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Hackensack, NJ Permit No. 1121
2 Convent Road Convent Station, NJ 07961
LE G AC Y magazine | FALL / WINTER 2023
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B EETLHI Z A B E T H AT I NOT F E SLAI Z AY F ESM OD A C A D E MAYC A IN
LEGACY LEGACY magazine magazine FALL/WINTER 2023
Unstoppable
UmaSofia Srivastava ’25 defies the odds to capture her crowning moment
save the DATE
UPCOMING EVENTS & HAPPENINGS AT THE ACADEMY
DECEMBER 8, 2023 | 12:45 PM Junior Ring Ceremony | Holy Family Chapel
DECEMBER 19, 2023 | 11AM Young Alumna Christmas Luncheon
JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 3, 2024 Catholic Schools Week - Event schedule TBD
APRIL 26, 2024 7th Grade Panther For a Day
MAY 16, 2024 Gala & Gift Auction | Birchwood Manor, Whippany
MAY 22, 2024 Junior/Senior Prom | Olde Mill Inn, Basking Ridge
JUNE 1, 2024 | 4PM Class of 2024 Baccalaureate Mass
JUNE 2, 2024 | 2PM Class of 2024 Commencement Ceremony
Commencement Weekend Celebrating the Class of 2023
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ACADEMY OF SAINT ELIZABETH
LEGACY magazine
ISSUE 8 | FALL / WINTER 2023
E D I T O R I A L S TA F F Megan Knight Director of Development & Alumnae Relations
Joseph Ziaya Director of Communications
Erika Desimone, P ‘26 Layout and Design
Dr. Elizabeth Azar Principal
Lauren Cor vo Assistant Principal
Helen Kotoulas Chief Financial & Operations Officer
Jean Jackson Director of Admissions
Beth-Ellen Walsh Director of School & College Counseling
Lisa Ratz Director of Technology
Kelly Abner Director of Athletics
CONNECTFOLLOWBELONG www.aosenj.org
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Monique Degnan, P '20 Chairwoman of the Board Nicole Schneider Chase '87 Vice Chairwoman
Deborah Baseil, P '08 Stephanie M. Brown '87 Meghan Barrett Burke '97 Sr. Patricia Butler, SC DanaLynn T. Colao Deirdre Gaffney, P '20 Sr. Merris Larkin, SC Michael Martinez Andrea Pribula '07 Antoinette Plewa '72, P ‘02
Join the Academy legacy of young women who strive for excellence alongside a true commitment to happiness, sisterhood and purpose.
@AOSENJ
@academyofsaintelizabeth @AOSEathletics
APPLY NOW FOR 2024-2025
@Academy1860
Academy of Saint Elizabeth
Application deadline is December 15
James Garrett, P '20 & '21 Treasurer Josephine Serrano, P '07 Secretary
Welcome to a place where girls thrive beyond expectations.
The Academy of Saint Elizabeth is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women, founded by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth. Our mission is to promote the disciplines of academic excellence and moral responsibility within our young women by sustaining a scholarly environment and a nurturing community of faith. Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth
BEGIN YOURJOURNEY at aOSENJ.ORG
WHERE YOU BELONG.
Discover your future at the Academy. For more information or to schedule a private tour, please contact admissions@aose.info
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what’s
INSIDE
A Night of Excellence page 10 Academy students receive awards and accolades for their numerous achievements
TABLE OF CONTENTS On the Cover UmaSofia Srivastava '25 poses in the Moran Library with a book from one of her favorite authors, J.R.R. Tolkein.
Letter from the Principal . . . . . . . . . . 4
Class of 2023 Commencement
Accents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Experiencing Pura Vida . . . . . . . . . . . 14
page 60
Academy students travel to Costa Rica
A jubilant weekend celebrated Academy graduates
Panthers Athletics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 The Life-Changing Language of Math . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Unstoppable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 UmaSofia Srivastava '25 captures first-ever Miss Teen USA crown for New Jersey
Beyond the First 100 Days . . . . . . . . 40 Dr. Azar shares her vision for the Academy
Panthers Athletics page 16 Spring sports highlights and award recipients named in Track & Field, Softball and Lacrosse
Returning Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Greece offers a cultural reconnection for Helen Kotoulas and her family
Alumnae News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 HERStory: To Infinity & Beyond . . . . 54 Kelly Hering ‘10
2023 Gala & Gift Auction . . . . . . . . . 58 Class of 2023 Commencement . . . . 60 A jubilant weekend for our newest alumnae
Valedictorian Address . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Uliana Leshchuk ‘23
Commencement Address . . . . . . . . . 65 Patricia Codey, SC, Esq. ‘73
50th Reunion at the Academy . . . . 66 Class of ‘73 celebrates a Golden Milestone
A Parent’s Passion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Angelo Giambattista, P ‘13, ‘18
The Definition of Student-Athlete, page 20 The remarkable achievements of 12-season athlete Colleen Dooley ‘23
Experiencing Pura Vida, page 14
Knights of Saint Elizabeth . . . . . . . . . 69 Help unlock a $50,000 Challenge Grant
Travel abroad offered a life-changing experience to students who visited Costa Rica during Easter break LEGACY Magazine | FALL / WINTER 2023
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Purposeful Beginnings Dr. Elizabeth Azar Principal Academy of Saint Elizabeth bazar@aose.info
Dear Friends of the Academy of Saint Elizabeth Community, We opened the school year with great excitement, eager anticipation and lots of love. Perhaps the best part of our return to campus was welcoming our young women to a new year, with a new principal, new initiatives and endless hope for a remarkable journey into 2024. I want to express my sincere gratitude for your support and trust in me to further our school’s mission and values. Together, we will continue to create a nurturing environment where young women can grow academically, spiritually, and personally. Recent data from the US Department of Education unequivocally illustrates that the pandemic resulted in a learning gap for millions of students across the country. We are committed to taking deliberate and compassionate action to bridge this gap, which will be reflected in our collective focus throughout the year ahead. One way we will seek to assist students and faculty alike is by focusing on the 4 R’s of Routine, Religion, Response, and Reflection/Rest. Routines: Students and adults find comfort in routines. As a result of COVID-19, many students did not have the opportunity to work inside of routines to develop timemanagement skills and establish clear boundaries. Routines help students move through the core competencies of Social Emotional Learning (SEL), including self-awareness, social awareness, responsible decision-making, self-management and interpersonal relationships. Routines help students develop these skills and serve as a roadmap for important moments during their day, allowing them to internalize and take ownership of their choices and move confidently into new learning experiences. Religion: Our faith is the reason we are here; the reason our students are here. We will work to ensure all are following, celebrating and embracing our Catholic education and the mission set forth by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth. Not only will we embrace prayer each morning, but at the start of each class period. We will also celebrate Mass several times each month. Through our campus ministries, we will come together as a school community to continue to learn and celebrate our faith. Responses: We each have natural responses to events and experiences in our lives. This year, we will help students to manage appropriate responses through learning effective SEL strategies. We will also engage in additional support and resources that will help faculty and students feel more confident in addressing their individual needs, not only academically, but socially and emotionally.
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Reflection/Rest: We will spend time in Reflection/Rest; reflection allows one to recognize their own strengths and weaknesses, using this to guide on-going learning. Through reflection, we will develop our skills in self-directed learning, improve motivation, and enhance the quality of care we are able to provide. Our first few days of the academic year were filled with lots of learning, albeit in extreme heat within the building. Even so, our students, faculty and staff made the most of it through collaborating, connecting and learning from one another. Holy Family Chapel came to life with prayer, inspiration and song on September 13 for our Opening School Liturgy. Beginning each new school year with gratitude in our hearts and hope for the journey ahead allows us to discover God in both the ordinary and extraordinary events throughout life. At the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, we are committed to providing a Catholic education that nurtures the spiritual growth of our students. Bi-weekly Masses, prayer, and faith-based activities will continue to be an integral part of our school community. We encourage your daughter(s) to actively participate in these opportunities to strengthen their faith. I am excited to embark on this new school year journey with our students. Together, we will continue to inspire them to strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives, embracing the values of faith, knowledge, and service. If you have any questions or concerns over the course of the year, please do not hesitate to contact our school office at 973-290-5200 or via email at bazar@aose.info. We are here to assist you in any way we can. Thank you for entrusting us with the education and spiritual development of your daughter(s). May God bless you and your families abundantly in the coming year.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. – Corinthians 13:4-5
Yours in faith and education,
Dr. Beth Azar Principal
P R A Y E R O F S T. F R A N C I S Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. In Your name. Amen.
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PANTHER PRIDE AWARD
Señora Braulio Honored for Dedication to the Academy Community Each year, the Academy community selects one teacher to receive the Panther Pride Teacher Award. This award recognizes a teacher whose influence in the lives of our students extends beyond the classroom. This year, Señora Braulio was chosen due to her energetic involvement in several extracurricular programs, in addition to her love of teaching Spanish. As moderator of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society, as well as Tennis coach, Señora Braulio has a great deal of responsibility placed on her shoulders. Throughout the year, Señora Braulio could be found on the courts with
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the tennis team, meeting with members of the National and Spanish Honor Societies, creating schedules for peer-tutoring, and planning events for Field Day. Yet with the many hats she was wearing, Señora Braulio never stopped giving her all to every student she encountered. Her lesson planning each day for her Spanish classes were challenging, yet exciting, even mixing in a Zumba break now and again to help keep students engaged. Her care for the entire Academy community makes her not only a wonderful teacher, but a great example of what it means to be a Panther.
“As Benjamin Franklin once said, “Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me, and I learn.” This quote is always in my mind and is part of my teaching philosophy.” — Señora Braulio
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accents
Freshmen Claim Title as 2023 Field Day Champions Field Day 2023 was a massive success in great part due to students in the National Honor Society and its moderator, Señora Braulio! Hosted on the front lawn of the Academy, the day boasted perfect weather to enjoy this annual tradition. Students and faculty created their own team names and colors in preparation for the day, and the Guardians of the Academy, Panther Squad, Grace's Domain, and others readied their players for a challenging schedule of events. Several competitions highlighted the incredible afternoon, including Tug-of-War, Water Balloon Toss, and more! The Class of 2026 claimed victory in the student competition while the Guardians of the Academy took top prize for faculty and staff. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to the NHS for hosting another great Field Day!
Credit: Joe Gigli
Freshman (Green), Sophomores (Red), Juniors (Blue), and Faculty members all competed in an incredible Field Day event hosted by members of the National Honor Society (Pink) under the guidance of Senora Braulio.
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And All That Jazz: Chicago (Teen Edition) Dazzles Audience in Two Performances The Theater Department brought the roaring twenties to life in their Spring production of Chicago: Teen Edition. Under the direction of the Academy’s Dance Program teachers, Mrs. Christin Kennedy and Ms. Erin Dowd ‘08, over 40 students were part of this year’s cast and crew. Performed at the newly renovated theater at Ridgefield Middle School in Florham Park, the two-performance extravaganza was met with standing ovations. “Chicago: Teen Edition challenged our students to step out of their comfort zones; not only did the students exceed expectations in performing this well-known, classic Broadway show, but also exemplified what it means to be part of a community,” explained Co-Director Ms. Erin Dowd. “Beyond being superb actresses and stage crew members, they also acted as mentors, role models, friends, and collaborators to one another,” Dowd continued. Leads Emma Marsh ‘23, Morgan Lomax ‘24, and Maggie Jones ‘25, played a pivotal role not only on stage, but as student leaders backstage. Congratulations to the entire cast, crew, and directors on a performance worthy of this famous, hit musical.
CAST & CREW Siena Bascom ‘23 Amelia Calveric ‘23 Caroline Clarke ‘23 Sophia Fiore ‘23 Maara Lovelace Degraff ‘23 Ella Mansfield ‘23 Emma Marsh ‘23 Noami Murphy ‘23 Kathleen Ott de Vries ‘23 Maria Clara Bragagnolo Rose '24 Ava Breault ‘24 Isabella Cerciello ‘24 Mia D’Angelo ‘24 Avery Kelly ‘24 Amelia Lisco ‘24 Bridget Lomax ‘24 Morgan Lomax ‘24 Rebekah Marsh ‘24
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Charlotte McCoy ‘24 Isabella Misrahi ‘24 Melanie Montanez ‘24 Angelina Salese ‘24 Keiri Shuyama ‘24 Emma Brading ‘25 Emma Corragio ‘25 Shannon Hunt ‘25 Maggie Jones ‘25 Olivia Nuzzo ‘25 Emma Ritchie ‘25 Madeleine Soliman ‘25 Aubrey Conlon ‘26 Samantha Donnelly ‘26 Madelyn Riordan '26 Juliette Roake ‘26 Audrey Rohlf ‘26 Olive Sedlak ‘26
Photography by Daniel Bozza
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accents “ The Academy’s performance of Chicago: Teen Edition was, in short, dazzling. The effort, learning, collaboration, and teamwork
brought a classic Broadway production to a smaller stage with an explosion of talent… …it will be remembered as one of our best productions ever!” – Mrs. Christin Kennedy, Co-Director
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A Night of Excellence Academy students honored for academic, extracurricular and athletic achievements From left to right: Logan Corcoran '24, Emily Muir '26, and Colleen Dooley '23 accepted awards for their academic achievement in Social Studies.
The Academy community gathered to celebrate A Night of Excellence in honor of the numerous academic, athletic, and extracurricular achievements of our young women on May 11, 2023 at Dolan Theater located on the Saint Elizabeth University campus. The Academy community congratulates each recipient and their families on these accomplishments. The hard work, dedication, and determination needed to achieve such feats should not go unno-
ticed, which is why such an evening was created. In addition to honoring current students for their achievements, some of the evening’s awards were named after notable alumnae and a former faculty member in acknowledgment of their accomplishments. The Biology Award was presented to Emily Crabbe ’23 in honor of Steffie Gannon Hugo, Class of 2002. Steffie was named to the 40 under 40 list of Horticul-
From left to right: Kathleen Ott de Vries '23, Maria Clara Bragagnolo Rose '24, Keiri Shuyama '24, and Allison Shannon '23 accepted awards for their academic achievement in Spanish.
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turists in 2019 and has two varieties of plants named after her. The Chemistry Award was presented to Uliana Leshchuk ’23 in honor of Florence E. Wall, Class of 1913. Recognized for her work in Cosmetic Chemistry, Florence became one of the first female fellows admitted to the American Institute of Chemists. The STEM award was presented to Katie Dusko ‘23 in honor of Kelly Hering, Class of 2010. Kelly was the CTO and Co-Founder at Charm Industrial, a company that developed pathways for both permanent carbon removal as well as the decarbonization of heavy industry. To learn more about Kelly and her journey from the Academy of Saint Elizabeth to Charm Industrial and beyond, read this issue’s edition of HERStory on page 52. The Eileen O’Rourke Award was presented to Logan Corcoran ‘24, Ella Delatush ‘25, Colleen Dooley ‘23, and Emily Muir ‘26 on behalf of the Social Studies Department. Miss O’Rourke was a history teacher and a true legend at the Academy. Core to her beliefs was that success cannot be measured just from the grade on the top of your paper, but the effort you put in to get there.
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accents
Morgan Lomax ‘24 receives the Class of 1967 Scholarship from Katherine Lordi, former Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees, and Annemarie Sorce Carollo.
