The Mary Louis Academy
85
YEARS
1936 Before us lie the coming years…
...their challenge clear we understand
2021
Principal Ann O’Hagan-Cordes ‘84 P ‘11 and the Board of Trustees welcome you to
THE MARY LOUIS ACADEMY 85th Anniversary Reception Honoring Rebecca Tomitz Armstrong ‘77 P ’09 & William C. Armstrong P ‘09 Grace C. Bonilla, Esq. ‘93 Sister Joan A. Killen CSJ Caroline Tear Latham ‘79 Maura Kelly Lewinger ‘95 P ‘23 & Joseph M. Lewinger P ‘23 Kailee A. Scales ‘93 Grace Scozzaro-Patchett & Thomas J. Patchett Hercules A. Small
Saturday, September 25, 2021
THE BOARD OF MEMBERS OF THE SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH BRENTWOOD, NEW YORK Sister Teresa Fitzgerald CSJ—President Sister Elizabeth Hill CSJ—Councillor Sister Maria Pascuzzi CSJ—Councillor Sister Phyllis Esposito CSJ—Councillor Sister Karen Burke CSJ—Councillor Sister Eileen Kelly CSJ—Treasurer Sister Thomasine Stagnitta CSJ—Secretary
TRUSTEES OF THE MARY LOUIS ACADEMY Arianna Ali ‘11 Melissa Dowd Begg, Sc.D. ‘81 Diane Guarascio Biolsi ‘83 Katherine Chan ‘04 Rebecca Wuest Creavin ‘82 Sister Nancy Gilchriest SSND, Ed.D. Regina King Gillis ‘01 Maureen Henry ‘76 - Chairperson Sister Patricia Mahoney CSJ Robert Maletta P ‘95 Andrea Pfenning ‘80 John Waldron P ‘98 & ‘05
FACULTY OF THE MARY LOUIS ACADEMY PRINCIPAL
Ann O’Hagan-Cordes ‘84 P ‘11
MATHEMATICS
ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARIES
Ellen Geis
Bernadette Gorman P ‘07
Kevin Kempski
Sister Lorraine O’Neill CSJ
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Jennifer Murillo P ‘25
Mary Pedote P ‘19
Jean Mauro
Diane O’Connell
ENGLISH
Laura Matelsky Antzoulis ‘09 Joseph Brennan—Chair
Sister Linda Pero CSJ ‘67 William Rabold Heather Reklis-Albanese—Chair
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR & OFFICE OF MARKETING & RECRUITMENT
Ellen Lynch Ferguson ‘04
Marianne Vaccaro Samothrakis ‘76 P ’01
AUXILIARY STAFF
Grace West
Sister Joan Heptig CSJ
Kathleen Dreyer
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
M. Patrice Woehling, Ph.D.
FINANCIAL OFFICE
Kellie Alberici Correira ‘09
Director of Finance
Ruthcelis Morales-Flores—Chair
Maria Finocchio
Thomas Cordero Christina Cordes ‘11
FINE ARTS
Vanessa Ryan Gecewicz ‘94 P ’22
Sylwia Schober
Finance Associate
Karen Dolan P ‘08
Kathleen Lynch
RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Sarah Pettitt
Kieran Larkin
GENERAL OFFICE
Brian Siemers—Chair
Michael McCarthy
Manager
Loramarie Muratore-Ninson
Josephine Bonanno P ‘19
Alison Pepe
Staff
Laura Rodgers—Chair
Christine Slattery P ‘24
GUIDANCE
Sister Joan Killen CSJ—Chair Lisa Mendolia Heather O’Connor Stephenie Rogers Juliana Santiago ‘10 Maria Venturino
Josephine Russo P ‘16 Campus Minister
Elizabeth Meittinis SCIENCE
College Counselors
Welita Chua P ‘96
Holly Barbarossa
Margaret Borhi Corrado ‘99
Jacqueline Kovach-Devlin
Anne Forde
MAINTENANCE STAFF
Walter Felicia Howard Holness—Plant Manager Keith Stanford MEDICAL OFFICE
Judy Blieka, RN ‘82 P ‘24
School Psychologist
Anthony Gadaleta
Christina Sama
Sheila Murphy, Ph.D.
Director
Martha Seitz Rezin ‘72—Chair
Sean Belon
Richard Titone
Assistant Director
Helen Yuen
Elizabeth McGlinchey Whalen ‘03
LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH
Jane DeTorre Adam Foley, Ph.D.
OFFICE OF ACADEMY ADVANCEMENT
Assistant Director
Ermione Kambouris, D.A.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Efrosini Liotopoulos P ‘17 & ‘20
James Blaney
Rita Piro ‘77—Chair
Mary Gallagher
SPORTS MEDICAL STAFF
Brigida Seoane ‘91
Loriann Murphy ‘89—Chair
Sports Medical Coordinator
Kevin O’Hagan P ‘23
Fokiom Avgerinos, D.C.
Ellie Siwicki
Athletic Certified Trainer
LIBRARY
Brittany Partinico Sister Joan Petito CSJ Marie Whelan—Chair
Sara Walden
Judy Belon
Kathia France Strength and Conditioning Coach
TECHNOLOGY
Aja Campbell ‘04
Sister Grace Avila Seckendorf CSJ TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Doreen Graw
Erin DiLorenzo
Andre Jackson
85TH ANNIVERSARY SPONSORS Event Sponsor
Anonymous Mary C. Hannon Ed.D. ‘77 Fleur-De-Lis Sponsor
Anonymous Hilltopper Sponsor
The DeMatteis & Kelley Families
THE HISTORY OF THE MARY LOUIS ACADEMY For over 80 years, the Academy's tall, brick and limestone Collegiate Gothic main building on Wexford Terrace has been a distinctive part of the Queens skyline. Despite the increasing number of buildings, it is an architectural landmark that can still be seen clearly from the Long Island Railroad. This is fitting because it was while traveling on the Long Island Railroad in early 1932 that, Mother Mary Louis, General Superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph, first gazed upon a beautiful hilltop in the countryside of Jamaica Estates and selected it as her ideal site for an academy. Although Mother Mary Louis died suddenly on May 22, 1932, in the midst of preparations for this new academy, her dream lived on among her congregation of Sisters. When Mother Mary Louis's plans to build this academy for girls in Queens were set in motion, the Sisters of St. Joseph came upon an obstacle, that hilltop, the Fox estate "Rose Crest", had already been purchased by the Passionist priests of the neighboring Immaculate Conception Monastery, with the intent to build a high school seminary for boys at that location. Archbishop Thomas Molloy intervened and convinced the Passionists to sell the estate to the Josephites, for exactly what they had paid for it themselves. In 1935 the Sisters of St. Joseph officially acquired the hilltop Rose Crest estate, a landmark of turn of the century Queens, and the Mediterranean Revival white stucco mansion became the convent for the Sisters who were to staff this "Private School for Girls." Mother Mary Louis had intended the new academy to be named Mother Fontbonne Academy, in memory of Jeanne Fontbonne, the foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Le Puy, France. Archbishop Molloy suggested that the Academy be named in memory of Mother Mary Louis herself, as she had been such a driving force for education in New York and had personally chosen the property. Sister Mary Angelica Clarkin CSJ, Ph.D., the founding principal, applied to the New York Department of Education for the official Academy charter in the name "Mother Mary Louis Academy." When the charter was delivered, it arrived with the first two letters, as well as the last, in the word "Mother" missing, thus the word "The" was permanently affixed to the name of The Mary Louis Academy.
