The Torch 2020-2021

The Torch

Vol. XXXIII

St. Mary’s Dominican High School

2020-2021

2020 - 2021

From the President

“Rejoice in hope, be patient under trial, persevere in prayer.”

Romans 12:12

Dear Members of the St. Mary’s Dominican High School Community, Congratulations to the Class of 2021! We are proud of our graduates’ numerous accomplishments and for the meaningful contributions they have made to their alma mater and community! Their resilience, diligence, and demonstration of true Dominican spirit during a year marked by COVID-19 restrictions, challenges, and adjustments were inspiring examples to all of us.

Please join our community in praying for the graduates as they continue discovering God’s unique invitation to each of them and their deepening commitment to Veritas throughout their lives. Our prayer is that they will become the “Saints and Sages” that we sing about in our school’s alma mater.

We are grateful for the Dominican parents and school personnel who remained focused on Dominican’s mission. Despite the many challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presented during the 2020-2021 school year, the St. Mary’s Dominican High School community pressed onward! As you read this edition of The Torch, you will discover that our students experienced many opportunities to grow in prayer, study, community, and service in the Dominican tradition.

We are also grateful for the Dominican alumnae and benefactors who so generously supported our school community through sharing prayer, volunteer time, expertise, and gifts with our school community. On behalf of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, our Board of Directors, and Leadership Team, thank you for your dedication to the school we love!

God’s blessings to you, Cynthia A. Thomas, Ed. D. President MISSION STATEMENT St. Mary’s Dominican High School, sponsored by the Dominican Sisters of Peace, is a Catholic college-preparatory program for young women rooted in the tradition of prayer, study, community, and service. With Jesus at the center, the Dominican community preaches the Word, radiates joy, advocates peace, promotes justice, seeks Truth, manifests Catholic values, and ministers to others.

THE TORCH CONTRIBUTORS Courtney Slavich Margot '00 Director of Graphic Design Sandra Cordray Executive Director of Strategic Communications Celeste Shelsey Anding '82 Alumnae Director

In This Issue ON THE COVER

Terrance Osborne commissioned relief painting of St. Mary’s Dominican High School.

The Osborne prints can be purchased via https://www.stmarysdominican.org/osborne-painting/

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Student Achievement.........

20

Faculty & Staff ...Highlights

Athletics......

30

22

...Community

36

Club Awards & Recognitions

41

Special School Events

50

Upcoming Recruitment Events...........

55

Alumnae ......Reunions

56

Alumnae Events..........

64

Featured .....Alumnae

68

All About Alumnae......

2 Seniors Recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation v

Class of 2021 A Toast of Praise to

Dominican's

84 honor

graduates v Admission offers from

119 colleges & universities v Over 11 million dollars in scholarships and awards v 310

Class of 2021!

college credit semester hours earned v

22,031 community

service hours completed

v Class Size:

140

Graduation

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Class of 2021

Student Achievement

The Valedictory Award, presented to the honor graduates who achieved the highest cumulative grade point average in their program of studies, was merited by seniors Rebekah Carmen Haase, Emily Elizabeth Hemelt, and Sydney Caroline Raymond.

Rebekah Carmen Haase plans to major in Electrical Engineering at The University of New Orleans that awarded her the Homer L. Hitt Presidential Scholarship. She was a Dominican Scholarship Student and member of La Société Honoraire de Français, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, and National Honor Society.

Emily Elizabeth Hemelt will attend Dartmouth College in the fall. She was a member of the Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, and National Honor Society.

Sydney Caroline Raymond received a National Merit Scholarship and the St. Mary’s Dominican College Corporation Scholarship. She was a Dominican Scholarship Student and member of La Société Honoraire de Français, Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, and National Honor Society. She was named a candidate in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. This fall, she will attend Georgetown University with a planned major in Science, Technology and International Affairs.

Valedictorians

Rebekah Carmen Haase

Emily Elizabeth Hemelt

Sydney Caroline Raymond

Salutatorian Audrey Kathryn Wild Salutatorian Audrey Kathryn Wild received the Salutatory Award for achieving the second highest cumulative grade point average in her program of studies. She was a Dominican Scholarship Student and member of Latin Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, and National Honor Society. She will attend the University of Notre Dame, majoring in Business Technology.

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I am so thankful for all the people I met here and also for being able to get stronger in my faith these past five years. Through morning Mass with my friends and all the amazing retreats, I am happy to say I am much closer to God now than when I started Dominican.

So as we all move on to college and careers and bigger things, I hope we all remember and cherish the memories and our faith for the years to come. Now, my forever sisters, let's go conquer the world because with God, all things are possible!

Rebekah Haase ’21, Valedictorian

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Awards Three graduates were selected by leadership, administration, and faculty to receive the VERITAS AWARD, the most prestigious Dominican award, in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments in Dominican’s four pillars of prayer, study, community, and service. Award recipients were McKenzie Ann Grundmeyer, Elana Michelle Perriott, and Gracie Reynolds Bott.

The Mother Mary Magdalen O’Farrell, O.P. Service Award, was presented to Allie Cristina Koenig in recognition of her outstanding and dedicated service to St. Mary’s Dominican High School. Dominican life and growth are mirrored in the honoree's reflection of the school’s philosophy by belief in God and respect for the dignity of all human beings.

Grace Ann Hamblin was presented the Sister Mary Ambrose Reggio, O.P. Alumnae Award. The honoree was selected by her classmates as most representative of Dominican spirit and ideals. The Dominican motto, “To Praise, to Bless, to Preach” is an integral part of the honoree's life, as is her commitment to truth, Veritas.

Gracie Reynolds Bott was presented the Ancient Order of Hibernians Award. Selected by administration, faculty, and students, the recipient exemplifies the motto of the AOH, friendship, unity, and Christian Charity.

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Scholarship Offers

Seniors earn more than $11 million in scholarships

Members of the Class of 2021 earned more than $11 million in scholarships and awards as of May 2021.* EMILY MARIE ADAMS Loyola Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Louisiana Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Academic Excellence Scholarship to Millsaps College

ALECIA MICHELLE AUGUSTINE Cypress Scholarship to University of Louisiana Lafayette FAITH GABRIEL BASS Magnolia Scholarship to University of Louisiana Lafayette, Two-Year Housing Scholarship to University of Louisiana Lafayette

MADISON KATHERINE ADAMS Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship to The University of Southern Mississippi, Cypress Scholarship to University of Louisiana Lafayette GRACE AUTUMN BEARD Outstanding Student Scholarship to Louisiana CAROLINE JUNE ALLEMAN Tech University, School of Design Outstanding Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship to Freshman Scholarship to Louisiana Tech The University of Southern Mississippi, Cypress Univeristy, Magnolia Scholarship to Scholarship to University of Louisiana Lafayette University of Louisiana Lafayette, TwoTransformation Merit Resident Award to year Housing Scholarship to University of Louisiana State University, Loyola Scholarship Louisiana Lafayette, Academic Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Louisiana Resident Award to Louisiana State University, Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State Orleans University MAKAYLA MARIE ARBELO Academic Scholarship to Southeastern Louisiana University, Housing/Meal Scholarship to Southeastern Louisiana University, Innovation Award to Louisiana State University, Transformation Merit Resident Award to Louisiana State University, Academic Excellence Fee Exemption to Louisiana State University, Student Excellence Fee Increase Hardship Exemption Award to Louisiana State University MADALYN ANN ATTARDO Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship to The University of Southern Mississippi

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Student Achievement

NINA MARIE BECNEL Academic Merit Award to University of Louisiana at Monroe, Xavier Academic Scholarship to Xavier University of Louisiana EMILY MICHELLE BENVENUTTI UNO Institutional Scholarship to The University of New Orleans GRACIE REYNOLDS BOTT Academic Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University

MARGUERITE LISETTE BREAUX Academic Merit Non-Resident Scholarship to The University of Mississippi, Academic Merit Scholarship to The University of Mississippi, Out-of-State Scholar Scholarship to The University of Alabama, Tiger Excellence Scholar Resident Award to Louisiana State University ISABELLA MARIE BROCKWAY Flagship Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship to Louisiana State University, Presidential Scholarship to The University of Alabama, Distinguished Scholars Award to Tulane University EMILY MARIE BROUSSARD Academic Excellent Full Tuition Scholarship to The University of Southern Mississippi, Academic Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University, Out-ofState Foundation in Excellence Scholarship to The University of Alabama, President Scholarship to The University of New Orleans CAROL LOUISE BUJOL Academic Merit Non-Resident Scholarship to The University of Mississippi, Academic Merit Scholarship to The University of Mississippi *Does not include Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) awards.

The Class of 2021 gained acceptance into 124 colleges and universities around the United States and internationally University of South Alabama • University of Alabama at Birmingham • The University of Alabama • Alcorn State University • American University • Auburn University • Ave Maria University • Baylor University • Belmont University • Bentley University • Bishop State Community College • Butler University • California State Polytechnic University-Pomona • University of California-San Diego • University of California-Santa Barbara • Catholic University of America • Chapman University • College of Charleston • Chatham University • Citadel Military College of South Carolina • Clark Atlanta University • Clayton State University • Clemson University • University of Colorado Boulder • University of Colorado Denver • University of Colorado Colorado Springs • Colorado State University-Fort Collins • Cornell University • Dartmouth College • Davidson College • Delgado Community College • Dillard University • Drexel University • Duke University • Eckerd College • Elon University • Fisk University • Flagler College-St Augustine • Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University • Florida Southern College • Florida State University • University of Florida • Fordham University • George Mason University • George Washington University • Georgetown University • Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus • Georgia State University • University of Georgia • Gettysburg College • Hendrix College • High Point University • University of Houston • Howard University • Johnson & Wales University-Providence • Kennesaw State University • University of Kentucky • Lafayette College • Langston University • Lehigh University • University of Louisiana at Monroe • Louisiana State University • Louisiana Tech University • University of Louisiana at Lafayette • Loyola College • Loyola Marymount University • Loyola University Chicago • Loyola University New Orleans • Lynn University • University of Mary Hardin-Baylor • Maryville University of Saint Louis • University of Michigan-Ann Arbor • Millsaps College • Mississippi College • Mississippi State University • University of Mississippi • University of Missouri-Columbia • The University of New Orleans • New York University • University of North Dakota • Northwestern State University of Louisiana • University of Notre Dame • Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus • Pepperdine University • Prairie View A & M University • Rhodes College • University of Richmond • River Parishes Community College • Saint Louis University • Samford University • San Diego City College • San Diego State University • Santa Monica College • Savannah College of Art and Design • Seton Hall University • The University of the South • University of South Carolina-Columbia • University of South Florida-Main Campus • Southeastern Louisiana University • Southeastern University • Southern Methodist University • University of Southern Mississippi • Southern University and A & M College • Spelman College • Spring Hill College • Syracuse University • The University of Tampa • The University of Tennessee-Knoxville • Texas A & M University-College Station • Texas Christian University • Texas Southern University • The University of Texas at Austin • Trinity College Dublin • Trinity University • Tulane University of Louisiana • University of Holy Cross • University of South Alabama • Villanova University • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University • University of Virginia-Main Campus • William Carey University • Winthrop University • Wofford College • Xavier University of Louisiana

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As sad as we may be closing this chapter of our lives, I am hopeful and excited for what awaits us as we continue to turn the pages of our stories. Although we will face challenges and encounter change in coming months, ISABELLE ENA FITZMORRIS Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship everything we have learned at Dominican has given to the of University of Southern Mississippi, Academic Scholarship Resident Award us the tools to pave our own paths and continue to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University, Emily Hemelt ’21 writing our own stories.

Tiger Excellence Scholar Resident Award to Valedictorian

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HALLIE NGOC TUYEN CAO UNO Provost Scholarship to The University of New Orleans

NGAN-HA SOPHIA CAO Flagship Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University HOPE THERESA COUVILLION Academic Excellence Fee Exemption Award to Louisiana State University, Student Excellence Fee Hardship Exemption Award to Louisiana State University

GRAINNE CATHERINE D'ARCY Ecce Quam Bonum Award to Sewanee: The University of the South, Rhodes Award to Rhodes College, George Pepperdine Achievement Scholarship to Pepperdine University, Loyola Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Legacy Scholarship to Loyola Univerity New Orleans, Louisiana Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, LMU Achievement Award to Loyola Marymount University, A.J. Drexel Scholarship to Drexel University, Hesperian Scholar Scholarship to Chapman University, Founder's Scholarship to Texas Christian University, Academic Scholarship to Baylor University, SLU Tuition Exchange Scholarship to Saint Louis University, Transformation Merit Resident Award to Louisiana State University KAITLYN LAINE DAWSON Academic Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship to Louisiana State University REESE MACKENZIE DAWSON Academic Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship to Louisiana State University KRISTEN TUYET NHI DINH Board of Trustees Scholarship to Xavier University of Louisiana, Flagship Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University, Louisiana Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, President's Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans

EMILY MARIE DOMINIQUE Knights of Columbus Catholic Youth Leadership Award, Colvard Future Leadership Scholarship to Mississippi State University, Engineering Excellence Award to Mississippi State University, Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship to Mississippi State University, NonResident Tuition Scholarship to Mississippi State University, Housing Scholarship to Mississippi State University, Engineering Excellence Award to The University of Alabama, Out-of-State Presidential Scholarship to The University of Alabama, Housing Scholarship to University of Louisiana Lafayette, Live Oak Scholarship to University of Louisiana Lafayette, Meal Plan Scholarship to University of Louisiana Lafayette, National Merit Scholarship Program Commended EMMA ELIZABETH DUBUISSON Louisiana Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Loyola Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans JENNA ESSA Dean's Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Louisiana Resident Scholarship Loyola University New Orleans, Legacy Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Academic Merit Scholarship to tulane University, Xavier Academic Scholarship to Xavier University of Louisiana, Tiger Excellence Scholar Resident Award to Louisiana State University

SARAH TAYLOR FATH Academic Heritage Scholarship to Auburn University, Academic Merit Non-Resident Scholarship to The University of Mississippi, Academic Merit Scholarship to The University of Mississippi, Flagship Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University, Study Abroad Scholarship to University of South Alabama, USA Freshman Admission Scholarship to University of South Alabama, President Scholarship to The University of New Orleans, Presidential Scholar Scholarship to University of Louisiana at Monroe MADISON MARIA FERGUSON Flagship Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship to Louisiana State University, Academic Excellence Fee Exemption to Louisiana State University, Student Excellence Fee Increase Hardship Exemption Award to Louisiana State University

Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Superior Award to Louisiana State University

BRELAN REISE FITZPATRICK Founder's Scholarship to Texas Christian University, General Academic Merit Scholarship to Belmont University, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Superior Award to Louisiana State University, Tiger Excellence Scholar Resident Award to Louisiana State University, Presidential Scholarship to Spring Hill College LINDSEY MARY FOLES Transformation Merit Resident Award to Louisiana State University SOPHIA CRISTINA FOREST Volunteer Scholarship to University of Tennessee, Academic Heritage Scholarship to Auburn University, Academic Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship to Louisiana State University, Merit Scholarship to College of Charleston STELLA OZOLS FRENCH Provine Scholarship to Mississippi College, Women's Soccer Scholarship to Mississippi College CLAIRE ELIZABETH GARITTY Academic Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University, LMU Arrupe Scholarship to Loyola Marymount University, LMU Early Action Award to Loyola Marymount University, Merit Scholarship to Chapman University KAMRYN KATE GERVAIS Tiger Excellence Scholar Resident Award to Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Superior Scholarship to Louisiana State University, Academic Excellence Fee Exemption to Louisiana State University, Student Excellence Fee Increase Hardship Exemption Award to Louisiana State University, Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship to The University of Southern Mississippi, Cypress Scholarship to University of Louisiana Lafayette NIANI ABEBI GIBSON Merit Scholarship to Xavier University of Louisiana

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Scholarship Offers GABRIELLE CHRISTEN GOINES Dillard University Grant II to Dillard University, Ignatian Leader Award to Spring Hill College, Loyola Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Louisiana Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Housing Scholarship to University of Holy Cross, Xavier Academic Scholarship to Xavier University of Louisiana

LUCY MARIE HANSEN Flagship Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University, Academic Merit Scholarship to The University of Mississippi, Academic Merit Non-Resident Scholarship to The University of Mississippi ELIZABETH GRACE HARDOUIN Athletic Scholarship for Volleyball to William Carey University

ALONDRA DANIELA GOMEZ-SANTOS Transformation Merit Resident Award to Louisiana State University SYDNI PAIGE GRIFFIN Dillard University Grant I to Dillard University, Louisiana Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Recognition Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Merit Scholarship to Lynn University MCKENZIE ANN GRUNDMEYER Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship to The University of Southern Mississippi, University Scholarship to Seton Hall University, Summer Scholarship to Seton Hall University, UNO Provost Scholarship to The University of New Orleans REBEKAH CARMEN HAASE Academic Scholars Resident Scholarship to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University, Homer L. Hitt Presidential Scholarship to The University of New Orleans, Out-of-State Presidential Scholarship to The University of Alabama, Freshman Admission Scholarship Talent & Ability Tier 1A to University of South Alabama GRACE ANN HAMBLIN Academic Scholars Resident Scholarship to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship to Louisiana State University, Dean's Scholarship to Texas Christian University, General Academic Merit Scholarship to Belmont University, Hollingsworth Scholarship to Florida Southern College, Presidential Fellowship Award to High Point University, Academic Honors Scholarship to Savannah College of Art and Design, Distinguished Scholarship to Southern Methodist University

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Student Achievement

MADELEINE ANNE HARMON Academic Merit Non-Resident Scholarship to The University of Mississippi, Academic Merit Scholarship to The University of Mississippi, Louisiana Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Loyola Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Outstanding Student Scholarship to Louisiana Tech University, Cypress Scholarship to University of Louisiana Lafayette OLIVIA FALCONE HIGGINS Tiger Excellence Scholar Resident Award to Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Superior Scholarship to Louisiana State University EMMA ELIZABETH HOTH Tiger Excellence Scholar Resident Award to Louisiana State University KAITLYN MY LINH HUYNH Dean's Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Legacy Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Louisiana Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Xavier Academic Scholarship to Xavier University of Louisiana SHELBY LOUISE JACKSON Canes Achievement Award to University of Miami, HU Leadership Scholarship to Howard University, Presidential Scholarship to Xavier University of Louisiana, Academic Scholarship Resident Award to Louisiana State Univerity, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University PAIGE ELIZABETH JULIAN Merit Scholarship to Dillard University

This moment, right now, is a testament to your determination, strength, wisdom, and generosity.

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Audrey Wild ’21 Salutatorian

ELISE GRACE KARCHER Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship to The University of Southern Mississippi, Portier Leader Award to Spring Hill College ALLIE CRISTINA KOENIG Academic Merit Non-Resident Scholarship to The University of Mississippi, Academic Merit Scholarship to The University of Mississippi, STEM Major Non-Resident Scholarship to The University of Mississippi, Colvard Future Leadership Scholarship to Mississippi State University, Donald T Book Education Grant to Mississippi State University, Eileen CarrTabb Loyalty Scholarship to Mississippi State University, Student Body President Scholarship to Mississippi State University, Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship to Mississippi State University, Mickey & Babs Holliman Loyalty Award to Mississippi State University, Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship to Mississippi State University, Out-of-State Foundation in Excellence Scholarship to The University of Alabama, Outstanding Student Scholarship to Louisiana Tech University, Presidential Scholarship to Spring Hill College ALYSA ANN LAGARDE UNO Provost Scholarship to The University of New Orleans, Loyola Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Legacy Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Louisiana Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans TERESA DANG LAI Cypress Scholarship to University of Louisiana Lafayette, One-time Housing Scholarship to University of Holy Cross, Institutional Scholarship to University of New Orleans, Innovation Award to Louisiana State University, Students Excellence Fee Increase Hardship Exemption Award to Louisiana State University, Academic Excellence Fee Exemption Award to Louisiana State University SASHA JILLIAN LEWIS Academic Excellence Scholarship to The University of Southern Mississippi, Ignatian Leader Award to Spring Hill College, Louisiana Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Loyola Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Academic Honors Scholarship to Savannah College of Art and Design MAEDCHEN TAYLOR LYONS Academic Excellence Fee Exemption Award to Louisiana State University, Innovation Award to Louisiana State University, Student Excellence Fee Hardship Exemption Award to Louisiana State University, UNO Institutional Scholarship to The University of New Orleans, Xavier Academic Scholarhsip to Xavier University of Louisiana

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CAROLINE ELIZABETH MADDEN 1869 Academic Excellence Award to Chatham University, Dean's Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Founder's Scholarship to Drexel University, LA Tiger Legacy Superior Award to Louisiana State University, Tiger Excellence Scholar Resident Award to Louisiana State University, Legacy Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Louisiana Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Presidential Academic Scholarship to Johnson & Wales University KENNEDEE MONÉT MARTIN Innovation Award to Louisiana State University, Student Excellence Fee Increase Hardship Exemption Award to Louisiana State University

Ultimately, I think that a year of firsts is really what senior year is supposed to be [...] If I've learned anything about this class, it's that we can handle firsts. These last five years have taught us not to fear change, but to embrace it. So to the Class of 2021, from your first college classes to your first careers, I wish you the best of firsts.

