The Towers 2024

the towers

PATHWAYS TO PRIESTHOOD

Benedictine Grads Lead Lives of Faith and Service

the towers

12

STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS

Chris Carlisle ’24 and Jake Wise ’25 have gained recognition for their talents — Carlisle through a downtown mural honoring Richmond’s Medal of Honor recipients, and Wise from the mound, leading the baseball team to the 2024 state title. Both demonstrate that Cadets can achieve anything they set their minds to.

16 FACULTY FEATURE

Joe Arnold, English teacher, coach and mentor, retires after 43 years.

16 22

22 THREE PRIESTLY PATHS

Abbot Placid Solari ’70, Reverend Tom Lawrence III ’98 and Reverend Luke Gill ’07 have each answered their priestly calling, but in distinctly different fashions.

30 COMMUNITY SNAPSHOTS

36

ALUMNI HEADLINERS

TURN TO PAGE 22 TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE NEW DANCE PROGRAM LAUNCHED AT SAINT GERTRUDE THIS YEAR (Opposite side)

Harold Harris ’84, David Lydiard ’74, Matt McDonald ’98 & Taylor Antonelli ’99, Mikey McDonald ’16, Hamilton Sage ’04

44 CLASS NOTES

After you read the combined class notes for Saint Gertrude and Benedictine, be sure to flip the magazine and check out the news from our sister school.

56 MEMORIAM

58 CIRCLING BACK

Turn to page 42 to learn how you can support students today and shape the leaders of tomorrow.

As I enter my 20th year at Benedictine and assume the position of Head of School, I am filled with feelings of humility and gratitude. I am so pleased to be a part of a community that has embraced me and my family and made me one of its own, and I am humbled to serve as the leader of a school that is as strong as it has ever been.

head of school

The Benedictine faculty and staff make an enormous impact on the Cadets they teach, guide and inspire. Every day, I see the effect that our teachers, coaches and cadre have on our young men. The truth is, however, that this wonderful school of ours also has an impact on those who lead it, including me. Here are just a few examples:

 When Yvonne and I were married in 2006, Cadets Sy Gaines, August Berling, Joe Lalonde and Frankie Krimowski, all ’08, served as ushers.

 When our daughter Trinity was born in 2011, the first announcement of her birth was made during afternoon formation by Battalion Commander David Geary ’12.

 Father John Mary baptized both my children at Mary Mother of the Church Abbey.

 When my father was laid to rest in 2017, Chris Collins ’18, Jack Hall ’20, Cole Simon ’19, and D’Andre Tobias ’19 attended in uniform along with football team moms, assistant coaches, faculty, staff and monks from the Abbey.

From a personal vantage point, having served as Director of Admission these many years has provided me with the opportunity to know each of our current students, as well as their parents. That deep knowledge will be a tremendous asset as I work with the Cadets daily.

The state of our school is stronger than I have ever seen it. We have consistently maintained a student body of nearly 300 Cadets these past few years. We have worked to the point where we now are even more selective in our acceptances, and that selectivity has resulted in years of well-prepared and motivated incoming classes.

Having recently attended the annual commissioning ceremony, I can attest that our military leadership program is in the best shape it has been in for the past two decades. Cadets are stepping up to meet the challenges of running the corps. Additionally, our revived drill team continues to impress: Last year, that team took top honors in a statewide competition between all the military schools in the Commonwealth.

Over the summer, 47 Cadets (including our band) and 17 Gators flew to France to participate in the Liberation Memorial Ceremony at the Brittany American Cemetery in Montjoie-Saint-Martin. They marched proudly in the 80th D-Day Memorial Parade in Sainte-Mère-Église, the first village in Normandy to be liberated by American troops. It was an extraordinary opportunity for our school community to honor the selflessness and courage shown by so many 80 years ago.

In the sports arena, we have realized remarkable accomplishments as well. In addition to state championships in baseball, football and rugby last year, we had multiple all-state and state player-of-the-year awardees across numerous sports.

I absolutely love the level of parental involvement I continue to see — I believe parents are our “secret weapon.” From taking care of our teachers, to organizing freshman picnics to making Cookie Friday happen, our parents are our behind-thescenes powerhouse. Our PTO is a superb organization.

Our alumni base continues to be highly engaged. A visit to Homecoming or to the Boxing Smoker validates that assertion: both are wall-to-wall with proud Ol’ BC graduates. I encourage our alumni to visit during any of our many social events or to see the Cadet athletes in action.

If I sound excited to have the privilege of leading Benedictine, it is because I am. I love how the sense of community has touched my life on a personal level, and I look forward to giving back to the entire Benedictine community as we strive to become even stronger over this school year.

Greg Lilly BCP HEAD OF SCHOOL

memorable moments

Last June, Cadets and Gators represented the Benedictine Schools of Richmond at the annual ceremony and parade in Normandy, this year commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The 64 students and their chaperones also visited Omaha Beach and spent four days at Mont Saint-Michel (pictured here), founded in 708 AD when the Archangel Michael appeared to the Bishop of Avranches, guiding him to build an oratory there that later became a Benedictine abbey. In the Chapel of the Archangel Michael, students were led in song by SGHS music teacher Joy Weaver.

memorable moments

In February 2024, members of Benedictine Schools of Richmond’s Conservation and Hunt program spent a day in the field upland hunting at the Little George Rod & Gun shooting preserve in Buckingham, Virginia. The program aims to cultivate among BCP and SGHS students an appreciation, love and fervor for the outdoors and God’s creation through hunting, fishing and conservation.

memorable moments

Benedictine hosted the inaugural Virginia Military School Drill Competition on April 20, 2024, uniting cadets from across the state to showcase discipline, precision and teamwork. Celebrating military tradition, teams competed in drill exercises highlighting skills and camaraderie. Cadets from Hargrave Military Academy, Fishburne Military School, Fork Union Military Academy and Randolph-Macon Academy were judged on regulation and exhibition drills by a panel of military judges. The Cadets emerged victorious, earning first place overall.

memorable moments

Launched in fall 2023, “Behind the Sabre” is a student-hosted and produced podcast that introduces teachers, administrators, cadre, alumni and cadets to the community through casual conversations. The first episode (pictured here) featured hosts Jake Erskin ’24 and Gavin Garland ’24 sharing advice for incoming freshmen on transitioning successfully into the BCP community. Other guests in the series included then-Head of School Del Smith ’01, Battalion Commander Clint Ellison ’24, and cadets with unique stories to share.

student spotlight

CHRIS CARLISLE ’24

Currently a freshman majoring in architecture at Hampton University, Chris Carlisle ’24 found his love for art and design as a Cadet. Recognized as a talented artist by his teachers and peers, Chris recently had a chance many only dream of — to show his art publicly, and on a large scale. Chris was invited by renowned artist and Hampton University graduate Hamilton Glass to participate in painting a mural on West Main Street honoring the Richmonders who received the nation’s highest award for valor — the Medal of Honor. This experience, combined with what he learned as a Cadet, showed Chris he can do anything he sets his mind to.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MONUMENTAL HONOR, SPONSOR OF THE MURAL PROJECT

What were you involved in at Benedictine?

I ran indoor track and field, and played rugby, JV basketball and football. I was also in the Key Club.

How did you get involved with the mural project?

I’m part of an organization called Young Achievers, where we do a lot of community service and participate in various activities. We also get to hear from world leaders and learn valuable lessons about being strong, effective leaders ourselves. One day, Hamilton Glass reached out because he was looking for someone to help with a project. The head of the organization mentioned that he knew a talented artist and introduced me. I had the opportunity to work alongside him as his shadow while he created the mural. Hamilton taught me a lot — he’d show me what to do, how to paint, and he even took me up to the top of the building to make sure I felt

safe as we painted so high up. He also demonstrated different techniques and helped me see that creating art isn’t as hard as it might seem. It was an incredible experience!

What was your favorite thing that you were involved in at Benedictine?

Taking AP Art and having my art selected for use in the talent show poster. Ms. Siewers was a great teacher. She made the class very fun and gave us the freedom to make our own art and explore our own themes. I made a lot of friends in that class because everybody would collaborate and take inspiration from each other. One of my biggest accomplishments was receiving the AP Art Award. I also liked Honors Engineering because it helped me pick my major for college, and being on the rugby team was a lot of fun, especially because we won the state championship.

Who were your biggest supporters at Benedictine?

I would definitely say that my friends and the brotherhood we had at Benedictine meant a lot to me, along with my teachers, Ms. Siewers in particular. She was always kind and encouraging. The teachers at Benedictine really cared about the students — they knew everyone by name and took the time to know something personal about each of us. When I started working on the mural and had to miss some classes, I told my teachers about it, and they were incredibly supportive. They didn’t mind at all; instead, they’d wish me good luck, ask how the mural was coming along, and even wanted to see it when it was done. Ms. Splain and Ms. Marchetti at the front desk would ask about it too, always checking in to see how the project was going.

What does the Benedictine brotherhood mean to you?

It means a lot to me, and I’ve definitely carried that sense of brotherhood into college. When you have friends, you treat them like family. I’m still in touch with my friends from Benedictine, and I stay connected with most of the people from my senior class. The bonds we formed were really special, especially during experiences like orientation, where the seniors would challenge us, but we were never alone. We went through it together, and that brought us closer.

How has Benedictine prepared you to be successful in college and beyond?

It’s helped me more than I expected. One of the biggest ways was by building discipline, especially when it comes to electronics. I don’t feel as attached to my phone anymore, and I don’t feel the need to be on it during school. Benedictine also shaped my work ethic. The workload we had really prepared me for college, and now, even with a major that involves constant assignments, I don’t feel overwhelmed. I don’t complain because the work at Benedictine taught me to just man up and get it done. It’s made me feel more prepared and ready to handle anything.

What is your favorite Benedictine memory?

I’d say game days, especially when we played teams like Trinity. It felt like our class really came together as a brotherhood, particularly during our senior year. We became really close and spent a lot of time together. On game days, our student section was always hyped, and it just reinforced that bond. We could all truly say we were brothers during those moments.

What do you like about being an alum of Benedictine?

I like to say that I got through it. When you tell people in college that you went to a military school, they say, “Dang, how did you do that?” Then, when I add that it was all boys, they say they don’t know if they could have done it. Being able to say not just that I got through it but that I did it to the best of my ability means a lot to me. I have taken the lessons I learned about discipline and accountability from the military aspect of the school and applied them to my everyday life.

Carlisle with Ian Berry, founder of Monumental Honor.

student spotlight

JAKE WISE ’25

Committed to playing baseball at Virginia Tech, Jake Wise ’25 was named the VISAA and MaxPreps Player of the Year for his exceptional performance on the pitching mound during the Cadets’ 2024 state championship-winning season. With an impressive 19-1 record over two seasons as a varsity starter, Wise has tallied 130 strikeouts and holds a remarkable 1.064 ERA. Now in his senior year, Wise looks to build on last season’s success and help lead Benedictine in defending its state title.

What accomplishment are you most proud of as a Cadet and why?

Winning a state championship in baseball was unforgettable. My whole focus during the off-season was to work hard and help the team win that title. It really helped strengthen the chemistry I had with my teammates because we were all putting in the work together, and it clearly paid off. When it came time to play, we were just having fun, laughing, and staying loose. There was no nervousness — we were playing with complete freedom. It was a really special experience for me, and it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

What

made you decide to play baseball?

My dad. He has always been invested in me playing and he has really pushed me to grow as a player. I started playing baseball when I was 5 or 6, in t-ball. When I was 12 I got cut from one program and it really made me realize that baseball was what I really wanted to do. I told myself that I was just going to work hard to keep getting better and better and ever since then, I have really pushed myself.

Who have been your biggest supporters at Benedictine?

I have a really strong relationship with Coach Sean Ryan. He’s done so much for me that has really helped me grow. I’d also say my parents, without a doubt. They’re always there for me, whether I succeed or make mistakes. It’s important to have people who are there for you no matter what, and my parents have always been that constant support for me.

What advice would you give to an incoming freshman at Benedictine?

I would tell them to challenge themselves. Benedictine definitely isn’t the easiest place to go to. You have to embrace it and come here with the goal of getting better at something. It could be preparing to go into the military or improving at playing sports. No matter what it is, you should challenge yourself in every aspect at Benedictine. And with orientation, keep in mind you are doing it for your own good. You don’t realize that as a freshman going through it. For me, later on, I realized that I needed somebody to get on me and push me the way our seniors did.

How has Benedictine helped you grow as a leader?

At Benedictine, you learn to hold yourself to a high standard, and that mindset carries over into life. You’re always responsible for yourself and your actions. The military aspect of Benedictine

teaches you to take accountability — when you make a mistake, you have to own it. That’s what good leaders do, and it’s a valuable lesson I’ve taken with me.

What are the benefits of attending a Catholic school?

It definitely grows your faith in God. Ever since coming to Benedictine, I have so much more knowledge of the Catholic faith. Before, I would go to Mass but not necessarily know what was going on. Now, I really understand what is going on during Mass and I feel like my spiritual life has really grown as a result.

What does the Benedictine brotherhood mean to you?

The circle of friends I have are always there for me no matter what, and I’m always there for my friends, too. If one of us messes up, someone is always going to be there for you — that’s not something you find at any other school. That is what the Benedictine brotherhood does for you. I definitely like how the school is small — I know just about everybody and I have a relationship with every single person in our grade. There’s a mutual bond between us that will last long after we graduate. I’ll always be there for anyone from Benedictine if they ever need something later in life.

What are the benefits of playing a sport at BCP?

Benedictine pushes you to constantly improve. Everyone around you is striving to get better, which creates a really competitive environment. You have to keep pushing yourself, and that competitive spirit carries over into life, whether you’re playing a sport in college or getting into the business world. That’s one of the biggest lessons sports teaches you. At Benedictine, there’s no easing up — we almost never cancel practice, even if it’s raining. We’re always doing something to improve, and there’s no room for letting up.

How has Benedictine prepared you to be successful in college and beyond?

Like I said, accountability. You have to know that you are going to mess up at times, and you have to accept your mistakes and move on from them. Also, just the competitive aspect of Benedictine. I am surrounded by people who want to be successful one day, and that pushes me to be better. The environment at Benedictine as a whole prepares you for life. Also, I like not having computers in class very often because it helps keep me more organized and focused. It has helped me develop good organizational skills that will help me later on in life.

What is your favorite Benedictine memory so far?

I have a lot of good memories, but it would definitely be winning state championships in football and baseball in the same year. That was pretty sweet.

faculty feature

“Incline not to arrogance, famous warrior! Now shall the fullness of thy strength last for a while.”

JOE ARNOLD Proper English Coach

Arnold Calls it a Day

— FROM BEOWULF —

Nearly every Cadet who has taken Senior English over these many years should recognize the above quote. At least he has seen it. That is because Joe Arnold included that ancient tome from which it comes in his curriculum, often to the chagrin of those senior aspirants.

The man who has come to know nearly every Cadet graduate over the past four decades is riding off into the sunset, taking with him his earmarked copies of Othello, The Canterbury Tales and Beowulf, among others.

What is his biggest takeaway? “I’m proud of all of my graduates,” said Arnold. “I kind of get a sense of immortality, because some of those guys have taken a bit of me with them.”

ABOVE, RIGHT: Arnold during his days as a football player.

ABOVE: Arnold in one of his first years at Benedictine.

A TALE OF FOUR DECADES

Arnold, who is as much a part of the fabric of Benedictine as are Morning Formation, Individual Drill and senior privates, wrapped up his final lecture to the Cadets this past May, retiring at the round age of 70, following a 43-year run. That skein means that he has been a part of Benedictine for more than one-third of its 113-year history.

That run was capped off as the Class of ’24 spelled out “JPA” as part of The Figure this past May. That tribute comes 38 years after Coach was first honored at that event, by the Class of ’86. Drew Mugford was a member of that group (and was also battalion commander that year). “I loved going to his class,” recalled Mugford, who went on to earn a degree in English at the University of Virginia and currently serves on the Benedictine English faculty. “He made it fun, even though it was hard.”

Mugford and his classmates also learned the meaning — and importance — of instant justice. “One time, we got too loud,

and [Arnold] had us on the blacktop doing PT, and it was blazing hot,” he recalled. “But we deserved it.”

And Coach Arnold deserves all the praise he has received over the years from the estimated 4,000 Cadets he has put through the wringer. “While projecting a sometimes bristly and tough persona, Joe Arnold is, in reality, one of the most thoughtful and caring teachers I have ever had,” said David Dart ’93, who was an Arnold student during his sophomore and senior campaigns (and whose son, Colin, had Coach for AP Composition this year). “His rigorous and challenging nature belies a person who is fair and very much wants his students to succeed.”

