Enc re Encore Winter 2018 Volume II, Issue 6
Notre Dame School of Manhattan
s u o N z e h C
Encore
Chez Nous
Winter 2018
CONTENTS 1 A Message from the President 2 A Message from the Principal 3 News Around School 7 Notre Dame’s Strategic Vision 8 Athletic Highlights 10 Student News: Explorations 13 Ignation Family Teach-In 14 Chez Nous Benefit 16 A Resilient Library 20 Spring Break: Italy 22 Technology and Design 24 Alumnae Reunion 26 Alumnae News 28 2017 Graduation 31 Scholarship Stories 34 Class Notes 39 In Memoriam 40 Back Story: Raslowsky Family
Notre Dame School of Manhattan Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU President Jaclyn Brilliant Principal Karina Vargas Vice Principal Elizabeth Bixenman Director of Development & Alumnae Relations Victoria Abad Director of Annual Fund & Communications Robert Grote Director of Admissions Please send submissions for Encore Chez Nous to: Notre Dame School Attn: Elizabeth Bixenman 327 West 13th St. New York, NY 10014 bixenmane@cheznous.org 212-620-5575 ext. 317 Design The Blank Page New York, NY ON THE COVERS
FRONT: Theresa Sciancalepore ’20, Ms. Lydie Kane ’96 and Laura De Los Santos ‘20 BACK: Ms. Virginia M. Dolan, Board Member, Ms. Patty Knapp, Ms. Laura Callahan and Ms. Melissa Dulin
CLASS of 2018 Senior trip
GettySburG & H e r S H e y, p A thursday, october 12—Saturday, october 14, 2017 DAy 1 – the Class of 2017 departed Chez Nous at 9:00 a.m. and traveled to the historic lands of Gettysburg, pennsylvania. once they reached the original setting of the battle of Gettysburg in 1863 and Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, they took a guided tour of the Gettysburg battlefield from certified tour guides. the Senior Class also enjoyed an educational tour of the Museum and Visitor Center at Gettysburg national Military park, which is home to the world-famous Gettysburg Cyclorama painting, weighing three tons and longer than a football field. they rounded out their first day with dinner at Gettysburg College, followed by a walking ghost tour of Gettysburg from the Historic farnsworth House inn.
DAy 2 – the next morning, the seniors were eager to start the day in anticipation of visiting Hershey Gardens, home to 23 acres of botanical beauty with its breathtaking assortment of flowers and shrubs, and rare collection of signature trees, along with its indoor, tropical butterfly Atrium. Afterward, they continued on to visit ZooAmerica north American Wildlife park, a year-round, 11-acre park that is home to more than 200 animals from five regions of north America. With so many attractions located within the same general area, the students did not have to travel too far to experience the highlight of the day, “Hersheypark in the Dark,” a special attraction offered only during the fall season!
DAy 3 – the students concluded their trip with a venture to Hershey’s Chocolate World, where they participated in the Chocolate tour, and the 4D Adventure Chocolate Mystery. then each student took part in the “Make your own Chocolate bar.” the seniors returned to West 13th Street on Saturday afternoon, with many new memories that they will forever share with their Chez Nous sisters. A special thank you goes out to Ms. Jaclyn brilliant, Ms. ioana Donose, Ms. eileen frawley, Ms. Claire Littlefield, Mr. Glenn Stordeur, and Ms. Katie Walters, who led this spectacular trip.
A Message from the President
January 2018 Dear Notre Dame Alumnae, Family and Friends, This past November we celebrated the 450th birthday of Anne de Xainctonge, the woman whose educational pedagogy we follow at Notre Dame. In 1606, Anne’s desire was to do something new: to educate girls as the Jesuits educated boys. Anne relied on God’s abundant grace, the education she had received from her parents and her own spirit of resilience to carry out her mission.
“We need our Chez Nous students to become critical thinkers because the choices they make can help the world become a more compassionate, more just and more peaceful environment in which to live.”
Ever attentive to Anne’s mission, the school has begun to share its Strategic Vision for the next three to five years. As you may know, Anne was practically a contemporary of St. Ignatius of Loyola and was immersed in the Spiritual Exercises, his written compilation of meditations, contemplations, and prayers, which she offered to the women of her day. As part of Notre Dame’s Strategic Vision, we have in place our way of deepening our Ignatian Religious Formation program for the Notre Dame community. This plan will enable us to continue to offer retreats to our students based on the Ignatian tradition and expand these offerings to alumnae and parents during the school year. It also affords us the opportunity to participate annually in the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington, D.C. In addition to Ignatian Religious Formation, our Strategic Vision calls us to deepen our commitment to the fields of Technology and Design along with increasing our focus on our math and science curriculum. We remain committed to preserving and enhancing our student and staff diversity. Anne’s desire to educate young women as a means to enhancing their understanding of the world continues to be essential to our mission at Notre Dame. We need our Chez Nous students to become critical thinkers because the choices they make can help the world become a more compassionate, more just and more peaceful environment in which to live. Perhaps our way of educating is proving more valuable today than at any other moment in history. We trust in your faithful support as we continue to prepare our young women for lives of leadership and service. Warm regards,
Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU President
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A Message from the Principal
January 2018 Dear Notre Dame Alumnae, Family, and Friends,
“As a school dedicated to helping young women grow into strong, resilient leaders, our work is more vital than ever.”
The 2017-2018 school year is fully in swing! We have dedicated this year to the theme of resilience, a quality very much in line with our school’s values, and so very necessary for young women in today’s world. Notre Dame students are encouraged to learn from, rather than fear failures, to not be discouraged by temporary setbacks, but to try and try again. And at Notre Dame, we know well that resilience works best when we pitch in together and collaborate, rather than compete, for success. Our 2017 Orientation focused on this theme, with delightful student skits of resilience in action, both in and out of the classroom. As a school dedicated to helping young women grow into strong, resilient leaders, our work is more vital than ever. With this priority in mind, we have added computer coding classes for all our students and an AP Computer Science course as well. We are determined that all doors to success are open to our graduates. We are also proud that one of the joys and distinctions of a Notre Dame education is that it prepares the whole person, to lead, to understand, and to communicate well. Our teachers offer daily lessons not only in core content but also in life skills and values to our students, and their bond with their students is unsurpassed anywhere. This closeness and propensity to teach by example was clearly on display at our recent luncheon for new faculty members. The spirit of the place has definitely caught on quickly! As resilient as we are Chez Nous, we also know we can never go it alone. It is thanks to your moral and financial support that our mission comes to fruition. Three hundred and forty-four young women, and our entire faculty and staff, thank you sincerely. Gratefully,
Jaclyn Brilliant Principal
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Fun with Physics! Ms. Ioana Donose’s seniors are working on a physics research project called the Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics, where they are required to put together and present a PowerPoint, laboratory experiment or demonstration in front of the class, as well as write a report on the application they chose. To date, students have started working on this project and their focuses include Diagnostic Imaging, Proton Therapy, and Chemotherapy.
COMBINING ART WITH TECHNOLOGY
At the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum the AP 2D Design class not only viewed historic design masterpieces and innovative 3D printed dresses, but also were able to create art themselves. While some students designed models of outdoor sculpture and chairs, others created wallpaper that was projected onto a wall as they designed it. As Notre Dame contemplates the future of design and technology at our school, this museum was a classroom that provided insight into the many rich learning opportunities that await us in technology and design.
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Science Beyond the Classroom
The AP Environmental Science class went to Central Park on October 16th to complete two labs, a water sampling lab and a carbon sequestration lab. Students took a sample from the Central Park pond on the North End of the park on 110th Street to measure the levels of nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, acidity and basicity. Students also measured the circumference of tree trunks, which they used to calculate the total amount of carbon dioxide stored in the tissues of trees.
N I N T H G R A D E R E T R E AT
Expanding on Spiritual Opportunities On October 5, 2017, the newest members of the Chez Nous community took time away from their classes to go on a day retreat, just up the road, to the General Theological Seminary. The ninth grade retreat is an opportunity to learn about Notre Dame’s founder, Anne de Xainctonge, whose pedagogical innovations stemmed from her rootedness in Ignatian spirituality, from the most experienced students at the school—the ND Retreat team! The team, consisting of 20 seniors, will lead each retreat held this academic year. Given this was their first one, they did 4
an amazing job, and the ninth graders have commented that it was a success. One ninth grader shared that, “having seniors lead us was great because they were in our same spot a few years ago. They can relate to us and give advice. My senior leader was very open with us and gave me great advice for my years to come at Notre Dame.” Thank you to the senior leaders, ninth graders, and administrative staff for coming together to help strengthen our Chez Nous community through meaningful conversation and prayer.
Leading Chez Nous Notre Dame has a longstanding tradition of holding elections to determine the Student Council leaders of the school. This academic year, as always, the school is proud to see the student body represented by a group of strong, independent young women, who continue to be a positive, mature, and trustworthy example of what it is to be Chez Nous. We congratulate the Student Council Executive Board— (left to right) Siobhan Pender ’18 (President), Danica Mercado ’20 (Secretary), Maria Hayakawa ’18 (Vice President), and Sarah Delaney ’19 (Treasurer)—on all of their outstanding work and work to come, especially their leadership in planning the Halloween Festival, Spirit Week, Deck the Halls for Christmas and the ND Talent Show!
Supporting Traditions The well-known tradition of making blankets here at Chez Nous continued strong for another year last fall. We are most grateful for the kindheartedness of our Board member Ms. Virginia (“Cookie”) Dolan who donated not only the supplies, but also her time with this project. She was accompanied by her wonderful friends and their unwavering altruism as well. Together, they worked diligently to create hand-crafted, colorful blankets, which the Notre Dame community then distributed to local shelters, and families in need. Each year we welcome this event with open arms as it reminds us to be thankful for our blessings, and to have the love and support of our Chez Nous family.