The first students were fifteen young women who were greeted by a faculty of eight sisters for the first day of school on September 14, 1936. Classes were held in the parlor of the mansion that presently adjoins the Academy (now known as the Mary Louis Convent), while plans for the permanent Academy building were formulated. During this time two wings were also added to the mansion, housing a refectory and a Mission style chapel. The architect of the Academy's building, Henry Murphy, stated that he wanted to evoke the feel of the private prep schools found in New England. Mr. Murphy proceeded to model the building after the Sterling Law Building at Yale University. The completed Academy building took shape over a period of two years and finally opened its doors on October 16, 1938 providing numerous classrooms and offices along with science laboratories, a Gymnasium, Locker Room, Cafeteria, Reception Parlor, Auditorium and Library. The beautiful Collegiate Gothic masterpiece, now known as the "Main" building, stands as a structural testament to both art and architecture. James Nelson, the builder of TMLA, celebrated the birth of his daughter during the building's construction by naming her for the Academy. Mr. Nelson subsequently registered his newborn daughter as TMLA's first prospective student. Mary Louis Nelson went on to graduate from TMLA in 1955. In 1938 TMLA also opened the doors to the Mary Louis Kindergarten, a one-year pre-school program for 5 year old girls and boys. The Kindergarten was housed in a cottage adjacent to the Convent and later moved to Immaculata Hall one of the larger cottages on the Academy's campus (the present day Formation Cottage). Many of the female graduates of the Mary Louis Kindergarten, including Mary Louis Nelson, went on to graduate from TMLA itself. The stated purpose of The Mary Louis Academy was to educate young women to be leaders and make a positive contribution to the world. In order to achieve this purpose, a demanding academic program was introduced. This program included many of the subjects taught today, with the notable exception that Latin was then required for all students. TMLA is one of the few schools in the area which still offers Latin.
From the very beginning, a variety of extra-curricular activities extended the interests of the students. Mariel, the school newspaper, published its first issue in 1936. Glee Club and Orchestra, the drama club Genesians, and the language clubs fostered student talents. The Athletic Association sponsored field days and many intramural events. The Christmas Pageant, sponsored by the Sodality, became an annual event. TMLA's Forensics Team (Speech & Debate) was gifted with their long serving Head Coach Bob Sheppard. Sports Night provided the students with the opportunity to exhibit their school pride and creativity, this evolved into Spirit Night and has become one of TMLA's most beloved and hallowed annual traditions. The year 1940 saw the first Commencement Exercises of The Mary Louis Academy, with the introduction of the C.L.S. Award. The C.L.S. Award is the Academy's highest honor and is awarded to graduates who most exemplify the three main hallmarks of a Mary Louis woman - Character, Loyalty and Spirit of Study. Less than twenty years after its founding, the Academy's population had outgrown the building. All available space, including the Reception Parlor, the Faculty Dining Room, and several music rooms, had already been converted to classrooms. In 1955 construction began on an addition, initially to be named DeChantal Wing, but ever after known simply as "The Wing." When the new wing was opened in 1957, the capacity of the Academy was doubled. The original Cafeteria, DeChantal Hall, was redesigned into a new seven room Music Complex, the original Locker Room became the ten room Guidance Complex, the Reception Parlor became the General Office, a new Biology Laboratory, a new Cafeteria, a Board Room, a Home Economics Complex, a new Locker Room and many classrooms were added. The new construction also added a third wing to the convent, in order to house the additional Sisters needed to staff the enlarged Academy. During the 1960s and 1970s, the Academy knew many more changes in curriculum and the use of physical space. These came as a response to the educational climate of the times and the revision of the secondary school curriculum by the New York Department of Education. Resource Centers were created, a new Art Studio (named the Art Cottage) was constructed on the campus, and the Library was enlarged. The 1970s also saw the Mary Louis Kindergarten close its doors, in deference to the neighboring Immaculate Conception Elementary School instituting a Kindergarten program of their own. As a response to the needs of the 1980s, Computer Science was introduced, and a Computer Room was created. The Academy applied for and was granted accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The Board Room was renovated and consecrated as the
Academy's student Chapel to provide a sacred space that welcomes both faculty and students. This decade also saw the expansion of the campus with the purchase of neighboring property. In the 1990s, focusing their vision toward the education of today's young women who must meet the challenges of the 21st century, two state-of-the-art computer laboratories were added and the Chemistry, Physics and Earth Science Laboratories were completely renovated and technologically updated. In addition to the new laboratories, computers were added to the resource centers, every classroom and the Library. In the new millennium the Auditorium underwent a period renovation with restored lighting, refinished stage, new flooring, cushioned seats and air conditioning. The Main Staircase, constructed in 1937 of carved limestone and glazed terracotta tile, underwent an architectural restoration and the General Office (the original Reception Parlor) was restored to its 1938 floorplan. Home Economics was removed from the New York State Regents curriculum and the Home Economics Complex was redesigned into three additional classrooms. In 2004, TMLA expanded a third time, absorbing and totally renovating the adjacent wing of the Convent. This expansion provided more classrooms as well as additional academic and counseling offices. Since 2008 the Biology Laboratory and Art Cottage underwent state-of-the art renovations along with the installation of SMARTBoard technology in every classroom, laboratory and resource center throughout the campus.
In 2011 the number of Sisters residing in the Mary Louis Convent had dwindled to such a point that it was no longer feasible for them to maintain such a large residence, as a result the remaining Sisters relocated to neighboring convents and the Convent building was turned over to TMLA for The Academy's use. In the summer of 2014 TMLA expanded once again by totally renovating and repurposing the former Convent Building (the original Rose Crest Mansion). This expansion and renovation resulted in the addition of over 12,500 square feet to The Academy's facilities including a Student Lounge, Art Solarium, Engineering Laboratory, Mathematics Laboratory, Culinary Arts Center, an 11 bedroom overnight Student Retreat facility and a return to the original Mission-style Chapel.
