Magnificat Magazine Spring/Summer 2024

MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE

Spring/Summer 2024 Issue

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Laura Nortz, Chairperson

Bridget Barrett ’86

Martin Berry

Barbara Waitkus Billings ’86

Gabrielle Ata Christman ’99

Lilian Reyes Cindric, CPA ’86

Molly McCarthy Connell ’00

Brittan Burke DiSanto ’79

Meredith Lahl Foxx ’95

Sr. Carole Anne Griswold, HM

Beth Haas ’94

Linda Loesch Kelly ’77

Kelly Compiseno Lamirand ’94

Ann Lutz

Colleen Mountcastle ’91

Colleen Moran O’Neil ’88

Kathleen Casey Proctor ’89

Margaret Jeffers Rowe ’87

Andrew Strada

Shameka Jones Taylor

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Moira Clark ’77, President

Angela Boie, Dean of Student Life & Formation

Colleen Greller, Dean of Faculty & Academics

Kerry Bugala Capka ’88, Vice President of Operations

Deborah Durbin ’81, Vice President of Advancement

Janetta Hammock, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging

Katie Higgins ’99, Vice President of Mission

Nikki Clevenger Mohar ’89, Vice President of Enrollment & Marketing

CONTRIBUTORS

Caitlin MacBride Berg ’10, Director of Alumnae Relations

Alee Burke, Assistant Director of Communications

Mary Cay Doherty, School Archivist and History Faculty Member

Maggie Mroz Lamb ’84, Director of Development

Lexi Majoros, Assistant Director of Communications

Teresa Messmore, Director of Communications

Meg Shrewsbury, Senior Director of Development & Alumnae Relations

Chris Rini Slyman ’89, Advancement Assistant

COVER PHOTO: Lexi Majoros

PHOTOGRAPHY: Photos throughout from Caitlin MacBride Berg ’10, Alee Burke, Jonathan Hesford, Kevin Kopanski, Lexi Majoros, Teresa Messmore, PhotoDAC, Ripcho Studio, and Daren Stahl

DESIGN: Alee Burke and Teresa Messmore

Dear friends,

We hope this issue of Magnificat Magazine finds you enjoying the many blessings of summer, be that spending more time outdoors, preparing for a vacation, or relaxing into a more leisurely pace with family and friends.

CHAIRPERSON

FROM THE P RESIDENT AND BOARD

Here at Magnificat, our Pollinator Sensory Garden is beginning to bloom thanks to the efforts of our Seeds of Service Horticulture Club and our generous donors. As you will read about in this issue, students and staff envisioned a new purpose for a lawn by the tennis courts, researched plantings and landscape designs to encourage pollination and engage the senses, and took action to turn their plans into a reality. This project connects in meaningful ways to our Sisters of the Humility of Mary heritage, and what a joy it is to see it come to life!

Some of the students involved with this effort have recently graduated, and a new crop of club members from the incoming class of freshmen are helping maintain the garden over the summer. Such is life at Magnificat, where our excitement to meet the next class of Blue Streaks matches that shared for our newest alumnae. We had the privilege of congratulating each graduate at Commencement in May, and we wish all the best to members of the Class of 2024 as they learn, lead, and serve in college and beyond.

Looking ahead, we are working to enhance our curriculum with HoloAnatomy software that will give students a three-dimensional perspective of human anatomy, and fall teams and fans will be taking advantage of concessions and restrooms now available in the newly opened Smith Snack Shack (see page 38). We will also be celebrating Sister Helen Jean Novy, HM, as the 2024-2025 school year will mark her 50th year of service to Magnificat, her 60th year in education, and her 85th birthday. Stay tuned for details on how we will commemorate these momentous milestones by a Magnificat living legend!

In the meantime, we look forward to seeing our students and their families in August and our alumnae at Homecoming and Reunion in September. Have a wonderful summer!

In the Spirit of Mary’s Magnificat ,

Moira Clark ’77

Laura Nortz President Board Chairperson

Around School

Guest Speaker Loung Ung

Bestselling author, public speaker, and activist Loung Ung (pictured front row, center) gave an inspiring presentation at Magnificat in March as part of Women’s Empowerment Week. She shared her experience as a child in war-torn Cambodia, which was documented in the film First They Killed My Father directed by Angelina Jolie. She inspired students with her words about the tremendous power of love, empathy, and kindness to heal the human heart and make a difference in the world, describing peace as something we have to choose on a daily basis and work for together.

Aerial Drone Team Competition

Magnificat’s new Aerial Drone Team had a successful start at its first competition in Cleveland in March: Three out of four teams qualified for the quarterfinals. Club moderator Keith McMillin (pictured far right) got the co-curricular team off the ground earlier this year thanks in part to a grant from the REC Foundation.

STEM Field Trip

AP Computer Science Principles and STEM Club students visited Parker Hannifin's Technology Center in Macedonia, Ohio, where they toured additive manufacturing and motion technology labs. Students then had the opportunity to meet with engineers to discuss what it's like to be a woman and a leader in STEM fields.

Día de la Danza

Each year, Spanish classes at Magnificat celebrate Día de la Danza, which translates to Day of the Dance, to experience the cultural diversity and richness of the Spanish speaking world through the common language of dance. Students enjoyed practicing typical dances like salsa and bachata They also created beautiful Mexican paper flowers, learned to play the castanets and use Spanish fans, tasted foods like flan and pan de banano, and played the popular game of dominó.

Great Lakes Actors

The Great Lakes Theater company spent two weeks visiting 11th grade English classes, performing scenes from Hamlet and breaking down the script to give students a better understanding of the story.

Robotics State Finalist

The Magnifibots Robotics Team rounded off their inaugural season by competing in the State competition in May, facing off against more seasoned competition. Halfway through the day, the team made some adjustments to the robot’s arm to help on the defensive side and emerged as a State Finalist!

Diversity Week

The theme of the third annual Diversity Week was "Diversity in the Arts" and featured a variety of activities, including cultural food samples and performers. Each day highlighted a different art form, including music, dance, and visual arts, as students were encouraged to celebrate the beauty in diversity. Diversity Week is sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

NASA Capstone Research

Grace Cooke ’25 and Mengxin Deng ’25 took advantage of an opportunity to participate in a NASA Capstone research project, studying the water quality of the Rocky River. The students followed GLOBE protocols to measure dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, and nitrate levels to determine the quality and health of the river's ecosystem. After the students completed their study in early April, they presented their findings at the NASA Glenn Research Center and enjoyed a tour of the facility.

Pollinator Sensory Garden Begins to Blossom

By Teresa Messmore, Director of Communications

More than a year after its inception, planting has begun in a new Pollinator Sensory Garden designed to beautify Magnificat's campus while educating students about ecology and environmental issues. The project is part of a larger effort to care for creation on campus as the Sisters of the Humility of Mary have done for decades at their home in Villa Maria.

As the Seeds of Service Horticulture Club continues to beautify Magnificat’s campus, members frequently look to one place for inspiration: the Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center in Pennsylvania. Home to the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, who founded Magnificat, the Villa hosts retreats and spiritual programs in a bucolic setting with nature trails, a greenhouse, a labyrinth, and beautiful grounds conducive to prayer and reflection. Magnificat’s prayer path and hoop house are two examples of commonalities shared between the school’s and the Sisters’ environments, and the addition of the new Pollinator Sensory Garden along with plans for a larger greenhouse will further enhance the connection.

“Our goal is to mirror the Villa,” club moderator and Horticultural Manager Karen Ryan Tigue ’85 said. “If we can show the students how to care for our campus and make small changes to care for the natural environment, they can take these practices wherever they go. They can take a little bit of Magnificat—and a little bit of the Villa— with them.”

Connections to Villa Maria

Villa Maria was given to the Sisters by Bishop Amadeus Rappe of Cleveland in 1864, and the philosophy of the religious community since that time has been to live off the land as much as possible. Today, the Villa houses a working farm on 759 acres with a produce market, flower greenhouse, herb garden, and community supported agriculture (CSA) open to the public. Sustainability is

integral to the operation of the farm, and all vegetables and herbs are certified organic. Some of the produce is donated to local food banks, shelters, and parishes, in alignment with the Sisters’ many efforts to help those living in poverty.

Magnificat students and faculty visit the Villa each year, witnessing firsthand a model for caring for natural resources and practicing responsible agriculture. Students tour the woodland paths and farm during Freshman Heritage Day, in addition to meeting HM Sisters, praying in the chapel, and taking part in other activities.

Over the years, Seeds of Service’s efforts have echoed certain aspects of life at the Villa. Vegetables grown on Magnificat’s campus in the hoop house and with aeroponic gardening towers are donated to local Meals on Wheels, and blooms from the cut flower garden beds are used in arrangements for school Masses and special events. A prayer path behind the school is maintained in part by Seeds of Service members, and while Magnificat does not raise animals like the Villa once did, students do care for bees in several hives and harvest the honey to sell in the Streaks Boutique as a club fundraiser.

“We definitely see the connection there and how important it is to the Sisters of the Humility of Mary to protect the earth,” club member Maddie Thomas ’25 said. “We see all the gardens that they have and we try to mimic that—and are trying to do our best to care for creation like they do.”

Pollinator Sensory Garden

Attending to plants and creatures throughout campus honors the call to action made by Pope Francis in his 2015 encyclical Laudato si': On care for our common home Currently, the club is creating a new Pollinator Sensory Garden near the Coyne Courts to enhance the campus, support the environment, and educate students. Members drafted a layout for the garden and researched plants that will attract butterflies, bees, and other ecologically important pollinators. Thanks to contributions from various donors, the pathways and flower beds were installed last fall. This summer, students are helping weed and planting flowers to bring the vision to life.

The space is designed to be relaxing for visitors, with curved paths, arbors, benches, and potentially a water feature. Some plants will be chosen to engage the senses, such as lavender for fragrance and lamb’s ear for its soft texture. Students will help maintain the garden from spring through fall.

“Being close to nature heightens our sense of awe and wonder for the beauty of God’s creation,” Vice President of Mission Katie Higgins ’99 said. “It also helps us to recognize our interconnection with God’s creation and our call to care for the Earth, which resonates deeply with the Sisters’ commitment to care for the land and to practice ecological sustainability.”

A Vision to Expand

The transformation is part of a broader vision to use every area of Magnificat's campus in a sustainable, educational, and spiritual way. The grass lawns, for example, require intensive maintenance and could be replaced with islands of flowers around trees, garden beds, and more outdoor classrooms, Tigue said.

