True Blue Ursuline Girl

When Karen Hubble Mortillaro graduated as a Skip of 1989, little did she know that she would return to State Street a few years later to teach. Beginning in 1994, she returned to Ursuline to teach history and religion. While she has taught different grade levels and different subjects throughout her career, she taught Advanced Placement U.S. History for all twenty-six years. During her time at Ursuline, she served as the academy’s first Mission Effectiveness Director, Rally Night Coordinator, Close Up Coordinator, and Dean of Students. She coordinated twenty-one Rally Nights and twenty-four Close Ups of over 700 students. The number of student activities she has led is far too many to count! In asking Karen about her most memorable experience as a teacher, she stated: “I have had many wonderful memories in the classroom. The thing that I loved the most was when a student would tell me that they were talking to their parents about what we discussed in class or were inspired to find out about current events because they have enjoyed the class so much!” Both as a student and employee, Karen has made many memories at Ursuline. When the opportunity came for Karen to elevate her involvement with her alma mater and create new memories, she stepped up. In July 2019, this true blue Ursuline girl left State Street to join as Co-Director of the Office of Sponsorship for the Ursuline Provincialate USA’s Central Province. Yet again, Karen became the “first” to serve in a position, as she is the first layperson to hold this title. For thirteen years prior to Karen’s appointment, Sr. Madonna O’Hara served as sole Director of the Office of Sponsorship. Upon Sr. Madonna’s retirement, the decision was made to add a layperson in order to connect Ursuline schools and begin to foster the Ursuline/Catholic identity with laity. “We want to ensure everyone knows what that identity is based on and that they are a part of a much larger sisterhood who all share the same mission, core values, and love of St. Angela Merici,” Karen said. Joining her Co-Director Sr. Diane Fulgenzi, Karen serves as a liaison between Ursuline Central Province schools and the leadership team of Ursuline Sisters. “My favorite part of the job so far has been spending the fall semester visiting all five of the Central Province schools! In addition to New Orleans, the Ursuline Provincialate of the Central Province sponsors schools in St. Louis, Missouri; Dallas, Texas; Dedham, Massachusetts; and Waterville, Maine. Being able to visit the campuses and meet the leaders of the schools, as well as many faculty and students, has allowed me to begin to truly feel how each school lives the mission and charism of St. Angela. All of our schools have that family atmosphere and welcoming feeling that we all love about Ursuline New Orleans and I am now blessed to be a part of each of those families,” Karen said. Ursuline Academy of New Orleans is truly proud of this special alumna and is blessed to have her in this new position. While she has touched the lives of many on State Street, she will now make an impact around the nation. A True Blue Ursuline Girl

By: Christy Jackson Zurcher ’00

Ais for

ATELIERISTA

By: Christy Jackson Zurcher ’00

At the heart of every Reggio Emilia-inspired program is an atelier, also known as a studio. Inside that atelier, is an atelierista – a teacher who inspires students through art education and exploration. For nearly ten years, the Soeur Teresita Rivet, OSU Learning Center of Ursuline Academy has been blessed with atelierista Nubia Aguiar. Born in Brazil, Nubia knew as early as childhood that she wanted to be a teacher. She studied economics in college. Midway through her studies, she was called to be a substitute first-grade teacher. Nubia says, “I fell in love with it. I knew that it was my calling.” At the age of 21, she moved to New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and Nubia knew immediately that she wanted to make a difference. She attended a workshop on how to teach children to be resilient through art and she worked closely with children whose neighborhoods and lives were in distress – building up their selfesteem through art. Nubia attended the University of New Orleans, where she obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She worked at a local school – promoting cross-curricular learning. In August of 2010, she became Ursuline’s atelierista. “When I looked at the building, I was inspired. When I met the children, I fell in love. To this day, I still have the same feeling. I am always so excited about all of the projects that we do. I am inspired by the program. There are so many possibilities,” said Nubia. Through her attendance at numerous conventions, workshops, and continuing education, Nubia has fully embraced the Reggio way of student-driven, experiential learning. When asked about her favorite part of this type of learning, Nubia says, “The belief that children are capable and rich in potential. They are natural investigators. Therefore, the open-ended provocations and invitations for exploration are key for the children’s learning process. There are surprises that come with it. The students, teachers, and the environment all collaborate for a reflective process of learning.” From Toddler One to Kindergarten, Nubia shares her love of art, music, and language. Her lessons go deeper than the actual project at hand. Nubia says, “In art, when we focus on an artist – we focus on the culture of that artist.” Ursuline girls recently studied the culture of the Aboriginal people. It is one of the oldest indigenous cultures that is still making art inspired by their ancestors. Fortythousand years ago, they relied on natural materials such as clay, berries, and hides to create their art. Understanding this lineage inspires our girls to create art with available resources. “Our projects are based on meaningful invitations where the children can explore individually or collaborate. I feel so much joy when they are proud of something that they have created” said Nubia.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Building a Global Community by Sara Quinlan High School Teacher

