St. Catharine Academy Pathways Spring 2020

PATHWAYS

A Publication for the Alumnae, Parents and Friends of St. Catharine Academy

Construction in Progress Arise!

Anticipated completion date: August 31, 2020

The beams are up for new lobby space.

Accessible entry vestibule.

Spring 2020

MESSAGE from SSCCAA the PRESIDENT

Roots remind us where we’re from Sr. Patricia Wolf, RSM ‘62

I

n 2000 I had a chance to research the truth of a story that had been handed down in my family through oral history. The question: Was my paternal grandfather born in Germany? The story was told this way: When my grandfather died unexpectedly of a heart attack in 1949, my grandmother went to the undertaker and told him this fact about my grandfather’s life. She passed along information that had never been disclosed before and, to our knowledge, never written down. The truth of the story was much debated. I wanted to answer the question because the answer is part of my story and my family’s story.

By contrast, in 1839 Catherine McAuley was asked to commit to writing the story of the 1831 founding of the Sisters of Mercy. She retold the beginnings of the Sisters of Mercy in a six-paragraph letter which began:

every Sister and Associate of Mercy to the past, present and future. The telling of the founding story anchors us to our roots, and continues to inspire us 180+ years later.

When you think about it, storytelling serves to inform, to educate, to inspire, and to connect people with tradition.

It is an important part of our life at St. Catharine’s. Some of the best storytellers are our alumnae, wisdom women ready to share their stories with today’s Catharinites.

This certainly was true in early January when 40 young alumnae returned for the Young alum/Senior Brunch to share their college experiences (pages 4-5). They gently tapped into the seniors’ anxiety, and by candidly reflecting on their own experience offered confidence and guidance to the soon-to-be graduates. The scene was repeated in late February at our annual Women’s Empowerment Assembly. Paula Vuksic ’86, Xaviea Pittman ’96, and Diane Larmon ’00 served as panelists, sharing their “My dear Sr. E. (Elizabeth Moore), I would find it perspective and personal experiences on the evolution of most difficult to write what you say Mr. Clarke is feminism in the workplace (page 3). looking for, the circumstances which would make Finally, I am pleased to introduce you to our featured it interesting could never be introduced into public alumna, Olga Segura ’07, a journalist and storyteller in her own right (page 6). Until recently she was an associate discourse. It commenced with 2, Sr. Doyle and I. editor at “America Media”, a ministry of the Jesuits, The plan from the beginning was such as it is now where her storytelling focused on the stories of Black and in practice. In ’27 the House opened. In a year and a Brown people in the United States. Her first book will be half, we were joined so fast that it became a matter of published by Orbis Press in 2021. general wonder.”

As for my own story, my grandfather was born in Germany in a little town called Thungersheim in Bavaria.

While Catherine McAuley declined to reveal the juicier parts of the Mercy founding, every Sister of Mercy knows I found the records in the local parish church of St. our foundation story by heart. Catherine’s words connect Michael’s. He came to the United States as an infant with his mother and two older siblings, my great grandfather settling in St. Catharine Academy Brooklyn three months earlier. Like 2250 Williamsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10469-4891• Phone: 718-882-2882 • Fax: 718-231-9099 • www.scahs.org Catherine McAuley I committed my research to writing so that the Wolf Sr. Patricia Wolf, RSM ‘62 Contributing Writers: descendants will forever know their President Photography: Cathy Colletti Patrice Athanasidy Database Manager Kathleen Alston Sr. Ann M. Welch, RSM true roots. v Principal Jessica Ruiz Patrice Athanasidy Jessica Ruiz

Marketing Consultant

Director, Alumnae & Family Relations

2 Pathways • Spring 2020

Sr. Patricia Wolf, RSM ‘62

Design and Layout: Nanako Inoue

Title adapted from lyrics, Roots, remind me where I’m from, Zac Brown Band.

