MAGNIFICAT M AG A Z I N E
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
COMMEMORATING THE CLASS OF 2021
Spring/Summer 2021 Issue Contributors Elizabeth Day Director of Communications Katie Higgins ’99 Vice President of Mission Nora Hudec ’12 Associate Director of Alumnae Relations Maggie Mroz Lamb ’84 Director of Development Mary Ellen Madden ’03 Assistant Director of Communications
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Leadership Team Moira Clark ’77 President Marilyn Arundel ’76 Dean of Faculty & Academics Julie Reines Dean of Student Life & Formation Kerry Bugala Capka ’88 Vice President of Operations Debbie Durbin ’81 Vice President of Advancement Julie Sims Gibbons ’80 Vice President of Enrollment & Marketing Board of Directors Colleen Moran O’Neil ’88, Chair Martin Berry Barbara Waitkus Billings ’86 Dr. Kathleen Buse Gabrielle Ata Christman ’99 Patrick Fogarty Daniel Geib Sr. Carole Anne Griswold, HM Beth Haas ’94 Linda Loesch Kelly ’77 Dara Ann Krueger ’87 Lisa Kunkle L. Joseph Lee William Murman Laura Nortz Margaret Jeffers Rowe ’87 Brian Sinchak Andrew Strada Sr. Barbara Wincik, H.M
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Table of Contents School News 2021 Baccalaureate & Commencement
2-7 8-10
Athletics 11-13 Performing Arts
14-15
HM History & Heritage
16-17
Advancement 18-21
Cover Photo: Lifetouch Design: Lori Scheid | DesignLBS
Alumnae Profiles: Genesis Mentors
22-25
This is a publication of Magnificat High School. Please contact Assistant Director of Communications Mary Ellen Madden at 440.331.1572 x253 or memadden@maghs.org with questions or comments.
Class Notes
26-27
In Memoriam
28-29
FROM THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD CHAIRPERSON
Dear Friends,
W
e hope this message finds you and your loved ones healthy and doing well. As we reflect on the 2020-2021 school year, we do so with compassion for the challenges that have deeply impacted so many among us and with gratitude for the efforts of the entire Magnificat community to make this school year possible.
Thanks to the perseverance of our students, the flexibility and commitment of our families, the hard work of our faculty and staff, and the generous support of so many, we were able to creatively work together to ensure that our students received the holistic academic, faith-formation, and co-curricular opportunities that are the hallmark of a Magnificat education. During a year characterized by isolation, our students were able to safely support and build community with one another—virtually and in person—in the classroom, on the field, and beyond. Thank you for the myriad ways that you made our hopes for Magnificat’s young women come to fruition amidst the challenges of this most unusual school year; we are deeply grateful. Last month, we celebrated the Class of 2021 with Magnificat’s 63rd annual Commencement and Baccalaureate Mass. This year’s graduates have brought so many gifts to the Magnificat community throughout the last four years, and we are tremendously proud of the faith-filled leadership that they are already bringing to the world. We wish them many blessings as they journey toward the next chapters of their lives as members of the esteemed alumnae community!
Moira Clark ’77 President
Throughout the summer, the Board of Directors and Leadership Team will be engaged in a strategic planning process to establish Magnificat’s objectives for the next five years. We have invited members of the community to contribute to the process by sharing their perspectives via electronic survey; if you have not yet received a survey, please let us know! Our goal is to develop a vision for the future that fully represents the many lived experiences of all members of our community. We look forward to sharing our plans with you when the process concludes this fall. We hope these summer months bring many opportunities for rejuvenation and reconnection for you and your loved ones. May the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat continue to bless and guide us as we look to the future with joyful hope!
Colleen Moran O’Neil ’88 Board Chairperson
Gratefully,
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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SCHOOL NEWS
Magnificat Recognized for Work to Further Gender Equity in Computer Science For the second year in a row, Magnificat received the AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award. Magnificat is one of 20 Ohio high schools and 1,119 schools nationwide that earned the award this year, which acknowledges schools’ work toward equal gender representation in the field of computer science. Currently, only 19 percent of AP Computer Science test-takers are women, and women make up only 20 percent of computer science professionals. While Magnificat has offered coding courses since 2015, the Computer Science & Innovation department was established in 2018 and has expanded to include nine unique course offerings, including three AP courses. Over the last three years, interest in these courses has increased significantly, and there will be more Magnificat students enrolled in STEM classes than ever before during the 2021-2022 school year. Department Chair Colleen Greller says, “We are proud of the growing computer science offerings we provide, and this award highlights Magnificat’s commitment to giving young women the knowledge, skills, and confidence to excel in the STEM fields as we work to close the gender gap.” A key element of Magnificat’s Computer Science & Innovation curriculum is partnerships with organizations like NASA, Hyland Software, and Motogo Cleveland, who offer students a multitude of experiential learning opportunities to accompany classroom learning. In her remarks regarding this year’s recipients, College Board chief of global policy and external relations Stefanie Sanford says, “Young women deserve an equal opportunity to become the next generation of entrepreneurs, engineers and tech leaders. Closing the gap in computer science education empowers young women to build the future they want.” As Magnificat works to build a future in which women are equally represented in computer science and innovation professions, immediate plans include the addition of a course on Blockchain cryptocurrency for the 2022-2023 school year.
Three Magnificat Students Qualify as National Merit Finalists This year, three Magnificat seniors, Maya Daw, Lana Haddad, and Megan Miller, qualified as National Merit Finalists. These students scored in the top one percent of test takers on the PSAT in their junior year, which qualified them as National Merit Semifinalists and allowed them to submit the National Merit Finalist application as seniors. Students are evaluated on academic achievement, extracurriculars and community service, and a personal essay, and less than one half of one percent of applicants are named National Merit Finalists. Congratulations, Maya, Lana, and Megan!
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MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING | SUMMER 2021
Three Students Earn Girl Scout Gold Award The Gold Award is the highest achievement within the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, with only 5.4 percent of eligible Girl Scouts earning the award each year. According to the Girl Scouts, “Gold Award Girl Scouts are the dreamers and the doers who take ‘make Paige King '21 (left) painted a mural at St. Joseph Catholic Parish in Strongsville. the world a better place’ to the next level. The Girl Scout Gold Award is the mark of the truly remarkable—proof that not only can she make a difference, assess relationships with social media, stress levels, and but that she already has.” This year, Magnificat is proud overall wellness. In March, she presented her findings and to have three Gold Award Girl Scouts whose creative and tips during Magnificat’s annual Health & Wellness Week thoughtful projects earned them this high honor—Paige King sponsored by the Wellness Club, which Lauren leads as Club ’21, Madelyn Low ’22, and Lauren Shearer ’22. President. “Through my Gold Award, I learned that if I am truly passionate about something, I will be willing to take risks Paige King has been a Girl Scout for 12 years. For her Gold to achieve my goals...I am so grateful that my Gold Award Award project, she painted a mural of a tree in the community experience has brought forth new challenges, opportunities, space at her home parish of St. Joseph Catholic Church and connections!” in Strongsville, Ohio. “The trunk represents God, a pillar of strength, guidance, and love. Like branches, the faithful extend to reach new territory and to make changes in our community. The new buds (the younger members of the community) continue the tree's story and life.” Reflecting back on her experience, Paige says, “Painting the mural was both an artistic and spiritual experience, which allowed me to dive deeper into the message I hoped to convey.” During her time at Magnificat, Paige was a member of Rowing Team and Student Council, and this fall she will attend the University of Dayton Honors Program to study pre-medicine. For Lauren Shearer’s Gold Award project, she researched the impact of social media on teenagers and developed a variety of mediums to help students within the Magnificat community develop healthy relationships with social media, reduce stress levels, and improve mental health and wellness. Under the mentorship of School Psychologist Megan Stroh Rutkowski ’98, Intervention Specialist Erin Hertvik, and Assistant Director of Enrollment Hannah Summerville-Miller, Lauren conducted a survey of Magnificat students to
Madelyn Low earned her Girl Scout Gold Award by establishing Magnificat’s Shakespeare Club in 2019. Focused on educating students on the language of Shakespeare, the club engages in a variety of activities including fencing and monologue workshops, attending local Shakespearean productions, participating in the English Speaking Union Shakespeare Monologue Competition, and acting out abridged versions of famous Shakespearean plays such as Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth. As the club continues to grow, Madelyn hopes to blend even more elements of theatre and literacy into the group’s ventures moving forward. Upon
Continued on page 4.
