Coeur à Coeur 2007-2008

SPRING 2008

coeur à coeur | SPRING 2008

WOODLANDS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART MAGAZINE

unto others Courtney Driscoll ’98 Named St. Philippine Duchesne Outstanding Alumna for her dedication to philanthropic work around the world

Woodlands alumnae and Career Day keynote speaker m ary

berner ’77

discusses the publishing business with current senior emm a

rudnik .

non-profit organization u.s. postage

paid 760 east westleigh road, lake forest il 60045 phone: 847.234.4300 | fax: 847.234.4348 | www.woodlandsacademy.org

permit no. 93 lake forest il 60045

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celebrating 150 years of sacred heart education in chicago and woodlands academy alumnae reunion Class years ending in 3s and 8s and the classes of the decade of 1980s October 3 and 4, 2008 Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart for information: 847-234-4300

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

02-12

school news • Frances De La Chapelle Winner • Career Day • Galerie d’art

13-16

around woodlands • Woodlands around the world • Indie rock musician Ross Copperman • Lauren Hermsen ’11 JRDF Walk

17-20

feature story Courtney Driscoll ’98 awarded St. Philippine Duchesne Outstanding Alumna for her philanthropic work in the U.S. and abroad

21-32

alumnae news/notes • Mums of Alums • Goûter Mardi Gras • Class Reunions • Gingerbread House Workshop • Memorials

spring 2008 photo credits : JIM NEWBERRY PHOTOGRAPHY:

Gerry Grossman, Susan Hoffmann, Angela Reiter, galerie d’art, A Day of Friendship, headshots from The Pursuit of Possibilities, Courtney Driscoll. KEDRIC CHAMBERLIN: Sugar and Spice, We Meet Again. COURTNEY DRISCOLL: Unto Others. GENEROUS MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE WOODLANDS COMMUNITY.

on our cover cover photo by jim

new berry

Our feature story highlights Courtney Driscoll ’98, winner of the St. Philippine Duchesne Outstanding Alumnae Award. Driscoll shared compelling stories of her humanitarian efforts with the Woodlands community, proving she is a shining example of a child of the Sacred Heart. Learn more about Driscoll in our feature story, Unto Others, beginning on page 16.

spring 2008

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school news

A Letter from the Head of School

760 East Westleigh Road | Lake Forest IL 60045 Phone: 847. 234 . 4300 | Fax: 847. 234 . 4348

Dear Woodlands Families,

……………

Editor

January was a month rich with stories of amazing Sacred Heart women.

Woodlands honored Courtney Driscoll ’98 with the St. Philippine Duchesne Outstanding Alumna Award. We congratulated seniors Lauren McClusky and Madeleine Tolmie on their selection to the Daily Herald Lake County Leadership Team. Four very talented alumnae, Mary Berner ’77, Colleen Murphy, Ph.D. ’93, Abigail Murray ’91, and Vanessa Ruiz ’01, spoke to us about their professions on Career Day. Muriel Cameron, RSCJ spent a stimulating day with us sharing her life and ministry to the migrant workers and her service at a new hospitality house in New Orleans.

At times, we ask ourselves, “Why is Sacred Heart education relevant today?”

These women are the answer. Their examples remind us that the Sacred Heart mission is as vital now as it was 208 years ago when Saint Madeline Sophie Barat founded the Society.

Courtney Driscoll ’98 (profiled in this issue’s cover story) is a case in point.

Courtney is a very accomplished young woman, but what most impresses me is her humility. Her Woodlands assembly presentation focused not on her individual accomplishments, but on the Peace Corps. In describing the factors responsible for successful public health work in Africa, Courtney assigned large credit to Woodlands Academy. She explained that Woodlands cultivated her love of science, strong sense of self, and determination to accomplish difficult goals.

These qualities made a profound difference in Courtney’s service in Africa.

Undaunted by the enormous challenges she confronted in a male-dominated society, Courtney strove to break the vicious cycle of guinea worm disease.

She reasoned that native health care workers needed to know that eliminating the guinea worm would not threaten their employment, so she convinced the Carter Center to guarantee them jobs. This insight was essential to the complete eradication of the guinea worm in Burkina Faso, the first successful public health campaign of its kind.

ANGELA REITER

Contributing Writers DOUGLAS DUBRIN: Felicitations, Leaders of the Pack, Match Point, A Day of Friendship, The Pursuit of Possibilities, Unto Others.

Join the Club, A Warm Welcome, Around Woodlands, Music to our Ears, Mums of Alums, Sugar & Spice, We Meet Again.

ALEX A HAND:

MAURA CHAMBERLIN:

Alumnae News/Notes.

Design GRIP DESIGN

GERALD J. GROSSMAN, Head of School MADONNA LEE EDMUNDS, Principal ALANA FLATLEY, Director of Advancement CHRISTINE SCHMIDT, Dean of Students

Renaissance Woman Hayes Wins Prestigious Woodlands Award

BARBARA M. KEILWITZ, Director of Finance

and Operations K ATHLEEN CREED ’91, Director of Admission

ending the narrative of her 19-year career at Woodlands with an exclamation point, Carole

and Financial Aid

Fitzgerald Hayes this past June received the 2007 Frances de la Chapelle Excellence in Teaching Award.

Named for a beloved former Woodlands head of school, the Frances de la Chapelle Award is given to acknowledge and promote excellence in teaching at Woodlands Academy. Fellow faculty and students nominate candidates, and the administration and faculty vote on awardees.

ANGELA REITER, Director of Marketing

Board of Trustees DAVID A. BOROSH ALISOUN BREWSTER JUDITH CASTELLINI MARY CHARLOTTE CHANDLER, RSCJ WILLIAM DENNISTON ROSEMARY DEWEY, RSCJ ’47 RALPH J. ELWART, Chair

Congratulations to Courtney, her parents, and her teachers. Courtney is truly a child of the Sacred Heart.

CATHERINE WIEGAND HERRMANN ’75

NANCY FINN, RSCJ SUSAN GOODMAN GERALD J. GROSSMAN, Head of School

MEGHAN KELLEY MACKINNON ’91 MICHAEL MOORE FRANCIS J. OELERICH III DAVID O’NEILL THOMAS P. REIDY

gerald j . grossman

felicitations!

Administration

A Woodlands education is indeed transformative. When our alumnae attribute their aspirations and accomplishments to their Woodlands education, we can take satisfaction in knowing that we are fulfilling our mission as Sacred Heart educators.

Sincerely,

*

Head of School and former English Teacher carole hayes .

gerald grossm a n

“

Carole is a renaissance

woman whose broad intellectual

interests and passion for learning are

JEFFREY D. STEELE MARY SWIFT EDWARD WANANDI BARBARA WOOD-PRINCE ’54

”

exemplary.

CAROLE R. SANDNER

–g erald grossman, Head of School

Prior to retiring (in this case a misnomer) from her vocation last summer, Mrs. Hayes carved out a distinguished career as a woman of letters. Among the numerous banners she waved at Woodlands, Mrs. Hayes served as English department chair, moderator of La Nouvelle, student advisor, and above all, an erudite, dynamic, and inspiring classroom teacher.

Educated in the Sacred Heart tradition with a B.A. from Duchesne College of the Sacred Heart, Omaha, Mrs. Hayes also holds an M.A. from the University of Nebraska. Before anchoring herself at Woodlands, Mrs. Hayes taught at various schools, including Duchesne College, Barat College and Loyola University, Chicago. Beyond the classroom, Hayes has led numerous writers’ workshops and book groups, and she has had her

own work featured in publications ranging from Literature and Medicine to the New York Times.

