MSJA Winter 2008 Mount Magazine

Winter 2008

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

...Making a Difference

Caroline Laschenski

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A Letter From the President

March 2008

Dear Friends, A year ago I formed the steering committee to plan the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Mount. Since then, we have established the principles that would guide our decisions, created the theme, and determined what events will mark this historic moment for the Mount. Throughout this magazine you will find information about the events planned for the year. Please mark your calendars now and save the dates. If there was ever a time to return to the Mount, the time is now.

I am delighted to share with you the theme that the committee chose:

Laced in a legacy‌ Nurtured by a mission‌ Seeding a harvest for the future‌ The Mount rejoices in 150 years.

Legacy, mission and future! Each phrase contains an invitation to revisit and experience the essence of the Mount. For 150 years we have yielded a harvest of women who possess a confidence and conviction that the future is theirs to create.

I have chosen to use the word milestone when I speak of my hope for this year of jubilee. Milestones assure and encourage us that we are on the proper path. They also serve as indicators of the distance traveled or the miles that remain to the desired destination. Since 1858, milestones have been reached because of the courage and daring of our sisters, students, parents and benefactors. More than its buildings, the Mount can be proud of its milestones. We have been and continue to be recognized on the educational landscape as one of the premier schools in the Delaware Valley. Our history is rich with examples of greatness, innovation and daring. The same is true for the present. Our women are committed to living our mission and exploring new frontiers of learning that span the globe.

It is a privilege to work with administrators, faculty, and staff who encourage the dreams of our students so we can say with pride, in the past present and future, the hope of the harvest is in the seed.

Please join me in celebrating!

Warm regards, [Insert SKB Signature] Sister Kathleen Brabson, SSJ President

Table of Contents 150th Anniversary . .............................................................................. 4 Excerpts from the Archives................................................................... 6

Winter 2008 The Official Publication of Mount Saint Joseph Academy 120 West Wissahickon Avenue Flourtown, PA 19031 President Sister Kathleen Brabson, SSJ Principal Sister Karen Dietrich, SSJ Development Office Staff

150 Years of Making a Difference......................................................... 7 The Mount Abroad.............................................................................. 10 Volunteering in New Orleans ............................................................. 12 Athletics.............................................................................................. 14 Development...................................................................................... 16 Alumnae............................................................................................. 18 Celebrauction..................................................................................... 29

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

On the Cover Caroline Laschenski ’08 Endangered Species Art Prints

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aroline Laschenski ’08 (at right and on the cover) was awarded first prize in Graphic Design for her Endangered Species Posters in the Archdiocesan Secondary Student Art Exhibit in February. Prior to that, the graphics were on display in the hallway outside the new art wing.

Inspired to help increase awareness about these beautiful endangered species, Caroline created these pieces on the computer using Adobe Illustrator for the Honors Independent Art Class—which, according to Caroline, is “a class which seniors can take after they’ve taken just about all the other art courses!”

The early pieces each took between five to ten hours to complete, but Caroline found the later pieces becoming more detailed: the Macaw, which is her favorite piece, took between 20-30 hours.

The experience has opened new career goals for Caroline, who says, “Art was always a big hobby -- I’ve always loved painting, drawing and ceramics, but I never thought about it as a career until this year.” Caroline was introduced to Illustrator and PhotoShop in the Mount’s Commercial Design Course.

Caroline, who has also taken classes at the Pennsylvania Fine Arts Academy, plans to attend either Drexel University or Lehigh University.

Alumnae Website: www.msjaalum.org Alumnae e-mail: msjaalum@msjacad.org

150th Anniversary highlights

The Mount Rejoices in 150 Years!

All these events will rejoice in the past and look to the Mount’s future of educating young women for our world.

All who have made the Mount what it is today are encouraged to join together to mark this important milestone -- students, parents, administrators, faculty and staff – of past and of present.

As MSJA President S. Kathleen Brabson, SSJ, stated, “The Mount’s legacy, 150 years of educating women with excellence, provides a solid foundation and a template for its future. We are celebrating who we are—not just the buildings we’ve constructed.”

The 150th Anniversary theme encompasses the Mount’s history and mission:

Laced in a legacy …

Nurtured by a mission …

Seeding a harvest for the future …

The Mount rejoices in 150 years.

Signature Events Please mark your calendars now for the many opportunities in which the Mount community will commemorate this very special birthday. Details on each event will follow in the coming months.

September 12, 2008 Golden Girls Luncheon at Whitemarsh Country Club (Unofficial Kick-off)

October 12, 2008

Open House

October 15, 2008

Founders’ Day Celebration at Sargenti Arena, Chestnut Hill College (Official Kick-off)

March 6-8, 2009

150th Anniversary Celebration Weekend, featuring Saturday evening 150th Anniversary Gala at the Crystal Tea Room, Philadelphia

May 30, 2009

Graduation of the Mount Saint Joseph Academy 150th Graduating Class

150th Happenings Anniversary

Golden Girls gather with MSJA President Sister Kathleen Brabson, SSJ, and Alumnae Director, Theresa Moyer, in the Alumnae room to plan their upcoming Golden Girls Luncheon, to be helds at Whitemarsh Country Club.

Honor ary Chairs

Chairs

S. Kathleen Brabson recently announced the names of the honorary chairs for the 150th Steering Committee:

The following people have also volunteered to help make this celebration a reality, and welcome those who wish to volunteer their time on this special initative:

S. Mary Dacey, SSJ, former president of MSJA

Arthur and Gail Pasquarella, 150th Anniversary Chairs

Lois Trench-Hines ’60, president and CEO of Meniscus, Inc.

Charlene Keller Fulmer, Esq. ’89, Alumnae Chair

Dr. Angela Stout ’83, former president of the MSJA Alumnae

Kent and Patti Roman, Current Parents Chairs

Association

Jim and Denise Paul, Alumnae Parents Chairs

Commemor ative Events In addition to the signature events, there are numerous initiatives planned throughout the school year to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Mount Saint Joseph Academy and to recognize with grateful appreciation the contributions of so many creative and caring individuals who have made the Mount what it is today.

Special thanks to Kate Groark Shields ’93 for her marketing leadership with many of these initiatives.

MSJA 150th Anniversary Video Documentary—Two Alums, Jennifer Lin ’76 and faculty-Alum Mrs. Bernadette Korey Leonard ’73, are spearheading a committee of students to create a video documentary. The Ken Burns-style documentary will feature Mount history—stories, photos and interviews with Alumnae from all generations. This video will be shown on Founders’ Day and at the Gala. It will also be broadcast on the Mount’s website.

MSJA 150th Anniversary Commemorative Book—Two Alums, Jennifer Dorazio ’90 and Erin McClafferty ’96 will be gathering photos and information to include in this book.

MSJA 150th Anniversary Logo and Website—You may have seen our beautiful 150th Anniversary Flash presentation featuring the new Anniversary Seal. To view the Flash presentation, visit the Mount’s homepage www.msjacad.org and click on the Anniversary icon/logo to go to “Anniversary Central,” which will keep you updated on Anniversary events and happenings. Be sure to visit the 150th Anniversary blog and join in the discussion with other Mounties as we share our memories of the Mount. A special thank you to Former MSJA Board Chair, Jim Paul, and his company, Thomas J. Paul, Inc., who made all this possible.

Mother-Daughter Fashion Show —Next year’s Fashion Show will feature the girls modeling fashions from the different time periods beginning in 1858, as well as the Mount uniforms.

The Student Council and the Special Events Committee of the Parents Association will be coordinating this exciting event.

Planting Seedlings—Next year we will be purchasing and planting seedlings in keeping with our motto “Spes Messis in

Semine”—“The Hope of the Harvest is in the Seed.” Science teacher Mr. Jonathon Howe is organizing a committee which will raise funds, purchase the seedlings, and arrange for them to be planted in various locations throughout the world, with a special focus on areas where there is an SSJ presence, to maintain connections with the Sisters of Saint Joseph throughout the world. Plans have begun for this year’s senior class to design a commemorative T-shirt; proceeds from the sale of the T-shirt and from dress-down days will be used to fund the purchase of the trees.

Mural Projects for the 150th Anniversary Celebration—MSJA Art teacher Ms. Danielle Rossi unveiled the art department’s plans to offer a course where students will be involved in painting Anniversary murals to commemorate the Mount’s 150 years.

MSJA Birthday Cake Contest—Each homeroom will bake a Mount Birthday cake for the Mount, with a prize for the winning entry. More details to follow.

Special Starbucks Beverage—arrangements are in the works for a beverage to be named in honor of the Mount’s 150th Anniversary at our local Starbucks. We will keep you posted.

Please Join us “Please join us in the celebration of a mission that is 150 years old, characterized by risk-taking and heroic love for the Academy and these young women,” says MSJA President, Sister Kathleen Brabson, SSJ. “We at the Mount are proud to provide the opportunity for these young women to become their best selves, to instill in them the competence to take risks—to take the lead.”

If you are interested in participating in any of these events, or have items or photos you would wish to include, please check the website for contact information, or call the main office and

we will put you in touch with the right person.

Excerpts from the Archives

In 1917, with the entrance of the United States into World War I, the girls devoted themselves to helping “Our Boys” return triumphant. The students worked with the Alumnae unit of the Red Cross, making surgical dressings and comfort kits, and frequently sent money to the Knights of Columbus to be used for the War Relief Fund. The joy of November 11, 1918, in Europe was wholeheartedly echoed at Mount Saint Joseph.

[At that time] a great work of the Directress Mother Mary Joseph was the organization of the Alumnae Sanctuary Society. The work of this society is the making of vestments and the procuring of sacred vessels to be used by needy missionaries.

Every Tuesday, self-sacrificing members work on these projects, and on Alumnae Day, they display their year’s work in an exhibition, after which the fruits of their

labor are sent to some of God’s laborers in the home and foreign missions…

With the advent of World War II, once more the students plunged wholeheartedly into helping in any way they could.

