Commencement 2023 by Visitation Academy

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3020 North Ballas Road St. Louis, MO 63131

COMMEN CEMEN T 2023

About the Publication The Visitor is the official publication of Visitation Academy. The magazine is published by Viz’s Advancement Office and is sent to alumnae, parents, and friends of the school. Visitation Academy is an independent, Catholic school that encourages students to develop their unique gifts in an environment that values excellence in scholarship, spirituality, leadership, and service. Viz proudly offers a coeducational early childhood program and all-girl environment in Grades 1-12. The Lower School educates Toddler through Kindergartenaged boys and girls in the Montessori method while also providing the area’s only all-girl program in Grades 1-5. A welcoming environment, small class sizes, and the integration of technology throughout the curriculum provide a strong educational foundation. The Middle School builds a bridge from childhood to young adulthood. The Middle School curriculum is centered on the developmental readiness, needs, and interests of girls in Grades 6-8. The Upper School offers a rigorous, four-year college preparatory curriculum for young women in Grades 9-12. A vibrant fine arts program, numerous service opportunities, and more than 28 clubs and organizations complement the Academy’s commitment to academic excellence.

THE

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Viz girls are poised, intelligent, self-assured young women, positioned for success in our classrooms, in college, and in life. For more information regarding admission to Visitation Academy, please contact Sharon Conley Spellman ’89, Director of Admissions, at 314-625-9102.

Our annual Viz Fund campaign is in full swing. Scan the QR code to make your donation today.

Together We Shine Brighter — 2023 Class Motto

Jenny Lucas Chief Advancement Officer Rachelle Morgan Director of Communications Colleen Porter Director of Marketing

SCHOOL FACEBOOK: facebook.com/VizAcademy ALUMNAE FACEBOOK: facebook.com/VizAcademyAlumnae

SCHOOL TWITTER: @VizAcademy @VizAthletics @VizLowerSchool

Inside

This Issue 1 2 4 24 38 42 47 51 56 66 70 78 80

From the Head of School and Chair of the Board of Trustees Board of Trustees

Commencement 2023 Celebrating our Salesian and Visitation Charism The Chatter About ChatGPT Honor Roll

Who Runs the (Business) World…Girls! HeART and Soul: Visual and Performing Arts Upper School Athletics Recap Lower School and Middle School Athletics Recap Our Amazing Alums Planned Giving In Memoriam

SCHOOL INSTAGRAM: @VizAcademy @VizMiddleSchool @VizLowerSchool

ALUMNAE LINKEDIN GROUP: Visitation Academy Alumnae

The Visitation Academy

Class of 2023

Front Row (Left to Right): Carley Pohl

Row 2 (Left to Right): Ava Sanford

Row 3 (Left to Right): Anna Maschek

Row 4 (Left to Right): Paola Khoukaz

Row 5 (Left to Right): Gracie Rowles

Natalie Lovell

Katherine Williams

Kyan LaMear

Suzanna McLellan

Avery Jacoby

Audrey Goddard

Elizabeth Holmes

Caroline Keller

Clare Mank

Claire Richart

Rebecca Selness

Ella Chance

Naomi Hammell

Nancy Rhodes

Erinn Porter

Jessica Martin

Kylie Beauchamp

Kylie Martin

Teresa Reed

Anna Hippe

Paulina Concagh

Ann Lauber

Lillian Zdrodowski

Kathleen Restovich

Haley Brinker

Anna Padousis

Sejal Sekhar

Nicole Thoman

Emily Stahlman

Abigail Van Vooren

Montgomery Rizer

Sarah Bishara

Katherine Williams

Anna Restovich

Grace Weikel

Julia Kelpe

Jessica Bader

Noor Huda

Luciana Schwartz

Mia Maddock

Lillian Dempsey

Kathryn Kendall

Elise Newbold

Jacie Tottleben

Anne Paraino

Claire Riley

Hailey Rowbottom

Lola Jones

Carolina Rivero

Madeline Alexander

Regina Dennison

Madison Harness

Katherine Adkins

Giovanna Bonifacio

Corinne Cima

Sloane Roper

Jenna Steinhubl

Courtney Byrne

Zeladis Duncan

Clara Donovan

Margaret Reed

Katherine Cyr

Hope Hanlon

Haley Fusz

Avery Smith

Mallory Boedefeld

Amelia Dino

Brooke Shuman

Grace Pund

Emma Robb

Esther Appelstein

Kendall Stone

Regan Jones

Emma Janisch

Katherine Blazevic

Carolyn Brame Not pictured: Campbell Pim

Formal Commencement photos of the 2023 graduates courtesy of Wagner Portrait Group.

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

ST. LOUIS, MO PERMIT NO. 1468

3020 North Ballas Road St. Louis, MO 63131

COMMEN CEMEN T 2023

THE

FUND

Our annual Viz Fund campaign is in full swing. Scan the QR code to make your donation today.

Together We Shine Brighter — 2023 Class Motto

Jenny Lucas Chief Advancement Officer Rachelle Morgan Director of Communications Colleen Porter Director of Marketing

SCHOOL FACEBOOK: facebook.com/VizAcademy ALUMNAE FACEBOOK: facebook.com/VizAcademyAlumnae

SCHOOL TWITTER: @VizAcademy @VizAthletics @VizLowerSchool

Inside

This Issue 1 2 4 24 38 42 47 51 56 66 70 78 80

From the Head of School and Chair of the Board of Trustees Board of Trustees

Commencement 2023 Celebrating our Salesian and Visitation Charism The Chatter About ChatGPT Honor Roll

SCHOOL INSTAGRAM: @VizAcademy @VizMiddleSchool @VizLowerSchool

ALUMNAE LINKEDIN GROUP: Visitation Academy Alumnae

Hello, Visitation Community! We are thrilled to celebrate another stellar graduating class, the Class of 2023. This group of 82 strong, intelligent, and driven young women join a remarkable sisterhood that began 190 years ago when Visitation Academy celebrated its very first group of graduates, the Class of 1833. It is safe to say that no one could have possibly understood the significance of that moment, the moment the Viz tradition began. Only now, when we look at this historic occasion in the rearview mirror all these years later, can we truly understand the magnitude of what it means to be a Viz student, a Viz graduate, and a Viz alumna. This reflective perspective is entirely appropriate as one thinks about Commencement - when life at Viz ends and life after Viz begins. No matter what year you graduated from Viz (or what year your student graduated for our alumnae parents and grandparents), we cannot encourage you enough to spend some time reflecting on the unique Viz experience. The words, “Be who you are and be that well,” were vocalized repeatedly. The second half of that thought, “to give glory to the Divine Artist whose handiwork you are,” is not expressed nearly as often. We all should take time to reflect on who we are and, just as importantly, what kind of people we want to be and how our lives will give glory to God. It is evident in the ways that our Viz alumnae have stayed connected with Visitation that their time at Viz made a lasting impact. Countless alumnae are current or past Viz parents and faculty and staff members, serve or have previously served on the Board of Trustees and Association of Christian Faithful, and get involved in educational, spiritual, and philanthropic initiatives, including participating in the Associates Program, providing career mentorships and internships, and supporting annual fundraising efforts including the Viz Fund and Safari Dinner Auction. Thank you for believing in the school's mission and helping to secure this legacy for future generations of Vivettes. Congratulations, Class of 2023! Like the 189 classes that preceded you, think about what you have just experienced at Viz and remember all the amazing things you have done. You have made an indelible mark, and you will be missed. In Christ, ,

David Manuel Colón Head of School

Carrie Luepke Hermeling ’79 Chair, Board of Trustees

Thank you for believing in the school’s mission and helping to secure this legacy for future generations of Vivettes. visitationacademy.org | 1

Say Hello to the 2023-2024 Visitation Academy Board of Trustees

Carrie Luepke Hermeling ’79 Board of Trustees Chair, Alumna, Past Parent Partner, Husch Blackwell

Dr. Elyra Figueroa España ’89 Alumna, Parent Physician, Esse Allergy & Asthma and Skin + Laser Institute of St. Louis

Cori Cunnane Stebelman ’90 Board of Trustees Vice Chair, Alumna, Past Parent Community Volunteer

Marilyn Fitzgerald Past Faculty Member, ACF

Laura Keller Baylis ’86 Alumna, Past Parent Community Volunteer

Dr. Tom Forget, Jr. Parent Neurosurgeon, Mercy Clinic Neurosurgery

Steve Bishara Parent Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Harbour Group

Sister Veronica Haronik, VHM, Emerita ACF

Fr. Charles Bouchard, OP Senior Fellow, Theology and Ethics Consultant for Catholic Sponsored Ministries Aquinas Institute of Theology

Rob Hehmeyer Parent Partner, Moneta Group

Seamus Concagh Board of Trustees Treasurer, Parent, Past Parent Partner, Concagh & Company, CPAs

Ann Hein ’81 Alumna, Visitation ACF Moderator Self-employed, Creative/ Communications

Barbara Daush Senior Consultant, Carney, Sandoe & Associates

Breahna Blakely Henderson ’05, DHA Senior Communications Manager, National Institutes of Health

Amy Hirsch Diemer ’80 Alumna St. Francis Community Services, Catholic Legal Assistance Ministry

Dan Hildebrand Retired Educator, Former Interim Head of School

Colleen Dulle ’13 Alumna Associate Editor, America Media

Sister Mary Grace McCormack ‘60, VHM ACF

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Beth Pollnow Board of Trustees Secretary, Parent Community Volunteer

David Colón Ex officio Visitation Academy Head of School

Andy Trachsel Parent Partner, Retirement Plan Advisors

Amelia Blanton Hibner Ex officio Visitation Academy Dean of Mission Integration

Joe Trover Past Parent CEO, Trover Company Distribution

Jenny Lucas Ex officio Visitation Academy Chief Advancement Officer

Tim Williamson Parent, Past Parent President, Service Metal Products

Sherry Williams Ex officio Visitation Academy Chief Financial Officer

Tralonda Woods Parent Senior Project Engineer, Boeing

Tripp Zumwalt Past Parent President, Zumwalt Corporation

We would like to thank the following exiting Board Members for their service to Visitation Academy: Jeff Brinker Past Parent Partner, Brinker & Doyen, LLP

Natasha Das ’04 Alumna Real Estate Development, Director of Development, CRG

Greg Dierberg Past Parent President & CEO, Dierbergs Markets

Mary Ann Clancy Schwartz ’83 Alumna, Past Parent, Visitation ACF Past Moderator

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By the

82 95% 23% 8 1 1 1

Numbers Graduates of the Class of 2023 Earned Scholarships and Grants with a Four-Year Value of More Than $24,936,532 of Students Scored 31 or Higher on the ACT Charter Members in the Class National Merit Finalist National Merit Semi-Finalist Missouri Scholars 100 Recipient

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Matriculations 2023 Katherine Adkins Marquette University

Courtney Byrne Santa Clara University

Audrey Goddard Michigan Technological University

Madeline Alexander Saint Louis University

Ella Chance University of Dayton

Naomi Hammell Saint Louis University

Esther Appelstein Brigham Young University-Provo

Corinne Cima University of Missouri-Columbia

Hope Hanlon Purdue University

Jessica Bader University of South Florida

Paulina Concagh University of Dayton

Madison Harness Louisiana State University

Kylie Beauchamp University of Wisconsin-Madison

Katherine Cyr University of Kansas

Anna Hippe Illinois State University

Sarah Bishara University of Georgia

Lillian Dempsey Marquette University

Elizabeth Holmes Texas Christian University

Katherine Blazevic Southern Methodist University

Regina Dennison Clemson University

Noor Huda Washington University in St. Louis

Mallory Boedefeld Wake Forest University

Amelia Dino Union College, New York

Avery Jacoby Babson College

Giovanna Bonifacio Truman State University

Clara Donovan University of Arizona

Emma Janisch McDaniel College

Carolyn Brame Rhodes College

Zeladis Duncan University of San Diego

Lola Jones Saint Louis University

Haley Brinker Santa Clara University

Haley Fusz Texas Christian University

Regan Jones Miami University, Oxford

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Caroline Keller University of Arizona

Carley Pohl Saint Louis University

Luciana Schwartz Saint Louis University

Julia Kelpe University of Colorado Boulder

Erinn Porter Louisiana State University

Sejal Sekhar Cornell University

Kathryn Kendall University of Oklahoma

Grace Pund Creighton University

Rebecca Selness University of Kansas

Paola Khoukaz University of Notre Dame

Margaret Reed Miami University, Oxford

Brooke Shuman Southeast Missouri State University

Kyan LaMear Babson College

Teresa Reed University of Iowa

Avery Smith Elon University

Ann Lauber Saint Louis University

Anna Restovich Saint Mary’s College

Emily Stahlman University of Mississippi

Natalie Lovell Hanover College

Kathleen Restovich Saint Mary’s College

Jenna Steinhubl Miami University, Oxford

Mia Maddock University of Kansas

Nancy Rhodes Fordham University

Kendall Stone Rockhurst University

Clare Mank University of Mississippi

Claire Richart Santa Clara University

Nicole Thoman Texas Christian University

Jessica Martin Vanderbilt University

Claire Riley Indiana University-Bloomington

Jacie Tottleben Rockhurst University

Kylie Martin The Ohio State University

Carolina Rivero Saint Louis University

Abigail Van Vooren DePaul University

Anna Maschek Saint Louis University

Montgomery Rizer University of Michigan

Grace Weikel Boston College

Suzanna McLellan University of Notre Dame

Emma Robb University of Missouri-Columbia

Claire Williams University of Dayton

Elise Newbold University of Mississippi

Gracie Rolwes University of Dallas

Katherine Williams University of Notre Dame

Anna Padousis Elon University

Sloane Roper University of Missouri-Columbia

Lillian Zdrodowski Saint Louis University

Anne Paraino University of Hawaii at Manoa

Hailey Rowbottom University of Kansas

Campbell Pim Miami University, Oxford

Ava Sanford University of Central Florida

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Rebecca Anne Selness

Valedictorian Address Awarded to the student who has earned the highest cumulative grade point average over four years.

One of my favorite movie lines to remember whenever I’m worried or anxious, which includes my feelings regarding giving this speech tonight, is, “What am I even tripping for? Everything is gonna work out exactly the way it’s supposed to.” – Tony Stark, Avengers: Endgame. In fact, I like this saying so much that I chose it as my senior yearbook quote, and after six years on Viz’s yearbook staff, I’ve had a lot of time to finalize my decision. Yearbook, along with a truly amazing class and wonderful teachers, has been a constant during my time at Visitation, and Crescent Yearbook, volumes 83-89 each hold a special place in my heart. However, the titles of certain years stand out on my bookshelf more than others. The first among these being our seventh-grade yearbook, One Viz, which is a testament to the solidarity running through the Visitation community. Our class’s strong bonds of sisterhood proudly show our school unity, and our Kairos 33 retreat is the perfect example of this. From playing football to supporting one another through a whirlwind of emotions, we showed just how loving our connection as classmates is. And while I wasn’t on Kairos 34, I’m sure there were similar feelings of sisterhood. This school is a family, and the phrase “One Viz” reminds all of us that we will always have a home here.

