MAGNIFICAT MAGAZINE
WINTER 2025
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
Douglas C. Kuhlman
Kelly Compiseno Lamirand ’94
Ann Lutz
Colleen Mountcastle ’91
Colleen Moran O’Neil ’88
Sean Nugent
Kathleen Casey Proctor ’89
Margaret Jeffers Rowe ’87
Shameka Jones Taylor
Catherine Woskobnick
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Moira Clark ’77, President
Katie Higgins ’99, Senior Vice President of Mission and Strategic Initiatives
Angie Boie, Dean of Student Life and Formation
Colleen Greller, Dean of Faculty and Academics
Deborah Durbin ’81, Vice President of Advancement
Janetta Hammock, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Nikki Clevenger Mohar ’89, Vice President of Enrollment and 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 and Alumnae Relations
COVER PHOTO: Lexi Majoros
PHOTOGRAPHY: Photos throughout from Caitlin MacBride Berg ’10, Alee Burke, Jonathan Hesford, Lexi Majoros, and Cavanaugh Photography.
DESIGN: Alee Burke and Teresa Messmore
Dear friends,
FROM THE P RESIDENT AND BOARD CHAIRPERSON
Happy New Year! We hope you and your family have enjoyed ringing in 2025, filled with the joy, hope, and faith that the fresh beginnings of a new year can bring.
The year 2025 is a significant one for our beloved Vice President of Mission Emerita Sister Helen Jean Novy, HM, who is celebrating 50 years of service to Magnificat along with several other major milestones. While Sister will be retiring in June, she will remain nearby in Rocky River and continue to write her Daily Prayer emails. Please join us in celebrating Sister Helen Jean by sending her a note or email; she would love to hear from you!
Even as Sister wraps up her remarkable tenure as a teacher, administrator, and advisor, she continues to marvel at the promise and achievements of our students here at Magnificat. Indeed, our Blue Streaks have been working hard this school year in all aspects of their holistic education. The golf team won the State Championship for the first time in school history, five students were recognized as National Merit Scholars, and the production of audiences—to name just a few recent accomplishments. Whether in athletics, academics, the arts, co-curriculars, Campus Ministry, or service, our students continually make us very proud.
In addition, these students far exceeded our Night in Blue fundraising goal, and as many of our alumnae will remember, they have earned a day off for their demonstration of students supporting students. Next up is our second major fundraiser of the year: The Magnificat Gala on Saturday, March 15. The theme this year is Shamrocks and Champagne given the proximity to St. Patrick’s Day, and we hope you will join us as we connect as a Magnificat community and celebrate honorees Katie Beirne Fallon ’94, Amy Kelly, Debbie Reidy Norton ’86, and Brad Norton.
With much to celebrate in the weeks and months ahead, we thank you for your ongoing support of Magnificat and hope to see you soon!
In the Spirit of Mary’s Magnificat,
Moira Clark ’77
Laura Nortz President Board Chairperson
AROUND SCHOOL
Catholic Lawyers Guild Scholarships
Mikaela Davala ’26 and Isabella Loeffler ’26, pictured here with Bishop Edward C. Malesic, received the Martin T. Galvin Memorial Scholarship and were honored at the St. Thomas More Award Luncheon. This annual scholarship is given to a student attending a Catholic high school within the Diocese of Cleveland who has a family member in the Catholic Lawyers Guild or practicing law in Northeast Ohio. Typically only one student receives the award, making the recognition of two Blue Streaks particularly remarkable.
Hijab Presentation
The Muslim Student Association invited special guest speaker Deena Ali to discuss the purpose and meaning of the hijab, the head covering that some Muslim women wear. Ali graduated from Cleveland State University in 2022 and teaches the Holy Quran at a private Islamic school. Her presentation was open to all students, faculty, and staff interested in understanding this Muslim expression of faith.
Business Club
The Business Club takes multiple field trips throughout the year to engage students with the business world. At the Council of Small Enterprises BIG Summit (pictured here), students heard from different speakers focused on the theme and importance of creating connections. Another group of students attended the Thinkfest Ideation Workshop at John Carroll University, where they collaborated to develop and pitch business ideas.
Feminism Club
The Feminism Club attended a Crew Cleveland Luncheon at the Union Club featuring keynote speaker Laura Bloomberg, PhD, president of Cleveland State University. Bloomberg spoke about her path to a leadership role at a state university, a position frequently underrepresented by women. While there, students met CSU Dean of the College of Health Stephanie Brooks, PhD, pictured fourth from left, and alumna and attorney Madeline McGrane ’01, second from right.
Model United Nations
The Model United Nations co-curricular participated in a diplomacy simulation with representatives from the Cleveland Council on World Affairs. The activity is an interactive experience for students to practice negotiations in a diplomatic context and to examine their leadership, negotiation, and consensus-building styles.
Professional Development
Faculty and staff partake in ongoing professional development throughout the school year. During a recent at-home study day for students, faculty and staff participated in breakout sessions about restorative conversations, artificial intelligence, positive psychology, the Pollinator Sensory Garden (pictured here), and more.
Forensics
Christopher Harris, external affairs manager at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, spoke to Honors Anatomy and Physiology students about the world of forensic science. His presentation covered how a medical examiner’s office works and reviewed several case studies, which captivated students who asked many questions after his remarks.
STEM Goes Red
A group of freshmen interested in math and science visited the Great Lakes Science Center for a STEM Goes Red event in October, presented by the American Heart Association. The students heard from local women about their careers in STEM fields and listened to presentations by the University Hospitals Heart and Vascular Institute and engineers from Parker Hannifin.
Sisters of the Humility of Mary Legacy Trust Provides $50,000 in Grants
The Sisters of the Humility of Mary not only founded and sponsor Magnificat High School, but they also support the school through special grants from the HM Legacy Trust Board. This year, Magnificat was fortunate to receive two grants from the Sisters: one for tuition assistance and one for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) belonging and leadership programming.
“On behalf of Magnificat, I am extremely grateful to the HM Sisters for their generous ongoing support of our school,” President Moira Clark ’77 said. “These grants will help us live our Mission and Values by fostering a truly inclusive and welcoming environment for students.”
The Board granted $20,000 to provide $5,000 in tuition assistance to four students, one in each grade, who would otherwise not be able to attend Magnificat for financial reasons. This is the 11th year that Magnificat has received a grant from the Board for tuition assistance, and the amount has increased significantly since the first one issued in 2010.
“Tuition assistance allows more students to attend Magnificat and benefit from our holistic education,” said Vice President of Mission Emerita Sister Helen Jean Novy, HM, who submitted the grant application. “We are blessed to have a strong bond with the HM community, whose
mission to bring more abundant life to God’s people directly aligns with our school.”
Magnificat also received a $30,000 grant from the Board for a first-year experience and leadership development program for BIPOC students led by Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Janetta Hammock. This grant will support a multifaceted effort to engage BIPOC freshmen in a smooth transition to Magnificat where they feel welcomed and included.
The project includes:
• Training older BIPOC students as mentors to younger students in coordination with four affinity groups.
• Improving the BIPOC Family and Student orientations.
• Fostering networking between students and alumnae.
• Participating in diversity conferences and retreats.
“This generous grant allows us to provide specialized programming for BIPOC students during their critical first year at Magnificat,” Hammock said. “We know that students who feel a strong connection to the school community in their first year are more likely to succeed academically and socially and benefit from all that Magnificat has to offer—including a variety of academic offerings, diverse student clubs, and a supportive sisterhood that often leads to lifelong friendships.”
