Veritas
2016-2017 ANNUAL REPORT
90 0 0 B ELL AIRE B LVD, HOUS TON, T X 77036 713. 219.54 0 0 S T-AGNES.ORG
Dominican Trustees
Office of Advancement
Sr. Donna Pollard, O.P., Prioress Sr. Mary Jean Olsovksy, O.P., Vicaress Sr. Antoinette Carter, O.P. ‘57, Councilor
Bridget Hennessey ’90, Head of Advancement Emma Ebbs, Special Events and Volunteer Coordinator Reema Kasavich, Director of Annual Giving Mary Perrotti, Dir. of Major Gifts and Planned Giving Lori Sebastian Pinter ’88, Director of Alumnae Relations Pattie Schmidt, Donor Services Coordinator Allonna Snipes, Advancement Associate
St. Agnes Academy 2017– 2018 Board of Directors Vivian B. Abobo, PharmD, MBA Arnie D. Azios, Jr. James P. Badum Cathy Beathard Patricia Biggio Mimi Butler Dan F. Castaneda, Chair Tim Day Susan Greteman Kelly Hackett ‘00 Timothy Hannah Gregory T. Hardin Stephen P. Harding
Robert L. Heston, Jr. Raquel Fuquen Janoe ‘94 Keli Luce Sr. Carol Mayes, O.P. ‘56 Gina DeBottis Metts ‘85 Sr. Jane Meyer, O.P. Sr. Donna Pollard, O.P. Robert H. Sanders Alice B. Smith John Steffes, CPA Maria Isabel Torras Sean T. Wheeler
St. Agnes Academy 2017– 2018 Foundation Trustees Jud Bailey Catherine Clancy ‘63 José Enriquez Kevin Holt Sr. Jane Meyer, O.P. Gregory L. Phillips Sr. Donna Pollard, O.P.
Julie Plessala Samson ‘80 Gregory E. Schockling, President Stephen T. Schwarzbach Robert B. Smith Brittany Stephens Steitz ‘06 Pat H. Swanson
St. Agnes Academy Head of School Team
Principal’s Team Deborah Whalen, Principal Elaine Henderson Eichelberger ‘79, Dean of Students Amy Mattes, Director of Athletics Carleen Raymond ‘00, Academic Dean Brigid Schiro ‘81, Director of Admissions Kim Coffey Scoville ‘95, Dean of Faculty Anna Sklut, Director of Campus Ministry
STAY CONNECTED FACEBOOK facebook.com/st-agnes-academy TWITTER twitter.com/st-agnes-academy INSTAGRAM instagram.com/stagnesacademy/ www.st-agnes.org
For change of address or other questions, contact the Office of Communications at 713.219.5406 or news@st-agnes.org.
Sr. Jane Meyer, O.P., Head of School Deborah Whalen, Principal Stephanie Crowl, Director of Communications Ann Marie Gerard, Director of Human Relations Bridget Hennessey ’90, Head of Advancement H. Leon Howard, Head of Finance, Facilities and Technology
* On the Cover: Juliana Vega ’19 and Naimeh Roman ’19
Above: Meghan Swantkowski ’19 and Emma Pham ’19
IN THIS ISSUE FALL 2017
Features
Departments
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10 CLASS NOTES
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HURRICANE HARVEY: We are Many Parts BE THE CHANGE TURNS FIVE
17 ANNUAL REPORT 62 ALUMNAE AWARDS
14 TIGERS’ DEN 59 FROM THE ALUMNAE BOARDS 63 ALUMNAE UPDATES 72 IN MEMORIAM
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL SR. JANE MEYER, O.P. As I sit to write this letter with Hurricane Harvey in the rearview mirror, I continue to be overwhelmed by the love and support shown to the St. Agnes Academy community from folks throughout the United States. At a time like this, we quickly realize our interconnectedness in the body of Christ. This generous spirit was a reminder to me of God’s love in our world.
When our students, faculty, and staff returned to campus after Harvey, we gathered in our auditorium. We wanted to assure everyone that each of us in our St. Agnes community is important; that we will stand together in the healing process and that our faith in God will not waver. God is with us always and so we began again with the greatest healing sacrament, the holy Eucharist. Harvey made life difficult for all of us— some lost uniforms, books, computers, and many other things that are important to us. Some lost more than others. But, what we have not lost is who we are as a Dominican family—who we are as St. Agnes Academy. We will always have each other, and our Tiger Spirit cannot be extinguished. I have been so inspired by the many stories that I have heard in our community. Academy women and their families have joined hands in solidarity. That is who we are. Sisters each, inspiring all. Our campus, which survived with very little damage, has served as a refuge of routine—allowing many of our students to ease back into a day-to-day at their own pace. In this semester of uncertainty, our faculty, counselors, and administration have all remained flexible. They have effortlessly pivoted as needs have arisen. We, as a school community, are walking this path together. And, we are stronger for it. Since those first few weeks after the hurricane, I have witnessed just how strong we are. As I stood in the audience during our fall pep rally, I could hardly hear myself think with the roar of our crowd of Tigers. From the engineering team to our choirs, our fall sports to our Tiger Girls, our
talented Academy women lifted each other up and celebrated our successes together as a family. Watching our ambitious mainstage musical, In the Heights, I was floored with what our students accomplished in our abbreviated semester. Truly Dominicans, our students decided to turn the production into a fundraiser for Puerto Rico. They are ALWAYS thinking of others in need, and wondering how they can help. I have just returned from an uplifting Junior Retreat. What a joy it is to spend time with our students! In the evening, our juniors gathered around the campfire in prayer and to write their frustrations down and toss them into the flames. Their problems are real. But, we work through tough times together. I smile knowing they could express themselves and then turn to each other saying, “we got this.” Harvey, we Tigers eat you for breakfast.
As we approach the holy season of Advent and Christmas, may each of our journeys of walking from darkness into light serve to remind us that we do not walk alone. My prayer for each of you is that you will know how deeply grateful I am to you for being God’s face of hope and love to our community. Like the Christ Child, may God’s light and love continue to shine in each of your hearts as we make this world a better place.
As recovery was taking place, the administration quickly agreed, together with our Board, we would not lose a single student because of Harvey. We would provide financial assistance to all families in need. With generous gifts to our Harvey Relief Fund, we have been able to provide tuition assistance as requests have surpassed our budget. I invite you to read more on the support we’ve received from our families and our national Dominican network of schools on page 6. You can also see how much aid has been given to families who have lost everything. As families continue to sort through their homes, we are expecting requests to continue. If you would like to contribute to this fund, please visit st-agnes.org/Harvey.
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LETTER | 5
Hurricane Harvey: We are Many Parts ANNA SKLUT, DIRECTOR OF CAMPUS MINISTRY There’s a fairly well-known Gather book hymn by Marty Haugen, that was popular in the 1980’s and is still used today. The refrain of We Are Many Parts says, “We are many parts / We are all one body / and the gifts we have / we are given to share.”
Philanthropy and giving is not new to St. Agnes Academy. It’s inherent in the mission. When Hurricane Harvey hit and waters
was, and continues to be, reminded of our unity with others. It has been overwhelmingly beautiful and humbling to be reminded of our connectedness in the outpouring of care that others have offered our community. When giving of our gifts comes so easily, sometimes it is more
Historically, St. Agnes Academy
rose in Houston, it was surreal. It was
has lived this line: recognizing the
crazy to see the city under so much water
interconnectedness of all people, always
so quickly (and parts of the city were under
striving to serve those in need.
water for so long), and different to be on the
When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans
receiving end of so much care, concern and
and the levees broke, flooding and ravaging
generosity.
their city in 2005, St. Agnes Academy took
Our athletics department heard from a
we did not, and do not, shoulder hardship
in students and families from New Orleans
school in Pennsylvania who had invited our
alone.
and made them part of the SAA family.
soccer team to play in a tournament a few
When an earthquake devastated Haiti in
years ago. Schools from last year’s Choir
2010, students, faculty and staff rallied to
Tour in Boston reached out to send prayers
raise nearly $90,000 for Catholic Relief
and see if we were alright. We heard from
Services (CRS) in Haiti. As the infamous
schools we helped following Katrina and
story goes, Sr. Jane promised the school that
last year’s flooding. Schools on Long Island
she would skydive if the community met
who experienced Hurricane Sandy wanted
their first goal of $25,000. In a message
to help us. An all-girls Catholic school in
to CRS just before Sr. Jane became “the
California found us on Google, and reached
flying nun,” Sr. Jane said, “I have been so
out because they felt connected to us in
blessed and given so much, so I constantly
that our school colors are the same. These
remember: ‘To whom much is given, much
examples are just a few of countless stories.
is expected in return.’ I am preparing for my
St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians says,
difficult to accept support in the same way. Yet that is our call: to stand as the Body of Christ and rejoice when one part rejoices and share in pain when one part suffers. This fall has been, in many ways, a time of suffering for the Houston community, but
St. Agnes and the Dominican Sisters of Houston belong to a consortium of Dominicans around the world, connected in our shared mission and walking in the footsteps of our founder, St. Dominic. St. Agnes is a member of the Dominican Association of Secondary Schools. Our students gather each summer at the Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference with other Dominican high school students. Members of the Houston Dominican Family have participated in Lands of Dominic Pilgrimage in the
jump and I want my message to motivate
As a body is one though it has many
summers through this connection.
others.”
parts, and all the parts of the body,
The support of this Dominican group has
When flood waters rose in Baton Rouge
though many, are one body, so also Christ.
been incredible. Because of connections
and the surrounding areas in August
For in one Spirit we were all baptized
our students have made at the Preaching
2016, before students were really into the
into one body, whether Jews or Greeks,
Conference, we received gift cards and
school routine for the year, sports teams
slaves or free persons, and we were all
donations, cards and banners from
and clubs adopted nearly 20 families and
given to drink of one Spirit… so that there
Dominican High Schools in Illinois,
sent clothes, gift cards and other needs to
may be no division in the body, but that
California, New York, Tennessee, and
their community through a contact at the
the parts may have the same concern for
Louisiana.
Dominican Sisters of Peace in Louisiana.
one another. If [one] part suffers, all the
SAA also sent gift cards and cleaning
parts suffer with it; if one part is honored,
supplies to two Catholic parishes and an all-
all the parts share its joy. (1 Cor 12:12-13,
girls Catholic high school.
25-26)
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Anne Doyle and Becky Rushing (theology teachers and members of the Dominican Family) participated in the Lands of Dominic Pilgrimage several years ago.