Sydney Raymond ’21, Valedictorian

KATE ISABELL NOLAN Volunteer Scholarship to University of Tennessee, Academic Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University, Clemson University Scholarship, Out-of-State Tuition Scholarship to Clemson University, Out-of-State Tuition Waiver Scholarship to Florida State University, Out-of-State Scholar Scholarship to The University of Alabama

RYLIE MARIE MCCLUSKEY Innovation Award to Louisiana State University, Academic Excellence Fee Exemption to Louisiana State University, Student Excellence Fee Increase Hardship Exemption Award to Louisiana State University OLIVIA SOFIA OLSON Jogues Scholarship to Fordham University, Fordham Tuition Award to Fordham MADISON MARIA MCDONOUGH Freshman Admission Scholarship to University University, Academic Recognition Award to Tulane University, Academic Scholars of South Alabama, Freshman Academic Resident Award to Louisiana State University, Excellence Scholarship to The University of President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State Southern Mississippi University, Merit Scholarship to College of Charleston OLIVIA DIANA MESSINA Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship to CAROLINE DE LAURÉAL ONDRUSEK The University of Southern Mississippi Academic Excellence Scholarship to University of Houston, Edmonds Educational Scholarship ELIZA ROSE MILLER to University of Houston, Academic Merit Ignatian Leader Award to Spring Hill College, Freshman Admission Scholarship to University Non-Resident Scholarship to The University of Mississippi, Academic Merit Scholarship to of South Alabama The University of Mississippi, Elsie & Harper Johnson Engineering Scholarship to The TATUM KELLY MILLER University of Mississippi, Academic ScholarMagnolia Scholarship to University of Excellence Award to University of South Louisiana Lafayette Carolina, Dr. Joseph H. Gibbons Chemical Engineering Scholarship to University of South TORI ELIZABETH MIRE Carolina, Clemson University Scholarship Academic Merit Award to University of to Clemson University, Out-of-State Tuition Louisiana at Monroe, Housing Scholarship Scholarship to Clemson University, Engineering to University of Louisiana at Monroe, Xavier Excellence Award to University of South Academic Scholarship to Xavier University of Alabama, Freshman Admission Scholarship Louisiana Talent & Ability Tier 1A to University of South Alabama, Engineering Scholarship ABIGAIL ELISE MORRIS to The University of Alabama, Out-of-State Volunteer Scholarship to University of Tennessee, Academic Scholars Resident Award Presidential Scholarship to The University of Alabama, Flagship Scholars Resident Award to to Louisiana State University, President's Louisiana State University, President's Student Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University Aid Job to Louisiana State University, Maroon Merit Scholarship to Texas A&M University RAYLISSA LAUREN TOI NELSON Merit Scholarship to Dillard University, Xavier MACKENZIE KATHRYN PARADIS Academic Scholarship to Xavier University of Acadmeic Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University

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EMILY CATHERINE PENNEBAKER 1854 Scholarship to Wofford College, Portier Leader Award to Spring Hill College, Ecce Quam Bonum Award to Sewanee: The University of the South, Academic Excellence Scholarship to Millsaps College, Second Century Scholarship to Millsaps College

ABIGAIL CAROLINE PEREZ Academic Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University

BRYCE MADISON PERKINS Academic Scholars Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University, Dean’s Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Louisiana Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, HU Leadership Scholarship to Howard University, Xavier Academic Scholarship to Xavier University of Louisiana LAYTON AUBREY PERKINS Presidential Founders Scholarship to High Point University, Academic Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University ELANA MICHELLE PERRIOTT Fall 2021 Cola-Cola Scholar Award to Xavier University of Louisiana, Xavier Academic Scholarship to Xavier University of Louisiana, Louisiana Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Loyola Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Joyce Elaine McGee Scholarship to the college of her choice JENNA MARIE PERTUIT Flagship Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University, Freshman Admission Scholarship Talent & Ability Tier 2 to University of South Alabama, Freshman Leadership Scholarship to University of South Alabama

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Scholarship Offers MIA GRACE PETTITT Transformation Merit Resident Award to Louisiana State University, SLU Vice President Tuition Scholarship to Saint Louis University, SLU Catholic High School Award to Saint Louis University, Distinguished Scholar Award to University of Colorado Denver, Saints Scholarship to Maryville University, Mark Twain NR Scholarship to University of Missouri Columbia SYDNEY ANN POSECAI TCU Frog Family Scholarship to Texas Christian University, Magnolia Scholarship to University of Louisiana Lafayette, Innovation Award to Louisiana State University, Tiger Excellence Scholar Resident Award to Louisiana State University, Student Excellence Fee Increase Hardship Exemption Award to Louisiana State University SYDNEY CAROLINE RAYMOND Tuition Exchange Scholarship to George Washington University, Presidential Academic Scholarship to George Washington University, Discovery Scholarship to Southern Methodist University, Provost Scholar Award to Southern Methodist University, Tuition Exchange Scholarship to American University, National Merit Scholarship Corporation Scholarship to the college of her choice, St. Mary’s Dominican College Corporation Scholarship to the Catholic college of her choice, National Merit Scholarship Corporation Finalist MADELINE LILY REINHARDT GMW Scholarship to the college of her choice MADISON CLAIRE RICHARDSON Outstanding Student Scholarship to Louisiana Tech University, Portier Leader Award to Spring Hill College, Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship to The University of Southern Mississippi, Cypress Scholarship to University of Louisiana Lafayette, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Merit Scholarship to Louisiana State University, Transformation Merit Resident Award to Louisiana State University MADISON MARGARET ROBICHAUX Louisiana Tiger Legacy Merit Scholarship to Louisiana State University, Transformation Merit Resident Award to Louisiana State University, Out-of-State Crimson Legends Scholarship to The University of Alabama SOPHIE ANN ROSS Academic Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University OLIVIA ISABELLA RYAN Cypress Scholarship to University of Louisiana Lafayette

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DAJAH RENEE SAUL Legacy Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Louisiana Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, President's Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Cypress Scholarship to University of Louisiana Lafayette CLAIRE JOLIE SEKINGER Athletic Scholarship to Southeastern University, Florida, Private Christian School Scholarship to Southeastern University, Florida, SEU President's Academic Scholarship to Southeastern University, Florida ELISE AMELIA SIMON Transformation Merit Resident Award to Louisiana State University DIJON UNIQUE SMITH Academic Scholarship to Southeastern Louisiana University, Housing and Meal Scholarship to Southeastern Louisiana University, Louisiana Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Loyola Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, UNO Provost Scholarship to The University of New Orleans GABRIELLE JOHNÉ SMITH Xavier Academic Scholarship to Xavier University of Louisiana REILLY ELIZABETH SPITZFADEN Magnolia Scholarship to University of Louisiana Lafayette, Transformation Merit Resident Award to Louisiana State University, UNO Provost Scholarship to The University of New Orleans, University Scholarship to Seton Hall University, Summer Scholarship to Seton Hall University, Academic Scholarship to Southeastern Louisiana University, Housing and Meals Scholarship to Southeastern Louisiana University, Dean's Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Louisiana Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Outstanding Student Scholarship to Louisiana Tech University ELLA KATHRYN STOLBERG Academic Merit Non-Resident Scholarship to The University of Mississippi, Academic Merit Scholarship to The University of Mississippi, General Academic Merit Scholarship to Belmont University, Innovation Award to Louisiana State University, Student Excellence Fee Increase Hardship Exemption Award to Louisiana State University, Tiger Excellence Scholar Resident Award to Louisiana State University, Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship to The University of Southern Mississippi ABRIAL MARYN SUAREZ Tiger Excellence Scholar Resident Award to Louisiana State University

JORDYN A'LYRIC TAYLOR Innovation Award to Louisiana State University, Academic Excellence Fee Exemption Award to Louisiana State University, Student Excellence Fee increase Hardship Exemption Award to Louisiana State University KATE ALEXANDRA THOMSON Ecce Quam Bonum Award to Sewanee: The University of the South JOSEPHINE ANNE TOSO Academic Merit Non-Resident Scholarship to The University of Mississippi, Academic Merit Scholarship to The University of Mississippi, Out-of-State Crimson Legends Scholarship to The University of Alabama, Academic Honors Scholarship to Savannah College of Art and Design, Transformation Merit Resident Award to Louisiana State University ALEXIS BAO NHI TRAN Academic Scholarship to Butler University, Colvard Future Leadership Scholarship to Mississippi State University, Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship to Mississippi State University, Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship to Mississippi State University, Dean's Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Dean's Scholarship to University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Louisiana Resident Scholarship to Loyola University New Orleans, Xavier Academic Scholarship to Xavier University of Louisiana CAROLINE ANDREÉ TRAUTH Transformation Merit Resident Award to Louisiana State University THERESA HUYEN SUONG VU Magnolia Scholarship to University of Louisiana Lafayette A'NYA MONEA WHEATLEY 2020 Oscar J. Tolmas Memorial Scholarship Fund, Dillard University Grant I to Dillard University MARY PARKER WHISNANT Tiger Legacy Superior Scholarship to Louisiana State University, Tiger Excellence Scholar Resident Award to Louisiana State University, Out-of-State Crimson Legends Scholarship to The University of Alabama, Founder's Scholarship to Texas Christian University, Academic Merit Scholarship to The University of Mississippi, Academic Merit Non-Resident Scholarship to The University of Mississippi AUDREY KATHRYN WILD Abraham Lincoln Scholarship to Gettysburg College, Merit-Based Scholarship to Lehigh University, President's Scholarship to Bentley University, Women's Leadership Program to Bentley University, Flagship Scholars Resident Award to Louisiana State University, President's Student Aid Job to Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tiger Legacy Excellence Scholarship to Louisiana State University

Profile of a Dominican Graduate A Dominican graduate is encouraged to be a woman of integrity who seeks Truth, Veritas.

Embracing the Dominican program and aspiring to its ideals, she:

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Student Achievement

AP Scholars

In September 2020, 13 seniors and ten graduates (Class of 2020) of St. Mary’s Dominican High School earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program (AP) Exams. AP tests are scored on a scale of 1-5.

The AP Scholar designation recognizes students who earned scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. The AP Scholar with Honor designation recognizes students who earned an average of 3.25 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more AP exams. The AP Scholar with Distinction designation recognizes students who earned an average score of 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scored 3 or higher on five or more AP exams.

Catherine Bickerton ’20

Elise Bourg ’20

Brooke Boyd ’20

Emily Broussard ’21

AP Scholar

AP Scholar

AP Scholar with Distinction

AP Scholar

Reese Dawson ’21

Emily Dominique ’21

Madison Ferguson ’21

Lucy Hansen ’21

AP Scholar

AP Scholar with Honor

AP Scholar with Distinction

AP Scholar with Honor

Emily Hemelt ’21

Lyndsey Jones ’20

Alexandra LaNasa ’20

AP Scholar with Honor

AP Scholar with Honor

AP Scholar with Honor

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Student Achievement

AP Scholars

Sara Miller ’20

Caroline Ondrusek ’21

Celeste Patron ’20

Tessa Paul ’20

AP Scholar with Distinction

AP Scholar

AP Scholar with Distinction

AP Scholar with Distinction

Abigail Perez ’21

Bryce Perkins ’21

Reagan Perry ’20

AP Scholar

AP Scholar

AP Scholar

Jenna Pertuit ’21

Sydney Raymond ’21

Sophie Ross ’21

AP Scholar

AP Scholar with Distinction

AP Scholar with Honor

Audrey Wild ’21

Irene Yu ’20

AP Scholar with Distinction

AP Scholar with Distinction

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National Merit

Student Achievement

T

he National Merit Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Approximately 15,000 students of the 1.5 million juniors who entered qualified as finalists.

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten buy NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 400 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NSMC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.

SYDNEY RAYMOND

S

ydney Raymond was named National Merit Finalist. She was among the 15,000 Finalists in the 66th annual National Merit® Scholarship Program. As Finalists, these academically talented high school seniors had an opportunity for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that were offered in the spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.

Beginning in March and continuing to mid-June, NMSC notifies approximately 7,600 finalists that they have been selected to receive a Merit Scholarship, corporate, or college-sponsored monetary award.

EMILY DOMINIQUE

E

mily Dominique was named Commended Student in the 2021 National Merit® Scholarship Program. Commended Students place among the top 50,000 scorers of more than 1.5 million students who entered the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Although these students will not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, they are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Some of these students become candidates for Special Scholarships sponsored by corporations and businesses.

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Senior Academic Honors Day

ST. MARY’S DOMINICAN COLLEGE CORPORATION SCHOLARSHIP Sydney Raymond received the St. Mary’s Dominican College Corporation Scholarship, presented by Sr. M. Dominic Savio Estorge, O.P. The annual scholarship is given in memory of the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary who established, maintained, and supported both St. Mary’s Dominican College and St. Mary’s Dominican High School. Graduating seniors who have been accepted and are attending a Catholic college or university have the opportunity to apply for the scholarship.

ALLIANCE FOR YOUNG ARTISTS AND WRITERS Three seniors recognized by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers with Scholastic Art and Writing Awards were, from left, Faith Bass: Four Honorable Mentions, three in Drawing & Illustration and one in Mixed Media; Grace Beard: Five Honorable Mentions: Two in painting, two in Mixed Media, and one in photography; and Dajah Saul: Honorable Mention in Design.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS AWARD

2020-2021 STUDENT COUNCIL EXECUTIVE BOARD

Gracie Bott received the Knights of Columbus Award, given to the senior who has displayed the principles of charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism, and in doing so has displayed the highest degree of citizenship by helping others, especially those less fortunate.

The 2020-2021 Student Council Executive Board officers President Allie Koenig, Vice President Kate Nolan, Secretary Grace Hamblin, and Treasurer Caroline Madden received EBoard medals in recognition of their outstanding leadership and service.

Although District and State Literary Rallies were not held for the 2020-2021 school year, seniors whose outstanding performance in the 2019-2020 competitions were recognized, (from left) Sara Fath, District Qualifier and State Qualifier in Biology II; Sophia Forest, District Qualifier in Spanish IV; Allie Koenig, District Qualifier and first place Health; and Audrey Wild, District Qualifier in English IV.

Seniors who merited book awards last year, but could not be presented at that time were, from left, Rebekah Haase, The Brandeis Book Award; Audrey Wild, The George Washington Alumni Book Award; Dajah Saul, Tulane Book Award presented by Tulane University and Office of Undergraduate Admission; and Sydney Raymond, The Washington and Lee University Book Award.

Service

In their years at Dominican, the Class of 2021 completed 22,031 hours of service. Twenty-five students earned the St. Mary’s Dominican Service Award by performing more than 200 hours.

Three students completed more than 450 hours of service: Kaitlyn Huynh (495 hours) Caroline Alleman (553 hours) Elana Perriott (1066 hours)

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A Toast of Praise Dominican Students Earn Perfect Score of 36 on the ACT Elizabeth Mobley ’22

Kaylie Nguyen ’22

Maeve Storm ’22

In May, St. Mary’s Dominican High School juniors Elizabeth Mobley and Kaylie Nguyen earned the highest possible composite score of 36 on the ACT. Rising senior Maeve Storm scored a 36 in June. Fewer than half of one percent of students who take the ACT earn a top score.

In the U.S. high school graduating class of 2020, only 5,579 out of nearly 1.7 million students who took the ACT earned a top composite score of 36.

2021 BOOK AWARDS Ten St. Mary’s Dominican High School juniors were presented Book Awards from universities and colleges to celebrate the achievements of the Junior Class. The Book Awards are in recognition of academic excellence, strong character, and commitment to community service. School counselors and teachers nominate the students they feel best embody the criteria set by each college or university.

St. Mary’s Dominican High School juniors who received Book Awards are (front row, from left): Jasmine Ferrier, Ada Holmes, Maeve Storm, and Jenna Thomas.

Back Row: Mia DiGiovanni, Samantha White, Alexandra Amato, Annie Carr, and Jane Bostick. Not pictured: Bakhit Cuccia.

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Alexandra Amato – Bates College Book Award Samantha White – Brandeis University Jasmine Ferrier – Dartmouth Club of the Gulf Coast Award Ada Holmes – Lasell University Book Award Bakhit Cuccia – Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award, Chatham University Jane Bostick – Rensselaer Medal Award Annie Carr – Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Computing Medal and Scholarship Program Mia DiGiovanni – Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Innovation and Creativity Award Jenna Thomas – Tulane University Book Award Maeve Storm – Williams College Book Award

Student Achievement FAITH BASS AMONG GEORGE RODRIGUE FOUNDATION OF THE ARTS ANNUAL CONTEST WINNERS Faith Bass, a 2021 St. Mary’s Dominican High School graduate, took second place honors in the George Rodrigue Foundation of the Arts (GRFA) annual visual art and songwriting contest. A total of 13 Louisiana high school juniors and seniors shared $25,000 in college scholarships. Bass was among 10 finalists the visual art contest judges selected to share $19,000 in college scholarships. Individual visual artwork was judged on concept/design, technical skill, and creativity. Her entry, “Pandemics: History Repeats Itself,” included a $4,000 award and was selected from more than 500 entries. Last school year, she was a student in teacher Angelle Caffery’s Art III-Advanced Placement class.

The 2021 contest theme was “Alone Together: Art in the Time of Pandemic,” which encouraged students to reflect and explore their thoughts on this difficult year and create works of art and music inspired by their reflections.

Students were asked to consider the following questions when creating their original art and songs: How has disaster and disease shaped art throughout history? How has your life changed as a result of COVID-19? What does social distancing and quarantine mean to you? What has been the most difficult part of this year for you? What do you miss most about life before COVID-19?

What is your hope for the future?

Founded by artist George Rodrigue (1944-2013) in 2009, the GRFA advocates the importance of the arts in the development of our youth, encourages the use of art within all curriculums, and supports a variety of art education programs. Its primary initiatives include its print donation program, on-going work with Louisiana A+ Schools, George’s Art Closet, and the Annual Scholarship Visual Art and Songwriting Contest that has received 5,881 submissions and awarded $530,000 in total scholarships to almost 200 students.

DOMINICAN STUDENTS RECEIVE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF ENGLISH AWARDS Mia DiGiovanni

Alivia Christiansen

The writings of St. Mary’s Dominican High School junior Mia DiGiovanni and 8th grader Alivia Christiansen have been recognized by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). Last school year, DiGiovanni was in English IV-Advanced Placement class and Christiansen was in English I Honors class, taught by Dominican English teacher Ms. Casey Lefante.

Mia DiGiovanni is a 2021 Achievement Award in Writing Program recipient, awarded a Certificate of Superior Writing. National judges evaluated writing entries for expression of ideas, language use, and unique perspective and voice. The NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing is a school-based writing program established in 1957 to encourage high school students to write and to recognize some of the best student writers in the nation. Only students who are juniors may participate. Last year, 285 students were nominated to participate in the Achievement Awards in Writing Program. Of those, 136 received Certificates for Superior Writing.

Alivia Christiansen received the 2021 Promising Young Writers Award. The Promising Young Writers Program represents NCTE’s commitment to early and continuing work in the development of writing. The school-based writing program was established in 1985 to stimulate and recognize writing talents and to emphasize the importance of writing skills among eighth-grade students.

Schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, American schools abroad, and the Virgin Islands are eligible to nominate students. Schools nominated 90 students. Of that number, 56 received the highest award, Certificates of Recognition.

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Student Achievement

AS SEEN IN THE MAY 2021 ISSUE

S T U D E N T AC T I V I S T S

Elana Perriott St. Mary’s Dominican High School

By Mallory Lindsly

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

40 ST. CHARLES AVENUE MAY 2021

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“Activism has provided me with a better insight into the lives of those I’ve encountered. Through conversations with individuals of different backgrounds, I’ve gained an understanding of their cultural experiences,” says Elana Perriott, a senior at St. Mary’s Dominican High School.

In Spring 2018, Perriott became the President of Human Dignity and Diversity in Action Club and earned her Diversity Trainer Certification.

With this certification, Perriott has conducted dozens of diversity trainings for students and faculty at Dominican.

She was also the Vice President of the Multicultural Club during her sophomore and junior years.

In addition, for Fall 2018 through Spring 2020 she served as Secretary and Treasurer of the Craft Club.

Starting in the eighth grade, Perriott was a member of Dominican’s Student Ambassadors and worked several recruitment events throughout the years. This past school year, Perriott started a Senior Book Club, which is only open to graduating seniors.

Computers and technology have always interested Perriott, and she was excited to join Dominican’s Robotics Team her Freshman year. She is now the Program Officer of Dominican’s FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics Team, Ultraviolets 9637.

Her team has earned first place trophies in each of Louisiana’s Robotics Championships 20172021. Her interest in STEM at a young age has led her to join the Society of Women Advisors in Technology (SWAT) club, which gives hands-on experience in 3D printing and laser cutting.

“My most rewarding volunteer experiences are when my Robotics Team volunteers with young girls and encourages them to pursue STEM activities,” says Perriott. “While I don’t believe every girl who I work with will go on to be a future scientist or engineer, the idea that I’ve shined a light on one girl’s future makes me proud.”

Outside of school, she’s the youngest member of her local church council, Jerusalem Church of God in Christ, where she represents the youth’s voice while planning community initiatives and events.

Perriott is attending Xavier University in New Orleans this fall, where she plans to major in computer science. Her dream job would be working as a computer programmer at Disney alongside the Imagineers. She hopes to develop new rides and animatronics.

In the future, she plans to continue working with youth in diversity and activism. ✦

PRUDENTIAL SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY AWARDS Judges for the 26th annual 2021 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards conferred the President’s Volunteer Service Award and a Certificate of Excellence Award on Cadence Jackson.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and country. The Certificate of Excellence Award recipients are among the top 10 percent of all applicants from their state in last year’s program.

Jackson’s volunteer work was inspired when she learned from a local veterinarian the need for medical supplies at prisons that have programs teaching inmates about care of animals. Louisiana’s Department of Public Safety and Corrections participates in several programs with a dual purpose of rehabilitating people in prison and animals. These programs teach responsibility, compassion, and discipline and give both person and animal second chances in life.

Jackson contacted local veterinarian hospitals for supplies nearing expiration dates, but could be still used in a teaching program. A year after she began collecting supplies, she received a letter from an inmate who ran a prison vet program thanking her for the supplies and how they brought joy and hope to everyone involved. She has expanded her volunteer work to other parts of her community.

U.S. PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM Sydney Raymond was named one of more than 4,500 candidates in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2021.

Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities.

The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 by Executive Order of the President to recognize some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors for their accomplishments in many areas: academic success, leadership, and service to school and community. It was expanded in 1979 to recognize students demonstrating exceptional scholarship and talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was expanded once again to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical fields.

Annually, up to 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars are chosen from among that year’s senior class, representing excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America’s youth. If circumstances permit, all Scholars are invited to Washington, DC in June for the National Recognition Program, featuring various events and enrichment activities and culminating in the presentation of the Presidential Scholars Medallion during a White Housesponsored ceremony.

ST. TIMOTHY AWARD RECIPIENT Gabrielle Goines (St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church) was among the seven St. Timothy Award honorees recognized for their commitment to their parishes in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Archbishop Gregory Aymond and Auxiliary Bishop Fernand Cheri presented the awards at the Annual Leadership Celebration on July 24 at Divine Mercy Church in Kenner. The annual award is given by the CYO/Youth and Young Adult Ministry to teenagers who exemplify Christian service, Catholic leadership, and good moral standards.

The St. Timothy Award is the highest award the Archdiocese of New Orleans can bestow upon a young person. The national award recognizes, on a diocesan level, outstanding youth who exemplify Christian service, Catholic leadership, and good moral standards. The youth who receive this award are not only outstanding in their church parish, but also in the larger archdiocesan community. These individuals have displayed high ideals and have grown spiritually while offering their time and talents in the service of the church parish and the community at large.

SHERIFF’S SCHOLAR AWARD HONOREE Dajah Saul received the Sheriff’s Scholar award for the 2020-2021 school year, presented by Sheriff Marlin N. Gusman.

The award is an annual academic scholarship awarded to a commendable local student as a contribution to their higher education goals. In order to respect the dedicated commitment of the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) community, OPSO gives first priority to relatives of OPSO staff, and then looks within the community at large for recipients. Saul is the daughter of Tracey Jefferson, OPSO’s Director of Sanitation, and Derrick Saul of New Orleans.

This fall, Dajah will attend Loyola University New Orleans. She aspires to work in the fields of either clinical or forensic psychology or graphic design. “As a high school senior with many dreams, this scholarship is a wonderful opportunity that helps further my career goals, wherever they may lead me,” she said. “I will be making my parents and myself proud by carrying a scholarship like the Sheriff’s Scholar award into my new journey at Loyola University.”

Sheriff Gusman said the Scholarship Program “is a great opportunity to invest in the promising futures of our local high school students. Dajah has a very bright future ahead of her at Loyola University.”

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St. Mary’s Dominican High School awarded school scholarships to 28 seventh graders based on the students’ academic records and their performance on the High School Placement Test. The scholarships were presented during the May 8 scholarship ceremony held on Dominican’s campus. Recipients, their current schools and scholarships awarded:

1. Natalie Cage Holy Name of Jesus School Sr. Waldia Warden, O.P. Endowed Scholarship

13. Enna Hawes St. Catherine of Siena School Sr. M. Teresa Mittelbronn, O.P. Endowed Scholarship

25. Gabriella Romero St. Edward the Confessor School Denise Galatoire Schoen Endowed Scholarship

2. Therese Carriere St. Catherine of Siena School Joan Frischhertz Mascaro Endowed Scholarship

14. Olivia Hernandez St. Pius X School Lolita Fernandez de la Reguera Pittman Endowed Scholarship

26. Julianne Sanchez St. Angela Merici School Siena Endowed Scholarship

3. Kristian Champagne St. Catherine of Siena School Alumnae Association Endowed Scholarship

15. Camille Kacpura St. Ann School Karen Graffagnini Favret ’62 Endowed Scholarship

4. Grace Chategnier St. Clement of Rome School Dorothy D. Porter I Endowed Scholarship

16. Madigan Lee St. Angela Merici School Carol Lohfink Drawe Scholarship

5. Chloe Chin St. Ann School Harvey-Wadsworth Scholarship 6. Claudia Cifreo St. Catherine of Siena School Audrey and John Cocchiara Scholarship 7. Lillian Cruz Ursuline Academy The Kathleen Lier Endowed Scholarship

27. Isabelle Tsien St. Ann School Ruth U. Fertel Endowed Scholarship 28. Adriana Wilmore St. Catherine of Siena School Vivian Agnes Chasez Coney Memorial Endowed Scholarship

17. Vanessa Liu St. Ann School The Oscar J. Tolmas Scholarship 18. Danielle Morgan Holy Name of Jesus School Dr. and Mrs. William Dardis Scholarship 19. Truc Nguyen St. Phillip Neri School The Class of 1959 Endowed Scholarship

8. Aubrey Daigrepont Victory Christian Academy Gauthier Endowed Scholarship

20. Abigail Nuccio St. Andrew the Apostle School The Father Jean Marie Germain Tuition Endowed Scholarship

9. Abby Deeke Visitation of Our Lady School The Class of 1957 Endowed Scholarship

21. Anastasia Redmann Homeschool Drs. Jewell (Lozes) and Richard Wunderlich Endowed Scholarship

10. Caroline DeRamus Christian Brothers School Veritas Endowed Scholarship

22. Sarah Reinhardt St. Catherine of Siena School Patricia J. Blanchard Scholarship

11. Ashlynn Dinh St. Andrew the Apostle School Lynn and Arthur Mann Family Scholarship

23. Lillian Reyes St. Ann School Sid and Harry Kammer Endowed Scholarship

12. Leah Gilmore St. Clement of Rome School Sr. M. Hildegarde, O.P. Band Scholarship

24. Molly Richardson Christian Brothers School Von Wolff I Endowed Scholarship

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Faculty & Staff Highlights PERSONNEL SERVICE AWARDS 2020-2021 5 Years: Sarah Finney Algu Lauren Bordelon Jill Cabes Kenny Lannes Hannah Pope Carla Weaver

Dominican Personnel Saluted for Service Years At an end of the year ceremony, St. Mary’s Dominican High School saluted personnel service, presenting awards for the 2020-2021 and the 2019-2020 (acknowledged in the previous edition of The Torch) honorees.

10 Years: Jessica Couch Ashley Juhas 15 Years: David Christopher Randy Duplantis Kristin Thomas 20 Years: Jennifer Drouant Paul Garvey Louis Negrotto 40 Years: Carolyn Favre Wendy Grubb

Among the 2020-2021 honorees were Vice President, Principal Carolyn Favre, M.Ed., OPA (right) and Counseling Department Chair Wendy Grubb, M.S., LPC, NCC who were recognized for their 40 years of service. Mrs. Favre started her tenure at Dominican teaching science and soon added physical education. From 1997 to 2007 she was Dean of Students and in 2003 became the first female in Dominican’s district to become a Certified Athletic Administrator. In 2009, she was named school principal.

Mrs. Grubb, who is retiring, looks forward to spending more time with her grandchildren and traveling. Looking back on her work at Dominican she shares, “It has been most rewarding working with such wonderful colleagues, both in the Counseling Department as well as faculty, and also to see former students return to continue the Dominican legacy of excellence.”

THE GIFT OF MUSIC

2020-2021 St. Mary’s Dominican High School Service Award honorees, Front Row, seated (from left), Carolyn Favre (Principal), Wendy Grubb (Counseling), Paul Garvey (Facilities), Jennifer Drouant (Instructional Administration), and Louis Negrotto (Instructional). Standing: Kenneth Lannes (Math), Sarah Finney Algu (Counseling), Lauren Bordelon (Religion), Jill Cabes (Dominican Catholic Identity), Kristin Thomas (English), Hannah Pope (Foreign Language), Ashley Juhas (Health/Physical Education), Randy Duplantier (Social Studies), and Carla Weaver (Facilities). Not pictured: David Christopher (Facilities) and Jessica Couch (Advancement).

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In December, an alumna contacted Dominican about an anonymous donor who wanted to make a gift to Dominican. The gift was a Stradivarius violin. Ms. Brenda Castillo, Fine Arts Department Chair who is Director of Instrumental and Vocal Music, said this gift is a most welcomed addition to the school’s inventory of musical instruments. “Over the years Dominican has been gifted with instruments that have a direct and positive impact on our students in the band. Such a gift has a lasting impact.”

Master luthier Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737) of Cremona, Italy dedicated his life to making the violin. The earliest known Stradivarius violin was made in 1666 when he was 22-years-old. During his lifetime he designed and crafted more than 1,100 instruments – violins, harps, guitars, violas, and cellos. Today, nearly 650 of them exist.

FOUNDATIONS NEW ORLEANS SEMINAR RETURNS TO DOMINICAN In the chemistry classrooms and labs on the second floor of Dominican’s Gayle and Tom Benson Science and Technology Complex, a group of 30 educators from high schools across the country were in their fourth day of a six-day Foundations New Orleans seminar. Presented by the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame, the summer seminars integrate the disciplines of science and religion in ways that nourish the imagination. Science teachers learn how to engage the Catholic vision of creation and the human person while upholding the integrity and value of independent scientific investigation. Religion teachers explore how science informs and enhances their appreciation of God's creation and action. Participants discover how to pass that awareness on to their students.

Since 2017, Dominican has hosted guest lecturers and has provided its chemistry labs for science experiments. Christopher T. Baglow, Ph.D., is Director of the Science and Religion Initiative at the McGrath Institute.

Prior to that, he was Professor of Systematic/Dogmatic Theology at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans from 2009-2018. Last year, due to health concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic, Dominican participated virtually in the seminar. This year, the June 13-18 summer seminar was part of the seminars held at the University of Notre Dame campus and St. Joseph Seminary College in Covington, Louisiana.

Day four at Dominican featured seminar discussions and lectures on such topics as Biology and the Catholic Faith, Creation and Evolution, Chance and Purpose: A Catholic Perspective. Among the seminar faculty was Heather Foucault-Camm, PGCE, MSc., Program Director for the Science and Religion Initiative at the McGrath Institute. She presented, The Atoms Declare the Glory of God. Following her talk, participants conducted a flame test for metals. She noted that before the high school teachers attend the in-person seminars they complete prep work that includes required reading. The seminar includes a pedagogy workshop where attendees collaborate with their school colleagues on crosscurriculum lesson plans.

“I believe you can’t see creation without wonder and awe,” she shared.

“Science and religion in the classroom have to acknowledge the awe and wonder of creation.” As the programs grow every year, she said her colleagues are seeing what is brought back to the school “is impactful.

We are actively looking at how to build interaction with the community.

Our website has all the resources, including lesson plans organized by subject. Through the attendees’ participation, they contribute to the larger community.”

Mrs. Jill Cabes, Vice President of Dominican Catholic Identity, also teaches religion at the school and has seen first-hand the expansion of the Foundations New Orleans seminars. “Every year we see more growth and as the research has expanded, the structure had to expand as well,” she said.

Her colleague Mr. Matthew Foss, Science Department Chair, has been lab manager for the on-site lab activities every year Dominican has been a host site. This year, colleagues and 2019 seminar participants Mark Gonnella who teaches religion, and Madelyn Maldonado, a science teacher, were part of a group of past participants who now mentor new participants through the pre-seminar stage of reading, online discussion, and lesson plan development. Foss, a physics teacher and robotics team coach, says the opportunity to collaborate and share ideas with other teachers and bringing it back to the school is a bonus. “We continue to keep in touch and that list of contacts keeps growing. The online lesson plans have developed over the years, and you can access a large collection of very useful lesson plans, and the resources have been vetted by Notre Dame University. All of this benefits the students. I am getting better as a teacher and am passing this to my students. When we teach science and religion, we have established reading and lessons that are built into our fabric at Dominican.”

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(A) Dominican’s Science Department Chair Matthew Foss addresses Foundations New Orleans Seminar attendees. (B) Representing St. Mary’s Dominican High School at the Foundations New Orleans Seminar are (from left) Mrs. Jill Cabes, Mrs. Katie Ibarra, Dr. Maureen Wright, Mrs. Joann Haydel, and Mr. Matthew Foss.

“

I believe you can't see creation without wonder and awe.

Science and religion in the classroom have to acknowledge the awe and wonder of creation.

”

Attending the June seminar were Dominican faculty – religion teacher Dr. Maureen Wright who is the incoming Vice President of Dominican Catholic Identity this fall, science teacher Joann Haydel, and religion teacher Katie Ibarra. During the afternoon pedagogy workshop, they collaborated on their lesson plan that will be submitted to the McGrath Institute.

“The more we investigate science, the more we learn about God’s intentional plan for Creation,” said Dr. Wright. “The more we discern faith, the more we realize that God the Creator wants each of us to be in relationship with Him.” For Mrs. Joann Haydel, “Foundations New Orleans has given me the chance to learn how to integrate religion into my science classes by sparking curiosity and encouraging students to ask questions about the natural world. Through scientific inquiry, students can see how science and religion complement each other and can both answer questions they may have about their place in our world."

The Foundations New Orleans seminars enlightened Mrs. Katie Ibarra how science and theology have more in common than she previously thought.

“The striking example of this is that science continues to measure, calculate, and study things of the material world to understand them better, which means that the discovery of science is endless, cyclical, and can grow with time. Theological inquiry is the same in that we can continue to study and evaluate the mysteries of God which are endless, cyclical, and even more can be discovered through time. Both are held by the divine hand of God and both lead to a greater understanding of Him who is endless."

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2020-2021 Athletics

Basketball

Cross Country

Golf

Soccer

Softball

Swim

Tennis

Track & Field

Volleyball

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Fall Sports

Athletics

Cross Country Team Division I State Runner Up DISTRICT CHAMPION REGIONAL CHAMPION Kelsey Major • Individual CHAMPION in the DISTRICT, REGIONAL, and STATE meets.

• 2020 Gatorade Louisiana Girls Runner of the Year.

• nominee for the USA Today High School Sports Awards - Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year.

Dominican’s Cross Country Team finished as the Division I State Runner Up! From left: Head Coach Ashlyn Rooney, Elise Raque, Catherine Kernion, Roma McAlear, Bryce Couvillon, Virginia Turner, Morgan Trauth, Kelsey Major, and Assistant Coach Nicky Wood.

Coached by Ms. Ashlyn Ciolino.

Kelsey Major on the podium as Divison I State Champion.

Swim Team State 4th Place DISTRICT RUNNER UP METRO RUNNER UP Coached by Mr. Bret Hanemann.

Dominican’s Swim Team members on the road to State - Front row (from left): Haley Valdine, Olivia Cassreino, Riley Crespo, Kaylee Caro, Lauren Giardina, and Lauren Santos. Back row (from lef): Julia Davis, Kayleigh Jollands, Cecilia Hanemann, Audrey Wild, Emma Sullivan, Brianna Leathem, Catherine Kernion, and Allyson Johnson.

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Athletics

Fall Sports

Volleyball Team

Division I State Champions

The Dominican Varsity Volleyball team celebrates winning the Division I STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME! Front row (from left): Athletic Trainer Peyton Palermo, Caroline Lavie, Gabrielle Marcello, Camryn Chatellier, Sara Watermeier, Anne Hardouin, Brooke Couret, Kate Baker. Back row: Assistant Coaches Latishia Wise, Ashlee Juhas, and Heather Nunez, O’Neil Haddad, Ellie Dalton, Anna Taylor, Principal Carolyn Favre, Gracie Ely, Zoe Smith, Mykail Lusco, Elizabeth Hardouin, and Head Coach Jessica Chatellier.

DISTRICT RUNNER UP OVERALL RECORD of 31 – 2 Selected as the Allstate Sugar Bowl’s Greater New Orleans Girls’ Prep Team of the Year

Kate Baker was named the 2020 Gatorade Louisiana Volleyball Player of the Year.

Coached by Mrs. Jessica Chatellier.

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Parades of Champions

Athletics

In the Fall, the Dominican Community Celebrated the State Champion Volleyball Team, Individual State Champion Runner Kelsey Major, and the State Runner-Up Cross Country Team During Two Lunchtime Parades.

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Athletics

Soccer Team Division I State Runner Up DISTRICT RUNNER UP OVERALL RECORD of 22-1-1 Kelsey Major was named the 2020 Gatorade Louisiana Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

Coached by Mr. Al Silvas.

Varsity Soccer team - Division I STATE RUNNER UP! Front row (from left): Kendall Guidroz, Layton Perkins, Ella Goings, Olivia Labruzzo, Morgan Trauth. Second row: Athletic Trainer Payton Palermo, Rowan French, Bryce Couvillon, Kelsey Major, Morgan Rotolo, Olivia Icamina, Assistant Coach Jennifer Frosch. Third row: Assistant Coach Christi Orgeron, Lily Ellis, Bradley Hughes, Megan Bailey, Madison Trauth, Avery Lirette, Erin Kramer, Kiley Russell, Head Coach Al Silvas. Back row: Caroline Blais, Kate Thomson, Elise Detillier, Stella Martin, Stella French, McKenzie Grundmeyer, Lizzie Phillips, and Jasmine Ferrier.

