Villa Walsh Academy NEWSLETTER

VOL. 39 No. 6 SPRING2023

Guidance

RecentHappenings:

• 9th grade students have been meeting with Mrs. Devins to discuss PSATs, course selection and to reviewtheiracademic year.

• Juniors met with Mrs. Devins during their English class to discuss the College Essay, Brag Sheet andStudentResume.

• Juniors will receive their updated transcripts in late June.

• Seniors:Pleasenotethatyour naltranscriptswill besenttothecollegeyouareattendingduringthe weekofJune19,2023.

• Congratulations to the entire Class of 2023 for making their commitment to the college/university they will beattendingnext Fall!

• All students are encouraged to check the Guidance website for summer opportunities and collegeinformation.

• If your daughter has taken or will be taking the ACTs, please make sure to send a screen shot copy of her scores to Mrs. Devins. ACT no longer sendstheschoolguidanceofficetheresults of yourdaughter’sACTtest.

• e Guidance Department will be hosting a CollegeApplicationBootCampfortheClassof2024. Date and Time: August 17, 2023 from 11:00am1:00pmorAugust22,2023from1:00-3:00pm.

• Additionally, there will be a mandatory college meeting for all parents and students of the Class of 2024 on September 13, 2023 at 7:00pm in the GraceAnnCafé.

National Merit Program

Over 1.6 million juniors entered the 2022 National Merit Program by taking the 2020 PSAT. From this group oftest-takers,34,000studentswererecognized for their exceptional academic promise and named NationalMeritCommendedStudents. WecongratulateHannahD’cruz’23andAveryWalsh’23forbeing namedNationalMeritCommendedStudents!

Additionally, from this same PSAT pool of 1.5 million juniors, the top 16,000 scorers were recognized asNationalMeritSemi nalistsandearnedthechance to become Finalists.We are proudand pleased to announce that Victoria Wong’23 has earned Finalist standing,asaresultofherdistinguishedperformance.

Congratulationsgirls!

University of Rochester offers e Frederick DouglassandSusanB.AnthonyAwardtoahighschooljuniorwhoexhibitsscholarshipinarigorouscurriculum, acommitment to understandingandaddressing social issues, leadership and dedication to community. Recipients of this award are automatically considered for a scholarship worth at least $30,000 over four years of study at the University of Rochester. We are delighted topresentthisawardto MeaghanO’Malley'24

e University of Rochester presents the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award to a high school junior who demonstrates exceptionalpromise inthe sciences. Recipients are chosen on the basis of their high schoolcurriculuminthesciences,academicexcellence andstandardizedtest scores. WinnersoftheBausch& Lomb HonoraryScience Award are automatically considered for a four year scholarship to the University of Rochester which totals at least $30,000. It is our pleasuretogivethisawardto HollySmitreski'24. e Eastman Kodak Company and the University of RochestersponsortheGeorgeEastmanYoungLeaders Award, an international program that recognizes outstanding achievement by high school students in leadershipandacademics. Winnersofthisawardareautomatically considered for a scholarship worth $30,000 over four years. For her academic excellence and for hercontinuedleadership,itisourhonortopresentthis awardtoLaurelHamilton'24.

e Xerox Corporation combined with the founder’s alma mater, University of Rochester,present the Xerox Award for Innovation and Information Technology to a junior who exhibits a strong interest in innovation and an appreciation for the possibilities of technology. erecipientofthisawardwillbeeligibleforascholarshipofat least $30,000overfouryears. Wearepleased topresentthisawardto ElizabethTreacy'24.

