Summer 2018
Review The
Highlights, Special Events and More!
Class of 2018 Graduation Our newest alumnae begin their next steps
Saturday, May 19 marked the 143rd Commencement of St. Mary’s Academy. Our SMA grads received $9,853,287 in scholarships and are off to some of the country’s finest colleges and universities. Class of 2018 highlights include:
St. Mary’s Academy Award Winners
• Raegan Rychecky was selected as a 2018 National Honorable Mention recipient of the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Award for Aspirations in Computing. The National Honorable Mention recipients represent 10% of the 3600 applications for this award. The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing honors high school women who are active and interested in computer and technology and encourages them to pursue their passions.
This award is given to the students who have had the longest, continuous tenure at SMA.
• Julia Hartman-Teske and Audrey State were named Commended Scholars in the 2018 National Merit Scholarship Program. • Bianca Garcia was recognized as a National Hispanic Scholar in the 2018 National Hispanic Recognition Program. • Three students from the Class of 2018 will continue their athletic careers in college. Sarah Emmanuel will play tennis for Moravian College, Meaghan Miner will be part of the rowing team at UMass-Amherst, and Haley Aud will play volleyball for Clarkson University.
Shepherdess Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Burke, Madison Castle, and Maggie Dubus
Sanders Citation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gabrielle Grant This award is given to the senior who best exemplifies the spirit and commitment of Sister Helen Sanders ’25. Sister Helen was a visionary within the Loretto Community, and her generosity and dedication serve as an example to all of us.
Jessie Forshee Award. . . . . . . . . . . Bianca Garcia and Raegan Rychecky This award is presented to the seniors who have been outstanding in academic achievement. These students must have a 3.8 GPA or above and have shown a general interest in all school activities.
Marian Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mariah Horvath Awarded by the faculty to the senior most outstanding in leadership, loyalty and academic achievement. This is the most prestigious award given to a graduating senior.
• Madison Castle won the Christopher Columbus Essay Contest sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Her essay then won the state competition and she was honored at the DAR Education and Historic Preservation Awards Luncheon in Colorado Springs.
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Reunion Weekend 2017
Milestone Class Reunions
Golden Graduates Luncheon The Class of 1967 was honored during their 50th Reunion Year at the annual Golden Graduates Luncheon at Cherry Hills Country Club. Many thanks to our gracious hostesses, LaFawn Biddle and Barbie Biddle Galoob ’78.
1957 – Reunited at Meadows Golf Club.
1967 – Gathered at the home of Sallie Jordan Hurley.
1972 – Celebrated their 45th at Washington Park in Denver.
1977 – Celebrated at Cherokee Ranch and Castle.
1982 – Gathered at the Tavern-Wash Park.
1992 – Celebrated at The View House – Centennial.
1997 – Reunited at The View House – Downtown.
2002 – Drinks and fun at Larimer Beer Hall.
Blue & White Reception Alumnae, President’s Partnership members, Gala sponsors and Golf Tournament sponsors enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as they chatted with friends. The group was able to enjoy an extensive SMA memorabilia display curated by Cathy Bell Darnell ’67 with help from Itsy Jones VanCamp ’06 as well as meet Bill Barrett, SMA’s newest Academy President.
Save the Date | Reunion Weekend 2018 | October 5-7, 2018 Golden Graduates Luncheon
Happy Hour Reception Honoring Milestone Classes
Friday, October 5
Saturday, October 6
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. – Mass
Glenmoor Country Club
5:00 p.m. – Happy Hour Reception honoring milestone classes ending in 3 or 8.
Celebrating the classes of 1937-1968. Invitations will be mailed in August.
*Post-reception, class sponsored events determined by each milestone class.
For more information, please visit the SMA website at stmarys.academy and click on the “Alumnae” tab at the top of the homepage.
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2007 – Gathered for drinks at Union Station Terminal Bar.
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2017-2018 Alumnae Events
Alumnae events take place throughout the year. For more information, please visit SMA’s website at stmarys.academy and click on the “Alumnae” tab. You may also contact Lea Frank, Advancement Events Coordinator, at (303) 762-8300 ext. 287 or lfrank@stmarys.academy
Volleyball Reunion
Senior Seminar
In August 2017, former volleyball players returned to campus to play a friendly match. More than 40 alumnae and their families, as well as current SMA volleyball players, gathered in the BESC for a competitive game. The alumnae team put up a good fight, but, in the end, the student team was victorious, taking two to three of the games. After the game, everyone gathered for a casual dinner in the Community Center.
Alumnae Social at Upstairs Circus Alumnae gathered at Upstairs Circus in October for a fun night of crafting, socializing and pizza. Thank you to Laura Gristenti de Luna ‘89 for generously providing the first round of drinks.
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In March, the senior class was treated to a morning of presentations by alumnae during the annual Senior Seminar. The Young Alumnae Panel, including Caroline Parker ’11, Molly Guerin ’12, Alex VanVelkinburgh ’14, and Hailey Davis ‘15, counseled the girls about the transition to college. Marnie Adams ’99 spoke to the girls about her journey through college and law school, as well as her career as a State Public Defender and now as an attorney in private practice. Lucy Roucis ‘77 capped off the morning with a presentation about her acting career and her struggle with early-onset Parkinson’s disease.
Basketball Reunion
Alumnae Community Service
On Wednesday, December 20 more than 20 alumnae returned to St. Mary’s Academy for the the 21st Annual Alumnae Basketball Reunion. After the game, players and their families gathered in the Community Center for a casual dinner. It was a fun night of basketball, friendship and reconnecting.
For the 2017-2018 school year, the Alumnae Board chose to continue working with the SouthWest Improvement Council (SWIC). Throughout the year, Alumnae Board members have collected dry and canned goods to give to SWIC’s weekly food bank providing for community members in need. In addition, board members have volunteered at alumnae and high school events to stay connected with the St. Mary’s Academy community.