Seeing Stars Notre Dame’s 11th grade AP Language and Composition students took a trip to the Strand Bookstore, a landmark shop specializing in new, used and rare books, as part of the independent reading requirement of the course. The students had a wonderful time and chose some fantastic non-fiction books. The real excitement came when they spotted Sarah Jessica Parker, the American actress, producer, and designer, who is most commonly known for her role as Carrie Bradshaw. And to no surprise, our Chez Nous girls were not too shy to ask for a photo! 5
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ACtiNG iN ALLiANCe Notre Dame is delighted to announce its new partnership with the Atlantic Theater Company. During the 2017–2018 school year, Notre Dame seniors are attending performances at the Atlantic's 20th Street theater, each of which is preceded by a private workshop with the actresses, actors, and education staff, along with post-performance talks as
well. Thus far, the seniors have attended workshops and watched the performances of "On the Shore of the Wide World" by Simon Stephens and “Describe the Night” by Rajiv Joseph, which were beautifully produced, expertly acted, and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Later this year, our students will be able to see “Hangmen” by Martin McDonagh and “This Ain't No Disco” by Stephen Trask and Peter Yanowitz. Notre Dame and its English Department, led by Mr. Scott Vasey, look forward to building a lasting professional relationship with the Atlantic Theater Company as we embrace drama as one of many ways of understanding and appreciating the human condition.
MS. BrittANy VeLLA—A passion for Mathematics Ms. Brittany Vella is the Mathematics Department Chair and currently teaches 11th grade and AP Calculus. She first realized that she had a passion for mathematics in high school, and so, she decided to pursue this focus by majoring in mathematics at Fordham University. Through tutoring and teaching SAT classes at Fordham University, she realized that she truly enjoyed helping people learn and love math. Because of this, she began taking classes to fulfill a Master of Science in Teaching Adolescent Mathematics; Grades 7-12 during her senior year of college. She 6
then continued on to finish her graduate degree, while working at Notre Dame. One class that she truly loved was called "Teaching Mathematics: Advanced Topics.” In this course, she learned multiple strategies for teaching higher level math courses to high school students, such as Algebra II and Calculus. The professor for this class was a former high school math teacher who taught how important it is for students to problem solve and persevere, when confronted by a difficult math problem. Ms. Vella tries to incorporate the strategies she learned in this class daily, especially now that she has officially completed her advanced degree.
N O T R E D A M E ’ S S T R AT E G I C V I S I O N
Light theWay I G N AT I A N R E L I G I O U S F O R M AT I O N Strategic Goal: In order to be true to the mission of Anne de Xainctonge, Notre Dame will integrate Ignatian Religious Formation through retreats, service, liturgy, prayer, and religious education for students, faculty, parents, alumnae, and Board members.
OBJECTIVE 1 Ignatian Discernment
OBJECTIVE 2 Theology Curriculum
O B J E C T I V E 3 Opportunities for parents, alumnae, Trustees and faculty
Notre Dame will foster an environment where young women will become spiritually and emotionally mature, using Ignatian discernment as a tool for decision-making and participating in prayer experiences, liturgies, service projects and Ignatian retreats. With this formation, the students will grow to become women for and with others.
The Notre Dame Theology Department will expand its four year curriculum to include the values and life of Anne de Xainctonge and the spirituality of St. Ignatius Loyola.
Notre Dame will offer opportunities to Trustees, faculty, parents, and alumnae for Ignatian retreat days and prayer experiences to ensure the vitality of Anne de Xainctonge’s mission Chez Nous.
TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN Strategic Goal: Notre Dame will graduate students who are technological problem solvers, capable of employing the ever changing technological resources available to them in college and the world.
O B J E C T I V E 1 Technology and Design Curriculum
O B J E C T I V E 2 Student and Faculty Resources
Notre Dame will create and implement a rigorous and measurable four year technology and design curriculum. An AP Computer Science class has been added for the 2017-2018 academic year. The school anticipates investing in the redesign of a shared space between the art and computer rooms in order to allow for a collaborative space for art and design classes.
All Notre Dame students will have the resources and training to effectively use technology across the curriculum. A required coding class and the opportunity to choose from a selection of advanced computer courses will be added to the program. In order to meet this objective, the school anticipates the hiring of a full-time teacher.
C O N C E N T R AT I O N O N M AT H A N D S C I E N C E Strategic Goal: Notre Dame will fully prepare students for college and career readiness in an increasingly STEM-centered world.
O B J E C T I V E 1 Maintain excellence in Regents exams
O B J E C T I V E 2 Gather data on alumnae in STEM fields
Student Regents scores in upper level math and science courses will exceed state averages within 5-7 years. Median Notre Dame upper level math and science Regents scores will increase 3-5% every two years, with adjustments to be made for potential changes of staff and/or standards. With these increases, Notre Dame will aim to ultimately forego Regents exams.
Notre Dame will gather data on graduates who pursue STEM progressions at the university level and advance into STEM-related careers. As part of Notre Dame’s Career Day, alumnae working in STEM industries will be invited to participate and give students insight into pursuing STEM related careers.
STUDENT AND STAFF DIVERSIT Y Strategic Goal: Notre Dame will safeguard and enrich the cultural, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic mosaic of its community Chez Nous.
O B J E C T I V E 1 Increase Financial Support for Students
O B J E C T I V E 2 Increase Staff Diversity
Notre Dame will increase the amount of financial support and provide special scholarships for academically talented yet economically disadvantaged incoming students. Notre Dame will create partial and full scholarships for its summer program for 7th grade students who otherwise could not afford the program’s tuition.
Notre Dame will recruit new staff/faculty who mirror the student population and the city at large. 7
AT H L E T I C H I G H L I G H T S
Expanding the Field
Varsity Soccer
Freshman & Varsity Cross Country
The Varsity Soccer team moved up to the highest and most competitive AA Division of the Catholic High Schools Athletic Association (CHSAA), which is the fastest and most competitive style of soccer. By the end of season, despite the number of injuries, they competed and played with heart. The players challenged the best teams in the league and had many moments where they demonstrated a more technical game of soccer than they had in previous years. This was the first year in ND history when the Varsity Soccer team was separated, to make room for an official Junior Varsity Soccer team. Looking forward, given the quality of the Junior Varsity team and that only three graduating seniors will not be returning, the years ahead point to a very bright future for the Notre Dame soccer program.
In its inaugural season, the Notre Dame running Dragons had a fantastic run! The founding members of the Varsity Cross Country team, Amanda Rodriguez ’18, Kelyce Archie ’19, Karen Coughlan ‘19, Molly Moran ’19, Teresa Pavia ’19, Leyla Heredia ’20, Emely Abreu ’21, and Brigid McCabe ’21 demonstrated their commitment early on, meeting for optional Monday workouts starting in July. This investment led to a strong performance by the team. As team captain, Amanda, led the Varsity squad each week, along with strong support from both Molly and Leyla. Brigid—ranked 5th in the Catholic High Schools Athletic Association (CHSAA)—led all freshmen harriers, with Emely as their consistent number two finisher. The team grew to 22 student-athletes over the course of the season, and boasted their best finish, second place, at the Fordham Prep Development Meet. At the end of the season, the team entered the championship phase where they competed against all Catholic schools from the five boroughs. All of their hard work paid off as the freshman team placed 3rd and Varsity placed 6th in the CHSAA Sectional Championship. It was a tremendous performance by a group of young women who had never before trained to race!
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Varsity Volleyball
Junior Varsity Soccer
Continuing with last year’s success Notre Dame’s Varsity Volleyball team ended the regular season with an undefeated record, winning 11 straight games in the “Division A” Catholic High Schools Athletic Association (CHSAA). They rose adeptly to this new league and won first place in their division. In addition to this outstanding record, they also won the Loyola Invitational without losing a set. The team was led by co-captains, Emma Simel ‘18 and Hannah Nicholson ’18, returning seniors, Maya Park ’18, Olivia Franz ’18 and Rebecca Raslowsky ’18, and juniors, Grace Gleeson ’19 and Evelyn Cooney ’19. The whole team worked diligently during many practices and their efforts certainly translated into an exciting and successful season. Notre Dame is excited to see how the sophomores and new freshmen will continue to grow in the years to come.
The 2017 season was the first time Notre Dame had ever participated in the JV tier of the Catholic High Schools Athletic Association (CHSAA) league. Olivia Halstead ‘19 and Isabella Michell ’20 were the team captains and provided great leadership during each practice and game. The team’s final record was 6-7 and they made their very first playoff appearance! The girls worked so hard last fall, and everyone involved is excited to see what the next season will bring when they start all over again. Opposite Page: Varsity Soccer; Above Top Row: Varsity Cross-Country; MIddle Row: Varsity Cross-Country; Bottom Left: Varsity Volleyball Team; Bottom Right: Junior Varsity Soccer Team
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StudeNt NeWS: e x p L o r A t i o N S Angelika Adwalpalker ’19 was accepted to work at the Wyckoff Heights medical Center. Last summer, Angelika volunteered at the Wyckoff Heights Medical Center as a child life specialist, and doctors’ and nurses’ assistant, on the pediatric floor. In order to be accepted into the program, she had to have a background check, obtain several recommendations, provide documentation from ND, and receive a full medical checkup. Once she met these criteria, she went on an interview conducted by the head of Human Resources in the hospital. The experience at the hospital opened her eyes to many different opportunities and it made her realize that, not only does she want to pursue a career in pediatrics, but she also wants to help change lives, even in the slightest way. In particular, Angelika was able to play with and teach many children, and it was wonderful knowing she had made a difference in their lives.
Amelia Balik ’18 transformed walls into works of art with Halls that inspire. Amelia volunteered two to three days a week over the summer with a non-profit organization called Halls That Inspire. Each morning, she traveled by New Jersey Transit bus from her small rural town to the largest city in New Jersey. Once she arrived in Newark, she spent her day transforming dingy and rather unattractive halls into works of art inside various public schools. With a few other volunteers, she painted inspirational messages and colorful graphics on the walls. During the school year, the founder of the organization, David Thompson, worked with the students to re-imagine these beautiful walls. The job of summer interns, like her, was to ensure the walls looked like finished projects. Working with Halls That Inspire not only allowed Amelia to do something that she loves—painting—but it also allowed her to contribute positively to an underserved community.