Formorethan85years,RensselaerPolytechnicInstitute has awarded the Rensselaer Medal Award to recognize the superlative academic achievement of young men and women, and to motivate students toward careers in science, engineering and technology. is $25,000 per year merit scholarship is guaranteed for four years foreachmedalistwhoapplies,isaccepted,andchooses to enrollat Rensselaer. It is awarded topromising secondary school students who have distinguished themselvesinmathematicsandscience,andweareproudto present thisawardtoKatrinaEagan'24.

e Yale Club of Central New Jersey grants the Yale Book Award to a junior who demonstrates intellectual promise and academic excellence, exemplary service or extracurricular activities; and exceptional character and integrity. is year’s recipient of the Yale Book AwardisCatherineCollum'24.

e University of Pennsylvania Book Award is offered through the efforts of the Association of Alumnae and is awarded to a junior student of true merit, which, in the words of UPenn’s founder, Benjamin Franklin, reects, “An inclination joined with an ability to serve mankind,one’scountry,friendsandfamily:whichability is to be acquired or greatly increased by true learning: and should indeed be the great aim and end of all learning.” e recipient of this award is Ava Brancatella'24.

e Princeton Book Award for Secondary Schools is presented by the Princeton Club to outstanding students at the end of their junior year at public and private secondary schools across the country. e award recognizes outstanding personal character and intellectual promise. e award’s purpose is to honor local students, and recruit the best and brightest students to theUniversity.isyear’srecipientis GraceMesce'24.

eWellsCollege21stCenturyLeadershipAwardhonorstopacademicperformerswhohavethepassionand integrity needed to become successful leaders. Wells College students are driven, spirited, and natural leaders. We are proud to present the Wells College Leadership Award to two very deserving students – Julia Gitto'24andLiliannaWendorff'24.

e St. Bonaventure Book Award recognizes a junior student for their academic achievement and service to the school and their community. e Bonnie Scholar Award quali es award winners for an annual scholarshipof$20,000scholarship. eBonnieScholarAward isbeinggiventoColleenWalsh'24.

e Saint Michael’s College Book Award for Academic Achievement&SocialConscienceisawardedeachyear to high school juniors throughout the United States as well as internationally. e Book Award recognizes students’ academic success and exemplary community service involvement. eir accomplishments embody St.Mike’scommitmenttointellectualachievement,socialjusticeandconcernforothers.is year’s recipient of the Saint Michael’s College Book Award is Isabella Cantave'24.

e Alfred University Scholars Award is awarded to an extraordinary high school junior who is “outside ofordinary.”LifeatAlfredUniversityisfarfromordinary and this award seeks to recognize students who havedemonstratedwhotheyareasanindividualand how can they bring that same inspiration to the Alfred University community. Not only are they one of the rst higher education institutions in the United States to admit women into programs where they took courses alongside men, but their commitment to inclusivity continues to be part of their mission to this day. e recipient of this award is Sarah Chambeau'24

Sr.JoAnn,in hergratitude,leatastytreatfortheSeniors to enjoy at day's end. All had a great day thanks totheSeniorclass!

Forensic Finals

We congratulate Miranda Aviles'25, one of the nalists in Declamation in the Paterson Catholic Forensic League, who represented our Diocese at the National Catholic Forensic League Finals in Louisville, Kentucky. Over Memorial Day weekend, 2,000 of the best high school speakers in the NCFL competed, and we areproudthatsherepresentedbothVillaWalshAcademyandtheDioceseof Patersonatthishugeevent.

OnMay24th,theSeniorsspenttheirlastdaytogether atChristtheKingParishforadayofprayerandfunas theplannedSeniorretreat.eywerewelcomedbyFr. Brian the pastor who celebrated Mass and the sacramentofPenanceforthemwithhisassociatepriest,Fr. Jun. e girls enjoyed the day's theme, "Under Construction"aspreparedbySr.HelenandSr.Lucianain which they heard Sr. Luciana's vocation story as well as Sr.Helen's reading of the "Perfect Heart" story and enjoyed various ice breakers. Most importantly, they hadtimeforsharingand re ectiononhowtheirlives are in the process of being "constructed" and how grateful they are for the many blessings in their lives asaresultofbeingatVillatheseyears.Specialthanks to the parish for making their facility available to us andtothe Sistersfortheirpresence.