As part of Lauren Shearer's '22 (right) Gold Award project, she presented her findings on social media and mental health to Magnificat students. We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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SCHOOL NEWS
Students engage in a fencing lesson at a meeting of the Shakespeare Club, established by Madelyn Low '22 (right).
Anti-Racism Advisory Task Force Begins Work
As we continue our work toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Magnificat community, we are happy to share news from the recently-formed Anti-Racism Advisory Task Force. The Task Force is composed of alumnae, current and past parents, community members, and school faculty and staff members. Since February, it has met monthly to fulfill its charge to advance anti-racism efforts at Magnificat. The Task Force will work throughout the summer, seeking ways to advance anti-racism efforts at the school and make the school community more diverse and welcoming to all students and families. At the conclusion of its work, which we expect will take about one year, the Task Force will provide recommendations to the school leadership on anti-racism, equity, and inclusion strategies. There are six areas that the Task Force is focusing on: alumnae experience; parent/guardian engagement; professional development and anti-racism training; racial dialogues; recruitment and retention; and school policies and procedures.
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achieving the Girl Scout Gold Award, Madelyn said, “Being a leader means that you must think of the needs of all people and your organization, be creative and resourceful, and have as much fun as possible. But most importantly, it means that you must show strength, kindness, and confidence to accomplish your goals.” Along with serving as the leader of Shakespeare Club, Madelyn enjoys participating in Magnificat’s theatre productions, Show Choir, Outreach, Wellness Club, and Pro-Life Club. She plans to study English and Music at the college level. Congratulations to each of our 2020-2021 Gold Award Girl Scouts!
TASK FORCE MEMBERS INCLUDE Russmea (Russi) AbuZahrieh ’97
Peggy Kranyak ’71 (current parent)
Caitlin Blake ’06
Devon Lynch-Huggins Szep ’02 (employee)
Giovanna Bremke ’07 Sharon Byrnes ’84 Barbara Byrnes-Lenarcic ’69 Megan Cantrell ’99 Sandra Gay Chapman (community member) Emily Clark ’92 (employee) Phillis Fuller Clipps and Phillip Clipps (community members) Tanya Coughlin (current parent) Syma Dar, M.D. ’97 Anne Dayton, Ph.D ’91 Lisa Eland (current parent) Jessie Frank ’13 Maura Garven ’05 Micaela Gonzalez Kail ’02 Linn Grenert (employee)
Kathy Matthews (past parent) LeAnne Moore ’04 Jim Napier (community member) Maria Rose Reynolds ’05 Laila Smith (current parent) Maureen Stanton ’92 (current parent) Andrew Strada (past parent, Board member) Rachael Toth ’02 Megan Traum (current parent) Christine Vacha ’05 Dale Van Niel (employee) Daenera Vazquez ’14
MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING | SUMMER 2021
Magnificat Welcomes New Vice President of Advancement and Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion This spring, Magnificat welcomed a new Vice President of Advancement and Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. Deborah Durbin ’81 has returned to Magnificat as the school’s Vice President of Advancement, and she joins Magnificat most recently from the Prayers from Maria Childhood Cancer Foundation, where she served as Vice President of Development. During her tenure at the foundation, she helped to increase revenue by building the strategic major gifts and grants programs and helped to grow the many other fundraising programs there. “We are excited to welcome Debbie back to Magnificat,” said Magnificat President Moira Clark ’77. “Her expertise in growing fundraising programs and cultivating donors and corporate partners will be critical as the school moves into a new strategic planning phase and as we continue to expand the academic, athletic, co-curricular, and faith-formation opportunities available to Magnificat students.” As Vice President of Advancement at Magnificat, Durbin will be an active member of the Leadership Team and will lead the school’s major gifts program, annual appeal fundraising through The Magnificat Fund, and special events, such as the the annual Reunion and Gala. Prior to her work at Prayers from Maria, Durbin spent nearly 20 years in a number of development and marketing roles at the Cleveland Clinic. She led the Neurological Institute philanthropy program where she developed and executed a strategic plan to increase principal and major gifts. Earlier in her career, Durbin was in medical device sales, and she holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bowling Green State University. “I am thrilled to return to Magnificat," Durbin said. “Magnificat provided me with the foundation to be successful both personally and professionally. I look forward to advancing the strategic goals for the school so that many more young women have the tremendous opportunity for a Magnificat education.”
Janetta Hammock has joined Magnificat as the school’s Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), where she most recently served as Director of Diversity and Strategic Initiatives. “We are thrilled to welcome Janetta to Magnificat,” said Magnificat President Moira Clark ’77. “The breadth and depth of her expertise in developing diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and fostering inclusive communities will serve our students and our community well.” As Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Magnificat, Hammock will partner with the Leadership Team to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion across departments. She will lead the school’s Anti-Racism Advisory Task Force, lead the Equity and Inclusion Committee for faculty and staff; develop student leadership in matters related to diversity, equity, and inclusion; engage in the development and planning of an annual Equity Summit; use an equity lens to review and update school policies and procedures; and identify and engage strategic partners that will advance the school’s diversity, equity, and inclusion vision. Prior to her work at CWRU, Hammock served in a number of capacities at John Carroll University and in the Office of Government and Public Affairs at the American Council on Education. A certified diversity professional, Hammock earned master’s degrees in philosophy with an emphasis in diversity management from Cleveland State University and in cultural studies/African American history from Morgan State University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Michigan State University. “I am excited to join the Magnificat community and work with others in the critically important work of cultivating more inclusive and equitable learning and working environments," Hammock said. “Magnificat is committed to taking bold steps to bring about sustainable change that will positively impact students, staff, alumnae and local communities. I am grateful to be part of these efforts.”
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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SCHOOL NEWS
Big-Little Challenge Cup Competition Returns to Magnificat’s Backyard Since 2001, the Big-Little Challenge Cup Competition has been a “Day of Mirth” to celebrate school spirit through friendly inter-class competition to kick off the Nightin-Blue season each fall. Due to COVID-19 precautions, this year’s field day was postponed to May 21, and thus became a festive way to celebrate the end of the school year. Each year, seniors and sophomores join forces to make up the “Semore” Team and juniors and freshmen come together as the “Junfres”. Beginning with a dramatic opening ceremony that draws on themes from Greek mythology, once the Big-Little Challenge Cup flame is lit, teams rotate through six different games that take place on Karnatz Family Field and Coyne Courts. This year, once the Semores were announced as the winners of the day, students, faculty, and staff enjoyed lunch from three local food trucks. When asked what she thought of her first Big-Little experience, Cara Heisterkamp ’24 replied, “What can I say? From the food trucks to the wild competition, brightly colored tutus and sparkles, it was the ultimate high school experience that I will never forget. Thanks to everyone whose hard work, talent, and enthusiasm made it all possible!” For the senior class, this year’s competition was their final Magnificat event before Baccalaureate & Graduation which took place just three days later. When Big-Little was postponed in the fall, Maia Scharff ’21 and her fellow senior classmates were not sure whether they would get the chance to have one more Big-Little competition before graduating. On the day of the event, she said, “It was so nice to be able to have Big-Little despite everything that has been going on this school year. It was a great way to wrap up the end of my time at Magnificat with all of my friends!” It was a joyous occasion indeed, and will be a great final memory of a school year unlike any one before it.
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MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING | SUMMER 2021
National Honor Society Inducts New Members The Magnificat chapter of National Honor Society inducted 77 new members on March 24 in a ceremony that also recognized the 65 members who were inducted in 2020, whose ceremony could not be held due to the pandemic. The ceremony, which was held in the Performing Arts Center, was live streamed for family members. National Honor Society members are recognized for character, scholarship, leadership, and service.
