other Northeast Ohio schools participated, including Shaker Heights, Perry and Beachwood high schools.

Saint Joseph Academy SPRING 2014

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Technological Initiatives, Challenging Curriculum Illustrate

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uild it and they will come. Or, maybe more accurately, provide the programs, enhanced facilities and opportunities for students to thrive and excel in the 21st century, and they will come to Saint Joseph Academy.

Thanks to innovative new digital and academic programs, continuing capital improvements and the highest number of Advanced Placement and Honors courses of any area Catholic private school, Saint Joseph Academy is an educational leader in Northeast Ohio. Enrollment is at capacity – not an empty locker to be found! – and the incoming Class of 2018 looks to be another healthy class of 200 or more freshmen.

Just this year, as has been noted in educational articles and local and national media (The Wall Street Journal, Crain’s Cleveland Business, Cleveland Magazine and the Universe Bulletin to name just a few publications), SJA took the bold and groundbreaking step of providing Chromebook laptops to each and every student, a one-to-one initiative called SJA+.

The program differs from all other schools in Northeast Ohio in that the students get to keep the laptops – carrying them to class, taking them home and, at the end of their high school career, keeping them.

But without a strong digital education plan to take advantage of the one-to-one capability, such an initiative would be less than effective. That is why, for several

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years, teachers and administrators have immersed themselves in the interactive and technological approach to learning. For example, the Chromebooks and Google programs allow students to use collaborative study guides, share notes on the Google Drive, research images, and use online programs and test reviews at home and together in class. The learning is hands-on, with students and teachers taking an active role in the process. In the not-so-distant future, most textbooks will be digital.

"We are committed to being leaders in

the way we integrate technology in support of student learning," said Principal Jeff Sutlif.

How is all of this innovation possible?

Well, in addition to the foresight and talent of teachers and a technology staff that includes Information Technology Instructor Ryan MacRaild and Information Technology Director Kyle Laauser, the increased digital learning footprint is made possible by capital improvement projects that increased bandwidth, allowing for strong WiFi both inside the building and outside on the Scholars’ Porch and Howley Terrace. The increased computer capabilities have been coupled with a total of more than $7 million worth of improvements in the last two years to the building that has included expanding the Dining Hall, upgrading and adding to electrical capacity in the 1928 building and increasing the safety and comfort of all students by replacing the aging heating system. Yes, the omnipresent radiators were replaced last summer with a state-of-the art heating system.

But perhaps the biggest change in 2013-14 has been the use of Chromebooks.

“It’s quite common to see students working collaboratively on their laptops everywhere,” said Mr. Sutliff. “Students are clustered in the Dining Hall, the Nazareth Library and the Learning Resource Center... in all the nooks and crannies inside and out, working on their computers.”

21st Century Academic Mindset The good news continues. In addition to the implementation of SJA+, a cohort was added to the list of those enrolled in a nationally recognized college-readiness program. The AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program, now in its second year at SJA, has proven to be an invaluable tool in preparing dozens of freshmen and sophomores to be better learners, thereby increasing their performances in vital academic areas. AVID is a system designed to increase schoolwide learning and performance. SJA is the only Catholic high school in Ohio and the first in the city of Cleveland to offer an AVID program.

“We are very pleased with how students and teachers are embracing AVID,” shared Mr. Sutliff. “We took the initiative to start an AVID program, knowing that we would be first in this area to embrace its approach.

Teachers are using it as a catalyst for improvement!”

“We believe AVID makes the college dream accessible to all students,” he added.

Implementation of AVID was made possible thanks to grants by the Eva L. and Joseph M. Bruening Foundation and the Thomas H. White Foundation.

There are still challenges ahead as our 1928 building, like that of any older, beloved home, still needs some work. The Capital Campaign Expanding Minds ~ Building Futures ~ Raising Leaders is still in full force, working diligently to raise the remaining $507,000 needed to provide the safest, most up-to-date facility for the young women in our charge. There is pride in what has been accomplished so far, and in a student body that continues to excel and live to “serve the dear neighbor.”

Two Students Named National Merit Finalists

Seniors Emily Rouse (left) and Sara Hurley were both named Finalists in the 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Sara, sister of Kara Hurley ’12, plans on studying biology in college, with a double major in either physics or psychology. She is the sister of Kara Hurley ’13. She has been accepted at University of Virginia, Tufts, Michigan State, Carnegie Mellon and Forham universities. Emily, daughter of Colleen Lang Rouse ‘81, is planning on pursuing an accounting degree and is attending The Ohio State University, after also being accepted at Northwestern University, the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Cincinnati.

Freshman Wins Statewide Video Competition

Digital Initiative, Use of Chromebooks Garner National Media Attention!

Information Technology Director Kyle Laauser had the opportunity to share the details of our successful one-to-one digital initiative, SJA+, with a reporter from the Wall Street Journal this past January. This school year, SJA provided each of its nearly 700 students with a Chromebook as part of the school’s embracing of technology and digital learning. The initiative was also mentioned in Crain’s Cleveland Business, the Universe Bulletin in February and the March edition of Cleveland Magazine featured SJA in a comprehensive story about the use of technology and social media in education.

Here are the links.

To read the full Wall Street Journal story, go here: www.sja1890.org/WSJ For the Crain’s Cleveland Business story: www.sja1890.org/Crains

For the Cleveland Magazine story: www.sja1890.org/ClevelandMag For the Universe Bulletin story: www.sja1890.org/UB

Freshman Greta Noeth was named the statewide winner by popular vote of the State of Ohio Higher Ed Video Competition “I Am a Digital Learner.”

Greta’s winning video featured the implementation of SJA+, the Academic's recently implemented digital learning program. She used multiple Google programs to simulate animation.

The competition, sponsored by the organization Ohio Higher Ed, asked students to showcase their creative talents and technology skills. Greta is pictured with Instructional Technology Educator Ryan MacRaild. The link to Greta’s video is: www.sja1890.org/ohiohighered

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Arts Programs Thrive as Students Excel

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ationally, many arts programs are struggling as districts juggle shrinking enrollment, dwindling resources and an apathetic community. At SJA, creativity is thriving, whether it’s in printmaking, on the stage, or in musical endeavors. And the awards keep coming!

Students won an impressive 50 awards in the regional 2014 Scholastic Art & Writing Competition – nine Gold Keys, including a coveted one for an individual portfolio, by senior Nina Ripich, 14 Silver Keys and 27 Honorable Mentions. This performance was far ahead of the tally from the majority of area high schools. The Gold Key winners advanced to the National Finals held in New York City, where it was announced on St. Patrick’s Day that two students – seniors Liz Millar and Misty Mencin (daughter of Michele R. Mencin ’87) – won national awards for their printmaking art. Since 2011, SJA artists have received four National Awards and more than 90 regional visual arts Gold Key, Silver Key and Honorable Mention Scholastic awards.

In addition to Scholastics honors, SJA artists received three Cleveland Clinic eXpressions awards, including two blue ribbons (highest honor).

Another example of artistic excellence was more than 30 vocal and instrumental students recently receiving numerous honors in the OMEA (Ohio Music Education Association) District 4 High School Solo and Ensemble contest held at Cuyahoga Community College. The competition involved 34 schools and about 850 performers. Nineteen Jaguars received

a “superior” rating, and 14 received an “outstanding” rating.

Clare Panek ’14, who sings with the Academy Chorale and plays piano and trumpet in the SJA Concert and Jazz Band classes, was one of the few students participating in both the OMEA vocal and

Liz Millar’s Gold Medal-winning print titled “Glowing Nostaligia.”

Misty Mencin’s Silver Medal-winning print titled “Just a Glitch.”

instrumental competitions. She earned auditions with Baldwin Wallace University, the Cleveland Institute of Music, the Cincinnati Conservatory, Cleveland State University, Berklee College of Music (Boston), and DePaul School of Music (Chicago).

“I am undecided about my college choice,” she shared. “My goal is to obtain a degree in music education and later, to earn my doctorate and teach music at the college

L-R: Senior AP Art students Karley Mullins, Liyanna Chandler-Nieves, Emmy Ernst (daughter of Donna Corrigan Ernst ’80), Nina Ripich, Melissa Johnson and Emily Hirzel (daughter of Lisa Forrester Hirzel '89 and granddaughter of Rosemaire Mazella Forrester '65 and Mary Ellen Ross Hirzel '63).

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Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

level. SJA has provided me with such a strong musical foundation. I am so grateful for all that I’ve learned.”

The awards this year continue: three students were awarded honorable mention in January in the annual Graphic Arts Council of Cleveland competition in graphic design and printing. The competition, called the Benny Awards, is open to any high school student involved in commercial art, graphic design, computer graphics, printing, journalism or communications programs in the Northeast Ohio area.

“We have a cross-disciplinary curriculum that connects ideas within our new, exciting and relevant courses, such as AP Studio Art, Printmaking, Type and Layout, Digital Media, Jewelry II and Sculpture II. These interrelated courses have allowed students to push the boundaries of the development of their work,” shared art teacher Shelly Ahern, who has been the Visual and Performing Arts department chair for the past five years and herself received an Innovative Educator Award from eXpressions.

Currently, SJA offers AP Studio Art. An AP Performing Arts course will be offered Fall 2014, to be taught by Music teacher and Academy Chorale director Kathleen Cooper.

“We place strong emphasis on the development of the portfolio and our student teacher ratio for advanced art courses is 1:12,” shared Mrs. Ahern.

The word is getting out to students that talent is fostered and nurtured at SJA. “Each year, the AP Studio Art course has climbed in enrollment,” said Mrs. Ahern. “In 2011, the first year it was offered, there were three

in Visual and Performance Pursuits students. There are already 12 students enrolled for the 2014-15 academic year.”

