MSJA Fall 2009 Mount Magazine by Mount Saint Joseph Academy

Fall 2009

A Magazine for Alumnae, Parents and Friends of Mount Saint Joseph Academy

A Letter From the President

Dear Friends, On September 8, 2009, the Mount began its 151st year by welcoming both our new principal, Dr. Judith Caviston, and the Class of 2013 with great eagerness. I addressed the students and faculty in the opening days with the question, “What do we do in the 151st year?” One student raised her hand and said, “We continue to make history.” For her it did not just mean being the best and winning awards; rather it was about “tending our mission,” or finding ways to bring all people into union with God, neighbor, and one another. Speaking from the heart of our mission, I am pleased to inform you that three Mount graduates are the founders of our newly established SSJ Mission Corps. When you read about their stories, I am sure you will feel great pride in their service and how they stand with and behind the “dear neighbor.” I hope you have the same “you never know” feeling I experienced when I read about Marilyn Barton ’69, and Ellen Burgoyne Hubrig ’77. Their stories will warm your hearts as you see how they both continue to light the fire of our mission in unique and inspiring ways. An obvious sign of the newness at the Mount is the look of our Alumnae Room. The family of Jane Loughran Ryan ’50, has honored their mother’s memory by renovating this wonderful gathering space for parents, students, board members and faculty. The purple, white, and gold tones warm the room and remind us of the nobility of spirit, and the purity and staunchness of heart that were so much a part of Jane’s life, and still abide within the hearts of our Alumnae. Emily Gimpel ’10 has fanned into flame her talent as a golfer to make a Mount impression in the Junior Golf’s cancer initiative. There are many sparks that keep the fire going, our student council, clubs and publications are busy igniting the imaginations and creativity of our writers, chefs, and crafters. I am particularly proud that our Community Service Corps has over 400 members who will share their gifts in service to our “dear neighbor.” It is in our day-today living that we keep the mission before us. Be assured that the leadership of our Purple/Gold parents, Alumnae, and alumnae parents continues to be needed and appreciated. Please read why Mary Ellen Carroll Brown ’48 is inspired to choose the Mount when it comes to giving. In these challenging economic times, I am very grateful for all who make the Mount a priority when it comes to your charity. We offer the best to our students because of you. As you page through the annual report, you will see the good company you keep. What do we do in the 151st year? We make history by being faithful to our mission and mindful that we have a responsibility to one another to advance our mission, so all may be one. Thank you for your trust and faithfulness to this wonderful school filled with young women who desire to be the best they can be. God bless,

Sister Kathleen Brabson, SSJ President

Table of Contents Traditions at the Mount......................................................................... 4

Fall 2009

Founders’ Day Album........................................................................... 5 SSJ Mission Corps Begins................................................................... 6

The Official Publication of Mount Saint Joseph Academy 120 West Wissahickon Avenue Flourtown, PA 19031 President Sister Kathleen Brabson, SSJ Principal Dr. Judith A. Caviston, EdD

Happenings.......................................................................................... 9 Alumnae Spotlight.............................................................................. 12 Development...................................................................................... 15 Alumnae............................................................................................. 19 Annual Report of Gifts........................................................................ 27

Development Office Staff Director of Development Jill Gregori Director of Communications Elizabeth Racine Director of Alumnae Theresa Moyer Annual Fund Coordinator Leigh McFadden Auction Director Lisa Henrich Development Office Secretary Barbara Oldt Phone: 215-233-3177 Fax: 215-233-4734 Website: www.msjacad.org Alumnae Website: www.msjaalum.org Alumnae e-mail: msjaalum@msjacad.org

Save the Date!

Celebrauction XXVI

March 6, 2010 Celebrauction Chairs: We are honored that the following couple has agreed to Chair this year’s Auction at the Mount: Eileen and Bob Fabiszewski, parents of Marisa ’12 and Nicole ’10. For information, please contact the auction office at 215-233-3177 ext 340 or email: celebrauction@msjacad.org

Mount Saint Joseph Academy Traditions form a

Firm Foundation

n a world where it seems so much is being turned upsidedown, the general consensus is that it’s nice to be part of a community where the values and traditions of hard work and caring for the Dear Neighbor are still important. These goals form the solid foundation of the Mount Saint Joseph Academy experience.

Prior to the event, Dr. Caviston enjoyed the opportunity to share with the young ladies the social graces that are expected in formal gatherings. “We reviewed the proper etiquette for meeting and greeting people, as well as the proper way to introduce their parents to members of the administration and staff.” The Freshman Tea provided ample opportunity for the students to demonstrate their social graces as each student in turn introduced their parents to the administrators and then to their teachers and fellow classmates.

Students are taught not only the fundamentals, but are given ample opportunity to put their newfound skills into Mount Freshman Bailey Piazza and her parents, Richard and Jean, enjoy academics have practice—whether it be the refreshments and the company at the annual Freshman Tea on Sunday, Strong always been a Mount learning concepts in September 20, 2009. tradition that reaps benefits physics class by hands-on for students down the road. Mount Technology teacher and experiments involving toy race cars in the hallway, or tutoring Chair of the Business and Computer Department, Margaret young children at La Salle Academy. Toth, is the parent of a Mount alumna. Her daughter, Amy, Tradition means much here at Mount Saint Joseph Academy. graduated in 2008, and Margaret could not be happier with the After the excitement of last year’s 150 th Anniversary results of her daughter’s education. “It is evident especially Celebration, Sister Kathleen Brabson, SSJ, president of now in college—she can easily write papers, she knows how MSJA, in her opening remarks to the Mount community, asked to study, and most importantly, knows how to prioritize her the question, “What do you do in the 151st year?” time in order to juggle academics and activities with her work schedule at school. Every bit of her Mount education was well The answer is that the school will continue its tradition of worth the investment.” serving the Dear Neighbor in love. This year’s theme “Tending the mission: rekindling its fire with love,” focuses on the The Mount’s Catholic identity is very evident in how Community Mount’s vibrant ministry to the Dear Neighbor by following in Service is closely intertwined with learning process. At the the footsteps of the foundresses, the Sisters of St. Joseph. beginning of school, the Mount’s student body held sign-ups As S. Kathleen says, “It is my role and sacred responsibility for the Community Service Corps—“Serve to Learn, Learn to advance the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the to Serve” signs lined the driveway leading up to the school; mission of the Mount.” others list the names of the many activities and outreaches in which the students voluntarily participate. Unlike many other Last weekend, one of many longstanding traditions at the schools, the Mount has no service requirement, yet 90 percent Mount, the Freshman Tea, provided an opportunity for of the student body participates in community service. Service freshmen to gather together and introduce their parents to is part of the fabric of the girls’ day—part of the long tradition one another and to their teachers and administrators. Mount of service that the girls have learned from the influence of the principal Dr. Judith Caviston says, “It is important for parents Sisters of St. Joseph at the Mount. to put “names and faces” together.”

Founders’ Day Album

little rain won’t hold these Mounties back from enjoying a beloved tradition — Founders’ Day!

Mount Happenings Traditions

October 15, 2009

Mission Corps SSJ

hree young Mount Alumnae from the Class of 2005 are beginning their year of service with the new Sisters of Saint Joseph SSJ Mission Corps, a program of service ministry to the poor. On Sunday, September 20th, the commissioning Liturgy marked the official start of their year of service. In the photo above, left to right, Caitlin Sullivan, Mary Beth Schluckebier, and Jaclyn Newns mark the opening of their year giving service within the Philadelphia area. They are taking part in three separate works of the SSJs: at the Visitation Parish, where Mary Beth will serve in parish outreach to those who are poor; the SSJ Welcome Center, where Caitlin will assist with the English as a Second Language program and will accompany people who are trying to access services available to them, such as for food or housing; and Our Mother of Sorrows-St. Ignatius School, where Jaclyn will assist in the art studio and work with the school social worker. According to Sister Nancy Roche, SSJ, Director of Mission Services at St. Joseph Villa in Flourtown, and who serves on the SSJ Committee to develop the Volunteer Mission Corps, “These young women have initiated this program. They said, ‘We’d love to do a year of service, but we want to serve with the Sisters of Saint Joseph!’ They wanted to help shape the program with us —pray together, build community together, and work side-by -side with the SSJs in our ministry to the poor.” To begin their ministry, they participated in a five-day orientation, August 15 to 20. On August 18, the three young

6 SpreadAllison Keane ’05, Mary Beth, Jackie, Caitlin, and Katie Kerr ’05

women participated in “Divide the City Day,” which is something the early sisters would do. Accompanied by Sister Michelle Lesher, SSJ, the group traveled to various points throughout the region to see how the SSJs are responding to the needs in the communities they serve, as well as to assess and survey the needs in each community where they will be working. At each place they visited, someone at each site would speak with them and pray with them a prayer of blessing on their work. The women ended their day at 5 pm by returning to the place where their streams began—Mount Saint Joseph Academy, where a very enthusiastic group waited to greet them on the front porch: MSJA President Sister Kathleen Brabson, SSJ, members of the administration, faculty, and staff, as well as some members from the class of 2005 joined to welcome the women and send them off on their new mission. Said Sister Kathleen Brabson, SSJ, ““By your participation as foundresses of this mission work, you demonstrate very clearly the ideals we hold dear here at Mount -- that directly connected to leadership is service. On behalf of the entire Mount Community, I thank you.”

