THE URSU.LINES THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF URSULINE ACADEMY OF NEW ORLEANS
Spring/Summer 2019
STAFF AND CONTRIBUTORS Academy President Dr. Karen T. McNay Head of Elementary Shannon Culotta Head of High School Alice Bairnsfather Director of Admissions Becky McLellan Director of Advancement Tommy Mitchell Director of Communications Christy Jackson Zurcher ’00 CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS AND WRITERS Alicia Brannan Gloria Labatut Davies ’20 Dolly Duplantier ’82 Pat Garin Brian Hammell NOCCA Mary Lee Berner Harris ’66 Alina Hernandez Mindy Keller Dr. William M. Mouat New Orleans Opera Association Helen Honoree Myers ’84 Aislinn Kincaid Nolan ’20 Gwen Pitre Jacquat Photography Wendy Rodrigue LAYOUT AND DESIGN Lori Monahan Borden ’88 Lori Monahan Borden Design
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14-15 22-23 25-31 President’s Perspective............................................................... 4 Water Cup Initiative .................................................................... 5 Athletics.......................................................................................... 6 ACE................................................................................................... 7 Faculty Spotlight.......................................................................8-9 Arts Festival............................................................................ 10-11 Community Partnerships................................................... 12-13 Ursuline-Cool........................................................................ 14-15 STEM & Arts.................................................................................. 16 Inside the Museum.................................................................... 17 Blended Learning................................................................. 18-19 Global Service...................................................................... 20-21 UN Visit................................................................................... 22-23
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7th Grade Promotion............................................................... 24 Graduation............................................................................ 25-31 Friendship, Family............................................................... 32-33 Celebrating Our Sisters............................................................ 34 Births ............................................................................................ 35 Marriages............................................................................... 36-37 About Alums........................................................................ 38-39 In Memoriam....................................................................... 40-41 Bach Contest.............................................................................. 42 Black History Month................................................................. 43 Around State Street............................................................ 44-46 Save The Dates........................................................................... 47
Ursuline Academy of New Orleans earned the College Board's 2018 APÂŽ Computer Science Female Diversity Award for attaining female student representation in AP Computer Science Principles. Among the more than 18,000 secondary schools worldwide that offer AP courses, Ursuline is one of only 685 and one of 6 in the state to have achieved this result.
“A true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” - Albert Einstein Albert Einstein understood that true intelligence comes from an imagination to see the world differently, the ability to imagine the possibilities, and the courage and perseverance to make a change. How do we promote developing intellect, imagination, creativity, and problem solving? Why is this important? Intellect and imagination spring forth when a student engages in real hands-on projects and true moments of problem solving. Ursuline’s project-based education takes on an important role in developing problem solving and creativity – making our girls ready for careers in fields that are rapidly changing the global economy.
PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
While Einstein focused on science, the Arts also breed imagination, creativity, and problem solving. With Ursuline programs centered on STEM and the Arts, our Spring/Summer 2019 Ursu.Lines celebrates the imagination, intellect, and creativity of our girls today that continues our long history of excellence in fine arts. Our visual, musical, and dramatic arts produce experiences that enable our girls to express how they see and interpret the world. The Arts instill courage to step out of the box, take risks, learn from failure and mistakes, and try again each step necessary for our students’ future successes. As you read through this Ursu.Lines, the uniqueness of our Arts is apparent. From creativity through line, color, shapes, drama, and music, our pages tell the story of the Ursuline fine arts experience. Meghann Rooney, Merry Mac of ‘06, returned home and brought collaboration to visual arts as our elementary girls worked together to produce class projects throughout the school year. Bringing in the community, our students shared the making of a Mardi Gras Indian costume, along with a visit of the “Blue Dog” through Wendy Rodrigue. The blending of STEM and Arts occurred in Maureen Cremaldi’s trip to Delgado’s Fab Lab with her Art II class. Our students were “practically perfect in every way” in the spring musical production of Mary Poppins. Thanks to the efforts of Helen Meyers, Sioux of ’84; the Bach Competition celebrated over 60 piano and string students from the New Orleans community in March. Ursuline partnered with the New Orleans Opera Education Association as our students performed this year. Our April Arts Festival showcased our fine arts and culminated with a dramatic depiction by our juniors in “Remember the Ladies.” Students enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime global experience by visiting the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women with other Ursuline schools throughout the United States. Our pages also include updates on our alumnae, events on State Street, and other spring happenings. Turn through the pages and see Ursuline today. Blessings,
Karen T. McNay, EdD
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WATER CUP INITIATIVE M A K I N G
After discovering that more than 500 plastic cups were discarded during two days of high school lunch alone, members of the Academy’s Key Club decided to start a Water Cup Initiative to reduce the amount of plastic waste. Casey Talbot, Caroline MacLaren, Marie Foret – Skips of 2019 – along with Riley Talbot – Merry Mac of 2021 - decided to make a difference. All four Ursuline girls met with high school and academy administrations to discuss the matter and propose a solution. The kick-off for the initiative took place during a morning assembly on Field Day. These Key Club members invited New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and City Councilman Joe Giarrusso to discuss plastic pollution and environmental sustainability during the assembly. Both city officials have a passion for this topic - Mayor Cantrell began CleanUp NOLA and Councilman Giarrusso is the chair of the Quality of Life Committee. Mayor Cantrell and Councilman Giarrusso URSULINE URSULINE ACADEMY ACADEMY
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discussed issues within the city and urged students to continue to make a difference. During the assembly, students were encouraged to be more mindful by bringing their own cups to lunch. Special BPA-free Ursuline Tervis tumblers were created and are being sold for use. In celebration of their efforts, Casey, Caroline, Marie, and Riley were invited to attend a city council meeting to receive a proclamation. At this particular meeting, Ursuline tumblers were purchased and set at each councilmember’s place. As for Riley Talbot, she is charged with continuing to bring the initiative to life. When asked about moving forward, she responded: “I'm hoping next year to spread the initiative to all of Ursuline Academy, instead of just the high school. The next step is bringing it to other schools around New Orleans and helping them find their way on the path to reducing their waste.”
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ATHLETICS
Two members of the Skip Class of 2019 signed National Letters of Intent. Congratulations to Kennedi Jackson who signed to play basketball for Oklahoma State University and Caitlin Laurenson who signed to play soccer for Alverno College. We’ve enjoyed watching them play as Lions and we wish both of these Ursuline girls luck in college!
A C E
At Ursuline, we give girls the confidence to discover who they want to be. Students interested in architecture, construction, or engineering are now given the opportunity to participate in the national ACE (Architecture, Construction, Engineering) Mentor Program. Our juniors and seniors joined more than 9,000 students nationwide from 1,000 high schools that participate in this program. Ursuline is one of only two allgirls teams to work one-on-one with local volunteers and tour professional firms in each field.
Students meet with professionals in each field every other week for two hours per session. In starting their sessions, they toured campus – taking pictures and surveying areas. After reviewing photos, they also studied the Academy’s floor plans and brainstormed areas they wanted to improve. They drafted plans and presented them to administration as suggestions. In addition to oneon-one mentoring from industry professionals, these sessions also included a hands-on field trip at a local construction site. We are excited about this amazing opportunity for our Ursuline girls. We look forward to seeing the program grow in our high school division.