“The most rewarding part of my job is observing students’ growth before they even realize how much work they are putting in. It’s a sort of buzz that happens in the classroom, one by one the students begin to feed off each other and they inspire one another beautifully!” she added.

Thanks to the addition of SJA+, and students each having their own Chromebook this year, the digital opportunities for student artists has expanded their horizons and learning opportunities. “Technology has allowed artists and art students a space and place to organize and collaborate, expanding the classroom. It is very helpful for students to engage in discussions via Schoology, post images through blogs, organize digital portfolios using the Google drive, and most importantly, exchange ideas and collaborate with other artists/art students,” she added.

The Visiting Artists Program, although only several years old, has already brought in such nationally recognized artists as Kate Ward Terry ’67, who also donated an art installation near the Florence Murphy Lackamp 1919 Music Room, and Grammy

Award-winning saxophonist Lauren Sevian, who sat down for an afternoon with music class members. The Visiting Artist Program has been extended by working with local nonprofits and leading field trips to the Morgan Conservatory Art of Papermaking, Zygote Press, Cleveland Museum of Art, Natural History Museum and other local galleries.

In addition, each year there is a Spring Visual Art Exhibition every April that highlights works created throughout the school year, and Christmas, Classical and a Jazz & Cabaret (upcoming on Thursday, May 15 at the school) concerts.

One of the most visible aspects of the Visual and Performing Arts Department is the talented a capella group, the Academy Chorale. The singers lyrically represent the school at such events as Cavaliers and Indians games, the Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade, scholarship events and the “Celebrate the Academy” gala. Formerly called Cecilia’s Song, the Academy Chorale is directed by Ms. Cooper.

“The talent of these singers is amazing,” shared Ms. Cooper. “I’ve frequently seen audience members brought to tears by their performances.”

Clare Panek

This spring, the SJA players performed the classic tale, “Little Women.” Last fall, the group performed the musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” continuing the tradition of producing both a musical and a play each year.

“The art program at the Academy is so incredibly powerful,” shared Nina Ripich ’14, a multiple Scholastic Art Gold Key recipient, including one for her portfolio. “Through unending access to materials, enlightening teachers to guide the way, and the huge support system of my peers, I feel inspired every day and am beyond prepared for my next four years at art school,” she shared.

PRINCIPAL'S CORNER

Achieving the Academy’s Mission through the Visual and Performing Arts At Saint Joseph Academy, we believe that arts education is essential to how we achieve our mission of fostering unifying relationships with God and all creation and empowering each woman to achieve academic excellence.

Arts education includes but is not limited to developing an appreciation for the arts. It also inspires the development of self-discipline, skills and thought processes that empower our students to become creators of knowledge and beauty. It is fundamental to the Catholic philosophy of education and recognizes that our students are created in the image and likeness of God, the master creator.

Leonardo da Vinci outlined his “Principles for the Development of a Complete Mind”

by teaching us to “Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses – especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.”

Contemporary thinkers including Daniel Pink and Patricia Aburdene have described how the ability to discover meaning in these relationships has become even more important in our 21st century global society where capacities for inventiveness, empathy and joyfulness will define success.

At Saint Joseph Academy, our Visual and Performing Arts program continues to grow and reach new levels of success, as noted in the accompanying article.

We are so proud of the students and applaud their hard work. We are in awe of their talents.

Success isn’t limited to a select few students who labor in the isolation of a

studio. Honor is also due to the student artists who excel in the classroom, the laboratory, on the field and on the court.

“We’re not just a girls school, we’re an all kinds of girls school,” and we’re not just an arts school, we’re an all kinds of artists school. What’s most impressive about these achievements is the inclusiveness and diversity of our student artists.

My predecessor, Dr. James Cantwell, recognized the importance of arts education and through his leadership and support, our students have achieved new levels of success. Going forward, we will continue to strengthen our faculty and facilities in order to better foster the creative capacities of our students to become the women they are called by God to be.

– Mr. Jeff Sutlif

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Juniors Receive ‘Real World’ Experience Thanks to Professional Shadowing

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very spring, juniors venture from the halls of SJA into the “real world” of potential careers, thanks to the Junior Professional Shadowing program. The mandatory program, organized by College Counselors Susan Emmerich and Maria Mueller, involves juniors spending time with a sponsor in a potential career of their choice. This year, 172 juniors were paired with a wide range of professionals, including scientists, neurologists, accountants, public officials, lawyers, doctors, nurses, veterinarians, businesswomen, television producers, theater professionals and a NASA mechanical engineer.

Students are required to keep journals detailing their experiences, responsibilities and opinions on the professions observed. The key is determining, through this career exposure, whether the professions are of interest for the students. This is vital as juniors will soon be applying in earnest to colleges and universities. It is good to consider possible majors for study.

Here are five of the highlights from the 2014 Junior Professional Shadowing experience.

EMILY KELLER

Emily Keller with Dr. Alexander Rae-Grant

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Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

SHAUNA SLEZAK Shauna has always been interested in the law and was thrilled to spend her Junior Professional Shadowing experience at Frantz Ward LLP, a large firm with more than 60 attorneys. She shadowed Rebecca Dessoffy Bennett ’91, who in addition to being one of the firm’s top lawyers, is the chair of the SJA Board of Directors. Mrs. Bennett specializes in Shauna Slezak with Labor and Employment Law and is a Attorney Rebecca partner in the firm.

Dessoffy Bennett ‘91 “I’ve always been interested in law and standing up for what is right,” shared Shauna. “I was so fortunate to have this opportunity through my Professional Shadowing experience.”

In the course of the three days spent with Mrs. Bennett, “I was also able to sit in on a Diversity and Inclusion Committee meeting, attend a murder trial at the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, and I even had the opportunity to sit down and discuss what it takes to become a jurist with Judge Robert McClelland.”

“This experience has only increased my interest in law and fueled my desire to pursue a career in elected public office,” said Shauna.

Emily is taking adversity – family members have been affected by mutiple sclerosis – and using it as inspiration to a potential career. “I want to become a physician scientist who works with either neurology or pulmonary cases,” she shared. Because of her medical interest, Emily shadowed Dr. Alexander Rae-Grant, a neurologist at the Mellen Center on the Main Campus of the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Rae-Grant works in the multiple sclerosis and brain health departments of the Clinic, with a focus on clinical work, education and writing medical textbooks on multiple sclerosis.

“I observed Dr. Rae-Grant in the clinical setting while he consulted with patients. I was able to observe patients with many different cases who had different diagnoses based on Dr. Rae-Grant’s analysis of scans. I was able to look at the scans

with him before the consultations with patients. I also attended a presentation he gave to neurology residents about the epidemiology of multiple sclerosis. I found that fascinating!”

In addition to the clinical side of patient care, Emily also was able to discuss with Dr. Rae-Grant the physical therapy aspect of treating multiple sclerosis and brain health.

That discussion led to Emily helping lead a Parkinson patient exercise group.

“I really enjoyed seeing the clinical side of medicine and was grateful to have had the chance to learn more about multiple sclerosis.

I enjoyed neurology and hope that I will be able to pursue it as a career. I am currently investigating colleges for pre-med, biology majors. I hope to then go on to medical school and eventually practice medicine clinically, while also doing research on multiple sclerosis.

I hope to one day find a cure!”

BRITTANY MORRISON Brittany has dreams of being a biomedical engineer. She was able to get a taste of different careers in engineering thanks to shadowing with NASA Glenn Research Mechanical Engineer Lizalynn McKnight and one of Ms. McKnight’s colleagues, Engineer Ron Koenig.

Brittany Morrison with Lizalynn McKight at NASA Glen Research Center

“Mr. Koenig took us to the Engine Research Building and the Structural Statics Lab. It is there that engineers test types of hardware for machinery such as engines for airplanes and cars. They were preparing to test one of Rolls Royce’s most advanced

aircraft engines," shared Brittany, sister of Camille Morrison ’12.

After the visit to this lab, Brittany and Mrs. McKnight went to the Particular Aerosol Lab (a.k.a. the Combustion Rig), where engineers perform laser diagnostics on engines, and then to a lab with smaller and newer combustion rigs. “In these combustion rigs, different types of fuels for combustion engines are tested to see which fuel has the greatest efficiency,” shared Brittany.

“Although my interest is in the biomedical engineering field, it was nice to see some of the work performed by mechanical engineers. I was fortunate to visit the Exercise Countermeasures Lab, where biomedical engineers worked. One of the projects involved running tests on exercise equipment used in space by the astronauts, such as a horizontal treadmill that simulates working out in space” said Brittany. “I also saw something called a ‘Stabilizing Harness,’ which is used by the astronauts so they don’t float away due to zero gravity as they exercise.”

MOLLY WALSH Molly shadowed Multi-Media Journalist Maria Scali at FOX 8 TV. “I have been interested in television production and writing since I was very young,” shared Molly, daughter of Annmarie Posendek Walsh ’80. “The experience really opened my eyes to the hard work and dedication necessary in reporting a newscast.

During my shadowing, I was lucky enough to be in the newsroom and witness all aspects of putting together a good show. I helped Mrs. Scali report on the flooding in Vermilion, and was able to sit in on the recording and editing process.”

In addition to being on the set during a newscast, Molly Walsh at FOX 8 studios.

Molly also was able to work in the control room and studio. “I sat in the studio during the live show! I was also able to work the robotic cameras, lights and play around with the green screen.”

“My Junior Shadowing experience at FOX 8 definitely helped me realize that I want to work in the entertainment industry and television production,” shared Molly.