SSJ Mission Happenings Corps

Real World: Kensington By Caitlin Sullivan ’05

our months ago, I was finishing up my senior year at Loyola College in Maryland, celebrating the last four idyllic years with my roommates and fellow classmates. College had officially ended, and now it was time to face the real world. Until I moved to Kensington to begin my year of service with the Sisters of Saint Joseph, I never really knew what the “real world” meant. Before my arrival to the infamous K&A (for those unfamiliar with old Philadelphia, Kensington and Allegheny) the real world meant living on my own, getting a job, planning for my future, and becoming financially independent. But after a week of living in Kensington and working at the Sisters of Saint Joseph’s Welcome Center on Allegheny Avenue, my notion of the “real world” has significantly changed. Unlike “The Real World” reality show seen on television, “I do not live with seven strangers, picked to live in a house and have their lives taped.” I do live with two other volunteers and fellow Mounties, in a row home, situated a few blocks up from K&A, nestled right between F and G streets. To outsiders, it may appear to be a terrifying place to live. But for the three of us, it has quickly become our home. Though I am certainly out of my comfort zone during these past two months of living in the “hood,” I have witnessed glimpses of hope and determination from the people I serve. The Welcome Center where I work offers opportunities that enable immigrants and others to improve the quality of their lives through access to education, support services, and programs leading to self-

Mary Beth, Jackie, S. Kathleen Brabson, SSJ, and Caitlin encountered. The real world for my neighbors is getting a bed for their child to sleep on, jackets and blankets to keep warm, food for the table, and sacrificing anything to obtain an education for themselves and their children, all of which most of us take for granted. One of my students, who just recently became a citizen of the United States, told me that in order to survive in the United States or anywhere in the world, you must have an education. An education is the key to one’s future success. My experience at the Welcome Center has proven to be more than what I expected. Coming face to face with this “real world” has directly impacted my own life perspectives. So, if you are ever in my “hood,” please stop by our “real world” house.

Peace in the Classroom: Vastly CounterCultural By Jaclyn Newns ’05

he past two months have been challenging, beautiful, busy, reflective, and full. Changing the location I call home, the people I live with, and my place of work all at once has been exciting, and, even though I’m still trying to find a rhythmic balance to all the newness, it is refreshing. Diving into this experience, I feel blessed to have this opportunity, especially with the SSJ community whose mission of radical love and unity with God and neighbor has stayed with me since my time at the Mount.

sufficiency. As the daughter of an immigrant father, I am very aware of the struggles and challenges that immigrant families face when coming to America. Teaching English as well as Citizenship classes to the immigrants that come to the Welcome Center has been both an empowering and enriching experience. Each one of my students has faced one hardship or another, some of which many of us cannot understand. Yet my students are eager to learn the English language or to become citizens of the United States so that they can better themselves and their families for the future. The immigrants and people that I have had the privilege to meet at the Welcome Center have truly enlightened me as to what the serious challenges are of a “real world” I had never before

I have a great deal of hope in this year that my awakening to rugged realities within myself and society will be fierce. We live in one interconnected world, often falsely separated by the technicalities of service into “giver” and “recipient.” For me, this year is about living in this one world, as giver and receiver, unifying what I offer with what I receive. I find already the challenges, brokenness, and beauty of the people I live with impacting my understanding of this city and connecting me to the Philadelphia community on a very basic human level. My work site is an elementary school setting in West Philadelphia, Our Mother of Sorrows and St. Ignatius Schools. Assisting in the art department there offers me the opportunity to help facilitate a space for students to self-express and explore their creativity. Working at OMS/SI also allows me to meet one-on-one with students about healthy and non-violent conflict resolution. The strong motivation of the staff at OMS/SI

remains essential, paralleling the spirituality, simple living, and community pillars of the SSJ Mission Corps. Paying attention internally gives me better focus for building relationships and responding passionately to surrounding needs. Caitlin, Mary Beth and I see suffering and frustration deep within many, but we also see the genuine beauty and vibrant hope of a resilient people. By our neighbors’ presence, we are energized to continue giving as we share in the goodness of community.

ife certainly looks different from where I stand right now By Mary Beth Schluckebier ’05

is apparent through the support teachers offer, pushing every child to reach his or her potential. Working for the past six weeks at school has invited me to recognize my desire for work to stretch me and demand use of all my abilities. I don’t know exactly what direction I am heading in after this program (art therapy, campus ministry and social work all speak to me in different ways), but I know my work must be life-giving through challenge. High self expectations are embedded within me. Important to recognize also, there is a difference between work and ministry. I want to give my time and energy in a way that ministers, reaching a certain level of personal depth. For example, facilitating a space so art-making could be a self-expressive tool for validation or a reflection of one’s spirituality would be an exercise of ministry that complements a passion of mine. I also wrestle with the truth that the work I produce is no indication of my value, and I am enough regardless of the extent of my work. I see the same wrestling in the kids and OMS/SI; they need so much to exert their focus into the learning while also recognizing their individual worth is not measured by academic success. Selfconfidence and belonging are needs of the kids that I hope to actively respond to with compassion and understanding. There are so many pieces of the past two months I would like to share; yet one aspect is overwhelming present. I have come to witness violence as a very fluid, natural part of our home and workplace environments. I see physical and emotional violence on a regular basis, and I continue to be surprised by the way people regard one another as obstacles to individual comfort. Disrespect is engrained in society and propelled forward by kids too young to understand all they have seen. The promotion of peace and openness in the classroom is so vastly countercultural that the kids seem caught in the middle of following the societal example and choosing newly taught ideals. The lack of peace is evident on Allegheny Avenue as well, where life is rarely quiet with constant movement, sirens, and heightened voices outside our home. Finding a place to center, be still, and ground myself often feels paradoxical; I’m looking for peace and simplicity in a very loud and complex environment. In addition to the external activity of the workday, there is a lot of internal activity too, adjusting to all the newness. Quieting within and reconnecting with the spirit that moves me (even in times of great confusion as to what the spirit resembles)

y time here in Kensington with the SSJ Mission Corps has felt much longer than two months. There have been moments, days, and weeks of questioning, of sadness, of hope, and of a gradual and deep-rooted transformation. Living and working in my Kensington community has prompted an experience of profound gratitude. Every day I am called to recognize and appreciate the freedoms and privileges afforded to me by simply being born a Schluckebier. My family, like so many of yours, has given me the gift of an education, of a comfortable life, of support, and of security. At the same time that I experience this gratitude, I feel an incredible responsibility to these, my neighbors, here in Kensington. Somehow I find my heart and mind almost painfully consumed by both clarity and confusion. So often, amidst the diversity of color, creed, and culture that decorate daily life here, I feel at home. Life certainly looks different from where I stand right now. In each day, I experience moments of incredible depth. The people with whom I work touch me and move something so deep inside of me that I struggle for the words to describe it. Every day I am challenged and called to a deeper love. Every day, I believe more and more in humanity. It seems that the more I learn and experience in life, the less I know for certain. Always I find myself questioning; questioning the systems that allow so many here to fall between the cracks, questioning the people and ideologies that allow for so much injustice in our country and our global community, and questioning my own truth and purpose. It is in this questioning, in this process, that I encounter

liberation. Valuing my experiences here and the people’s stories that I have heard encourages conscience and motivates voice within me.

help but feel at the depths of my heart. And yet, the people I meet here give to me of their very selves. They welcome me, a stranger, into their homes and share with me their stories.

