A HOLY CHILD PUBLICATION
SPRING 2019
IN THIS ISSUE:
Room to Grow Holy Child in the Holy Land The 23rd Psalm Global Programs
CONTENTS 8
4
8
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Room To Grow
Holy Child in the Holy Land
The 23rd Psalm: A Sermon
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12 Spotlight on Student Wellness
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GLIMPSES GL G LIM IMP PS SES ES • Sp SSpring prin rriing ng 2019 20 01 19
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Message from the Head of School
SIGNATURE PROGRAMS
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Global Programs Journey to China Italian Cultural Studies
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Architecture, Engineering, and Design for the Common Good
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Leadership Institute in Finance
AROUND CAMPUS
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Classroom Glimpses
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Arts in Focus: Visual and Performing Arts at Holy Child
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Athletics
SPECIAL EVENTS
28 30
Homecoming 2018 Grandparents Day
ALUMNAE
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Holy Child HEAD OF SCHOOL Melissa Dan, Ed.S. BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2018-2019 Thomas Girard, Chair Eavan O’Driscoll, Vice Chair Sr. Jeanne Ronzani, SHCJ, Secretary Carol Altomare Fr. Vincent Biagi, SJ Susann Ciaccia Catherine Clemens Katherine Higgins Doyle Susan Driscoll Ellen Fahey-Smith Christine Ford Jenny Schwarz Horne ‘78 Margaret Parlatore Kelly ‘77 Cheroxie King Keith Mullin Keith Pagnani Andrea Hooper Robert ‘91 Cecelia Greco Ryan ‘84 Timothy Saburn Andrew David Trickett
Gryphons and Gaels
John K. Mara, Esq. Trustee Emeritus
Alumnae Reunion 2018
INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
Class Notes
Samantha Hanley Director of Institutional Advancement
Faculty, Staff, and Trustee Notes In Memoriam
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Toni Santangelo Archibald ‘76 Director of Parent and Alumnae Relations, Special Events Molly Cacase ‘13 Alumnae Associate Nina Matusiak Institutional Advancement Associate Jacqueline Ciaccia ‘06 Director of Admission and Financial Aid Kristen Parrott Mulvoy ‘91 Admission Associate Lauren Poccia ‘07 Admission Associate Kathryn Collins ‘95 Former Director of Communications
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Ashley Massey Marks Interim Director of Communications Photographers: Toni Santangelo Archibald ‘76, Elianna Bland ‘19, Rachel Bonanno ‘21, Kristine Budill, Feiwen Chuang, Kathryn Collins ‘95, Melissa Dan, Kathryn Langstine Gazso ‘94, Jeff Konczal, Ken Lovell, Ashley Massey Marks, Lauren Poccia ‘07, Trisha Romano, Michelle Sherry, Alina Troya ‘00, Rabbi Daniel Wolk, and Mark Wyville. Design: Peapod Design, Norwalk CT *À ÌiÀ: Graphic Management Partners
[W]e have taken on important initiatives that will ensure the School is poised for continued growth. - Melissa Dan
H C MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dear Friends, I am thrilled to share with you the Spring edition of Glimpses, Holy Child’s community magazine. I am in my third year as Head of School, and the pages of this magazine reflect the important work our community is doing to advance girls’ education—and the many ways that our alumnae have an impact on the life of our School.
For the first time, our Alumnae Program co-sponsored a trip with our Ann F. Sullivan Global Studies Program. This trip to Israel—which was opened up to our faculty and friends as well—proved to be a transformative experience for all those who participated. I know you will enjoy religion teacher Zach Kostopolous’ thoughtful reflection on the journey. I am also sharing with you an article I wrote for Moffly Media’s Education Guide entitled “Room to Grow.” The topic of the piece is one that is close to my heart as an educator of girls—the importance of the classroom environment in promoting flexibility and collaboration, personal wellness, and student achievement. Holy Child recently upgraded our classrooms with active learning furniture and flexible study spaces in the Maureen Alison McGrath ‘78 Memorial Library. We’ve already seen a dramatic change in the level of engagement of our students–and the Library has once again become the intellectual hub of the School with space for girls to work independently, with peers, and with teachers.
In my time here are Holy Child, we have taken on important initiatives that will ensure the School is poised for continued growth. As a community, along with our Board of Trustees, we revised our Strategic Plan to better align with our five-year and long-term goals for Holy Child. I share them here in Glimpses so our alumnae, families, and friends can join us as we do the exciting work of securing the future of our School. As always, I am grateful for your support, and I am honored to be Head of School at Holy Child. Sincerely,
Melissa Dan, Ed.S. Head of School
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H C FEATURE ARTICLE
ROOM TO
grow BY MELISSA DAN, ED.S., HEAD OF SCHOOL
Originally published in the Moffly Media 2018-2019 Education Guide
s independent school educators my colleagues and I look for ways to broaden the worldview of our students. We invest in the best technology. We encourage our students to follow their passions. We ask our faculty to be creative and show agility in the classroom–to meet their students where they are and guide them forward. We provide active learning spaces to set the stage for truly deep learning.
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Active learning classrooms (ALCs) are not a new phenomenon: we know how they help shape collaborative and interactive experiences for students. They allow students to manipulate the environment and take agency over their learning. They disrupt the typical classroom—with its neatly lined rows—and challenge a
fixed mindset by expecting students to move their bodies around barriers both physical and intellectual. They are a virtual metaphor for expanding possibility. Studies show that active learning classrooms can have a dramatic impact on student outcomes: higher grades and
standardized test scores, lower failure rates–especially for girls and minority students–and better comprehension and problem-solving skills. Data sets are certainly important in the development of effective pedagogy–but classroom teachers want so much more than numbers on a spreadsheet. They want their students to see learning as a journey–as an adventure of their own design. When tables and chairs move, students seek each other out to solve problems, design experiments, and test hypotheses. Teachers support students as they make active connections that build critical social-emotional skills like empathy and resiliency. Even subtle changes to a classroom– standing desks on wheels, chairs that adapt to height, easily accessible writing surfaces–can have a dramatic impact on overall student wellness. Both younger and older students benefit from movement–from increased attention to a more positive attitude toward learning.
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As the barriers of a typical classroom come tumbling down, students are better able to connect their learning to practical, real-world applications outside of the classroom.
Yet, perhaps even more validating is knowing that the learning space students inhabit each day is exible to their needs. Students that learn better while standing have that option. Students work together in pods based on learning style or area of interest, rather than stuck in a linear lesson imposed by the teacher. As the barriers of a typical classroom come tumbling down, students are better able to connect their learning to practical, real-world applications outside the classroom. The growth mindset encouraged in an ALC motivates students to take their knowledge and, more importantly, their curiosity outside of the schoolhouse. An active learning classroom then becomes so much more than a collection of sleek furniture. Students that
are taught in an environment that values openness and possibility learn the critical skills necessary to become engaged, responsible citizens of the world. Our students are part of the most interconnected generation of all time. They already instinctively know how to reach out–using technology and social media. Yet we also know they are feeling more isolated and lonely than any generation before them, and they suffer from anxiety and depression at alarming rates. We owe it to them to structure our schools to counter-balance these trends. Students need ample time and space to take risks, pursue their passions, and learn from each other.
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H C FEATURE ARTICLE
HOLY CHILD
IN THE HOLY LAND BY ZACH KOSTOPOLOUS, RELIGIOUS STUDIES FACULTY
he twentieth-century Russian theologian, George Florovsky, once remarked, “Christianity is basically a vigorous appeal to history, a witness of faith to certain particular events in the past, to certain particular data of history.” In many ways, Florovsky thought—and I would agree—the Christian religion is a daily invitation to study and relive the events of salvation history, namely, the incarnation, the life of Christ, his cross, and resurrection.
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For this reason, pilgrims have flocked to the Holy Land for nearly 1,700 years in order to experience the presence of God in its sacred sites and relics. In the Christian tradition, a pilgrimage is not a vacation as we would think of it today. Rather, it is a journey of profound transformation, one you embark upon with a spirit of humility and repentance. This past July, I was part of a group from the Holy Child community, comprised of faculty, staff, alumnae, and friends that undertook this
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GLIMPSES G GL LIMPS IMPS IM PSES SES ES • Sp SSpring pri ring ng 2019 201 019
ancient pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Led by an informative and charismatic Israeli guide named Yair, we were exposed to tremendous sites all over the country. It was an experience that I can safely say made lasting impressions upon everyone in the group. Our journey began in Jerusalem, a city of great beauty with an ancient pedigree. The skyline of Jerusalem’s Old City is a captivating sight to behold: surrounded
by sixteenth-century Ottoman walls, some of the most holy sites in the world stand before you. Because of its spiritual significance to different religious groups, Jerusalem was and remains a location of tremendous devotion, an epicenter of prayer, as well as a flashpoint for tension and, at times, violence. The visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on our first day in Jerusalem was one that prompted significant reflection on my part. Our group followed the Via Dolorosa in the city’s Christian quarter, taking turns reading from the Scriptures at each Station of the Cross. We moved through the Old City’s winding streets and crooked alleyways until the church itself seemingly appeared out of nowhere. In front of a large courtyard stood the great basilica, founded originally in the fourth century. Though it looked like a church from the outside, the inside gave way to a variety of Christian relics and areas for veneration around which numerous pilgrims flocked. According to tradition, the Church was built on the site where Christ died, was buried, and resurrected. The sacred space inside the sanctuary is
of fellowship there. Capernaum, in particular, with its incredible late antique synagogue set against the backdrop of the sea’s rhythmic tides, brought to mind the Gospel stories of Jesus’ teachings and miraculous healings. Our trip to northern Israel included many unforgettable experiences, including a winery tour in the Golan Heights, a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee itself, and a visit to the magnificent Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Most memorable, however, was a CreoleSpanish language mass we attended with a group of Haitian and Dominican pilgrims near the scene of Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount. Though most from our group did not know the spoken language of the mass, there was a unity and sense of belonging preserved in the Church’s common traditions and prayers that went beyond words. shared amongst Christian groups (e.g. Greek Orthodox, Catholic, Armenian, Coptic, and Ethiopian) and a tentative “status quo” is adhered to in order to maintain peace amongst them. I sat in the Greek section of the church during an Eastern Orthodox liturgy, yet I could hear echoes of petitions from the Armenians and prayers of thanksgiving from the Copts, all while a Polish Catholic group was just about to start their own mass. It was a beautiful reminder of the ancient diversity within Christianity as well as a painful one that we must continue to strive for unity amongst churches. Our third day in the Holy City was equally impressionable, as we experienced the incredible holy sites upon Temple Mount. This was the ancient location of the Jewish Temple, now home to two important mosques, the brilliant Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa. The Dome of the Rock was undoubtedly the most visually spectacular structure I saw on our trip. Its octagonal shape decorated with Arabic script and capped with a brilliant golden dome was a sight like no other. The scene that unfolded around us while atop Temple Mount was equally striking. A small group of Jewish men prayed intently outside the entrance of the Islamic controlled area; they were barred from praying inside, as this was a privilege only for Muslims. Interestingly, it was Israeli police that monitored and escorted these Jewish patrons to be sure they would not pray and offend the Muslims. Our guide, Yair,
was especially cautious to keep us a safe distance. The small group was eventually led outside Temple Mount after finishing their tour and then permitted to pray. As we also left, I remember seeing a young Jewish man tear a piece of his garment as a symbol of his mourning for the destruction of their Temple in 70 CE, but not before his friend captured the moment on his IPhone—an ancient outrage in the modern era. Jerusalem brought with it the vivid reminder that upon the stones of antiquity were the modern stones and contemporary lives of so many people in the Holy Land. Our day trip to Bethlehem in the self-governed Palestinian territory drove this point home even further. As fascinating and beautiful as the Church of the Nativity was, I couldn’t help but become distracted by the checkpoints we needed to pass through, the imposing wall that encircled the area, or the personal anecdotes and revelations of our local Palestinian-Christian guide. The mood of our pilgrimage changed as we left Jerusalem to travel north to Galilee, Capernaum, and Nazareth. Where there was a sense of tension in the former, the latter cities brought with them a serenity befitting the areas of Jesus’ nascent ministry and preaching. The natural beauty surrounding the Sea of Galilee was an idyllic scene. Our group stayed in a kibbutz, right by the sea, and enjoyed some of our best evenings
From northern Israel we traveled southwest to spend the remaining days of our pilgrimage in Tel Aviv. Along the way, we saw magnificent ruins in Tel Megiddo, where some Christians believe Armageddon will take place, as well as Caesarea Maritima, the seaside capital of Roman Judea from late antiquity. Tel Aviv itself was a spectacular, modern city. Surfers and swimmers swarmed to the beautiful beaches along the coastline. The ancient port of Jaffa, associated with Saint Peter’s ministry, offered yet another opportunity to explore biblical history. Touring this booming tech-capital gave us all a window into modern Israel’s young past and promising future. Our group even had the opportunity to see an old covert bullet factory, disguised as a kibbutz, leading up to Israel’s fight for independence in 1948. As our time in the Holy Land drew to a close, I distinctly remember thinking that it would be difficult to articulate the meaningfulness of an experience that was, in a sense, sacramental. Just as sacraments visibly confirm an inward, spiritual reality, the Holy Land—that is, the land, its people, as well as all of its beauty and intrigue—confirmed, strengthened, and in some cases challenged many of my own convictions. It was a travel experience like no other I’d had before and one I look forward to having again one day when I return.