“I also attended the Gravity Emissions Laboratory, where emission behavior in zero gravity is analyzed, and the Structure and Dynamics Laboratory, where the structural dynamics and integrity of space constructs are studied and analyzed,” added Brittany.

“Ever since I was a little girl, my greatest interests have been in mathematics and science. As I grew up, I had a sense that I wanted to do something in the medical or engineering field. As I progressed through high school, the thoughts of ‘what should I aspire to be when I grow up’ never strayed far from my mind. Numerous individuals have asked, and continue to ask me, what I plan to major in in college. I grew tired of the thought that I could only choose one of the two fields of my interest. ‘Why not do both?’ I thought to myself. As I looked into and researched different engineering fields I found biomedical engineering. I couldn’t believe it - a field that would incorporate both of my interests, I was very elated! I hope someday to work at the NASA Johnson Space Center and fulfill my dreams in the biomedical engineering field.”

EMILY MAGO Emily spent her Junior Professional Shadowing experience at the Creekside Animal Clinic in Norton, Ohio, with Veterinarian Dr. Michelle Messner. “I would like to pursue a job in medical/scientific research,” share Emily. “Veterinarian experience and education can be a part of the research field.”

“I spent two of my three days at Creekside with Dr. Messner, shadowing her during basic appointments dealing with everything from vaccines to follow-up appointments for both cats and dogs. One of my days was spent with Veterinarians Dr. Amy Moore and Dr. Kelley Adams. When I was with Dr. Messner, she allowed me to accompany her to the Metropolitan Vet Clinic, where I observed her performing surgeries, Emily Mago with Veterinarian including a cyst removal.”

Dr. Michelle Messner Emily is so grateful for the shadowing experience. “I honestly can say that shadowing Dr. Messner and her team has been a fun and educational experience that has furthered my interest in the medical and research field,” she said.

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10th Anniversary of ‘Catholic Schools for Peace and Justice’ Highlights Dedication to Service, Diversity

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his year marks the 10th anniversary at SJA of one of the most active Catholic youth groups in the city, Catholic Schools for Peace and Justice. Called simply CSPJ, Saint Joseph Academy students were among the leaders in starting this movement, and have been a mainstay of the organization ever since, truly proving that they are living witnesses to “serving the dear neighbor.”

As we honor this milestone anniversary, a look back highlights students’ dedication to service and community activism.

“CSPJ was a groundbreaking and forward-thinking initiative,” shared CORE Ministry teacher Cathy Lanning Knittel ’67, who was involved in the group’s inception and growth. “In the 1990s, Bishop Anthony J. Pilla wrote a pastoral letter entitled ‘The Church in the City.’ He identified the issue of Clevelanders moving from the center city and inner ring suburbs to the more suburban and even rural parts of Northeast Ohio. He pointed out that this population shift was severely and adversely affecting Cleveland’s poor and marginalized population,” she added.

In response, a group of SJA students decided it was a perfect time to honor the example of our founding community,

the Congregation of Saint Joseph, which has always focused on the needs of the disadvantaged.

After receiving a grant from the Cleveland Catholic Diocese, teachers and students came up with the concept of the CSPJ – basically organizing all area Catholic high schools into one umbrella organization to serve those with no voice. Mrs. Knittel served on the steering committee during these formative years. Current moderators for CSPJ are CORE Ministry teachers Rene Brinkman ’91 and Dan Guion.

“In the last 10 years, we have worked with area students on projects such as fair trade and just labor practices, prayerful support of ending the death penalty, a poverty summit with 1,000 students in attendance, and, last year, a symposium called “Breaking Barriers” that sought to end discrimination and exclusion,” shared Mrs. Knittel.

“A main point of CSPJ is helping students understand that working for justice is an essential part of being a follower of Christ. We hope the students discover this essential nature of working for justice (through and with the power of prayer, of course) by raising their consciousness about issues through education, by helping them

to learn the skills of advocacy to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, and by providing opportunities for direct service,” she said.

Seniors Caroline Mills (daughter of Dr. Debbie Ghazoul-Mills ’79, sister of Alex ’13 Mills) and Melissa Waltos (daughter of Theresa Waltos ’85 and sister of Amanda Waltos ’10) have been involved with CSPJ since they were freshmen. “It is vital that young people understand the principles of fighting for peace and justice,” shared Caroline, who helped organize the “Breaking Barriers” symposium. “I am so grateful that Saint Joseph Academy is a sustaining source for CSPJ.” Currently 26 area high schools, colleges and Newman Centers, are members of CSPJ. “Each school representative takes what they have learned, and works through the CSPJ club at their home school to share what can be accomplished in their own school community,” said Caroline. “Our next collaborative effort is a mini-summit in preparation for a diocesan-wide summit to be held in the spring of 2015 on what Pope Francis calls “modern forms of slavery,” namely human trafficking, as well as immigration reform and fair trade issues.”

L-R: Attending last year's "Breaking Barriers" symposium, Melissa Waltos ’14, Emily Keller ’15, guest speaker Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ, Caroline Mills ’14, Abby Gonzales ’15 (sister of Jacqueline Gonzales ’03) and Clare Sonby ’15 (daughter of Barbara Waters Sonby ’90).

10

Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

‘Urban Plunge’ Retreat Was Eye-Opener for Students

Christmas Party for Douglas MacArthur Students, SJA Tutors For three years, more than two dozen Saint Joseph Academy students have “served the dear neighbor” and traveled twice a week to the Douglas MacArthur Girls’ Leadership Academy, a Cleveland Metropolitan School, to tutor students in math, English and reading. Right before Christmas, 37 girls from that school visited SJA for a Christmas party to celebrate their hard work and dedication to learning. The Leadership Academy is a kindergarten through 8th grade school attracting students from neighborhoods stretching from W. 25th Street to Kamm’s Corners.

Ten seniors spent 24 hours “serving the dear neighbor” this winter during an “Urban Plunge” retreat.

During the immersion retreat, students spent time at various sites throughout the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland. One of the agencies students visited was the St. Herman’s Men’s Shelter. Students ate with the residents and met a resident named Roy, pictured with the students. Roy came to St. Herman’s homeless and now works as the house manager. Seniors participating were Kathleen Basalla (daughter of Brenda Smith Basalla ’80), Molly Gallagher, Brooke Kahl (daughter of JoAnn Aerni Kahl ’82, granddaughter of Margaret Lynch Kahl ’58 and Marilyn Westfall Aerni ’50, and sister of Michelle Kahl ’09), Molly Moore, Alesha Vovk, Grace Powers (daughter of Maureen Smith Powers ’83, granddaughter of Margaret Ames Smith ’49 and sister of Callie Powers ’12), Nicole Rave (sister of Lauren Rave ’12), Becca Sedlak (sister of Rachael Sedlak ’10), Samantha Sweeney (daughter of Kate Dempsey Sweeney ’81, granddaughter of Bride Ann Gallagher Sweeney ’50 and sister of Bride Sweeney ’10 and Molly Sweeney ’09) and Mary Timmons (sister of Sheila Timmons ’12).

Prayer & Presence Luncheon Brings Students, CSJ Sisters Together Sisters from the Congregation of St. Joseph recently joined with SJA students and adults in the Nazareth Library at a Prayer & Presence luncheon. The Prayer & Presence program pairs each class, the adult community and athletic teams at the Academy with two CSJ Sisters who pray for them and share the spirit of charism throughout the year in various ways.

Attendees included Donna Hawk, CSJ N’60, Jane Ockuly, CSJ ’57, our Sister on Campus Marietta Starrie, CSJ ’49, Kathleen Carey, CSJ ’49, Madeline Lammermeier, CSJ ’44, Joan Lang, CSJ, and Virginia Coldren, CSJ ’45. Pictured

are: L-R: Sophia Leonard ’17, Jane Ockuly, CSJ ’57, Latin teacher Jared Polish, Grace Kanary ’17, Math teacher Amanda Lasko and Donna Hawk, CSJ N’60.

Meghan Geiger ’15 with two students from Douglas MacArthur Girls’ Leadership Academy.

“We wanted to show the younger students how much they are appreciated and how proud we are of their efforts throughout the school year,” shared CORE Ministry teacher Dan Guion, who oversees the tutoring efforts. As a bonus, the SJA Christmas party for the students was covered by Channel 19 Action News (www.sja1890.org/ MacArthur19) and on Cleveland.com (www.sja1890.org/MacArthur).

In addition to the Douglas MacArthur tutoring, students also travel weekly to Our Lady of Angels Elementary School to tutor a group of students.

Congratulations to all the tutors and CORE Ministry for helping to “build a caring community!”

Saint Joseph Academy SPRING 2014

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Father-Daughter Dance

Visitors Provide Clarity on Importance of Black History Month

The Father-Daughter Dance, held in March, continued a long-standing and cherished tradition. Held at Brennan's Catering and Banquet Center, the event included dinner, dancing and just a few chances to try on funny masks! Pictured are Delaney Bak ’14 and her father Keith.

Sophomore Excels in Northeast Ohio Shakespearean Competition Sophomore Kristen Deering was a standout in late February among the students from 29 area high schools competing in the annual English Speaking Union Shakespeare Competition. Held at the Idea Center in Playhouse Square, the goal of the competition is to increase the awareness of the works of William Shakespeare and the richness of the Bard’s native tongue.

After performing a prepared monologue and sonnet, Kristen was chosen to be one of only six finalists! These students were given a nerve-wracking 45 minutes to prepare sight-unseen monologues, and then perform these along with prepared monologues and sonnets.