Building community has been at the forefront of all of my passions. It is what ultimately drove me to teach at Ursuline Academy. The first all-girls’ Catholic school in the nation has been built on the cornerstones of empathy and service of others since 1727. I was excited to be a part of a school whose vision aligned with mine. Since that day three years ago, I have been consistently enamored by the intentional dedication and thoughtful placements of these cornerstones in our curriculum, our extracurricular activities and most importantly, the community of faculty and staff who interacts with our Ursuline girls. I wanted to put empathy and service into action this past summer. I was inspired. I decided to devote my summer to volunteer to teach English in Coronado, San Jose, Costa Rica. Coronado is a low income community outside of the country’s capital, San Jose. Each day, I traveled two hours by bus to and from the community center where I volunteered. My class was comprised of intermediate high school and adult English language learners. Over the summer, we spent countless hours reviewing topics such as English verb tenses, the difference between “there,” “they’re,” and “their,” and how to read a clock. On the weekends, I would travel to the towns my students recommended for me to see. But I always seemed more excited for Monday mornings in our makeshift classroom than I was for Friday nights in picturesque Costa Rica. The people I met and the community I was building in that rundown community center in a rural part of Costa Rica brought me more life than volcanoes, zip-lining, beaches, hot springs, exotic monkeys, and incredible food. It is my hope and desire that more of us can partake in such a life changing experience. Bringing communities together across the globe provides all parties the opportunity to learn more about each other - which in turn gives us the space to appreciate all of our uniquenesses. After all, it is the Ursuline mission that promotes appreciating and learning from people with different perspectives in order to build a better world.

One for the History Books

Like many others, I have often wondered about the concept of time travel. I would love to be able to see what life was like a hundred, two hundred, two thousand years ago. This past summer, I had the opportunity to explore that idea further and, in a sense, travel back in time through the past of New Orleans. My internship with the archivists at the Archdiocese of New Orleans was a great insight into a potential career path for a history major like myself. In my time at the archives, I did various jobs. I helped with genealogy requests, which involved finding people’s ancestors in the archdiocese record books based on the information provided. Depending on the amount and accuracy of the information provided, this could be very easy or quite difficult. It sometimes involved translating records from French or Spanish into English. When looking at really old records, sometimes the words were faded or smudged, and sometimes it was just hard to decipher the handwriting. Still, this was one of the most fascinating parts of the internship. It was interesting to note the patterns in language and names throughout the years, and the fact that I was handling records which were sometimes hundreds of years old was really exciting, too. In addition to this, I helped to index the books which weren’t already in the online catalog, and I also updated people’s records (things like confirmations, marriages, or annulments). One of my favorite parts of the internship, however, was the opportunity to help prepare an exhibit on Pope John Paul II’s visit to New Orleans in the 1980s. This involved looking for pamphlets, pictures, newspaper articles, and other artifacts to include. I’m really glad to have been able to work at the archives this summer. The fact that Dr. Emilie Leumas ’76 is an Ursuline graduate made the experience all the more interesting. Being able to connect with someone from another generation of Ursuline students gave me a different perspective into what I could do with my education. And as someone who loves history, this experience was a great way to immerse myself in the past of New Orleans and to learn more about the history of this incredible city. Charlotte is currently a first year history major at Durham University in England. – Charlotte Kimble '19

