Educating Founders since 1858
Moun t Sa i n t Joseph Ac a de my Ma ga z i n e
Congratulations, Class of 2020!
Summer 2020
TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS Now Your PERSONAL and Business PA Tax Dollars Can Directly Provide Mount Students with Financial Aid
NEW! FOR INDIVIDUALS For years, the Education Improvement Tax Credit and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit corporate programs have allowed businesses who pay specific taxes in the state of PA to designate up to 90% of those monies to the Mount to use for financial aid. Now, individuals who pay a specific amount of taxes to the state of PA can do the same through an LLC! The Mount is partnering with BLOCS (Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools), who will walk you through the very simple process of participating in their LLC program so you can designate your personal tax credit to the Mount for financial aid. THE BASICS • Go to www.msjacad.org/eitc-ostc for more details on the individual program. • Discuss the tax advantages of participation with your accountant or tax advisor. • Contact BLOCS [https://blocs.org/personal-tax-credits/] to express your interest in participating. • Make sure you are designating your tax credit to Mount Saint Joseph Academy.
THE BENEFITS • Your potentially non-deductible state income tax becomes a deductible federal charitable contribution. • You become a significant donor to Mount and our financial aid program with little to no additional cost to you as an individual. • More EITC and OSTC money means a Mount education is available to more young ladies regardless of their socioeconomic background.
FOR CORPORATIONS
Businesses in PA that pay the following taxes can apply to qualify for eligibility in the traditional program: 3 Corporate Net Income Tax 3 Insurance Premiums Tax 3 Malt Beverage Tax (with some exclusions) 3 Capital Stock/Foreign Franchise Tax 3 Retaliatory Fees under section 212 of the 3 Bank Shares Tax Insurance Company Law of 1921 3 Title Insurance and Trust Company Shares Tax 3 Mutual Thrift Institution Tax THE BASICS • Go to www.msjacad.org/eitc-ostc for more details. • Fill out the simple application which can be found on www.newpa.com. • Make sure you are designating your tax credit to Mount Saint Joseph Academy.
THE BENEFITS • 75% of your contribution to Mount Saint Joseph Academy will go as a tax credit to your Business • This increases to 90% if you agree to contribute the same amount for 2 years • The 25% (or 10% for a two year commitment) that is not included in the tax credit may be claimed as a charitable donation on your federal tax return
For more details on the Personal and Business EITC/OSTC programs, go to
www.msjacad.org/eitc-ostc
MAGAZINE Mount Magazine is an official publication of Mount Saint Joseph Academy. Mount Magazine is published two times a year (Winter, Summer) for students, alumnae, parents and friends of Mount Saint Joseph Academy. 2
Summer 2020
managing editor Kristen DiPrinzio
designer Maridel McCloskey, McCloskey Designs
director of alumnae Kelly Keane Owens ‘04
editorial staff Jill Gregori, Rose Lamphere, Leigh McFadden, Theresa Moyer, Kelly Keane Owens ‘04
printer Garrison Printing Co., Pennsauken, NJ
director of communications Kristen DiPrinzio
writers Kristen DiPrinzio
president Sister Charlene Diorka, SSJ
mount fund coordinator Leigh McFadden
principal Dr. Judith A. Caviston
development coordinator Rose Lamphere
class chatter Rose Lamphere, Theresa Moyer photographers Kristen DiPrinzio, Sam Fritch Photography
director of development Jill Gregori
director of special events Theresa Moyer
submit class notes online at: www.msjacad.org/classchatter
send comments or corrections to: Mount Saint Joseph Academy Editorial Office 120 West Wissahickon Avenue, Flourtown, PA 19031 | contact: 215-233-3177 | mount@msjacad.org
contents [Mount Magazine]
6 9 10 20 I I I I
6 On the Mount
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9 Go Mount
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10
Graduation
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Purple & Gold Gala
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I I I I
State of the Art Robotics Lab Unveiled Development Alumnae Class Chatter
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Letter from the President July 1, 2020 marked the beginning of my journey as the President at Mount Saint Joseph Academy. On that day, I felt like I was coming home and entering a foreign land all at the same time. Having spent nine years on our faculty from 1992-2001, I immediately remembered the comfort and energy of this special place. But as a global pandemic changed our school operations and the murder of George Floyd justifiably amplified the conversation on systemic racism, including within our own walls, I faced the fear and isolation of the unknown and the uncomfortable. The words of Thomas Merton kept recurring in my mind and heart. You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope. Moments like these provide the foundation for transformation – and our Mount family embraced these moments like Merton suggests. Administration, faculty, staff and students immediately responded to the pandemic more as an opportunity than a problem. More than 350 alumnae reconnected with us and gave of their time to discuss ways we can dismantle racism in our institution and better support our current and future students of color. As we faced both challenges the Mount community offered new and innovative ways to move ahead with courage, faith and hope. In the face of COVID-19, the 2019-20 school year moved ahead with virtual learning, activities and celebrations. Our Class of 2020 deserves particular praise for not only completing their education, but also distinguishing themselves with exceptional achievements in academics, in sports, in the arts, in technology and in so many other ways (including their historic parking lot graduation complete with masks and social distancing!). This legendary class of young women earned 483 scholarships in the amount of $23,380,876, and were accepted to 563 colleges and universities across the country; had members who played on a golf team that again won the PIAA state championship; had swimmers on a team that clinched the AACA championship for the third consecutive year, and advanced to district- and state-level competition; and excelled in choral performances, artistic and literary achievements. They leave us as high school graduates whose final lesson was a crash course in looking for possibility in the face of unfathomable challenges. We all know this will serve them well as the emerging leaders of our changing and uncertain world. The Class of 2020 also embodied the sisterhood that blossoms at the Mount, giving us an inspiring and poignant reminder that sisterhood is just as vital in times of despair as it is in times of joy. Like sisters do, they leaned on each other to grieve the crushing disappointment of losing the senior year they always envisioned. They united to lift each other up and to remain positive and celebratory during an inconceivable end to their Mount journey. I saw this same familiar sisterhood emerge as alumnae of color bravely came forward to give witness to their past encounters with racism at the Mount. Mount alumnae of all ages stood up and spoke out for their sisters, condemning these past aggressions and vowing to ensure a future where racial justice permeates the Mount. While facing two monumental challenges isn’t exactly what I may have envisioned for my first month as President, I set forth with the guidance of exemplary women who’ve led this institution before me. I continue to pray to Sister Kathleen Brabson to ask for her spiritual direction, and I have had the privilege of working in tandem with Sister Mary Dacey to transition to my role. Only a year ago, on July 1, 2019, Sister Mary returned to the Mount to assume the role of Interim President. Her selfless gift of leadership is described best in a word, faithful, as she guided the Mount through the unexpected loss of Sister Kathleen, the collective grief that followed and the crisis of the virus and the “new normal” virtual operation. She did this all in one calendar year with her generous and magnanimous spirit. I offer her heartfelt thanks for her service of the mission of the Mount and her lifelong dedication to this school. I know you join me in wishing her many blessings. Trusting in a God who can do more than we can ask or imagine, I will embrace this historic time at the Mount – and in our world – with courage, faith and hope. I hope you will join me. Blessings, Sister Charlene Diorka, SSJ 4
Summer 2020
Departing Faculty and Staff The Mount is grateful for the years of service of these dedicated employees. Carol Finney Director of Enrollment
Lisa Ford Science
Larry Hall Maintenance
Jean Korey ’70 Fine Arts
Bernadette Leonard ’73 English, Campanile
Jody Romano Vice President of Institutional Advancement
Rosemary Salvo Guidance
Sharon Statmore Admissions
In Memory of Elizabeth Harkins Digital Marketing & Social Media Coordinator
Harvey Jamison Maintenance
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School news from Mount Saint Joseph Academy
On The Mount Editor’s note: The following events and announcements are arranged in chronological order, to show which of those happened before and during quarantine.