Alumnae-Seniors Luncheon The week before graduation, the Class of 2018 was welcomed into the Sisterhood of Alumnae at a lovely luncheon attended by a nostalgic group of alumnae.
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Graham Family Golf Tournament
On August 21, 2017, the SMA Community joined together at Columbine Country Club for the annual Graham Family Golf Tournament. The event raised more than $40,000 to benefit technology at SMA. Alumnae participants included Nina Ehrlich McCaskill ’02, Kelsey Traynor ’07, and Celia Collins Zaharas ’89. Interested in playing in this year’s tournament? Contact Katie Wheeler at kwheeler@stmarys.academy.
Capital Campaign is approaching its goal We have raised more than $7,252,000 towards our $10 million goal. The Community Center, which opened in August, 2015, is a vibrant part of our campus, housing the Duncan Commons, Performing Arts space, Foreign Language classrooms, Extended Day Care, and our beloved Junior Kindergarten program. A part of the current Capital Campaign was earmarked for the High School improvements, including a new HS lunchroom. We welcome you to visit and see the improvements we’ve made to the southeast wing of the High School.
More to come!
Future elements of the High School renovations begin upon completion of the $10 million Capital Campaign. Exciting amenities to come will include:
SAVE THE DATE –
New Location!
• New Robotics lab • Renovated commons area • Innovation Lab • Main entrance/lobby/vestibule
• Elevator • Visual arts suite • Outdoor teaching spaces • Outdoor patio/lounge area near main entrance
15 Annual Graham Family Golf Tournament | Monday, September 17, 2018 | Valley Country Club th
2018 Gala
The 2018 Gala, Havana Nights, attracted more than 400 parents, alumnae, grandparents, faculty, staff, friends and Sisters of Loretto. The Gala raised more than $260,000 to benefit Tuition Assistance and Program Resources at SMA.
Alumnae Stories: Why I Give Back “When I think back on my time at SMA, I remember my wonderful teachers, rigorous academics and the lifelong friendships which have sustained me through life. I give so that other young women will have the opportunity to experience all St. Mary’s has to offer.” ~ Betsy Byrne ‘74
Capital Campaign Alumnae Honor Roll of Givers (As of May 26, 2018)
SAVE THE DATE – 6
New Location! | 2019 Gala | Friday, April 26, 2019 | Hilton Inverness Hotel
Judith Dillon Baenen ‘57 Linda Lennartz Beaven ‘62 Sandy Keller Blue ‘65 Mandi Benavidez Buche ‘92 Betsy Byrne ‘74 Brianne Ehrlich Clanton ‘02 Susan Heider Coleman ‘75 Sharon Doyle Crisera ‘60 Catherine Bell Darnell ‘67 Laura Grisenti de Luna ‘89 Linda Hughes Deits ‘75 Adele Murray DeLine ‘54 Margaret Henchmann Deline ‘79 Annabelle Monaghan Deline ‘49 Kay Braun DeLine ‘54 Patti Nevans Egloff ‘64 Jordan Fouts ‘01 Frances Lennartz Fryberger ‘64 Barbara Biddle Galoob ‘78
Patricia Wyers Gammon ‘52 Jane Grogan ‘75 Alyssa Hamilton ‘09 Chelsea Hamilton ‘06 Mary Ann Costello Hamlin ‘56 Sheryl Cervi Hollingsworth ‘73 Megan Butler Honig ‘06 Amy Isaacson ‘01 Deidre Williams Johnson ‘83 Meg Fischer Jonsen ‘77 Jean A. Kearns ‘46 Katie Murray Kleeman ‘79 Erin Kloppenberg ‘99 Jessica Kozel ‘06 Theresa Lorenzo ‘88 Patricia DeVore MacMillan ‘64 Janis Gilligan Malkewicz ‘70 Marianne White Marvez ‘71 Julie May ‘84
Nina Ehrlich McCaskill ‘02 Mary Curtan McGowan ‘60 Amber Grisley McGown ‘06 Nancy McMahon Psy.D. ‘65 Patty Cella Michalek ‘64 Maureen McCallin Moses ‘70 Jane Wagner Nolan ‘67 Claire Curlander O’Neal ‘75 Linda Waldeck Parker ‘62 Dena Johnson Pinsker ‘79 Joanne Elliott Rickard ‘51 Kelly Rogers Denzler ‘08 Sarah Schultz Sanford ‘49 Carol Mansfield Schlessman ‘76 Lisa Lorenzo Stroz ‘83 Nancy Cella Sunkel ‘60 Donna Eby Telatnik ‘60 Maureen Reidy Witt ‘73
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St. Mary’s Academy Annual Fund: The St. Mary’s Academy Annual Fund supports programs that allow our students to explore their curiosities, creativity and passions to build a brighter future. While tuition covers a large portion of our budget, the Annual Fund is essential to producing enriching academic, creative, social, and athletic experiences for our students. We depend on the generosity of our parents, grandparents, friends, alumnae and staff to support our school. We strive for 100% participation from our faculty, staff, Board of Trustees and parents, and at least 10% from alumnae and grandparents. Alumnae participation in the Annual Fund is a demonstration of our alumnae’s love for their alma mater and how St. Mary’s Academy impacted their lives. On Colorado Gives Day, SMA raised a total of $158,990 including $9,766 from alumnae. Every gift, no matter the size, is appreciated. Thank you for giving to the Annual Fund this year!
The Cornerstone of SMA’s Annual Fundraising Efforts Alumnae Stories: Why I Give Back
“I give back to St. Mary’s Academy because of the incredibly supportive community that rallied around me during my high school years. SMA is a special place and very close to my heart. I formed incredible friendships while there, and those girls are still my best friends. There is no place like St. Mary’s Academy...it is truly the best and I hope that by giving back others are able to experience the amazing community of SMA!” ~ Sara Donahue Adair ‘03
Alumnae Stories: Why I Give Back
“I give back because St. Mary’s helped shape me into the woman I am today. Donating time and money is my small way of saying “thank you” to the community that has given so much to me.”