Rebecca Anne Selness

Another yearbook that always catches my eye is Visitation Unmasked from sophomore year. Rather than focus on everything that was missing during that time, we concentrated on how we reveal ourselves in unseen ways. That year, our compassion, resilience, and love spoke for us more than our faces ever could. The things that tell the most about our class are often the simplest. When I imagine what defines our character, I think about middle school lunches in the courtyard, watching the fireworks at Fall Fest, and listening to music during AP chemistry labs. These moments of joy are at the heart of who we are as people, as sisters, and as graduates of Visitation.

We made every second special, and I could not imagine a better group of young women to spend my time with. Our eleventh-grade book titled Where Do We Grow Now? is another special volume that raises a relevant question as we begin our college journeys. While we can’t know exactly what the future holds, Viz will always be our foundation. I’d like to thank our families, friends, faculty, and staff who have helped us build these bases over the years. These people, these walls, these feelings will never change in their significance, but there also is so much room for growth and potential inside of us. From surviving seventh-grade robotics to conquering our schoolwork, the Class of 2023 is determined, and I can only imagine what marvelous things we will accomplish as we continue to move ever forward.

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While our senior yearbook hasn’t been printed yet, I know it will be one of my favorites. My dream theme, Make It Pop, is a comic and pop cultureinspired design that focuses on the Salesian principle of living in the present moment. Our last year of high school was full of special moments, including senior spirit week, morning mayhem, and performing the S’line at prom. We made every second special, and I could not imagine a better group of young women to spend my time with. Yearbooks are memories, with every page telling a story, sharing a joke, or pulling a long-forgotten image to your mind. Yearbooks are proof that we have lived, grown, and are ready to venture on to new endeavors. Yearbooks are celebrations of our school’s foundation and everything that we have accomplished during our time here. So, to the Visitation Class of 2023, I have six yearbooks at home that show we are prepared for whatever comes next, and to quote Tony Stark one more time, “I’m hoping if [we] play this back, it’s in celebration.” Thank you.

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Hope Elizabeth Hanlon

Salutatorian Address Awarded to the student who has earned the second highest cumulative grade point average over four years.

Good evening to our beloved Sisters, Board of Trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, family, and friends. I am honored to welcome you to Visitation Academy’s 190th Commencement Ceremony. First and foremost, congratulations to my wonderful Class of 2023. I truly could not have asked for a better family to spend these past four years with. This class has supported one another every step of the way throughout our entire time at Viz. We’ve survived exams, projects, research papers, biology, physics, and more. But most importantly, we survived working out alone in our rooms over Zoom during distance learning PE class. Those crunches on my hardwood floor nearly ended my high school career! Nevertheless, we stand here before you today as graduates of Visitation Academy. Our time at Viz has prepared us not only for college but for our lives. This school has taught us so much more than math, science, and history. It has taught us how to grow and love. To be humble and hospitable. The community found here at Visitation Academy is built on the Little Virtues of Saint Francis de Sales. We are shown what it means to “Live Jesus,” a directive we hear daily. Our coaches show us strength and how to succeed as a team. They emphasize spirit just as much as winning, as seen with the class favorite, JV2 basketball team. Our teachers show us gentleness. I don’t know how Mr. McKeever put up with our antics for four years or how Dr. Radler balanced a class-wide “Nertz” addiction along with teaching calculus.

Hope Elizabeth Hanlon

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And, of course, our parents show us patience. A LOT of patience. I’m sure many of the parents here have suffered the teenage epidemic of procrastination, especially my own mother when I was finalizing this speech mere hours ago. However, out of St. Francis’ virtues, my personal favorite is joy. In hopes of finding some inspiration for this speech, I traveled to the depths of our class GroupMe, and boy, did it fill me with a whoooooole lotta joy. I found memes upon memes, Cori Cima’s iconic pixie haircut (which I’m told was better than her bob), and a shocking amount of Harry Styles and Edward Cullen. Scrolling through those pictures reminded me how much joy our class radiates. Everything they do has brought me pure happiness. Claire Riley spamming the class email chain to find her computer charger sophomore year, and the anticipation for the “Almost Friday” posts will always make me laugh. Each and every one of my classmates is compassionate, empathetic, sincere, and simply joyful. They have taught me how to find joy in the simplest of moments and in the darkest of times, and for that, I am forever grateful. In these final moments of senior year, I also thought a lot about anticipatory grief: missing something before it’s gone. In a few short months, our class will be spread across the country, thousands and thousands of miles apart. I miss my 81 sisters already. We leave today stepping forward into the next chapter of our lives and celebrating the victory of our accomplishments. As a symbol of this victory, we will each be presented with a crescent tonight. While the crescent quite literally recalls Pierre De Sales’ victory in battle, I also see it as a symbol of unity. We are connected to our Visitation community and sisterhood both in and out of school through our crescents. It’s very fitting for our class as well. You can’t get much more unified than throwing a fake, impromptu class wedding in the middle of lunch, which, believe it or not, happened. These crescents are a reminder that even though my friends will go where I cannot follow, they’ll never really leave me. And so, the beginning of the end has arrived. We’ve overcome a multitude of challenges to get here. Difficult classes, finals, college applications, and Covid. Our freshman year was cut short, but in the blink of an eye, we stand here before you tonight in white dresses. In a few short moments, we will officially become graduates of Visitation Academy. To my lovely Class of 2023, I wish you nothing but the very best. Let us take the joy and love we have cultivated here with us for the rest of our lives as we begin a new and exciting journey. Thank you.

We are connected to our Visitation community and sisterhood both in and out of school through our crescents. visitationacademy.org | 11

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Archbishop John L. May Service Award Given in remembrance of Archbishop May’s dedicated Christian service, this award recognizes the outstanding leadership and community service of high school seniors in the St. Louis area.

Caroline Elizabeth Keller

Charter Members of the Class

Rebecca Anne Selness

Valedictorian Awarded to the student who has earned the highest cumulative grade point average over four years.

Missouri Scholars 100 This award recognizes the top 100 scholars among all graduating seniors in Missouri. The Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals’ annual selection is based on standardized test scores, rigorous coursework, citizenship, leadership, and service.

Kylie Nicole Beauchamp

Haley Marie Brinker

Paulina Marie Concagh

Regina Marie Dennison

Elizabeth Walsh Holmes

Suzanna Rose McLellan

Nancy Hanlon Rhodes

Brooke Cassandra Shuman

National Merit Finalist Awarded to students based on a nationally-applied Selection Index score in recognition of their outstanding academic promise.

Grace Elizabeth Pund

National Merit Semi-Finalist

Hope Elizabeth Hanlon

Salutatorian

Awarded to students based on a nationally-applied Selection Index score in recognition of their outstanding academic promise.

Awarded to the student who has earned the second highest cumulative grade point average over four years.

Audrey Marie Goddard

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Global and Missouri Seal of Biliteracy Recipients – French

Katherine Grace Cyr

Paola Maria Khoukaz

Natalie Elizabeth Murman Lovell

Avery Elaine Smith

Global and Missouri Seal of Biliteracy Recipients – Spanish

Katherine Daly Adkins

Madeline Claire Alexander

Jessica Ann Bader

Lillian Grace Dempsey

Madison Elise Harness

Regan Francis Jones

Jessica Nicole Martin

Anna Marie Maschek

Suzanna Rose McLellan

Grace Elizabeth Pund

Hailey Lois Rowbottom

Sejal Chellu Sekhar

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Missouri Seal of Biliteracy Recipients – French

Missouri Seal of Biliteracy Recipients – Spanish

Zeladis Rain Duncan

Amelia Margaret Dino

Anna Elise Hippe

National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars

Jessica Ann Bader

Sarah Madeline Bishara

Carolina Rivero* *Distinguished Seal of Biliteracy

Carolina Rivero

The Harold F. and Catherine A. Faught STEM Scholarship

Kendall Grace Stone

Generously established in 2019 by Mrs. Catherine A. Faught, this $5,000 college scholarship is awarded to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence and outstanding leadership in the areas of STEM.

Sister Cecilia Carroll, VHM, Award in Music and Scholarship Established by Rodger and Jean Marré Faherty ’55 in loving memory of Sister Cecilia Carroll, VHM, this $1,000 award is given to a deserving senior who has displayed outstanding musical talent.

Avery Elaine Smith visitationacademy.org | 15

Alumnae Award The Alumnae Award is given to one member of the graduating class who best exemplifies the Visitation ideals. She is true to the Salesian spirit of The Visitation and truly Lives Jesus.

St. Jane de Chantal Service Award

Madeline Claire Alexander

Nominated by her classmates, the recipient of the St. Jane de Chantal Service Award is a young woman who exhibits true apostolic service both within the Visitation community and in her wider community.

St. Francis de Sales Virtue Award Nominated by her classmates, the recipient of the St. Francis de Sales Virtue Award is a young woman who best lives the Visitation motto “Live Jesus” through Salesian virtues.

Carley Madison Pohl

Outstanding Salesian Leader Award This award is given in recognition of students who consistently demonstrate Salesian leadership in a manner that promotes gentleness, joy, respect, and hospitality.

Katherine Grace Cyr

Suzanna Rose McLellan

Martin Luther King, Jr. Model of Justice Award

Madison Elise Harness

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The Martin Luther King, Jr. Model of Justice Award is an annual award presented to students of the Archdiocese of St. Louis who have demonstrated, through their attitude and their work, a commitment to serving humanity in the broader community. These students have made justice a central part of their lives and have committed themselves “to the noble struggle for equal rights.”

Rebecca Anne Selness

Emily Grace Stahlman

Principal’s Award Chosen by the Principal and Assistant Principal in collaboration with the faculty, this young woman demonstrates a consistent dedication to the Visitation community and serves as a role model to all in a quiet, gentle, and humble manner.

Haley Marie Brinker

Sister Mary Aimée Dilschneider Alumnae Essay Award This award is presented in honor of Sister Mary Aimée Dilschneider ’35, VHM for her years of dedication and service to the Alumnae Association. The recipient best describes what Visitation Academy means to her and how her experiences as a Viz student will enrich her future.

Anna Elise Hippe Oh, How We’ve Grown Before I even stepped foot through the doors of Visitation Academy, I knew who I would be once I left as a graduate. I remember lying in bed at night in eighth grade, reading every part of the Viz website, and on there was the “Portrait of a Visitation Graduate.” I read through each one, thinking about all I could become in the next four years of my life. After each of us students arrived at Viz, we gathered a sense of what Viz expects of us, whether that was at age two, kindergarten, sixth grade, freshman year, senior year, or anything in between; we applied the expectations to our everyday life. We did not do this alone, though. All of our teachers, staff, and classmates encouraged us along the way. We were always reminded of how we could better lead ourselves and those around us, whether we are at Viz or beyond. And now, as we are ready to head into the next stage of our lives, each and every one of us uphold the values Viz instills in the formative years of our lives. One of the lines describing who we should be

once we leave Viz reads that a graduate is someone who “pursues a life that embodies our motto Live+Jesus which balances mind, body, and spirit.” Live+Jesus has been drilled into us throughout our years as we see it appear at the top of our test papers, in our afternoon prayer, in places around the school, and now, within ourselves. I like this line as it is a guiding force in our hectic lives. We have learned to balance all of our activities through our rigorous courseload, many extracurriculars and sports, faith life, friends and family time, and time for ourselves. In each of these facets, we aim to live how Jesus did and share this with those around us. It is seen through the way students interact on the field, in the classroom, and with those they care for. I love that it is just a few words that can change the way we go about our activities and handle all that goes on and do so with God involved in every aspect. Another part of the “Portrait of a Visitation Graduate” I like is that a graduate “seeks experiences that stimulate intellectual curiosity and encourage lifelong learning.” Viz has prepared us well through many experiential learning activities rather than just sitting in class all day, which has led to more excitement toward learning. We have participated in hands-on activities, labs, skits, history reenactments, and so much more that make learning fun. As we now step out into the world to continue our studies in areas like engineering, architecture, education, business, health, and more, none of us shy away from learning something new. Because of Visitation’s foundation, we are able to expand our knowledge and wonder what else there is to find in our lives. In each of us, a leader has been formed through our years at Viz as a graduate who “identifies and uses unique leadership skills as she seeks opportunities to model her faith and to serve her local and global community.” This line appeals to me because even if someone isn’t labeled a leadership title, everyone still is a leader at Viz. One can be a leader in the classroom, hallways, sports, school activities, and more. Leadership roles take a lot of extra time and dedication along with our everyday homework and activities, yet almost every Viz girl has found a way to form herself as a leader in our school. Girls have taken the lead in ways such as forming new clubs and advocating for themselves and others. Now, we are all ready to venture out into the world and be the best leaders we can be for those we surround ourselves with. The “Portrait of a Visitation Graduate” is no longer something I look at on the Visitation website as I did in eighth grade. Now I can look at all of us 82 graduates and see all we have become in our time at Viz.

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Outstanding Student Leader The Outstanding Student Leader is a student who has demonstrated leadership ability and service to our school community in an exemplary manner.

Katherine Grace Cyr

St. Louis Post–Dispatch Scholar–Athlete The St. Louis Post-Dispatch Scholar-Athlete award is given to a student athlete who is in the top 25% of her graduation class.

Suzanna Rose McLellan

Visitation Student Leadership Award This award is given in recognition of a student or students who consistently demonstrate effective leadership to the school community in a manner that is not always publicly recognized.

Courtney Ann Byrne

Regina Marie Dennison

Grace Elizabeth Pund

Mev Puleo Service Award

Sejal Chellu Sekhar 18 | THe Visitor

Given in remembrance of a graduate of the Visitation Class of 1981, this award recognizes a senior who embraces life as Mev did. Suggested by the faculty, the recipient demonstrates journeying with the poor while recognizing the face of God in all and working toward the realization of justice and peace in the kingdom of God.

Montgomery Jean Rizer

Luciana Greco Schwartz

Susannah A. Kilmer Zest for Life Award

Nicole Teresa Thoman

Given in remembrance of a graduate of the Visitation Class of 1994, this award recognizes a senior who embraces life as Susannah did. Nominated by classmates and voted on by the faculty, the recipient demonstrates strong academic achievement, loyalty and devotion to friends, and the ability to meet life’s challenges.

