VOL. 40
No. 3
Juniors: e College Board recently released PSAT scores. Juniors have been having individual meetings to discuss their results and college planning. Junior students were asked to complete a college planning questionnaire for future meetings. Please be aware of upcoming test dates and registration deadlines. Sophomores & Freshmen: Meetings will begin aer the New Year to discuss various topics. Please call the Guidance Office with any questions. Parents/Guardians of Junior students: if your daughter is planning on taking any upcoming standardized tests, including AP exams in May, and requires accommodations, please check with the Guidance Office to ensure all of her paperwork is up to date. COLLEGE CORNER e Class of 2024 is 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. All transcript request forms for January 1st deadlines were due December 8, 2023. Students should have already completed their diploma name form and returned it to the Guidance office.
November / December 2023
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. 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.
Veterans Day is a federal holiday that is annually observed on November 11 to honor military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Again this year, Villa Serves placed over 50 pinwheels outside of Saint Lucy’s Chapel in honor of our military families and relatives. It is a small thank you to veterans and their families for their service and sacri ce. Aer a quick recovery from the Powderpuff game, Villa Serves continued their anksgiving tradition by organizing a collection of pantry items for the community of St. Agnes in Paterson. Over 40 bags of groceries were prepared and delivered to needy families. Many thanks to the generous families who helped to make this a yearly success.
Mary’s Hands was established at St. Margaret’s in Morristown intent on connecting, uniting, and organizing essential services for families in need. During this holiday season, Mary’s Hands was able to supply the children in these families with special gis thanks to the generosity of the Villa Walsh Community. Over 150 toys that included Barbie dolls, remote controlled cars, Legos, board games and many other items that bring joy to children were collected and distributed to children between the ages of 4 to 6 over the holidays. A special thank you to Michela Vaccaro’26, Mia Magnier’26, Maeve Dam’27, Azariah Andrews’27 for their help in the toy collection. On Saturday, December 16, 2023, a spirited group of Villa Walsh elves helped to create a holiday cra event for children at St. Margaret’s Church. Over 150 children were entertained with nativity coloring pages, holiday tattoos, candy canes, Christmas ornaments, scrapbook making, wooden snow akes and more. A special thank you to Mae Honan’27 and Meaghan O’Malley’24 for helping to organize this event. How did our elves do it? Under the direction of Nora Dam’25, Isabella Pizzo’25, Martha Smart’25 and Maggie Boler’25, a Hot Cocoa bar was set up and hot drinks were served during both lunches. ank you to our elves and their families for their time and generosity in making this a fun and meaningful fundraiser. Nicole Muniz’24 and Julia Gitto’24 helped us to give back this holiday season by organizing the “semi-sock drive” to collect new or unused socks for any age and in any color or style. It was given that name because girls were encouraged to bring their donations to this year’s semi-formal as well as to the boxes at school. e socks will be distributed through church social services to clients in need.
To coincide with a lesson about the importance of Veterans Day, students in Mr. Marciano’s history classes created Christmas cards for our military serving
overseas. Students made Christmas cards for members of the military that will not be home to see their families this holiday season. Students included encouraging messages in their cards, thanked the military personnel for their service to our country, and let them know that they are being thought about and prayed for. e cards were mailed out to Holiday Cards for our Military Challenge, which is based out of Hollis, New Hampshire. e organization has sent over 825,000 Christmas cards overseas to the military since the start of their organization. Villa Walsh students sent more than sixty Christmas cards to bring some holiday cheer and encouragement to our military protecting us overseas. For more information on Holiday Cards for our Military Challenge, please visit https:// militaryholidaycardchallenge.com/.
Members of Diversity Cafe, Miranda Aviles’25, Isabella Cantave’24, Annie Rionda’27, Catherine Collum’24, Katrina Eagan’24, joined Sister Elaine, Board member, Mrs. Myla Lemee, parent representative, Mrs. Natacha Cantave, faculty members Mr. Owen Busler, Mrs. Elena Price, Mrs. Julie Oliveros and campus ministry representative Colette Geraghty for the New Jersey Catholic School Diversity Conference on Saturday, December 16th, 2023 at the Delbarton School. With the conference theme of Transformation, we were given the opportunity to join other schools in workshops, dialogue, and conversation pertaining to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice and Belonging.