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Sometimes life brings people back to where they started, full circle, and it’s the best place for them. That’s how things happened for elementary art teacher Meghann Harney Rooney, Merry Mac of 2006. Finishing her first year teaching art at Ursuline, she’s happier than ever. “It’s been really nice, coming back here and remembering your time even as you’re teaching a new generation of girls,” she said, looking back on the year she’s had. Launching a whole new art program at the school, she wasn’t sure how things would go. So she tried to keep things simple and orderly the first year: Ursuline students in first through seventh grade would learn about the same artist at the same time. An art history segment first so they could get to know the artist and the context of their work, and then, create projects inspired by them. The students learned about Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, and Russian abstractionist Wassily Kandinsky, French postimpressionist Henri Rousseau and blue dog favorite George Rodrigue. “So you could walk the halls and the first grade knew exactly what seventh grade was doing; all the projects were different but they all had the same theme. It was so much fun for them,” she said. It was a completely different world than her previous career in fashion design. It was exciting, yes. But it had stopped being fulfilling, Rooney said. An Ursuline girl who joined the school her junior year, Rooney was part of the Katrina class of 2006 whose senior year was shortened to rebuild amid the devastation. But what Rooney remembers is not missing out. She recalls how much she loved her high school. And in that mix, she found a kindred spirit in the art teacher at the school, who encouraged her to take creative risks with her art. “I just fell in love with it,” Rooney said. “And I started really seriously thinking about art as a profession.” She went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in Apparel Design and Merchandising from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Her career took her on an exciting path of designing fashion lines and working at Saks Fifth Avenue and Michael Kors. She did a stint with local Mardi Gras costume designer Suzanne Perron. Rooney describes how much she liked the work and how it challenged her, but it was becoming less and less enjoyable. “I felt like I was losing my art,” she said. “Retail had really started to burn me out.” By then, she was married and was thinking about her next steps. She reached out to her alma mater and started volunteering to help out in art class. That led to a summer camp spot where she developed lesson plans in art, and discovered she loved teaching. “It’s been so great here; the school – everyone – has
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By Alina Hernandez, Ursuline Parent
been so open about what I can do and in helping me plan really fun lessons for the girls.” She has a lot of support, for sure. Her mother, Elizabeth “Lizz” Harney, Merry Mac of 1976, teaches Chemistry and Environmental Science in the high school. Her now year-old son, Arthur, is in the nursery and technically a Merry Mac of 2036. That’s right, a legacy of Merry Macs, 30 years apart. Rooney has found her calling at Ursuline. She speaks with excitement recounting all the art projects the girls did this year: Explored Dia de los Muertos, painted abstracts to classical music (“they needed to feel the notes”), and self-portraits using the thick, bright strokes of Van Gogh. “The school lives up to its values, creating a safe and creative space for me and my students,” said Rooney. “They support my lessons and are excited to see the students inspired to grow,” she said. She points to a recent – and successful – effort by high school students to ban plastic cups in the dining hall. “It’s a school that cares about the students, but also about the community and what we give back. They gave me the courage to try – they instilled that in me, and now in these students, too.”
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The Ursuline Arts Festival is a showcase of the many talents of Ursuline girls from Toddler 2 through 12th grade. This year’s theme, Needle Arts – Our Thread of History, celebrated our rich Arts heritage through the convergence of historical and contemporary needle art. Student and teacher needle art was displayed, while the campus museum was open to showcase needlework from Sisters and former students. The Senior Skips hosted their own special show, while Early Childhood students presented their very best creations. Choir and orchestra filled St. Ursula Hall with beautiful music, while juniors presented Remember the Ladies – a tribute to historical female figures. From beadwork to embroidery to knitting – and everything else in between – this festival celebrated nearly three centuries of innovation.
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St. Angela Merici encouraged her daughters to “build community wherever they go.” At Ursuline Academy, we believe that our nurturing community, diverse by design, fuels every girl’s success. Here, girls gain a deeper understanding of themselves and how to be successful in a global society. We are thankful to have worked with several community partners throughout the 2018-2019 school year.
Tulane University’s Newcomb Art Museum Maureen Cremaldi’s Art I classes take an annual walk to Newcomb Art Museum on Tulane University’s campus. This has been a wonderful opportunity to utilize this community resource as part of our curriculum. The museum’s Education Director serves as a docent to our students and invites them to explore the socially conscious art exhibits on display. This year, Tulane partnered with formerly incarcerated women and those directly impacted by the prison system to create the exhibition Per(Sister). The purpose of this exhibit was to share the stories of currently and formerly incarcerated women in Louisiana and build awareness of the causes of women’s incarceration, the social impact of long-term incarcerated mothers, the psychological and physical toll of incarceration, and the challenges of re-entry into society. Ursuline students held a discussion based on a reflection page created by the University. Bringing this experience back to Ursuline, the girls had stimulating class discussions. When asked about the experience, Mrs. Cremaldi states, “Tulane has been a wonderful partner in our artistic community at Ursuline.”
Southern Rep Theatre Alex Smith, Technical Director for Southern Rep Theatre, joined our high school theatre class for a lesson in stage combat. It was a fun addition to class. Mrs. Zirkenbach and students had a great time.
U.A. Discovery Series The Ursuline Academy Discovery Series gives students the opportunity to discover who they want to be and encourages them to explore. Through Skype sessions with professionals from all different careers and backgrounds, our girls are able to learn new things, ask questions, and learn from another’s perspective. This school year, our girls were able to talk to Louise Jandura, Chief Engineer for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Brennan Ferguson, Ursuline alumna and research scientist in training who is currently working on her doctorate in Environmental Engineering.
New Orleans Opera Education Association Building on the success of serving over thirty Ursuline students in the Spring through 2019 Mozart and Teen Angst, Building Subtexts with Musical Underscoring, and Rossini’s Cat Duet Staging Sessions, the New Orleans Opera Association and Ursuline Academy Departments of Music and Drama would like to continue collaborative endeavors in 2019-2020. When asked about this partnership, Ursuline High School Theatre Teacher Amanda Zirkenbach stated: “Our students love working with the New Orleans Opera artists and teaching staff. It allows them to experience the collaborative nature of performing arts in a unique and engaging way.” Both Ursuline and the Opera Association would like to put together a large collaboration in Spring 2020, within which the students author a musical theatre work, and, together explore the combined elements of stagecraft, dramaturgy, script-writing, vocal coaching, ensemble-building, and musical composition. The finished product will result in a oneact production that will make students, faculty, parents, and patrons of the Arts at Ursuline Academy proud!
FabLab NOLA at Delgado Community College Maureen Cremaldi’s Art II class took a field trip to FabLab NOLA at Delgado Community College to turn their artwork into 3D masterpieces! After creating designs in class, students translated their work onto the Delgado computers and used laser cutters to turn their work into plastic and wood creations. This project is a wonderful example of how Ursuline focuses on STEM and the Arts as equal partners to power 21st century learning.
URSULINE-COOL George Rodrigue Life & Legacy Tour Visits the Historic New Orleans School By Wendy Rodrigue DREAM! CREATE! EMBRACE YOUR IDEAS! MAKE A DIFFERENCE! CHANGE THE WORLD!
It was 1994, for my cousin’s wedding, when I last visited Ursuline Academy. That I forgot their magnificent church, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, confounds me. This spring on the George Rodrigue Life & Legacy Tour, I stood both transfixed and transported within this glorious temple to God and women and strength - the home to millions of prayers and boundless compassion blended with learning…and, to my greater surprise, ART! Founded in 1727, Ursuline Academy is the oldest Catholic school and the oldest continuouslyoperating school for females in the United States. After some seventy schools in eighteen months on the Life & Legacy Tour, I’m pretty well-seasoned and rarely intimidated. However, the fact remains that I’m an embodiment of religious ambiguity and attended a series of, albeit excellent, public schools in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The very idea of Ursuline Academy, located in Uptown New Orleans, caused my brow to raise, just a bit. Could I possibly relate to this house of history, pedigree, and piety? And could they possibly relate to me? I invited my cousin to join me for the adventure. Kelly McClanahan Yeager graduated from Ursuline Academy in 1986. Together we toured the school, church, and museum, swept away by this treasure-trove of culture, history, and faith. Along the way, I learned that Kelly was a “Skip,” and that this was obviously an important characteristic, based on the cheers and broad smiles she received throughout the day. I relaxed. Kelly’s here, and she’s cool.