The making of surgical dressings and donations of blood were only a few of the fruits of Red Cross Training. The school conducted three Bond Drives in 1943-1944 and raised money for the Government Relief Fund. At the end of the war, Mount Saint Joseph received a citation from the United States Treasury Department commending the school for its aid to the Government during this difficult time. Thus, the American way of life was and is most certainly taught and practiced at Mount Saint Joseph.

Source: 1858-1958, Centenary Year, MSJA, Chestnut Hill, PA, written by Kathleen Kugler in 1958.

150 Years of Making a Difference When the Sisters of St. Joseph opened Mount Saint Joseph Academy on October 4, 1858, the goal was “to prepare [young ladies] for contact with the world.” Little did they know that technology would one day enable Mount students to form close bonds and perform global outreach with countries such as Ghana, Africa or India, but for 150 years, the Mount has nurtured young ladies to become leaders in global stewardship and volunteerism, while also reaching out to the local community.

The following brief overviews give you a taste of the generous spirit that the Mount nurtures. While past articles have focused on such global outreach efforts, in this article we have focused on outreach efforts in our own backyard. Unfortunately, space limitations do not permit us to include all the generous acts of kindness that occur on a regular basis at MSJA. We will profile these in future editions of the Magazine.

Anyone who spends even a small amount of time at the Mount cannot help but notice the contagious enthusiasm of caring for “our dear neighbors.” Flyers line the halls announcing service projects for La Salle Academy and the St. Francis Inn Soup Kitchen through Campus Ministry’s CSC (Community Service Corps). Through these programs, students serve the local community through regular programs that involve not just monetary aid, but the more loving approach that entails becoming personally involved in the lives of our neighbors.

The following brief overviews give you a taste of the generous spirit as “Women for Others” that the Mount nurtures.

Global Warming Symposium On Saturday, January 19, 2008, the Mount’s Challenge 20/20 Global Warming Team spearheaded a program designed to inspire this generation to end the exploitation of natural resources and stop Global Warming.

This informative symposium, jointly hosted with St. Joseph’s Prep’s Environmental Action Club, attracted a large audience who came to hear Keynote Speaker Professor Henry Bart of La

Salle University. His presentation in the East Parlour Rotunda of Chestnut Hill College was followed by smaller breakout sessions with presenters from various environmental groups such as the Environmental Protection Agency and Penn Future. The day also included refreshments and an admissions tour of Chestnut Hill College. This informative program sought to explore ways to end the exploitation of natural resources and stop Global Warming.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service Mounties and their families participated in our Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service on January 21, 2008. We had a great turnout -- Anjelica Hicks ’08 and her little sister, right, joined 85 volunteers who helped that day. The group made 600 health hygiene bags and sandwiches for the area shelters; created La Salle Academy’s Library; and painted desks in three classrooms at Drexel-Neumann School in Chester, Pennsylvania.

Service is the Theme of the Mount’s Senior Seminar Class At the Mount, the popular Women’s Senior Seminar Project provides the opportunity for 20 students to choose a cause to embrace and plan a way to take concrete steps to make a difference in their communities. Here are a few of this year’s projects.

Maria Sylvester—Music Education Front row, left to right: Katherine Wzorek ’09, Caitie Daw ’08, Kelly Mannes ’08, Katie Clare Kelley ’08, Christine Black ’09, Katie Tenzinger ’08 Standing, left to right: Jess Powers ’09, Lauren Gadsby ’09, Micaela Samadelov ’08, Meghan O’Rielly ’09, Valerie Carroll ’09

“Coming from a musical family, I have been shaped into the young woman I am today through my positive experience with music, and I wish to provide those experiences to others so they too may be positively affected. My project’s

goal is to provide the Philadelphia grade school, La Salle Academy, with a revamped music department so that its students may reap the limitless benefits of music education such as increased self-esteem, creativity, and academic achievement. On December 14, I held a Battle of the Bands in Mount’s Fontbonne Lounge, charging admission for high school students to see seven local bands perform. The night’s proceeds, $2,120, went directly towards purchasing musical instruments and music supplies for La Salle Academy. My project has taught me the satisfaction in persevering for something one passionately believes in.”

(below) was taken at the Christmas party, where Danielle Rossi, faculty moderator for Women of Hope Outreach project, and Rachel Ford ’08 join a staff member from the Women of Hope homeless shelter in Philadelphia and Rachel’s mom, Eileen, who joined the group for the festivities.

Megan Farris - Pediatric Leukemia

Charlotte Flynn pediatric cancer fund

“Last year, two children from my parish were diagnosed with leukemia and are receiving treatment at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Their families’ stories of strength, courage and faith inspired me to make a difference.

My goal was to raise money to give to CHOP’s Oncology Department. To achieve this, I organized a bowling fundraiser. There was a tremendous amount of support from my family, friends, and parish and school communities, and I collected over $4500. I am extremely happy with this outcome and thrilled that I, along with everyone who donated, will have made a difference in the lives of children undergoing cancer treatment at CHOP. I discovered that everyone is capable of making a difference and that people are amazingly generous when asked to support a cause that has impacted their community.”

Shannon Stocklin—Fighting Against Horse Slaughter “I am aiding in the fight to end horse slaughter in the United States. Horses have been an unparalleled passion in my life and the lives of many others. Our nation began on the back of a horse, and since then, the horse has taken on many duties to aid in the building of our infrastructure. The horse is a true symbol of the American spirit and nature, and we all should have the deisire to protect this spirit. In order to do this, I decided to have people sign a petition, and I sent it to the Pennsylvania State Representatives and Senators. I have high hopes that our state legislators will understand the importance of horses to all and will vote to pass the Horse Slaughter Prevention Act the next time it comes up for a vote.”

Rachel Ford - Women of Hope The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards recognized Rachel Ford ’08 as a Distinguished Finalist for her impressive community service activities. Rachel coordinates MSJA’s Women of Hope group that visits and conducts projects for the Women of Hope homeless shelter for mentally ill women in Philadelphia. Rachel, who has expanded the group from three to 21 members, plans an annual Christmas party for the residents of the shelter, organizes drives to collect items needed by the women, and writes grant proposals to obtain funds for the shelter. The photo

The following information was taken from Charlotte’s website 141Charlotte.com: “It all began at my beach house, number 141 in Avalon, New Jersey, the summer after my freshman year of high school.

Sitting around my dining room table, I began designing and making jewelry for friends and relatives. Art, design, and especially fashion have always played a large role in my life.

At the beginning of August that summer, I was presented with the opportunity to enter my jewelry into an art show benefiting the Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Fund (www.BrendansFund.org), a nonprofit pediatric cancer fund that I had been involved with for many years. Much to my surprise, my jewelry was a huge success! After donating half to the fund, I invested my profit into my very own jewelry business, 141

by Charlotte Flynn. I was soon selling out of my house, off my own neck, at home shows, and even at two stores: Pale Moon Boutique in Avalon, NJ, and Inside and Outside in Wayne, PA. With my growing success I realized I had finally found a way to help the Brendan Borek Fund beyond just volunteer work.

I set a goal to donate $1,000 a year of my 141 profit to the fund. Since then, my designs and work with the fund have only expanded...more than anything, I love that I have found a way to channel my creative energy into something as phenomenal and worthwhile as the Brendan Borek Fund.

Kelly Lagreca and Ally McLaren Team up to Fight Heart Disease with Dr. Kathleen McNicholas ’65 No Heart Left Behind (NHLB) is an organization cofounded

by Mount Alumna, cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Kathleen McNicholas ’65 and students from MSJA and two schools in Wilmington, Delaware: Ursuline Academy and Salesianum School. NHLB, sponsored by Christiana Care, aims to reduce the number of women who succumb to heart disease each year.

Because heart disease is the number one killer of American women, it is a big concern.

The goal is to educate teenagers about heart disease in hopes that they will become a life coach for their mothers in high school, college and beyond. In acting as a

life coach, teens can inform their mothers about the signs and symptoms of heart disease and generally monitor their overall health. This knowledge, if brought to enough people, could significantly reduce the number of women who are victims of heart disease. This is especially true for heart disease because women can lower their risk of heart disease by as much as 82 percent by simply living a healthier lifestyle.

From the NHLB website: “Two-thirds of women and one-third of doctors don’t recognize the symptoms of heart attack in females – symptoms that are often more subtle than the classic ‘elephant sitting on your chest’,” says Dr McNicholas. “The universal sign—clutching your chest—often doesn’t apply to women. Instead, women having heart attacks often experience breathlessness, flu-like symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, weakness or dizziness, pain in the upper back, shoulders, neck or jaw, and anxiety.”

successful quintuple bypass surgery and is back to her normal routine of walking three miles a day...our family is very grateful for your work! Thank you and God bless you!)

Dr. McNicholas’ advice to women: “Don’t take chances. Get familiar with the symptoms of heart disease in women and recognize them as standard, but different,” she says. “And understand that your own perception of heart disease may be your biggest risk factor.”

Have a Memory You’d Like to Share?

(A personal note of gratitude to Kelly, Ally -- and to Dr. McNicholas, from the editor: Soon after attending the Senior Seminar Fair and reading about this project, I went skiing out west with my family. My mother-in-law developed some of the symptoms described above, but we thought at first that it was from the high altitude. I was grateful to have this information so fresh in my mind, because I was able to relate it to her; it helped convince her to get checked out at the hospital. Because she had just passed her cardiac tests “with flying colors,” a heart attack was the furthest thing from her mind. She is now recovering from

This is only a handful of the myriad service projects occuring daily at the Mount, where no opportunity to serve is ignored; indeed, every activity and lesson is infused with the loving legacy of service instilled by the Sisters of Saint Joseph: the spirit of mission to be a loving presence, “offering works of mercy and love to most benefit the dear neighbor.”

The Sisters of Saint Joseph had no idea how far-reaching this mission would take future generations as they set out to prepare their students for “contact with the world.” How prophetic the vision that inspired this mission!

Memories

Continue the Discussion on our New 150th Anniversary Blog site!

In this, our 150th Anniversary year, we invite you to share your memories on our blog page. Please visit our 150th Anniversary site to discuss this article with other Mounties, swap stories and reminisce about service that was performed by anyone in the Mount Community. Go to www. msjacad.org/150 and follow the links to the blog site.

