Villa Walsh Academy NEWSLETTER
SophomorestudentswillbeginmeetingwithMrs.Devinsnextmonth todiscussPSATresults,theschoolyear,andtheirfuturegoals,both academically and socially. Students will also have the opportunity to view their high school transcript, as well as see the importance ofbeinginvolved inextracurricularactivities.
CareerDayisscheduled for ursday,April 10,2025.estudent planningteamisbeginningto coordinate this day,andwe are verymuch lookingforwardto hearingfromouralumnae!
UpcomingTesting:
PSAT10– April2,2025 – for10thgrade students
PSAT8/9 –April 9,2025–for8thand 9thgradestudents
Moreinformation willbe forthcomingcloser tothe testingdates.
For allstudents and families– please remembertoutilizethe Guidance webpageforresources,includingsummerprograms, pre-collegeopportunities,andscholarships.
COLLEGECORNER
eClassof2025isremindedandencouragedtonotify Guidance with college decisions.Whileweknowthewaitingpart ofhearingbackfromcollegescanbe challenging,weaskfor you tokeep thefaith.
• Studentsshouldalso update theGuidanceOfficewithany scholarshipawardsoradmission decisions.
• Researchscholarships!Somenationalsourcesinclude: www.fastweb.com and www.collegeboard.org.ereis also scholarshipinformationonthe Guidancewebpageand individualcollege websites.
• Studentsarealsoencouragedtolook for scholarship opportunities through their residential highschool and/or locallibraryforadditionalopportunities.
• Anyseniorwhowouldlike toreviewordiscusscollege decisionsshouldpleasestop bytheGuidanceOffice.
December 2024 / January 2025
SPECIALRECOGNITIONAWARD:
VillaWalsh AcademyhasearnedtheCollegeBoard'sAP Computer ScienceFemaleDiversity Award for expandingyoung women’s access to AP Computer Science A(CSA)andAP Computer SciencePrinciples(CSP).rough these diversityawards, theAP Program acknowledges1,153schoolsfor theirworktoward improvingfemalerepresentationincomputerscience duringthe 2023-24schoolyear.VWA isoneofonly69schoolsnationwide to achievethis accomplishmentforboth APcomputerscience courses.
PEERTUTORING
Peertutoringremainsavailable forallstudents whofeel theycould bene tfromsomeadditionalhelp with aclass.e sign upfor requestingandproviding peertutoringcanbe foundonthedoor of theguidanceoffice.Pleasestop inoremail Mrs.Devins if youhave anyquestions.
Startingwith APSeminarduringsophomoreyear,and continuingwithAPResearchin junioryear, thecoursesuse aninterdisciplinaryapproach todevelopthecritical thinking, research,collaboration,timemanagement,andpresentation skills needed for college.
etwelvesophomores in APSeminarare embarkingon their rstperformancetask--a team projectandpresentation-whichwillbe partof theiroverallscorefromtheCollegeBoard for thiscourse.Placed intogroups,studentswillcollaborate to selecta topic and formulatea researchquestionthatdrivestheir investigation of anacademicorreal-worldproblemorissue.As partof the rstperformance task,eachgroup memberwillwrite anindividual paper ofapproximately1,200words aboutsome approach, perspective,orlensofhergroup’stopic.Inaddition,the teamwillworktogether todevelop amultimediapresentationto presenttheargumentfortheir proposedsolution; thepresentation alsorequiresoraldefensebasedonquestionsposedbytheteacher.
AP CAPSTONE
esetasksandprojects help develop skillsthatthestudents will applydirectlyto ayear-longprojectinAP Research.In November,thetenAPResearchstudentssubmittedtheir inquiryproposalsfortheir individualresearchprojectsto an internal ethicsreviewpanel,whichreviewedtheproposals toallowresearchersto moveforwardwithcon dence with theirdatacollection,allofwhichinvolvehumanparticipants. SpecialthanksarethusduetoMrs.Karen Cunico,Dr.Nancy Innella,Mrs.OlgaNegrin,Mrs. JulieOliveros, andMs. Beth Schoonmaker fortheirtimeandinsights.
eresearcherstookabrief breakfromworkingontheir paper to learnaboutthepresentation andoral defense (POD), whichwill bepartoftheirAP Researchscores.ePOD,which is scheduled for mid-April,requires a15-20minutepresentation andissimilar toa dissertation defense.Students willdevelop skillsassociated withcommunicatingwithandengagingan audience,and re ectingontheir own process.