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1 2 3 1
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A group of students in the Women in Business Club traveled to New York City to meet with employees at AXA/Equitable, a financial advisory organization. They also participated in a panel discussion about women in the workforce and challenging yourself to step outside of your comfort zone professionally. Students were treated to a concert from Interfaith Music Project of Philadelphia during an assembly. Arranged by Mrs. Katie Kennedy (Theology), the concert featured upbeat songs from the band, whose members identify with various faiths. Mount Spirit Week 2020 took place the first week of March, and featured assemblies, themed dressdown days, and activities that highlighted how the Mount Fund enriches the experiences of MSJA students. The week ended with Charity Day, which showcased student talent through performances. Students in the Citizenship Club and Model UN attended a lecture in the Liberty Series at the Union League in Philadelphia. They heard award-winning journalist and author John Stossel speak on the topic of freedom. As a surprise, Mount administration, faculty, and staff delivered lawn signs to the homes of the entire MSJA Class of 2020 in mid-April. The signs were specifically for seniors, and featured the hashtag #allinthistogether. Senior Recognition Night was held virtually this year. The following seniors were recognized for earning awards. HIGHEST GPA: Olivia D’Angelo VALEDICTORIAN: Anna Huber JOAN O’BRIEN AWARD: Charlotte Whipple ROSEMARY MCNALLY AWARD: Hannah Phelan ALEXANDR A DUZINSKI AWARD: Jenna McCrea CHOR AL/GLEE CLUB AWARD: Gianna Branca CLASS SPIRIT AWARD: Maura Langella STUDENT LEADERSHIP COUNCIL AWARD: Bernadette
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STEPHANIE ARIZIN AWARD: Grace Morrow THOMAS J. KENNEDY, JR. AWARD: Kaitlyn Squadrito SSJ MISSION EFFECTIVENESS AWARD: Erin Taylor THEOLOGY DEPARTMENT: Kylie McGovern 6
Summer 2020
Shields
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ENGLISH DEPARTMENT: Erin Taylor MATH DEPARTMENT: Emily Kirk SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT: Anna Huber SCIENCE DEPARTMENT: Samantha Knoblauch AP LATIN: Kelly Rothenberg
AP SPANISH: Lauren McLaughlin AP FRENCH: Caroline Jakubik AP MUSIC THEORY: Molly McKenna AP ART HISTORY: Anna Huber AP STUDIO ART: Janine Fiorella INSTRUMENTAL: Isabella Goebel THEATER PERFORMANCE: Anna Huber BUSINESS: Juliana Herbetko TECHNOLOGY: Danielle Hughes MCGOWAN AWARD: Kelly Rothenberg STOTESBURY REGATTA OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT:
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Molly McKenna
ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA HONORS CONVOCATION:
Olivia D’Angelo, Samantha Knoblauch, Katherine Taulane
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Junior, sophomore, and freshmen awards were also recognized during Zoom ceremonies. Mount singers and instrumentalists performed their spring concert quarantine style...from their own homes. The concert, which was scheduled for April 30, featured musical selections by the Sweet Madelines, junior and senior voice scholars, and junior and senior piano scholars. Each student performed her part/song from home. Performers: Abigail Alisesky ’21 (Sweet Madelines), Laura Bennett ’21 (voice scholar), Arlyn Kryst ’21 (Sweet Madelines), Erin Maguire ‘21 (Sweet Madelines), Jenna McCrea ’20 (voice scholar), Molly McKenna ’20 (piano scholar), Kerry Anne Moser ’21 (piano scholar), Dina Rathke ’21 (Sweet Madelines), Adriana Stepien ’20 (voice scholar), and Alexis Tran ’21 (piano scholar).
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In lieu of the event scheduled for April 30, MSJA hosted a Virtual Art Show on our website. The show included more than 100 works from students in all grades. Pieces from the following courses, taught by Ms. Cara Croke, Ms. Elizabeth Hamilton, and Ms. Jordan Gryscavage were displayed visually online: Design Basics, Drawing, Painting, 3D Design I & II, mount saint joseph academy
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Digital Photography, Portfolio, Honors Independent Art, and AP Studio. A variety of media were represented, including pencil, charcoal, paint, photography, ceramics, Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, papier-mache, and plaster. Works from the following students in advanced art courses were also available for viewing: Caroline Bittenbender ’20, Sophia DiGregorio ’20, Janine Fiorella ’20, Annia Hobe ’20, and Devon McElroy ’20.
Molly McKenna, a member of the crew team, 13 Senior was awarded the Catholic Philopatrian Literary Institute
April 25, the Firebirds, Mount’s robotics team, won 10 On the 2020 Chairman’s Award from FIRST (FRC) for their
of students in Mrs. Toth’s tech classes qualified 14 Aforgroup the Girls Go Cyberstart National Championship.
performance at the Seneca District event. This is the 11th Chairman’s Award for the nationally-ranked Firebirds. The Chairman’s Award is the most prestigious award that a FIRST team can earn. The team that wins is a model for all other FRC teams to emulate, and best embodies the goals of and ideals of FIRST.
Danielle Hughes was named a regional winner 11 Senior of the NCWIT (National Center for Women and
Information Technology) Aspirations in Computing (AIC) Award for 2020. Upon the recommendation of technology teacher Mrs. Margaret Toth, Danielle applied for the award in fall 2019. The AIC award honors young women who have addressed barriers in women’s participation in technology/computing, with focus on inclusion. The NCWIT organization aims to bridge the diversity gap and promote female leaders in tech and computing.
12 The Coca-Cola Scholars Program named senior
Samantha Knoblauch as a Philadelphia Regional Finalist. Out of 200,000 applicants, Sammy was named one of 1,900 semifinalists in the fall, and was recently named one of 251 regional finalists. This week, she completes the final stage of the selection process by interviewing with the organization. A total of 150 students will be named Coca-Cola Scholars and receive a $20,000 college scholarship. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation invests in the future by offering college scholarships to exceptional high school students
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Summer 2020
dedicated to leadership, service, and action that positively affects others.
Scholarship. This scholarship was offered to students of Catholic faith who have excelled in rowing and scholastics, and demonstrate a spirit of service to others.
During the winter, students gained firsthand experience with the challenges of cybersecurity through the program Girls Go Cyberstart (GGCS), an interactive online program composed of digital challenges. Sponsored by the Digital Divas, a team of Mount students registered for the GGCS competition that tested their skills in solving cybersecurity puzzles. Of the Mount players, Grace Rowello ’20 and Paige Vercio ’21 spearheaded the challenge and led the Mount team. On May 6, Mrs. Toth was informed that the team met the required level of mastery and was invited to the National Championship. Representing the Mount in the National Challenge were Grace Rowello ’20, Paige Vercio ’21, Brynn Lintner ’21, and Maureen Phelan ’23. The Mount represented more than 10% of all those players, and more than 11% of those who qualified for the Game level.
to a recent report on the 2020 best schools 15 According released by Niche.com, a website dedicated to providing
information on private and public high schools, the Mount was named one of the best 100 high schools in Pennsylvania. The Mount is also currently ranked as 8th in all-girls high schools in Pennsylvania, and 9th in best Catholic high schools in the state. Additionally, Niched named MSJA one of the best high schools for sports in Pennsylvania. Researchers conducted a rigorous analysis of statistics and data from the U.S. Department of Education. Rankings were based on student and parent reviews of the athletics program, number of state championships, student participation in athletics, and the number of sports offered at the school.