Golden Memories from a Golden Girl: Lasting Impressions...

by Madge Mansell Keehn ’50 Although the Sanctuary Society began around 1918, it was still going strong when Madge Mansell Keehn ’50 attended MSJA. She recalls a number of Mount Alums who were part of this very lovely, hard-working group of women whose beautiful needlework and countless hours of generous service left a lasting impression.

Shortly after the turn of the 20th Century, Mrs. Mary McNally, class of 1894, the mother of Rosemary ’17, Frances ’21 and Roberta ’24, founded the Sanctuary Society. This organization was comprised of Mounties who dedicated themselves to sewing vestments and altar linens and supplying sacred vessels for the parishes and priests who requested them. Every Tuesday, these women could be found in the sewing room located on the second floor of the old Mount, just behind the music corridor. A few were mothers of my classmates. I remember coming down the back stairs of the Mount and seeing them all diligently sewing, hemming, and embroidering the beautiful linens and vestments in the sewing room. Some Mount graduates even donated their beautiful wedding gowns to the cause. These beautifully and lovingly crafted items would be sent to priests locally as well as those in the foreign missions.

On Alumnae Day, the Sanctuary Society leadership explained the importance of their work and gratefully acknowledged the students’ monetary donations that had benefited priests and parishes both near and far.

Individual requests memorializing or honoring a loved one were often made to the Society. Rosemary McNally would always work with the donor to assure her that the sacred vessel had gone to a mutually agreed upon recipient.

Do you remember anyone in the Sanctuary Society? Visit the Mount’s Anniversary Blog Site for discussion on this and other areas of Mount life.

To access the blog site, go to our website at www.msjacad.org/150.

Madge Mansell Keehn ’50 is a retired reporter for the Chestnut Hill Local. Watch for her upcoming articles on Mount life!

A Postcard from ... Mexico

by Jessica Ranweiler ‘03 Jessica is serving with the Mi Casa Foundation in Mexico for one year. She volunteers at a children’s home in Queretaro, Mexico. The Mi Casa Foundation provides support to homes in Mexico that care for children who have been abandoned, abused, neglected or orphaned. To learn more about the Mi Casa Foundation you may visit their website at www.micasafoundation.org.

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can’t believe that I’ve been living in Mexico for just about six months now. It no longer seems foreign to me; I can wander around the city all day and not get lost, but when it comes to my job, I get lost a lot.

“Let’s call a spade a spade; I’m a surrogate mother, not a babysitter.”

Perhaps it’s because I’ve never really done anything like this before. The closest I’ve come is my trip to Central America last summer, when I spent three weeks on a service trip in a farming community in Panama, but it was such a different experience because I went with fifteen other American college students. In Panama, it wasn’t only a language barrier, it was a life barrier. However, the language barrier was willingly acknowledged, and I embraced the 21-day life exchange program.

I am 180 days into this program and it hasn’t always been what I expected. It hit me tonight as I was doing my usual 7 o’clock routine: when did my 23-year-old self suddenly turn into a fake mom of five? I heard myself saying, “I’m so happy that Marco is falling asleep quickly these days. If only Javi would too -- then I could just focus on Gabriel and Jesse. That would make tonight go easier.”

That would make tonight go easier?!

Wasn’t it just May when I graduated from college with a dual degree in English Literature and Theology? My biggest problem then was needing a dress for graduation and planning a strategy for graduation parties and family dinners during the big weekend.

Then again, what new college graduate (with only one year of Spanish classes) decides to move to a children’s home in Mexico to help the nuns take care of orphaned children? To be honest, my career plans did not include images of me feeding a five-day-old while rocking a five-month-old to sleep with my foot, all the while praying that 13-month-old Javier, who has been screaming all night, just goes to sleep without waking up 12-month-old Marco.

And, to be quite frank, that’s not even a weird night. That’s just standard.

That, and the fact that half of the children here call me “Mama,”

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which only freaks me out a fraction of what I thought it actually would.

What’s even odder is that I enjoy it. I don’t find it strange or unusual that I like feeding three crying babies at once. The fact that my roommate thinks they named the family-less newborn after me doesn’t even bother me. I roll my eyes and complain about the kids, but at the end of the day I don’t mind that they kind of think I’m their mom.

I have this very deep secret pride that comes out when the high school volunteers from the city come for the afternoon and Marco won’t leave my arms because he’s too nervous around the new people. Or when I am completely exhausted and Javier crawls up under my chin and then kisses me on the cheek.

I had visions of grandeur for this year and perhaps I’ve been a little let down by that, but I kind of love my life right now. I didn’t know that coming here would mean giving up my ridiculous and selfish life and turning into a stay-at-home mom. And the thing is, people just don’t understand. It’s like your life seems so incredibly horrible right now, but it’s actually not.

I get up early, and some days we have water, some days we don’t. Some days that water is freezing cold and some days it’s scalding hot. I remember we had a monthlong run of normal temperature water every morning. We got a little too comfortable and now we’re trying to adjust back to no water in the mornings. I shower every time there’s water because you never know when it might just stop running for three or four days and then you wish you had taken that shower when you had the chance.

I work in a day care functioning as a school.

We’re called a school but we “teach” kids between the ages of two and four. There’s not a whole lot of academics going on.

The kids are in the midst of being potty trained and learning how to color with a crayon without eating it.

Little things surprise me though. I think I can’t get any more frustrated with the kids and then Abraham says “Gracias”

The Mount Happenings Abroad

Photos: opposite page: Who’s not sleeping at naptime? Jess with Daniel; at left: the newborn baby named Jesse; bottom: Jess helping with “detail duty” ; top right: a little girl named America with her friend Oskar at school.

Observations from Mexico without any prompting for a piece of candy. Or that music class when Daniel actually sang all the words to the songs after four months of the kids not seeming to pay attention at all. Or the fact that America (the little girl in the photo at right) knows all her colors in English but not in Spanish.

The days are exhausting. I work from 9 in the morning until at least 9 at night, sometimes a little later. Sometimes we have to watch the kids on the weekends, too. It can also be intense, like when Ivan started talking about when his dad died. Or when the kids ask me about my family and then cannot think of anything to say because they’ve never had a mom or a house, except a “madre” (nun) or the dorm.

This year is the hardest and most important experience I have ever faced. The kids are great. The difficulty lies in finding the balance between feeling absolutely sorry for these kids and trying to treat them as if the life they lead is absolutely normal. A lot of them have been spoiled by the former and, as to the latter, some of them still don’t think this life is normal after having been here for years. The year is a challenge but not having running water, people speaking a foreign language and not seeing my friends and family aren’t the biggest parts of that. Some days I’m so tired and angry and lonely that I can’t wait for my last day of work. Then I think of all the kids that I’ll be leaving behind. Each of them is the reason that I am here and that I get up every morning and take (or not take) my shower, live my unusual life and love every minute that I’m with Daniel, Abraham, America, Jorge, Marco, Javier, Gabriel, Ivan, Aldo, Veronica…

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I no longer need an alarm clock to wake up. I hear screaming kids and I know its time for work.

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Taking the bus was never such an adventure.

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Did you know that a meal of rice and beans is a perfect protein? I’m not joking, we looked it up. I am fully stocked up on proteins for the rest of my life.

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I’ve never gotten so much use out of a word I had never before learned in Spanish class: Ya. “Stop that!” = “Ya!” “That’s enough!” = “Ya!” “Ok, I’m leaving.” = “Ya, me voy.” I could probably list about 10 more of these phrases.

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Mexicans have no qualms about breaking down in tears or screaming in your face. They’ll yell at you, sob with you, or just hug you for almost any reason at all. That’s just how they treat everyone. Everyone says Italians are emotional; I believe we have a contender for most emotional ethnicity.

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The family is the most important part of Mexican culture. And you can easily become part of the family if you just show up at a family event. I can’t tell you at how many quinciñeras, birthday parties, patron saint’s day parties, baptisms, and weddings that I have been welcomed as if I were a long-lost cousin.

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That’s another thing, patron saints are huge in Mexico. Know your patron saint if you ever plan on visiting, because people will ask you if you’re Catholic, then who your patron saint is, when the feast day is, do you know a story about your saint…

It’s like an elementary school All Saint’s Day quiz, except it is every day.

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Hard Work in the

Big Easy

by Cory Stieg ’10

Cory Stieg ’10 (right) and her mom, Jennifer Lin ’76 (below, left), spent a week as “volun-tourists,” helping to renovate two homes in New Orleans that were devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Here is Cory’s account.

S

ome of New Orleans is stuck in 2005.

Some of it is slowly recovering.

And some of the city looks like Hurricane Katrina never hit.

Over January break, my mother and I spent a week in New Orleans to help rebuild houses damaged by Katrina. We were part volunteers and part tourists—“volun-tourists,” as the group that organizes these efforts calls us.

The French Quarter, home to Bourbon Street, is still vibrant and filled with tourists as it was before the hurricane. In contrast, the Lower Ninth Ward’s progress seems to have idled.

Before we arrived in New Orleans, I was well aware of the damages and the efforts being made to rebuild the city. Or so I thought.

Two and a half years after Katrina, parts of New Orleans are still being reconstructed.

Our first day, we checked in at our Holiday Inn in the French Quarter. The French Quarter seems to have had no wounds from Katrina.

As we aimlessly explored the French Quarter, we were taken in by the rich New Orleans feeling. Tourists still flock to the famous Café Du Monde for beignets. Beads are still distributed in generous portions. And jazz still permeates the city. We got our first taste of Cajun foods before meeting up with the organization for which we would be working.

We got in touch with the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance through a friend of my mother’s and planned to work with them for a few days as part of their organization, Project Homecoming. Before we started, Mark Sell, a friend of a friend, drove us through

12

the Ninth Ward and St. Bernard’s Parish, the areas most affected by Katrina.

As we drove through the French Quarter and into the Ninth Ward, the city transformed.

W a t e r l i n e markings replace Mardi Gras décor. FEMA trailers replace parade floats.

Volunteers replace visitors.

City statistics say that after Katrina the population dropped 135,000 people. But every month 4,000 people return.

