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Class Notes
ALUMNAE NEWS CLASS NOTES
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1945
Sally Brown Dyer would like to connect with other class of 1945 alumnae (please contact Kathleen Bula ’79 at kbula@ academyoftheholycross. org or (301) 929-6463). Sally now lives in a senior living complex in Sarasota, FL. Sally attended Catholic University after graduating from Holy Cross and received a Bachelor of Science in nursing. Sally and her husband Jack (now deceased) married in 1949. Together they had five children, 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
1947
Anne Collins Smith ’79, who currently lives in Texas, surprised her mom Maureen Clark Collins who still lives in the D.C. area, by showing up for her 92nd birthday party on Tuesday, August 3, 2021! Maureen’s other daughters Mary Collins Hagedorn ’72 and Maureen Collins ’75 helped plan the surprise.
1954
“I was very impressed with the Tartan magazine – 20192020,” writes Anna Marie Bovill Lea. “I am well. I still mow my lawn and trim shrubs. I no longer go to various countries on tours to see new species of birds; I just enjoy the ones that come to my yard feeders.”
1958
Ann Bray Wagner writes: “I’m married – for the first time – in December [2021]!” She met her husband at her investiture into The Equestrian Order of The Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He was already a member. They both lived in Richmond, VA. “I am very happy!”
Terry Clopton writes that she is “still alive and kicking.” Her husband Tim died in November 2020. They have six children, 13 grandchildren, and six greatgrandchildren. Her family members live from Long Island, NY to North Carolina. Terry travels to see them regularly.
1961
“I’m loving life in North Carolina,” writes Eileen Warring. “I’m close to my grown children and two granddaughters. I golf in my free time.”
1964
Laurie Lucas Jaffe recently sent a treasured gift to Holy Cross, “I am happy to return Mr. Bear back to his original home. It makes me feel good to know where he will be.” Holy Cross welcomed Mr. Bear back and helped him feel back home. He met Principal John Sullivan, several other faculty and staff, visited some classes, the media center, chapel and even met the cast of “Godspell”!
’45
Maureen Clark Collins ’47 and her daughter Anne Collins Smith ’79
’54
Anna Marie Bovill Lea ’54
’64
Principal John Sullivan holding “Mr. Bear” a gift from Laurie Lucas Jaffe ’64
Fifty Plus One! Sister Sharon Mihm, CSC ’63 celebrated her Golden Jubilee as a Sister of the Holy Cross on August 6, 2021. The celebration was rescheduled from 2020 due to the pandemic. As a member of the fourth class to graduate from the Kensington campus, Sister Sharon then graduated from Dunbarton College of the Holy Cross with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education. “Both of these distinguished schools empowered me to become successful and enabled me to become who I am.” Sister Sharon taught and also served as a principal for 30 years. Since 2014 she has worked in the Spiritual Care Department of Holy Cross Health where she tends to some of the spiritual needs of patients and healthcare professionals.
1970
Thirteen Class of 1970 Holy Cross alumnae gathered for lunch at the 4 Corners Pub on Thursday, May 5, 2022, to celebrate their love of Holy Cross; Cinco de Mayo; and their septuagenarian birthdays.
Marie Davis, Carol duFief, Jan Tegler Burns, Deedee Newman, Kathy Kellinger Phiel, Mary Kaye Nilan,
Maureen Casey Dunn, and Kathy Forbes Fitzgerald, have assisted at the St. John’s College High School Class of ’69 golf tournament and fundraiser (in memory of St. John’s grad Matt Dillon) in Ocean City since its inception in 2011 until it ended in 2021. In 2021, a $1,000 donation was given to the Holy Cross Tuition Assistance Fund at the request of this dedicated group of Holy Cross alumnae.
In October 2021, Mary
Beth Widmayer McDonald
completed her intense treatment for metastatic breast cancer after a full year at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. She has now returned to her home in Vero Beach, FL. Mary Beth’s request for prayers in December 2020 inspired the formation of the Rosary Girls, fellow 1970 classmates who prayed weekly on Zoom for her recovery and the strength to endure very tough treatments.