InDecember,the researchersbegan pilotstudies of their methodologies,whichallowedthem toidentify limitations and makeadjustmentsbeforedata collection (surveysand interviews) beganin earnestinearlyJanuary.When thedata comesin, studentswillalsolearnsomebasicsofstatisticalanalysisand usingtoolstosortandmanipulatedata.On thisfront, the researchershavebeen gratefulforguidanceandadvicefromMrs. Vanessa SchiroandMr.OwenBusler.
eAP Researchstudentsaregratefulforthe support of theVilla community -- includingthemanystudentswhohaveparticipated insurveys--astheyprepare toaddtheir ownuniquevoicesto theacademicdiscussionsoftheirtopics.
VILLA SERVES
HOSA(HealthOccupationsStudentsofAmerica)
NewtoourVillaWalsh Academyclubrosterisaninternational organization known asHOSA. HOSAisa global,studentled organizationwhosemissionisto empower futurehealth professionals tobecome leaders in theglobalhealthcommunity througheducation,collaboration,andexperience. roughthe organization,students areabletojoinstudentsfromother schools incompetitionsandconferences on avariety ofhealthcarerelated subjects. ankyouto BridgetDrew’26for organizingVW involvement.
VillaServes
Averyspecial thankyougoes to AnneRionda’27,NoraDam’25 and MaeveDam’26 fortheirassistanceatchildren’sChristmas activitiesatSt.Margaret’s ChurchinMorristown.
erecent“coldsnap”called fora CodeBluethroughoutthe stateofNew Jersey. Withthat, EveLoughran'27 helpedwitha collection of new hats,glovesand scarvesthatweredroppedoff atvariouslocal sites.
Feelingcompelled toserve by theLAwild redevastation,Villa Servesbeganbyhavingatagday with donations of atleast ve
dollarsfromeachstudent.Inall,a checkforover $850 dollars willbe donatedto St.ElizabethofHungary CatholicChurchinAltadena, CA.If thatwasn’tenough, KayleyBascom’25 organized ajewelry saleto bene tthoseinneed. isis an ongoingprojectsolookfor our nalresultatthe endofour“Fire”sale.
DiversityCafe'
January6thmarkedthestartofthe NewYear,but itis alsothe day ofEpiphany whichcelebrates thethree kings'arrival inBethlehem withgis forthenewbornbabyJesus. Tocelebrate this event,many traditionsserveacakewith adiscreetly inserted“baby” for onelucky personto discover.DiversityCafé’ served“king”cakesduringlunch andthesurpriserecipientofthe “baby”was AugustinaMartinezFerretti’25. ankyouto allourstudentsandtheir familiesfor helpingustobringthis tradition toourstudents.
Incelebration ofDr.Martin LutherKing,andin aneffortforitto be “adayon,notjustadayoff,” Diversity Cafevolunteersbakedtoraise moneyfor victimsoftheCalifornia wild res.Inaddition,important quotesto remindusofthe words ofDr.King,were placed instrategic spotsthroughoutthe school.ankyouto ClaraAinsworth’25 for helpingto spreadthewords! Diversity Club member Anne Rionda’27,alsogavea talkto theHistoryClubon thelifeandworks ofDr.King. JeanelleCantave’30 representedthe DiversityCafe byparticipatingin acommunity fooddrive,MLK services,and promotingthetruespiritofMLK with a“dayon.”
STUDENT FASHION SHOW
On behalfoftheHSABoard,Sr.Elaine,andMrs.Grabowski,thank youto everyonewhoattended,volunteered,anddonatedtothis year’sFallFestivalandStudentFashionShow, Ooh LaLa!Villa.We arethrilled toannounceitraised over$200,000—a37%increase over2023!
Aspecialshout-outto VeronicaManley’14 forherincredible talent emceeingtheevening.e studentslitup thestagewiththeir themed,creativeout ts,and ourseniorsstoletheshow in their elegant gowns on therunway.From amazingbasketsanda stunning pieceofjewelrydonatedbytheBentzFamilytothe delightful mime—awonderfulsurprisefromtheLemeefamily—everydetail addedto themagicofthe night.Ourcommitteeworkedtirelesslyto createthismagni qué event,anditwas perfect!
eproceedsfromthiseventhaveameaningful impacton our school,andwe are incrediblythankfultooursponsorsandeveryone whocontributedinanyway.Yoursupporthasmade this ourmost successfulFestivalandFashionShowyet—thankyou!