The neighborhoods closest to the levy that burst were the most dismal. But in each endless row of demolished houses, there was at least one house being rebuilt. Outside of most houses there were white trailers donated by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), to house the homeowners during renovations.

The few families that decide to rebuild are faced with challenges larger than the obvious restoration difficulties.

They won’t have neighbors. They won’t have jobs. But their ardor to come home dissolves every obstacle. In speaking with a family who was displaced by the hurricane, it was clear why they wanted to return. Despite their difficulty, New Orleans is their home.

Our first day of work was spent at the Fredrick Douglass High School in the Ninth Ward. The high school reopened in September, but still desperately needs help.

We donned our royal blue “PDA” shirts and joined the team.

We spent the day painting murals that would later be hung around the halls of the school.

My mother, Jennifer Lin ’76, wasted no time getting to know the other members. Most of the other volunteers were retired 60some-year-olds from Minnesota. As the youngest member of the group, mingling was difficult, so I did my best to fit in.

Regardless of age, each of us was there to help.

The first home we worked at was called “Louis Prima” after the street where it stood, named for a jazz singer and bandleader.

The Wendy’s must have been damaged during Katrina and then demolished, though the misleading sign still stands. We returned to Louis Prima Frostie-less.

This small story helped me realize the reality of the amount of work that still needs to be done. Going into the trip, I wasn’t expecting there to be much work. I figured that over the past two years, things were back to normal.

The Wendy’s wasn’t the only thing left unoccupied. Empty schools, hospitals, golf courses and churches still haunt New Orleans.

Looking back, the amount of work that still needs to be done is incredible. At the same time, the amount of people doing the work is also incredible.

Mark, the manager we were in contact with, said, “We [PDA] are averaging 2,500 people per year coming to our local Presbyterian churches and PDA camps. That number was much higher the two previous years. But word of mouth is keeping this relief effort alive, and we are seeing folks returning again and again to give their time and talents.”

Knowing that years after the disaster people are still returning gives me hope that, in time, the city will fully recover.

Out of all the houses we visited, Louis Prima had made the most progress and was nearing completion. The homeowner was an African American man and his father, Feltus, Sr. and Feltus, Jr. We got the chance to talk to them during our lunch break one day. My mother, a reporter, felt the need to satisfy her inquisitiveness and asked Feltus, Sr., what his house looked like after the flooding.

“You don’t want to know,” was his response as he walked away.

Whether he was insulted or didn’t want to talk about it: no matter how much damage is repaired, some wounds never heal.

After our four days of painting siding, nailing floorboards and meeting people, it was time to return to our home in Doylestown.

We said our goodbyes to Feltus, Jr., and Sr., Mark, and the rest of the volunteers at PDA. As we were leaving the site, an older woman we were working with handed me a piece of the wood we were using for the floorboards, “As a memento,” she said. I still have the piece of wood.

This is just a small scrap taken from one house, just as I was one volunteer -- though there are still so many scraps at so many other sites waiting to be taken.

His son, Feltus, Jr., was willing to describe the house. “There was so much water, and it was impossible to get in. The refrigerator was blocking the front door; it had drifted all the way on top of the island,” he said.

He and his family returned to New Orleans in November. When we visited, his home was two weeks away from being finished and his father had already started to move in.

The area surrounding Louis Prima was slowly being rebuilt, though there were a few strewn vacant lots.

At Louis Prima, my mother and I had the task of painting the siding and gutter of the house. A few ladies stained doors on the front lawn, while the men repaired the fence in the back yard.

On our way to our site the second day, we passed a Wendy’s sign and decided to go back there to have lunch. We asked people on the work crew if they wanted anything from Wendy’s.

We had a large order. Seven Frosties and four coffees.

When lunchtime finally came, we set off to fill our orders. We got to the Wendy’s sign and looked for a parking space. Or the parking lot. Or the Wendy’s?

Photos: finishing one home, “Louis Prima” (above), and beginning another. Claudette’s home (opposite page, top left). Claudette is pictured on this page, in the top photo.

13

Congratulations Fall 2008 All-Stars Cross Country

(From Left to Right) Elizabeth Welsh ’08, Tori Perri ‘10

Field Hockey

(Back Row from Left to Right) Katie Reinprecht ’08, Jen Sabia ‘09 (Front Row from Left to Right) Colleen McGowan ’08, Carolyn Cabrey ’08, Julia Reinprecht ’09, Laura Iacovetti ‘08

Tennis

14

(From Left to Right) Sarah Hirst ’09, Katie Mischler ’09, Rachel Mignogna ‘10

Soccer

(From Left to Right) Genevieve Dusing ’08, Kellie McWilliams ‘08

Golf

(Back Row from Left to Right) Carson Price ’09, Lauren Haney ’08, Emily Gimpel ’10, Samm Arena ‘11 (Front Row from Left to Right) Nicole Weinrich ’09, Catherine Murphy ‘09

Volleyball

(From Left to Right): Marissa Every ’09, Megan Patterson ’08, Sarah McGorry ’08, and Chrissy Fesnak ’08

Basketball Team Crowned State Champs

Happenings Athletics

Stop the Presses!!

As we went to press, we learned that the basketball team won the AAA PIAA State Championship game at Penn State Saturday evening, March 15th.

This is the first time in MSJA history that the basketball team has won this title.

Congratulations!

Swim Team Heads to States!

Congratulations to the swim team at States! Jackie Hain ’08 and Danielle Kouch ’10 swam their personal best, finishing 11th and 13th respectively in the breaststroke; the relay team finished 12th..

Girls 200 Yard Medley Relay 1) Jackie Hain ’08 2) Danielle Kouch ’10 3) Caroline Menapace ’08 4) Laura Pospisil’10

Girls 100 Yard Breaststroke Danielle Kouch ’10 Jackie Hain ’08

Alternates: Meg Held ’08 Caitlin Foley ’11 Katherine Wzorek ’09

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P

G C D

urple and

H

arvest

old

and

lub

onors,

Mark Your Calendars!!

You will soon receive an invitation to the annual Harvest Club Dinner being held at the Mount on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. This wonderful gathering is our way of saying “thank you” for your generosity to the Mount. We look forward to seeing you there.

Quizzo

Returns to the

Mount

Table 10 had what it took to win Quizzo! Congratulations to the parents of Robotics Team members who beat out 35 other teams to take top honors at the Mount’s Second Annual Quizzo event, which raised funds for the 20/20 Program and the Robotics Team. Each received $2600 in funds.

This popular event featured 100 questions, including such mind-stretchers as: What is the name of Chestnut Hill College’s steps at the Rotunda? (The Bishop’s Steps) and Who has been the longest employed at Mount Saint Joseph? (MSJA Alumna, Mrs. Eugenia Comerford ’37, has been an employee of the Mount 46 years.)

Approximately 360 people participated, and 50 girls volunteered their time to help things run smoothly!

Thank you to all who participated!

16

Photo at top: Crew Parents make it look so easy! Bottom: Raffle winner Barbara Bateman ’83 with S. Kathleen Brabson, SSJ, Sarah Cosgrove ’08 and Claire Geruson ’08.

Annual Fund

$350,000 $300,000

$200,000

84%

Happenings Development

2007-2008

Annual Fund Goal

We are presently at 84% of our goal of $350,000

$100,000

Our heartfelt thanks to our loyal Alumnae, current and past parents who have already contributed to this year’s Annual Fund. As of press time, we are at 84% of our goal of $350,000.

Did you Know?

19% of Mount students will be receiving financial aid in 2008-2009.

Thank you for your support, and be sure to spread the good news!

All gifts, regardless of size, are greatly appreciated and have a direct and immediate impact on our students. If you haven’t already done so, please send in your Annual Fund gift today. Alumnae, donate online by visiting the “Alumnae” section of the Mount’s website at www.msjacad.org. Your support helps the Mount provide an excellent education foundation to our young women. Thank you for your participation and generosity!!

Kelly Ann O’Connor ’96 Memorial Scholarship Brunch Approximately 154 adults and 25 children gathered at Plymouth Country Club on Palm Sunday, March 16, 2008, for the annual Kelly Ann O’Connor Memorial Scholarship Brunch. The event raised approximately $6,000 for the Scholarship Fund, which was established in 1997 in memory of Kelly Ann O’Connor by her parents, relatives and

Insert. K. O’Connor HS no border (add drop shadow 51%)

friends. Kelly exemplified the Mount Spirit by her energy, her gentle and carefree nature and her ability to live every day to the fullest. The income from this fund is to be used to provide tuition assistance to a deserving student who combines a fun-loving spirit with a concern for others.

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A Letter from the Alumnae Association President Dear Alumnae, “From those to whom much is given, much is expected.” Luke 12:48 Mount Alumnae share many blessings -- our health, our families, our vocations and avocations.

We’ve heard many times before that each of us possesses unique talents, the purpose of which is to benefit others. These gifts were ever present in the dedication and commitment of the Alumnae in their support of Alumnae Association events this fall and winter.

On November 8th, the Mount sponsored an event at Iridesse Pearls, King of Prussia Mall, where Alumnae enjoyed a history of the cultured pearl and had a unique, behind-the-scenes opportunity to sample the latest in pearl fashion. An exciting Young Alumnae Event followed on November 15th, with a group of recent graduates meeting in Center City at a new restaurant - Smith’s on 19th Street. A spring Young Alumnae Event is in the planning stages, so check your e-mails.

The holidays were a perfect time to reunite with Mount family and friends. Lunch with Santa, always a treat for the young and old alike, was held on December 1, 2007. It was a festive day that brought many to the Mount, including Alumnae, their parents, and children (scores of prospective Mounties). The College Age Social, held on December 18th, welcomed recent graduates back to the Mount to visit faculty during the Christmas season.

Quizzo was the surprise event of the winter with a large number of Alumnae turning out for an action-packed, team-based trivia competition on February 8th at the Mount. Currently, plans are underway for Alumnae Day, which is right around the corner on April 12, 2008. We will be hosting those graduation years ending in 3s and 8s.