The following years have seen the creation of TMLA’s Aspire Program, an in-depth college preparatory program unparalleled anywhere in the country. The addition of a full time School Psychologist to ensure TMLA ministers to as many facets of a student’s life as possible made Mary Louis the first high school in NYC to have our own School Psychologist. Recent additions to the campus include a Health Sciences Laboratory, Asian Art Gallery, College Center and a Library Makerspace. TMLA’s 8th decade has also seen significant growth in TMLA’s curriculum as well, including the implementation of Diploma Designations. These programs, akin to college majors, allow our students to declare a specific area of interest and engage in intensive study of that field. To date The Academy offers Designation programs in Pre-Med, Civic Leadership, Fine Arts, Dual Language, Service & Leadership, Literary Arts, Sports Medicine and S.T.E.M. The year 2018 saw the appointment of Mrs. Ann O’Hagan-Cordes, TMLA Class of 1984, to serve as the 11th Principal of The Mary Louis Academy. In addition to being the first lay principal of The Academy, Mrs. O’Hagan-Cordes is also the first alumna, and the first mother of an alumna, to lead TMLA’s administration. It is deemed quite fitting that a TMLA alumna is leading The Academy toward our ninth decade. Upon the recommendation of the New York City Council, the Office of the Mayor approved the naming of Wexford Terrace between Edgerton Boulevard and Dalny Road, Mother Mary Louis Way, in honor of Mother Mary Louis Crummey CSJ, founder and namesake of The Mary Louis Academy. In the mid-1930s it was considered a heroic act of faith to establish a school of any kind. In the midst of The Great Depression, when the prevailing spirit was one of pessimism, building a college preparatory academy for young women was a statement of belief in the future, and in the contributions of Catholic education and women of vision to that future. The founders of The Mary Louis Academy were women of great faith and vision. They saw the women who graduated from Mary Louis as a force for good in society. The Mary Louis woman would make a difference.
A ND S HE D OES!
THE ADMINISTRATORS OF THE MARY LOUIS ACADEMY PRINCIPALS Sister Mary Angelica Clarkin CSJ, Ph.D.
Sister Mary Immaculata Muldoon CSJ
1936—1946
1969—1971
Sister Augustine Maria Early CSJ, Ph.D.
Sister Angela Mullen CSJ
1946—1952
1971—1977
Sister Mary Borgia Franklin CSJ
Sister Clara Santoro CSJ
1952—1961
1977—1986
Sister Anna Letitia Meade CSJ
Sister Joan Petito CSJ
1961—1967
1986—1997
Sister Virginia Therese Callahan CSJ
Sister Kathleen McKinney CSJ, Ed.D H ’18
1967—1969
1997—2018
Mrs. Ann O’Hagan-Cordes ‘84 P ‘11 2018-present
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS Sister Miriam Fidelis Gately CSJ
Sister Filippa Luciano CSJ ‘54
1940-1968
1986—2015
Sister Thomas Winifred Everett CSJ
Sister Eileen Gildea CSJ
1967—1971
1987—2010
Sister Valerie Scholl CSJ ‘55
Mrs. Ann O’Hagan-Cordes ‘84 P ‘11
1972—1977
2010—2018
Sister Lucille L’Episcopo CSJ ‘51
Mrs. Jean Mauro
1976—1988
2018—present
Sister Joan Petito CSJ
Mr. Joseph Lewinger P ‘23
1980—1986
2018—2020
FROM MARY ANN TO MARY LOUIS In 1856 a young Irish immigrant, and recent widower, James Crummey knocked on the door of the convent at St. Mary’s Academy in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and entrusted the newly arrived Sisters of St. Joseph with a most important task. Mr. Crummey was in need of the Sisters to educate and care for his two motherless young daughters, 8 year old Mary Ann and 6 year old Ellie. Both girls were enrolled in the Academy of St. Joseph, the boarding school located at the sisters’ Motherhouse in Flushing. Young Mary Ann excelled in her studies and soon showed a remarkable gift for all things musical, going on to become an accomplished singer and organist. In 1863 Mary Ann responded to her calling and entered the Novitiate of the Congregation of St. Joseph, being given the religious name of Sister Mary Louis. We are quite certain that no one at that time had any idea just how far that name would one day resonate! On August 25, 1864 she received the habit from Bishop Loughlin, and on August 29, 1866 she made her final profession in the hands of the Reverend James O’Beirne. Thus began what would prove to be her truly phenomenal ministry as a Sister of St. Joseph. Sister Mary Louis devoted herself to the CSJ ministries of education and love of the dear neighbor, becoming a much respected music teacher at her own alma mater, The Academy of St. Joseph, and ultimately was honored with appointment as Directress of Music for her entire Congregation. On August 18, 1892, at the age of only 44 years old, Sister Mary Louis was deeply humbled when her community of Sisters elected her to serve as their congregational leader as General Superior. Now honored with the new title of Mother Mary Louis, she set out to lead her community of sisters forward in their ministries. Little did she know then that she would be repeatedly re-elected to this high office, ultimately holding this position for 40 years. During her tenure as General Superior the Sisters of St. Joseph enjoyed tremendous growth and achievement, in large part due to the unswerving leadership of this courageous woman of faith. When Mother Mary Louis took office in 1892 the number of Sisters was at 300, by the time of her death 40 years later the congregation had nearly quadrupled to over 1,100 women religious.
In 1896, due to the exponential growth of her congregation, Mother Mary Louis purchased 350 acres of property in the rural town of Brentwood, NY with the intent to build a new, expanded Motherhouse. In 1903 the CSJ Motherhouse relocated from Flushing to its present location in Brentwood…all of which was facilitated personally by Mother Mary Louis. Mother Mary Louis truly believed that she and her sisters were called to minister to God’s people wherever they were needed. In total Mother Mary Louis personally established 29 Elementary Schools, 10 High Schools, 2 Colleges, 2 Nursing Schools, 2 Hospitals, 2 Orphanages , 2 Retreat Houses, a Dispensary and the extension of her Congregation’s ministry to the island of Puerto Rico. All of this was accomplished while Mother Mary Louis continued the operation and growth of an additional 24 elementary schools, 3 high schools and 2 orphanages already founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph prior to her taking office. Mother Mary Louis’s insistence on providing quality education and limitless opportunities also included the Sisters in her congregation. In the early 1900’s, when many people did not consider it essential for women to receive even a high school diploma, Mother Mary Louis was encouraging her Sisters not only toward Bachelor’s Degrees but toward graduate and post-graduate work. Largely through her efforts, the Sisters of St. Joseph developed into a cadre of highly competent women who molded future generations in a rapidly changing world. In early 1932 Mother Mary Louis initiated plans to purchase the hilltop Adikes Estate located in Jamaica Estates. She chose this as her ideal location for a new college preparatory academy for young women. In the midst of these plans Mother Mary Louis was felled by sudden illness, passing away a month later on May 22, 1932. On May 23, 1932 the New York Times proclaimed Mother Mary Louis’s work of 40 years “phenomenal”. The impact of Mother Mary Louis’s 70 year ministry as a Sister of St. Joseph can still be felt today. Hundreds of thousands of women and men have benefited from the educations, healthcare and empowerment received in the 54 institutions founded by this extraordinary woman of vision.
In 1934 the Sisters of St. Joseph picked up where Mother Mary Louis had left off and proceeded with her plans to open that new academy in Jamaica Estates. Mother Mary Louis had intended this academy to be named in memory of Mother St. John Fontbonne - foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph. After her passing the Sisters of St. Joseph decided to establish her last academy as a memorial to Mother Mary Louis herself, a true trailblazer who transcended the traditional gender roles of her times. In a time when women were often marginalized and treated as “second class citizens”, Mother Mary Louis provided a powerful and lasting example of the leadership abilities of women. She blazed a trail that we proudly follow to this day. We honor Mother Mary Louis with our gratitude for all that she did over the course of her phenomenal life; we are honored to bear her name! The graduates and students, both present and future, of The Mary Louis Academy improve our world each day. This is fitting as they carry forward the mission, ministry and vision of Reverend Mother Mary Louis, THE original TMLA Trailblazer!