Go Mount
Swimming wins AACA Championship for Third Year, Advances to States Swimming won the AACA Championship for the third consecutive year with four school records being broken in the Medley relay, 200 Free, 500 Free and the 100 Back. Seven swimmers also placed first. The team advanced to PIAA Districts at La Salle University, and competed at the state level at Bucknell University. New school records: • 200 Medley Relay: Sydney McKernan ’21, Mary Kate Leonard ’21, Kristen O’Connor ’20, Holly Householder ’20 149.72 • 200 IM: Mary Kate Leonard 2:10.00 • 200 Free: Mary Kate Leonard 1:52.11 • 100 Fly: Maggie Mikalic ’21 58.00 • 500 Free: Maggie Mikalic 5:01.51 • 100 Back: Sydney McKernan 59.66
SWIMMING BASKETBALL
VOLLEYBALL
Grace Niekelski ’21 was named to the Pennsylvania 5A All-State Girls Basketball Team. Niekelski averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds this past season and helped to take MSJA’s basketball team to District and State competitions. She was the Twin Valley Tip-Off Tournament MVP, the Hoops for Hope Classic Mount “Player of the Game,” and a First Team AACA All-Star. She also reached an important milestone on January 28, 2020 when she scored her 1,000th point. The Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association recognized sophomore Olivia Esposito’s outstanding performance during the 2019 volleyball season by naming her to the All-State Volleyball Team.
The following seniors have committed to play a sport in college.
Brooke Blanche
Lauren Fox
BRYANT UNIVERSITY, LACROSSE
ALVERNIA UNIVERSITY, LACROSSE
Paige Parisi
Kelly Rothenberg
MOR AVIAN COLLEGE, SOFTBALL
BROWN UNIVERSITY, TR ACK AND FIELD
Isabella Goebel
Madison Hornig
Gabi Seaman
Mae Sweeney
ELIZABETHTOWN VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE, COLLEGE, SOCCER VOLLEYBALL
ARCADIA UNIVERSITY, FIELD HOCKEY
SYR ACUSE UNIVERSITY, CREW
Julia Ianieri
ST. JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY, CREW
Lauren Walsh
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CREW
Caitlin Lawson JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY, CREW
Olivia Nace
LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE, VOLLEYBALL
Rory Williamson Olivia Wirsching DARTMOUTH, FIELD HOCKEY
BOWDOIN COLLEGE, GOLF
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CLASS OF
2020
“On the education of women largely depends the future of society”
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Summer 2020
Gr aduation
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Congratulations
to
Anna Huber
Valedictorian, Class of 2020
Good Morning, Administr ation, Faculty, Parents, Family, Friends, the Class of 2020. The author Joan Didion once said, “We tell ourselves stories in order to survive.” We tell ourselves stories to fill in the gaps between ephemeral moments of happiness and hardship, to make sense of the senseless, and to communicate the most difficult and important ideas in the most exciting way. We have been telling ourselves stories since the dawn of time. We began around a campfire, with cavemen warning one another of the dangers of wild beasts, poisonous berries, and tribal attacks. Now, we retell a weekend escapade to our friends at our lunch tables. We listened to Jesus spread His message through stories, and we saw Him change the world. Allow me to continue this oral tradition. Once upon a time there was a young girl. She fared well on an entrance exam, she joined a club or a sport or a musical or two, she studied very diligently, she took a few standardized tests, and she graduated from high school. The end. Do you recognize that story? It is the story that we have likely told our college admissions representatives; ironically, it is the story that least represents us. That story will not inspire us or anyone else to survive. Our real stories cannot be concisely summed up in 650 words on the Common Application. Our real stories will linger in the long, painful hours spent honing our skills on the field, on the stage, or in the shop. Our real stories are as indescribably triumphant as the feeling we had when we finally improved a grade. Our real stories, laced with our memories of Founders’ Day, Charity Day, and our senior tailgates, will continue to be told long after we receive our diplomas. We may feel as if we are ending this chapter of our lives; in fact, our high school story is far from over. I am reminded of the literary marathon we ran as freshmen, The Odyssey, not written in stone and certainly not written in twelve-point, double-spaced Times New Roman font. No, the oral epic, disseminated throughout the Greek countryside by Homer, a blind madman, evolved every time it was told. We, like Homer, will carry our experiences with us throughout the world, and we will see our story evolve every time we recollect it. The chemistry test we failed in sophomore year becomes a righteous battle against the periodic table. The argument we had with our best friend becomes a friendship-strengthening encounter. The unconventional final days of our senior year become a harrowing tale of perseverance against the most unexpected of circumstances. However, looking fondly on our past four years together is not enough. Now, we must put pen to paper to tell a new story. This idea is petrifying. As soon as we graduate from the training wheels of high school, we are beginning the Tour de France that is the rest of our adult lives. Every choice we make now seems critical as if a wrong outcome may result in the end of the world. Many of us have spent days and nights agonizing about where we will go to school, what sorority we will join, what we will choose as a major, and who our roommate will be. Let us step back and remember that the individual events in our stories do not matter nearly as much as our outlooks. Unquestionably, we are optimists as our resilient spirit has demonstrated during the past few tumultuous months. We will survive. When our optimism falters, we must remember those to whom we can always turn in times of strife. Our good and gracious God has guided us lovingly to this moment in our lives and has allowed us to write our own stories, a gift for which we are forever grateful. We must also think of the Mount when we enter troubled times. Remember that the Mount has prepared us for untold success. Our hundreds of hours spent in the classroom not only have taught us the sciences and the humanities but also have transformed us from insecure girls into confident women. When I think of all our administrators and teachers, I think of an oft-quoted line from the mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph: “On the education of women largely depends the future of society.” How blessed are we to have been educated believing the future depends on us! Thank you, administration and faculty, for equipping us with the tools we need in the “real world.” Our good fortune does not end with our incomparable staff; it extends to our families. We thank you for the sacrifices you have made to provide us the best education a young woman can enjoy. We also thank you for supporting us during future challenging moments that surely will arise, moments when we will depend on you the most. Know that when we are away, we will miss you more than we will admit. Finally, I thank each and every one of my classmates. We have weathered this storm together. Always remember that nobody knows our stories as well as the girls surrounding us. We are not blind madmen like Homer; we are the Class of 2020 of Mount Saint Joseph Academy, young women of courage, conviction, and compassion, whose stories demand telling. Therefore, I implore us all to remember our stories fondly and proclaim them proudly to generations of strong young women who come after us. Thank you. 12
Summer 2020
Gr aduation
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Congratulations
MOUNT ST. JOSEPH ACADEMY CLASS OF 2020!