The first Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Student Leadership Workshop brought together 40 students from diverse backgrounds to discuss inclusion and diversity issues. Topics of subsequent meetings will include being an upstander, the impact of labels and assumptions, and student leadership.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING
Holiday Celebrations at Magnificat throughout the Year
Sharing and celebrating holidays with classmates is part of the joy of attending a Catholic school, with Christmas festivities bringing students together for the Humble Hands Advent Project and Prayer Service,
Immaculate Conception Mass, Falalalidays Spirit Week, and tree decorating. In addition to Christmas, students have opportunities to share holidays and cultural traditions from their own family heritage throughout the year.
The Cultures and Traditions Club, for example, was established in 2021 to allow for informal intercultural and interreligious exchange outside of a classroom setting. Moderated by Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Janetta Hammock, the club meets once a month and so far this year has focused on German Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, and other cultural celebrations.
“I feel that at Magnificat, there is a good amount of diversity,” Club President Asiya Adnan ’26 said. “My hope is to help educate people more about different cultures.”
Other co-curriculars also engage students in holiday celebrations. Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, for example, brings awareness of the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, which honors the memories of friends and family members who have died. The club
creates an ofrenda, or altar, in the Humility of Mary Center and invites students, faculty, and staff to share photos of loved ones who passed away to place among the colorful decorations.
The Asian American/Pacific Islander Club and Chinese language students have been involved in celebrating Lunar New Year with the school community, serving dumplings and tea, decorating with Chinese calligraphy and lanterns, and demonstrating traditional fan dances. Last year students also partnered with the Communications Department to create a video about Lunar New Year that was shared during Advisory. While Chinese language classes are no longer offered at Magnificat, the AAPI Club plans to continue the traditions established in recent years.
Diversity Week, held annually in April, is sponsored by the DEIB Office and includes a variety of cultural activities often incorporated into holidays. Last year two students demonstrated traditional Irish dancing, commonly displayed at St. Patrick’s Day parades and gatherings, and a fashion show displaying celebratory attire from around the world was featured during lunch.
Looking ahead, Hammock said she is working with affinity groups to expand sharing of Magnificat families’ holiday traditions.
“Highlighting cultural holidays and celebrations is an excellent educational experience for our students,” Hammock said. “These experiences give voice and visibility to the various cultures represented in Magnificat’s student population and expose the entire school community to a rich variety of traditions and celebrations.”
Allegra Carcioppolo ’25 CRIMINAL JUSTICE
“I completed my Genesis at the Rocky River Police Department. I shadowed Officer Tracey Hill, who took the time to show me everything I specifically wanted to see. This included time in the patrol car, a tour of the FBI Office, a firsthand look into the Detective Bureau and Forensics, and even a tour on the Rocky River Police Boat. During my visit to the FBI Office, I had the opportunity to speak with different Special Agents who explained their roles and the qualifications required to pursue their career paths. I also received a personalized tour of the building. As part of my Genesis experience, I also got to spend an entire day with a Cuyahoga County Prosecutor who specialized in the Special Victims Unit. He introduced me to members of his team working on a cold case, as well as took me on a tour of the Medical Examiner’s Office and the BCI Labs. The highlight of my experience, however, was visiting the United States Secret Service Field Office.
This experience has influenced my college plans because I now want to be a criminal justice major. After college, I hope to either become a defense attorney or a part of the United States Secret Service. I am very grateful to my mentor, Tracey Hill, for giving me a great experience and allowing me to see the many different sectors of the criminal justice department during my time spent with him.”
Adella Trzybinski ’25 EDUCATION
“I completed my Genesis project at Clarance Middle School. I shadowed a 7th and 8th grade ELA teacher, Jennie Rook, who has been teaching for over 34 years. We worked together for about a week, and I observed different teaching methods and schooling styles. I enjoyed getting to know the kids the most. I wasn’t able to teach them anything, but I was able to be another eye on a piece of work and have fun conversations with them. By the end of the week, a student said to me, ‘Bye, Miss T, have a nice weekend, and I hope you become a teacher.’ This was something that touched my heart and showed me that I would be able to help people in different ways that I didn’t even realize.
I did this mentorship because I wanted to see if teaching is something I want to do, which showed me that I could do it and that I would enjoy waking up every day to do it. I am committed to swimming at Baldwin Wallace University. I plan to major in adolescent/young adult education with a minor in English, and I am on the track to be a middle school English teacher. For all of the underclassmen, if you don’t know what you want to do someday, go and shadow in a field you think you may like because you never know. This might show you that this is something you want to do, or it can show you that you don’t like the idea of doing something for the rest of your life.”
Brooke Farrell ’25
METEOROLOGY
“I completed my Genesis project at Penn State University from June 23-28, 2024. My mentor was William Syrett, who is a current professor in the Meteorology and Atmospheric Science program within the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State.
I attended a meteorology and atmospheric science immersion program, where I learned about a multitude of weather events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, thunderstorms, and even weather on Mars. I had the opportunity to attend lectures and participate in discussions with current professors who have studied and worked in the weather field as well. I got the opportunity to tour the AccuWeather and National Weather Service locations in State College, Pennsylvania, to learn about potential job opportunities in the weather forecasting arena. Overall, I received a lot of information on possible career paths in the field of meteorology and atmospheric sciences.
There were two aspects of this program that I really appreciated. One was the connections I was able to make to current Penn State students and professors. I was able to ask them so many questions not only about their fields, but also about what studying the major has to offer. The other aspect that really stood out to me was my discussion with Dr. Richard Alley, who was a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. His words on climate change really inspired me to want to continue on my path to study weather and climate. He told me, ‘Due to our ever-changing planet, the world is going to need people like you to study the weather so that everyone in the world is aware of what is happening around us.’”
Mary Garcia ’25 and Gabby Garcia ’25 ANESTHESIOLOGY
We did our Genesis projects at Mercy Regional Center and Hospital.
Mary: “I shadowed a certified registered nurse anesthetist in the operating room. I got the opportunity to scrub in and watch her register different medications to the patient before and during surgery. She monitored the patient’s heart beat, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. What I enjoyed most about my experience was learning what a day typically looks like for a CRNA working in a hospital. I liked being a part of surgery and seeing how efficiently everyone works. This experience has influenced my career plans to possibly consider this as a job in my future.”
Gabby: “I scrubbed in to watch different surgeries like general, thoracic, and ear, nose, and throat as I shadowed a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Her role was to keep patients asleep during surgery and monitor their vitals.
One interesting part of my Genesis project was having the opportunity to cut open a human gallbladder (once removed after surgery) and view the stones inside. Another highlight was seeing a robotic surgery, where the surgeon operated a machine to perform a stitch in an abdominal tear. This experience influenced me to want to have a more active role in surgery. I was also able to meet a physician’s assistant and talk to her about her profession as well. She talked about both working in the OR and assisting the surgeon as well as in an office setting. She specializes in dermatology and could still perform minor surgical removals of cancer spots in the office.”
Fall Sports
Fall was an action-packed season for our Blue Streaks, with three District Titles, two teams represented at States, and the first Golf State Championship! Thank you to our Magnificat families and fans for your ongoing support. Visit magnificatbluestreaks.org for scores, recaps, and more.
STATE CHAMPIONS!
TENNIS
Congratulations to Anna Mancino ’25, who advanced to the Quarterfinals of the State Tournament, placed 3rd, and was named to the Coaches Association First Team All-Ohio for Division 1 Singles. Joining Mancino at the State Tournament were Corinne Daniels ’25 and Molly Williams ’26, who played doubles.