“Kristen did an outstanding job on all three pieces and won honorable mention!” shared English teacher Mel Kupchik, who tutored Kristen and accompanied her to the competition. Mrs. Kupchik is the moderator of SJA’s Shakespeare Club.

“I love Shakespeare and was excited to make it to the finals,” shared Kristen. “I can’t wait to compete again next year!”

“Thoroughly Modern Millie” Was Musical Treat Students entertained full houses in the fall with their rousing presentations of the musical, “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”

The lead role of Millie was played by senior Karianne Stanton, who is also a member of the award-winning a capella group the Academy Chorale. Students from St. Edward and Saint Ignatius High Schools also participated in the play, which was made possible by the abundant help of parent volunteers and members of STArts, the parent group that supports the arts.

Bravo to the whole cast on a job well done!

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Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

L-R: Di’Avian Scruggs ’17, Sister Juanita Shealey, CSJ, Britani Harris ’17 and Kyrielle Williams ’16 were attendees at a luncheon commemorating Black History Month.

Students learned some of the secrets of success from Sister Juanita Shealey, CSJ, a Sister for more than 60 years and wellknown advocate of education and social justice; Mrs. Charmaine Brown, the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Forest City Enterprises, Inc., and a member of the SJA Board of Directors; Ms. Margaret Mitchell, President and CEO of the YWCA of Greater Cleveland; Mrs. Helen HaynesWhitehead, formerly executive assistant to the Vice-President of Human Resources at Case Western Reserve University and temporarily working as an assistant in the Guidance Department; and Mrs. Adriane Hicks, a Guidance Counselor whose life experiences include serving as a member of the Army Reserves in Operation Desert Storm as a Combat Medic.

Winter Sports Senior to Row at Ohio State

Hannah Smith

Senior Hannah Smith will be rowing on The Ohio State University, Division 1 Women’s Novice rowing team starting in the fall of 2014. OSU Crew athletes compete against crews from around the country, including both club teams and varsity programs. Hannah’s grandmother is Margaret Ames Smith ’49.

Congratulations, Hannah!

Basketball The 2013-14 Jaguars posted a solid 16-8 record and a final ranking of No. 19 in The Plain Dealer’s Top 25 countywide basketball rankings. Seven of the eight losses were to teams ranked in the top nine of the top 25. The Jaguars played hard throughout the season, despite being significantly shorthanded throughout the season due to injury and other issues.

The Jaguars had big wins against Holy Name, Avon and Cleveland Heights high schools and had near misses against Walsh Jesuit and St. Vincent St. Mary. The 2013-2014 Jaguars are to be recognized as a group of hard working, high-effort and coachable young athletes.

The Jaguars had three players who were statistical leaders in Cleveland: Senior Nicole McManamon finished 2nd with 49 three pointers; with 235 to her credit, junior Brittany Morrison finished 4th for rebounds; and Senior Greta Burry finished 4th for blocks, with a total of 39.

Junior Brittany Morrison also had the honor of being named MVP of the “Hoopfest Classic” showcase game played at Walsh University earlier in the season.

Nicole McManamon '14 Greta Burry was awarded a Four-Year Varsity letter.

Congratulations to all the players for a well-fought and admirable season. A special thank you to all the seniors who gave their all to Saint Joseph Academy basketball!

Varsity: 16-8 JV: 12-9 Freshmen: 12-8

Swimming & Diving The 2013-14 Jaguars Swimming & Diving team had an historic season! The team broke five school records and had its best-ever finish in the Division 1 District meet with a 15th place finish. The Jaguars’ dual meet record was 7-5, with four of their dual meets coming against top 20 teams in the state. Captain Sarah Sofish ’14 broke four records, including the 200m freestyle record from 2004. She and her teammates also set the three relay records, capping off the end of her excellent career at Saint Joseph Academy. Captain Maddie Zimmerman ’14 capped off her career with the amazing feat of setting six school records. The 200m freestyle relay record was broken a total of four times this season, including at the district meet with the team of Sarah Sofish, Maddie Zimmerman, Bella Koussa ’14 (sister of Jiana Koussa ’14), and Alexis Butler ’16 (sister of Ashley Butler ’11) with a time of 1:44.01, a full two and half seconds faster than the beginning of the season. Later in the same meet, the same four girls where at it again, this time breaking the record from 2009 in the 400m free relay record by one second. In diving, Kayla Gartin ’15 broke the school record in competition by 20 points and performed well in District Finals, placing 25th. She was also featured as the “Athlete of the Week” on Channel 5.

The season brought plenty of pleasant surprises with the younger girls on the team, some who have just started swimming and growing into some fast competitive swimmers. The 2013-14 team has set the bar for future Jaguar Swimmers & Divers.

Seniors receiving four-year Varsity awards are, l-r pictured, Ashley DiMarco, Sarah Sofish, Bella Koussa, Maddie Zimmerman and Halli Grunder.

Kayla Gartin ’15

Saint Joseph Academy SPRING 2014

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2014 Distinguished Alumnae Award Recipients

T

he Distinguished Alumnae Award was established in 1990 to recognize the achievements of our Nazareth Academy, Saint Therese Academy and Saint Joseph Academy graduates.

Nominated candidates are evaluated for service to Catholic education, church, community and to women’s leadership causes; service in a chosen vocation; living out the mission and philosophy of her Alma Mater; and achievements or special recognition in careers or volunteer work. The nominee must have graduated from one of the Academies for 15 or more years, and her achievements

in her personal life or career must reflect the pursuit of excellence instilled and inspired by the Congregation of Saint Joseph at one of the three Academies.

Please join us to celebrate the four inspirational graduates being honored at the Distinguished Alumnae Awards ceremony on Sunday, April 27 at SJA. Cost is $40 per person. The event starts with a Mass at 10 a.m., and will be followed by brunch and the awards ceremony.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Alumnae Director Mary Ann Fischer ’66 at 216.619.1653. All are welcome!

Joyce Mone Barra ’67

Geraldine Soat Brown ’68

For Joyce Mone Barra ’67, service means more than just giving back. It’s a way of life. That passion for service is evidenced by the profession she chose: educating nurses. “I’ve tried to be an example of a woman who loves what she does and who enjoys every day that God gives her,” she shares. “That same attitude is evident in my teaching.”

Joyce is a full-time Assistant Professor in the Nursing Department at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, teaching graduate and undergraduate students. Prior to that, she was the Director of the university’s Graduate Program in Nursing. Before joining Weber State, she was Director and Professor of Nursing, and Dean of the College of Health Sciences at Salt Lake Community College. She earned distinguished teaching awards at both institutions.

Ironically, Joyce originally wanted to be a teacher, but her family couldn’t afford college, so she had to devise her own plan. She joined the Nurses Club at SJA and decided it was a viable career. She ultimately got the best of both worlds when she began to teach nursing.

Education is a continuing avocation for Joyce, and she has earned multiple degrees over the years. She is especially passionate about teaching nurses how to fully understand and deal with patients and families who are in crisis and need special care and attention.

Under her watch, the nursing program at Salt Lake Community College expanded from 200 to 500 students, primarily thanks to Joyce establishing relationships with the major health organizations throughout the state.

In addition to her work, Joyce has been active for more than 20 years at her parish.

She has been married to her husband, Rich, for 42 years. They have three grown children, Christopher, Rebecca Barra Higgins and Erin Barra. The couple has lived in Utah since 1982. SJA connections in her family include sisters Barbara Mone Shantery ’83, and Susan Mone ’80.

Joyce credits SJA with teaching many lessons that she continues to live by: the value of education and lifelong learning; the importance of faith in action; the role of women; and the value of friends.

“The legacy of my family and SJA will always feel right,” says Joyce. “Every time I come home, I walk the campus and recall the wonderful times I had there and the people who made it that way. It comforts me that the spirit I felt as a student is instilled in my family.”

There were certain life lessons that the Sisters from the Congregation of St. Joseph routinely taught the students at SJA – for example, that every person has been given gifts that are to be shared for the common good in order to leave the world a better place.

For Geraldine Soat Brown ’68, that meant making a difference through her legal career.

She currently serves as the Presiding Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Prior to her appointment, Judge Brown practiced law for 25 years.She had wanted to be a lawyer since grade school. “I realized law is a powerful tool for making the world better,” she explains. “Having the ability to use law to help people was the most wonderful thing I could imagine.”

As a judge, her goal is to bring justice, civility and respect into society. She has worked more than 20 years to advance mediation as a way of resolving disputes, empowering people who are in conflict to find ways to structure their own solutions. In her prior career as a mediator and an arbitrator, and now as a judge, she always strives to minimize animosity and the adversarial nature of civil conflicts.

To those who know her, Judge Brown is an excellent example to women for her single-minded determination to excel in a field that was not considered a typical choice for women at the time. Her efforts and achievements at furthering women’s leadership roles in the Chicago legal community are a source of great pride to her.

She attributes much of her success to the skills and values solidified at SJA. “The Sisters taught us to read and think critically, to write and communicate clearly, and to apply ourselves with selfdiscipline,” she recalls. Other key lessons learned were that women could successfully compete with men and that integrity and honesty are more important than success or money.

Outside of her profession, Judge Brown dedicates time to her parish as a lector, lector trainer, and is a member of the Liturgy Team.

She has been married to Charles Brown for 41 years, and they have two sons, Matthew and Christopher. The couple resides in Glenview, Ill. Her sister, Barbara Jo Soat Orth is a 1964 graduate.

“I am touched and honored to be designated a Distinguished Alumna,” Judge Brown says of her selection. “My education at SJA was a foundation of my success and gave me values for life. My parents were of modest means and made a great sacrifice to send me to the school. This is also a tribute to their sacrifice.”

