a publication from Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart
Mes Amies № 07
2014 Spring ISSUE
CAREER 2014 Day ’97
Experienced Sacred Heart alumnae in various fields offered their words of wisdom to students during Career Day Jan. 31.
Sarah Personette
SARAH PERSONETTE ’97 kicked off the 27th event by
Kiki Hamilton Clark
saying, “Woodlands is definitely part of who I am. Woodlands wants you to be the best you can be.
’82
It challenges you to do that . . . Love every minute
KIKI HAMILTON CLARK, Sacred Heart Villa Duchesne
of your school here. It’s incredible.”
class of 1982, urged students to strike the proper
balance in their lives. “If your job is 80 percent At a young age, Personette is president of Univer-
and your personal life is 20 percent, you’re out of
sal McCann advertising agency. She offered these
balance,” she said.
“commandments for consideration:” Clark, a realtor with Prudential Rubloff, discov-
1. Start by starting. Start with your dreams. Take a chance. Learn from what works and what doesn’t. 2. Be the master of your own
ered her own life was “out of balance” in 2006, when the real estate market was “getting crazy.”
education. Use resources around you to understand more about what’s interesting
As stress began to get the better of her, she
3. Ignore the job title and focus on what you’ll learn. 4. Raise your hand for the role. Don’t just think about it. Say you want to participate. 5. Work really
turned to yoga/meditation to calm down. The next step was to consider taking a dif-
hard, and be kind to everyone. There are no shortcuts. Nothing is handed to you.
enjoy – and not take too seriously.
to you.
ferent approach to her career by looking for a job in her chosen field that she could
In closing, Personette said, “Integrity is the one true compass you should follow.”
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Sherree Burruss
SHERREE BURRUSS ’08 discussed “the good, the
bad and the ugly” sides of a career in TV journalism. Her passion for reporting and love of sports put her on the path to a job as sports anchor/ reporter for ABC 17 in Columbia, Mo. “You have to
Jenny Sullivan Sanford reminded students that there are a lot of ways to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the world – not just via their careers.
really want to do this,” Burruss was quick to point out. She added that while there is much that is good about what many perceive as a glamorous career, such as every day being something new — never knowing what you’ll be covering or who you’ll be meeting or where you might be travelling — there’s also a bad and
“Enjoying family and friends is a key to keeping your life in proper balance,” Clark said. “Also, don’t be afraid to try new things.” She credits her Sacred Heart school roots with getting her off to a good start on her career path – and for being there to help get her life in balance long after graduation.
ugly side. The negative factors, according to Burruss, include generally low pay for those first jobs in TV news, long/weird hours and often working holidays. “You need to have good news judgment, the ability to think creatively — and a thick skin — to make it in this business,” she said. “You also should be personable, trustworthy and patient. A lot of these traits can be traced to my Woodlands education.”
Pictured above, from left: FRANCESCA MATEO ’15, MIA OBERTO ’17 and JERUSALEM ADAMS-SHEPARD ’17 hold an extended Q & A session with Woodlands alumna SHERREE BURRUSS ’08.
CONTINUED INSIDE
»
WA World
PRESERVING the Cupola THE 10,000-POUND CUPOLA FROM ATOP BARAT COLLEGE was successfully removed and awaits restoration as part of the campus expansion project underway thanks to the generosity of the donors of the property.
N OLLEE T ’13, C Y R FLIN E E L IF Y N A JEN AND H iSEN ’13 a Prov ect at ANDER o c re nn 3 . e ’1 L m ey ga LOVEL e hock Colleg dence
From left: ERIKA CERILLO ’15, MIA ALVERGUE ’15 and ARMINDA DOWNEY-MAVROMATIS ’16 show off the latest configuration of their robot.
Be wise and good, and learn from your experience.