Field Day

OnMay23rd,ourSeniorshostedtheannual eldday with various activities for the children of St. Gerard School in Paterson. e children enjoyed using our athletic center as well as the tennis courts and elds while they played volleyball, hockey, dodgeball, kick ballandrelayraces.Allwaswell-organizedby Emma Kosc'23 and her committee so that everyone knew where to go and what to do for smooth transitions between activities. Sr. Jo Ann Pompa, the Principal, and the teachers truly appreciated how attentive our students weretotheirchildren.Everyoneenjoyedthe popsicletreatat theendofsomuchphysicalactivity.

OnFriday,May18ththeVWA FreshmanClasstook a step back in time exploring e Met Cloisters in New York to complement their history and art curricula. Students impressed their guides with knowledge they gained about the art and architecture of the Romanesque and Gothic Periods. ey learned that certain chapels and cloisters were brought over from France andSpainandreconstructedstonebystoneateMet Cloisters.Ahighlightofthetourincludedanin-depth analysisoftheMérodeAltarpiece(AnnunciationTriptych)byRobertCampinandhisworkshopmadeinthe 15thCentury.Takingintheexquisitegardens,viewing theCatholicArtandArchitecture,andeatinglunchon the lawn made for a spectacular way to celebrate the end of the school year together with Sr. Luciana, Sr. Helen,Mrs.Macleod,Mrs.CunicoandMrs.Lagana.

OnApril26,theVillaWalshChoralstudentsandVilla Walsh Dance Ensemble, vocalist, and musicians held a “Collage Concert” showcasing pieces from many genres and eras. Surrounding the space were the Visual Arts students creations. e “collage” experience is modeled aer the presentations at the University of Michigan which began in 1977 and incorporates all of the arts; visual art, dance, vocal performance and music. e audience is immersed in the talent of the artists.

e High School Chorus, under the instruction of Ms. Beth Vecchio, began the performing arts program with“TotalPraise”(Smallwood/Raney)andcontinued throughout the concert with “Astro di Luce” Prayer to St. Lucy, “LuLi” Ukrainian Lullaby, and “Can’t Help Lovin’ at Man, from Showboat (Kern/ Hammerstein). OurtalentedMiddleSchoolChorusentertained theaudiencesinging“DonaNobisPacem.”

eVillaWalshDanceEnsemblepresentedtwo pieces: “IWillAlwaysRememberYou” choreographed byMrs.RuthannLanni,and“Killthe Lights”choreographedbythesecondyearDanceEnsemble Members.Studentchoreographersincluded: Claudia Aragon’24,SusannaBuonaiuto’23,KellyKeyes’23, MaisyMagistro’23,OliviaTerpin’23,andEmily Toth’23

Musicians whosharedtheirtalent with usincluded: LynetteGao’22(piano), BryannaLiu’26(cello),SamanthaInnella’28(piano),SophieLewandowska’22 (piano),BhavishyaBoga’22(piano).Eachmusician showed theirstylewithchoicesfromclassic tocontemporary.

Vocalsoloistsandduetsincludedperformances by: IsabellaCantave’24,ElizabethKandziolka’25, CierraWolckenhauer’25,EmilyToth’23, Molly McHugh’23,MadelineKnagenhjelm’25,andClara Ainsworth’25 whoinvitedthe audiencetojoin inon thesingingofthe lastvocalpiece.

erewasonesolodancepiecefrom ErinJacobs’26 whodancedenpointeavariationfromLaFillemal gardee.