Friday delicacy), discussed our confidence in and admiration for today’s young people, and experienced McNay’s own enchanting paintings! It was the last group, however, the 7th graders, that stunned me the most on this phenomenal day. You see, up to now, I have funded this tour entirely on my own. It’s brought me to schools not only throughout Louisiana, but also Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Florida. This year we expand into California and Texas. Funding it alone, I can’t sustain it. And yet I must. I have witnessed the transformative potential of art, inspired by George’s story and paintings, and there’s no going back. The students presented me with a check from funds they raised from wearing “casual blue” on a dress down day in George’s honor. Unbeknownst to them, it is the seed money for the all-new George Rodrigue Life & Legacy Foundation. The money will help bring George’s original art and life story to rural schools, Title I schools, and many others, both within Louisiana and nationwide. These young Ursuline women empower me, as a woman who still feels like a girl, to fly. I won’t let you down. Thank you, Ursuline Academy, for welcoming me to your school. You are humble, gracious, eager, generous, joyful, and super-cool! Thank you for helping me to make a difference. And thank you for inviting me back to visit with your high school students. You have inspired me, and I can’t wait! See you in the fall, Ursuline girls!
Thanks to the boundless support of my team, Eldridge Tervalon, Douglas Magnus, and Douglas Shiell, I brought seven museum-quality, original George Rodrigue paintings, ranging in date from 1968-2013, and shared them with the students over four hour-long sessions. We admired student paintings inspired by George Rodrigue. They explored the classic oaks and contemporary dogs in their own creative ways, with exceptional artworks that both touched and awed. We also enjoyed lunch with Ursuline Academy President Karen McNay in her grand office, where we dined on crab cakes (a Lenten URSULINE ACADEMY
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Amelia Jacquat
URSULINE GIRL
P O W E R E D by STEM & Arts Brian Hammell Director of Communications for NOCCA
As a senior who attended Ursuline Academy in the mornings and New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) at 1:15 PM for her conservatory studies in Musical Theatre, Amelia Jacquat smiled as she looks back on her journey. At a very early age, Amelia displayed a particular unique interest amongst her peers. Amelia had a deep admiration for the performing arts and mathematics. She knew that she wanted to learn more about theatre and performance, so she took advantage of a new program NOCCA was offering to middle school students, Musical Theatre Prep. She threw herself into her studies and tried to balance her long days of study, both in academics and the Arts. Upon entering high school, Amelia’s goal was to gain pre-professional arts training, and continue mastering mathematical challenges. This brought her to the best of two worlds, arts training at NOCCA and the academic rigor of Ursuline Academy. “In middle school, I was always that kid who finished her math test first,” Amelia said, “I enjoyed attending math class and I liked learning new concepts in math.” In the midst of performing shows in the NOCCA Musical Theater Department or in regional community theatre, Amelia understood the responsibility of fulfilling her academic requirements. “My entire high-school career, both at NOCCA and Ursuline, I learned the importance of planning and organizing.” This skill is one of the many attributes Amelia believes contributed to her professional development. “NOCCA has taught me the beauty of working in an ensemble and how collaboration creates wonderful work,” she said. “Ursuline has taught me the importance of community, bonding, and relying on a friend in a time of need.” Amelia’s opportunity to attend both institutions of education led her to explore avenues that she never imagined possible. Amelia has landed lead roles and leadership positions in extracurricular activities at both schools. Of course, the organization that she holds near to her heart is the Ursuline Mu Alpha Theta (Math Club). As Vice-President, Amelia represented her team in statewide math competitions. “Last year, I received fourth place overall in Trigonometry. They gave me a trophy, and I could not believe it.” Now, where is she going next? Amelia is prepared to attend George Washington University in D.C. to major in systems engineering and minor in theater. Amelia wants to use her college education to ultimately develop a new viewing experience for audiences. “I would love to design a new theater and experiment with how an audience sits, which will create new art in theater,” she shared.
NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts) is Louisiana’s arts conservatory for high school students. NOCCA offers students from across the state tuition-free arts instruction in Creative Writing, Culinary Arts, Dance, Media Arts (Filmmaking and Audio Production), Music, Theatre Arts, and Visual Arts. Students may attend summer arts intensive for high school students, half-day or afterschool in their accepted arts discipline or fullday in the NOCCA Academic Studio Program. For more information, please visit www.nocca.com or call 504.940.2787.
INSIDE THE MUSEUM When Louisiana territory was lost to Spain in the 1750’s, it was the new Spanish governor who, in an attempt to make friends with the French, wanted Spanish women to join the Ursuline Order. These Spanish Sisters brought a tremendous skill to visual and musical arts – forever impacting the history of Ursuline Arts. The fruits of Ursuline Arts weren’t just celebrated amongst the Sisters and their students – they were celebrated worldwide. The Ursulines received a very special invitation to display their work in the main exhibition hall of The World’s Fair: Columbian Exposition. This world’s fair was held in Chicago in 1893 and was a celebration of the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the New World in 1492. This artwork, belonging to both students and Sisters, showcased musical and visual arts as well as writing. The Academy’s campus museum houses examples of much of this extraordinary work and following works. From needlework used at Academy Masses to pottery and calligraphy, it is a wonderful display of talent. “The United States of America, by act of their Congress, have authorized The World’s Columbian Commission at the international exhibition held in the city of Chicago, state of Illinois, in the year 1893, to decree a medal for specific merit which is set forth below over the name of an individual judge acting as an examiner, upon the finding of a board of international judges, to Ursuline Academy, New Orleans, Louisiana, Exhibit Pupils’ Work Award for meritorious work in English and French and many beautiful specimens of fancy work.” Special thanks to Mary Lee Berner Harris '66, Archivist, Ursuline Convent Collection - Archives & Museum
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BLENDED LEARNING
Fueling Every Girl’s Success Alicia Brannan and Gwen Pitre, Third Grade Teachers
During the 2018-19 school year, Ursuline Academy’s third grade teachers were invited to join a Leadership Cohort of the Blended Learning Leadership Program hosted by the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Blended Learning involves utilizing student data from online educational programs to differentiate instruction for student learning, based on specific personal student data. The program introduces learners to a growth mindset, teaching them that the learning capacity of the brain can be stretched to higher limits. In Ursuline’s third grade classrooms, Blended Learning includes different learning modes. Though some instruction is whole group, most learning is accomplished as students rotate through “stations.” One station is independent learning and focuses on one or URSULINE ACADEMY
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more targeted skills for the week. Work here is often differentiated according to students’ understanding of an identified skill or topic. In a second station, students work in a small group with the teacher. At this station, the teacher can address challenges that each student may be facing. Groups change regularly depending on student achievement and need. Finally, the third station introduces students to a program called “Lexia.” After an initial pretest on a variety of reading skills, the program is completely individualized for each student. Students then work independently at their learning level and are challenged to move through various activities in phonics, vocabulary, word usage, and comprehension in order to reach higher reading levels. When students experience difficulty with a skill or assignment, the teacher receives electronic data and directly intervenes to reteach, model
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or coach the student through the difficulty. This may happen at the small group station or individually. Blended Learning is also being implemented in lower school math classes. Students have two math stations which they alternate between daily. One station is independent work on the Zearn online teaching program, and the second station is meeting with the teacher in a small group. Teachers receive data about students’ performance, and can then tailor small group lessons to address students’ needs.
their own learning process. Our data shows that several students are now performing above grade level in the Lexia program. Students are engaged, and state “I like when I am at the table with the teacher because she teaches me step by step so I understand.” Lastly, of Lexia, several students appreciate that “there are different levels and each one is different and it helps me with lots of things. The program sets a goal for me, but I get to set my own goal, too.” Instruction has become more differentiated and targeted for students, making them more independent and confident learners. As one student says,
Blended Learning offers many benefits for educators and students. It provides educators more strategies for individualizing student instruction based on specific student data. It also allows students more control in
“I like it because I feel like I am stronger with more knowledge.”
