Viz Commencement 2025

Visitor

The

2025 COMMENCEMENT

V I S I TAT I O N A C A D E M Y

Class of 2025

Front Row (Left to Right): Paige McCormick Kalista Myers Abigail Cunningham Lauren Cleary Zoey DiStaso-Hutchins Lucy O’Leary Blaise Bartlett Emma Malin Clementine Killeen Colleen Smith Megan Tornberg Orla Fogarty Evangelia Bonifacio Jane Nordmann Ava Miller Ashlyn Canale Gabriella Lohse Cameron Smith Allison Scheiner Catherine Trachsel Kaliah Birchfield Jane Kramer Emma Williams Fiona Mackin

Courtesy of Wagner Portrait Group

Second Row (Left to Right): Chloe Grzybinski Maia Crawford Emily Ward Rowan O’Keefe Audrey Sprich Adele Finney Lillian Carlin Kate Dolan Caroline Riet Leonor Nunez Katherine Fletcher Morgan Dalebout Ashley Benigno Mary Goudy Audrey Adkins Sophia Santa Cruz Anna McCarthy Joyce Johnson Lorelei Simmons Margaret Cima

Third Row (Left to Right): Moreah Fajerski Lauren Hurley Hannah Gross Kathleen Gau Addison Major Emma Snyder Marian Williams Katherine Lewis Kathleen Gasper Lindsey Hurley Anna Klakovich Summer Agha Tess Simmons Kathleen Reed Katherine Ferrick Sophia Maddock Caroline Riley Lillian Kemper Remington Kirberg

Fourth Row (Left to Right): Mary Howard Anna Howard Anna Lee Hehmeyer Abigail Winter Hadley Jacoby Avery McLaughlin Elisa Nunez Margaret Werner Sophie Burgoon Ava Cusumano Therese Robson Elizabeth Mooney Isabel Kowalczyk Giada Staley Charlotte Pollnow Cameron LeGros Hannah Houseworth Caroline Hugge Jordyn Jefferson Elena Moolsintong

THE VISITOR is the official publication of Visitation Academy. The magazine is published by Viz’s Advancement Office and is sent to alumnae, parents, and friends of the school.

In This Issue 1 2

F ROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

F ROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

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C OMMENCEMENT 2025

W HAT’S NEW

P HOTOGRAPHIC YEAR IN REVIEW

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C ONGRATUL ATIONS, DR. SCHWARZ!

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V ISUAL AND

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

David Manuel Colón Head of School

ALUMNAE NEWS

Jenny Lucas Chief Advancement Officer

PERFORMING ARTS

SPIRITUALIT Y

Colleen Porter Director of Marketing & Communications Christine Kenney ’00 Publication Design Great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this issue of The Visitor.

We regret any errors or omissions.

Formal posed Commencement images and various candid photographs courtesy of Wagner Portrait Group. Jerry Naunheim Photography also provided additional candid Commencement photographs.

Visitation Academy thanks Wagner Portrait Group and Jerry Naunheim Photography for beautifully capturing this special day.

VISITOR

COPYRIGHT© 202 5 VISITATION ACADEMY ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

FROM OUR HEAD OF SCHOOL

The Gift of Not Knowing

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s I thought about our 2025 graduates leaving Visitation Academy to begin a new chapter in their lives, it reminded me of a story (more to the point, a lesson) I learned when I was not much older than they are.

In graduate school, I had a professor who seemed to take delight in asking me questions I couldn’t possibly answer. Week after week, I tried to bluff my way through. I thought proving myself mattered more than admitting what I didn’t know. Finally, one day, I gave up and said, “I don’t know.” To my surprise, that was the breakthrough he had been waiting for. I discovered that humility is the beginning of wisdom.

Looking back, his style was…let’s just say “character-building.” It wasn’t the gentlest approach, but it left me with a lasting truth: the courage to admit what you don’t yet know opens the door to real growth. At Visitation Academy, we try to teach that same lesson in a way that reflects our Salesian spirit of gentle strength. We want our students to feel safe saying, “I don’t know,” and to experience learning as a partnership rather than a performance.

That’s why our community is filled with mentors and guides—teachers, coaches, and classmates—who walk alongside students. Curiosity matters more than perfection. Gratitude and humility open the door to wisdom, and those virtues lived with gentle strength shape not just strong students but wise and generous people.

I hope the 83 graduates of the Class of 2025 continue to say, “I don’t know,” as they tackle college, careers, and beyond. Through this honest admission, they will continue to learn and grow, taking them to places they might never have imagined.

In Christ,

DAVID MANUEL COLÓN Head of School

“We want our students to feel safe saying, ‘I don’t know,’ and to experience learning as a partnership rather than a performance.”

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FROM OUR CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Stewards of the Work the Sisters Began

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am blessed to have experienced Viz at various stages of my life: first as a student, then as an alum, a parent, and finally as a board member.

No matter the phase in my life, Viz has remained consistent and constant in its charism, commitment to excellence, and the collective contribution of many in the community to our shared mission.

The Visitation Sisters dedicated their lives to Jesus and to the hearts and minds of all the students and families entrusted to them. They personify and inspire what it truly means to be Salesian. Their outstanding example guides all the work and decisions made for the betterment of the school, which are all done through a Salesian lens.

Viz alumnae also carry this Salesian lens and the Little Virtues out into the world with them. I often hear, read, and witness the enormous impact our alumnae are making in their communities. As Viz alumnae, which now includes the 83 graduates of the Class of 2025, we are called to remember and recognize how and why we embody these virtues, and to acknowledge that we are stewards of the work the Sisters began.

As the 200th anniversary of the founding of Visitation Academy approaches, now, more than ever, all alumnae are needed to ensure this special procession continues. Praying for the current school community, as well as our beloved Sisters (and one another), is a great way to make a daily impact.

Wear your crescents with pride and promote the value of a Viz education, especially if you are local.

Take advantage of opportunities to engage with current Viz students through the Fellowship Program

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and the Sophomore Speaker Series, or mentor a junior or senior as they explore a profession or field of interest to them.

Our beloved campus also requires your support.

We are all eagerly anticipating the opening of the new Middle School space, located in the former Monastery. The Sisters’ home will now be a special place for sixth through eighth graders. Next, Viz would like to refresh and enhance the athletics, Upper School, and Chapel spaces. There are more than 4,000 proud Viz alumnae, and accomplishing these important initiatives requires your involvement. Please remember Viz in any annual giving, support an area of interest, or include the school in your estate planning.

As a school, Viz has so much to be proud of and celebrate. The school offers an exceptional education, a special and unique charism, and an experience that encourages each student “To Be Who You Are and Be That Well.” Viz has significantly increased financial aid opportunities and broadened its scope to be a more global learning environment. It also boasts a remarkable alumnae network, which serves as a valuable resource for its members and for students.

In closing, I encourage you to please pray for, engage with, and contribute to our cherished Viz. With Vivette love and pride,

CORI CUNNANE STEBELMAN ’90 Chair, Board of Trustees

Class of 2025

BY T H E N U M B E R S

83 Graduates

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Charter Members in the Class

99%

of the Class of 2025 Earned Scholarships and Grants with a Four-Year Value of More Than $26,095,472

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National Merit Finalist

22%

Percentage of Students Who Scored 31 or Higher on the ACT

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Missouri Scholars 100 Student

Will Attend

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Different Schools in 23 States

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Matriculations CL ASS OF 2025

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Audrey Isabelle Adkins

Katherine Rose Dolan

Lauren Theresa Hurley

University of South Carolina

Texas Christian University

Texas Christian University

Summer Aanya Agha

Moreah Lynne Fajerski

Lindsey Marie Hurley

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University

Saint Louis University

Blaise Reese Bartlett

Katherine Grace Ferrick

Hadley Isabella Jacoby

Texas Christian University

Tulane University

Indiana University Bloomington

Ashley Claire Benigno

Adele Marie Finney

Jordyn Ga’Niya Jefferson

The University of Tennessee

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago

Kaliah Deray Birchfield

Katherine Marie Fletcher

Joyce Rena Johnson

Xavier University of Louisiana

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Elon University

Evangelia Annaliese Bonifacio

Orla Rose Fogarty

Lillian Caroline Kemper

University of Kansas

University of New Hampshire

Washington University in St. Louis

Sophie Lynn Burgoon

Kathleen Rose Gasper

Elizabeth Clementine Killeen

Texas Christian University

The Pennsylvania State University

Loyola University Chicago

Ashlyn Rose Canale

Kathleen Margaret Gau

Remington Jo Kirberg

Butler University

Belmont University

Marquette University

Lillian Jane Carlin

Mary Margaret Goudy

Anna Leigh Klakovich

University of Notre Dame

Trine University

University of Colorado Boulder

Margaret Danielle Cima

Hannah Elizabeth Gross

Isabel Nicole Kowalczyk

DePaul University

Saint Louis University

DePauw University

Lauren Elizabeth Cleary

Chloe Marie Grzybinski

Jane Margaret Kramer

University of Michigan

Truman State University

University of Notre Dame

Maia Jane Gepilano Crawford

Anna Lee Hehmeyer

Cameron Grace LeGros

University of Missouri

University of Kansas

Texas Christian University

Abigail Grace Cunningham

Hannah Jane Houseworth

Katherine Marie Lewis

Marquette University

Texas Christian University

Saint Louis University

Ava Nicole Ruth Cusumano

Anna Marie Howard

Gabriella Marie Lohse

University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Missouri

Baylor University

Morgan Michelle Dalebout

Mary Grace Howard

Fiona Mary Mackin

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

University of Arkansas

Fairfield University

Zoey Imani DiStaso-Hutchins

Caroline Terese Hugge

Sophia Catherine Maddock

Louisiana State University

University of Dayton

The University of Oklahoma

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Addison Rose Major

Rowan Clare O’Keefe

Colleen Marie Smith

University of Arkansas

Miami University

University of Tampa

Emma Lin Malin

Lucy Neilson O’Leary

Emma Kay Snyder

Maryville University

Southern Methodist University

University of Arkansas

Anna Elizabeth McCarthy

Charlotte Boehm Pollnow

Audrey Faith Sprich

University of Michigan

University of Kentucky

The University of Tennessee

Paige Jacqueline McCormick

Kathleen Mary Reed

Giada Nardina Staley

Indiana University Bloomington

University of San Diego

DePauw University

Avery Jane McLaughlin

Caroline Laurence Riet

Megan Annika Tornberg

University of Richmond

Saint Louis University

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Ava Michelle Miller

Caroline Grace Riley

Catherine Ann Trachsel

Lindenwood University

Miami University

University of Missouri

Elena Nalin Moolsintong

Therese Marie Robson

Emily Maureen Ward

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Notre Dame

College of Charleston

Elizabeth Grace Mooney

Sophia Amelia Santa Cruz

Margaret Mary Werner

University of Arkansas

University of Arkansas

University of Notre Dame

Kalista Christine Myers

Allison Cate Scheiner

Emma Ruth Williams

University of Missouri

Miami University

University of Notre Dame

Jane Abigail Nordmann

Lorelei Candace Simmons

Marian Janella Williams

University of Kansas

Saint Louis University

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Elisa Marin Nunez

Tess Evangeline Simmons

Rockhurst University

Saint Louis University

Leonor Sofia Nunez

Cameron Jordan Smith

Regis University

Boston College

Abigail Marie Winter Belmont University

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COMMENCEMENT SPEECHES

Valedictorian Address Jane Margaret Kramer

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nnecy, France; Rome, Italy; Washington, DC; Costa Rica; New York City; and even Kaskaskia, Illinois. Our time here at Visitation has provided our class with the opportunity to travel around the entire world. In every airport, tour bus, or packed city street, we were filled with eagerness and excitement, happily diving headfirst into each new experience. While we left behind our school, homes, and families in St. Louis, we gained something more profound: a sisterhood built by hearts united to one another that traveled with us no matter where we went.

