Summer 2018 Newsletter by Immaculate Heart Academy

Newsletter

summer 2018 Vol. 34, No. 2

Scene Around IHA Spring Sports Wrap-Up Class Notes

Table of

contents 04

Class of 2018 Commencement Exercises

IHA Family Award

2018 Service Awards Assembly

French Students Tour Québec

Mrs. Melissa O’Sullivan, director of college counseling, and Mrs. Corinne Fritzky, college counselor, during College week

Cover Shot: Kristen Egan’18

Our Mission

Immaculate Heart Academy is a college preparatory high school in the Archdiocese of Newark which has as its purpose the complete education of young women. By both cultivating the traditional Christian values of the Roman Catholic Church and by upholding exceptional academic standards, IHA offers a unique educational experience for the young women in our community. Immaculate Heart Academy strives to develop every aspect of the individual by educating the mind, nurturing the spirit, and promoting a healthy lifestyle. By instilling in its students a sense of responsibility, confidence, justice, peace, and compassion, Immaculate Heart Academy prepares its students for life throughout the twenty-first century.

Class of 2018 graduates, sisters for life.

Julia Marotti’21, Hanna Scott’21, Jennifer Ollmann’21, Geri Tabbachino’21, and Lauren Ohmacht’21 attend the Leonidas Foundation Women in Business Panel.

President

Patricia Molloy

Principal

Jason Schlereth

Editor-in-Chief Tara Hopfenspirger Contributors John Downey Photography Mike Hamlett Photography, Patrizia Proscia, Lisa Encke, Beth DiCiancia Garrigan’76, Maureen McNulty, Alice Nudelman, and Tara Hopfenspirger Design

500 Van Emburgh Avenue Township of Washington, NJ 07676 201.445.6800 • www.ihanj.com

Mrs. Kathleen Walsh DeRosa’84, main office staff, paints a Heart of Hope for fifth graders at East Brook Middle School.

Brittany Graff’20 plays in our 4th Annual Powderpuff Tournament. Ms. Patrice McDonough signs copies of her newly released novel, Clock Master’s Daughter.

Peapod Design, Norwalk, CT

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His Eminence, Joseph W. Cardinal Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark leads IHA’s 2018 Baccalaureate Mass.

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President’s Corner Did You Know That... Scene Around IHA

Winter Sports Wrap-Up

Class Notes

In Memoriam

Immaculate Heart Academy

Kristina Shaw’18 and Carly DePhillips’18

Summer 2018

President’s Corner Dear IHA community, As we begin our fifty-eighth year serving the educational needs of young women, I am certain of one thing... students today require a Catholic, valuescentered education more than I can ever remember. The challenges that they face are complex and ever-changing. There are no easy answers. The faith-based outlook on life that has been part of the IHA experience since 1960 continues to animate our students and graduates. I hope you are as excited about the 2018-2019 academic year as I am. It’s a new beginning and an open book; I hope what we write on those pages will be words of accomplishment, satisfaction, joy, health, and peace. The Student Council has chosen the theme “Lighting the Path to Our Future” as this year’s focus. In John’s Gospel, Jesus tells the people, “I am

the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The faith that we have as a Christian community of students, alumnae, parents, and friends will light the path to our futures. Our academic achievements, many of which are highlighted in this newsletter, our athletic successes, our incredible dedication to hours of generous service... all these accomplishments are based in the faith we have that God is directing our lives and is lighting the way. May God bless you always,

Patricia Molloy President

Kimberly Mains’18, Rebecca Jarrett’18, and Catherine Fazio’18

Immaculate Heart Academy

Class of

Commencement Exercises Immaculate Heart Academy’s Fifty-fifth Annual Commencement Exercises were held on June 3, 2018. One hundred seventy-three remarkable young women received their diplomas from Patricia Molloy, president; Jason Schlereth, principal; and Jo-Ellen DeSanta and Alice Rogers, assistant principals, on stage in the IHA gymnasium. Including the members of this year’s graduation class, ten thousand two hundred and twentynine young women now carry the title of IHA alumna. The ceremony began with Madeleine Fogarty (Fairfield University), Student Council president, offering an invocation and Heather Farrell (University of Notre Dame), salutatorian, giving a memorable welcoming address. “When I think about my graduation class, I can’t help but smile to myself,” Heather said to her classmates. “There were things that would have divided us, but didn’t. As I stand up here now, I realize we’re more than classmates, we’re sisters. How fitting was it that our freshman year

STUCO theme was ‘anchored in sisterhood,’ because I am convinced that throughout our four years, we have become family.” Heather continued on to say that IHA not only built the class’ kinship and knowledge, but also taught her classmates how to be young women of integrity and character. “For every hour a girl studied for her AP® U.S. History test, she probably spent the same amount of time volunteering in a nursing home,” she said.

Summer 2018

Bridget Dimaanoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;18

Immaculate Heart Academy

“For every girl on the honor roll, there is a girl who has received the Presidential Service Award, many of the names overlapping. We are a school about giving back to the wider community as much as we are about strengthening our own sisterhood.” Next, 2018 commencement speaker, Emmy® Award winner, Katherine Kerbstat’07, addressed the graduating class with an honest, inspirational message that touched on two main points: “Don’t worry so much” and “Go forth with confidence.” “When I was at IHA, I wasn’t the star student, nowhere near the top of my class, I wasn’t an All-State or All-County

Maeve Kelly’18, Emily Hernandez’18, Emily Williams’18, and Danielle Bonistalli’18

We are a school about giving back to the wider community as much as we are about strengthening our own sisterhood.

Jenna Nelson’18

player, and I don’t think you could use the word ‘popular’ to describe me,” Katie said. “At the time, I thought of myself as pretty mediocre. See, what I didn’t realize then, is the great wealth I had amassed here at IHA and how that wealth shaped and helped prepare me for my future. And how this was much more valuable than any award.”

Connie Chianetta’18 and Emily Bommer’18

SummerLee’18, 2018 Emily Bommer’18, Megan Sarah Horne’18, Megan Rice’18, and Sarah McLoughlin’18

Immaculate Heart Academy

After Katie delivered the commencement address, diplomas and a number of special awards were distributed to members of the Class of 2018. Cassandra Mitsinikos (Johns Hopkins University), valedictorian, then delivered a moving farewell address, touching on her and her class’ four years at Immaculate Heart Academy. “Through these ups and downs, we’ve unlocked our potential in the form of our character by living on a daily basis as the women our teachers and friends at IHA shaped us to be,” Cassie said. “In this world where challenges grow larger year by year, our potential is the sum of our character, which is the force with which we will change the world.” The Class of 2018 received close to thirty-three million dollars in scholarship awards and will be attending some of the most esteemed colleges and universities in the country—from Columbia University, Wake Forest University, University of Notre Dame, and Georgia Institute of Technology to Vanderbilt University, University of Virginia, and University of Michigan. Fifty-three graduates are attending Catholic institutions and twenty-two seniors are attending schools in New Jersey. One hundred fifty students are attending schools out of state, and one is attending University of the Arts London.

Kaitlyn Bertolino’18, Giuliana Zaza’18, and Julia Mancuso’18 Cassandra Mitsinikos’18, 2018 valedictorian

This year, some of the most popular school choices were Manhattan College, Pennsylvania State University, Quinnipiac University, and Villanova University with six students attending each; Elon University, Providence College, Rutgers University, University of Scranton, and University of Delaware with five each; and Fairfield University, The College of New Jersey, and Boston College with four each. Other top choices included College of the Holy Cross, Miami University (Ohio), University of South Carolina, University of Connecticut, New York University, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Bucknell University. On behalf of the IHA community, we wish the members of the Class of 2018 the very best in college and beyond. You will always have a home @theheart! Ashling Bennett’18 among her fellow graduates

Summer 2018

Katherine Kerbstat’07

2018 Commencement Speaker At the 2018 Commencement Exercises, we were thrilled to welcome back Class of 2007 alumna, Katherine Kerbstat. Katie is an Emmy® awardwinning journalist and producer at 60 Minutes, a television news-magazine on CBS.

hile a student at IHA, Katie was an editor of our school newspaper, Accents, and played varsity volleyball. In 2011, she graduated magna cum laude from Manhattan College, where she played division one volleyball and served as editor of the college newspaper.

dashed (in heels) around the Vatican Palace and Capitol Dome, has searched for sunken slave ships in the Indian Ocean, filmed live-ammo war games in Jordan, has tracked down survivors of Syria’s sarin gas attacks, and has gotten seasick everywhere from the Black Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

Since working at 60 Minutes, Katie has earned two Emmys, a Columbia DuPont award, two Writers Guild awards, and more than fourteen Emmy® nominations. Over the past five years there, she has worked on two dozen stories and coproduced eight. Her work has taken her to the borders of Syria, the swamps of war-torn South Sudan, and to refugee camps in Djibouti and Turkey. She has

Katie’s stories have included interviews with Pope Francis, President Barack Obama, the King of Jordan, Syria’s famed White Helmets, and Gold Star Families. This past season, she did her first story as a solo producer, becoming one of the youngest producers in the history of 60 Minutes. She presently lives in New York City and was married this July.

Katherine Kerbstat’07, 2018 commencement speaker

While Katie has accomplished so much before the age of thirty, her success did not come without hard work, resilience, and an abundance of diligence. During her commencement speech, she touched on how she would “poke, prod, and pester” her IHA teachers to allow her into the more advanced classes. “I was told no again and again, ‘your placement exams are what they are’ or ‘your writing just isn’t good enough.’ But I was a relentless little weirdo,” she joked. “So I would write and rewrite and rewrite some more. When good grades came in, I’d wear my teachers down with overly dramatic monologues on my progress. By senior year, I bulldozed my way into honor classes.” Katie spoke directly to the graduating class, explaining the importance of hustle, teamwork, and “calluses of persistence.” “What I lacked in natural ability, I gained in character,” she explained. “What I didn’t know then is that I was building these calluses of hustle and persistence. Being told no over and over and over again and having to constantly prove myself—this is all really great training for any future journalist. You can’t teach tenacity, endurance, or assertiveness. You can only learn by experience.” Katie encouraged the graduates to “keep building those calluses, find what you love, dedicate yourself to it, and have confidence that this place has shaped you in the most magnificent way.”

Katherine Kerbstat’07, 2018 commencement speaker; Heather Farrell’18, salutatorian; Theresa Szydlik’18, IHA Award recipient; and Cassandra Mitsinikos’18, valedictorian

Immaculate Heart Academy

Baccalaureate Mass Celebrated by Archbishop of Newark

is Eminence, Joseph W. Cardinal Tobin C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, presided over our 2018 Baccalaureate Mass on Saturday, June 2, 2018. This is the first time in our 58-year history that we have welcomed a Cardinal to IHA. It was an honor and we are incredibly grateful that Cardinal Tobin was able to celebrate and pray with us.

Cardinal Tobin greets a graduate’s grandfather.

Adrianna Oliver’18 and Madeleine Fogarty’18 lead the candle-lit procession into the Baccalaureate Mass.

Cardinal Tobin

Jada Gotay’18, center, sings with fellow members of our liturgical choir, Praise, at the Baccalaureate Mass.

Summer 2018

Immaculate Heart Academy

Class of 2018 Graduation Awards The following awards were presented at the 2018 Commencement Exercises: The IHA Award

Academic Excellence Award The Kim Montelaro Memorial Award The Sister Beatrice Ryan Award

The Dorothy and Jack McKenna Memorial Award The Kathleen Farley Memorial Award The Fine Arts Award The Gregory Joseph Villone Award The Herbert C. Oberle Memorial Award

The KariAnn Dellapenta Award The Catherine Larkin Award The Caren Cavallo Memorial Scholarship The Marian Award The Marie Sellers and Dorothy Savarese Memorial Scholarship The Jeffrey E. Silver Memorial Award The Vincent Herold Award The Marisa Suarez Memorial Award

The Michael Thomas Noone Memorial Award The Mary Ann Molinari Memorial Award

Tess Szydlik’18 receives the prestigious IHA Award.

