LOGOS 2020 by Ursuline Academy of Dallas

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS | 2020 EDITION

Academic excellence

ALS O INSIDE: Serviam After the Storm Innovation Station

Celebrating Our Core Values

To Grow, To Serve, To Lead.

Do you value the education Ursuline Academy of Dallas provides to young women? We invite you to consider arranging a charitable gift to Ursuline through your long-term estate or financial plans. Donors who have named Ursuline as the beneficiary of a planned gift are recognized as generous members of the Ursuline Society. Charitable planned gifts help ensure the long-term financial stability and future growth of Ursuline Academy, as well as support young women who need financial assistance to attend Ursuline.

Some Ursuline students may not otherwise have an opportunity to attend a school like ours if not for the generosity of others. Contact Ursuline today to learn more about planned giving.

To learn more about planned giving and the Ursuline Society, visit www.ursulinedallas.org/plannedgiving or contact Catherine Baetz Maurer â&#x20AC;&#x2122;98, Chief Development Officer, at 469-232-3584 or cmaurer@ursulinedallas.org.

CONTENTS

2020

Issue

Academic excellence

DEPARTMENTS

2 Leadership 4 Student Voices 8 On Campus 14 Living Serviam 18 The Ursuline Spirit 20 High Notes 34 Support Ursuline 44 Life Events 48 Photo Gallery 52 Bears’ Buzz

COVER STORY Celebrating Our Core Values

The timelessness of Ursuline Core Values informs the timeliness of current programming.

Class of 2019

Student Voices & On Campus

High Notes

These award recipients prove that when we lift each other up, we can all succeed.

Intramurals, Sister Schools and STEM, Innovation Station, and Technology in the Classroom.

Highlighting recent accomplishments of alumnae, students, and faculty.

PRESIDENT Gretchen Z. Kane gkane@ursulinedallas.org

ON THE COVER

Published annually for the Ursuline Academy of Dallas community.

Ursuline Academy’s enduring core values provide a framework for today’s focus on student well-being.

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS 4900 Walnut Hill Lane Dallas, Texas 75229 469-232-1800 www.ursulinedallas.org

PRINCIPAL Andrea Shurley Ed. D. ashurley@ursulinedallas.org ADVANCEMENT OFFICE Catherine Baetz Maurer ’98 Chief Development Officer cmaurer@ursulinedallas.org ALUMNAE OFFICE Claire Blanshard Webb ’97 Director of Alumnae Relations cwebb@ursulinedallas.org

COMMUNICATIONS Valerie Oates Director of Communications voates@ursulinedallas.org Aubree Auletta ’12 Communications Associate aauletta@ursulinedallas.org Leah Chapman Digital Communications Manager lchapman@ursulinedallas.org URSULINE SISTERS OF DALLAS Sr. Adele Brennan, O.S.U. Prioress srbrennan@ursulinedallas.org

DESIGN SullivanPerkins CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Kristina Bowman Kevin Gaddis Jim Olvera Jim Reisch Bill Thompson Byron Thompson Ben Torres Brandon Wade

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

LEADERS H IP

Meet six volunteer leaders who are working for the Ursuline community, and learn the reasons they have chosen to be involved.

“There’s a love affair with Ursuline that’s not just the result of my two daughters’ experience and growth there, but something that reaches back to my own Catholic school education.”

“When my family and I moved back to Dallas in 2007, I was compelled to reconnect with Ursuline Academy. I attended campus events – the Easter Egg Hunt, Intramurals, Holiday Bazaar – and was reminded of the sense of community, the impact of passionate and dedicated teachers, and the beauty of Ursuline traditions.”

Tom Merkel, Academy Board of Trustees, Chair

Kelly Hanratty Butler ’95, Foundation Board of Trustees, Chair

Father of Maddie ’12 and Emily ’13

Sister of Megan Hanratty Green ’00

Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch

Vice President of Provider Service Operations at Blue Cross Blue Shield

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

Nicole Lattner Fox ’00, Alumnae Board President

Peter Brannan, Parent Board President

Granddaughter of Mary Frances Carr Pitts ’40†, daughter of Vicky Pitts Lattner ’69, sister of Ashley Lattner Young ’99

Father of Carter ’17 and Devon ’22

Director of HR Strategy and Implementation at Southwest Airlines

Senior Assistant General Counsel at DART

“Ursuline gave so much to me, not only in my four years as a student, but as a daughter, granddaughter, niece, and sister. Ursuline raised me and the strong women that surrounded me throughout my life. I am drawn to give back to Ursuline in any volunteer capacity to keep our mission alive and serve the next generation of young women.”

“Volunteering is an example of the same Serviam spirit we want to instill in our daughters. To serve others is to do His will, and so it is an honor to be able to give time and talent to Ursuline. We should always try to leave a place better than we found it.”

“Time moves very quickly when a daughter is of high school age, and I wish to involve myself as much as possible before she leaps away from home. Dads Club has allowed me to participate in good works that support the Ursuline community while engaging with my daughter on common ground.”

“I truly believe in the tremendous value of an academically challenging, Catholic education that empowers our daughters to be the best they can be in every facet of their lives. Ursuline mothers are dynamic, smart, talented, and faith-filled, and I love watching them contribute their time and energy to make a positive impact in our community and beyond.”

Brian Kelly, Dads Club President

Barb Louviere, Mothers Club President

Father of Maggie ’21

Mother of Taylor ’20 and Emma ’22

Retired

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

S T UDENT VOICE S

Seniors winning spirit

A Tangible Spirit F

rom our iconic plaid skirts to our beloved white dresses at graduation, Ursuline has a variety of traditions. These traditions build our student community and

connect recent classes with generations gone by. At any time, an Ursuline alumna can likely name several traditions she, to this day, holds near and dear to her heart.

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

by Somto Unini ’21 and Whitney Dodson ’21

Among these time-honored, sacred rituals, one tradition stands out from the rest: Intramurals. It’s exciting, stressful, inspiring, and an absolutely unique experience. The intense competition among the four classes brings loud voices, a demonstration of teamwork, and the best kind of school spirit. Classes unite with their classmates and their class color – Seniors don the blue, Juniors claim red, Sophomores shine bright in yellow, and Freshmen rock the green. In our years at Ursuline, we have even noticed classes branching out and getting more creative. This year, we were excited to be “Junior Things,” a play off of the popular Netflix show, “Stranger Things.” As Ursuline Student Council members, we helped facilitate production of “The Big Three:” Hallway, Mural, and Video. While the one-month timeframe may seem intimidating, it has also helped us develop leadership and teambuilding skills that will prove invaluable in our futures. We’ve learned how to divide and conquer, coordinate committee

meetings, organize work days to stay on task, oversee a major project, and be collaborative as a team. And on those days that we faced mini-dilemmas (like forgotten panel sketches or missing costume pieces), we always managed to make it work – even if we had to make an emergency trip to Hobby Lobby! One day, we had all gathered at a classmate’s house to begin sketching the hallway, only to realize we had left the preliminary sketches at home! We quickly reorganized to work on a different project instead. The recent implementation of in-school “Work Days” has been helpful in time-managing our workload. By incorporating a work day into a regular school day, we are better able to balance school and extracurriculars. This also allows more girls to get involved in the process and assist in preparation activities. Intramurals would not be Intramurals without the exhilaration of ensuring that everything is finished by the deadline. However, once the hard

work is over, our efforts are rewarded and appreciated on Decoration Day, when we can finally see our finished products hanging all over the school, blanketing it in the spirit of the classes. To round out the experience, Finale Week gives all the classes a chance to compete in one last competition: Volleyball. We chant and cheer for our classmates – loudly – and there is nothing else like it. Once final awards are announced, we lock arms and begin to sing the Alma Mater. You know the words, “Ursuline Academy in our hearts you’ll always be…” Our unity and school spirit are tangible. There is nothing like Ursuline Tradition!

2019 INTRAMURALS THEMES: Seniors – “Seniors: Endgame” Juniors – “Junior Things” Sophomores – “Soph Story” Freshmen – “Area 23”

Juniors present their award-winning mural

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

S T UDENT VOICE S TAIWAN

Sister Schools and STEM

Taichung

Imagine… A briefcase that helps you find your missing items. It takes pictures of what you take out of it, time stamps them, and adds a location. This is just one of the amazing innovations I saw at the 2019 Science and Technology Symposium for Youth in Taichung, Taiwan, hosted by Stella Matutina.

hile Ursuline was the only school in attendance from the Western Hemisphere, other students from Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, and China all came together to share in each other’s knowledge and interest in the STEM field. My own interest in STEM comes from a love of figuring out why things work the way they do. I enjoy designing and building and am interested in studying mechanical engineering in college. This conference opened my eyes to what is possible, even for a high school student. Encouraging students from different cultures to interact and cooperate with each other, the symposium cultivated students’ interests in scientific knowledge by discussing global development issues through presentations, talks, and museum visits. For example, participants developed yearlong science projects at their respective schools, like the briefcase mentioned above, that they presented to the group. Along with two of my classmates and two Ursuline chaperones, Ms. Rachel Clark and Ms. Angel Chinuntdet, we traveled to Taiwan to observe the symposium activities and learn about Taiwanese culture and history. Each day was packed with activities and field trips that allowed us to explore a whole new area of the world. We learned to climb trees and catch and tag fish on a field trip to Tunghai University to learn how the university’s professors and students collect specimens for data analysis about the environment. Here, we also learned about honeybees and tasted different kinds of honey, pollen balls, and royal jelly. Visiting the Night Market, touring Taipei, and hiking into

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

Arrival to Stella Matutina

by Teresa Valenzuela ’20

the mountains at Basianshan National Forest were additional highlights. We also visited little pools with kissing fish that ate the dead skin off our feet – free pedicure! Learning about the emperors of Taiwan, the Japanese occupation of the country, and traditional architecture gave me a newfound respect for Taiwanese history. All their symbols have meaning and one that stuck with me was the tiger and dragon: While a tiger is bad luck, a dragon represents good fortune. So, when entering a temple, you always walk through the dragon arch and exit through the tiger. Walk into good fortune, and exit leaving your bad luck behind. The culture, food, traditions, and music of Taiwan made for an incredible experience, and I am so grateful to the Stella Matutina students who made us feel at home there. It was trip of a lifetime and I hope to return to Taiwan again someday.

Tour of Taipei Tree climbing

Ursuline students with 921 Taiwan Earthquake Lecture Professor

Read Bears’ Buzz, page 53, for more about a new UA sister school in Jordan.

RELATIONSHIP BACKSTORY In the spring of 2017, Director of Global Relationships and Cultural Exchange Cecilia Nipp ’85, Associate for Global Relationships and Mathematics teacher Angel Chinuntdet, and Director of Research and Educational Innovation Susan Flume Bauer ’64 took an exploratory visit to Taichung City, Taiwan, to inquire about a sister school relationship with Stella Matutina Girls’ High School. From there, a relationship between the two schools was born.

Founded in 1963 by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Stella Matutina is dedicated to education and transforming their students into well-rounded individuals. They are actively engaged in promoting international education and emphasize the importance of simplicity and modesty. • Ursuline Academy of Dallas visited Stella Matutina Girls’ High School: March 2018, July 2019 • Last Stella Matutina Girls’ High School visit to Ursuline Academy of Dallas: September 2017

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

ON CAMP US

Innovation Station

by Pat Mendina

ix years ago, during the freshman rollout, I watched my advisory team tear into the boxes holding their brand new laptop computers. As soon as they turned the computers on, they poked the icons on the screen with their fingers. Nothing happened. Disappointment rippled through the group. Three years ago, Ursuline introduced the new Microsoft computer to my freshmen, complete with all the bells and whistles, but I still had the older model, and I could not keep up with them. Another techno-train had left the station, and again, I was not on it. Could I learn to incorporate technology into the classroom? Was I too old for this dramatic shift in pedagogy? Should I just cruise to the end doing what I have always done? Not if I wanted to serve my students and encourage them to embrace innovation and change. So, I decided to buy a first-class ticket and the hours of training began. But after 40 years of teaching, I definitely had my doubts. Was I up to this? With Microsoft OneNote, there are no more costly hard copies, no more standing at the copy machine for endless minutes, no more class time distributing papers or collecting them. These are all perks for the classroom teacher. The greatest benefit, however, has been how OneNote helps me effectively communicate with each individual student in my class. When I make comments on her paper, she has immediate access. In a blink! When she works on the lesson, I can read her notes to see if she is understanding instructions, staying on task, developing ideas. The email component from her OneNote page affords me the opportunity to link the assignment to a message to the student so that we can set up a conference in order to review the work in tutorial. It also serves as a way to communicate what

is happening or not happening in the classroom as well as in homework assignments directly to the parents. What I did not realize, as I slowly morphed from English teacher to technology trouble-shooter, is that I would have to learn an entirely new language. New technology vocabulary and commands began to circulate in the classroom: You need to “Sync” your Note Book in OneNote, “insert” your MW doc., or go to “Content” and “drag” the lesson to your LP folder. I learned to “Distribute a page” and to “Distribute across notebooks” to name a few. In the end, I have done nothing more than what I have asked my students to do: embrace change, ask questions, try it, figure it out, and ask more questions. And just when I thought I had it conquered, a freshman asked me today, “When are we going to work with Microsoft Teams in class?” So, here I go again!

