VWA Newsletter January Issue

VOL. 40

No. 4

Sophomore students have been meeting with Mrs. Devins to discuss PSAT results, the school year, and their future goals, both academically and socially. Students also had the opportunity to view their high school transcript, as well as see the importance of being involved in extracurricular activities.

Career Day is scheduled for Friday, March 8, 2024. e student planning team is beginning to coordinate this day, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming our alumnae back to VWA! Upcoming Testing: PSAT 10 – April 17, 2024 – 10th grade students PSAT 8/9 – April 23, 2024 – 8th & 9th grade students More information will be forthcoming closer to the testing dates.

January 2024 residential high school and/or local library for additional opportunities.  Any senior who would like to review or discuss college decisions should please stop by the Guidance Office.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Villa Walsh Academy has earned the College Board’s AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award for expanding young women’s access to AP Computer Science A (CSA). is award acknowledges 1,127 schools for their work toward improving gender representation during the 2022-23 school year. VWA is one of only 225 schools to be recognized for achieving this important result in AP CSA. PEER TUTORING Peer tutoring remains available for all students who feel they could bene t from some additional help with a class. e sign up for requesting and providing peer tutoring can be found on the door of the guidance office. Please stop in or email Mrs. Devins if you have any questions.

For all students and families – please remember to utilize the guidance webpage for resources, including summer programs, pre-college opportunities, and scholarships.

COLLEGE CORNER e Class of 2024 is reminded and encouraged to notify Guidance with college decisions. While we know the waiting part of hearing back from colleges can be challenging, we ask for you to keep the faith.  Students should also update the Guidance Office with any scholarship awards or admission decisions.  Research scholarships! Some national sources include: www.fastweb.com and www. collegeboard.org. ere is also scholarship information on the Guidance webpage and individual college websites.  Students are also encouraged to look for scholarship opportunities through their

Villa Serves made a game-changing decision to tackle hunger. Jane Guanieri’25 led us in a Souper Bowl collection of “chunky” soups for NourishNJ in Dover and Morristown. Students brought in their donations and “voted” for either the San Francisco 49ers or the Kansas City Chiefs by placing their cans in front of a poster. e drive culminates on Super Bowl Sunday.

Diversity Cafe' celebrated the values and ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King by promoting a “Day On, not a Day Off ’ with a service activity involving baking skills.

Students were not deterred by the winter storm and the baked items were sold during lunch periods. One hundred dollars was raised and will be used to purchase books for the library.

We continue to honor the spirit of Dr. King in the belief that “the time is always right to do what is right” as we plan special events for Black History Month. PSA or Public Service style announcements were given during the lunch periods about Black authors, singers, and actors. ese announcements included “pop culture” facts as well as their contributions. ank you to Jesse Kramer’24, Miranda Aviles’25, Nora Dam’25, Catherine Collum’24, Anna Connor’24, Ines Lemee’25, Julia Gitto’24 and Isabella Cantave’24 for doing the research, sharing their fun facts and helping celebrate the lives of noted Black artists.

A special Diversity Cafe' guest speaker, aka our own History teacher, Mr. Roy Goldman, spoke to a packed classroom on Tuesday, January 23 about his recent travel experiences. Mr. Goldman served as our guide in looking at the political, social, and economic life in Cuba.

Anne Rionda’27 followed up the discussion by sharing some of her family background and experiences.

e National SOCIEDAD HONORARIA HISPANICA [Spanish Honor Society} announced that VWA's Leah Costa’25 was chosen in a national contest as winner of a study trip to Panama.

Each year, the 2,000 Sociedad moderators are invited to enter the work of one Junior in their annual travel abroad contest: a ve minute video of the student speaking Spanish, a Spanish essay, transcript, and service, including service to the Hispanic community.

Felicitaciones, Leah!

Junior Retreat On Monday, November 13, the Class of 2025 took a break from their studies to embark on their annual retreat, held this year on the grounds of St. Joseph’s Shrine in Stirling.