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H C FEATURE ARTICLE
THE
23rd PSALM
A Sermon by Rabbi Dan Wolk, Religious Studies Faculty
abbi Dan Wolk, Holy Child’s longest tenured teacher, supported the Global Programs trip to Israel, but was disappointed that he was unable to join the group on their journey. The following is excerpted from a sermon he prepared for the High Holy Days for Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester, Holy Child’s neighbor on Westchester Avenue, where he is Rabbi Emeritus.
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The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want He makes me to lie down in green pastures He leads me beside still waters Yay though I walk through the valley of the deepest darkness I fear no harm Your rod and your staff they comfort me. My soul is refreshed.
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GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
The year was 1959, not long after my father had died but an eternity when measured in longing. A recent college graduate, I lived in Jerusalem before embarking on my rabbinic studies. Every night I would sit on my terrace which was several blocks away from the heavily
wooded Valley of the Cross and I would hear soft music from a shepherd’s flute. One night, on a whim, I decided to seek out the shepherd. The lights of the streets of Jerusalem burned brightly but suddenly as I reached the valley I was plunged into darkness. An inner force pushed me and on that night I entered the valley of darkness and found a little shepherd boy leading his flock of goats––I could not see him. It was pitch black. I only heard him and the tinkle of the goat bells. As I walked, I walked in fear. Where were we going? Did the shepherd know his way as one path converged with another? We seemed to wander deeper and deeper into an abyss of thistles, pine trees, junipers—and darkness. Without the shepherd I was lost. We walked for about a half hour until, finally, we emerged onto the lighted
streets of Jerusalem. My young Arab guide turned off to his right, towards his village on the border of the city and I circled back to the safety of my home. In the years to come, as I dedicated my career to the rabbinate, I often remembered that night and I thought of the psalm of David— the 23rd Psalm. One verse in particular resonates with me,”Yay, though I walk through the valley of darkness.” And in that verse a single word echoes over and over—through. Through. I walk through. It does not say “I dwell” or “I remain in the valley of darkness” but, rather, “I walk through.” This year, far removed from Jerusalem, I again found myself in the valley of darkness, slowly, oh so slowly, recovering from a stroke. I awakened each morning, not to the gentle melody of a shepherd in Jerusalem but rather to the somber chords of anguish and uncertainty within my heart. Each day I struggled to walk through but there was always a pervasive question, a lamentation—When will I ever be myself again? And I wonder, how many of you have been lost in a valley of darkness and how have you faced that darkness? How did you come out or, are you still there? The Hasidic Rebbe Nahman of Bratislav said that all of our life is a narrow bridge and the challenge is to cross over in spite of fear. Have you been stranded on that narrow bridge, standing on the edge of the valley of darkness, or perhaps in its midst? You may have found yourself there for one or more reasons. Possibly it is because of the death of a loved one or the end of a relationship. The valley may loom because of sickness, or, as the years pass by, at one time or another we may question the words of the poet Robert Browning, “Grow old with me, the best is yet to be.” It is possible that the often fragile dreams we held, for ourselves or for our children, lie shattered on the floor of our still evolving future—that the security we knew has been battered by the winds of time.
it passes under a bridge, a giant boulder in the midst of the water is the platform where I can stand and cast my line with the hope of catching a giant trout. Unwilling to tarnish my perfect record for never catching fish, on my last visit I left the fishing rod at home and instead watched the river racing from the north, convinced that the boulder would deter the flow. I was wrong! When the water reached the obstacle the water split, one half moving on the near side of the boulder, the other half on the far side. Then the waters joined and continued on their journey to the Hudson and the Atlantic. This process became a metaphor for life. The water refused to cease flowing in spite of the potential obstacle. It went on, finding a way to circumvent the boulder. It went through. Don’t dwell there! Find a way to go through. My father was a wise man. He was an intellect imbued with the scriptures and the Hebrew text. However, that was not the wisdom I admired. No, what I most admired was his philosophy of baseball and
subsequently, of life, which he shared with me when I was only a child of eight. In those days, I was a passionate fan of the Albany Senators. They were a minor league baseball team of great renown—at least in Albany! Every morning I jumped out of bed, raced downstairs, opened the Albany Times Union to the sports page and scanned the scores from the previous night. If Albany won, it would be a perfect day. And if they lost? My day was ruined. Then, my father would appear on the scene, and viewing his grieving son, offer the wisdom that I still remember. “Daniel,” he said, “Daniel, the Senators lost, but don’t worry. They will play again. It’s a new day.” So as we enter a new year may we walk through the valley. Into the days still to come. And for those of us who have lost our way in the world, may we, as the Psalmist instructs, gather our inner strength. May we be strong and of great courage, and, with time, find our way out of the valley of darkness.
Don’t dwell in the valley. Don’t stay there. Walk through. Over and over again, walk through.
Don’t dwell in the valley. Don’t stay there. Walk through. Over and over again, walk through. Near my home at Brant Lake the Schroon River flows on its way to the Hudson. As
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H C SPOTLIGHT
SPOTLIGHT
ON STUDENT WELLNESS BY CAIRISTIN MILLS, LCSW, DIRECTOR OF STUDENT COUNSELING AND WELLNESS
s a licensed clinical social worker who works with adolescent girls, I see every day the challenges our girls face as they navigate the important business of growing up in the modern world, including academic, social, and personal pressures, the omnipresence of social media, and a world where girls can feel both hyperconnected and lonely at the same time.
Now more than ever, it is critical that we teach our children the importance of personal wellness and give them the tools they need to design a life that values balance. As a school community, Holy Child has taken steps to integrate this into the daily lives of our students and faculty. We dedicate resources and time to our wellness programs to model for our girls how to establish wellness routines, self-advocate for what they need to feel healthy and safe, and how to effectively manage stress. Last year we introduced a Wellness Day, which was a celebration that included
sessions in meditation, self-defense, cooking and nutrition, and a cardio movement class. The mission of Wellness Day was to offer students the chance to explore a variety of healthy activities, teach techniques for reducing stress, and provide practical skills for a lifetime of wellness. This year, the Wellness Program has expanded signiďŹ cantly to include a health and wellness curriculum designed to support and advance the socialemotional growth and development of girls in grades 5 through 12. Predicated on the Seven Dimensions of Wellness, each class is designed to address age and developmentally appropriate topics, and
each year the class serves as a foundation for the topics of the following year. The curriculum supports and complements the intellectual and academic growth of every student by focusing on the issues most relevant to overall wellness. We are also pleased to have Student, Parent, and Faculty Wellness Committees at Holy Child. These committees work together to ďŹ nd innovative ways to integrate wellness into the daily lives of our girls and the adults in their lives.
Physical Intellectual The ability to foster in ourselves the characteristics that encourage lifelong learning, including curiosity, the desire to improve or learn new skills, and the drive to solve problems. Intellectual wellness also means we use our knowledge to improve the world around us and make connections with others.
The ability to maintain a quality of life through the development of healthy habits, like proper medical care, nutrition, diet, and exercise, and the avoidance of destructive habits that can adversely affect health.
Social The ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with family, friends, and peers.
What are the
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Occupational cupation The ability to choose a path that offers personal fulďŹ llment and supports overall balance in our lives.
Dimensions
of Wellness?
True holistic wellness goes well beyond diet and nutrition. Instead, it seeks out a balance of seven dimensions that each contribute to an overall sense of well-being that, in turn, contributes to the development of healthy relationships, self-esteem, and physical ďŹ tness. These seven dimensions include:
Environmental nvironment The aability to o recognize ize the importance mportance of stewarding th the environment ensure the health nt to ensur off our plan planet.
Emotional The ability to understand ourselves, exhibit resilience, and acknowledge and share feelings in a healthy way.
Spiritual The ability to establish peace and balance in our lives, align our values with our actions, and understand our place in the broader world.
H C SIGNATURE PROGRAMS
GLOBAL PROGRAMS JOURNEY TO China BY MADELEINE VITANZA ‘21 AND MARGARET BEIRNE ‘20
fter a strenuous thirteen hour plane ride, we finally arrived in Beijing, China. We immediately began touring the many sights of Beijing, starting our journey at the Summer Palace, a lake created exclusively for the Emperor. We then proceeded to the infamous Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
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After shopping at the Jade factory and visiting the Ming tombs, we set out to climb the Great Wall of China. During our climb to the top, the heavens opened up in a torrential downpour. Undeterred, we continued to trek the accessible parts of the wall. Afterwards we relaxed by practicing Tai Chi at the Temple of Heaven, then journeyed on to Xi’an, where we visited the vast army of Terracotta Warriors. During our trip, we visited multiple temples and museums. These places hold beautiful and unique art, but they also serve as places of deep connection for Chinese culture. For example, the Jade Buddha Temple is a place of prayer and worship that simultaneously serves as the home to several breathtaking statues. Almost all of
the pieces we saw were three-dimensional, giving one the feeling of being inside the art, rather than simply looking at it. There was an incredible amount of detail put into everything, from a miniscule wrinkle on the robe of a statue to a complicated and detailed pattern on the wall of a temple. In the Terracotta Army, a vast collection of lifesize clay warriors, each sculpture was characterized with unique armor, hairstyles, and facial features. These tedious efforts demonstrate the importance of artwork in Chinese culture.
The Chinese language itself is a work of art. Each character is complex and particular. Despite its beauty, Chinese calligraphy is time-consuming and difficult. A seemingly abstract and simple calligraphy painting is a harder undertaking than a technical and lifelike depiction. In lifelike art, an artist can plan or even trace a sketch for the piece. In calligraphy, however, the ink is permanent and cannot be changed. It is impossible to plan or sketch and the artist must be precise in the placement of the ink. If a tiny mistake is made, the artist must begin again.
