• COMMUNITY • REVERENCE • SERVICE • LEADERSHIP HeartBeat• THE ALUMNAE MAGAZINE OF SACRED HEART ACADEMY SUMMER 2022
In October, varsity field hockey won the school’s 99th title and on December 12th SHA’s dance team won the 100th state team championship title. Never one to rest on its laurels, SHA went on to win THREE MORE state championships in basketball, swim and dive, and tennis, AND the 15th annual Pink and White game! WHAT A YEAR!
The dedication, tenacity, grit, and strength of these female student-athletes and their coaches are unparalleled. More important was how close these teams became – like family – and how loud their friends were cheering for them from the stands. Being a Valkyrie is something truly special. We are ALL HEART!
ALL
ALL HEART,
The 2021-22 school year marked the athletic department’s surpassing of 100 state championships.
The HeartBeat is published three times a year for alumnae, parents, and friends of Sacred Heart Academy by the Sacred Heart Schools Office of Marketing and Communications. © 2022, Sacred Heart Schools submit information for publication or address changes to: Sacred Heart Academy HeartBeat Magazine Lexington Road Louisville, KY 502.896.868140206|alumupdates@shslou.org shslou.org
3SUMMER 2022 HeartBeat
The Sacred Heart Academy Alumnae Association is comprised of over 13,000 women who have graduated from Sacred Heart Academy since it was founded in 1877. A member of Sacred Heart Schools, SHA is a Catholic, college preparatory all-girls school. Faithful to the mission of the Ursuline Sisters, SHA educates the whole person, fostering Christian values, personal integrity and responsible leadership in a supportive learning environment committed to academic excellence. To view all board members, visit sha.shslou.org/alumnae/
If you, or an alumna you know, are interested in giving back by joining the SHA Alumnae Board, please contact Megan Brumleve Theisen ‘95 at mtheisen@shslou.org or 502.736.6408. We’d love to have you!
Alumnae2022-2023Board
VICE
SUMMER 2022 ALL YEAR
SECRETARY
3115
Information in this issue was received prior to June 1, 2022. Maria Cowley Quinn ‘05 PRESIDENT Amy Helm Baker ‘92 Your Heart /shalouisville@shalouisville/shalouisville HeartBeat
Follow
Please
PRESIDENT Christie Leigh Mueller Wells ‘02
JASMINE
HeartBeat SHSLOU.ORG4
STUDENT
& FACULTY ACHIEVEMENTS
Reese’s mother (Amy Weller Quinlan ’93), grandmother (Mary Jo Hand Weller ’68), aunt (Cari Weller Ralston ’95) plus many more family members, are all proud alumnae as well. AND WATKINSMallory's mother, Mindy Francis Glass was a 1987 graduate.
SAINT ANGELA AWARD AMY BAKER, VISUAL ARTS TEACHER ALICE KEMPF, CLASS OF 2022, GABBY ALVAREZ, GRACE MUTH
Chosen by their classmates, they will serve as liaisons between their class and the alumnae office in helping to plan future reunions, gatherings and sharing classmate news with us. Class reps are essential to our work keeping you connected to the Heart. Thank you to the 370 active class reps for all you do to support our community.
“When my family asks what the best or most interesting part of my day was, I share an anecdote from this class or something insightful that she said that “Señoraday.” Batiste’s wisdom extends well beyond her subject area, we discuss topics from every other subject, especially Physics since she is a former engineer. We even analyzed a Spanish poem about finding Jesus in the faces of the oppressed during Holy Week, the perfect example of how allencompassing our Spanish education is with this teacher.”
Congratulations to World Language Department Chair and Spanish instructor, Aida Batiste (right) for earning the 2022 Excellence in Teaching Award. Señora Batiste is loved by students, administration and fellow faculty and staff. Here’s what her students had to say!
International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidates
“She has a way of taking everything I have learned over the past four years and tying it all together with a bow.”
Congratulations to these 45 young women who have already accomplished so much and are headed out into the world as globally-minded, compassionate leaders!
Class of 2022 Class Reps - Molly Owen, Reese Quinlan, Izzy Atkins, Alice Kempf, and MC Zoeller stand with Megan Theisen '95, Sarah Wunderlin '04 and Kelly Lanza
Congratulations Class of 2022
,
5SUMMER 2022 HeartBeat
Loretta P. Mudd Excellence in Teaching Award
HeartBeat SHSLOU.ORG6 We shall remember and love you,
7SUMMER 2022 HeartBeat WE VOW, EVER AS NOW, DEAR SACRED HEART.
HeartBeat SHSLOU.ORG8
“AT THE END OF A STUDENT’S FOUR YEARS AT SACRED HEART, SHE LEARNS THAT A VALKYRIE IS NOT JUST A MASCOT, IT IS WHAT SHE HAS BECOMEa womanstrongofgreatfaith .” REFLECTIONS FROM THE CLASS OF 2022
The first core value – community is introduced during freshman year. Valkyries are encouraged to get to know one another, taking into account shared values while also respecting others’ differences.
Sophomore year is dedicated to exploring reverence. By definition, reverence means to deeply respect something. Beyond definition, however, SHA urges its students to consider where this respect originates— love. SHA is rooted in a loving environment for learning. It is the reason many students, including me, choose to attend. Aside from excellent teachers and rich curriculum, however, is an atmosphere of mutual curiosity and respect. We do not all learn the same way, but when everyone starts from a place of love real learning occurs. During junior year, students are exposed to the third core value – service. Specifically, we are encouraged to embrace service to others. Everything learned up to this point culminates in learning about the final core value of leadership. Through a variety of unique experiences, including the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute, we learn that we are all capable of taking on leadership roles through conscious actions and words. Our SHA family table is strong. Because of the foundation we developed at SHA, we will continue to be leaders who engage in service to others in communities near and far, rooted in a place of reverence and love.
