THE SUMMER 2018
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 1
BBQ • Live Music • Rain or Shine
21 and over Featuring local craft breweries, distilleries, and wineries—their signature pourings will be available for sale.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 7:00 PM
www.holycross150.org/events/tartanfest
$25 per person
Join us for our final 150th Anniversary celebration in a casual outdoor setting on campus. 2 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
What ’s Inside
Letter from the Board Chair...........................................................................2 Letter from the President...............................................................................3
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MISSION STATEMENT
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT – PHOTOS OF RODNEY LARSEN Student Spotlight – Kiara Beckham reprint from Catholic Standard.............6 Why I Give?....................................................................................................7
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 Christ-centered community which values diversity. The Academy is committed to developing women of courage, compassion and
HOLY CROSS HISTORY
scholarship who responsibly embrace the social,
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spiritual and intellectual challenges of the world.
150th Anniversary Retrospective.................................................................16 Why I Give?..................................................................................................19
GRADUATION
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Kathleen Ryan Prebble, President/CEO Melissa Huey-Burns, Principal
MAGAZINE STAFF Danielle Mahaney Ballantine ’86, Editor Director of Communications
DAY OF SERVICE
20
Charly Ryan Director of Institutional Advancement Kathleen Warner Bula ’79 Advancement Associate
Why I Give?..................................................................................................28 Coach Sheahan Awards...............................................................................28 Senior Project – 45 Years.............................................................................29
Mark Chapman Database Manager
PHOTOGRAPHY NewkPhoto LLC Jaclyn Lippelmann/Catholic Standard Stone Photography
LAYOUT/DESIGN/PRODUCTION
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNAE
31
Class of 1968 – 50th Reunion.......................................................................34 Annual Fund.................................................................................................35 Legacy Circle...............................................................................................36
Nate Strine On-Target Design
ON THE COVER:
Salutatorian Chewon “Chelsea” Kwak ’18, Commencement speaker Sylvia Cole Mackey ’59, and Valedictorian Brigid Johnston ’18
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 programs or other school-administered programs. The Tartan is a publication of The Academy of the Holy Cross.
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 1
Letter from the Board Chair We’ve been celebrating on Strathmore Avenue! What an honor it has been to witness the accomplishments of the visionary Sisters of the Holy Cross; how humbling it is to realize that the dedication and generosity of countless people over the last 150 years has enriched our families for generations to come. What a community we have become. Each anniversary event paid homage to our past and inspired our future. The Opening Mass on campus and the dedication of Heritage Hall set the tone for a year of memorable moments. Each time I encounter the Heritage Hall display, I learn another piece of our rich history—who knew the Sisters of the Holy Cross were Civil War nurses? And, better yet, only agreed to serve if they could minister to the injured regardless of the color of their uniform. The Holy Cross community packed the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle for a Mass where it all began. Together we said our prayers of gratitude for our past and prayers of hope for our future. The lovely donor event at Strathmore again connected past and present—who knew the sisters lived in the Strathmore Mansion back in the day? A Mass and reception for alumnae who graduated from Holy Cross when it was in Washington, DC showed us that the Upton Street building is still grand and awe-inspiring. When 300 alumnae reconnected with Holy Cross at the All-Alumnae Reunion we all knew that it would be a high-energy, nonstop-Tartan-talking blast. And what fun to have Sister Grace return to Maryland for three weeks. To know her is to know there is love. So many memories to savor. Back on campus, there was so much more than a party going on. The 2017-2018 school year was punctuated with tremendous student academic, athletic, and artistic achievement. The 150th graduating class was offered a record-breaking $14,000,000 of merit-based college scholarships and completed 10,000 hours of service in their four years. On behalf of the entire Board of Trustees, let me applaud our newest alumnae. We also know this incredible year of celebration and achievement is only possible because of the above-and-beyond leadership of our President, Katy Prebble, our Principal, Melissa Huey-Burns, and our talented faculty and staff. To say they all worked tirelessly understates their commitment by untold spent midnight oil. Our hats are off to you. Watching the class of 2018 receive their diplomas at the Basilica, I was particularly proud of the founding members of a new student association, Young Tartans Give Back. These seniors not only encouraged a record number of their classmates to contribute money to the school, they took on the challenge of changing the culture of philanthropy that has historically raised considerably less money for all-girls schools than other institutions. This is just the beginning of a lifelong commitment to ensure the priceless Holy Cross experience for the next generations of young women through generosity. Giving back to The Academy of the Holy Cross—Let’s all join in that celebration!
Karen Schaffer Chair, Board of Trustees 2 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
COURAGE
COMPASSION
SCHOLARSHIP
Letter from the President On behalf of the entire Holy Cross community, I would like to sincerely thank everyone who attended and supported our 150th Anniversary events. You have all been instrumental in the Academy’s development and helped us pay tribute to the Sisters of the Holy Cross, our mission, and our amazing students who desire to use their gifts to make the world a better place. From our opening Mass on campus to our spectacular graduation at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, we celebrated our 150 years of service to God and the community. The Academy of the Holy Cross was founded in 1868 in response to an invitation to open a school for girls in Saint Matthew the Apostle parish. As the need to educate young girls and young women became more apparent, the school expanded and the sisters relocated twice more with a final move to Kensington. We cherish our relationship with the sisters as we model their courage, compassion, and scholarship. Today, Holy Cross remains committed to the same unifying mission of educating young women in the ideals expressed by Blessed Basil Moreau. Over the past 150 years, Holy Cross has continued to provide an exemplary education for thousands of young women. Today, with alumnae found in locations in every state and almost every country, we are making a difference in the lives of people around the world. We are deeply grateful for the support from our alumnae who have been critical to our school’s success and will be key to our aspirational future. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with alumnae as we move forward. It is my honor to serve as President of this remarkable institution as we commemorated this milestone year. We cherish our history and thank our donors who have supported us during our first 150 years. We look forward to a bright future and ask your help in continuing the mission of the Sisters of the Holy Cross.
Sincerely,
Kathleen R. Prebble President and CEO
“How shall we know that we are taught by God? By our works.” Blessed Basil Moreau
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150th Anniversary Heritage Hallway PHOTOS OF UPTON STREET CHAPEL Included in the 150th Anniversary Heritage Hallway are 10 photos taken of the chapel in the former Upton Street campus building. The beautiful photos were taken by faculty member Rodney Larsen in the spring of 2016.
4 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
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Rodney had this to say: I spent eight remarkable years working within the Holy Cross community—as a teacher, as an administrator, and always as a student. The day I spent on what was once our Upton Street campus, photographing and learning about Holy Cross Hall and its unassumingly beautiful chapel, was a powerful reminder to me of our enduring traditions, the beauty of our school’s heritage, and the importance of the mission of Holy Cross. That campus, like the present-day Academy, remains a symbol of the courage needed to make our voices heard today, the compassion embodied in the
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Catholic faith, and the scholarship required to learn and innovate so we can, together, make this world a better place.
Holy Cross bid Rodney farewell at the end of the 2017-2018 school year as he and his wife Sarah Richey have recently moved to Denver.