Facilitated by Religion teacher/Campus Minister Ms. Colette Geraghty and Mrs. Laura Williams of the eology department, the students examined the lives of St. Edith Stein and Dorothy Day as models of prayer-in-action. In addition to attending Mass and celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the students also assembled “necessity bags” of toiletries and treats which were accompanied by kind notes of encouragement handwritten by the students, and distributed to the poor and homeless at Newark Penn Station by the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Opportunities like this day of retreat offer students a chance to re-set and focus on their relationship with the God who created them, and to learn how they can be of service to other people.

November All Souls Remembrance Once again, Villa Walsh remembered the beloved dead of our friends and family with the annual All Souls Wreath of Remembrance outside of the Business Office in Browne Hall. e wreath, containing the names of our deceased loved ones, was a visual reminder that we are all one family, united in prayer for one another. In their eology classes, students were given the opportunity to write the names of their deceased family members and friends, which the Religious Teachers Filippini remembered in their daily masses and prayers throughout the month of November.

anksgiving Liturgy On Tuesday, November 21, the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Villa’s students, faculty, staff and returning alumnae gathered in St. Lucy Chapel to begin our observance of anksgiving with the celebration of the liturgy, which was facilitated by the Class of 2028, and offered in gratitude for Ed and Rita Kramer, longtime friends of Villa Walsh. e mass was celebrated by Msgr. Sylvester Cronin, pastor of St. James Church in Basking Ridge. During this liturgy, Sr. Elaine Bebyn, M.P.F., Sr. Laura Bezila, M.P.F., Sr. Josephine Palmeri, M.P.F., and Sr. Helen Sanchez, M.P.F. renewed their oblation to serve God as Religious Teachers Filippini, as is their custom on the Feast of the Presentation of Mary.

Special thanks to Mary Cafasso’28, Galina Dangler’28, Samantha Innella’28, Juliana Kenworthy’28, Elizabeth Kinney’28, Zoe Lenz’28, Satine Nader’28, Adriana Rizk’28, Casey Shull’28, Hailey Simmons’28, Araya Singh’28, Layla Vreeling’28, Sally Walker’28, Hannah Warjanka’28, and Whitney Wiko’28 for prayerfully and reverently leading the congregation in proclaiming the word and reading the petitions, for carrying cross and candles, and bringing up the gis in the offertory procession.

Happy Birthday, St. Lucy Filippini!

On Friday, January 12, students and Sisters at Villa Walsh Academy gathered in St. Lucy Chapel to celebrate the birth of our foundress, St. Lucy Filippini, who was born 352 years ago in the region of Corneto-Tarquinia.

Villa’s Chorus opened the prayer service with the beauty of Schubert's Ave Maria, sung by Cierra Wolckenhauer’25. e Chorus sang beautifully throughout the prayer service, rising to the occasion to make their Chorus teacher, Mrs. Angela Masi, proud. Special thanks also to Jesse Kramer’24, who assisted the Chorus with recorded accompaniment.

Students read Scripture passages that re ected the life of St. Lucy Filippini and her love for God and the people she served, and Sr. Elaine Bebyn M.P.F. then led the congregation in the recitation of the holy rosary, in honor of Our Lady and St. Lucy’s deep devotion to her. Special thanks to Jane Dufner’24, Delaney Caughey’24, Laurel Hamilton’24, Claudia Aragon’24, Ines Lemee’25, Madeline Knagenhjelm’25, Amelia Kleinle’26, and Emily Murphy’26 for reading and leading prayer for the whole school community.

Happy Birthday, St. Lucy!

Sophomore Retreat On Wednesday, January 31, the members of the Class of 2026 were afforded an opportunity to experience a day of community and re ection at the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal’s Most Blessed Sacrament Friary in Newark. Father Stephen Dufrene CFR, Brother Juan Francisco, CFR, and Brother Andre, CFR, hosted the retreat. e sophomores rst enjoyed a tour where they learned the spiritually rich history of the building. Brother Juan Francisco then offered a re ective talk on the topic of identity. Using a series of examples, one being from the life story of a 17 yearold friend of his family, another from an event recorded in the