CongratulationstoMs.BethVecchio,choraldirector,forcoordinatingthiscelebrationofthe arts,Mrs. KimberlyCheiferandMrs.TrischLagana,instructors forthe ne artpieces, Mrs.RuthannLanniforleading theDanceEnsemble,SpecialthankstoSr.ElaineBebyn, Mrs. MariaManley,Mrs. Stacey Grabowski, Mrs. Brancatella, Sr.HelenSanchezand LiaDyer’23who helped tocreatethisnightandtoouraccompaniment Matthew Swiss.ankyoualsotoMr.Matthew Wendorffandhisexceptionalcrewwhohelpedtransform thespace. iseventcontinuesto makeVillashine.

Back inMarch,approximately4600studentsparticipatedinthenationalexamsponsoredbyAATI (AmericanAssociationofTeachersofItalian)and about1500studentsreceived medalsandother awards,displayingcommitmentand dedication tothe studyof Italianlanguageandculture.

Onceagain, ourVillagirlsdidwellnationallyandour winners areasfollows:

CatherineCollum'24 for level3and AvaSimmons'23 forlevel 4received agoldmedalandaprize of$75for scoringin the99thpercentile.

ElizabethEdattel'26 for level1, JuliaGitto'24and GraceMesceforlevel 3,meritedagoldmedalanda $50checkforscoringinthe 98thpercentile.

ValentinaCalipa'26for level1(93thpercentile),Ava Brancatella'24forlevel 3(91thpercentile)andBrigid McGlone'23for level4(91thpercentile) receiveda goldmedal.

MirandaAviles'25and AgustinaMartinezFerretti'25 for level2-CategoryB(86thpercentile) LilyMeier'25andIsabellaPizzo'25(84th percentile) and ClaudiaSteinberg'25 (80th percentile)forlevel 2CategoryA andLiliannaWendorff'24 for level3(89th percentile)receivedasilvermedal.

SophieLewandowska'25for level2- CategoryB, EmmaKosc'23 and MollyMcHugh'23forlevel 4CategoryA,receivedabronze medal.

JuliannaDeFazio'25 for level2andLaurenKollar'23 forlevel 4meritedanHonorableMention.

Congratulazioni,ragazze.Sietetutte ingamba!

On March 16th, 17th and 18th, Villa Walsh Academy’s Performing Arts truly made the hills come alive witheSoundofMusic. Alongtimeschoolfavorite was revisited with a new talented and dedicated cast andcrew.

e Villa cast included seniors: Lauren Kollar (Liesl von Trapp), Molly McHugh (Elsa Schraeder, Sister Benedici), juniors; Claudia Aragon (Frau Zeller, Quartet, Sister Beatrice), Isabella Cantave (Sister Margaretta), Sarah Chambeau (Franz, Sister Nuncia), Beatrice Crucs (Louisa von Trapp, Ballerina, Liesl understudy), Laurel Hamilton (Sister Sophia), Jesse Kramer (Quartet), sophomores; Clara Ainsworth (Max Detweiler, Sister Amelia), Bhavishya Boga (Baroness Licht), Elizabeth Kandziolka (Mother Abbess), Madeline Knagenhjelm (Ursula, HerrZeller, Sister Camille,FrauleinSchwieger), Leia Lange (Sister Berthe, Frau Schmidt), Cierra Wolckenhauer (Maria Rainer), Katherine Ziwot (Brigitta von Trapp), Freshmen; Erin Jacobs (Admiral Von Schreiber, Ballerina, Sister Jancita), Ashlee Martin (Friedrich von Trapp), Emma Naughton (A New Postulant, Priest, Sister Josephine), Eighth graders; Maeson Honan (Baron Schlagel, Sister Elizabeth), IsabellaOrosz(BaronSchlagel,SisterElizabeth),Isabella Propper Stuehr (Baroness Von Schluchen, SisterConstance),PeytonSimmons(BaronessSchlegel, Quartet, Sister Caroline), Seventh Graders: Samantha Innella (Marta von Trapp), Layla Vreeling (BaronessKindhunt,SisterChristina).