The Coach Quiz

Those who experienced the “joy” of Joe Arnold’s Senior English classes will recall hearing the dreaded “Clear ‘em,” from Coach. That signified one thing: It was quiz time.

In honor of the man, and in tribute to those many trying tests, we offer our Joe Arnold quiz — an effort to see how much you recall of your days with Coach. So, clear ‘em.

1 2 5 4 3

In greeting, when asked how he is doing, Coach Arnold’s standard reply is:

a. Groovy

b. Super

c. We’ll see

d. Peachy

Coach’s favorite type of animal is:

a. Dog

b. Honey Badger

c. Parrot

d. Otter

Cadets most feared having to read what book in Coach’s class?

a. Heart of Darkness

b. Othello

c. The Great Gatsby

d. Green Eggs and Ham

Cadets most dreaded this part of Coach’s classwork:

a. Taking quizzes

b. Parsing sentences

c. Doing poetry homework

d. Writing essays

Coach’s coffee mug had/has the following issue:

a. It was unwashed

b. It had a broken handle

c. It was permanently stained

d. All the above

Arnold coaching some Cadet shot put and discus throwers.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Coach also very much wanted his athletes to succeed. He was a fixture on the Cadet gridiron as well as at the throws sites for the Benedictine track and field crews. He took on a number of coaching and coordinator roles in the fall before mentoring the throwers of heavy objects — shot puts and discuses. Arnold coached football from 1981 (his first year at the school) through 2009. He also coached shot put and discus throwers from 1989 until 2020.

Arnold coached Frank Boehling ’90, who still holds the school’s record in the shot put. Along with Boehling, Arnold’s platoon of putters included Paul Lawrence ’91 and Timmy Wyatt ’91, with all three throwing

“I learned that we can’t always win at everything we do and when we lose or fail, we must get up and do it again.”

— FRANK BOEHLING ’90 —

Coach used the following training aid in running his class:

6 7 8 9 10

a. Overhead projector and PowerPoint slides

b. Videos

c. White board

d. Training aids? Who needs ‘em?

How would Coach deal with moronic statements by his students?

a. Detention/demerits

b. Put them in his quote book

c. Include them on report card comments

d. Share them at graduation

The fastest way to torque Coach is:

a. Not giving your best in your classwork or homework

b. Being late to class

c. Making fun of VMI

d. Dissing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

at least 48 feet, an unheard-of feat. “I learned that we can’t always win at everything we do and when we lose or fail, we must get up and go at it again,” said Boehling, noting that the Cadet football team that year was lessthan-stellar. “Coach Arnold invested in each of his players with only an expectation of the player committing to do the work required to improve on and off the field, win or lose.”

Of note, Boehling’s son Frankie ’22 was also a protégé of Arnold’s and member of Benedictine’s state title-winning football team.

Of additional note, when Boehling and his wife Dori were offered the opportunity to choose something at the school that would bear their names (for their assistance in readying that building for occupancy), they instead chose to have the playing field that sits behind the school building named Joe Arnold Field. “We felt there was no better person to honor than Coach Arnold,” Frank stated. “He invested so heavily in his players and students during his unprecedented tenure at Benedictine.”

On his first day at Benedictine, Coach pulled up in a 1979 Chevrolet:

a. Camaro

b. Corvette

c. Chevette

d. Caprice Classic

Coach has taught approximately how many Cadets over the years?

c.

Arnold swept up in a sea of Gallaghers. LEFT TO RIGHT: Dennis ’93, Johnathan ’95, Patrick ’00, (Arnold), David ’92.

is

true Renaissance

are a few examples of his artwork.

The idea of lounging in a hammock while sipping on a lemonade is one that Coach has yet to entertain. Rather, his retirement plans include making deep dives into some of his favorite books (see accompanying article), continuing with his artistic renditions (ditto) and upgrading the fleet of model airplanes that he has built — a hobby he had picked up from his father, while growing up in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

ARNOLD’S ODYSSEY

An opportunity to play football at VMI (Class of 1977) is what brought Arnold to the Old Dominion. Benedictine, it would seem, helped keep him here. He had a partner in deciding where to pitch his tent, as he married a Lebanon lass, Cheryl (nee) Kind, in 1979.

Coach and Cheryl experienced the Benedictine treatment early in their married life as they began raising their two daughters in a house that sat on the grounds of the old “B-West” athletic fields. In his spare time, Arnold worked on the place — drywalling, painting, floor sanding — until the monks were ready to sell it.

He has also experienced a long parade of heads of school/ principals, including Father Adrian Harmening, O.S.B., Jim McGuiness, Dave Bouton, John McGinty, Jesse Grapes, Mike Bussman and Del Smith. The listing of teachers with whom he has taught over the years would fill several notebooks. During his time at Benedictine, Coach has seen plenty of changes:

BENEDICTINE CLASSES

TAUGHT AT SAINT

GERTRUDE following the great fire of ’86

RELOCATION TO THE GOOCHLAND CAMPUS in 2013

The FOOTBALL TEAM MOVING FROM GIANT TO MIDGET TO TITAN , again

Ditto FOR BASEBALL

The BIRTH OF THE PIPE & DRUM BAND in 2011

BRAVE NEW WORLD

The INTRODUCTION OF LACROSSE, WRESTLING AND RUGBY to the sports lineup

The ADDITION OF AP COMPOSITION in 1988 (For five years, Arnold taught both AP Language and AP Composition.)

For many years, Arnold has focused his attention solely on each year’s senior class and, until 2021, taught all senior levels (college prep, honors and AP). A couple of years ago, he reduced his packed schedule to only teaching AP Literature, which is the cherry on some select seniors’ year. “I prefer teaching seniors because they’ve had the childness gone out of them,” he explained. “Of course, the higher levels tend to be more serious.”

Some of those seniors have grown to become his peers, or at least his fellow teachers, including Bill Doran ’93 who teaches theology. While Doran has seen Coach age a bit over the years, Doran says “his approach and his discipline have remained unchanged.” And while Doran assessed himself as “dumb as a brick” and one who “tried to do the bare minimum,” he also knew that Coach would cut him no slack on his way to a solid C in the class.

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BIG TENT that is the Benedictine Schools of Richmond in 2020

CHANGE IN THE DAILY STUDENT UNIFORM from green to gray

Others attribute much to their time with Arnold. “He has a way of teaching you to be a man, in addition to English,” said Michael Kaplan ’01, who took over the rest of senior English classes when Arnold pared his workload down to just AP courses. “I was an English major in college because of Coach Arnold. I loved his class. He inspired me to come back here.”

Arnold

a

man. Here

RIGHT: Arnold and players after a Benedictine victory on the gridiron.

No Man is an Island

BUT, IF STRANDED ON ONE…

We all know Coach Arnold as a great purveyor of literature. The number of tomes he has worked his way through is countless — they could fill a small library.

But what if he were limited in his access to reading material? In our hypothetical setting, Coach has been stranded on a deserted island, and he can only have 10 books. The good news is that he can choose the books he wants. The bad news is that he is prohibited from bringing along books such as, “So, You’re Stranded on a Deserted Island” or “Castaway Skills for Dummies.”

1 The Complete Works of William Shakespeare RIVERSIDE EDITION

OK, Coach, you’re kind of getting around the rules with a selection that includes more than 40 plays (plus a bunch of sonnets). At close to 2,000 pages, it could also double as a life raft.

2 Gulliver’s Travels BY JONATHAN SWIFT

Some empathetic reading about Gulliver, a man who is marooned four times over the course of this well-known story.

3 Collection of British Romantic Poets

Who thinks of the Brits as romantic? Coach Arnold, for one. What’s next, the Irish as gourmands?

4 Slaughterhouse Five BY

KURT VONNEGUT

There are a lot of psychological shenanigans to unwrap in this tightly written tale. The good news is, Coach has plenty of time.

5 True Grit BY CHARLES

PORTIS

As is almost always the case, the book is better than the movies based upon it. And the movies based on this book are pretty darn good.

6 A Farewell to Arms BY ERNEST HEMINGWAY

Considered by many to be “Papa’s” best work, the bleakness of war and the heartbreaking ending will take Coach’s mind off his own plight.

Kurt von Bargen ’04 recalled that Arnold once threatened to call von Bargen’s mother and share that her son was failing Arnold’s course. “After that, I was turning stuff in and doing nothing wrong. He always had a way of being tough on us but adding humor. And he was always honest, something kids might not like at that time.”

Arnold also taught his charges the importance of preparation. “If you hadn’t done the assigned reading, the words ‘Clear ’em!’ would make your heart sink,” recalled Jack Weisbrod ’11. “If you weren’t prepared, you hated his class. If you were prepared, it was the best hour of your day.”

HERE ARE COACH’S TOP 10 , IN NO ORDER AND WITH A BIT OF COMMENTARY FROM THE EDITOR (IN ITALICS) ON EACH. Best of luck, Coach. Enjoy your well-earned break.

7 A dictionary Will likely come in handy for ensuring all those “message in a bottle” notes Coach is to write are error-free.

8 The Canterbury Tales BY CHAUCER

Anyone who has taken his class knows this one would make the list.

9 A Confederacy of Dunces BY JOHN KENNEDY TOOLE

No, it’s not a book about the Cadets he’s taught. It is, however, found on nearly every list of funniest novels.

10 The New Testament BY MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, JOHN, ET.AL. And the last shall be first.

NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

Coach Arnold would never win a “best dressed teacher” award, given his penchant for short-sleeve shirt-and-tie combinations (and those, with the sleeves sometimes rolled). Throughout his time, he was noted for his bristly moustache and unkempt hair. He shuffled along with what Doran called “an iconic walk” that the Cadets liked to imitate.

Underneath that cover, however, the Cadets found a love of literature, tried and true processes for making them succeed in college and beyond, a demanding commitment that each realize his potential and a love for his students that Arnold maintained over four decades.

three priestly paths

BENEDICTINE GRADS SERVE GOD IN DIFFERENT WAYS

A priest is a priest is a priest, right? Certainly, all Roman Catholic priests share a core set of values, faith tenets and practices. All are sacramentally charged with caring for God’s Kingdom on earth. All are dedicated to prayerful reflection. All have made a lifelong commitment to meeting that challenge.

Yet, there are significant differences among those called to the clergy. The route to the priesthood, the duties, the lifestyle, the mobility and the responsibilities can (and do) vary greatly.

Here, we highlight three Benedictine alumni: Abbot Placid Solari ’70, Reverend Tom Lawrence III ’98 and Reverend Luke Gill ’07. They have each answered their priestly calling and entered into consecrated religious life, but in distinctly different fashions.

Abbot Placid followed in the footsteps of his high school teachers, joining a Benedictine monastery. As a monk and a priest, he took a vow of stability to his community, centering his life on prayer and living for God within that community. His is the monastic pathway.

Father Tom became a priest of the Diocese of Richmond upon his ordination. He committed to serving God through pastoral care for the welfare of his parishioners at the direction of the bishop. His is the diocesan pathway.

Father Luke’s recent taking of vows with the Legionaries of Christ sent him far from home to South America and a place in the mountains of Colombia. He will serve God in a variety of locations and nations throughout his career. His is the missionary pathway.

“The important role our schools play not only in forming the whole person but also in fostering religious vocations cannot be overstated,” said Abbot Placid, Chancellor of Belmont Abbey College and sponsor of the Benedictine Schools of Richmond. “Encouraging young people who feel a calling to serve God is part of our mission.” When that effort bears fruit, those future prelates will have several avenues to answer their callings, such as those that the three men we portray in these pages have taken. While the trio’s paths were different, their commonalities are what matter most: service, love of Christ and dedication to the faith.

Did You Know?

According to Andrew Boyd, professor of theology at Notre Dame University, roughly two-thirds of priests fill roles associated with local parishes. The remaining third are spread across approximately 300 orders, institutes and societies. Some of the better-known entities include:

MONASTIC ORDERS

Benedictines, Trappists and Canons

Regular (Crosiers and Norbertines)

MILITANT SOCIETIES

Teutonic Knights, found in the Order of Brothers of the German House of Saint Mary, Jerusalem; Knights of Malta

FRIARS

Augustinians, Dominicans, Franciscans and Carmelites

SOCIETIES OF APOSTOLIC LIFE

Legionaries of Christ, Maryknoll Fathers, Paulists and Jesuits

ABBOT PLACID SOLARI

benedictine for life

ABBOT PLACID SOLARI ’70: FROM CADET TO MONK

Fellow alumni from Benedictine’s Class of ’70 know him as David Solari. Those who only became acquainted with him later in life know him as Placid Solari ’70. Those classmates recall that he led the Corps of Cadets as battalion commander during their senior year. His current mates can tell you that he leads their monastic community as its abbot.

And while others chose to pursue a religious vocation, he is believed to be one of the few Benedictine graduates who went on to emulate his teachers and dedicate himself to monastic life, drawn to the brotherhood it espouses. “Benedictine life is the largest experiment of communal living in Western culture,” Abbot Placid noted. “Community is essential to Benedictine life. Our communities are more prone to quiet introspection.”

After graduating from Bellarmine College, in Louisville, Kentucky, he entered the novitiate in 1974. Today, he serves as the eighth abbot of Belmont Abbey, the monastery in Belmont, North Carolina, that founded Benedictine in 1911. In addition to being the abbot of the monastery, a role he has held for the past quarter century, he is also Chancellor of Belmont Abbey College.

Abbot Placid found a natural fit with the monastery, which he first encountered during visits as a boy to see his brother James ’47, who was a Belmont monk. Abbot Placid also drew inspiration from his Benedictine teachers at St. Benedict’s Parochial School and at Benedictine. “I tried to model my teaching on Father Pat,” he recalled. “He was demanding as all get-out, but I was fascinated by him as a teacher. Most good teachers are demanding.”

His list of inspiring teachers might strike a chord with some of our more senior alumni. In addition to Father Pat, he cited Father Adrian, Father Raymond and Father Henry. While the structure of the school’s faculty now consists almost exclusively of laypersons, in the late 1960s and early 1970s the monks were a dominant presence.

It is one thing to wish to teach; quite another to desire to become a monk. “I liked the idea of community,” he recalled. “I liked the structure. And I wanted to be a college professor.” Well, as it turned out, Belmont Abbey was the perfect place to achieve those goals.

Benedictine monks live by a credo of “Ora et Labora,” or “Pray and Work.” In the case of Belmont Abbey, that work consists of sponsoring the college — certainly a major undertaking. Prayer structures their day and includes Lauds (Morning Prayer); Midday Prayer, around noon; Vespers (Evening Prayer); and Compline, the last prayer of the day; as well as daily Mass.

Despite sharing a common name, the Benedictines do not operate under a hierarchical structure. Rather, each monastery acts as an independent entity that is self-governed. These monasteries range significantly in size, with some having just a handful of members and some whose populations number in the hundreds. For example, Saint Vincent, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, has about 150 monks.

“You profess stability to your community for the rest of your life,” Abbot Placid said. Life under Saint Benedict’s Rule comes with its challenges, including the fact that every member brings a distinct

personality. “Adjusting to peculiarities can be challenging,” Abbot Placid wryly noted. It is different than, say, tolerating that co-worker who is a habitual foot-tapper, only, in this case, you tolerate that idiosyncrasy for life while striving to love the person as a brother.

The path to becoming a Benedictine monk is lengthy, but that duration allows for numerous check-in opportunities to determine fit (from both the individual and monastery vantages). The states of formation are:

• Postulancy (several months)

• Novitiate (one year)

• Simple profession (three years)

• Solemn profession (for life)

By the way, David Solari assumed the new first name of Placid because most Benedictine monks receive a monastic name at either novitiate or first profession to demonstrate a new stage in their dedication to God. That tradition of a new name is based on examples from the Bible: Jacob became Israel, Saul became Paul, Simon became Peter. The name Placid is derived from Saint Placidus, a disciple of Saint Benedict of Nursia, who wrote the rule the Benedictines still follow.

And, of course, placid is synonymous with “peaceful.” What man of faith wouldn’t want to be known that way?

Abbot Placid still retains a strong relationship with Benedictine College Preparatory. He is administrator (or superior) of the Mary Mother of the Church Abbey, and Belmont Abbey is, once again, the canonical sponsor of the Benedictine Schools of Richmond, so that they are officially recognized as Roman Catholic schools.

REV. TOM LAWRENCE

at the bishop’s discretion

FATHER TOM LAWRENCE ’98 SERVES HIS PARISH

Father Tom Lawrence ’98 chose a different path for his service to God, electing to become a priest in the Diocese of Richmond. “You promise obedience and availability to the bishop,” said Father Tom, who said he could not be happier about the commitment he made at his ordination.

That ordination took place in June 2021, just after he turned 41. While that role was (relatively speaking) a long time in coming, there was a logical and spiritual path to it.

