MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
FALL/WINTER 2021
Brittan Burke DiSanto ’79 and Fred DiSanto Make Largest Gift in School History
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s i h t in ! e u s is
Table of
Contents
26 School News
2-10
Athletics 11-13 Donor Feature: The DiSanto Family
14-17
HM History & Heritage
18-19
Alumnae Profiles
20-27
Reunion Wrap-Up
28-29
Night in Blue
30-33
Planned Giving
34-35
Gala 36 Fall Events
37-39
Annual Giving & Athletic Hall of Fame
40-41
Class Notes
42-43
In Memoriam
44-45
Fall/Winter 2021 Issue CONTRIBUTORS
Meg Chochola, Senior Director of Development & Alumnae Relations Janetta Hammock, Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Katie Higgins ’99, Vice President of Mission Maggie Mroz Lamb ’84, Director of Development Mary Ellen Madden ’03, Director of Communications Teresa Messmore, Assistant Director of Communications
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Moira Clark ’77, President Katie Higgins ’99, Vice President of Mission Marilyn Arundel ’76, Dean of Faculty & Academics Julie Reines, Dean of Student Life & Formation Julie Sims Gibbons ’80, Vice President of Enrollment & Marketing Deborah Durbin ’81, Vice President of Advancement Kerry Bugala Capka ’88, Vice President of Operations
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Colleen Moran O’Neil ’88, Chairperson Bridget Barrett ’86 Martin Berry Barbara Waitkus Billings ’86 Gabrielle Ata Christman ’99 Lilian Reyes Cindric ’86 Molly McCarthy Connell ’00 Sr. Carole Anne Griswold, HM Meredith Lahl Fox ’95 Beth Haas ’94 Linda Loesch Kelly ’77 Dara Ann Krueger ’87 Lisa Kunkle Kelly Compiseno Lamirand ’94 Joe Lee Colleen Mountcastle ’91 William Murman Laura Nortz Kathleen Casey Proctor ’89 Margaret Jeffers Rowe ’87 Andrew Strada COVER PHOTO: Kevin Kopanski Photography Photos throughout from Kevin Kopanski Photography, Pat Gallagher Photography, Ripcho Studio, and Alex Weil DESIGN: Lori Scheid | DesignLBS This is a publication of Magnificat High School. Please contact Director of Communications Mary Ellen Madden at 440.331.1572 x253 or memadden@maghs.org with questions or comments.
Dear Friends,
FROM THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD CHAIRPERSON
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s you will read in the pages ahead, it has been quite a remarkable first semester here at Magnificat— one that illustrates the incredible things that can be accomplished when we come together as a community united by our mission. In October, we were overjoyed to receive the largest gift in our school’s history from Brittan Burke DiSanto ’79 and her husband, Fred, whose generous support will fund the transformation of Magnificat’s visual arts wing on the west end of our campus. The DiSanto Family’s gift to the arts is a testament to the long-lasting impact of Magnificat’s holistic approach to education, as the arts have remained an important vehicle of creative expression for Brittan throughout her lifetime. We are deeply grateful to the DiSantos for their tremendous support, and we look forward to sharing more about the visual arts renovation as it begins to take shape. Another extraordinary testament to our mission was this year’s Night in Blue season, which brought in record-breaking support for our young women. We were delighted to have the chance to gather in person again this year, and to see how Magnificat students, families, alumnae, and friends show up to support one another time and time again. Thank you to all who helped make this the most successful Night in Blue season to date! Just seven days after Night in Blue, our Blue Streak volleyball team dazzled us all by earning Magnificat’s first state championship title in the sport and the nineteenth team state championship in school history. It was the perfect ending to an outstanding season for all of our fall athletes, with Tennis finishing as state runner up, Golf placing sixth in the state, and Field Hockey, Soccer, and Cross Country competing in district matches! Then, in late November, Magnificat Performing Arts returned to the stage in Mary Poppins, the Broadway Musical, where over 2,000 theatre goers took in seven performances of impressive song, dance, and technical stylings, including a sensory friendly matinee. Concurrent with the many momentous occasions of the semester, the board of directors and school leadership have been engaged in the final stages of developing Magnificat’s next strategic plan, which will shape our school’s goals and direction for the next five years. We look forward to sharing the fruits of this important process with you in early 2022! In the meantime, we wish you and your families many blessings this Christmas season and in the new year. Thank you for the many ways that you continue to bring life to Magnificat’s mission by supporting our young women! In the Spirit of Mary’s Magnificat,
Moira Clark ’77, President
Colleen Moran O’Neil ’88, Board Chairperson
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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SCHOOL NEWS
All Together Again In-person learning transitions back to normal, with added enhancements
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hen the Sisters of the Humility of Mary Center for Science Exploration & Innovation opened in the fall of 2020, the renovated and reimagined space featured a state-of-the-art STEM Workshop, Learning Commons, Innovation Lab, and Interdisciplinary Science Labs designed for collaborative education. However, the modern new spaces could not be fully used as intended due to COVID-19 Environmental Science students examine water samples under protocols. Everyone had to stay 6 feet the guidance of Heidi Paul. apart, hindering partner and group work, and about a quarter of the student body was still learning remotely. With a shortened school day to reduce exposure to others, there was less time available to complete experiments and hands-on activities for those who were on campus. Magnificat was fortunate compared to many schools around the country in that in-person learning was provided the entire year, an ambitious endeavor requiring the implementation of numerous safety precautions and technological investments. Still, the 2021-2022 school year has brought a welcome return toward normalcy as updated public health guidance and vaccine availability allow for the removal of plexiglass barriers, reduced physical distancing, and shortened quarantines. Classroom settings are no longer a hybrid format of in-person and remote learning, full science labs are back, and musical theatre, field trips, retreats, and events formerly taken for granted, like Night in Blue, are returning with a newfound appreciation for being present on campus.
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MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | FALL | WINTER 2021
Students gather at the Jesuit Retreat Center for the first Kairos retreat of the year.
“The students being able to work together without fear all the time, along with how much the students value being here, make the teachers feel good about what they are doing,” said Dean of Faculty and Academics Marilyn Arundel ’76. For example, one teacher shared with Dean Arundel how excited honors advanced chemistry students were to finally get to light bunsen burners, an activity they were unable to do last year in Chemistry 1. On any given day in the science facilities, students can be found partnering on experiments, configuring electronics kits together, or working in small groups in Clark Commons. During Innovative Project Based Learning, faculty member Lynn Taylor showed students how to wire a video game controller before sending them off in pairs. “For the students to all be in the room together and able to work in groups has made an enormous difference,” she said. “I love teaching in this space.”
“The things that students discover, and the joy that brings, make it really nice to see things getting back to normal.” - Dean Marilyn Arundel '76
Many aspects of Magnificat’s experiential learning efforts are also returning. Campus Ministry brought back its series of offsite Kairos, nature, art, and wellness retreats for juniors and seniors, spending as much time outdoors as possible. English classes are planning outings to the Great Lakes Theater to see Shakespeare, the Galápagos Islands trip is back on with strong interest among students, and more seniors are able to experience in-person job shadowing during their Genesis projects. Alumnae and parent/guardian volunteers are now allowed back on campus for community events and outreach, and cultural celebrations organized by world languages classes can return with food, dancing, and other activities. “The things that students discover, and the joy that brings, make it really nice to see things getting back to normal,” Arundel said.
The impact extends beyond science instruction to every corner of the school. Music and theatre ensembles are able to perform for the first time since concerts and the spring 2020 production of Sense & Sensibility were canceled due to the pandemic. Mary Poppins, The Broadway Musical opened in November with participating cast members from other schools and seating at full capacity, and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is scheduled for April. Musical and dance concerts, the annual Cabaret, and the Magnificat Film Festival are slated to return this spring. “Because of all the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, last year was a challenge for both the students and the Performing Arts Staff as a whole,” said Performing Arts Department Chair Dale Van Niel. “To have the ability to return to our full programming has been a true blessing, especially for our students who thrive through creative expression in front of a live audience.”
Lynn Taylor teaches students how to program a video game controller.
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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SCHOOL NEWS
Student Spotlight: Calista Zajac ’23 Calista Zajac ’23 took first place in Shining Star CLE 2021, a solo singing competition for Northeast Ohio high school students. She was awarded a $10,000 scholarship and the opportunity to perform with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, and Magnificat’s Performing Arts Department received $2,500 in her honor. The competition included three rounds of auditions with students from 60 schools in ten counties, and ten finalists recorded performances in a professional studio that were then live streamed on August 29. Judges selected the final four singers, and viewers voted online for their favorite. Calista’s winning number was “Being Alive” from the Stephen Sondheim musical Company, a classic Broadway song written for a male part but also adapted by female artists. “I was trying to find a rendition that really did the song justice,” Calista said. “I found Barbara Streisand’s version, and I was like oh my gosh, that’s perfect.” A natural performer who has been singing as long as she can remember, Calista began taking acting classes at Beck Center for the Arts when she was 5 years old. Over time, she took part in various youth theatre productions, started working with vocal coach Helen Todd, and received the role of Cosette in Les Misérables at the Great Lakes Theater in Cleveland. “That was really awesome, and ever since then I started doing it professionally,” she said. Her next big moments in the spotlight were the leading roles in Magnificat’s productions of Matilda the Musical in November 2019 and Mary Poppins, The Broadway Musical, which ran November 19-28, 2021. After graduating from Magnificat, Calista hopes to major in musical theater and continue her professional involvement in the arts.
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Scan here to watch Calista’s winning performance of Being Alive by Stephen Sondheim on YouTube.
“I don’t have any specific place I want to be,” she said. “I just want to do theatre forever.”
MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | FALL | WINTER 2021
Makenna Weyburne ’22
Voted Best Actress in Scene Magazine’s “2021 Best of Cleveland” Senior Makenna Weyburne says that her love for film began just before she can remember; home movies reveal that—as a toddler—she often coaxed her sister to help her put on living room plays for their parents. As she grew older and developed a love for books—especially mysteries— she said, “When I started reading, I would picture the stories in my head and put myself in the scene.” Makenna first began acting in musical theatre productions at Beck Center for the Arts and Olmsted Performing Arts before making her film debut at the age of 10. Now, just six years later, she has acted in over 20 films and was voted Best Actress in Scene Magazine’s 2021 Best of Cleveland in September. Though her filmography mostly includes horror films, Makenna prefers roles that have a meaningful message: “I love being in movies that have a purpose, where I feel like I can understand the motivation of the character.” While Makenna has received formal acting training in both Cleveland and New York, she said she has learned more about the discipline through analyzing other actors and reflecting about how she would react in certain situations in a script. She draws inspiration from Irish actress Saiorse Ronan, and tries to emulate the raw emotions Ronan portrays on screen. Throughout her career, Makenna has prioritized working on local films so school could always be her first priority. As a cast member in the Magnificat productions of Our Town (2019) and Sense & Sensibility (2020), she appreciated the mentorship of the performing arts faculty and how everyone on the cast and crew “felt like family.” “Those are my favorite plays and movie sets to be a part of—environments where everyone can really be themselves,” she said. Upon graduating from Magnificat this spring, Makenna plans to study sociology in college and eventually go to law school, while continuing to act on the side: “It’s an important creative outlet that I want to continue throughout my life.” Congratulations, Makenna! We look forward to seeing what your future holds as a Magnificat alumna!
Scan the QR code to see Makenna’s full filmography on imdb.com.
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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SCHOOL NEWS
In Their Own Words: Seniors Share Summer Genesis Projects
Anna Goecke ’22, Veterinarian
For my Genesis Experience, I shadowed three veterinarians at the Animal Hospital of Fairview Park. I was able to assist the veterinarians and veterinary technicians while they performed surgeries, check-ups, and lab work. Additionally, I was able to look at samples from animals under the microscope. The doctors taught me how to identify yeast and tumors. I also learned how veterinarians calculate the correct dosage for animals, because, for example, an adult dog can vastly vary in size. It was generous of the doctors to allow me to watch their surgical procedures, and it was interesting to learn about the surgeries and the techniques they used. I found it shocking that the most common surgery performed is dental surgery. I was also surprised that many medications that veterinarians prescribe for animals are also used by humans. After completing my Genesis Experience, I plan to major in biology in college. I am also strongly considering studying pre-veterinary medicine. This experience has allowed me to receive helpful advice about the veterinary profession as I am completing the college application process. I have made contacts whom I can reach out to with future questions.
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Kaitlyn Kemer ’22, Marine Biology
My Genesis project was based on marine and aquatic biology, and my experience included both field and lab work at Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve in Huron, Ohio. For my lab work, I neutralized and found the turbidity of water samples, filtered them, and set up basic nitride and other gas samples. I also used a multimeter to take measurements such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and conductivity of water samples. In the field, I hiked the trails; set up fyke fish nets in the estuary; collected, classified, and measured all the fish; kayaked along the estuary; went shock fishing; collected frog-bit, which is an invasive plant species; and flipped/changed sondes in the estuary and surrounding areas. The thing that struck me most during my experience was the amount of diversity in all of the jobs. There were many more positions than I had thought, and it was interesting being able to observe all of the workers and what they do. One surprise during my Genesis was that two huge snapping turtles were caught in the fyke fish nets, and it was fascinating seeing the workers handle the situation and release them carefully. My plans for the future are to study marine and aquatic biology.
MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | FALL | WINTER 2021
Evelyn Smits ’22, Film Production
Cara Heisterkamp ’24 Places in Top 8 at USGA Championship
In her first USGA championship, golfer Cara Heisterkamp ’24 not only landed in the top 64 to qualify for one-on-one match play, but swung her way past college-level athletes to earn a spot in the quarterfinals. “I made match play by one shot, then I beat the #1 from Duke, then I beat the #1 from CalTech, and then I beat the #3 from Stanford,” she said about her performance at the U.S. Women’s Amateur in Rye, New York, in August. “It absolutely can only be described as amazing. It was so much fun.” I did my Genesis project as a counselor with Young Filmmakers Academy in Lakewood. I have been with the program since they opened five years ago. The first three days were dedicated to the writing team. Over this time, campers pitched a whole white board of ideas, and by some miracle every year we get down to one consecutive script. Then they divide into three different groups for the three different acts. Every year, even with breaking the groups up, the script usually does not need many puzzle pieces that connect the acts together. One thing that was different this year is that we had two groups, one working on the main film that would eventually be called Trial of Errors and one working on Static. The writers also had the privilege of working with Dan O’Shannon, who has worked out in Hollywood as the head writer on many TV shows such as Modern Family, Jericho, Frasier, Cheers, and many others. He has won two Golden Globe Awards as well!
Cara’s run ended against a 20-year-old University of Arizona student who eventually took second place, but her top-tier finish automatically qualified her for next summer’s U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The daughter of a golf pro, Cara has been playing the sport since she was 3 years old and began competing seriously several years ago. A slump during her freshman year tempted her to quit, but the encouragement and support from her team at Magnificat rekindled her love for the game. “It was a very, very welcoming environment, and it kept me in the sport,” said the aspiring Division I college athlete. “It’s one of the main reasons I’m here today.” Cara also participates in track, Student Council, the Night in Blue Committee, Broadcasting Club, News Team, Student Ambassadors, and Civil Discourse Club.
The filming for Static took place in a room we built. For Trial of Errors, we mostly filmed in a courtroom that we had to build out of a classroom, and then the rest of the set was outside. We filmed on a BlackMagic 6K (which is what they use in Hollywood and for Netflix films and series). Then we had the boom mic, the slate, and the four lights. During the final week of my internship, we edited the films using a program that is the industry standard in Hollywood: Final Cut Pro. Both films premiered at The Capitol Theater in Cleveland on August 19. My plan for college is to double major in film production and business with a minor in theatre. My goal is to then take my degree to Hollywood and pursue production in films or Netflix series. I am continuing my college search, but have already gotten into a few schools for film production! We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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SCHOOL NEWS
PERFORMING ARTS 2021-2022 Season Lineup Magnificat’s Performing Arts Department is fully back in action this year with a complete schedule of performances and events. We look forward to seeing you for the 2021-2022 Performing Arts Season! Recaps of these impressive productions to come in the Spring Magazine:
Celebrating Cultures & Traditions Throughout the first semester, Magnificat joined with school communities throughout the United States to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month, Native American History Month, and Black Catholic History Month through educational activities and celebrations sponsored by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office, the Hispanic/Latina Student Association, Spanish Honors Club, and the Cultures & Traditions Club. Students collaborated with faculty and staff to create displays and presentations, read historical facts over the daily announcements, and plan events to honor each culture.
Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical Christmas Concert: Choir and Magnifi-Pops Shakespeare Competition January 21, 2022
Julia Mehalic ’23, who provided a school announcement in recognition of Native American Heritage Month and traces her family history to the Hiawatha First Nation, said “My grandma felt…forced to hide her heritage, so she did not pass down much about our culture. It is important to me to learn about my history and to feel proud about who I am and where I come from.”
The Cabaret: An Evening of Song & Dance featuring the works of Andrew Lloyd Weber February 25, 2022
Student cultural groups and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office will continue to plan activities throughout the year to celebrate the many cultures that are represented within the Magnificat community.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe April 8-10, 2022
National Merit Commended Scholar Congratulations to Taylor Stockard ’22, who was named a National Merit Commended Scholar in October. Commended Scholars are among the top 50,000 national highest scorers on the PSAT exam each year. "These students represent a valuable national resource; recognizing their accomplishments as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation," said a spokesperson for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
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Spring Concert: Choir and Magnifi-Pops May 6, 2022 Dance Concert May 12-13, 2022 Magnificat Film Festival Screening: May 20, 2022
MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | FALL | WINTER 2021
Anti-Racism Task Force Update Magnificat’s Anti-Racism Advisory Task Force is preparing to develop final recommendations on ways to advance anti-racism strategies, diversify the school community, and ensure that school policies and procedures are both inclusive and equitable. In October, the Task Force, which has been meeting monthly since February, held a session with the Magnificat Leadership Team and other administrators to gather additional information about their focus areas before beginning to develop final recommendations. Final recommendations will be presented to the Leadership Team in early 2022, reviewed by the Board of Directors, and then made available to the school community. Thank you to the many alumnae, past parents, friends, and faculty/staff members who are contributing their time and wisdom to this important work.
Family Mass Program Returns
The Magnificat community was grateful to recommence the treasured Family Mass Program at the beginning of the school year after a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic. These Masses provide each class with a meaningful occasion for reflection, celebration, and inspiration as students and families journey through their four years at Magnificat. At each celebration, freshmen receive their learn pendant, sophomores receive their serve pendant, and juniors receive their lead pendant. The Family Mass program culminates in May with the annual Baccalaureate Mass for graduates and their families, where each senior receives her Magnificat pendant just before she officially joins the alumnae community. Abby Rosol ’23 served as a liturgical minister at this year’s Junior Family Mass in September. “Being able to practice my faith with my family and classmates was a great experience, and being able to do so together as one class made it a memorable one," she said. Special thanks to Fr. Rob Reidy and Fr. Michael Gurnick, who joined us to celebrate the Junior and Freshman Family Masses respectively. The Sophomore Family Mass will be held on March 31, and Baccalaureate Mass will take place on May 23, the evening before Commencement.
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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SCHOOL NEWS
Welcome to Magnificat! We were happy to welcome several new members of the faculty, staff, board of directors, and board committees at the beginning of this school year. We are grateful for all the important work they are doing to further our mission.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Pictured left to right
Kelly Compiseno Lamirand '94 President & Commercial Sales Leader, KeyBank Meredith Lahl Fox '95 Executive Chief Nursing Officer, Cleveland Clinic Health Services Molly McCarthy Connell '00 Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions, Patriot Growth Insurance Services Lillian Reyes Cindric '86 Chief Operations Officer & Chief Financial Officer, Nottingham Spirk Design Associates, Inc.