Clubs Offer Endless Possibilities
O
ne of the many wonderful as-
At the typical regional meet, Wood-
accounts of life at WA. You’ll see some
pects of being a Woodlands
lands’ Robotics Club will compete with
bylines of WAM members in this news-
Academy student is having
about 30 other teams. While the tasks
letter as part of the club’s intention is
the opportunity to participate in a wide
are identical, Wilen says no two robots
to provide real-world experience and to
variety of clubs.
designed to perform them are ever the
equip students with meaningful pieces
same. “Students learn a lot from seeing
for their portfolios.
From CREW to Yearbook to Model UN, clubs allow students to explore personal growth in an atmosphere of wise
the other entries. You’ll often hear them saying, ‘We should have done that.’”
freedom. There are many interesting
“Our club is one of a very few all-girls’
clubs, and most of them have been
robotics teams competing, which has
started by students.
impressed some of the judges,” he
There are six new offerings this year:
adds.
Anime, Art, Book Club, Debate Team, Ping-Pong and Woodlands Academy Media (WAM). We’ll highlight a couple of these as well as some of our longerstanding clubs.
Robotics
Building STEM Skills (and Robots, too)
The world is so complex and interconnected, and
Model UN
Creating the Next Generation’s Leaders EMMA PARKINSON ’15
ticipants to learn about
The newly formed Woodlands de-
school community via Skype. She had
realistic political and diplomatic envi-
issues and controversies
bate team has already made its mark.
planned to be at Woodlands, but the
ronment, Model UN helps them foster
Within its first few months the stu-
weather in South Carolina was uncoopera-
about which most have
dents have attended four tournaments.
tive. Sanford worked at a Wall Street bank-
standing of international policy.
Success has been immediate, as they
ing firm before being campaign manager
shocked themselves by winning first,
for her then-husband, the governor of
second and third in one particular
South Carolina. She published a memoir,
tournament.
Staying True, an instant national bestseller,
While Robotics Club may be a hobby for some of its 15 members, Wilen says all are truly interested in science and
The Woodlands debate team is
after her first conference.
composed of three students and was
Sanford reminded students that there are a lot of ways to make a difference
initiated and is monitored by Kyle
in the world — not just via their careers. She relayed that her oldest of four
Schmitt, coordinator of educational
sons told her recently that when he graduates from college this year, he will be
technology. These students dedicate
working at the same Wall Street firm, in the same position she once held. “To
their time to exploring the world of
have him walk in my shoes is the biggest compliment to me.”
Woodlands usually participates in downtown Chicago. As an international
technology, engineering and math
there are college scholarship opportu-
event, many CIMUN attendees will
(STEM) skills while also inspiring inno-
nities available. One club member from
some day help to run countries in the
vation and fostering well-rounded traits
last year is now studying engineering
real world. It is this idea that Model UN
such as self-confidence, communication
at Purdue University on a scholarship
helps to foster.
and leadership,” says physics teacher
while also serving as a mentor for high
Matthew Wilen, the Robotics Club’s
school robotics teams in that area.
Critical thinking and problem-solving
meets twice a week – once during
controversies about which most have
skills are required as students brain-
lunch hour and once after school.
never heard,” explains moderator Cash-
Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Tech Challenge. Robots built for this year’s meets must be able to place blocks on both sides of a teeter-totter to balance it and then do a pull-up on a “high bar.” Competition takes place at the regional, state and national levels each year.
our membership with students who are dedicated to the club and are willing to
issues which are debated.” ing with Marketing and IT to do writing, photography, video, social media and campaign projects such as the Giv-
Model UN takes place during fall and winter and has 15 students who participate.
1. Know who you are at your core – your values, skill, passion. 2. Think
for their argument.
about a vocation, not just a job. A job that just puts money in your pocket isn’t
DOLPH ’16 expresses how debate has
impacted her, “Practicing debate has
3. Seek balance in life.
The more we do, the less balanced we
4. Sometimes less is more. The more we do, the less time we have to be. 5. Be resilient. Don’t be afraid to change. are.
LILLY MCAVEENEY A ’15 and FRANCESC se ear reh ’15 MATEO in brightly colored costumes for the school's production of Guys and Dolls.
my thoughts and even my confidence.”