1971
Pauline Greger Herpy writes “We are living in the Chicago suburbs of Plainfield, IL. We have three grandchildren, ages 7, 5 and 3. I enjoy volunteer teaching ESL to students at the local library. Our son Jason joined the Army and our older son, Jonathan, is a lawyer.”
1974
A group from the class of 1974 gathered for a mini reunion in Bethany Beach in August 2021.
’70
’70
Members of the Class of 1970 celebrating.
’74 ’70
Marie Davis ’70, Carol duFief ’70, Jan Tegler Burns ’70, Deedee Newman ’70, and Kathy Kellinger Phiel ’70 who assisted at the 2021 St. John’s College High School golf tournament Mary Beth Widmayer McDonald ’70
Class of 1974: Front row (L-R): Jeanine Mizell, Betsy Carl Thompson, Cindy Greer Impala, Pam Flynn Shipley; Back row (L-R): Sherry Durkin, Kathy Guilday Parker, Barbara Mannix Schools, Tracy Cox Greaney, Ann Collins Boyce; Not pictured, but in attendance: Jean duFief Janella, Katie Lawless Dougherty and Georgie Canales Gex
ALUMNAE NEWS
Margot DiCairano Durkin ’66
was recently awarded the “2020 Alumni Achievement Award” from her college alma mater Salve Regina University. Margot is a 2013 recipient of the Academy’s Distinguished Alumnae Award. She retired as the head of Brown Academy in Virginia in 2014. Margot was the Academy’s first full-time development director, was actively involved with the Alumnae Association and served on the Holy Cross Board of Trustees. Her career also took her from the elementary classroom to administration at the Bullis School and Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart. She and husband James have been married for over 50 years. They have two adult children, Timothy and Meredith. She enjoys beach life, reading, bridge and her schnauzer, Roxie Hart.
1975
Teresa Parr Eurto
retired from American Airlines in September 2021 after a 33-year career. Starting in Reservations, she held various positions in IT, Safety, Emergency Response and Corporate Security. During the tragic events of 9/11, she responded as part of AA’s Customer Assistance CARE Team. After graduating from TCU in 1978, she has remained in Fort Worth, TX with her husband of 43 years, David. Having had the opportunity to travel to many countries as part of her job, she is looking forward to seeing the rest of the world at a more leisurely pace.
1976
Catherine Moxley
Pritchett writes, “I have been lucky to have travelled to Africa, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, and Egypt in the last two years. Enjoying rural life with granddaughters Addison (7) and Avery (5) nearby.”
1977
Kathy Kelly is now working as an Operations Assistant in the Admissions Office at Catholic University.
1981
Maria Leonard Olsen
recently presented a TEDx Talk, at City University of New York, entitled “Turning Life’s Challenges into a Force For Good.” “I think it has the capacity to help many people,” she says. Maria also started a podcast in 2021 called “Becoming Your Best Version.” In the podcast she interviews inspiring women, and she welcomes additional suggestions. She has her own website that includes books she’s written at www.MariaLeonardOlsen. com.
Bridget O’Brien, daughter of Cindy Sellers Kurak, was crowned Miss Western Maryland on Saturday, February 26, 2022. Bridget will participate in the Miss Maryland competition in June 2022 representing Western Maryland. Bridget has been a participant for the last five years in local Miss America programs, first as a competitor in the Teen division and now as a competitor in the Miss division, holding several different titles through the years.
’75 ’81 ’83 ’91
Teresa Parr Eurto ’75 and her husband, David
Bridget O’Brien, daughter of Cindy Sellers Kurak ’81 Margaret Rodgers Norris ’83 Matthew and Jessica Phillips Ritter ’91
1983
Margaret Rodgers Norris
was featured on CNN for her work providing food for families in need during the pandemic. Margaret, a teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools, quickly realized that there were students in her school who might need assistance. She mobilized a network of donors and volunteers with a local community center to provide up to 150 bags of food per week.