We can all receive a calling at any point in our lives. In Father Tom’s case, he received his in his mid-30s. While he had always been heavily involved in the faith, including a lifelong relationship with Saint Bridget Church, he had maintained a robust secular life. After graduating from the University of Richmond, Father Tom (then, just “Tom”) founded and built his own software development company: GroundWork Design.

At GroundWork, he became its chief information architect. In that role, he organized technical concepts and planned interfaces. He was not then aware that he would someday be doing the same type of work, but with souls and minds instead of with chips and routers. Father Tom’s transition to the priesthood did have some connection to his life as a layman.

Father Lawrence’s Cadet classmates recall a man of kindness. “He was just a charitable Cadet. He had the rank of major, but we could approach him, even as freshmen, and he would help you,” said Michael Kaplan ’01, a teacher at the school today. “Tom let me know where I stood with the seniors, and that

helped me know how to navigate those orientation waters more effectively.”

Becoming a diocesan priest was a no-brainer for Father Tom. “While I certainly appreciated the (Benedictine) monks, I had been working in the parish ministry for years,” he noted. “I recognized the need. Teaching and preaching appealed to me.”

Father Tom also shared a story about his parents and his concern about breaking the news about answering God’s calling. Technically savvy and an only child, he had been providing their Richmond-based business’ tech support. After sitting on the news, he finally worked up the nerve to tell them of his plans, fearing their reaction to the high probability that he would soon no longer be able to help their business and also that they would not have grandchildren. In a twist that would have done the author O. Henry proud, his parents had been equally hesitant to share their own news — that they were retiring and moving to the Blacksburg area. According to Father Tom, things worked out for the best. In the end, everyone landed in the western part of the state after the parents proudly attended their son’s ordination.

Today, Father Tom is the pastor of three churches: Saint Anne’s, Saint Bernard’s and Saint Patrick’s. Additionally, he is both the chaplain and the administrator of Saint Anne’s Catholic School (a PK-3 school that is affiliated with Saint Anne’s Church).

There is no “typical” day for a parish priest. Father Tom, however, does note that each of his 12-hour days starts the same way: with morning prayer as he readies himself for the work ahead. He

also likes to set aside a “holy hour with the Lord” and to preside over 8:30 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. Mass each day. After that, it’s off to the races, with meetings (“lots of those,” he laughed), hospital visits, counseling, school administration issues and tending to church details.

In addition, Father Tom was recently selected to serve as one of the diocese’s 15 deans for a three-year term. In that role, Father Tom is charged with ensuring religious functions are celebrated properly, maintaining churches and rectories, and supporting the well-being of priests in his deanery. His deanery includes 16 parishes.

Father Tom’s main parish of Saint Anne’s is in Bristol, on the Virginia side but only a short walk, however, to Bristol, Tennessee. There is no walking though, when it comes to ministering to his other two churches. Saint Bernard’s is 45 minutes due west. Sojourns to Saint Patrick’s are even more challenging: It is located at least an hour, due north of Bristol, in Dungannon.

Most of the sacramental day-to-day duties at Saint Patrick and Saint Bernard are handled by retired priest Father Tim Drake. Father Tom also takes advantage of technology. For example, he has been known to provide marriage preparation counseling via Zoom.

Father Tom shared that no day is typical, and most are laced with variety. “A day might very well include an anointing in another city, an elementary school Mass, a funeral (with graveside) in another city, marriage prep, a prayer service for first responders, a school rally/class/event, teaching adult faith formation, a staff meeting, a school board meeting, and Lord only knows what else (and some days have had all that and more).”

Pastors typically are on a six-year assignment. “That may change, depending on the need. But I hope to be here for 12 years,” Father Tom said of his current placement. “But, if I’m needed elsewhere, I’ll happily go.”

REV. LUKE GILL

on his life’s “mission”

REVEREND LUKE GILL ’07, MISSIONARY

There is quite a bit of distance between Medellín, Antioquia, and Richmond, Virginia. Yet Father Luke Gill ’07 seems quite at home in that mountainous city of Colombia. Relatively newly ordained (April 29, 2023), Father Luke serves as a missionary, a member of the Legionaries of Christ, which is a worldwide order whose mission is to “set the world ablaze with the love of Christ.”

Father Gill has become quite the world traveler in pursuit and fulfillment of his calling: working with vocation promotion in Hamilton, Canada; studying theology in Rome; and now his posting in South America.

Some priests receive their calling before researching what type of priest they wish to become and with which order. For Father Luke, it all came to him at once. During his time at Wheeling University — where he was majoring in biology — he recalls, “I was praying in the chapel and I thought, ‘Lord, whatever I can do to help your kingdom, I will do.’ Then I heard in my heart, ‘You can help most by becoming a Legionary priest.’”

While at Benedictine, Father Luke maintained a strong, though quiet presence. “Luke was definitely reserved, dutiful and very intelligent, just like all the Gills,” recalled Bill Doran ’92, who taught the aspiring priest in junior-year theology. “It was not a surprise to learn he was pursuing a vocation.”

The Legionaries of Christ is a global order in the truest sense. Communities can be found in Europe (including France and Austria), Asia (including South Korea and the Philippines), South America

(including Brazil and Argentina) and North America (including Mexico and Canada). In fact, Legionaries can be found in 21 countries. In the U.S., they are sited in 26 states and the District of Columbia.

While you may have an enduring image of a missionary that might include Spanish galleons, accompaniment of conquistadors and adobe churches filled with Indigenous peoples, that is no longer the case. What endures, however, is still the Godly duty associated with the role. “Could you imagine a missionary priest without a mission?” observed Father Gill. “We all have a demanding mission that challenges us in ever new ways. Each priest in my community has a different goal, but at the end of the day we are all working towards the same thing: expanding Christ’s Kingdom.”

As a member of a group of fellow religious priests, Father Luke has a ready community in Medellín, Colombia’s second largest city of two-and-a-half million. Each member of Father Gill’s missionary community has taken vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Each has a specific role in the area. Father Luke works at a Catholic school (Mano Amiga) that serves pre-K to 11th grade students numbering 800. Father Luke fills the role of chaplain at the school, but “a lot of my work is helping [students] discern the treasure that they don’t know they have.”

Father Luke, as do other religiousmissionary priests, approaches each day as having three pillars, with mission being but one of them. The others are prayer and community. The first pillar is

prayer. “We typically spend over three hours in prayer each day,” notes Father Gill. “Without this prayer time, my life and what I do would lose its meaning very quickly.”

The second pillar is the community of fellow priests in Medellín. “We pray together, eat together, work together and laugh together,” said Father Gill. “This community is also an essential part of being a religious-missionary priest.”

Becoming a priest was a long time coming. Before studying humanities for two years in Cheshire, Connecticut, Father Gill completed his novitiate. In the first period (2015 – 2018) he served as an assistant in the vocation promotion of minors, as well as in the ministry of adolescents and young people of ECYD and Regnum Christi, in Hamilton, Ontario. (ECYD is the Regnum Christi Charism, in which adolescents make a pledge of friendship with Jesus.)

In the second period he served as a training instructor at the Mano Amiga School in Medellín. He squeezed in Rome-based theology studies between these two periods. He was ordained a deacon in 2022 at Richmond’s Saint Bridget’s parish (after which he returned to Mano Amiga), and he subsequently celebrated his first Mass as a priest in Rome a year later, having been ordained on April 29, 2023.

Now that he is firmly ensconced as a missionary, Father Gill is both confident that he took the right steps and comfortable with where they have brought him, saying, “When you open your heart to God and say, ‘yes’ to His plan, life becomes a great adventure.”

And, so far, Father Gill’s priestly life has been, indeed, quite an adventure.

ACADEMICS community snapshots

community snapshots

ATHLETICS

STATE CHAMPIONS

community snapshots

MILITARY LIFE

SPIRITUAL LIFE

STUDENT LIFE

alumni headliners

From creative pursuits to leadership roles, the Benedictine graduates featured on the following pages have made their mark across diverse fields. They’ve built successful careers in technology, entertainment, real estate and hospitality, while staying closely connected to the Benedictine brotherhood. Their stories reflect resilience, a passion for community and a commitment to guiding others, showing how the lessons learned when they were Cadets — discipline, perseverance, faith and the power of relationships — continue to shape their paths forward.

HAROLD E. HARRIS, JR. ’84 leading with composure

Amid chaos, resist the urge to panic — slow down and ask questions. This is one of the 17 leadership lessons Harold E. Harris, Jr. ’84 shares in his book From Basketball to Bow Ties: A Journey in Leadership, SelfDiscovery, and Success through Service, published in 2022. Harris emphasizes maintaining composure, asking insightful questions, and fostering self-discipline and service to others. Harris holds a bachelor’s degree in public administration and political science from James Madison University and a master’s in information systems and IT management from Virginia Commonwealth University. With over three decades of experience in IT leadership, including senior positions at Anthem, Inc., and Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, Harris currently serves as IT Director, End-User Services with SCA Health and is a member of the company’s IT Leadership Team–Council. A former basketball player for Benedictine under the legendary Coach Rut and later at JMU, Harris has also served as an NCAA Division I basketball referee for 36 years. His journey from basketball to IT leadership is marked by a focus on resilience, teamwork and building strong relationships. “We often get caught up in checking off tasks and moving forward, missing the chance to cultivate meaningful relationships — in business and beyond,” Harris remarked, crediting a Benedictine alum with his first job in IT. Beyond his career, Harris, who lives in Stafford, is a devoted husband and father of four, a living kidney donor, motivational speaker and mentor. He advocates for organ donation and has served on the board of directors for Virginia Voice, a nonprofit supporting individuals with vision and hearing impairments. Harris’ journey exemplifies perseverance and service: “This won’t be my last book — I will continue to write and to serve.”

MATT MCDONALD ’98 AND TAYLOR ANTONELLI ’99

the brotherhood runs deep

The Benedictine experience began long before Taylor Antonelli ’99 and Matt McDonald ’98 even became students. Antonelli is a third-generation Cadet, and McDonald ’98 is a second generation Cadet. Antonelli and McDonald’s friendship began on the JV basketball team and grew when both attended Virginia Tech. McDonald earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2002, and Antonelli earned his bachelor’s in hospitality and tourism management in 2003. Their paths came together again in 2016, in Richmond, when they decided to turn their Benedictine brotherhood into a business partnership. Antonelli had joined Superstars Pizza in 2005, becoming general manager, and then partner in 2014. Having long discussed working together, Antonelli and McDonald bought out the founder of Superstars in 2016. In 2020, based on Antonelli’s concept, they started 51 Pizza, and today Antonelli runs the daily operations of both. McDonald had roots in the restaurant world and has been an owner of Joe’s Inn since 2011. In 2014, he also purchased entertainment venue, The Broadberry, and formed the Broadberry Entertainment Group, which books about 500 shows a year at its home venue in the Fan, on Brown’s Island, in Washington D.C., and across Virginia. “We’ve always had a passion for the restaurant business, and you need passion to survive and succeed, as well as resilience,” explained Antonelli. “We like to say, ‘Don’t go into business with your friends, unless they’re Benedictine friends.’ We share the same values, the same foundation. We have the same understanding of what it’s going to take.” McDonald credits the Benedictine brotherhood and discipline for his success: “It made such a difference for me. It instilled a work ethic and turned me into the man I became.” Antonelli concurred. “You realize later on how impactful it was. I think of Matt and me as good, kind, honest men, and I think that’s what Benedictine taught us to be.”

MIKEY MCDONALD ’15

trusting his instinct

What was Mikey McDonald ’15 known for at Benedictine? “Football and being a class clown,” he said. While his football career, including two years playing for the University of Virginia, has ended, the class clown aspect has turned into a burgeoning career. Senior year was a watershed for McDonald, both in class and on the field. He was accepted into Joe Arnold’s Honors English class, and the notoriously tough Arnold “convinced me I was a writer,” explained McDonald. “It just instilled confidence in me. Coach Arnold said I was one of the best writers in the class, and I knew he never lied.” McDonald went on to write and star in the Senior Skit, and was swept up by his first taste of live comedy. Football also gave him an opportunity to build confidence when he stepped in as defensive end after teammate Clelin Ferrell, who is now starting for the Washington Commanders, was injured: “I set a new sack record, and was named 1st team All-State and All-Metro.” In college, McDonald took a songwriting class and began making his friends laugh with funny guitar songs, realizing his true passion lay in comedy. McDonald credits Benedictine’s focus on faith for giving him the confidence to follow his passion and pursue that path. “I had learned to trust my gut,” he recalled. “That instinct, it’s God telling me what to do.” Positive receptions in Nashville convinced him to move to Los Angeles to be a comedian full time. He has been a featured comic in the prestigious Don’t Tell pop-up comedy shows and the L.A. Improv has started to book him “in development,” which McDonald said is “a big step.” He has also opened for Jay Leno three times. “Every month, things get a little bit better out here. I’m hitting slightly below par!”

DAVID LYDIARD ’74

staying connected

Two things that stood out for David Lydiard ’74 when he was a Cadet were Father Pat and the number of demerits he received as a freshman. The demerits landed him in Saturday morning penalty details regularly, but by the time he graduated, Benedictine had armed Lydiard with passion, tenacity and a knack for building strong relationships. Recently, he’s put those qualities into action by organizing a stellar 50th-year reunion for his classmates. Lydiard also drew on the communication skills and resourcefulness he developed as an entrepreneur building successful bottled water company Shamrock Springs, at Figgie International and as a Realtor with NextHome Advantage for more than two decades. A Longwood University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Lydiard said he served on “every reunion committee” at his alma mater. Through this experience, he discovered not only a passion for keeping classmates connected, but also a formula for success: “Host a catered, first-class affair with a live band and sponsors to lower costs,” he explained. For their 50th reunion, he added a few incentives to boost attendance. Tom McNally ’74 and “I recruited the movers and shakers from our class to attract others, and I approached Dottie Holzgrefe of Saint Gertrude ’74, who agreed to do a joint reunion,” said Lydiard. “We found all but eight of our class of 96.”

The event delivered emotional reconnections and interesting stories about what classmates had done since graduation. “One guy is a ‘bug man’ dealing with household pests, while another guy majored in bovine nutrition and manages a ranch larger than the state of Rhode Island,” Lydiard shared. “We also have a former fighter pilot, an airline treasurer and an aircraft broker.”

Perhaps the most surprising story came from John Franko, who attended Notre Dame and played one year of football on his path to becoming a doctor. “One of John’s teammates was Rudy Ruettiger, celebrated in the movie Rudy,” Lydiard noted. “His other famous teammate? Joe Montana.”

HAMILTON SAGE ’04

paying forward his passion for words

Though he started out at Benedictine as one of the shortest guys in his class at 4' 10", Hamilton Sage ’04 is now casting long shadows in more ways than one. He has a vibrant career as an actor, with a lead role in the film, “Second Samuel,” a supporting role in “Through the Glass Darkly” and a role in another feature coming soon, all on Amazon. He is also paying it forward as a teacher, creating a legacy by guiding and inspiring the poets of the next generation. “I was ‘the small guy,’” Sage said, thinking back to his Benedictine days. “My uniforms had to be special ordered!” His favorite class was AP English with Joe Arnold. “He was just a very hard-nosed teacher, very tough, but also one who really cared. He made me a better writer and taught me things I’ll never forget.” After earning a degree in psychology from Virginia Tech, he taught at the Faison School in Richmond and later, taught English in Thailand for a year. A documentary “Brave New Voices” on spoken word poetry led him to one of his continuing passions. After attending his first poetry slam in 2010, he said, “I was hooked.” Sage has been writing and performing poetry ever since. He has competed at the national Poetry Slam championships, and coached the national slam teams for VCU, “where we have been in the top three for three years in a row.” A new venture — a course on spoken word poetry Sage created for Richmond Montessori School and hopes to bring elsewhere — incorporates all of his experience. “What’s really driven me is how transformative poetry has been for me and wanting to share that experience with young writers – to give them that gift, to realize that power, that feeling, that inspiration.”

yourtheirgift,future

SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS TODAY AND SHAPE THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW

More than 65% of our students receive scholarships and financial aid

Last year, we awarded more than $3.4 million in scholarships and financial aid, which met 77% of the total financial need of our students

stewards like you, we have two endowed funds that have begun to address these needs: The Father Adrian Education Fund and The Sister Charlotte Lange Education Fund named in honor of two remarkable figures in our history. Last year, we distributed $3.4 million dollars in financial aid and scholarships, which met 77% of the total financial need of our students.

So, we are dedicating annual giving to grow these education funds to support our students and teachers. With your help, we can provide access to any qualified student, and support faculty and academic excellence. Please join us in considering an outright contribution, a multi-year pledge or a tax-advantaged planned gift. Kindly use the enclosed envelope to note your wishes.