Woodlands, though, is not the only institution to applaud Mrs. Hayes’ professorial talents. The National Council of Teachers of English, the Illinois Association of Teachers of English, Northwestern University, and the University of Chicago have each formally recognized Mrs. Hayes’ classroom accomplishments.

Reflecting on Hayes’ contributions, Head of School Gerald Grossman enthusiastically mused, “Carole is a Renaissance woman whose broad intellectual interests and passion for learning are exemplary.

We are grateful to have had this exceptional Sacred Heart educator as our teacher, colleague, and friend at Woodlands for so many years.”

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join the club

McClusky and Tolmie Named to Prestigious Leadership Team

What’s new with the Mothers and Fathers Clubs at Woodlands the woodlands academy mothers club announces new

“

. . . Madeline Tolmie is a “giant in global awareness,” . . . and

officers for the 2007-08 academic year. Serving as Mothers Club president is kathi hudson ’77. jill mcclusky is the Vice President and cindy broten serves as the secretary.

“the word ‘service’” characterizes senior Lauren McClusky

*

”

“from start to finish.”

(From left to right): Woodlands seniors m adeline

tolmie

and lauren

mcclusky.

– t he

woodlands academy is proud to announce the inclusion of seniors Lauren McClusky and

Madeline Tolmie to the Daily Herald’s 2007-2008 Lake County Leadership Team, the first time in Woodlands’ history that two students have been named to the highly selective group. The prestigious honor is given each year to ten seniors from 17 high schools in the newspaper’s readership area whose exceptional community service is distinguished by their ability to organize and inspire others to volunteer.

In addition to a feature story in the Daily Herald profiling the Team, awardees received commemorative plaques at a ceremony in their honor.

The volunteer work of our two awardees has been nothing short of phenomenal. Miss McClusky’s service activity has included relief trips to Mexico and Mississippi and the organizing of a benefit concert for the Special Olympics. Miss Tolmie’s work has involved aid trips to Mexico, Kentucky, and Tanzania and long-term leadership service for the United Way Youth Board.

The Daily Herald itself testified to the girls’ remarkable achievements in stating that Miss McClusky embodies public service “from start to finish” and in calling Tolmie a “giant in global awareness.”

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school news

leaders of the pack

coeur à coeur

In Principal Madonna Edmunds’ view, “Lauren is a young woman for whom service to others has become a way of life. She has an unusual sensitivity to the needs and plight of the less fortunate.” Advisor Vicki Browne mentions that Tolmie has a passion for “social justice and the compassionate treatment of individuals” and is always engaged in “some activity that makes the world a better place.”

daily herald

*

Leadership and Professional Development Series Speaker and Woodlands dad chris m aloney with daughter meagha n ’10.

and jill mcclusky co-chaired the 2007 Winter WonderWalk. Despite a snowstorm, the event was well attended and featured three beautifully decorated Lake Forest homes and a lively holiday boutique.

chris denniston

and nancy saucier will again chair Congé 2008, Woodlands annual spring gala fundraiser. This year’s theme is “Rockin’ with the Wildcats.” The event will feature live and silent auctions and will be held at Exmoor Country Club on Saturday, April 19.

gayle m ajor - mcgow ean

Serving his third year as Fathers Club president is dav e tolmie . Fathers Club class representatives are jeff mcclusky (freshmen); chris carlson (sophomores); dav e wardell (juniors); and reed hoekstra (seniors). The Fathers Club sponsored three father/daughter events this year: Puff Polo in September; Pins and Pizza in November; and Whirlyball in February. Dave Tolmie and Jeff McClusky also hosted a Dads’ Night Out at the North Shore Country Club, featuring guest speaker Terry Nelson-Johnson who discussed teen sexuality.

In addition to sponsoring these events, the Fathers Club has established a fund for faculty enrichment. This special appreciation fund recognizes Woodlands faculty members who bring a level of commitment, passion, and excellence to the classroom and to interaction with students.

The Fund will award grants for study, travel, and/ or research that will enhance teaching and learning opportunities at Woodlands.

Under the leadership of Dave Tolmie, The Fathers Club has also initiated a professional development speaker series . This program serves to provide Woodlands students an understanding of the diversity of roles and responsibilities in various professions, businesses, and industries. chris m aloney, President of SD-X Interactive and program chair, kicked off the series in late November with a brown bag lunch discussion on “Leadership and Character.” graham cook , a partner at Whitebox Advisors, gave the program’s second presentation in early March.

*

Woodlands Winter WonderWalk Co-Chairs jill mcclusky and chris denniston.

The entire Woodlands community is sincerely grateful to Lauren McClusky and Madeline Tolmie –not only for a palpable dedication to improving the world outside the school’s walls, but also for exemplifying the Sacred Heart commitment to social action.

spring 2008

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school news

match point Woodlands Tennis Team Triumphs Again!

*

Residence Life Director marsha marko (second from right) and Residence Life Staff (from left) kathleen fayard, nicole ashton, and tamara demianczuk .

a warm welcome Woodlands greets new faculty & staff woodlands welcomed eight

new faculty and staff members to its educational community for the 2007-2008 academic year.

teaches English.

Zeller has a M.A.T. from the University of New Hampshire and a B.S. from Indiana University.

a m a nda zeller

has returned to Woodlands to teach health and physical education and to coach basketball. Ohlwein previously taught health and physical education and coached basketball, tennis, and softball at Woodlands from 1990-98. She holds a B.S. from Illinois State University.

christine ohlw ein

* 6

(From left to right): susa n a m anda zeller .

coeur à coeur

is Director of Marketing. Reiter has a B.S. from the University of Kentucky and a B.A. from the Illinois Institute of Art.

a ngela reiter

susa n hoffm ann is the Associate Director of Advancement and Events Coordination. She is the parent of Phoebe ’10. Hoffmann holds an M.B.A. from New York University and a B.A. from Skidmore College.

,

, and have joined Woodlands’ boarding school program as residence life staff members. Ashton has a B.A. from Monmouth College; DeSista holds a B.S. from Hofstra University; Demianczuk has a B.A. from St. Mary’s College of Notre Dame; and Fayard holds a B.A. from St. Norbert’s College. nicole ashton ta m ara demi a nczuk

kathleen fayard

hoffm ann, a ngela reiter , christine ohlw ein

Under the inspired guidance of Coach Brad Pihl, the 2007 Woodlands Academy Varsity Tennis Team had its best showing in its already distinguished state-tournament history. In the 2007 Independent School League (ISL) conference play, Woodlands tied with Lake Forest Academy (LFA) for first place during the regular season while losing a hard-fought battle to LFA in the conference tournament.

In sectional play, the Wildcats earned second-place honors, the highest ever for a Woodlands team. Woodlands went on to finish a respectful 18th in the Illinois state tennis tournament, bettering last year’s recordsetting 22nd place. Even more remarkable is that interscholastic high school tennis does not classify schools according to size. Therefore, Woodlands regularly competes against, and defeats, schools with enrollments in the thousands, not the hundreds.

Among the many notable Woodlands performances in the post-season tournaments were sophomore Annie Sullivan’s second-place finish in sectional singles, which qualified her for the state tournament. At #1 singles during the regular season, Sullivan finished ISL play with a 7-3 record, finishing in second place overall. Woodlands senior Emma Rudnik and sophomore Olivia Napier also qualified for State in doubles, while junior Katie Saucier earned points in singles along with senior Kate Hudson and junior Coley Genger in doubles.