Mrs. Lagana and Mrs. Cheifer would like to congratulate ALL of our mannequin ’fashionistas’ for their artistry, courage, and inventiveness that greatly added to the success at the fashion show this year. First place winner was Araya Singh’28, who created a stunning ower appliqued dress with asymmetrical patterns on white fabric. Second place went to Brianna Hetherington’24, and Sarah Chambeau’24 for their off white dress with hand painted stained glass owers. Prizes given were fashion design art supplies and croquis sketchbook.
And a special thank you to the rest of the participants: Elizabeth Kandziolka’25, Cecilia Maione’25 and Abrianna Esposito’25, Anna Collins’25 and Malia Nugent’25, Katelyn Hadzima’27, Richa Lanjewar’29 and Eavan Martin’29. e mannequin fashions will be displayed in the cafe and elsewhere on campus until aer the spring art show. is year there was a panel of 5 judges including Mrs. Lagana and Mrs. Cheifer. Isabel Lagana'16 is an actor, director, choreographer and costume designer. She graduated from Montclair State University’s BFA Acting program in 2021 and has since worked at various regional theaters and education settings. Camille Duano is a former art teacher at Villa now living in Asheville, NC. As a textile designer for over 30 years, she currently does embroidery design for April Cornell’s fashion lines. Marisa LeRette is an accomplished fashion designer for TV, lm, Broadway, and Cirque du Soleil. One of her latest movies is Insidious 5.
EPOCH Ministries is month our Campus Ministry started a new service program at VWA. Every ursday students are invited to join our Campus Ministry in going to EPOCH in Madison. EPOCH (Educational Programs of Children Handicapped) is a unique aer-school program for special needs children who are unable to participate in traditional aer-school activities. Established in Madison nearly 50 years ago, it serves developmentally delayed children between the ages of 6 to 21. Program offerings cover a wide array of indoor and outdoor recreational activities including arts and cras, games, cooking, library visits, holiday parties, and much more! A monthly schedule is provided to parents/guardians of participants. So far they have enjoyed playing football, basketball, Connect Four and more with their new friends at EPOCH. ey are excited to continue this program aer the Christmas Break!
Soccer Varsity e varsity soccer team nished the season with a nal record of 15-6. Despite a valiant effort and tremendous outpouring of support from the entire school community, family, friends, and VWAGS alumnae, the soccer team fell in their nal game to the #1 seed in Non-public B (and #2 seed in the state of New Jersey) DePaul Catholic on November 7, 2023. Kayley Bascom’26 had the lone goal for Villa in the rst half. ey are so grateful for everyone’s support all season long! is was a season to be very proud of! Leading the team in goals scored this season were Olivia Martin’24 with 29 goals and 6 assists and Colleen “Jackie” Walsh’24 with 21 goals and 9 assists. e defense nished with ve shutouts on the season, with Giselle Longo’26 securing 68 saves in all 19 games this season. We give our heartfelt thanks to our four fantastic seniors – Olivia Martin’24, Grace Mesce’24, Holly Smitreski’24, and Colleen “Jackie” Walsh’24 for their leadership, hard work, and dedication this year. We will certainly miss you all and wish you all the best in your future endeavors! Final season award winners include NJAC 1st Team All-Conference: Margaret Boler’25, Olivia Martin’24, and Colleen “Jackie” Walsh’24; NJAC 2nd Team All-Conference: Avery Poruczynski’25 and Holly Smitreski’24; NJAC Honorable Mention: Grace Mesce’24. NJAC All-Academic Team: Margaret Boler’25, Olivia Martin’24, Avery Poruczynski’25, Holly Smitreski’24, and Colleen “Jackie” Walsh’24. Morris County Girls Soccer Coaches Association (MCGSCA) All County Top 40: Olivia Martin’24; MCGSCA All County: Colleen “Jackie” Walsh’24; MCGSCA All County Honorable Mention: Margaret Boler’25 and Holly Smitreski’24; and NJGSCA State Recognition: Olivia Martin’24.
