Stuart News Summer 2012

Summer 2012

A N N U A L

R E P O R T

E D I T I O N

STUART Country Day School of the Sacred Heart

2011–2012 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Co-Chairs: Mark Johnson Suzanne Plambeck John Beckelman Thomas Baker Linda Brady Patty L. Fagin, Ph.D. Carol Haggarty, RSCJ Debora Haines Rene Johnson Nancy Kehoe, RSCJ Sara Burchell Kestner ’96 Cheryl Lagay Laura Lamke Melinda La Nasa Pablo Lapuerta Stephen LeMenager Lorraine McGowen Maureen O’Halloran, RSCJ Cynthia Reiche Schumacker ’73 Marguerite Vera Molly Hillenbrand Vernon ’96 Patty L. Fagin, Ph.D. Head of School

Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart serves 460 students in Preschool through Grade 12. The school admits students of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin to all the rights or privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, scholarships, or loan programs or athletic or other schooladministered programs. Stuart is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and is a member of the international community of the Sacred Heart, the National Association of Independent Schools, the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools, the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, the Secondary School Admission Board, the College Board, the Education Records Bureau, the Association of Supervision and Curriculum, and the Online School for Girls.

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STUART COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL of the SACRED HEART 1200 Stuart Road Princeton, NJ 08540 609-921-2330 www.stuartschool.org facebook.com/stuartschool @stuartcdschool

STUART NEWS

ANNUAL REPORT

From the Head of School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

From School Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Board of Trustees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

CLASS OF 2012

Committees of the Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Commencement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Chair of the Finance Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Class of 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Report of Gifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Senior Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

From Development Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

“From Summer Stars to Princeton” by Brenea Flucas . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Stuart Fund Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Matriculation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Current Parent Stuart Fund Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

“Why I Stayed at Stuart” by Angela Gallagher & Jennifer Liu . . . . 10

Stuart Fund Grandparents Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Honors & Memorials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

YEAR IN REVIEW

Stuart Fund Donors by Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Academic Accomplishments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Faculty and Staff Stuart Fund Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

STEM at Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Endowment Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

The Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Stuart Program Donors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Athletics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Mater Legacy Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Spring Auction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Active Faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Making a Difference Through Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

In Honor of Kathleen Cox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

ALUMNAE Alumnae News, Sara Burchell Kestner ’96 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Alumnae Year in Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Alumnae Day 2012 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Alumnae Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Class Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Births . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Marriages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 In Sympathy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

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STUART NEWS

From the Head of School This was a year of reflection on how our community lives out the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria. Whether in the classroom, on the field, in the laboratory, on the stage, in the community, on retreat or in service to others, our girls have modeled what it means to be Children of the Sacred Heart.

In the words of Janet Erskine Stuart, I hope you will join us in celebrating “the life lived, the things loved and the ideals believed in.”

Our girls are amazing examples of the Goals in action. Kudos to them and to you for your support, prayers and encouragement.

Patty L. Fagin, Ph.D.

MICHELLE DOWLING Head of Lower School This summer we welcomed Head

DR. TRISHA STEVENSON MEDEIROS Head of Upper School

of Lower School, Ms. Michelle

We are doubly-blessed this year

Dowling, to the Stuart family. A

to welcome Dr. Trisha Medeiros

Sacred Heart alumna, Ms. Dowling

to the Stuart community as head

graduated in 1988 from Convent

of Upper School. Trisha brings to

of the Sacred Heart on 91st Street

Stuart a strong STEM background,

in New York City. Ms. Dowling

as well as a tremendous reputation

received a bachelor of arts in

for exceptional leadership. She

psychology from Marymount

received her undergraduate

Manhattan College and

degree in earth and environmental

subsequently earned a masters of

science from Kean University, a

science in educational leadership

master of information science

from the Bank Street College Graduate School of Education, with

degree from Rutgers, and a doctorate in educational leadership

a thesis focus on elementary curriculum.

from the University of Delaware.

As a first generation American of Cuban descent, Ms. Dowling

After several years of college level technology/library work, Dr.

began her career in education as a Spanish teacher at Trinity School

Medeiros’ first independent school experience was at Purnell

in New York where she ultimately became Middle School assistant

School, an all-girl boarding school located in Pottersville, New

principal in just four years. While at Trinity, she returned to 91st

Jersey, where she served as the library director, coordinator of

Street for summers as a performing arts counselor and associate

community service and as a dorm parent. For the past eleven

director for the summer creative arts program, working directly

years, Dr. Medeiros has served many roles at Tower Hill School—

with students age 6-15. Most recently she was at The Town School

a Preschool–Grade 12 day school in Wilmington, Delaware, most

in New York where she initially served as head of Upper School –

recently as assistant head of Upper School.

Grades 5-8, and then the director of placement. She also served as

Dr. Medeiros’ reputation at both Purnell and Tower Hill is one of

a member of Trinity’s Marketing, Diversity, and Strategic Planning Committees and has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Westmont Montessori School.

in every role in which she has served, noting her innately collaborative nature, strong connection with students, and positive

Ms. Dowling’s professional excellence is matched by her energy

relationships with parents. We are thrilled that Dr. Medeiros, her

and enthusiasm. We are truly blessed to have her as the next leader

husband and two children have joined the Stuart community

of our Lower School. Ms. Dowling, her husband Alan, and their four

and know that her expertise and experience will be invaluable in

children—who will attend Stuart—are thrilled to be a part of this

shaping Stuart’s future.

wonderful community!

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excellence. Her past heads of school describe her as successful

Commencement Family, friends, mentors and other members of the Stuart community joined together to

honor and celebrate the 34 young women of the Stuart Class of 2012. The special day, rich with Sacred Heart and Stuart tradition, began with the Graduation Liturgy, led by Msgr.

Gregory E. S. Malovetz. The Commencement exercises featured Senior Class speaker Alisha Mehndiratta, Senior Class President Susan Knox and a Commencement Address by alumna Kathy Fox Feeney ’71.

Our spark will set us apart in the real world.

Excerpted from the Senior Class Speech

by Alisha Mehndiratta: In its “Be Different!” campaign, Apple declared that “... The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do.” These words could not be more accurate in describing the

“I have had this (class ring) on for 41 years. Because of my experience at Stuart, I have had the ability under any circumstances to be okay being me … You all have a head start. You don’t know just how much of a head start you have.”