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CELEBRATING OUR SALESIAN AND VISITATION CHARISM The Gift of St. Francis

Everything pertains to love, lives in love, is done for love, and comes from love. St. Francis de Sales Treatise on the Love of God

This past Christmas, some were excited to open presents and play with new toys. However, many in the Salesian world expectantly awaited a different gift: an announcement from the Vatican. This came on December 28, 2022: an Apostolic Letter from Pope Francis commemorating the 400th anniversary of the death of St. Francis de Sales (December 28, 1622). The letter’s title is Totum Amoris Est or Everything Pertains to Love. In the letter, Pope Francis says that “these words summarize the spiritual legacy” of St. Francis de Sales. The Pope discusses St. Francis’ upbringing and how he came to know God’s love through personal experiences and education. He highlights how St. Francis’ ministry as a young priest and later as bishop affirmed Francis’ firm belief that it is “in the heart and through the heart” that “we come to know God, and at the same time, ourselves, our origins and depths, and our fulfillment in the call to love.” Indeed, St. Francis was recognized as the “Doctor of Divine Love” by St. Pope John Paul II and described by the late Pope Benedict XVI as someone convinced of the “effectiveness of personal relationships and charity.” Throughout the letter, Pope Francis highlights the important role spiritual friendships played in St. Francis’ life and writings. As the Pope writes, “St. Francis de Sales felt that there was no better place to find God, and to help others find him, than in the hearts of the women and men of his time.” St. Francis de Sales encountered people as they were in the reality of their lives. In whatever one’s state in life was, it was precisely here that St. Francis taught that one was called to holiness; no longer reserved for the few, holiness was something all were called to. All were called “to keep asking at every moment, in every decision, in every situation, where the greatest love is to be found.” In the latter half of the letter, Pope Francis emphasizes St. Francis’ “flexibility” and “far-sighted vision” that enabled him to respond, with love, to the rapidly changing times. Pope Francis emphasizes how “the same task awaits us in this, our own age of epochal change.” Like St. Francis, our Pope notes that we too are called to “set aside undue concern for ourselves, for our structures and for what society thinks about us and consider instead the real spiritual needs and expectations of our people.”

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To read the full Apostolic Letter, scan the QR code above.

Art Imitating Life Artist Anne Goetze Captures Consistent Acts of Stillness by the Sisters of the Visitation

“Sisters” (Les Soeurs) I think the artist chose to capture this image because it shows how they are not only nuns in the same convent but that they are friends and sisters who care for one another. It really captures the idea of sisterhood, which is very important to the Viz community and the Visitation Sisters. Sisterhood means making personal and loving relationships with the women around you. I see God reflected in this photo because it is two women who came together and made a relationship through God. They decided to deepen their relationship and care for one another. – Regina Dennison, Class of 2023

“Lake Annecy” I’m sure the artist was compelled by the awesome and beautiful sight before them. The transition between the day and night (sunset) is a brief, fleeting moment. I’ll bet they didn’t want to miss it. There’s community all around this picture. The little city at the foot of the mountain, the birds flying and grouping with one another, even the landscape, but also in the dainty and delicate things as well. I see God in the massive and the little things. Both are featured in this work of art. – Katy Kendall, Class of 2023

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“Bird in Hand” In a letter from a nun, God was described as “He who holds His children like a chick in hand.” The artist chose this image because it shows the gentleness with which God holds us and how we always hold Him within our hearts. He will shield us from all evil. We believe God is with us, and we should Live Jesus. God holds us and shows us how to love and how He will always protect us. In this image, the nun looks lovingly at the bird, holding it gently as it rests in her hand. In the same way, God holds us and loves us, calling us to embrace Him as the bird embraced the nun. – Emma Williams, Class of 2025

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“Climb Every Mountain” I think she chose this because it is very pretty and can represent many things. I see God in the mountains because they look great and mighty like God. – Lily Hawkins, Class of 2029

“See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil” I believe [this image] breathes life into the idea of sisterhood as a nun. Sisters often talk about the joy that their lifestyle brings, but they are still often portrayed as unsmiling and somber. This image shows that they are people, just like me, who live and love and laugh. This image shows the fullness and simplicity of God’s joy. Salesian Spirituality highlights, with the Little Virtues, how important it is to live simply and joyfully. In this image, that is something that the Sisters are doing; they are sharing their simple and joyful company with one another. I see God reflected in this image as I see the fullness of their joy and the beauty of their humanity. We are all created in the image and likeness of God, and we are built to share His joy. – Kat Gau, Class of 2025

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“The Weight of the World” This is a representation of the fact that Jesus willingly carried the cross. He was unafraid to take on our sins and accepted “the weight of the world.” God is reflected in this image in the fact that He helps us bear “the weight of the world.” Thus, in Salesian Spirituality, we should embrace those trapped by the darkness of sin or searching for the light of Christ. – Katie Ferrick, Class of 2025

“Contemplative Life” I think this image captures the little moments and hidden beauties within a life dedicated to God. It shows the beauty and fruits of God’s love and our love for each other that we develop and cultivate here with our Viz values. – Kate Restovich, Class of 2023

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In March 2022, hundreds of members of the Visitation Academy community walked through Annecy, France, the spiritual home of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary. However, visitors did not have to travel the more than 4,500 miles to reach this historic town in the scenic Alps. They simply walked to DeChantal Hall and were immersed in a mixed media art exhibit entitled Pray to Love, which featured the sunlit corridors and courtyards of the Visitation Monastery in Annecy, France, as well as the lives of the Visitation Sisters who call it home.

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It was such an amazing opportunity to welcome Ms. Goetze and share her beautiful and powerful imagery of life as a Sister of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary with the St. Louis community. Anne’s depiction of these devout women living our Visitation charism is so moving. The exhibit offered our community an opportunity to be in Annecy without having to leave Ballas Road. The historical and spiritual significance of these works cannot be put into words. Dr. Amelia Blanton Hibner, Dean of Mission Integration

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Pray to Love is a personal series for Tennessee artist Anne Goetze, whose paternal aunt was a life-long closed-cloister nun with the Visitation Order in Wheeling, West Virginia, and then in Annecy, France. On numerous visits to Annecy over 20 or so years, Ms. Goetze collected the photographs at the heart of the Pray to Love exhibit. Her artistic process starts with black and white or sepia photographs, and then she adds layers, glazes, and oil paints. As her aunt began to near the end of her life, and after she died in 2014, the artist especially dove into the work, selecting and creating images that captured the charism and the day-to-day life of the women and the community from which they secluded themselves in prayer. The exhibit made its way around the U.S. after its original debut at a gallery in Nashville in 2015.

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE ARTIST Bella Griffiths Hill (Class of 2027) sat down with Ms. Goetze to learn more about her artistic beginnings and process and what she wants people to know about the Sisters of the Visitation who are the heart of the Pray to Love series. Here is a sampling from the 20-minute interview. When you were a younger artist, did you know that you were going to work on paintings of nuns, working from behind the scenes? No idea. I had no idea that this would ever happen. Truly. I thought, oh, I want to paint landscapes, or do this or do that. I think it happened to me more than I happened to it if that makes any sense. It evolved because I started to go to visit my aunt, and I was curious about the way those women lived. So, my curiosity led me into it, and that’s how it became a body of work. How did you come to the idea of taking photos in black and white and then repainting them in color? I always enjoyed photography, and I enjoyed painting, but I had never put the two together until I started working as a photographic retouch artist. Now things are retouched in Photoshop, but before that, it was all done by hand, and that’s what I did. I retouched album covers and (did work) for other portrait photographers, and I would remove wrinkles, freckles, braces, too much weight, hair flying around, all kinds of things, and it was all done by hand, and that’s how I learned to manipulate photographs.

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CELEBRATING OUR SALESIAN AND VISITATION CHARISM The Pray to Love exhibit featured several paintings, a short film by Ms. Goetze, and selections from the Visitation Monastery and Academy Archives, including an original letter from St. Jane de Chantal. Throughout the weeklong exhibit, students from all grades came to view the collection and interact with Ms. Goetze. With legs crossed on the ground, Lower School

students recreated black and white and colored pieces in their sketchbooks. Middle and Upper School students sat or stood as they reflected on the artwork and how it reflected the Visitation charism. Several of these student reflections and the corresponding artwork accompany this story.

Lower School Student Sketches Inspired by the Pray to Love Exhibit

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Middle and Upper School students enrolled in art classes also welcomed Ms. Goetze to their classrooms, where she led interactive workshops on her artistic process. The students brought their own black-and-white photographs and applied layers, as Ms. Goetze demonstrated.

When you say, “Pray to Love,” what does that mean to you? That’s one of their mottos, one of the Visitation mottos. And I got a lot of the titles of my paintings from my aunt’s little black book that she had. It was one of her few possessions because they have the vow of poverty, right, so they don’t own materialistic things, but she has this little black book that she kept throughout, and she would make notes in there, and it had the mottos of the Visitation Sisters, but then also some of her notes that she took, so that’s where I got a lot of the titles from. Is there a certain message you want to spread with your art? I don’t know if it’s as much a message as it would be for exposure and awareness of these women because it is like a hidden order, so people don’t know about them, and they’re not out there in social media. They’re not out there where we would even see them, so I want to share, I think, what I have seen, and that’s the beauty they have and that they carry with them and that we can learn from. What do you hope is captured in these pieces?

Middle and Upper School Student Creations Inspired by the Pray to Love Exhibit In addition to student visits, an evening of reflection for the Mothers’ Club and the annual Board of Trustees and Association of Christian Faithful Retreat was hosted within the exhibit space.

Their way of life, right, with the Sisters, if we are talking about the way they live, the way that they share their charism with the rest of the world, and hopefully that shows through with the paintings and the artwork and kind of like the little onion and all the different layers and stuff that it will show that. For a Viz girl, what would you want to say to them? What kind of message would you like to give to them? Well, first off, I would like to say that I probably wish that I was a Viz girl and had that exposure and community and to be learning those things as I was growing up, too, because it’s a blessing.

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CELEBRATING OUR SALESIAN AND VISITATION CHARISM Viz commissioned an original piece from Ms. Goetze entitled “United By Divine Love.” Based on a photo included in the 1970 yearbook, the work reflects the unique ministry that the Sisters of the Visitation of Holy Mary in St. Louis have carried since 1833: Educating children and young women and to receive and share Jesus as Mary did in her visitation to Elizabeth.

“United By Divine Love” “Illustrating prayer and good example, one of the Sisters prays in the Ballas Chapel and has as a companion - one of many students who have joined her and fellow Visitation Sisters in prayer through 190 years.” – Sister Mary Grace McCormack ‘60, VHM

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The Visitation Heart and Mind (VHM) Ministry sponsored the exhibit. The Ministry embodies the charism and Salesian values the Sisters have gifted to the St. Louis community since 1833. Providing resources and opportunities for all who wish to immerse themselves further into Living Jesus and the Little Virtues, the VHM serves the entire Visitation community. With heart-to-heart relationships at the center of all interactions, the VHM seeks to engage,

inspire, and educate in a loving and welcoming environment. To learn more about the Visitation Heart and Mind Ministry, visit www.visitationacademy.org/ vhmm. Prints of “United by Divine Love” are available for purchase. Contact mission@visitationacademy.org for more information.

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CELEBRATING OUR SALESIAN AND VISITATION CHARISM Voyage de Prière

This past summer, Visitation Academy once again embarked on a joint Visitation Salesian Network (VSN) pilgrimage deep into the spiritual and historical realities of Salesian spirituality and the Visitation charism. This prayerful journey included pilgrims from St. Louis, Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School (Washington, DC), Visitation School (Mendota Heights, MN), and the Visitation Monastery of Minneapolis, representing a mix of

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faculty, staff, administrators, members of the Boards of Trustees and Association of Christian Faithful, and Visitation Sisters from across the three schools, with 16 pilgrims from St. Louis and 51 in total. This was the third pilgrimage that Visitation Academy has participated in, with plans to take students, families, and alumnae in the future.

The pilgrimage began in Annecy, France, the birthplace of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, and concluded in Geneva, Switzerland. As pilgrims walked the streets of Annecy, they saw the presence of our patron saints around each corner. Highlights included visiting with the Visitation Sisters at the Basilica of the Visitation in Annecy, where St. Jane de Chantal and St. Francis de Sales are buried, seeing the original Vow Book that holds the vows and signatures of St. Jane de Chantal (and Sister Mary Grace McCormack), and praying at the Galerie where the Visitation began. Additional stops along the pilgrimage included: • The Hermitage of St. Germain in Talloires: About 7.5 miles from Annecy on the eastern shore of Lake Annecy, the Hermitage is situated up on the mountains and was founded by St. Germain. St. Francis de Sales had hoped to retire here.

• Château des Allinges in Allinges: St. Francis de Sales began his priestly ministry here, evangelizing to the Calvinists in the Chablais region.

• Thorens- Glières: St. Francis de Sales was born and raised here. Thorens also is where he had a vision that told him he was to start a new congregation of women what we know now as the Visitation Order. Close by is the Church of St. Maurice, where St. Francis de Sales was baptized and later named Bishop of Geneva.

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• Verosvres: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque was born and raised here. The Church of Saint Laurent, which includes the font St. Margaret Mary was baptized in, also is in Verosvres.

• Paray-le-Monial: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque joined the Monastery here and received her visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

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• Monthelon: St. Jane de Chantal lived here with her father-in-law after the passing of her husband.

• Moulins: St. Jane de Chantal died here. The Museum of the Visitation also is here.

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FEATURE ARTICLE The Chatter About ChatGPT Since its launch on November 30, 2022, ChatGPT (and other comparable technologies) has been dominating the conversation. This advanced artificial intelligence chatbot has the potential to cause “an internet-level disruption,” according to tech industry insiders. So, what exactly is it?

ChatGPT Overview ChatGPT is a free generative artificial intelligence tool that is currently in the research and feedback phase. A paid subscription option - ChatGPTPlus - was made available in February 2023. This natural language processing tool driven by AI technology allows users to have human-like conversations and much more with the chatbot. The language model can answer questions and assist with tasks, such as composing emails, essays, and code. GPT stands for Generative Pre-trained Transformer. It refers to the architecture ChatGPT uses to understand the context and relationships between words in a sentence, leading to more coherent and contextually relevant language generation. Generative AI models are “trained” on vast amounts of information from the internet, including websites, books, news articles, and more. The use of Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF) is what makes ChatGPT unique. Through RLHF, human AI trainers provided the model with conversations in which they played both parts, the user and AI assistants. This technology was created by OpenAI, an American artificial intelligence research laboratory that also is responsible for creating other AI options, including DALL-E-2, a popular AI art generator, and Whisper, an automatic speech recognition system. ChatGPT had one hundred million active users just two months after its launch. Some industry analysts have deemed it the fastest-growing consumer app of all time. Getting the chat going with ChatGPT is as simple as creating an account. Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/what-is-chatgpt-and-why-does-it-matter-heres-everything-you-need-to-know/

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Generative AI is here to stay, and this technology’s potential applications in education are both exciting and daunting. Here is what various members of the Visitation community had to say about the subject.