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ALUMNA IN ACTION
A Heart for Global Service Dolly Duplantier ’82
Four years ago, when Sydney Clark (Merry Mac 2015) began her freshman year at Spring Hill, she says the service seed had already been planted at Ursuline. She knew from day one that she wanted to replicate her vision of Serviam and her spirit of service at college, too. For some, that might be a hard act to follow. Her spirit of service soared at Ursuline beginning her freshman year, where she volunteered to help elementary school children from low-income families. For two consecutive summers, she then volunteered at Louise Head Start Center. She didn’t stop there. She joined Key Club and participated in their numerous service efforts. She also volunteered with Second Harvest Food Bank where she prepared and delivered meals to impoverished families. As a member of the National Honor Society, she tutored Ursuline students in Spanish, English, and history. During her senior year, she was president of Peer Ministry, the religious voice in the school. Volunteering wasn’t the only thing that stirred her spirit to serve while at Ursuline. A number of teachers also contributed to her passion to help others. “My Spanish teacher said that everyone should be required to learn a second language so that we can challenge ourselves to connect more with others and learn from their experiences.” The Director of Campus Ministry, Ms. Joubert, also influenced her spiritual life. "My senior year was difficult because I couldn’t decide where to go for college. I told her about my insecurities, doubts, and fears of the future. She told me to follow my gut URSULINE ACADEMY
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feeling and to offer everything to God because I cannot and should not carry my burdens alone. That realization is what helped me through my discernment process and helped me with my final decision to attend Spring Hill College.” Sydney’s high school accomplishments and her belief in Serviam helped her pursue her volunteer work with the same energy that inspired her passion for service at Ursuline. Over her four years at Spring Hill, Sydney participated in a number of programs, including English as a Second Language (ESL) working with adult immigrants and resettled refugees in the Mobile area. She taught English to individuals from Iran, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, Venezuela, Vietnam, Ukraine and Kenya. She also volunteered as an ESL instructor with DWELL Mobile, a non-profit organization providing opportunities for refugees to thrive by raising awareness, removing obstacles, and restoring relationships. Sydney also participated in three International Service Immersion Program (ISIP) trips. She went to the Dominican Republic and Managua, Nicaragua. She returned to the Dominican Republic as a student leader her senior year. Her service work involved helping to build a home for a local family, as well as learning about the social injustice issues of immigration and racial discrimination against Haitians in the Dominican Republic. Sydney emphasizes that living in a global society is rewarding yet challenging. “It has helped me to realize that we are responsible for one another. We are meant to live in community with others. We should utilize our God-given gifts and talents to serve others where they are, so we have to know and understand who we are serving and interacting with. We must be intentional about how we treat others. We have to be bold and speak up when we see or experience an injustice. We have to learn how to talk openly and comfortably about “uncomfortable” topics, such as discrimination, racism, migration and poverty.”
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Sydney says Ursuline’s mission helped her use her gifts and talents at Spring Hill and will continue to help her post graduation. And, she’s not wasting any time. She begins this summer with an internship with Catholic News Service in Washington, DC through The Fund for American Studies Internship Program. In the fall, she will attend the National Association of Black Journalists conference and convention in Miami, and after that, she plans to attend the University of Maryland College Park to obtain a master’s in journalism.
“My career goal is to become an international journalist and bring attention to issues regarding language, culture, religion, immigration, migration, discrimination and poverty.” Sydney believes she has an obligation to continue advocating for the rights of those on the margins of society and remains in solidarity with them. “I hope to use my passion for storytelling and social justice to convey messages and perspectives that need to be told to the masses.” Sydney says she centers her life and actions through Serviam. The Jesuit values learned at Spring Hill are a continuation of Ursuline’s values of courtesy, loyalty and courage. Her understanding of Serviam epitomizes Ursuline’s mission statement of preparing girls for "life in a global society." URSULINE ACADEMY
Sydney recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from Spring Hill, receiving a B.A. in Communication Arts with a concentration in journalism and a minor in Spanish. She also received the Presidential Award for the Communication Arts Department.
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S L R I G E N I L URSU
N U E H T T I S I V
Hello! We are Gloria and Aislinn, and we are two of the four girls who were sent by the Ursuline Education Network to the UN for the 63rd Commission on the Status of Women in New York. While we were in New York, we were able to attend many events that helped us learn about global women’s issues and how to take action in response. We plan to bring much of the information back to Ursuline to become more active and educated in our own community! We flew in on Saturday, where we attended Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, walked through Times Square, and watched "Dear Evan Hansen." Though all of these events were incredibly fun, the most fun we had was learning and being in the UN!
DAY 1 On Sunday, our first full day in NY, we attended a Teen Orientation sponsored by the Working Group for Girls. Here we were able to connect with teenagers from not only across the country, but across the world, about the issues they faced in their community and how they took action. We also learned about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, which they hope to achieve by 2030, and how global women’s issues not only focus on the “gender equality” goal, but are incorporated in every objective put forward. –Gloria DAY 2 On Monday, we were finally able to visit the UN! We toured the UN and were able to see conference rooms where leaders such as Barack Obama and Malala Yousafzai made important speeches. We also learned more about the Commission as a whole. One parallel event we attended was sponsored by Taiwan, where we had the privilege to hear from various young Taiwanese women who had taken action in their community to bring about environmental change in local oceans, as well as social change in the role of fathers in raising children. Another had to do with showcasing a diverse set of women who advocated for combating gender discrimination by working through community-based advancement. After attending many side events and learning so much about various global issues that concerned women, we finished off the day with a meeting with all of the Ursuline girls sent to the Commission by the Ursuline Education Network. It was so exciting to connect with Ursuline girls from across the country and hear what they learned from the events they attended! –Gloria DAY 3 On Tuesday, we had the opportunity to attend two events in the United Nations. One was sponsored by a NGO group associated with both the UEN and the UN! My personal favorite event was sponsored by the Republic of Malawi, it was all about the best way to empower rural women in their country (and in other African countries). The room was small, but filled with powerful women. It was such an interesting experience that I’m sure we would never have stumbled across it on our own. Both activities allowed me to understand things through a different lens. Listening to a wide variety of people who had almost nothing except for the same passion to improve the lives of everyone in their respective communities was an experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life. The best part of the entire trip was that we got to go through such life-changing revelations alongside Ursuline girls from all over the country, who all shared the same core Ursuline values - and most importantly the passion for Serviam. –Aislinn DAY 4 Although we were tired by Wednesday, we were very upset to leave New York. And although we were excited to get back and share what we had learned, we felt like there was so much that we still could do. Of course, we still wanted to spend time with all of the friends we made on the trip. Because of Junior retreat, we flew home a day before the other Ursuline girls, but we still attended as many events as we could before we got on the plane. The very last event we attended was called “Take the Hot Seat!” - which was an event designed to get young people involved in the conversation. They had many prominent parliamentarians and government officials from all over the world on the panel, and they opened the floor to questions. This event was inspiring because of the turnout of young people in the room interested in getting involved. It was a memorable way to end the trip. –Aislinn What we learned I left New York with only one thought in my mind: How can I change the world? As an Ursuline student, I am encouraged every day to serve my community. This trip showed all four of us that there are so many people out there who work hard every day to serve their communities loyally. The New York experience was truly unforgettable, but the only thing we are looking forward to is the next opportunity to serve in our community. –Aislinn
Pictured from left to right: Gloria Labatut Davies, Anna Laura Figueroa, Aislinn Kincaid Nolan, and Uma Dietzel at Take the Hot Seat!
7TH GRADE PROMOTION
7TH GRADE PROMOTION
Ursuline Academy is dedicated to the moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social growth of each individual. In addition to its strong core values, the Academy strives to instill the ideals of courtesy, loyalty, and courage in all of its students. During the 7th grade promotional exercise, the Academy honored students who exemplified each ideal.
COURTESY
HALEY REHM
L O YA LT Y
COURAGE
SERVIAM
KAITLYN LAUGHLIN
MAI OU ZHANG
KAIYA GLAUDE
GRADUATION 2019
CASEY TALBOT
2019 CLC Medal Recipient The CLC Medal, Ursuline Academy’s highest award, is given in recognition of the senior who, in the opinion of the faculty, has exemplified to an outstanding degree the qualities of Courtesy, Loyalty, and Courage expected of the Ursuline student.