Regardless of the table’s material, the source of its strength begins with the legs. Four legs provide balance and stability. Much like a table’s necessity for four legs, a well-balanced life also requires a foundational support system. Sacred Heart’s four core values of community, reverence, service, and leadership provide the foundation for success in high school and beyond.
Ann BadaraccoElizabeth Many memorieshappyare created when people gather around tables to enjoy food, conversation, and laughter. At the end of the gathering, bonds are strengthened. As I face the end of my high school years at Sacred Heart Academy, I am reminded of the deep roots of the family table.
seemstransformationgrader,inatworldwhateverpreparedyoungesteemedwomanforthebigmaythrowher.Comingasaneighth-thatlight-years away. I can tell you from experience, that four years goes by way faster than a naive eighth grader may think, and the change that occurs is nothing you can really imagine.
GeorgeElizabeth Sacred thanAcademyHeartismoreaschool;itis a way of life. Each day that an SHA student steps on campus, she has the opportunity to learn something new about herself. A Sacred Heart student can share her vocal talents at the freshmen rose ceremony, score the winning basket at a state championship game, or obtain the highest score at a Governor’s Cup competition. Through all these experiences, a Sacred Heart student will build relationships with her teachers, coaches, and administrators, who will guide her on her journey of self-discovery.
Valkyries are also leaders who develop their leadership skills through the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute. With these skills, students can advocate for change in their community, inspire their teammates as captains, and make the school a better place as student council officers. Sacred Heart students are proud to be Valkyries and are confident in taking the next step in their journeys. Every Sacred Heart student is resilient. They fail and try again. Over time, Valkyries learn from these experiences and become more independent. However, they also know when to ask for help. Sacred Heart students appreciate their mentors guiding them through the steps to apply for the Governor’s Scholars program, helping them through the athletic recruitment process, or encouraging them to pursue their academic goals. The environment at SHA fosters perseverance, and students continue to apply for the next job, scholarship, or internship.
At the end of a student’s four years at Sacred Heart, she learns that a Valkyrie is not just a mascot, it is what she has become- a strong woman of great faith. And the best part is that it looks different for each person. Sacred Heart Academy teaches its students that being a Valkyrie is what you make of it.
9SUMMER 2022 HeartBeatSUMMER 2022 HeartBeat
Every Valkyrie will discover they live their life as a strong woman of great faith throughout their four years at SHA. Valkyries serve their community by tutoring struggling students, repairing homes for those living in poverty, and making blankets for dogs in shelters.
The class of 2022, and every Sacred Heart student, is blessed to attend a Catholic school where community, reverence, service, and leadership are valued. Each member of the class of 2022 has not only received an education from Sacred Heart but also has learned how to live her life as a strong woman of great faith in the future.
Walking through the doors on Lexington Road as a freshman, a student learns that her mascot is a Valkyrie- simply defined as a strong woman of great faith. But, over her four years at Sacred Heart, she comes to understand that the Valkyrie represents much more than just a high school mascot. It is an identity that she will embody in her pursuit of education, leadership, and service to her community. Sacred Heart Academy teaches students that a Valkyrie becomes engaged in her school and community in ways that interest her as an individual. Students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zone and try new things, which is why they see tremendous growth over their four years. In the classroom, the faculty teaches with passion and pushes students to be the best versions of themselves. But the faculty is equally as engaged in the lives of their students outside of the school building. Between the homemade brownies, paper clip and sticker incentives, and attendance at competitions, games, and productions, it’s easy to see that the faculty supports each Valkyrie as a whole person, not just as a student. The culture created by the faculty allows students to evolve and achieve more than they ever thought possible. Students learn that a Valkyrie is expected to be a role model who upholds Sacred Heart’s four core values: community, reverence, service, and leadership.
Alice Kempf When thinking of a Sacred Heart Academy senior, you likely picture an
HeartBeat SHSLOU.ORG10
What has made you happy you joined our team at Sacred Heart? SHA is truly a special place with many wonderful people. I feel so blessed to have found such a welcoming home with a strong, committed family of educators. Moving to a new city always has its challenges. Fortunately, we had a lot of laughs throughout this year. What was a highlight of this year for you, professionally or personally? I think, for me, the highlight was watching so many events through the eyes of my daughter Ella. She is 9 years old and cannot wait to be a “teenager”. Her cheering and clapping for the Valkyries with all her heart and seeing her make the “heart” with her hands, just like the SHA students, made me realize that the work I do each day is personal.
I take expanding leadership capacity very seriously. No one leader can do it all herself nor should she. I was excited to help develop leadership throughout the building, and I am looking forward to building future partnerships within our school community. What do you look forward to in your second year? I’m looking forward to a year where I know what’s coming next! In all seriousness, though, the second year in a new position opens so many doors. I am looking forward to continuing to build relationships with our families, our parents, our students, our teachers, and our alumnae. We’re going to have a great year! The 2021-22 academic year brought with it a few new faces to our leadership team at Sacred Heart. We warmly welcomed Mrs. Kelly Lanza, Principal, and Dr. Tim Adams, Dean of Academics to Sacred Heart Academy, and Mrs. Mia Cooper as the Vice President of Mission and Community for Sacred Heart Schools. All three energetic and inspirational leaders made a positive impact on our campus community in a short time and have a keen eye on taking Sacred Heart confidently into the future. We asked each to share their highlights and hopes for the coming year.
What is your favorite tradition or event at Sacred Heart? I think my favorite event at Sacred Heart was the Pink and White game. It was exciting to watch four schools in our city come together to raise money and awareness for such an excellent cause. I was proud of the hard work our students put into that event and seeing the enthusiasm in the crowd that night was infectious. I cannot wait for next year’s event. What improvements did you implement to make Sacred Heart a better place?
A YEAR OF FIRSTS ANDa Focus on the Future
Kelly Lanza, Principal, Sacred Heart Academy
SHA’s future success is for everyone, including Ella – class of 2031!
Mia Cooper, Vice President of Mission and Community, Sacred Heart Schools
What was a highlight of this year for you, professionally or personally?
What is your favorite tradition or event at Sacred Heart?
