THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
1
Bretton Woods Golf Course River Road • Potomac, MD 12:00 noon Registration/warm-up 1:00 pm Shotgun Start 6:00 pm Dinner Format: Captain’s Choice; 3 drives minimum per golfer Contests: Hole-in-One, Closest to the Pin, Long Drive, Putting and MORE Goal: Everyone will have fun while supporting a great cause! Foursome: $750 Individual: $200 Dinner Only: $25 Price includes admission to the Golf Classic, a voucher for a second round of golf (at later date), lunch, dinner, awards and prizes, and AHCGC/2013 souvenir.
2
The TARTAN Summer 2013
Leadership Change Coming for the Academy............................................................2 ACADEMY Campus Ministry Inaugurates Peer Ministry Class....................................................3 Christian Commitment Grows Globally Through IB Connection.............................5 Onyx Club – Celebrating Diversity Among Tartans..................................................6 Freshman Reflections................................................................................................7 Perspectives from a Young Alumna............................................................................8 Reflections from a Board of Trustees Freshman..........................................................9 A Junior’s View of Powder Puff................................................................................10 AHC Homecoming.................................................................................................11 COMMUNITY Toast the Tartans.....................................................................................................12 39 Wonderful Years: Reflections on Mrs. Hoffmann...............................................14 The Wit and Wisdom of Mrs. Kreis........................................................................16 CLASS OF 2013.....................................................................................................18
OUR MISSION The Academy of the Holy Cross, a Catholic college preparatory school sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross since 1868, is dedicated to educating young women in a Christcentered community which values diversity. The Academy is committed to developing women of courage, compassion and scholarship who responsibly embrace the social, spiritual and intellectual challenges of the world.
ATHLETICS Athletic Hall of Fame Inducts Outstanding Swimmers............................................20 The Coach Sheahan Excellence Award....................................................................21 Athletics Recap........................................................................................................23
THE TARTAN IS A PUBLICATION OF THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS.
HERITAGE Holy Cross Day.......................................................................................................26 Honoring the Sisters on Holy Cross Day.................................................................28
MAGAZINE STAFF
ANNUAL GIVING Why a Planned Gift?...............................................................................................29 The AHC “Academy Awards” Benefit Auction........................................................30 ALUMNAE HAPPENINGS Alumnae Happenings..............................................................................................32 CL ASS NOTES Tartan News from Class of 1950 through 2012.......................................................34 In Memoriam..........................................................................................................40
Kathleen Ryan Prebble, President/CEO Ann Nichols, Principal
Danielle Mahaney Ballantine ’86, Editor Director of Communications Louise Hendon Special Projects Coordinator Kara Law Director of Alumnae Affairs Charly Ryan Director of Institutional Advancement Margaret Thomas Principal’s Office LAYOUT/DESIGN/PRODUCTION Luisa Giorla Palting ’85 luisadesigns
The Academy of the Holy Cross does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin in its educational policy, personnel policies, admission policies, scholarship and financial aid prorams or other school administered programs.
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
1
AHC President, ex officio, Claire Helm
AHC President, incoming, Kathleen Ryan Prebble
This past September, AHC President Claire Helm announced that she would retire at the end of the 2012-2013 school year. Claire has served as AHC’s President since 2008, and has navigated many improvements during her tenure. In addition to the implementation of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at the Academy, Claire has been responsible for numerous campus improvements both inside and out, increasing student financial assistance and scholarships, growing the Academy’s annual fund and endowment, and implementing the overhaul of the Academy’s technology department including inaugurating a new website. Claire also focused efforts on strengthening appreciation of the worldwide Holy Cross heritage within the community, particularly with students, faculty and staff, and increased outreach to the Academy’s alumnae. She also revamped AHC’s administration to involve senior leadership in decision-making. Through the fall and winter, the appointed President Search Committee worked with the search firm Education Strategies, Inc. to find Claire’s replacement. Focus groups for Parents, Alumnae, Faculty/Staff and other stakeholders helped the Search Committee formulate a desired profile for the Academy’s next President. Applicants were reviewed and selected for interview. Finally, on February 19, 2013, The Academy of the Holy Cross announced the appointment of the new President to the community - Kathleen “Katy” Ryan Prebble. A Catholic educator and administrator for many years, Katy has served as a science and math teacher, dean of students, assistant head of school, and president of two Catholic high schools. She most recently served as the President of Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, VA. During her tenure there, she has strengthened and expanded a dual credit/enrollment program with Marymount University, introduced a Bring Your Own Device pilot program, began a comprehensive academic support program, and initiated a major gifts program that has accumulated $6.5 million to date. She also directed the renovation of the outdoor athletic facilities, which included installation of an all-weather turf field and track, new bleachers, a press box and an electronic scoreboard. Additionally, she stabilized a declining three-year enrollment, increased the school’s financial aid budget and created two new scholarship funds. As the President of Mount de Sales Academy in Macon, GA, Katy completed a $3.5 million capital campaign for new and renovated construction, established endowments for faculty and student programs and increased tuition assistance by over 600 percent. She also received dual accreditation for SACS/SAIS (The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/ The Southern Association of Independent Schools) in 2007, as a result of reincorporating the sixth grade into the middle school, establishing an after-school program, and increasing professional development budgets and participation by over 50 percent. “I am so pleased to be joining The Academy of the Holy Cross community. While I have enjoyed the experience of the co-ed atmosphere at Bishop O’Connell, I look forward to returning to the all-girls environment, ” said Katy. “A single-sex atmosphere inspires girls to achieve all they can beyond traditional gender roles without distractions. The Academy’s mission of ‘developing women of courage, compassion and scholarship,’ speaks of this so clearly.”
COU RAGE 2
The TARTAN Summer 2013
C O M PAS S IO N
S C HO L AR S HIP
Campus Ministry Inaugurates Peer Ministry Class By Danielle Mahaney Ballantine ’86, Director of Communications
Campus Ministry plays a vital role in the life of a Catholic school. Not only is there the daily promotion of spiritual development, but also numerous activities and programs to nurture and sustain students. In addition to Mass on Holy Days, students have the opportunity to attend daily prayer, weekly Mass, regular Reconciliation, and class-level retreats. This year, The Academy of the Holy Cross introduced a new class to the curriculum for students – Peer Ministry. Students entering Senior year are eligible to apply for the course by completing a self-evaluation and writing an essay. As the course description states, students are required to build self-awareness, develop a spirituality based on contemplation and action, and investigate the roles of service and leadership from spiritual and academic perspectives. Peer Ministers serve as the spiritual leaders of the school community by planning and leading Campus Ministry programs. The inaugural Peer Ministry class is comprised of eight Class of 2013 students. They offered their perspectives on the new class and the Campus Ministry program at Holy Cross in a Q & A group interview at the end of their first semester. Q: What is Campus Ministry and why is it important to Holy Cross? Peer Ministry (PM) A: Pure and simple – Campus Ministry is the heart of faith life at AHC. It’s the driving force of prayer, liturgies and retreats – essentially all things “spiritual.” We are learning to balance our Christian life as teenagers. Campus Ministry makes it possible for everyone to feel welcome, and having the students involved helps with that. Our friends see that we aren’t embarrassed to be involved and it gives a connection to encourage others to come to Chapel. As Peer Ministers we are able to set an example for our classmates and especially for Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors. When we started in the class, Mrs. Ruszkowski (Campus Minister and teacher of the Peer Ministry class) spoke to us about being able to face rejection. Not everyone will want to come to Chapel. We’re lucky to have Mrs. Ruszkowki and ‘Ms. J’ [Lolita Jardeleza] as an example. As classes grow closer together, Campus Ministry helps keep God in the center. The retreat program and especially Kairos (a four-day retreat AHC Seniors attend) makes a big impact and sets a foundation. Masses are planned and focused on the students. Q: Why is Campus Ministry important to you? PM A: Holy Cross, and especially Campus Ministry, are like our family away from home. It’s been very cool to reach out to our fellow LOTAs (Ladies of the Academy) to offer the Campus Ministry’s opportunities. Our class has been drawn closer together but also we have grown in our own spirituality. It’s also important that we are welcoming to everyone, including non-Catholics. We want the message to be that they are really
loved for who they are. Campus Ministry is a catalyst to our Holy Cross experience including the Brothers and Sisters outside of AHC. Every Holy Cross school shares a same set of values. We’ve had the ability to connect with them through the Campus Ministry connection. (editor’s note: AHC participated in the Holy Cross Conference for Student Leaders in summer 2012 and 2013. The conference focused on bringing together students from Holy Cross schools around the country to share the common Holy Cross heritage.) Q: What do you do in Peer Ministry classes? PM A: We help with retreat preparations for the Freshman retreat, Junior Overnight and Kairos. We work on retreat activities, and helped the student retreat leaders prepare their talks. We were taught by Father Paul Dressler, OFM Cap. (a frequent presider at AHC liturgies) how to serve as a Lector at Mass. We wrote a paper on the history of Campus Ministry. We assist with Mass preparation, and daily prayer and meditation in the Chapel. At the end of the semester, we began preparation for the Archdiocesan Campus Ministry Student Leaders Conference in February. Q: How has the Peer Ministry Class changed the way you view your faith? PM A: Mass has much greater meaning now – we feel better connected to the liturgy now that we’re involved. We pay closer attention and can relate the readings to our life. We’ve been inspired to do more community service and get involved in different aspects of service. Now our lives and our “spiritual” lives are intertwined. We have become much more “hands-on” for planning and appreciate all the work that goes into the Campus Ministry program here. As a result of the Peer Ministry class, all of the students are certain that they plan to get involved with their college Campus Ministry programs. The Peer Ministry class has given them a deeper appreciation of the importance of a strong connection to Campus Ministry. Additionally, one of the students, who is not Catholic, is currently going through RCIA and plans to become Catholic. PEER MINISTRY STUDENTS (Pictured above) Taylor Branson ’13 Allison Davitt ’13 Katherine Janela ’13 Ambrosia Long ’13
Nadia Olaciregui ’13 Amber Smithers ’13 Dana Whitley ’13 Megan Wilmarth ’13
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
3
(Right) IB students organized “Breakfast for Bangladesh” which raised over $1,100 for the Sisters of Holy Cross in Bangladesh.