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Caroline MacLaren ’19 was selected as the 2019 Cor Unum Award Recipient by the Ursuline Alumnae Association. The award is given to one senior each year. Candidates are judged solely on their love for Ursuline Academy and their honest expression of what the Academy means to them. Caroline is pictured with her sisters - Meg (2017, left) and Emily (2014, right), who are also Cor Unum Award recipients. What does it mean to you to be in the 292nd graduating class of Ursuline Academy of New Orleans? Ursuline to dear old Ursuline…the words sound familiar, but only to a few. The fingers that strike the piano keys signal a song innate to a select number of people - those who have looped the brown strings of their oversized shoes, those who have buttoned up their stark white oxford blouse, those who have trekked up three flights of stairs - heavy bag fastened to their back, those who have strolled the long halls of this castle-like building. Cheers, we pledge our endless love today, bounce off the stone walls of the arching Chapel. The sound that you hear - you, an Ursuline girl - resembles something so unique: a legacy. The faces that surround you, joyful and exuberant, are merely a small amount of a large body of women that make up the astonishing community of Ursuline. Ursuline, forever Ursuline. 292 years. The number is remarkable. Of course, I have understood that my school is the oldest Catholic girls school in America, established in 1727. That information has been born into me since my first day at Ursuline ten years ago. Yet, that number - 292 - is almost inconceivable. 291 classes of women that have come before me. Women who have become the leaders of our city, our state, our nation, our world. Lab researchers, doctors, lawyers, photographers, biologists, teachers, judges, congresswomen, state officials, pharmacists…women who are peacemakers. Women who live the spirit of Ursuline despite graduating - Though life may lead us far away. These are women who have created a legacy - Lamp that lights the flame of all our hopes and dreams - A legacy that I get to be a part of. Beacon bright that guides us onward with its beams. All of which has been produced from the very school I am graduating from. 292 years of women who lived happy hours within your sacred halls. Women who had laughs and learning just as I have. Women living with the cherished memories that I live with. URSULINE ACADEMY
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Ursuline, to dear old Ursuline. It is more than just New Orleans. It is the network of women across the country, across the world - New Rochelle, Dallas, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Paris, Dublin, Wimbledon, Budapest, Athens, Bangkok, Kellyville… All of these women making a change in our world. The song grows louder, We pledge our endless love today. Love. It is all a legacy rooted in love - the courtesy, loyalty, and courage instilled in us. It is Cor Unum - one heart, one legacy. Ursuline, forever Ursuline. It is more than just a school. It is the tangible representation of growth and discovery. Though life may lead us far away, we are all still a part of Ursuline by the actions we take. We are still a part of that legacy, no matter how far life may lead us. It is a legacy that draws alumnae back. A legacy that defines who we, collectively and individually, are. A legacy that produces pride in our alma mater. The song you hear is not just the echo of the school, it is the echo of 292 years. Alma Mater beautiful, starlike ever shine, on our paths to guide our faltering steps, home at last, dear Ursuline.
What one word describes Ursuline and why? Only one word fits the character of Ursuline: dynamic. Ursuline in all its beauty and intricacy is perfectly dynamic. On all of my worst days, my attitude is transformed by the dynamic life at school. There is a dynamic spirit that exists in the teachers at Ursuline, one in which students strive for greatness inside and outside the class, in which students desire to excel, in which students are inspired by the energy. As a strong follower of national and global politics, history has always been a home of passion for me, where teachers speak zealously, fiercely invested in constitutional amendments, New Deal Expansions, Andrew Jackson, Supreme Court decisions, fallen empires in the earliest centuries of global expansion. Class is an invigorating experience of debate, discussion, and expression, full of life and energy. The teacher’s devotion to the study of history and politics animates the classroom. The math department is a beam of youthfulness. Math class is an ocean of light, classmates giggling and racing to complete active math warmups. Solving the derivatives and integrals is an adrenaline rush, and the success of the problem is greeted with delight and joy from the teacher. And then the next problem begins with an eager thrill. There has never been a second of dull energy in the cheerful rooms of the math wing. But it’s more than a dynamic spirit in the teachers, it’s within the whole academy. Sitting in the auditorium or the chapel, where vibrant faces gleam of big smiles of all ages, there is a bright and brilliant glow in the whole school. There is enthusiasm that
radiates the room, and I feel at peace. No greater comfort exists than within the exuberant personality of the entire school. The loud laughter and gleaming smiles of students and faculty are a reflection of the dynamic environment of Ursuline, full of knowledge, courage, and vibrance. Dynamic encompasses another vital aspect as well. Ursuline is dynamic in that it adapts to our changing world. There is no doubt that during my time at Ursuline I’ve been encouraged to be bold. Bold in the sense that I can do all things I love, and if I see an injustice or unfairness in this world, I challenge it. I do such with youthfulness, pursuing the issue with kindness, but, more importantly, with persistence. At Ursuline, I’ve always been encouraged to challenge myself and change those around me, doing so with the spirit I’ve developed at school. St. Angela put it perfectly in her legacy to us, Ursuline: “And if, according to times and circumstances, the need arises to make new rules or do something differently, do it prudently and with good advice.” Ursuline has always proven to encourage students to be the difference in the world. Graduating is a bittersweet experience, leaving the dynamic environment at Ursuline, yet there is comfort in that same spirit that I will “do something” and “get moving.”
There is no greater reward than to say that I’ve had the pleasure of learning and living at such a dynamic place.
SKIPS of 2019 Ursuline Academy conducted its 292nd commencement exercise on May 18, 2019 in the school’s auditorium. Honorable Madeleine Landrieu, an Ursuline graduate of 1980, delivered the commencement address. Landrieu is the Dean of Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. Prior to her appointment as Dean in 2017, she served as judge on the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal for the State of Louisiana. The ceremony began with an invocation by Sister Ann Barrett, OSU, Prioress of the Ursuline Sisters of New Orleans. Ursuline Academy’s Dean of Students, Karen Mortillaro, served as Mistress of Ceremonies, while Head of High School Alice Bairnsfather and Academy President Dr. Karen Thomas McNay presented awards and diplomas to the graduating seniors.
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The valedictorians were Laci C. Darensburg and Maria Isabel Frey Ribeiro. Laci C. Darensburg is the daughter of Dwyane and Tanya Mitchell Darensburg. Laci is a legacy of Ursuline Academy, preceded by her mother, and had attended Ursuline since Toddler 2. Laci was a member of the Academy’s twirl team, where she served as Co-Captain and President. She was a member of Student Council, Vice President of Diversity Club, and was also a member of Teens for Life and Lion’s Pride. She served as Mu Alpha Theta Secretary, a member of National Honor Society, and participated in the Louisiana District and State Literary Rallies where she placed for several years. She will attend Xavier University of Louisiana as a pre-pharmacy major. Maria Isabel Frey Ribeiro is the daughter of Dr. Ruy Ribeiro and Lori Frey Ranner. Isabel was Quiz Bowl President for all five years
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of high school. She was also a member of Student Council, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Peer Ministry, Queen’s Players, and Beyond Our Borders. Isabel is a 2019 National Merit Finalist, a National Hispanic Scholar, Archdiocesan Regional Student of the Year, a recipient of the Yale Book Award, and received first place overall in French at the Louisiana State Rally for two years. She will attend Williams College. The salutatorians were Cameron A. Barnes and Alexandra A. Sabrio. Cameron A. Barnes is the daughter of Wilson and Barbara Barnes. Cameron had attended Ursuline since Pre-Kindergarten. Cameron was a Cabinet member of Student Council, where she served for five years. She was also a member of Save NOLA Strays and Key Club, where she once served as Vice President. Cameron was also a member of Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, and National Art Honor Society. She received the Principal’s Award all five years of high school. She was chosen for both the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and the Honors Experience Program at Florida State University, where she will major in Biomedical Engineering. Alexandra A. Sabrio is the daughter of James and Victoria Sabrio. Alexandra was an active member of National Honor Society for four years, one of which she served as President. She served as Vice President of Quiz Bowl for five years and was a member of Mu Alpha Theta. She has studied at Tulane University and Oxford University in computer science and critical thinking. Alexandra was named a National Merit Finalist. She was awarded a scholarship to attend the University of Alabama. The following students were ranked, along with the valedictorian and salutatorians, in the top ten of the graduating class: Macallister L. Davis, Marie C. Foret, Charlotte I. Kimble, Caroline E. MacLaren, Rachael M. Melancon, and Madison E. Priestley. The highest award that Ursuline gives, the CLC Medal, is given in recognition of the senior who, in the opinion of the faculty, has exemplified to an outstanding degree the qualities of Courtesy, Loyalty, and Courage expected of the Ursuline student. The recipient of this year’s CLC Medal was Casey M. Talbot.