The theme for the 2013-14 school year is THE RESILIENT
The debate team tries to meet the
SACRED HEART WOMAN. Graduating young women of
Friday before an all-day Saturday tournament, practicing a mock round
courage, confidence and compassion is Woodlands Academy’s
to strengthen individual debate argu-
four-year goal. The all-girl educational environment the school
ments. The debate team has developed rapidly over the first few months
provides is much about preparing young women to be resilient.
and only continues to get stronger. “When I think about growth, I think about the personal growth my debaters are going through as a result of their experiences debating,” Coach
students have been trained to use the
Schmitt explained.
are beginning to capture first-person
so rewarding.
helped me with reasoning, organizing
ing Tuesday initiative last fall. WAM school’s new GoPro video camera and
She offered this advice:
quick rebuttals and strong justification
Debate team member ELLIE RAN-
“I hope that we continue to increase
cies of the Model UN process and the WAM is comprised of students work-
style, which encourages them to have
man.
put in great effort to learn the intrica-
titions sanctioned by the FIRST (For
debate, specifically Lincoln-Douglas
connected, and Model UN allows the participants to learn about issues and
the robot can be entered into compe-
AUDREY COLLOP Y ’16 an MARY H d URTGEN ’16 sport their tea m colors during the "fav orite-sp orts-tea themed m" day of sp irit week .
“The world is so complex and inter-
Woodlands Academy’s Robotics Club
start of each school year. Once built,
in 2010.
people,” says BRIDGET CARMODY ’15
sue that interest beyond high school,
Capturing the Student Perspective
MARISA PERINO ’16 s assists a St. Malachy' ics am cer a ing student dur . workshop
“Model UN is a fun experience that
exciting activities that build science,
WAM
JENNY SULLIVAN SANFORD ’80 joined the
important skills and develop an under-
the annual CIMUN conference held in
perform tasks that are specified at the
Jenny Sullivan Sanford
KELLY BOWLER ’15
Designed to provide students with a
technology. For those planning to pur-
principles. The robot must be able to
» CONTINUED from COVER
Newly Formed Team Makes Its Mark
MODEL UN allows par-
“We do this by engaging students in
robot based on sound engineering
DEBATE
ago, Model United Nations has quickly
ing skills and to meet a lot of great
storm, design, build and program a
ATTS ’14, CAROLINE W , CHLOE ’14 N HONORE OLSO ROLINE CA d an SCHERER ’14, ar one ne se po ’14 HITESHEW e festively the school's fiv er rin es du g Wint decorated tre Wonderwalk.
by the Leadership Team not that long
ence and technology leaders is what
moderator.
“The cupola will be the focal point of a serene meditation and reflection garden. People will be able to sit, relax, meditate, pray or otherwise enjoy the beauty and space.” The iconic cupola has been identified with the presence of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest since the school was transferred from Chicago to Lake Forest in 1904.
teacher Peter Cashman and supported
helps me to develop my public speak-
all about.
SARAH F EELEY ’9 3 filming for her la on locati test proje on ct, My Sid Sky, a ha e of the lf-hour d o c u m entary se about th ries e kids w ho eat, sl and shre eep, stud d at Win y dells Aca demy.
Brought to Woodlands Academy by
Inspiring girls to be 21st Century sci-
lands Academy of the Sacred Heart is
Plans include restoration and re-installation on the ground directly below its former perch atop the building. Its base is expected to include some of the red bricks from Old Main as a decorative element. Ninety-five percent of the building’s materials are being repurposed.
emerged as a club worthy of praise.
never heard. the 3-year-old Robotics Club at Wood-
“While we were optimistic, we didn’t know for certain that it would be able to be removed intact,” said Ralph Elwart of the Board of Trustees. “We all breathed a collective sigh of relief when our engineers carefully hoisted the cupola to its interim location.” Coincidentally, this happened on students’ last day before Christmas break, Dec. 18, 2013.
Your example, even more than your words, will be an eloquent lesson to the world.