GOLF
The varsity golf team won Magnificat’s first State Championship in the sport, coached by Danny Gallagher. Congratulations to team members Kristina Chill ’26, Kayla Knaze ’27, Maureen O’Leary ’25, Avery Paez ’25, Calli Reed ’28, and Cammy Reed ’25! Recognition went to:
2nd Team All Ohio: Kayla Knaze ’27, Cammy Reed ’25
1st Team All District: Maureen O’Leary ’25, Calli Reed ’28
2nd Team All District: Kristina Chill ’26
All District Honorable Mention: Avery Paez ’25 OHSGCA Division 1 Girls Golf Coach of the Year: Danny Gallagher
ROWING
At the Head of the Muskingum in Marietta, Ohio, the Novice 4+ team earned Gold, the Novice 8+ tied for first place, bringing home Silver, and the Varsity 2x earned bronze.
FIELD HOCKEY
Magnificat Field Hockey competed in the OHSAA Regional Quarterfinal on the road against Hathaway Brown, falling 3-2 with goals scored by Sophia Khoury ’25 and Alice Stein ’25. Coaches Association recognition went to:
1st Team All Regional and 1st Team All Ohio: Alice Stein ’25
2nd Team All Regional: Tea Jerro ’25, Sophia Khoury ’25, Olivia Thompson ’26
VOLLEYBALL
The varsity volleyball team finished its regular season 15-7 and went on to win Districts, ending the season as Regional runner-ups.
Coaches Association Award Recipients for District 2, Division 1 were:
Co-Player of the Year: Kailey Snow ’26
First Team: Ava Carney ’25
Second Team: Sydney Borowy ’26, Fiona Greulich ’25
Third Team: Lindsey Murphy ’26
Honorable Mention: Chloe Comer ’25, Gianna Florio ’26
SOCCER
Magnificat Soccer defeated Stow-Munroe Falls 2-1 in overtime during the District Semifinals, with Blue Streak goals scored by Mary Garcia ’25 and Gabby Garcia ’25.
GCSSCA Division 1 Girls Soccer
Player of the Year: Gabby Garcia ’25
CROSS COUNTRY
Coaches Association Award Recipients:
First Team: Gabby Garcia ’25, Mary Garcia ’25, Lexi Hradek ’27, Grace Quinn ’26, Draya Sanders ’28, Kalli Sdrakas ’27
Honorable Mention: Miranda Bena ’25, Lily Kuhlman ’26, Gemma Wichmann ’26
The varsity cross country team finished 10th at the OHSAA Division 1 District Championship meet. Allison Sanchez ’25 secured 18th place with a time of 19:58 and qualified for the Regional Championship.
COLLEGE ATHLETIC COMMITMENTS
Congratulations to our nine senior athletes who will be taking their talents to the collegiate level!
Gabby Garcia ’25 University of Detroit-Mercy, Soccer
Mary Garcia ’25 University of Detroit-Mercy, Soccer
Julia Hall ’25 Indiana University - Indianapolis, Basketball
Tea Jerro ’25 DePauw University, Field Hockey
Julia Low ’25 Mercyhurst University, Soccer
Maureen O’Leary ’25 Loyola University Chicago, Golf
Charlotte Pap ’25 Allegheny College, Basketball
Reese Roggenburk ’25 Stonehill College, Basketball
Alice Stein ’25 Haverford College, Field Hockey
MHS IN PHOTOS
Elf: The Musical
Magnificat’s fall production of Elf: The Musical delighted sold-out audiences with the story of Buddy the Elf’s quest to connect with his father in New York City. The musical was based on the movie and showcased the talents of 38 students from Magnificat and 10 neighboring schools with entertaining songs, complex choreography, and even a tap dance number—plus Santa greeting families before the matinees. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew on six fabulous performances!
Madelynn Berbec ’26 as Jovie with Owen Hill from Lakewood High School, who played Buddy.
Macy’s Store Employees perform Sparklejollytwinklejingley in Act I.
Anna Pastirik ’28 and Owen Hill dancing with the ensemble.
Cast Members Adriana and Allegra Carcioppolo ’25 with Emma Dando ’26.
Greenway Press Employees during the first act.
The ensemble tap dancing during a crowd-pleasing number.
Visual Arts
Alyssa Ianiro ’25
Josie Suchy ’25
Maddison Matheny ’25
Ella Brett ’25
Analiece DeJesus ’25
Ella Jenkins ’26
Campus Ministry
The Humble Hands Prayer Service focused on recognizing Christ’s presence in our sisters and brothers this Advent.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception All School Mass was celebrated by Friar Johnpaul Cafiero, OFM.
Eleven students traveled with Campus Ministry to the Ignatian Family Teach in for Justice in Washington, DC, where they gathered in prayer with over 1,800 people to learn about a faith that works for justice.
Students journaled and hiked during the Daylong Nature Retreat at Camp Christopher, which focused on the themes of gratitude and care for God’s creation.
Students walked the prayer labyrinth at the Villa Maria Community Center in Pennsylvania during Freshman Heritage Day, which brought the entire class together to connect with the Sisters of the Humility of Mary.
Faculty members Kourtney Steffen and Liz Wojtkun ’02 joined Campus Ministry’s Overnight Nature Retreat with students in Hocking Hills.
Director of Campus Ministry Jonathan Hesford invited students to discuss the Synod of Bishops in advance of his pilgrimage to Rome with the Catholic Education Network.
Celebrating Sister Helen Jean Novy, HM
By Teresa Messmore, Director of Communica-
and her 85th birthday, 60th year in education, and 50th
By Teresa Messmore, Director of Communications
Teacher, scholar, author, innovator, leader. For half a century, Vice President of Mission Emerita Sister Helen Jean Novy, HM, has fulfilled many roles at Magnificat and embodied the school’s Mission and Values while strategically enhancing the curriculum, faith formation programs, and learning environment. The 2024-2025 school year marks her 50th year of service to Magnificat— and her 60th year in teaching, her 65th year as a Sister of the Humility of Mary, and her 85th birthday—in what has been a remarkable and distinguished career.
“No one is quite like Sister Helen Jean,” President Moira Clark ’77 said. “Her warmth, intellect, and spirituality naturally draw students, colleagues, and alumnae to her, and the relationships formed paired
with her unwavering commitment to Magnificat have strengthened our school community for decades.”
Born and raised in Cleveland, Helen Mary Jean Novy was the only child of Frank and Helen Novy and grew up playing with friends and cousins in her Old Brooklyn neighborhood. Her family frequently visited her grandparents’ farm in Vermilion, where she developed a deep appreciation for God’s creation as she enjoyed hiking, driving tractors, fishing, and riding her horse, Silver. She attended Blessed Sacrament Parish School and was taught by Sisters of the Humility of Mary for seven of her eight elementary school years.
“I very much admired the Sisters for their manifest love of God as well as
year at Magnificat
their willingness to engage in fun and adventure, for example trying out the rides at Euclid Beach Park,” she said.
During the summer, she would talk to God as she walked alone to daily Mass, and by 6th grade she had decided to become a religious sister. She enrolled at Villa Maria High School in Pennsylvania, where the Villa Maria Community
Sister Helen Jean Novy, HM’s graduation photo from Villa Maria High School.
Center is today, and after graduating she studied Latin at John Carroll University and spent a fall semester at Ursuline College before entering the HM Community on Jan. 11, 1959.