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CATHOLIC STANDARD
MAY 31, 2018
GRADUATION
Holy Cross senior hopes to dedicate life to improving women’s health By Mark Zimmermann Catholic Standard
K
iara Beckham’s dream is to work in a career where she can improve the prospects for women’s health. For her senior project at the Academy of the Holy Cross in Kensington, she got to witness people on the frontlines of that work, while she volunteered for three weeks at the High Risk Perinatal Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring. This fall, the member of the class of 2018 at Holy Cross will be attending Union College in Schenectady, New York – one of the top five STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) colleges for women – on an academic scholarship. Reflecting on her senior project, she said, “I’m going to school for biomedical engineering, and I want to work in women’s health. That’s why I gravitated to this opportunity, to understand what doctors and nurses go through and what’s demanded of them during the day.” She said the example of the doctors and nurses doing that work at Holy Cross Hospital taught her, “You have to remain levelheaded and do the job to the best of your ability.” Beckham expressed admiration for the dedication, diligence and patience of the doctors and nurses serving parents and babies in those emotional and difficult situations. “They really want the best for the baby and mother and dad,” she said. She also praised the parents, who have to endure situations like seeing their prematurely born babies hooked up to oxygen and feeding tubes. “Their strength is really inspiring,” Beckham said. And she gained affection for the babies being cared for, some 6 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
CS PHOTO BY JACLYN LIPPELMANN
Kiara Beckham
of whom weighed a little more than a pound. “They’re absolutely adorable,” she said, adding that she prayed for the babies and talked to them. Issues like the high maternal death rates in developing countries, and that problem in the United States, drew her to want to make improving women’s health her life’s work, she said, adding that one of “the biggest killers for women worldwide is childbirth… What I heard about it resonated with me.”
For a required research project at the Academy of the Holy Cross, she surveyed about 250 students, analyzing their perceived stress and how that might relate to physical symptoms like headaches. Beckham, the daughter of Harvey and Bianca Beckham of Silver Spring, has two younger sisters – Kailee, who is completing her sophomore year at St. John’s College High School in Washington, and Kinsley, a third grader. A member of 19th Street
Baptist Church in Washington, Beckham said she enjoyed attending Holy Cross, an all-girls Catholic high school sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. She said after attending a coed public school, she was nervous at first about going to an all-girls school, but “this opportunity has led me to make a community of friends. We’re really, really close.” Beckham said it has also been empowering to see the young women at Holy Cross take student leadership roles and share their experiences and thoughts in class. “I love being around really intelligent, empowered women,” she said. “… This school has given me a lot of confidence. The community wants the best for you. What you have to say is important, and say it with conviction.” At Holy Cross, she played forward on the basketball team and competed in golf. Her community service there included helping second graders with homework and visiting a local nursing home. Her favorite classes at Holy Cross were honors biology and two years of biology in the International Baccalaureate program. “Studying something so intricate and detailed, studying life and organisms, everything just works out so perfectly. That drove me toward it,” she said, explaining what she enjoyed most about studying biology. Beckham also plans to study Spanish at Union College. She learned Spanish from the time she attended Montessori preschool. The majority of patients that she met at Holy Cross Hospital were Spanish speakers, and she could communicate with them. Some day, Beckham hopes to work in the women’s health field, possibly in a Spanish-speaking country. “If I leave this Earth improving women’s lives and education and health care, I will leave this Earth happy,” she said.
Reprinted with permission of the Catholic Standard newspaper of the Archdiocese of Washington.
UPCOMING EVENTS 2018
Why I Give?
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 - 7:00 pm Tartanfest FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 - 10:00 am 2018 Tartan Classic Golf Tournament TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30 - 10:00 am Upton Street Reunion at Kensington campus SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9 - 1:00 pm Cookies with Santa
2019 THURSDAY, JANUARY 3 Gonzaga Business Network Career Fair THURSDAY, JANUARY 10 Tartans Come Home for the Class of 2018 SUNDAY, MARCH 10 Alumnae Memorial Mass FRIDAY, MARCH 22 Career Day SATURDAY, APRIL 6 Annual Benefit Auction & Gala FRIDAY, APRIL 12 Grandparents/Special Friends Day FRIDAY, MAY 3 Distinguished Alumnae and Athletic Hall of Fame Awards Night SATURDAY-MONDAY, JUNE 1-3 Class of 1969 50th Reunion
As the years go by, I have realized that it is very important that we continue to support Catholic schools. I am lucky to still have good friends that I made at Holy Cross and we continue to stay in touch. Having those relationships makes you feel comfortable where you are in life. Men have always been expected to support their schools and do so without question. I have no daughters, but if I did, I would encourage them to give generously. With so many women working and having successful careers, it’s important that they too give back! HELEN MARTIN MCKENNA ’49
Keep in Touch Please send your updated mailing or email address to alumnae@academyoftheholycross.org or call (301) 929-6463. The Alumnae Office sends a monthly email newsletter and information about upcoming events. If you aren’t receiving these notices, we might not have your current information.
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 7
Living the Miss Honoring the
The History of The Academy of the Holy Cross In celebration of 150 years of educating women of courage, compassion and scholarship, this display honors the dedication of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross and the commitment of everyone who ensured the Academy would endure. The Academy’s story is a rich legacy of tradition and innovation. We are grateful to all who have contributed to our success.
The Early Years 1868–1879
The Academy of the Holy Cross traces its founding to the parish of Saint Matthew the Apostle in Washington, DC, where the pastor, Rev. Charles Ignatius White invited the Sisters of the Holy Cross to open a school for the girls of the parish. Mother Angela (Gillespie) sent Sister M. Sebastian (Gregory) and Sister M. Nativity (Moss). After one year, the immediate need for a private school was apparent. In 1869, three additional sisters were sent from the Mother House in South Bend, Indiana to organize the program. Established to promote the education of young women in the ideals expressed by Blessed Basil Moreau, the Sisters of the Holy Cross taught children and young women at facilities shared with St. Matthew’s parish school. Despite the rapid growth of the Academy, lack of funds kept the sisters from opening their own facility. A residence at 1440 M Street, NW, was rented in 1876 for the faculty and to house the Academy, where they remained for three years.
150 Anniversary Timeline th
1837 Oberlin College begins becomes first coeducational college in the United States. Father Moreau establishes the Congregation of Holy Cross. 1838 Britain’s Queen Victoria is crowned. 1841 Father Moreau establishes society of sisters within the Congregation of the Holy Cross. 1842 Father Sorin and Brothers of Holy Cross arrive at Notre Dame, IN. 1843 Four sisters arrive in Indiana. By 1861 Sisters of the Holy Cross are operating schools and orphanages throughout the eastern half of the United States. 1844 Sisters open school and novitiate in Bertrand, MI that will become Saint Mary’s College in 1908. Habit given for the first time in the United States. 8 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
World and US History Sisters of the Holy Cross History The Academy of the Holy Cross History
1845 Sisters establish Native American mission at Pokagon, IN. 1846 Pius IX named pope. United States-Mexican war begins. 1848 The first convention on U.S. women’s rights meets in Seneca Falls, NY. The “Declaration of Sentiments” is signed by 100 participants. 1849 Elizabeth Blackwell becomes the first licensed woman physician in the United States. California Gold Rush begins. 1850 Harriet Tubman joins the Underground Railroad efforts, leading slaves to freedom. First National Woman’s Rights Convention is held in Worcester, MA. 1853 Eliza Gillespie becomes a Sister of the Holy Cross and given the name Sister Mary Angela. Sisters establish Bangladesh ministry.