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Angelina Giovanna Alcaro University of Rochester
Olivia Ann D’Angelo Georgetown University
Noelle Skye Au-Wallick Temple University
Katherine Rita Davies University of Pennsylvania
Jillian Theresa Baum The Pennsylvania State University
Sophia Rose DiGregorio The Pennsylvania State University
Caroline Grace Bittenbender The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Alexandra Victoria Dobbs Fordham University
Brooke A. Blanche Bryant University
Elizabeth Catherine Donahue University of Colorado Boulder
Blair Nicole Bocklet University of Michigan
Megan Julia Dowling The Pennsylvania State University
Margaret Anne Borneman University of Miami
Lauren Brogan Ehnow University of Delaware
Gianna M. Branca Shenandoah Conservatory
Kaylee Jade Esbensen The Pennsylvania State University
Dariya Fayola Brann Princeton University
Elizabeth M. Fecak Temple University
Nora Grace Broderick Boston College
Brigit Margaret Ferry University of Notre Dame
Emma Gallagher Brogan Villanova University
Janine Marie Fiorella The Pennsylvania State University
Audrey Clare Bryce University of Pittsburgh
Maggie Alice Fitzpatrick University of Michigan
Hannah Lynn Bujnoski The Pennsylvania State University
Kelsey Nicole Flood Temple University
Micaelina Isabella Carter Fordham University
Lauren Emily Fox Alvernia University
Alyssa Mary Charlton Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Maeve Katherine Gallagher University of Notre Dame
Haley Elizabeth Cliggett Saint Joseph’s University
Isabella Patricia Goebel Elizabethtown College
Sara Lynn Collins West Virginia University
Christina Rose Greatti The Pennsylvania State University
Summer 2020
Catherine May Grogan Loyola University Maryland
Ella Williams Martin Wagner College
Emilie Elizabeth Halfpenny The Pennsylvania State University
Maura Lynn Mayhew Cornell University
Olivia Rose Henkel The University of Scranton
Margaret Rose McBride University of Pennsylvania
Juliana Marie Herbetko The Salon Professional Academy Collegeville
Megan Grace McCann Temple University
Annia Helen Hobe Temple University
Jenna Marie McCrea The Pennsylvania State University
Madison Lynn Hornig Virginia Military Institute
Devon Michelle McElroy Emmanuel College
Holly Elizabeth Householder The Pennsylvania State University
Kylie McGovern La Salle University
Anna Livingston Huber Smith College
Riley Ann McGowan Temple University
Danielle Jill Hughes Georgetown University
Molly Elizabeth McKenna University of Miami
Julia Elizabeth Ianieri Saint Joseph’s University
Lauren Isabella McLaughlin Villanova University
Caroline Elizabeth Jakubik Villanova University
Kasey Denise McMahon The Pennsylvania State University
Mary Aoife Kearney Loyola University Maryland
Agnes Sylvia McNally La Salle University
Caroline Anne Kelly Boston College
Erin Shea Mirabella Georgetown University
Emily Grace Kirk University of Notre Dame
Ainsley Elizabeth Morasco Saint Joseph’s University
Samantha Victoria Knoblauch Vanderbilt University
Grace Elizabeth Morrow University of Pittsburgh
Isabelle Teresa Krause Drexel University
Anna Elizabeth Murphy Boston College
Maura Rose Langella Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University
Olivia Marie Nace Lebanon Valley College
Elizabeth Mary LaRue Lehigh University
Kristen Grace Neill The University of Alabama
Caitlin Elizabeth Lawson Thomas Jefferson University
Carolyn Anne O’Connor Lehigh University
Alexandra Rylee Lerro Temple University
Kristen Marie O’Connor Lafayette College
Annette Sofia Luba Temple University
Bridget Orr The George Washington University mount saint joseph academy
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Paige Nicole Parisi Moravian College
Ava Rose Solecki James Madison University
Lauren Nicole Parker The Pennsylvania State University
Sarah Ann Spears La Salle University
Anna Christine Paz Clemson University
Kaitlyn Marie Squadrito University of Dayton
Christie Angelina Perkins La Salle University
Phoebe Kay St. Clair University of Pittsburgh
Hannah Grace Phelan The University of Scranton
Adriana Maja Stepien The Juilliard School
Mia Picciotto The University of Alabama
Nasya Danae Stinson Ursinus College
Diza Isabel Ranile Drexel University
Margaret Tynan Sweeney Syracuse University
Shannon Claire Reilly University of Notre Dame
Katherine Mary Taulane Georgetown University
Allison Catherine Rhodes Fairfield University
Kathryn Mary Tausz The Pennsylvania State University
Kelly Wyer Rothenberg Brown University
Erin Pauline Taylor Calvin University
Grace Elizabeth Rowello Loyola University Chicago
Grace Madeira Thompson Loyola University Maryland
Gina Palumbo Sassane Saint Joseph’s University
Lauren Kelly Vesey University of Notre Dame
Maura Rose Scanlon University of South Carolina
Julianna Michele Wagner Clemson University
Julia Schalleur American University
Anna Marie Wallace American University
Meghan Elizabeth Scheffey Clemson University
Lauren Alice Walsh The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Gabrielle Anne Seaman Arcadia University
Meredith Virginia Weeks Bucknell University
Ashley Elizabeth Shenk The Pennsylvania State University
Charlotte Elizabeth Whipple North Carolina State University
Natalie Gail Sheridan University of Delaware
Victoria Elizabeth Williamson Dartmouth College
Bernadette Shields La Salle University
Olivia Kathleen Wirsching Bowdoin College
Taylor Monae Sistrunk Spelman College Ellie Marie Slawek Villanova University 16
Summer 2020
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MSJA Launches Project Cilia Recent national events have given way to deep and meaningful conversations with alumnae and current students, calling on us to focus more intentionally and urgently on how we can change to improve our school environment for current and future students of color at the Mount. Sister Charlene Diorka, SSJ announced in July the first steps of a plan, named Project Cilia, which will usher in a series of short- and long-term changes at our institution. Project Cilia references “reconciliation,” a word deeply rooted in the mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Cilia, the foundation of the word reconciliation, means “eyelash.” Sister underscored that she would stand eyelash to eyelash with alumnae of color to acknowledge and apologize for any instances of racism that they have experienced in the past at the Mount and call upon the entire Mount community to stand face to face in unified intolerance of racial injustice. While a long-term effort that will unfold over several years, Project Cilia includes short-term initiatives that will be executed within the 2020-2021 school year. A number of these suggestions were made during four in-person and virtual listening sessions held in June and July and attended by hundreds of alumnae of color and their allies. For this input and gift of time, we are so thankful. The plan will be comprised of three pillars.
THREE PILLARS OF PROJECT CILIA COMMUNITY This pillar will ensure we reflect continually on who we are with intentional focus on diversifying the Mount Saint Joseph Academy community as a whole – from students to administration to faculty to staff. CLIMATE This pillar calls us to foster and maintain a safe and supportive environment that respects diversity in our institution as an imperative to truly fulfill the mission of the Mount. CONTENT AND CURRICULUM This pillar measures our commitment to infusing diverse perspectives into the learning experience of our prospective and current students to inspire conversation, critical thinking, empathy and understanding of marginalized groups in our society. Through Project Cilia and its future development, we believe that the Mount will emerge stronger and better for all those entrusted to her care under the mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. We will continue to provide updates as we move forward.
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Summer 2020
On March 7, members of the Mount community gathered at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club for the Purple & Gold Gala, honoring James K. (Jim) Paul. Jim’s ties to the Mount run deep. He is a member of the Board of Directors who has been actively involved with the Mount since his two daughters attended in the 1990s. An evening of dinner, dancing, and live music were the backdrop of a celebration of Jim’s commitment to educating young women and the Mount mission.
Thank you to your sponsors:
Ann Marie Von Hacht Horner ’69 and Family BBD, LLP Oray and Jennifer Boston The Bouquard Family The Brown Family DePaul Management Company
Erin McClafferty Erfle ’96 and Michael Erfle Flynn and O’Hara Uniforms, Inc. Global Packaging, Inc. The Havard Family Carl and Yunnie Jenkins
Jeff and Maureen Kohler Kate Paul Mallach ’99 and Kyle Mallach NSM Insurance Group Optimum Health Chiropractic, Inc. Our Lady of Mercy Regional School
Art and Gail Pasquarella South Ithan Underwriters, LLC Tina Paul Rogers ’01 and Michael Rogers Vault Communications WSFS Bank mount saint joseph academy
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State-of-the-Art Robotics Lab Unveiled The Firebirds have a new home: a newlyrenovated lab that houses state-of-the-art equipment and more space. Thanks to the generosity of Eric Lintner (parent of Brynn ’21), and the support of various families in the Mount community, the former lab underwent a complete renovation. Lintner approached Sister Mary Dacey with design concepts and blueprints in fall 2019. The grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Saturday, February 15, with almost 100 guests in attendance, including the Firebirds squad, family members and friends, current and former team mentors, Board members, and MSJA faculty and staff. The former lab was expanded, making way for an entirely new workshop. The new lab offers more space and surfaces in which the Firebirds can work, brighter lighting, updated fixtures, new workstations, and ample room for the Firebirds to store their equipment and builds.