This scripture might perfectly encapsulate
They befriended Dominican Sisters from
the Harvey experience: St. Agnes Academy
St. Agnes Academic High School in New
York, whose students held a special fundraiser and day of prayer for St. Agnes Academy. The students made a video to share with our students and Anne and Becky presented the donations, prayer cards, and video to our students on VTV. At the end of October, Student Council compiled a map of the
Albertus Magnus High School, Bardonia, NY Fenwick High School, Oak Park, IL Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, Flintridge, CA Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, Washington, D.C.
schools (right) and organizations who have supported St. Agnes
Immaculate Heart Academy, Township of Washington, NJ
Academy in the wake of Harvey. It is breathtaking to recognize
Lacordaire Academy, Montclair, NJ
the relationships and support St. Agnes Academy has across the
Malden Catholic High School, Malden, MA
country. Hurricane Harvey and the aftermath show what beautiful connections St. Agnes Academy has made. From athletics to performing arts, the connections of our faculty, staff, students,
Mount St. Dominic Academy, Caldwell, NJ Regina Dominican, Wilmette, IL Rosary High School, Aurora, IL
alumnae and their families around the country have been felt all
The Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, Amityville, NY
over. St. Agnes Academy is loved. And, we are blessed.
St. Agnes Academic, College Point, NY
As of November 1, SAA received donations totaling more than
St. Agnes Academy, Memphis, TN
$114,000 and $22,350 in gift cards from numerous individuals
St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School, West Islip, NY
and 17 schools. All donations have gone directly to families
St. Joseph’s Academy, Baton Rouge, LA
impacted by Hurricane Harvey and the subsequent flooding. St. Agnes Academy will continue to lean on the Body of Christ, and
St. Mary’s Dominican, New Orleans, LA St. Monica School, Methuen, MA
walk with our Academy families through this difficult time because “we are many parts/ we are all one body / and the gifts we have / we are given to share.”
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FEATURE | 7
Be the Change CHRISTINA MUNIZ ‘18
BE THE CHANGE, A ST. AGNES PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS FROM THE COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING ST. AGNES WHO HAVE LIMITED ACCESS TO COMPARABLE SUMMER PROGRAMS OR CAMPS DUE TO FINANCIAL RESTRAINTS , CELEBRATES ITS FIFTH BIRTHDAY THIS YEAR. TO HONOR THE SUCCESS OF THIS INCREDIBLE PROGRAM, WE’VE TURNED TO CHRISTINA MUNIZ ‘18. CHRISTINA PARTICIPATED IN THE INAUGURAL YEAR OF BE THE CHANGE AND IS NOW A MEMBER OF OUR SENIOR CLASS. *ABOVE, CHRISTINA MUNIZ ‘18 AS AN 8TH GRADER IN THE BE THE CHANGE PROGRAM
I remember my first day at Be the Change. It was my 13-yearold self ’s first taste of St. Agnes, and the thought of entering into something bigger than my middle school terrified me. I came from a small school—the entire grade was smaller than the size of one of my classes at St. Agnes now. My big extracurricular activity at the time was Speech and Debate, taught by none other than a funny, passionate, and outspoken student from St. Agnes Academy. It was then that SAA became more than just the school my parents expected me to attend. It became a school where I knew I would one day find my best friends, where I would become a stronger woman than I thought I could ever be, and where I would take part in a community like no other.
St. Agnes values four pillars, a concept I was largely unfamiliar with before becoming a student. But, Be the Change highlights the four pillars of prayer, preaching, study, and community, and makes the experience as a whole so much more gratifying.
Be the Change helped welcome me into the St. Agnes community immediately. The students I met when I first attended Be the Change made me feel a little less awkward, a little less confused, and a whole lot less like an outsider looking in. Even though only three other girls from my first year at Be the Change attend St. Agnes today, I still keep in touch with the friends I made during those three weeks. I decided that Be the Change would be my service project for my senior year.
Preaching—most people think of it as a sermon or a homily or something that has to happen at church, but it’s so much more than that. My work, and the work of every other St. Agnes upperclassman at Be the Change, is intended to make the program better than it’s ever been before. A safe place. A place where we can preach not just God’s message, but everything that comes along with it. Be the Change is more than just a way to welcome potential students into SAA. It’s a way to teach to them, preach to them, the strength that comes with being a part of such a great community,
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The pillar of prayer is something I’m quite familiar with as someone who’s been in Catholic school her whole life. Coming into the summer camp, prayer was a comfort to me; it was familiar. We prayed every morning before we started the day. As a senior I was given the privilege to lead prayer one morning. I felt so blessed to have that opportunity. Be the Change, like St. Agnes, is open to girls of all religions. We embrace differences while still praying as a Dominican community.
*ABOVE, SENIORS JULIA ERWIN, SOPHIE ZOCH, KATE TENTINGER, AND CHRISTINA MUNIZ
and the love Academy women have for one another. Each senior was given the opportunity to give a witness talk throughout the duration of the camp—which was something I never imagined I would do four years prior. I remember being on the other side as a vulnerable middle schooler, inspired by the talks given by the seniors. We preach, and we pray, but it’s more than just what we get from the Bible. It’s what we learn from one another and want to inspire in others. St. Agnes as a whole values a community of camaraderie and mutual benefits. We pull each other up and we don’t let anyone slip through the cracks. We pray together, preach together, and study together. I don’t know what I’d do without the friends I study with, and Be the Change was my first glimpse into that world of understanding. It’s not easy being a student at SAA, but it’s so much easier knowing that everyone around me is going through the same thing; more than that, we want to help each other learn and grow and be better. Many of the girls we worked with aren’t given the opportunities to learn about what they are passionate about. This program allows young girls to not only experience the community of St. Agnes but to get a taste of the academics here. During my time as a camper, I took a forensics class with Ms. Licato. I enjoyed that class so much I signed up to take the actual class my senior year to fulfil my science credit. Her class helped me discover my passion for science, something I had not yet uncovered in middle school. This is my hope for all the girls who come through Be the Change.
Community is the fourth and final Dominican pillar I’m going to talk about, and it really is the essence of both St. Agnes and Be the Change. This program was designed to open these girls up to new perspectives, new values, and new lifestyles. Watching the impressionable middle schoolers form bonds like I did years before was so rewarding. Additionally, I became so much closer to the other seniors I worked so hard with to make Be the Change happen. I have a community here at SAA unlike any other. Undoubtedly, this is what I value most in St. Agnes and Be the Change. The conglomerate of not-so-alike girls with alike minds creates a community that really, truly is unparalleled. Be the Change changed my life. And despite how cheesy and cliché it sounds, I can’t put it any other way. As a 13-year-old from a big family and a tiny school, I had no idea what to expect from such a big school like St. Agnes. I was a little excited, but still really nervous. Be the Change wiped those fears away the second I walked through the doors of the rotunda. It became so much more than a summer camp. I was my gateway into the community I would later call home. And when I was accepted into Be the Change as my senior service project, I was ecstatic. I would be contributing to the same events that led me to so strongly want to become a student at St. Agnes. All I can hope through my actions in Be the Change is that I have inspired at least one girl in the same way I was, and that SAA can welcome just one more sister into the community.
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THE CL ASS OF 2017 VALEDICTORIAN Lauren Henrichsen ’17 Texas Christian University
SALUTATORIAN Rebecca Carlson ‘17 Texas A&M University
VERITAS AWARD Julia Calaway ‘17 Scripps University The recipient of this award is receommended by the faculty. Based on the academic achievement, service, courage and leadership, this award honors a woman who has truly lived her calling to be Christ for others.
St. Agnes Award TESS PETERSON ‘17 The George Washington University Selected by the faculty, this award celebrates a young woman who has made an unmistakable difference in the lives of others. She truly lives the Dominican values that embody the St. Agnes tradition.
ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA AWARD Elena Linardi ‘17 Santa Clara University This award honors a student selected for her graciousness, hospitality, respectfulness, and service to others. We are pleased to recognize this young woman who leads with integrity and joyful enthusiasm. *top left, the Class of 2017 *lower left, Class President Julia Calaway, Class Vice President Tess Peterson, Student Body President Sarah Berno, Student Body Vice President Ellen Alley The Class of 2017 matriculated to 82 different colleges. Visit www.st-agnes.org/matriculation to see the entire list of where our newest alumnae landed!
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Summa Cum Laude Graduates
32
Magna Cum Laude Graduates
$39 million 10 value of scholarships offered to Class of 2017
Number of college athletic signings
50 82
Cum Laude Graduates
Number of different colleges the Class of 2017 is now attending
67 52
Percentage of 2017 graduates who are members of National Honor Society Percentage of 2017 graduates attending in-state colleges
OPPOSITE: *TOP- Top Row: Bridey Flood, Maddie Van Brunt, Megan O’Connor, Ally Day, Bottom: Nora Brasher, Lilli Reamer, Jordan Howard, Tess Stroh MIDDLE: Rebecca Carlson BOTTOM: Cameron McMenemy, Marisa Rao, Claudel Tilong, and Ibuken Lagbenro 10 | CLASS NOTES
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This is St. Agnes REBECCA CARLSON ‘17 This is St. Agnes. This is white sunlight reflecting off rotunda windows and bright cement and brick walls and hello and welcome home. This is gently squeaking chalkboards and a mob of hungry girls and 10 tampons offered to a girl in need. This is too-cold science rooms and too-hot history rooms and girls made of tears hugging after a math test. This is birds chirping outside and a roar between every five chimes of the airplane bell. This is writing “Veritas” on the homework we all collaborated on and attacking misogynists on Twitter. This is a pact for no one to do their homework and this is it not working out because we’re academy women. This is ten pages of notes and four hours of studying equaling one decent GPA and college acceptance letters. This is the 8 on the Richter scale after the VVD announcement. This is daycare, this is discovering our own world, and this is a collective roast of her ex-boyfriend. This is the especially golden sun on clear days and walking in front of Strake’s speeding cars and students changing in the middle of the hallway. This is finding yourself, and meeting girls who hold other girls’ hands, and solidarity in group chats. This is, I always wanted to go to Hogwarts and I’ve kind of found it. This is family and this is ‘oh, how I’m ready to move on’ and ‘oh, one day left and I’ve got to make the most of it.’ This is leaving plaid cardboard skirts for independence and this is using fading Fujitsus to look up how to press flowers because home changes and so do you. This is ‘thank God we’re done’ but also ‘I’m not ready to leave.’ This is, ‘I’ve grown out of this place but this place will never grow out of me.’
