STUART COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL OF THE SACRED HEART
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1200 Stuart Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 609.921.2330 • www.stuartschool.org
Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart serves 459 students in preschool through grade 12. The school admits students of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin to all the rights or privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, scholarships, or loan programs or athletic or other school-administered programs. Stuart is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and is a member of the international community of Sacred Heart Schools, the National Association of Independent Schools, the New Jersey Association of Independent Schools, the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools, the Secondary School Admission Board, the College Board, the Education Records Bureau, the Association of Supervision and Curriculum and the Online School for Girls.
Board of Trustees 2015 –2016 Co-Chairs Mark Johnson Suzanne Plambeck Scott Blandford Karin Borchert Patricia Costante Kristin Rodewald Dawson ’80 Patty L. Fagin, PhD Emily Firmenich Rene Johnson Nancy Kehoe, RSCJ Sara Burchell Kestner ’96 Cheryl Lagay Laura Lamke Pablo Lapuerta, MD Lorraine McGowen Maureen O’Halloran, RSCJ Hamilton F. Potter III Sohini Rath James P. Winder Kathleen E. Zavotsky
ON THE COVER: Sarah Schulte ’10 in the coastal city of Valparaiso, Chile. Page 24
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Stuart News 4 Greetings from Patty 6 Commencement 8 Class of 2015 10 Senior Awards 11 College Matriculation 12 Student Poetry Selected for aMuse 14 An Active Faith by Kate Walsh ’16 16 Remembering Joan Kirby, RSCJ 18 Faculty & Staff Goal Awards 19 Project-Based Learning 22 The Experience of a Lifetime at The Fringe 24 Girl Wonder: Sarah Schulte ’10 29 Father Pat Connor 30 Alumnae News 32 Alumnae Gallery 35 Events
Greetings from Patty Goal II, Criterion IV: Schools of the Sacred Heart educate to a deep respect for intellectual values – The faculty utilizes a variety of teaching and learning strategies that recognize the individual needs of the students.
Dear Friends of Stuart, I often share with new families that Stuart is my seventh school and it is, by far, the best! One of the things that makes Stuart such an incredible school is the degree to which we know each girl. It begins in Early Childhood, for example, with Star of the Week presentations and continues in Lower School with Just My Level books carefully selected by teachers. In Middle School, our wonderful teachers knowingly nudge girls into new activities, and our Upper School faculty’s laser-like focus encourages growth of each student’s own individual strengths. Each girl is recognized as unique and deserving of very specialized attention at every step of her journey. At Stuart, we believe, as Mother Janet Erskine Stuart so eloquently said, “Each one of our children is destined for a mission in life … which no one else can fill.” It is our namesake’s maxim that drives us. We know, as she did, that in order for each girl to fulfill her personal mission, it is essential for her to be herself, to learn to speak in her own voice and to give shape to her own dreams. It requires every adult in our community to be focused on each girl’s individual needs – from teachers and administrators to club moderators, nurse and counselor. Our aim is to truly know each girl, and to nurture her efforts to grow her gifts under the guidance of our Sacred Heart Goals. Stuart is a magical place where, as Mother Stuart said, “no one is ‘made to order’ of this or that shape, but each gives what she can for the common good; the common good demanding for its own sake, as well as for hers, that she should remain – herself.”
Patty L. Fagin, PhD Head of School
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Gabriela Loizides ’30 works on creating patterns with teacher Mary Jo Kahn
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Commencement
“… Striving to live in accordance with the Goals of the Sacred Heart is something that takes the mind, body and spirit working in unison, addressing everything in life that challenges you … with a sense of the bigger picture.” — Caroline McCarthy ’02, Vice President, Communications and Content at true[X]
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“… I know that this community doesn’t dissolve when I leave with my diploma. We know that we can always return to Stuart and know we’re with family. Stuart has taught us that if we don’t believe in our dreams, if we don’t believe in ourselves, if we don’t believe in our ability to fight for a just society—well, that, that would be the only thing considered to be unacceptable …” — Amani Ahmed ’15 Graduation Speaker
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The Class of 2015
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Amani Noor Ahmed
Emily Yi-Ann Chen
Anushka Makhija
Mia Margaret Dapon Austria
Taylor Amaani Ann Hurd
Emily Elizabeth Morgan
Angelica Marie Bakhos
Madison Taylor Kirton
Nneka Amara Onukwugha
Debra Leigh Barksdale
Emily Marie Kolb
Eleanor Fayette Farrell Plambeck
Harlyn Marie Bell
Jessica Emilie Kosek
Laura Vivian Pratt
Elizabeth Biava
Lucie Paige Krovatin
Kennedy Jillianne Roese
Rachelle Brioche
Maya Kuang
Julia O’Reilly Rourke
Sierra Amira Burk
Isabel Marie Lapuerta
Tiana Yasmin Sepahpour
Kathleen M. Carmien
Nora Jane Madrigal
Zoë Siff Yang
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Senior Awards Goal I Margherita Condell Award Tiana Sepahpour Margherita Condell was a beloved educator who was at Stuart for 20 years. This award is given to a student who exemplifies living an active faith in God.
Goal III RSCJ Service Award Elizabeth Biava The RSCJ Service Award is given to a student who exemplifies Goal Three, a social awareness which impels to action.
Goal IV Alumnae Award Julia Rourke The Alumnae Award recognizes a student who is instrumental in the building of community at Stuart and contributes to the evolving tradition of Sacred Heart education.
Goal II Janet Erskine Stuart Award Isabel Lapuerta & ZoĂŤ Yang The 2015 Janet Erskine Stuart Award is given to students who demonstrate a deep respect for intellectual values and a love of learning.
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Goal V Faculty Award Debra Barksdale The Faculty Award recognizes a student who displays generosity of spirit in all areas of school life.