AROUND SSCCAA

Alumnae tell their stories to empower this generation at SCA

T

hree alumnae returned to St. Catharine Academy to take part in this year’s Women’s Empowerment Initiative, which celebrated International Women’s Day on Feb. 25. They told more than 200 students who attended the annual event to believe in themselves, find ways to balance work and life, and take opportunities in school and their careers to create connections and possibilities for advancement and growth.

Diane Larmon, Esq. ‘00, a talent acquisition manager for Jackson Lewis P.C., Xaviea Pittman ‘96, executive director, JP Morgan Chase, and Paula Vuksic, CPA, MST ‘86, a tax partner at Citrin Cooperman, all emphasized the importance of mentors in their careers. They pointed to people who gave them good advice and guidance as they moved through their careers and said they are glad to do the same for others now.

Diane says, “Stay motivated. Be passionate. I love guiding people in their careers. I love the law. Putting them together, that was a homerun.” Paula adds, “It’s nice if you find your passion because you don’t feel like you’re working….I feel fulfilled.”

When discussing family and work, the alumnae encouraged students to put their best foot forward right at the beginning.

Creating a good reputation, they said, enabled them to have more flexibility when they needed it. Xaviea described needing long-term bedrest during one of her pregnancies. She said her company set her up with the technology to be in touch from home. “I was directing meetings with 20 people from bed.

They worked with me.”

The alumnae also explained how different careers have different interaction between the genders. Diane gave statistics about how human resources has more women in the field.

Paula said her field is starting to become more balanced at the entry levels of accounting, but the upper level management is still more males. Xaviea said that the technology field still has more men, but she has often used that to her advantage. “They don’t always remember who in a suit made a comment, but the woman in the red dress, that they will remember.”

Student Tondaliyah Sackiel ‘21 reflects, “It was nice to hear about what professional Catharinites have done. I’m glad they have positive experiences in their careers.”

Ms. Christina Antico ‘05 (WEI Club Moderator), Diane Larmon, Esq. ‘00, Paula Vuksic, CPA, MST ‘86, Xaviea Pittman ‘96, and Sr. Patricia Wolf, RSM ‘62

Daisylis Sanchez ‘21 concludes, “Diane’s message of passion really stuck with me. The fact that she started off as a lawyer and found there were other occupations to pursue made me feel at ease that I don’t have to know my exact career path right now.”

Meet the Panelists Paula Vuksic, CPA, MST ‘86, a tax partner, has more than 20 years of experience in the areas of tax compliance and reporting. Her practice consists of high net worth individuals, closely held businesses across a range of industries, and estates and trusts. She also regularly collaborates with the firm’s practices to provide support on various tax matters. Earlier in her career, Paula worked for 10 years at a NJ-based accounting firm that joined Citrin Cooperman in 2000. She is a graduate of Rutgers University.

Xaviea Pittman ‘96 earned her degree in computer engineering at Polytechnic Institute of New York University. A licensed stockbroker, she held a number of positions with Goldman Sachs before moving to JP Morgan Chase in 2019 where she is an executive director.

Diane Larmon, Esq. ‘00 graduated from George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She worked as a paralegal while earning her law degree from New York Law School. After spending two years as a senior ip docketing specialist, Diane went on to become the director of legal recruitment for Special Counsel in New York and Connecticut where she stayed until 2018. Diane is currently a talent acquisition manager for Jackson Lewis P.C. in New York. v Spring 2020 • Pathways

3

SCA SSC Y O UN G A L U M SCAA

They’re b-a-a-a-c-k!

40

Alumnae Returned

29

Colleges & Universities

13

Commuters

27

Dorming

20

different majors 4 Pathways • Spring 2020

Young alums return to share c Young alumnae returned to St. Catharine Academy in January to share their college knowledge with the current seniors. More than 40 alumnae spoke with the Class of 2020 during a brunch before a formal panel of alumnae addressed everything from how to avoid college pitfalls to what to do while still at SCA to make the transition to college easier. Panelists were Alyssa Alfaro ’18, Monroe College; Victoria Boddie ’19, SUNY – Oswego; Shania Burruss ’19, Howard University; Vanessa Ferraras ’18 and Ebony Love ’19, Rutgers University; Charlene Nurse ’18, College of Saint Rose; and Maame Ocran ’18, City College of New York.