Morgan Lomax ‘24 Awarded Class of 1967 Scholarship Congratulations to Morgan Lomax ‘24 for receiving the Class of 1967 Scholarship on May 11, 2023 during A Night of Excellence at the Academy. The Class of 1967 scholarship was established to inspire current and future students in their striving for academic excellence, as well as to forge a bond with alumnae who view the Academy of Saint Elizabeth as a source of strength, friendship, and a life-long SEAsterhood. The Academy community offers a heartfelt thank you to the women of the Class of 1967 for creating this scholarship opportunity through their collective generosity: Annemarie Sorce Carollo, Sharon Hook Hodge, Janet Hoffman Iyoob, Donna Sylvester Kupper, Katherine Lordi, Janet Zimmerman Petrone, Patricia Sweeney Reynolds, Martha Ritchie, Jane Gilbert Snyder, Kathleen Johnson Tahlmore, Anita Kaletkowski Thomas, and Carol Bentzlin Warning.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE? Scan code to explore the scholarship opportunities available to young women at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth LEGACY Magazine | FALL / WINTER 2023
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TOWARD BOUNDLESS CHARIT Y:
Inspiration Through Service
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Members of Toward Boundless Charity continued their annual tradition of delivering Easter gifts to the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth in the Motherhouse before Easter Break. Each gift bag included candy in an Easter egg, prayers cards, handmade cards and self care items like lip balm, lavender satchel bags, tea and hand sanitizer. A special thank you to the Parents’ Association Sisters of Charity Liaison Committee for their contributions to our efforts over the past year!
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PUBLISHED! Academy Students Featured in Anthology
Katherine Hornby ‘24 Becomes Cheerleading World Champion This past spring, one of our very own students, Katherine Hornby ‘24, achieved her lifelong dream of becoming a cheerleading world champion. Since she was six years old and learned about cheerleading, Kate wished for nothing more than to be on the stage of The Cheerleading Worlds competition and taking home the title of world champion. Alongside her teammates, Kate turned her dreams into reality. As part of her cheer team, World Cup Omni of Freehold, New Jersey, Kate and her teammates competed at The 2023
Cheerleading Worlds at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida. The team competed in the U18 Co-Ed Non Tumbling, Level 6 Division. As an international team, World Cup Omni had to be in the Top 3 U.S. teams moving out of the semifinals in order to move on to finals. Kate and her teammates earned the highest score (raw score and overall score) in both the semifinals and finals. Congratulations to Kate, the entire World Cup Omni team, and their coaches on this momentous achievement.
The Academy of Saint Elizabeth congratulates Isabella Bergamini ‘23 on her poem “A Mother’s Plight” and Chengli Payton ‘25 on her poem “Sputnik’s Sister” for being selected by Young Writers USA for inclusion in Through Their Eyes, an anthology of works from the point of view of another person or entity. The girls submitted their work as part of Mrs. Brady’s Writers’ Workshop class.
View the 2023 edition of SEAL Magazine for more student work in the arts and literature
The Leaf Wins Pollinators’ Committee Photo Contest Congratulations to Ava Montaruli ‘24 whose work was selected as the winner of the Welcome, Spring Photography Contest, sponsored by the Pollinators’ Committee. Her entry, titled The Leaf, was selected from a total of 19 entries. Congratulations, Ava!
“In my photo, I wanted to capture the essence of nature and its complexity in a single photo. I believe that The Leaf perfectly conveys this with its complex textures and color mixtures which show off the wonders and beauty of nature.” -Ava Montaruli ‘24
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COSTA RICA: Travel Abroad at the Academy
Experiencing
PURA VIDA By Samantha Sloan ‘24
T
raveling to Costa Rica with my SEAsters, simply put, was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my high school career. I do not come from a family that travels often, but I've always had a desire to see and experience the world and its many cultures. When I found out that the Academy was reinstituting the Travel Abroad Program during Easter Break, I felt a strong yearning to sign up. To be able to go to another country with some of my best friends and favorite teachers was an opportunity I could not pass up. Learning alongside them and experiencing life outside the United States of America appealed to my traveler within. Immersing myself into the Pura Vida culture of the Costa Rican people taught me many lessons, including how to use the Spanish language I’ve learned in the classroom for everyday conversations with native speakers, as well as an appreciation for the life I have back in the United States. 14
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““Pura Vida, or Pure Life, is the motto used to describe
the way of life lived by the Tico people.”
At the start of our trip to Costa Rica, we visited a group of school children and spent the day immersed in cross-cultural interactions. We sharpened our Spanish speaking skills while they practiced their conversational English. One lengthy topic of conversation included comparing and contrasting educational experiences and schedules between both countries. Afterwards, since it was close to Easter, we coordinated an Easter egg hunt to share one way we celebrate the holiday in the United States. For me, the highlight of that visit was being able to play soccer with the children and see how much athletic talent they possessed within themselves. At the end of that day, I realized how privileged and grateful I am to be a part of a school community like the Academy. The amazing staff, facilities, and technology that my fellow students and I have access to everyday is something that is barely present in parts of Costa Rica. That experience is forever etched in my mind, leading me to never take for granted the many blessings in my life. In the following days, we visited a beautiful farm where we had the opportunity to fully experience the Costa Rican Pura Vida culture. Pura Vida, or Pure Life, is the motto used to describe the way of life lived by the Tico people. Having an easy-going disposition is essential for living Pura Vida, so we first learned and participated in traditional styles of Spanish dance, including salsa, merengue, and
bachata. After working up a sweat, we began to prepare our own meals. Students and faculty were divided into two groups: those who would harvest vegetables and those who would prepare for the meal.This experience was the closest one can have of a “farm to table” meal. As part of the preparation team, I learned how to make flour tortillas by hand from a kind, sweet Tico woman. While there was a definitive language barrier as she spoke purely in Spanish, I still understood many things she was saying and learned some new terms along the way. It was then that I understood the value of being multilin-
gual in our ever interconnected world. The day culminated with us watching a breathtaking sunset as we shared our freshly cooked meal. The day was extremely rewarding since the work of our hands allowed us to touch many aspects of this beautiful culture. In addition to the experiential learning of the Costa Rican culture and daily use of the Spanish language, there were moments of great fun too. We had the opportunity to zipline, bungee jump, horseback ride, and swim in crystal clear blue waters, all of which I probably would never have been able to do if I did not sign up for this experience. I gained a great amount of knowledge from this ten day trip that I will remember for the rest of my life. Most importantly to me, though, is that I obtained a new found appreciation for the life I live. This was the first time I ever traveled abroad and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. This trip afforded me the opportunity to experience a culture I may have never been able to see firsthand, but now I can say I am changed because of what I learned there. I am thankful the Academy offered this opportunity to encounter the world in which we live, with my best friends by my side. I strive daily to live my own version of the Pura Vida life, making this trip, at least for me, truly life changing.
During their week and a half abroad, students explored the beautiful lands of Costa Rica, including an incredible experience on horseback.
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from the SPORTS DESK
SOFTBALL
Veteran Panthers Step Up To the Plate With more than 90% of this year’s Softball team composed of sophomores and juniors, on-field skill building and team comradery were a focus of development for the 2022-2023 season. Senior Annabella Biondo ‘23 acted as a leader for the young team, encouraging them throughout each and every game in her final season as a Panther. Behind strong performances by seasoned players like
Fiona Farrell ‘24, Morgane Farrell ‘24, and Sara Sterling ‘25, the team recorded two strong victories over American Christian Academy with double-digit leads by the end of each game. Morgane Farrell ‘24 led the team with an overall .445 batting average, going 15for-33 and scoring 12 runs with 5 RBI for the season. Sara Sterling ‘25 also accrued a .433 batting average with 14 RBI and a
Sara Sterling ‘25, Second Team All-Conference Award recipient, had a .433 batting average with 14 RBI and 1 HR for the season.
Isabella Misrahi ‘24 stands with teammates during the National Anthem, sung by Bridget Lomax ‘24.
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home run for the season. With a team batting average of .269 for the season, the Panthers saw a strong increase in offensive production compared to last season. As the Panthers softball team prepares for the upcoming year, hopeful new recruits and returning veterans will play a pivotal role in the future successes of the team.
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sports
Isabel Sabnekar ‘26 set the Academy’s record for High Jump not once, but twice this season, breaking the first record of 4’ 4” with a 4’ 8” jump.
TRACK & FIELD Panthers Go the Distance in Record-Breaking Season The Panther Track & Field team hurdled many record-setting accomplishments this season with a robust team of athletes across all grade levels. This year’s highlight reel includes performances from Isabel Sabnekar ‘26 and Courtney McGough ‘24, both of whom set Academy records in their respective competitions. Sabnekar first set an Academy record for High Jump with a recorded 4 feet, 4 inches jump. She then broke that same record a week later at the Kinnelon
Dual Meet, setting the new Academy record for High Jump at 4 feet, 8 inches. McGough followed in similar fashion in the Long Jump competition, breaking the Academy record with a 14 foot, 5 inches leap and then surpassing that record with a 15 foot, 1.25 inch jump. Additional Academy records were broken this season by McGough in the 100 Meter Hurdle, setting a time of 16.4 seconds, as well as in the 4x100 Relay with Sabnekar, Luciana Guido ‘25, and
Emma Cordano ‘26 recording a 56.48 second time. With new Head Coach Jeff Teta guiding the Panthers on the track, new opportunities have been provided for our girls to compete and hone their skills, such as crossing state lines into New York for the 37th Annual Crusaders Relay at MonroeWoodbury High School. These incredible feats are paving the way for another record-breaking 2023-2024 season for the Track & Field team.
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LACROSSE Panthers Topple Our Lady of Mercy to Advance to Quarterfinals
Ella Delatush ‘25, First Team All-Conference Award recipient, sets up for a shot on goal during practice.
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Under the leadership of new Head Coach Michael Gervis, the Panthers Lacrosse team worked hard this season to develop their skills, both on and off the field. With a growing roster of over 20 athletes, composed primarily of up-andcoming sophomores and juniors, the team started the season with wins against Pope John XXIII High School and Cedar Grove, while falling in close matchups against the Bernardsville, Whippany Park, Roxbury and Pennington teams. Toward the second half of the season, the Panthers hit their stride with five out of eight wins, including victories over Governor Livingston (the Academy's first victory over Governor Livingston in program history), Lakeland, Newark Academy, Kittatinny and Our Lady of Mercy Academy. In their first round match of the NJSIAA Tournament, Non-Public, Group B, against Our Lady of Mercy Academy, the Panthers battled to a 14-13 victory. The closely contested match saw Colleen Dooley ‘23 and Scarlett Claps ‘25 both scoring four goals, Katie Callahan ‘25
LEGACY Magazine | FALL / WINTER 2023
scoring three goals, Ella Delatush ‘25 scoring two goals, and Kate Clifford ‘23 and Kiersten Gann ‘25 scoring a goal apiece. Panthers goalie Madelyn Moore ‘26 gave a stellar performance with ten saves during the match, keeping the Panthers in it before taking the lead in the second half. The Panthers’ tournament journey continued in the quarterfinals against Holy Spirit Academy (Absecon). The Panthers fought hard throughout the match behind Grace Gehm’s ‘24 two goals and singular goals scored by Scarlett Claps ‘25, Ella Delatush ‘25, Colleen Dooley ‘23, and Sofia Uribe ‘24, yet it was not enough to capitulate the powerful Holy Spirit Academy, who eventually advanced to the tournament finals. This formative season instilled in our athletes many lessons that they will carry into the 2023-2024 season this spring, possessing the experience, knowledge, and leadership to find future successes on the field.
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SPRING ‘23
CONFERENCE HONORS First Team All-Conference Morgane Farrell ‘24 (Softball) Ella Delatush ‘25 (Lacrosse) Grace Gehm ‘24 (Lacrosse) Second Team All-Conference Sara Sterling ‘25 (Softball) Fiona Farrell ‘24 (Softball) Courtney McGough ‘24 (Track & Field) Kathryn Callahan '25 (Lacrosse) Colleen Dooley ‘23 (Lacrosse) Scarlett Claps ‘25 (Lacrosse) Honorable Mention All-Conference Isabella Misrahi ‘24 (Softball) Isabel Sabnekar ‘26 (Track & Field) Madelyn Moore ‘26 (Lacrosse) Academic All-Conference Colleen Dooley ‘23 (Lacrosse) Ella Delatush ‘24 (Lacrosse) Grace Gehm ‘24 (Lacrosse) Fiona Farrell ‘24 (Softball) Morgane Farrell ‘24 (Softball)
SPRING ‘23
New Individual Sports Banquets Honor Spring Season Accomplishments The Panthers spring season saw a new format to our Sports Banquet events, at which we celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our student-athletes. Each team received their own individual sports banquet, hosted in the Academy’s Study Hall and Moran Library. At the banquets, special honors were awarded to those athletes who exemplified different qualities throughout the
season, including sportsmanship (Sportsmanship Award), growth as a player across the season (Blue & Gold Award), fulfillment of numerous positions on a team (Versatility Award), and greatest overall impact to a team (Most Valuable Player). Congratulations to our Spring Sports student-athletes on well-played seasons, as well as to our award recipients at each sports banquet event!
panther pride on instagram! Follow the action every season @AOSEathletics
SPORTS BANQUET AWARDS SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD Annabella Biondo ‘23 (Softball) Emma Cordano ‘26 (Track & Field) Isabella Clark ‘25 (JV Lacrosse) Colleen Dooley ‘23 (Varsity Lacrosse) BLUE & GOLD AWARD Mia MacNaughton ‘25 (Softball) Isabel Sabnekar ‘26 (Track & Field) Zoe MacWhannell ‘25 (JV Lacrosse) Margaret Callahan ‘23 (Varsity Lacrosse) VERSATILITy AWARD Sara Sterling ‘25 (Softball) MOST VALUABLE PLAyER AWARD Morgane Farrell ‘24 (Softball) Courtney McGough ‘24 (Track & Field) Lily Agnew ‘25 (JV Lacrosse) Grace Gehm ‘24 (Varsity Lacrosse) 19
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
The Definition of Student-Athlete: Colleen Dooley ‘23
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The name Colleen Dooley ‘23 will rank among the top athletes in Academy of Saint Elizabeth history. As one of only a few students who are called a twelve season athlete throughout their high school career, Colleen is the definition of what it means to be a student-athlete. Having competed for Panthers Volleyball, Basketball, and Lacrosse since her freshman year, she became a leader for the Academy community, both on and off the courts and fields. During her senior year alone, Colleen studied AP English Literature, AP Statistics, AP Government and Politics, AP Psychology, The Decades through Art and Mass Media (University Now Course), Holocaust and Genocide Studies (University Now Course), Financial Literacy, Bioethics, and Special Topics in Art. Colleen’s dedication in the classroom and to each of the teams she represented places her in the Pantheon of Panthers who have excelled beyond compare. In her senior year at the Academy, Colleen achieved record-setting accomplishments and garnered several accolades, all bearing witness to her outstanding academic and athletic careers. At the Academy’s inaugural A Night of Excellence Ceremony, Colleen received awards for being a four year
Colleen was continuously supported by her mother, Lisa, and father, Ryan, as she pursued greatness, both in the classroom and in each of her athletic endeavors. The Dooleys were highly supportive of the Academy, even donating sports equipment beyond the sports Colleen participated in, such as new hurdles for our Track & Field team.