The Seal of The Mary Louis Academy The official Seal of The Mary Louis Academy was designed by Sister Regina Celeste in 1937. The seal is designated with a cross for faith, a crown for Saint Louis the King and three lilies for the purity of St. Joseph and our Blessed Mother. These are enclosed by a scroll which represents life, and bears the Academy motto “Fidem Servavi.” The ends of the scroll are rolled, signifying the years that have been spent before coming to The Mary Louis Academy and the years that will come after graduation. The top of the seal bears the date 1936, the year the Academy was founded. Our school colors of blue and gold represent loyalty and love.
T.H.E. THE HALL OF EXCELLENCE 85th Anniversary Honorees
REBECCA TOMITZ ARMSTRONG ‘77 P ‘09
Rebecca Tomitz Armstrong is a lifelong resident of Middle Village, Queens and an ever faithful supporter and volunteer extraordinaire of The Mary Louis Academy. Rebecca entered TMLA in 1973 and, though a member of the Class of ’77, Rebecca earned enough credits to graduate early in 1976. Upon early graduation from TMLA Rebecca began her undergraduate studies at St. Francis College in Brooklyn. There Rebecca met the man she would build a future with, Bill Armstrong. Rebecca earned a BS in Medical Technology and began her career as Medical Technologist and Phlebotomist at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn before moving on to a position as Microbiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, a role she held for the next 10 years. Rebecca left her career in medicine behind when she made the decision to embark on what she considers the most important and fulfilling role she has ever held, as mother to Will, Chris, and Alanna. Rebecca immersed herself in every element of her children’s lives, volunteering at St. Margaret School in Middle Village (an alma mater she shares with her children) on the Home School Board and as a Girl Scout Troop Leader. In 2005 Rebecca and her daughter Alanna added an additional shared alma mater when Alanna entered The Mary Louis Academy. During Alanna’s time at TMLA, Rebecca resurrected the long dormant Parents’ Club, turning it into a thriving organization and a significant source of fundraising income for TMLA. Rebecca served as Parents’ Club President from 2005-2009 while simultaneously serving as CoChair of TMLA’s 70th Anniversary Gala in 2006.
REBECCA TOMITZ ARMSTRONG ‘77 P ‘09
In addition to her obvious commitment to TMLA, Rebecca has also served as a Football and Rugby Mom as well as member of the Parents’ Association at her sons’ alma mater, Xavier High School. A longstanding member of The Guild of St. Francis Hospital, she also served as Vice President and Executive Board Member. Closer to home, she serves as Eucharistic Minister, Co-Chair of the Oktoberfest celebration and a member of the St. Martha Guild (a ministry of consolation) at her parish of St. Margaret’s. If all of that has not been enough, Rebecca continues to volunteer with TMLA’s Alumnae Association as Class Representative for her Class of 1977 and, along with her daughter Alanna, joined us on TMLA’s inaugural Alumnae International Trip to Discover our Roots in Le Puy, France. Rebecca has spent the better part of her life as a “full-time volunteer,” giving so much of herself back to her community, and TMLA, as one of the greatest beneficiaries of her time and talent, is a far better place for the love and dedication given to us by Rebecca Tomitz Armstrong. Congratulations Rebecca and thank you for being a “TMLA Girl” through and through!
WILLIAM C. ARMSTRONG P ‘09
William C. Armstrong was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY surrounded by Catholic education and the Sisters of St. Joseph. Bill graduated from St. Brendan’s Diocesan High School (a Sisters of St. Joseph school) in 1975, going on to St. Francis College where he not only earned a BS in Accounting but also where he met the love of his life, Rebecca. Along with his degree from St. Francis College, Bill also earned an MBA in Finance from St. John’s University and is a Certified Public Accountant, a Fellow of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the New York Society of Certified Public Accountants. Bill has been a lifelong champion of the Catholic mission and related causes. His stellar career includes senior finance positions in public accounting with KPMG and Catholic healthcare for over thirty years, including 22 years with Catholic Health Services of Long Island. In this ministry Bill served as Vice-President of Finance for the Catholic Medical Centers of Brooklyn and Queens before transitioning to the role of CFO of St. Francis Hospital, Mercy Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital. His career culminated with his role as Senior Vice-President of Finance for Catholic Health Services of Long Island, overseeing a $2.5 billion organization with six acute care hospitals, three nursing homes, a home health care agency, a hospice, and a center for individuals with developmental disabilities. Bill’s financial acumen and dedication to the mission of Catholic health care allowed the system to grow and provide world-class care for patients across Long Island.
WILLIAM C. ARMSTRONG P ‘09
Bill has further served his community by serving on the Board of Trustees of The Mary Louis Academy, on the Board of Directors of Graybeards, LLC, a non-profit service organization in Rockaway Beach, and as a CYO Basketball Coach for his parish, St. Margaret’s, in Middle Village. Bill is a loving husband to Rebecca (TMLA Class of 1977) and proud father to Will, Christopher, and Alanna (TMLA Class of 2009.) We thank Bill for his generosity and dedication to the mission of The Mary Louis Academy and Catholic institutions all around our community. We are proud to have you as a member of our TMLA Family.
GRACE C. BONILLA, ESQ. ‘93
Grace Bonilla, a member of TMLA’s Class of 1993, has spent her entire life building bridges…bringing together what belongs together. In this way Grace truly lives the mission of TMLA and the Sisters of St. Joseph, each and every day. You could say she was born to be a Mary Louis woman! While at TMLA Grace was one of the stars of our Speech and Debate team alongside her lifelong best friend and sister honoree, Kailee Scales. We would like to think that the skills Grace learned here on our hill helped to give her the voice that she has used so strongly and fearlessly to lift up those around her and work to right the wrongs she encounters along the way. This is clearly evident in Grace’s current work with Covenant House. Grace joined Covenant House International in October of 2020 as the Senior Vice President for Latin America. Her portfolio includes services to homeless children (ages 10-18) in Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua, where they tackle the root causes of homelessness including, poverty, human trafficking, substance use, unstable political environments and the consequences of children migrating among these countries and the US. Before joining CHI, Grace worked in the social services space focused in New York City. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, in March of 2020, Grace was appointed by Mayor de Blasio to serve as the first Executive Director of the NYC Task force on Racial Equity and Inclusion, where she led a cross section of 80 city leaders and made over 100 recommendations, many of which are currently implemented. Grace was also appointed by Mayor de Blasio in February 2017 as Administrator of the New York City Human Resources Administration. In that capacity, she was responsible for working alongside the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services in leading the largest local social services agency in the United States; serving over 3 million New Yorkers through the administration of major public assistance programs and striving daily to combat poverty and income inequality in our city. Grace has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the nonprofit and public sectors.
