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A Publication for the Alumnae, Parents and Friends of St. Catharine Academy
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MESSAGE from SSCCAA the PRESIDENT
The difference between ‘thank you’ and gratitude by Sr. Patricia Wolf, RSM ‘62
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number of years ago the Jesuit magazine, America, published an essay which reflected on the difference between ‘thank you’ and gratitude. The author, Nick Genovese, noted that according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, thankful and grateful are synonymous with the exception of two operative words. It defines thankful as “conscious of benefits received” while defining grateful as “appreciative of benefits received.” In other words, the movement of thankful is of the head; the movement of grateful is of the heart. In planning this edition of Pathways, we didn’t set out to highlight “gratitude”, but in the end that is what this fall Pathways is all about. The fruit of an SCA education Over the weekend of October 16-17, we welcomed 106 alumnae from the classes ending in 0,1,5, and 6 back to campus to celebrate their years since graduation. They represented a span of 60 years. While at different stages of life’s journey now, they reminisced that SCA challenged and cared for them at a crucial moment in their lives, and realize what a special experience it was. The notes and emails received after the event reflect that spirit of gratitude.
“I appreciate that I had the opportunity to go to St. Catharine’s but I don’t think I valued at the time how special it was.” “I just want to express my appreciation for a wonderful event. Most of all, coming back to a place with so many happy memories.” “I am so grateful for all that the sisters have given us.”
St. Catharine Academy
More recent alumnae haven’t been graduated long enough to attend their first reunion, but the impact of an SCA education quickly became evident to them in college. On Pages 6 & 7, Tynesha Taylor ’17 and Daisy Prela ’18 share their reflections on the gifts given. We also share on Page 3 that two juniors, Hannah Y.T. and Naomi W., have already been recognized by the College Board for their scholarship. Renovations In 2015, SCA embarked on its first ever Capital Campaign to continue to offer the high quality of education for which we are known, and to provide a welcoming, accessible, and secure environment. The project involved the construction of a new lobby (Great Hall), elevator, accessible bathrooms, the most up-to-date technology resources, STEM suite, renovated classrooms, enhanced security, and a professional development fund for our faculty and staff. After many setbacks due to COVID, I am pleased to announce that this magnificent, light-filled, accessible, three-story Great Hall is now open (see centerfold). While there are still details to attend to, we are all enjoying the beauty and safety of this splendid space. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the support of our donors—alumnae, friends, and foundations—who embraced the vision of a more secure, welcoming environment for all. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. Board of Trustees The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance of the school and the preservation of its Catholic, Mercy identity. In June 2021, SCA was delighted to welcome Brenda Lilienthal Welburn ’67 to the Board (See P. 3). With a long career in education, specializing in governance, Brenda looks forward to contributing to the goal of promoting and ensuring authentic inclusion of diversity in all aspects of school life.
2250 Williamsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10469-4891 • Phone: 718-882-2882 • Fax: 718-231-9099 • www.scahs.org
Sr. Patricia Wolf, RSM ‘62 President
Sr. Ann M. Welch, RSM Principal
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Jessica Ruiz
Director, Alumnae & Family Relations
Patrice Athanasidy
Marketing Consultant
Contributing Writers:
Patrice Athanasidy Jessica Ruiz Sr. Patricia Wolf, RSM ‘62
Photography:
Legacy Studios, NY LORS Design and Layout:
Nanako Inoue
In Conclusion As Thanksgiving Day approaches, one thing is certain, I am so grateful to all of you for what we nourish and create together. I hold you in grateful prayer. v
SCA AAD S C A A ROSU N SCC SSCCAA
Brenda Lilienthal Welburn ’67 has been named to the St. Catharine Academy Board of Trustees Brenda Lilienthal Welburn ’67 has been named to the St. Catharine Academy Board of Trustees. A graduate of Howard University and former Executive Director of the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE), Brenda spent thirty-five years in the field of education, specializing in governance and state education policy. She is a noted speaker on equity, access, and high standards for all students around the nation and world. She released her first work of fiction in 2018, The Time Travels of Annie Sesstry, Sly As A Fox, the first of a trilogy. Brenda describes her book as “the history of the MacElmurry-Calhoun family as told through the travels of Annie Sesstry--a smart, sassy, and artistically talented African American teen who is resistant to her parents’ efforts to instill in her an appreciation for family history and African American culture.”