Varsity Student-Athlete for both Volleyball and Lacrosse, as well as the 12 Season Student-Athlete Award. Colleen also earned the 2023 National Girls and Women in Sports Day Award and the 2023 NJSIAA Student-Athlete of the Year Award for the Academy of Saint Elizabeth. Always at the forefront of each game or match, Colleen set the bar for future Panthers as to what it means to be a
leader. Colleen currently attends Providence College, where she majors in Psychology with a concentration in Sports Psychology. She plans on participating in club and intramural sports during her time there, specifically in her favorite sports: volleyball, basketball, and lacrosse. The Academy community wishes Colleen the best of luck as she continues to be a leader in her new educational home.
Colleen Dooley ‘23 displayed leadership, grit, and determination throughout her high school athletic career. Whether she wore #11 for volleyball, #20 for basketball, or #33 for lacrosse, Colleen always gave her #1 performance, on and off the courts and field.
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Energize & EMPOWER The state of Panthers athletics and a robust vision for growth at The Academy
Ms. Kelly Abner, Athletics Director
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Since taking on the role of Athletics Director at the Academy last year, Ms. Abner has worked tirelessly to enhance all aspects of the participation for our student-athletes, coaches, and entire school community. Now, one year later, Ms. Abner looks back on the growth of our programs and the future plans for the upcoming athletic year and beyond. This year, Ms. Abner is excited to launch a new Team Parents’ Association, an important aspect of a robust sports program. Parents will deepen their ties with teams and help orchestrate bonding
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events, Senior Games, and End-of-Season Sports Banquets. Ms. Abner's efforts have deepened our collaboration with Fairleigh Dickinson University allowing us to make year-round use of their exceptional facilities and enabling the introduction of a new Winter Track & Field program for Academy students. With the addition of Ms. Carly Czifra as the Academy’s full-time Athletic Trainer, Ms. Abner and the Athletics Department are looking to make major strides toward a successful 2023-2024 Athletic Year.
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sports
Results MATTER. The following are the top ten areas of achievement and improvement within the Academy Athletics Program over the past year:
1 COACHING
6 COMPETITION
Ms. Abner has prioritized a greater focus on the professionalism and ongoing development of the coaches who teach and guide our student-athletes. Performance evaluations of coaches using a rubric has helped both student-athletes and coaches grow in their skills and rapport throughout each sports season.
Ms. Abner has increased Academy participation in NJISAA Preps Tournaments, providing more opportunities for our athletic teams to compete against other private, independent schools. These tournaments add additional games to season schedules and promote resiliency in our studentathletes who can further hone their talents in high stakes competitions.
2 FACILITIES
7 GROWTH 4
The Academy and Fairleigh Dickinson University have strengthened their relationship over the past year through Ms. Abner’s work in facilitating agreements for the Academy to utilize FDU’s NCAA-level turf fields for select sports. Access to these facilities raises the bar for Panthers athletic programs, enabling us to rival our premium competitors.
3 OPPORTUNITy In addition to facility access at FDU, Ms. Abner worked with university administration to establish a Career Internship Program offering select seniors the opportunity to work in a college athletics office. Those accepted into the program are interested in pursuing careers in sports, including broadcasting, marketing, compliance, and athletic administration.
4 RECOGNITION Acknowledgement of student athletes has injected energy and enthusiasm into Panthers athletics. Ms. Abner delivers athletic news to be read each day after Morning Prayer, with updates and highlights celebrating the students for the games they played the day prior—win or lose. Ms. Abner takes pride in recognizing a wide range of athletic accomplishments, not just top-caliber achievements. She believes growth and improvement throughout the season are important and should be equally celebrated.
5 STRUCTURE Investments in new athletic jerseys and equipment have improved our brand, and the proper storage and maintenance of this gear ensures their ongoing usage and availability in upcoming seasons. A full-scale reorganization of our sports facility operations has provided coaches and student athletes with streamlined and efficient access to our available resources.
In 2023, the Academy was proud to field a Panthers Softball team without requiring a co-op with another school. With growing school enrollment comes a growing desire to compete across diverse athletic teams, for both veteran players and those looking to try something new.
4 8 TRAINING
To strengthen the required rigor for a competitive athletic program, Ms. Abner developed a comprehensive schedule of summer camps, captain’s practices, and team practices for Panthers teams. Outside organizations were utilized for additional training programs and development to prepare student athletes for the upcoming seasons.
4 9 MORALE
Encouraging students and families to attend Panthers athletic competitions wherever and whenever possible illustrates a school community committed to supporting student athletes. Communication of game schedules, scores, and other athletic news via social media and the Academy website help build confidence and morale.
4 CULTURE 10
Understanding their primary goal as scholars is essential to players as they manage their role as students and athletes. Over the past year, the Academy has revitalized our sports culture, implementing consistent team bonding sessions to promote the communal support and nurturing of our athletic identity. Being a Panther means supporting one another through victory or defeat, and being a good teammate to your SEAsters, in the classroom and in athletics programs.
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The life-changing language of
MATH FACULT Y SPOTLIGHT
Mrs. Prasad's approach to teaching mathematics involves a passion for the subject, intermixed with an understanding of the power that mathematics possesses in everyday life. Helping students discover that power is essential in making mathematics a more tangible reality.
Life is full of surprises and uncertainties. Change is the only certain aspect in life. From its very beginning, mankind has witnessed changes of all proportions, great and small. The Industrial Revolution, invention of computers and the internet, smartphones, e-commerce, e-banking, advances in the medical and engineering fields, and many others have come to revolutionize our lifestyles and habits. The continuous nature of change most recently can be seen in the field of machine learning and artificial intelligence, which we are still developing and understanding. The question which comes to my mind as a mathematics teacher is, “Would these marvels of science and technology 24
be possible without mathematics?” The obvious, resounding answer is a loud, “No!” Mathematics is the language that acts as the fortifying backbone of all innovations in the field of science and technology. The vision of scientists and technologists takes concrete form through mathematics. Even though mathematics has such a profound and life-changing power, many students struggle to be engaged or interested in mathematics classrooms across the globe. I say this with the understanding that not everyone will like a subject, including mathematics. However, my concern grows from my own classroom experiences and the fact that research and studies consistently reveal that the state of
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mathematics education needs updating. The average student performance in mathematics is much below the desired expectation. Why is it that a rational and structured subject like mathematics is difficult to relate to and even becomes the cause of anxiety and fear in countless students? Many articles published in leading newspapers, educational websites, and blogs have expressed concern that the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the downtrend in mathematics learning. Teachers appear to struggle in bridging the gap in fundamental mathematics skills. Sure, the pandemic did bring extreme circumstances for all and correlates with the worsening of student learning in this subject. This was highlighted during conversations with a few of my students who are members of the Classes of 2025 and 2026, during which they shared their struggles in mathematics, especially over the past few years. Similarly, my juniors and seniors shared the constraints they felt during virtual learning, especially in math classes. In my opinion, these struggles are not just the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic; rather, there are systemic educational issues which have culminated in the current below average state of affairs in mathematics education. What is the cause of these internal, educational issues within the wider field of mathematics? Many further questions need to be considered, such as: Is learning the rote memorization of facts? Is it due to not diving deeper into learning the why’s and how’s of what is being taught? Does learning happen in isolation or is it connected to our social and emotional wellbeing? What role does a calm and relaxed mind play in learning? How much ownership do we take of our learning? How much time do we invest in learning? LEARNING TO LOVE MATHEMATICS My love for mathematics started at a young age. It just happened! Memory fails me to recall how I was introduced to my first lesson and what fascinated me, but I do remember that my brain processed this
Ella Delatush '25 and Olivia Nuzzo '25 baked cupcakes for the seniors on the last day of classes in Mrs. Prasad’s AP AB & BC Calculus classes.
information, almost with ease. Math class grew more interesting as I moved into middle school and high school in New Delhi, India. I had a supportive and caring school environment where teachers made me feel welcomed. I also had a happy home life with my parents, who always instilled the importance of hard work, trying one’s best, and being supportive of others, including me and my siblings. When I was a student, teachers taught me varied approaches to mathematics which formulated me into the teacher I am today. Some teachers I admired for their teaching style, others for their content knowledge, and some for helping me realize that taking ownership of learning is the key to success. I learned quickly that while one may not always immediately comprehend the clarity of a mathematics concept, they can still reach out to explore available resources to make comprehension more tangible. Discovering
and using additional avenues of learning develops one’s thinking and reasoning power. Do not get stuck by defining yourself to be comfortable with one style/method of learning – embrace diversity in learning styles. I used to challenge myself with difficult problems after I began to understand a mathematical concept. The varied problems one exposes themselves to builds a deeper understanding and reduces the processing time required to make connections. My 9th and 10th grade math teacher, Mr. Ravi S. Kumar, was very supportive in helping me whenever I faced difficulty in solving challenging problems (which I used to pick from other textbooks than the ones we used). He helped me develop greater comprehension in my ability to make connections. From these experiences, I learned that students should always feel comfortable approaching their teachers. I also came to understand that (continued on page 26)
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learning a subject should not be linked to just achieving a grade. Doing so creates more anxiety and pressure in one’s life. During high school, I enjoyed helping my friends and peers who lived in the same building complex as my family. Their struggles in math, physics and chemistry not only compelled me to help them, but also nurtured my interest in the sciences. I saw many parallels between mathematics and science, especially when working within the field of physics. I decided to pursue physics as my major in college at Delhi University (India) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physics with Honors. Afterwards, I completed my Masters of Science in Solid State Physics and Superconductivity. Yet throughout all my studies, my passion for mathematics remained the strongest. After graduating with my Master’s degree, I sought a career in teaching and accepted a position as a mathematics and physics Teacher in a New Delhi high school. Thus, my journey began on the other side of the desk. As I was getting used to the different responsibilities of a teacher and finding my manner of connecting with students, I realized the difficult nature of teaching not only these subjects, but across any curriculum. It is one thing to possess excellent content knowledge, but it is another to express it to a group of students with varied skill levels in a manner which is at a frequency that reverberates with their understanding. Teaching is a science and an art; we, as teachers, must achieve both aspects correctly if our teaching is to be effective and influential. In an effort to get both aspects correct, I enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts in Education program during my second year of teaching. The program granted me a wider perspective about education and its theories. Classroom interactions in India helped me modify my approach to teaching, utilizing student feedback to better attend to their needs. Lesson planning took on a more in depth analysis of what I was trying to achieve through each lesson. I began to discover I was on the right track as a 26
“My classroom is based on mutual respect, valuing honesty, responsibility, kindness and integrity.
I encourage open communication, tolerance for diversity in opinion and patience I want each student to understand that they are important and I am there for each one of them.” teacher when I observed visible changes in the performance of my students. These moments of learning and growth have become the happiest moments for me as a teacher. When my family moved to the United States due to a change in my husband’s career, I took a short break from teaching as I devoted my time to helping my sixyear-old son adjust to a new country and school culture. I started looking for job opportunities once my son was well adjusted during middle school. My next job opportunity was at MaryLawn of the Oranges in South Orange, New Jersey. This job was my first experience with the work, school, and academic cultures in the United States and New Jersey. Subtle differences in academics between the United States and India were overcome through adaptation, as many teachers are prone to understand. The biggest challenge for me was the dynamic between students and their teachers. The open, friendly candor I experienced with my students in the United States was unlike the relationships I formed with my students in India. I had to make changes in my approach to teaching, while remaining true to what I was teaching in the form of skills and mathematical content. Teaching at MaryLawn was an enriching experience that helped me mature as a teacher and allowed me to earn my certification as a mathematics teacher. After my time at MaryLawn, I began to work at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, with this being my 11th year teaching here. Over this past decade of teaching, I have taught a variety of different classes ranging from Algebra through Calculus, Physics,
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Astronomy, and higher level courses, including Advanced Placement and Honors classes. Advanced Placement Calculus is my most beloved class since it has provided me with a challenge, at the onset of the class, to help students understand complex and abstract concepts that are difficult to grasp. Nerves also entered my teaching career as AP exam scores became a reflection of my teaching, as well as a validation of my techniques. Yet after all these years and countless conversations with students, fellow peers, professional development, and more, I have found that teaching any subject is a complicated task. How an individual forms connections and meaning about lessons taught is influenced by many factors. However, I consider the following to be the most influential factors on learning. My teaching practices in the classroom are directed in an effort to address these factors by providing a positive learning experience for my students. ESTABLISHING A SAFE, CARING AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT As human beings, we thrive when we have a safe, caring and nurturing environment which makes us feel wanted and welcomed. From my own experiences as a student, I feel that my school, classroom and home environments were each conducive in helping me to feel loved. When I became a teacher, I desired to create, in my own way, the same loving atmosphere for my students. My classroom is based on mutual respect, valuing honesty, responsibility, kindness and integrity. I encourage open communication, tolerance for diver(continued on page 28)
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RESULTS MATTER. Academy students continue to outperform peers in Advanced Placement Calculus Exams
In 2023, 100% of Academy students taking the AP exam for Calculus AB and BC scored a 4 or higher.
Academy students in
Academy students in
CALCULUS AB scored a 4 or higher
CALCULUS BC scored a 4 or higher
2023 NATIONAL SCORE DISTRIBUTIONS
Advanced Placement Program
C
Exam
5
4
3
2
1
AP Calculus AB
22%
16%
20%
22%
20%
AP Calculus BC
42%
16%
20%
16%
6%
AP Exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, and a student’s score determines if a college/university may waive requirements and grant credit(s) for the equivalent course.
What score will you need for college credit? Use the College Board® tool to find colleges that offer credit or placement based on AP exam scores.
Scan the code to search now
Ella Delatush '25 prepares for her AP Calculus BC class with Mrs. Prasad.
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The Life-Changing Language of Math (continued from page 26) sity in opinion and patience. I want each student to understand that they are important and I am there for each one of them. STRUCTURE AND DISCIPLINE Structure and discipline are important factors in pursuing success. And not imposed discipline - it must be self discipline. As a teacher, I seek to influence my students’ desire to be self disciplined, as challenging as that can be, since it is an essential life skill. Modeling this for my students is important, especially since I often talk to them about organization, time management and planning ahead for the tasks they have to complete. These are the necessary components of effective learning, a learning which can be retained. Developing these systems and norms consistently, with room for flexibility, helps turn these behaviors into positive habits. I wish to commend all of my students who have risen to my expectations and followed the norms, structure and discipline. PREPARED MINDS ARE ABSORBENT MINDS Swami Vivekananda, an influential spiritual leader of Hindu philosophy, once said, “We are what our thoughts have made us, so take care of what you think.”