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CLASS NOTES | 11
CL ASS NOTES OUR NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS Semifinalists Claire Cho Alexis Covington Alex Faison Megan Farr Makenna Fitzsimmons Irene Koch Anna Kuryla Hannah Lord Grace Meyne Maureen Steier Sophie Sutter Claire Warren
Commended Students Sullivan Brem Alyssa Dizon Natalie Festa Stephanie Gredell Samantha Hamilton Kimberly Jimenez Lauren Lowe Maria Machicao
Christina Okhuysen Catheryn Pahl Michelle Parma Trinity Reilly Isabel Sjodin Alice Watts Ellery Wheeler
National Hispanic Scholars Isabella Anderson Kristin Fogt Alyssa Francis Samantha Hamilton Kimberly Jimenez Maria Machicao Paula Maza Anna McGrath
Christina Okhuysen Rebecca Polasek Trinity Reilly Daniela Rumbaut Claudia Swofford Kristyn Weiner Anika Yzaguirre
Bottom Row: Megan Farr, Claire Cho, Claire Warren; Row 2: Maureen Steier, Sophie Sutter, Makenna Fitzsimmons; Row 3: Alexis Covington, Anna Kuryla, Irene Koch; Top Row: Hannah Lord, Grace Meyne, Alex Faison
Congratulations to our National Merit Scholarship Program participants this year! From approximately 1.5 million program entrants, each of these students is among the 50,000 highest-scoring participants. From the 50,000 high scorers nationwide, about 16,000 have been named National Merit Program Semifinalists, representing the top scorers in each state, and approximately 34,000 others will be commended for their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT. St. Agnes is pleased to announce 12 Semifinalists, 15 Commended Students, and 15 National Hispanic Scholars.
Choir Members Make All State The results are in! Please join us in congratulating our St. Agnes and Strake Jesuit choir members who qualified for the Texas Private School Music Educator Association’s All State Choir. Once again, we are proud to say we have more members than any other school in Texas. Students record two songs each year to qualify. The TPSMEA All State choir will perform Saturday, January 27, 2018 in Dallas. First row: Hannah Ducay ‘19, Hannah Watkins ‘19, Samantha Bernardy ‘18, Natalie Ledesma ‘19 Top Row: Isabella Zambrano ‘19, Elizabeth Lakoski ‘20, Alex Faison ‘18, Kate Tentinger ‘18, Caitlyn Gilliam ‘20 12 | CLASS NOTES
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Welcome Week
From Baby Day to the Big Sis/Lil Sis parade, we didn’t let Harvey get us down! We welcomed the Class of 2021 with all our Academy traditions.
Ninth Graders Volunteer for Harvey Sophia Tejeda ’21 wanted to help right after Harvey. When she received an email from the Thespian society organizing their own group to the food bank, she decided to recruit some of her freshmen classmates to volunteer. After only a month at St. Agnes, these Academy women were living the mission. Above: Sophia Tejeda ’21, Kathleen Schmidt ’21, Claudia Aramburu Tinoco ’21, and Ally Greer ’21
Mainstage Musical: In the Heights
Congrats, Astros!
Actors, singers, and dancers from both St. Agnes and Strake Jesuit joined forces once again for the St. Agnes Academy mainstage musical, In the Heights, a Lin-Manuel Miranda production. This year, St. Agnes moved its annual musical production to the
Congratulations to our Houston Astros! Our Academy women cheered them on throughout the playoffs, celebrating the World Series win in the courtyard in true baseball style—with hotdogs and snowcones.
fall! In the wake of the powerful hurricane season, our students decided to add a special element to the production. The musical focuses on a predominately Hispanic-American neighborhood, Washington Heights, in New York City. During the musical, our actors paused to pass the hat for aid to Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria. The show raised $4,800 to be divided evenly between three Catholic high schools in Puerto Rico: Academia Maria Reina, Colegio San Ignacio, and Colegio San Antonio de Isabela. Father Bravo, formerly of Strake Jesuit, is now working at Colegio San Ignacio. The mainstage musical is led by Performing Arts Chair Art Buckley, Theatre Arts Director Jewell Handy ’88, Music Director Jeremy Wood, and Dance Director Julie Chilton.
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CLASS NOTES | 13
TIGERS’ DEN Records Broken in Swimming, Track & Field and Water Polo There seems to be a pattern forming for our swimming and track teams. When you break school records, you tend to win a State Championship. For the second year in a row, our teams broke school and state records and each earned the top spot in TAPPS 6A competition. Our swim team shattered their previous TAPPS State record in the 200 Freestyle Relay with a time of 1:39.73, going on to win their third State Championship in four years. Swimming in the relay were Lilli Storemski ’17, Delaney Wolfe ’17, Bridie Hibbler ’18, and Anastasia Kontrimas ’17. In addition to setting two individual and one relay record for St. Agnes, Lauren Lowe ’18, below right, also set the TAPPS State record in the 100m hurdles, 300m hurdles, and the 4x400 relay. She, along with teammates Maysen Odom ’19, Meghan Rotter ’18, and Cristen Harrison ’18 ran a 3:54.62 in the 4 x 400 relay. Water Polo player Rhianna Roth ’17, below left, broke her previous single season scoring record of 52 goals with a whopping 108 for the 2017 season. She went on to score a total of 164 career goals at St. Agnes. For a complete listing of our school records, come and check out the record boards located outside of Gallagher Gymnasium, next to the Spirit Store.
Tiger Tennis Does it Again Our tennis team won their fifth straight TAPPS 6A State Championship. Congratulations to Singles State Champion Christina Watson ’18 and Doubles State Champions Natalia Nassar ’18 and Kendall Couch ’19! Also, congrats to our quarterfinalists Anika Yzaguirre ’18, Jordan Ham ’19 and Rachel Ham ’19 and teammates Caitlin Boeker ’17 and Regina Lopez ’19! It was a total team effort.
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Tigers Earn 3rd Overall Champion Award in a Row For the third straight year, St. Agnes Athletics brought home the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) Overall Female Sports Champion Award. Points are earned as our teams progress in each round of the playoffs. in addition to winning the Female Championship, our teams collectively scored enough points to place second among all schools in the co-ed category! Along the way, our teams brought home seven District Championships and four Regional Championships. We had nine State Appearances – including five StateRunner-Ups and three State Championships beginning with Swimming in the Winter and Tennis and Track and Field this Spring!! Although we did bring home an impressive three state titles, we were very close to bringing home a whopping eight! What will 2017-2018 bring?
MULTI-SPORT ATHLETES LEADING THE WAY IN STATE PLAYOFFS St. Agnes boasts many multi-sport athletes within our student body. Last year, 108 Academy women played two sports and nine of them played three. The multi-sport athlete becomes more rare across the country each year as more and more are choosing to specialize in just one sport. Gone are the days when an athlete played a new sport each season. Director of Athletics, Amy Mattes, shared: I was a varsity letterman in three sports in high school. This was in a time before club ball and the Amateur Athletic Union really started, so there was no pressure to specialize. I played multiple sports because I loved the change from season to season and I wanted to have fun and be with my friends. Lauren Holiday, retired member of the Women’s US National Soccer Team, competed in track, played basketball, and pursued baseball in her younger years.
Tigers Take to the Beach Members of our volleyball program competed in the very first TAPPS Beach Volleyball Tournament this past June, competing against 40 teams from around the state. All three of our teams qualified for the Gold bracket.
“Having that variety is an awesome thing and I would encourage any young athlete or parent not to restrict themselves,” Holiday added. “Doing different things develops different parts of your body. It can help prevent injuries and definitely help prevent burnout.” A unique and rare fact this past year is that we had eleven athletes who competed in a State competition in two different sports. Emelia Bartusiak ’17 – Cross Country and Track & Field Amber Boettiger ’17 – Cross Country and Track & Field Kendall Couch ’19 – Soccer and Tennis Jordan Howard ’17 – Soccer and Softball Anna Lang ’17 – Swimming and Water Polo Kathryn Leach ’20 – Cross Country and Track & Field Hannah Lord ’18 – Swimming and Water Polo Isabel Makulski ’20 – Soccer and Track & Field Zoe Narvacan ’17 – Field Hockey and Softball Abbey Rank ’17 – Soccer and Water Polo Delaney Wolfe ’17 – Swimming and Water Polo Mattes adds: I loved every part of my high school athletic experience and I would recommend to anyone not planning on competing in college, to play everything you can. The memories you make right here, right now with your teammates will last a lifetime.
Roary Gets a Facelift “Roary 2017,” right, was introduced to our Student Body at the Fall Pep Rally in an epic dance showdown with “Old Roary.” The new Roary was designed in the image of our current St. Agnes Tiger.
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Coach Kaitlin Kelley Earns Coach of the Year Honors For the second straight year, a St. Agnes coach has earned the prestigious TAPPS Burleson Athletic Leadership Award. Following our 2016 winner, Cross Country/Track & Field head coach Kristi Robbins, Kaitlin Kelley was selected as the 2017 recipient. Coach Kelley is in her 8th year as our Swimming and Water Polo head coach. Along the way, she has led her team to State Championships in Swimming in 2014, 2016, and 2017, and returned to the Water Polo State Championship game in 2017 for the 1st time in 20 years, ending as State Runner-Up. Director of Athletics, Amy Mattes, says; The love and respect that is shared amongst her athletes and coaches is very special. She works as hard or harder than any coach I have ever known and St. Agnes is truly blessed to have her making such a positive impact upon our community.