Centennial celebration! Benedictine College ready to graduate its largest senior class since 2015 exceeded our forecasted enrollment numbers with 140 first-year students between the two schools. personal involvement, prayer and support, the indeed! How do we ensure such advancements the future?

Thank you for this and for all you have done for Benedictine Schools of Richmond.

Cordially,

With your help, our community is thriving, and our schools are providing exceptional Catholic education and faith formation to more students than ever before. To build on this success, we need your continued financial support to strengthen endowment funds for scholarships, financial aid and teacher development.”

JESSE GRAPES

Benedictine Schools of Richmond, President 44

The Board of Trustees has identified various top among them are these two: increase student access through scholarships and financial aid and recruit, performing

Because of good stewards like you, we have two have begun to address these needs: The Father Fund and The Sister Charlotte Lange Education in honor of two remarkable figures in our history. distributed $3.4 million dollars in financial aid which met 77% of the total financial need of

JEFF KUHN ’74 CO-CHAIR ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

MARY ELLEN STUMPF ’70

Sister Charlotte Lange Education Fund, Chair W. JEFFREY KUHN ’74

Father Adrian Education Fund, Chair

We invite you to help us grow the Sister Charlotte Lange Education Fund and the Father Adrian Education Fund. Your gift honors two remarkable Benedictine educators and leaders while expanding access for deserving students and providing vital professional development for our teachers.”

So, we are dedicating annual giving to grow these to support our students and teachers. With your provide access to any qualified student, and support academic excellence. Please join us in considering contribution, a multi-year pledge or a tax-advantaged Kindly use the enclosed envelope to note your

Thank you for this and for all you have done Schools of Richmond.

Cordially,

MARY ELLEN STUMPF ’70 CO-CHAIR ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE

Together, we can make a lasting difference.

Sister Charlotte Lange Education Fund, Chair JESSE GRAPES

Schools of Richmond, President

MARY ELLEN STUMPF ’70

class notes

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Scan below to submit a class note for the next edition of Towers

1956

Frank Carpin ’56 shares that the Carpin family went on a Viking River Cruise from Amsterdam to Basel with three days at Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta in Italy. Children Dominic ’79, John ’85, Beth ’80 and Carter ’82 plus significant others were on the cruise, as well.

1959

Jim Fenwick ’59 is living the good life in San Juan Capistrano, California, and playing golf.

Ronald Gardner ’59 and his wife, Gwen, are traveling to Pensacola, Florida, to visit their daughter, Kelly.

Augie Lange ’59 is celebrating his 60th year in the real estate business.

John Lenzi ’59 and Sue Lenzi are moving to an assisted living facility.

Class representative, Jack Meagher ’59, shares that the class held their spring gathering at O’Toole’s Restaurant in Richmond. Jack is also celebrating his 60th year in the printing industry!

Franklin Williamson ’59 is proud to be walking again. Be sure to wave at him when you’re on Lauderdale Drive in Richmond!

Buddy Zincone ’59 moved to Wake Forest, North Carolina, where he formed a bluegrass band with his daughters. Buddy plays dobro, Molly plays guitar, and Alice plays base and writes songs. Recently, Rhonda Vincent, a nationally known bluegrass artist, recorded one of Alice’s songs, “Last Time Loving You.”

1961

Jim Pickens ’61 was elected to the J.R. Tucker High School Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2024. Jim coached football at Tucker for 25 years. After a 40-year career coaching football, he returned to Benedictine to coach the Cadets for four years after retiring from public education.

Mary T. Bickerstaff Wallmeyer ’61 shares that she and her husband, Frank Wallmeyer ’59 attended four graduations this spring and a wedding last October.

1962

Bill Solari ’62 is continuing as the Chairman of the Foundation Board of VCUCMH hospital in South Hill, Virginia. He is working on several programs to improve

Healthcare in Southside Virginia and Northern North Carolina. Bill also serves as a Board member of our Community Theatre Group at the Colonial Theatre in South Hill.

1964

1 Linda Simon Bannister ’64 shares that 26 ladies from the class of 1964 gathered in Saint Gertrude’s Ann Marie Caraker Hancock ’64 library for their 60th reunion.

Recently, Aldo Funai ’64 was elected to the position of State President for the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America. OSDIA currently has five local lodges in Virginia.

The SGHS class of 1964 held their annual Christmas gathering at Cookie Giannini’s house, where they started making plans for their 60th that took place in spring 2024.

Barry Gibrall ’64 and his classmates were excited to celebrate their 60th Reunion in the Saint Gertrude Great Hall after the Homecoming Football Game on October 19, 2024.

1965

2 John Spencer ’65 currently resides in Hayden, Idaho, with wife Martha. He is staying active in the community, with a focus on veterans and first responders. John published his first book on Amazon,

with a focus on parents, grandparents and educators 45 to 60 years old. The book encourages us to appreciate and impart the historical richness of this era to our children and grandchildren.

1966

The class of 1966 gets together on the second Friday of every other month for lunch at Hondo’s in Richmond. If you want to join please contact Gina Mooney Alexander ’66 at omniregina03@ gmail.com.

1967

3 Some Gerties from class of 1967 met for a casual lunch last July. Those in attendance were Cathy Moore Stumpf ’67, Claire Chancey Wilcox ’67, Roxie Brooks Anderson ’67, Lynn Haddon Martin ’67, Margaret Belton Strauss ’67, Kathy Beirne Schemmel ’67, Betty Caraker Zacharias ’67, Mary Lu Sowers Redfern ’67 and her granddaughter, Campbell Spelsberg ’28

1969

Scott Duprey ’69 says, “In the name of Father Adrian, God bless the faculty, administration and other staff for their dedicated work in the name of the Lord ... and God bless the Corps!”

4 Benedictine class of 1970 celebrated their 50th VMI Reunion in Lexington, Virginia, April 25-28. Donnie Ross, Bruce Jones, Sue Cates Jones ’71, Rick Kastelberg, and his wife Page Kastleberg were in attendance.

1970

Last July, Cathie Blot Jordan ’70, Donna DiServio Lange ’70, Mary Jane Massad Hogue ’70, Karen Schaumburg Raham ’70, and Sally Marks Harrison ’70 were part of a group that met at the Stone Grill in Toano for lunch. Robert, Sally’s husband, also attended. It was a beautiful day, and a joy to be together.

Richard Ranger ’70 and wife, Catherine, continue to serve as missionary faculty at Uganda Christian University in Mukono, Uganda. Richard teaches in the School of Business. Catherine serves on the administration for UCU’s Honours College. Both serve as mentors for more than 20 students. Richard also served as the on-scene coordinator for a project led by engineering students from UCU and Dartmouth College to design and install a prototype solar thermal water heating system for UCU’s student dining facility to reduce the use of firewood — the principal cooking fuel in Uganda and across Africa. In June, Richard received an honorary degree (Doctor of Humane Letters) from his alma mater, Dartmouth College, for this work and for a career of volunteer work for Dartmouth.

The last member of the Class of 1943 and WWII veteran Frank A. Solari, Jr. ’43 passed peacefully to God on March 11, 2024. Abbot Placid Solari, OSB ’70, celebrated his cousin’s funeral Mass at St. Paul Catholic Church. The Marine Corps Honor Guard presented the flag to his wife, Joan Hudson Solari. His five children are graduates of BSoR:

Michelle Solari Smith ’73

Joan Solari Giovannetti ’75

Charles F. Solari ’78

Michael T. Solari ’82

Patricia Solari Littlejohn ’85

1972

Members of the Class of 1972 gathered at the home of Susan Bandrofcheck Hickey ’72 to celebrate summer and catch up on all the news. They shared news of grandchildren, summer traveling and family, with a few SGHS memories thrown in for good laughs. In attendance were Mary Jo Loehr Allen ’72, Jane Ciucci McCarthy ’72, Christine Shand ’72, Mary Margaret Yurachek ’72, Susan Bandrofcheck Hickey ’72, Donna Hobcroft Smith ’72, and Maureen Ryan Nay ’72. Also present to share in the good times were Joyce Franko White ’72, Lisa Antonelli Bacon ’72, Karen Vinson Smith ’72, and Mary Passeri Baxter ’72

For the past nine years, George Saunders ’72 has been doing presentations about railroad history at Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) in Midlothian. LLI is based on the philosophy that as we age, it is important to get out of

the house and engage in taking up a new hobby, expanding your horizons by learning something completely new, meeting new friends, etc. George wholeheartedly agrees with this premise and that is why he supports it by creating and presenting my work on a volunteer basis. Last April, George gave a talk on “The Orient Express,” which attracted a sellout crowd. In fact, it was so well received that they convinced him to do an encore presentation in September as part of their fall calendar of events.

1973

On June 25, 2023, Robert Daffron ’73 received the professional designation of “Certified Internal Controls Auditor (CICA).

Mary Anne Williams Lange ’73 retired to Colonial Beach, Virginia, and loves it. She has had several of her classmates from the Class of 1973 visit and they have helped her make even more great memories.

1974

1 Helen Daffron Franz ’74 shares that the class of ’74 had their 50th reunion celebration in May. They gathered with the Benedictine boys on Saturday night in the beautiful Great Hall and Patio at SGHS. About 40 of their Gerties classmates attended over the three days of celebration.

Benedictine was a tough school for Richmond Temple ’74, but he shares that in retrospect and in fairness its gifted faculty provided him with a very firm educational foundation that helped him succeed in life, in corporate communications in New York City, and in Phoenix, Arizona. Richmond hasn’t the slightest doubt that the school continues to provide young men with the opportunity to learn, to question longheld assumptions, to pursue knowledge, to discover themselves and — most importantly — to achieve all that they can be if they so desire. A quest for continuous learning and improvement is the school’s legacy to Temple. Thank you.

Pamela Greene Zimmer ’74 is the publisher of two local area magazines, James River Neighbors and Westhampton Living, the latter of which she started on her own. She recently celebrated two years of bringing uplifting and relevant stories to the publication’s West End readership. Pamela is excited that the Benedictine Schools of Richmond have been regular contributors to Westhampton Living with student reporters submitting wonderful sports content during the school year. Both magazines are growing in sponsorship and are bringing back “good news” stories to the communities they serve. Pamela, along with her 1974 classmates, celebrated their 50th class reunion with the first graduating class of Saint Gertrude in the new school this past spring.

1975

The Benedictine Class of 1975 is making plans to proudly celebrate their 50th Reunion May 28-31, 2025. One hundred twenty-five young men began together in August of 1971. One hundred six graduated in 1975. Classmates of 1975 look forward to connecting with our brethren this autumn and continuing their 12-year tradition of meeting monthly at local Richmond restaurants. Contact Dave Hillgrove ’75 at hillgrovian@mac.com or (804) 647-6369 for information about the reunion.

The Shaughnessy family (Cindy Howard ’75, Karen Abbate ’77, Janet Currie ’81) shared that their mother, Betty Shaughnessy Knave, passed away on September 3, 2023.

1976

2 After a successful trip to NYC in 2022, 1976 classmates: Jane Carrington Tarsovich ’76, Cathy Ragland Cazares ’76, Laura Horansky ’76, Theresa Cunningham Bahen ’76, Carolyn Ashey Alley ’76, Chris Fowler Cleary ’76, Patty Harvey Lewis ’76, Lori Hanky Haas ’76, and Rita Shand Dee ’76 took off to San Antonio in October 2023 to visit Laura Horansky. Laura and her husband scouted out many adventures for the group, including river kayaking, visiting botanical gardens, attending a rodeo and boot scootin’, stopping at rooftop bars, tasting local cuisine, taking a river walk

and boat cruise, attending a Mariachi Mass at Mission San Jose Church and even watching a solar eclipse while dining in the Tower of the Americas!

1977

Lula Lamb ’77 shared that she welcomed her first grandchild, Raine Luke Lamb. *Lula has passed away since this submission.

Khaki Duggan Weber ’77 earned her Doctorate of Business Administration with specialization in Organizational Leadership and Development in January 2023 from Capella University.

Roxanne Wiltshire ’77 has gone through some significant life changes and written a book about it.

1978

Greg Cheely ’78 retired on July 1, 2024, from UPS after 46 years of service.

Eddie Kardos ’78 has authored five published books under the name E.G. Kardos. His latest book The Elixir: Journey On, is book 3 of the fantasy series, The Elias Chronicles. It is a tale of courage, friendship, and self-discovery full of captivating characters, enchanting creatures and potent magic. The story invites readers into a world of adventure and self-discovery, where the true essence of heroism emerges. The Amulet: Journey to Sirok (book 1) was released in 2022 and The Rings: Journey Beneath Sirok (book 2) came out in 2023. The series is a classic hero’s journey written for both

young readers and those young at heart and explores universal themes while delving into our human experience and the timeless values that define us. Eddie’s literary novel Cutting of Harp Strings was published in 2021. It is a poignant coming of age story of friendship, living in the moment, and love. Find more information on his website, www.edwardgkardos.com

John Lumpkins ’78 took his Oath of Office as Goochland County’s Commonwealth Attorney. He was happy to celebrate with his classmates Chuck Solari ’78, Paul Ramey ’78, Charlie Price ’78, and Greg Schroder ’78

1979

Dominic Carpin ’79 operated an organic vegetable farm, Delli Carpini Farm, in Hanover County until June of 2023. He sold the equipment and relinquished the property and traveled for three months in Europe looking at real estate in Italy. He also enjoyed adventures in Ireland, Brittany, Normandy, Côte d’Azure, Toscana, Sardinia, Calabria, Puglia, Veneto, Trentino and Piemonte. Dominic then sailed home on the Queen Mary 2. He is now teaching in Hanover County part-time and serving as personal manservant to a 5-pound 13-year-old puppy mill rescue Chihuahua named Putt-Putt.

1980

Eddie Whitlock ’80 continues to practice law (37 years). He also serves as the Chairman of the Henrico County Economic Development Authority Board, President of KOVAR Corporation (a Virginia Knights

of Columbus Charity), and is active in the Knights of Columbus and St. Mary’s Church. He and Mary-Alice have three children (all graduates of the Benedictine schools), five grandchildren, and Legato the Beagle. Eddie enjoys frequent communications and outings with the Class of 1980.

1981

3 A great group of SGHS 1981 graduates gathered at the home of Cathy Walsh Bos ’81 on Daufuskie Island, South Carolina, in June 2024. Those in attendance were Alison Metzger LaMura ’81, Ellen Tamol ’81, Jackie Lanier Crouch ’81, Beth Lewis ’81, Celie Wright Boswell ’81, Townley Hanky Marchetti ’81, Stephanie O’Connor Heintzleman ’81, and Slater Farinholt Dunbar ’81.

1982

Maria Benedetti ’82 retired from HCA Healthcare after 32 years as VP of Human Resources. She relocated back to RVA in January 2024.

John Graziano ’82 shares that his oldest son, Jack Graziano ’27, started his sophomore year at Benedictine in the fall.

Kathryn McDonald ’82 moved to England with her husband, Gerry, and furbaby, Chumlee. She is enjoying retirement and exploring her new home in Wokingham, Berkshire.

4 Robert Morely, Jr. ’82 thanks God for a healthy granddaughter, Eleanor Eowyn

Proietti! She was born to his daughter Mary and husband Matt Proietti.

Jeff Nichols ’82 shares that he turned 60 this year and learned to scuba dive. His son, Hunter Nichols ’14, married in August 2024 in the Great Hall of Saint Gertrude. Jeff says he has been very blessed in his life and cannot complain.

Maureen Sutherland Sadak ’82 is living well in Bon Air. She is working for the Neurology Clinic at St Mary’s and loves keeping up with all her classmates.

After 28 years in St. Louis, David Stumpf ’82 and his wife Juli have moved back to Richmond. David retired from Wells Fargo in May of 2023 and, since three of his four children moved away, he and Juli decided to return “home.” They bought and renovated a home on Richmond’s Southside just off Cherokee Road. They are looking forward to being closer to family and seeing more of their old BHS/SGHS friends.

Sandy Kee Thompson ’82 raced Ironman Texas in May and qualified for the IM World Championships in Nice France later this year. Some of the climbs were on the Tour de France. She says it is time to step up her training! Bring on the Alps!

1983

Dr. Judi Lynch ’83 was recently named Director of Outreach for Organized Retail Crime with the Office of Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares. ORC involves concerted efforts of criminal groups to illegally obtain retail merchandise, cash, confidential data and/or consumer

information for financial gain. (Unlike individual shoplifting, ORC is a large-scale operation often tied to broader criminal enterprises, including human and drug trafficking.) Judi has been busy helping with the design and implementation of this new protection unit and has been traveling throughout the Commonwealth helping to enhance collaboration between local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and retail merchants. If you would like Judi to speak to any of your groups on how the OAG Organized Retail Crime Unit is making an impact on reducing retail theft throughout the state, please feel free to contact her at jlynch@oag.state.va.us.