(Above) During “K2 Day,” AHC students wore colors of the Ugandan flag - the photo was sent to the Moreau School in Kirinda.
(Left) Eight sponsors donated breakfast items for “Breakfast for Bangladesh.”
4
The TARTAN Summer 2013 2012
By Danielle Mahaney Ballantine ’86, Director of Communications
hen Joanne Cooke joined AHC as Coordinator for Christian Service three years ago, the Academy was just about to begin its first year as an International Baccalaureate World School. A key component to the IB Diploma Programme is Creativity, Action and Service (CAS), where students participate in and lead a variety of activities in conjunction with their academic studies. The Christian Service Commitment (CSC) already in place provided a strong foundation for students to serve others, and coordinating both CAS and CSC was a natural fit. Joanne was tasked with working out the logistics. The result has been an expanded and enhanced service program resulting in more opportunities for students and the entire AHC community to be involved. “IB has had a huge effect,” says Joanne. “By bringing IB to Holy Cross, the Christian Service Commitment has enlarged.” By this, she means that the additional service opportunities coordinated by the IB Diploma students through their collaborative projects allow the entire community to participate. AHC students participate in CSC activities through service projects organized by co-curricular clubs, or by specific courses or grade-level classes. The Christian Service office also initiates service opportunities. Participation constitutes a part of the Theology course requirements. Students perform a combination of “core” or direct involvement hours, and “general” or indirect hours. By the time a “Lady of the Academy” graduates, she may have amassed well over 125 hours of service. Students are also required to complete written reflection assignments about their activities. Throughout the school year, Joanne organizes several service projects in which the entire school community participates. Two of these, which have become hallmark examples of service at the Academy, are Sandwiches for Martha’s Table and the Oxfam Hunger Banquet. The Academy’s connection with Martha’s Table began more than 25 years ago. Students make bags and bags of sandwiches that are delivered to Martha’s Table in Northwest Washington. On a monthly basis, volunteers (faculty, staff and students) ride in one of the McKenna Wagon vans and help with distributing meals to those in need. “I think the students who ride McKenna’s Wagon learn so much more about the experience of service than any teacher could ever explain in a classroom,” says alumna and Science faculty Nina Fontana ’03, who chaperoned McKenna’s Wagon rides with Holy Cross students. “It was interesting and fun for me to watch their reactions as they stepped outside their comfort zone.” Nina also teaches the AHC Theory of Knowledge (TOK) course in the IB Diploma Pro-
gramme, where students examine the “nature of knowing” as a human construction. Each year in November, the Academy celebrates Thanksgiving in a unique way with the Oxfam Hunger Banquet. Instead of a traditional banquet, Tartans reflect on the inequality of the world’s distribution of food. The students, faculty and staff eat a lunch comparable to the population of the different world income levels. Financial contributions are collected for Oxfam America, an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. AHC held its first hunger banquet in 1993, making this year the 20th annual event. This special tradition leaves a lasting impression on students who spend the day contemplating the concept of “living simply so others might simply live.” CAS projects are developed as a result of the IB students enhancing their personal and interpersonal development through experiential learning. Projects evolve from the students’ interest, and are researched, promoted and organized by the students themselves, with guidance from the Christian Service office. This past December, the Class of 2014 IB students organized “K2 Day (Kensington, MD x Kirinda, Uganda = K2).” The students educated the AHC community at an all-school assembly about the Moreau School in Kirinda, which is run by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, and asked all to participate in a fundraiser to support the school. The day of solidarity included a lunchtime bake sale and an out-of-uniform tag day, where students were encouraged to wear colors from the Ugandan flag – black, yellow and red. At the end of the day, over $1,200 was raised for the Moreau School. Early in this school year, Sister Tina Moury, CSC, came to speak to the IB Diploma Candidate class. Sister Tina is from Bangladesh and spoke about her life and the impact of the Sisters of the Holy Cross on her life. Specifically, she spoke about the Sisters’ work in health care and education. As a result of the visit, the IB students researched the Bangladesh culture and economic conditions. They then decided to organize a schoolwide fundraiser for the Sisters’ ministries there. The result, “Breakfast for Bangladesh,” gave the Holy Cross community the opportunity to support the effort (and get a breakfast treat in return). Seven Class of 2013 IB students organized the breakfast, including obtaining donations from eight area businesses. The result was a successful event, which raised over $1,100 for the ministry of the Holy Cross Sisters in Bangladesh. As the IB Programme continues to evolve, the opportunities for additional CAS service projects will likely grow as well. As a core value of The Academy of the Holy Cross, commitment to Christian service continues to put the mission into action. THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
5
By Rafiat Animashaun ’13
Celebrating Diversity Among Tartans When I first joined the Onyx Club, I never imagined how influential and important this club would become to me. The Onyx Club is one of the many extra-curricular activities I have participated in, but one of the few that I have been a part of all four years at Holy Cross. Few people actually know the full scope of the Onyx Club’s purpose. In fact, if you were to walk through the halls of Holy Cross and ask students “What is the Onyx Club?,” I believe most of the students would say, "It's a black student union." However, the Onyx Club is much more. By definition, the Onyx Club is a minority student club composed of primarily African-American students but open to all to help students develop a common bond with each other and an appreciation for the diversity of the student body. Activities include teen forums with other area Catholic high schools, informative assemblies, service activities, and field trips. Since Freshman year, I have attended many of the teen forums and field trips, and participated in the assemblies and service activities. I can say with certainty that these activities have helped me to grow as a student by widening my appreciation for diversity, human experience, and the arts. Our Moderator, Ms. Debbie Brown, has so much interest and excitement for the club. She offers guidance and support to club officers and members as we work toward club goals and activities. My favorite of the Onyx Club activities is the teen forum, without a doubt. Teen forums are discussions held by different local Catholic high schools. The topics are issues relevant to our daily lives, such as the elections, how the presence of one, both, or neither parent affects a teenager’s life, social networking, sports, and the arts. Our club is frequently invited to the teen forums and we also host a teen forum each year. Through the teen forums, I have been able to appreciate differences in thoughts and opinions which lead to better discussions and a fuller understanding of the diversity of the world. I’ve also greatly enjoyed Onyx Club field trips. We took a field trip to the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, DC, to see the musical “Fela” and to the Broadway Theater in New York to see the musical “Sister Act” with Raven-Symoné. These have given me a wider appreciation for the Arts. When we visited the Martin Luther King Memorial, we took time to reflect on the three themes that the Memorial conveys that were central to Dr. King's legacy: Democracy, Justice and Hope. Afterwards, we stopped for lunch at Ben’s Chili Bowl, a Washington, DC landmark, and had the opportunity to meet with the owner, Mrs. Virginia Ali, who took time to talk and take pictures with us. Our annual service project is a Toy Drive to benefit the Anacostia Health Center in Washington, DC. Donations to the Toy Drive not only come from the Onyx Club, but also from the entire AHC community. For some of the children, our donations are the only toys they receive. We look forward to collecting the toys for the children of the center. In February, we reflect on the accomplishments of African-Americans at a schoolwide Black History Month Assembly and invite a keynote speaker. Our speakers have included Dr. Nicole Lang, owner of Washington Pediatrics Associates, Professor Suzette Malveaux of Catholic University, Congresswoman Donna Edwards, and the Honorable Anna Blackburne-Rigsby of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Each speaker’s message is encouraging and inspiring. Looking back at my four years at Holy Cross, I realize how much the Rafiat Animashaun ’13 was Onyx Club has helped me become a woman of "Courage, Compassion, the 2012-2013 Onyx Club and Scholarship." President. Her favorite subjects are Math and Languages. Her AHC activities include the National Honor Society, Model United Nations, Varsity Basketball and she is a Student Ambassador officer. Next year, Rafiat plans to study Spanish international relations at American University. At Commencement, Rafiat was selected to receive the Principal’s Award. 6
The TARTAN Summer 2013
By Casey Magersupp ’16
By now the nervousness of our first day of high school is behind us. Our first year at the Academy is the time when we begin to form special bonds with our new friends that will last a lifetime. Freshman year has been both exciting and challenging. We jumped headfirst into high school life: trying out for sports, excelling in the classroom, joining new clubs, going to dances and meeting new friends. All while managing to get a decent night’s sleep! As the Freshman Class President, my goal for this year was to embrace the Holy Cross traditions while bringing out our own creativity and enthusiasm. I hoped to encourage my classmates to contribute their ideas and share their individual talents. Our 80s hallway for spirit week this year was a huge success and demonstrated our imagination and pride. This is just the first of many opportunities we will have to work as a team and make our mark at AHC. This is a time when we ask ourselves what it means to be a LOTA (Lady of the Academy) and how we can apply our school mission of “Courage, Compassion, and Scholarship” to our everyday life. These are lessons we will learn each day by helping each other succeed, working as a team to meet our goals and living in the spirit of Blessed Basil Moreau. By the end of our four-year adventure, we will have answered these questions and will be prepared for whatever comes next!
