On March 9th students in the 8th and 9th grade will betakingthePSAT8/9examination.Studentsareencouragedtobring#2pencilsandacalculator.Students should anticipate receiving their scores sometime in May and will have the opportunity to discuss the test andscoresduring Guidancemeetingsthis spring.
March 21st – College Night will take place at 7:00pm intheGraceAnnCafé.Mrs.Devinswillbediscussing thecollege admissionprocess.
Career Day is being held for all students on March 30th. VillaWalshisexcitedtobewelcoming30alumnae back on campus to speak to students on various career elds.
SOPHMORES&FRESHMAN
Students are continuing to meet individually with Mrs.Devinstodiscusscareerandcollegesearches.
Should any student need a transcript or working papers, please stop in the guidance office or email Mrs.Devinsatdevinse@villawalsh.org
Anxiouslyawaitingupdatesfrom theClassof2023!
SENIORS
If you have been accepted to your Early Decision School, please remember to notify the admissions offices of any other school you have applied to, in order to withdraw your application or admissionoffer. SeniorsareSTRONGLYencouraged to speak to Mrs. Devins about college options. Please remember to notify the guidance department of any scholarship awards. Also, please check the Guidance websiteforscholarshipopportunities.Seniorsneedto maketheircollegedepositbyMay1st.
JUNIORS
Please remember to register for upcoming standardizedtestdates.
Peer tutoring remains available for all students who feel they could bene t from some additional help withaclass.esignupforrequestingandproviding peer tutoring can be found on the door of the guidanceoffice.PleasestopinoremailMrs.Devinsifyou haveany questions.
To mark the beginning of Black History Month, students gathered for a special prayer service and assembly in the auditorium on ursday, February
2. Junior Cierra Wolckenhauer ‘25 set the tone for the morning by leading the students in “Amazing Grace,”whichshesangacapella.With amixofScripture readings, re ections, and time for silence, the students prayed together for unity, love, and justice forallpeople. Specialthanksto HannahD’cruz‘23,
LaurenDion‘23,EmmaKosc‘23,IsabellaCantave ‘24, Catherine Collum‘24, Julia Gitto‘24,Miranda Aviles ‘25, Audrey Wilbanks ‘25, Johanna AguilarYanez ‘26, Emma Naughton ‘26, Karina Siegle ‘26, and Verra Scorsune ‘26 for leading the students in readings, re ections, petitions, and prayers. anks alsoto CatherineCollum‘24,JesseKramer‘24,and InesLemee ‘25 for researching, writing and presentingthehistoryofthehymn,“AmazingGrace.”
Following the prayer service, Sr. Helen Sanchez M.P.F. ‘70 continued the assembly by introducing us totheFilippiniSistersofEthiopiaandEritreaandthe children and families they serve in the poorest and mostdangerouscircumstances.Withphotosandstories, Sr. Helen helped us to understand the very real needs of these families living in the midst of poverty andwar,andhowtheFilippiniSistershelptoprepare them with the skills and education that will prepare them for a brighter future. Inspired by Sr. Helen’s heartfelt presentation, Villa Walsh’s students quickly raised $1,000 to be sent to the Filippini Sisters in Ethiopia and Eritrea in their mission to serve their children.
McGurn ‘21. e Mass was also offered for the repose of the soul of Brendan O’Reilly, brother of Kelly O’Reilly ‘23, Caitlin O’Reilly ‘18, and son of ColleenBurrowsO’Reilly‘88
You may have seen the banners in the lobby of Grace Ann Cafe or outside the Business Office. Or maybe you saw the Lenten Hallow bookmark that your daughter received in eology class on your kitchen counter.Asyouknow,thisyeareveryVillaWalshstudent,facultyandstaffmemberhasapaidsubscription toalloftheHallowapp’srichandexclusivecontent.
e forty-day journey into the Lenten season began with an Ash Wednesday liturgy celebrated in St. LucyChapel on February 22.Fr.LanceReis, aretired priest of the Diocese of Paterson, reminded the students, parents, and alumnae who joined together in worshiptoimitateJesusinourLentenobservancesof prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. e Mass was assisted bystudents fromVillaWalsh’sseventh gradeclass, including Mary Cafasso ‘28, Galina Dangler ‘28, Avery Draeger ‘28, Samantha Innella ‘28, JulianaKenworthy‘28,AdrianaRizk‘28,CaseyShull ‘28, Hailey Simmons ‘28, Layla Vreeling ‘28, Sally Walker ‘28, and Whitney Witko ‘28, who welcomed us to worship, proclaimed the Scripture readings, led the prayers of petition, carried the cross and candles, and processed with the gis of bread and wine at the offertory.