Caroline E. MacLaren was selected as the 2019 Cor Unum Award recipient by the Ursuline Alumnae Association. Candidates are judged solely on their love for Ursuline Academy and their honest expression of what the Academy means to them. The Sylvia Probst Medal was awarded to Charlotte I. Kimble for outstanding interest and achievement in English V. The award is given in honor of Miss Sylvia Probst, who served Ursuline and generations of Ursuline students for 45 years as an English teacher, librarian, assistant principal, and principal. The 78 graduates earned a total of $11,484,200 in four-year scholarships. The other graduates were Mia R. Acuna, Alecia C. Aubry, Cameron A. Barnes, Sarai R. Bartley, Mya E. Baxter, Sophia A. Bell, Rachel D. Bonura, Jordan M. Bordenave, Isabel G. Borges, Madison A. Boten, Bailey E. Broussard, Mykah A. Brown, Caroline M. Castle, Jaime A. Cossé, Claudia L. Cucchiara, Olivia B. Culotta, Laci C. Darensburg, Macallister L. Davis, Ashley A. Doan, Rachel M. Durand, Jordan A. Egan, Katie E. Elam, Zoe A. Elam, Aislynn M. Ennis, Marguerite H. Eppling, Katharine C. Fahrenholt, Sophia D. Ferrara, Marie C. Foret, Isabelle J. Forstall, Camryn M. Francis, Skyler D. Franklin, Natalie E. Frey, Maria Isabel Frey Ribeiro, Katherine E. Garcia, Erin E. Goebel, Sadie P. Golus, Megan E. Harold, Annalisa M. Huete, Kennedi M. Jackson, Amelia J. Jacquat, Amy L. Keller, Grace A. Keller, Madison Kilroy, Charlotte I. Kimble, Sophia L. Knight, Caitlin S. Laurenson, Diana C. Ledet, Zoie E. Legeaux, Mollie L. Leggio, Kelsey L. Liljeberg, Lindsey E. Luquet, Caroline E. MacLaren, Michaela C. Mailhos, Rachael M. Melancon, Tara L. Meyer, Molly E. Murray, Brooke M. Mustacchia, Cindy P. Nguyen, Kayla T. Nguyen, Asia I. Noah, Logan K. Patin, Sarah E. Poché, Madison E. Priestley, Eve E. Roethele, Katelyn V. Rosch, Tara E. Rousselle, Alexandra A. Sabrio, Holly N. Santos, Lauren E. Songy, Chloe M. Spellman, Madisen A. Suell, Casey M. Talbot, Isabel A. Tilford, Khanh H. Tran, Kaitlyn L. Verderame, Emma C. Vitrano, Giaina J. Warren, and Madison N. Zemo.
The Edward A. LaFaye Memorial Award is given for outstanding humanitarian service to those inside and outside of Ursuline Academy. It is decided by vote of the senior class. The seniors’ choice for this award was Casey M. Talbot. The Sedes Sapientiae Medal, which takes its name from one of the titles of Our Lady “Seat of Wisdom,” is presented annually to the senior whose scholarship, achievement, and loyalty, in the opinion of the faculty, have been consistent and outstanding. This year’s recipient was Maria Isabel Frey Ribeiro. URSULINE ACADEMY
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LEGACIES
Legacies are graduates who have a mother and/or grandmother who is an alumna of Ursuline. Pictured (back row, from left) are Maria Cangemi ’83 (Diana Ledet), Carolyn Miranti Heller ’55 (Marie Foret), Stephanie Gonzales Ferguson ’93 (Aislynn Ennis), Tanya Mitchell Darensburg ’83 (Laci Darensburg), Janeé Butler Patin ’85 (Logan Patin), Monique Felton Suell ’85 (Madisen Suell), Sherí Amundson Melancon ’87 (Rachael Melancon), Jolene Ferro Songy ’85 (Lauren Songy), Ann Leaumont Harold ’89 (Megan Harold), Amy Froeba Tilford ’99 (Isabel Tilford), Angelique Reed ’78 (Giaina Warren), Maureen Mock Verderame ’66 (Kaitlyn Verderame), Peggy Salvaggio Talbot (Casey Talbot), and Jo-Ann Fazzio Mueller ’57 (Grace Keller, Amy Keller).
LONGEVITY
Longevity awards are presented to graduating seniors who have attended Ursuline Academy since kindergarten or before. Pictured (back row, from left) are Camryn Francis, Madison Priestley, Olivia Culotta, Madison Boten, Ashley Doan, and Marie Foret. (Front row, from left) Diana Ledet, Laci Darensburg, Logan Patin, Madisen Suell, Chloe Spellman, Lauren Songy, Cameron Barnes, and Giaina Warren.
The 78 graduates earned a total of $ 11,484,200 in scholarships and completed a total of 19,588 service hours. Alverno College Auburn University Ball State University Bethel College-IN Birmingham-Southern College Boston College Case Western Reserve University Cazenovia College Centenary University Chatham University College of the Holy Cross Columbia College Chicago Delgado Community College Dillard University Durham University Emerson College Florida State University Fordham University Georgetown University
Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia State University Goshen College Howard University Indiana Univ.-Purdue Univ. Indianapolis La Roche College Louisiana State University Louisiana Tech University Loyola University Chicago Loyola University New Orleans Lycoming College Lynn University Maryland Institute College of Art Millsaps College Mississippi State University Montclair State University Mount Aloysius College Neumann University New England College
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New York Film Academy New York University Nicholls State University Northeastern University Northern Vermont University-Johnson Northern Vermont University-Lyndon Northwestern State Ohio Northern University Oklahoma State University Quincy University Rhodes College Samford University Savannah College of Art and Design Sewanee: The University of the South Southeastern Louisiana University Southern Methodist University Spelman College Spring Hill College St. Edward's University Texas State University The George Washington University The University of Alabama Tulane University Tuskegee University United States Coast Guard Academy University of Alabama at Birmingham University of California, Berkeley University of Georgia University of Holy Cross University of Louisiana University of Louisiana at Monroe University of Maryland, College Park University of Miami University of Mississippi University of New Orleans University of North Carolina at Greensboro University of Northern Colorado University of Rochester University of San Francisco University of South Alabama University of Southern Mississippi Villanova University Webster University West Virginia Wesleyan College Wheaton College MA Williams College Xavier University of Louisiana
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FRIENDSHIP, FAMILY, LOVE & LEGACY By Mindy Keller, Ursuline Parent
The following is a story of two Ursuline women. A friendship was formed between Jo-Ann Fazzio Mueller ’57 and Adele “Dellie” Allain DiGiovanni ’57 when they were both just 3 years old. Their fathers were friends and they also became close friends. Jo-Ann attended Ursuline since she was in first grade and Dellie joined her their freshman year of high school. Sioux, best friends and soul sisters - Jo-Ann and Dellie remained best friends through their Ursuline high school years and from then on through college, weddings, families, and careers. Jo-Ann and Dellie lived very far apart but kept in constant touch. Jo-Ann lived in New Orleans, was married, and had four children. Dellie and her husband lived in Minnesota and had three children of their own. Throughout the years, they supported one another with each of their exciting and important careers. They stood by each other while raising their children and even managed to take a girls' trip to New York once a year. Jo-Ann and Dellie’s children considered both families family. Aunt Jo-Ann and Aunt Dellie loved all seven of their combined children and then went on to be the two happiest grandmothers ever known. Their friendship never wavered. Dellie would come home for Ursuline reunions and they would have slumber parties with their 1957 Sioux classmates, never forgetting their Ursuline URSULINE ACADEMY
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heritage. Jo-Ann’s oldest daughter, Missy Mueller Vivien ’83 and oldest granddaughter, Meagan Mueller Weinkork ’01 both graduated from Ursuline. Both Missy and Meagan wore Jo-Ann’s ’57 class ring, a tradition Jo-Ann was so happy to pass down. Jo-Ann has three other granddaughters who attended or are attending Ursuline. Twins Grace and Amy Keller, who graduated in May of 2019 and Sarah Keller, Class of 2021. Sarah is proud to be the first Mac in this family legacy. Jo-Ann wanted at least one of her twin granddaughters to also wear her class ring and thought it would be difficult to choose, so perhaps they would have to pick out of a hat who would get to wear the 1957 class ring. That was until Jo-Ann’s lifelong best friend and Ursuline sister, Dellie, offered her 1957 class ring to Grace and Amy! Everyone in Jo-Ann’s family was so excited that both girls would have the same ring and that they were both handed down from an Ursuline alumna! Dellie graciously gave her class ring to one of the twins and was happy to see the ring being passed on. Friendship, family, love, and legacy is how these two Sioux, four Skips, and one Mac all share an Ursuline tradition that will hopefully be passed on to their own daughters and granddaughters.