Welookforwardtohonoringall volunteersattheHSALiturgy Mass &Brunch on May4,2025(details tocome).
SavetheDate:
e2025Fashion Showissetfor Saturday,November22,2025.
Let’sdo itagainandmakeit even betterforourgirls!
Metropolitan Museum of Art
To celebrate theendof the rst semester,Freshman Art,Music and English departments collaborated tobringthe Freshman Class in toexplorethefollowingareas of eMetropolitan Museumof Art: GreekandRoman Art,AncientEgypt,AmericanWing,Musical InstrumentsandNineteenth andTwentieth-CenturyEuropean Paintings.Studentsofthe APArt HistoryClass joinedusinthis adventure.ebusarrivedearlyforourappointedtime,sowevisited Central Park to seethe famousAliceinWonderlandSculpture bySpanish American SculptureJose deCreein DelacortePlaza. Mrs.Lagana,Mr.Daher,Mrs.Lanni,Dr.LemkeandMrs.Draeger chaperoned fortysixstudents and agreat experiencewashadbyall. Photosmaybe foundonInstagramat villawalsh_art.
CAMPUS MINISTRY
ChapelRosary
Parentsareinvited tojoinstudents and faculty aerschool every Wednesdayat2:45PMinSt.LucyChapeltopraytherosaryforour needsandthe needsofthewholeworld.St.PadrePio oncesaidthat therecitation of OurLady’srosaryisthemost powerfulweaponofour time. Allarewelcome.
AdventDayofAdorationandReconciliation
VillaWalsh’seologyDepartmenthosted its annualAdventDayof Adoration andReconciliation on December6,aFirstFriday,notonly tohonortheSacred Heart of Jesus,butto prepare ourownhearts and soulsforthecoming ofJesusinBethlehematChristmas. eAdvent DayofAdorationandReconciliation offersstudents theopportunity tospendtheireology class timein adorationofJesus in theBlessed Sacrament,thebestTeacherofall. Priestsfromlocalparisheswere available throughouttheday foranyonewhowantedtocelebratethe Sacramentof Reconciliation. In themiddleof so much busyness, adorationofthe BlessedSacrament isthe best waytoremember Jesus, the“reasonfortheseason.”
ImmaculateConceptionLiturgy
On MondayDecember 9th,2024,studentsand facultyassembledin St. LucyChapelto celebrate eFeastofthe Immaculate Conception. e8th grade class led thecongregation bycarryingthe crossand candles,proclaimingthe readings,leadingtheprayer ofthefaithful bringing upthe gis inthe offertory,andsingingin thechoir.
Specialthank youtothe whole8thgrade classfortheirreverence and prayerfulexample inthisjoyful celebration.
KrisKringleTradition
Everyyear,Villa’s studentsparticipatein aSecret Santagiexchange withtheirclassmates,affectionatelyknown atVWA as KrisKringle, whichgetsits bigreveal atthe annualpartyonthe last morningbefore Christmas vacation. In theweekleadingup to theparty,students leavesmallreminders, gis,treats,andnotes intheir KK’slocker,and
createa special ornament with apersonalized note thatdecorates Villa’sChristmastreein theGraceAnn Cafe. All thesmiles, laughterandexcitementoftheseasonwhen theKK’s are nally revealed are abrightandhappywaytobegin Christmas break.
ChristmasLiturgy
Inthe midst of afestiveandexpectant weekbeforeChristmas, theVillaWalshAcademycommunitygatheredinSt.LucyChapel tocelebrateMass,comingtogetherin worship togivethanksto GodforthegiofHisSon,Jesus. eMass,celebratedby Rev. Jose Zuniga ofSt. VincentMartyrparishinMadison, helped toremindus allofthe best giany ofuscaneverreceiveat Christmas: JesusChrist,ourLord. Specialthanks toMr.Paul DaherandVilla’s Chorusforleadingthe congregationinsong, andtothe freshman Class of2028forreverentlyconductingthe variousparts of theliturgy,includingtheCall toWorship,readings, petitions,crossand candles,offertorygis andprograms: Mary Cafasso’28,KatherineCanon’28,SophiaDannenmann’28,Avery Draeger’28, So aGrum’28, MariaKalavrouziotis’28,Juliana Kenworthy’28,BethKinney’28,KendallKiraly’28,Satine Nader’28,SerenaSabatella’28,ZoeLenz’28,SarahShalhoub’28, HaileySimmons’28,So aVelez’28,LaylaVreeling’28,andAbigail Wright’28.