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Tiger Moments 1. SAA Track & Field takes State the second year in a row. 2. Our basketball team competed in the “Big Varsity Division” camp at Texas A&M this past July and won first place! 3. In preparation for their fall season, members of our cross country team trained in the high altitude at Boulder Running Camp in Colorado in July. 4. Members of our coaching staff show their Houston Astros spirit! 16 | TIGERS’ DEN
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LETTER FROM THE ALUMNAE BOARD CHAIR BRITTANY TAGGART WATERMAN ’05 As we begin this new school year, our community is still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Many of you may have experienced storm damage, while others are helping donate their time, opening their homes, and giving financially. Through the devastation, the St. Agnes spirit has truly prevailed. Events like Harvey lead us to focus on our own lives and count our blessings. Like you, I realize how fortunate I am to be a St. Agnes graduate. When you think of your time and experiences at St. Agnes as well as where you are today, what thoughts come to mind? What personal attributes do you credit St. Agnes for instilling in you? Perhaps your character? Intellect? Work ethic? Confidence? Caring nature? The list goes on. Whether attending St. Agnes was your dream as a little girl or it came as a nudge from your parents, I know you join me in realizing that a big part of who we are today is because of the four years we spent on Bellaire Boulevard or Fannin Street for our stalwarts. When I am asked if I would send my daughter to St. Agnes, my answer is always, ABSOLUTELY! St Agnes provides a circle that embraces us well beyond high school and even the Houston area. It provides a caring network of women all over the world that are ready and willing to help one another. Join me, as we begin this exciting new year at St. Agnes Academy. As board chair, my goal is to reach out and engage both active alumnae and those who want to be. Coming back to campus, donating or getting involved will keep us all connected to the St. Agnes Academy community we all know and love! VERITAS! Brittany Taggart Waterman ’05
Save the Dates for 2018 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, January 10: Class of 2017 Yearbook Signing Social St. Agnes Academy Rotunda 12 p.m. Wednesday, February 14: Generations Luncheon St. Agnes Academy Fleming Rooms 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 10: Alumnae Networking Happy Hour Crisp in the Heights 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 1: Fannin Street Luncheon The Junior League of Houston 4 p.m. Saturday, October 6 - REUNION 2018 Honoring classes ending in ’3 and ’8
The St. Agnes Academy Alumnae Board is committed to advancing relationships among alumnae and involving them in the mission and community of the school through participation in the traditions, strengths, growth and future of St. Agnes Academy. We have a wide range of class years to represent all alumnae age groups. 2017-2018 BOARD LEADERSHIP Left to Right: Amy Brown ‘10 - SAYPO Board Vice-President, Jessica Sanders ’05 - Alumnae Board Vice-Chair, Celina Guerrero ’04 - SAYPO Board President, Brittany Taggart Waterman ‘05 - Alumnae Board Chair 2017-2018 ALUMNAE BOARD Top row: Amy McKenna Greely ‘80, Jessi Burton Cook ’94 Third row: Liz Tanner ’00, Kristen Hanshaw ‘07, Brittany Taggart Waterman ‘05 Second row: Samantha Scruggs ’00, Nathalie Sessions Fye ’88, Laura Hamlin Oates ’00 Front row: Margarita Olivero Golden ‘95, Lisa Renaud Staples ’90, Carol Ellis Sebastian ’78 Not pictured: Beatriz Trillos Ballerini ’87, Conchi DiazArrastia Green ‘78, Jessica Sanders ’05, Kellye Adamo Wright ’03
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LETTER FROM THE SAYPO BOARD PRESIDENT CELINA GUERRERO ‘04 As the St. Agnes Academy class of 2021 began their high school career, there was no way to know the beginning of it would be affected by a hurricane. The first five days of Harvey brought a range of emotions, from worry, to fear, to cabin fever, and beyond. Sometime over that initial weekend, I received a group text from a fellow SAA class of 2004 alumna, Vanessa Valero, who is living in Baltimore, who was sending a message to eight fellow SAA alumnae wanting to know if everyone was ok. Slowly everyone chimed in: “All’s well here.” “The water is rising slowly.” “Cabin fever is setting in.” We kept that group text alive for the next week and a half . We were extremely fortunate to come out of the storm relatively unscathed. Then the conversation turned to, “Where’s the nearest shelter where I can volunteer?” “I’ve just left GRB and they’re no longer accepting clothing donations.” “My family member has flooded and we’re tearing out drywall if anyone is looking to help.” Through that group text, then facebook, twitter, and email, the St. Agnes alumnae community banded together to serve our community in the Dominican tradition. I witnessed countless efforts of fellow alumnae, students, and faculty volunteering their time and energy to help repair our community in their time of need. It is with this spirit and sense of community that I am overjoyed to begin my tenure as President of the St. Agnes Young Professional Organization. For the past 17 years I’ve held St. Agnes Academy in the highest regard for its faculty, rigorous academics, commitment to social justice, championing of the marginalized in society, and focus on making a difference in the world. My years at St. Agnes were spent developing friendships that I held close to my heart. This fall, their strengths were confirmed. Our group text eventually led to a hangout at a local restaurant to get out of the house and enjoy some sustenance. Friends, partners, husbands, and babies took advantage of a lovely patio afternoon as we traded Harvey stories and recognized our good fortune, not only in weathering the storm but in the friendships that have weathered our years at St. Agnes and beyond. Marcelina Guerrero ’04
The St. Agnes Young Professionals Organization (SAYPO) is a group open to any St. Agnes alumnae 21 - 40 years old. The SAYPO Board fits the same age criteria, and facilitates and organizes events for this group to cultivate personal and professional growth, and to create networking opportunities to help alumna achieve success. 2017-2018 SAYPO BOARD Back Row: Katie McAfee ’03, Elizabeth Delozier DeFranco ’08, Claire Groff ’11 Row 3: Natalie Harms ’10, Amy Brown ‘10, Ellen Stuchly ’07, Meredith Flaherty ’04 Row 2: Andrea Ivey Phillips ’04, Kathryn Schroeder ’09, Jessi Grealish ’09 Front Row: Celina Guerrero ’04, Julia Valencia ’08, Alejandra Narvaez ‘07 Not Pictured: Katie Bobo ’12, Sarah-Margaret Hamman ’11, Chelsea Brooks Overstreet ’04, Allison Squire ‘05, Regina Vatterott ’12
CO-ED YOUNG ALUMNI HAPPY HOUR On July 12, close to 400 alumni from St. Agnes, Duchesne, Incarnate Word Academy, Strake Jesuit, St. Pius X and St. Thomas met to mix and mingle at Saint Arnold Brewery!
Left: Erin Gready ’12, Annie Hunsaker ’12, Jesse Edwards ’12, Laura Holland ’12 Above: Members of the Class of 2012 enjoy the event. 18 | LETTERS
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REUNION 2017 On Saturday, October 7 over 400 alumnae, family and friends attended the all-school reunion and open house on campus. They enjoyed complimentary beer, wine, and delicious hors d’oeuvres by Sage Dining (the caterer who feeds our students every day)! Beautiful and yummy cake balls were served by Confectionary Home (confectionaryhome.com) and Margarita Olivero Golden ’95. Meredith Flaherty ’04 (meredithflaherty.com) was our official photographer, and National Honor Society and Student Council members directed campus tours. Prior to reunion, the Alumnae Board and SAYPO Board presented the 2017 Veritas and SAYPO Awards. Alumnae Board Chair Brittany Taggart Waterman ‘05 introduced Susan Chipperfield Giddens ‘90, who presented the 2017 Veritas Award to her friend and classmate, Shannon Beirne Wiesedeppe ’90. The St. Agnes Academy Alumnae Veritas Award is given
each year to an alumna who exhibits outstanding dedication to, support for, and love of St. Agnes. Shannon’s mother, Charla Ward Trader ’64, received the Veritas Award in 2011, making Shannon the first legacy recipient. SAYPO Board President Celina Guerrero ’04 introduced Mackenzie Burns Payton ’05, who presented the SAYPO Award to her sister, Madeline Burns ’09. This is SAYPO’s third year to present the SAYPO Award, which is given annually to a young alumna who is pursuing excellence in her career, and is an outstanding representative of St. Agnes through her professionalism, ingenuity, creativity and success. See more on these honorees on the following page. The 2017 Class Challenge Awards were also awarded. Class challenge winners are listed on page 50.
LEFT: Melissa Strake Griffith ‘92, Freddy and DeLores Martinez Warner ‘57, Julie Sacco ’92 RIGHT: Class of 1962
Class of 2007
(Above) The Class of 1997
(Above) Alumnae and SAYPO Board members became TABC certified to volunteer serve at Reunion! Katie Bobo ’12, Regina Vatterott ’12, Carol Ellis Sebastian ’78, Lisa Renaud Staples ’90
(Left) Mary Kelley Jones ’77, Maria Chao-Black ’77 and Maria Echemendia Couch ’77
(Right) Jane Heiman Lewicki ‘40 and Vicky Lewicki
2017 Alumnae Awards VERITAS AWARD: SHANNON BEIRNE WIESEDEPPE ’90 The St. Agnes Academy Alumnae Veritas Award is awarded to an alumna that exhibits outstanding dedication to, support for and love of St. Agnes, and is an outstanding representative of an Academy Woman to the community. Shannon is an outstanding representative of an Academy Woman. She recently served as the 93rd president of The Junior League of Houston, Inc., an organization of over 5,000 women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Shannon earned her undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Southern Methodist University. She is a Class Agent for the class of 1990, and she and her husband, Bud, have two children, Finely and Brink. SAYPO AWARD: MADELINE BURNS ’09 MADELINE uses her career to help people around the world and is truly living Veritas. This past year she spent 10 weeks as a volunteer ward nurse on a Mercy Ship - the Africa Mercy - docked in Cotonou, Benin. Mercy Ships is a non-profit organization that operates the largest nongovernmental hospital ship in the world. The ship docks in various countries along the coast of Africa for nine months at a time, and provides life-saving surgeries and medical care to children and adults. The ship is operated by nearly 400 volunteers including doctors, nurses, physical therapists, electricians, engineers, plumbers, chaplains, chefs, and pharmacists. Volunteers come from all over the world and serve various lengths of time, and because the ship can dock for nine months, patients can obtain follow-up care and participate in therapies to optimize their healing. As a ward nurse, Madeline built relationships with patients and their families. She says it was amazing to see first-hand the transformation patients underwent after their surgeries, and it was an experience that has not only strengthened her desire to serve those in need, but reaffirmed her desire to work as a nurse and provide medical care to deserving patients. Madi currently works at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in St. Paul, Minnesota on the Neuroscience Unit as a Pediatric Registered Nurse. 20 | ALUMNAE AWARDS
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Paige Jamail Barnes ’91 opened an educational consulting business called AP Student Champions. Paige and her business partner, both former teachers, assist parents who are struggling to navigate the education system and act as “life coaches” for educational needs. apstudentchampions.com
The Class of 1957 held their 60-reunion weekend in Galveston on October 7, 8 and 9 at Moody Gardens, and report it was a wonderful three days with classmates. In December 2016 Fort Bend ISD trustees named Elementary School 48 after Donald Leonetti, son of Rose Ann Leonetti ‘62. Donald was a great supporter of Fort Bend ISD and contributed greatly toward the advancement of local public education. Donald was fatally shot during an armed robbery in 2014.
The Class of 1992 got together on October 7 at Kirby Ice House to celebrate their 25-year reunion.
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Anne Clark ’66’s grandson, Wesley, graduated from the Coast Guard on Sept. 29. The Class of 1967 kicked off their their 50-year reunion weekend on October 6 at Hungry’s in Rice Village. On October 7, they got together at Molina’s on Westheimer and wrapped the weekend up with brunch on October 8 at Federal American Grill.