David Colón, Head of School

The discussion of artificial intelligence and things like “Chat GPT” is everywhere. Everyone has an opinion on it. The jury is still out for me. I can see both the potential benefits and harms of this new technology. I’ve read from people who think that the latest developments in AI are more hype than reality and designed to boost the stock price of technology companies. I’ve also read analyses that argue AI is a harbinger of the end of humanity – something similar to the Terminator films. Both of these positions are, in my view, approximations of the truth but probably not, in fact, the truth. As a student of history, I’ve read about past “moral panics,” and I tend to have a bit of skepticism toward making definitive judgments on the impact of these sorts of things. In the Phaedrus, Plato described Socrates’ fear that writing would destroy human memory. In the Republic, Socrates worried about Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey in ways reminiscent of how we worry about video games: poisoning the minds and imaginations of youth. In turn, things such as novels, comic books, and television have been viewed in apocalyptic terms. None of this is to say that these concerns should not be taken into account. There are legitimate reasons to be concerned. But as I often do, I draw inspiration from St. Thomas Aquinas. Medieval Europe faced its own “moral panic” over the influence of the pagan philosopher Aristotle. Rather than merely rejecting the ancient Greek philosopher offhand, Aquinas wisely engaged with Aristotle and created one of the masterpieces of Catholic intellectual history, Summa Theologiae. Likewise, I think we can engage with this latest development with eyes wide open and a spirit of rational analysis in our hearts to discern how best to use this technology.

Beth Human, Academic Dean

When ChatGPT burst into the public consciousness, people heralded it as a technology that would change life as we know it. Lots of people threw out analogous technological advances — the printing press, the internet, the wheel, fire — the list is honestly endless. I want to offer up one more: the cake mix. Stick with me. I swear it makes sense. Cake mixes democratize baking. They make it possible for almost anyone to bake a cake quickly. Is the end result a great cake that you want to tell all your friends that they absolutely must try? No. But does it get the cake job done in a perfectly adequate way? Yes. For the vast majority of cases, it is a satisfactory answer. Will it be what people with a passion for baking use? Probably not. Will you be able to produce a better final product by learning how the whole process works, knowing what effect various ingredients have so you can tweak recipes to get the effect you want? Absolutely. In the same way, ChatGPT isn’t going to make you a great writer. It will help you turn out a massproduced, adequate, serviceable piece of writing without a huge amount of effort. It gets the job done. But it won’t replace the human element in writing, the creativity and artistry that people bring to the job, the happy accidents of spilling verbal chocolate chips and creating something new, the experimentation, the delight in the ways words feel in the mouth and look on the page. ChatGPT is something that will allow lots of people to cut some corners and save some time. But in the same way that you wouldn’t use a cake mix in a baking class, educational institutions will have to help students reorient their goals: the purpose of a class isn’t to produce a product but rather to learn a process. If the goal is to have a paper on Hamlet, then ChatGPT can produce one quickly. If the goal is to participate in the process of writing, analyzing arguments and conveying individual thoughts in clear, cogent, beautiful sentences, then ChatGPT won’t actually be helpful at all. For educators, the goal has never been the paper on Hamlet. It’s always been the process. ChatGPT is just reminding us of that and spurring us to reorient courses to make that clear.

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Beverly Byrd, Director of Technology and Computer Science Department Chair Artificial Intelligence (AI) has and is becoming increasingly dominant in our society, and its potential has been realized to the masses with the introduction of ChatGPT and DALL-E. I must admit that I haven’t been this excited about technology in a long time. While acknowledging the biases and ethical considerations that require careful attention, I firmly believe that AI can bring significant positive change in various industries, particularly in education. One of the most promising applications of AI in education is its ability to provide personalized tutoring to students. I recommend the TED talk of Sal Kahn, “How AI could save (not destroy) education.” Kahn Academy has utilized AI as a personal tutor for students and a helpful assistant to teachers. With AIpowered systems, students can receive support and guidance in their learning, supplementing content in the classroom. Teachers have access to diverse methods, activities, and resources that cater to individual students making learning more effective. Additionally, AI can assist parents by offering examples, guides, activity ideas, and even vacation suggestions to enrich their children’s educational experiences. While some may find AI’s rapid advancement in education unsettling, I view it as an opportunity for growth and progress. Of course, there are serious issues that warrant discussion and consideration. Ethical concerns surrounding data privacy, algorithmic biases, and the potential for job displacement should not be dismissed lightly. However, allowing fear to be our sole motivator would be a disservice to AI’s potential benefits for our students. This year, we plan to work together and approach AI with the mindset of exploration and experimentation, familiarizing ourselves with AI technologies, understanding the capabilities, and determining how best to apply them in ways that benefit our students. And while there are challenges and ethical considerations to address, and we will, we should approach AI with a sense of curiosity and optimism. Text generated by ChatGPT, July 18, 2023, written work inserted and prompt “Create a short article for K-12 education.” Edited for style and content.

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Debbie Forthaus, Instructional Technology We are currently standing at the brink of a technological revolution that has the potential to impact education profoundly. This revolution is centered around Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), which has recently gained significant attention. You may already be familiar with ChatGPT, a wellknown example of generative AI. However, what you might not realize is that since the release of ChatGPT in November of 2022, thousands of other generative AI websites and apps have emerged. Generative AI has the remarkable ability to create original text, images, presentations, videos, and audio. The question arises: How will this advancement affect education? While many concerns have been raised about the potential for students to use generative AI to cheat, exploring this technology’s positive aspects and potential applications in the educational landscape is crucial. Rather than focusing solely on the negative implications, it is important to recognize generative AI as an incredible tool when used appropriately. One of the significant benefits of generative AI in education is its potential to serve as a personalized tutor for students and a personal assistant for educators. Effectively leveraging generative AI can offer customized learning experiences tailored to individual students’ needs and learning styles. Furthermore, educators can benefit from AIpowered tools that assist in administrative tasks, content creation, and even personalized lesson planning. Recognizing the importance of responsible and effective utilization of generative AI, we are committed to enhancing our handbook on the proper use of this technology in education. We will provide training to our teachers, equipping them with the best practices and strategies to integrate generative AI into their teaching methodologies. Consequently, teachers will impart this knowledge to their students, fostering an environment where generative AI is viewed as a valuable and ethical resource.

I strongly encourage you to explore and interact with generative AI tools yourself. By engaging with prompts such as “Explain this equation to me,” “What should I be thinking about in 10th grade for college,” or “Talk to Atticus Finch about how he felt during the trial,” you can witness firsthand the capabilities and limitations of AI. It’s essential to remember that the output of generative AI is influenced by the prompts we provide, and the quality of the results is closely tied to the input we give it. In summary, the emergence of generative AI presents both opportunities and challenges in education. By embracing this technology and ensuring its responsible implementation, we can harness its potential as a powerful educational tool, benefiting students and educators alike. I had it help me write this article! “Clarify this text” prompt. ChatGPT, 26May, Version 3.5, OpenAI, 26 May 2023, chati.openai.com/chat.

Susan Short, Upper School English I’ve heard a lot of people say that using AI is no different than using a calculator. I disagree. A calculator simply speeds up verifying a mathematical fact. Using AI to create text is not the same. The act of writing is an act of creation – new ideas are created and added to the conversation: the human story. Do we want AI creating our history? Our culture? The things that make us human? Writing, literature, art – these are the things that verify our humanity. There’s a profound irony in letting something that is not human write our story. I allowed my AP literature students to use AI to generate visuals for a writing project – they were initially excited to do this, but in their post-project reflections, most of them noted that they were dissatisfied with the art created by AI. It could not adequately express what was in their minds and hearts. Pandora’s box is open – it’s not going away. But, as educators, we must teach students to think critically about the world and add to that ongoing conversation. We cannot allow them to become regurgitators of other people’s thoughts. That’s an Emersonian idea, actually – we should be “man thinking,” not mere “thinkers.” (Emerson left “women” out of it, but the idea is the same.) The point is, when you give up your autonomy of thought, you are no longer an individual.

“While some may find AI’s rapid advancement in education unsettling, I view it as an opportunity for growth and progress.” Beverly Byrd, Director of Technology and Computer Science Department Chair

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HONOR ROLL Viz is full of students, teachers, and staff who live the words “Be who you are and be that well” daily. Here is a sampling of the countless examples from the 2022-2023 school year. And many more are featured in the Commencement, Athletics, and Arts sections of this issue of The Visitor.

Sejal Sekhar (Class of 2023) was one of 40 high school seniors recognized for her service to school, community, and beyond as part of the Outstanding Student Leadership Program sponsored by St. Louis County. Sejal also was one of 18 high school seniors from the metro area - selected through a competitive application process - to serve on the Student Board of Directors of The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and one of two Missouri students who attended the United States Youth Senate program this year. Orla Fogarty (Class of 2025) placed third at the AllIreland Music World Championships for her mastery of the harmonica.

Congratulations to Bellarmine Speech League winners (from left to right) Maggie Dill, Katie Gowdy, and Aarushi Gokulakrishnan (all Class of 2030). The Bellarmine Speech League is an extra-curricular fine arts speech program for middle school students in the St. Louis Archdiocese. Fifth grade is the first year students are allowed to compete, and these ladies did terrific in their inaugural outing.

Students in the Lower School embraced the opportunity to teach fellow students about the subject of their choice during the ever-popular Student EdCamps. We love that they are leading and learning together!

The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) honored two Viz community members this year. Sarah Walsh, computer science and engineering teacher and robotics team moderator, was named a 2023 Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois Affiliate Educator winner. Kylie Beauchamp (Class of 2023) was a 2023 NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC) honorable mention recipient.

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Josye Gettemeier (Class of 2029) and Sophia Skowyra (Class of 2029) added some excitement to Middle School lunch this year with Tuesday Trivia. The pair assembled a list of trivia questions and posed them to classmates. Students providing correct answers received prizes ranging from a “go to the front of the lunch line” pass to locker signs. Two budding Viz journalists, Reily Hill (Class of 2024) and Kat Gau (Class of 2025), had their writing featured in a special edition paper distributed as part of the Old Newsboys Campaign. Write on!

Her creative and thoughtful essay on the importance of saving money for generational wealth earned Olivia Thornton (Class of 2026) third place and a $500 scholarship from @moneysmartstl.

Adelina Johnson (Class of 2030) and Teresa Missey (Class of 2030) were queens of the mountain, representing St. Louis at a slalom and giant slalom ski competition held in Wisconsin as part of the Wisconsin/Illinois/Iowa Junior Alpine Racing Association (WIJARA). Adelina skied away with two gold and two silver medals. Very cool! The Crypto Cats, a group of fifth grade Viz students, leveraged their love of Legos into a second-place Champions Award at the FIRST Lego League qualifier at St. Rose Philippine. The Crypto Cats also were invited by FIRST in Missouri to present at the 2023 STEM Day at the Capitol. The girls demonstrated their robot and discussed their project on grounding with visitors. Abby Van Vooren (Class of 2023) participated in the Congressional App Challenge, a nationwide coding contest run by the U.S. House of Representatives in each district. Congresswoman Ann Wagner recognized her for her work.

Washington University played host to the Foreign Language Association of Missouri’s (FLAM) annual conference, Embracing Our Diversity Through Languages, and four of Viz’s foreign language educators – Jennifer Lovell, Lindsay Mitchell, Kathleen Placke, and Cady Villmer – participated in the conference. Cady Villmer also serves as FLAM’s Northeast Region Representative, and Kathleen Placke not only received a FLAM Conference Scholarship, but she also was a presenter, leading a 50-minute workshop entitled: PACE: Rethinking Grammar Instruction.

Speaking of cool, Kyan LaMear’s (Class of 2023) synchronized ice skating team, St. Louis Synergy, skated away as the junior-level Midwest sectional champions. N-ICE!

Ella Kadyk (Class of 2024) and a team of fellow Vivettes fundraised for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) in honor of blood cancer survivors. As a result of her efforts, Ella was nominated as a candidate for the LLS 2023 Student Visionaries of the Year.

Hannah Abdeljabbar (Class of 2027) is an accomplished equestrian specializing in a riding discipline known as Western Pleasure. For the 2023 season year-end awards in Illinois, she was the overall champion in four separate divisions and reserve champion in three separate divisions. She also placed in the top ten of the world in the Western Pleasure category. Ms. Maureen Hogan, Middle School theology educator, was nominated for the SLU School of Education Outstanding Beginning Teachers Award, which recognizes teachers in their first two years of service who demonstrate excellence in serving children in Missouri school districts.

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HONOR ROLL

Shout out to Viz’s superstar spellers Mary Anne Carroll (Class of 2027) who earned first place, and Celia Pursifull (Class of 2028), who finished second in the annual Lower School and Middle School spelling bee. We are BEE-yond proud of you!

The Viz Middle School CyberPatriot team (Pictured from left to right: Mia Rose, Mary Anne Carroll, Zoe Hill, Allie Fletcher, and Olivia Bruns) finished in third place in their division for the state of Missouri. The girls demonstrated outstanding technical skills, problem-solving, and teamwork, positioning them among the top teams in the CyberPatriot XV State round.

Several Viz students received Presidential Volunteer Service Awards from the St. Louis Gateway Chapter of the National Charity League, Inc. for their outstanding service work. Congratulations to – Gold Recipients • Anna Howard (Class of 2025) • Mary Howard (Class of 2025) • Mikayla Woods (Class of 2026) Silver Recipients • Audrey Jenkins (Class of 2028)

The Viz Beez were all the buzz at the St. Louis Area Brain Bee (SLABB) held at Washington University. The team of Viz science students competed brilliantly and took home the team trophy award for their show of solidarity.

Shout out to Lower School educators Laura Gurley, Grade 3, and Lori Horton, Lower School librarian, whose presentation, “Using Literature, Research, and HandsOn Projects to Think Like an Entrepreneur,” was accepted for the 2023 Summit for Transformative Learning in St. Louis.

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• Ava Grace McGowan (Class of 2024) Bronze Recipient • Kendall Ann McGowan (Class of 2026)

Our second graders donned their First Lady finery while giving thoughtful presentations about the lives and accomplishments of their chosen First Ladies. From Martha to Melania, the girls delivered “historic” performances.

Mikayla Woods (Class of 2026) was installed as a Member-at-Large of the Board of Directors for Girl Scout Eastern Missouri. To earn this position, Mikayla had to submit a resume and participate in several rounds of interviews. She will serve a three-year term which began on April 1, 2023.

Congratulations to our St. Francis de Sales, St. Jane de Chantal, and Principal’s Awards winners. These exceptional young women were recognized at the all-school Mass held on Field Day. St. Francis de Sales Award

St. Jane de Chantal Award

Principal’s Award

Given to students who Live Jesus through the Salesian virtues.

Given to students who exhibit St. Jane’s spirit of service to others in all ways, shapes, and forms.

Chosen by the principal in collaboration with the faculty, these young women demonstrate a consistent dedication to the Visitation community and serve as role models to all in a quiet, gentle, and humble manner.