Basketball Team Division I SemiFinal Round DISTRICT RUNNER UP OVERALL RECORD of 19-7 Coached by Mr. Ryan Reuter.

From left: Anaya Yunusah, Allison Tullier, Sophia Martin, Sophie Naquin, Emily Adams, Katherine Ellis, Grace Hamblin, Caroline Robichaux, Bailey Johnson, Rachel Fath, and Sydney Sherman.

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Winter Sports

Spring Sports

Athletics

Golf Team State 5th Place DISTRICT CHAMPIONS REGIONAL CHAMPIONS Coached by Mr. Rick Ciolino.

GOLF REGIONAL CHAMPIONS - Head Coach Rick Ciolino, Annie Dykes, Sahithi Koneru, Ada Holmes, Molly Stavinoha, and Assistant Coach Ashlyn Rooney.

Softball Team Division I SemiFinal Round OVERALL RECORD of 18 - 8

Dominican Softball team members on the road to State - Front row (from left): Kaitlyn Lyons, Elise Simon, Gracee Reeves, Ella Bertucci, Lauren Sekinger, Maddie Branch, Makayla Arbello, and Hope Couvillion. Back row (from left): Sydney Sherman, Reagan Porche, Ava Lusco, Kaitlyn VanHaverbeke, Claire Sekinger, MyKail Lusco, Shelby Jackson, Abby Gaubert, Sophia Martin, and Tatum Miller.

Coached by Mrs. Dawn Benoit.

Tennis Team DISTRICT RUNNER UP REGIONAL RUNNER UP Amaya Freeman - Regional Singles Runner Up

Holding the regional runner-up trophy are Mary Parker Whisnant and Marist Bourg, with tennis team members (from left) Sofia Chanes, Elle Thomas, Sophia Cao, Emma Hoth, Brooke Couret, A’Maya Freeman, Kay Harper, Riley Sciambra, and Breelan Hausknecht.

Track and field members who competed in regionals - Front row (from left): Sammie Wild, Roma McAlear, Brice Couvillion, Sophie Dauterive, Mary Cate Garvey, Elise Raque. Middle Row: Bridget Palermo, Maeve Storm, Chloe Maiden, Claudia Grosch, Virginia Turner.

Back Row: Amy Engelhardt, Caroline Trauth, Kate Nolan, Lucy Hanson, Paige Julian, Kayla Prevost, Madison Baglio, Kayla Little, and Catherine Kernion.

Coached by Mrs. Stephanie Bollman.

Track & Field

• Lucy Hansen was the DISTRICT CHAMPION in the triple jump.

• The 4x100 relay team of Brooke Babin, Paige Julian, Betsy Cao, and Olivia Bordes were DISTRICT CHAMPIONS. • Catherine Kernion, Elise Raque, Caroline Trauth, Roma McAlear, Amy Engelhardt, Bryce Couvillon, and Mary Cate Garvey qualified for the State Meet.

Coached by Mr. Paul Garvey.

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End of the Year Award Recipients

Athletics

The Dominicanite Award recognizes the senior athlete who participated in the most athletic teams during her years at Dominican. This honor was awarded to Kate Nolan.

The Army Reserve National Scholar Athlete Award, presented to the outstanding senior in athletics, leadership, and academic excellence, was presented to Kate Thomson.

The Lee Fernandez de la Reguera Pittman ’51 Award, voted by the Dominican coaching staff recognizing the overall varsity athlete who exhibits great athletic ability, strong character, and a positive attitude, was merited by Grace Hamblin.

Dominican athlete honorees (from left): Kate Nolan, Kate Thomson, and Grace Hamblin.

College Signings EMILY ADAMS Millsaps Basketball

STELLA FRENCH Mississippi College Soccer

ELISE SIMON Spring Hill College Softball

KATE THOMSON Sewanee Soccer

ELIZABETH HARDOUIN William Carey Beach/Indoor Volleyball

GRACEE REEVES Bishop State CC Softball

CLAIRE SEKINGER Southeastern Florida Softball

Louisiana High School Athletic Association

LHSAA ALL ACADEMIC TEAM

Presented for outstanding academic achievement by maintaining a cumulative Grade-Point Average of 3.50 or higher during their academic career while participating in varsity high school athletics.

• Emily Dominique, Isabelle Fitzmorris, Carly Langford, Caroline Madden for Cross Country • Kate Nolan for Cross Country and Track & Field • Caroline Trauth for Track & Field • Grace Hamblin for Basketball • Sophia Cao, Emma Hoth, Mary Parker Whisnant for Tennis • McKenzie Grundmeyere, Layton Perkins, Kate Thomson for Soccer • Makayla Arbelo, Shelby Jackson, Tatum Miller, Elise Simon for Softball

LHSAA ALL ACADEMIC 4.0 SCHOLAR TEAM

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A student-athlete’s six-semester GPA must have an un-weighted 4.00. The award is presented for exemplary academic achievement by maintaining the highest Grade Point Average among all athletes during their academic career while participating in varsity high school athletics.

• Isabella Brockway and Audrey Wild for Swimming • Jenna Pertuit for Track & Field

Athletics

Award Recipients LOU REILLY AWARD

T

Congratulations!

he Lou Reilly Award is presented in memory of a wonderful Dominican graduate. For many years she served the community as an educator with a special love for athletics and student athletes. She saw athletic competition and sportsmanship as an important part of the Dominican High School spirit. The award recognizes the athlete who continually tries to improve her skills and listens to her coaches and teammates. This athlete encourages her teammates and gives her full effort at each moment. The student athletes themselves have a nominating vote in the selection of award recipients. The final decision is left to the discretion of the coaches.

FALL

TEAM WORK

AUDREY WILD Swim

ASHLEY MONTOYA 8th Grade Soccer

ZOIE MITCHELL 8th Grade Basketball

ELLA PITISCI 8th Grade Track & Field

CAROLINE TRAUTH V Track & Field

OLIVIA RANSON JV Volleyball

ELIZABETH HARDOUIN V Volleyball

ELISE CARRIE RAQUE MADDEN V Cross Country JV Cross Country

WINTER

SOFIA CHANES 8th Grade Volleyball

AVERY FREY JV Soccer

KATE THOMSON V Soccer

SPRING

GRACE HAMBLIN V Basketball

CRISTIN ANGELO JV Softball

GRACEE REEVES V Softball

SAHITHI KONERU Golf

MARY PARKER WHISNANT Tennis

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Service

Second Harvest Canned Food Drive

Dominican Annual Canned Food Drive Collection Totals 67,178 for Second Harvest Food Bank

Monday, March 8, when the last donation was counted for St. Mary’s Dominican High School’s 22nd annual canned food drive, it was a record-breaking 67,178 donations for Second Harvest Food Bank.

Coordinated through the school’s Office of Dominican Catholic Identity, the competition was inspired by the theme song, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” from the animated film, Toy Story.

“You’ve Got a Friend in Dominican” was the rallying theme and each class level was assigned a character from the film.

Seniors took 1st place with donations totaling 16,413. Freshmen were in 2nd place with 12,119; 8th Grade, 3rd place, 12,036; Sophomores, 4th place, 9,944; and Juniors, 5th place, 5,596. Student donations totaled 56,108, surpassing its goal of 25,000. Alumnae joined this year’s drive, collecting 11,070 that went beyond their 5,000 goal.

“Recognizing the extraordinary needs in our community, the St. Mary’s Dominican High School community responded and surpassed previous canned food drives’ goals,” said school President Dr. Cynthia A. Thomas. “This annual drive is one of several projects that reflect our school’s pillars of community and

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service. Dominican students and alumnae are called to embody those commitments. Their collaboration demonstrated in an impactful way how they answered that call.”

For sophomore Isabelle Tran, it was the first time she served as the Campus Ministry Service Officer, a position she said allowed her to get more involved not only with her grade, “but with my school as a whole. My fellow sisters here at Dominican were already aware how important canned food drives are, but we were even more motivated this year after seeing the strain that COVID-19 has put on our Southern Louisiana community.

We knew this year had to be the best that it could possibly be.”

Since 2011, Dominican has donated 187,920 pounds of food to Second Harvest Food Bank. On average, 500,000 people receive food from Second Harvest Food Bank every month – double the number they served before the pandemic.

“We are so excited about this huge effort by the ladies of Dominican, which will help thousands in our community,” said Ms. Natalie Jayroe, President and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank. “As an affiliated ministry of the Archdiocese, it’s especially meaningful to us when another partner in the Church delivers such an impactful gift to those we serve.”

Community Involvement

“

My fellow sisters here at Dominican were already aware how important canned food drives are, but we were even more motivated this year after seeing the strain that COVID-19 has put on our Southern Louisiana community.

We knew this year had to be the best that it could possibly be.

As both a teacher and an alumna, Casey Lefante ’00 says she is “always impressed with the way our students step up to the challenge. Having the alumnae participate in the canned food drive was special because it represented what it means to be part of the Dominican community. We live out the pillars of prayer, study, community, and service not just when we walk the halls of Dominican, but also in our daily lives as alumnae. It was a pleasure to work with the students to create such a successful food drive for our community.”

When alumna Janet Emig heard about the invitation for alumnae to participate in the drive, she immediately spread the word to fellow members of the Class of ’75 and others she knew would want to help. “When the cause is so important and benefits your community, it’s easy to get involved and get others involved as well,” she said.

”

In addition to direct food drop offs at the school, cash donations via Venmo and the school’s donation link came in quickly. Emig added a special shout out to Kristen Preau Moore ’01, “our very own Jambalaya Girl, who stepped up in a big way with 21 cases of Jambalaya mix and Debra Davis Hymel ’79 who helped me haul 6,000 cans of vegetables from Breaux Mart. I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again next year, but the cans have to be lighter!”

Second Harvest Food Bank is an affiliated ministry of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, a member of Feeding America, and a United Way Partner Agency. It leads the fight against hunger and in building food security in South Louisiana by providing food access, advocacy, education, and disaster response. Providing food to more than 700 partners and programs across 23 parishes, it is the largest charitable anti-hunger network in the state.

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Lake Charles Drive

Community

Backpack Donation

Assisting the school’s Office of Dominican Catholic Identity, Student Council members helped collect donations during a one-week drive with grades 8th through 12th competing in the class Color Challenge. The 8th Grade won the challenge, with seniors in second place, and freshmen taking third place.

Donations of baby formula, diapers, wipes, pull-ups, and bottled water, collected by Dominican students, supported families with babies and young children in the Lake Charles community while recovering from Hurricane Laura. The donations were given to the Louisiana Right to Life office that delivered them to the community. On August 27th, Hurricane Laura made landfall in southwest Louisiana as a Category 4 and caused extensive damage in Lake Charles.

When an anonymous donor gifted Dominican’s Robotics team with 100 school backpacks, with the request to give them to a group of students that would benefit from them, the team did not need to look far.

“We have students in grades 8th through 12th who are in Robotics, and service is an important part of who we are. The Peace Center was a perfect connection for this special and generous gift of school backpacks,” noted Robotics moderator and coach Mrs. Crissy Giacona, who also teaches science at Dominican.

Opened in 2014 as a neighborhood outreach organization for people of all ages, the Peace Center is walking distance from Dominican. Among the center’s services are tutoring for children, computer training, job readiness, and senior meals.

Kindness Week

January 11-15 was the first Kindness Week at Dominican, organized by members of the Student Council E-Board in loving memory of Kendall Alfortish, Class of 2019. Her tragic loss was the inspiration of a week of joy and kindness.

Kindness Week was an initiative to encourage kindness among school community members and in our world in the new year.

Daily themes encouraged kindness to oneself and to others. Student Council members sold handmade TPWK (Treat People with Kindness) bracelets and “shout outs” during morning and afternoon announcements to raise funds for Kendall’s Krewe, an organization founded in memory of Kendall, to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.

Monday – What does Kindness Mean to You included a homeroom kindness activity as students prepared for the week. On Tuesday, Show What Kindness Means to You, students reflected on what kindness means to them and shared with friends and teachers by displaying their definitions on their nametags. Wednesday’s theme of Be Kind to Yourself included a $1 dress down day and encouraged students to visit the “Take What You Need” board for some motivation at the start of the new year.

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Thursday’s focus was spreading kindness to others. Students were encouraged to send virtual inspirational messages to five friends and to encourage recipients to do the same. The week concluded with a message of positivity for the year ahead. Other highlights included taking a polaroid picture in front of a butterfly mural, created by Student Council Executive Board Treasurer Carrie Madden, and popcorn sales, Kernels for Kendall’s Krewe.

During the week, Student Preachers planned their reflections and prayers in a way that focused on a different aspect of kindness each day. Topics included what it means to be kind, showing kindness to others, being kind to yourself, a meditation on those who have showed us kindness and how we have showed kindness to others, and staying positive. Student preacher Gracie Bott also created a "Be Kind to Yourself" meditation and reflection based on Isaiah 43 that was available for students during adoration during lunch on Wednesday.

Proceeds from Kindness Week’s fundraising events were donated to K e n d a l l ’s Krewe for suicide prevention.

Service

Thanksgiving Baskets

Community Involvement St. Mary’s Dominican High School’s annual Thanksgiving Baskets drive collected donations from homerooms, clubs, athletic teams, alumnae, and community partners, providing 108 Thanksgiving baskets that fed more than 1,000 people. “This was a community effort, thanks to the support and work of many,” said Mrs. Jill Cabes, Vice President of Dominican Catholic Identity.

Dominican alumnae donated 34 baskets and money for the purchase of 20 turkeys. St. Rita Catholic Church and Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church contributed 80 turkeys, for a total of 100 turkeys. Leidenheimer Bakery donated 100 bags of pistolettes. Representatives from Xavier University helped with organizing the day, providing Dominican use of their Community Center. The Peace Center, the social worker at St. Rita Church, and Gert Town neighborhood representatives coordinated recipients of the baskets and turkeys. Total Community Action (TCA) donated the trucks for pickup and transport. Mr. Terry Scott, owner of McDonald’s on Carrollton Avenue, donated breakfast and lunch for all of the workers.

Adopt-A-Family The spirit of Christmas filled Dominican’s halls with the annual Adopt-A-Family activities.

There were 160 individuals adopted through Catholic Charities programs that included Immigration and Refugees Services, Food for Families, and Health Guardians. Also adopted were 40 people from the Metro Advocacy Center, a shelter for women and children, and ten people from the neighboring St. Rita's school and church community. Gifts were provided by religion classes and through donations from school personnel. Teachers shopped for the St. Rita families and wrapped the families’ gifts.

Campus Ministry officers organized the gifts.

Students from all class levels helped the Dads Club members load their vehicles for delivery to all recipients.

Easter Cheer For Easter, 35 residents at the Pine Street Apartments received Easter baskets from their neighbor, St. Mary’s Dominican High School. Contributing food items and sweets to the baskets were the Ecology Club, Robotics, Students for Human Dignity and Diversity in Action, National Honor Society, and National Art Honor Society. This is the sixth year for the inter-club service project under the direction of Campus Ministry. Every recipient also received a ham from the Peace Center. “The Peace Center does outreach to the Pine St. Apartments across the street from our campus and recognized the need for their residents to have a nice meal for Easter.

Many live alone and do not have families or resources to have a nice meal otherwise,” said Ms. Claire Gallagher, Dominican’s Campus Minister.

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Virtual and Socially Distanced

Classroom Activities

VIRTUAL DANCE LESSONS FOR SPANISH CLASS The Sr. Ambrose Reggio Gym was the classroom for students in Mrs. Claudia Vallejo’s Spanish class when guest speaker, Colombian dance instructor Juan Esteban Lopez, connected virtually from his studio in Medellin, Colombia. Students followed his instructions from warm-up to learning Salsa steps and other lively dances. Mrs. Vallejo invited other students in the gym to join her students for the unique class experience.

Classroom Experie

Veritas

LESSONS IN DISPUTATIO In the 8th grade level religion classes taught by Mrs. Jill Cabes, students applied their understanding of disputatio during a week of debates on a range of topics that included Do Cats or Dogs Make Better Pets to Should School Uniforms Be Required.

“All of the students were engaged and throughout the week learned to practice active and attentive listening, as well as use respectful language during their responses. The Rules of Disputatio are to never deny, to seldom affirm, and to always distinguish,” said Mrs. Cabes. “We were able to experience the rules in a practical way rather than as merely an abstract concept.

This will help the students with communication and dialogue throughout their lives.”

PAPER AIRPLANES GO THE DISTANCE Weather conditions were perfect for 8th and 9th grade students who were studying motion in Mr. Ryan Reuter’s Physical Science classes.

Using the campus quad as their lab, each student tested her handmade paper airplane’s speed and distance. The speed was calculated by measuring the distance the plane traveled and the time it stayed airborne. Their outdoor lab gave plenty of space for students to maintain social distancing. Students returned to the classroom and used the speed formula to calculate their results.

During the first nine weeks of the school term, the class had covered the history and traditions of the Order of Preachers, including highlighting several Dominican saints. “The concept of disputatio is tied to the Dominican order because it was used in the universities during the time of St. Thomas and St. Albert,” explained Mrs. Cabes. “Even St. Dominic and other friars used the practice of peaceful public debates about theological topics to arrive at a deeper understanding and to uncover truth.

I wanted the students to be able to practice the art of disputatio because it involves respectful dialogue with others who hold opposing opinions. This is not modeled very much for our students in politics and on social media, so I wanted to dedicate class time to allow the students to really practice and participate in disputatio sessions.”

The challenge for students to identify objective reasons to support their position was an important part of the exercise. “I wanted to challenge them to think more logically, critically, and to use reason rather than personal feelings and emotions to promote their position,” their teacher shared.

SCIENCE CLASS GETS A CLOSER LOOK After completing the textbook chapter on circulation, Mrs. Crissy Giacona’s 8th grade science class observed their teacher dissect a deer heart as part of review for an upcoming exam. Using a camera to film the dissection and link it to a whiteboard, students could observe from their desks. “Using the whiteboard was the best way for all students to watch safely from their desks while we practice social distancing,” said Mrs. Giacona.

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She added there was time given for each student to be able to defend a particular side of a position to provide the students with a solid experience and foundation of the practice of disputatio. “This will allow us to engage throughout the year in disputatio sessions on other topics that will arise during the curriculum. I don’t plan to assign everyone a topic as I did during this week, but we will definitely utilize the skills that we learned throughout the year in classroom discussions.”

nce

CUTTING EDGE CREATIVITY After a week of developing ideas and designing ornaments in Illustrator, Ms. Lauren Guidroz’s Digital Graphic Arts class continued their creativity in the STREAM™/Robotics Lab where they used the laser cutter to cut and engrave their designs into wood. Designs included The Grinch, elves, and snowflakes. This is the second year the Digital Graphic Arts class incorporated the laser cutter for their end of fall term class.

DOMINICAN IS FIRST CATHOLIC SCHOOL WITH UNO’S ENGINEERING DUAL ENROLLMENT St. Mary’s Dominican High School is the first Catholic high school in the New Orleans area to have dual enrollment for Introduction to Engineering in the Louisiana University System via University of New Orleans (UNO). The course work addresses civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, plus naval architecture. Students completing the course will receive three credit hours that are fully transferable to any accredited university.

Introduction to Engineering addresses several college-level topics: electrical circuit analysis using multi-mesh theory, alternating current impedances and circuit analysis, shear and bending moment diagrams, internal combustion engine efficiency, and basics of naval architecture, to name a few. Dominican is in its third year of offering an engineering course that averages 31 students each year.

ENGINEERING CLASS USING STATE OF THE ART DIGITAL TEST EQUIPMENT The Tektronix Digital Oscilloscope is the latest, state of the art equipment students are using in Mr. Kenneth Lannes’ engineering class. In addition to using it to look at electrical signals, the class uses the oscilloscope’s integration features, monitoring and saving accelerometer data and displaying it on the SmartBoard in an EXCEL file.

Mr. Kenneth Lannes, Dominican math teacher and Adjunct Professor at UNO, calls the dual enrollment with UNO “a big step for Dominican and shows the commitment and vision of the administration. When I considered a career change to teach full-time, I talked to three other schools in New Orleans about starting an engineering program. Dominican was the only school that did not have an opening, but said, ‘Don’t go anywhere else, we’re going to save a place for you.’ We both had the same vision and it has come to pass.”