Kathy Fox Feeney ’71

Class of 2012.

We are challenging, not troublesome. We are gutsy, not wild. We are animated, not loud.

We strongly value tradition and we never hesitate to fight for it.

As we leave Stuart today, each of us will take this dedication to each other and to the world around us. Our spark will set us apart in the real world. Each of us will aim to light up the monotony of every day and weather all storms.

We’ll always be gutsy. Being risk-taking and daring will be two of our greatest assets moving forward. As T.S. Eliot has said, “Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”

The 33 girls you see behind me are hiding a secret. They each are armed with powerful weapons, unique to Stuart alumnae: Our secret is the education that we have received and, more importantly, the ability to use that knowledge to better the world around us.

Onward, seniors.

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CLASS OF 2012 6

Nicolette Andrzejczyk

Ashley DelleFave

Ana Teresa Hallowell

Colleen Anne Baker

Jennifer Melissa Ines Dias

Catherine Whitney Huber

Parris Jolean Branker

Ashley Dowlou

Alexandra F. John

Amethyst Valencia Reeves Carey

Brenaea A. Flucas

Queneisha JavontĂŠ Jones

Stephanie Antonetta Champi

Angela Rae Gallagher

Juliana Helen Karp

Christina Y. Chun

Alexandria Jane Guzman

Susan Laura Knox

Charlotte Dalton La Nasa

Golzar Ziaei Nejad

Margo Helen Schmiederer

Jennifer Lynn Liu

Laurie Rose Fritzie Paul

Toni LaNiece Stradford

Tilar Jerise Martin

Kenza Qermane

Wenjia Tang

Kassidy J. McNair

Catherine Clark Stefanyshyn Reilly

Alexandra Margaret Taylor

Alisha Mehndiratta

Lexus Ashley Rodriguez

Yvonne Tabitha Janjay Taylor

Hiteshree Sunil Nayak 7

CLASS OF 2012

THE JANET STUART SCHOLAR AWARD Christina Chun Christina received this award because she has demonstrated a deep respect for intellectual values and a love of learning.

THE MARGHERITA CONDELL AWARD Stephanie Champi Lexus Rodriguez

THE ALUMNAE AWARD Charlotte La Nasa Charlotte was selected for this award because she has been instrumental in the building of community at Stuart and has contributed to the evolving tradition of Sacred Heart education.

This award was named in honor of a 20-year Stuart educator. Stephanie and Lexus are recognized for demonstrating a personal and active faith in God, and a social awareness that impels to action, exhibited by their sensitivity to the needs of others and for their service to school and community.

THE SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD Angela Gallagher This award is presented to the student who has displayed the community spirit that is essential to teamwork. Angela has supported the athletic program at Stuart with leadership and enthusiasm, has demonstrated mastery of athletic skills and has the ability to work as a team member.

THE FACULTY AWARD Amethyst Carey Catherine Huber Amethyst and Catherine have been selected to receive the Faculty Award because of their great generosity of spirit in all areas of school life. They have shown both concern and respect for the members of the entire school community and have shared their knowledge, grace, and gifts with others.

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FROM SUMMER STARS TO PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

by Brenaea Flucas

I hesitated to stay at Stuart for high school because some friends were leaving, but I’m so glad I listened to my older friends who assured me that high school was an entirely different world. High school at Stuart was filled with numerous opportunities that would embellish my college portfolio. I was able to go on a six-week exchange to Spain, start and co-head a club, and write a sermon; and I learned the importance of serving others.

College Bound

It seems like it was just yesterday that I walked onto the bus to attend Summer Stars, a summer enrichment program hosted by Stuart. Anticipation filled my belly because I knew that this was the start of my adventure at Stuart Country Day School as I headed for the fourth grade in September. Summer breezed by as I learned about Amelia Earhart and how to write short stories. Beginning fourth grade as the “new kid” was not as cool as I had hoped, but acting in the fifth grade musical, Robin Hood, solidified friendships that I would have for years to come. Middle School experiences such as touring the White House and a weekend at Sprout Creek Farm influenced my future career goals.

Stuart surrounded me with teachers and peers who believed in me, even when I could not believe in myself. My education taught me that women are strong and that women of faith are even stronger. As I continue my education at Princeton University, Stuart is the reason that I hope to major in Public Policy and Religion. I plan to be the senator who redefines America’s public education system while maintaining my Christian values. Contrary to popular belief, I do not think this goal is naive, too ambitious, or impossible to achieve; I think it’s just what a Stuart girl is equipped to do.

Brenaea and more than 2,000 other children have benefited from Summer Stars - a month long academic and cultural enrichment program for Trenton students. In its 26th year, Stars requires continued donor support. Please contact the Advancement Office to find out how you can help.

THE CLASS OF 2012 IS ATTENDING THE FOLLOWING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES: Abilene Christian University Babson College Bryn Mawr College University of Cambridge Case Western Reserve University University of Chicago Colgate University College of the Holy Cross The College of New Jersey (2) Drexel University Fordham University

Georgetown University Hobart and William Smith Colleges La Salle University Loyola University Maryland Loyola University New Orleans Manhattanville College Maryland Institute College of Art University of Michigan Mount Holyoke College New York University

Oberlin College Princeton University (4) Rider University Sewanee: The University of the South Virginia Commonwealth University Wagner College Wake Forest University Washington University in St. Louis Widener University Wingate University

CLASS OF 2012

Why I Stayed at Stuart ANGELA GALLAGHER In eighth grade I struggled with my high school decision but chose to stay at Stuart for four reasons.

First, I knew Stuart would challenge me as a student and a leader. I had heard stories of Stuart Upper Schoolers staying up all night to work on projects and essays. And while some of my friends left Stuart to avoid this, I knew the Stuart community of excellent faculty and peers would support me (and to be honest I never had to stay up all night)!

Second, I wanted to remain part of the nurturing community that had embraced me throughout my Lower and Middle School years. I also loved being part of the unique Sacred Heart Network, in which I will always be able to connect with people around the world whose moral foundations rest in the same Goals and Criteria.