I have the wonderful opportunity of working at Visitation BVM Parish, which is located just two stops from our home on the Westbound line of the Market-Frankford El. Visitation is primarily a Latino community and is rich in the Latino faith and culture. At Visitation, I work as a Coordinator of Social Services. This means that I am doing lots of home visits during which I assess the needs of our families and write vouchers for furniture, food, and clothing. I also have the opportunity to accompany many of our families with legal processes, often surrounding immigration issues. Additionally, I am working under the guidance of my boss, S. Linda Lukiewski, SSJ, on a Bereavement Group, which we began two weeks ago. Many young people in our parish community die from neighborhood violence or drug use. We are striving to meet the need for a support group where families can come and process the rollercoaster of emotions that they are experiencing. I am also doing some work with our food bank, as well as some teaching in our catechetical program. In my short time at Visitation thus far, I have already learned an incredible amount about the reality of life here in North Philadelphia, the reality of our legal system and U.S. Immigration law, and just the reality of living in urban poverty. Visitation is an incredible and empowering place. I am so grateful to be a part of that.

One woman named Jenyvera, who is caring for her dying mother and sister while suffering from severe Lupus herself, and without even a bed to sleep on, moved me at my core. She told me that people look at this neighborhood and they see what they want to see, but if you can look a little bit closer, past the stereotypes and the fear, there lies the truth. This truth is one of humanity. This is the block of people that welcomed Jenyvera just a month ago when she moved in and have brought food to her door from their own tables every day because she can’t afford it. This truth, too, is one of suffering. It does not matter that Jenyvera and her block of neighbors on Water Street come from a different land and speak a different language. The type of pain that they speak of, the suffering in their eyes and the suffering that moistens their cheeks does not need to be translated. I can see it. I can feel it. I may not know it, but I try to accompany them. Suffering seems to transcend language. It is universal. I had the opportunity to live in the Third World country of El Salvador last year. I found this kind of suffering there, and again I find it right here in the United States, arguably the most powerful nation in the world.

Every day at work and in my neighborhood I experience hunger around me. There is certainly hunger in the bodily sense, but also a hunger of the human heart. Life is lived on the margins in this part of the city. Living here I am glimpsing a reality that I never would have experienced from my family home in Willow Grove. Every day, I encounter what I have come to know as solidarity. It’s not easy. There is consistently so much deep sadness and suffering around me. There is a human brokeness in the addiction and violence that plague this community that I cannot

When I left Jenyvera’s home, she told me that her door is always open to me and to please let her know if I ever needed anything. She hugged me, and it was no ordinary hug, but rather a symbol of the deep connection of our complex souls, stories, and lives. I will never forget her. Every day people like Jenyvera are sharing pieces of themselves with me. It is an incredible gift. They dare to be vulnerable and in the midst of this vulnerability and love exists a solidarity of the spirit. These experiences are forming me from deep within. All that forms me will live in me forever. Here in Kensington, among the broken glass and the babies, the smiles and the used needles on the sidewalks, the roar of the El and the heartbreaking stories, I am learning to live.

Open House

e are grateful to all of the Faculty, Alumnae, Parents and Students who gave of their time and energy to make Open House 2009 such a terrific success. From food donations to decorations to clean-up, your generosity truly makes the difference. Thank you for recognizing Open House as the first step in every Mountie’s journey toward Graduation!

National Merit Recognition

Five National Merit Semifinalists, Five Commended Students, and a National Achievement Scholar

ongratulations to the Mount’s five National Merit Semifinalists from the Class of 2010, as recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Our students were identified by their high PSAT scores which ranked them among the top one percent of students in the country. Featured in this photograph are Back Row, From Left to Right: MSJA Principal, Dr. Judith A. Caviston, Nina Friel, Alexandra Cox, and MSJA President Sister Kathleen Brabson, SSJ. Front Row, From Left to Right: Amanda Stillwell, Stacey Kindelan, and Victoria Koc.

Aptitude Test (PSAT) and will now advance to the Finalist stage, where they will compete for one of over 3,000 Merit Scholarships. Finalists will be announced in the spring. Five MSJA seniors have received Letters of Commendation from the National Merit Corporation. Based on their PSAT scores from fall 2008, these students have proven academic superiority by performing in the top five percent of those who took the same test. Commended students include: Samantha Brecht, Patricia Mars, Patrice Mulhern, Laura Pospisil, and Allison Zminda. Chierika Ukogu has been recognized by the National Achievement Scholarship Program. This places her in the top 3% of AfricanAmerican students who took the PSAT in 2008.

These students scored in the top one percent of more than 1.5 million juniors in the country who took the Preliminary Scholarship

Breast Cancer Mar athon Honors Steph Roman

By Shannon McGovern ’11 This article originally appeared in the Campanile

ven though the predictions called for rain, Sat., Oct. 3, brought favorable weather conditions for the annual Breast Cancer Marathon.

Supporters were able to participate in an egg toss, run a 5 K race on the cross country course, or walk the track. This year’s marathon was a booming success. The participation, really ignited by the chairs of the breast cancer marathon committee, Alanna McCloy and Allie Zminda, heightened everyone’s interest in the marathon. Adding to the festivities, Mount’s field hockey team (wearing pink shirts made especially for the marathon) played and defeated Villa Joseph Marie on the field inside the track. Even the volleyball team, who played at other venues, showed their support by wearing pink shirts at their games as well. “There was a great turnout,” junior homeroom representative Katie McCormick said. “People came after crew practice and other events to help support this respectable cause.”

In top photo above, Meg Mulhern ’10, Celia Vinciguerra ’10, Sharna Shuford, Assistant Varsity Field Hockey Coach, Nicole Schuster ’10, Caitlin Liberatore ’10, and Moira DiSandro ’10 present to Mrs. Statmore the money they raised by selling baked goods during their field hockey game. In bottom photo, seniors Kara Davis, Alanna McCloy, and Allie Zminda play with Mikey, Sammy, and Katie Roman at the Breast Cancer Marathon.

Last May, Stephanie Roman, a former teacher at the Mount, died of breast cancer. In honor of Mrs. Roman’s memory, her three children came to the event. “The breast cancer marathon was an all out effort to benefit the scholarship fund, and it was great that her children were a part of it,” Mrs. Statmore said. Through the Marathon and Breast Cancer Dress Down Day, the Mount raised over $3,700, which will be donated to the Stephanie L. Roman Scholarship fund at the Mount.

hen Emily Gimpel’s young cousin was diagnosed with leukemia, and then a friend’s cousin was diagnosed with cancer, Emily and some friends started Junior Golf Clubs Cancer (JGCC) in order to raise money for pediatric cancer research. They collect unused golf clubs and sell them on eBay. To date, JGCC has raised over $30,000, which it donates to the St. Christopher’s Foundation for Children. In recognition of her work, Emily was awarded the American Junior Golf Association’s (AJGA) Presidents’ Youth Leadership Award, which recognizes one boy and one girl junior golfer who demonstrate leadership, character and community service through their involvement with the USGA • AJGA Youth Leadership Club – a joint initiative founded in 2005 by the United States Golf Association and the American Junior Golf Association to further develop junior golfers through volunteerism. Emily received four tickets to a U.S. Open of her choice, access to the USGA hospitality tent during the U.S. Open, and an automatic entry into the 2009 Rolex Tournament of Champions – the most prestigious junior golf stroke play event in the country. Says Emily, “Being recognized by the USGA and AJGA was a great honor for me, especially because it honored all of those who contribute to Junior Golf Clubs Cancer, including my family, Whitemarsh Valley Country Club, and those at the Mount who have supported the project.” Emily, a member of the Junior LPGA, has been busy competing. Here is a list of some of her accomplishments: •

Won the International Junior Golf Tour’s Marriott Seaview Resort Championship, shooting a career best 71.

•

10th place finish in the North & South Amateur Championship at Pinehurst, NC

•

National representative for junior girls’ golf at the USGA Media Day at Trump National Golf Club, where Emily represented junior golf in a radio interview for NPR radio and the US Library of Congress in a series called “Voice of Golf.”

•

Played in the AJGA Rolex Tournament of Champions in Cape Girardeau, Missouri

•

She played in the McDonald’s Betsy Rawls Championship at White Manor Country Club placing 64th in the international field.

•

Emily was named the 2009 recipient of the United States Golf Association/American Junior Golf Association’s President’s Leadership Award

•

Emily won the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s Jock MacKenzie Memorial Tournament at Sandy Run, shooting 78.

For more information and links to the web pages with video clips and articles about Emily, please visit www.msjacad. org/EmilyGimpel.

Emily with Donald Trump (and her Dad, John Gimpel) at Trump National Golf Club where Emily represented junior golf in a radio interview for NPR radio and the US Library of Congress in a series called "Voice of Golf."