1984

Members of the class of 1984 remember the love and life of Stella Dikos, mother of Katrina Dikos Giavos ’84

Mark Puccinelli ’84 shares that his son, Mark ’11, and his wife, Katie Lukish Puccinelli ’11 welcomed their second child on April 11, her name is Parker. His daughter, Melissa, welcomed her first child on April 26, his name is Thomas.

Mary Riley ’84, SGHS theology teacher, was looking forward to her 40th Reunion at the Homecoming game and tailgate on October 19!

1986

Chris Dawson ’86 shares that he is living the good life!

Drew Mugford ’86 began his fifth year working at BSoR in August. After serving as principal for the past three years, he is excited to return to the classroom as a full-time teacher for the 2024-25 school year. He remains close with his classmates and many of them tubed down the James River last August for an incredible 39th year in a row.

1987

Jeffrey Cash ’87, David J. Simons ’88, Bob Moore ’87, and Michael Phillips ’88 took the BCP Drill Team to Simons’ property in Cumberland. They were accompanied by USMC Gunnery Sergeant Randall Finley to guide the Cadets in firing an assortment of rifles, including the 1903 Springfield with which they drill. Gunnery Sergeant Finley ran the firing range and instructed the Cadets in the safe handling of the weapons, and the proper etiquette expected “on the line.”

1988

1 On Jan. 1, 2024, Robert Goodman ’88 was promoted to Senior Associate Athletics Director for Revenue Generation and Branding Advancement at Liberty University.

2 Over the past year, David Simons ’88 enjoyed working with the Cadets on the re-started drill team, sharing a passion he enjoyed since his time at Benedictine. A new exhibition team was also trained and hosted its first ever drill meet for Virginia’s private military academies, winning the State Championship. The team also sent

3

two Cadets to the National Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida. David looks forward to seeing the team continue to grow and ultimately be Cadet-run and -trained. David’s son, Sam ’27, is in his second year at Benedictine.

1989

3 Brian Andrews ’89 new book Formulated to Win! is now available in print and digital form. The book aims to inspire individuals to break free from mediocrity, self-imposed limits, and societal expectations, guiding them to unlock their full potential and achieve success in all aspects of life. It emphasizes the importance of perseverance, humility, setting clear goals, pushing beyond comfort zones, learning from failures, working hard, and never giving up. It also introduces the concept of the “Winning Formula,” which involves optimizing capabilities, utilizing resources effectively, cultivating a strong mindset, setting impactful goals, and tracking progress diligently across different “Performance Zones” to achieve remarkable success.

1993

4 Katherine Johnson Hatfield ’93 took a leap of faith and opened up a small retail shop at The Painted Tree in Glen Allen (space W2). It is called FAVE, named after her children, (F)rances, (A)nne Stewart ’21 & (EV)erett. Katherine carries home accessories, garden flags, candy, art and gifts. Her twin sister, Mary Stewart

Mitchell ’93, is a gift sales rep and she carries some of her lines in the shop. Katherine hopes you will stop by to check it out and think of FAVE when you need a gift or special treat!

Wireside, founded by Joya Subudhi ’93, recently won three major PR awards: a Gold 2024 North America SABRE Award from PRovokeMedia for Technology Hardware Product Launch; a Series B Funding 2024, a PR News Digital Award 2024 for Event Marketing Campaign; and a Communicator Award for PR Campaign of Distinction 2024. The tech PR firm is headquartered in Richmond with offices in Boston and has grown to employ 31 people under Joy’s leadership. www.wireside.com

1995

Katherine Sitterson Allen ’95, Carmen Giovenco Jones ’01, and Claire Anderson Cerri ’08 are teaching kindergarten together this year in New Kent County.

1997

Ann Marie Abbott Massie ’97 excitedly shares that she has joined the Advancement Team at Benedictine Schools of Richmond. Ann Marie has such wonderful memories from SGHS, and is looking forward to contributing to the mission of the schools that she has been proud to be a part of for so many years.

Sara Shaw Passut ’97 shares that her brother, Ryan Shaw, passed away on July 28, 2023.

1998

Cate Pemberton ’98 shares that her daughter, Catie Beth Woody ’24, graduated from Saint Gertrude this year and is attending Virginia Tech!

1999

5 This summer, Stephen Pudner ’99, his wife, and 3 kids made an amazing 2-week pilgrimage through 1,500 years of Catholic history and heritage in Cologne, Germany, and France (Lourdes, Lisieux, Rouen, Mont-Saint-Michel, and Miraculous Medal Chapel, Sacred Heart Basilica, Sainte Chappelle and more in Paris). They also visited Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery in Normandy. Despite being unprepared for the cold rainy weather, it was an amazing trip.

2000

Desarae Wayne ’00 shares that her son, Dylan, turned 18 in May. He got his GED and started his first job at Amazon. Dylan is currently looking into programs at a technical college & Desarae couldn’t be prouder!

2001

Joe Cafarella ’01 exceeded the $50 million mark in real estate sales with River Fox Realty and won an all-star award from Virginia Living magazine. Joe also won

Best Daycare (Ms. Babs Nursery) in the state for the 5th time. He has opened a new Air BnB in the Museum District.

Del Smith ’01, BSoR Vice President of Mission, and Michael Kaplan ’01, BCP English Instructor, started the BSoR Conservation and Hunt Program four years ago. The goal of the program is to encourage an appreciation, love and fervor for the outdoors, mainly through hunting and fishing. Over the past four years Conservation and Hunt Program participants have gone on amazing adventures, creating a multitude of fun and exciting memories, while learning to preserve and protect natural resources. These adventures include: chasing and hunting Snow Geese and Ducks across Virginia, Maryland and Delaware, stalking pheasant and chuckers on Upland Bird hunts, pursuing morning dove over sunflower fields, taking deer in the backwoods of Goochland, angling for anadromous fish species within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, catching the multitude of freshwater fish species in

Virginia, including trout and smallmouth bass, and fly fishing among the shadows of the Rocky Mountains on the Madison and Missouri Rivers in Montana. Del and Michael look forward to sharing their passion for the outdoors with many more Cadets and Gators in the years ahead.

2002

In a year brimming with milestones, Milicent Loehr Lynch ’02 has soared to new heights as Vice President of Loehr Lightning Protection Co., a business founded by her grandfather nearly 80 years ago and now a proudly womanowned establishment. Leveraging her expert marketing background, Milicent has brought a fresh perspective to the lightning protection industry, elevating the multi-generational business to unprecedented levels. Noteworthy this year is Milicent’s attainment of her Associate Broker real estate license. In a realm dominated by corporate giants, Milicent’s dedication to personal attention to detail and customer service distinguishes both Loehr Lightning and her role as an associate broker. Milicent’s commitment to going above and beyond in the real estate world, coupled with her 24/7 availability, sets her apart from her peers. Dubbed “When Thunder Roars, Call the Loehrs,” Milicent and her team protect iconic structures such as Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and

Catie Walker Rockefeller ’05 shares that her husband, Nick, passed away in February 2024 after a 7-year battle with cancer. 4 3

nearly every building in the Richmond skyline, extending their expertise to residential properties. By educating real estate clients and builders on how to safeguard against one of nature’s biggest threats — lightning — Milicent continues to champion safety and excellence in both lightning protection and real estate endeavors.

2004

1 Kurt von Bargen ’04 returned to Benedictine after 13 years coaching college football. He now serves as Associate Director of Admission and Assistant Football Coach!

Paul Puccinelli ’04 and his wife welcomed their second child, John Paul Puccinelli III (J.P.) in January 2024.

2005

Kathryn Wilson Granger ’05 welcomed her second child, Quentin Lee Granger, Jr., on March 6.

2007

2 Mary Meacham Bahen ’07 and Thomas Bahen ’07 welcomed their third son in July, Mac Bahen, brother to Teddy and Hayes.

2008

3 Elizabeth Tait Fernandez ’08 and her husband, Adam, welcomed their son, Michael Jude on June 5, 2024. Big sister, Lena Kate, is very excited!

Alan Lathrop ’08 got engaged to Carmen McDonald and will be married November 23, 2024, in Richmond.

4 Emily Overman Smith ’08 and her husband welcomed their first child into the world on February 7, 2024. His name is Oliver George Smith.

Julia Lund Zweifel ’08 and her husband have welcomed two little boys over the past few years - Thomas Paul in March of 2022 and Harrison Rice in July of 2024.

2009

Katie Baxa ’09 is the Lead Competition Pathways Coach for Hamilton Aquatics

in Dubai. Katie coaches Christina Rach who represented Eritrea in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Mike Goldberg ’09 and his wife Katherine moved back to Richmond after a long tour of Boston.

Russell Griffin ’09, his wife Gabrielle, and their dog Kurtis moved back to Richmond this year after six years in Baltimore. Russell is with ZOLL selling AEDs. Gabrielle is opening up her own physical therapy business, Grit.

Erwin Johnson ’09 married Kaycee Johnson. The couple welcomed a baby girl, Layla Kate, in June 2024.

5 Tucker Poole ’09 married Angie Poole in Lexington, Virginia, in 2022.

6 Kelsey Creech Stumpf ’09 and Aaron Stumpf ’09 welcomed their third daughter, Ruby Alexandra, in October 2023. She is beyond spoiled by her two big sisters, Josie and Adler.

Will Swoope ’09 moved to Houston to continue his role as a scout for the Chicago Cubs.

Aaron Wade ’09 and his wife Maria moved back to the Big Apple after a stint in California. They welcomed baby Zora into their lives this year.

2010

Melissa Lang Kenney ’10 is a veterinarian working in Massachusetts. She ran in the Boston Marathon in April 2024, completing a 35K in 05:30:28! Melissa’s run supported the Boston Bulldogs, a charity providing resources to those affected by addiction and seeking wellness.

Barbara Tait ’10 was named Department Chair of the Visual and Performing Arts at the Benedictine Schools of Richmond for the 2024-2025 school year.

7 Trae Taylor III ’10 recently received his honorable discharge from the Army as a Captain and has moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue a career in Country Music. He recently had the opportunity to bring his band to Richmond for the first time. You can keep up with Trae on Instagram @TraeTaylorMusic.

2011

Jacob Wood ’11 shares that River Allan Wood was born in June! Jacob would love to reconnect with his classmates from 2011, since he has been living in Hawaii working at Pearl Harbor for the past five years.

2012

Christian Bernard ’12 and Ginny Bernard were married last May.

Aaron Bouchard ’12 and his wife, Grace, welcomed baby girl Blair in September 2023.

Jesse Garcia ’12 and Karla Lua welcomed Elisa Greta Garcia to the world last year.

David Geary ’12 and his wife Bailey welcomed their third child, Maggie, last summer.

Will Hopkins ’12 married Megan Wolfgang in August 2023. His sister, Emily Hopkins ’15, was a bridesmaid.

Murphy Kerner ’12, Dallas Wood ’12, Sam “Seaspray” Johnson ’12, and Thomas McFadden ’12 took a surf trip to Puerto Rico in May 2023.

Dr. Travis Kerner ’12 opened his own Miami practice, Streamline Chiropractic and Wellness, in September 2023 and has been busy ever since!

Joseph Lantagne ’12 was married on June 1, 2024, to Dr. Ella Taubenfeld. Several alumni from both schools were in attendance including Joseph’s mother Donna Metzger Lantagne ’82, Aunt Alison LaMura ’81, Uncle Stephen Metzger ’85, sister Emma Lantagne ’14, and cousins Madeline LaMura ’15, Chad Metzger ’14,

Chris Metzger ’17, and Grace Metzger ’18. Also in attendance were Matthew Carter ’12, John Mosier ’12, and groomsmen Thomas Peeler ’12. Ella is a surgeon at the Baylor Medical Center and Joseph is a Risk Advisor for Catholic Relief Services.

Michael Logan ’12 was accepted to the JAG program in the Virginia Army National Guard a little over a year ago. For you Guardsmen out there – you know who to call when you get pulled over by the MPs on post.

Caleb Marchetti ’12 and Haley Marchetti welcomed their baby girl, Millie, last year. Although he came up short this past fall, Caleb is looking to win his 6th championship in the 2012 Benedictine class fantasy football league this upcoming season.

Thomas McFadden ’12 earned his MBA in Real Estate Development in December 2023. He and Seth “Jelly” Gill ’12 also took a surf trip to Nicaragua this past July.

Austin Meyer ’12 and Lauren Meyer welcomed their first baby girl, Scarlett, into the world in October 2023.

Charley Meyer ’12 and Briar Attkisson were married in November 2024.

1 Hunter Morgan ’12 and his wife, Leah, welcome their first born, Beatrice, in December 2023.

Nic Ortiz ’12 and his wife Sam had their third child, Maria, almost two years ago.

Cole Spicer ’12 and his wife, Stacy, welcomed their first born, Sutton, in January 2023.

Victor Shaheen ’12 married his wife Hannah in June 2023.

Nigel Williams ’12 took his talents to Chicago a couple of years ago. He is still practicing finance and enjoying the Windy City.

Ryan Winfree ’12 and Hannah Spinner are engaged to be married next spring.

2013

2 Ali Moore Kiefer ’13 married Brick Kiefer ’12 in May 2024.

3 Michael Mathews ’13 received his PhD in Chemical Engineering from West Virginia University in August 2023. He has since accepted a National Research Council postdoctoral associateship with the National Academy of Sciences to study the surface chemistry and physics of diamond at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C.

Brett McDonough ’13 married Sarah Busch ’15 on August 3, 2024.

2014

4 Amber Lucy Alred ’14 announces the birth of Atlas Jennings Alred on April 18, 2024.

Brayton Spicer Konvicka ’14 and Colton Konvica ’12 had their first-born son, Hayden, in the fall of 2023. BCP class of 2041! Rumor has it that the baseball team already has the #8 jersey saved for him.

5 On March 2, 2024, Erin Regan ’14, was engaged to Jake Rosuck in Palm Beach, Florida.

Harrison Talton ’14, BSoR Director of Alumni and avid yogi, took a 2-week solo trip to Athens, Santorini, and Anafi, Greece, to practice yoga and satisfy her hunger for travel and exploration!

2015

Katie Condyles ’15 was married in October 2024.

Eileen Cunningham ’15 qualified and ran in the Boston Marathon!

After graduating in 2019 with a degree from VCU, Hannah Fournier ’15 felt the calling to do more and decided to apply to nursing school. Last May, she successfully graduated and started work as a nurse on a cardiac unit here in Richmond. Additionally, in February, while finishing school, Hannah and her partner, Jimmy, welcomed a son, David Scott (“Scotty”) Pickett.

Mallory McNelis Martinez ’15 was married on June 29, 2024.

6 Gardner Merithew ’15 became engaged to Elizabeth Ward on March 17, 2024. Their wedding ceremony will be held on December 6, 2025, in Birmingham, Alabama.

7 Colin Smith ’15 graduated from VMI in 2019 and commissioned in the U.S. Army. He married his wife, Anna-Jane, who he met during his first year of dental school at VCU. Colin graduated from VCU dental school in 2023 and moved across the country to Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) in Washington. He graduated from 1-year Army Advanced Education in General Dentistry program at JBLM in 2024. He also completed the Mount Rainier Half Marathon in July 2024. Colin recently competed for the Norwegian Foot March foreign military award in July. He is moving across the country to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida to serve as the 7th Special Forces Group Dental Clinic OIC.

2017

Gray Breeden ’17 and Kristen Tillman are engaged. Gray graduated summa cum laude from Hampden-Sydney College in 2021 and Kristen graduated from Longwood University in 2021. Gray is a Financial Advisor at Honor, Townsend & Kent and Kristen owns a vintage clothing business called Tillylaine. Their wedding is planned for 2025.

8 Parick Corbett ’17 married Emily Schafhauser of Peachtree City, Georgia, on

June 1, 2024, in Savannah, Georgia, with Ryan Corbett ’19 and William Simon ’17 serving as co-best men. Patrick and Emily met at the University of Georgia and now live in Charleston, South Carolina, where Emily works as a pharmacist and Patrick will practice law as a criminal defense attorney upon passing the bar exam. Patrick graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in May 2024.

Since graduating from HampdenSydney College and the University of Virginia, Dylan Taylor ’17 has lived in the Washington, D.C. area and is working at Deloitte Consulting.