Students come from all over Louisville to attend Sacred Heart and I think this brings great energy to the campus.
What do you look forward to in your second year? In my second year, I look forward to completing the Equity Audit and implementing the action plan in the early fall. I believe when we embed diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into our campus culture more fully we will see our Ursuline Core Values come alive. In addition, I look forward to attending the various events across campus and celebrating our many successes.
11SUMMER 2022 HeartBeat
What has made you happy you joined our team at Sacred Heart? Working alongside faculty, staff, parents, and students who are passionate about creating a school culture of inclusivity and belonging has made me happy I joined the Sacred Heart community. Seeing the light bulb come on or helping individuals engage in tough conversations to get to a common understanding brings me joy - I know through the process God is working.
The Pink & White game is certainly a great experience all-around. It's impressive how much time the students dedicate, how their peers show up to the game, and that it is all for a great cause.
What is your favorite tradition or event at Sacred Heart?
What improvements did you implement to make Sacred Heart a better place? Well, most aspects might be hard to see on the outside. My favorite shift is how we approached student schedule registration. We spent quite a bit of time and energy on making sure that all rising juniors had a personal conversation (sometimes multiple!) with an academic advisor, coordinator, or college counselor. That leap between sophomore year and junior year involves a number of big decisions - including where to focus their energy for the next two years. It's not as simple as it seems, and we hope to keep evolving this process to better serve students and parents as they make these key decisions. What do you look forward to in your second year? So much of a first year in any place is looking to match the previous experience I have with what has been in place here for quite some time. With one whole year in the rearview, it is helpful to proactively get ahead of certain issues and celebrate some of these great traditions we have in place. Personally, my children will both be on campus this year in the preschool. I look forward to all of us attending many SHA events and getting more close-knit with the community.
What was a highlight of this year for you, professionally or personally? A key professional highlight for me this year was taking our community through a campus-wide Equity Audit. This audit process will inform our campus culture and meet the aspirational goals set in our strategic plan. Understanding where we are through tangible data not only grounds us, but it provides data-driven action steps to inform how we create a culture where everyone can thrive for years to come.
There were many traditions I enjoyed in my first year at SHS but if I had to name just one it would be the kickoff to our school year, Commissioning Day, “Community Caring for Community”. Seeing members of our community volunteering their time to care for others throughout the community truly set the tone for how we came together as a campus. It was an opportunity for me to see each of our Ursuline Core Values in action. What improvements did you implement to make Sacred Heart a better place? In the 2021-22 school year I formed the Diversity, Equity, Community, and Belonging Committee (DECB) to serve as ambassadors and thought leaders at each school. While newly-formed, the team took the necessary time to understand where they were in developing their DEI muscle. This will allow them to step into the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work holistically, and serve the SHS campus authentically.
Tim Adams, Assistant Principal, Dean of Academics, Sacred Heart Academy
What has made you happy you joined our team at Sacred Heart? The community is wonderful. People here have a deep-rooted love for this school, its students, and the various communities we serve.
It has been great to meet people and learn about this community over the past year. I've been fortunate to have been welcomed by so many people here and am excited that my wife, Whitney Ising Adams '08, and our family are now a part of the Sacred Heart Schools family.
Since my last letter, Sacred Heart Schools has welcomed a new Vice President for Advancement, Tina Miller Kauffmann, ’84!
in
Dear Alumnae Friends, 2022 is whizzing by, and it’s hard to think just a couple of months ago, we welcomed the class of 2022 to the SHA Alumnae Association. Congratulations to this class of compassionate and bright women! We are cheering you on and are here to be of help whenever needed. Your SHA community is generous, and I encourage ALL alumnae to utilize our office to help facilitate the connections that can help move your goals forward.
Welcome, Tina!
your
and Serve in all
Last but far from least, thank you to the leadership team, coaches, staff, and faculty of Sacred Heart Academy, for lending your talents and wisdom to our students this year and for being caring, compassionate leaders for them to learn from – many of you alumnae yourselves, modeling what it means to serve God and your Incommunity.themonths and year ahead, I look forward to connecting with more of you and finding ways to bring you closer to SHA, whether you live locally or away. Be sure you receive our monthly alumnae e-newsletter, The Horn, and follow us on Facebook (Sacred Heart Academy – Official Page) and Instagram (@shalouisville). If you aren’t receiving The Horn, please update your contact info youIhttps://sha.shslou.org/alum-contact/at:lookforwardtosharingmorewithinourFallissue,includinghow we are embracing our campus theme for 2022-2023, “Love, Act, Serve.” Until then, for efforts to Love, Act the ways which are called
Wasting no time and enthusiastically joining us two days before Reunion Weekend, Tina is settling into her new role well. We are thrilled to welcome this passionate alumna back to Sacred Heart. Stay tuned for the Fall issue of the HeartBeat, where we’ll get to know this kind, dynamic alumna who will play a vital role in the success of Sacred Heart Schools and our flagship school, Sacred Heart Academy.
you
Talk about COMMUNITY, our first-ever SHA Alumnae Board & Forever Valkyries Easter Egg Hunt in April was an enormous hit, bringing together alumnae and campus families. Over 400 guests hopped on over to our spectacular Ursuline Campus on a sunny spring morning to enjoy A Beautiful Bounce house (owned by alumna Carly Ormerod Bell ’05), a traditional Easter Egg Hunt with goodies, a visit from the Easter Bunny, and more! Thank you to our incredible Alumnae Board and Forever Valkyrie Club student volunteers – led by Sarah Gardner Beauerle ’96 – for your hard work making this event so fun & memorable for our Sacred Heart families. I am grateful to the executive committee and full membership of the 2021-22 SHA Alumnae Board for your tremendous commitment to our alma mater this school year. Always answering the call to help when asked, this group of dedicated women serve SHA in various capacities throughout the year and are to be commended for their service. If you recognize a name, be sure to find a way to say thank you. This volunteer board is essential to strengthening our school. If you have interest in joining our Alumnae Board, I’d love to meet you for coffee and chat!