New Members Inducted into World Language Honor Societies More than 100 students were inducted into Magnificat’s four World Language Honor Societies on March 30. Students who demonstrate achievement in world languages were inducted into the Arabic Language Honor Society, the Chinese Language Honor Society, Société Honoraire de Français, and the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica. The ceremony, which took place in the Performing Arts Center, was live streamed for family members to watch.
Twenty Inducted into National Art Honor Society Magnifat’s chapter of National Art Honor Society, which started in 2019, inducted 20 juniors and seniors on May 6 at a ceremony which took place in the LGI in conjunction with the annual Art Show and was live streamed for families to watch. National Art Honor Society recognizes achievement in art scholarship, character, and service.
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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SENIOR CELEBRATIONS AND GRADUATION
Celebrating the Class of 2021 L to R: Maya Daw, Phi Beta Kappa; Catherine Galla, Sister Mary Pat Cook, HM Leadership Award; Clare Chambers, Class Speaker; Lana Haddad, Nancy Powell Service Award; Shekinah Crawford, Sister Bernadette Vetter, HM Award.
I
t was a year unlike any other for the Class of 2021, navigating their senior year during a pandemic. With grace and resilience, the Class of 2021 was able to celebrate cherished Magnificat milestone events.
On April 24, the Class of 2021 and their guests cut loose at a “Purple Rain”-themed Prom, which was a nod to the seniors’ class color, purple, and the location, the Rainforest at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
For their outstanding performance during Night-In-Blue season, the seniors won the coveted Sentimental Sleepover and Film Festival, which was held on the evening of May 18. Glow-in-the dark frisbee games broke out on Karnatz Family Field, and seniors got to leave their mark on Magnificat with a mural in the Marian Commons. The highlight of the Sentimental Sleepover is always “Light up the night,” when the seniors go outside with sparklers and sing the Alma Mater. Blessed with beautiful weather on Monday, May 24, the members of the Class of 2021 were honored at Magnificat’s 63rd Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement. Graduates and four guests assembled on Karnatz Family Field to celebrate the seniors’ outstanding achievements and wish them well. During Baccalaureate Mass, the Class of 2021 received their fourth and final pendant, which serves as a reminder to the graduates of their call to live Mary’s Magnificat in the world. Class speaker Clare Chambers ’21 reminisced with her classmates about the last four years and expressed gratitude to the Magnificat faculty and staff. “Thank you for pushing us to become the best students that you knew we could be,” she said. “Thank you for empowering us to believe that we are able to be anything we want in life. And thank you for teaching us beyond the classroom and leaving us with life skills that will forever shape us.” Also during Commencement, Magnificat recognized the recipients of the school’s highest awards. Maya Daw ’21 was named Phi Beta Kappa. Catherine Galla ’21 received the Sister Mary Pat Cook, HM Leadership Award. Lana Haddad ’21 received the Nancy Powell Service Award. Shekinah Crawford ’21 received the Sister Bernadette Vetter, HM Award.
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MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING | SUMMER 2021
Clockwise from top: Graduates received their fourth pendant during the Baccalaureate Mass. President Moira Clark '77 addresses the Class of 2021 and their guests. Graduates and their guests assembled on Karnatz Family Field to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2021.
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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SENIOR CELEBRATIONS AND GRADUATION
+ 80%
Over 80 percent of the Class of 2021 received offers
+$21 million
totaling over $21 million in scholarships to a wide variety of colleges and universities.
The Class of 2021 will attend the following colleges and universities: Baldwin Wallace University Bellarmine University Bowling Green State UniversityMain Campus Canisius College Case Western Reserve University Central Michigan University Clemson University Cleveland State University College of Charleston College of the Holy Cross Cornell University Cuyahoga Community College Duquesne University Eastern Michigan University Fordham University Grove City College Indiana University-Bloomington
John Carroll University Kent State University Marquette University Mercyhurst University Miami University-Oxford Michigan State University Ohio University Ohio Northern University Pennsylvania State UniversityMain Campus Pennsylvania State UniversityPenn State Erie-The Behrend College Saint Louis University Savannah College of Art and Design Syracuse University The New School The Ohio State University-Main Campus The Ohio State University at Mansfield
The Ohio State University at Newark The University of Alabama The University of Findlay Tulane University of Louisiana University of Akron University of California-Irvine University of Cincinnati University of Dayton University of Kentucky University of Massachusetts-Amherst University of Miami University of Michigan University of Notre Dame University of South Carolina University of Wisconsin West Virginia University Xavier University
Members of the Class of 2021 wore their college gear and decorated their uniform skirts with the logos of the schools they plan to attend.
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MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING | SUMMER 2021
ATHLETICS
Student Spotlight: Kate Tenerowicz ’21
Kate Tenerowicz ’21, knew she wanted to attend a Catholic high school, and she knew that Magnificat’s gymnastics program was the right place for her. She credits her four years on the gymnastics team with teaching her lessons in leadership, friendship, and perseverance. Not even a broken back could keep Kate down. After a misdiagnosis led her to compete her entire sophomore season with two stress fractures in her lower back, she recovered and continued to compete, becoming a team captain her junior year and placing 5th on the beam at the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) State Tournament in her senior season. Ever the lifelong learner, Kate decided to try track and field her senior year and found success in long jump. “[Joining the track team] taught me the importance of trying new things and branching out to find new opportunities,” she said. In her first season representing Magnificat on the track and field team, she placed 6th in the District tournament. In addition to gymnastics and track, Kate was involved with the Business Club, Students in Medicine, and the Peace and Justice Club. Next year, she will attend Ohio University and pursue a degree in biochemistry with a pre-medicine track.
Bowling and Gymnastics Coaches Named Coach of the Year Magnificat Bowling Coach Bryon Tobin was named Coach of the Year by the Greater Cleveland Bowling League, and Assistant Gymnastics Coach Liz Wojtkun ’02 was named Assistant Coach of the Year by the Ohio High School Gymnastics Coaches Association. We are so grateful for the many ways they support and inspire our studentathletes!
Magnificat Welcomes New Soccer Coach Magnificat Athletics is pleased to introduce new soccer coach, Johnny Kimani. Coach Kimani comes with an extensive history of playing and coaching soccer, and he has spent the last ten years coaching girls’ varsity and premier club soccer. Coach Kimani holds a United States Soccer Federation “C” License. Born in Kenya, Coach Kimani has played soccer his entire life, including as a member of the U17 Kenya National Team from 2002-2005 and as a four-year varsity soccer player at Houghton College in Houghton, NY. Coach Kimani’s coaching career began in 2011 with the Ambassadors Soccer Club; he has also coached for the Ohio Premier Soccer Club, and his extensive coaching background includes coaching the Kenya U17 National Team. At the high school level, he coached at Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi, Kenya, and, most recently, he was the Head Girls Soccer Coach at Shaker Heights High School. We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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ATHLETICS
Season Recap Winter Sports Wrap-Up
FIELD HOCKEY (OMITTED FROM
THE FALL SPORTS WRAP-UP)
Finished 14-5 overall District Finalist
BASKETBALL Finished 14-7 overall OHSAA Sectional Champions
BOWLING Finished 8-3 overall 3rd Place, Brush Invitational 3rd Place, Bruin Classic 1st Place, Conference Position Round 1st Place, Conference Tournament 4th Place, OHSAA Sectional Tournament 12th Place, OHSAA District Tournament
INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD Post Season Results State Finale Meet 4x800 - Ella Kuhlman, Charlie Campbell, Mariella Mayer, Shia Vargo (9th place) 4x400 - Ella Kuhlman, Mariella Mayer, Shia Vargo, Maggie Karabatsos (13th place) 4x200 - Caitlin Martin, Maggie Karabatsos, Sara Karabatsos, Caroline Grace (17th place) Shot Put - Megan White (19th) Weight Throw - Megan White (16th) Emily Henthorn (19th)
GYMNASTICS Post Season Results 3rd Place, OHSAA Sectional Tournament 8th Place, OHSAA District OHSAA State Results 4th Place, Floor, Keira Leneghan 5th Place, Beam, Kate Tenerowicz 21st Place, Beam, Keira Leneghan 17th Place, All Around, Keira Leneghan
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MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING | SUMMER 2021
SWIMMING Finished 2-3 overall 14th Place OHSAA Division I District Meet Taylor Stockard ’22, OHSAA State Qualifier for 200 Individual Medley
Spring Sports Wrap-Up
ROWING Pairs boat of Allison Carroll & Genevieve Turner finished 6th in their semifinal heat at the US Rowing Scholastic Nationals.