Our minds are racing with numerous thoughts constantly throughout each day. From a student’s perspective, thoughts shift from social media, school, homework, pressure to achieve success, extracurricular programs, part-time job demands, and more. Some students have the tenacity to fend off the whirlpool of thoughts when they enter the classroom, though this is no easy task. To help calm and relax my students’ minds, I tend to speak to them, for a brief period of time, about the importance of a calm mind and how to relax themselves, especially prior to an assessment. An attentive and focused mind is necessary for learning. Is it easily achievable? Not necessarily! However, I do make an effort to help students since a teacher’s words can have a magical effect on students who are looking for comfort. A relaxed mind is a prepared mind: such encompasses our social and emotional well being and inner peace. Another important aspect of a prepared mind involves possessing fundamental skills related to a topic being discussed in class. It often happens that when teaching a concept, students are not equipped with the required prior knowledge to help them succeed. Since mathematics is a layered subject, concepts cannot be understood if one does not know certain prerequisites. I believe it
is my responsibility to quickly review the required knowledge in class or assign an exercise that will help develop skills at home. By doing so, I seek to decrease the disconnect between students and new concepts by devoting time to review. In the long term, the class saves more time especially when learning more complex concepts. CREATING MEANING AND ENGAGEMENT Learning occurs when students are able to make meaning and connect information being presented to the models and concepts they already possess. It all starts with focused lesson planning, in which I am purposely providing meaning and incorporating some form of student engagement. Ascending the learning ladder from simple, direct problems to more thought provoking questions helps develop thinking and reasoning skills, scaffolding in the form of guided practice, and the ability to work independently or with peers. When introducing a new concept, I attempt to relate it to their prior knowledge or real life. Examples through pictures, videos or hands-on activities simply expose the students to discover new ideas based on concepts they already know. Some students are more readily
Students in Mrs. Prasad's classes learn to integrate mathematical concepts with modern technology. In this example, the students mapped the softball field at the Academy using Google Earth to find the area of the field.
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able than others to make such connections in learning. Some enjoy discovery while others desire directness in the classroom. I utilize a combination of both ways of learning as I want students to think and reason outside their comfort zone. Technology is also an effective tool in creating meaning and promoting engagement, especially in visualizing the abstractness of a concept. One such example occurred when I introduced the method of completing squares for my Algebra II class through virtual manipulative on Math Playground. If the same concept was introduced through the use of numbers and texts alone, students would require longer periods of time to learn. For my AP Calculus students, the concepts of Related Rates and Volume of Solids of Revolution are difficult, but the applets on GeoGebra make it simpler and more relatable. Desmos explorations and projects relating to applications in math are assigned to students to reinforce what they have learned in the classroom. As a teacher, my wish is to help students understand the why and how of a concept by providing conceptual clarity. I do challenge the students by posing questions which are a mix of direct, indirect and higher order reasoning and thinking skills. Developing their ability to think critically and make connections reduces the processing time. Math does not always need to be done quickly. Yet time is of the essence, especially in our educational system since many tests have time constraints and require students to manage their time effectively. It gives me great joy to hear my AP Calculus students express that they were not constrained for time on their AP Exam. I truly do appreciate each student who has come to my classes because they accept the challenge posed to them. Without their cooperation, I would not have been able to succeed in my career as a teacher. PRACTICE REFLECTION Practicing reflection is an absolute necessity if one wishes to improve learning. This practice is equally important for teachers and students alike. Until we
assess shortcomings in our approach to a problem, we will not be able to identify the necessary recalculations. Some think of recalculating only as the common sound we hear from our GPS when we take a wrong turn while following directions. However, while reading the book Inner Engineering by Sadguru, I appreciated his view that within each of us is a GPS. Reflection helps use this internal GPS in recalculating our approach not only to mathematics, but life itself. As a teacher, I have adopted reflection as an integral part of my teaching, making changes in my approach based on the students’ skills and understanding, adding more technology integration and apt real life experiences as needed. Students in my classes are also encouraged to follow this practice. They are advised to look into the disconnects they experienced on homework assign-
ments and assessments so they can analyze if the error was a careless mistake or if it was more conceptual in nature. Discussing the disconnects with me, after reflecting, is always welcomed. Making mistakes is a part of learning; learning from our mistakes is how we can get back on the right track and succeed. I hope, through my dedicated efforts in the classroom, I have helped students change their attitudes and fears toward mathematics by growing the seeds of thinking and reasoning. A final thought for all students - give mathematics a fair chance. Put aside your fears and inhibitions and approach it with a positive attitude. You may not always like a subject, but investing in math opens your mind to problem solving, which is an important, life-giving skill!
With gratitude to all of my teachers who helped me gain knowledge, all of my students who helped me develop and mature as a teacher, all of my colleagues from whom I learned so much, and, last but not least, my parents for always being there and instilling strong values in me. – Neeta Prasad LEGACY Magazine | FALL / WINTER 2023
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“She was unstoppable not because she did not have failures or doubts
but because she continued despite them.” —Beau Taplin
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UN
STOPPABLE
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Discovering the Academy becomes a crowning moment for Miss Teen New Jersey 2023, now reigning Miss Teen USA By Joseph Ziaya
Standing on a stage in front of thousands of onlookers and alongside many other young women, all vying for the same crown, UmaSofia Srivastava ’25 etched her name in pageantry history. After being crowned Miss Teen New Jersey 2023, UmaSofia’s life was forever changed, with countless future opportunities laid out before her. However, her journey to the crown is not one reminiscent of a fairytale read during one’s childhood. Rather UmaSofia’s story is that of a determined, unstoppable young woman focused on breaking the experiences of racism and bullying so future young women, like herself, can achieve their own crowning moment. Raised in a Mexican-Indian household by her parents Barbara and Sanjay, UmaSofia learned early in life the importance of giving back to others. Her collectivistic identity was developed through her family’s involvement in the Lotus Petal Foundation, a nonprofit organization seeking to create equal opportunities for underprivileged children throughout India. Each year, UmaSofia’s family sponsors a child in India to provide better resources, including education, food, water, and healthcare. Reflecting on this aspect of her upbringing, UmaSofia developed a deeper
appreciation for the opportunities she was given in life. “Something that I am very passionate about is education. As I have grown up, I have taken more of an initiative to increase my role in the organization [Lotus Petal Foundation]. This organization helps children develop skills needed to effectively participate in school and attain jobs that will provide them with a better future. India, as a whole, should work to increase these opportunities.” This philanthropic spirit was nurtured throughout UmaSofia’s young life, especially since her mother is an art teacher at All Saints Academy in Parsippany and her father is the Corporate Vice President of Enterprise Technology for New York Life. Her parents encouraged UmaSofia to enhance the lives of others by first placing focus on the growth and advancement of her own abilities through her academic studies. A self-proclaimed intellectualist, UmaSofia took her endeavors in the classroom seriously throughout life. Yet her academic achievements during middle school were met with experiences of racism and bullying from fellow classmates. “During middle school and into high school at my local public school, I did not
always have a strong group of friends. I always tried to be kind and empathetic to everyone I met. I do not believe there is ever a reason why a person should be put down. But there were girls who did not like me for whatever reason. I couldn’t understand how anyone could wake up in the morning and treat someone like that.” In part due to her blended background as Mexican and Indian, UmaSofia was labeled not representative enough of either cultural background to be fully accepted by others within those groups. Generalized statements about her background, race, and relatability to others caused her to struggle with her own identity and self-worth. UmaSofia’s experiences with racism and bullying eventually worsened as she entered high school. She continued to go to school, yet many times came home in tears from her daily experiences. After enduring an especially difficult day, UmaSofia sought to find something to distract her from her struggles. That very weekend, UmaSofia claims divine intervention occurred when an advertisement on Instagram came along and forever changed her life. “I was scrolling through Instagram (continued on page 32)
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when I saw a video of a girl who had won Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2022. The video was of the winner being crowned as other contestants crowded around and hugged her. The words ‘This Could Be You’ appeared alongside the joyous moment. I was never into princess stories when I was younger, but what girl doesn’t want to wear a fancy dress and have a crown on her head?” And so UmaSofia’s journey to the crown began. While uncertain if she really could go through with it, a sign emboldened her to follow through. Her mother, not knowing that UmaSofia had already seen the ad, saw the same advertisement and sent it to her daughter. This small act, full of confidence on behalf of her mother, was the nudge that put into motion UmaSofia’s preparations for her first ever pageant. For UmaSofia, entering the pageant was more than proving something to herself; this act had deeper relevance and meaning. “Entering the competition was not just for me, but was also for all the young girls
who endured similar experiences to me.” While many young women enter several competitions throughout their pageant careers, UmaSofia is unique in this category. Throughout her entire pageantry life, UmaSofia has only entered two pageant competitions: the first being Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2022 (after seeing the Instagram advertisement) in which she earned 2nd Place, and Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023, in which she was selected as the competitor worthy to wear the crown. One of the more incredible aspects of UmaSofia’s story is that she entered the first pageant without any formal training or coaching, unlike many of her peers. “I performed almost all the preparation for my first pageant by myself through watching YouTube videos, teaching myself how to walk, and experiencing many trials and errors. I already felt comfortable speaking during interviews, especially concerning topics I cared about, such as being a role model for young girls of different backgrounds. To think that this
UmaSofia sponsored a book drive in support of the Bridge of Books Foundation, an organization which, for the past 20 years, has brought books to underserved youth throughout New Jersey. UmaSofia was able to collect and donate over 1,000 books and continues to support the organization today.
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experience could make a difference in someone else’s life, not only my own, became a motivating factor for everything I did to prepare.” UmaSofia was emphatically excited to have achieved 2nd Place without any formal training, a testament to her identity, character, and growing sense of self, even amidst her social difficulties. While the pageant offered her a greater respect for herself, personal struggles in school had taken its toll on her mental health. She was ready to shift focus to bettering herself and moving forward in life without pageants, until she was approached by Ms. Gina Mellish, former Miss New Jersey 2020 and pageant coach to the Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2022 winner. Gina expressed full confidence in UmaSofia’s ability to one day wear the crown and offered to be her pageant coach for the 2023 competition. “My coach [Gina] kept telling me, ‘It’s yours to lose.’ That positive reinforcement played a big part as I began to feel more support from others than ever before.” Around the same time, UmaSofia’s experiences in school became more tense, leading to a discussion with her parents about the possibility of transferring to a new school. With a focus on what was best for her overall wellbeing, UmaSofia decided a change was the best option. After some research, the school her family discovered, which would come to offer more than just an education, was the Academy of Saint Elizabeth. “I believe it is difficult to heal in the same environment that hurt you. A change in environment not only offered me an opportunity to heal, but also a chance to focus on my mental health and growth as a young woman. I was overloading myself with things to distract me, yet none of it was helping me heal.” After meeting with Mrs. Jean Jackson, Director of Admissions for the Academy, a chance to transfer schools not only became a possibility, but a reality for UmaSofia and her family. “During the admissions interview, (continued on page 35)
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On March 19, 2023 UmaSofia was crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023 after only her second-ever pageant competition.
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A little over seven months after being crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023, UmaSofia achieved the dream of a lifetime by being crowned Miss Teen USA 2023 on September 28, 2023.
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(continued from page 32)
UmaSofia’s poise and maturity were striking. Her personal story involving struggle, alongside her continuous desire to achieve, made her an exceptional candidate for admission to the Academy,” recalls Mrs. Jackson. Within the first hours of joining the Academy of Saint Elizabeth as one of our newest SEAsters, UmaSofia began to make friends and connections with others she had never experienced before. A fresh start in a nurturing, supportive environment bolstered UmaSofia’s belief that she could be crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA, if only she was willing to give it another shot. “At the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, I finally felt that at a school, I was safe and wanted. The administration, faculty, staff and students were so supportive toward me. I remember when I posted on social media my official headshot and that I decided to participate again in the Miss New Jersey Teen USA competition, there were over 300 comments from my fellow SEAsters. Comments like ‘You look beautiful,’ ‘We’re rooting for you,’ and more overwhelmed me to the point that I came home from school with tears of joy. I didn’t know how to feel about having so much support since it never happened to me before until I came to the Academy.” With a new school, newly made friends and SEAsters, pageant coach, and continuously supportive parents, UmaSofia embarked on her journey toward the Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023 competition. Countless hours were dedicated to personal training, pageant preparation and philanthropic work until March 2023, when the competition would take place. Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023 was a three-day weekend, starting with UmaSofia checking into the hotel where she would spend time with her peers until the end of the competition. While the weekend was a mixture of feeling tense, exuberant, and excited, UmaSofia’s favorite part of the weekend was being able to meet and spend time with her roommates, who were also competitors. While the sense of community carried
over from her previous competition, this time UmaSofia felt different entering the competition, bolstered with newfound confidence and strength. “I knew I had put in the work necessary to succeed. Having so many people supporting me, especially my new friends from the Academy, played a large part in my self-confidence over those three days.” After several rounds of hair/makeup sessions, interviews, rehearsals, and onstage practices, the preliminary competition began with 94 contestants walking down the runway first in active wear, and then dressed in their evening gown. Waiting around begins. All the contestants stay together as they eagerly emerge onstage as a group for the announcement of the Top 17 contestants. The selected Top 17 perform another round of active wear and evening gown showings until
the judges make their Top 5 choices. Once announced, the Top 5 all gather on stage to answer one singular question. Each contestant randomly selects from a bowl a handwritten question from one of the judges. The contestant answers the question and then prepares for the Final Look, in which the Top 5 contestants stand in the spotlight one last time before a winner is crowned. UmaSofia emerged in the final two contestants, the same as in 2022, yet with confident eyes set on the crown. “There is so much superstition concerning the Final Two, especially when it comes to garnering good luck. For example, superstition has it that when the Final Two contestants stand facing each other holding hands, the winner will be the one (continued on page 35)
“My friends helped make me who I am today, built up my confidence, supported me through every step of this journey, and acted as the light in my life.
I don’t know what I would do without my SEAsters.”
Following her runner-up finish in her first Miss New Jersey Teen USA pageant in 2022, UmaSofia was approached by former Miss New Jersey Teen USA and Miss New Jersey USA 2020, Gina Mellish. Gina believed UmaSofia possessed the necessary qualities and skills of a Miss New Jersey Teen USA winner and offered to formally coach her for the next competition. Even though UmaSofia was unsure if she wanted to participate in a pageant again, she agreed to work with Gina. The rest is history. One year later, UmaSofia was not only crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA, but also Miss Teen USA 2023. Gina embraced UmaSofia after she was crowned Miss Teen USA, a culmination of determination and loving support.
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With crown and sash in hand, UmaSofia posed with the Tyrannosaurus Rex at the Museum of Natural History, a treasured spot she enjoyed visiting as a child.
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with their hands placed on top. Spoiler Alert: I was holding my hands on the bottom of the other finalist!” When the first runner-up was announced, UmaSofia was overwhelmed with a flood of emotions. She had achieved a goal that is almost impossible to achieve for many young women who dedicate their lives to pageants. As she was crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023, all the contestants rushed the stage to hug the newly crowned UmaSofia. Her story culminated in this crowning achievement, yet this moment was just the beginning to a year long affair of UmaSofia taking “crowning by the reigns.” In the first three months since the competition’s end, UmaSofia has already made over 40 guest appearances at different events across the State of New Jersey. Ranging from visits to charitable organizations, schools, galas, and even the New Jersey State Senate House, UmaSofia’s year reigning as Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023 is set to be unlike any other before. “I want to leave a legacy of always trying to get out there and being among New Jersey’s communities. I want to connect with people from across the state, one-on-one, and beyond.” One of UmaSofia’s favorite events since being crowned was attending the Hispanic Federation Gala in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. As a child, UmaSofia recalled visiting the museum with her parents and posing for a photo in front of the massive skeletal structure of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Venturing back to the museum, this time as Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023, UmaSofia took a photo in front of the same Tyrannosaurus Rex, just ten years apart and with a crown upon her head. The remaining months ahead of UmaSofia’s reign will consist of more philanthropic work and scheduled events, alongside her studies and homework at the Academy. UmaSofia’s course of study for her junior year is no easy feat, taking AP United States History, AP Human Geography, AP United States Government & Politics, French IV Honors, Physics
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At left, UmaSofia poses with her father, Sanjay, and mother, Barbara, moments after being crowned Miss Teen USA 2023. At right, UmaSofia met with Maggie Luo from the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) prior to speaking at one of their events.mental health is of great importance to UmaSofia, having publicly spoken about her own struggles following experiences of bullying.