In the state tournament, Sullivan reached the semifinals of the consolation bracket to finish an admirable 7-8 in competition play. To note, Sullivan won her first four matches in the main draft before losing to the eventual state bronze medal finisher. The doubles team of Rudnik and Napier also chalked up victories in the tournament against an array of stalwart opponents.

and editor’s note: Thanks to parent Bob Rudnik (Molly ’06 and Emma ’08) for contributing to the above article. Rudnik’s complete recap of the season’s highlights is posted on the web student life page at www.woodlandsacademy.org.

galerie d’art woodlands student art show Art I and Art II (Drawing and Painting) and Ceramics I and II students exhibited their work this winter at a Woodlands student show. Students were required to display a minimum of three works that demonstrate cohesiveness.

To view this exhibit, see the web gallery posted on the Fine Arts page at www.woodlandsacademy.org. spring 2008

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school news

A �ay of

friendship st. malachy’s choir rouses woodlands once again

the muses have returned, as the Gospel Choir in concert with Kaleidoscope once again

shook the rafters of 760 East Westleigh Road! On February 15, 2008, busloads of St. Malachy School students arrived at Woodlands from Chicago’s Westside to participate in a festive liturgy aimed to promote cultural unity and to celebrate a wonderful 12-year interscholastic relationship. Under the spirited co-leadership of St. Malachy’s Music Director Christopher Johnson and Woodlands Campus Minister Mary Gramins, the foot-stomping service belted out the need for people to come together to practice their faith in hands-on, community-bridging ways. The liturgy’s celebrant was the incomparably dynamic and inspiring Father Matt Eyerman of St. Columbanus Parish.

The service, pulsated with energy from its outset.

It reached a crescendo, though, when the Gospel Choir’s chapel-shaking music, coupled with Father Eyerman’s soaring homily, stirred the entire congregation to dance and sing in unison in an extraordinary display of the spirit and power of togetherness. In another moving demonstration of unity, Woodlands’ Kaleidoscope joined the Choir to sing two resounding gospel hymns at the liturgy’s conclusion.

Following the liturgy, the music played on. Various Woodlands student organizations came together to host all the St. Malachy’s guests to a well-deserved pizza party topped off with an array of homemade desserts. Then, an exuberant carnival was staged for

the kids, featuring colorful crafts, silly games and congenial competition. Simultaneously, the two student bodies entertained each other with a crosscultural sampling of performances, ranging from hip-hop dance to violin concertos. By all measures, the day was a great success!

For twelve years, both Woodlands Academy and St. Malachy School have hosted events to reconcile cultural differences and to advance understanding between disparate communities; without a doubt, each year the relationship becomes more enriching for everyone. The next expression of friendship is this spring when classes from Woodlands make the annual journey to St. Malachy to participate in and lead various conflict-resolution workshops.

spring 2008

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he professor: colleen murphy ’93

he illustrator: vanessa ruiz ’01

In January,

Possibiities

career day: proof of continued success after woodlands!

school news

he ceo: mary berner ’77

a remarkable quartet of Woodlands grads took time out of their hectic schedules to speak at their alma mater about their careers. The biennial Career Day event is geared to educate students about college and career opportunities and to help them connect their own high school experiences with those of their predecessors. What truly occurs, though, is in-the-flesh testimony to what drives career decisions and to the lasting value of a Woodlands education.

The event’s keynote speaker was the dynamic and accomplished Mary Berner, Woodlands class of ’77.

Berner is the current President and CEO of The Readers’ Digest Association, Inc., a $2.8 billion global publishing and direct-marketing corporation.

In her confident and energetic address, Berner traced the trajectory of her journey from Woodlands to the present. In doing so, she made it clear that her ascension in the publishing world has not been without setbacks and diversions, and she expressed to the students that success in life can be measured in a multitude of ways.

Following Berner was a class of 2001 alumna, Vanessa Ruiz. Ruiz is currently a graduate student in biomedical visualization at the University of Illinois, Chicago and has already distinguished herself in the field of medical illustration through her award-winning blog, “Street Anatomy” (streetanatomy.com/blog). Via Ruiz’s fascinating PowerPoint presentation, Woodlands students gained insight into a field that few know much about. Moreover, like Berner, Ruiz testified to life’s surprises and challenges as she openly

he artist: abigail murray ’91

admitted that the shape of her career is far different now from what she previously envisioned.

Two captivating breakout sessions concluded the Career Day program. Texas A&M University Assistant Professor of Philosophy Colleen Murphy, Class of ’93, spoke candidly and humorously about how she arrived to the academic world and how she encountered her unexpected field of expertise, engineering ethics. Visual artist Abigail Murray, Class of ’91, gave an engaging presentation about her professional development and displayed samples from her amazing portfolio of nationally renowned art and design work.

Perhaps even more useful for the students, however, was the chance to speak individually with the speakers after the assemblies. This apparently had a leveling effect, one in which the high school student could view a distinguished professional as a peer with a common bond, not as an unapproachable adult. Career Day once again proved to be an enriching and unifying opportunity for both past and present Woodlands students.

Abigal Murray’s layered art display.

Ruiz showcases her talents in a self-portrait, complete with organs.

spring 2008

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around woodlands

1

1

Lake Forest College Assistant Professor of Spanish gizella meneses discusses the writings of 17th century Mexican poet Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz.

Meneses spoke to Woodlands AP English students as part of a unit on ‘Reverence and Reflection.’

Dann-Fenwick wrote about her experience, “My internship at the United Nations was a chance to enter the world of international cooperation. I attended a Security Council meeting and met with UN Assistant Secretary General Robert Orr and foreign NGO officers. I spent many happy hours in the UN library researching and admiring the library’s vast collection. My presentation on the effectiveness of sanctions and their impact on third world development was well-received. Inspired by the NGOs’ infectious ‘can-do’ attitude, I created a lesson plan to teach students about climate change.

Freshmen charlotte elwart, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation ( JDRF) volunteer lauren hermsen , and m argaret young celebrate at the Ron Santo Walk for the Cure in Libertyville in October.

Hermsen and her parents, Greg and Julie, organized the second largest race team in their community with 100 volunteers, including several Woodlands students, and raised $25,000 for the JDRF.

My UN experience opened my eyes to the numerous ways I can work in international politics, and has made me a more caring, informed, and passionate global citizen.”

Dann-Fenwick’s climate change lesson plan is posted on the DPI/ NGO’s 60th Annual Conference website: www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/ conference/Youth.htm.

2

, morga n colem an , and sarah sw ift spell ‘R’ ‘O’ ‘S’ ‘S’ with Indie rock singer/songwriter ross copperm a n, whose music has been featured on Grey’s Anatomy, One Tree Hill, ER, and other shows. Copperman spoke at Woodlands about his work and performed All She Wrote and other selections from his U.K. hit album, Welcome to Reality.

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2 4

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coeur à coeur

4

Senior jenn y dann - fen w ick spent a month last summer interning at the Temple of Understanding, a UN Non Governmental Organization (NGO), where she worked with a multi-generational sub-committee to prepare for the DPI/NGO’s 60th Annual Conference on global climate change.

,

from left : seniors kate hudson m argee rock

5

Diagnosed at age two with diabetes, Hermsen has done extraordinary work on behalf of the JDRF. She is the child ambassador for the Foundation and has participated in countless benefits and charity walks. Most recently, Illinois Congresswoman Melissa Bean honored Hermsen with an invitation to attend the 2008 State of the Union address as her special guest. Both the Waukegan News Sun and the Pioneer Press reported Hermsen’s remarkable story.