ANNUAL FUND ALLOCATION 2017-2018
~ Megan Cronin ‘11
$15,000
providing vital resources to the Lower, Middle and High Schools
$100,000
Campus improvements
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$45,000
Athletics and Arts
$28,000
Teacher appreciation
$45,000
Lower School and Middle School STREAM
$25,000
Academy Parents and Special Events to continue our Loretto School value of community
$10,000
Robotics programming
$55,000
New activity bus
Make a gift today, pay it forward and be a part of the SMA legacy!
Make a Gift Online
Make a Gift by Mail
Make a Gift by Phone
Visit our secure website at stmarys.academy/donate
Send a check, payable to: St. Mary’s Academy Attn: Advancement Office 4545 South University Blvd. Englewood, CO 80113
Call Kelly Pearson, Advancement Database Manager, at (303) 762-8300 ext. 285
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Thank You Alumnae! 2017-2018 Annual Fund Honor Roll of Givers The following alumnae have donated to the Annual Fund as of May 26, 2018. Class of 1945 Ann Killian Andrew Class of 1947 Grace Burke Horvat Class of 1949 Jean Shea Hebert Class of 1951 Jane Coupe McNamara Class of 1952 Dorothy Hanifen Lomme Clé Cervi Symons Class of 1954 Adele Murray DeLine Class of 1955 Anita Greene Ferman Class of 1956 Bunny Conway Dines Mary Sue Allen Hackett Terry O’Dea Lowery Mary Lee McLaughlin Ryan Class of 1957 Judith Dillon Baenen Diane Schuyler Bakke Mary Kay Sullivan Carlson Frances Weiser Hopp Adele Kintzele Locke Sarah Barry Przekwas Class of 1958 Joy Gerity Barbara Bazata Kendall Class of 1959 Sheila Sullivan Bisenius Joan Wimbush Carbone Virginia Kittleson Floyd Class of 1960 Nancy Cella Sunkel Carol Grant Thomas Dianne Tramutola-Lawson Class of 1961 Kathleen Cross M’Closkey
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Class of 1962 Mary Carr Arvidson Linda Waldeck Parker Nancy Hogue Wilke
Class of 1974 Jo Ann Beine Betsy Byrne Kitty Monaghan
Class of 1985 Mary Berger Dilenschneider Andrea Witkin Tenenbaum Sarah Diss Warren
Class of 1963 Dr. Frances Candlin Cynthia Gardell Drew Jane Hughes Folz Patricia Brown Grace
Class of 1975 Claire Curlander O’Neal
Class of 1987 Joan McFarren
Class of 1976 Mary Carolyn Gamache
Class of 1988 Theresa Lorenzo
Class of 1977 Meg Fischer Jonsen Lucy Roucis Lynette Lechman Saunders Niki Frangos Tuttle
Class of 1989 Andrea Carey Laura Grisenti de Luna Celia Collins Zaharas
Class of 1964 Nancy Carr Coakley Frances Lennartz Fryberger Nancy Fennell Landauer Patty Cella Michalek Terry Miller Class of 1965 Eileen Kishiyama Barela ‘65 Sandy Keller Blue Coni Brown Kathleen Vance Fretheim Kathleen Collins McMahan Nancy McMahon Psy.D. Class of 1967 Catherine Bell Darnell Alanna O’Meara Kimmel Jane Wagner Nolan
Class of 1978 Barbara Biddle Galoob Class of 1979 Mary Marcus Broere Margaret Hencmann Deline Katie Murray Kleeman Lynn Millar Lovato Carole Eckrich O’Hagan Dena Johnson Pinsker Class of 1980 Niki St. Arnault Russell Lisa Franzmann Vogt
Class of 1990 Michelle Bruce Irwin Margaret Coughlin Walling Class of 1991 Andrea Michels Claire Murret Moynihan Emily Padden Provost Class of 1992 Anne Bernau Osborn Class of 1995 Cissie Megyesy Busch Sara Tisdale
Class of 1970 Nina Hanson Sisk
Class of 1981 Lisa Donahue Goodwin
Class of 1997 Kerith Kanaber Lisa Batter Weinberg
Class of 1971 Marianne White Marvez Cheryl Donnelly Montanio Dr. Condoleezza Rice Patricia Hazlitt Steiner
Class of 1982 Julie Cella McKenna Valine Bernhart Perll Kathleen Kelble Traylor
Class of 1998 Megan Felsburg Doud Leah Mencin Garbe
Class of 1972 Debra Due McCallin Jane Turner Votel Class of 1973 Teresa Curlander Carolyn McCoy Rink Lisa Lane Stennes Janet White
Class of 1983 Theresa Murray Lane Susan Odland LintonSmith Tonya Hollenbeck Rayment Lisa Lorenzo Stroz Class of 1984 Catherine Hupp Julie May
Class of 2000 AbbyMarie Rohr Harris Colleen Scott Heneghan Class of 2001 Amy Isaacson Anna Lydon Truman Class of 2002 Brittany Bouldin Long Lauren Martinez Nina Ehrlich McCaskill Lara Stepneski Mintz Megan Smith Brighid Walsh Turek
We apologize if there are any omissions, misspellings or errors. If so, please inform the Advancement Office at (303) 762-8300.