College Matriculation T H E
C L A S S
O F
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is at tending the following colleges and universities:
Barnard College
Harvard University
The Ohio State University
Boston College
Kenyon College
California Institute of Technology
La Salle University
The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Carnegie Mellon University
Loyola University Maryland
College of Wooster
Moravian College
Duke University
Muhlenberg College
Emory University
Philadelphia University
Fordham University
Princeton University
Franklin and Marshall College
Rutgers Honors College, New Brunswick
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Grinnell College
AP Scholars
T WELVE of Distinction
Trinity College United States Military Academy at West Point University of Pennsylvania, The Jerome Fisher Program in Management and Technology Wake Forest University Washington University in St. Louis
63% are attending their
TOP CHOICE school
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than 75 co lle
Stuart students’ poetry selected for Princeton Arts Council’s aMuse Congratulations to Luiza Chevres, Paige Rosica, Abby Sieler and Aditi Mehndiratta, whose poetry was selected, from 300 submissions, and published in aMuse, the Arts Council of Princeton’s annual visual arts and literary magazine. The Stuart girls celebrated with their families and teachers at a presentation, reading and publication party on June 9 at the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts.
“Come Again Some Other Day” by Aditi Mehndiratta ’20 They whine, They grumble, They run away at the sight of dark clouds. They huddle indoors, Dismiss me with a frown. A bolt of lightning, And they scream. A crash of thunder, And they shiver. Have always tried to see, For once not their cruel faces, But a smile, as I start to fall. I come down gently, Silent as a feline's footsteps. Maybe this way they will see my beauty, Still they moan and complain In anger, I come down harder. After months of being overshadowed By my glistening better half
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I look forward to April showers. Drip after sputtering drip of relief, I can finally breathe, Even if I have to see, The scornful faces of people around me. So where do I belong, Down here on the ground, or up there filling the clouds? Wherever I fall, There are the same distressed sounds. And yet, with each tear, I quench someone's thirst Without me life cannot go on It's a fact, there's no use in looking back.
“Fading Fast” by Abby Sieler ’21 Colors stream down like tears Merging together Creating something much more beautiful With each stroke Ending in tranquility But water colors fade
“I’m Bored” by Paige Rosica ’22 I’m bored I have nothing to do I’m bored How about you? I tried to make a hat I tried to catch a bat I tried to scare a cat I even tried to chase a rat
“Curious” by Luiza Chevres ’22 I wonder if fish could talk what would they say to me? And if snakes could walk could they also climb trees? I would like to know where recycling goes or if aliens have toes. But mostly I like to know If I didn’t have curiosity would my life work out differently?
I tried to play ball I tried to go to the mall I tried to dance in the hall I even tried to make a call I tried to fly a kite I tried to be a knight I tried to make a light I even tried to write But I’m still bored I still have nothing to do I’m all out of ideas How about you?
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An Active
Faith by Kate Walsh ’16
There is more to Stuart girls than their roles as students, athletes and artists. Stuart girls are additionally characterized by their passion, empathy and genuineness; we are deep thinkers and diverse in our ideologies. Inherent in every Stuart girl is a spirituality, religious or not, that impels us to lead. As a member of the Campus Ministry Club, I have seen the great work that is put into religious life at Stuart. This club helps with Masses, gives prayers at morning meeting and organizes the Thanksgiving food drive. Although this club does so much, there are also many girls not necessarily involved in campus ministry who have become leaders in our liturgies, retreats and service, demonstrating the distinct spirituality that courses through each girl at Stuart. Mass is, of course, the first thought that comes to my mind when considering the role of religion at Stuart. Since Mass is built into the school day, attendance is mandatory for all students in all divisions of the school. One might think that we would complain bitterly about having to go to church at school, but, at least in my experience, I have found that Mass provides everyone with a nice break in the frenetic school day for praying or at least sitting quietly and reflecting on whatever is happening in our lives. Mass at Stuart transforms the act of going to church into a community event; we sit with our classes, sing in a loud chorus and give each other “peace.” Not only is this a rare time that we can spend with the whole school in one room, but it is also a chance for many students to take a leadership role, and not just those in the Campus
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Ministry Club. Students can participate as cantors, readers, Eucharistic ministers, blessing ministers, altar servers and ushers. I started as a Eucharistic minister my junior year and it not only taught me some responsibility, but I also found that I had a deeper connection to the Mass and also to my classmates, as I found myself, a student, participating more heavily in something I mostly saw adults doing. Retreats also have the potential to be a religious experience, but at the very least they are certainly introspective. Every class goes on a retreat each year, and I can confidently say that they are always a success; the students come back with more patience for their classmates and a more genuine view of each other. I never considered myself a “retreat person,” mostly because I never felt comfortable with the deep sharing that is characteristic of retreats. However, since Stuart’s community is such
Kate Walsh ’16
Kate’s favorite service opportunity at Stuart is working on ASP. a support system, every retreat further highlights the sense of sisterhood in each class, and therefore becomes an environment that is conducive to reflection and trust. Kairos was, for me, both the most intense retreat and the most fulfilling. We had some discussions about spirituality and religion, but in general, our class simply bonded and connected. One of the best aspects of these retreats is that they are mainly student-led. For Kairos, a group of seniors plans the retreat for weeks and guides the group
ASP works to rebuild houses in Appalachia to make them warmer, safer and drier than how we found them. ASP is a Christian organization and has given me a stronger connection to my faith. However, whether the service is religiously affiliated or not, I find that volunteering in general provides me with a deeper view of the world and what it means to be selfless and compassionate. Another by-product of volunteer work is that it teaches the true meaning of being a leader in our community. For example,
"I can wholeheartedly say that, at Stuart, girls enjoy service. Helping others has become second nature ..." discussions and activities. There is an application process to be a retreat leader and this opportunity is offered to different grades, not only seniors. Being a retreat leader is a rewarding way to fine-tune important leadership skills such as listening, compassion and confidence. I can wholeheartedly say that, at Stuart, girls enjoy service. Helping others has become second nature as it is part of the curriculum in high school to complete 50 hours of service per year. We can find our niche in many different types of volunteer work: working with kids, the elderly and working for non-profit organizations such as Corner House Teen Advisory Group (TAG), the Urban Challenge in Camden and the Appalachia Service Project (ASP). My personal favorite service opportunity is working with ASP.