Several of the panelists encouraged students to make the most of their academic opportunities at St. Catharine’s, saying that AP and honors classes were a good preparation for the rigor of college classes. Others suggested students consider applying to a wider variety of colleges to be sure they had a variety of choices.

Psychology major, Maame Tiwaa Ocran, says one way SCA prepared her for college was allowing her to form her own study habits. “Ms. Riolo’s public speaking class was the most influential because it prepared

me to do group presentations in a college setting,” she says.

Many of the alumnae credited SCA teachers and staff with preparing them for college. “There are a handful of teachers that helped me through it all, including Ms. Keelin and Ms. Muschio, Ms. Schmid, Ms. Riolo, and my guidance counselor, Ms. Quinones,” sophomore Charlene Nurse says. “Those five ladies helped shape me into the student I am today and I couldn’t be more thankful; I still keep in contact with them too!”

Shania agreed that many at SCA are still contributing to her success. “Whether it was Ms. Keelin, Ms. Antico, Ms. Petrignani or Ms. Ross, they all guided me in high school to be the best person I could be in preparation for college and for that I’ll always be grateful.”

Vanessa, who majors in Environmental and Business Economics at the Honors CollegeRutgers University, says, “SCA helped me prepare for college by encouraging me to become involved in extracurricular activities while maintaining good academic standings. This carried on into college as I became involved in a variety of things

SSCCAA

college experiences such as Rutgers’s Residence Hall Association, Alternative Breaks, and multiple clubs. My involvement is teaching me essential skills for my future career…. I have learned things that are not taught in the classrooms.”

The panelists also talked to the seniors about the challenges they found at college.

As an architecture major, Shania would have liked even more STEM-related and art classes before she began at Howard. Vanessa says she had not expected the level of competition she found at college. “At first, it was very hard to keep up with the rest of my peers even though I graduated from SCA with first honors every quarter. Especially in an honors program, competition is high and it was unlike anything I ever experienced in high school.”

6

1. Saint Michael’s College 2. Howard University 3. Rutgers University 4. Johnson & Wales University 5. University of New Haven 6. Utica College 7. SUNY-Binghamton

Top Majors • Business • Education • Engineering and Architecture • Health and Sciences • Media and Communications • Criminal Justice

Spring 2020 • Pathways

5

SCA ALU MSN AAA E NEWS SCC

Olga Segura ‘07 gives a voice to the voiceless

By Patrice E. Athanasidy

O

lga Segura ‘07, who most recently was an associate editor at America Media, is also co-founder and served as co-host of the podcast, “Jesuitical,” which covers stories about faith, news and culture from a Catholic perspective.

Olga says she initially accepted the job at America Media, known for its Jesuit magazine America, after an internship at the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic to the United Nations because it was an opportunity for a full-time position in her field. “Over time, I realized that working with the Jesuits and my lay colleagues gave me the opportunity to become the woman and writer I am today…. At America Media, where I celebrated my last day on December 30, I got the chance to cover racial justice within and outside the Catholic Church,” Olga says. “I also got to do this as a freelance writer for publications like Sojourners, where I have interviewed #MeToo movement founder Tarana Burke, and Refinery29, where I wrote about the Latinx community’s complicated relationship with the N-word.”

Through America Media and her podcast, Olga became a voice for communities that do not always have one in mainstream media. “I get to talk to amazing Black and Brown people around the country and the world and present their experiences to people who might never get the chance to understand our stories.”

She adds, “I always want to make sure that I am telling the stories of Black and Brown Americans in the United States.