6

Head of School gerald grossm an and Rosary (Academy of the Sacred Heart, New Orleans) Campus Ministry Director and Duchesne House volunteer muriel cameron , rscj. Sr. Cameron met with Religious Studies classes and gave an inspiring all-school presentation about her work with Hurrican Katrina victims and Mexican migrant workers.

3

Woodlands dad andrew rice, a Senior VP in International Business at Jordan Industries, with daughter katherine ’08 and History Teacher virgini a zarob , ph . d . spoke at an assembly for juniors and seniors about current political and economic developments in China, India, and Russia.

6 spring 2008

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around school woodlands news

7

music to our ears Woodlands Academy Music Program in Review

students and faculty in the woodlands academy music program have been hard at work this year carrying forward the Woodlands tradition of excellence in music.

Our musicians in 2007-2008 include:

7

Freshman volunteers celebrate Woodlands’ AllSchool Service Day at the Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB). Woodlands observed the annual event in September. Students, faculty, and staff enjoyed a day of volunteering at several off-campus sites, including the NIFB, Park City; Waukegan YMCA; Greater Chicago Food Depository; St. Malachy’s School, Chicago; Howard Area Community Center; Misericordia; Thomas Seay (Salvation Army) Center, Chicago; and Partners for Progress, Gurnee.

8 9

9

from left :

emm a rudnik katherine rice alyssa knauer

10 coeur à coeur

Cabaret, a casual evening program in October that featured vocal soloists, choirs, and instrumentalists on campus.

{ students in Kaleidoscope }

Trilogy concert at Lake Forest Academy in October with Kaleidoscope, Lake Forest Academy, and Lake Forest Country Day School.

{ students in Orchestra }

{ students in the Performing Arts Chorus }

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Junior m artha bissing and seniors , , , and jennifer da nn - fen w ick with Illinois State Representative of the 58th District karen m ay. May spoke to students about government service and careers in politics as part of Woodlands’ “Brown Bag Lunch” speakers series.

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{ students in private vocal or instrumental lessons }

Participants in the Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA) District Competition.

Sophomore yuri uchida (orchestra), senior michelle hennings (band), and sophomore meghan stagl (choral) were chosen as District 7 finalists and performed with Honors groups at the festival.

Freshmen rachel mcclusky and m aryl montagne view the Torah with rabbi w endy geffen (center) at the North Shore Congregation Israel.

Seniors welcome Class of ’07 grads at College Age Reunion in December. Pictured left to right: lynn jorden ’07 , m aureen doyle ’07 , seniors jennifer da nn - fen w ick and julie sw inson , megha n mcwalters ’07 , senior ja ne mcena ney, belise rutagengwa ’07, and senior sarah sw ift.

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34 32 29 19

03

Woodlands musicians have performed in numerous events, including:

Vocal students auditioned for positions in the American Choral Directors (ACD) Regional Convention Honor Choir. Sophomore elizabeth lerum was chosen and meghan stagl was named as an alternate. The convention met in February.

Advent by Candlelight prayer service in December with Kaleidoscope at Sacred Heart Parish, Winnetka.

Woodlands Winter WonderWalk in December with instrumentalists and Kaleidoscope.

Christmas Sing in December at Lake Forest Bank and Market Square with Kaleidoscope.

St Mary’s Baby Jesus Pageant in December with Microscope under the direction and organization of senior katherine menzies .

Christmas Concert in December with Woodlands’ choirs and orchestra, featuring soloist yuri uchida and works by Orchestra Director laurel kaiser .

Our music faculty’s calendar included:

and Choral Director elizabeth kurowski attended the IMEA District 7 Auditions in October and the IMEA Festival in November.

kaiser

kurowski serves as the Women’s Choir Repertoire and Standards Chair for the state of Illinois ACD Board. kaiser attended the Chicago Flute Club Convention and researched flute choir music, alto flutes, piccolos, and flute repair.

spring 2008

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feature story

unto others courtney driscoll ’98 named 2007 st. philippine duchesne outstanding alumna photography • • •

courtney driscoll

Former Peace Corps volunteer and Carter Center advisor Courtney Driscoll ’98 returned to Woodlands Academy in January to receive the 2007 St. Philippine Duchesne Outstanding Alumna Award. This award honors alumnae who exemplify, to an extraordinary degree, Woodlands’ values and standards, including exceptional professional achievements and/or public service, and superior ethical, moral and spiritual conduct.

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feature story

new berry

photo by jim

“

An inтrvе� �ith Drisco� What were your thoughts when you learned that you had won the St. Philippine Duchesne Distinguished Alumna Award?

Immersing myself in the culture and gaining acceptance as a member of the community in the village of Sourgoubila, Burkina Faso were very valuable experiences that allowed me to help people I truly cared about.

”

Courtney’s bike ride into the village of Sourgoubila. Her bike was the only means of transportation in and out of the village. This was her last photo of the dirt road before she lef Sourgoubila.

Driscoll was an obvious choice for this distinction. She worked for five years with the U.S. Peace Corps and the Carter Center to improve health care in remote rural communities in West Africa. During this time, Driscoll also served on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) first Crisis Corps team assisting Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in St. Bernard Parish, New Orleans.

Driscoll’s Peace Corps Service began in 2002 in Burkina Faso, West Africa, where she served for two years as a community health and development volunteer. Living without basic necessities such as running water, electricity or a bed, Driscoll worked to enhance the services of a rural clinic for 7,500 villagers, promoted HIV/AIDS awareness and other government health initiatives, provided peer support to fellow Peace Corps volunteers, and assisted the Carter Center’s Global 2000 efforts in Burkina Faso to eliminate the guinea worm, a water-born and deadly parasitic disease that plagues the health and economy of several West African nations.

Nomads in rural Nothern Mali.

With invaluable grass-roots experience under her belt, Driscoll extended her service in Burkina a third year as a volunteer leader and cross-cultural and health technical trainer. Her expanded responsibilities included managing an up-country regional office and training new Peace Corps volunteers.

Shortly after Driscoll’s return to the United States in 2005, Hurricanes Rita and Katrina struck. Driscoll wanted to help and immediately offered her services to FEMA. She signed up for one month as a community relations officer, and then extended her service an additional two months in response to the devastation. Accustomed to deprivation, Driscoll worked grueling hours distributing essential supplies, counseling victims, helping FEMA restructure its delivery systems, and training new FEMA officers.

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coeur à coeur

“I was shocked and humbled to learn that I was selected when there are so many other qualified individuals who have come before me.”

Catholic Church in Sourgoubila. Funds for the roof were raised by students from St. Mary’s Parish in Lake Forest. Some of these students are present students at Woodlands Academy.

During her Peace Corps tenure, Driscoll’s efforts to eradicate the guinea worm had gained the Carter Center’s attention. The Center sought her expertise, and, in January 2006, Driscoll returned to West Africa as the Carter Center’s technical advisor in Burkina Faso. Fundamental to Driscoll’s success in this position was her understanding that public health employees would promote guinea worm eradication only if they were guaranteed jobs when the campaign ended. This insight served the program well: within a year, the Center had achieved its goal of zero indigenous guinea worm cases in Burkina Faso.

Having accomplished her mission in Burkina, Driscoll moved in September 2006 to neighboring Togo, where she directed and managed all facets of the Carter Center’s guinea worm eradication campaign. Under Driscoll’s leadership, the Togo program thrived, and by the end of her tenure in December 2007, the country had nearly eliminated all indigenous guinea worm cases.