ABOUT OneNote A tool for classroom organization, Microsoft OneNote enables teachers to organize lesson plans and course content in a digital notebook. There is a personal workspace for every student, a content library for handouts, and a collaboration space for lessons and creative activities.

Pat Mendina has been a member of the Ursuline Academy of Dallas English Department faculty since 1986.

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

Technology in the Classroom New Tools for Student Learning and Teacher Training Since its implementation of Office365 in 2014, Ursuline has focused on training teachers and students to support innovation in the classroom. Office365 applications are used campus-wide, especially OneNote, OneDrive, and Teams. More than 500 Teams have been created to date under the Ursuline umbrella, facilitating paperless communication and reduction in emails. The goal is to develop Teams as the primary source of communication and information exchange between academic departments, teachers, and students.

UA TECH MILESTONES Ursuline Academy was one of the first six schools in the U.S. to pioneer the 1:1 laptop program in 1996. The school partnered with Microsoft to implement the Surface Book as a required device for students and faculty in 2017. Ursuline Academy was named Microsoft Showcase School of the Month for September 2019. Over the past year, 100 percent of faculty completed training to become Microsoft Innovative Educators.

Early in 2019, Ursuline Academy became the first high school in Dallas to acquire an Anatomage virtual dissection table for science classes. The schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s significant investment in classroom technology also includes six 3D printers, programmable drones, and a laser cutter.

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

GRADUAT ION

BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP, LIVES OF SERVICE “Aided by our Ursuline education, we are called to be a force for good in the world,” Valedictorian Mary Chen said during her graduation speech. During her time at Ursuline, Mary was active in softball, orchestra, and Music Honors Society. Her favorite things about Ursuline were the friends and mentors she came to view as family. “Ursuline helped me grow by challenging my assumptions and perspective of the world,” Mary said. “My experience helped shape me for my future by instilling within me the importance of leading a life of service.” Morgan Andrulis and Kaitlynn Soo were not surprised they

tied for Salutatorian.

founding members of a community-wide robotics team. Morgan

additionally volunteered at the Perot Museum and Kaitlynn was

The duo began their friendship in math class sophomore

And achieve their goals, they did. Morgan and Kaitlynn were

year. They had similar interests, so their schedules remained,

founder and president of Ursuline’s Broadcasting Club.

for the most part, the same. They also began going on global

exchange trips at the same time.

and coaching Taekwondo.

Junior year, Morgan, Kaitlynn, and Mary all participated in

Kaitlynn was also heavily involved in competing, teaching, “Ursuline supported me in my Taekwondo endeavors

the NASA High School Aerospace Scholars program.

and provided me the opportunities to explore my interest,”

Kaitlynn said. “I made friends worldwide and was given

“The bonds that I have made with my friends and my entire

class have pushed me to become the best version of myself,”

an indescribable and invaluable experience that I will

Morgan said. “That’s why I think it’s so wonderful that my best

never forget.”

friend turned out to be my co-salutatorian. We motivated each other to work hard and to achieve our goals.”

212

graduates

170

with honors (Total Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude)

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

UA CLASS OF 2019

469

merit scholarships offered totaling $26 million

National Merit Finalists

National Merit Commended

National Hispanic Scholars

L to R: Kaitlynn Soo, Salutatorian

by Aubree Auletta â&#x20AC;&#x2122;12

Destination: University of Pennsylvania

Mary Chen, Valedictorian Destination: University of Notre Dame

Morgan Andrulis, Salutatorian Destination: University of Michigan

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

GRADUAT ION

Sedes Sapientiae Award Recipient Shreya Jain completed an important project while at Ursuline. Her “water project” discovered a plant that purified water of all contaminants – a solution which could save more than 900 million lives! She was humbled by her senior service at Beaty Early Childhood where she worked with pre-school children with special needs. Shreya also studied abroad in South Korea through a merit scholarship received through the U.S. State Department. Shreya, Morgan, Mary, and Kaitlynn all sat at the same AP Physics C: Mechanics table during their senior year. They formed study groups and worked together throughout the year. “I have had the honor to be surrounded by smart, determined young women who accept differences and pursue their curiosity to learn,” Shreya said. “I have learned to adopt the admirable characteristics of charity, diligence, courage, and honor to become the person I am today.” Grace Finegan and Janice Rotich were both recipients of the

Sister Emmanuel Shea Award.

Conference, African American Awareness Club, and UA Live

while a student.

An Ambassador, participant in Student Council, and a

Janice loved being a part of the Student Diversity Leadership

National Chinese Honors Society member, Grace found her voice

at Ursuline.

making me the woman that I am today,” Janice said. “I will never

forget the unconditional love and support that this community

“I learned how to confidently speak out with tenacity,

“The opportunities I had as a student were integral in

knowing that I can make myself heard,” Grace said. “I am ready to

gave me.”

use my voice for the world.”

and African Studies on a Pre-Law track with a certificate in

Grace hopes to use her business degree and potentially a law

Janice is pursuing a double major in Political Science

Social Justice.

degree to fight for social justice surrounding gender equality and environmental sustainability.

4 1 2

UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES BY STATE The total number of universities and colleges to which Ursuline students were accepted by state/country. Visit www.ursulinedallas. org/collegeacceptances2019

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

1 6 5 1

2 1

7 2

6 10

3 2

2 3

30 Alaska Hawaii

1 1

International Australia 1 Canada 1 Scotland 1 Switzerland 1 United Kingdom 2

1 5 2

4 4

L to R: Shreya Jain, Sedes Sapientiae Award Destination: Rice University

Janice Rotich, Sister Emmanuel Shea Award Destination: University of Cincinnati

Grace Finegan, Sister Emmanuel Shea Award Destination: Loyola University Chicago

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

LI VI NG SERVIAM

The Ursuline Choir sang three songs: “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “God Bless America,” and “In Flanders Fields.”

aiting for the buses to pick up the chaperones and students from Senior Retreat, English Department Chair Kate Kairies Schenck ’97 asked Social Studies teacher Jeff Girard where he got his sunglasses. They were Jeff ’s father’s, from his time in the Army in the early 70s. A combat medic at Fort Sam Houston, he had enlisted a few years after high school graduation. Jeff shared with Kate a story about the day he fully realized the meaning of Veterans Day: Jeff had called his father to wish him a Happy Veterans Day, but his father responded with, “Thanks, but today doesn’t apply to me.” Jeff knew that was not true. All who have answered the call to serve deserve to be recognized.

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

Kate reciprocated with stories of her own father’s experiences during Vietnam. He was a highly decorated Army Ranger who served multiple tours. As they discussed the different experiences their fathers had while serving in the military, they both noted what their fathers did have in common – the love and admiration of their children.

The pair decided to do something special to honor, thank, and recognize Veterans in the Ursuline community for their service. Thus, the inaugural Veterans Day Breakfast was born.

101 Registered to attend 141 Veterans honored with stars

by Aubree Auletta ’12

Rachel Tafalla ’99 attended the breakfast to honor her father, Paul, a Vietnam Veteran who was in the 1st Calvary and one of the first soldiers to be sent to Vietnam. Through stories, she learned that upon his return to civilian life, he and other fellow Vietnam Veterans were shunned for their service.

“Hearing this greatly impacted me,” she said. “It made me realize how a simple ‘thank you for your service’ can radiate the pride these men and women carry in their hearts.” Guest Speaker and English teacher Pat Mendina spoke of her time as a civilian volunteer in the American Red Cross. She joined in October of 1967 with the words of John F. Kennedy ringing in her mind, “What can I do for my country at a time of deep division and unrest?” After two weeks of training in Washington, D.C., she was off on a 13-month tour of duty in South Korea. She served with I Corp in Taegu and Pusan, and later, in the 2nd Infantry Division near the DMZ. When she arrived in Seoul, there were three Golden Rules never to be broken under any condition: 1. Always smile, no matter what! 2. Never ever complain. 3. Never ever let anyone see that you are afraid. She noted that many times a day, she and fellow volunteers were asked by servicemen why the women were overseas. Their answer was always the same: “Because YOU are!” Ursuline’s Veterans Day Breakfast attendee Army Sergeant Gene Feighny (Jesuit Class of 1996), husband to Ursuline Foundation Comptroller Meghan Boeding Feighny ’96 and father to Molly ’22, enlisted shortly after high school graduation. “The military is one of the few places that teaches leadership as a skill,” he said. “I feel like that has really continued on through the years and stuck with me.” He recalls writing letters to Meghan. Sometimes, waiting a month to hear back

because it would take two weeks for a letter to reach its destination one way. Email, thankfully, made its appearance toward the end of his service. James West, another guest, thought back to his time as a Navy Pilot. Growing up, he always wanted to be an airline pilot, and for him, the military would provide the proper training. However, when he was ready to serve, the Air Force was full and turning people away. His ROTC Commander at the University of North Texas, and F100 Pilot back from Vietnam, encouraged him

to try the Navy instead. He spent the next five years there and after he completed his term, followed his dreams and flew planes for American Airlines for 33 years. “To me Veterans Day is a day to honor and show gratitude to the men and women who courageously served our country,” Rachel said. “Without their service, we would not have the freedom and rights that we have today.” Every day we are appreciative of military service members. Thank you for your bravery, your service, and your dedication to keeping us all safe.

Freshman Claire Chesnut with her mother, Michelle, and grandparents

Rachel Tafalla ‘99 with her parents Paul and Lucille

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

LI VI NG SERVIAM

SERVIAM AFTER THE STORM

Ursuline Employees Reach Out

n the night of Sunday, October 20, Ursuline Social Studies teacher Jeff Girard looked out his home window to see a car perpendicular in the street, debris all around it, and a terrified woman inside. He ran outside and ushered the driver into his home. For three hours, Jeff ’s family comforted the driver, who had sped away from the intersection of Walnut Hill and Marsh when a tornado ripped through the area.

Ten tornadoes touched down in North Texas on October 20. The one that tore through Preston Hollow just blocks from Ursuline reportedly had 140 mile per hour winds, cutting a 17-mile path of destruction. Miraculously, there was no loss of life. And while Ursuline Academy lost power for four days, the campus was spared from major damage. Once the storm had passed, Jeff left his house to check on his neighbors and found most of them doing the same thing. “You don’t want experiences like that, but you see the kindness in strangers,” Jeff said. “There was damage, and the power was out. But everyone was safe and unhurt.” The next morning, October 21: the feast day of St. Ursula, cleanup began. And with an eagerness to open one’s arms and heart for a stranger, the spirit of Serviam was a driving force behind the Ursuline community’s recovery efforts. Spanish teacher Maluza Escamilla and Computer Science teacher Brenda McGurgan were among the Ursuline faculty and staff who volunteered at Dallas ISD’s Loos Field House, where students and teachers from three storm-damaged DISD middle schools were converging to create a make-shift school.

Working carpool, the Ursuline teachers greeted students at their cars and escorted them to their temporary “classrooms.” Maluza was impressed by the “appreciative gestures and faces from all kids and parents affected.” “I felt humble and thankful for what God has given us,” she said. “Sometimes we need to put ourselves in the service of others to appreciate what life is all about!”

World Language teachers May Shen (l) and Maluza Escamilla, joined other volunteers and educators to assist at Loos Field House, where 1,000 DISD students were temporarily relocated after the storm.

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

by Leah Chapman

Development Coordinator Jeanne Gates Howell ’87 recalls how calm everyone seemed at Loos. “I was amazed at the resiliency of both the DISD students and the teachers. Many were dealing with damaged homes – but showing up with a smile on their face and hugs of support for one another,” Jeanne said. “There was a sense of community, and all were looking out for one another.” By Thursday, only one school remained housed in Loos. Mathematics teacher Jules McGee Musal ’08 brought boxes of snacks and water for the students. “I was so glad that I was able to give back in some way,” said Jules. “I know that some students only get food while at school, and I wanted to make sure they had something to eat.” “I am an Ursuline girl, and the Serviam spirit is always with us,” said Director of Volunteer Relations and Development Events Kathie Kahn Wood ’87. “To be able to assist, in a small way, those who were trying to establish some normalcy for the children affected by allowing them to return to school was important to me. It was so nice to see people come together to help one another!”