Happenings

Emily Gimpel ’10 Clubs Cancer Athletic Update

Soccer finished fourth in the league and advanced to district play. Tennis finished third in the league. Sent Jess Bonet ’13 to the district singles tournament. Jess also went with Catherine Baldsasano ’11 to the district doubles tournament. Volleyball Finished fourth in the league and advanced to district play. Field Hockey finished second in the league and advanced to district play. Golf won the League, Districts, and Regionals and placed second in the State Companionship Tournament. Emily Gimpel ’10 was sixth place medalist in the individual State Championship. Crew—King’s Head Regatta Varsity 8 finished 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th; Varsity 4 finished 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th; and Junior Varsity 8 came in 1st and 3rd. At the Navy Day Regatta, Varsity 8 finished 1st; Lightweight 8 finished 2nd; 2nd Varsity 8 finished 4th; Junior Varsity 8 finished 1st and 6th; and Varsity 4 came in 10th. At Head of the Charles Regatta, Varsity 8 came in 4th, Lightweight 8 came in 29th, 2nd Varsity 8 finished 31st.

Student Council Officers 2009-10

President Vice-President Secretary/Treasurer

Stephanie Leone (center) Emily Wajert (left) Chierika Ukogu (right)

Ellen Burgoyne Hubrig ’77 Welcomes “Friendly Fellows” “Seeking and Finding the Good in Others” Article reprinted from The Farragut Press, Thu, Nov, 20, 2008 by Kim Johnson http://www.farragutpress.com/articles/2008/11/9475.html

“I have now copyrighted the book, and I have added a scripture verse to every day of the year, and we just think it is uplifting and inspirational and we want to build the Society of Friendly Fellows worldwide. I would love to publish it in other languages,” she added.

he Society of Friendly Fellows has arrived, and anyone can be a member.

Farragut resident Ellen Burgoyne Hubrig, great-granddaughter of the original “Friendly Fellow,” Sidney J. Burgoyne, has published a book, originally written by her grandfather in 1925, called Daily Thoughts for Friendly Fellows that allows membership into the society.

So who are the “Friendly Fellows?” “It is a group of people that would be trying to seek and find the good in others,” Hubrig said.

“Along with the book—it is a hardbound book that we sell in a gift box—comes a bookmark, and on the bookmark is a special code that allows you to get on our online forum to talk to other Friendly Fellows,” Hubrig said.

The society’s creed reads: “To live and help live is part of our creed.

The Web site, www.friendlyfellows.com, is up and running and the forum is already active. Daily Thoughts for Friendly Fellows is composed of 365 uplifting daily verses on attitudes in relationships, annotated with Scripture verses. The book is a plain spoken guide for daily living for everyone; men and women, young and old alike; whether at home, at school or in the office. It is a gentle and often humorous reminder that learning how to live with others around you will lead to a better understanding of how to live with yourself, a timeless message of hope that will challenge you each day to begin improving yourself by improving your relationships with others. The Scripture verses make each daily thought a unique opportunity for self-reflection and Bible study,” Hubrig said.

“To be real ‘Friendly Fellows’ in word and deed. To be always seeking and trying to find the good that is somewhere in all mankind; to scatter sunshine and spread good cheer, and to bless our brothers by being here; to pass along all that’s inspiring and true that will make ‘Friendly Fellows’ of others, too.”

eeking and Trying to Find the Good that is Somewhere in all Mankind.

Hubrig’s grandfather inducted the first members into the society during his lifetime. “He [printed] out the little book and gave it out to people and said, ‘Now you are in the Society of Friendly Fellows,’” Hubrig said. The book has long been a big part of Hubrig’s life. “I always used the book,” she said. “In the 70s I was the president of the Student Council [at the Mount], and whatever day the meeting was on, I read the poem for that day. “Then I started using it again here in the 90s and people started saying they thought they wanted one of those.

The society’s logo, which appeared on the book printed by Burgoyne in 1925, a circle comprised of a sash and belt with an outstretched hand in the center, is filled with symbolism. “There are a lot of things involved in the symbolism of the circle — keeping everyone in unity in the circle, then men and women with the sash and the belt, that all can be friendly fellows,” Hubrig said.

“The open hand is extended as a welcoming greeting symbolizing trust, equality and appreciation. The traditional handshake spans generations as a friendly gesture. “The open hand and circle are in gold, complementing a blue background and the Friendly Fellows inscription. The gold symbolizes the Society’s rich values and positive, unyielding commitment to find the best in others, while the blue represents dependability and unity of purpose within the ‘Society of Friendly Fellows,’ she added. Ellen has many fond memories of the Mount and would like to extend a discount to all Mounties. If ordering her book on her website, www.FriendlyFellows.com, enter coupon code MSJF1009 to get a 15% discount.

By Marilyn Barton, RN, BSN ’69

Alumnae Happenings Spotlight

Nursing Book Sets the Record Straight

2006 to 2016. One goal of The Color of Their Eyes was to enhance the value of nursing by influencing the public’s perception of nurses in an upbeat and realistic way. Though it seems that everyone knows a nurse, how many people know what a nurse does? It is usually when people find themselves in a critical position in which they need the complex services of a nurse that they appreciate what nurses do. Another goal of the book was to serve as a recruitment and retention tool for Riverside.

ow did I become the editor of a nursing book? I was working as an RN at Riverside Health System in Newport News, Virginia. One of my responsibilities was being the editor of the annual nursing magazine. My editor-in-chief was Caroline Martin, RN, MHA, who was the dynamic executive vice president of the health system. She was very pro-nursing, and one of her endeavors was to create a nursing magazine in which nurses could describe the work that they do in caring for patients. She invited nurses to write narratives and poetry from all types of healthcare settings, from the emergency room to long term care. She encouraged them to tell their stories. Our nursing book, The Color of Their Eyes: Celebrating the Art and Science of Nursing, was the culmination of 20 years’ worth of personal nursing experiences published in Riverside’s annual magazine. The hard cover edition contains 223 pages and was published in 2007. One motivating force for getting a group of nurses together to work on this book was the influence from the book From Silence to Voice, published in 2000. The authors of that book recommended that nurses write to express the work they do so the public has a more accurate and positive image of contemporary nurses. Since there is so much on television and in movies that discounts the work of nurses, real nurses grow weary of the their portrayal in the media. The misperception is that nurses are not leaders in healthcare but secondary to physicians in all aspects. Hospital management, politicians and policy makers discount nurses’ opinions, so they are often left out of important decisions, such as how to staff a healthcare facility.

How did the Mount influence my decision to go into nursing? While the school provided me with a very solid education with a strong emphasis on language arts, I was not the most serious student. The most important aspects of my life in high school centered around who my boyfriend was and what I was wearing to the latest dance. In 1967 I wanted to become an airline stewardess and travel the world. You can imagine my disappointment when I learned that flight attendants had to have 20/20 uncorrected vision, and I did not. My plan A failed, and I had no plan B. The sciences were not relevant for me at that time, and I did the minimum just to pass. It was not cool for a girl to excel in math or science. Or to be good in any of the challenging subjects. I wanted to be cute, fun to be with, and popular.

essentially used my strong language background from the Mount to translate my way through nursing school!

In the foreword of their book, From Silence to Voice, Professor Patricia Benner, PhD, RN, FAAN, stated, “Describing the knowledge, competence, and skill that goes into day-to-day nursing work allows nurses themselves to comprehend their work in a more empowering way. It increases nurses’ mastery and appreciation of their own work, and by extension, nurses’ ability to better care for patients.” In 2006, there were 2.5 million nurses employed in the United States. The demand for nurses is expected to grow 23% from

Little did I know how much I would come to regret this mindset ten years later when I decided to become an RN. Nursing at Georgetown University was a very rigorous course of study with microbiology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, psychology, and many other intense subjects. I had to work hard to maintain a B average. Looking back on what really helped me from the Mount was the English, Latin and French that I took. There are so many words in medicine and nursing whose roots come from Latin, Greek, and the romance languages. I essentially used my strong language background from the Mount to translate my way through nursing school! If you are interested in more information about the book, or about nursing in general, please contact Marilyn at mbartonrn@ cox.net.