Third, I knew I would thrive in Stuart’s intimate classroom environment where I could form meaningful relationships with outstanding teachers who go above and beyond to help their students succeed.

“…I knew Stuart would challenge me as a student and a leader.”

Finally, I wanted to go to a high school where being smart was cool and learning was treasured. While I will miss the Stuart community next year, I feel thoroughly prepared for college and I have formed friendships that I am certain will last.

Angela with Dr. Patty L. Fagin and Mrs. Anne Soos at 100 Days to Graduation

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JENNIFER LIU When the time came to decide if I was going to stay at Stuart for high school, I felt that I was facing a difficult decision. However, four years later, I now understand that there should have been no doubt in my mind that Stuart was the best place for me. Ultimately, I decided to stay at Stuart for several significant and meaningful reasons, all of which reveal the ways that Stuart is truly unique.

After three years of Middle School, I realized the traditional and unexpected benefits of an all-girls education. Of course, the all-girls environment really helped me to concentrate on my studies, feel safe to participate in class, and learn to be a leader. But toward the end of Middle School, I noticed that the all-girls atmosphere had other advantages as well.

One day it became clear to me that at Stuart it was cool to be smart. At Stuart, being smart and passionate about learning didn’t make you a “nerd” or position you at a certain lunch table. I found that everyone at Stuart genuinely respected knowledge and was excited about her education.

Toward the end of Middle School, I also began to realize that I was lucky enough to go to school in a sisterhood. With a grade of all girls, lunch time sing-alongs were common, and overnight field trips were like giant sleepover parties. This sisterhood atmosphere helped me to create amazing friendships and always feel comfortable to be myself.

S even members of the Class of 2012 were “Lifers” who attended Stuart from Preschool or Kindergarten through graduation.

“One day it became clear to me that at Stuart it was cool to be smart.”

My teachers were also a very strong influence on my decision to stay at Stuart. I remember that immediately after making my decision, I was most excited to tell Mrs. Ryan, my health teacher, that I was staying for high school. Her happiness and the big hug she gave me are unforgettable.

At Stuart, student-faculty relationships are incomparable.

I had so many teachers in Middle School that became best friends, and suddenly I realized that leaving my teachers would be like leaving ten more friends.

After four years of high school, I am now confident that I made the best decision of my life in eighth grade when I decided to stay at Stuart. I’ve loved being part of a faith-filled environment, and am so glad to have had the five Goals to help guide my decisions and actions. I’ve become an outgoing, stronger person, who has leadership experience and is not afraid to speak up. I’ve had life-changing experiences participating in community service, and have grown in awareness and compassion. I’ve tried new things, and have made amazing memories and friends, with both students and teachers, that I will cherish for a lifetime.

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YEAR IN REVIEW

Academic Accom THINK. LEAD. CHANGE.

With a Sacred Heart foundation of deep respect for intellectual values, academic accomplishments are always celebrated at Stuart. Our challenging and innovative curriculum, superb teaching and close attention to each

girl’s personal development bring out the best in every student. We are so very proud of the many outstanding commendations our girls received this year, including the remarkable list of colleges and universities that offered enrollment to Stuart girls from the Class of 2012.

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mplishments

ADDITIONAL ACADEMIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Margaret Wright and Summer RamsayBurrow, both juniors, qualified for the 2012 National Chemistry Olympiad.

• Ninety percent of the Grade 8 Spanish Class won awards for their performance

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on the National Spanish Exam, and two students were in top 10 in the state.

• Stuart hosts its first Middle School Math Invitational.

• Middle School Math Team won an award for the best new team in a Math Counts competition.

• Annie Liang ’17 and Soo Jung Jang ’16 ranked in Top 1% at a Middle School math competition.

• Simone Armour ’17 received the Medal of Excellence, the highest honor, at the New Jersey Orators competition.

• Seniors Christina Chun and Juliana Karp named as National Merit Scholarship

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Semifinalists, and Juliana Karp chosen as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist.

• Isabella Kopits, Anushka Makhija and Amani Ahmed received High Honors from the John Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY).

6 he Class of 2012 will be attending some of the nation’s top research 1 Tand liberal arts colleges.

7 Upper School girls were recognized for achievement in the National 2 1Latin Exams.

Middle School Future City Team was awarded “Most Futuristic City” 3 in Thestate competition. tuart girls captured 11 out of the 16 Princeton University Martin Luther 4 SKing Literary and Visual Arts Awards.

At the Lower School Science Fair, our student scientists did an amazing 5 job explaining their experiments to the many visitors.

Chun was honored with the 2012 Hubert M. Alyea Award from 6 Cthehristina Princeton University chapter of the American Chemical Society.

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YEAR IN REVIEW

Stuart’s commitment to STEM begins in the classroom with hands-on, project-based curriculum in all grades and extends outside the classroom to numerous clubs, competitions, speakers, and mentors. We want Stuart girls to be more than just confident and competent in the STEM fields: we strive to inspire and excite our girls to explore endless opportunities for future study and careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Future City Team

D r. Claire Gmachl, an engineering professor in the the robotics department at Princeton University, invited the Future City team to her lab to see how the University is experimenting with robotics in engineering.

Robotics Team

In just five months the Sparks, Stuart’s rookie robotics team, went from zero experience to 4th Place at the FTC NJ State Championships!

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Engineering is Elementary

iPads

THINK. LEAD. CHANGE.

Integration of the iPad

technology into every corner of the school (and outside to the turf and stream) was an extremely complex task spearheaded by the technology integration team at Stuart. Our faculty, in all disciplines, has worked hard to learn new technology and re-think curriculum.

Middle and Upper School students have taken full advantage of this powerful tool to keep organized, be creative, do research and to document a moment in time – or many moments over time. The girls use the iPad daily, independently, and collaboratively – with their peers and their teachers - and the results are astounding!

T hese Grade 4 girls successfully designed a switch that completed their circuit.

Engineering is Elementary brings hands-on experiential learning to the Lower School classroom.

Photo by Erica Haller

YEAR IN REVIEW

THINK. LEAD. CHANGE.