Jeff, who also volunteered at Loos despite having damage to his own home, echoed that sentiment of community. He says he witnessed “pockets of Serviam” from his students who did what they could to help in recovery efforts. One student in his advisory group took food to relief workers. He also received phone calls and outreach from his own students – all asking if he and his family were okay. And he was proud of his Ursuline Swim Team captains who reached out to every swimmer on the team after the storm to make sure everyone was okay. “I know that many of our students and families, as well as our teachers, staff, and administrators, have been able to help families, friends, and neighbors in need,” said Ursuline Principal Andrea Shurley. “I have never felt the force of Serviam as much as I have in these past few weeks.”

The Ursuline community continues to pray for all affected by this storm. And we offer our gratitude to our heavenly intercessor through the words of Sister Lois Castillon: “St. Ursula, thank you so much for helping to protect our future.”

Students in Service

eDay Protocol in Action

Ursuline students participated in relief efforts, and many brought water and food to affected neighborhoods. The Jesuit Rangerettes, along with Jesuit Cheerleading and the Jesuit Rugby team, opened their 7th Annual “Trunk or Treat” event to families from Walnut Hill Elementary, who had to cancel their own Halloween event due to tornado damage. The event boasted an overwhelming turnout! The elementary students were excited to have a safe place to trick or treat, and the high school students enjoyed interacting with the children.

While campus was closed for four days due to loss of power from the storm, eDay protocols enabled students to continue their coursework online as teachers posted communications and assignments.

The Rangerettes continued their Serviam acts by donating their annual book collection to Walnut Hill Elementary.

Virtual Classes on eDays Classes can continue when campus is closed, thanks to Microsoft Teams and faculty training to implement eDay protocol. When Ursuline lost power after the devastating storm of October 20, Teams made it possible for Ursuline teachers to hold classes online via conference videos. Biology teacher Harriet Furton utilized Microsoft Teams to host her AP Biology class. With a couple clicks she started a virtual class, all students received a notification on their personal devices, and 100% of her students tuned in for their 8:45 a.m. class. “I love my students and I didn’t want them to lose that time,” Harriet said. “Life has to go on. And we have to do Biology!” Typically, Harriet teaches in a “flipped” format (meaning students watch online lectures at home and perform labs in the classroom), but with this virtual classroom, she took the opportunity to discuss the lesson with her students. An open dialogue began. Harriet’s students were thrilled with the class and even asked to do it again later in the week if campus remained closed. She held a couple other virtual classes and even a virtual meeting of the National Honor Society Club. “The students loved seeing each other! We saw each other’s rooms and pets. Some girls were still in their pajamas. Two girls joined us from a Starbucks!” Harriet said. “It was really cool.”

Community Outreach As recovery continues over the longer term, those wishing to help can visit the Ursuline website for a listing of organizations working to support families impacted by the storm:

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

T HE URS UL INE SPIRIT

A Global Community Moving into New Life

rsuline Sisters from across the globe gathered in Rome, September and October 2019, for the General Chapter of the Roman Union of the Order of St. Ursula. Delegates represented 1500 Sisters worldwide, from 39 countries. Three Sister delegates from Central Province, in which Ursuline Academy of Dallas is located, attended.

Right: Painting by Brazilian artist Joao Batista, portraying St. Angela looking over the Ursuline mission in Piaui, one of the poorest states in Brazil.

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

by Sister Mary Troy, O.S.U. ’51

hrough dialog, prayer, song, and celebration, the Sisters explored pathways on their journey to New Life, reflecting the Chapter theme. A roadmap for the future emerged, with eight “Intentions,” or guidelines, for focusing the Sisters’ energy during the next 8 years. For example, one Intention chosen by the Central Province for special focus was Care of Earth and its Poor and Vulnerable. The Sisters invite Ursuline of Dallas students to join them in focusing energy on this most urgent of all causes. Following a process of discernment, the delegates elected a new Prioress General and Council, representing the global nature of the Order. New Councilors are from Brazil, Indonesia, England, Poland, and Senegal-Cameroon. Sister Susan Flood from Australia, Prioress General, noted in her remarks at the Chapter closing ritual: “We stand in the footsteps of so many who have walked this path before us - women who responded generously and with commitment to the signs of their times, women who continued to make the path begun by Angela as she pointed toward Jesus.” The Sisters assembled for the Chapter also had an audience with Pope Francis, whose words to them reinforced the global character of the entire Chapter: “It is possible (to choose new life) by opening the doors to Christ and imitating Him in charity; that is, in becoming a neighbor to every man and woman of every language, people and nation, with great respect for the diversity of the other, both cultural and religious.” Ursuline Sisters worldwide welcome this roadmap, the General Chapter of 2019, for direction as a Global Community Moving into New Life.

Continuing to Cultivate the Vine The Ursuline Sisters’ sponsorship of Ursuline schools is rooted in the gospel call to mission, lived in the spirit of St. Angela Merici. The Core Values of Ursuline Education and the Essential Characteristics of an Ursuline School are foundational to this vision. In planning for the future, the Sisters are preparing for a transition of leadership to the laity, with ongoing support of the Sisters as needed. Key areas of focus include: • Interconnectedness of Ursuline schools • Ongoing formation in Ursuline/Catholic identity • Formation of mission-focused leaders • Processes of accountability for mission • Mission integration at the local and province levels

The Ursuline Identity assessment is an important avenue for schools to determine ways they are intentionally integrating the Ursuline mission into their programming. Every five years, every Ursuline Roman Union school engages in this process of reflection and self-assessment on accountabilities and standards of Ursuline education. Leadership gatherings for the Ursuline Central Province schools are also held on a regular basis to encourage exchange of perspectives, experiences, challenges, and ideas. Formation for employees and students occurs throughout the year. All Ursuline Academy of Dallas faculty and staff participate in Angela Retreats and Angela Merici Advisories, where vibrant interaction and exchanges occur on the Ursuline mission.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF AN URSULINE SCHOOL • An Ursuline school cultivates its Catholic Christian identity and instills Ursuline values, heritage, history, and the spirit of St. Angela within its programs and activities. • An Ursuline school nurtures a strong spiritual formation for its students and co-workers, one that cultivates the faith development of all its constituencies. • An Ursuline school fosters respect for the uniqueness of each individual member of the school community.

• An Ursuline school forms and supports a nurturing family/ community spirit. • An Ursuline school promotes faith-based living and leadership in a global community while striving for peace and justice. • An Ursuline school ensures the motto of Serviam permeates every aspect of the school. • An Ursuline school instills academic excellence while inspiring intellectual curiosity.

• An Ursuline school promotes the development of the whole person.

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

HI GH N OTE S

High Notes To follow are highlights of recent professional, volunteer, and personal accomplishments submitted by Ursuline alumnae, students, and faculty. To read more, visit www.ursulinedallas.org/highnotes. ALUMNAE An exhibit by Laura Roosevelt ’79, titled “Historic American Pop,” was displayed in the Hall of State at Fair Park in Dallas. It featured a pioneering new form of American art and debuted in March 2019 at the Dallas Historical Society event “From Hyde Park to Fair Park-A Conversation with the Roosevelt Grandchildren and their Remembrances of Grandmère and Pa.” Melinda French Gates ’82 and her husband Bill Gates were honored April 11 as recipients of the George W. Bush Medal for Distinguished Leadership for their work to reduce inequities in healthcare, break down economic barriers, and hold our education system accountable for all students’ success. Also in April, they were named by Fortune magazine as number one on that publication’s annual list of “The World’s 50 Greatest Leaders.” Melinda’s first book, The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World, was published in April 2019. Mary Kelly ’83 was recognized by Texas A&M University as an “Aggie 100,” which honors the 100 fastest growing Aggie- owned businesses in the world. She also has a new book coming out, 5 Minutes Per Week – 52 Weeks to a Better Business.

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

Michelle Staubach Grimes ’83 discussed her lifelong struggle with mental illness with The Dallas Morning News in hopes to end the stigma that surrounds mental illness.

Angela Peterman Mihalic ’86, Dean of Medical Students and Associate Dean of Student Affairs at UT Southwestern, received the 2019 Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation’s Piper Professor Award, a prestigious honor that recognizes outstanding college professors across Texas.

Tom Fox / Staff Photographer DMN

Julie Lenzer ’84, University of Maryland’s Chief Innovation Officer, was selected by the Washington Business Journal as an honoree for the 2019 Women Who Mean Business awards program which recognizes the region’s most influential women.

Casey Hibbard, ’91, started an online magazine, Rebuilding My Health, to showcase groundbreaking natural and integrative health success stories.

Heidi Edwards ’97 is the new President of Teacherspartners.com for Plano-based media network Translucent Portals Inc. Whitney Whorley Gaspard ’97 was promoted to the rank of Police Commander. Cakky Brawley ’85, San Antonio artist, was chosen to create a sculpture for Gwangju, South Korea, San Antonio’s sister city. The sculpture, made of steel and aluminum, is 16 feet tall and titled, “Light of Friendship, Kindred Cities.” The imagery on the sculpture represents energy, light, warmth, wisdom, and a vow of continued friendship between the two cities.

Catia Ojeda ’97 was named Best Actress at the Marbella International Film Festival for her performance in CLOSURE. She and her husband, Alex Goldberg, wrote and directed the film.

Victoria Neave ’99, State Representative for Texas House District 107, presented to the State Legislature the Lavinia Masters Act which ends rape kit test backlog and combats sex crimes. The Act was signed into law in 2019. Ana Herrera Rodriguez ’99, Director of the Southern Methodist University Cox Latino Leadership Initiative, was selected as a 2019 Texas Women’s Foundation Maura and Young Leader recipient. This award is given to women “who have catalyzed change for women and girls.” She was also featured in Plano Magazine as a “Girl Boss.”

Photo by Maricruz Kwon/UTHealth

Allison Mathews ’03 was named Associate Director of Integrating Special Populations in the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, where she will design strategic planning and trainings for clinical research engagement for the Wake Baptist health system. Alice Ann Spurgin Holland ’04, Pediatric Neuropsychologist at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, was inducted as the youngest-ever president of the Texas Psychological Association for 2019.

Amy Fraler Delgado ’98 is in formation to become an Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis (a third order Franciscan). She is entering the candidacy phase and will be a professed member in two years. Tricia Hanks Zucker ’98, Associate Director of Children’s Learning Institute at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers on July 25 in Washington, D.C. This award is the highest honor conferred by the U.S. Government to researchers who show commitment in science and technology.

Lyn Hay ’02, was a featured Physician Assistant for Lilly Medical, an organization that “unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world,” to discuss her patientcentered approach regarding her role as a Medical Science Liaison.

Juliette DiGiuseppe ’00, the musical artist known as Layke, teamed up with Snoop Dogg and recorded a cover of the Marshmello and Bastille hit, “Happier.” Proceeds from the collaborative tune go to Snoop Special Stars and Childhelp.

Lulu Seikaly ’04, an attorney and advocate, is running for Congress in Texas’ Third District, Collin County. The election will be held November 3, 2020.

Julia Frasco Santosuosso ’05 assisted with a collaboration between Mary Kay, Inc. and UN Agencies to launch Women’s Entrepreneurship Accelerator. The Accelerator will serve as an advocacy platform to eliminate roadblocks for female entrepreneurs, and offer guided curriculum for training and mentorship. It will support global efforts to encourage businesses to establish and expand relationships with women-owned businesses.

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

HI GH N OTE S

High Notes

(continued)

Maria Garnett ’06, nonpartisan policy analyst for the Virginia General Assembly, contributed to a systematic evaluation of Virginia’s foster care system in 2018. State legislators immediately and unanimously enacted major reforms to Virginia’s foster care system as a direct result of the report produced by Maria and her colleagues. Several components of the resulting legislation originated as recommendations Maria developed after completing her research.

Jacqueline Gibson ’15 was awarded The University of Texas College of Natural Science’s 2019 Dean’s Choice Award. This award recognizes students for exhibiting excellence in a diverse array of categories, including academics, service, leadership, and serving as a role model to peers. She has additionally been featured in numerous publications discussing combining her love of service with technology, promoting equity within and through technology, and her desire to make the world a better place.