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Summer 2020
A Celebr ation of Mount Fund support! With excitement and gratitude, the Development Team at Mount Saint Joseph Academy celebrates our generous Mount Fund donors who supported this year’s annual giving appeal with dedication and pride! THANK YOU.
The 2019-2020 Mount Fund Annual Giving Appeal reached $772,362 – exceeding our goal of $625,000! This total includes the newly established Dear Neighbor Emergency Tuition Fund which was created to assist current families experiencing difficulty paying tuition due to COVID-19. We are thrilled to share with you that in just two months, the total amount raised for emergency tuition assistance was $121,160. Thank you to the Sisters of Saint Joseph who invested $50,000 to the Dear Neighbor fund in keeping with their mission to “serve the dear neighbor.” Together as a community, our Alumnae, current parents, past parents, faculty/staff, students and benefactors continue to show their belief in the value of a Mount education.
Thank you!
2019-2020 Mount Fund Annual Giving
ALUMNAE 34%
BENEFACTORS, FRIENDS, STUDENTS, FACULTY/STAFF 16%
PAST PARENTS 39%
CURRENT PARENTS 11%
Virtual Alumnae Induction
The Class of 2020 was inducted into the MSJA Alumnae Association in a virtual ceremony in May. Alumnae mothers attended the Zoom session with their daughters and participated in the traditional pinning ceremony with pins that were delivered to the seniors’ homes prior to the event. Seniors also took part in the annual skort decorating tradition, adding the artwork and logos of the colleges they will be attending to the backs of their skorts. mount saint joseph academy
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A LU M N A E A S S O C I AT I O N
E S T. 1 8 9 5
letter from the Alumnae Board President
As I reflect on the last few months, I welcome the Class of 2020 into our vibrant alumnae community. I have been mindful of how different their final months as students were compared to my senior year. The Class of 2020 experienced the beginning of their alumnae journeys in a much different way: a virtual Alumnae Induction and a socially distanced graduation. I applaud the Class of 2020 for their resilience and grace, and look forward to embracing them into our alumnae community. In more recent weeks, several alumnae have encouraged the Mount to confront issues of systemic racism within the institution. I applaud my fellow alumnae who bravely shared their stories during the four Mount-hosted diversity and inclusion discussions with Dr. Juliana Mosley. These conversations are important and I believe the school administration has heard you and is working towards change. Like many of my fellow alumnae, I was not aware of these issues during my time as a student at the Mount or as an active alumna at the school. These conversations have enlightened me to some of the struggles the alumnae of color faced during their time at the Mount and after graduation. Though I cannot change the past, I am committed to do what I can to support my fellow alumnae of color now and in the future. As an Alumnae Board, we are taking steps to support our alumnae of color. These steps include the creation of an alumnae of color affinity group within the current Alumnae Association, a business directory highlighting alumnae of colors’ businesses and virtual meetups focusing on social justice topics. If you would like to get involved in these efforts, have additional ideas, or want to offer support, please email msja.alumnae.board@gmail.com. Thank you to the alumnae who have spoken up during these meetings and shared your stories with the hope of creating change. You have demonstrated the strong character and conviction at the heart of Mount alumnae and truly embody the Mount’s motto, spes messis in semine. Please know I support you, I stand with you, and I intend to devote my remaining time on the Alumnae Board to being part of change. My hope is that these conversations and initiatives increase engagement among the alumnae community. As women, we must support each other and that starts by supporting to our alumnae of color. Laura Dolan Remaker ’00
CLASS AGENTS 1948 Mary Merz Berko
1972 Suzanne Fitzmyer Foley
1990 Jennifer Dorazio Klein
2007 Dana Puleo
1950 Patricia Connor Surotchak
1973 Colleen Durkin Lapowsky
2008 Claire Kueny
1952 Lorraine Sukalski McGlynn
1974 Patricia Zugay Burkholder
1991 Kathleen Gorman Duffy Jennifer Adams Phillips
1955 Kathy McGee Burns
1975 Marianne Ford Rosemary Kenny Kruse
1993 Tracy Allu Albertelli
2009 Kristen Cericola Bauer Corin Roman
1994 Danielle Penzarella Lasky
2010 Alanna McCloy
1976 Rebecca Hoy Murphy Ave Murphy Seminack
1995 Jeannine Colasante Detwiler Meagan McMahon Powers Katie Carney
2011 Michele Burns Grillone Leigh Anne Tiffany
1996 Erin McClafferty Erfle
2013 Kiera McCloy Anna Tenzinger
1956 Dorothy Gallagher Hordubay 1957 Joanne McGee Espenshade 1959 Joanne Scott Kyle 1960 M. Eileen McGill Meko 1961 Ellen Higley O’Neill 1962 Mary McFadden Paul Suzanne Foster Hynes 1963 Julie Meis Wilson 1966 Margaret Gallagher Mary Lorenzo-Brelsford 1967 Donna Cupo Lucas 1968 Pamela Meitner
1977 Jennifer Lee Busto Ellen Burgoyne Hubrig 1978 Ellen Riley Biel Mary Ann Szczesny Daulerio
1997 Joan King Cavallaro Kathleen Griffin
1981 Jennifer Maguire Princivalle
1998 Christina Carnevale Kaufmann
1983 Angela Stout
1999 Elizabeth Harris Kara McMahon Weaver
1985 Sharon Branca Jill Marshall Curry 1986 Mary Courtney Daly Ferrero Marcella Kuttler Bossow Schankweiler
1969 Ann Marie Von Hacht Horner Mariann Eichelberger O’Connor 1987 Eireann Flynn 1970 Maureen Cahill 1988 Heather Kates Kelly Virginia Bendinger Wischhusen Suzanne Coster McCarthy 1971 Cynthia Strolle 1989 Kirsten Ledwith Morasco 22
Summer 2020
2000 Barbara Tumelty Kelly Lauren O’Garro-Moore 2001 Emily DePaul 2004 Elizabeth Bonnevie Gallagher Katherine Pichola Ineson 2005 Kathleen McClernand Sacchetta 2006 Kerry Roman Columbro Kathleen Hubbert McOrmond
2012 Mary McLaughlin
2014 Sheila McLaughlin 2015 Katherine Mars 2016 Madeleine Ferrero 2017 Marianna Glacken Caitlin Mahon 2018 Madison Feeney 2018 Danielle Hughes 2019 Maura McDonald
Class Chatter
News and notes from the Mount Saint Joseph Academy alumnae and school community.
1950s Mary Garrett O’Connor ’52 is celebrating 12 children, 29 grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. Roberta Crane Devlin ’55 shares that she is the step-grandmother to four beautiful children. Roberta Kolb Kelly ’55 moved a year ago to a 55+ community in Souderton. Her husband passed away in September 2018 after many happy years together. Her six children live near her and she is blessed with 13 grandchildren and10 great-grandchildren.
Kathleen McNicholas ’65 recently attended the funeral of her uncle Edward A. Nalazek, who died in the Battle of Tarawa in the Pacific Theater on Nov. 21, 1943. His remains were recently recovered and he was buried with full military honors on February 10, 2020. Sisters Patricia McNicholas Thomas ’66, Beatle McNicholas Travers ’68, and nieces Karen Travers ’96, Katie Travers Farrell ’00, and Emily Thomas ’17 were also in attendance. Susan Forster Lowery ’66 was blessed to go on a pilgrimage last fall to Italy. She went to St. Peter’s, Assisi, Orvieto, Lanciano, Loreto, and San Giovanni Rotondo.