GRACE C. BONILLA, ESQ. ‘93
Prior to her current role, Grace served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of The Committee for Hispanic Children & Families, Inc. In her role as President and CEO Grace led The Committee for Hispanic Children and Families in combining education and advocacy to expand opportunities for children and families and strengthen the voice of the Latinx community and provided a number of services through Youth Development programs, an Early Care & Education Institute, and policy and advocacy initiatives. From 2004-2014, Grace worked for Mayor Bloomberg’s Administration where she took on different leadership roles within the Human Resources Administration. She served as the Deputy Commissioner overseeing the Office of Community Affairs and Immigrant Services. In this capacity, she worked on issues regarding language access, immigrant eligibility, disability rights, and community engagement. Grace also served as Assistant Deputy Commissioner with the Office of Constituent Services where she made it her priority to find innovative solutions to better serve the needs of constituents who contacted the agency for assistance. In her time in this capacity, she also established quality control mechanisms that improved the reporting capabilities between the Office and other program areas. In 2009, Grace served as Director of Legislation and Policy at the Office of Child Support Enforcement and managed the first statewide project that assisted in establishing child support orders administratively and through mediation for low-income communities. In February of 2019 Grace was accepted into The Annie E. Casey Foundation Children and Family Class 11 Fellowship. The Annie E. Casey Foundation hosts a biennial fellowship which helps to train a generation of thought leaders to advance the field of social welfare. AECF is dedicated to addressing the issue of children at risk – focusing on community building and strengthening families through its multiple annual grants and training initiatives. Grace is a life-long New Yorker, a committed public servant and a true Mary Louis woman who has dedicated her career to shaping key policies that serve to alleviate equitable challenges in New York City. Grace earned her BA in Political Science from St. John’s University, and her JD from Brooklyn Law School, where in 2015 she was awarded the Cesar Perales Community Advocate Award. Grace currently lives in Queens with her husband and three sons.
SISTER JOAN A. KILLEN CSJ
Sister Joan Killen has quite literally spent most of the past 51 years serving her TMLA Family. Joan was born and raised in Flushing, Queens, a child in a large family where her parents always hoped one of their children would become either a priest or a nun. Joan’s calling fulfilled her parents’ dream and the witness of her life’s work is all the proof we need that she answered that call with an open heart, a brilliant mind and willing hands. We are blessed to have been the recipient of her ministry of inclusive love. Joan is not a TMLA graduate, much to our chagrin. Joan has been the lifelong recipient of an education from the Sisters of St. Joseph and did apply to TMLA, and was accepted, but chose to take the full scholarship offered to her by Bishop McDonnell High School at their Flushing Annex. Upon graduation from “Bishop’s” Joan quite enjoyed college life and driving around in her Chevy convertible and then entered the workforce. However, “someone” was calling Joan and would not be ignored and at the age of 23, Joan Ann Killen entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, being given the religious name of Sister Mary Paulita. Joan attended Brentwood College, where she earned a BS in Education and began her career in education with a brief period teaching at St. Joachim’s School in Cedarhurst, but her extraordinary gifts had gained the notice of her community and in 1970 she was assigned to teach Mathematics at The Mary Louis Academy. What an extraordinarily lucky day for all of us! Joan’s skill was such that she became known for teaching the advanced Math classes and in 1979 she was asked to take on some
SISTER JOAN A. KILLEN CSJ
additional responsibilities, temporarily, as Dean for the Class of 1980’s Senior Year. Joan, of course, agreed, and at the end of that year, Joan’s natural leadership abilities led to her being asked to continue those “temporary” responsibilities as Dean for the incoming Class of 1984. Joan’s intelligence and keen eye continued to attract notice from her community of Sisters. Joan was appointed Superior of the Mary Louis Convent and eventually went on to be elected to serve in the leadership of her community, first as a Regional Superior and then as First Councillor on the Leadership Team, serving with President Sister Angela Gannon. During all these years of service Joan somehow found the time to earn a Master’s in Student Teaching at Fordham University. When her time in elected office ended, Joan felt a new pull. She could have easily returned to her roots as a phenomenal Math Teacher and yet she felt called to help students in a different way. She returned to school to study Family Counseling at Iona College. With an array of new talents, Joan returned to TMLA. Joan has served in TMLA’s Guidance Department for the past 21 years, as Guidance Counselor to the Classes of 2004 and 2008 and as Chairperson of the Department since 2008. Joan has guided TMLA’s Guidance and College programs to new heights through the introduction of our renowned College Prep and Aspire programs. In addition, Joan helped TMLA become the first high school in NYC to have our own School Psychologist. At some point Joan must have felt that she simply had too much spare time on her hands, because in addition to all she was already doing, she agreed to serve as Moderator of TMLA’s Alumnae Association, a post she has held for the past 20 years. With Joan’s leadership, the involvement of TMLA’s alumnae and their families has risen to levels never seen before. TMLA is truly a blessed and better place for the ministry of Sister Joan Killen. We are so grateful to Joan for the example of her life, her service and her love. She truly embodies excellence in every way.
CAROLINE TEAR LATHAM ‘79
On February 26th, 2019 TMLA lost one of “our girls.” A man lost his wife, a boy lost his mother, a mother lost her daughter, a brother his sister and the world lost one of its brightest lights with the passing of Caroline Tear Latham. Caroline’s passing was sudden and unexpected. Having quietly touched the lives of so many people throughout the course of her life, not least of all the family she loved so much, Caroline left this world just as quietly, surrounded by love. In this way her passing was evocative of the gentle, humble woman she was. Caroline Tear was a proud product of Catholic education, graduating from Our Lady of Mercy School in Forest Hills before entering the halls of her beloved TMLA. Caroline’s years at TMLA were spent in typical Caroline fashion, quietly absorbing knowledge, learning and sharing and taking it all in. After graduating from TMLA in 1979, Caroline earned a BBA in International Marketing from Baruch College of Business and embarked on a tremendously successful career on Wall Street, but her true destiny lay ahead. After watching the movie Stand and Deliver, Caroline felt an incredible calling to educate and she answered that calling with everything she had. Caroline earned an MS in Math Leadership from Bank Street College of Education and embarked on a new career, changing the lives of young people forever. Caroline was a natural born educator and the proof of that can be seen in the thousands of students she taught at The American School in Japan, the Hewitt School, St. Agnes Boys High School, Cornell University, Bank Street College, and the Convent of the Sacred Heart. In her role at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Caroline began her initial association with a program called e-NABLE, whereby students are taught the essential skills required to use 3-D printing technology and engineering concepts to create custom prosthetic hands for children born with disabilities. Caroline immediately brought the e-NABLE program on board at CSH and TMLA, and in short order, young women were actively changing the lives of children, thanks to her vision and drive. Caroline was truly a consummate educator…a teacher’s teacher.