14

Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

Joan Dever Conrad ’49

Maureen O’Connor N’69

Joan Dever Conrad ’49 has had a deep and abiding devotion to and affection for SJA since she was a young girl. She still remembers the thrill of her letter of acceptance. Joan excelled academically and served in many leadership roles throughout her four years – homeroom prefect as a freshman, Sodality Officer as a sophomore, and Class President as a junior and senior.

Graduation did not signal the end of Joan’s affection for the Academy. On the contrary, it marked the beginning of decades of heartfelt continued service. She organized class reunions, actively participated in fundraisers and served on SJA’s board of directors.

Her husband and friends established the Joan A. Dever Conrad ’49 Endowed Scholarship to help others who shared her dream of attending SJA. Joan and her husband of 62 years, Edward J. Conrad, Jr., are generous supporters of many of Cleveland’s Catholic schools. In fact, the couple had their first date in 1947 at an SJA dance called the “Duck Waddle.” She and her husband, the Medaille Shield honoree in 2012, were prom King and Queen at SJA in 1949.

“My heart has remained with SJA all these years,” she says. “It’s important to me to continue to provide young women with the same quality educational opportunities that I was so fortunate to have experienced at SJA.” Attending a Catholic high school not only nurtured Joan’s entrepreneurial spirit – she and Ed founded the Conrad’s Total Car Care and Tire Center chain in 1969 as well as two ancillary businesses – but taught her the importance of daily devotion to God, family, and community. “If your life is centered on God, He will guide you through the issues we all face in this world,” she says.

To that end, Joan has led an exemplary life with an unwavering focus on Christian values and service. “I am a wife, mother, and grandmother, and my dedication to my family through my faith has been my life’s work,” she reflects. “I have always been involved in parish life and the parochial educational system through my and my children’s activities.”

Joan and Ed live in Westlake. They are the parents of four grown children, daughters Mary Jo Conrad Morse and Sharon M. Conrad, and sons Robert J. Conrad and Edward J. Conrad III. She currently serves as the Vice Chairman on the board of directors for the family’s business. Free time is typically spent with her family.

“I am so honored to be acknowledged by the Academy that has been such an integral part of my life,” Joan says. “To be inducted among my peers is an accolade that I am humbled to receive. I will be forever grateful.”

Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor’s love of the law has led her down a groundbreaking path that has included making history by becoming the first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio. That milestone was a defining moment in a 30-year legal career that has included stints as a lawyer, magistrate, Common Pleas Court Judge, prosecutor and Lieutenant Governor.

“My judicial roles have been enhanced by my education and my family,” says the Chief Justice, a 1969 graduate of Nazareth Academy. “The message was always to do the very best you can to serve others.”

Chief Justice O’Connor first joined the Supreme Court of Ohio in January 2003 as an Associate Justice. She became the 148th Justice to the court, the sixth woman to join the court, and gave the court its first-ever female majority. She was re-elected in 2008 and in 2011 began her service as the 10th elected Chief Justice of Ohio.

One of her hallmarks in Chief Justice O’Connor’s career is an unwavering vigilance toward protecting the public. As a prosecutor, she aggressively tried repeat offenders, violent criminals, and unethical public officials. She was known for lobbying for tougher laws on rape and gang-related offenses. As Lieutenant Governor, the second-highest official in the state, she became the governor’s chief advisor on criminal justice issues, serving as Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety and as Chair of Ohio’s Security Task Force, and the State Building Security Review Committee.

In the wake of the September 11 attacks, she led the state in its response to new threats of terrorism by working with law enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security – efforts that garnered the praise of federal homeland security officials.

“I am honored to be included as a Distinguished Alumna,” says Chief Justice O’Connor. “My induction demonstrates that the foundation built at Nazareth almost 50 years ago has served me well and allowed me to build upon it in pursuing personal goals and a career dedicated to service. The foundation’s cornerstone is faith and love and reliance upon God in all I do.”

Chief Justice O’Connor is a frequent speaker for the many bar associations, law schools and legal organizations in Ohio and nationally. She is a member of the Executive Board of the Conference of Chief Justices. She has been active with many women’s organizations, offering mentoring and leadership advice.

She currently resides in Akron and is active in her parish. She has two sons, Alex and Edward. In addition to spending time with their families, including her two grandsons, she enjoys international travel, flyfishing and reading.

Saint Joseph Academy SPRING 2014

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2014 W

e would like to extend a sincere “Thank you!” to all the friends and supporters of Saint Joseph Academy for making this year’s “Celebrate the Academy,” held in early February, such a success! Thanks to the generosity of our compassionate, giving community, a net $224,000 was raised for SJA academic and scholarship initiatives!

Special thanks go out to co-chairwomen of the gala, Mary Ellen Prunty Kraus ’75, P ’11 and P’14 and Mary Smetana Kolick ’83, P’15.

We are also grateful for the friendship, kindness and generosity of Nick and Kathy Gonnella, recipients of the 2014 Medaille Shield Award, the highest award for non-alumnae friends of Saint Joseph Academy.

It is awarded in honor of outstanding service to the school. They are the parents of Maddie Gonnella ’10 and Mr. Gonnella served on the SJA Board of Directors from 2007-2013.

For a glimpse of this year›s festivities, please go to www.sja1890.org/cta and click on the link for a photo album.

The SJA Jazz Band directed by Music teacher David Mumford

The Gonnella family, l-r, Maddie ’10, Kathy and Nick, Abby and AJ

Board Member Felicia Gonzalez Soto-Martir ’89 and husband Eliot Martir

16

Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

Co-Chairs Mary Ellen Prunty Kraus ’75, P’11 & ’14, and Mary Smetana Kolick ’83, P’15

Student Ambassadors and musical performers

ANNUAL FUND

Help Us Continue our Vital Mission!

Year after year, what strikes so many of our faculty and staff about the young women who attend Saint Joseph Academy is how much they want to be here! The young women who apply to the Academy are so excited at the prospect of being a Jaguar. We just finished sending letters of acceptance for the Class of 2018, and it’s going to be another banner class, with more than 200 incoming freshmen! “It was wonderful to see that the girls who are interviewing are as excited to come here today as I was 50 years ago,” shared one of the teachers.

Saint Joseph Academy is a constant for our students, our alumnae, and our faculty and staff. Our consistent focus on academic excellence has spanned 124 years, as has our philosophy of embracing young women from all walks of life. Today, 65% of our students receive tuition assistance and 55% are Cleveland residents. Our goal is to raise $400,000 to help them continue our mission.

We are grateful for the past support of our alumnae and friends. Our work would

not be possible without gifts like yours, which help young women have the best possible start they can, and provides tuition assistance for those who need it most.

We hope that you share in the excitement of our incoming class, and that you too are

inspired to make a gift to help us continue this important mission. To donate through our website, please go to www.sja1890.org/ donations. If you have questions, please call Director of Development Geoff Powers at 216.619.1938.

EARN Y UR SP TS

Sponsored by:

Jaguar 5K Race/1 Mile Walk for Saint Joseph Academy

Monday, May 26 at 9 a.M. For MORE INFOrMATION Visit

Pre-registration | $20 (Through Friday, May 24 at 9 a.m.) sJa student | $15

(Pre-Registration only)

www.sja1890.org/earnyourspots race day registration | $25

saint JosePh acadeMy 3470 rocky river drive cleveland, oh 44111 For Online Race Registration visit

www.hermescleveland.com Questions?

Call 216.623.9933

Do you have what it takes to be a Jaguar? *Race t-shirt guaranteed for first 300 registered participants.

Saint Joseph Academy SPRING 2014

17

Calling All Alumnae:

Join Us in Safeguarding Our Students’ Future

I

n 1890, the visionary Sisters of the Congregation of St. Joseph founded Saint Joseph Academy and in 1928 built the main campus building we know today. These remarkable women had the foresight to design the building to fulfill the needs of our students for many generations, and it has served our community well. However, while the spirit of the Academy is as strong as ever, the 86-yearold building’s infrastructure has been in critical need of repair.

For these reasons, we have been honoring our founding Congregation’s commitment to the young women of our city by taking the steps toward a stronger future with the Expanding Minds ~ Building Futures ~ Raising Leaders Capital Campaign.

At this time, we are happy to share that we have achieved 93% of our goal and completed two major phases of construction. In September 2012, we celebrated the introduction of an expansive new dining hall, outdoor learning spaces, The Scholars’ Porch and Howley Terrace – all of which have been joyfully embraced by our students and alumnae alike. Our students’ health and safety were the primary focus of the 2013 construction work, as we replaced the heating throughout the school, added telephones in each classroom,

installed an addressable fire-alarm system and upgraded our electricity to support the introduction of our “SJA+” initiative, which provided each student with her own Chromebook laptop computer.

However, as with any old home, there are a number of final projects on the punch list that need to be addressed to safeguard our building and the future of the young women who want to walk in our alumnae’s footsteps for years to come.

Now is the time we need our alumnae to come forward to help us achieve our goal. Alumnae participation has been below our expectations and our needs. As an incentive to help us achieve our remaining $507,000 goal, The Fred A. Lennon Charitable Trust has offered a dollar-todollar matching gift challenge of up to $25,000 in new pledges. Every gift counts!

Our alumnae are the living legacy that is Saint Joseph Academy. We need you to help ensure that the legacy continues. Please take a moment TODAY and complete the enclosed envelope with either a one-time campaign gift, or a more meaningful pledge that can be paid over a period of up to 5 years. Our students are counting on you.

To learn how you can get more involved, please contact Vice President of Institutional Advancement Constance S. Sipple, CFRE, at 216.671.0166 or csipple@sja1890.org or visit www.sja1890.org/capitalcampaign.