Gospel of Mark, and the third referring to the witness of St. Augustine, as recorded in his spiritual classic Confessions, Brother Juan Francisco led the students to see that their fullest identity comes from being a beloved daughter of God. Our truest joy comes when we live out of that reality of relationship. Aer the talk, students met in small groups which helped them process and re ect on what they had heard. Next, Father Stephen, CFR, led the retreatants in the Holy Sacri ce of the Mass. anks to Elodie Cooney’26, Blythe Dudley’26, Amelia Kleinle’26, and Emma Naughton’26 for reading at the Liturgy. en came an opportunity for the sophomores to put their faith into action through service. e class broke into two groups. While one group made sandwiches for the Friars to share with their neighbors, the other group assembled necessity bags for the homeless and working poor. In each necessity bag students placed a toothbrush, lip balm, hand warmer, granola bar, and a pair of socks. Before they got to that step, though, the students prayed as a group for those who will be the recipients of these necessity bags and each student wrote an encouraging note, assuring them that they are seen, known, and loved by God and others. en the groups switched activities, so that all could participate in both facets of service. A few students also ministered alongside the Friars as they welcomed at their front door their neighbors for a sandwich, conversation, and fellowship.

Aer that full morning, students enjoyed their packed lunches and the friendship of their classmates. e sophomores were able to experience another manifestation of the Lord’s love and mercy; three priests were available to administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation. e day concluded with a Brother leading the students in a guided prayer called lectio divina, in which the upcoming Sunday’s gospel was read, re-read, and re ected upon. Students were encouraged to write their re ections in their prayer journals. e entire day was lled with the presence and the merciful love of Christ, and the sophomores sensed the credible witness of the Friars and the joy that is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Gratitude is expressed to Sr. Laura Bezila, MPF, Mrs. Laura Williams, and Ms. Colette Geraghty’15 for chaperoning. It was a grace- lled day for all!

Sisters 1st Robotics is hosting a clothing drive fundraiser to support our team as well as to donate to communities in need. We would greatly appreciate any donations of clothes, shoes, accessories, toys, and linens. For every pound collected, Sisters 1st will earn funds for our upcoming competition season! An email with information and a yer was sent earlier this week.

Our clothing drive begins on Saturday, February 10 and goes through Wednesday, February 14. Please drop off all donations in white garbage bags at the glass doors of Mother Ninetta. ere will be bins provided to store the donations.

Please feel free to contact Mrs. Nugent at nugentl@ villawalsh.org if you have any questions. ank you for your support!

e Vikings were on a 5-game winning streak before falling short to the Crimson of Morristown Beard on Jan 27th at home 42-46. Cara Fitzpatrick’26 led all scorers with 13 points, including (3) 3-pointers, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist, Tessa Bowers’25 netted 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, and Isabella Pizzo’25 contributed with 5 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in the loss.

Over the past week, we underwent a tough loss to the Academy of St. Elizabeth on the road 32-35 followed by a big win at home in the 1st Round of the 2024 Girls Prep B Basketball Tournament. e Vikings beat Doane Academy from Burlington, NJ, 64-20 to advance to the next round and go up against Pennington. Michela Vaccaro’26 14 points led the Vikings, Tessa Bowers’25 11 points, Delaney Caughey’24 10 points, and So a Kearns’26 game-high 9 points.

Upcoming Events: February 6 - Conference HOME Game vs. Mt. Lakes @ 7 pm; February 8 - Conference HOME Game vs. Dover @ 7 pm (SENIOR NIGHT); and Feb 12 – PLAY 4 KAY – HOME Game vs. Pequannock @ 7 pm.

Come out and support our Villa Walsh Vikings. Go Villa!

Basketball Varsity Fantastic things are happening in the basketball program this season! e Villa Walsh Girls’ Basketball team is 17 games into the season with an overall record of 12-5 and 8-2 in the Independence Division of the NJAC. is is the best start since the 2019-2020 team, which nished 17-9 and appeared in the MCT semi- nals. e Vikings captured the 2023 North Warren Holiday Extravaganza Tournament with a win over host North Warren in the Championship game 56-39. Michela Vaccaro’26 led all scorers with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists, Caroline Tully’27 netted 11 points, including (3) 3-pointers, Delaney Caughey’24 netted 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks, and Tessa Bowers’25 contributed 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals. Kayla Vaccaro’26 was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player, and Delaney Caughey’24 was named to the All-Tournament Team.