Plans are in the beginning stages for a new greenhouse that would be larger than the hoop house. The greenhouse would help take the club to the next level by increasing the propagation of plants, beginning seed starting earlier in the year, and extending the growing season during the winter months. The club would like to grow more herbs and vegetables, working with Magnificat’s chef, Adam Hale of AVI Foodsystems, and the cultural clubs to grow plants that could be used in Magnificat’s lunch menus.

Other projects underway, funding permitted, include:

• A small orchard with four to six plum and apple trees, developed by Charlotte Harter ’24 for her Agape Project.

• The addition of high top tables for teaching and work space.

• The installation of pollinator houses built in the school’s woodshop along the prayer path to provide nesting areas for native bees.

• A labyrinth made of paver stones on the lawn next to the east athletic doors.

Ninth grade students learn about Villa Maria's working farm during Freshman Heritage Day each Fall.

With so many initiatives in the works, the club relies on the commitment and collaboration of many students and staff members. Currently there are about 60 members divided into seven subcommittees: bees, outdoor gardens, hoop house, indoor plants, garden towers, insects, and marketing. Tigue hopes that the club might expand into an elective class during the 2025-2026 school year to encourage greater participation and deeper learning. Incoming freshmen are invited to join Seeds of Service the summer before 9th Grade, just before they visit the Villa for Freshman Heritage Day, which helps the club hit the ground running as each school year begins.

“We are inspired by everything the Villa has done,” Tigue said. “I can’t wait for the Sisters to come back to Magnificat to experience the garden and for us to continue to expand our efforts throughout the campus.”

Attracting Pollinators

Magnificat students researched which plants that are native to North America would be well suited for attracting pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds—and bonus points for being deer resistant! Here are a few examples:

Aster

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii

Native to North America, fall bloom

Attracts bees, butterflies, birds

Deer resistant: yes

Bee Balm Monarda sp.

Attracts: hummingbirds, pollinating insects

Deer resistant: yes

Milkweed

Asclepias sp.

Foodsource for monarch butterfly larvae

Attracts: native, bumble, and honey bees

Deer resistant: yes

Prairie Blazing Star Liatris pycnostachya

Native to Northeast Ohio

Attracts: bees, birds, butterflies

Deer resistant: medium

Purple Coneflower

Echinacea sp.

Attracts: butterflies, hummingbirds

Deer resistant: no

Sage Salvia sp.

Attracts: bees, hummingbirds

Deer resistant: yes

Sources: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database, Wikipedia

To learn more about ways to help support the garden and Seeds of Service, please contact Vice President of Advancement Deborah Durbin '81 at 440-331-7227 or ddurbin@maghs.org.

Above: Horticultural Manager Karen Ryan Tigue '85 works with Seeds of Service Horticultural Club members on the new Pollinator Sensory Garden. Below: Sister Helen Jean Novy, HM poses by the hoop house with beekeeper Ava Jerro '25.

Hats Off to the Class of 2024

Magnificat High School celebrated the Class of 2024 at the 66th annual Commencement Ceremony on Tuesday, May 21, in the Center for the Performing Arts. The 174 graduates, who Class Speaker Halle Stephens ’24 noted began their high school journey in the midst of the pandemic, navigated a world of change together as they grew academically, socially, and spiritually.

“As we walked through the doors freshman year, masks on and spray bottles loaded, we began to be changed,” Stephens said. “We opened ourselves up to new opportunities and experiences, new teachers and new classmates, and definitely new rules. I seriously never thought I would be directed to the right side of the hallway by cones as if I was driving on the road. We can look back at it now and realize, the whole time we were changing, constantly evolving to become better humans together who learn, lead, and serve.”

Board of Directors Chair Laura Nortz served as the Master of Ceremonies, and President Moira Clark ’77 welcomed the assembled graduates, families, faculty, and friends.

“Over the last four years, you have had the opportunity to reflect on what it means to live Mary’s Magnificat

in the world,” President Clark said. “Now you graduate as passionate and thoughtful young women who know the meaning and challenge of Mary’s song of praise and gratitude. We know that Mary’s spirit will guide you as you make your way through life, and we ask God to bless each of you tonight.”

Dean of Faculty and Academics Colleen Greller recognized the recipients of the school’s highest honors: Finnegan O’Connor ’24 was named Phi Beta Kappa; Cara Heisterkamp ’24 received the Sister Mary Pat Cook, HM Leadership Award; Juliana Abeid ’24 was presented with the Nancy Powell Service Award; Abby Brocklehurst ’24 received the Sister Bernadette Vetter, HM Award; and Da’Nita Goins ’24 received the inaugural Sister Thea Bowman Intercultural Engagement Award.

Commencement was preceded by the Baccalaureate Mass on Sunday, May 19, presided over by the Reverend Dan Schlegel of Saint Raphael Parish. Graduates were given a final pendant to add to the ones stamped with Learn, Lead, and Serve that they received the last three years, reminding them to live Mary’s Magnificat in the world as alumnae for many years to come.

Sister Mary Pat Cook, HM Leadership Award: Cara Heisterkamp '24, Sister Thea Bowman Intercultural Engagement Award: Da'Nita Goins '24, Sister Bernadette Vetter, HM Award: Abby Brocklehurst '24, Phi Beta Kappa Award: Finnegan O'Connor '24, and Nancy Powell Service Award: Juliana Abeid '24.

Above: Board of Directors Chair Laura Nortz and President Moira Clark '77 congratulate graduates during the 66th Annual Commencement.

Left: Class speaker Halle Stephens '24 delivers her Commencement address.

GRADUATION

The Class of 2024 will be attending the following colleges and universities:

Allegheny College

Anderson University

Appalachian State University

Ashland University

Baldwin Wallace University

Berea College

Bowling Green State University

Clemson University

Cleveland Institute of Art

Cleveland State University

College of the Holy Cross

Columbus College of Art and Design

Cuyahoga Community College District

Denison University

Duquesne University

East Carolina University

Fordham University

Furman University

Indiana Tech University

Indiana University

Irvine Valley College

John Carroll University

Johnson & Wales University

Kent State University

Lorain County Community College

Loyola University Chicago

Marquette University

Mercyhurst University

Miami University

Mississippi State University

Nova Southeastern University

Ohio Northern University

The Ohio State University

Ohio University

Pennsylvania State University

Purdue University

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Saint Leo University

Saint Mary's College

Syracuse University

The College of Wooster

The University of Alabama

The University of Tampa

The University of Tennessee

Tulane University of Louisiana

University of Arizona

University of Cincinnati

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Dayton

University of Kentucky

University of Miami

University of Michigan

University of Mississippi

University of Notre Dame

University of Pittsburgh

University of Rochester

University of South Carolina

University of Toledo

Ursuline College

Virginia Tech

Westminster College

Westmont College

Xavier University

What's Next?

Milania Bolzan ’24

Milania Bolzan ’24

The Class of 2024 is embarking on adventures around the country as graduates pursue their dreams for the next phase of their educational journeys. Here are just a few examples of what the future holds for our newest alumnae!

The University of Tampa Cybersecurity and Business

Miliana Bolzan '24 credits her Magnificat teachers with pushing her to her fullest potential and preparing her for college. “My teachers always helped us fulfill one of the most important Magnificat values: lifelong learning,” she said. “This is something I plan to maintain throughout my studies at The University of Tampa.” At Magnificat she enjoyed learning teamwork and discipline through track and field, experiencing Asian culture in the Asian American and Pacific Islander Club, and having fun while learning a lot in physics class. After college she plans to be a Certified Information Systems Security Professional or Certified Ethical Hacker for either a publicly held company or a private cybersecurity firm.

Da'Nita Goins ’24 Berea College Pediatric Nursing

Da’Nita Goins '24 plans to become a travel nurse in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit. Honors Anatomy helped her understand what college anatomy would be like, as she will be taking similar classes all throughout college. Some of her favorite classes at Magnificat were psychology, Chinese, English 10, chemistry, and U.S. History. She has also been involved with the Magnificat Stepping Streaks step team, Student Ambassadors, the African American Student Alliance, and the fall orientation for incoming students of color. “I would like to add that it is possible to come to Magnificat even if your family is low income,” she said. She added that with the help of Director of Student Accounts Susan Reighard, her family was able to afford to send her to Magnificat.

Evelyn Szczesniak ’24

University of Tennessee Aerospace Engineering

Evelyn Szczesniak '24 decided to apply to the University of Tennessee because she loved the atmosphere there and wanted the opportunity to major in aerospace engineering. Magnificat helped prepare her for college by fostering a positive and individualized learning experience. Her favorite class was Intro to Mechanical Engineering run by Motogo, which offered hands-on learning while also teaching students lessons about working together, success, and failure. After graduating from college, she hopes to work at an aerospace research or manufacturing facility. “I am very grateful for all of the experiences Magnificat provided me with!” she said.

Victoria Navarrete-Velez ’24

The Ohio State University Environmental Engineering

Victoria Navarrete-Velez '24 has high hopes for her college career at Ohio State: “All those who I have talked to who attend now love it there, and those who previously attended have loved it there,” she said. She hopes that OSU gives her a strong head start and overall knowledge in the field of environmental engineering. “Magnificat has prepared me tremendously for these next four years of college,” she said. "I feel confident in my writing skills and overall in the quality of a person I am due to how Magnificat has shaped me and my morals.” She particularly enjoyed the English curriculum and teachers. After graduating from college, she hopes to attend law school to obtain a law degree connected to environmental issues.

Magnificat won the inaugural Cleveland Rivals Unite Alumnae Giving Challenge thanks to the generosity of our alumnae community!

This spring, Magnificat partnered with Saint Joseph Academy and the Beaumont School for three days of giving in support of all-girls, Catholic education in Cleveland.

From April 30-May 2, alumnae from each school were asked to make a donation to their alma mater's annual fund. The school with the largest percentage of alumnae who gave "won" the challenge—which was Magnificat with 6.9%.

The event replaced Magnificat's annual Day of Giving, and the results were outstanding! A total of 764 donors gave $64,000 to the Magnificat Fund, with many of the

contributions representing first-time gifts. All three schools found the initiative to be a success, engaging their alumnae with creative emails, videos, and social media posts. Magnificat, for example, posted a map of where donors live to encourage participation around the country.

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of our alumnae, who showed that all-girls, Catholic education matters,” Senior Director of Development and Alumnae Relations Meg Shrewsbury said. “We look forward to partnering with Beaumont and Saint Joseph Academy again next year and keeping this friendly rivalry going!”