EpochMinistry
Epochis backinfullswingasourCampusMinistrycontinuesto runthisserviceopportunity for allhighschool students.
Everyursday,VWAHighSchoolstudentsareinvited tojoin theirpeersingoingtoEpoch. Epoch (EducationalProgramsof Children Handicapped)is auniqueaer-schoolprogramfor special needschildren whoareunabletoparticipatein traditionalaerschoolactivities. Established inMadison nearly50yearsago,it servesdevelopmentallydelayedchildrenbetween theagesof6to 21.estudentEpochVolunteersfromDecemberandJanuary are:Seniors AngelinaRizk'25,NinaMody'25,Juniors Kayley Bascom'26,GemmaCafasso'26,ElodieCooney'26,Marie Magnier'26, Sophomores AvaSansano'27,SarahPorr'27,Peyton Simmons'27,LiaGriffin'27,IsabellaOrosz'27,andMaeve Dam'27
AtEpoch there areawidearrayofindoorandoutdoorrecreational activitiesincludingarts and cras,games,cooking, libraryvisits, holidayparties,andmuch more! Sofarwehaveenjoyedplaying football,basketball,ConnectFour,Christmas celebrations andmore withourfriendsat EPOCH.
SoupKitchen
Moderatedby Ms.Geraghty'15, membersofVilla Walsh's Campus Ministrygottogether in theReginaPacis kitchenonDecember 18th,2025andJanuary28th,2025to prepareameal for the St. MartindePorressoup kitchen, sponsoredbythe Franciscan Friars oftheRenewal at Most BlessedSacrament Friary.Withgenerous donations fromVilla'scommunity,studentsfromthe Classof 2026 wereabletocookandassemble ahearty meal for morethan150of thefriar'sneighbors inNewark,whichincludes both thehomeless andtheworkingpoor.isnew initiativewillallow studentsfrom everygradetoparticipateonce amonth inthecorporal workof mercytofeed thepoor.
OpeningoftheJubileeYearMass
On SundayDecember29th, Sr.Elaine,Sr.Helen,Sr.Laura, Ms.Geraghty’15,Marie Magnier’26 andMichelaVaccaro’26, representedVillaWalshAcademyatthe OpeningoftheJubilee YearMassforthe Diocese ofPaterson.Participatinginthe Mass andprocessionwasa beautifulwayto start this Jubilee Yearof Hope!Ifyouarecuriousaboutwaystoparticipateinthis Jubilee Year,youcan ndresourcesonthe diocesanwebsite.
MarchforLifeinWashington,D.C.
Together,agroup ofVillaWalsh Academystudents Marie Magnier’26Ashlee Martin’26 andJulianaKenworthy’28 alongwithMs.Geraghty’15 andSisterElaine joined St. Joseph’s Churchin Mendham,NJandothersfromtheDioceseof Patersontotravelto Washington,DC for theAnnualMarchFor Lifeon January 24th.Aspart of ourwitnessasa communitythat respects life, itwasajoyto beamongothersprayingandstanding up forthosewhoarethemost vulnerable.
Ourstudentsattended massatSt.Peter’sChurchonCapitol Hill. emasswascelebratedbyourown BishopKevinSweeney.Our students,alongwith others,joinedinprayer with allofthosein attendance.We concluded thedaywalkingthroughthestreetsof Washington,DCwiththousandsofothers.
Itwasa greatdayforcommunitybondingandbeingabletojoin alongwithother schools andmembersofourcommunity and countryinstandingupforlife.
ROBOTICS
Sisters1stSuccesswiththeir AnnualBloodDrive
InDecember,the Sisters1st Roboticsteamhosted asuccessful blooddrive,bringingtogether communitymemberstomakea difference.With 39 donorsregistered,wewerethrilled tocollect atotalof39units ofblood,helpingtosavelivesandsupport thosein need. In additiontothe blooddonations, ourbaked goodsand3D-printedornament salewasa bighit,contributing toourfundraisingefforts.Wetrulyenjoyedtheopportunity to giveback tothecommunityand wearegrateful for everyonewho participated andcontributed.