1855 Sisters leave Bertrand for the Rush property, one mile west of Notre Dame, which becomes Saint Mary’s of the Immaculate Conception. 1857 Father Moreau visits Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s. 1861 American Civil War begins. 1862 Holy Cross sisters board the Union Navy hospital ship Red Rover, becoming the forerunners of the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps. 1863 Sister Angela is elected Mother Superior at Saint Mary’s. 1865 American Civil War ends.
sion, Legacy
Saint Matthew the Apostle
Heart pendant of the Sisters of the Holy Cross
Sisters of the Holy Cross
1868 Depiction of Washington, DC published in Harper’s magazine
1868 The federal women’s suffrage amendment is first introduced in Congress. The Academy of the Holy Cross is founded by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, with support from Saint Matthew’s parish in Washington, DC. The Academy shares temporary facilities with Saint Matthew’s parish school. 1869 The National Woman Suffrage Association is founded by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross receive autonomy from Marianites of Holy Cross. Mother Angela remains Superior. Father Sorin is named Ecclesiastical Superior. 1873 Father Moreau dies. 1875 Sisters of the Holy Cross establish College of Saint Mary-of-the-Wasatch in Salt Lake City, UT.
September 1, 1869 National Republican advertisement
1876 United States celebrates its Centennial. Sisters of the Holy Cross vacate Bangladesh ministry. 1877 Sister Mary LaSalette begins as Superior at the Academy and begins search for a permanent building to handle the growing number of students. 1878 Leo XIII named pope. A lot adjacent to Thomas Circle, at 1312 Massachusetts Avenue, NW is secured. Construction on Massachusetts Avenue building begins. 1879 Articles of Incorporation are filed for The Academy of the Holy Cross. Students and faculty move to Massachusetts Avenue building. Sister Mary Angelica (Holton) begins as the Academy’s Superior, a position she will hold for 30 years.
1881 President James Garfield assassinated in Washington, DC. Chester Arthur assumes presidency. 1887 Mother Angela (Gillespie) dies. 1889 Sisters of the Holy Cross return to Bangladesh ministry. 1893 Father Sorin dies. 1896 Sisters of the Holy Cross vacate Bangladesh ministry for second time. A “cyclone of terrific force” strikes the Academy with much damage to the building. Repairs cost over $1,000. 1898 Spanish American War. The Academy’s Massachusetts Avenue campus is renovated to allow for boarding students and growing enrollment. A nearby property is leased as an annex. THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 9
Massachusetts Avenue Campus 1879–1910
In 1877 Sister M. LaSalette (Smith) became the school’s superior and began a search to find a more suitable location for the Academy. With the help of Father White, the sisters purchased a lot adjacent to Thomas Circle at 1312 Massachusetts Avenue, NW for $11,000. Father White died before the foundation of the new institution was laid, but his words, “Put up a building worthy of the Church and your community,” were literally fulfilled. The institution cost $40,000 and was described as a “pretentious red brick building with handsome stone trimmings.” The building was completed, and The Academy of the Holy Cross was formally chartered in 1879. By the time Sister M. Angelica (Holton) became superior in 1884, Holy Cross was known as a preeminent school for young women in Washington. The school hosted presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Howard Taft, and Sister Angelica, graduating seniors and teachers were guests at the White House. Additionally the Academy welcomed many of the most distinguished scholars of the nation. As head of the Academy for 29 years, Sister Angelica made monumental changes to improve Holy Cross. At the close of the nineteenth century, the building was renovated to allow for resident students. As the number of graduates from the Academy began to grow, the Alumnae Association was established in 1899. In 1906 new electric lighting was installed and, for the first time, hot and cold water were run up to the third floor of the Academy for the boarders. As the number of young women who boarded at the Academy grew, the sisters were forced to use folding cots in classrooms to accommodate the residents. This led to the leasing of a nearby property as an annex in 1907. Despite this
1899 The Academy of the Holy Cross Alumnae Association established. 1900 During the Academy’s Alumnae Association gathering, the Class of 1876 presents a silver vase in honor of their jubilee. 1901 President William McKinley assassinated in Buffalo, New York. Theodore Roosevelt assumes presidency. 1903 Pius X named pope. The Academy purchases a large unused estate west of Rock Creek Park on Dunbarton Heights. Site had no water, sewage service, gas or electricity, which delayed building until 1909. 1907 President Roosevelt receives the Academy’s graduating class and several sisters at the White House. 10 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
addition, Sister Angelica realized that the Academy was rapidly outgrowing its present location. Noticing a large unused estate west of Rock Creek Park on Dunbarton Heights, Sister Angelica purchased the 22 acres of land in 1904 with the support of Washington’s Bishop Thomas J. Shahan. The remote pastoral location in upper Northwest DC had no water, sewage service, gas, or electricity and was used as a summer retreat for the boarders and sisters.
1908 Saint Mary’s College is chartered. Construction begins on the Academy’s new structure at Upton Street campus. 1909 William H Taft becomes Untied States President. President Taft visits the Academy and receives the graduating class, their teachers, and Sister Angelica at the White House. 1910 The Academy of the Holy Cross Upton Street campus opens. 1911 The Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire in New York City causes over 100 deaths (mostly young women and girls). This results in the largest women’s strike to date and eventually, workplace safety protective legislation for workers. 1913 Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan is the Academy’s graduation keynote speaker.
Silver vase presented to the Academy in 1900 by the Class of 1876
1914 World War I begins and continues until 1918. Benedict XV named pope. 1916 Jeanette Rankin of Montana becomes the first woman elected to Congress. 1917 The Academy’s students organize and contribute “comfort kits” for soldiers. 1918 World War I ends. Sisters volunteer as nurses during Spanish influenza epidemic. Spanish influenza epidemic closes DC schools including the Academy from September to November. 1919 Catholic University accepts The Academy of the Holy Cross to list of affiliated high schools.
February 22, 1891 The Sunday Herald advertisement
Senior classroom
The Academy’s building at Massachusetts Avenue
Ladies of the Academy
1920 The 19th Amendment is signed into law granting women the right to vote. The Academy’s “Dunbarton Missionary Society” established as a unit of the Catholic Students Missionary Crusade (CSMC). 1921 Graduating class of the Academy is received at the White House by first lady, Florence Harding. 1922 Pius XI named pope. Sister M. Angelica (Holton), former Superior of the Academy, dies. 1923 Warren G. Harding dies in office, Calvin Coolidge assumes presidency. The Academy’s Alumnae Association inaugurates “Rose Day” in memory of Sister Angelica. Plans drafted for “Our Lady of the Roses” shrine of the Blessed Mother, which was dedicated a year later.