As a novice, Sister Helen Jean learned about the HM Sisters’ ministries, prayer practices, and spiritual devotions. She and her fellow novices spent much of their time in silence, but they sang together during Chapel and feast day celebrations and bonded while attending to various chores. She fondly remembers being asked to teach a class about the Psalms, which she has continued studying ever since.
Sister Helen Jean went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in English from Notre Dame College in 1964 and a master’s degree in liberal studies from Wesleyan University in Connecticut in 1973. Her first student teaching and teaching positions were at Magnificat, where she taught Latin and English.
“The first year I taught here, while we were in habits, I think there were 39 nuns,” she recalled. “Between every class, the teachers stood in the middle aisle of the halls and the students changed classes in silence—so different from today.”
In various assignments teaching theology, English, drama, Latin, and math from 1964 to 1980, Sister Helen Jean worked at Magnificat, St. John High School in Ashtabula, Ohio, and Central Catholic High School in Canton, Ohio, for all of which she holds fond memories.
In 1981, Magnificat became her permanent teaching post, and her steady presence has provided valuable institutional knowledge while also championing humility and lifelong learning as the school changed with the times. In the 1980s, for example, she led the charge to introduce computers into the curriculum and taught students how to use the new technology in her class “Micro Magic: Computers for Non-Math Uses,” in which students programmed in BASIC. She also worked in NASA’s Education Department for two summers and co-wrote Labtop Book for Writing in Science.
“It was about being attuned to the psychological needs of the students, the spiritual needs, the academic needs, the physical needs, the social and the emotional needs,” she said about her approach to teaching and curriculum development. “It’s being
served in a curriculum director role for many years. Her natural networking skills helped bring notable speakers to campus including theologian Elizabeth A. Johnson and Pulitzer Prize winning author Anthony Doerr. By 2009, she was appointed to the role of Vice President of Mission as a member of the leadership team under former President Sister Carol Anne Smith, HM, and she went on to serve as Interim President in 2015.
“In her own unique and precious style, Sister Helen Jean exemplifies the spirit and mission of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary,” Sister Carol Anne Smith said. “We, her Sisters in Community, honor her and her unparalleled contributions to our beloved Magnificat High School. The countless lives she has touched stand as her legacy of love, education, and generous service.”
One of Sister Helen Jean’s most significant accomplishments at Magnificat was her development of Surround Learning, the concept that everything in the physical environment creates opportunities for learning. Magnificat’s outdoor Grotto, for example, could be just as effective for learning as a traditional classroom setting or lab. The Surround Learning initiative was the impetus for a capital campaign to enhance the Marian Commons and the library, now the
Sister Helen Jean Novy, HM, and Brother Mickey McGrath, who Sister commissioned to create this painting of Mary; Sister Helen Jean in her early days at Magnificat and as a child with a friend.
Sister Helen Jean introduced the first computers at Magnificat after buying hers at Radio Shack.
Humility of Mary Center, and Sister Helen Jean was involved in forging Magnificat’s ongoing partnership with Fielding International.
Sister initiated the concept of a crosscurricular experience of “The Review of the Century,” which involved three assemblies in 1999: The Launch with a pictorial and musical review of the century; a Veterans Assembly honoring those who served; and a Peace Prayer Assembly as a prelude to letter writing by all students and adults to their counterparts in the future, to be opened in 2050. This “time capsule” includes the letters along with a uniform, Student Handbook, yearbook, and scrapbooks of each class.
Humbled by the Holy Spirit’s faithful guidance, Sister Helen Jean regularly composes prayers and blessings for school events and activities. She is the author of three books: Prayers and Reflections for the Magnificat Community (2012), Days of Grace: 365 Prayers (2016), and A Bouquet of Mary Prayers (2018). She also writes The Daily Prayer, an email newsletter with original prayers sent to more than 4,300 subscribers every day.
In 2020, Sister transitioned to a part-time role as Vice President of Mission Emerita. She writes to recently graduated alumnae, advises faculty and staff on academic and theological matters, co-leads the Advent and Lenten Retreats, and partners closely with Vice President of Mission Katie Higgins ’99, among other responsibilities.
“Sister Helen Jean embodies Magnificat’s Mission and Values so joyfully and vibrantly!” Higgins said. “Her enthusiasm for our students, her deep faith and compassionate care for others, her innovative thinking, and her love of learning continue to make a profound impact on Magnificat and
so many members of our community from generation to generation.”
She is a guest teacher in theology classes, regularly walks the halls to chat with students, and challenges colleagues and students alike to read and think critically, drawing on her expansive knowledge of literature, theology, science, and current events. A regular fixture at sporting events, concerts, exhibits, and musicals, her indefatigable spirit not only encourages students but also provides a visible connection to Magnificat’s HM legacy.
“She is always incredibly kind and knowledgeable, and I see her spreading joy and God wherever she goes,” Tori Smith ’25 said. “She inspires me to be as kind as she is and to be a good role model and example for others in a faith-filled life, even if I am not a Sister.”
The entire student body will celebrate Sister’s 85th birthday with her in January, and a planning committee
has additional celebratory activities planned throughout the year. Alumnae and friends are invited to send their well wishes before her retirement in June by emailing srhjnovy@maghs.org.
“Magnificat is all about the students, and once they are here, they are part of the community forever,” Sister said, reflecting on her time at Magnificat. “I admire the deep commitment of the parents to their daughters and to Magnificat education. I appreciate the expertise of our strong board, dedicated to forwarding the Mission and the institution. I admire the faculty and staff’s extraordinary contributions to the holistic education of the girls and the administration’s conviction of the invaluable importance of our Mission and Values as the guiding light for the whole endeavor. What a privilege, and what a responsibility to educate our young women to be leaders in family, church, and world!”
Sister Helen Jean Novy, HM, has always had a special gift for engaging with students and alumnae, pictured here learning about pickleball, discussing books in the old library, posing at a special event, and preparing for an Advent Retreat with Katie Higgins ’99, who succeeded her as Vice President of Mission in 2020.
Take a selfie with Sister!
85 YEARS OF FAITH-FILLED LIFE
No matter where this issue of Magnificat Magazine finds you, you can snap a selfie with this picture of Sister Helen Jean and send it to her for her 85th birthday at srhjnovy@maghs.org with your well wishes!
65 YEARS AS A SISTER OF THE HUMILITY OF MARY
60 YEARS IN CATHOLIC EDUCATION
7
YEARS TAUGHT BY HM SISTERS IN GRADE SCHOOL
50 YEARS AT MAGNIFICAT
3
48 NIGHT IN BLUES ATTENDED
1 HORSE NAMED SILVER BOOKS OF PRAYER WRITTEN
1 LEAD, LEARN, PROCLAIM AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
2 SUMMERS SPENT WORKING AT NASA
3,800 DAILY PRAYERS SINCE 2014
HM Sisters and the Land: Sister Beatrix Champougny and Sister Lidwina
By Mary Cay Doherty, School Archivist and Social Studies Faculty Member
Magnificat’s heritage as a Sisters of the Humility of Mary sponsored school includes a deep and sacred connection to the Earth as a gift from God that sustains humanity. Like the HM Sisters, Magnificat is committed to conserving, preserving, and protecting the Earth and its abundant, life-giving resources.
Through the Seeds of Service Horticulture Club, Magnificat students can learn about, and engage with, the environment. They tend to our beehives, cultivate plants in the Hoop House, grow vegetables for Meals on Wheels, and create floral arrangements for campus events. These students follow in the footsteps of HM Sisters who have ministered at the Villa Maria Farm, including Sister Beatrix Champougny and Sister Lidwina Kirschensteiner.