Tess Szydlik (Vanderbilt University) Tess Szydlik (Vanderbilt University) Morgan Honor (Colby College) Adrianna Oliver (Villanova University) Gabriella Turi (Villanova University) Emma Simmons (College of Charleston) Amanda Natt (West Chester University of Pennsylvania) Emily Hernandez (Syracuse University) Fiona Ralph (Bowdoin College) Cassandra Mitsinikos (Johns Hopkins University) Marissa Amen (Boston College) Dana Padilla (Seton Hall University) Carly DePhillips (Boston College) Olivia Stopka (Manhattan College) Anne Walsh (Montclair State University) Maeve Kelly (The University of Scranton) Kelsey Agnew (Providence College) Riley DeRosa (St. John’s University) Emily Bommer (College of William and Mary)

Adrianna Oliver’18 shows the Sr. Beatrice Ryan Award plaque at 2018 Graduation.

Riley DeRosa’18 receives the Michael Thomas Noone Memorial Scholarship Award.

Summer 2018

2018 Honors Convocation

o celebrate the hard work and academic achievement of Immaculate Heart Academy freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, we hold an annual Honors Convocation. On June 5, 2018, we recognized the numerous underclassmen that excelled throughout the 2017-18 academic year. Certificates were distributed to fortytwo students who made Distinguished

Honors each of the first three marking periods by earning averages of 95% or better. Additionally, two hundred thirty-eight students were recognized with Honors certificates by earning averages between 90-94% for each of the first three marking periods. We also inducted nine freshmen into the St. Brigid Society. These students achieved Distinguished Honors for at least two marking periods.

Several book awards, sponsored by various colleges and universities, were presented to: Emma Taff ’19—St. Michael’s College Book Award for Academic Achievement with a Social Conscience Regina Garvey’19—The George Washington University Alumni Award Clare Donnelly’19—The University of Rochester Fredrick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award Josephine Oshodi’19—The University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award Olivia Pavin’19—The University of Rochester Xerox Award Courtney Caccamo’19—The University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leaders Award Bernadette Goratowski’19—The Fairfield University Book Award Charlotte Stanton’19—The Mount Holyoke College Book Award Emily Ash’19—The Saint Anselm College Book Award Kaitlyn Brown’19—The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medalist Award Bryn Bogan’19—The St. Lawrence University Book Award Kirstin McGeary’19—The Denison University Book Award Lauren Burke’19 and Shannon Jordan’19—The Sage College Student Sage Scholar Award Katrina Fett’19—The University of Virginia Jefferson Book Award Alessandra Priolo’19—The Le Moyne College Heights Award Rebecca Nadler’19—The Stonehill College Book Award Ella Parker’20—IHA The Promising Young Scientist Award

Congratulations to the new St. Brigid Society members: Bianca D’Costa’21 Catherine DePalma’21 Zoe Dupuis’21 Janine Jbeili’21 Gabriella Karcz’21 Gabriella Kittaneh’21 Clare McGowan’21 Catherine Nixon’21 Emma Viggiano’21

Katrina Fett’19 and Clare Donnelly’19 show the book awards they received at the 2018 Honors Convocation.

Elizabeth Croci’20, Giavanna Baquerizo’20, Casie Burke’20, Melanie Harrigan’20, and Chloe Pielka’20 display their certificates of honor.

Kirstin McGeary’19 receives The Denison University Book Award from Jason Schlereth, principal.

Immaculate Heart Academy

More Awards for the Class of 2018

raduating seniors were acknowledged with awards at both the Baccalaureate Awards and Junior/Senior Luncheon in-house ceremonies. Congratulations to our seniors for being recognized for your outstanding contributions to IHA over the past four years. Student Council Executive Board President—Madeleine Fogarty (Fairfield University) Vice President—Jazmin Bender (Elon University) Secretary—Emily Bommer (College of William and Mary) Dedicated Service to STUCO— Gabriella Turi (Villanova University) Art Award—Julia Bertussi (Ithaca College) Communications Award—Caroline Frey (Montclair State University) Technology Award—Tess Szydlik (Vanderbilt University) English Award—Cassandra Mitsinikos (Johns Hopkins University) French Award—Kate Della Pietra (Columbia University) Spanish Award—Kristen Egan (Boston College) and Janella Flores (Fairfield University) Mathematics Award—Catherine Petretti (Villanova University) Physical Education Award—Lianna Pacifico (Salve Regina University)

Religion Award—Caroline DePhillips (Boston College) Science Award—Cassandra Mitsinikos (Johns Hopkins University) Social Studies Award—Mary Moskowitz (Northeastern University) Michael Edward Echeverría Award— Kaitlyn Bertolino (SUNY Albany) Virginia “Ginny” Panicucci Memorial Award—Daniella Cangelosi (The University of Scranton) IHA Parents’ Club Robert Ryan Memorial Scholarship (Most Improved Student)— Hannah Sutton (Bryant University) The National Merit Scholarship Commended Students Heather Farrell (University of Notre Dame), Cassandra Mitsinikos (Johns Hopkins University), Dana Padilla (Seton Hall University), Caroline Quill (Wake Forest University), and Tess Szydlik (Vanderbilt University) The National Hispanic Recognition Program Miranda Perez (University of Miami) and Catherine Petretti (Villanova University)

Heather Farrell’18, Cassandra Mitsinikos’18, Tess Szydlik’18, Dana Padilla’18, and Caroline Quill’18, National Merit Scholarship Commended Students

Julia Bertussi’18 receives the Art Award from Patricia Molloy, president.

Athletics Awards IHA Scholar Athlete Award— Kate Della Pietra (Columbia University) NJSIAA Scholar Athlete Award— Kaela Wong (University of Michigan) IHA Athletic Achievement Award— Julia Morris for Volleyball (Quinnipiac University) IHA Athlete of the Year— Catherine Fazio (University of Connecticut) Outside Scholarships and Awards The Lakeland Bank Scholarship— Cayla Chmiolek (Rutgers University) Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award—Fiona Ralph (Bowdoin College) Ann Marie Frey; Caroline Frey’18, recipient of the Communications Award; and Matthew Frey

Summer 2018

IHA Family Award

very year at the Baccalaureate Mass and Awards Ceremony, Immaculate Heart Academy recognizes several extraordinary and dedicated families in our community with the IHA Family Award. This award is presented to parents who have committed themselves to Catholic education and who have sent three or more daughters to IHA. This award is given when the last of their daughters graduates. Congratulations, parents, and thank you for your many years of sacrifice and commitment to IHA!

For Four Daughters Theresa Riccardelli, mother of: Christiana’10, Meghan’11, Genevieve’14, and Marielle’18 For Three Daughters Maureen and Robert Fazio, parents of: Kelly’09, Casey’12, and Catherine’18 Paula and Thomas Horne, parents of: Emily’13, Margaret’15, and Sarah’18 Noreen and James Kilduff, parents of: Madison’14, McKenzie’16, and Kelly’18

The Riccardelli Family

The Horne Family

The Majkowicz Family

The Fazio Family

Dawn Stewart and Andrew Majkowicz, parents of: Brooke’15, Deborah’15, and Taylor’18 Marjan and Karan Nejad, parents of: Nika’16, Nila’16, and Ava’18 Eileen and Steven Palermo, parents of: Stephanie’11, Cristin’13, and Erin’18 AnnMargret and Louis Timpanaro, parents of: Julia’12, Jessica’15, and Erica’18

Immaculate Heart Academy

2018 Service Awards Assembly Students Recognized for More Than 40,000 Hours of Service

tudents at Immaculate Heart Academy regularly put their faith into action by serving their community and ministering to people in need through a wide variety of service opportunities. By participating in the IHA Christian Service Program, students apply their Catholic values by practicing them in projects that expand the students’ awareness of the image of God in others and themselves. To recognize the efforts of numerous community members who give back in so many ways, we hold an annual Service Awards Assembly. On May 14, 2018, our generous and kind-hearted community members were recognized. In the past year, IHA’s young women gave more than 40,000 hours of service, the most in recorded IHA history. The Class of 2018 served a collective 26,468 hours in 2017 alone and a total of 67,861 hours during their time at IHA. Abigail Heffernan’18; Mrs. Sarah Shutrop, director of campus ministry; and Carly DePhillips’18

Congratulations to one hundred thirtytwo students, fourteen families, and nine faculty members for being awarded the prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Award—all school records! A most impressive Gold President’s Volunteer Service Award was distributed to Lisa Ferioli’18 for her service of volunteering one thousand four hundred forty-four hours in the last year as an EMT. Additionally, individual students were recognized for exceptional service to particular groups of people. Congratulations to:

Mrs. Sarah Shutrop presents the Servant Leadership Award to Tess Szydlik’18.

Gabriella Cali’19—Exceptional Service to the Elderly Marissa Amen’18 and Maeve Kelly’18—Exceptional Service to the Special Needs Community

Dana Padilla’18 and Emily Hernandez’18—Exceptional Service in Music Joanne Semelsberger’20, Heather Farrell’18, and Julia Bertussi’18— Exceptional Service to the IHA Community Emily Bommer’18, Carly DePhillips’18, Abigail Heffernan’18, and Elizabeth Encke’20—Exceptional Service to the Homeless Rebecca Nadler’19—Exceptional Service to the Hungry Brooke Fortunato’20—Exceptional Service Globally Jacqueline Townsend’18—Exceptional Service to Women Olivia Labosky’18—Exceptional Service in Education

Summer 2018

Pamela Nadler and Rebecca Nadler’19, recipient of the Exceptional Service to the Hungry Award

Lisa Ferioli’18, Gabriela Russo’18, and Dana Padilla’18

The Bertussi Family: Joan, Juila’18, Victoria’19, and Thomas

Spirit of Service Awards were given to two students in each grade “whose very spirit makes them eager to serve others and the community.” Congratulations to: Freshmen: Kaylee McKay’21 and Ellie DePhillips’21 Sophomores: Elizabeth Croci’20 and Grace Mendolia’20 Juniors: Regina Garvey’19 and Emma Taff ’19 Seniors: Carly DePhillips’18 and Emily Bommer’18 Finally, the Servant Leadership Award is presented to a student whose

commitment to service has transformed the culture of IHA. We send our sincerest congratulations to this year’s recipient, Tess Szydlik’18, who said being honored with this exceptional award “touched her heart deeply.” Tess is headed to Vanderbilt University next year, where she is majoring in special education for severe disabilities. She ultimately hopes to use that degree to teach individuals with severe disabilities in low-income areas. Tess said she never would have found her passion for working with people with special needs without IHA’s service program. And for that, she is eternally grateful.

“Watching my fellow students at service opportunities such as Camp Acorn, Habitat for Humanity, and Midnight Run has shown me the beautiful outreach of which everyone in the building is capable,” she said. “Seeing the gentleness and empathy of IHA girls at different service sites has taught me to be better in friendship, service, and life. I’ll miss having a community where service isn’t seen as a chore, and is instead seen as a call and a beautiful way of engaging with the world.” Mrs. Sarah Shutrop, director of campus ministry and faculty leader of the IHA service program, said one of the most unique aspects of IHA is that it truly is a justice-minded, service oriented community. “Our students understand that the call to service originates from the gospel,” she said. “They know service is about building the kingdom, not our resumes, and they are women with a real concern for the vulnerable. In a generation so often characterized as self-involved and apathetic, IHA’s young women prove themselves to be altogether different. On average, each of our girls completed almost three times the service required of them each year. Service isn’t a box to check here; it’s who we are.”

Immaculate Heart Academy

did you know THAT... On April 24, 2018, members of our Traffic Safety Squad attended the Rebeka Verea Educational Symposium to learn more about safe teen driving. From left to right are Lily Amoroso’20, Olivia Haemmerle’18, Julia Ficon’20, Elizabeth Patterson’20, and Grace Giordano’20.

Mrs. Sarah Shutrop, director of campus ministry, and her husband, Kevin, welcomed their baby boy, Luke Kevin Shutrop, on December 14, 2017. He weighed 8 lbs, 7.5 oz and was 20.25 inches long.

