Blue&Gold Summer 2017
IN THIS ISSUE: JUBILEE CELEBRATION • THANK YOU MRS. STETSER • COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY
Then&Now VER ON THENeCllOStetser
n t the years Throughou pillar of the Waldro n e has be a munity. She will Mercy Com missed. be greatly
Top: WMA baseball players always swing for the fences, whether it’s in the 1990s (left) or in the spring of 2017 (right). Above: Spring Theatre has always been quite the spectacle with The Music Man in the 1990s through the production of Singin’ in the Rain this past May.
Summer 2017
INTHIS ISSUE DEPARTMENTS
WALDRON MERCY ACADEMY, A CATHOLIC SCHOOL SPONSORED BY THE SISTERS OF MERCY, IS A DIVERSE, FAITH COMMUNITY ROOTED IN THE GOSPEL VALUES OF MERCY AND JUSTICE. WE ARE A SCHOOL WHERE THE JOY OF DISCOVERY INSPIRES SERIOUS STUDY, SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND STRONG FAITH.
FEATURES
2 From the Principal 2 Vignettes 5 Serious Studies 8 Socially Responsible 11 Creative Expressions 13 Tiger Territory 22 Your Waldron 24 In Memorium 25 10 Questions
16 A Celebration for the Ages 18 A Fond Farewell Sister JoEllen McDonnell, director of admission and dedicated educator, celebrates her Jubilee this year. Take a look at some of the wonderful memories and the impact she has had on Waldron Mercy.
It is hard to imagine Waldron Mercy without Mrs. Nell Stetser. We are grateful for her dedication to the school community and her constant exemplification of the Spirit of Mercy.
BY JESSICA CARSWELL AND MARGUERITE FLYNN
BY KATHRYN AMRHEIN
20 Committed to Diversity It’s no secret that Waldron Mercy is committed to diversity. It is one of the pillars of our mission that helps our school to thrive. The Diversity Committee, a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees. BY JESSICA CARSWELL
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WaldronMercyAcademy Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/WaldronMercy Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/waldronmercy Join us on LinkedIn: Search groups for “Waldron Mercy Alumni” or “Waldron Mercy Academy Parents and Friends”
Volume 12, Issue 2 Blue & Gold is published twice a year by the Marketing and Communications Office for the alumni, parents and friends of Waldron Mercy Academy.
CONTRIBUTORS: Kathryn Amrhein Jessica Carswell Adam Dickman Marguerite Flynn Nell Stetser
STUDENT CONTRIBUTORS: Nile Andah ’17 Heloise Braun ’17 Brendan Dougherty ’19 Regina Passarella ’17 Maeve Pinhiero ’17 Luke Shafer ’17 Elaina Stuhlman ’17 Katie Turk ’17
PHOTOGRAPHY: Kathryn Amrhein Jason Buss Jessica Carswell Theresa Gannon Andrew McCloskey ’84 Philadelphia 76ers
DESIGN: AcquireVisual.com
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
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n May 17, 2017, Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools recognized Waldron Mercy Academy for achieving the gold standard in service learning and awarded us a Program of Distinction. We are the first school in the Middle States Association membership of 2700 schools to receive this honor. This distinction stands on the shoulders of many. Core to our mission is service to others. We have all walked in “Catherine’s shoes” at some point during our time at Waldron Mercy. This distinction reaches further than recognizing the good works that we do for others. It shows that we have integrated meaningful service opportunities classroom instruction and reflection, enriching the learning experience for the students, strengthening the community and solidifying the need to be globally responsible citizens. This honor was accepted on behalf of our entire community, past and present, for it is through all of us that our program has richly developed and grown. Speaking of walking in the footsteps of Catherine McAuley, I would like to recognize Bob Fogarty who is retiring after 36 years of teaching. Bob’s commitment to Mercy education and to outreach is exemplary. His vocation is truly teaching middle school students. He is a witness to Mercy through his actions in the classroom and in his service to others. In particular, Bob has helped develop our relationship with the students at Mercy
Neighborhood Ministries. He worked with the WMA students to make crafts for the prekindergarten students and coordinated bi-monthly visits to MNM. He lives his life with a heart full of Mercy. He is a great role model to us all. I am particularly grateful to Bob as he was my mentor my very first year of teaching. Bob taught me to have a sense of humor, to be kind and fair and to enjoy the craft of teaching. Bob will be missed, but he has made a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of many students. Throughout this edition of Blue & Gold, you will experience the continued successes of our students within academic disciplines and through their creative expressions in art and music. I want to thank you for your support of our programs and extracurricular activities. I would also like to take this time to recognize our parent, alumni and friend volunteers. The gifts of your time, treasure and talent strengthen our school and community. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude for your confidence and support in my leadership over these past five years as principal. In July, I will be “passing the reigns” to Mrs. Ann Marie Braca. As my twenty-seven years at Waldron Mercy come to a close, I would like to thank the community for welcoming me into a beautiful family of Mercy. I have loved my time here. I am very blessed by the many people who have touched my life through my years at Waldron Mercy Academy. In Catherine’s words, “The tender Mercy of God has given us one another.” From the bottom of my heart...thank you!
Vigne tes
TIGERFEST
2017 Things were topsy turvy at this years Tigerfest: Down the Rabbit Hole. We ate, drank and raised over $57,000 for renovations to our playground.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION RECEPTION
At this year’s reception, we honored a few of our dedicated parents whose last child is graduating this year: Kaci Griffin, Trish Passarella, Jim and Anne King, Sharon Coyne and Christine Conners.
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CLASS OF 2013
We welcomed back some of our young alums from the class of 2013 to give them a good send off before they head to universities next fall.
LEGACY STUDENTS
Professional Development Gettin’ Google with it! At the February 2017 in service day, the Waldron Mercy faculty and staff officially began training, in preparation for a migration to Google and the G Suite for Education, which commenced in June 2017. While many of our teachers have already implemented the use of some Google Apps, the entire school community will soon be Google friendly. Experts from the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit came to campus to provide some hands on demonstrations and tutoring.
Some benefits of this migration include: ● Access to Gmail, Docs, Drive, Calendar, Hangouts and more ● Unlimited storage free of charge to educational institutions
Legacy is strong at WMA. Many of our students have parents and grandparents who attended Waldron and Merion Academies, and of course Waldron Mercy.
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● Encouraging a more collaborative working and classroom environment ● A more technologically advanced reflection of 21st century education
SERIOUS STUDIES
STUDENTS AT WALDRON MERCY ACADEMY ARE DEDICATED TO EXCELLENCE. THEY SEIZE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE AND CONTINUOUSLY EARN COMMENDATIONS. THEY ALSO REALIZE HOW LUCKY THEY ARE AND REFLECT FROM TIME TO TIME.
Service and Advanced Learning Opportunities are Integrated into the WMA Curriculum
IMAGINE MERCY WORKING Each spring, the graduating class is tasked with composing an essay reflecting on the theme of the year and how it pertains to their time at Waldron Mercy, how they will carry on the values learned at WMA and how they see mercy working in the world. It is both a challenging and enlightening task. Regina Passarella ’17, Heloise Braun ’17 and Luke Shafer ’17 characterized their experiences in response to the theme of the year: Imagine Mercy Working...
WITNESSING MERCY AT SCHOOL Luke Shafer writes “During my time at Waldron, mercy has been apparent everyday. There are numerous opportunities to participate in charity, outreach and other acts of mercy. Groups such as Mercy Neighborhood Ministries and Project HOME are ones of countless groups that participate in outreach. All Waldron students are invested in mercy, be it through outreach or simply being friendly to those around you. Mercy is a key part of the Waldron Mercy experience.” Above: Regina Passarella ’17 and Tess Szathmary ’17 work diligently during Stop Hunger Now. Left: Regina Passarella ’17 does crafts with a student at Mercy Neighborhood Ministries. BLUE & GOLD
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know I will bring it with me. I will definitely put mercy in my backpack up to Merion, right alongside wisdom and kindness.”
A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE
CARRYING MERCY INTO FUTURE ENDEAVORS Regina Passarella and Heloise Braun both imagined how they will continue their investment in mercy as they move on to Merion Mercy Academy. Regina writes “The spirit of mercy will work through me throughout my years at high school as I strive to live mercy and seek justice. I will continue to volunteer my time to underserved communities, students and elderly people. I have always enjoyed and hope to continue serving others. I look forward to making new friends and sharing this gift of service with them. When I am an upperclassman at Merion Mercy, I hope to join other girls on a service trip to deliver the gift of mercy to people outside of my community.” Heloise composes similar sentiments: “I know that I will carry the mercy I have witnessed here with me up the hill at Merion... mercy comes easily to those who have attended Waldron Mercy. It becomes a natural instinct. We see someone in need and rush to their aid. I’m not sure just yet how I will carry the mercy with me, and what acts I will partake in, but I
Regina notices mercy locally: “One of the many things I am moved by is the amount of children that go hungry in Philadelphia, right in my own backyard. I will work to feed the hungry, which is one of the Corporal Works of Mercy, by coordinating food drives and helping current organizations that are set up to serve underserved neighbors. I hope to make food available to people how have nothing but sometimes one meal a day. Think of the difference just donating one can of food could make on a child’s life. Instead of charging a fee for a dance, we could collect food donations to donate to local organizations. The mercy values that I have learned at WMA have made such an impact on me that I feel like I was born to serve.” Heloise sees a need for mercy internationally: “There are many critical situations in this world currently, but if I had to choose one to change using peace, I think I would choose terrorism in France. This problem directly affects me, as my family resides in France. I fear for their lives everyday, especially after news of a new terror attack. If mercy could be used to solve this problem, I would definitely use it. Changing this situation would be very difficult and take a lot of patience. I would show people that in the end we are all fighting for the same thing: peace.” Luke desires a more merciful world: “I often imagine making an impact on the world. I think about how it takes so much to make the biggest difference, but in reality, all it takes is mercy. The biggest problem on this planet is the epidemic of poverty. This problem derives from a lack of mercy to those in need. The rich who live more than extravagant lives turn their backs on those who dream of living even a fraction of their lifestyle. Mercy could be a catalyst for making the world a better and kinder place. Mercy has enveloped me and my classmates in its arms, but we are the lucky minority who know this feeling. Poverty could be greatly affected by the citizens of the world spending more time being merciful than in denial of the problem.” Top Left: Luke Shafer ’17 leads a hymn at Mass as a part of Liturgical Music Group. Bottom Left: Luke Shafer ’17 and Heloise Braun ’17 perform acts from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar in language arts. Top Right: Sister Barbara MacWilliams leads her third graders in a group discussion.
