Ellie Sawyer Plans Career in

Opera

Vocalist Ellie Sawyer (AHA ’24) recently made an exciting decision. She completed Westminster Choir College’s Solo Vocal Artist Program with a strengthened determination to pursue a career as an opera singer.

“This experience deepened my passion as a vocalist and reminded me why I love what I do so much, and made me excited to pursue it. I also learned some very helpful tools like the international phonetic alphabet which helps with singing in different languages,” Ellie shared.

She is now auditioning for a winter program at the Metropolitan Opera, and decided to study German with the goal of singing in Germany one day.

Ellie sings with the AHA Concert Choir and Seraphima (the Academy’s selective a cappella ensemble), and plays for the AHA Handbell Choir. She is a member of the Tri-M Honor Society.

Chloe Ibrahim Earns Rising Star Award

Just three days after graduation, Chloe Ibrahim (AHA ’22) received a Rising Star Award from the Paper Mill Playhouse. She was recognized for outstanding student achievement for her role as student director of the spring production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”

AHA’s award-winning director, alumna Katharine Collins, who provided overall direction of the musical comedy, said she “is extremely proud of Chloe and could not have done the show without her. Her organization, passion, and commitment to ‘Spelling Bee’ is what made it such a wonderful success.”

Chloe is currently studying biology at the University of Washington – Seattle, where she planned to join the university’s theater crew.

Violinist Performs in Hawaii, Helps Lead NY Youth Symphony

Faith Youn’s expert musicianship and abiding love for playing her violin regularly earn her invitations to perform in thrilling venues. During the summer of 2022, this member of the Class of 2023 traveled to Hawaii to take part in the Pacific Music Institute run by the Hawaii Youth Symphony and National Orchestral Institute + Festival. Faith performed at the Hawaii Convention Center and various senior living homes in Oahu. The group presented classical pieces and traditional works of music from Hawaii.

Faith was also named principal second violinist for the New York Youth Symphony’s fall concert cycle and the assistant principal second violinist for the winter and spring concert cycles of the 2022-23 season.

Cho & Romano Sign with College Dance Teams

Two of Academy of the Holy Angels’ newest alumnae (Class of ’22) are continuing their dance careers at the college level. Ella Cho signed with Villanova and Nicole Romano signed with Penn State. AHA Head Dance Coach Jenny Sweet organized the June 8 signing ceremony.

Cho was captain of the AHA Varsity Dance Team during her senior year. In 2021-22, she and her team earned their second consecutive sweep at the New Jersey Cheer and Dance State Championships (2021, 2022). At UDA Nationals, Cho led her team to a silver medal in small varsity hip-hop (second out of 37) and a bronze medal in small varsity pom (third out of 57). This Angel was instrumental in her team’s silver (second out of 56) and bronze medals (third out of 86) at the 2020 UDA Nationals. Cho is an AHA legacy. Her mother, Dorothy Kim Cho, graduated from Holy Angels in 1991.

Romano, who took private dance lessons, was also a member of the AHA Varsity Soccer Team. During her senior year, she participated in the Academy’s training program for Eucharistic Ministers. She was commissioned by Bishop Michael Saporito on Feast Day 2021.

Class of ’22 Wins Athletic Honors

Varsity lacrosse and basketball player Emily Danahy (AHA ’22) received the Academy’s prestigious Angel Award in recognition of her exceptional spirit, dedication, and leadership. Danahy was one of six 2022 AHA graduates honored at the Parents’ Athletic Association Spring Sports Awards Dinner.

AHA Athletic Director Patti Gorsuch announced Danahy’s win, noting this Angel’s willingness to give her all to her sports and her teams. Danahy was recognized for her ability to bring her teammates together and her commitment to encouraging younger players. She earned seven varsity letters and honors that include First Team All-County, First Team All-League, and All-State Non-Public Player of the Year awards.

“She never really cared about personal stats or league awards. It was always about the team; about having fun; about doing everything to win,” Gorsuch said.