Medal of Excellence awarded in 1893
1926 Opening of College of Saint Mary of the Wasatch, Salt Lake City. Closed in 1959. Graduating class of the Academy is received at the White House by first lady, Grace Coolidge. 1927 Sisters of the Holy Cross return to Bangladesh (after previous ministries in 1853-1876 and 18891896). 1929 Great Depression begins and continues until 1939. The Academy receives affiliation with Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of the Middle States and Maryland. 1931 Sisters of the Holy Cross General Chapter votes formation of provinces and names first three provincials.
Sister M. Antonine (Farmer) with students
1932 Amelia Earhart makes the first transcontinental nonstop flight by a woman. 1933 Frances Perkins is sworn in as Secretary of Labor and the first woman in the U.S. cabinet. 1934 The Academy of the Holy Cross joins Athletic League for Holy Cross high schools in the Washington Area. Sister M. Madeleva (Wolff), president of Saint Mary’s College, lectures at The Academy of the Holy Cross. 1935 Sisters of the Holy Cross establish Dunbarton College of the Holy Cross, Washington, DC
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 11
Upton Street Campus 1910–1959
Sister Angelica received approval to build the new campus from the Mother House just before Christmas in 1908 with the proviso that she could expect no financial assistance. Plans were drawn and in May 1909, ground was broken for the new institution. The Academy’s new Tudor Gothic brick structure was finished a year later and, in 1910, the students and sisters eagerly moved to the Upton Street campus, as it soon came to be called. After nearly three decades of service to the Academy, Sister Angelica retired in 1912, leaving the Academy with a bright vision for the future and a profound debt.
Although the Academy felt the effects of the Great Depression with a reduction in enrollment, the school continued to flourish throughout the 1930s. As the Academy and other schools operated by the sisters continued to thrive, the need for higher education of the sisters and the graduates of their schools became evident. In 1935 Dunbarton College of the Holy Cross began operation in the Academy’s building and moved into their own new building on the campus three years later.
As the United States entered World War II, the Academy continued to provide an exemplary education for young women. As many families came to Washington to work in Ladies of the Academy in 1910 the expanding departments of government, the number The 1920s brought about exciting events for the Ladies of the of students at the Academy once again increased. Space at Academy. Enrollment was at a record high. The Academy Upton Street was also made available to young women who operated its own farm. The graduating classes of 1921 and came to Washington as war workers. While students at the 1926 were both received by the First Ladies at the White Academy continued their studies, they also assisted with the House. The Alumnae Association established a scholarship war effort. Students purchased war bonds and raised funds fund through the generous support by the growing number to purchase three Jeeps and five ambulances. They joined of graduates of the Academy. Following the death of the the Red Cross, volunteered at many hospitals in the area, beloved Sister M. Angelica, the Alumnae Association and compiled handmade and collected supplies for kits that inaugurated “Rose Day” in her memory with the completion were mailed to soldiers, displaced Europeans, and orphaned of the “Our Lady of the Roses” shrine of the Blessed Mother. refugee children, all despite their own rationing.
1936 Classes in sewing, dance and music were added and the Academy soon had to purchase 20 new pianos. 1938 The Academy produced eight musicales to ensure each music pupil was given the opportunity to perform. 1939 Great Depression ends, World War II begins in Europe. Pius XII named pope. Enrollment increases at the Academy due to the war effort. Young women coming to Washington as war workers are also accommodated at Upton Street. 1941 December 7 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. World War II begins in the Pacific.
12 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
1943 During World War II, 350,000 women served in the U.S. Armed Forces and between 1940 and 1945, the female percentage of the U.S. workforce increased to close to 40 percent of the female population. The Academy supports the war effort: students purchase war bonds and raise funds to purchase three Jeeps and five ambulances; they join the Red Cross and volunteer at various hospitals; they collect supplies for kits mailed to soldiers, displaced Europeans, and orphaned refugee children, all despite their own war rationing. The Sisters of the Holy Cross purchase a large parcel of land, known as the Corby Estate, in Kensington, Maryland east of Rockville Pike. 1944 Sisters open Angela Hall primary school (grades 1-4) at new Kensington campus. 1945 Franklin D. Roosevelt serving his fourth term dies in office. Harry S. Truman assumes presidency. World War II ends.
1946 Introduction of the cause for the beatification of Father Moreau. 1947 Sisters of the Holy Cross begin ministry in Brazil and open Colégio Santa Maria in São Paulo, Brazil. 1949 Harry S. Truman reelected president. 1950 Korean War begins. Sisters of the Holy Cross open Holy Cross Girls’ High School and Holy Cross College in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In commemoration of the 75th graduating class of the Academy, a new school seal is adopted. 1952 Sisters of the Holy Cross open Cardinal Cushing College, Brookline, MA.
1930 graduation photo
Early photo of the Academy’s building at Upton Street
Sister Melita with students
Students at the 1910 dedication
Ceremonial trowel from the laying of the cornerstone in 1908
Our Lady of the Roses grotto
Graduation pendant
1953 Korean War ends. 1955 Rosa Parks is arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, sparking the American civil rights movement. Vietnam War begins and continues until 1975. Construction begins on The Academy of the Holy Cross Kensington campus. 1956 Opening of rebuilt Church of Loretto. The Academy’s Kensington campus is completed and blessed by the Most Reverend Patrick A. O’Boyle, Archbishop of Washington. Freshman class of 1960 begins at the new campus with other classes added each year as the students at the Upton Street campus graduate. 1958 John XXIII named pope. The last group of sisters leave convent on campus of Notre Dame where sisters had served since 1843.
1959 The last class to attend the Academy’s Upton Street campus graduates. 1960 Sisters donate property north of the Academy to the Archdiocese of Washington for a new church, school and convent–to be named Holy Cross parish. First class to fully attend the Academy’s Kensington campus graduates. 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion in Cuba. 1963 President John Kennedy signs the Equal Pay Act into law. President John Kennedy assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Lyndon B. Johnson assumes presidency. Paul VI named pope. Sisters open Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD. A Father-Daughter Dance is held at the Academy for the first time.
1966 The “East Wing” of the Academy is completed, adding art rooms, music rooms and a gymnasium. 1967 Sisters of the Holy Cross begin ministry in Uganda. 1968 The Academy of the Holy Cross celebrates centennial anniversary. 1969 Sisters of the Holy Cross close College of Saint Mary-of-the-Wasatch in Salt Lake City, UT. 1970 Saint Angela Hall is opened adjacent to the Academy for Sisters in the Eastern Province who are in retirement.