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BOOKWORMS UNITE! Waldron Mercy provides ample opportunities to its students for advanced learning. One such program in the lower school is Reading Enrichment. At the recommendation of Sister Pat Smith about seven years ago when she was still principal, Sister Barbara MacWilliams left the classroom to lead reading enrichment which is offered to students in kindergarten through grade three who are recommended by their teacher because of their standout reading and comprehension abilities. Students are screened and those who demonstrate the ability to read at a grade level above are invited to participate in reading enrichment. Many students begin in kindergarten and continue through to third grade, while others join as they improve their reading skills. This year, Sister Barbara is joined weekly by three kindergarteners, five first graders, sixteen second graders and twelve third graders. They meet for group discussions, reading activities and what Sister Barbara refers to as “reading theater.” With the youngest students, Sister Barbara reads stories and has them draw pictures about what they have read, helping identify their comprehension level. This year’s crop of kindergartens loves to talk about the stories and relate them to stories from their own lives. The conversation can often spin off of the book into discussions. But without fail, there is always a student ready to chime in: “Are we going to get back to reading the book?” First and second graders read books that we are all familiar with, everything from picture and chapter books by Tommy de Paolo and Beverly Cleary to series books like Box Car Kids and Magic Tree House, peppered with some non-fiction and fairy tales. Sister Barbara reports that many of the students love nonfiction because they are interested in learning about real people and real events. Some favorites include Helen Keller and Rosa Parks. When it comes to fairy tales, the students are exposed to versions of classic tales from all over the world - who knew there were hundreds of interpretations of Cinderella! The students then compare and contrast the fractured fairy tales using Venn diagrams.
Third graders continue with more advanced chapter books like The Black Stallion, that they take to read at home. Reading enrichment acts as a book club for children with activities such as Literature Circles, where they each have an assignment, such as Word Finder, Passage Picker or, the fan favorite, Artful Artist, to help facilitate the book discussion and expand vocabulary and comprehension. They even begin to discuss and understand idiomatic expressions. The students are always excited to be allowed to take the book home and read on their own. Sister Barbara grows budding bookworms into reading champions. She strives to provide for them a “totally different experience of reading” and succeeds. Each child who spends time in Sister Barbara’s reading enrichment fosters a lifelong love of reading. “I try to extend their reading comprehension for them. I want them to be engaged and excited about reading after they leave me.” Many of Sister Barbara’s former students continue to build upon the foundation she provides for them. They compete in Reading Olympics in middle school and spend their free time in the library. Some even seem to have books instead of hands! There is no doubt that reading enrichment and Sister Barbara turn some of Waldron Mercy’s youngest students on to reading, enriching their lives and helping them academically in the future.
SPANISH PROGRAM WINS GOLD Over the past several years, the Spanish language faculty at Waldron Mercy Academy have been working to reinvigorate the curriculum. With inspiration driven from creative projects, like acting in skits, students are driven to work harder and are instilled with a love of foreign languages. This year, for the first time at Waldron Mercy, several of our eighth grade students were invited to sit for the National Spanish Language Examination. Thanks to their dedication to their studies and the hard work of their teachers, quite a few placed among the top students in the nation and attained national recognition for excellent performance on the 2017 National Spanish Examinations. In this years results, WMA students earned a total of three gold, one silver and Above: Eighth graders pose with their teacher, Señora Kakos, after receiving their awards at the end of year achievement assembly.
two bronze medals along with two honorable mentions. “Attaining a medal or honorable mention for any student on the National Spanish Examinations is very prestigious,” said Kevin Cessna-Buscemi, national director of the exams, “because the exams are the largest of their kind in the United States with over 157,000 students participating in 2017.” The prestige awarded to our students who placed in this exam only adds to the long-standing history of achieving academic excellence at Waldron Mercy Academy. The students who
received these honors can add them to already impressive academic and extracurricular resumes: Nile Andah ’17, Vincent Vento ’17 and Maya Murray ’17 earning gold; Agustin Aliaga ’17 earning silver; Jimmy King ’17 and Elaina Stuhlman ’17 earning bronze; and Nora Burns ’17 and Katie Turk ’17 earning honorable mention. Their teacher, Señora Carolina Kakos, is extremely proud of her students’ hard work and accomplishments. We cannot wait to see how the Spanish language program continues to flourish at Waldron Mercy in the years to come.
NELSON RUSSOM: CLASS OF 2002 Nelson Russom works as a project engineer at Turner Construction, where he began his professional career after graduating from Syracuse University in 2010. While working at Turner, he has worked on more than 18 projects, everything from office renovations to a $350 million hospital, both as a member of project teams and as a solo engineer. Recently, Nelson worked with a small team that constructed a two-story office building and tenant fit-out in the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Currently assigned to a project at Philadelphia International Airport, Nelson has become the Philadelphia Sustainability Manager, with responsibilities to execute and maintain sustainable practices to both local and corporate leadership on projects throughout the region. Nelson graduated in 2017 from
Villanova University, earning a master of science in sustainable engineering, a program designed to explore the sustainability elements of engineering design and practice, policy, economics, societal implications and ethics. He plans to continue his education at Villanova this fall, pursuing an MBA. Attaining these two master’s degrees was a goal Nelson set for himself after graduating from Syracuse and he is excited to be achieving his objective. At Waldron Mercy, Nelson’s favorite subjects were always math and science. He asserts that “enjoying those subjects made it a natural transition to studying engineering and there are no limits to what you can do with an engineering degree. It’s rewarding to walk away from a completed project, knowing people will work in and enjoy the space for years to come.” BLUE & GOLD
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SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE
SERVICE LEARNING FILLS THE HALLS OF WALDRON MERCY ACADEMY. IT COMES NATURALLY TO EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY. IT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT MAKES WMA DISTINCT.
Outreach Begins at Home and Quickly Spreads Through Our Halls and Out into the World
THE OLWEUS PROGRAM Bullying, peer pressure, cliques. Topics we are all too familiar with and that some elementary school students face on a daily basis. At Waldron Mercy, the Olweus program provides a safe space for students to discuss their feelings and issues they are facing. This is a program that all students (and even teachers) benefit from and one that Maeve Pinheiro ’17 has found particularly helpful, as she reports below. Over the years, social media, bullying and peer pressure have been flooding into middle and high schools. Olweus has been doing the best it can to bring bullying, in any form, to a stop. Waldron Mercy has been running this program for about four years. It is more effective in the older grades, where bullying might take place. So far, the results deem effective. During our meetings, we discuss various topics. My eighth grade class in particular likes to discuss social media. The thing I love most 8
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about Olweus is that we all have different views. Some kids like the idea of social media for communicating, the current news or sharing a funny story. On the other hand, some find social media harmful to our lives in and out of the classroom walls. Olweus makes sure each person, in every room, gets to share their ideas with the class. Olweus has brought three major points to our attention. The first point is, “We will not bully others.” This may be pretty straightfor-
ward, but thanks to Olweus, we have gotten a better understanding. Number two describes not being a witness. If bullying takes place in front of us, we should try and find a solution, instead of watching. Many situations that happen in middle school will not matter in the next ten years, months or even days. Some disputes are simply, “I want to be first!” or “Why does s/he get that and I don’t?” These can be fixed easily by simply talking to each other, not fighting. And the final point, “If we encounter bullying, tell an adult.” When in doubt, this comes in handy. Before Olweus, I never had anyone to tell me what bullying really was. Olweus gave me a chance to make better decisions and talk about how I felt. For the people around me, I think they feel the same. Above: Olweus house meetings allow everyone to be heard and express their feelings. Left: Katie Turk ’17 and Maeve Pinheiro ’17 listen intently to their classmates.