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Debbie Marz Davison ’69 was elected mayor of Manvel, Texas in May. Manvel is a community of 20,000 citizens. Debbie ran against longtime mayor Delores Beck Martin ’52, also a St. Agnes alumnae. (1)
Becky Perry Schillaci ’72 and husband, Terry, opened a franchise in Sugar Land called Pump It Up at The Fountains. It is an indoor inflatable bounce house and party venue. pumpitupparty.com/sugarland-tx Anne Wisneski Calvet ’73 married David Calvet on July 22 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Covington, Tennessee. Colleen O’Grady ’73 gave a TEDx talk at the TEDxWilmington Conference on, “Ticked-Off Teenage Daughters and Stressed-Out Moms: 3 Ways to Dial Down the Drama.” Colleen has also been a speaker for St. Agnes Mother’s Club events. youtu.be/z0U-U-Gggf8 The Class of 1982 celebrated their 35 years since high school at a happy hour on October 6 at Dino’s Den and on October 7 at a dinner hosted at the home of Sheila Earthman Mayfield ’82.
Lynn Sauer Robinson ’82 was selected as a Texas A&M University Fish Camp Namesake this summer. Fish Camp is divided into seven sessions, each with seven camps, all named after someone who has contributed to Texas A&M in a positive way. They receive several hundred nominations for namesakes every year. Lynn has hosted three SAA classmates over the last couple of years at their home in Pagosa Springs, Colorado and looks forward to having more visitors in the future. The Class of 1987 got together on October 7 to celebrate their 30-year reunion at Kirby Ice House. (2) Carmen Hirsch-Gray ’88 is in her twentyfifth year of teaching. Her son graduated from high school in June and headed to the northwest. Her daughter is a three-year cancer survivor. Carmen has published two short stories and many poems. She did a book tour last fall and spring and won a National Endowment for the Humanities Grant to study Emily Dickinson at Amherst University last summer. She lives in Austin and enjoys deepening her yoga and meditation practice. walkersonthejourney.com
Dane Johnston Gogoshin ’96 and husband, Grigoriy, welcomed Ada Aurora on February 22. She joins big brother Yuriy. Dane’s song shop, A Lullaby for Sweetie Pie, crafts lullabies for babies and children battling illness and disabilities at no cost to the families. lullabysweetiepie.com Monica Valdez Jordan ’96 married Kenneth Jordan on New Year’s Eve at Harmony Chapel in Aubrey, Texas. Monica is a prosecutor at the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. (3) Stephanie Stevens Renn ’98 and husband, Mark, welcomed Madison Michelle on May 17, weighing 8.2 pounds, and measuring 22 inches long. She joins big brother Matthew (9) and big sister, Mallorie (6). Kimberly Alexis Bledel ’99 won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for playing “Ofglen” on Season One of The Handmaid’s Tale. (4)
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Jennifer Edwards Baine ’99 moved to Washington D.C. from San Francisco and is expecting her fourth child this fall. Jocelyn Chapman Vincent ’99 moved to Pittsburgh in June and joined a masters water polo team. Sara Klinger Wilcox ’99 and husband, Alex, welcomed Poppy Jane in April. She joins big brother Wyatt Oliver (2). The Wilcox family resides in Newport Beach, California where they run JetSuite and JetSuiteX. Lauren Robinson ’00 and husband, Sam Rogers (SJ ’01), welcomed Evelyn Robinson on August 17. Her birthday fell on the one year anniversary of Lauren’s father’s death and this has special meaning for them.
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Nancy McEvily Davis ’04 and husband, Lee, welcomed Hannah in June.
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Cathleen Gready Fishel ’04 and husband, Michael, welcomed Charlotte on July 20. She joins big sister Caroline Lydia. Marcelina Guerrero ’04 has started a new position as the exhibitions coordinator of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Margeaux LaFleur Gorman ’01 and husband, Ted, welcomed Louis Maximilian on July 28. He joins sister Meara (7) and brothers Teddy (5) John (3) and Sebastian (2). Maggie Kindschuh Mann ’01 and husband, William, welcomed Edith Rose on August 5. The Mann family resides in Austin. Rachel Stanberry Meyer ’02 and husband, Jake, welcomed Benjamin Jacob on March 7. Tatiana Bakhoum ’03 started a new position as the catering supervisor for Klein ISD. Amanda Sitomer Smith ’03 and husband, Jamison (STH ’03), welcomed Jamison Parker on April 6. He joins big sister, Ainsleigh. The Smiths recently opened a new business, The Gun Cleaners, Inc. gunshophoustontx.com Jennifer McCord Anderson ’04 and husband, Landon, welcomed Roy Walton on September 13, weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces and measuring 20 inches. Allie Albrecht Cassidy ’04 and husband, Bryan, welcomed Audrey Nicole on September 11. She joins big sister Clare. (5) Valentina Echeverri Dassey ’04 and husband, Adam, welcomed Cecilia in May.
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Mari Sanchez Metzler ’04 has a boutique and a salon in the Woodlands, Makeup by Mari. She specializes in makeover lessons, skincare consultations, weddings and events. And, she recently developed the jewelry side of her boutique. makeupbymari.com Meagan Brophy Rao ’04 and husband, Adam, welcomed Molly in May. Christine Porterfield Andrews ’05, Brittanie Hoster Duncan ’05, and friend Cameron Eubank started a small fundraising business called Deep In The Heart Goods. The company was founded to assist with bringing relief to communities affected by natural disasters and is in partnership with GlobalGiving. Their current product line includes shirts, tanks, candles, and they are creating more. deepintheheartgoods.com Chelsey Hanig-Nassar ’05 and husband, Jonathan (SJ ’01), welcomed Isaac Jonathan on September 20. He joins big sister Christine. Connie Seré Ittner ’05 and husband, Braxton, welcomed Darby Marie on July 19, weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces. Emily Austin Nugent ’05 married Daniel Nugent on March 11 at Minute Maid Park in Houston. (6)
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6 ALUMNAE SPOTLIGHT: Brittany Taggart Waterman ’05 married Kelly Waterman on April 29 at Riding River Ranch in Leakey, Texas. Brittany was named one of 2017 Young Professionals Network “20 Under 40 Rising Stars in Real Estate” by the Houston Association of Realtors. (7) Erica Gonzalez Snow ’05 and husband, Josh, welcomed Penelope Reese on January 10. Jessica Sanders ’05 is Penelope’s godmother. Barbara DeLozier McGough ’06 and husband, William, welcomed James in August. Barbara received her J.D. from South Texas College of Law in December and works for Noble Energy in Global Trade Compliance in Houston.
Rachel Hoelker Webking ’06 and husband, Nicholas, welcomed Madison Grace, on August 31. She joins twin big brothers, Andrew James (2) and David Edward (2).
Katrina Steffensen Ricke ’07 married Alex Ricke of St. Louis on April 29 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Houston. Karen Steffensen ’11, Rachel Bazan ’07 and Margaret Elizabeth Layne ’07 were bridesmaids. Kelly Brophy Fischer ’07, Kathrine Brody Gillis ’07, Lizzy Smith Fernandez ’07, Sara Patton ’07 and Becca Williams’ 07 also joined the wedding party. The couple resides in Kansas City, Missouri. (12)
The Class of 2007 started their 10-year reunion by volunteering at the Houston Food bank the morning of October 7 and celebrating at the Goode Company Armadillo Palace that night. (8) Elisabeth Grado Christensen ’07 and husband, Will, welcomed Margot Elisabeth on May 2, weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces and measuring 20 inches long. She is welcomed by big brother John.
Molly Ehni Marietta ’08 and husband, Austin (SJ ’08), welcomed Allison Clare on September 7, weighing 5 pounds, 9 ounces and measuring 19.5 inches. They are currently stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. (13, pg. 66)
Lynn Fahey ’07 is an Organizational Learning Specialist at First 5 LA, a leading public grant maker and early childhood advocate organization in Los Angeles. Lynn recently received her Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology from Rice University.
Lauren Butler Schmidt ’08 and husband, Thomas, welcomed Mary Claire Elizabeth on June 21, weighing 7 pounds, 9 ounces. The Schmidt family, along with their golden doodle, Dixie, reside in Richmond, Texas. (14, pg. 66)
Jennifer Marget Guarino ’07 and husband, Steven (STH ’07), welcomed William Patrick on June 18, weighing 7 pounds, and measuring 20 inches. (9, pg. 66) Lizzie Layne ’07, Alex Puccio Taylor ’07 and Rebecca Williams ’07 ran the 33rd annual Army 10-miler in Washington, D.C. on October 8, in honor of SSG James “Jimmy” Moriarty (SJ ’07). Jimmy, a Green Beret in the US Army, was killed in action last November, in Jordan. Team #forJimmy raised over $46,000 for the Green Beret Foundation, and comprised 44 of Jimmy’s family and friends, including alumni from St. Agnes and Strake Jesuit. (10)
Rachel Hoffman Nieto ’07 married Michael Nieto (STH ’07) on March 18, at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston. A reception followed at the Crystal Ballroom at the Rice, where the couple attended prom together in 2007. Bridesmaids included Leticia Luna ’07, Ryan Dornak Sanders ’07, Claire Brown ’07 and Miranda Taylor Staloch ’07. (11)
Melissa Van Nieuwenhuise ’08 was a graduate engineer for Walter P Moore on The Texas Children’s Aber Play Garden in the Medical Center, alongside Rene 11 Hoelker ’07. Rene is a project manager for Texas Children’s Hospital. (15, pg. 66) Elizabeth Henrikson Blount ’09 married Josh Blount on January 14 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Houston. Her sister Emily Henrikson ’13 served as maid of honor, and cousin Laura Mason ’13 was a bridesmaid. Elizabeth and Josh met at Rhodes College in Memphis and began dating in their sophomore year. Elizabeth is a litigation attorney at Tekell, Book, Allen & Morris, L.L.P. and Josh works in wealth
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Senior Multimedia Journalist for the USO in Washington, D.C. and has been recognized with several industry awards. She has traveled to Iraq, Afghanistan, Dubai, Kuwait, Japan, South Korea, and other countries for her work.