Summer 2018

To celebrate National Poetry Month in April, members of the Creative Writing class, instructed by Dr. Sue Kenney, tried their hand at writing haiku. Haiku is a traditional Japanese poetry form, written in seventeen syllables divided into three lines of five, seven, and five syllables. These poems tend to employ evocative images, often on the subject of nature or one of the seasons. As a group, the class wrote about spring. Dr. Kenney explained, “First, we came up with twenty-five phrases related to spring, and wrote our phrases on the board. We divided them into five separate categories (sight, smell, sound, touch, taste). After much consideration, we decided on four that we liked as a class:

“Next, we had to come up with sentences that we could divide into three lines. From these phrases, we came up with: Birds warble and trill against the drone of a bee’s lullaby. Breezes chill bare legs. I sip mouthfuls of clean air. “In order to create a true haiku, we reduced it further to accommodate the five, seven, five syllable format. This is the Spring 2018 Creative Writing Class’s haiku on springtime:

Mouthfuls of clear air Fresh air against bare legs Birds warble and trill the drone of a bee’s lullaby

Members of Dr. Kenney’s 2018 Creative Writing class

Breezes chill bare legs Birds trill to bees’ lullabies I sip the clean air

Last summer, Ana Cantarella’21 attended Smashinfashin Camp in Demarest, led by camp director, Victoria Pero. One of the challenges of this Project Runwaythemed camp was to create a runwayinspired look made entirely of up-cycled materials from Paterson manufacturers. Before the challenge began, the group visited the Paterson Museum to gain inspiration and gather materials. The City of Paterson is known as “Silk City” due to its role as a silk and textile manufacturer in the late 1800s. Ana gained inspiration for her garment from an antique fire truck and her dress was chosen as a spotlight piece at the museum for a six-month site-specific exhibit with the other campers.

Immaculate Heart Academy

IHA Holds First-ever College Week

HA’s pioneering College Counseling Department initiated its first-ever College Week this year. From April 9-13, 2018, the Immaculate Heart community joined together to encourage, promote, and educate about the college admissions process. On Monday of College Week, all faculty and staff wore apparel from the colleges they attended to proudly represent their alma maters. College pennants were displayed outside offices and classrooms to help guide students to the appropriate faculty members of whom they could ask about certain schools. Teachers were encouraged to address each class with a short introduction on their college experiences. Additionally, a representative from Stevens Institute of Technology presented on STEM careers and a representative from Caldwell University led a mock admissions session for juniors. All week, college trivia was aired on heartTV and juniors participated in mock college interviews.

During the school day on Tuesday, two presenters visited IHA. Amanda Kuster from Rowan University spoke on “Preparing for College as a Freshman/Sophomore” and Melissa Bevaqua from George Mason University presented on “The College Search.” That night, IHA held its popular College Fair. On Wednesday, current seniors presented to freshmen and sophomores about “What I Would Do Differently” in the college process, and a representative from James Madison University presented to seniors on “Transitioning to College.” On Thursday, Ryan DePuy of Sacred Heart University led a mock admissions experience for freshmen and sophomores, and Curt Dirks from Mount St. Vincent College/College Wise presented a college essay-writing workshop entitled “Stop Trying to Impress Us.” On Friday of College Week, twenty-six students left for a college tour of the Washington, D.C. and Virginia area.

Faculty members, Mrs. Lynn Maltz, Miss Emily Mackin, Mrs. Jacklyn Kruk, Ms. Lauren Fitzgerald, and Mrs. Beth Mueller Szydlik’84 proudly show off their college alma maters.

Mrs. Melissa O’Sullivan, director of college counseling, said she came up with the idea to hold a College Week because she feels it is never too early to start preparing students for what is to come in the college admissions process. “The girls commented that they were grateful for the opportunities of the week,” she said, “and to meet first-hand with a variety of college representatives.”

Class of 2020 Enjoys Sophomore Spirit Day Sophomores Compete in Battle of the Bands

he theme of this year’s Sophomore Spirit Day was Battle of the Bands, with members of the Class of 2020 representing four genres—hip-hop, rock, country, and pop. Sophomores enjoyed trivia and games like Jeopardy, Teacher Baby Picture Challenge, Name that Tune, and Pictionary inside and then went outside for Tug-of-War, Ship to Shore, and a full-team Scavenger Hunt. The teams ended their spirited day with a competitive Sing-Off and a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream party.

The Green “Team Pop” members won Sophomore Spirit Day with a total of 635 points!

Congratulations to the Green Team for winning with six hundred thirty-five points! Thank you to the many faculty members who contributed and helped with Sophomore Spirit Day, and special

thanks to Ms. Maureen McNulty, faculty member and sophomore class moderator, for planning such a fun and memorable day for the Class of 2020.

Summer 2018

French Students Honored for Achievement on National Exam

HA French students recently took the National French Exam, Le Grand Concours, distributed by the American Association of Teachers of French. Congratulations to our French students, taught by Mrs. Maria Daly-Valls and Dr. Arta Boutcher, who scored high enough to receive awards at the honorable mention, bronze, and silver levels: Silver: Grace Mendolia’20 Isabella Osori’20 Cristalee Garcia’21 Lea Gagnon’21 Bronze: Sophia Ruggier’20 Honorable Mention: Hayley Cummins’20 Sabrina Figueroa’20 Kelsey Galiger’20 Joanne Semelsberger’20 Savannah Cece’21

Dr. Arta Boutcher’s National French Exam award winners

Arielle Jacus’21 Anja Kranenburg’21 Sydney Lombardi’21 Kayla Luna’21 Lauren Ohmacht’21 Mariel Persico’21 Melissa Pierpoint’21 Elizabeth Pinto-Shaw’21 Caroline Steinberg’21 Kyra Whiteman’21

Mariel Persico’21, Melissa Pierpoint’21, Lauren Ohmacht’21, Kayla Luna’21, and Caroline Steinberg’21 from Mrs. Daly-Vall’s French I class earned Honorable Mention awards.

IHA to Present Fall Drama The Matchmaker

his November, IHA will proudly present The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder as our inaugural fall drama. While we used to present

our drama in the spring and our musical in the fall, we recently announced the switch. This move was made to better suit the needs of the entire performing arts season, and to enable students’ eligibility for recognition and participation in programs from which the previous calendar excluded them. Performances of The Matchmaker will be November 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. and November 18, 2018 at 2 p.m. This farce about love and money stars “the irrepressible busybody, Dolly Gallagher Levi, who inspired the Broadway musical,

Hello, Dolly! Through Dolly’s subtle machinations, several unlikely couples come together to find happiness in 19thcentury New York.” Artistic direction is by Ms. Maureen McNulty, IHA English and performing arts teacher, and production is by the IHA Theater Arts class. Students will lead the lighting and sound design, and set design will be led by Jak Prince. For more information or if you have any questions, please visit www.ihanj.com or contact Ms. McNulty at mmcnulty@ihanj.com.

Immaculate Heart Academy

Elementary School Artists Shine at IHA Art Show Art@theheart 2018 Exhibit

ur annual Art@theheart Elementary School Art Show, held on April 19, 2018, was yet again an event enjoyed by many. One hundred sixty-eight talented artists from fourteen elementary schools had the opportunity to exhibit their work at Immaculate Heart. IHA artists and members of the National Art Honor Society carefully considered all work to determine special recognition of three students from each grade. First

place winners in grades five through eight were invited to attend an art workshop of their choice at our Summer@theheart program. Second and third place winners received a gift bag of IHA apparel and art supplies. Congratulations to:

6th Grade 1st: Briannah Daley, Our Lady of Mercy Academy 2nd: Rose Martin, Our Lady of Mercy Academy 3rd: Darcy Moore, St. Margaret School

5th Grade 1st: Casey Nguyen, St. Peter Academy 2nd: Paige Burgess, St. Elizabeth School 3rd: Anna Lawliss, St. Margaret School

7th Grade 1st: Sarah Basil, Transfiguration Academy 2nd: Lauren Grae, Academy of Our Lady 3rd: Violet Jeannot, Sacred Heart; Stella Kim, Christ the Teacher; and Isabella DeBari, Our Lady of Mercy Academy

Area grammar school students displayed their work at IHA’s Art@theheart event.

Ashley Lamond’21 and Madison Lamond, an Our Lady of Mercy Academy student artist

8th Grade 1st: Grace Abreu, Our Lady of Mercy Academy 2nd: Margaux Yannacci, St. Margaret School 3rd: Natalie Ix, St. Joseph School

Cast and Crew Shine in You Can’t Take It with You IHA Presents Spring Drama

rom April 27-29, 2018, talented IHA students and boys from area schools performed in our spring drama, You Can’t Take It with You. The cast and crew did a fabulous job putting on the hysterical show about Grandpa Vanderhof and his wacky family, the Sycamores. Congratulations to director and producer, Ms. Maureen McNulty, and co-producers, members of the IHA Theater Production class.

Allison Sandt’20, Eilis McLaughlin’18, Hannah Lynch’19, and Victoria Donatacci’19 perform in You Can’t Take It with You.

Summer 2018

2018 Spring Arts Festival Elizabeth Rattazzi’19 Receives Molly Offer Memorial Scholarship/ Natt Family Contributes to IHA Art Program

ur community joined together on May 9, 2018 to celebrate the arts at IHA at our annual Spring Arts Festival. The Parents’ Club and National Art Honor Society hosted an Art Show Reception in the main lobby, which featured work from students in Introduction to Art, Art II, Advanced Painting and Drawing, 3-D Art, Digital Photography, Honors Studio, and AP Studio Art. Singers and musicians in the IHA Orchestra, Praise, and Voices then performed a beautiful spring concert. Congratulations to Elizabeth Rattazzi’19 for being named this year’s recipient of the annual Molly Offer Memorial Scholarship Award. The award was established by her family to honor their daughter and sister, Mary Ellen Claire Offer. The youngest IHA alumna of five sisters, Molly was a member of the Class of 2006 and passed away on April 6, 2008. It is the intent of the Offer Family that the award is presented to a student who exemplifies the qualities so loved in Molly: a student who loves art and design; has a

Elizabeth Rattazzi’19, recipient of the 2018 Molly Offer Memorial Scholarship, center, poses with her family. From left to right are Theresa, Richard, Kathleen’17, Elizabeth’19, Ava, John Patrick, and Diana Rattazzi.

deep love for family; and is willing to share compassion, spiritual values, and a love of life with everyone she meets. Elizabeth is an active member of the National Art Honor Society, an activities coordinator for the Fashion Merchandising & Design Club, and a member of Praise

The winning ticket of the IHA Education Raffle was drawn at the Spring Arts Festival. Congratulations to this year’s winner, Dan Shea, father of Jillian Shea’21!

and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Like Molly, she has a sister who is an IHA alumna. She has excelled in her art classes and, true to the spirit of the award, Elizabeth is always willing to lend a hand.

The Natt Family: Daniel, Christen, Avery, Amanda’18, David, and Emily’14

Finally, we’d like to send special thanks to The Natt Family for their donation to the IHA art program. David and Christen Natt, parents of Emily’14 and Amanda’18, were so very generous to our art program throughout their daughters’ time at IHA. We were thrilled to recognize them this year, as Amanda graduates and heads off to West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

Immaculate Heart Academy

Seven Seniors Take Part in Spring Signing Day

n April 16, 2018, seven senior athletes officially signed to the colleges and universities they are attending in the fall. Congratulations to, left to right, Fiona Ralph’18 to Bowdoin College for Track and Field,

Victoria Sheldon’18 to St. Joseph University for Track and Field/Cross Country, Katrine Luddy’18 to The College of New Jersey for Tennis, Julia Morris’18 to Quinnipiac University for Volleyball, Danielle Bonistalli’18

to The College of the Holy Cross for Swimming, Brielle Rapsas’18 to Chatham University for Lacrosse, and Anne Walsh’18 to Montclair State University for Basketball.

IHA Holds Film Festival

HA’s inaugural Film Festival took place on Sunday, April 15, 2018 in the Patricia Sollitto Performing Arts Center. Public and private schools in the surrounding area were invited to submit films for the event, which was planned by Get Reel! co-presidents, Grace Tuohey-Kay’18 and Cornelia Patentas’18. Twenty-five short films in a variety of genres were submitted by IHA, Ridgewood High School, Bergenfield High School, and River Dell High School students.