Tennis star Brooke Hess brought home the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Scholar Athlete Award and the Bergen County Women Coaches Association Scholarship. Hess won two county titles at Second Singles and was First Team All-League, First Team AllCounty, Finalist for NorthJersey.com Girls Tennis Player of the Year, First Team All Non-Public, First Singles Third Team All-Flight, First Team All North Jersey, and First Team All-State. Her team earned two Bergen County Championships. In 2021, she played in the State Singles Semifinals.

Danahy and Hess also had their jerseys retired. Both Angels signed with college teams in 2021. Danahy now plays lacrosse at Siena College. Hess plays tennis for Dartmouth, following in the footsteps of her sister, Ashley Hess (AHA ’19).

Eliza Hoover and Caelan McHugh received the BCWCA Multi-Sport Award.

Hoover ran varsity cross-country and track and played varsity soccer. She was invited to the Meet of Champions and received most valuable player honors as she garnered

All-League and All-County recognition. Hoover also helped AHA win its first Penn Wheel at the Penn Relays. In May 2022, Hoover signed with Gettysburg College, where she is continuing her running career.

McHugh was a member of the varsity soccer, basketball, and track teams. She served as captain of the AHA Soccer Team, and played for a club team. As a junior, and again as a senior, she earned First Team All-League in the Big North Conference. McHugh signed with the University of Rhode Island’s soccer team in 2021.

McHugh also received a PAA scholarship, as did softball player Claire Cook. Cook, who now plays for Providence College, helped AHA reach the state tournament with her excellent pitching and a clutch grand slam.

Big North Student Athlete Awards went to Danahy, Hess, Cook, Hoover, McHugh, and varsity soccer player Julianna Sirico. Sirico is now a member of Franklin & Marshall’s soccer team.

Angel Athletes Sign Letters of Intent

Eliza Hoover and Julianna Sirico (both AHA ’22) signed letters of intent to continue their athletic careers during their college years. Hoover, a varsity track star, now runs for Gettysburg College, where she is pursuing a degree in business, management, and organizations. Sirico, a soccer standout, plays for Franklin and Marshall College and studies applied mathematics. Friends, family, and coaches Megan Delasandro (soccer) and Howard Schuman (track) attended the May 9, 2022 signing ceremony at AHA.

Sweet Sweep for AHA Varsity Tennis

The Academy of the Holy Angels Varsity Tennis Team closed out September 2022 by winning the Bergen County Championship and accomplishing a clean sweep of the singles and doubles titles.

After earning the 2021 county title in the large schools bracket, AHA was moved to the small schools bracket this year. Although the team could not defend its large schools title, the Angels quickly proved they would excel in any bracket. Wins went to Erin Ha, First Singles; Norah Park, Second Singles; Ali Darmanin, Third Singles; Mia Custodio and Eva Cho, First Doubles; and Ella Oaten and Autumn Morrissey, Second Doubles. The varsity team also includes Stephanie Chan, Chaewon “Allison” Chung, and Anna Jang.

“This is a wonderful accomplishment,” AHA Athletic Director Patti Gorsuch stated. “Most amazing is that our girls ran the table, never losing a match during the two-day event.”

AHA Varsity Tennis Coach Meaghan Williams shared, “I am delighted to steer this wonderful group of tenacious young ladies toward the Bergen County Title. Each player and her family has made sacrifices for the team, which I appreciate. On this anniversary of Title IX, it is my honor to represent Holy Angels at the top of Bergen County girls’ tennis.”

June 23, 2022 was the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, a federal law that barred sex discrimination in the nation’s schools and allowed young women greater access to opportunities in athletics.

Golfers Capture Triple Crown

In May 2022, the varsity golf team completed a lights-out, first-ever undefeated season (14-0 in overall league play) that included an elusive triple crown. The Angels became league champions, Big North champions, and AHA’s first Bergen County and State Sectional champions. The team finished second in the state, and Angelina Kim ’25 finished third in the state as an individual. The team includes Kim, Sharanya Agarwal ’25, Inha Jun ’25, Sidney Chung ’24, and Amelia Shen ’23.

“This has been a very special season and what the girls accomplished this year is amazing,” AHA Varsity Golf Coach Patrick Dunne said. “Since the girls are very young and have years left in their high school careers, we hope our success will continue.”