FACULTY ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES The Waldron Mercy community lives and breathes outreach. It is engrained in our students from the moment they set foot in the classroom. They take it home with them on the weekends and over the summer, performing acts of mercy and service in their free time. Our parents volunteer alongside their children serving food and providing donations. Our faculty and staff not only guide the students in the service learning initiatives, they lead by example. Each winter, the faculty and staff participate in a retreat to reflect, meditate, pray and act. After a guided internal reflection and yoga session for meditation, the faculty and staff took action. This year’s retreat committee identified three main works of mercy through which the faculty and staff could make an impact: feed the hungry, clothe the naked and visit the sick. Divided into three groups, the faculty and staff set out to make their mark. Team Sandwich spent their afternoon in the cafeteria making sandwiches for a residence within the Bethesda Project. An outreach partner with our fourth grade, Bethesda Project is committed to finding and caring for the abandoned poor and to be a family with those who have none, serving thousands of homeless and formerly homeless individuals throughout Philadelphia at its 13 sites and residences. As a well oiled machine, the faculty and staff unpacked the loaves of bread and broke out the knives to produce several hundred peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for individuals at Bethesda. It was the most popular activity of the afternoon! Team Blanket got to work crafting Linus Blankets; part two of an initiative that began with families on our MLK Day of Service. The
faculty and staff continued to tie together the fleece blankets of fun patterns and bright colors to bring smiles to children in need. The activity that day produced about a dozen additional Linus Blankets for families from Visitation Parish in the Kensington section of Philadelphia. Team McAuley was lucky enough to spend their retreat day at the convent with some of the retired Sisters of Mercy. Like our students do, the faculty and staff that went up the hill chatted, read to and simply visited and spent time with the sisters. Additionally, some were
able to assist some of the sisters with their physical therapy. A rewarding experience for all, no matter who visits with the sisters of McAuley, be it children or adults, everyone returns to our building with a smile on their face. We are beyond blessed to have such meaningful relationships with such remarkable women. Above: Faculty and staff work diligently, making Linus blankets and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for those in need.
MARY ELIZABETH PASSARELLA: CLASS OF 2014 Mary Elizabeth Passarella, a current student at Merion Mercy Academy, was recognized by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and Northrop Grumman Corporation in October at the Imagine, Invent, Inspire Awards Ceremony, which recognizes women defining the future. She received the High School Community Award for envisioning a solution for problems within the community using science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), submitting a project that utilized sensors and bluetooth technology for snow removal. Propelled by her experiences at Waldron Mercy, Mary Elizabeth participates in many clubs and outreach efforts at Merion Mercy, including campus ministry, ministry core team, liturgical music group, the rowing team and Good Morning Merion (GMM), the school’s daily broadcast. In addition, she belongs to the National Honor Society, Spanish
Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Math Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society. She has performed in Merion Mercy Musical Theater and participated in varsity mathletes. Currently, Mary Elizabeth serves as president of the STEM Club, is a Speak Up Leader, an Orientation Leader and a member of the Community Service Corps. Mary Elizabeth was selected for the Diocesan Scholars Program of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, an opportunity extended to students who had a cumulative GPA of 4.0 or higher which affords students the option of taking college courses both semesters of senior year of high school. The Diocesan Scholars Program extends the opportunity for academic challenges of college level courses at area Catholic colleges for students enrolled in Catholic high schools during their senior year of high school. BLUE & GOLD
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GRADE BY GRADE PARTNERSHIPS Each grade at Waldron Mercy Academy is matched with an organization as an outreach partner that they work with throughout the year. Both our kindergarten and third grade are lucky enough to be partnered with St. Frances Cabrini Regional School, an independent mission school located in Overbrook. With dedicated meetups and projects throughout the year, there is always something for our students to look forward to with their outreach partners. For kindergarten, they invited the Cabrini students to our campus to play, exchanged Christmas and Valentines cards, raised money and traveled to their school for a visit. Encompassing the annual school theme, the kindergarten filtered their work with Cabrini Regional School through the lens of “Imagine Mercy Working” at a prayer service. They prayed: We do not have to be rich, or older, or powerful to share God’s blessings with others. Our gift does not have to be a big gift, just as long as it is given with love. Our Waldron Mercy theme is an idea that we think about and pray about during our school year. It is an idea that is important enough to pray about for a long time. Our theme this year, ‘Imagine Mercy Working…’ tells us to think about what Mercy can do. We can make a difference with Mercy. Our works of mercy can echo through the world, and the world can be a better place because of our actions. Our gift does not have to be the kind of gift you can touch or hold. Our gift can be kind words to each other. We can tell the truth. We can show respect. We can keep a promise. We can be a friend to someone who is left out. We can share 10
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smiles and laughter. We can stand up instead of stand by when someone is being teased. Lydia Brennan, kindergarten teacher, explained, “the children hear these words every year and we try to have them realize that even at their young age, they can make a difference.” Along with simply making a difference through building friendships, our kindergarteners also made a financial difference. For Lent, they saved money to buy toys, puzzles and gift cards for the Cabrini classes. Additionally, throughout the year, kindergarten collects General Mills box tops for education, counts them, graphs them and sends them to Cabrini. To incorporate the learning portion into service learning, the children plot their box top collection on a graph; not only is the partnership included in religion, it is included in math as well. This year, kindergarten collected enough box tops to earn Cabrini Regional School $473.90 in the fall and $322.50 in the spring. When asked if collecting box tops was a hard thing to do to make a difference, a resounding “No!” echoed through the kindergarten classroom. Before both visits with Cabrini Regional School, the teachers discussed with their classes the differences between the two schools. Some of the kids took notice. Dylan Donaldson reflected on their visit to Cabrini, “they didn’t have as much but they were excited to show us what they had.” And when they returned, they took note of how lucky they are. Maggie Farrell Above: Students from both Waldron Mercy and Cabrini Regional School were enthralled with the lecture from the Philadelphia Zoo and enjoyed dressing up for Halloween. Right: Mrs. Nell Stetser receives the Program of Distinction Award from Angela Rufo from the Middle States Association.
explained “our school is a lot different and we’re lucky to have what we have. They are people just like us and we had a lot of fun.” The kindergarten teachers strive to teach their students how impactful their relationships are for one another. They do not not want them to feel like they are always givers; our students receive too, benefitting from personal relationships. The partnership with Cabrini was extra special for a few people this year: Lydia Brennan, Emma Anderson and Ms. Jessica McCrary, a teacher at Cabrini. Before it was Cabrini Regional School, it used to be St. Donnato’s where Lydia taught after graduating college, before coming to Waldron Mercy. For Emma, she was excited to see an old friend. When the children were matched with their buddies, Emma was paired with Cameron, a friend she met at their preschool last year before attending Waldron Mercy Academy. Ms. McCrary went to Waldron Mercy for a few years and she did her student teaching at WMA.
IT’S OFFICIAL: A PROGRAM OF DISTINCTION In May 2017, the Middle States Association officially bestowed upon Waldron Mercy Academy an accreditation for Program of Distinction in Service Learning, the first of its kind for any school. This momentous accomplishment is due to the hard work of our students and faculty, and the continued dedication to service and outreach from our entire school community. Stay tuned for an in depth look at the Program of Distinction in the 2017 fall/winter edition of the Blue & Gold magazine and what this accreditation means for Waldron Mercy.
CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS
INSPIRATION SOMETIMES COMES IN THE MOST SURPRISING OF WAYS. BUT ONCE INSPIRATION STRIKES WALDRON MERCY ACADEMY STUDENTS, THEY EXCEL. OUR ARTISTS RIVAL THE LIKES OF PICASSO OR RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN OR LADY GAGA.
With Hard Work and Dedication WMA Artists Excel In and Out of the Classroom
MUSIC EDUCATION
Music is more than a specials class at Waldron Mercy, it is an exposure to culture, a means of discovering hidden talents and a tool for self-expression. Katie Turk ’17 describes the music program at WMA and reflects on her years of participation. The music program at Waldron Mercy Academy is exceptional. It gives students opportunities they would not get otherwise. It helps us find our voices and make them stronger. Starting before even first grade students are able to take private lessons ranging from drums to violin, flute, voice, saxophone and cello. Every year students throw a recital where they get to show family and friends what they learned over the length of the year. Those are not the only concerts students participate in during the school year. A mandatory part of education, starting in first grade, is choir. Before winter break starts, the lower school choir and the upper school choir joyfully sing a medley of songs to bring cheer. Our choir director, Mr. Borton, works hard to make the experience exciting and meaningful for every student. There is also a spring performance that takes place before school ends. At this concert the rock band performs. Rock
band is a unique experience that allows students who play the guitar, piano, drums, bass, take voice, or even play the saxophone, to get the chance to be a part of team. Through this, musically inclined students are able to learn about the workings of band by choosing songs to cover, learn, and perform. The songs the students cover can range anywhere from current pop to rock, jazz or country. For students who love to sing, starting in fourth grade they can participate in an honors choir. From fourth through sixth grade children are taught more thoroughly and sing increasingly difficult songs in Treblemakers. Then in seventh and eighth grade singers can join Honors Chorale, where they get the chance to travel, perform and compete with advanced songs. I have always been shy and quiet, but through the music program here at Waldron Mercy I was able to find a voice and find myself. Over the years, I connected with teachers and students who shared my interests. These people helped me grow into the person I am now. The teachers here opened a door for me that led to a world full of happiness and laughter. As a result of the music program. I am able to smile on the bleakest of days.