New Core Value: Humility

Humility is …

• Listening deeply to others and learning from them

• Rejoicing in simplicity of being a child of God who is unconditionally loved

• Being authentically who we are

• A gift

• Accepting our failures as well as our successes

• A virtue of holiness

• Living with joy, courage, and openness

• Serving others

• Being down to earth

These phrases capture students’ reflections on what Humility means to them.

During this school year, the faculty, staff, and students of Magnificat discerned and adopted Humility as a new Core Value. Humility joins our six current Core Values of Respect, Compassion, Commitment, Collaboration, Faith-Filled Life, and Lifelong Learning to represent the concrete ways that we live out our Mission in our relationships and day-to-day interactions as Magnificat community members.

As a school founded and sponsored by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, we drew inspiration for what humility means to us from the Sisters. We framed our exploration of humility by reading reflections from the Sisters about what humility—and more specifically, the humility of Mary—means to them. At our Mission and Values Retreat Day in August, the faculty and staff resoundingly affirmed the addition of Humility as a Core Value and offered their insights on what best to highlight about Humility. Students were introduced to our new Core Value through reflection sessions facilitated by Vice President of Mission Katie Higgins ’99 in their Compass Classes this March.

“As we strive to carry forward the history and heritage of the Sisters in more intentional ways as their lay partners in Mission, the inclusion of Humility as a Core Value honors our ties to the Sisters and their faith-filled witness,” Higgins said. “As a Magnificat community, we look forward to answering the call to grow in practicing Humility each day.”

• Being reminded of Mary

• Treating everyone with reverence

• Openness to growth

• Recognizing that we need each other and God

• Growing as a person and student

• Being able to learn from mistakes

• Leaning on each other

• Living with gratitude

• Rejoicing in the person God created me to be

Humility is at the root of all we do. Recognizing the truth of who we are as beloved children of God, we strive to live authentically by acknowledging our strengths and limitations and our need for God and one another. We keep our hearts and minds open to new learning and transformation. We treasure the charism of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, which grounds our understanding of humility in Mary’s faith, courage, and joy. (Cf. Ephesians 4:2)

We put Humility into practice when:

• We recognize our strengths as gifts from God to be shared.

• We are open to growth by listening to and learning from one another, the Earth, and God.

• We embody the humility of Mary with faithfulness, courage, and joy.

• We see ourselves in connection with God, the Earth, and all people.

Vice President of Mission Katie Higgins ’99 facilitated reflection sessions with all students about Humility.

Campus Ministry

The Campus Ministry Department had a fulfilling spring packed with retreats, Masses, and the Lenten Project. Students were given the chance to participate in many different retreats, such as the wellness, nature, and art retreats along with Kairos. Our Campus Ministry Department offers many different opportunities for students to deepen their relationship with God and each other in various ways. We also invited the incoming Class of 2028 to celebrate their first Mass with their families, welcoming them into our community. We are so excited for the newest Blue Streaks to begin their journeys at Magnificat!

Members of the Class of 2028 pose before the Freshman Welcome Mass.

Sister Helen Jean Novy, HM preparing to bless the ashes at this year's Ash Wednesday prayer service.

Aislin McGill ’24 distributing ashes during the all school prayer service for Ash Wednesday.

Campus Ministry invited students to participate in a daylong nature retreat at Camp Christopher.

Juniors and seniors join together as they celebrate their Kairos retreat at Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center.

Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

New Advisory Committee Set to Assist Magnificat in Reaching its Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Goals

A newly established committee is now working to guide and support the implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at Magnificat High School. Since the start of the 2023-2024 academic year, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee has been meeting to review existing diversity related recommendations and determine how best to implement these proposals. The committee has reviewed recommendations included in the school’s strategic plan as well as recommendations set forth by the school’s now defunct Anti-Racism Task Force.

The Task Force concluded its work in 2022 after working for a year to review school policies, procedures, and conditions at Magnificat and then recommend ways to create a more inclusive and equitable learning and working environment as well as ways to move the school forward in its ever-evolving work to become an anti-racist community.

The Advisory Committee is made up of 12 individuals, including alumnae, parents, friends of the school, and a few former members of the Task Force. The group meets four times each academic year and members serve for two years. Although the Committee has reviewed numerous DEI recommendations, each year it will select a single or a group of related recommendations on which to focus its attention. The Committee will guide the school in implementing the recommendation and assess its progress. This academic year, the DEI Advisory Committee focused its efforts on increasing

the number of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) students enrolled at Magnificat High School.

“Although we have made some progress in diversifying our student population, we are striving to make more significant gains within the next few years,” Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Janetta M. Hammock said. Hammock, along with Vice President of Mission Katie Higgins ’99, leads the DEI Advisory Committee.

Currently, BIPOC students make up 19% of the student population at Magnificat—a 2% increase from 2022. DEI Advisory Committee members have not set specific targets for BIPOC enrollment but hope their efforts will result in a steady increase in the number of BIPOC students visiting, applying, and enrolling at Magnificat.

A diverse student population benefits all members of the Magnificat community, Hammock said, pointing to research that indicates that students who learn alongside individuals of diverse backgrounds and those exposed to different experiences and perspectives in and outside the classroom are more able to work, live, and thrive in a multicultural society as well as engage in a global economy.

“Our commitment to providing a holistic education requires seeing our students as whole people, including all facets of their identities, and supporting their holistic growth and well-

being,” Higgins added. “Our core value of respect affirms that all students deserve to feel a sense of belonging at Magnificat and that they are respected and valued for the gift of who they are. Our Mission compels us to the ongoing work of fostering a learning environment and faith community where students can bring their full and authentic selves to school.”

The DEI Advisory Committee this academic year outlined a number of strategies aimed at increasing diversity within the student population and will work to implement these plans when it reconvenes in the fall. Among the plans the Committee has discussed this year are:

• Increase outreach to area middle schools with a diverse student population.

• Target non-feeder schools and find ways to bring students from these schools to Magnificat so they can become familiar with the school and learn all that it has to offer. For example, students and parents from targeted middle schools will be invited to attend Magnificat’s musicals, sporting events, and summer camps.

• Engage with younger students and introduce them to Magnificat before they enter middle school.

• Develop relationships with community leaders and communities of color to spread the word about Magnificat and to have leaders help identify students who might be interested in attending the school in the near future.

• Develop relationships with administrators and counselors of non-feeder schools so they can learn more about Magnificat and begin recommending the school to their students.

In addition, the school will continue to engage in outreach to middle schools located near the school, and Hammock will continue to work with the Enrollment Office and attend high school nights and other events where she and others can discuss Magnificat and its offerings.

In addition, the Advisory Committee has suggested that the school continue to look for ways to provide transportation to students who may find it difficult to get back and forth to Magnificat and to continue to market the various ways in which the school is affordable. The Committee agreed that some students and families do not consider Magnificat because they think they cannot afford to attend. However, the school provides about $2.4 million in tuition assistance each year, and aid is also available through the state as well as private groups and organizations.

“I am grateful for the tremendous work the Advisory Committee has completed in its first year,” President Moira Clark ’77 said. “The members are committed to their task and to our school community, and I am excited to see the DEI progress we will make as the Advisory Committee continues to meet and inform our work.”

Pictured from left to right: Amber Douglas, Office Administrator of Mission and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging; Peggy Kranyak ’71, former member of the Anti-Racism Task Force; Katie Higgins ’99, Vice President of Mission; Janetta M. Hammock, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging; Sharon Byrnes ’84, former member of the Anti-Racism Task Force; Phillip Clipps, former member of the Anti-Racism Task Force, Phillis Fuller Clipps, former member of the Anti-Racism Task Force; Felestine Salti, current parent; Moira Clark ’77, President; Kathy Cruz ’91; Syma Dar ’97, former member of the Anti-Racism Task Force. Not pictured: Margarita Santos Krncevic, Gina Perez, Daenera Vazquez ’14, Maureen Rooney ’74.

Sister Anne Victory, HM ’62, honored in Rome for her anti-trafficking work

Sister Anne Victory, HM ’62 , was honored in May by the International Union of Superiors General at the second Sisters’ Anti-Trafficking Awards held at the Augustinianum in Rome.

The UISG President, Sister Mary Barron, OLA, presented the Servant Leadership Award to Sister Anne Victory, HM, who was the director of education at the Cleveland-based Collaborative to End Human Trafficking from 2010 to 2021 and now serves as a volunteer. She was the board president of U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking from 2016-2020 and served on the Humility of Mary Leadership Team from 2001-2009. Previously she was a hospital nurse, educator, and administrator, having earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from The Ohio State University.

At the event in Rome, UISG President Sister Mary Barron, OLA, and Delia Gallagher, Vatican journalist and moderator of the ceremony, welcomed nearly 200 guests. Sister Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, UnderSecretary of the Synod of Bishops, delivered the keynote speech. In her address, Sister Nathalie highlighted the characteristics of sisters' work, which reflect the synodal path.

The central panel of the event featured speakers who, in many different ways and roles, are involved in the fight against human trafficking: Mary Mugo, an Anti-Trafficking Youth Ambassador from Kenya; Nasreen Sheikh, a widely-respected advocate for survivors; and Kevin Hyland, the former UK Anti-Slavery Commissioner.

The highlight of the evening was presentation of awards to three sisters who have demonstrated exceptional courage, creativity, collaboration, and achievement in the protection of their communities from human trafficking. In addition to the recognition given to Sister Anne Victory, Sister Grasy Luisa Rodrigues FDCC from India received the Common Good Award from the Arise Founding President, John Studzinski, CBE. The Human Dignity Award, announced by Associate Vice President of Program Operations at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Sister Jane Wakahiu, LSOSF, PhD, went to Sister Marie Claude Naddaf, RGS, from Lebanon. Documentaries showcasing the important work of each laureate were shared after the event.

Honoring Magnificat's 2024 Retirees

With many years of service to Magnificat, our retiring faculty and staff reflect upon what they have learned throughout their careers and what they will carry with them into their well-deserved retirements.

Patty Connor Schwarber ’77 and Michael Schwarber

Patty Connor Schwarber ’77 plans on having an active retirement by golfing, biking, and kayaking on Lake Erie— which comes as little surprise since she started her career as a physical education teacher.

“I always just wanted to share the joy of movement and wanted kids to learn to love to move, because that’s really what’s important,” she said.