In conference play last week, the Vikings hosted the Redhawks of Parsippany High School and pulled away with a convincing win 54-27 at home. Delaney Caughey’24 contributed 15 points and 4 rebounds, Tessa Bowers’25 added 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists and Michela Vaccaro’26 netted 7 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 steals. On the defensive end, Isabella Pizzo’25, Gemma Cafasso’26, and Cara Fitzpatrick’26 contributed with 4 steals each for a total of 12 steals in the win.

Basketball JV Villa Walsh Basketball had a great start, and all teams are playing good and exciting basketball. Our JV Lady Vikings hold a 9-1 record, are on a 6-game win streak, and are playing their best basketball yet. Not only are the JV Lady Vikings winning, but everyone is contributing to the success. On the defensive end, e Lady Vikings are led by Bridget Boler’26 and Lexi Stappas’27, who are both averaging 4 steals a game. Bridget Drew’26, Azariah Andrews’27 and Ava Seaman’26 have been cleaning the boards, averaging a combined 14 rebounds a game between the three. e JV team is also full of playmakers like Charlotte Stager’26, who has been chipping in 4 assists a game, and Maeve Dam’27, who averages 5 assists per game. Leading the charge scoring this season are Ava Seaman’26 (12 points per game) and Ellen DiDominico’26 (10 points per game). Our JV Lady Vikings were ranked 5th in Morris County and advanced to the second round of the Morris County Tournament, losing to a tough Madison team. Let's nish the season strong. GO VILLA! Basketball Freshman e Freshman team is currently 4-6. e girls have battled injuries and, at times, played with no substitutes but have been consistent on the court. Over the Christmas holiday, the girls traveled to Ocean City High School and played two teams there. While they lost both games, they kept the

games close and learned how to handle the stress of playing tough games in the fourth quarter. e girls played Randolph twice, losing the rst game by 3 points, but turned it around against them the second time, winning by 9. e team has wins against Morristown Beard, Parsippany Hills, Mount Saint Mary’s, and Randolph. e girls have some tough games ahead against Mendham, West eld, and Mountain Lakes, but they are looking forward to battling with these teams.

Basketball Middle School e Middle School Basketball team consists of the following players: Mary Cafasso'28, Galina (Gigi) Dangler'28, Adriana Rizk'28, Grace Boler'29, Caroline Caughey'29, eadora Hronides'29, Joelle Paolino'29, Lucy Smart'29, Emma Murphy'29, Elodie Tuck'29, and manager Evie Martin'29. e team just ended a great season with a record of 8-6. e team closed out the season with a pizza party celebration.

End-of-season awards went to Mary Cafasso’28- 8th grade MVP, Joelle Paolino’29 - Coaches Award, Elodie Tuck’29 Green & White Award, and Lucy Smart’29- 7th grade MVP. Lucy Smart’29 was named captain for next year's season.

Congrats to all!

Swimming e Morristown Beard-Villa Walsh Academy Co-Op swim team has had a successful season, notching victories against larger high schools such as Parsippany and Mendham. e team placed 14th at the Morris County Championships on March 20. is season, our team has been led by MB junior Isla Johnston’25, who placed 2nd in the 400 freestyle at the championship meet. Villa Walsh swimmers Cameron Shull’26, Gemma Hong’27, and Anne Rionda’27 have been standout swimmers for the team all season and joined Isla Johnston’25 in swimming the 400 freestyle relay at the county championships, placing 13th overall. In addition, Cameron Shull’26 placed an impressive 30th in the 100 butter y event. e team looks to conclude their season at the New Jersey Independent School Athletic Association championships at e Lawrenceville School on February 7th.

Winter Track & Field Villa Winter Track has successfully concluded the relay meet season. e team rang in the New Year with the Morris County Relays, where 3 teams earned medals. e 4x800 team of Emily Poruczynski’24, Erin Lyons’25, Delaney Yosh’25, and Ines Lemee’25 and the distance medley squad of Margaret Boler’25, Avery Poruczynski’25, Erin Lyons’25, and Colleen (Jackie) Walsh’24 both took 6th place. Amalia Hronides’25 (4th overall) and Jesse Kramer’24 (7th overall) combined for a 2nd place in the high jump relay.