LACROSSE Finished 15-6 overall OHSAA Division I Regional Semi-Finalist
OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD Post Season Results OHSAA Division I Regional Meet 4x800 - Ella Kuhlman, Charlotte Harter, Mariella Mayer, Shia Vargo (8th place) 100m dash - Gracie Palamara (5th place) Discus - Maggie Karabatsos (13th place)
SOFTBALL Finished 11-11 overall OHSAA Sectional Semi-Finalist
Congratulations to our Outstanding Senior Athlete Awardees! OHSAA Archie Griffin Sportsmanship Award Ellen O’Leary ’21 OHSAA Scholar Athlete Award Megan Miller ’21 Magnificat High School Sportsmanship Award Allison Carroll ’21 Magnificat High School Athlete of the Year Award Nora Kotnik ’21 We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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PERFORMING ARTS
Annual Spring Dance Concert Celebrates a Year of Accomplishment
The Magnificat Dance Team and Magnificat High School Dance Training Company returned to the stage in the Center for the Performing Arts for the annual Dance Concert.
In mid-May, Magnificat’s Dance Team and Dance Training Company took the stage for the annual spring dance concert to showcase the talent that earned the Dance Program yet another season of awards. The theme of the concert was Bloom—a reflection of the hopeful spirit of this year’s dancers who persevered through pandemic challenges to achieve national champion recognition on the competition circuit yet again. "When we started last June, the uncertainty of the season even happening amidst the pandemic was overwhelming," said Director of Dance Jill Haller. "We accomplished things that seemed impossible this year, regardless of the pandemic." At the conclusion of the season, the Dance Team had earned 19 individual and team awards and $20,000 in scholarships from four separate competitions this year—three that were virtual and one that was held in-person with COVID-19 regulations in place. Varsity Dance member Megan Walsh ’21 said, “This year’s dance concert was one of pure joy, artistry, community, love of dance, and the best way to end my senior year. To me it meant getting to dance with the girls who have become my second family and taking the stage—doing what I love most, at Magnificat, one last time.” For Dance Training Company member Shekinah Crawford ’21, the performance was “a time to celebrate all of our accomplishments over the year!” Bravo to all Magnificat dancers whose talent and hard work made this season such a success! The Dance Team and Dance Training Company performed 63 dances, and a number of them were choreographed by the students themselves
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MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING | SUMMER 2021
Cabaret Brings New Tradition to Performing Arts While measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 meant that Magnificat’s annual fall musical and spring play could not take place as planned, the challenge brought the advent of a new production to the Magnificat stage—the “Quarantine Cabaret”. Since members of the wider community are traditionally invited to be part of the cast and crew of each Magnificat play, the Performing Arts Department developed programs that would still allow students to hone and exhibit their talents in productions that would not require on-campus guests. In April, 25 performers and crew members shared their talents in singing, dancing, drama, lighting, and sound for a small, sociallydistanced audience gathered in person while members of the broader community tuned in via livestream. Nour Lashin ’21 sang in two performances that evening. “Performing in the Cabaret allowed me to feel a part of something meaningful. For me, performing on stage gave me a chance to sing from my heart and feel the emotions of each song. Creating new bonds and friendships throughout rehearsals and being able to collaborate with one another even during COVID was a blessing and I am more grateful than ever to have been able to perform for the Magnificat community,” she reflected. Varsity Dance Team member Kayla Bucci ’21 also performed in two pieces, one of which was self-choreographed. After the show, she said, “Being part of the Cabaret was such a special experience because I was able to have a lot of creative freedom, and it was rewarding to collaborate with my peers to help create a cohesive show that highlighted all of our diverse talents. Overall, I think I can speak for everyone when I say it was so exciting to finally get back on stage in front of an audience and do what we love!" Students’ enthusiastic participation in the Cabaret this year has inspired the Performing Arts Department to officially add the show to the annual lineup of Magnificat stage productions for the 2021-2022 school year.
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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HM HISTORY AND HERITAGE
Prayers and Blessings on the Newly Elected HM Leadership Team Magnificat congratulates and extends our prayers to the newly elected Leadership Team of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary: Sister Carol Anne Smith ’66L, Pastoral Leader (and past President of Magnificat High School); Sister Margaret Marszal, Councilor; Sister Anne Victory ’62, Councilor; and Sister Annie Solma ’69, Councilor. The HM Sisters elected new leadership for a term of four years during their Chapter of Elections held in May 2021. The new Leadership Team will be installed on August 7, 2021, when the Sisters, Associates, Covenant Companions, and Partners in Mission gather for their annual Community Days and Missioning. We give thanks for the leadership of the current team, consisting of councilors Sister Karen Bernhardt, Sister Carol Anne Smith ’66L, Sister Margaret Marszal, Sister Barbara Wincik, and Sister Toby Lardie, Pastoral Leader.
Seniors Prepare for Faith-Filled Transition to College Sister Mary Ann Spangler, HM, met virtually with the Class of 2021 to share suggestions for sustaining, strengthening, and sharing their faith as they prepare to transition to college life. Bringing many years of experience in education, retreats, and spiritual direction, Sister Mary Ann currently serves as a Spiritual Companion to young adults on college campuses and beyond, while also facilitating retreats at Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center and the Jesuit Retreat Center. Recognizing the challenges and adjustments students face in navigating the transition to college, Sister Mary Ann affirmed the importance of bringing with them their faith and values nurtured at Magnificat, developing affirming support systems, finding a faith community, making time for daily spiritual practices, and continuing to look to Mary as a courageous model of faith-filled life. “It was a privilege to share some of my experience with the seniors as they transition from the known into the unknown and to assure them that they do take their faith with them,” noted Sister Mary Ann. “Finding supportive mentors, organizations such as a Catholic Student Association, and creating times and places to connect one’s inner self with God are not only possible but essential.”
Clockwise: Sister Carol Anne Smith, Sister Margaret Marszal, Sister Anne Victory and Sister Annie Solma
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MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING | SUMMER 2021
Sophomore Retreats Rooted in HM Values of Service & Care for Creation Throughout the month of April, the sophomore class participated in mini retreats inspired by our theme for the school year—We Belong to Each Other. Accompanied by Campus Ministers, faculty, and staff, the students cycled through three rotations: We Belong to the Earth, We Belong to Each Other, and We Belong to God. Each group traveled to stations throughout campus, including the Hoop House in Magnificat’s backyard, where they learned more about the HM Sisters’ commitment to caring for God's creation, a value that drives Magnificat’s horticultural program. In addition to planting sunflower seeds at the Hoop House, students participated in community-building activities and a prayer service where each sophomore received her Serve pendant to add to the Learn pendant she received during her freshman year. For a class whose first year of in-person learning at Magnificat was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic, these mini retreats created an important space to bond with one another. “The Sophomore retreat really helped me connect with myself and students in my Advisory. It gave me much needed time to take a step back and reflect on my year, and I am so proud to be able to have a tangible effect on the school through planting sunflowers,” says Eliza Farrall ’23. Planting sunflowers around campus was also meaningful for Emma Latchford ’23 who said “knowing that the sunflowers will be planted in the courtyard will be a symbol of the love and sisterhood found within my class. I cannot wait to see the beautiful sunflowers in the fall!"
