Mount Magazine, spring 2017 by Mount Saint Joseph Academy

Mount Saint Joseph Academy Magazine

DARE TO LEAD Mount Entrepreneurs Making Their Marks in Business

Kaitlyn Pryzdial's "Life in Space" â&#x20AC;¢ Celebrauction XXXIII

Spring 2017

â&#x20AC;&#x153; Give all the happiness you can to those who give you a great deal of unhappiness, and give it willingly.â&#x20AC;? SSJ Maxim #51

Corrections Mount Magazine issues the following corrections to the Annual Report, included in the Fall 2016 issue:

contents [Mount Magazine]

Erin McClafferty Erfle ’96 is a Harvest Club donor. Jeannine Giordano ’93 is a Harvest Club donor and a donor from the Class of 1993. Mount Magazine apologizes for these omissions.

From the President

On the Mount

Go Mount

12 Dare to Lead 16 Life in Space:

Kaitlyn Pryzdial ’19 enters NASA competition Celebrauction XXXIII:

It's a Shore Thing

Mount Runway

Miles of Magic 5K

Development

Alumnae

Class Chatter

Magazine managing editor

Kristen DiPrinzio editorial staff

Jill Gregori, Leigh McFadden, Theresa Moyer, Barbara Oldt, Jody Romano writers

FACULTY, STAFF ATTEND ANNUAL RETREAT AT CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE On March 6, faculty and staff gathered at SugarLoaf Hill at Chestnut Hill College for a half-day retreat. The theme of the retreat was “forgivneness.” Deacon John Mischler (parent of Nicole ’13 and Hannah ‘14) of St. Alphonsus Church led the program.

Kristen DiPrinzio, Jody Romano class chatter

Theresa Moyer, Barbara Oldt photographers

Kristen DiPrinzio, Sam Fritch Photography designer

Maridel McCloskey, McCloskey Designs printer

Garrison Printing Co., Pennsauken, NJ president

Participants were given a worksheet on which they were asked to list the words that represented forgiveness, unity, and reconciliation to them. They were also asked to jot down their goals pertaining to each of those terms, and their Lenten goals. Deacon Mischler also stressed the importance of prayer in centering people and giving them a few moments of peace during difficult times. He encouraged attendees to draft a personal “start of the day prayer/mantra” that began with a positive first statement and ended with an action. Prayer cards were distributed, and intended to be kept in a wallet, purse, or pocket to prompt a few quiet moments of daily reflection through prayer. The retreat emphasized that forgiveness comes in various forms. When we truly forgive, we experience the “grace of conversion,” and forgiveness leads to unity, and, in turn, community.

In Memoriam Catherine Robinson, SSJ S. Catherine Robinson served as a member of Mount Saint Joseph Academy’s Board of Directors from 2006 to 2016. She was the Sisters of St. Joseph Coordinator for Ministry and a vital part of the Mount community. We remember her and all of her contributions to the Mount fondly.

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Spring 2017

Sister Kathleen Brabson, SSJ principal

Dr. Judith A. Caviston vp of institutional advancement

Jody Romano

director of development

Jill Gregori

director of alumnae

Theresa Moyer

director of communications

Kristen DiPrinzio

mount fund coordinator

Leigh McFadden

development office secretary

Barbara Oldt

celebrauction coordinator

Cindy Moore

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

Mount Magazine is an official publication of Mount Saint Joseph Academy. Mount Magazine is published three times a year (Spring, Summer, Fall) for students, alumnae, parents and friends of Mount Saint Joseph Academy.

From the President

What is it that makes you want to be your best? What gets you out of bed each day? Who or what catches your attention? Recently, I have spent some time thinking and pondering what it means to be inspired and how to be an inspiration to others. As an educator, having listened to numerous presentations over the years, I have concluded that the people who have made the deepest impression on me were the ones who inspired me and ignited my imagination to consider new possibilities and creative ways to design the future. Recently, I viewed on YouTube a TED Talk by Simon Sinek, titled, “Start with Why?” I won’t give it away, but I will tell you that he offers a compelling reason for us to change the way we usually think or do what we do. As I watched him I could not help but conclude that what we become passionate about will make all the difference. Don’t miss it. Each day at the Mount, I find myself in the midst of young minds and hearts who are beginning their exploration into the future. Each day, I see our teachers planning and preparing to lead our young women to think differently about things, to challenge the status quo, and to deepen their faith in God and themselves. The pages of this magazine tell the story of inspiration, imagination, and wonder. Do not miss the article on Kaitlyn Przydzial’s submission to NASA on how to survive in space, and our alumnae features on entrepreneurs Dr. Pamela Jolly ’90, who is helping women and minority-owned businesses succeed by establishing long-term wealth management, and Jessica Pasquarella Hinds ’06, who successfully launched her own wedding rental company. I hope you will find them as compelling as I did reading them. By the time you read this letter, Celebrauction XXXIII, “It’s a Shore Thing,” will be history, and counted among the great evenings of the first Saturdays in March as a success. Every year the creativity of the theme is developed in a way that astonishes our guests, and enhances the evening of celebrating the “sure thing” of a Mount education. Cindy Moore, our auction director, and Robin and Dave Comerford, our parent chairs, produced an evening that invited us to the shore, and to remember and renew with our guests why the Mount is a “sure thing” to entrust and invest in for their daughters. Their enthusiasm to celebrate and forward our mission was obvious as they took advantage of every opportunity to encourage, invite collaboration, and to inspire our committee chairs, parent volunteers, and students. I am indebted to them for their belief in excellence and devotion to the Mount community. Each year our theme is presented by the work of Jim Paul and T. J. Paul, and his team of designers. Every summer, we gather around their conference table to dream about a new theme, and last year was no exception. It was a room filled with people whose commitment to the Mount was apparent on the faces who embraced and designed, “It’s a Shore Thing.” One thing for sure: the partnership with Jim and his associates runs as deep as the ocean, and continues to reveal new depths of imagination. In closing, we remember what these pages reveal, what inspires us, who we serve, and why telling stories of our competent, courageous, and compassionate students and alumnae is important for us. It is a grace to serve at the Mount, and to be surrounded by people who make it easy to get out of bed each day! Truly an honor!

Sister Kathleen Brabson, SSJ President

mount saint joseph academy

On The Mount

School news from Mount Saint Joseph Academy

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Footloose was presented in November. Each performance was nearly sold out, and at the conclusion of each show, audience members were dancing in the aisles with the cast! Lead roles were played by Audrey Trullinger ’18, Elena Christen ’17, Lauren Mezzanotte ’18, Alyssa Mattia ’17, Kelly Gross ’17, and Sarah Hodgson ’18. The annual Women As Founders Week celebrated the accomplishments of female leadership. To kick off the week, seniors in the Women As Founders course presented their seminar project topics to the entire student body. Other program events included the presentation “Dressing to Impress as an Entrepreneur and Woman Leader” by Megan Kristel, Spring 2017

CEO/Founder of Kristel Closets, Inc., a video presentation of the film “We Will Rise,” Hour of Code, and Mount Spirit Day. Women As Founder’s Week also included a panel of alumnae authors and writers. Speaking to students were Jane Kelly ’66 (author of the Meg Daniels Mysteries), Liz Jacobs Barker ’74 (author of Changed by Chance, Champion by Choice), Louise Pisano Simone ’77 (author of The 2012 Prophecies: Heir of the Jaguar), Kerry Gans Douglas ’88 (author of The Witch of Zal), and Catherine Zakrzewski ’11 (venture capital and startup reporter for the Wall Street Journal in San Francisco).

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Every December, the Mount holds the annual Senior Tree Trimming reception. Students gathered in Fontbonne, where ornaments bearing each student’s name and graduation year hung from the tree. Riley Gorman ’19, a student of Mr. William Osgood (Science department) raised $250 from her grade school, St. Ephrem’s in Bensalem, to benefit Mr. Osgood’s annual drive of new and gently-used sneakers for the students of his alma mater, Elmira High School, in New York. Riley and Mr. Osgood used the funds to purchase new sneakers needed for Elmira students to participate in sports.

Natalie Walker ’19, Maddy Taylor ’18, and Riley White ’19 were chosen by the Spanish department to represent the Mount at the 36th annual James J. Doyle Oral Proficiency Contest. The contest is run annually by the Montgomery County Association of Teachers of Foreign Language. Colleen Yezzi ’19, Maura McDonald ’19, Meghan Zwicker ’19, and Brianna Mahon ’19 appeared in a commercial for Celebrauction shown in homerooms the week before the event. The girls recreated a beach scene as a take on the event’s theme, “It’s a Shore Thing,” and told their parents how they could bid on items like soldout concert tickets, sports packages, vacation rental homes, and more.

