INSIDE: Celebrating 20 Years at West 13th Street: Our home, then and now, page 12 BONUS: Notre Dame School’s 2021 – 2022 ANNUAL REPORT starting on page 33
Fall 2022 Volume II, Issue 11
OUR MISSION
Notre Dame School of Manhattan offers a Catholic education for young women in the tradition of Anne de Xainctonge. Inspired by this 17th century pioneer in women’s education, Notre Dame promotes academic excellence for girls, an awareness of God in their lives and engagement in the world around them.
At Notre Dame in the 21st century, the school’s small, nurturing environment encourages each student to be open to personal and intellectual growth. The rich, cultural, racial, and ethnic mosaic of Notre Dame’s community and its urban location enhance global awareness. A challenging curriculum prepares talented young women for college and for lives of leadership and service.
Annual Fund Overview
and Highlights
1, 2021 through August 31, 2022
All gifts to the Annual Fund go directly toward the education of our promising Notre Dame students. The Annual Fund helps bridge the $5,000 gap between the cost of educating each student, and the tuition paid. The Annual Fund also gives each student access to scholarship and financial assistance packages and helps maintain our fine facilities. It allows us to enhance the curriculum, to provide the latest technology, and to offer professional development for our teachers.
Here are some highlights from the past year:
Notre Dame School of Manhattan
Advancement 12%
TUITION as a percentage of total Expenses
Operations 13%
EXPENSES
Tuition Payments (Net) 86%
Expenses not Covered 14% Educational Instruction 52% General Administration 23%
Breakdown of Income & Expenses 2021–2022
million dollars contributed by you, our alumnae, parents, Board of Trustees, and friends
22 foundations contributed over $760,000
alumnae, parents, grandparents, Board of Trustees, and friends raised over $525,000 at the 65th Annual Chez Nous Benefit
donors made their first contribution
matching gifts totalling over $87,000
grandparents contributed over $36,000 199 alumnae contributed over $150,000
We are grateful to you, our generous donors, who supported the mission of Notre Dame. Each one of you, regardless of the size of your gift, played a real and meaningful role in the education of our students.
Design
CONTENTS 1 A
2
3 News
8
10
12
20
22
26
Stories 31College
32
Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU President Karina Vargas Principal Colleen McGrath Assistant Principal Elizabeth Bixenman Director of Development & Alumnae Relations Jacqueline Governale Director of Admissions Jaclyn Brilliant Communications and Outreach Coordinator Please send submissions for Encore Chez Nous to: Notre Dame School Attn: Jaclyn Brilliant 327 West 13th St. New York, NY 10014 brilliantj@cheznous.org 212-620-5575 ext. 313 Photography David Chang Zoran Prodanovic Stomping Ground Photo Juliana Thomas
The Blank Page New York, NY
Message from the President
A Message from the Principal
Around School
Spring Musical: Cinderella!
Chez Nous Benefit
Looking Back, Looking Foward
Alumnae Reunion
2022 Graduation
Scholarship
Matriculation
Why I Give: Julia Pilcer Lichtenstein, Esq. 332021–22 Annual Report 51Ways to Give 52Class Notes 56 Alumna Spotlight: Ruby Mateo ‘06 59 In Memoriam 60 Back Story: Valentina Morales ’95 ON THE COVERS Front: Karisma Garcia ‘22 and Cristian Naranjo-Mosquera, Xavier ‘22 in Cinderella; Back: Devon Cohen ‘24, Kinsley Washington ‘24, Shannon Wright ‘24, Dana Aguirre ‘25, and Zoe Cooper ‘24 on Little Island Fall 2022
September
172
2.19
524
33
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Fall 2022
Dear Notre Dame,
Cinderella—Enchanted Edition, our Spring 2022 musical, was our first live musical since the pandemic began. The performances, enhanced by a live orchestra, were extraordinary. In a climactic scene, our Fairy Godmother, Hannah Delaney ’22, transformed Cinderella’s, Karisma Garcia’s ’22, pumpkin into a magical coach so that she was able to arrive at the ball on time to meet her prince.
Transformations have been part of Notre Dame's history for over a century. Encore features the transformation of Chez Nous West 13th Street over the past 20 years. While we did not have a Fairy Godmother, we were abundantly blessed by the leadership of Sr. Mary Dolan, S.U. and Mr. John Joven. Their commitment to the mission of Anne de Xainctonge (1606), that of educating young women as the Jesuits educated young men, motivated them to redesign and reconstruct our 44,000 square feet to a state of the art urban school for 353 academically talented young women.
As you page through Encore, you will be delighted to read about nine of our exceptional scholars from the Class of '22 who are beginning their university studies on full or near full academic scholarships. Once again, the Class of 2022 upheld Notre Dame standards of academic excellence with 100% of our graduates attending four-year colleges and universities, 96% with academic scholarships in hand.
While our primary focus is on scholastic achievement, an equal focus is on forming virtuous women for others. Anne de Xainctonge desired her students to go out to serve those who were less fortunate. Our trip to the Mexican border in El Paso, Texas was an opportunity for us to do just that as Holy Week 2022 began.
Whether inside Chez Nous on West 13th Street, or outside engaging in the world around them, our students strive to be witnesses of God's inclusive love for all whom they meet. We count on our students’ intelligence, rootedness in Gospel values, and generosity to help transform the world into a place where all people have what is needed for a happy life. I am ever grateful for your support of our crucial educational mission. Please renew your generous commitment to our current and future young scholars so that Notre Dame School continues to thrive.
Gratefully, Sr. Virginia
O’Brien, S.U. President
1 A Message from
the President
“While our primary focus is on scholastic achievement, an equal focus is on forming virtuous women for others.”
“The physical surroundings serve to inspire the more important transformations that go on every year at ND—young students growing into thoughtful and accomplished young adults, strong in critical thinking skills and braced by common values.”
Dear Chez Nous Family,
It is always a delight to welcome our students and faculty back to school. The rooms are empty, and the silent hallways feel cold and dark during the summer days. Now our building is bustling with laughter, warm hugs, and bright minds. These special moments fill my heart with joy. I know the deep connections our alumnae formed during their time at the school have brought the same type of hopeful joy throughout their lives. Truly, anyone who has spent any time Chez Nous cannot help but root for our school, be touched by the dedication of our teachers, and notice the eagerness to learn of our students.
Thanks to your generous gifts, we can offer our students a safe and special place to learn and grow. I have seen 327 West 13th Street transform into a beautiful and exceptional location with the enhancements made over the years: Library, Art Room, Technology Lab, Science Lab, Alumnae Chapel, Dolan Center, ND Commons, Faculty Room, air conditioning and security systems, and now our new entrance doors and steps. The students are always grateful to see the care and love we put into our home. The physical surroundings serve to inspire the more important transformations that go on every year at ND—young students growing into thoughtful and accomplished young adults, strong in critical thinking skills and braced by shared values.
The great minds we cultivate here at Notre Dame are thanks to your generosity. Notre Dame offers our students a rigorous education in a nurturing environment. Our community's time, love, dedication, and financial support are what make Notre Dame a family and our home, Chez Nous.
Gratefully, Karina Vargas Principal
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Fall 2022
A Message from
Principal
the
Orientation 2022
Letting in the Light of Anne’s Lamp
On August 30th, Notre Dame’s peer facilitators, Anne’s Leaders, (named after our school’s founder, Anne de Xainctonge) gathered in the Dolan Center with President Virginia O’Brien, S.U., Principal Karina Vargas, Assistant Principal Colleen McGrath, and the school counselors to reflect on the qualities of leadership and prepare to welcome back their Chez Nous sisters. Then on September 6th and 7th, they were off and running, helping everyone get back into the swing of school and especially helping to make our new ninth graders feel at home.
After a welcome from Principal Vargas, and a brief introduction to homeroom teachers, Anne’s Leaders led their small groups in a couple of icebreaker activities. Students reflected on the “greatest commandments:”
“Love
heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Group leaders had their classmates reflect on what this kind of love looks like in action, along with a discussion of ND’s 12 values of Prayer, Trust, Gratitude, Hope, Perseverance, Conversatio, Magis, Friendship, Courage, Service, Respect, and Responsibility.
Students next selected a small pane of what will become three large depictions of stained glass windows. Each student and teacher was asked to color in a pane for this group artwork, meant to symbolize each one’s unique beauty and the light of love we hold for one another. Orientation concluded with a singing of the Alma Mater, led by Music Director Nicole Wakabayashi. “Forevermore, Notre Dame, Chez Nous!”
NEWS AROUND SCHOOL 3
God with all your
2021-2022 Athletic Highlights
Cross Country, coached by Mr. Daryn Johnson, led the way, achieving season success and sending its 9th grade runners to the Manhattan College Invitational for the first time. Maggie McCabe ’25, in particular, excelled with many personal bests and top place finishes all fall, including being named Freshmen City Champion. Ninth graders and the JV squad took second in the Sectional Championships, and Varsity took third. The team also ran for a good cause in the Terry Fox Run for cancer research. As Coach Johnson says, “Faith in, doubt out is how to get it done!”
Winter and Spring Track kept ND runners busy through the indoor and outdoor seasons. Eleven team members participated in the famous Penn Relays in April, earning personal and ND records in their events.
Notre Dame Varsity Basketball finished 14-8 for the 21–22 season, placing third in the CHSAA Conference League. Varsity Basketball advanced to the league playoff but was defeated in a heartbreaking game against Cathedral by only three points. The Varsity squad did not have any seniors on the team this season, which required all members to raise their level of play. They also received contributions from moving up Junior Varsity players after the completion of their season, which was very helpful for the varsity team’s late-season run to make it into the playoff season.
Junior Varsity Basketball finished 7 and 1, and placed first in the League, beating most teams by more than ten points this season. The team worked hard at every practice, and their enthusiasm for the sport was palpable.
NEWS AROUND SCHOOL 4
CROSS COUNTRY and TRACK
BASKETBALL
Go Dragons!
SOCCER VOLLEYBALL
SOFTBALL
Soccer is proud of its 21–22 winning season, but as Coach JP Roncoli points out, “That [winning season] did not start only in August 2021, but in previous years where in the sequence of developed aspects what we highlight is the continuity of our training philosophy, from our ninth grade to our seniors. The team follows the same methodology of training, which brings to our girls a continuous process of development. The methodology has proven to be very effective in empowering players to develop a faster thinking process with a more unpredictable style of play on the pitch. ” The varsity team reached the semi-finals of the league, even though the majority of the team was composed of ninth graders and sophomores! ND soccer expects an even better season with new talent coming to make up the team in ’22–’23.
The Volleyball program developed immensely last year, working hard in competition and for every practice and building strength and endurance, both physically and mentally. The team is controlling the ball under pressure and developing its offensive might. The fall season has seen a series of impressive wins by both the JV and Varsity squads!
Softball had a 9–1 winning season in 2022 and won the CHSAA (Catholic High School Athletic Association) championship! Coaches Maria Vulcano and Kwami Grant are so proud of this stellar team, as is the entire ND community. We can’t wait to see the team back in action in spring 2023.
you can tell, Notre Dame’s sports teams are thriving! If you would like to show your school spirit with some sports-themed gear, just head to squadlocker.com, click on the “Find Your Store” tab, and type in “Notre Dame School” for the latest fan styles for purchase!
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As
MAKING MEMORIES ABROAD: Côte D’Azur, Geneva, Spain, and Portugal!
ND student travel went into high gear during the 2021-22 school year, as pandemic-postponed trips got the okay to embark. During the February Break, 39 students and their fearless faculty chaperones headed out of icy NYC to sunny southern France. After time in Nice, where they visited Monaco and toured Eze, a fortified medieval hilltop village, they spent a day in Provence, following in the footsteps of artists Cezanne and Zola. A visit to wintry Chamonix and historic Geneva concluded this beautiful and educational interlude.
Over the Easter Break, 45 student travelers enjoyed a sojourn in Madrid, Cordoba, and Seville, where they learned the Flamenco, before reaching their last stop in Lisbon. Trip Coordinator and Science Department Chair Ioana Donose had her hands full and her passport ready for this busy season of travel. Along the way, new experiences were had, new foods tasted (including the Swiss specialty Raclette and authentic Valencian paella), and new friendships formed. This spring, ND voyages to breathtaking Peru!
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NEWS AROUND SCHOOL
Seeking the Grace of Encounter
ND Travels to the Texas Border to Learn and to Serve
From April 6 – 11, a group of 14 Notre Dame faculty members and students spent time on the border in El Paso, Texas, as part of The Encuentro Project. This was ND’s second time sending a contingent on this educational and service experience. In El Paso, participants take a deep dive into the issues of forced migration and asylum seeking by vulnerable people. They meet with immigrant attorneys, advocates, and border patrol agents. They spend time serving at a shelter for newly arrived immigrant families and gather each evening for prayer and reflection together. ND is grateful to Fr. Rafael Garcia, S.J., the leader of The Encuentro Project, to Sr. Mary Dolan, S.U., who coordinates the trip for our school, and to all our faculty and student participants for bringing what they learn back to our whole community.
7 NEWS AROUND SCHOOL
SPRING MUSICAL Cinderella Enchants!
The Drama Club brought live performances back to Notre Dame on April 28th–30th with its production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella; Enchanted Edition. With its theme of faith in possibility, the musical touched audience members young and old. During those many months of rehearsal, it brought music to our halls and joy to our school community as we edged out of the pandemic.
Top: The cast of Cinderella with directors Tyler Miclean and ND’s own Nicole Wakabayashi
Middle Left: Cinderella, Karisma Garcia’22, is transformed by her Fairy Godmother, Hannah Delaney ‘22
Minddle Right: Cinderella, Karisma Garcia’22, and the Prince, Cristian Naranjo-Mosquera, Xavier ‘22, fall in love, with a little help from villager Amory Garcia ‘24
Bottom Left: The full cast takes a bow
Bottom Right: The Queen, Nicole Nwako ‘23, and King, Thomas Gatto‘22
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The show was directed by Music Teacher and Arts Department Chair Nicole Wakabayashi and her friend and colleague, New York actor Tyler Miclean. Tyler observes in the program’s end notes, “The emphasis of this version is our dreams and what we do with them…. Dreams, visions, passions, desires… they are demanding, unavoidable, and almost impossible to destroy, especially in ourselves…. Is true love the most daring dream of all?” Praising the cast and crew, he added, “The students have opened their hearts and minds to these questions and themes.”
Clearly, cast members were transformed by their participation in this magical play. Says Natalie Nguyen ‘23, who played the stepmother:
”Being involved with Cinderella has brought me immense joy. Throughout the five months of preparation, I’ve gotten close to each and every one of my castmates. Working with people who are charismatic, funny, and bold allowed me to be fully myself. Somehow, we never became tired of each other, even though we met for rehearsals every day. Even after hours, we'd hang around the city and get pizza and bubble tea. I have never experienced such a strong and incredible bond with a group of people before. I am forever grateful for the friendships this show has brought to me. Our last show was emotional, almost everybody was crying, but it felt amazing to entertain many marvelous audiences. We had a beautiful barbecue the day after our last performance, to celebrate our accomplishments and enjoy one of our last moments all together.”
Ensemble member Daniella Leonzo ’23 reflected on what being part of the show meant to her: “Coming back to ND in-person every day was very exciting to me. Due to COVID many of us stayed home and missed out on a year and a half of high school. Transitioning back has been an amazing experience for me because I was able to join more clubs, manage the volleyball team, and I was able to create new friendships with girls I never spoke to during my freshman year. Opening up the first email about the Spring Musical, I was immediately interested and I ran down to Ms. Waka's office to write my name down to audition… In the beginning of January, when the first onstage rehearsals started, everyone immediately clicked…I have…found a place where I was able to be who I am and we've all begun a bond that I like to call my second family….The show has taught me so much about time management, responsibility, and love. I would like to thank Ms. Waka and Mr. Miclean for the opportunity to be a part of the show, and I can't wait till next year.”
Notre Dame is also deeply grateful to the band members, to ND’s Technology Coordinator, Alaric Lejano, and the tech team, and to all the students who helped manage the production and worked on props and costumes. Clearly, Cinderella was more than just an entertaining show for Notre Dame. The performances brought meaning, purpose, connections and belief in possibility. Stay tuned for an announcement of the musical choice for Spring 2023!
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Back in Person and Better than Ever!
On March 19th, 2022 Notre Dame was thrilled to be able to host its 65th annual Chez Nous Benefit at Pier Sixty, after two years of virtual formats because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 400 alumnae, parents, and friends were delighted to be able to gather in person for a bustling open bar cocktail hour, a gourmet three-course lunch, an exciting live auction, and lots of prizes to bid on at our silent auction. Attendees also had the opportunity to raise their paddles to directly support the school’s scholarship and financial aid programs after listening to moving remarks by Delgracia Sainvil ’22 and Adithi Vimalanathan ’22.
After ND’s Glee Club, under the direction of Nicole Wakabayashi, set the mood with a rendition of Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” Director of Development Beth Bixenman welcomed our guests. Board Chair Rev. Vincent Biagi, S.J. led us in grace before the delicious meal was served. Notre Dame’s President Sr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U. presented important awards early in the afternoon. Mary Burke Heyman ’55 was presented with the Anne de Xainctonge Award. A loyal and generous alumna, Mary has been an educator and also an entrepreneur, owning a thriving antiques shop, The Ivory Bird, for forty years. Mary loved the classical education she received at ND, chock full of arts, theology, and cultural opportunities. As a scholarship recipient, she has always been grateful to the school and has paid it forward for our next generation as a longstanding Alumnae Sister.