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 13
Kensington Campus 1956–Today
Despite the uncertainty of war, the sisters had a vision for their beloved school. In 1943 they purchased nearly 150 acres of land in Kensington known as the Corby Estate including the mansion, which initially served as the sisters’ residence and later was developed into the Strathmore Hall Center for Arts. In 1956 the Academy moved to its present 28-acre home. Grades were added one year at a time while the students at Upton Street graduated. The school flourished in its new location. The “East Wing” addition was completed in 1966, adding art and music rooms and a gymnasium. The Academy’s academic program continued to stay ahead of educational trends with opportunities such as the Senior Project internship. Though the 1980s were a tumultuous time for area Catholic schools and the Academy’s future was uncertain, the administration continued with solid initiatives. In 1998 the Academy received the U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon of Excellence, proving that the decision to remain open was a wise one. With a new financial stability established, the Arts & Sciences wing and Theatre was opened in 2003, nearly doubling the school’s learning space. Remaining connected to its Washington, DC roots, the Alumnae Association continued to remain active, adding to its numbers with each graduating class. In 1985 they organized the transfer of the Our Lady of the Roses statue to the Kensington campus circle.
expanded recruitment efforts to include students from China. The new Center for Technology and Creativity supports the growing technology-minded curriculum. Ridgway Field, an all-weather, synthetic-turf field was added to better prepare athletes for faster play at the college level with fewer injuries. New opportunities in 2017, such as Project Lead the Way and dual credit/dual enrollment with Marymount University, continue to demonstrate the Academy’s progressive mindset. The Academy of the Holy Cross carries a deep legacy of commitment to women’s education, nurtured by the dedication of hundreds of Sisters of the Holy Cross and countless other educators. All whose lives have been touched by this great institution owe them a debt of gratitude. Ladies of the Academy in 1961
In recent years the Academy has continued to advance mission-based priorities such as becoming an International Baccalaureate World School, the adoption of the Moreau Options Program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and
1972 Title IX of the Education Amendments prohibits sex discrimination in schools. Sisters of the Holy Cross close Cardinal Cushing College, Brookline, MA. 1973 Sisters of the Holy Cross close Dunbarton College of the Holy Cross in Washington, DC. The Academy of the Holy Cross inaugurates internship program known as Senior Project. 1974 Richard Nixon resigns as president. Gerald Ford assumes presidency. Sisters of the Holy Cross begin ministry in Tiberias, Israel. 1975 Vietnam War ends. 1976 United States celebrates its Bicentennial. Founding of Holy Cross Shared Services. The Academy’s basketball team coached by Bill Sheahan compiles a record of 162 of 166 wins that ends in 1982, including a 115-game winning streak. 14 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
1978 John Paul I named pope, dies 33 days later. John Paul II named pope. Founding of Holy Cross Health System. 1979 Founding of Holy Cross Associates Program. 1981 Ronald Reagan becomes United States President. Sandra Day O’Connor becomes the first woman seated on the United States Supreme Court. 1982 Sisters of the Holy Cross begin ministry in Peru. 1983 Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space. Sisters of the Holy Cross begin ministry in Ghana. 1984 Geraldine Ferraro becomes the first woman nominated for vice president by a major party.
1985 Our Lady of the Roses statue moved from the Academy’s Upton Street campus to its current home on the Kensington campus circle. 1987 Sisters of the Holy Cross begin ministry in Mexico. 1988 In celebration of the Academy’s 120th Anniversary, a new class ring is designed with an onyx stone engraved with the Academy’s seal. 1990 The Academy’s first lay Principal named. 1991 Persian Gulf War begins. Kairos retreat added to the Academy’s Campus Ministry program. 1992 Persian Gulf War ends.
1966 dedication of the “East Wing”
Early photo of the Academy’s building in Kensington
1956 dedication and blessing of the cornerstone
Our Lady of the Roses at its present home
2015 Ridgway Field dedication
1961 Christmas record recorded by the Academy’s choirs Kensington campus today
1993 Janet Reno becomes the first woman to hold the office of Attorney General of the United States. Sisters of the Holy Cross open a house of spiritual study for Holy Cross Sisters in India. 1997 Madeleine Albright is sworn in as the first female Secretary of State. Sisters of the Holy Cross vacate ministry in Tiberias, Israel. 1998 The Academy receives the coveted U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon of Excellence. 2001 September 11 Terrorist attack in New York City, NY, Arlington, VA/Washington DC and Shanksville, PA. Invasion of Afghanistan. Ground is broken for an Arts & Sciences wing and Theatre at the Academy.
2003 United States invades Iraq. The Academy Arts & Sciences building and Theatre addition opens. 2005 Condoleezza Rice serves as the first female African American Secretary of State. Benedict XVI named pope. 2006 The Academy begins President-Principal model of leadership. 2007 Father Basil Moreau beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on September 15, 2007. 2010 The Academy of the Holy Cross becomes an approved International Baccalaureate (IB) World School. 2012 The Academy’s field hockey team wins fifth consecutive WCAC Championship.
2013 Francis I named pope. 2015 The Academy installs a synthetic, all-weather turf field for the soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and softball programs. 2016 175th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Marianites of Holy Cross in LeMans, France. Sister Grace the last member of the Sisters of the Holy Cross who worked and lived at the Academy retires. Volleyball wins fifth consecutive WCAC Championship. Ice Hockey are girl’s MAGHL Champions. 2017 The Academy of the Holy Cross celebrates 150 years.
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 15
Our 150th Anniversary was a remarkable occasion with special events held throughout the year!
OPENING MASS AND HERITAGE HALL DEDICATION Our first Mass of the school year on Wednesday, August 30 was celebrated with the school community. Six priests joined the celebration. Msgr. John Enzler led a blessing and dedication of the new Heritage Hall display space.
Mary Murray ’18, Noelia Villafane ’21, Father Stephen Planning, Father Martino Choi
Msgr. Ray East
Judy Hoffman, Gordon Anson, Danielle Mahaney Ballantine ’86
150TH ANNIVERSARY MASS AT CATHEDRAL OF SAINT MATTHEW THE APOSTLE Cardinal Donald Wuerl was principal celebrant for the Mass that took place on Sunday, September 24 in the parish where the Academy was founded. Sister Grace Shonk visited for the event and attended along with nine Sisters of the Holy Cross.
Katharine Hess Teitel ’69
Sister Grace Shonk, CSC (center) with alumnae and current students. 16 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
Morgan Lewis ’19
Helen Stanislav Dankos ’75, Melissa HueyBurns, Cardinal Wuerl, Sister Grace Shonk, CSC, Katy Prebble
Cardinal Wuerl
Laura Meehan directing the choir.
UPTON STREET REUNION More than 50 alumnae from the classes of 1945-1959 attended a special Mass and reception on Sunday, October 22 at the home of Holy Cross in Washington, DC from 1910 to 1959.
Mary Jo Lawrence Clarke ’57 (right) with her daughter Kathleen Ruttum
Patricia Koepfle Bloomfield ’45, Katy Prebble, Rosemary May Briggs ’45
Brendy Roddy D’Onofrio ’60, Florence Roddy DiMisa ’57
WE CELEBRATE OUR DONORS AT STRATHMORE MANSION The Sisters of the Holy Cross purchased acreage in Kensington in 1943, which included the Corby estate which would eventually become the Strathmore mansion. During the special donor reception on Monday, October 30, guests heard exciting plans for the future of Holy Cross.