to do. SACRED HEART ACADEMY ALUMNAE BOARD MEMBERS The SHA Alumnae Board is recruiting for the 2022-2023 school year! Contact Megan Brumleve Theisen ’95 if you’re interested at mtheisen@shslou.org or 502.736.6408. Amy Helm Baker ‘92 (Vice President) Emily Bearden ‘04 Sarah Gardner Beauerle ‘96 Lauren O’Connor Bisig ‘05 Samantha Combest ‘15 Alison Mulrooney Conway ‘97 Sara Freibert Evans ’03 Dana Young Ferree ‘89 Michele Zoeller Fussenegger ‘90 Judy Watson Gordon ‘76 Abigail Thompson Green ‘02 Allison Hartley ‘00 Ruth Dilger Kelly ‘66 Crystal Kelly ‘04 Allison Kramer Dillon ‘10 Diana Riesenberg Kupper ‘10 Natalie Wilkerson Legel ‘07 Laura Hubbard Means ‘78 Sarah Dentinger Merrick ‘95 Lynne Porco Mueller ’78 Michele Oberst ‘80 Bethany Padgett ‘15 Maria Cowley Quinn ‘05 (Secretary) Lee Wilkinson Receveur ‘05 Eleanor Venhoff Renfroe ‘98 Abbey Fargen Riley ‘04 Caroline South ‘10 Shelby Sullivan ‘11 Kenya Turner ‘93 Leslye Neff Ulmer ‘80 Ellen Kaelin Venhoff ‘66 Mary Gwen Tafel Walker ‘11 Callie Wall ‘05 Sr. Lorna Weiler ‘58 Christie Leigh Mueller Wells ‘02 (President) Erin White ‘93 Samantha Combest Wingate ‘15 Annalee Cato Worthington ‘84 Megan Brumleve Theisen ‘95 Alumnae Director If you or someone you love need prayers, our Ursuline Sisters and your Sacred Heart Community are pleased to include you in theirs. To request prayers or join the Ursuline Sisters community message list, send an email to communitymessages@ursulineslou.org.
HeartBeat SHSLOU.ORG12
FROM THE
thank you
Amy knows at SHA a leader is nurtured in many ways and encouraged to see leadership from a service perspective, always asking, “what can I do for others to facilitate positive change, and how can I do it with a reverence for all and in service to God and others?” She encourages those who are apprehensive about getting involved or giving back to SHA to go for it. Amy’s sense of belonging and community has deepened through her involvement on the SHA Alumnae Board, and she says that each time she drives on campus for a game, meeting, or event, she feels gratitude for all that SHA has given to her and her Amyfamily.is a true Valkyrie – a strong woman of great faith – who serves her community with a quiet leadership rooted in her Catholic faith. We congratulate Amy on the Heart of the Valkyrie honor and know that she will continue to inspire others to lead with their hearts and share their gifts with the world.
The Heart of a Valkyrie
Amy leaned into the opportunity to lead the annual fund committee when tapped in 2021, and she has enthusiastically embraced her role, which is vital to the financial health of SHA and all it provides to Valkyries. Through her consistent support of the annual fund as an alumna and parent and as a former member of Sacred Heart Schools’ institutional advancement team, Amy knows firsthand how transformational our annual fund is at SHA. Amy assisted in ensuring that our Alumnae Board members reach their goal of 100% participation midway through the fiscal year and is always quick to educate classmates and others about giving back and what it means to our SHA community. She has also instilled this in her daughters, who regularly give to the Annual Fund. Amy encourages other alumnae to take an active role in advocating for the best possible education for young women in Louisville by inviting alumnae to join her in paying it forward.
13SUMMER 2022 HeartBeat
Last year, SHA Alumnae Board president, Christie Leigh Mueller Wells ’02, brainstormed ways to continue engaging our strong SHA Alumnae Board, and the Heart Points and Heart of the Valkyrie Award concepts were born! The Heart Points program encouraged board engagement and was an exciting topic at each meeting when we’d learn who was on the leader board! The Board member with the most Heart Points was honored with the first-ever “Heart of the Valkyrie” Award during our May celebration. Drum roll, please… Congratulations to 2021-2022 Heart of the Valkyrie Award recipient Amy Helm Baker ’92! Amy comes from a long line of Valkyries, including her aunts Jane Helm Gilbert ’62 and Lucy Helm ’75, sisters Kimberly Helm Scaglione ’89 and Meghan Helm Diehl ‘99, and two of her three daughters – Caraline Baker ’19 and Lainey Baker ’22 – are recent graduates. We suspect her youngest daughter Molly will also follow in the footsteps of these WhenValkyries.askedwhat it meant to receive the Heart of the Valkyrie Award, Amy said, “I was shocked! I wasn’t trying to win an award or earn an honor. I was doing what I do – watching my daughter’s games and attending events like Alumnae Awards and the Pink & White Game.” Amy joined the Alumnae Board in the summer of 2020, so her first year of service was during Covid; not an ideal time to join a board. During the 2021-22 year, Amy was thrilled to have a more normal experience attending in-person meetings and board-sponsored events and getting to know her fellow alumnae board members. She presently serves as Board Vice President and SHA Annual Fund committee chair. This is no small task, considering that alumnae comprise more than 70% of all donors to the SHA Annual Fund. Tradition. Leadership. Catholic. Community. These are just some of the words Amy uses to describe what her Sacred Heart education – and that of her family – means to her. Above all else, she and her husband Geoff are deeply committed to a Catholic education for their children, as they were fortunate to experience. The Bakers are parishioners at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, and their children attended the school. Amy points to the ideals of inclusivity and love taught at Sacred Heart, which she and Geoff believe are crucial to developing kind, selfless, and accepting human beings. Amy is also happy that the tradition of retreats has continued at Sacred Heart, as those experiences were pivotal in her faith journey. She and Geoff witnessed their daughters’ love of the same experience - as participants and leaders. When it comes to leadership and servant leadership, Amy has seen her daughters’ leadership development throughout their time at AsSHA.astudent, alumna, and parent, Amy is grateful for the community and support she and her family have received as a part of our greater SHA family. She has seen her children develop lifelong friendships, grow in their love and acceptance of others, and create memories with teammates, teachers, and coaches while students at Sacred Heart. She has received much joy and gratification through her involvement with SHA Athletics in recent years, running the beloved Apple Tournament and Apple Jam for field hockey. She credits Donna Bender Moir ’79 and Mackenzie Moir ’11 – Athletic Director and Assistant Athletic Director, respectively – as incredibly positive influences on her children and considers them extended family.