Before the trip, we were warned that the Chinese takeout food we were accustomed to eating was the Americanized version, which includes dishes like General Tso’s Chicken and Orange Beef. Authentic Chinese food is not as heavy, and the dishes vary with the different regions of China. For example, the city of Xi’an is famous for its noodles. While in Xi’an, we dined at a noodle restaurant for lunch, each receiving individualized noodle bowls. We also visited a dumpling restaurant, where we tried over 13 different types of dumplings, including chicken, beef, fish, sweet potato, and tomato. Dumplings are a luxury in China; they are expensive to prepare and sell. The dumplings were much tastier than those made in America, and they were
one of the best dishes we ate on the trip. Throughout our stay in China, we were treated to Chinese delicacies. One night in Beijing we enjoyed a Peking duck dinner. After the duck was cooked, we made duck dumplings with vegetables and a sweet, brown sauce. After Xi’an we traveled to Shanghai and entered the city center on the Bullet Train, the fastest train in the world, then took in the unique blend of colonialism and modern architecture in the scenic Bund waterfront area. We learned the inner
workings of the silk industry at a silk factory and walked the iconic Nanjing Road, which is similar to Times Square in New York City. We tried our luck at a Chinese hot pot restaurant. During a hot pot dinner, each diner cooks her own meal using a pot of boiling water and broth. We cooked various meats, vegetables, rice, and noodles. Next we drove an hour outside of Shanghai to a water town. The short drive outside of Shanghai contrasted with our previous nearly three hour drive within Beijing’s city limits. While Beijing has a larger footprint, Shanghai has a larger population. The government attempts to control how many children can be born in order to limit the population, but it is still very large. The
living spaces in Chinese cities are small due to the vast number of inhabitants. Many people also have a hard time finding housing in main working areas. Apartment costs are rising higher and higher because of the increasing population, so people are forced to move farther outside of the large cities. We saw these factors at play during our visits to the Workers’ Village and Old Beijing. We met some of the local families in the area, toured their homes and learned about their lives and customs. The housing was tiny and cramped, and multiple families were living in the same home.
On our trip we observed the difference between learning a language in the classroom and using a language in everyday life. Inside the classroom conversations are scripted and the response is always the same. Outside the classroom conversations can go in any direction and your skills are put to use. Your knowledge is tested in a way that classroom exams can never match. Throughout the trip we were often given free time to wander in groups. This was when our Mandarin skills were put to the test as we conversed with people we met along the way. While our Mandarin improved during the trip, sometimes we needed to use alternate methods to communicate, including Manglish, a combination of Mandarin and English. We would speak in Mandarin, but use English words when we lacked the required Mandarin vocabulary. This proved useful when we engaged in friendly conversation with a new friend we made on the Great Wall. We asked her questions in Mandarin and she responded in English; allowing for both of us to practice the language we were learning. Our Mandarin was also tested while negotiating with vendors at the Chinese Market and while ordering food from restaurants. The opportunity to expand our knowledge of Chinese language and culture outside of the classroom was a rewarding experience, and we would gladly partake of it again.
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H C SIGNATURE PROGRAMS
Italian CULTURAL STUDIES It has been a privilege for me to have been the “Virgil” (guide) in beautiful Italy to the enthusiastic and brilliant young students of the Italian Cultural Studies Program at Holy Child. It was very rewarding for me, Ms. Dan, and Ms. Whitt to have seen the excitement, wonderment, and joy witnessed in the eyes of the students while visiting the “Eternal” city of Rome, walking though the streets where St. Peter and St. Paul walked through, and visiting the beautiful cities of Siena, Florence, Assisi, Perugia, and seeing the beauty of the many cathedrals, squares, monasteries, and palazzos—without mentioning the many gelatis and musical concerts at night.
It was easy to understand Dante once we visited his house and the small church in Florence where he met Beatrice for the first time! To talk about Plato in the same place where young Michelangelo and Leonardo were being tutored inside the Medici Palace was exciting because it was also easy to see next door in the Uffizi Museum how these artists put a mirror in front of Plato’s invisible concepts and gave us its reflections with their sculptures, painting, and buildings giving us the Renaissance. On this trip “in bella Italia” we all witnessed within ourselves and the students a transcendental transformation of individual personal inner-beauty.
BY ANTONIO RUTIGLIANO, ITALIAN CULTURAL STUDIES PROFESSOR
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SIGNATURE PROGRAMS
ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, AND DESIGN FOR THE COMMON GOOD As part of Holy Child’s Architecture, Engineering, and Design for the Common Good program, students and faculty have access to extraordinary immersive opportunities. Last spring, this included an Innovation Tour of the West Coast. According to Program Director Kristine Budill, “It is critical to the success of our economy that we nurture innovation in our schools and the workplace. With that in mind, students toured west coast schools and companies that encourage creativity and foster resilience in their students and employees. The experience was designed to inspire our students to develop solutions for problems in our own community and the larger global community.” Stops on the tour included Google, Apple (where they met up with Holy Child alum Elizabeth Schanne ’11), IDEO, Salesforce, Santa Clara University, and Stanford University.
During the summer session students explored the architecture of Grand Central Station and the new Tappan Zee Bridge (Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge). They toured local museums like the Museum of Modern Art, Cooper Hewitt, and the Guggenheim; at MoMa, Turner Construction provided a behindthe-scenes tour of the museum’s new addition. They visited the Yale, Harvard,
and MIT campuses and explored technical career opportunities in science and engineering with visits to the Federal Reserve Bank and Pfizer. Students were able to pursue their own independent projects, as well as service learning with Habitat for Humanity (now The Fuller Center for Housing of Greater New York City), helping to build safe and affordable housing in Westchester.
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1. Touring the Design Studios and Prototyping Labs at Harvard Graduate School of Design in Cambridge, MA (alma mater of Susie Yamaguchi, Architecture Faculty)
2. Visiting Pfizer Corporation’s Vaccine and Oncology R&D Operations in Pearl River, NY with host Andrea Hooper Robert ‘91
3. Building a passive energy home in Chappaqua, NY with Habitat for Humanity of Westchester (now The Fuller Center for Housing of Greater New York City) 4. Exploring the Cooper Hewitt Museum, specifically its “Access+Ability” exhibit that showcased designs with and by people who span a wide range of physical, cognitive, and sensory abilities
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GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
IN FINANCE oly Child received a $50,000 grant from the E.E. Ford Foundation as well as generous contributions from our community towards the match to create a new Signature Program, the Leadership Institute in Finance. This two-year college-level seminar course will empower girls to master financial literacy, explore business ethics, and develop effective leadership skills to prepare for competitive internships and careers in finance. The first cohort of students will start the program next year. as the Director of Business Development at Haemonetics Corporation, where she was responsible for analyzing, negotiating, and managing corporate investments in new technologies and businesses.
Ms. Kristine Budill, Director of the Architecture, Engineering, and Design for the Common Good, has been selected as Director of the new Leadership in Finance Institute. Her education and extensive work experience in both engineering and business make her a highly qualified and capable leader for both of these Signature Programs. In addition to her engineering degrees, Kristine has taken extensive coursework in finance at MIT and received a Masters in Management Science from the MIT Sloan School of Management. She has both academic training and work experience in fundamental analysis of business, assessing not only financial information but also competitive position and quality of leadership. Prior to joining Holy Child, she spent over ten years working at a private equity fund that invested university endowment funds and contributions from high net worth individuals. She also served
Joining Ms. Budill in support of this program is Dr. Zachary Kostopoulos, who has worked at Holy Child for two years as a member of the Religious Studies Department. He earned his doctorate in Historical Theology at Saint Louis University, specializing in Early and Medieval Christianity. Before coming to Holy Child, Zachary taught theology at the college level in subjects ranging from History of Christianity and New Testament Studies to Ethics and Comparative Religions. Dr. Kostopoulos will assist with curriculum development and guest teaching in the new signature program, principally focused on moral and ethical leadership as it relates to the curriculum.
We are excited about the opportunity to build another Signature Program for our girls. Starting next year, in addition to the opportunities provided by the Ann F. Sullivan Global Studies Program, we will now have three, two-year Signature Programs: Italian Cultural Studies Architecture, Engineering, and Design for the Common Good Leadership Institute in Finance If you are interested in supporting our Signature Programs, please contact Samantha Hanley, Director of Institutional Advancement, at s.hanley@holychildrye.org or (914) 967-5622, extension 290.
11th and 12th grade Economics students visited the New York Stock Exchange in December.
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CLASSROOM GLIMPSES Here’s a sneak peek at what we’ve been up to at Holy Child. For more snapshots of daily life, follow us on social media: @hcheadofschool @hcgryphons
@holychildrye
Skyping with Karina Yan Glaser
Middle School Geography
Fifth and sixth graders Skyped with Karina Yan Glaser (@karinaisreadingandwriting), the author of The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street. They learned about her writing and revision process and asked a lot of interesting questions. They also met all of her adorable pets and she gave them a sneak peek at her next book in the Vanderbeeker series.
Fifth grade geography students learned about the ways we describe global, regional, and local geography and then put their cartography knowledge to the test by mapping Holy Child’s campus.
Active Learning Furniture Put to the Test Middle School math teacher, Emily Morgan, and her students have made great use of Holy Child’s active learning furniture from Steelcase. Her students have been able to tackle challenging topics in math by transitioning from a lesson to work in pairs or pods with ease. Holy Child alumnae may recognize a familiar face helping Emily out in her classroom—former Head of School and current trustee, Sr. Jeanne Ronzani, SHCJ, who has been a weekly support in the sixth grade classroom since last school year!
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GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
Egg Drop Challenge Engineering students completed the Egg Drop Challenge by designing trampolines, nests, origami boxes, and safety nets out of nothing but paper, tape, and rubber bands.
Environmental Science Studies Wolves Environmental Studies students with teacher Dr. Ashley Massey Marks visited the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, NY to learn about the impact that wolves have on healthy ecosystems.
Holy Child Rye and Cornelia Connelly Center Field Day Holy Child Rye and fellow Network School Cornelia Connelly Center in Manhattan shared a joint Middle School Field Day last spring. Our girls collaborated on a variety of activities, including team-building games, engineering and technology projects, and mural design. The day culminated in a performing arts showcase where girls from both schools shared scenes from the musical Annie, as well as other songs and dances from their home school.
Exploring Emerson Inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem, “The Rhodora,” two Upper School students in Dr. Timothy Duffy’s class sketched and took notes on the rain as they explored the relationship between nature and art.
GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
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ARTS IN FOCUS: VISUAL ARTS BY KEN LOVELL, CHAIR OF VISUAL ARTS
Advanced art students utilized drawings and photographs, captured on a field trip to the Bronx Zoo, to make artwork that speaks to the wonder of the natural world and their concerns about the environment.
wild animals in their natural habitat which unfortunately is contaminated with rubbish and trash. I am hopeful that by contrasting the beauty of the wild with the ugliness of human refuse that viewers take pause and consider their impact on our ecosystem. My objective is to not necessarily gain agreement, but rather to help educate others about the importance of respecting the earth, and each other, as we all share this planet we call home.”
images depict life under the sea and in the air. Each depicts the unique qualities of that habitat.” Claire Furio ‘19 noted, “My artwork most often reflects my interests and subjects that I am passionate about. For example, I am an advocate of environmental issues as I believe we have a responsibility to protect the earth for future generations. Some of my most recent work captures
Tatum Pepe ‘19 explained her process, “My love for animals shows in my artwork. The pictures started with ink drawings that were scanned into the computer and then cut from paper with a laser cutter. The 1
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1. Lion (Lasercut Paper) –Tatum Pepe ‘19 2. Lion (Digital Photograph) –Caroline Peacock ‘20 3. Monkey (Digital Photograph) –Caroline Peacock ‘20 4. Fish (Lasercut Paper) –Tatum Pepe ‘19 5. Butterfly (Lasercut Wood) –Katie Schaefer ‘22 6. Snowy Owl (Digital Photograph) –Caroline Peacock ‘20 7. Octopus (Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas) –Claire Furio ‘19 8. Owl (Lasercut Paper) –Tatum Pepe ‘19
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1. Bird (Lasercut Wood)
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–Katharine Rogers ‘22
2. Blue Jay (Lasercut Wood) –Allyssa Flanagan ‘22
3. Parrot (Digital Drawing) –Sarah Arevalo ‘22
4. Blue Jay (Digital Drawing) –Allyssa Flanagan ‘22 5. Polar Bear (Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas) –Claire Furio ‘19 6. Crude Awakening (Sea Otter) (Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas) –Claire Furio ‘19
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ARTS IN FOCUS: PERFORMING ARTS Holy Child’s Performing Arts Program offers Middle and Upper School students the option to participate in Theatre experiences that develop skills in composition, picturization, movement, and gesture. Students study history and design, as well as musical theatre and dramatic performance. In the spring, our Middle School girls performed the musical Annie. This winter, Upper School girls performed Les Misérables.