Class of 2003 Sara Donahue Adair Kathleen Atwater Ashley Demander Katy Balazy Jaffe Katherine Felsburg Wong Class of 2006 Allison Grenney Casey Zoellner Harnar Amber Grisley McGown Elizabeth Jones VanCamp Class of 2007 Kelsey Traynor Class of 2008 Blair Anne Hensen Kelly Rogers Denzler Class of 2009 Elizabeth Deline Class of 2010 Katherine Horvath Cecilia Lorenz Callie Wallace Class of 2011 Megan Cronin Rebecca Saunders Class of 2012 Ellen Hoogerwerf Andrea Lorenz Madeline O’Connell Cassie Prouty Class of 2013 Blair Batky Taylor Naiman Class of 2014 Carrie Deline Emily Tobler Class of 2016 Sarah Hoogerwerf
Class of 2017 Annie Tobler Class of 2018 Jazmine Beal Caoimhe Bryant Maddie Castle Charlotte Dean Lizzy Fehr Frances Forward Bianca Garcia Gabby Grant Julia Hartman-Teske Mariah Horvath Anna Jonsen Darby Kelley Dianna Lopez Wendy Luna Morgan Naake Raegan Rychecky
President’s Partnership (Gift of $1,200+) PIONEER Annabelle Monaghan Deline ‘49 Margaret Hencmann Deline ‘79 ACHIEVER Carol Mansfield Schlessman ‘76 FOUNDER Mary Carolyn Gamache ‘76 Claire Curlander O’Neal ‘75 Anne Bernau Osborn ‘92 PARTNER Laura Grisenti de Luna ‘89 Ashley Demander ‘03 Barbara Biddle Galoob ‘78 Katy Balazy Jaffe ‘03 Emily Padden Provost ‘91 Dr. Condoleezza Rice ‘71 Margaret Coughlin Walling ‘90
(Gift of $300+) Bunny Conway Dines ‘56 Barbara Bazata Kendall ‘58 Nancy Cella Sunkel ‘60 Dianne Tramutola-Lawson ‘60 Dr. Frances Candlin ‘63 Sandy Keller Blue ‘65 Nancy McMahon Psy.D. ‘65 Nina Hanson Sisk ‘70 Marianne White Marvez ‘71 Dr. Condoleezza Rice ‘71 Debra Due McCallin ‘72 Lisa Lane Stennes ‘73 Jo Ann Beine ‘74 Betsy Byrne ‘74 Kathleen Monaghan ‘74 Claire Curlander O’Neal ‘75 Mary Carolyn Gamache ‘76 Meg Fischer Jonsen ‘77 Margaret Hencmann Deline ‘79 Lynn Millar Lovato ‘79 Dena Johnson Pinsker ‘79 Niki St. Arnault Russell ‘80 Julie McKenna ‘82 Theresa Murray Lane ‘83 Susan Odland LintonSmith ‘83 Lisa Lorenzo Stroz ‘83 Joan McFarren ‘87 Andrea Carey ‘89 Laura Grisenti de Luna ‘89 Celia Collins Zaharas ‘89 Margaret Coughlin Walling ‘90 Emily Provost ‘91 Anne Bernau Osborn Sara Tisdale ‘95 Megan Smith ‘02 Ashley Demander ‘03 Katy Balazy Jaffe ‘03 Elizabeth Jones VanCamp ‘06 Blair Anne Hensen ‘08 Callie Wallace ‘10 Emily Tobler ‘14 Annie Tobler ‘17
THERE’S STILL TIME! SMA’s Fiscal Year ends June 30, 2018 . To make a gift for the current fiscal year, please donate online at stmarys.academy/donate or call the Advancement Office at (303) 762-8300.
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Thank You, Ms. Mac! Kathryn McNamee, affectionately referred to as “Ms. Mac,” has chosen to retire in June of 2018 and will be sincerely missed by the entire St. Mary’s Academy community. Ms. Mac began her career at St. Mary’s Academy in 1970-72 teaching in the High School, and then from 1976 onward, working in the Middle School and then the High School. Ms. Mac loved her time in the Middle School and found that age to be invigorating and fun to work with. She knew she wanted to work as a counselor and therefore moved to the High School as the counselor before becoming the High School principal. You may not believe it, but Ms. Mac never aspired to become a principal. However, once in the role, she found that she loved every minute of her experience with the High School girls (or “SMirls”). Ms. Mac calls the St. Mary’s Academy High School a “sacred place,” giving an invaluable experience to the young women who attend and grow here throughout their teenage years. She has found that the young women who leave St. Mary’s Academy after graduation leave as women who are confident, compassionate, and global thinkers. The phrase “smart girls go to St. Mary’s” originated with Ms. Mac and she believes that “smart” comes in many forms, from academics to art to athletics and more. Ms. Mac has cherished her 43 years at St. Mary’s Academy and the many young women she has watched grow during that time. Her students consider her to be a significant influence in their lives. Ms. Mac has made these young women feel loved, welcomed, and supported and they are appreciative of her ability to do so while also being honest and holding them to a high standard.
“Ms. Mac has known me for half of my life, and I can attest that she has the gift of truly bringing out the best in people. She has inspired me as a student and molded me as a teacher, always pushing me to become better than I ever thought I could be; I do not know who I would be today without her.” ~ Casey Zoellner Harnar ‘06
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“Kathryn, teaching is not limited to the classroom, and although I did not have you as a teacher while I was a student here at SMA, you have taught me more than any teacher I ever had.” ~ Julie May ‘84
“It isn’t an exaggeration to say that Kathryn McNamee changed my life. As a student I never doubted that she was fully committed to each and every one of us, and I felt deeply cared for by her and the entire faculty. She has created a culture that cares for the whole individual, and I feel deeply grateful to have benefitted from it as a student. Whenever a situation intimidated me or had me doubting myself (during or after high school), my mother used to say: “Would that be a good enough excuse for Ms. Mac?” The answer would always be no, and the risk would always be taken.