The gift of travel and the joy of adventure may seem like fairly modern possibilities, but in reality, traveling has been an integral part of our school’s history from the very beginning. It all started when Mary walked over 70 miles to visit her cousin, Elizabeth. I’d like to read a few verses from the biblical story of the Visitation that best capture that sisterhood and love so important to our community: Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to the town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to

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me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.”

Our class motto this year is “Wherever she goes, she goes with all her heart.” When Mary traveled far away from her home to see Elizabeth, she brought with her the most pure and selfless heart ever known. Any potential for anxiety or fear of the unknown was calmed by the presence of Jesus within her and the joy of reuniting with her dear friend.

Over the sixteen years that I have been a student here, I have seen the Visitation thousands of times, not only in our beautiful stained-glass window but also through the actions of my classmates: women happily embracing one another, offering support and community. This physical act was seen so clearly on our last day of school as we paraded through the halls, arms linked, holding one another close. I have seen it in other members of the community, like the cheers and exclamations of the middle schoolers as they huddled together in the corner of the cafeteria to watch the announcement of Pope Leo XIV. And through the ever-present row of Sisters and ACF members who always join in the celebration of Mass with us, I see prime examples of actively living out the faith and Visitation charism. Visitation acts of encouragement

also appear in the most unexpected ways, like Mr. Flores’ rule that we each must say a nice thing about two classmates before each chemistry test. While this could be a quick compliment or an inside joke, often the “nice things” were oddly profound as girls candidly shared what they loved and respected about one another, just as when Elizabeth greeted Mary.

I truly believe that when we go places with all our hearts, others will follow. I vividly remember during English class this year when Maggie Cima analyzed part of a poem that even Mrs. Shortt had never noticed before. Our entire class practically leaped out of our seats with thunderous applause. It is clear that Maggie brought all her heart with her to every English class. The confidence and eloquence she displayed in each lesson increased our passion for the subject and joy in being her friend. Although our Field Day Mass this year had no music, that didn’t stop Audrey Sprich and Lauren Cleary from beginning an impromptu and a cappella version of “Oceans,” which our entire class quickly joined in on, eager to multiply the smiling sound.

And, of course, I’m sure everybody can relate to having their spirits raised a little bit each morning after hearing the vibrant voices of CJ, Adele, and Abby, encouraging us to “have a good day!”

I have seen 83 unique displays of what it means to go somewhere with all your heart. It means bringing your personality and passions into simple daily actions. Like the way Lea Nunez effortlessly extended her ballet-trained leg to get her graduation shoes approved, how Fiona Mackin can come up with hundreds of creative and amusing ways to convey the otherwise plain message that lunch is over, or Katie Gasper’s plot to involve tornadoes in every aspect of her life through her informative Snapchat story, middle of theology weather alerts, and even her role as Aunt Em in the musical this year.

Tonight, we not only celebrate the incredible achievements of our graduating class but also the people Visitation has helped us to become. God’s intentional design on each one of our hearts is both an individual representation of who we are and a heart united to each other as a result of the shared education, memories, and joy we have discovered here at Viz. Wherever we go next year, the heart of the Visitation will be inside of us, reminding us that we are never alone. We are part of a sisterhood of holy friendships spanning across centuries.

Do not be afraid to, as Mary did, travel in haste back to Visitation for every celebration, reunion, and Maypole to come. There, greet your sisters with a smile and a hug, and share your heart filled with joy.

“Wherever we go next year, the heart of the Visitation will be inside of us, reminding us that we are never alone.”

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COMMENCEMENT SPEECHES

Salutatorian Address Katherine Grace Ferrick

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ood evening. On behalf of the Class of 2025, I am honored to welcome our Sisters, the Association of Christian Faithful, the Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and loved ones here tonight. Thank you all for attending Visitation Academy’s 192nd Commencement Ceremony.

Our senior year consisted of Morning Mayhem, threats of a TikTok ban, a fake frat party in the Viz parking lot, and graduation. We shared these experiences together.

Now, each of us has our own plans for the future and dreams we hold close to our hearts. Knowing my classmates, we will accomplish them all. But, as we embark on separate journeys, I hope everyone remembers their Visitation roots. In my final theology class of the year, we listened to the song “Benediction”

by Christian musician Josh Garrels. My wish for my class is perfectly encapsulated by his lyrics: “May you grow from a seed into a strong, fruitful tree.” Viz has planted a seed inside of us that calls us to “Live Jesus” and cultivate holy friendships like St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal did. From this seed, we all formed fruitful relationships shaped by our Salesian Spirituality.

At this ceremony, each graduate receives a crescent to signify our continued growth in faith and love as we branch out across the country. The crescent reminds us to use our Visitation education and the lessons we learned as a class to serve others.

The tradition of the crescent stems from the family crest of St. Francis de Sales. When he became bishop, he added the Latin phrase Non-Excidit, meaning love does not fail. The love of the Visitation community has never failed me. This love manifests itself in lunch table gossip after dances, our linked arms during the Viz alma mater, and dance parties with my friends to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” It extends from our teachers who take a genuine interest in our lives. My eighth-grade math teacher, Mrs. Braun, supported me through countless high school hardships and still checks in on my life.

Whenever a classmate reflects on their time at Viz,

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they share the same sentiment that though there are 84 girls in our class (can’t forget Grace), they could have a conversation with and name one standout fact about each girl. This is a true testament to the special group sitting before you.

In grand gestures and simple acts, the Class of 2025 exhibits that to love someone is to know them well, whether it be through CJ’s magical way of understanding every nerdy reference I make and matching it with an even nerdier comment, or Hannah Houseworth’s touching, personalized compliments to each girl on our retreat.

Every time we pin the crescent to our chests, we are ambassadors of this understanding and unity in the Viz community. Over the years, Mrs. Spellman taught us — through her own incredible kindness — the importance of representing the Visitation charism. As a Viz alumna, Mrs. Bealke models the dedication to service and education represented by the crescent. We all share this commitment to Viz and work together to create such an extraordinary community. Clementine and Elisa spent grueling hours painting for Spirit Week, Marian and Emma led our dominant YAG delegation, and Lindsey and Kath managed the ViPrs, taking the robotics team all the way to the world championship. Every person on stage shared their talents with Viz to uplift and enrich each other. Although this devotion will take new forms after we leave the Visitation hallways, the drive and compassion of this class will continue to inspire us in our endeavors.

Informed by our faith and education, Viz girls are uniquely prepared to change the world. We have been fortunate enough to learn from teachers like Mr. Maxwell, who demonstrated how to answer God’s call and articulate our faith, and Mrs. Shortt, who challenged us to be curious, think critically, and have confidence in our abilities. No matter if you are a charter member or started in ninth grade, Viz leaves a crescent-shaped mark on us all that propels us to use our God-given gifts to better society.

In seventh grade, I started an intense argument with the entire class about which High School Musical movie was best. Many people disagreed, but I insisted that the third movie, which details their senior year and graduation, was the clear choice because each college-bound character

ends up with a bright future at the perfect school. Tonight, we reach this same crossroads, and I am confident that each 2025 graduate is destined for success and headed exactly where they need to be.

As best said in the lyrics of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” although we are miles apart, if you ever need a helping hand, I’ll be there on the double just as fast as I can. To my classmates, know you can always rely on the unfailing love of Visitation Academy, no matter where you are off to next, and that you have 83 sisters who are always willing to offer a helping hand. Thank you.

“The crescent reminds us to use our Visitation education and the lessons we learned as a class to serve others.”

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Awards & Honors

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VALEDICTORIAN

SALUTATORIAN

Awarded to the student who has earned the highest cumulative grade point average over four years.

Awarded to the student who has earned the second-highest cumulative grade point average over four years.

NATIONAL MERIT FINALIST

MISSOURI SCHOLARS 100

Awarded to students based on a nationally-applied Selection Index score in recognition of their outstanding academic promise.

Jane Margaret Kramer

Katherine Grace Ferrick

NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED

ST. JANE DE CHANTAL SERVICE AWARD

Awarded to students based on a nationally-applied Selection Index score in recognition of their outstanding academic promise.

Nominated by her classmates, the recipient of the St. Jane de Chantal Service Award is a young woman who exhibits true apostolic service both within the Visitation community and in her wider community.

THE HAROLD F. AND CATHERINE A. FAUGHT STEM SCHOLARSHIP

Kathleen Rose Gasper

Morgan Michelle Dalebout

This award recognizes the top 100 scholars among all graduating seniors in Missouri. The Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals’ annual selection is based on standardized test scores, rigorous coursework, citizenship, leadership, and service.

Generously established in 2019 by Mrs. Catherine A. Faught, this $5,000 college scholarship is awarded to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence and outstanding leadership in the areas of STEM.

Orla Rose Fogarty

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES VIRTUE AWARD

OUTSTANDING SALESIAN LEADER AWARD

Nominated by her classmates, the recipient of the St. Francis de Sales Virtue Award is a young woman who best lives the Visitation motto “Live Jesus” through Salesian virtues.

This award is given in recognition of a student who consistently demonstrates Salesian leadership in a manner that promotes gentleness, joy, respect, and hospitality.

Katherine Marie Lewis

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OUTSTANDING STUDENT LEADERS Outstanding Student Leaders are students who demonstrate leadership ability and service to our school community in an exemplary manner.

Blaise Reece Bartlett

Cameron Jordan Smith

MISSOURI SEAL OF BILITERACY RECIPIENTS — SPANISH

Ashley Claire Benigno

Lillian Jane Carlin

Elizabeth Grace Mooney

Margaret Danielle Cima

Therese Marie Robson

Kathleen Rose Gasper

Sophia Amelia Santa Cruz

Addison Rose Major

Allison Cate Scheiner

SUSANNAH A. KILMER ZEST FOR LIFE AWARD Given in remembrance of a graduate of the Visitation Class of 1994, this award recognizes seniors who embrace life as Susannah did.

Nominated by their classmates and voted on by the faculty, the recipients demonstrate strong academic achievement, loyalty and devotion to friends, and the ability to meet life’s challenges.

Adele Marie Finney

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Kathleen Mary Reed

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SR. CECILIA CARROLL, VHM, AWARD IN MUSIC AND SCHOLARSHIP

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MODEL OF JUSTICE AWARD The Martin Luther King, Jr. Model of Justice Award is an annual award presented to students of the Archdiocese of St. Louis who have demonstrated, through their attitude and their work, a commitment to serving humanity in the broader community. These students have made justice a central part of their lives and have committed themselves “to the noble struggle of equal rights.”

Established by Rodger and Jean Marré Faherty ’55 in loving memory of Sister Cecilia Carroll, VHM, this $1,000 award is given to a deserving senior who has displayed outstanding musical talent.

Abigail Marie Winter

Marian Janella Williams

ARCHBISHOP JOHN L . MAY SERVICE AWARD

MEV PULEO SERVICE AWARD

Given in remembrance of Archbishop May’s dedicated Christian service, this award recognizes the outstanding leadership and community service of high school seniors in the St. Louis area.

Given in remembrance of a graduate of the Visitation Class of 1981, this award recognizes a senior who embraces life as Mev did. Suggested by the faculty, the recipient demonstrates journeying with the poor while recognizing the face of God in all and working towards the realization of justice and peace in the kingdom of God.

Lillian Jane Carlin

Elisa Marin Nunez

GIRLS INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS LEAGUE OUTSTANDING SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

PRINCIPAL’S AWARD Chosen by the Principal and Assistant Principal in collaboration with the faculty, this young woman demonstrates a consistent dedication to the Visitation community and serves as a role model to all in a quiet, gentle, and humble manner.