Honors, and Pre-Calculus Honors, in addition to a University Now course, Exploring the Basics of Judaism, Christianity, & Islam. “The most important thing is to maintain a work-life balance. I make time for my family, friends, studies, and responsibilities as Miss New Jersey Teen USA, but I also make sure to focus on my mental and physical health.” One of UmaSofia’s most successful campaigns since being crowned involved an initiative aimed at enhancing the educational opportunities of underserved and underprivileged students across New Jersey. In partnership with Bridge of Books Foundation, UmaSofia held a book drive at
the Academy of Saint Elizabeth and other local schools. By the start of the summer, the initiative had collected over 1,000 books to be distributed by the foundation. Philanthropic work, central to UmaSofia’s identity since childhood, will be one of the defining aspects of her reign. When looking back on her entire journey to the crown, UmaSofia expressed immense gratitude for her family, coach, fellow competitors, and friends she made at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth. Without her friends and their support, UmaSofia believes she would not be the person she is today. “I would not trade the friends I made at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth for the
world. If someone told me I had to give up my crown and title in exchange for the friends I made here, I would gladly do so in a heartbeat. My friends helped make me who I am today, built up my confidence, supported me through every step of this journey, and acted as the light in my life. I don’t know what I would do without my SEAsters.” And so, as UmaSofia continues her reign as Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023, her story of resilience in the face of adversity gives hope to all individuals of different cultural identities and backgrounds. In her own imparting words, “Don’t let others tell you what you can and can’t be. You are unstoppable.”
The White Jaguar Authored and illustrated by UmaSofia herself, The White Jaguar tells the story of Nieve, a baby jaguar who has been rescued from the jungle after a fire. After being separated from her parents, she soon begins to realize that she looks a bit different than the other jaguars. To find her way home, Nieve must embark on a journey for acceptance and most importantly, self love, all while making a few extraordinary friends along the way.
SCAN CODE TO GET YOUR COPY! One third of book sales is donated directly to The Lotus Petal Foundation and another third benefits The World Wildlife Fund. LEGACY Magazine | FALL / WINTER 2023
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UPDATE: From Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023 to Miss Teen USA 2023 At the start of September 2023, UmaSofia began her preparations for the Miss Teen USA 2023 competition, held in Reno, Nevada. Contestants from across the United States of America, who each earned the title of Miss Teen USA 2023 in their respective states, converged for a week and a half of bonding, interviews, competition, and the eventual crowning moment on the evening of Thursday, September 28. The Top 5 contenders for the title hailed from Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, Ohio, and, of course, New Jersey. The Final Two came down to New Jersey and New York. With hands clutched around each other (this time, UmaSofia's hands were held underneath her competitor's), UmaSofia achieved the dream of a lifetime: being crowned Miss Teen USA 2023, becoming NJ’s first young woman to win the title. A whirlwind of events have followed UmaSofia’s crowning, including nationally televised interviews, online articles and more. But at the core, UmaSofia is still grounded in her original mission: to be a voice for those who are marginalized. Events like reading her self-authored book, The White Jaguar, to school children are what bring her an even greater joy than any crown could ever provide.
Need copy for crown. Not sure where to put Jaguar book piece. UmaSofia was invited to the New Jersey State House to receive a resolution in her name as the first Mexican-Indian Miss New Jersey Teen USA (and now Miss Teen USA 2023), issued by Senator Brian Stack, Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro, and Assemblyman Rai Mukherj.
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B E y O N D
P A G E A N T R y
Miss Teen USA is a platform dedicated to empowering young women and providing them with the tools to succeed in life. Their mission is to cultivate the next generation of leaders who will make a positive impact in their communities and beyond. Believing that true beauty comes from within, the Miss Teen pageants celebrate young women who are well-rounded, confident individuals poised to share their stories, inspire others and make a difference in the world. Beyond the red carpet glamour, the platform of Miss Teen USA is synonymous with giving back. Charity and community engagement are at the core of the organization, built by people that make the work of the title truly profound. From exciting fundraising events, to heart-warming visits, and adventures in awareness, each of the Miss Teen USA initiatives matter.
State Crown - New Jersey Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023
“Winning the State Crown was the first step in a journey which proved to me that regardless of the struggles I have faced, they were necessary. These struggles led me to embrace everything that made me unique and ultimately empowered me to determine my own future. As the daughter of two immigrants, I realized at that moment, when I was crowned Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023 and Miss Teen USA 2023, that I am lucky enough to be living the American Dream.” – UmaSofia Srivastava '25
Power of Hope Crown Miss Teen USA 2023
"Radiant and resplendent, the Mouawad Miss Teen USA Power of Hope Crown is a unique, bespoke work of extraordinary craftsmanship that carries with it a vital message – that this generation gives us hope for the future and the power to create the future of which we all dream. The Mouawad Miss Teen USA Power of Hope Crown joins the Mouawad Miss Universe Power of Unity Crown and Miss USA Power of Positivity Crown in a trilogy of dazzling creations whose combined message reminds us of the greatness and goodness that can be achieved when women unite."
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BEYOND THE FIRST
100 DAYS Dr. Azar shares her faith-filled vision for dynamic growth and innovation at The Academy of Saint Elizabeth The Sisters of Charity have played a pivotal role in the life of Dr. Beth Azar well before she accepted the position of Principal of the Academy of Saint Elizabeth earlier this year. Growing up in a small town in Kentucky, an hour’s drive from Louisville, Dr. Azar was influenced by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, through which two of her great-aunts, Sister Charles Catherine and Sister Mary Flaget, devoted their lives to God. Now, Dr. Azar has the same opportunity her great-aunts did, which is to help further the mission of the Sisters of Charity through her own skills and talents as the Academy’s next leader. In looking back over her first 100 days as principal, Dr. Azar expressed an emphatic sense of excitement in starting her journey at the Academy. This excitement is rooted in many different aspects of her role as principal, including the connections formed with administrators, faculty, staff, students, and families. “It has been so exciting to get to know all of the Academy’s faculty and staff, students, their families, and our partners 40
on campus, including the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth and Saint Elizabeth University. Exploring the building has been a highlight of my first few months, seeing the history of it all come alive through learning and connectivity.” While Dr. Azar comes to the Academy after more than a 25-year career in the public school sector, she has found the transition to working within a Catholic, allgirls school to be in closer alignment with her personal faith and identity. As a devout Catholic, Dr. Azar appreciates the Academy’s religious foundations and mission, something which she was not able to experience while working in public schools. “I love that I can wear my cross everyday to work and talk about God openly. At the start of this school year, my opening remarks and activities with the students focused on reflection of faith. And in my development of school policy, I continually refer back to the mission of the Sisters of Charity and my personal faith. It is easier to make decisions when rooted in mission and faith.” As Dr. Azar worked throughout the
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summer and into the start of the new school year, her focus was on achieving several immediate goals which reflected ideas offered by the Academy community. First, in an effort to help lessen the experiences of stress amongst the students, a new 6-day rotating schedule was developed, which affords all students two study periods a week. With the new schedule and addition of study periods, there has been no lost instruction time in the classroom, benefiting both faculty and students alike. An added activity period also helps students plan for clubs and other events, without always having to do so during their lunch period. The creation of the Panther Peace Room, our newest space of reflection/wellness for students to utilize throughout the school day, is overseen by the Counseling Department. This space has become a safe haven when students need a moment to collect themselves before returning to class. Additional work over the summer focused on increasing safety around campus. Dr. Azar worked closely with the Sisters of Charity and Saint Elizabeth
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University to partner with their security team to identify improved security measures. A new full-time security staff member has also been contracted specifically by and for the Academy to assure all safety measurements are kept in place whenever students are in the building. Part of these advancements come directly from Dr. Azar’s experiences in public school administration, which in some ways, aligns with her role at the Academy. “I feel extremely comfortable in the role as an administrator of a school building. Understanding schedules, rosters, student requests, facilities management, and the like are very similar between public and private schools. My greatest strength is in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), which I hope to increase within our community. Currently, I am also focusing on enhancing my skills within the areas of recruitment, marketing, and financial management since these areas are different in a private school than within public schools. All of these aspects of administration are exciting for me to further explore alongside our team of administrators.” Dr. Azar attributes a great deal of her
growing knowledge of the Academy’s daily operations due to Mrs. Corvo, Assistant Principal, Mrs. Kotoulas, Chief Financial and Operations Officer, and Mrs. Burek, the Academy’s former principal, who Dr. Azar continues to have a connection with following Mrs. Burek’s recent retirement. Dr. Azar has also been paired with a mentor from NJAIS (New Jersey Association of Independent Schools). Her mentor, Mr. Robert Costello, is currently the Head of School for Oratory Preparatory School in Summit. This additional outside support has helped Dr. Azar grow in her appreciation of single-sex, independent Catholic institutions and their strengths. With the admissions season underway for the incoming Class of 2028, Dr. Azar has identified an important goal she seeks to achieve in her first year as principal of the Academy. Dr. Azar’s deep connections with the Sisters of Charity, and the beauty that comes from having family and friendship among their ranks, has led her on a path to fostering strong ties between the Academy and the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth.
Dr. Azar speaks with Choir members Mia D'Angelo '23, Ava Montaruli '23, Maria Clara Bragagnolo Rose '23, andPhoto Isabella Cerciello '23 prior to the Opening School Mass in Holy Family Chapel. Credit: Ellen Denuto
“I love that I can wear my cross everyday to work and
talk about God openly. At the start of this school year, my opening remarks and activities with the students focused on
reflection in faith.” In 1859, when Mother Mary Xavier was commissioned to open a school for young women, the mission was focused on "empowering each of them with compassion and self-reliance and to use her God-given talents to be successful and independent in our world. As we continue to grow, we must stay true to this mission. We must strive to maintain an intimate environment that helps us establish bonds of SEAsterhood that last a lifetime. I dedicate my time here, at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, to these young women in my care and to the founding mission that this incredible community was founded upon. As Dr. Azar continues her tenure as principal beyond her first 100 days, she wished to share a personal message for the entire Academy community. “My hope is that we can all come together as partners, with God and one another, to bring about the greatest good in ourselves, our students, and our community. I strongly believe that all voices need to be heard and that it is important to make decisions rooted in faith and love. As is written in Romans 15:5-6, ‘May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.’”
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Returning
HOME
Beyond its unparalleled beauty and ancient history, Greece remains a source of cultural reconnection for Mrs. Kotoulas and her family
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amed American author Henry Miller agement from Fairleigh Dickinson UniverF once stated, “It takes a lifetime to discover sity, Mrs. Kotoulas achieved the dreams Greece, but it only takes an instant to fall in love with her.” For Mrs. Kotoulas, Chief Financial and Operations Officer of the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, her lifelong love affair with Greece and her Greek heritage was nurtured this past summer when she visited her homeland with her husband, Antonios (Tony), and two children, Niko and Agni. As a Greek immigrant coming to the United States of America in her preteenage years, Mrs. Kotoulas sought different ways to connect to her cherished Greek identity within a new country she now called home. Her parents, seeking a better life for Mrs. Kotoulas and her siblings, came to the United States and embraced the land of opportunity while maintaining their Greek identity as well. Deep faith within Greek Orthodox Christianity has been the foundation of support for Mrs. Kotoulas throughout her life, especially in the period of transition during her childhood. Speaking only Greek, school was a difficult mountain to climb, yet Mrs. Kotoulas did so in herculean fashion. Having earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business Man-
her parents had for her in the land of opportunity. The American Dream became even more tangible as Mrs. Kotoulas was married, started a family, and raised her children with strong ties to their Greek heritage, never losing sight of their identity and history. That is why this past trip to Greece meant so much more to Mrs. Kotoulas: for the first time, all as adults, she and her family traveled to Greece with a keener sense of history and appreciation for the culture they call their own. Mrs. Kotoulas and her family's first visit was to Thessaloniki in Northern Greece. For Mrs. Kotoulas, Thassaloniki is her husband's home base in Greece. With a blending of both modern art and ancient sites, Mrs. Kotoulas described Thessaloniki as a lived-in tourist destination, where all walks of life cross paths, Greek and nonGreek alike. Bordering North Macedonia, a prominent feature throughout the area is that of monuments and structures dedicated to Alexander the Great, the legendary king of the Greek kingdom, Macedon, who conquered the Persian (continued on page 44)
Mrs. Kotoulas in front of the White Tower of Thessaloniki, a famed fortress built in the 15th century.
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While visiting family in Polykastano, Mrs. Kotoulas’ children Agni and Niko, Pete Mitoulis (their uncle), Mrs. Kotoulas, and her husband Tony share quality time together alongside a delicious Greek meal.
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“It takes a lifetime to discover Greece, but it only takes an
instant to fall in love with her.” – Henry Miller Empire. Another one of the most iconic buildings in the city, the White Tower, stands watchfully over the Thermaic Gulf, its whitewashed facade and turrets synonymous with Thessaloniki. Intermixed with these historical landmarks is a more contemporary artistic installation, which draws natives and visitors alike to Thessaloniki’s waterfront. The artistic piece, known as The Umbrellas, was designed and installed in 1997 by Greek sculptor Giorgios Zongolopoulos. Mrs. Kotoulas visited this spot before traveling to the part of Greece Mrs. Kotoulas' family calls home: Polykastano. The three-hour journey from Thessaloniki to Polykastano brought Mrs. Kotoulas closer to her husband's roots at their family home, visiting relatives throughout the area. One of Mrs. Kotoulas’ goals with visiting this area was to bring some aspects of her life in America to Greece, and bring some aspects of her life in Greece back to America. Immersing herself into Greek culture during this trip helped Mrs. Kotoulas appreciate how
The village of Polykastano, located in northern Greece.
much she has fallen in love with Greece and her cultural identity. The final leg of her trip in Greece led Mrs. Kotoulas to experience the southern portion of the country in Kalamata, the city after which Kalamata olives were named. Located on the Peloponnese peninsula, this port city borders the beautiful blue waters of the Ionian Sea. Short trips to the Corinth Canal, located in the city made famous in the Christian world by St. Paul, and Pylos, where Mrs. Kotoulas enjoyed the best seafood she has ever had in her life, were all in close range to Kalamata. The Spartan atmosphere of this region left Mrs. Kotoulas appreciating her own Spartan family roots, as well as contemporary accounts of historical battles, such as the Battle of Thermopylae, loosely depicted in the movie 300, which occurred in this part of the country thousands of years ago. Each trip to Greece carries an intentional purpose for Mrs. Kotoulas and her family: to continually connect their family to their Greek heritage, something which
The beautiful ceiling of St. Nikolaos Church in Corinth. The use of painted icons, instead of statues, is a hallmark of the Greek Orthodox faith.
almost 5,000 miles of distance cannot rescind from their lives. The countless memories of Greece, built upon the foundation of six generations of family history, provide the cultural reconnection that sustains the Kotoulas family when they are back in the United States of America. And while Mrs. Kotoulas returned home to New Jersey with many more memories from her time in Greece, she now finds her heart is at home in two countries, both of which intricately tie into the woman she is today.