How does a 15 year old arthritic standard poodle become a puppy again? Ask Dr. Anna Landry, DVM, and certified veterinary acupuncturist! This Sioux of 2011 currently practices veterinary medicine at Metairie Small Animal Hospital (MSAH), but has worked toward these degrees since she was in Toddler 2 at Ursuline Academy. Anna received a play vet medical bag for Christmas in 1995 and immediately began administering to her own pets by regularly taking their temperature, blood pressure, and applying tourniquets of various fashions. Fostering over 200 kittens and cats through Friends of the Jefferson Animal Shelter over a period of twelve years while attending Ursuline kept Anna on course for vet school. She chose University of Georgia for her undergraduate education in large part because it offered her an opportunity to study penguins and other marine mammals up close in Antarctica - an experience she will always cherish. As part of her training, Anna also went to Nicaragua and Costa Rica with VIDA - a Central American mission organization. Anna’s Central America trips helped provide spay/neuter services and other care for an indigenous population who are in dire need of accessible health care for themselves and their animals. Serviam runs deep in this Ursuline girl, as she was able to continue her farm animal volunteering at the UGA Veterinary Hospital as well as complete educational and research studies in Georgia’s poultry and swine industries. After graduating cum laude from UGA, Anna was ready to come back home to LSU Veterinary School. During her four years of veterinary medicine, she pushed her focus toward integrative medicine technics. While attending LSU, she spent weekends attending The Chi Institute of Acupuncture, located near The University of Florida and one of only two such schools in the nation. Graduating cum laude in May 2019, Dr. Anna has now established herself as a specialist in both traditional and Chinese medicine - treating small animals in the New Orleans metropolitan area. Follow her success stories of acupuncture on instagram: msah_acuvet or contact her at Metairie Small Animal’s main hospital on Metairie Road.

Alumna Fulfills Lifelong Dream of Service

By Sylvia Swoop Landry ’69

Hanan Rimawi Class of 2014

By Dolly Duplantier '82

A Heart for Global Service

Ursuline women, from the very beginning, have made a difference in our global society. Their courage and passion to help others, become leaders, take risks, and experience all life has to offer is a great part of our tradition and a major source of pride to everyone in the Ursuline family. One such young woman continues to impress with her efforts to make a difference. Hanan Rimawi (Class of 2014) graduated from Tulane in May 2018. She studied public health and neuroscience. A recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship, she recently traveled to Amman, Jordan, where she spent 10 months teaching English. Hanan had visited Jordan three times previously, but the trips never lasted more than a few days. This was the longest period she had ever spent away from home, and the explosion of newness was initially overwhelming. She believes these excursions, along with her familiarity with Arabic, helped ease her transition. “Given my attachment to family, it was difficult at first,” she said. “While trying to navigate the logistics of moving to a new country, I was also experiencing my first official foray into teaching. At the same time, I was immersed in a different culture.” Initially, Hanan was matched with an institution that trains teachers to be better educators. After that, her program assignment involved teaching 5th, 6th, and 7th grade boys. Helping her students develop their English, and getting to know them as individuals in the process, was fun and enriching. During her stay, Hanan developed a strong connection to the community. She believes her amazing students, along with the support of her host family and the hospitality of locals, helped her immensely. “Before long, my homesickness receded and I was savoring every part of the experience.” A true adventurer, Hanan took advantage of Fulbright’s liberal travel policy. “I was able to visit Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and really experience Bethlehem during Christmas. I gasped at the grandeur of Petra and gazed at the Red Sea from Aqaba, watched the sun set in Wadi Rum, and slathered mud on my body at the Dead Sea. I also traveled to Istanbul with Marian McLellan, my former art teacher at Ursuline.” Hanan’s commitment to Serviam was an integral part of her education at Ursuline and Tulane. Her desire to help others follows her wherever she goes. While in Jordan, she volunteered at a local nonprofit called Collateral Repair Project (CRP). There, she taught English to displaced civilian victims of war and conflict from Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Libya, and Iraq. “These individuals were accomplished professionals in their home countries with expertise in dentistry, education, and architecture. Now they were cast adrift in an unfamiliar place, suffering one indignity after another as they tried to rebuild their lives,” explained Hanan. “Many of them faced insurmountable challenges finding employment in Jordan, so class served as a crucial outlet for community and purpose.” Hanan said she fostered a challenging, but friendly, learning environment in a rudimentary downtown Amman classroom where they could express themselves freely. “Although we could all speak Arabic, we agreed to use solely English in class. I introduced them to colloquialisms and other facets of American culture. To offset the desolation and ennui that enveloped their lives, I infused lessons with warmth and humor. Sometimes, simply having fun was our aim. It was really meaningful to spend time with them every week.” Hanan said the impact of her experience was significant. “For one, I discovered I enjoy teaching. This led me to accept a position teaching full-time as a middle school English teacher in New Orleans.” She also offers private tutoring lessons. When asked about her future, Hanan acknowledged it’s a big question mark. “I’m open to the future unfurling in many different ways. For a long time I imagined I’d end up in healthcare. (In fact, we wrote about Hanan’s prestigious eight-month internship with Dr. Alaa Murabit, the UN High-Level Commissioner on Health Employment and Economic Growth in The Ursu.Lines 2017/2018 issue!) If that comes to pass, I’ll always look back on this teaching interlude fondly.” Hanan emphasized that the spiritual, emotional, and educational nourishment she received at Ursuline sustained her through a range of experiences, including this most recent one. For Ursuline students planning their future and wanting to make a difference, she gives this advice: “Live by your values. Build meaningful relationships with others. Pursue what animates you. Be curious about the world. Most importantly, be kind.” If you’re interested in Hanan’s private tutoring services, contact her via email at hrimawi@tulane.edu.