1991
Jessica Phillips Ritter
and her husband Matthew have opened a boutique real estate brokerage in Venice, FL, The Ritter Group - Trusted Real Estate Professionals. Jessica and Matthew’s team have been working together in real estate for nearly a decade and are approaching $100 million in area sales in the Venice and Sarasota area. They have been touted for their high professionalism, complemented by a customer-centric approach. Having found their very own slice of heaven in Venice, they are fueled by the urge to do the same for every one of their clients.
1994
Francesca Rigutto Reed
visited with Holy Cross President Katy Prebble while representing Neumann University where Francesca is now the Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing.
1995
Liz Buchanan Crowley
writes that she has been living in South Carolina for the past 20 years. “I just moved downtown with my husband Greg. I have enjoyed a career with Ecolab for the past seven years and was recently promoted to Corporate Account Manager for YUM! Foods.”
1998
In July 2019, Cristina Frezzo opened a small specialty food retail store, The Compass Market (www. thecompassmarket.com), with her best friend. They sell small batch, artisan made products related to food and dining, with an emphasis on fellow women entrepreneurs and Lowcountry makers. They source from all over the US, looking for tasty treats and ingredients to spice up every person’s home! Their culinary knowledge helps them find the right products for their customer’s needs.
1999
“I work as a para educator in a special needs program for BCPS,” writes Christina Perelas LeMaire. “We live in Glen Arm, MD, a Baltimore suburb. My husband Evan and I have three children: Trip (13), Charlie (8) and Evie (6).”
Kelly Weaver Fritz and her husband Craig are welcomed their fifth child, Charlie, born April 30, 2021. Charlie joins siblings Ben, Jack (RIP), Sam and Lucy!
2001
Megan Elizabeth Rector
Pena-Ariet of Art by Megan hosted an art show in Bethesda, MD in November and December 2021 at Gallery B. While at Holy Cross, Megan loved spending time in the art department with favorite teachers Mrs. Hoffman, Mrs. Carroccio, and Mrs. Schlabs. To read more about Megan and her work, follow along at @artbymegan on Instagram or her website www.artbymegan.com.
’94 ’98 ’99 ’01
Katy Prebble and Francesca Reed ’94
The Compass Market (owner Cristina Frezzo ’98) Children of Kelly Weaver Fritz ’99: Jack, Sam, Lucy, Ben and Charlie
’99
Megan Elizabeth Rector Pena-Ariet ’01
ALUMNAE NEWS
In June 2021, Dominica Groom Williams ’00 joined Guidehouse, a leading consultancy and solutions provider to the public and commercial sectors, as Chief Culture, Inclusion and Diversity Officer (CCIDO). Dominica was previously Vice President of the Office of Inclusive Engagement at Freddie Mac where she led the company’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement verticals. Prior, she served as Senior Director, Global Supplier Diversity and Sustainability at Marriott International. Dominica was named one of Black Enterprise’s “Top Executives in Corporate Diversity,” recognized as one of the “Top 100 Women” in the state of Maryland by The Daily Record, and as one of Maryland’s top “Leading Women” under the age of 40. She was also named a “Top Influential Leader in Diversity” by the National Association for Minority Companies, a “Rising Star” by HousingWire Magazine and a “Women Worth Watching” by the Profiles in Diversity Journal. She received the Academy’s Distinguished Alumnae Award in 2017. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Groom Williams currently serves as a member of The Executive Leadership Council. Dominica joined the Holy Cross Board of Trustees in fall 2021.
’12 2002
Allison Janetis
Cullinane and her husband Matt announce the birth of their fourth child, Julia Margaret, on July 23, 2020. Julia joins siblings, Caroline, Gerard and Charlie.
2003
Deanna Howes Spiro
and her husband welcomed their daughter Holly Isabelle on November 23, 2021. Deanna writes, “We are overjoyed to be parents and are very grateful for our little girl.”