Gratitude is extended to Dominic Volpicelli (Oratory Prep) for playing Captain Georg von Trapp, and Owen Lieto (Whippany Park High School) for playingRolfGruber.

is year’s childrens cast included: Nicole Aragon (party goer and Gretl understudy), John Crucs (Baron Von Schluchen and Kurt understudy), William Jacobs (Kurt von Trapp), Daniel Kandziolka (Baron Elberfeld), Siena Lanni (Amanda Herschel, Sister MaryBeth and Marta understudy), Amelia Masi (Gretl vonTrapp).

Congratulationstothe dedicated lighting,sound crew ledbySr.Helen Sanchez,andstagecrewled by LiaDyer’23andMrs.KristinaPasko.estage crew thisyearworkedhardandwere awless. ank youtoBrigidMcGlone’23,WyattLieto(Whippany ParkHighSchool),JaneDufner’24,BriannaHetherington’24,JesseKramer’24,OliviaMartin’24, CatherineMcCarthy’24,ValentinaCalipa’26,Tess Coffey’26,ShaliniPatel’26, andGigiDangler’28.

ecreativeteamthisyearincluded; Ms.BethVecchio,Director, Mrs.RuthannLanni,Choreographer, andMs.MichelleFoster, MusicalDirector. Stage Management wasby LiaDyer’23andassistanttothe directorOliviaMartin’24

Gratitudeis extendedtoMrs.Cynthia Lieto,Mr.Karl Meier,Dr.ChristopherKollar,Mr. DavidWolckenhauer,Mr. DavidKramer,Mr.CharlesKandziolka, Mrs.KimCheifer,Mrs. TrischLagana,Mrs.Michele Dyer,SarahChambeau’24,AnnaConnor’24,Lily Meier’25, whoassisted with thedesigning,construction,propsandlobbydecorations fortheshow. ManythankstoMrs.AnnMcHugh,ourproducer, forcoordinatingthe costumes; with assistancefrom, TessCoffey’26,Mrs. TaraWolckenhauer,Mrs. Ling Lange, Mrs.SusanZiwot, Mrs.SusanCrucs,Mrs. NancyInnella,Mrs.AngelaMasi,andMrs.Tanya Boga. SpecialthanksforthetalentsofMrs.Laura Kandziolkaandhermother, Mrs.MariaD’Ambrosia forhair andwigsandtoMrsJennifer Kramer for makeup.

ank youalsotoallofourvolunteerswhohelped invariouspositionsduringtheproduction;Sr.Elaine Bebyn, Sr.HelenSanchez,Mrs.TriciaBrancatella, volunteer coordinator,Mrs. Stacey Grabowski, publicityandprograms, Mrs.MariaManleyand themanyparents, whoassistedwithcostumes,hair, makeup,andconcessions;andtoourfaculty,families andfriends whosupportedthesetalentedstudents!

We are proud to announce that Sarah Chambeau '24 and Julia Gitto'24 each received a Certi cate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill for their artwork entered into theannualCongressionalArtCompetitionin ourlocalDistrict11.

Onlytwostudentsfromeachhighschoolwereselected forthis competition. Allstudents were honoredat a reception at Montclair State University where their work was displayed in the university’s Segal Gallery. State winners were recognized in an awards ceremony in Washington D.C. where their work will be displayedintheU.S.Capitolfora year.

OnWednesdayApril27,themembersoftheClassof 2025 were afforded the opportunity to have a day of Community and Re ection at the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal's Most Blessed Sacrament Friary in Newark. Br. Andre Mary Manders, CFRandBr.SimeonMiriam,CFRhostedtheretreat.

e Sophomores began the day by taking a tour where they learned of the spiritually rich history of the building. Br. Simeon then offered a talk on the Christian meaning of love - willing the good of another person. Aer the talk, the students were broken into small groups which helped them to process andre ectonthatwhichtheyhadheard.