Nominated by the Athletic Director, the Girls Independent Schools League Outstanding Sportsmanship Award recognizes a senior athlete who has led her team with examples of outstanding character.

Sophie Lynn Burgoon

Lindsey Marie Hurley

ALUMNAE AWARD

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH SCHOLAR-ATHLETE

The Alumnae Award is given to one member of the graduating class who best exemplifies the Visitation ideals. She is true to the Salesian spirit of the Visitation and truly Lives Jesus.

Ashley Claire Benigno

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch Scholar-Athlete Award is given to a student who is in the top 25% of her graduating class.

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VISITATION STUDENT LEADERSHIP AWARD

Hannah Jane Houseworth

Caroline Terese Hugge

Gabriella Mari Lohse

Fiona Mary Mackin

This award is given in recognition of students who consistently demonstrate effective leadership to the school community in a manner that is not always publicly recognized.

Jane Abigail Nordmann

Tess Evangeline Simmons

Audrey Faith Sprich

CHARTER MEMBERS OF THE CLASS

Anna Marie Howard

Mary Grace Howard

Jane Margaret Kramer

Giada Nardina Staley

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Charlotte Boehm Pollnow

Catherine Ann Trachsel

Cameron Jordan Smith

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SISTER MARY AIMÉE DILSCHNEIDER ALUMNAE ESSAY AWARD This award is presented in honor of Sister Mary Aimée Dilschneider ’35, VHM, for her years of dedication and service to the Alumnae Association. The recipient best describes what Visitation Academy means to her and how her experiences as a Viz student will enrich her future.

Cameron Jordan Smith

Visitation Leadership Looks a Little Different My father told me that nothing worth doing is easy. If you want something to help you grow, live, and learn, you must work for it. This sentiment originally led me to dread Student Council elections at the end of junior year. I was running for executive president, a leader who works with two other executives to shape the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth-grade community-building events. However, I was running unopposed. I felt like a fraud. Student Council President was an accomplishment I have been striving for since freshman year, when I saw how Emily LaMartina led with a strong but kind command. This dream grew as my high school experience progressed, witnessing Sejal Sekhar balance a multitude of student organizations, all while maintaining strong relationships with girls of all ages and observing Mary Kate Spellman lead with compassion that allowed every student to confide in her. In my eyes, leadership like theirs was essential to the portrait of my thirteen years at Visitation Academy. When it came time for elections, I was sure the campaign must be strenuous and hard-fought to earn such an important position. When I ran alone with a guaranteed win, I felt that the role simply fell into my lap, unearned and unmerited.

As I grew into my presidency, I realized that a week of stickers, posters, and speeches was not the test of a true leader. A year of interactions with students, faculty, and staff within Visitation Academy defined the strength of my leadership. The 2024 –2025 school year brought a host of challenges: new events, new girls, and new policies. With each new task, my skills were tested. Adaptability was all-important. Communication was crucial. Decisiveness was dominant. But the true tests came in the quiet moments. Those moments were the ones I had to work for.

While witnessed by few, they impacted the Student Council girls and, by extension, the Visitation community. Positivity when an event did not perform as planned. Small pieces of advice to a younger member. A compliment when a job was well done. Though leadership looked different here, almost smaller in a sense, its value was equally significant. I began to recognize that this type of leadership surrounded me, not only in defined positions but in every Visitation student.

These young women lead by demonstration, not direction.

Though titleless, their work fosters unity, bonds, and sisterhood in the community. Quiet leadership, often unrecognized by moderators or teachers, may start as a ripple but grows into a wave of positive change.

As a soon-to-be Visitation graduate, I strive to populate the student body with these moments. Being a leader in front of a crowd is hard. Being a leader between class periods, after school, and when you are not in control is even harder.

Echoing my father’s sentiment, being a true leader is not easy, but it is worth doing. A Visitation graduate understands the importance of quiet leadership. She acts when no one but God is watching. She cares when no one is attentive. She uplifts when no one notices. While many young women in the Class of 2025 take on leadership roles by running a committee, captaining a sport, directing a play, and managing a club, their strengths as the oldest girls are tested in smaller ways. Often, interactions with younger students leave an impression that guides their hopes for the next four years. For me, my ambitions for Student Council did not originate from the large pep rallies and school events that Emily, Sejal, and Mary Kate organized. Their integrity, empathy, and humility in seemingly insignificant instances led me on my path through high school. In the “Portrait of a Visitation Graduate,” leadership gives the other values meaning, putting into action a life in Christ, a love of learning, and respect for all.

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Congratulations Class of 2025!

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R E F LEC TI O N

We Were Girls Together This is a reflection by CJ Smith, Class of 2025, Student Council President, delivered at the First Friday all-school Mass on April 4. CJ and two of her fellow STUCO officers also announced that it was Just Because Day.

“ WE WE R E G I R L S TO G E T H E R .” Has anyone heard this phrase before? I hear it all the time on sappy TikTok videos, but I feel like it gets overlooked. “We were girls together.” Four words, but their meaning is innumerable.

The phrase stems from a novel by the famous author Toni Morrison, an author I have come to love thanks to Mrs. Shortt. Found in the novel Sula, which recounts the bond of four young women in the face of adversity, the short words resonate deeply in my heart as I prepare to leave Viz, the place I have called home for 13 years.

For those of you who do not know me, I am an only child, and for most of those 13 years, all I wished for was a sister.

My friends with sisters seemed so cool: they had the best clothes, they knew how to make the best Musical.ly videos, and they always had someone to confide in for everything. But now, looking back at my residence for over a decade in this community, I realize that I have more sisters than I can count on two hands. I wish I had opened my eyes sooner to realize that the girls I borrowed clothes from, shared music recommendations with, who I taught to curl hair, and who embarked on late-night FroYo runs with me, those girls were my sisters.

These strong and steadfast relationships, my female

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friends, the women I’ve been blessed enough to have crossed paths with, these wonderful young women, have shaped my life in unimaginable ways. This is girlhood.

These friendships have been crucial to our existence as women, even since Jesus’ time. When Mary learned of her impending pregnancy, the first person she told was Elizabeth. With such a huge, unthinkable task in front of her, Mary chose to confide in someone who would get it, someone who would offer support, hope, and unceasing love, someone like Elizabeth. In the scripture, it says that Mary offered a simple greeting. In response, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and her child jumped in her womb. Nearly no words were exchanged, yet the women immediately understood. Their holy friendship found each other in a time of need. This is girlhood.

The existence of girlhood is not just emotionally comforting. Science has proven that it benefits our physical well-being. If you don’t believe me, listen to the scientists at UCLA, who found that female friendships facilitate more oxytocin, literally making our brains healthier and stronger. But personally, I don’t need a brain scan to prove to me the importance of female

“ I can confidently say my female friendships serve as the standard for all love that I receive and the love I give in this world.” friendship; I’ve lived it. To me, female relationships are more spiritual in nature. They have provided guidance, care, protection, support, wisdom, and much more.

I have seen God in these women in a way I cannot truly describe, but I know you understand, as I have lived it with all of you. St. Jane said, “In loving God in our neighbor, we can never make a mistake!” In my 13 years in this community, I have been surrounded by empowering and supportive young women. Cloaked in the love of these neighbors, I am allowed to mess up.

I am allowed to try new things. I am allowed to be bad at them too. (*cough cough* — my JV2 racquetball career.)

I can do this because this community of God’s love ensures that those mistakes are merely steps on my journey. In loving and being loved by these girls, we continue to grow together. This is girlhood.

friendships serve as the standard for all love that I receive and the love I give in this world. So, treasure these relationships. Cherish them. No matter how many miles away from each other we may be, being girls together will always be the invisible string that ties us together for the rest of our lives.

Sometimes I think about the future, and the person I could be in 5, 10, 20 years from now. Whomever she may be, I have you girls to thank. We are truly blessed to experience such a pivotal phase of our lives together. In a time of great change and so much soul searching, God specifically sent the ladies in this gym to you. To help you.

To love you. To lead you. I can confidently say my female

Now I’m sure many of you have similar memories.

So, in one last effort to recreate the best memories of girlhood before we move on to college and the next stages of our lives, Abby, Adele, and I would like to announce Just Because Day: Slumber Party on Ballas!

Before I go, I want you to think back to your earliest memories of girlhood. My earliest memory was my first sleepover, in first grade. We watched Free Willy and stayed up until 10:00 that night. The next morning, I awoke to confetti pancakes and chocolate milk. It was awesome. It is these friendships that make my time here worthwhile. I also have found girlhood in communities like the Student Council, so I invite Abby and Adele to come up here.

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What’s New

Save the Date MIDDLE SCHOOL CON S TRUC TION

Building for the Future If you have driven by the Viz campus recently, you have surely noticed that a major construction project is underway. In the former Monastery home of the Sisters, Viz is building a new dedicated Middle School home in partnership with PARIC Corporation, Mackey Mitchell Architects, and Cobalt Construction Consulting.

As a leader in all-girl education, Viz is proud to partner with a predominantly female Construction Project Team, a shining example for our students and the “Be Who You Are and Be That Well” mentality ingrained in Viz’s culture.

Since opening in 2014 to the 2024-2025 school year, Middle School enrollment at Viz has increased by 48%. Middle School is a critical time of transformation as girls navigate the complexities of early adolescence. The creation of a dedicated environment tailored to the unique social, emotional, and academic needs of girls in Grades 6 through 8 fosters a strong sense of belonging and community and

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Middle School Ribbon-Cutting and Blessing Ceremony with Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski Monday, April 13, 2026 5:30 p.m.

Details to follow

provides a space to explore interests, build confidence, and engage deeply in activities and discussions that align with their developmental stage.

Construction began in May, following the close of the 2024-2025 school year, and is anticipated to be completed in spring 2026, well in time for the opening of school in August.

Members of the Visitation community gathered for a moment of prayer and gratitude ahead of the start of the new Middle School home construction, with a special thank you to Campaign Co-Chair Kathey Conley Taiclet ’81.

M I D D LE S CH O O L

THE NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL HOME WILL INCLUDE:

Nine classrooms complete with state-of-the-art learning environments and technology.

A large gathering space for class meetings or student collaboration.

A spacious corridor featuring expansive windows that fill the space with natural light and offer views of Viz’s beautiful courtyard.

Numerous locker bays and study alcoves.

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WH AT ’ S N E W

NEW TECHNOLOGIE S

Scientific Exploration

Viz made an exciting addition to the science department this past spring — an Anatomage Table.

This cutting-edge digital anatomy innovation is revolutionizing science education.

Imagine being able to virtually dissect the human body, layer by layer, without the constraints of traditional anatomy lessons. The Anatomage Table’s high-definition 3D images and interactive features bring the study of anatomy to life, enabling deeper understanding, more engaging discovery, and broader applications.

As a leader in STEM learning, Viz is committed to providing our students with the most advanced tools and technologies to enhance their educational experience. Viz was the first all-girl school in the

area to offer this game-changing technology, which allows students to explore the human body in unprecedented detail.

The table features five fully segmented human cadavers (three male, two female), offering students an unparalleled opportunity to study real human anatomy without the limitations of a single-day cadaver lab visit.

It includes over 1,600 MRI/CT case studies with corresponding histology images, 35 high-resolution regional anatomies, and advanced physiology simulations.

Thanks to this new technology, Viz students have the opportunity to: • Interact with true-to-life 3D anatomical models, allowing them to visualize the body’s intricate structures.

• Customize views, make annotations, and manipulate the models to gain a comprehensive understanding.

• Collaborate with classmates and instructors to explore the human body in new and innovative ways.