Elisabeth Bata ’19 was accepted to a program at george mason university. In December 2016, Elisabeth received an email that changed her life. It was informing her that she had been accepted into an environmental program from George Mason University, a college in Virginia that was quite unfamiliar to her. She was skeptical at first. However, Elisabeth did a bit of research, looked over the website, and came to the conclusion that it was the real deal. The program was called the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment which took place from June 25th-30th. It was a wonderful five-day experience where she was able to make new friends, learn about important environmental issues, and become comfortable with campus life. Representing ND, she worked hard and embodied ND’s values as she stood for the environment!
Sarah Delaney ’19 worked at her family business in ireland. Sarah has traveled to Ireland each year of her life to visit her family, since her parents were both born in Ballyhaunis, County Mayo. Last summer, she had the amazing opportunity to spend two months there staying with relatives. She spent the first five weeks working in the deli of the local supermarket, as well as in her family’s bar business, G. Delaney and Son’s. During the last two weeks, she was joined by her parents, sister, and her two Chez Nous sisters, Olivia Halstead ‘19 and Kelly Parker ’19. Together they toured the country on various day trips and overnights, delving into the scenery and culture of Ireland. Being able to work in a foreign country was an unforgettable experience that was truly life-changing, and she is so grateful to have had the opportunity. During this trip, Sarah gained unique work experience, treasured time with family and friends, and developed greater insight into the culture that is her own.
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Sarah Gordon ’18 volunteered with a program focused on wildlife conservation. Sarah researched programs that focused on wildlife conservation and ecology, especially those in South Africa, as she had a burning desire to visit the bush and see the animals in their natural habitat. Ultimately, she came across “Broadreach,” a summer abroad program for high school and college students that takes place in over 40 different countries and covers a variety of topics. She flew to Johannesburg on July 6th, but the travels continued from there! Sarah then went on to the Southern region where she visited Swaziland, then headed to the Limpopo province in South Africa, followed by the Western Cape where she ventured to Hermanus, Simon’s Town, and Cape Town. She found the locations to be incredibly beautiful, but she became quite homesick during the trip as she missed the city and her family. She was exposed to cultures she had never known, and so, she found it to be an eye-opening and unique experience, especially given that she would like to major in International Studies/Relations in college.
Anna Mattioli ’19 volunteered at the Bronx Zoo Discovery Guide Program. Anna was fortunate to work with a program called Bronx Zoo Discovery Guide Program, which provided families the opportunity to learn about animals and wildlife conservation through fun activities. While she learned many different skills, the most vital skill she attained was public speaking. As a discovery guide, Anna was constantly interacting with people, and she was moved to see the look of wonder on the children’s faces when she taught them something new, along with the gratitude she received. In addition, the zookeepers and staff were friendly and always happy to answer any questions regarding their fields of expertise. She made many new friends, and she thoroughly enjoyed surrounding herself with others who had a similar passion for animals and conservation. She highly recommends applying for the Discovery Guide program, which is not only at the Bronx Zoo, but all five of New York’s Wildlife Conservation Society facilities.
Madeline McCarthy ’19 participated as a “global scholar” in Ireland. Madeline learned about a cultural immersion summer camp in Ireland through her grandmother. While researching the program online, she discovered that there was a scholarship opportunity for a qualified student from America to become a “global scholar.” She compiled the required information, which included a recommendation letter from an ND faculty member, an essay, and a short video on why she believed she deserved such an opportunity. In time, a staff member at the Institute of Study Abroad Ireland notified her that she had been chosen! Madeline spent two weeks in Bundoran, Co. Donegal learning about the rich Irish history, from the hunter gatherers of the Stone Age to The Troubles, regarding Northern Ireland. Making day trips to sites discussed in her lectures, she was able to meet other global scholars from around the world, including Germany, Catalonia, France, and of course, Ireland. Notre Dame’s diverse environment helped her feel more confident when meeting new people with differing backgrounds.
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StudeNt NeWS: e x p L o r A t i o N S melodie Nerestant ’20 interned at three different law firms. During the months of July and August, Melodie had the opportunity to intern at three different law firms, and at the Kings County Family Court. This opportunity was made possible through the Legal Outreach College Bound program, which she applied for during the eighth grade. Each week she would spend time at one of the firms and “shadow” the attorneys, along with her Legal Outreach peers. They would work on a contract, bankruptcy, copyright, or juvenile delinquency case, and then hold a mock trial or an oral argument at the end of each week. On Fridays, they would also meet at the Legal Outreach headquarters in Long Island City, Queens and present slideshows of what they were working on that week. Although it was a lot of work, Melodie really enjoyed working with the attorneys and the summer associates. She is so appreciative of the experience and it has inspired her to pursue law as a profession.
Devon Neville ’21 rehabilitated turtles in Costa Rica. Over the summer, Devon went on a one-week service trip in Costa Rica. Before it began, she only knew one other girl on the trip, and she had no prior experience working in a rural area or participating in service. Yet, the trip changed her life. She felt as though she was actively helping to create change for the environment, through the five hours of service she completed each day, which included working to create a turtle hatchery, beach clean-ups, and community service. At the base camp, everything performed revolves around the initial rescue, proper care, incubation, and hatching of the turtles, so that they are best prepared for the wild. Being able to witness the rehabilitation was a humbling experience for Devon, and one of the more memorable take-a-ways from the trip. It proved that all of her hard work had paid off in the end. In addition to service, having the opportunity to explore the country by rafting, zip-lining, dining, and conversing with the local people, broadened her global awareness and impacted her for the better.
Siobhan Pender ’18 attended the Ever to Excel program at Boston College. To apply for the program, Siobhan had to answer a few essay questions relating to her own faith beliefs, and what motivates her “to get up out of bed in the morning.” The camp was led by student volunteers and the Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies at Boston College. Those participating heard presentations on topics such as Ignatian Spirituality, mission and service, and voice and identity. They then discussed these topics in their small groups. Additionally, they went into the city to take a tour of Boston, and spent time making new friends and doing various group activities on campus. Siobhan made friends from all over, including Nebraska, Colorado, and even Dublin, Ireland! She also really enjoyed spending a week living on the BC campus, and being able to explore it with her friends. Siobhan is so grateful to have had this experience, and she will never forget all the friendships and memories that she made.
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2 0 17 I g n at I a n Fa M I LY t e a c h - I n
Fellowship and Formation
Last fall, a select group of fifteen Notre Dame students were accompanied by five faculty members—Dr. Timothy Dooley, Ms. Dashea Hickson, Mr. Kevin McDonald, Mr. Scott Vasey, and Ms. Brittany Vella,—as they participated in the 2017 Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice in Washington, DC from November 4th through November 6th. Notre Dame’s delegation enjoyed the fellowship of over 2,000 other students and faculty members from schools that place a similar weight on the significance of integrating Ignatian religious formation through curriculum, retreats, service work for justice, liturgy and prayer. Notre Dame’s participants heard numerous powerful talks on social issues in our world. They were called, in the spirit of the Gospels, to respond to the widespread social sins of racism, immigration injustice, mass incarceration, and the death penalty, among many others. Two of our students, Amanda Msallem ’18 and Rebecca Raslowsky ’18, led one of the breakout sessions called “Minimum Wage: Crisis or Curable?” where they addressed the realities of people living below the poverty line through real-life scenarios and simulation followed by a discussion. As a group, our students and faculty members participated in a rally at Columbus Circle, DC and then marched to the Hart Senate Office Building to meet with staff members from U.S. Senator Charles Ellis Schumer’s Office. Our Chez Nous students impressed our elected officials with beautiful personal stories as part of their advocacy. 13
2 0 17 C H E Z N O U S B E N E F I T
Sixty Years of Giving
From top: Monica McKenzie ’19, Mya Powell ’17 and Britnney Ron ‘17
Guests, sophisticated and well-dressed, items that walked through the entrance of Pier ranged from Sixty as they were welcomed by designer handaccommodating Notre Dame faculty bags to alland student volunteers. Each attendee expense received a name tag, bidding number included and welcome bag upon arrival, and vacations. were then off to discover all the incred- Guests also enjoyed the quality ible auction items and experiences open bar and delightful meal provided available for purchase at the 60th by the award-winning caterer, Abigail Annual Chez Nous Benefit. But, time was Kirsch. This event would not have been not wasted hovering possible without the staunch over their favorite items support of our generous in an effort to remain a Over 500 members of the sponsors and the vigorous top bidder, as the use of Chez Nous community – efforts of our enthusiastic mobile bidding facilialumnae, parents, Board Core Committee. It was their tated the process diligent work, unique talents members and friends – came through technology. and dedication that allowed to explore and contend for the Notre Dame to acquire the Guests were notified the moment they were abundance of auction items. resources necessary to outbid, and event deliver an outstanding, updates and reminders and hugely successful event. were sent via text to their phones so Notre Dame will continue to live out even the most technologically chalthe mission of Anne de Xainctonge, to lenged found it easy to peruse and provide an unwavering and reputable contribute at Notre Dame’s biggest education to deserving and determined fundraising event of the year. With each young women, thanks to the support advancement aimed at improving the of our Chez Nous community. Through experience as a whole, the Chez Nous the sale of over 130 silent auction community continues to prove thempackages, 47 pick-a-prize items, 10 live selves more generous than ever before. auction items, and our special appeal— The 60th Annual Chez Nous Benefit was Fund the Scholarship—Notre Dame can proudly attest to raising over hosted on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at $200,000! Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers. At the event, the Notre Dame community came toNotre Dame is thankful for those who gether to raise money for the school's contributed towards the success of our financial aid and scholarship programs. 60th Annual Chez Nous Benefit. Each Over 500 members of the Chez Nous exertion, whether it seemed miniscule family—alumnae, parents, Board memor substantial contributed to fortifying bers and friends—came to explore and the growth of Chez Nous. contend for the abundance of auction
See you at our 61st Annual Chez Nous Benefit on Saturday, March 10, 2018 14
All welcome!