The Bay Village native played volleyball at Cleveland State University, where she earned a degree in K-12 education, and she went on to teach PE at Holy Family, Ascension of Our Lord, and West Park Catholic Academy. During the summers she taught PE at Magnificat, where activities included bowling, hiking, kayaking, biking, ping pong, badminton, and archery. She was hired full time in 2014 to serve as a PE teacher and Administrative Assistant in Campus Ministry. Eventually she transitioned to the role of Director of Student Life.

“I used to always refer to myself as the Director of Fun, because I was involved in everything outside of academics—prom, Night in Blue, Big Little, the All School Dance,” she said. “It was always fun to work your tail off to plan all this stuff—dot the ‘i’s, cross the ‘t’s—and then just sit back and watch the joy that the girls get out of it.”

As Director of Student Life, Schwarber led educational travel to England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Peru, and Iceland. During the 2019-2020 school year, however, many of her trips and activities were canceled due to the pandemic. With her extra time she started helping in the Streaks Boutique, which was scrambling to launch an online store, and she became the Streaks Boutique manager not long after.

“I am so thankful and feel so blessed to have been a part of this community,” she said. “The spirit of Mary’s Magnificat is palpable in the faculty, staff, and students every day. My experience at Magnificat has stretched me in so many ways, and I am especially thankful to Moira Clark ’77, the late Julie Sims Gibbons ’80, Marilyn Knox Arundel ’76, and Mary Dwyer-Kueller for their leadership,

support, and faith in me throughout my time at Magnificat.”

Schwarber had the opportunity to share her love of Magnificat with the love of her life, Michael Schwarber, who was hired as a facilities technician in 2018. The two met in the training room while nursing injuries at Cleveland State, where Michael played baseball, and married shortly after graduating. Michael had a 31-year career with the Shaker Heights Police Department, working up the ranks and retiring as Deputy Chief.

Director of Facilities Keith Wagner knew Michael from their time working in Shaker Heights and hired him to mow the grass, help with maintenance repairs, and secure the east athletics doors during morning dropoff.

“I really enjoyed being at the door because the kids are really nice—and the staff, too,” Michael said. “Getting to see them and maybe put a smile on their face is always something that I liked to do.”

Michael and Patty plan to spend their retirement enjoying the outdoors, traveling to parts of the United States they haven’t seen before, like Alaska, and visiting their children in San Francisco, Chicago, and Connecticut.

HONORING MAGNIFICAT’S 2024 RETIREES

Karen Duffy Morley ’ 78

Theology Faculty

When Karen Duffy Morley ’78 was a student at Magnificat, her two favorite teachers were choir teacher

Sister Dominica Murphy, HM, and theology teacher

Sister Bernadette Vetter, HM. Little did she know, the two subjects they taught would be integral to her future career.

“If someone had said then that music and theology were going to be my things, I wouldn’t have believed it,” she said.

While Morley enjoyed performing in musicals like The Fiddler on the Roof and Night in Blue assembly skits as a student, she studied elementary education at John Carroll University and the University of Dayton. Her first teaching position was in inner city Cleveland at St. Philip Neri, and after two years, she was not sure that she was cut out for the profession. On a whim during a trip to New York City with her brother, she applied for and accepted a job at Club Med in the Bahamas. She worked in the Mini Club watching children during the day, and then performed on stage at night.

Despite the beautiful setting, long hours and low wages brought her back to the Cleveland area after a year. She returned to teaching at St. Leo’s and then served as a youth minister at St. Anthony’s before being recruited by Trinity High School to become a theology teacher and earning her theology certification through the Diocese of Cleveland. Simultaneously, she was the Director of Religious Education at St. Malachi’s.

A chance encounter with former classmate and now President Moira Clark ’77 tipped her off to an opening for a theology faculty member at Magnificat, and she joined the faculty in 2006. In addition to her theology teaching duties, she helped enhance the music ministry and worked with students to lead liturgical music during Masses. Over time, she added Student Council, Magnificat Outreach, and the Garden Club, which evolved into the Seeds of Service Horticulture Club of today.

“When I came back here, though so much had changed, the camaraderie between the girls hadn’t,” she said. “There’s just something about an all-girls school that is really special. I just think that people feel more like they can truly just be themselves.”

In retirement, Morley plans to work in her garden, kayak regularly, take a river cruise in Europe with her husband, Bill, and substitute teach at Magnificat.

Guilan Ding, PhD World Language Faculty

Chinese teacher Guilan Ding, PhD plans to make a shift from teaching to learning during her retirement. She wants to learn how to play the piano, sing, and draw, for starters, and to learn more about American history and literature. She is also interested in visiting Greece and Italy to gain better understanding of Western philosophy.

“The teacher should be a lifelong learner,” she said. “If I stop learning, what am I going to do?”

Ding holds a doctorate in marketing management from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in her native China, where she taught marketing and public relations for 13 years. She met and fell in love with her husband

Lori Koss Science Faculty

Lori Koss was bit by the teaching bug when her daughter’s seventh grade teacher invited her to help students learn about microscopes. She was working as a medical technologist at the time, analyzing blood and body fluid samples, but the joy of teaching she found that day motivated her to shift her career focus. She decided to earn a master’s degree in teaching secondary science from Kent State University, in addition to the bachelor’s degree in biology she held from Cleveland State University, and joined Magnificat’s faculty in 2001 with valuable experience in the real-world applications of science.

“I have always been able to incorporate clinical lab work into my classes,” she said. “It’s very cool.”

Koss developed the popular Honors Human Anatomy and Physiology with Chemistry course, which goes beyond a typical human anatomy course to include content like a unit on blood and forensics. Over her more than two decades at Magnificat, she has also taught biology, chemistry, and honors chemistry, served as the Science Department chair, and moderated the Science Olympiad and Students in Medicine Club. She led Health and Wellness Day, the Blood Drive, NASA’s Young Astronaut Day, and summer enrichment travel to Costa Rica and Yellowstone National Park. In recognition of her excellence in teaching, she received the Teacher of the Year from the Metro Kiwanis Club and the 2009 Irene C. Heller Award from the Cleveland section of the American Chemical Society.

Her proudest accomplishment has been the achievement of her students. She enjoys hearing from former students about how their selected college majors and careers

connect back to what she taught at Magnificat and how they have advocated for their own health and wellbeing.

“Seeing them being inspired and thinking outside the box, developing that love of learning the sciences—that’s what I want,” she said. “I want women in science, and I think we really make an impact.”

As the mother of three Magnificat graduates, McKenzie ’03, Chelsea ’06, and Carly ’08 , Koss firmly believes in the school’s Mission. She chaperoned Kairos and the Cleveland Summer Immersion and served on the Mission Committee with Sister Helen Jean Novy, HM.

“I am most thankful to the Sisters of the Humility of Mary,” she said. “It’s because of them that I continued to stay here.”

In retirement, Koss looks forward to spending more time with her husband Michael, traveling, and visiting family in Chicago and Boston.

during a tour of Canada and kept in contact with the lifelong Ohioan before moving to the United States in 2012. She decided to teach Chinese to help Americans learn the language and culture of China, and she earned an associate’s degree in foreign language and ESL from Cuyahoga Community College and a master’s degree in education from Cleveland State University.

Ding was a Mandarin Chinese teacher at Westlake Chinese School and St. Edward High School before joining Magnificat in 2018. She taught all four levels of Chinese and consistently incorporated elements of Chinese culture into her lessons.

“We make a lot of comparisons about American culture and Chinese culture,” she said. “Students see that as a very interesting topic.”

Every year, her students learned Chinese calligraphy using brushes and ink and enjoyed the traditional Chinese art of paper cutting. The crafts were put on display in the Humility of Mary Center and used during an annual Lunar New Year celebration that she organized with students.

Looking back, Ding has been impressed by how hard her students study and their desire to be successful, and a number of her students have continued to take Chinese in college. She has also been impressed how supportive her colleagues in the World Languages and Cultures Department have been to her and each other.

“It’s a very good environment,” she said. “Everybody is so nice. I’ll miss it, for sure.”

In Loving Mem ory

Julie Sims Gibbons ’80

Senior Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing

August 14, 1962-March 18, 2024

Senior Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing

Julie Sims Gibbons ’80, who passed away on March 18, 2024, was known throughout the Magnificat community and beyond for her strategic leadership and generous service. Her sense of humor, friendly demeanor, and dedication to Magnificat were unparalleled, and despite a diagnosis of brain cancer last year, she continued to serve the school she loved until just a few months before entering eternal life.

“Over 48 years, Julie Gibbons made a positive impact on Magnificat as a spirited student, active alumna and parent, and talented administrator who elevated the many programs she worked on in fun and meaningful ways,” President Moira Clark ’77 said. “Her gift for engaging people nurtured strong ties to the school for incoming families and alumnae alike, leaving a lasting legacy at Magnificat as a truly warm and welcoming community.”

After graduating from Magnificat in 1980, Gibbons earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from St. Bonaventure University and taught at Saint Raphael and St. Mel parish schools. She took time off to raise

her three children—Kevin, Meegan ’08 , and Kali ’09 —and returned to work at Magnificat in 1997 as the Coordinator of Alumnae Affairs.

“Julie was very social, she had lots of friends, and she had lots of contacts with alumnae, so she was a natural coming in,” former President Sister Carolyn Marshall, HM said. “Her deep desire was to build connections and strengthen friendships among graduates.”

Over the course of two decades, Gibbons served as Director of Alumnae Relations, Director of Events, Director of Alumnae and Advancement Events, Director of Student and Parent Activities, Senior Director of Student and Parent Engagement, and Vice President of Institutional Advancement. She was also the golf coach in 2001, the National Honor Society moderator in 2013, and a chaperone for trips to Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Appalachia.

In every role, Gibbons enhanced the events and programs under her direction. She initiated the all-class Reunion Weekend, which brought a wide range of alumnae back to the school and included a new golf outing. She organized trips for school leadership to visit alumnae in Columbus, Chicago, Florida, and other locations. She oversaw phonathons to raise funds for tuition assistance, and events from Night in Blue to the Big-Little Sister Challenge Cup benefited from her vision and creativity.

In 2019 Gibbons became the Vice President of Enrollment, and she was promoted to Senior Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing three years later. Under her

Julie Sims Gibbons '80, far left, distributing gifts from a Magnificat toy drive for the Villa Montessori Center in Cleveland in December 1998.

leadership, the Enrollment and Marketing Offices expanded and embraced best practices to reach a broad audience in attracting strong candidates for admission, and she was instrumental in the transformation of the Streaks Boutique into a modern store for spirit wear. She advocated for an expansion of the tuition assistance and subsidized lunch programs to help make Magnificat affordable for more families, and participation in summer programs expanded under her watch. Her institutional knowledge and professional connections were constant assets to the Leadership Team.