Two teams are winners in LEARNING THROUGH GAMES

by Alicia Testa, Math & Computer Science Teacher, Tech Integrator It started with a phone call from PBS. Did

with math topics and games they wanted to

was so proud to watch our poised Stuart

we have a class that would program video

program. I showed them the programming

girls demonstrate their games and

games for the 2012 STEM Video Game

language Scratch and discussed different

discuss the class with others. Their games

Challenge? PBS had contacted Stuart

programming concepts. Their goal was to

are now showcased on the PBS Ready to

because of the publicity surrounding our

get something working on the screen in

Learn website.

STEM Advisory Task Force.

just under three months. We needed every

It sounded interesting and I thought, “Why not? What do we have to lose?” In fact, it became a game changer. The PBS Category of the STEM Challenge required students to program math video games for children

ended I commandeered their study halls so they could finish the games. We started with 15 games, and 10 completed games were entered into the contest.

This journey was an education for all of us.

I stretched as a teacher and took a leap, not knowing if we could even complete one game – but I thought we should try. I didn’t know what questions would be asked, and the girls didn’t mind that I wouldn’t give

ages 3-8. I fell in love with the idea from

It was an amazing, crazy time - an unknown

answers – just ideas to try. The girls learned

the start. Programming games that Lower

for all of us in the classroom. I was charged

to program, and developed confidence

School students could use … what a great

with teaching them to program, but I left

by creating engaging games for young

community-builder! We didn’t have much

the learning to them. I made sure they were

children. We had nothing to lose. but I never

time – it was going to be tough, but I was

on task and gave hints to how to code;

realized how much we would gain.

on it!

they overcame obstacles, learned how to

“Shift of plans,” I said to the girls in class that afternoon. “We are going to learn how

“It was an educational journey for all of us. I stretched as a teacher and took a risk…

We had nothing to lose but I never realized how much we would gain.”

to program by creating math video games for a STEM Challenge.” I got blank stares.

I knew many

express confusion, helped each other figure it out, voiced next steps and delegated tasks within their groups. It was a wonderful process to watch them all go through. I witnessed an increase in computational thinking, yes. But I also watched students who never thought they would like programming rise to become leaders of their groups.

were not math

In May I received a clandestine email. I

fans and were

was notified that TWO teams had been

nervous I was

selected as winners of the PBS Ready to

going to make

Learn Category of the STEM Challenge. Five

them do more algebra. “Relax, this is for

students. I was floored. We were headed to

ages 3-8, easy math,” I said. I remember

Washington D.C. for the awards ceremony.

telling them that they have nothing to lose and might learn some programming along the way.

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minute we could get, so after the trimester

It was a wonderful night. We were excited to learn that our games were the only winners of the PBS Category … and oh,

So began a wild adventure for my Grade

our five students were the only girls out

8 students and for me. The girls came up

of 28 middle and high school winners. I

game challenge 1

After speaking with PBS Ready to Learn, teacher Alicia Testa immediately dove into the challenge, teaching Scratch programming language to her Grade 8 students.

2

Ms. Testa enlisted the help of Princeton University students from Princeton Women in Computer Science (PWiCS) to help answer programming questions.

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Working in teams of two or three, the students created 15 different projects. 10 completed games were entered into the contest.

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Out of 3,700 entries nationwide, 17 winning games were selected and TWO were from Stuart! Math Racing Mania and Animal Inequities

Math Racing Mania

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won in the PBS Ready to Learn Category of

Animal Inequalities

the Challenge.

(L to R) Julia Weingaertner, Sarah Lippman, Ms. Alicia Testa, Madeleine Lapuerta, Chloe Mario, and Emma Froehlich were honored at a ceremony at The Smithsonian American Museum of Art in Washington DC. Each student received a laptop and educational software. Each team also won $2,000 for Stuart.

As the only five girls out of 28 winning middle and high

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Photo credit: Princeton Patch

school students, Stuart girls receive widespread media recognition.

“Honestly, these games are better than 90% of the educational games in the app store.�

Amy Kraft, wired.com 17

YEAR IN REVIEW 18

T he Arts THINK. LEAD. CHANGE.

Stuart’s thriving Visual and Performing Arts Program begins in Preschool and extends through Grade 12. The arts are woven into the curriculum at every opportunity, and classes in music, drama, dance and art encourage self-expression, self-confidence and creative collaboration. Stuart’s intimate size offers students many opportunities for artist expression – from participating in elaborate stage productions to working closely with our talented arts faculty on independent work.

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS HIGHLIGHTS • Preschool, JK, and Kindergarten Art Club exhibited their work Colorful Birds at the Princeton Public Library.

• Our girls performed in four musical productions including Hairspray, Seussical and Annie, Jr., as well as A Servant of Two Masters, a major drama, and numerous other stage productions.

• The Tartantones capped off a successful singing year by earning first place at the Music in the Parks Competition.

• The Middle School Selects Choir was victorious at a New Jersey Music Educators Association Chorus Festival.

• A painting by Kristen Martucci ’16 was selected for West Windsor Art Council Exhibition.

• Photographs by Avelyn Simons and Amy Rosica, Grade 5, and Gabrielle Funez ’14, were published in aMuse, the Arts Council of Princeton’s publication of poetry and art. Senior Wenjia Tang’s artwork was chosen for the cover.

• The artwork of Vidhi Patel ’18, Vivian Mayr ’17, and Kristen Martucci ’16 was featured in the Princeton Symphony Orchestra Exhibition: Listen Up! • Three students won awards at the Rush Holt Annual Student Congressional Art Exhibition: Wenjia Tang ’12, First Prize and Jen Liu ’12, Second Prize in Computer Generated Art; and Vanessa Li ’14 received First Prize in Photography.

• Every student participated in the annual Spring Student Art Show and Lower School students took each other on an Art Crawl through the exhibition.

• Students studied the interplay of image and poetry through the work of alumnae Susan Rizzo ’69 and Allison Gratton ’00, and the landscapes of artist Jennifer Hawkes, exhibited in the Considine Gallery this year.

• All Stuart students from Preschool, Lower, Middle and Upper School sang for the Stuart community and parents at choral performances throughout the year including Christmas and spring celebrations.

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YEAR IN REVIEW

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THINK. LEAD. CHANGE.