UNO’s Assistant Dean of Engineering Kim Jovanovich, who holds the Chevron USA Endowed Professorship in Electrical Engineering, co-developed with Lannes the course, Introduction to Engineering. In addition to earning transferrable credit hours, he said dual enrollment orients students to college-level coursework, preparing them for their college years.

MOLE ACTIVITY A LESSON IN CREATIVE CHEMISTRY Students in Mrs. Theresa Maquar’s chemistry classes were creative with a mole/mol assignment. The mol symbol is the unit of measurement for the amount of substance in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as exactly 6.02214076×10²³ particles.

The assignment was for each student to create a mole from a given pattern. For their moles, they created an identity and a birth certificate, complete with their mole’s mass in grams. “They used the measurement of mass to complete mole problems which was a good review for the exam. The assignment added some fun to the review process,” said Mrs. Maquar.

The gradual increase of high school students taking engineering classes mirrors a national trend, noted Jovanovich. In 2009, only 18 percent of females comprised the total population of bachelor engineering degrees graduates. In 2017, it increased to 21.3 percent and the following years was 21.9 percent.

UNO’s College of Engineering offers a broad selection of degrees through the Ph.D. level. The College of Engineering has four departments: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.

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Club Awards & Recognitions Robotics

Academic Games

ROBOTICS TEAMS RECEIVE AWARDS AT LOUISIANA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Dominican’s robotics teams, the Valkyries and the Ultraviolets, that took FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Tech) Challenge awards at the March 20th Louisiana Regional Championship competition.

The Ultraviolets took first place in the Design Award and third place in the Control Award. The Design Award recognizes design elements of the robot that are both functional and aesthetic. The Control Award celebrates a team that uses sensors and software to increase the robot’s functionality in the field.

The Valkyries team was awarded third place in the Motivate Award. This judged award celebrates the team that represents the essence of the FIRST Tech Challenge competition through Gracious Professionalism and general enthusiasm for the overall philosophy of FIRST and what it means to be a FIRST Tech Challenge Team.

St. Mary’s Dominican High School students (from left) Alexandra Amato, Ashley Barron, Bakhit Cuccia, Isabelle Anderson, Elizabeth Mobley, and Camille Truxillo earned wins in Senior and Junior divisions at the 2020-2021 Propaganda Tournament held virtually by the New Orleans Academic Games League. Dominican’s Academic Games club moderators and coaches are Mrs. Janis Dabney and Mrs. Monica Haag.

Dominican Ultraviolets – Back Row (from left): Coach Crissy Giacona, Isabella Sachitano, Mia Reyes, Madeline Pourciau, Caroline Alleman, Caitlyn Dumas, Charlotte Raymond, Tess Baker, Emma Plaisance, and Coach Kenneth Lannes. Front Row (from left): Audrey Wild, Sydney Raymond, Elana Perriott, and Daja’h Saul.

SENIOR DIVISION Elizabeth Mobley – 1st Place; Ashley Barron – 5th Place SWEEPSTAKES COMPETITION Elizabeth Mobley – 1st Place overall PRESIDENTIAL COMPETITION Elizabeth Mobley – 1st Place Dominican’s Senior Division Team of Ashley Barron, Bakhit Cuccia, and Elizabeth Mobley placed 1st in the Presidents Tournament.

CURRENT EVENTS Bakhit Cuccia – 2nd Place; Alexandra Amato – 5th Place

Dominican Valkyries – Back Row (from left): Coach Crissy Giacona, Rachael Tatford, Ashley Alexis, Pricilla Martinez, Elisabeth Amato, and Emma Ernst. Front Row (from left): Meredith Kononchek, Isabella Roberts, Morgan Tebbe, and Cecilia Cangelosi.

PROPAGANDA COMPETITION Dominican’s Senior Division Team of Ashley Barron, Bakhit Cuccia, and Elizabeth Mobley scored 2nd Place overall.

ROBOTICS TEAMS WIN AT FIRST® TECH CHALLENGE (FTC) QUALIFIER

JUNIOR DIVISION

Dominican’s two Robotics teams received several awards at the FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC) Qualifier competition, held remotely due to pandemic health guidelines.

The Valkyries won the Judges Choice Award. This award is optional and may not be given at all tournaments. During the competition, the judging panel may meet a team whose unique efforts, performance, or dynamics merit recognition, but does not fit into any of the existing award categories.

The Ultraviolet team took first place for the Collins Aerospace Innovate Award. The award celebrates a team that thinks outside the box and has the ingenuity, creativity and inventiveness to make their designs come to life. They earned 2nd place for the Think Award, given to the team that best reflects the journey the team took as they experienced the engineering design process during the build season. They also won 3rd place for the Inspire Award that is given to the team that embodies what it is to be a FIRST robotics team and is a team that others can look up to as a role model.

Dominican Robotics coaches were Mr. Matthew Foss, Mrs. Crissy Giacona, Mr. Kenneth Lannes, and Mrs. Madelyn Maldonado.

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PRESIDENTIAL COMPETITION Dominican’s team of Isabelle Anderson and Camille Truxillo placed third as a combination team with Jesuit and Holy Cross.

Club Awards & Recognitions DEBS

Speech and Debate Team SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM TACKLES COMPETITIONS

St. Mary’s Dominican High School Speech and Debate team posted wins at the Louisiana High School Speech League (LHSSL) February Classic. Competition was virtual due to current pandemic health guidelines.

Dominican sophomore Shania Raimer won first place in the Advanced Lincoln Douglas debate. She competed under the resolution “states ought to ban lethal autonomous weapons” and for each round of debate was assigned a position for or against.

Front row (from left): Eliza Miller, Kaitlin Dawson, Abby Mandella, Remi Layne Hernandez, Addison Blackwood, Reese Macicek, Reiley Macicek, Catherine Greco, Carlie Bujol, and Katelin Obletz.

Back Row: Cameron Osborne, Mia McCann, Samantha Baker, Anna Thomas, Olivia Bartlett, Claire Adams, Maddie Pearce, Megan Robichaux, Madison Robichaux, Claire Oster, Molly Moran, Trinity Harvey, Lily Duplantis, Maggie Miller, Adelaide Rodrigue, and Brooke Babin.

DEBS CAPTURE STATE WINS

The award-winning Dominican Debs brought home several wins from the American All-Star Louisiana State Dance/Drill Team Championship held in Lafayette.

JAZZ STATE CHAMPIONS First Place – Choreography Award & Technique Award POM STATE CHAMPIONS First Place – Choreography Award Hip Hop State Overall: Third Place Game Day State Overall: Third Place DIVISION 3: Jazz: First Place Pom: First Place Hip Hop: First Place Game Day: First Place SENIOR SOLO CATEGORY: First Place – Katelin Obletz Third Place – Reiley Macicek JUNIOR HIGH SOLO CATEGORY: First Place – Addie Blackwood Fourth Place – Megan Robichaux HIGH SCHOOL DUET CATEGORY: First Place – Katelin Obletz and Reiley Macicek Second Place – Kaitlyn Dawson and Eliza Miller JUNIOR HIGH DUET CATEGORY: Second Place – Megan Robichaux and Maddie Pearce HIGH SCHOOL ENSEMBLE CATEGORY: First Place – Addison Blackwood, Brooke Babin, Carlie Bujol, Trinity Harvey, Reiley Macicek, Katelin Obletz, and Adelaide Rodrigue The Dominican Debs Coach was Mrs. Fran Moran. Moderator was Mrs. Sina Baldwin.

Team captain Isabella Paul, a junior, placed second in Original Oratory. She chose the topic, “The Zombie Effect.” In her presentation, she explained how social media can be addictive, why that addiction is harmful, and suggested ways to use social media without letting it have a negative impact on those who use social media.

The LHSSL is dedicated to promoting speech and debate competition in secondary schools in Louisiana. The league is open to any public, private, parochial, and independent school in Louisiana for students in Grades 9-12. It sanctions speech and debate tournaments throughout the school year, hosted by members or affiliates and conducts a State Championship tournament in the Spring.

FRESHMEN PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE TEAM ADVANCES TO NATIONALS

At the March 13 weekend Louisiana District Tournament, the freshmen Public Forum Debate team of Sahithi Koneru and Imad Siddiqui qualified to be one of two teams advancing in their event to the nationals.

At the event, they debated both for and against on the topic, “Resolved: On balance, the benefits of creating the United States Space Force outweigh the harms.” They also qualified to represent Louisiana at the National Speech and Debate Tournament that was held online June 13-19.

SOPHOMORE SHANIA RAIMER MAKES ALL-STATE SPEECH TEAM

At the Louisiana Tournament of Champions, St. Mary’s Dominican High School sophomore Shania Raimer earned a place as one of eight students on the All-State Speech Team in the Lincoln Douglas Debate. Her debate topic was, “Resolved: The United States Ought to Guarantee Universal Child Care.”

Dominican Speech and Debate coaches were Miss Kristina Plunkett and Mr. Andrew Cerise.

Moderators were Mrs. Anna Brannin, Mr. Cameron Hahne, and Mr. Adam Naquin.

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Club Awards & Recognitions Band & Choir

Spanish Honor Society

Members of St. Mary’s Dominican High School’s band and choir received honors from the Louisiana Music Educators Association (LMEA). Dominican Fine Arts Department Chair Ms. Brenda Castillo was the director of the choir and band.

LMEA Instrumental Solo and Small Ensemble Assessment Festival

Ensembles that received Superior Rating are, (from left): Nicole Tran, Jessica Mora, Julia Badinger, Lisette Gowland, Lauren Giardina, Amy Englehardt, Cindy Nguyen, Isabella Brockway, Heather Engelhardt, and Catherine Mansfield. Not pictured: Olivia Higgins.

Solos receiving Superior Rating – Faith Bass, Lauren Giardina, Madeleyne Isla, Kathryn Fine, Brooke Lambert, Rebekah Brockway, Camille Truxillo, Sahithi Koneru, and Molly Glas. Not Pictured: Meredith Kononchek

District VI Senior High Honor Band – Isabella Paul and Olivia Higgins. District VI Junior High Honor Band – Kathryn Fine and (Not Pictured) Krystal Fernandes.

LMEA All-State Senior High Honor Women’s Chorale – Samantha White. LMEA AllState Senior High Honor Mixed Choir – Kathryn Fine and (Not Pictured) Mia DiGiovanni.

Dominican students with their Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica membership certificates are: Front Row (from left): Isabella Cordova, Caroline Lavie, Hallie Cao, Rhea Bawa, and Chloe Tufts. Middle Row: Janelle Ulloa, Tori Mire, Amani Mohamed, and Alyssa Hightower. Back Row: Bryce Perkins, Carol Bujol, Reese Dawson, Elizabeth Plauche, Baileigh Goines, and Caroline Blais.

Dominican students received 2021 and 2020 certificates of membership into Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, Chapter Las Adelitas. Nine members were inducted this school term and 24 students last year. Spanish teacher Mrs. Claudia Vallejo was the club moderator. The chapter name, Las Adelitas, was selected by the students in honor of the women who participated in the Mexican Revolution as commanders, soldiers, and nurses. Spanish Honor Society membership requirements include: enrollment in an upper-level Spanish class (Spanish III and Spanish AP); completion of at least three semesters of Spanish (former Spanish III students and Spanish AP students can be eligible as Associate Members); an overall GPA of 85% or higher; a cumulative Spanish average of 3.5 or higher from all previous courses founded. The Spanish Honor Society, founded in 1953 by the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, is for the students at North American secondary schools. The Society’s motto is, “All Together.”

The 2020 inductees were Camille D’Arensbourg, Rhea Bawa, Marist Bourg, Carol Bujol, Hallie Cao, Reese Dawson, Jayla Domino, Ella Edwards, Amy Engelhardt, Taelor Foret, Elizabeth Latimer, Avery Lirette, Claire Oster, Kelsey Major, Abigail Mandella, Isabella Paul, Bryce Perkins, Elizabeth Plauche, Kate Rooks, Abrial Suarez, Hayley Torres, Nicolina Totorico, Chloe Tufts, and Janelle Ulloa.

Inductees for 2021 were Caroline Blais, Isabella Cordova, Rowan French, Baileigh Goines, Alyssa Hightower, Caroline Lavie, Tori Mire, Amani Mohamed, and Zoe Toups.

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Club Activities Students for Dignity and Diversity in Action

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Prior to Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, observed on January 18, Students for Human Dignity & Diversity in Action gathered on campus for lunch and reflection. The day is celebrated to honor Dr. King by following his example of serving and helping others.

Since 2019, the organization has done an annual visit to Dooky Chase’s Restaurant that included a serving of the restaurant’s signature creole cuisine and history lessons. However, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, this time lunch from the restaurant was brought to campus.

At the luncheon, member Samantha White, the organization’s chaplain, gave a blessing and read the following prayer: Lord God, You led your chosen people from slavery in Egypt to the freedom of the Promised Land.

We ask you to lead our community from any enslavement to hatred, ignorance, fear, racism, injustice, or anything else that prevents us from being the community of love and respect that you want us to be.

We remember with gratitude today the witness of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and we ask that we have the courage and determination to follow his example in battling injustice and living the Gospel of love.

Help us, Lord, to make ever more the community you want us to be. Grant all this through Christ our Lord, Amen

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month During a campus luncheon, the last special event of the year, the Students for Human Dignity & Diversity in Action observed Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month with food from the Asian infusion restaurant, MoPho. Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month is a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. In the Greater New Orleans area, the largest Asian population is Vietnamese.

The featured guest speaker at the Students for Human Dignity & Diversity in Action’s last official meeting of the year was Councilwoman Cyndi Nguyen, the first Vietnamese/Asian member of the New Orleans City Council. After coming to America, her family settled in New Orleans. A fan of the singer Cyndi Lauper, she chose Cyndi as her American name. During her youth she would frequently get into trouble, but her parents’

During November, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates Black Catholic History Month to remember, honor, and celebrate the gifts Catholics of African heritage bring to the Church.

Black Catholic History Month started in 1990 when the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus of the United States decreed that there needed to be a time set aside to acknowledge and appreciate the accomplishments of Black Catholics. At Dominican, members of Students for Human Dignity & Diversity in Action shared their reflections about some of the Black women and men who are celebrated for their contributions.

determination for their daughter to have a Catholic education, led to their decision to send her to a convent out of state. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in organizational management.

In 1997, returning to New Orleans to be close to her parents and grandparents, she worked as a Social Service Coordinator for Versailles Arms Apartment, a 400-unit affordable housing development. Her vision was to create a space where people of different ethnicities and cultures could live and build a strong community together. She started a nonprofit organization to guide and transition marginalized communities into mainstream American society. Her election on November 18, 2017 to the New Orleans City Council was historic, becoming the first Asian American elected to the council. Her election made her the fifth Asian American to be elected to a major political office in Louisiana. She serves District E that includes New Orleans East and the Lower Ninth Ward, culturally diverse communities.

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Club Activities Ecology and Stewardship Club

Earth Day was April 22! There was no trash too small to escape collection from Ecology and Stewardship Club members who signed up for time slots to clear the campus quad of any signs of debris.

Robotics

Drama Club's Lenten Presentation

Marking a first as a video production, St. Mary’s Dominican High School’s annual Lenten Assembly presented the Stations of the Cross to the Dominican community in student reflections, music, and song. Filming inside school buildings and on-campus grounds was completed in three days. The student video production was streamed to classes prior to the Easter break. Directors were Mrs. Rosalie Abadie, art teacher/Drama Club head moderator, and Mr. Cameron Hahne, French teacher/Drama Club co-moderator.

Several factors inspired the production which marks its first time as a video. “After using the same format for several years, we had begun thinking of ways to change the program,” shared Abadie, adding that the COVID pandemic was a major influence. Writing the script, Abadie said her goal was to show “how the Stations of the Cross do affect us as a school community and, therefore, I wanted it to reflect a school day and the advance of time.”

During a visit from two female guest speakers with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Robotics Club learned about FBI STEAM professionals who have backgrounds in STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, in conjunction with Arts and Communications. The agency’s STEAM team includes biologists, chemists, cryptologist/cryptanalysts, data communications systems analysts, document analysts, electronics engineers, forensic scientists, electronic surveillance/operations technicians, mathematicians, mechanical engineers, photographic technologists, physical scientists, public affairs specialists, visual presentation specialists, and writers. The combination of technical assets with creativity and advanced communication skills equates to innovative, practical ways for the FBI to manage high-tech threats. The speakers talked about their career paths and how every case is unique in their work as a digital forensic examiner and an FBI agent. At the end of their visit, they took questions from the students.

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The video opens with a call to prayer by Principal Carolyn Favre. The first station begins with a student entering campus through the back gate. The following stations take the audience through the school and closes with the seniors leaving campus via the back gate. Also highlighted are school support groups – “our Simons and Veronicas,” noted Abadie.

“The stations are further enhanced with beautiful songs and instrumentals by our very talented students.”

Everyone who participated in the Lenten Assembly was willing and patient to venture into a production they had never done before, learning new songs, and staying late after school. “They seemed to feel the story of the Passion through students’ eyes,” said Abadie. “We were deeply affected because it was a lot of work, but so much fun watching it come together and trying something new. We also had a deeper appreciation of our students and their talents.”

Special School Event

“Working with film has been an exciting venture,” shared Hahne. “With film, you get to tell a story in a unique way because you are not only presenting the narrative, but you’re directing how the audience perceives that story. For us, the story was how the Stations of the Cross are lived out here on the Dominican campus, and this project allowed us to present the same beautiful sights and sounds we encounter every day, whether we knew they were there or not, in relation to the Paschal Mystery, Christ’s saving action on Earth.”

As a first production of its type, there was much trial and error. Exterior filming brought challenges of uncontrolled noise from the wind and planes. Inside, the unexpected slam of a door or a far-off voice at the end of filming a segment meant a retake. “We had no idea how it would turn out and we really wanted the students to be moved by a different telling of the story,” said Abadie.

Hahne echoed that sentiment. “It was a new medium for everyone involved, so we had to work together — teachers and students — to navigate all of the visual, audio, and technological challenges that arose. But with our talents and experiences, we were able to build a truly beautiful piece of art upon the four pillars of Dominican community life: prayer, study, community, and service. I expect that this is only the first step of Drama Club entering into film.”

Lenten Assembly participants were Madison Adams, Maddie Ascani, Isabella Brockway, Mia DiGiovanni, Aria Dody, Emily Dominique, Amy Engelhardt, Isabelle Fitzmorris, Kamryn Gervais, Heaven Haney, Olivia Higgins, Elise Karcher, Kelci Lewis, Lauren McMahon, Olivia Olson, Elana Perriott, Holly Rantz, Sara Sciortino, Mia Signorelli, Camille Truxillo, and Samantha White. The videographer/editor was Megan Eisert.

Fine Arts Department Chair Brenda Castillo and math teacher Kenneth Lannes were accompanists and school personnel volunteered to read the Stations of the Cross.

“

It was a new medium for everyone involved, so we had to work together — teachers and students — to navigate all of the visual, audio, and technological challenges that arose. But with our talents and experiences, we were able to build a truly beautiful piece of art upon the four pillars of Dominican community life: prayer, study, community, and service.

”

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Special School Events Ring Day

At the beginning of their senior year, the Class of 2021 received their rings during a Mass and ceremony at St. Catherine of Siena Church.

After Academic Honor Day in May, the Seniors were able to keep tradition and 'run the halls!'

New Student Induction

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Black & White Friday Night

Domini-Design Day at Home

Domini-Science Saturday at Home

This year, Domini-Design Day and Domini-Science Saturday were 'at Home!' Prospective students picked up art and science kits to complete at home with help from Dominican students via video tutorials.

Open House

Yard Sign Pick Up for Incoming Students

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Special School Events Baccalaureate Mass

Mass of the Holy Spirit

Justice Awareness Mass

From Our Lady Queen of the Rosary Chapel, the Mass of the Holy Spirit and the Justice Awareness Mass were streamed to classrooms and the Sr. Ambrose Reggio Gym. Following the Justice Awareness Mass, Dominican’s annual one-week canned food drive kicked off with a video produced

by Mr. Mark Gonnella of the Religion Department.