I haven't even gotten to the school musicals yet! The lower school musicals grant time to learn the fundamentals of acting, dancing and singing. Beginning in second grade and going to fourth grade, actors are able to become increasingly more confident on stage. Then there is the spring or upper school musical. This annual musical gives students who are serious about acting a chance to highlight their talents and most importantly have fun. The weekly practice for the musicals are full of bonding, teamwork and talent. School is a gigantic adventure full of a myriad of surprises. When you are struggling, insecure or just plain old sad, you can always count on music department teachers Mr. Borton or Ms. Baldwin to cheer you up. Along with that, through the music program you are able to find friends that will stay with you for the rest of your years at WMA and beyond. The memories made at Waldron Mercy Academy are cherished forever. Above: Katie Turk ’17, fourth from left, with her classmates Vincent Vento ’17, Patrick Doyle ’19, Maeve Pinheiro ’17, Tess Szathmary ’17, Isabel Dougherty ’17, Luke Shafer ’17, Christopher Frabizzio ’18, Maggie Carr ’18, Katie Gallone ’18 and Hannah Downing, after their spring recital. BLUE & GOLD
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ART BEYOND THE CLASSROOM For Waldron Mercy Academy students, inspiration and passion transcend the classroom. For Brendan Dougherty ’19, his love of sports and art were the perfect combination to become the inspiration for a South Philly mural. When the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program announced its Sixers Mural Contest, Brendan, then in grade 5, jumped at the chance to submit. Over spring break, a mural was unveiled in South Philadelphia that I inspired! It is a mural representing the Philadelphia 76ers and their history. It was made by Ernel Martinez, a professional muralist, at Broad and Federal Streets. A little over a year ago, I was on the 76ers website and found a contest to make a design for a Sixers mural on Broad Street. The final submission had to be a drawing that answers one of the following questions: What does Philadelphia and basketball mean to me? How do basketball and the Philadelphia 76ers inspire me? My submission got into the Top 10 which were chosen by the Mural Arts Program. From there, people who visited the site voted for the winner. After about a month of voting, I was announced the winner of the competition!
My drawing depicted Sixers legends such as Hal Greer, Allen Iverson, Wilt Chamberlain, Charles Barkley, Bobby Jones and of course, Julius Erving. They were the ones that made the cut to the actual mural. The others were Moses Malone, Darryl Dawkins, Maurice Cheeks and Dolph Schayes. I included championship coach Billy Cunningham, current mascot Franklin and former mascot Big Shot. At the scorers table, announcer Dave Zinkoff and writer Harvey Pollack do their jobs. In between them is my grandfather, Andy Dougherty, who worked for the Sixers for about a decade as the stat keeper. There are also kids, the skyline and the fans. I found out I had won in March 2016. I was awarded free tickets for the Sixers game and a gift basket which included Sixers memorabilia. I was honored at center court.
Then, in March 2017, we were notified that the mural would be unveiled on April 13. I couldn't wait! A couple of days before the unveiling, we went to the Sixers game. On the way there, we passed the location and got to meet Ernel Martinez. At the game, I was again honored at center court with Mr. Martinez. Then, out of nowhere, comes Julius Erving. I was meeting a legend - my favorite basketball player of all time! It was a great night. Then the day before the unveiling, I was interviewed live by Good Day Philadelphia; it was so cool. On the day of the unveiling, I met Bobby Jones, another Sixers legend! Franklin the mascot arrived, as well as the dunk squad and many supporters. It was a great day and a great experience. Go Sixers!
EDDIE KEELS: CLASS OF 1998 Eddie has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. That creative thinking was apparent throughout his time to Waldron Mercy Academy. A graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep and Georgetown University, where he majored in world religions and music theory, Ed began his foray into entrepreneurship with his first company Loose Leaf Concepts LLC in 2008, which he still runs today. A graphic design, branding and web agency, Loose Leaf Concepts runs the gamut from custom logo creations and marketing materials to bespoke websites, event signage and consulting. Ed’s massive client list includes: Geno’s Steaks, Netflix, The 2016 Democratic
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National Convention, Mountain Dew, Doritos, Call of Duty and numerous, nationwide organizations. In 2012, Ed established a new enterprise with the founding of Philly Current Magazine, a print publication whose sole mission is to promote all of the wonderful individuals and businesses in our great city. At the onslaught, and remembering his amazing WMA relationships, Ed reached out to fellow Waldron Mercy alums, Dana Cairone ‘98 and Jamie O’Neill ‘98, to provide engaging articles. As he celebrates the fifth year of his unique magazine, he has featured personalities such as Maria Bello, Boyz II Men, celebrity chef Robert Irvine, Lauren Hart, Todd Carmichael, Mayor Nutter and Kenney, and The Phillie Phanatic, just to name a few!
Above: Brendan Dougherty’s drawing is center and he is pictured on either side with Julius Erving and Scott O’Neil, 76ers CEO. Below: The official mural inspired by Brendan’s sketch.
TIGER TERRITORY
SHOOT THE THREE! SWING FOR THE FENCES! SPRINT TO THE FINISH! THIS YEAR’S TEAMS HAD SOME UPS AND DOWNS, FELT THE THRILLS OF VICTORIES AND THE AGONIES OF DEFEATS. THOUGH THEY MAY HAVE LOST SOME GAMES, THE ONE THING THEY NEVER LOST: THEIR SPIRIT.
The Cheers and Hustle Never Stopped This Year for the Waldron Mercy Tigers
LEADING THE TEAM TO SUCCESS With each season players grow and with each sport athletes gain new experiences. Elaina Stuhlman ’17 has relished her years on the softball diamond at Waldron Mercy. As she looks back on her four years and her final season, she reflects on how much the sport means to her and how she developed into a leader on the field. Over the past four years at Waldron Mercy, I have been a part of the softball team. This being my fourth and final year, as an eighth grader, I and my peers have assumed leadership of the team. This responsibility is one I welcomed not only as an eighth grader, but also as the pitcher of the team and is an experience that is truly invaluable. Holding a leadership
position is a very important job not only because you have people looking up to you for direction, but also because you have the power to influence those who surround you. However, holding a leadership position is not a one way relationship and I can say without a doubt that every girl on the softball team has helped contribute to our team. It has been a unique experience to see our young team grow and develop over the course of the season into the team we are today. Our team not only grew in skill and confidence, but we also formed many friendships and memories that we will look back on fondly. Of course none of this could have happened without our amazing coaches who have helped us tremendously. They have made practicing an enjoyable experience that I have looked for-
ward to instead of just another thing I have to do. Their dedication to seeing our team grow and flourish is something I am very much grateful for. I know I will use their guidance into the future both on and off the field because the skills you learn can translate to all different aspects of life. I hope to continue to play softball into high school and am grateful for the experience WMA has given me. I am sure I will be able to use the leadership skills I have learned on any team I may join in the future. I also know that no matter what, I will always look back on this team as one that allowed me to have fun while playing the sport I love. Morgan Doyle ’17 takes to the plate, facing off against a rival pitcher during her final softball season at WMA.
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FROM THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR In his first year at Waldron Mercy Academy as athletic director, Adam Dickman enjoyed the roller coaster ride that is middle school sports. He takes a look back on all of the wins and losses experienced by our teams this year. Wow, that went fast! It seems like my first day at Waldron Mercy was yesterday, and yet, summer vacation is already here. The fall season opened up with our volleyball team having a very strong year. The team was led by seven of our eighth graders who played very well under the direction of Michelle Orapallo, Jacki Pawlowski and Bob Gallagher. The WMA field hockey team had a tough year, but showed a lot of improvement as the season progressed and we are excited that many of the young players will come back next year for an even stronger season. Coaches Christine Cooper and Denise Pauzano helped the large cross country team have a great season. Our team participated in six huge meets and represented Waldron Mercy Academy wonderfully every time. Our JV and varsity
soccer teams were both very strong and showed constant improvement over the course of the season. The JV and varsity football teams also had ups and downs this year, but it was very encouraging to see how much they learned and how hard they played all season long. Waldron Mercy Homecoming was a fantastic day for all of the kids to play in front of their families and friends (despite a little bit of rainy weather). The winter sports season was dominated by basketball, however, our swim team, coached by Dawn Berardinelli, enjoyed a fantastic season. The five eighth graders on the swim team served as great role models for our younger swimmers all season. Our JV Catholic Academy League and JV Catholic Youth Organization girls basketball teams both showed a lot of promise and passion during their seasons. The varsity girls CAL team barely missed out on the league playoffs, however, with ten seventh graders on the team, we look forward to a great season next year. The JV CAL boys basketball team narrowly missed the league championship, but played great together all season long, while the JV CYO boys team
also showed their passion and improvement during their season. The varsity CYO boys were able to come together as a team as they conquered many other parishes during the season. The varsity CAL boys had a fantastic season, making it to the championship game before, unfortunately, falling to NorwoodFontbonne Academy. However, the team showed a lot of promise and determination that will make for a great season next year. The highlight of our winter sports season was our Winter Carnival where all of our teams played throughout the day. The most exciting moment of the day came when Jake Villari ’18 hit the game-winning shot at the end of the boys CYO basketball game. Spring sports finally finished (after many rainouts) and nearly all of our teams have showed great improvement over last year. Our lacrosse teams played very well together and I look forward to seeing them improve even more next season. Once again, our varsity baseball team had a great season, finishing in 2nd place in the CAL. And in their debut season, our JV baseball team finished 2nd in the league as well. WMA’s softball team also showed great improvement this year and will only get better next year! Our track and field team, once again, had a great season with many of our students running well in the regional and area track meets, as well as participating in the Penn Relays. Above: Adam Dickman coaches the varsity boys basketball team during Winter Carnival and Michael Frick ’19 takes a big swing during a JV baseball game. Left: Varsity field hockey does a pregame cheer and Machi Holland ’20 breaks a tackle during Homecoming.