BOARD COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Board Committees include members of the Board of Directors along with additional community members who are experts in each field. Nora French, Enrollment & Marketing Committee Janelle Hinkl, Facilities Committee Liz Kalfas ’98, Advancement Committee Ann Lutz, Investment Committee Mara van der Oord Myers ’97, Advancement Committee Sean Nugent, Facilities Committee
FACULTY/STAFF
Meredith Bertin, School Counselor Kate Ebert, Student Life Coordinator
Andrea Purcell-Fields, Genesis Coordinator & Executive Function Instructor
Danny Gallagher, Social Studies
Lauretta Ruppert, Director of Campus Ministry
Liz George, Social Studies
David Schmitz, Mathematics
Adrianne Grand, Director of Counseling
Nina Stanfar ’14, Science
Jonathon Hesford, Campus Minister
Krista Stevens, Theology
LaTonya Johnson, Academic Coach
Regina Sullivan, Campus Minister
Caitlin MacBride '10, Director of Alumnae Relations
Elisa Talmage, School Counselor
Teresa Messmore, Assistant Director of Communications
Kim Watters, Intervention Specialist
Nikki Clevenger Mohar ’89, Director of Enrollment
Alex Weil, World Languages & Cultures
Sarah Meadema Monroe ’05, Enrollment Office Coordinator
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MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | FALL | WINTER 2021
ATHLETICS
Fall Sports Recap
The Blue Streaks were on fire this fall, with every team progressing into the postseason. Congratulations to all of our student athletes for an outstanding season, and thank you for giving our Magnificat community so much to cheer about! VOLLEYBALL Magnificat’s volleyball team won the OHSAA Division State Championship for the first time in school history! The Blue Streaks faced top-ranked Powell Olentangy Liberty, a team they had lost two twice during the season, at Wright State University in a match filled with long rallies. Skill and perseverance helped Magnificat claim the state title with a 25-21, 24-26, 25-14, 25-19 victory. Congratulations to this extraordinary, historic team and Coach Megan Green!
Back row, left to right: Assistant Coach Jackie Caja, Assistant Coach Megan Grace '14, Head Coach Megan Green, Team Manager Clare Egan, Athletic Trainer Tiffany Yarmock, Julia Sprecher '24, Sarah Karabatsos '24, Sophia Anghilante '23, Mary Flanagan '24, Bella Puchmeyer '25, Lauren Yacobucci '23, Assistant Coach Will Green, Assistant Coach Joe Eggert, Assistant Coach Liz George Second row, left to right: Team Manager Chloee Schultz '23, Maddy Kurz '23, Siobhan Fitzpatrick '23, Lyndsey Allanson '24, Grace Chambers '24, Gabi Leonard '24, Emily Sims '23. Front row, left to right: Emma Jester '22, Abbey Havrilla '22, Ella Ford '22
Student Athlete Spotlights Congratulations to our six seniors continuing their athletic careers in college (listed clockwise from far left):
Anna Badar ’22 soccer, Mercyhurst University Olivia French ’22 field hockey, St. Louis University Abbey Havrilla ’22 volleyball, Mercer University Maria Liva ’22 field hockey, Seton Hill University Meghan Mangan ’22 rowing, Duquesne University Audrey Smitek ’22 tennis, Western Michigan University We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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ATHLETICS continued...
Fall Sports Recap SOCCER
The soccer team finished as the District Runner-Up after competing into double ove rtime against Avon High School. The hardfought 3-2 loss, with goals scored by Julia Kure ’23 and Mary Garcia ’25, capped a winning 11-5-4 season overall for the Streaks.
TENNIS
Magnificat’s tennis team served up an exciting season, finishing as the OTCA Division I State Runner Up! The doubles team of Kayra Koprulu ’22 and Caroline Moritz ’23 earned OHSAA Division I Doubles State Runner Up, while the doubles team of Audrey Smitek ’22 and Natalie Smitek ’24 finished in 3rd place. Head Coach Chris Johnson was named Ohio Division I Coach of the Year for the second time in his coaching career.
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GOLF
The golf team finished 6th in the state, shooting a school record with a 625 two-day score in the OHSAA Division I State Tournament. Cara Heisterkamp ’24 secured a 3rd overall finish, shooting even par for the tournament and becoming only the second girl in state history to be 1st Team All-Ohio both her freshman and sophomore seasons. Congratulations!
MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | FALL | WINTER 2021
THANK YOU, COACH MARIUZZA!
ROWING
The rowing team captured a medal in the 4-person boat by finishing in 3rd place at the Haxton/Speakmon Regatta in Columbus. In the boat were: Eliza Farrall ’23, Lindsay Farrall ’23, Mary Lutz ’23, Meghan Mangan ’22, and Olivia Richter ’23.
Director of Rowing Joe Mariuzza is transitioning out of his role, having built Magnificat’s crew into a successful program. Thank you, Coach, for the amazing legacy you leave for future rowers.
FIELD HOCKEY
Field Hockey ended their season as District Champions with a win over Hathaway Brown at home that took them to the regional semifinal.
CROSS COUNTRY
Cross Country came in 10th place in the OHSAA District Meet, and Mariella Mayer ’24 qualified individually for the OHSAA Regional Meet. She placed 55th with a time of 21:28.80.
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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Brittan Burke DiSanto ’79 and Fred DiSanto Make $2 Million Gift to Visual Arts
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s a Magnificat student, Brittan Burke DiSanto ’79—whose love of art was first sparked thanks to her mother’s influence— honed her artistic talent under the mentorship of Sr. Paulette Kirschensteiner, HM. “She motivated me to become more creative artistically, and she helped me develop the talents that I have as an artist today. Even after forty years, Sr. Paulette’s teaching methods continue to be at the forefront of my mind, especially when I became an art teacher myself.” It was Sr. Paulette’s guidance and the encouragement Brittan felt throughout high school that inspired her and her husband, Fred, to make a gift this fall—the largest in school history— that will help fund the transformation of the visual arts wing this summer.
“When Brittan and I first spoke about her vision of how she would like to give back to Magnificat, I was truly humbled,” said President Moira Clark ’77. “To know that her experience at Magnificat—particularly in the arts—made such an impact that she wants to give back so generously illustrates for me the power of our mission, the power of the HM Sisters’ vision for young women.” Members of the Visual Arts faculty, from left to right: Debbie Barlow, Sajida Abu Ali, Alecia Janosik (Department Chair), Julie Belfiore.
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MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | FALL | WINTER 2021
On November 17, during a celebration of gratitude for the DiSantos’ gift, Brittan said, “Catholic education is extremely important to our family. We strongly believe in the mission of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, and we value Magnificat and the model of a Catholic all-girls school. This is such an exciting opportunity for us to transform an area of the school that meant so much to me when I was a student.” The design process for the visual arts wing is already taking shape in partnership with Fielding International, the educational architecture firm responsible for the HM Center (2012), the Marian Commons (2013), and the Sisters of the Humility of Mary Center for Science Exploration & Innovation (2020). Through discovery workshops conducted in November, Fielding gathered input from students, alumnae, faculty, and school leadership about their hopes and visions for visual arts learning at Magnificat. “Fielding International is a global design firm of both architects and educators that is committed to helping schools not just by building buildings, but by helping communities discover their hopes for the future through an interdisciplinary approach to align education and physical space,” said Managing Partner James Seaman, who has worked closely with Magnificat since the advent of the partnership in 2011. The initial themes that emerged during the workshops were the importance of sustainability and renewable energy; the prevalence of animation, videography, and virtual reality now and in the future; art that is accessible to all and benefits the community; curriculum and spaces that value all modes of education and all mediums of art; and spaces that are open and agile to inspire creativity. Across the board, workshop participants shared that art plays a critical role in maintaining mental and emotional wellness and balance in their lives. In fact, the research that informs Fielding’s work shows that social-emotional intelligence and stress resilience are now among the top skills necessary for students to thrive in the future. Top: Brittan Burke DiSanto ’79 speaks at the celebration of the DiSanto family’s gift to visual arts. Left: President Moira Clark ’77 thanks Brittan Burke DiSanto ’79 and Fred DiSanto for the largest gift in school history.
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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FEATURE
Jasmine Abeid ’23 said, “During the discovery workshops, I was inspired by the flow of conversation with the people around me, and I felt free to share my ideas as well as build on those ideas with other people. My ideas were welcomed and encouraged, and I was so glad to be included in this exciting process.” In reflecting upon her own experience as a teacher, Brittan said, “One of my most rewarding moments as an art teacher was when a student came to me at the end of the school year and said, ‘Thank you Mrs. DiSanto, for bringing out a talent in me that I never knew I had.’”
“The impact that the DiSantos’ transformational gift will have on our school will be felt for many generations to come and is an inspiration to the entire Magnificat Community...” ~Board Chairperson Colleen Moran O’Neil ’88
“The impact that the DiSantos’ transformational gift will have on our school will be felt for many generations to come and is an inspiration to the entire Magnificat Community,” said Board Chairperson Colleen Moran O’Neil ’88. “Magnificat is tremendously grateful to the DiSanto family for the myriad ways the new visual arts space will drive young women—under the expert mentorship of their teachers—to discover talents, hone skills, and unleash passions that will help them thrive as faith-filled leaders throughout their lives.” Construction on the visual arts wing will begin in May and be completed in August in time for the opening of the 2022-2023 school year. Fielding International will work with Payto Architects to complete the design process, and Regency Construction will execute the build.
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Magnificat students, alumnae, faculty, and leadership brainstorm their vision for the new visual arts wing.
The DiSanto family’s generosity does not stop with this gift alone. To inspire others to be a part of this incredible transformation, the Magnificat community has been challenged to raise an additional $1 million to fund a second phase of the project. When this goal is reached, the DiSantos will increase their gift to $2.25 million! If you would like additional information, please contact Vice President of Advancement Deborah Durbin ’81 at ddurbin@maghs.org.
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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HM HISTORY AND HERITAGE
HM Sisters Elect New Leadership, Establish Focus for the Next Four Years
T
he Sisters of the Humility of Mary elected new leadership for a term of four years during their Chapter of Elections held in May. The leadership team includes Sr. Carol Anne Smith ’66L, Pastoral Leader; Sr. Margaret Marszal; Sr. Annette Solma ’69, and Sr. Anne Victory ’62. We are grateful for the insights and reflections each of them shared to the questions that follow.