When the first HM Sisters and Father John Joseph Bégel arrived in the Cleveland Diocese in 1864, Bishop Louis Amadeus Rappe offered them a house and acreage in Pennsylvania.
When the first HM Sisters and Father John Joseph Bégel arrived in the Cleveland Diocese in 1864, Bishop Louis Amadeus Rappe offered them a house and acreage in Pennsylvania. While other communities had abandoned the property due to difficulties cultivating the land, which
was overgrown, rocky, and even marsh-like in some places, Father Bégel developed a 10-year plan for their new home in New Bedford, Pennsylvania, that included clearing stones and using them for drainage; planting fruit trees, vegetables, and medicinal plants; and starting a large nursery. The sisters, however, had little farming experience and few financial resources, and they spoke no English.
Twenty-four-year-old Sister Beatrix Champougny led the way as the sisters worked to turn the land into a productive farm. While she preferred manual labor to activities like needlework, Sister Beatrix had no farming
to
from the late 1880s until the 1920s. The sisters captured bees found in an apple tree on their property and for years harvested and used the hive’s honey and wax. Long before 21st Century sustainability practices, the sisters used their own beeswax candles for lighting the way at Villa Maria.
Sister Lidwina Kirschensteiner
Villa drawing by Sister Odile Philbert
The HM Sisters tended
a beehive
knowledge or experience. So, she read books about farming and, true to the HM founding charism of humility, she sought advice and assistance from a local farmer. Despite her best efforts, however, the first potato crop failed. She was undeterred, and in time, the land yielded bountiful crops to sustain the sisters.
Sister Beatrix also expanded the farm to include livestock. Sheep provided wool for the sisters’ habits. Cows provided milk and beef to feed the community, and their hides provided leather that could be made into shoes. Always resourceful, Sister Beatrix taught herself how to make shoes by taking old shoes apart and studying their construction.
Decades later when Sister Lidwina Kirschensteiner entered the congregation in 1915, the elderly Sister Beatrix was no longer farming, but Sister Lidwina surely heard about Sister Beatrix’s contributions to the farm. She could not have imagined, however, that 10 years after Sister Beatrix’s death in 1921, she herself would be working the farm.
When Sister Lidwina learned about her new assignment, she cried. As a teacher, she knew nothing about farming—but like Sister Beatrix and so many sisters before her, Sister Lidwina responded to the needs of the time and embraced the challenge. She took correspondence courses—the early 20th century version of distance learning—and studied the farming materials that were mailed to her. She quickly gained new skills such as learning to expertly cut the farm’s butchered meats.
Sister Lidwina also understood that assistance from lay people was integral to the farm’s success. At the end of the harvest, she organized dinners for those who worked
on the farm. Years later, this tradition was revived and reinvented as a Harvest Days celebration that was open to the public.
Like Sisters Beatrix and Lidwina, countless HM sisters ministered on Villa Maria’s farm with gratitude to God the Creator for the earth and its resources. Working on the land deepened their faith.
Often, this ministry required them to learn new skills. Today, Seeds of Service students have similar experiences in their horticultural work at Magnificat. As they advance their knowledge and cultivate respect for the Earth, they embrace the call to be lifelong learners on a faith-filled journey.
Sister Paulette Kirschensteiner, HM, is Sister Lidwina’s great-niece. Two other great-aunts, Sister Mary Louise Kirschensteiner and Sister Barbara Kirschensteiner, were also members of the HM congregation. An accomplished artist, Sister Paulette ministered as an art teacher at Magnificat from 1971 to 1977. In September 2024, she was among the inaugural inductees into Magnificat’s Fine Arts Hall of Fame.
Sister Beatrix
Villa Maria Mother House circa 1873
Fun Fact
The MagnificaT gala Shamrocks & Champagne
Saturday, March 15, 2025
Save the date for an enchanted, fun-filled evening of Shamrocks and Champagne on Saturday, March 15, 2025 for the 36th annual Magnificat Gala! This signature event will bring together Magnificat’s parents, alumnae, and friends while raising support for tuition assistance, which helps nearly 70 percent of students. A highlight of the Gala is the recognition of remarkable individuals in the Magnificat community. This year the following four outstanding members will be honored:
THE MAGNIFICAT AWARD
The Magnificat Award honors outstanding service and personal commitment to Magnificat High School and its Mission. Longtime supporters of Magnificat, Debbie and Brad Norton believe deeply in the power of a singlegender Catholic education. Not only are they parents of triplets, Anna ’18, Sydney ’18, and Taylor ’18, but Debbie is also the daughter of Katherine Hebing Reidy ’59, a member of Magnificat’s first graduating class. Both Debbie and Brad have been strong advocates for Magnificat for many years, and their philanthropy and service to the school have been exceptional.
ALUMNAE AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
The Alumnae Award of Excellence is given to an alumna who demonstrates service and leadership while being an accomplished innovator in her field and in her community. After more than a decade at the highest levels of the US government, including Senior Advisor and Director of Legislative Affairs for President Obama, Katie transitioned to the corporate world and currently serves as Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs at Fidelity Investments. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Katie remains connected to the Magnificat community and continues to support the young women who will follow in her footsteps.
TRUE BLUE VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD
True Blue Volunteer of the Year Award honors a volunteer whose dedication to Magnificat is exemplary. As the mother of two Magnificat graduates, Mary ’19 and Catie ’24, Amy has dedicated herself in many varied roles over the years as a part of the Family Association of Magnificat (FAM) and the Gala Committee, including last year when she served as both FAM Network President and Gala Chair. Also a dedicated volunteer at Saint Ignatius High School, Amy has shown her deep commitment to Catholic education and strengthening the bonds of our school communities.
The
DEBBIE REIDY NORTON '86 AND BRAD NORTON
KATIE BEIRNE FALLON '94
AMY KELLY
SCAN FOR GALA INFO & TICKETS
Following the success of last year, the Cleveland Rivals Unite Giving Challenge is returning for another round of friendly competition! Magnificat High School, Saint Joseph Academy, and the Beaumont School are banding together in support of all-girls Catholic education in Greater Cleveland by challenging alumnae to support their alma mater’s annual fund by making a donation between April 28-30, 2025. The school with the greatest percentage of alumnae who participate will win!
“Last year Magnificat won with 6.9% of our alumnae making a generous gift to the Magnificat Fund,” Senior Director of Development and Alumnae Relations Meg Shrewsbury said. “We are counting on our alumnae to claim the title again while showing their support for Magnificat’s students.”
Last year a total of 764 donors gave $64,000 to the Magnificat Fund during the challenge, representing higher results than traditional days of giving. Still, the percentage of alumnae who give is lower than national benchmarks
and that of boys’ schools. The Cleveland Rivals Unite Giving Challenge is intended to inspire greater philanthropic support for Catholic girls schools, with similar campaigns taking place in other parts of the state and country.
Keep an eye out for more information about how to participate in Cleveland Rivals Unite this spring!
Night in Blue FAM NETWORK
The 67th annual Night in Blue was filled with family fun as the Magnificat community gathered for Mass, a pasta dinner, carnival games, Bingo, and raffle drawings. This annual fundraiser about “students helping students” supports the holistic academic, co-curricular, leadership, and faith formation programming for which Magnificat is known. Congratulations to all of our 2024 Night in Blue raffle winners, and thank you to everyone who made this event possible: our sponsors, advertisers, families, friends, and FAM Network and student volunteers!