Ifyou’reconsideringdonatingbloodin thefuture,youcanuse ourteam’scode,71718,tohelpusreceivecredit for yourdonation. ankyouformakingthiseventa success andcontinuingto supportourendeavors!
NJIT2024EngineeringSummerInternship is summer, ve oftheseniorsonourteam, MaliaNugent’25, LynetteGao’25,AngelinaRizk’25,AnnaCollins’25, and ClaudiaSteinberg’25,participatedin asix-weekroboticsresearch internship atNJITunder theguidance of ProfessorSwissler. FundedbyaNationalScienceFoundation(NSF)grant,the project exploredslimemold-inspiredself-assemblyrobotics. Aunique componentofthe grantrequired exposinghighschool students to roboticsresearchin acollegesetting,servingasa dualopportunity
for NJITto evaluatethe integrationofhigh school studentsinto academicresearchandforthe girlsto beexposedtoan advanced project. estudentscollaboratedwith Mrs.ManleyandMrs. Nugentto meetthe grant’srequirements,whichallowed themto gain this hands-on experience.ey weretasked todesign and builda conveyorbelt systemcapableofmovingmaterialsduring oodscenarios.Anessential piece of theprojectwas inspired by slimemold'sefficient movement anddevelopingtheconveyor belt systemtoworksimultaneouslywiththem.
roughout thisinternship,studentsembraced theEngineering Design Process,brainstormingindividualdesignsforawalking beammechanism,sketchingideas,and prototypingwithknex beforetransitioning toCADdrawings.MaliaNugent’25 remarked,“thisopportunity wasveryeducational for meas I hadanopportunity tolearnmoreabouttheengineeringdesign processandhowto initiate thedesignprocess.I alsoreally enjoyedbeingexposedtothe college-lifesetting.”Together withProfessor Swissler,theyselectedthestrongest design and craedametal prototype aertouringNJIT'sMakerspace.e group alsovisitedNYU’smechanicalengineeringbuildingto experiencestudentlifeandexplore futureacademicpathways. "Itwasagreatintroductionto whatresearchcouldlooklikein college," said ClaudiaSteinberg’25,re ectingonthe experience. Bytheendof theprogram,the studentshadsuccessfullybuilt a functionalconveyorbeltsystem,learned howto tacklereal-world engineeringchallenges,anddeepenedtheir understandingof roboticsandcollegiateresearch.
SwimmingVarsity
eswim teamhadtheir bestdualmeeton January 15thagainst ParsippanyHigh School. ey won7races! efollowingswimmers hadmultiple1stplace nishes:CameronShull’26,AnneRionda’27, andLaurenPetrie’27. efollowingswimmers alsohadpersonal bestswimsat theMorrisCountyChampionshipson January18th. AnneRionda’27in the50Free and CameronShull’26 in the100Fly. LaurenPetrie’27,AnneRionda’27,CameronShull’26,and Kylie Mazzei’25dropped 6secondsinthe 200MedleyRelayand8 seconds inthe200FreeRelay atthesamemeet. Onthewayhomefromthe MorrisCounty Championships,theteamenjoyedateambonding event atTacoria inMorristown. OurSenior NightwillbeonJanuary 30th,whenwe swimagainstParamusCatholic.
BasketballVarsity
eVilla Walshgirlsvarsitybasketballteamis havinganexciting season.irteengamesin,the Vikingsboastan impressiveoverall recordof9-4andremain undefeatedin theIndependenceNJAC conference witha6-0record.Inconferenceplay, the Vikings traveled tofacethe RedHawks ofParsippany HighSchool in theseason opener on 12/17/24andsecuredaconvincing70-30victory. eresa Bowers’26 ledallscorerswith14points,5rebounds,4assists, and 3steals,SerenaSabatella’28 netted 11points,2assists,and4 steals, IsabellaPizzo’25chippedin10points,5 rebounds,4steals,and4
WINTERSPORTS
blocks, MichelaVaccaro’26 contributed,10points,5 reboundsand2 assiststo clinchthevictory.