Sara Bustamante ’09 graduated from Rice University’s paralegal program in June. She works at the Buzbee Law Firm as a legal assistant. Elizabeth Kajs ’09 is completing her PhD in History of Art at the University of Bristol, Bristol, England. Laura Colley Miner ’09 married Matthew Miner on July 22 at St. John Neuman Catholic Church in Austin. A reception followed at Brazos Hall. Pictured are Brooke Zeluff ’09, Theresa Hessel ’09, Sterling Ayala Tramonte ’09, Laura Colley Miner ’09, Madeline Burns ’09, Kathryn Schroeder ’09, and Prina Naran Spillane ’09. (17) Sandi Moynihan ’09 graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies in May with a Master of Professional Studies in public relations and corporate communications and earned two awards for excellence. Sandi continues to work as a
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Rebecca Cosakis Payne ’09 married Travis Payne on August 5, at Lindsay Lakes in Cypress. Pictured are (top) Madeline Burns ’09, Sterling Ayala Tramonte ’09, Prina Naran Spillane ’09, Laura Colley Miner ’09, Theresa Hessel ’09 (bottom) Kathryn Nowak ’09, Becca Cosakis Payne ’09 and Kathryn Schroeder ’09. (18) Sterling Ayala Tramonte ’09 married Matthew Tramonte on November 5, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Houston. A reception followed at The Forest Club. (19) Samantha Kherkher Ernst ’10 and husband, Connor, welcomed Andrew Connor on September 26, weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces and measuring 19 inches long. Samantha is finishing up her final year of law school and will begin working at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP in September 2018.
Sarah Montonchaikul ’10 graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Southern Methodist University in May 2014 with a degree in art history and magna cum laude from the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences with a degree in French. She is currently at New York University working on her Master of Science in art conservation and art history. Katie Richard ’10 joined the convent of the Marian Sisters of Santa Rosa in California and became a postulant on August 22. In May 2018 she will become a novice and take a new name. (20, pg. 68) Samantha Wright ’10 began a new job as a senior event planner at Café Natalie, a full-service catering company. Katharine Cooksey ’11 began a new job as a manager for media and external communications for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, DC. This follows her stint as the deputy press secretary for the Committee on Ways and Means.
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Anna Morales ’11 graduated from The University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in neuroscience. She co-authored a scientific paper in Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience titled, “Is Arc mRNA unique: A search for mRNAs that localize to the distal dendrites of the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus following neural activity.” It is her second published paper. Her first was in 2014. Anna was also the commencement speaker at her graduation. Pictured are Anna and Rachael de Leon ’11 (21, pg 68) Audrey Beathard Almendarez ’12 graduated from Texas A&M University in May 2016 with a degree in education. Audrey married Jay Almendarez on April 22 at Hughes Manor in Houston. Jay also graduated from Texas A&M and is a mechanical engineer. They couple resides in Houston. Pictured are Leslie Donoghue ’12, Courtney Guess ’12, Margaret Long ’12, Audrey Beathard Almendarez ’12, Caroline Seger ’12, Allison Winzenried ’12 and Rio O’Neill ’12. (22)
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Rwanda. PICO’s mission is to develop leaders through faith institutions who exercise the power needed to build a more just and equitable society. Meredith travels to communities around Rwanda to solve issues such as the lack of water, healthcare, and education. The stories she hears are inspirational, and she describes her whole experience as extremely rewarding and a dream come true. (23, pg. 68) Lauren Fontenot ’12 received a Master’s degree from Louisiana State University. She passed all four parts of the CPA exam and is now a staff accountant at Ernst and Young LLC, in Lafayette, Louisiana. Monica Gomez ’12 graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and a minor in general business in May 2017. She is pursuing a Counselor Education Master’s degree in clinical mental
health counseling to become a licensed professional counselor. Nathalie Phan ’12 created a platform that provides commercially licensed music for retail and restaurant business owners to play in their stores through her business, On Vinyl Media. They are currently playing in 35 stores in Austin, and have plans to continue investing in their technology to help local independent artists! onvinylmedia.com. Emily Riggs ’12 is pursuing acting full time. Courtney Shepherd ’12 is pursuing her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston. Anna Stuchly ’12 is working on a dietetic internship at Aramark in Houston and is pursuing her Master’s degree in Food and Nutrition through Southern Mississippi University.
Kristi Belcher ’12 graduated magna cum laude from Texas State University in December 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in computer science, with a minor in mathematics. She interned with Apple in the GPU Software team from January through April, then interned with Qualcomm on the graphics team. She recently received the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship and started a graduate program at University of Oregon for a PhD in computer science. ALUMNAE SPOTLIGHT: MEREDITH BOLEN ’12 teaches history and English at Rwamagana Lutheran School in Rwamagana, Rwanda, East Africa. She is also a secretary and interviewer for People Improving Community through Organizing (PICO) -
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Diana Walsh ’12 is an Assistant Studio Engineer at Historic RCA Studio B in Nashville. Briana Acosta ’13 graduated from Duke University with a degree in cultural anthropology and global health. Briana is a Rotary Global Scholar. She was awarded a $30,000 grant from the Rotary Foundation to pursue master’s level work in global health and medical anthropology in Chiapas, Mexico for one year. She is enrolled simultaneously in a local university to study and conduct research on HIV/AIDS among migrant indigenous youth in the area. Courtney Adair ’13 graduated from The University of Arkansas with a degree in advertising, public relations and marketing. Courtney is a licensed Realtor in Texas working for Keller Williams Southwest in Sugar Land. Amber Ainsworth ’13 graduated from Baylor University. Hannah Bach ’13 graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in electronic systems engineering. Hannah interned with Machine Saver to help develop innovative machine monitoring equipment, specifically monitoring centrifugal pumps, motors, fans, and rotating equipment. Machine Saver sponsored her senior design project with her capstone team, where Hannah is the team project manager. Faye Balmaceda ’13 graduated from The University of Tulsa with a degree in energy management and accounting. Faye is an intern at FourPoint Energy, LLC. Mary Baronitis ’13 graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Science in computer science, with a minor in mathematics and ancient studies. Mary is a technology program manager at Equinix, Inc. in the Silicon Valley. Andrea Batarse ’13 graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in international politics and diplomacy, with a minor in French and Spanish. Andrea is pursuing a master’s degree in architecture from Texas A&M University. Emma Berno ’13 graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education. Emma is a 4th grade teacher at Saint Thomas Episcopal School. Sydney Bobb ’13 graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance, with a 26 | ALUMNAE UPDATES
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20 minor in Spanish. Sydney works for Dimensional Fund Advisors, an investment management firm in Austin. She is part of a two-year rotational program and will work in four distinct roles before deciding which one she will go into full time. Madison Bond ’13 graduated from Louisiana State University and is now pursuing graduate school at Houston Baptist University. Belle Brennan ’13 graduated from Auburn University.
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Taylor Burke ’13 graduated from Lewis & Clark College.
Allison Carter ’13 graduated from Trinity University with a Bachelor of Arts in art history.
Kaitlin Burt ’13 graduated from College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Arts in political science with a minor in communication.
Victoria Castro ’13 graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in human development and family science. Victoria is pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in nursing at Texas Woman’s University in Houston.
Katie Butler ’13 graduated summa cum laude from Southern Methodist University with a degree in journalism and a minor in English. Katie is an admission counselor at Southern Methodist University. Jacquelyn Carrabba ’13 graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Administration and marketing, and a degree in international business and human resources through the IES Abroad program, with a minor in finance. Jacquelyn works for Vmware in Austin.
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Alicia Chopite ’13 graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in economics, liberal arts honors, with a minor in accounting and Spanish. Alicia is pursuing an MSc in Law and Finance from Queen Mary University of London. Jaelin Cola ’13 graduated from Reed College Rachel Cosakis ’13 graduated from Texas A&M University. Rachel Danna ’13 graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. Rachel is pursuing a master’s degree in accounting at Texas Tech University. In the spring of 2018 she will start an internship with Ernst and Young in Houston. Chloe Delclos ’13 graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in communications, with a minor in film studies. Chloe is an intern with the Houston Texans. Hannah Descartin ’13 graduated from Oklahoma City University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in acting. Hannah lives in Chicago. Natalie Diala ’13 graduated from University of Miami with a degree in public relations with a minor in marketing and psychology. Natalie was the selected student speaker at her graduation ceremony and is currenly a J.D. candidate at The University of Houston Law Center. Emily Egbert ’13 graduated from The University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Business Administration in managerial finance. Emily is a finance and budget analyst for Touchstone Medical Imaging in Nashville. Kylie Fichter ’13 graduated from The University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in integrated marketing communications with a minor in business. Kylie works in marketing for The Woman’s Hospital of Texas in Houston. Shannon Gaden ’13 graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. Shannon is nurse at Texas Children’s Hospital in the Cardiovascular ICU. Natalie George ’13 graduated summa cum laude from Tulane University with a degree in economics. Adi Giraldo ’13 graduated from Texas Christian University. Mariana Gonzales ’13 graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science in marketing and international business. Mariana is a business consulting analyst at Accenture in Houston. This past summer she traveled to Israel, Jordan and part of Europe, and did mission work in Peru. Miranda Granchi ’13 graduated from The University of Iowa.
Branda Greening ’13 graduated from Baylor University. Camille Greiner ’13 graduated from The University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Science in psychology with a minor in nutrition. Elizabeth Guidry ’13 graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in finance. Elizabeth is a financial analyst with JCPenney Corporate in Plano. Katherine Hall ’13 graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance. Katherine is an internal audit and financial advisory consultant for Protiviti. Madeleine Harbin ’13 graduated from The University of Alabama. Chloe Harrison ’13 graduated from University of Miami with a Bachelor of Business Administration in legal studies with a minor in sport administration. Chloe works in the social media production department for ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut. Ellen Heiman ’13 graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in child development with a minor in art and human and organizational development. Ellen and Claire Lafferty were both chosen as the banner bearers for their respective colleges. Ellen works for Teach for America as a corps member in Tulsa, teaching 6th and 7th grade science at Collegiate Hall Charter School
Claire Lafferty ’13 graduated from Vanderbilt University with a double major in biomedical engineering and chemical engineering with a minor in chemistry. Claire is an upstream engineer for ExxonMobil in Houston. Rachael Lanier ’13 graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Science in economics. Rachael is pursuing a master’s degree in public policy at the Bush School at Texas A&M University. Sarah Linesch ’13 graduated from University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Science in chemical and biomolecular engineering. Sarah is a business technology analyst at Deloitte Consulting in Chicago. Kate Loncarich ’13 graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences with a prePA concentration. Kate is a medical scribe for Scribe America working at Memorial Hermann Hospital. Christy Luspo ’13 graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing with a sales certificate. Christy is an account coordinator for News America marketing in Dallas. Michaela Lydon ’13 graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. Stephanie Macejewski ’13 graduated from Loyola University New Orleans with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.