Charisse Beaupre ’07 founded “Friends of Stemmons Park,” a nonprofit in partnership with the Dallas Parks & Recreation Department and sponsorship from the Dallas Parks Foundation. Stemmons Park, located at Oaklawn Avenue and Harry Hines Boulevard, will serve as the premier junction connecting the Katy Trail to the Trinity Strand Trail by 2022. Megan Madonna Davis ’11, a Ph.D. candidate studying Biomedical Engineering at Duke University, was featured by Duke University’s Center for Global Women’s Health Technology after publishing her first paper for the American Association for Cancer Research. Morgan Uber ’11 began her first season with the Big 12 Conference as a Digital Correspondent in December 2019. She is an on-camera host and creates digital content for the Big 12 Conference website, Big12Sports.com. Additionally, she will serve as an in-game host during Big 12 Football and Men’s Basketball Championships.

Allison Ingrum ’16, Magazine Journalism major at Syracuse University, received the Heather L. Fleischman Memorial Scholarship, awarded to a junior woman who has demonstrated outstanding potential in journalism.

STUDENTS Arianna Ramirez ’19* and Christa Gorman ’19* were both awarded $5,000 scholarships through the ACE Mentorship Program. The 20-week after-school program is sponsored and hosted by local architecture, construction, and engineering firms. Students get practical, firsthand experience working alongside industry professionals.

Caroline Zagielski ’19* received the President’s Volunteer Service Award which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities. It was granted by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. Rachel Voirin ’19* and Lauren Stark ’19* received “Most Creative Innovation” at the 4th Annual iCodeHack at the University of Texas at Dallas. After several hours of coding, they created a Python program and JavaScript app that educates users on regional water issues. The Texas Foreign Language Association awarded Sophia Arias ’19* the 2019 T. Earle Hamilton Student Scholarship. This scholarship is presented to five outstanding high school seniors in Texas who have completed at least the third level of second language study and who plan to continue language study at an accredited institution beyond high school. Sophia studied Spanish, Arabic, and French all four years at Ursuline.

Hola Marhaba Bonjour Sculptures from Haley Hanson ’19* and Vivian Nguyen ’21 were highlighted in the K12 Ceramic Exhibition in the spring of 2019. Their work was displayed with 148 other pieces during the National Council on Education in the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) Conference at the Minneapolis Convention Center. *Honor or award received during her senior year at UA

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

2019 Girl Scout Gold Award Recipients Caroline Podvin ’18 Catherine Meenan ’19 Angelina Syler ’19 Caroline Zagielski ’19

Cecilia O’Brien ’20 was the guest soloist in a concert by the Richardson Community Band (RCB) in August 2019, at Richardson’s Civic Center Lawn. The performance was part of the RCB’s 33rd Summer Concert Series and Cecilia was featured in the violin solo from the movie Schindler’s List. She has played violin for 12 years, nine of them with Daphne Volle of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. She is in the 1st violin section of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra and was the concertmaster of the Texas Private Schools Music Educators Association All-State Orchestra in 2019. Additionally, she is the concertmaster of the Ursuline, Jesuit, and Cistercian string orchestra.

Angelina Velis ’20 won first place in her category for her short film, “Boys will be Boys,” at the Pegasus Film Festival. She was chosen as one of 26 finalists for the prestigious festival. Her film was also accepted into the fall 2019 All-American High School Film Festival in New York City.

Colleen Parro ’20 Juliana Alvarez ’21 Brooke Horowitz ’21 Ruthie Keyes ’21

Cristo Rey’s first prom was a success! Lauren Montigue ’20 and Valentina Ponce ’20 collected 100 new and gently used prom dresses for the Southeast Dallas school. Cristo Rey, which opened in August 2015, is a private, independent Catholic high school. Students work to earn most of their tuition through the Corporate Work Study Program. Kendall Griffin ’20 and Peyton Walker ’20 received a LEAD (Leadership, Empowerment, Acceptance, (self ) Discovery) Award at the annual Elisa Project Luncheon in honor of the Ursuline LEAD chapter. The mission of the Ursuline LEAD chapter is to create a healthier, happier community through education and school-wide awareness projects while talking about challenging topics such as leadership, self-esteem, body image, respect, and stress. Sarah Hui ’20 interned at the The Dallas Morning News the summer of 2019 where her articles, “Is the Texas flag design stolen from the Chilean national flag? Curious Texas investigates” and “Why did Shakey’s, once Dallas’ most popular pizza joint, close? Curious Texas investigates” were published. Sarah Visokay ’20 spent her summer focusing on lab research through the STARS summer internship program at UT Southwestern. She studied the tumorsuppressing gene, p53, with her team while also personally researching the gene, GFAT 1. This special project used fruit flies as a genetic model to see if GFAT 1 is necessary in cellular remodeling.

In July, officers of the Ursuline Color Guard attended the Marching Auxiliaries Summer Camp held in Richardson for an intense three-day workshop in technique, choreography, and leadership and team building. Captain Mariah Gamez ’20 and Lt. Haylee Niehoff ’20 were recognized throughout the camp for their outstanding work and earned these awards: Superior in Grand Champion Performance, All-Star Performers (top individual award), and Dean’s List plaques for dance technical and precision, equipment technique and knowledge, and leadership and initiative. Sarah Pumphrey ’20, along with hundreds of area volunteers, broke the Guinness World Record for most sandwiches made in one hour at TangoTab Feed the City. The group made 57,662 sandwiches, smashing the old record of 49,100 sandwiches. The sandwiches were donated to local food charities. The Ursuline CAUSE for Life Club participated in the 46th annual National March for Life in Washington, D.C. in the spring of 2019. Attendees included Nicole Clements ’20, Michaela Coulter ’20, Sarah Hui ’20, Abigail Mihalic ’20, Silvia Vazquez ’20, Augustina de Urtubey ’21, Madi Hebert ’21, and Olivia Mihalic ’22.

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

HI GH N OTE S

High Notes

(continued)

Megan Sickler ’21 received the Serviam Award presented to a sophomore by the Ursuline Mothers’ Club in February 2019 for her Book Buddies program. She created this non-profit with her mom after volunteering at Seven Loaves Pantry and noticing that children shopping with their parents were restless and needed entertainment. Eight Ursuline students placed in the TPSMEA Region I Honor Choirs, which held its clinic and concert at Trinity Christian Academy in the spring of 2019. The singers sang Ubi Caritas. Dr. Pamela Elrod Huffman, director of choral activities at SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts, and Mr. Victor C. Johnson, an award-winning composer, music educator, and conductor, led the rehearsals. Congratulations to: Mixed Choir Ainsley Koch ’20 Mi-Lan Hoang ’21 Marissa Ovenshire ’20 Sonia Stadler ’20 Treble Choir Ryan Luedtke ’22 Caroline Neal ’20 Caroline Richard ’22 Kathryn Wilson ’22 Ella Kobyluch ’22 completed Columbia University’s New York City Intensive Summer Program for Talented High School Students. Through this program, she focused on creative writing and was able to write short stories, poetry, and screenplays. Her poem, “Spiraling,” was selected and published in Columbia’s literary magazine, Antediluvian Twilight.

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

Four math students have their work on exhibit at the Madi Museum: Jamie Lim ’22: “shattered fluorescence” Anvita Wadhwa ’22: “Diamond Clubs” Olivia Lee ’22: “Untitled” Viviana Esquivel ’22: “Home Depot’s Paint Chips 2019” The art was created in the Geometry Honors class using transformations and will be on display through April 2020.

Elena Velasquez ’22 was selected to be in the Plano Youth Leadership Class 25. This program trains students on leadership techniques as well as prepares them to make a positive impact on the quality of life in their community’s future. Caroline Brandt ’23 attended Catholic Pro-Life Community’s Youth for Life Pro-Life Boot Camp over the summer. The five-day camp was packed full of prayer, education, and service projects. She was particularly impacted by a visit the camp went on to “In My Shoes,” an organization that assists pregnant mothers who are at risk of homelessness. After camp, Caroline continued to support the organization by earning money to purchase as many baby diapers and wipes as she could. She was able to donate $200 worth of baby supplies.

Maya Stoudamire ’23 co-authored Embracing STEM Smarts, Vol 2: An Encouraging Guide for Young Students Who Have a Passion for STEM. The book, compiled by Alexis Scott and published by Ulmpact, hopes to enlighten, inspire, educate, influence, equip, and encourage young people to the infinite possibilities of a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) career. It is available on Amazon/Kindle.

FACULTY English Faculty members Sarette Albin, Megan Griffin, and Kate Kairies Schenck ’97 attended a workshop at Bard College in New York. The workshop titled “The Institute for Writing and Thinking” was an intensive week-long experience during which participants attended sessions during the day and completed homework at night. “The workshop taught me how valuable it is to make time for writing and sharing in class,” Sarette said. “Writing daily enables students to spend time with their thoughts and to feel comfortable writing them down.”

Professional Learning Coordinator and English teacher Corby Baxter and Dean of Academics Elizabeth Smith presented at the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS) Conference at the Westside School in Pasadeno over the summer. Their presentation, in conjunction with Ann Phillips, Middle School Principal at Ursuline Delaware, was entitled “Growing Dreamers: How Two Schools Built Professional Growth Programs for Faculty that Hold Innovation as Central Components.”

As part of the residency, she presented a research paper entitled A Feminine Phenomenology of Time. In it, she argues for the value of the female artistic voice in contributing to an understanding of a feminine phenomenology of time as exemplified in Mary Kelly’s Post-Partum Document (1973-1979).

DOCTORAL DEGREES Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Dr. Corby Baxter - English (Areas of focus include: 20th Century American Literature, Critical Theory with Focus on Identity, Race, and the Environment, and 20th Century Native American Literature)

Dr. Dave Beyreis - History Dr. Stephen da Silva - English (Areas of focus include: Victorian Literature)

Dr. Megan Griffin - Literature Dr. Hillary Kasbarian - Microbiology

Social Studies Department Chair Dr. David Beyreis wrote a new book. Blood in the Borderlands: Conflict, Kinship, and the Bent Family, 1821-1920 discusses The Bents, one of the most famous families in the history of the American West.

Visual Arts Department Chair Jocelyn Holmes continued her PhD work with the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts as she participated in her third residency over the summer. The residency offered a topological studies approach which engaged students with philosophical readings and lectures while immersing them in the art and architecture of Berlin, Venice, and Athens.

and Immunology

Dr. Jonathan Moody - Molecular Biophysics

Jocelyn was also able to visit the Parthenon on Acropolis Hill in Athens and attend the 58th Annual Venice Art Biennale featuring international art exhibitions from around the world.

Dr. Jason Surmiller - Humanities,

Theology Faculty member Kathy Sherman attended a course held by the Theology of the Body Institute of Philadelphia on Theology and Beauty, Theology of the Body & Art: The Way of Beauty.

Pursuing Doctor of Philosophy (PhD):

The week-long course looked at Theological history and experience of the profound encounter of God that we can experience through beauty. The course additionally inspired her to develop a series of several experiential mini-projects for her Theology students with the focus of encounter.

History of Ideas

Doctor of Medicine (MD): Dr. Harriet Furton

Geoff Chelule - Education STEM Research

Ann Middendorf - Catholic Education Leadership

Jocelyn Holmes - Philosophy, Art Theory and Aesthetics

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Alumnae, students, and employees, please send professional, service, and leadership accomplishments you wish to share in Ursuline publications to communications@ursulinedallas.org.

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

FROM T HE PRE SIDE NT

Celebrating Our Core Values

Academic excellence

he featured story in this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue of LOGOS celebrates the Core Values of Ursuline education. In their infinite wisdom, the Ursuline Sisters of the Central Province provide these fundamental beliefs to ensure the Ursuline identity of our extraordinary school.

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

by Gretchen Z. Kane

n often-asked question is, “How does

is shifting, and the ability to learn quickly

in global competence, and to enrich their

the timelessness of our Ursuline

in a variety of contexts, with new tools, is

spiritual growth.