Music ministers Diana Then-Garcia ’28 and Addison Colgrove ’27.
Fr. James Watson, OFM Cap. from St.Agnes Our Lady of Fatima Parish presided over the Mass.
Student liturgical ministers at the Night in Blue Mass.
Members of the Class of 2025 at the Grand Prize Drawing.
Students in Sustainability Club volunteering with Chef Adam Hale of AVI.
Jazmine Rodriguez ’27, Diana Then-Garcia ’28, and Kennedy Collier ’28 in the Kids’ Corner.
Parent volunteers in the Bingo Hall: Jennifer Spellacy Dzina ’98, Doug Kuhlman, Ann Johnson, Carrie Kuhlman, Kristen Hanzel LaPorte ’96, Val Ford, and Karen Guiher.
Student volunteers, Tori Smith ’25, Allison Sanchez ’25, Catie Hoban ’25, and Ella Brett ’25 in the Kids’ Corner.
Holly Market
The FAM Network’s annual Holly Market brought more than 70 vendors on campus for a festive evening of holiday shopping. Attendees strolled through both gyms enjoying hors d’oeuvres and perusing a variety of local wares, while the Alumnae Board hosted a special happy hour for alumnae in the Marian Commons. Thank you to all the volunteers, businesses, and shoppers who made this year’s Holly Market a success!
Mark your calendar! Feb. 8, 2025
The Blue Streak brotherhood—fathers, grandfathers, uncles, friends, etc.—is invited for a night of fellowship and fun at the annual Reverse Raffle, where raffle tickets are drawn over the course of the evening and the last ticket to be pulled wins the Grand Prize of $3,000! Tickets include: a BBQ dinner, beverages, bourbon tastings, card games, and more!
The Magnificat Robotics Club selling earrings to support the Blue Streaks Krista Stachler-Rogers, Mike Cook, and Allison Cukon
Cynthia Ford and Molly Stanton ’16 BOW WOW “Bark” - Cuterie Table
Event co-chair Katie Gerba, right, with Director of Performing Arts Jill Haller, center, and Sherri Arterburn
Alumnae Board Members Julie Bennett Megyimori ’00, Carolyn Heisser ’15, Paula Kalil Conroy ’90, Christine Dziak Gunn ’95, Bridget MacMillan ’83
Market!
ALUMNAE CONNECTIONS
Once a Blue Streak, always a Blue Streak! The Magnificat sisterhood lasts a lifetime, and alumnae forge meaningful bonds with current students and one another by participating in presentations on campus and alumnae events around Cleveland. There are lots of ways to be involved, from sponsoring a Genesis experience for a senior to speaking about career paths at a co-curricular. Please contact Senior Director of Development and Alumnae Relations Meg Shrewsbury at mshrewsbury@maghs.org for more information.
Basketball Team
Marjorie Duffy ’98 spoke to the basketball team on Nov. 8 about leadership, focusing on themes of embracing leadership, being kind, and giving more even when you feel like you have given 100 percent. A law partner at Jones Day, Duffy discussed how being a leader does not stop after leaving the court, both in basketball and the court of law.
Marketing Club
The Marketing Club welcomed Dara Krueger ’87, Executive Director of Marketing Communications and Integrated Marketing at Cleveland Clinic, who discussed her education at Miami University and Case Western Reserve University for communication and business. Krueger also discussed policies in marketing and how her work supports Cleveland Clinic. At the end, she gave students a short quiz to test their knowledge of different marketing fun facts.
Law Club
Jennifer Reister ’90 and Cara Santosuosso Foutty ’91 from the Law Offices of Cara L. Santosuosso, LLC, spoke with the Students in Law Club about their work in family law and provided guidance and advice about careers in the legal field.
Blue Streak Barristers
The Blue Streak Barristers and Saint Joseph Academy’s Jagsquires gathered at Magnificat on Nov. 16 for a morning of continuing legal education. Presentations on US immigration law, issues in civil discovery, and defamation and harassment were made by alumnae of both schools, including Katie Russell ’04, Eleanor Hagan ’05, Fallon Radigan ’01, and Christine Vacha ’05.
Plant Seeds Now to Transform Lives Later
Your legacy can flourish far beyond your lifetime—and it doesn’t require great wealth to make an enduring difference. By including a charitable gift to Magnificat in your estate plans, you can help empower future generations of young women with the gift of a Magnificat education.
There are several simple but impactful ways to make a planned gift:
Bequests: You can leave a gift to Magnificat in your will or living trust. This ensures your support for our Mission without affecting your current finances.
Beneficiary Designations: Name Magnificat as a beneficiary of your retirement account, life insurance policy, or other financial accounts. This is an easy, straightforward way to make a meaningful contribution.
Qualified Charitable Distributions: If you're 70½ or older, you can transfer up to $100,000 per year directly from your IRA to Magnificat. This satisfies your required minimum distribution and isn't counted as taxable income.
By planting the seeds of generosity today, you have the power to transform countless lives for years to come. If you have already included Magnificat in your estate plans, please let us know so that we can properly acknowledge you as a member of the Sr. Bernadette Vetter Legacy Society.
Contact Director of Development Maggie Mroz Lamb ’84 at mlamb@maghs.org or 440-331-1572, ext. 268, to explore how planned giving options can align with your values and goals.
Please consult with your tax or legal professional to discuss which options work best for you.
Explore a creative way to make a donation to Magnificat scholarships, at no cost to you!
The State of Ohio gives you the opportunity to turn your Ohio tax dollars into tuition assistance.
All Ohio residents are eligible to make a gift to the Magnificat Scholarship Granting Organization and receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit of up to $750 annually per individual or up to $1,500 annually if married filing jointly. Gifts for 2024 can be made until April 15, 2025.
Easy as
Estimate your State of Ohio tax liability for 2024.
Income of $50,000 (individual) or $100,000 (married) will generally allow you to receive the full tax credit.
Make your gift online to the Magnificat SGO using the Magnificat SGO webpage, or write a check payable to “Magnificat Scholarship Granting Organization.”
Claim your tax credit on your 2024 State of Ohio tax return.
High Flying Blue Streaks
Students earning pilot licenses to embark on careers in aviation
By Teresa Messmore, Director of Communications
Career plans for Lily Green ’25 and Chloe Horan ’25 are ready for takeoff: The two friends are preparing to become commercial pilots and, as high school students, have already taken the first steps towards obtaining their private pilot licenses.
“I’m really excited to start flying,” Horan said.
The students attended ground school last summer at T&G Flying Club at Cleveland’s Burke Lakefront Airport for their Genesis experience, the Magnificat graduation requirement to spend 40 hours exploring a career of interest. Green had previously considered becoming an anesthesiologist, but she was inspired by her mother— Southwest Airlines pilot and Magnificat alumna Joanne Stepic ’94—to pursue a career in aviation.
“She was talking to me about it and how she gets to spend overnights in really cool places,” Green said. “So I was like, that actually sounds pretty cool!”
Her mother arranged a discovery flight for the two young women in Florida during spring break, during which a flight instructor explained the basics of flying a small airplane and let the students help control the aircraft. They were a little nervous before the flight, they said, knowing that the flight could either confirm their interest in becoming pilots—or steer them in another direction altogether.
“We were both in shock and so overwhelmed with how much we loved it,” Horan said. “We literally could not stop smiling after we did the discovery flight.”