Julia Pilcer Lichtenstein, Esq. was awarded the Chez Nous Angel Award. A devoted advocate for access and equity in education, Julia has made a leadership gift in support of Notre Dame’s sports program to underwrite the school’s coaching, uniform, and sports travel expenses, so that all student athletes can participate in these important opportunities.
Chez Nous Parent Awards were bestowed on Amy Bell, P '22 and P’24; Eileen Griffin O’Brien, P '22 and P’24; and Louise O’Connor Delaney, P '19 and P’22. All three parents have been highly involved in and supportive of the Notre Dame School community.
Jamie McDonald was our master of ceremonies and auctioneer for the event and kicked off an exciting live auction immediately after a delicious main course. Speeches by current students, Delgracia Sainvil ’22 and Adithi Vimalanathan ’22 were a highlight of the afternoon. Delgracia reflected on her decision to attend Notre Dame and “be a part of an institution that wanted to make change within and outside its walls.” This young leader has received a Posse Foundation full scholarship to Babson College, thanks to her drive and academic potential. Adithi recalled the semester she spent in India with her extended family, taking her ND courses remotely during the height of the pandemic. After her mother and uncle contracted COVID, Adithi relied on the strength of her family, her faith in God, and her Chez Nous community to see her through this difficult time, noting, “Without fail, my teachers checked in on me, and were flexible in accommodating my unique needs…I felt supported at a time I should have felt uprooted, and your kindness and generosity were of immeasurable value.” Guests were invited to raise their paddles after these inspiring student speeches in a special “Fund the Scholarship” campaign, and did they ever! Starting at the $50,000 level and gradually moving down to the $100 step, paddles went up all across the room.
The 65th Annual Chez Nous Benefit was a huge success, raising over $525,000 for Notre Dame. This tremendous event would not have been possible without staff event planner Ruthie Landry, Director of Development Beth Bixenman, Ms. Catherine Pino P’ 19 & P’15, our essential parent Core Committee volunteers, and the entire advancement team. We are so grateful to all our generous attendees and supporters.
Please save the date for our next Benefit
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers Noon – 4 pm
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THE
65TH ANNUAL CHEZ NOUS BENEFIT
11 1. Core Committee parents take in the event 2. Silagan and Emilio Garcia, P’22 & P’24 3. Murial Flynn Gonzalez ’70, Vivian Cardia ’70, Fr. Vincent Biagi, SJ, and Maryann Lynch ‘70 4. Adithi Vimalanathan ‘22 5. Amy Bell P’22 & P’24 and Paige Bell ‘22 6. Mary Burke Heyman ’55, Lucia Snajdr-Trinch ’23, and Brooklynne Roman ‘23 7. Louise O’Connor Delaney P’19 and P’22 and Hannah Delaney ‘22 8. Keri O’Brien Ropiak and Sr. Mary Dolan, SU 9. Virginia Dolan and Patricia Knapp 10. Sandra Davis P'24, Georgina Micheli P'24, Rosalba Morado '25, Cathy Gallagher P'25 11. The Hunt Family P'22 and Dr. Suzanne Hegde-Grady P'22 12: Eileen Griffin O’Brien P’22 and Sr. Virginia O’Brien, SU 1 11 9 4 7 12 10 2 3 5 6 8
Looking Back, Looking Forward
OUR HOME ON WEST 13TH STREET
It’s hard to believe, but Notre Dame has been on West 13th Street in the West Village of Manhattan for 20 years now. Encore Chez Nous asked some of the key figures in our move from the East Village to the West Village what that period was like for them, what their hopes for the school were at the time, and how they see the ND of today after all the planning and effort that went into securing the school’s new location and its future.
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Bursting at the seams of our cozy St. Mark’s Street building in the East Village, the school knew it needed room to grow. And grow it did—shifting from two class sections to three, with a robust enrollment that has only gotten stronger over the years. ND’s longtime and recently retired Director of Admissions Bob Grote recollected that challenging transition year:
“I always think of that incoming class of 86 students in September 2002 as ‘The Miracle Class.’ Up until then, on St. Mark’s Place, having 60 in a freshman class was a real victory. But that was the one year Jackie Brilliant and I worked together in admissions and there was just so much we were up against: We couldn’t show the “new” building on W. 13th to anyone at any time; Catholic elementary feeder schools then were falling like dominoes; Archbishop Molloy HS had just gone co-ed; and it was the toughest sale ever for students and their families to imagine traveling into Manhattan so soon after 9/11. But, somehow, it all came together, and the 86 new students gave us a great jump start in filling up our new home.”
Sr. Mary Dolan, SU was the school’s President during that tumultuous year and remembers that momentous time well:
“Notre Dame’s move to West 13th St. didn’t happen overnight. We realized we needed more space in 1996 when Fr. Kenneth Boller, S.J. was chairing our brave attempt at strategic planning. Frankly, I hadn’t recovered from the 1989 move and the thought of finding another more suitable home was less than enticing, even if driven by necessity. There were plenty of setbacks! As time passed, plans came and went, dreams bumped into reality, and regular school life took precedence. The New York City real estate scene was changing before our eyes; that and teacher retention along with student enrollment were all swirling issues that took turns keeping me awake at night.
Looking back, 20 years after that heady spring of 2002 when a big parish-owned school building was finally within reach, I am still amazed at how straightforward that move might have seemed. Personally, I am grateful for how much I learned. The 2002 move demanded creativity and perseverance from many of the same people who had
spearheaded the 1989 move. The move to West 13th St. was a perfect example of ‘I get by with a little help from my friends.’
Former Principal John Joven recalls the sense of a school on the move and the necessity of everyone pitching in—many for the second time!: “Many may remember that the school had a history of moving. I can vividly recall all the emotions that I felt when Notre Dame had moved not once but twice during my nearly 30 years tenure.
When you move a school, Chez Nous, you have to make sure that everyone is on board. Thankfully, we had tremendous support. All of us at ND believed in our mission and that we had to do everything in our collective power to keep it alive and thriving, well into the 21st century.”
Once considered a hidden gem in the independent school landscape, Notre Dame is now a plainly prized school for aspiring young women and their families in every borough, along with Westchester and New Jersey. Bob Grote reflected on the exciting prospect of the new location at the time:
“I recall being with Sr. Mary Dolan when we first showed the empty St. Bernard’s building to our architect extraordinaire, Mick Doyle. We all rode together in the cage-like elevator up to the top floor. Mick walked over to one of the class-
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The 2002 move demanded creativity and perseverance from many of the same people who had spearheaded the 1989 move.
Sr. Mary Dolan signs and Jackie Elias notarizes the new lease.
room windows on the south side and took it all in: the open space, the fresh sunlight, the views of Lower Manhattan. Then, he turned to us and said, ‘I can’t believe you got this building.’
School President Sr. Virginia O’Brien was the school’s Director of Counseling at the time of the move, and her first impression of our new building was a little different:
“It was the spring of 2002 when I first walked through the doors of 327 W. 13th St. and entered the dark, dilapidated, dismal school building. With great enthusiasm, I was offered a ride in the hand-operated elevator; and to my surprise once the interior gates closed and we manually turned the operating wheel to one, the elevator timidly ascended to the floor with the principal’s office. Instead of windows in that office, there was burnt plywood blocking both light and air. As my tour continued, I saw a 44,000 sq. ft. building that cried out for attention. That was my initiation to Chez Nous, West 13th St. Practically speaking, I wondered what could be done before we would dare invite our 200 treasured students to their new home. Under the direction of Principal John Joven and Sr. Mary Dolan, S.U., Director of Maintenance Rigo Chery took gallons of Benjamin Moore paint and transformed classrooms into clean and welcoming areas for study.”
For faculty and particularly administrators and office staff, the move was welcome but challenging, as Sr. Mary appreciates, perhaps better than anyone:
“Moving to West 13th St. refocused us on what was really important for the students and faculty, as we had to pick up and adjust in no time flat. (It was good practice for COVID times.) Not having phone lines for 5 months, for instance, made us ingenious at communicating. No water off and on throughout a very hot summer helped us ‘learn the neighborhood,’ but we never closed the
offices! We had construction meetings on top of cartons, learned about unions who became vital to our renovations, and lived through changes, changes, changes.”
For the students already enrolled, moving in the middle of the 2001–2002 school year, combined with the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center that same year, made for a traumatic fall but healing spring for the Class of ’02 and their younger Chez Nous Sisters, and definitely a memorable high school experience. Sr. Virginia recalls her plan to help the student acclimate to their new “home” and the great progress made since then: “Hallways lacked any decor, yet the ND girls were anxiously ready and willing to help. And, indeed they did. Back on St. Mark’s Place the girls took copy paper and cray pas, and made rubbings of the old tin wall designs in various colors. Other students worked in our new gym on a donated roll of paper and created a 12 by 3 foot wide banner full of scenes of NYC landmarks that we would pass on our way from the east side to the west. All these works of art were framed in a First Avenue frame shop by a former principal from Afghanistan for a mere $500.
Our hallways and classrooms were decorated, and the restoration of our building began quite simply. Inspired by the students’ artwork, the Altman Foundation gave Notre Dame School a grant to create an art room and hire an art teacher. Since then foundations, benefactors and ND families have contributed to Notre Dame School and made the complete renovation of our building possible over the past 20 years. Today, we are most grateful for our bright, state-of-the-art, welcoming home and our dedicated, engaging and talented 353 students.”
John Joven brings us the visceral aspects of preparing for the move: “Despite all the emotions associated with change, the one thing that brings back the memories of the ‘Big Move(s)’ was auditory. Imagine the sound of packing tape being stretched across boxes of books, science equipment, academic records, and other school stuff. Now take that taping sound and multiply it by our helpers of over fifty teachers, students, staff and parents. Packing tape…that sound of moving on!”
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Moving to West 13th St. refocused us on what was really important for the students and faculty, as we had to pick up and adjust in no time flat.
15 The Commons
Principal’s Office
16 Alumnae Chapel
Carson Family Science Center
Current Principal Karina Vargas was a member of the senior class that fateful spring. She remembers helping out with other students:
“Many National Honor Society members, myself included, volunteered during Easter break to pack boxes. It was a difficult thing to do, to say goodbye to my home for years; however, I also remember the smiles and hopeful eyes of my younger sisters. As seniors, we were bidding farewell to our beloved St. Mark's Place, but other students were rightly looking forward to the new school setting.”
And Bob Grote recalls the excitement of moving day:
“I remember that sunny April afternoon, sitting on the front steps of ND. Just as the students were exiting, the Liffey Mover trucks came rumbling down St. Mark’s Place and came to a stop right in front of school. The moment had arrived! And it had been six long years in the making.”
Sr. Mary notes the challenges and rewards of this extraordinary mid-year move:
“The students were so resilient. They and their parents acted like it was perfectly normal to pack up your books and empty your locker, take it all home and return with all of it to a different building a few days later. The teachers went from disbelief that we could move into such a Godforsaken wreck of a building to delight, as little by little it was transformed into a beautiful, user-friendly school building. The parents were fully supportive and appreciated all the work that went into a move that took place at the end of April! Obviously, not everything was smooth–like being robbed over the Labor Day weekend of September 2002. If they had only left the computer with the schedule in it!”
Since our move across town, the school has spent nearly seven million dollars on facility improvements, thanks to vigorous fundraising efforts and generous foundation support. Bob Grote wore two hats back then: Director of Admissions and Director of Development:
“One spring day after we’d moved in, Sr. Mary and I visited Russ Carson in his office and told him how much we needed to build science labs on the third floor. We were desperate, actually. ’You can assume we’ll take care of that,’ Russ said. Just incredible! I think we basically stumbled out of
that office and then stopped for a celebratory margarita on the return trip to ND.”
When students, faculty, and staff first arrived, several windows were boarded over, interior hallways were dark, and big structural needs soon announced themselves—an aging roof and unreliable boiler, for starters. Along the way, and under the tireless direction of former and current ND Presidents Sr. Mary and Sr. Virginia, every window and pipe has been replaced, and the building has been rewired for speedy and reliable Wi-Fi access. Early on, the school invested in a beautiful library space and art studio on the fourth floor. And thanks to that generous grant from the Carson Family, ND was able to build state-of-the-art science labs on the third floor. We also created a dedicated and comfortable office suite for our three-person, full-time counseling staff. Our Computer Lab has kept up with the times and has been enhanced each year with the latest in technological innovation, including two 3D printers. Seed money from the Class of ’57 allowed us to realize the long-time dream of having our own chapel.
More recently, the Faculty Room had a makeover, and the Dolan Arts and Athletics Center, complete with shiny new floors, and the installation of sound and light equipment, was born from the
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John Joven leads the opening assembly in our new location
As seniors, we were bidding farewell to our beloved St. Mark's Place, but other students were rightly looking forward to the new school setting.
old gym and multi-purpose room. The basement cafeteria was redesigned as the bright and airy ND Commons. ND is grateful to the Hyde and Watson Foundation for grants toward these improvements. Our newest project is to replace the institutional-looking entrance door with a more welcoming Anne’s Portal that befits Chez Nous, Our Home! From its first impression, from top to bottom, 327 West 13th Street conveys warmth and welcome to our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. It is a setting that inspires learning and where our community can flourish and thrive.
Karina Vargas captures the bittersweet quality of the move across town and the true meaning of a school that feels like home:
“At the time, I saw West 13th as a gift for my underclass sisters, their families, our faculty, staff, and administration. It took me years to realize West 13th was a great gift for me, too. I spent only a few weeks at West 13th before I headed to college; but a few years later, my home welcomed me back with open arms, and that warm embrace is the reason why I always want what is best for Notre Dame and its family, my family, Chez Nous.
Our school location has changed from 79th Street to St. Mark’s Place to West 13th Street; but no matter where we go, our essence remains the same, as does our pride in our community and mission. Sure, many of my fond memories are from St. Mark's Place, but you can build memories wherever you go because what makes them meaningful are the people in them.”
John Joven shares his gratitude: “I applaud my dear friends and colleagues who made the move to West 13th such an amazing experience. Chez Nous West 13 is more than we ever dreamed possible. A great building with amazing facilities. Friends and benefactors made it all possible; we continue to thank them for supporting all of us dreamers.”
It feels right to give Sr. Mary the last word: “One thing was sure–God was with us. We trusted that the community of supporters and friends of Notre Dame would increase and respond to the new challenges we would face Chez Nous. Meanwhile, Notre Dame continues to thrive and we are alive Chez Nous with unwavering hope for a brilliant future. Thanks be to God for all the twists in the road that somehow led straight to 327 West 13th Street!”
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The Class of 2002
The Class of 2022
19 Computer Lab
Library
Reunite, Reconnect, Chez Nous
Notre Dame’s Annual Alumnae Reunion on May 13, 2022 had a special focus this year, marking our school’s 20th Anniversary at its current location on West 13th Street. Over 100 alumnae attended this gathering, our first in-person reunion since the beginning of the pandemic. The celebration began with a special liturgy in the Alumnae Chapel, followed by a selection of engaging workshops hosted by our current faculty: a meeting of the school’s book club with librarian Lydie Kane; a hands-on lab experiment, led by science teacher Yasmin Hassan; an opportunity to learn the school’s alma mater from music director Nicole
Wakabayashi; and a very popular paint and sip session in the art studio with teacher Liz Davenport.
Following these fun small group “classes,” all attendees gathered in the Dolan Center for remarks by school President Dr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U. and Principal Ms. Karina Vargas. Director of Development Beth Bixenman welcomed anniversary year classes (those ending in a “2” or “7”) to receive a special gift and pose for a class photo. Throughout the evening, light refreshments were on hand, and the evening ended with a sparkling wine toast to ND and its cherished alumnae.
20 NOTRE DAM E’S AL UMNAE REUNION
Samantha Alcala ‘07 enjoys Paint and Sip
21 Please save the date for next year’s reunion on Friday, April 12th, 2023!
Top Row: (left) Members of the Class of ‘97: Elba Torres, Christina Falzon, Monique Soroka, Hersha Diaz, Karen Haidorfer Meadow, Mayerlin Cabral Viero, Erin Person Haggerty; (right): Justine Killion ‘91 and Lisa Dunleavy Gately ‘91 & P’20
Second Row: (left) Sr. Mary Dolan, S.U., Carla Gomilla ‘96, and Ana Zaldarriaga ‘92; (right) Members of The Class of 2017: back row: Rianne Pyle, Stephanie Adams, Sophia Bertran, Kelly Infante; front row: Nicole Clarke, Lauren Munari, Gianna Rago, Sofia Pozo-Schmidt
Third Row (left) Patricia Murphy Carlin ‘60 and Patricia Cook Hult ‘60; (center) Lynette Jackson Perdiz ‘72 and Milagros Williams “72; (right) Members of the Class of ‘07: Kimberly Johnson Reeder, Samantha Cabral, and Samantha Alcala
Bottom Left: Norma Moglia Reidy ‘77
A Magnificent Setting for an Exceptional Class
22 2022 Graduation
Annika Hegde and her family
Ella Grace Will and Keilani Collins
St. Patrick’s Cathedral was once again the setting for Notre Dame’s graduation ceremony on June 7, 2022.