Charity Day took place on March 3, with students performing a variety of musical and dance numbers. Funds this year were donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the family of Pat Doyle, a Roman Catholic High School student whose mother recently passed away from sclederma (systemic sclerosis). On March 17 and 18 Acadram presented “Women in Congress,” a full-length play by Jules Tasca, which is a version of Aristophanes’ Greek classic. In the cast were Asha Houston ’19, Anna Huber ’20, Devon Vonder Schmalz ’17, Noelle Lampe ’17, Nadine Lampe ’19, Marianna Glacken ’17, and Kayley DiPaolo ’17. Stage crew members were Laura Santori ’17, Colleen

Mars ’17, Brianna Valerio ’17, Katie Timberlake ’19, Emily Thomas ’17, and Molly Eckert ’19.

Melissa Feilke’s Honors 10 Mrs. Colonial Social Studies class brought

their own version of March Madness to the Mount. The class created a list of 32 people who have most impacted history. A poster of the bracket was posted in the hallway, and faculty, staff, and students were invited to vote by scanning the QR code on the poster.

mount saint joseph academy

On The Mount

School news from Mount Saint Joseph Academy

Firebirds, the Mount’s robotics Don Holdren (Chair, Fine Arts) Mount’s library recently became 11 The 13 Mr. 14 The team, made it to the District was featured in an article published even more of a quiet sanctuary Semifinals after competing at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy. They also were honored with the most prestigious award in FIRST, the 2017 Chairman’s Award.

Mounties participated in the 12 Eleven annual Reading Olympics at Colonial

Middle School in Plymouth Meeting. The girls had a lot of fun as usual. The Purple Team came in second place, earning a Red Ribbon.

Spring 2017

by St. Joseph’s University on their Maguire Educational Leadership Fellows Program, a partnership with the Maguire Foundation that aims to provide scholarship support and enrich Catholic values for students. Mr. Holdren is a fellow in the program. Image courtesy of St. Joseph’s University

with the addition of a coloring station. The station is stocked with supplies, including templates and colored pencils. Coloring has surged in popularity, as it is said to be a therapeutic activity for teens and adults. Among its many benefits are its ability to reduce stress and relieve anxiety.

GO MOUNT

fall & winter sports news

GOLF

Head Coach: John Mischler Overall Record: 14-0 League Finish: AACA CHAMPIONS, District 1 AAA Champion, PIAA State 3A Tournament 3rd

Individual & Team Accomplishments:

District Qualifiers: Alexandra Mercader ’17, Brianna Mahon ’19, Caitlin Mahon ’17, Cecilia Priolo ’19, Maya Trujillo ’18, Olivia Wirsching ’20

AACA All-Stars: Alex Mercader, Briana Mahon,

Caitlin Mahon, Cecilia Priolo, Callie Shinkle ’17, Maya Trujillo, Olivia Wirsching

TENNIS

Head Coach: Joy Grafenstine Overall Record: 16-0 League Finish: AACA CHAMPIONS, PIAA AAA District 1 Tournament, Team: 1st round

AACA All-Stars: Stowe Weiss ’19, Singles undefeated season Individual & Team Accomplishments: Singles: Elizabeth Christine ’19, 1st round Doubles: Julianne Dischler ’17, Elizabeth Christine, 1st round

CROSS COUNTRY

Head Coach: Kitty McClernand Overall Record: 5-3 League Finish: ACCA Championship: Varsity 4th, JV 2nd, Districts Qualifier

AACA All-Stars:

2nd team: Jennifer DeGroat ’18, Lauren Ehnow ’20, Mollie Mullen ’18

Team Accomplishments:

JV Ribbon winners: Teresa Anderson ’17, Gabriella Ford ’19, Lily Howard ’19, Caroline Kardish ’17, Samantha Knoblauch ’20, Clara Marty ’19, Sarah Rothenberg ’17, Meghan Scheffey ’20, Elizabeth Sullivan’18, Madelyn Taylor ’18, Helena Volpe ’19

mount saint joseph academy

GO MOUNT

fall & winter sports news

FIELD HOCKEY

Head Coach: Tina Reinprecht Overall Record: 19-4-1 League Finish: AACA: Co-Champions, PIAA AA

District 1 Tournament: Runner-up, PIAA state tournament: Quarterfinals

AACA All-Stars:

PA All-State Selections: 1st Team: Margaret Lynch ’17 2nd Team: Natalie McNamara ’18, Mary Grace Wallis ’18

Team Accomplishments:

Honorable Mention: Mary Kate Stefanowicz ’18, Elizabeth Maransky ’19

VOLLEYBALL

Head Coach: George Trabosh Overall Record: 21-5 League Finish: AACA 2nd place AACA All-Stars: Courtney Kasperski ’17, Jacey Abdalla ’17, Elizabeth Thomas ’17

Individual & Team Accomplishments:

PIAA AAA District Tournament Seeded 2 District 1 Honors: Jacey Abdalla and Courtney Kasperski Honorable Mention, District 1: Corrine Filograna ’18

SOCCER

Head Coach: Bill Naydan Overall Record: 9-11 League Finish: AACA-4rd place AACA All-Star 1st Team: Paige Comtois ’17, Angela Gervasi ’17, Ashley Pyne ’17

Team Accomplishments:

PIAA AAA District Tournament Seeded 9th, Quarterfinalist National Soccer Coaches Association of America Team Academic Award

Spring 2017

BASKETBALL Head Coach: Claire Perry '03 Overall Record: 13-13 League Finish:

District 1 5A Basketball Tournament Seeded 7th PIAA District 1 5A Tournament PIAA State 5A Tournament

AACA All-Star 1st Team:

1st team Julie Hoover ’17, 2nd team Ashley Smith ’17

SWIMMING

Head Coach: Janet Pudlinski Overall Record: 6-4 League Finish: AACA-4rd place AACA All-Star 1st Team:

50 Free: Katherine Schaefer ’17 Diving: Charlotte Whipple ’20 200 relay: Jen DeGroat ’18, Shayne McKernan ’19, Kristen O’Connor ’20, Katherine Schaefer 100 Back: Katherine Schaefer 100 Breast: Taylor Draganosky ’18

Team Accomplishments:

PIAA District 1 AAA Qualifiers • Med Relay: Katherine Schaefer, Taylor Draganosky, Hailey Goodyear ’19, Jen DeGroat • 200 IM: Taylor Draganosky • 50 free: Katherine Schaefer, Jen DeGroat, Kristen O’Connor • Diving: Charlotte Whipple • 100 free: Jen DeGroat • 200 free relay Jen DeGroat, Shayne McKernan’19, Kristen O’Connor, Katherine Schaefer • Back: Katherine Schaefer, Rebecca Patti ’18 • Breast: Taylor Draganosky, Grace Comerford ’17 • Katherine Schaefer broke the school record in backstroke with 1:00.35. • Charlotte Whipple broke the diving record.

INDOOR TRACK Head Coach: Kitty McClernand Team Accomplishments:

Bridget Joyce ’19 cleared 9’ at the Meet Of Champions in pole vault at Lehigh University. 4x4: Ryan Good ’19, Khalita Jarmon ’17, Megan Ciasullo ’19, Kylie McGovern ’20 3rd (medaled) 4x8: Megan Ciasullo, Ryan Good, Laure Ehnow, Kylie McGovern 4th place 55H: Kennedy McClelland ’18 6th place

mount saint joseph academy

DARE TO LEAD: A lumnae Entrepreneurs

Dr . Pamela Jolly ’90:

M aking a Difference for Underserved Communities Through Long-Term Wealth Creation During a trip to Egypt in 2004, Dr. Pamela Jolly ’90 crawled down a narrow path to the center of a pyramid and prayed earnestly in a small room constructed thousands of years ago. She prayed about how she could make a difference and address issues that she had seen amongst minorities and African-American-owned businesses during her career in the financial industry. That is the moment that Pamela points to as changing her life forever. She says it was then that she heard a word from God that gave her the courage to grow established enterprises into institutions capable of scaling the wealth potential of their communities. Pamela is the CEO and founder of Torch Enterprises, Inc., which she launched in 2004 after that fateful moment in Egypt. Torch (named as a reference to “passing the torch” to future generations) is a strategic advisory firm based in the San Francisco Bay Area that focuses on growth and sustainability for women and minority-owned businesses and their communities. Torch works to bridge the gap between the early stages of business and sustainable wealth creation that can be passed on for generations. The company’s focus is to chart a path towards closing the wealth gap through sound business practices and increased levels of ownership. Clients include entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and private companies. “The vision of Torch is a very personal one,” Pamela says. “[Our goal] is to strategically advise and support women and minority enterprises desiring to become large-scale legacy institutions. Our mission is to educate and advise minority businesses on specific ways to elevate their standards of business and legacy to wealth.” Pamela also created The NarrowRoad™, a proprietary business process system based on years of research and experience advising women and minority-owned enterprises. The NarrowRoad™ is an integral part of Torch’s work; Pamela uses it to design client strategies that provide in-depth analysis to pursue growth and development by raising and deploying capital. March 2017 marked Pamela’s 13th year as CEO of Torch Enterprises. She is most proud of the fact that she took her vision and created something that is now making an impact in society.

