SCA Pathways Summer 2023

by Sr. Patricia Wolf,

Iopen my letter to you with a maxim of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy. This oft repeated sentence serves as an introduction and framework for our summer edition of Pathways. Indeed, the stories within celebrate the education of women, specifically the women of St. Catharine Academy; not just the graduating class of 2023, but the achievements of SCA alumnae across the decades.

Why was education so important to Catherine McAuley?

She lived in a place and during a time that Roman Catholics were viewed as a social and political danger. Irish women were denied access to education and voting. Catherine viewed education as a means to transform society and empower people. She put her educational emphasis on excellence and relevance with a vision to grow in faith in Jesus Christ, and quality of life for those who are poor.

Cheers to the Class of 2023

We celebrate the Class of 2023, the 134th graduating class of St. Catharine Academy. Our 116 graduates topped a record breaking $36.9 million in academic scholarships and grants. C’23 was accepted into 174 colleges and universities and will be attending such prestigious institutions as Barnard College of Columbia University, CUNY School of Medicine, Sophie Davis Program, Fordham University, Iona University, Santa Clara University, and the University of Connecticut, planning to pursue majors in biology, chemistry, environmental science, finance and education, to name just a few. Achieving these results is a testimony to their hard work and the dedication of our faculty who ensure that our students are learning and growing.

Our graduates gave witness to their faith, expressed in more than 14,000 hours of service. To read more about particular achievements, see page 4.

Sr. Patricia Wolf, RSM ‘62 President Sr. Ann M. Welch, RSM Principal

Jessica Ruiz Director, Alumnae & Family Relations Patrice Athanasidy Marketing Consultant

Celebrating Alumnae Graduations

Just as we celebrate C’23, we wanted also to take a moment to highlight alumnae who recently have earned bachelor or advanced degrees. We put out word to young alumnae only to realize that our vision was way too narrow! Join me in celebrating the achievements of seven SCA grads (page 5) who earned degrees from Fordham, Yeshiva, and Dominican Universities, as well as CUNY John Jay College and Mercy College.

Following their Passion

Joanna Abaraoha, MD ‘14 (page 3) knew she wanted to be a doctor from the time she was at SCA. She turned down acceptance to the University of Pennsylvania to attend CUNY College of Medicine, Sophie Davis Program because it offered the greatest promise to practice in community medicine, her passion. Joanna offers insight into a unique feature of SCA’s education, one she only began to recognize in medical school. Nadia Seeteram Ph.D. ‘08 (page 6), who was keynote speaker at our National Honor Society Induction ceremony, shares that she discovered her passion while studying environmental policy at Fordham University. Now a climate adaptation scientist, Nadia encouraged our students to work hard within their passion and opportunities will make themselves known.

Remembering Forever

Finally, in Class Notes, you will find a wonderful story about the Class of 1987 who spearheaded a way to remember the seven members of their class who have died. What began as named lockers grew into a memorial tree and a financial aid scholarship as well. My deepest gratitude to Lucille Romano Porcelli ‘87 who provided the leadership to create such lasting gifts.

As we close the book on the 2022-2023 school year, I am forever grateful to our dedicated administration, faculty, staff, students and families. I am grateful to our alumnae and friends whose support of SCA makes an SCA education possible. May the summer be a time of rest and rejuvenation. September is just around the corner.❖

No work of charity can be more productive of good of society than the education of women.

RSM ‘62

Joanna Abaraoha, MD '14, who received the Catharinite Award at her SCA graduation, is currently a resident at the University of Rochester for Internal Medicine-Pediatrics (Med-Peds) on the Medical Educator and Community Health and Advocacy Resident Education (CARE) tracks. She is an active member of the Association of Minority Residents and Fellows.

Joanna began on her path to be a doctor with the seven-year Sophie Davis Program for Biomedical Education through CUNY School of Medicine, earning both her bachelor's and medical degrees from CUNY’s City College.

The CUNY City College website describes the unique, prestigious program, saying, “The undergraduate curriculum includes the biological, physical and biomedical sciences, epidemiology and bioethics, as well as the humanities and social sciences. Students begin their exposure to patient care with a three-year continuity experience in a health center. Our focus on population health and its role in wellness and disease prevention equip students for a successful transition into residency and for primary care practice.”

out high school as a member of many honor societies and a soccer player. A leader outside the classroom, Joanna served as a member of the Student Council for several years, climbing the ranks from secretary to president. She began exploring serving the community as a member of the Blood Drive Committee and a tutor.

While in college, Joanna created the CUNY School of Medicine Chapter of Building the Next Generation of Academic Physicians and has served on the executive board as secretary, vice president and president. The organization’s mission is to “help diverse medical students and residents become aware of academic medicine as a career option and to provide them with the resources to further explore and potentially embark on an academic medicine career.”