’80
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE
Woodlands Academy Club Statistics
6
Number of social media applications utilized by Yearbook Club to collect student generated content for the 2014 Yearbook
5
47
Chemical reactions performed and examined by Chemistry Club
Number of new clubs that began meeting over the course of this school year
Percentage of students surveyed that have particapated in at least one club this school year. Some students report involvement in as many as six unique clubs.
94%
Robotic arm designs created by Robotics Club
Number of rounds argued by the newly formed debate team
6
Pages turned by book club members this school year
60
29,565
PAID PERMIT NO. 93 LAKE FOREST, IL 60045
27
WORDS of WISDOM Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat
Follow us on Twitter, become a Facebook fan, join our LinkedIn Alumnae group, enjoy video on Woodlands Academy Tube, engage in discussions on the WA Blog, and more...
Number of student-run clubs actively meeting this school year
VISIT » WOODLANDSACADEMY.ORG » FOR LATEST NEWS & INFORMATION
Exchange Program Takes New Twist with Chilean Opportunity
A. MARIA GRACIA DEL VALLE and CATALINA RIOFRANCOS don homemade birthday hats. B. ELENA GUTIERREZ ’16 and CATALINA RIOFRANCOS bond during a weekend ski excursion. C. ERIKA RODRIGUEZ ’16, MARY MCKIERNAN ’16, CATALINA RIOFRANCOS, ELENA GUTIERREZ ’16, and MARIA GRACIA DEL VALLE enjoy a lunch in Chicago.
Save the date
F
A
B
C
or the first time in Woodlands
GRACE MCKIERNAN ’16. Catalina stayed
Catalina and Maria Gracia enjoyed their
Academy’s expanding ex-
with the family of ELENA GUTIERREZ ’16.
visit. “I think Woodlands opens your
change program, two visit-
ing students from Chile will host our students later this summer.
“I thought coming here might be difficult, but the girls are so open, and the classes are so small compared to ours
mind,” said Catalina. “We’re in a good school here with the social services, clubs, classes, and how everyone treats each other is wonderful.”
MARIA GRACIA DEL VALLE and CATALINA
which are 30 to 33 students,” Catalina
RIOFRANCOS from Sacred Heart Sa-
said. She is a senior and plans to go
They look forward to having Grace and
grado Corazón, Santiago, Chile, picked
into the medical field, perhaps to be-
Elena visit their county and families this
the coldest and most snowy winter in
come either a doctor or nurse.
summer.
Maria Gracia, a junior, noted that every-
Global Education Director Amy Perlick
thing in America is different, such as
said the program, in general, is expand-
our shopping centers. “Here, every-
ing significantly, which our Strategic
thing is so big and you have food and
Plan emphasizes. She is always looking
all other supplies in one store, whereas
for host families. “Being a host family
Their all-girls pre-K through high
in Chile, you go to a supermarket and
is a great way to expose your daughter
school has about 1,400 students, and
get just food.” She enjoyed seeing
to another culture and is a good way to
the school year runs March through
Chilean wine at Costco.
be involved in exchange without having
recent history to visit Woodlands Jan. 18 through March 2. They chose Woodlands in part because of our boarding school, which is not a common amenity in Chile.
December.
Many of the Sacred Heart traditions
Both students lived in the Woodlands
made our guests feel right at home.
boarding school for half of their stay,
“We have similar traditions such as
and then with host families for the
Mater, so it was easy to walk around
other half. They liked that they could
the campus and school and feel like we
experience the “best of both worlds.”
belonged right away,” said Maria Gracia.
Maria Gracia stayed with the family of
to travel. We encourage host families to just do their normal daily routines
April 11TH CONNIE SOLARI
The Resilient Sacred Heart Woman Series
10:30AM
April 26TH CONGÉ
6:00PM
May 2ND
MAY CROWNING 10:30AM
May 14TH
FINE ARTS EVENING 6:00PM
May 21ST
MSB PRAYER SERVICE
while guests are here so that a realistic glimpse of life in the United States can be had.” Please contact Perlick if you’re interested in being a host family, as there are opportunities to do so.
June 5 TH GRADUATION 6:00PM