More Mount Entrepreneurs In addition to the women featured on the previous pages, these are a few alumnae who have also embraced the “founder” spirit of the Mount and started their own businesses.

Nanette Sciolla Carney ’64

Barbara A. Higgins ’76

Nicole Cashman ’90

Colleen Osborne Mook ’90

Co-founder and CEO, The Carney Group

President, WellStar Marketing, Inc.

President & CEO, Cashman & Associates

Founder of Baby Be Hip (babybehip.com)

carneyjobs.com

wellstarmarketing.com

cashmanandassociates.com

Founder and host of the podcast Be Bold, Be Brave, Be YOU!

Spring 2017

“I get to work with some of the most amazing clients, helping them structure and financially develop their businesses,” Pamela says. “Last year, I presented one of my client strategies at the White House. That strategy is now a national program to increase homeownership in the black community.” Pamela’s path to becoming a founder and business owner in the finance industry was a result of hard work, dedication, and passion. She attended Hampton University and majored in Business Finance and Marketing. After graduation, she joined NationsBank, where she was trained in the fundamentals of underwriting, financial statement analysis, and relationship management for corporate and commercial banking. She observed the CEO of Nations Bank grow the company through a series of strategic acquisitions, and realized that she had a similar goal: to grow minority businesses. After four years at NationsBank, Pamela attended the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania (she also holds degrees from Boston University and the Graduate Theological Foundation). After graduating from Wharton, she remained committed to working within the financial services industry, in the areas of strategic consulting and business architecture, private equity and venture capital, and market research strategy in New York. During these years, she learned how to accelerate growth and strategic management in times of change. While she was in her final job in

the corporate world, working at a small data analytics firm, Pamela says “the lightbulb went on.” She wanted to pursue her purpose in life: find ways to best address the patterns she kept seeing amongst women and AfricanAmerican-owned businesses. “I wanted to integrate all I had learned both academically and professionally into a solution that in some way made a difference,” Pamela explains. Pamela’s entrepreneurial spirit and desire to “serve the dear neighbor” extends beyond Torch Enterprises. She worked in the Gulf Coast area for four years after Hurricane Katrina. While there, she launched a nonprofit, OneTorch, that served as a data intermediary for displaced residents desiring to return home. For future entrepreneurs who dream of one day owning their own business, Pamela says, “believe in yourself and build a solid foundation of faith and finance.” In Pamela’s eyes, the secret to successful entrepreneurship is to have a clear vision, strategic confidence, multipliable talents, enduring relationships, capital, and a belief in God.

Maureen Luschini Karla '98 Hospital Owner/Director, Veterinarian, and Emergency/Critical Care Specialist, The Veterinary Medical Center of Central New York (Syracuse, NY) vmccny.com

Danielle Beerhalter Leheny ’96 Causeway Communications

Valuing the importance of strong relationships is also key. “Surround yourself with those who have gone down the entrepreneurial road before you, and remain connected to Mounties postgraduation,” Pamela says. Torch Enterprises, Inc. torch-enterprises.com Laura Ana Blanche, CRP, GMS ’96 Broker/Owner, Knecht Properties knechtproperties.com

Tess Woods ’91

Megan Kennedy ’92

Kate Groark Shields ’93

Shannon Henn Foley ’93

Principal, Tess Woods PR, LLC

President, ELM Medical, CESAS Medical

President and Partner, Vault Communications

Founder and Owner, Uptripping

tesswoodspr.com

Head Crew Coach, Mount St. Joseph Academy

vaultcommunications.com

uptripping.com

mount saint joseph academy

Jessica Pasquarella Hinds ’06: Creating Couples’ “H appily Ever A fter”

A love of antiques and vintage pieces inspired Jessica Pasquarella Hinds ’06 to embark on her dream: launching her own wedding rental business. Something Borrowed Philly features vintage and antique rental furniture, dishware, décor, and more for brides looking to add a unique touch to their wedding. For as long as she can remember, Jessica collected pieces for her own personal collection. Once the idea of a rental business started to become a reality, she expanded her stock to create inventory. She then began laying the foundation for a business: she filed legal paperwork for an LLC, organized her finances, taught herself coding and SEO and built a website from scratch, all while continuing to build her inventory. Once she had enough pieces that she believed people would want to rent, she began marketing herself. She made brochures, attended bridal shows, and started visiting venues and meeting with wedding planners and vendors. Sure enough, the business began growing one bride at a time. Jessica attended Saint Joseph University’s Haub School of Business, majoring in food marketing and minoring in English. After graduating in 2010, she stayed to complete a master’s in international marketing, earning her degree in 2011. She then accepted the role of Senior Brewery Representative with the Boston Beer Company (purveyors of Samuel Adams, Twisted Tea and Angry Orchard). Her job was selling beer to bars, restaurants, and distributors in the Philadelphia region. She had complete control over her territory, which was what ignited her entrepreneurial spirit. She enjoyed creating new programs and building relationships with customers, which made the business grow. “It was so rewarding for me that I knew I wanted my next career move to be creating a business from scratch and working for myself,” Jessica says. Although her background was in marketing and sales, Jessica says she was nervous to employ her skills to get her own business up and running. “I could see the flaws,” she admits. “I am a perfectionist and it was really challenging for me to put something out there that I knew

Image by Vanessa Joy Photography

Image by Ashley Gerrity Photography

Spring 2017

mount saint joseph academy

wasn’t perfect yet. The easiest way for me to overcome any doubts is to take progressive steps to getting the business where I see it going.” Currently, Jessica’s inventory is in storage units. Ultimately, she would like to move into a working warehouse where she and her husband can build pieces from scratch and care for the pieces on-site. Right now, most maintenance is done in their home garage, and they move pieces back and forth. She typically works out of her home and coffeeshops, which is ideal, since Jessica says she’s never been a “desk person.” Working with other creative types really fuels Jessica’s own inspiration, and inspires her to develop refreshing ideas for each wedding. She says every client has a different idea of how to use her inventory, which helps Jessica get more creative with her designs. She also loves working with the brides or grooms who love everything on Pinterest but are unsure where to start. This gives Jessica the freedom to design large aspects of their wedding, which she says is a blast. She and the clients create vision boards, and then Jessica plays with different ideas for them in Photoshop. She loves seeing what the brides and grooms respond to, and loves when they want to try something unique. Jessica never fully understood the concept of a “frazzled bride” until she was one last September. She says being a bride was an

eye-opening experience that has helped her come a long way in her business. Clients have repeatedly told her she’s calm and relaxed, which always suprises her; behind the scenes, she’s racing around, pulling together all the smallest details before the wedding day. “Assuring [couples] that everything will be perfect is a lot of pressure,” Jessica says, “but I am focused on doing just that. Beautiful details are just the icing on the cake to a ceremony celebrating the love between two people. That is something that shouldn’t be stressful for a bride or groom, so I do everything I possibly can to make sure it’s not.” And despite all of the stress that naturally comes with planning and wedding, being a vendor, and making sure her clients are satisfied, Jessica says the rewards far outweigh the temporary pressure of planning. “The most rewarding part is getting the call that someone loves my stuff and wants to work with me,” Jessica says. “Design comes naturally to me and working with other creative people with big visions as well is pretty magical. There's nothing like walking into a wedding or event that you helped design and seeing everything come together perfectly.” Jessica works hard at making Something Borrowed Philly a profitable, rewarding venture. Owning a business comes with a great deal of responsibility, and she works Something Borrowed, Philly LLC www.somethingborrowedphilly.com jessica@somethingborrowedphilly.com 215-987-0135

nights, weekends, and even on vacation to make each wedding a success. Although she works tirelessly to make her new business thrive, Jessica stresses the importance of balance. She’s a firm believer in mixing work with relaxation, as it provides an opportunity to step back and reassess any potential roadblocks. “I’ll spend walks with my dog brainstorming ideas about a lounge setup for a bride, or how to rethink one of my pieces that hasn’t yet rented,” Jessica says. “One of the main reasons I started working for myself was to be in control of how I live my life. I now get to live each day to the fullest, build a solid career, and make a wonderful life with my husband.” If she could give one piece of career advice to Mounties who dream of one day owning their own business, it would be, go for it! “Take risks and be ready to fall. You just have to have the right mentality to get yourself back up and learn from your mistakes,” Jessica says. “Build the business that you want to work for everyday, not just because it will be profitable. The Mount prepares you to think for yourself, to learn from your mistakes and to dream big. Take the leap of faith because you just may fly.”