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MAKING OF THE RING “I’m guessing few people know the origin of the enormous Ursuline ring that is used at
Senior Ring Mass. Well, here’s a photograph of me sitting atop that wood ring in my father’s cabinet shop in 1962, when it was built. My dad, Ferdinand J. Horil, Jr., was commissioned by the Ursuline nuns to design and build this very special ring. All four Horil daughters attended Ursuline, grammar through high school. It’s great to see our dad’s beautiful creation still being used and appreciated by so many today.” – Janet Horil Cheralla ’75
Celebrating OUR SISTERS
In her Sixth Counsel, St. Angela Merici encouraged her daughters to “act in such a way that they may always follow your example.” As members of the Ursuline community, we have a wonderful example in our own Sisters. With the same heart and conviction as the first Sisters to arrive in 1727, our Ursuline Sisters of today are true models of confidence and compassion. URSULINE ACADEMY
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We were blessed to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee (60th) of Sr. Regina Marie Fronmüller and the Platinum Jubilee (70th) of Sr. Rosemary Meiman during this school year. We are thankful for their commitment to the Ursuline Order and we appreciate their contributions to Ursuline of the past, present, and future.
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g
MIRACLES MICHAEL & SHAYLA GAITHER WILBERT ’96 A SON,
MICHAEL & KATIE JARDINE BUCHERT ’00 A SON,
NICHOLAS & ASHLEY PREVOST SALVAGGIO ’03 TWIN SON AND DAUGHTER,
COLIN MITCHELL
EMMETT MICHAEL
CLAIRE MARIE AND NICHOLAS JUDE
SEAN & VANESSA SWAIM JOFFE ’98 A DAUGHTER,
MATTHEW & MAIRIN LEBLANC CUTRER ’03 A SON,
MARGOT JEAN
ROBERT FOLEY
NICHOLAS & RACHEL BOREL HEBERT ’04 A DAUGHTER,
COLETTE ROSE JACOB & KRISTEN BROWN SALADINO ’03 A SON,
VINCENT JACOB
NICHOLAS & AMANDA HYMEL DIECIDUE ’08 A DAUGHTER,
LILLIAN MAE
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ALUMNAE MARRIAGES
Julie Cronan AME & Daniel Nelson
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Nicole Quijano ’93 & Jonathan Hobbs
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Francesca Holt ’12 & Dalton Blanchard
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Beth LaCour ’14 & Roy Messina
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1
2
3
Honorary Alumna
1964
1 COLLEEN PERRILLOUX LANDRY was awarded the 2018 Keep Louisiana Beautiful – Alice Foster Award for “being a passionate defender of Louisiana’s unique, natural beauty.”
ARLENE GIRAUD WILTZ is currently working with the Ignatian Volunteer Corps (IVC). For further information about joining, you may contact her at IVCNewOrleans@gmail.com.
1963 DENNY OULLIBER CHARBONNET, recently retired Drama Director at St. Paul’s in Covington after 31 years, directed the musical play “Garden,” which was performed in the Ursuline Academy auditorium.
6
Archdiocese of New Orleans, former Chair of Dept. of Education-Holy Cross College, and former principal at Mary Queen of Peace in Mandeville, was honored as one of the Archdiocese of New Orleans Office of Catholic Schools’ Distinguished Alumni, representing St. Angela Merici School.
1972 2 NANCY RIVET DOERRIES celebrated the baptism of three of her grandchildren in The National Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor.
1978 JAN DANIEL LANCASTER, former Superintendent of Schools for the
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1979 3 DEBORAH AUGUSTINE ELAM, former Chief Diversity Officer for General Electric and President of the GE Foundation, was honored as one of the Archdiocese of New Orleans Office of Catholic Schools’ Distinguished Alumni, representing Ursuline Academy
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ABOUT ALUMNAE
5
4
1988 4 MONIQUE MORIAL was named first female President of the Allstate Sugar Bowl. She was also honored as one of New Orleans Magazine’s “Top Female Achievers.”
1990
7
Mignon was awarded the TimesPicayune Award and the Loyola Alumni Association Award for outstanding scholarship and demonstration of Loyola’s core values. She was accepted into the GE Commercial Leadership Program. Out of 100,000 applicants, Mignon was 1 of 15 to receive the honor.
5 HONORABLE KEVA LANDRUM received City Business’ “Leadership in Law Award” for a second year.
BAILEY CLOUATRE graduated from Louisiana State University Veterinary School.
2015
KENDALL LANE received Loyola University New Orleans’ Irving A. Fosberg Award for the Outstanding Management Graduate.
6 MIGNON BLANC completed her undergraduate degree from Loyola University New Orleans in Biology. She minored in Business Administration.
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2016 7 BLAIR JONES, 72nd Plaquemines Parish Orange Festival Queen, spoke to our Ursuline girls about confidence during an elementary assembly.