• Apply their knowledge through HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) activities and competitions, preparing them for future success in the medical field.

While this will be instrumental to the Upper School Science Department, it also will be an extraordinary tool for our Middle School students. They can explore comparative anatomy using digitized dog and cat cadavers— an invaluable resource for aspiring veterinarians.

The Anatomage Table is not just a tool for the classroom — it’s a gateway to a world of scientific discovery and medical innovation.

Investing in this technology ensures Viz students have the skills and knowledge to thrive in an ever-evolving STEM landscape.

Viz was the first all-girl school in the area to offer this game-changing technology, which allows students to explore the human body in unprecedented detail.

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N E W TECH N O LO G I E S

Laser Focused Another piece of technology added to the makerspace in the spring was an xTool P2S desktop CO₂ laser cutter and engraver specifically designed for educational environments. It provides a safe, efficient, and versatile platform for students and educators to explore hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. Given its applications for a wide range of materials, including wood, acrylic, leather, fabric, glass, and coated metal, Viz educators found interesting ways to integrate it into the curriculum within the first month of its arrival.

SOCIAL STUDIES Grade 7 students were asked to identify five contributions from ancient Greece to modern civilization and find and design images to represent them. The students then created wooden box templates featuring these images, and guided by a detailed set of instructions, were tasked with cutting, engraving, scoring, and assembling the various pieces of their “Legacy Cube.”

TECHNICAL THEATRE The Upper School Intro to Technical Theatre class worked on a project called “The Room Project.”

Students were asked to select a play, choose a scene central to the play, and then design and create a scale model of that scene in that room. Students designed and cut out all elements needed to bring the model to life, learning to maximize materials and thus reduce waste.

COMPUTER SCIENCE/ VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS The Upper School intro to AutoCAD for theatre and engineering class worked on a project — St. Patrick’s Square — where they were asked to design a St. Patrick’s day-themed town square. Each student designed an element of the town square, including a lamp post, seating areas, archways, a grand fountain, and flowerpots. Then, using these designs, students learned to take them from a full size to a scale model size, preparing those models to be laser cut while learning to maximize materials and thus reduce waste.

STEM

SPIRITUALIT Y

As an introduction to their STEM unit, second graders learned that birds have different eating styles depending on their beak and body type. Each student chose one bird and followed the engineering design process to design and build models of bird feeders they felt would be a good fit for their specific type of bird. Before cutting the birdhouses, the models were tested to see if the design was successful. The girls then assembled and placed the feeders in various locations around campus. The goal is to create a more vibrant population of birds on the Ballas property, so food was placed in the bird feeders throughout the summer months to promote a stronger population. When students returned to school in August, they checked the results of their work.

Viz’s Dean of Mission Integration, Amelia Blanton Hibner, in collaboration with Lower School STEM instructor Michelle Mueller, created a set of wooden Stations of the Cross designed to be ageappropriate and engaging for all grade levels. The images were printed with precision using the laser cutter and will be placed in the Owl’s Nest outdoor STEM learning space. This project reflects the school’s commitment to creative mission integration by providing faculty with a resource that can be used across subject areas and grade levels, encouraging reflection, prayer, and spiritual formation in a natural setting. It’s a meaningful example of how technology and tradition can come together to enhance the student experience.

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ROBOTIC S

Continuing the Tech Talk The Middle School robotics program continues to expand with the addition of 15 new Sphero Bolt+ robots, complete with a protective charging case. As you may recall from the 2024 Commencement issue of The Visitor, 35 VEX EXP robots, four worktables with storage, and four carts to house disassembled robots were purchased the previous year.

The Sphero Bolt+ made Time’s Best Inventions of 2024 list. It is a baseball-sized, programmable spherical robot designed for hands-on coding. Students can explore STEM concepts, create interactive stories, and design solutions to real-world challenges like engineers, artists, or scientists.

All Viz seventh graders will use the robots in computational engineering class, and additional usage applications are being explored.

PE RFORMING ART S

Ready to Perform The Visual and Performing Arts program received several upgrades benefiting theatre, choir, and dance.

TECHNICAL THEATRE

To keep up with the advances in software and hardware, the Mac computers used in the tech theatre program and tech theatre classroom were upgraded to the newest available model. This allows students to work with the latest software and technology used industry-wide across the visual and performing arts, as the tech program supports all areas of study.

The electrical system in Costigan Theatre was completely overhauled and updated to accommodate advanced technology—including new, higher-quality, and larger LED panels for digital scenery—that students have access to for theatre productions. Additional communication headsets used in productions were purchased, allowing more students to hear and be part of what is going on in the background of a show.

Video camera capabilities were upgraded to facilitate live streaming of visual and performing arts and school-wide events like graduation.

A huge thank you to our donors whose generosity funded the Anatomage Table, laser cutter, Sphere robots, and theater, choir, and dance room upgrades.

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CHOIR & DANCE CL ASSROOMS

The Middle and Upper School choir room underwent a total remodel, including new furniture, improved storage, and updated choir risers, creating a more collaborative space.

The dance room was enhanced with real mirrors mounted on the walls, replacing the old mylar mirrors.

It was fitted with a wall-mounted sound system with speakers and Bluetooth technology.

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COMMUNIT Y E VE NT S

An Eventful Year Viz loves creating new ways for our community together, and this year was no exception.

In addition to perennial favorites, like the Welcome Back Picnic and Safari Dinner Auction, a few new events were introduced. We are excited to say, they were massive hits!

CULTURE NIGHT This evening of festivities, food, fun, and live entertainment — made possible by Viz families and students —showcased 23 different cultures from within our school and around the world. Egypt, Ukraine, France, Cameroon, Romania, and South Korea, among many others, were represented through food, art and other artifacts, crafts, games, videos, and more. A highlight of the event was a live performance by the amazing Vitendo4Africa Dancers.

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Save the Date Join us on March 10, 2026, in DeChantal Hall for the second annual event.

N E W CO M M U N IT Y E V E NT S

VIZ THE SEASON This inaugural event was nothing short of fa-la-la-la fabulous, filled with holiday enchantment, laughter, and festive fun for the whole family. Viz the Season offered something for everyone — from sipping hot cocoa and enjoying a s’more to watching a delightful magic show and creating sweet Christmas confections to shopping in the fabulous Mothers’ Club organized boutique to the tree lighting and nativity blessing.

The second annual Viz the Season was held on Saturday, November 15, 2025. There was no shortage of holiday spirit and was a great way for our community to kick off the season.

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2024–2025

Year in Photos

THE 2024 – 2025 SCHOOL YEAR was full of memorable moments.

While we cannot possibly share them all, we hope you enjoy this photographic collection, which includes a few favorites that showcase our fabulous students and special events, activities, and projects.

BEEKEPER VISIT

The Montessori was abuzz thanks to Mrs. Hampton, grandmother of a Viz student and an enthusiastic beekeeper, who brought the world of bees to life

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

A little Morning Mayhem on the first day of school

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YEAR IN REVIEW FOOD SCIENCE KITCHENS

Grade 1 students rolled up their sleeves in the Lower School Food Science Kitchen, turning their apple haul from Eckert’s Farm into delicious homemade applesauce

The Spanish Club took over the Middle School/Upper School Food Science Kitchen to make some muy deliciosa guacamole

ESSAY WINNER

Maggie Cima, Class of 2025; Second place, Robert J. Stuckey Essay Contest

SHOW ME ST. LOUIS Mrs. Gurley’s third-grade class made its television debut on KSDK’s Show Me St. Louis

Middle School students throwing it back to their Lower School days

UNIFORM THROWBACK

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Year in Photos

VOLLEYBALL Challenge Cup vs. Nerinx

WELCOME VISITORS

2024–2025

The Montessori loves their annual visit with local firefighters

Jordyn Jefferson, Kaliah Birchfield, Zoey DiSatasa-Hutchins, all Class of 2025, and Elizabeth Anyimadu, Class of 2026, represented Viz on the Sankofa Pathways Towards Peace Pilgrimage

PEACE PILGRIMAGE

TRUNK OR TREAT An amazing cast of characters at the 2024 Trunk or Treat

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YEAR IN REVIEW

It was “owl” hands on deck at the grand opening of the Owl’s Nest outdoor STEM learning space

OWL’S NEST

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

Even older Viz students enjoy Breakfast with Santa

THE MIDDLE SCHOOL BELL ARMINE TEAM racked up the ribbons in their first meet of the year

MIDDLE & LOWER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

(above) Middle and Lower School students cozied up together to read

THE MIDDLE SCHOOL ROBOTICS CLUB

competed in the Clavius Project Jamboree

(below) Middle School students visited the Lower School for some pumpkin painting fun

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Viz was wellrepresented at the HOSA State competition

MINI MED SCHOOL

Students getting hands-on at the second mini med school and Vivette vets session

CL ASS GARDEN

Middle School enjoying their tower garden harvest

2024–2025

Year in Photos

HOSA

BL ACK HISTORY MONTH

Members of the Divine Nine brought the energy and the information when they visited with Upper School students for Black History Month LIVING ROSARY

Lower Students gathered together in the Chapel at Visitation to pray the Living Rosary

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YEAR IN REVIEW

UPPER SCHOOL ROBOTICS

The ViPrs robotics team finished in first at the regional St. Louis FIRST robotics competition, earning the team a spot at the 2025 FRC Championship

MOTHER-DAUGHTER BRUNCH

Moms and daughters, mingling and munching at the Middle School Mother-Daughter Mass and Brunch

STATIONS OF THE CROSS with

the Lower School on the Sister Isabel Trail

SENIORS’ L AST DAY

Seniors showing off their college choices on the last day of school

MS CL ASS TRIP

Dreaming of the Middle School trip to D.C.

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FACU LT Y F E AT U R E

Is There A Doctor in the House? Yes! Say Hello to Dr. CeCe Schwarz What is Collective Efficacy?

A group’s shared belief that it can organize and carry out the actions needed to achieve a specific goal or level of success.

It is not just the sum of individual beliefs but an emerging group trait that highlights teamwork and a common sense of purpose to overcome challenges and reach desired outcomes.

In May 2025, CeCe Schwarz, Visitation Academy Theology Department Chair and Salesian Service Coordinator, and her fellow team members in the SLU Catholic Educational Leadership Program successfully presented their doctoral oral defense, earning her the prestigious designation of Dr. Schwarz.

Their topic – The Relationship Between Collective Efficacy and Commitment to Mission in Catholic Education. As a Catholic educational institution with a strong commitment to our Salesian mission, Viz believes wholeheartedly in the results of her research: when the mission is at the forefront of a school’s culture and there is a collective commitment to the mission, it increases collaboration and trust and improves student outcomes.

CeCe’s doctoral journey began with relevant coursework in the fall of 2022.

This two-year study was supplemented with project work in the summer of 2023. While there was a lot of research and data to support the idea that collective efficacy positively impacts student outcomes, what was missing from the data was the Catholic school piece: the uniqueness of a religious environment, the importance of mission commitment, and how these relate to collective efficacy. This became the foundation of her team’s project work.

Congratulations, Dr. Schwarz! Viz is lucky to have you driving our collective commitment to our school’s mission and is proud to welcome you to the group of other doctors on the Viz staff: Dr. Marlise Albert, Dr. Amelia Blanton Hibner, Dr. Katherine Radler, and Dr. Megan Sigette.

The Doctoral Oral Defense Team (from front to back): CeCe Schwarz, Erin Gunn, Fran Hanson, and Haidee Todora

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Visual & Performing Arts What a year for Viz’s Visual and Performing Arts department!

From our youngest performers in the Lower School to our Middle School entertainers to our Upper School artisans, there were many magical moments across all divisions to be proud of.