on ASP, there are fewer boundaries between the student and teacher volunteers. Everyone is respected and has the opportunity to take charge of the project if they have an idea for different approaches—it is not simply the adults giving orders. Through service, we truly learn the significance of Goal 3 while embodying Stuart’s Christian values and becoming productive public leaders. The difference between Stuart girls and other girls is that we do not hide from enthusiasm. We take our neverending enthusiasm and invest it not only into sports, arts and academics, but also our community and our faith. We know that this passion will attract people to follow us as we become leaders in our communities and the world.
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Remembering
Joan Kirby, RSCJ Sister Joan Kirby lived a remarkable life. For those of us at Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, “Mother Kirby” will forever be remembered as our founding Headmistress. At the young age of 32, Joan Kirby, RSCJ, was sent to Princeton from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Washington, D.C., where she had been a teacher of American history, literature and psychology. Headmistress at Stuart was her first job as an administrator. Asked in 2012 how one becomes a headmistress at all, let alone head of a school that only existed in thoughts, plans, prayers and dreams, Sister Kirby replied, “I did what I knew with the help of other nuns and we prayed a lot.” Under Sister Kirby’s leadership, Stuart’s founders shaped a school based on Sacred Heart traditions and a commitment to academic excellence. “If you are going to make a difference in the world, justice, peace and the formation of values are important. They were vital concerns from the earliest days.” This foundation thrives today in Stuart girls, over 50 years later. Following Stuart, Sister Kirby was director of students at Newtown College of the Sacred Heart and then became Headmistress of the Convent of the Sacred Heart on 91st Street in New York City, a position she held for 12 years, until 1981. Michelle Dowling, Stuart’s current head of Lower School, remembers, “Sister Kirby’s ability to connect with others … really connect. She had over 600 girls at 91st Street, and yet, every Friday afternoon when she invited us to her office for little cups filled with all different flavored popcorn, she would always take that extra moment to share a smile, or ask a question that pertained only to you…”
Joan Kirby, RSCJ in 1963
Sister Kirby’s work truly went global, and she found her true passion, when she became the director of the Temple of Understanding (TOU) in 1994. The Temple of Understanding is an interfaith organization affiliated with the United Nations. A non-governmental organization (NGO) in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council,
“ Your example, even more than your words, will be an eloquent lesson to the world.”
While Headmistress at 91st Street, Sister Kirby joined the newly-formed community on West 49th Street, in the “Hell’s Kitchen” neighborhood, where she explored new areas of ministry. Throughout the 1980’s, Sister Kirby pioneered service work on behalf of the homeless, first as a housing counselor, then expanding her vision until she served as executive director and president of Homes for the Homeless in New York. She continued to actively provide services and support to residents in the area throughout her life.
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— Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat, Founder of the Society of the Sacred Heart the TOU is an active member of the NGO community working on the inside of the United Nations to advance social justice. The TOU works to educate adults and young people across cultures and religions to create understanding and peaceful co-existence. Sister Kirby retired from her role as TOU representative to the United Nations in 2014. On October 19, 2010, Joan Kirby, RSCJ received the Interfaith Visionary Lifetime Achievement Award from the Temple of Understanding, “For promoting inter-religious values at the United Nations, her lifelong commitment
to addressing human rights and ecological issues and her passionate devotion to the development of young leaders.” In a congratulatory message to Sister Kirby, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said, “I am very pleased that you are receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award for your work at the United Nations on behalf of the Temple
Though Sister Kirby first came to Stuart as Headmistress in 1963, she continued to inspire and influence our community for over 50 years. She returned as a trustee and mentor to our first lay Head of School, Dr. Patty Fagin. Dr. Fagin reflects, “When Sister Kirby would visit Stuart, she would stay with Tim and me at Lainie’s House. My best memories are of wonderful, supportive and
“Your leadership has been exemplary. Your influence profound. I thank you.” —UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of Understanding … We are especially mindful of the special role you have played in advancing the Millennium Development Goals and interfaith and intercultural dialogue, as well as confronting climate change. I am also thankful that you have taken the time to nurture young global citizens from all parts of the world. Your leadership has been exemplary. Your influence profound. I thank you.” The TOU experience brought Sister Kirby into contact with the world of Buddhism, which had a profound effect on her spirituality for the last twenty years of her life. Sister Kirby recently wrote, “People ask me why I practice Zen Buddhism. I do so because Buddhism has taught me to stop looking for Jesus ‘out there.’ For decades I sought to regenerate an inner awareness. I imitated the affections, feelings, attitudes of Jesus, but always as someone, something beyond me – outside – other than me. Buddhism has taught me to stop reaching, looking outside of my inner self … I am Christ. I receive Christ as my food; I have been permeated by the living Jesus … This prompts me to live in the present moment because this is where God is.”
encouraging late night conversations. Her understanding of contemporary issues, tempered by a lifelong Sacred Heart perspective, have always been an inspiration to me.” Joan Kirby’s work - indeed her life - was exemplary, one lived out completely in the vision of Saint Madeleine Sophie, as “an eloquent lesson to the world.” Sister Kirby quotes in this article are from interviews in 2012, conducted as research for the book, Making History: Reflections on Fifty Years at Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart.