“Kathryn McNamee is an institution; not only has she dedicated her life to our school, but she remembers and tracks alumnae well into our adult lives, and delights in our pursuits and successes. “Ms. Mac” was my first boss when I was STUCO president, and she’s my favorite principal now that I’m a teacher. She trusts me to do my very best, and demands it as well. I’ll always be grateful that she encouraged me to get my masters in order to get hired at my alma mater. Thanks, Kathryn!” ~ Nina Ehrlich McCaskill ‘02
I also owe my career to Kathryn. She took a chance on me when I was fresh out of graduate school, and she’s given me the support, strength, and guidance I’ve needed to become the teacher I am. She has built me from the ground up, and I am proud to be one of the many educators whose careers she launched. She’s taught me the importance of building community and conveying to my students that I truly care for them as individuals, and I am a better teacher for it. I cannot bring myself to fully comprehend that such an influential person in my life has come to the end of her career. I owe her so much, and it has been the greatest honor to be her student in more ways than one.” ~ Kelly Rogers Denzler ‘08
A special thank you to the alumnae who have given to The Kathryn McNamee Named Endowment Fund.
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St. Mary’s Academy Alumnae Board
The Alumnae Board is a group of dedicated graduates who meet throughout the year to discuss activities within the SMA Alumnae Community, to plan events and to assist in fundraising efforts involving alumnae. Board members serve as a liaison to the school and the Alumnae Community and act as ambassadors for St. Mary’s Academy. Interested in joining the Alumnae Board? Check out a meeting to see what it’s all about. Meetings are held once per month on Tuesday evenings during the school year. Contact Katie Wheeler at kwheeler@stmarys.academy for more information.
20172018
Sara Donahue Adair ‘03 Megan Cronin ‘11 Cathy Bell Darnell ‘67 Meg Hencmann Deline ‘79 Laura Grisenti de Luna ‘89 Allison Grenney ‘06
Blake Booth Jordan ‘91 Briana Wallace Keyes ‘07 Katie Murray Kleeman ‘79 Stephanie Landin ‘81 Kelsey Tranyor ‘07 Itsy Jones VanCamp ‘06
In Memoriam and Class Notes IN MEMORIAM
C L AS S N OT E S
St. Mary’s Academy has lost the following members of our community:
CLASS OF 1955
Sheila Aggeler Barnes ‘63, March 15, 2017. Bernadette Marie Borelli ’55, April 14, 2018. Marilyn McHugh Bradley ‘57, December 20, 2017. Patricia Scherr Brock ‘50, June 1, 2017.
SMA Alumnae Board
Catherine Canny, January 21, 2018. Catherine taught in the middle school, 1974-1977. Aunt of Kathleen Crowley ‘62. Mother of Celeste Canny Matteson ‘74 and Clare Canny ‘77. Terri Kemme Colburn ‘48, October 20, 2017. Sr. Jeanne Crapo, ‘42. February 13, 2018. Shirley Curlander, April 9, 2018. Mother to Jean Curlander Chun ‘69, Teresa Curlander ’73, and Claire Curlander O’Neal ‘75.
Loretto Legacy Society Thinking about the future? Join SMA’s Loretto Legacy Society! The society recognizes friends of SMA who have notified the school that they have made a provision for St. Mary’s Academy in their estate plans. Thank you to our current members. Charlie and Theresa Arbogast Judith Dillon Baenen ‘57 Pam Bent Dusty and LaFawn Biddle Deirdre Cryor Timothy and Katherine Farrell Lauren Fisher Stephanie Goodrich ‘87 Jim and Darlene Graham Carol Haller Barbara Hennigar Norma Phillips Lammers ‘61
Mary Ann Brannan Lipton ‘ 46 Cristi Lippert Lundquist ‘77 Kathryn McNamee Jay and Liz Mellick Alney Allbritten Norell ‘23 Claire O’Neal ‘75 Mary Sweeney Parlin ‘65 Dena Johnson Pinsker ‘79 Carol Mansfield Schlessman ‘76 Mary Martha Diss Sundby ‘72 Mike and Meg Tobler
For more information, contact Charlie Arbogast at carbogast@stmarys.academy.
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Kathleen (Kathi) Weber De Francis ’62, March 15, 2018. Patricia Callahan Elliott ‘56, November 5, 2017. The Rev. Dr. Larry Graham, October 19, 2017. Father of Emily Davaney-Graham ‘06 and Peter Davaney-Graham MS ‘99. Eileen Mulqueen Hanson ‘51, November 2016. Kari Mullins, June 12, 2017. Mother of Desiree Mullins ‘17. Maryjane Halter Raabe ‘44, May 4, 2017.
Cathy Connell Giuli and her husband are both retired and spend quite a bit of time visiting their children and grandchildren in Mountain View, CA. Their son’s boy is 7 years old and in 2nd grade. Their daughter has a 2 year old son and another son due on October 19. CLASS OF 1957 Judith Dillon Baenen is still working as Coordinator of the Loretto Center in Lakewood. She is the proud grandmother of three girls, Josie (17), Ellie (16) and Gabby (14), who live in San Francisco. She is glad to get to visit them often. Judith and classmate Dianne Welsh Bobko plan to travel to the south of France together this October. Dianne Welsh Bobko graduated from Loretto Heights, attended St. Louis University and later earned her MBA, which led to a career as a consultant around the country and gave her a broader view of humanity. Her husband, Bo, is in the Astronaut Hall of Fame and flew with NASA three times on three different space shuttles. They lived in Houston during his career and moved to the Bay Area about 12 years ago. Bo and Dianne have two children, Michelle who has lived in Italy for about 20 years, and Paul, who lives in Manhattan. Dianne is now also very involved in Rotary International because of its commitment to Service Above Self in our local community and around the world. Dianne shares that her education by the Sisters of Loretto not only provided a great education, but instilled in her a life-long commitment to giving back and giving forward to those who are under served.
