1990s: Approaching the Millennium

Mary-Kate Tracy ’94 and Minali Venkatesh ’15

The 1990s were a period of rapid technological advancements and political change. Under the steady leadership of Sr. Mercedes Videira and Mrs. Cathy Trawinski, Ursuline spearheaded new offerings and met the challenges presented by the end of the millennium head-on.

Despite the tumultuous world outside 85 Lowder, the 1990s were a period of stability for the Ursuline community, with Sr. Mercedes as principal, leading a faculty with many teachers who had already become pillars of the institution. From Sr. Ursula to Sr. Connie, Mrs. Lynch to Mrs. Tomase, Mrs. Atkinson to Ms. Vacirca, and Mrs. Fidler to Ms. McGillicuddy, these teachers were dedicated to preserving the mission of the Ursulines through their strong and greatly diverse teaching styles. Under the strong leadership of Sr. Mercedes, Ursuline clubs burgeoned in the 1990s. Classic clubs such as the Drama Club, Math League, Humanities Club, and Students Offer Service (SOS) were joined by the Arts and Crafts Club, Ambassadors Club, and Debate Team (which grew into our present-day, awardwinning Speech Team), increasing the variety of student-led clubs to reflect the varied interests of Ursuline students. Ursuline also added active chapters of many social action groups, such as Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) and World Awareness Club. SADD was sponsored by WCVB-TV news anchor Susan Wornick.

SWISH!: Elaine Pagliarulo ’93 becomes the first player in UA history to score 1,000 points in basketball. TECH: Laptop computers are introduced in the early 90s.

1989

The first school year of SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving). The club is sponsored by WCVB-TV news anchor Susan Wornick.

1990

The start of the Gulf War increased interest in politics at Ursuline. The Hubble Space Telescope is placed in orbit. Official demolition of the Berlin Wall begins in June.

1991

The Debate Team is added to the ever-growing list of new clubs. This team evolved into the Speech Team. The first pep rally takes place during the UA field dedication.

Due to an ever-greater demand for athletics, Ursuline sought to increase its funding to support the growing athletic program. In 1992, the first Fore the Girls golf tournament was held as a fundraiser for Ursuline athletics. With this added support, Ursuline was able to establish the ski team (1994), the golf team (1996), and spring track (1999) as new sports in our athletic program. In 1991, the field behind the school was dedicated to the Reynolds Family and Mr. and Mrs. Simeone; the first of many Ursuline pep rallies took place during the dedication ceremony.

Unique Learning

Much as in decades past and decades since, Ursuline encouraged students to become aware of the world around them, politically and socially. Many graduates of the early ’90s watched President Ronald Reagan’s speech on the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster while in school. Students also discussed and debated the Gulf War, the first true war that many graduates of the ’90s lived through. The primary moderator of those debates was Government teacher Ms. Judith McGillicuddy, who is fondly remembered by so many alumnae.

“I had many [favorite teachers], but one that sticks out in my mind is Ms. Judith McGillicuddy, who taught Government. Looking back, she took great efforts to get us to think about the world outside of our little bubble. She brought us on a tour of Boston and into a courtroom where there was a trial going on. I think of that day so often and am so grateful to her for being such a great role model.”

– Bridget Keane ’91

SPORTS: Teams added to Ursuline’s athletic offerings are Ski (1994), Golf (1996), and Spring Track (1999).

1992

The first “Fore the Girls” tournament is held to provide extra funding for Ursuline sports.

1994

The Ski Team is added to sports including Volleyball, Soccer, Swim, Basketball, Tennis, and Softball. Oklahoma City Bombing.

1995

“We had a lot of debates and talks on both the political and environmental impact of [the Valdez Oil Spill]. I believe the first green clubs started at Ursuline from this event.” – Melissa Merchant Kirk ’90

New technology also changed the Ursuline landscape. Melissa Merchant Kirk ’90 remembers taking typing classes on word processors in the computer lab; around 1987, the school shifted to using Macs. Mrs. Mooney ran the computer lab, next to the locker room on the lower floor. Ursuline also offered typing classes, held by Mrs. McNamara, in the former kindergarten building (located where the Reynolds Center is now).

“Mrs. Mooney had a computer lab full of Macintosh computers that was next to the locker room on the bottom floor...This was way before email, so we learned the basics. I distinctly remember her teaching us the history of Apple, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and having such enthusiasm for what this machine could do.”

– Bridget Keane ’91

50 Years of Ursuline Academy

In 1998, Ursuline Academy celebrated its 50th full graduating class; approximately 40 of those 50 years were spent on the Dedham campus. The steady and substantial growth allowed the school to expand the curriculum along with athletics, arts, and clubs to meet the diverse interests of the student body and the changing times. In the late ’90s, Ursuline began to outgrow its original space, which extended from the library and science lab on the left side of the building to the gym and Tea Room on the right. Even with art classes and typing classes being held in the Carriage House and former kindergarten building, there wasn’t enough room for the sheer number and range of classes. When it became apparent that renovating the science labs would be a short-term solution for Ursuline’s growing academic programs, the school began planning to build a new science wing adjacent to the gym.

1996

Dolly the Sheep is cloned. President Clinton bans federal funding for human cloning in 1997.

“The school began planning to build a new science wing adjacent to the gym.”

FIRE AND ROSES: Nancy Natale and Nancy Schultz create “Lifting the Veil.” Schultz begins to write Fire and Roses.

1997

Art and history exhibition “Lifting the Veil” at the Somerville museum is created by artist Nancy Natale and English professor Nancy Schultz. It recalls the torching of the Ursuline convent in 1834.

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50 YEARS: Ursuline Academy celebrates its 50th graduating class in 1998. 1. Sr. Ursula in her homeroom. 2. Students prepare for class in the Chemistry and Physics lab. 3. Senior Art Class in the Art Room / Development Office building. 4. Tennis Team 5. Sr. Mercedes and students at retreat, 1991.

1998

Sr. Ursula Binette OSU and Sr. Nesta Beaudoin OSU celebrate their 50th Jubilee. Boston graduates gather together for tea at the Boston Harbor Hotel. In June, Ursuline celebrates its 50th graduating class.

1999

Varsity Track begins in Spring 1999.