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RA RA RA! LET’S GO TIGERS! Of the many incredible things that can be said about Waldron Mercy Academy, one that stands out is the dedication of our parents. They are active in every school event from volunteering to drive to an outreach visit or decorate for a school dance. They especially love cheering on our students, their children at sporting events. Never does a Waldron Mercy team play without having a sideline or bleacher full of cheering fans. “Let’s go Tigers! Let’s go!” can often be heard echoing throughout the crowd. Words of encouragement fill the air, boosting the confidence of the players. Parents turn out to support WMA athletes even when their child is involved in activities other than sports, which was evidenced by the overwhelming turnout at both Homecoming and Winter Carnival this year. It is amazing to see how strong of a support system our students have and to know that it does not stop at home games. As the coach of two teams at Waldron Mercy Academy, soccer and softball, Kathryn Amrhein had to ride the bus home from away games alone on more than one occasion. “Sure it’s not fun to ride
the bus alone, but that means that most, if not all of the kids had a parent at the away games to cheer them on, which is a pretty great thing.” Parents and siblings are not the only fans to come out in support of our Tigers. Many young alumni return to Waldron Mercy to cheer on the teams for which they once played. It floods them with nostalgia of wearing the WMA uniforms and rivalries with NorwoodFontbonne Academy or Ancillae Assumpta Academy. This year, to enhance the cheering section for our fans, we installed a new booth on the bleachers in Dixon Gymnasium. Painted blue and gold with the Waldron Mercy Academy
athletic seal, the “announcers booth” adds to the atmosphere of the cheering section. One thing that can be said about athletics at Waldron Mercy: there is never a quiet moment at any of our sporting events. No matter the sport, no matter the score, WMA fans cheer on our players with gusto. Yes, they may be parents or siblings, or maybe alumni or faculty, but our fans forever bleed blue and gold. Above: Young alumni and parents cheer on our basketball and football teams during Winter Carnival and Homecoming. Below: The stands were packed with cheering fans for the JV girls basketball game at Winter Carnival.
ED SFIDA: CLASS OF 1985 Over 30 years ago, Ed Sfida ‘85 and Rocco Gallelli ‘85 walked off a practice at Waldron Academy and talked about one day making it to the Super Bowl. In the movie version, the offensive tackle provides bone-jarring blocks, while the fullback puts up big numbers. In the real life version, it unfolds a little differently. February 2017. Super Bowl LI. NRG Stadium. Rocco’s catering company, Innovative Catering Concepts, fed the fans and Ed kept stats in the Fox Sports Broadcast Booth with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. A graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep, Ed started as a student assistant in the Villanova Sports Information Department and in 1990, he worked his first live televised sporting event, compiling away team TV stats for the Philadelphia 76ers. Ed has kept stats at nine Super Bowls,
the World Series, NBA Finals, NCAA basketball tournaments, MLB and NBA All-Star games and the Pro Bowl. For 13 years, Ed has worked at Fox NFL A-Crew with Joe Buck, covering many events including ESPN Monday Night Football and MLB Network Showcase and has shared the booth with such icons as Vin Scully, Brent Musburger and Harry Kalas. Ed earned a bachelor of science in business administration from Villanova University and a master of arts in communications from Bloomsburg University. Tracing his statistician career back to Waldron Academy, Ed credits his love of math to Sr. Delphine and Sr. Linda, his third and fourth grade teachers, whom he cited in his eighth grade graduation speech. This May, Ed and his crew received a Sports Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television & Sciences at the 38th annual Sports Emmy Awards. BLUE & GOLD
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In April, the Waldron Mercy Academy faculty and staff gathered together to commemorate a special member of our team. Sister Joellen McDonnell celebrated her Jubilee, marking 50 years in service as a Sister of Mercy. For those who know her, it is hard to believe this energetic and dedicated Sister has been a force of good for now five decades.
50
Years in Service
WMA celebrates Sister Joellen McDonnell’s Golden Jubilee
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Flash Back
Sr. Joellen entered with a group of 28 sisters in 1967 and made her religious profession in 1970. She had just graduated from St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls in Northeast Philadelphia, one of four daughters in a traditional Catholic household. As she puts it, “I met the Sisters of Mercy when I was at St. Hubert and was immediately drawn to the charism of mercy.” She also knew that she wanted to be a teacher. Her first ministry was at St. John Baptist de la Salle in Shillington, PA where she taught first grade. Over the next 17 years, she would go on to work for six different schools serving as a teacher and administrator including in rural Pennsylvania and Sea Isle City, New Jersey. She also earned a master of education from Villanova University in 1984, taking classes in the summer for nearly a decade along with fellow Sisters. Then, in 1987, Sr. Joellen’s career took an important turn. While serving as a teacher at Merion Mercy Academy, she was asked to serve as vice principal and play a lead role in the merging of Merion Mercy’s lower school with Waldron Academy for Boys. “We were so young. We’d never done something like this before and it was a real leap of faith,” Sr. Joellen shared. “And it was a miracle. We did it! We successfully merged two faculties, two schedules, two schools.” The success of the merger was a testament to the power of the mission because everyone was invested in a strong curriculum, expanding service work, and including the entire community. “We could do so much more as a combined school, serve more people, involve more parents and really live out our mission.” Sr. Joellen served as vice principal until 1991 when she was sent to St. Christopher School in Philadelphia to lead as principal. She also served as principal at St. Denis School in Havertown. Waldron Mercy always held a special place in Sr. Joellen’s heart and she was thrilled to have the chance to return in 2006. Over the last decade, a lot of things have changed at WMA. New lay leadership. New programs. New website. New trends in enrollment. Sr. Joellen has kept up with it all and is for all families who visit and join the Waldron Mercy Academy family the graceful and conscientious heart of Waldron Mercy.
Fond Memories
“I’ve always loved that Sr. Joellen and I have a special connection. In the spring of 1990, she called me in for a interview for a fourth grade teaching position. I was hired, but Joellen was headed off the following year to St. Christopher’s. Then in 2006, Sr. Pat, the principal at the time, asked me to interview Sr. Joellen for the director of admission. I think both Sr. Joellen and I had to fight back giggles because our positions had flipped. All the same, I am glad we shared that moment and so many more over the years.” Nell Stetser, principal “As I began my role as middle school director, Sr. Joellen has been a constant mentor in every aspect of my position. She has guided me in decisions regarding curriculum, parents, students; I value her wisdom, because all decisions are steeped in mercy and based upon strong academic reasoning and experience.” Theresa Gannon, middle school director “I met Sr. Joellen when she was teaching first grade at Merion Mercy for Girls and I was teaching first grade at Waldron Academy for Boys. We would meet and share ideas that we could both use with our students. As the merger of the two schools approached, we planned activities to bring the girls and boys together. It was at this time that I began to realize her many gifts and talents. After the merger, Sr. Joellen became the vice principal at Waldron Mercy Academy and talked me into leaving the first grade classroom to be the first director of admission. Working closely as an administrative team, I came to appreciate her leadership skills and the way she helped develop skills in others. While her thoughtfulness and generosity are legendary, I can’t forget her dedication to the mission of Mercy. Her welcoming presence, and the hospitality that she shows to every visitor, has brought countless students and families into the Circle of Mercy at WMA.” Steve Stritch, executive director, Mercy Center, Bronx, NY
What is a Jubilee Anniversary When a Sister of Mercy has reached her 50th year of profession, a special Jubilee anniversary is announced. The celebration includes a special mass a t which the Sister renew their vows. Sister Marie Michele Donnelly, member of the Waldron Mercy Academy Board of Trustees, describes the liturgy as “truly an experience of communion, we feel so connected to each other and to God. It’s beautiful.” The Sisters of Mercy are the largest religious community in the United States and one of the largest in the world. This year, Sr. Joellen joins over 80 local Sisters celebrating Jubilee anniversaries throughout the Mid-Atlantic Community. Sr. Joellen is one of 16 of these Sisters commemorating 50 years. BLUE & GOLD
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Dear Mrs.Stetser... How do we say thank you to a woman who so
effortlessly gave so much of herself to Waldron Mercy Academy? How do we say thank you for the years of service, leadership and dedication? How do we say thank you for all of the guidance, all of the mercy, all of the love? ★ It seems like an impossible task, to truly show gratitude to Nell Stetser for her 27 years of steadfast service. Beginning her tenure at Waldron Mercy as a fourth grade teacher before moving to curriculum director, second grade teacher, back to curriculum director, vice principal, for the past five years, principal and in between a parent of WMA students, Nell has never wavered in her dedication to the mission of Mercy.
For Your Hard Work Anyone who has worked with, learned from or simply interacted with Nell knows how much she exudes compassion for others, as well as her passion for teaching. Whether she is stopping in the hall to speak with a parent, leading a teacher in-service day or teaching her seventh and eighth grade students to conjugate Latin verbs, Nell is a master at multi-tasking. She has guided Waldron Mercy Academy through transitions and worked on countless Middle States Accreditations, two National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence awards and a Program of Distinction in Service Learning. When Nell assumed the role of curriculum director in 1998, the first ever at Waldron Mercy, she set into motion the curriculum mapping and development, writing across the curriculum, professional development with teachers teaching teachers and the sharing of best practices, and finally the increased utilization of the student resources center; all of which truly set up WMA students 18
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for success, empower them to be the best they can be. In a letter to the Waldron Mercy Academy community, Kimberly Baxter, chairperson of the Board of Trustees, reflected on many of Nell’s accomplishments. “Under Nell’s leadership, the school has experienced many changes and sources of great pride. We truly believe that Nell was the leader that we needed to transition the institution and its community from religious to lay leadership. During her tenure, Nell worked to restructure the school to better assist the needs of our students through the creation of the positions of directors of the lower and middle school.
Additionally, the hiring of key administrators to better serve the advancement, communications and marketing needs of the school, including the developing and implementation of a new school website, have benefited the school and its enrollment goals. In the areas of academics, the school has seen the progress and implementation of a Middle States goal to create a STEM curriculum for grades one through eight. She has also executed a new reading program to better individualize the instruction for students at different levels of learning, along with a new Spanish curriculum for grades kindergarten through eight. Furthermore, Nell and her administrative team have designed and employed a new system for teacher observation and evaluation as well as improving the efforts to increase the pool of candidates for more diverse hires within the school.”