TIME FOR A CURTAIN CALL

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V I S UA L & PE R FO R M I N G A R T S

Divisional Highlights Montessori & Lower School CONCERTS

Montessori and Grade 1 – 5 students joyfully performed in two Christmas concerts and a spring concert. The spring concert coincides with the annual Lower School Art Show, highlighting early student creativity and expression. The concerts and art show reflected our budding Lower School artists’ strong vocal, instrumental, and visual growth.

Lower School students also performed in the musical, 101 Dalmatians Kids, which featured 68 first through fifth graders, a record number.

T H E AT R E

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M I D D LE S CH O O L H I G H LI G HT S

Middle School Artwork created by Chloe Mudd, Class of 2029, was selected for exhibition at the 13th Annual Young Artists Exhibition at the St. Louis Art Museum.

MUDD

PETROFF

Liljana Petroff, Class of 2031, earned first chair cello in the Metro District 8 Middle School Orchestra.

CARROLL

Betsy Carroll, Class of 2029, placed second in the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) State Music Competition for ages 11–15. She also was accepted into Webster University’s College Prep Music Program.

The Middle School choir sang the National Anthem at the St. Louis Ambush Game.

Similar to Lower School, Middle School students performed in a Christmas and a year-ending spring concert, featuring both a visual arts show and a choral/dance performance, and two theatre productions — The Wizard of Oz, along with Upper School and Lower School students, and My Homework Ate My Dog and Other Woeful Tales.

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V I S UA L & PE R FO R M I N G A R T S

Upper School In addition to The Wizard of Oz, Upper School thespians brought to life the historical story of ten brave explorers in the musical Men on Boats.

T H E AT R E

CROSS-DIVISIONAL T H E AT R E H I G H L I G H T S

160

cast members representing all divisions participated on stage in five major productions.

Nearly

200

students contributed to the productions by working on: • Props • Costumes • Sets • Sound • Lighting • Projections • Hair and makeup

V I S UA L A R T S , E L E C T I V E T H E AT R E , M U S I C , A N D DA N C E

102 students were enrolled in optional visual art elective courses; approximately 100 additional students enrolled in elective theatre, music, and dance classes. The Upper School hosted a formal art show reception; a choral/dance concert accompanied the art show and featured a broad range of student expression.

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U PPE R S CH O O L H I G H LI G HT S

HONORS IN THE ARTS

Marty Stromeyer received the St. Louis High School Musical Theatre Inspiring Teacher Award.

Ellen Isom, Viz Dance and Choreography, was nominated for Outstanding Choreography for her work on The Wizard of Oz.

MUSIC

Choirs performed at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, the All-District, All-State, and State solo and ensemble festivals, and Christmas and spring concerts.

Jen Bolesta and Molly Bryant, Viz art teachers, were both selected as ambassadors to the national ArtEffect cohort, a highly selective program for arts educators.

Kat Gau, Class of 2025, Lelaina Pursifull, Class of 2026, and Delaney Venker, Class of 2026, made the Metro 8 All District Choir, with Kat and Lelaina qualifying to move on to the All-State auditions. Lelaina received the highest rating at the State solo and ensemble festival.

She also was accepted into the prestigious Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Artist-in-Training program.

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ATH LE TI C S

Athletics IMPLEMENTING A TRANSFORMATIVE COACHING APPROACH

Athletics is a central element of creating a well-rounded school-life experience at Viz; therefore, providing student-athletes with the best athletic opportunities, interactions, and outcomes is essential.

One way Viz is enhancing its athletics program is by implementing a vertical coaching model, where varsity coaches oversee every team at every age level, guiding philosophy, program design, and player development.

This year, the model was adopted in volleyball, field hockey, swimming, cheerleading, and lacrosse.

Current Upper School students and former Vivettes play a key role in this process.

They participate in Lower and Middle School team practices and coach and mentor younger players, which helps build a strong athletic foundation across the school.

In 2024-2025, two alumnae and 21 Upper School athletes mentored and coached younger Viz teams, with six Upper School students serving as CYC head coaches.

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21

Upper School athletes mentored and coached younger Viz teams

6

Upper School students served as CYC head coaches

COACH I N G LEG E N D

Saying Goodbye to a Coaching Legend Thaddeus J. Strobach AUGUST 30, 1940 – DECEMBER 24, 2024

Girls’ basketball — not only at Viz but throughout Missouri — was forever changed by Thad Strobach.

“Until he (Strobach) came along, girls’ basketball in Missouri was something you played in the school gym on Friday afternoons for the edification of the student body and the faculty and a few friends. Then he began to develop championship teams, and the game became something much more.” – Bob Burnes, St. Louis Globe-Democrat.

During his tenure at Viz from 1977 to 1993, Thad guided his teams to five state championship titles, nine state championship games, and 485 total victories. He is regarded as the most successful high school girls’ basketball coach and was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in November 2024. Thad left an enduring mark on Viz and the many players fortunate enough to call him coach and mentor.

“ The fun we had and the friendships over the years I cannot recount—all because of basketball, Strobach style.” — QUOTE FROM A PA ST PARENT

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GOLF VARSIT Y

2024–2025

Athletics

It’s impossible to capture every swing, pass, lap, hit, shot, serve, goal, basket, point (you get the picture) that happens across all the divisions and all the sports offered at Viz. Since we can’t show it all, enjoy this photographic rundown of the LOWER, MIDDLE, AND UPPER SCHOOL ATHLETICS HIGHLIGHTS from the 2024-2025 school year.

CONGR ATUL ATIONS STATE CHAMPIONS! The varsity golf team was crowned State champion… again, the third title in four years.

Shout out to Post-Dispatch All-Metro girl’s golfer of the year and the Visitation Academy Post-Dispatch Scholar Athlete for 2025, Avery McLaughlin (Class of 2025).

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CROSS COUNTRY

Cross country ended the season with a sixth-place finish at the GISL meet, the year's highest finish. Congratulations to Noelle Hamer (Class of 2028) and Clare Glisson (Class of 2026), who qualified to run at State.

VARSIT Y/JV

FIELD HOCKEY

FIELD HOCKEY

VARSIT Y

JV

Varsity field hockey dominated the Gateway Classic tournament, going 3 and 0 and not allowing a goal for the entire tournament.

Junior varsity field hockey netted a victory in a competitive match against Westminster.

GOLF JV

Field hockey midfielder Evie Harris (Class of 2026) was named to the Post-Dispatch All-Metro third team.

The junior varsity golf team came out on top in the nine-hole Riverside Classic tournament.

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TENNIS VARSIT Y

A 9-0 victory over Ritenour at home advanced the varsity tennis team to the District semifinals.

2024–2025

Athletics

Varsity tennis players Elisa Nunez (Class of 2025) and Samantha Spenner (Class of 2026) shared the love after their fourth-place finish in the Parkway West Doubles Tournament.

TENNIS JV

The junior varsity tennis team capped off the season with a win versus Cor Jesu.

RACQUETBALL

Center court sendoff to senior racquetball team members.

JV1 racquetball team ahead of a league match at Vetta.

JV2 enjoyed an exciting 3-2 victory over Cor Jesu.

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BASKETBALL VARSIT Y

The varsity basketball team showed determination with a 46-44 comeback win in District action vs Orchard Farm.

Congratulations to Hannah Houseworth (Class of 2025) and Hadley Jacoby (Class of 2025), who were named to the All-District team.

BASKETBALL JV

JV basketball team celebrating a 29-19 victory over University City.

SWIMMING & DIVING

Congratulations to Clara Hugge (Class of 2027) on her fourth-place finish at the diving Districts, which earned her a spot in the State diving championship.

The medley team of (left to right) Madison Seabaugh (Class of 2026), Abby Conrardy (Class of 2027), Ashlyn Canale (Class of 2025), and Maddie Mug (Class of 2027) placed second in the 200-medley relay at State, just missing the school record by .50 of a second. Ashlyn also finished first in the 100 breaststroke, making her a State champion and breaking her school record!

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VOLLEYBALL

Athletics

VARSIT Y

The varsity volleyball season kicked off at the Nerinx jamboree.

VOLLEYBALL

A well-earned second-place finish at the Ritenour tournament.

CHEER

2024–2025

JV

The Viz cheer team, ready to amp up the crowd ahead of their feature spot on the KSDK Show Me St. Louis set.

JV volleyball jumped into action and earned a decided victory against Veritas Christian.

Rolling out to give it their all at the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.

LACROSSE Molly Fesler, Class of 2026, was chosen to the Third Team All-Metro by the PostDispatch.

A fantastic lacrosse season ended at the State quarterfinal, the first appearance in a quarterfinal in school history.

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SOCCER

SOCCER

VARSIT Y

JV

Talking strategy during the District game against Parkway West.

Goalkeeper Kate Lewis, Class of 2025, was chosen Second Team All-State in soccer.

JV soccer records a 2-0 win against MICDS.

TRACK

Running like clockwork all the way to the State Sectional in Montgomery City.

The track team was chasing rainbows at the meet at Clayton High School.

CHECK OUT VIZ’S CROP OF COLLEGE-BOUND ATHLETES

Fall signees from left to right:

Isabel Kowalczyk, lacrosse, DePauw University Avery McLaughlin, golf, University of Richmond Morgan Dalebout, volleyball, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Kate Lewis, soccer, St. Louis University Ashlyn Canale, swimming, Butler University Spring signees included:

Mary Goudy, synchronized skating, Trine University Elisa Nunez, tennis, Rockhurst University Lea Nunez, ballet, Colorado Ballet

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ATH LE TI C S

CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS IMPRESSIVE LIST OF GISL ALL-CONFERENCE ATHLETES:

Kindergarten – Grade 8 Athletics

Tennis Second Team Elisa Nunez (Class of 2025) Samantha Spenner (Class of 2026) Cross Country Honorable Mention Clare Glisson (Class of 2026) Noelle Hamer (Class of 2028) Golf First Team Avery McLaughlin (Class of 2025) Annie Rothery (Class of 2027) Golf Second Team Emilia Brown (Class of 2028) Caroline Miller (Class of 2027) Reese Robson (Class of 2025) Mia Rooney (Class of 2027) Abby Winter (Class of 2025) Field Hockey First Team Evie Harris (Class of 2026) Kathleen Reed (Class of 2025) Field Hockey Second Team Grace Inserra (Class of 2027) Maggie Werner (Class of 2025) Field Hockey Honorable Mention Orla Fogarty (Class of 2025) Caroline Hugge (Class of 2025) CJ Smith (Class of 2025) Emma Williams (Class of 2025) Volleyball Second Team Sophia Gunther (Class of 2026) Volleyball Honorable Mention Morgan Dalebout (Class of 2025) CeCe Maddock (Class of 2028) Audrey Sprich (Class of 2025) Swimming First Team Ashlyn Canale (Class of 2025) Ashlyn also was the GISL swimmer of the year.

Abby Conrardy (Class of 2027) Hazel Kemper (Class of 2028) Sandra Kim (Class of 2026) Maddie Mug (Class of 2027) Mia Rose (Class of 2027) Madison Seabaugh (Class of 2026) Jane Williams (Class of 2028) Last, but certainly not least, Sophie Burgoon (Class of 2025), the GISL Sportsmanship recipient for Visitation Academy.

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THERE WAS STRONG GROWTH and collaboration across K-8 athletics. The most impactful success was the previously mentioned implementation of a vertical coaching model — most notably in volleyball, where coaches at all levels worked as an integrated team, providing practice plans, helping at practice, showing up to games, and offering strategic guidance. A total of 21 Upper School student-athletes stepped up to coach younger kids, including six volleyball players who served as head coaches for CYC volleyball teams, with additional Upper School students coaching soccer teams.