Next came an opportunity for the Sophomores to serve. Onesmallgroupcreatednecessitybagsforthe homeless and working poor, lled with items suchas toothbrushes, hand wipes and lotion. Each bag also included an encouraging note. Meanwhile, another group sorted clothing donations recently received by thefriarsandthethirdgroup spenttimewiththefriars,ministeringalongsidethemastheyprovidedhospitalitytotheirneighbors.Mass,celebratedbyFr.Sebastian Kajko, CFR, followed these service activities andthenthestudentsenjoyedtheirpackedlunches.

Duringlunchandaer,whenthestudentsspenttime inEucharisticAdoration,theSacramentofReconciliation was made available. e entire experience was permeatedwiththecharityofChrist,andtheSophomoressensedinthefriarstheirauthenticGospelwitness and the joy which is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Sr.LauraBezila,MPF,Mrs.LauraWilliams,andMrs. PamelaMoyerwerepleasedtochaperonethismemorabledayinthelifeoftheClassof2025.

e varsity lacrosse program has been busy these last fewmonths.Despiteaslow starttoourseason,the girls battled back and ended the regular season 11-6. We openedupthe preliminaryroundofthe MorrisCounty Tournament against Morris Catholic, de nitively beatingthemby10goals,butweendedourrunintheMCT withatoughlossagainstMountainLakes. Wealsocelebrated our senior class and their accomplishments with an exciting win over cross-town and divisional rivals, Academy of St. Elizabeth’s, and successfully winning ourdivision,the rsttimesinceKatherineDeBiassebecameheadcoachoftheprogram.egirlsworkedhard thisseason,earningthemselvesa7thseed,whichsolidiedhome- eldadvantageforthe rstroundofthestate tournament. We open play against DePaul High School on May 31st. is season’s varsity team includes: Erin Aroneo’23, Siobhan Bracken’23, Elizabeth Gannon’23, Francesca Kearns’23, Maeve Kenny’23, Mary Kovachik’23, Margaret Noonan’23, Laurel Hamilton’24, Nadia Pinsonault’24, Liliana Wendorff’24, Kayla Castellano’25, Isabella Pizzo’25, Tessa Bowers’26, So a Kearns’26, Gisele Longo’26, and Marie Magnier’26(ourteammanager).

e 2023 JV VILLAX season started strong with a good showing in our rst scrimmages. We have multiplereturningathletesfromthe2022season: Meaghan O'Malley'24, Natalia Tole'24, Reese McChesney'24, our goalie Marissa Noonan‘25, Nora Kra'25, Skyler Pela’25, Cora Reardon'25, and Megan Young'25. Several newcomersjoined us, including three sophomores, Caroline oms'25, Alexandra Rezza'25, and Angelina Rizk'25. Villax also welcomed seven freshmen for 2023:JaneAnderson'26,NorahAroneo'26,CaraFitzpatrick'26, Jillian Paolino'26, Alexa Perez'26, Alexa Sica'26, and Michela Vaccaro'26. Marissa Noonan'25 had tremendous success as a sophomore goaltender withincrediblesaves.Allofournewcomersgainedvaluableon eldexperiencefromour rstgameagainstKinnelon. Standouts in goals scored for Villa are Meaghan O'Malley'24, NatalieTole'24, Skyler Pela'25,and Jane Anderson'26. First time Villax goals were also made by Cora Reardon'25, Michela Vaccaro'25, and Jillian Paolino'26. Our defense, led by Reese McChesney'24,

Nora Kra'25, Megan Young'25, and Cara Fitzpatrick'26, has continued to become stronger with each game. 2023 was a very successful year for JV Villax.

e nalrecordis8wins,5losses,and1tiegame.e back half of our season presented us with high-level teams that tested our skill level, but everyone le it all on the eld until the last minute, even when the game did not end in our favor. All the hard work that each of our athletes put in this year paid off with substantial growth that we watched over our three months on the turf. We ended with a big win against Mount Saint Dominic. Despite the day's weather, everyone rallied in the cold and rain to come together and nish strong. All of the coaches are extremely proud of how far our athletes have come this season and look forwardto2024.