Debbie and Don Hathway
Joanne Carl ’76 and Melanie Caceres
Karen Schaeffer and Art Fuccillo
Heidi McAuliffe, Katy Prebble, Mike McAuliffe THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 17
ALL-ALUMNAE REUNION On Friday, November 10, nearly 300 alumnae returned to their alma mater to relive memories and make new ones with classmates and fellow LOTAs.
Stefany Oliva ’12, Cynthia Alfaro ’12, Christine Clark ’12, Katy Prebble, Mary Kate Bula ’12, Alessandra Barone ’13, Elizabeth Wilcox ’13
Shebna Garcon ’04, Katie Long Brenneman ’04, Erin Clark Whetham ’05
Maggie Long White ’09, Brydie Long ’11, Amy Nalls Langevin ’93, Sarah Long ’13
THE PAST MEETS THE PRESENT BENEFIT AUCTION AND GALA Generous members of the Holy Cross community placed their bids and raised their paddles high on Saturday, March 24 at the Bethesda North Marriot Hotel and Conference Center.
Class of 1960 classmates: Gayle Rionda Yiotis, Elena Bechtold Peterson, Pat Lyons, Sister Paula Goettelmann, Pattie Bechtold Webster
Cathy Hanrahan ’77, Janet Hanrahan Weise ’80, Barbara Hanrahan
Katy Prebble and Helen Stanislav Dankos ’75
Holy Cross Sisters (L-R) Paula Goettelmann ’60, Sharon Mihm ’63, Kathy Johnson
Regina Skinner, Maggie O’Neill ’95, Gerard Skinner
READ MORE ABOUT ALL THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS AT
WWW.HOLYCROSS150.ORG/EVENTS 18 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
Why I Give?
Forty years ago, I graduated from The Academy of the Holy Cross along with my 114 fellow classmates in the Class of 1978. In the ensuing years, I graduated from college, married, had four children, and opened my own business. All along the way, my Tartan friends have shared my happiest times, my challenges, and my losses. While we were at Holy Cross, we learned to love ourselves, our faith, and each other. We learned to love learning. It was a sweet time of growth. I continue to donate in support of the Holy Cross mission and in the hope that the Academy can become a sweet memory for another young woman. My only regret is that we did not live close enough to have sent our daughter Mary-Margaret to AHC!
FAITH FINAMORE FIOCCO ’78
Share Your
HOLY CROSS STORY How did Holy Cross impact your life? Who were the Holy Cross sisters, teachers or staff members who left an indelible mark on the person you are today? What would you like to share about Holy Cross that you believe is unique or exceptional? WE WANT TO KNOW YOUR HOLY CROSS STORY! • Are you part of a “Holy Cross dynasty” where many or most your relatives are Ladies of the Academy? Tell us about it! • Was your Senior Project instrumental in the career path you chose? Tell us why! • Are there fond memories of your participation in a retreat, club, sport, or after-school activity? Share it! As part of our 150th Anniversary celebration, we have created a Holy Cross Stories page at
www.holycross150.org/stories Visit the page and then please share your stories and photos!
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 19
AMAZING DAY OF SERVICE
Sends Holy Cross Out into the Community
On Monday, April 23 the entire Holy
Cross school community left campus to perform a Day of Service as part of the 150th Anniversary. The event celebrated the deep commitment the founders of the Academy, the Sisters of the Holy Cross, have to social justice. Groups traveled to 18 different locations in Maryland and Washington, DC to complete numerous different service activities such as cleaning, gardening, preparing and serving meals; organizing donations of food, clothing, toys, and housewares; greeting veterans, and visiting with residents. The sponsoring organizations were extremely grateful for the assistance and offered much praise to Holy Cross for the project. At the conclusion of the Day of Service, the Holy Cross community had contributed more than 3,300 hours of service—in one day. Organization for the Day of Service began before the start of the 2017-2018 school year and was the yearlong project of Emily Teter, Director of the Holy Cross Social Justice program. She orchestrated all details to ensure smooth operation of the day, which included an introductory and closing program on campus for the girls.
RED WIGGLER FARM
DC GENERAL FAMILY SHELTER
20 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
BRIGHTVIEW FALLSGROVE
ST. JOSEPH HOUSE CROSSWAY COMMUNITY
FR. MCKENNA CENTER
CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 21
KENSINGTON PARK SENIOR LIVING
SALVATION ARMY HARBOR LIGHT
KENSINGTON PARK SENIOR LIVING
NATIONAL CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
HONOR FLIGHT
CENTRAL UNION MISSION 22 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER
SOME (SO OTHERS MIGHT EAT)
DC CENTRAL KITCHEN
A WIDER CIRCLE THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 23
Graduation
Class of 2018 Graduates with Record $14,000,000 in Scholarships Earned
The 116 girls in the Class of 2018 celebrated their graduation from the Academy with several ceremonies. This class earned over $14,000,000 in scholarships from the colleges to which they were accepted—a record amount in the Academy’s history.
24 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
The Cap and Gown Honor Awards ceremony
took place on Thursday, May 31. The seniors were recognized for their numerous accomplishments. Two students, Nya Myrie ’18 and Elizabeth Haywood ’18, were recognized with Social Justice awards. Claire Guarini ’18 took the Naval ROTC Commissioning Oath of Office delivered by her father William, who is a Navy officer. Valedictorian Brigid Johnston ’18 and Salutatorian Chewon “Chelsea” Kwak ’18 received honor medals for their accomplishments. To conclude the program, Senior Class President Sydney Bruno ’18 gave a final address to the assembly.
Claire Guarini ’18 and her father William Guarini
Front row (L-R) Caroline Ryan ’18, Elise Mitchell ’18, Shauneen Miranda ’18 Back row (L-R) Jade Parchment ’18, Helen Orrego ’18, Devan O’Neil ’18
Emma Jennings ’18 and Nya Myrie ‘18
Mary Johnson ’18 and Arden Ireland ’18
Sydney Bruno ’18
On Sunday, June 3, the Holy Cross community gathered at Holy Redeemer church in Kensington, MD, for the Baccalaureate Mass. During the Preparation of Gifts, graduates carried mementos from significant activities, academics, clubs, etc. in remembrance of their time at Holy Cross. Emma Jennings ’18 and Nya Myrie ’18 read the Prayer of the Graduate which they had written.