Prayer

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Campus Decorations

Bleacher Swap

Mother-Daughter Senior Tea

E-Board Elections

Executive Board incoming officers (from left): President Catherine Kernion, Vice President Khylar Christophe, Secretary Anne Carr, and Treasurer Monica Cabes.

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Rally Day 2021

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8th grade Stompers • FreshBI • Sophomore S

Sitcom • Cirque-Du Juniors • Seniors, There's No Place Like Home

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St. Mary’s Dominican High School presents Instant Theatre: The Musical

Spring Musical

Dominican’s production of Instant Theatre: The Musical debuted on April 9. The Spring Musical merged with Instant Theatre. Drama Club officers (the "D Board") wrote and directed the performance. In the spirit of Instant Theatre, Dominican students performed solo and small-group songs, dances, and monologues related to Broadway.

Walkin' on Incoming students enjoyed Walkin’ on Walmsley, an exciting week of orientation where they met faculty and fellow students, made new friends, and had fun as they discovered their new school. Lunch, locating lockers, reading and math time, a service project, enjoying beignets with a campus visit from Café du Monde, and a Friendship Talk led by Student Preachers were some of the many activities that packed their week.

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Campers Channel Their Creativity From softball and cheerleading, to arts and crafts and conducting experiments, campers at DominiCamp and Jumpin' for Joy channeled their creativity in a variety of activites, including the arts, sports, dance, music, and science.

Summer Camps

Walmsley

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Spend-a-Days

OCTOBER 1, 4, 8, 20, 29 NOVEMBER 1, 5, 8 Girls in grades 5-8 are invited to attend!

Seventh Grade Social FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 Girls in grade 7 are invited to attend.

deb Mini-Camp

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 Girls in grades K - 7 are invited to attend.

shadow my saddles THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 Girls in grades 4 - 7 are invited to attend.

Domini-Science Saturday SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9 Girls in grades 4 - 7 are invited to attend.

OPEN HOUSE

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21

cheer Mini-Camp SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30 Girls in grades K - 7 are invited to attend.

Domini-Design Day

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6 Girls in grades 4 - 7 are invited to attend.

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Black and White Friday Night

2022

2021

Upcoming Recruitment Events MARCH 11

Spend-a-Days MARCH 28 APRIL 25

More dates to be announced

Visit our website to join our mailing list and stay in touch! www.stmarysdominican.org

2021-2022 ADMISSIONS TIMELINE NOVEMBER 2021 10 – Application Opens 16 – Application Due JANUARY 2022 8 – Application Day (Placement Test) FEBURARY 2022 17 – Acceptance Letters mailed 19 – Yard Sign Distribution

Questions? Contact Admissions Director Elyse Harrison ʼ13 at 504.865.9401 ext. 5030 or admissions@stmarysdominican.org.

Please be aware that calendar dates are subject to change due to evolving COVID-19 related restrictions. Check the school website for updates of any changes.

800 years of the Dominican Order

Saint Dominic JUBILEE PRAYER JUBILEE PRAYER 1212 2021 1221 --2021 Dies Natalis Sancti Dominici O God Our Creator, Redeemer, Paraclete, In prayer, we lift up our praise, our blessing, our preaching.

Eight hundred years ago, you called Saint Dominic to enter into eternal life, and to join you at table in heaven.

As we celebrate this Jubilee, feed us and fill us with grace so that we may realize our mission of preaching for the salvation of souls.

Help us nourish your people, with your Truth, your Mercy and your Love, until the promised day when we are all united with the blessed.

We ask this, as One Dominican Family, through the pleas of Mary, in the name of Jesus.

Amen.

SAINT DOMINIC Feast Day August 8

“ ” Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword; wear humility rather than fine clothes.

St. Dominic Guzman was born in Caleruega, Spain, to noble Castillian parents, Jane d’Aza and Felix Guzman in the early 1170s. According to legend, his mother on pilgrimage to the nearby monastery of St. Dominic Silos dreamed that a dog bearing a torch in its mouth issued from her womb and seemed to set the world on fire. She named her son after St. Dominic of Silos. From an early age he was educated with a view toward ordination to the priesthood. During his studies in what became the University in Palencia, he sold his belongings, even his annotated manuscripts, to feed the poor, declaring that he could not “study dead skins while people are dying of hunger.” He thus came to the attention of the Bishop of Osma who invited him to join his group of canons connected to the cathedral there. While traveling with that bishop’s successor, Diego, on an embassy to the north, Dominic encountered the consequences of the heresies afflicting southern France and many other sections of Europe. It was these encounters that inspired their dream of teaching Truth to the masses, a dream which Diego’s death in 1207 left Dominic to implement alone. It eventually materialized in the Order of Preachers which for more than 800 years has fostered the dissemination of Truth throughout the world.

Dominic died in Bologna, August 6, 1221, and was canonized

by Pope Gregory IX on July 3, 1234.

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The Artworks of Angela Gregory

Sculptural design inspired by the life of Albertus Magnus, O.P.

St. Mary’s Dominican High School is the home for several acclaimed works of art by the renowned New Orleans artist, Angela Gregory (1903-1990). Dominican also is one of the most accessible places to view her art.

Angela Gregory has been called the doyenne of Louisiana sculpture. The artist’s roots run deeply with the high school and St. Mary’s Dominican College where she was a professor and sculptor-in-residence for two decades.

Among her works at Dominican are tributes to Pope John XXIII and Dominican Saint Albert the Great. In the 1960s they were commissioned for the John XXIII Library and the Albertus Magnus Science Building on the former St. Mary’s Dominican College Campus at St. Charles and Broadway. In 2008 they were transferred to St. Mary’s Dominican High School by the Dominican Sisters, Congregation of St. Mary. Gracing the north and south walls of Alumnae Hall are the series of aluminum and walnut panels that trace the life events of Saint Pope John XXIII, who was canonized in 2014. Also in Alumnae Hall is the mosaic, done in Venetian glass, of John XXIII’s Papal Coat of Arms on the wall opposite the Music Room.

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On the second floor of the Gayle and Tom Benson Science and Technology Complex is a sculptural design inspired by the life of Albertus Magnus, O.P., who was canonized and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1931. Also known as Albert the Great, he is the Dominican Patron of Peace and Patron of Natural Sciences. His life is a reminder of the importance of using all knowledge to discover truth and beauty. A bronze architectural sculpture of the Blessed Virgin (1980-1981) is on the second floor of St. Mary’s Hall. In 2017, it was relocated from the chapel in Founders Hall of the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse when it closed on the former Broadway campus.

As one of the first women sculptors in the early 20th century, Angela Gregory made unique contributions to the world and Louisiana. From age 14 she was a trailblazer when she declared that she wanted to be a sculptor. She was the only American accepted as one of the students of acclaimed French sculptor Antoine Bourdelle who was a protégé of Auguste Rodin. She was the first woman to receive a Master of Arts degree from Tulane School of Architecture in 1940. At 25, she

was commissioned to do the architectural sculpture on the façade of the New Orleans Criminal Courts Building. At a time when men dominated the field of art, she marked many firsts. She was state supervisor of the arts program for the Federal Works Progress Administration in Louisiana during the Great Depression. At the beginning of World War II, she was an assistant architectural engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers in New Orleans designing camouflage. She served as women’s counselor for Pendleton Shipyards and was a consultant to the Celotex Corporation in New Orleans. At the time of her death, she was named one of the few female fellows of the National Sculpture Society.

At Dominican, the arts are important in its college preparatory program of studies. In the arts and education, Angela Gregory serves as an inspiration to others, especially women, who seek to give expression through these unique artistic mediums. Angela Gregory’s artwork assists Dominican in not only telling the stories of faith through the arts, but also provides a way to showcase a woman who accomplished extraordinary feats for a woman of her time.

(right) Aluminum and walnut panels that trace the life events of Saint Pope John XXIII. (below) Bronze architectural sculpture of the Blessed Virgin.

Venetian glass mosaic of John XXIII’s Papal Coat of Arms.

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ALUMNAE REUNIONS CALENDAR OF EVENTS ALUMNAE HAPPENINGS FEATURED ALUMNAE ALL ABOUT ALUMNAE 54 | The Torch - 2020-2021

MILESTONE REUNIONS 2022 is right around the corner and many of you will be celebrating milestone anniversaries.

We invite all of you to come back to Dominican for your Anniversary year reunion.

Class of

1947

75 year reunion Class of

Class of

1997

Class of

25 year reunion 1972

50 year reunion

Class of

2017

5 year reunion

2012

10 year reunion

We look forward to seeing you at St. Mary’s Dominican High School’s alumnae events. For more information on how to make your class reunion easy and fun, please email Celeste Anding ’82, Alumnae Director, at alumnae@stmarysdominican.org or call 504.865.7823.

As always, you are welcome to stop by the Alumnae Office anytime to visit or volunteer.

UPCOMING REUNIONS Please be aware that reunion dates are subject to change due to evolving COVID-19 related restrictions.

1970 – Janice Cory Scott is working on a Fall event for the Class of 1970’s

1981 – Check out your Facebook page, St. Mary’s Dominican High School Class of 1981, for details about your 40 year reunion.

1971 – Contact Kathleen Swiler LaGrange at qtpi52@gmail.com or Maureen Seward Elwick at maureen.elwick@gmail.com for details on your 50 year reunion!

2006 – Plans are under way for your 15 year reunion. More details on your class Facebook page – Dominican - Class of 2006.

50 year reunion! You can reach Janice at janicecoryscott@gmail.com.

1972 – Plans for your 50 year reunion have started! Tentative date

2011 – Your 10 year reunion will be Saturday, October 9 at Aprés Lounge on Fulton Street. Contact Mignon Richard at mignonrichard517@gmail.com. More details to come via electronic invitation.

1973 – Your 50 year reunion is two years away! Please join the “DHS73” Facebook page. You can also contact Winnie WaltzerHackett at winniewh@comcast.net or (505) 440-8662. She lives in New Mexico, so the area code is 505, not 504!

2016 – Sarah Myers has organized your 5 year reunion! Mark your calendar for December 18, 2021. Details can be found on your Facebook page – Dominican Class of 2016.

is April 23, 2022. Please contact Lynne Gravois Coughlin at (504) 7221852 or lagc76@cox.net.

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Save the Dates

ALUMNAE Calendar of Events

Please be aware that calendar dates are subject to change due to evolving COVID-19 related restrictions. Check the school website for updates of any changes.

AUGUST 2021 23

24

25

26

JANUARY 2022 27

7

Alumnae Appreciate Personnel

Class of 2021 Pizza Party

SEPTEMBER 2021

FEBRUARY 2022

30

3

Shadow My Saddles

Paint Party

OCTOBER 2021

MARCH 2022

14

7

8

9

10

11

12

Cocktails in the Courtyard with the Makers Market

National Catholic Sisters Week

21

Gala

12

Open House

15

27

18

Please join us as we unite our voices in prayer!

Easter Egg Roll

9 Homecoming Mass, Awards & Luncheon with the Makers Market

MAY 2022

11

14 Mother Daughter Senior Tea Honoring Class of 2022

16

17

18

19

20

Alumnae Appreciate Personnel

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Used Uniform Sale

Join us to Pray the Rosary

On the first Tuesday of every month, the Dominican Alumnae Association will host a Zoom event for alumnae to gather and pray the Dominican Rosary together.

2

18

Breakfast with Baby Jesus

17

APRIL 2022

NOVEMBER 2021

DECEMBER 2021

16

St. Joseph Altar

Tennis Tournament

Paint Party

13

ROSARIES: AUGUST 3, SEPTEMBER 7, OCTOBER 5, NOVEMBER 2, DECEMBER 7, JANUARY 4, FEBRUARY 1, MARCH 1, APRIL 5, MAY 3, JUNE 7

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Zoom Link, Meeting ID and Passcode will be emailed.

Download the ZOOM app on your device in order to join.

Alumnae Happenings

Thanksgiving Baskets

Canned Food Drive

Class of 2020 Pizza Party

Alumnae at Open House

Alumnae Appreciate Personnel

Mother Daughter Tea in Honor of the Class of 2021

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Alumnae Happenings

Easter Egg Roll Thru

More than 300 guests visited campus as they drove thru the Dominican Bunny Trail during the Easter Egg Roll-Thru. At each stop along the trail, ‘Hoppy’ Helpers of alumnae and students handed out bags of treats. Each car stopped for a keepsake photo with the Easter Bunny.

Mother/Daughter Generations

Second Harvest

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3rd Generations

Alumnae-Made Meals Delivered to Covenant House

St. Joseph Altar

Catholic Schools Week Celebrating Catholic Schools Week, Dominican’s Alumnae Director Celeste Anding with assistance from Elyse Harrison, the school’s recruitment director, surprised alumnae faculty with goody bags to thank them for their commitment to Catholic education. Alumnae who teach at other area Catholic schools also received the thank you bags.

Alumnae Advisory Induction

St. Mary’s Dominican High School held induction ceremonies on campus for new members of the school’s Alumnae Advisory Council during ceremonies following Mass in the Mary Queen of the Rosary Chapel. Officers are (left) Sally Russo ’04, President; (center) Nelita Manego Ramey ’79, President Elect; and (right) Caroline McCall ’09, Secretary.

Council members contribute to the growth and expansion of the Alumnae Association by supporting its activities and the advancement of St. Mary's Dominican High School and Dominican Catholic education.

New members are Shelley Mateu Cesulka ’92, Sr. Mary Dominic Savio Estorge, OP ’56, Jordan Ruppert Finney ’11, Kathleen Ciaccio Giler ’71, Nancy Miller Glueck ’84, Shannon Hauler ’01, Alyssa Helwig ’20, Cynthia Lanza Jacobson ’69, Kathleen Swiler LaGrange ’71, Samantha Lee ’09, Casey Lefante ’00, Sr. Angeline Magro, OP ’55, Vallerie Maurice ’78, Melanie Menes ’03, Karla Bonilla Peyton ’88, Samantha Ramey ’13, Bianca San Martin ’08, Denise Marrero St. Cyr ’82, and Marion Wineinger ’11.

They join current members Marley Bankston Belou ’05, Natalee Buisson ’11, Christie Morriz Burke ’70, Yvonne Calvo ’82, Sarah Ragusa Douglas ’06, Laura Danna Fordham ’98, Allison Hymel ’00, Katherine Johnson ’01, Margaret Peters Ludwig ’03, Therese Adorno Massa ’02, Caroline McCall ’09, Kathleen McGlone ’98, Ashley Wolfe O’Shields ’99, Petrea Latham Rhode ’83, Nelita Manego Ramey ’79, Erin Lunn Ricouard ’84, Sally Russo ’04, Janice Cory Scott ’70, Jennifer Cernich Theriot ’96, and Cleta Bujol Toepfer ’98.

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Dominican Observes Juneteenth with Celebration of Freedom: Remembering Our Shared History the sacrifices of those who have gone before us, their tears, their blood, their prayers, be not in vain. But let us take up the mantle to fight, to march, to pray until true victory is won.”

At St. Mary’s Dominican High School’s Juneteenth celebration, the Rev. Ajani Gibson celebrated the Black Catholic Mass in the school's Our Lady Queen of the Rosary Chapel.

On June 19, the first officially declared federal holiday of Juneteenth, St. Mary’s Dominican High School’s Alumnae Association presented, Celebration of Freedom: Remembering Our Shared History. The gathering of reflection and rejoicing was a virtual gathering for Dominican alumnae around the country.

Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 that the Union Army informed slaves in Galveston, Texas, of the Emancipation Proclamation. More than two years earlier, President Abraham Lincoln had signed the executive order to free all enslaved people in places that were still “in rebellion against the United States.”

The effective date was January 17, 1863.

The Young Voices of Praise Choir and Musicians, under the direction of Devin Boucree, sang his new arrangements of old Negro spirituals, including, “I Am His Child,” “Oh Freedom,” “Kumbaya,” and “This Little Light of Mine.” Readers were Elana Perriott ’21, Shaysa Lewis ’13, and Nayah Thomas ’20. Giving his blessing at the end of Mass, Fr. Gibson encouraged all to keep their faith and to trust in God. A presentation, Racism Is A Sin, by keynote speaker Sr. Patricia Dual, O.P., encouraged meaningful conversation and dialog on the challenging topic, and addressed how people of faith must take part in the process of dismantling racism and working toward racial healing and equity. Sr. Dual is a member of the Peace Ministry of Welcome-Vocation Team and Coordinator of Formation for the Dominican Sisters of Peace.

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Dominican alumna Arthel Neville ’80 gave a virtual welcome. Before the beginning of the morning Black Catholic Mass in Our Lady Queen of the Rosary Chapel, Robin Barnes ’05 sang, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Mass celebrant was the Rev. Ajani Gibson, who was ordained on June 5th at St Louis Cathedral. He now serves as pastor of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Treme, his childhood parish that fostered his vocation. He is the brother of Niani Gibson '21. Giving a final blessing at the end of Mass, he said, “It is with joy, yet again, I express from the depths of my heart that on this day that we gather in prayer and we have a reminder. We are reminded that as we are sent forth from this table, the Altar of Life, after being nourished by Jesus Christ, we pray for the grace to be able to see our neighbor, and to cultivate the culture in which all of God’s children are reminded of his love, of his grace, his peace and that we act in such a way that they matter. So my brothers and sisters, on this Juneteenth, let not

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On this Juneteenth, let not the sacrifices of those who have gone before us, their tears, their blood, their prayers, be not in vain.

remarkable life in her memoir, Witness to Change: From Jim Crow to Political Empowerment. Ms. Sullivan is a writer, editor, and the director of PenUltimate Press, a nonprofit publishing company in St. Louis.

Dominican’s Juneteenth Celebration art contest featured 24 entries from the school’s students. Judges were New Orleans based artists Terrance Osborne, Samantha Ramey ’13, and Wade Griffin.

The top three winning entries were, First Place – Freedom Is A State of Mind by Jade C. Mason, freshman; Second Place – Healing Wounds by Shania Raimer, sophomore; and Third Place – Flying Free

by Ella Stolberg, senior.

The day’s event ended with closing remarks by Alumna Arthel Neville. The Juneteenth Celebration Committee included Co-Chairs Vallerie Maurice ’78 and Denise Marrero St. Cyr ’82; members Celeste Shelsey Anding ’82, Mary Baudouin ’74, Amanda Bonam ’13, Lisa Bernstein Cates ’84, Katherine Johnson ’03, Shaysa Lewis ’13, Adrienne Breaux Quinlan ’69, Nelita Manego-Ramey ’79, Beryl Radcliff Small ’79, Samantha Ramey ’13, Bianca San Martin ’08, Gloria Thomas ’20, and Nayah Thomas ’20.

Director Devin Boucree, at piano, with The Young Voices of Praise Choir and Musicians at the Black Catholic Mass, part of the Juneteenth celebration.

”

A virtual Jazz lunch break featured internationally acclaimed New Orleans jazz vocalist Sharon Martin. The afternoon sessions featured guest speakers Ansel Augustine, D.Min. – The Importance of Blacks in the Catholic Church Today; Mona Lisa Saloy, Ph.D. – New Orleans Black Culture Before and After Juneteenth; Sybil Morial, M.Ed. – Witness to Change: From Jim Crow to Political Empowerment; Winnie Sullivan, M.S. – Sister Mary Antona Ebo: This Far

By Faith. Dr. Augustine is Executive Director of the Office of Cultural Diversity and Outreach for the Archdiocese of Washington, DC. Dr. Saloy is the Conrad N. Hilton Endowed Professor of English at Dillard University, New Orleans.

Educator, activist, and community leader, Mrs. Morial documented her

Keynote speaker Sr. Patricia Dual. O.P, addresses attendees of St. Mary’s Dominican High School’s Juneteenth celebration.

1st

2nd

3rd

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85 YEARS LATER, KEEPSKAES FIND THEIR WAY BACK TO DOMINICAN

In 1935, the graduating class of St. Mary’s Dominican High School numbered 35 students. The Class flower was the Forget-Me-Not. Class colors were pink and blue. “To strive, to seek, to find, but not to yield” was the class motto. School colors were blue and gold. In 1939 they were changed to black and white. Regina Rosarii was a quarterly publication that featured news about the high school and the college. It cost 40 cents per copy or $1.50 annually. It evolved into the high school’s current yearbook.