Lenten Project Supports Magnificat’s International Partners The Magnificat Lenten Project is an annual school-wide effort to reflect on Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection in the context of the global community. Throughout Lent, students, families, faculty, and staff are invited to fast, pray, and give, while learning more about Magnificat’s partner ministries in Haiti, Ecuador, and Mexico. This year, over $6,000 was collected to support Sr. Judy Dohner, HM and the Ministry of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary in Haiti; Rostro de Cristo; and Damien House in Ecuador; and Frontera de Cristo in Mexico. Sr. Judy Dohner, HM has been living in Haiti for 17 years where she works alongside Haitian religious communities to provide medical care, housing, and education to those in need, a ministry that has become even more critical since the earthquake that took place in 2010. Since 2001, Magnificat Campus Ministry has partnered with Rostro de Cristo for the immersion retreat to Ecuador that typically takes place each summer. During the retreat, students and faculty/staff spend a day visiting with residents of Damien House, a residential hospital for people living with Hansen’s Disease (formerly known as leprosy). Frontera de Cristo is an organization in Tucson, Arizona that hosts Magnificat students for the U.S./Mexico border immersion retreat that started in 2016. The organization sponsors a variety of initiatives to support migrants fleeing their homeland in search of a better life. Thank you to all who helped make this year’s Lenten Project such a success!
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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ADVANCEMENT
Late Night with Magnificat
In her opening remarks, President Moira Clark ’77 said, “Who would have thought that we would celebrate Magnificat’s 65th anniversary at a virtual gala in a late night talk show format?” Magnificat’s annual Gala went virtual for a second year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. When tasked with how to bring the community together virtually, the Gala Committee, led by Jenny and Brian Walsh (parents of Kelly '15, Molly '18, and Megan ’21) came up with the idea of presenting the Gala via live stream in a late night talk show format, with various segments and bits produced by students and staff, a virtual paddle raise in support of tuition assistance, and an on-air announcement of raffle winners. Based on the success of the Night-In-Blue drive through dinner service, Magnificat supporters could order dinner catered by A Taste of Excellence or charcuterie from Riverside Board Co. for pick up in the early afternoon and enjoy it as they watched the Gala. Hosted by Moira Clark, Brian Walsh, and WKYC anchor Maureen Kyle ’98, Late Night with Magnificat featured student spoofs of late night bits from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon such as “Box of Lies,” “Thank You Notes,” and “Dance-Off,” as well as a roving reporter, “M on the Street.” Through sponsorships, the silent auction, and raffle ticket sales, Late Night with Magnificat raised over $336,000 to support Magnificat students!
GALA COMMITTEE HONORARY CO-CHAIRS
Jennifer & Brian Walsh
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Maureen Kyle '98, Moira Clark '77, and Gala Committee Chair Brian Walsh on set during the Gala broadcast.
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Jennifer & Joe Allanson Nancy & Nico Bolzan Brigid Kennedy Chambers ’95 & Connor Chambers Meg Flynn Cochran Tanya & Tim Coughlin Mary Kay Schwarz Curtis ’91 & Henry Curtis Deborah Durbin ’81 Kim & Pat Fogarty Jennifer & Steven Glass Mary Ellen & Rich Huesken Heather Kimble Kaesgen ’91 & Jonathan Kaesgen Jennifer Coughlin Kennedy ’95 & Matthew Kennedy Niki & Kevin Latchford Maria Niki Michaelopolous & Haissam Gamaleldin Susan Previts Paez ’94 & Nick Paez
MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING | SUMMER 2021
LATE NIGHT WITH MAGNIFICAT SPONSORS HILLIARD BOULEVARD SPONSORS
Eorann Hickey Conway ’79 and Dan Conway Ann Litzler Coyne ’88 and Terry Coyne Caroline and Joe Lee Rhonda and Tom Richlovsky Roundstone
BLUE SAPPHIRE SPONSORS
Calfee Halter & Griswold - Colleen Moran O’Neil ’88 & Michael O’Neil
TRUE BLUE SPONSORS
The Mary and John Bello Family Thomas J. Coltman Foundation Katie Redmon Cooke ’87 & Meg Jeffers Rowe ’87 The Fergus Family Frantz Ward Jennifer & Steve Glass Mary Ellen & Rich Huesken Jan Duffy Leitch ’68 & Jeff Leitch Joyce & Bill Litzler Colleen Mountcastle ’91 & James Conway NFP The Nock Family Gene Ptacek Regency Construction Services, Inc. River City Wood - Lisa Pellman Spicer ’90 & Ryan Spicer Sisters of the Humility of Mary
ROYAL BLUE SPONSORS
The D’Amore Tatman Group & Casey’s Irish Imports Colleen Duffy Elwood ’88 & Rob Elwood Kim & Pat Fogarty Dede Hickey Geib ’76 & Dan Geib Huntington Bank Maureen Casserly Kelly '87 & Kevin Kelly Jennifer Coughlin Kennedy ’95 & Matt Kennedy Bill Murman & Mary Kay Cabot Jenny Hayes Sims ’89 & Mark Sims Maureen Karnatz Smith ’81 & Steve Smith Snider-Blake Personnel Monica Roman Thomas & Eric Otto Drs. Judy and Mike Waters
BLUE & WHITE SPONSORS
Top: Gala Committee members and students prep to-go meals. Center: Gala patrons pick up their dinners and charcuterie boards to enjoy at home. Bottom: Generations of alumnae gathered in-person and virtually to watch the Gala broadcast.
Melissa Aiken - AIG Retirement Services Katie & Craig Brocklehurst Nancy Mikel Bulic ’89 & Tony Bulic The Cleveland Clinic Katherine Bleakley DiRienzo ’85 & Victor DiRienzo Daneen & John Farrall Terri Holliday & Gregory Pacholski Susan Kurz ’71 Kelly Compiseno Lamirand ’94 & Dean Lamirand Mary Beth Usalis Low ’89 & Rob Low Clare & Gary Miller Kristen Latkovic Wallace ’95 & Wayne Wallace
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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ADVANCEMENT
Thank you for supporting Magnificat’s Giving Day! Magnificat’s second annual Giving Day supporting The Magnificat Fund was a success! Alumnae, faculty and staff, parents, students, grandparents, and friends came together and enthusiastically supported Magnificat, unlocking two participation challenges—a $50,000 challenge from a generous alumna and a $30,000 challenge from a grateful grandparent! A grand total of $155,298 was raised with gifts from 859 Magnificat supporters. Your support has an enormous and immediate impact on Magnificat students and enables us to continue to provide them with exceptional opportunities! Though many of the students were streaming on Giving Day, 248 students made contributions to The Magnificat Fund and created posters showing what they most appreciate about Magnificat. We are grateful to all our volunteers and community members who serve as advocates for Magnificat; they not only support Magnificat financially, they shared our messaging and goals via text, email, and social media to boost enthusiasm for Giving Day—their efforts helped us exceed our goal! Every student benefits from The Magnificat Fund, and every gift makes a difference. Thank you again for your tremendous support.
Getting the Biggest Bang for Your Buck! MATCHING GIFTS Many employers will match your gifts, doubling the impact of your contributions. Check with your employer (or your spouse’s employer) to see if they have a matching gift program, or visit our website to enter the name of your employer to see if they have a program: www.magnificaths.org/ waystogive.
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SHOPPING REWARD PROGRAMS Did you know that Amazon and some of the stores you frequent offer rewards to nonprofits? Please select Magnificat High School to receive a percentage of your purchases from the following retailers: Beginning in September, Heinen's Teaming Up for Education program offers 1% of every purchase you make. Log onto heinens. com/schools/ to register and select your school. It is important to reselect Magnificat each year! When you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price to Magnificat High School. Visit smile.amazon.com and select Magnificat as your charitable organization.
MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING | SUMMER 2021
SAVE THE DATE! Lourdes Academy All-Class Reunion Sunday, August 15
Mass at 1 p.m. | Reception to follow Magnificat High School
ATTENTION RUNNERS! We are excited to announce Magnificat’s inaugural Blue Streaks Cleveland Marathon Team! Students, alumnae, family, and friends are invited to join us on October 23 and 24, 2021 to help raise much needed funds for tuition assistance. Race options include the 5k, 10k, half, and full marathon, and there is a discounted registration fee for all members of the team! Contact Nora Hudec ’12 at nhudec@maghs.org for more information.