ages 4-26. She retired in 2001 from the Denver Public School District where she spent 20 years at J.F. Kennedy High School. She used to love to play golf until major back surgery 6 years ago curtailed that but fills her time with her grandchildren’s school and athletic activities, volunteer activities, quilting, reading, doing crafts and gardening. LIFE IS GOOD! Mary Kay Malnati Dillon has retired from the Denver Art Museum. She has several grandchildren and one greatgranddaughter. She enjoys visiting with friends and shopping to keep the economy going! Barbara Lutz Elliott has 2 daughters, a grandson and a granddaughter. Her greatest enjoyment of all, however, are her three great grandsons, ages 1, 4 and 5. She spends her time between Montana and Arizona and has taken up master gardening in both areas - a real challenge! She is thankful for good health since retiring in 1997 from teaching. Sue Scott Konzal has 5 children, 15 grand-children and 4 greatgrandchildren. She teaches an inductive method of Bible study and this fall will be teaching how to interpret the text within the context of the epistle of 1 John. She recently took a maiden trip to Denver for her 60th class reunion (class of 1957); a bit of a challenge for a visually impaired person traveling along. CLASS OF 1960 Dianne Tramutola-Lawson is the chair of Colorado-CURE, an international all-volunteer, nonprofit criminal justice advocacy organization (since 1990). She does lots of public speaking, and some years ago she spoke to students at SMA about Colorado-CURE.
Mary Kay Sullivan Carlson has been married for almost 57 years now to her high school sweetheart. They are blessed with 5 children and 11 healthy and happy grandchildren, ranging in
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Class Notes (continued) CLASS OF 1961 Terese Fraser Forde works parttime at Behavioral Health Services in Carson City, NV, a lock-down mental health and chemical dependency facility. She has four delightful “growing-up-too-fast” grand kids--a couple heading off to college and wishes she was going with them! “All is well—God has taken good care of me,” she says. CLASS OF 1965 Nancy Holcomb Jones-Alred is still happily working as a realtor with Coldwell Banker in residential sales in between enjoying her three grandchildren and traveling to be with her kids in Miami, FL and Sitka, AK. She also serves as President of her Rotary Club and would love to invite any St. Mary’s Academy alums to join her club if anyone is interested in community service. CLASS OF 1967 Kathleen “Kitty” McCauley Blattner reports that she has been retired for three years and enjoying every moment of it! She previously worked as Activities/Program Director at a local senior center. She is very involved with church, local chapters of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, PEO Sisterhood, and other organizations. She says that her need to volunteer began at SMA and continues to this day! Christie Elsner Grueser reports that she is still in online education for clinical microbiology and hoping to retire in a few years. She is also busy running two Airbnb’s for a close friend and having a great time with that! Nancy Nicholas Henson reports that she is still selling real estate in Heather Gardens and the Denver area and has done so for 31 years. She still rides horses and sings in the First Plymouth UCC Choir and the Cherry Creek Chorale. She has been married
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to her husband, Bruce, for 27 years. Their daughter, Melinda works with the both of them in real estate and they have one granddaughter, Cordelia, age 6. Patricia Alderson retired three years ago after 33 years with AT&T. Since then she has been traveling a lot. Her son and his wife are in Encinitas; her daughter, her husband and three kids live in Palo Alto and she travels to see her grandchildren as well as her sister in Cape Cod who runs a cookie business (Kayak Cookies). Lisa Jacobson raised her family in Perry Park, in the foothills between Denver and the Springs. She was involved with pro-life work for 30 years. She now lives in Kansas City as an intercessory missionary with the International House of Prayer: www.ihopkc.org. Gayle Johnson Davidson lives in Delta on 40 acres of farmland. Her husband, Larry, grew up and was born in the house where they live. For 21 years, she was the executive director of Partners, a mentoring program for at-risk youth, serving Delta, Montrose and Ouray Counties. She retired in 2014. She continues to do some consulting work and is the Financial Chair on the Board of Directors for Delta Senior Citizens, Inc. She finds great joy in her volunteer work for KVNF Public Radio based in Paonia. She is the DJ with a show called Just Us and you can tune into her show at www.kvnf.org. Alice Jones Hogan lives in southeast Aurora. She and her husband, Jim, celebrated their 48th anniversary in July and have a son and a daughter in the Denver metro area and 4 grandchildren - 2 boys and 2 girls. After working in the family jewelry business, she cared for her parents until their deaths. Alice is facing some serious health challenges and appreciates good thoughts and prayers from all.