Second Place: “Envy,” a thriller by Jack McCabe of River Dell High School Third Place: “Night Light,” an animation by Carmela Icarangal’20

IHA Award: “A Touch of Color,” a stop-motion animation film by students in IHA’s Advanced Video Production class

IHA faculty and staff members watched and scored the films, and the top fifteen were shown at the festival. Awards were given to the top three scoring films and a special award for an outstanding IHA film was also presented. Congratulations to: First Place: “Diane,” a music video by Caroline Frey’18

Cornelia Patentas’18, Richard Egazarian of River Dell High School, Jack McCabe of River Dell High School, Carmela Icarangal’20, Calder Martin of Ridgewood High School, and Grace Tuohey-Kay’18

Summer 2018

IHA Community Creates Hearts of Hope Sending Messages of Love to East Brook Students

ur kindhearted and compassionate students were so moved by the recent tragic Paramus bus accident, they decided to do something meaningful to support the victims and their families. Vanessa Pecora’21 approached Mr. Jason Schlereth, principal, and asked if students could paint Hearts of Hope to be given as gifts to those closely impacted by the bus tragedy at East Brook Middle School. Hearts of Hope is a charitable organization that creates hope for people suffering from serious illness or tragedy. Through funding from donors and efforts from volunteers, the group organizes and facilitates the painting of ceramic hearts where individuals create messages and gifts of love that are distributed to people in need of hope and healing. The foundation has conducted thousands of “Paint with A Purpose” events across the nation to help raise money and provide inspiration and support for various individuals and groups.

These unique keepsake gifts have been distributed to hospitals, military bases, nursing homes, police departments, and firehouses, as well as to individuals in need. More than ninety-two thousand hearts have been distributed since 9/11. “Our hearts are a simple and loving way to bring encouragement to people and communities who have endured so much,” explained Judy Pedersen, Executive Director and Founder, “they are small, but powerful gifts from the heart.”

Two of IHA’s Hearts of Hope

The IHA administration was immediately supportive of this Hearts of Hope for Paramus initiative and Vanessa’s classmate, Madison DeStefano’21, joined her as co-leader of IHA’s newly established Hearts of Hope chapter. Within days, they arranged to partner with the organization to receive materials. Funding was made possible through CARE, our Christian Service organization, and on May 29 and 30, 2018, approximately seventy-five IHA students and staff created and painted one hundred sixty-five beautiful Hearts of Hope, each with an individual message of love and courage. On June 4, 2018, the Hearts of Hope were delivered to East Brook Middle School in Paramus, where principal, Mr. Thomas LoBue, organized the distribution to the fifth-grade students and their teachers.

Hearts of Hope volunteer, Alice Nagy, who happened to be one of her infusion nurses at Valley Hospital and the Hearts of Hope North Jersey President. Soon, Nagy helped arrange for Vanessa to paint hearts as part of her Girl Scout Troop Silver project. After the project was completed, Vanessa continued on her own to paint hearts for the hospital infusion center. When she and her mother were watching the events from the bus tragedy unfold on television, Vanessa immediately knew how to do her part in comforting the victims.

Vanessa was introduced to Hearts of Hope in 2014 when her mother, IHA English Department chairperson, Mrs. Jill Pecora, was presented a Heart of Hope as a result of her battle with breast cancer. Jill was intrigued by the program and desired to pay-it-forward herself. She reached out to

Vanessa hopes the IHA chapter of Hearts of Hope will allow IHA to reach as many populations in need as possible. “Madison and I have already been brainstorming ideas for next year,” she said. “We want to have a kickoff event in September right at the start of the school year, and plan to do monthly painting events. We would like to deliver hearts to various groups including the sick, the poor, and those in crisis. The possibilities are endless.”

Madison DeStefano’21; East Brook Middle School principal, Mr. Thomas LoBue; and Vanessa Pecora’21

Vanessa said something had to be done to help her neighbors in Paramus. “Hearts of Hope immediately came to mind because I know first-hand how a simple heart can bring comfort to someone in crisis,” she said. “I thought a Heart of Hope from ‘The Heart’ would capture IHA’s mission while spreading compassion.”

Immaculate Heart Academy

IHA Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Knit-a-Thon

his year, Immaculate Heart Academy and the IHA Knitting Club celebrated the 10th anniversary of the IHA Knit-a-Thon! Not only has knitting been a fun hobby for our students and faculty for more than a decade, but it has also enabled participants to create and sell handknitted items to raise money to support cancer research—a topic that hits close to home for the IHA community. Darlayne Addabbo’07 and Rayna Addabbo’07 founded the IHA Knitting Club during their senior year. Since its inception and still to this day, the club moderator is Mrs. D. Deborah Suta, retired IHA faculty member. Mrs. Suta explained that the initial focus was to raise funds to research women’s cancers because of IHA’s beloved administrator, the late “Dean” Toni-Marie Verrone Hals’89. Toni-Marie passed away on

November 17, 2012 after a valiant and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. “We decided to use the funds generated to support cancer research, initially focusing on women’s cancers because of ToniMarie,” Mrs. Suta said. “We then included children’s cancer research as well because, although approaching adulthood, our students are still children. We also learned that childhood cancers (all sixteen primary cancers and about one hundred subtypes) receive less than four percent of the National Cancer Institute budget.” The idea to hold a Knit-a-Thon was initiated in the 2007-2008 academic year by Jillian Grimaldi’09 after she watched an episode of Gilmore Girls in which they attended a town-wide knitting event. IHA’s inaugural Knit-a-Thon was held in the spring of 2008, and it’s been a success ever since. Over the past ten years, the

Riley DeRosa’18

annual Knit-a-Thon and sales of knitted items including dishcloths, hats, scarves, washcloths, and shawls, have raised $18,500 for cancer research.

IHA Places Fifth in Stevens Trading Day Competition

team of IHA juniors was selected as one of twenty-one schools to participate in the Stevens Institute of Technology 5th Annual Trading Day Competition. Congratulations to our students for coming in fifth place! Bea Chin’19, Paige Durante’19, Bernadette Goratowski’19, Jenna Morgantini’19, and sponsor and advisor, Mrs. Christine Cabrera Capizzi’89, mathematics and business teacher and Business Club moderator, traveled to Hoboken on April 20, 2018 to compete in the Annual Trading Day. Jenna Morgantini’19, Bernadette Goratowski’19, Bea Chin’19, and Paige Durante’19

Mrs. Capizzi said the Stevens competition is unique because of the emphasis the university puts on creating an authentic, live trading experience similar to one on Wall Street. Working in teams, students used Bloomberg systems to access market data and trade their way to the top as they competed against dozens of other schools. The teams were given one hour and $1 million to use the trading software with the goal of buying and selling stocks to generate the most profit.

Summer 2018

Powderpuff Tournament Raises More Than $7,000 for Rhein Family

HA’s Fourth Annual Powderpuff Tournament, held on April 29, 2018, benefitted the Rhein Family, including basketball coach Bob Rhein in his fight against cancer, and IHA Golf coach, Lauren Rhein’09. The class vs. class flag football tournament raised a total of $7,372 for the Rhein Family! Thank you to the Christian Service Board, its executive board, and Mrs. Sarah Shutrop, director of campus ministry, in addition to Tess Szydlik’18 and Regina Garvey’19 for helping chair this event. Thank you to Julia Bertussi’18 and the National Art Honor Society for painting the Powder Puff banner; to team coaches, Mrs. Michele Verrone Manning’88, Ms. Lauren Fitzgerald, Ms. Mollie Kearns, and Mrs. Kelly Duby Falcon’03; and to our referees, Ms. Jen Bednarek and Mr. Matt Sartori.

2018 Powderpuff volunteers on the golf and basketball teams pose for a photo with IHA coaches, Bob and Lauren Rhein’09.

Quarter Four Distinguished Scholars Congratulations to the following students who have been named Distinguished Scholars by earning an average of 95 or better for the fourth quarter in the 2017-18 academic year. Freshmen

Abigail Auty Sydney Ben-Yishay Alexandra Betsy Marisa Billings Angelina Casale Ariana Contes Katherine Conway Bianca D’Costa Catherine DePalma Elizabeth DePhillips Zoe Dupuis Nicole Erik Jordan Gaffney Cristalee Garcia Julia Kapitan Gabriella Karcz Gabriella Kittaneh Cailee LaFrance Alyssa Longo

Daniela Makowka Michelle Marino Julia Marotti Hanna Martin Sherry McCarthy Clare McGowan Allison Monroe Lauren Montgomery Freya Nair Catherine Nixon Madelyn Novelli Jennifer Ollmann Amanda Potenza Anna Salewycz Hanna Scott Isabella Tricarico Lauren Turci Emma Viggiano Sarah Zampino Alexandra Zitelli

Sophomores

Logan Applin Julianna Carrozza Elizabeth Croci Stephanie Doyle Isabella Gorsd Hannah Gurney Niamh Keegan Angelina Kerik Yoona Kim Madison Maher Emma Matesic Grace Mendolia Jana Mucci Jessica O’Neill Isabella Otero Alexa Pallokat Ella Parker Raghavi Patel Tierney Piercy

Sophia Ruggier Kang Hyun Ryu Ava Sciubba Keila Seeley Catherine Thomas Juniors

Julia Barbieri Kaitlyn Brown Courtney Caccamo Gabriella Cali Myra Chaudhry Casey Conniff Katrina Fett Regina Garvey Bernadette Goratowski Shannon Jordan Kirstin McGeary Jenna Morgantini Josephine Oshodi

Olivia Pavin Alessandra Priolo Alessia Ruggiero Angeleisa Russert Catherine Sollitto Alexandra Stadler Charlotte Stanton Seniors

Kathryn Costello Heather Farrell Janella Flores Emma Hammer Morgan Honor Cassandra Mitsinikos Sophia Paladino Theresa Szydlik

Immaculate Heart Academy

French Students Tour Québec AP Class is Immersed in French Language and Francophone Culture

hile IHA was on Easter Break, nine students from the AP French IV class took a three-day trip to Québec, Canada with World Language Department teachers, Dr. Arta Boutcher and Mrs. Rocio Vera. Led by M. Mark Levesque of Prométour Educational Tours, students toured the city and visited numerous museums, the Cathedral Sainte Anne-de-Beaupré, the Montmorency Falls, the famous Château Frontenac, and various other fascinating places. Our girls learned a great deal about Canadian history and spoke predominantly French while staying with their host families. They were truly immersed in the French language and Francophone culture of Québec. Dr. Boutcher said the students’ favorite part of the trip was bonding with their host families. Kyra Surgent’18 stressed that it’s one thing to learn French from a textbook, but after spending time in a

qualms were immediately eased. Not only was the Canadian family kind and welcoming, but they were also incredibly eager to share their culture with me. In the few short days we spent together, I created wonderful bonds and grew immensely as a French speaker.”

Kyra Surgent’18 and Kate Della Pietra’18

French-speaking household, she felt more immersed into the culture than ever before. “At first I was hesitant about the fact that the class would be staying with various French-speaking host families and I feared that the language barrier between us would create issues,” Kyra said. “As soon as I met my family, however, my

Morgan Honor’18 also enjoyed spending time with her host family. “Every night after dinner, my host family, other French students, and I would play Scattergories,” she said. “It was super fun and a great way to learn new French vocabulary.” Exploring the city presented opportunities to communicate with other French speakers and put our students’ years of French studies to the test. Kyra said she found herself learning not only during the interesting and educational museum trips and group activities, but also through simple exchanges like ordering from a French menu. Many students were invited to return and visit with their host families this summer and Dr. Boutcher plans to return to Québec with the AP French class next year. Leah Ramge’18 said she is grateful for this immersion experience, which helped her to become more cultured and wellrounded. “It’s amazing that IHA offers trips like this,” she said. “I was able to take what I’ve learned through my years of French at IHA and apply it in Québec.”

Top row, left to right, are Emily DeSernia’18, Kyra Surgent’18, Kate Della Pietra’18, Leah Ramge’18, and Jane DiLauro’19. Bottom row, left to right, are Tara Daly’19, Morgan Honor’18, Sarah McLoughlin’18, and Caroline Quill’18.