Gifts in memory of Joan Kirby, RSCJ can be directed to The Joan Kirby, RSCJ Sustainability Fund at Stuart. The fund was established to support initiatives that promote a thriving and ecologically healthy campus and provide educational programs that inspire sustainable practices at school and beyond.
From left to right, Sister Kirby with former Stuart Headmistresses Sister Judith Garson, Sister Joan Magnetti, Sandra Theunick, Sister Frances de la Chapelle and Head of School Dr. Patty L. Fagin, in 2013
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Faculty and Staff Goal Awards 2014–2015 Our outstanding faculty and staff lead and mentor by example every day at Stuart. Each year those who truly exemplify a specific Sacred Heart Goal and its Criteria are nominated by their colleagues and selected by the Board of Trustees to receive an award. We applaud these women who live and breathe life into the words that make up our Sacred Heart Goals.
Dana Day Jordan
Melinda Huffman- Dr. Ana Maria Kate Schwartz Sauthoff Soler ’02 Michalski
Samantha Ryan
Goal I
Goal II
Goal V
Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a personal and active faith in God.
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Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a deep respect for intellectual values.
Goal III
Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a social awareness which impels to action.
Goal IV
Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to the building of community as a Christian value.
Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom.
PBL? What is
Project Based Learning?
Project Based Learning
(PBL) is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge. In Gold Standard PBL, Essential Project Design Elements include: Key Knowledge, Understanding and Success Skills - The project is focused on student learning goals, including standards-based content and skills such as critical thinking/problem solving, collaboration and self-management. Challenging Problem or Question - The project is framed by a meaningful problem to solve or a question to answer, at the appropriate level of challenge. Sustained Inquiry - Students engage in a rigorous, extended process of asking questions, finding resources and applying information.
Authenticity - The project features real-world context, tasks and tools, quality standards, or impact – or speaks to students’ personal concerns, interests and issues in their lives. Student Voice & Choice - Students make some decisions about the project, including how they work and what they create. Reflection - Students and teachers reflect on learning, the effectiveness of their inquiry and project activities, the quality of student work, obstacles and how to overcome them. Critique & Revision - Students give, receive and use feedback to improve their process and products. Public Product - Students make their project work public by explaining, displaying and/or presenting it to people beyond the classroom.
Reprinted with permission from The Bucks Institute for Education at bie.org
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Nutrition and Wellness Around the World SPRING 2015 FRESHMAN PBL The freshman class took a two week break from their regular scheduled classes prior to Spring Break to delve deeply into understanding nutrition issues and come up with solutions in their hands-on project based learning unit. As part of the PBL unit, the girls worked with nutrition food scientists, professional chefs and others in the food industry as they covered topics such as nutrition and brain health, food-related diseases, environmental sustainability and issues related to poverty around the globe. One of the highlights was creating a meal in the professional teaching kitchen at Mercer County Community College. The girls worked in groups under the supervision of Chef Frank Benowitz, CHE, to prepare a meal that met strict nutrition requirements.
Lucky Ducks The Lucky Ducks had to create a meal for twelve people who have diabetes. We had to make an appetizer, main dish, side and dessert. For our appetizer, we made homemade hummus with fresh vegetables. Our main dish was chicken piccata with a side of tomato mozzarella. Our dessert was fresh berries with whipped cream and crumbled cookies on top. We received the most thoughtful award, as we provided the judges with pink lemonade. We learned about budgeting while shopping and cooking with a limited amount of carbohydrates. — Alexandria Burgess ’18
Vicious and Delicious We each acquired new skills like making ice cream, using industrial ovens and mixers and sautéing. In no time, we created four brilliant vegan dishes: baked eggplant towers, a mixed salad, “chicken” Alfredo and a coconut based ice cream with a key lime glaze and seasonal berries. Comments from the judges included, “beautiful presentation,” “wonderful work,” “I want the recipe!” and “you exceeded my expectations.” We had fun, learned so much and felt accomplished that we worked together to create such a delicious meal. — Kate McLaughlin ’18
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Why Project Based Learning? • PBL makes school more engaging for students. • PBL improves learning. • PBL builds success skills for college, career and life. • PBL provides opportunities for students to use technology. • PBL connects students and schools with communities and the real world. Reprinted with permission from bie.org.
Exploring Worldwide Universal Primary Education SPRING 2015 SOPHOMORE PBL At Stuart, we take education for granted. Have you ever thought about how changed your life would be without the gift of education? Students from the sophomore class spent two weeks prior to Spring Break working on projects revolving around the vital topic of education. We started off by exploring many questions that would help us to create a solid definition of what service is and how we can play our part in advancing the world. We focused on the second millennium goal created by the United Nations in the year 2000, which states that by 2015 the world should achieve Universal Primary Education. We were enticed to dive deeper into this topic when we watched the movie Girl Rising, several TED Talks and a presentation from former Stuart teacher Sally Brannon and Ranjana Rao, about Room to Read, a nonprofit organization whose main focus is to bring libraries to primary children throughout the world. We were divided into three groups each of which chose a country on which to focus. The three countries were Uganda, Peru and Haiti. We listened to presentations from Ms. Melinda Huffman-Schwartz, Señora Mary Anne Guerrero and Madame Anne Hoppenot, who have strong ties with these countries. After listening to these presentations we had a greater understanding of the culture and needs of education in each of these countries. After much brainstorming and altering plans, each group came up with a potential solution to a problem which will help advance the present educational system.