Casey Magersupp ’16 plays on the AHC Varsity Ice Hockey team and is a member of the Archery Club. Casey looks forward to college and is planning to one day go to law school.
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
7
from a Young Alumna
By Megan Scribner ’12
I attend St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX and find that my experience as a Tartan has prepared me well for college. The first semester of college was a definite culture shock. Being away from all that you know can be very daunting. Because St. Edward’s was founded on the same principles as Holy Cross, I found it very easy to adjust here and quickly found my place. The Academy of the Holy Cross taught me how to budget my time effectively. One of the first things I found was that I have more time in-between classes, yet my deadlines for papers and reports are much closer. It can be very easy to get distracted with this “extra time,” and you can find yourself scrambling at the last minute to finish what you need to do. However, due to the rigor of the classes I took during high school, I have learned a valuable lesson about staying on task and budgeting my time. Something that I learned while attending The Academy of the Holy Cross is that you yourself can make the most out of your educational experience. I found that I may not enjoy ALL of the classes that I am taking, but I can infiltrate my schedule with some clubs that I really enjoy. I love getting involved; this is what keeps me going.
Megan Scribner ’12 was the 2012 recipient of the Spes Unica award, presented to a graduate whose personal integrity, diversity of service, and constancy in striving to achieve her potential are consistent with the Mission of the Academy and the Sisters of the Holy Cross. 8
The TARTAN Summer Summer 2013 2013
I love the global perspective of St. Edward’s University. It’s similar to what I enjoyed about the International Baccalaureate Programme at Holy Cross. Not only am I learning about issues pertaining to the United States, but I am also learning how these issues affect the rest of the world. I am currently taking a Global Film and Literature course as one of my Freshman Studies courses, as well as an Honors American Literature course, Rhetoric and Composition, Omni Jazz, Omni Singers, and an Acting/Movement and Costuming and Make-Up course. The wonderful academic, theatre, and athletic experiences of my four years at the Academy have helped me to expand myself now that I am in college. I am taking advantage of many things here at St. Edward’s. I am involved in the Honors Learning Living Community and live in a fantastic dorm. I am also a residence hall events planner; I play intramural volleyball and perform with the Omni Jazz and Omni Singers Choirs. I am also invested in the theater program here and am part of the Transit Theater. My experience with the IB Programme and the continuous service I accomplished while at Holy Cross also prepared me for the service trip I took this past spring to New Orleans.
from a Board of Trustees Freshman By Helen Stanislav Dankos ’75
In the fall of 1971, I was an incoming freshman at The Academy of the Holy Cross. I was one freshman among an incoming class of 122 young women. I was excited, nervous, scared, happy, motivated, and enthusiastic – all at the same time. I made new friends and did well in my classes, but I did not get involved in many outside school activities that year. By the end of my sophomore year, I had been sufficiently infused in the Holy Cross family and was coming into my own, and I began to involve myself in activities that interested me. Since that time, I have developed into someone who consistently volunteers in organizations that are “near and dear” to my heart, and yes, AHC has been and still is “near and dear” to my heart. Since my graduation from AHC in 1975, I have tried to maintain my connection with AHC by attending reunions, volunteering when I can, and contributing to the Annual Fund. Fast-forward 41 years to the fall of 2012, when I was presented with the opportunity to serve on the AHC Board of Trustees. Of course, I was honored to be selected and have accepted the nomination. So once again, I get to experience another “freshman” opportunity at AHC. Currently, I am the only new member – the sole incoming freshman member of the Board – just a little pressure! The 2012-2013 Board consists of 16 members: the AHC President, three seniors, seven juniors, four sophomores, and me. The members are all experienced professionals with varying connections to AHC, but there is one common thread among us – we are all committed to the Catholic mission of AHC and to the philosophy of education of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. So what exactly is the Board of Trustees and what does it do? A quick summary of the organizational structure of AHC will help clarify how the Board fits into the overall picture of the operation of AHC. AHC is operated by a corporation whose sole members are the Sisters of the “Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross,” a religious order of the Roman Catholic Church whose motherhouse is located at Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, IN. With the exception of specific powers reserved to the Sisters of the Holy Cross, the authority and responsibility for the operation of AHC has been delegated to the Board of Trustees. Among others, those responsibilities include:
strategic planning, maintaining accreditation, approval of annual and capital budgets, annual evaluations of the President of AHC, and recommendations concerning curricular and co-curricular programs at AHC. The Board approves AHC policies and monitors their implementation, but the President and the Principal manage day-to-day business. To prepare for my first Board meeting, I dutifully read all of the materials provided to me and was overwhelmed with breadth of responsibility of the Board. It seemed incomprehensible that the Board could actually be involved in all of those issues. Unlike my freshman year in high school, there was no time to wait and see what area of responsibility I would be interested in. The AHC corporate by-laws require all members to be on a committee so I had to serve on a committee from the inception of my service on the Board. I was asked to join the Advancement Committee, a committee charged with development goals for AHC – a topic near and dear to my heart! The purpose of the Advancement Committee is to make recommendations to the Board in areas of institutional advancement philosophy and policies, and to provide leadership, guidance, and oversight of development efforts, including major fund-raising campaigns and projects. I am looking forward to assisting the Advancement Committee in moving AHC forward in this area. I am coming close to the completion of my freshman year as a member of the AHC Board of Trustees. Like all freshmen in any endeavor, I started this experience with some trepidation, not really knowing what the Board did, nor what would be expected of me. I am pleased to report that the Board has many exciting topics on its agenda, that I completed my first year successfully, and that I am looking forward to my sophomore year! Helen Dankos is a lawyer with Kidwell, Kent and Curran in Rockville, MD. Helen and husband Bill have three college-aged children including daughter Jessica, an AHC alumna Class of 2008. Helen graduated from Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law and James Madison University. In addition to volunteering at her children’s grade schools and high schools, Helen has served as her AHC class representative since 1985. She also has volunteered at the annual Benefit Auction for many years.
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
9
A Junior’s View of By Katherine Axelsson ’14
Katherine Axelsson ’14 is interested in Visual and Performing Arts and has been on the AHC Improv Team and in numerous Theatre productions. She is a member of the International Thespian Society (Holy Cross chapter) and is on the AHC Student Council. She is considering Visual and Performing Arts, Photography or Journalism for her college study.
10
The TARTAN Summer Summer 2013 2013
Each year before the Homecoming dance, the Junior class enjoys the honor of playing the Seniors in the Powder Puff Football game. The entire school cheers on their respective teams, Freshmen rooting for Juniors, and Sophomores for Seniors, all while wearing wild purple and white outfits, complete with appropriate accessories ranging from tutus to wedding dresses to bathing suits with feather boas. Those who bring cameras take hundreds of pictures, capturing the infectious enthusiasm and joy of every LOTA (Lady of the Academy). It’s an exciting event for the whole school, but especially the Juniors; we’re embarking on our third year at Holy Cross, full of milestones including the Junior Ring Ceremony and meeting our college counselors. We’re considered “upperclasswomen” now, and will be Seniors sooner than we can believe. As Juniors, we begin to brainstorm ideas for the name that will grace the back of our infamous Senior jerseys, and help our friends do the same. Powder Puff is an opportunity for us to bond with our Little Sisters, the Class of 2016, and to engage in a friendly rivalry with the Senior class, who always get scrappy towards the end of the game, and even if the Juniors win on the scoreboard, the Seniors have won the game. Powder Puff brings every member of the Holy Cross community together, and is a day of laughs and playful fun for all.