Core Values inform the timeliness of

more important than ever.

the school’s current programming?”

continue to design student programs

The following pages will, hopefully, help

the requisite shift in education means

and professional learning programs that

to inform the answer.

teaching in ways that are personalized to

help learners locate their intrinsic

For our students and teachers,

A strategic priority for Ursuline is to

meet the individual learning preferences

motivation and develop the skills

wavered from its ultimate goal – the fullest

of each girl. It also means providing a

necessary to become lifelong seekers

possible development of the individual

learning environment that encourages

of new ideas and connections. The

student…development that leads to action,

collaboration, exploration, creativity, risk-

intentional design is formed on the tried

and action suffused with the spirit and

taking, and true community. And through

and true fundamental values entrusted to

presence of Jesus Christ. Today, that fullest

it all … instilling a lifelong commitment to

us by the Ursuline Sisters.

possible development requires approaches

Serviam and the call to leadership.

to education quite different from those

Values of Ursuline education, the Ursuline

accepted fifty, or even ten years ago.

how Ursuline’s educational programming

Sisters remain committed to preparing

is evolving to become more fully learner-

young women for the world they will

world is changing. Part of Ursuline’s

focused (see graphic for insight into

inherit with enough confidence to engage

mission is to “educate young women

learner-focused classrooms). The goal is

the changing world. There, rooted in

for leadership in a global society.” A

for student voice and choice to be at the

values, faith, and learning skills, they can

fundamental demand of our global society

center of what we do. Our Principal, Dean

begin to fashion a world that is at once

is that we adapt to, navigate, and create

of Students, and Dean of Academics share

more human and more just.

new networks of people and information.

the steps Ursuline is taking to focus on

The value of “content” and “knowledge”

student well-being, to help students grow

Ursuline education has never

Education is changing because the

In the pages that follow, you’ll read

In their establishment of the Core

Reprinted with permission from The Innovator’s Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity, by George Couros, 2015, Dave Burgess Consulting, Incorporated, 2015 by George Couros.

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

Cover Story

Student well-being by Kayla Brown Dean of Students

hen I became Dean of Students five years ago, I knew that Ursuline had always done a remarkable job of preparing students academically for college and beyond. I also knew that my job was to ensure that the social and emotional well-being of our students was of equal value. I grew up in South Louisiana in a small city

have also spent a lot of time reading and

to a teenager who has never known a world

called Houma, close to New Orleans, and

researching to stay on top of nationwide

before the internet and social media – they

went to Louisiana State University where

trends in high school education. Some of

can’t comprehend it, nor do they fully

I majored in Secondary Education. It was

the books that have guided me are, first

believe it.

a last-minute decision to move to Dallas

and most importantly, the Bible, as well

with friends, but once I started teaching at

as Lisa Damour’s Untangled and Under

amount of cell phone use on campus. We

Ursuline, I knew I had found a home. I then

Pressure, Rachel Simmon’s Enough As She

want to create more opportunities for face-

earned my masters in Liberal Studies from

Is, Jessica Lahey’s The Gift of Failure, Jean

to-face communication and real (not screen)

Southern Methodist University, thinking I

Twenge’s iGen, and Carol Dweck’s Mindset.

relationship building, A four-year advisory

would teach history for the rest of my life.

program encourages students to build

But God had other plans.

relationships with students, I have learned

relationships with the other girls in their

that anxiety and depression in teenagers

advisory and their advisor, their go-to adult

extra opportunity that came my way

across the country is on the rise. The girls

on campus who serves as their advocate.

because I fell in love with the school and

experience stress from the pressure of

the students. I served as Junior Class Head

grades, the college application industrial

Advisor, Social Studies Department Chair,

complex, and social media. As a school, we

and then Assistant Dean of Students when

are implementing programs that will help

the Dean of Students job became available.

our students fight against those statistics

At Ursuline, I began to take on any

Understanding Teenage Girls During my time at Ursuline, I have learned so much about teenage girls. I not only witness their experiences every day, but I

Through my research and my

At Ursuline, we have limited the

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

and support them in the best ways possible.

To combat the dangers of social

media we know that spending time with family, going to church, exercising, and talking to people face to face makes you happier. To the adults reading this, that probably sounds like common sense. But

Development of the Whole Person

Ursuline has four personal counselors

our students can go to mass on a weekly

on campus and this is unmatched by other

or bi-weekly basis. We celebrate monthly

schools. We are incredibly fortunate to

school masses, and each class takes an

To help students take ownership of their

have a counseling department that focuses

overnight retreat once a year to grow closer

learning, we have implemented student-

solely on our students social and emotional

to Christ and grow together as a class. We

led conferences with the advisor and

health. Our P.E. and Wellness Department

have teachers who open their mornings for

parents. The conferences serve as a way for

has also been supportive in this endeavor by

Bible studies, where students of any faith

parents to hear from their daughters about

creating and implementing a Mindfulness

can sit and discuss Scripture and how it

their overall experience at Ursuline and

and Stress Management class. Now in

relates to their lives today.

allow us to get real-time feedback from our

its third year, the numbers of students

students that we use to try to improve as

choosing to take it has almost tripled!

based institution. We cannot talk about

a school.

our students’ mental health without

Teenagers need nine hours of sleep

I can’t talk about student well-being

It is my privilege to work at a faith-

and not discuss the best time of the year,

bringing in God. I often remark on how

every night to function. For years now,

Intramurals. Our students come together

lucky I am to sit with a student who may

we have had a later start time than other

as a class to pull off decorating a massive

be struggling and one of my first questions

high schools. Our classes start at 8:45 a.m.

hallway, painting an elaborate mural,

can be, “How can I pray for you?” I have

which is ideal for teenagers. Our daily

playing volleyball, producing a video, and

Philippians 4:6-7 almost memorized,

schedule is built to have intentional breaks

completing a service project. It’s a fun,

“Don’t worry about anything; instead,

throughout the day and we have four,

community building, time of year. On the

pray about everything. Tell God what you

eighty-minute classes each day, which is

final days of class competition for the most

need and thank Him for all He has done.

also ideal for girls.

coveted spirit stick, I watch these students,

Then you will experience God’s peace, which

collaborate, work together, and learn skills

exceeds anything we can understand. His

in negotiation that are truly remarkable.

peace will guard your hearts and minds as

The goal of the Dean of Students

Office is to ensure that every student feels supported and known at Ursuline. We went from having one Assistant Dean of Students to four Grade Deans and a Student Activities Director. Each Grade

Spirituality and Faith Development

Dean is the expert for their grade. Survey

Our Catholic tradition is woven into

feedback from the girls about this new

every aspect of our school community

model has been overwhelmingly positive.

and promotes student well-being in so many ways. Through Theology classes,

“Moving back to Dallas from Lima, Peru after six years wasn’t particularly easy for me. I was a transfer student at Ursuline Academy in my Sophomore year, not knowing anyone. However, I’m incredibly blessed that the Ursuline community welcomed me with open arms. My advisor has guided me through tough times and has congratulated me on my successes. Occasionally, I’ll have breakfast before school and talk with her about what is going on with my life. She is my voice with other teachers. Having an Ursuline alumna as my advisor is awesome!”

Ashley Zanatta, Class of 2020 “I’ve grown and changed for the better during my time at Ursuline, much to the credit of my teachers and advisors at

school. I walked on campus as a timid freshman, feeling lost and lonely after the recent death of my mother; four years later, I walked off the stage at graduation as a confident young woman, feeling empowered, supported and loved. From the beginning, my advisors created a safe space where I could share my fears, burdens, and triumphs. I also highly cherish my relationships with my teachers. They made an effort to get to know me not just as a student, but as a person. They showed a genuine interest in who I was, and how I came to be that way. Just the knowledge that I could go to them with any issue made Ursuline my home away from home.”

you live in Christ Jesus.”

At the end of each day, I am incredibly

grateful to work at Ursuline. Watching a student grow from her first day at Freshman Orientation to the time when I call her name at Graduation will forever be among my best moments and best memories.

“My counselor has been a huge support and advocate for me throughout my time at Ursuline. She really takes the time to get to know her students and has always been there for me. She sponsors a club I started called LEAD (leadership, empowerment, acceptance, discovery). The club fights eating disorders and the stigma surrounding mental health through education, support, and advocacy. My counselor helped us get the club started and she supports us at every meeting. Our club went on to win the LEAD award presented by the Elisa Project and Lady Grace Byers, a mental health activist, author, and actress.”

Peyton Walker, Class of 2020

Avery Engleman, Class of 2019

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

Cover Story

Nurturing the individual by Elizabeth Smith Dean of Academics

y love for all-girls education runs deep. I grew up in Dallas, attended the Hockaday School, and received my undergraduate degree from Mount Holyoke College. These institutions allowed me to truly understand the impact of single gender education.

Every Girl Thrives

have more choice in what they read so that

me so deeply I wanted to share it. My

In a class of eighteen or twenty students,

they write, and therefore develop more

first teaching job – teaching English to

how might a teacher ensure that every

deeply as resilient writers.

adult refugee populations – gave me a rich

girl thrives? The answer is personalized

perspective of the world, instilled in me a

learning.

students may write an outline and a rough

deep sense of purpose, and strengthened

draft on their own. They turn in the rough

how I view community, laying the

Griffin researched how to create a more

draft and receive comments about how to

foundation for my work at Ursuline.

personalized curriculum that fits within

improve before turning in a final draft for

the Ursuline mission and the college

a grade. In the more personalized class, the

Dean of Academics at Ursuline, I loved

prep environment. She reimagined her

teacher meets with each student one-on-

the notion of working at a school designed

classroom as a space in which students

one, an interaction that facilitates

I learned that I could excel in any area I wished, and that message resonated with

Three years ago, when I became

For her English class, Dr. Megan

they will have more investment in what

In a traditional English class,

to complement girls’ learning styles and help young women attain academic achievement in a wide array of subjects. But it was the strategic imperative of student well-being that electrified me and would serve as my north star.

I was ready to approach the juncture

of Ursuline’s tradition and innovation to make sure every girl flourished.

Learning in English Department Chair Megan Griffin’s literature class

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

Eve Juarez in computer science class

immediate teacher/student feedback. From this feedback the student can create goals to serve as their guide throughout the writing process.

Dr. Griffin’s curriculum also shifted

from all students reading the required four or five major texts at the same time, in the same order, to a hybrid that includes a mix of anchor texts that the class reads and Students say it is the best decision

choose – from full books to poetry, short

to a certain degree – to control the time,

Ursuline has ever made.

stories, speeches, and op-eds – to deepen

pace, and place of their learning. They

their understanding of a particular theme.

receive instruction that is tailored to

us to design mission-driven classes that are

their needs, allowing advanced learners

meaningful and relevant to our students.

personalizes the elective “Inside Nazi

to move forward as they achieve mastery

In the Fall of 2020, we are offering a

Germany.” In this student-led class, the

and providing necessary scaffolding and

course called Service-Learning Experience.

teacher provides foundational content

support to struggling learners, helping

The class focuses on service as a way of life,

upon which the girls build. Students then

them gain confidence and mastery of skills.

drawing from the Spirit of St. Angela, our

choose to explore and discuss present day

Mission and Core Values, and the United

topics that they connect to that foundation.

the classroom and some days out of the

Nations Sustainability Goals. At the end of

In Social Studies, Jeff Girard

A blended class enables students –

discusses together and texts that students

The students work some days in

The flexibility of semesters also allows

classroom, providing them a more flexible

the class, students will be able to articulate

student picking a topic to research in

schedule. Our students are busy – they

what contemporary social issue they want

depth and designing an argument to prove

have athletics, global trips, service, family

to investigate and who they want to serve.

with the goal of connecting what happened

– and a blended classroom allows them to

in the Nazi era to a topic relevant in

stay on top of their work without missing

own service-learning experience with a

students’ lives today. Students are prepared

class lectures and activities. They also have

non-profit organization that the student

for the intellectual inquiry required in

the flexibility to work ahead in anticipation

has sought out. Students will engage in

college, and the larger focus of the class

of an absence.

active leadership as they investigate a

The class culminates with each

makes learning meaningful.

Innovation Time

Mission Driven Challenging academics should support

To make sure every student succeeds at

and enhance student well-being. In fact,

Ursuline, teachers are shifting away from

a strong curriculum must include the

using solely traditional teaching practices.

opportunity for every student to grow and

And to support these efforts, teachers

learn, allowing teachers the flexibility to

may apply for an Innovation Time Grant,

schedule assignments and assessments

allowing them release from one section

that follow the natural arc of a unit.

from their overall teaching load for a year

to research and pursue an innovation in

quarters and shifted to a semesters-only

curriculum and/or pedagogy.

grading system, giving teachers more

flexibility when scheduling assignments/

Computer Science Department Chair

This past year we eliminated

Eve Juarez, an Innovation Time Grant

assessments. They can now give

recipient, chose to research and implement

assessments that correlate naturally with

a blended classroom: a mix of technology

learning in a class, without the pressure

and traditional face-to-face instruction

to fit in a certain number of assignments

and a combination of classroom learning

each quarter. If a class is unprepared to

with online learning.

take a test, a teacher can move it to be sure

In this class, students will design their

service experience and community partner. They will prepare and implement their experience, and at the end of the year, demonstrate their work to community supporters in addition to their teacher and others at Ursuline.

No two students are the same

at Ursuline. Every student develops intellectual growth and graduates from Ursuline as a life-long learner who instigates and embraces change.