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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ALUMNAE PROFILES
Ellen Blaha Minerd ’91 + Ellen Weist ’21: Nursing/Home Care Ellen Blaha Minerd ’91 is very familiar with the Magnificat Genesis program. Through the years and through a variety of jobs, Ellen has welcomed many Magnificat students to shadow her. Ellen, a Certified Nurse Practitioner, has worn many hats in her career. Her nursing studies began after graduating from Magnificat in 1991, completing her RN, BSN at Ohio Wesleyan University. Ellen has worked in a variety of hospital and healthcare settings, including starting an onsite fitness company. She later continued her education to obtain her MSN degree to become a Certified Nurse Practitioner, with a focus in Adult/Geriatric studies. Since then, she has worked exclusively with the senior population. Her latest venture is Daughters with Degrees, a company she cofounded with another Magnificat alumna, Eileen McGunagle ’86, providing compassionate home care. Ellen has always had a passion for helping others. Her own Magnificat Genesis project took her to Appalachia, where she completed classroom work and provided after school care for children. Fast forward a few years, as an established healthcare professional, she is happy to provide experience for Magnificat students interested in healthcare. Ellen stresses the need for more geriatric healthcare providers since the senior population continues to grow. She believes that the Genesis program gives students important real-life experience and insight into a potential career. Ellen’s most recent Genesis mentee is senior Ellen Weist ’21, who is considering a future in healthcare as well. During her experience at Daughters with Degrees, Weist was matched with a client needing assistance with meal prep, odd jobs around the house, running errands, getting to appointments, and grocery shopping. Weist’s experience gave her real insight into geriatric care, while gaining the skills to provide hands-on, compassionate care for others. “While completing my Genesis, I was truly surprised at how many different careers can come from a nursing degree,” Ellen (Weist) said. “When I first decided to go into nursing, I thought that nurses only worked in hospital or doctors office settings, but meeting Ellen Minerd and talking with her really opened my eyes to the various ways someone can use their degree. I enjoyed working with Ellen because she was easy to talk to, supportive, and we had a lot in common (other than just our names)! Through this project, I was inspired to look beyond working in a hospital setting and explore different
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"I was truly surprised at how many different careers can come from a nursing degree," said Ellen Weist '21. "Through this project, I was inspired to look beyond working in a hospital setting and explore different ways I can use my nursing degree." ways I could use my nursing degree once I graduate from college.” Ellen (Minerd), no doubt, will continue to be a generous resource for current, future, and past Magnificat students. Her mission for helping others has never ceased, and she has been an exemplary role model for learning, leading, and serving others in the Magnificat community and beyond.
MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING | SUMMER 2021
Alyssa Herman ’11 + Giana Dealexandro ’21: Character Designer Alyssa Herman ’11 is a concept artist who works as a character designer for the popular video game, Spellbreak. Alyssa’s passion for art started at a young age, and she was able to explore and deepen this love during her time as a student at Magnificat. She took a variety of art classes through the years, and especially loved courses under the instruction of former Magnificat art teacher, Ms. Zoe Murphy. Alyssa recalls learning the foundations of art during her AP Art History course and trying to take an art elective whenever her schedule allowed. It was no surprise that Alyssa continued to study art in college, specifically video game development, at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Today, Alyssa is back home in Cleveland, Ohio, living out her dream as a professional artist. “[Magnificat] had such a huge impact on my life and career that I was eager to talk to and work with current students, to help share information on how to pursue a similar career,” says Alyssa. She recently reached out to Visual Arts Teacher and Department Chair Mrs. Alecia Janosik about opportunities to talk to students about entertainment art. Alyssa is especially passionate about talking to young women about entertainment art/games/animation because it is a predominantly male industry. She was one out of only two women in her program at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. She’s excited that more and more women are pursuing a career in this industry today, and she hopes to encourage more Magnificat students to do the same. There are endless opportunities for women to have an impact in animation art and to be successful. Mrs. Janosik connected Alyssa with Giana Dealexandro ’21 who was curious to learn about the day-to-day life of an artist in games/animation, and the career trajectory that led Alyssa to where she is now. Alyssa was thrilled to work with Giana and share her passion and resources through her Genesis project. Giana continues to keep in touch with Alyssa, and she plans to continue studying animation/entertainment art in college. Alyssa hopes to work with more Magnificat students in the future; she truly enjoyed the experience as a Genesis mentor because she fondly remembers her own Genesis experience at American Greetings, which had a significant impact on her career. Alyssa says, “My personal Genesis experience helped to cement the fact that I wanted to pursue art full time.” Alyssa is honored to be able to give back to Magnificat in any way, and has come full circle as a young alumna Genesis mentor. In cases like that of Alyssa and Giana, the Genesis experience is one that shows students their dream careers are possible and illuminates a path toward them that they might not have seen before. "Pursue something that you love to do. Find what you're interested in, practice to make perfect, and dream big,” Giana said. “Don't do something because you feel like you should. Do what you want to do because you find joy in doing it."
Original artwork by Giana Dealxandro '21
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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ALUMNAE PROFILES
Holly West Victor ’91 + Grace Tarler ’21: Sales Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, Holly West Victor ’91 was determined to not let it get the best of Grace Tarler’s ’21 Genesis experience. Given the limitations that quarantine placed on this year’s Genesis program, Grace needed to find a creative way to gain real-life experience. Fortunately, Holly—a Magnificat alumna and parent of Grace's classmate Ava—is a Sales Manager for Momentive Technologies. Grace, who is interested in business and analystics, was eager to shadow and work with Holly. Holly said, “I am so happy that the Genesis Program is still a part of the Magnificat curriculum. It is also great to see the renewal of the program into a four-year high school experience. It really is a very special opportunity to be able to explore a career path so early on.” Holly benefited from her own personal Genesis experience when she had the opportunity to work in the Electrophysiology Lab at the Cleveland Clinic shadowing nurses and doctors as they performed various procedures and conducted lab analytics. Holly was honored to be able to be a part of the Genesis Program now as a mentor, in addition to watching her own daughter participate in Genesis. Holly and Grace made the most out of the time and resources they had to make a “virtual” Genesis project meaningful. Grace was able to sit in on weekly sales meetings via video conferencing so she could get a sense of how business meetings run, and she was able to take a virtual tour of Momentive Technologies' warehouse in San Jose, California. Grace also had the opportunity to be trained on various Systems Applications and Products in Data Processing (SAP) processes, and helped perform an accounts receivables analysis. Holly connected Grace with several women leaders within the company, whom she was able to ask questions to learn about their career paths through virtual one-on-one sessions. To complete her project, Grace presented on her projects to key leaders at Momentive. "Working with a Magnificat alumna for my Genesis project allowed me to relate to them on a deeper level,” Grace said. “The community that is established within Magnificat—both among current and former students and faculty—shined through. Not only did Mrs. Victor provide me with the opportunity to learn more about business, [she also showed me] how Magnificat and even her Genesis project impacted her life beyond Magnificat."
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“Not only did Mrs. Victor provide me with the opportunity to learn more about business, [she also showed me] how Magnificat and even her Genesis project affected her life beyond Magnificat,” Grace Tarler ’21 said. Although this year looked different than most, and typical Genesis experiences weren’t possible, Grace and Holly took full advantage of all of the virtual opportunities. Grace takes away real, modern, hands-on corporate experience, while Holly walks away feeling proud of everything Grace learned and accomplished. Holly hopes to connect with future students, and looks forward to continuing to support the Genesis Program.
MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING | SUMMER 2021
Colleen Hutchinson ’13 + Maura Bodman ’21: Pharmacy Young alumna Colleen Hutchinson ’13 could not have been more excited to be contacted by current Magnificat students with interest in exploring a career in pharmacy. Eager to meet current students and hear about the revamped Genesis Program, Colleen set up a lunch to gauge the students’ interests and ideas for their projects. Colleen, a second-year cardiology pharmacy resident at the Cleveland Clinic, fondly remembers her own Genesis experience. Even as a student at Magnificat, Colleen knew she wanted to be a pharmacist and that she wanted to do her Genesis project with her grandfather’s pharmacist long before she was a senior. After two weeks of shadowing her grandfather’s pharmacist, she officially decided she wanted to study cardiology pharmacy, specifically. She’s currently seeing her dream through, graduating with her Doctor of Pharmacy from Butler University in 2019 and now completing her residency. She has accepted a full-time position starting this fall. COVID restrictions prohibited most students from physically shadowing their mentors this year, including Maura Bodman ’21, who knew she wouldn’t be able to visit the Cleveland Clinic with Colleen. The hospital restrictions were disappointing for both, but Colleen was determined to make Maura’s Genesis experience as meaningful as her own. She had to get creative. Colleen shared her insight and experience with Maura to provide a snapshot of what being a cardiology pharmacist is really like. They discussed articles and research about the evolution of pharmacy, from health retail to patient-oriented clinical pharmacy. After completing her Genesis experience, Maura too plans to pursue her dream of studying clinical pharmacy at Ohio Northern University’s six-year Doctor of Pharmacy program. While it wasn’t the full experience Colleen and Maura had hoped for, one thing is for sure…the Genesis Program certainly helps students get a sense of a future career they could envision for themselves. Fortunately for both of them, their Genesis experiences solidified their decisions to study pharmacy. Colleen says, “My positive Genesis experience has stayed with me all these years. I hope to continue to work with future Genesis students. Anything I can do to support Magnificat!”
“I loved interviewing Dr. Colleeen Hutchinson," said Maura Bodman ’21. “She showed me what it's like to be a pharmacist, and I learned a lot from her. I hope to be able to shadow a pharmacist in person soon.”
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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CLASS NOTES 1961
Molly Tritschler Woodberry '61 lives in northern California and is enjoying time with her grandchildren, Gayson, 6.5, and Wilder, 2.5.
1986
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1 Bridget Vollmer Brennan ’86 "retired" from Corporate America and moved to Jackson Hole to live her dream life in the Teton Mountains. She founded Jackson Hole Concierge in 2017, a human powered, personalized concierge service, specializing in planning, booking, and making sure vacations in Jackson are nothing short of amazing. Bridget photographed with her twin sons.
1998
2 Kim Lempke Lapinski '98 and husband, Ryan,
welcomed daughter, Jane Eileen, on April 7, 2020. Jane joins big sister, Margaret (age 4)
1999
Catherine Oakar '99 is working at the White House as Special Assistant to the President for Community Public Health and Disparities—Domestic Policy Council, and most recently served on the BidenHarris Transition.
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2002
3 Lindsey Arundel Murphy '02 and husband, Bob,
welcomed their twins, Erin Marie and Caitlin Robin, on January 7, 2021, joining big brother Brendan (age 5) and big sister Shannon (age 3).
2004
Julianne Smith '04 finished a postdoctoral fellowship at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University and relocated to Columbus for an Immunology Research Scientist position at Battelle.
4
2006
4 Sarah Michael Ianni '06 and husband, Ricky,
welcomed their son, Dominic Joseph, on September 23, 2020.
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2007
5 Christine Francis Ciullo ’07 and husband, Zac,
welcomed their first baby girl, Layla Rose, on February 2, 2021. Christine is a dentist and lives in Chicago, IL.
2008
Lori Sommerfelt '08 married Matthew Hayes on February 15, 2021. The ceremony was held in the couple's backyard in Seattle due to a snowstorm.
2009
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6 Samantha Tamas ’09 married Eric Price on November 28, 2020. Bridesmaids and guests included Elizabeth Tamas (2011) Ali Rodriguez (2013) Isa Rodriguez (2016) Samantha Tamas, the bride, Emily Tamas (2013) Elizabeth Pfahler (2017) and her cousin, Lyla Marrone (2024).
2013
7 Erin Gallagher ’13 married her high school
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sweetheart, Mickey Whitford, on October 24, 2020. Pictured in this photo left to right: Colleen Carroll '13, Devyn Brossard '13, Shannon Sullivan '13, Erin Macey Walker '13, Katie Taseff '13, Shannon Walton '13, Katie Kerr '13, and Katie Kasunick '13. "The 9 of us have been best friends since meeting at Magnificat over 10 years ago." Not included in this photo but integral to the celebration were mother of the groom, Bridgid McNamara Whitford '86, sister of the groom, Meg Whitford '16, and maid of honor, Alyssa Hrobat '16.
2017
Bridget Croniger '17 and Farah Almhana '17 placed first at the Abbott Laboratories case competition cohosted by the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. Bridget and Farah both graduated from CWRU this spring and will continue on to medical school after graduation.
Send us your news! Email Nora Hudec ’12 at nhudec@maghs.org with your alumnae updates.
We educate young women holistically to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. | MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
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IN MEMORIAM Please join us in prayer for the families of our students and alumnae.
Larry J. DiLoreto
Father of Lori DiLoreto Pulice ’88 and Sheri DiLoreto Smith ’91; Grandfather of Anna Smith ’21 and Abby Smith ’24
James William Dowd Rita Calvey Ackerman ’47L
Brother of Rita Dowd-Mikolajczyk ’70
Sister of Margaret Calvey Gallagher ’49L
Bernadette L’Huillier Duraney ’54L
Susan Hofmann Balcerowski ’60
Elizabeth Dorsey Ehrbar ’51L
Karen Adams Bajpai ’70 Charles T. Barkman
Husband of Pamela McCormick Barkman ’74; Brother-in-law of Jill McCormick Jones ’76
Marie "Bunny" Becker
Mother of Christine Becker Karliak ’83, Beth Becker Karpuszka ’85, and Mary Becker Pokrywka ’93
Elizabeth "Betty" Bennett
Mother of Debra Bennett Anglin ’74 and Linda Bennett Halladay ’80; Mother-in-law of Mary Guzowski Bennett ’72; Grandmother of Christine Bennett Jurik ’96, Julia Bennett Megyimori ’00, and Mary Beth Bennett ’02
Freida D. Brown
Grandmother of Alexandria Brown ’16
Mario E. Chahda
Father of Marisa Chahda Preble ’99 and Carena Chahda ’06; Husband of former faculty member Isabel Chahda
Dr. Asif Chaudhry
Father of Serena Chaudhry ’91
Nancy Stelbasky Clark ’67
Sister of Janice Stelbasky Kundtz ’64
Patricia Esson Cottom ’49L
Mother of Jane Ehrbar Simon ’75 and Jill Ehrbar Lanning ’83; Aunt of Joan Dorsey Griffin ’93