Towering over the shoreline of Thessaloniki is one of many monuments to Alexander the Great. A profound leader, he is revered throughout Hellenistic history and culture for his military prowess.
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ALUMNAENEWS Allison Armelino ‘14 In May 2023, Allison Armelino ’14, earned her Doctorate of Audiology from Montclair State University. Allie was among only 13 other doctoral candidates to complete the 4-year program at Montclair State, which is currently the only university in New Jersey to offer a doctoral degree in Audiology. Allie is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences. She is now practicing at Advocare Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists of Morristown.
Madison Kinnard ‘08
Caroline Anne Oliveira ‘02 Earlier this year, Caroline was nominated by Governor Murphy to be a Judge of the Superior Court in Morris County. She was subsequently confirmed by the State Senate and on June 26, Caroline was officially sworn in. She is currently presiding in the Family Division. Caroline recalls setting foot in a courtroom for the first time as a member of the Academy Mock Trial team, while competing in the very same court complex. Immediately after law school, Caroline was a Judicial Law Clerk. She then worked for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, representing the State in numerous jury trials involving alleged crimes, from fraud to homicide. She also investigated and prosecuted financial crimes and charges of corruption and racketeering. In 2021, Caroline joined the Office of the Attorney General, specifically the Office of Public Integrity & Accountability, where she investigated and prosecuted crimes of misconduct by public officials. 46
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Madison is a digital media specialist for women entrepreneurs. Through a combination of strategy, creativity, and technical expertise, she provides tailored solutions to help build a strong online presence, simplify operations, and achieve business growth. Her services include Showit website design and HoneyBook setups. Madison lives in New York City with her husband, Kyle Sennish, and their two cats, Paisley and Sriracha. Visit Madison’s website at www.madisonkinnard.com to learn more.
Emily Sturtz ‘12 In December 2022, Emily graduated from Pennsylvania State University with her Ph.D. in School Psychology. She is currently in her fourth year working as a high school psychologist for Passaic County Technical Vocational Schools in Wayne, New Jersey. Thrilled at the completion of her doctoral program, Emily is now working toward expanding her scope of practice as a licensed psychologist. On June 24, 2023, Emily celebrated her marriage to Alexander Gabriel at Holy Family Chapel. It was a perfect day, including a reception at the Park Avenue Club, a venue initially built in 1894 as a dairy barn for the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth on the other side of campus. SEAster Rebecca Malizia ‘11 (née Kerns) joined Emily in Holy Family Chapel as one of her bridesmaids.
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alumnae news Susan Arre ‘05 After spending five years in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to help launch the e-commerce marketplace business at Target, Susan started a new role leading the Global Commerce team at American Express Digital Labs. She moved back to New Jersey with her husband, Patrick Bredice, and they are looking forward to welcoming their first child, a baby girl, in the fall of 2023!
Shannon Fernandez-Ledon ‘13 This past spring, Shannon Fernandez-Ledon ‘13 completed her M.D. at Columbia University - Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Shannon was the recipient of the William Perry Watson Prize in Pediatrics. In June, she began her residency in pediatrics at the leading children’s hospital in the nation, Boston Children’s Hospital. She is hopeful to further her career in pediatric oncology and hematology.
Danielle Antes ‘06 and UmaSofia Srivastava ‘25 You never know who you are going to run into down at the Jersey Shore. SEAsters UmaSofia Srivastava ‘25 and Danielle Antes ‘06 had a chance meeting on the boardwalk over the summer.
Meghan Callendriello ‘18
Katie Von Schaumburg ‘18 In December 2021, Katie Von Schaumburg ‘18 graduated from The George Washington University, Summa Cum Laude, with a B.A. in American Studies and Political Science and a minor in History. She was additionally awarded a certificate from the Honors Program. In August 2022, she began her first year of law school at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. She is a proud member of the Student Bar Association (Student Government), joined the William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal, and she is the Co-President of the Election Law Society. This summer, Katie interned at the Department of Veterans Affairs in their Court of Appeals Litigation Group. In this role, she helped represent the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in cases at the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
The Academy was proud to invite Meghan Callendriello ‘18 to be our guest speaker at the National Honor Society, World Languages Honor Societies and National Honor Society for Dance Arts Induction Ceremony on March 30. In her remarks, Meghan encouraged the newly inducted members of the Honor Societies with these words: “I urge you to use the full
support of both the capable women sitting next to you and the teachers who dedicate so much to your success, to fail often, to make mistakes, to make fools of yourselves, to say the wrong thing at the wrong time, to learn how to apologize, to learn what you don’t like, but most importantly, to learn what motivates you to be the best version of yourself. Finding what genuinely resonates with you will sustain your love for the work and service that you will continue to do throughout your life. When grades are no longer a factor, and college applications, and then even college, are a thing of the past, I hope you all find yourselves on a path, not defined by others, but by yourselves, tuned by mistakes made and lessons learned along the way.”
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Tackling Achievement Culture Jennifer Breheny Wallace ‘90 On August 22, Penguin Random House published the now best-selling book, Never Enough, authored by Jennifer Breheny Wallace ‘90. The book is a culmination of Jennie’s research and countless interviews with adolescents and the challenges of overachieving in an effort to meet the expectations of society.
Scan below to order your copy of Never Enough
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In today’s competitive race to secure the best possible future, high school students face unprecedented pressure to succeed. They jam-pack their schedules with AP classes, fill every waking hour with resume-padding activities, and even sabotage relationships with friends to “get ahead.” Family incomes and schedules are stretched to the breaking point by tutoring fees and athletic schedules. Yet this drive to optimize performance has only resulted in skyrocketing rates of anxiety, depression, and even self-harm in America’s highest achieving schools. Parents, educators, and community leaders are facing the same quandary: how can we teach kids to strive for excellence without crushing them? In Never Enough, award-winning reporter Jennifer Breheny Wallace investigates the deep roots of toxic achievement culture, and finds out what we must do to fight back. Drawing on interviews with families, educators, and an original survey of nearly 6,000 parents, she exposes how the pressure to perform is not a matter of parental choice but baked into our larger society
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and spurred by increasing income inequality and dwindling opportunities. As a result, children increasingly feel that they have no value outside of their accomplishments, a message reinforced by the media and greater culture at large. Through deep research and interviews with today’s leading child psychologists, Wallace shows what kids need from the adults in the room is not more pressure, but to feel like they matter, and have intrinsic self-worth not contingent upon external achievements. Parents and educators who adopt the language and values of mattering help children see themselves as a valuable contributor to a larger community. And in an ironic twist, kids who receive consistent feedback that they matter no matter what are more likely to have the resilience, self-confidence, and psychological security to thrive. Packed with memorable stories and offering a powerful toolkit for positive change, Never Enough offers an urgent, humane view of the crisis plaguing today’s teens and a practical framework for how to help.
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alumnae news Anne Davie Mucci ‘88
Laura Kenny ‘10 Laura Kenny '10 married Alexander Kent at Skytop Lodge on April 22, 2023. Laura and Alex met as students at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 2012. Laurel Repsha '10 and Kelly Kinetic ‘10 (née Hering) gave speeches at the reception. Kelly's daughter, Kit Kinetic, Class of 2039 (fingers crossed!), served as the flower girl. Also in attendance were Caitlin Hering '12 and Christen Koribanics '11.
Dr. Anne Davie Mucci, a seasoned Morris County Superintendent, recently made history when she was appointed as the first female superintendent of the Morris School District. Dr. Mucci looks forward to serving and continuing the tradition of excellence that has made the Morris School District a premier district in the state. Dr. Mucci previously served as the leader of the Long Hill Public Schools. She also held various administrative roles in the Mountain Lakes School District, including Superintendent (2011-2019). Throughout her extensive career in New Jersey public education, Dr. Mucci has demonstrated a strong commitment to educating the whole child, building strong partnerships with all stakeholders and raising the academic achievement of all students. Dr. Mucci fondly remembers the tremendous role models at the Academy, including Ms. Griffin, whose passion for the classics inspired a love
of philosophy and history, and Ms. Townsend who was well ahead of her time teaching the importance of self care and social emotional learning. Dr. Mucci strives to uphold the mission of the Sisters of Charity to help others "through compassion, care and practical assistance." She volunteers her time to mentor aspiring school administrators and organize service based learning initiatives. Dr. Mucci and her husband Ronnie, recently celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary and are the proud parents of Ronald (24), Joseph (20) and Michael (17).
Sarah Landi ‘11 Sarah Landi '11 moved to Egypt after falling in love with the culture and history of the country. She has taught English, math, science, and the humanities for the past few years, working mainly with preschool and kindergarten students. Additionally, Sarah worked as a Reading and Comprehension Teacher for Grades 4, 5, and 6 at an international school, teaching the British Curriculum. She recently discovered her entrepreneurial spirit, starting a business as a private teacher for adults and children. Sarah recalls her time at the Academy, stating, “The teachers at the Academy helped me see my potential, regardless of how long it took for me to see it in myself. They made me want to be a teacher and have an impact on kids' lives. I can guarantee no one saw me being a teacher; I even surprised myself. However, seeing a student get excited when they understand or learn something new is a feeling I can’t really describe.”
Kristina Ricca Fette ‘12 After meeting in March 2001, Kristina Ricca ‘12 and Hart Fette were married on July 30, 2023. She has had an exciting time since, and loves watching her fellow SEAsters getting married as well. Kristina cannot believe it has been over 10 years since she graduated from the Academy with the Class of 2012!
Alana Saraco ‘10 On July 6, Alana Saraco ‘10 tied the knot with Thomas Merse in Lucca, Italy. She is the daughter of Michael and Carolynn Volpe Saraco ‘86. The happy couple reside in La Jolla, California where Alana is a Behavioral Health Care Manager at Integrated Healthcare Alliance. Her husband, Tom, serves in the United States Navy. LEGACY Magazine | FALL / WINTER 2023
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Kathleen Courtney ‘75 Kathleen recently retired after working over four decades in the Film Industry as a Production Coordinator, Production Manager, and Producer on films including Casino, Steve Jobs, Daredevil, San Andreas and Hocus Pocus. She finished her career as the Production Manager on 13 Reasons Why and the San Francisco portion of This is Us. Kathleen says “Retirement Rocks!” as she now fills her days with travel, djembe drumming, hiking in her beach town of Pacifica, California, watercolor painting, being a Rotarian and more.
Dominique Polanco ‘19
Devin Simonson ‘15 Devin Simonson '15 graduated from Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts, and will be working under Judge Johnathan W. Romankow at the Somerset County Criminal Court as a Law Clerk in New Jersey.
Retired Faculty Luncheon This summer, a group of retired faculty gathered for their annual lunch at Panevino Ristorante in Livingston, New Jersey. Pictured from left to right are Rev. George Chorba (husband of Mrs. Chorba), Bella Nathan (World Languages), Jean Romeo (Latin/ Tennis Coach), Peggy Kirby (Religion), Maureen Capuzzi (Math) and Merle Chorba (Biology).
Leanne Fosbre ‘69 and Julie La Vigne Hartings ‘96 Pictured are Leanne Fosbre ‘69, with her grandsons Everett and Owen Hartings and alumna daughter, Julie La Vigne Hartings ‘96, after Mass outside their parish church, Church of the Good Shepherd, in Denver, Colorado.
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Dominique Polanco ‘19 graduated Magnum Cum Laude from Providence College this past spring with a B.S. in Physics and a minor in Mathematics. In addition to holding the highest GPA in her major, Dominique was the President of the Society of Physic Students, a member of the Leadership Fellows Program, and served as a Physics Tutor, Learning Lab Assistant, and Panel Moderator for Women Entrepreneurs and Women in STEM. She is also a member of Sigma Pi Sigma, the oldest and only American Honor Society for Physics and Astronomy, Pi Mu Epsilon, the U.S. Honorary National Mathematics Society, and Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society. In June, Dominique began her Master’s Degree at the University of Notre Dame’s ESTEEM Graduate Program, specializing in Engineering, Science, Technology and Entrepreneurship. As part of this program, she will begin her capstone project this fall with Privé International, a full-service private label perfume and cosmetics manufacturer/contract filler based in Miami, Florida, to launch the company’s first line of cosmetics products, MYNT Cosmetics. She is excited to apply her passion for cosmetic science to create a successful launch strategy in advancing skincare not just for the face, but also for the body, with products derived from clean ingredients at an affordable cost. Dominique thanks the Academy of Saint Elizabeth for helping create a solid foundation that launched her continued success!
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alumnae news Kathy Monangai ‘13 This past July, Kathy Monangai '13 was awarded the 2023 Young Pharmacist Award by the National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA). The two tenets of the organization include increasing minority representation in healthcare and meeting the needs of those underserved. NPhA was founded in 1947 because, at the time of its inception, minorities (including Black and/or African Americans) were not allowed to join the American Pharmacist Association. Kathy has been involved with the student affiliate of NPhA (known as the Student National Pharmaceutical Association or SNPhA) since 2013 and served on their National Executive team before transitioning to the pharmacist affiliate in 2020. The principles of the organization are near and dear to Kathy’s heart, so being honored in this way meant a great deal to her. The Young Pharmacist Award recognizes eager and effective participation in the affairs of the National Pharmaceutical Association and contributions to the pharmacy profession. To be eligible, the recipient must be a licensed pharmacy practitioner for no more than 5 years. In addition, a candidate must have participated in local and/or national NPhA activities while displaying dedication to the future of pharmacy through leadership and professional activities.
Apria Valenza ‘15
Suzanne Bartsch Casana ‘69 The Class of 1969 is planning a mini-reunion to celebrate 55 years since graduating from the Academy. Ten of their class’ members will be spending three fun-filled days in Hilton Head, South Carolina, in April 2024. Classmates from 1969 have had so much fun getting together in their past reunions that they decided to not wait for their 60th Reunion, instead planning a relaxing, memorable beach vacation together.
In 2021, Apria graduated from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi with her M.S. in Fisheries & Mariculture and is working on having her research published. She is now a second-year Ph.D. student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she is researching fishery management and policy. Her research will earn its own chapter in a report given to the State of North Carolina, informing the legislature on the status of the state’s fisheries and recommending new management strategies to improve and protect the industry. In March 2023, Apria shared her preliminary findings and research with the American Fisheries Society (AFS).
Please email Suzanne Bartsch Casana ‘69 for more information: suzannecasana@gmail.com
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Kelly Hering sits in an old rocket fairing while working at Astra, in between her positions with Planet and Charm Industrial.
HERStory:
To Infinity and Beyond Kelly Hering ‘10 Passions discovered at the Academy can launch the career journey of a lifetime Interviewed by Maggie Macchiarola ’21
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Brown University graduate and Academy alumna, Kelly Hering ‘10, attributes her work as Chief Technology Officer of Charm Industrial to her high school experience, where she first discovered her passion for mathematics and the sciences. As part of our ongoing HERstory series, Maggie Macchiarola ’21 sat down with Kelly to discuss memories of the Academy, her Ivy League studies at Brown University and her ongoing efforts to reduce the impacts of global CO 2 concentration.
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HERstory When did you first hear about the Academy of Saint Elizabeth and do you remember how you decided to attend the school? I found out about the Academy of Saint Elizabeth from my best friend, Laura, who was planning on looking at different private schools in the area. I hadn't really considered going to any school other than the public school in my town. However, since my best friend was going, I thought I could at least check it out. We attended an Open House together and we both really liked it. At that time, Facebook was just starting to grow in popularity, so we decided to see what girls were at the Academy through Facebook. We both saw that the girls looked like they were really enjoying themselves at the Academy. And I think I was looking for something a bit different for my high school experience. It was really exciting to have a change.