This is a banner year for the Mount as we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the school’s founding, and the planning for the 150th Celebration is already underway. The official kick-off is October 15, 2008, Founders’ Day, at the Mount. The highlight of the celebration will be a Gala Event at the John Wanamaker Crystal Tea Room in Center City Philadelphia on March 7, 2009, and all Alumnae are invited to attend. It is never too early to mark your calendars.

The year 2008 holds great expectations for the Mount community. The Alumnae Association encourages you to share your many gifts and to support the Mount by joining us at an upcoming event this spring. We look forward to welcoming you back.

Kind regards,

Charlene Keller Fullmer, Esquire ‘89 President, MSJA Alumnae Association PS: You’ll be receiving a survey in the mail shortly (see below for more info); please take the time to fill it out as it will help the Alumnae Association determine new programming in the coming years. Your participation in this worthwhile initiative is greatly appreciated.

Alumnae -- Watch Your Mail!

In order to better understand the needs and better serve the members of our Alumnae Association, we will be conducting a survey of all of our alumnae beginning the week of April 14, 2008. This is your chance to provide feedback to us about your past experiences as a student, your experiences as a Mount alumna and what you might like to see from the Alumnae Association in the future.

If your e-mail address is registered through the MSJA Alumnae Website, you will receive your survey via e-mail. If you have not registered your e-mail, you will receive a paper survey via “snail mail” along with a postage paid envelope for your convenience. If you have not received a survey by April 23rd, please notify the Development Office at 215-233-1859 to receive a copy.

In order for this survey to provide us with direction for future planning, we need to hear from you!! We thank you in advance for taking the time to share your thoughts and ideas with us.

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Happenings Alumnae

Tradition Abounds at Annual Lunch with Santa December 1, 2007

O

n Saturday, December 1, Mount Saint Joseph Academy hosted its annual “Lunch with Santa” for the families and friends of its alumnae, faculty and staff. Approximately 300 people attended, including 150 children who got to visit with Santa Claus.

The children enjoyed making (and eating!) gingerbread houses and decorating Christmas ornaments for their family Christmas trees. In addition, the children were delighted by the appearance of our Magician who, with the help of talented audience members, performed astonishing feats of magic.

The children shared in a special day with their families that helped to bring out the Christmas spirit in all.

In the photo above, the Carter triplets, Dylan, Drew, and Danny, pose with their mother, both grandmothers, and two

great-grandmothers at the Mount’s Annual Lunch with Santa.

Posing with Santa are, back row, left to right: The triplets’ grandmother, Pat Komelasky, and mother Kim Komelasky Carter ‘95 holding Dylan Carter. Front Row, left to right: great-grandmother Doris Devinney holding Drew Carter; grandmother Georgia Carter holding Danny Carter; and great-grandmother Margaret Komelasky.

Mount Visits Florida

February 18-21

MSJA President Sister Kathleen Brabson, SSJ, and Mary Merz Berko ’48 enjoyed their trip to sunny Florida in February, where they took pleasure in visiting with many Alums, both Snowbirds and Florida residents in Tampa, Naples, North Palm Beach and Miami. Many thanks to two Mount Alums who graciously hosted gatherings in their homes: Mary Jarett Whisler ‘77 in North Palm Beach, and Gloria Garcia-Velez Arazoza ‘54 in Miami.

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. . . g n i c u d o r In t the Mount’s

Online Career Center

Step 3: Click on the “Account” tab in the top menu. Go through each item in the tabs at the top of the page, filling in as little or as much information as you wish.

H

If you are a college student, be sure to click the box indicating that you are a current college student. If you are interested in an internship, be sure to check that box to indicate your desire for an internship.

ave you wished for an easy, quick way to connect with other Mounties in your career field?

We’ve seen it time and again—Mount grads love hiring other Mount grads because they know what has gone into receiving that diploma! It’s a proven fact that Mount grads are high caliber employees; the same traits that bred success at MSJA will translate into successful workplace practice as well.

Step 4: If you are seeking employment, you will want to pay special attention to the “Resume/Job Search” tab. Be sure to fill in as much information as possible. Note there is a place to upload your cover letter and your resume.

In addition, many Mounties are actively seeking college students as interns or summer employees at their companies and enjoy mentoring them as they “learn the ropes” in their chosen fields.

See the article by Christen Scanlon ’04 (see next page).

Step 5: If you are willing to become a mentor, you will choose the “Mentoring” tab and fill out the information on that page.

Once you give your permission for the page to be available, Mount alumnae will be able to see your mentoring profile and will be able to contact you for more information. Be sure to check the boxes that allow your page to be made available to other users, otherwise you will not appear in the community’s Mentoring Center listings.

Whether you are a job-hunter or an employer, the many features found in our Career Center will be helpful to you.

To Search for Mounties by Category:

No Longer Just a Dream, but a Reality Now there is an easy way to research career or mentoring opportunities and network with other Mount grads. The Mount’s Online Career Center has been created to help Alumnae connect with one another to network and create connections that will assist them in achieving greater success in their careers.

All that is needed now is to get the word out to all alums to: 1) Log on to the website and update their personal profiles and 2) Spread the word to fellow Mounties so that news of this helpful networking tool reaches all alums.

How to use the Online Directory: Please note: For your safety and privacy, the online directory is only available through a login feature, so your information will only be visible to other Mount Saint Joseph Academy Alumnae.

It will not be available to the general public. You must be logged in to use the Career Center. In order to login, you will need your constituent I.D. number, which can be found on the mailing label of this Mount Magazine.

Step 1: Visit the Alumnae website at www.msjaalum.org.

Step 2: Login and register—if you have not already registered, you must have your constituent I.D. number in order to login.

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Click on the ‘Online Directory” and begin your search for the following: • • • •

Search for Employers Search for Employees or Interns Search for a Mentor Search for a Classmate (use the name field or year field) Unless you are searching for a specific person, do not enter a name in the search field. Just click on pertinent information such as Industry, State, or those offering Mentoring.

Even if you’re not seeking to change your career, you can still use the directory to reconnect with friends and fellow classmates. Just enter the first and/or last name of the Alumna you are seeking, and as much information as you may know. Or perhaps you are new to an area and want to find out if there are any Mounties living nearby – in this case, you would just fill in your town and state, and leave the other fields blank.

Don’t forget the Message Boards!

Use the Message Boards to reconnect with a lot of Alums at once. You may also wish to post job openings at your company! Click on the “Message Boards” tab to access the message boards. You will need to be logged in to access the boards. See you online!

Well-Prepared for My Summer Internship

Alumnae

Mount Alumnae Career Network

By Christen Scanlon ’04

T

his past summer I was fortunate enough to work as a public relations intern for Alta Communications, Inc., in Philadelphia. Through the Mount Alumnae Career Network I began communicating with alumna, Adrienne Kowalski Ragan ’87.

Adrienne, along with founder, Kate Allison, whose daughter also attended the Mount, provided me the opportunity to learn the dynamics of the communications industry.

Many of the skills I acquired as an MSJ student enabled me to attain and to succeed in my job as a summer intern. One such skill was the Mount’s extensive development of creative writing, which I was able to incorporate into many of my daily tasks in the workplace.

In addition, many of the Mount’s classes assign projects which require developing and delivering presentations in front of the classroom. Therefore, I was well prepared to give presentations and interact with clients at the company.

The entire staff of the Mount encourages the students to work hard in order to live up to one’s potential and act confidently as a woman. I credit the Mount with planting the seed to ensure my development into a successful businesswoman.

At Alta Communications, I was mentored by extraordinary female role models who reinforced the Mount’s philosophy that women can excel in positions of power.

Gift of Timeless Elegance I

f you have visited the Mount lately, you may have seen (or heard) a new addition to the Alumnae Room. Majestically sitting in the corner is a beautiful, mahogany grandfather clock which was recently donated by Mary Diamond Eichelberger ’41 and her daughter Mariann Eichelberger O’Connor ’69. While preparing her mother’s home to be sold, Mariann contacted Sister Kathleen Brabson and offered the clock as a donation to the school. The clock was manufactured in 1920 by the famous Waltham Watch & Clock Company. It can be programmed to chime on the hour or play musical selections.

It is a wonderful addition to the Alumnae Room, which hosts so many functions for the Academy. We are grateful to Mary and Mariann for their kind gift. We would also like to acknowledge past parent Tim Hughes and his staff at MSS Movers Specialty Service for their expertise in moving and assembling the clock. Their knowledge and finesse made for a smooth transition from the moving truck to the Alumnae Room!!

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Alumnae

News

1954 •

Gloria Garcia-Velez Arazoza announces her family is doing well, and come visit her in Miami.

•

Kathryn Hibbs Voit has been diagnosed with ALS almost ten years and wants to thank all who have supported her over the years.

1955

1938 •

•

Beatrice Simpler Braun, MD, volunteers as a SHIP counselor to help seniors understand Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap and long term care insurance. She also volunteers as a psychiatrist in her Nature Coast Community Health Center.

1942

•

Bettie Phillips Tracy would like to share that her husband, Ollie, passed away just before Christmas 2006. They would have been married for 63 years last February. She now has a new great grandson as of April 2007, totaling three great grandchildren.

1946

•

Marie Healy Hawthorn and her husband, Sam, are still a coastal couple, visiting family in Arizona and California every year.

1958 •

Ellen McCormick Cronin has retired from public school teaching. She recently developed a graduate level course for Chester County Intermediate Unit and Immaculata University, titled: Integrating Reading/Writing Skills in Teaching PA and Local History, K-12.

•

Joyce Braun Helm is now retired and enjoying grandchildren, traveling and golf. Still waiting for a hole-in-one!

1959

•

1947 •

Marianna Wood Nulty had a wonderful summer in her shore home in Sea Isle, New Jersey. She loves entertaining - and saw many Mounties during the summer and that is always fun.

1948

•

Blanche Palacio Kammer and husband, John, spent a month in North Carolina, taking care of her sister, Mercedes (Merci) Palacio Pannone ‘51, during her treatment for ovarian cancer.

Blanche asks your prayers for Merci, who is now the fourth sibling with cancer. Merci’s four year old grandson, Toby, is battling neuroblastoma, a high-risk cancer of childhood.