URBAN CHALLENGE The Urban Challenge, a unique and lifechanging experience, offers high school students the opportunity to not only learn about the struggles faced by the residents of Camden but also to discover a surprising beauty and budding life within the community. From my time in Camden, I can honestly say that my perspective of the world has been shifted. I began to question not only my lifestyle but also smaller things such as nuances in my natural speech that reflect the privileges I have been able to enjoy my entire life without really noticing. During the Urban Challenge I also had the incredible honor of meeting people who stoically live through impossible circumstances and people devoted to helping their brothers and sisters to overcome them. The heart of the Urban Challenge truly lies in the fact that we not only helped people in need, but we were changed by people we didn't know we needed. —Sonia Mohandas ’18
In addition, we had the ability to “think globally, but act locally” when we spent two and half days in Camden, New Jersey. We experienced the challenges that Camden communities face in their daily lives. We visited homeless shelters, day care centers and nursing homes. We also participated in an experiential activity. We belonged to a family of four, each with a unique situation, that included homelessness, health restrictions and illegal immigrant status. We had to sustain our families on twelve dollars a day; we now realize how expensive food can be. One of the results of this activity was a lack of concentration and energy. We learned that this has the ability to be a major concern for students as it leads to poor performance in school. Through this trip, we expanded our understanding and view of a reality that is very close to home. — Haajar Alaoui ’17
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Blogging from Across the Pond:
The Experience of a Lifetime at the Fringe Fifteen Stuart girls were part of Stuart’s international performance debut at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland in August. This incredible experience was spearheaded by Drama Teacher Christina Kosyla, who accompanied the group along with Fine Arts Department Chair Jan Baldwin. Stuart’s production of Exhibit This! was selected from among thousands of American high schools for inclusion in the Edinburgh Fringe, the largest arts festival in the world. In addition to giving five live stage performances, the group saw the sites in London, a show in the West End, an evening of Scottish dancing and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. While they were across the pond, our girls blogged to share their experiences real-time. A few entries are shared here, but you can read their journal, which includes more photos and great video, at www.stuartschoolblog.com.
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DAY 1: ALISON Hello from London! I’m Alison Walsh and I am going to be a sophomore at Stuart this year! Today, after our flight, we went on a halfday tour of London with our awesome tour guide, Steven! We had lunch at Covent Gardens and enjoyed the beautiful weather. We also viewed the major attractions of London, such as Big Ben, Parliament, the London Eye, the River Thames and many more.
DAY 7: AVELYN Halò – Greetings from Scotland on this our first performance day! I’m Avelyn and will be a freshman this year. We were nervous and excited to showcase Stuart and perform for an international crowd. Miss Kosyla and Ms. Baldwin have been wonderful chaperones, teachers and mentors. We are very grateful to them. They were supportive, encouraging and told us they were confident we would do well. We gathered in a huddle and cheered our debut at the Fringe! This performance was special and we will try to remember our individual feelings. The audience clapped and laughed and we felt good about entertaining them with Luigi Jannuzzi’s play, Exhibit This! The Museum Comedies. The experience was exhilarating and fun! Tonight was a night we will always remember!
DAY 9. CLAIRE Hello friends and family! Today was a very eventful day! After getting to sleep in and having a nice and easy morning, we made our way over to the Royal Mile, where we performed a small portion of our show in order to attract some audience members. [In the evening] we headed to Edinburgh Castle to watch the Military Tattoo. Tonight was my favorite part of the trip so far. The Tattoo was a mix of marching bands, dancing and even some singing from not only Scottish musicians, but also performances by people from India, China, Switzerland and the good-old USA. Despite the cold weather, I really think our hearts were warmed by the display of nationalism and patriotism from people in the audience when their home country was performing. We all can’t believe that our trip is coming to a close. We wish we could stay a bit longer. 2015 ANNUAL REPORT EDITION
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Girl Wonder Fulbright Scholar Sarah Schulte ’10 spent the last 15 months gaining life perspective while living out the Sacred Heart Goals – teaching health at a rural school in the Dominican Republic and conducting research on pregnant women in low income communities in Santiago, Chile.
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After graduating from Stuart in 2010, Sarah studied pre-med at the University of Pennsylvania, earning degrees in 2014 in health and societies and Spanish. In August of the same year she moved to the Dominican Republic with a Princeton in Latin America (PiLA) fellowship to teach health at a rural public high school and then went to Santiago, Chile, with a Fulbright grant where she did qualitative research investigating the nutrition of overweight pregnant women in low-income communities in the city. The excerpts that follow are adapted from Sarah’s travel blog.
Sarah’s Blog For many years I’ve wanted to become a doctor, but I’ve also wanted to take one to two gap years before medical school. I hoped this time would be a break from schoolwork, a chance to see the world before “real life” started and an opportunity to gain different perspectives about healthcare and life in general. So, during my senior year at UPenn I applied to various fellowships, programs and internships in the United States and abroad. I was lucky enough that everything worked out pretty perfectly. I started out in the rural Hermanas Mirabal province of the Dominican Republic as a Princeton in Latin America (PiLA) fellow where I worked at El Liceo Científico, the first science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) school in the country. At El Liceo I worked as a teaching assistant as well as organized my own course on public health, nutrition and wellness. I spent seven months in the Dominican Republic, and after a quick visit back home in March I headed to Santiago, Chile with a Fulbright research grant. There I conducted independent research on the social determinants of rising obesity rates in the city as a parallel to my senior thesis project.
BOLIVIA Wonderlust, May 6, 2015 - Salt Flats in Potosí near the crest of the Andes
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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC DAY ONE
August 16, 2014 If I’m being honest, my first day in the Dominican Republic was truthfully one of the most difficult I’ve ever experienced. As I sat down in the plane on the Newark runway, surrounded by strangers and with no idea if anyone would be picking me up from the airport in the Dominican Republic, I felt partly excited but mostly terrified.