DuringtheVoorhees HolidayClassicTournament,the Vikings faced a toughlosstoSpartainthe rstgame,ending35-51. eresa Bowers’26 ledtheteamwith14 points,6rebounds,and2 steals, MichelaVaccaro’26 added7pointsand5 rebounds,and Katherine (KC)Canon’28 netted 5points. However,the teambounced back withawin intheconsolationgameagainstWarren Hills,led by SerenaSabatella’28, with aseason-high 19points,2rebounds, 2assists,and2 steals, IsabellaPizzo’25captured 14points,10 rebounds,2assists and 2steals in her rst double-double thisseason and Katherine(KC)Cannon’28 netted 13points,4rebounds,6 assistsand3 stealsto sealthewin. eresaBowers’26 wasnamed to theAll-Tournament Team.
eVikingswereona thrilling six-gamewinningstreak,highlighted byanimpressive67-26victory on 1/10/25againsttheircrosstown rivals,theAcademyofSt.Elizabeth. CarolineTully’27 fueledthe winbyhittingfourthree-pointersand nishingwitha game-high 16points,3assists,and3 steals. SerenaSabatella’28addedto the excitement with 12points,2 assists,and2 steals. eresaBowers’26 and MichelaVaccaro’26eachnetted10points,contributinga combined 14 reboundsand5 assists.
Next,onJanuary 16,2025,theVikings hosted the Montville Mustangsandsecuredadecisive 50-40victory. eresaBowers’26 standoutperformanceincludedaseason-high18points,8 rebounds, 4assists,and3 steals. IsabellaPizzo’25contributed with9 points,9 rebounds,5assists, and1steal. SerenaSabatella’28 added8points, 3assists,and2 steals,while So aKearns’26 recorded5 points anda season-high12rebounds, 4assists, and3stealsinthewin.
BasketballJV
eVilla WalshJVVikings havebeenstormingthrough the20242025season, wrappingupthe monthofJanuarywitha2 -5 record. eladieshavehadsome hard-foughtbattlesandhave grown in skillandexperience.Eachplayerhasbeen workinghardboth on andoff the court. eLadyVikingsarecomingoffatremendous homewinagainst atoughMontville team,and everyonechipped in andplayed apartinthe victory.e JV Vikingslooktokeep their winningmomentumgoingandcontinuetheir success throughout therestofthe seasonasthey trytomakea runin theMorrisCounty Tournament.
BasketballMiddleSchool
eMiddleSchoolBasketballTeamis on awinningrun with arecord of10-2.eteamhadbigwinsagainstMorristown Beard21-15and MorrisPlains38-16. LucySmart’29isleadingallscorerswith 162 totalpointsfortheseason. AvaKloster’30 isleadingthe teamin 3-pointshotsmadewith15. CarolineCaughey’29hadaseason-high 10pts againste CraigSchool. ElodieTuck’29hadakey 8pointsat MorrisPlainswithherleylayups. JeanelleCantave’30hadaseasonhigh 10points versusFarHillsCountryDaySchool,while Luciana Scotti’30 chippedin4 pointsduringthe samegame. eodora Hronides’29 went3for 4onherfoulshots duringtheMorristown Beardgame.EmmaMurphy’29 chippedin2 pointsversusKent Place.e team enjoyed a fun bondingtrip toeFamishedFrog andenjoyedtheChristmas decorationsonMorristown Greenin December.eteamearnedthe6th seedinthe GMCJSCAandwill
play the3rdseed,Bloomingdale,on January25atMemorial JuniorSchoolin Whippany.GoVilla!!
WinterTrack
eVilla Winter track team'srecipeforsuccessisconsistency MargaretBoler’25and BlytheDudley’26,hardwork,and enjoyable outdoorworkouts in freezingtemperatures.e girlshavecollected several school records this season andone championship sofar,butthey are far fromdone.AttheJack O’ Leary MeetinDecember, MargaretBoler’25and Blythe Dudley’26 went1and2 in the1000m,bothclockingin with a 3:08pluschange.