“What she gave to the school, which is immeasurable, was much more than what she did,” former President Sister Carol Anne Smith, HM ’66L said. “It was who she was and what she brought of her love for Magnificat.”

A woman of strong faith, Gibbons was devoted to Mary and exemplified the school’s Mission to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. She was keenly appreciative of the heritage of the school as founded and sponsored by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, many of whom knew her from her visits to their Community Center at Villa Maria, Pennsylvania.

Over her 27 years working at Magnificat, she kept the school’s Mission front and center in each publication,

event, and program with which she was involved. Positive, magnetic, enthusiastic, loyal, kind, and charismatic were among the many affectionate adjectives used to describe her in tributes shared by colleagues, alumnae, and friends.

“Julie was truly one of the funniest people I have known ever,” Smith said. “But her humor was always good and selfless, and she took a particular delight in entertaining others. It was just so natural to her.”

The new electronic sign on Hilliard Boulevard has been upgraded with flower plantings in Gibbons’ memory, honoring her legacy of communication and community building events on behalf of Magnificat.

Clockwise from top left: Members of the Class of 1980 photographed with Julie Sims Gibbons ’80 at her wedding; Gibbons in September 2023 with President Moira Clark '77 at the Big-Little Sis Challenge Cup, which they helped create; Graduation Day 1980; Magnificat Golf Outing participants Meghan Hickey McNamara ’80, Judy Carey ’80, Gibbons, Mary Beth Seikel Krummer ’80; Maggie Riley McCarthy ’80 and Gibbons in a yearbook photo.

Family and friends rally around Gibbons at the Head for the Cure brain cancer awareness run/walk in 2023.

HM HISTORY AND HERITAGE

“Sister Carolyn brought wisdom, respectful presence, and fullness of life to every situation, whether she was making costumes for 'Hello Dolly,' cheering on the Blue Streaks sports teams, or caring for a student or faculty/staff member in a time of sadness. She lives our HM mission of bringing abundant life to God’s people.”

—Sister Mary Pat Cook, HM

FROM THE MAGNIFICAT ARCHIVES:

Sister Carolyn Marshall, HM Principal,

1988-1997, President, 1997-2007

By Mary Cay Doherty, School Archivist and Social Studies Faculty Member

As Magnificat’s seventh principal and first president, Sister Carolyn Marshall’s leadership vaulted Magnificat into the new millennium while reinforcing its connection to the history and heritage of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary.

Sister Carolyn was born on Nov. 28, 1937, in Mansfield, Ohio to William H. and Catherine E. (Matz) Marshall.

After graduating from St. Peter High School in Mansfield, she earned a bachelor’s degree in 1959 from Notre Dame College in Ohio. Later, in 1977, she earned a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Pennsylvania’s Westminster College.

After college, Sister Carolyn taught social studies as a Notre Dame sister in the Cleveland Diocese from 19611970. She transferred to the HM Congregation in 1970 and ministered as Villa Maria High School’s Director of Resident Students.

In the fall of 1982, Sister Carolyn joined Magnificat High School’s guidance department, where, at Sister Carol Anne Smith’s request, she established a Magnificat Alumnae Association and an annual phonathon for student financial aid.

She was named Magnificat’s assistant principal in December 1982 and followed Sister Carol Anne as principal in 1988. When Magnificat adopted the president-principal leadership model in 1997, Sister Carolyn became the school’s first president while Sister Mary Pat Cook, HM stepped into the principal role.

During Sister Carolyn’s principalship, Magnificat established an endowment in 1989 and launched the Named Endowed Scholarship program in 1995. Magnificat also embarked on two capital campaigns under her leadership. The 1993 Capital Campaign transformed two floors of the former Sisters’ Convent into art and math department spaces. Almost a decade later, a 2001 capital campaign funded Magnificat’s Performing Arts Center.

In 1996, with the support of Sister Carolyn and Sister Mary Pat, then-theology teacher and now President Moira Clark '77 and three colleagues attended a Facing History and Ourselves workshop. FHAO encourages students to face patterns of prejudice and discrimination. Magnificat’s continued relationship with FHAO brings educational resources and speakers to our campus.

When Sister Carolyn left Magnificat in 2007, she had already been serving on the HM Leadership Team since 2005. After completing her leadership term in 2013, she spent six years working with the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) to provide guidance for religious communities with aging populations.

In “retirement,” Sister Carolyn represented the HM sisters on the Humility of Mary Housing board of trustees. She also served in the “ministry of availability,” assisting wherever she was needed within the HM community.

In alignment with the HM spirit of joy and Magnificat’s Lifelong Learning value, Sister Carolyn embraces change as a “new opportunity.” She also seeks ways to make life easier and more enjoyable for others. Sister Mary Pat describes her as “the instigator of fun,” and former Magnificat board chair Kathy LaPorte adds, “I loved working with her; we had lots of laughs through the years.”

This summer, Sister Carolyn celebrates her 65th anniversary as a religious sister amid the beauty of Villa Maria, where she continues to serve by participating in Villa events and by the witness of her life.

President Clark gratefully encapsulates Sister Carolyn’s Magnificat legacy. “She charted a course that prepared Magnificat to meet evolving educational challenges. Her leadership has proven to be an enduring blessing not only for Magnificat students, but for the larger Magnificat community as well.”

Winter and Spring Sports

Winter and Spring were action-packed seasons for our Blue Streaks, with two District titles, five teams competing in Regionals, and seven teams represented at States. Thank you to our Magnificat families and fans for your ongoing support! Visit magnificatbluestreaks.org for scores, recaps, and more.

GYMNASTICS

The Blue Streak gymnastics team took its season all the way to becoming State Runner-Up, where the team would set a new school record with a score of 147.825! This was the program’s 9th State Runner-Up finish and its first since 2017. Keira Leneghan ’24 placed 6th on Vault and 5th All Around, and Molly Francis ’27 placed 5th on Balance Beam at the Individual State Meet. Congratulations!

BASKETBALL

The Magnificat basketball team had an incredible season! After winning its second consecutive District Championship, the team became Regional Champions for the first time since 2002, which allowed them to make an appearance in the State Final Four. The team ended its season with an impressive record of 21-7.

BOWLING

Bowlers finished off their season by qualifying for the Regional Tournament as a team for the second time in school history. Dottie Sayles ’25 and Julia Johnson ’26 advanced to the State Tournament for the Blue Streaks.

SWIMMING AND DIVING

The swimming and diving team completed another successful season 4th place at the District Meet. District Qualifiers were: Ella Muzychak ’24, Reagan Zwissler ’24, Makenna Mincey ’24, Brooke Farrell ’25, Chloe Pisanelli ’25, Faith Crislip ’25, Abigail Zbiegien ’25, Alta Taseff ’26, Annie Muzychak ’26, and Natalie Drexler ’27 Makenna Mincey ’24 completed a historic season for the Blue Streaks in diving as she finished as the State Runner-Up. She also set a new school record earlier in the year for six dives with a score of 285.75.

INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Magnificat Indoor Track & Field qualified 10 student athletes to the OATCCC State Indoor Track & Field Meet: Emily Allman ’24, Allison Eppich ’24, Madison Miller ’24, Mariella Mayer ’24, Allison Sanchez ’25, Megan Martin ’26, Jesse Vargo ’26, Mikaela Davala ’26, Brooklyn Ramos-Kelly ’24, and Grace Kuchta ’26. Madison Miller ’24 finished as the State Runner-Up in high jump with a leap of 5’ 3”.

SOFTBALL

This season softball started with a trip to Daytona, Florida, for some sunshine state ball and team bonding. Blue Streaks finished the season with a 15-9 record and won the sectional championship for the first time since 2008.

WRESTLING

LACROSSE

CREW

Rowing showed a lot of growth this spring season with a roster of 34 athletes, competing in three regattas including Huron River Sprints in Michigan, John Bennett Regatta in New York, and Midwest Championships in Michigan.

Lacrosse finished its regular season 15-9, with a 20-4 win over rival Saint Joseph Academy. Grace Quinn ’26 celebrated scoring 100 goals as a Blue Streak. The team made a strong playoff run, ending as Sectional Champions!

Mallory Zadel ’25 wrestles for the Avon Lake girls wrestling. She won the Sectional Championship to advance to the District Tournament, where she placed 4th and clinched her spot in the State Tournament. Congratulations on a successful season!

COLLEGE ATHLETIC COMMITMENTS

Congratulations to our six senior athletes who will be taking their talents to the collegiate level, in addition to the five already featured in the winter issue!

and Wales University, Lacrosse; Kristina Fedorova ’24 , University of Rochester, Field Hockey; Caitlin Martin ’24 , College of Wooster, Soccer; Lauren Roof

TRACK & FIELD

The 2024 pole vault relay consisting of Emily Allman ’24, Allison Eppich ’24 , and Briana Papushak ’24 broke the school record with a combined score of 30’6”. Two Blue Streaks competed at the State Meet in Dayton, Ohio. Mikaela Davala ’26 finished 17th in the 400 meter dash with a time of 59.08 and was named an Academic All Ohio Award Recipient. Madison Miller ’24 finished 9th in high jump with a height of 5'4'' and is in the Ohio Top 50 High Jump rankings.

NEW FLAG FOOTBALL CLUB SPORT

After much success from the inaugural powderpuff football game, students were inspired to form their own Blue Streak Club Flag Football team. Their first season was one for the books! The league was sponsored by the Cleveland Browns, which provided all the equipment needed and jerseys. The team competed against 28 schools in the playoffs, winning its first game and losing the second. What a great new opportunity for girls to get involved!

Pictured left to right: Katie Maryo ’24 , Westminster College, Basketball; Emma Cantu ’24 , Johnson

’24 , John Carroll University, Golf; Ella Baird ’24 , Ohio Northern University, Golf.

Performing and Visual Arts

In April, the singers and musicians of the Magnificat Chorale and the Magnifi-pops took to the PAC stage for their Spring Concert, Somebody to Love. They perfected their technique and musicianship all semester, and their passion shined through on the stage!

The Nominations are IN!