What are some of your significant memories from the Academy? One of my mentors, Mr. Metz, was a mathematics teacher at the Academy when I attended there. I was in advanced math classes, which meant I had Mr. Metz for every single math class throughout my time at the Academy. He was highly interested in the mathematics and science programs, which became a contagious passion in his students, including me. I remember how Mr. Metz came up to me one time and encouraged me to look into different mathematics and science programs since he felt I was strong in those subjects. He was one of my mentors that directed my future career trajectory. I remember taking Calculus BC with Mr. Metz and a few other girls. Since the class was not a full-year course, we needed something to do for a couple of weeks. Mr. Metz decided that the class
would play an ongoing game of Monopoly, which he totally rocked us in. The great part about it was this became my first experience with topics like mortgages, living expenses, and practical daily life skills. His classes were foundational to who I am today.
Did you always know what you wanted to study or pursue for your career? I did not, especially since I felt I had a lot of different interests that I wanted to explore. I wanted to leave a social impact, but I did not know how. I also was into different types of art and I played lacrosse. I never saw myself as a strong math student, but when Mr. Metz directed me to look at programs that included Engineering, that is when I began to discover my potential future career. I attended a summer program during my junior year of high school at Columbia University, which really helped me understand my career interests. It was there that I began to see Mechanical Engineering as a method of making a social impact. Through that summer program, I was able to visit senior citizen communities in Manhattan, talk to the residents about what they needed, and design machines to help them. That set me off into being excited about engineering.
What were some of the clubs and/or elective courses you were part of that helped grow your passions for math and science? We had this group called the Moody’s Mega-Math Challenge, which was a lot of fun, but also highly intense. It involved a 24-hour challenge where a prompt was given and responses required research with an ensuing plan to answer the prompt. Topics did not only focus on math either. One prompt involved us analyzing President Obama’s Stimulus Bill. The same handful of students from my advanced Kelly and her husband, Shaun, on a tour of a steel plant in Canada for Charm Industrial. Charm’s bio oil, once produced at scale, could eventually be used to make sustainable, or "green," steel to reduce global emissions.
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“…I gained a greater sense of independence by attending the Academy. Leaving your hometown community to go to school somewhere else
really changes you as an individual as you learn to rely on yourself.”
Kelly, Shaun, and their dog, Lemonade, at their wedding in 2020.
math classes participated and worked through every prompt together. I also started a club at the Academy called Girls Learn International, in which we were partnered with a classroom of girls abroad. When I was leading the club, we were paired with a classroom in Pakistan and when my sister continued to lead it after I graduated, they paired with a classroom in Vietnam. It was a great experience since I learned the value of activism, as well as communicating with girls from around the globe. I even had the opportunity to visit the UN because of my participation and was able to attend several workshops there. I recently reconnected via LinkedIn with one of the program’s organizers after 10 years. It truly was a rewarding, formative experience.
program was a way for colleges, universities, and educational programs to piggyback their satellite onto a space launch with another satellite built by the government. When I was on the CubeSat team, our satellite was launched into space through NASA and their educational launch initiative. I was on the leadership team for that launch, designing the power systems and such. This experience propelled me into the career I sought after graduating from Brown in 2014, which first involved building satellites.
of satellites, or a group of around 150 small satellites which can orbit the Earth every 90 minutes. With that many satellites, each equipped with a camera, you can effectively take a picture of the entire Earth every day, which essentially became our mission. During my time at Planet, I was able to design and launch over 100 satellites. I left the company in 2017 and briefly worked for a small rocket company in San Francisco, where we designed and built a rocket in one year. After working there, I started my own company, Charm Industrial.
What company did you work for after graduating from Brown University and what was your job there?
How did you start Charm Industrial and what is its mission?
I started working at a company called Planet, which built satellites that were slightly bigger than the ones I built in college. If you combined three of the satellites built in college, that would be around the size of a satellite built at Planet. We designed what is called a constellation
The mission of Charm Industrial is to reduce global carbon (CO 2) concentration. I pivoted from aerospace into climate work after starting the company with co-founder Shaun Meehan, who is the Chief Scientist (and also my husband). My role is Chief Technology Officer, which
After studying at the Academy, what college/university did you attend and how did that enhance your pathway into your current career? After graduating from the Academy, I attended Brown University where I studied Mechanical Engineering. While I was there, I participated in a club called the CubeSat Team, which designed small satellites, usually around the size of a tissue box. The Kelly poses in front of Charm Industrial's first deployment site in Kansas.
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We moved into a large space right at the start of the pandemic, so that luckily gave us the opportunity to continue working while spacing everyone appropriately. In that space, we had a lot of physical hardware to build and test, so we were able to work throughout the pandemic and continue to grow the company.
Looking back over your career and life since attending the Academy, is there anything you experienced while at the Academy that led you to the person you are today?
Kelly and her team at Charm Industrial in front of the pyrolyzer that her team designed and built in an effort to reverse climate change.
means I focus on running our engineering programs. The company is a seven-person team right now. The way it works is that plants naturally absorb CO 2 from the atmosphere as they grow. Normally those plants decay, and that CO 2 returns to the atmosphere. Instead, Charm Industrial collects plants that are left on the farm after harvest, and we put those plants into machines that we designed and built called “pyrolyzers” to convert these plants into an oil. We then transport this carbonrich bio-oil to an injection well nearby where it is pumped underground and solidifies in place deep within the Earth. In essence, we are reverse oil drilling, and
putting the oil back where it should have stayed in the first place. This is called carbon removal, because we are removing historical emissions of carbon from the atmosphere. It is projected that about 10 gigatons of CO 2 would need to be removed per year to start reversing climate change.
How has the company been doing since it was started? The company was beginning to grow right around the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we had no trouble raising money during that time , which we had been doing for the past three years.
Besides some of the things already mentioned, I can say I gained a greater sense of independence by attending the Academy. Leaving your hometown community to go to school somewhere else really challenges you as an individual as you learn to rely on yourself. Add to that the fact that it was an all-girls school and I ended up working in engineering, which is a highly male dominated field, I was empowered to feel like I belonged in that field. I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but I didn’t have to think or worry about how I was perceived by others, especially men, which allowed me to never feel out of place. I feel I belong in the career I work in because that was what the Academy instilled within me.
HERStory Update Kelly continues to reside in San Francisco with her husband, Shaun, and their new daughter, Kit, who is now 16-months-old. She and Shaun took the family name Kinetic when their daughter was born. Kelly and Shaun grew Charm Industrial to 65 people in early 2023 and secured large purchases of carbon removal from Microsoft and Shopify. The company recently raised a $100,000,000 Series B round of funding to scale the company’s operations. Kelly recently left Charm Industrial with her husband and two of her employees to start another climate hardware venture. She is excited to continue her work building early-stage hardware companies with impactful technology, all while empowering women in engineering and leadership.
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2023 GALA & GIFT AUCTION
Award-winning SUCCESS The Academy’s signature spring event raised $98,000 for the Seton Fund Our “Academy-Award” winning 2023 Senior Gala & Gift Auction was held on Thursday, May 18 at the Birchwood Manor. The gala celebrated the many achievements of the Class of 2023 as they were honored alongside their families and friends. Thank you to our guests from the Academy community who helped make it a blockbuster event, surpassing the likes of even Barbie and Oppenheimer combined! A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors whose support of the gala helped raise an incredible $98,000 for the Seton Fund: The Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth The Cordano Family, ‘19 & ‘26 Mrs. Suzy Moran, P ‘92 & GP ‘23 The Marsh Family, ‘19, ‘23, ‘24 The Ricciardelli Family, ‘23 The Santoriello Family, ‘20, ‘23, ‘25
A special round of applause for our event committee: EVENT CHAIR Tammy Bruno, P ‘25
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GIFT AUCTION CHAIRS Alison Breault, P ‘24 Monique Misrahi, P ‘24
SENIOR WALL COMMITTEE Sue Hadley, P ‘23 Bernadette Condon, P ‘23 Kathleen Sullivan, P ‘23 Linda Rossini, P ‘23
RESERVATIONS CHAIR Marguerite Toohey, P ‘25
DADS SUPERHERO CHAIR Steve Tractenberg, P ‘26
FAMILy DONATIONS & RAFFLES April MacNaughton, P ‘25 Laura Agnew, P ‘25 Laura Santoriello, P ‘20, ‘23, ‘25
STAGE MANAGERS Getchel Lubke, P ‘25 Valerie Gehm, P ‘24
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MASTER OF CEREMONIES Anne Servitto, P '21, '24
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COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND
CLASS OF
2023
With a blended experience of in-person and virtual learning throughout their time at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, the Class of 2023 adjusted to life’s many challenges over the past four years with maturity and grace. On the weekend of June 3 and 4, the Class of 2023 gathered one last time to celebrate their Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Ceremony, transitioning from students to alumnae, yet always fellow SEAsters to each other.
As the 57 members of the Class of 2023 prepare for the next part of their journey, we look back on some of the beautiful moments from Commencement Weekend, wishing them the best of success in their new schools and reminding them they will always be welcomed home at the Academy. 58
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Gratitude for the Path Traveled and Prayers for the Journey Ahead Members of the Class of 2023 Gathered in Holy Family Chapel for Mass and Alumnae Induction Ceremony on the Eve of their Commencement
The Class of 2023 Baccalaureate Mass, celebrated by Fr. Thomas Fallone of St. Thomas More Parish and assisted by Deacon Peter Fiore, recalled the lessons taught to our students over the course of their time at the Academy, including the importance of service, charity, justice, community, and educational excellence, not just in their future college experiences, but throughout their entire lives as Catholics, Christians, and people of good will. Echoing this responsibility, Fr. Tom connected the day’s liturgical celebration, that of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, and the calling of all people to work in communion with God and one another as we seek to better ourselves and our world. Following the conclusion of the Mass, the members of the Class of 2023 were inducted into the Alumnae Association by Ms. Megan Knight, Director of Development/Alumnae Relations, alongside alumnae from the Class of 1973, Sister Patricia Codey, SC, Esq. and Mrs. Eileen Murphy Russick. Each student received a special Academy of Saint Elizabeth charm and several letters of encouragement from fellow SEAsters, spanning across the past eight decades!
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Commencement Ceremony Bright futures await graduates in the Class of 2023
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Family, friends, and fellow SEAsters gathered on the Front Lawn of the Academy for the 163rd Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2023. The afternoon began with a stunning rendition of the National Anthem, sung by Mackenzie Schubert ‘22. Salutatorian Emily Crabbe ‘23 welcomed guests to the ceremony, reflecting on the knowledge, lessons and values instilled in each student during their time at the Academy. Students were then individually honored for their accolades and accomplishments throughout their high school career, as well as acknowledged for scholarship awards and college plans. After receiving their diplomas, Valedictorian Uliana Leshchuk ‘23 shared her insight into the importance of what the Academy achieved in each graduate’s life and how such lessons can be carried into the future awaiting them.
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Valedictory Address: Rooted in Faith and Tradition Uliana Leshchuk '23, Valedictorian, inspires Commencement Ceremony attendees to rely on faith in God and the lessons learned at the Academy to achieve future success
I would like to start off by saying how grateful I am for this tremendous honor, and I would like to say thank you to everyone who helped me on this journey. I am so thankful for my family who has never failed to support me and let me learn and grow during this time in high school. Thank you to all the teachers who never stopped pushing us because they know how much potential we hold. Thank you for your vote of confidence in our success as we go off to college. I want to thank Mrs. Burek for all the work she has done for the Academy not just during our time here, but throughout her whole tenure. I also want to thank Mrs. Corvo. You have guided us through so much, and have made a positive impact on our experience here. Luke 12:48 states, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." This quote has been an important part of my life since I first saw it on the walls of Fordham University as my sister was moving into college. I have thought about these words a lot throughout the years, and as Dr. Borin has taught us - every time you look at the same passage you will gain something new from those words.
Over the past four years I have truly learned what it means to be given so much. I realized that the scope of these words went beyond studying well in school. It has everything to do with how we use the opportunities that we have been given to better the world around us. Matthew 7:24-25 states, “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain
fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.” I believe that at St. E’s we were able to create a second home for ourselves: one founded on strong rocks. It has become a place where we can laugh without shyness. A place where you can shed tears and find comfort in those around you. We (continued on page 62)
Mrs. Lynn Burek, former Academy principal, Emma Crabbe '23, Salutatorian, Sr. Patricia Codey, SC, Esq. '73, Commencement Speaker, Uliana Leshchuk '23, Valedictorian, and Mrs. Lauren Corvo, Assistant Principal.
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definitely had our fair share of storms and floods, but we were able to manage and come out stronger. And although at home we find a safe haven and a comfort zone, that also means that in order to grow we must eventually leave home, and that time has come for us. I want you to take solace in the fact that you will always have a home within your SEAsters. Remember that St.E’s is our strong house on the rock and because of this I am sure that we will be able to withstand any difficulties, challenges, or storms that come our way. Despite the storms we faced, our time here did not go without excitement and fun times. The walls of St. E’s are truly so special; it's one of those places that you’ll only ever understand if you experienced it. I mean the Alma Mater contest, Christmas Assembly, Calendar Party - how do you explain that to someone outside of the Academy. I don’t think any other school could convince their teachers to willingly participate in a Kentucky Derby-themed relay race on all fours. The Academy has bonded us for life. The walls of this home ring with the most genuine laughs and the truest friendships that will last a lifetime. It has seen nervous middle schoolers grow into self-assured adults ready to take on the challenges and uncertainties of college. As we are about to leave, you may feel the nerves creeping in because I know I definitely do. But you must remember that we were given the strength to handle any challenges that come at us. Isaiah 41:10 states, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” I believe that every person you meet or cross paths with in your life is there for a reason. The impact that they can make on you, even from one short conversation can be immense. God is with us and strengthening us through the people He surrounds us with. This is why I would like to say a special thank you to the Class of 2023 because the past year and a half has not been easy on myself or my family. As the war rages on in Ukraine, many families 62
have been torn apart and separated. But through all the darkness I was able to see light, and this is largely due to all of you. As everyone rallied around, figuring out ways to help those in Ukraine, I realized that God was strengthening me and upholding me by putting all of you in my life. The overwhelming support and messages that I received made me proud to be a part of such a community. I understood that we were truly a group that could rely on one another and lift each other up in times of need. Throughout this year, the meaning of what it means to be entrusted with much expanded again. We are privileged to live in a society that stands for liberty and democracy, where we have the choice to become whoever we want to be. As we sit here with no bombs flying over our heads, with no one threatening our ability to go to school, we are called to do more. We have truly been privileged to go to school at the Academy. Going to an all-girls school has given us the unique opportunity to grow in ourselves and to become
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“strong, confident young women”. Around the world, even in our own country, children, especially girls, live in areas with limited access to education, whether caused by poverty, war, or misogyny. We have been given a wonderful education and entrusted with knowledge. I encourage you to continue using your voice for those who cannot. I encourage you to stand up for what you believe in, even when it is uncomfortable. Whether you choose to go into education, law, medicine, fashion, economics, architecture, journalism - you truly have an ability to make a difference in the world. What we have learned within these walls was never meant to stay inside. It is time to leave our home because staying in our comfort zone would be a disservice to us and to those around us. Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.” Living a life forever in your comfort zone is a life that has not been lived. Take chances, be courageous, stand up for what you believe in - and you will make a difference in this world.