At a time when there is so much polarization in our nation, so much vitriol thrown at Black and Brown communities, I want to make sure that their experiences are heard…. The stories I tell help me to truly value the power of words and truthtelling, especially at such a crucial time in the United States.”

Olga points to her profile of Dominican American writer, Elizabeth Acevedo on her work and her novel, The Poet X as a favorite story she covered. “I followed Ms. Acevedo’s work for years and attended one of her slam poetry performances. After reading her first novel, I wanted to interview her and her work because it spoke so deeply to me as a Dominican immigrant. In her words, I recognized myself and so many other people in my community.”

6 Pathways • Spring 2020

Her reported piece on the Catholic Church and the Black Lives Matter movement is another faOlga Segura ‘07 vorite. “I really loved reporting this piece because I got to talk to Black Catholics about their experiences living in America. I also got to talk with Alicia Garza, one of the founders of the B.L.M. movement.

I believe this movement is one of the most important movements this country has ever seen, so it was an honor to be able to write about it.”

She says these and the many other stories she has been able to tell are important to her “because journalism is about telling stories as authentically as possible. And for readers, that is always what I want to give them, the truth about Black and Brown experiences.”

Olga credits St. Catharine’s with teaching her “how to be a woman for others and how to care about social justice.” She observes, “My years at SCA were some of the most formative of my life from playing Varsity Volleyball to AP Italian to mandatory volunteer hours.”

Thinking about teachers, Olga remembers her math teacher, Mr. Antinore, fondly, even though math was not a favorite subject. “Even though I never developed a taste for math after high school, he taught me the power of studying, especially when something doesn’t come easily.”

A graduate of Fordham University with a double major in English and Italian Language and Literature, Olga plans to continue her mission of telling the stories not everyone is telling. She is currently working on a book on race, religion and the Black Lives Matter movement, which will be published by Orbis Books in 2021. v

The Multi Year Reunion honoring the classes ending in “0” & “5” is rescheduled to Sunday, September 20, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at SCA!

CLASS SSCCAA NOTES 1953 Constance Perrella Healy writes, “Our Class of 1953, was supposed to be the first graduating from the new school, but construction took longer than expected and we were the last class to graduate from the old school on 152nd Street. God Bless St Catharine Academy and all connected to it.”

1958 Nancy Silvestro Tuccillo writes,

“I was so proud to attend SCA. I loved it.”

1959 Peggy Barry Natali writes, “I am a proud mother of three and grandmother of eight. My grandson just got engaged and granddaughter becoming a physician assistant. Five of my grandchildren have their Masters Degrees and my family is doing well.”

1960 Arlene Clanny writes, “Rented an apartment in Paris and spent a month exploring with friends.”

1964 Barbara Fink Gardner writes,

“Hello to my classmates of 1964.”

Virginia Stafford Otis writes, “My mother passed away this year at 102. I thank her every day for caring enough to send me to St. Catharine’s. May she rest in peace.”

1970 Ramona Giunta Vicinanza has

been a high school and middle school social studies (American History) teacher in East Meadow, NY for the past 25 years. She is a proud grandmother of two grandchildren.

1972 Linda Christopher Callahan

writes, “My children Kim and Christopher have both been blessed with the birth of their daughters this past year, Isabel and Hope.”

of friends you could sit at a lunch table with anyone and not feel strange. There was no competition over boys or clothes (we had the cutest uniforms.) And the teachers were pretty cool. The highlight of each year was intramurals! SCA has changed so much over the years.... with each year getting even better! Enjoy your time there ladies...because in this age of technology your friendships will last forever!”

1988 Stephanie O’Neill Snow writes,

“I remember many things from my time at SCA. One of the most treasured times is my lifelong friendships that I still have today. My first day of school, I already knew Sr. Mary Gallagher and Sr. Nora Kelly from my childhood.