LES MISÉRABLES
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GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
ANNIE
THE DANCE PROGRAM Holy Child offers students opportunities to study Modern Dance, Ballet, Jazz, and Hip Hop. Dance is required for fifth and sixth grade girls. Students who choose to pursue our advanced dance classes create original works showcased in solo performances and choreograph pieces as an ensemble. All year-long dance students perform in an annual Dance Recital in May.
MUSIC PROGRAM CHRISTMAS CONCERT
GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
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ATHLETICS Holy Child Athletic Director Reflects on the Holy Child Mission BY CATHERINE CONWAY, DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
Catherine Conway joined Holy Child’s Athletics as a lacrosse coach and rose to Interim Director of Athletics in 2017. Holy Child was thrilled to name Catherine Director of Athletics in the spring of 2018. Catherine came to Holy Child with extensive coaching experience at the college and professional level, and led the Gryphon lacrosse team to a NYSAIS state championship in 2017.
Our mission at Holy Child is to develop “women of conscience and action” through a dedication to “joy in teaching and joy in learning.” In athletics, we are ultimately presented with two, perhaps three, options when entering a competition: win, lose, or tie. We as coaches, or teachers of athletics,
as young women of conscience and action. We strive for self-advocacy, selfbetterment, and self-reflection. We work to ensure that our student-athletes are good teammates, good stewards of the school, and ultimately, good humans. The mission of “joy in teaching and joy in learning” is just as applicable in the athletics setting as it is in a classroom.
are tasked with winning—it is how our performance is judged. As coaches, we must take action, be decisive, and do what’s best for our teams to win. We must be result oriented, with an eye on the best outcome. However, this is all balanced with our commitment to the development of all of our student-athletes. Why do we coach? Because winning isn’t everything; it is just the result of lots of little moments that come together at the right time. We coach for the little moments—when someone figures out how to serve the ball like a laser beam rather than a rainbow, when the attacking line runs a perfect 3v2 fast break to the cage, when the defense breaks up a setpiece corner and clears the ball effectively. We coach for the joy that we find with our student-athletes in every practice, game, bus ride, and team dinner. We coach to help our student-athletes’ development
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I have had the distinct honor to lead the Holy Child lacrosse team for four seasons. I have seen more growth with individuals involved in that program than anywhere else, simply due to my proximity to them. Even though what I’m saying is reflective of my personal experience as a coach at Holy Child, I know that it is reflective of other coaches’ experiences here too. On the flip side, I would say that those student-athletes have seen me grow from a new coach to the confident, battle-tested individual I am now. I was supported from day one by the Holy Child community. I was given the opportunity to learn, fail, and try again. I was helped through tough times by my fellow coaches and various faculty members. I was joined in celebration by students, parents, and the community as a whole. I have been encouraged, guided, challenged, and,
ultimately, made better through my experience here. It has made me a better coach, and hopefully, made my studentathletes better as well. In my role of Director of Athletics this process of learning and growth has only extended. Every day we work together for the betterment of our student-athletes on and off the field, court, course, and pool, and find ourselves evolving in some way. This is what makes Holy Child so special, and why I love being a part of this community.
Holy Child EDUCATING YOUNG WOMEN OF CONSCIENCE AND ACTION 2225 WESTCHESTER AVENUE RYE, NY 10580
STRATEGIC PLAN
ornelia Connelly’s educational legacy is a powerful foundation for Holy Child. Her bold approach to teaching and learning in the 19th century was the bellwether (or groundbreaker) of the modern educational practices that define a Holy Child education today. Rooted in the Catholic faith, we value each individual girl, promote joy and kindness, and encourage our girls and faculty to find innovative ways to “meet the wants of the age.”
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Holy Child is at an exciting juncture in its history and we are well positioned to sustain our positive momentum. We are building on the work of Cornelia Connelly, and the members of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus, who have made the present and future of our beloved school possible. With this legacy in mind, we have developed a strategic plan that consists of six overarching goals. They align with our core purpose—to provide a transformative education to each one of our girls on a daily basis.
MISSION AND IDENTITY
THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE
COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP
GOAL:
GOAL:
GOAL:
Holy Child will advance our mission to educate young women of “conscience and action” and see our shared identity as our greatest source of strength. We are a small, Catholic, independent school for girls in grades 5 to 12 where each girl is known, supported, and encouraged to honor the ways her spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness supports her intellectual and moral development.
Holy Child will set the standard for girls’ education by challenging each student to push her intellectual boundaries, shape emerging interests into life-long passions, and apply her creativity, spirituality, and compassion to the world’s greatest problems. We aim for each girl to develop the confidence to tackle challenges with optimism, knowing she has the knowledge and grit to persevere.
Holy Child’s faculty takes seriously the impact our actions and our words have on the education of our students, so we will model the characteristics we know they need to develop, including collaboration, motivation, vulnerability, and flexibility.
INSTITUTIONAL FINANCIAL ADVANCEMENT STRATEGY
CAMPUS REVITALIZATION
GOAL:
GOAL:
GOAL:
With the immediate and long-term needs of our students and faculty at its core, Holy Child’s institutional advancement plan will support the recruitment and retention of exceptional students, an effective fundraising program, and a comprehensive communications strategy that advances the mission and identity of the School.
With Holy Child’s educational mission as a guidepost, the School’s financial strategy will meet our immediate needs while ensuring ongoing financial stability through strategic management of revenue, cost and capital investment, and the growth of endowment funds.
Holy Child will ensure that the School’s campus supports our mission to “meet the wants of the age” by providing an optimal learning environment for our students and faculty that both preserves our history and supports our expanding academic, spiritual, athletic, and wellness programming.
As any effective Strategic Plan is a living and breathing document, the specific action steps associated with each of these goals may be revised as needed. Strategic thinking in education today is ever-changing and we will always be reflecting to improve the quality of the education we offer our girls at Holy Child. To see the most up-to-date reflection of our community’s shared vision, go to www.holychildrye.org/support-hc/publications pport-hc/publications.
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1. Julia Valentino ’21 2. Varsity swimmer at the start 3. Jax Pace ’18 4. Elianna Bland ’19
Natalia Nunez ’18 Cassandra Farrell ’19 Emily Panarella ’20
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H C SPECIAL EVENTS
HOMECOMING 2018 FRIDAY Holy Child’s Annual Homecoming featured some exciting changes this year! The festivities kicked off on Friday, September 28 with the annual Middle School Fun Run, which due to inclement weather became Fun and Games in the Field House! Later that afternoon, the girls celebrated our student-athletes at a Pep Rally that amped up the crowd for the first contest of the weekend, a Varsity
Volleyball game against Dalton. Fans were treated to a bake sale, face-painting, and smores behind the Field House! On Saturday, our Varsity Field Hockey and Soccer teams competed, followed by the annual junior-senior Powder Puff game. Many thanks to Ellen Bryceland P ’17, ‘19, event chair, and her dedicated team of parent volunteers!
1. Lily Hajjar ’23, Meredith
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Gillespie ’23, and Katelyn Davis ’23
2. Heather Gillespie and her daughters, Colleen ’25 and Meredith ’23
3. Middle School students rally with “Connie,” the school mascot
4. Members of the Class of 2023 5. The fun continued with giant versions of classic games, like Connect Four.
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PEP RALLY, VOLLEYBALL, AND SMORES! 1
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5 1. Ms. Dan enjoys smores with Upper and Middle School students
2. Members of the Class of 2022 3. Members of the Class of 2025 4. Ms. Dan and Ms. Whitt spend the evening with seniors 5. Jackie Quinn ’19 and Emily Gardella ’19
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HOMECOMING SATURDAY 1. Alie Zarkowski ’22 2. CC Cosenza ’22, Charlotte Carroll ’22, Molly Hayes ’22, Genna Szczepanski ’22
3. Parent volunteers help with the Charity
5. Varsity Field Hockey celebrates a goal 6. Members of the Class of 2020 7. Parent volunteers help run the grill 3
Ball Toss
4. Chuck, Grace ’19, Catherine ’19, and Homecoming Chair Ellen Bryceland 2
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H C SPECIAL EVENTS
GRANDPARENTS DAY 2
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1. Middle School theatre students perform a scene from the musical, Annie
2. Anna Klein ’24 with her grandmother 3. Charlotte Irwin ’21 with her grandparents 4. Isabella Alaimo ’19 with her grandparents 5. Valana Thomas ’19 with her grandmother 6. Melissa Dan, Head of School, Samantha Hanley, Director of Institutional Advancement, and Mrs. Hanley
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H C ALUMNAE
GRYPHONS AND GAELS
1. Trustee Andrea Hooper Robert ‘91, with Samantha Hanley, Director of Institutional Advancement
2. Sara Archibald MS ’06, Ibby Anda MS ’06,
For the second year, Holy Child co-hosted the Gryphons and Gaels cocktail party on June 27 at Rare Rooftop in New York City. Alumnae from across the decades joined fellow Gryphons and their friends from Iona Prep for a fun night.
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Caroline O’Connor Dyer ‘08, Cory Dyer, and Alaina Cipollone ‘10 3. Brittany Schnitta ‘06, Morgan Frick ‘06, and Kevin Baum, Iona Prep ‘06
4. Chrystal Troya ‘02, Jenn Tracey, Science Department Chair, Toni Santangelo Archibald ‘76, Director of Parent and Alumnae Relations, Special Events, and Danielle Riverso ‘12 5. Gryphons and Gaels crew at Rare Rooftop 4
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H C ALUMNAE
ALUMNAE REUNION 2018 Alumnae Reunion Mass: On Saturday, November 3, Holy Child welcomed over 150 alumnae, faculty, former faculty, and friends to the 2018 Alumnae Reunion to honor the classes ending in 8 and 3. Special thanks to Stefanie Ciaccia Veneruso ’08 for offering the alumnae reflection, members of the 70th reunion class–Mary Marin Schmidt ’48 and Ann Conway Clancy ’48, as well as those alumnae who volunteered for Mass.
1 Sr. Nancy Callahan, SHCJ ’51 2 Stefanie Ciaccia Veneruso ’08, Alumnae Board President, delivered the Alumnae Mass reflection.
3 Deirdre O’Brien ’93 4 Fr. Joseph Tierney, President of Cardinal Hayes High School, with candle bearers Cathy Donahue Fugazy ’77 and Catie Fugazy Bave ’03
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5 Former Chair of Language Paula Schouten (center) 6 Members of the 70th Reunion Class–Mary Marin Schmitt ’48 and Ann Conway Clancy ’48–receive a standing ovation from the crowd.
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In her reflection, Stefanie, who serves as Alumnae Board Chair, asked her fellow alumnae to remember the people and experiences that defined their time at Holy Child: Alumnae are the heart and soul of Holy Child: we started traditions, we are ambassadors of the School, and we are the storytellers...When you remember your years at Holy Child, what sticks out to you? What is your Holy Child story? Did Mrs. Ricci ignite a love for science in you? Did Rabbi Dan teach you to appreciate other faiths and cultures? Did Mrs. Wasilik teach you about the importance of competition and teamwork? Did Ms. Walters teach you about kindness and patience while trying to teach you math? Take time today to think about your Holy Child story, reflect on the gift of a Holy Child education, and enjoy reconnecting with one another.
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In Memory of
Cathi Gray Wasilik ‘62 The celebration also included a special bench blessing in remembrance of former Athletic Director, Cathi Gray Wasilik ’62, who passed away last year. Cathi’s family, including her daughter Megan Wasilik ’00, was joined by alumnae from across the decades, as well as many of Cathi’s former colleagues, to celebrate her life with prayer and the installation of a memorial bench outside the Field House. Many thanks to Sr. Jeanne Ronzani, SHCJ, trustee and former Head of School, Alina Troya ’00, Director of Global Programs and Religion Faculty, and Jayne Pickett, Religious Studies Chair and Upper School Campus Minister, for their reflections on Cathi and the blessing of the bench.