Kyra said she will always cherish the memories she created with her IHA sisters on this trip. “The class trip to Quebec was an incredible and unique experience that I will remember forever!” she exclaimed. “I love the fact that IHA offers trips such as this one because they provide students with opportunities to challenge themselves and further pursue their foreign language studies. I would recommend a trip such as this one to each and every one of my IHA peers and I am already looking forward to my next visit to Québec!”

Summer 2018

Students Recognized for Soaring Academically Quarter Four Soaring Eagle Awards Presented

oaring Eagle Awards are presented quarterly to students who demonstrate excellence and work to the best of their ability in a particular subject area. Quarter 4 Soaring Eagle Award recipients celebrated their achievement at a special breakfast held on Thursday, May 31, 2018 in IHA’s Information Commons. Mrs. Jo-Ellen DeSanta, assistant principal, academics

and instruction presented Soaring Eagle Awards to: Standing, left to right, Sienna Falco’21 (Religious Studies - Mrs. Beth Mueller Szydlik’84), Isabelle Arevalo’19 (Technology – Mrs. Theresa Seymour Dolan’95), Isabella Garzon’21 (The Arts – Mrs. Lisa Encke), Isabella Cross’19 (Social Studies – Mrs. Lynn Maltz), Gabriella

Cali’19 (Communications – Ms. Jessi Shaheen), Grace Mendolia’20 (Science– Mr. Steve Opremcak), and Isabella Tricarico’21 (Mathematics – Miss Jennifer Pagano’13). Seated, left to right, are Joni Medzadourian’19 (Physical Education – Ms. Danielle Just’05), Isabella Lucero’20 (World Language – Mrs. Tracy Hong Syz), and Alyssa Lowther’21 (English – Miss Emily Mackin).

Immaculate Heart Academy

Four Consultative Board Members Complete Service

any years of dedicated service have come to an end for four devoted members of the Immaculate Heart Academy Consultative Board. We send our heartfelt thanks to:

Mr. Robert Budelman (2014-2018) Mr. Richard Keenan P’97, ’99 (2009-2018) Mr. Dennis Oberle P’93 (2009-2018) Mrs. Eileen O’Connor Cox’79 P’09, ’12, ’16 (2009-2018)

Rich Keenan P’97, ’99 and Eileen O’Connor Cox’79 P’09, ’12, ’16

Leonidas Foundation Hosts Panel for IHA Business Club

n April 26, 2018, The Leonidas Foundation hosted a Women in Business Panel and Luncheon exclusively for members of the IHA Business Club. All thirty-one members of the club heard from Denise Jarrett P’15, ’18, real estate agent and owner of Home Helpers LLC; Illana Raia, lawyer, lecturer, and founder of Être; Frances Vagias, trustee for The Leonidas Foundation and owner of Waterside Restaurant; and Kathy McDermott P’20, tax partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mrs. Christine Cabrera Capizzi’89, IHA Business teacher

and Business Club moderator, and Mrs. Alice Nudelman, IHA information management specialist and Engineering teacher, joined the students at the exclusive event. The luncheon, held at Waterside Restaurant in North Bergen, was geared toward cultivating interest in business, including both a panel discussion and networking session. The impressive panel of woman shared a wealth of experience and advice that proved to be very inspiring to our Business Club students.

Panel speakers, Kathy McDermott P’20, Illana Raia, Denise Jarrett P’15, ’18, and Frances Vagias

The Leonidas Foundation was born to carry on the legacy of Leo Vagias, a Don Bosco Prep graduate who passed away in a tragic car accident on June 20, 2016 at the age of nineteen. Since its inception in July of 2016, The Leonidas Foundation has engaged in numerous charitable endeavors with tremendous success. In the last two years, the foundation has engaged in humanitarian efforts in response to natural disasters at home and abroad. Their mentors, especially successful businesswomen, have expressed a desire to extend their outreach in an effort to empower young women who have an interest in business. Mrs. Capizzi said that because a gap still exists in top leadership roles for women in business, events like this are so necessary to expose opportunities to our students. “If we want women in leadership roles in business, we need to get them thinking at a young age that it is possible,” she said. “As a business teacher and former professional in finance and accounting, I believe it is imperative to expose our young students to these opportunities. My hope is to inspire our students to believe that a woman’s place is anywhere she believes it to be.”

Spring 2018

Ice Cream Social Held to Welcome Class of 2022

n June 7, 2018, we held a special Ice Cream Social to welcome the members of the Class of 2022! Incoming freshmen participated in a beach ball icebreaker activity, played IHA Trivia, and enjoyed ice cream and Italian ice. They bonded with each other and our Eagle Ambassadors to learn more about everyday life @theheart.

We are thrilled to welcome ten daughters of IHA alumnae and one granddaughter of an IHA alumna into the Class of 2022! Grace Amoroso, daughter of Gloria Kolakowski Amoroso, Class of 1986 Julia Amoroso, daughter of Gloria Kolakowski Amoroso, Class of 1986 Kayla Arone, daughter of Pamela McKenna Arone, Class of 1990 Samantha Campana, daughter of Lisa Belulovich Campana, Class of 1985 Alyssa Darella, Karin Hempel Darella, Class of 1986 Giana Jacobus, daughter of Allison Willis, Class of 1998 Briana Kuchenmeister, daughter of Rosemarie Paniscotti Kuchenmeister, Class of 1987 Grace Martin, daughter of Kathleen O’Connell Martin, Class of 1989 Jacqueline Vale, daughter of Stacey Rossicci-Vale, Class of 1992 Sarah Vella, granddaughter of Loretta Oppelt Nokland, Class of 1965 Madison Woods, daughter of Jacqueline Galano Woods, Class of 1987

Top: Madison Woods’22 and Jacqueline Galano Woods’87 Right: Eagle Ambassadors, Isabella Sabino’20, Kristina Organista’20, Amanda Molloy’20, Jacqueline Hartman’20, Mary Farlese’20, and Isabella Haines’19

New Faculty for 2018 -2019

e are happy to welcome five new faculty and staff members to Immaculate Heart Academy for the 2018-19 academic year. Ms. Liana Macedo (B.A., Monmouth University; M.A.T. Marygrove College) and Ms. Margaret Andresini (B.A., M.A., Fordham

University) are joining the English Department. Mr. Justin Zelenka (B.A., Rutgers University; M.A., New York University) is joining the Social Studies Department and Mrs. Martha LoBianco (B.A., M.S., St. John’s University; M.B.A., Hofstra University) is welcomed to the World

Language Department. We welcome Mrs. Angelique Morelli (B.A., Fordham University, M.A., Iona College) as IHA’s new director of development. We look forward to another fantastic year with our amazing faculty and staff members!

Immaculate Heart Academy

Attention Alumnae Business Women! IHA to Hold Women in Business Alumnae Career Panel on Nov. 28

mmaculate Heart Academy will be hosting a Women in Business Alumnae Career Panel for our students during the school day on November 28, 2018. Our past alumnae career panels have been incredibly successful and beneficial to our students interested in particular fields. We’d love to have you discuss your experience as a

businesswoman, an owner/manager, or if you work in the fields of finance, marketing, or accounting, to name a few.

Please contact Beth DiCiancia Garrigan’76 at bgarrigan@ihanj.com if you’d like to participate in the fall Women in Business Panel.

Two Reunions Planned Class of 1968 50th Reunion September 22-23, 2018 Class of 1968 Luncheon Saturday, September 22, 12-4 p.m. Ramsey Golf & Country Club Class of 1968 Memorial Mass & Brunch Sunday, September 23, 10:30 a.m. Memorial Mass in IHA Sisters’ Chapel Brunch immediately following in the IHA Information Commons

Class of 1968 seniors

We look forward to connecting our students and alumnae, and we thank you for helping us instill the importance of networking.

Members of the Class of 1988 check out their old science lab.

Reunion Weekend November 2-4, 2018 For anniversary classes of ’73, ’78, ’83, ’88, ’93, ’98, ’03, ’08, and ’13 Sip n Paint Friday, November 2, 7 p.m. IHA Cafeteria Join us for an alumnae Sip n Paint with instructor, Betty Hofmann Buffin’78. Cost of $30 per person includes wine, cheese, and painted wine glass. BYOB if desired. Get Fit with Shemayne Saturday, November 3, 10 a.m. IHA Gymnasium Join Shemayne “Coach” Williams for a throwback AP Gym fitness workout! All levels are invited to the GetchaSweatOn 30-minute workout, followed by a run/ walk/crawl cool down including morning beverages. Cost of $30 per person includes a t-shirt. Five dollars of your registration fee will go to Stand Up to Cancer in honor/memory of those from the IHA community who have lost the battle, who are currently fighting the battle, or who are survivors.

Alumnae Cocktail Reception Saturday, November 3, 6 p.m IHA Gymnasium Join fellow classmates and alumnae for a wonderful cocktail reception that will include heavy hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, open bar, DJ, and photo booth. Cost is $75 per person. Alumnae Mass & Brunch Sunday, November 4, 11 a.m. Memorial Mass in IHA Sisters’ Chapel Brunch immediately following in IHA Information Commons. All alumnae, family, and friends are welcome to join us in remembering those deceased members of the anniversary classes and those from our community who have died over the past year. Cost for brunch is $25 per person.

Save the Date for Two Fall Events

Blue Eagle Open October 4, 2018 Calling All IHA Golf Team Alumnae! 11 a.m. registration and lunch, 1 p.m. shotgun start, 6 p.m. dinner and prizes Forest Hill Field Club 9 Belleville Ave., Bloomfield, NJ We are thrilled to announce that Hackensack Meridian Health and Block, O’Toole & Murphy, c/o Dan & Claire O’Toole P’17, ‘21 will once again be our Co-Premier Sponsors. Take your chances to win $15,000 if you get a hole-in-one! Golfers can also compete against our very own IHA Golf Team members for the longest drive and closest to the pin. IHA Golf Team alumnae, please join us to reunite with former teammates!

Regina Garvey’19; Ms. Linda Chelotti’76, faculty member; Ms. Lia Kunnapas’09, faculty member; Rosie the Blue Eagle; Carol McDonough; Ms. Patrice McDonough, faculty member; and Yoona Kim’20 at last year’s Blue Eagle Open

10th Annual Father/Daughter Dance November 17, 2018 Alumnae and Dads Welcome to This Special Anniversary Event! 12 – 4 p.m. The Venetian 546 River Dr., Garfield, NJ In celebration of this year being the 10th anniversary of the IHA Father/Daughter Dance, we invite back ALL alumnae and their dads to attend this special event at our new location, The Venetian. All present students and alumnae—we’d love for you and your fathers to enjoy the extensive luncheon buffet and an afternoon of dancing. Please join us!

All of the dads at the 2010 Father/Daughter Dance

For more information or to register for any alumnae or special event, please visit www.ihanj.com or contact Beth DiCiancia Garrigan’76 at bgarrigan@ihanj.com.

Immaculate Heart Academy

Patrice McDonough Retires After 32 Years IHA Mainstay to Concentrate on New Passion of Novel Writing

fter thirty-two years of service to Immaculate Heart Academy, cherished faculty member, Ms. Patrice McDonough has retired. The long-time social studies teacher and current department chairperson plans to focus on a new journey during her retirement—life as a published author. Pat recently completed her first novel, Clock Master’s Daughter: A Novel of the French Revolution, and it, as rumor has it, won’t be her last. As her novel so accurately describes her, Pat, “a native of the Garden State, has a master’s degree in history from Rutgers University/NJIT. She teaches history and serves as department chair at a college preparatory high school for girls, was named an Outstanding Educator by the

Laura Fleissner Kramer’89, Patrice McDonough, and Emma Kramer’20

Archdiocese of Newark in 1995, and is a member of the Historical Writers of America. She spends her leisure time begging her golf ball to land on the fairway or reading the histories, mysteries, and historical novels piled high on her night table. While thinking about her World History and Western Civilization students and sitting in front of a 1789 map of Paris, she wrote Clock Master’s Daughter: A Novel of the French Revolution.” In advance of celebrating her retirement with family and coworkers, old and new, at IHA’s end-of-the-year celebration, Pat took part in two special book signings at IHA. A number of alumnae, present students, family members, and friends gathered at IHA on June 6 and June 14, 2018. For each book sold in May and

June, Pat donated $1 to the Immaculate Heart Academy Scholarship Fund. In response to the amazing turnout at both signings, Pat said although she was “not at all surprised by the many kind messages of congratulations and support from the extraordinary women who are the IHA alumnae community,” she was “truly and deeply grateful.” “I have had the great fortune to spend thirty-two fulfilling years at IHA and by a rough calculation have taught around three thousand young women of ‘learning and wisdom and truth.’ What a gift,” she wrote in a letter of appreciation. “Thank you to all the alumnae, parents, and friends of IHA who attended the book signings for Clock Master’s Daughter and to all of you who have said such nice things about the novel. The book is about the French Revolution, but ‘at the heart’ of it is a story about friendship and sisterhood—IHA was and remains a place where their power is learned and lives on.” On June 12, 2018, Ms. Patricia Molloy, president, hosted an end-of-the-year and retirement celebration for the faculty and staff of IHA. At the reception, Social Studies Department members, Ms. Linda Chelotti’76 and Ms. Diama Fischer, presented a heartfelt and memorable tribute to Pat McDonough.