1950

•

S. Wanda Davidson, SSJ, is living in Bayonne, New Jersey and is teaching English as a second language to adult immigrants of whom there are many because of the closeness to New York. Her Egyptian students insist they will teach her Arabic.

Sister Wanda also helps in the Religious Education office at St. Andrew’s Parish and teaches fourth grade.

Frances Castaldi Kelly became a great grandmother this past year. They are now five generations. Franney went to Australia and paddled in the international Dragon Boat Regatta! She’s on her way to becoming the bionic woman! In addition to other fake parts, she now has a new hip!!

•

Phyllis Sullivan Stacy took a great cruise to Eastern Europe in May, from Budapest to Prague. Phyllis would like everyone to know that New Orleans is ready for visitors! Come on down!

22

Marion Williams Berry and husband, Vince, celebrated their 45th anniversary in June. Their oldest son, Vince and wife Beth are living in California and have a beautiful five year old daughter, Samantha. David and Alex, in Virginia, have two daughters, Sabrina (3) and Elliott (1). Niki and Duncan, the nearly newlyweds have a dog. Having wonderful trips visiting each family and everyone came to Florida for Thanksgiving.

Marion and Vince are both retired and have moved from Connecticut to Florida after 27 years in that state. She has, however, gone back into the Latin classroom in Connecticut for the maternity leaves of two of her former colleagues…once this past winter for ten weeks! The kids are always fun!

1961

•

Joann Nicolella Berkley announces that her oldest son, Jonathan, was married on October 12, 2007. Happy that she and her husband, Rich, finally have a daughter!

•

Trish McNamara Fittipaldi and husband, Ed, has been living in New Mexico for over 24 years. They have three daughters and two grandchildren. Ed is retired from Medical Sales and Trish has been working for General Mills in the High Altitude Testing Center, for the past 15 years, where she does R& D for the company to assure that all the products perform up to company standards when prepared at a higher elevation.

•

Marybeth Honeyman Leary is enjoying retirement. After leaving her elementary librarian position, she is even busier than ever! Babysitting several days a week for three grandsons, Jack and Owen (twins), age 2-1/2 and Brendan, (4 months).

She also volunteers at a soup kitchen, is facilitating a book club at a nursing home, participates in a book club at her old school, is on the Reading Olympics executive committee and stays active in local and state library associations.

1953 •

Rita Troutman Beirne and husband, Joe, are off to Florida in February and maybe Mexico in the fall. They were presented with a new grandson, Sean William Snyder, by their youngest daughter, Kristin and son in law, Ed. Sean joins big brother Joey. Rita’s older granddaughter and Mary Kate and Jim are fine. God has been good to her family!

Joanne Junker McConnell is the proud grandparent to three • granddaughters. She is still living in Massachusetts, but winters in Naples, Florida.

1963

•

Mary Johnson FitzPatrick and husband, Bill, welcomed their • second grandson, Patrick William Maloney, on October 17, 2007. He joins his big brother, Aidan, age 2/1/2. They are the sons of daughter Megan FitzPatrick Maloney ’94 and husband, Jim. Mary is hoping to see everybody at the 45th Reunion this April 12, 2008.

•

Julie Meis Wilson and her husband, Bill, are enjoying their combined families, three sons, two daughters and 11 grandchildren (four boys and seven girls). Julie still works part time and likes to keep busy. Bill on the other hand is retired and loves every bit of it! They both enjoy a frequent golf game, reading and traveling. She is looking forward to seeing her classmates in April to celebrate their 45th reunion!

1964

•

Jessie Ross is still living in Flourtown. Her oldest son and wife have two children, Timmy (2) and Abby (2 months). Jessie’s son, Sean, is a senior at Kutztown University.

Alice Bryan Goetz toured Ireland in September with husband, Lou, her sister Joan, and her husband, Ed. Then spent time in England, France, Italy, Spain and Portugal before taking a transatlantic cruise home. She also welcomed her sixth grandchild, the only boy, in October.

•

Margaret Otwell Levin has returned to teaching piano full time after eight years in the corporate world, as Director of Educational Keyboard Publication, at the Hal Leonard Corporation, in Milwaukee. In addition to her home studio, she now teaches at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Tech School of the Arts and at Mount Mary College. Her son, Joshua, is a freshman at Pius XI High School.

•

Barbara Kraft Woodbury would like to know, where has the time gone? She is still working for Sanofi-Aventis Research.

Her daughter, Sarah Jayne graduated from the Mount in 2006 and is presently a sophomore at Gettysburg College where she is on the softball team and very active with St. Jude’s Hospital Research for Children. Barbara will see you April 12, 2008!

1967 •

Rebecca Lynn Phillips says hello all! She has had a busy life … since graduation. And likes it that way!! Currently, she is preparing to form a sole proprietorship of her business, “The Fractal 3D Art Studio,” in the New Year. She continues to cope with the rigors of probate in New Jersey, as her life-partner of 17 years died in 2006. And then a respite back to her mother’s home in the Richmond/ Charlottsville, Virginia area, for the making of a Family Reunion, in the Spring of ’08, when she will be inducted into the Montecello Family Association. Rebecca would appreciate iit if you are so minded, drop by her site and email her an honest critique: www.ArtWanted.com/Fractal3DArt and fractal3dart@gmail.com.

1968

1965 •

Nancy Crean Kaufmann is living full-time in North Wildwood, New Jersey. Several classmates are also living at the shore and they are enjoying getting together to re-connect and enjoy memories of the good days.

Alumnae Happenings News

•

Mary Lou McGoldrick Hill reports that her family had a wonderful time in Boston as her daughter Catie Hill Gavenonis ’99 graduated from Boston University’s School of Law on May 20,

1971 •

Judith Burger Dysart announces that her daughter, Dana, is a sophomore at the Mount, class of 2010 and son, Evan will graduate from La Salle College High School in June 2008.

1972

2007, and passed the MA bar November 1st. She will be sworn in at Faneuil Hall in Boston the end of November. Partying all weekend, they hardly noticed the weather wasn’t cooperating.

Mary Lou and Tina Ostrowski Wheaten ’67 have visited both Sister Dennis Eileen and Sister Helen Anthony at the Villa. They would love to see old classmates. Mary Lou had lunch with Patty Redmond ’67 the day before Thanksgiving and couldn’t wait to see her. On another note, the 1967 Class had a dinner on Friday, November 30th at the Blue Bell Inn, run by Tina Ostrowski Wheaton. We had a great turnout of around 28.

•

M. Eileen Rigney Dougherty announces she has received her CFP and AEP designation this year.

•

Angela E. Lin, MD, was promoted to Associate Clinical Professor in Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, pursuing her career as a medical geneticist physician at Massachusetts General Hospital. Her clinical research involves genetic syndromes and congenital heart defects, and she is active with genetic support groups.

•

A. Christine Litman McEwan is enjoying life with husband, Sean and daughter, Gracie. She is working from home for Aetna, as an advertising compliance consultant.

1984

1985 •

Judith Wiesenhutter Morsch married Mike Morsch on October 20, 2007. Daughter, Kaitie was one of her bridesmaids, and her son, Kevin was an usher. They are all living in North Wales.

Judy is the Controller for Lennon Financial Group in Hatboro.

23

•

Mary Monahan Thomas was inducted into the Villanova Hall of Fame on November 16th.

•

Nancy Kaiser gave birth to her second child, first daughter, Ada Josette Kaiser-Potter on April 20, 2006.

•

Maureen Hill Nigro and husband, David announce the birth of their second child, Robert Edward. Robert joins his big brother, Benjamin Joseph.

the first in their family to become an Australian, American, and Dutch citizen. When not busy with Dennis, Danielle works on short contracts which focus on the recovery of threatened species and ecosystems in South Australia. Additionally, Rob, Danielle and Dennis spend lots of time managing their 12 acre farm, which is home to an olive and almond orchard, as well as a flock of free ranging chickens.

1988

1989 •

Dawnlynne Cute-Allen, D.C., graduated from Chestnut Hill College in 1993 and the New York Chiropractic College 1996.

She presently has her professional office Optimum Health Care Chiropractic, in Andorra. Dawnlynne has been married five years with two children, Ryan (4) and Madison (2).

•

Anne Rogers Hill announces the birth of a son, Bradley Donald Hill, born June 18, 2007 and will join big brother, Danny (2).

•

Chrisanne Viti Hoover and husband, Peter, welcomed their son, Chase Ashton, on October 23, 2007. Chase joins big brother, Cole (2-1/2).

•

Jean Marie Keenan-Johnston was married on May 11th at PineCrest Country Club to Christopher Johnston. Her matron of honor was her sister, Mary Katherine Keenan-Calcagni ’98. Two of her bridesmaids are also Mount alums, her friend Jeannine Miller Kelly, ’89, and her sister-in-law, Renee Curcio Keenan ‘96. The happy couple will be expecting their first child, a daughter, the end of January.

•

Maura Fenningham Ratigan is expecting her fourth child in January 2008, to join big brothers, Sean Patrick (9), Conor Michael (6) and big sister, Kelly Therese (3).

•

Kelly Gillespie Skinner was married to Shawn Skinner on September 30, 2007 in Indianapolis, IN. Her two children (Erinn and Conrad) and his three children were attendants. Kelly was recently appointed as the Director of Membership and Marketing for Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society for Education.

Kelly had worked the past three years as the Executive Director for the Indiana Association of Mortgage Brokers and was awarded the National President’s Award for her exemplary service for the state.

1991

•

Danielle Cantono Wartenhorst and husband, Rob, happily announce the birth of their first child, Dennis Erik Wartenhorst on March 5, 2007. Dennis was born in South Australia and is

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1992 •

Keli M. Connor announces that there was a mini reunion November 3rd as a group of classmates got together at the

Dark Horse in Philadelphia; a great time was had by all.

•

Erica Kobylinski Heverin, PharmD, is currently Associate Director, Medical Communications at Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs based in Fort Washington, PA. Her husband, Stephen, works in Information Services at Wyeth in Great Valley, PA. Travel has been a large part of their lives, including their engagement in an Irish castle (2002), honeymoon in Australia (2003), and vacations in India, Alaska, and England.