Our girls will be ready! 2 National Merit Semifinalists in the Class of 2020. One of whom scored a perfect ACT. $ 147,233

in scholarships awarded to students for the 2019-2020 school year. 3 % of Ursuline seniors have been named National Merit Scholars since 2012. High school students can earn up to12 college credits through dual-enrollment courses with certified professors. 100 % of Ursuline girls learn coding logic starting in pre-k and learn a musical instrument - starting in grade 3.

2019-2020 SERVIAM ANNUAL FUND GIVE ONLINE TODAY AT BIT.LY/UAMAKEANIMPACT OR MAIL BACK THE ATTACHED REPLY ENVELOPE!

CASEY TALBOT ’19 “The Ursuline education is an education of the whole person. We are educated academically, spiritually, and in leadership. I am able to take everything I have learned over my years at Ursuline and use it to leave my mark on the world. There are so many unique qualities that Ursuline holds, but if I had to choose one it would be caring. One example of Ursuline’s caring environment is that countless alumnae, who do not hesitate to help, influence the Ursuline girls of today to become strong women of the future.”

Jessica Dalton Woodward ’99, Parent

“As an Ursuline student for 13 years, I learned to have courage, take risks, work hard, and serve others. These lessons helped me and my sister, a Mac of 1994, to pursue our dream of opening our retail store, Phina. Ursuline has been a foundation for our success, and I am so proud that my two daughters and my nieces are continuing our Ursuline tradition. It warms my heart to see them walking down the same halls wearing the same uniforms that I wore as a student. The nostalgia is sweet, but seeing them thrive and grow into strong, independent thinkers with deep Ursuline roots of courtesy, loyalty, courage, and service is even sweeter.”

PENELOPE ANDERSON, 7TH GRADE

“Attending Ursuline has given me opportunities I never would have dreamed possible. I believe that being at Ursuline has taught me many things. From manners, to history, to a sense of tradition and pride, I think that Ursuline has modeled who I will be in the future. Ursuline has taught me to be myself. To make a difference in this world. To make it a better place not only for me, but for my community. Ursuline has given me the chance to explore and find the gifts and talents God has given me. Ursuline taught me to have faith not only in God, but what He will do for me.”