Congratulations to the Performing Arts Department for garnering eight Dazzle Awards nominations—and three wins—for the fall production of The Addams Family:

Best Actress - Nora Stipanovich ’24

Best Actor - Colin Willett

Best Technical Execution

Best Costume Design

Best Ensemble/Chorus*

Best Choreography Execution*

Best Supporting Actor - Charlie Pinter*

Best Musical (Tier 2)

*Indicates category won

Each year the Cleveland Institute of Art hosts the Scholastic Art & Writing Competition that recognizes creative achievement. Congratulations to all of our award winning artists!

Gold Keys:

Emma Cantu ’24 - Fashion

Sara Kerwin ’24 - Photography

Sarah Molseed ’24 - Photography

Teagan Quinn ’25 - Jewelry

Nynaa Sabharwal ’24 - Photography (3)

Silver Keys:

Nynaa Sabharwal ’24 - Poetry

McKenna Purtilo ’24 - Jewelry

Honorable Mentions:

Lily Incze ’25 - Jewelry

Luqing Li ’24 - Architecture & Industrial Design

Finley McNamee ’24 - Drawing & Illustration

Sarah Molseed ’24 - Photography (2)

Lauren Prusak ’24 - Fashion

Dottie Sayles ’24 - Photography

Lacey White ’24 - Mixed Media

Following its 11 National Title performances at the Contest of Champions in Orlando, Florida, the Magnificat Dance Team held its annual spring concert in May presenting this year's theme: Legacy. The night was filled with passion and tradition as the Junior Varsity and Varsity dancers combined for a 56-number performance. The audience was captivated by an amazing evening!

FAM Network

The FAM Network celebrated the Class of 2024 with two fun events for seniors and their families. The Father Figure-Daughter Game Night was held on Feb. 22 at the Main Event with a Barbie theme, lots of games, and friendly competition. The annual Mother Figure-Daughter Luncheon was held on March 10 at The Aviator with a prayer service and an elegant meal. Thank you to the volunteers who made these events possible!

Welcome!

Colleen Carr ’14 has returned to Magnificat to serve as the Associate Director of Family and Community Engagement. In this role, she will be the school liaison to the FAM Network and work closely with parent/guardian volunteers on special events like Night in Blue and Holly Market.

“As an alumna, I bring fond memories and a deep understanding and appreciation of Magnificat's Mission,” she said. “ With a background in fundraising and events at Holy Trinity High School and Saint Ignatius High School, I am excited to contribute to the growth and success of events at my alma mater.”

The 35th Annual Magnificat Gala Light the Way

The Magnificat Gala: Light the Way was held in March in support of Magnificat tuition assistance. Two esteemed members of our community were honored for their dedication to Magnificat over the years: The Nock Family, The Magnificat Award; and Christine Noga Booth, MD ’88, The Alumnae Award of Excellence. This year more than $435,000 was raised from the live auction, paddle raise, and silent auction. Thank you to everyone who supported this night of giving and celebration! We are overwhelmed by the generosity of the Magnificat community and grateful for your continued support.

Be sure to mark your calendars for March 15, 2025 and plan to join us for the 36th Annual Magnificat Gala: Champagne and Shamrocks!

The Magnificat Award recipients, the Nock Family, with President Moira Clark ’77 and Board Chairperson Laura Nortz.

The Alumnae Award of Excellence recipient Christine Noga Booth, MD ’88, right, with President Moira Clark ’77

Carrie Del Regno, Lara Ross, and Sheila Cavolo.

Sr. Mary Ann Spangler, HM, Sr. Anne Solma, HM, Sr. Carol Anne Smith, HM ’66L , and Sr. Jeanne Thurin, HM

Kristen Latkovic Wallace ’95, Wayne Wallace, Jen Coughlin Kennedy ’95, and Stacey Archer Smith ’95.

Guests raising their bid numbers during the live auction portion of the evening.

Jeremy Allen, Patty Gruzowski Allen ’06, Kathleen Guzowski Prumo ’06, and Corey Prumo.

Aundria Hawkins, Gretchen Nock, Board Member Shameka Jones Taylor, and Lennon Taylor.

Patrick Britton, Vice President of Mission Katie Higgins ’99, Chris Fridrich Higgins ’74, and Ralph Higgins.

We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s

ALUMNAE PROFILES

By Director of Alumnae Relations Caitlin MacBride Berg '10

Helen Kuhn Pigage, DA ’63 PROFESSOR OF BIOLOGY

Reflecting on her time at Magnificat, Helen Kuhn Pigage, DA ’63 fondly recalls her favorite classes in biology and chemistry—subjects that would later shape her academic and professional pursuits. Yet, it wasn't just the curriculum that left a lasting impact.

Co-curricular activities including Library Club and Stage Crew for the Dramatics Club helped her to step outside her comfort zone, develop invaluable organizational skills, and meet new friends. She named a long list of teachers who influenced her: Sister M. de Porres, Sister Bonaventure, Sister Mary Rachel, Sister Gilmary (Rosemary Kramer), Sister Rebecca (Margaret Daniels), Miss Seidel, and many more. She credits their dedication and guidance for laying the foundation of her academic success, reinforcing the importance of kindness in all pursuits, and cultivating a lifelong love of learning.

After graduation, Pigage joined the Humility of Mary community and was sent to study biology at Notre Dame College. She embarked on a fulfilling career in education. After teaching for four years in Canton, Ohio, she left the HM community and earned a master’s degree in microbiology from The Ohio State University and a Doctor of Arts at the University of North Dakota, where she met her husband, Jon. She retired after more than three decades of research and teaching at Elmhurst University, the United States Air Force Academy, and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Pigage's passion for learning and mentoring students remains undiminished in her retirement. Whether teaching classes at UCCS, serving as a proclaimer at her church, curating the Biology Museum of Natural History at UCCS founded by her late husband, or volunteering as a reading tutor or in UCCS research labs, she continues to make a difference in her community and serve as an inspiration to others.

Decades of research have taught Pigage that we know very little about the environment around us. “We humans share many, many genes with fruit flies and legions of other organisms,” she said. “We are all interconnected.”

In supporting the Magnificat Fund each year, Pigage pays tribute to her parents and teachers who played pivotal roles in shaping her life's journey. By giving back, she ensures that future generations of young women have the same opportunities for growth, learning, and success.

“My parents sacrificed a lot to send my sister, Anne Kuhn Gartner ’64 , and me to Magnificat. They paid for tuition and shoes, but my sister and I had to earn money to buy our uniforms by mowing lawns, babysitting, and shoveling snow. At the time, the uniforms cost $45 for two wool A-line skirts, a blazer, and a beanie,” she said. “Now it’s time to support other students so they have similar opportunities in the future.”

Joelle Thomas ’06 DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS

With a career spanning continents, Joelle Thomas ’06 has become a leader in the realm of sustainability solutions. Currently the Director of Corporate Strategy at ENGIE Impact, Thomas and her career path are a testament to passion, perseverance, and the power of embracing change.

After graduating from Magnificat, Thomas pursued her passion for international relations at Georgetown University. Initially aspiring to become a diplomat, her academic journey took a turn when she discovered her fascination with international development. This newfound interest led her to earn her Bachelor of Science in foreign service with an emphasis on science, technology, and international affairs. She went on to join Chemonics International in the Middle East, eventually having the chance to work on the USAID-funded “Power Africa Project,” an effort to provide more access to power throughout the continent.

Her thirst for knowledge and commitment to driving change propelled her to pursue a master’s degree in energy policy at Harvard Kennedy School. During her graduate program, she interned at the International Energy Agency in Paris and later joined McKinsey & Company in Dubai and then Amsterdam.

“As a student, I attended the conference for The Paris Agreement,” she said. “After witnessing that, I knew I wanted to work with governments on energy policy.”

Her journey eventually led her to ENGIE, a French energy giant at the forefront of renewable energy innovation. There, she found her calling as director of sustainability solutions, where she helped to create ENGIE Impact— a platform dedicated to partnering with large energy consumers to reduce their carbon footprint. Most recently, she has moved to the corporate strategy team at ENGIE.

Thomas credits her years at Magnificat for instilling in her the values of leadership, collaboration, and

intellectual curiosity. Engaging in extracurricular activities like theater, speech, and debate and student exchange programs broadened her horizons and nurtured her into a well-rounded individual—a foundation that continues to shape her approach to life and career.

“Sustainability is still so new to a lot of businesses, which means that there aren't a lot of senior experts in the field,” she said. “It’s exciting to be a part of a team of younger people who are respected for our opinions and insight. I think my time at Magnificat helped me to be well spoken, proactive, and comfortable presenting my ideas.”

Thomas currently resides in Paris, France, with her husband, Emmanuel. She finds solace in her love for theater, her adventures in travel, and her commitment to living a sustainable lifestyle.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

Dana Vazquez ’ 14

Daenera (Dana) Vazquez ’14’s path towards sustainability and business started during her days at Magnificat. Inspired by the annual Fair Trade Sale and initiatives focused around fair trade culture and sustainable businesses, she was always passionate about supporting businesses and people through their mindful products.

After graduating from Magnificat, Vazquez began her academic journey at Emory University with a clear goal in mind: to pursue an MBA. However, she soon realized that her interests lay beyond the confines of traditional business studies. Instead, she found herself drawn to interdisciplinary studies and the freedom to craft her own major, combining environmental science, business, and philosophy, with a minor in sociology. This unique blend of disciplines laid the foundation for her future endeavors in sustainability and business.

During her undergraduate studies, she wrote an extensive 80-page thesis document delving into Disney's sustainability efforts, recognizing them as pioneers in the corporate world. Because of this, she was fortunate to join Disney's environmental team as an undergraduate associate, where she focused on animal conservation.

Several years later, it was time for Vazquez to continue her pursuit of receiving her MBA, but now with a deeper understanding of the intricacies of sustainability. In May, she graduated from Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business, concentrating on energy and entrepreneurship. She is currently working at Cisco on the company’s Sustainability Strategy team.

Her dedication to sustainability has also led her to co-found a clean tech startup, Coflux Purification, which focuses on water remediation. The company is researching technology to break down polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water to reduce harmful chemicals.

Reflecting on her path to her current career, Vazquez acknowledges the challenges she faced in pursuing a less conventional path.

“When you are pursuing something so new, people will tell you to take the more practical route,” she said. “I’ll admit that I was stubborn, but I was also so passionate, which is why I stuck with sustainability. Even when challenges have come up, I stayed committed and pushed forward. It’s been a good lesson in resilience.”