As you begin your term of leadership, what is one hope you have for the HM community? One hope and confidence I have is that the Sisters of the Humility of Mary will continue faithfully fulfilling Jesus’ mission and our own of “bringing more abundant life to God’s people, especially those who are poor.” We will do this, as we have from our earliest history, in collaboration with others to meet the needs of our times. Sr. Carol Anne Smith, HM Our Litany of Hope and Promise is our guide this Leadership term—how to involve all Sisters, Associates, Covenant Companions and Partners in Ministry in living out this Chapter call … My hope is that together we can explore and live these words to be a light to God’s people. My second hope is that we begin to recognize the future and impact of consecrated life in this time in history. Though we are getting smaller, we are collaborating with more and more people. Our charism and the call of the Gospel is expanding outwardly to others. How this is expressed in the future will be the work of the Spirit. Sr. Margaret Marzal, HM It is my hope that our "Joy-filled" Spirit & HM Mission based in Jn. 10:10 of Jesus' own Mission of "bringing about more abundant life for all people" (paraphrased) will continue into the future through the lives of all those in their connectedness with us in various ways and who will respond to the urgent needs of the time in the service of advancing the "common good." Sr. Ann Solma, HM As a member of the new Leadership Team of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, I begin this ministry of service at a most challenging moment in history! In the midst of the many global crises facing all of us, we continue to be grounded in the mission of Jesus … that impels us to bring more abundant life to God’s people, especially people who are poor. So many millions are desperate for hope, for some sign that God has not abandoned them. One hope that I have for the HM Community is that we continue … to witness as Mary did to God’s presence among us all as the One who holds new life
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The HM Leadership Team – Sr. Maragaret Marszal, Sr. Ann Solma ’69, Sr. Carol Anne Smith ’66L, Sr. Anne Victory ’62.
for each one, especially those who are most marginalized and vulnerable, and for Earth herself. Sr. Anne Victory, HM What is one hope you have for the Magnificat community this school year? Given the bitterness and acrimony of so much of public discourse and debate, given the seeming and growing inability in our culture to recognize or agree upon reality and fact, I hope Magnificat will continue to inspire and educate young women to think critically and discern their positions, actions, and contributions based on the Gospel and moral values. Sr. Carol Anne Smith, HM My hope is that you continue [to help] young women become a model for transforming the world in the Spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. Educating young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in compassion, confidence, and courage gives hope for the future of this world. I am always inspired when I come to Magnificat not just by the excellence in programming but by the values that are expressed in the culture of the school. Care for Earth, broader global experiences, and service to others are just some of these. We need leaders that will continue to bring the Gospel message to others now and into the future. As a former teacher at Magnificat, I am edified that the Mission of the school is both continuing and expanding. Sr. Margaret Marzal, HM It is my hope that every graduate this year and beyond will have cultivated an "attitude of gratitude" as expressed
MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | FALL | WINTER 2021
by Mary in the Magnificat. This is a "hallmark" of the HM Community … through the generations. In addition, I do hope that each graduate will have developed her God-given gifts and will use them to be the confident leader needed for the transformation of our world wherever she finds herself. Sr. Ann Solma, HM As an alumna of Magnificat, I hope that the Magnificat Community will continue to inspire, uphold, and challenge the young women you serve to courageously respond to their own call to serve God’s people as Mary did through their words, actions, and leadership in whatever profession they choose. Our troubled, suffering planet is counting on them and on all of us! Sr. Anne Victory, HM What does the HM Litany of Hope and Promise mean to you and/or the community? The Litany is the overall direction the HM Congregation has discerned and chosen to guide our lives and ministries for the next four years. This Litany emerged from prayer, reflection and consideration of the needs of our times, all in the context of our mission. We view faithfulness to the promises of the Litany as a solemn commitment, what God is calling us to at this time in our history. Sr. Carol Anne Smith, HM Though the whole Litany encompasses our call as Sisters of the Humility of Mary, the one that personally challenges me is that “We will honor diversity among ourselves and in the world.” I have set up a practice to listen to points of view different than my own. Rather than judging those opinions as “not like mine,” I am consciously trying to observe the gifts and graces that come from other perspectives. This provides me with a broader outlook to respond to challenges or situations that I encounter. Sr. Margaret Marzal, HM My heart resides with those who are victims of poverty, with those who are struggling and essentially vulnerable. I am blessed that I am able to continue ministering to support "housing stability" for families in Slavic Village while serving on leadership. I will do everything I can to support such efforts of those who minister with and serve those who are vulnerable. I also find it important to be "contemplative" in my disposition prior to decision-making for it allows God's grace the greatest opportunity to become part of the conversation. Sr. Ann Solma, HM On a daily basis, I find myself called to different elements of the HM Litany of Hope and Promise based on the circumstances and challenges before us. I continue to “connect the dots” of these various elements of the Litany, aware that addressing one of them impacts other aspects as well, since all call us to fidelity in living Jesus’ mission to bring more abundant life to God’s people more fully each day. Sr. Anne Victory, HM
LITANY OF HOPE AND PROMISE
The Litany of Hope and Promise is the direction that emerged from the 2021 Chapter of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary. The Litany articulates the Congregation’s focus for the next four years. As an HM sponsored school, Magnificat treasures our connection to the Sisters and will strive to support the Sisters as partners in fulfilling the call of this Litany. In response to your call, O God, and with joy and gratitude, we promise… ✜ We will remain faithful to the message and mission of the Gospel, the words of Jesus and the spirit of the HM charism. ✜ We will embrace the central place of contemplative prayer in our lives. ✜ We will treasure the power of gentle presence with each other and with all we meet. ✜ We will honor diversity among ourselves and in the world. ✜ We will work to life the strength, dignity, spirits, and voices of women. ✜ We will use our voice for peace and justice and work to eradicate all traces of racism. ✜ We will continue to open our hearts to people who are poor and marginalized and use our resources to alleviate suffering. ✜ We will partner with people and organizations committed to the message of the Gospel. ✜ We will use our energy to work toward the sustainability of creation. ✜ We will realize as the people of God the need to use the power within us to awaken new life in the Church. ✜ We will be courageous and bold as we grow in wisdom and grace and age. ✜ We will recognize ourselves as a community of Sisters, Associates and Covenant Companions and move forward in a more integrated and participatory way. ✜ We will cherish and respect each other all the days of our lives. We will strive to share the love of Jesus through the message of the Gospel and the witness of our lives.
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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ALUMNAE PROFILES
Adelaide competes in at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in August.
Magnificat’s Olympian: Adelaide Aquilla ’17 Shot-putters get three attempts to qualify for the Olympics, but Adelaide Aquilla ’17 nailed it on her first try. Her throw of 18.61 meters edged out her closest competition by three centimeters, granting her a third place finish and a trip to Tokyo to perform on the world stage.
“I wish my family could have been there,” she said about her time in Tokyo. Adelaide’s shot put career started in 7th Grade at St. Raphael School, where students were challenged to try every track event to win the Raider Award and a tie-dye sweatshirt. Teachers saw her ability in shot put and encouraged her to stick with it, and she became more and more interested in the details of how to throw. At Magnificat, she further developed her technique and stayed fit by running cross country with her friends. “Day in and day out, Adelaide was always working on her craft,” says President Moira Clark '77. Her high school experience with track and field showed her the power of team spirit and camaraderie.
The Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, in June were the culmination of a stellar year for the Ohio State Buckeye, who set a school record and won both the indoor and outdoor NCAA National Championships. At age 22, she was the only college athlete among the trio of female U.S. shot-putters sent to the Olympics, competing against professional athletes. While she did not qualify for the final rounds of competition, she intends to continue competing with Ohio State as she completes her studies in communications and hospital “Track is very individualized based on performance,” she said. management. Hopefully, she will return to the Olympics in “But it’s nice to have a team behind you, cheering you on.” Paris in 2024—and experience an Olympics without strict COVID-19 precautions in place.
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Regina Aune ’62, Ph.D.
Author of Operation Babylift: Mission Accomplished, A Memoir of Hope and Healing In the final days of the Vietnam War, just before the Fall of Saigon, Regina Aune ’62, Ph.D. was sent to the Philippines while stationed in California as a First Lieutenant with the Nurse Corps of the U.S. Air Force. It was April 1975, and most American military and civilian personnel were being evacuated out of the region—not rushing in with little notice. “We didn’t know for sure what the mission was until we got to Vietnam,” she said. Regina learned that President Gerald Ford had ordered 2,000 South Vietnamese orphans to be airlifted to the Philippines in preparation for relocation to the United States for adoption by American families. The mission was called Operation Babylift, and Regina was to command a medical team in the rescue of sick and injured children, most of them under the age of two. The first 20 minutes of the initial evacuation flight were uneventful, with Regina aboard a C-5A Galaxy cargo plane comforting children in her care. Then, the unimaginable happened. The lock mechanism on the back of the plane failed, triggering a rapid air decompression of the aircraft. The plane crash landed in a rice paddy, breaking into four pieces, and 138 people of the 328 on board perished, including 78 children. Upon impact, Regina sustained a broken foot, fractured spine, and leg wound. Nonetheless, she carried babies out of the burning wreckage until rescue crews arrived to take over. The pain from her injuries became overwhelming, and she asked to be relieved of her duties shortly before losing consciousness. Within 12 hours of leaving Clark Air Base in the Philippines for Vietnam, she was taken back by helicopter for treatment at a military hospital. Regina became the first woman to receive the Air Force’s Cheney Award for her bravery, established in 1927 “for an act of valor, extreme fortitude or self-sacrifice in a humanitarian interest, performed in connection with aircraft, but not
necessarily of a military nature.” The children who did survive the crash eventually made it to the United States, and those who knew from their adoptive parents that they were part of the tragedy began to research and reach out to members of the military involved with the mission as they grew into adulthood. That’s how Regina met Aryn Lockhart, who was one of the babies aboard the doomed flight. In the early days of the internet, Aryn searched for more information about what happened and contacted Regina. Over time, they kept in touch and grew close, eventually traveling back to Vietnam together and writing the book Operation Babylift: Mission Accomplished, A Memoir of Hope and Healing. They shared their story with Savannah Guthrie on NBC’s Today for Mother’s Day in May. “It was a healing book for both of us, because it was such a horrible event...It didn’t end with just the crash. It had a long lasting effect.”
In 2022, Magnificat students, faculty, and staff will participate in an all-school read of Operation Babylift: Mission Accomplished, and we look forward to welcoming Regina Aune ’62 and Aryn Lockhart to campus to hear more about their story during the 2022-2023 school year.