eMasswas offeredinmemoryofMr.RobertHoffman,thefatherofMrs.JulieMcGurnandgrandfather ofGraceMcGurn‘14,MaisieMcGurn‘16,andLucy
But what is Hallow? Until Ash Wednesday, Hallow was the No. 1 “prayer and meditation” app in the world, offering thousands of hours, opportunities, and methods to pray and connect to God. On Ash Wednesday, however, Hallow leaped into the No. 5 spot of top apps in the whole world, ahead of Tik Tok, Facebook, and Instagram! Imagine that! If you haven’t dipped into Hallow yet, Lent is the perfect time to try it out. Hallow’s “Pray 40 Lent Challenge” offers different modes of prayer, utilizing St. omas a Kempis’ Imitation of Christ as a guide, led by the likes of actors Mark Wahlberg, Jim Caveziel, and Jonathan Roumie, as well as Mother Olga, Immaculee Ilabagiza, Jeff Cavins, and Fr. Mike Schmitz. Joinyourdaughtersandseewhatallthefussisabout! Nexttimeyouareatschool,justscantheQRcodeson the banners to get details on joining, and as Hallow likestosay,“stayprayedup.”
With the success of an earlier canned soup collection inmind,studentsdecidedtocontinuewitha“Souper” Bowl hearty soup collection with the Super Bowl clearlyinmind. Studentscouldvotefortheteamthey thought would win the Super Bowl by placing cans with theEaglesortheChiefs. eChief’swerevoted the winners by one soup can and, of course, went on to win on Sunday. Over 100 cans were delivered to NourishNJwhere“everycanwedroppedoffwasdistributed that day and the community that they serve wasappreciativeofourgenerosity”.
VillaServeschosetoembracethespiritof Valentine’s Day as a day to cultivate kindness and sell cupcakes! Cupcakes, cookies, brownies and candy were sold duringthelunchestosupporttheworkofVillaServes and more than $130 worth of kindness will support ourefforts.
We all know that everyone loves a baby and no one loves a baby more than our Villa girls! Helping parents provide for their children is close to the heart of VillaServesandMaureenSimonet‘23ledthecharge inthismostrecentcollection. Diapers,blankets,onesies, pajamas, and more were collected for distribution by Mary’s Hands in Morristown. ough this drive is completed, we will always accept these items forneedyfamilies.
that were displayed: Sarah Chambeau‘24(Langston Hughes House), Brianna Hetherington’24 (James LessenWells),AnnieConnor’24(LouisArmstrong), Julia Gitto’24 and Miranda Aviles’25 (the Cotton Club), Meaghan O'Malley’24 (Duke Ellington), Isabella Propper Stuehr’27 (A Harlem Garden). Mrs. Cunico,Mrs.Lagana,Mrs.Cheifer,Mrs.Kramer,and Mrs.Collumhelped incoordinationwith students.
Operation Smile raises awareness and funds for children born with cle palates. Proceeds go directly to Operation Smile to provide surgeries for children with these birth defects. Without going all the way to New Orleans, Jesse Kramer ‘24, Jackie Walsh ‘24, Vicky Wong ‘23, Emma Kosc ‘23, and Ellie Treacy 24 among others transported us to a Mardi Gras celebration with the sale of cupcakes, candy,cookiesandsomepurpleandgoldthrowbeads tossedin forfun.
On Wednesday, February 8th, Villa Walsh Academy students joined together for Mental Health & Wellness Day. e day was lled with fun and support from both students and staff! e students began their day with a presentation on Nutrition & Mental Health by Jeanne Petrucci. e day continued with various activities and topics including Friendship & Kindness, Music erapy, Prayer & Meditation, Art erapy,Stress&CopingSkills,StudySkillsTestAnxiety&BreathWork,andSelf-Esteem.Eachstudentalso had the opportunity to participate in a team bonding obstacle course, presented by Grit’n’Wit at VWA, the staff and students work hard to chip away at the stigma surrounding mental illness by learning, supporting, and embracing our differences. Villa aims to empower our students by giving them the tools to succeedbothinandoutofthe classroom.