The Class of ’22 had been on an extraordinary journey together as in-person learning halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the middle of their sophomore year, and a hybrid schedule was implemented for their junior year. Fortunately, they were back together for normal in-person classes during the 2021-22 school year, having had time to reflect, make the most of all those Zoom sessions, and appreciate their high school experience all the more. Indeed, 100% of the graduating class is matriculating at a 4-year college or university, with 96% earning academic scholarships totaling 30 million dollars.
Theology teacher Kevin McDonald offered the ceremony’s Invocation. ND’s president Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU delivered opening remarks of thanks and congratulations, noting that the Class of ’22 had “demonstrated again and again the value of perseverance.” She concluded her remarks with the following exhortation:
“Be courageous! Let your light shine forth. Engage in lifelong education. Seek the truth in all things and work to make the world more just and peaceful. Be attentive to God’s spirit who will help you discern the path ahead and bring you a joy that no one can take from you.”
Christina Valenti ’22 was selected to give the Address to the Graduates. She likened their high school years to a puzzle that was presented to be solved and served as a forerunner of all the puzzles that lay ahead:
“As we leave today, and when the inevitable difficulties come flying at us as we attempt to navigate our way through a brand new stage, we must remember, trying to do it all yourself is really hard…. But if we can take anything from ND, it’s that leaning on your community definitely makes things easier. We are all incredibly strong, intelligent, motivated, passionate, relentless young women, and we will all do incredible things.”
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Principal Vargas congratulates Delgracia Sainvil
The Class of ’22 celebrates on the steps of St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Annika Hegde and Briana Martinez-Burns
24 2022 Graduation
Sr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U. and Ionan Donose
Amelia Pimentel and Fiona Szeto
Hannah Delaney
After the awarding of honors, Student Council President Hannah Delaney ’22 took to the podium for the Farewell Address. Hannah reflected on the passage of time over the four years of high school and the experience of isolation during the height of the pandemic that caused discomfort but also prompted growth and resilience for her classmates and herself:
“Although it felt like time was taken from us, we were paradoxically left with all this time and seemingly not much to do with it. But when we lost one another, we were left with ourselves. We had to get to know ourselves by ourselves. Most people in life have gotten to grow alongside their peers in a safe environment; we had to find ourselves by ourselves. It is difficult to sit alone with yourself and be forced to face things you’ve avoided, but in the end that solitude offered us so many opportunities for growth and new connections.”
After the administrative team conferred the diplomas, Principal Karina Vargas bestowed a final blessing upon the Class of ’22, and graduates, faculty, staff, family and friends streamed out to a glorious, if cloudy, summer evening on Fifth Avenue for more photos and further festivities. Congratulations to the Class of ’22, the newest members of the Notre Dame alumnae community!
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“If we can take anything from ND, it’s that leaning on your community definitely makes things easier. We are all incredibly strong, intelligent, motivated, passionate, relentless young women, and we will all do incredible things.”
Madison Morante, Annie Lu, Sissel Nyarko, Kristine Mantilla, Delgracia Sainvil,
and
Isabelle Mietus
Alexandra Sperling adjusts the cap of Helena Stuhr
SCHOLARSHIP STORIES
The Class of 2022 received academic scholarships at four-year colleges or universities totaling $30 million.
Avelicia Doster-Schellenbaum, Sarah Lawrence College
My high school experience at Notre Dame has been amazing and unique. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my peers and I faced considerable personal and academic challenges, though I made it a goal not to allow this struggle to interfere with my commitment to my education. My favorite courses throughout my time at Notre Dame have been my English classes. Everything I’ve learned about writing and reading, I will take with me to college, as I’ve decided to minor in English when I begin at Sarah Lawrence College in the fall. While my academics have always been a priority to me, I find it important to create a balance between my schoolwork and my passions that I explore outside of the classroom. I have been involved in Chez Nous Times (Notre Dame’s newspaper club), Yearbook Club, and Anne’s Leaders, (ND’s peer leadership club). My freshman and sophomore years, pre-COVID, I danced most days of the week at East Village Dance Project, taking ballet, modern and also choreographing my own pieces. I plan to resume dancing while studying in college.
I spend much of my free time volunteering at my local community gardens. I also wrote, directed, and edited a short film featuring creative writing and poetry. While working on this project, I realized that I want to study video and media in college. I am ecstatic to say after my four years working hard at Notre Dame, I will be attending Sarah Lawrence College on a near full scholarship.
I am incredibly grateful to Notre Dame for providing me with the resources and opportunities that have allowed me to accomplish my goals, and I plan to continue reaching for new goals during my time after high school.
Olivia Heredia, Tulane University
My time at Notre Dame has shaped me into the young woman I am today. Before the academic year even began, I felt like I belonged due to cross-country pre-season practices, where all the upper class runners were ready to guide me on my high school journey. I remember being excited and happy to see the familiar faces of the girls on the team as I walked through the halls my first day of freshman year. Thanks to my love of the team, I continued with track for both indoor and outdoor seasons. I thrived academically with the help and guidance of teachers and counselors. I appreciated that I could go to school early for extra help on tests or quizzes that we might have that day.
Notre Dame is so special to me because of the diverse group of girls that attend the school. I have created lifelong friendships with my and I have learned so much about myself and what I want to do with my future because of the environment that Notre Dame cultivated. I will forever be grateful to the teachers that helped me during my time here, whether it was to teach me a school or life lesson. I am happy about what the future holds for me, as attend Tulane University on a full scholarship, where I will study nutrition. Notre Dame has prepared me for my next step, and I would not be where I am today without this amazing school community.
Amie Lu, American University
Reflecting on my time at Notre Dame has made me both nostalgic and extremely proud of myself. One of my most cherished memories at ND was my participation in CNN (Chez Nous News), also known as Broadcast Club. The club’s formation could not have happened at a better time— my closest friends and I wanted to leave a legacy at ND for classes to come. Reporting on the current events in our community and creating engaging videos to share with all students, faculty, and staff seemed like the perfect way to capture ND and strengthen the sisterhood. My freshman year self would look at me today and be filled with immense pride; I was once shy, afraid to branch out and make new friends, but the Broadcast Club empowered me to get involved within the Chez Nous community.
As the first person in my family to attend college, I relied on my own knowl edge as well as that of my counselor, Ms. Stawski. For me, the application process went smoothly. I applied Early Decision to American Univer sity and was admitted with a near full ride.
American, I hope to pursue studies in Political Science on a Pre-Law track. My college acceptance has realized part of my parents’ own “American Dream.” I cannot wait to make them proud at my university in the fall and continue to live Anne’s Values 200 miles away.
Kristine Mantilla, City University, Macaulay Honors
Looking back at my four years at Notre Dame, I have nothing but gratitude for this amazing community. Notre Dame has shaped me into the person I am today. I still remember the uneasiness I felt first walking into 327 West 13th. Those feelings vanished thanks to Notre Dame’s warm and welcoming environment. I can confidently say I have built friendships to last a lifetime. I am so thankful for Notre Dame’s support in creating Broadcast Club. I am overjoyed to have been able to spread the love and gratitude I have for Notre Dame by interviewing students and teachers and covering student-led events. Every class at ND has given me insight on new topics and encouraged me to be more open minded. I am especially thankful to the history and language departments for building and encouraging my passion for politics and social justice. I will be forever grateful for Ms. Littlefield’s AP World academic center sessions, and forever intrigued by Mr. Storduer’s AP Government lessons. From the English department, I have learned indelible lessons, from essential MLA formatting with Ms. Kane, to complex discussions on housing inequality with Mr. Vasey.
I especially wanted to thank Notre Dame’s exceptional counseling department for their relentless upport of their students. Whenever I was feeling doubtful, my counselor, Ms. Stawski, reminded me of my chievements. She introduced me to the esteemed CUNY Macaulay Honors program, which offers a full scholarship to a City University, a laptop, and travel abroad funding. When I asked her if she thought I could get in, she said yes without hesitation. Thanks to her and the Notre Dame community, I will be attending the Macaulay Honors College at the City College of New York on a full scholarship, studying political science. Although I am moving on, I know I can always call Notre Dame my home; it is Chez Nous, after all.
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SCHOLARSHIP STORIES
Delgracia Sainvil Babson College
After graduating from 8th grade, I knew I wanted to go to a high school that felt like a community. When I toured Notre Dame, I knew at that moment it was the right place for me. My first year I joined several clubs, such as Speech & Debate and Current Events, where I formed some of my closest relationships. Heading into junior year, I was presented the opportunity to join Anne’s Leaders, where I could talk about social justice issues with my peers and find ways to make an impact. With the support of my friends, teachers, and counselors, I was able to bring my ideas to reality and start my own non-profit organization, DelgraciaCorp. DelgraciaCorp connects marginalized youth to community based resources and organizations. I’m also proud to sit on the Young Women’s Advisory Council of Girls for Gender Equity, which centers Black girls in its advocacy. During my senior year, I helped found the ND Broadcast Club with some of my closest friends to heighten a sense of community and school pride.
I was honored when my counselor, Ms. Cimera, nominated me for a Posse Scholarship. The Posse Foundation identifies, recruits, and trains individuals with extraordinary leadership potential. Posse Scholars receive full-tuition leadership scholar ships from Posse’s partner colleges and universities. After three rounds of interviews with a narrowing pool of over 300 applicants, I was selected as a finalist. Without Notre Dame, my family, my friends, and my sisters. I would not have had these incredible opportunities. I’m proud I’m a Posse Scholar attending Babson College on a full scholarship, studying toward a Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in Strategic Management.
Susan Salgado, Emory University
Coming into Notre Dame, I never would have imagined how many opportunities would become available to me in four short years. From attending lectures at the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, to volunteering at shelters through The Encuentro Project, to presenting at the first junior retreat after COVID, I have become a well-rounded student. My first leadership role in high school was as Homeroom 309’s class representative. As the years progressed, I became an active member of the National Honor Society, The Liturgy Club, Union of Color, and Student Council. My extracurricular activities during the pandemic helped me stay in touch with my community and gave me a sense of comfort during a time of distress. Serving as President of Anne’s Leaders helped me grow as a leader and learn the importance of communication and organization. I am honored to have had this opportunity and will forever cherish this role. In my junior year, I was nominated by my counselor, Ms. Cimera, for the Questbridge College Prep Scholars Program, which offered opportunities to meet with top tier college admissions committees and to apply for the Questbridge College Match Program for low-income, high-achieving students. I am thrilled to be attending Emory University with a full-ride scholarship through Questbridge. I thank my family, teachers, friends, mentors, and counselors, because I would not be where I am without them. I appreciate all the support I have received at Notre Dame, my second home. I love being part of this community and cannot wait to return in the future to give back to Notre Dame what the school gave to me.
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Amani Scraborough, Northeastern University
As I leave Notre Dame, all I can do is reflect on my amazing time in this institution. When I first received my acceptance letter to ND, I was afraid of yet excited for future possibilities. I would be embarking on this journey alone; no one from my middle school followed me here. Yet as soon as I entered the double green doors, I knew that I belonged here. I quickly found a group of friends who would stick with me through graduation. By connecting with teachers and my counselor, I felt seen as a person rather than a face in a sea of students. In freshman year I joined the school’s magazine club, Zine, where I was able to prosper as a young writer. I loved being surrounded by other creative students, and I felt loved and respected. Zine helped uplift my overall confidence in my skills and abilities.
Years from now, when I look back on my high school career, I will remember how cherished my ND sisters made me feel. Having a smaller, personalized education helped expand my success in ways I never thought possible. I have my guidance counselor, Ms. Cimera, to thank for my academic journey. Without her willingness to meet countless times and her constant reassurance, I would have never thought it was possible for me to pursue a STEM major in college. However, when I took AP Computer Science in senior year I was fascinated with the subject. Now I am looking forward to attending Northeastern University on a full scholarship computer science major. I grew tremendously as a person at Notre Dame; thank you forever my Chez Nous community.
Alexandra Sperling, Villanova University
From the moment I set foot in Notre Dame, I knew it would be the perfect place for me. It has shaped me into the person I am today and has enlightened me about who I want to be tomorrow. Through copious challenging classes, I proved to myself that as long as I put my mind to a goal, I can achieve it. Apart from academics, I got involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, such as National Honor Society, Student Council, and Anne’s Leaders. These memberships helped me gain confidence, become a leader, and connect to my peers, who encouraged me to be the best version of myself.
Senior year especially, I took advantage of many Notre Dame opportunities, attending the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice and becoming a Retreat Leader. These experiences made me want to do more, be better, and challenge myself to create change.
My counselor, Ms. Cimera, is one of the most inspirational and influential people I have had the honor of knowing through my high school experience. She saw my potential before I could and had enough faith in me to nominate me to Questbridge, a scholarship program that works with high achieving, low income students to help them get into some of the country’s top colleges. I became one of their National College Match Finalists; however, I also was still able to receive offers from schools out side of the program, as well. I am grateful that through the help of all those who surrounded me at Notre Dame, I will be attending Villanova University on a near full scholarship. I am excited for what the future holds and cannot wait for all the incredible opportunities college will present me; but much like Ms. Clarke always told me, Notre Dame will always be part of who I am and this place is my home.
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Raven Williams, Northwestern University
As I reflect on the past four years of my life and my time at Notre Dame, I realize how much I have grown. My journey with Notre Dame began before eighth grade when I attended the ND summer program. I absolutely loved my experience at the summer camp, from my fellow students, to the faculty, to the classes I took. When I started my freshman year at Notre Dame, the school already felt like home to me. I had an effortless transition into my high school career.
At Notre Dame I had the opportunity to lead a variety of clubs, attend trips, and meet students that I am grateful to now call Chez Nous sisters for life. I am grateful for all of the challenges Notre Dame provided me through their rigorous coursework, including my AP Calculus and AP Psychology classes. All of my coursework taught me the importance of hard work and persistence, two fundamental values that will help me succeed in college and beyond! As a firstgeneration college student, I am proud to say that I will be attend ing Northwestern University on a full scholarship, where I will be studying journalism at one of the most prestigious programs in the country! I would not have been able to accomplish this dream of mine without the help of the teachers and counselors at Notre Dame, and, of course, my amazing family and friends.
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SCHOLARSHIP STORIES Chez Nous Benefit 6 6 t h A N N U A L Save the Date! Saturday, March 25, 2023
2022 College Matriculation
One hundred percent of the Class of 2022 matriculated to four-year colleges or universities.
American University (2)
Babson College
Boston Conservatory at Berklee
Boston University
Case Western University
Chapman University Clemson University
Connecticut College Cornell University
CUNY Baruch College (2)
CUNY City College, Macaulay Honors
CUNY Hunter College
Emory University
Fairfield University
Fashion Institute of Technology
Fordham University (5)
High Point University
Hofstra University Iona College
James Madison University Juniata College
Lawrence University
Loyola University Chicago (2)
Loyola University Maryland (2) Manhattan College
Maastricht University
New York University (4)
Northeastern University (2)
Northwestern University
Pace University
Penn State University (2)
Pratt Institute
Providence College
Quinnipiac University
Rutgers University (5)
Sacred Heart University (2) Salve Regina University
Sarah Lawrence College (2) Skidmore College
Stevens Institute of Technology
St. John’s University (3)
Stony Brook University
SUNY Albany (2)
SUNY Binghamton (3)
SUNY New Paltz
SUNY Purchase
Syracuse University
Temple University
The New School
Trinity College
Tulane University University at Scranton University Massachusetts Amherst
University of Colorado Boulder University of Delaware (2) University of Pittsburgh University of Tennessee at Chattanooga University of Toronto University of Richmond University of Virginia
Villanova University (5) Wake Forest University
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Julia Pilcer Lichtenstein, Esq.
Julia Pilcer Lichtenstein has a deep and impactful connection to Notre Dame. As the daughter of ND Board member and School Life Committee Chair Dr. Grace C. Pilcer, PhD., Julia has been attending Notre Dame events since she was a high school student. She has been a regular and faithful supporter of the school’s annual Chez Nous Benefit. Right away, Julia was drawn to the school’s mission and to the population it serves. Working for justice has always been a part of her professional and personal ethos.
Most recently, Julia was an attorney at WilmerHale, where she handled state and federal litigation matters. She also maintained a very active pro bono practice that covered a range of issues, including cases involving capital punishment, immigration, and women’s rights. She has contributed to cases brought to the Supreme Court, including one seeking an appeal of the federal death penalty. In addition, she clerked for the Honorable Katherine Polk Failla of the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York, managing both civil and criminal cases. Educational access and equity are key values for Julia. After graduating from The Dalton School, Julia earned a BA from Johns Hopkins University and a JD from New York University. While still in law school, she started sponsoring a Notre Dame student and kept up this generous practice annually. Eventually, Julia shifted her gift to a more targeted area—funding the Notre Dame sports program. While in high school, she registered the often hidden high cost of participation for students in co-curricular activities. Julia does not want extra costs to stand in the way of any Notre Dame student athlete. School sports and participation in her school’s Model UN team had been a real benefit to her personally and had built her confidence and drive. She notes that even students who don’t play sports value the school spirit and pride that athletics teams bring to a school community. Notes Julia, “Non-academic high school experiences are just as important yet can be out of reach in a way that drives inequity.” Julia hopes her gift breaks down barriers and opens sports participation for all, making it possible for every student to grow and thrive.