MSJA 17th Annual Golf Classic

for the

Endowment

Happenings Development

Golf Classic Raises Over $70,000

he Mount held the 17th Annual Golf Outing on Monday, October 5th, at Blue Bell Country Club. Beautiful weather greeted the 132 golfers who had their choice of participating in the morning or afternoon shot-gun starts, or the popular instructional clinic led by Will Reilly. The Outing was followed by cocktails, dinner, and a silent auction featuring items such as outings at area golf courses, Eagles tickets and autographed sports memorabilia. Once again, half of the proceeds from the Outing benefit the Alumnae Endowed Scholarship, which will be awarded to the daughter or granddaughter of an Alumna who qualifies for financial aid. Our sincere thanks to our chairs Michael and Beth Brown, and all of our committee members, sponsors, participants and those who purchased raffle tickets. Their support continues to make the Golf Outing one of the most successful fundraisers at the Mount!

R affle Winners: Trip for Two to Bermuda:

Maliz DePaul (Alum Parent)

LCD TV:

Yunnie and Carl Jenkins (Current Parents)

Netbook:

Peg Green (Dean of Students)

“The Flip” Pocket Camcorder:

Karen Moran (Curent Parent)

Student Mall Gift Certificate: Melissa Logan ’13

Why Do I Give? That’s Easy - I Love the Mount! By Mary Ellen Carroll Brown ’48

I felt this way as a student at the Mount, and I still feel this way today, sixty-one years later.

W W

hen my parents and I toured the Mount, my father turned to me at the end of the tour and said, “This is the school for you.” How right he was! I had four wonderful years there. The Mount offered everything. The Sisters and teachers continued the things my parents had already begun: nourishing my Catholic faith and encouraging me to always do my best. There were many new experiences: new friends, new sports, and new subjects. Many of the friends I made in high school are still my friends today. We have a great class! They continue to support our school – I think my class of ’48 has taken the award for the highest percentage of contributors for at least the past five years! Basketball was a new sport to me when I entered the Mount. I learned to play and went on to both play and coach later in my life. We also had tennis, swimming, archery, and field hockey (until flooding from the Wissahickon closed the field). I have wonderful memories of A.A. Roasts, Tea Dances, Proms, May Days, Plays (no boys, we performed the male roles), Latin (ten words a night to memorize courtesy of Sister Claire Helene), Art classes with Sr. Mary Julia, Glee Club, Sports Banquets, Child of Mary Devotions, Fr. Flynn, Mrs. Meagher, Sr. Rosalia (Silas Marner) – so many more…

That was then – What about now? As an Alumnae Board member for the past several years, I’ve been privileged to see and hear a lot of what is happening at school. The Mount continues to prepare young women for the challenges of the world. The motivation to serve God and to do their best is still the spirit here. Many things have changed (including he location of the school), but as Sister Claire Helene once told a group of Alumnae, “We carry our traditions with us.” And so we do!

The school is larger now, both in enrollment and number of buildings. There are also more subjects taught and more sports played. Each year our graduating seniors receive scholarships to some of the most prestigious colleges in the country. We also field some excellent sports teams which consistently finish at the top of their league. I think I’m most impressed, though, with the outreach that is fostered in our school. Opportunities to reach out both to the neighborhood and beyond are present in all four years and foster a sense of the broader community. I am proud to say that I went to the Mount, and I want this school to continue forever. As a class rep, I want everyone to support it so that this can happen. I tell my class to give whatever they can, even if it’s not a very large amount. I hope that all of you who read this will recall your days at the Mount and do the same! Mary Ellen Carroll Brown was inducted into the MSJA Athletic Hall of Fame in March of this year. She became the Mount’s head basketball coach in 1976 and led the team to the League Championship Title in 1978. As a student at the Mount, Mary Ellen played varsity basketball, serving as captain in her senior year. She became a voice in the Athletic Association as a representative, a board member, and in her senior year, as president. Mary Ellen accepted an athletic scholarship to Chestnut Hill College, where she played basketball for four years and was captain senior year. In 1953, she earned her first League Championship title as coach of Little Flower. Mary Ellen taught Social Studies in Philadelphia, and helped develop a core syllabus for the Philadelphia Junior High Social Studies curriculum. She continues to serve on the Mount’s Alumnae Board. She and a team of planners created the CCD program for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Mary Ellen is a member of the Respect Life Movement and Adult Faith Formation.

Development Happenings

Annual Fund Kicks Off a New Year

he 2009-2010 Annual Fund Campaign kicked off in high gear with the Purple & Gold Reception held on September 23rd. A gathering of Alumnae along with current and past parents met to hear about the goals of this year’s initiative and listen to Stephanie Leone ’10, President of the Student Council, speak about how the Mount continues to inspire her. Gifts to the Annual Fund are vital to sustaining the quality education that the Mount offers to our young women. T u i t i o n r e v e n u e covers 82% of the actual cost of educating each student. We depend on the support of our Mount community to cover the $3,033 shortfall between tuition revenue and cost per student. In October, all members of the Mount community received an Annual Fund solicitation asking for their support to this most important endeavor. Please know that all gifts, regardless of size, are valued and greatly appreciated. Our goal for this year’s campaign is $350,000. If you have any questions regarding the Annual Fund, please contact Leigh McFadden, Annual Fund Coordinator at 215-233-3177 x160. For more photos from the Purple & Gold Club reception, please visit www. msjacad.org and click on the Photo Albums page under the “Student Life” tab.

Annual Fund Giving Clubs Purple & Gold Club Fournier Diamond Gold 1858 Founders Silver

$10,000 and Above $5,000 - $9,999 $2,500 - $4,999 $1,858 - $2,499 $1,000 - $1,857

Harvest Club Campanile Club Principal’s Club

$500 - $999 $250 - $499 $100 - $249

2009-2010 MSJA Board of Directors

The MSJA Board of Directors has named Mary Merz Berko ’48 as Chair. We welcome new board members Steve Gardner and Jim Paul. Back Row, left to right: Louis DePaul, Stephen Gardner, Richard Hubbert, Daniel Thistle, Andrew Maron, James Paul, Anthony Maginnis, Suzanne Serianni Mayes ‘84, and Kent Roman Seated, left to right: Sister Theresa Maugle, Anne Titterton ’82, Sister Catherine Robinson, Mary Merz Berko ’48, Sister Kathleen Brabson, Donna DePaul Bartynski ‘70, Mary Ann Feeley Messmer ‘72, Sister Barbara Winnals, and Sister Regina Bell Not Pictured: Therese Esperdy ‘77, Angela Stout, DMD ’83, John Fenningham

9th Annual

Mount Crew Class Day Regatta Saturday, November 28, 2009 11am – 3pm

Sneak Peek Alumnae Room Renovation The family of Jane Loughran Ryan ’50 has honored their mother’s memory by renovating this wonderful gathering space. The photo at left shows the room before the renovation; the photo at right is a sneak preview of the room after renovation. We invite you to stop in to see the room. Look for more information about the formal dedication ceremony which will take place in the coming months.

Are you a Mountie who loves rowing? Did you always wish that your rowing career could have started in high school? Well, here is your chance to row for the Mount! The 9th Annual Mount Crew Class Day Regatta will be held on Saturday, November 28, from 11am to 3pm! Boat christening to be held at 11:30am. Join us each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving for our Class Day Regatta. Come and see the Mount Boathouse, meet the current Mount Crew Team, and catch-up with other Alumnae. We will be racing boats by Mount class for short (500m) sprints! Visit the NEWLY RENOVATED Mount Boathouse! For more information visit the Mount Crew web site at www.mountcrew.net.

Dear Alumna, It’s always difficult to let go of summer and prepare for the year of new challenges ahead. As I begin my term as President of the Alumnae Board, I welcome the opportunity to serve the Mount community, and I encourage all Alumnae to join us as we begin another eventful year at the Mount.