Buy your tickets now: cheznous.org/giving/benefit
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1. Richard Clarke P’17, Nanci Clarke P’17, Caitlin DALY ’17, and Theresa BROLLY Daly ’85 & P’17 2. Justine KILLION ’91, Alice ALVES Keefe ’91, Lisa DUNLEAVY Gately ’91 & P’20, Catherine VADASZ Licitra ’91, Bridgette BRENNAN Foley ’90 & P’21, and Jessica CIEMNIECKI ‘02 3. Julia PESOLA ’17 and Latifa KHAYAT ‘17 4. Thomas J. Galligan III and Lillian Ruiz 5. Carolyn and Michael Nicholson, P’18 6. Virginia Dolan, Board member, Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU ’70, President, and Patty Richards 7. Brigid FREY Dzierzanowski ’77 and Virginia TUREZYN ‘75
8. Glenn Stordeur, faculty member, Eileen Frawley, former faculty member, Robert Grote, Director of Admissions, John Joven, former Principal, Jaclyn Brilliant, Principal, Elizabeth Jenks, Anthony Jenks, and Rose Marie Brilliant 9. Maureen Noonan, former Principal, Patricia Flynn, and Ali Gemma 10. Nancy Nethery, Melissa Meserve, Board member, and Dee Imbert 11. Chynna SECK ’17, Frantzca PASCAL ’17, and Kelly INFANTE ‘17 12. John Koppisch P ’17 and Maureen Sullivan P ‘17 15
CHEZ NOUS liBRARY
A moment in the life of Notre Dame’s
Resilient Library It is no secret that Notre Dame has moved from West 79th Street, to St. Mark’s Place, to our current home here on West 13th Street, but many do not realize that with each move we have carried our history with us over the years, both spiritually and physically. In particular, this includes the 9,000 books that act as a reminder of our own resilience, which have survived three moves and are now clearly organized and displayed in our Chez Nous library. Newly built in 2006, the library is a quiet zone utilized for academic tutoring, reading, instructional lessons, research and reflection. We are ever grateful that the Notre Dame community has overcome many challenges, and is driven to create a sustainable future. To learn firsthand about the history of our school library, please read on and enjoy what Sr. Sarah Ryan, PBVM, former Notre Dame Vice Principal, Religion Department Chair and West 79th and St. Mark’s Place librarian, and Lydie Kane ’91, 9th grade English teacher and West 13th Street librarian, have to share!
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s Notre Dame has a long history with various different chapters, so does the ND Library. I can only report on the years during which I was librarian, and that history began in September of 1986 on West 79th Street. I was hired to teach two religion classes and be the librarian. When I arrived on the first day of school, I was surprised to find all the library books on the floor, in no particular order. I
no longer remember why this situation arose—perhaps the whole area had been refurbished: floors sanded and walls painted. But the challenge was to figure out where to begin. 18
With the help of students solicited Shortly after our arrival, the next by Sr. Mary Dolan, SU, Principal at project loomed: computerize the the time, we managed to arrange card catalog of books. Book by book the books back on the shelves in students helped during their free due time for the library to be back time to ensure we had an accurate up and running. Early on, Sr. Barbara record of our inventory. In time, with Marie Cady, SU confided to me that generous help from many students, the “biggest fiction in this library is this was accomplished; a process the card catalog.” I soon realized that paved the way towards a more what she meant. Over the years, tech savvy library. when a book was destroyed or lost, ND’s journey didn’t stop at St. the card catalog was not appropriMark’s Place; the school made one ately updated to reflect the change. final move to West 13th Street in So, slowly, I worked at removing the order to keep the mission of Anne cards that no longer represented a de Xainctonge alive and well. The book, and adding cards for which a entire building required a complete book did exist. All went well until redesign and upgrades upon entry. 1988 when the announcement hit: Two classrooms on the top floor Notre Dame is closing! were designated for the library, but The dismay, anger, and sorrow of they weren’t quite ready. As a temclosing our beloved school was porary solution, the wall between soon transformed with the movethese rooms was demolished and ment to St. Mark’s the ND library— Place in the East in boxes of books, When I arrived on the Village. Packing up with a computer the library was the first day of school, I was connection running next project. All out the window to surprised to find all the packing was done the ground floor— library books on the floor, opened. by the faculty and students. Step one: We survived sevin no particular order. solicit empty boxes eral years without from the local area. the library properly Liquor stores yielded the best boxes set up, as there were no shelves and eventually with the help of our either. But finally after receiving furChez Nous women, all was packed. nishings from the law firm White & The building on St. Mark’s Place Case LLP and financial support from had been an elementary school so four generous benefactors—The we needed to redesign a space for Louis Calder Foundation, the Charles the books. The area allotted for the Hayden Foundation, The Hyde library was less than half that of our and Watson Foundation and the previous library, so we improvised Independence Community Foundation by building tall shelves in the hall —the library was built. leading to the library. Fortunately, someone had friends in the Carpen- Sr. Sarah Ryan, PBVm former Notre Dame Vice Principal, ters Union and they gratuitously installed shelves which we—faculty Religion Department Chair and West 79th and St. Mark’s Place Librarian and parents—shellacked.
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current news as well as its archives. It is also espite all of the ways we can now read through the library that students have free access electronically, there is nothing like the to several online research platforms such as experience of holding an actual book JSTOR, a database which provides an extensive and flipping through its pages in anticipation of list of scholarly articles on various subjects. the journey they promise. There is something Thanks to the generosity of the school, the sacred about a library, something quiet and library is kept current as new and noteworthy lovely about its atmosphere. There is a reason titles are incorporated into the collection. why Sr. Virginia O’Brien, SU, President, refers to I’m fortunate to teach ninth grade English in the library as the heart of the school. That heartthe library. What could be a better place for stubeat of the library quickens promptly at dents to cultivate a love and respect for reading? dismissal here on West 13th Street. Students At the library Chez Nous, there gather to receive extra help are books on the shelves that from teachers or to be tutored There is a reason why have survived the stressful by a peer. The large tables and moves the school has made Sr. Virginia refers comfy seats are perfect for over the years, their pages a spreading out and completing to the library as the little worn, but still resilient, homework in a relaxed environand books on the shelves that heart of the school. ment. The library also functions have recently been added to the as a prime location for after catalog whose crisp pages wait school organizations to meet, such as Student to be turned by new eager readers. The library is Council, Young Feminists, the Latin Dance Team, in and of itself a book, a narrative of the school’s and, naturally, The All-School Book Club. Students history and heritage told through the diverse feel at ease with each other and themselves; voices of generations of students. Those voices community and lasting friendships are built in are waiting to share their stories with all members the library. of the Chez Nous community. Libraries are constantly evolving and the Notre Dame library is no exception. It is through Lydie Kane ’91 the library that students have free subscriptions 9th Grade English Teacher to The New York Times online, which includes & West 13th Street Librarian 19
2017 S P R I N G B R E A K
Andiamo!
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n the Spring of 2017, Ms. Donose, Ms. Vargas, Ms. Young and Ms. McGinniss accompanied 41 Chez Nous girls on a trip to Italy. The trip began with a boat ride to their hotel on the Lido, an 11-kilometer long sandbar in Venice, northern Italy, where they began to explore their beautiful surroundings. The group uncovered the hidden secrets of Venice’s back streets and waterways. On the trip, they took a gondola ride, which was a huge hit, but only second to the continual gelato sampling. St. Mark’s Square, home to the Basilica of St. Mark and the Bridge of Sighs, was breathtaking. The girls also attended an amazing glassblowing demonstration at the Murano Glass Museum, where they had the opportunity to purchase unique souvenirs.
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After a couple of days in Venice, the Chez Nous travelers took a bus through the beautiful Tuscan countryside to visit Florence. They toured Brunelleschi’s Dome of Florence Cathedral, Piazza della Signoria, and the legendary Michelangelo’s David. They visited Siena, one of Italy’s best preserved hill towns, where they indulged in a magnificent Tuscan style lunch at a countryside farmhouse. The next stop was San Gimignano, an Italian hill town in Tuscany, just southwest of Florence, which is encircled by 13th-century walls and famed for its skyline of medieval towers, including the stone Torre Grossa.
The last stop on their amazing itinerary was Rome, “The Eternal City.� There, they visited with a local guide the iconic and historic Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Trastevere, and then stopped at the Spanish Steps for a quick rest before indulging in some exclusive shopping. The following day, the local experts accompanied them through the Vatican Museums, as well as the Pantheon. The food was amazing, from pizza, to pasta, to gelato; however, the memories and friendships these girls made will last forever.
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This year, blending technology and the arts has been a main focus of our curriculum. Specifically, Notre Dame has updated the resources available within the Art & Media Lab by adding five more iMac computers, increasing the total number to 15. To prepare our students according to industry standards in creative software media, our Director of Technology, Mr. Alaric Lejano, installed Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Office 2016 onto each computer as a means to increase productivity. To allow students to express their digital talents through the development of tangible art forms, we now have a 3D printer from MakerBot and a Canon Photo Printer as well.
Advancements in
These advancements have been in part supported through a $15,000 grant Notre Dame received last year from the Hyde and Watson Foundation, and we hope to gain greater support in the coming months and years from other foundations and benefactors. Notre Dame plans to invest the remainder of the grant provided by the Hyde and Watson Foundation, in the redesign of a shared space between the art and computer rooms in order to allow for a collaborative space for art and design classes. The newly configured space will more easily allow for the creation and implementation of a more rigorous and measurable four year technology and design curriculum.
Technology & Design
Over the last two years, Notre Dame has been collaborating with Girls Who Code, a national organization with more than 40,000 members. Through the partnership, each member of the 11th grade is now required to take a coding class, and we hope to expand this by offering a selection of advanced computer courses for our Chez Nous young women. To date, with the help of Girls Who Code, we have raised enough money to procure Raspberry Pi kits, a series of small single-board computers, which will help to teach basic computer science. This initiative will lead towards the development of innovative projects that inspire our students.
THE ALL-NEW MAKERBOT REPLICATOR+ Engineered and Extensively Tested for Reliable, Faster 3D Printing
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The MakerBot Replicator+ comes with the Smart Extruder+ and all the standard features of its predecessor, including an LCD display, an on-board camera, as well as USB, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet connectivity.