On March 19th, Julia was presented the Chez Nous Angel Award at the school’s annual Benefit. Thanks to Julia’s remarkable generosity, Notre Dame students have equal access to all our school has to offer inside and beyond the classroom. Whether on the playing field, track, or pitch, ND athletes are free to push toward excellence without presenting a financial burden to their best and most important fans, their families. Julia is a dear friend to all of us Chez Nous, and we are ever grateful for her generosity. Next time our school celebrates a big win, we should add a note of thanks to Julia Pilcer Lichtenstein!
WHY I GIVE
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Annual Report
NOTRE DAME SCHOOL 2021 – 2022
Kelly Regino ’23
The Notre Dame Annual Fund offers several Gift Club opportunities. We are very grateful to our Gift Club members for their generous donations.
Our Lady of Lourdes Society $100,000 or more
Anonymous
The Carson Family Charitable Trust
The Heckscher Foundation For Children
Dr. Grace C. Pilcer, Ph.D
Anne de Xainctonge Angels $50,000-$99,999
Mr. & Mrs. Raymond P. Dolan
Inner-City Scholarship Fund and the Partnership for Inner-City Education Sarita Kenedy East Foundation, Inc. Mrs. Julia Pilcer Lichtenstein, Esq. Ms. Elizabeth Roth
Anne de Xainctonge Associates
$25,000-$49,999
Anonymous
Mr. & Mrs. William Bell Cornelia Connelly Center for Education
Estate of Felice O'Brien Earley Mary Burke Heyman ’55 Mr. Zachary Smith Carolyn Wahlig Szostek ’65 The Hyde and Watson Foundation Xavier High School
Mother Genevieve Guild
$10,000-$24,999
Anonymous Brooklyn Benevolent Society
Cardia Family Scholarship
Mr. Michael F. Doyle, FAIA Mr. John Eck
Harris Mathews Charitable Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Houlihan Hunts Point Alliance
Mr. Thomas Jacquot & Mrs. Jenna Jacquot Koch Foundation, Inc.
Ms. Ann Lopez Ms. Caryl R. O’Keefe Mrs. Beatrice Riccardo Ms. Amy Robach
Sisters of St. Ursula Mr. Victor Santillan & Talya Pinto Santillan ’95 Mr. Zachary Smith Mr. Ron Gottschalk & Ms. Mary Thaman John & Mary Twomey Spollen Tiro A Segno Foundation, Inc. Alexandra Rynczak Teper ’81 Mr. Peter Van Camp Mr. Paul Yi
Trustees’ Circle
$6,500-$8,749
Johanna Vespe Aulisa ’01 Patricia Cullen ’73
Mr. & Mrs. Keith Hrazanek The Patrina Foundation Ms. Marianne Solomon
The Honor Society
$3,000-$6,499
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Bezinski
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Browne Ms. Virginia Connor Mr. & Mrs. Paul F. Degen
Mr. Eric Eckholdt & Mrs. Jeanne Noonan Eckholdt Ms. Maria-Andree Eiting
Mary Jane Drucker Gabbay ’63
Nancy McNamara Haney ’58
Mr. Daniel Dougherty & Ms. Hee-Sun Hong
James G. Houlihan Family Second, LP Antoinette LeQuire-Schott ’59 Bernadette Castellano McSweeney ’70 Karen Bellinger Morrell ‘75
Mr. Michael Nicholson & Mrs. Carolyn Nicholson
Mr. Douglas O’Brien & Mrs. Eileen Griffin O’Brien Ms. Gloria Picariello
Jack and Sarah Raslowsky Carol Rowbo ’79
Rev. Lawrence David Ryan
Mr. John Semczuk & Mrs. Allis Semczuk
Chrystia Slywotzky ’72
Mr. Louis G. Sollecito
Mr. Ray Sozzi
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Tresca Mr. Richard S. Zimmerman
34 2020–2021 Gift Club Members
Karisma Garcia ’22
Chez Nous Circle $2,000-$2,999
Anonymous
Mr. Michael Bettigole & Mrs. Katherine Bettigole Kathleen Bohan ’83 Class of 2022
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Columbia Columbus Citizens Foundation
Mr. John Conroy & Ms. Katharine Wilson Conroy Mr. & Mrs. Martin Cottingham
Mr. & Mrs. Sunil Damodar Patricia DiTolla ’62
Rev. Thomas H. Feely, S.J. Brigid Frey ’77
Mr. James Greene & Mrs. Jeannie Giordano
Mr. William Haddad & Ms. Deirdre Dunn Haddad
Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Maniscalco
Mr. Richard A. Norton
Mr. Vincent O'Brien Ms. Jodie Porto
Arlene Deninger Prendergast ’60
Ms. Carol Roche
Dr. David Stuhr Ms. Mary Wright Mr. Nicholas Zagoreos
Principal’s Circle $1,000-$1,999
Anonymous
Eileen O'Donohue Adkins ’65
Mr. George Awikeh & Dr. Maha Awikeh Ms. Kathleen Anne Baum
Mr. Donald Baum & Mrs. Kathleen Baum
Mr. Oliver Will & Ms. Kimberly Beck Mrs. Kathleen Begala Darlene Billia ’66
Dr. Monique Sulle Bowen ’90 Jean McGrath Brodeur ’91
Ms. Joanne Burns
Mr. David Transom & Ms. Aisling Carroll Ms. Joan Clark
Elizabeth Drucker Condrige ’64 Mr. Jonathan Denham & Mrs. Barbara Denham
Mr. Konstadinos Stavrou & Mrs. Paraskevi Dilana
Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Fernandez
Ms. Emily Fleischer
Mr. & Mrs. William Foulkes
Mr. Matthew Groo & Mrs. Elizabeth Groo
Mr. Don Harding & Mrs. Katharine Harding
Mr. Keith Harper
Mr. Hakeem Haughton & Dr. Michele Haughton
Freyja Helmer-Sindemark ’78
Mr. Bart Codd & Ms. Allison Hemming
Melanie Hernan ’14
Ms. Debra Hernan
Mr. Christopher Horrigan & Mrs. Christa Horrigan
Sheila Lewis Houde ’54
Mr. & Mrs. John Huvane
Ms. Jaclyn Brilliant & Mr. Anthony Jenks
Mr. & Mrs. Carlo Joseph
Mr. & Mrs. John Joven
Ms. Anne V. Kane
Mr. James C. Kennedy
Mr. & Mrs. Michael King
Mr. Joseph Diaz & Ms. Sheri Koval
Moira Gleason Kowal ’77
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kurtis Mr. Thomas Lacorazza
Ellin Rosasco Learned ’66
Parutta Leeyawanich ’88
Manhattan Chapter, NSDAR
Mr. & Mrs. Steve McKiernan
Ms. Leah McSweeney
Mr. & Mrs. Adam Mietus
Ms. Arlene Miller
Mr. & Mrs. Terence A. Mullervy
Mr. Michael Murray & Mrs. Christine Murray
Mr. Matthew Nelson
Mr. George Delaney & Ms. Louise O’Connor
Mr. James Quinn & Ms. Agnes McComiskey Quinn ’61
Ms. Phyllis Sollecito
Hon. Dakota Ramseur ’88
35
Contributors
Lisa Lowenstein
’25
Geralyn McBennett Randazzo ’78
Mr. Huw Richards & Ms. Allison Richards
Mrs. Patricia Richlin
Suzanne Drucker Robotham ’68
Mary Ellen Milazzo Roche ’65
Amalia Garcia Samoylenko-Russian ’56
Ms. Charity Schiller
Cheryl O'Rourke Schmidt ’65
Ms. Haviva Shane
Sue Ellen Mulligan Sheeley ’63
Liana Rosasco Smith ’70
St. Ignatius School
Mr. Holland Stewart
Ms. Veronica O’Brien-Wagner
Mr. Joseph Weber & Mrs. Penny Puza Weber ’67
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Zaino
1912 Club $500-$999 Anonymous
Mr. Anthony Mullen & Ms. Andrea Alexander
Augie & Kathie Geehern Aloia ‘74
Mr. Jeffrey Angelo & Ms. Eileen Angelo Anne Rose Asch ‘78
Mr. Eissa Bateh & Ms. Janice Bateh Aimee Chaplain Boothe ’96
Sr. Patricia Ann Bruck, S.U. Veronica Castellano ’69
Mr. & Mrs. Rob Clores
Adrianne Hopper Comerford ’82
Patricia Connelly ’61
Mr. & Mrs. Michale Cooper
Ms. Maria E. Costa Mr. Anthony Costantini
Mr. & Mrs. Bracken Carter Craft
Mr. J. Finian Kellaghan & Mrs. Gina DeFina
Carol De George ’84
Mary Susan King Delahunty ’61
Carol Gose DeVine ’66
Virginia Dillon ’76
Rosemary DeNatale Dineen ’73 Mr. Michael Dinger
Vilma Rita Hall Dorgan ’88
Carolene Skeeter Eaddy ’82
Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Fales
Gene and Anne Fennell
Mr. Osbert Fernandez
Jean Ann Hoban Flynn ’66
Ms. Laureen Fredella
Mr. Edward Gallagher
Mr. & Mrs. Ross Goldstein
Muriel Flynn Gonzalez ’70
Mary Ann Paszkiewicz Gordon ’73 Ms. Hemalee Govind
Mr. & Mrs. Robert P. Grote
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Hansen
Patricia Cook Hult ’60
Brendon McNamara & Karen Jagatic Det. Justine Killion ’91
Patricia Sheehan Kirwan ’60
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Knapp Ms. Brittney Leibert
Mr. John Licitra & Mrs. Catherine Vadasz Licitra’91
Maria Ann Basso Lipani ’94
Mr. George Logar & Ms. Mercedes Logar Mr. Ken MacVey
Mr. Cristobal Mayendia & Mrs. Andrea Mayendia
Elizabeth McNamara Melcher ’76
Mr. Brian Neville & Ms. Maureen Melnick
Mr. Angelo Montagna & Mrs. Diane Montagna
Jeanine Ramos Monteiro ’84
Mr. Christopher Morris
The O’Brien Family
Mr. Cletus O'Brien & Mrs. Shelagh O'Brien
Ms. Joanne O'Brien
Mr. Thomas O'Brien
Contributors 36
Kristina Layos ’24
Mackenzie Rose O'Connor ’14
Maria Cristina Rodriguez O’Neill ’68
Dr. Inno J. Onorato & Dr. Rukhsana Sadiqali Onorato
Ms. Marion Paolucci
Mr. & Mrs. Todd Parker
Mr. Francis Pascual & Mrs. Jeanette Bernardino-Pascual Leigh M. Phillips ’60
Jill Ford Reams ’70
Ms. Mary Kay Reber
Mr. Jason Madlin & Mrs. Li Reilly-Madlin Kathleen Koppinger Rowe ’63
Mr. Lloyd Cornelius & Mrs. Stacey Ryan-Cornelius
Ms. Charity Schiller
Mr. Scott Schoneman & Ms. Lana Schoneman
Dr. & Mrs. Luis Silva
Mr. Edward Silviano
Mr. James Long & Mrs. Beth Smith-Moncrief
Mr. & Mrs. Gino Soave
Gabrielle Solleder ’75
Sara Stalkus ’66
Dr. Andreas and Holly Stuhr
Ms. Daria Schofield & Mr. Thomas Sullivan
Virginia Williams Suttell ’48
Mr. Elmer Torres
Mr. Edward Tully & The Honorable Jane Tully Lucille Fallon Wang ‘66
Mr. Edward Weilage & Mrs. Mary Ellen Brannigan Weilage
The Honorable Milton Williams & Ms. Rose Williams
Mr. Gregg Zaletofsky & Ms. Jane Zaletofsky
Crown & Anchor Club
$100-$499
Anonymous
Mr. Rodolfo Abad & Ms. Virginia Abad
Hilda Maria Ramirez Abreu ’92
Rosana Gonzalez Agostini ’75
Mr. & Mrs. Hermann Alarcon
Francia Elizabeth Alleyne ’96 Crystal Almanzar ’06
Anabela Alves-Rivadeneira ’86
Daria Amato ’72
Amazon Smile Foundation Melody Andres ’71
Erica Zissel Andrinopoulos ’08
Ms. Susan Angelo
Ms. Skye Angioletti
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Anthony Eileen Armieri ’78
Ms. Courtney Banfield
Mr. & Mrs. Doug Bantum Eileen Cunningham Bartley ’60
Rev. Vincent Biagi, S.J. Madeleine Cahill Bither ’74
Elizabeth & Jeremy Bixenman Ms. Mary Kate Blaine
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Bojaj
Ms. Julia Bradford Mara Eileen Slakas Brown ’03 Ann Burke Bunting ’70
Dr. and Mrs. Franklin Caesar
Dawn Tennant Calabia ’58
Elena Castellano ‘68
Mr. & Mrs. Claudio Calado
Mr. Johnny Rosario & Mrs. Niurka Campusano
Patricia Murphy Carlin ’60
Lynette Jackson Perdiz ’72
Mr. Bruce Caulfield & Mrs. Catherine Caulfield
Ms. Eleanor Cesaria
Ms. Jess Chaidez
Mr. & Mrs. David Chang
Kathryn Doyle Chapar ’74
Mr. Vjeko Cimera & Mrs. Lauren Cimera
Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Cody
Robin Collymore ’80
Mr. Paul Conley
Mr. Gordon Medenica & Ms. Ann Connolly ’71
Contributors
37
’24
Annabella Fernandez
Catherine McDonough Corcoran ’60
Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Corsico
Mr. & Mrs. James Cuddihy
Kathleen Albano Cuttita ’64
Kathleen Walsh D'Arcy ’66
Ms. Sandra Davis & Mr. Keneth Davis
Mr. & Mrs. Francesco De Flaviis
Gabriella Ines De Lorenzo ’12
Mr. Brian Dempsey
Felicia DiSalvo ’87
Deborah Divorl ’75
Sr. Mary Dolan, S.U.
Jane Simpson Dolan ’81
Rev. George Drance, S.J.