CAROLINE TEAR LATHAM ‘79
Caroline was a tireless advocate for the empowerment of women through education. This was evidenced most clearly by her service as the first lay principal of St. Joseph High School, one of our CSJ Sister Schools in Brooklyn, a role she took in 2016 with considerable pride, and her 5½ years as a Trustee of The Mary Louis Academy. In both of these roles Caroline committed herself to providing young women with every opportunity to succeed and pursue their dreams. Caroline was most passionate about the advancement of women in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Since women remain woefully underrepresented in the field of engineering, Caroline took great pride in TMLA’s then burgeoning STEM program and the fact that we were the first all-girl school in the State of New York to have our own Robotics Team and our own Robotics Lab, both of which came to life at the “subtle” urging of Caroline’s lifelong friend and classmate (and fellow Hall of Excellence member) Kathy Rutherford. It is thus fitting that this summer TMLA has significantly upgraded and transformed our existing Robotics Lab into a full Engineering Laboratory named in memory of Caroline. This Lab was made possible through the ever present support of our TMLA Family, but also through the generosity of the Sisters of St. Joseph and St. Joseph High School. When SJHS closed its doors in June of 2020, their community was able to make a generous gift to TMLA of many of the advanced machines, programs, and technology that Caroline had personally selected to build the renowned FabLab at SJHS; one of her proudest achievements. The Mary Louis Academy’s new Caroline Tear Latham ’79 Engineering Laboratory will provide our young women with exposure to specialty fields of engineering and will also encourage the growth of our Robotics Team and our STEM program. This will enhance our collaboration with the e-NABLE program Caroline loved so well, and her younger TMLA “sisters” will be able to help continue the work she began so many years ago. Caroline was exceptional in many ways, but one attribute made her truly stand out: Caroline was everyone’s biggest fan. No matter the day or the hour, Caroline believed in every person’s potential to succeed. We are proud to say that we are among her biggest fans so we are honored to have her name live on in the halls of her alma mater and in the Hall of Excellence. Rest in Peace our friend, we will continue your work and remember you always.
MAURA KELLY LEWINGER ‘95 P ‘23
Maura Kelly Lewinger graduated from The Mary Louis Academy in 1999 and went on to St Joseph’s College for a Bachelor’s in Communication. Following that she received a Master’s degree in Speech Communication Disorders. Maura began her career at United Cerebral Palsy of Nassau County, providing speech-language therapy to severely impaired individuals for 17 years. Her love of working with the most special of populations inspired her to bring her expertise to the public school system. Maura is currently a speech-language pathologist in the NYC DOE. While at St Joseph’s College, she met and fell in love with her charismatic husband, Joe. They married in 2004 and have three children; Madison ‘23 and Jack, twins and Maeve. Maura’s greatest role in life is as mother and wife. She has persevered through her children’s illness as little ones and now through the loss of her beloved Joe to Covid-19. At the start of the pandemic she made an international plea to the world for social distance and mask wearing as she shared her raw grief on CNN, inspiring many to then take the virus seriously. She and her children will continue to live the legend that Joe has left. They choose joy and laughter and to be thankful for their blessings, a mindset both Joe and The Mary Louis Academy have instilled in them.
JOSEPH M. LEWINGER P ‘23
Joseph M. Lewinger was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Msgr. Farrell High School in 1996 and went on to St. Joseph’s College, where he was affectionately nicknamed “Mr. St. Joe’s.” He immersed himself in everything he could from the basketball team to theater to student government and even the fraternity; giving 110% all the time. After graduating Joe accepted a history teaching position at The Mary Louis Academy; this was the beginning of his incredible legacy. He brought history to life with his dynamic teaching, oozed with enthusiasm as Varsity Basketball Head Coach, and after several years took on the additional role of Assistant Athletic Director. He was made Athletic Director and finally, pursued his dream of Educational Leadership, becoming the first male administrator in the history of TMLA, as Assistant Principal of Student Life. He was the self-proclaimed “First male Woman of Dignity!” In addition to all his many roles at TMLA, Joe also was the Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) Intersectional Chairman, Brooklyn-Queens Diocese Vice President and Co-Chairman of the girls’ soccer program in NYC. All of that was just part of his “work day.” He also gave back to his community as an elected School Board Trustee in his home school district of Franklin Square, Long Island. He served the school board as a proud educator with a different perspective than most, one rooted in his strong Catholic faith and school upbringing and career. So how does a man give all he has to his career and girl’s athletics, yet still be a dedicated, amazing husband, father, son, brother and friend? If you are Joe Lewinger,
JOSEPH M. LEWINGER P ‘23
it is just who you are. Married for 15 years to his college sweetheart, Maura ’95, the two have three beautiful children; twins Madison ‘23 and Jack and their youngest, Maeve. Son of proud parents, Rosemarie and Joe, beloved brother to Denise and treasured friend to many. He made you feel like the most important person, whether he was your friend for a lifetime of five minutes. Joe had so much more life to live, and it was all cut too short in March 2020. His death saved many lives as it made it all too real to the many who knew him. When hearing of how sick he was and then his loss to Covid-19, people started taking quarantine, social distancing and mask wearing seriously. His legacy as an amazing man, educator, friend, husband and father will forever be present in the hearts he touched. His light will burn brightly in the shadow of the influence he leaves behind, because what a beautiful difference one single life made.
KAILEE A. SCALES ‘93
Kailee Scales is a globally recognized speaker, creator, ambassador of social justice, and systemic change-agent. Kailee creates, organizes, and mobilizes global campaigns launched by organizations, heads of state, multinational corporations, C-suite executives, and private philanthropists. Her intuitive thought leadership and decades-long experience have refined her expertise including: explaining why and how diversity, equity, and inclusion impact both private and public sectors; the philanthropic relevance of global citizen responsibility; developing sustainable infrastructures that yield greater returns, and building ecosystems, profitability, and efficacy for civic-based organizations and startups. Kailee is the Chief Executive Officer of Pencils of Promise, a global education equity organization that helps provide access to quality primary education to children across the globe -- no matter their circumstances. Kailee is also the founder of ThinkFree Global Strategies (TFGS), a boutique full-service firm that offers end-to-end consultation. As the name implies, TFGS challenges all those interested in crafting forward-thinking solutions to complex issues to define freedom -- and explore, adopt, and implement core principles into their respective cultures. As the former Managing Director of the Black Lives Matter Global Network, and with a long track record of global leadership, Kailee is sought after for her perspectives spanning the spectrum of both her frontline, grassroots experiences and the thoughtleadership she offers to both private and public sectors. She has contributed to social justice goals across the globe, including racial injustice, women’s health, educational, environmental, and health inequalities and has worked closely with world leaders including Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, the Rt Hon Tony Blair, and countless celebrities and influencers.
GRACE SCOZZARO-PATCHETT & THOMAS J. PATCHETT
The second of four girls, Grace Scozzaro-Patchett was raised in a close-knit Italian family from Brooklyn, New York. Her parents, Joseph and Grace, were firm believers in the value of a Catholic education. They encouraged and supported her choices of Bishop Kearney High School, and later, Fordham University where she received her undergraduate and graduate degrees. Grace’s lifelong dream of becoming a teacher became her passion. After teaching 8th graders for eight years, she taught at The Mary Louis Academy for 33 years, and served as Dean of six graduating classes. She bears the distinction of being the longest serving Dean – a job she obviously loved. Grace was inspired early on by a mentor’s quote, “There are those who teach, and those who are teachers.” She has always prided herself on being one of the latter. Through the years Grace served on a host of committees, moderated clubs and extracurricular activities, and was part of a team of internal coordinators for two Middle States visitations. In 2016, The Mary Louis community recognized Grace with its prestigious Peace Award. Together with her husband Tom, she is a Trustee of the Patchett Family Fund, and has been a staunch supporter of all things TMLA. Thomas Patchett was born and raised in New Jersey and graduated from Westfield High School. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Hobart College, a Master’s in Public Administration from University of Virginia, and a Master’s of Science in Education from the University of Rochester.