Marguerite Ayala Lier was in the Class of 1935. Four years later she graduated from St. Mary’s Dominican College with a bachelor’s degree in arts and science. She pursued a career as a clinical social worker in the New Orleans area. Both she and her daughter, Kathleen (Kathy) O’Neill Lier (a 1976 graduate of the high school) were long-time supporters of their alma mater. After her mother’s passing in 2001, Kathleen created a scholarship in her honor. An additional scholarship was created in memory of Kathy who passed in 2003.

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The Lier family donated to Dominican several documents that their mother had kept over the decades. The items included a Graduation Memories book filled with photos, correspondences, newspaper clippings, school programs, and a college biology notebook with handwritten entries. There also was Mrs. Lier’s 1935 diploma. Folded in half, the front of the diploma listed the class flower, colors, and motto. On the back half was the class roll. Inside was the certificate of graduation, signed on June 5, 1935, by Sr. Mary Catherine, O.P., who was Mother General of Dominican Sisters, Congregation of St. Mary, and Principal Sr. Mary Alexaidia, O.P. In 1935, St. Mary’s Dominican College and the high school were located on the former St. Charles Avenue campus at 7214 St. Charles Avenue. The increased enrollment for both college and high school necessitated physical expansion. On March 22, 1963, the high school moved to 7701 Walmsley Avenue, its present site.

School historian Sr. M. Dominic Savio Estorge, O.P., said the Lier family’s donation will be added to the school archives. The documents from a student’s perspective are a welcomed addition noted Sr. Savio, in her 58th year of service at the school where she was on the faculty for 47 years, supervised 28 yearbooks, and was school president from 1994 to 1997.

“For those of us who stand on their shoulders, it is gratifying to see what mementos our Dominican graduates have treasured through the years. Thanks to the Lier family and all of the others who have shared these memories with us and made it possible to continue Dominican’s legacy,” she said.

Students Meet Alumnae Virtually

Screenshot of the virtual meeting with Arthel Neville on Microsoft Teams.

Katie Beyer '16 Presents All Things Vocal for Speech and Debate Members of the Speech and Debate team learned vocal techniques during a virtual meeting with guest speaker Dominican alumna Katie Beyer ’16, a classically trained opera singer who has performed in productions in the US and abroad. She also was active in several productions during her Dominican years. Currently, she is recording her first solo album. Miss Beyer answered questions from memorization to acting. She also covered a variety of topics, from how to build more lung stamina to keeping the voice healthy even when practicing for long hours.

One of the vocal activities she led was sirening which defines the extent of a person’s vocal range. Most people tend to sing in a small comfort zone in the middle of their voices. When they siren, they can hear the full extent of their range.

“We used it to help find appoggio, or a sense of lower lean in the abdominals. This helps the students find a stronger voice, which is important for a lot of reasons,” explained Miss Kristina Plunkett, one of the Speech and Debate coaches. “Supported speaking helps build stamina for giving longer speeches without sounding breathy. It also helps students project their voice to sound clearer even in the back rows, or on camera, and simply makes you sound more confident and more persuasive.”

Dominican –“A Base From Which I Can Live My Life.”

– Arthel Neville '80 From New York where she is the weekend co-anchor for Fox News Live in Manhattan, award-winning journalist and Dominican alumna Arthel Neville connected with members of Students for Human Dignity & Diversity in Action via a Teams meeting. During the hour session, she covered career path highlights, shared life lessons and career advice, and answered students’ questions.

Born and raised in New Orleans, she is the daughter of Lorraine Neville and the late Art Neville, Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter, keyboardist, solo artist, and founder of the New Orleans music groups The Hawketts, The Meters, and The Neville Brothers.

Neville has fond memories of Dominican where she graduated in 1980. “I am really proud of the foundation that I received at Dominican – a combination of education, combination of spiritual. It has been a good place for me to start and a base from which I can live my life,” she said.

Asked why she pursued a journalism career and not one in music, she replied, “I am extremely proud of my father and uncles and the trails they blazed, the examples they set, the legacy they have. But I chose my own path. I am also proud to carry out the name in my way.”

Her way includes several career highlights: the first female African American on-air reporter at KVUE-TV in Austin. Dick Clark handpicked her as his co-host for the Miss Teen USA Pageant. She cohosted the Miss Universe Pageant to over 60 million viewers worldwide. When she joined CNN in 2002 to host TalkBack Live with Arthel Neville, she was the first African American woman to host her own signature show on the network. She was selected from among more than 1,000 contenders to launch and anchor Extra for Warner Brothers Studios.

During her three years as host of Extreme Close-Up that she co-produced for E! Entertainment TV, she did more than 200 interviews with iconic stars. Neville was the third African American female to be inducted as a Distinguished Alum at University of Texas Austin (UT) and received the university’s Moody College of Communication’s DeWitt Carter journalism award as their first African American female honoree. In 2018, she delivered the commencement address at UT. She also started projects outside of news, with Arthel Neville Design, an accessories line that features handbags adorned with her quotes promoting female empowerment.

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Featured Alumna

ALICE RANDAZZA GEOFFRAY ’40

Photograph by Randall Granier.

Throughout her lifetime, educator and champion of equal opportunities Dr. Alice Geoffray fought for career and vocational education.

She received a B.A. from St. Mary’s Dominican College (1944), Master of Education from Tulane University (1970), and Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of New Orleans (1978). This summer, the Orleans Parish School Board voted to rename McDonogh 35 High School in Tremé after Dr. Geoffray. The school will become a state-ofthe-art vocational center. Its namesake served as Louisiana’s first State Coordinator of Career Education, traveling across the state to meet with teachers in nearly all 66 parishes. Among her responsibilities was funding sources of innovative programs, including one that became the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts.

In 1952, at age 28 with five children and soon to be seven, she began her career teaching sixth graders. Her 42 years as an educator included L.E. Rabouin Vocational High School and Francis T. Nichols Senior High School; schools in Iberville Parish at White Castle and Plaquemine; Southern University of New Orleans adjunct professor. In the late 1970s and 1980s, she was director of career education, continuing education, and counseling and guidance for the Orleans Parish School System. Additionally, she created a job placement center for high schoolers. She spoke out when the school system was increasingly focused on college readiness and vocational education faced massive budget cuts. In 1983, she was named Louisiana’s Vocational Educational Teacher of the Year.

She authored four textbooks, including Communication Skills for Succeeding in the World of Work (McKnight Publishing and McGraw Hill); Pounding the Pavement (LSU Press); and A Crash Course in College Cash (U.N.O.). When she received St. Mary’s

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Dominican High School’s 1998 Alumna of the Year honors, she spoke of her years at Dominican and the Dominican Sisters whom she knew and loved since age five. “I learned from them humility, honesty, dignity, devotion to duty, perseverance, respect for my fellow man, and love of God. Every day, I say the prayer they taught me. Lord, remember that nothing can happen to me today that you and I together can’t handle!” Among her numerous honors were The Classroom Teachers Award from the Freedom Foundation (1963); Outstanding Vocational Teacher Award from the Louisiana State Department of Education (1975); Third Annual Celebration of Women's Week Award from YWCA (1995); and the New Orleans Martin Luther King Torch Bearer Award (2001).

She is best known as director of the New Orleans Adult Education Center (“the Center”) on Exchange Place. Sponsored by Dominican College and New Orleans businesses during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, the Center, described as a powerhouse of social justice and social change, prepared 431 graduates for the workforce from 1965 to 1972. In addition to teaching its students business skills that included typing and shorthand, it also was on the vanguard of teaching African and African American history.

The goal of the school’s founders was so controversial that the first class was shut down when white residents of the community objected to black women attending a school in their neighborhood. In their search of a new location, 60 landlords refused to rent them a space. Finally, one landlord, James Coleman, Sr., offered them a home. The students were underemployed mostly African American women who would become the first secretaries to integrate the city’s multinational corporations and local businesses at a time when 100% of its companies were segregated.

Eventually their impact spread throughout the South and helped pave the way for equal

B A

C

(A) Student Dot Wilson and Alice Geoffray in 1967. By that year, the Center’s success made front page news in The Wall Street Journal and was featured in many other publications, including Time Magazine.

employment opportunities for all American citizens. Leaders including U.S. Congressman Hale Boggs and National Urban League’s Clarence Barney recognized the Center as one of the most successful programs in Louisiana during President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty.

From 1972 to 1974, Dr. Geoffray served on the Louisiana State Board of Education in Baton Rouge as the first State Coordinator of Career Education.

In 1991, she retired from New Orleans Public Schools as Director of Vocational Education.

On January 31, 2001, accepting the Martin Luther King Torch Bearer Award, she said that she would never forget the summer of 1965 when she became Director of the Adult Education Center.

“Why is it, that even after 35 years, after many successful positions, promotions, and recognitions, I still feel the same? It is very simple to explain. During that time, I met and taught 431 remarkable women. I bonded with them. I laughed and cried with them. I shared their dreams. I learned from them. I loved them. More importantly, I helped them get the jobs they needed to gain access to the American dream.

These women succeeded at those jobs for 35 years. Their taxes and their skills have enhanced the economic progress of New Orleans. They have paid back, in taxes, a thousandfold, the money that the Federal Government had invested in their education. They have seen the tremendous impact their sacrifices have made in the lives of their children. For 35 years, I have reveled in their achievements.”

Dr. Geoffray died in 2009 at age 84. Her legacy lives on with The 431 Exchange in New Orleans, a nonprofit organization and scholarship fund founded by her children, Jeanne and Jeff Geoffray. Graduates of the Center serve as the non-profit’s Board of Directors. The 431 Exchange advocates nationally on behalf of adult education and social justice issues.

(B) St. Mary’s Dominican College President Sr. Louise Lemoine O.P., receives a bouquet from Alice Geoffray, with graduate Gohn Johnson at the 1966 graduation. (C) Dr. Alice Geoffray and New Orleans Adult Exchange Center alumnae at the 1985 reunion.

I met and taught 431 remarkable women. I bonded with them. I laughed and cried with them. I shared their dreams. I learned from them. I loved them. More importantly, I helped them get the jobs they needed to gain access to the American dream.

”

THE 431 EXCHANGE SCHOLARSHIP 2021-2022

The 431 Exchange provides an invaluable ‘hand-up’ to adults determined to transform their lives through education. The Scholarship Fund is open three times a year to adults ages 18 and older, primarily in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Texas. Whether aiming for a college, university, vocational, or trade school program, top-scoring men and women are awarded $1,431, runners-up $431, helping meet some of their educational expenses.

FALL 2021 First round of scholarships awarded October 2021.

Applications due September 30, 2021.

WINTER 2021 Second round of scholarships awarded January 2022.

Applications due December 31, 2021.

SPRING 2021 The third round of scholarships awarded April 2022.

Applications due March 31, 2022. www.431exchange.com

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Featured Alumna

KENDRA BARRIER ’79

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU SHARE WITH DOMINICAN STUDENTS? Follow your dreams, set attainable goals, and learn from your mistakes. Approach your future with three questions: What is your purpose? What is your passion? and What is your pride?

Purpose: the reason for which something is done or created or which something exists. Purpose is an essential element of you; it’s your existence.

Passion: a strong and barely controllable emotion. Use your passion to make your dreams a reality.

Pride: a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements or possessions that are widely admired.

Whatever your future holds, approach it with purpose, passion, and pride. There may be failures that leads to success; if and when this happens, your victories will be more meaningful because they were not easily attained.

In July 2021, following a national search, Kendra M. Barrier, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, was appointed Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for LSU Health New Orleans School of Nursing.

She is responsible for the administration and promotion of all diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and programs that cultivate an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, staff, and community partners. Dr. Barrier will also work closely with the Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans. In this new position, Dr. Barrier said, “I look forward to actualizing my philosophy of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. My philosophy has two guiding principles: one of cultural humility that respects and values each person’s identity, and one of building a strong organization based on trust, transparency, and caring. These two principles will promote a climate of diversity, equity, and inclusion where our differences are encouraged and celebrated.”

Academic Nurse Educator Certification Program.

Dr. Barrier has experience in emergency, intensive care, quality management, and school nursing, as a preceptor and a volunteer RN. She was Chairperson for the Academic Undergraduate Council (2010-2015), Secretary for the Epsilon Nu Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International (2012-2015), Faculty Advisor for the class of May 2015, Chair and panel member of the Honor Code/Grievance Committee (2010-2015), and has been an active alumni and member of several School of Nursing committees and taskforce. She is also an active member of several local and national nursing organizations.

The designated administrative representative for the Dean’s Diversity and Inclusivity Advisory Committee, she also is a member of the Executive Leadership Team and Administrative Council, Academic Undergraduate Council, Academic Graduate Council, Curriculum, Faculty and Staff Life, Quality Enhancement, Research and Scholarly Endeavors, and Technology Committees.

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Prior to this appointment, she was Assistant Dean for Student Services at the School of Nursing, where she led the development of new student organizations, including the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion student organization and made improvements to the Student Services Department, which included initiating a formal student success program and transitioning to an inclusive admissions process. She holds a BSN (2000) and a MSN from LSU Health Sciences Center (2009), and a Ph.D. in Nursing Education and Administration from Joseph and Nancy Fail School of Nursing at William Carey University (2016).

She also is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing and a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), certified by the National League for Nursing

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I look forward to actualizing my philosophy of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. My philosophy has two guiding principles: one of cultural humility...and one of building a strong organization...

”

Several honors and awards include: The New Orleans District Nurses Association (NODNA) Excellence in Nursing Beyond the Bedside for Academic School of Nursing (2018), Outstanding Alumni by the LSU Alumni Association (2018), the School of Nursing Alumnus of the Year (2016), four Daisy Faculty Awards (2011, 2014, 2015, and 2016), and School of Nursing’s Nursing Caring Award for Faculty (2013).

Featured Alumna

VERONICA ODINET KOCLANES ’81 On May 27, 2021, the Louisiana Supreme Court made history with its appointment of Veronica Odinet Koclanes as its Clerk of Court, the Court’s first female Clerk of Court in 208 years. She will succeed current Clerk John Olivier upon his retirement at the end of 2021.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU SHARE WITH DOMINICAN STUDENTS? Pursue an education in what genuinely interests and challenges you. It sounds cliché, but it will keep you engaged and often lead to unchartered life experiences.

We are all blessed with a life that is, unfortunately, all too short. We should strive for happiness while using our God-given gifts to the best of our abilities.

“Veronica is a wellrespected attorney who has spent the past 23 years on staff at the Supreme Court,” said Chief Justice John L. Weimer. “Her experience and knowledge of the Court and its processes will serve her well as she takes on the responsibilities of Clerk of Court.”

Veronica’s extensive experience includes serving as a Law Clerk/Research Attorney for five Louisiana Supreme Court justices, as well as an attorney specialized in the area of judicial and attorney discipline and bar admissions for the Civil Staff Division of the Supreme Court.

Additionally, she served as a Law Clerk for three judges on the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal and a Legislative Clerk in the Office of Senate President for the Louisiana Legislature.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University (1985) and earned a juris doctorate from Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 1991 where she was a member of the Moot Court and served as Student Government Vice-President. She joined the law firm of Milling, Benson, Woodward, and Hillyer and worked as an associate attorney from 1992-1995. She is admitted to the Louisiana State Bar and to practice in the Eastern District of the United States District Court. She is a member of several professional and community organizations. From 1994 to 1997, Veronica taught Law Studies at St. Mary’s Dominican High School.

“I am honored by the trust and confidence placed in me by the justices of this court,” she

said. "As was done by those who came before me, I look forward to serving the Court and the public with dignity and respect and ensuring the Clerk’s office meets the expectations of the Court, as well as all those parties whose matters come through this office. My long tenure with the court has primarily been academic in nature. I am excited to now be challenged with overseeing the logistical and clerical operations of the Supreme Court, especially in these unprecedented times where the responsibilities of ensuring citizens’ access to justice is often formidable.”

“

As was done by those who came before me, I look forward to serving the Court and the public with dignity and respect and ensuring the Clerk’s office meets the expectations of the Court...

”

Veronica and her husband, Dr. George Koclanes, are the parents of two daughters, Isabella (’16) and Helena. One of 13 children of Kenneth Louis and Rosemary Popich Odinet, Veronica’s five sisters also are Dominican alumnae: Mary Baumgartner (‘77), Jude Chabert (’78), Amy Odinet (’79), Rebecca Frey (’85), and Rosemary Rodriguez (’87).

“Unquestionably, my time at Dominican attributed to my appointment as Clerk of Court,” she shared. “Being blessed with well-versed teachers, I developed a love of American History and Civics, leading me to my only choice of profession – the law. Early on, I envisioned myself in the traditional legal role as a litigator.

However, the complexity and fast pace of the cases entertained by the justices has kept me excited about my chosen profession. The striking intelligence of the court’s dedicated employees sustain my adamant belief in the judicial system, albeit its imperfections. In turn, this gratification has made me a better wife and mother.”

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How to Stay Connected Please update your contact information on our website WWW.STMARYSDOMINICAN.ORG.

Social Media

We are on FACEBOOK! Follow DHS by “LIKING” The school page: ST. MARY’S DOMINICAN HIGH SCHOOL The alumnae page: ST. MARY’S DOMINICAN HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNAE. We are on INSTAGRAM too! Follow DHS at stmarysdominicanhighschool.

MASS CARDS • $10 • EMAIL canding@stmdhs.org Domini-Dog Collar Cover For your Dominican Fur Baby!

FITS OVER YOUR PET’S EXISTING COLLAR! https://www.stmarysdominican.org/ item/domini-dog-collar-cover/

Online Dominican Alumna Shop by

Monogram Junkie

http://stores.inksoft.com/dominicanalumna/shop/home

Stock up on your favorite Dominican alumna gear! You’ll find yard flags, beach towels, baby blankets, totes, and so much more!

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Alumnae Association Dues for 2021 - 2022 Established in 1901, the St. Mary’s Dominican High School Alumnae Association continues to strengthen its heritage with each graduating class.

Annual alumnae dues are vital to the operational expenses of the Alumnae Office and are used to produce The Torch. Dues also help to offset costs of the many events coordinated by the Alumnae Office, including Shadow My Saddles, Breakfast with Baby Jesus, Easter Egg Roll, Cocktails in the Courtyard, Homecoming Weekend, and so much more!

Class of 1930 - 1959...........Dues $15 Class of 1960 - 2015...........Dues $35 Class of 2016 - 2021...........Dues $15 Please make checks payable to DHS or visit our website, www.stmarysdominican.org, and click on the Give to Dominican tab - Donate Online Alumnae Giving.

If you have any questions, comments, or would like to submit news for The Torch, email Alumnae Director Celeste Shelsey Anding ’82 at canding@stmdhs.org.

Thank You!

1958 Sandra Scalise Juneau has written and published a book, “Celebrating with St. Joseph Altars, The History, Recipes and Symbols of a New Orleans Tradition,” launched in March by LSU Press and included in their Southern Table Series of cookbooks.

1969 Deborah M. “Debbie” Mouney Broussard brings over 40 years of experience to Brother Martin High School where she is the Assistant Principal for Academics.

Serving on the administration team of an all-boys, college-preparatory high school owned and operated by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, she is the most senior female member of school leadership. As a Partner in Mission, she assists in overseeing and the formation of students and their families along with her colleagues to make sure they uphold their high academic and extracurricular responsibilities. “Deliberation, explanation, and clarification are routine,” said her colleagues about Mrs. Broussard’s practices, whether she is teaching a chemistry or advanced math class or leading the school’s academic council of department chairs. She also supports and shares her successes with her peers outside of school, increasing awareness and teachable moments for a strong academic education and improving one’s skills in a classroom setting. She is a former recipient of the Brother More Schaefer Faculty Award at Brother Martin and an Outstanding Educator Award at Stanford University.

1971 Mary Jo Rizutto Chalmers, a retired nurse, lives part time in Destin, Florida and Beaver Creek, Colorado with her husband.