2018

1 Justin Brown ’18 (pictured first in line) received several academic fellowships following his graduation from Benedictine. Now 24, he has completed his associate degree, bachelor’s, and several master’s degrees. Justin started a doctoral program last August! Currently, he works for his family’s consulting firm as the Vice President & Chief of Staff, was recently initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and was voted to be a Board Member for his fraternity.

Max Currens ’18 recently got engaged and plans to wed on October 4, 2025!

Christopher LaCivita, Jr. ’18 and Congressman Robert Wittman ’77 crossed paths again this year and shared in the Cadet brotherhood.

2 Jovon Sayles ’18 recently graduated from paramedic school with Henrico Fire.

2019

3 Bradford Dudley ’19 married Julia Shelton ’19 at Saint Benedict Catholic Church on June 15, 2024.

Margaret Langan ’19 got engaged on November 25, 2023.

2020

Ty Owens ’20 graduated Magna Cum Laude from Virginia Tech a semester early and is now attending Medical School at Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine!

4 Megan Downing Daly ’20 selfpublished her first children’s book, My Teacher Doesn’t Like Me! The picture book demonstrates to children they are allowed to show their emotions in school, but reminds them to work with their teachers to make learning in the classroom fun and successful. The book is available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

2021

5 Logan Cohn ’21 won 1st place in the USA Olympic Weightlifting National Championships in June 2024.

Mary Kehoe ’21 has released two albums since graduating. She started songwriting her freshman year of college in the middle of a challenging time. It became a huge outlet and a way to process the truths of this world as well as the simple things in life that have the power to change people’s lives. Mary’s most recent album is called The Beauty of My Mind. The album is meant to inspire girls to stay true to who they are, be confident in themselves, live life to the fullest, and to enjoy the simple things in life.

6 Adam Toler ’21 was named the 2023 New Century Workforce Scholar. This national scholarship supports students at associate degree-granting institutions.

2022

Ethan Altovilla ’22 started participating in rodeo and busting bucking broncs.

Aaron Grapes ’22 started his own auto detailing company in Richmond, Vantage Auto Works. He shares that he has always

had an interest in great-looking cars and is happy to now help keep them looking their best every day. The company is a mobile service, providing anyone in the Richmond area with best-in-class quality, convenience and competitive pricing. Learn more at www.vantageautoworks.com.

2023

7 Sam Smith ’23 traveled to Brazil with a D3 USA team. She and her team went 4-0 playing against pro teams. Sam also got to see Sau Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

2024

Gavin Garland ’24 began his journey as an 043 Millwright at the Apprentice School in Newport News and had just recently completed his first month at the time of this note.

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in memoriam

We extend our deepest sympathies to the friends and families of the following members of the Benedictine Schools of Richmond community who have recently passed away.

Mrs. Margaret Liesfeld Faulhaber ’49 8/6/2023

Mr. Anthony J. Puccinelli ’64 8/15/2023

Mr. Stuart T. Jones ’53 8/27/2023

Mr. David L. Rich ’77 8/27/2023

Mr. John A. Edwards ’56 8/29/2023

Mr. Christopher N. Hunter ’76 9/22/2023

Mr. John V. Bonner ’92 9/29/2023

Ms. Delaney S. Brown ’12 10/5/2023

Mr. Carl C. Miller ’49 10/9/2023

Mrs. Dorothy Trafieri Klotz ’52 10/14/2023

Mr. William K. Welsh ’76 10/15/2023

Mr. Christopher M. Smigo ’75 10/16/2023

Mrs. Mary Katherine Meyer Aquilina ’70 10/20/2023

Mr. Stephen M. Fleck ’89 11/1/2023

Dr. George A. Oliff ’55 11/3/2023

Mr. Daniel F. Seaman ’59 11/14/2023

Mrs. Judy Klemmer Newcomb ’65 11/16/2023

The Honorable Thomas J. Bliley, Jr. ’48 11/16/2023

Mrs. Eileen N. Wagner 12/1/2023

Mr. Robert E. Strauss Sr. ’38 12/2/2023

Mrs. Barbara Flournoy Black ’76 12/15/2023

Mrs. Gayle Wingfield Figg ’76 12/27/2023

Mr. Andrew J. Daffron, III ’51 12/31/2023

Mr. Bruce P. Ganey ’72 1/1/2024

Ms. Theresa M. Mahon ’66 1/6/2024

Mr. Brien D. Moore ’87 1/7/2024

Mr. Martin J. Bannon, III ’66 1/11/2024

Mr. Jerry L. Garner 1/25/2024

Mrs. Jacquelyn Denzler Cooke ’65 1/27/2024

Mr. Walter F. Donovan, Jr. ’52 1/27/2024

Mrs. Patricia Blankenship Dvorak ’53 1/30/2024

Ms. Jeanne N. Allen ’47 2/4/2024

Mr. Frank J. Wyatt, Jr. ’44 2/5/2024

Mrs. Mary Margaret Younger Mason ’62 2/16/2024

Mr. Frank A. Solari, Jr. ’43 3/11/2024

Mrs. Susan Vohs Gregory ’61 3/29/2024

Mrs. Suzanne O’Neil Goodman ’62 4/4/2024

Mr. LaRue D. Epps ’64 4/29/2024

Mr. William T. Stubbs ’43 4/30/2024

Mrs. Virginia Myers Stone ’42 5/17/2024

Mrs. Lula M. Lamb ’77 5/20/2024

Dr. Charles M. Zacharias, Jr. ’65 6/5/24

Sister Mary Ellen Black ’44 6/8/2024

Ms. Patricia Fitchett Noble ’58 6/8/2024

Mr. Herman J. Beckstoffer, Jr. ’56 6/10/2024

Dr. Norvell V. Coots ’76 6/12/2024

Mr. Carl N. Cimino ’43 6/15/2024

Mr. John C. Siewers, II ’55 6/20/2024

Mrs. Patricia Kranitzky Simonpietri ’61 6/20/2024

Mrs. Elizabeth Mathewson Roberts ’60 6/22/2024

Mr. John A. Lyons ’65 6/28/2024

Mrs. Mary Virginia Kelley Bliley ’49 7/3/2024

These notices were received as of July 15, 2024. Please contact the Advancement Office at advancement@benedictineschools.org if there is any incomplete information or to submit a condolence.

in tribute

With appreciation and gratitude for service to our school community.

Management.

After his military service, Dr. Coots became President & CEO of Holy Cross Health and the Maryland Region of Trinity Health. He also chaired the boards of Maryland Physicians Care and the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center Hospital and served on the boards of the Maryland Hospital Association, the American Hospital Association and Maryland’s Covid-19 Task Force.

Dr. Coots received numerous honors, including the French Legion of Honour, the U.S. Distinguished Service Medal and the Pontifical Order of Saint Gregory. He also founded Project Moldova, a charity supporting orphanages in Europe’s poorest country. His charitable work through Project Moldova further exemplified his passion and deep commitment to education and service, leaving an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire others.

Sister Mary Ellen Black was a devoted servant of God whose life was defined by compassion, humility, and unwavering commitment to the teachings of Christ. As a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia with whom she made her first monastic profession more than 75 years ago, in 1949, she dedicated herself to serving others

Sister Mary Ellen earned a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in 1955, a master’s degree in theological studies from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., in 1963, and a second master’s degree, in education, from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1979.

Her teaching career spanned more than 35 years, including at Saint Gertrude where she taught theology from 1956 to 1961 and later served as principal from 1979 to 1985. She was also principal for Linton Hall Military School in Bristow from 1961 to 1963 and taught at Sacred Heart School in Richmond from 1968-1973, among a number of other teaching assignments around the state. Sister Mary Ellen’s work left an indelible mark on the lives of her students, guiding them with grace and wisdom.

Known for her quiet strength and gentle spirit, Sister Mary Ellen embodied the values of love and service. Whether she was comforting someone in need, teaching in the classroom, or organizing charitable efforts, her actions always reflected her deep faith and empathy. She inspired all who knew her to live with kindness and integrity, nurturing a legacy of faith and love that will endure long after her passing.

the towers

JOY IN MOTION

New Dance Program Kicks Off the Year

the towers

12 STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS

SCA President Moira King ’25 and Varsity Volleyball Captain Bailey Burton ’25 inspire others to be their best, and demonstrate that effective leadership combines drive, compassion and self-care.

16

16 FACULTY FEATURE

Sister Lanh Nguyen, theology teacher.

22 PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

New dance program directed by alumna Valerie TellmannHenning ’00 is designed to help students discover the joy of movement.

TURN TO PAGE 22 TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PATHWAY TO PRIESTHOOD FOR THREE BENEDICTINE GRADS (Opposite side) 22

30 COMMUNITY SNAPSHOTS

36 ALUMNAE HEADLINERS

Ruth Miller Ambrogi ’63, Paige Guedri Gill ’00, Izabel Nelson ’15, Mary Ellen Stumpf ’70, Elle Winfield ’16

Creativity is critical for our society to progress. More to the point, creativity is vital to the development of the whole woman. I have noticed, however, that sometimes creativity is underappreciated, even unappreciated. A true liberal arts education is invaluable, even in the digital age (arguably more so in the digital age). Fine arts do not just appear out of thin air. For example, music and dance are expressions of mathematics: you cannot engineer such artistry without an articulated design on paper; the scientific method exists in order to iteratively sort out which new theories have promise; and technology is really just a cool electrical phenomenon if you are not using it to communicate interesting, meaningful or entertaining ideas.

head of school

I have been so struck by the potential that the new Margaret Carreras Visual and Performing Arts Center has for furthering the mission that the Sisters imparted to Saint Gertrude as their legacy. The church has always acknowledged that faith and the arts are intertwined, and the Sisters have dutifully imbued it in the design of all their schools by emphasizing beauty and creative expression alongside every subject area. Likewise, by surrounding our students with inspirational pieces and performances, along with state-of-the-art tools and facilities, we allow them to be able to creatively leverage all their God-given talents to better the world around them. The sculptures, artwork and facilities that we unveiled earlier this year are critical to the mission of our school, and I am so grateful to those who helped make this possible for our students.

As part of our leadership programs, all Gators and Cadets spend time learning how to demonstrate dependability — a skill I define as “showing up.” We work with students in small ways on this skill — getting to class on time, for example, emphasizing that even small daily choices impact the community positively or negatively. “The whole class benefits from your voice,” we say. “You have to be there to share it.” As adults, we all know that, later in life, there will be opportunities to lead by showing up in big ways. Taking these first small steps prepares our students for the bigger challenges ahead.

Our new building is adorned throughout with the names of so many beloved benefactors who have shown up for SGHS in substantial ways and who will forever serve as inspirations for our students. Installing the signage throughout the building over the last year has touched our students, faculty and staff, profoundly. They are daily reminders of the collective confidence, support, time, treasure and philanthropy that you have devoted to the girls, so that they may envision themselves just like you — faith-filled leaders in our Catholic community. On behalf of all current and future Gators, thank you so much for proudly endorsing and representing Saint Gertrude and for showing the girls how important they are through your generosity.

If you have not found a project on campus yet that appeals to your generosity, I ask you to consider a gift that will help to complete the SGHS chapel. Its position as the final project in our building is because of our very deliberate planning process; it was critical to our school community and the legacy of the Benedictine Sisters that each element in the space be right. The chapel was the first

thing that students on our committee requested when asked for design input early in the process, reflecting its importance. Each day they lack access to it is an opportunity missed in their faith formation. While we appreciate having the use of the Benedictine Abbey chapel, having our own dedicated place of worship will make Saint Gertrude whole. If you love your school, a gift to the chapel is the perfect way to show it.

Amy Roussy Pickral ’95

SAINT GERTRUDE HEAD OF SCHOOL

memorable moments

In June, Gators and Cadets from the Benedictine Schools of Richmond participated in the annual ceremony at Normandy’s Brittany American Cemetery to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, honoring those who served and sacrificed. Following this tribute, our students proudly led the D-Day Memorial Parade in Sainte-Mère-Église, the first town liberated on the Western Front. Here, Gators are seen carrying the flags of the Allied Nations that fought in World War II.

memorable moments

Saint Gertrude unveiled its new state-of-the-art softball field last spring, a significant addition to campus athletic facilities. Designed to support student-athletes’ growth and foster team spirit, the field includes upgraded amenities for players and spectators alike. The Gators won their season opener against Trinity, highlighted by Audrey Munro ’24 hitting the first out-of-the-park homerun on the new field.

memorable moments

Congratulations to the Class of Lilac and Black for taking First Place in the 73rd Annual Song Contest with their beautiful harmonies, crisp motions and teamwork. Under the leadership of Alex Csaky, and assistant leader Margaret Weinstein, it was the first Song Contest win for the graduating Class of 2024, earning much applause from the audience at the Altria Theater.

memorable moments

In the spring, the Stuart Avenue Players presented Once Upon a Mattress, a musical comedy adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale, “The Princess and the Pea.” Featuring engaging choreography, vibrant costumes, a talented cast and a live pit orchestra, the show highlighted students’ musical, acting and dance skills. It drew enthusiastic support and rave reviews, celebrating Saint Gertrude’s dedication to arts education and to fostering creativity.

student spotlight

BAILEY BURTON ’25

As a captain and key player on the volleyball team, Bailey Burton ’25 has had plenty of experience leading her peers. A member of the varsity team starting as a freshman, Bailey has committed to play next year at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Division I). She has also served as class secretary all four years, currently participates on the student-led Stewardship Committee and continues to manage a challenging academic load. While Bailey is committed to pushing herself and inspiring her classmates to be their best, she demonstrates that effective leadership also requires compassion and self-care.

What is the most difficult aspect of leadership for you on and off the court?

I think that managing my own well-being as well as everyone else’s is the most difficult part of being a leader. Even though volleyball is very physical, you also need to take care of your mental well-being and make sure everyone else is in a good place. Volleyball is 90 percent mental and 10 percent skill, so it’s important to prioritize that aspect of it and set an example for my teammates as well as check in on them personally.

How do you feel prepared to balance academics with playing college athletics?

Saint Gertrude has definitely prepared me to do this because of the academic rigor. I had to learn time management to get my work done when I knew I had a game or long practice coming up, and that made me prepare to get it all done beforehand. Even when I’m out of the school season, the

travel volleyball season is just as demanding. Our school has always emphasized the importance of academics, so that has always been a priority for me. Plus, I’ve realized how nice getting work done is, so I don’t have to worry about it later!

What is one lesson you’ve learned from volleyball you’ve been able to apply to other places in your life?

It’s okay to make a mistake! In the game of volleyball, you make multiple mistakes during a game, and that’s okay. The points move on pretty fast, so no one remembers the mistake you made 10 points ago. The mindset I use in volleyball, focusing on the future and not the past, has helped me with academics as well as being a leader. Moving on and focusing on the good are essential in both volleyball and life.

Gators volleyball has been quite successful in recent years. To what do you attribute that success?

I think it’s the chemistry of our team. The grades and individual classes at Saint Gertrude are small, and everyone knows each other, and we see each other all the time during the day. You see everyone’s face every single day, from Morning Gathering to the hallways between classes to practice after school. If you make a mistake, you know your teammates have your back, and that gives us all confidence. Everyone is there to help and support each other, as opposed to a team that doesn’t have that same connection.

Who has been your biggest supporter throughout high school so far?

My biggest supporters are definitely my parents. My mom has been the backbone of my volleyball career and my overall time at Saint Gertrude, and I think my dad is without a doubt my number one supporter on and off the court. He always pushes me to be the best I can be. I’ve been playing volleyball since I was six, and my parents have always inspired and motivated me over these past 12 years.

What is your favorite tradition at Saint Gertrude?

That is a difficult choice, but I think my favorite tradition is the Sponsors program. I was lucky enough to be a Sponsor this year, and I love all the traditions leading up to it, like making the day bars and Sponsors Day Review. This tradition is a great example of the bond between our schools, a connection that supports and uplifts each other. We are a representation of the mutual values our schools hold. The military events are great, and getting dressed up for the Sponsors’ Ball with everyone else was such a special experience. Plus, having another dance is always fun.

What makes the Saint Gertrude community special?

I only have one sister, but since I’ve joined this community, I feel like I have so many more. Sisterhood is such a big part of the experience here. I think I first realized this through the volleyball program, seeing my teammates every day and fostering such strong friendships with them at the beginning of my freshman year. Even though we just go to school together, I feel connected to my classmates in such a powerful way. Every one of the girls I go to school with is a part of me every single day, and that connection gives strength to our community and is unique to our school.

How has Saint Gertrude helped you become a more confident young woman?

As a teenage girl, being surrounded by people who are also going through the same things you’re going through makes such a difference. The all-girls environment of our school helps for sure, and at the end of the day, we know we are there for each other. Simply knowing that someone else is relating to them can help girls find their voice. My teachers have always given me a chance to voice my opinions, and their positive influence in and out of class has encouraged me to speak up.