For the Memories
For Your Spirit of Mercy
Even though Nell Stetser will not physically be present at WMA next year, her impact will continue to be felt and the fun times shared with her are everlasting memories. Some of the students shared their favorite Mrs. Stetser memories throughout the years and provided some words of advice. Sahmir Hagans ’17 remembers first coming to Waldron Mercy Academy, “When I first got here, it was hard to adjust. Mrs. Stetser was one of the teachers that really helped me get used to the school. She makes sure that every kid is comfortable.” Franco Leuzzi ’18 remembers reading The Polar Express and having cookies with Mrs. Stetser around Christmas time. “She’s always happy and makes learning Latin fun.” Mary O’Connor, a pre-kindergarten student this year, loved when Mrs. Stetser came to read to her class at the end of the day. Anthony Gibson, grade three, gave some very thoughtful advice: “Whenever you’re out of your familiar surroundings, never give up because you’re never alone.”
Each year, the faculty and staff choose one of their own and award to them the Spirit of Mercy award. While mercy is ever-present in the halls of the school, this individual is typically someone who goes above and beyond. On a Sunday afternoon this past May at a farewell tribute gathering for Nell, in front of faculty and staff, current parents, former parents, friends and family, Kimberly Baxter announced that from this year forward the Board of Trustees has aptly renamed the award the Nell Stetser Spirit of Mercy award in honor of such a great and merciful woman and leader. At the end of year luncheon for faculty and staff, last year’s honoree, Miss Mary Augustine, passed the award onto Nell and there was not a dry eye in the room! Mary said, “I have the honor to present the Mercy
Award to someone who has proven to be graced with mercy. In mercy, she has bestowed her mind, her heart and her soul to our Waldron Mercy students, community, faculty, and staff. She has given and sacrificed much in joyful, sorrowful, difficult and spirited times, always attempting to strive for the greater glory which wasn’t always the easiest nor the calmest path. Through the years, I have admired the poise, beauty, wisdom, and strength of heart that she always exhibited.” This year’s eighth grade class decided that the theme of the yearbook would be superheroes, full of “pows,” “bams” and a Principal StetserWonder Woman bitmoji. Their yearbook theme very nicely summarizes the tenure of Nell Stetser at WMA. It is truly unbelievable that Nell is anything less than super-human to have accomplished all that she has in a very short 27 years. While it may seem difficult to find the right words to say thank you, Adam Dickman, athletic director, was able to do so at this year’s sports banquet: “Nell Stetser – for your devotion to Waldron Mercy Academy as a school. You have been a great principal, a teacher, a friend, a disciplinarian, a cheerleader, a mentor, a leader and an inspiration…not just to the students but to every member of the Waldron Mercy community. We thank you for your years of service.”
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INTENTIONAL LEADERSHIP In 2009, the Board of Trustees formed the Diversity Committee as a standing committee chaired by a member of the board. The purpose of the committee is to support the mission and strategic plan of Waldron Mercy by ensuring that the entirety of the school’s policies, procedures and operations recognize and reverence the dignity and uniqueness of every individual who touches or is a part of our diverse community. From its inception, the committee has lived this purpose by seeking diverse membership on the committee, drawing from a variety of professional fields and connections to WMA and by hosting conversations and seeking feedback with stakeholders throughout the Waldron Mercy Academy community. Core to the committee’s design is the provision for open-dialogue and developing venues for feedback, anonymous and direct. One of those sources of feedback is a survey the committee conducted in 2012 and again in 2016. The committee asked parents, faculty and staff to respond to questions about the success and challenges Waldron Mercy faces in terms of diversity. Another source of feedback came in the form of a parent event called Courageous Conversations. Parents who attended the event shared points of pride including WMA’s efforts to “provide a sense of inclusion and community for all of its members,” “diversity is represented in colors, religious denominations and family backgrounds” and “that diversity is in our mission.” Similarly, parents offered suggestions for improvement and growth including the diversity of the faculty, continued conversations, programming with students and parents and more volunteer involvement from parents. Feedback from the event, along with the surveys, play an important role in the goal setting of the diversity committee. Marcia Penn-Cummings, chair of the Diversity Committee offered, “we really allow feedback from our entire community to inform our planning and programming.”
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DIVERSITY The committee has three critical goals: • Diversity among the faculty and staff
• Open dialogue among the Waldron Mercy Academy community • Professional development and resources for the Waldron Mercy Academy community Bryan Carter, current member of the committee, added that these are enduring goals that keep the committee’s focus on what can be accomplished now, while allowing for long-term efforts to ensure a continued commitment to diversity. For example, the committee is finalizing a proposed policy for hiring strategies and practices that will promote greater diversity. This project began with a focus group of a dozen educators from diverse backgrounds and levels of teaching experience in both public and private schools. The group looked at job postings, salary and benefits package, mission, strategic plan and school environment. Similarly, the committee has facilitated a number of professional development workshops for Waldron Mercy employees, the Board of Trustees and the Diversity Committee, as well as guest speaker events. These sessions have brought presenters like Fr. Stephen D. Thorne, pastor of Saint Martin de Porres and one of only fourteen African-American Catholic priests in the Philadelphia Archdiocese, as cited by the
1 Corinthians 12: 12-15, 25-26 During his visit to a faculty in-service, Dr. Stephen Thorne set the tone for a conversation on diversity with this passage:
Office of Black Catholics, Dr. Mykee Fowlin, psychologist, performer and poet, and Dr. Howard C. Stevenson, professor of urban education and Africana studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Topics ranged from promoting racial literacy in schools to reexamining perceptions, allowing space for humor and opening hearts and minds to the conversation. “We recognize that conversations on diversity and inclusion are not always easy. We want to create an environment in which people feel safe to express culturally based values, perceptions, and experiences,” Penn-Cummings said. “We continue to approach diversity and inclusion with a growth mindset. We are all learning and living together and the road ahead is long.”
COMMITTED FACULTY
From small acts like purchasing stickers, marker colors and dolls that offer young students the ability to see and represent themselves in their crafts, to big efforts like enhancing the library collection to include more books about and authored by diverse people, Waldron Mercy Academy’s faculty is invested in providing an educational experience that welcomes and recognizes diversity in all its many forms. World religions, cultural heritages, racial identity and family make-up are a few of the modes of diversity within the curriculum.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For kin one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
For the body does not consist of one member but of many. So that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
Members of the Diversity Committee • Marcia Penn-Cummings P’12, chair, executive assistant, Drexel University
Waldron Mercy Academy is a diverse, faith-filled community. Diversity is core to our mission. A commitment to diversity is inherent in the teachings of Mercy. But it has not been by accident. In fact, seeking and celebrating diversity is very intentional, ongoing work at Waldron Mercy. When Caitlin Mulroy, library and media specialist, rejoined the Waldron Mercy faculty this past fall, she began expanding the collection looking for books with subjects and authors that showcased diverse people. “Students not only check out books for pleasure, but they also use the library as a resource for their classroom assignments. It’s important for the students to hear from a variety of voices,” Mulroy says. Beth Hymel, art teacher, selects a cultural theme each year. This year, the students studied African art, including Islamic mosaics, Ndebele house painting, Sotho masks and Dogan granary doors. She partnered with Bob Fogarty, religion teacher, to develop a lesson plan around the Dogan people of Mali in which the students were asked to write self-reflections on their own values and how, despite the dramatic differences in cultures and resources, they had shared beliefs with the people. “My goal is to help the students appreciate a diversity of cultures and to recognize our shared humanity through points of commonality” says Hymel. In the middle school, the conversation runs throughout the year in social studies, language arts, history and religion classes. Novel study in grade eight focuses on texts that explore issues of sameness and difference, as well as appearance versus reality. With works such as The House on Mango Street and To Kill a Mockingbird, students try to get to the root of issues of prejudice and discrimination. This work is furthered with a three-day workshop facilitated by Armando Martinez, assistant residence director at Syracuse University. The workshops help students to develop skills necessary to understand and respectfully discuss issues of difference. Katie DeSanto, language arts teacher, offers that “the students walk away from their workshops with Mr. Martinez with new eyes. They see each other differently, more fully. They make
connections between the simple, swift judgements that we all make about each other and the larger issues of injustice that exist in our society.” Students also have the opportunity to attend the annual Multicultural Resource Center of the Philadelphia Independent Schools Diversity Conference held at the Haverford School. “Every year, I am impressed with the maturity in which our students engaged in conversation on topics of diversity, inclusion, and stereotypes at the conference,” says Theresa Gannon, middle school director, “and what they bring back to school in terms of new understandings, communications skills, and commitment to being present for and learning from each other.” In the youngest grades, children study families and their many configurations and they learn to celebrate the uniqueness of each child. They also study different religious celebrations and cultural backgrounds. “These are, in many cases, their first introduction to something different than what they know at home” says Kristin Romano, lower school director. Community Gathering, where the entire school gathers weekly, has also been a space for celebrating diversity. For several years, the school has celebrated Chinese New Year with a traditional lion dance and had a taste of the famous Odunde Festival with a special lesson in drumming and dancing. “We invite diverse cultural celebrations into our school because there is so much to be learned from each other and sometimes it's through these moments that our students best see our commonality,” says Romano. Principal Nell Stetser shares, “Waldron Mercy provides foundational education to our young students. Awareness and understanding of our diverse community is a critical part of that foundation. It's exciting to see the students’ curiosity and compassion for each other’s experiences.”