Amanda Duchesne ’09
Mr. & Mrs. John F. Duffy
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Duggan
Laisha Washington Duley ’99
Alice Prajka Dunatov ’70
Mary Panagy Eletheriou ’69
Ms. Susana Epstein
Brenda Ewald ’60
Christina Falzon ’97
Helena Albuquerque Fenyo ’85 Mr. Jeff Ferre
Carol Ferrone ‘72
Ms. Jeremy F. Fieseler
Mr. & Mrs. Marlon Figueroa
Alyssa Fiore ’14
Ms. Eileen Frawley
Ms. Jeanne Gallagher
Mr. & Mrs. Emilio Garcia
Laura Ann Person Garcia ’99
Ms. Yxari Garza
Mr. Patrick Gately & Lisa Dunleavy Gately ’91
Rev. Kenneth Gavin, SJ
Mr. Daniel Putignano & Mrs. Lisa Giella
Patricia Roach Gogolak ’60
Carla Gomilla ’96
Ms. Jacqueline Governale
Audrey Masi Greene ’52
Elizabeth Morales Gregg ’66
Mr. & Mrs. Freddy Grullon
Cara Villano Guerra ’92
Ms. Ellen Gustafson
Erin Person Haggerty ’97
Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Hanks
Christina Terminelle Harley ’77
Mr. & Mrs. Greg Hastings
Victoria Hernandez ’70
Mr. Dennis J. Hickey & Ms. Ann Hickey
Patricia Aloma Hicks ’63
Mr. James Hillman
Ms. Margaret Hughes Mr. & Mrs. Derek Hunt Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Incandela
Josephine Mary Lawlor Jamieson ’85
Mr. Milan Jockovich & Mrs. Dawn Jockovich
Mr. Erik Joerss & Mrs. Tracy McDonagh Joerss Carmel Barone Jones ’64
Mr. David Keane & Ms. Liz Fleming Mr. William Keefe & Ms. Alice Alves Keefe ’91 Crista Marie Lacqua ’13
Dr. Frank Lacqua & Ms. Eva Lacqua Ms. Elizbeth Lamb
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony La Malfa
Mr. Michael Landry & Mrs. Elizabeth Landry Maureen McNamara Laraia ’70 Mr. Arthur J. Larsen Mr. Eugene Layos & Ms. Glezie Legaspi Ms. Alexis Leighton Mr. Alaric Lejano
Jo Ann Joya Lodico ’75 Christine Biondi Maciejak ’68 Maria Madison ’73
Mr. & Mrs. Spencer A. Maher Lorraine Riccobono Mahony ’69 Roseanne Mallner ’66
Mr. & Mrs. Leonat Malshyti Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Marfino Victoria Hoffmann Marsh ’82
Josephine Martinez ’06 Ann Masterson ’72
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher M. McCarthy Mr. & Mrs. Robert McGoldrick Rosemarie McGrath ’59 Ms. Kathy McHugh Victoria Melignano ’76 Lauren Elizabeth Clark Mercado ’92 Ms. Courtenay Mercer Ann Milanese ’72
Mr. & Mrs. Jim Mirenda
Dr. Kendall Mitchell
Ms. Jean Halloran-Monaco
Mr. Dale Montagna & Mrs. Francine Montagna
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher G. Moran Robin Newman ’85
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Ng Mr. & Mrs. Sonny Nguyen
Mr. & Mrs. John Noonan
Mr. Joseph Noto & Mrs. Maureen Noto Ms. Lisa Nunez
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel O'Brien
Eileen O'Brien ’73
Diana Priolo O’Brien ’82
Mr. & Mrs. Raymond O'Brien
Dr. Virginia O'Brien S.U. ’70
Anne Kinney O'Donnell ’78
Mr. John O’Donnell
Ms. Catherine M. O’Hara
Dr. Gabriella Oldham
Mr. & Mrs. Juan Ortega Wandy Reyes Ortiz ’86
The Honorable Ann O'Shea ’66
Patricia Masterson Palacios ’69
Ms. Kelly Patton Mr. Manuel Pena & Paola Lopez Pena ’88
Leigh Combes Phillips ’60
Mr. Jeremy Pineres Mr. Joseph Licciardi & Ms. Catherine Pino Lauren Poggi ’10
Ms. Margaret Poggi Dale Drucker Prifti ’71
Lorraine Pucher-Petersen ’73
Ms. Melanie Ramos-Apilan
Mrs. Marjorie Raslowsky
Mr. Alessandro Ratto & Mrs. Adrienne Ratto
Ms. Kai Rebane
Marcia Halleran Reidy ’63
Norma Moglia Reidy ’77
Mr. Raymond Rivera & Ms. Gladys J. Rivera Maria Rivera-Trudeau ’60
Cecilia Corvi Rogers ’68 Mr. Robert F. Rose & Mrs. Mary A. Rose
Contributors 38
Mr. Patrick Roth & Ms. Barbara L. Roth
Dr. Eileen Ryan ’75
Dr. Tara Ryan ’77
Lillian Gonzalez Sarro ’73
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Schaedle
Mrs. Eileen Schellenbaum
Ms. Collin Schmitt
Alison Turnbull Schoew ’71
Ms. Nicole Schroedee
Gianna Sciangula ’11
Brigid Scott ’74
Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Seymour
Mary Sheils ’60
Bernadette Sisk ’92
Iris Springer-Elkerson ’86
Ms. Jane V. Steward
Mr. David Stolzar
Ms. Lorrin Stone
Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Stordeur
Ms. Emma Stuart
Lorraine Prajka Sturmfels ’60
Elaine Feeley Swords ’62
Rachel Sy ’24
Mr. Fabien Carruzzo & Ms. Simona Tarchiani
Donaldine Temple, Esq. ’91
Ms. Gina Thomas
Mr. Richard Love & Mrs. Kyle Thomes
Ivette Torres ’05
Louise Pociecha Toth ’61
Transfiguration School
Mr. Edward Snajdr & Ms. Shonna Trinch
Karina Vargas ’02
Mr. Scott Vasey & Mrs. Colleen Vasey
Helen K. Madden Vespe ’73
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Walls
Most Rev. Gerald T. Walsh
Mrs. Shelda Washington
Mr. Chris Watson
Milagros Williams ’72
Gloria Elizabeth Willson Wolfe ’92
Mr. Warren Winslow
Constance Wilder Wokoun ’50
Ms. Ling Lin Yau
Mr. & Mrs. Justin Yu
Rebecca Zaletofsky ’20
Anne Marie M. Vagra Zanfardino ’81
Contributors
39
Lucia Mayendia ’24
Contributors
The names of contributors to the 2021-2022 Annual Fund are listed on the following pages in the following categories: Alumnae, Current Parents, Alumnae Parents, and Friends. We at Notre Dame are deeply grateful for the moral and financial support of all our contributors.
ALUMNAE
1948
Virginia WILLIAMS Suttell 1950
Constance WILDER Wokoun 1952
Audrey MASI Greene 1954 Sheila LEWIS Houde 1955
Mary BURKE Heyman
1956
Amalia GARCIA Samoylenko-Russian Mary Frances SHERIDAN DeLaney
1958
Nancy McNAMARA Haney Dawn TENNANT Calabia
1959
Sr. Elizabeth DiTOLLA, S.U.
Sr. Marylin GRAMAS, S.U. Antoinette LeQUIRE-Schott Rosemarie McGRATH
1960
Leigh COMBES Phillips
Patricia COOK Hult
Eileen CUNNINGHAM Bartley
Arlene DENINGER Prendergast
Brenda EWALD
Florence HALLERAN Ricca
Catherine McDONOUGH Corcoran
Patricia MURPHY Carlin
Lorraine PRAJKA Sturmfels
Maria RIVERA-Trudeau
Patricia ROACH Gogolak
Patricia SHEEHAN Kirwan
Mary SHEILS
1961
Patricia CONNELLY
Jean Ann HOBAN Flynn
Mary Susan KING Delahunty
Agnes McCOMISKEY Quinn
Louise POCIECHA Toth
1962
Patricia DiTOLLA
Elaine FEELEY Swords
1963
Patricia ALOMA Hicks
Mary Jane DRUCKER Gabbay
Marcia HALLERAN Reidy
Kathleen KOPPINGER Rowe Anne MARSH Stottler
Sue Ellen MULLIGAN Sheeley
1964
Kathleen ALBANO Cuttita
Carmel BARONE Jones Elizabeth DRUCKER Condrige
1965
Mary Ellen MILAZZO Roche
Eileen O'DONOHUE Adkins Cheryl O’ROURKE Schmidt Carolyn WAHLIG Szostek
1966
Darlene BILLIA
Josefina CASTANEDO Sanfeliu
Lucille FALLON Wang
Carol GOSE DeVine
Jean Ann HOBAN Flynn Roseanne MALLNER
Elizabeth MORALES Gregg Hon. Ann O'SHEA
Ivanna REED
Ellin ROSASCO Learned Sara STALKUS Kathleen WALSH D'Arcy
1967
Penny PUZA Weber 1968
Diana BERRIDO Bello
Christine BIONDI Maciejak
Elena CASTELLANO
Cecilia CORVI Rogers
Suzanne DRUCKER Robotham Jane MILAZZO
Maria Cristina RODRIGUEZ O’Neill Deborah STANFORD
1969
Veronica CASTELLANO Patricia MASTERSON Palacios Mary PANAGY Eletheriou Lorraine RICCOBONO Mahony
1970
Ann BURKE Bunting
Vivian CARDIA
Bernadette CASTELLANO McSweeney Muriel FLYNN Gonzalez
Jill FORD Reams
Victoria HERNANDEZ
Maureen McNAMARA Laraia Dr. Virginia O'BRIEN, S.U Alice PRAJKA Dunatov Liana ROSASCO Smith Marianne RUTH Ziegler
1971 Melody ANDRES Ann CONNOLLY
Dale DRUCKER Prifti Alison TURNBULL Schoew
1972
Daria AMATO
Teresa COSTIGLIO Cantwell Carol FERRONE Ann MASTERSON Ann MILANESE
Lola MOTILL Dr. Gabriella OLDHAM Mary O’SULLIVAN Conlon Lynette JACKSON Perdiz Chrystia SLYWOTZKY Milagros WILLIAMS
1973 Patricia CULLEN Rosemary DeNATALE Dineen Lillian GONZALEZ Sarro Helen K. MADDEN Vespe
Maria MADISON Eileen O'BRIEN
Mary Ann PASZKIEWICZ Gordon Anna PINTO Lorraine PUCHER-Petersen
1974
Madeleine CAHILL Bither Kathryn DOYLE Chapar
Kathie GEEHERN Aloia Brigid SCOTT
40
1975
Rose DeMARCO Sulinski
Deborah DIVORL
Rosana GONZALEZ Agostini
Jo Ann JOYA Lodico
Dr. Eileen RYAN
Gabrielle SOLLEDER
1976
Virginia DILLON
Elizabeth McNAMARA Melcher
Victoria MELIGNANO
1977
Brigid FREY
Moira GLEASON Kowal
Sr. Rosemary McNAMARA, S.U. Norma MOGLIA Reidy
Dr. Tara RYAN
Christina TERMINELLE Harley
1978
Eileen ARMIERI
Marcella FITZGERALD McHale
Freyja HELMER-Sindemark
Anne KINNEY O'Donnell
Geralyn McBENNETT Randazzo
Anne Rose ASCH
1979 Carol ROWBO 1980 Robin COLLYMORE 1981
Alexandra RYNCZAK Teper
Jane SIMPSON Dolan
Anne Marie M. VAGRA Zanfardino
1982
Victoria HOFFMANN Marsh
Adrianne HOPPER Comerford Christine LeGOFF Kauffman
Anne Marie POCOCK Roth
Diana PRIOLO O'Brien
Carolene SKEETER Eaddy
1983
Kathleen BOHAN
1984
Carol De GEORGE
Lilian MIGLIORINI Evans
Jeanine RAMOS Monteiro
1985
Helena ALBUQUERQUE Fenyo
Robin NEWMAN
Josephine Mary LAWLOR Jamieson
1986
Anabela ALVES-RIVADENEIRA Wandy REYES Ortiz Iris SPRINGER-Elkerson 1987
Felicia DiSALVO 1988
Vilma Rita HALL Dorgan Paola LOPEZ Pena Parutta LEEYAWANICH Hon. Dakota RAMSEUR 1990 Dr. Monique SULLE Bowen 1991
Lisa DUNLEAVY Gately Alice ALVES Keefe Det. Justin KILLION Jean McGRATH Brodeur Donaldine TEMPLE, Esq. Catherine VADASZ Licitra 1992
Lauren Elizabeth CLARK Mercado Hilda Maria RAMIREZ Abreu Bernadette SISK Cara VIILLANO Guerra Rachel WALDEN Cranston Gloria Elizabeth WILLSON Wolfe 1994
Maria Ann BASSO Lipani 1995 Talya PINTO Santillan 1996
Francia ALLEYNE Aimee CHAPLAIN Boothe Carla GOMILLA 1997
Christina FALZON Erin PERSON Haggerty 1998
Kimberly BOBE 1999
Laura Ann PERSON Garcia Laisha WASHINGTON Duley 2001 Johanna VESPE Aulisa 2002 Karina VARGAS
2003 Mara Eileen SLAKAS Brown 2005 Ivette TORRES 2006
Crystal ALMANZAR Andreina DELGADO Romero Krystal PALMERS-Olivares Josephine MARTINEZ Talisa TORRES
2007 Samantha ALCALA 2008 Erica ZISSEL Andrinopoulos 2009 Amanda DUCHESNE 2010 Lauren POGGI 2011 Gianna SCIANGULA 2012 Gabriella Ines DE LORENZO Christine PUBLIK 2013
Crista Marie LACQUA 2014 Alyssa FIORE Melanie HERNAN Mackenzie Rose O’CONNOR 2018
Isabela ADSUAR Jane FERRIS Rebecca RASLOWSKY Jaylin SANTOS Emma SIMEL 2020 Victoria BOJARSKI Rebecca ZALETOFSKY 2021 Rachel Howland RASLOWSKY 2022 Class of 2022 2024 Rachel SY
41
CURRENT PARENTS
Mr. Anthony Mullen and Ms. Andrea Alexander
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Anthony
Mr. George Awikeh & Dr. Maha Awikeh
Mr. & Mrs. Doug Bantum
Mr. Oliver Will & Ms. Kimberly Beck
Mr. & Mrs. William Bell
Mr. Michael Bettigole & Mrs. Katherine Bettigole
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Bezinski
Mr. Francis Pascual & Mrs. Jeanette Bernardino-Pascual
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Bojaj
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Browne
Mr. & Mrs. Claudio Calado
Mr. Johnny Rosario & Mrs. Niurka Campusano
Mr. David Transom & Ms. Aisling Carroll
Mr. Bruce Caulfield & Mrs. Catherine Caulfield
Mr. & Mrs. David Chang
Mr. Paul Conley
Mr. & Mrs. Rob Clores
Mr. & Mrs. Michale Cooper
Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Corsico
Mr. & Mrs. Martin Cottingham
Mr. & Mrs. Bracken Carter Craft
Mr. & Mrs. Sunil Damodar
Ms. Sandra Davis & Mr. Keneth Davis
Mr. J. Finian Kellaghan & Mrs. Gina DeFina
Mr. & Mrs. Francesco De Flaviis
Mr. Jonathan Denham & Mrs. Barbara Denham
Mr. Konstadinos Stavrou & Mrs. Paraskevi Dilana
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Duggan
Mr. John Eck
Mr. Eric Eckholdt & Mrs. Jeanne Noonan Eckholdt
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ernau
Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Fales
Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Fernandez
Mr. & Mrs. Marlon Figueroa
Ms. Emily Fleischer
Dr. & Mrs. Mike Fraser
Mr. & Mrs. Emilio Garcia
Mr. Daniel Putignano & Mrs. Lisa Giella
Mr. James Greene & Mrs. Jeannie Giordano
Mr. & Mrs. Ross Goldstein
Mr. Matthew Groo & Mrs. Elizabeth Groo Ms. Hemalee Govind
Mr. & Mrs. Freddy Grullon
Mr. Don Harding & Mrs. Katharine Harding
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Hansen
Mr. Hakeem Haughton & Dr. Michele Haughton
Mr. Bart Codd & Ms. Allison Hemming Mr. & Mrs. Keith Hrazanek
Mr. & Mrs. Derek Hunt Mr. & Mrs. John Huvane
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Incandela Brendon McNamara & Karen Jagatic
Mr. Erik Joerss & Mrs. Tracy McDonagh Joerss
Mr. & Mrs. Carlo Joseph Mr. William Keefe & Ms. Alice Alves Keefe ’91
Mr. & Mrs. Michael King Mr. Joseph Diaz and Ms. Sheri Koval Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kurtis Mr. & Mrs. Anthony La Malfa
Mr. Eugene Layos & Ms. Glezie Legaspi Mr. John Licitra & Mrs. Catherine Vadasz Licitra’91 Mr. George Logar & Ms. Mercedes Logar Mr. & Mrs. Leonat Malshyti
Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Maniscalco Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Marfino
Mr. Cristobal Mayendia & Mrs. Andrea Mayendia
Mr. & Mrs. Steve McKiernan Ms. Leah McSweeney Mr. & Mrs. Adam Mietus Mr. & Mrs. Jim Mirenda Mr. Michael Murray & Mrs. Christine Murray Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Ng Mr. & Mrs. Sonny Nguyen
Mr. Michael Nicholson & Mrs. Carolyn Nicholson
Mr. Douglas O’Brien & Mrs. Eileen Griffin O’Brien
Mr. George Delaney & Ms. Louise O’Connor
Mr. & Mrs. Juan Ortega
Mr. Kevin O'Keefe & Mrs. Kathy Paprocki-O'Keefe
Mr. & Mrs. Todd Parker Mrs. Ewa Radziszewicz
Ms. Melanie Ramos-Apilan
Mr. Alessandro Ratto & Mrs. Adrienne Ratto
Mr. Pete Rei
Mr. Jason Madlin & Mrs. Li Reilly-Madlin
Mr. Huw Richards & Ms. Allison Richards
Mr. Raymond Rivera & Ms. Gladys J. Rivera
Ms. Amy Robach
Mrs. Eileen Schellenbaum
Ms. Daria Schofield & Mr.Thomas Sullivan
Mr. Scott Schoneman & Ms. Lana Schoneman
Mr. John Semczuk & Mrs. Allis Semczuk
Mr. & Mrs. Dimas Serrano, Jr. Dr. & Mrs. Luis Silva
Mr. James Long & Mrs. Beth Smith-Moncrief Dr. Andreas and Holly Stuhr Iris Springer-Elkerson ’86
Mr. Fabien Carruzzo & Ms. Simona Tarchiani
Mr. Ron Gottschalk & Ms. Mary Thaman
Mr. Richard Love & Mrs. Kyle Thomes
Mr. Elmer Torres
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Tresca
Mr. Edward Snajdr & Ms. Shonna Trinch
Ms. Diana Uzeta
Mr. Scott Vasey & Mrs. Colleen Vasey Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Walls
Mr. Edward Weilage & Mrs. Mary Ellen Brannigan Weilage Ms. Mary Wright
Mr. Nicholas Zagoreos
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Zaino
42 Contributors
ALUMNAE PARENTS
Mr. Rodolfo Abad & Ms. Virginia Abad
Mr. & Mrs. Hermann Alarcon
Augie & Kathie Geehern Aloia ‘74
Mr. Jeffrey Angelo & Ms. Eileen C. Angelo
Ms. Courtney Banfield Mrs. Ann E. Basso
Mr. Eissa Bateh & Ms. Janice Bateh
Mr. & Mrs. George Buscaglia
Mr. David Transom & Ms. Aisling Carroll Mr. David Chance & Ms. Margaret Chance
Ms. Joan Clark
Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Cody Mr. & Mrs. Peter Columbia
Mr. & Mrs. James Cuddihy
Mr. & Mrs. John F. Duffy
Ms. Laureen Fredella
Mr. Patrick Gately & Ms. Lisa Dunleavy Gately ’91
Mr. William Haddad & Ms. Deirdre Dunn Haddad Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Hanks
Mr. & Mrs. Greg Hastings
Mr. Dennis J. Hickey & Ms. Ann Hickey Mr. Christopher Horrigan & Ms. Christa Horrigan Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Incandela
Mr. George Janis & Ms. Beth Ann Janis Ms. Anne V. Kane
Dr. Frank Lacqua & Ms. Eva Lacqua
Mr. & Mrs. Spencer A. Maher
Mr. & Mrs. Robert McGoldrick Mr. Brian Neville & Ms. Maureen Melnick Ms. Arlene Miller
Mr. Michael Murray & Ms. Christine Murray Mr. Michael Nicholson & Ms. Carolyn Nicholson Mr. & Mrs. John Noonan Mr. George Delaney & Ms. Louise O’Connor Ms. Catherine M. O’Hara Mr. & Mrs. Todd Parker Mr. Joseph Licciardi & Ms. Catherine Pino Ms. Margaret Poggi Jack and Sarah Raslowsky Mr. Lloyd Cornelius & Mrs. Stacey Ryan-Cornelius Mr. & Mrs. Richard Schaedle Mr. Scott Schoneman & Ms. Lana Schoneman Mr. & Mrs. Michael J. Seymour Mr. & Mrs. Gino Soave Mr. Edward Tully & The Honorable Jane Tully Mr. Scott Vasey & Mrs. Colleen Vasey Mrs. Shelda Washington The Honorable Milton Williams & Ms. Rose Williams Ms. Ling Lin Yau Mr. & Mrs. Justin Yu Mr. Gregg Zaletofsky & Ms. Jane Zaletofsky
43 Contributors
Persephone Giusti ’24
Anonymous
Ms. Susan Angelo
Ms. Skye Angioletti Donna J. Bandal
Ms. Kathleen Anne Baum
Mr. Donald Baum & Mrs. Kathleen Baum Mrs. Kathleen Begala
Rev. Vincent Biagi, S.J. Elizabeth and Jeremy Bixenman
Ms. Mary Kate Blaine
Ms. Julia Bradford
Sr. Patricia Ann Bruck, S.U. Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Burke Ms. Joanne Burns
Dr. & Mrs. Franklin Caesar
Mr. & Mrs. Russell L. Carson
Ms. Eleanor Cesaria
Ms. Jess Chaidez
Ms. Virginia Connor
Mr. John Conroy & Katharine Wilson Conroy
Ms. Joan Lavella & Mr. Al Corkett
Ms. Maria E. Costa
Mr. Anthony Costantini
Ms. Colleen Cullen
Ms. Carol Jeanne Dale
Mr. & Mrs. Tony DeCarlo Mr. & Mrs. Paul F. Degen Mr. Brian Dempsey Mr. Michael Dinger Sr. Mary Dolan, S.U. Mr. & Mrs. Raymond P. Dolan Mr. Michael F. Doyle, FAIA Rev. George Drance, S.J. Sr. Michaela Durkin, S.S.N.D Estate of Felice O'Brien Earley
Ms. Marie-Andree Eiting
Ms. Susana Epstein
Fr. Thomas H. Feely, S.J. Gene and Anne Fennell
Mr. Osbert Fernandez
Mr. Jeff Ferre
Ms. Jeremy F. Fieseler
Mr. & Mrs. William Foulkes Ms. Eileen Frawley
Mr. Edward Gallagher
Ms. Jeanne Gallagher
Ms. Yxari Garza
Rev. Kenneth Gavin, S.J. Mr. Aaron Goldberg
Ms. Jacqueline Governale
Mr. & Mrs. Robert P. Grote
Ms. Ellen Gustafson
Ms. Michele Haberland
Mr. Keith Harper
Ms. Debra Hernan
Mr. James Hillman
Mr. Daniel Dougherty & Ms. Hee-Sun Hong
Mrs. Margaret Hogan
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Houlihan
Ms. Margaret Hughes Ms. Meghan Hughes
Mr. Andrew Jacobson
Mr. Thomas Jacquot & Mrs. Jenna Jacquot
James G. Houlihan Family Second, LP
Ms. Jaclyn Brilliant & Mr. Anthony Jenks
Mr. Milan Jockovich & Mrs. Dawn Jockovich
Mr. & Mrs. John Joven
Mr. David Keane & Ms. Liz Fleming
Ms. Gwen Kahn
Mr. James C. Kennedy
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Knapp
Mr. Thomas Lacorazza
Ms. Elizabeth Lamb
Mr. Michael Landry & Mrs. Elizabeth Landry
44 Contributors
FRIENDS
Gabriella Janik ’23
Mr. Arthur J. Larsen
Ms. Alexis Leighton
Mr. Alaric Lejano
Ms. Brittney Leibert
Mrs. Julia Pilcer Lichtenstein, Esq.