This year Stuart welcomed Kim Ciarrocca to the helm of our athletics and physical education programs. An All-American and World Cup athlete in her own right, Ms. Ciarrocca brought 20 years of NCAA women’s coaching experience to Stuart, as well as a masters degree in sports administration and a BA in health and physical education. She got to work immediately, calling every Upper School student over the summer to find out what fall sport they would be playing - the results were fantastic. Stuart’s inaugural soccer team had over 20 players, and we also fielded JV and varsity field hockey, tennis and cross country teams in the fall.

ATHLETICS HIGHLIGHTS • In response to requests from students, Stuart added both soccer and volleyball teams to the Upper School athletics opportunities.

• The varsity track and field team broke many records this season and had first, second and third place showings in hurdles, relay, triple jump, discus and shot put at NJ State Prep B competition.

• NJ State Prep B indoor track success included new records, a finalist in the 800

• A Stuart swimmer advanced to the finals in the Mercer County Tournament.

• Four varsity field hockey players were recognized with All-Prep Team and All Central NJ Coaches honors.

• Recreational volleyball was added for Middle School students.

• Athletics opportunities for Lower School students were expanded to include golf, lacrosse, soccer, basketball and tennis.

meter run, and the shot put championship.

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YEAR IN REVIEW

Leadership opportunities for students at Stuart begin at the lower grades and increase exponentially through high school.

These can take many forms; in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, in the studio, and the labs. We are most proud of our

THINK. LEAD. CHANGE.

LIES, LIGHT, MCCARTHY VISITING AUTHOR PROGRAM

programs that bring women leaders to Stuart for the girls as well as the greater Princeton community.

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

The Lies, Light, McCarthy Visiting Author Program brings prominent authors to Stuart who share their knowledge and experience with the students. This year we welcomed poet Naomi Shihab Nye. Ms. Nye was warm and generous. From singing to the Preschool, lunch with Senior Scholars, tea with Middle School students to poetry readings for Lower School girls, Ms. Nye graciously shared her work, humor and expertise. Though Photo credit: Ha Lam

she was here for just a day, her visit will

Stuart brings world-renowned women to campus through the Women in Leadership Program, giving our girls the opportunity to meet women who shape opinions and make a difference. This year’s speaker, Sister Helen Prejean, is the best-selling author of Dead Man Walking: An Eyewitness Account of the Death Penalty in the United States. Her work with those on death row exemplifies Sacred Heart Goal 3, a social awareness that impels to action.

be remembered for a lifetime by us all.

In the fall, Dr. Patty Fagin joined 56 heads of school from International Sacred Heart schools in 15 countries for a Heads Conference in New Taipei City on the Danshui River in Taiwan.

SACRED HEART GOALS AWARDS Our outstanding faculty lead and mentor by example every day at Stuart. We applaud those who live and breathe life into the words that make up our Sacred Heart Goals:

GOAL ONE

A personal and active faith in God

Awarded to Anne Pierpont GOAL TWO

A deep respect for intellectual values

Awarded to Ginny Moore GOAL THREE

A social awareness which impels to action

Awarded to Madelaine Shellaby and Anne Hoppenot GOAL FOUR

The building of community as a Christian value

Awarded to Phyllis Wright GOAL FIVE

Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom

Awarded to Pieta Shukwit 22

At Stuart values are embedded into every single course from the very beginning of Preschool through graduation. Our exquisite building conceived by Jean Labatut reminds us at every turn of our Sacred Heart foundation, our relationships, and that we are blessed to be a part of this very special community.

Active Faith THINK. LEAD. CHANGE.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: • The Stuart community participated in monthly Masses and frequent prayer services with students serving as altar servers, readers and Eucharistic ministers.

• Our Kindergarten, first and second grade students led prayer services three times per week.

• Each eighth grader ran a Morning Reflection with a prayer of her own choosing and the entire class concluded the year with a prayer service for parents that they organized, planned and led.

• A new Campus Ministry web page was created for Upper School students as a place to share morning prayers, reflections, prayers, and intentions.

• Students participated in numerous field trips and retreats which helped them to explore their faith. Trips included the Cloisters, Sprout Creek, Amish Country, and the Junior Kairos Retreat.

• In longstanding Campus Ministry tradition, the Junior Class celebrated their graduating Senior sisters at the Junior Senior Prayer Service.

• Sister Nancy Kehoe, PhD, graced our School with a special intimate discussion of her book Wrestling with our Inner Angels: Faith, Mental Illness, and the Journey to Wholeness.

• The Grade 11 World Religions classes created a giant mandala in the Front Hall with the food donations destined for Mt. Carmel Guild.

• The Senior Class researched, created and presented business plans, and educated our community on six new “Invisible Issues.”

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YEAR IN REVIEW

Thirteen Lower and

Making a

• The Stuart Community prepared and served over

Middle School Stuart

800 meals and collected coats for our annual

girls (and a mom) gave

Loaves and Fishes Dinner at St. Mary’s Cathedral in

the gift of their hair

Trenton.

to children through Locks of Love.

• Gifts for 239 children were donated to the Martin House Christmas Sharing Program.

• Lower School students raised $400 to support a Sacred Heart education for a young woman in Uganda.

• Grades 3, 4 and 5 students developed “businesses” to raise money for KIVA microfinance loans, Heifer International and HomeFront.

• Lower School students continued to raise money for UNICEF and the St. Jude Math-A-Thon, contributing a total of $70,000 in the past six years.

• The Middle School continued long-standing relationships with Martin House and PJ Hill School, sharing joy by hosting events for their new friends.

• Grade 8 students worked side by side with boys from Princeton Academy at the Hillside FoodBank.

• A Middle School student-athlete was nominated by Rutgers University for her dedication to community service and helping our soldiers overseas.

• Religion classes participated in “Operation Rice Bowl” through Catholic Relief Services.

• Seven Middle and one Upper School student(s) were selected to take part in Sacred Heart Network Summer Service Projects across the country.

• The Upper School “Heart to Heart Club” raised funds in support of our schools in Uganda, Haiti and Peru.

• A Freshman was recognized for her work in fair trade and received the 2011 Sustainable Princeton Leadership Award.

• Stuart hosted our Sacred Heart sisters’ Campus Ministry Clubs from Bryn Mawr (PA), Convent of the Sacred Heart (91st Street in NYC), and Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich (CT).