Gabriella Sebastian ’18
Eliza Giroux ’18 and Ariana Garcia ’18
Noelia Villafane ’21 Molly May ’21, Valerie Kuzma ’20 THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 25
On Monday, June 5, the Commencement ceremony took place at the
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Members of the 50th anniversary Class of 1968 walked in the procession. Chelsea’s salutatory address reflected on the ways in which Holy Cross helped her to broaden her perspective. She said, “the Academy has given me and all of us the opportunity to learn more about each other and investigate new ideas and world views, ones we may agree with and ones we may not.” In Brigid’s valedictory address she spoke about the solid bonds she feels among her classmates even though they may not be together physically any longer. “High school is a starting point on the path to knowing ourselves, and now we are leaving for the next part of that journey.” Sylvia Cole Mackey ’59 delivered the commencement keynote address. In her moving speech, she shared from her own educational experience, which included attending a segregated public primary school in Washington, DC. She spoke about how impactful her Holy Cross education was in her life and how important a solid educational foundation is today. She also offered words of advice to the graduates as they move forward to college and beyond.
Elaine Finney ’18
Emma Jennings ’18 and family
Following the conferring of diplomas, President Kathleen Prebble and Principal Melissa Huey-Burns presented The Cardinal’s Award (Kathryn von Heeringen ’18), the Sister Grace Award (Jeannie Cyrus ’18 and Theresa Brogan ’18), the St. André Bessette Citizenship Award (Samantha Miller ’18), the Spes Unica Award (Mary Muldoon ’18 and Caroline Floam ’18), and the Sisters of the Holy Cross Award (Grace Mulkins ’18). After the ceremony, the graduates posed for numerous photos with family and friends outside the Basilica.
Ariana Garcia ’18 and family Mary Johnson ’18 and Arden Ireland ’18 26 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
Front row (L-R): Helen Stanislav Dankos ’75, Greg Parchment, Joanne Carl ’76 Back row (L-R): Melissa Huey-Burns, Sister Sharon Mihm, CSC ’63, Karen Schaeffer, Sylvia Cole Mackey ’59, Doug Arkin, Katy Prebble
Katrina Hebert ’18, Emily May ’18, Elizabeth Haywood ’18
Melissa Huey-Burns, Katy Prebble, Samantha Miller ’18
Melissa Huey-Burns, Katy Prebble, Theresa Brogan ’18, Jeannie Cyrus ’18)
Melissa Huey-Burns, Katy Prebble, Sister Sharon Mihm, CSC ’63, Grace Mulkins ’18)
Jeannie Cyrus ’18 and Debbie Brown
Jordan Shuck ’18 and Courtney Shuck ’18
Estela Villafane ’18 and parents
Sylvia Cole Mackey ’59 and Sydney Bruno ’18
Melissa Huey-Burns, Katy Prebble, Kathryn von Heeringen ’18
Melissa Huey-Burns, Katy Prebble, Caroline Floam ’18, Mary Muldoon ’18
Keely Mashburn ’18 and family
Jeasmine Ebessa ’18, Nya Myrie ’18 and family
Elyse Keenan ’16, Andrea Shirdon ’18, Madelyn Ratnavale ’17
Lindsay Wright ’18
Jade Parchment ’18 and Monica Parchment
Estela Villafane ’18 and family
Devan O’Neil ’18 and family
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 27
Why I Give?
Coach Sheahan Excellence Award TWO
RECIPIENTS THIS YEAR
It is comforting to know that for 150 years, The Academy of the Holy Cross has been preparing girls to reach their full potential and become engaged citizens. This tradition continues to be confirmed as we witness our daughter, who is going into her senior year, flourish and become a confident, courageous and compassionate young woman. The faculty at the school is a tremendous asset. They are committed to helping each student realize her greatest academic and personal potential while providing a nurturing, supportive and challenging curriculum. It is also rewarding to witness the comradery and sisterhood that my daughter has developed, and to know that it will last a lifetime. With so many options available for high school, we are confident we made the right choice in selecting The Academy of the Holy Cross. LOU AND MELANIE CACERES (parents of Ashley ’19)
The Academy presented the Coach Sheahan Excellence Award to Eileen Dinn ’19 and Nicole Dao ’19 in May. This is the first time the award has been presented to two recipients in the award’s sixyear history. The award is named after the late 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 is presented to a rising senior who exemplifies the values that Coach Sheahan ascribed to in his own life and coaching style: a Christ-centered life, a devotion to family, a conscientious student, a leader and person of integrity and commitment who is loyal to herself, her school, and her community. Eileen was nominated by lacrosse coach Katie Triplin who wrote that Eileen is a leader who can always be counted on by her teammates and is dedicated to the success of the team, “all the while demanding their very best effort.” In addition to lacrosse, Eileen plays on the field hockey and ice hockey teams. Nicole was nominated by volleyball coach David Geiser who wrote that Nicole is also a hard-working scholar who is committed to serving others and “consistently demonstrates a high professional standard.” Nicole is also a member of the AHC Transformers Robotics team. The award includes a scholarship towards tuition.
28 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
Sharvari Puri ’18, Caroline Floam ’18, Jordan Shuck ’18, Kiara Beckham ’18, Lindsay Konz ’18, Brigid McGroarty ’18, Nya Myrie ’18
Nicole Dao ’19 and Eileen Dinn ’19
Class of 2018 SENIOR PROJECT INTERNSHIPS The Senior Project internship program has been part of the academic experience at the Academy since 1973. The program was unique to the area and begin as a voluntary activity in which girls had to fulfill prerequisites for permission for an internship. Through the years, the program has grown to become a graduation requirement. Holy Cross has built relationships with numerous community organizations who host our seniors. The opportunity continues to be an invaluable part of our girls’ educational foundation. Every year our seniors research sites, contact sponsors, coordinate the internship responsibilities, manage their 60-hour requirements, communicate with their faculty/staff mentors, and write reflections. The Class of 2018 internships took place at numerous organizations and businesses in fields such as medicine, education, engineering, law, communications, marketing, social work, journalism, and many others. For some students, Senior Project confirms their career aspirations. For others, it helps them to narrow their interests or determine a direction. At a special assembly after the conclusion of Senior Project, seven seniors gave presentations about their internships. Kiara Beckham interned at Holy Cross Hospital in the Perinatal and Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Caroline Floam interned at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Lindsay Konz interned at Montgomery County Courts in the courtroom of Judge Terry McGann. Brigid McGroarty interned at Maggie O’Neil Design. Nya Myrie interned with children in special education classes at Garrett Park Elementary School. Sharvari Puri interned at the University of Maryland Mechanical Engineering Lab. Jordan Shuck interned with a nursing unit at Medstar Washington Hospital Center. The girls spoke about what they enjoyed and found challenging during their Senior Project. They also shared the skills they discovered about themselves and offered tips about preparing for and during Senior Project. Holy Cross receives great feedback every year from the community sponsors about our girls and the opportunity to help mentor a student with their career choice. As is often the case, several of this year’s sponsors offered extended internships or even paid positions to our girls. After 45 years in existence, Senior Project continues to broaden the perspective of Holy Cross girls. THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 29
HOLY CROSS CAMPUS PRINT
BY ARTIST MAGGIE O’NEILL ’95
This beautiful painting was created and donated by Maggie O’Neill ’95 for the 2018 Benefit Gala and Auction.