SJA Awarded Second Grant from Diocesan Campaign Saint Joseph Academy has been awarded $20,000 from the Expanding the Educational Landscape portion of the Diocese’s “Rooted in Faith-Forward in Hope” Campaign in support of our Expanding Minds ~ Building Futures ~ Raising Leaders capital campaign. This is the second grant that the Academy has received from this program in seven months. In May, we received a grant for $50,000 for the campaign.

“We are grateful for the gifts from the Diocese for this critical effort to help provide a safer, healthier and more stimulating learning environment for our students,” shared President Mary Ann Corrigan-Davis ’71. “These needed upgrades are critical given the size and age of the building, which makes the second grant all the more significant.”

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Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

“Building Futures Breakfast” Attended

by Female Leaders of Northeast Ohio The sun had barely peeked over the horizon, but already the large banquet hall at the Union Club in downtown Cleveland was buzzing with laughter and conversation. It was the morning of Tuesday, December 3, and the beginning of the second annual “Building Futures Breakfast,” an event designed to spread the word of Saint Joseph Academy and its students to female leaders of Northeast Ohio.

A total of 150 of the city’s movers and shakers had gathered to celebrate and support SJA. The co-chairwomen of the breakfast exemplified what can be accomplished with dedication and hard work. Lisa J. Oliver is the Cleveland Market President and Regional

L-R: “Building Futures Breakfast” co-chairwomen Lisa Oliver and Nancy Rodeno with student speaker Maya Ajtun ’15 at the Union Club.

Sales Executive of KeyBank N.A.’s East Ohio Region, overseeing Key’s Community Bank franchise. Nancy Rodeno is Vice President, Organizational Effectiveness for The Sherwin-Williams Company.

“This is one powerful, impressive gathering of women!” shared Mrs. Rodeno, who served for six years on the SJA Board of Directors. “Our goal is to ensure we all help ‘all kinds of girls’ to achieve a rigorous, well-rounded education, rooted in the Catholic faith and prepared for lifelong, compassionate leadership.”

Mrs. Oliver called SJA “Cleveland’s hidden jewel,” emphasizing that the women in the room needed to join forces to ensure that the next generation of the city’s female leaders are empowered, welleducated and globally savvy. “We need to share our experiences by becoming involved,” she added.

Scholarships Pay Tribute to Special Loved Ones and Make the Perfect Gift!

H

aving trouble finding the perfect gift for a birthday, Mother’s Day, or to commemorate a special occasion or loved one? You may wish to consider the gift of a named endowed scholarship.

A named scholarship is a gift of love with significantly more meaning and staying power than a bouquet of flowers or a nightgown. In the past year, five scholarships have been established in honor of a donor(s)’ mother or grandmother. “It is very fulfilling to establish a scholarship in memory of my mother, Jeanne Johnson Van Uum ’51,” shared Cherie Van Uum Friedman ’80. “She so valued her education at Saint Joseph Academy, that my father and she were committed to my sisters’ (Deborah Van Uum Metzger ’79 and Margaret Van Uum ’83) and my attendance. I am honored that through this scholarship, my mother’s legacy of unwavering kindness and generosity will live on” Scholarships such as the Jeanne Johnson Van Uum ’51 Endowed Memorial Scholarship can be created with a single gift or through multiple gifts over time. Once gifts total $15,000, the scholarships are paid out in the amount of $500. The feature that most distinguishes named endowed scholarships

from other types of donation is that the principal is preserved so that the gift – and tribute – can last indefinitely.

Scholarships are also a special way to memorialize a loved one. This winter, 53 years after physical education teacher and moderator Miss Mary Dienes came to SJA, Major Larry Bender, the love of Mary’s life, chose to honor her memory by beginning the Mary Dienes Bender Memorial Scholarship. Miss Dienes, as she was known then, taught at SJA from 1961-1974 and moderated the Girls Athletic Association (GAA), the precursor to inter-scholastic sports at SJA. Through her kind and caring spirit, Miss Dienes modeled important life-long values and showed all who encountered her to always put God first in their lives. She

Jeanne Johnson Van Uum ’51 Mary Dienes Bender

passed away in 2009.

Once totally endowed, this fund will be used to provide a lasting legacy of the special impact Miss Dienes had on her students. Donors and former students of Miss Dienes hope you will choose to join them with a gift to this scholarship to help it reach the $15,000 threshold needed for the scholarship to be fully endowed.

For more information on establishing an endowed scholarship or donating to an endowed scholarship in process, contact Ms. Mary Ann Fischer ’66, Alumnae Director, at maf@sja1890.org or call 216.619.1653.

Walk of the Roses 2014 Make a lasting memory for a special senior by supporting our ceremonial Walk of the Roses. For the Graduation ceremony, each senior carries a beautiful bouquet of red roses from Saint Joseph Academy down Rocky River Drive to Our Lady of Angels Church. This honored tradition remains a treasured symbol for the past, present and future generations of SJA. We hope you will consider joining the many family, friends, alumnae and West Park neighbors who line the street to cheer on the proud class of 2014 on Tuesday, June 3. The walk begins at 6:30 p.m. Your gift of $50 will allow you to dedicate a message to a specific senior, or simply provide a note of best wishes and encouragement to a 2014 graduate.

To support the Walk of the Roses, you can donate online by visiting the SJA website at www.sja1890.org/donations or mail your gift to the Development Department at 3470 Rocky River Drive, Cleveland, OH 44111, with the notation “Roses.”

Saint Joseph Academy SPRING 2014

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Memoriam In

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

Anna McFadden Donovan ’38 on the death of her sister, Lucille Knight.

Virginia Karnuta Tilicky ’54 on the death of her husband, William Tilicky.

Louise Kulka Merkel ’38 on the death of her twin sister, Leona Kulka Jarabek ’38.

Diane Hopkins Ketterer ’55 on the death of her sister, Joan Hopkins ’59.

Lois Gorey Violand ’40 on the death of her son, Walter Violand, Jr.

Ann McNamara Mulgrew ’55 and Mary Rita McNamara ’56 on the death of their sister, Catherine Lindsey.

Marguerite Fitzgerald Martin ’45 on the death of her sister, Anne Caton.

Jeanne Couture Lockwood ’46 on the death of her husband, Karen Lockwood Rechnitzer ’70 and Anne Lockwood Krulik ’71 on the death of their father, and Kay Lockwood Allen ’51 and Mary Therese Lockwood Gilham ’62 on the death of their brother, George Lockwood, Jr. Sr. Francesca Rauckhorst, CSJ ’46 on the death of her sister, Regina Jenkins.

Mildred Shernock ’46 on the death of her brother, Joseph Shernock.

Margaret Mary Friel ’47 on the death of her sister, Winifred Friel Zimmerman ’45.

Ursula Forrey Patton T’48 on the death of her husband and Maureen Patton Pyzoha ’78 and Kathleen Patton McFadden ’80 on the death of their father, James Patton.

Maureen Cooney Nestor ’55 and Patricia Cooney Gowan ’58 on the death of their brother, John Cooney, Jr. Margaret Whelan Farling ’56 on the death of her brother, Eugene Whelan.

Margaret Madigan Langtry ’56 on the death of her brother, Charles Madigan.

Nancy Vitt Nemes ’56 on the death of her husband, Ronald Nemes.

Carolyn Witt Massie N’64, Patricia Witt Szucs N’65, and Donna Witt Mueller N’67 on the death of their sister, Mary Margaret Witt Tench N’76.

Virginia Lubinsky Dobrovic ’65 on the death of her husband and Donna Dobrovic Knoefel ’60 and Dale Dobrovic Fabianski N’73 on the death of their brother, David Dobrovic.

Janice Turner Hansen N’65 on the death of her husband and Sr. June Hansen, CSJ ’58, Rosemary Hansen Raeske N’60, Rita Hansen Steinbeck N’62, and Clare Hansen Leslie N’69 on the death of their brother, James Hansen.

Bonnie James N’65 on the death of her mother, Dorothy James.

Mary Beth Nickras Losh N’69 on the death of her mother, Kathryn Nickras.

Eileen Masterson Evans ’70 on the death of her sister, Maureen Masterson Myers ’73, and on the death of her mother, Elizabeth Masterson.

Marie Dzuban McKenna ’57 on the death of her sister, Irene Dzuban Wallenhorst ’43.

Mary Jane Rutti Jereb N’66 and Anne Rutti Minnery N’68 on the death of their mother, Helen Rutti.

Rosemary Boone Welsh ’70 on the death of her sister, Mary Ellen Lewis.

Judith Hyde Stropko ’58 on the death of her husband, Philip Stropko.

Mary Beth Straub Gorbett ’67, Jane Straub Knapp ’69, Ellen Straub Roxbury ’72, and Patricia Straub Simone ’74 on the death of their father, Robert Straub.

Sandra Stremlow ’67 on the death of her father and mother, Vernon Stremlow and Patricia Stremlow.

Judith Mentz Lavelle ’62 on the death of her son, James Lavelle.

Gina Fitzgerald Smith ’68 and Eilis Fitzgerald Wagner ’72 on the death of their mother, Virginia Gill Fitzgerald ’39.

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Catherine Hoehn Jordan N’69, Diane Hoehn Royle N’72, and Nancy Hoehn Prucha N’73 on the death of their mother, Mary Pauline Hoehn.

Susan Nocera Flanagan N’66 and Mary Jo Nocera Dorsey N’80 on the death of their father, Allan Nocera.