Fellows told her about their entrepreneurial achievements, internships, and the non-profits they have started. Impressive, even to Nina Leigh, Nestlé Purina's first female CEO! The three student finalists in the Valkyrie Entrepreneur of the Year competition, Jill Heffernan, Merryl Dougherty, and Haylen Wehr, also attended the luncheon with SHA teacher, Kim Davis ‘91, Lauren Hitron ‘99, Director of the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute, Mia Cooper, Director of Equity and Community, and Dr. Karen McNay, President, along with members of our Alumnae Board and Institutional Advancement team. Inspiring
THE NEXT GENERATION
Nina Leigh also shared her thoughts on careers explaining that she used to think of her career as a ladder, but now looks at it more like rock climbing – sometimes you move up, but sometimes you must move down to get your footing or laterally to learn Oursomething.JFLIFrazier
HeartBeat SHSLOU.ORG14
When asked what she believed to be the most important leadership trait, Nina Leigh’s reply was “There is not one. There are many leadership traits – you need to have a lifelong love of learning, you need to be courageous, and you need to listen. I always say, you need to first listen and from that listening, you need to learn, and as you learn, you can lead.”
Nina Leigh Howard Krueger '79, President and CEO of Nestlé Purina PetCare U.S., spoke to the sold-out Business Women First Luncheon in April, also featuring Enterprising Women Award Honorees Christy Ames '90 and Layla George '92. Before she made the rounds at the convention center, Nina Leigh stopped by her alma mater to speak to SHA students. She shared advice (make more room at the table for female leaders), discussed leadership (collaborate, don't compete), and inspired these Valkyries and future business leaders!
SHARING KNOWLEDGE and EXPERIENCE
SHA encourages juniors and seniors to attend Lunch and Learns with our alumnae, who are always happy to guide and mentor current Valkyries. These Strong Women of Great Faith are eager to share their work and life experiences in a relaxed setting over a piece of pizza during the school day!
If you are interested in sharing your time and experiences with SHA students, please contact Megan Brumleve Theisen '95 at mtheisen@shslou.org.
15SUMMER 2022 HeartBeat
SHA’s counseling department, Director of Alumnae Relations, Megan Brumleve Theisen ’95, and Jean Frazier Leadership Institute Director, Lauren Hitron ’99, hosted Lucy Passafiume Hajare '79 for a student Lunch and Learn in April. Lucy, who recently retired from ExxonMobile, reflected on her time at SHA and experience as an executive in the male-dominated chemical engineering field. She encouraged students to take on leadership roles and seek ways to work in collaboration with others. Lucy also discussed the importance of criticism, urging students to analyze comments and use the inevitable experience as an opportunity for growth and improvement.
In addition to the topic of engineering and leadership, the team held lunch and learns with alumnae in the law, medicine, and business fields this school year. We are grateful to the Jean Frazier Leadership Institute and SHA’s counseling department for partnering with our alumnae to allow our students to make these important connections!
A special thank you to the SIXTY women who were instrumental in planning 14 class parties for alumnae and for the months of hard work to bring together women from six decades. We are grateful and inspired by your commitment to your classmates and SHA. Alumnae from this year’s reunion classes also generously supported the SHA Annual Fund with combined gifts totaling nearly $156,000 as of June 3rd, 2022! The expression of generosity from 516 reunion alumnae is essential, so thank
Thank you to the hundreds of SHA Alumnae who shared the first weekend in June with us here at Sacred Heart Academy and around Louisville! These photos illustrate the Valkyrie sisterhood and the joys of celebrating our special time at SHA. Traveling in from various locations including both coasts and beyond – along with our cherished local alumnae – these women enjoyed catching up, dancing to music from their time at SHA, and lots of other fun surprises.
Reunion Wekend2022
HeartBeat SHSLOU.ORG16
June 3, 4 and 5, 2022 Celebrating Classes from 1962-2017 ending in 2 and 7 you to all who made a gift of any size – it matters! We invite alumnae in classes ending in 3 & 8 to join us for our reimagined reunion celebration June 2, 3 & 4, 2023. Details to come, so please be sure your contact information (including email and cell) are updated with our office. You can visit https://sha.shslou.org/alum-contact/ to share your contact information. If you are interested in being a reunion planner for your class, contact Megan Brumleve Theisen ’95, SHA Alumnae Director, at mtheisen@shslou.org or 502.736.6408. We are now recruiting volunteers!
Reunion Weekend was – and always is – a celebration of our SHA community and those who paved the way for each of us to receive this blessing of an SHA education. Thanks to all who were able to make time to share in such a special Weweekend.HEART our Valkyries!
17SUMMER 2022 HeartBeat
HeartBeat SHSLOU.ORG18
The SHA Annual Fund:
The Annual Fund is an opportunity for all of us Forever Valkyries to come together and present one of the largest annual gifts that Sacred Heart Academy receives each year. Thank you for helping to make this possible. Your support ensures SHA has the resources for our students and teachers to learn, grow and achieve. Thank you to the 1,756 Valkyries who have made a gift to the SHA Annual Fund this year!
I ANNUALTHEFUND
19SUMMER 2022 HeartBeat
*Numbers reflect gifts through June 30, 2022
Thanks to your generosity and the support of our parents, teachers, staff, and friends, SHA has $906,516 in support of the Annual Fund, representing 101% of our goal. Thank you!