Kitty McCauley Blattner attended CSU, moved to Indiana then Ohio with her husband and has worked as a CPA, as an overseer for CEU teacher programs, and finally was the Programs and Activities Director for the Middletown (OH) Senior Center. Kitty and her husband Jerry have two grown, wonderful children and three amazing grandsons. Her recent 50th reunion was a joyous occasion that reminded her, yet again, about the “ties that bond” - some friendships are meant to last forever! Patsy Rauenhorst Jennings retired about 5 years ago. Her last job was with ADM (Archer Daniels Midland— “we feed the world”) as quality assurance manager in their edible bean seed division. Since retirement, she has taught a few workshops on seed testing and volunteers for a local ministry called Love, Inc. She also takes care of her four grandchildren when needed. She and her husband, Sam, are coming up on 39 years of marriage. In addition, she has two ETSY stores: “Amina’s Attic” and “Old Geezers Garage.” Jess Varacalle Karet taught for 15 years at SMA as a French teacher and as a freshman/sophomore counselor. Following that, she was a counselor at Littleton High School until she retired in 2008. She has two children, Jill and Phillip, whom she adopted from Korea in the 1980’s. She has been blessed with six grandchildren ages 14 to 21. Her husband, Ted, does IT at E&G terminal. They have been married for 25 years. Nancy Nicholas Henson has been selling real estate in Denver since 1986 when she and her Dad started Heather Gardens Brokers and her brother and daughter now work with them as well. The business is now with Re/Max Unlimited. Nancy and her husband, Bruce, met in a jazz ensemble called the Variations, which they sang with for 25 years. Nancy currently sings with First Plymouth
Church choice and the Cherry Creek Chorale and Bruce with the Sound of the Rockies. Music is a huge part of their lives and they also own and ride horses. Nancy’s son, Carter, graduated from Western State in Gunnison and still lives there. He and his wife are artists and he works for a remodeling company on high end vacation homes in the Crested Butte and Gunnison area. She and Bruce moved to Heather Gardens in 2009 in a town home on the golf course and love walking to exercise, classes, dinner, golf and so many social functions. CLASS OF 1968 Pat Poisson Gorman Barry has stayed in touch with her SMA graduating class and they have been getting together for at least the last decade for informal dinners, to support sick classmates, and to honor classmates who have died. Three of them have been in a book club for more than 30 years, and our long friendship inspired the high school daughter of another member to transfer from Kent to SMA because she wanted to have friendships like ours. Many in our class have maintained similar, lasting, friendships. The Irish would say St Mary’s girls are “anam cara” – someone you can count on and trust. SLÁINTE! (Cheers!) Ann McCarty Carey is currently living in Coeur d’Alene, ID until her husband retires and then they will be returning to Colorado full-time. Ann has a son and a daughter living in Colorado and a son in Philadelphia. She enjoys being able to cuddle babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the hospital. Ann is looking forward to her class’s 50th reunion! Patsy Allis Duke attended CU Boulder, met Doug Heyliger and had her 2 children, Amy and John, at a very young age. Struggling to make ends meet, she took several jobs while raising my family. Patsy divorced in 1978 and, after working full time
for an interior tropical plant designer, she found her dream job with an aerial photography company for 18 years. Patsy met her current husband, Gary Duke in 1984 and started her own company that was a GIS based aerial photography company in 1999. Patsy then made a career change by starting her own real estate consulting company, dealing in large parcels of land for the homebuilding industry. Patsy and her husband are now retired and living in Highlands Ranch near their 5 grandchildren, with 4 other granddaughters grown and in various parts of the country. They have also gone on numerous bike vacations in the US and Europe and their grandchildren, physical activities, gardening and each other fill their lives every day. Cynthia Van Cise attended college after SMA then spent 42 years flying for United Airlines, which allowed her to travel the world. In 2010, she and her husband started the Denver Achievement Academy, denverdaa.org, an after school enrichment program for underserved inner city kids. She retired from United in 2012 and now spends her time with DAA, Jr League, DAR, PEO, Clipped Wings, Crestmoor garden club, entertaining, holiday decorating, traveling and two book clubs. She stays busy! CLASS OF 1972 Susan King reports that after 26 years as an entertainment reporter at the Los Angeles Times, she took a buyout 18 months ago and has been freelancing ever since. Besides writing stories, she has also done Q&A’s at screenings with the likes of such folks as Sam Elliott. Deb Kimball Jackson moved from Colorado in 1990 to work in Des Moines, Iowa, and has loved it ever since. She recently sold her SEC Registered Investment Advisory firm but still works as a branch manager for a group of offices through Royal Alliance Associates
and runs a Compliance Consulting firm. Her daughter, Jessica, is a risk management specialist with Wells Fargo in Des Moines and has a 17 year old stepson and 2 kids, Chase and Saydee who are 8 and 9, respectively. Deb also has a stepson who is a Polk County sheriff, married with a son Jaxon, age 3. Deb does quite a bit of volunteering and is a member of the SBWA and the Church Mission Committee. CLASS OF 1973 Marilyn Forestell owns a quilt shop, QuiltWorks, in Bend, Oregon. In addition to the shop, she started a non-profit called Sew Teach Me. They match youth with trained and screened mentors so kids can learn to sew for free. She has two grown kids, Jordan and Makena, and she just moved into a tiny home. Maureen Cronin Williams is retired and enjoying life in Abaco, Bahamas! CLASS OF 1975 Jane Grogan reports that she is keeping busy running her business as a career counselor and traveling. CLASS OF 1977 Theresa Simons Fassihi is currently working as a psychologist. She is married to Reza and they have two kids, Manny, age 30 and Sammy, age 27. Beverly Griffin Holly became a widow in 1998 and remarried in 2002. She and her husband have raised two wonderful sons who are both in college—one in Montana and the youngest in Nebraska. They are are now empty-nesters and are enjoying trying to keep up with their sons’ busy lives, along with theirs. They love traveling and are enjoying a lot more of it these days. Beverly works with a local software company and loves her work. No plans to retire anytime soon.
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Class Notes (continued) Meg Thayer is the mom of a 12-yearold son and spends her free time writing and traveling. Michele Mey Yonker is the happy grandma of 8 grandkids and is currently working with seniors doing companion care. CLASS OF 1978 Antonette DeLauro Smith, MBA, is married to Jeff Smith and lives in Centennial. Her son, Jack, is a junior in the engineering program at Texas A&M University and her daughter, Allison, is graduating from Arapahoe High School in May and heading to Chapman University in the fall. Antonette leads marketing for the Centennial Institute at Colorado Christian University and runs a leadership program for the Colorado National Guard. CLASS OF 1981 Mary Toughill Race has lived in Fort Collins for the past 26 years when she opened her first restaurant. She has subsequently opened several restaurants/pizzerias along the Front Range. She has a daughter who was recently married and is working as a social worker in the Denver area. CLASS OF 1982 Cindy Garrett Malone owned a printing company in Denver for 20 years, which she sold in 2015. She now volunteers at Mullen High School and is enjoying good friends and good health. CLASS OF 1983 Steffanie Ferguson Olson has lived in Hood River, Oregon for the past 18 years and loves it there. She began her career as an 8th grade teacher of U.S. History and French at a middle school in Oregon then moved into the role of School Counselor at the same school. She coordinates a program that works to help talented students from
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CLASS OF 1996
CLASS OF 2002
CLASS OF 2007
CLASS OF 2009
Brianne Ehrlic Clanton is a stay at home mom of 3 (Sam-6, Ike-3 and Julie-1) and also does some substitute teaching.