Megan Wasilik ’00, Denise Francella, former faculty, and Alina Troya ’00
Members of Cathi Gray Wasilik’s family
GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
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H C ALUMNAE
REUNION PHOTOS 1
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1 Nicole Locher Brown ’91, Mariajoy Rizzo ’91, Denise LeGarda GallagherFarricielli ’91, Andrea Hooper Robert ’91, and Mary Kate Glennon ’91
2 Megan Wasilik ’00, Marcia T. Smith, former faculty, with her husband, Roger, and Nancy McCarthy McCreery ’87
3 Kathy Byrne, Math faculty, with Deanne Rubin, former faculty 4 Alumnae from the 1990s, with their children, including Isabelle Dolce ’21 (front)
5 Members of the Class of 1978 with Sr. Jeanne Ronzani, SHCJ, trustee and former Head of School
6 Jessica Ciaccia ’13, Stefanie Ciaccia Veneruso ’08, Jackie Ciaccia Henschel ’06 7 Catie Fugazy Bave ’03, Karen Weiss Corbetta ’75, Anne “Poodie” Hogan ’75, Cathy Donahue Fugazy ’77
8 Toni Santangelo Archibald ’76, Director of Alumnae and Parent Relations, Special Events, Melissa Dan, Head of School, Carolyn Walters, Math faculty, and Jackie Ciaccia Henschel ‘06, Director of Admission and Financial Aid
9 Members of the Class of 1975 10 Mary Marin Schmitt ’48, Melissa Dan, Head of School, and Ann Conway Clancy ’48
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20 11 40th Reunion Class of 1978 12 30th Reunion Class of 1988 13 Members of the Class of 2002 14 10th Reunion Class of 2008 with Carolyn Walters, Math faculty (center)
15 5th Reunion Class of 2013 16 25th Reunion Class of 1993 with Denise Francella, former faculty (center)
17 Megan Wasilik ‘00, Helwa Sanchez ’00, Annalea Ricci and Linda Chandler, former faculty, Valentina Salkow ’03, Ciara Smyth ’00, Alina Troya ‘00, Director of Global Programs and Religious Studies faculty, and Allison Fraina ’00
18 Carolyn Walters and Kathy Byrne, Math faculty, with Dr. Penny Ryan, former faculty
19 Emily Morgan, Math faculty, Lori McCree Haffey ’08, and Rosemary Schmelkin, former faculty
20 5th Reunion Class members Emma Kvaale ’13 and Jessica Ciacca ’13 To see more photos from Reunion 2018 and to read the reflections in their entirety, go to www. holychildrye.org/alumnae.
GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
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H C CLASS NOTES
CLASS NOTES Alumnae Feature Fridays: The Holy Child Alumnae Office regularly profiles alumnae, so be sure to follow us on social media. To see them all, go to www.holychildrye.org/alumnae.
Class of 1962 had a meetup in
‘62
Portland, ME, in September. Pictured left to right, Charde Thomma, Mary Pat Morley Ware, Carolyn Carlucci Markowsky, Barbara Leslie Reilly, Helen Kelly Heekin, and Lynn Devaney Choquette.
STAY CONNECTED with Holy Child on Social Media Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram @holychildrye and on Twitter @hcheadofschool. You can also follow our athletics on Twitter and Instagram @hcgryphons.
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU Please send us your news or photos, and we’ll include it in the next issue of Glimpses. We make every effort to be as accurate as possible. If there are any errors, please accept our sincerest apologies and contact Toni Santangelo Archibald ’76 at 914-967-5622, ext. 224 or t.archibald@holychildrye.org.
Barbara Seddon wrote,
‘65
“Here’s a photo from my solo show of my mixed media pieces last year. Art is something I have come to late in my life and it’s a great source of pleasure- currently I’m focusing on printmaking. I’ve also traveled a good deal—Russia last October, Sicily in March and I’m about to set off for Berlin.”
experiment gone wrong with former science teacher Karen Krug!”
50th Reunion coordinators Mary
Ellen Colangelo wrote, “My
‘63
husband James Ewing and I moved to Phoenix in March where we are totally retired and enjoying a carefree life. We bought a great home on a golf course at the foot of South Mountain. Our dog thanks us every day for buying it for her. (We moved from a condo in San Diego.) My sister Ann Marie Colangelo Buchanan ’61 moved here as well to an assisted living residence and she loves it.”
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Judy Hanlon Doyle is the
‘67
proud grandmother of 2-yearold Lilliana.
50TH REUNION CLASS
‘68
Reunion Coordinator Mary Devaney Gould reported, “The Class of 1968 had a spectacular reunion! We had 23 members of our class who gathered from all over the country including California. It was a very meaningful event and we were delighted to reconnect with our classmates. We are even planning an online book club as a follow-up! Many of our classmates toured the beautiful and impressive Holy Child campus.” Director of Parent and Alumnae Relations, Special Events Toni Santangelo Archibald ’76 noted, “This class can say the Hail Mary by heart in French and they know the Sign of the Cross in three languages….all learned during their time at HC! They reminisced about a science
Devaney Gould and Terry Linskey Messmer are pictured below in the Alumnae Garden in August after a tour of the HC campus. Mary retired from the Rye City School District and lives in Bedford Hills, NY. Her three sons live in the tri-state area which enables her to spend lots of time with her eight grandchildren. Terry joined her class all the way from her home in California for their Reunion.
Noel Caraccio published her
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second novel, Unraveled in New York. She writes, “The story
chronicles what happens to the three main characters, who are people like you and me, when a dirty bomb goes off in New York City. My first novel, Secrets Change Everything, which I co-authored, is still doing well.”
Jacqui Santangelo Schwartz stopped by campus during a recent trip to New York to say “hi” on her way home to Brookline, MA. We love when our alums visit campus!
After teaching adolescents with special needs for 20 years, Anne
Tucker Roberts has just published a book about five of her students’ parents who raised children with Down Syndrome back in the early ‘80s when services were limited. It is called Five Courageous Mothers. Anne wrote, “The publication of this book is taking off and all without me even chasing it — My take is that it was meant to be written!! AND read!!”
Anne Carey Keenan is pictured with her husband Brian, and her son Brian with her sister, Virginia Carey McBride ‘75 and her husband, Mark. The McBrides and Keenans were in town for their nephew Carey McConnell’s wedding to Carly Exum ‘07.
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The Ivy League collegiate athletic conference named former Dartmouth College
Coach, Chris Hanlon Wielgus, an Ivy League Basketball Legend. She received this honor at The Palestra during the Ivy League tournament in March from Ivy League Commissioner Robin Harris. Wielgus, the winningest coach of any Big Green women’s program, guided Dartmouth to 12 Ivy League titles, seven trips to the NCAA Tournament and two more to the WNIT during her 28 seasons as the program’s head coach. In addition she won a Patriot League title as the Head Basketball Coach at Fordham University. Wielgus is a member of three Halls of Fame. Congratulations, Chris!
Mare Loughran Balczuk, Barbara Palagonia Truesdale, Tish O’Connell Donovan, and Gigi Rooney Weil attended Barbara’s daughter Meredith Truesdale Mullane’s ’06 wedding in Larchmont, NY.
Faith McGillicuddy Benoit
‘76
(center) enjoyed Millbrook Winery Jazz Night with
classmates Chris Madden, Peggy Munns Shea, Kathleen Lynch Moynihan, and Mary Ann Clerkin Pendergast.
Renie Walsh Zoring, Faith McGillicuddy Benoit, Kathleen Lynch Moynihan, Peggy Munns Shea, and Nancy Geraghty Kennedy celebrated Peggy’s 60th birthday on the hottest night of the summer!
‘74
Toni Santangelo Archibald traveled last summer on the HC Alumnae trip to Israel. Toni wrote, “During this trip of a lifetime, aside from all of the magnificent religious sites, I swam in the Mediterranean, Red, and Dead Seas and dipped my foot in the River Jordan!” Toni visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem with fellow HC alums,
Christina Ambrosi ’99, Beth Carey Hanypsiak ’94, Alina Troya Aquilato ’00, and Eileen Mahoney ’83.
Claire Heaney Ruggieri ’75 is a grandmother to Shane Lincoln, born on September 7 (see photo on page 42).
‘75
Sheila Hanlon Reiman is the
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proud grandmother of 2-month-old identical twins, Teddy and Will.
GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
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H C CLASS NOTES
Lynne Kelnberger Wallace reported,
Christopher Souther, son of Catherine
“We were celebrating lots of things this summer…Lindsay and Drew’s college graduation from TCU, Jillian’s graduation from high school and admittance to Villanova’s School of Nursing, Andrew’s 60th birthday, Alex’s 20th birthday and our 35th wedding anniversary - hence the WallaCELEBRATION sign!”
Curran Souther, and Mara McCarthy were married on June 9 at St Joseph’s Church in Garden City, NY. The couple met at Fordham University.
Eileen Mahoney toured the city of Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee. Eileen traveled to Israel with Holy Child this summer.
‘83
Christy Schwarz Schultze
‘86
Helen Carey McConnell’s
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grandchildren, Cristian Federico Cocoziello, born on August 18, 2018, and his big sister, Lulu are pictured below. Cristian and Lulu are the children of
Mary McConnell Cocoziello MS ’01.
Cathy Carter Mota’s son, Patrick, graduated medical school at Lincoln Center on June 10, 2018.
Megan Brown Powers and Toni Santangelo Archibald ’76 attended Christy Conley MacColl’s MS ’02 wedding in August at
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Red Maple Vineyard, West Park, NY.
Christina Casey Webers was with her niece, Caroline O’Neill ’15, daughter of Andrea Casey O’Neill ’81, her daughter, Caitlin Webers ’16, and Sarah Magarelli ’15, daughter of Mimi Peet Magarelli ’82, at the Swim Across America in July.
wrote, “It was an epic spring, full of so many celebrations. Three graduations (K, 8th & 12th), a Confirmation, a First Communion, a Sweet 16, a HC play performance and prom, and multiple tooth fairy visits. Cheers!”
‘81
Luke Canter and Aidan Robert,
‘91
sons of Melissa Gennarelli Canter and Andrea Hooper
Robert, graduated from Kindergarten together in June 2018.
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Denise Legarda Gallagher-Farricielli wrote,“ We have a rising Gryphon, Francesca Louise Farricielli, born on June 11, 2018. We are all in love!”
Anne Collins Loos and her family celebrated her son Ryan’s first Communion last spring. Her daughter, Emma, is a member of the Class of 2021.
Marisa Merone Szczepanski’s daughter, Genna, is a member of the Holy Child Class of 2022!
Andrea Hooper Robert spoke to Holy Child students at the 2018 STEM Luncheon on campus about her role as a scientist at Pfizer.
Deirdre O’Brien and her family, including her nieces, Caroline Gillespie ’19, Meredith Gillespie ’24, and Colleen Gillespie ’25,
Marielle Sack Bush and her family have recently moved to Rye, NY after nearly five years in NYC! Pictured are her children, Jack, 6,
went to Niagara Falls last summer.
Lily, 5, and Teddy, 1. Marielle’s niece, Allie Sack, is a member of the Class of 2022.
‘93
‘95
Colleen Parrott Ogilvie recently completed the Integrative Health Coaching Program (IHC) at Duke University where she received her undergraduate degree in 1997. IHC empowers people to make lasting health behavior changes that are the cornerstones of lifelong wellbeing. It bridges the gap between doctor recommended lifestyle recommendations and one’s abilities to successfully implement those necessary changes into one’s complex life. She also has an informative Instagram page, @plantbasedschool, which can help people learn about healthy, simple steps towards a #WFPB, Whole Foods Plant Based lifestyle.
Kathryn Langstine Gazso
‘94
wrote, “My son Owen, 13, is in 8th grade at St Joseph’s in Bronxville. He attended Fordham Prep’s HAP program last summer. Ava, 10, is in fifth grade at Holy Child, where I am in my 17th year at the school, working in both college counseling and teaching English.” See page 40 for Kathryn’s reflection on running the NYC Marathon!