The Grade 7 and Grade 8 volleyball teams made the Archdiocese playoffs (formerly known as the City/County Championships).

This collaborative model also extended to cheer, lacrosse, swim, and field hockey. Our Upper School swim coach attended several Middle School meets, timed the girls,

K– 8 S PO R T S

and provided stats. He now has a great relationship with the girls, attending the end-of-season wrap-up party. He also stayed in touch with the parents about their swim meets this past summer.

The first-ever Middle School cheerleading team, with 14 participants, was launched as an athletics option for students in Grades 6–8.

Five girls have moved on to cheer for the Upper School during the 2025–2026 school year.

The Middle School field hockey team traveled to Mizzou with the varsity and JV teams and played games against KC Pembroke.

This team trip created a bonding experience that these athletes will not soon forget!

Lacrosse saw significant growth this season, expanding from 18 to 51 players and adding a new coach. The sixth/seventh-grade team brought home the B Division Championship, the first trophy for the Visitation lacrosse program, and the eighth-grade team secured third place in the A Division. Having Coach Todd Dillon, Upper School social studies teacher, in the building has proven to be amazing for this program.

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Growth in middle school lacrosse program

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Students (K–2) participated in junior Vivette basketball league

The Grade 6 basketball team defeated St. Paul to secure their spot in the Archdiocesan Championship, formerly known as City/County.

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LOWER & MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS OFFERINGS BASKETBALL (GRADES 3 – 8) JR. VIVETTE BASKETBALL LEAGUE (GRADES K– 2) CHEERLEADING (CHEER CAMP: GRADES K– 5, CHEER TEAM: GRADES 6 – 8) FIELD HOCKEY (GRADES 6 – 8) GOLF PROGRAM (GRADES 2– 8) L ACROSSE (GRADES 7– 8) SOCCER (GRADES K– 8) SWIMMING (GRADES 6 – 8) TENNIS CLINIC (GRADES 1– 8) VOLLEYBALL (GRADES 3– 8) SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS (GRADES K– 8)

BUILDING CHAMPIONS: THE MOMENTUM OF MIDDLE SCHOOL TENNIS

Last year marked an exciting milestone as we officially launched our Middle School Tennis Team—one of the newest and fastest-growing athletic programs at Visitation Academy. Our players had the unique opportunity to compete in six weekend tournaments against top middle school athletes from our competitor schools, many of whom they will face again at the high school level. This early exposure to high-level competition has strengthened their skills, confidence, and passion for the game.

What truly sets this program apart is the exceptional coaching experience provided.

Toni McDonald, varsity tennis head coach, led the team, along with three Upper School varsity tennis players who served as mentors and assistant coaches. This vertical coaching model not only advanced our athletes’ skill development but also fostered strong relationships and a team culture that bridges middle school and high school athletics.

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We also brought back our beloved junior Vivette basketball league, featuring 23 energetic and enthusiastic K-Grade 2 cuties eager to play and learn the game. Viz alum, Emma Mitchell, Class of 2015, coached them with the help of Mia Hanock, Class of 2024. The pink power unicorns were so fun!

Their joy and excitement reminded all of us why early exposure to sports is so important.

D I D YO U K N OW ?

Athletics Fun Facts

Before 2006, Sister Isabel Clark ’46 hand-made the State banners earned in various sports. All the handmade banners that hung proudly in Buder Gym were remade that year.

The Viz basketball team won the school’s first State Championship title in 1978.

26 Viz has won a total of 26 State Championships.

The name Vivette comes from the French form Vive+Jesus and was coined by Sister Marie Therese Ruthman ’50 in 1961.

During the 2024-2025 school year, a new electronic scoreboard was purchased and installed on the Lower Field.

Also, during the 2024 –2025 school year, Marion Gym received several upgrades, including three new volleyball net systems — also used in Buder Gym for varsity and junior varsity volleyball — and a freshly resurfaced floor with restriping. During the resurfacing process, a Viz logo was added at center court. Additionally, some eye-catching, large-scale wording — Home of the Vivettes and Live+Jesus — was professionally painted on the two longer walls parallel to the court.

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S A LE S I A N S PI R IT UA LIT Y

Hearts on Pilgrimage

F

rom July 12 to 20, 2025, a group of alumnae (read more in the Alumnae News section, page 67), Association of Christian Faithful (ACF) members, and past parents journeyed to France for a pilgrimage in the footsteps of St. Jane de Chantal, St. Francis de Sales, and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. Over nine days, the group explored the beauty of Annecy, Thorens, Les Allinges, Talloires, Verosvres, Paray-leMonial, Bourbilly, Monthelon, and Moulins, prayed in the very chapels where our founders worshipped, and visited the homes where they lived out their faith. They climbed the bell tower of the Basilica of the Visitation to look out over Annecy, walked through Jane’s family home, and stood at the sites where Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary, entrusting her with devotion to His Sacred Heart.

The pilgrimage was not only about history but about living the charism. Pilgrims prayed daily Mass at Salesian sites, kept journals for reflection, and shared in community through laughter, tears, and stories. A highlight for many was the time spent with the Visitation Sisters in Annecy and Paray, who offered their perspective on the Order’s spiritual legacy today.

As one participant shared: “Getting a real perspective from living Sisters was inspiring and moving.”

The journey deepened bonds of faith and friendship within the group. One alum reflected: “Do not miss this opportunity.

Life-changing. The pilgrimage brings Live Jesus to a new level.”

Others named the community spirit of the pilgrims, the balance of prayer and learning, and the chance to encounter the Salesian tradition in such a tangible way as unforgettable.

Plans are already underway for future Visitation pilgrimages that will continue to bring our extended community closer to the heart of our charism. To be added to the interest list, email mission@vizstl.org. We would love for you to experience what so many have described as “life-changing.”

Want to feel like you were there? Use the QR code to take a virtual step into the journey by watching the Visitation Salesian Network’s videos from the 2023 pilgrimage.

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From Excavation to Encounter: Finding the Gentle Love of Christ in Annecy Enjoy this reflection from Emily Varley, Class of 2016, one of the pilgrims who stayed with the Sisters in Annecy after the pilgrimage, living, working, and praying alongside them.

My journey to Annecy began far before I stepped on the plane to Europe. After graduating from Viz in 2016, I went on to study anthropology and history at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where I was part of the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core in the Honors College, as well as the Baylor in Italy Study Abroad Program for archaeology students, specifically the San Giuliano Archaeological Research Project. I graduated in 2020 and entered graduate school at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where I completed a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning and a Master’s Degree in Heritage Conservation. Upon my graduation in May 2023, my former Baylor

PI LG R I M AG E TO A N N EC Y

professors hired me to work as an archaeologist at the dig site where I worked as an undergraduate student in central Italy. I continue to work as an archaeologist during the summer at the excavation site outside of Barbarano Romano in Lazio — about an hour and a half by car from Rome.

My friend group from Viz remains quite close, and while at first, my stories from Italy left them in disbelief, they soon understood that this was just my life, and another movieworthy plot line was normal for me. When I saw the email announcing that the Visitation Community Pilgrimage began the day after my excavation ended, I knew I would attend.

I texted my best friend from Viz to invite her and, as we like to call it, “stir the pot.” This usually entails hyping each other up about plans, goals, and dreams we have that we are uncertain about, and encouraging each other to go for it. Fast forward to the end of the 2025 field season. I was exhausted after seven weeks of digging, documenting, teaching, traveling, and just generally navigating life in a town of 900 people.

While I did not know what I was getting into with the pilgrimage, it felt like just the thing I needed.

In truth, the pilgrimage was similar to the dig in terms of our schedule: Dr. Blanton Hibner’s itinerary was packed, and our days began early and ended late with long (and lovely) dinners. What stood out to me the most and what I learned most acutely is that the Visitation charism is carried in community. On walks through Annecy, meals of unfamiliar cuisines, long bus rides, and longer (it felt) time spent on our feet in a museum or church, I came to know the hearts of the other pilgrims. In these mundane moments, I found in them a commitment to their Catholic faith that was incredibly Salesian. Their care for me, for each other, for their families and friends, as well as for the spaces, places, and strangers we encountered along the way, was deeply genuine and deeply gentle.

Though I was familiar with Salesian Spirituality, I did not understand that this gentility of spirit and thoughtful consideration of the hearts of others was a defining characteristic of the Visitation charism and is a cherished part of any Visitation community in the world. I found it to be true in the love, encouragement, and kindness bestowed upon me by my fellow St. Louis Visitation pilgrims, as well as in the Sisters of the Visitation whose Monastery we visited in Annecy and (surprise!) where I ended up staying for three weeks upon the official end of the pilgrimage.

the statement: Classic Emily. They were excited for me, of course, but felt it was just another somewhat strange path God had set me on. And who were they to argue?

My days at the Monastery were dictated by the hours and defined by the walls that enclose the property. It is a beautiful place of white limestone, wild raspberries, golden sunsets, and a stilling sense of peace – specifically found in the chapel after vespers. Members of the public depart, the Sisters scurry off to finish a task or two before dinner, and the only light left is the late evening summer sun still in the sky and the candle burning beside the tabernacle. I’d kneel a few moments on the cool stone floor and gaze upon the home of the Blessed Sacrament, take a deep breath, and know the gentle love of Christ in the peace that settled over me. It was a joy and a privilege to participate in the Visitation Community Pilgrimage, and a true blessing to walk in the footsteps of St. Francis de Sales, St. Jane de Chantal, and St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, in the company of my fellow pilgrims.

I am eternally grateful to Dr. Blanton Hibner for organizing and leading our pilgrimage, the Visitandine Sisters in Annecy who graciously and joyfully welcomed me into their home and community, and, of course, to my fellow pilgrims who prayed for and with me during our journey.

Many people have asked me how my family and friends reacted upon hearing that I was to remain in Annecy at the Monastery of the Visitation with the Sisters – unfortunately, the answer is not that exciting, as they almost all gave me a sighing side eye and some form of

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S A LE S I A N S PI R IT UA LIT Y

In Bread and Word: STUDENT REFLECTIONS ON THE EUCHARIST

As part of Mr. Brian Schmidt’s sacraments course, sophomore students were invited to reflect on the mystery and meaning of the Eucharist. For their assessment on First Communion, they expressed their faith through original poems and prayers — capturing in their own words the beauty, presence, and gift of Christ in the Eucharist, which unites us as a Catholic faith community.

CHLOE MILLONAS

In humble hands, the Host is raised, A mystery beyond our gaze.

In bread and wine, Love’s light we see, Christ’s presence here, for you, for me.

The Eucharist, our daily bread, Nourishes both soul and head.

It brings us close, scatters our fear, For Christ Himself is truly here.

In brokenness, we come as one, A family beneath the Son.

CL AIRE SCHUH

In a quiet pew, where the candles glow low, I find peace that I’ve never known, In the stillness of your hour, I yearn for your embrace.

To feel a loving touch on my soul, In the depth of my prayers, Your mercy runs through my veins, Waiting for you, To establish a home in my soul, Your body given to me, In every crumb and every droplet, My chains are immediately lifted away, His presence refills my soul, And makes me feel a whole, In the Eucharist I find, Is the strength I cannot fake.

The Body shared, the Blood we sip, Bind us in faith, in fellowship.

The Eucharist, our strength, our call, A gift of love, enough for all.

SOLE OYENARD

The altar is looked upon by the priest As the bread is broken, wine is poured Soon begins the feast Each piece of bread And drop of wine Christ is present across the mind Spirits arise As the light of Christ is caught in the eyes The priest consecrates the hosts Here is where Christ is now present the most The people of the church receive Christ’s body and blood Christ’s love is now embraced And it is clear in every face

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This image, “United by Divine Love,” is a commissioned piece created by artist Anne Goetze for Visitation Academy. It comes from a photo included in the 1970 yearbook. It reflects the unique ministry that the Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary in St. Louis have carried since 1833: Educating children and young women and receiving and sharing Jesus as Mary did in her visitation to Elizabeth.