• Bryan Carter P’21, president, Gesu School • Catherine Murray P’20 ’23, doctoral candidate, Department of History, Temple University • Barbara Coleman, program director, Mercy Neighborhood Ministries • Alan K. Maesaka P’13, counsel, Aetna • Patrick Oates P’18 ’22, senior vice president of strategic planning and business development, EMSCO Scientific Enterprises, Inc. • Nell Stetser P’09 ’11, principal
EVER LEARNING AND GROWING All the efforts of faculty, staff and the Diversity Committee are based on the belief that a commitment to diversity is evergreen and never done. “We are a continuous learning and improvement school,” Carter says, “we believe that professional development is for expanding our knowledge and growing in our areas of expertise.” Romano shared that she appreciates the chance to bring new resources to the school and is looking for curriculum and professional development tools that will empower cultural awareness and age-appropriate conversations in the classroom. Recruiting a diverse faculty is a challenge WMA continues to tackle. Stetser shares, “we have developed strategies to help grow a diverse pool of candidates for our teaching staff and measure our successes and challenges in this area closely. I am hopeful that these practices will produce results in future hiring.” Penn-Cummings hopes to one day have a staff position dedicated to diversity, someone who is responsible for the thoughtful infusion into curriculum, facilitating conversations and conflict resolution, and bringing special events and opportunities to our students and faculty. Carter offered, it is important to “always look where we can do better and not be discouraged by setbacks,” which is exactly what Waldron Mercy Academy’s faculty and leadership are committed to doing. BLUE & GOLD
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YOUR WALDRON 1984
WRITE TO US! CONTACT US IF YOU’VE GOTTEN MARRIED, HAD A BABY, MOVED, RETIRED, OR IF YOU JUST WANT TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR FELLOW WALDRON ALUMNI. EMAIL PEG FLYNN, DIRECTOR OF STEWARDSHIP AND ALUMNI RELATIONS AT MFLYNN@WALDRONMERCY.ORG
1994
Ed Watson ’84 is in corporate and investment banking with SunTrust Robinson Humphrey in Florida. Ed graduated with a bachelor of science from the University of Maryland College Park and has an MBA from Georgetown University. According to Ed, “I can still hear Mr. Rawlings’ voice yelling at us during football practice.”
1989
Albert Perry ’94, his wife Lisa and big brother Albert welcomed son Bryce John on April 17.
1995
1997
Trish Silva Strehle ’97 and husband Justin welcomed Cole Edward on March 17. Big brother Hudson already loves showing Cole how to play sports!
Ed Keels ’98 and his wife Elise celebrated the birth of their daughter Raelle on December 28, 2016.
1999
1998
Michael Zirilli ’89 and Alysa Suero Zirilli ’89 celebrated the birth of their son, Henry, in November. Mike, a finance manager, and Alysa, a geologist, look forward to sharing stories of their days at WMA with Henry.
1992
Daneen Stamps Baird ’92 is the senior manager of Internal Communications for Comcast Spotlight, the advertising sales division of Comcast. A graduate of Merion Mercy, she attended Ursinus College on a full-tuition scholarship from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, earning a bachelor of arts in communication studies and theater. After college, Daneen attended Temple University's Beasley School of Law, where she met her husband, Graham. They are proud parents of Westley and Arwen, and happily reside in Downingtown, Pa. 22
Waldron Mercy Academy
Melissa Vilaire ’95 is on a shortterm assignment as director of Asia-Pacific operations for her company, where she works for the business division of Western Union and acts as the director of controls and compliance for their Global Operations team. Melissa has served in various roles during her 14 years with her firm and will always remember that her start was directly related to her experience on the WMA and MMA campus. “After graduating from Georgetown University 14 years ago and not knowing where my professional path would lead, I was placed by an agency at my company (then called Ruesch) to answer phones. I first learned this skill from my weekend job right there at the convent answering phones for the sisters when I attended MMA.”
Carly Rose DiGiovanni ’98, received a bachelor of arts from Providence College in Rhode Island, where she studied English and Music. Carly moved to New York City almost ten years ago, where she had a brief stint on the management side of the talent and entertainment industry. In 2008, she began a career at New York University, where she managed the Office of the President for three years. For the past six years, Carly has served as the chief of staff to the dean of the faculty of arts and science, which is the largest school within the University. In 2015, she received her master of arts in higher and postsecondary education administration and student affairs from NYU and has begun her doctoral studies there.
Aliza Johns ’99, a graduate of Drexel University in mechanical engineering, began her career in engineering at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Connecticut. Ever the curious problem solver, since then she has worked on everything from consumer electronics to boat mechanics to international business within Australia, Canada, the UK and Spain. Aliza now works at Samsung Electronics America, managing a portfolio of projects with special funding from HQ in Korea, mobile service and digital products. Over the years Aliza earned a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certification, Six Sigma Black Belt certification and graduate certificate in strategic management. In May, Aliza walked proudly at her commencement from Harvard University. In addition to the degrees and certifications, Aliza won a Women of Color Technology All-Star Award at the 2015 Women of Color STEM Conference and a Virginia Program Recognition Award in 2012.
2000
Amanda Bennett ’00 was married to Craig McDonald on May 19 at St. Francis Xavier Church with brothers Joey ’96 and Michael ’05 along with WMA classmate Maddie BoucasNeto ’00 serving as members of the bridal party. They currently reside in Florida on Anna Marie Island.
Kelly McKelvey ’00 won her second Emmy as a producer for Best Morning Show, Good Morning America. Kelly has been with GMA for 6-1/2 years. She is pictured with hometown hero Ms. Patti LaBelle at the GMA studio in Times Square. A graduate of Merion Mercy and Fordham University, Kelly is the daughter of WMA faculty member, Mrs. Angela McKelvey, and is a resident of New York City.
2006
Andrew Marshaleck ’01 and his wife Kristin are pictured with their son Tucker who was born in 2015. Andrew is employed at Capital One as manager of Credit Card Operations Audit, a position he has held since 2013. He received a bachelor of science in finance and economics from Penn State in 2009 and earned his masters at the University of Virginia in 2010, where he met his future wife. Married in 2013, Andrew and his family are residents of Richmond, Va and are looking forward to welcoming a second son, Tanner, in August.
Ashley Catalano Leckerman ’06 graduated in May with a JD and MBA from Villanova University School of Law and School of Business. After taking the bar this upcoming summer, she will begin working as a first year associate in the Philadelphia office of Blank Rome.
2004
2001
Francesca Gunning ’01 is a public relations manager on the corporate external communications team at AmerisourceBergen, a global healthcare solutions company, ranked 12th on the Fortune 100 list and Pennsylvania's largest company. Prior to AmerisourceBergen, Francesca worked at LevLane and Tierney Communications, two marketing and communications firms in Philadelphia. A graduate of Merion Mercy, she attained her bachelor of science in communications with a concentration in public relations from Villanova University. Francesca serves on the board of the local nonprofit, Rock to the Future, which provides free music education to underserved youth in Philadelphia. According to Francesca, “My whole career has been focused on public relations - I love helping companies, organizations and people tell their story and I'm excited to be a part of a company that helps shape healthcare delivery every single day.”
Andrew Hanna ’04 is currently an associate analyst for Cooke & Bieler, L.P., a Philadelphia-based investment management firm. The associate program rotates through the trading and operations, compliance and marketing departments of the firm. Associates work on implementing various projects, as well as attend meetings with portfolio managers and public companies’ executives, analyze economic trends and conduct securities research. Andrew previously worked as a corporate banking analyst for SunTrust Robinson Humphrey. He earned a master of science in commerce from the University of Virginia in 2013, and an Honors A.B. degree from Rollins College in 2012, where he majored in economics. A graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep, Andrew has passed all three levels of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program. After acquiring additional work experience, Andrew can then apply to use the designation.
Julie Schatz ’06 became a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT) in March. A graduate of Archbishop Carroll, Julie is presently employed at Source One Pharmacy Services, LLC and is pictured at left with her twin sister, Katie.
2009
John Antiskay ’09 graduated in May from the Penn State University Smeal College of Business, pursuing a bachelor in management with a focus in finance. On campus, he was a parttime employee for Penn State Executive Programs as a student program manager and involved with Net Impact, a nonprofit membership organization for students and professionals interested in using business skills in support of various social and environmental causes. John interned at Cornerstone Discovery for three summers as a legal consulting intern, and Legal Science in Philadelphia. John will join CGI Federal in Fairfax, Va. as a business analyst consultant, supporting the go-live efforts of the Executive Office of the US Attorney at the Department of Justice. Grateful for his years at WMA, John shared, "Waldron Mercy Academy was the beginning of my academic, musical and spiritual journey. I would not be in the position I am today, had it not been for the outstanding faculty and staff that influenced my development and gave me lifelong memories to cherish. My Waldron Mercy experience taught me to be a part of something bigger than myself and I am grateful for my mercy education to this day. Go Tigers!"
2008
Kerry Candeloro ‘08 has been awarded the Early Career Voice Practitioner Diversity Scholarship from the Voice and Speech Trainers Association. In August, Kerry will be travelling to Singapore to attend the 31st Annual International VASTA Conference entitled, The Art of Storytelling! Kerry is a graduate of Merion Mercy and NYU.