Driscoll shared her Peace Corps and Katrina relief experiences with the Woodlands community at an all-school assembly convened in her honor. She also met with students and discussed a display of artifacts from her work in Africa. The Pioneer Press was on hand to report the event and published a feature about Driscoll’s award and African service in the Lake Forester.

Speaking on behalf of all who heard her remarkable story, Head of School Gerald Grossman said, “Courtney epitomizes all that we aspire to as Sacred Heart students and educators: a selfless devotion to serving others, a commitment to building bridges between peoples and cultures, and an aspiration to cultivate one’s spiritual and ethical capacities. I am proud to have Courtney in our Sacred Heart family.”

Did your Sacred Heart education at Woodlands influence your decision to join the Peace Corps?

“My experiences at Woodlands were very influential and truly instilled a passion for service and helping those who are less fortunate.”

What were your most valuable experiences living and working in Africa?

“Immersing myself in the culture and gaining acceptance as a member of the community in the village of Sourgoubila, Burkina Faso were very valuable experiences that allowed me to help people I truly cared about.”

What are your plans for the future?

“I would like to pursue nonprofit work in the U. S. that utilizes my Peace Corps and Carter Center experiences.”

What are your fondest memories of Woodlands?

“I best remember having unlimited educational, |eadership, and extracurricular opportunities at Woodlands.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Lake Forester feature about Driscoll is posted at http://www.pioneerlocal.com/ lakeforest/schools/744790,lf-woodlands-011708-s1.article.

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alumnae news/notes

1

mums of alums St. Philippine Duchesne Celebration woodlands’ mums of alums celebrated the life of St. Philippine Duchesne at the St. Philippine Duchesne Prayer Service and Sacred Heart Awards Ceremony in November. Following the service, mums attended a luncheon and enjoyed Woodlands’ Assistant Principal m ary crook ’s presentation on the history of St. Philippine.

The luncheon also featured a m a nda bobbit ’08 , who gave a reflection on her four years of education at Woodlands. Bobbit described her deep appreciation of Woodlands traditions and academic and extracurricular life, and the school’s nurturing Sacred Heart community.

The following are excerpts from Bobbit’s reflection:

I commute 22.4 miles from Chicago to Lake Forest every day.

I would gladly commute another 20 miles just to be a part of this community. Want to know why? The reason is that Woodlands Academy is unlike many other schools. There are no boundaries between classes, no tension between faculty and students, and no need to be anyone other than who you are. Woodlands is an accepting place filled with many colorful characters. Each person welcomes you with a warm smile and loving arms. Individuality and creativity are strongly encouraged. It is here in these hallways that I feel I am most able to express myself.

Woodlands is part of a much greater community, the Network of the Sacred Heart. I have been a part of this Network since I was six years old when I was fortunate to attend the Sacred Heart Schools on Sheridan Road. I learned the importance of the Goals and Criteria.

I live and breathe the Goals night and day. They have taught me to deepen my relationship with God, to value my education, to help others whenever possible, to welcome everyone, and to grow as a human being.

One crucial aspect of a Woodlands Sacred Heart education is community service. Last year I participated in a service project in New York City to help the hungry and the homeless. Woodlands alumna megha n dempsey scarsella ’99 arranged the trip. Mrs. Scarsella made the same trip a decade ago and wanted to share her love of service with another generation. This is just one example of how Woodlands’ commitment to service touches our lives.

Academic excellence is another important part of a Woodlands education. Every student here is challenged and encouraged to excel.

Passionate teachers make that possible. Our faculty’s enthusiasm for

clare o ’ hare ’07, m aura sulliva n ’07,

learning is contagious. They have pushed me to do my best by offering support, guidance, and the desire to learn.

and Operations barbara keilw itz , and meghan mcwalters ’07

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Education comes alive on our stage. Our fall plays for the past three years, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Little Women, and Ladies, Sigh No More, have been adaptations of important literature or have concerned literary figures.

I have been in six productions at Woodlands Academy. I probably spend as much time in the Susan Saint James Performing Arts Center (PAC) as I do elsewhere in the school. Woodlands has afforded me the wonderful opportunity to play incredible roles.

At a larger school, I would have been too intimidated to audition, but Woodlands has taught me to seize every opportunity, go for my goals, and try to achieve my greatest potential.

college kick-off

The Class of 2007 and their advisors gathered in August at Buffo’s Pizzeria to celebrate before starting their first year of college. A swimming party hosted by Class Representative annie hudson ’07 followed.

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betsy stahler fallon ’94 , m arilyn fincutter

Woodlands’ Learning Program Instructor with daughter karen fincutter ’95 ,and

sean fallon.

Another great feature of Woodlands Academy is student government.

I have been on W.A.C.O.R. for the past four years. I have learned at Woodlands that a good leader must first become a good servant. This year at our Student Leadership Conference we discussed ‘leading is listening,’ the idea that every individual matters and each one of us contributes to making Woodlands a unique place.

Woodlands’ rich traditions and customs define us. As I wrote my college essays, I reflected on the [Sacred Heart] Goals and Criteria.

I thought about Congé, Winter WonderWalk, Goûter, Wildcat of the Week, and many other traditions. These thoughts put a smile on my face. I admit that I am not yet ready to leave Woodlands.

However, thanks to Woodlands, I can confidently say that I am a woman of character and a strong leader for tomorrow.

Director of Finance

melissa genger ’07,

The Woodlands Academy Alumnae Association (WAAA) held its second annual Goûter Mardi Gras city event in February at McGee’s Tavern. More than 50 alumnae, faculty, staff, and friends enjoyed a festive evening, which included a raffle drawing. The group raised $1100 to benefit the WAAA Scholarship Fund.

Woodlands thanks the WAAA Goûter Committee and Chair betsy stahler fallon ’94 for making this event a huge success!

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3 jane schenck

and nora

walsh kerr ’95 .

4 Former English Teacher carole hayes and m ary ann fuller , parent of kathleen fuller garrett ’88 . Fuller organized the Mums of Alum Gilead discussion.

goûter mardi gras

mums of alums book discussion

Mums of Alums met in October for lunch and a book discussion with former Woodlands English Department Chair carole hayes . With Hayes’ guidance, the group enjoyed a lively conversation about Marilynne Robinson’s prize-winning novel, Gilead. Hayes later remarked, “Now I know the source of brightness in my students. It’s genetic.”

Editor’s note: Scarcella’s service project is profiled in the Winter 2007 issue of Coeur à Coeur.

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spring 2008

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alumnae news/notes Class of 1957

barbara wood - prince ’54

Class of 1967

Decade of the 70’s Class

Class of 1979

Class of 1982

Class of 1987

Class of 1992

Class of 1997

with grandchild.

sugar & spice and all things nice Gingerbread House Workshop 2007 the woodlands academy alumnae association

hosted its seventh annual Gingerbread House Workshop at Woodlands in December. More than 200 alumnae, faculty, staff, and friends of the community decorated gingerbread houses, snacked on treats, and visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Woodlands students and Alumnae Board members volunteered as elves to greet guests, make frosting, and assist with decorating.

Proceeds from this event benefited the Woodlands Academy Alumnae Association Scholarship Fund.

charlotte leornard ’65 , allie mitchell solomon

’91 , meghan

leonard fleischel ’91 ,

runkle o ’ brien ’56 .

Seniors m adeleine tolmie , sarah and kate hudson.

coeur à coeur

Woodlands Academy Class Reunion 2007 woodlands academy observed its

Mass was celebrated in the Woodlands Academy Chapel the next day, followed by a cocktail and buffet dinner at Exmoor Country Club. lizzy crogan ’10 performed a beautiful piano arrangement. Alumnae enjoyed a display of photographs representing many decades at Woodlands.