Brenda says she has been following St. Catharine’s successes and is proud to be an alumna. Already involved with SCA in recent years, she says, “I was excited by the prospect of contributing to the ongoing efforts to maintain the high standards the school has set for all students.” Brenda was a member of the Student Council when she was a student at SCA. She recalls, “During my SCA days, the origin and enforcement of many school rules were student-led. Student Council members were elected by their classmates and were empowered to give ‘white slips’ for infractions like failing uniform compliance or using inappropriate language.” Now as a Board member, Brenda wants to contribute to the goal of promoting and ensuring authentic inclusion of diversity in all aspects of school life. She adds, “I also want to explore ways to encourage my class of 1967 to increase their giving to the school that gave so much to us.”
College Board Fall 2021 Two juniors were named Designated Scholars by the College Board. Hannah Y-T. ’23 was named a National Hispanic Scholar and Naomi W. ‘23 was named a National African American Scholar. The College Board recognizes academic excellence through its National Recognition Programs.
Naomi W. Naomi says receiving this honor “felt like a reward for all of the hard work I had put into my education. I have given my all at SCA for the years I have been here, and to be selected for this honor was truly a reminder for me that my dedication and hard work pays off.” A graduate of Our Lady of Victory School in Mount Vernon, NY, Naomi plans to study in either a pre-med or health science track. Prior to the pandemic, she was a part of the Debate club. As a sophomore, she didn’t have the opportunity to be really involved in the SCA community due to COVID-19. Now as a junior, Naomi is on the cheer team, junior class president, looking forward to joining a club soon.
Hannah Y-T. Hannah moved to the United States from El Salvador just a year ago. “When I heard about the honor, I was pretty surprised,” Hannah says. “I was super excited when I realized how important it was and how many doors it would open for my future.” At SCA, Hannah is on the Varsity Volleyball team. Last year, she was part of the Student Council representing the sophomore class. In college, she plans on going to a liberal arts school to explore many subject areas before determining a major. As a junior, she wants to take advantage of every moment.
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New Entrance Look!
Welcome to the new fully accessible entryway and lobby. Our deepest gratitude to our donors whose generosit made this possible.
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Tynesha Taylor ‘17 Ithaca College PA Program Class of 2023 I recently graduated from Ithaca College with a B.S. in Exercise Science this past May. I was accepted into Ithaca College’s Physician Assistant Program, and I am part of their inaugural cohort! I have been in PA school for almost a month, and I am excited to see where life takes me after completing the 27 months of my program! I am the eldest of five siblings and my mother worked hard to make sure that all five of us were in private school to get the best education we could. It was already hard enough for her to be able to afford all of us going to private school, so being able to focus on my studies and receive the Trustee Scholarship, not only helped me be able to stay at SCA and flourish, but it also took a huge burden off my mother financially. I did not have to work while in high school; I was involved in leadership roles, played a sport, did community service, and did extracurricular activities. On top of those things, being a Trustee Scholar was a huge benefit to me because it gave me extra opportunities to grow as a blossoming woman and as a leader through the extra workshops and activities that we did. Without the Trustee Scholarship, I would not have been able to continue my studies at SCA, which means I would not have had the ability to be as involved and make the connections that I made at SCA. All of these factors in a way contributed to where I ended up going to college and where I am today. In addition, while at SCA, I was part of the Science Tech-
nology Entry Program at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. This program helped me tremendously to realize that I wanted a career in medicine, and I have been at that goal to this day! I learned so much from this program in terms of different medical professions, gained hands-on skills, got advice and guidance from medical students, and even got to intern at Jacobi Medical Center in the Women’s Health Department. I found myself being grateful for SCA especially in my freshman year of college. That year was a very formative time for me and while at SCA I was in Regent’s/AP courses, so I knew how to study, how to synthesize information, and how to write essays/papers. Besides school, I was very grateful for the friendships that I have made with my classmates and the faculty/staff. I still keep up with some of the ladies that I have met at SCA, and I am proud of their accomplishments as well! When I went to Ithaca College, I took my abilities/skills that I learned at SCA and was able to take on leadership opportunities for club/organzations, network, and overall be confident in what I was doing.
S Save the Date! S Multi-Year Reunion for the Classes of 1942, 1947, 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012, and 2017.