The McDonough Family celebrates Pat’s retirement. From left to right are Matt McDonough, Joan McDonough, Mike McDonough, Patrice McDonough, Carol McDonough, Tom McDonough, Ellen Hart, and Mike McDonough.

“As we celebrate Pat and her 32 years at IHA as a social studies teacher, it is only fitting that that we give witness to the history, or should we say the HER-story, of Pat’s time between 1986 and 2018,”

Summer 2018

Linda and Diama said. They called them the “McDonough Years,” and touched on so many poignant memories from Pat’s time at IHA. She was not only one of the longest-serving department chairs in the history of IHA, but she taught everything from Western Civilization and United States History I and II to World History and Global Issues. Pat moderated ACT, Model UN, and Culture Club; spent endless hours of service on the Curriculum Committee; and, with the late Marilyn Rich, was instrumental in running IHA’s new teacher mentor program. Linda and Diama collected many quotes from Pat’s coworkers and students that they read at the reception. Ms. Patricia Molloy described Pat as “a consummate professional, a person of integrity, generosity, intellect, and a shining star in a galaxy of outstanding teachers.” Mr. Jason Schlereth, principal, said, “Pat has equipped our students with the tools to have a voice, find their passion, stand up for what they believe, and become young women of character and leadership.”

Her department colleague, Ms. Pam Lewis-Cantor, described, Pat as “generous, enthusiastic, creative, someone who always takes charge, and an unfailing supporter and defender of her department colleagues.” Fellow history teacher, Mrs. Lynn Maltz, said, “Pat is a deep thinker, an intellectual, a natural teacher, and fearless and inspirational for leaving a thirty-year career and starting a brand new one!” Finally, Linda and Diama shared thoughts from some of Pat’s students. “Thank you so much for asking me to say something about one of the most amazing teachers I have ever had,” said Isabella Lucero’20. “Ms. McDonough is an inspiration to everyone. She always tried to empower every single person who sat in her class, pushing them to be the best version of themselves.” And Olivia DuBois’20 said, “Ms. McDonough taught history like she was telling a story, which made me fall in love with the subject. She went beyond the classroom and truly cared about her students as individuals. She is engaging, active, and dedicated!”

Ms. Linda Chelotti’76 and Ms. Diama Fischer

We send our biggest congratulations to Pat on completing an incredible career at Immaculate Heart Academy, challenging and teaching several thousand young women over the years. We cannot wait to read all of your upcoming novels—your IHA family will always be your biggest fans.

This year, we also bid farewell to: Ms. Carolina Santamaria, after six years of service Sr. Carol Ann Lockwood, after six years of service While some mainstays have left us, many other faculty and staff members celebrated impressive milestones at IHA. Congratulations to: Dr. Sue Kenney for 10 years of service Mrs. Sue Adamo for 20 years of service Mr. Miguel Bravo for 30 years of service Ms. Patricia Molloy for 45 years of service

Mr. Jason Schlereth, principal; Ms. Patrice McDonough, retiree; and Ms. Patricia Molloy, president

Rosa and Miguel Bravo

IHA World Languages Department members, Mrs. Berta Roldan, Ms. Ana Echeverría, Ms. Carolina Santamaria, Mrs. Maria Daly-Valls, Mrs. Tracy Hong Syz, and Dr. Arta Boutcher

Immaculate Heart Academy

scene

Around IHA Top: Montana Maher’18, Julia Arcieri’18, Gabriela Mifsud’18, and Isabella Souza’18 enjoy the Junior/Senior Luncheon. Center: Christa Torchia’18 and Hannah Lynch’18 at the Senior BBQ Bottom: Members of the Class of 2018 celebrate their Senior Prom.

This past June, thirty-nine students and six teacher chaperones traveled to Italy on IHA’s annual SummerEurope 2018 Trip. The group poses for a photo in Pergine Valdarno, Tuscany where they met former mayor, Ms. Simona Neri, who spoke about the challenges women face administering local Italian communities.

Above Left: Seniors represent the colleges they are attending this fall during 2018 College Shirt Day! Counter-clockwise from bottom center are Michaela Cavanagh’18 (Marist College), Kathleen Sheridan’18 (Pennsylvania State University), Cassandra Mitsinikos’18 (Johns Hopkins University), Dana Padilla’18 (Seton Hall University), Kristina Pestic’18 (College of the Holy Cross), Giuliana Zaza’18 (The Ohio State University), Marissa Amen’18 (Boston College), Heather Farrell’18 (University of Notre Dame), Julia Mancuso’18 (New York University), Tori Buckman’18 (The University of Alabama), Julia DiRico’18 (The College of New Jersey), Janella Flores’18 (Fairfield University), and Francesca DeSantis’18 (Rider University). Above Right: Seniors, Kate Della Pietra’18 and Catherine Petretti’18, are two of twelve students inducted into IHA’s first-ever chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, the National High School Mathematics Honor Society, on April 18, 2018.

Katherine Mahoney’22, Hannah Lynch’19, Kathleen Quinn’21, and Catriona Caputo’22 perform an Irish step dancing number at the Senior-Sponsored Talent Show on April 12, 2018.

Immaculate Heart Academy

spring Magdalen Cooneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;18

sports wrap-up

Summer 2018

IHA ATHLETICS

IHA Varsity Lacrosse team members are ready to play!

Lacrosse

2018 Varsity Lacrosse Team

Stars and Stripes All-League Honors First-Team Magdalen Cooney’18, Charlotte Davidson’19, Alexandra Edmonds’20, and Mary Patricia Sayre’20 Second-Team Alessandra Priolo’19, Maeve Duffin’20, and Brooke Marotti’21 Honorable Mention Hannah Sutton’18

BCWCA All-County Honors First-Team Magdalen Cooney’18, Charlotte Davidson’19, and Alexandra Edmonds’20 Second-Team Mary Patricia Sayre’20 and Brooke Marotti’21 Senior All Star Game Magdalen Cooney’18 and Hannah Sutton’18

The Star-Ledger All-Group Honors First-Team Alexandra Edmonds’20 Third-Team Alessandra Priolo’19 and Charlotte Davidson’19

U.S. Lacrosse National School Girls Tournament Team N.J. – Alexandra Edmonds’20 and Mary Patricia Sayer’20 Under Armour All-America Underclassman Tournament Team N.J. – Mary Patricia Sayre’20 2021 Uncommitted Team – Caroline McKee’21 2022 Uncommitted Team – Gabrielle Montegari’22 Brine National Lacrosse Classic Metro N.Y. Team – Brooke Marotti’21

This season, the team accomplished major moments for the IHA Lacrosse program, ending with a record of 17-5. Varsity Lacrosse won its first North 1 Group Sectional Final with the best record the program has ever had in the Stars and Stripes League. The team, comprised of mostly sophomores and freshmen and only a handful of upperclassmen, also made it back to the county finals this year. IHA Lacrosse ended its season as second in the county, second in the league, and twelfth in the state (NJ.com). The junior varsity lacrosse team continued to perform with amazing determination and skill to end its season with a reputable 5-5-3 record. Mary Patricia Sayre’20

Immaculate Heart Academy

Softball

It was another good season for IHA Softball, as the team finished with a 21-7 record. The season began with six new starters in the field and IHA playing against some of the best teams in the state. The team went on an incredible run of winning seventeen in a row after a great win against Cedar Grove in April. IHA Softball continued its success going undefeated, clinching the top spot in the Big North United League. The team was ranked fourth in the county tournament before losing a 1-0 heartbreaker in the semifinals to Indian Hills High School. Immaculate Heart continued on to the NJSIAA State Tournament, battled Mount Saint Dominic Academy in the semifinals, and lost another competitive game in eleven innings. The team is returning six starters next year and members are excited to compete for another county and state championship. The freshman team completed its season with a 4-4 record, and the junior varsity team with a record of 7-6.

2018 Varsity Softball Team Mia Recenello’19

Lindsay Gilchrist’19

Big North All-League Honors First-Team Kylie Carr’18, Danica Yatko’18, Mia Recenello’19, Catherine Thomas’20, and Ryleigh White’20 Second-Team Kelsey Agnew’18, Lindsay Gilchrist’19, and Ashlyn Corra’20 Honorable Mention Michelle Eckert’18 and Emily Gyongyosi’19

BCWCA All-County Honors First-Team Danica Yatko’18, Catherine Thomas’20, and Ryleigh White’20

Third-Team Mia Recenello’19

The Record Pitcher of the Year Nominee Ryleigh White’20 The Record Player of the Year Nominee Mia Recenello’19 The Star-Ledger All-Non-Public Honors Second-Team Catherine Thomas’20 and Ryleigh White’20 Third-Team Danica Yatko’18 and Mia Recenello’19

The Star-Ledger All-State Team Second-Team Ryleigh White’20

Kelsey Agnew’18

Summer 2018

Spring Track & Field

The 2018 IHA Spring Track & Field team was young, but exceeded expectations in every regard. The team placed second at the County Relays, third at The Big North Championships, and third at the County Group Meet. The team finished with a record of 2-1 in dual meet competition. Seniors, Fiona Ralph’18 and Victoria Sheldon’18, led the way for the Blue Eagles, each winning an event at the County Group Meet. Gabriella Raia’19 and Madison Libby’21 each moved into the IHA top 10 list in three events, and the freshman team won the Bergen County Freshman Team Championships with multiple members of the Class of 2021 taking home gold medals.

Golf

The Blue Eagles had another successful 2018 season. Members finished the regular season undefeated and continued to excel in tournament play. Led by Yoona Kim’20 and Regina Garvey’19, the Varsity Golf team finished second in the Big North League Tournament, first (for the third consecutive year) in the Bergen County Tournament, and fifth in the North State Sectional Tournament. The bond, work ethic, and dedication that this team had were directly correlated to its success!

Joanna Rajkowski’20

Big North All-League Honors First-Team Fiona Ralph’18 and Victoria Sheldon’18

Yoona Kim’20

Second-Team Fiona Ralph’18, Tinamarie Dadic’19, Gabriella Raia’19, Danielle Velez’19, Casie Burke’20, Jennie Certo’20, Daniella Smith’20, and Madison Libby’21

BCWCA All-County Honors Honorable Mention Fiona Ralph’18 and Victoria Sheldon’18 Gabriella Raia’19

Paige Durante’19

Big North All-League Honors First-Team Paige Durante’19, Regina Garvey’19, and Yoona Kim’20 Second-Team Isabella Cross’19 and Olivia Costello’20

BCWCA All-County Honors First-Team Regina Garvey’19 and Yoona Kim’20 Honorable Mention Paige Durante’19

Jenna Nelson’18

Nicole Gysin’20

The Star-Ledger All-State Honors Second-Team Yoona Kim’20

PMS 286

Black

Immaculate Heart Academy

class

notes Christine Ferguson writes, “Life has been a wonderful journey since leaving IHA in 1971. The fall after graduating, I followed the main stream and began college. But almost immediately, I knew it wasn’t a good fit and so transitioned into a school specific to the advertising arts. After three years, I graduated from Spectrum Institute of the Advertising Arts and began a wonderful career in the industry that took me from New Jersey to New York City to Los Angeles. I worked for two amazing companies before landing at THE DESIGNORY in Long Beach, California where, in a short time, I was invited to become a partner. Now, residing in the Sun Valley, Idaho area, my design work is as a volunteer for local non-profit organizations. My life has been blessed.”