Grade 6

AnnaBeth Modde

Janie Benedict

Kayla Karimi

Grade 7

Anna Friedrich

Lila Burkemper

Gertie McGroarty

Grade 8

Bella Griffiths-Hill

Maddie Mug

Sandra Khoukaz

Grade 9

Jane Hillenbrand

Mikayla Woods

Caelan Vulin

Grade 10

Katie Gasper

Emma Locht

Adele Finney

Grade 11

Annalise Crow

Heidi Kraemer

Natalie Ori

Grade 12

Carly Pohl

Maggie Alexander

Haley Brinker

Congratulations to the newest members of the Viz Associates Program, including five Viz employees along with other Viz community members. The group was formally welcomed into the Associates community following two years of study and prayer together. The Visitation Associates are Christian women and men coming together from different walks of life to share in the deepening of our spiritual lives according to the vision of Christian renewal of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal.

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HONOR ROLL

Caylee Moore (Class of 2024) is the 2023 Florissant Valley of Flowers Queen. This 60-year-old annual tradition is open to all junior high school girls residing in Florissant. Participants must be sponsored by a Florissant business and spend a day answering questions before a panel of city officials. In addition to the title, Caylee also received a scholarship.

Carley Pohl (Class of 2023) received an honorable mention in the 2023 Robert J. Stuckey Essay Contest for her original work, Chapter 1: The List. The annual contest, sponsored by the Friends of the University of Missouri Libraries, is open to Missouri high school students; only one entry is accepted from each school.

Josie Janish (Class of 2024), Libby Mooney (Class of 2025), and Mary Kate Spellman (Class of 2024) were selected to serve on the junior board of the Glennon Guild of SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital. The junior board member team, which also includes students from other St. Louis Catholic high schools, will meet to learn more about the organization and plan and implement events.

Lower School Principal Dr. Marlise Albert and Academic Dean Dr. Beth Human were presenters at the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS) 2023 Conference. The pair shared their insights on “Student EdCamps” and “Engaging the Community in Change from Classroom to Institution” with more than 500 delegates from nearly 200 girls’ schools and allied organizations from 13 countries.

Dr. Human also organized the inaugural Visitation Summer Institute, which focused on student assessment. For a week over the summer, faculty members engaged in study, looking at how Viz measures student learning in meaningful ways, identifying methods that work in Viz classrooms, and planning needed to turn classrooms into miniature laboratories in the 2023-24 school year. Participants will test new assessment methods, discuss their work with their peers, and develop recommendations for the larger Viz community.

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Who Runs the (Business) World…Girls! While the thought of a woman starting or running her own business was practically unheard of a mere 50 years ago, today, women are making an undeniable impact. The number of womenowned businesses has increased by an enormous 114% since 2000, and there are no signs that this trend is slowing down. From technology to healthcare to real estate to retail and everything in between, female entrepreneurs are taking their business ideas and aspirations and running with them, turning dreams into reality, and bonus, generating jobs and profits in the process. That’s where it all begins – an idea, passion, drive, and business acumen. That is exactly what the Ellen Thomasson Malecek Entrepreneurial Leadership Program (ETMELP) is all about providing Viz students the opportunity to explore their passions and develop the critical skills necessary to be successful entrepreneurs. The program has evolved quite a bit since its launch in 2015, though its core purpose remains the same. Chris Kenny took over as head of the program during the 2022-2023 school year, bringing a fresh perspective.

“ ”

Just like in soccer, coaching and mentoring are key to running this program.

Meet Chris Kenny, Entrepreneurial Program Manager

The Numbers Don’t Lie Women in Business Stats 12.3

The US has million women-owned businesses. US women-owned businesses generate

$1.8 trillion a year.

40%

of US businesses are women-owned.

1,821

Women started net new businesses every day last year.

114%

There are more women entrepreneurs than there were

20 years ago.

Women-owned businesses added half a million jobs between and

2007.

1997

Source: https://www.fundera.com/resources/ women-owned-business-statistics

Chris Kenny spent 30 years as an educator in the Rockwood School District, the first two at Lafayette High School and the next 28 at Marquette High School. In addition to teaching subjects including social studies, American history, and government law, Chris also coached boys’ and girls’ soccer. (Speaking of soccer, you may recognize his name for this reason. From 1984-1999, Chris played professional soccer on teams including the Chicago Sting, St. Louis Steamers, Kansas City Comets, and St. Louis Ambush.) Chris parlayed his passion and drive for the sport of soccer into his own successful business, running soccer training camps. His many years of experience coaching and mentoring make him ideally suited to lead the Entrepreneurial Leadership Program because coaching and mentoring are precisely what students in this program require.

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Program Overview

In Good Company Forbes America’s 50 Richest Self-Made Women, Top Ten 1. D iane Hendricks, Co-founder of ABC Supply, Net worth: $6.98 Billion 2. M arian Ilitch, Co-founder of Little Caesar’s, Net worth: $6.12 Billion 3. Judy Faulkner, Founder and CEO of Epic Systems, Net worth: $4.98 Billion 4. Meg Whitman, former CEO of HewlettPackard and eBay, Net worth: $4.7 Billion 5. Johnelle Hunt, Co-founder of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Net worth: $4.56 Billion 6. Oprah Winfrey, Founder of OWN, O! Magazine, Media mogul, Net worth: $4.4 Billion 7. J udy Love, Co-founder of Love's gas stations, Net worth: $4.27 Billion 8. Doris Fischer, Co-founder of GAP, Net worth: $3.99 Billion 9. Elaine Wynn, Co-founder of Wynn Resorts, Net worth: $3.7 Billion 10. Lynda Resnick, Co-founder of the Wonderful Co., Net Worth: $3.42 Billion Source: https://aofund.org/resource/7-awesome-factsabout-female-entrepreneurs/

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The course begins with the basics – what is entrepreneurship – and builds from there. As students progress through the year, they learn how to develop a business plan, market a business, create proposals, and prepare presentations. These critical skills are reinforced through class projects. Students also are provided opportunities to tap into the knowledge and experience of individuals thriving in the business world through a guest speaker series. A sampling of the speakers from this past year’s lineup includes: John Lynch, Founder and CEO of ShowMeCables, Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Network Cable, and Vice President of Computer Connection Technologies. He also started Break Room Concerts, which benefits local charities, and is a documentary filmmaker. Alex Hohlen, Co-owner of Opulence, a brick-and-mortar and online store offering some of the most sought-after sneakers, clothing, and accessory brands. Opulence represents the progression of a clothing re-sale business he started with a friend out of his basement during COVID, Shop Prep STL. Bernie Frazier, SPHR, Founder and President of CAREERCompass, LLC, author of “Your Success is in YOU!: Empowering and Equipping You to Create Your Best Career Ever!,” speaker, and career strategist whose mission is to help people overcome barriers to career success. She also is a member of the Professional Women’s Alliance, a meeting ground for professional women to meaningfully connect and become indispensable resources to each other and the community through personal and professional development. Cindy Goodwin-Sak, Senior Director of the Global Virtual Engineering team at Cisco, an industry-leading company providing a portfolio of technology innovations, including networking, security, collaboration, cloud management, and more.

Additionally, students had the chance to talk one-on-one with several successful Viz alumnae who have made their mark in the business world.

Katie Fogertey, Class of 2001 Shake Shack, Chief Financial Officer During her years at Viz, Katie pursued two loves – art and math. After completing a summer program at Parsons School of Design, art was the direction she was sure she was headed in. She applied to lots of art schools, but after some convincing from her mom, she also applied to Washington University. Math ultimately won out.

“ ”

Don’t give up. If you are persistent and you are consistent, you will achieve your goal.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration accounting, finance, and international business, Katie landed a job at Goldman Sachs and made her mark. As the company’s lead analyst covering restaurants, Katie was already wellknown in the world of Shake Shake when the CFO position opened up in 2021. While she enjoyed her 17 years of investment analysis work at Goldman Sachs, she felt she had “conquered that mountain” and was ready to move to a private company. Katie jumped at the opportunity, and Shake Shack jumped at the opportunity to tap into her strategic mindset. She has been shaking things up there ever since.

Katie Costigan Heyel, Class of 1993 Deveny Trautman, Class of 2012 Kat Zaber, Class of 2017 World Wide Technology These three alumnae work for World Wide Technology (WWT), a company at the forefront of technological innovation and progress. Entrepreneurial students took a field trip to the global headquarters in Maryland Heights. They sat down with the trio and asked about everything from being a woman in a predominately male industry to how Viz prepared them for college and beyond to their college major and the road that brought them to where they are today. The opportunity stemmed from a guest visit from Mr. Scott Miller, father of Emma (Class of 2024), who also works for WWT. He came and spoke with the entrepreneurship class and assisted in making the trip to WWT happen.

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Ann Helmsing Whittman, Class of 1993 HumanKIND STL, Board Chair and Director of Development Ann credits her passion for helping the needy to the Live Jesus motto at Viz and SLU’s Jesuit teachings of service. Ann met her first Afghan immigrant family in November of 2021 and fell in love with them. The needs of this family were significant, but Ann navigated through the challenges of helping get this family set up for success in America. As she met other Afghan families with the same needs, she recruited her friends and formed HumanKIND STL. Welcome Neighbor STL invited HumanKIND STL to join their organization in April of 2022. The two organizations work hand in hand to support over 200 local immigrant families in the St. Louis area. Her story is a fantastic example of channeling passion and persistence into a successful enterprise and one that our students benefited from hearing about.

Here are a few other Viz alums who own and operate successful businesses: Maggie Berra ’14 Berra Marketing and Consulting

Allison Wurdack Schilling ’00 St. Louis Cheeseboards

Jenny Rebman Esson ’88 Esson Patent Drawings, LLC

Jane Whalen Tayon ’82 Clank's Cookies

Kate Ewing ’93 Brick City Yoga

Jessica Tietjen ’02 Evolving to Exceptional

Shannon Casey Falkenstein ’89 Founder, Acton Academy & Montessori - El Salvador

Caroline Wright Turnipseed ’09 CWT Consulting Group

Laura Iffrig Feldmaier ’02 Lola Louie Paperie Jessica Floeh ’03 Patient X Design, LLC Catherine Lindeman Gunsbury ’85 Solhem Companies Anna Ojascastro Guzon ’94 YourWords STL Ellie Hillenbrand ’21 Party in a Box Events Colleen Macdonald Kochannek ’85 Scrappy Frontier Sharon O'Connor ’81 The O'Connor Group Insurance Agency

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Lindsay Walter ’97 Emotional Growth Counseling Services The Ellen Thomasson Malecek Entrepreneurial Leadership Program will continue to evolve under Chris’ leadership, with plans to add participation in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) competitions, the Professional Women’s Alliance speaker series, the WWT STEM Student Forum, and the Junior Achievement program through the Parkway School District.

HEART AND SOUL: VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS No matter the art form – visual, music, dance, or drama – Viz students (and educators) poured their hearts and creativity into the various curricular and extracurricular opportunities in the studio, on stage, in class, and after school.

On Song Lelaina Pursifull (Class of 2026) and Avery Smith (Class of 2023), pictured with Jennifer Haney, Music and Choir Director, auditioned for the St. Louis Metro District 8 High School Choir. Avery was selected to represent Viz in the SATB Chorus, and Lelaina represented Viz in the SSAA Choral Ensemble. Three hundred sopranos auditioned throughout the region, but only 36 were selected for the SATB choir, and only 30 were selected for the SSAA Choir. What an amazing accomplishment! This also is the first time Viz was represented in the St. Louis Metro District 8 Choir. Lelaina Pursifull also received a Silver rating at the State Solo and Small Ensemble Festival, adding some additional bling to the medal she was awarded at the All-District competition.

Our Viz vocalists did a fantastic job at the District 11 solo/ensemble festival. Lola Bishara (Class of 2026), Abby Winter (Class of 2025), Amelia Ward (Class of 2024), and Avery Smith (Class of 2023) all received Outstanding ratings. Lelaina Pursifull (Class of 2026) and Rebecca Mooney (Class of 2024) received the highest rating, Exemplary. Lelaina and Rebecca’s performances qualified them to move on to represent Viz at the State solo/ensemble festival held at the University of Missouri-Columbia in Columbia, MO. This degree of achievement is a first-ever for vocal solos and the first time Viz vocalists will compete at State in voice. Congratulations to all!

Esther Appelstein (Class of 2023) spoke at Powell Hall about her experience as a member of the St. Louis Children’s Choirs. She shared stories from her 11 years with the SLCC, talking about the friends she has made, her love of music, and her “desire to aim for brilliance in all facets of my life.”

The Upper School Chamber Choir got in the game, singing the National Anthem on the playing field at the St. Louis Ambush vs. Kansas City Comets game.

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HEART AND SOUL: VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS The vocal stylings of our Lower, Middle, and Upper School students were showcased at the annual Christmas concerts. The Middle and Upper School performances also featured select dance numbers. The Upper School and Middle School spring concerts showcased songs and dances set to the themes “Women’s Empowerment” and “POP a-Looza!” respectively. Upperlevel dance students in the independent dance classes choreographed the dance numbers performed at both concerts.

The Middle School and Upper School spring shows were a visual and aural treat, with art and song on full display.

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The Lower School also showed off some of its original artistic creations during the Lower School curriculum showcase.

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HEART AND SOUL: VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS Center Stage

The 2022-2023 theatre program kicked off with The Pajama Game. The Upper School production featured a cast of 35 Viz students in Grades 9-12, plus 50 more students backstage, who brought this timeless classic - brimming with songs and dances - to life. Rebecca Mooney (Class of 2024) was nominated for a St. Louis High School Musical Theater Award in the Outstanding Supporting Actress category for her stellar performance in the show.

Our Middle and Upper School actors took on the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm in The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon. Stories – 209 to be exact – ranging from classics like Snow White, Cinderella, and Hansel and Gretel (the original darker versions, not the happy versions people have become accustomed to) to more bizarre, obscure stories like The Story of Johannes and The Girl Without Hands were combined into one spectacular spectacle.

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Last, but certainly not least, it was the Lower School’s turn to showcase their talents, taking on the timeless story of a world-famous candy man and his quest to find an heir in Willy Wonka, Kids. From start to finish, it was “satisfying and delicious.” Huge thanks to Upper School mentors who worked with the Lower School participants to perfect their parts. Our Viz students played multiple parts in all of these productions, acting on stage and designing lighting and costumes, building sets, running sound, and so much more. Doing Their Part to Advance the Arts

After teaming up with the Upper School on The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon, the Middle School went solo for their production of Honk, Jr. Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling, Honk, Jr. tells the story of an odd-looking baby duck, Ugly, and his quest to find his mother. The cast and crew did a fantastic job bringing this heartwarming celebration of being different to life.

Marty Strohmeyer, Director of Theatre and Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair, and Molly Bryant, Upper School art, photography, and graphic design teacher, traveled to Minnesota to present at the ISACS 2022 Annual Conference. The event theme was New Ways of Doing School: What We’ve Learned. Marty and Molly’s session, Celebrate the Arts: Engage the Community, certainly fit right in. During their 75-minute presentation, the duo offered insights into organizing a Fine Arts Day, from inviting guests to student sign-ups to scheduling professional actors, dancers, singers, and musicians from various cultures to present interactive workshops to students. Viz has organized nine highly successful Fine Arts Days to date, so Marty and Molly definitely had some best practices to share with attendees. We can’t wait to see what they have in store for this year’s Fine Arts Day at Viz.