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ALUMNAE PROFILES
Meet Magnificat’s first African American student: Patricia Lindsey Woods ’72 Patricia Woods ’72 remembers that when she was growing up, table manners were taught at home and reinforced by grandmothers, aunts, and anyone else who was “keeping track” at family gatherings. These days, she observes that children show less knowledge of proper etiquette, even at formal events. Having always wanted to start her own business, Patricia became a certified etiquette consultant after retiring from her job as a payroll administrator and launched “Eyes Up, Forks Down” for both children and adults from a range of backgrounds. Her diverse clientele seeks her assistance for any number of reasons, from children needing a crash course in good manners before a wedding to adults planning for a cruise who want to brush up on correct use of a full table setting. “It’s been a wonderful journey,” she said. “It really is a fun job because you meet so many different people in so many different scenarios.” Patricia is well accustomed to meeting new people, having moved around the country and the world during her husband’s career as a military photographer with the the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. After getting married, the couple moved from Ohio to California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Germany, and Italy. Patricia worked as a bank teller, a position she could take full-time even if only on a temporary basis, and during that time she had two children, whom she said benefited from the travel and adventure. “I can see the tolerance level they have for people, differences, and different cultures,” she said. “I don’t think they would have had that if they hadn’t traveled.” A page from Magnificat's 1972 yearbook.
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Patricia’s journey began in Cleveland, where she was born, raised, and attended St. Aloysius for elementary school. Her family moved to North Olmsted when she was 13, and when she and her sister enrolled at St. Richard’s, they were the only students of color. “That part of it really didn’t seem as strange to me as it did for my fellow students,” she said. “You have to remember now this is back in the late 60s, early 70s, and during that era it was still strange for a Black person to even be Catholic, let alone go to Catholic school. But I had a good time. We had fun, of course there were little pockets of adversity, but you do what you have to do.”
“Magnificat is such a big part of who I am, and those four years probably were some of the best,” she said. “I will always cherish that time at Magnificat.”
Although Patricia realized that she might be the only or one of only a few Black people at Magnificat, her parents wanted a Catholic education for her for high school. She had friends that went to other high schools, but none were attending Magnificat, which made her curious about and interested in the school. As the only Black student at Magnificat when she arrived, Patricia described the experience as “very strange at times because there was nobody there who looked like me, who came from the same culture as I did. I think I was sort of blessed that I could make people laugh. I think that’s what sort of helped me get through it.”
Travel to the Parthenon with Patricia’s son, Justin, and daughter, Lindsey.
She remembers, for example, that she met challenges from the school’s leadership when she started to wear an Afro hairstyle. Even though her mother did not much care for the style, she got involved and explained that her daughter’s hair was in its natural state, just like other students’ hair was in its natural state. “She was like, ‘and that’s the way it is,’” Patricia recalled, and the leadership allowed her to wear the hairstyle to school.
international travel during her time at Magnificat, when she took French with Madame Andree Sajous and spent the summer in France to experience the language and culture for about six weeks. While she now lives in Adams, Tennessee, she said she is looking forward to returning to Magnificat for her 50th Reunion next year.
Overall she has fond memories of her time and education at Magnificat, which prepared her for a life of travel, business, and entrepreneurship. She had her first opportunity for
“Magnificat is such a big part of who I am, and those four years probably were some of the best,” she said. “I will always cherish that time at Magnificat.”
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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ALUMNAE PROFILES
Mental Wellbeing T
he ongoing challenges of the pandemic on top of life’s normal stressors have brought attention to the importance of caring for mental health and wellness. Here Magnificat alumnae in the fields of psychiatry, pscyhology, and counseling share suggestions for tending to mental wellbeing that work in their own lives.
Syma Dar ’97, M.D.
After graduating from Magnificat, Syma entered the six-year NEOMED medical program at Kent State University and earned her medical degree from Northeastern Ohio University College of Medicine. She was a psychiatry intern at Cleveland Clinic and completed her residency at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, and she is now affiliated with Cleveland Clinic and Fairview Hospital. Syma Dar ’97, M.D. recommends taking a close look at how one’s time is being spent. The busy nature of juggling work, family, household responsibilities, and community commitments can make for stressful days, with wellness activities somehow not making the To Do List. She advises carving out time on the schedule for activities that help us relax and recharge, like yoga, meditation, exercise, or cooking a homemade, nutritious meal.
This may mean pulling back elsewhere. Syma suggests looking for activities that eat up time but are not truly fulfilling. For her, that was social media. About a year ago, she decided to change her habits and trim a mindless hour of scrolling through social media feeds before bed, which not only consumed valuable time but also led to unhealthy comparisons to the lives of others. Now she is more intentional about how she uses social media, and she spends more time reading and enjoying her new pandemic hobby: crochet. With that, Syma acknowledges that some weeks will be better than others in terms of how we’re feeling and taking care of ourselves, and that’s OK. Be patient and kind to yourself. “I wouldn’t claim to have perfect balance, but I definitely do my best,” she says. “That’s all we can really do.”
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Nora McNamara ’86, M.D.
Nora graduated from St. Louis University and earned her medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry as the Principal Investigator at University Hospitals’ Center for Discovery and Wellness for Children, and serves as assistant professor in the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. Nora McNamara ’86, M.D. tries to get at least a half an hour of exercise a day, whether that is riding her bike to work, using a stationary bike while watching television, or just taking a walk at some point during the day. A little daily exercise can go a long way, she says. Regular physical activity that gets the heart rate up even just a little has significant benefits for everyone, even for people with severe depression or anxiety. She also likes to spend time knitting, not so much for the satisfaction of the finished product, but for the experience of “flow”— the complete absorption in an activity without distraction that brings happiness and energy. We see this in children through free play and creative outlets, but many adults drop those types of activities as they get older. The hands-on nature of activities like knitting help prevent the mind from wandering or worrying, Nora says, especially when she is listening to a presentation or meeting. Speaking of meetings, she only attends if she really thinks they will be worth her time. After all, each calendar invite comes with a “yes,” “no,” or “maybe” option, she points out. “Way too many young females just don’t feel comfortable saying no,” she said. “I hit ‘decline’ 90% of the time.” Finally, as a psychiatrist who works with children and teens, Nora shares that one of the best things we can do for our children to promote wellness is to do interesting things together. Based on her clinical experience, she observes that children who have strong relationships with their parents tend to cope better during times of stress. Simple activities like cooking, swimming, and reading together forge beneficial connections. “You can experience an awful lot of adversity, and having enough interpersonal relationships can be really, really protective,” she says.
“You can experience an awful lot of adversity, and having enough interpersonal relationships can be really, really protective.”
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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ALUMNAE PROFILES
Mary Gnandt ’71, MS, LPC
Mary earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Dayton and a Master of Science in educational psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She is a licensed professional counselor and certified equine psychotherapist, having most recently served as director of acute services at the Center for Mental Health in Montrose, Colorado. Mary Gnandt ’71, MS, LPC finds mindfulness stress reduction, which incorporates a secular form of meditation, most effective in addressing anxiety and depression both in a professional and personal capacity. Research shows that with repetition, intentionally-created states can become enduring traits that result in long-term changes in brain function and structure, called neuroplasticity. Mary recommends the Palouse Mindfulness Stress Reduction Course. “What I learned through this course is that meditation isn’t getting rid of unwanted thoughts, but observing these thoughts in a nonjudgmental and compassionate manner,” she says. She also fosters wellness by spending time outdoors. Hiking, skiing, and backpacking in the mountains or gardening help connect to nature, which she finds calming. “The Japanese have a term for time in nature, forest bathing, and have studied its effects,” she says. “They claim that trees emit an oil called phytoncides, which helps our immune system. These studies also claim that forest bathing lowers our heart and blood pressure, reduces stress hormones and depression.” Finally, Mary shares a few thoughts about wellness in retirement, having spoken to people who view retirement as an ending and fear the prospect. “I see this time as a transition to a new chapter,” she says. “Retirement gives us the gift of time to explore new interests. For me, I have used the knowledge and experience gained in my career in mental health to teach the general population about mental health concerns and ways to respond to a person they see in crisis. Mental Health First Aid and QPR, a suicide prevention class, are taught a couple days a month. I hope these classes will destigmatize mental illness and give people the confidence to support each other as we go through challenging times.”
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Sarah Filipic '04, LPCC-S
Sarah is a licensed professional clinical counselor and art therapist with University Hospitals. She studied fine art at the University of Dayton and earned a Master of Arts in art therapy and counseling from Ursuline College.
As both a counselor and art therapist, Sarah Filipic '04, LPCC-S uses art materials to complement her psychotherapy sessions, for example by letting patients draw their feelings with lines, shapes, and colors rather than struggle to express them verbally. Similarly, she finds that physical activity and tactile experiences found with hobbies can be helpful in managing stress. She loves to cook, for example, and she feels that moving around the kitchen and getting her hands dirty help balance out the desk driven nature of her work, especially as she continues to work remotely. If she doesn’t exercise on any given day, she at least tries to fit in stretching or walking her dog to get her body moving. The little things add up. “A lot of times people think it has to be really big stuff, like modifying your whole lifestyle,” she says, which can then add more stress. “It is more accessible if you find small ways to integrate wellness into your lifestyle.” She also suggests taking moments of self reflection to check in on how you are doing. These “checkpoints” can come during a cup of coffee on the porch or stepping outside for a little fresh air. If you notice changes in your day to day patterns, or perhaps find yourself isolating socially from others, it may be a good idea to find help in navigating feelings of heaviness or anxiety before they amplify. “It’s never too early,” she says. “You don’t have to have significant symptoms to seek support.”
“It is more accessible if you find small ways to integrate wellness into your lifestyle.”