AHC Emma Millar ’15 enjoys English and Visual Arts at the Academy. As an incoming Freshman, Emma received a Visual Arts Scholarship. While she isn’t sure about her college plans, she is considering majoring in English, Marine Biology, or Business. She says, “My ideas and plans are still changing and adapting. I have a few more years until I really need to decide.” At AHC Emma has been on the Swimming and Softball teams. She is also in the Art Club/Open Studio.
By Emma Millar ’15
What is Homecoming? That would be a good place to start. The dictionary defines Homecoming as “an instance of returning home.” After attending my very first Homecoming Dance this year, I think this simple definition answers the question perfectly. Here is a different question. What is a Holy Cross Homecoming? No dictionary definition can quite cover a dance at the Academy. But I’ll give it a try. The AHC homecoming excitement started in earnest the week prior, which is better known as Spirit Week. Each day the students came in crazy getups, supporting their classes during the themed days. Monday through Thursday were a blast, but they paled in comparison to Friday’s event: Powder Puff. That afternoon the classes decked themselves out in purple and white, cheering for the upperclassmen in the face-off of the year. The next morning all the prep-work for Saturday night began. Nails were painted, hair was styled, makeup was done, and finally, the dresses were donned. Friends met up at each other’s houses, sometimes with their dates, and off they went to school. Because this year the dance’s theme was “LOTA Luau,” everyone received a colorful lei upon arriving. As one entered the auditorium, trendy songs played and a photographer milled around, snapping pictures of the girls and their friends or date. The music was energetic and everyone danced until his or her feet hurt. Overall, I’d say that the 2012 Homecoming Dance was a success. The decorations were simple, yet festive. There was a good turnout and all of the guests attending the dance seemed to have a good time. It was the perfect way to welcome the Holy Cross community home.
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
11
n Friday, September 28, Holy Cross hosted “Toast the Tartans” tent party, celebrating our wonderful Athletics program both presently and through the years. Guests enjoyed mixing and mingling, dancing and dining. A special video created for the occasion, highlighting the extraordinary athletics program, was premiered at the event as well. We were excited to announce the establishment of the Coach Sheahan Excellence Award, named in honor of former basketball Coach Bill Sheahan, whose tenure (1976 – 1982) and 115-game winning streak brought national attention to the basketball program and to the Academy.
3
2 1 4
12
The TARTAN Summer 2013
7
6 10 5
9
11 8
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
13
Reflections Mrs. By Brittany Sims ’03
I first met Mrs. Hoffman as a Holy Cross freshman faced with the complicated task of figuring out how to turn art into a viable profession instead of just a hobby. Although my parents were always supportive, I needed additional encouragement and direction to help me define and focus my talent. I found excellent mentors in the entire Holy Cross Art Department – Mrs. Hoffman, Mrs. [Pattie] Schlabbs, and Mrs. [Beth] Carroccio, who created a challenging artistic environment that helped me develop my love for the arts. Mrs. Hoffman played an integral role in creating Holy Cross’ first Advanced Placement (AP) Studio Art class, even though I was the only student. Class was often held in the hallway, but I had never before felt happier creating art. Through her attention to detail, her constructive criticism, and her insight, Mrs. Hoffman made sure that I was developing and growing both as an artist and a young woman. Thanks to her personal assistance, I assembled a successful AP portfolio that served as a stepping-stone towards my Bachelor of Fine Arts from Tulane University and my Master of Fine Arts from The New York Studio School. As an artist entering my professional years, I admire Mrs. Hoffman for her untiring devotion to art education and her willingness to share her knowledge and experience with students throughout her career. It takes a special kind of artist and educator to give so much of oneself to others. Thank you, Mrs. Hoffman for being such an inspiring role model, a devoted teacher, ardent supporter of the arts, and especially for providing me and many other Holy Cross girls the opportunities, skills and encouragement necessary to pursue our dreams.
After graduating as AHC’s first AP Studio Art student, Brittany studied Art and Art History at Tulane University in New Orleans, graduating cum laude with an Art History minor and Painting BFA in 2007. She briefly studied with renowned portrait artists Cedric and Joanette Egeli in Edgewater, MD. During her studies for her MFA at the New York Studio School, she studied painting and drawing with Carole Robb. Brittany won the prestigious Hohenberg Travel Grant and received her MFA in January 2011. Brittany was selected as a Summer 2011 Artist in Residence at Strathmore in Bethesda with other young professional artists from the Washington, DC area. She recently completed a two-month residency as a Bresler Resident at VisArts in Rockville, MD, and is expected to have a show in the Common Ground Gallery when her new work is completed in 2013. Brittany’s studio is in Hyattsville, MD.
14
The TARTAN Summer Summer 2013 2013
on Hoffman By Sarah Schech ’13
After 39 years of memorable service to The Academy of the Holy Cross, Mrs. Judy Hoffman is retiring so that she can travel with her husband. She has said, however, that she will still do some volunteer work at AHC. During her time at Holy Cross, Mrs. Hoffman has taught a variety of art classes, was the chair of the Art Department, served as a Dean of Students, Student Council Moderator, and Yearbook Advisor. When asked about her favorite AHC tradition, she replied, “The Senior Tea; the girls come in with their moms, dressed up, and are lovely and gracious the whole time.” A more personal tradition that Mrs. Hoffman formed with her daughter, Nora, was to go trick-or-treating at the convent where the sisters of Holy Cross stay. This is where she saw none other than Sister Grace dressed as Carmen Miranda, with fruit stacked on a paper plate and tied to her head. Mrs. Hoffman and her family were even more thrilled to have Sister Grace come to Nora’s wedding and say the blessing before dinner. Just as Mrs. Hoffman loves how LOTAs go out of their way to help each other, her students very much appreciate all that she does for them. From working around the clock to ensure every student’s pottery is fired to reminding them to fix their uniforms, she is an important part of Holy Cross’ mission to mold its students into ladies of courage, compassion, and scholarship. Senior Andrea Vergara reflects, “I was blessed with Mrs. Hoffman as my Ceramics and IB Art teacher for two years…as well as my Extended Essay Supervisor. She not only taught me the technical and creative skills necessary to excel in my artistic endeavors, but also instilled in me values such as diligence and perseverance. She is an amazing person, who whole-heartedly dedicates her time and energy for every LOTA. Thank you for everything Mrs. Hoffman! Sincerely, Fred.” Many students, myself included, feel similar towards this outstanding educator. Mrs. Hoffman would like to share a few words of wisdom. To the faculty, “Our girls do grow up to become lovely young ladies” and to the students, “Believe it or not, high school goes by in a blink of an eye, so enjoy it while you are still here.” And her final words, which many a LOTA has heard: “Fix that uniform.”
Sarah Schech ’13 is interested in Psychology and plans to study it in college. She is involved in the Archery, Artisans and Book Clubs at Holy Cross and plays on the Rugby team. She is an active Girl Scout, earning the Girl Scout Silver Trefoil award, Bronze and Silver Awards and the Pillar of Faith Award. At Commencement, Sarah received the Spes Unica award. THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
15
of
~
Mrs. Kreis By Grace Lide ’13
s one of Mrs. Kreis’ students in AP English, I believe Mrs. Kreis is the empress of the English department, ruling over her domain with class and elegance. She is frank, no-nonsense, and fabulous - a Holy Cross legend. She strolls down the hallways in her trademark black and gray shawl, eyeing any rambunctious girls and silencing them with a mere look. She demands – and deserves – respect. “Why do I pick on you so much?” She asked us once in class. “Because you’re the lights of my life!” The disdainful tone in her voice evoked laughter and comfort, as we have grown accustomed to it. Truth be told, we look forward to it. We would have never dreamed of laughing as freshmen. The majority of my freshman year, Mrs. Kreis called me by my older sister’s name (Mary Lide ’05). Knowing my place, I was happy she recognized me, and never corrected her. Mrs. Kreis stresses the fundamentals, as well as the little things, so that we achieve a secure foundation in our language. By doing this, she knows that we will enter college more well-read than other students. She works us hard so that college will not as be hard on us. At university, we will owe her for our ability to write papers and discuss literature with confidence and ease. Mrs. Kreis wants us to be able to compete academically, and she genuinely hopes we will win. As a result of her many years at the school, Mrs. Kreis is an expert on the natures of Holy Cross girls. Year after year, she correctly predicts the dispositions and social tendencies of every grade level. During class, we are given lessons in social etiquette, as well as instruction on the dangers of boys who wear their baseball caps backwards. “No beer, No boys, no dancing on tables,” she famously says. After four years, my classmates and I have come to truly admire Mrs. Kreis - for her dry humor, her teaching methods, and the strength of her relationship with her students. As seniors, we can see and appreciate that Mrs. Kreis values hard work just as we do. She respects us. She loves us. Her faith in our capabilities propels us to the very height of our potential, and for this we thank her. I can’t help but feel a little sad about Mrs. Kreis’ retirement – Holy Cross will be losing one of its legends. However, I am overjoyed to have had the privilege of having Mrs. Kreis as a teacher – and I’m sure her many students feel the same. 16
The TARTAN Summer 2013
Grace Lide ’13 was a finalist in the Notre Dame of Maryland University’s national Eichnger Award for Young Poets. She played Volleyball at AHC and was an All-WCAC Honorable Mention player. She received the President’s Education Award.