Courses Offered Computer Coding - 11th Grade Requirement Technology Literacy - 9th Grade Requirement Advanced Art /AP Studio Art* AP Computer Science* Applied Physics* Robotics and Engineering Design* Science Research and Design* * Elective Course
N O T R E D A M E ’ S A LU M N A E R E U N I O N
Catching Up
Laura O'DONNELL Early ’97, Pamela AGUIS Cibrano ’97 and Ellen LOUGHRAN Miccio ‘97 Dennis Delahunty, Mary Susan KING Delahunty ’61 and Leigh COMBES Phillips ’60
S
ince 1912, Notre Dame has been the cherished home of so many remarkable women. Through thick and thin, Chez Nous women have persisted and flourished. Notre Dame never failed to fulfill the mission of Anne de Xainctonge, to foster accomplished and caring women. Our Chez Nous women are the pride and joy of Notre Dame. It is their diligence and generosity that allow us to continue to teach a new generation of girls. Notre Dame is eternally grateful for all the women of our school, past and present. It is why we chose to celebrate with grand festivity
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the young women that Chez Nous served. On Friday, May 12, 2017, Notre Dame hosted the annual Alumnae Reunion, which honored the graduating classes from years ending in 2 and 7; but, all alumnae were invited to attend. The event was held in the Sr. Mary Dolan, SU Arts and Athletics Center at the school. The event was alive with tender reminiscences and the sharing of new experiences among friends, faculty, and family. Chez Nous graduates from 1972 were able to bond with students from 2007 in meaningful ways, truly capturing the sisterhood that
Chez Nous cultivates. Alumnae were treated to an assortment of refreshments and delicious cocktail snacks, personally guided tours of the school led by current students, and most significantly reconnecting with old friends. Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU, President, and Ms. Jaclyn Brilliant, Principal, concluded the ceremony by informing the alumnae of our plans for an innovative and exciting future. Notre Dame hosts a plethora of enjoyable alumnae events so be sure to keep your information current in order to be a part of future celebrations.
Jaclyn Brilliant, Principal, Jean Halloran-Monaco, faculty, Victoria ABAD ’99,
Tandy TOLIVER ’07,
Fabienne JEAN PIERR E ’07 and Seymone
faculty, Eileen Frawley, former faculty
Amanda CARTAGENA’97 and Don atel
la CANTELMI Zamora ‘97
Sama and Merc ntha CABRAL ’07 edes BAN KS-Willia ms ‘07
KELLY ‘07
Agnes McCOMISKEY Quinn ’61, Mary Susan KING Delahunty ’61, Ann HOBAN Flynn ‘61 Jean Dennis Delahunty, and
er Werner ’62, and her husband John Wern Patricia DiTOLLA ’62, Mary TROTTER
Dr. Virginia O’Br ien, SU ’70, and Colleen HICK President, EY ’92
H ‘91 Sr. Sarah Ryan, PBVM, Karen SMIT P’20 and Lisa DUNLEAVY Gately ’91 &
Alumnae Reunion: friday, may 4, 2018 honoring the class years ending in “3” and “8.” All are invited! To learn more visit: cheznous.org/alumnae/reunion-events
ia Ann Sr. Patric
U Bruck, S
If you would like to participate and/or learn more about any one of these events or the joys and responsibilities of becoming a Class Chair, please contact our Director of Development and Alumnae Relations, Elizabeth Bixenman, at bixenmane@cheznous.org.
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A L U M N A E
N E W S
COLLEGE PANEL
Time Management is Key to Finding Balance
Back row: Ms. Elizabeth Bixenman, Director of Development & Alumnae Relations, Chloe FASANMI ‘14, Ms. Jaclyn Brilliant, Principal, Kauribel JAVIER ’15, Magdalena DUNMAR ’15, Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU ’70, President, Emily URUCHIMA ’16, and Natalia HRYNIUK ‘16 Front row: Shantal TAVERAS ’14, Maria JAVIER ’15, Natalie CORREA ’13, Gianna LaGRECA ’16, and Nicole LaGRECA ‘16
On January 5, 2017, Notre Dame welcomed back ten alumnae to address the Class of 2017 regarding the social and academic aspects of college life. For many of us working at the school, our college years seem like a distant memory so it is most helpful for our students to hear firsthand what to expect as they begin to prepare and apply for college. Whether they are deciding between a big or small school, the East or West coast, or even their field of study, the process
CLASS CHAIRS
can be quite daunting, especially for those who will be first to attend college in their family. The alumnae panelists were positive, provided a wealth of knowledge for our students, and responded honestly when the structured Q&A portion was opened up at the end. The Class of 2017 was comforted to learn that the alumnae felt well prepared for the academic challenges of college life. They listened intently when the alumnae voiced the importance of visiting as many campuses as possible
WA N T E D
The support of our alumnae is imperative as it allows our dedicated faculty and staff the opportunity to preserve Anne de Xainctonge’s vision of an education that provides academic excellence, spiritual formation, and engagement in the world for our Chez Nous girls. For this reason, we have introduced a new opportunity to help strengthen the relationships among our alumnae and the greater Chez Nous community.
—either in person or virtually—in order to find out if the environment, community and way of life would be the right fit. As a final remark, the panelists confirmed that the independence gained while in college is immeasurable. Time management is key in order to have a balanced and rewarding experience! Notre Dame’s next College Panel will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2018.
We are looking for TWO to FIVE alumnae from each graduating class to act as liaisons between their classmates and the school. Some of the responsibilities include: Soliciting Class Notes for ND’s annual Encore Chez Nous magazine Obtaining current class contact information Promoting alumnae events and reunions Supporting the Annual Fund
Please contact Elizabeth Bixeman, Director of Development and Alumnae Relations at bixenmane@cheznous.org if interested or you would like to learn more. 26
A L U M N A E
N E W S
CAREER DAY
OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND
Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU ’70, President, Whitney-Gayle BENTA '97, Lisandra RAMOS ‘91, Mary O'SHAUGHNESSY '81, Fatima DOUMBIA '12, Leigh MALONEY '10, Carlina RIVERA '02, Lilian MIGLIORINI Evans '84, Ashley CICILEO '10, and Elizabeth Bixenman, Director of Development and Alumnae Relations.
Notre Dame is proud of its alumnae, and we are always excited to learn what life is like for them after Chez Nous. One way we are able to keep communication open and reconnect with our graduates is by hosting events like our annual Career Day. We care deeply about these members of our community, and we have learned that it goes both ways. Our alumnae are equally rewarded by speaking to current Chez Nous students, and being reminded of their high school days, even if the halls have changed over time. On March 3, 2017 it was no different, as Notre Dame held a panel, thanks to the support of several accomplished alumnae who volunteered their time to speak to the entire student body. The participating panelists ranged from the classes of 1961–2012, and each one of them had something unique to say regarding the challenges and rewards of working as a woman in today’s world. To highlight a few remarks, the women commented on the importance of uniting for a greater good, both in personal and professional settings, along with the value that is created and the opportunities that arise through networking. In order to succeed, they noted that it is necessary to find a way to work well with others and to receive feedback with an open mind so that one may continue to learn and grow. The message translated well as our theme this year is resilience, which is to remind and encourage our students to be true to themselves, speak up, know their worth and continue on despite occasional setbacks. We are ever grateful to all of our panelists, and we welcome them back anytime! Notre Dame’s next Career Day will be held on Friday, February 9, 2018.
2017 CAREER DAY PARTICIPANTS Maria PINTO Carland ’61 Retired, Consults with Nonprofit Organizations including Posse Foundation Mary O’SHAUGHNESSY ’81 Director of Information Services, Her Justice Lilian MIGLIORINI Evans ’84 Managing Director of Enterprise Accounts, United Parcel Service, Inc Lisandra RAMOS ’91 Assistant Director of Administration, Hemispheric Institute of Performance and Politics
Whitney-Gayle BENTA ’97 Strategic Partnerships – Music, Facebook Carlina RIVERA ’02 Democrat for NYC Council District 2 Ashley CICILEO ’10 Speech Language Pathologist, All in 1 SPOT with TheraTalk Leigh MALONEY ’10 Business Office Manager, Yiselle Z. Castillo, DDS, PC Fatima DOUMBIA ’12 Diversity Administrator, Weill Cornell Medicine— The Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Lilian Migliorini EVANS '84, Maria Hayakawa ’18 and Dominique Alcantara ’18 27
2017 graduation
Hats off to our graduates!
Brigid Bianco
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Siobhan Brennan, Catherine Brucaliere, Caitlin Daly and Rebecca Cruz
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Back: Erin Snashall, Gia Thurton, Mya Powell, Cameron Villaruel, Haja Sankoh, and Montana Schelchere; Front: Chynna Seck, Sandy Fleurimond, and Sarah Doumbia
n 1606, Anne de Xainctonge began her endeavors to further women’s Christian education. She desired an education that not only valued the progression of academia, but one that imparted a benevolent and noble spirit into every woman. On June 6, 2017, the Notre Dame community gathered in Cooper Union’s Great Hall to celebrate the commendable Class of 2017, a class that continues to uphold Anne’s tutelage of altruism and scholarship. Friends, family, and faculty all beamed with pride as they watched our 82 young women reach their coda, in order to begin anew. Notre Dame graduates completed four stimulating and rewarding years, each earning the diploma in their hands and the pride in their hearts. Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU, President of Notre Dame, enthusiastically greeted all of the attendees at the 101st Commencement. The Class of 2017 is the first in Notre Dame’s second century to graduate, paving the way for a new generation of insightful and philanthropic young women. Sr. Virginia graciously thanked the families and friends of the graduates on behalf of Notre Dame for their ardent commitment and support. Special tribute was paid to the families that shaped an extensive lineage of Chez Nous women, including Mrs. Margaret Walsh, mother of Anne Marie WALSH Woods ’85 and Kathleen WALSH ’86 grandmother of Margaret WOODS ’14 and Eileen WOODS ’17 and Mrs. Maureen Brolly, mother of Teresa BROLLY Daly ’85 and grandmother of Caitlin DALY ’17. 29
Dominique Trucchio and Julia Graziano
Dr. Virginia O’Brien, SU ’70, President
Kaela Adams-Black and Chynna Seck
Mya Powell and Sr. Patricia Bruck, SU
Ms. Jaclyn Brilliant, Principal
Valedictorian Julia Pesola, addressed her classmates with a wistful encapsulation of fond memories, “This day is a culmination of everything we have all learned over the past four years—and we have learned a lot.” Julia recalled countless blissful musings like the notorious Ring Day incident, which left the graduating class a giggling bunch. At the same time, she also highlighted how even the trials and tribulations overcome by each Chez Nous sister have steered them towards their shining moment on the stage. With a quote from the eternally prudent Winnie the Pooh, Julia captured the ceaseless bond of a Chez Nous sister as she bid them adieu, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." Deztyneé Rivera, President of the Student Council, powerfully likened the excursion of high school to the coils of a roller coaster, “we buckled up and prepared for our four-year journey.” It was a tumultuous ride, but one they experienced together. From the serenity of sophomore year to the pressures of junior year, each ascent and descent of the coaster only served to bring the graduating class closer together. Deztyneé gave her class one last word of reassurance as they await the next roller coaster to launch, “I hope that you never forget that strength that each of you have inside as you fasten your seat belts for your next ride.” Notre Dame is delighted to say that each member of the Class of 2017 was accepted into a four-year college or university with over 96% having won an academic scholarship, totaling over 23 million dollars. We are proud to celebrate the graduation of Notre Dame’s Class of 2017. Congratulations to the students, families, teachers, counselors, and administrators of Chez Nous! The 101st Commencement was a festive event we will always remember.