Cross Country Varsity Aer a thrilling Non-Public B Group Championship win, the Cross Country team wrapped up their season with a solid 11th-place team nish at the NJSIAA State Meet of Champions at Holmdel Park on November 11th. Blythe Dudley’26 was the top VWA individual nisher with a 19th-place performance in the eld of 160 of NJ's top runners. In nj.com postseason awards, Blythe Dudley’26 was named to the 1st team All-Non Public and 3rd team All-State. Ines Lemee’25 was named 3rd team All Non-Public. Congratulations VWA XC! WINTER SPORTS Basketball Varsity e Villa Walsh Girls’ Basketball 2023 – 2024 is underway with returning letter winners: senior forward Delaney Caughey’24, senior guard Holly Smitreski’24, junior guard Isabella Pizzo’25, sophomore forward Tessa Bowers’26, sophomore guard Gemma Cafasso’26, sophomore guard Cara Fitzpatrick’26 and sophomore forward Michaela Vaccaro’26. Promising newcomers include: sophomore guard So a Kearns’26, sophomore forward Ellen DiDomenico’26, freshman guards Caroline Tully’27 and Lexi Stappas’27. Early in the preseason, the Villa Walsh Vikings played in several scrimmages, proving that their defense as a whole was solid. e Vikings beat Parsippany Hills 58-18 at home in a relatively dominating fashion to start the season 1-0. e Vikings out-scored Parsippany Hills in the second quarter 18-2 and were led by Isabella Pizzo’s 16 pts, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 6 steals. Delaney Caughey’24 had a strong inside presence with 12 pts, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals, and Tessa Bowers’26 scored 10 points (a perfect 4 for 4 from the free throw line), 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. e Vikings will now face conference opponents Academy of St. Elizabeth at home on 12/18/23 @ 7:00 pm, Whippany Park at home on 12/20/23 @ 7:00 pm, and Parsippany High School away on 12/22/23 at 1:00 pm. Come support our Villa Walsh Vikings!
Basketball JV Villa JV Basketball is back for another unforgettable season! We have two returning players from last year's squad, Charlotte Stager’26, and Angelina Santorelli’26, while newcomers to the JV squad include Bridget Boler’26, Bridget Drew’26, and Ava Seaman’26. Freshmen who may see some JV time are Maeve Dam’27, Ellie DiDomenico’26, Lexi Stappas’27, Azariah Andrews’27, Eve Loughran’27, Mia Spataro’27, Isabella Nilio’27, Gabriella Farag’27, and Rebekah Saxon’27. e JV Team this season is managed by Nora Dam’25. e JV team started the season strong with a big win against Parsippany Hills. is week, we are hitting the hardwood to defend our 1-0 Record against St. Elizabeth's and Whippany Park High School. Together, we strive to be GREAT...Go Villa! Basketball Freshman e freshman team this year is small in numbers but mighty in heart. Although we have yet to have our rst game when the newsletter goes to print, the scrimmages we played showed the girls that they have the skill and heart to do big things this season. e freshman team consists of Azariah, Andrews’27, Maeve Dam’27, Gabriella Farag’27, Alexa Lombardi’27, Eve “Vivi” Loughran’27, Isabella Nilio’27, Rebekah Saxon’27, and Mia Spataro’27, with manager Georgia Doyle’27. e team opens up on Wednesday, December 20, at 4 pm against Morristown High School. 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 is off to a great start with a record of 5-2, with an overtime win against St. Elizabeth and big wins against Oak Knoll and Morristown Beard. Point guard Lucy Smart’29 leads the team, averaging 10 pts per game. Joelle Paolino’29 had a huge game against St. Elizabeth with 16 points. Grace Boler’29 had a season high 13 points against Dover. Elodie Tuck’29 had