By Mary Lide ’05
hen I first met Tee Kreis, I was a nervous ninth grader at high school orientation. No, wait. I wasn’t nervous. I had come to Holy Cross with about half of my grade school class – and we were going to rule the school. My advisory – Mrs. Kreis’ advisory - was made up of mostly girls I knew. So I had nothing to fear. As we walked down the hall to our advisory classroom on that first day, we couldn’t help but chatter excitedly. Suddenly, a voice rang out. “You all sound like a bunch of magpies!” My first thought was, “What’s a magpie?” My second thought was, “Who said that?” My third thought was, “Oh.” It was, of course, Mrs. Kreis. She laid down the law for our advisory – and we were in awe of her. What a voice! What a presence! She sat down at the front of the room and we snapped to attention. And when I walked into my firstperiod class, Honors English, I was half delighted and half terrified to see that Mrs. Kreis was my teacher. As freshman year went on, Mrs. Kreis whipped us into shape. There was the time I was sternly (and rightfully) reprimanded during English for jumping up out of my seat to give another student a highfive right in the middle of class. “Grow up!” she said to me. Embarrassed, I slunk back to my seat and buried my head in Edith Hamilton’s Mythology. I behaved myself after that. Our advisory became a little family – with Mrs. Kreis as our wise leader. We would listen, rapt with attention, as she bestowed her advice upon us. “Ladies, a little purple eye shadow goes a long way.” “Ladies, stay away from those boys in the backwards baseball caps.” “Ladies, remember – hold out for the biggest diamond.” We, of course, took detailed notes. Our advisory was a happy bunch. There was the Halloween that Mrs. Kreis went as Cruella DeVille and we all went as puppies. And we always won the Holy Cross Day games. (I will neither confirm nor deny any reports of cheating.) We loved our advisor, and she loved us (in the way a platoon leader loves his soldiers – not much affection,
but the love is there). I was lucky enough to have Mrs. Kreis again in my senior year for AP English. She introduced us to The Tempest, Hedda Gabler, and many other works of literature that I still love today. I was especially enamored of Hedda Gabler – and announced in class that I would someday direct it. Mrs. Kreis replied that she had no doubt that I would. After I graduated, I went to Washington College to pursue a degree in theatre. I steered clear of boys in backwards baseball caps, I wore only a little purple eye shadow, and remembered Mrs. Kreis’ instructions for how to behave at a party: “No beer, no boys, no dancing on tables!” This year, I was blessed with the opportunity to teach Shakespeare at AHC. Mrs. Kreis is no longer Mrs. Kreis, but “Tee.” I am no longer a student, but a colleague. It has taken a little getting used to. Tee was such an important part of my teenage years – it is an honor to work alongside her now. She is a great listener and still gives great advice – in the classroom and beyond. My sister, Grace, is now in the senior AP English class. Tee will discuss Hedda Gabbler with another Lide girl – and no doubt will feel a slight sense of deja-vu. I am thrilled that Grace has the same great teacher that I had. I am sure that she will face her college years (and beyond) armed with the same knowledge and confidence that I had – which Tee helped cultivate. When Tee retires at the end of the year, AHC will lose one of its pillars. She is a legend around here, and we will miss her dearly. She has been an enormous influence on me and countless others – not only in the academic world, but in life. So, Mrs. Kreis – “Tee” – when you leave Holy Cross, I hope that you remember to stay away from those boys in the backwards baseball caps. And if I ever direct Hedda Gabler, you will have a seat in the front row.
Mary Lide ’05 was a member of the English department faculty this past year. In addition, she moderated the Cross and Anchor Yearbook. Mary plans to return to graduate school, but will always remain in touch with her high school alma mater. THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
17
“
”
Claire Helm Graduation 2013 keynote speaker 18
The TARTAN Summer 2013
Scan this QR code to access all the photos from the 2013 Graduation activities on your mobile device, or go to www.ahctartans.org/ graduation2013. THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
19
O
n Friday, May 3, AHC honored the 2013 inductees into the Athletic Hall of Fame. The celebration was originally scheduled in January, but was postponed because of the weather. This year, the Academy honored five alumnae, Patricia Marks Briscoe ’80, Elizabeth Cuddeback Glasgow ’80, Sharon Flaherty Jarosz ’77, Jane Triau McDonald ’79 and Sheila Flaherty Stepek ’79, who during their time at Holy Cross were named All-American swimmers. The ceremony took place at a school day assembly with students, faculty and staff. Family, friends and former classmates of the nominees also attended along with former swim coach (and former Faculty member) Barbara Hanrahan. To be considered for the Athletic Hall of Fame, nominees must have demonstrated outstanding performance within The Academy of the Holy Cross’ athletic program. Alumnae nominees must have graduated from the Academy at least 10 years prior to the year the athlete is nominated. Alumnae candidates must have received a diploma from Holy Cross if nominated for individual recognition. Coaches, members of the athletic department, or other athletic supporters who have provided exceptional service and commitment to The Academy of the Holy Cross’ athletic program may also be eligible. In addition, accomplishments after graduation are also considered. The nominee must uphold the mission of the Academy, by being an individual of courage, compassion, and scholarship. In 1973, the Holy Cross swim team was officially
20
The TARTAN Summer 2013
recognized as a member of the Washington Metropolitan Swim League. The team participated in six dual meets with 12 swimmers competing. By the 1978 season, under the leadership of Coach Hanrahan, the team had 14 girls who qualified for Metros. This Swim Team swam to the Catholic League Championship with an undefeated season. That year they also placed 7th out of 71 teams at the East Carolina Invitational. Championships continued to accumulate. Records were set and held for many years in medley and freestyle relays, 100 butterfly, 200 individual medley, 500 freestyle and 100 breaststroke. Some have yet to be broken. By the 1980 season, an article in the Washington Star stated, “Holy Cross team records usually are synonymous with Metro records and All-American qualifications.” The article continues, “Holy Cross long known for high quality swimmers, Patty Marks and Beth Cuddeback came onto a team as freshmen that boasted such nationally ranked talent as Sharon and Sheila Flaherty and Jane Triau.” To be named an All-American swimmer is an outstanding accomplishment deserving of the highest honor. Swimmers from every high school in the United States are considered for this prestigious award. The Hall of Fame recipients knew one another before high school because they competed in the summer at their neighborhood swimming pools. Together they decided that it would be fun to swim on the same school team and chose The Academy of the Holy Cross.
Carlise Cardoza ’14 (center) shows her certificate to friends.
(Top) Carlise Cardoza ’14 with the family of Coach Sheahan and her fellow classmates.