Reunion weekend began with a wine tasting event for the decade of the 70s held at The Village Market in Lake Bluff.

More than twenty 70s graduates gathered to enjoy the wine tasting and to catch up with fellow classmates.

Celebrating their 50th Reunion this year was the Class of 1957. The festivities began with a dinner party at the home of myra reilly ’57. The reunion mass honored these alumnae. ronnie dew ey, rscj ’47 dedicated a meditation to the Class of 1957 and commemorative blue ribbons were pinned on all present.

Woodlands’ Kaleidoscope choir provided music.

annual reunion in October. Celebrated were class years ending in 2s and 7s and the decade of the 70s.

sw ift,

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and kathleen

we meet again

Senior phoebe and guest.

hoffm a n

The Woodlands Academy Alumnae Association Board sincerely thanks all alumnae who volunteered to make these events successful.

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alumnae news/notes

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photo : helen bruns ryan ’50

pictured with their family.

and husband Don

writes, “I recently came across a note that is almost 57 years old from Mother E. Boyle, RSCJ, who was the study hall ‘mistress’ for the borders before dinner. She was so good to the girls! She asked me to pray for a ‘sinner,’ Joseph, who was then 85 years old. She also enclosed a ‘flying’ novena to the Infant of Prague which I say every day.”

jo - ellen killoran dom alski ’51

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photo : jea nne donovan belford ’57 and husband Don reside in Bonita Springs, Florida.

writes, “I have recently retired after running my own interior design business for 17 years.

Jim and I are enjoying a smaller home not far from where we previously lived in a very active over-55 community. I am busier now than when I worked! Right now we are planning a three-week trip to Italy with four other couples we met here. We are making all of our own arrangements and are even studying Italian. That and visiting our three children and grandchildren in two states and Costa Rica keep us busy.”

joyce dati poynton ’60

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photo : patrici a conlin boykin ’67 and husband William reside in Maryland. Patricia is pictured with her children Ryan, Casey, and Lauren Adams. photo : pam lombardi w enzel ’67

with Pam’s brother Matthew.

and husband Jim

writes, “Our happy news is our daughter Alex’s engagement to Brian Hayne. They will be married in December. Willis and I keep busy as empty nesters, I with my jewelry business and plants, and Willis with tennis and work.” Sandy and Willis reside in Georgia. sandy mcdonald jones ’71

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5 6 7

photo : janet new ell hilliard with her family and daughter jo ann hilliard holla nd ’71 .

and husband Michael are pictured with their family.

photo : m ary gelderm ann georgopulos ’72

Alumnae from the class of 1975 celebrated their 50th birthdays in Chicago. back row (from left): julie smith tewart ’75 , kiki spencer batina ’75 , audrey scislow icz reineberg ’75 , and m ary jennett ’75 .

Front row (from left): m aureen haggerty warmuth ’75 , catherine w iegand herrm ann ’75 and m ary beth tierna n ka mraczewski ’75 . photo :

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The late clare reynolds joyce ’75 and husband Michael’s children are pictured left to right: Tommy, Suzanne, Kate, and Jack. photo :

is an instructor at The Poetry Center of Chicago, Chicago Arts Partnership, and WordsatPlay. She is also a consultant for a pilot program at WordsatPlay to help elementary school teachers incorporate poetry into their curricula. Harriman leads writing workshops for the Northwest Arts Council, Chicago Humanities Festival, Harold Washington Library, and Glenbard East High School. She has received numerous awards, including the Pushcart Prize in poetry, Gwendolyn Brooks Award for Teaching Excellence and awards from Permafrost Magazine, Esquire Magazine, and Snake Nation Review. Her publications include Saints of Hysteria, A Half Century of Collaborative Poetry, The City Visible, Chicago Poetry for the New Century, and Mentor & Muse: Essays from Poets to Poets. Cecilia has also published prose and poetry in a variety of journals and magazines, including Quarter After Eight Fence and Rino & River Oak Review. Cecilia and her husband James reside in Chicago. cecilia pinto harrim an ’76

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photo : carlette mcmulla n ’76 and husband John Gibbons with daughter Madeleine.

writes, “I work as a senior information systems director for AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals in Montreal, Quebec, where I have lived for the last 23 years. I have two children, Natasha, 20, and Max, 17. Natasha is also a Sacred Heart alumna (Montreal 2004). I remarried in 2005 to Juan Carracedo Botifoll, a Cuban lawyer who runs his own consulting business. I would love to hear from my classmates!” photo : kathleen o ’connell ’77

m ary bischel kowarick ’79 writes, “The Woodlands reunion in October was a highlight of 2007. Our education was a solid grounding that will always help us get through the most difficult times and help us celebrate the best of times. Our guest room is always open for a New York City visit. You are all welcome!” tina curran ’80 writes, “I left the marketing team at NBC four years ago to take some time off and pursue more artistic endeavors. Since then, I’ve dedicated most of my time to making art quilts (i.e., quilts to hang on walls as art). This year, I launched a website to showcase my work (tinacurran.com). When not quilting, I am freelancing back at NBC, helping to promote the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Be sure to tune in, starting on August 8, 2008!”

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12 writes, “My son Will, 11, and I have recently moved to Viroqua, WI. It is a beautiful area that is home to Organic Valley. I completed my organic farmer training program and began working last spring in organic vegetable production. My 20-plus years in marketing help those in organic farming, green built homes, land preservation, and sustainable living practices.”

penn y lindstrom ’80

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photo : jenn y sullivan sanford ’80 writes, “I continue to be involved in the areas of cancer prevention, wellness, and preservation.” Jenny and husband Mark live in South Carolina and are pictured with their sons.

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photo : christine m aes trzaska ’85 and husband Mark with sons Alex, 16, Zachary, 13, and Andy, 9.

writes, “My husband William and I have a beautiful new baby girl, Francesca, born on June 17, 2007. My fourth baby looks like a Galgano! The other three have dad’s Swedish blond hair. We are so blessed to have four beautiful, healthy, and caring children.”

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photo : lisa galgano ersbo ’87

and husband Brennan with children, left to right: Keegan, Madeline, Gavin, Charlotte, and Brennan.

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writes, “I am the Director of Quality Improvement for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Behavioral Health Network. My husband Adam and I live in Chicago.”

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photo : tracy schornack pow er ’87

julie fennelly trudo ’87

16 16

photo : meg mckenna smith ’87

and husband Ed with children, left to right: Molly, Catherine, Charlie, and Eddie.

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and husband David are the proud parents of twins Mary Murtaugh (Mim) and Thomas Gerard (Tommy), born on February 16, 2007. Jennifer resides with her family in Lake Forest. Pictured left to right: Mim, David, Charlie, Tommy, and Jennifer. photo : jennifer murtaugh fritzsche ’88

and husband Thomas are the proud parents of son Charles Dettert, born on March 20, 2007. Charles joins brother Will, 5. Kathleen resides with her family in California. kathleen fuller garrett ’88

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alumnae news/notes

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21

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photo : sheila roberson hussey ’90 and husband Keith are the proud parents of daughter Bridget

Aileen, born on June 11, 2007. Bridget joins sisters Madeline and Shae. Sheila resides with her family in Glenview. writes, “I am celebrating my ten-year wedding anniversary with my husband Bryan this year. We lived in California for about 15 years and then moved to Overland Park, Kansas for Bryan’s business.