Natalie Bograd served for two years with Americorps after graduating from CU, got her MA in Media Studies from the University of Texas at Austin, and is now teaching 6th grade at Compass Academy, a public charter school in Southwest Denver.
Liz Deline reports that after graduating from SMA in 2009, she attended Santa Clara University studying History and Political Science and then went to the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. She graduated law school in May 2017 and is working at the law firm of Montgomery Little & Soran.
Tonya Hollenbeck Rayment is currently the CFO at Rectory School. Rectory is a junior boarding school located in Pomfret Connecticut. Her three children are currently in various stages of college and Tonya lives in the hope that they will all someday graduate.
Allison Crites reports that after graduating from SMA, she traveled with the international organization, Up with People, for a year and received a B.A. in History and Art Theory Criticism/Art History from Metropolitan State University in 2005. She worked for the airline Lufthansa then briefly with British Airways. In 2009 she was diagnosed with Endometriosis and after three years of treatment and surgeries she returned to school for teaching. She is currently teaching Middle School Social studies and living a pain free life while empowering other women to advocate for themselves if they experience any symptoms that are not normal.
CLASS OF 1985
CLASS OF 1998
Andrea Witkin Tenenbaum graduated from SMA in 1985 and went to Stephens College in Columbia, MO, where she graduated in 1989. She married David Tenenbaum, from Denver, in 1991. They have two girls, 21 and 18. In 1996 they started a custom blending manufacturing company, Rocky Mountain Spice Company. In 2008, they entered the catering business, Occasions Catering. David’s folks started the catering company in 1970 and wanted to retire. David works primarily in the spice company and Andrea is at the catering company. They love to travel, going to concerts and are kept busy with both businesses.
Kittrin Cade lives on the island of Kauai, going on 13 years now. She is a Senior Event Planning Manager at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. Kittrin married her husband, Doug, in 2015 and they just finished building a house and are living a happy life in paradise!
first generation college-going families acquire the skills necessary to succeed in high school and college. Steffanie has three children, two of whom have now graduated from the University of Oregon. A.J. is an accountant in the The Dalles, Oregon, and Miranda graduated with a degree in psychology. Connor is still in college. Her husband, John, currently is a judge in Hood River at the Circuit court.
CLASS OF 1987 Jennifer Cole Lee has lived in Kansas City since 1992 and has been married to Bryan Lee since 1997 (20 years!). They have two children - Aiden is a junior at Rockhurst High School and Nora is a freshman at St. Teresa’s Academy. Jennifer has been working at Hallmark for the last 17+ years where she is the Director - Creative Marketing Studio & Brand Marketing.
CLASS OF 2000 Dr. Shekinah Nefreteri Elmore is currently a resident in the Harvard Radiation Oncology Program. She was married on January 8, 2018 to Adam William Cluff, a high school English teacher and varsity boys basketball coach at Noble and Greenough. They live on campus in Dedham, Massachusettes. She would love to connect with fellow Wildcats in the Northeast: shekinah@alumni.brown.edu.
Marybeth Welch Goodwin is currently working at the Colorado Health Foundation. She and her husband, Joe, have been married for five years and have a one and a half year old daughter, Bridget, and a baby due in January. Babette Sullivan Puebla de Male just recently got married in June of 2017. She and her husband live in Denver and she is currently working in advertising. Katherine Ferraro Sidey recently got married in September of 2017, works as a physical therapist and is loving life! Nina Ehrlich McCaskill married her fellow Dukie and best friend, Jonathan McCaskill, on July 23 at The Barn at Raccoon Creek in Littleton. They were surrounded by friends and family and are happily settling into life in Littleton with their dog, Trixie. CLASS OF 2006 Emily Luethke Behrin recently moved back to Colorado with her husband and son to be near family. Their son, Wendall Behrin, turned one in March. Emily is looking forward to reconnecting with SMA friends!
Have news to share? SMA would love to hear from you! Send your news and pictures to kwheeler@stmarys.academy.
Sydney Tomlinson graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in 2013 and moved to Rhode Island with her husband, who she married in 2015. They moved to Massachusetts in the fall of 2015 and she started her own business with her mother in the fall of 2016.
Madeline Moya graduated from SMA in 2009 and went on to attend Boston College. She met her fiance there and is getting married in September. Madeline currently works at Spotify’s NYC office on the data partnership team.
CLASS OF 2008 Kelly Rogers Denzler is wrapping up her fifth year teaching French and Social Studies in the high school at SMA. Kelly began teaching in 2013 after completing French degrees at Regis University (Denver, CO) and Columbia University (New York, NY), and earned her Colorado state teaching license in 2015. Kelly married fellow Regis University alum, Jonathan Denzler, on July 3, 2017 in Denver. This summer she will lead her second student trip to France with fifteen SMA high schoolers, and looks forward to her class’s 10-year reunion in the fall!
Stay connected with SMA! Send us your updated contact information: kwheeler@stmarys.academy.
Emily Bechtold graduated from SMA in 2009 and went on to attend Bates College. She recently spent a year in Ethiopia performing primate research on Gelada monkeys (featured in April 2017 issue of National Geographic), and is now pursuing her Phd in Microbiology at the University of Massachusetts- Amherst working to understand and combat climate change associated with deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil. CLASS OF 2012 Cassie Prouty graduated from Colorado College in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (minors in Education and Spanish). In August, she graduated from the University of Denver with a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus in Elementary Education.
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St. Mary’s Academy Alumnae Group, Englewood Colorado
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Summer 2018
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Get Involved with SMA! q Attend an alumnae event q Make a charitable contribution q Send in a class note q Cheer on the Wildcats at the Pam Bent Turf Field at Biddle Athletic Fields
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