The Academy of the Holy Cross is proud to announce the inauguration of the Coach Sheahan Excellence Award, which was presented to Carlise Cardoza ’14 on Friday, May 3. The award is named after Coach Bill Sheahan, who coached the Academy’s basketball team to its 115-game winning streak and enjoyed a 27-year relationship with the Academy. The award recognizes the values that Coach Sheahan ascribed to in his own life and coaching style. The surprise award was presented in front of the entire school community during the Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony. >>
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
21
Clockwise from top left: The family of Coach Sheahan with first recipient of the Coach Sheahan Excellence Award, Carlise Cardoza ’14; President Claire Helm with Carlise Cardoza; Brian Sheahan and Carlise Cardoza; Brian Sheahan addressing the assembly about Carlise Cardoza ’14 recipient of the Coach Sheahan Excellence Award; Members of the AHC Volleyball team. (Bottom) Carlise Cardoza ’14
>>
Continued
To announce the formation of the award, Lisa Ridgway Slater ’82 gave background about it and the incredible legacy left by Coach Sheahan, and the selection process for receiving the award. She also read the names of the 16 Class of 2014 nominees who were considered. Afterwards, Brian Sheahan, Coach Sheahan’s son, read the qualities of the award recipient, Miss Cardoza. Her coaches and teammates refer to her as a “guiding light” in Christian values, leadership, integrity and commitment. She leads by example. She is honest, forthright, responsible, and, “at peace with herself, how she lives her life and the actions she takes.” Mr. Sheahan remarked that this quality was very similar to how he described his father. Finally, Miss Cardoza is described as someone who has God at the center of her life and otherwise exemplifies “true success” by the way she lives a Christ-centered life. The award included a $2,700 tuition scholarship as Coach Sheahan coached and taught basketball at Holy Cross for 27 years. At the announcement of the recipient’s name, AHC students cheered uproariously for their classmate and were on their feet instantaneously. Fellow Tartans offered hugs and congratulations as Miss Cardoza was obviously moved by the surprise announcement. The Coach Sheahan Excellence Award is presented to a rising Senior who demonstrates the following attributes: • Christian Values • Leadership • Integrity • Commitment The award will be presented annually.
22
The TARTAN Summer 2013
5
2
3
1
4
1 BASKETBALL Record 10-11 All-WCAC Team: First Team – Taylor McCarley ’13 Second Team – Rhamat Alhassan ’14 Honorable Mention – Jillian Dunston ’14, Janee Brown ’13 and Aliya Roseborough ’13 The Tartan Basketball Team gave their fans great games at home this season, dropping close games to conference rivals and advancing to the quarterfinals of the WCAC tournament. All three seniors are off to play college ball next year. Next year’s team is already looking forward to next season, with Michigan commit, Jillian Dunston ’14 leading the pack.
2 CREW AHC Crew welcomed new coaches Allison Potter and Maryann Grunseth, and showed impressive results. The team reached the highest finishes in several years in the majority of the local regattas, with our Varsity B boat taking 1st place in the first race of the season, The Walter Mess Regatta on the Occoquan River. In their first appearance in Maryland State Championships all boats advanced to the finals and the team pulled off an impressive fourth place overall team finish. The team finished the regular season at the WMIRA League Championships with the Women’s Novice 4+ placing second and the Women’s 2 Varsity 4+ taking third.
3 CROSS COUNTRY All-WCAC Team: First Team – Kiernan Keller ’15, Julia Pitts ’16; Honorable Mention – Katherine Toner ’14, Anna Sophia Capizzi ’16 All-County Team: Honorable Mention – Kiernan Keller ’15, Katherine Toner ’14, Anna Sophia Capizzi ’16; Freshman First Team – Julia Pitts ’16; Freshman; Honorable Mention – Anna Sophia Capizzi ’16 The Tartan Cross Country Team enjoyed its best season in recent history, breaking school records and placing in meets each week. The team finished third overall in the WCAC Championships.
4 EQUESTRIAN The Varsity Equestrian team finished eleventh out of 40 schools at this year’s Interschool Horse Show series, while the JV team placed an impressive third overall out of 25 teams. Almost every Tartan rider qualified for the Invitational, which is only open to the top placing riders to compete for individual awards. 5 POMS The AHC Poms team amped up their schedule this year and competed in two regional competitions on top of their already busy practice and performance schedule. The hard work paid off and the Tartan Poms Team captured the first place team award in total package at both the Mid-Atlantic Pom & Dance Competition, and The Elite All-Star Competition.
>>
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
23
8
7
16 11
>>
Continued
6 FIELD HOCKEY Record 10-4 All-Met Team: Honorable Mention – Kathleen Taylor ’16 All-WCAC Team: Coach of the Year – Jenna Ries; First Team – Kathleen Taylor ’16, Sandra Durbin ’15, Kristyn Gaines ’14, Kristin Bengtson ’17; Second Team – Caroline Clark ’13, Margaret Pothier ’14, Julia Lucas ’14; Honorable Mention - Nicole Lantuh ’14 All-Gazette Team (all-Montgomery County): First Team – Kathleen Taylor ’16; Honorable Mention – Colleen Sullivan ’13 The 2012 Field Hockey Team captured their fifth straight WCAC title in a thrilling come-from-behind victory for a 3-2 win. Seniors Hannah Suttle and Colleen Sullivan will play college Field Hockey at Wake Forest and Seton Hall, respectively.
24
The TARTAN Summer 2013
7 GOLF Record 1-5 The golf program has experienced major growth under Coach Lenore Reilly Martinez ’76 over the years. This season marked the addition of a JV Golf team. Both the teams had the opportunity to play courses from Maryland to Richmond, with the girls racking up points as they traveled up and down I-95. Two players, Kathleen Hanley ’13 and Reilly Boone ’14, qualified for the WCAC Championships. 8 ICE HOCKEY Record 5-5 Under the direction of Coach Bauer, Coach Kennedy and Coach Jay, the Ice Hockey team enjoyed a successful second year. Last year’s players returned with plans to make a huge impact in the MAGHL, the new Girls Ice Hockey League. With the help of some new talent, and the hard work of the entire team, the team earned a fourth seed bid in the league tournament.
9 LACROSSE Record 14-7 All-WCAC Team: First Team – Cristina McCarthy ’13, Delaney Muldoon ’15, Shannon Spellacy ’13 Second Team – Logan Smet ’15, Courtney Lintner ’13, Kristin Bengtson ’14, Kristyn Gaines ’14 Honorable Mention – Jackie Branthover ’15, Julia Lucas ’14, Hayley Miller ’13, Kate Taylor ’16 The 2013 Lacrosse team was up for the challenge that their game schedule presented them, pitting them against the top teams in the nation. Under the leadership of Senior Captain and JMU commit, Cristina McCarthy, the Tartan Lacrosse team held their own, making headlines and paving a new road for the Lacrosse program. The girls traveled to St. Petersburg, FL for their annual spring trip and came home 3-1 with two huge overtime wins against nationally ranked opponents.
10 RUGBY The Rugby team celebrated an undefeated regular season record. The coaches and team have high hopes of getting a top three seed in next season’s PRU Rugby Tournament. 11 SOCCER Record 13-1-1 All-Met Team: First Team – Ariana Fryer ’13; Honorable Mention – Jade Ruiters ’16 All-WCAC Team: Coach of the Year– Nelson Abreu First Team – Ariana Fryer ’13; Second Team – Shannon Spellacy ’13 and Jade Ruiters ’16; Honorable Mention – Jamie DePaul ’14, Paige Minturn ’13, and Delaney Muldoon ’15 All-Gazette Team: Coach of the Year – Nelson Abreu; First Team – Ariana Fryer ’13; Honorable Mention – Jamie DePaul ’14 AHC Soccer is ranked 32nd in the USA! The Tartan Soccer team finished the
12
15
In November, six AHC Seniors signed National Letters of Intent committing themselves to participate in NCAA Division I athletics during the 2013-2014 academic year. In February, three additional members of the Class of 2013 signed to bring the total number of AHC Seniors committed to playing sports in college to nine. Janee Brown ’13 ...........................................Robert Morris University Basketball Ariana Fryer ’13......................................................University of Delaware Soccer Taylor Gallart ’13 ...................................... University of Central Florida Volleyball Taylor McCarley ’13............ University of Maryland, Baltimore County Basketball Allya Rossborough ’13 ..................................... Marymount University Basketball Cristina McCarthy ’13................................... James Madison University Lacrosse Hannah Suttle ’13....................................... Wake Forest University Field Hockey Gracie Schwell ’13.....................................Plymouth State University Ice Hockey Colleen Sullivan ’13.........................................Seton Hill University Field Hockey
6
regular season with only one loss and advanced to the semi-finals in the premiere WCAC Conference Tournament. The team, lead by Seniors Ariana Fryer, Jaclyn Fleener and Paige Minturn, lost by a penalty shot in the final minutes of that semifinal battle. 12 SOFTBALL Record 1-15 All-WCAC Team: Second Team – Allie Holmes ’14, Annalena Pirovic ’14; Honorable Mention – Lauren Athey ’14, Casey Magersupp ’16, Sofia Muzzatti ’16 The Softball season was in a rebuilding year with new talent on both the Varsity and the JV teams, and new additions to the coaching staff to help the girls train to compete in the ultra-competitive WCAC Softball League. The girls improved with each game and are excited to pick up where they left off and crack into the top tier of the division in 2014.