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SCA SSCFCAIAL E A N D N EW S A LU M N A P RO
Daisy Prela ‘18 CUNY School of Medicine Sophie Davis Program Biomedical Education ‘26 Daisy is currently entering her third year at the Sophie Davis Program of Biomedical Education. She received her white coat at a ceremony in May, which commemorated her official entrance into medical school. Daisy will graduate with a degree in Biomedical Science and Psychology in May of 2026. Daisy writes, “My experience at SCA is where my work ethic and leadership skills blossomed. I wouldn’t be able to handle the rigorous program I am in if it weren’t for the many lessons I was taught at SCA. I owe my success in my program to the amazing academic and extracurricular opportunities that I had at SCA. I was given everything at my disposal to succeed and get into a great college!” “The Trustee Scholars program was a saving grace for me and my family. When I was a freshman, I did not know about this scholarship program. Since I excelled in my studies, I was able to become part of the Trustee Scholars program. I was delighted, and I felt extreme pride in myself. Not only did I pass my classes with high scores and learn discipline, but I had also managed to help my mother financially. A huge weight was lifted off of my family’s shoulders. The next
three years of my high school journey in this program were truly beneficial. As a Trustee Scholar, I was able to also increase my involvement in school events and meet new people. We were usually the students called upon whenever the school had visitors like alumnae, reporters, or potential future students. I improved my public speaking and confidence through leading open house tours, club fairs, and various school activities. These are IN MEMORIAM skills and memories that I will cherish Eleanor Abbate Diehl ‘72 forever.”
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1961 MaryAnn Maikish’s daughter Athena and her wife Christine have three children. I am grandma to twins Abram and Anna 6 ½ years old and Amelia 2 ½ years old. 1962 Eileen Farrell Donohue writes, “Hello to all my classmates. I am still working as a nurse. Recently widowed after 55 years. Blessed with four children and 12 grandchildren. 1972 Linda Christopher Callahan is grateful to welcome her third
granddaughter on September 28th. Autumn Joy was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
1993 Olivia Perillo Cassara writes, “I am finally realizing my dream to be a published author. I have a book in final edit due to be out in early 2022! I love staying in touch with everyone from ‘93 on social media. You all brightened my days then and you brighten them still. XOXO. Please remember
May 3, 2017
Josette Noe Brendle ‘57 October 11, 2020 Maria Luccese ‘80 July 17, 2021 Marisa Massimino White ‘84 July 21, 2021 Maddalena Berti August 24, 2021 Mother of Dorothy Berti Dellapina ‘71 and Christina Berti ‘81 Fredric C. Wheeler August 27, 2021 Husband of Monica Keveny Wheeler, ‘67
St. Catharine Academy
Eileen Wobbekind Carbia ‘60 October 11, 2021
Our legal title is
AnnMarie Gallagher Muller ‘62 October 19, 2021
in your will.
St. Catharine Academy 2250 Williamsbridge Road Bronx, New York 10469
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1958 Nancy Silvestro Tuccillo is very proud of her grandchildren. Nicole is an MD, Christian is a Civil Engineer, Nicholas is an IT Specialist, Stephanie is a Graphic Designer and Valerie is an Industrial Psychologist.
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St. Catharine Academy 2250 Williamsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10469-4891
www.scahs.org
Address Service Requested
St. Catharine Academy is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Mercy and is a member of the Mercy Education System of the Americas, Inc.
Mercy Day Mia M. ‘23 Attending a Mercy school means to be able to be my best self around others while contributing to the whole. The faculty and the SCA family have helped me break out of my shell and be the best version of myself. There is not one teacher who hasn’t helped and showed me kindness every step of the way.
Miracle Lynn B. ‘22 Being in a Mercy school has taught me the value in giving back to my community through the implementation of service hours. Without service hours, I would have never noticed the importance of unselfishly helping others and being more involved in my environment. I have learned to become more appreciative for the things that I do have. Attending a Mercy school has given me the will to want to be more compassionate and a better person overall.
Jaylene M. ‘24 Mercy Schools provide students with opportunities to build self-esteem and self-worth. To become "the best self;" and to help build a more inclusive and compassionate society, where God’s mercy and justice meet. Every Mercy school strives to deliver the message of Jesus through Catherine McAuley's unique vision and spirituality. This vision and spirit is shaped by a deep respect for human dignity.
Mahnoor S. ‘22 Every school can teach you how to write an essay or how to solve a math problem; a Mercy school teaches you the meaning of being a part of the world around you.