Do something. Get moving. Be confident. Risk new things. Stick with it. Get on your knees. Then be ready for big surprises. – St. Angela Merici

students are confident with the material.

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

Cover Story

The uniqueness of Ursuline by Dr. Andrea Shurley

ne of my favorite statements to make about Ursuline Academy of Dallas is that there is no other school like us. In the Dallas market, we are the only Catholic, independent, all-girls high school, and that beautiful and unique intersection of adjectives is at the core of all we do. We are deeply rooted in our Catholic faith

and proud to be part of the fine tradition

grows in small moments…when a teacher

of Catholic education. At Ursuline, we

tells a student she is praying for her; when

A Community of Individuals

are privileged to have daily opportunities

a girl writes a prayer intention for a friend

This respect also fuels our commitment

to talk openly about our faith. We know

who needs to be lifted up, or when any one

to community and inclusion, a school-

that our students need to be engaged in

of us step into the peaceful beauty of one

wide priority at Ursuline. When we enroll

spiritual formation and faith development

of our chapels on campus to spend a little

a student, we commit to her, to who she is

every bit as much as they need to grow in

quiet time with God.

and who she may grow to be. We strive to

their academic studies.

nurture the gifts and talents of each student

As Principal, one of my most important

responsibilities is hiring teachers who will

through her unique educational path.

prayer together. Through large- and

serve our Mission. I love that part of the

small-scale gatherings, we strengthen our

hiring process when I speak with a candidate

with a clear identity of who we are. We

faith community; this happens through

about the gifts of teaching in a Catholic

value each one of our students, and we want

all-school Masses and prayer services,

school. I learn so much about our future

them to value and appreciate each other.

daily Masses, athletic team rosaries, class

teachers, and when I can see it lived out in

retreats, and our theology classes.

their work with our students, it is gratifying.

commitment to peacemaking, encourages

I always close these conversations

us to help our students see how they can

by sharing with them my favorite part

support each other and be peacemakers.

of being a Catholic educator, that we are

Through our phenomenal global program,

called to first see our students as God’s

we raise that life lesson to a metaphorical

perfect creation. We see her walking

and literal global level.

through our door, into our care, and she

is loved. That’s a wonderful place to start,

trips, and cultural exchanges, our students

and it helps us fulfill one of our Core

learn how their world is impacted by

Values, respect for the uniqueness of the

others and how very much we all share.

We start and close each day in

Mass of the Holy Spirit 2019

This essential part of who we are also

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

individual.

Ursuline is a Catholic, all-girls school

Another of our Core Values,

Through language studies, mission

innovative practices apply, and those

allow our students to encounter people

selected are given the gift of time – one

arm around a friend’s shoulders as they

from other cultures, and this global

released teaching period – to devote to

walk through the hall, the way they lift

connectedness enhances their capacity to

their work. We are in our second year of

each other up in the challenging moments

understand the concepts they learn in class

these grants.

of high school, the shared laughter when

– literature, theology, history, arts, and more.

something silly happens, the joy they take

We look to create experiences that

Mission trip to Costa Rica

Our teachers are not only attending

They also build this in small ways, the

national conferences, they are also

in their time together.

presenting to their peers here at Ursuline

and at conferences or through web

friendships and community also happen in

presentations. When alumnae visit as

their classes. Our students enjoy when they

adults, it is always heartening to hear

work collaboratively and creatively; they

that they are grateful for their Ursuline

thrive on that connectedness as they build

teachers; we will continue to ensure that

understanding. They also thrive when they

the teachers have all they need to serve

serve together. Many of our clubs are built

these wonderful girls.

around active service, and these have the

These moments of building

largest memberships.

Teachers and Learners The Ursuline Girls Another of our key adjectives is that

The final adjective we hold dear is that

we are an independent school, and this

we are a school for girls. All that we do is

means we hold our teachers to high

focused on them and on what they need

expectations for the ways they educate

to thrive, and one of the elements of an

our students.

Ursuline education that our students hold

most dear are the friendships they form.

Ursuline is fortunate to be able to

support professional development for our

It is beautiful to watch the classes come

teachers in many ways. Our Professional

together over their four years. Through the

Learning Coordinator ensures that

big moments in these years, Intramurals,

teachers know what is available for them

retreats, events such as Freshman

and that the learning they do ties back

Convocation, Sophomore Serviam, Junior

2019 Student Alumnae Association Service Project at Feed My Starving Children in Richardson

directly to their students. Ursuline’s

Ring Ceremony, and Graduation, they

faculty-designed professional learning

build their community.

out in the larger community making a

I hear constantly about our students

framework supports their growth through

difference. Our students truly love to serve,

in-house professional learning programs

and the requirements we set are always

as well as external programming.

broken. Even the multi-colored madness of

Intramurals is grounded with an all-school

Teachers are learners, too. They

attend classes, webinars, and conferences,

service project. Once our students realize

they enroll in online courses through

the gift of Serviam, it keeps them coming

our partner, OneSchoolhouse, and they

back, and I believe this is true with our

utilize our status as a Microsoft Showcase

alumnae as well.

School by completing trainings, in person

or online, that help them use the tools

strength as young women carry them

that are enhancing our students’ learning

far, and it is powerful to walk these halls

experiences.

and know that we walk among girls who

Their faith, education, and confident

A particularly exciting way that we

will grow to be leaders. Ursuline students

support our teacher-learners is through

possess a true and deep desire to do good

Innovation Time Grants. Teachers who

in the world, and we see it as a privilege to be part of their lives.

are primed to research and implement Class of 2019 Graduation

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

S UPPORT URSUL INE

As Ursulineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chief Development Officer, it is a privilege for me to serve in a role that perpetuates the spirit of Serviam by creating opportunities for families to be involved in campus life. Ursuline is successful because of those who have invested time, wisdom, and financial resources into the Ursuline mission and ultimately into the Ursuline educational experience. The Academy is blessed to have a community that gives so generously in so many ways in support of our girls. I want to share the ways you can get involved and/or give back to Ursuline.

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

by Catherine Baetz Maurer â&#x20AC;&#x2122;98 Chief Development Officer cmaurer@ursulinedallas.org 469-232-3584

Getting Involved Earlier this school year, we launched Engage@UA, a new communications tool that will make it easy to identify volunteer opportunities and Ursuline events. This email is produced three times a month so you’ll always have the latest news and information available.

Throughout the year, there are many activities and events hosted by the school and our volunteer groups.

Attending is a great way to meet others in the Ursuline community and continue to build the warm and caring environment for which Ursuline is known.

There is no shortage of volunteer opportunities that have a meaningful and positive impact on our school. We

look forward to helping you find options that match with your schedule and talents. For more information on how you can be Engaged, please visit our website

Giving Back Each year, Ursuline requests philanthropic support for two key priorities — the annual fund and scholarships. Here’s what to expect throughout the year:

September – June The Ursuline Fund is an annual fund that supplies the Academy with the resources necessary to provide educational experiences above and beyond what is covered by tuition.

URSULINE FUND Every day support for every girl

Mardi Gras Ursuline’s annual auction gala, “Mardi Gras,” serves as a critical source of support for financial need-based scholarships. It’s a great party! We hope you will attend this year’s event on February 22, 2020, or consider sponsoring and/or donating items for auction bidding.

Kathie Kahn Wood ’87

Claire Blanshard Webb ’97

Director of Volunteer Relations and Development Events kwood@ursulinedallas.org 469-232-2675

Director of Alumnae, Parent, and Community Programs cwebb@ursulinedallas.org 469-232-3586

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

HOMECOMING WE E KE ND

Golden Jubilee 50th Reunion Luncheon

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

Intramurals Cocktail Party and Holiday Bazaar

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

HOMECOMING WE E KE ND Lifetime Alumnae Reception for Class of 1974 and 1979

Tea at Three for Classes 1945-1968

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

Awards Luncheon and Celebration

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

HOMECOMING WE E KE ND

1974

1979

Teresa Vilfordi Korman, Kathleen Dillin Stephens, Patricia Swenson,

Suzan MacLellan, Carmen Rangel Blandino, Marie Kelly; Row 2, L to R:

Janis Brunworth; Row 2, L to R: Elizabeth Fulbright, Julie Waffle Baumann,

Alberta Blair, Julia Torley Price, Mary Haden Payne, Michell Feltman Savoy,

Judi Fontenot Pierre, Barb Fielding Robertson, Sharon Keating McQuown,

Laura Roosevelt, Margot Brito Murphy; Row 3, L to R: Dianne Sanchez,

Kerry Brett Franklin, Maureen Maher Wittum

Maura Sykes Cornell, Mary Kay Stringfellow, Lynne Kervin, Cathy Weber Colvin,

Front Row, L to R: Teresa Daly Walther, Patty Walker Mason, Kim Caravella,

Front Row, L to R: Lisa Lanier, Marianne Maher Percy, Laura Dever,

Carolyn Neuhoff Shaw; Back Row, L to R: Becky Bourgeois, Diddy Fulbright, Karen Kunecki Diaz, Debbie Lucido Case, Hilary Clement Olson, Ginny Dudek, Suzanne Parker Bennett, Annette Glorioso Gerner, Ellen Cook

1984

L to R: Jill Harper, Cecilia Ackels Martin, Amanda Brown Paredes, and Karen Tullis Morin

1989

Front Row, L to R: Carrie Brice Sethi, Stacey Clifton Miller, Amy Canterbury, Karen Phillips Davis, Kim Connally; Row 2, L to R: Becky Blossom Neander, Montse Aguilar Stadler, Jessica Dermer Williams, Shannon Ryan Holub, Sarah Holland Rehagen, Annie Kahn Vaughan; Row 3, L to R: Kristen Vassallo, Michelle DePrez Harrod, Stacie Goldie Belter, Gabriella Tamburrino Davis, Tiffany Tortoriello Davros, Estella Rubio Galicia, Julie Underhill Butscher, Courtney Sullivan; Row 4, L to R: Gabriella Martinez, Edith Esquenazi Torkiya, Tierney McClellan Thompson, Lane Morris Buckman, Laurie Duval Vaudreuil, Debra Rayfield Hurley, Cynthia Smith Delanoy, Lisa Burdette Buchanan

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

1994

Front Row: Nicole Etman Gallegos; Row 2, L to R: Patricia Liu Brilliant,

1999

Front Row, L to R: Anne Doak Robinson, Casey Cummins Daly,

Cari Kidwell Brashier, Molly Moore Smith; Row 3, L to R: Rachel Long Bon,

Sarah Sarkees; Row 2, L to R: Catherine Bell, Amy Dunne Henderson,

Ashley McCrea Sullivan, Mary O’Brien Green

Anne Foltz, Ashley Lattner Young

2009

UA Current & Former Employees

Front Row, L to R: Tory McKillop, Gabrielle Dizon Pruss, Molly Nolan,

Front Row, L to R: Sr. Mary Troy, ’51 O.S.U., Betty Bourgeois, Anne Balden,

Taylor Bautista; Row 2, L to R: Alisha Johnson, Megan Hammersla,

Kathy Malloy Valenzuela ’85; Row 2, L to R: Judy Ordemann, Mary Pawlowicz,

Brenna Farren, Andrea Marino

Patty Wallace, Bernie Paul, Pat Mendina; Row 3, L to R: Sally Kennemer, Maria Gutierrez Doskey ’71, Holly Weaver Gardner, Sr. Adele Brennan, Christian Grammer Freberg ‘92

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

HOMECOMING WE E KE ND

2 019 Distinguished Alumna

Gabrielle Martinez ’89 The Distinguished Alumna Award honors an alumna who, through her service, leadership and achievements has distinguished herself to Ursuline, her community or her profession. The alumna should be a recognized leader within her chosen field and should reflect the Christian ideals, standards, and objectives of Ursuline Academy. Gabrielle Martinez is the Managing Partner and co-founder of Agency EA. Since inception, Martinez has played an integral role in the company’s growth from a boutique events firm to a premier brand experience agency for organizations like Google, Samsung, Hilton, Intuit, Facebook, and MillerCoors. Featured as one of Crain’s Chicago Businesses’ “40 Under 40,” Gabrielle’s formula for success includes purposeful creative, a strategic business approach, and a mantra to always over-deliver and exceed expectations. A solid foundation in the hospitality industry complements Gabrielle’s creative role in the experiential marketing field. Her design style and common-sense business approach have deeply influenced notable client engagements and solidified trusted relationships with Ms. Oprah Winfrey, the Obama Family, and internal teams to the White House. For five consecutive years, Gabrielle served as lead consultant to First Lady Michelle Obama’s Communications Team and Social Office of the White House for the event and holiday season. Today, Gabrielle guides the strategic vision for Agency EA and oversees its 150 employees, culture, and growth. She manages the agency’s senior teams and their departments, including Client Services, Production, Creative, Digital, Marketing, Operations, and Business Development. As a champion for female leadership, diversity, and inclusion, Gabrielle uses her platform to create a positive and progressive company culture. She serves on the board for The Honeycomb Project, an organization that creates community service projects for families to participate in together. In addition, Gabrielle is active across the Chicagoland Civic Engagement community with her husband and two daughters, Sophia and Lucia Rooney. Her dedication to youth mentorship is strong and shared across her alma mater of Lake Forest College, One Million Degrees of Chicago as well as the group Emerging Latino Líderes. Her perspectives on the Experiential Marketing industry and managing success in the creative industry have been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, AdAge, Crain’s Business, and Event Marketer Magazine.