Christina Ambrosi wrote,
‘99
“In November 2017 I moved to Cambridge, MA where I accepted a position at a startup biotechnology company called Q-State Biosciences as a Senior Scientist in Cell Biology. We work primarily in the area of neurological diseases developing in vitro-based stem cell assays for drug discovery. In other words, we make human neurons in a dish and try to find unique drugs to treat diseases such as epilepsy. In my spare time, I try to travel to NY as much as possible to visit family and friends and enjoy running on the many trails near my new apartment in Boston!” Christina traveled with Beth Carey Hanypsiak ’94 this summer to Masada in Israel. Masada is an ancient fortress in southern Israel’s Judean Desert. It’s on a massive plateau overlooking the Dead Sea. A cable car and a long, winding path climb up to the fortifications, built around 30 B.C.
GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
39
H C CLASS NOTES
Kathryn Langstine Gazso ’94 on running the New York City Marathon It’s a ritual. Early morning wake-up, slide into my clothes, tie up my laces, and slip out into the darkness. On a chilly Sunday morning as the sun rose, I boarded a ferry with my friend and running partner, Amy, as we headed out to Fort Wadsworth and the marathon starting village. The 600 miles we had run since July were about to mean something once again. After stretching, we maneuver the crowds to head to our corral: Orange, Wave 2. We stretch and peel off our warm outer layers before being called to the start line at the base of the Verrazano Bridge. After the singing of “God Bless America,” Peter Ciaccia, marathon director, calls, “On your mark!” The cannons salute the runners and the 26.2 mile journey through the five boroughs commences. Leaving behind Staten Island, we reach the first mile-marker at the crest of the bridge. Blue skies and bright sunshine make it possible to enjoy the skyline and autumn colors. We enter Brooklyn to cheers. The first twelve miles are a tour of Brooklyn’s diverse and lively neighborhoods. We run up Fourth Ave through the Irish and Italian of Bay Ridge, the Latino of Sunset Park, and the hipsters of Park Slope. After the turn at the Barclay Center and Mile 8, the road narrows and the crowds spill into the streets, contracting our path. We spy our families, hugging our children quickly so as not to break our rhythm. Though invigorated by the crowds, we appreciate the quiet that comes as we enter Williamsburg, Brooklyn’s Hasidic
40
neighborhood. We catch our breath before the jaunt through Green Point and our move into our third borough, Queens. Climbing the Pulaski Bridge, we have reached the midpoint of the journey. We feel good, and we spy the city skyline again before descending into the streets of Queens. New Yorkers are enjoying the warm sunshine as they celebrate the achievement of over 52,000 runners from NYC and around the world. Mile 15 is one of the toughest of the course. We slowly climb the hill onto the Queensborough Bridge. It is silent there. As runners, we are alone. The pounding of our feet against the pavement is the only noise we hear as we cross our third bridge and make the mile-long journey into Manhattan, our fourth borough. Coming off the bridge, the noise and excitement of First Avenue is deafening, and we pick up our pace. We scan the crowds for friends and family, finally spotting them at 89th Street. Their cheers are the motivation we need to make it to the fourth bridge at Willis Avenue. As we come around the exit ramp of the bridge, we see the marker we have ached for: 20 miles. We’ve trained our minds to know this race is “just a 10K” from this point. We no longer count up; our countdown is on. The Bronx is a quick mile, and we are shocked by the crowds there. Bands play, children offer high-fives, and spectators hand out bananas and pretzels. Once again, family has situated themselves on the course, knowing just where and
when we need the inspiration to carry on. We cross the fifth and final bridge, entering back into Manhattan for the last five miles. We slow down as we round Harlem’s Marcus Garvey Park and begin the climb up Fifth Avenue. As grueling as 26.2 miles might be, that twenty-third mile, from 110th to 90th Street, is perhaps the cruelest. A gradual incline, the stretch tortures runners, and we feel that torture. Our knees and hips ache, but if we can make it to the hill’s top and into Central Park, we will finish. Head up, shoulders back, we carry on. The final two miles take us through Central Park on an almost magical afternoon. The crowd is four- and fivedeep at various points. Signs declare, “If it were easy, I’d do it!” and “You’re running better than the MTA!” We laugh, and as the sun filters through the trees, we are distracted from thinking about our bodies. We pick up our pace, using whatever is left to run across Central Park South and back onto West Park Drive. Together, Amy and I crossed the finish line in front of Tavern on the Green in 4:08:32. Our finish was nearly two hours after Mary Keitany had broken the tape as the female winner, but we felt like winners. We had broken through a milestone, a sub-4:10 marathon. We received our medals and celebrated the end of our journey. In my first year of teaching, I decided that running a marathon was my goal. It took me almost twenty years to achieve, but on Sunday, November 4, 2018, I completed my third NYC marathon in four years, finishing 17,318 of over 52,000 finishers. Becoming a marathoner has taught me numerous lessons, namely patience, perseverance, and humility. I hope, too, that I have taught my children and my students about the power of setting a goal and working through the struggle to achieve what was once thought impossible.
Alina Troya Aquilato ‘00 and
‘00
her husband, Anthony Aquilato, took on Armageddon at Tel Megiddo on the trip to Israel with HC alumnae, faculty and staff, and friends! A tel is an archeological mound created when one civilization literally built upon another, creating an artificial hill. This was one highlight among many on their pilgrimage through ancient sites of the Holy Land!
Georgia Skamangas Dyer and her husband, Marc Dyer, welcomed their first child, Zoey Eleni Dyer, on November 3, 2017. Zoey was Georgia’s best birthday gift yet, arriving one day after her own birthday!
Victoria Marchewka married Christopher Sise on April 7, 2018 in Montauk, NY at the Church of St. Therese of Lisieux followed by a reception at the Montauk Yacht Club.
Claudia Piazza Killion wrote, “My daughter, Anne Grace, was born on Sunday, December 10, 2017.” Michael and Claudia live in Philadelphia, PA.
Allison Gray Blumenthal and
‘05
Alex Blumenthal welcomed a son, Charles Gray Blumenthal, on November 29, 2017, weighing 6 lb 6 oz.
Helwa Sanchez’s daughter, Khalisah, joined the HC Middle School in September. She is a member of the Class of 2024!
Catie Fugazy Bave and her
‘03
Courtney Mara Billings
‘01
and her husband Tommy sent their greetings along with their children, Tommy, Maddie, and Hailey.
husband, Sean, welcomed Charles Fitzpatrick Bave on September 27, 2018. Charlie weighed in at 8 lb 7oz and 21 inches long and joined older brothers, Will and Henry. Catie and her family moved to London this winter.
Christie Briganti Luciano and her husband, Frank, welcomed a baby boy on August 7, 2017. Nicholas, 11 months, joined sisters, Mackenzie, 4, and Gabrielle, 6, on their sixth annual summer trip to Newport, RI. Christie is began her fifth year as a real estate agent for Weichert Realtors in Rye.
GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
41
H C CLASS NOTES
Amanda Ruggieri Hager and her
Meredith Truesdale married Patrick Mullane on October 17, 2017. Many HC alums were in attendance including her
daughter, Raegan, saw classmate, Taylor
McKenna this summer in Rye, NY.
classmates Carolyn McEvoy MS ’02,
Jackie Ciaccia Henschel, Marcela Aranha, and Brittany Schnitta. Other alumnae, Claire Crowley Clancy ’07, Gigi Rooney Weil ’74, Tishie O’Connell Donovan ’74, and Mare Loughran Balczuk ’74, joined Meredith and her mother, Barbara Palagonia Truesdale ’74, in the celebrations! Meredith is an oncology hematology nurse RN at NY Presbyterian Weill Cornell.
Amanda Ruggieri Hager, her husband, Brendan, and Raegan welcomed Shane Lincoln to the family on September 7. Shane is grandchild of Claire Heaney
Ruggieri ‘75 (pictured below), and nephew of Ashley Ruggieri Stucenski ’02 and Elizabeth Ruggieri ’09.
Tara Lange lives and works in Tel Aviv, Israel. Tara visited faculty and staff members, Toni Santangelo Archibald ’76, Carolyn Walters, Suzy Slattery, and Alina Troya Aquilato ’00 at the Metropolitan Hotel in Tel Aviv in July.
‘06
Kaitlin Tierney Miller and her husband, Chip, have two children, CJ and Tierney.
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GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
Dana Parsons married Jonathan Gubitosa on July 21, 2018 in Montauk, NY. Celebrating with them as bridesmaids were classmates Noelle Tudor Vasquez and Elizabeth Schauber.
Bridget Visser ‘06 The WIF Scholarship Program offers women of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to launch careers in film, television, communications, and new media, by awarding scholarships to female students at major film schools in the Los Angeles area and other parts of the country. The scholarship program strengthens Women In Film’s mission to ensure that female voices are heard and to provide a dynamic, vital link to the bold voices of the future. “It is a tremendous thrill and honor to be a recipient of the 2017 Eleanor Perry Writing Award. This award is meaningful to me on so many levels. Eleanor Perry was a fierce feminist and screenwriter, and I am proud to be a small part of her legacy. I love that this award both celebrates that feminist history and supports ambitious, upcoming women screenwriters. As a writer that is committed to writing stories about feisty, weird, and bold female characters, I am extremely grateful to be embraced by the Women in Film community, especially at this early stage in my career.”
Brittany Williams had high tea with faculty member Carolyn Walters in London this summer. Brittany served as Holy Child’s 2018 Commencement Speaker in June.
Emily Baird Cawley and her husband, Matt, visited Stradun Street in Dubrovnik, Croatia last summer.
‘07
Maureen Farrell’s son, Griffin, played outside near their home in West Virginia.
Kayleigh Purwin Gray shared the following photo of her mother, Kathryn Purwin, her children, Charlotte, 4, Evelyn, 6, and Madeline, 3, and her sister, Lauretta Purwin ‘09.
Courtney Marshall wrote, “After five years in graduate school at Drexel University College of Medicine the moment has finally come—I’m defending my thesis and earning my Ph.D. in Neuroscience! I have spent the past few years studying Parkinson’s Disease. I’m happy to share with you that I am continuing my scientific journey as a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research at the University of Pennsylvania under the tutelage of Director Dr. Virginia Lee. I am very excited to spend the next five years continuing to investigate Parkinson’s with those that identified the presence of alpha-synuclein within Lewy bodies, a pathological symptom now wellestablished in patients.”
Katherine O’Neill Johnston and her husband, Wylie, welcomed a healthy baby girl, Isabelle Marie Johnston, on July 12, 2018 weighing 7 lb 11 oz. Jaclyn McGowan Esposito and her husband, Michael, welcomed their son, Christopher McGowan Esposito, on February 2, 2018.
Ali Barber married Brian Zelesky on October 20, 2018 in Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Bridesmaids included fellow Holy Child alumnae,
‘08
Carly Exum married Carey McConnell, son of Helen Carey McConnell
‘77, on September 28, 2018 in Rye, NY. There were many HC alums in attendance including Carey’s aunts,
Anne Carey Keenan ’73 and Virginia Carey McBride ’75, his sisters, Mary McConnell Cocoziello MS ’01 and Kate McConnell ’20, as well as Peggy Parlatore Kelly ’77, Gay Prizio ’77, Susie Smith Joyce ’77, Catherine Curran Souther ’77, and Carly’s classmates Laura Hudson Wechsler, Kaitlin Kelly Mara, Emily Baird Cawley, Caroline Holleran Thompson, Annika Hantho, Brenna Carlin, Katherine O’Neill Johnston, and Maggie Kelly ’09. It truly was a Gryphon celebration!
Laura Hudson married Jake Weschler on June 16 at Shenorock Shore Club in
Catherine Kennedy, Taylor Messiter, Paige LaBella Guerin, Erin Mara Brooks, Mia Stenger, and Mairead Jones-Kennelly.
Rye, NY. Carly Exum and Lori McCree
Haffey ‘08 were bridesmaids and Kaitlin Kelly Mara, Caroline Holleran Thompson, Emily Baird Cawley, Brenna Carlin, Katherine O’Neill Johnston, and Taylor Messiter ‘08 were also in attendance.
GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
43
H C CLASS NOTES
Paige LaBella married Chris Guerin on March 23, 2018 in New York City. They met on their first day of school at College of the Holy Cross. Pictured (left to right): Top row: Deirdre Murphy, Carrigan Henderson ’10, Erin Mara Brooks, Lori McCree Haffey, KC Maas, Paige LaBella Guerin, Taylor Messiter, Katie Smith, Stefanie Ciaccia 6i iÀÕÃ ] Ali Barber Bottom row: Danielle LaBella Bennett ¿äx] Courtney Callahan, Jackie Knowles, Elizabeth Mangano, Carolyn Mangano Hyland ’05
Erin Mara Brooks and her husband,
Cara Sceppaquercia-Moore and her
Avery, welcomed a baby girl, Lily Grace Brooks, on August 7, 2018, weighing 6 lb 10 oz.
husband, John, welcomed a daughter, Sophia Christina, on June 26, 2018.
Lori McCree Haffey and her husband, Patrick, welcomed a baby girl, Madeline “Maddie” Grace Haffey, on February 17, 2018, weighing 7 lb 10 oz.
Taylor Messiter is on the Marketing team at People Magazine where she works with fellow Holy Child alumnae, Cece Greco
Ryan ’84 and Susan Parkes Cirignano ’82. She has recently joined the Holy Child
Parrish Duncan recently left her job at Vineyard Vines to pursue a career in interior design at the New School in New York City.
‘09
Alumnae Board and lives in NYC with her classmate, Jackie Knowles.
Maggie Kelly and her sister, Lizzie ’22, spent time last summer in Sydney, Australia.
Jackie Smith McCarthy and her husband, Ryan, attended the US Amateur Golf Championship in Pebble Beach, CA where Ryan competed last summer.
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GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
Andrea Arnone graduated
‘10
from the Mercy College Physician Assistant program in May.
Mary Clare Condon and Alexandra Thomas vacationed in Alaska last summer.
Julia Loughlin wrote, “I ran and came in as the second female overall in the 2018 Antarctica Marathon.”
Molly Schauber with classmates (front row) Carrigan Henderson, Katie
Amodio, Alex Thomas, (back row) Mary Clare Condon, Erin Callahan, Molly Schauber, Meghan O’Neill, and Tricia Marren enjoyed a beach weekend in East
‘12
Charlotte Elcock and Dulcie Del Priore ‘16 visited with
faculty member Carolyn Walters this past summer in London. Dulcie attended a summer session at the London School of Economics. Charlotte wrote, “I work for Richemont and I’m on their events team based in the London office. Richemont owns several of the world’s leading luxury goods companies, with a strong focus on jewelry, watches, and writing instruments for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, IWC Schaffhausen, Montblanc, Alfred Dunhill, and Chloé. Our biggest two events are the Laureus World Sports Awards and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.”
Meghan Barry graduated from Iona College on May 20, 2017 with an MA in SpeechLanguage Pathology. She completed her clinical fellowship year in Early Intervention at All About Kids in New Rochelle, NY. Meghan was officially licensed by New York State in Speech Language Pathology on July 30, 2018 and certified by ASHA on August 6, 2018.
‘11
Helen Brosnan with her her sister Charlotte Brosnan ’17, left, and faculty member Carolyn Walters at the OWN IT Summit at Georgetown University last March. Created in 2014 by Helen and her Georgetown classmate Kendall Ciesemier, the summit is designed to promote intersectional activism, female empowerment and leadership for young women on campus.
Bridget Cooney is pictured here in command of the ship, Liberty Promise. Bridget is sailing as a Navigation Officer in the United States Merchant Marine and training to upgrade to Captain. She embarked on her fifth circumnavigation of the world, delivering cars and military equipment across the globe.
Quogue, NY.
Hunter Brady currently works
‘13
for Lululemon and is heavily involved in being an advocate for fuller figured women who wish to walk through the company’s doors. She is also still involved in theatre and is working on Mamma Mia!, her third consecutive show with Curtain Call in Stamford, CT.
GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
45
H C CLASS NOTES
Abby Griffin completed her year with Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Houston, TX and has moved to New Orleans. Jess Ciaccia wrote, “I work at Universal Commodities Tea Trading in Bronxville...the family biz! I handle all incoming samples of tea which we taste and test to ensure quality for our customers.” Jess and her sister Jackie Ciaccia Henschel ‘06 met up with Emma Kvaale, who graduated from the NYU Rory Meyers Nursing School in December.
Asha Perry graduated from Fairfield University in May and has joined the staff of the Office of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs of Fairfield University as their Program Coordinator.
‘15
Colleen Fink, a senior at the University of Notre Dame, visited HC to see faculty and friends and check out the HC School Store.
Jess Ciaccia ’13, Jackie Ciaccia Henschel ‘06, and Julia Berardi were in
Giovinazzo, Italy last summer.
Christianna Guttridge enjoyed time with her classmates, Caroline Gillespie, Molly Leitner, and Julia Pfohl last summer. Jackie DeMarco graduated last May from Boston College and received the Lynch School Award for outstanding service and care for the education of all children. Jackie spent this past year working in the Edgemont School District and is continuing her career at Brunswick in their assistant teacher program.
Julianna Capasso and Katie Simons met up in Barcelona last fall. Both participated in Study Abroad programs in Italy, Julianna in Florence and Katie in Rome, Italy.
Emma Irwin, Katie Simons and Jamie Corelli snapped a photo in front of the Sydney Opera House last spring.
Annie Devine graduated from
‘14
Kenyon College in May and is now participating in a year of service with City Year Providence, a branch of AmeriCorps. The mission of City Year is to provide support to underfunded schools in urban areas. Corps members act as a mentor and tutor to students outside of the classroom and as an aide within the classroom, assisting their partner teachers in managing often overcrowded classes. Annie is serving at Pleasant View Elementary in Providence and is thrilled to see what this year of service will bring.
46
GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
Caroline Gillespie ’16 on her time at the Center for Courageous Kids A practicum course requirement for my Human Service Studies major at Elon University led me to The Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, Kentucky. Little did I know this experience would be much more than a course requirement. I heard of The Center for Courageous Kids, also referred to as CCK, from the Equestrian Manager at the horse barn that I ride at in Georgia. Before moving to Georgia, Kate Jones was the Equestrian Manager at the horse barn at CCK. After looking more into CCK’s Mission and getting it approved by Elon University, I quickly applied and soon after that packed my bags to drive to the middle of nowhere Kentucky! The Center for Courageous Kids is a medical camp that provides an ordinary camp experience for children who suffer from chronic illnesses. The camp runs a weekly schedule, providing an opportunity for kids with specific chronic illnesses and conditions to come for one week at a time providing a 9-week summer experience for staff members. CCK serves children who have asthma and diabetes, to more
severe illnesses like blood disorders, Down Syndrome, and physical disabilities/ cognitive delays. My primary job was working at the horse barn as an Equestrian Counselor as well as a Den Counselor, during the time when the barn was closed. This opportunity pushed me outside of my comfort zone, forcing me to engage and make connections with all children, no matter their condition or cognitive delay. I learned that anything is possible as long as there is determination, love, and passion – especially at the horse barn when assisting campers that could not support their own body weight and required transfers on and off the horse. This experience changed my outlook on life and gave me a whole new perspective. The smallest and simplest of things can bring so much joy to someone, no matter what they struggle with. It instilled a passion in me to work towards making a difference in children with special needs’ lives and work towards getting a smile on each of their faces, because that is what life is all about.
GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
47
H C CLASS NOTES
Jennifer Kary wrote, “Last summer I was a Capital Markets Fixed Income Summer analyst at Stifel Nicholas in New York. Every two weeks I was on a different trading desk such as Investment Grade, Municipals, High Yield and Emerging Markets. This Fall I am a Senior at College of the Holy Cross. I am captain of the Women’s Tennis Team, Speaker of Senate in the Student Government Association and part of the COES Pre-Business Program.”
Katie O’Donnell is a senior at American University. She wrote about her summer internship, “I was a marketing intern at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City. A lot of my day to day responsibilities involved handling digital advertising campaigns, website development/maintenance, coming up with social media ideas, and maintaining alumni and current student relations! I loved my internship because it allowed me to learn from doing rather than just watching. I also loved it due to my incredible acting experience at Holy Child which allowed me to connect with my colleagues in a very special way!”
Molly O’Neill wrote a book titled, The Molly Leitner wrote, “Last summer I was in Houston, TX doing neuroscience research at the UTHealth McGovern Medical School. I had the chance to assist in two research projects, one on traumatic brain injuries and one on Huntington’s Disease. I cannot go into specific details regarding the research, but both projects looked at possible treatments and ways to limit the progression/damage of the disease and trauma. The data for the two projects are now being processed and hopefully there will be research articles written on them in the future! It was an amazing experience to be part of the research projects and taking part in finding possible treatments for the two neurological conditions.” Molly took a picture with her classmate Millie Cavicchio at a softball game last year
Skeptical Millennial LIfestyle - Living to Eat 2.0. Molly believes the time is right for a shift in the way we think about dieting and nutrition. Molly was in Budapest, Hungary with Katie Simons ’15 and
Harper Drew MS ’11 during their study abroad programs.
Julia Pfohl is a senior at Union College and a member of the Varsity Women’s Lacrosse team. Julia wrote, “I’m pursuing a bachelor’s degree in economics and sociology. I had the opportunity to travel back and forth from Dallas to New York for my summer internship. I worked at Sopris Systems, one of Microsoft’s premier partners that specializes in Microsoft Dynamics 365 to offer greater solutions for companies in the project based and field service industry.”
Kit Devine messaged, “I studied
‘16
abroad in Kunming, China for the Fall semester. It was a language intensive program where I pledged to only speak Chinese while abroad (except when I called Home of course). I lived with a local roommate and loved every minute I got to explore the city and its surrounding areas!”
Caitlin Panarella wrote, “I studied abroad in Bath, England with the program Advanced Studies in England. I absolutely loved it—the city is beautiful and its history is fascinating! I took English and creative writing classes to further my English major at Georgetown University. I also traveled to other places in Europe over the semester, including Ireland with my Irish Literature class.”
when they competed against each other at spring training in Florida. Molly plays for Hamilton and Millie plays for Oberlin.
Katie Simons wrote, “My relationship
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GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
with writing has been complicated, to say the least, and was a struggle from the very beginning. However, while at Holy Child, I was taught the importance of being a self-advocate and taking advantage of my resources. Fast forward a few years, I’m now a Writing and Rhetoric Major, as well as a Writing Colleague where I help facilitate the writing process for first-year students.”
Arnell Stewart wrote, “I am a junior at Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business. I have recently started a new club for Gabelli Students, ‘Diversity in Business Council.’ Also, I was recently accepted to study abroad at Fordham’s satellite campus located in London. Lastly, I was a student speaker at Fordham’s ‘Women’s Philanthropy Summit’ this past October.”
Caitlin Webers and her mom, Christina Casey Webers ’81, did a self guided hiking tour through Croatia last summer. Caitlin, a Georgetown junior, spent the fall semester in Prague.
Caroline Beit wrote, “This
‘18
year, instead of heading straight to college, I embarked on a Gap Year. This year will take me to the far corners of the earth, where I am excited to explore countries ranging from, and diverse as, Vietnam to India, Peru to Italy. I started by spending four months in Asia, followed by a month at home, then will spend three months in South America, and then a couple of months in Europe. I’ll be traveling by foot, plane, car, night bus, motorbike and more, and I am already loving my journey.” Caroline’s younger sister Natalie is a member of the Class of 2025.
Sally Long spent her summer traveling around Europe, stopping in London, Paris, Lisbon, and Comporta. She also interned at Holy Child and prepared to leave for college. She is a freshman at Elon University.