The following blessing, led by Principal Jaclyn Brilliant, was offered for the graduates at the conclusion of the ceremony:
Deztyneé Rivera
Julia Pesola
Julia Koppisch and Katie Mae Wilson
May the kindness of others Soften your path As you journey forth. May your own acts of kindness Brighten the lives of others, Just as Anne’s lamp shines for you. May your every encounter along the way Reflect all that you have learned Chez Nous. Until you reach your final home And God holds you in her arms.
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SCHOlARSHiP Stories
The Class of 2017 received academic scholarships totaling over $23 million. Read more to learn how these six students received scholarships to the university of their choice!
Mya powell
deztyneé rivera
I was a typical freshman when I came to Notre Dame, nervous yet excited. I had come from a very small school where there were only 40 people in my graduating class. I also came completely alone to Notre Dame. What attracted me most to Notre Dame was how the student body managed to be bigger than what I had known, yet it did not have the feeling of anonymity that a larger school has. On the first full day of classes I made my first group of friends by asking to sit down at a random table at lunch. From then on my friends have been one of the main reasons that I love Notre Dame. The fact that I have encountered such a diverse collection of individuals, not only of culture but of thought, has helped me grow into the individual that I am today. My friends have encouraged me every step of the way, whether by helping me with homework or participating in clubs where we shared an interest. Along with my friends I have also come to enjoy Notre Dame because of the faculty. Every teacher wants you to be your best self, whether encouraging you to go to extra help or simply having an honest conversation about extramural topics. They have made my four years at Notre Dame feel like home. I was always challenged academically which has helped prepare me for the academic years to come. I have learned to become independent and a hard worker because Notre Dame fashioned such a compassionate, yet demanding atmosphere. I am a person who chased her dreams because I knew I had many people who supported me and I felt fully prepared. With their guidance, I pushed myself to achieve goals I never thought I would and set new goals that are even bigger than they were before. I am certain that with the nurturing environment Notre Dame has provided for me, I am ready to step out into the world and become successful in all of my endeavors. I am so excited to say that my four years Chez Nous paid off as I will be attending
For me, Notre Dame was a new world of opportunity. I had so many things to get used to my first year: taking the train, being in the big city, and meeting new people. With the help of dedicated teachers and my school counselors, I challenged myself with difficult classes, enrichment programs, and internships throughout my four years Chez Nous. I am also very grateful for my sponsors who have been financially supporting me since elementary school. They made ND possible for me and there are no words to describe how much their generosity means to me. With their help, I made long-lasting friendships with peers, along with ND faculty, received a well-rounded education, and experienced high school to its fullest. In addition to this, my support system at home allowed me to truly thrive at ND. Having my family at home to stand with me as I faced new challenges gave me the strength and unconditional love necessary to be my best self and to make them proud. It is with great joy that I will be continuing my academic career at Princeton university on a full scholarship. High school has been a great run and I am ready for my next adventure!
Vassar College on full scholarship through Questbridge for the next four years. 31
SCHOLARSHIP Stories Britnney Ron
Montana Schelchere
As I think back to my time at Notre Dame, I become grateful for the friends that became my family, the opportunities that became a reality, and the teachers that became my support team. My time at ND would not have been the same without the bonds I formed with my friends, who also motivated me to work harder day by day. My wonderful teachers were the support team that helped me believe I can reach for the stars, and taught me some of the most valuable lessons that I will take with me to college. The opportunities that I received through Notre Dame helped me build my rĂŠsumĂŠ and become a strong candidate when applying to college. At ND, I learned about tenacity and resilience when facing new challenges and my aspiration to receive a college education. Attending Notre Dame taught me that I loved being part of a small school community, so I could build relationships with my classmates and teachers, as well as engage comfortably in the classroom. Every girl in my class became part of my high school experience due to the small community we formed that made my time at ND even richer. During the college selection process, I knew I wanted a college with a similar close-knit community like I was part of at Notre Dame. At ND I challenged myself with strong academic courses during my senior year, which taught me to manage my time and overcome any challenges. This is a skill that I will take with me on my new journey at college. Thanks to my Notre Dame experience, I will always be open to new experiences and engage in all classroom discussions or activities. I will always value my time at Notre Dame for allowing me to speak my mind and to see the importance of a warm school community. Thanks to Notre Dame, I will be continuing my academic and personal journey at Middlebury College
Going into freshman year at Notre Dame, I was nervous and unaware of what to expect. In the classroom, I was hesitant to ask for help. Socially, I was cautious opening up to new people. I have now graduated with many people whom I would call a second family; they know me so well that they can predict what I am going to say before I say it. My peers have truly become my sisters and my teachers have become my guardians throughout my journey. As I conclude my four years at Notre Dame, I can see the vast transformation that I have gone through and can attest to the fact that you become like those with whom you surround yourself. I am very grateful to be surrounded by such a nurturing, compassionate, and highly motivated community. With the help of Notre Dame, I have established countless skills such as effective time management and how to handle an arduous class. Thanks to Chez Nous, I will be the first in my family to go to a four-year college as I was accepted to a prestigious school with a very generous scholarship. I relied heavily on the Notre Dame community to help me through the process of college applications. Faculty and peers were there to candidly answer every question I had. I did not know how many times to take the SATs, or how to decipher which school was best for me, but Chez Nous was there to guide me. At the beginning of freshman year, taking a 40-minute train ride to school in the city was momentous and frightening for me. Now, I am going to a college that is 14 hours away from home; I could not be more excited to embark on this life changing journey and to see what gifts it will bring to my life. I am beyond appreciative for the guidance that the Notre Dame community has given me and the opportunities that await at Emory University on a scholarship. I will carry every lesson and memory of Notre Dame with me to Georgia.
on a full scholarship through the Posse Foundation: I will hopefully have a similar rewarding experience there, as I did at Notre Dame.
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Chynna Seck
Kate Scherer
Attending Notre Dame School would not have been possible without the many sacrifices of my mother. I want to thank her for giving me the priceless gift of a Catholic education and a school like Notre Dame. Attending Chez Nous was an unforgettable experience and I am grateful to have had the opportunity, as it has opened many doors. I owe all of my successes and accomplishments to my beautiful mother, and Chez Nous family. Notre Dame has helped groom me into the young woman I am today—and for that, I am forever thankful. Coming from a school where everyone looked like me, beginning Notre Dame was a frightening experience. I was exposed to a myriad of cultures and races, and I learned how to embrace the factors that make us different. Throughout my four years here at ND, I made many friends, discovered new opportunities, and opened my mind to life-changing experiences. At ND, I was given the platform to showcase my talents, speak out on important issues, and initiate actions to better the school community. Most importantly, ND enabled me to be myself and have faith in my ability to succeed in any environment. I will always cherish the memories and values and will never forget the enthusiasm each teacher had in support of my future. I am excited to begin my new journey at New York
I can wholeheartedly say that attending Notre Dame has been one of the best choices I have made so far. When I began at Notre Dame, I was enthusiastic and nervous at the prospect of spending the next four years without friends from my middle school. I was anxious to leave a setting I had known for years to enter an unknown environment. My fears were soon set aside when I realized how welcoming and nurturing the school community was. Not only did I find it easy to make friends, but teachers took a sincere interest in me as well. I have made genuine relationships that I will carry into my future. As I became more integrated into the Chez Nous community, I found that I loved learning for the sake of learning. That pushed me to become a more conscientious student as sophomore year rolled around. With each year, I found more ways to push and improve myself as I began taking advanced classes that challenged me both academically and personally. During the times of struggle in my classes, my teachers were always there to help me understand, as were my friends, who encouraged me to thrive. Notre Dame taught me the value of hard work and perseverance, a lesson that will only prove more valuable in college. Not only has Notre Dame provided me with rigorous academics and grand opportunities, but it has given me perspective on what I would like in a college setting. Notre Dame managed to be a small cohesive community, while still preserving diversity and the opportunities of a city like New York. Because of Notre Dame, I realized I wanted to be in a school that not only had a strong academic reputation, but one whose students represent the whole of New York City. With this in mind, I chose to enroll in the macaulay Honors College at the
university’s gallatin School of individualized Study with a scholarship. I will be studying International Development for Women’s Health, where I will continue to apply the lessons learned from my Chez Nous sisters.
City College of New York on a full scholarship. Not only will I receive full tuition, but I will receive access to personal advisors and fully funded study abroad programs. I hope to carry what I have learned at Notre Dame over the next four years. 33
Class Notes 1941 Patricia DAVIN Dolan moved to Juno Beach, Florida from Pearl River, NY in 2001. She has three children, five grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and another on the way! She would love to make it back for a reunion but that isn’t possible at the moment, so she continues to wear her ND ring every day. 1942 Patricia HUGHES Villacorta survived Hurricane Irma with no damage to her home. She serves as Vice-President of the Coral Gables Music Club, which supports young talented students in their musical careers and sponsors their recitals. She is a Lector at St. Augustine Parish that has a very active “Why Catholic Program” and she enjoys participating in their meetings and discussions. She is fortunate to be included in all the honors bestowed on the University of Miami Schiff Center for Liver Diseases where she served as Administrator before retirement. She is blessed to have all of her children, most of her grandchildren and first great-grandchild living within the State of Florida, so she sees them often. 1951 Barbara NESBITT Cautero became a great grandmother with the birth of Penelope Kait on May 6th, 2017 to parents Erin and Matt Hanratta. The baby is healthy and beautiful.