Limited edition canvas and paper prints are available for purchase at http://www.maggieo.com/new-products-1/holy-cross 20% of the sales will be donated back to Holy Cross. 30 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
2018 Distinguished Alumnae Awards Presented Nancy Morrison O’Connor ’69, Sylvia Cole Mackey ’59, and Lisa Ridgway Slater ’82
Three outstanding alumnae were recognized with the Distinguished Alumnae Award in April. Sylvia Cole Mackey ’59, Nancy Morrison O’Connor ’69, and Lisa Ridgway Slater ’82 were honored for their amazing accomplishments. Sylvia was introduced by her classmate and friend Margaret Morris Schacter ’59, who shared about Sylvia’s dedication to her husband who developed Frontotemporal Dementia after playing in the NFL. She shared about Sylvia’s work to support other families of NFL players resulting in the 88 Plan, which provides retired players funds for medical and custodial care. Nancy was introduced by her classmate and friend Nancy Noonan ’69, who spoke about Nancy’s days as a student at Holy Cross and her drive to succeed that continued up to present day. Nancy is the General Counsel at The Catholic University of America and an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame Law School. Lisa was introduced by her sister Dana Ridgway Goldsmith ’78, who spoke about the many ways Lisa has supported Catholic education—as a volunteer, as a leader through board and committee membership, and through her philanthropic support. Lisa has been a committed part of the Shepherd Foundation, which has raised over $10 million for Catholic school tuition aid.
(L-R) Nancy Morrison O’Connor ’69, Sylvia Cole Mackey ’59, Lisa Ridgway Slater ’82 THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 31
The Distinguished Alumnae Awards
(L-R) Katy Prebble, Nancy Morrison O’Connor ’69, Nancy Noonan ’69
are given to alumnae who have distinguished themselves by giving witness to the mission of The Academy of the Holy Cross and exhibiting the ideals of an alumna of the Academy in their daily lives. Recipients of this award demonstrate the characteristics of a graduate of the Academy by being women of courage, compassion, and scholarship; demonstrate unusual professional or personal accomplishments that embrace the social, spiritual, and intellectual challenges of the world; and distinguish themselves as caring, Christian women.
(L-R) Katy Prebble, Lisa Ridgway Slater ’82, Dana Ridgway Goldsmith ’78
(L-R) Katy Prebble, Sylvia Cole Mackey ’59, Margaret Morris Schacter ‘59
To nominate an alumna for the Distinguished Alumnae Award, visit the Holy Cross website at www.academyoftheholycross.org/distinguished-alumnae
32 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
Classmates from 1959: Back Row (L-R): Katherine Bourg Wootten, Mary Lou McCloskey McCalley, K atherine O’Hare Reichelt, Sylvia Cole Mackey, Margaret Morris Shachter, Carol Amante, Bren Beirne Leiss, Jean Donaldson Ogilvie Front Row (L-R): Martha Dillon Zunich, Catherine Ebel Flynn, Barbara Lavelle Foster, Marie Cromelin Shirey
Classmates from 1969: (L-R) Connie Jason Roos, Katharine Hess Teitel, Nancy Morrison O’Connor, Caroline Hesterberg Besozzi, Nancy Noonan, Linda McCarthy Donnellan.
Classmates from 1982: Back Row (L-R): Suzie Hawes Nalls, Mary Beth Corso Kennedy, Mary Ellen Daly Overend, Lisa Ridgway Slater, Robin Peake Williams, Dolores Murphy Maloney, Patty Davitt Long Front Row (L-R): Mary Susan Warner Kernan, Kathleen Burgess Clark
We are seeking nominations for the Athletic Hall of Fame Award. If you have an alumnae athlete, coach, team or exceptional Tartan to nominate, please visit the Holy Cross website at www.academyoftheholycross.org/athletic-hof. THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 33
Front Row (L-R): Suzanne Sanchez Coleman, Chris Figliozzi Spencer, Katie Fuller Doud, Ginny Clahane Crawford, Linda Walter Bosco, Nancy Knapstein Goldberg, Janet Leeney Adrian, Joan Gallagher Nolte, Candy Vito Grueff, Julie Clancy-Smith, Teri McCloskey Emig, Lynn Mullin Heilman, Marianne Anders Benson, Beverly Maholchic Hash, Joan Carnahan Hosmer, Pat Morrison Kuntze, Chris-Ann Mendonca Pisha, Janet Reilly Rohr, Mary Ann Kirley Schilling Back Row (L-R): Susie Wood Erickson, Nancy Murphy Azano, Catherine Hartz, Kitty Fox Hessler, Peggy Hartley Gervasi, Marcella Aucremanne Hickey, Pat Dillon, Kathy McQueeney Shipley, Linda Pfaff Burdoo
Class of 1968 CELEBRATE 50
TH
ANNIVERSARY
The Class of 1968 gathered for a wonderful weekend of celebrating 50 years since graduating from Holy Cross. On Saturday, June 2, the ladies met at Kenwood Country Club in Bethesda for a special reception. On Sunday evening, June 3, the group attended a reunion and dinner on campus at Holy Cross. Each alumna received a memory book created by the reunion committee. The alumnae from the class who have passed away were remembered with a special display. On Monday, June 4, eight members of the class enjoyed a brunch at Holy Cross before a bus trip to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception where they processed with the Class of 2018 in the Commencement ceremony. Everyone enjoyed renewing old friendships and are making plans to stay connected. A huge thank-you to Susie Wood Erickson ’68 for organizing the memorable event.
34 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
The Annual Fund Your giving dollars at work‌not only do your donations support financial assistance and operating expenses but help also provide the best faculty, the latest technology, and outstanding programs that allow our girls to fully benefit from a Holy Cross education. Yearly gifts to the Holy Cross Day of Giving, Giving Tuesday and the Tartan Challenge all benefit the Holy Cross Fund. Thank you, donors!
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 35
The Legacy Circle The Legacy Circle was formed to recognize those alumnae and friends who have shown generosity and foresight by making planned or deferred gifts to The Academy of the Holy Cross. Members have made outright bequests in their wills, or have made other planned gifts such as life insurance, real estate, or retirement assets. Members who have chosen to make such gifts often find that they also provide significant tax and financial benefits (for specific tax or legal advice, please consult an attorney or accountant). Being part of the Legacy Circle is a powerful testimonial to your belief in the value of a Holy Cross education and an opportunity to ensure that that Holy Cross will continue to thrive for future generations. Please consider making Holy Cross part of your estate planning.
For more information, contact Charly Ryan at (301) 929-6447, or cryan@academyoftheholycross.org.
36 THE TARTAN Summer 2018
With grateful appreciation to our 150th Anniversary sponsors.
Platinum
Gold
Bronze
Lavender & White
Lou & Melanie Caceres
Glass Artisans
THE ACADEMY OF THE HOLY CROSS 37
4920 Strathmore Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895
WWW.ACADEMYOFTHEHOLYCROSS.ORG
2018 AHC GOLF CLASSIC Argyle Country Club
Friday, September 21 10:00 Am Shotgun Start
8:30 am Registration and Driving Range Open Register 38 THE TARTANonline: Summer 2018
www.holycrossgolfclassic.com