She says she is exploring academic medicine as part of her future plans. “Ideally I would have a position where I am able to work with medical students and residents and likely end up in a program director or dean position,” Joanna explains. “As for clinical work I would like to split my time between the hospital and a community

She points to SCA Principal Sr. Ann M. Welch, RSM, as particularly inspirational. “Sister Ann had a goal that every girl take at least one AP class before graduating and I, as a scholarship student, ended up taking eight... It wasn't until I met girls from [other] schools that I realized that AP courses were normally small, selecting only a handful of students who could pass... these students being predominantly White and Asian. Sister Ann did her best to ensure SCA was a college prep academy and her resolve to go against the norm for her girls was awe-inspiring and deserving of more praise than I think she gets.”

Joanna says St. Catharine’s prepared her well for the rigors of the Sophie Davis program. She was an integral part of the SCA community through -

clinic. I am unsure if fellowship is in my future but if I do end up in fellowship it will likely be Combined Endocrinology, Palliative Care or Adult Critical Care/Pulmonology.”

Joanna concludes, “I am so grateful that I was able to attend a school where I was told as a young black girl from the Bronx, child of immigrants from Nigeria, that the world was my oyster and I was capable of anything I put my mind to.” ❖

Joanna Abaraoha, MD ‘ 14, Matched University of Rochester on 3/18/22

“ Sister Ann did her best to ensure SCA was a college prep academy and her resolve to go against the norm for her girls was awe-inspiring and deserving of more praise than I think she gets.”

Alumna carries Catharinite spirit to the community as University of Rochester medical resident

The 2023 Graduation Awards 2023 SCA Award

Valedictorian

Amani Hayan

City College of New York – Biology Pre-Med Track

Salutatorian

Mia Montan

City College of New York–Biology

Catharinite Award

Liz Nunez

New York Institute of Technology–Architecture

In Her Footsteps

Jehona Qallaku

CUNY–Baruch College–Accounting on the Pre-Law track

Alumnae Award

Marleen Cerda

Adelphi University–Psychology

Christian Service Awards

Azaria Pullett

University of Connecticut–Chemistry

Kayla Reid

New York Institute of Technology–Health Sciences and Physician Assistant Studies

Leadership Awards

Hannah Yonkers-Talz

Santa Clara University–Environmental Studies

Farida Ahmed

CUNY/Sophie Davis Program of Biomedical Education

a tu lations, Graduates!

SCA Celebrates Alumnae Graduates

Dr. Jennifer Alexander ‘ 82

"Graduated from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education in May 2023 with a doctorate in education! I love being a New York City Elementary School Principal for the past 15 years. Looking forward to my next chapter."

Dr. Jean Marie Hurley ‘ 93

"I received my doctorate - a Ph.D. in Contemporary Learning and Interdisciplinary Research from Fordham University. I'm currently the Humanities Department Head at a private school in Westchester."

Victoria Valeriano ‘18

I am proud to announce that I graduated with honors, earning cum laude distinction, from Pace University. I have successfully obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing."

Selva Beskovic ‘18

"I am thrilled to announce that I will be officially graduating from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. I have successfully earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts degree. My area of specialization is Criminal Justice Management with a minor in sociology. I am honored to graduate with the distinction of magna cum laude."

Gabriela Sanchez ‘18

I am a recent graduate from Dominican University, where I pursued a major in social sciences with a specialization in psychology. I was honored to receive the Ana Memorial Award. I was a member of the Rho Alpha Sigma, Phi Alpha Theta, and Pi Gamma Mu. Throughout my four years, I maintained a position on the Dean's List for four consecutive semesters and was in the honors program all four years.

Destiny Serrano ‘18

I recently graduated with my Bachelor of Behavioral Science in Criminal Justice at Mercy College. Through the hardships of adapting to the pandemic through college and becoming a single mother I still managed to obtain my degree with all the lessons that being a Catharinite instilled in me."

Karina Estrella ‘11

Yeshiva University, Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Karina Estrella, MSW graduated with a master's degree in social work. "I chose the profession because of my passion for empowering children and families. 'Social Worker' isn't my title; it's my calling." She was one of the 2023 Wurzweiler Commencement speakers. "During my time at Wurzweiler, I served as a student member ambassador for the NASWNYC chapter, a member of the Wurzweiler student government association, and a Wurzweiler peer mentor. I also am a member of the Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society finishing my MSW degree with a 3.9 GPA."

Nadia Seeteram, Ph.D. ‘08, a postdoctoral Research Fellow at Columbia University’s Columbia Climate School, was the keynote speaker at the Honor Societies induction ceremony in May. During her address, Nadia, a climate adaptation scientist, explained, “I study the way that societies are adapting (or not) to the impacts of climate change. You all are familiar with the impacts of climate change by now–Hurricane Sandy, Tropical Storm Ida . . . basements flooding, subway stations flooding, and the snowless winter that we just had in the City. We are living in a world, in a climate, that is simply just different than the one that existed when I last sat in these chairs—and I promise you I am really not that old.”

In less than 15 years since her graduation, Nadia has earned her bachelor’s degree from Fordham University, focusing on environmental policy and psychology and her master’s and doctoral degrees from Florida Atlantic University, focusing on climate adaptation and policy interventions. She has held research positions at the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery in New York and in the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency’s National Exposure Research Lab in Athens, GA.