Ms. Ann Lopez
Mr. Ryan Lounsbery
Dr. Jonathan Lucas, Ph.D.
Mr. Ken MacVey
Ms. June A. Mastan
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher M. McCarthy Ms. Kathy McHugh
Ms. Courtenay Mercer
Dr. Kendall Mitchell
Ms. Jean Halloran-Monaco
Mr. Angelo Montagna & Mrs. Diane Montagna
Mr. Dale Montagna & Mrs. Francine Montagna
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher G. Moran
Mr. Christopher Morris
Mr. & Mrs. Terence A. Mullervy
Mr. Matthew Nelson
Mr. Richard A. Norton
Mr. Joseph Noto & Mrs. Maureen Noto
Ms. Lisa Nunez
The O’Brien Family
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel O’Brien
Ms. Joanne O'Brien
Mr. Cletus O'Brien & Mrs. Shelagh O'Brien
Mr. & Mrs. Raymond O'Brien
Mr. Thomas O’Brien
Mr. Vincent O’Brien
Mr. John O’Donnell
Ms. Caryl R. O’Keefe
Dr. Inno J. Onorato & Dr. Rukhsana Sadiqali Onorato†
Ms. Marion Paolucci
Ms. Kelly Patton
Ms. Gloria Picariello
Dr. Grace C. Pilcer, Ph.D
Mr. Jeremy Pineres
Ms. Brittney Pollock
Ms. Jodie Porto
Mrs. Marjorie Raslowsky
Ms. Kai Rebane
Ms. Mary Kay Reber
Mr. Jason Madlin & Ms. Li Reilly-Madlin
Mrs. Beatrice Riccardo Mrs. Patricia Richlin Ms. Carol Roche
Mr. Robert F. Rose & Mrs. Mary A. Rose Ms. Elizabeth Roth
Mr. Patrick Roth & Ms. Barbara L. Roth Rev. Lawrence David Ryan Mr. Victor Santillan & Talya Pinto Santillan ’95
Ms. Charity Schiller Ms. Helen Schlissel Ms. Collin Schmitt
Ms. Nicole Schroedee
Ms. Haviva Shane Mr. Edward Silviano Mr. Zachary Smith Ms. Phyllis Sollecito Ms. Marianne Solomon Mr. Ray Sozzi
John & Mary Twomey Spollen
St. Ignatius School
Ms. Jane V. Steward
Mr. Holland Stewart
Mr. David Stolzar
Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Stordeur
Ms. Lorrin Stone
Ms. Emma Stuart
Dr. David Stuhr
Ms. Gina Thomas
Mr. Anthony Torres
Transfiguration School
Mr. Peter Van Camp
Ms. Veronica O’Brien-Wagner
Most Rev. Gerald T. Walsh
Mr. Chris Watson
Mr. Warren Winslow
Xavier High School Mr. Paul Yi Mr. Richard S. Zimmerman
45
+Deceased
Gianna Fasciano ’24
Special Gifts
MEMORIAL GIFTS
Notre Dame received gifts in memory of the following individuals during the 2021–2022 school year:
Regina Ahern
Cathy Anicich
Fernando Bello
Michael Capurso
Marie Castellano
Helen & Philip Castellano
Joan Cogen
Sondra Lee Crouch
Eileen Barrett Cunningham ’28
Genevieve Connolly Cunningham ’33
Elizabeth Curry
Rose Gallagher Dale
Deceased Members of Class of 1959
Deceased Members of Class of 1982
Paddy Delaney
Agnes Dillon
Edward J. & Marie J. Dolan
Mary & Thomas Doyle
Francis J. Feeley, Jr.
Nancy DuBois Feeney ’66
Alice & Rachel Fields
John & Evelyn Gallagher
Janet Hagadorn
Ellen McNamara Helgesen ’60
Jenna Nicole Hernan ’10
Matthew Killion
Donna Marie Lacorazza
Anthony J. Lacqua
Susan L. Malley
The McCloskey Sisters
Rosemary McNamara
Sr. Mary Daniel Minihan, S.U.
Dr. & Mrs. Pasquale S. Milazzo
Mother Genevieve Marie, S.U.
Noreen Doyle Morris ’59
Sr. Eleanora Murphy, S.U
Sr. Mary Rose Murray
Catherine C. O’Brien
Mary Ellen O’Brien
Ruth Mietke O'Brien
Jack O’Connor
Dolores O'Hara
Mary Paride
John Person
Suzan T. Picariello
Mary & John Prajka
William Randazzo
Olga Rodriguez
Louis & Marian Rosasco
Sr. Sarah Ryan, P.B.V.M.
Joanna Randazzo Saccone ’69
Expedito & Ester Santillan
Madeleine Serravillo ’61
Maggie Sollecito
Louis G. Sollecito
Cecile Grace Springer ’48
Solleder Family
Warren Stottler
Christopher Sturmfels
Sr. Mary Walsh, S.U. James F. & Dolores Willliams
Luke Way Ya
46
Gabrielle White ’22
MEMORIAL GIFTS
Jenna Nicole Memorial Scholarship
Anonymous
Donna J. Bandal
Ms. Jess Chaidez
Ms. Maria E. Costa
Mr. Michael Dinger
Mr. Jeff Ferre
Alyssa Fiore ’14
Ms. Yxari Garza Ms. Debra Hernan
Melanie Hernan ’14
Mr. Andrew Jacobson
Ms. Gwen Kahn
Ms. Alexis Leighton
Mr. Ryan Lounsbery
Mr. Ken MacVey
Ms. Lisa Nunez
Mackenzie Rose O’Connor ’14
Ms. Kelly Patton
Mr. Jeremy Pineres
Lauren Poggi ’10
Mrs. Margaret Poggi
Ms. Brittney Pollock
Ms. Charity Schiller
Ms. Helen Schlissel
Ms. Collin Schmitt
Ms. Nicole Schroedee
Ms. Haviva Shane
Mr. Edward Silviano
Ms. Jane V. Steward
Mr. Holland Stewart Ms. Lorrin Stone Mr. Chris Watson
Mary Ellen O’Brien Scholarship Fund
Ms. Skye Angioletti
Ms. Virginia Connor Mary Susan King Delahunty ’61
Mr. Brian Dempsey
Sr. Mary Dolan, S.U. Ms. Eileen Frawley
Mr. & Mrs. Robert P. Grote Mrs. Margaret Hogan Ms. Jaclyn Brilliant & Mr. Anthony Jenks
Ms. Elizabeth Lamb Ms. Jean Halloran-Monaco Mr. & Mrs. Raymond O'Brien
The O’Brien Family
Ms. Gloria Picariello
Dr. Grace C. Pilcer, Ph.D Mr. George Reber & Ms. Mary Kay Reber Marcia Halleran Reidy ’63 Ms. Patricia Richlin Ms. Carol Roche Ms. Phyllis Sollecito Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Stordeur Carolyn Wahlig Szostek ’65 Ms. Gina Thomas Karina Vargas ’02 Ms. Veronica O’Brien-Wagner
ALUMNAE SISTERS PROGRAM
President’s Circle Sponsor $15,440 or more
Mary Burke Heyman ’55 Dr. Grace C. Pilcer, Ph.D Carolyn Wahlig Szostek ’65
79th Street Sponsor $6,000–$12,134
Talya Pinto Santillan ’95 Alexandra Rynczak Teper ’81
St. Mark’s Place Sponsor
$2,500–$5,999
Antoinette LeQuire-Schott ’59 Arlene Deninger Prendergast ’60
13th Street Sponsor
$1,000–$2,499
Patricia DiTolla ’62 Agnes McComiskey Quinn ’61
NOTRE DAME PARTNERS PROGRAM
President’s Circle Sponsor $15,440 or more
Anonymous Xavier High School Trustees’ Circle Sponsor $12,135–$15,439
Mr. & Mrs. Raymond P. Dolan Mr. & Mrs. Jack Houlihan Ms. Caryl R. O’Keefe
St. Mark’s Place Sponsor
$2,500–$5,999
James G. Houlihan Family Second, LP Mr. Ray Sozzi
Dr. David Stuhr Mr. Richard Zimmerman
Special Gifts
47
Jessica Kuretski ’24
65th Annual Chez Nous Benefit Donors
We extend our utmost thanks to all of our loyal supporters for making our 2022 Chez Nous Benefit a huge success! As a community, we raised over $525,000 toward scholarship and financial aid for our students. To learn how you can volunteer and support this year’s event please contact ND’s Benefit Coordinator, Ruthie Landry, at landryr@cheznous.org
FUND THE SCHOLARSHIP
Anonymous
Mr. Anthony Mullen and Ms. Andrea Alexander P'25
Augie & Kathie Geehern Aloia ’74 & P'09 Alliance Bernstein
American International Group, Inc.
Melody Andres '71
Erica Zissel Andrinopoulos '08
Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Aninos P'23
Johanna Vespe Aulisa '01
Mr. & Mrs. Doug Bantum P'25
Ms. Margaret Battaglino
Mr. & Mrs. William Bell P'22 & P'24
Mrs. Marilyn Benta
Mr. Michael Bettigole & Mrs. Katherine Bettigole P'24
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Bezinski P'25
BlackRock
Dr. Monique Sulle Bowen '90
Ms. Jaclyn Brilliant
Ms. Alyssa Budihas
Dr. Franklin & Mrs. Marthajean Caesar
Ms. Cheryl Callan P'23
Vivian Cardia '70
Mr. David Transom & Ms. Aisling Carroll P'20 & P'23
Ms. Eleanor Cesaria GP '13
Mr. David Chance & Ms. Margaret Chance P'08
Mr. Nagarethinam Vimalanathan & Mrs. Pushparani Chellakani P'22
Mr. & Mrs. Doran Chlupsa P'24
Joanne O'Brien Ciccotto '71
Mr. Vinvent Cicileo
Ayanna Tene Cohen '95
Mr. Paul Conley P'24
Mr. John Conroy & Ms. Katharine Wilson Conroy
Margaret O'Connor Corvalan '72
Genevieve Nora Cottingham '23
Mr. & Mrs. Bracken Carter Craft P'23
Jon Yaged and Catherine Daly P'25
Mr. & Mrs. Sunil Damodar P'22 & P'24
Mr. George Danforth
Ms. Jeanmarie Davis
Mr. Brandon DeGraff
Mr. Jonathan Denham & Mrs. Barbara Denham P'23
Ms. Dawn Destine
Patricia DiTolla '62
Mr. & Mrs. Raymond P. Dolan
Mr. Michael F. Doyle, FAIA Mr. & Mrs. John F. Duffy Ms. Melissa Dulin
Mr. John Eck P’24
Mr. Eric Eckholdt & Mrs. Jeanne Noonan Eckholdt P'23
Mr. Thomas Jacquot & Mrs. Jenna Fagnan
Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Fales P'25
Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Fernandez P'24 Mr. and Mrs. Wilfredo Fernandez
Mr. & Mrs. Marlon Figueroa P'24
Denise Dillon Fite '71
Ms. Emily Fleischer P'23
Mr. Thomas J. Galligan & Dr. Ann C. Galligan
Mr. Patrick Gately & Ms. Lisa Dunleavy Gately '91 Ms. Magali Giddens
Mr. James Greene & Mrs. Jeannie Giordano P'24
Goldman Sachs
Muriel Flynn Gonzalez '70
Cara Villano Guerra '92 Ms. Ellen Gustafson Mr. & Mrs. Scott Halstead Mr. Don Harding & Mrs. Katharine Harding
Hearst Corporation
Bart Codd and Allison Hemming P'25
Laura Lipani Hines '94
Rita Ryan Holland '80
Mr. Daniel Dougherty & Ms. Hee-Sun Hong
Mr. Peter Baracskai & Mrs. Theresa Howard P'23 Mr. & Mrs. Keith Hrazanek
Ms. Judith Hughes
SAVE THE DATE
66th Annual Chez Nous Benefit
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Mr. & Mrs. Derek Hunt P'22
Mr. Orion Hunt
Ms. Rebecca Jacobsen
Mr. Brendon McNamara & Dr. Karen Jagatic P'24
Mr. Musa Jalloj
Ms. Jasmine James
Ms. Elizabeth F. Jenks
Ms. Madeline Jenks
Mr. & Mrs. Erik Joerss P'25
John & Anne Kane
Ms. Patricia Kenner
Det. Justine Killion '91
Mr. & Mrs. Michael King P'23
Mr. Joseph Diaz & Ms. Sheri Koval P'25
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Kurtis P'24
Lacor Mechanical Systems
Ms. Brigid Lang
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Lee P'25
Mrs. Julia Pilcer Lichtenstein, Esq.