Vazquez attributes much of her success to her formative years at Magnificat. As the president of the Business Club, she gained invaluable exposure to the world of business, laying the groundwork for her future career. She fondly remembers initiatives led by her peers and teachers, fostering a culture of sustainability and social responsibility.

“It’s really important to know that living sustainably is for everyone, not just people going into it as a career,” she said. “You can be a part of the fight for a better world by being vocal and being interested. It makes more of a difference than you think.”

Vazquez loves to travel and has been to over a dozen countries; with each trip she seeks out an experience focused on sustainability. Most recently, she met with a coffee farmer in Guatemala and visited a compost farm in Vietnam. She currently lives in Houston, Texas, and stays involved with Magnificat through her participation on the DEI Advisory Committee.

Megan Leitch Townsend ’00 ADVANCEMENT

It’s not easy to switch careers, but Megan Leitch Townsend ’00 credits her Magnificat roots in helping her make a rewarding change from corporate consulting to educational advancement.

“Magnificat gave me the confidence to be a leader and have my own voice,” she said. “The school inspired me to find my passions and leverage them to pursue a career that challenges me and helps others.”

After graduating from Villanova University with a communications major, Townsend earned a Master of Business Administration from Temple University and worked at two communications firms before joining PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2010. Over the years at PwC, she worked her way up the ladder to the position of Director of Consulting Solutions, Strategic Initiatives,

honing her problem-solving skills and developing a commitment to lifelong learning and helping others.

As her family grew, however, Townsend faced the challenge of balancing a demanding career with her role as a mother. Inspired by her own mother, Janet Duffy Leitch ’68 , who worked at her elementary school, she decided to transition to the field of education. She joined The Philadelphia School, a preschool through 8th Grade independent school, and oversees marketing, communications, development, and parent and alumni relations as the Director of Advancement.

Each day, Townsend is guided by the TPS mission “to educate children for a future that is impossible to know but not impossible to shape.” She believes that it is critical to equip students with the right skills so when they move on from TPS, they are empowered to explore their interests and strengths, seek mentorship and support, cultivate resilience, advocate for themselves, and learn to embrace change. She enjoys spending her days telling stories about what the students, teachers, and staff are doing every day at school to make the world a better place. She also loves connecting with parents, alumni, and the broader community on ways to partner and grow the school.

Embracing this new chapter in her career, Townsend takes inspiration from her aunt, Karen Duffy Morley ’78, who is retiring from Magnificat after nearly 18 years as an educator (see page 20). She deeply appreciates her family's commitment to education—acknowledging the significant impact it has had on her life and career.

“I didn’t know it at the time, but not only was I building academic skills at Magnificat, I was growing my socialemotional acumen and spirituality,” she said. “I also appreciated the value of a single-sex education as it allowed me, during the formative years, to really find a way to be myself.”

Alumnae Empowerment Fair

As part of Women's Empowerment Week, 37 alumnae from a wide variety of professions came back to Magnificat to speak with current students about their careers. Thank you to all who gave back to their alma mater in this way to nurture the next generation of Blue Streaks making a difference in the world!

Claire Coyne McCoy ’15, Krissy Fergus Kerns ’05, Kathleen Wazevich ’13, and Sarah Malenich ’98.

Sarah Stamper Beirne ’99, Nora French ’97, and Beth Waitkus Ehrbar 88.

U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer Victoria Meyer ’15

Cleveland Rivals Unite Happy Hour

Blue Streaks, Bags, and Bingo

Above: Alumnae from Magnificat, Saint Joseph Academy, and Beaumont gathered at Masthead Brewing for the Cleveland Rivals Unite Happy Hour in May. From left to right: Leah Proctor ’18, Sarah Fox ’13, Madeline Weber 13, and Colleen Carr ’14 . | Maureen Adler, SJA 79, Libby Khuri, Beaumont ’92, and Bridget MacMillan ’83. | Maddie Frantz ’15, Sydney Jablonski ’15, Kathleen Egan, Beaumont ’17, and Breanne Koelliker ’15.

Britt Saffell, Jill Moran, Michelle Springer, Meg Agoston, Cheri Kocmit, Holly Davidson, Melissa Bibbo, Kara McConnell

(top) Nikki Clevenger Mohar 89, Susanne Lavelle Burke ’89, Tracy Gable Patton ’89, Nicole Rini Fenix ’89, Erin O'Toole Pagano ’89, Tracey Fien Hartley ’89; (bottom) Jennifer Eisel Puckett ’89, Theresa Rini Simms ’89

Chrissie Thomas, Kate Foxx Middaugh ’98, Kelly Compiseno Lamirand ’94, Tammy Vehar Ardire ’95, Meredith Lahl Foxx ’95

CJ Field, Christine Vacha ’05, Fallon Radigan 01

Izzy Kiger Arbuckle ’09, Megan Fitzgerald Leonard ’11, Melanie Murray ’05

Smith Snack Shack Now Open

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of the Smith Snack Shack took place on May 6, with the generous donors who made this project possible in attendance. President Moira Clark ’77 extended special thanks to the Smith Family for their lead gift to the facility, which is located next to Karnatz Family Field. The building features a large concession stand and two bathrooms. Hungry Blue Streaks and their fans can enjoy snacks and beverages with tables and chairs on the adjacent Shannon Family Patio. Students athletes, visiting teams, summer campers, and their families will enjoy the Smith Snack Shack for many years to come!

Join us in our exciting endeavor! Magnificat is raising funds to introduce HoloAnatomy augmented/virtual reality technology into our science classes. This exciting initiative will revolutionize anatomy education, providing invaluable preparation for students aspiring to enter the medical field. To learn more, please contact Vice President of Advancement Deborah Durbin ’81 at 440-331-7227 or ddurbin@maghs.org.

A New Way to Make an Impact

By Maggie Mroz Lamb ’84

Mary K. Sheehan Hall ’64 was a student leader at Magnificat and participated in numerous co-curricular activities. While she is grateful for teachers who maintained rigorous standards and taught her to think critically, it was prayer and community service with the Sodality Club and guidance from the club moderator, Sister Dolores Lucas (Mary Joseph), that had the most profound impact on her. Time spent volunteering with the club gave her an entree to the power and importance of community service, and she never looked back. To this day, she still carries a prayer card given to her by Sister Dolores.

Internships with social service organizations while studying at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio, led Hall to volunteer work in Appalachia after graduating with a degree in social work. The poverty she witnessed in Appalachia forever changed her view of the world and her role within it, motivating her to pursue master’s degrees in social work and psychology at Case Western Reserve University.

Graduate school internships with court-involved teens served as her gateway to a 34-year career dedicated to helping disenfranchised children and adolescents and their families. She also served as a volunteer leader with the West Side Catholic Center, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries Youth Re-entry Program, and the Y Domestic Violence Outreach Program.

Hall's own experiences as a student and mother of two graduates (Megan Houser ’95 and Bridget Dixon ’97) and her extensive work with teenage girls have shaped her belief that even seemingly confident students sometimes feel invisible and vulnerable. With this in mind and in gratitude for the education and opportunities she and her daughters received, she chooses to give back.

“Magnificat serves as a beacon of hope at a time when we are all being enveloped in divisiveness, fear, and anger,” Hall said. “Magnificat embraces and

celebrates diversity of all kinds, and guided by its Mission, works to ensure that no student is ‘invisible.’”

Now, as she faces the requirement to make Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from her retirement accounts, Hall's financial advisor suggested she use Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) to support causes dear to her heart. Through a QCD, individuals aged 70 ½ or older can transfer up to $100,000 from their traditional IRA directly to a qualified charity, such as Magnificat, reducing tax obligations while contributing to meaningful causes.

Hall’s story embodies the transformative power of education, community service, and lifelong dedication to helping others. Through her ongoing commitment to philanthropy, she continues to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need, echoing the values instilled in her during her time at Magnificat.

Bequests offer a simple yet impactful way to establish your philanthropic legacy. With just a sentence or two, you can make a gift from your estate to ensure that Magnificat will continue to educate young women holistically in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat for generations to come. If you have questions, or if you have already included Magnificat in your estate plan and have not been recognized as a member of the Sister Bernadette Vetter Legacy Society, please contact Maggie Mroz Lamb ’84 at mlamb@maghs.org or 440-331-1572, ext. 268.

September 20

6-9 P.M. September 20-22, 2024

September 21

Homecoming Athletics

September 21 All Day

Reunion Celebration

6-10 P.M.

& to buy tickets! Athletic Hall of Fame

Mass

September 22 10-11 A.M. Saint Christopher Church

All alumnae are invited to celebrate the classes of 4s and 9s All Alumnae Brunch

September 22 11 A.M.-1:30 P.M. Cleveland Yachting Club Main Clubhouse

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Director of Alumnae Relations Caitlin MacBride Berg '10 at cberg@maghs.org.

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY

Friday, September 20, 2024

6-9 p.m. at Magnificat

Magnificat Center for the Performing Arts

$40 per person

$20 Magnificat student ticket

The biennial Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, to kick off the 2024 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend. Join us as we recognize and celebrate the Magnificat Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024 Inductees:

Jessica Androsik ’16

Sr. Mary Pat Cook, HM

Rachel Hlatky Gabos ’12

Joe Gura

Sr. Carolyn Marshall, HM

Anna Roggenburk ’19

Kati Kratus Small ’97

Emily Turza ’02

Brianne Kenneally Huber ’97

Liz Wojtkun ’02 Gymnastics

The Magnificat Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 2010 to celebrate the accomplishments of athletes and coaches who demonstrated the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and moral character as athletes and continue to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat.

CLASS NOTES

Lourdes Corner

1

Kathy O'Connor Huck ’68L and Kathy Shea McCoy ’68L, have been friends since they met at Lourdes during their freshman year. Kathy Huck attended the wedding of her godson, who is Kathy McCoy’s son, in December 2023 .

1997

Natalie Hostacky Stevens was recently recognized by Ohio Super Lawyers (Super Lawyer - Employment Litigation: Defense), Best Lawyers in America (Best Lawyer - Employment Law: Management), and Crain's Cleveland (Notable Women in Law).

2013

2

Katie Ryan Craig married Alex Craig on April 20, 2024 at The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist with a reception at The Old Courthouse. Bridesmaids included alumnae Megan Ryan Geib ’15, Maddy Connaughton Laskey ’13, and Madeline Comer Weber ’13.

Pictured: Maddy Connaughton Laskey ’13, Meghan O’Neill ’13, Sarah Fox ’13, Krissy Fox ’13, Katie Ryan Craig ’13, Megan Cook ’13, Colleen Hyland ’13, Alexis Setta Dugan ’13, Kathleen Wazevich ’13, and Madeline Comer Weber ’13.