They were so excited I was there that they put my baby picture in the main office with Sr. Kevin. They would roam the hallways, and if my skirt was rolled they pulled it down. Dr. Napolitano was a huge influence on our class too, and still is; we are still in touch with him through social media. We can laugh now at the crazy memories we had, like being so loud that Mr. Antinore had to slam the book to start class but we learned so much afterwards (even when I went to college at 30 it was still in my old brain). We were taught to respect each other, ourselves and God along with having a purpose in life. I’m a legal secretary since I left high school. I went to secretarial school with some of my classmates and did an internship, which I got on my last day because I’m not so good at tests but I did it because of my determination.

Mrs. Cristiano (and all the other teachers) helped with my typing, by cracking the ruler over my typewriter.

1974 Carol Giuliano writes, “I grad-

uated in ’74 and taught little kiddos for 38 years before finally retiring last year.

Thanks to Facebook and technology (not big back then) I’ve been able to reconnect with friends I thought I’d lost forever. It’s sad when I hear people say they hated high school. We were lucky.

Even though we had our close group

Please remember St. Catharine Academy in your will.

Our legal title is

St. Catharine Academy 2250 Williamsbridge Road Bronx, New York 10469

Lauren Paylor ‘10

2010 Lauren Paylor placed third

in the Nation for the International Bartending Competition World Class in 2019. Utilizing her science background and culinary skills she created techniques that allow the execution of creating ingredients to make her drinks easy and sustainable. She will be competing again in the hopes of getting first place.

p

IN MEMORIAM Alice Otis July 24, 2019 Mother of Virginia Stafford Otis ‘64

Catherine McDermott ‘57 September 15, 2019

Mary McGuire Murtagh ‘42 September 26, 2019

Adele Guarino Soldano ‘57 November 6, 2019

Dilcia Nelly Herrera ‘57 November 14, 2019

Maureen Maynard Diana ‘59 November 16, 2019

Sr. Caroline Laiso, RSM – formerly known as Sr. Maria Goretti, RSM November 24, 2019

Camille Hanchard ‘20 December 30, 2019 Daughter of Yanick Leveille Hanchard ‘98

Patricia Roche Freiler ‘68 January 2, 2020

Marlene Diane Foster February 8, 2020 Mother of Amanda Lewis ‘20

p

Spring 2020 • Pathways

7

St. Catharine Academy 2250 Williamsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10469-4891

SSCCAA

www.scahs.org www.facebook.com/pages/St-Catharine-Academy-School-Page

Address Service Requested

Kayla Reyes ‘21 brings SCA robotics skills to Princeton University program Kayla Reyes ‘21, a lead mechanical engineer on SCA’s award-winning robotics team, has spent part of the year as a selected member of the Princeton University Accelerated Learning Academy, which is run by the W.E.B. DuBois Scholars Institute.

Kayla credits Ms. Sheree Petrignani, science teacher and robotics coach, with helping her on many levels, including getting into Princeton’s prestigious program. “She has been my biggest supporter in everything I do, besides my parents,” Kayla says. “Ms. P. has helped me while I’m on my journey to become a mechanical engineer.”

Attending the program with scholarships from Bristol Myers Squibb and SCA, Kayla is focusing on Artificial Intelligence and Technology. “In the program, I’ve

learned about the different types of AI and how it can be incorporated going into the future,” she says. “I have been working on different types of coding that data scientists use regularly.”

At St. Catharine’s, Kayla is active in a number of clubs including the Women’s Empowerment Club, Coding and the Beta Club, where she serves as secretary. On the Robotics team, Kayla is in charge of how B Robot is built, including delegating and organizing team members. Kayla says she knew she wanted to be part of robotics from the moment she saw the team at Open House.

Thinking about the Princeton opportunity, Kayla concludes, “As the first person in my family to step foot onto a top of the line ivy-league college campus, I know that getting accepted to and going to this program has been one of the many things to change my life, especially with this just being my third year in high school.” v