Things didn’t get much better after landing. As I walked out of the airport’s exit doors, weighed down by my four bags, I was immediately greeted by blinding sunlight and the stares of every single person waiting outside. I felt like I had been transported into that classic nightmare where I had forgotten to put clothes on and had left the house completely naked. After quickly checking that I was in fact fully clothed and the reason that they were staring at me was just that I was the only tall white girl on the flight, I walked towards the line of cars as nonchalantly as possible, even as I felt everyone’s eyes following me. Thankfully, at the end of the line there was a man with an official-looking sign with Liceo Cientifico’s logo and my name on it, so I got into his car and we drove off to the school. **Spoiler Alert: As I write this blog post five days later on my porch in Salcedo, I can say that I am much happier and incredibly excited for the adventures to come.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL Now in its third year, El Liceo Cientifico educates 9–11th graders from the rural and impoverished Hermanas Mirabal province, offering an extended school day, over two dozen electives and a STEM curriculum (the first in the country). Visit www.liceocientifico.org to learn more.
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THE QUEST TO BUILD A RAISED PLANT BED or, “How we became friends with everyone in our apartment complex.” Sarah and her farming-savvy roommate, Mariana, enlist the neighbors' help in bulding a raised plant bed.
THE FINAL WEEKS February 23, 2015 These past six plus months have flown by and I can cheesily (but truthfully) say that they have been some of the happiest months of my life. From the incredible weather and the unbelievable adventures I’ve had while exploring the unmatched natural beauty of this country, to the hard but fulfilling work at Liceo and the genuine friendships I’ve formed with the teachers and PiLA fellows here, this experience has been so much better than I could have ever imagined.
BEST DAY EVER. September 13, 2014 To start off it was a Friday. I had an environmental science class with freshmen, bright and early at 8:00 AM, followed by karaoke in the second year English classes. It was so much fun to join in on singing Ke$ha, John Legend, One Direction and more. Now several of the second-years think I’m a really good rapper because I was able to pretty effectively read and “rap” along to Iggy Azalea’s Fancy hit.
What has truly surpassed my expectations, however, are the relationships I’ve formed with the students at Liceo. Without fail, they are able to make me laugh or put a smile on my face every single day–and I’ve lost count at the number of hugs and morning hellos I’ve received these past six months.
At 3:30 PM, I had my health class and the plan was to play a game that I had invented in order to simulate how the immune system fights invading bacteria in your body. Going into the class I was a little nervous about how it was all going to turn out. The game, which I called “The System,” consisted of four teams – Team Bacteria, Team Red, Team Blue and Team Green. Each team had a different set of rules and characteristics that mimicked a part of the immune system response and at the start of the game I told the kids that while they were playing they should try to think about what each team and each rule represented. The game was set up like Sharks and Minnows, with Team Bacteria starting at one end of the court and Teams Red, Blue and Green set up in sequential zones in front of them. I told Team Bacteria they had to run through each zone without being touched by other players and if they touched the wall on the other side of the court, they had successfully “infected” the body and earned a point and could return to the beginning to start again. The game went better than I could have ever imagined. Not only was it hilarious to watch Team Red (who had blindfolds) and Team Green whacking the bacteria with banana leaves they were given–but the kids had so much fun. They wanted to play again and again. The best part was that they started to put it all together and connect the dots between what I had taught them in the Immune System Intro lecture the class before. Carnival in La Vega
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DÉJÀ VU IN PERU September 30, 2015
CHILE
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fter a nine-month stay in Chile, Sarah embarked on a backpacking trip to Patagonia. She will return to Princeton in December before starting medical school next August. While home, Sarah plans to help out coaching some basketball at Stuart. We can’t wait to see her and learn more about her incredible experiences!
On a trip to Peru in August to go backpacking through the Cordillera Blanca (White Mountains) on the Santa Cruz trek, Sarah returned to Lima to visit her Spanish teacher from Stuart, Señora Mary Anne Guerrero, and Monica, the Peruvian girl she had stayed with for two weeks as a freshman (on a Stuart program that was a precursor to SHAEP). Monica was exactly as I remembered and before long it felt as though we had been in constant contact over the past nine years. I was greeted with warm hugs from both her parents. We went upstairs to her room, where I was flooded with the sensation of déjà vu and vivid memories of getting ready for school nine years earlier. Señora Guerrero and me with one of the dancers at a marinera (traditional Peruvian) dance competition, an elaborate affair.
COLOMBIA A Stuart Reunion: Visiting with Sarah Horton ’10 who is working in Bogata, Columbia
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STUART NEWS
Father Pat Connor 1929–2015
Last April, Stuart mourned the loss of Father Patrick Connor, SVD, who was the beloved Stuart community chaplain for 25 years. Father Pat was born in Brisbane, Australia in 1929. He joined the Divine Word Missionaries and was ordained in 1957. He volunteered to do his missionary work in India and was there for nine years. He first came to Stuart on Ascension Thursday in 1985. Father Pat was an important person in the lives of so many in our Stuart community. The below words, which beautifully convey what Father Pat meant to so many at Stuart, are from Sanford “Sandy” Bing, written as the introduction to The Right Words, Twelve Stuart Sermons, written by Father Pat. “If we think hard, we can all identify a small group of people who have had a significant impact on our lives. Father Pat Connor has been one of those people for me. Intelligent, well read, a great story teller, a humorist with unusual wit and with a seemingly unlimited reservoir of appropriate and meaningful quotes, Father Pat is above all a person of faith who respects and embraces people of all religions and beliefs. I, among many others I am certain, strive to be a better person because of the influence of Pat Connor. Stuart has been blessed to have him as part of their community.”