What do you love most about Saint Gertrude?

The religious aspect is huge for me. Coming from a public school, I didn’t have the gift of a big faith community in school. I’ll be honest, being Baptist and not Catholic, I was a little scared to start here, but I was wrong. It isn’t scary at all! l had to learn some new things in theology for sure, but it has deepened my relationship with God. I enjoy Mass, even though I’m not Catholic, and I love seeing the Sisters whenever they come to visit us.

student spotlight

MOIRA KING ’25

Moira King ’25 is known among her peers for encouraging positivity and determination, especially during challenging moments — such as when she was Motions Leader for Song Contest. She is often the first to volunteer when a school event needs extra hands or when a classmate could use support. This year, in her role as SCA president, Moira exemplifies community-first leadership. Her goal is to foster a welcoming environment where every student may express herself and pursue her goals, just as she has. Moira is pictured above with classmate Jane Nies ’27.

What

are you involved in at Saint Gertrude?

In addition to being SCA President, I am also involved in the Model General Assembly club, I play varsity volleyball, and I am in the 2025 Parater Day of Giving Leadership Liaison group. I played basketball my freshman year, served as class president my freshman and sophomore years, and was SCA secretarytreasurer during my junior year.

What accomplishment have you been most proud of as a student at Saint Gertrude?

That is a tough question, but probably receiving the College of William & Mary Leadership Award last year. The winner was selected out of the entire junior class, and I was so grateful to receive it because it recognizes things that mean a lot to me — being a risk-taker, a bridge-builder and someone

who makes positive change happen. Being elected as SCA President this year was also huge for me. I knew I wanted to make a difference at our school, and I am so thankful the other students at SGHS have given me this opportunity. My main goal is to serve the student body first and be a strong voice for them.

How has Saint Gertrude helped you become more confident as a young woman?

I used to go to public school, so private school was a big change for me in my freshman year. Before Saint Gertrude, I was just one student out of a couple thousand. I felt a lot more like a number in that environment, and I was anxious about pushing myself out of my comfort zone. However, once I started here, I became one of just a few hundred students. The community I built with my peers and teachers was so strong, and it gave me the confidence to be myself and try new things. It is so much easier to break out of your shell when you are in such a supportive environment!

What is your favorite part of attending an all-girls school?

The community is my favorite part by far. I never feel judged in class, and I can always speak out when I have a question. We don’t criticize each other, and that helps so much when we are learning advanced topics or need clarification. Even the people in my grade that I’m the least close with outside of school I feel comfortable talking to, and I know if I go to them for anything, they will help me out. Even though we don’t always all get along, and we’ve had our ups and downs over these past four years, they’re all still my family. I don’t have any sisters, but I have a lifelong sisterhood with all the girls at our school, through the good and bad.

What are the benefits of playing a sport?

When I was a freshman, volleyball was a great way to meet new people and make friends before school started. Coming from public school, I didn’t know many people before freshman year, and the girls I met through my sport eased most of that stress. Now, having a practice or game at the end of the day is a good way to stay active and relieve my stress after a long day of school. You can leave anything bad that happened to you that day behind you for a couple of hours at practice.

What advice would you give an incoming freshman?

I would just tell them to try everything. Even if they don’t think they can do it, try all the clubs, try all the sports, try all the friend groups, try all the leadership positions. If you are determined and motivated, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. Don’t let the fear of failure get in your way! Go for everything, because you only have four years, and it goes by really, really fast!

What is your favorite part of the SGHS experience?

I love Song Contest so much. It takes a lot of super hard work from everyone in the class to pull off, but it is such a unifying event and moment. Hours upon hours of practice together can be stressful and sometimes frustrating, but in the end, performing together on stage at the Altria is such a unique experience. Since it is completely student-led, it also teaches really valuable leadership skills to each class and encourages girls to step up and take charge.

What makes the Saint Gertrude community special?

It is all the traditions we have, like Song Contest, and while it’s frustrating to explain Sponsors for the millionth time, these events are such a core part of who we are as a school. As a senior this year, it is great to be one of the participants in these programs that I was just looking up to as a freshman. I also really like Day of Service and Day of Giving, because service to others is a huge part of our school’s values and mission.

What is next for you after graduation?

Hopefully, I’ll attend a good college and go into pre-law. I want to have a successful career and one day have a family.

faculty feature SISTER LANH NGUYEN

A Sister to All Sister Lanh:

Theology Department’s

Hers was a lengthy odyssey, in terms of both time and distance. Yet, Sister Lanh Nguyen has found a new home, and the Saint Gertrude community is happy that she has done so. As is she. “Saint Gertrude is a great place,” she said. “Everyone is supportive, and it has great teachers. It is a community of faith with a great environment.”

In her third year at Saint Gertrude, Sister Lanh (rhymes with “sang”) teaches theology to all the freshmen, shepherding five sections daily. For many of her students, her class represents their initial introduction into the teachings of the Roman Catholic faith, as approximately one-quarter of the school’s students are non-Catholic. For the others, Sister Lanh helps strengthen their grounding, as she embodies the Catholic faith and how it should be lived.

“She’s just the perfect role model for the girls for what it means to live out your life in a holy way.”

— MARY RILEY —

“She’s just the perfect role model for the girls for what it means to live out your life in a holy way,” said Mary Riley, chair of Saint Gertrude’s theology department. “Having her in the building makes it a different place.”

Her students tend to agree. “I loved her as a teacher,” said Alden Crouch ’26, who was taught by Sister Lanh during her freshman year. “No matter your religion, she makes sure to include you. She’s the opposite of the stereotypical mean nun.”

Current students concur. “I love her so much,” enthused Ali Sprouse ’27. “She challenges us during our presentations, and she has taught me to see the beauty in all things.”

She approaches her charges with a light touch of humor in making her points known. For example, during one recent

class on the New Testament, Sister Lanh noticed one of the students using a calculator, obviously working on some math homework. “I told her, ‘There are only four Gospels,” she recalled. “You don’t need a calculator to count that high.”

FROM VIETNAM TO VIRGINIA

Sister Lanh is a member of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, an order that was founded in 1920 by French missionaries to Vietnam. Her home convent is a robust one, with the sisters there numbering over 500. Only 12, however, reside in the U.S.

One might assume that the practice of faith and the existence of religious orders would be forbidden, given the communist government of Vietnam. That would be a misperception. While the Vietnamese government is far from encouraging (and at times downright discouraging), it does accept the fact that an estimated 7 percent of its population are practicing Roman Catholics. With seven million faithful, Vietnam has the fifthhighest Catholic population of all the Asian nations. There are also more than 2,000 parishes in the country.

“After 1975 (the fall of Saigon), it was the worst,” said Sister Lanh in sharing the experience of her parents. “It’s getting better. Overall, there is more freedom … if you are not saying anything bad about the government.”

Of note, the Daughters of Mary Immaculate order was founded with a primary mission of teaching girls. The Vietnamese government prohibits the nuns from running any

educational institution above the kindergarten level. Today, the order also runs health clinics, staffs centers for the hearing and speech impaired and works to improve the lives of the mountain people of that nation. Still, this means that Sister Lanh is one of the few Daughters able to carry out its noble charter pursuit. “I am so grateful for my community’s support,” she said. “From initially receiving my vocation, to being sent for additional education, to coming to Saint Gertrude, my fellow Sisters have been wonderful in their backing of me.”

“I’ve learned a lot about life as a sister and how if God wants it to happen, it will and, if it doesn’t happen, God didn’t want it.”

— SISTER LANH —

A DREAM OF SERVING GOD

Sister Lanh received her calling at a young age. While many seventh graders dream of becoming astronauts, basketball players or movie stars, the young lady who would become Sister Lahn had her own dream of serving God. “My priest told us about nuns and gave us books about the saints,” she recalled. “I found it to be meaningful and thought ‘I want to be like this.’”

Sister Lanh recalled how her parents were devout Roman Catholics, who were most supportive of the commitment to the Faith by their daughter, even at such a young age.

To get to that point, however, Sister Lanh took a serpentine and lengthy path. She began her candidacy immediately upon graduating from high school and served a portion of that candidacy concurrently with her studies at a college in Ho Chi

Minh City (formerly Saigon). Over the ensuing 15 years, she took the steps (candidate, pre-novice, novice, and First Vows) that led to her making Final Vows. She obviously made a strong and positive impression, because she was invited by her superior to continue her education in the U.S.

“Saint Gertrude is, without a doubt, a better place because of Sister.”

— ROBYN D’ONOFRIO —

Sister Lanh spent the next seven years at Holy Apostles College and Seminary, near Hartford, Connecticut, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s in modern theology. After doing so, she completed post-master’s work in philosophy. “It was hard, but fun,” she recalled.

It was also an important part of her development. “The spiritual life at Holy Apostles was very strong,” she noted. “It has strong Catholic traditions that really helped with my knowledge of God. Being there helped me grow a lot.”

MODELING PATIENCE AND TRUST

These days, Sister Lanh lives with four of her fellow members (two of whom have retired) of the Richmond branch of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate at their smallish convent sited right next to the Church of the Vietnamese Martyrs, on Patterson Avenue. She commutes to Saint Gertrude by driving a distinctive (and donated) 2008 gray Chevrolet Uplander passenger van with a “Jesus, I trust in you” bumper sticker. Given the hustle and bustle of the school’s parking lot, that trust is well-placed.

The students seem pleased that Sister makes the drive to campus each day. “She’s super nice and teaches very well,” observed Julia Janus ’27. “I’ve learned a lot about life as a sister and how if God wants it to happen, it will and, if it doesn’t happen, God didn’t want it.”

Sister Lanh’s timing to teach such lessons could not have been more perfect. “Sheila Gervasoni [‘73] (who taught freshman theology for the previous eight years) was retiring,” recalled Riley. “We needed another warm and welcoming presence for the freshmen.”

“So many people — both teachers and students — came to me and told me Sister Lanh would be really good for the job,” said Head of School Amy Pickral ’95 after Sister had worked as a substitute teacher her first year. “And she was. She sets the tone for the freshmen and very much emphasizes God’s love for them.”

Students back up Pickral’s assessment. “I love Sister. I learned patience from her,” said Mercy Grapes ’26, who noted that learning it was critical, particularly in leading her class in Song Contest earlier this year. “She showed how you can be patient with the grace of God and can have true happiness through devotion to Christ.”

Who could possibly be warmer and more welcoming than a woman who seems to never stop smiling and who is always available to share the joys and the sorrows, the ups and the downs, the love and the drama that is freshman year at Saint Gertrude? “She is always kind,” noted Grace Harmeyer ’26, who was a student of Sister Lanh’s during her first full year. “She was always there for me. Even now, if I’m tired or stressed, she’ll give me a hug and ask how it is going.”

In her role as an advisor to the freshmen, she has an opportunity to provide perspective. She recalled her advisees panicking over getting a date to the Freshman Hop and that they were seeking the “best in the world” and “someone perfect.” Sister Lanh told them, “If you can find anyone better than Jesus, I’ll change my mind (about being a nun), because Jesus is my boyfriend.”

Sister Lanh also serves as an extraordinary minister of eucharist at each of the Saint Gertrude school Masses as well as at joint Masses that include Benedictine. “She lives her life to serve God and those around her,” noted Riley. She will stop everything to help with preparing for Mass or to comfort a student or a fellow teacher.”

“Sister Lanh is very conscious of how she can positively impact the people around her,” added Pickral. “She is always asking herself, ‘How can I help this person in this moment?’”

BRINGING US TOGETHER

Sister Lanh draws her example from Christ. “I try to build community in the school,” she added. I’m not here just to teach and have my students learn. Jesus was a teacher, but he also was a friend. I want to be teacher, mother, friend. To be a safe place where the girls can share whatever is going on with them.”

In that regard, she is successful. “Saint Gertrude is, without a doubt, a better place because of Sister,” noted fellow teacher Robyn D’Onofrio, who is also a coach. “Our students, faculty and staff are so lucky to be able to have her as a model of God’s love. Her commitment to her faith and our school is invaluable.”

So far, so good. “I feel like this is the place God wanted me to be,” said Sister Lanh. “It is my vocation. My mission. I feel like this is why I became a nun.”

Getting to Know Sister Lanh

With a packed schedule that includes five theology classes of first-year students and two advisory periods, Sister Lanh is a busy faculty member. We visited with her to find out what she loves about teaching at Saint Gertrude and how she stays connected to her family in Vietnam.

Who is (are) your favorite Saint(s)?

The Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John Paul II, and St. (Mother) Teresa of Calcutta.

Please tell us about your family

I am the second child of four. I have one older sister and two younger brothers. They are all married and have kids. It has been 24 years since I left my family to join the religious life. I love them and feel closer to each of them through my daily prayers.

I was born and raised in a very devout Catholic family. I am always grateful to my parents for their great faith that deeply impacted my life. They never took any philosophy or theology courses, but they learned it through practice and directly from the Holy Spirit.

My uncle is a priest who is also a professor in a Seminary in Vietnam. Two of my aunts are also nuns.

How do you stay in touch with your family?

I stay connected with my family and friends back home by praying, and by using video calls and texting.

Do you have a favorite Saint Gertrude tradition or activity?

I enjoy Song Contest as well as May Day with its Seniors’ May Pole dance.

What do you do over summer breaks?

My favorite thing every summer is a 10-day annual silent retreat — my real vacation with Jesus. I also spend more time with the Sisters in my community: visiting the elderly, doing more cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, and helping with daycare.

This past summer was a special one because I visited my family for six weeks and was also able to participate in the annual retreat in Vietnam in the Mother House. It was great — a beautiful time after nine years away. I saw my parents, sisters, youngest brother and niece, as well as lots of high school and middle school friends. Still, the time was too short.

What do you like to do with your free time?

I enjoy hiking, reading, visiting new churches and talking with my family.

What is your favorite meal to make (or eat)?

I like garlic noodles with shrimp and fried rice — really anything that is easy, quick to make and tasty.

What is your favorite Church of the Vietnamese Martyrs tradition (or activity)?

The Lunar New Year, the Moon Festival (for children) and the Eucharistic Youth Movement. I like them because they combine Vietnamese culture and my faith. When nonCatholics participate in these events, they are so impressed and learn more about us.

How important is the Divine Mercy chaplet to you?

Divine Mercy chaplet is so important to my community and to me. We say it daily in the community along with the Liturgy of the Hours. “Jesus, I trust in you” always reminds me of his love, care and forgiveness. I found what I needed in Divine Mercy, and nothing could be more important than that. I deeply experience how divine love “raises man above his weakness to the infinite heights of the holiness of God” (JP II).

What is your favorite thing about living in the Richmond area?

I like going to different churches for their Masses — English, Vietnamese, Latin and Maronite — to experience different spiritual riches. I like the area’s abundance of trees and its nice parks; I see them as a sign of peace. Also, there are great public libraries, and I see them as a sign of dedication to knowledge.

“In the Mercy of God, the world will find peace and mankind will find happiness!”

— ST. JOHN PAUL II —

“For everything, there is a season ...

putting it all together

DANCE PROGRAM KICKS OFF WITH THE NEW YEAR

OOn an early Tuesday morning in September, students arrive for their first class of the day in Saint Gertrude’s new dance studio in the visual and performing arts center. As the girls gather, light floods the third-floor space, streaming from a wall of windows overlooking the James River, where the early fall mist is just beginning to lift.

While they wait for their Basics of Dance class to begin, students step up to the barre and stretch, talking quietly, unsure as to what to expect. The class is one of two offered for the first time as part of the dance program, launched earlier this year.

But the minute the program’s director, Valerie Tellman-Henning ’00, walks in, there is no mistaking what is ahead — pure energy, and fun.

THE WAY OF BEAUTY: VIA PULCHRITUDINIS

“The program is about exploring the joy of movement in its many forms and helping students discover the beauty of dance,” said Henning, “and the beauty that is within each one of them.”

Henning, who danced professionally for 17 years with both Richmond Ballet and the Suzanne Farrell Ballet at the Kennedy Center, performing principal roles in classical works in the U.S. and abroad, explained that the program’s focus is on technique and building foundational skills. The curriculum is designed for novice students looking to delve into a new

world and for those seeking to expand their dance knowledge and skill level and to have the opportunity to participate in performance opportunities.

“I believe dance is a form of prayer, requiring focus and intentional effort,” said Henning. “Like our relationship with the Lord, it is something that does not just happen; it must be cultivated. Our program aims to nurture that relationship and help each student build self-confidence that she will take with her into all aspects of her life.”

Though the formal program is new, it is not the first time Henning has taught dance at the school — she led classes from 2010-2013, when Saint Gertrude was located on Stuart Avenue.