Instagram: somethingborrowedphilly Facebook: somethingborrowedphilly Something Borrowed Philly happily provides a discount for Mount brides!

Liz Lockard ’02

Alexandra Meis ’04

Eva Martin, MD ’05

Trish Casey, RD ’07

Digital Marketing Consultant, Liz Lockard Media LLC

Co-founder and Chief Product Officer, Kinvolved

CEO, Elm Tree Medical, Inc.

lizlockard.com

kinvolved.com

Co-founder and Registered Dietician Nutritionist, Advanced Nutrition Consultants, LLC

elmtreemedical.com

advancednutritionconsultants.com mount saint joseph academy

Life in Space K aitlyn Pryzdial ’19 Designs System to Sustain Life Off of E arth for NASA Competition Mount’s science department teachers Mrs. Blanche Haughton and Mrs. Kellyann Cilio (chair) learn of science-related research opportunities for students all the time. But one contest recently caught their eye. In NASA’s Ames Space Settlement Project, students around the world in grades 7 through 12 were asked to design a system that could sustain life off of Earth for generations of humans. The teachers presented the contest entry to Kaitlyn Pryzdial ’19, who jumped at the chance to participate in this ground-breaking research. “Eventually the human race will have to move off of Earth,” Kaitlyn said. “So I wanted to explore the details of space colonization.” The NASA project asked students to develop plans for a space station in which humans could live for at least three generations. The colony that Kaitlyn designed consists of a large tube, with three additional tubes layered inside. The outer tube contains living areas (placed externally to utilize natural light). The second tube houses medical and educational facilities. The third tube is for research (which includes manufacturing), and the innermost tube is the food production and water filtration system. Together, this cylinder can support life in space for 500 people. This isn’t just a pie-in-the-sky idea. Kaitlyn calculated all of the specifics that would allow this system to be built to her specifications, and actually support life in space.

Spring 2017

In addition to the logistics of constructing the system, Kaitlyn had to think about the necessary resources to sustain life. She considered things like water filtration and energy renewal in order to create a comprehensive, self-sustaining ecosystem. “It really made me think about what is essential to life,” Kaitlyn said. Although she did the work on her own, Kaitlyn says the guidance that her teachers provided was crucial to her success. “Mrs. Cilio and Mrs. Haughton are fantastic,” she says. “They helped me throughout the entire process.” Once the group agreed that Kaitlyn’s project was as thorough as could be for this particular competition, they sent it off to NASA before the March 1 deadline. As of press time, submissions are under review. Approximately 6,000 students submitted 1,500 entries. “This project was important to me because it gave me the chance to work on an issue that I normally would not get to think [about] and research,” Kaitlyn said. “I learned about many new types of technology that I was not aware existed.” After Kaitlyn’s final proposal was officially in the hands of NASA, she wasted no time thinking about next year – and the year after that. She already has ideas on ways to expand upon and improve her system.

C E L E B R A U C T I O N

X X X I I I

The beach came to the Mount on March 4 as we hosted Celebrauction XXXIII, “It’s a Shore Thing.” Surfboards, boardwalks, piers, and all things beachy lined the hallways as guests browsed auction items and bid electronically. Many thanks to Cindy Moore, Auction Director, and auction chairs Robin and David Comerford (parents of Grace ’17 and Julia ’16), who planned a gorgeous beach-themed evening for more than 300 guests. The Mount also extends its gratitude to the many parent volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, and to our students who helped at the event.

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our thanks to PLATINUM SPONSOR

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Spring 2017

mount saint joseph academy

Mount Runway 2016

The Mount held its annual Fashion Show on Thursday, October 27, 2016 at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club. More than 350 guests enjoyed watching as seniors, faculty, staff, parents and alumnae modeled fashions provided by Free Shop, in Ambler, which is owned and operated by alumna Maura Coffey Campbell â&#x20AC;&#x2122;99. Mount senior Tess Worthington incorporated her senior seminar project working with the Montgomery County Down Syndrome Initiative Group (MCDSIG) into this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event. Eleven young models from MCDSIG walked the runway in fashions by Matilda Jane. Blume Salon in North Wales provided hair and makeup services for the models. The Mount would like to extend a warm thank you to the Special Events committee for organizing this wonderful event.

Spring 2017

Miles of M agic 5K

The Mountâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Student Council and alumnae hosted the Miles of Magic 5K on October 22, 2016. This year, a Color Run was added after the 5K/Fun Run/ Walk. This annual event is an extension of our Breast Cancer Marathon. All proceeds benefitted the Stephanie Leonards Roman Memorial Scholarship at the Mount. Mrs. Roman was a biology teacher at the Mount who passed away from breast cancer. The runners honored her life and memory, and acknowledged breast cancer awareness month.

mount saint joseph academy

DARE TO... M ake a Difference Through the Mount Fund

As a member of the Mount community, you know students are encouraged to DARE TO … explore new ways of thinking and experiencing subjects and situations in an environment that inspires them to go into the world and be game-changers. When they graduate, these young women understand that when you create and lead by motivating and uniting, truly anything is possible. That is why your support of the Mount Fund is so important … because without it, the above would not be possible. Today, families have many quality options in high schools for their daughters. Steeped in the mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, however, only the Mount provides the holistic education they need to transcend the norm. Mount Fund donations assure that exceptional teachers, technology and classroom opportunities, as well as formative experiences on the playing fields, stage, at the easel, at the podium, in the robotics lab, and in so many settings are available to all the girls who attend. More important, when you support the Mount Fund you DARE TO … vest yourself in the everyday happenings of the school in a way that is truly meaningful. You know your dollars are invested in the future of each young woman who wears her Grecian gown in June and leaves here ready to take on all of life’s challenges, infused with a spirit that cannot be found elsewhere. The Mount Fund goal this year is $500,000. We need your help to meet and hopefully exceed this goal. The annual campaign ends on June 30, 2017, and your gift of any size does matter. Please make a gift that is meaningful to you today by either using the enclosed envelope or by going to www.msjacad.org/give.

Spring 2017

Students Honored for Participation in Mount Student Giving Tree Initiative Each December, we offer students an opportunity to give back to the Mount through participation in a student giving initiative. This year, the Student Giving Tree event included an interactive competition between homerooms and grades. Collectively, students raised a total of $1,045 in support of the Mount Fund. The Development Office celebrated the classes who achieved 100 percent participation and highest dollar amount raised with two â&#x20AC;&#x153;thank youâ&#x20AC;? breakfasts in Fontbonne. We thank these winning freshmen advisories, upperclass homerooms, and all of our students and faculty who supported the Mount Fund through this initiative.

mount saint joseph academy

EITC&OSTC TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

Nearly 30% of current Mount students benefit from financial aid and that number increases annually. You can redirect your PA taxes as financial aid dollars to the Mount! The Educational Improvement Tax Credit and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit are Pennsylvania tax credit programs that allow Pennsylvania businesses that pay applicable taxes, as well as individuals who pay personal income tax through an LLC, S Corp, or who own or are a member of an LLP, to receive up to a 90% TAX CREDIT to be used by schools like the Mount for financial aid. “The PA EITC credit program is a great way to put the money that Philadelphia Insurance Companies would otherwise pay in Pennsylvania taxes to a cause we believe in – a Mount education. We know that my company’s tax dollars will go directly to the Mount to be used as financial aid for young women who need the additional assistance. We are thrilled to take advantage of this very convenient and effective opportunity to support the mission of the Mount.” Michael & Heather Kelly ‘88 [Michael, SVP Finance & Treasurer for Tokio Marine North America / Philadelphia Insurance Companies] Elizabeth ‘17 & Caroline ‘20

How it works

The process is easy! Simply fill out a one-page application that can be found on www.newpa.com. You can apply for one or two years of credit. For a one-year commitment, you will receive a tax credit of 75% of your contribution. For two years, you will receive a tax credit for 90% of your contribution. There is no minimum to participate and businesses can receive up to $750,000 in tax credit annually. Upon approval, you have 60 days to make your gift to the Mount in one of these ways: Mount Saint Joseph Academy Scholarship Fund directly Henkels Foundation, with a designation to Mount Saint Joseph Academy Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS), with a designation to Mount Saint Joseph Academy.