Martha Naughten
and her husband Mike welcomed twins Maeve McCormick Kelley and Patrick Francis Kelley on February 16, 2022! She writes, “We all look forward to attending Maeve’s graduation ceremony from AHC in 2039.”
2005
Alison Rajk and Kameron Millar were married on April 17, 2021. In attendance as maid of honor was Alison’s sister Mary Rajk ’11. Alison and Kam are both Assistant States Attorneys for the City of Baltimore.
2007
Kristen Coleman
McDaniel was recently selected by USA Lacrosse as Washington, DC/ Potomac, MD Coach of the Year for DC, MD, VA. Kristen coaches lacrosse at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart. USA Lacrosse oversees the selection of the awards, which are administered locally by Area Chairs.
Sarah Erickson
Claudio and family welcomed “a new member to the Claudio family.” Archibald “Archie” Vincent Claudio was born August 2, 2021. “His brother and sister are so happy he is here!”
’02 ’03 ’03
Children of Allison Janetis Cullinane’s ’02: Charlie, Caroline Julia, and Gerard Holly Isabelle Spiro, daughter of Deanna Howes Spiro ’03 Maeve McCormick Kelley and Patrick Francis Kelley; twins of Martha Naughten ’03
Kameron Millar and Alison Rajk ’05 Archie Claudio, son of Sarah Erickson Claudio ’07
’07
2008
Sheila Keegan Kernan and her husband Terry Kernan welcomed their daughter Kayla Louise Kernan on July 18, 2021.
2009
Jennifer Broring Courtney and her husband Kevin welcomed their daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Courtney on September 14, 2021.
Juliene Delfin Elsasser and her husband welcomed their son Theodore “Teo” Delfin Elsasser on November 21, 2021. Lia Henry received her MBA from George Washington University. Fiona Redmond Turgeon was married on August 14, 2021 to Colin Turgeon at the University of Maryland Memorial Chapel. Several alumnae, current and former faculty/staff attended. 2010
Gloria Grace “Gigi,” daughter of Kerry Dawson Rupp and her husband Eddie, was born on June 28, 2021. [2010 - Gigi Rupp]
2011
Gyasi Gomez and Tyler Donohoe met Debbie Brown (Holy Cross faculty/staff) at the Holy Cross quarter-final volleyball game in November 2021. Amaia Arana (Murphy) ’11 is an actress who is currently guest starring on the NBC show New Amsterdam. She plays “Roxana Zamaya” an ER resident. After graduating in May 2020 with a Master of Fine Arts in acting from NYU’s Tisch’s Graduate Acting Program, she signed with Luber Rokln (Los Angeles). She has worked with Oscar-winning writer Kemp Powers on his play Christa McAuliff’s Eyes Were Blue at Center Theatre Group in LA and appeared on The Blacklist. Amaia is also a five-time company member at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. She says, “To say I am grateful for the spark of passion for acting that was ignited and fostered during my time at Holy Cross is an understatement. I wouldn’t be an actor without it.”
’08 ’09 ’09
Sheila Keegan Kernan ’08 with daughter Kayla Louise Kernan, and husband Terry Kernan
’10
Charlotte Elizabeth Courtney, daughter of Jennifer Broring Courtney ’09 Theodore “Teo” Delfin Elsasser, son of Juliene Delfin Elsasser ’09
’09 ’11
Gigi Rupp, daughter of Kerry Dawson Rupp ’10 (L-R) Maria-Rose Cain ’79, Megan Fearon ’13, Kelly Fearon ’10, Helene Redmond ’80, Rebecca Vanover ’10, Fiona Redmond Turgeon ’09, Jeanne Vanover (Former Faculty), Bianca Noronha ’10, Darlene Kane ’80, and Allie Bradford ’09. Gyasi Gomez ’11, Debbie Brown (Faculty/Staff) and Tyler Donohoe ’11
ALUMNAE NEWS
After an outstanding season with debutants Bravas de Cidra, Akilah Bethel ’11 was awarded the 2021 MVP Award from the National Women’s Basketball (BSNF). She was the third top scorer in the tournament with 345 points and averaging 20.3 points per game. She was also the best rebounder of the tournament with 233 and a half of 13.7 for commitment, came in fifth place in assists with 91 (5.4) and fifth in blocks with 10 (0.6). Akilah toured as a Harlem Globetrotters rookie in summer 2021, one of three women players on the team. She has been featured in several online podcasts and in The Atlanta Voice. In that interview she was asked what #SpreadGame meant to her. She responded that to her it means family and community and having young children be inspired to be whatever they want to be. Akilah played basketball in college at LSU and played professionally overseas after graduation.