Louise Wolf ’61 on the death of her husband, Ann Sekerak ’85 on the death of her father, and Susan Driscoll Levandowski ’61 on the death of her brother, Michael Driscoll.

Zita Mullen Tumney ’53 on the death of her brother, Joseph Mullen.

Patsy Kilbane ’69 and Marilyn Kilbane Rottgen ’70 on the death of their brother, Michael Kilbane.

Mary Lou Dudas Castle ’57 on the death of her sister, Rosemarie Dudas English ’59.

Joyce Rebeta-Burditt ’56 on the death of her husband, George Burditt.

Margaret Tesek Teubl ’50 on the death of her brother, Rev. Albert Tesek.

Rosemary Girard Corcoran ’53 on the death of her husband and Janet Corcoran McManamon ’46 on the death of her brother, Richard Corcoran.

Donna Schultz N’68 on the death of her brother, Ronald Schultz.

Mary Jo Reznik Blonski ’70 on the death of her mother, Mary Stryker Reznik ’42.

Patricia French Mitchell ’60 on the death of her sister, Marie French ’53.

Jacqueline D’Ettorre Sheehan ’52 and Denise D’Ettorre ’70 on the death of their sister, Marcia D’Ettorre Leonian ’56.

Judy Bamer Day N’68 and Joan Bamer Helber N’71 on the death of their mother, Jeanette Bamer.

Pennyann Banker Raby ’66 on the death of her father, Robert Banker.

Kathleen Farkas Gundling T’49 on the death of her brother, Thomas Farkas.

Dolores Boehnlein Riegelmayer ’52 on the death of her husband, Joseph Riegelmayer.

Janet Skokan Cumberworth N’68 on the death of her brother, Gary Skokan.

Karen Comella Rego ’62 on the death of her husband and Carmella Rego Barrett ’57 on the death of her brother, Lucian Rego.

Roberta Jones Scotch N’62 on the death of her mother, Ann Jones.

Celeste Harkai Bamer N’64 on the death of her stepmother, Helen Harkai.

Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

Mary Jo Synk Pleva ’68 on the death of her mother, Lois Synk.

Myra Smith Wilson ’68 and Valerie Smith N’72 on the death of their brother, Dennis Smith.

Shirley Schwab Calvey N’68 on the death of her mother, Bernice Schwab.

Odette Jamiol Zakowski ’70 on the death of her mother, Colette Jamiol.

Judith Wolf Puhalik N’70 on the death of her husband, John Puhalik.

Susan Urban N’70 and Elizabeth Urban Vertock N’75 on the death of their father, Alexander Urban.

Catherine Gattis Yappel N’70 on the death of her husband, Ralph Yappel.

Rose Marie Kelly Uberstine ’71 on the death of her sister, Mary Kaye Kelly ’66.

Joan Bazelides Brownfield N’71 on the death of her mother, Mary Bazelides.

Nancy Adamczyk N’72 and Connie Adamczyk N’80 on the death of their father, Max Adamczyk.

Susan DiFino McGregor N’72 on the death of her mother, Violet Novak.

Sharon McNamara Moynihan N’72 on the death of her mother, Nancy McNamara.

Diane Theus Lichtenberg N’75 on the death of her mother, Marjorie Lasky Theus ’50.

Megan Hurley O’Donnell N’72 on the death of her father, Daniel Hurley.

Debora Royak N’75 on the death of her mother, Dorothy Royak.

Laura Panik Sinur N’72 on the death of her mother, Margaret Panik.

Mary Zimmer Swardell ’76 on the death of her father, Lloyd Zimmer.

Mary Sopko Montague ’73 and Anna Sopko Montague ’75 on the death of their mother, Agnes Sopko.

Cynthia Tulisiak Nemec N’76 on the death of her father, George Tulisiak.

Margaret Harriman Andrews ’74 and Nancy Harriman Cifranic ’79 on the death of their brother, Richard Harriman.

Ellen McAulay Farrell ’77 on the death of her mother, Patricia McAulay.

Paula Weisbarth Huitsing ’79 on the death of her mother, Ruth Weisbarth.

Alena Santamaria Hawkins ’85 on the death of her mother, Julia Santamaria.

Karen Krupa Fegan N’79 on the death of her sister, Karol Miles.

Natalie Leek-Nelson ’85 and Susan Leek Biggs ’86 on the death of their stepbrother, Gregory Ragon.

Susan Urban Bianchini ’80 on the death of her father, Leonard Urban.

Maureen Connolly Droba ’80 and Kathleen Connolly Pecek ’84 on the death of their father, Martin Connolly.

Mary Petrus Kriebel ’80 on the death of her father, Robert Petrus, Sr.

Jeanne Biesiada Kostiha ’77 on the death of her mother, Dorothy Martynowski Biesiada ’53.

Laura McEvoy Martin ’80 on the death of her sister, Ellen Marie McEvoy.

Elaine McCafferty Hurst Banks ’74 on the death of her mother, Agnes McCafferty.

Eileen Maloney DeMattia N’77 on the death of her mother, Diane Maloney.

Alison Hadney Yovanno ’80 on the death of her father, Robert Hadney.

Lyn Schraff Kelley ’74 and Jill Schraff ’78 on the death of their mother, Patricia McCarty Schraff Urban ’42.

Constance Corrigan Dierman N’77 on the death of her mother, Jeannette Corrigan.

Nancy Simmons Kachmarik N’80 on the death of her son, John Kachmarik.

Anita Murray Ulman ’74, Colette Murray ’76, Maureen Murray ’78, and Mary Kay Murray ’81 on the death of their brother, Timothy Murray.

Inez Scolaro Holnapy N’77 and Jennifer Scolaro N’80 on the death of their father, Joseph Scolaro.

Debra Yahnak ’74 on the death of her mother, Marie Yahnak.

Mary Egan N’74 on the death of her father, Donald Egan.

Annette Zdanski Allan ’75 on the death of her brother, John Zdanski.

Joann Houdek Wirtz N’77 on the death of her mother, Joann Houdek.

Mary Ann Blumish George ’78 on the death of her brother, Steve Blumish.

Charleen Ramus Jaffe ’78 on the death of her sister, Tracey Ramus Huntington ’80.

Camilla Lammermeier D’Andrea N’75 on the death of her father and Sr. Madeline Lammermeier, CSJ ’44 on the death of her brother, Paul Lammermeier, Sr.

Lori Hark Pund ’78 on the death of her brother, Robert Hark.

Susan Huser Dietz N’75 on the death of her father and Rose Huser Kundmueller ’49 on the death of her brother, Joseph Huser.

Mary Laubert Brennan ’79 and Kathryn Laubert ’82 on the death of their father, Howard Laubert.

Teresanne Priem Landreville N’78 on the death of her father, Richard Priem.

Sandra Bilardo Kormos N’80 on the death of her mother, Theresa Bilardo.

Lori Fearson Oberthaler N’80 on the death of her father, William Fearson, Sr. Maureen Mulgrew Murdock ’81 on the death of her father, John Mulgrew.

Donna Salay Busch ’83 and Diana Salay Swencki ’85 on the death of their father, John Salay, Sr. Jacqueline Andre Murar ’83 on the death of her mother, Marie Andre.

Mary Ann Koenig Bower ’84 on the death of her mother, Joanne Koenig.

Diane Mohnickey Beaver ’85 on the death of her sister, Kim Mohnickey Salas ’80.

Lisa Oberly ’85 on the death of her mother, Ellen Oberly.

Judy Ellis ’86 on the death of her sister, Kathy Wacker.

Lisa Battini Oblak ’86 on the death of her mother, Charlene Battini.

Kelli Hansen Peterson ’93 on the death of her mother and Patricia Mott Hoekwater ’74 on the death of her sister, Loretta Hansen.

Andrea Kurianowicz ’02 on the death of her father, Joseph Kurianowicz.

Arianne Lovey ’09 and Holiday Lovey ’10 on the death of their father, Dennis Graham.

We extend our sympathy to Jonathan Setliff, SJA Social Studies teacher, on the death of his wife.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Therese Herringer, former Saint Joseph Academy Physical Education teacher in the 1950s.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Nancy Neay, former Nazareth Academy Business Department teacher from 1967 to 1980.

Correction: In the previous issue of UPDATE, we inadvertently omitted Allisen Landreth Flynn ’72 on the death of her mother, Kathleen Landreth.

Please remember in your prayers the following deceased alumnae.

Leona Kulka Jarabek ‘38 Virginia Gill Fitzgerald ‘39 Ann Hovanec ‘39 Mary Stryker Reznik ‘42 Patricia McCarty Schraff Urban ‘42 Irene Dzuban Wallenhorst ‘43 Winifred Friel Zimmerman ‘45 Coletta Rice Schwartz ‘46 Marilyn Graning Wulff ‘47 Phyllis Dixon Patton T’47

Lois Bolger Egan ‘48 Elizabeth Hagan Neary ‘48 Nancy Dant Miller ‘49 Marjorie Lasky Theus ‘50 June Ulrich Thomas ‘52 Veronica Murray Walker ‘52 Dorothy Martynowski Biesiada ‘53 Marie French ‘53 Barbara McLaughlin Swasay ‘55 Marcia D’Ettorre Leonian ‘56

Barbara Sansbury Milota ‘56 Janet Kundtz Modny ‘56 Barbara Schlitter Rader ‘58 Rosemarie Dudas English ‘59 Joan Hopkins ‘59 Kathryn Florian McCoy ‘59 Donna Ludwig Suleski ‘60 Mary Karl Nerad N’61 Barbara Miller Sestak ‘62 Carol Mack Zechman N’62

Barbara Martiecheck ‘64 Mary Kaye Kelly ‘66 Maureen Masterson Myers ‘73 Gloria Hartman N’75 Mary Margaret Witt Tench N’76 Nadia Lucy Sochockyj Cox N’78 Tracey Ramus Huntington ‘80 Kim Mohnickey Salas ‘80 Lesley Noll-French ‘92

Saint Joseph Academy SPRING 2014

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Beyonds Alumnae

1950s

The SJA Class of 1953 will hold its semi-annual reunion at Mahle’s Restaurant in Westlake on Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 1 p.m. Please call Pat Zak Roth ‘53 (440.268.8229) or Donna Smith McCafferty ’53 (216.941.7298) for reservations.