Since completing ground school, the students continued studying the content with mentorship from Stepic in preparation for a Federal Aviation Administration exam testing their knowledge. They reviewed between classes at Magnificat and took up to two practice tests each day in the weeks leading up to the exam, which covered topics like
aerodynamics and balancing weight around a plane. While most of the math needed to complete calculations was new to them and not part of their Magnificat coursework, both passed in November.
The next stage of their journey will take them to Fort Myers, Florida, after they graduate from Magnificat this spring. There they will live together and attend flight school at Paragon Flight Training as part of their college education through Purdue University. They will start taking Purdue classes online as soon as this summer with an undergraduate major in professional flight within the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology. While a college degree is not necessary to become a pilot, the students will gain broader understanding of the aviation industry that will be helpful at a commercial airline.
Over the next few years they will take an oral exam, log numerous flight hours, and complete more licensing credentials. Their hope is to start at a regional airline and then work their way up to captain positions at a major airline.
Looking back at their time at Magnificat, the students said that the emphasis on leadership is helping them chart their path forward. Becoming a pilot is not a common choice, they pointed out, especially in a profession dominated by men. Gender stereotypes are certainly something Green’s
“Everyone’s always shocked to hear that I’m going to be a
Lily Green ’25 and Chloe Horan ’25 took a discovery flight during spring break, confirming their interest in becoming commercial pilots.
PROFILES
By Caitlin MacBride Berg ’10, Director of Alumnae Relations
Claire Coyne McCoy ’15 REAL ESTATE
Claire Coyne McCoy ’15, Director of Cleveland Real Estate at Newmark, is already making a significant impact in the male-dominated world of commercial real estate, most recently being named to the Crain’s Cleveland Business “20 in Their 20s” list.
McCoy attended Miami University, where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Analytics and a Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management. Real estate wasn’t yet on her radar, but her passion for problem-solving and her interest in information systems and supply chain dynamics set the stage for what was to come.
“When I first started applying for jobs, I was looking for a typical supply chain role,” she said. “But then things fell into place with the opportunity at KPMG, and I found I really enjoyed the information systems side of things.”
McCoy began her career as an Associate IT Advisor at KPMG, gaining valuable skills in analytics and systems consulting. Like many, she found herself working from home during the pandemic, a time when she began rethinking her long-term career path. Trusting her instincts, she decided to make a major career change and transitioned into real estate—a field she’d grown up hearing about at the dinner table.
In moving to Newmark, McCoy not only found a career she’s passionate about but also an inspiring mentor: her father, a seasoned commercial real estate professional.
“I’m lucky enough to work for the greatest mentor: my dad! He’s been in the industry for over 30 years and is incredibly knowledgeable,” she said. “He’s a great teacher and my own personal advocate.”
Now focused on office leasing in Cleveland, McCoy helps to manage over 100 building listings and multiple tenant agreements, with projects that can range from a few months to years in duration.
“I love how everything changes, and I love all the clients I get to work with,” she said. “The variety and the relationships you build make every day exciting.”
McCoy notes how Magnificat instilled in her the confidence and collaborative skills essential for navigating her career in male-dominated fields.
“Magnificat really empowers their students,” she said. “I’ve always felt well-prepared to work with others and walk into any room confidently.”
Beyond her professional life, McCoy is also committed to making a difference in her community. She serves on the Young Professionals Board for the American Cancer Society, where she’s passionate about raising awareness and supporting the organization’s mission. She currently lives in Rocky River with her husband, Connor, and looks forward to continuing her journey in real estate and community involvement.
Vicky Bush-Joseph ’74’s commitment to social justice and community improvement started during her time as a student at Magnificat. Inspired by a high school experience hosting a Peruvian exchange student, she began traveling internationally and studying languages—experiences that would shape her worldview.
After Magnificat, Bush-Joseph attended Loyola University of Chicago, where she majored in Spanish literature. From there, she began her legal career as a paralegal at a Chicago law firm, where her Spanish skills proved invaluable in translating for clients. The legal world soon sparked a desire for further education in law school, and she earned a JD from Loyola’s School of Law. This led to various roles, including positions as in-house counsel at AT&T and Ameritech, and eventually a private practice focused on adoptions and reproductive rights.
Much of Bush-Joseph’s work focused on improving laws impacting families in Illinois. She was instrumental in helping pass legislation to increase access to fertility treatments. She realized that advocating for policy change could transform lives, and it became her personal mission. After retiring, she continued to pour her time and energy into global philanthropy, supporting women and girls worldwide.
Through her work on the Board of Directors for Together Women Rise, Bush-Joseph has traveled to remote communities across the globe, including Malawi, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, and Zambia. But her travels are never about checking places off a list. Instead, she’s committed
Vicky Bush-Joseph ’ 74 LAW AND PHILANTHROPY
to building genuine connections with the people she meets, learning their stories, and witnessing firsthand the transformative impact of the organization’s 12 annual grants.
During a trip to Guatemala in 2020, she connected with a young woman who had received support to complete nursing school. She returned two years later to see this same young woman thriving and giving back to her community by helping mothers care for their newborns and developing a homemade and affordable alternative to Pedialyte.
“We’re helping women and girls succeed, but they’re the ones who know what their communities need most,” she said. “We’re just helping fund their vision.”
Her passion for empowering women and girls also extends to her work with World Bicycle Relief, an organization that provides specially designed bicycles to students, primarily young girls, to ensure they can safely get to school. She also is involved on the local level with Impact Grants Chicago.
“Magnificat was great at showing women they could do anything,” she said, recalling the role models she encountered there, from teachers to classmates. Sister Dominica, who inspired her love of music, remains a cherished memory. Although she set aside singing after high school, Bush-Joseph returned to it later in life, joining the Sounds Good Choir in her community. Last summer, she even participated in a weeklong choir camp, performing a social justice piece commissioned by the University of Michigan.
Married for 42 years with three adult children, BushJoseph remains based in Chicago but continues to make an impact globally. As she looks ahead to upcoming trips with Together Women Rise to the Dominican Republic and Indonesia, she remains driven by a simple, powerful vision: to be part of a movement where communities worldwide have what they need to thrive, and women and girls can access education, support, and opportunities to transform their own lives and those around them.
PROFILES
Tina Lattouf Chamoun ’06
ENTREPRENEUR
Tina Lattouf Chamoun ’06, founder and owner of Terranean Herbs & Spices, has created a brand that combines her cultural heritage with a passion for accessibility and quality.
After graduating from Magnificat, Chamoun attended John Carroll University and majored in political science with a double minor in Spanish and philosophy and a concentration in international studies. She went on to graduate from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 2014 and practiced law for several years. While attending law school, she worked as the Marketing Director for Aladdin’s Eatery, which introduced her to the food industry. This experience became instrumental as she transitioned from law to the culinary business, a shift she further pursued through her first venture, YourLebanon.com. Through this platform, she shared Lebanese recipes in English, created content for brands, and fostered a deep connection to Lebanese cuisine.
In 2019, Chamoun launched Terranean Herbs Spices after years of loading up her suitcase with the authentic spices for family and friends every time she visited Lebanon. Her mission resonated with the demand for Middle Eastern flavors in the United States, especially za’atar—a blend of dried thyme, sumac, and sesame seeds with a deep-rooted cultural significance.
“I grew up enjoying authentic Lebanese za’atar while visiting my family and grandmother in our Lebanese village every summer,” she recalled. “Through my business, I create za’atar seasonings, spreads, and twice-baked pita chips for American grocery stores and markets.”