Emily Henrikson ’13 graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in biology and biological sciences
Stephanie Mak ’13 graduated from Texas A&M University. Stephanie is in medical school at UNT Health Science Center
Elizabeth Hibbler ’13 graduated from Emory University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in psychology.
Alejandra Mangini ’13 graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in acting. Alejandra is a general production intern at The Public Theater in New York. She is primarily working on Shakespeare in the Park.
Maria Ibrahim ’13 graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in economics. Crystal Ike ’13 graduated from The University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and pre-med honors with a minor in medicine and society. Crystal is in medical school at The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. Megan Jamieson ’13 graduated from Texas Christian University. Lina Kilani ’13 graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Science in political science and European studies. Lina is a constituent relations representative for the United States Senate in Washington D.C. Anna Kimutis ’13 graduated from Rice University with a Bachelor of Arts in kinesiology and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. Anna is pursuing a Master of Science in nursing at Saint Louis University
Laura Mason ’13 graduated cum laude from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering. Laura works for Walter P Moore in Dallas. Gabrielle McBee ’13 graduated from University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in marine science, with a concentration in coastal resource management and marine policy. Gabrielle is in law school at Tulane University in New Orleans. Kirsten McIntyre ’13 graduated from The University of Texas Austin with a Bachelor of Science and Arts in biochemistry with a minor in certified business foundations and certified pre-health. Samantha McMenemy ’13 graduated from University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in political science.
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Bria Mitchell-Gillespie ’13 graduated from University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in rehabilitation science, with a minor in sociology. Bria is pursuing a doctorate in occupational therapy at The MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston. Rose Montonchaikul ’13 graduated magna cum laude from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Science in applied physiology and sport management and a Bachelor of Science in French. Rose is studying to be a doctor of physical therapy at UT Southwestern University. Bailie Moorhead ’13 graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science and Arts in human development and family science.
Jackie Parker ’13 graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in nutritional sciences. Jackie is pursuing a Master’s of Science in Nutrition at TWU Houston and is a dietetic intern at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. She also founded a non-profit called The Move Initiative.
also founded Made By AyoKaySlo, a business which offers creative marketing, branding and consultation services. www.ayokayslo.com
Aenea Ponce de Leon ’13 graduated from St. Mary’s University of San Antonio with a Bachelor of Science in biology with a minor in chemistry. Aenea attends UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry.
Annie Sohmer ’13 graduated from The University of Tulsa with a degree in mechanical engineering. Annie did some traveling before starting work as an applications engineer for John Zink, a division of Koch Industries, in Tulsa.
Jessie Ramsey ’13 graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in industrial engineering with a minor in mathematics.
Christina Nania ’13 graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in plan II honors with a minor in chemistry. Christina is pursuing a master’s in Public Health at the University of Texas School of Public Health. She is focusing on management, policy, and community health with a concentration in health services organization.
Gizelle Rico ’13 graduated from St. Mary’s University of San Antonio.
Noor Nemry ’13 graduated from The University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in business management with a track in human resources with a minor in health communications.
Nathalie Rovall ’13 graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance. Nathalie is an investment banking analyst for Jefferies in New York.
Jasmine Olipas ’13 graduated from The University of Houston.
Courtney Scheffler ’13 graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science in fashion merchandising . Courtney is a merchandising coordinator at Kate Spade & Company in New York.
Jenny Osborn ’13 graduated from Texas A&M University. Allison Padon ’13 graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. Allison is pursuing a master’s degree in accounting at The University of Texas at Austin. Alex Palmer ’13 graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in finance. 28 | ALUMNAE UPDATES
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Abby Sumbera ’13 graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering.
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Caroline Moreland ’13 graduated from The University of Texas at Austin.
Tomi Olutoye ’13 graduated from Georgetown University.
Kyla Sloan ’13 graduated from The University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Science in speech pathology. Kyla is pursuing a master’s in speech pathology at the University of Tulsa.
Lauren Tucci ’13 graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in science, technology, and international affairs with a focus on global health and biotechnology. Lauren is an analyst with Heidrick & Struggles in Houston. This summer she backpacked through parts of Europe and Asia. Annie Vatterott ’13 graduated from Baylor University.
Shea Silvernail ’13 graduated from The University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in communication and information sciences and public relations with a minor in English. Shea is an intern at Edelman, a global public relations agency in Houston. Kayla Sloan ’13 graduated from Agnes Scott College with a Bachelor of Science in business management with a concentration in marketing. Kayla is an ancillary sales manager for Cigna Health Insurance in Atlanta. She
Michelle Vu ’13 graduated from The University of Houston with a Bachelor of Science in supply chain and logistics technology, honors college, with a minor in purchasing and business administration. Michelle is a global trainee with the supply chain team at Tenaris in Bay City. It is a twoyear rotational program that trains on different assignments with the supply chain team, and it started with a month-long training in Argentina. Chloe Walker ’13 graduated from Trinity University with a Bachelor of Arts in fine and studio arts with a minor in arts, letter and enterprise, business and managerial economics. Chloe is pursuing a masters of arts in teaching at Trinity University, San Antonio. Leighann Westfall ’13 graduated from Northwestern State University of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Science in hospitality management and tourism. Leighann is pursuing a master’s degree in student affairs and higher education at Northwestern State online.
Kathleen Whaley ’13 graduated from Texas A&M University. Kathleen is in law school at South Texas College of Law
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Carly Cone ’16 was named Southern Athletic Association Defensive Player of the week in women’s soccer for the week of October 9. Carly is a sophomore at Rhodes College.
Katherine Wiatrek ’13 graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in chemical engineering with a minor in chemistry and a business management certificate. Katherine is the manager of operations at Intel in Portland.
Elizabeth Fogarty ’16 attends The University of Mississippi and represented Team USA in Rotterdam, Netherlands during the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final on September 17. Elizabeth finished 14th in the world after completing a 1500 meter swim, 40 kilometer bike ride, and 10 kilometer run.
Kelsey Williams ’13 graduated from Hendrix College. Danielle Wilson ’13 graduated from Rhodes College. Danielle is in medical school at McGovern Medical School.
Tobi Okopie ’16 attends Georgetown College and was admitted as an Atlantis Fellow. She will be participating in a pre-med program in Pontevedra, Spain this summer. Tobi was invited to be a biology teaching assistant, a tutor for Georgetown’s writing center, and a peer advisor. She will also be doing research with biochemistry Professor, SJ Metallo.
Mary Katherine Wiseman ’13 graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing. Denise Wong ’13 graduated from Loyola University Chicago. Denise Zaldivar ’13 graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in design and visual communication. Denise is a graphic design intern at Aspen Heights in Austin. Katina Economides ’15 spent the summer as an intern with United States Congressman John Culberson in Washington, D.C. Reilly Knecht ’15 attends Texas A&M University and interned this summer with the press team of the House of Representatives
She also placed first in her year for English literature, having the highest overall grade.
Ways and Means Committee with the help of fellow Academy Woman (and Aggie) Katharine Cooksey ’11. (24) Madelyn Way ’15 is in her third year studying English language and literature at the University of Edinburgh and is a recognized member of the top child language development research team in the UK.
Camryn Elise Odom ’16 was presented, along with 30 other debutantes from the Houston chapter of Jack & Jill of America Incorporated, at the 29th Biennial Debutante Ball on January 1, at the Hilton Americas Hotel before 1,500 family members and friends. Pictured Camryn with her parents Kim and Al Odom. (25)
Send us your news and updates for Veritas magazine! Have you welcomed a new baby or did you get married? Do you have a new job, or did you get a promotion? Have you won any awards or been recognized for an accomplishment? SAYPO Alumnae: Have you graduated from college and started graduate school; your first job; or are you looking, and want to be connected to an alumna in your field? Let us know! We want to share your joys and successes, and help you with that next step.
CONTACT DIRECTOR OF ALUMNAE RELATIONS, LORI SEBASTIAN PINTER ‘88 WITH YOUR ALUMNAE UPDATES AT ALUMNAE@ST-AGNES.ORG.
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SINCERE SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO THE LOVED ONES OF: Josephine Addicks; grandmother of Maddie Addicks ‘14
Laurene Counter; grandmother of Kari Counter ‘10
Rose Andryan Galla ’44; Dorothy Andryan Bielamowicz ’42 (dec.)
George Alcorn; father of Ellen Alcorn Breedlove ‘82
Hilda Schenk Dailey ’58; mother of Laurie Dailey Faulkinberry ‘88
Alberto Ayala, Jr.; brother of Maria Ayala ‘83
Carmelo Danna; son of Lucille Bonno Danna ’49, husband of Anna Montalbano Danna, father of Rachel Danna ’13, brother in-law of Frances Montalbano Holewyne ’82, Janet Montalbano Pavlovsky ’79, Patricia Montalbano Boyes ’85, and Kathy Guarino Danna ’75, uncle of Allison Danna ’02, nephew of Rosmary Bonno Filippone ’54, son-in-law of MaryAnna Todaro Montalbano ‘56
Katie Hoffman Garcia ’01; sister of Lisa Hoffman Loftice ’02 and daughter-in-law of Martha Maldonado Garcia ‘66
Timothy Bailey; father of Hannah Bailey ’09 and husband of Carol Bailey SAA Staff Elizabeth DeBakey; mother of Mary DeBakey Solcher ’83 and grandmother of Shelby Solcher ‘12 Joseph DeBakey; brother of Mary DeBakey Solcher ’83 and uncle of Shelby Solcher ‘12
Dolores Ambrose Gawlik ’53; mother-inlaw of Anna Kinzer Gawlik ‘83 Joan Gleason; mother of Mary Gleason ‘91 Salome Gras; mother of Patricia Gras ‘79 Bennie Pellerin Green ‘41; mother of Vicki Volotko Garrett ’70 Frank Haberger; brother of Mary Beth Haberger Carlton ‘49
Vicki Bednar; mother of Bridget Bednar Kelley ‘79
Mary Ellen Daniel; mother of Meme Daniel Horton ’80 and grandmother of Ellen Horton ‘11
Agnes Bennett; grandmother of Kate Gartrell ‘18
William Deiss; husband of Elizabeth Matson Deiss ‘54
Carol Belton; grandfather of Sophie Belton ‘15
Marijo Heibel Dickson ‘53
Muriel Hansen; mother of Paige Hansen ‘06
Christine Dillawn; mother of Karen Dillawn Fenter ’72, Nancy Dillawn Trevino ’76 and Janet Dillawn Williams ‘79
Lisa Caudle Hesenmiller ’79; sister of Mary Caudle Moore ’82 and aunt of Ava Moore ‘18
Andy Bittson; father of Elizabeth Bittson ‘07 Lucy Blanchard; mother of Suzanne Blanchard Meaney ‘70 Edward Borski; grandfather of Riley Moos ’18 and Ryann Moos ‘21 William Byron Black Jr.; grandfather of Michelle Black Wood ‘86 Richard Bogatto; father of Leslie Bogatto Hemenway ’83 and grandfather of Carson Bogatto ‘12 James Bush; husband of Donna Hicks Bush ‘57 Michelene Lorino Campise ’68; sister of Rosalie Lorino Campise ’59 (dec.) Juan Carrion; grandfather of Lauren Carrion ‘08 David Conkle; husband of Julie Teague Conkle ‘89 George Conner Jr.; brother of Carol Conner Wilson ’66 and Jane Conner Huckaby ‘69 Rosalie Costa Corbin ’43; cousin of Aurelia Giangrosso LaGesse ’45 (dec.) and Gigi Giangrosso Baccaro ’48 (dec.) 30 | MEMORIALS
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Sue Blair Draper ’45; mother of Jane Draper Ashe ’71 and Sara Draper ‘74 Margaret Dudar; mother of Nan Dudar Lawson ‘78 Lois Elcock; mother of Ann Bowe SAA faculty Joan Pontius Ellis; grandmother of Stacie Scruggs ’98, Samantha Scruggs ’00 and Stefanie Scruggs ‘02 Marie Walls Emmott ’42; sister of Sister Anne Marie Walls ’33 (dec.), Clare Walls ’34, Rita Walls Cox ’38 (dec.)