They have five children and four granddaughters. Please keep in your prayers her husband who has been living with Stage 4 cancer for the past five years. Every day is a gift from God. Kathleen Swiler LaGrange retired five years ago after 41 years of federal service as a Regional Emergency Management Specialist. She travels, gardens, raises Monarch butterflies, and volunteers at an assisted living home, the FBI Citizens Academy, and Dominican. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two sons and a daughter-in-law who also attended Dominican. In addition to serving on the DHS Advisory Board, she is a member of the DHS Divas, a volunteer group that has planned each class reunion since the 10th reunion in 1981. They enjoyed it so much they meet monthly for lunch. She also has lunch with her "lunch bunch" from DHS a couple of times a year. She is the administrator for the Class Facebook page to connect classmates.

All About Alumnae 1975

1994

JoAnn Gemelli Schexnayder has previously worked at Dominican and this Fall will return to join the faculty as a math teacher. Her daughter is a 2004 Dominican graduate.

1976 Sandra Bonnaffons Denapolis-Bosarge is serving her third term as an elected member of the Jefferson Parish School Board.

1979 Angela Paolini Ellard was appointed Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organization and now resides in Geneva, Switzerland to take on her new role.

1982 Yvonne Calvo has been an occupational therapist in the Ochsner Health System for 12 years. In July 2020 she changed career direction to become a Performance Improvement Coordinator at its main campus.

1987 Kathleen “Kathy” Doyle Choina is a 2021 New Orleans Mom Teacher of the Year Finalist selected by New Orleans Mom Magazine. A mother, wife, daughter, and a nine-year faculty member at Brother Martin High School, she instills in her sons, Andrew and Matthew, the power of prayer, sincerity, hard work, and courtesy to others.

In her personal and work life, there is never a task or event where she is not physically and emotionally present. A Partner in Mission at Brother Martin High School since 2012, she is a member of the school’s World Language Department, teaching Spanish to her students. In her free time, she volunteers at St. Christopher the Martyr Parish and Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana.

Holly Gomila Goughnour started working years ago when she took a job as a cashier at her father’s pharmacy. Today she still works with numbers, but on a much different and larger scale. Vice president of Tax for International Paper (IP), she leads a global team of tax professionals responsible for the Fortune 500 corporation’s tax compliance, reporting, and planning.

Before IP, she was the Director of Tax at PricewaterhouseCoopers and has worked with publicly traded, multinational corporations for two decades. She and her husband founded Grant’s Gala, a charity event in memory of their son who died at 17 days old from a congenital heart defect. The family and other volunteers have raised more than $500,000 for research in congenital heart defects. Their latest mission, the Grant Goughnour Memorial Fund, hopes to raise $250,000 for the Heart Institute at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital.

She is on the advisory board of the career center at Christian Brothers University and the chapter advisory board for Alpha Xi Delta, and is involved with Memphis Cursillo and St. Louis Catholic Church.

1996

Frances Gandolfi Moran, moderator of the Debs for several years, joins Dominican’s Physical Education Department this Fall.

1993 Jennifer Erwin Drouant is excited to join the faculty of Archbishop Rummel High School as an English teacher.

VERITAS

Laura Hernandez Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC of Be Well NOLA Counseling was voted a 2021 NOLA Family Favorite in the Family/ Child Psychologist/Therapist category in the NOLA Family Magazine Family Favorite edition.

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All About Alumnae 1999 Stacey Whitney Campo has been awarded Honors’ Circle for 2019 & 2020 (3rd & 4th time winning), given to the top 10% of the sales team in the country for Small Commercial Insurance at The Hartford Insurance Group. In 2018 she was over the Louisiana territory and built it from the ground up. Stacey works with independent insurance agents throughout the state and southeast Texas to provide small business insurance products. She received the Rookie of the Year award for the 2020-2021 term for The Insurance Professional of Greater New Orleans (TIPOGNO) that recognizes the accomplishments of a new member who has made significant contributions to TIPOGNO within the first 24-months of joining the association. It also recognizes participation in association affairs, completion of selected insurance courses, and involvement in industry activities.

2000 Carol Romaguera Eshleman is creator, artistic, and managing director of the new Open Call Theatre Company in Gretna, La, an educational theatre company providing opportunities to young artists on stage, backstage, and in the orchestra pit. An open call is an invitation to everyone. The Open Call Theatre Company is dedicated to fostering the spirit of the open call, leaving the door open for anyone and everyone to walk in and be heard. For audition information for students 6th-12th grade and event information, visit her website at www.opencalltheatrecompany.com or follow Open Call on Facebook or Instagram.

Jeanne Danos Kavanaugh, in December 2020, completed her Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner degree with a 3.8 GPA from the University of South Alabama and was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

2001 Ashley Ernestine Anglin, a Licensed Psychotherapist working in the mental health field for the past 12 years, has a dual bachelor’s degree (Psychology and Sociology) from Houston Baptist University, and a master’s (Mental Health Counseling) from the

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2006 University of Houston-Clearlake. As a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, she trains students and future clinicians in skill, technique, and best practices. She created behavioral curriculum for West Oaks Hospital and Menninger Hospital staff to implement on various units and facilitated support groups in the Houston area for those who witnessed sexual assault and domestic violence, experiencing caretaker fatigue, couples in crisis, and support groups for families battling Alzheimer’s disease. She was chosen to be part of a country wide initiative for Blue Cross Blue Shield/Anthem integrating mental health and physical health to improve treatment outcomes and reduce inpatient hospital readmissions. Ashley is the owner of Bridging the Gap Psychcare, Pllc, that assists individuals, couples, and families who struggle with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, women’s issues, trauma, grief, and loss. Her mission is to aid clients in achieving autonomy and wellness, and ending the negative stigma as it relates to mental health and minorities. Ashley and husband Jesse Anglin are parents of seven -year-old Harper, a competitive gymnast, and four-year-old Joshua, a gentleman in training.

Jennifer Mahnke Garnand, R.N. Ochsner emergency nurse, is the recipient of Nurse of the Year award, presented by the #NightingaleAwards from Louisiana State Nurses Association.

2004 Cassie Alsfeld's company, Shoreline Strategies, LLC, won a Pollie Award from the American Association of Political Consultants. She was recognized in the Digital- Public Affairs/ Issue Advocacy Division for the “Best Use of Email Marketing (Non-Fundraising)” for exemplary work during the 2020 political season regarding the email, “Christmas is Canceled: Santa’s Story.”

2006 Lauren Britsch has joined the Public Integrity Section of the U.S. Department of Justice, where she prosecutes public corruption crimes involving elected and appointed officials at all levels of government.

She previously served in the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section where she prosecuted human trafficking and child sexual abuse offenses and received the Assistant Attorney General's Award for Outstanding Contributions by a New Employee.

Dr. LaKeitha Poole, LSU’s Director of Student-Athlete Mental Health, also serves as Interim Senior Advisor to the Athletics Director for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. She works with LSU Athletics Diversity and Inclusion Councils as they implement various initiatives including a climate survey, hiring practices, diversity supplier policies, supporting racial equity, assessing communication, and developing educational programming for studentathletes, coaches, and staff. Before joining the Athletics Department in 2016, she spent six years in LSU’s Office of Multicultural Affairs as an Assistant Director and Coordinator of the LSU African American Cultural Center. She is an Adjunct Instructor in the College of Human Sciences and Education, board member for the Baranco-Clark YMCA in Old South Baton Rouge, and owns a private practice, Small Talk Counseling and Consulting. A 2009 Florida State University (FSU) graduate, LaKeitha was honored as a 2018 Notable ‘Nole, an award that recognizes FSU alumni ages 35 or younger for their significant contributions to their professions, communities or alma mater. She holds a master’s degree in Community Counseling/Clinical Mental Health from LSU and doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University (Virginia Beach, Va). She is the recent recipient of the LSU Black Faculty and Staff Caucus Presidential Champion Award, given to an LSU BFSC member that has embodied its mission and vision and provided exemplary service to the caucus.

2007 Sheba Turk, WWL-TV's own, was honored by the University of New Orleans that named her the 2020 Homer Hitt Young Alumna of the Year.

2008 Dr. Lindsay Stewart Huber returns this Fall to her alma mater where she will be Assistant Principal/Classroom Supervision/Curriculum Development.

Toast of praise

SMILE EASY.

Live Happy.

2009

Kelsea Pechon Murphy (far right) and her husband Dr. Craig Murphy recently opened an orthodontic practice, Murphy Orthodontics, on Veterans Blvd. near Oaklawn.

They also opened an office in Lakeview.

2012

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Catherine Laughlin is a new member of the Dominican’s Counseling Department beginning this Fall.

www.metairie-braces.com 2013 Allessandra LeDoux graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College in 2017 and worked in the healthcare sector for Propeller, a New Orleansbased non-profit small business incubator. In 2020 she graduated with an MSc in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and works in the healthcare consulting field in Washington, D.C. Michaela LeDoux graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College in 2017. She spent two years in the Czech Republic, first with the Fulbright Program, then as a Reynolds Fellow. Michaela worked as a fair housing advocate with the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center and was recently admitted to Harvard Law School’s Class of 2024.

Mariana Tumminello graduated from LSU with a Doctorate in Medicine. She and her new husband Dr. Bradley Powers will start their residencies in Georgetown, WA. Julia Daigle and Ashley Vu graduated from LSU School of Dentistry.

All About Alumnae 2015

2017

Andrea McDonald over the past year has built a portfolio based on the skills and techniques she learned in Dominican art classes. Portraits and aviation (her career field) are the main subject matter. Andrea’s current style of drawing entails using a pen to write words or numbers numerous times until the drawing is complete. Some of her main pieces using this style include works of Amelia Earhart, Bessie Coleman, and famous aircraft. By finding a new style, she has been able to meet outstanding people in the arts and even develop a few new collectors. Some of her pieces have been included in The Ninety-Nines Museum of Women Pilots and published in The Ninety-Nines and Plane & Pilot magazines. Recently, Andrea had the honor of donating six pieces of artwork to the Wings of Hope Foundation for a charity event that raises money for medical evacuation flights for terminally ill children.

L'Oreal Alicia Williams was re-elected Student Government Association President of Southeastern Louisiana University for the 2021 - 2022 academic year, and was also appointed to the University of Louisiana (UL) System Board of Supervisors as the Student Board member and will represent over 92,000 college students in the UL System. Southeastern's Division for Student Affairs recognized L'Oreal as the 2021 Woman of the Year. L'Oreal founded Louisiana’s first chapter of Swipe Out Hunger.

Rebecca Wallace will join Dominican staff as Campus Minister.

Kailyn Marie Smith will return to Dominican this Fall as Recruitment Director.

Maggie Neupert is serving as a missionary with the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) beginning the current academic year at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In this ministry, she will be hosting outreach events, leading Bible studies, and walking with women in discipleship as they grow in deeper relationship with the Trinity and the beauty of the Catholic Church. If you would like to learn more about this ministry, contact Maggie at maggie.neupert@focus.org. You can also learn more about her personal story at https://www.focus.org/missionaries/ maggie-neupert.

2021 GRADUATION CELEBRATION: A FAMILY AFFAIR

2016 Megan Guidry, new PhD student, was welcomed by staff at The Puritz Lab of Marine Evolutionary Ecology, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Rhode Island. Megan earned her B.S. in Biology from LSU. This year she was awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Megan is interested in the intersections of environmental change, stress, and oyster genomics, and also hopes to integrate her research with microbial ecology and coastal water quality.

2017 Gabriel Lee Nguyen graduated from Notre Dame with a B.S., majoring in Science-Business with a Poverty Studies Interdisciplinary minor. Recently she started the four-year MD/MPH dual degree program at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans.

From left: Sharon Daly Hamblin, Class of 1981 (mother of Grace); Grace Ann Hamblin, Class of 2021; the late Catherine Brady Daly, Class of 1957 (grandmother to Grace); Cynthia Daly Jones, Class of 1985 (aunt to Grace); Susan Daly Lange, Class of 1983 (aunt to Grace); and photograph of Grace’s great grandmother, Thais Autumese Dauenhauer.

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Congratulations

All About Alumnae

Special Delivery

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WELCOMING A GIRL (A) Bridget Ruda McSpadden ’00 (B) Alison Nunez Palermo ’00 (C) Joey Rando Yearous ’00 (D) Julie Preau Wisner ’02 (E) Mary Wilderotter Dale ’05 (F) Jeanne Curran Higgins ’05 (G) Courtney Lambert Jansen ’05 (H) Darlene Coughlin Murray ’05 (I) Lauren Dubuc Vennen ’06 Katelyn Rodrigue Fitts ’06 Sarah McBride Bautista ’08 (J) Kasey Mang Simon ’08 (K) Madelyn Westholz Maldonado ’10 (L) Lauren Westholz Walker ’12

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WELCOMING A BOY (M) Katie Bailey Claxton ’00 (N) Janette Orlando Goertz ’00 (O) Lindsey Keller Nye ’00 (P) Geralyn Suhor Beler ’03 (Q) Jessica Miranda Triche ’04 (R) Jessica Sita Couch ’05 (S) Sarah Ragusa Douglas ’06 (T) Ellen Stretzinger Leary ’06 (U) Danica Nguyen ’06 (V) Margaret von Almen Gil ’07 (W) Brook Schaffer Gillies ’07 (X) Lauren Weicks Stelly ’07 (Y) Erica Haslauer Estrada ’09 (Z) Kathleen White Moises ’10

WELCOMING TWINS (AA) Shenique Renee Celestin ’01 (BB) Kim Schoennagel Hosch ’05 (CC) Christie Marie Brouphy-Hoover ’07

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Submit news and photos for the All About Alumnae section to Alumnae Director Celeste Anding, canding@stmdhs.org.

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Wedding Bells

IN MEMORIAM Our Dearly Departed Sisters

(A) Denise Boyce ’00 Don Vo (B) Lauren Favret ’02 Bryan Jones (C) Elizabeth Abadie ’04 Micah Carper (D) Lennamary Altamirano Dyess ’07 Michael Carroll Bordes, Jr. (E) Lindsay Marie Stewart ’08 Kyle Huber (F) Emily Joan Daigle ’13 Tyler Patrick Zamjahn (G) Mariana Tumminello, MD ’13 Bradley Powers, MD

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Bertha Hasemann Martina ’38 Marie Salatich Alciatore ’39 Isabella DiRosa Barback ’40 Audrey Vicknair Miles ’41 Mary Kaack ’43 Marilyn Daley Eastin ’43 Helen Kuehne Evans ’43 Shirley Levesque Fairchild ’43 Marylynn Puneky Rooney ’44 Mary McCune Molaison ’44 Mary Daspit Strain ’44 Elouise Pellerin Strate ’44 Rosemary McCubbin Granberry ’45 Edith Danos Kuebel ’45 Doris Murphy Yochim ’46 Ruth Dalferes Kemp ’46 Marie Hymel Weidner ’46 Dorothy Muller Duplantier ’46 Lorraine Viguerie Daniel ’46 Helen Mary Belou Noto ’46 Julie Gunn Bonanno ’47 Margaret Anderson Hebbler ’47 Elaine Schultis Muro ’47 Mary Caire Fitzgerald ’47 Marilyn Modern Bockman ’47 Rosalie Salvaggio ’47 Joan Tauzier Condon ’47 Maylou Renaud Hatzes ’47 Elizabeth Ahern ’47 Geraldine Eberts Trocquet ’47 Inez Damaré Maxwell ’47 Joel Miller Genovese ’47 Mena Simpson Peperone ’48 Lois Vicknair Saucier ’48 Mary Ann Breaux Martinez ’49 Rita Hewson Swanner ’49 June Metzinger ’49 Joyce Chenet Ingrassia ’49 Sharon Fannin Andrews ’50 JoAnn Graffagnino Arata ’50 Myrle Moise Dey ’50 Anna Guzzardo Styron ’50 Mary Ann Rizzo Marquer ’50 Cecile Waguespack Hymel ’50 Carol Hurley Naccari ’51 Mary Carolyn Kessels Simoneaux ’51 June Castro Dermody ’51 Jane Trepagnier Wicker ’51 Patricia Mire ’51 Gene Cantrelle ’51 Joan Chapron Reginelli ’52 Joy Broas Monroe ’52

Evelyn Lagattuta Harrigan ’52 Una Boudreaux Krizan ’52 Phyllis Coldewy Landrieu ’52 Iris Guarisco Marionneaux ’52 Catherine Vasterling Wolfe ’52 Diane Leche Caswell ’53 Kathryn Pizzo Bordelon ’54 Mary Hamill Trainer ’56 Frances Whittaker Kolb ’56 Mae Belle Smith Seghers ’56 Ulyanaise Aupied Songy ’57 Janet Gillen Robinson ’57 Mary Ann Ritt Dennler ’57 Ann Vaudry Williams ’57 Mary Giordano Trask ’58 Patricia Hymes DiCorte ’58 Colette Villeré Ford ’58 Nanette Poissenot Barnett ’59 Patricia Delaune ’59 Claire Bent Carstens ’59 Mary Hallaron Bourgeois ’60 Catherine Jarboe Theriot ’60 Constance Sciacca Rebaudo ’60 Marie Sciortino Toth ’60 Beryl Bagert Greco ’61 Jo Ann Tassin Faulkner ’61 Laura Baber LeBell ’62 Gwendolyn Simon Foltmer ’63 Carol Christen ’64 Yvette LeBlanc Trahant ’64 Kathleen Rooney Hill ’64 Mary Bertrand Boles ’65 Arleen Brown Conravey ’67 Adrienne Cappie ’68 Judith Fein Schnadelbach ’70 Janet Tosh ’71 Terry Lombardino Romaire ’71 Carmel Baumer Hines ’72 Mary Bezbak De Santis ’74 Carol Cristina Kronlage ’75 Lisa Drezinski Arseneaux ’77 Lori Lorentz ’78 Nancy Shaw Bravender ’78 Michelle Bourque ’80 Thelma Chatters ’81 Susan Palassie Henderson ’82 Stacey Weigand Dolan ’84 Kelly Thornell Langford ’84 Ann Negrotto Eady ’92 Bridgette Ricker Cabirac ’96 Kendall Alfortish ’19

Our prayers and condolences to all members of our Dominican community and their families who have experienced losses this year.

The Torch - 2020-2021 | 73

St. Mary’s Dominican High School 7701 Walmsley Avenue New Orleans, LA 70125

This Torch is a publication of the St. Mary’s Dominican High school community for alumnae, parents, faculty, staff and friends.

2021

Friday, September 24, 2021 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Wednesday, October 27, 2021 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

Seventh Grade Social

Tennis Tournament

Saturday, September 25, 2021 9:30 am - 3:00 pm

Deb Mini-Camp

Shadow My Saddles

Saturday, November 6, 2021 9:00 am - 12:00 noon

Tues-Fri, March 15-18, 2022 7:30 am - 3:00 pm

Alumnae Brushing Up

Thursday, October 14, 2021 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Saturday, December 11, 2021 10:00 am - 12 noon

Breakfast with Baby Jesus Friday, January 7, 2022 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

2022

Alumnae Hall, Dining Hall, Sr. Ambrose Reggio, O.P. Gymnasium

Open House

Saturday, March 12, 2022 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Thursday, November 18, 2021 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Domini-Science Saturday

Thursday, October 21, 2021 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Saturday, October 30, 2021 9:30 am - 3:00 pm

Domini-Design Day

Saturday, October 9, 2021 9:00 am - 12:00 noon

Cocktails in the Courtyard with the Makers’ Market

City Park

Black and White Friday Night

Cheer Mini-Camp

Thursday, September 30, 2021 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Friday, March 11, 2022 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Pizza Party for Class of 2021 Thursday, February 3, 2022 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Alumnae Brushing Up

Save the Dates

Legacy Gala

St. Joseph Altar Alumnae Hall

Saturday, April 2, 2022 10 am - 12 noon

Easter Egg Roll

Saturday, April 9, 2022 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Homecoming Mass, Awards Ceremony, and Luncheon with the Makers Market

Alumnae Hall, Dining Hall, Sr. Ambrose Reggio, O.P. Gymnasium Saturday, May 14, 2022 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Mother Daughter Senior Tea Honoring Class of 2022 St. Dominic Courtyard