’71

Frances Finnegan Smith, a Park Ridge resident, writes, “I am presently the secretary at the Park Ridge Police Department. I love working for the town that I live in. I am still in touch with Patty Lockwood Lovering’80 and Maureen Donovan Frankle’80. I know most people look back on high school as the longest four years of their life, but I loved everything about high school. I especially miss all the people I had the pleasure of going to school with. I will be married to my husband, Charlie, for twenty-nine years in October. We have one daughter, Megan, who is 27. Life is good.”

’80

Kathleen Long was selected to serve as the chief of staff in Paterson Mayor-elect Andre Sayegh’s incoming administration. Kathleen, a Paterson resident, most recently worked as the chief development and marketing officer at Oasis, a nonprofit that provides resources to women and children. “Kathleen is that rare professional who has worked with so many different dimensions of urban communities, and who has such a deep knowledge and love for the City of Paterson,” said Sayegh in his announcement on June 28, 2018. “She has a long track record of delivering results for the people she serves, and I have every confidence that she will serve the people of Paterson well.” Kathleen said she is “very proud and honored to be working with Mayor-Elect Sayegh as we usher in this new chapter in the City of Paterson. There’s much work to be done, but I love this city and am committed to working hard for its future.” Kathleen has more than fifteen years of experience as an executive leader in the nonprofit sector. She led the effort in raising $3 million per year for Oasis to fund adult education, youth support, and other programs. Kathleen has a bachelor’s degree in government from Georgetown University. She has a master’s degree in government from the National University of Ireland in Cork and attended the school in Ireland through the George J. Mitchell Scholarship Program.

’95

Eileen Connors Boh; her husband, Jamie; and big brother, Jordan Brady, welcomed their second child, Clare Rose, on April 6, 2018 in New Orleans, where they reside. Eileen currently works remotely as the digital marketing strategist for Paradigm Marketing and Design, a marketing agency in Morris County.

’99

Kate von Seekamm Boucher and her husband, David, welcomed their first son, David Charles (Charlie), on October 20, 2017. Kate, Dave, and Charlie currently reside in Manhattan with their dog, Leo.

’02

Charlie Boucher

Summer 2018

Future Blue Eagle, Reagan Szep, daughter of Brianne Gallagher Szep, loves catching up on her IHA news!

Reagan Szep

Jenna Saoud Hennessy; her husband, Daniel; and three-year-old big sister, Reese, proudly introduce the newest addition to their family, Raymond Thomas Hennessy. He was born on May 7, 2018, weighing 6 lbs., 5 oz.

’05

Lauren McGinnis Freitag and her husband, Jeff, welcomed their daughter, Madelyn Grace Freitag, on April 9, 2018 at 7:55 p.m. Madelyn was 6 lbs., 7.5 oz. and 19 inches long.

Madelyn Grace Freitag

Kirsten Calica writes, “I graduated from medical school last summer magna cum laude and completed my intern year of residency this summer. I matched to a categorical anesthesiology residency program at SUNY Downstate in Brooklyn, New York. My intern year

’07

consisted of rotations through several other departments in the hospital. I thoroughly enjoyed the intense training in anesthesiology in the diverse city, and I can honestly say that IHA equipped me with the discipline, meticulousness, and perseverance for which this job calls. I am now in my post-grad year two (PGY2), better known as Clinical Anesthesia Year 1 (CA-1), where I focus solely on anesthesia training.” Cristina “Cha” Ramos writes, “After working professionally in the New York indie theatre scene for a few years as an actor and fight director (while simultaneously working full-time as an executive assistant at The Boston Consulting Group), I am thrilled to announce that I will be going back to school this fall as an M.F.A. candidate in the Theatre Department of Columbia University School of the Arts. I will be concentrating in dramaturgy. I so look forward to being back in the classroom and back on Columbia’s campus since graduating with my B.A. degree in 2012!”

’08

Clare Cox was married to Anthony Diamond on Friday, May 25, 2018 in Philadelphia. The ceremony was held at Old St. Mary’s Church and the reception at The Down Town Club. Christeen Cox’12 and Patricia Cox’16 were the maids of honor and Caitlin Carroll Braun’09 was a bridesmaid. Mr. and Mrs. Diamond are both 2013 graduates of St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. The couple honeymooned in Greece and currently resides in Philadelphia.

’09

’11

This past June 2018, Erin Thompson graduated with a master’s degree in child psychology.

Valerie Mazars de Mazarin writes, “My husband and I are thrilled to announce the birth of our daughter, Josephine Amy Mazars de Mazarin. She was born on June 7, 2018 at 7:40 a.m., weighing 7 lbs., 15 oz. and measuring 21 inches long.”

Josephine Amy Mazars de Mazarin

Sharon Jaquez graduated cum laude and with University Honors Program Distinction from Northeastern University in May with a B.S. degree in health science and a minor in law and public policy. She will be attending Boston University School of Law in the fall and intends to pursue a career in health law.

’13

Caitlin Carroll Braun’09, Patricia Cox’16, Clare Cox Diamond’09, and Christeen Cox’12

Immaculate Heart Academy

Zohna Jones is embarking on the final semester of her graduate studies at Fordham University and has been accepted into the prestigious Emerging Economics Markets South Africa Project. She traveled and worked on a variety of economic issues in Africa this past summer with the university. Zohna was also awarded a fellowship grant to offset the expenses of the trip. Maria Economou writes, “I often think about Immaculate Heart Academy and feel grateful to have graduated from such a prestigious high school. I definitely felt prepared for college and I thank IHA for all the opportunities that have resulted from my hard work. In May 2018, I graduated from William Paterson University of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communicationpublic relations and two minors, visual communication and communication disorders. Throughout my college career, I was inducted into the National Communication Association Honor Society, Lambda Pi Eta, and National Society of Leadership and Success, Sigma Alpha Pi, where I won a 2016 National Engaged Leader Award. I also participated in extracurricular activities as the president of the Hellenic Association and a sister of Theta Phi Alpha Women’s Fraternity, Beta Xi. I have maintained dean’s list all throughout college and earned a Student Success Scholarship and New Trustee Scholarship. In early May 2018, I won a 2018 Tony Maltese Award for Best Business PR Plan. Starting fall 2018, I am returning to William Paterson to further my education as a graduate student to earn an M.B.A. in marketing. I was awarded a graduate assistantship and will be working in Institutional Advancement-Special Events for the university while receiving my M.B.A. After graduate school, I plan to put my award-winning business PR plan into action to create my own cosmetic company, MariaxoEleni. I hope to one day return to Immaculate Heart Academy to be a guest speaker at graduation to share my story and inspire my alma mater.”

University of Scranton seniors, Loryn Gugliotta and Meghan Mahoney, were inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society of nursing. For induction into the honor society, students must have completed one half of the nursing curriculum, demonstrated ability in nursing, have a grade point average of 3.0, and rank in the upper one-third of the class.

’14

Meghan Mahoney’14 and Loryn Gugliotta’14

Daniela Chavez is earning two bachelor’s degrees at Arizona State University—one in interior design and one in business entrepreneurship. Rachel Pollard graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science. “Coming from IHA, I felt the confidence and determination to be a woman in a STEM field during my time at Villanova,” she writes. “During the summer following my junior year, I had an internship at Goldman Sachs and was offered a position to return full time at the end of the summer. I was thrilled by this offer and returned to Goldman Sachs this July as a software engineer in its fixed income division. I’m looking forward to visiting soon for a softball game! Go Blue Eagles!”

Kaitlin McCrudden writes, “After a great four years at Fordham University, I have accepted a full-time position at Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson LLC in New York City. I have interned there for the past year, and was offered a full-time position back in October. I will be the new legal recruiting assistant. Being a recruiter was never something I knew existed, but I completely love the fast paced environment and working directly with attorneys.” Lindsey Rogers writes, “I graduated May 13, 2018, summa cum laude, from the honors program at Saint Michael’s College with a Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience. I was named Class of 2018 Valedictorian and 2018 Outstanding Neuroscience Student of the Year. I was inducted into the following honors societies: Phi Beta Kappa, Beta Beta Beta, Psi Chi, and Delta Sigma Epsilon. During my time at Saint Michael’s College, I served as a rock climbing and ice-climbing instructor for the Adventure Sports Center, tutor, and tour guide. This summer, I am working on a farm in Washington. I have always taken an interest in human health and, toward the end of my college career, I started volunteering at the permaculture site at my school. I came to appreciate how food systems, nutrition, and human health intersect. I am headed to Washington to work on a farm for the growing season, where I can gain invaluable firsthand knowledge about sustainable practices and farming techniques.”

Madison Frank graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey in its Contemporary Arts School with a degree in music industry. Lindsey Rogers’14

Summer 2018

Jessica Laurenzo was among the sixty University of Scranton students inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the national Jesuit honor society. Alpha Sigma Nu is the only honor society open to students and faculty in all disciplines of the university. Junior and senior students who have distinguished themselves in scholarship, loyalty, and service are eligible for nomination by chapter members. The Scranton chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu was established in 1943 and is the oldest honor society at the university. Jessica is a senior majoring in exercise science. Shaye Wisse writes, “On May 16, 2018 I graduated from Susquehanna University with magna cum laude honors, and received a B.S. degree in finance. In August, I began my career with KPMG as an advisory associate in New York City. I am forever grateful to IHA for preparing me for the future.” Christen Connelly writes, “I graduated from Loyola University Maryland with a B.A. degree in political science and business. I was also named to the dean’s list this year. I recently finished an independent study on the topic of local and state government by analyzing the great disparities between race, gender, and income in Baltimore—a place I called my second home while at Loyola. Additionally, I am now a law school candidate.” Madison Kilduff graduated from Rutgers University with a B.A. degree in sports journalism and media studies. “This summer and upcoming football season, I’ll be working part time with the New York Jets,” she writes. “I am very thankful for all the lessons I learned at IHA; college was much easier because I was so prepared.” Natalie Miller writes, “After IHA, I attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. I absolutely loved my four years there and would not trade it for the world! At IU, I became involved in a sorority, Chi Omega; made friends from around the globe; joined a club

called Safe Sisters; studied abroad on the south island in New Zealand for five months; and pursued a degree in speech language pathology with a minor in psychology. I will be attending Seton Hall University to get my master’s degree in speech language pathology in the fall.” Maria Mastropaolo writes, “I graduated summa cum laude from Quinnipiac University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical sciences, a minor in chemistry, and a premedical studies concentration on May 19, 2018. I graduated with a 4.00 G.P.A. and three prestigious awards. At graduation, I received the Biomedical Sciences Achievement Award, given each year to a senior in the biomedical sciences curriculum with an outstanding academic record who has served both the Quinnipiac and greater community through service. I also received the Alumni Association Academic Achievement Award, given to a student in the School of Health Sciences for attaining the highest academic standing in the school for the Class of 2018. Finally, I received the President’s Scholarship Award for attaining the highest scholastic standing in the Class of 2018 at Quinnipiac University. This summer, I will be a research associate at the Weill Cornell School of Medicine Lab where I will be researching innovative cancer treatments. I am currently applying to medical school for 2019 matriculation. Since my freshman year of college, I have acknowledged that my success is attributed to the skills that I mastered at IHA. My time management, critical thinking skills, oral and written communication skills, and overall professionalism were solid upon my entrance into Quinnipiac University during the fall of 2014 due to the training I received at IHA. This foundation allowed for a seemingly nonexistent transition into college life/ work. An IHA education is unlike any other. As I was on stage during my commencement ceremony listening to the Dean of the School of Health Sciences announce the achievements that

I accomplished as a Quinnipiac Bobcat, I could not help but think of my days as a Blue Eagle and how proud I am to be an alumna of both Quinnipiac University and Immaculate Heart Academy.”