Alumnae Unite 2022:
From Wednesday, March 23 to Friday, March 25, SHA joined together with our rivals from Assumption, Bethlehem, Holy Cross, Mercy, and Presentation to raise awareness and funds for our respective Annual Funds. The Valkyries started with 7% of Forever Valkyries making a gift to the 21/22 Annual Fund and ended with 14.7% participation! Thank you to the 808 Valkyries who made their gift to SHA during the challenge and to all donors to the SHA Annual Fund who make so many things possible for our school community!
An Update on Reunion Giving: Thank you to our Forever Valkyries in classes ending in 2 and 7 (70 and 71 too) for their support of the SHA Annual Fund! It was an honor to present a check to Dr. McNay and Mrs. Lanza during the Friday night tailgaite. As of June 30, 2022, 540 reunion year Valkyries made gift to the Annual Fund totaling A$158,245!specialcongratulations to the following classes that met or exceeded their 22% participation goal for the Reunion giving: ’42, ’57, ’62,’67, ’71, ’72, ’77, ’92, ’97, and ’02
Save the Date for the Alumnae Unite Challenge 2023Tuesday, April 18 to Thursday, April 20. Give Every Month (GEM) Club: As we kick off a new Annual Fund year at SHA, we invite alumnae and friends to become part of our monthly giving program by setting up a recurring gift. Your support of $10, $25, $50, or $100 a month adds for impact over a year. To learn more or to set up your monthly contribution to the SHA Annual Fund, please visit www.shslou.org/gem-club/ Questions? Contact Sarah Wunderlin '04, Director of Annual Giving at swunderlin@shslou.org
HeartBeat SHSLOU.ORG20
DID YOU KNOW?
• SHSA offers after-school, evening, and weekend classes to creative people ages three through adult.
• Over the last 50 years, Sacred Heart School for the Arts has become a community resource for aspiring young artists.
the
Kathie Davis Executive Director, Sacred Heart School for the Arts Join our Sacred Heart School for the Arts family today! Visitforwww.shsa.shslou.orgmoreinformation.
Thanks are in order for Beatrice “Bootsie” Hagner Washbish who recently gifted a family heirloom of hers to SHA. Her beloved piano, which has been lovingly nicknamed “Bootsie”, now resides at SHA where it will be cared for and enjoyed by many. The piano was given to Bootsie’s mother Beatrice, as a Christmas gift in 1936 – just weeks before the devastating flood of 1937. Beatrice worked at the Five & Dime on 4th street as a teen, where she would play sheet music for interested buyers, so they could hear the tune before purchasing the music. Bootsie recalls that as a child, whenever her mother would play, her father would sing along – he was a member of the Barbershoppers!
• SHSA’s classes culminate in full theatrical productions, recitals, and art shows in state-of-the-art facilities.
• Sacred Heart School for the Arts began in 1969 as the Ursuline School of Music.
Bootsie is featured in the photos here, alongside her daughters and fellow alumnae, Gail Washbish Dzubac ’82 (left) and Karen Washbish Fitzharris ’76 (right).
Thank you, Bootsie! Your gift will undoubtedly inspire SHA students for years to come.
• SHSA is rooted in the Ursuline Sisters’ teaching model and tradition of holistic education.
• Students do not have to be enrolled at a campus school to attend School for the Arts.
GIFT ARTSof
Anning and his wife
Arms.
Sass Anning, SHA Class of 1935 2012 Brown-Forman Corporation 2011 Orson Oliver 2010 Nick King 2009 Doris Boland Jones 2008 Francis “Chip” and Kathy McNamara 2007 Nicholas X. Simon 2006 Mary Jane Hoben 2005 Drew Fellon 2004 Jim and Diane Thorp Buchart 2003 Al and Barbara Horton 2002 Ursuline Sisters of Louisville The laurel
our
Laurel
Holloway Sautel ’86 2020 Bert and Barbara Duerr ’50 Trompeter 2019 Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn 2018 Carolyn Hemmer Matula 2017 Thomas Musselman 2016 E. Peter Rutledge 2015 Norma Bender 2014 Carl Hafele 2013 The Estate of Charles
21SUMMER 2022 HeartBeat ALUMNAE UPDATES & PRAYER REQUEST If you have a new address or news to share or have a prayer request, please get in touch with Alumane Director Megan Brumleve Theisen ’95 at mtheisen@shslou.org or 502.736.6408.
2021 Steve and
Congratulations,KristinStuedle! At the annual Sacred Heart Society Dinner held on September 27, 2022, Dr. Karen McNay, president of Sacred Heart Schools, will bestow the honor of the Laurel Award to Kristin Stuedle for her sustained dedication and commitment to our schools. Kristin is a 1987 graduate of Sacred Heart Academy, a former Trustee on Sacred Heart Schools’ Board of Trustees, and a former member of the Sacred Heart Academy Alumnae Board. She is a Heart Award recipient, a multi-year reunion planner and class rep, a planned giving and scholarship donor, and a member of St. Margaret Mary Toparish.learn more about the Sacred Heart Society, please contact Tina Miller Kauffmann, Vice President for Advancement, at tkauffmann@shslou.org or (502) 736-6467. Terri S. Marjorie tree has long been a part of Ursuline history and is a significant element of the Ursuline Coat of The laurel tree is strong, deep-rooted, and wide-branched, much like the history of Sacred Heart Schools—and Laurel Award
recipients.
Award Laurel Award Recipients
HeartBeat SHSLOU.ORG22
David Noltemeyer, Sr., Sacred Heart Schools Facilities Director, died April 1, 2022. David was instrumental in the overall operations of our campus buildings and in our efforts to reduce our environmental impact and improve the efficiency of buildings and our energy use at Sacred Heart Schools. A respected employee, colleague, manager, friend, husband, father and grandfather, David will be deeply missed.