When Nadia spoke at the Honors ceremony, she reflected, “. . . It’s not always clear how to get where we want to go, or even what we want to do. But I’ve found that as long as you are working hard within your passion, those opportunities and pathways will make themselves known.”

As she discussed the pillars of the National Honor Society, Nadia looked at leadership from an atypical perspective. “I think that being a good leader ultimately stems from an unwavering belief in yourself. That you will make it through. Part of that is related to working hard at your passion . . . but the other part goes beyond believing in yourself, which is a really nice thing to say. So I would amend that wise saying of, ‘believe in yourself’ to “advocate for yourself.”

She said that good character relies on a simple premise–that it costs you nothing to be kind and generous to everyone that you meet. “It’s a very simple thing, but you will be surprised at how many people fail to internalize that simple premise . . . . the people that I respect the most, the people that I seek advice or mentorship from, who I strive to emulate—are always the people that extend the most courtesy, compassion, and generosity of spirit to everyone they meet.”

She wrapped up her remarks saying that her profession often makes her think about the changes that are causing loss or fear, but now she finds herself on the other side as part of the transformation. “. . . I’ve taken to thinking about what can I do in my capacity as a scientist to

help those communities build a better future? . . . I encourage you all to think strongly about what change you want to see in a world that we all build together. When you figure it out, I encourage you to work hard for that passion, to advocate for yourself, to be kind and generous to everyone you meet on your journey, and remember that that vision only comes together because we are all part of something bigger than ourselves.”

Showing a contrast to all the change surrounding our world, Nadia added, “I am grateful for SCA—the starting point of my journey. Now I know things have changed, but this community of people, the dedication and wisdom of our teachers, and the joys and pains of being in high school—that doesn’t change. And you may not be grateful for it now, but someday you will be.” ❖

Nadia Seeteram, Ph.D. ‘08 encourages students to transform the world by following their passions

Nadia Seeteram, Ph.D. ‘ 08 Speaker at NHS

Class of ‘87 Tree Planting Class of 1987 makes lasting gift for their deceased classmates

Members of the Class of 1987 gathered at St. Catharine Academy on June 24 to bless the Ginkgo Tree that they donated in memory of their class members who have died. They also purchased three lockers that include the names of the deceased and donated $500 toward a tuition assistance scholarship given in the name of the Class of 1987. The Ginkgo Tree was chosen because it can be used by science classes for research.

Lucille Romano Porcelli '87, one of the organizers for the fundraiser and dedication, explains that members of her class get together a couple of times per year. Recently, they decided they wanted to do something in memory of the classmates they have lost. The first thing they thought of was the lockers, which can be bought in honor or memory of someone.

Lucille explains that the class suddenly had more money collected than they needed for the lockers. She says there were many saying “Count me in!” Lucille worked with the development team at St. Catharine’s to decide how best to use the extra funds. They liked the idea of planting a tree, especially one that would also help students in science. The Ginkgo Tree, which has outlived the dinosaurs, has quite a bit to teach students. “Everybody liked the tree for science. It will have two purposes. A memory tree and students could use it,” Lucille says.

Looking back at her time at St. Catharine’s, Lucille reflects, “We had our cliques, but we all got along. Now we are all one.” She points to how their classmates have supported each other through several health issues, including her own breast cancer.

“That is why we like to keep in touch as best we can,” she says. “We try to be there for everybody.”❖

1961 Barbara Cotter Heber writes, “SCA is getting better and better! I’m glad I attended there!”

1965 Geri Moran is semi-retired and living in Somers, NY. I have great memories of SCA and invite classmates to find me on Facebook.

1987 Evdokia Tsolomytis-Kalousis writes, “I enjoyed teaching pre-school at St. Margaret Mary School in the Bronx. God Bless my students.”

1979 Mary Ellen McCue, “I was blessed to become a grandmother in May to Michael Jimi McPartland! I’m also retiring from Dutchess County Probation in July!”

2000 Antonietta Fidanza Giuliano has collaborated with Michelle Saputo on a children's book titled "The Balloon Fairy." For further information about the book and to make a purchase, kindly visit the official website: theballoonfairytradition. com

2017 Jessica Tran writes that she earned her MS in Mechanical Engineering from Stony Brook University in December 2022. She works as a mechanical design engineer at the EN-POWER GROUP. Her interest is in thermal systems.

IN MEMORIAM

Jane E. McPike

November 18, 2022

Former teacher and Asst. Principal 1991-1999

Marianne McCarthy Nugent ‘43

December 13, 2022

Michael J. Nappi

February 11, 2023

Husband of Allana Maikish Nappi ‘62

Angela Muscetta Smith ‘87

March 8, 2023

Patricia Joyce Anton ‘58

April 14, 2023

m m

St. C atharine A cademy

2250 Williamsbridge Road, Bronx, NY 10469-4891

www.scahs.org

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St. Catharine Academy is a sponsored ministry of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and is a member of Mercy Education.