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UPPER SCHOOL ATHLETICS RECAP Fall Fighters: Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Tennis, and Volleyball Five sports. Four junior varsity teams. Five varsity teams. 144 athletes. 17 coaches/assistant coaches.

Season Kickoff at McNair Park

Team Hug in Warrenton

Pre-MWAA Meet Smiles

Headed to State

Cross-Country: Determination Runs Deep From the first meet at McNair Park and a third place, three-medal score to a league meet in Warrenton where Lola Bishara (Class of 2026) and Clare Glisson (Class of 2026) set personal records, the Viz cross country team never stopped giving it their all to cross the finish line. They finished in fourth place overall as a team. Mallory Boedefeld’s (Class of 2023) and Jessica Bader’s (Class of 2023) performance at Districts qualified them for the State meet. Jessica placed 63rd overall, and Mallory placed 73rd overall.

Varsity “Thunder” Chant

Team Victory Celebration vs. Eureka

State Quarterfinal Action

Final Dog Pile of the Season

Field Hockey: Sticking It Out The varsity field hockey team began its first match with the traditional “thunder” chant. This battle cry carried the athletes through a season that included a three-game winning streak against Ursuline, Nerinx, and Ladue and a regular season record of 12 wins and six losses. The team’s stellar league performance moved them into post-season play. After defeating Eureka 2-0 in the third round of the Midwest Tournament, the Vivette’s run for State ended in a 1-2 Quarterfinal match against St. Joseph’s Academy. This was only the third time in the past 16 years that the team reached the State quarterfinals. They finished the season with an overall ranking of fifth, the highest in many years.

The junior varsity field hockey team enjoyed victories over Lafayette, St. Dominic, Lindbergh, Ursuline, Ladue, Parkway West, and Pembroke Hill, posting a season record of seven wins, five losses, and two ties.

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JV Field Hockey Huddle

Golf: Staying the Course From the start of the season, winning a back-toback state title was the end game, and the varsity golf team drove this goal home throughout the season, posting an impressive 11-1 record in the regular season. The Vivettes were equally impressive in tournament action, finishing third at the River Challenge and the Angel Challenge and second in their first appearance at the Lady Jay Invitational. The team took its winning momentum to Districts, where they ended the first round of play with a final score of 159 and came home with the victory, advancing them in post-season play. After an exciting two-day State competition at Columbia Country Club, the Vivettes were edged out by just two strokes, capturing second place at the MSHSAA, Class 3, State Championship. The state team included Grace Fagan (Class of 2024), Avery McLaughlin (Class of 2025), Reese Robson (Class of 2025), and Ava Sanford (Class of 2023).

Season-Starting Win Against Villa

After Defeating Cor Jesu

Tennis: Hard-Hitting Performances After the varsity tennis team aced the season-opening Great 8 tournament for the third consecutive year, Third Place District Doubles the team doubled up on tournament wins, taking first place in the Parkway West doubles tournament. The team also racked up wins against league opponents Cor Jesu, Nerinx, Incarnate Word, and Villa and only dropped two matches in the regular season before entering District action. Congratulations to Suzanna McLellan (Class of 2023) and Flora Eidson (Class of 2024), who finished third in the Individual Doubles District Championship. The team won its first District match at Viz, defeating Marquette 5-0, before ultimately falling to St. Joseph’s Academy.

Riverside Tournament Champs Great 8 Victory

First Shot of the Year from Senior Ava Sanford

Doing Great at State

Doubles Tournament Champions

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UPPER SCHOOL ATHLETICS RECAP

JV Tennis Seniors Caroline Rivero and Niki Thoman

The JV1 tennis team ended league play with a bang, winning its last six matches and finishing the season with an overall record of seven wins and two losses. While the JV2 team didn’t face as much competition, the girls still trained hard and had fun.

Volleyball: The Net Effect The varsity volleyball team got in some pre-season action at the Nerinx jamboree before heading into league play, where the team posted an overall record of eight wins and nine losses. Highlights from the season included a decisive victory over Ursuline in the Challenge Cup, a road trip to Columbia to face Rockbridge High School, and Claire Fulton’s (Class of 2024) impressive 1,000th career assist during a match against Villa. After defeating Webster Groves High School 3-0 in the Class 4 Quarterfinals, the Vivettes fell 2-3 to Parkway West in District semifinal action for the second consecutive year.

JV All Smiles After a Win Against St. Pius

JV1 Tennis vs. St. Joseph’s Academy

JV2 Tennis vs. MICDS

Nerinx Jamboree

Heading to Rockbridge

Defending the Net in the Challenge Cup

Celebrating Claire Fulton’s 1,000th Assist

The junior varsity volleyball team enjoyed victories over Ursuline, Christian High School, Villa, MICDS, John Burroughs, and Nerinx, plus a season-ending victory against St. Pius, posting an overall record of seven wins and eight losses.

Winter Warriors: Basketball, Racquetball, and Swimming Three sports. Four junior varsity teams. Three varsity teams. 77 athletes. Ten coaches/assistant coaches.

Basketball: On-Point Season The 2022-2023 basketball season was full of memorable moments: a historic trip to Indiana to play in the storied gym from the movie Hoosiers; celebrating Annie Restovich’s (Class of 2023) impressive 23-point game against Parkway Central to reach 1,000 career points; 20 regular season wins including a sixth consecutive victory against Ursuline in the Challenge Cup; and a deliciously fun senior dinner compliments of Coach Sheridan and his wife. The team defeated St. Charles West in the District semifinals with a score of 62 to 44, advancing to the District finals and winning the title for the first time since 2008. In the Class 4 State Sectional game, the team narrowly lost to Moberly High School 48-55. Congratulations to the entire team on a great season.

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JV posted a record of 6-13, closing out the season with a threegame winning streak with victories against Villa, Riverview, and Parkway Central. JV2 played hard and kept the fun rolling during the team’s nine-game season.

Nostalgic Moment in the Iconic Hoosier Gym

JV Defeats Villa on Teacher Jersey Night

JV2 Fan Club

Annie Restovich Hits the 1,000-Point Mark

49-34 JV Win Over Notre Dame

Senior Dinner at Coach Sheridan’s House

JV2 Last Game of the Season

Racquetball: Rallying Til the End The varsity racquetball team racked up an impressive eight wins in league play, posting just one tie to Notre Dame High School and dropping only one match to Cor Jesu. In Top Seed tournament action, Sejal Sekhar (Class of 2023) won the Varsity 1 consolation bracket, and Regina Dennison (Class of 2023) claimed the top spot in the Varsity 2 consolation bracket. The Vivettes moved on to State play, with the varsity team finishing sixth overall. Individually, Sejal Sekhar took third in the Varsity Seed 2 division, Regina Dennison took second place in the Varsity Seed 3 division, and Jessica Martin (Class of 2023) placed fourth in the Varsity Seed 5 division.

Nabbing an Elusive District Title

Hitting It Hard During Winter Rollout

Top Seed Tournament Rolling Along Twosome in January

Seniors Ready to Square Off at State

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UPPER SCHOOL ATHLETICS RECAP JV1 and JV2 Racquetball State Results: Morgan Dalebout (Class of 2025) - Second Place, JV1 Seed 1 Audrey Sprich (Class of 2025) - Fourth Place, JV1 Seed 2 Elena Moolsintong (Class of 2025) - Second Place, JV1 Seed 4 Mattea Schwartz (Class of 2024)/Macy Haley (Class of 2024) - Fourth place, JV1 Doubles Kate Fletcher (Class of 2025) - Fourth Place, JV2 Seed 1 Evangelia Bonifacio (Class of 2025) - Third Place, JV2 Seed 5 JV Showing Some Mettle at State

Kicking the Season Off at IWA

400 Free Relay Team After a Strong Swim at State

Setting New Records at COMO Meet

Swimming: Diving into the Season After a warmup at the Ladue Invitational to kick off the 2023 season, the swim team posted backto-back wins versus Incarnate Word and Bishop DuBourg. Things moved along swimmingly from there with many highlights, including several swimmers posting season bests at the meet in Columbia, Missouri, with Ashlyn Canale (Class of 2025) setting a new school record in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:08.15; Julia Kelpe (Class of 2023) qualifying for State – a first for a Viz diver; and a great showing from the entire swim and dive team in the First Time State Diving State competition at the St. Peters Rec-Plex. Qualifier with Coach Justin Thompson

Spring Soldiers: Lacrosse, Soccer, and Track Three sports. Two junior varsity teams. Three varsity teams. 98 athletes. 10 coaches/assistant coaches.

Lined Up to Face O’Fallon

Lacrosse: Fielding the Highlights The lacrosse team got the ball rolling with some pre-season action at a jamboree held at Incarnate Word Academy, with six freshmen players making their high school lacrosse debut. Things started off well in regular season action for the Vivettes as the team posted a 4-2 record, including wins against Westminster, Lindbergh, Kirkwood, and Parkway West. The team defeated St. Dominic 16-5 in playoff action before falling to the Angels of St. Joseph’s Academy in the Sweet 16 round. Though the team ended the season with seven wins and nine losses, they scored a lot of great memories.

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Freshmen Lacrosse Players Make Their Debut

Ready for Action at the IWA Jamboree

Pre-Game Team Prayer

After the team’s league kickoff game against Villa was canceled, JV lacrosse posted four wins and four losses on the season. The win-loss ratio may have been 50-50, but in terms of team fun and camaraderie, the season was a 100 percent success. 2-0 Victory to Start the Season

JV Lacrosse Celebrating 6-2 Victory Over O’Fallon

Stretching Before Facing the Cor Jesu Chargers

Road Tripping to COMO

Soccer: Kickin’ It into High Gear A season-starting 2-0 victory against Cape Notre Dame was the first of 11 wins for the varsity soccer Vivettes, including a successful road trip to Columbia, Missouri, for the Father Tolton Tournament at Cosmo Park, where the team won both of its matches. After defeating Lutheran South in the first round of Districts, the team faced a tough opponent in Webster Groves High School, resulting in a season-ending 1-3 loss.

Pre-Match Team Prayer

Senior End-of-the-Season Lunch

The JV soccer team posted an overall record of 3-9, closing the season with a 7-0 win against John Burroughs.

Track: Gaining Track-tion The track team kicked off the season with back-to-back second-place finishes, building on that momentum as they geared up for the State Sectionals at Mexico High School. Jessica Bader (Class of 2023) competed in the 3200m and 1600m, qualifying for State in both events. She ultimately placed 8th at State in the 3200m, setting a personal record. The 4x800 relay team of Jessica Bader, Mallory Boedefeld (Class of 2023), Emma Locht (Class of 2025), and Claire Richart (Class of 2023) took fourth at the State Sectionals and finished 14th at State.

Finishing Second at the Second Meet of the Year

Number One in 4x800 Relay Team Getting It the 3200m at the Done at State Sectionals State Sectionals

Ready for Districts

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UPPER SCHOOL ATHLETICS RECAP All-Year Spirit: Cheerleading One team. 13 athletes. One coach.

Cheerleading: Full-Out Fun From television appearances to school events to basketball and volleyball games to student pep rallies and more, the Viz cheerleading squad took the energy and excitement to another level whenever they performed. Cheers to the team for all their hard work this year!

Ready for Their Show Me St. Louis Close-Up

Bringing Spirit to the Challenge Cup

Ready for the Ursuline Showcase

In Formation at Fall Festival

Saluting Our Seniors Thanks for the Memories!

Cross Country L to R: Anna Maschek, Avery Smith, Jessica Bader, Mallory Boedefeld, and Jacie Tottleben

Golf L to R: Hanlon Rhodes, Kendall Stone, Annie Lauber, Ava Stanford, and Kate Adkins

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Field Hockey L to R: Maggie Reed, Jenna Steinhubl, Sloane Roper, Clare Mank, Emma Williams, Jessica Martin, Tess Reed, and Claire Williams

Varsity Tennis L to R: Claire Richart, Elise Newbold, Sara McLellan, Sejal Sekhar, Katherine Blazevic, and Anne Selness

JV Tennis L to R: Clara Donovan, Kat Paraino, Sarah Bishara, Katie Cyr, Lilly Dempsey, Regina Dennison, Haley Fusz, Emma Janisch, Caroline Keller, Paola Khoukaz, Carolina Rivero, and Niki Thoman

Varsity Basketball and Cheerleading L to R: Erinn Porter, Kate Restovich, Avery Jacoby, Katherine Blazevic, Lucie Schwartz, and Annie Restovich

Volleyball L to R: Gio Bonifacio, Grace Weikel, Hailey Rowbottom, Maggie Alexander, Courtney Byrne, and Mia Maddox

Swimming L to R: Jessica Bader, Amelia Dino, Hope Hanlon, and Julia Kelpe

JV2 Basketball L to R: Clare Mank, Emily Stahlman, Regina Dennison, Maggie Alexander, Elise Newbold, Jacie Tottleben, Niki Thoman, and Courtney Bryne

Lacrosse L to R: Jenna Steinhubl, Gummy Rizer, and Libby Holmes

Soccer L to R: Lucie Schwarz, Maggie Reed, Claire Riley, Jacie Tottleben, Emma Janisch, and Carley Pohl

Racquetball L to R: Katherine Blazevic, Anna Maschek, Paola Khoukaz, Regina Dennison, Jessica Martin, Sejal Sekhar, and Paulina Concagh

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Track (Photo Unavailable) Jessica Bader, Mallory Boedefeld, Kathryn Kendall, Anna Maschek, Suzanna McLellan, Clairevisitationacademy.org Richart, and Avery Smith | 63

UPPER SCHOOL ATHLETICS RECAP Taking Their Game to the Next Level Congratulations to the following seniors who signed to play their respective sports at the collegiate level.