Crazy enough, we love this place! It is the best place for us to raise our family. We live in the greatest neighborhood where my friends have become like family. Our children Sarah, 8, and Michael, 6, keep me very busy. I am on the PTO board and I volunteer at school and church. I am a Girl Scout leader and soccer coach. In addition, I just began a business, Time for You Personal Fitness. I thought that when my kids went to school, I would have more free time, but I think I am busier now than when they were at home with me.”

jenn y saporito zingg ’90

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writes, “ I had two books published in December: Career Up English Diary from the Japan Times and 30 Minutes a Day, Logical Thinking Exercise from PHP. I was in two soprano contests and received an All Nippon Players Association Encouragement Award in the Lady’s Classical Music Contest. I passed the International League of Artists audition and will be performing several concerts in Tokyo as prizewinner this year.”

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photo : yukari akiyam a ’91

and husband Paul are the proud parents of son William Paul, born on July 15, 2007. Kathleen and her family reside in Iowa. photo : kathleen buckardt butler ’91

and husband John are the proud parents of daughter Jane Macari, born on June 20, 2007. Jane joins big brothers Jack, Quinn, and Will. Julie resides with her family in Northfield.

julie fitzgerald nimesheim ’91

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The Mariano Family is pictured left to right: Rob Mariano’s fiancé Anna Mukenschnabl, krissy m ari ano ’04 , Terri Mariano, and jenn y m aria no ’06 . photo :

writes, “ I became engaged in August to Kurt Austin. We are planning to have the wedding this coming summer.” Rebecca lives in Chicago. photo : rebecca ulz ’91

and husband Donald are the proud parents of daughter Daniella, born on August 16, 2007. Uju resides with her family in Matteson. uju unachuk w u utoh ’91

and husband Bryant are the proud parents of son Luke, born this past summer. Cori resides with her family in Elmhurst.

corrina corbin wojcik ’91

spring 2008

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colleen berezn y lee ’92 writes, “I live in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. My husband Lee and I really enjoy life here.

Summers are often spent hiking and skiing (or, in my case, tubing, driving a boat, and catching rays) on Jackson Lake. Winters are spent cross-country and alpine skiing and trying to keep warm! I’m starting a baby accessory business called ‘Blabber Baby.’ I keep up with WA friends in Jackson. andrea johnson bent ’92 and husband Winslow and daughter Julia live in Wilson and we get together periodically. Andrea is doing great and looks exactly the same! jessica graha m m acgregor ’94 is also here although I haven’t run into her in awhile!”

and husband John are the proud parents of daughter Lily Kathleen, born on April 24, 2007. Mary writes, “I was teaching 4th grade at Cathedral School of St. Mary, but after having my little girl, I have become a stay-at-home mom.” Mary and her family reside in Texas. m ary spranze warren ’92

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and husband Greg are the proud parents of son Gregory Lance, born on September 25, 2007. Mary Therese writes, “Gregory looks just like Maddie when she was born: big feet and a head of hair. The only difference is his defensive tackle build.” Mary Therese lives with her family in Arlington Heights.

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photo : m ary therese kraft w illia ms ’92

sarah feeley ’93 writes, “I am working for Vulcan Productions as a production executive and commuting between Seattle and Los Angeles. We have a six-part series on Human Nature going into production for PBS and a number of projects in the pipeline. I just got back from Sundance, which was a ton of fun.”

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alumnae news/notes

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22

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photo : m ary gillard anderson ’94 and husband Eric are the proud parents of daughter Elizabeth Averdt “Elle,” born on March 12, 2007. Mary writes, “I am loving being a mom! I just returned to work as an attorney with Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP in Chicago.

I attended betsy stahler fallon ’s ’94 wedding in June in Chicago. Betsy and I were in Miss Edmunds’ homeroom and then lived together after college. The wedding was beautiful and I loved catching up with so many WA girls.

I hope all is well at WA!” Pictured left to right: m ary gillard anderson ’94 , karen fincutter ’95 , kim segerdahl ’93 , katie segerdahl ’96 , betsy stahler fallon ’94 , d ’arcy lynch dawson ’94 , beth frost ’94 , and nora walsh kerr ’95 .

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photo : betsy stahler fallon ’94 married Sean Fallon in June. Betsy is a member of the WAAA Board and is a second grade teacher at Sacred Heart Schools – Sheridan Road in Chicago. Betsy and Sean live in Chicago. heidi haverkamp ’94 has been a rector at St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church in Bolingbrook since she graduated from divinity school. Her ordination was in December.

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writes, “My husband Stephan and I were blessed with our second son, Griffin Thomas, born on February 16, 2007.

His older brother, Leighton, is so happy to have a little brother to play with now. We are currently living in Keller, Texas. I have been working in quality assurance for the past three years for a pharmaceutical company in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I was recently promoted as a quality assurance/operations manager. We miss the Chicago area and visit as often as we can. Our next trip will be in September, when my younger sister, alissa gesell ’99 gets married!” photo : jesica gesell jones ’95

nora walsh kerr ’95 married Russ Kerr in November.

They reside in Chicago. Nora writes, “ Two of my bridesmaids were WA girlfriends m aggie walsh ’95 and rebecca pasquesi ’95 . I’m very happy to be married and to leave the wedding planning back in ‘07!

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and husband Nigel are the proud parents of daughter Pippa Pryde, born in May. Sara writes, “2007 was a busy year for the Otto Family. My husband, Roxy our dog, and I moved to Oklahoma at the beginning of the year. Nigel is pursuing a Ph.D. in biochemistry at the University of Oklahoma.” photo: sara loosen otto ’95

became engaged on Christmas Day to Paul Gossett. Paul is in the military and will be going to Iraq. meghan culicchia ’96

elizabeth greco boehlert ’96 and husband Jason are the proud parents of daughter Lucy Corradina, born on August 17, 2007. Elizabeth and her family reside in Virginia.

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photo

: Tom and Sonya Koenig with daughters and meredith koenig ’99 .

alissa koenig ’97

, Director of Admission and Financial Aid, visited current parents and alumnae on her trip to Seoul in November. Woodlands staff regularly travel to Asia to recruit students for our boarding school and to connect with current and past photo : katie creed ’91

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families. Pictured left to right: Mr. and Mrs. Kim, sang hee park ’99 , katie creed ’91 , Mrs. Judy Wu, Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Park, and Mr. and Mrs. Lee. and husband Dean are the proud parents of son Niko, born on April 22, 2007. Trinity and her family reside in Wheeling. trinity giata nos vla ’97

married Eric Dominguez in April. They reside in Georgia.

kelly konsler dominguez ’98

writes, “I have been living in Chicago since my graduation from Denison University and am working for Bubbles Academy, a child enrichment center, in Chicago. We offer art, movement, and preschool classes for children from birth to age 5. I became engaged in July to Tim Flamm of Chicago. Our wedding is planned for the fall of 2008.”

clarissa colletti ’00

emm a lind ’05 was named editorial chair of the Harvard Crimson.

worked the past couple of summers as a counselor with Rustic Pathways. Her father writes, “Aisling has been leading groups of teens on trips through Thailand,Vietnam, and Cambodia. This fall, Aisling took the semester off to assist Rustic in opening an orphanage along the Thai/Myanmar (Burma) border. Next summer, she will be running the service program at the orphanage. The link www.rusticpathways.com/2008/thailand/tch.html shows Aisling with some of the kids she helps. She loves it! If you look closely at the pictures in the middle of the page you will see my wife Shawn. She visited Aisling in August and helped out at the orphanage project. She also loved it!” aisling kerns ’05

completed a semester in Paris and returned to New Orleans for her junior year. neive sparr ’01 is a charge nurse in labor and delivery at Illinois Masonic and is a substitute school nurse at Sacred Heart Sheridan Road, her elementary school.

allie sparr ’05

writes, “I was interviewed by the internship office staff at The College of Saint Benedict/ St. John University about my summer internship training bottlenose dolphins at the Minnesota Zoo. The website www.csbsju.edu/internship/ops/FeaturedIntern.htm describes my internship and what I learned.”

va nessa yeager ’05

is an intern at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. Mary Frances was named to the dean’s list last semester at University of Notre Dame. m ary fra nces popit ’06

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is a second-year pre-med student at St. Louis University. Her mother writes that Courtney volunteers as a tutor in the inner city and is a Big Sister in Big Brother Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. She is a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a service fraternity that provides food to needy families in the city of St. Louis.