e PDIC (Parent Diversity and Inclusion Committee) has been enormously helpful in supporting the work of Diversity Cafe. A coffee house event is in the plans and through many collaborative efforts, Diversity Cafe participated in a Black History Month prayer service but a highlight of the month was our participation in the Black Joy event at Delbarton. A special thank you goes out to the Diversity Club, and the art students who participated in Delbarton’s February16thevent,“BlackJoy”.CatherineCollum,‘24, contributed as a narrator in a multi-media student performanceofBlackhistorywithcontributionsfrom KentPlace,OakKnoll,VillaWalsh andDelbarton.In addition, the following students made paintings inspiredbythe HarlemRenaissanceera, 1920s-30s,
e Villa Walsh Student Council hosted Spirit Week 2023 during February 13-16. e festivities began with “Jersey Day” as students dressed to represent their favorite team or something from New Jersey, andonTuesdaystudentsdressedinred,white,and/or pink foraValentine’s Daytheme.“Class eme Day” was the theme for Wednesday as students showed their spirit by dressing up in their class themes and participating in a fabulously fun volleyball tournament. Villa Spirit Week was capped by a pep rally and games on ursday in the Sister Doris Lavinthal Athletic Center. During the week, the Student Council provided the faculty with breakfast, and the Home School Association hosted a faculty appreciationluncheonwithsupersaladsandsandwiches,and divine desserts. Much gratitude to those fabulous moms! Aspecialthankyouto Mrs. JenFleuryand
Mrs. Anneliese Yombor for their help with the week. MuchthankstoallinvolvedduringSpiritWeek2023!
MirandaAviles'25,AvaBentz'26,AudreyWilbanks '25,andCierraWolckenhauer'25attendedthePaterson Catholic Forensic League Grand Tournament on Saturday, February 25, held at DePaul Catholic High School. Miranda, Ava, and Audrey competed in the Oratorical Declamation category, and Miranda won the 3rd place trophy at the end of 3 rounds. Cierra competedintheDramaticPerformancecategoryand also won the 3rd place trophy atthe end of 3 rounds. MirandaAvileswillgo ontocompete attheNational CatholicForensicLeagueconferencethatwillbeheld in Louisville, Kentucky at the end of May. Our sincere thanks to Mrs. Tara Wolckenhauer who served asa judge attheGrandTournament.Also, thank you Sister Josephine and Mr. Todd Smith for serving as judges and assistant coaches throughout the Forensics season.
e Villa Walsh Chorus has been rehearsing Astro Di Luce, in preparation for the recording of the song whichwillbemadeavailableonYouTube.ispiece, in the Italian language, was sung at the Mass honoring St. Lucy's 350th Anniversary which was held at the beginning of this year. e recording will take place in a particularly acoustically powerful area of our campus....the stairway near the Chorus room on the Mother Ninetta Mezzanine! All are invited to listen.
Congratulations to the een VWA students accepted into the MPAC Student Art Gallery Exhibit and 13th Annual Program Cover Art Contest: Grace Calvano'26,TessCoffey'26,BridgetDrew'26,Blythe Dudley'26, Elizabeth Edattel'26, Libby Farmer'26, Samantha Innella'28, Amelia Kleinle'26, Isabella Propper Stuehr'27, Adriana Rizk'28, Cameron Shull'28, Alexis Sica'26, Maureen Simonet'23, SabrinaWaivada'26,and IsabellaWhite'26.
e contest theme is “Imagine! Discover! Create! Celebrate MPAC and the Arts!” e artwork will be displayed in our Upstairs Art Gallery from March 7-March 20, 2023 and will be seen by tens of thousandsoftheatrepatrons!
ere will be an Artwork Gallery Reception on WednesdayMarch8thfrom7:00-8:00pm,wherethey can see their artwork displayed and enjoy the gallery exhibit.Atthereception,allstudents willbehonored and receive a special participation award certi cate for two complimentary tickets to certain shows at MPACthisspring.
e cast and crew of e Sound of Music are busy preparing for the March 17-19 presentations. Stage manager, Lia Dyer'22, and our Assistant Director, OliviaMartin'24havebeenworkingwithMs.Vecchio, director, Mrs. Lanni, choreographer and Ms. Foster, music director, to manage rehearsals, set building daysandtoorganizethe amazinglyenergeticandenthusiastic cast of nuns, children and odd characters in this play atVilla Walsh.is is agoodtime togive abigshoutouttosomeoftheparentswhohavebeen tirelessly working behind the scenes to make Villa’s show shine. Mrs. McHugh is the producer, handling onethousandthingstokeeptheproductionontrack. She is assisted by Mrs. Wolckenhauer, Mrs. Lange, Mrs. Crucs, Mrs. Kramer and several others. ank youallparentvolunteers!TessCoffey’26istheamazing seamstress, having made from scratch several of the costumes that will be seen in this production. Mrs.Kandziolka andher mom,Mrs.D'Ambrosiaare super heroes when it comes to wigs and hair. Scenic designer, Mrs. Lieto, sees her ideas blossom in to reality by the magic hands of Mr. Meier, Dr. Kollar, Mr.Kramer, Mr.Wolckenhauer,Mr. andMrs. Innella,Mrs.Ziwot,Ms.Mogliawhohavebeenassistedby LilyMeier’25,SabrinaPasko’26,andthe Art Club.
e cast and crew are having a great deal of fun and hopetohaveagreatturnoutinsupportoftheirshow! Ticketscanbepurchasedonthe VillaWalshwebsite.
