From the Head of School

From the Head of School

Rising Above

The 2022-23 academic year marks our Centennial and an opportunity to reflect on how history has shaped our institution and now helps chart our path forward. The Religious of the Sacred Heart have always focused on an education that is both timeless and timely. Today, we are proud of the excellence that permeates programming and instruction across all grade levels. Stone Ridge has long been recognized for the defining outcomes on both the hearts and minds of our students, all rooted in our Sacred Heart Goals of faith, intellect, social action, community, and personal growth.

The impact of our program begins with the remarkable vision and educational philosophy of the Religious of the Sacred Heart, which is then operationalized thanks to the steadfast passion and dedication of our faculty and staff. As a collective, Sacred Heart educators are in a constant state of reflection, always striving to build on our successes and anticipate new avenues and opportunities for our students. The spirit of collaboration within the faculty and staff, and their deep commitment to lifelong learning and growth, provides our students with both exceptional educational experiences and also extraordinary role models.

The pages of this magazine provide just a small glimpse into the countless ways in which Stone Ridge thrived as a home for learning and growth in the 2021-22 academic year. Though we were still navigating the complexities of COVID-19, campus life was fully alive with the joy of being in community for our educational program. The opening of the Mater Center in August 2021 was a blessing even beyond our expectations. In addition to dramatically enhancing instructional and performance spaces for our arts programming, the Mathews Dining Hall, common areas in the Mater Center, and new outdoor spaces have restructured our daily life on campus and revolutionized our ability to build community.

The articles and images in this magazine also provide insight on the impact of shared leadership in our institution. Our School’s growth has been exponential because we are a community of dynamic and diverse learners and leaders, with students, parents, faculty, staff, trustees, alumnae, and past parents all engaged in moving the mission forward by showing up for one another and stepping up to lead various aspects of our school life.

As we launch this 100th year of educating young women in the Washington, DC region, we look back with gratitude and look ahead with hope for an even more brilliant future. Whether you are a current member of our community or an alumna, past parent, past grandparent, or past faculty or staff member, please accept our invitation to be part of our present and future. Our Centennial year provides a perfect opportunity to reconnect and reinvigorate our communal efforts to lead Stone Ridge forward. I especially encourage all alumnae to participate in our Day of Service on January 21, 2023, and our Alumnae Reunion on April 29, 2023. All members of the extended community are asked to save the date of April 30, 2023 for our Centennial Liturgy. We are honored that His Eminence Wilton Cardinal Gregory will preside that day.

Our 2022 Commencement Speaker, José Andrés, told our graduates: “Like Jesus fed the hungry, look within your heart. Find your life. Find what you are good at, what you excel at, and be ready to feed the hopes of the people. We need you to do that.” Indeed, the world needs Stone Ridge graduates, and Stone Ridge needs YOU to be part of our efforts to continue to equip them with all that makes their educational experience one of true transformation.

I look forward to an incredible Centennial year of celebration as we continue to build on our foundation and work together to impact tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Catherine Ronan Karrels ’86

4 Stone Ridge Magazine

Pictured above with Catherine Ronan Karrels ’86 at the 2022 Graduation Ceremony are Commencement Speaker José Andrés, Graduation Marshal Beverly Robinson Wheeler ’72, and Barat Medal awardee Michaela O’Connor ’22