Susan Gable Fetter ’68
Sister of Kathy Gable Oehlke ’66; Aunt of Tracy Gable Patton ’89 and Kristie Rogers ’95†
James A. Finnegan
Father of Therese Finnegan ’82 and Lucy Finnegan ’84
Maureen Malone Gale ’62
Mother of Carolyn Gale Skoczen ’89 and Megan Gale Loomis ’92
Thea Heibili Garrity ’82
Sister-in-law of Laura Garrity ’86; Cousin of Erika Schmidt Bonchek ’83
Charles Geschke
Husband of Nancy McDonough Geschke ’60; Brother-in-law of Kathleen McDonough Clement ’63† and Mary Beth McDonough Zabriskie ’68 ; Uncle of Carole Zabriskie Tribuzzo ’00
Jason R. Gibson
Father of Gaby Gibson ’22
Virginia M. "Gina" Gill ’69
Sister of Margaret Gill Quinn ’72
Susan Conway Grimberg ’67
Mother of Katherine Grimberg Napolitan ’93 and Ann Marie Grimberg ’99; Sister of Kathleen Conway Grady ’64, Therese Conway Moltz ’69 and Mary Conway Sullivan ’82; Sister-in-law of Eorann Hickey Conway ’79; Aunt of Bridget Grady Couture ’93, Megan Conway ’04, Therese Conway Malone ’05, Margaret Moltz ’07, Sheila Conway ’08, Clare Conway ’09, Grace Sullivan ’11, Joan Conway ’12, Catherine Conway ’14 and Anne Conway ’16
Emilie Isabella Izzo
Daughter of Gabi Pena ’84; Niece of Michelle Pena ’85 and Augustine Izzo Sadler ’07; Cousin of Ava Izzo ’24
Elizabeth A. Janesz
Mother of Margaret Janesz Kowalski ’70, Libby Janesz ’70, Christine Janesz Krysiak ’74, Mary Janesz Morris ’76, Cece JaneszCorea ’78, Nancy Janesz Romaine ’81, Sue Janesz Johnston ’87, and Jean Janesz Holbert ’89; Mother-in-law of Rose-Marie Noone Janesz ’89; Grandmother of Katelyn Krysiak ’05, Deborah Krysiak ’07, Eileen Janesz ’10, Lauren Janesz ’21, and Jillian Holbert ’22
Maureen Toohey Kaparic ’72L
Sister-in-law of Patricia Wagner Toohey ’70L
Francis A. Kelley
Brother of Bridget Kelley Gill ’89 and Jayne Kelley ’99; Uncle of Kate Gill ’07 and Erin Gill Lopez ’09
James E. Krueger
Father of Dara Krueger ’87; Uncle of Rosemary Cockburn David ’86, Megan Cockburn Lally ’88, Mary Cockburn Grzelak ’92, Nicole Cummings ’96
Mother of Patricia Cottom Feighan ’81; Grandmother of Trisha Feighan ’18
Michael P. Ginley Father of Meghan Ginley Cooke ’03
Rosemarie Feighan DeJohn ’64
Josephine Stanich Grady ’64
Father of Lynda Krupp ’68 and Sandra Krupp Hoeffler ’70; Grandfather of Melissa Janosek ’98
Arthur "Buddy" Griebel
Husband of Nancy Stevens Mack ’68
Mother of Patricia DeJohn ’89, Jennifer DeJohn ’91, and Colleen DeJohn Pallett ’94; Sister of Mary Clare Feighan ’72; Aunt of Lauren Feighan ’98 and Farrell Feighan ’03; Cousin of Colleen O’Brien McCarthy ’60, Kathy O’Brien Hogan ’64, and Patricia O’Brien McCrann ’70†; Niece of Sister Ann Cecile Feighan, HM†
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Sister-in-law of Kathleen Conway Grady ’64 and Ann Grady Nerbum ’64 Grandfather of Kristen Griebel ’04
Ruth S. Griebel
Grandmother of Kristen Griebel ’04
Norman H. Krupp
David E. Mack
Jacqueline Brown Maresh ’65 Joseph J. Marita
Grandfather of Sara Paponetti ’16
MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE | A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNAE AND FRIENDS OF MAGNIFICAT HIGH SCHOOL | SPRING | SUMMER 2021
“May all be comforted by the compassionate heart of Christ who will draw all to abundant life and fullness of joy!” -Sr. Helen Jean Novy, HM Thomas Patrick Masterson
Father of Mary Pat Masterson Burk ’85 and Maureen Masterson Carr ’89; Brother of Noreen Masterson Devine ’58L, Peggy Masterson Mineo ’63L and Kitty Masterson Camerato ’66L†
Andrew S. Matejcik
Father of Carol Matejcik Logar ’72; Grandfather of Monica Logar ’01 and Amy Logar ’04
Thomas O. McBride
Father of Kate McBride McCusker ’81 and Molly McBride Steen ’85; Grandfather of Erin McBride Ventura ’07 and Megan McBride ’13
Edward "Jerry" McCabe
Husband of Carol Simpson McCabe ’59L
Marian T. Nespeca
James E. Nieberding
Anne H. "Nancy" Nugent ’58L
Grandmother of Jackie O’Donnell ’03, Marissa Starin Wayner ’04, Haylie Starin ’05, Katie O’Donnell Pratt ’08, and Chelsey Starin ’10
Husband of Alberta Scharf Nieberding ’48L; Father of Catherine Nieberding Martis ’86; Grandfather of Maria Martis ’16 and Katie Martis ’18
Sister of Mary Therese Nugent McGinty ’67L and Ruthmarie Nugent Hovanec ’70L; Grandmother of Katie Coyne ’08, Brigid Coyne ’11, and Margaret Coyne ’14; Aunt of Emily Pearse Moran ’99 and Madeline Pearse ’11
Jack Pavlovich
Mother of Mary McFarland Chatenka ’71
Father of Mary Pavlovich Mignatti ’93; Brother of Sharon Pavlovich Valus ’61
Joseph W. McGreal
Edward J. Ptacek
Patricia Clark McFarland ’43L
Brother of Anne McGreal Chunta ’70 and Mary McGreal Sauer ’74
James Joseph McNamee Sr.
Father of Sandy McNamee Sherry ’79, Nancy McNamee Koehler ’81, Rosemary McNamee Sima ’82, and Kathleen McNamee Brown ’86
Thomas McSteen
Brother of Patricia McSteen Erger ’61, Margaret McSteen Pither ’63, Barbara McSteen Koechley ’65, Catherine McSteen Ashworth ’67, Mary McSteen Vilk ’69, and Maureen McSteen Flanagan ’70; Uncle of Colleen Flanagan Alber ’98 and Megan Flanagan Tong ’03
Edward A. Meister
Father of Cheryl Meister ’73
Barbara Fisher Moir ’61
Mother of Michelle Moir Luptak ’82; Sister of Trish Fisher Binder ’65 and Marcia Fisher Hess ’68
John A. Murray
Grandfather of Emily Vande Velde Szy ’02 and Abigail Vande Velde ’06
Francis J. Slife
Husband of Judith Nieberding Slife ’64; Brother-in-law of Jean Nieberding DeVaul ’63 and Janet Nieberding Moran ’65, Linda Seikel Slife ’77; Grandfather of Maeve Slife ’18
Mother of Nancy Nespeca Parks ’65, Renee Nespeca Ritchie ’70, Judith Nespeca ’73, and Mary Kay Nespeca ’77
Husband of Eileen Sullivan Ptacek ’71; Brother-in-law of Celia Sullivan Davis ’74, Jane Sullivan Lyons ’75, and Ann Sullivan Jones ’80
Richard L. Reddy
Father of Eloise Reddy Donofrio ’79 and Paula Reddy ’82
Mary O. Starin
Jane L. Taliak
Grandmother of Ellie Taliak ’20
Joanne C. Theil
Mother of Laura Theil Stearns ’68
Kathleen Miller Unetic ’62
Sister of Carol Miller ’63
Christopher Walsh
Husband of Ellen McAvoy Walsh ’70; Brother-in-law of Susan McAvoy Brimus ’64, Mary McAvoy Walker ’66 †, Ann McAvoy Placko ’67, and Cathy McAvoy Patterson ’71; Uncle of Kim Brimus Mather ’89, Kristen Brimus Bakich ’90, Carol Brimus Chalkley ’92, Catie Brimus Macuna ’96, Beth Hatgas Hayes ’91; Great-uncle of Michelle Brimus ’12
Robert Zak
Paul R. Rice
Husband of Sue Armstrong Zak ’64
Thomas J. Riedel
We have included all individuals for whom we received notification following the publication of the Winter 2021 issue of the Magnificat Magazine, and we have listed all of the relationships we could locate in our records. If we have missed anyone, kindly let us know by emailing Nora Hudec ’12 at nhudec@maghs.org.
Husband of Josephine Costanzo Carpenter ’64 Husband of Judy Gordon Riedel ’63, Uncle of Sharon Graven Kudia ’81, Tricia Graven ’84, Sheila Graven ’86, and Cheryl Gordon Sigsworth ’85
Dorothy Margaret Schilens
Mother of Dorothy Schilens O’Brien ’73, Deborah Schilens Dillemuth ’75, Judy Schilens Dusky ’79, Mary Lynn Schilens Plocica ’81, Diane Schilens ’82, and Janet Schilens Asche ’83: Grandmother of Tara Dillemuth Pilcher ’02
† Deceased
L denotes a graduate of Lourdes Academy
20770 Hilliard Boulevard Rocky River, OH 44116-3397
SPRING | SUMMER | ISSUE 5
www.magnificaths.org
Are our records correct? If you’re receiving extra copies of the magazine or have noticed a misspelling or error with our database, please let us know! Email all updates and changes to Meg Chochola at mchochola@maghs.org.