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

Serviam Alumna Award

Young Alumna Award

The Serviam Alumna Award honors an alumna who embodies the Serviam volunteer Spirit of Ursuline Academy. Through her spirit, service, and quality of life, she exemplifies the Christian ideals of her Ursuline education.

The Young Alumna Award honors an alumna who graduated in the last fifteen years who, through her service, leadership, and achievements, has made outstanding commitments within her community and profession.

Kathryn Polk serves as the executive director and founder of a refugee resettlement center, Global Connections, in her hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina. Kathryn first connected with refugees through Interfaith Refugee Ministry Wilmington (IRMW) in 2011, as a volunteer ESL tutor and classroom teacher. Kathryn attributes her passion and dedication to community service to her years at Ursuline Academy of Dallas when she learned the value of helping others in need and spent hours each week volunteering in senior centers and food banks. After working with refugees for five years as a weekly volunteer teacher, Kathryn also worked as the Employment and Resource Developer for IRMW. She employed over 87 refugees in less than a year, managed the self-sufficiency Match Grant program with refugee clients, and served as the volunteer and donations coordinator. Kathryn also led the Advisory Council board for IRMW in 2017. After a hurricane made landfall in Wilmington, NC in September 2018, Kathryn provided full-time emergency services to Wilmington’s refugee community for months. In addition to independently serving hundreds of refugees during this natural disaster, Kathryn spent two months collaborating with The American Red Cross and Catholic Charities to lead a team of volunteers in immigrant communities providing much-needed supplies, recovery, and relief. To compensate for dwindling resettlement services available in Wilmington, Kathryn has started a new refugee support center to assist and empower refugees in Wilmington. The board of directors for Global Connections is composed of more than 60% refugees. Kathryn’s current work provides weekly programming and entrepreneurship support for refugees, basic social services, and community integration. Kathryn has helped provide employment and case management services to resettling refugees from Burma, Iraq, Colombia, Ethiopia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi. With her leadership and service, over 300 refugees in Wilmington have long-term support through an organized refugee-resettlement nonprofit organization.

Alex serves as the Associate Director of Development and Communications at ADA 25 Advancing Leadership, the only leadership program in the nation that connects leaders with disabilities with civic engagement opportunities. Previously, Alex was a Program Associate at The Chicago Community Trust, where she managed projects related to the Trust’s commitment to racial equity, disability inclusion, and strategic growth for diverse populations and disinvested neighborhoods and was integral to the launch of ADA 25 Advancing Leadership. Alex is also Treasurer and Finance Director for Robert Emmons Jr., who is running for Congress in the First District of Illinois. Alex has spearheaded the campaign’s fundraising efforts by championing individual contributions. As a result, the campaign has been nationally ranked in the top 3% of all 2020 candidates as the most popular among small dollar individual donors. This strategy has been featured in national news publications such as The Intercept and Teen Vogue. As an inaugural member of The Obama Foundation Community Leadership Corps, Alex founded The Beautiful You Project, aimed at creating an online community around mental health fueled by young voices of color. In the first month launched, the blog, which featured lived experiences of mental illness including her own, was read by thousands across the country. Because of her work, she was selected as a featured speaker during the 2018 Obama Foundation Summit and currently serves as an Alumni Ambassador for the Foundation. Alex also currently serves as Grantmaking Co-Chair for Chicago Foundation for Women’s Young Women’s Giving Council. She is the former Philanthropy Advisor for the Phi Chi Chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi. She was an Ambassador for the Chicago200 youth leadership program. Alex graduated with honors from the University of Chicago in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Public Policy. She strongly believes in the power of personal narrative, civic engagement, and working together to create change.

Kathryn Mello Polk ’04

Alexandra Perez-Garcia ’12

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

LI FE EVENTS

Weddings Patricia Rohling Collier ’62 to Dick Cramer Elizabeth Carroll ’97 to Aaron Breckenridge Erin Watts ’03 to Matthew Repka Allie Daus ’05 to Jordon Tennyson Melissa Dominguez ’05 to Jorge Aliaga Rebecca Wunderlick ’05 to Christopher Holterhoff Jules McGee ’08 to Mike Musal

Elizabeth Carroll ’97 and Aaron Breckenridge

Kara Fenton ’09 to Dan Dent Regina Morris ’09 to Derek Wash Abby Kemp ’10 to Nick Bedenkop Kelsey Ryan ’10 to Cade Ord Rachel Huber ’11 to Garrett Nerren Ariane Lemieux ’11 to Jeffrey Taylor Emma Epps ’12 to Stewart Holder Julia Ferguson ’12 to David Quinoes McKinley Freeman ’12 to Max Brown Kathryn Gibbs (faculty) to Nicholas Brandt

Left to Right: Amber Pickett Wernick ’05, Lauren Olson ’05, Shannon Lindley ’05, Molly Richardson ’05, Allie Daus Tennyson ’05, Monica de la Cerda ’91, Kristen Daus Sprenger ’07, Emily Daniel Brooks ’05, Celeste Miles ’05, Kendall Campise Yeager ’07

Kara Fenton ‘09 and Dan Dent

Abby Kemp ‘10 and Nick Bedenkop

Left to Right: Brittany Claypool ’10, Whitney Smith ’10, Katherine Ryan ’10, Kelsey Ryan Ord ’10, Allie Gilliland ’11, Lauren Caudill ’10, Ginny Jacobs ’10

Jules McGee ‘08 and Mike Musal

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

Births Girls Jennifer Sullivan ’94 Loren Olivo Carpenter ’97 Klaire Frick Hensley ’97 Michelle Pfluger Leedy ’97 Dorea Wilder ’97 Sheila Melle McWilliams ’98 Angela Taquino St. Aubin ’99 Jessica Saucedo Cohron ’00 Marika Dahlstrom ’04 Hayley Zimmerman Creecy ’06 Elizabeth Gehrki Karper ’07 Rebecca Quinn Teresi ’07 Mary Lamar Washburne Nicholas ’08 Ahtoosa Amini Dale ’09 Amanda Rivera Johnson ’11 Jeffrey Girard (faculty)

Lucas Zachary and Aliona Apryl, children of Melissa Dominguez Aliaga ’05

Hattie Claire, daughter of Rebecca Quinn Teresi ’07

Twins Melissa Dominguez Aliaga ‘05 (boy/girl) Boys Holly Briscoe ’96 Megan McClendon Rios ’97 Cassandra Cass ’98 Lindsey Randolph Walsh ’98 Leslie Huselton Ellis ’01 Stephanie Fitzpatrick Moreno ’03 Shivna Vasavada Patel ’04 Dori Neil Araiza ’05 Gillian Field Castles ’05 Allison Dunne Darnell ’05 Alexandra Minton Fraler ’05 Erika Sifuentes Stoerkel ’05 Hanna Munoz Neyland ’08 Shannon Field Quine ’08 Lauren Dyer Taylor ’12

Declan Andrew, son of Stephanie Fitzpatrick Moreno ’03

Leila Louise, daughter of Ahtoosa Amini Dale ‘09

Daughter of Amanda Rivera Johnson ’11

Eleanor Elizabeth, daughter of Elizabeth Gehrki Karper ’07

Daughter of Angela Taquino St. Aubin ’99

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

LI FE EVENTS

In Memoriam Alumnae Margaret Murrin Moser ’31 Charlotte Lee Goodwin ’44 Mary Ann Kervin O’Connor ’44 Bobbie Moffitt Long ’45 Jeanne Marie Hill Minnick ’48 Martha Troy Ribelin ’49 Elizabeth Pruner Witherow ’52 Judy Weed Smith ’56 Frances Roberts Allbright ’59 Toni Bifano Field ’60* Patricia Ready Olden ’60 Melissa Starr Scarpitti ’63 Laura Lucido Craig ’65 Anette Brown ’69 Barbara Ann McKeon Colacurto ’69 Teri Wischmeyer Kee ’69 Kathy LaBarba ’70* Katherine Owen ’70 Sheree Bell Mock ’73 Teresa Thomas ’74 Shawn Cook Jones ’78 Jennifer Marable Stivers ’87 Lucy Cheng ’13 Husbands of Patsy Sellmeyer Loveland ’62 Susan Flume Bauer ’64*** Mary Louise Meletio Weiss ’65 Linda Gallaway Robertson ’67 Maria Cuellar Sikkel ’69 Mary Ann Deatherage Bass ’74 Melissa Kerr Pauksta ’78 Ann Marie Watkins Wallace ’83 Ann Douglas Henry** Virginia Cardenas** Mothers of Sr. Mary Theresa Moser, RSCJ ’53 Sr. Margaret Ann Moser, O.S.U. ’56† Estelle Tovar Lara ’63 Camille White Duffy ’65 Patricia Long Gage ’66 Pat Embree ’67 Peggy Fox Brown ’69 Barbara Long McKissick ’69 Cathy Ways ’69 Eileen Long Bowles ’70 Pam Fox ’70 Kathleen Moser Barr ’71 Esther Tovar Fraler ’71 Georgene Fox Boyden ’72 Katherine Hoffman Billelo ’73 Lourdes Fradley Foster ’73 Carol Moser Grantham ’73 Francine Dwyer O’Reilly ’73 Mary Bissonnette LeBleu ’74† Jeri-Ann Gonzales Mullaley ’74

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

Camille Cheney Fournier ’75 Rita Lucido ’75 Jeanette Fox Schortmann ’75 Anita Tschurr ’75 Diana Alaniz Bueno ’76 Mary Uhler Finnigan ’76 Erline Tovar Martinez ’76 Bridget Fisher Hunt ’77 Tricia Danna Johnson ’77 Debbie Dwyer Newton ’77 Ann Hoffman Delatour ’78 Claudia Snyder Ferrera ’78* Kathy Fitzsimmons ’78 Marie Krebs ’78 Hans Tschurr ’78 Allison Cheney ’79 Amy Fisher Hodges ’79* Monique Tschurr ’79 Elizabeth Embree Miller ’80 Marea White Meadows ’80 Rhonda Shackelford Rayborn ’83 Jane Snyder Fitzpatrick ’84 Marilyn Prude Butler ’85 Shannon Higgins ’88 Amy Malorzo ’88 Stacie Gokie Belter ’89 Jennifer Weissert Richmond ’92 Miranda Shackelford ’95 Ayana McWoods ’11 Nya McWoods ’12 Stephen da Silva*** Fathers of Sheree Bell Mock ’73† Maria Van Maerssen Charney ’75 Patricia Van Maerssen Hawkins ’76 Veronica Van Maerssen Logan ’77 Ann Garvey Hamilton ’77 Martha Nell Williams Bedford ’78 Mary Baldwin Squiers ’79 Tracy Jenkins Gonzales ’80 Julie Haba ’80 Ginny Cardenas Haralson ’80 Susan Williams McElroy ’80 Kathy Baldwin Sears ’80 Debora Freeburn Tidwell ’80 Marti Bauer Daniels ’82 Janice Haba White ’82 Faith Martinez Culotta ’83 Jane Snyder Fitzpatrick ’84 Lisa Garvey Sambrano ’84 Cecilia Nipp ’85 Lisa Cardenas ’86 Denise Goodman Rebel ’86 Beth Baldwin Hagewood ’87 Michelle Cardenas Boston ’88 Rexanne Winters Dove ’88