Important Dates

May 16 Business applicants who have fulfilled their 2-year commitment and wish to reapply in FY 17/18 to renew their 2-year commitment. May 16 Businesses who are in the middle of their 2-year commitment. July 1 All other businesses including initial applicants.

Who can apply?

Businesses in Pennsylvania that pay the following taxes:  Personal Income Tax  Capital Stock/Foreign Franchise Tax  Corporate Net Income Tax  Bank Shares Tax  Title Insurance & Trust Company Shares Tax  Insurance Premium Tax (with some exclusions)  Mutual Thrift Tax  Malt Beverage Tax  Retaliatory Fees under section 212 of the Insurance Company Law of 1921

For more details on EITC/OSTC tax programs, go to www.msjacad.org/give or www.newpa.org. 24

Spring 2017

Golden Girls Luncheon Friday, September 8, 2017 Whitemarsh Valley Country Club

From the Alumnae Association President Dear Friends of MSJA: The spring of 2017 is upon us and the Mount continues to grow in so many positive ways. Our alumnae have played an important role in that growth and for that, I thank you! Your contributions of time, prayers, and funds continue to help Mount Saint Joseph Academy. These gifts have both preserved and helped the spirit of the Mount evolve for the generations of young women and leaders who have followed us. “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” How wonderful that the Mount has so many leaders! Most recently, the robotics team, the Firebirds, were awarded “Excellence in Engineering Award” for their unique robot design in a recent competition. Kate Pryzdial ’19 developed a system to support life off of earth for a NASA competition. Tess Worthington ’17 incorporated her Senior Seminar Project working with the Montgomery County Down Syndrome Initiative Group into the 2016 Fashion Show. Eleven young models from MCDSIG walked the runway. Our musicians, artists and athletes continue to show their leadership as well. This amazing talent brings great pride to our community. Although it was a misty, drizzly October day for the 5K this year, we had a tremendous turnout as Miles for Magic raised money for the Stephanie Leonards Roman Memorial Scholarship. As part of Women As Founders week, we hosted a panel of alumnae authors that was highly successful. Mount Runway, one of our most popular fall events, featured fashions from The Free Shop in Ambler, owned by alumna Maura Coffey Campbell ’99. To wrap up 2016, Lunch with Santa was held and enjoyed by the over 300 people who attended. The new year kicked off with the annual Quizzo trivia night, an evening filled with excitement and learning! Finally, as we began March, Celebrauction 2017, themed “It’s a Shore Thing,” was both a friendraiser and a fundraiser for our alma mater. The dedication, hard work, and talent put forth by so many were certainly evident. As hard as it is to believe, another school year is coming to a close. I ask that you will join me in supporting the Mount Fund. It is because of your generosity that the work and mission of MSJA can continue to have a lasting impact on future generations of young women. Spes Mesis in Semine,

Megan Osborne Romano ’94

mount saint joseph academy

Lunch

Family and friends of Mount alumnae, faculty, and staff gathered on December 3 for the annual Lunch With Santa event. Children shared their wish lists with Santa Claus, participated in Christmasthemed crafts, and enjoyed lunch. It was an afternoon filled with Christmas spirit!

Spring 2017

with

Santa

Mount Class Agent Program Are you interested in getting more involved with the Mount Alumnae Association? Would you like to reconnect with your Mount classmates? Why not become a Class Agent? We are looking to expand our Class Agent program and would like to have at least one Agent in place for each year prior to 1960 and two for every other year. The mission of Mount Saint Joseph Academy’s Class Agent program is to empower volunteers to pass on information to alumnae about the Mount and the lives of their classmates, and to encourage classmates to support the Mount Fund. Class Agents are essential to our alumnae programs, serving to communicate, contribute and connect! If your class does not have a class agent in place, consider serving and contact Theresa Moyer, Director of Alumnae at tmoyer@msjacad.org.

It was an honor to serve as Class Agent for our 40th reunion, and I had a great time reaching out and reconnecting with classmates and other Mounties! I loved my time at the Mount and enjoyed seeing my fellow Mounties responding on Facebook and by e-mail, and the enthusiasm they showed for attending the reunion and contributing to the Mount Fund! Class of '77, you are still awesome women! Jennifer Lee Busto ’77

I love being in touch with my 56ers and sharing wonderful memories of our time at MSJA. It’s wonderful to know that the strong bond we feel has never been broken. To me it is fascinating to remember my classmates in 1956 and then to see what wonderful paths their lives have taken. Dorothy Gallagher Hordubay ’56

Serving as a class agent this year has been an incredibly rewarding experience! With the help of the Mount's Alumnae Office and the power of social media, I've reconnected with so many of my classmates as we prepared for our 20th Reunion celebration. The Mount was so instrumental in our growth and success as women, and I am proud to honor that. Katie Griffin ’97

CLASS AGENTS 1948 1949 1950 1952 1955 1956 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1965 1966 1967 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975

Mary Merz Berko JoAnne Skelly Dougherty Patricia Connor Surotchak Lorraine Sukalski McGlynn Kathy McGee Burns Dorothy Gallagher Hordubay Joyce Renzulli Wuenschel Joanne M. Scott Kyle Eileen McGill Meko Joan Smith Agostinelli, Ellen Higley O’Neill Mary McFadden Paul Julie Meis Wilson Nina Schweikart Love Mary Lorenzo-Brelsford, Peggy Gallagher Donna Cupo Lucas Ann Marie Von Hacht Horner Maureen Cahill, Ginny Bendinger Wischhusen Cyndy Strolle Suzanne Fitzmyer Foley Colleen Durkin Lapowsky Patricia Zugay Burkholder Rosemary Kenny Kruse, Marianne Ford

1976 Becky Hoy Murphy, Ave Murphy Seminack 1977 Jennifer Lee Busto, Ellen Burgoyne Hubrig 1978 Ellen Riley Biel, Maryann Szczesny Daulerio 1981 Jennifer Maguire Princivalle 1982 Ellen Rosa-Bian Cericola 1984 Sheila Kropp McLaughlin, Kim Heck Cilio 1986 Courtney Daly Ferraro, Patty Lynch, Marci Kuttler Bossow Schankweiler 1987 EireAnn Flynn Marzarella 1988 Heather Kates Kelly, Suzanne Coster McCarthy 1989 Megan Melinson McDonough, Kirsten Ledwith Morasco 1990 Jen Dorazio Klein, Colleen Osborne Mook 1991 Kathleen Gorman Duffy, Jennifer Adams Phillips 1992 Rochelle A. Grasso, Coleen Dyer Wybranski 1993 Tracy Allu Albertelli 1994 Danielle Penzarella Lasky, Amy Kaltneckar Dixon

1996 Karen Mullane Bronster, Erin McClafferty Erfle 1997 Joan King Cavallaro, Katie Griffin 1998 Christina Carnevale 1999 Kara McMahon Weaver 2000 Bobbi Tumelty Kelly, Lauren O’Garro Moore 2001 Emily DePaul, Julia Rocchi 2002 Caroline Harkins Gorman 2003 Charlotte Merrick 2004 Katherine Lynn Pichola, Beth Bonnevie 2005 Katie McClernand Sacchetta 2006 Kerry Roman, Kathleen Hubbert 2007 Elizabeth DePaul, Dana Puleo 2008 Alicia Elliott, Claire Kueny 2009 Corin Roman, Kristin Cericola 2010 Katy Gregor, Alanna McCloy 2011 Leigh Anne Tiffany, Michele Burns 2012 Molly McLaughlin 2013 Kiera McCloy, Annie Tenzinger 2014 Sheila McLaughlin, Rachel Basiura 2015 Colleen McBride, Katie Mars

mount saint joseph academy

Class

Chatter

1940s

Rita Lawson Moser ’41 enjoys keeping up with classmates Cecilia Espinoza Martelo, Miriam Kelley Roos, and Anne Deeney Curtis.