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REUNION
r e b m e m e R o t e n O Magnificat High School Reunion To make up for a reunion lost to the pandemic, more than 330 women representing twenty-two graduating classes ending in 0s, 1s, 5s, and 6s attended the Reunion Celebration on September 25! The celebration began with Mass planned by Anne Doheny Krueger ’70 and Marilyn Duffy Gesing ’71 in collaboration with Magnificat Campus Ministers; and harpist Susan Strasek ’70 joined Music Director Kris Koma Comer ’86 and Music Ministers Chelsea Kacineri ’24 and Amelia Lamb ’22 to provide the beautiful music for Mass. Father Ray Guiao, SJ, brother of Maria Guiao ’81 and President of St. Ignatius High School presided over Mass, which culminated in a litany of remembrance for those alumnae who have gone before us. For alumnae who have not been on campus for many years, student ambassadors were on hand before and after Mass to provide tours and conversation about life as a Blue Streak in 2021. The party that followed Mass was filled with laughter, reminiscing, great food, and dancing—all spread out over several areas, including an outdoor tent where a steel drum duo and a DJ entertained. Having the highest percentage of women who made reunion gifts, the Class of 1970 narrowly edged out the Class of 1971 to win the Reunion Giving Challenge, and they were rewarded with a Champagne Toast with President Moira Clark ’77. Magnificat is grateful to the many alumnae who made gifts totaling $31,741, including 41 alumnae who sponsored Reunion at levels ranging from $250 to $2,000. Their generosity helps ensure a Magnificat education for future generations of Blue Streaks.
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NIGHT IN BLUE
Night in Blue 2021 N
ight in Blue 2021 was certainly one for the record books. Not only were 1,040 pasta dinners sold in just one night, but students exceeded their goal by 86 percent, helping the school reach $323,570 in total funds raised through sponsorships, ads, and grand prize ticket sales. Mary Kate Wichmann ’23, “thoroughly enjoyed” serving on this year’s student planning committee: “I never thought about how much hard work went into such a big production, and it was so fulfilling to see it all come together and to see Blue Streaks of the past, present, and future enjoying their time at Night in Blue. It was especially exciting to see the event in its full magnitude again after missing out on the total NIB experience last year; it was clear that the freshmen and sophomores were thrilled to be included in an event that is such a staple for the Magnificat community.” It truly was wonderful to gather in person again, united by Night in Blue’s age-old mission of students helping students and families helping families.
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Scan the QR code to view the 2021 Night in Blue Ad Book.
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NIGHT IN BLUE As is tradition, the evening began with Mass. Fr. Ray Guiao, SJ President of St. Ignatius High School, led the community in prayer, reflection, and song, along with our student liturgical and music ministers. Afterward, the pasta dinner lines quickly began to grow and rousing games of bingo entertained guests throughout the night until the long-awaited grand prize drawing. Two weeks later, once the final results had been tabulated, the school community gathered for one final rally where event chair John Farrall announced that, once again, the seniors had won Night in Blue. Their prize? The coveted Sentimental Sleepover & Film Festival, where they will spend the night playing games, watching movies, and enjoying midnight snacks together on campus in February. Fathers’ Club President Karl Kleinert has been a dedicated Night in Blue volunteer for the past four years. In reflecting about this year’s festivities, he said, “How spectacular it was to see the school bursting with energy again and to have our community reunited after more than a year. Whether it was enjoying a special dinner with grandparents and loved ones, painting the bingo sheets with dobbers, or trying our hands at the many games of chance, the smiles were plentiful and the joy was palpable. Thank you for supporting our girls so enthusiastically and joining us for a night of family, fun, and faith. We look forward to seeing you next year!”
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PLANNED GIVING
Leaving a Legacy F
or Amy Stakich Nageotte ’82, her life-long connection to Magnificat almost didn’t happen. After transferring during her sophomore year, she found it difficult to make friends and adjust to a new school environment, and so her mom set an appointment with Sr. Carol Anne Smith, HM '66L.
“I don’t even remember exactly what she did, but she helped me calm down and realize it would take time to make the adjustment. After that, she would call me into her office just to check on me, and sure enough, second semester I found friends who have been life-long friends even 40 years later.” After graduating from the University of Dayton with an electrical engineering degree, Amy worked for Hewlett Packard and received her M.B.A. from Case Western Reserve University. She and her husband Dan, a graduate of St. Ignatius High School, then had two daughters who also attended Magnificat, during which time Amy was thrilled to reconnect with Sr. Carol Anne Smith who had returned to Magnificat as President. Ali ’14 received a degree in personal finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Maggie ’16 graduated with a degree in chemical engineering from Northwestern University.
The Nageotte Family (from left to right) Ali ’14, Amy ’82, Dan, Maggie ’16
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MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | FALL | WINTER 2021
“Historically, philanthropic support of girls’ schools falls behind that of the boys’ schools, and it should not be that way. Magnificat was so very important to me and to my family, so we really wanted to try to make whatever small impact we could … Learn, lead, and serve has always resonated with me one thousand percent..." “Really and truly, the all-girls education at that time of a child’s life is so very advantageous, and having the Catholic school background was very important to both Dan and me … [Our daughters] both had pretty full college careers and did very, very well, and I attribute a lot of that to how well they were prepared at Magnificat. There’s no reason to think that we can’t continue to place our students at high-powered schools,” Amy said. Because of their deep appreciation for Magnificat, Amy and Dan recently left a portion of their estate to Magnificat. “Magnificat has always been in our estate, but I never really thought much about it. When you first make your will, you feel like you’re never going to die, but as you get older, you realize you have to do some better planning to leave a legacy for future generations.” The Nageotte’s estate gift will be used to establish an endowed scholarship to help ensure young women continue to have access to a Magnificat education, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. Knowing that the families like the Nageottes have included Magnificat in their estate plan helps the school plan for the future. The Nageottes also made a significant gift to the recently completed construction of the new Sisters of the Humility of Mary Center for Science Exploration & Innovation.
“I wish I could do more now, but I feel good knowing that at least it’s in our estate.” Magnificat’s mission of educating young women has always been a top priority for the Nageotte family. “Historically, philanthropic support of girls’ schools falls behind that of the boys’ schools, and it should not be that way. Magnificat was so very important to me and to my family, so we really wanted to try to make whatever small impact we could … Learn, lead, and serve has always resonated with me one thousand percent. You couldn’t come up with three better words to describe what I hoped for myself and my daughters as women in the community.”
Magnificat has partnered with FreeWill: a free online resource that guides you through the process of making a legally valid will and including a gift to Magnificat High School. This is a unique way to protect all that you love, lead in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat, and build a legacy empowering young women to become models for transforming the world. It only takes 20 minutes, and you can visit FreeWill.com/Magnificat or scan the QR code to get started today.
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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Under Announcing Our 2022 Gala Awardees
the
Stars
Please make plans to join us at the Magnificat Gala on March 19, 2022 as we honor these individuals and celebrate all of the accomplishments of Magnificat High School.
THE MAGNIFICAT AWARD: ANN LITZLER COYNE ’88 AND TERRY COYNE The Magnificat Award honors personal commitment to the Mission of Magnificat High School, as well as outstanding service to the school. This year, we are pleased to honor Ann Litzler Coyne ’88 and Terry Coyne with this award. Believing in the Mission of a single-gender, Catholic education, the Coynes have been tremendous supporters of Magnificat for years. Ann and Terry have each served faithfully for many years in various roles, including on the Board of Directors, Chairing the Magnificat Gala, and Co-Chairing the successful Building Excellence Together Capital Campaign. But perhaps their favorite role has been as proud parents of three alumnae daughters: Claire ’15, Emily ’18, and Elizabeth ’21.
THE ALUMNAE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE: JULIE SCHRINER NADER ’79
This award honors an alumna who is dedicated to living Mary’s Magnificat, exemplifies the Magnificat Mission of service and leadership, is accomplished in their field, and is established as a prominent leader in their community. After graduating from Marquette University with a degree in Civil Engineering, Julie Schriner Nader ’79 has achieved tremendous success in the construction industry. In addition to serving on the Magnificat Board of Directors Facilities Committee for more than a decade, she acted as project manager for the construction of Phase 1 of Magnificat’s Surround Learning™ Campaign. In her free time, she is co-founder and president of the Cleveland Rockin’ Wildcats, an ice hockey organization for people with special needs, and coaches Special Olympics golf.
TRUE BLUE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: MARY KAY SCHWARZ CURTIS ’91 The True Blue Volunteer of the Year Award honors a volunteer who has shown an overwhelming commitment to Magnificat High School. Mary Kay Curtis has been an invaluable member of both the Magnificat Mothers’ Club and the Gala Committee, as well as a constant support to Magnificat’s Dance Team. In addition to working full-time as a business analyst for PNC Bank and raising four children—including Anna '21—with her husband, Henry, Mary Kay has faithfully volunteered for Night-in-Blue, Holly Market, the Gala, and other events at Magnificat year after year and has been an integral part of their success.
SR. CAROL ANNE SMITH, HM AWARD: MARY THERESE DWYER-KUELLER The Sister Carol Anne Smith, H.M., Award is presented to a former or current faculty or staff member who models and promotes the mission, heritage, and core values of Magnificat High School. Mary Therese Dwyer-Kueller, or “Mrs. D-K” to so many, taught senior theology classes starting in 1990, later became Chair of the department, and finally Dean of Student Life and Formation before retiring in 2020. Known for her infectious laugh, she brought joy to each of her classes and dearly loved her 30 years at Magnificat.
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MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | FALL | WINTER 2021
FALL EVENTS
Lourdes Academy Alumnae Celebrate Reunion With the exception of 2020, women who attended Lourdes Academy gather each year at Magnificat for their Reunion Mass and Reception. This year’s All-Class Reunion and Mass was extra special, and nearly 200 women attended from the classes of 1948 through 1972.
The Sisters of the Humility of Mary founded Lourdes Academy in 1892. In addition to our shared connection with the Sisters, Lourdes Academy’s ties to Magnificat run even deeper as many Lourdes graduates are mothers, grandmothers, and aunts to Magnificat students and alumnae, and many support Magnificat financially. In 1998, Lourdes alumnae established the Lourdes Academy Scholarship, and they continue to give generously to the endowed scholarship, which is awarded to daughters and granddaughters of Lourdes Academy alumnae. Three Magnificat students currently benefit from the Lourdes Academy Scholarship.
Celebrating the Science Center
On September 21, members of the Magnificat Community gathered in the new Sisters of the Humility of Mary Center for Science Exploration & Innovation to finally celebrate its grand opening. Delayed for more than a year due to the pandemic, the celebration was a welcomed event, as the leadership team was thrilled to be able to share this updated and innovative space with the people who made the renovations possible.