When at home, they enjoy spending time with their two “kids”: Shannon (an Alaskan Husky) and Lucy (a yellow Lab). They reside in Oreland, PA. 1993

•

Victoria Makarewicz Clark and husband, Robert, welcomed the birth of their first child. Benjamin Harry Clark was born on August 15, 2007.

•

Megann Walsh Czekalski is currently self-employed through her company Interactive Kids. When she is not working with children with disabilities, she’s at home in Haddon Township, NJ with her 14 month old son, Harry and husband, Andrew, awaiting the birth of their next child in May 2008.

•

Kara Lacy Kent welcomed her fourth child, a five pound boy, Timothy, on October 17, 2007

•

Aileen Robinson married James Dailey at OMC, November 16, 2007 in attendance were her sister, Monica Robinson Cirino ’92, Brenna Robinson Sterndale ’97 and Jeanne Murphy Curtis ’93.

1994

•

Kristin O’Brien Brown and her husband, Craig welcomed their first child, a boy, Connor James on August 8, 2007, 6 lbs., 13 oz., and 20 inches long. Kristin is the Engineering Director of the Motion Analysis Lab at St. Christopher’s Hospital for

Children and a Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Engineering at Drexel University.

• •

Megan Pomrink Charlton and husband, Paul, celebrate the birth of their first child, Lucy Katherine, born September 27, 2007.

•

•

Gina Healy completed her master’s in Educational Leadership in 2006 and relocated to Virginia after nine years teaching marine biology in Florida. Currently working in Prince William County as the head of the Oceanography Department and working towards her National Board Certification in Adolescent Science.

•

Gwynne E. Vandiver and fiancé, Edward C. Booth, have set the date, May 10, 2008 at Resurrection of Our Lord Church • and a reception to follow at the Downtown Club.

1995

•

•

Gina Cairone Connelly married Brian Connelly Jr. on May

Megan Miller announces her engagement this past summer to Il Sun Yoo, whom she met four years ago while living in Washington, DC. They have purchased a condo in Queens.

Annemarie Krothe Petroff and husband, Jeff, recently celebrated their one year wedding anniversary. They reside in Wilmington, North Carolina with their two year old Vizsla, Hailey.

While in the Wilmington airport she ran into Sr. Connie who was visiting family in North Carolina. Annemarie invites all to come for a visit she would love to see you!

1997 Kathleen Griffin announces her engagement to David Gotwald IV, on Christmas Eve. Both she and her fiancé are University of Miami graduates and work in television in NYC. Katie produces wedding shows for The Style Network while Dave is a freelance editor. Although their paths never crossed while at college, they were introduced at a wedding of all places. No date has been set, however their wedding will be featured on The Style Network in 2009.

•

Joanie King announces her marriage to Michael Cavallaro on December 22, 2007. Joanie is working as a tax supervisor with Comcast Corporation. She has obtained her CPA license and is pursuing a master’s in Taxation through Villanova School of Law. Now residing in the Art Museum area and a member of the Philadelphia Girl’s Rowing Club.

•

Brenna Robinson Sterndale married Greg Sterndale in Kauai, Hawaii, October 2006, in attendance were: Monica Robinson Cirino ’92, Aileen Robinson Dailey ’93 and Marianne Ganster ’97.

19, 2007 at St. Albert the Great Church in Huntingdon Valley followed by a reception at Cescaphe Ballroom in Northern • Liberties. They had a great time on their honeymoon in Hawaii and currently reside in Fort Washington. Gina is a veterinarian • and Brian a manufacturer’s rep. Mounties in attendance at the wedding included (left to right): Gina, Danna Cooke Serino ’95 (Bridesmaid), Samantha Cruz ’95, Catherine Cairone ’99 (Maid of Honor), Erin Connelly ’07 (cousin of the groom), and Merri McGee Kollmar ’91 (cousin of the groom) Kimberly Komelasky Carter and husband, Ryan, announce • the birth of triplet boys Danny, Drew and Dylan born in May. They have moved back to PA after living outside San Francisco for almost seven years. Kim is excited to back in the area and close to all her Mount friends!

• Denise Krystopa married Jeffrey Richards on 9/29/07. Her sister Julie Krystopa ’99 was her maid of honor. Farrah Foster Aversano ’95 was her bridesmaid, and in attendance was fellow classmate Amy Garraty ’95.

They were married at Immaculate Heart of Mary and the reception was at the Blue Bell Country Club.

Denise is currently working as a Safety Technician at Lonza, Inc., in Conshohocken.

1996

1998 Patricia Gauss Kelly announces that she was married in April to Thomas Kelly.

Katherine McDowell has moved to LA in pursuit of a career in the film business. Look for her name in the credits. She is writing and directing independent films at present.

1999 Kristen Hope Chun announces she was married on September 21, 2007, in Liberty Island, New Jersey. In attendance were many friends and cousins.

Pictured left to right: Caitlin H a r k i n s ’01, Megan H e n r i c h Montagna ’88, Laura Vahle ’07, Julie Creedon ’97 (bridesmaid), Kristen, Katie O’Keefe ’97, M a u r e e n O’Keefe ’99, Colleen Hope Bogle ’97 (matron of honor and sister of the bride), Kimberly Henrich Pagliaro ’87, Alicia Krempf ’97 and Nicole Vahle ’10 (bridesmaid).

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•

Catie Hill Gavenonis, graduated from Boston University School of Law on May 20, 2007. She is working as an Associate at a law firm in Concord, MA. Catie and husband, Jason, will be staying in the Boston area for a least a few more years as he has accepted a post-doc in chemistry at MIT.

New Arrivals

2000 •

Meaghan Londergan announces her graduation from Villanova Law School in May 2007. She is currently an associate in the Litigation Department of Dilworth Paxson, LLP in Philadelphia.

•

Carmella Bruno and her parents Jude and Cynthia Bruno would like to announce her engagement to Benjamin Elmer.

Ben graduated from Springfield High School in 2002.

A wedding is planned for October 24, 2008 at the Curtis Arboretum. Ben and Carmella currently live in Sharon Hill, PA.

2001

2003 •

Kathryn Brady is currently attending Drexel University’s College of Law and is slated to graduate in 2010. She also became engaged in June to Matthew Quigg (LaSalle ’02), and they will wed on April 10, 2010.

•

Meghan Malone is currently working as a nurse at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

•

Celeste Tinari has graduated from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in May 2007, and has begun a two year service commitment with the Jesuit Volunteers International in Tacna, Peru.

•

2006 Sarah Anne Raimondi is attending Boston Conservatory for a BFA. In her junior year, she has made the lead of Juliet, in Romeo and Juliet for their Main Stage Production, which will be showing from November 29th to December 2nd, 2007.

•

Mary Cullinan Coakley ’85, a son, Joseph David

•

Maureen Rogers Cella ‘87, a daughter, Claire Frances

•

Nancy Kaiser ’88, a daughter, Ada Josette

•

Maureen Hill Nigro ‘88, a son, Robert Edward

•

Anne Rogers Hill ’89, a son, Bradley Donald

•

Chrisanne Viti Hoover ‘89, a son, Chase Ashton

•

Heather McGlinn Hansma ’91, a daughter, Violet

•

Danielle Cantono Wartenhorst ’91, a son, Dennis Erik

•

Victoria Makarewicz Clark ’93, a son, Benjamin Harry

•

Kara Lacy Kent ’93, a son, Timothy

•

Kristin O’Brien Brown ’94, a son, Connor James

•

Megan Pomrink Charlton ’94, a daughter, Lucy Katherine

•

Kimberly Komelasky Carter ’95, triplets, Danny, Drew and Dylan

We’re Just A Click Away!

Parents Corner •

William J. Gibbons announces news of his daughters: Lisa ‘98 is a highly skilled Vet Tech at an emergency Vet Hospital. Colleen ’00 has relocated to San Diego and MaryKate’03 is attending college and is a Manager of a Footwear company.

•

Daniel J. Pisano, MD is proud to announce that his daughter, Etta D. Pisano, MD ’74, has been named Vice-Dean of the University of North Carolina Medical Center.

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Visit the MSJA Alumnae Association at: www.msjaalum.org

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

Josephine Vecchione ’40 Patricia Ann “Pat” Whitaker Kennedy ’45 Alice McVeigh Campbell ’47 Geraldine Cavanaugh Cherney ’64

Our sympathy and prayers are extended to the following alumnae: • Bettie Phillips Tracy ’42, on the death of her husband, Ollie L. Tracy • Dorothy Whitaker ’44, on the death of her sister, Patricia Ann “Pat” Whitaker Kennedy ‘45 • Janet Zifferblatt Brody ’47, on the death of her husband, David Robert Brody • Letitia McGill Ryan ’55 and Kathleen McGill Gibson ’62, on the death of their mother, Letitia Margaret McCaffery McGill • Dr. MaryLou Snyder Goldberg ’58, on the death of her husband, Harry G. Goldberg • Diana Stango Smoluk ’60, on the death of her father-in-law, John J. Smoluk • Nanette Sciolla Carney ’64, and Suzanne Mary Carney ’92, Erica Sciolla ’94 and Kathleen Mary Carney ’95, on the death of their father and grandfather respectively, Anthony J. Sciolla.

• Grace Brown Rowe ’64, on the death of her mother, Regina “Jeanne” McLaughlin Brown

Celebrauction

In Memoriam

• Jane Dunne Mack ’71, Anne Dunne Kelly ’72, Catherine Dunne Yachnik ’85, Virginia Braun Dunne ‘79, Colleen Kelly ’00 and Molly Kelly ’04, on the death of their mother, mother-in-law and grandmother respectively, Jane Wilson Dunne • Pamela Mundy Hicke ’72, on the death of her mother-in-law, Jeanne Haviland Hicke • Nicola Vecchione Chesna ’73, Rosemarie Vecchionne Potter ’74, Dr. Joanne Vecchione ’78, Frances Vecchione Searle ’79 and Christina Vecchione ’09, on the death of their aunt, Josephine Vecchione ’40.