14
13 SWIMMING/DIVING Record 3-2 The Tartan Swimming and Diving team enjoyed a successful season with a third place finish at the Relay Carnival as the season highlight. Competing in the Metro Area, a challenging area for swimming, the girls continue to work hard year-round. 14 TENNIS Record 3-2 The AHC Tennis team excelled this year under new Coach Jason Excel. They finished fourth in the WCAC Championships. The team was lead by Freshman Shannon Hanley, who captured first place in the #1 girls singles spot. Shannon and her partner, Tricia Rowley ’13, also claimed first place in #2 girls doubles spot. 15 TRACK The 2013 Track Team shattered school and league records, finishing with the best season record in program history.
The relay team of Caroline Clark ’13, Julianne Hall ’14, Kiernan Keller ’15 and Julia Pitts ’16 stood out as they took home first place in the 4x800 relay at the WCAC Championships, with a time of 9:29.74, setting both a meet record and a school record. The team finished the WCAC league championships with a third place trophy overall and many top finishes in different events. 16 VOLLEYBALL Record 21-0 All-Met Team: First Team – Taylor Gallart ’13; Honorable Mention – Rhamat Alhassan ’14 All-WCAC Team: First Team – Taylor Gallart ’13 and Rhamat Alhassan ’14; Second Team – Kelly Miller ’14 and Elizabeth (Ellie) Goodwin ’15; Third Team – Carlise Cardoza ’14 and Cassandra Lapcevich ’15; Honorable Mention – Veronica Lewis ’14, Grace Lide ’15, Sabrina Ness ’14
All-County Team: First Team – Taylor Gallart ’13; Honorable Mention – Rhamat Alhassan ’14 Coach Dave Geiser and the Volleyball team delivered on their promise to clench the WCAC title this season, bringing the volleyball trophy home for the first time in history! Seniors Taylor Gallart and Grace Lide led their team through an undefeated regular season and on to sweep the Championship game 3-0. The Volleyball program is in good hands entering next season with University of Florida commit, Rhamat Alhasan ’14 at the helm of the ship.
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
25
26
The TARTAN Summer Summer 2012 2013
By Shannon Hanley ’16
Holy Cross Day is a celebration organized by the Student Council. The day is full of spirit, activities and friendly competition. Each grade dresses in either purple or white. Advisories participate in unique games that you would only find at Holy Cross. Advisories compete against one another in various activities, including a shoe flinging contest and tug-of-war. A favorite challenge is the balloon popping contest—pop the balloon without using your hands. Instead, you must run to a chair with a balloon between your legs and sit on the balloon to pop it. At the end of the day, the annual Sister Grace Race takes place at the circle in front of the school. A favorite Holy Cross tradition, the Sister Grace Race involves a representative from each class pushing a classmate on a tricycle around the circle. This year, as in years past, the seniors won, and were rewarded with the freshmen bowing to them while singing, “We love you, Seniors.” As a Freshman, Holy Cross Day was a fun and unique way to make new friends and bond with my advisory and sisters at my new school. Everyone had a great time cheering and supporting classmates in the games. Being part of this tradition for the first time truly gives the community a feeling of courage, compassion, and scholarship.
Shannon Hanley ’16 enjoys Math at the Academy. She is the Student Council Freshman Class Treasurer and played on the Tennis team this past fall.
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
27
By Kathleen Hanley ’13
In 1843, the Sisters of the Holy Cross were sent to the United States from Le Mans, France to assist in the education of young men. Soon after their arrival in South Bend, the Sisters expanded their ministry to young women and since then, the Sisters have established hundreds of schools and colleges as well as a network of hospitals and orphanages throughout the country. The Academy of the Holy Cross was one of the first schools founded by the Sisters and we at the Academy are fortunate to have such close ties to the Sisters of the Holy Cross. In celebration of all the wonderful accomplishments of the Sisters, The Academy of the Holy Cross holds an annual Holy Cross Day on the Church’s Feast Day of the Triumph of the Cross (September 14). An all-school assembly is held to honor and remember our foundation in the Sisters of the Holy Cross. This year, we watched a video about the Sisters and learned about their ministry throughout the world as nurses, educators, social workers, and much more. Not only did we recognize the Sisters around the world, but we also honored the Sisters closer to home—those who live in Saint Angela Hall. We recognized and honored their hard work for the benefit of the Academy. The Student Council donated $2,000 to support the Moreau school in Uganda sponsored by the Sisters as a way to show our gratitude for their dedication. It is through this special assembly that the students of the Academy are able to honor and show our appreciation for the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Kathleen Hanley ’13 enjoyed Math and Science at AHC. She was captain of the Varsity Golf team, secretary of the Honor Board, and president of the Student Ambassadors. A Co-Salutatorian for the Class of 2013, Kathleen will take her talents to the University of Virginia where she will study Engineering as a member of the class of 2017.
28
The TARTAN Summer 2013
Giving There are many uncertainties facing all of us in how we plan for our future, our children’s future, and those institutions that we all hold near and dear to our hearts. One major challenge for many is establishing and reviewing your estate plan. Our family is in the process of reviewing our plans and we have decided we want to include The Academy of the Holy Cross as a recipient of part of our estate. We would also like to encourage you to prayerfully consider including the Academy as a beneficiary of part of your estate as well.
Doug and Mary Pat Arkin
Mary Pat and three of her sisters are alumnae of the Academy. Our daughter Kathryn, as she proudly “tweets” and “posts,” is also a “LOTA” (Lady of the Academy) from the Class of 2009. If you feel, as we do, that there is an important place for all-women Catholic secondary education, then please consider taking the next step to include The Academy of the Holy Cross as a beneficiary of part of your estate plan. What are the benefits to you for establishing this type of gift? Gifts and bequests included in your estate plan help reduce your estate and the tax that may need to be paid. In Maryland and in the District of Columbia, the gift tax exemption is not tied to the federal level (it is lower) and could subject your estate to tax even if you are not subject to a federal estate tax. It is important that you speak with your tax advisor on this topic when reviewing and establishing your estate plan. As The Academy of the Holy Cross celebrates its 145th anniversary, we hope that you will join us in contributing to the longstanding tradition of educating young women and ensuring that future generations will continue to be “Ladies of the Academy” in Kensington, Maryland and the world beyond.
Doug and Mary Pat Leary Arkin ’72
Make a planned gift to the Academy and become a member of the Legacy Society! Established in 2007, The Legacy Society honors those who have remembered Holy Cross by bequest or other estate plan. Please contact the Advancement Office at (301) 929-6447 or cryan@ahctartans.org for more information.
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
29
30
The TARTAN Summer 2013
Giving By Charly Ryan, Director of Institutional Advancement
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
31
The Class of 2012 returns to AHC for Tartans Come Home Day.
Distinguished Alumna Andrea Williams Simms ’00 poses with former members of the AHC Step Team, whom she coached from 2008-2010.
Janet Hanrahan Weise ’80, Distinguished Alumna Cathy Hanrahan ’77, Barbara Hanrahan, and Lynne Hanrahan ’85 pose for a photo after the Distinguished Alumnae Award ceremony.
The Class of 1963 at their 50th Anniversary celebration on May 29, 2013.
32
The TARTAN Summer 2013
Members of the Class of 1992 celebrate their 20th Reunion.
Eileen Stohlman Linares ’83 poses with her husband Marco after accepting the Distinguished Alumnae Award on behalf of her mother, Mary Grogan Stohlman ’46.
Cecilia Mayer Rowedder ’81, AHC Principal Ann Nichols, and Nancy Mayer-Whittington ’71 welcome the start of the new school year at the Alumnae Mothers Breakfast.
The Class of 1977 poses with Sister Grace after the Distinguished Alumnae Awards ceremony.
Members of the Class of 2002 celebrate their 10-year anniversary. (L-R) Kristin Spealman, Erin McCarthy, Niki Lawn, Bethany Stedman, Jackie Williams, Katie McBrien Leachman, Tricia Hathway Montesinos, and Katie Johnson Howard.
Justine O’Boyle Veith ’44 and Sister Paula Goettelmann ’60 carry roses in memory of deceased classmates, faculty and friends at the 2013 Alumnae Memorial Mass. THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
33
Nancy Wright Greene ’56 and her husband Pete celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their family.
34
The TARTAN Summer 2013
Kara Grabner Mills ’66 with her husband Kenny on Thanksgiving Day 2012.
Janet Simms Harrison ’76
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
35
Susan Trost Johnson ’82 with her son Matt Melita Garza ’77
Is mail still going to your parents’ or a past address? Do we have your current email? Don’t miss out on… • • • • •
The monthly alumnae e-newsletter Future Tartan magazines Invitations to alumnae events Reunion information And more!
Update your email and mailing address now! Email alumnae@ahctartans.org or call the Alumnae Office at 301-929-6463.
36
The TARTAN Summer 2013
The cover of Safari Survivor, a book written by Owen and Anne Collins Smith ’79
Gabrielle Mejac Dawyot ’80 with her husband John and their six children.