’12 ’12 2012
Mary Kate Bula, a member of the U.S. National Flag Football team, will play in the World Games 2022 in Birmingham, AL, July 7-17, 2022. An anticipated 3,600 elite athletes from over 100 countries will compete for gold in more than 30 of the fastest growing sports in the world, including flag football. Mary Kate starts as linebacker and plays quarterback for the USA team.
Jacqueline Colburn
and Christian Butorac were married on June 13, 2020 at St. John the Evangelist in Silver Spring, MD during the height of the pandemic. A year later, Jacqueline and Christian renewed their vows at St. John the Evangelist and their wedding reception was held at the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, DC. Alumnae in the bridal party include Christine
Colburn ’15, Adriana
Colburn ’18, and Alyssa Carbonaro. The couple currently resides in Silver Spring, MD.
Mary Glynn, a teacher at St. Peters in Olney, MD, was named a University of Maryland Terrapin Club’s 30 Under 20 Class of 2022 Honoree. Honorees are recognized for having made a major impact in their communities and careers, while supporting the university and embodying Maryland Pride. St. Peter’s social media account raved: “We’re so proud of you, Ms. Glynn, and are so blessed to have you on our faculty!”
Lanay Montgomery
received her master’s in forensic psychology from Liberty University.
2013
In December 2021,
Rafiat Animashaun
received her Master of Arts in public relations and advertising from the University of Southern California. In August 2021, Katie Edwards graduated from the University of Washington with a master’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering. She also earned her professional engineer (PE) license and is registered in the state of Washington.
’12
Mary Kate Bula ’12
’13
Adriana Colburn ’18 (second from the left), Christine Colburn ’15 (third from the left), Jacqueline Colburn ’12 (center) and Alyssa Carbonaro ’12 (far right).
2014
Funmi Animashaun
received a Master of Professional Studies in sports industry management from Georgetown University.
Kristen Falcinelli
recently moved to Seattle, WA to begin working towards her PhD in Physical Oceanography and master’s in Applied Mathematics at the University of Washington. She will be working on a project to predict oxygen levels in the Southern Ocean.
2015
Leah Barteldes has been named a 2022 Reed Awards Finalist, a prestigious award in political campaigning. She was recognized in the category “Best Fundraising Email Creative/Copy for County, Local or Judicial Campaign (Non-Mayoral)” for her work on a Manhattan District Attorney email campaign with the digital agency Middle Seat Digital.
Lauryn Perpall received her master’s of public health from the University of Maryland.
Logan Smet played Division I lacrosse at Monmouth University after graduating from Holy Cross. Logan moved to West Palm Beach, FL to become the Assistant Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Keiser University in January 2022. She helped lead the Seahawks to a record 16-0 year in her first season with the program, resulting in a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championship win (for the first time in Keiser’s program history). Logan also recently joined the IWLCA Academic Awards Committee, which recognizes and honors outstanding academic achievement by women’s lacrosse student-athletes and teams within Division I, II, III and NAIA. Logan plans to finish her master’s in sports administration from Arkansas State University in fall 2022.
2018
Kiara Beckham
graduated from Union College with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering.