Mr. John Licitra & Mrs. Catherine Vadasz Licitra '91 P'24
Ms. Ann Lopez
Mr. & Mrs. Martin A. Lowenstein P'25
Daniela Lucchetto ’79 P’18
Ms. Marnie Ward Mallen
Ms. Jacqueline Markoff
Ms. Kia Marshall P'21 & P'23
Jane Masterson '64
Mr. Cristobal Mayendia & Mrs. Andrea Mayendia P'24
Mr. & Mrs. Steve McKiernan P'25
Julie and Kevin McKnight P'25
Bernadette Castellano McSweeney '70
48
65th Annual Chez Nous Benefit Donors
Julianna Gold ’24
Mr. and Mrs. Thorsten & Rebecca Meier P’22
Mr. & Mrs. Adam Mietus P’22
Mr. Ramon Morado & Mrs. Rosie Morado P’25
Valentina Maria Morales ’95
Vita Patrick Morales ’95
Mr. & Mrs. Terence A. Mullervy
Mr. Michael Nicholson & Mrs. Carolyn Nicholson P’18 & P’25
Mr. Michael Nolan P’24
Mr. Matt Nyberg
Mr. Douglas O’Brien & Mrs. Eileen Griffin O'Brien P’22 & P’24
Ms. Kathleen O’Brien
Ms. Kelly O’Brien
Mr. Vincent O’Brien
Mr. George Delaney & Ms. Louise O'Connor P’19 & P’22
Mr. John O'Donnell
Mr. John Oden
Dr. Inno J. Onorato & Dr. Rukhsana Sadiqali Onorato
Karen and Brian Osborne P’23
Judy Pan ’83
Ms. Rosemary Paparo P’09
Ms. Wendy Joyner & Mr. Ronald Pechtimaldjian P'25
Beth and Raul Perez P'23
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Pesola P'19 & P'17
Ms. Gloria Picariello
Dr. Grace C. Pilcer, Ph.D
Mr. Joseph Licciardi & Ms. Catherine Pino P'15 & P'19
Arlene Deninger Prendergast '60
Jack and Sarah Raslowsky P'18 & P'21
Leroy & Virginia Reams
Mr. Jason Madlin & Mrs. Li Reilly-Madlin P'25
Ms. Amy Robach P'24
Ms. Carol Roche
Mr. Thomas Roemischer & Mrs. Julia Glazer Roemischer P'23
Cecilia Corvi Rogers '68
Ms. Elizabeth Roth
Carol Rowbo '79
Mr. & Mrs. Leim E. Sainvil P'22 Ms. Sara Sajjad
Mr. Patrick Kelly & Mrs. Debralee Santos P'24
Addisyn Schmutter '24
Mr. John Semczuk & Mrs. Allis Semczuk P'25
Mr. & Mrs. Dimas Serrano P'23
Sue Ellen Mulligan Sheeley '63
Dr. & Mrs. Luis Silva P'23
Mr. Steven Smyser & Mrs. Megan Smyser
Mr. Louis G. Sollecito
Ms. Marianne Solomon
John & Mary Twomey Spollen
Dr. Andreas and Holly Stuhr P'23
Carolyn Wahlig Szostek '65
Mr. Atso Taipale
Ms. Aliya Tejani
Mr. Ron Gottschalk & Ms. Mary Thaman P'22 Mrs. Cheryl Thomas P'95
Mr. Richard Love & Mrs. Kyle Thomes P'24
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald B. Todd
Diana Trebbi '46
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Tresca P'24
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Trimmer
Mr. Edward Snajdr & Ms. Shonna Trinch P'23
UBS Group AG
Mr. & Mrs. Darrel Upson P'24
Mr. Michael Aquirre and Mrs. Diana Uzeta P'25
Mr. & Mrs. Steven Verveniotis P'24 Helen King Madden Vespe '73
The Walt Disney Company
Mr. & Mrs. Troy Washington P'24
Mr. Edward Weilage & Mrs. Mary Ellen Brannigan Weilage P'24
Ms. Lavalle West
Mr. & Mrs. Tim Wilks P'24
M. A. Williams '73
Milagros Williams '72
Paula Williams '91
Mr. Robert Giusti & Mrs. Eftyhia Xidias P'25
Mr. Paul Yi
49
Chez Nous Angels
The following individuals have notified Notre Dame that they have included the school in their estate planning:
Margaret M. Ahern†
Jeanne K. Burchell ’47†
Thomas P. Coffey†
Patricia Cullen ’73
Genevieve Connolly Cunningham ’33†
Mary Frances Sheridan Delaney ’56
Suzanne Falcone ’70
Nathalie Frank ’35†
Jane Anne Gavaghan, Marygrove ’46†
Robert & Penny Grote
Michael & Catherine Halloran
Sheila Lewis Houde ’54
Patricia Norris Klett ’58
Antoinette LeQuire-Schott ’59
Barbara Heidi Loftus ’47†
John R. Joven & Susan L. Malley†
Patrick O’Malley†
Mary Pat Hanigan Peterson ’40†
Jack and Sarah Raslowsky
Carolyn Wahlig Szostek ’65
Diana Trebbi ’46
Ligia Trujillo Yousri ’41† Have you included Notre Dame in your estate plan? If so, please contact Elizabeth Bixenman at (212) 620-5755 x 317 or bixenmane@cheznous.org
Special Gifts
MATCHING GIFTS
2021 – 2022
AIG/The Blackbaud Giving Fund
American Express Foundation
American Tower
BlackRock
BNY Mellon Community Partnership
Burns & McDonnell Foundation Matching Gifts Fund
Coca Cola CyberGrants
The Walt Disney Company Equifax Equinix
Estee Lauder Companies Good Works Gap Inc. Goldman Sachs Hearst Foundation
FOUNDATIONS
2021 – 2022
Anonymous
Amazon Smile Foundation
Anna E. Gallagher Charitable Trust
Brooklyn Benevolent Society
The Carson Family Charitable Trust
Columbus Citizens Foundation
Cornelia Connelly Center for Education
IBM ING Financial Services
JCrew Johnson Controls
JP Morgan Chase Foundation Mastercard Impact
Merck Partnership for Giving Mutual of America Foundation
New York Life Foundation
Odyssey Reinsurance Company
One Main Financial Pfizer
Pitney Bowes S & P Global Foundation
TD Bank Affinity Program Thomson Reuters Travelers UBS
Harris Mathews Charitable Foundation, Inc.
The Heckscher Foundation For Children Hunts Point Alliance
The Hyde and Watson Foundation
ICSF-Be a Student’s Friend Program Inner-City Scholarship Fund Koch Foundation Inc. Manhattan Chapter, NSDAR
The Patrina Foundation Sarita Kenedy East Foundation Sisters of St. Ursula Tiro A Segno Foundation, Inc.
Results reported on a cash basis.
The Notre Dame Annual Report is an opportunity to recognize those who have made a significant difference in the lives of our students through their generous contributions of time, talents, and treasure. If your name was omitted or improperly listed, please accept our apologies. If you have detected an error, please notify Elizabeth Bixenman, Director of Development and Alumnae Relations, at bixenmane@cheznous.org so we may correct our records.
† deceased
With love and gratitude to all who are mentioned herein, including alumnae, parents, alumnae parents, grandparents, friends, and current students.
50
Heartfelt thanks to our many generous supporters
Ways to Give
The generosity of the alumnae, parents, alumnae parents, grandparents, Board and friends of Notre Dame makes a tremendous difference in the lives of each student Chez Nous. Your gift to the Notre Dame Annual Fund and support of the Chez Nous Benefit helps to bridge the gap between tuition and the significantly higher cost of educating each student. Each gift, regardless of size, directly supports our students through tuition assistance, scholarships and access to the programs and opportunities that enhance their experience. Thank you for your generosity!
To Make a Gift By Mail
All donations to the Annual Fund are most welcome. Please mail your check or money order made payable to Notre Dame School.
Development Office
Notre Dame School 327 West 13th Street New York, NY 10014
Giving On-line
To make a donation on-line, visit www.cheznous.org/giving/give-now
Matching Gift
Many companies match donations made by their employees, which allows you to increase the impact of your gift. Ask your HR department about their matching gift program. Notre Dame’s FEIN Number is 13-1782481.
To Make a Gift of Stock
Please call Ms. Elizabeth Bixenman for instructions at 212.620.5575 ext. 317.
Zelle
Zelle works by moving money directly from one bank account to another. Send your gift payment using the email hillmanj@cheznous.org, which is tied directly to the schools operating account through Zelle.
IRA Distribution
Individuals who have reached the age of 70½ may donate up to $100,000 to charitable organizations directly from their Individual Retirement Account (IRA) without treating the distribution as taxable income. Please contact your IRA administrator for more information.
Planned Giving/Bequests
Chez Nous Angels are a group of visionary donors who have made gifts through bequests and have thus assured the continuation of the mission of Notre Dame. If you have named Notre Dame School as a beneficiary in your estate plan, please contact Elizabeth Bixenman at (212) 620-5575 ex. 317.
Bank Partnership
To participate in TD Bank, N.A.’s Affinity Program, contact any TD Branch with the program code AF 109.
United Way Contributions
Did you know that if you make a United Way contribution through your workplace your gift can be restricted to Notre Dame? The Development Office will gladly complete any necessary forms.
Our New York City agency code is 042392.
Important Facts
Legal Name Notre Dame School of Manhattan
Contact Elizabeth Bixenman
Telephone (212) 620-5575 ext. 317 Email bixenmane@cheznous.org
Tax Status As a 501(c)(3) organization, all donations to Notre Dame are deductible for federal income, gift, and estate tax purposes to the fullest extent of the law.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2021 – 2022
Rev. Vincent Biagi, S.J.
Chairperson
Mr. Daniel Dougherty
Vice Chairperson
Dr. Monique Sulle Bowen, Ph.D., ’90
Ms. Patricia Cullen, Esq. ‘73
Sr. Mary Dolan, S.U.
Mr. Raymond P. Dolan
Ms. Virginia M. Dolan
Mr. Michael Doyle, FAIA
Rev. George Drance, S.J.
Rev. Kenneth Gavin, S.J.
Det. Justine Killion ‘91
Ms. Ann Lopez
Ms. Maria Teresa Mata
Ms. Melissa U. Meserve
Dr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U.
Dr. Grace Pilcer, Ph. D.
Ms. Sarah Raslowsky
Ms. Talya Pinto Santillan ‘95
Mr. John Spollen
Ms. Carolyn Wahlig Szostek ‘65
Ms. Joanna King Vespe ‘01
Most Rev. Gerald T. Walsh
51
1948
Betty Lou JEFFREY Wright retired as parish secretary after 42 years, at Blessed Trinity Church Ocala, FL in 2012. Betty reports she is still upright and on the right side of the grass, thanks be to God!
1955
Katherine TREACY Batesky still stays in contact with Maureen Brophy, Alma Varvarro, Kay Cavanagh, and Suella Greco. Katherine lives in the Chicago suburb of Libertyville, Illinois. She retired from nursing after 20 years with the VA, where she directed an outpatient psychology program. She has four children: an ER doctor, an attorney, a son in the NYC business world, and a daughter raising her family. Katherine was widowed this year after 61 years of marriage. She made great friends at Notre Dame, and she flew to New York a few years ago and met all the above gals whom she had not seen for 50 years.
1959
Toni LEQUIRE-Schott and her family have had a surprisingly eventful year. Last fall her husband, Newt, had his shoulder replaced at the Hospital for Special Surgery, in New York. Now, for the first time in many years, his shoulder is pain free. He recommends that anyone hesitant to do this repair act sooner rather than later. He experienced an almost immediate relief with no pain since!
On 02/02/22, Phoebe Brooke Auerbach burst onto the family scene. Her journey to earth was fraught with misadventure. Toni’s Daughter, April, an “elderly” new mom, was hospitalized with COVID 6 weeks before her due date, with further delivery complications to follow. However, Phoebe appears fine, and a Korean friend assures Toni that hers is a lucky date for a birthday, especially as it is the Year of the Tiger; Phoebe will be “ambitious, confident, and adventurous”! She joins her beautiful
Class Notes
big sister, Lilly, who has turned 12 and has started 7th grade, pictured here.
Toni notes that most of her class turned 80 this past year. Quelle Horreur! Newt gave her a party and invited many local friends and out-of-town relatives. The evening was especially enjoyable in view of all the time they have spent hunkered down at home, avoiding the COVID catastrophe.
They bathed in the Blue Lagoon, which boasts 93 degree water even in 32 degree air temperatures, while watching the sun rise. The highlight for them was a walk through a glacier in a man-made tunnel—amazing!!! They were even able to watch the Northern Lights, an unforgettable experience! On July 8th Arlene celebrated her 80th birthday with a lovely backyard party. Pictured, the family at the celebration.
In June, the couple will drive to la belle Chautauqua, in western New York State, for their 30th summer of enlightenment.
1960
Arlene DENINGER Prendergast and her husband, Tom, took a trip to Iceland, which was a wonderful adventure. They enjoyed miles of snow covered mountains, a waterfall amid frozen hills (and a rainbow), a geyser, a hydroponic tomato farm, and a demonstration of Icelandic horses, a unique breed.
1961 Mary Susan KING Delahunty has continued to travel throughout the Pandemic without difficulty. In fact, she noted that things were gloriously uncrowded! At Christmas the Delahuntys did a Panama Canal cruise with friends and then a lovely three-week train trip through Spain in the spring. Mary hopes everyone is well and safe. “God bless all our Chez Nous family.”
52
1965
Eileen O’DONOHUE Adkins is so pleased to hear how well Notre Dame is thriving and notes that although it has been a long time since she was at West 79th Street, her memories are very special. The years have blessed her with 52 years with her husband, Charlie, and with 5 children and 11 grandchildren. The Adkins enjoy living near them and are lucky to be able to spend much time with them. One of Eileen’s dearest memories of ND are the wonderful stories Mother Genevieve would tell of France and its history, which fostered in her an interest and fondness for Paris. She has visited there many times and always thinks of Mother Genevieve. She hopes and prays that ND will continue its calling to nurture and educate the next generations.
Jeanne has journeyed with the Institute to Delphi, Greece for the staging of a scholarship and artistic creation toward the Reinstatement of the Delphic Games (www.thedelphicgames.com) since 2004, co-chaired by IDII with Harvard University’s Director of Hellenic Studies, Zoie Lafis, since 2019. Jeanne writes that her life’s course has been directed by the invaluable classical education that was given to her, her sister, and their cousins a long time ago at the then Notre Dame Convent School. “It was bestowed with love, wisdom and devotion by the Sisters of St. Ursula of the Blessed Virgin Mary and lives in all of us touched by the profound influence that we treasure today and hold close always as a most sacred trust.”
Dancers at the Tholos Temple of Athena Pronoia in Delphi, Greece. The photograph was taken by Jeanne’s son, Stuart Orenstein. Usually no one is allowed to be photographed in the temples in Greece, but the Mayor of Delphi gave the organization very special permission from the municipality. That morning the mayor brought them each a branch of fresh bay laurel from his garden. Bay laurel is sacred to the god, Apollo, and is a main ingredient in dried form of the herbs used to produce the original vapors that entrained the oracle to prophecies thousands of years ago and was a lasting practice for almost one thousand years.
1969 Alina PINELLI-Green sends greetings from sunny Miami, La Capital del Sol! She is pleased to announce that her grandson, Aleksandar Aleksej, successfully graduated from Kindergarten! They are pictured together.
1968
As Artist-in-Residence and Director Of Education Jeanne BRESCIANI, Ph.D. has been busy at home and traveling for two missions at the Isadora Duncan International Institute (www.idii.org). The Institute has taught over 1,000 hours via Zoom to the US, Europe and Asia since the start of the pandemic. IDII has continued its lecture and dance theatre performance schedule in Northern Italy (www.idiivenice.com) with three tours on mythological and historical themes within the past year.
Jeanne shared two photographs that hearken to the classical world. The first shows Jeanne photographed by Roberto Sisini at the Temple of Hercules in the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento, Sicily, Italy, a vital part of Magna Graecia. In the second she is standing with the company of The Isadora Duncan International Institute Dancers, with members also of the Skidmore College Duncan
Alina also sends love and sunshine from Beauty the Pittie rescue and Bello the Chihuahua puppy.
A special stop at the altar of St. Genevieve at Saint Sulpice, May 2022
53
Irene UHNAK Messina is pleased to congratulate her granddaughter, Millie, on her graduation from Smithtown West High School, NY. Millie has been accepted to attend the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. She has graduated with honors and has received scholarships and grants for her education at this prestigious Institution. Her family is filled with pride at her accomplishments and wish her much success and happiness in her chosen field.
as an usher for her church and enjoys watching period pieces on Netflix, STARZ and other networks. She is still a voracious reader and has also discovered online shopping :) In 2018, Milagros took her dream trip to Paris, where she enjoyed attending art exhibits with her kids. Her son got engaged as the clock struck 12 on New Year's Eve. “This has been a great year!”
1979
Jeanne HABLITZ Gully’s son Nicholas Gully was married on Oct 17, 2021.
as a 2022 IPPY (Independent Publisher Book Awards) bronze medalist for picture books (7 & under).
1988
Jane CHEN Firester reports on an achievement by her son Aaron and his middle school robotics team. In March, his team, the Meteorites Squared, won the Long Island championship for FIRST Lego League Challenge (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). Aaron was the programmer for the competition. The theme this year was Cargo Connect, concentrating on supply chain issues. In April the team attended Worlds in Houston, competing with 100 teams worldwide. It was a great experience. The Chen family also got to meet up with their high school team, the J-Birds. They were selected to attend the FIRST Robotics Competition, by winning the Chairman’s award for their division. There were 800+ high school level teams present.