Notable performances from the Frosh-Soph level of Morris County Meets were a rst place in the shot put relay by

Emma Naughton’26 and Bianca Petrucci’27 and a rst place in the 300 by Jillian Paolino’26 in the Frosh-Soph Championship Meet. In that same meet, Grace Calvano’26 and Emily Murphy’27 collected personal bests with 4’ 2” in the high jump.

A week later, at the Toms River “Bubble,” the team competed in true “pack-attack” style and claimed the NJSIAA Non-Public B Relay Championship! at aernoon, Villa won four events and scored in all nine events on the way to a dominating 68-50 victory over runner-up St. Benedict's Prep. It's the second year in a row and the h state relay title in the history of Villa Winter track. Villa’s victories came in the Distance Medley Margaret Boler’25, Emily Poruczynski’24, Erin Lyons’25, and Ines Lemee’25 and the 4x800 Emily Poruczynski’24, Avery Poruczynski’25, Delaney Yosh’25, and Margaret Boler’25. Amalia Hronides’25 and Jesse Kramer’24 won the High Jump relay and tied the school record of 9’4”! Amalia Hronides’25 also teamed up with Avery Poruczynski’25 to win the Pole Vault. In the other events, Villa collected a 2nd place in the 4x400, 3rd place in the shuttle hurdle, sprint medley, and shot put, and a 5th place in the 4x200. Personal bests were achieved across the board. Whether they were competing or not, all the athletes on the team came out to support each other. A great day on the track for Villa!

At the Morris County Championships on January 29th, 2024, at Ocean Breeze, Staten Island, the Villa athletes were able to measure themselves with the best of the best in Morris County. At the end of the night, Villa placed 7th overall in the team competition, edging out several Morris County track powerhouses. Individual points came from Ines Lemee‘25 with a 3rd place and new personal best in the 3200, Blythe Dudley’26 with a third place in the 1600, Margaret Boler’25 with a 4th place and new personal best in the 1000, and personal best for Amalia Hronides’25 with a 5th place in the high jump.

Additional personal bests were achieved by Kayla Castellano’25, Jillian Paolino’26, and Natalia Tole’24 in the 55 dash, by Kayla Castellano’25, Natalia Tole’24, Colleen (Jackie) Walsh’24 and Katelyn McGowan’27 in the 300, by Emily Murphy’27 and Clodagh Bateson’26 in the 55m hurdles, by Avery Poruczynski’25 and Delaney Yosh’25 in the 1000, and by Emily Poruczynski’24 in the 1600. Emma McNaughton’26 threw the shot put a remarkable 25 feet 7 inches, a new personal best. e shot put official was amazed that a small athlete like her could throw the shot that far. Way to go Emma!

To nish off the meet, the 4x400 relay team of Blythe Dudley’26, Clodagh Bateson’26, Margaret Boler’25, and

Avery Poruczynski’25 dropped the baton but managed to recover and ran a new season’s best. Coach Yombor and Coach Ladolcetta can’t wait to see what the 4x400 squad can do with perfect handoffs.

Villa will travel to the Toms River “Bubble” two more times - once for the Non-Public B State Meet on February 16 and once for the Prep B State Meet on February 21.

Keep your ngers crossed for our hard-working and determined athletes! Go Winter Track!

Let the sunshine in!

Spring is around the corner, so refresh your uniforms with crisp, new VWA merchandise designed for your every need!

SHOPPING IS EASY! 1st Day of Spring Sale

e January ALC meeting was snowed out. e next meeting is on February 13th.

e February Booster meeting was held on Monday, February 5th, in the SDLAC Study Room. We are planning the Dinner & Golf Fundraiser on ursday, May 2, and need your help! Please contact Booster Club President Lynne Connor to volunteer to serve on a committee. We hope to see you at the March meeting on Monday, March 4, at 7:30 in the SDLAC. All parents are welcome!

Tuesday - March 19 Assembly Hall 10:30 AM - 3 PM

e boutique is open online every day for your shopping convenience: stores.villawalsh.com Wear your school pride to show the world how Villa SHINES! (http://stores.villawalsh.com/)