Alumnae Happenings

A Letter from the Alumnae Association President

This year is already off to a remarkable start. Close to 125 of our “Golden Girls” gathered at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club for our 10th annual luncheon on September 18th. The Mount’s 17th Annual Golf Classic was held on October 5th at Blue Bell County Club. With the help of the Golf Committee, ably led by Michael and Beth Brown, the Mount raised over $70,000 for the Endowment. Most recently, nearly a half-dozen Alumnae, together with the Administration, faculty, parents and students, hosted the Mount’s annual Open House for prospective students and their families. Mount Alumnae greeted prospective students and parents, including Mount Alum mothers. The Mount facilities have never looked better, nor the current students, more enthusiastic. Please join us this year for one or more events – Lunch with Santa, Celebrauction or our annual Alumnae Day festivities. Also, I hope you can attend some of our newer events run by the Alumnae/Parents Association Special Events Committee – the Christmas House Tour or our Spring Fling shopping event. Your involvement in these events not only brings our extended Mount family together, but supports the goals of the Alumnae Association. I invite you to support the Mount while reconnecting with old friends and developing new contacts in the Mount community. On behalf of the Alumnae Association Board of Directors, I thank you for your loyal support of the Mount and look forward to the year ahead. Kind regards,

Trish Zugay Burkholder President, MSJA Alumnae Association

Meet Your 2009 - 2010 Alumnae Association Board Board of Directors President Vice President Recording Secretary Corresponding Secretary Treasurer

Patricia Zugay Burkholder ’74 Erin McClafferty ’96 Sheila Kropp McLaughlin ’84 Virginia Bendinger Wischhusen ’70 Ellen Rosa-Bian Cericola ’82

Board Members Mary Kate Haber Black ’80 Maria Fella Cain ’80 Maggie Markmann Dougherty ’01 Madge Mansell Keehn ’50 Barbara Tumelty Kelly ’00 Lorraine Sukalski McGlynn ’52

Heather McKenna Tausz ’89 Corinne Ledwith Murphy ’84 Megan Osborne Romano ’94 Kimberly Rothwell ’01 Jeanine O’Brien Waldron ’92 Stephanie Birchett Wroten ’86

Honorary Board Members Honorary Board Members Mary Merz Berko ’48

Mary Ellen Carroll Brown ’48

Adele Bateman Donahue ’48

Mark Your Calendar! Come Home to the Mount

Alumnae Day

Saturday, March 20, 2010 Reunion Year for Classes ending in 0s and 5s All Mounties are invited to come home to the Mount. Reunion celebrations for classes ending in 0s and 5s will be held on Saturday, March 20th. If you would like to be part of the MSJA Reunion Celebration Committee, please contact Theresa Moyer, Director of Alumnae, at tmoyer@msjacad.org or (215) 233-3177, ext. 334.

Golden Girls Luncheon

Madge Mansell Keehn ’50 Chair of the 2009 Golden Girls Luncheon

raduates of Mount Saint Joseph Academy have always had a strong bond, and the Mount’s Golden Girls (Alumnae who have reached their 50th anniversary), gather each September to reminisce and enjoy each other’s company. The tenth annual Golden Girls luncheon was held Friday, Sept. 18, 2009, at the Whitemarsh Valley Country Club in Lafayette Hill. With almost 125 in attendance, the room came alive with warmth and camaraderie, laughter and delightful conversation. It is hard to imagine that graduation was at least 50 years ago, and these ladies have maintained ties with one another and with the Mount that grow ever stronger as each year passes.

Update

Mount’s College-Age

Intern Progr am

y all accounts, the Mount’s new College-age Summer Internship program was a great success. Thanks to this initiative, a number of Mount Alumna were able to gain on-the-job experience in their career fields this past summer. The program dovetails nicely with the Mount’s longstanding tradition of connecting young Alumnae with mentors established in their fields; this program utilizes the Mount’s website to faciliate the connection process. Art Pasquarella, MSJA’s past Chairman of the Board, spearheaded the initiative with the Mount’s Alumnae Office. His company, BPG Properties, hosted a paid internship from May-July. He says, “I’m very enthusiastic about the program, since it provides a way to connect young Alumnae with the broader school Alumnae base. Essentially, it is a cost-free way for the school community to help out young Alums at a time when internships are increasingly scarce.” This past summer, BPG Properties hired Colleen Giagnacova who graduated from the Mount in 2007. She attends St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, where she is pursuing her Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a major in Management and a minor in Music Performance. She is very enthusiastic about the experience she gained this past summer at BPG. “Everything I learned this summer is very valuable and will certainly benefit me in the future. I was not only introduced to the property management side of real estate, but also development, acquisitions and even the legal aspects of the industry.” “While studying to sit for my salesperson license, I was able to apply what I learned from the class to what I was working on downtown. Thanks to the generosity of our Alumnae, parents past parents and parents of current students, internships are available in many career fields; while some are paid, others are unpaid or offer college credit. But all offer the important opportunity to explore and gain experience and connections. For more information about the Mount’s Summer College Internship Program, or if you would like to participate in this year’s program, please contact Theresa Moyer, Director of Alumnae, at tmoyer@msjacad.org, or visit the Mount’s Alumnae website at www.msjaalum.org.

BPG’s internship information as posted on the Mount’s website: Serve as an assistant to either a commercial property manager in the Philadelphia suburbs or as an assistant to the paralegal staff within our center city Philadelphia legal department. Tasks in both positions would include some administrative duties. In the case of the c ommer c ial pr oper t y management position, the job would also include property visits, interface with tenants/vendors and some bookkeeping. In the legal department, the job would give the intern the opportunity to review many forms of real estate documents, the opportunity to draft legal filings, and be exposed to an experienced real estate law department. Colleen’s resume now contains the following: BPG Properties, Ltd., Philadelphia, PA Summer Intern

May – July 2009

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Performed assistant commercial property management duties including hands-on interaction with building engineers and architects, visiting property sites, conducting various audits and acting as liaison with tenants.

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Analyzed properties’ sustainability practices as part of an ongoing Energy Star certification project.

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Assisted in property acquisitions department working with leases and Argus, a real estate budgeting and forecasting software.

Alumnae

News •

news. Shown in the photo are Joan Gagliardi Monahan, Sara Lee Hayden Murphy, Connie Goggin Stark, Marion Williams Berry, Judy Rhoads Morris Louise Barrett Zink, and Anne Schmidt Muir.

1948 Eileen McDevitt Heck Slawek returned home from a wonderful trip to Italy with some family and friends. In the photo, left to right

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are: Eileen McDevitt Heck Slawek ’48, Eileen Heck Nigro ’82, Maria Eileen Cilio ’12 (Daughter of Kim Heck Cilio, Class of ’84), a friend, Jeanette Griffin ’82, and Gabriella Cilio, Class of ’21. •

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1949 Anne Wilson Crane would like to share that her class had a joyous reunion in April. Twenty one of her classmates joined in for the weekend. They also attended Mass at St. Joseph Villa offered for their eighteen deceased classmates. All are looking forward to more reunions.

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1950 Sister Wanda Davidson, SSJ is asking prayers for her brother, Dr. Donald Davidson, who passed away last September. 1953 Janice Diamond Charlton announces that her oldest granddaughter, Kelsey, graduated from high school, winning multiple scholarships and grants for college. She will be attending Baylor. 1955 Kathy McGee Burns is proud to say that her daughter, Kelly Wall, is running for Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in November 2009.

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1956 Rosanne Barrett, Jeanne Shelton Crouch, Mary McElvenny Owen, Pat McGonigal Feulner Carroll, and Dotty Gallagher Hordubay all had lunch together in Marco Island, Florida. • Rosanne recently visited with Barbara Holm Quinn at Union Station in Chicago, while she had a layover on her way across the country via Amtrak. 1959 Marion Williams Berry announces that seven members of the class of 1959 (50th anniversary year) were able to spend time together in Florida this past February, catching up on 50 years of

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1961 Joan Smith Agostinelli would like to share that after retiring in 2006, she moved from Cape Cod, MA to the Pocono Mountains in PA. She and her husband wanted to be situated between the families of their grandchildren – five grandsons and four granddaughters. They are premiere babysitters and love every minute of it. Recently they attended grandparents’ day at Chestnut Hill Academy and Springside. Their seven sons are all doing well and are blessed with wonderful daughters-in-law. Twenty-five years in the human resources field has finally served her well as she is very active locally in Democratic politics and serving on a committee to promote the health care reform agenda nationally. Joan keeps busy and works at keeping fit. She hopes to see her classmates at the 50th. 1967 Alice Crane Loveman is thanking her classmates for taking time to send Mass cards for her mother or heartfelt notes with comforting words or resurrected memories about time at the Mount. She knows that all of you kept her in your thoughts even if time slipped by without writing. Alice and her husband, Richard, are still working together. While he is still fighting pancreatic cancer, nothing seems to slow him down especially when it comes to visiting and playing with their six grandchildren. She asks that you keep him in your prayers. 1969 Geraldine M. McTear has been the Business Manager at St. Matthew Parish, Philadelphia, for the last 19 years and with the archdiocese of Philadelphia for 39 years. She also has enjoyed selling real estate for 33 years. Geraldine extends a Happy 40th Anniversary to the class of 1969. 1978 Donna Peters Connell and husband, Chuck, adopted a beautiful baby girl, born on January 8, 2008. Her name is Mackenzie Leia. She is loved by her big brother, Wyatt, who is 12 years old. Mackenzie has brought more joy to their lives then they could ever imagine. 1984 Patricia Backus Fiore and husband, Jerry, are excited about the birth of their son, Matthew Belmont Fiore, 10 lbs., 22.5” long, born November 19, 2008. He joins his sister, Catie (5) and brother, Michael (2). 1989 Ann Lynch is working on getting a private pilot license. Her husband, Dr. Gunter Luepke, is a professor of Applied Science at the College of William and Mary. Susanne Laphen Miller has a new little one at her house. James Patrick Miller was born May 26, 2009. He joins big brother, Aidan (4), to make their family complete.