GRACE SCOZZARO-PATCHETT & THOMAS J. PATCHETT
Tom was an Assistant Principal and a teacher at South Shore, Paul Robeson, and Williamsburg Prep High Schools in Brooklyn, NY. He was the recipient of a UFT citywide award for new teacher of the year. Tom’s primary career focus was in helping students prepare for and pass the Global Studies Regents. He also taught students who were preparing for the GED. He served on The Mary Louis Academy faculty during a teacher’s maternity leave, as well as the inaugural Hilltopper 5K race committee. Tom, an avid runner, has won dozens of running events – frequently achieving a national class designation. Thomas Patchett has been an active philanthropist promoting educational causes, and has received the William Napier Award for service from the Hobart College Athletic Association. Tom has two children, Jennifer and Bradley, and resides with his wife Grace in Belle Harbor, NY.
HERCULES A. SMALL
Hercules A. Small, named after the Greek god known for strength and endurance, has worn a superhero cape at The Mary Louis Academy since 1984 when he joined as a Custodian shortly after immigrating from the island of Barbados (his place of birth). Over the years, Hercules has left an impression on the TMLA students and faculty alike with his no-nonsense work ethic, his unwavering dedication, and his on-time wisdom and comedic relief. Before leaving his island-home, where he grew up raising cows, pigs, sheep and chickens on his father’s farm, Hercules completed trade study in welding, he was an apprentice to a mechanic and he worked for one of the largest, most well-known furniture stores in the West Indies. Hercules is, and has always been, creative, resourceful and great with his hands. After 15 years as a Custodian at TMLA, Hercules elevated to Assistant Plant Manager, and in 2004, to Plant Manager, overseeing the school’s daily operations, the facilities staff, the grounds personnel, and numerous vendors. As Plant Manager, Hercules led his staff and vendors for 17 years, supervising projects like the addition of SMART technology to the TMLA classrooms, and a major auditorium renovation. He has kept class in session through numerous floods, storms, and untimely machine failures. Year over year, Hercules and his team have worked tirelessly to keep TMLA a beautiful, safe, and enjoyable place for students to learn, flourish and grow. Hercules holds a Certification of Fitness of Fire Alarm Systems and Other Related Systems (F-95), Certificate of Fitness of Low Pressure Oil Burner Operator (P-99), and is qualified in Emergency Evacuation Procedures.
HERCULES A. SMALL
Even though Hercules’ job was to manage TMLA’s facilities, it was clear that he cared about more than the building’s structure or its daily procedures. He was all-knowing, and he had a finger on the pulse when it came to all matters under TMLA’s roof. He was the glue that kept everything and everyone together. The students were like his own children; he was able to quickly gain the respect of even the most rebellious students. The faculty and staff were his friends and they often sought out his advice and good humor. TMLA was Hercules’ second home. Now Hercules and his wife of 41 years, Montel, are both retired. They look forward to spending more time with their nine grandchildren and to watching lots of television until the pandemic subsides and it becomes safer for them to travel. Together they have raised four children, one of whom has followed in his father’s footsteps (Bryan) and is currently a Facilities Service Manager for Starbucks Coffee Company. All of his other children – Jason, a retired Gunnery Sergeant in the US Marines, Kevin, a Solutions Engineer at a Radio Communications company and Natasha, an HR Manager at a Global Law Firm – are equally as proud of their father and take his teachings along with them on their personal and professional journeys. Hercules has made such an impact on TMLA that will continue after his retirement. It will be one of his greatest legacies. The TMLA faculty, staff and alumni will remember and sorely miss Hercules. We thank Hercules for his years of service and bid him a fond farewell. You will always be a member of our TMLA Family, Herc, and you will always have a home here on the hill!
THE HALL OF EXCELLENCE Jeanne Brostek Altenau ‘75 Joseph M. Lewinger P '23 † Rebecca Tomitz Armstrong '77 P '09 S. Filippa A. Luciano CSJ ‘54 William C. Armstrong P '09 Nancy P. Matta ‘73 Grace C. Bonilla, Esq. '93 Mary Louis Nelson Oliva ‘55 † Regina M. Bradley P ‘00 S. Alice O’Shaughnessy CSJ, M.D. ‘52 Thomas J. Bradley P '00 † Grace Scozzaro Patchett Brenda A. Buckley ‘57 † Thomas J. Patchett Claudia A. DeMonte, Ph.D. ‘65 Regina M. Pitaro ‘72 Mary Conroy Doyle ‘69 Lynn Pfohl Quigley ‘54 Patricia Fili-Krushel ‘71 Nora Eberhardt Quigley ‘46 S. Annelle Fitzpatrick CSJ, Ph.D. ‘65 Kathleen M. Rutherford ‘79 Annette L. Guarino, Esq. ‘74 Kailee A. Scales '93 Grace Caputo Gwozdzik, M.D. ‘73 S. Grace Avila Seckendorf CSJ Patricia M. Hynes, Esq. ‘59 Patricia Castel Skarulis ‘62 S. Joan A. Killen CSJ Hercules A. Small Ann Pfohl Kirby, Esq. ‘45 Margaret McHale Sood ‘59 Susan James Kropf ‘66 Miriam Smith Vagt ‘46 Caroline Tear Latham '79 † Mary R. Waldron P ’98 & ‘05 Dolores Conklin Leckey, Ph.D. ‘51 John C. Waldron P '98 & '05 Carolyn Paradise Wayrynen. M.D. ‘62 Bernadette Johnson Lee ‘66 † Monica Reddy Wood, Ed.D. ‘72 Maura Kelly Lewinger '95 P '23
† Requiescat in Pace
In memory of all the members of the Mary Louis family who have gone home to light the way for us: Alumnae, Administrators, Faculty, Staff, Friends, and Parents We thank you for the gift of your lives; most especially your wisdom, guidance, and love M A K E YO U RS EL F FA M IL IA R WIT H TH E A N G EL S A N D B EH O L D T H EM FR EQ U EN TLY IN SPIR IT ; F O R WIT H O UT B EIN G S EEN , T H EY AR E PRES EN T WIT H YO U . ”
- S T . F RANCIS D E S ALES
Bill and Rebecca Congratulations on your induction into
The Mary Louis Academy’s The Hall of Excellence! A well deserved honor for all that you both do for so many people!
Your Friends at The Graybeards!
Congratulations to Sister Joan Killen CSJ for her many years of dedication to the mission of
The Mary Louis Academy and
With lasting gratitude for all the Sisters of St. Joseph who have ministered at The Mary Louis Academy over these 85 years. Their faith, brilliance and commitment to excellence has helped to change our world for the better.