• The Upper School held a Pink Out Day to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

• The Robotics Team hosted a free summer camp at the Trenton Library.

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Difference through Action THINK. LEAD. CHANGE.

Our Campus Ministry and Outreach Clubs worked together to stock shelves at the Crisis Ministry in Trenton, and each A social awareness that impels to action has

month the Campus

been a fundamental pillar of a Sacred Heart

Ministry Club

education from the very beginning. St.

provided cutlery for

Madeleine Sophie and St. Philippine

HomeFront.

Duchesne set out to educate girls so they could, in turn, make an impact and a difference in the world. This is one of the fundamental components of a Stuart education and sets us apart. We celebrate the continued work of our Sacred Heart Founding Mothers through the actions of Stuart girls.

Upper School students performed more than 9,000

Following damage from Hurricane Irene, Middle School students,

hours of service

parents and faculty came together for a service project to clean up

this year at

Stuart’s Nature Trail.

organizations including: Habitat for Humanity and Young Scholars Institute in Trenton, Stony Brook Watershed in Pennington, Acorn Glen Assisted Living in Princeton and Appalachia Service Project in West Virginia.

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YEAR IN REVIEW

In Honor of Kathleen Cox, RSCJ From her Friend and Teaching Partner, Sheila Schnell

When I think of Kathleen, I am reminded of the lines of a song:

the halls seemed to pulse with “Sister Cox is here, Sister Cox is

“You will walk in good company.”

here!” They would come walking fast—they never ran in front of

Walking...you certainly loved to walk, Kathleen. You walked the halls of Stuart, the Great Road, a good part of Central New Jersey, your beloved

you—and crowd around you. Yet you never sought this out; you seemed almost surprised by the excitement you caused.

NYC. You and I walked together, and you shared your memories and

You were so genuine, you touched so gently. You were a link to the

thoughts with me: your family, RSCJs that you had known and loved,

past, you were an example of why the RSCJs were so highly regarded.

the history of the C Corridor, and Stuart before my time. You brought

It was so simple, really; no fancy words from you. Just fierce loyalty,

words on a page to life.

You listened when I shared, you supported me, you

“You knew when to laugh, you loved life, and people wanted to be with you.”

strong priorities, a tenacious belief in God and the goodness of us all.

Now your steps here are silenced.

loved my family, and you shared your bountiful wisdom with such

But there is no doubt for those of us who knew you: you are with your

gentleness. Yet you did not take yourself too seriously. You knew

family, Saint Madeleine Sophie, Saint Philippine, Sisters Janet Stuart,

when to laugh, you loved life, and people wanted to be with you.

and all those who waited for you to come to them.

The twelve years we spent together as grade partners left an

Now, you truly walk in good company, my Friend.

indelible mark on my heart, on my family’s heart. Yet I know I am not alone with such memories. You touched everyone. Your

Sheila

students were your priority. When you returned to Stuart to visit,

Sister Kathleen Cox (on right) and Sheila Schnell (on left) with their Grade 2 class in 1985, the first year they taught together.

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ALUMNAE NEWS

A lum na e Ne ws The 2011-2012

the Class of 1967 for winning awards both

I’d like to thank this year’s Stuart Alumnae

school year was an

for the greatest percentage in attendance

Board for their time and dedication to our

active one for Stuart

at Alumnae Day as well as participation in

Alumnae Association, especially Kristin

alumnae! The fall

the Stuart Fund; kudos to the class of 2007

Rodewald Dawson ’80 (Vice-President) who

included a mother/

for the highest number of graduates at the

filled in for me when I was on “maternity

daughter alumnae

Alumnae Day brunch.

leave” from Stuart after the birth of my

pair art show, and the annual Ring Ceremony where each Junior received her class ring from a Senior or Stuart alumnae family member.

January 2012 began with the annual

The first edition of the Stuart Alumnae eNews hit inboxes in late June. The Stuart Alumnae Board worked hard to craft an informational newsletter which is intended to keep all alumnae connected with Stuart and all of the wonderful things happening there today. If you did not receive the

son, and also Michelle Evaul ’94 (Secretary) who served as alumnae representative on the Stuart Fund Cabinet. Finally, a warm welcome to Alicia Fruscione Walker ’98, the new Coordinator of Alumnae Relations. I look forward to a busy 2012-2013 school year and hope to see many alumnae at future events!

eNews, update your email address via

Sara Burchell Kestner ’96

alumnae@stuartschool.org.

Alumnae Board Chair

Little Christmas celebration where more than 25 recent Stuart alumnae came home to Stuart. In February, local alumnae gathered for a cocktail party to hear the latest Stuart updates. March marked the Stuart Alumnae Induction for the Class of 2012, where members of the Alumnae Board joined the seniors

2011–2012 ALUMNAE BOARD Sara Burchell Kestner ’96, President

Kavita Mathews ’04 Roxanne McElroy-White ’79

for a luncheon.

Kristin Rodewald Dawson ’80, Vice President

In May, the biannual Barbara Boggs

Michelle Evaul ’94, Secretary

Francesca Ferrante Segales ’76

Meagan Byrne ’06

Molly Hillenbrand Vernon ’96

Beatrice Chukumba Inyama ’86

H. Lydia Zaininger ’79

Mibs Southerland Mara ’83

Alicia Fruscione Walker ’98, Coordinator of Alumnae Relations

Sigmund award was presented at Alumnae Day to Leigh Morlock ’00, who is living in Cambodia working with native artisans to combat poverty. Congratulations to

Melissa Baggitt Scott ’75

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ALUMNAE NEWS

Alumnae Year in Review

Congratulations to Lauren Morford ’03

JUNIOR RING CEREMONY

who competed at the 2012 US Swimming

Students, faculty, parents, and alumnae

Olympic Trials in Omaha, Nebraska. She

gathered in Cor Unum for the beautiful

swam for Eastern Express in Princeton,

and unique candlelit ceremony. Dr. Fagin,

and then Columbia University where she

Rev. Msgr. Gregory Malovetz, and Mrs.

was 2004 Ivy League Champion and team

Soos each took a moment to speak about

captain. Lauren also competed at the

the ties that bind our community together

2008 Olympic Trials.

Well known for her trailblazing work in tech blogging for CNET, Caroline McCarthy ’02 (now at Google) was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 list. You can catch up or “hang out” with Caroline on Google+.

and to reflect on all that the ring with the deer drinking from the stream represents.