Speakers for the evening included President Moira Clark ’77 and Campaign Co-Chairs Caroline and Joe Lee. Senior Suilleabhain O’Connor also thanked the donors who made the renovation possible and stated, “The Science Center gives me a sense of belonging, as it has an open concept full of desks and seats for students to utilize. During my free period, I am almost always sitting in the science center doing homework or meeting with a teacher. Not only can I get my work finished, but I am in close contact with the teachers in case I have a question or need clarification. I love the classes I am taking and enjoy using this space daily! ... With the new science center, Magnificat has made it a priority for girls, including myself, to know what options are available for us in college and professionally. I feel confident in my abilities to succeed in college as a woman in STEM and cannot wait for the future!”
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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FALL EVENTS
Cleveland Marathoners Support Tuition Assistance
Fourteen members of the Magnificat community joined the inaugural Blue Streak Race Team to run in this year’s Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon to raise funds for tuition assistance. Spread over two days, team members had the option to run a 5K, 10K, half marathon, or full marathon. When Bri Gallagher Connors ’99 heard about the opportunity to run in support of current students, she responded right away: “As a 1999 alumna, I’d love to run in support of the Magnificat team ... My reason for doing so is simply stated: I don’t think I’d be the woman I am today without the support of the teachers and friends I made in high school.” Thank you to each of our runners—and all who donated in their honor—for helping the team raise $4,290 that will go directly to Magnificat families in need of tuition assistance!
“I don’t think I’d be the woman I am today without the support of the teachers and friends I made in high school.”
! n u R
Lizzie Urban, Psy.D. of the mathematics and social studies departments.
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Bri Gallagher Connors '99 (right) with friends Susan Whelan, Michelle McGinty, and Kristy Fritz
Classmates Kelly Smith ’02 and Social Studies Chair Liz Wojtkun ’02 wish each other luck as they embark on the full marathon.
Brigid Reilley Schaefer ’97 celebrates completing the half-marathon.
MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | FALL | WINTER 2021
Named Endowed Scholarship Donors & Scholars Gather for the First Time Since the Pandemic Began On November 1, Named Endowed Scholarship donors were welcomed to campus to join in our all-school Mass in celebration of All Saints Day, followed by brunch with the students who benefit from their scholarships. Due to the pandemic, this was the first time many students were meeting their scholarship donors, and it was a welcome reunion for those who had met before. Each year, over 330 Magnificat students benefit from the generosity of 175 Named Endowed Scholarships that have been established over the last three decades by families and foundations. This year, Magnificat was honored to join the network of Catholic schools supported by The Howley Foundation, whose scholarship program supports five Magnificat students. The Howley Scholars had the chance to meet Lori Howley during this year’s celebration. See picture to the right. "We are tremendously grateful to the Howley Foundation for its commitment to Catholic education and generosity to Magnificat, which is making it possible for more young women to access holistic, faith-filled education. "Scholarships are critical to furthering our mission and to fulfilling the vision of the HM Sisters, and it is a true blessing that our network of generous supporters continues to grow each year," said President Moira Clark ’77. To conclude the celebration, guests heard from scholarship recipient Paige Erickson ’22: "Thank you to all the donors of the Name Endowed Scholarship program for your generosity. Without you, so many of us would not know what it means to be a Magnificat Blue Streak; to be part of a school that challenges and supports us; to be part of a community that has come to feel like family."
Christine Fridrich Higgins ’74 and Bill Todia with their scholarship recipients We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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ANNUAL GIVING
e v i G o t s y a The Magnificat Fund W
You can now select how Magnificat will benefit from your gift The Magnificat Fund contributes significantly to the holistic education of our young women. Year after year, generation after generation, the generous support of our contributors provides students with a multitude of academic, co-curricular, service, and spiritual growth opportunities that create the unique Magnificat experience. Every student benefits from The Magnificat Fund, and your gift can be directed to support Magnificat and our students in the following areas.
AREA OF GREATEST NEED
ATHLETICS
Gifts designated to the Area of Greatest Need allow Magnificat's Leadership Team to approve the most needed expenditures, such as roof repairs, installing an HVAC system, purchasing student desks, or making technology upgrades. The flexibility of these gifts make them invaluable.
With 15 varsity sports, it's not surprising that nearly 400 students participate in athletics each year. Magnificat athletics is not just about championships and skill-building; we focus on teamwork, developing a strong work ethic, and building confidence and leadership skills. This commitment to our student athletes has led to more than 100 District Championships, 25 Regional Championships, and 18 Team State Championships since 1989.
An Amazing Gift!
MISSION
Our Guiding Principles
Gifts directed to Mission support initiatives to foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive academic environment that nurtures, challenges, and celebrates all of Magnificat's young women. Mission gifts also provide Campus Ministry with funding for expansive retreats and outreach programs.
SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Changing Lives
The Magnificat Fund has made it possible for thousands of young women to experience the life-changing, holistic Magnificat education. Gifts designated to Scholarships & Financial Assistance also support the Angels in Blue Fund that provides anonymous assistance to Magnificat families for non-tuition, school-related expenses, such as school lunches, dance bids, and athletic fees.
ACADEMICS & PROGRAMMING Next-Level Innovation
Magnificat's academic programs and co-curricular opportunities are integral components of our holistic education that prepares students for college and beyond. Our curriculum and programming are continually evolving to ensure that students can explore new interests, find their voices, develop their passions, and learn inside and outside of the classroom.
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A Competitive Edge
FACULTY RECRUITMENT & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The Best of the Best
Outstanding faculty are the backbone of Magnificat. They instill a love of learning, challenge and inspire our students to work at their highest level, and help students develop the critical thinking skills needed for the next steps in their academic journeys. Gifts for Faculty Recruitment & Professional Development allow us to offer competitive salaries, education, and training to the highest-caliber leaders our academic standards demand.
PERFORMING ARTS
High-Level Collaboration
Many students are drawn to Magnificat for our immersive performing arts programs. With our state-of-the-art theatre that seats 1,000, a dance studio, green room, dressing rooms, a fully-operational scene shop, and a music room, Magnificat offers significant and unique growth opportunities in dance, theatre, and music, including performance, directing, costuming, choreography, and stage production. Our performing arts programs are approached in a highly professional manner which has earned Magnificat recognition on a local, regional, and national level.
MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | FALL | WINTER 2021
Save the Date
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY
Friday, January 21, 2022 @ 6:00 p.m. Please plan to join us in celebration of the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2022!
Adelaide Aquilla ’17 Track & Field Laura Wolff Demaline ’99 Swimming Mary Boag French ’97 Volleyball Chelsea Cahill ’06 Gymnastics Meghann Hubach Campbell ’97 Volleyball, Basketball, Basketball Coach Kevin Fitzgerald Lacrosse Coach Mary Kate Glowe ’04 Volleyball, Softball, Basketball Joan Cundey Green ’99 Basketball, Soccer Kaitlyn Chambers Kaiser '04 Cross Country, Track & Field Kelly Nortz ’11 Gymnastics Maria Shaker ’98 Volleyball, Basketball Elizabeth Tigue Thibodeaux ’91 Track & Field We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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CLASS NOTES 3
2
1
4 5
6
7 8
9 10
11
13. Back row: Margaret HauckGriner ‘96, Deborah McClain-Alteri ‘72, Rebecca McClain-Hutchinson ‘81, Elizabeth McClain-Duer ‘70, Samantha Welsh, Celestine McClain-Hamilton ‘83, Ingrida Nasvytis, Faye Campbell ‘38, Lauren Campbell-Altieri ‘01, Chloe Altieri ‘12; Front row: Amanda Hutchinson-Nugent ‘04, Madline Hutchinson-Jurek ‘10, Mia Hamilton ‘21, Kathleen McClain-Hauck ‘68
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13
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MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | FALL | WINTER 2021
1966
2015
University in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in English.
Claire Grady Hall celebrated the birth of her first grandchildren in 2021: Louise Madeline Dunn-Hall born to daughter, Mary Hall, and Sylvia Jane Machanoff, daughter of Cordelia Machanoff. Before becoming a grandmother, she earned a degree in interior design from Pratt Institute and subsequently gained licensure in architecture. In addition to her career in architecture, Claire spent time working at her church parish and as a weaver in a folk art community.
11 Elise Horning married Ethan Strouse on
5 Lindsay Lowe Svarovsky and husband,
June 12, 2021 at St. John Francis Regis Chapel at Regis University. Bridesfolk included Elise’s brother, Jude, and sisters, Mara ‘20 and Gretchen ‘14.
Joseph, welcomed future Blue Streak, Mikaela, in April 2021. She joins big brother, Sullivan, age 3.
2005
6 Alanna Kirwan Harper and
husband, Jordan, welcomed their son, Beau Harper, in April 2021.
12 Emma Rose Vogel graduated
2006
1978
1 Sue Burns Sentell, Karen Duffy Morley,
Teresa English Luciano, and Karin Hoffmann Nitsch enjoyed time together this last summer in North Port Michigan. Mags friends forever!
1990
Colleen Polito serves as an Intelligence Analyst for the Federal Bureau of Investigation where she works to identify and assess threats to national security. Colleen earned a law degree at the Charlotte College of Law in 2015 and a bachelor’s degree from Baldwin Wallace University in 2010.
2008
2 Judge Colleen Ann Reali '90 earned
7 Katy Harrington and Matt Turner were her law degree from St. John’s University School of Law after graduating from Fordham University. She was elected in November 2020 and assumed the bench for a six-year term on the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court on January 8, 2021. Prior to serving as a judge, she served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Cuyahoga County and as a magistrate in domestic relations court.
2000
3 Mary Benyo Starszak and husband,
Josh Starszak, welcomed their first child, Arlo Tristan, in July 2020.
2001
4 Madeline McGrane and husband, Brett
Altiere, welcomed Theodore Robin Collins Altier in July 2021. Theodore joins big sisters, Evelyn, 5, and Poppy, 2.
2003
Emily Louis Kot, AVP and Letters, Governance and Control Lead at Barclays, has been nominated to participate in their Women in Leadership program, a program to recognize and develop their top female assistant vice presidents. Emily graduated from John Carroll
2017
married in Cleveland on September 11, 2021. Both Katy and her husband are active duty military dentists in the United States Navy, currently stationed in Spain.