• Martamarie Byron Geilfuss ’78, on the death of her husband, David B. Geilfuss • Mary Kate Haber Black ’80 (Alumnae Board Member), Beth Ann Haber Trimber ’87, Jennifer Haber McMullen ’88 and Megan Black ’11, on the death of their brother and uncle respectively, Thomas G. Haber, Jr. • Eileen Heck Nigro ’82, on the death of her father-in-law, Bernard Angelo Nigro • Joanna Manson Eng ’80, Regina Manson Bosca ’83 and Jennifer Manson ’88, on the death of their father, Rev. Joseph J. Manson • Anne Titterton ’82, Member, Board of Directors, on the death of her father, Edward G. Titterton, Jr. • Patricia Geisel Maransky ’84 and Linda Geisel Williams ’91, on the death of their father, Gerard “Jerry” Geisel • Suzann Carabello ’87, on the death of her grandmother, Phoebe Pantaleo Carabello • Kathleen Kolsun ’89, on the death of her mother, Catherine “Sue” Shine Kolsun • Julianne Gadsby Fisher ’90 and Lauren Godsby ’09, on the death of their father and grandfather respectively, Howard V. Gadsby, Jr.

• Bernadette Cavanaugh Dugan ’67, on the death of her sister, Geraldine Cavanaugh Cherney ‘64

• Donna Boyle, Diane Dyer (MSJA staff), Coleen Dyer ’92, Roseanne Dyer ’97, Caitlin Dyer ’02 and Emily Jacoby ’00, on the death of their mother and grandmother respectively, Rosalie Benvenuto Jacoby.

• Patricia Gibbons McTear ’70, on the death of her father-inlaw, Paul H. McTear, Sr.

• Lisa Prusinski Hamill ’92, on the death of her son, Arthur Reed Hamill

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• Jennifer Dzara Roberts ’93, on the death of her grandfather, Emil F. Dzara Sr • Christa Guidi ’97, on the death of her uncle, William Michael Frost • Deidre Brett ’98, on the death of her grandfather, Thomas F. Brett • Elizabeth Daly ’02, on the death of her grandmother, Alice Kelly Riehl

Sister Raymond Joseph Murphy, SSJ

• Erica Beavers ’05, on the death of her grandfather, Donald J. Beavers • Christine Macolino ’05 and Lauren Macolino ’08, on the death of their grandfather, Lawrence “Larry” Wentz • Charlotte Levins ’06, on the death of her grandmother, Charlotte Morris Levins • Kerry Roman ’06, Corin Roman ’09 and Kent Roman (Board Member), on the death of their grandfather and father respectively, Nicholas Roman • Meghan Cardell ’07 and Bridget Cardell ’09, on the death of their grandfather, John J. Delaney, Sr. • Erin Connelly ’07, on the death of her grandmother, Teresa Pecharo • Alyssa Hirst ’07 and Sarah Hirst ’09, on the death of their grandfather, William F. Hirst, Sr. • Karly Rose Pulcinella ’08, on the death of her grandfather, John “Jack” Butler, Sr. • Kieran Sweeney ’08 on the death of her grandfather, Edward “Bud” Seeburger.

• Laura Blagrave ’09, on the death of her grandfather, Edward W. Cummings • Emily Gimpel ’10, on the death of her grandfather, Walter J. Grant • S. Karen Dietrich, SSJ, on the death of her mother, Estrella Dietrich • S. Kathy Letts, SSJ, on the death of her mother, Catherine Letts • S. Gerry Sadowy, SSJ, on the death of her mother, Anna Kutchner Sadowy

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(From Chestnut Hill College Newsletter) Sister Raymond Joseph Murphy, SSJ, aged 96, died on November 20, 2007, at St. Joseph Villa in Flourtown, PA. Born Elizabeth Rita Murphy, she entered the Sisters of Saint Joseph in 1930.

She taught fifth through eighth grades in Hanover, Pennsylvania on her first mission, 1932-36. Beginning in 1956, Sister Raymond Joseph began a long career teaching chemistry at Chestnut Hill College, where she also taught various classes to Mount Saint Joseph Academy Students.

Gloria (Garcia-Velez) Arazoza ’54 recounts: When I received the news of Sister Raymond Joseph’s passing, I felt mixed feelings of sadness, gratitude and at the same time, joy, since I know she is face-to-face with God and looking over us all.

I spoke to her often and never once did she complain of anything.

On the contrary, she was always happy and telling me how God had blessed her during her life. In the later years, she loved the Villa and couldn’t think of a better place to live. I remember a few years ago when I first visited her there, how proud she was of the building, the chapel, the staff and all her friends.

As I think back to my years at the Mount, I can picture her whizzing through the corridors or in the classroom teaching us geometry theorems or chemistry. In the third floor dorm she was always trying to make us happy, especially on weekends when only a few of us stayed.

I thank God every day that my parents sent me to the Mount where so many dedicated, loving, strict Sisters of Saint Joseph taught me by example how to love God, pray, study and love St. Joseph. They prepared me for the challenges and responsibilities of a Catholic woman, wherever life would take me.

I extend my sympathy to all the Sisters, and may God bless you all.

...So Why do I Still Volunteer at Celebrauction?

Happenings Celebrauction

My Youngest Daughter Graduated in 2001

by Jim Mahoney Among the many Mountie parents who volunteer countless hours to ensure the success of Celebrauction, Jim Mahoney can usually be found. The only difference is that Jim’s daughters are all Mount Alums, long since graduated from the Mount: Amy (1993), Lisa (1999) and Beth (2001). And yet, despite the fact that Jim says he no longer has an “official” connection with the Mount, he still enthusiastically volunteers as Chairperson of the Bank. This year marks his 19th Celebrauction (he has only missed five of them).

Says Lisa Henrich, Auction Director, “Jim runs our bank. When you go to check out at the end of the night, Jim makes sure that everything runs smoothly. He may not get the recognition for his behind-the-scenes role, but I greatly appreciate his help and I don’t know what we would do without him.”

In 1988, a neighbor invited my wife, Mimi, and me to a house party promoting the Mount’s Auction. That evening I met S. Mary Dacey. (What else do I have to say?) After meeting her and learning about the school and the opportunities which it allows, I knew I wanted part of it. Her enthusiasm for the school and for the students made Mimi and me want to become involved immediately. I knew it would be a place where my daughters would prosper as well as a place that would prepare my daughters for life.

Mimi immediately became involved with Celebrauction and the Open House and enticed me to join in as well. We first helped with the decorating and then became more involved with the production of the event. We enjoyed our experiences at the Mount so much that we remained involved and attended the auction even during the years after my first daughter had graduated and before the second started.

I have been asked why I am still involved with the Mount years after my daughters have graduated. I always say that I stay involved because I want to thank the Mount for how they helped prepare my daughters for life. Amy’s interest in science, Lisa’s interest in science and government, and Beth’s interest in teaching all developed at the Mount.

“I

stay involved because I want to thank the Mount for how they helped prepare my daughters for life...”

In 1996, as my second daughter entered the Mount, I was asked if I would develop a computerized system to identify winning bidders and streamline the checkout process the night of the auction. I said yes, and the rest is history. The first and second years were challenges, but once the kinks were worked out the system has run smoothly.

Many of the administration, especially Sr. Mary Dacey and Sr. Kathleen Brabson, continually thank me for coming back. But returning to help with such an event is my way of saying “Thank You” to them for all they had done for my children. I feel that it is important to give back to a place that has given my family and me so much.

Jim is a CPA – Tax Manager working with CBIZ Accounting, Tax and Advisory Services, LLC, in Plymouth Meeting. He is currently the treasurer and incoming President of the Board of Directors of Laurel House, a domestic abuse shelter for women and their children located in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

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Celebr auction XXIV

An Evening at the

Academy Celebrauction XXIV, held on March 1, 2008, was a great success, raising over $300,000 for the Mount! This star-studded evening was filled with excitement, fun and friendly competition amongst the bidders. Featured in the photos on the opposite page with Sister Kathleen Brabson, SSJ, are Auction Chairs Bernadette and Joseph Nolan who, with their outstanding committee, student volunteers and Auction Director Lisa Henrich, certainly made Celebrauction XXIV an evening to remember.

Sponsors Premier Sponsor FIRSTRUST Bank

Platinum

Gold

BPG Properties, Inc. – Art and Gail Pasquarella Independence Blue Cross – Joe and Bernadette Nolan Brandon Products Group – Chad and Lauren Sinon Thomas J. Paul, Inc. – Jim and Denise Paul

First Equity – Tim and Kathi Clarke Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company –

Fran and Faith McGorry Scheel + Sharp/Great Estates – Richard Hubbert The Sinon Family – Jane Sinon

Silver Aramark C-Jay L.L.C. – Carl and Yunnie Jenkins Commerce Bank – Greg and Colleen Morgan The Gavin Family – Jack and Louise Gavin Global Packaging – Tony and Eileen Maginnis Grant Thornton, LLP – Jim and Maureen Welsh Lois Trench-Hines ‘60 & George C. Hines McGowan Investors – Ted Friel Mount Saint Joseph Academy Board The Nolan Family – Joe and Bernadette Nolan The Parec Cyma Group

Bronze Berkowitz Klein LLP – Bob and MaryBeth Klein D. M. Sabia & Co., Inc. – Nick and Meg Sabia Deloitte – Steve and Anne Gardner Fox Rothschild – Ted Burgoyne and Jackie Carolan The Johnston Family – Bob and Eva Johnston KLM Consulting – Kirsten Ledwith Morasco ‘89 McNeil Consumer Healthcare – Bob and Peg Havard Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehab Assoc., P.C. –

Chip and Susan Dearolf Philadelphia Park Casino – Tony and Helen Ricci Schubert Bellwoar – Bob and Sally Gilligan Bellwoar ‘61 Verizon – Don and Ellen Rosa-Bian Cericola ‘82

Join the Fun

Invite your family and friends for a wonderful afternoon!

Sponsored by the Alumnae and Parents Associations

Please see your invitation for RSVP information or call 215-233-3177 x334