Afterwards, the Front Hall was filled with excited Juniors having their rings turned 114 times! 100 times plus their class year, plus one for luck.

100 DAYS TO GRADUATION Seniors were inducted into the Stuart Alumnae Association at a luncheon following the traditional 100 Days to Graduation celebration. Seniors donned the special crowns made with

ALUMNAE LITTLE CHRISTMAS

love by Preschool students while they

More than 25 recent Stuart alumnae

paraded through the halls for the Stuart

returned to visit with classmates, faculty

community.

and staff, and enjoy lunch with the Senior

Molly Hillenbrand Vernon ’96 has moved her store Luxaby Baby & Child to a larger space on Hulfish Street in Princeton. Somehow Molly also found the time this year to write Luxaby Lily, a children’s book.

Class. The graduates also shared with eighth graders their experience of life in Upper School and college.

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Send us your news to share: alumnae@stuartschool.org

Amanda Sharp ’08 came to Stuart to demonstrate making plaster molds for casting rubber for Upper School art students. Congrats to Amanda as she recently won the regional II Excellence in Costume Design Award at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

Shelley Wollert ’94 is working on a new project that took her off the coast of Iceland to the “Island of Elska.” Elska is a full-blown multi-media project for children, and her debut album, Middle of Nowhere, will be

Shannon O’Gorman ’11 competed in the

released this fall at islandofelska.com.

Irish 2012 Dance World Championships in Belfast, Ireland last spring, and recently placed in the top 5 ladies under 19 at the North American Championships in Chicago so she’s qualified once again for the 2013 World Championships in Boston.

Allysa Dittmar ’10 and her father, George, paid tribute to her mother Diane, a beloved member of the Stuart community, by participating in Overnight Walk in San Francisco, raising funds and awareness for suicide prevention.

Impassioned Alumna Abigail Borah ’09 spoke

WOMEN WE ADMIRE DAY In March, alumnae Dr. Keo (Feurstein) Van Why ’99, attorney Mia Tinari ’00, and performer Shelley Wollert ’94 delighted Lower School girls with a visit during Women We Admire Day.

out at UN Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa to raise awareness for the need for international climate controls.

Clare Quinlan ’07 spoke to Grade 8 Spanish students about Spanish Civil War photography. Clare was an art history/ Spanish double-major at Williams College and studied in Madrid where she researched the topic. Thanks Clare!

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ALUMNAE NEWS

Alumnae Day 2012 Pieta Shukwit, retiring Lower School Head and Missy Bruvik reconnect with students at Alumnae Day 2012!

Poetry in Motion 5K Run It was a glorious day and many friends and family of the Stuart Community turned out for the 5th Annual Poetry in Motion 5K and Children’s Run on May 19, 2012. The event, held in memory of Victoria Flournoy McCarthy ’71, helps fund the Lies, Light, McCarthy Visiting author program which allows all girls, from Kindergarten through

Class of 2007 had the greatest number of alumnae return!

Grade 12, to study a contemporary worldclass author and then spend the day with the author at Stuart.

Members of the Class of 1967 receiving the Kerney Cup for best attendance at Alumnae Day (by percentage of the graduating class).

Inaugural Alumnae Gallery Inductees: from left to right, Megan Hunter Ruf ’97, Dr. Shelley Hearne ’79, Head of School, Dr. Patty L. Fagin, and Nell Merlino ’71.

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Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award

by Alisha Mehndiratta ’12 Leigh Morlock ’00

The Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award was created in honor of a former Stuart teacher and public servant who truly embodied the Sacred Heart goals in her everyday life. In memory of Barbara Boggs Sigmund, the Stuart Alumnae Association presents this award to one deserving alumna every other year, recognizing the recipient’s commitment to Sacred Heart values, especially Goal Three: a social awareness which impels to action. This year, the Association proudly presents the 2012 Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award to Leigh Morlock, Class of 2000.

Currently living in Cambodia, Ms. Morlock has dedicated her life to making a difference in the world, using everything she learned as a Sacred Heart student as inspiration. Specifically, she believes that she discovered her ability to be a leader in a male-dominated society from her time as a Stuart student. Combining leadership skills with a lifelong dedication to learning and serving others, Ms. Morlock has truly become an inspirational woman to watch and follow.

After graduating from Stuart in June 2000, Ms. Morlock attended Drew University, where she graduated Cum Laude with bachelor degrees in political science and theater arts. She continued volunteer activism by starting a team for AIDS Walk New York, raising funds for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis in NYC and the Hyacinth Foundation in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She then began to pursue her true passion; combining her strength as a leader with a powerful commitment to social service, Ms. Morlock began Push Pull

“Leigh Morlock clearly epitomizes the essence of a Sacred Heart woman; she is a powerful leader defying every obstacle, and she is a stewardess of humankind.”

Cambodia, a fashion business based in Cambodia that reinvests in the people. With her unique and creative business model, Ms. Morlock has ensured that her business does not strip the Cambodian people of resources; instead, her company provides employment and health services for local residents.

Despite being an impoverished nation, Cambodia is home to artisans with incredible talent and skill. As Co-Founder and Creative Director of Push Pull, Ms. Morlock appreciates this plethora of hidden skill and works

Harris Siegel received honorary membership in the Stuart Alumnae Association upon his retirement. Also receiving honorary membership that day were faculty members Ginny Moore, Madelaine Shellaby, and Pieta Shukwit.

closely with a community of Ikat Artisans in the Takeo Province of Cambodia. Push Pull employs approximately 46 Cambodians from this community, offering stability, living wages, annual ophthalmology visits, and other medical benefits to help the workers support their families.

However, Ms. Morlock does not want to stop here. She wants to invest in the community by making long-term sustainable change. Therefore, she plans to give 10% of the company’s profits back to the Takeo Province for the residents to use in whatever developmental projects they feel are most important, such as clean water and sanitation. To assist the community in this endeavor, Push Pull plans to launch a program this year to ensure that every artisan has access to clean water in his or her home.