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1952 Audrey MASI Greene lives in Jupiter, Florida and visited her daughter Paige on Long Island in August 2017. More recently, Audrey experienced the fright of Hurricane Irma, which was a near miss. 1955 Mary BURKE Heyman and Sr. Mary Dolan, SU were happily surprised to discover that they were sitting next to one another on a flight last Easter. They enjoyed catching up and spending time together. 1956
Amalia GARCIA Samoylenko-Russian spent Family Weekend at Elon University with her daughter, Marina, visiting her youngest granddaughter, Amalia (Molly), who is a freshman. Mary Frances SHERIDAN Delaney recently moved though it was not to this lighthouse in Maine (pictured)! She downsized and now lives down the street from her previous home in Virginia Beach. The downsizing was a
challenge and she still has furniture in her condo waiting to be picked up by the local hospital charity. She is looking forward to returning to a more normal schedule sometime soon unless she decides to stay in cool and sunny Maine, where she spent some time relaxing after the move. 1958 Dawn TENNANT Calabia and her husband, Tino, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by taking a cruise last June to the Baltic Sea. It was their first cruise and it took them to Copenhagen, Helsinki, Kiel and St. Petersburg. In September, they indulged their love of history and archaeology by taking a trip with friends to Rome and Sorrento, where they visited Pompeii and Herculaneum, the Naples National Archaeology Museum, and the beautiful scenery of the Amalfi Coast. Following their travels, Dawn was a panelist in September at a Congressional briefing on the humanitarian needs of Ukraine’s 3 million war affected civilians. Earlier, she and her husband briefed their parish’s Social Concerns Committee on how it might engage in helping refugees. Lastly, she attended an impressive Open House with her granddaughter, Gabriella, and is thrilled to learn she will apply to Notre Dame! 1959 Antoinette LeQUIRE-Schott spent another summer with her husband, Newt, in Chautauqua, NY. During the season, all of their immediate family members came to visit. Their daughter, April, surprised them with a delightful dinner to celebrate their 51st wedding anniversary at an elaborate new, nearby restaurant. April also found a giant map of the world, which she mounted, framed and presented to them with pins for
them to mark the places they have traveled to while married. The visits are never long enough but, unlike their son, Keith, who lives in San Diego, they have April and her family nearby.
April and granddaughter, Lilly, taken last June.
1960 Patricia COOK Hult retired after 39 wonderful years in education last June. She spent the last 20 years as the Head of the Lower School at the Convent of the Sacred Heart on E. 91st Street in Manhattan. She was finally able to attend the annual Chez Nous get together hosted by Arlene DENINGER Prendergast ‘60 at her home on Long Beach Island. Leigh COMBES Phillips ’60 also attended the event. They all had a great time catching up and remembering the good times they shared at Notre Dame. Arlene DENINGER Prendergast spent the hot and humid summer on Long Beach Island with her husband, Tom. Two of their grandchildren are now in college, and the other is a sophomore in high school.
1961 Mary Susan KING Delahunty and her husband, Dennis, were lucky enough to spend 10 weeks last summer in County Kerry, Ireland. During the first three weeks, they had with them their two youngest grandsons, Sean Delahunty, 11, and David Fleckenstein, 10, so they showed them their heritage all around the Emerald Isle. They had a wonderful time, and after the kids left, they reconnected with many Irish friends. They are now back home in Wilmington, NC, enjoying the daily sunshine and their life there. Louise POCIECHA Toth had a trying summer with back and leg problems that prevented her from taking a planned trip to Poland and Prague. Now, her son is in the hospital in N.C. on dialysis for near kidney failure. She has been traveling to N.C. frequently to care for him. She and her husband, Steve, just celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary on September 26th. 1962 Stephanie PINTO spent the month of October in Madrid, reconnecting with Spanish friends made during her junior year abroad at the University of Madrid.
Grandson Thomas’ H.S. Graduation
1963
Mary Jane DRUCKER Gabbay and her four sisters—Suzanne DRUCKER Robotham ’68, Dale DRUCKER Prifti ’71, Eileen DRUCKER Zwart ’76, and Elizabeth DRUCKER Condrige ’64— who all graduated from ND, reunited to celebrate the 70th birthday of Elizabeth (Betty) DRUCKER Condrige ’64. 1965 Gretchen ELSNER-Sommer, accompanied by her husband, David William Cohen, and their 11-year-old grandson, PJ Wade, took a scenic drive from Michigan to New York last spring. The highlight of their voyage was visiting Notre Dame’s previous West 79th Street location. Now a Jewish school with guards posted outside, Gretchen took the opportunity to teach PJ a minor lesson in politics and history. Gretchen reminisced on her days, even telling the current school’s Kosher chef about Notre Dame. She recalled how each teacher held a profound passion for their subjects, a characteristic that taught Gretchen how to be inquisitive and compassionate. A sense of unparalleled appreciation for Notre Dame washed over her by the conclusion of the trip.
Her photo captures her in a dovecote, taken in La Mancha in Toposo, which was the town where Don Quixote met Dulcinea. 35
Class Notes 1966
the Reinstatement of the Delphic Games in Delphi, Greece and the Carnevale di Venezia in Venice, Italy. All are welcome to explore at www.idii.org. Suzanne DRUCKER Robotham retired from healthcare and is now working as a Pastoral Associate and Ministry Manager for two parishes in Lexington, MA.
Our daughter, Monique Henley, me, Sydney Williams (Anne's wife), our daughter Anne, my husband Fra, and our son, Patrick.
Carol GOSE DeVine celebrated the wedding of her daughter, Anne, and her wife, Sydney, at the Friends Meeting House of Washington, D.C. on May 20th. Aside from her daughter’s connection to Quakerism, they decided to get married at that location due to its history of demonstrating its support for equality for over 60 years. It was a beautiful day for all who attended, and Carol was delighted to see so many of her family and friends.
1969 Irene UHNAK Messina and her classmates, Diane COGEN, Lorriane BOGGIA Duryea, and Joanna RANDAZZO Saccone, recently got together in Montauk, New York. Joanna hosted everyone for a delicious luncheon where memories of good times at ND brought great conversation and much laughter! Dining on the terrace overlooking the Atlantic Ocean was enthralling and it also gave all of them some time to work on their tans! These women are now very focused on organizing the 50th Reunion at ND and they need your help! If you are in contact with members of the class of ’69, please forward their information to: Irene : irene.messina@gmail.com (H): 516-367-4409 or (C): 516-521-4159 Diane: zitaorchid@aol.com (H): 718-658-4128 or (C): 631-949-6884 Elizabeth Bixenman (W): 212-620-5575 x317
Thelma MILLIKEN Negley held an intimate reunion with the Class of 1966 in Naples, FL, along with her sister Margaret MILLIKEN Ronayne ‘68, who also attended Notre Dame, just before she passed away. Thelma remembers Margaret’s benevolent and understanding nature, both as a sister and close friend. 1968 Dr. Jeanne BRESCIANI is the Director of Education of the Isadora Duncan International Institute, a not-for-profit arts and education organization, founded in 1977 by Maria-Theresa Duncan. Their efforts center around two vital festivals, 36
1970 Loreta DiRUSSO Emanuel has worked at Freehold Public Library for the last 16 years. It has truly been the best job she has ever had. She enjoyed talking to the patrons about the books they read and the movies they watch. She engaged with the children and suggested books they should read, along with helping them with their research projects. She recently retired on September 1, 2017, but will cherish this wonderful chapter in her work history. Photo of Freyja as Jocasta in Oedipus Rex from June 2017.
1973 Rosemary DeNATALE Dineen has been an adjunct lecturer in the English Department at LaGuardia Community College for 17 years. Does she throw Latin at these students sometimes? Of course! Her husband, Matt Dineen, has worked at the New York City Housing Authority for six years. Her daughter, Alison, is a singer songwriter, living in Williamsburg, and you can catch her quite often at the Jalopy Theater in Red Hook. Her son, Jerome, is a senior at George Washington University, majoring in journalism. 1976 Victoria MELIGNANO
started a new role at Audible as a Senior Director, Human Resources Business Partner to the Chief Revenue Officer. 1977 Florence MOLINARI Foti is beyond proud to officially introduce her daughter as, Alycia R. FOTI, M.D. ’07. Alycia graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine last June and has begun her three-year Pediatric Residency Program at Rutgers NJMS University Hospital in Newark, NJ. 1978 Freyja HELMER-Sindemark has a lot going on. Her daughter, Annika, is engaged to Olof Bard, and her other daughter, Kerstin, recently received her Master’s Degree in Psychology from
Stockholm University. Her son, Oscar, has begun his college adventure at AMDA in LA and spent last semester studying in NYC. Freyja recently downsized to a townhouse, and is currently pursuing her passion from her youth: acting. Anne KINNEY O’Donnell met a fellow Chez Nous sister, Sylvia GARCIA ’81, last summer while attending a co-worker’s barbeque. She found Sylvia to be fun, interesting, and well-travelled, and learned that she works as a Pediatric Emergency Medicine doctor. It was an unexpected treat to meet a fellow ND alumna, but then again, it IS a small world and sometimes that is just delightful! Anne KINNEY O'Donnell ‘78 (L) & Sylvia Garcia '81 (R)
1980 Eileen MURPHY attended the 60th Annual Chez Nous Benefit where she managed to reconnect with Chez Nous sisters she had not seen in 37 years. The group of friends continued their festivities well after the gala, catching up and having fun.
1987 Tara CUDDIHY McFadden is the Director of the President's Office at St. Joseph's Prep, the Jesuit High School of Philadelphia. She graduated from Saint Joseph's University in 2014 with a Master of Science degree and lives in the Philadelphia suburbs with her husband, Mark, and three children. She visits New York often and looks forward to the next gathering with the Chez Nous ladies.