1950s S. Wanda Davidson, SSJ ’50 moved to Belmar, New Jersey, in June. She volunteers at St. Rose High School as a proofreader for their publications. She shares that life at the shore is wonderful. Phyllis Sullivan Stacey ’53 is the proud great-grandmother of Grant Tyler Stacy. Phyllis still rides in “Iris,” a women’s parade at Mardi Gras. She’s keeping busy with reading at church and working for a number of charities. Marjorie Todd Shaughnessy ’54 turned 80 years young and celebrated 50 years of marriage! She has five children and 15 grandchildren. S. Johanna Gedaka, SSJ ’55 states that, for a day of quiet reflection, come visit at the Basilian Spirituality Center in Fox Chase. Not easy to find, but worth the effort. Margaret Lawler Kolimago ’56 is enjoying retirement and living at Normandy Farms Estate! She participated in the senior “OLYMPIACTS” and scored a bronze medal in swimming. Fun for all! Patricia Feulner Carroll McGonigal ’56, and husband Dave, spent the month of March in Naples, Florida. She met up with her sister, Eileen McGonigal Wallace ’60, while there. Kathleen O’Grady John ’58 enjoyed this pleasant winter, but is looking forward to spring and summer at the Jersey shore with family and 28

Spring 2017

News and notes from the Mount Saint Joseph Academy alumnae and school community.

friends. Special times were spent with MaryLou Otremba Turner ’58, Ellie Steelman O’Brien ’58, Anne Marie (Nancy) McSherry ’58 and Noel Rielly Gallagher ’58, with fond memories of the class of 1958.

Dr. Mary Lou Snyder Goldberg ’58 became a great-grandmother on May 6, 2016 to Blakely Saige Esposito, who lives in Sandy Plains, Georgia. Babysitting services are readily accepted whenever she visits. Maryann Herzog Whalen ’58 was hospitalized in October. Her husband, John, Sr., was a daily visitor to make sure things went well. Never a dull moment at age 76, Maryann says. Full of surprises! Barbara McCrea Flanigan ’59 is still living in Santa Barbara and lucky enough to have two of her three grandchildren living right down the street. She is enjoying being grandma to two-year-old twins as well as her first grandchild, who lives in Oakland, California. Carol Burkhart Palmai ’59 is so blessed with three beautiful children and ten beautiful grandchildren. Three in grade school, three in college and four in grad school. She thanks Our Lord for her family’s health.

1960s Joan Dull McGuigan ’60 and husband, Frank, celebrated their 54th anniversary with their eight children, 15 grandchildren, and first greatgrandchild. They live in northwest Berks County surrounded by farms. In their spare time, they garden, travel, and volunteer. Recently, Joan began hand quilting with a local group and completed her first quilt, achieving a goal she had for more than 40 years. They are truly blessed!

Patricia Condon McDonough ’62 announces the marriage of her youngest daughter, Meredith, to Bill McBride, in 2014. Bill’s mom, Mary Crane ’66, is a Mountie. They welcomed baby Julia in 2015, and a son in February 2017. He is Patricia’s 12th grandchild. Her oldest granddaughter, Grace, started Dartmouth in the fall. Patricia and her husband, Bill, celebrated 51 years together. She is still working at Merion and Siloam and loving her job. She sends love and light to all! Jane Ann Kiely Jones ’63 recently moved from Palm Coast, Florida, to Barefoot Bay, Florida. Julie Meis Wilson ’63 has downsized to a condo in Plymouth Meeting. She enjoys her grandchildren and marvels at their accomplishments and athletic ability. Julie keeps in touch with some of her classmates and is also the Class Agent for the class of 1963. Contact her with any new info you might want to share. She’s looking forward hearing from you! Kathleen Smith Rodowicz ’64 is still working for an accountant. She enjoys the job very much, but more importantly, she’s thoroughly enjoying her 17 beautiful grandchildren. Alice Kenyon ’66, Margaret Gallagher ’66, Margaret Geist ’66, Ann Golden ’66, and June Smith ’66 met for lunch last fall at the Crab Trap in Somers Point, New Jersey. It was a fun afternoon filled with many laughs. Ann Mather Givey ’66 was unable to attend her 50th Class reunion, but still stays in touch with classmate Suzanne Talarico Schapira Russo. Ann and her husband, Neal, have lived in Phoenix, Arizona, since 1978 and still enjoy the beautiful weather, while spending the

summers in their second home in San Diego.

Virginia Logan DiLullo ’66 is still working full time at the Cape May County Library in New Jersey. Ginny and her husband, Bob, have taken numerous vacations to various parts of the United States and Canada. Daughter Patti and son Bob live on the East Coast, and daughters Leslie and Christy live on the West Coast. Virginia and Bob enjoy every minute when they can get together with their children, usually around the holidays. It has been great reconnecting with everyone on Facebook. Alice Crane Loveman ’67 regrets that she was not able to attend the 50th Reunion. She will be visiting her eight grandchildren and three wonderfully married children in the Philadelphia and Stone Harbor area for the month of May. Having a great time! Bertina Ostrowski Wheaten ’67 has wonderful news from the Wheaten family. They have been blessed with a beautiful grandson, Colin Sterling, from her first-born, Justin. Her precious daughter, Carolyn, and husband, Ryan, were married in February 2016 in St. Petersburg, Florida; and her youngest, Andrew, was accepted into medical school. Amen!

Phyllis Tagliatela Moore ’68 traveled to San Diego for a reunion with some of her classmates: Liz Lunney, Sue Smith, and Marie Berger. While there, they enjoyed visiting with their former Mount gym teacher, Mrs. Frances “Tink” Rambo, who is now in her 90s and in great shape.

1970s Maureen Cahill ’70 is enjoying retirement, traveling and attending monthly Breakfast Clubs with her peers from the Class of 1970. She openly invites all classmates to join them as she sends out monthly blast emails with information about the gatherings. Ann Collins Broze ’71 and husband, George, spent Christmas in London at the Rosewood. They took a road trip to the Ems, an 1801 mansion that is intact and still full of its original furniture and charm. They loved it so much they rented it for four days and returned with four friends in March. M. Eileen Rigney Dougherty ’72 announces the birth of her second grandchild, Owen Andrew Dougherty, born during a blizzard on January 23, 2016. He joins big brother, Gavin, who turned two on March 8, 2016.

Suzanne Fitzmyer Foley ’72 and 12 members of the Class of 1972 held a dinner at Scoogi’s on November 11, 2016 to prepare for their 45th Mount Reunion. They had lots of fun and laughs.

Angela E. Lin, M.D. ’72 met Etta Pisano, M.D. ’76 for the first time recently. Lin is a medical geneticist at the MassGeneral Hospital for Children, where she cares for people with rare genetic syndromes including Turner syndrome and HHT. She also works at the Department of Public Health in the Massachusetts Center for Birth Defects Research and Prevention. Pisano is a retired medical school dean, now working as Senior Director for Research Development at the American College of Radiology and Vice Chair for Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She is also the Principal Investigator for a large multi-center clinical trial studying the advantages of 3D mammography for breast cancer screening. Both are on the faculty of Harvard Medical School. The second book by Jennifer Lin ’76, Shanghai Faithful: Betrayal and Forgiveness in a Chinese Christian Family was published on March 17, 2017. The book explores five generations of Jennifer’s family and dramatizes a history of Christianity in China.

1980s Christine Beisel ’82 is proud to introduce her grandson, Owen, born October 2016. Everyone is happy and healthy. Dr. Eileen Harmon Council ’83 is happy to announce that she is the CEO and founder of Justin Unlimited, located in mount saint joseph academy

Class

King of Prussia, PA, which provides comprehensive education services in support of individuals with Autism, for educators, law enforcement, first responders, parents/caregivers, employees and the general community. This has been a dream of hers for some time and is the first step toward her end-goal of helping create a world where individuals with Autism are fully supported in reaching their maximum potential, living with dignity and universal acceptance. For more information, visit their website www. justinunlimited.org and like them on Facebook @justinunlimitedllc.

1990s

2000s

Jeannine Giordano ’93 was happy to have Mounties visiting her in Sonoma last September.

Corey Raieta Heacock ’00 and husband, Shawn, are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Sullivan Bennett Heacock, on June 1, 2015. They recently moved to Centreville, Delaware, where Corey is the Assistant Principal at Stanton Middle School. Jane Scholl Tanlamai ’02, and her husband, Watson, joyfully welcome their first baby, Aurelia Marie Tanlamai on May 18, 2016.

Marcia Watson ’94 is living in South Philadelphia and works in New Jersey as the Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. Theresa Salvatore Hunsicker ’95 is currently back teaching first grade in the Souderton School District after being home raising her children Rose (10), Charlie (9), and Anna Jeanne (5).