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1860 LEGACY SOCIETY Securing SEAsterhood for future generations of young women.
we either have to cut something or need to add something.
The Academy is the oldest Catholic high school for girls in New Jersey, building on a legacy of women since 1860. Our rich history and tradition of excellence can live on through a gift from your estate. Planned giving creates a perpetual legacy in your name, through a provision in your will or estate. Your generosity will continue our mission
for generations of young women at the Academy.
W H E N T H E R E I S A W I L L , T H E R E I S A WAY . For more information, please call 973.290.5226 or email mknight@aose.info Development Office | 2 Convent Rd. | Convent Station, NJ 07961 Do you have an IRA with a minimum annual distribution requirement? Consider supporting the Academy with a Qualified Charitable Distribution directly from your IRA. Sample wording that can be used: “I give to the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, a New Jersey nonprofit corporation, or its successor, Federal Tax LEGACY Magazine | FALL / WINTER 2023 Identification Number 22-2738106 [insert here the exact dollar amount or other specific information].” LEGACY Magazine | FALL / WINTER 2023
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Commencement Address Sister Patricia Codey, SC, Esq. '73 returns to campus for a jubilant weekend of Academy celebrations
I stand before you today as a proud alumna of the Academy of Saint Elizabeth. When I first walked through these halls over fifty years ago, I never imagined that I would be standing here today, delivering the Commencement speech. But here I am, and I am honored to be given this opportunity. In fact, I thought they had called the wrong Codey since my sister, Colleen, Class of 1977, was valedictorian here at St E’s! So, with an abundance of gratitude, I thank Principal Lynn Burek and the Board of Trustees and faculty for this opportunity to return to my high school roots, and to speak with you, the graduates, your families, your distinguished guests, and members of my own Class of 1973. I remember taking the train to St. E’s from Orange in Essex County and being the first student on in the morning and the last to get off at the end of the school day. Many of you may not know that the train station exists only because of the Sisters of Charity who came before me and insisted that a train station be built to take us beyond ourselves and into the world around us. They have shown us that anything is possible if we have the courage and determination to make it happen. Those very train tracks that brought me to the Academy also took me on many 64
other journeys, both literally and metaphorically. They symbolize the paths that we take in life, the choices that we make, and the destinations that we reach. Everyone here has different strengths and talents. Some of us are naturally gifted academically, while others excel in sports, music, or the arts. Lest you think that I was a shining star in the Class of ‘73, let me inform you that I may not have been the brightest student in the classroom. But I knew that I had other strengths that could help me succeed. I was involved in sports teams, (Go Panthers!), volunteered for various community events, and became heavily involved in student council. These experiences taught me valuable lessons that carry me throughout my life. In sports, I learned about the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and dedication. I knew that success is not just about individual achievement but also about working together toward a common goal. Through community involvement, I learned about the power of giving back and making a positive impact in the world. And through student government, I learned about leadership, communication, and advocacy. The lessons I learned through sports,
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community involvement, and student government eventually led me to my current position as President of the Catholic HealthCare Partnership of New Jersey. In this position, I advocate on behalf of the Catholic hospitals in New Jersey, helping them to serve poor and underrepresented communities. I testify at legislative hearings, write position papers, and work collaboratively with other advocacy organizations to promote the health and wellbeing of all New Jerseyans through the healing mission of Jesus. I want to share with you a personal experience that highlights the importance of community service. In my senior year at the Academy, we had the opportunity to participate in an off-site service project. I chose to work on a State Assembly primary campaign. I spent time in the campaign office answering phones, mailing letters, placing lawn signs, and, above all, getting out the vote. This experience allowed me to make a positive impact in my community. After the primary, I volunteered in the campaign office in the evenings and remained engaged for the November general election, and I voted for the first time on my 18th birthday! What an incredible experience to think that St. E’s gave me
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this opportunity. I am proud to say that the campaign I worked on was for my brother, Dick Codey, who continues to serve as a State Senator and served as a governor of New Jersey. This service project taught me the importance of community, giving back, and following our passions to make a difference in the world. These are the types of values instilled in us by the Academy. The education we received here was not only academic, but also focused on character development and service to others. These values have stayed with me throughout my life and have been a guiding force in my personal and professional endeavors. As you venture out into the world, I encourage you to stay true to these values and to always strive for excellence in all that you do. Whether you pursue higher education, enter the workforce, or take on other endeavors, remember that your St.
E’s education – both in the classroom and through your friends and activities – has prepared you well for whatever challenges lie ahead. I also want to emphasize the importance of embracing change and being open to new opportunities. Just like those railroad tracks I rode to get here, life is full of twists and turns, and it is often the unexpected experiences that lead us to our greatest achievements. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try new things. You never know where they might lead you. Finally, I urge you to stay connected to your fellow classmates and to the Academy. The relationships you formed here are lifelong, and the bonds we share as members of this community are unbreakable. Stay in touch with one another, support each other, and continue to be ambassadors for the values of this institution.
In closing, I want to congratulate each of you on your graduation from the Academy of Saint Elizabeth. I am confident that you will all go on to achieve great things and make a positive impact on the world around you. Remember that you are part of a rich legacy of graduates and that the Academy of Saint Elizabeth will always be here to support and guide you. Thank you, and God bless.
Leading Through Service Getting to Know Commencement Speaker Sister Patricia Codey, SC, Esq. ‘73
Sister Patricia Codey '73 has fulfilled many roles throughout her life, including being a Sister of Charity, avid golfer, sports aficionado, defender of the underdog, passionate advocate in politics, traveler and explorer, and an overall lover of life. She is an extraordinary woman, described best by those who know her as "engaging
and energetic." After graduating from the Academy of Saint Elizabeth, Sister Pat earned her Bachelor's Degree from Saint Elizabeth University, followed by receiving a scholarship for her law degree at City University of New York Law School. She is the President of the Catholic HealthCare Partnership of New Jersey and has previously served in roles as an assistant federal defender, a senior managing attorney and a law clerk. She serves as a Trustee for both the Catholic Health Association and Virtua Health, is on the Board of Directors of Saint George's University (SGU) School of Medicine, and is a member of the SGU New Jersey Advisory Board. Additionally, Sister Pat serves on ethics governance committees for Saint Clare's, Saint Peter's, and Our Lady of Lourdes, as well as on committees for the New Jersey Hospital
Association, Seton Hall Law School, Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Public and Global Affairs, Saint Elizabeth University, and Merrill Lynch Spanarkel Browne & Associates Non-Profit Advisory Group, to name a few. Sister Pat has a long list of plaudits in recognition of her lifetime commitment to the betterment of others, including, but not limited to, the Saint Elizabeth University Humanitarian Award and Community Partner Award, SOAR! Support Our Aging Religious, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Award, Virtua Health Humanitarian Award, Richard J. Hughes Public Service Award, New Jersey Women's Power List, Executive Women of New Jersey Policy Maker, and the Seton Hall Law School Irish Medal of Honor. Sister Pat is also a Fellow of Leadership NJ.
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A Parent’s
PASSION By Mr. Angelo Giambattista, P ‘13, ‘18
Dear Friends of the Academy, This past year marked an end of an era with the retirement of our esteemed principal, Mrs. Lynn Burek, after eight remarkable years as our leader. As our school’s first lay principal, Mrs. Burek brought her courage, instinct, intelligence, and passion to the education of our young women. Mrs. Burek’s most important qualification, however, was focus. No matter what obstacles she encountered in her first year, her vision of what the Academy could be never wavered. As we wish Mrs. Burek the best in retirement, we welcome Dr. Beth Azar to the Academy with open arms! As a parent of a graduate in both the Classes of 2013 and 2018, I am extremely proud to have served our school as a former President of the Parents’ Association. However, I find most pride in being one parent among many other wonderful people who were always ready to help. It feels like my wife, Lisa, and I have never left. We remember attending an Open House with our first daughter, Daniella, in 2009. Of course, we fell in love with the building (especially me since I am an architect by trade). Yet it was the look on my daughter’s face which told me, halfway into the event, that we had found her newest home. In the ensuing years, as our second daughter, Christina, entered the same Study Hall, it became clear that our entire family had found a home at the Academy. Our two daughters have benefited so much from the opportunity of being educated and nurtured at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth. Beyond the education, our daughters were taught to be confident young women, believing in their abilities, as they sought to find their place in the world. As successful as our girls are, they are in good company alongside the endless stories of other SEAsters actualizing their potential. I write to you today as a proud founding member of the Knights of Saint Elizabeth. We are a group of Alumnae fathers with the singular goal of helping grow and nurture our school’s success. We assist in many ways to promote our school through scholarship, philanthropy, and stewardship. As with all Catholic schools, tuition is not the savior to all expenses. We are blessed to have the best of the best in our teachers, administrators, and other support staff. We offer an unmatched curriculum, along with many clubs and sports teams. Our young women are encouraged to find their passions, whether it be singing, shooting a three pointer, or anything in between. To many, this may not sound so different from other schools. However, the difference is experienced in the level of investment the Academy places in each student, necessitating the need for us to invest further in this 163-year-old home for our daughters.
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support From my first experience in 2009 to today, the Academy of Saint Elizabeth is different, yet also much the same. Some of our traditions are displayed in the black and white photos that line our hallways, speaking to the Academy’s true essence. Taking a deeper look shows a forward thinking, value driven, highly technical school with a challenging curriculum and exceptional teachers. Yes, the Academy is a special place for students and parents alike. I ask you today to consider investing in our students and the mission of our school. If you are able, please consider making a Founders’ Circle level gift of $1,860.00 to the Academy. One hundred percent of your investment will go directly to the dedicated work of providing the very best educational experience for our young women. The members of the Knights of Saint Elizabeth ask you to join us by investing in the legacy of the Academy together. As one of our founding members R. Perry Neilson, Jr., P '18 (In Memoriam) used to say during basketball games he so loved attending, “The Panthers are on the Prowl!” I submit this letter to you in Perry’s honor, memory, and with his deep love for our school. God Bless,
Mr. Angelo Giambattista, P ’13, ‘18
SAVE THE DATE NOVEMBER 28, 2023
#GIVINGtuesday
Join the FOUNDERS’ CIRCLE
AND HELP UNLOCK A $50,000 CHALLENGE GRANT The Knights of Saint Elizabeth will contribute a bonus gift of $1,000 for the first 50 gifts received at the Founders’ Circle level or higher!
Turn your $1,860 gift into $2,860 today! Your company’s matching gift could double your donation - see page 68 !
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Members of the Knights of Saint Elizabeth: Charles J. Malone, Jr., P '19, '24 CHAIRMAN
Angelo Giambattista, P '13, '18 Matthew Scalaro, P '16 Gregory Lowndes, P '17 Perry Neilson, Jr.†, P '18 Kenneth Purzycki, P '19 Phillip Schubert, P '22 Mark Voccola, P '23 † In memoriam, honorary member Back Row: Phillip Schubert, P '22 and Matthew Scalaro, P '16; Middle Row: Charles J. Malone, Jr., P '19 & '24, Megan Knight, P ’24 & ’26, Gregory Lowndes, P '17; Front Row: Kenneth Purzycki, P '19, Kristina Kiernan Neilson (wife of Perry Neilson, Jr.†, P '18) and Angelo Giambattista, P '13 & '18
#GIVINGtuesday
MatCHING GIFTS DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT! T U E S DAY, N OV E M B E R 2 8
Many companies offer matching gift programs, allowing individual gifts of their employees to be doubled—sometimes tripled! When requesting a matching gift through your company’s electronic portal or submission form, you may need the following information: Academy of Saint Elizabeth, Tax ID: 22-2738106 P.O. Box 297, Convent Station, NJ 07961 Attn: Development Department Megan Knight, Director of Development & Alumnae Relations (973) 290-5226 | mknight@aose.info 68
LEGACY Magazine | FALL / WINTER 2023
Scan this code and search your company’s name for information on available matching gift programs. Don’t see your name listed? Inquire with your Human Resources Department
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ACADEMY OF SAINT ELIZABETH
LEGACY magazine
ISSUE 8 | FALL / WINTER 2023
E D I T O R I A L S TA F F Megan Knight Director of Development & Alumnae Relations
Joseph Ziaya Director of Communications
Erika Desimone, P ‘26 Layout and Design
Dr. Elizabeth Azar Principal
Lauren Cor vo Assistant Principal
Helen Kotoulas Chief Financial & Operations Officer
Jean Jackson Director of Admissions
Beth-Ellen Walsh Director of School & College Counseling
Lisa Ratz Director of Technology
Kelly Abner Director of Athletics
CONNECTFOLLOWBELONG www.aosenj.org
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Monique Degnan, P '20 Chairwoman of the Board Nicole Schneider Chase '87 Vice Chairwoman
Deborah Baseil, P '08 Stephanie M. Brown '87 Meghan Barrett Burke '97 Sr. Patricia Butler, SC DanaLynn T. Colao Deirdre Gaffney, P '20 Sr. Merris Larkin, SC Michael Martinez Andrea Pribula '07 Antoinette Plewa '72, P ‘02
Join the Academy legacy of young women who strive for excellence alongside a true commitment to happiness, sisterhood and purpose.
@AOSENJ
@academyofsaintelizabeth @AOSEathletics
APPLY NOW FOR 2024-2025
@Academy1860
Academy of Saint Elizabeth
Application deadline is December 15
James Garrett, P '20 & '21 Treasurer Josephine Serrano, P '07 Secretary
Welcome to a place where girls thrive beyond expectations.
The Academy of Saint Elizabeth is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women, founded by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth. Our mission is to promote the disciplines of academic excellence and moral responsibility within our young women by sustaining a scholarly environment and a nurturing community of faith. Sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth
BEGIN YOURJOURNEY at aOSENJ.ORG
WHERE YOU BELONG.
Discover your future at the Academy. For more information or to schedule a private tour, please contact admissions@aose.info
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Hackensack, NJ Permit No. 1121
2 Convent Road Convent Station, NJ 07961
LE G AC Y magazine | FALL / WINTER 2023
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B EETLHI Z A B E T H AT I NOT F E SLAI Z AY F ESM OD A C A D E MAYC A IN
LEGACY LEGACY magazine magazine FALL/WINTER 2023
Unstoppable
UmaSofia Srivastava ’25 defies the odds to capture her crowning moment
save the DATE
UPCOMING EVENTS & HAPPENINGS AT THE ACADEMY
NOVEMBER 28, 2023 Giving Tuesday – 24 Hours of Giving
NOVEMBER 30, 2023 | 6PM Christmas Tree Lighting & Reception
DECEMBER 3, 2023 | 4PM White Christmas: The Musical | Ridgedale Middle School
DECEMBER 8, 2023 | 12:45 PM Junior Ring Ceremony | Holy Family Chapel
DECEMBER 19, 2023 | 11AM Young Alumna Christmas Luncheon
JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 3, 2024 Catholic Schools Week - Event schedule TBD
APRIL 26, 2024 7th Grade Panther For a Day
MAY 16, 2024 Gala & Gift Auction | Birchwood Manor, Whippany
JUNE 1-2, 2024 Class of 2024 Baccalaureate Mass & Commencement
Commencement Weekend Celebrating the Class of 2023