Terranean Herbs & Spices began modestly but has quickly expanded. Today, her products are available in over 1,500 stores across the nation, including local grocery stores: Heinen’s, Giant Eagle, Market District, Dave’s, and Lucky’s. Beyond local grocery stores, her brand has online partnerships with Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Amazon, and other national retailers. Her products are also available at Jewel-Osco in Illinois.
Chamoun is now exploring restaurant collaborations, working with local favorites like Aladdin’s Eatery, Forage Public House, and an upcoming collaboration with Danny Boys. For production, she partners with Jasmine Bakery and employs an all-woman immigrant team, a choice that reflects her values of community and empowerment.
Reflecting on her education at Magnificat, Chamoun feels the school provided her with the foundation for her success.
“Magnificat had a huge impact on my future,” she said. “There are so many opportunities to be a leader and find your voice.”
Beyond her business, Chamoun balances family life with her husband, Fares, and three children (ages 8, 6, and 3), whom she says are her number one customers. She is continuing to find ways to grow her business and still creates content and recipes for YourLebanon.com. For more information about her products and where to find them, visit https://terraneanherbs.com.
Darby Corna Vinciguerra ’ 99
ART & FASHION DESIGN
Darby Corna Vinciguerra ’99, comes from a family of artists and has made a successful career in art and fashion design in New York City.
Inspired by her family and her love of art classes at Magnificat, Vinciguerra pursued a Bachelor of Arts from New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, concentrating in studio art and fashion design, followed by a degree in fashion design from Parsons School of Design.
Today Vinciguerra works as an independent artist and designer, taking on custom commissions for clients in cities including New York, Cleveland, Denver, San Francisco, and Northern New Jersey. She specializes in creating multi-series pieces and custom palettes using house paint with finishes that range from high gloss to matte, a technique inspired by the traditional Ukrainian eggs she recalls from her heritage. Her current projects range from large-scale paintings to spiritwear designs for her children’s schools, and she recently created a piece for Machine Gun Kelly and presented it to him on Cleveland’s inaugural MGK Day. This piece incorporated the colors of his UNDN nail polish line.
Her artistic journey, however, didn’t start in the studio but rather in the world of high fashion. Drawn to design from an early age—she designed her own
First Communion, homecoming, and prom dresses— Vinciguerra quickly took to the New York fashion scene. During her time at NYU, she secured an internship with Polo Ralph Lauren, setting the stage for a career in accessories and handbags. After working at renowned brands like Eric Javits, Club Monaco, Tommy Hilfiger and Tory Burch, she was well-versed in all aspects of the industry, from showroom management to design and quality control.
Vinciguerra’s time at Calvin Klein proved particularly transformative.
“It was like boot camp for the fashion industry,” she said, reflecting on the intensive experience of relaunching the brand’s iconic white label handbags and her weeks spent in China learning the intricacies of global production. She also learned the importance of quality control, ethical sourcing, and the impact of supporting reputable brands—a value she still champions today.
In addition to her design work, Vinciguerra has left her mark through prominent media appearances. Her creations have appeared in Vogue, Elle, New York Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, and more, and her accessories have been worn by style icons like Gigi Hadid, Tory Burch, Jordana Brewster, and Hannah Simone. Despite her success, Vinciguerra chose to step away from corporate life to prioritize raising her children and deepen her focus on her art.
Reflecting on her early experiences, Vinciguerra attributes much of her drive and creativity to her years at Magnificat. Her time there, particularly with teachers Mrs. Judy Collins, Mrs. Kathy DesForges, and Ms. Zoe Murphy, fostered a sense of discipline and ambition. She also found unexpected growth through sports: She and her classmates helped launch Magnificat’s first lacrosse and field hockey teams, and she has continued to coach throughout the years.
She credits her family as her biggest influence—her mother, an artist, and her father, an architect, instilled in her an appreciation for both creativity and structure. Now living in Glen Rock, New Jersey, with her husband and three children, Vinciguerra’s life continues to be a blend of family, art, and lacrosse.
CLASS NOTES
1980
Kathy Ward Caldart and her husband Don celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in September.
2010
Chelsea Girgash Geary married Ryan Geary on Oct. 11, 2024 at the Ariel International Center in Cleveland.
2012
Grace Conroy is a neuro ICU pharmacy specialist at the Cleveland Clinic and in August 2024 was named the Program Director for the Neuro ICU Pharmacy Residency Program.
2015
Margaret Conroy graduated with her Bachelor of Nursing degree in 2019 from Loyola University Chicago and this year earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati. She is now practicing in the dermatology field.
Victoria Meyer graduated from the Naval Academy in 2019, and is now a Lieutenant, Nuclear Submarine Officer in the United States Navy. She appeared on CBS’s Eye on America on Veterans Day 2024.
2018
Morgan Shenk Velasco married Alec Velasco on Sept. 14, 2024, at the Western Reserve Historical Society.
Please join us in prayer for the families of our students and alumnae.
Cathy Sheehan Barta ’64
Joyce E. Barrett
Mother of Jennifer Krebs ’92
Margaret Callinan
Mother of Julie Callinan O’Brien Norris ’82, Colleen Callinan Ueland ’86, and Margaret Callinan Lake ’90
John Joseph Carlin
Brother of Leslie Carlin Pritchard ’73 and Anne Carlin-Jacoby ’82
Robert A. “Bob” Cintron
Brother-in-law Erin Fox Cintron ’86; Uncle of Maddi Cintron ’14
Daniel F. Coughlin
Husband of Maddy Kramer Coughlin ’66†; Brother-in-law of Josie Kramer ’65
Jane Eleanor Darrah ’61
Paul Edelmann
Grandfather of Liz Wojtkun ’02 and Allison Wojtkun ’04
Catherine Flynn ’68
Sister of Mary Jane Hoek ’64† and Patricia Flynn Ryan ’73
Maryann Holub Grabe ’48L
Sister of Rita Grabe Lundberg ’47L and Lois Jane Grabe Kenney ’48L
Donald G. Gulas
Father-in-Law of Magnificat staff member Keith Wagner
Lawrence T. “Larry” Oakar
Father of Michelle Oakar Adams ’85, Margaret Oakar ’96, and Catherine Oakar ’99; Brother of Mary Rose Oakar ’58L; Uncle to Carol Kovalick Oakar ’71†, Kathie Oakar
Golobic '83, Susan Oakar ’83, Pattie Oakar Eldridge ’84, Mary Ellen Oakar Dailey ’90, Annie Oakar Henry ’94, and Jeannie Oakar ’96
Loretta Ann “Laurie” Oakar
Mother of Kathie Oakar Golobic ’83, Patricia Oakar Eldridge ’84, Mary Ellen Oakar Dailey ’90, Annie Oakar Henry ’94, and Jeannie Oakar ’96; Sister-in-law of Mary Rose Oakar ’58L; Aunt of Carol Kovalick Oakar ’71†, Susan Oakar ’83, Michelle Oakar Adams ’85, Margaret Oakar ’96, and Catherine Oakar ’99
Jacqueline Ann Kaiser Schach ’64
Sister of Connie Kaiser ’67†
Mary Catherine Ward
Mother-in-law of Barbara Kappus Ward ’84; Grandmother of Caitlyn Ward ’16 and Brenna Ward ’18
Marc S. Williams
Husband of Mary Lowe Williams ’86
“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
† Deceased L denotes a graduate of Lourdes Academy
We have included all individuals for whom we received notification following the publication of the Fall 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.