Prints of the image are available for purchase from the Office of Mission Integration. To purchase a print, email mission@vizstl.org.

TH E S ACR E D H E A R T

JOURNEY TO THE SACRED HEART: A NIGHT OF FAITH, UNITY, AND RENEWAL On April 8, 2025, Visitation Academy welcomed a packed chapel of students, families, and community members for Journey to the Sacred Heart: An Evening of Reflection, Conversation, and Adoration. Co-sponsored by Cor Jesu Academy, De Smet Jesuit, Saint Louis University High School, and Villa Duchesne, the event marked a powerful collaboration among Catholic schools united by their devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Fr. Thomas Dailey, OSFS, author of Behold This Heart: St. Francis de Sales and Devotion to the Sacred Heart, offered a keynote reflection that reminded us of the tangible love of God revealed in the Heart of Christ. His words invited us to consider how this devotion transforms daily life and continues to shape our schools’ shared mission.

A lively panel followed, with representatives from each sponsoring school reflecting on how the Sacred Heart devotion is expressed in their charisms and lived out in their communities today. Conversation and questions centered on how we might carry this devotion into our own spaces and times, especially for the young people entrusted to our care.

The evening concluded in prayerful silence with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, grounding the night in Christ’s presence. With Fr. Dailey’s books sold out and the chapel filled, the event testified to the enduring power of the Sacred Heart to unite, inspire, and renew.

Use the QR code to purchase a copy of Fr. Dailey’s book.

MOTHERS’ CLUB: SERVING WITH HEARTS LIKE JESUS This spring, the Visitation Mothers’ Club gathered for a special evening to honor the 350th Jubilee of the Apparitions of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation Sister whose visions have inspired centuries of devotion. The gathering invited moms to reflect on what it means to have hearts like Jesus — hearts open to love, compassion, and service.

The evening began with a reflection on St. Margaret Mary’s encounters with the Sacred Heart, exploring how this devotion continues to call us into a deeper relationship with Christ and with one another. Together, participants considered what it looks like to Live Jesus in daily life, especially through acts of service rooted in love.

That reflection flowed naturally into action. In true Visitation spirit, the Mothers’ Club rolled up its sleeves to prepare casseroles for the St. Patrick Center, serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness in St. Louis. Laughter, conversation, and prayer intertwined as the group worked side by side, transforming an ordinary kitchen task into an extraordinary expression of solidarity.

For many, the evening was as much about community and fellowship as it was about service. It offered a rare chance for moms to pause, connect with one another, and grow in faith together, all while embodying the love of the Sacred Heart in a tangible way.

As one participant shared, “It was a gift to not only learn about the Sacred Heart, but also to live it together. We left knowing that small acts, done with love, really do make a difference.”

Through faith, friendship, and casseroles, the Mothers’ Club exemplified what it means to serve with hearts like Jesus—a legacy that continues to enrich the Visitation community.

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S PI R IT UA LIT Y

Abide in Love: Living Our Theme of the Year Each year, the three Visitation schools in the Visitation Salesian Network unite around a spiritual theme, with the 2024–2025 theme being “Abide in Love.” This theme encourages communities to experience God’s presence and let divine love influence their lives, as inspired by Jesus’ words in John 15:4.

emphasized the message of being loved by God and the call to share that love with others, following the examples of Mary, the Visitation Sisters, and Jesus.

Students Tess and Lorelei Simmons, Class of 2025, created artwork symbolizing the mutual relationship between God and individuals, represented by a clownfish and an anemone.

The theme was incorporated into prayer and various other activities, including a school retreat where community members created origami hearts, culminating in a large Sacred Heart revealed during a significant feast.

Throughout the year, “Abide in Love”

“‘Abide in Love’ emphasized the message of being loved

by God and the call to share that love with others.”

MINNEAPOLIS VISITATION IS STEPPING INTO THE FUTURE: AN INVITATION Visitation Academy of St. Louis is part of the Visitation Salesian Network, which includes Visitation schools in Georgetown and Mendota Heights. Thirty-five years ago, a group of religious women representing these three communities founded the inner-city Visitation Monastery in Minneapolis. Since that time, the Monastery has been guided by the Holy Spirit’s message: “Take your body, mind, and spirit and Live Jesus! When the doorbell rings, I will be there, and you will get your agenda.”

After all these years answering the door for so many, the Monastery is in need and has asked us, as a part of the Visitation family, to share an opportunity and an invitation with our St. Louis community. Please use the QR code to learn about their ministry.

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V I S ITATI O N A R CH I V E S

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Visitation Vault

Use this QR code to take a video tour of the Monastery ahead of demolition in May 2025.

THE SUMMER OF 202 5 isn’t the first

time the Monastery side of the Viz building was gutted for a complete renovation. In 1994, the Visitation Sisters overhauled their home, updating it to better meet their community’s needs.

An up-to-date infirmary (nursing wing) included lift chairs, call lights, and a nurse’s station. The Sisters’ cells (bedrooms) had a private bathroom attached, so they no longer needed a communal one. This renovation encompassed both the first and second floors of the Monastery.

As part of this renovation, the Sisters also added a new recreation room (living room), now Jane’s Place, and the small prayer room above it. During the year-long renovation, the Visitation Sisters were welcomed by the Mercy Sisters at their Convent (then at St. John’s Hospital, now Mercy Hospital) until they could return to their beloved home at 3020 N. Ballas Rd.

ARCHIVE UPDATES

Amanda and Colleen Hansen (Mendota Heights Archivist) presented their PreK-Grade 12 programming initiatives at the Midwest Archives Conference in April 2025.

Visitation St. Louis Archivist Amanda Gesiorski and the Archivists from Georgetown and Mendota Heights traveled to Brooklyn Visitation in New York in March 2025. The archivists spent four days locating, surveying, and preparing Brooklyn Visitation’s archival materials for transfer. A total of 83 boxes were relocated to the Georgetown Visitation Monastery Archives. If interested in this collection, please contact Cassandra Berman, Georgetown Visitation Monastery Archivist, at cassandra.berman@visi.org.

Amanda and Cassandra Berman also collaborated on a blog post about the Philadelphia Visitation Monastery’s roots in Mexico. Use the QR code to read about their fascinating history.

Amanda worked to increase programming within our Middle and Lower school classes during the 2024-2025 school year.

In Grade 8, she partnered with Katrina Ludwig ’14, social studies and theology teacher, and Angela Zach, social studies and science teacher, to develop an Introduction to Archival Research program to expose students to types of archives and primary sources and how to understand them to be historians and write their own historical narrative.

In the Lower School, Amanda provided examples relevant to what students were learning in their courses, exposing them to the concept of looking at primary sources to learn about past events. In Grade 1, she shared photographs of student work from Viz first graders 100 years ago. In Grade 2, students were learning cursive, so examples of cursive writing from both 70 and 150 years ago were shown to students so they could see the changes in style that have occurred over time.

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Alumnae News

Our Amazing Alumnae

Kelsey Impicciche ’10 published her first book, Voice Of The Ocean. She stopped by Viz to talk to the Upper School about her experiences after graduating and what went into publishing her first book. Here is some advice Kelsey offered: “My advice for current students is to take advantage of all the opportunities that Visitation offers.

High school helped me learn so much about myself and my passions simply because I was able to try so many different things. For example, I learned I did not make a very good cheerleader, but I did make a fairly good president of the Thespian Society.

Later in college, I founded a cinema fraternity and felt confident in a leadership position.”

Robin Jones Shields ’75 recently retired from being an American Airlines Boeing 777 Captain after more than 40 years of safely piloting passengers. This photo of Robin was taken in Tokyo.

Hired by American Airlines in 1984, she was one of the female pioneers of the profession.

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Colleen Dulle ’13 published her first book, Struck Down, Not Destroyed. We look forward to her visit to talk to our current students during the 2025-2026 school year. When Colleen was asked what aspects of Viz’s culture or education she felt best prepared her for life after graduation, she responded: “I remember when I was looking at high schools, the girls’ schools often shared data about how women who attended single-sex schools felt more confident speaking up in college and beyond. It’s hard to say for sure whether that’s something I learned at Viz—since I don’t know who I’d be without that experience—but I’m certainly confident and outspoken now.

I think Viz helped cultivate those traits. That confidence has definitely served me well when I’ve had to ask tough questions to high-ranking Vatican officials, for example!”

Elise Fuller ’19 and Hannah Padgette ’19 hiked Mount Elbert in Colorado together. Mount Elbert is a Class 1 “fourteener” (a peak over 14,000 feet) and the highest summit of the Rocky Mountains, the highest point in Colorado, and the secondhighest summit in the contiguous US. Their hike was a 16-mile-long round trip.

Ann Wittman ’93, founder of HumanKIND STL, was the recipient of the 2025 Edmund Campion Award. Presented by the Catholic Studies Center at Saint Louis University, this award honors those building meaningful bridges between Christianity and culture. Through HumanKIND STL, Ann and her team have walked alongside Afghan refugees in St. Louis with compassion, dignity, and love— showing us all what a true encounter looks like.

Congratulations, Ann, on this well-deserved recognition!

We’re honored to call you one of our own.

TELL US WHAT YOU ARE UP TO We are always interested in hearing what our fabulous Viz alums are up to. Please use the following QR code to access our Keeping in Touch With Viz form, and you might see your name in the next issue. And bonus, when you fill out the form, we will mail you a Viz alumna t-shirt.

A LU M N A E N E WS

back row, left to right: Joanne Toeniskoetter Anderson, Ann Herzog, Carole Ryan McCabe, Cathy Hilboldt Ahearn, Cissy Brungard Bahn, Lissa Murch Kriegshauser, Maureen Graff Jennings, and Beth (Boofie) Hughes Wendling. front row, left to right: Lynn Frayn Trout and Marcia Aboussie Thudium

The ten ladies from the Class of 1973 pictured above have been getting together every month since October 1979 and have taken a yearly girls’ trip for many years. This picture was taken on their 32nd annual trip in April 2025 to Charleston, South Carolina. Many of their moms were in Bridge Clubs back in the day, so following suit, group member Beth (Boofie) Hughes Wendling started a Spades Club because they played Spades while in school at Viz. All group members live in St. Louis except Joanne Toeniskoetter Anderson, who lives in Chicago. She joins them for one of their monthly get-togethers each year and the annual girls’ trip. Her home in Chicago has been the girls’ trip destination several times.

Meet the 2025–2026 Visitation Alumnae Association Board President Christine Marino Mulford ’09 Vice President Mary Beth Schwartz ’95 Treasurer Carolyn Soke Skowyra ’99 Recording Secretary Kelly Anderson Erlinger ’10 Corresponding Secretary Vivian Mera Van Bogaert ’00 Hospitality Molly Harper Pryor ’10 Alex Schenk ’10

Maddie Toepfer (Seaton) ’11 coordinated Mrs. Dunn’s daughter’s wedding, and Maddie ran into some of her favorite teachers! Pictured from left to right: Maddie, Mr. Schweitzer, Mr. Strohmeyer, and Mrs. Mahon (not pictured: Mrs. Dunn, Mrs. Rednam, and Mr. Cogan).

Young Alumnae Liaison Tillie Killeen ’22

“I work full-time for Maritz, planning and executing multimillion-dollar events exclusively for Toyota and Lexus headquarters worldwide.