Varsity Golf

e golf team gained valuable experience in all their matchesthisseason.IntheMorrisCountyChampionship at the Flanders ValleyGolfCourse on April 26th, the team nished 6th overall. Brigid McGlone’23 nished (52) 12th in the individual part of the tournament. e 2023 golf team has several returning players:BrigidMcGlone’23,MadisonMolinaro’23,Holly Smitreski’24,andNoraDam’25. Joiningthemonthe team are Abrianna Esposito’25, Cecilia Maione’25, Claudia Steinberg’25, Kristina Dangler’26, Bridget Drew’26,AmeliaKleinle’26,AvaSeaman’26,Karina Siegel’26,andCameronShull’26.

e golf team nished the year strong going 2-1 in its nal matches. Madison Molinaro’23 placed 2nd, and Nora Dam’25 placed 3rd in our match against Hanover Park. We played in our Prep Tournament at PeddieGolfCourseon May19th.BrigidMcGlone’23 and Holly Smitreski’24 placed in the top 35, and our team placed 8th. Our nal tournament was the NJAC Championship at Farmstead Golf Course. Brigid McGlone’23 and Holly Smitreski '24, were awarded NJAC All-Conference Honorable Mention Southern Division.

Spring Track and Field

e Villa spring track (“Sprack”) team consists of cocaptain and only senior Abigail Freshwater’23, junior co-captain Jesse Kramer’24, juniors Delaney Caughey’24, Catherine Collum’24, Caterina Gesualdo’24, Emily Poruczynski’24, Elizabeth Treacy’24, sophomores Amalia Hronides’25, So a Jordao’25, Leia Lange’25, Ines Lemee’25, Sophie Lewandowska’25, Erin Lyons’25, Kaitlyn Pavagadhi’25, Avery Poruczynski’25, Martha Smart’25, Sadie Smith’25, Audrey Wilbanks’25, Delaney Yosh’25, freshmen JohannaAguilar’26,AvaBentz’26,GemmaCafasso’26, ClodaghBateson’26, Blythe Dudley’26, LibbyFarmer’26,BerniceFernando’26,EmiliaKapas’26,Ashlee Martin’26,NinaMcLaughlin’26,EmmaNaughton’26 andvolunteermanagerColleenWalsh’24.

eteamstartedouttheseasonwithseveraldualmeets andtheDodgertownRelays.AttheMorrisCountyFrosh/Soph Relays, the Villa Track team nished in third place behindMorrisHillsandRandolph. eDistance Medley consisting of Ines Lemee’25, Avery Poruczysnki’25, Erin Lyons’25, and Blythe Dudley’26 won rst place, and so did the 4x800 run by the same 4 athletes. To nish off the meet late at night, under the lights,the4x400teamofClodaghBateson’26,Martha Smart’25, Erin Lyons’25, and Blythe Dudley’26 le nothing on thetrackand nished in second place only onesecondbehindMountainLakes.

AttherainyandfrigidMorrisCountyRelays,the4x1600 relay and distance relay teams both placed 4th in the County. Elizabeth Treacy‘24, Delaney Caughey’24, and Jesse Kramer’24, medaled in the high jump with athirdplace.