Katie McGuire Martin ’90 Michelle Robertson Hannah ’94 Sally Foster ’96 Ana Nipp ’98 Jaclyn Anderson ’08 Alex Bret Bastoni ’08 Aleshia Bret ’10 Nicole Herleman ’16 Madison Goza ’21 Sergio Murillo*** Daughter of Anne Kerin Thomas ’46 Step-daughter of Barbara Bartley Christensen ’60 Grandson of Angela McLean ’60 Grandmothers of Bevin Holman Lonngren ’86 Jacqueline O’Shea ’88 Tanya Tovar Rabatte ’89 Colleen Duffy Duggal ’92 Christian Grammer Freberg ’92 Megan Moser Daigle ’93 Kelly Moser Mickan ’93 Margaret Moser ’94 Andrea Foster Perkins ’95 Amanda Foster Fehlman ’97 Amy Fraler Delgado ’98 Karla Navarro Noone ’99 Adrianne Pierce ’99 Amy Dominguez Amata ’00 Meghan Fitzsimmons Felter ’01 Genevieve Barr Malott ’01 Michelle Ribelin ’03 Erline Martinez Miller ’04 Emily Daniell Brooks ’05 Hilary Hoffman Lindemann ’05 Michelle Ackels Roudebush ’05 Grace Darden ’06 Kate Darden ’07 Caitlin Barr McCormick ’07 Rebecca Lynn Hoffman ’08 Andrea Grace Marino ’09 Rachel Christy ’10* Elizabeth Fox ’10 Caroline Jones ’10 Sarah Yung ’10 Ava Walker ’11 Gabby Hunt ’12 Christina Marino ’12 Rebecca Yung ’12 Christen Anne Scalfano ’14 Laurel Walker ’14* Kathryn Roger Fitzsimmons ’16

Madeline Tovar ’16 Isabel Tschurr ’16 Maria Tovar ’17 Veronica Yung ’18 Grandfathers of Catherine Hermann Gravel ’85 Kelly Hermann ’91 Sarah Hammond Naughton ’92 Louise Grubbs ’94 Mary Hammond Mosley ’96 Gretchen Grubbs Hanner ’97 Natalie Rubio ’97 Laney Per Booher ’00 Alexandria Hawkins ’05 Cara Buskmiller ’07 Christy Haralson Brannon ’10 Emily Hoffend ’11 Catherine Buskmiller ’13 Jenna Hoffend ’13 Meghan Bowen ’14 Christen Anne Scalfano ’14 Alex Boston ’15 Clairemarie Buskmiller ’15 Courtenay Cavett ’15 Lauren Curran ’15 Katie Boston ’16 Caren Buskmiller ’17 Ellie Helene Hagewood ’17 Eva-Maria Harwerth ’17 Grace Cardenas ’18 Emily Cardenas ’21 Anastasia Stalcup ’22 Great Grandmothers of Emma Lonngren ’21 Natalie Marina ’22 Sisters of Sr. Mary Troy, O.S.U. ’51 Sr. Peggy Hill, O.S.U. ’53 Jean Troy Knauber ’56 Mary Pat Hill Liggio ’57 Marilyn Starr Gold ‘57 Karen Wischmeyer ’63 Mary Sue Roberts Kiker ‘65 Christine Owen Feasley ’66 Deborah Starr Lake ’71 Elizabeth Wischmeyer Munse ’71 Mary Anne Thomas ’72† Rita Lucido ’75 Ellen Cook ’79 Gina Wischmeyer Totah ’81 Linda Thomas White ’81 Jean Thomas Buys ’82 Carolyn Thomas Murray ‘87

Brothers of Mary Ellen Bret ’69 Mary Emma Ackels Karam ’72 Janis Brunworth ’74 Kate Loughborough ’74 Theresa Ackels Kemp ’77 Miriam Ackels Claerhout ’83 Cecilia Ackels Martin ’84 Sr. Marie Siegmund ’88 Dale Ann Marco ’97 Ashli Marshall ’02 Leah Schlief-Freese*** Aunts of Susan Flume Bauer ’64 Mary Cook Nabors Blanshard ‘67 Amy Nabors Ross ’70 Estela Meneses Jones ’71 Laura Fox Williamson ’73 Frances Lucido Thompson ’78 Amy L. Fox ’79 Katy Cole Bove ’94 Callie Hall Alisharan ’99 Jennifer Thomas ’06* Michelle Thomas Richardson ’08 Amelia Starr ’08 Jillian Buys ’12 Amanda White ’14 Jenna Buys ’15 Julianna Buys ’18 Katherine Murray ’18 Grace Finegan ’19

Uncles of Rosanne Messineo Mills ’77 Betsy Burns Massey ’81 Suzanne Messineo Rippetoe ’82 Maribeth Messineo Pappas ’85 Teresa Messineo Cameron ’88 Anne Marie Messineo ’89 Anne Harry Burgio ’94 Monica Harry Esposito ’96 Katherine Burns Kennealey ’97 Rebecca Sims O’Brien ’97 Ellen Harry Henrard ’98 Danielle Daboub Shermer ’98 Amy Sims Stovall ’99 Timberly Ackels Hathorn ’03 Catherine Karam Nodurft ’03 Elizabeth Karam Case ’04 Emma Ackels ’05 Michelle Ackels Roudebush ’05 Miki Alvarado ’07 Marian Karam Spangler ’07 Kathleen Ackels ’08 Michelle Claerhout ’09 Emily Sims ’10 Madeleine Ackels ’12 Hannah Bedenkop ’12 Ann Marie Karam ’12 Sarah Richardson ’12 Hope Bedenkop ’14 Jennifer Ackels ’15 Louisa Karam ’15 Randi Woodard ’16 Ellen Martin ’17 Theresa Martin ’18

Great Aunts of Emily Blanshard Garrigan ’92 Claire Blanshard Webb ’97 Elizabeth Roberts ’20 Great Uncle of Allie Burns ’16† Great Great Aunt of Lily Garrigan ’23 Mothers-in-law of Kathleen Cronin Moser ’61 Penny Carroll Moser ’64 Estela Meneses Jones ’71 Maribeth Messineo Pappas ’85 Mary Lynn Minigutti-Sinclair Toce ’88 Tammy Yung*** Fathers-in-law of Evelyn Bush Gubbs ’67 Kerry Butler Poer ’80 Son-in-law of Dolores Thomason Meletio ’43† Grandmothers-in-law of Kimberly McGuire Poarch ’94 Mia Humphreys ’98 Mary Ellen Stark McWilliams ’03 Sisters-in-law of Anna Catherine Moser Endom ’31† Mary Moser Bosworth ’37† Peggy Walsh Johnson ’76

Brothers-in-law of Beth Sellmeyer Sargent ’61 Peggy Sellmeyer Parks ’64 Lolita Cuellar Sims ’70 Sharon Cuellar Moffett ’73 Fredrika Cuellar Newton ’77 Dorrie Lisenba Loughborough ’78 Sharon Rogers Ackels ’79 Sarah Gette Pope ’96 Nieces of Kathy Clancy McDonald ’63 Elizabeth Burns Massey ’81 Tracy Fulkerson Wilson ’81 Katherine Burns Kennealey ’97 Nephew of Beth Geisler Singel ’87 Cousin of Sophia Wilson ’18 Former Faculty AJ Melnick Sr. Mary Margaret Prenger, O.S.U.

Memorial Masses are held three times a year to remember our loved ones. Please share any losses in the Ursuline community with the Alumnae Office at alumnae@ursulinedallas.org or www.ursulinedallas.org/ inmemoriam.

Sr. Mary Margaret Prenger, O.S.U. Sister Mary Margaret Prenger died peacefully at Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center in New Orleans, LA, on April 9, 2019. She was born in New Orleans and graduated from Ursuline Academy of New Orleans, attended Ursuline College, and entered the Ursuline Sisters in July of 1942, making her vows in January of 1945. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree at the College of New Rochelle in New York, and Master’s Degrees at St. Mary’s School of Theology, Notre Dame, Indiana, and Loyola University in New Orleans. Her versatile gifts enabled her to serve as teacher and principal at 12 different schools, secretary for the Ursuline Central Province of the United States, a member of the secretarial staff at the Ursuline Generalate in Rome, and secretary to the President of Springfield College in Illinois. She served in New Orleans as a teacher from 1947-54 and as high school principal from 1954-60. In 1994, Sister Mary Margaret moved to Dallas to be the Ursuline Archivist and resident cheerleader at all of the home games. She could be seen walking around campus with her dog, Taffy, daily. She retired to the Ursuline Community in Alton, Illinois in 2008, and moved to Our Lady of Wisdom in New Orleans in 2014.

*Former Student **Former Faculty/Staff ***Current Faculty/Staff †Deceased

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

PHOTO GAL L E RY

Gatherings

New Student Family Picnic

Senior Picnic

Mother Daughter Fashion Show Easter Egg Hunt

Ladies Bingo

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

Mother Daughter Mass and Brunch

Alumnae Softball Game Sophomore Serviam

New Dads Breakfast

Mardi Gras 2019

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

PHOTO GAL L E RY

On Campus

Spring Musical – “Mary Poppins”

Junior Ring Ceremony

Dad/Daughter Service Project Employee Serviam Day

2019-2020 Student Council Induction

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

Freshman Convocation

Intramurals Mass of the Holy Spirit

National Signing Day

Fall Play - “And Then There Were None”

URSULINE ACADEMY OF DALLAS

BEARS ’ BUZZ

by Aubree Auletta ’12

The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship

J OR DAN Amman

Located in Amman, Jordan, and established in 1926, the Ahliyyah School for Girls (ASG) focuses heavily on empowering the young women of Jordan. Their Superintendent, Haifa Najjar, is a formidable educator and Senator in the Upper House of the Jordanian Parliament. The relationship between Ursuline and Ahliyyah dates to June 2018 when Ursuline representatives visited ASG to see if a sister school relationship could be formed. They quickly discovered a spirited school and could already picture students of the schools becoming fast friends. It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Fast forward a year and a half and the Jordan delegation landed in Dallas, Texas on October 26, excited for their very first visit to Ursuline. Nine Ursuline girls hosted the Jordan delegation and had fun attending school and exploring various Dallas sights. They visited the Dallas Museum of Art, brought their host sisters to high school football games, checked out the Farmers Market, and much more. Sarah Hui ’20 enjoyed bringing her host student to her senior service, The Stewpot, to help run the clothing bank for a morning before school.

Sarah Hui (l) with her host student

LOGOS MAGAZINE 2020

“We had a really great time that day,” Sarah said. “We checked people out at the counter, and it turned out to be my favorite experience of my host student’s time here.” Trick-or-treating on Halloween was another special activity that Pamela Arias ’21 and Marcy Mount ‘21 embarked on with their host sisters. It is not something the Jordanians would have done back home. “Noor was a little hesitant at first, but once she got into the spirit of Halloween, she loved it!” Marcy said. “She told me it was one of her favorite nights on the trip and she couldn’t wait to tell her friends back home.” It can be argued, though, that the best part of the Jordan delegation visit was learning that even though they are from miles away across the world, they still share very similar interests with Ursuline students.

“The girls in the delegation are very familiar with American culture,” Sarah said. “They have many of the same fast food places, watch the same movies, and listen to many of the same music artists.” Pamela agreed. She enjoyed how much Ursuline students and the Jordan delegation had in common. “There was something special about them,” Pamela said. “The Jordanians were so outgoing, talkative, kind, and just a well-rounded group.” And while there were still some challenges, Sarah noted that this was the most impactful part of the visit. “Going through the various bumps that exist when a new experience happens is normal,” she said. “I learned a lot, and learning something new is the main purpose of a cultural exchange!” Ursuline students are already looking forward to their first trip to Jordan in the spring of 2020 to visit their new friends.

Marcy Mount (r) with her host student

Pamela Arias (r) with her host student

Mardi Gras 2020 Chairs Back Row, L to R: Gina Porter, Jody Dodson, and Tiffany Luedtke with Honorary Chairs Marty Vaughan Rumble ’74, Marian Haggar Bryan ’72, and Lydia Haggar Novavok ’68; Front Row, L to R: Honorary Chairs Patty Jo Haggar Turner ’63, Mary Alice Haggar Stedillie, Mary Lynn Vaughan ’73, and Vicki Vaughan Miller ’75

Celebrating 30 Years of Mardi Gras February 22, 2020 Fairmont Hotel

URSULINE COMMUNITY SAVE THE DATES 2020-2021 March 10 – Career Day

September 27 – Ladies Bingo

April 11 – Easter Egg Hunt

November 13-15 – Homecoming Weekend

April 19 – Memorial Mass

December 17 – Young Alumni Cocktails at Christmas (with Jesuit)

May 2 – International Serviam Day May 24 – Class of 2020 Graduation August 2 – Memorial Mass September 17 – UA Giving Day

January 6, 2021 – Young Alumnae Back to Campus Lunch January 10, 2021 – Memorial Mass February 27, 2021 – Mardi Gras Gala

To learn more, contact the Alumnae Office at alumnae@ursulinedallas.org or visit www.ursulinedallas.org/getinvolved