AttheCatholic Track Winter RelaysatOcean Breeze,the high jump duo AmaliaHronides’25 andAzariahAndrews’27 won rstplacewith5’2”and4”10” jumps,respectively.atwasalsoa newschoolrecord.
esecondplaceoverall atthe2025MorrisCountyRelays wasthe bestplacementforthe trackteamin theprogram'shistory. Gold medalswereearnedby theDistanceMedley/DMR(Margaret Boler’25,AvaSeaman’26,InesLemee’25,and BlytheDudley’26) andthehighjumprelay(AmaliaHronides’25and Azariah Andrews’27).eDMR timeof12:31.03is anew school record for Villaandstandsasthe 9th-best timein New Jerseythiswinter season.Finishingthesprintmedley/SMR withatime of 4:25.39 meantyetanother schoolrecordandaMorrisCounty silver medal for the teamof JillianPaolino’26,EmilyMurphy’27,Emma Naughton’26, andMargaretBoler’25.e4x800teamofInes Lemee’25,MarthaSmart’25,and ErinLyons’25 also nishedin secondplace,gainingvaluableteampoints.
On January15,2025,theteam visited the Tom’s RiverBubble for the rsttime this seasonto defendtheir Non-PublicBState Relay Titlethattheyhadwonin2023and2024. Countlesssolid performancesled tothe59 points overall,enoughtoedgeout St. Benedict’sPrep,MontclairKimberly,Morristown Beard, and8 other non-PublicBteams. AmaliaHronides’25 (5’2”) and AzariahAndrews’27 (5’)broketheschool recordin the high jump relayonemoretimeandatthesametimebroke the meet record.ecombined heightwas10’2".Freshman Hailey Simmons’28 debutedasa Villapolevaulter andcleared opening height withnoissues andperfectform.In additiontothe high jump relay,the followingthreeteamswontheirrespective events:e DMR(MarthaSmart’25,AvaSeaman’26,Erin Lyons’25,InesLemee’25),theSMR(JillianPaolino’26,Emma Naughton’26,EmilyMurphy’27,MargaretBoler’25) and the 4x800 (InesLemee’25,ErinLyons’25,MarthaSmart’25,Avery Poruczynski’25). Congrats tothe team forthethird relaytitle in arow!
Ourfreshmenandsophomores made some waves attheMorris CountyFrosh-SophMeet,placing5thoverallforthefreshmen (tinyteam of HaileySimmons’28and BethKinney’28)and4th overallforthe sophomores(teamof three: AzariahAndrews’27, EmilyMurphy’27,and BiancaPetrucci’27). BiancaPetrucci’27 won the sophomoreshotput,AzariahAndrews’27wonthe sophomorehighjump,and HaileySimmons’28wonthe pole vault with anew personal record of 7'6".
enext bigeventforVilla WinterTrackis theMorrisCounty ChampionshipsatOceanBreezeonJanuary29th.egirlsare preparedto bringtheirA-gametocompetefor a top spotin thecounty.On February 3rd,theteamwilltravelto theNYC Armory for the“Varsity Classic.”
ankyouto theparentswhohavecomeoutto far placesto watchlongtrackmeets!
Goodlucktotheteam! Workhardandhave fun!
AthleticLeadershipCouncil(ALC)
AttheDecember 12thALCmeeting,JV SoccerCoach Emma Shatel'19discussedthe effects of socialmediaon athletes' performance.At thelastmeeting,onJanuary23rd, members discussedthe importanceofschool spiritand ways to increase attendanceatsportingevents.e VWA community shouldbe onthelookoutforsocialmedia posts andannouncementsabout upcomingevents.
enext ALC meetingwillbe heldonFebruary 27th.
NationalGirlsandWomeninSportsDay
Congratulationsto IsabellaPizzo’25, whowasselected by VWA coachesandathleticstaff to representVWA atthe NJSIAANationalGirlsandWomeninSportsDaycelebration onSunday,January12,2025,atRutgersUniversity.Isabella washonored during halime oftheWomen’sbasketballgame alongside NewJersey femaleathletes from twoandfour-year colleges,universities, andhigh schools.eVWAJVandvarsity basketballteams supported Isabellabyattendingthegameand cheeringher on!
Waytogo,Isabella,youmakeVWA proud!
SCHOOL FORMS
Please remember that the following forms are due on 2/13/2025:
• GovernmentTextbook
• Transportation
THE WIZARD OF OZ
VillaWalshAcademypresents eWizardofOz
March7 at10am(GroupSales)
March8 at7pm
March9 at3pm
TicketsareavailableonVWwebsite: www.villawalsh.org