2009
Mia Zuber completed her bachelor’s degree at The Ohio State University in 2013 and went on to earn a doctorate of dental surgery in 2017 from the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Dentistry. Mia is practicing dentistry with Brian Britt, D.D.S. and Associates in Berea, Ohio.
2011
magna cum laude from Kent State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design and a minor in User Experience Design. She was awarded one of the six VCD Top Design Awards for her work in humanitarianism as she “always used her design skill set to exhibit concern and activism for all people and life during her four years in the VCD program.” In the summer of 2020, Emma accepted a Graphic Design Internship with Moen Incorporated. That internship was extended throughout her senior year and upon graduation Emma joined Moen’s In-House Creative Team as an Associate Graphic Designer.
2018
Madelyn Jett is in her final year of studies to earn her bachelor’s degree in marketing and entrepreneurship at Miami University, where she serves as Student Body President. As Student Body President, she represents students in important university decision making, leads Miami's student government's executive cabinet and senators, and works closely with administrators and influencers in higher education.
2021
8 Grace Richardson Ward and husband, 13 Mia Hamilton is a marketing student at James, welcomed their son, Connor James Ward in May 2021.
2012
9 Elizabeth Gottschalk Scott and husband, Ethan Scott, welcomed Miriam Elizabeth in July 2021. She joins big sister, Jean Marie, 2.
2014
10 Nikolina Jandric married Jacob
Speelman in June 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio.
the University of South Carolina. She is the last of 16 family members to graduate from Magnificat but firmly believes there will be another generation of Blue Streaks in her family.
Send us your news! Email Caitlin MacBride '10 at cmacbride@maghs.org with your alumnae updates
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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IN MEMORIAM Please join us in
r e y for the families of our students and alumnae. a r p
Carol Niederriter Baier ’57L
Sister of Constance (Connie) Niederriter Mykytuk ’54L; Sister-in-law of Joyce Baier ’61
Mary Jane "Smiley" Barnoski
Mother of Jill Barnoski Prendergast ’85 and Jennifer Barnoski Gutoskey ’89; Grandmother of Erin Prendergast ’20
Margaret "Marge" Sattler Bedell ’59L Fernande T. "Fern" Bisson
Mother of Colette Bisson Gregory ’71 and Michelle Bisson Bartell ’74
Sister Marie Bohn, HM ’47L Jane F. Bouman
Mother of Sarah Bouman Lynch ’89 and Mary Jane Bouman ’95
D. Joseph Bryan
Father of Colleen Bryan Murdock ’82, Shannon Bryan Wilson ’85, Kara Bryan Daley ’90, and Erin Bryan Owsley ’92
John J. “Jack” Burke II
Father of Brittan Burke DiSanto ’79
Susan Terry Calvert ’61
Sister of Nancy Terry Nirosky ’62†
Mary Beth Campbell ’77
Sister of Karen Campbell ’74 and Maureen Campbell Melville ’76; Aunt of Katie Campbell ’13; Stepdaughter of Mary Virginia Gibbons ’61.
Alice Huzvar Cawley ’49L
Sharon O’Malley Derethik ’61
Mother of Noel Derethik McPolin ’88; Sister-in-law of Penelope Derethik ’69 and Gretchen Derethik ’72; Aunt of Annie Derethik Weary 02, Libby Derethik Hertz ’05 and Maggie Derethik ’09
Helen Margaret Finn ’50L Beverly Traffis Frantz ’62
Sister of Donna Traffis Vican ’69 and Mary Lou Traffis ’77
John E. Gallagher, Sr.
Father of Kathleen Gallagher Miller ’72 and Jeannie Gallagher ’80; Grandfather of Shannon Gallagher Sampson ’07 and Catherine Gallagher ’12
Mary Anne Bishop Gauntner ’64
Mother of Kathy Gauntner Shear ’89, Megan Gauntner Tsiamis ’91, and Colleen Gauntner Gould ’92
Brian Thomas Gill
Brother of Beth Gill Oldford ’84 and Megan Gill-Kopp ’92
Kevin G. Gunn
Brother of Kathleen Gunn Guscott ’64†, Mary Gunn ’66 and Lori Gunn Huber ’71; Uncle of Caroline Guscott Shaw ’88 and Kristin Guscott ’91
Leona Helen Hebda
Mother of Jenifer Hebda Halliday ’95
Dennis Lawrence Hornacky
Father of Christina Hornacky Klimo ’91
Aunt of Therese Abella Schreiner ’61L, Paulette Leimkuehler Vaughn ’63, and Therese Huzvar Beatie ’66
James W. Kadlubak
Tammy Tober Coletta ’81
Laverne Kelley
Daughter of Barbara Huffman Kilpatrick ’60L; Sister of Tracy Tober Herron ’83
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Husband of Carol Shockley-Kadlubak ’65; Brother-in-law of Cecelia Shockley ’72 Mother of Mary Kay Kelley ’68 and Elizabeth Kelley Geschke ’70
Colleen Lance
Mother of Laura Lance Carreira ’85 and Lisa "Kipper" Lance Hendrick ’87
Dorothy A. Lang
Grandmother of Hannah Lang ’15 and Olivia Lang ’17
Margaret A. "Peg" Lavelle Mother of Laura Lavelle Kowalski ’97; Grandmother of Erin Lavelle ’23 and Maddie Kowalski ’25 Barry F. Lenahan
Brother of Maureen Lenahan Krebs ’87; Brother-in-law of Kerry Calvey Lenahan ’77; Uncle of Katherine Lenahan ’15
Christine "Tina" Malone ’84
Sister of Gina Malone ’88
Florence McGuire
Mother of Nancy McGuire Marks ’85; Grandmother of Bridget Marks ’19
Kelly Merriman Mills ’80
Mother of Katie Mills Lincho ’08; Sister-in-law of Lynn Tracy Merriman ’73; Aunt of Kerry Merriman ’97
Johanna Mueller
Mother of Barb Mueller Hermann ’80 and Theresa Mueller Gutwein ’82; Grandmother of Erika Filippi Temple ’94 and Maria Filippi Fabian ’95 Clive Michael Nagy Father of Gwen Nagy Duffy ’79
Christopher G. Nash
Son of Judy Mathews Nash ’74; Brother of Lauren Nash ’00 and Sarah Nash ’07; Nephew of Christine Mathews Long ’71, Mary Kay Mathews Doyle ’72, Terry Mathews Leisinger ’73 and Ann Mathews O’Malley ’81
MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | FALL | WINTER 2021
Rita J. Nash
Mother of Susan Nash Hardesty ’74
Christopher J. Nieberding
Son of Alberta Scharf Nieberding "54L; Brother of Catherine Nieberding Martis ’86; Uncle of Maria Martis ’16
Nancy Terry Nirosky ’62
Sister of Susan Terry Calvert ’61†; Grandmother of Jackie Hearns ’11
Frank A. Opaskar
Father of Amanda Opaskar ’07
Kay Dettelbach Pirnat ’63
Sister-in-law of Gerri Trapping Dettelbach ’60
“May all be comforted by the compassionate heart of Christ who will draw all to abundant life and fullness of joy!” -Sr. Helen Jean Novy, HM
Shannon Kilbane Reynolds ’04 Carol Wood Ross ’62
Mother of Katy Ross Peternel ’86 and Sharon Ross ’88; Sister of Jeanne Wood Johnson ’64 and Sharon Wood Cavey ’68
Susan Ann Savage ’64
Anne Swinehart ’64L Kathleen Daley Tilow ’71
Sister of Mary Lou Daley Huntz ’63
Mary Lou Traffis ’77
Amanda Stolarski ’94
Sister of Beverly Traffis Frantz ’62† and Donna Traffis Vlcan ’69; Sister-in-law of Diane Dietrich Traffis ’64
James B. Schram
Elaine M. Voinovich
Father of Lynn Schram Aprile ’77, Lori Schram Burke ’82† and Lisa Schram Fagan ’87
Joseph "Jay" W. Schwarz
Father of Mary Kay Schwarz Curtis ’91, Megan Schwarz Carroll ’94, and Patti Schwarz Homza ’96; Grandfather of Anna Curtis ’21
Mother of Karen Voinovich ’83 and Ellen Voinovich Matisko ’85; Grandmother of Allison Matisko ’15
Cherie W. Wade ’64
Sister of Shelley Wade Risner ’66 and Denise Wade Young ’71
Shelagh Comer Weiss ’64
Leonard C. Simecek
Father of Christine Simecek ’84 and Cheryl Simecek ’90
Mother of Erin Weiss Reardon ’89; Sister of Kathleen Comer Scogins ’68 and Theresa Comer ’70†
Leo M. Spellacy
Timothy Patrick Whitford
Father of Mary Spellacy Stilphen ’77, Megan Spellacy McCuen ’83 and Katie Spellacy Mangan ’91; Grandfather of Kara Stilphen Tupa ’09, Ashley Spellacy ’11, Nicole Spellacy ’13, Logan Spellacy ’19, and Alice Mangan ’20
Brother of Kathleen Whitford ’75, Trish Whitford Martin ’76, Marianne Whitford Mangan ’77, Barb Whitford Snapp ’78, Lisa Whitford Skinner ’86, and Maureen Whitford ’89; Brother-in-law of Bridgid McNamara Whitford ’86; Uncle of Colleen
Martin ’05, Jennifer Martin ’99, Mary Martin ’08, Alyssa Whitford ’12, and Meg Whitford ’16
Joseph M. Zeigler
Husband of Kathryn O’Connor Zeigler ’60; Brother-in-law of Betty O’Connor ’66†
We have included all individuals for whom we received notification following the publication of the Spring/Summer 2021 issue of the Magnificat Magazine, and we have listed all of the relationships we could locate in our records. If we have missed anyone, kindly let us know by emailing Caitlin MacBride '10 at cmacbride@maghs.org.
† Deceased
L denotes a graduate of Lourdes Academy
20770 Hilliard Boulevard Rocky River, OH 44116-3397
FALL | WINTER | ISSUE 6
www.magnificaths.org
Are our records correct? If you’re receiving extra copies of the magazine or have noticed a misspelling or error with our database, please let us know! Email all updates and changes to Meg Chochola at mchochola@maghs.org.
MISSION We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat.