Marion Berry ’59 and Sara Lee Hayden Murphy ’59, along with a college friend, had a chance to get together in Vero Beach, Florida in March.
1960s Margaret Anne Norrett Hughes ’60 is still working at Premier Orthopaedics/Malvern part time; this is her 25th year. Madeline Curtis Coccagna ’63 and her husband, Bob, have moved back to Pennsylvania after 15 years in Goodyear, Arizona. They now have a grandson!
Kathleen Kelly Fitzmayer ’67 shares that their youngest daughter was married in fall 2019. They now have three new step-grandsons, which brings them to a total of six grandchildren. Mary Jane Wesner Nolen ’67 and her husband recently welcomed their 8th grandchild, born in San Francisco. Priscilla Mullins Messing ’68 shares that she is still living near Boston. Mariann Eichelberger O’Connor ’69 welcomed her third grandson, Walker Patrick O’Connor-Malloy, on February 27, 2020.
Patricia Dalgliesh Patterson ’69 shares this photo of herself with Carol Zywalewski Kepner ’69 (deceased). She says, “When we’d get together it’s as if we were never apart. I think of you every day and know we’ll meet again”.
1970s Ginny Bendinger Wischhusen ’70 was happy to celebrate her 50th reunion this year! She continues to work and plans to retire in 2021. Maureen Cahill ’70 is celebrating 50 years since graduating from the Mount! She is honored to be a Class Agent, tasked with keeping the class list active and accurate. Monthly Class Breakfast Clubs (and seasonal luncheons) have become a great way for her classmates to gather. Retired since 2011 from Merck & Co. after 31 years, she has continued to travel with friends, host Alumnae Brunches at home, and adopt cats.
Elisabeth Wallace ’70, Dorothy Vare Salanik ’70 and Cathy Fitzsimmons ’70 met recently to reminisce about their days at the Mount. mount saint joseph academy
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Barbara Matteucci ’70 is retired from her rheumatology practice, and entered a second career teaching science in a Philadelphia public school. Her older daughter, Madelena, is pursuing a J.D./Ph.D. at Drexel, and married in 2019. Her younger daughter, Claudia, earned a master’s from Boston College in May. Her husband, John, is slowly retiring from his ophthalmology practice. Donna Ferraro Keenan ’70 retired in October 2019 from the Philadelphia Institute of Dermatology, located in Fort Washington, after 24 years of service as a Clinical Trial Coordinator. She is enjoying spending more time with family, which includes six grandchildren, and traveling. Sr. Gloria Schaab, SSJ ’70 has been at Barry University in Miami, Florida, teaching undergraduate and graduate theology courses for 15 years and has been a Sister of Saint Joseph for 40 years! She has a good community at the university made up of Dominican friars and sisters, as well as good friends in the neighborhood. She lives with her two-year old cat. Pamela Nocito Satterfield ’70 is happily retired from the Upper Merion Area School District, where she taught Spanish. She has been married to her husband, David, since October 1974. They live in King of Prussia. They have two sons, Jeffrey, 37, and Brian, 33, both of whom work in sports broadcasting. She is thrilled to be connected with classmates thrhough their Breakfast Club.
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Summer 2020
Margaret Coupe Vesci ’70 and her husband, Raymond, are the proud grandparents of their first grandchild, Kevin J. Martin III, born on August 11, 2019. Donna DePaul Bartynski ’70 has been working in her family’s business for the past 42 years. She is the CEO of the Real Estate Division. One of her passions is Dragon Boating. She has competed nationally and raced in Hungary, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, and Canada. She has four sons and 10 grandchildren. Her oldest granddaughter is a sophomore at the Mount and loves it as much as she did! Anne Marie Dooley Nicholson ’70 has been employed by the Oregon State Police since June 2010. Margaret Ann (Mugsie) Quinlan ’70 says that the Class of 1970 Breakfast Club has pulled many together after decades apart. She is grateful for these amazing, accomplished women! Married to her best friend, she is a mom of three, a saltwater angler, and realtor in Sarasota, Florida.
Susan E. Reynolds Antczak ’74 shares that she and her husband, Rich, have moved to Sedona, Arizona, but still spend summers in Ocean City. She keeps busy volunteering as a nurse in both states and enjoys the Southwest lifestyle that includes plenty of golf and hiking. Karen Strain Kemmerer ’75 moved to Wilmington, North Carolina in June and is loving the coastal life. She and her husband are proud first-time grandparents! Jennifer Lee Busto ’77 is sheltering in place at home in Honolulu. She is sending wishes to her fellow Mounties and their families to stay healthy! Patti Dugan Donoghue ’78, Barbara Coupe Bernal ’78, Ellen Riley Biel ’78, Donna Peters Connell ’78 and Ellen Rothwell Miles ’78 spent time on the beach in Pass-A-Grille, Florida.
1980s Colleen Farris Weaver ’80 has a Podcast called Fiftyphile, available through Apple Podcasts. Topics include life after raising children, and how it can be the best chapter. She is pursuing her acting career that she put on hold while raising her family. She recently booked with an agent in Los Angeles. Kate Quinn-Wright ’81 invites you to check out her artist website, www.katequinnwright.com
Monica Borkowski Flanagan ’71 shares that she has relocated to Portland, Oregon to be near her three children and grandchild.
Rita Pietruszka Lucas ’83 shares that with three children in college (one on her way to grad school), she is grateful for the confidence and drive MSJA instills. It continues for generations.
Karen Skrocki Czerpak ’85 enjoys attending the various social gatherings throughout the year at the Mount with fellow “Class of ’85 Mount Bus girls:” Sharon Branca ’85, Jill Marshall Curry ’85, Carolyn Kretzu Frenck ’85, and Eileen McGinley Tannenbaum ’85. Our crowning achievement this year was to finally place in the top 10 in the Quizzo competition. Joyce Catherine Corbin Moya ’86 owns and operates a behavioral health agency whose clientele consists primarily of active duty military and veterans who suffer with posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Her agency focuses on mindfulness, spirituality, holistic practices, Cognitive Behavioral Health, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Animal Assisted Psychotherapy. Servicing central Virginia and the surrounding areas, the agency’s values are centered around Native American philosophies. After spending five years in New Mexico, working with the native populations, Joyce has been able to incorporate many of their spirituality practices that she shares with clientele. She has been a clinical social worker for more than 20 years and is licensed in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Karen M. Lebiedzinski Freundlich ’87 shares that her youngest daughter is headed to Vassar, and her older daughter is at Colgate. She also has a son who is a freshman in high school. She is in a book club with Bea Grabish Hogan ’87 and they often reminisce to the others about their days of fun at the Mount. Amy O’Meara Chambers ’87 shares that in 2016, she cofounded a company, HealthBridge, that helps employees manage and pay for out-ofpocket medical costs. With almost 50 employees and three rounds of venture capital under her belt, she has to say
that this is the toughest job she has ever loved. Shannon Murphy-Reilly ’88 recently celebrated her 25th anniversary at the PMA Insurance Group in Blue Bell and was promoted to Senior Manager of Information Services.
College of Saint Mary, an all-women college in Omaha, Nebraska. She has been an adjunct professor in that program for 10 years. Ellen Rigsby ’89 is currently sheltering in place with the 9th grader and 6th grader. She and her husband, Eric ,are teaching online, and the kids are learning online.
1990s Heather Kates Kelly ’88 celebrates her daughter Caroline’s 2020 graduation from the Mount with daughters Kate ’22 and Elizabeth ’17.
Jen Mediano ’90 has a podcast, Swears & Prayers, that launched in February 2020. It’s about faithful Catholics in a small town in Virginia dealing the aftermath of the 2018 Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report. Find it on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Podbean, Spotify, Stitcher, and TuneIn. Mediano lives in Virginia with her husband and two children. Her essays and poetry have been published in LitHub, Public Seminar, and The New School’s literary magazine, The Inquisitive Eater.