Dunne and his team were thrilled to post a win over Bergen Tech during the season, since Bergen Tech had not lost a season match in almost two years.

“Our win over Immaculate Heart at Ridgewood Country Club was also special,” he added.

Examining Immigration Issues in South Texas

Several Angels spent a week in June 2022 interacting with migrant families and children in South Texas. Their Mission Awareness Process trip allowed them to learn how the School Sisters of Notre Dame offer support to migrants near the Texas-Mexico border.

Grace Cuttita, Breanna Hetzer, Jackie LaMastra, Raffaela Manoy, Marina Poire, Sydney Ponti, Ava Santoro, and Ava Tripodi worked with Sister Regina Palacios from the SSND Central Pacific Province, AHA Campus Ministry Director Kathleen Sylvester, and AHA Social Studies Department Chair Gail Fair.

In San Antonio, the Angels met three groups of migrant boys at Saint Peter–Saint Joseph Children’s Home.

“Some kids explained how they were lost, and how many days they went without food,” said Marina Poire, the group’s English/Spanish translator. “Some of them were kidnapped and some of them had to run from kidnappers.”

AHA’s travelers also volunteered at the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, where several Angels became frustrated when they could not fulfill migrants’ requests for clothes and shoes. Toward the end of their trip, the group prayed at the border wall and visited the Rio Grande.

Angels Advocate for Peace in Ukraine

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is affecting citizens in many nations, including Alexis Mysliwiec and Nicole Yakubov, president and VP, respectively, of AHA’s Slavic-Baltic Cultural Society. During International Week 2022, these Angels led the school in moving prayers for peace that were delivered in Ukrainian and English.

Mysliwiec, founder and president of the SBCSociety, has friends at the border with Ukraine who have been helping thousands of mothers and children.

“My goal is to use my club as a source to connect students and further educate the girls through fundraising and especially through International Night,” she said. The 2022 event helped support the Red Cross International’s work in Ukraine.

“I am Ukrainian and Alexis is Polish, so we are both deeply connected to the current tragedy,” said Yakubov. In addition to prayer, she suggests showing solidarity by attending a peaceful rally, contacting legislators, and signing petitions.

“I am a first-born American from parents from Ukraine so I am deeply connected with my Ukrainian identity,” Yakubov said. “Before COVID, I went to Ukraine almost every summer. The prayer I said in Ukrainian was the National Hymn of Ukraine. It is a very powerful and meaningful prayer for all Ukrainians as the struggle for independence has not yet ceased.”

“Seeing and hearing the experiences of the young, unaccompanied boys at St. Peter–St. Joseph Children’s Home was our first encounter with the dire conditions and reasons why the refugee movement is so large,” Gail Fair said. “While it was both physically and emotionally difficult for us, and we knew we would never know what happens to these refugees, I was so proud of our students. They learned so much and opened their hearts to the needs of others.”

Academy Raises $6,026 for SSND Haiti Fund

At the start of her senior year, Janella Osbourne (AHA ’22) approached AHA Campus Ministry Director Kathleen Sylvester about establishing Solidarity with Haiti to support the Haitian people. By the time Osbourne graduated, the entire Academy had come together to raise $6,026 for the SSND Haiti Fund. Haiti is one of the focus areas for the SSND Atlantic Midwest Province, which is one of AHA’s common missions for 2022-23 along with Hurricane Relief in Puerto Rico.

“Creating Solidarity with Haiti at AHA was my way of helping my people in the best way I can,” Osbourne said. “Recently, Haiti has been going through many hardships and the people need our help now more than ever. After I graduate, I am hoping to bring my ideas with me to wherever I head next to continue the effort to support the Haitian people.”

Charter members of Solidarity with Haiti include Amelia Blanco, Stephanie Chan, Elena DeBari, Angelina Ferolie, Natalia Gonzalez, Jennifer Haemmerle, Thandiwe Laba, Zulemia Noriega, Chloe Rodriguez, and Sophia Chounoune, who is now the organization’s president.