Wilton Oliver, Jr ’09 graduated in May from the University of Pennsylvania with a double major of urban studies and sociology and a minor in law and society. Will credits his academic success to his foundation at Waldron Mercy, which he attended for 11 years. Upon graduating from the Haverford School, he received the Mayor’s Scholarship to Penn and interned in the Philadelphia Mayor’s office. At Penn’s commencement, Will received several honors and was congratulated by commencement speaker, N. J. Senator Cory Booker. Will plans to work for two years and then pursue his masters or attend law school. BLUE & GOLD
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2010
Peter Bellwoar ’10 is a junior at Penn State University in State College. Peter is enrolled in the Smeal College of Business and is on track to pursue a master of science in risk management with an enterprise risk option as well as academic minor in economics and international business. He is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Prep. Peter will intern this summer for Grant Thornton in Washington D.C.
Andrew Marsini ’10 co-wrote, produced, mixed, engineered and did the music on The Good Life 2016-17 STS Foundation Highlight Video project, which won a competition at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Andrew is on the Dean’s List with a 3.9 GPA.
2011
John Kuyat ’11 was elected vice president of Fordham College at Rose Hill. A graduate of Malvern Prep, John has already made his mark on the college with his plan to install a beehive on campus, complete with the arrival of bees. The Urban Beekeeping Initiative is in pursuit of creating a more sustainable campus. It is driven by colony collapse disorder (CCD) and the designation of several bee species on the US Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species List. John is also a member of the Fordham Ramblers, an a cappella singing group.
Michael Quinn ’11 is an English major at Boston College. Involved in many dramatic productions while at Waldron and at St. Joseph’s Prep,
In Memor um
Michael recently directed The Boston College Dramatic Society’s April production of “This is Our Youth,” a play by Kenneth Lonergan. He was on the team for Joycestick, a virtual reality adaptation of James Joyce's "Ulysses," which is set to launch in Dublin this summer. He will also be directing “Venus in Fur” in the fall and, this winter, the Boston College Theater Department will be staging Michael’s play “Get It Together."
organization devoted to educating and empowering young women. Catherine has been accepted to Harvard, Stanford and Yale and has decided on matriculating at Yale where her interest lies in astrophysics.
2015
2013
Catherine Azizi ’13 was recognized as a National Merit Scholar during her senior year at The Agnes Irwin School. Catherine is among only 2,500 students nationwide to earn this distinction. While at Agnes Irwin, Catherine was a member of the service and repertory boards, as well as the debate team and a cappella group. She performed in theatrical productions both at Agnes Irwin and at The Haverford School. She was also involved with the Council for Advancement of Girls, an
Kaitlyn Pryzdial ’15 submitted an entry for NASA’s Ames Space Settlement Project which invites seventh to twelth grade students around the world to design a system off of earth where humans could exist for at least three generations. According to Kaitlyn, “This project was important to me because it gave me the chance to work on an issue that normally I would not get to think about and research. I learned about many new types of technology that I was not aware even existed.” A sophomore at Mount St. Joseph’s Academy, Kaitlyn’s entry was among the 1,500 submitted by about 6,000 students throughout the world. While she is awaiting the outcome of her proposal, Kaitlyn is already thinking about next year and ways to improve upon her system.
Rita Galligan
George McCarron
Edith Still
great-grandmother of Finn ’21 and Cal ’23 Tierney
great-grandmother of Jessica ’18 and Christine ’20 Link
Linda Agger
Theresa Guyer
brother of Trish, faculty
father of Debbie Stritch, father-in-law of former staff Steve Stritch; grandfather of Jim ’94, Pat ’95, Stephen ’00 and John Thomas ’09 Stritch
mother of Jim ’18
grandmother of Kristy Constantino Pagano ’00 and Alexa Constantino ’07
Bethel Gibson Jr.
Ruth Nyairo
Aideen O’Malley Cooney
Barbara Goldner
Ed Atkinson uncle of Jeff Mullen, trustee
Dorothy Behrle grandmother of Stephen ’89 and Joe ’92
Rose Bell
sister of Hilaire O’Malley ’53
Anthony Coleman father of Nancy Killeen, staff
great-grandmother of Jamere ’20
Catherine Farrell
Elizabeth Bowe
Leonard Francis
great-grandmother of Ashleigh Marmer ’17
grandfather of Grace ’18 and Jack ’20 Dever
Helen Carabasi
William Frio
mother of Anthony ’62
grandfather of Bill ’84; great-grandfather of Joe ’11
Anthony Colavita grandfather of Marc ’14
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Waldron Mercy Academy
former faculty
Michelle (Micki) Gaffney wife of James ’66; mother of Tish ’93 and Jamie ’01
Russell Giangiulio
Sara Tait
grandmother of Cameron Reed ’23
grandmother of Alison Nolan, staff; great-grandmother of Bryan ’15, Matthew ’15 and Jared ’16
Mary Bernice Pedano
Mary Thomas
Rebeca Gonzalez
mother of Nicholas ’77, Andrea MMA ’79, James ’79, Francis ’81 and Monica MMA ’87
great-grandmother of Janae Ravenell ’18
grandmother of Isabella ’18 and Regina ’18 Monroy
James Phelan Jr.
uncle of Sierra Corbett ’11 grandmother of Louis Cinquanto ’13
Thomas L. Hagan ’64 Lorraine Kelley mother of Sherri Leuzzi grandmother of Kristian ’11, Blaise ’14 and James ’18 Leuzzi
William Laws father of Shirley Laws; grandfather of Courtney Laws ’98
father of John ’84
Theodore Toole ’36 Mary Travaglini
Olga Prychka
grandmother of Chris ’05 and Vincent ’07
great-grandmother of Annalise DeAngelis ’23
June White
Antoinette Przydzial grandmother of Kaitlyn ’15
mother of Michael, staff
Paul Willemin
Michele Rondinelli
son of Nell Willemin, former faculty
niece of S. Marita Carmel, faculty
Edward Wootten
Nelson Scheuermann grandfather of Max ’16 and Stephanie ’18
grandfather of Courtney Wootten Gliwa ’94
Nile Andah, class of 2017, caught up with Mr. Bob Fogarty before his retirement to find out more about what makes him tick. Here’s what he discovered.
Q: How long have you
been teaching?
A: I’ve been teaching for 36
years, in four different Mercy elementary schools: Our Mother of Good Counsel in Bryn Mawr, Saint Thomas-Good Counsel in Bryn Mawr, Saint Matthias in Bala Cynwyd (my alma materclass of ‘65) and Waldron Mercy Academy.
Q: Did you enjoy teaching
in the schools other than Waldron Mercy?
A: Absolutely! I learned the
craft of teaching and the spirit of Mercy by teaching in those schools. I have many, many great memories of heading up yearbook staffs, coaching and moderating clubs.
Q:
Have you always taught at the middle school level?
A: I have. The very first home-
room I had was grade seven at Our Mother of Good Counsel. The entire grade seven consisted of 20 students and I estimate that they would be about 52-years-old today. I am still in touch with some of those students and have actually taught some of their children.
Q:
What would be the top five memories during your teaching career?
A: #1: Meeting my wife, Ann,
at Saint Thomas-Good Counsel. She changed my life forever. #2: Teaching my nieces Caili and Kit Fogarty and my nephew Jay Fogarty. #3: Winning the Teacher of the Year Award for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia while teaching at Saint Matthias and the Sister Mary Cephas Award (Teacher of the Year) while teaching at Waldron Mercy. #4: Being recognized by Sister Patricia Smith, a former principal
at Waldron Mercy, as a person who lives out the charism of mercy in their life. #5: The privilege of knowing, teaching, and being associated with so many great students over the years.
Q:
Have you always taught religion or have you taught other subjects?
A: Religion is not the only
subject I have taught. I have taught every subject in grades seven and eight, including music, gym and art and have enjoyed teaching them all. I feel that teaching all those subjects made me a well-rounded teacher. The only subject I haven’t taught would be a foreign language.
Q:
What are your interests outside of school?
A: I love to read and am currently enjoying George Mumford’s book The Mindful Athlete and Silence by Thich Nhat Hanh. My students know that I am a huge practitioner of mindful meditation. I enjoy playing guitar. I am self-taught and have been playing since I was about 15 years old. I also enjoy exercising...walking, rowing, and working out on the Total Gym (just like Chuck Norris!).
Q&A 10 Questions with Mr. Bob Fogarty
Q:
Q: This is your retirement
A: I believe it began while I was
A: Well, I’ve enjoyed the
You moderate the Mercy Neighborhood Ministries After School Outreach Program. Where did your love of outreach come from? in high school. I was a member of the Community Service Corps. One day a week we would board a bus after school and travel to tutor elementary students in an economically stressed neighborhood school. I really enjoyed that.
Q:
You have been known to have hilarious sayings in class. They have become famous among students. Where did your well developed sense of humor come from?
year. What are your thoughts about your career and what will you do during your retirement years?
vocation of teaching and am so glad I was called to follow that path. It was the right choice for me. The time flew by and there was never a dull moment, especially at Waldron Mercy which offered so many opportunities to get involved in so many different activities. Ann and I will do some traveling and we are looking forward to ‘hanging out’ with family and friends.
A: I grew up in an Irish Catholic
family in Bala Cynwyd and am the fifth of eight children. If you didn’t develop a sense of humor in that environment, you just weren’t going to survive!
Q:
How did you come up with the concept of intramurals at recess?
A: It was easy. The idea
basically came from the students. At Saint Thomas-Good Counsel I moderated an Ultimate Frisbee league. Grades five through eight had recess at the same time, so interested students signed up to be in the league. That was followed by a draft, a season that lasted all year, an all-star game, playoffs and championship. I’ve been moderating intramurals at recess for 25 years.
To read Nile’s extended interview with Mr. Fogarty visit www.waldronmercy.org/blueandgold.
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