Father Pat in India, 1966
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Alumnae News S
tuart alumnae became engaged with our students and each other in many ways during the 2014-2015 school year. Alumnae visited our campus for the Junior Ring Ceremony, participated in Alumnae Career Luncheons with the Middle and Upper School girls twice during the academic year and returned to run in the Poetry in Motion 5K. They also gathered at two wonderful cocktail events in New York City and Boston, where a record number of alumnae enjoyed an evening of rekindling friendships and hearing about the changes occurring within the green-bricked walls of Stuart. In the past year our Stuart alumnae demonstrated a remarkable level of support in the Stuart Fund. Thanks to the efforts of Alicia Fruscione Walker ’98 and Kristen Lopez-Watt ’90, our alumnae relations coordinators, we now have new ways to connect the Stuart alumnae community through the social media apps EverTrue and LinkedIn. Hopefully you’ve had the opportunity to check out the powerful new tool, EverTrue. Looking ahead to the coming year, I encourage you to take advantage of opportunities to engage with fellow alumnae and friends of Stuart at various events taking place. I’m honored to serve as your alumnae president
and very grateful for the support from the talented women serving on our Alumnae Board. Thank you for continuing to support Stuart and your Alumnae Association. I encourage those of you who may have lost touch with Stuart to contact our alumnae relations co-coordinators if you are interested in re-engaging with the school and fellow alumnae. It was great to see many of you at Alumnae Weekend and Homecoming!
Kristin Rodewald Dawson ’80 Alumnae Board President
Members of the class of 1990 return for Alumnae Weekend, 2015. Pictured are (left to right), Karen Smith Munroe, Christina Choi, Kelly LaBosco Kelly, Catheryn O’Rourke, Mary Lantin Casparis, Tracey Spalding Montoya, Jennifer Garver Landis and Kristen Lopez-Watt.
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Located just outside the office of the Head of School, the Alumnae Gallery highlights alumnae whose life work exemplifies the Sacred Heart Goals and characteristics outlined in Stuart’s Portrait of a Graduate. Featured alumnae have been self- or peer-nominated, are selected by a committee of the Alumnae Association Board and are rotated annually. The Alumnae Gallery will soon be expanded to include all past inductees as well as Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award winners.
Anne Conley O'Neill ’68 The time Anne Conley O’Neill ’68 spent at Stuart, in an unfinished, light-filled school, clearly illuminated her path after graduation, exhilirated by the belief in her ability to embrace challenges. The daughter of a Manhattanville College (Sacred Heart) alumna, education was a core value in her home and a Sacred Heart education was an invaluable asset. Anne earned her degree in government from Smith College before returning to Princeton to begin her multi-faceted career with a teaching position at Stuart. Anne later served on Stuart’s Board of Trustees and in the development office at Princeton University before taking her position as director of Alsace/USA, fostering cultural and economic relationships between the Alsace region and the U.S. Having never lost her love for the Princeton community, nor her connection to it, Anne is now based in Princeton as the executive director of the Scheide Fund, a private philanthropy supporting many non-profit organizations. Each new job opportunity in Anne’s life has required trusting her Stuart-instilled resourcefulness and approaching each challenge with the optimism and “can-do” spirit that permeated every day at Stuart.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Alumnae Weekend 2016—All are welcome! October 1: especially celebrating the classes of 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006 and 2011
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Stuart Little Christmas
Rock & Roll Gala and Auction
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
April 9, 2016, Chaired by alumna Katie Hughes Redmond ’85
Alumnae Induction
Poetry in Motion 5K Run & Fitness Fair
Monday, February 22, 2016
April 30, 2016, in honor of alumna Vicki Flournoy McCarthy ’71
STUART NEWS
Sabrina Comizzoli ’88 After graduating from Stuart in 1988, Sabrina Comizzoli continued her education at Princeton University before earning her J.D. from the NYU School of Law. Thirteen years ago, she was fortunate to be hired by the Department of Justice in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey – where she now serves as the executive assistant U.S. attorney, the third-highest ranking position in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. As a federal prosecutor, she has worked on intellectually challenging, complex (and fun) litigation and had the opportunity to represent and protect the people of this country. Every time she has made a significant choice regarding her education or profession, she has—both consciously and unconsciously—considered Sacred Heart Goal Three: a social awareness which impels to action. Stuart instills in its graduates a social consciousness which causes them to embrace a lifelong commitment to justice. Sabrina’s career path has followed quite naturally: the mission of her job and the tradition of her office are always to seek justice and to do the right thing. Now, as she is more involved in the administration of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, her job involves public speaking, setting goals and achieving them and exercising the leadership skills she learned at Stuart.
Sr. Marcia Hall, OSP ’74 Sr. Marcia Hall, OSP graduated from Stuart in 1974 and continued her education at Bryn Mawr College and the University of Michgan, where she earned a Ph.D. in sociology. Throughout her career and vocation, Sr. Marcia has worked as a university professor, teacher, principal, vocation director and tour/pilgrimage director for her order, the Oblate Sisters of Providence. She considers faith, learning and community the hallmarks of a Stuart education that resonate with her the most. All have sustained her through good and bad times since her years at Stuart. She still remembers the work that was required to complete her history term paper junior year. These specific skills—planning, researching and writing—have carried her through her life as a student, teacher and administrator. Though she is no longer in an academic setting, she is still learning for example, how to use social media to promote the Congregation and how to enhance liturgical celebrations. Sr. Marcia’s faith has helped her to grow from a shy, introverted girl at Stuart, to a woman who is regularly called on to give presentations and tours about the Congregation. She was called to live in community by God; God and community have helped her become a more faith-filled, loving person.