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1990 Jennifer Licata Rafter is currently enjoying being a full-time • stay-at-home mom, taking care of her 6 children, Brandon (11), Julia (7), Aidan (5) and triplets, Avery, Alyssa and Peyton, born September 14, 2008. Jenn also works at Abington Memorial Hospital as a Childbirth Educator and has her own business as a Certified Labor Doula. • 1993 Marjery MacNeal Krill and husband, Joseph, welcomed their first child, a daughter, Madeline Grace, on April 3, 2009. The Krill family is currently living in Charlottesville, Virginia. •

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Jill Harrington Short was married December 2007 to Adam Short (SJN ’96). They are living in Fishtown with their three rescue dogs, Farnsworth, Oliver and Remington.

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Melissa Wilson-Hart is starring in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at The New Candelight Theatre in Wilmington, Delaware. The show opens October 24th and runs through Christmas. Tickets and info can be found on the website: www.newcandlelighttheatre.com. Melissa is hoping that some Mounties can get to see it!

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1994 Kimberly Parsons Brockmeyer and husband, Justin welcomed their first child, Nathan Michael, on May 25, 2009. Nathan’s grandmother, Joan Morasco Parsons ’66 and proud aunt and godmother, Kathryn Parsons ’97 enjoy spending time with Nathan and his cousins Monica, Anthony, Kayla and Brendan.

1998 Lauren Bair Hankins was married on September 27, 2008 to Drew Hankins, a graduate of Chestnut Hill Academy and Boston University. They are currently residing in Lafayette Hill with daughter, Tess Olivia, who was born on July 27, 2009, 7lbs., 1 oz.

2001 Megan Barth Lewis and husband, Shaun, are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Caroline McKenna Lewis, born May 29, 2009. They are currently residing in Blue Bell, PA. Nicole Schuster announces her marriage to Dr. Michael Johnson, on June 13, 2009 at St. Patrick’s Church in Philadelphia, PA. They

will reside in Charlottesville, Virginia. Pictured from left to right: Kate Murphy ’01, Kerrianne Kada ’01, Amy Schuster Valasek ’94, Katie Schuster Johnson ’01, Nicole Schuster ’10, Katie Madden ’01 and Stephanie Lennon ’01.

Amy Smith McLaughlin, Psy.D. has just completed her doctorate in psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is currently working as a school psychologist for the Phoenixville Area School District.

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Megan Osborne Romano is delighted to share that she welcomed Erin Margaret Romano into her family, on June 29, 2009. Big brother, JP and big sister, Katie, love her to pieces.

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Jennifer Harrington Vogel welcomes her second daughter, Taylor Alyce Vogel, who was born on March 21, 2009. She joins big sister, Ella, who is three.

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1997 Carolyn P. McKee is an associate veterinarian at Spring House Animal Hospital in Spring House, PA.

Amanda Woll would like to give an update on her travels. She visited Jeanine Giordano ’93, Rita Kline ’93 and Meghan McElroy ’93 when she was in San Francisco this past January. Also, had lunch with Anne Smart Chiavegato ’93 near her home in Walpole, MA in March. Anne and her husband, Dave, have three children, Olivia, Ava and David who are all doing well. Annemarie Pavlick Convey ’93 and Amanda visited Tracy Allu Albertelli ’93, husband, Mike, and their new daughter, Cecilia Frances, on May 2, when in Philadelphia for Amanda’s mom’s birthday. Tracy is looking amazing and well rested. She said Cecilia is a good sleeper. Amanda is still living in Boston and working for Novartis Oncology.

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Annemarie Krother Petroff and husband, Jeff, announce the birth of their son, Behrett Broughton Thomas (Behr) on July 16, 2009.

Alumnae News

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1995 Jeannine Colasante-Detwiler and husband, Steve, welcomed their second child, Grace Marie, on April 3, 2009. Grace joins her proud big brother, Steven, age 3. Jeannine and her family currently reside in Maple Glen and she is in her sixth year working at Jeanes Hospital as the Clinical Pharmacist for the Temple University Hospital Bone Marrow Transplant Program. 1996 Gena Riviezzo Bussell and husband, Joe just added a new addition to their family in April. His name is Nicholas John Bussell, and he joins his three-year-old brother, Joseph.

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2002 Lindsay Skyrm was recently initiated into Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education, while pursuing a graduate degree at Gwynedd Mercy College. Lindsay is a first grade teacher at Shawmont Elementary School, in Roxborough. Lydia Tackett graduated with honors from Temple University in 2007, and received a full scholarship to pursue her doctorate in Paleontology from the University of Southern California. She began in the fall 2008, and presented original research at the North American Paleontology Convention in June. 2003 Courtney Boches moved back to PA from Los Angeles, where she worked at CBS, doing audience coordination for shows like “The Price is Right” and “Dancing with the Stars.” Courtney is studying and working at the Pennsylvania Performing Arts Academy, where she teaches musical theatre classes to children age 3-12 years. She also recently worked as a background actor on the “Untitled James L. Brooks Project” starring Reese Witherspoon and Jack Nicholson. She currently is studying at the Walnut Street Theatre and focusing on her scriptwriting, most notably a series she developed based on her 14 years in private Catholic school.

To get in touch with her (she loves e-mails!) or learn more about her series, check out her website: www.courtneyboches.com. •

2008 Catherine Begley has been selected by Penn State University’s Schreyer Honors College for the Paterno Liberal Arts Undergraduate Fellowship. She was selected as a Paterno Fellow as a result of her demonstrated academic achievements, personal integrity and high ethical values which reflect those of the Paterno family name and the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University. As a Paterno Fellow she is expected to complete a second major, to undertake a leadership or service commitment, and to demonstrate excellence in the Schreyer Honors College.

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Christina Muller and Ned Swanson were married June 26, 2009 at the Chatham Bars Inn in Chatham, Massachusetts. The wedding party included Catie Duffy ’03 and Morgan Oakes ’03. Chrissy

Christine Bono and fellow Mounties, from left to right: Caitlin Eccleston ’07, Tara McElroy ’07, Paige Kenney ’07, Jenna O’Neill ’08, Meredith Weber ’08, Emily Hunter ’08 and Christine,

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and Ned are 2007 graduates of the University of Pennsylvania. Chrissy completed her Master’s degree in Education at UPenn in 2009 and is currently teaching in Weston, Massachusetts. She is also the Weston High School varsity girls’ lacrosse head coach. Ned is a student at Harvard Medical School. They live in Boston with their pug, Stan. •

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2004 Mary Pat Tumelty graduated June 13, 2009 from Drexel University with a BS in Civil Engineering. 2005 Lauren Stamps graduated from Ursinus College with a B.S. in Neuroscience. She was also inducted into NU Rho Psi – The National Honor Society in Neuroscience. Lauren was also awarded a fellowship from Georgetown University and accepted into their Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience. She will pursue her Doctorate in Neuroscience and will commence matriculation this fall. This summer, she will begin her lab rotations with Alzheimer’s research at Georgetown University Hospital. Christine Tuliszewski graduated from Providence College, Summa Cum Laude, with a major in Mathematics and minor in Economics. She also received the Award for Mathematics at the Commencement Honors Ceremony. Christine begins her career as an actuary with Cigna Insurance in Philadelphia this summer, in the Executive Development Program. 2007 Katie Kirsch presented a paper to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers during the student competition of their annual international conference, and she won first place. Katie is in her third year of the BSE Program at Penn State University.

had such a great time recalling all the great memories from the Mount and how they have not met any friends better than the ones at the Mount. Parents Corner Maureen MacNair Capano is saying hello to all at the Mount and sharing news of Amy MacNair Beatty ’02 and Katelin R. MacNair ’04 who are leading their young adult lives. Amy with 3 children, Katelin with her single life and pursuing her dreams. Soon she will be oversees and teaching English. Prayers are asked for them as they also pray for you and keep you close.