2014

3 4

Janie Walborn Komertz and her husband, Michael, welcomed Charlotte Mae Komertz in May.

Grace Vinesky Harrington and husband, Christopher, welcomed their first child, Callahan, in March.

2

3

Kendal Castele attended the University of Vermont, where she studied early childhood education. For the last two years, she has been teaching 3rd Grade in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. A group of alumnae went to visit her in March!

Emma Trefney Coleman’s recent wedding included bridesmaid Christiana McCarthy ’15

There are over 13 alumnae on the staff at Urban Community School, and three UCS students are heading to Magnificat in the fall!

IN MEMORIAM

Please join us in for the families of our students and alumnae. prayer

JULIO C. AIRALDI

Father of Maria Airaldi Bozak '85, Helen Airaldi Smith '86, and Raquel Airaldi '89; Grandfather of Kate Adler ‘13 and Kelly Adler '15

R. CRAIG ANDREWS

Father of Margaret Andrews Walsh '85, Katherine Andrews Farrell '88, and Anne Andrews Johnson '96; Grandfather of Celia Andrews '19 and Maggie Andrews '21

COL. REGINA PINION AUNE '62

HELENE HILLENBRAND BARTLETT '62

Sister of Carol Hillenbrand Dancik '60†

ALLAN FRANCIS BENNETT

Father of Barbara Jean Bennett Corcoran '74 and Carol Ann Bennett '76; Father-in-law of Kathleen Marie Wirtz Bennett '72; Grandfather of Laura Ann Bennett Shiner '01, Katelyn Elizabeth Bennett Lynch '02, Megan Eileen Bennett Matyas '04, Colleen Marie Bennett Krawczak '06 and Jordan Kathleen Bennett '12.

PATRICIA FISHER BINDER '65

Sister of Barbara Fisher Moir '61† and Marcia Fisher Hess '68; Aunt of Mary Lynne Fisher Haddon '74, Michelle Moir Luptak '82, and Jennifer Hess '99

EILEEN M. RILEY BRADY

Mother of Bridget Brady Martin '98 and Kathleen Brady Griffith '05

GRACE C. CALIGUIRE '57L

Mother of Moira Caliguire '82

VERONICA F. “VERA” CASEY

Mother of Kathleen Casey Proctor '89; Grandmother of Leah Proctor '18 and Molly Proctor '22

EILEEN T. CLANCY

Mother of Mary Jo Clancy Englehart '73

JOHN PAUL CONWAY

Father of Julia Conway Calhoun '83; Brotherin-law of Kathleen Heintel Knittel '64 and Marian Heintel '69; Uncle of Ann Heintel '87 and Angela Heintel '19

ANN G. COVELL

Mother of Mary Covell Rhoades '75, Barbara Covell '76, and Jane Covell Cervenak '78

LAURENE A. GUZOWSKI DALEY '61L

Grandmother of Kate Daley '22

JACQUELYN KAY “JACKIE” DELANEY

Mother of Sue Delaney ’82 and Julie Delaney Gould ’83; Aunt of Annie Delaney Lavelle '85

Great Aunt of Evie Lavelle '16 and Kay Lavelle '21

AGNES G. DOELL '59

GERARD J. "GERRY" FANTA

Son of Clare Magyar Fanta '49L; Brother of Mary Clare Fanta Oberst '75, Pattie Fanta '77, and Therese Fanta '88; Uncle of Emily Louis Kot '03 and Megan Louis Koons '05

PATRICK MARTIN “PAT” FLANAGAN

Husband of Betsy Doheny Flanagan '71; Father of Erin Flanagan Webber ’89; Grandfather of Bridget Webber ’25; Brother-in-law of Jean Doheny '69, Anne Doheny Krueger '70, Susan Doheny '73, Molly Doheny Dalton '76, and Margaret Doheny Halloran '77; Uncle of Molly Krueger '95 and Elizabeth Krueger Sanders '00

ROSE ANN WILLIAMSON FRINDT '58L

TRACY GALVIN

Mother of Fiona Galvin '24

MARGARET “PEGGY” ADAMS GARST '71

Daughter of Mary Heywood Adams '41L†; Sister of Mary Catherine Adams Distler '67, Terry Adams '72†, Clare Adams Blake '73, Anne Adams Messer '76, Catherine Adams '79, Joan Adams Mason '80; Sister-in-law of Deborah Hirka Adams '70; Aunt of Kathryn Blake Tegeder '06, Sarah Blake '07, Megan Blake '09, Mary Catherine Mason '10, Abigail Mason '13, and Madeline Mason '13

JULIE SIMS GIBBONS '80

Magnificat Leadership Team Member; Mother of Meegan Gibbons Matthews '08 and Kali Gibbons Fisher '09; Grandmother of Future Blue Streak Marley Fisher '37; Sister of Michele Sims Ahern '85; Sister-in-law of Jenny Hayes Sims '89; Aunt of Ann Ahern McGee '11, Kaitlin Sims Buffington '11, Katie Ahern '13, Maggie Ahern '14, Allie Sims '15, Hannah Sims '15, Molly Sims '19, and Emily Sims '23; Niece of Lenore Holmes Sims '62; Cousin of Susan Coone Mahalic '75, Roberta Coone Cannon '77, Colleen Hauer '77, Patti Coone '79, Laura Hauer Brabenec '79, Kathleen Hauer Capri '91, Kelly Archer Giera '91, Stacey Archer Smith '95, Lauren Sims '97, and Lauren Markham '05

CHARLES GUNN

Husband of Eileen Kolesar Gunn '60

JAMES HELBLING

Husband of Debbie Cherry '73†; Brother-in-law of Patricia Cherry '77†

JOYCE NOREEN SMITH HOENIG '60

GERALDINE TROPE JOECKEN '61

TERRENCE M. JORDAN

Brother of Brenda Jordan '87

JOAN M. KILBANE

Mother of Marie Kilbane Seckers '85 and Kathleen Kilbane '90

SR. KATHLEEN KING, HM

EILEEN DILLEMUTH KLEES '71

Sister of Julie Dillemuth McAulay '72; Sisterin-law of Deborah Schilens Dillemuth '75; Aunt of Tara Dillemuth Pilcher '02

THOMAS ROGER KNITTEL

Husband of Kathleen Heintel Knittel '64; Father of Susan Knittel Shim '93; Grandfather of Chloe Knittel '25 and Lillian Shim '26; Brother of Patricia Knittel Cost '70; Brotherin-law of Marian Heintel '69; Uncle of Julia Conway Calhoun '83, Ann Heintel '87, and Angela Heintel '19

CHRISTINE MARIE NOLAN KONYS '67

THOMAS R. JEWETT

Husband of Marynell Stroh Jewett '61

ZITA MCSHANE LEFEVRE '57L

Mother of Laura McShane '81, Kathleen McShane Bolton '82, Maureen McShane '85 and Tess McShane Raup '87

BETTY JANE "BEE JAY" MCGREAL

Mother of Heather McGreal Carey '91; Aunt of Colleen Hannon Galla '91 and Maura Hannon English '99; Great Aunt of Catherine Galla '21

RUTH MERRIMAN

Mother of Kelly Merriman Mills ’80† ; Grandmother of Kerry Merriman ’97 and Kate Mills Lincho '08; Mother-in-law of Lynn Tracy Merriman ’73

MARY HOBAN MURPHY '57L

HERB J. PAULY

Father of staff members Herb & Bridget Pauly

Remembering

Col. Regina Pinion Aune, PhD ’62

Dec. 27, 1944 - March 27, 2024

Col. Regina Pinion Aune PhD, ’62 , who spoke at Magnificat last year (pictured), was interned with Full Military Honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. Aune's remarkable military career included heroic service in Operation Babylift, the rescue of children from besieged South Vietnam in 1975. She attended nursing school at St. John's College, earned a master's degree from UC San Francisco, and earned a doctorate from the University of Utah. She documented her experiences in the book Operation Babylift: Mission Accomplished, which was featured on Today.

MARY “JOY” STEINMETZ PYLE '60

GEORGE F. QUINN, JR.

Father of Jacque Quinn Owens '85; Grandfather of Shannon Walton '13 and Teagan Quinn '25

EDWARD A. RAIMER

Husband of M. Lynn Carey Raimer '64; Brotherin-Law of M. Sheila Carey Reich '60†, Mary Jo Carey Groflo '66, M. Elizabeth (Liz) Carey '69†, M. Melissa Carey Zettelmeyer '70, and M. Therese Carey '74

MARY SHEILA CAREY REICH '60

Sister of M. Lynn Carey Raimer '64, Mary Jo Carey Groflo '66, M. Elizabeth Carey '69†, M. Melissa Carey Zettelmeyer '70, and M. Therese Carey '74

RICHARD J. “GUS” SCHINDLER

Brother of Sister Elaine Schindler, HM '60L; Father of Meredith Schindler '88; Uncle of Therese Schindler Lord '95

JOHN J. SEBASTIAN

Husband of Sandra Barone Sebastian '64; grandfather of MacKenzie Meiners '19

JOAN CATHERINE SOTAK '59L

PAMELA MCCOY SPICER '64

Mother of Kerry Spicer Bebie '87 and Shane Spicer Fitzpatrick '96; Mother-in-law of Meegan Lally Spicer '86 and Lisa Pellman Spicer '90; Grandmother of Mary Bebie, Sara Spicer '17, Caty Spicer '20, Mairin Fitzpatrick '23, and Elizabeth Spicer '24

DAVID JOHN STANDRING

Son of Karen Stuart Ladyga '63; Nephew of Peggy Stuart Chisholm '64†

CHARLOTTE "SISTIE" STRINGER

STILLWELL '64

Sister of Charlene Stringer Byers '61, Jacqueline Stringer '67, and Mary Stringer '78; Aunt of Samantha Stringer '10 and Morgan Salama '12

MARY LOUISE ROSSIE WENTLING '56L

Mother of Donna Wentling Erml '85

JO ANN L. WEXLER

Mother of Darlene Wexler-Ford '73

MARIELLEN WISE

Mother of Alexandria Wise '88

JUDITH B. ZACHER/TOUSLEY '59

SISTER JANE PETRUNYAK HM

Former staff member

We have included all individuals for whom we received notification following the publication of the Winter 2024 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 Berg ’10 at cberg@maghs.org.

September 20-22, 2024