Chez Nous Parent Award

Thom grew up in New York’s Adirondack Park and Julia in the suburbs just north of New York City. He graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) with a degree in technical photography and moved to New York City to pursue photography and print production at C2Media. Julia graduated with a BA in Art History and Spanish from St. Lawrence University and an MA in Arts Administration from NYU. They met at work – he on the production side of a digital printing company and she on the sales side. They settled in New York City and raised their son, Jack, and daughter, Lily there.

When it came time for Lily to apply to high schools, it was Notre Dame that stood out in the crowd of many options in several boroughs. From the moment she stepped foot into the school, there was a unique feeling of comfort and confidence that this was THE school for her. She loved the welcoming atmosphere and the warmth of the student body and teachers. Lily has been encouraged to develop her intellectual curiosity and creativity. The Roemischers are so grateful as a family that she has had the opportunity to attend high school in one of the biggest cities and most vibrant neighborhoods in the world, yet has had the experience of a warm and nurturing community in the middle of it all Chez Nous. It is at Notre Dame that she has been able to grow academically and thrive over the last four years.

During the height of the pandemic, Thom and Julia were impressed with Notre Dame’s ability to pivot quickly to maintain an in-person and virtual connection to classwork and to Lily’s classmates and teachers. They were pleased with the continuity of community building and academics, even in the face of great challenges.

As Lily’s time at ND is drawing to a close, it is bittersweet. The Roemischers are all excited for the next chapter, but know that they will all miss being an active Notre Dame family. They are comforted by the fact that Lily will forever be part of the Notre Dame community as an alumna.

It has been their pleasure to support Notre Dame in their mission during Lily’s high school years. Thank you to the teachers and administrators who have worked so tirelessly to provide her and her classmates with a wonderful high school experience!