Dr. Dawn Cute-Allen ’89 is a chiropractor. She has been in private practice for 23 years in Andorra. Dawn and her husband have two children: son Ryan, and Madison, a rising sophomore at the Mount. She, along with fellow Mounties Cassandra Phillips-Doyle ’89 and Beth Carey-Fuller ’89, visited Disney in December. Susanne Laphen Miller ’89 has been named Assistant Professor and Director of the Legal Studies Program at
Marie-Helene Bertino ’95 published her third book with Farrar, Straus and Giroux. PARAKEET, a novel, is about a bride who, on the eve of her wedding, is visited by the ghost of her grandmother, who comes to her in the form of a bird and warns her not to marry. PARAKEET was published mount saint joseph academy
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in June and is available from various booksellers now. Karen Buleza ’95 married Michael Looney on April 4, 2020, and celebrated with fellow Mounties Kate Miesnik Moyer ’95, Laura Whitaker McIlvane ’95 and Marie-Helene Bertino ’95. Abigail Laurich ’97 works for Proxus HR, a human capital management company in Fort Washington. She is working with medium-sized companies to train them on payroll software and help them with their company payroll. She has been married since 2007 and has two children, Zoe, 9, and Juan Jose, 2.
recently earned a master’s degree in Education from Saint Joseph’s with an emphasis in Instructional Technology after earning her bachelor’s degree and MBA from the university. She invites any Mounties interested in SJU to reach out to her at jguerra@ sju.edu. Janine is proud to be chair of the Technology Committee on the Mount’s Alumnae Board as well. Lauren O’Garro-Moore ’00 is thrilled to be back in Philadelphia after eight great years of living in Brooklyn. Proudest moment to date: her fiveyear-old, Sloane, asking “to go to a restaurant like Wawa for dinner!” Mary Kenney Cirigliano ’00 lives in Greensboro, North Carolina with her husband, Vito, and their four children: Sophia, 7, Massimo, 5, Lucia, 4, and Emilia, 1. She is a family medicine physician working for LeBauer HealthCare.
2000s Jackie Strzepek Edmundson ’00 is the Vice President of Business Operations, Facilities & IT for Tinuiti. With offices across the United States, Tinuiti is the largest independent performance marketing agency. Janine N. Guerra, Esq. ’00 is a visiting faculty member in the Department of Decision & Systems Sciences at Saint Joseph’s University, where she teaches courses in Information Systems, Contemporary Information Technologies, and Data Visualization & Decision Making. She 26
Summer 2020
Lydia Tackett ’02 received tenure and was promoted to Associate Professor of Geosciences at North Dakota State University. Her paleontological research continues to take her to exciting places, including New Zealand! Alanna McManus Weiss ’02 welcomed her third child with her husband, Craig. Parker James Weiss
was born on September 25, 2019 and joins big brother William, 3, and Eleanor, 4. Alanna and her family live in Cold Spring Harbor, New York. Alyssa Maslin Settefrati ’03 and her husband, Tom, welcomed their second son, Enzo Joseph, on November 19, 2019. Enzo joins big brother Rocco, 2. Grace Malley Schiazza ’04 and her husband, Tony, welcomed their second son, Ronan Nicholas on November 11, 2019. Ronan joins big brother Luca, 2. Marissa Smith ’04 and her husband, Glenn Stanley, welcomed daughter Mairin Genevieve on May 18, 2020. Katie Delaney Price ’06 and her husband, Tyler, welcomed daughter Rosalie Joan on Oct. 2, 2019.
Jessica Pasquarella Hinds ’06 and husband, Kevin, welcomed their son, Noah Arthur, into the world February 4, 2020. Jessica and Kevin could not be more excited to welcome their sweet little boy into their family. Kerry Roman Columbro ’06 and her husband, Guy, welcomed their first child, Luca Anthony,
on October 29, 2019. They live in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Nicole Murray Crangle ’07 and her husband, Brian, welcomed their first child, Jane Amelia, in May 2019. Since they live in Florida, she will not be a future Mountie, but Nicole will be sure she grows up understanding that “on the education of women largely depends the future of society” and what “spes messis in semine” truly means. Jennifer Young Rosenau ’07 and her husband, Jon, are happy to announce the arrival of their daughter, Harper Avery, born on February 10, 2020.
Clare Kohler Bennett ’08 and her husband, Sean, welcomed their first child, Rory William, on December 1, 2019. Victoria Wischhusen Piacquadio ’09 graduated from Yale with her Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia Practice in May. In September, she will be working at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
2010s Elizabeth Pendley Costello ’04 welcomed daughter Ellie on Matrch 31, 2020. Mercedes Bellam ’10 graduated with a Pharm.D. from Thomas Jefferson University on April 17, 2020.
Genevieve O’Mara ’07 married Said Mena Salim on February 29, 2020 at a hacienda in Mexico. Genevieve met Said, who is from Mexico City, during their dual MBA/MA program at Wharton and the Lauder Institute at the University Pennsylvania. They are now living in New York City. Several Mounties were bridesmaids: Rory O’Mara Burns ’04 (Genevieve’s sister and maid of honor), Jen Havard ’07, Meri Taylor ’07, and Deirdre Barr ’07. Chelsea Clark ’07 was unable to attend but was there in spirit.
Nina Friel ’10 graduated summa cum laude from Villanova University in 2013 and earned a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law in 2016. She was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar and is now a lawyer working for Chubb Insurance. Kathryn Glover ’11 is teaching English in a high school in Tokyo, Japan, preparing students who want to study in the USA and other Englishspeaking countries. For the past five years, she has traveled in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Do you have chatter to share? We enjoy hearing from you about various achievements, announcements and other important milestones in your life! Please submit class notes online at www.msjacad.org/ classchatter mount saint joseph academy
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In Memoriam
Our sympathy and prayers are extended to the families of the following alumnae:
Kathryn D. Bolger ’57 Catherine Kling Boran ’75, sister of Jacqueline Kling Burke ’78 Regina Cotter Daly ’67, sister of Mary Cotter Fitzgerald ’64 (deceased), Nancy Cotter Iacono ’65, and Nora Cotter Smith ’72. Patricia Walls Dlugosz ’57, sister of Mary Ann Walls ’55 Alice Scanlan Bateman Doyle ’64, mother of Melissa Bateman Bishop ’89, sister of Molly Scanlan Kelly ’56, grandmother of Elizabeth Doyle ’12, and aunt of Molly Kelly McDonnell ’86 and Mary Kate Kelly Guerra ’88. Anne Woodring Hoffman ’53 Beatrice Taglialatela Juliano ’61, sister of Diane Taglialatela Green ’63, Phyllis Taglialatela Moore ’68, Francine Taglialatela Schmitt ’75, and Elizabeth Taglialatela Gorman ’76. Joan Gallagher McKeon ’48, mother of Elizabeth McKeon Rohrer ’82, motherin-law of Margaret Gorman McKeon ’79, and grandmother of Caitlin McKeon Murphy ’05. Margaret McMaster ’74, sister of Mary McMaster Rogers ’82. Margaret Ward Mogck ’39 Linda Valenti O’Connor ’65 Eugenia Theresa Schindler ’64 Marie Slade Spoltore ’52 Mary Jane Connor White ’50 Carole Cook Wright ’57 Joyce Renzulli Wuenschel ’58 Anna Lisa Allegretti ’01 on the death of her father, Jeffrey Allegretti. Linda Aversa-Caldwell ’81 on the death of her mother, Dolores Aversa. Megan Backus ’04, Susan Backus Crowley ’80 and Patricia Backus Fiore ’84 on the death of Ann Marie Norton Backus, their mother and sister-in-law respectively.