In addition, Courtney is a part of the Admissions Ambassadors Tour Guide and Student Panel Group and is resident assistant for freshmen girls in the Honors Program. She is a member of the Biology Honor Society and Chemistry Club. She just finished an internship at SLU University’s Hospital and is now a permanent volunteer. courtney mcelyea ’06

was recently profiled in the “Lifestyle” section of The News Sun. She is a sophomore history major at Harvard with a specialization in Latin American studies.

joa nna m arquina ’06

Joanna says, “You have to work hard. Nothing worth having in the end is easy. You’re working hard not just for yourself but also for your family, especially if your parents are immigrants. One of the best ways to pay them back is to go to college.”

Joanna states that her experience at Woodlands made her realize that “there was always more: more that could be done, more that could be achieved, more that could be learned. I had great teachers at WA who encouraged me to become a better student and to think about issues more broadly to become a better person. More than anything, this was important in creating my own voice and finding what I’m passionate about. The Woodlands environment played a unique role in achieving this sort of understanding.” received the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Mothers Association Book Award in May. This award was established in 1963 to honor freshman students who have earned all As for 14 or more graded hours of course work during their first semester at the university. This award also recognizes the role of the student’s high school in making this achievement possible.

The Mothers Association contributes funds to the honored student’s high school to purchase a book for the library. nicole pall ’06

writes, “I am at Kendall College earning an associate’s degree in baking and pastry. I really love school, however challenging it may be.” katherine stewart ’06

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is a freshman at West Point. Pictured is Carl Swanson, father of lucy swanson ’06 and Nee-Nee at Carl’s 30th West Point college reunion. photo : nee - nee w illi a ms ’06

, mother of former faculty member Sr. Marian Abing

dolores abing

paul berezn y

, father of Colleen Berezny Lee ’92

suza nne bruns cain ’55 , sister of Joan Bruns Golden ’44, Barbara Bruns Murphy ’46, and Helen Bruns Ryan ’50 helen chipura

, grandmother of Alyssa Knauer ’08

, father of former staff member Deborah Wheatley; grandfather of Isabella Wheatley ’10 dunca n drake

, wife of former Trustee Maurice F. Dunne, Jr.; mother of former student Tara Dunne Stocker elea nor dunne

ralph j . elwart, sr ., father of Board Chair Ralph J. Elwart, Jr.; grandfather of Elizabeth Elwart ’01 and Charlotte Elwart ’11 eda fiorini ,

mother of Joy Fiorini Kaspi ’80

rosem ary furlong

, former faculty member

harold pfeffer,

grandfather of Kaitlin Donnelly ’11

, husband of Trustee Emerita Suzanne Reynolds; father of the late Julie Reynolds Shaw ’71, Kathleen Reynolds Lanctot ’73, the late Mary Clare Reynolds Joyce ’75, Suzanne Reynolds Hick ’79, and Ellen Reynolds Largay ’81; brother of the late Anne Reynolds Skakel ’50, Sheila Reynolds Berner ’52, Susan Reynolds Sullivan ’55, and Mary Ellen Reynolds ’57; uncle of Jennifer Sullivan Sanford ’80 and Mary G. Berner ’77 thomas a. reynolds, jr.

anne halsey roberts , mother of Catherine Roberts Kane ’66, Susan Roberts ’67, Marjorie Roberts ’70, and Virginia Roberts ’71; grandmother of Anne Kane ’01 joan m . ross ’47

, grandfather of Claire Ruscitti ’05 and Elizabeth Ruscitti ’01

titus ruscitti

, father of former Trustee Sandi Strong; grandfather of Meredith Strong ’05

james m . sharp

, father of Ann Shelley Prosser ’79

thom as s . hermes , husband of former faculty member Barbara Joyce ’70

daniel j. shelley

deirdre murphy herw ig ’73

, father of Ex Officio Alumnae Board member Jennifer Sparrow Snorf ’76

virgini a pow ers joyce

Spranze Warren ’92

, grandmother of Mary

son of the late Mary Ann Bremner Kennedy ’44; brother of Susan Kennedy ’70, Mary T. Kennedy ’77, Madeleine K. Engerman ’84, Lauretta K. Mulholland ’80, and Jane K. Fitzgibbons ’75 james kennedy,

robert f. key, former Trustee, father of Megan ’03, Kerrianne ’08, and Kelsey ’11, and former student Molly

, uncle of faculty member Elizabeth Kurowski bernard korn

denice rassas krez ’65 , sister of Margot F. Rassas ’63, Deirdre Rassas Zubrod ’69; aunt of Paige Rassas ’95; sister-in-law of Susan Crouch Rassas ’64 edward paul krupow icz , uncle of staff member Marineta Kropke’s husband

, father of Jamila (Michelle) Martinez VanDien ’99

refugio l . m artinez

jea nne mcenaney,

McEnaney ’08

grandmother of Jane

mother of Julie McLaury Simpson ’61; grandmother of Elizabeth Simpson ’99

catherine ludwig palmer ,

alumnae news/notes

memorials - july 2007 through february 19, 2008

ruth m arie smith ’43 vincent p. sparrow

donald c . tiffa n y

Tiffany ’63

, husband of Irene Martin

edward f. ulmer , father-in-law of faculty member Dr. Richard Scheiber

, mother of Carol Weiss Asher ’60 and Mary Weiss Fauls ’67; mother-in-law of Anne Csar Weiss ’66

m argery w eiss

m ary jo w eissenberg ’56

, sister of Rosemary Williams DeMore ’49, sister of Maudie Williams Bremor ’54 m artha e . w illia ms ’51

, mother-in-law of trustee Barbara Wood-Prince ’54 elea nor wood - prince

weddings

kathleen o’connell ’77

and Juan Carracedo Botifoll

elizabeth stahler ’94

and Sean Fallon

nora walsh ’95

and Russ Kerr

patrici a murray ’99 jessica ia nello ’00

and Richard M. Rendina and Kevin Brosche spring 2008

31

�ave the �aт

All events are in the Woodlands chapel unless noted otherwise.

fine arts evening

May 15 | 6:00 pm waaa board meeting

May 17 | 10:00 am | Haggerty Center head of school ’ s thank you luncheon for mothers club

May 20 | 11:30 am | Froggy’s French Café, Highwood st . madeleine sophie prayer service sacred heart awards

*

mums of alums luncheon

May 21 | 10:30 am sports award ceremony

May 21 | 7:00 pm | Woodlands Academy Gymnasium honors assembly

June 4 | 10:00 am graduation dinner

June 4 | 7:00 pm | Exmoor Country Club graduation

June 5 | 6:00 pm