Jazmin Campbell
graduated Magna Cum Laude from Elon University and received her Bachelor of Arts in anthropology and English.
Imani Featherson
graduated from York University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Jillian Dunston ’14 of the Drexel University women’s basketball coaching staff has been named a Thirty Under 30 coach by the WBCA. Drexel Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Amy Mallon, said, “Your passion and work ethic make those around you better. You have impacted our program from day one. No doubt you will continue to grow the game.” The WBCA Thirty Under 30 program was created to recognize up-and-coming women’s basketball coaches at all levels of the game. Each honoree has exemplified their involvement in community service, mentorship and impact on others, professional manner, and attitude and professional association involvement. In Jillian’s two years with program, Drexel has posted a record of 40-14, an impressive .741 winning percentage. The team went to the NCAA tournament in 2021 and won the 2021-22 Colonial Athletic Association regular season championship. Prior to Drexel she spent two seasons as a graduate assistant at Florida State and was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten performer and four-year letterwinner at the University of Michigan.
’15 ’18
ALUMNAE NEWS
Nicole Dao ’19 is a rising senior at New York University, in the Stern School of Business co-concentrating in marketing and management. This is her final year as a collegiate athlete, and she is one of the co-captains of the team. As an NYU freshman, Nicole was named the ECAC Conference Championship MVP. Nicole achieved a personal record of over 1,000 assists in her second season of eligibility. Last season, the NYU Violets won the first UAA Conference Championship title in NYU volleyball history. Nicole has decided to concentrate her degree on high-end fashion marketing and recently was selected out of approximately 5,000 applicants as one of the only undergraduate Global Brand Marketing interns to participate in the Ralph Lauren Inspire Internship Program. This 10-week program includes collaborating with the other interns, attending meetings, performing service, and working on projects for the Ralph Lauren brand. She has her own project assignments and presentations, and she works together with a team of interns on a final project that will be presented to the executive leadership at the conclusion of the internship. Izzy Hermans, a recent graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, was named to the 2021 United East Conference Women’s Cross Country All-Sportsmanship Team in November. The ninemember team recognizes student-athletes who epitomize the ideals of sportsmanship. Student-athletes selected demonstrate fair play, graciousness in victory and respectfulness in defeat. Athletes are chosen by their coach as a representative who embodies the Division III spirit. Izzy was captain of the Seahawks cross country team and a history and psychology double major and educational studies
’18
Izzy Hermans ’18 minor. She was named to the Dean’s List four times and to a pair of conference All-Academic Teams. She was also inducted into the Phi Alpha Theta and Chi Alpha Sigma honor societies.
Sam Miller was chosen to be the trumpet section leader of the University of Notre Dame Band. As a director, she plans lessons for mentors who go to local Catholic elementary schools and provides free band instruction to the students. She also conducts the beginning band when they gather to practice and perform. Sam, who is double majoring in English Literature and Secondary Education with a minor in Intercultural Studies, is student teaching English this year at St. Joseph’s High School in South Bend, IN.
Grace Mulkins
graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and sociology Alexandra Whittington was named Phi Beta Kappa at Mehlenberg College.
’18
Sam Miller ’18
2019
Breanna Vitak attended the 2021 Tribute 21 Gala, where she and Holy Cross President Katy Prebble posed for a photo together.
2021
Dani Lock has been dancing her heart out on the Catholic University Dance team this year! She is grateful for the dance opportunities she was able to experience at Holy Cross, especially the Adrenaline Dance Team. Dani is enjoying her courses at CUA and thanks all her Holy Cross teachers for preparing her well.
’19 ’21
Dani Lock ’21 Abby Gehres ’21 was selected from 80 applicants for one of 26 positions at Bitty & Beau’s Coffee in Georgetown. Bitty & Beau’s strives to show the world how capable people with disabilities are by providing meaningful employment. She also just completed her first year at the Graduate Transition Program at Montgomery College.
Breanna Vitak ’19 and Katy Prebble