Jessica Bader – Cross Country and Track, University of South Florida

Giovanna Bonifacio – Volleyball, Truman State University

Amelia Dino – Swimming, Union College

Avery Jacoby – Basketball, Babson College

Kyan LaMear – Figure Skating, Babson College

Maggie Reed – Field Hockey, Miami University, Oxford Tess Reed – Field Hockey, University of Iowa

Annie and Kate Restovich – Basketball, St. Mary's College

Lucie Schwartz – Soccer, Saint Louis University

Kendall Stone – Golf, Rockhurst University

Jacie Tottleben – Soccer, Rockhurst University

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Athletic Accolades MWAA Honorees: CROSS COUNTRY First Team – Jessica Bader (Class of 2023) Second Team - Mallory Boedefeld (Class of 2023) and Jacie Tottleben (Class of 2023)

LACROSSE First Team – Molly Fesler (Class of 2026) and Emma Miller (Class of 2024) Second Team – Mary Concagh (Class of 2024) and Ava Grace McGowan (Class of 2024) TRACK

GOLF First Team – Grace Fagan (Class of 2024), Avery McLaughlin (Class of 2025), and Ava Sanford (Class of 2023)

First Ream – Jessica Bader (Class of 2023), Mallory Boedefeld (Class of 2023), Emma Locht (Class of 2025), and Claire Richart (Class of 2023)

Second Team – Reese Robson (Class of 2025)

SOCCER

Third Team – Kendall Stone (Class of 2023)

First Team – Adriana Povinelli (Class of 2024), Lucie Schwartz (Class of 2023), and Jacie Tottleben (Class of 2023)

FIELD HOCKEY First Team – Maggie Reed (Class of 2023) and Tess Reed (Class of 2023) Second Team – Sloane Roper (Class of 2023) and Jenna Steinhubl (Class of 2023) Third Team – Evie Harris (Class of 2026), Clare Mank (Class of 2023), Kathleen Reed (Class of 2025), and Isabella Vlaytchev (Class of 2024) TENNIS First Team – Flora Eidson (Class 2024) and Suzanna McLellan (Class 2023) Second Team – Sejal Sekhar (Class of 2023) VOLLEYBALL First Team – Grace Weikel (Class of 2023) Second Team – Claire Fulton (Class of 2024), Mia Maddock (Class of 2023), and Brooke Menke (Class of 2024) Third Team – Giovanna Bonifacio (Class of 2023) BASKETBALL First Team – Annie Restovich (Class of 2023) and Kate Restovich (Class of 2023) Second Team – Lucie Schwartz (Class of 2023) Honorable Mention – Avery Jacoby (Class of 2023)

Second Team – Anna Huber (Class of 2024), Allie Kowalczyk (Class of 2024), and Tess Reed (Class of 2023) Third Team – Maia Crawford (Class of 2025)

St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro Team Members: TENNIS Second Team – Flora Eidson (Class of 2024) Third Team – Suzanna McLellan (Class of 2023) FIELD HOCKEY First Team – Tess Reed (Class of 2023). Tess also was named to the NFHCA High School Midwest Region team by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA). Second Team – Maggie Reed (Class of 2023) GOLF Third Team – Avery McLaughlin (Class of 2025) SOCCER Second Team – Lucie Schwartz (Class of 2023)

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LOWER SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS RECAP All Lower School and Middle School athletes who played fall, winter, and spring sports competed hard while cheering on their teammates and upholding the Visitation Salesian values. We are so proud of your representation of Viz, on and off the field.

Fall Phenoms: Field Hockey, Soccer, and Volleyball Three sports. 19 teams. 205 athletes. 44 coaches/assistant coaches. Field Hockey: The Grade 7/8 field hockey team, with 16 rostered players, competed at an extremely high level and dominated any team who got in their path! Great season, ladies!

Grade 1 Soccer

Grade 2 Soccer

Soccer: 109 athletes and nine teams representing Grades K-8 dribbled, passed, and kicked their way through the fall soccer season, scoring a ton of fun.

Grade 3 Soccer

Grade 8 Soccer

Volleyball: Across Grades 3-8, eight teams and 80 Vivettes donned their knee pads and engaged in some bump, set, and spike action. The Grade 7A team made it all the way to the District tournament championship game, and the Grade 8 team netted the title of District champion before finishing second in City/County.

Grade 3 Volleyball

Grade 6 Volleyball

Grade 7 White Volleyball

Grade 7A Volleyball

Grade 8 Red Volleyball

Viz Lower School and Middle School athletes participate in athletics through the Catholic Youth Council (CYC).* The CYC has been a tradition in St Louis since 1941. Generations of St. Louis kids have wonderful memories of CYC sports on the fields and courts of their home parish community. The CYC’s mission is “Building Communities of Faith Through Sports.” CYC sports can be the thread that ties the many positive aspects of parish life (and, at Viz, school life) together. Sports teach positive life lessons to our children through effort, competition, and teamwork. * The Middle School lacrosse team joined a new league this year, the Catholic Lacrosse League. Read more about this league on page 68.

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Winter Wonders: Basketball, Cheerleading, and Swimming Three sports. 11 teams. 115 athletes. 19 coaches/assistant coaches.

Grade 6 Second Team

Junior League

Grades 3 and 4 Basketball

Basketball: 81 basketballers from Grades 3-8 hit the hard court to work on their dribbling, passing, and shooting skills. Our eightgirl Grade 7 team had an incredible run, finishing second in City/County. Viz also offered a junior basketball league for young athletes, with 34 students in Grades K-2 participating. Special thanks to our student coaches who helped on various teams this season: Haley Brinker (Class of 2023), Mallory Hanock (Class of 2024), Mia Hanock (Class of 2027), Hannah Houseworth (Class of 2025), Hadley Jacoby (Class of 2025), Annie Restovich (Class of 2023), Kate Restovich (Class of 2023), Lucie Schwartz (Class of 2023) and Mia Tiburzi (Class of 2024).

Grade 6 Basketball

Grade 6 Third Team

Grade 7B Basketball

Swimming: We love offering our Middle School girls the opportunity to improve their aquatic skills. The Viz team of 12 swimmers participated in three meets, winning all three. Way to push it in the pool!

Cheerleading: Our Upper School cheerleading squad did a fantastic job leading the Lower School students who participated in Viz’s annual cheer camp. The girls worked extremely hard and put on a fantastic half-time performance.

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LOWER SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS RECAP Spring Sensations: Golf, Lacrosse, and Tennis Three sports. Three teams. 111 athletes. 18 coaches/assistant coaches. Golf: A total of 26 golfers participated in the Viz golf program, representing Grades 2-8. The younger girls focused on fundamentals, while the older girls honed their skills at a competitive level. Our outstanding Middle School golf team finished first in City/County. Pictured from left to right: Olivia McLaughlin (Class of 2027), Mia Rooney (Class of 2027), Caroline Miller (Class of 2027), Ella Stewart (Class of 2027), and Annie Rothery (Class of 2027). Annie also won an individual City/County title! Congratulations!

Lacrosse: What an exciting season for our Grade 7/8 lacrosse players! The 14-player team joined a new league - the Catholic Lacrosse League (CCL) - which provided an excellent opportunity for our athletes to improve their skills while facing a new field of competition.

The CLL is committed to promoting, organizing, and advancing the sport of lacrosse through collaboration with the Catholic school community in Missouri. With a focus on constructive education and personal development, the organization is committed to providing a pathway for players to develop positive social values through their participation in the sport of lacrosse and to learn to be productive members of their school and community. Honoring the game through faith, the Catholic Lacrosse League affords a safe and fun environment and emphasizes the development of self-esteem, good sportsmanship, achievement, and affirmative values among players, coaches, parents, and volunteers.

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Tennis: The Grades K-8 tennis program was a huge success, thanks to our adorable athletes and incredible coaches. There were a record number of participants this year - 71 up-andcoming tennis stars. A huge thank you to our Upper School coaches – Reese Bartlett (Class of 2025), Katherine Blazevic (Class of 2023), Lilly Dempsey (Class of 2023), Regina Dennison (Class of 2023), Flora Eidson (Class of 2024), Elisa Nunez (Class of 2025), Sejal Sekhar (Class of 2023), Rebecca Selness (Class of 2023), and Mary Kate Spellman (Class of 2024).

Grade 1 Grade 4 with Coaches

Kindergarten

Grade 1 with Coach Mary Kate Spellman

Grades 6-8

Students in Grades 3-8 participated in Girls on the Run which was a new addition during the 2022-2023 school year. Girls on the Run offers two distinct programs - one for Grades 3-5 and one for Grades 6-8, called Heart & Sole. The girls spent ten weeks training, using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running. And bonus, the programs inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident. The program culminated in a 5K run in Forest Park.

Thank you to our coaches (from left to right), Debbie Forthaus, Mary Bodlovich, Maureen Hogan, and Michelle Mueller

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OUR AMAZING ALUMS

From left to right: Laura Thielmeier Roy, Mary Elizabeth Ott, and Elizabeth Hogan.

Full Court Press Three Viz alumnae are holding court in the local judicial system. Elizabeth Hogan, Class of 1986, recently was named presiding judge for the 22nd Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis. Beth joins fellow Viz alums Mary Elizabeth Ott, Class of 1978, who is the presiding judge for the 21st Judicial Circuit Court of St. Louis County, and Laura Thielmeier Roy, Class of 1972, who is the Clerk of Court, Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern District. We asked these three legal eagles a few questions about their time at Viz and advice for current students. Here’s what they had to say: What did you love most about your time at Viz? Mary Elizabeth: No question, it was and is the friendships that were established at Viz and which remain strong today! It is one of the greatest gifts of my life - close friends for more than 50 years. Beth: I would second Mary. Not only in the lifelong friends I made while there but also the lifelong friends I have continued to make with other Viz grads in every area of life, whether home, school, or work. The community is a lifelong community! Laura: I will add to what my colleagues said - the friends I made at Viz are my lifelong friends. I started Viz in 1975 when I walked into Sr. Karen Mohan’s Core 6 classroom three days after the school year started. (It’s a long story.) The students sat alphabetically in class back then, and Christine Tan sat next to me. She helped me with my books, and we ate

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lunch together. Julie Sutter sat on the other side of Christine. We have been besties all these decades later. These are the women I turn to time after time. I still have friends from college (I married one of them) and law school, but my Viz girls are the true BFFs. The second thing I loved most about Viz was the Salesian community. What love, kindness, strength, and patience we got to experience in this wonderful community of Sisters, teachers, and students. How do you think your experience at Viz prepared you for your profession? Mary Elizabeth: I think Visitation taught me how to be a student and a lifelong learner. I have always felt that Montessori, grade school, and high school instructed - right off the bat - that what you learned was, for the most part, up to you and that it could be fun. That certainly provided me an advantage in college and law school. In my practice as an attorney and judge, I have seen many practical examples of the philosophy attributed to St. Francis de Sales, that...“There is nothing so strong as true gentleness and nothing so gentle as true strength.”

Beth: Viz taught me that women can do anything. Spending six years surrounded not only by other classmates but the Sisters and teachers (Mrs. Fitzgerald) who constantly pushed us to develop our own ideas and our own opinions, independent of what we see or hear from others, has been invaluable as both an attorney and as a judge. One of the first actions I took as presiding judge was to appoint all female chairs to each of the court’s committees. I have learned that taking repeated small steps towards advancing women in the profession or life can lead to long-term changes. Laura: First, I learned how to write thanks to Sr. Karen, Mrs. Ivers, and Sr. Marie Therese. Mrs. Jeanne Dressel also did not hesitate to go to bat for us when we wanted to start a school newspaper - the Paper Moon. Viz also participated in the 1818 program, so I entered Mizzou as a sophomore. I obtained my Bachelor of Journalism degree from the best journalism school in the country in three years because of Viz. I wanted to then go to law school, which is another three years. Saving that extra year of time and tuition expedited the start of my career. I was twenty when I graduated from j-school and twenty-three when I graduated from law school. I really feel I had an advantage because of Viz. Viz made me disciplined. At Mizzou, it would have been easy to slack off or skip class. No one would have noticed. That discipline was critical because in college, your grade depends on one mid-term exam and one final exam. You simply must keep up with the work on a daily basis; otherwise, you WILL fail. What advice would you give to current students? Mary Elizabeth: Enjoy your life! Do not worry about the future; it will take care of itself. All things really do work together for good, even when you cannot see it. Go after your dreams with all you have, and take good care of yourself and those around you. Beth: “Be who you are and be that well.” St. Francis de Sales - In a world where young women are flooded with images and ideas of who they are supposed to be, what they are supposed to look like, and what they are supposed to achieve, take the time while at Viz to find out instead who you are - what interests you have, what goals you have, what achievements you want to reach, and lean on all those around you to help to discover and develop that. The “be that well” part is a lifelong path with ups and downs, but I have found if you are satisfied with yourself, you will continue to try and achieve all that you can in whatever it is you choose to do.

“ ”

There is nothing so strong as true gentleness and nothing so gentle as true strength. –St. Francis de Sales

Laura: This is the advice I give to everyone - Viz students, recent law school graduates who show up at the court, anybody of any age. 1. L ive below your means. (This will save you. You will have bad times in your life, and having a cash reserve will set your mind more at ease. I got this advice from my brother, and he was so incredibly right about this.) 2. M ake few promises, and for the love of God, keep the promises you do make. Your word is your bond. 3. L isten to your colleagues versus just hearing them in one ear and letting it go out the other. First, you can learn a lot by listening. Secondly, you will work better as a team member if your colleagues know you value them enough to listen to their concerns. Your team needs to know that they do indeed matter. 4. N o. This word is a complete sentence. No. Practice saying it and know it is perfectly acceptable to respond with this one-word sentence. If someone asks you to do something illegal, unethical, or even something you don’t want to do, say no. Practice saying no often so that when you need to say it, you can. 5. You can do what is easy, or you can do what is right. My parents expected, nay demanded, that I always do what is right. You will not be popular. You may lose out on a promotion, a job, or a supposed “friend.” In the end, you really should not care what stupid people think. 6. Please don’t gossip. Give praise where praise is due. If you see something wrong, say something/report to someone in the appropriate position. Gossip and backbiting are just malicious and do not solve any problems. 7. A s Vivettes, remember to Live+Jesus.

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OUR AMAZING ALUMS Alumnae News For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow! Congratulations to our lovely alumna, Marianne Muellerleile ’67! She received an Honorary Doctorate from her alma mater, Saint Louis University. Marianne is an accomplished actress based in California. We were excited to welcome Marianne and friends at our Alumnae Reunion in June 2023. Congratulations again, Dr. Muellerleile!

Shake It Up This spring, students in the Ellen Thomasson Malecek Entrepreneurial Leadership Program (ETMELP) heard from alumnae speaker Katie Fogertey ’01, CFO of Shake Shack. Katie shared an inspiring message about how being a woman is a source of strength, not weakness. She gave the girls practical advice, encouraging them to work in their community and learn technology. Our students shared details about their fall projects with Katie, including Crescent Coffee and the Big Sister-Little Sister program. They had the opportunity to ask Katie about the career path that led her to Shake Shack and much more. Thank you, Katie, for sharing your pearls of wisdom with our girls!

Alumnae VIZ-IT Viz’s entrepreneurial class also took a field trip to visit a few of our alumnae who work at World Wide Technology. Special thanks to Katie Costigan Heyel ’93, Deveny Trautman ’12, and Kat Zaber ’17 for sharing their career wisdom and experiences with our students.

Setting the Bar High Presiding Circuit Judge Elizabeth Byrne Hogan ’86 is one of the Missouri Bar’s two winners of the 2023 Hon. Theodore McMillian Judicial Excellence Award. The annual award recognizes Missouri judges who have advanced the administration of justice, provided outstanding community service and leadership, and inspired other members of the judiciary to noble purpose.