Coleen McDonald Metzler ’85’s daughter Paige, incoming member of the Class of 2021, won the Region 11 CYO basketball championship for St. Alphonsus Parish, on the Mount’s court on February 4, 2017. Pictured left to right are Paige’s aunt Kathy McDonald Garvin ’71, Coleen, sister Laurie Metzler ’16, and aunt Eileen McDonald Edling ’79. Ellen Rigsby Hsu ’87 has a sixthgrader who loves singing and a thirdgrader who loves basketball. Where did the time go?

Katie Anderson Sierakowski ’95 and husband, Steven, welcomed their daughter, Evelyn Nina, on July 8, 2016. Evelyn’s big brother, Harrison, is excited to welcome his new baby sister. Evelyn is also the granddaughter of Patricia Lynn Terpeluk Anderson ’69. Auste Radzius Joost ’96 and Kenneth Joost, welcomed Dean Justinas to their family on December 18, 2016. Older brothers Nolan and Hudson are enjoying every minute with their newest buddy. Carly Irwin Keeny ’98 welcomed Jack William Keeny on July 16, 2016. Kelly Larkin Gallagher ’99 and husband, Shawn, welcomed a baby girl, Madelyn Kate, in October 2015.

Spring 2017

Chatter

Amy Cherry ’03 married Chris Carl on September 2, 2016, at Terrain in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. Amy is an investigative reporter and Assistant News Director of WDEL-FM and Chris is the Program Director. Amy’s sister, Tina Cherry ’07, was maid of honor and Ashley McKeaney Kontostergios ’03 was in attendance. Image credit: Ashley Barnes and Andre Smith Kathryn Dougherty Garcia ’04 and her husband welcomed their first child, Nora Kathryn Garcia, on August 14, 2016.

Kelly Broderick Smith ’03 and Mounties across generations gathered to celebrate being home for the holidays over Thanksgiving break. Photo includes: Susan Kelley Santore ’71, Colleen Coyle Broderick ’74, Kelly Broderick Smith ’03, Katie Kenney Lawless ’03, Kathy Kenney (Katie and Courtney’s mother), Alisha Glennon ’03, Maura Linaugh Strohsacker ’03, Alison Sudfeld ’03, Pamela O’Rourke Larin ’03, and Dr. Ashley Brogan Arjoon ’03, along with their husbands. Erica Reisenwitz Kay ’04 and husband, Tom, welcomed their baby girl, Gemma Rose on January 25th. Aunts Katherine Crawford Lutsch ’04 and Carol Shotzbarger’04 are very excited as well. Mary Pat Tumelty ’04 passed her PE Civil Transportation Exam and is officially licensed to practice as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She is currently employed in the Transportation/Highway Division of Pennoni Associates at their Philadelphia headquarters.

Marina Cockenberg ’05 was selected for Forbes’s “30 Under 30” list in Marketing and Advertising. Cockenberg is Director of Digital for the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Follow her on Twitter @marinarachael.

Cara Croke ’05 has returned to the Mount as an art teacher and is loving being back at her alma mater!

Kathleen Kohler Dalhoff ’05 welcomed Timothy Francis Dalhoff to their family on January 15, 2017. He joins older sister Rachel, who will be two in April.

Christina E. Ferrier ’05 married James C. Billmyer on April 16, 2016 at St. Agatha, St. James Parish in Philadelphia. The couple continued the celebration of their marriage at the Union League among numerous family and friends, including many alumnae and sisters of the Mount. In attendance were Donna Nicoletti Ferrier ’76, Gabrielle Ferrier’07, Lori Nicoletti Peruto ’79, Samantha Peruto ’07, Angela Giannetti ’05, Angela Koerper ’05, Christina Koerper ’06 and S. Kathleen Brabson.

Maurin Walchak ’05 married Anthony John Cirone, III of Holland, Pennsylvania on September 23, 2016 at St. John the Evangelist in Philadelphia. Fellow Mounties Christina Kolokithias Krone ’05, Jennifer Fasy Schiffelbein ’03, and Taylor Kenney Krieg ’05 served as bridesmaids. Image credit: Stephen Govel Photography mount saint joseph academy

2010s Lauren Duda ’10 is in her third year in the Space and Aeronautics Division of Lockheed Martin, Communications Division, in Denver, Colorado. Recently her team covered the launch of a new generation of weather satellite at Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Meredith Taylor ’07 married Jim Armstrong of Fair Haven, New Jersey, on October 15, 2016 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Doylestown. Mounties Deirdre Barr ’07, Genevieve O’Mara ’07, and Chelsea Clark DeBoer ’07 presented gifts at the Mass and Jennifer Havard ’07 was maid-of- honor. Image credit: Louise Conover

Genevieve Dusing ’08 graduated in 2012 from Boston College and is working for the Boston-based education reform non-profit Match Education as a member of their development and marketing team. She also coached the Match High School girls’ varsity soccer team and plays on various adult intramural teams throughout the city. Victoria Wischhusen ’09 is a cardiothoracic ICU nurse at Columbia University Medical Center and has been accepted into Yale-New Haven Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia, for a Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice. Her anticipated graduation date is May 2020.

Gabrielle Rounbehler ’11 is currently living in Chicago. She is on a full scholarship for her master’s degree at Loyola University of Chicago, as part of their LU-Choice program. Her degree will be in elementary education and she will receive it in May 2017. As part of the LU-Choice program, she teaches kindergarten full-time at the Academy of Saint Benedict the African on the south side of Chicago. Kristin Duda ’12 graduated in 2016 from University of Pennsylvania with a degree in materials engineering. She was invited by Merck to join the leadership development program. She will be moving to Riom, France this year for training, which is near Le Puy, the founding home of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Jacqueline Hain ’12 received the President’s Academic Excellence Award from the Universal Vare Charter School in recognition of outstanding achievement in teaching. The award was presented by Kenny Gamble, chair of the Universal Companies Board of Directors, to one faculty member in each of the Universal Charter Schools in Philadelphia. Jackie teaches sixth grade math. Margaret McCabe ’12 recently began working as a Clinical Nurse1 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Jane Ann Saile ’13 participated and placed first in the International Case Competition sponsored by Lockheed Martin. Her school, Penn State Abington, worked with Kean University in New Jersey and Hof University in Germany. Rebecca Barton ’14 is in her junior year at Boston University, majoring in Deaf Studies. Hannah Leonard ’14 is a member of the Presidential Leadership Academy at Penn State and has been admitted to Schreyer’s Honors College at Penn State.

Educating Founders since 1858

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

Spring 2017

 Our sympathy and prayers are extended to the families of the following alumnae: Mary Schreiber Shevlin ’48 Mary Quinn Foster ’43 Jayne Mercer Strecker ’43

Dorothy Feehan Rudisill ’52 Jady Ung Li ’54 Patricia Cannon Nelson ’62

Patricia Macklin Sidders’62 Rosemary Maguire Keller ’69

In Memoriam

Our sympathy and prayers are extended to the following alumnae: Janet Cooney Chark ’47 and Kathleen Cooley ’08, on the death of their sister-in-law and grandmother respectively, Aideen O’Malley Cooney Joan Calhoun Reynolds ’50, Susan Reynolds Antczak ’74, Dr. Jean Reynolds Ubbelohde ’79 and Anne Reynolds DiPasquale ’85, on the death of her grandson and their nephew respectively, Thomas Reynolds Mary Jane Connor White ’50, on the death of her husband, William J. White Sally Mansell Guilfoyle ’52, Madge Mansell Keehn ’50 and Rosemarie Mansell Donahue ’46, on the death of her husband and their brother-in-law respectively, John Guilfoyle, Jr. Marie Flanagan O’Hora ’52, Anne Flanagan Burgoyne ’54 and Kathleen Flanagan McIlvaine ’58 (deceased), on the death of their brother, John Flanagan, M.D. Rita Joyce Moore ’53, on the death of her husband, William J. Moore Elizabeth Brennan Pachella ’54, on the death of her daughter, Suzanne Pachella McNerney Barbara Eugenie Whalen ’55, Maryann Herzog Whalen ’58 and Betty Jane Beitel Whalen ’59, on the death of her husband and their brother-in-law respectively, Henry Francis Whalen, Jr. Clare Cannon Breene ’58, on the death of her sister, Patricia Cannon Nelson ’62 Phyllis Palladino Cissone ’59 and Maria Cissone Benamar ’95, on the death of her brother-in-law and their uncle respectively, Louis J. Cissone Jr.