1970 Ann BURKE-Bunting continues to practice as a therapist engaged with high conflict couples and individuals with trauma. Her husband, Craig, retired this year after a long career in finance and accounting. Their time is split between New York and their home in Connecticut. She sends regards to everyone in the class!
1972 Milagros G. WILLIAMS is enjoying her retirement from a career as a Bilingual Special Education Teacher. She serves
Marcia Zorrilla is the Director of Positive Youth Development and Public Health Specialist at the Stanford REACH Lab, Division of Adolescent Medicine. She is also the Project Director of a pilot study that examines youth perceptions of the racialization of cannabis in their communities. She has a professional Instagram that focuses on youth mental health (for youth and people that care about youth) and her handle is: dr.marcia_zorrilla so give her a follow!
1985
Robin Newman is happy to share that she sold another book. Her picture book, DON’T CALL ME FUZZYBUTT!, illustrated by Susan Batori (Sleeping Bear Press 2021), was selected
Class Notes 54
1991
Catherine VADASZ Licitra, DNP, RN, received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice –Executive Leadership from Duke University this summer.
1998
Naomi PENA is Co-founder of the Literacy Academy Collective. In May 2022 it was announced that NYC DOE will launch Literacy Academy Collective in the south Bronx. It will be the first NYCDOE public school to help students with dyslexia and language based learning disabilities. It will also be a training hub for teachers to learn what structured literacy is.
2003
Vanessa CASTRO-Rybka proudly welcomed her daughter Apollonia Mae Rybka on February 15, 2022. She continues to live outside of Orlando, FL and can't wait to get back to marathon training, pushing a stroller this time!
if not, they nonetheless obtain experience and skills that will allow them to network to then move on to a career in that path. Yvette is a 2009 alum from this program.
2006 Tiffany CRUZ, Andreina (DELGADO) Romero, Josephine MARTINEZ ‘06, and Talisa TORRES went on vacation together to Panama in July 2022. As part of their travels, they toured Casco Antiguo, a World Heritage site (photographed). They also toured the rainforests of El Valle de Anton and the Panama Canal. Their favorite part of the trip was recollecting details from Global History classes at ND and testing their knowledge on the contrasts of buildings the Panama and the Suez Canals!
2005
2002
Jennifer BIONDO Aquilino gave birth to her third child, Carmine Gennaro, on June 13, 2022. Jennifer has two girls and a boy, and baby is doing well!
Ivette TORRES can’t believe she started in ND 20 years ago. She remembers 9/11 and walking from Saint Marks Place all the way to her home. She also has many pleasant memories and thanks everyone for their contribution to her experience. Ivette recently obtained employment at the non profit YearUp as an Internship Services Manager. Year Up serves young adults from 18-26, giving them an opportunity to learn in either a finance track or an IT track. YearUp also provides professional/ business communication skills to prepare the participants for their internship phase in which they are placed in fortune 500 companies for 6 months. The idea is hopefully they get hired but
2012
On April 22,2022, Camila PODOLAK and her fiancé, Charlie Wodicka, tied the knot after nine years of dating! The couple met in college while attending St. John’s University.
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Ruby Mateo ’06
Ruby Mateo is the LA-based Emmy-nominated Head of Development & Production of Hudlin Entertainment, the company headed by Reginald Hudlin that produced films, such as House Party, Boomerang, Django Unchained, and Marshall, among many other movies and television shows. In her current role, Ruby oversees an entire project through its beginnings to its premiere, from meeting with writers pitching ideas or working on stories, to finding funding, to scouting locations, to creating and supervising a complete production plan. With a very successful and upward career trajectory, Ruby feels fortunate that “my job is also my hobby.” Not that doing what she loves is easy! Ruby attests that “It’s really hard to make something,” but also incredibly meaningful, especially when the project propels representation and inspires confidence in young viewers with their own dreams to fulfill.
After graduating from Notre Dame, Ruby attended Fairfield University, majoring in Film and Television and minoring in philosophy. She interned with the WWE for one year after graduation and then spent four years at ESPN as an original content producer, where her project Anatomy of a Pitch garnered an Emmy nomination. Ruby says that attending the Emmy awards ceremony and hearing from other artists and nominees confirmed her desire to tell stories on film. She went on to produce and edit content for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee before earning her MFA in Producing at the prestigious American Film Institute Conservatory, which brought her to California. After graduation from the AFI, Ruby joined the studio/film team at Netflix, before taking on her current role at Hudlin Entertainment.
Growing up in public housing in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Ruby recognized the opportunity to attend Notre Dame was a turning point. She remembered hiding her uniform under a hoodie until she got to school, as the neighborhood didn’t see too many kids headed off to private schools. She describes the ND of that time as “perfectly imperfect” and boasting a “real blend of badass women students and teachers.” For her part, Ruby leaned into athletics, playing softball, basketball, and volleyball. It was Ruby who started creating the highlight reels for the school’s sports banquets, which are still a tradition today, and marked the merging of her passions for sports and film. She recalls crying during a viewing of the movie Glory in Mary Kate Blaine’s US
History class and being “amped up” by Ms. Blaine's clear love for her subject and deep commitment to her students. She remembers class discussions, field trips, and group projects, while forging friendships in and out of the classroom that she still holds close today. At Notre Dame, Ruby learned the value of a good story and how to write well. It wasn’t until she got to college that she really appreciated the “grand spectrum” of diversity that was the Notre Dame student population. She had always known she wanted a job in film or television, and believes that “everything I did at ND helps me now.” The school was challenging but also a family, a safe place. Teachers cared. She remembers Ms. Crosson looking out for her even though she didn’t take French. In her English classes, she learned to ask, “What is this story saying? Why? What is the theme?”—questions she still asks when choosing projects to develop today.
Ruby’s time at ESPN offered the chance to create content in a very stable position. Her time at Netflix enabled her to pay off her school loans and help out her family. She took a risk in applying to one of the best film schools in the world and moving to the west coast, where her career has reached a new level. Ruby still misses the vibrancy of what she calls the “greatest city in the world” and wouldn’t trade her New York roots for anything. She urges current ND students to take advantage of all they can do as high schoolers in NYC. For those interested in a career in TV or film, Ruby warns, “If you don’t like to read, you can’t be in the business.” She also advises young aspirers to “learn how to have hard conversations” and to strive to be kind and direct in such interactions. Ruby Mateo certainly models the drive, hard work, verve, and esprit of making the most of an ND education and making your dreams come true!
ALUMNA SPOTLIGHT
56
Ruby and classmates on a field trip to Yankee Stadium
Chloe Elyse FASANMI has been living back in NYC, in the same neighborhood she grew up in (Bed Stuy) with her partner and their lovely cat. Chloe is currently a full time therapist in private practice. At Boston College, she studied Sociology, minoring in African and African Diaspora Studies and Education. After college she worked at a nonprofit, advising low income college students regarding their classes, managing finances, and whatever other general life matters they needed counseling on.
Angelique RUGGIERO Rivera is currently a student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and is happy to be a point of contact for any current ND students interested in the veterinary field. She can also answer any questions for any Chez Nous sisters aiming to enter into the health profession in general because she has worked as a nursing assistant and was on the premed track during college for quite some time and so has a lot of experience with the application process. She has an extensive background in research, as well, if anyone has any questions about science careers in general! Angelique writes that she is looking to help and guide students the way everyone at ND helped and guided her.
2018 Claudia Osorio graduated this past May from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in Information Systems and two minors in Sonic Arts and Intelligent Environments. She recently started a full time job at Twitter NYC as a Software Engineer.
Chloe notes, “From this experience I learned that I really enjoyed mental health work and, of course, pursued another degree–haha.” Chloe went to Boston University School of Medicine and studied Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine full time for two years while maintaining a position as a graduate assistant role at another university and two internships at Boston Medical Center. She started her private practice work first in an admin role and now as a full time clinician. Chloe is also studying to be a sex therapist/sexual educator at the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy (where she was named the 2022 scholar for her program!). She has been thinking about Notre Dame a ton lately, primarily feeling grateful for the absolutely wonderful, supportive and loving environment to be a high school student in. She is still best friends with her Chez Nous sisters to this day, and they mean the world to her!
2016 Tiffany MELENDEZ started working at Williamsburg Northside Preschool in January. Her classroom is pictured. Notre Dame is ever grateful to Tiffany for filling in as our permanent substitute teacher during the height of the pandemic!
Ambar PAGAN will attend Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), where she will be pursuing a Master's in International Affairs (MIA) with a Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy Concentration and International Organizations and United Nations (UN) Studies Specialization.
2014
Class Notes 57
Class Notes
Before graduating from Boston College in May, Siobhan PENDER went to Ireland and Portugal for her spring break with her college roommates. After visiting Dublin and Galway in Ireland, they spent a few days in Lisbon and Sintra in Portugal–a wonderful way to wrap up four years together! In September, Siobhan is moving back to Boston to work for Ramboll as a Due Diligence Consultant in their Environment & Health Division, and is excited to spend more time up in Massachusetts.
Rebecca RASLOWSKY graduated from Georgetown with majors in government and theology. She wrote her senior thesis on theology in faith-based rehabilitation programs in prisons and received the Brennan Medal as the outstanding graduate in theology and religious studies while also being recognized as an outstanding student leader. She is pictured with her family.
spring semester participating in the New York State Legislature’s Assembly Session Internship Program and continues working for Assembly Member Harvey Epstein of the 74th Assembly District over the summer out of his East Village office. Teresa holds the title of Executive Editor for her school's newspaper, the Albany Student Press.
Elizabeth SULLIVAN will be pursuing a Masters in Museum Curatorial Studies at Bard College after studying film, art history, and the German language in Berlin, Germany.
Vivian TODD has been begun a 4+1 Master's degree program with Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs.
5858
Isabela ADUAR, Rebecca RASLOWSKY, Jaylin SANTOS, and Emma SIMMEL reconnected at the Cristo Rey School Benefit on October 27th.
2019 Teresa PAVIA will attend SUNY Albany's Rockefeller College in the Public Administration Program. She spent the
2021
Rachel RASLOWSKY completed her first year at Georgetown and returned to Camp Nellie Huckins in Freedom, New Hampshire as a counselor this past summer, where she was responsible for training CITs in the senior division.
2022
Susan SALGADO was part of the Queens Teens program at the Queens Museum throughout high school, and the program was recently featured in the New York Times. They interviewed her and captured pictures of her at work. Susan is extremely proud of this coverage and is pleased to inform the Chez Nous community about this amazing program.
In Memoriam
I am the resurrection and the life;
John 11: 25-26
We extend our deepest sympathy to the graduates, Sisters of St. Ursula, families and friends of Chez Nous who have experienced a recent loss. In particular, the individuals listed below will be greatly missed by the Notre Dame School community.
Richard Batesky
Rodolfo Casals, S.J. John King
Catherine Flynn McCarthy ’79 Catherine Morrisey Mary Ellen O’Brien Joseph Ricardo Christina Regino
Michael Shaden
Fred Shanks
Sheila Sheenan '52
Robert Steeley Mary Carolyn Thaman
Deacon William Williamsen Fred & Joan Walters Mohamed Said Zohny
Excerpts from the NY Times Article: “They also took a took a tour through Suzanne Lacy’s exhibition on racism, labor rights, poverty, aging and violence against women. Susan Salgado, 18, said the artwork on feminism in 1982 made her feel ‘so empowered’ in 2022”.
“Ms. Salgado, shown with Milton Ortega, 18, plans to participate in a youth summit on July 23, which will serve as an open house for the institute.”
Laura van Straaten, Reporter
The Notre Dame community mourns the loss of Mary Ellen O’Brien, beloved sister of ND President Sr. Virginia O’Brien, S.U. and Vincent de Paul O’Brien. Mary Ellen was one of the school’s original board members, and she worked tirelessly to promote Notre Dame and especially to support its annual Chez Nous Benefit. Her life was guided by her faith and also by a passion for and dedication to education. Raised in Brooklyn, NY, she attended St. Joseph's College there and became a specialist in early childhood education and later a regional supervisor in that field for the NYC Board of Education before retiring to the Jersey Shore 25 years ago. She was director of the Rite of Christian Initiation at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Forest Hills, NY, where she also served as a parish council member and Eucharistic minister. Mary Ellen passed away peacefully at home on Friday, August 5, 2022 at age 80.
Born and raised in Tarrytown, New York, Rev. Rodolfo (Rudy) Casals, S.J. graduated from the United States Naval Academy, and after several years of active duty, entered the Society of Jesus in 2006. During his formation as a Jesuit, he served as a chaplain at San Quentin State Prison and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 10, 2017, at Fordham University Church and went on to dedicate himself to young adult and social justice ministries. He served as the assistant director of vocations for the USA East Province for two years. After finishing his master’s in social work at Columbia University, he was preparing to start a practicum working with veterans suffering from PTSD. Most recently, he led a retreat for veterans in Missouri and for Catholic Boy Scouts in the Arizona desert.
A frequent and generous celebrant at Notre Dame School’s liturgies, Fr. Casal’s homilies inspired and engaged our school community. He passed away unexpectedly at his Jesuit community in New York on August 2, 2022 at age 47.
those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
5959
My skirt was perfectly starched. I’d set it out the night before with my black jean jacket. I pulled my hair back in the neat, severe bun of the day. Should trouble find me on the way, I’d hate it to be with my hair out. My large silver hoop earrings were a gift from my abuelita. This was my first real trip out of Hell’s Kitchen by myself. I had been cultivating my warrior resting face, a necessary street survival skill, for quite some time. It was 1991 in New York City. I was thirteen and headed to my new other home at Notre Dame.
In homeroom I took a seat in the far row, by the window. Seated in front of me was a Bronx beauty, named Ayanna, with amazing glasses and the most brilliant smile. She was so friendly; and in exchange for her kindness, which gave me my first easy breath of the morning, I offered her a collection of colored pens. I could tell from her “no, thank you, but that’s so nice” that she thought I might be a little strange. She remains my truest friend and I couldn’t imagine my life without her.
Notre Dame gave me invaluable gifts. Sr. Mary and Sr. Virginia exemplified leadership, cooperation, and care—the makings of true community. Mr. Joven, our second dad, would let me sit in his office until my occasional panic attacks passed. He didn’t patronize me, overreact, or overanalyze. He just listened, encouraged me to breathe, and calmly opened the mail until the storm was over. Sr. Patricia not only continued to train my singing voice but also attended my out of school performances. I spent hours speaking to Ms. Clark, who at once nurtured my blossoming boldness while always presenting the counterargument. In her Latin classroom, were two amazing posters. One with the quote, “Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, only backwards and in high heels.” I would remember it when struggling through the often-toxic working environments of the legal world. The other included the photos of 10 amazing individuals who today might identify as members of the LGBTQ community. To many of the young women living in closets with closets, that poster was a lifesaver. Exploring transcendentalism and The Scarlet Letter with Ms. Crosson was like fireworks in my brain. Ms. Harrington is the reason I went on to major in Spanish in college and develop a bilingual practice after law school. She traveled with me on Saturdays to daylong
language competitions and taught us the basics of disco. I lived for her dancing stories. Mr. Povinelli made science a vibrant wonderland of absolute craziness and taught me the only three words of German I know—meine geliebten Kinder. Every class Joseph Rapaglia taught was an exercise in critical thinking. He was brilliant, he loved teaching, he loved us, we knew it, and we loved him. His class laid the foundation for my advocacy. Dr. Jim Mirrione opened worlds that I’d only imagined, creating learning opportunities that took me to different states and countries. When I summarily declared that I was not going to college because the application process was agonizing and repulsive, he made us watch a documentary called Hillary’s Class about Wellesley College. By the following fall, I was unpacking my suitcase at a Wellesley dorm, exhilarated and terrified, thinking of Dr. Jim.
Finally, there was Sr. Sarah. She taught us the Hebrew Scripture, the Gospels, and the letters of Paul. But most of all, she taught me measured, reasoned, and ardent defiance. She modeled how to be a sharp yet cool, calm, and collected all-around badass. She was 4 ft something but always the biggest presence in the room. When I returned to Notre Dame to teach some of those same courses, it was under Sr. Sarah’s tutelage. She opened my heart and my mind, lighting a fire fueled by love that for me felt like revolution. After leaving for law school and even into my practice, Sr. Sarah and I would occasionally meet for lunch. Last year, I was sworn in as a Judge of the Criminal Court in New York City, and on that day I thought of Sr. Sarah. Her passing amid the coldness of the pandemic was heartbreaking. While going through the endless application process for judicial appointment, I’d often dream that she, together with Sr. Mary, Sr. Virginia, and Sr. Mary Theresa (my grammar school principal) would offer the opening prayer. There was no benediction, but perhaps there will be next time and I will walk into that opportunity with all the power and presence that ND cultivated in me. I left St. Mark’s Place truly believing that my classmates and I can and will succeed in any space that God has marked for us.
For these immeasurable Chez Nous gifts, for my ND Sisters, and my ND home, which hopefully will be my daughter’s home soon, I am now and forever so very thankful.
60
Back Story
’95
Valentina Morales
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I left St. Mark’s Place truly believing that my classmates and I can and will succeed in any space that God has marked for us. ”
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