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We want to know what’s happening in the lives of our alumnae, and so does the rest of the Viz community! Tell us how you are being who you are and being that well through the Keeping In Touch form on the Visitation Academy website – www.visitationacademy.org/alumnae/ keeping-in-touch-with-viz. We’ll even send you a Viz alumnae shirt so you can show off your Vivette pride.

Class Notes/Professional Achievements Margaret (Peggy) LoPiccolo Sullivan ’55 Margaret LoPiccolo Sullivan ’55 is a retired history teacher who kept herself safe and sane during the pandemic by writing and self-publishing novels. Her latest novel, Who Killed Larry Summerfield?, is a gripping mystery set in St. Louis. If you want to check out Peggy’s work, her novels are available at amazon.com. Peggy’s Viz classmates, Pat Spruell Christen ’55 and Nancy Nunn Mager ’55, and Cecelia Nangle, who attended Viz through fourth grade, came to a book signing to support her.

Pictured from left to right: Cecelia Nangle, Nancy Nunn Mager, Pat Spruell Christen, and Margaret LoPiccolo Sullivan

Bonnie Cochran Bence ’62 Bonnie Cochran Bence ’62 was featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch following the completion of her 16th marathon. Wow! We’re all cheering you on, Bonnie!

Elizabeth Wendling Hughes ’73 We also congratulate Elizabeth “Boofie” Wendling Hughes ‘73 as the 2023 St. Jane de Chantal Distinguished Alumna Award winner. Thank you to Mellissa Murch Kriegshauser ‘73 for nominating Elizabeth and allowing us to recognize her dedication to her family and community.

Jane Whalen Tayon ’82 and Kathleen Kueser Mahon ’82 Let’s hear it for Jane Whalen Tayon ’82 and Kathleen Kueser Mahon ’82 (pictured left to right), who brought home bronze medals from the St. Charles County Golden Games Pickleball Tournament. Thanks for sharing this moment with the Viz sisterhood, ladies! Clare Cribbin Marino ’70 We are honored to recognize Clare Cribbin Marino ’70 as the 2022 St. Jane de Chantal Distinguished Alumna Award winner. Thank you to Ginny Starke ’76 for nominating Clare and allowing us to recognize her continued commitment to Viz.

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OUR AMAZING ALUMS Events Recap Look at all the alumnae who came home to Viz this spring for our annual Alumnae Induction and Maypole ceremonies. We love celebrating our newest alumnae through this beautiful tradition. Class of 2023, welcome to the club!

Margaret Conley ’16, Tillie Killeen ’22, Bhuvana Vejandla ’22, and Lisa Kohler ’02

Jacie Tottleben ’23 and Jaimie Tottleben ’19

Nina Zumwalt ’22 and Caroline Elsner ’22

Ari Percy ’20, Kate Pittenger ’21, Emily LaMartina ’22, Ellie Bacich ’21, and Tillie Killeen ’22

Check out the alumnae mom and daughter duos in the Class of 2024 as they celebrated Junior Ring. From left to right: Colleen McCarthy Stein ’86 and Mary, Patty Guyol Erker ’77 and Maggie, Courtney Gates Wyeth ’94 and Emma, Julie Cusumano Ledbetter ’89 and Jane, Elyra Figueroa España ’89 and Isabella, Nancy Hattrich Kraemer ’86 and Heidi, Jackie Moore Ori ’94 and Natalie, Sharon Conley Spellman ’89 and Mary Kate Not pictured: Amy Parker Haley ’91 and Macy, Heide Carden Rodgers ’90 and Francesca

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It was all smiles at this mini reunion at the Dogtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Three former Viz soccer stars ran into long-time soccer coach Dick Westbrook. Maria Molina Weber ’10, Heidi Press ’10, and Sandra Thorarensen Blust ’10. Thanks for sharing, Catie Schmid ’10.

Pictured above are a few of the fun Viz alumnae who work at or have kids at Viz who came to Trunk or Treat. Aren't they boo-tiful?

We loved all the alumnae support at Safari 2023: The Golden Giddyup! Over ten tables had alumnae seated at them, and fun was had by all. Thank you to everyone who supported Safari in the room and virtually. Pictured from left to right: Andrew Tayon, Susan Mogab ’69, Sister Mary Grace McCormack ’60, and Jane Whalen Tayon ’82.

Class of 1972

Alumnae Reunion 2022 was fabulous! At the luncheon, the Class of 1972 received their Full Moon pins, signifying their 50th year since graduating from Visitation. Congratulations, Classes of 1997 and 1972!

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OUR AMAZING ALUMS

Sister Mary Grace McCormack ’60 surrounded by (from left to right) Marianne Muellerleile ’67, Cecilia Brungard Bahn ’73, and Cecilia Muellerleile Castellano ’63.

Class of 1973

The 2023 Alumnae Reunion was equally as fabulous, as we hosted our amazing alumnae on campus on June 10 for a luncheon, Mass, and cocktail reception. Thank you to all who were able to join the fun, especially the Class of 1973, celebrating their 50th anniversary, and the Class of 1998 (pictured on page 77), celebrating their 25th anniversary.

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Class of 1998

Thank you to all the alumnae who showed up for our Alumnae Walk in the Park as well as the three dogs, two spouses, one future Viz baby, and of course, lots of Viz spirit.

Viz girls are always up for serving their community. The Visitation Alumnae Association recently packaged meals for families in need in Milot, Haiti, served by Hôpital Sacré Coeur.

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Giving to Viz: The Power of Qualified Charitable Distributions A lesser-known but highly effective strategy for charitable giving is the Qualified Charitable Distribution. This unique approach enables individuals to support charitable organizations and offers potential tax benefits, making it a win-win for both donors and recipients. Qualified Charitable Distributions, commonly abbreviated as QCDs, are a tax-efficient way for individuals aged 70½ or older to donate money from their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) directly to eligible charitable organizations. This approach was introduced as part of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 and later made permanent by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2015. Key Characteristics of QCDs 1. A ge Requirement: To make a QCD, you must be at least 70½ years old. This requirement is in place to ensure that these distributions are primarily used for retirement savings and charitable purposes by individuals who are approaching or have reached their retirement age. 2. A nnual Limit: The IRS places an annual limit on the amount that can be donated through QCDs at $100,000. Starting in 2024, this amount will be indexed for inflation. 3. Direct Transfer: QCDs must be made directly from your IRA to an eligible charitable organization. The distribution is never counted as taxable income when this direct transfer is executed. 4. E ligible Charities: QCDs can only be made to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations, such as schools, religious organizations, hospitals, and certain other nonprofit entities. Donors should verify the charitable status of the organizations they intend to support.

Benefits of Qualified Charitable Distributions 1. T ax Efficiency: One of the most significant advantages of QCDs is their tax efficiency. When you make a QCD, the donated amount is not counted as taxable income. This means you can fulfill your required minimum distribution (RMD) from your IRA while reducing your taxable income, potentially leading to lower overall taxes. 2. F ulfilling RMDs: If you’re 70½ or older (with some exceptions under the Secure Act), you are generally required to take annual RMDs from your traditional IRA. QCDs count toward satisfying this requirement, allowing you to meet your tax obligations while supporting charitable causes. 3. Preserving Social Security Benefits: Reducing your taxable income by using QCDs may also help preserve the tax-efficient status of your Social Security benefits. When your income surpasses a certain threshold, a portion of your Social Security benefits becomes subject to taxation. QCDs can help you stay below this threshold.

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4. I mpactful Giving: By donating directly from your IRA, you can immediately and directly impact the charitable organizations you support. Your contribution can be used immediately to fund programs, projects, and initiatives that matter to you. 5. Simplicity: QCDs are relatively straightforward to execute, especially when compared to other charitable giving methods. There’s no need to itemize deductions, and the distribution process is facilitated by your IRA custodian.

Steps to Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution 1. C heck Your Eligibility: Ensure you are at least 70½ years old and have a traditional IRA. Roth IRAs are not eligible for QCDs. 2. S elect a Charitable Organization: Choose the qualified 501(c)(3) organization(s) you want to support. 3. Determine the Amount: Decide how much you want to donate, up to the annual limit (currently, $100,000). 4. C ontact Your IRA Custodian: Get in touch with your IRA custodian and inform them of your intention to make a QCD. They will guide you through the process and facilitate the direct transfer to the chosen charity. 5. D ocument the Donation: Ensure that you receive written acknowledgment from the charity for your donation. This documentation is necessary for tax purposes.

Qualified Charitable Distributions offer a unique and tax-efficient way for older individuals to support charitable organizations while maximizing the benefits of their retirement accounts. By reducing taxable income, fulfilling RMDs, and simplifying the giving process, QCDs empower donors to make a meaningful impact on the causes they care about. It’s important to stay informed about any changes in tax laws or regulations that may affect QCDs, as these can evolve over time. Consulting a financial advisor or tax professional is advisable to ensure that your charitable giving strategy aligns with your financial goals and objectives. In an age where philanthropy plays a crucial role in the Visitation community, QCDs provide a valuable tool for those seeking to make a positive difference at Visitation and beyond while making the most of their retirement savings.

Rob Hehmeyer J.D., CFP, Board of Trustees member, current parent, and partner at Moneta Group

The Visitation Academy of St. Louis County 3020 N. Ballas Rd St. Louis, MO 63131 314-625-9104 jlucas@visitationacademy.org visitationacademylegacy.org

An IRA Charitable Rollover Gift: May satisfy your annual required minimum distribution, or RMD, up to the amount of your gift. Allows you to give from pre-tax assets and your distribution is excluded from taxable income. Helps avoid limits on charitable deductions and prevents you from being pushed into a higher tax bracket. Simplifies the giving process. It’s easy to do — just notify your IRA custodian. Minimizes the effect your giving has on your cash flow. The gift is from your assets, not your checkbook.

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• 70½ or older • Direct up to $100,000 This information is not intended as tax, legal or financial advice. Gift results may vary. Consult your personal financial advisor for information specific to your situation.

Reduce

Your Tax Burden even if you don’t itemize

Do you own an IRA or other qualified retirement plan? Are you looking for a tax-wise strategy to make gifts to support our mission? If so, consider making an IRA charitable rollover gift. At your direction, the custodian or trustee of your IRA can transfer money from your IRA directly to a qualified public charity, like ours, so that you can support the causes that matter most to you. This gift is a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), also called an IRA charitable rollover gift. An IRA rollover has several significant tax advantages. It allows you to give from pre-tax assets. If you do not itemize or are subject to charitable deduction limits, the IRA rollover still allows you to give while receiving tax benefits. An IRA rollover gift could also help you avoid income that could push you into a higher tax bracket. Call or email us for a complimentary no-obligation look at the tools and strategies we have to help you reach your goals.

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We are saddened to share the passing of longtime Board of Trustees member and Chair Jeff Buckner. Jeff was the husband of Mary Ann Thro Buckner, Class of 1975, father of Kathryn Buckner Rummel, Class of 1998, and son-in-law of Nancy Murphy Thro, Class of 1951. Jeff's Board service began in 2006, and he served as Board Chair from 2011 until 2016. During his tenure as Board Chair, Viz created a defined Middle School, launched engineering and makerspace programs, and built the loop driveway to ease traffic congestion. We are grateful for his service, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family. A Mass was offered for Jeff in the Chapel at Visitation on November 28.

In Memoriam

Dearly Departed Visitation Academy Alumnae September 2022 through September 2023 Christine Handlan Baumann ’70

Deborah Martirez ’82

Laurie Volland Carrigan ’45

Mary Jo Sullivan Maschmeyer ’67

Marilyn Baumann Casso ’43

Barbara Meyer Montgomery ’48

Mary Grace Lawton Guyol ’44

Helen Dahm Newman ’43

Rebecca Trunnell Hyman ’74

Ruth Michel Rand ’44

Maryann Weick Kane ’51

Mary Ann Waters Schofield ’62

Clara Pechman Lamb ’44

Shirley Hepper Thuet ’45

Ernesta O'Mara Lonsway ’52

Sally Lou Joedicke Wiese ’53

Heaven and earth are not distant enough to separate the hearts which our Lord has joined. –St. Francis de Sales

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The Visitation Academy

Class of 2023

Front Row (Left to Right): Carley Pohl

Row 2 (Left to Right): Ava Sanford

Row 3 (Left to Right): Anna Maschek

Row 4 (Left to Right): Paola Khoukaz

Row 5 (Left to Right): Gracie Rowles

Natalie Lovell

Katherine Williams

Kyan LaMear

Suzanna McLellan

Avery Jacoby

Audrey Goddard

Elizabeth Holmes

Caroline Keller

Clare Mank

Claire Richart

Rebecca Selness

Ella Chance

Naomi Hammell

Nancy Rhodes

Erinn Porter

Jessica Martin

Kylie Beauchamp

Kylie Martin

Teresa Reed

Anna Hippe

Paulina Concagh

Ann Lauber

Lillian Zdrodowski

Kathleen Restovich

Haley Brinker

Anna Padousis

Sejal Sekhar

Nicole Thoman

Emily Stahlman

Abigail Van Vooren

Montgomery Rizer

Sarah Bishara

Katherine Williams

Anna Restovich

Grace Weikel

Julia Kelpe

Jessica Bader

Noor Huda

Luciana Schwartz

Mia Maddock

Lillian Dempsey

Kathryn Kendall

Elise Newbold

Jacie Tottleben

Anne Paraino

Claire Riley

Hailey Rowbottom

Lola Jones

Carolina Rivero

Madeline Alexander

Regina Dennison

Madison Harness

Katherine Adkins

Giovanna Bonifacio

Corinne Cima

Sloane Roper

Jenna Steinhubl

Courtney Byrne

Zeladis Duncan

Clara Donovan

Margaret Reed

Katherine Cyr

Hope Hanlon

Haley Fusz

Avery Smith

Mallory Boedefeld

Amelia Dino

Brooke Shuman

Grace Pund

Emma Robb

Esther Appelstein

Kendall Stone

Regan Jones

Emma Janisch

Katherine Blazevic

Carolyn Brame Not pictured: Campbell Pim

Formal Commencement photos of the 2023 graduates courtesy of Wagner Portrait Group.

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3020 North Ballas Road St. Louis, MO 63131

COMMEN CEMEN T 2023

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Together We Shine Brighter — 2023 Class Motto

Jenny Lucas Chief Advancement Officer Rachelle Morgan Director of Communications Colleen Porter Director of Marketing

SCHOOL FACEBOOK: facebook.com/VizAcademy ALUMNAE FACEBOOK: facebook.com/VizAcademyAlumnae

SCHOOL TWITTER: @VizAcademy @VizAthletics @VizLowerSchool

Inside

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From the Head of School and Chair of the Board of Trustees Board of Trustees

Commencement 2023 Celebrating our Salesian and Visitation Charism The Chatter About ChatGPT Honor Roll

SCHOOL INSTAGRAM: @VizAcademy @VizMiddleSchool @VizLowerSchool

ALUMNAE LINKEDIN GROUP: Visitation Academy Alumnae