Irene Bonk Hesser ’59, on the death of her brother, John J. Bonk, Sr. Patricia Cassidy Bergquist ’60 and Theresa Cassidy Mooney ’61, on the death of her husband and their brother-in-law, Richard R. Bergquist Kathleen Williams Farley ’63, Marion Williams Berry ’59 and Joan Williams ’67, on the death of their husband and brother-in-law respectively, John Farley Mary Louise Barton ’65, Margo Barton ’67 and Marilyn Barton ’69, on the death of their mother, Mary Barton Zuccarini S. Maryellen Whitaker, SSJ ’65, on the death of her brother, Joseph Michel Whitaker, M.D. Jane Kraft Adam ’66, Barbara Kraft Woodbury ’68 and Sarah Woodbury ’06 on the death of their husband, brother-in-law and uncle respectively, Joseph Adam

Eileen Kraft D’Amico ’68 and Katlyn D’Amico ’07, on the death of their mother-inlaw and grandmother respectively, Mary Rose D’Amico Susan Smith Daniels ’68 on the death of her mother, Patricia J. Smith Emmy Del Rossi Gehring ’68, on the death of her father, Alfred F. Del Rossi, Jr. Anne Duffey Cunningham ’70, Katharine Cunningham ’05, Caroline Ezzo ’09, Audrey Ezzo ’16, and Julia Pitts ’09, on the death of their mother and grandmother respectively, Marian Duffey Lisa DiGiacomo ’71, Andrea DiGiacomo Small ’72, Donna DiGiacomo Shoen ’73, Bonnie Small ’07 and Lilly Small ’11, on the death of their father and grandfather respectively, Hector L. DiGiacomo Patricia McDermott ’71, on the death of her great niece, Allison Marie Gmerek

S. Susan Feeley ’66 and Mary Ann Feeley Messmer ’72 (Former MSJA Board Member), on the death of their aunt, S. Helen Patricia Feeley, SSJ.

Lisa Strecker Magarity ’72 and Kathleen Magarity ’98, on the death of their mother and grandmother respectively, Jayne Mercer Strecker ’43

Mary Brooks MacDonald ’66, Rosemarie Brooks MacDonald ’70, Anne Brooks Sams ’75 and Ellen Brooks’76, on the death of their mother, Rose V. Brooks, grandmother of Emily Brooks ’04, Kathleen Brooks ’16 and Laura Brooks Maszczak ’03.

Eileen O’Connell Wolfinger ’72, Elizabeth O’Connell Konieczka ’75, Christine O’Connell Lally ’77, Barbara O’Connell Miller ’80 and Celeste O’Connell Abramowitz ’85, on the death of their father, Francis O’Connell

Christine Pedrotty Brown ’68, Colleen Pedrotty Miele ’72, Noel Pedrotty ’74 (deceased), Ronnie Pedrotty Stanley ’80, Mary Ann Burke Metzger ’83 and Christine Burke ’85, on the death of their brother and cousin respectively, Leo Pedrotty, Sr.

Colleen Durkin Lapowsky ’73, Meg Durkin Higgins ’85, on the death of their mother, Mollie Durkin, and grandmother of Isadora Lapowsky ’05

mount saint joseph academy

In Memoriam continued Christine Malloy ’91, on the death of her mother, Patricia Malloy

Caitlin Foley ’11, on the death of her mother, Elizabeth Rogacz Foley Kelley Grady ’12 and Casey Grady ’17, on the death of their grandmother, Phyllis Fletcher

Maria Verde Castellucci ’77, on the death of her father-in-law, Daniel Castellucci

Colette Giordano Dougherty ’93, Jeannine Giordano ’93 and Nicholas Giordano (former MSJA Board), on the death of their grandmother and mother-in-law respectively, Yolanda Pizzuto

Nancy McCool ’77 and Catherine McCool ’83, on the death of their father, James McCool

Tracy Gavin ’93, on the death of her mother and father, Mary Jeanne Gavin and Francis Gavin

Jennifer Murphy ’16, on the death of her grandmother, Eleanor T. Jankiewicz

Kathy Sykes Moran ’80, on the death of her father-in-law, Patrick C. Moran and grandfather of Christine Steinmetz ’05, MaryKate Steinmetz ’10 (MSJA faculty), Michele Steinmetz ’08, Catherine Moran ’11 and Kelly Moran ’12

Casey Fitzgerald Henry ’93 and Shannon Fitzgerald D’Alessio ’98, on the death of their father, James Fitzgerald

Alexandra Natale ’17 and Gabriela Natale ’18, on the death of their aunt, Jennifer Natale Stevenson

Denise Serafin Grotz ’94 on the death of her mother, Barbara Ann Serafin

Marge DeStefano (MSJA Faculty), on the death of her mother-in-law, Angelina DeStefano

Sharon Branca ’85, on the death of her grandmother, Theresa Herbst

Katie Madden Kokol ’01, Megan Madden Streets ’03, and Kira Scafidi ’08, on the death of their brother and cousin respectively, Matthew Madden

S. Catherine Robinson, SSJ, (former MSJA Administration and Board of Directors)

Helena Lloyd Holmes ’76, Margaret Holmes Celmayster ’78, Caroline Lloyd Doherty ’84 and Caroline Holmes ’08, on the death of their mother and grandmother respectively, Helena Lloyd

Joanne McChesney Peacock ’86, on the death of her father, Kevin McChesney Jenny Brown Shemwell ’86 and Amy Brown Williams ’89, on the death of their father, Clifford Brown Kathleen Cubbin Cahill ’87, on the death of her grandmother, Catherine M. Cubbin Donna Hanson Woolman ’88 (deceased), on the death of her father, Donald Hanson Renee Grasso Seaman ’90, Rochelle Grasso ’92 and Gabrielle Seaman ’20, on the death of their grandmother and great grandmother respectively, Mary Grasso

Spring 2017

Katelynn O’Brien ’12, on the death of her father, Joseph Francis O’Brien

Helene Pospischil ’05, on the death of her grandfather, Victor A. Pospischil

S. Nancy Roche, SSJ (former MSJA Administration), on the death of her mother, Veronica Roche

Ann Gennaro ’07 and Margaret Buck ’15, on the death of their grandfather, Robert Gennaro, Jr.

Mrs. Stephanie Leonards Roman (former faculty; deceased), on the death of her grandmother, Barbara Leonards

Catherine Barr ’09, on the death of her grandmother, Annette C. Guarino

Kevin Schanely (MSJA Faculty), on the death of his aunt, Ruth Bishop

Moira DiSandro ’10, on the death of her grandfather, Albert J. DiSandro

John Turner (MSJA Faculty), on the death if his mother, Barbara Turner

Victoria Elliott ’11, Chinaka Elliott ’13, Rebecca Elliott ’15 and Daniella Elliott ’17, on the death of their grandfather, Arthur Elliott

SAVE THE DATE The

Mount

25th

Annual

Green Valley Country Club Lafayette Hill, PA

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017

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

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

S 2016 UMMER S 2016 UMMER 2016 2017 2016SSSUMMER UMMER UMMER 2016 UMMER

SSSSSPORTS C AMPS C AMPS PORTS C CAMPS AMPS AMPS PORTS PORTS PORTSC AMPS PORTS

JUNE 13-17 JUNE JUNE 12-16 JUNE JUNE 13-17 13-17 JUNE 13-17 Volleyball Volleyball Volleyball Volleyball Volleyball Volleyball JUNE20-24 19-23 JUNE JUNE JUNE JUNE 20-24 20-24 Field Hockey Tennis Lacrosse JUNE 20-24 Tennis Lacrosse Tennis Tennis Lacrosse Lacrosse Lacrosse Tennis Lacrosse Basketball Soccer Basketball Soccer Basketball Basketball Soccer Soccer Running Basketball Soccer Field Hockey Field Hockey Field Field Hockey Hockey JUNEHockey 26-30 Field Cross Country & Track Cross Country & Track Cross Cross Country Country & & Track Track One camp for $170 Basketball Cross Country & Track One camp for $170 Two camps for $300 Soccer One camp forfor $170 One One camp for $170 $170

Two camps for $300 to enrolled in grades 6 2016. Two camps forfor $300 One camp $170 Two Two camps for $300 $300 Open Open enrolled in grades 99inSeptember inSeptember September 2016. Open Open totogirls girls togirls girls enrolled enrolled inin grades ingrades grades 66––66–9 9––9in in September September 2016. 2016. Open enrolled 2017. Two camps for $300 Open to girls enrolled in grades 6 – 9 in September 2016.

Register atatwww.msjacad.org/sportscamps Register Register atwww.msjacad.org/sportscamps www.msjacad.org/summer Register www.msjacad.org/sportscamps Register at www.msjacad.org/sportscamps