Michelle Beckham-Corbin ’81
Julie Johnson ’86
Suzanne Generao ’85 with her family
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
37
Mary Tanis Skorny ’99, Kate Mann ’99, Ginny Dugan Noel ’99, Christina Perelas Lemaire ’99, and Clare Willging Hart ’99 attend the wedding of Kelly Weaver Fritz ’99
Elaine Martin DiPietro ’94 and her husband Anthony on their wedding day
The Class of 1992 celebrating their 20th Reunion in Bethesda, MD
38
The TARTAN Summer 2013
We make every effort to verify names, dates and the accuracy of the information in the Class Notes. We thank all our alumnae for keeping in touch with the school by sending in their news every year, and we greatly appreciate the efforts of our Tartan Ambassadors, whose diligent work is integral to the quality and ongoing success of the notes in the Tartan Magazine.
Evin Bail O’Keeffe ’93 enjoys food styling, blogging, and photography in Ireland
Jessica Maizel Milone ’05 with her husband LJ on their wedding day
Johnathan and Nicholas, sons of Monica Voglewede Taylor ’95, pose with Donald Duck at Disney World
Attend an Alumnae Board meeting, come to Reunion in the fall, connect with classmates as an official Tartan Ambassador, volunteer for alumnae phone-a-thons, attend the Benefit Auction, and join us for alumnae gatherings on campus throughout the year. Nicole Mayorga ’03
Join us on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/AHCAlumnae, watch for our alumnae e-newsletter and visit www.ahctartans.org for campus news. Please keep us updated! Send in your Class Notes, stay connected and let us know if you have moved or changed your email address. THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
39
IN MEMORIAM FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Migiel Foster Xanten ’58 Genevieve Kinnahan Garvey ’60 Regina Lanman Morgan ’60 Sister of Evelyn Lanman Williams ’71
Connie Marchetti Wright ’60 Margot Cook ’61 Cousin of Eleanore Walter DiPietro ’53
ALUMNAE Catherine Irene Garrett Frost ’38 Grandmother of Patricia Friedman-Richelsen ’96
Mary Josephine Cless Krupinski ’39 Elizabeth Robey Smith ’39 Mother of Marianne Smyth ’61
Sister M. Francis Clare Ugast, CSC ’43 Dorothy Judge McDonough ’44 Patricia Hurney Watkins ’46 Joan Foreman ’47 Sister Helen James John, SND ’47 Margaret Hawkins Davis ’48 Grandmother of Deborah Davis ’05 and Margaret Davis ’09
Mary O’Connell McMahon ’48 Patricia Massing Reynolds ’49 Patricia Beckwith Becker ’50 Sister of Margaret Beckwith Blaisdell ’54
Catherine Ellis Dirlam ’50 Sister of Anne Ellis Geiger ’49
Kathleen Coles Dell ’61 Sister of Bernice Coles Rydberg ’63 and Mary Coles Hickey ’65
Mary Elizabeth Durbin Jack ’61 Barbara Locke ’75 Sister of Louise Locke ’76 and Jean Locke ’79; sister-in-law of Jean Berney ’75; aunt of Megan Locke ’06 and Amy Locke ’08
Lisa O’Donnell Davis ’82 Sister of Colleen O’Donnell Kivinski ’85
Maryellen Werner ’90
FACULTY AND STAFF Sister Miriam Eckenrode, CSC Margot Giuliani Mother of Laura Giuliani Lamb ’82
Sister M. Ambrose McCracken, CSC Mary Ann Pettigrew William Fred Shupe
Sister of Josephine McCue Spicer ’49; grandmother of Jillian Irvine ’05 and Colleen Gradowski ’08
Doris Gardiner Warner ’52 Sister of Margaret Gardiner Custer ’48 and aunt of Linda Custer Shirey ’72
Teresa Williams Schultze ’55 Sister of Catharine Williams Armstrong ’61
Anne Marie Millerd Willis ’56
40
Father of Maureen Morris (faculty member)
Dan Champion Husband of Virginia Godfrey Champion ’61
Albert William Chipman Father of Louise Hendon (staff member); grandmother of Kelly Hendon Clark ’97 and Megan Hendon ’00
Anna Coe Grandmother of Erin Coe Fristoe ’97 and Alison Coe ’04
Charlotte Mae Del Vecchio Mother of Sharon Del Vecchio Luba ’57
Louis DeMouy Brother of Ruth Anne DeMouy-Hunt ’61
Eleanor June Hughes Duncan Mother of Doug Duncan (Board of Trustees member); grandmother of Jacqueline Raff ’00, Mary Lide ’05, Conor Duncan ’10, Catherine Raff ’10 and Grace Lide ’13
Rosa Ines Flott Mother of Monica Flott Menzies ’88 and sister-in-law of Harriet Flott Smiley ’60, Evelyn Flott Ferrell ’65 and Elaine Flott Hill ’65
Lucille Foster Mother of Estelle Foster ’68, Catherine Foster Powell ’71 and Bernadette Foster Mitchell ’72
Joseph Gibeily Grandfather of Evelyn Gibeily ’06 and Allison Gibeily ’09
Barbara Ann Halladay Mother of Roberta Halladay ’67
Rita Mitchell Wettlaufer ’50 Sheila McCue Gradowski ’52
Desmond James Carron
FAMILY AND FRIENDS
John Robert Halladay
Grace Baier
Leonard Kelley
Grandmother of Grace Green Smith ’00
Tom Brewster Husband of Camille Grimes Brewster ’59, father of Kathleen Brewster Dunn ’94 and Sharon Brewster Bretzfield ’96, and brother-in-law of Cee Cee Grimes Van Hecke ’57 and Cristina Grimes Piotrowski ’63
The TARTAN Summer 2013
Maddie Laux ’13; uncle of Kimberly DiGilio ’98, Caroline Battista ’00, Aimee DiGilio ’01, and Suzanne Battista ’05
James Lacovaro Father of Kristin Lacovaro ’94
Mary Lodato Mother of Beth Boylan (staff member)
Evelyn Marie McDermot Grandmother of Jessica Price ’01, Devon Price ’04 and Kelsey Price ’11
Hughette Krotelle McKay Mother of Aleetra McKay ’02
Joseph Angelo Mohler Son of Jenny Graves Mohler ’98 and nephew of Jill Graves ’05
Paul Nee Grandfather of Margaret O’Connell ’10 and Katherine O’Connell ’14
F. Ian Ravenscroft Husband of Elizabeth Werres Ravenscroft ’48 and grandfather of Claire Ravenscroft ’09
Jeni Sturdivant Granddaughter of Lolita Jardeleza (staff member)
Robert J. Sullivan, Jr. Husband of Kathleen Donovan Sullivan ’57 and brother-in-law of Eileen Donovan Cassidy ’63
Elizabeth Humphrey Tuomey Grandmother of Christine Tuomey ’05 and Sarah Tuomey ’07
Nancy Waller Grandmother of Megan Waller ’12
Colleen Mary Welch Sister of Caitlin Welch VanOrsdel ’01 and Kelsey Welch ’05
Father of Roberta Halladay ’67 Grandfather of Kelley Brady ’08 and Katelynn Brady ’10
John Laux Father of Molli Laux ’09 and
A Memorial Mass honoring the deceased members of our Holy Cross family will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2014 in the Auditorium of The Academy of the Holy Cross. All family and friends are welcome.
AUGUST 19-21....... Freshman Orientation 22........... First Day of School 26........... Welcome and Opening School Liturgy SEPTEMBER 13........... Holy Cross Student Celebration 13........... Tartan Classic Golf Tournament 17........... Alumnae Mothers Breakfast 23-27...... Student Spirit Week 27........... Powder Puff Student Football Game 28........... Homecoming OCTOBER 4............. Toast the Tartans Tent Party 18........... Distinguished Alumnae Awards ............... and Alumnae Reunion 19........... Oyster Roast 27........... Open House for Prospective Families NOVEMBER 1-3........... Fall Musical 21-22...... Dance Concert
DECEMBER 12........... Music Concert 15........... Alumnae Cookies with Santa JANUARY 8............. Tartans Come Home 30-31....... IB Highlights Show FEBRUARY 15........... Father-Daughter Dance MARCH 22........... Benefit Auction Gala 27-28...... Shakespeare Night APRIL 6............. Alumnae Memorial Mass 11........... Broadway Cabaret MAY 1-2.......... Dance Concert 2............. Grandparents Day 15........... Music Concert 28........... Graduation
Additional details for these events are available at www.ahctartans.org
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS Summer 2013
41
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 4920 Strathmore Avenue Kensington, MD 20895 (301) 942-2100 www.ahctartans.org
42
The TARTAN Summer 2013
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Kensington, MD Permit No. 5454