Maria Mastropaolo’14

Marisa Proscia writes, “I graduated cum laude from Marist College with a B.S. degree in computer science. This June, I relocated to San Antonio, Texas to begin a full time position at USAA as a software developer. I had interned there last summer and accepted a full-time position in September.” Anne Fitzpatrick completed four years at the University of Rhode Island, graduating summa cum laude with a B.S. degree in communicative disorders. She will be starting the audiological doctorate program at Montclair State University this fall. After four years at Montclair, she will have her audiological doctorate and will be an audiologist. Emily Nocera was named to the dean’s list at Bucknell University during the spring semester of the 2017-18 academic year. Giuliana Coccia received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology – special education from Marist College on May 18, 2018.

Immaculate Heart Academy

Loryn Gugliotta, Meghan Mahoney, and Megan Beyer were all featured in an article in The Aquinas, The University of Scranton’s school magazine, for their work abroad as nursing students. The article was also written by an IHA alumna—Lauren Gallagher’16. Loryn went to Uganda, Africa; Meghan traveled

yourself, and you just might experience something beautiful. Nursing offers me that opportunity every day and for that I am forever grateful.” In Dublin, Megan took a course that compared Ireland’s and America’s healthcare systems, she spent days in a hospital observing nurses in various units, and she immersed herself in the Irish culture through various excursions. “This trip was an amazing opportunity,” she said, “to gain experience in the field of nursing, meet new people, and learn about a new culture.”

Alexi Mendolia graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland on May 25, 2018 and was commissioned as an Officer at the level of Ensign in the U.S. Navy. Alexi received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in cyber security. Following graduation and additional training in Pensacola, Florida, Ensign Mendolia will become a cryptologic officer in Hawaii and will serve in the Navy for the next five years.

Loryn Gugliotta’14

to Dominican Republic, and Megan volunteer in Dublin, Ireland. Loryn said the two weeks she studied in Uganda were the best weeks of her entire life. “The shining faces of the most beautiful and loving children will be engraved in my heart forever,” she said in the article. “This opportunity has fully made me realize why I want to be a nurse, and to use my gifts to help those in need.”

Megan Beyer’14

Nicole Certo recently graduated from Bucknell University. She studied geology and environmental science.

Meghan Mahoney’14

Meghan said the reason she chose nursing in the first place was so that she could give back to those less fortunate than her, all around the world. “I left a piece of my heart in the D.R., and it would not only be an honor, but a privilege to be able to return one day and continue to give back,” Meghan said. “Sometimes, you just have to put others before

Kerry Morley writes, “This past May, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work. In the fall, I will be returning to Baylor University to obtain a master’s degree in social work. Over the past year, I interned with Baylor Scott and White Hillcrest Medical Center in the NICU and Mother-Baby Unit. This fall, I will be interning with an adoption/foster agency called Hope Cottages. I plan to move back to the East Coast after obtaining my master’s degree and live either in New Jersey or Washington, D.C. I fondly look back at all of my memories from IHA and will forever be grateful for the time I spent at the academy. If any of the girls are considering school in Texas, I would love to hear from them!”

Alexi Mendolia’14

Kathleen Blehl writes, “Upon graduating from IHA in 2014, I committed to attend Villanova University on a Navy ROTC Scholarship. Due to personal concerns, I rescinded the scholarship and set out to transfer to the College of William and Mary. I was happily accepted in April 2015 and put my deposit down to transfer. During that period, I also applied for Villanova’s six-week summer study abroad program to the Czech Republic as one last Villanova hoorah. I attended the program and met some of the most incredible students who ultimately changed my decision to stay at Villanova University. Sophomore year came and went as I settled into my studies, majoring in marketing and minoring in English. As the spring semester concluded, I enrolled in another of Villanova’s summer study abroad programs to Shanghai, China, where I would go on to intern and study

Summer 2018

business for the summer of 2016. I was enamored with my previous international experiences so much, that I ended up spending my entire junior year studying and interning in Milan, Italy. There, I was able to study fashion and business, and travel to more than twenty countries including unique places like Morocco, Romania, and Bulgaria. I also became passionate about sustainability, which led me to launch a sustainable fashion and lifestyle blog called “A Newer Kat in Town” (www.anewerkatintown.com). This platform has grown to over thirtyseven thousand page views in the last two years, led me to attend New York Fashion Week twice, and allowed me to partner with ethical and sustainable fashion brands. Four years later, I am proud to be an alumna of Villanova University and am incredibly thankful for the many opportunities the university provided me. In my last semester at Villanova, I was named a finalist for the IES Global Citizen Award, launched a secondhand collection at the Villanova’s Love the Skin You’re In Fashion Show, and placed second at the Villanova Student Entrepreneurship Competition for my

sustainable invention. I was also selected to be the student commencement speaker for the Villanova School of Business, where I was able to share my journey. In the upcoming weeks, I will be teaching English in Ukraine while continuing to write for my blog with hopes of going on to teach English on a Fulbright Award and write a book.” Margaret Zied is one of two Providence College recipients of the Clare Booth Luce Undergraduate Scholarship in Chemestry, Applied Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science for exceptional senior female students. Margaret, a computer science major, will receive a full tuition and fees scholarship during her senior year, as well as funding to support her research and an outreach project that promotes women in STEM. This opportunity was established at Providence College in 2016 with generous funding from the Henry Luce Foundation’s Clare Boothe Luce Program.

’15

Lisa Pietrafesa, a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University, was named to the honors list for the fall 2017 semester. Kristin Ludwicki, a physics three-two major at Siena College, was presented the Nancy DaPore Award. This award is presented to a student who has earned G.P.A. of 3.55 or higher and has demonstrated and successfully fulfilled leadership roles in various activities within the college community. Colleen Buckley, Sarah Cherian, and Lena Kleinberg were named to the dean’s list at Bucknell University during the spring semester of the 2017-18 academic year. Emily Allen, a senior at the University of Central Florida, was named to the dean’s list for the fall 2017 semester. She is majoring in hospitality management and marketing. Emily has been a Walt Disney World “castmember” (employee) since 2016.

Kathleen Blehl’14

Marilyn Murphy was among seventy-seven University of Scranton students inducted into Omega Beta Sigma, the women’s business honor society. Induction is open to students who major or minor in business, have at least sophomore academic standing, and have a grade point average of 3.25 or higher.

’16

Kelly Lyons was named the dean’s list at Loyola University Maryland for the fall 2017 semester and will be studying abroad in Athens Greece for the fall 2018 semester. Lauren Gallagher recently became the editor-in-chief for The Aquinas, which is the student voice of The University of Scranton, publishing magazines and newspapers via hard copy and online. She is also double majoring in journalism/ electronic media and social media. Lauren wrote an article about three 2014 IHA alumnae, now nursing students at Scranton, who traveled and volunteered abroad (see page 46). Delaware Valley University announced that Lydia Anderson-Dearborn was inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society during the spring 2018 semester. Alpha Lambda Delta encourages superior scholastic achievement among first-year students. The Society promotes intelligent living and a continued high standard of learning. To be inducted, students must have a GPA of 3.5 or better during their first full-time year.

’17

Nicolette Santoro made dean’s list for the spring 2018 semester at Clemson University. She is majoring in nutrition/dietetics. Riley Maloney has been named to the dean’s list for exceptional academic performance for the spring 2018 semester at Villanova University.

Immaculate Heart Academy

memoriam

Your prayers are requested for the following members of the Immaculate Heart Academy community who recently passed away:

Patti Ann Spicer, Class of 1980 August 31, 2017 Sister of Regina Spicer Deutch’75 Dr. Michele Mikules Bieraugel, Class of 1983 May 8, 2018

Jeffrey Mockler June 6, 2018 Husband of Kathleen Moriarty Mockler’84; father of Kyla Heinz Picerno’08, Aimee Mockler’20, and Lauryn Mockler’21; and brother-in-law of Lisa Moriarty’78

Hirokazu Okawa January 15, 2018 Grandfather of Kaguya Okawa-O’Connell’18

David Petrullo June 12, 2018 Father of Alyson Petrullo’06

Robert Connelly March 6, 2018 Father of Christen Connelly’14

Anne Donovan June 13, 2018 Sister of Kathleen Donovan’65 and Michele Donovan DiPiano’69 and aunt of Meaghan DiPiano’07

Theresa Bottini June 3, 2018 Sister of Maryanne Bottini Eberle’73 Ronald DiBisceglie June 6, 2018 Father of Karen DiBisceglie Rode’96

Patricia Procak July 3, 2018 Mother of Mary Frances Procak Noyes’65 and Christine Procak Tyler’68, and former faculty member Patricia A. Kondoleon July 10, 2018 Mother of Dr. Mary Thérèse Kondoleon’75 and Ms. Rita Kondoleon’90

Daily Mass celebrations, held in the IHA Sisters’ Chapel at 7:15 a.m., present the opportunity for anyone who so wishes to offer a Mass in memory or in honor of a family member or friend, or for special intentions. Please contact Sr. Margaret Gaffikin at sgaffikin@ihanj.com for more information.

2018

Summer 2018

Open Houses Will you be a member of IHA’s Class of 2023? If you are a young woman searching for a school known for its academic excellence, athletic competition, and creative expression grounded in traditional Catholic values, Immaculate Heart Academy is the place for you. Students from seven different counties in New Jersey and New York presently call IHA their second home, and

we would love for you to join them. The sisterhood formed at IHA is incomparable, and the memories made here last a lifetime—just ask the more than ten thousand graduates who have graced our halls. Come decide if you belong @theheart by attending our Fall Open Houses:

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Thursday, October 25, 2018

What to Expect

How to Apply

11 a.m. through 2 p.m.

T ake a tour with our knowledgeable and friendly student Eagle Ambassadors, who will guide you through the state-of-the-art building and campus. • Meet teachers, administrators, directors, students, and coaches—all of whom are essential members of the IHA family. • Learn about the admissions process, including the High School Placement Test (HSPT). • Ask questions about curriculum, financial aid, transportation, and much more. •

6:30 through 8:30 p.m.

T ake the High School Placement Test (HSPT), on November 9, 2018. • Complete IHA’s online application on www.ihanj.com by December 1, 2018. • Have transcripts from sixth through eighth grade sent to IHA by December 15, 2018. •

Online registration is requested for our Open Houses. Walk-ins are also welcome.

For more information, please contact Ms. Alexis Fatigati’07, director of admissions, at 201.445.6800, ext. 112 or afatigati@ihanj.com.

Non-profit U.S. POSTAGE

PAID PERMIT #130 SPRINGFIELD, MA

500 Van Emburgh Avenue Township of Washington, NJ 07676

upcoming

2018-19 Fall/Winter Special Events oct

Blue Eagle Open

oct

Open House

04 14 oct

25 nov

2-4

nov

IHA Drama – The Matchmaker

nov

Father/Daughter Dance – 10th Anniversary Celebration

16 -18

11 a.m. registration and lunch, 1 p.m. shotgun start, 6 p.m. dinner and prizes Forest Hill Field Club, Bloomfield Hackensack Meridian Health and Block, O’Toole & Murphy, c/o Dan & Claire O’Toole P’17, ’21 will once again be our Co-Premier Sponsors.

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Register at www.ihanj.com for our first fall Open House. Meet faculty and staff, tour the building, and ask questions of our student Eagle Ambassadors.

Open House

6:30-8:30 p.m. If you can’t make it to our Sunday fall Open House, register online to join us for this special weeknight opportunity.

Reunion Weekend 2018

From Friday through Sunday, join us for a Sip n Paint, a ‘Get Fit’ class, the annual Alumnae Cocktail Reception, and a special Alumnae Mass & Brunch.

DEC

Patricia Sollitto Performing Arts Center We are thrilled to produce our drama in the fall this year! Three performances of The Matchmaker will be on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

12-4 p.m. The Venetian, Garfield Calling all alumnae! We would love for you and your fathers to join us for this very special 10th Anniversary of our Father/Daughter Dance. Join present IHA students and their dads for a Saturday afternoon of delicious food and dancing at The Venetian.

Fashion Show

10:30 a.m. The Estate at Florentine Gardens, River Vale Browse the many basket prizes while enjoying brunch hors d’oeuvres, then watch the show! IHA students and faculty will model a variety of stylish looks down the runway.