Erin Ballengee wrote,
‘17
“Following the end of my freshman year at Boston College, I chose to stay on campus and participate in a program offered by BC’s Carroll School of Management. It was a nine-week intensive business survey course, in which I was taught the basics of accounting, finance, marketing, law, and business ethics. I found it very valuable and applicable to my studies, despite my not being a business major, and it provided a fun environment to meet new people and learn about subjects I was interested in but would not have time to study during the academic year.” Erin’s younger
Sophia Flissler, Olivia Linnartz, and their families dined at a restaurant on the island of Mykonos, Greece last summer. Both families realized they were in the same place through social media and made plans!
Caroline McGee participated in the U.S. Rowing Youth Nationals which was held on Lake Natoma in Gold River, California from June 8 to 10, 2018. Carolyn wrote, “I raced in a double and my doubles partner (Kayla Thomas who is rowing at Stanford) and I got the bronze medal. We finished third in the nation for the U19 Women’s Open-weight Double.” Caroline is a member of the varsity rowing team at the University of Michigan.
sister Lauren is a member of the Class of 2022 at Holy Child. On January 7, Erin visited Holy Child along with fellow classmate Christine Altomare and Caroline Beit ‘18, Claudia Pineda ‘18, and Georgia Fitzgerald ‘18, all former students in Architecture, Engineering, and Design for the Common Good. They met with current juniors in the program and shared a bit about their college experience.
GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
49
H C
FACULTY, STAFF & TRUSTEE
NOTES Faculty members Joy Clary, her daughter Evie, Valerie McDermott, her daughter Grace, Noelle Tudor Vasquez ’06 and her son Joshua kept cool on a hot summer day!
Former trustee Kim Gillespie, second from right, and her family at her son Myles’ wedding to Tina Marino on Saturday, October 6 at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. Pictured second from left is Caroline Gillespie ’15.
Julie O’Callaghan, the granddaughter of former trustee Tony O’Callaghan, married Mark Wright in the St. Walburga’s Chapel at Holy Child on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. Interim Director of Communications
Ashley Massey Marks married Josh Marks on November 11, 2018 at Tappan Hill in Tarrytown, NY.
Claire Pagliaro, Science Faculty, and her husband, Matt, welcomed daughter, Juliette Paulina Pagliaro, on Sunday, September 9, 2018 at 12:28 p.m. Claire noted, “9/9/18, I’m sure the math faculty loves that!” Juliette was 8 lb 1 oz and 21 inches long.
50
GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
Science faculty member Noelle Tudor Vasquez with her son, Joshua, and members of the Class of 2018 at graduation on June 9, 2018. Noelle was the Dean of the Class of 2018.
Louisa Polos, English Faculty and coach,
Upper School Computer Science teacher
marred Logan Condon on July 21, 2018 at the Katonah Presbyterian Church in Katonah, NY. The celebration continued with a reception at Shenorock Shore Club in Rye, NY.
Riddhi Shah married Tarun Calidas on September 1, 2018 at the Greentree Country Club in New Rochelle, NY.
Former trustee Jane Turley traveled to the Sea of Cortez and Baja, CA with her daughters, Barbara Turley Marr ’84 and Leslie Turley Gibbons ’79, and her son, Tommy Turley.
History faculty member Zach Stearns married Emma Moliterno in New York City on April 20, 2018. Carolyn Walters, Math Faculty, watched
Hannah Cleary ‘18 compete at UCONN. Hannah swims for Holy Cross. School nurse Gina Romeo is the proud grandmother of Peter Anthony Ferraro IV, born June 7, 2018. Peter was 7 lb 6 oz and born on 6:14 p.m.
GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
51
H C FACULTY, STAFF & TRUSTEE NOTES
e
ir of Scienc
a Former Ch lea Ricci,
Anna
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Children,
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hool nderful sc
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d I miss all
of you.
age ranging in n re d il h c ight grand and I miss sed with e s le b n e e b from me. I have extensively to d d le o e o v g a n tr e and and I Life has be y. My husb a d ry e v e age. So e r and Coll ke me smil lo a o m rc y te e a th W and . I took up from 12-2 Holy Land e th to ru d from Pe tagonia an a P to a k s Ala s, quite a g. g years. Ye ps learnin in to s in r a e m v e re n ne pend my you see o I plan to s w o gs. You h e m d t these thin y aske u tl o n b e a c k re in s friend you do th One of my seventies le d id m e to share h th s you reac I am going a , t e u m b , to n o y sti importantl heavy que figures so it ir p s e th e of God ce e presenc life and sin th w g ie in v iz I n w g o e just reco all know h e in silenc m ti f o t lo a r us. So uld spend d’s love fo o o w G I f k o in n o th .I a reflecti it with you since it is re tu a n f o also uty briny air. It te the bea ia e c th re p in p g a in e. I’d d breath around m the sky, an t a g in k o , lo good, e seashore n. Sounds th re y d il b h g c n f ti o s sit nt faces that mean the innoce in d te c e fl of life re the beauty g in e e s s n mea t zation tha s the reali a w m e ? th . One of doesn’t it t few years s a up p e th nderful gro ings in o w th a y n t a a h m d at was! W I’ve learne e of luck th k o tr s s u o t a fortuit C and wha H t a e m t chance pu n you are. ate wome n io s s a p ndness. m ith great fo ed, and co w it s ir y p a s lw t, a n e aching it is of intellig y years te m d n a u o s on. ty s time goe isce abou a in d m n a re I w o n So whe ppiness n ve and ha lo h it w d e s ll are bles that you a is h is w y life. M part of my t n a rt o p such an im for being u o y k n a h T cience an teaching s
Love you, icci
Annalea R 52
GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
Save the Date!
Reunion 2019 Join us on campus on
OCTOBER 26, 2019 to celebrate Reunion Classes ending in 4 and 9. 3:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
For more information, or if you are interested in being a Reunion Chair for your class, please contact Director of Parent and Alumnae Relations, Special Events Toni Santangelo Archibald ’76 at t.archibald@holychildrye.org or Alumnae Associate Molly Cacase ’13 at m.cacase@holychildrye.org.
Special Anniversary Classes 70th: 1949 60th: 1959 50th: 1969
IN MEMORIAM Alumnae
Family of Alumnae, Faculty, Staff, and Trustees
Grace Cozine, sister of former student Sophie Cozine and Biz Cozine ’12
Maria Brusco, grandmother of Jamie ’18,
Sr. Dorothy Cunnion ’44 SHCJ
Gigi ’19, and Mary Brusco ’22
Julia Beirne Fitzmaurice ’51
James Carlin, father of Brenna ’07 and
Jule A. Wolf Hale ’43 Eileen Dillon Kightlinger ’43 Doreen Mortola LeMoult ’61, sister of Elaine Mortola Clark ’64 and cousin of Donna Blake McElwee ’76 Ellen Mambrino Perley ’78 Margaret Reilly Nigro ’51 Georgina Smith O’Neil ’34 Bernadette E. Wallace ’55, former
50th Anniversary Class Tea (and Prosecco, too!) Reunion Mass Cocktails on Campus Individual Class Dinners ;ŽŶ ĂŶĚ Žī ĂŵƉƵƐͿ
Morrin Carlin ’10 John F. Clancy, husband of Ann Conway
Clancy ’48, brother of Alicia Clancy Barry ’50, brother-in-law of Mary Jane Conway Matier ’55 and great uncle of Caylene Parrish ’13 Arturo Monico Escalera, father of former staff member Angelica Maxwell-Ordain Nolan Farrell, cousin of Maureen ’07,
Christine ’05 and Cassandra Farrell ’19
40th: 1979 30th: 1989 25th: 1994
20th: 1999 10th: 2009 5th: 2014
Thomas McCarthy, husband of former staff member Gail McCarthy Rose Mary McMullan, mother of
Maureen McMullan Furlong ’76 and Meghan McMullan Doyle ’78 and grandmother of Bridget Del Priore ’14 and Dulcie Del Priore ’16 Michael Murphy, brother of Mary
Murphy Stenger ’75, Eileen Murphy ’78, and uncle of Mia Stenger ’08 Robert Noble, husband of Noreen
Laskoski Noble ’74 Harold O’Callaghan, husband of Tricia
Cassidy O’Callaghan ’72 Theresa and Patrick O’Dea, parents of
Kathleen O’Dea Beaver ’88 John Pagan, father of Victoria ’17 and
Isabella Pagan ’19 Hilda Pittocco, former staff member
Loren D. Finnell, father of Lorena Del
Sebastian Paul Polizzi, father of Lisa
Pilar Finnell ’88
Polizzi Molloy ’91
Joan Farley ’68, sister of Joyce Farley Alspach ’73
Barbara Goss, aunt of faculty member Carolyn Walters
Beverly E. Smith, mother of former Board Chair Bernadette Wade and grandmother
Mary Anne “Mickey” McDonald Zirkle ’63
Kevin Haggerty, grandfather of Clare
trustee, sister of Ann Marie Wallace ’51
Haggerty ’22 Bettye Gant King, mother-in-law of trustee Cheroxie King and grandmother of Sandra King ’18
of Erin ’07 and Lauren Wade ’09 Lawrence Wackerman, grandfather of faculty member Claire Pagliaro Samuel Cramer Whitt, Jr., father of faculty member Jen Whitt
Holy Child 31st Annual Benefit Honoring
Eavan and Conor O’Driscoll and
Annalea Ricci Saturday, April 27, 2019 Westchester Country Club Rye, New York https://501auctions.com/hcbenefit
*Butterfly by Tatum Pepe ’19
GRYPHON SUMMER CLINICS MIDDLE SCHOOL ;^ƚƵĚĞŶƚƐ ĞŶƚĞƌŝŶŕ 'ƌĂĚĞƐ ϱͲϴͿ
¹ç½ù ϠͲϙϘ
FIELD HOCKEY ϡͲϙϙ ͘Ã͘ VOLLEYBALL ϡͲϙϙ ͘Ã͘ SOCCER ϡͲϙϙ ͘Ã͘ S4 STUDY SKILLS ϙϚͲϚ͗ϛϘ Ö͘Ã͘ UPPER SCHOOL ;^ƚƵĚĞŶƚƐ ĞŶƚĞƌŝŶŕ 'ƌĂĚĞƐ ϵͲϭϮͿ
¹ç½ù ϠͲϙϘ
S4 STUDY SKILLS ϡͲϙϙ͗ϛϘ ͘Ã͘ FIELD HOCKEY ϙͲϛ Ö͘Ã͘
ç¦çÝã ϙϚͲϙϜ
S4 STUDY SKILLS ϡ͗ϛϘ ͘Ã͘ͲϙϚ Ö͘Ã͘ FIELD HOCKEY ϙͲϛ Ö͘Ã͘ VOLLEYBALL ϝͲϟ Ö͘Ã͘ SOCCER ϝͲϟ Ö͘Ã͘ 'ŝƌůƐ Ăƚ ĂŶLJ ůĞǀĞů ĨƌŽŵ Ăůů ƐĐŚŽŽůƐ ĂƌĞ ĞŶĐŽƵƌĂŕĞĚ ƚŽ ũŽŝŶ ƵƐ͊
54
GLIMPSES • Spring 2019
ϮϮϮϱ tĞƐƚĐŚĞƐƚĞƌ ǀĞŶƵĞ͕ ZLJĞ͕ EĞǁ zŽƌŬ ͮ ;ϵϭϰͿ ϵϲϳͲϱϲϮϮ Ğdžƚ͘ ϮϬϰ ͮ ǁǁǁ͘ŚŽůLJĐŚŝůĚƌLJĞ͘ŽƌŕͬĂƚŚůĞƟĐƐͬĐĂŵƉƐͲĐůŝŶŝĐƐ
Although I am sad that my time at Holy Child is almost over, I know that I will be a more enthusiastic and dynamic learner because of my experiences here. Since my ďŹ rst day of sixth grade, Holy Child has taught me the value of a strong community and how to learn. - Emily Clemens ‘19
Holy Child EDUCATING YOUNG WOMEN OF CONSCIENCE AND ACTION
NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO 1023 WHITE PLAINS, NY
G L I M P S E S | SPRING 2019