7 clutch points against St. Elizabeth. Mary Cafasso’28 has scored consistently in every game but, more importantly, as the team's in-bounder, nds her guards under incredible pressure. e team had a fun outing at an FDU women's game that started with lunch at Playa Bowls. e team had a sweet Christmas party, dipping chocolate-covered pretzels and decorating Christmas Cookies! Winter Track & Field e Winter Track Season is well underway, with two track meets completed and two more scheduled before the New Year. e team leans on the experience of the four seniors: Jesse Kramer’24, Colleen “Jackie” Walsh ’24 (both team captains), Emily Poruczynski’24, and Natalia Tole’24. Juniors on the team are Margaret Boler’25, Kayla Castellano’25, Amalia Hronides’25, Ines Lemee’25, Erin Lyons’25, Kylie Mazzei’25, Avery Poruczynski’25, Sadie Smith’25, Aubrey Toth’25, and Delaney Yosh’25. Veteran winter track athletes Blythe Dudley’26 and Clodagh Bateson’26 are joined by several newcomer sophomores: Johanna Aguilar’26, Grace Calvano’26, Emilia Kapas’26, Nina McLaughlin’26, Jillian Paolino’26, and Giselle Scannella’26. ree promising freshmen, Katelyn McGowan’27, Emily Murphy’27, and Bianca Petrucci’27, round out the team. e team collected several medals in the rst meet of the season, the “Jack O’Leary Lidlier” at Drew University. Blythe Dudley’26 nished 4th in the 600m, Amalia Hronides’25 placed 4th in the high jump, with a new personal best of 4-10”, and the 4x200m relay, run by Kayla Castellano’25, Jillian Paolino’26, Margaret Boler’25 and Natalia Tole’24, earned a 5th place. At the “Wayne Gardiner Holiday Relays,” the Distance Medley team (Blythe Dudley’26, Colleen “Jackie” Walsh’24, Margaret Boler’25 and Erin Lyons’25) placed 4th, and the 4x400 squad (Natalia Tole’24, Margaret Boler’25, Avery Poruczynski’25, and Blythe Dudley’26) nished in 3rd place. In the eld events, Jesse Kramer’24 and Amalia Hronides’25 earned 2nd place in the high jump relay, and the shot put duo of Emma Naughton’26 and Bianca Petrucci’27 won the JV shot put relay! Coach Yombor and Coach Ladolcetta are looking forward to a competitive season! Go Villa Winter Track!
e ALC sponsored Villa’s Night In on Friday, November 10th, from 6-8. e members organized and led cooking s’mores over repits, a cookie decorating room, volleyball and basketball games, and a relaxation room with a spa-like feel! Well done, ALC members! Five underclass members of the ALC were chosen to represent Villa Walsh at the 2023-2024 NJAC Sportsmanship Summit at Mount Olive High School on December 5th. ey were Clodagh Bateson’26, Tessa Bowers’26, Nora Dam’25, Mia Magnier’26, and Martha Smart’25. e VWA student-athletes met studentathletes from NJAC schools, worked together in teambuilding activities, attended a presentation by Cornell omas, and enjoyed a pizza lunch with over 100 fellow NJAC student-athletes. e ve ALC members presented at the ALC at the December meeting, bringing the information they learned back to VWA. e December meeting was held on the 14th. Aer reviewing old business, President Delaney Caughey’24 and Vice-President Lily Wendorff ’24 led the meeting with fun team bonding activities with a Christmas theme to celebrate the holidays and all the hard work the council has put in this school year! Congratulations to Delaney Caughey’24 for being selected by the VWA coaches and athletic staff to represent Villa Walsh at the 2024 New Jersey National Women and Girls in Sports Day event sponsored by the NJSIAA. Delaney was selected as a result of her sportsmanship, leadership, and participation in sports during her four years at VWA. Delaney will be honored at halime of the Rutgers Women’s Basketball game on January 14 alongside other female student-athletes from New Jersey two- and four-year colleges, universities, and high schools. Congratulations to Delaney!