Jane Rautenbush Pfeifer ’51, mother of Jeanne Pfeifer Anderson ’77 and grandmother of Anna Pfeifer ’20 and Jane Anderson ’21, died February 13, 2022. Martha Terry Ochs Sheeran ’62, died January 28, 2022. Ann Mangeot Spayner ‘58, grandmother of Emily Spayner ’09 and Allison Spayner ’12, died February 22, 2022. Beverly Ann Chmiel Stout ’64, died January 22, 2022. Margie Orthober Ward ’63, died April 12, 2022. Sister Brendan Conlon, OSU, died July 16, 2021. It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Sister Mary Brendan Conlon, 93. Sister Brendan was a teacher, administrator, writer, social activist and friend, who entered the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville in 1946 and began her teaching ministry in 1948 at Sacred Heart Model School. She was also a beloved teacher at Sacred Heart Academy from 1956 to 1967. In 1994, Sr. Mary Brendan Conlon and Sr. Janet Marie Peterworth saw the immense need in the rural coal-towns of West Virginia and began neighboring agencies to combat both the dire, immediate emergencies people were facing and the need for systemic solutions to the severe poverty known in the region. For the last 25 years, the Sacred Heart Schools community has been assisting these two agencies, Christian Help of Mingo County and ABLE Families to provide Christmas gifts for the children and a Christmas meal for their families. In 2019, Sister Brendan said, “After all these years, the gift drive demonstrates the caring actions of so many from Sacred Heart Schools. To me, it is important to care for so many beautiful people who have had unfortunate circumstances because of coal mines closing. The gift drive is quite simply, people caring for and serving people.”
INMemory
Alumnae Julianne French Ash ’60, died January 29, 2022. Joanne Bell-Trees ’74, died March 22, 2021. Carol Ann Dahlgren ’66, died January 15, 2022. Juanita Kelting Davis ’37, mother of Kathy Davis Holmes ’60, died February 5, 2022. Kitty Hunckler Dedinsky ’45, died March 2, 2022. Lavinia “Ninia” Russell Downs ’60, died March 11, 2022. Dana Marie Driscoll ’81, died October 23, 2022. Halle Elliott ’21, died February 11, 2022. Jennifer Alicia Gregory ’94, died March 2, 2022. Suzanne Hamberry Higgins ’53, grandmother of Samantha Higgins ’18, died March 9, 2022. Sr. Rose Anthony Heitzman ’42, died February 7, 2022. Joan LeBlanc Hellman ’49, sister of Doris Ann LeBlanc Colgate ’51, Mary Gayle LeBlanc Beckman ’53 (dec.) and Florence LeBlanc Bisig ’57, died April 16, 2022. Leah Haunz Johnson ’84, mother of Ella Johnson ’18, Daphne Johnson ’20, daughter of Patricia Boland Haunz ’58 and sister of Carla Haunz Rusconi ’81, died March 27, 2022. Jane Mudwilder Leisure ’68, died February 13, 2022. Penny Schoen Logan ’58, sister of Sally Schoen Farris ’63 and Mary Schoen Bolzan ’66, died April 19, 2022.
In reaching the 25-year milestone last fall, the schools officially named the annual drive the "Sister Brendan Appalachian Gift Drive" in honor of Sister Brendan who created the partnership so long ago.
Ursuline Sisters & Staff
Sister Brendan's legacy of charity and servant leadership will live on in our memories and through our gifts of service each year in continuing the gift drive bearing her name, forever connecting the current Sacred Heart Schools Community to the Louisville Ursulines’ openness and eagerness to serve the needs of others.
If you would like to make a donation in memory of a classmate, family member or classmate’s family member, please call 502.896.8681.
Madeline Craig, mother of Ann Craig Madrick ’83 and Dana Craig ’87, died February 19, 2022.
David Brawner, step-father of Monique Motiff Burns ’87, died February 5, 2022.
Robert Hart III, brother of Laura Hart Hecht ’82, died April 13, 2022.
Larry Mehlbauer, father of Lisa Melbauher Pignato ’85 and Leslie Mehlbauer Saultzman ’91, died March 1, 2022.
Patrick O’Hern, father of Patsy O’Hern Martin ’83 and Maria O’Hern Lynch ’84, died February 13, 2022. Issa Pirouznia, father of Shaneh Pirouznia Raymer ’90 and Gita Pirouznia Sheehan ‘94, died February 25, 2022.
Dr. Raymond Shea, Jr., father of Catherine Shea ’83 and Jane Shea Scotti ’85, died April 9, 2022. John Siegel II, brother of Angie Siegel Clark ’71, died April 3, 2022.
William “Bob” Spiegelhalter, husband of Mary Jo Edinter Spiegelhalter ’66, died April 10, 2022 Travis Summers, father of Tara Summers ’22, died February 1, 2022. Earl “Mac” Unger, husband of Elizabeth Boldt ’69, died January 3, 2022.
Stephen Dougherty, husband of Janet Hillenmeyer Dougerty ’64 and father of Leah Dougherty Barnes ’04, died March 10, 2022.
Elmer Schoenbachler, father of Karen Schoenbachler ’92, died February 16, 2022.
William Blincoe III, brother of Bonnie Blincoe ’64 and Susan Blincoe Collins ’77, died February 22, 2022.
Paul Gentner, father of Jennifer Gentner ’94 and Kathryn Gentner ’98, died March 12, 2022. David Gordon, father of Anna Ruth Gordon Parker ’93, died March 6, 2022. Charles Gray, father of Janine Gray Volk ’79, died January 19, 2022.
Jacquelyn Rausch Lee, sister of Elizabeth Rausch Catlett ’65 and Mary Rausch Jennings ’73, died February 10, 2022.
Howard B. Hunt, brother of Mary Lee Hunt Schultz ’66, died March 8, 2022. Theresa Louise Hutchison, sister of Sr. Rita Ann Wigginton ’62, died January 14, 2022.
Teresa Lynn Acton, mother of Sarah Acton Columbo ’98, died February 23, 2022. Sedat Acton, father of Sarah Acton Columbo ’98, died March 26, 2022.