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Ellen Riley Biel ’79 on the death of her father, Leo J. Riley.
Kathleen Bottinger Jacoby ’84 on the death of her father, John A. Bottinger.
Mary Sabia Ciammetti ’80, Andrea Mullen Burnside ’97, and Coeli Ciammetti ’09 on the death of Virginia Ciammetti, their mother-in-law and grandmother respectively.
Rebecca Naab Kaslow ’06 on the death of her grandfather, Anthony N. Conti.
Madeline Curtis Coccagna ’63 on the death of her brother, Paul Curtis. Colleen Kelly Coll ’64 and Fiona Kelly ’13 on the death of Joseph J. Coll, Jr., their husband and grandfather respectively. Theresa Conroy ’80, Mara Hughes ’99 and Clare Hughes ’02 on the death of Theresa Conroy, their mother and grandmother respectively. Bethann Serbin Curtin ’91 on the death of her father-in-law, James K. Curtin. Karen Skrocki Czerpak ’85 and Kelly Skrocki Finnegan ’91 on the death of their mother, Monica Skrocki. Ciara DeMelo ’18 on the death of her grandmother, Odessa H. Williams. Campbell Donovan ’22 on the death of her grandmother, Letty R. Piper Christine Dubiel-Flynn ’84 on the death of her father-in-law, Brian Flynn. Meg Devlin Evangelist ’67 on the death of her brother, Rodger T. Devlin. Kathleen Durkin Fenningham ’99 on the death of her grandmother, Elizabeth T. “Betty” Durkin. Elizabeth Meehan Finocchio ’82 on the death of her father-in-law, Angelo “Tony” Finocchio. Charlene Keller Fullmer ’89 and Grace Fullmer ’24 on the death of Charles Keller, their father and grandfather respectively. Liz Harkins (MSJA staff) Joyce Braun Gallagher Helm ’58 on the death of her husband, John F. Helm
Taylor Bair ’12 on the death of her grandfather, William W. Bair.
Robin Pinder Herndon ’83 and Michele Pinder Moorman ’86 on the death of their mother, Dorothy C. Pinder.
Barbra Bateman ’83 on the death of her mother, Bette J. Bateman.
Anne Hoffman (MSJA faculty) on the death of her father, Pierre Hoffman.
Summer 2020
Elizabeth Murray Kelly ’53 (deceased), MaryAnn Murray ’55 (deceased), Liz Ann Murray Janssen ’77, Kathy Murray ’80, Mary Liz Norrett Boyle ’59 (deceased), Margaret Norrett Hughes ’60 and Patricia Norrett Lessing ’66 on the death of Msgr. Joseph Murray, their brother, uncle, and cousin respectively. Christina Kolokithias Krone ’05 and Angelica Kolokithias Worthington ’09 on the death of their grandmother, Angerou Kolokithias. Elizabeth LaRue ’20 on the death of her aunt, A. Klair McGlynn Filarsky Gerald Laskowski (former faculty), Christine Laskowski ’05, Michelle Haufler McCartney ’78, Christine Haufler Martin ’79 and Beth Ann Haufler ’80 on the death of Joseph W. Laskowski their father, grandfather, and uncle respectively. Jennifer Leinheiser ’15 on the death of her grandfather, Daniel J. Leinheiser. Meaghan Londergan ’00 on the death of her aunt, Barbara F. Tulio Kathleen Kolb Lyons ’60 on the death of her husband, John Lyons. Laura Brooks Maszczak ’03, Emily Brooks ’04, Kathleen Brooks ’16, Mary Brooks ’66, Rosemarie Brooks MacDonald ’70, Anne Brooks Sams ’75 and Ellen Brooks ’76 on the death of James T. Brooks, their father and brother respectively. Meghan Sabia McCarthy ’07, Ryann Gallagher ’08, Jennifer Sabia ’09, and Shannon Sabia ’17 on the death of their grandmother, Elizabeth A. “Betty” Gallagher. Allie McCrea ’14 and Jenna McCrea ’20 on the death of their father, Kevin M. McCrea. Kathy Moser (MSJA faculty) on the death of her mother-in-law, Marie Maggio Moser
In Memoriam
Our sympathy and prayers are extended to the families of the following alumnae:
Theresa Moyer (MSJA staff) and Kelly Moyer ’10 on the death of their aunt and great-aunt, Jean A. Russell. Megan Maguire Nicoletti ’86 on the death of her mother, Frances Maguire. Mary McElvenny Owen ’56 on the death of her brother, John P. “Jack” McElvenny, Jr. Joanne Rizzo Palermo ’79 on the death of her husband, Mark J. Palermo. Ava Picofazzi ’21 on the death of her grandmother, Patricia M. Stanczak. Grace Quinones ’18 on the death of her uncle, Thomas Alfred Ridings. Madeline Quirk ’13 and Lauren Quirk ’22 on the death of their grandfather, Thomas J. Quirk, Sr. Sarah Rocco ’11 on the death of her grandmother, Sarah Foley. Gabrielle Rounbehler ’11 on the death of her uncle, William J. Gaydosh Mary Beth Schluckebier ’05 and Megan Schluckebier ’08 on the death of their grandfather, John Murray.
Dona Travaline Schmidt ’77, Christa Schmidt ’04, Regina Schmidt ’06, Dona Schmidt ’15, Catherine Travaline ’10, Megan Travaline ’13, and Emily Travaline ’16 on the death of John M. Travaline, their father and grandfather respectively. Diana Swoyer Serianni ’80 on the death of her mother, Marie D. Baer. Andrea DiGiacomo Small ’72, Bonnie Small ’07, Lilly Small ’11, Lisa DiGiacomo ’71 and Donna DiGiacomo Shoen ’73 on the death of Dennis Small, their son, brother and nephew respectively. Colleen Strawhacker ’01, Megan Strawhacker Hiser ’02, and Margaret Kelly ’09 on the death of their grandfather, Joseph Charles Fitzgerald.
Mary Anne O’Kane Troxell ’81, Bernadette McCann O’Kane ’79 and Ellen O’Kane ’11 on the death of William J. O’Kane, Sr., their father, father-in-law and grandfather respectively. Mary Pat McCrea Uhland ’62, Barbara McCrea Flanigan ’59, Kathleen McCrea ’65 (deceased), Joan McCrea ’70 and Bernadette McCrea Sage ’72 on the death of Katie Uhland, their daughter and niece respectively. Deborah Webster Watson ’87 on the death of her mother Rosetta J. (Josie) Webster. Suzanne Welsh ’80 and Sheryl Welsh ’81 on the death of their father, Dr. Louis Ward Welsh.
Miriam Fenerty Sullivan ’53 on the death of her husband, Henry Burk Sullivan.
Ellen Byrne Willertz ’‘81, Barbara Byrne Denham ’‘84, and Maribeth Byrne Hawkins ’85 on the death of their mother, Ellen “Sperky” Byrne.
Mary Fran Traywick (MSJA faculty) on the death of her brother-in-law, Mervyn H. Jones.
Stephanie Berg Yves ’04 and Shannon Berg ’06 on the death of their mother, Jenifer Coridan Berg.
CLASS OF 2025 IMPORTANT ADMISSION DATES Now accepting online applications at
msjacad.org.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4
Open House
OCTOBER 17 & OCTOBER 18
Scholarship/Entrance Exam Visit msjacad.org/admissions for more details and event information. Contact the Enrollment Office at admiss@msjacad.org with any questions. mount saint joseph academy
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Educating Founders since 1858
Moun t Sa i n t Joseph Ac a de my Ma ga z i n e
Golden Girls LUNCHEON
September 11, 2020 Whitemarsh Valley Country Club registration now open at MSJACAD.ORG
Congratulations, Class of 2020!
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Summer 2020
Summer 2020
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020