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STUART NEWS
A Peaceful Place to Make Some Noise With over 950 tickets sold and over $218,000 raised, special events at Stuart were an incredible success! Monte Carlo Magic: Diamonds are Forever, the Affairs of the Heart Event Series and Poetry in Motion truly offered something for everyone. With over 30 events to choose from, the events were wonderful community building opportunities as well as fantastic ways to support our girls and their Stuart experiences. Check out upgrades to the lighting system in Cor Unum and Stuart’s MakerSpace, made possible through Fund-A-Need auctions at events. Special thanks to our many hosts and guests for their generosity and commitment to Stuart and our girls!
Sophie Dinner
The Sophie Dinner offers a wonderful opportunity to thank our donors who have given a gift of $5,000 or above in the last year or have lifetime giving of $100,000 or above. Sudhir and Lakshmi Pakalapati (Loukya ’26, Veeksha ’29) hosted the event, graciously welcoming guests to their lovely home. In a highlight of the event, each guest shared descriptions and photos of the great things that are happening at Stuart as a result of donor generosity.
Sophie Dinner hosts, Lakshmi and Sudhir Pakalapati
James and Laura Lamke with Maureen Cronin-McLaughlin at the Sophie Dinner
Debra McAuliffe, Dr. Patty L. Fagin and Kristen Dries at the Sophie Dinner
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Poetry in Motion 5K Run
A big crowd came out for the 8th Annual Poetry in Motion 5K Run and our first Fitness Fair! Congratulations to the 211 registered runners and many thanks to our generous sponsors! Proceeds from the event, which is dedicated to the memory of Victoria Flournoy McCarthy ’71, support the Lies, Light, McCarthy Visiting Author Program at Stuart.
Runners are off at Poetry in Motion 2015
Monte Carlo Magic
All bets were placed on Stuart at Monte Carlo Magic Diamonds are Forever. Special thanks to hosts Emily and Johan Firmenich.
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The McCarthy-Flournoy Family poses for a photo after the race.
Monte Carlo Magic hosts Emily and Johan Firmenich with daughters Stella ’23 and Margaux ’26
Affairs of the Heart Dr. Patty Fagin, Marguerite Vera, Mark Johnson, Fayette Plambeck ’15, Tracy Johnson and Beth Crutcher at the Black & White Ball
Tim and Dr. Patty Fagin join Tartan Hootenanny of a Hoedown hosts Rene and Rusty Johnson, Amy and Mark Schaefer, Diana & David Sullivan and Kristen and W. Bryce Thompson.
Black & White Ball event hosts, Suzanne and Charles Plambeck
Dr. Fagin joins Serve, Sip & Shop event hosts Sohini Rath, Jennifer Bednar, Heather Steinmeier and Kristen Lopez-Watt ’90
2014-2015 Event Hosts Jennifer Aickley Martin Arsenault Jennifer Bednar (Caroline ’22, Charlotte ’22) Susan Beshel Carolyn Brougham Barbara Ann Cagney Mary Beth Carstens (Claire ’25) Carol Church (Jamie Stitzer Cahill ’89) Ivonne Diaz-Claisse (Emma ’21) Stacy Cramer Beth Crutcher (Kira ’21) Dominique Di Meglio Heidi Echternacht Beth Enck (Paulina ’17) Joyce Felsenfeld (Kathleen Carroll Hancock ’95) Johan and Emily Firmenich (Stella ’23, Margaux ’26) Robin Frink (Amaris ’21, Aubrey ’24)
Gymkata Judy Hill (Ashley) Linda Hochuli Melinda Huffman-Schwartz Rene and Rusty Johnson (Samantha ’18, Caroline ’22) Mary Jo Kahn (Julia ’17) Nadia and Shahid Khan (Zoha ’22) Laskshmi Kalidindi and Sudhir Pakalapati (Loukya ’26, Veeksha ’29) Deborah Land Lynn Lepore (Adlynn ’99, Meredith ’02) Kristen Lopez-Watt ’90 (Carolina ’25, Christian, Lucia ’29) Sean Malloy Terri Magnani (Lauren ’19, Kaitlyn ’22) Elizabeth Marks ’84 (Penelope Luchs ’21) Jessica Metzger
Ginny Moore (Kristina ’97) Greta Nelson David Nichols Elena Nickerson Kate Norton Aileen O’Shea (Charlotte ’16 and Maeve Anderson ’19) Jennifer Peck-Nolte (Julia ’26) Maureen Pfeffer Suzanne and Charles Plambeck (Raines ’08, Fayette ’15) Shannon and Paul Rangecroft (Alexa ’13, Cameron ’15) Sohini Rath (Simran ’26, Shaan) Kelly Raveling Amy and Mark Schaefer (Maya ’21) Eileen Scheuerman Dr. Michael Schwartz Aneesa Sen Samantha Serrano Jean Simar
Heather Steinmeier (Katherine ’23, Grace ’25, Seth) Diana and David Sullivan (Haley ’22) Rene Ten Hagen (Rebekah ’19) Alicia Testa Kristen and Bryce Thompson (Finley ’22) Marguerite Vera (Ariana ’08, Elisa ’13, Viviana ’18) Shawn Volz Gaby Vovsi (Cordelia ’30, Stevie ’29) Sara Wagner Alicia Fruscione Walker ’98 (Julia ’29) Missy Walker (Leah ’26, Lauren ’29) Margaret Wilder (Christine Mielke ’97) April Woodhull Adrienne Zych
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1200 Stuart Road, Princeton, NJ 08540 609.921.2330 • www.stuartschool.org
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2016 6:00–10:00 PM
BECAUSE STUART GIRLS ROCK! It is with great excitement that we bring you the Rock & Roll Gala and Auction. Prepare for a rockin’ night of great music and an electric atmosphere. Dress like your favorite rock star or don your jeans and concert attire. Support our students by coming out to this party....because Stuart girls rock!
BUY TICKETS AT STUARTSCHOOL.ORG/GALA