John VanDeMark, father of Lindsey VanDeMark ’06, died January 23, 2022. Joseph Anthony “Tony” Walsh, father of Eileen Walsh Stokes ’73 and Peggy Walsh Karman ’82, died March 13, 2022. Stephen Wagner, brother of Brenda Wagner Smyth ’79, died March 12, 2022.
Lloyd Abel Jr., brother of Sallie Able Niehoff ’69, died March 14, 2022.
23SUMMER 2022 HeartBeat
IN Memory
Adam Oates, brother of Christina Oates ’97, died March 20, 2022.
Samuel Hayward, husband of Barbara Baumann Hayward ’64, father of Elizabeth Hayward Jansen ’95, died February 27, 2022. Stephen Heck, father of Nally Heck Wickliffe ’94 and Sarah Heck ’98, died January 23, 2022.
Virginia DeMuth, mother of Michele “Missy” DeMuth Camp ‘80 and Kerry DeMuth Cooke ’81, died March 31, 2022.
Dorothy Dougher, mother of Debi Dougher Pavlik ’72, died February 10, 2021.
Grainger Charles Lott, grandfather of Molly Lott ’09 and Kathryn Lott ’11, died January 31, 2022.
Joseph S. Deiss, father of Libby Deiss Pridmore ’80, died February 12, 2022.
You may also send a check, payable to “Sacred Heart Academy” to Sacred Heart Schools Office of Institutional Advancement 3115 Lexington Road Louisville, KY 40206
Thelma Rose Mullins Merrick, mother of Diana Merrick Davies ’75 and Marie Merrick Merkley ’79, died April 26, 2022.
Family
Richard Donald “Rick” Remmers, Sr., grandfather of Rachel Remmers ’17, died April 12, 2022. Edward “E.J.” Ross III, son of Rosemary Seger Ross ’67, died February 11, 2022. James Saunders, husband of Judith McDonald Saunders ’72, died April 6, 2022. Frank Andrew Schmitt, father of Linda Schmitt Lenahan ’76, grandfather of Stacia Lenahan ’10, Theresa Schmitt Voorhies ’10, Kelly Schmitt ’12, Emily Schmitt ’13, Megan Lenahan ’14, Amy Schmitt Heilman ’00 and brother of Carol Schmitt Dawson ’63, died January 28, 2022.
Robert William “Rob” Shaw Jr., father of Patricia Shaw Vittitow ’76, Jane Shaw St. Clair ’79, grandfather of Stephanie Shaw ’99, Ann St. Claire ’04, Elizabeth Shaw ’06, Sarah Shaw ’09 and Alexandria Vittitow ’10, died February 6, 2022.
Henry Neumayer Jr., father of Laura Neumayer ’14, Diane Neumayer ’16 and brother of Mary Neumayer Buckler ’75, died April 1, 2022.
Mildred Blandford, grandmother of Shannon Blandford ’96, died April 8, 2022.
Edwynn “Ed” Burckle, grandfather of Caroline Burckle ‘04, died February 19, 2022. Elizabeth Carpenter, mother of Donna Carpenter Steele ’80, died January 31, 2022.
John “Jack” Kirchgessner, father of Erin Kirchgessner Weis ’92, Ann Kirchgessner Dreisbach ’95 and grandfather of Ashley Weis ’23, died April 17, 2022.
Thomas Theodore Lewandowski, father of Mary Beth Lewandowski Leist ’83 and Amy Lewandowski Poch ’88, died March 19, 2022.
Catherine Mary Craven White, mother of Erin White ’93 and sister of Mary Jude Craven Wolford ’82, died January 19, 2022. Karen Wunderlin, mother of Julia Wunderlin ’05, died February 15, 2022.
Larry Houpt, brother of Patsy Houpt Smith ’69, died April 14, 2022.
Mary Rose Klueber, grandmother of Katie Kluebler ’08 and Kelly Kluebler ’08, died March 27, 2022. Mary Nell Knoebel, grandmother of Caroline Burckle ’04, died February 8, 2022. Donald Krekel, father of Lisa Krekel Hofmann ’84, died February 23, 2022.
Questions?
HeartBeat SHSLOU.ORG24 SCAN THE CODE OR sha.shslou.org/alumnae-awards/VISITTONOMINATE! 2023 Sacred Heart Academy Alumnae Awards Nominations 3175 Lexington Road Louisville, KY 40206 A member of Sacred Heart Schools Sponsored by the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville Sacred Heart Schools is a proud partner of Compassionate Louisville Nonprofit Org. U.S. PermitLouisville,PAIDPostageKYNo.1644 Follow Your Heart @shalouisville/shalouisville/shalouisville
ALUMNA OF THE YEAR – This award of highest honor is given annually to an alumna who has contributed significantly to her community and enriched the lives of those around her. As a graduate of SHA, her outstanding accomplishments bring distinction to the school and the strong foundation it fosters in young women.
VALKYRIE HALL OF FAME – This award is given to a former SHA athlete, team or coach (living or deceased) who performed with excellence in a varsity sport, and shows true sportsmanship to family and community. Alumnae/team candidates for this award must be at least a 10-year graduate, and coaches must have been active for at least 5 years. Contact SHA Alumnae Director Megan Brumleve Theisen ’95 at 502.736.6408 or mtheisen@shslou.org
HEART AWARD – This award is given annually to Sacred Heart graduates or individuals who have contributed significantly to their community at large or the SHA community and faculty. This man or woman has devoted a tremendous amount of time and given unselfishly to serve the needs and lives of others.
HONORARY DIPLOMA – This award is given annually to an individual whose devotion to Sacred Heart Academy is equal to completing the requirements for a diploma. The award can be given to a man, woman, teacher, public figure, or to a former student who attended but did not graduate from SHA.
URSULINE TEACHING LEGACY AWARD – This award was established in March of 2008 to honor the Ursuline Sisters’ 150th anniversary of teaching in Louisville. This award will be given annually to an alumna who has dedicated 20 or more years to teaching.