Leigh Morlock clearly epitomizes the essence of a Sacred Heart woman; she is a powerful leader defying every obstacle, and she is a stewardess of humankind. Cambodia is a nation largely dominated by men, but Ms. Morlock has firmly established herself there and earned the respect of the people. It is a country built upon honoring the leadership of elders; yet, Ms. Morlock has created a thriving business community focused on spearheading change. Despite all her success, she simply believes she is living out a dream, thankful for having had the opportunity to “create the company [she] always wished existed—fair, compassionate, sustainable, and socially minded.”

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ALUMNAE NEWS

Alumnae Gallery Located just outside the office of the Head of School, the new gallery highlights alumnae whose work exemplifies the Sacred Heart Goals and characteristics outlined in Stuart’s Portrait of a Graduate. Featured alumnae will be chosen by the Alumnae Association Board and rotated annually.

Nell Merlino’71

Nell Merlino’s years at Stuart formed the foundation for her life-long commitment to empowering women. Nell is well-known for her part in founding Take Our Daughters to Work Day, moving more than 71 million Americans to give girls the opportunity to dream bigger about their futures. She is the founder and president of Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence, the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources for women to grow their micro

Megan Hunter Ruf ’97 Megan attended Stuart for 12 years, beginning in the first grade. Inspired by her teachers, she pursued a degree from Ohio State University in environmental science and wetlands ecology. Megan returned to New Jersey to work at the site of her senior community service project, Isles, Inc., a non-profit community development and environmental agency in Trenton.

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Shelley Hearne ’79

businesses into million dollar enterprises,

Shelley made quite an impact on the

inspiring entrepreneurs to think bigger and

Stuart community while she attended

grow dramatically.

from Grade 8 through graduation, but

Nell is also author of Stepping Out of Line:

Stuart made an even greater impact

Lessons for Women Who Want it Their Way in Life, in Love, and at Work. She has been a true public servant; in addition to working in state government and with the U.S. State Department, she created campaigns such as the YWCA’s The Week Without Violence and the United Nations’ Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.

on her. Shelley’s advocacy work began through her community service efforts as a Stuart student. After completing her undergraduate work at Bowdoin College and her Ph.D. from Columbia University’s School of Public Health, Shelley dedicated her professional work to protecting our nation’s health from preventable diseases. She is the managing director of the Pew Health Group at The Pew Charitable Trusts and is a visiting

After some time at home raising her three

professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg

children, Megan works as an independent

School of Public Health. Shelley is the

grant writer and program design

recipient of numerous awards for her public

consultant for non-profit agencies. She is

health work, has published numerous works

active in other non-profit work, including

on public health topics and ethics, and

serving on the Parks and Recreation

trains tomorrow’s medical and public health

Commission for the City of Lambertville

leaders on their role in these issues. Shelley

and serving on the board of the

credits her work to the social values instilled

Lambertville Area Education Foundation.

by her Stuart education. She embodies the

Megan is committed to inspiring and

Sacred Heart call to “always act as persons

effecting change through her passionate

of courage and integrity,” and uses this as

work on behalf of the children of her

her routine inspiration to continue her fight

community. She is the 2004 recipient of

to make the world a better place.

the Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

DECEMBER 8, 2012

Exhibition Opening Reception Sacred Spaces: Paintings and Mixed Media Works by Eileen Shahbender and Jessie Krause

Stuart Christmas Cocktail Party

SEPTEMBER 29, 2012 StuartFEST

OCTOBER 3

JANUARY 6, 2013 Winter Art Show Reception

JANUARY 7, 2013 Alumnae Little Christmas

New Parent Reception

APRIL 4, 2013

OCTOBER 13, 2012 Stuart Founders Club Dinner

Lies, Light, McCarthy Visiting Author Edwidge Danticat Award-winning novelist and memoirist

OCTOBER 20, 2012

MAY 11, 2013

50th Anniversary Closing Celebrations

Monte Carlo Magic Fall Gala and Casino Night

Poetry in Motion 5K Run in memory of Victoria Flournoy McCarthy ’71 to benefit the Lies, Light, McCarthy Visiting Author Program

2013 Alumnae Day activities will be part of the 50th Anniversary Kick Off Weekend on September 13/14, so there will not be an Alumnae Day in spring 2013.

OCTOBER 23, 2012 Women in Leadership Speaker: Professor Bonnie Bassler Award-winning molecular biologist at Princeton University

SEPTEMBER 13 & 14, 2013 50th Anniversary Kick-off Weekend

MAY 4, 2014

JUNE 8, 2013 Graduation

NOVEMBER 17, 2012 Community Trivia Night

Harris B. Siegel In Loving Memory 1936–2012

As we went to press, we learned of the unexpected passing of Stuart’s former Director of College Counseling, Mr. Harris Siegel. The following biography was written for us by Stephanie Champi ’12.

Harris B. Siegel grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a star football player in high school and upon graduation, he decided to take two post-graduate years at a local prep school where he learned how to study.

After his two post-graduate years, he attended Tufts University in Boston. He then matriculated to Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education and Boston University. Harris taught in various schools throughout the Boston area and Northern New Jersey. He also held vice-principal, principal, and college guidance counselor positions.

After retiring for the first time, he was asked by a New Jersey Bishop if he could fill position of college guidance counselor at a small, all-girls school in Princeton, New Jersey. He promised that he would stay to be the college counselor for one year, but instead he ended up staying for 18 years.

This past June, Harris retired from a full-time position at Stuart to work part time at Raritan Valley Community College to help students in the honors program transfer to four year institutions.

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STUART COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL of the SACRED HEART 1200 Stuart Road Princeton, NJ 08540

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Princeton, NJ Permit No. 310

609-921-2330 www.stuartschool.org facebook.com/stuartschool @stuartcdschool

Save the dates!

KICK-OFF WEEKEND Friday September 13, 2013

• Flag Ceremony/Mass of the Holy Spirit • Class visits, athletics, sing-a-long, & displays • Cocktails with Heads of School

Saturday, September 14, 2013

• Alumnae Brunch • Art50 Alumnae Art Exhibit Reception • StuartFEST Family Fun Day

CLOSING CELEBRATIONS Sunday, May 4, 2014

• Poetry in Motion 5K Run • Sacred Heart Goals Symposium • Closing Party

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