Fidem Servavi
The Mary Louis Academy Alumnae Association proudly congratulates Rebecca Tomitz Armstrong ‘77 & William C. Armstrong Grace C. Bonilla, Esq. ‘93 Caroline Tear Latham ‘79 Maura Kelly Lewinger ‘95 & Joseph M. Lewinger Kailee A. Scales ‘93 Grace Scozzaro-Patchett & Thomas J. Patchett Hercules A. Small
with special thanks and deep appreciation for
Sister Joan A. Killen CSJ, long-time Moderator of the Association.
The Board of Trustees of
THE MARY LOUIS ACADEMY give thanks for 85 years of ministry in education. In the mission and spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the administration, faculty and staff have empowered generations to aspire to excellence Arianna Ali ‘11
Regina King Gillis ‘01
Melissa Dowd Begg, Sc.D. ‘81
Sister Patricia Mahoney CSJ
Diane Guarascio Biolsi ‘83
Robert Maletta P ‘95
Rebecca Wuest Creavin ‘82
Andrea Pfenning ‘80
Sister Nancy Gilchriest SSND, Ed.D.
John Waldron P ‘98 & ‘05
Maureen Henry ‘76—Chairperson Katherine Chan ‘04—Vice-Chairperson
Dear Sister Joan throughout the years you have Educated Encouraged Counseled Consoled Cheered Motivated Inspired And we are truly grateful. With much love from the Class of 1980
C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S BILL & R EBECCA Many thanks for all you've done for TMLA!
With love,
Congratulations to the Sisters of St. Joseph, Faculty and Staff of The Mary Louis Academy on celebrating their 85th Anniversary! & Congratulations to TMLA’s 85th Anniversary Honorees on their Induction into
The Hall of Excellence Patricia Castel Skarulis ‘62 75th Anniversary Inductee The Hall of Excellence
Congratulations to the th 85 Anniversary Honorees Rebecca Tomitz Armstrong & William C. Armstrong Grace C. Bonilla S. Joan A. Killen Caroline Tear Latham Maura Kelly Lewinger & Joseph M. Lewinger Kailee A. Scales Grace Scozzaro-Patchett & Thomas J. Patchett Hercules A. Small
We applaud you for your dedication to TMLA Blessings & Warm Wishes to All Hilltoppers
The DeMatteis & Kelley Families
Congratulations to
The Mary Louis Academy th 85 Anniversary Honorees You have served TMLA extraordinarily well in a variety of ways Thank you and may God’s Bountiful Blessings be upon each of you
Sister Joan Petito CSJ Assistant Principal 1980-1986 Principal 1986-1997
In Gratitude for Sister Joan Killen CSJ Thank You for alwaYs… Believing Supporting Consoling Advising Encouraging Cheering Laughing Sharing Your gifts and presence mean more than you Could ever know. You are a blessing.
In Loving Memory of My Parents Thomas and Lillian Fitzpatrick Who Had the Wisdom to Send Me to
THEE Mary Louis Academy With Profound Gratitude for Their Decision and Values Which Have Lasted a Lifetime. A Grateful Daughter Annelle M. Fitzpatrick CSJ, Ph.D. Class of 1965
The Sisters of St. Agnes Convent Congratulate Joan Killen CSJ and all TMLA’s 85th Anniversary Honorees on being inducted into The Hall of Excellence
Joan, you have graced the halls of Mary Louis for many years as math teacher, dean, guidance counselor, and chairperson of the guidance department. You are always available to others. You truly embody the motto of The Mary Louis Academy - Fidem Servavi You Have Kept the Faith We are proud of you!
Joan Deering CSJ Helen Roberta Herley CSJ Kathleen McKinney CSJ
Félicitations Joan et Rebecca
Amities, Vos Amis de France
Alanna, Sean, Mary, Amparo, Ann, Arliza, Elizabeth, Joy, Ann Marie, Kathy, Marianne, Olga, Lizzie, Kathy, Maureen, Nancy, Paulette, Pattiann & Liz
In grateful appreciation to Ann O’ Hagan Cordes, Principal & The Faculty and Staff (former and present) For all you do to keep the TMLA spirit alive! You have enriched the lives of thousands and given us the tools to succeed and make a difference in the world! Eileen Connolly ‘75 Proud, Grateful and Blessed Alum CONGR AT U L AT IONS TO AL L T HE 2021 INDUC T E E S TO T HE HAL L OF E XCE L L ENCE
Dear Sr. Joan, You are counted as an infinite blessing to many. Thank you for adding to our TMLA experience. Your combination of mathematics and guidance was a factor in the successful outcome of so many young women. Your guidance was integral to many of us and proved to be a formula for success! There is no substitution for someone like you! May God’s blessings on you, continue to multiply. With love and gratitude from your former mathematics student,
Maureen Henry ‘76
Congratulations to Hercules Small on his induction into The Hall of Excellence With Our Compliments on the Excellent Job He Has Done The Codd Family Christine & Mark Therese ‘11, Anne ‘13 & Christine ‘15
Congratulations & Best Wishes to The Hall of Excellence 85th Anniversary Inductees!
Thank you for your leadership! We proudly follow in your footsteps! The Student Council of The Mary Louis Academy President - Gabriela Maldonado ‘22 Vice President - Madison Lewinger ‘23 Secretary - Breann Elder ‘23 Historian - Charlotte Burridge ‘24 Senior Class President - Samarah Bermudez ‘22 Junior Class President - Adrionna Daguillard ‘23 Sophomore Class President - Julia Raab ‘24
Grace Bonilla '93 &
Kailee Scales '93 Congratulations from the current and former members of your Speech & Debate Team We're very proud of all your accomplishments!
Mr. Kieran Larkin Moderator
Congratulations to TMLA as it marks 85 years of excellence! Congratulations to all The Hall of Excellence Inductees. I am proud to have worked with Rebecca Tomitz Armstrong, S. Joan Killen and Hercules Small on many Alumnae Association activities!
Kathleen McCabe Class of 1981 President Emerita, Alumnae Association
Congratulations Sister Joan Killen! Thank you for your years of service and dedication to our beloved school. May God bless you always! Jeanne Brostek Altenau Class of 1975 Trustee Emerita TMLA Board of Trustees
Congratulations to the 85th Anniversary T.H.E. Inductees! I’m a proud alumna from the Class of 2002 looking forward to sharing my travel expertise with the TMLA community. I am part of a family travel agency that has been in operation since the 1980’s and prides themselves on the full travel experience, as well as partnering with the “Best of the Best!”
Lena Cutrone Shamulzai ‘02 Independent Travel Consultant https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/lenacutr40247 LenaVistaTravel@gmail.com T: 646-235-9839 @TravelTheWorldWithLena In Eternal Memory of Our Friends Who Have Gone Ahead to Light the Way
Caroline and Joe and Grateful Celebration of Our Friends Who Travel the Road With Us Today
Rebecca, Bill, Grace, Joan, Maura, Kailee, Grace, Tom & Herc Congratulations on your well-deserved Honor! Thank you for your years of support and friendship!
Sean, Judy and Liz
THE HALL OF EXCELLENCE
85th Anniversary Honorees