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New Arrivals • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Patricia Backus Fiore ’84, a son, Matthew Belmont Tricia Chapman ’88, a daughter, Miranda Susanne Laphen Miller ’89, a son, James Patrick Megan Cunnane McNamara ’91, a daughter, Madeline Cassidy Tracy Allu Albertelli ’93, a daughter, Cecilia Frances Marjery MacNeal Krill ’93, a daughter, Madeline Grace Kimberly Parsons Brockmeyer ’94, a son, Nathan Michael Megan Osborne Romano ’94, a daughter Erin Margaret Jennifer Harrington Vogel ’94, a daughter, Taylor Alyce Patricia Doyle Brokenshire ’95, a daughter, Eleanor Kathryn Jeannine Colasante-Detwiler ’95, a daughter, Grace Marie Gena Riviezzo Bussell ’96, a son, Nicholas John Annemarie Krother Petroff ’96, a son Behrett Broughton Thomas (Behr) Lauren Bair Hankins ’98, a daughter, Tess Olivia Megan Barth Lewis ’01, a daughter, Caroline McKenna

In Memoriam

Our sympathy and prayers are extended to the following Alumnae:

•

Eva Mauchly Moos ’76, Evelyn Moos ’01, Virginia Mauchly Calcerano ’72, Kathleen Mauchly McNulty ’69, Sally Mauchly Fitzsimmons ’66, and Rebecca McNulty ’04, on the death of their son, brother, nephew and cousin respectively, Robert F. Moos

•

Nancy Sykes Xavios ’76, Kathleen Sykes Moran ’80, Anne Fitzpatrick Sykes ’79 and Catherine Moran ’11, on the death of their father, father-in-law and grandfather respectively, Harry P. Sykes

•

Patricia Kost Zakrewski ’76, Chyllene Waters Zakrzewski ’80, Megan Zakrzewski ’04 and Catherine Zakrzewski ’11, on the death of their father-in-law and grandfather respectively, Henry W. Zakrzewski

•

MaryBeth Eaves ’80 and Francine Eaves-Ranft ’82, on the death of their father, Francis Hunter Eaves

•

Virginia Calzi Poliwoda ’85, on the death of her father, Louis Francis Calzi Sr.

•

Patricia Gdowik ’90, on the death of her grandmother, Stephanie T. Gdowik (Chopik)

We extend our sympathy and prayers to the families of the following Alumnae:

Marie Gosztonyi Piff ’32 Marianna Wenz Hagan ’45 Ellen Jane Pariset Crosson ’46 Evelyn Gray Workman ’47

•

Dorothy Schwab Frye ’41 (deceased) and Daria FryeStankiewicz ’81, on the death of their husband and father respectively, Richard C. Frye

Mary Bateman Lee ’44, Sally Bateman Miller ’46, Adele Bateman Donahue ’48 and Elizabeth Bateman Malloy ’54, • on the death of their brother, Henry Gibson Margaret Wenz Riling ’46, Ellen Wenz McCauley ’48, Kathleen Wenz Burgoyne ’50 and Kathleen Burgoyne • Carlisle ’90, on the death of their sister and aunt respectively, Marianna Wenz Hagan ’45

Rose Bryan ’94, Joan Bryan Logan ’64 and Alice Bryan Goetz ’65, on the death of their father and brother respectively, Charles R. Bryan “Chuck” Jr. Jordan Walsh ’98 and Robyn Walsh (former Board Member), on the death of their grandmother and mother respectively, S. Ruth E. Speak, SCC

•

Sister Anne Toner, SSJ ’48, on the death of her sister, Margaret May Toner

•

Elizabeth Galbally ’99, on the death of her grandmother, Elizabeth Marie Connor Galbally

•

Sister Wanda Davidson, SSJ ’50, on the death of her brother, Dr. Donald Davidson

•

Sarah Martynowski ’00 and Jessica Klusek ’03, on the death of their grandfather, Frank J. Martynowski Sr.

•

Mary Louise Gerhard Nagle ’52, on the death of her motherin-law, Florence Schorle Nagle

•

Susan Goldner ’02, on the death of her mother, Susan Mackell Goldner

•

Helen Primus ’52, on the death of her nephew, William “Bill” Francis Primus

•

Lindsay Skyrm ’02, on the death of her grandfather, John N. Weiss

•

Eileen Long Hessman ’56, on the death of her husband, • Andrew H.W. Hessman

•

Eugenie Baer McClintock ’64, Joanne Baer Gilligan ’64 and Allison Gilligan ’90, on the death of their father and grandfather respectively, William E. Baer Sr.

Alexandra Bono ’06, Christine Bono ’08, Alexandra Bono ’09 and Stephanie Bono ’11, on the death of their brother and cousin respectively, Gregory Robert Bono

•

• •

•

Kathleen McCauley Hathaway ’71 and Pauline Zilch ’10, on the death of their mother-in-law and grandmother respectively, • Jacqueline Anne Gouin

Stephanie Columbro ’07 and Mrs. Janet Columbro (Athletic Director), on the death of their grandfather and father respectively, Robert W. Middleton Heather Draganescu ’07, on the death of her grandfather, John Draganescu

Katherine Crosson Hylinski ’72 and Michele Crosson Mehr • ’78, on the death of their aunt, Ellen Jane Pariset Crosson ’46 • Helene Koller Harchut ’74, on the death of her mother-in-law, Sarah K. Harchut • Carol Porreca O’Malley ’74, Jeannie O’Malley ’07, Celeste Porreca Compton ’70, Corinne Porreca Smelt ’71, Alexandra • Compton ’00, Gabriella Compton ’00, and Tara Compton’04, on the death of their husband, father, brother-in-law and uncle • respectively, Michael F. O’Malley.

Grace O’Shea ’07 and Hilary O’Shea ’08, on the death of their grandfather, Robert J. O’Shea

•

Mrs. Margaret DeStefano (Teacher), on the death of her mother, Margaret Muller

•

Carol Ann Boris Schmidt ’75 and Amy Boris Cratin ’89, on the death of their father and grandfather respectively, James E. Boris Sr.

•

Anne Koons Iggi ’76, on the death of her mother, Mary Moore Koons

Catherine Brown ’10, on the death of her grandmother, Frances Zygmont Brown Alexis Carboni ’12, on the death of her grandmother, Monica Markulin Lauren Garoppo ’12, on the death of her grandfather, Thomas J. Garoppo, Jr. Fiona Kelly ’13, on the death of her grandfather, Leo B. Kelly

Visit us at: www.msjaalum.org

January 29, 2010 7 PM

Friday, January 29, 2010

Mount Saint Joseph Academy’s

2009

Christmas House Tour

Thursday, December 10, 2009 12:00 Noon - 8:00 PM Ticket Price $25.00

Invite your family and friends to tour six beautifully-decorated homes Graciously donated by Members of our Mount Community

Homes are located in the Chestnut Hill, Lafayette Hill, Fort Washington and Blue Bell Areas

Limited Number of Tickets Available No children under age 14 To purchase tickets contact Mollie Menapace morm520@comcast.net or 215-653-0270 or purchase tickets online at www.msjacad.org/ Christmas

Event Co-Chairs Carla Abbonizio – Barbara Hirst – Theresa Moyer

NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID BENSALEM, PA PERMIT #118

120 West Wissahickon Avenue Flourtown, PA 19031-1899 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Lunch with Santa December 5, 2009

•

11:30 am

The MSJA Alumnae Association will hold its annual “Lunch with Santa” on Saturday, December 5th at 11:30 a.m. Bring your children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren for a fun-filled event which includes: • Delicious Lunch in the Cafeteria • Arts and Crafts • Entertainment • Photo with Santa • Raffle Drawing Cost is $15.00 for each person attending Lunch with Santa. (No charge for children under 1 year old.) To register online, go to www.msjaalum.org and follow the links to register. To register by mail, please use the form below. Please make checks payable to MSJA Alumnae Association and mail to: MSJA Alumnae Office Mount Saint Joseph Academy 120 W. Wissahickon Avenue Flourtown, PA 19031 Seating is limited! Make your reservation by November 27, 2009. If you have any questions, please call the Alumnae Office at (215) 233-3177, ext. 334.

Ellen Rosa-Bian Cericola ’82, Co-Chair • Sheila Kropp McLaughlin ’84, Co-Chair *Please bring a new, unwrapped toy for Operation Santa Claus.

Reservation

for

Lunch

Name:

with

Santa Class:

Phone Number:

Names of Adults Attending:

Names and Ages of Children Attending: Total Amount Enclosed: $