I’ve worked with suppliers in France, Italy, Switzerland, Africa, the Cayman Islands, and all over the US — including Hawaii and Las Vegas. I have a staff of more than 100 that work for me on some of the larger events, and I am regularly exposed to executives like Mr. Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation. I genuinely have a love for events and hospitality. I love events so much that I started my own small business, planning and coordinating weddings. In the last three years alone, I’ve worked with more than 70 couples. If there is anyone at Viz who has ever considered hospitality, I would LOVE to be a resource or mentor to them. I’m still local to St. Louis and just bought a new home in Ballwin with my husband, Andrew!

Ex-Officio Susan Mogab ’69

ACF Moderator Kathryn Tucker Snodgrass ’69

If you would like to get involved with the Visitation Alumnae Association, please reach out to VAA president Christine Marino Mulford at christinemarino7@gmail.com.

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G I V I N G BACK

Fellowship Program The launch of the Fellowship Program provided an excellent opportunity for Viz alumnae to visit campus to talk about their professional experiences. Our students walked away with an inside perspective on the diverse opportunities a Visitation education can provide. Here is what some of our guest alumnae speakers had to say about their experience participating in the Fellowship kick-off:

Paige N. Stover ’00, Aimpoint Digital Principal Data

Carrie Hermeling ’79, Partner at Husch Blackwell LLP,

Scientist, was asked:

was asked:

Why did you participate in the Fellowship

What advice would you give to current students

Program Speaker Series?

as they consider career pathways?

“I participated in the speaker series because

“Determine how you want to spend your day

I wanted to connect with students and share

during your professional life, and this will lead

a bit of my STEM journey, especially as

to a specific type of career.”

someone with creative and non-technical interests, to show that lots of different types

Natasha Das ’04, CRG, Vice President, was asked:

of people end up pursuing and enjoying

What advice would you give to current students

careers in STEM.”

as they consider career pathways?

Courtney Wilson ’04, BioTherapeutics Portfolio & Strategy Group Lead was asked: How do you think Viz prepared you for your personal and professional journey?

“Don’t box yourself in too early. Careers aren’t linear anymore, and they don’t need to be. I started in law, first with a real estate developer and then at a firm, spending most of my time on tax credit financing. Now I’m on the real

“I often joke that I didn’t start learning

estate development side of the projects. The

anything new until my junior year of college,

through-line wasn’t always obvious to others.

but it’s not really a joke. Viz prepared me for

Still, every step was purposeful and added a

college and graduate school in ways I didn’t

layer of perspective that’s now invaluable.

fully appreciate until later. I could effectively manage complicated coursework with extracurriculars and still have fun in college solely because of how extensively prepared I was from my time at Viz.”

Also, learn to speak the language of different disciplines that tie to your desired career because the people who can connect the dots across silos tend to lead the room. Stay curious, stay humble, and build authentic relationships. Your reputation will often open doors before your résumé does.

Finally, I’m a big believer in the idea that there’s always a takeaway – whether it’s an idea, a lesson, a connection, or learning how you don’t want to act or approach something.”

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CRESCENT CATCH UPS In fall 2024, Head of School David Colón hit the road, stopping in Kansas City and Chicago to connect with Viz alumnae and provide opportunities for alums to connect with one another. He even brought a few special guests on his journey: retired Viz faculty members Barb McMullen and Greg Schweizer.

We hope the alumnae who were able to attend these events enjoyed them as much as David and the crew did!

More Crescent Catch Ups are planned for the 2025-2026 school year. Viz will share information as plans are finalized.

Visitation is the first all-girls school in St. Louis to offer

Crescent Connection the newest networking resource for alumnae. This online platform has been created specifically for you!

CRESCENT CONNECTION allows you to reconnect with classmates and fellow Visitation alumnae in a much more personal and resourceful manner. You can search for jobs and post job openings, find fellow Viz alums that live in your city, ask for help reviewing your résumé, request assistance from one another when looking for a parish in your new city, or be of assistance to newly graduated Vivettes looking to join Greek life.

Crescent Connection provides endless resources, and we are excited to offer them at no cost! To join, use the QR code to visit vizstl.alumnifire.com and start networking with fellow Visitation Academy Vivettes!

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2025 Reunion There were smiles for miles at the 2025 Alumnae Reunion held on June 7, 2025.

The day began with a luncheon at the MAC, followed by Mass in the Chapel at Visitation.

Guests were then treated to a reception in DeChantal Hall. The Classes of 1975 and 2000 received their 50-year full moon and 25-year crescent pins during the luncheon, and Kathey Conley Taiclet ’81 was recognized as the St. Jane de Chantal Award winner.

CL ASS OF 2000 25-YEAR REUNION

The annual recipients of this award are selected by a committee based on the nomination letters received.

Here is the letter Kathey’s sister, Sharon Conley Spellman ’89, submitted:

Kathey Conley Taiclet ’81 has demonstrated loyalty, service, and community involvement for many years to Viz. Kathey has a deep love for Viz and is passionate about continuing the excellent tradition of educating young girls in our Salesian school. Kathey gives hours of time and unlimited love to Viz in her commitment to the ACF, the Spirit of Annecy campaign chairperson, and a supporter of the school.

Kathey demonstrates her personal, active faith in God through countless hours of service to Visitation, Cardinal Glennon, St. Patrick’s Center, St. Mary’s College, and the Washington University Catholic Student Center.

She truly lives the Little Virtues in her daily interactions with others and endless acts of love toward those less fortunate than herself. Kathey is a wonderful example of how we can all Live Jesus each day.

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CL ASS OF 1975 50 -YEAR REUNION

Alumnae on Pilgrimage This past July, Visitation Academy hosted a beautiful pilgrimage to France, presenting our community with the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Saints Jane de Chantal, Francis de Sales, and Margaret Mary Alacoque.

Twelve of the participants were Visitation alumnae from classes ranging from 1960 to 2016. The bonds formed, faith instilled, and history learned created memories for these ladies to last a lifetime.

Head of School David Colón shared this wonderful reflection following his time in France:

The Sacred Work of Ordinary Things: A Reflection on St. Jane de Chantal, Our Community, and What We Build Together I was blessed to go on a pilgrimage with a group of Viz alumnae to Annecy in France — the city where St. Jane de Chantal lived, worked, and led. It’s a beautiful place, with winding canals, narrow medieval streets, and the Basilica of the Visitation watching over it all from the hillside. But as I walked through Annecy, what struck me most wasn’t just the beauty of the setting — it was the practical work St. Jane accomplished there.

She didn’t just pray and inspire others; she built, managed, and led.

After co-founding the Visitation Order with St. Francis de Sales, St. Jane spent her life founding and overseeing over 80 monasteries across France and beyond. Imagine that: 80 new communities. That’s not mystical poetry; that’s logistics, management, problem-solving, and relentless follow-through.

She chose sites, negotiated with bishops, handled finances, raised funds from nobles, wrote thousands of letters, trained leaders, removed those who didn’t fit, and ensured every monastery thrived — even amidst wars, plagues, and political instability.

And she never saw administration as a distraction from holiness; she saw it as love in action.

WHAT WE’RE BUILDING TOGETHER

Walking Annecy’s streets, I reflected on what we’re building here. A school is akin to a monastery or cathedral — it takes planning, care, maintenance, and teamwork to sustain. It’s not just grand events or beautiful moments; it’s the daily, ordinary work that binds us.

• A teacher crafting a lesson that reshapes a student’s thinking.

• A coach teaching resilience alongside skills.

• Staff ensuring lights, schedules, and details are flawless.

• Parents quietly supporting behind the scenes.

• Trustees planning long-term to preserve our mission.

• Students choosing kindness over convenience.

• Alumnae carrying our values into the world.

These efforts don’t always draw applause, but they build the school — as St. Jane knew, they’re the sacred work of ordinary things.

KINDNESS WITH BACKBONE

St. Jane led with gentleness but wasn’t passive. She made tough choices, removed ineffective leaders, and managed conflicts with patience and clarity. She believed in love with accountability, understanding that real community requires honesty and commitment.

FAITHFULNESS, NOT PERFECTION

St. Jane worked in an unstable world but kept building.

She didn’t wait for ideal conditions or perfect people; she trusted that small, steady acts would yield lasting results.

We don’t need to be saints to follow her example: • Ordinary work, done with love, becomes extraordinary.

• Kindness and courage go hand in hand.

• Small acts build great things.

• Faithfulness — not perfection — sustains our mission.

Standing in Annecy, I thought of our community — students, teachers, staff, parents, trustees, alumnae.

We’re all builders, contributing to something enduring.

Like St. Jane, we show up. We do the work.

Together, we create something that lasts.

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OPPORTUNITIES & EVENTS

The VAA works closely with Visitation Academy to create engaging ways for alumnae to get involved. The goal of everything the VAA does is to strengthen the bonds of sisterhood. The VAA would love your support of these upcoming 2025–2026 opportunities and events:

Breakfast with Santa — December 13 This annual event is a perennial favorite among the Viz community. Come see Mr. and Mrs. Claus and enjoy breakfast treats, holiday-themed crafts, and activities.

Fabulous Fox Raffle

Check the Alumnae Events page of the website for more details.

Visit www.visitationacademy.org/alumnae/alumnae-events to purchase raffle tickets to win seats in the Owners Box at the Fabulous Fox Theatre for Phantom Of The Opera.

Tickets are $20 each or three for $50. Prize includes ten Owners Box tickets and two VIP parking passes. (Food and beverage service is available at the winner’s expense.) The estimated value is over $900! Winner will be drawn January 12, 2026. Performance date is Friday, February 27, 2026

Alumnae Reunion 2025 — Saturday, June 6, 2026

We also would love to see our alumnae out in force at the 2026 Safari Dinner and Auction on March 7, 2026.

WAY BACK WEDNESDAYS The VAA social media accounts introduced Way Back Wednesdays, posting photos and information about the rich history of Viz. For instance, did you know students boarded at Visitation Academy from 1833 to 1962?

A boarding dormitory was not included when the school relocated to Ballas Road. At left are a few rare photos of a private room and the general dormitory from the boarding days.

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In Memoriam OCTOBER 2024 – JULY 2025

VISITATION ACADEMY is an independent Catholic school that encourages students to develop their unique gifts in an environment that values excellence in scholarship, spirituality, leadership, and service.

Kathleen Brady Andria ’58 Mary Ellen Cremins ’58 Kathleen “Colleen” Lane Delany ’50 Mary Flotte Kroupa ’51 Mary Sue (Suzanne) McLaughlin Mayes ’65 Jill Collins Murphy ’49 Dr. Barbara McNeill Zaegel ’69

Viz proudly offers a coeducational early childhood program and all-girl environment in Grades 1–12.

THE LOWER SCHOOL educates Toddler through Kindergarten-aged boys and girls in the Montessori method while also providing the area’s only all-girl program in Grades 1–5.

A welcoming environment, small class sizes, and the integration of technology throughout the curriculum provide a strong educational foundation.

THE MIDDLE SCHOOL builds a bridge from childhood to young adulthood. The Middle School curriculum is centered on the developmental readiness, needs, and interests of girls in Grades 6–8.

THE UPPER SCHOOL offers a rigorous, four-year college preparatory curriculum for young women in Grades 9–12. A vibrant fine arts program, numerous service opportunities, and more than 28 clubs and organizations complement the Academy’s commitment to academic excellence.

Viz girls are poised, intelligent, self-assured young women positioned for success in our classrooms, in college, and in life.

For more information regarding admission to Visitation Academy, please contact Sharon Conley Spellman ’89, Director of Admissions, at 314-625-9102.

visitationacademy.org

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

Photo Flashback S AV E T H E DAT E

MARCH 7, 2026

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Grade 1 students circa 1900. Even at the young age of seven, students could be boarders at Visitation.