1982 Catharine BURCHELL Quaranta has been keeping busy in Brewster, New York with family and friends, volunteering at St. Lawrence O'Toole, coaching a Girl Scout First LEGO League Robotics team, learning Spanish and working in IT.
2002 Carlina RIVERA won the NYC District 2 City Council seat. Congratulations Carlina! 2008
1988 Jane CHEN Firester and her family spent six weeks in Taipei, Taiwan and Shanghai, China. Her son Aaron, 9 years old, attended a three-week summer camp program in Taiwan. They visited the 2nd (Shanghai Tower) and 4th (Taipei 101) tallest buildings in the world.
Jane CHEN Firester '88 - Son Aaron
Top Row: Megan Monaghan, Siobhan Sinnott, Nancy Consenza; Bottom Row: Eileen Murphy, Monique Maniglio, Rita Ryan Holland, Elizabeth McGuckin, and Sharon Fitzpatrick.
1999 Nacia KARIM Walsh is currently working as a parenting expert for Café Mom online. She appears regularly on the Today Show, while also hosting a podcast called Parenting on the Fly. Nacia lives in upstate New York with her husband and their four kids ages 18, 11, 6 & 2.5.
1994 Laura LIPANI Hines and husband, Jim, had their third child last June. Lily Grace was born on June 23, 2017 at 9:35pm. She joins big sister Madeline (5) and big brother Christian (3) who are totally in love with her!
Erica ZISSEL Andrinopoulos married John Andrinopoulos on Long Island, New York on July 2nd. Her two best Chez Nous sisters, Stefanie GALASSO ‘08 and Raquel LOPEZ ‘08, were by her side. Now, she serves as the Social Studies Department Chairperson at St. Dominic High School in scenic Oyster Bay, Long Island, and teaches AP Government, having been inspired by her AP Government teacher, Ms. Blaine. 2013 Murphy HARR started working for an HR Tech company, WayUp, in August. The company helps college students and recent graduates find internships and their first career-driven jobs!
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Class Notes List since freshman year and has earned a spot in the top 10% in the School of Arts & Sciences. She is a Biology major on the Pre-Med track with a Theology minor. Tara VILLARUEL spent her second semester studying in Lyons, France. She fit in a quick trip to Dole to visit the sites associated with the founding of the Sisters of St. Ursula by Anne de Xainctonge. Jessica Marlene REYNOSO attended three different colleges during her four years of undergraduate studies, all while swimming competitively. She graduated from Lehman College this past year and thanks Notre Dame for teaching her the perseverance and ambition she needed to finish. Jessica is currently attending graduate school at Manhattanville College, pursuing a Master’s Degree in Physical Education. Her sister, Jennifer Reynoso, recently joined the Chez Nous family as a member of the Class of 2021! Carina SCIANGULA graduated last May from the Honors Program at St. Francis College with a degree in Health Promotion and Science, and a minor in Public Health. She also recently passed the CHES exam to become a Certified Health Education Specialist. 2014 Ciara CORRIGAN graduated from Notre Dame and is now in her fourth year at The University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
Jordan VILLARUEL is an NCAA student athlete and a starter on the women’s volleyball team at Catholic University of America. She has been on the Dean's 38
2015 Ashley ARNOLD is in her third year at NYU. Last spring, she worked as the Communications Intern for the office of council member, Ben Kallos, where she was able to learn how media works within politics. She attended press conferences and events with the council member, and also edited and created content for the council member’s monthly newsletter. Over the summer, at NYU Opportunity Programs as a Summer Peer Leader, she worked one on one with incoming NYU freshmen as they transitioned from high school to college. Kauribel JAVIER was introduced to the famous author, Junot Diaz, at Princeton University where she is currently enrolled. She is the co-president of Latinos y Amigos, a cultural group on campus. Caitlin SEGER attends Smith College where she is pursuing a double major in Sociology and Spanish. She recently had a poem published in the literary magazine, the Black Napkin Press. Caitlin is also working with Yaffed, aiming to bring secular education to Hasidic yeshivas.
2016
Nieve CORRIGAN spent two years at Notre Dame before being homeschooled in 2014 because of her challenging ballet schedule. Nieve now continues her journey through her apprenticeship with the New York City Ballet, one of the best ballet companies in the world. Nieve was awarded the Mae L. Wien Award for outstanding promise upon graduation form the School of American Ballet. Nieve’s dream has finally come true and you can follow her story on Instagram @nrcorrigan. 2017 Elena JONES is nearly finished with her first year at SUNY Oswego. Just like every other freshman, she was a bit confused at first, but now she loves it. It has helped her grow as a person in a variety of ways and has taught her to be responsible.
In Memoriam 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. Dolores Alcid, grandmother of staff member, Victoria ABAD ’99 Natalie Biagi, mother of Board member, Rev. Vincent Biagi, S.J. David Biondi, brother of Christine BIONDI Maciejak ‘68
What’s New?
Vincent Boller, brother of former Board member, Rev. Kenneth Boller, S.J. Margaret CASELLA Pimpinella '71 Nancy Cray, mother of Moira CRAY ‘81 Muriel Daly, aunt of Sr. Rosemary McNAMARA, S.U. ‘77 and Elizabeth McNAMARA Melcher ‘76 Mary Davis, grandmother of faculty member, Claire Littlefield Mary Ann Delaney, sister-in-law of Mary Frances SHERIDAN Delaney ‘56 Joseph Carmelo Falzon, father of Christina FALZON '97
Keep your classmates updated by sending us your latest news!
Lauretta Ellen Galligan, grandmother of staff member, Elizabeth Bixenman Blake Gary, brother of Alexis GARY ‘19 Colleen Gately, sisiter-in-law of Lisa DUNLEAVY Gately ‘91 Mary Anne GAVAGAN Green '51 Harriet HINDES Anderson ‘53
Photos are encouraged! Please send all updates and photos to our Director of Development & Alumnae Relations, Elizabeth Bixenman, at bixenmane@cheznous.org Regarding photos, remember to send the highest quality image available and identify all individuals in each photo.
Linda Lacono, aunt of Natalie LICCIARDI ’19 and Stephanie LICCIARDI ’15 Richard McKeever, grandfather of Arielle McKEEVER ‘18 Margaret MILLIKEN Ronayne, sister of Thelma MILLIKEN Negley '66 Ligia TRUJILLO Yousri '41 Michelle VERGES Longo ‘61 Arthur Zingaro, brother of Sr. Lois ZINGARO, S.U. ’53 and Mary Zingaro
I am the resurrection and the life; those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. John 11: 25-26
Anne de Xainctonge desired to educate girls in the Christian faith.
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Jack Raslowsky
Back Story
F “Our four years with Notre Dame have been ones to love, and our girls are better for it. Neither of the girls has ever lacked confidence. Notre Dame has rooted that confidence in a foundation that is strong and true.”
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or someone seldom at a loss for words, putting pen to paper to articulate the relationship my family has formed with Chez Nous proved more challenging than anticipated; mostly, because it requires more than just a few paragraphs to fully capture the whole story. But, I will do my best. Quite honestly, I know boys and boys’ schools as I have spent the better part of 35 years with adolescent boys in Jesuit education. On top of this, I am the oldest of four brothers, and the father of four children, where my two sons, John and Christian, were the first to arrive. My two daughters, Rebecca and Rachel, came soon after and certainly turned my world a little upside down. Yet, I have learned a great deal from these young ladies, and I continue to discover something new with each day. As a father, and the President of an all-boys Jesuit high school, I became particularly invested when it came time to evaluate and decide what high school my daughters would attend. The search first began with our oldest daughter, Rebecca. We knew she wanted to be in the city, so that was a start. After attending several open houses, we were pleased to discover that there were quite a few appealing Catholic high school options for girls in New York City. Each school was different from the other, with separate strengths and weaknesses, but each focused on providing a strong education for head, heart, and soul. So what brought us to Notre Dame? The boldness of a 16th century Frenchwoman, Anne de Xainctonge, who desired to educate young girls as the Jesuits were doing for boys. The student body—everyone talks about diversity. Notre Dame lives it. Strong leadership. Inspired arts. Competitive athletics. The English books—they were not the same old thing. The High Line, the Whitney, and the energy of the Meatpacking District. Rebecca is now a senior, and her younger sister, Rachel, joined her this year Chez Nous. Some of what drew us to Notre Dame has been left untouched while new doors have also opened. We have experienced four years of successes and failures. Friends gained and
some lost. Intellectual discourse about minimum wage, being the other, the death penalty and prison reform, economic justice and immigration. Discussions about the sanctity of confession and others about the wonders of Piet Mondrian. Our four years with Notre Dame have been ones to love, and our girls are better for it. Neither of the girls has ever lacked confidence. Notre Dame has rooted that confidence in a foundation that is strong and true. I may not be able to pronounce Anne’s last name, but we owe her a great debt of gratitude for the work that began over 400 years ago. Work that gives life each day on West 13th Street. The founder of the Sisters of Ursula, and the reason for Notre Dame’s successes today, is centered around strong Catholic roots and a commitment to faith; values that are important to my family. When all six of us gather for dinner, we share 93 years of Catholic education around the table, a number inflated a bit by the many years my wife, Sarah, and I have worked in Catholic schools. We seldom say grace, but we usually join together for Evening Prayer between dinner and dessert. Yes, we have dessert every night! We don’t always share what we each enjoy about evening prayer, but for me, the fact that across the globe others are praying the same prayer is a source of great comfort and a reminder that there is a unity in God. I also love the Magnificat because Mary’s words, “…the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is God’s name…” could well be the words of our family. Among the great things God has done for us, is the work of Notre Dame. Even before Rebecca and Rachel arrived on West 13th Street, Notre Dame has always been a great partner in the work of Catholic, Ignatian education. Notre Dame’s institutional commitment to reflect and serve the city, unwillingness to compromise its belief in the talents of young women, and ongoing faithfulness to embody the strength and courage of Anne de Xainctonge, are all powerful signs of God’s goodness and great blessings to our family.
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