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IN MEMORIAM
Alumnae
Brother-in-law of
Ruth Ann Murphy Elmer ’39 Sr. Mary Margaret Prenger, OSU ’39 Santa Rosa Imbraguglio Bourgeois ’40 Patricia Finney Daniels ’46 Joyce Lafaye Crews ’50 Zoe Callac Schluter ’50 Sr. Barbara Becnel, OSU ’55 Jacqueline Sang Jacques ’56 Linda Teijelo Smith ’59 Marlene Byrnes Pelton ’60 Anne Youngblood Perkins ’77
Sr. Teresita Rivet, OSU ’36 (DEC)
Aunt of Daughter of Anne Marie Moore Youngblood ’52 (DEC) Stephanie Boteler Self ’93
Uncle of
Son of Marilyn Ferro Davis ’58
Aimee Baril ’64 Kerry Leftwich Coleman ’66 Elma Ireland LeDoux ’73 Martha Baril ’78 Catherine Crews Courtney ’78 Mary Ann Baril ’81 Lynn Crews Solorio ’83 Beverly Crews McQuaid ’85 Nyah Jackson ’93
Beverly Ann Lafaye Clark ’45 Judith Byrnes Kountoupis ’63 Gwen Youngblood Petitbon ’82
Father of
Bethany Bourgeois Vincent ’97 Bianca Gordon Wilson ‘03
Ashley Jordan Riley ’97
Janet Rivet Anderson ’49 Ethel Langenstein Lanaux ’50 Pam Vogt Mikill ’61 Pamela Sunseri Ward ’62
Anne Badeaux Summers ’76
Brother of Sr. Rosemary Meiman, OSU ’46 Elayanor Uddo ’66 Erin McArdle Thomas ’78
Grandmother of
Grandfather of
Husband of
Shanna Mullen McCrossen ’98
Cousin of
Sister of
Mother of
Emery Clark ’68 Ashley Jordan Riley ’97 Christiane Petitbon ’15 Aimée Petitbon ’17
Bianca Gordon Wilson ’03 Allison Ulrich ’16 Reagan Ulrich ’18
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AME Associate Member, Elementary AMH Associate Member, High School AMC Associate Member, College DEC Deceased HM Honorary Member If the name of an alumna to whom you are related does not appear here, please call the Office of Alumnae at 504.861.9114 or email us at alumnae@uanola.org
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In Loving Memory of Our Ursuline Sisters Sr. Barbara Becnel ’55 Sister Barbara received her elementary education at St. Catherine of Siena Grade School in Metairie, Louisiana, and graduated from Ursuline Academy in New Orleans. She entered the Ursuline Sisters in the summer of 1955, making her vows in January of 1958. Earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the College of New Rochelle in New York, she went on to earn a Master's Degree from St. Louis University in English and a Master's in Psychiatric Social Work from Tulane University in New Orleans. Sister Barbara taught in Dallas, Texas; Springfield, Illinois, and New Orleans, Louisiana. While in New Orleans, she served as Sister Counsellor for religious of the Archdiocese and taught at St. John Preparatory High School. She then became a counselor for religious in the St. Louis area, served as Prioress of the Ursuline Community in Alton, Illinois, and returned to serve as a consultant for religious communities in St. Louis in the 1980's. During these years, she was elected as a delegate to three General Chapters of the Ursulines that were held in Rome, Italy. For a number of years, she had a private counseling practice in Ogdensburg, New York, and she finished her years of ministry with some time as a rural missionary in Labrador, Canada. She retired first to St. Joseph Village in Coppell, Texas, and then in 2011 to the Queen of Peace Healthcare Center in Alton, Illinois. She moved to Our Lady of Wisdom in New Orleans in 2014.
Sr. Mary Margaret Prenger ’39 Sister Mary Margaret graduated from Ursuline Academy of New Orleans, LA, attended Ursuline College, and entered the Ursuline Sisters in July of 1942, making her vows in January of 1945. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree at the College of New Rochelle in New York, and Master's Degrees at St. Mary's School of Theology, Notre Dame, Indiana, and Loyola University in New Orleans. Her versatile gifts enabled her to serve as teacher, principal, secretary for the Ursuline Central Province of the United States, a member of the secretarial staff at the Ursuline Generalate in Rome, secretary to the President of Springfield College in Illinois, and Archivist in Dallas, Texas. She served in New Orleans as teacher from 1947-54 and as high school principal from 1954-60. Other places where she lived and worked were Springfield and Alton, Illinois; Dallas, Texas; Frontenac, Minnesota; France and Italy. She retired to the Ursuline Community in Alton, Illinois in 2008, and moved to Our Lady of Wisdom in 2014.
A TIME-HONORED TRADITION The Ursuline Academy Bach Piano Contest was founded in 1960 by Sr. Elizabeth Marie Landry, OSU. Alumna, high school music teacher, and former contestant, Helen Honoree Myers '84, brought the competition back to the Academy and has directed it ever since. It was Mrs. Myers who added strings to the competition. The competition, which is open to students in the greater New Orleans area, continues to serve as a tribute to Sr. Elizabeth Marie and her many contributions.
“Sr. Elizabeth Marie was a visionary in music education, with the greater New Orleans piano teachers and their students reaping the rewards. Originally, it was an invitation only event. It has been an honor and privilege to bring back the Bach Contest as a faculty member, alumna, and former contestant. As a competitor, the Bach Contest influenced my decision to become an Ursuline girl and in turn, my two daughters. I can't imagine my life without Ursuline in it, and I owe all of this to Sr. Elizabeth Marie Landry. I am excited to continue this legacy and showcase my Ursuline heritage.” – Helen Honoree Myers ’84, N.C.T.M Helen teaches AP Music Theory, Chorus, and Piano & Fine Arts Survey. In addition, she is the moderator for Tri-M Music Honor Society.
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THE URSU.LINES • SPRING / SUMMER 2019
AT R B E L UA CE
RY MONTH O T S I H K C ES BLA
During Black History Month, the Academy displayed posters around campus to celebrate historical African American women. In addition to these women, we celebrated some of our own African American alumnae who have made and continue to make history. We look forward to celebrating more alumnae each year.
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THE URSU.LINES • SPRING / SUMMER 2019
Isabel Frey Ribeiro, Skip of 2019, was chosen to be the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ 12th Grade Student of the Year.
Mr. Griffin, our IT Director, and other staff members were good sports in the Spaghetti Fest dunk tank.
Senior sweaters in May? Why not – just add Hansen’s snoballs to cool off! Congratulations, Sioux of 2020. Thank you, Ashley Hansen ’91!
In the true spirit of Serviam, the entire Academy, parents, and alumnae served on St. Angela’s Feast Day. Members of National Art Honor Society helped assemble headpieces for the Krewe of Muses’ title float.
A RO U N D S TAT E S T R E E T ursuline academy
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THE URSU.LINES • 2018-2019
Our littlest Ursuline girls love spending time with Dandelion!
Loyola President, Tania Tetlow, spoke to our high school students on being a competent and confident female leader. It's not every day a real Mardi Gras Indian visits your classroom! Ursuline dad aka "Wild Man" of the Young Brave Hunters Indian Tribe taught our elementary art students all about the costumemaking process.
We had so much fun hosting this year’s STEAM Saturday.
With the profits our 7th grade entrepreneurs made from the goods they produced and sold at Spaghetti Fest (over $1100 worth), they were able to purchase items for Grace at the Green Light. These items were placed in bus trip care packages for homeless who are reuniting with family.
The Krewe of Early Childhood rolled through our courtyard, entertaining friends and family.
There’s nothing sweeter than daddies, donuts, and dressing up for the 100th day of school! Our high school students had an awesome time at Dinner with Dad! The delicious meal, great company, conversation, and jokes made it an extra special night!
Our elementary faculty had just as much fun as the students celebrating Spirit Week.
The middle school robotics team competed at the Louisiana State Championship for VEX Robotics. Out of 28 middle school and high school robotics teams, Ursuline was only one of two middle schools and the only allfemale middle school team.
Our spring musical, Mary Poppins Jr., was a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious time! Bravo to Mandy Zirkenbach, Director, and the cast and crew of over 30 Ursuline girls from 3rd through 12th grades.
It was a clean sweep for our Ursuline girls in the Orleans Parish Communication District's 18th Annual 9-1-1 Poster Contest. Out of 400 total entries, 10 were selected as finalists and our girls won ALL places! From left to right: Logan Patin (First Place), Marie Foret (Grand Prize), Cindy Nguyen (Second Place), and Sophie Chevis (Third Place). Congratulations to featured artist, Erin Goebel.
We love when our alumnae come home and share their knowledge and experiences on Career Day.
SAVE THE DATES
LA FÊTE 293 GALA AND AUCTION
ALUMNAE HOMECOMING MASS & JAZZ/CHAMPAGNE BRUNCH
6:30-11:30 PM Ursuline Academy Courtyard
9:30 AM Mass in the Shrine Brunch following in the Courtyard
11.1.19
Music by Bag of Donuts La Fête tickets for young alumnae
11.3.19
Early bird ticket pricing is available
(Classes of 2007-2015) $40 per person (Limit 2) Anyone interested in serving on the La Fête Committee, helping with the event, or making a donation, can contact Wendy Jones, Special Events Coordinator at 504-212-6897 or wjones@uanola.org or Tommy Mitchell, Advancement Director at 504-212-5112 or tmitchell@uanola.org.
Sponsorship & reservations at uanola.org
URSULINE
ACADEMY Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID New Orleans, LA Permit No. 806
Parents of Alumnae: If you are receiving your daughter's copy of The Ursu.Lines and she no longer lives with you, please let us know so we can update our database and send the magazine directly to her. Visit bit.ly/whereare_u to make updates.
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