“I’m so excited that dance is being offered here at SGHS again,” said

THE STUDIO

Henning worked with school leadership over the past year to develop the program’s curriculum and played a key role in designing the space to ensure that it provides the best, and safest, experience for students.

Named for the Stephen and Cheryl Goddard ’80 Family Foundation, the Goddard Center for Dance is one of the crown jewels of the recently dedicated Margaret Carreras Visual and Performing Arts Center, which occupies an entire wing on the third floor of the school. In addition to individual studios for each of the disciplines offered in the arts curriculum, the space includes an art gallery for rotating exhibits. The whole wing is a beautiful backdrop for selfexploration and creative expression.

“The dance studio is state-of-the-art,” explained Henning. “It provides young women with a supportive space in which to explore their spirit and self through music and dance. They will feel the warmth of God’s sunlight, which soaks the space.”

Barbara Tait ’10, chair of the visual and performing arts department. “I actually took a dance class with Valerie here at SGHS when I was a student. So, I am thrilled she is back and that the students get to have such a wonderful opportunity to learn from her.”

Dance is now part of a comprehensive program of visual and performing arts electives at Saint Gertrude that includes drawing, painting, photography, ceramics and 3-D art, chorus, ensemble, AP Art History and AP Art.

“Creative expression is a big part of the Benedictine Sisters’ legacy,” noted Amy Roussy Pickral ’95, Head of School. “The sisters have faithfully woven it into the design of their schools, emphasizing beauty and creative expression alongside every academic subject.”

THE PROGRAM

Key features of the 1,200-square-foot studio include premier dance flooring produced by Harlequin, a leader in the manufacture of professional performance surfaces. “Flooring is the most important tool, not only for safety, but also for longevity to a dancer,” explained Henning. “The particular floor that we chose provides versatility to adapt to the multiple different styles of dance that will be taught in that space, not to mention the durability to last another 100 years.”

The studio also includes wall-to-wall wooden dance barres that are anchored into the floor-to-ceiling mirrors. The doors to the hallway are soundproofed, as is the floor, via a sound blanket that has been installed on the ceilings of the classrooms below. A worldclass surround sound system and performance scenario lighting provide the perfect complements.

Saint Gertrude offers Basics of Dance, a semester-long course that introduces students to ballet, modern, jazz dance and more. The school also offers the year-long Honors Dance Performance course, which provides advanced individualized instruction with an emphasis on choreography and performance opportunities.

“Our approach is holistic,” explained Henning, “and will include dance history and music knowledge.”

Henning has set out clear objectives for the program, which are:

• Building self-confidence

• Discovering the joy of movement

• Recognizing the beauty of our Godgiven instrument

• Cultivating a culture of support for the arts

Maia Jones ’25 and Hayden Rawlyk ’26

Arts electives

offered in the Margaret Carreras Visual and Performing Arts Center

AP Art History

Basics of Dance

Ceramics and 3-D art

Chorus and Ensemble

Dance Performance

AP Drawing

Introduction to Art Painting

Photography

Portfolio preparation for AP credit in drawing or design

Henning works with Anna Voelzke ’26.

Addie Aryeh ’25

The Goddard Center for Dance

FEATURES:

• 1,200-square-feet of space

• Professional-grade Harlequin floors

• Floor-to-ceiling mirrors

• Performance scenario lighting

• Surround sound system

• Sweeping view of the James River

THE STUDENTS

“Leading this program and working with students means I get to talk about two of my favorite things — Jesus and dance,” laughed Henning, whose enthusiasm chases away any hesitation students who are new to dance and movement may have. All are welcome.

For the inaugural year, the Honors Dance Performance course is populated with students who have trained in dance outside of Saint Gertrude. Going forward, the Basics of Dance course will be a prerequisite for the honors program.

“I’m so excited,” said Maia Jones ’25, who has danced for more than 10 years across a wide range of styles — ballet, point, jazz, contemporary and modern. “I hope we can build a good program. It would be nice to see dance grow to the level of our athletics.”

dancing her way back home

SAINT GERTRUDE ALUMNA VALERIE TELLMANN-HENNING LEADS NEW PROGRAM

in hiring Valerie Tellmann-Henning ’00 to head up its new dance program. “We’re thrilled to have her,” enthused Head of School Amy Roussy Pickral ’95. “She is inspiring students to discover the joy and beauty of movement, at all levels, and she is helping to cultivate a culture of support for the arts that students will take with them after they graduate.”

Henning was one of the most prominent performers on both the Richmond and the national ballet scene for nearly two decades after joining Richmond Ballet while still a student at

During her 17-year career with Richmond Ballet, Henning Romeo . In 2013, she also joined the Suzanne Farrell Ballet at the Kennedy Center where she rose to the rank of soloist and appeared

Henning performed internationally at the Royal Opera House in London and in theaters across China, in addition to the Joyce Theater in New York City and in the Chicago Dance Festival. She concluded her final season with both Richmond

“People create beautiful art to bring others to God.”

FIRST ACT

Henning’s dance career began at age 6 when her family was living in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “I wanted to quit. The tights were itchy, and I was not allowed to talk. The hairbun gave me a headache,” Henning recalled with a laugh. “But my mom made me stick with it, through the end of the lessons she had paid for.”

What followed was her landing a role in The Nutcracker. “I got my first taste of the stage,” said Henning, “and I took it hook, line and sinker.”

Henning danced her way to Richmond, arriving as a sixth grader and attending Saint Bridget’s. She enrolled at the School of Richmond Ballet and, by that point, had set her sights on becoming a professional dancer. She soon earned a coveted spot as a trainee with Richmond Ballet after earning the equally coveted role of Clara in The Nutcracker

Saint Gertrude played a key role in helping Henning achieve her goal. “Sister Charlotte [Lange, O.S.B.] met with my parents,” explained Henning, “and encouraged them to have faith in the pursuit of my dream.”

SECOND ACT

Henning’s day was unconventional for a high school student. With Sister Charlotte (and the rest of the faculty) supporting her, Henning took her core courses in the morning and departed for practices and rehearsals at Richmond Ballet at lunchtime. She earned art and physical education credits for her work with the ballet, and her mother taught her religion classes. “I had the hardest theology teacher there ever was,” said Henning with a chuckle. The schedule was grueling. For example, she appeared in 18 performances of The Nutcracker while dealing with mid-term exams.

Henning certainly left a mark during her years at SGHS. “She was full of joy, always respectful, kind and funny,” recalled teacher Mary Riley. “But

dancing was her number one priority. Everyone recognized that she had the talent, work ethic and energy to become a great dancer. This was her dream, and we knew she was determined to fulfill it.”

Susan Farmer, who taught Henning’s algebra class, was equally impressed. “I remember her total dedication to dancing,” Farmer said. “But she was equally dedicated to being a full member of the SGHS community.”

A pivotal point came in 2000, near the end of Henning’s senior year. She had been accepted at VCU, Indiana University and Butler University, where she was offered a half-scholarship. Her parents were strong believers in secondary education — her two siblings had earned straight-A’s at Notre Dame and Purdue. Henning had also been offered full-time positions with both Cincinnati Ballet and Richmond Ballet.

Of those choices, it was Richmond — and ballet — that took center stage. Henning became one of only eight professional women in the company at the time. Ten years later, Henning was also invited to join the Suzanne Farrell Ballet at the Kennedy Center, where she earned the rank of soloist and performed from 2013 to 2017.

ENCORE

In 2017, at age 36, Henning completed her final season with both Richmond Ballet and the Suzanne Farrell Ballet. A lifetime of dancing had taken its toll, physically. Henning continued to be immersed in the dance world, however, supporting Richmond Ballet behind the scenes for five years as Public Relations Manager.

Now Henning is in an encore performance at her alma mater as she leads the new dance program. In fact, this is her second encore, having taught dance at the school from 2008 to 2012, when it was located on Stuart Avenue.

Henning also made an impact in that role. “Valerie was a great teacher,” assessed Farmer, who knows a thing or two about great teaching. “She took her students from whatever level they started at and moved them forward.”

Henning’s life offstage has continued to remain full since retiring from performing. In 2015, she and then fellow

Today, Valerie and Kirk’s pas de deux has become a danse d’ensemble that includes Sebastian (6), Lucille (5) and Gabriel (3).

(now former) Richmond Ballet principal dancer Kirk Henning married in what was the first-ever wedding held on center stage of Richmond’s Carpenter Theatre. During their reception, Kirk and the other male members of the bridal party surprised Valerie by choreographing a surprise dance — it went viral on social media, generating more than 80 million views.

community snapshots

ACADEMICS

ALUMNAE

community snapshots

ATHLETICS

HOMECOMING

community snapshots

SPIRITUAL LIFE

SONG CONTEST

STUDENT LIFE

alumnae headliners

The alumnae featured on the following pages have excelled in diverse fields, from STEM and business leadership to the arts and community service. Their journeys are marked by a dedication to helping others and a commitment to lifelong learning. Whether creating opportunities for future students, fostering a growth mindset, or inspiring through creativity, they draw on the values of faith, discipline, compassion and principled leadership learned during their years at Saint Gertrude to make a lasting impact.

PAIGE GUEDRI GILL ’00 guiding teams through change

As a leader deeply committed to fostering a growth mindset among her teams, Paige Guedri Gill ’00 emphasizes the power of continuous communication during times of change. Currently serving as Regional Vice President for Luck Stone, Gill is also a strong advocate for balancing courage and compassion: “Change can be difficult, so understanding your team’s concerns and motivations are key. At the same time, courageous conversations are necessary to push forward when the natural tendency is to resist change.” Gill joined Luck Companies, producers of crushed stone, sand and gravel, in 2015 and has held several key positions. In her current role, Gill is responsible for operations, sales, logistics and long-term reserve position for 14 quarries and distribution yards across Central and Eastern Virginia and North Carolina. Previously, as Vice President of External Affairs, she oversaw the firm’s Greenfield Growth Strategy, Community Relations, Brand, and Corporate Communications. Gill holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing and entrepreneurship from The George Washington University and a master’s degree in business administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her leadership style includes embracing mistakes as part of the growth process and to facilitate creativity. “We’re not going to get it all right,” she explained. “I encourage our teams to stay true to who we are, to our values, and to the goals we’ve set.” Gill’s approach to leadership began forming when she was a student. “Many alums would tell you that some of their greatest leadership lessons came from Saint Gertrude.” Song Contest, Gill explained, is a great example: “I led our class all four years. As a Freshman, I didn’t know quite what I had signed up for, but organizing 74 girls each year, inspiring creativity, challenging one another to grow, facing our fears and celebrating successes together — it was a hands-on leadership lesson that I still reflect on today.”

MARY ELLEN STUMPF ’70

setting the course for a lifetime of leadership

Mary Ellen Stumpf ʼ70 got her first taste of leadership while a student at Saint Gertrude, and you might say she never let it go. Leader of a still-memorable Song Contest-winning effort her junior year and Senior Class President, Stumpf was well prepared to take on a leadership role at Saint Mary’s College following its independence from Notre Dame in 1972. Stumpf became the first student on the College’s Board of Trustees while just a sophomore, and later was elected Senior Class President. At her commencement, in addition to academic awards and a bachelor’s degree in humanistic studies and English literature, Stumpf received the Lumen Christi Award, the highest honor conferred on an undergraduate student, one that recognizes a person of outstanding faith and leadership. Several years later, after earning a master’s degree in Elizabethan studies and with a few years of teaching at the college level under her belt, she was recruited back to Saint Mary’s by their president to help develop a major gifts and comprehensive development program for the college. Of her serendipitous entry into development, Stumpf said, “I feel blessed and incredibly grateful. It set the course for the rest of my life.” Later, she held executive positions with the Science Museum of Virginia Foundation and the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden before founding her own consulting firm. Recognizing her in 2024 with their Distinguished Alumna Award, Saint Mary’s praised Stumpf’s legacy as a “stalwart leader of and advocate for women’s education, for human concerns, racial reconciliation, and social justice,” adding that “her Catholic faith has been the cornerstone of Mary Ellen’s life, and guides her many endeavors with calmness, confidence, and character.” Asked for her views on strong leadership, Stumpf took a cue from Saint Benedict: “Listen first, and always.”

ELLE WINFIELD ’16

making strides in STEM

As a student at Saint Gertrude, Elle Winfield ’16 stood out — both for her personality (“very friendly, very tall, lots of hair, very much a ‘hard to miss,’” she laughed) and her academic ambition. Her voracious appetite for learning continues to this day, as she makes significant strides in the STEM field. Fueled by the intellectual curiosity instilled in her at Saint Gertrude, she went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology at Hampton University and a master’s degree in forensic science at George Mason University. She is now pursuing a doctoral degree in entomology at Texas A&M. Winfield’s fascination with forensics began her senior year at Saint Gertrude, during an internship with the Richmond Police Department, which introduced her to forensic pathology. “I was able to witness an autopsy,” she recalled. “I was 17 at the time, and I thought that’s what I wanted to do. But since 2019 or 2020, it’s been ‘all things bug.’” Now, her research delves into questions such as how blowflies are impacted if a car used in a crime is set on fire by a perpetrator? Winfield laughed, “That’s not a question you expect a Gertie to be asking!” Before starting her doctoral program, she spent two years at Walter Reed Medical Center’s research facility studying oil-based insecticides and their impact on global health. Promising lab results demanded further investigation, which led her to the Kenya Medical Research Institute in March 2024. Winfield credits Saint Gertrude with awakening her to the myriad possibilities learning offered. “It felt like a melting pot of exposure that set me off on my path,” she explained. “There’s a whole other world, there are 2,000 other worlds out there! I left with confidence and comfort in being where and who you are.”

RUTH MILLER AMBROGI ’63

a legacy of learning

When Ruth Miller Ambrogi graduated from Saint Gertrude in 1963, she could not have known that 61 years later, she and her family would have made it possible for more than 40 young men and women to attend both Saint Gertrude and Benedictine. “Our family has always believed in the power of education to shape futures,” said Ambrogi. In 1972, Ruth and her husband, Franco, founded Franco’s Fine Clothier, which has since grown into a successful multi-location business. Ruth played a significant role in expanding the store’s offerings, managing its women’s department while raising the couple’s four children—Paul, Mark, Anthony and Maria. The Ambrogis’ legacy of generosity began in 1993 when their eldest son, Paul, a naval aviator, was killed in a tragic training accident. Paul had graduated from Benedictine in 1984 as valedictorian and battalion commander, later earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1988. Upon Paul’s death, Ruth and Franco discovered that Paul had expressed a wish in his will that Benedictine be “honored in a special way,” Ruth later told the Richmond Times-Dispatch. “Paul felt that Benedictine had made him the man that he became,” she explained. The Paul A. Ambrogi Scholarship was first awarded in 1996 and provides one year of full tuition for a standout senior with demonstrated achievements in academics, leadership and extracurricular activities. “It means so much to us to honor Paul by helping other students gain the same opportunities that shaped him into the remarkable man he became.” Paul’s scholarship was the first of three that the couple established, including the Ruth Miller Ambrogi Scholarship and the newly launched Ambrogi Family Scholarship. All three recognize academic achievement and aim to foster deep curiosity and a love of learning.

IZABEL NELSON ’15

serving others through sports

As a Saint Gertrude student, Izabel Nelson described herself as “very into sports.” Success on the softball field, in particular, remains one of her standout memories. “My class brought the team to a new level of play,” she explained. “We became one of the best teams in the region and were seeded in the top three in the state tournament two years in a row.” In addition to the chance to develop as an athlete, Nelson also valued the freedom she had at Saint Gertrude to explore her interests and forge her own path. That path led her to combine her love of sports with a strong desire to serve others. “At 14, I became a Class A Volunteer with the Special Olympics,” she said. “My uncle Brian has an intellectual disability and is actually a Special Olympics athlete.” Watching him compete ignited a passion that still drives Nelson today. She credits Saint Gertrude’s “do as much as you can and be the best that you can” philosophy as a key influence on the path she took in her professional life. “Serving others was ingrained in us. We saw the examples of the Sisters and followed their lead.” At Virginia Tech, Nelson continued her involvement with Special Olympics, taking on internships and providing companion care for a Special Olympics athlete. After graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in human development and a minor in disability studies, Nelson was offered a full-time role with Special Olympics Virginia in Virginia Beach. Six years later, she is their statewide Director of Events. “I work on basically everything off the field; the volunteers, meals, housing, award ceremonies, all the logistical pieces that aren’t competition.” Nelson said what moves her most is what Special Olympics brings out in each athlete. “The impact transcends far beyond sports,” she explained. “It shows the ‘so much more’ that these athletes can do.”

Circle back, flip the magazine and turn to page 44 for combined class notes for Benedictine and Saint Gertrude.

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