The SJA Class of 1959 meets on the last Friday of the month at Westpark Station, Kamm’s Corner area, at 1 p.m.

1960s

Eileen Sweeney Bulan ’62 was re-elected Mayor of Vermilion, Ohio. Eileen has worked for the City of Vermilion since 1980 and was elected mayor in 2009.

The Nazareth Class of ’64 is holding it 50th Class Reunion on September 5, 6 and 7, 2014. If interested, please contact Alumnae Director Mary Ann Fischer ‘66, at maf@ sja1890.org or Sharon Kalish Anghilante ’N64 at sanghilante@hotmail.com, or 28265 Southbridge Circle, Westlake, Ohio 44145.

Donna Schultz N’68, former SJA English teacher, has entered the Carmelite Monastery in Cleveland Heights, following a vocation she has nurtured for 30 years.

1970s

Mary Brigid Barrett Groth ’73 has authored three new books for children titled All Fall Down, Pat-A-Cake and Shoebox Sam. Mary Brigid is the president and executive director of The National Children’s Book and Literary Alliance.

2000s

Molly Uline Ducatman ’00 married John Ducatman on November 16, 2013. Her sisters, Sarah Uline Defranco ’96 and Alicia Uline ’03, and Sarah Gabele Saylor ’00 were in the wedding.

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Saint Joseph Academy UPDATE

Christine Brutvan Wallace ’01 married Donte Wallace at St. Colman Catholic Church on October 18, 2013. Her sisters Kathleen Brutvan Grill ’97 and Jessica Brutvan ’05 were in the wedding party.

The flower girl was the daughter of Nicole Vertal Dunn ’01.

Elizabeth Looney ’02, a second-year medical student at Northeast Ohio Medical University, was featured in an article in Crain’s Cleveland Business focusing on her passion for serving the disadvantaged. She is the student point person for V-Week, a week of events aimed at increasing awareness of violence against women and girls.

Samantha Brady Langford ’03 married Vernon Langford on November 22, 2013.

She and her husband currently live in Florida, where Samantha is an art teacher Allison Busser ’04 has accepted the position as Director of Disability and Accessibility Services at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York.

Clare Brewka ’05 is in her last semester of graduate school working for a Master’s in Social Work from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. She spent time in India as part of the school’s India Winter Institute.

Christine Ellis Cooney ’05 is married to Tim Cooney and has two children, Leah and Michael. She is proud to share that after nine years, her best friends are still the girls she went to SJA with and two of them, Lauren Fuseck ’05 and Daniela Rojas ’05, are godmothers to her children.

Anna Kilbane ’05 has been named Queen of the 2014 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Cleveland.

Sarah Ginty ’08 will graduate in May with her Doctorate in Pharmacy at Ohio Northern University. She recently completed pharmacy rotations on a Native Indian reservation and in Alaska. She is engaged to be married.

Idaliz Baez ’09 graduated from Duke University in May 2013 with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. She works at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland as a Contamination Control Engineer supporting the James Webb Space Telescope Project.

Julie DeLong ’10 is graduating from The Ohio State University this spring and has been accepted to Northeast Ohio Medical University.

Julie Jensen ’10 recently gave the gift of life. In December of 2013, she went to Virginia, where she donated bone marrow/ stems cells for an anonymous recipient.

Julie encourages everyone to be “swabbed” – to be a potential life-saver for someone in need of stem cells.

Emilee Petrus ’10, who will be graduating from the University of Dayton in June with a degree in Biology and a minor in Psychology, has found her calling in helping impoverished communities. She spent last summer in Cameroon and hopes to become a doctor and continue developmental work.

Deirdre Rossman ’10 was voted one of three seniors in the School of Business at Duquesne University to receive the 2013 SCM Senior Award, recognizing those who are deemed by their professors to be the “brightest and best.”

Amanda Waltos ’10 received the 2014 Spirit of Billiken Award from the Office of Alumni Relations at Saint Louis University.

Amanda was recognized for excellence in academics, leadership, community service and commitment to Saint Louis University.

Patricia Kay ’13, a University of Notre Dame freshman, has been accepted into the Notre Dame Summer Engineering Program in London, England.

CubClub Danielle Nycz Kresak ’98 & Adam Kresak a son, Nathan Louis, born April 29, 2013 Cheryl Tanko Snell ’00 & Kevin Snell a daughter, Peyton, born August 19, 2013 Kari Roetzer Novak ’02 & Steve Novak a son, Charles Adam, born July 22, 2013 Miranda Forgac Portteus ’03 & Tom Portteus a son, Elijah, born September 6, 2013 Melanie Hanson Bahr ’04 & Ryan Bahr a daughter, Avery Elizabeth, born October 2, 2013 Christine Ellis Cooney ’05 & Tim Cooney a son, Michael James, born February 9, 2014 Julie Jamison Brindlinger ’07 & Joe Brindlinger a daughter, Ava Rose, born October 28, 2013

Grand REUNION

Are you an SJA alum who graduated in a year ending in 4 or 9?

9 4 9 4 9

If so, please mark your calendar for the weekend of October 10-12, 2014 to celebrate your Grand Reunion!

On Friday evening, October 10, there will be a get together at SJA just for the classes of 1999, 2004, and 2009. On Saturday evening, October 11, there will be a dinner for all the reunion classes at the Westwood Country Club. On Sunday, October 12, there will be a brunch at SJA for the classes of 1939, 1944, 1949, 1954, 1959, and 1964. At noon that same day, there will be a Mass at SJA for all the reunion classes and their families, followed by light refreshments and Open House. Watch your mail for more information or contact Mary Ann Fischer ’66, Alumnae Director, at 216-619-1653 or maf@sja1890.org.

See you in October!

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Spend your summer with Saint Joseph Academy!

2014 SUMMER CAMPS

June 16-19 BasketBall • June 16-20 Garden sculpture art camp • June 16-19 soccer • June 16-July 3 summer enrichment • June 23-26 VolleyBall June 23-27 creatiVe diGital photoGraphy • June 23-26 p.l.a.y. (participate. learn. achieVe. for you) sports • July 7-11 crew camp #1 July 7-11 hearts (hearts empowered and aliVe in relationship, thanksGiVinG and serVice) • July 14-16 Golf • July 14-17 cross country • July 21-25 crew camp #2 July 21-25 leadership • July 21-24 ruGBy • July 28-August 1 Great lakes science • August 4-8 sJa music showcase • August 4-8 discoVer the world lanGuaGes August 11-15 theater • August 11-15 music &theater

For more information about our summer camps or to register, visit www.sja1890.org/summercamps

/sja1890 @sja1890

We’re not just an all girls school ~ we’re an all kinds of girls school.™ Diane Kanney, Vice President Enrollment & Marketing, 216.251.4868 3470 Rocky River Drive, Cleveland, OH 44111 • www.sja1890.org

Saint Joseph Academy SPRING 2014

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Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Cleveland, OH Permit No. 912

Saint Joseph Academy 3470 Rocky River Drive Cleveland, Ohio 44111 www.sja1890.org Dated Material

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 write to us at Saint Joseph Academy, 3470 Rocky River Drive, Cleveland, Ohio 44111.

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 Spring Scholarship Luncheon

Golf Outing

There’s still time to join us on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 for the annual Spring Scholarship Luncheon to support the students of Saint Joseph Academy. This popular event will once again be held at the Westwood Country Club. Bring a friend and enjoy a delicious luncheon and participate in a raffle! RSVP info below.

Our 20th Annual Golf Outing to benefit the SJA Scholarship Fund will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2014 at Mallard Creek Golf Club in Columbia Station. The day includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, contests, raffles, and of course, 18 holes of golf with a cart! New this year: we will be having a shot gun start at 10 a.m. Please mark your calendars! RSVP info below.

Alumnae Day Trip The Alumnae Day Trip, set for Thursday, June 19, 2014, will be a trip to Historic Roscoe Village in Coshocton, Ohio, for a horse drawn canal boat ride, a delicious luncheon, and time to explore and shop in the village. The bus trip will include stops at the rose gardens at the Ohio Agricultural Center in Wooster and a wine tasting at Heritage Vineyards. RSVP info below.

Senior Farewell Mass & Alumnae Induction All alumnae are invited to attend the Senior Farewell Mass & Alumnae Induction on May 30, 2014 at 12:30 p.m. Our Lady of Angels Church. Please RSVP by May 27.

Nazareth Academy Reunion Luncheon All Nazareth Academy alumnae are welcome to attend their annual luncheon on Sunday, September 7, 2014. This year’s event will be held at the Cleveland Airport Marriott Hotel on W. 150th St. in Cleveland. Special recognition will be shown to attendees of reunion classes, especially the Class of 1964 celebrating their 50 year reunion. If you live out of the area and would like to receive an invitation, please call or contact Mary Ann Fischer ’66, Alumnae Director, at maf@sja1890.org.

For more information on all these events, or to RSVP, please call Mrs. Betty Hjort at 216.251.6788 x245, or bhjort@sja1890.org.