At the NJAC championships, a two-day meet against all the small schools in the North Jersey Athletic Conference, the “Sprack”-athletes nally enjoyed some warmerweather. BlytheDudley’26 tooksecondplace overall in the 1600m race shattering her previous personalrecordandreplacingitwitha5:05.86.ewinner ofthatracehadawinningtimeof5:05.51,whichshows how hard the two battled to get to the nish line. e next day, Blythe Dudley’26 topped it off with a third place in the 800m. Erin Lyons’25 nished 3rd in the 3200m, and high jumpers Delaney Caughey’24, Jesse Kramer’24, and Elizabeth Treacy’24 placed 5th, 6th, and7thoverall.

e busy track week ended with the Morris County Championshipsforfreshmenandsophomores.Notable teamaccomplishmentswerethe1st,5th,and8th nishesinthe sophomore 1600mby BlytheDudley’26,Erin Lyons’25, and Martha Smart’25, respectively, and the 3 top 6 nishes of high jumpers Clodagh Bateson’26, Avery Porczynski’25 and Amalia Hronides’25.ree triple jumpers, Gemma Cafasso’26, So a Jordao’25, and ErinLyons’25,went over29feetforthe rsttime.

At the Morris County Championships, Blythe Dudley’26 ran away from the competition to become the 2023 Morris County Champion in the 1600m. Her times of 5:08 (and her NJAC time of 5:05) qualify as a so-called “US Second Team Standard” times, just 5 seconds away from a First Team Standard. Congratulations to freshman Blythe Dudley’26 for competing at this level! AbigailFreshwater’23placed 4th in the Pole Vault, and Jesse Kramer’24 threw a big new 98.2 foot personal record in the discus, which also resulted in a 4th place. Blythe Dudley’26 added a 7th place in the 800m, and another noteworthy performance was Ines Lemee’25with an11thplaceinthe3200m.

Keeping the momentum alive, the team stepped back on the track at Newark Academy a few days later to compete in the 2023 Prep B Championship. An exciting, dynamic meet, with very little rest to recover between events, made for a nail-biter ending. e last event, always a 4x400m, would decide the winner. Villa and MKA were separated by 5 points only. Clodagh Bateson’26, Delaney Caughey’24, Ines Lemee’25, and BlytheDudley’26ran anew season bestinthe 4x4and placed second, but Montclair Kimberley was right behind them in third to earn enough points to clinch the Prep B NJ State Championship.Final score: MKA 106, VWA103.

MKA will be one of the contenders in the upcoming State Group Meet at Delsea High School on June 9th and10th.eentireteamwilltraveltoSouthJerseyand stayovernighttobeclosetothemeetvenue.

Good luck to SPRACK in the State Group Meet. All track and eld athletes placing in the top 2 of an event quali es fortheMeetofChampionson June14th.

Go SPRACK!

Middle School Spring Sports Clinic

Middle School Sports Clinics began on April 17th. Eighteen 7thand8thgradersparticipatedintheclinics, which included volleyball, lacrosse, soball, and track.

e girls went on “Fun Friday” eld trips to Mennen Ice Arena, Hanover Bowling Lanes, Mt. Freedom Golf Range,andSkyZone.

e ALC-sponsored Movie Night at Villa was a great success! ey went on a eld trip to Atlantic Sports Health on May 16th and gained valuable knowledge on dynamicwarm-ups,nutrition,andstrategiesfordealing with performance anxiety. On June 2nd, the ALC celebrated the seniors and thanked them for their years of leadership. ey enjoyed being together as a group one moretimeand aspecialtreat fromthe icecreamtruck!

e Booster Club end-of-the-year meeting and celebration was on Monday, June 5th, from 7:00-9:00p at Grasshopper in Morristown.

e VWA Booster Club held the Dinner and Golf Fundraiser on May 4th at Spring Brook Country Club, and they raised $88,000 for the VWA Athletic Department!

ere was a great turnout, and everyone had a great time. A special thank you to our sponsors, volunteers, andgolfersforyourparticipationandsupport.

Aprilfest - April 22

Aprilfest was held on April 22, and our Varsity and JV lacrosse teams were victorious over Morristown Beard.

e VWA Booster Club sponsored food, and the Boutique and Booster Store sold VWA swag! e Diversity Cafe joined in the fun this Aprilfest by introducing and sharing food with spectators to celebrate Asian American Paci c Islander Heritage Month. It was a great day allaround!