Ronald E. Hale; grandfather of Molly Hale ’12 and Abbey Hale ‘14 Robert O. Hardey; husband of Evalyn Magna Hardey ’48 (dec.)
Patricia Casey Hewitt ‘52 Helen Iammarino; grandmother of Mary Baronitis ‘13 Sue Johnson; mother of Helen Johnson ’71, Elizabeth Johnson O’Neal ’73, Laura Johnson Cureton ’76, sister in law of Catherine Johnson Sharp ’40 (dec.) Thomas M. Johnson; grandfather of Katy Leven ‘10 Kenneth Kangieser; grandfather of Morgan Kangieser ‘07
Cecelia Glaser Everett ‘39
Larry Kansteiner; brother of Kathy Kansteiner Bennett ‘65
Betty Malone Feehan ’41; sister of Nancy Malone Lipscomb ’48 (dec)
Jo Largent; mother of Sara Largent Orlando ‘86
Mildred Feldman; grandmother of Katherine Ten Eyck ‘15
Officer Trang Nguyen-Lanau; SAA Staff
George Finlay; brother of Margaret Finlay ’52 (dec.)
Andrew Linbeck; father of Savanna Linbeck ’15, nephew of Suzanne Linbeck Reynolds ’55 and Poppy Linbeck Doyle ‘57
Thomas Fluellen; husband of Rita James Fluellen ‘42
Lawrence Marinucci; grandfather of Natalie Grothues ‘14
Charles McCreight; grandfather of Claire
Tanya Yamin Raba ’91; sister of Tiffini
Caliva Bosco ’79, Vera Camarada
Hornberger ‘08
Yamin ‘86 and Monique Yamin Adams ‘83
Robinson ’48, great-grandmother of
Denis A. Menegaz; father of Lauri
Sally Reynolds; grandmother of Elizabeth
Francesca Basco ‘13
Menegaz Stang ’78 and Patricia Menegaz
Henrikson ’09, Laura Mason ’13, and Emily
Patrice Rybicki ’71; sister of Paulette
Burkhart ’82, grandfather of Katie
Henrikson ’13
Rybicki Andrew ’70
Menegaz ’99 and Amy Menegaz ‘03
Charles Roessler; father of Nancy
Michael Saladino; father of Jennifer
Paul Merrimen; grandfather of Sarah
Roessler Coselli ’73, Mary Roessler
Saladino ’13 and Julianna Saladino ‘18
Lester ’03, Mary Lester ’05, Natalie
Porterfield ’75, Carol Roessler Green ’80
Lester ’08 and Teresa Lester ‘11
and Tricia Roessler Depperschmidt ’81,
Elaine Chudleigh Shalek; mother of
Lucy Brazzel Micklitz ‘58
grandfather of Emily Porterfield Jackson
Mary John Molesworth, O.P. ‘58
’01 and Christine Porterfield Andrews ‘05
Elaine Shalek Ashmore ’70 and Marian Shalek Donnelly Agnes Stanley; grandmother of Allison Stanley ’13 and mother-in-law of Elizabeth
Eva Kmiec Montalbano ‘49
Hill Stanley ‘79
Lelia Nasser; mother of Susan Nasser Turner ’63 and Brenda Nasser ‘66
Jo Anne Hickman Stevenson ‘51
Martha O’Connor Nepveux ’45
Ida Sweeney ’57; sister of Margaret Sweeney Corbett ’44 (dec.)
Amy Wehring Novelli; sister in law of
Joseph Tamborello, Jr.; brother of
Nancy Novelli McGurie ‘75
Magdalen Tamborello Van Nes ’49
Pat O’Brien; husband of Linda Gavin
(dec.), Marie Tamborello Aydam ’47,
O’Brien ’57 (dec.), father of Debbie
Camille Tamborello Hill ’55, Pauline
O’Brien McCormick ’77 (dec.) Cindy
Tamborello O’Connell ‘56, Mitzie
O’Brien Skinner ’80, and Dolly O’Brien
Tomborello ’56 (dec.), Genoefa (Punkin)
Koperniak ‘82
Tamborello Goodman ’57 and Ann (Lolly)
Charles Orr; husband of Patricia Stuckey
Tamborello Baker ’61, brother-in-law of
Orr ’47 (dec.)
Ellie Contestable Tamborello ’53 (dec.)
Robert R. Ottis; husband of Phyllis
and grandfather of Chelsea Heckler ’10,
Ancona Ottis ’49, father of Yvonne Ottis
grandfather-in law of Sharon Jasmer
Hawkins ’80 and Clara Ottis Lambert ‘79
Heckler ’91, uncle of Claire Tamborello
Gerard Owens; father of Hannah
Clark’81
Owens ’04 and Rosanna Owens ‘10
Chet Tigard; husband of Lillian Foote
Frederick Pape; father of Mary Pape ’83,
Tigard ’57 (dec.)
Karen Pape ’76 and Amanda Pape ‘75
Larry Tompkins; father of Bridget
Dorothy Parker; grandmother of Ann
Tompkins Tomlinson ’90
Parker Schroder ’06 and Elizabeth
Rose Trapolino ‘58
Parker ‘09
Anne Twitchell; grandmother of Clare
Virginia Passmore ‘47
Twitchell-Heyne ‘11
Edwin Peyton; grandfather of Christine
Geraldine Voripaieff; mother of Joanne
Peyton ’04, SAA faculty member Jennifer
Voripaieff Pinnell ‘64
Peyton ’06, and Angela Peyton ‘10
Mary Neath Weber ‘52; mother of Kathy
Mary Davis Pfeifer ‘46 Ben Pinto; husband of Gail Guinn Pinto
Justino Rosales; father of Rosana Rosales
’61 and father of Frances Pinto Caron ‘82
Thedford ‘80
Guadalupe Pons; grandmother of Marisol
Mary Russo; mother of Barbara Russo
Leiva ’14 and Paulina Leiva ‘17 Andrew Prokop; brother of Carol Prokop Poston ‘89
Camarata ’56, Frances Russo Caliva ’58, Nikki Russo ’64, and Jeanette Russo Phillips ’66, grandmother of Rosanette
Weber ‘88 Billie Whitefield; grandmother of Diana Whitefield ‘09 Miguel Zamora; Sr. Marie Kolbe Zamora, O.S.F. ’82, and Letitia Zamora Bernal ’83 (dec.)
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Stay Connected As a St. Agnes Academy graduate, you’re an important part of the Alumnae Association, a network of over 8,500 alumnae. Below are some of the ways you can connect with the alumnae community. JOIN US FOR EVENTS Visit www.st-agnes.org/Alumnae and see our EVENTS & REUNIONS page. Plan to reconnect with alumnae at activities in Houston and other areas. PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING Join our group on LinkedIn: St. Agnes Academy Alumnae - Houston, TX and network with fellow alumnae, view job postings, and connect professionally. LOG IN TO ACADEMY CONNECTION, our online alumnae community, to view our searchable alumnae directory, update your contact information, see who represents you on our alumnae and SAYPO boards, and sign-up for our alumnae eNewsletter. SHARE YOUR IDEAS AND LIFE UPDATES Our alumnae director, Lori Sebastian Pinter ‘88, is here for you! Let us know what is going on in your life; job promotions, volunteerism, marriages, and births. Get in touch with her at lori.pinter@st-agnes.org or 713.219.5493. SUPPORT ST. AGNES The Alumnae Association encourages all graduates to support the mission of Dominican education at St. Agnes through the Academy Fund. Helping us advance our mission is the most meaningful way alumnae can continue to give back to the Academy. 32 | STAY CONNECTED
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Saturday, March 24 Bayou City Event Center 9401 Knight Rd, Houston, TX Cocktails! Big Board! Live Auction! Dancing to The Emotions Until Midnight Master of Ceremonies: Tom Koch, KTRK-TV ABC register online at www.st-agnes.org/VeritasRanchGala. Deadline to be included in the invitation is January 19, 2018 Western Chic Attire
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9 0 0 0 B ELL A I R E B LV D, H O US TO N , T X 7 7036 PH O N E: 713. 219. 5 4 0 0 W W W. S T- AG N E S.O R G
Alumnae parents: If you are still receiving your daughter’s Veritas although she no longer lives with you, let us know so we can update our records and send it directly to her. Contact the Office of Alumnae Relations at 713.219.5493 or alumnae@st-agnes.org.
What is your Legacy? Learn more about the 1906 Society on page 35
St. Agnes Academy established the 1906 Society to recognize those who have included the Academy in their estate plans. Through these gifts, alumnae, parents, grandparents and friends ensure the future of the school and help continue the legacy of excellence through a Dominican, Catholic education. For more information, contact Mary Perrotti, Director of Major Gifts & Planned Giving, at 713.219.5466 or Mary.Perrotti@st-agnes.org.